Cates—[His eyes glistening.] That’s diff’rent. Any man’d remember that, even if he was crazy.
Horne—[With a greedy grin.] Aye. That’s the one thing I see in my sleep. [Gloatingly.] We’ll dig it up soon now. In three months we’d ought to be there—an’ then we’ll be rich, by Christ! [There is the faint sound of cries from the beach below. Horne starts and turns to look down again.] They must ’a’ finished it. [Cates and Jimmy come to the edge to look down.]
Jimmy—[Suddenly—with an eager childish curiosity.] That falla wife Captain she make strong falla spell on ship, we sail fast, plenty good wind?
Horne—[Contemptuously.] Aye, that’s as near as ye’ll come to it. She’s makin’ a spell. Ye stay here, Jimmy, and tell us when the Old Man is comin’. [Jimmy remains looking down. Horne motions Cates to follow him, front—then in a low voice, disgustedly.] Did ye hear that damn fool nigger?
Cates—[Grumblingly.] Why the hell is the Old Man givin’ him a full share? One piece o’ it’d be enough for a nigger like him.
Horne—[Craftily.] There’s a way to get rid o’ him—if it comes to that. He knifed them two, ye remember.
Cates—Aye.
Horne—The two o’ us can take oath to that in any court.
Cates—Aye.
Horne—[After a calculating look into his companion’s greedy eyes—meaningly.] We’re two sane men, Cates—and the other two to share is a lunatic and a nigger. The skipper’s showed me where there’s a copy o’ his map o’ the island locked up in the cabin—in case anything happens to him I’m to bring back the gold to his woman, he says. [He laughs harshly.] Bring it back! Catch me! The fool! I’ll be open with ye, Cates. If I could navigate and find the island myself I wouldn’t wait for a cracked man to take me there. No, be damned if I would! Me and you’d chance it alone someway or other.