Nat—[Feebly, his will crumbling.] But—how do you know?—some other schooner——
Bartlett—Not know my own ship—and the signal I’d ordered Horne to make!
Nat—[Mechanically.] I know—a red and a green at the mainm’sthead.
Bartlett—Then look out if ye dare! [He goes to a porthole.] Ye kin see it plain from here. [Commandingly.] Will ye believe your eyes? Look! [Nat comes to him slowly—looks through the porthole—and starts back, a possessed expression coming over his face.]
Nat—[Slowly.] A red and a green—clear as day!
Bartlett—[His face is now transfigured by the ecstasy of a dream come true.] They’ve lowered a boat—the three—Horne an’ Cates and Jimmy Kanaka. They’re rowin’ ashore. Listen. I hear the oars in the locks. Listen!
Nat—[Staring into his father’s eyes—after a pause during which he appears to be straining his hearing to the breaking point—excitedly.] I hear!
Bartlett—Listen! They’ve landed. They’ll be comin’ up the path now. [In a crooning, monotonous tone.] They move slowly—slowly. It be heavy, I know—that chest. [After a pause.] Hark! They’re below at the door in front.
Nat—I hear!
Bartlett—Ye’ll see it now in a moment, boy—the gold. Up with it, bullies! Up ye come! Up, bullies! It’s heavy, heavy!