The other body, and all the basket lumber, etcetera, were then tossed over, and the boat was cleared of all but the man who was not yet dead.
“Now let’s examine the fellow, and see if he has any chance of recovery,” said Gascoigne.
The man lay on his side; Gascoigne turned him over, and found that he was dead.
“Over with him, quick,” said Jack, “before he comes to life again.”
The body disappeared under the wave—they again hoisted the sail, Gascoigne took the helm, and our hero proceeded to draw water and wash away the stains of blood; he then cleared the boat of vine-leaves and rubbish, with which it was strewed, swept it clean fore and aft, and resumed his seat by his comrade.
“There,” said Jack, “now we’ve swept the decks, we may pipe to dinner. I wonder whether there is anything to eat in the locker?”
Jack opened it, and found some bread, garlic, sausages, a bottle of aquadente, and a jar of wine.
“So the padrone did keep his promise, after all.”
“Yes, and had you not tempted him with the sight of so much gold, might now have been alive.”
“To which I reply, that if you had not advised our going off in a speronare, he would now have been alive.”