There was not the slightest notice taken of the offer.
“Look here,” cried the lieutenant, “I promise you that the man who will tell where the cargo is carried shall be amply protected.”
Still no reply.
“Come, come, come!” cried the lieutenant; “who is going to earn this money? There, time is valuable; I’ll give two hundred pounds if we capture the rest of the cargo.”
“If you’ll give me two hundred pounds I’ll tell you where it is,” said a voice out of the darkness; and a groan and a hiss arose from the prisoners.
“Bravo! my lad,” cried the lieutenant. “I give you my word of honour you shall have the two hundred pounds. Now, then; where is it? Which way shall we go? Quick! where is it?”
“Where you and your lot won’t never find it,” said the man; and there was a tremendous roar of laughter.
“Come, my lads,” said the lieutenant angrily, “follow me.”
As the men followed him down into the boat another shrill chirruping whistle rang out upon the dark night-air, a whistle which the lieutenant knew well enough to be a warning to the men ashore that there was danger.
“Never mind,” he said; “we shall find the bags this time, and with plenty of honey too, my lads. Let’s see, who was here last and went up among the rocks?”