“Half the guns and rifles have been taken away! and I think they’re hidden behind those bushes close to the boats.”
“Very likely,” said the captain, without moving a muscle. “All right, sir, all right. My lads have got gold dust in their eyes, and can’t see right. We’ll dust it out of ’em by-and-by.”
The by-and-by was not long after, for the captain suddenly cried out:
“Now, my lads, lighten the cutter all you can. Jem, you and three more will man her. Like to come with me, Mr Brace?”
“Yes, I’ll come,” said the young man firmly, and he gazed anxiously at the men to see what was to happen next.
Nothing. No one stirred till the captain sprang to his feet.
“Did you hear me?” he roared.
For answer the crew clustered together on the shore, and there was a quick whispering, several of the men urging Jem to speak.
This he did at last, desperately, his words following one another in a hurried way.
“We’ve been thinking, captain, that now we’ve found plenty of gold we don’t want to go no farther up this here river.”