"Those have started within the hour, I shall start with the last as soon as the moon rises," replied Camotte.
"Remember," said Tom, thoughtfully, "that tomorrow morning at sunrise, if not before, you must be back."
"Be easy as to that, captain," said the other, significantly; "I shall not leave the island without a chief just now."
"Humph!" observed the captain, suspiciously, "Is there anything fresh in the air?"
"Nothing in appearance, much in reality."
"You can speak out here," said Tom Mitchell; "if you have anything to say, say it without hesitation."
"About an hour ago, when I was going my round," said the matter-of-fact and faithful Camotte, "I met that fellow Versenca at the water's edge; he was wet through, and had evidently been swimming. When he saw me he was utterly confounded, and then when I questioned him as to his conduct he gave me a lot of silly reasons a child of five would have seen through."
The captain reflected with a dark frown.
"Redouble your vigilance, my good Camotte," he said at last. "On the first suspicion arrest him until I come back."
"For greater safety, captain," replied Camotte, "I shall take him with me tonight, I can watch him."