The human intruder left this well-matched pair to their own venomous devices, and winding his way on, he soon came to the open door to the vaults. A powerful kick smashed in the door of the dungeon, and while the rusty bolts were still ringing on the stone pavement, Paul Darcantel entered the loathsome chamber.
He saw nothing at first save a few fragments of broken crockery and a rusty metal pot––not even a rat. But flaring the torch down upon the mouldy floor something sparkled in the light. This he snatched, and it was the long-lost locket and chain which had last rested around the baby-boy’s neck.
When the doctor strode back to the esplanade of the chapel he found Benjamin Brown and Banou taking a friendly sip out of the tin pot.
“Well, sir,” said Ben, as he got on his pins and strapped on his cutlass, “there he is, sir! and as neat a piece of cross-lashing as ever I did. He looks as if he growed there, jist like a hawk-bill turtle a-bilin’ in the ship’s coppers, only he can’t paddle about.
“I did it marciful, too, sir, and tried to convarse with him, in case he had any presents to make to his friends.
“Why, sir, and would you believe it? I offered to pour a drop of grog––mixed or raw––down his tight mouth, but he never had the perliteness to thank me or ax me a question, but only looked wicked at me. Consarn him! if he had only winked, I wouldn’t mind it!” said Ben, with much indignation; “but, howsever, I don’t b’lieve he’s any think to leave or any friends left!”
But Captain Brand, though speechless without being tongue-tied, and unable to wink, still thought. And what did the doctor propose to do with him in case he was not to be stung to death by insects, sand-flies, musquitoes, and what not?
“Lift the trestle for the last time, men, and stand it here over this 298 thick bed of cactus, so as the little finger may touch the letter on this white tomb-stone.”
Now Captain Brand’s doubts were relieved, and he knew what was coming. Oh ho! ho!
“There! that is right! Now collect stones and rocks, and wall this trestle up solid to the edge of the frame, so that a hurricane can’t loosen it.”