“No, yonder ship may be within hail to-morrow morning, and a fine mess we should be in,” answered the ruffian.
Hughes at once became aware that mischief was brewing, and determined to discover what it was. Slowly he dragged himself onwards, inch by inch, until he lay in a position where he could hear well. The two were sitting up, wrapped in their greatcoats, and spoke low and cautiously. The pale light of day was just breaking over the waves as hours later Hughes regained his position, gently and cautiously. Tired with watching he fell fast asleep, and it was broad daylight when he was aroused by Captain Weber shaking him by the arm.
“Rouse and bitt, my lad,” said the old seaman, laughing. “The bare planks seem to suit your humour. We want your place for breakfast.”
There was no lack of water round about them, and while he made his hasty toilet the soldier determined on the course to be taken. An attempt to possess themselves of the gold would certainly be made that night, and, as Phillips had said, Captain Weber was not the man to give it up quietly, “I have a few words for you, Captain Weber, before breakfast,” he said, as that officer passed near him.
“Heave ahead, my hearty, I’m not pressed for time,” was the reply.
“Have you noticed how sullen the men seemed yesterday, how apathetic they were when the ship went about?” asked Hughes.
“It is the natural consequence of this state of relaxed discipline and idleness,” replied the master.
“One more query. Have you not gold in these cases, in some of them at least. Are we not nearing Madagascar?”
Captain Weber turned sharply round, looking the speaker full in the face, and paused a moment as if in astonishment, ere he replied.
“Yes, I have gold dust in some of them, and if yonder ship had only stood on for an hour longer, the dust might have served me to fit out another vessel, and give me another chance; but why do you ask?”