It is probable that one of these unfortunate men might have been revived under judicious treatment; but he was not fated to receive it. Spike, who knew nothing of such matters, undertook to direct everything, and, instead of having recourse to warmth and gentle treatment, he ordered the bodies to be rolled on a cask, suspended them by the heels, and resorted to a sort of practice that might have destroyed well men, instead of resuscitating those in whom the vital spark was dormant, if not actually extinct.
Two hours later, Rose, seated in her own cabin, unavoidably overheard the following dialogue, which passed in English, a language that Se¤or Montefalderon spoke perfectly well, as has been said.
“Well, Se¤or,” said Spike, “I hope this little accident will not prevent our final trade. You will want the brig now, to take the schooner's place.”
“And how am I to pay you for the brig, Se¤or Spike, even if I buy her?”
“I'll ventur' to guess there is plenty of money in Mexico. Though they do say the government is so backward about paying, I have always found you punctual, and am not afraid to put faith in you ag'in.”
“But I have no longer any money to pay you half in hand, as I did for the powder, when last in New York.”
“The bag was pretty well lined with doubloons when I saw it last, Se¤or.”
“And do you know where that bag is; and where there is another that holds the same sum?”
Spike started, and he mused in silence some little time, ere he again spoke.
“I had forgotten,” he at length answered. “The gold must have all gone down in the schooner, along with the powder!”