It was yet quite early in the afternoon when the work was finished, and Gil urged his father to go with him and Nelse to the old palm.
“If we are to stay here three or four days there is no reason why we shouldn’t continue to hunt for the treasure, since it will serve to occupy the time, but Andy believes something terrible will happen if we do such a thing.”
“If you find any pleasure in digging, keep at it, by all means,” Captain Mansfield said, laughingly, “but I don’t care to walk even a dozen yards for the purpose of seeing an old tree. Andy’s foolish talk needn’t trouble you, for it is merest nonsense to think a voudoo can do more than any other person.”
Gil wanted to get his father’s advice as to the best method of testing the correctness of the chart, but all pleadings were in vain.
The captain refused to make any suggestion whatever, and the subject was soon dropped, as the coming voyage was brought up for discussion.
During the afternoon one of the sailors walked several miles along the eastern and southern coast to make certain the blacks were not returning, and in the hope of sighting some sail, but both these missions resulted in the same manner.
No craft of any kind could be seen, and at an early hour all hands “turned in” on the sand, it being thought unnecessary to stand watch.
It was not yet daylight when the boys were awakened by Jenkins, who said, as they opened their eyes:
“The wind has come around from the south’ard an’ east’ard, and the captain is ready to start.”
The little tender had already been launched, and it was only necessary for the voyagers to step aboard.