“Do you mean that neither of the fellows are here?” Jenkins asked, in surprise.
“Not unless they are in the treasure chamber. I went up the tunnel as far as I dared without a light, and found it empty. I suppose they thought we were getting the worst of it when the firing was heard, and wanted to help.”
“Not a bit of it,” the mate said, angrily. “They’ve been overhaulin’ the treasure; taken all they could find, an’ now propose to give us the slip.”
“It doesn’t seem reasonable they would run so many risks just for a little money.”
“The chances are that they’ve found a good deal, and rather than divide, or be contented with what the captain might choose to give them, have parted company with us.”
“That seems like suicide, for they can’t show themselves when father arrives without giving up what has been carried away.”
“Most likely they count on stealin’ a boat from the blacks, an’ gettin’ to the mainland; but they’ll find that a mighty slim chance. I wish I had hold of the sneaks for a minute, I’d show them what it means to play such a trick.”
“Don’t bother your head about it. We are well rid of men who will act like that.”
“But they’ve made way with all the treasure you discovered, most likely,” and in his anger Jenkins spoke incautiously loud.
“What of it? The chances are neither they nor we can leave the island with it, and our lives are more precious than all the pirates’ hoards that were ever buried.”