After refusing to enter the tunnel with the remainder of the party, the old man had made his way toward the interior of the island, hoping to find a hiding-place in some of the trees, and succeeded only in losing his way.
After walking nearly an hour, he found himself in sight of the big cave where the blacks were assembled in full force, and this so frightened him that he thought only of trying to find his comrades. To that end he struck out in the direction where he supposed the shaft to be located, and was within a few yards of the desired spot when he was seized by five men.
From that moment until the revolvers were discharged, Andy had no hope anything could be done to aid him, and, losing faith for the first time in his mysterious charm, prepared for death.
It was evident from the manner of telling the story that he did not care to go into the details, after having brought the trouble all on himself, and a remark made by Gil relative to the treasure-chamber gave him a good excuse for changing the topic of conversation.
“Am it sure dem men took all de gol’ dere was in de hole?” he asked, and Nelse said, with some slight show of enthusiasm:
“What’s to prevent us from finding out exactly the condition of affairs? We’ve got to stay here, and an examination of the place will serve to make the time pass more quickly.”
“Perhaps we might be needed here suddenly,” Gil suggested; but Jenkins said, decidedly:
“I’ll guarantee there’ll be nothin’ goin’ on in this part of the island till sunrise, so if you feel disposed to have a look at the place after them scoundrels have got away with the treasure, there’s nothing to prevent.”
“Somebody will have to help us down. I wouldn’t want to try to lower Nelse alone.”
“Andy can attend to that part of the business. Let him stand by the rope, an’, in case anything should happen which ain’t probable, I can pass the word to him.”