Even the idea of the treasure did not prevent the boys from thinking very much of the sufferers, whom they hoped to be able to relieve, and on awakening next morning, the first question was as to whether the necessary rate of speed had been maintained.
“We’ll be there on time,” Captain Mansfield replied, cheerily. “Before twelve o’clock we shall have performed a good deed at the expense of but little trouble, or have the satisfaction of knowing we did all that was possible, under the circumstances.”
Old Andy seemed to have resolved that he would find cause for fear in everything which happened.
“We’se gwine straight to de debble,” he grumbled, when the boys spoke with him about the shipwrecked men. “Dere’s no use ter try an make me tink a bird knowed enuf after he was dead, to float alongside dis yere schooner so’s we could get de writin’, kase it don’ stan’ to reason.”
“That part of it was chance, of course,” Gil replied, “and I can’t see that there is anything strange in the men doing all they could to attract attention.”
“Wha’ men?”
“Those who have been shipwrecked.”
“Dere’s sumfin wrong ’bout de whole bizness, kase where’s de sailor man what kin ketch a gull? I’se tellin’ you, honey, dat de voudoos hab foun’ out whar we was gwine, an’ am beginnin’ to——”
He did not have an opportunity to finish the sentence, for at this point the boys literally roared with laughter, and he turned away indignantly, refusing to speak again until some one from the deck shouted:
“The key is in sight. If you boys want to get the first glimpse of the shipwrecked sailors, it is time you were tumbling up here.”