Next morning the work of making ready for sea was continued without intermission, save during the heat of the day, when Ned allowed his crew a siesta of two hours.
By nightfall very much had been accomplished.
A greater portion of the goods had been lightered from the shore, the sails were bent, and the hold nearly freed from water.
As the custodian of the treasure Vance, thought it necessary to keep a strict watch seaward lest some craft should heave in sight without his knowing it, although what possible injury this might have been to the money, neither Roy nor Ned could understand.
The second day of refitting resulted in the accomplishment of a satisfactory amount of work, according to Ned’s ideas, and the third saw the task nearly completed.
With the exception of filling the water-casks the Zoe was ready for sea, and on this evening a very interesting and important discussion took place in the cabin, which was now used as a sleeping apartment, the hangings and upholstering having dried very quickly in the hot climate.
“It is time we settled upon the course we are to steer,” Ned said when the three were enjoying the few moments of rest before going to bed. “I count on leavin’ this port by nine o’clock to-morrow, and the matter had better be settled now.”
“Is everything done?” Vance asked.
“We have yet to fill the water-casks, but that can’t take more than a couple of hours.”
“It seems that you are counting on having a wind?”