Then a quarrel had arisen, perhaps in regard to the division of the spoils, and, armed with knives if nothing more, the duel had been fought.
To the affrighted three on the beach it seemed as if they could see the hideous tragedy as the men, frantic with passion, faced each other in that frail craft.
How she must have tossed to and fro beneath their heavy tread! How many waves had been shipped while they were locked in the last wild clutch, and what must have been the thoughts of the dying survivor as he sat in front of his lifeless adversary, knowing he would soon join him on the last voyage, which would end only when they were brought before the all-seeing Judge to answer not only for this, but all the crimes they had ever committed!
“I would be willing to stay on this key a mighty long while rather than leave in that craft,” Vance said with a shudder, and neither he nor his companions thought any longer that a way of escape had been opened to them by the coming of the boat.
It was destined, however, that there should be no possibility of their ever putting to sea in the craft which had brought such a cargo of crime’s evidences.
Within twenty yards of where they were standing a fringe of coral rose nearly to the surface of the water, and when the boat was almost over this a short wave lifted her on high. Then, receding, it allowed the half wrecked craft to drop directly upon the knife-like coral.
The timbers were divided as if with a saw, and the dead bodies of the murderers flung out inside the small reef, where the action of the water caused them to advance and retreat as if swimming in sport.
The boys would have thought it possible the men were yet alive, owing to these grotesque movements, but for the fact that they had been watching them so long, and after one quick, frightened glance at the hideous corpses, the castaways, with a common impulse, ran to the tent to shut out from view the horrible scene.
CHAPTER X.
TREASURE-SEEKING.
Not until they were in the tent cowering among the bedclothes as if fearing they might have been pursued by specters did either of the party realize how foolishly he was acting.