"Donnerblitzen, boy, vos iss dot? Provisions?"
"No, sir. It's the sapphire chest I told you about. The one that these scamps robbed me of."
"Ach himmel, undt you gedt it back. Poy, you iss a vounder, aind't idt? Budt don't told it to me aboudt it now alretty. Ledt me hear it later. Vee haf no time to lose."
Reaching up Nat cut the rope that held the chest suspended and exerting his strength lowered it into the boat.
"Now then, we're ready," he said, getting out the oars. "I think—hark!"
From the cabin port above them there came a roar—a bull-like bellow of rage. It was Swensen's voice. Evidently he had just awakened and discovered that the chest had vanished.
"Morello! Dayton!" they could hear him thunder out. "Der chest! Der chest bane gone!"
"Undt it's time dot vee bane gone, too," echoed Captain Nelsen. "Gif vay mit dose oars, ladt."
"Which way shall I pull, captain?"
"Any place avay from der schooner. Pretty soon dis be like vun hornets' nest, alretty yet."