“We were half insane with our discovery. But for a time it seemed as if it would avail us naught.
“To reach the isle we must have a ship, and a crew of sworn and trusted men. For a long time we were in a quandary. But at length we found Signor Barboni, a merchant of Palermo, who lent us his assistance. A small ship was fitted out secretly and we sailed, nine men of us, Alfonso and Barboni.
“In due course we reached Mona. We landed at once and began to search for the treasure. And here was our grand mistake.
“We had traced our way into a rocky cavern. Digging in the sand we had, as we believed, almost reached the gold. A bit of earthen pottery was thrown out and a coin found, when a reverse came.
“Suddenly there descended upon us a hundred or more savage Caribs. A terrible battle ensued.
“We were not effectively armed, and the odds were tremendous. My brother Alfonso was brained by one of the savages. Signor Barboni was the next victim. We fought our way to the surf, and only three of us, covered with wounds, reached the ship.
“We spread sails to get away from the accursed place. A calm was on the sea, however, and there we lay until nightfall. Then a terrible thing happened.”
CHAPTER V.
A BOLD ESCAPE.
Poole paused a moment, huskily. He arose and took down a decanter and glasses.
He filled and offered them to his visitors. They sipped the wine. He took a copious draught and then went on: