"It is a much better place than the open beach," said the Skipper. "We can sight all the vessels that come, and tell who are friends and who are foes."
"It is not likely," said I, "that the buccaneers will return very soon, especially as they have had a sea fight, and if they do, they do not know that we are here, or anything about this side of the cave."
"It's a good idea to stay here for the present," said the Skipper.
"And what of ghosts and skeletons?" asked I.
"Well, the place is haunted, that I know," said the old man, "but I'd rather stay here than to risk it on the shore. You don't know what's on that shore or who's comin' to meet you. I'd rather take my chances here a darn sight. Rather take 'em with the spooks than with the revolutionists."
"What do you think I've found, sir?" said the Bo's'n, coming in just here. "Begging your pardon for interruptin'."
"Lord knows!" said the Skipper. "Anything from a diamond as big as a hen's egg to a coach and four. Anything's allowable for shipwrecked mariners like ourselves."
The Bo's'n looked sheepish and shuffled his feet about, a habit that seemed to grow on him.
"Do you remember, sir," he said, screwing up his eyes and turning his head to one side like a wise bird—"do you remember that hollow tree?"
"'F course I do," said the Skipper, not waiting for me to answer; "the tree where we lay hid while those murderous vil——"