While the men were closing the hatch in the lower deck, I went forward to the bow, where there was a pile of fire-wood. I climbed over it, and found a crevice between the stem and the planking of the deck, into which I jammed the bag. I was sure the mate would not find it there; and, having disposed of my treasure, I hastened to join my shipmates who were men of our party. They understood that I was surveying the ground for the movement that night, and covered my operations so that I was not noticed by any person on the other side.
I felt easier after I had put my money in what I regarded as a safe place. I did not expect to leave the vessel before we had captured her; but, even if we failed, I could, with the assistance of my friends, take off the fore scuttle, and recover the bag. I felt full of confidence that we should succeed in our plan, and that, before eight bells in the morning watch, the bark would be headed to the north. We actually ran away from the steamer, if she discovered us at all. The mate made no more trouble, and everything went along quietly till the first dog watch, in which I had my trick at the wheel.
CHAPTER XVI.
IN WHICH PHIL FINDS HIMSELF A PRISONER IN THE STEERAGE.
Waterford certainly looked as ugly as ever, if he did not act so. He planked the deck on the weather side, and occasionally glanced at me, as though I was the cause of all the misfortunes that had checkered the calendar of his existence. My party were all forward, as there was nothing to do; for the mate, besides promising the men plum duff and grog, had also given them "watch and watch." Before, he had labored hard to make work for the men; now, he gave them an easy time, and one watch was to be permitted to be below all the time, except when heavy weather required all hands.
The five Spanish and Portuguese sailors were leaning against the fiferail of the mainmast. They had drank their grog, and being in high favor with the mate, were very cheerful. I paid little or no attention to them, for I was obliged to keep my eye steadily on the binnacle. I saw Waterford stop at the foot of the mainmast, and talk with these slave-trading ruffians; but he soon resumed his walk, and took no further notice of them.
The mate, as he came near the wheel, half an hour later, halted, and looked at the spanker.
"Aft here, three of you, and give a pull on the spanker-sheet," said he.
Martino, Gorro, and Grego hastened upon the quarter-deck to obey the order. They cast off the sheet, and gave it a pull.