"My lads," said he, "in the course of a few days I hope to have the long-sought-for treasure in our possession. Now, since no one can deny that I am a just man, I'll speak plainly on what I propose to do. Those of you who left England in the Golden Hope will receive a share in the Madre treasure, while all hands are entitled to the spoils we recovered from the wreck of the pirate ship. Now, to prevent mistakes, I propose to separate the two; and since the Neptune is of the lighter build, and sails a full knot faster than the Golden Hope, I'll stow the whole of the Madre treasure in the hold of the Neptune. Thus, should we be attacked while homeward bound, the Golden Hope can ward off our foes while the Neptune shows a clean pair of heels. Then, should Providence guide us safely into port, a fair and just distribution will be made ere we warp alongside Poole Quay."
Three cheers greeted this announcement, though I felt certain that there were a dozen rogues at least who were laughing in their sleeves at Captain Jeremy for being a fool.
Ere noon arrived the whole of the treasure that we had recovered from the buccaneering craft was safely stowed away in the strong room of the Golden Hope; while, acting under instructions, Joe Clemens and several of the proved members of the Neptune's crew removed their personal effects to the parent ship.
Meanwhile, the men who garrisoned the stockade had not been idle. They had thoroughly explored the cliff path that led to the now deserted buccaneering settlement, and also the road that traversed the island from north to south, the same one that we had struck on our first expedition into the interior. The cliff route was found to be far more practicable than the direct one through the forest, though 'twas considerably longer.
Captain 'Enery had constructed several large wheelbarrows so that, with the assistance of a couple of men pulling ahead, the treasure could be conveyed to the shore with comparative ease; and Captain Jeremy gave orders for several large boxes, or chests, to be made of strong wood, each numbered on the lid. These boxes, he announced, would hold the treasure safely during the passage home, till the time came for it to be duly apportioned.
While this was being done Captain Jeremy sent a party of six trusty men to proceed along the east coast of the island in a southerly direction till they came to a clump of three small palm trees standing far apart from the rest of the vegetation and close to the water's edge. These the men were to cut down, move a hundred yards in a southerly direction, and set up again as well as they were able. The seamen did this faithfully and well, whereat Captain Jeremy again slapped his thigh in evident satisfaction.
That the rascals on board the Neptune were in constant communication with Slater and his fellows we had no doubt, for twice we perceived two men swimming off to the ship by night. Yet all this Captain Jeremy purposely winked at, being of a mind to let the villains work their own destruction.
On the morning of the day before we purposed to set out to secure the treasure, two of the rascals rowed alongside the Golden Hole and asked permission to water their ship, as the tanks were well-nigh empty. To this request Captain Jeremy readily gave permission, and by the ill-concealed grin on the faces of the rogues when they heard him agree, I knew that they were setting in a store to last them on a voyage.
Every preparation having been completed, our Captain recalled 'Enery to take charge of the Golden Hope during his absence, while Touchstone was again to be in command of the stockade.
"There's mischief brewing," said he to Captain 'Enery. "But, mark my words, they'll lie quiet enough till the treasure is safely aboard the Neptune. Nevertheless, I know I can rely upon you to take every precaution to safeguard the ship; but do nothing to arouse suspicion. Let the men have shore leave if they ask for it; do nothing beyond the daily routine, for should those rascals smell a rat, all our preparations would count for naught."