We harnessed four men to the traces of the wheelbarrows, but our rate of progress was so slow that 'twas close on sunset ere we arrived at the clearing where the path through the forest cut across the path we were pursuing. Here Captain Jeremy decided to pitch a camp, so as to be fresh for the next day's work.
Accordingly, the men cut down bushes to form a shelter from the night dews, and a huge bonfire was lighted, for the air during the hours of darkness was decidedly cool. Then, after we had partaken of supper, we turned in and slept, save those who were set on guard.
The night passed without interruption, as Captain Jeremy had expected, since, even had Slater and his villainous crew been anywhere near, 'tis unlikely that they would have made any attempt to molest us ere we had found the treasure.
"My lads," exclaimed Captain Jeremy, as we prepared to resume our march, the barrows being left in reserve at the place where we had camped, "for the next two miles we will have to cut our way, taking our direction by the compass. Now, lest you think that our first attempt was an utter failure, let me say that I took that opportunity of verifying my bearings, having made allowance for the difference and variation 'twixt the present time and when last I made the journey to where the treasure lies. If in six miles I have hit my former track, shall we miss in two miles more? I think not; so take heart, men, and may success reward our efforts!"
Having carefully indicated the required direction by placing two stakes in a line with the magnetic bearing, Captain Jeremy gave the word for the men to proceed, and, wielding their hatchets with a will, they began to cut the path that was to extend two miles in a straight line; for the track cut by Captain Jeremy years ago was now almost totally obliterated, though we had found traces of it in the swamps.
The ground, hitherto swampy in the direct route 'twixt us and the stockade (for which reason we had made a wide detour), now became firm, standing high and continually rising towards the dip in the saddle-shaped hill that we had seen on our first approach to the island.
The men, working in relays, were instructed to hew a path wide enough for two people to walk abreast, and, keeping in a straight line with the portion they had already cut, our rate of progression was about a furlong an hour.
For two hours not a sound was heard save the dull swish of the axes as they sheared through the sap-laden canes and brushwood.
Suddenly one of the men gave an exclamation of surprise, and, dropping his axe, seized on a strange object and with a heave wrenched it from the ground. It was an arquebus, apparently of sixteenth-century workmanship, its barrel nearly rusted through, and its stock so worm-eaten that it crumbled in his grasp.
This was the first token we had seen which related to our quest, and with renewed efforts our men again attacked the impeding mass of vegetation.