Dave did not know that Lemuel Hankers had given strict orders to Captain Nesik, of the Raven, to keep out of sight of the Swallow, and that the Raven was now well hidden in a little cove thickly surrounded by palms and tropical vines.
In less than two hours after leaving Dave, Lemuel Hankers and his son rejoined the Raven.
"What has become of Pete Rackley?" questioned Captain Nesik.
"He went off by himself," answered Lemuel Hankers. "To my mind, he isn't just right in his head."
"Why, what do you mean?"
"He ran around like a crazy man, and broke out into the wildest kind of singing. Said he was done with living on a ship, and was going to become a hermit."
This story was told for the benefit of the crew of the Raven.
In private, Lemuel Hankers told Captain Nesik the truth, and before nightfall the captain went ashore, pretending to look for Rackley.
When he came back he announced that Rackley must be dead, for he had found his hat at the top of a high cliff overlooking the ocean, and a part of his jacket on the jagged rocks below.
That night the Raven pulled up anchor and left the vicinity of the island. Before morning she was crowding on all steam, steering straight for the spot where the sunken treasure ship had gone down.