The four Dutch seamen gazed slowly at one another; the Englishmen’s glance had more of life, but it was easy to see that every man marveled greatly, each according to his powers of feeling astonished. I seemed to notice that one or two doubted their hearing, by their manner of gazing about them as though to make sure of their surroundings. After a pause Yan Bol said:
“She vhas roundt der Hoorn.”
“Where else, Yan?” exclaimed Friend.
“A ship in a cave!” cried William Galen; “dot vhas funny, captain.”
“Fire away with your remarks, and ask your questions,” said Greaves good-naturedly, and he plunged his hands in his pockets, and walked to and fro abreast of the men.
“Ship or no ship,” exclaimed Travers, “I allow that that there island’s to be our port—there and home a-constitooting the voyage?”
“That’s so,” said Greaves; “any more questions?”
“A ship in a cave! Dot vhas strange,” said Bol. “Suppose dot ship hov gone proke, und you findt der cave mit noting inside? Ve go home all der same?”
“All the same,” echoed Greaves.
“And if the vessel’s there, sir, and the dollars?” said a man named Call, in a thin voice.