"Wall," observed Captain Westfield, "when we are at sea I'm generally the head man, but hyar on shore an' at this fishing business, I reckon Charley thar does the leading."
"And a good leader he is too, I'll bet," said Hunter, flatteringly.
"Oh, cut out all the soft-soap business," said Charley, shortly, disgusted with the fellow's attempts at flattery. "If you have anything to say to us say it."
"But it's a private business," Hunter protested. "Just let me talk to you alone for a few minutes."
Charley was about to refuse the request but curiosity as to what Hunter wanted to say prevailed. With a wink at his chums he accompanied the fellow to one side, apart from his companions.
"Now, say what you have to say and be quick about it," he said, curtly.
Hunter hesitated a moment. "Suppose there was something on this island that I was interested in," he began.
"There is," said Charley, with a grin, "but if you want to talk to me, talk plainly. I know you buried that aguardiente on the island."
"All right, say I did," agreed Hunter, defiantly, dropping his friendly pose. "I don't mind saying I did to you. You can't make anything out of that. If you said I told you I did, I'd swear I didn't. That's why I wanted to talk to you alone. I wasn't hankering for any witnesses to our talk.
"Might as well wait and hear what I have to say," he continued, doggedly, "because I won't say a word before the others."