In Search of Treasure

“No. I have a description of the particular island I want to visit, explicit enough for me to identify it when I see it.”

“What do you know about these islands? Are they inhabited?”

“I don’t know.”

“What do you know about them?” asked the captain, rudely.

“Very little. It is not necessary that I should know much. The main point is this: I have reason to believe that on the island I seek there is concealed somewhere a large treasure, stored there years since by a band of pirates.”

Captain Richmond laughed incredulously.

“That is an old woman’s tale,” he said. “And it is to find this treasure that you want me to turn aside from my course and waste perhaps a couple of months?”

Guy was provoked at the other’s words and manner.

“I don’t think, Captain Richmond,” he said, “there is any reason to complain of this. You, or rather your owners, will be well compensated for any prolongation of the voyage.”

“I suppose we are to be paid out of this fabulous treasure,” sneered the captain.

“No, sir. My principal, Mr. Saunders, of Bombay, is abundantly able to pay what he has contracted to do, even if the treasure proves fabulous, as you suggest.”

“So you talked him into a belief in its existence?”

“As to that, he thinks there is sufficient chance of its existence to warrant the outlay he has made.”

“Then I don’t think much of his good judgment.”

“It does not seem to me, Captain Richmond, that this concerns anyone except himself. It is merely a business venture.”

“How long do you expect me to cruise round among these islands?” asked the captain, evidently in bad humor.

“I can’t say yet. Of course, I shall want to make a thorough search.”

“And in the meantime the Osprey is to lie at anchor, and all on board are to fold their hands?”

“As to that I have no control. It may be interesting to you to explore the islands. At any rate, you will be paid for your time.”

“I shouldn’t like this thing to get out. I should become a laughing-stock.”

“I don’t see why. You will simply be carrying out the instructions of your owners.”

“What more have you to say to me, Mr. Fenwick?”

As the captain pronounced Guy’s name his inflection was sarcastic, but Guy did not expect courtesy from this quarter and he chose to take no notice of the slur.

“Were you ever in the neighborhood of the Agalegas Islands, Captain Richmond?”

“No; and I presume very few skippers have had occasion to go anywhere near them, except, of course, your friends the pirates.”

“I suppose it will soon be necessary to change your course, so as to steer for them?”

“I think you can safely leave that to me, Mr. Fenwick. Did you seek this interview in order to give me advice?”

“No, captain; only to have an understanding. Though you don’t seem to have a favorable opinion of my chances of success, I am sure you will help me so far as lies in your power.”

“Humph!” returned the captain. “I don’t know that I am called on to do anything except to sail among the islands, and give you a chance to pick out the one you are in search of.”

“If you will allow me, I will read you a short description of the island.”

“Go on.”

“It is well wooded to within a mile of the shore; toward the center there is a hill, or slight eminence, perhaps a hundred and fifty feet in altitude. The extent of it is probably five miles by eight.”

“The island seems to be quite large. Do you expect to dig it all over before giving up your search?”

“That will not be necessary. I have some directions as to the place where the treasure is hidden.”

“This seems very much like a fairy tale, Mr. Fenwick. Would you like my opinion of this man who has sent you on such a wildgoose chase?”

“You can express it to me, if you like, Captain Richmond,” said Guy, with dignity.

“Then I think he’s a blooming idiot, neither more nor less.”

This was said in a very offensive tone.

“I don’t think, Captain Richmond, that you will find many persons in Bombay who will agree with you in your estimate of Mr. Saunders’ character. Blooming idiots don’t, as a general thing, succeed in business as he has done.”

Captain Richmond listened to these words with an ironical smile, and Guy left his presence satisfied that he could expect no help from him beyond what he felt obliged to give.

CHAPTER XXVIII

THE ISLAND AT LAST

Guy was not without fears that Captain Richmond would, on some pretext, decline to carry out his contract, and refuse to visit the Agalegas Islands.

A captain at sea is such an autocrat that he often takes indefensible liberties, and transcends his rightful authority. He can make things exceedingly uncomfortable for anyone for whom he feels a dislike or cherishes a grudge.

It soon became evident, however, that whatever opinion he might have of Guy’s enterprise, he didn’t intend to interpose any obstacle to his visit to the islands.

Abner Titcomb, though for the last ten years a blacksmith, was from the age of twenty to thirty years a seaman, and had risen to be a first mate. He could, in an emergency, have taken the place of captain and commanded a vessel.

He assured Guy, from his own observations, that Captain Richmond had changed his course, and was steering in the direction of the islands.

“That relieves me very much,” said Guy. “I didn’t know what the captain’s obstinacy might have led him to do.”

“He may still be able to thwart you, even after reaching the island,” returned Titcomb.

“I won’t borrow trouble in advance,” said Guy. “The first step is to reach the island. After that I will manage to carry out the rest of the program.”