In Search of Treasure

“It is a pity that we didn’t bring a pail with us to hold water, so that we need not have been obliged to retrace our footsteps.”

“We shall know better how to manage to-morrow.”

The three explorers wandered about till they were very tired, and a full hour before the time set they were on the beach waiting for the boat to carry them back to the Osprey. They were seen from the vessel, and in a few minutes they were on board again.

“Well,” said Captain Richmond, addressing Guy, “what have you accomplished?”

“We have discovered a spring and explored a part of the island.”

“Have you found the treasure?”

“Not yet,” answered Guy.

“So I supposed,” returned the captain, with a sneer.

He said nothing more, but he had succeeded in making Guy feel uncomfortable.

CHAPTER XXXI

A STARTLING SUGGESTION

The program for the next day was like that of the first, except that no time was spent on a general exploration of the island.

The impatience shown by Captain Richmond made Guy fear that unless the treasure were speedily found he would object to staying longer. Of course, this would be in violation of the agreement he had made with the owners, but there was no court to enforce that agreement, and if the captain should, in his obstinacy, decide to sail away, the whole object of the expedition would be lost, or, at any rate, indefinitely deferred.

Therefore, on reaching the island in the morning, Guy and his two friends immediately set about searching for the six trees arranged in the shape of a cross. It did not seem that it would be difficult to find them, but nevertheless three more days slipped away, and at the end of that time they were no nearer success than before.

Even Guy began to feel anxious. He knew that in the event of the failure of the expedition Mr. Saunders might blame him for the loss of the considerable sum which had been spent in fitting it out, and, moreover, he would feel in duty bound to return the five thousand dollars which the merchant had advanced to him.

A part of this sum had been spent, some of it in paying the mortgage on his father’s house, and he would be left hopelessly in debt.

“Don’t feel blue, Guy,” said Abner Titcomb. “It took us months to come here, and surely we can spare a month for the search.”

“Yes, Abner; but will the captain wait for us that long?”

“There is the rub?” said Titcomb. “For some reason he is very impatient, and very averse to staying here.”

“Probably he is naturally impatient,” suggested Luke Clark.

“That does not explain it. He is evidently unfriendly to Guy, and does not want him to succeed.”

“And for that reason I am all the more determined to succeed,” said Guy, firmly.

For two hours after this they searched vigorously and earnestly. Not a clump of trees but was scanned critically, in the hope that it might be the lucky cross of which they were in quest.

The time most dreaded by Guy was the evening and the return to the ship unsuccessful and empty-handed.

Captain Richmond was always on hand, and always put the question:

“Well, have you succeeded?”

“Not yet,” answered Guy, reluctantly.

“Of course not,” retorted the captain, contemptuously.

“But I mean to do so,” said Guy, pluckily.

“And how many years do you expect me to ride at anchor here waiting for you?”

“We have been here but five days, so far,” said Guy.

“And have accomplished nothing. You might as well make up your mind, first as last, that there is nothing to be found here. I don’t believe, for my part, that any pirates ever visited the island.”

“Why, then, should a dying man tell my uncle so, Captain Richmond?”

“It was a sailor’s yarn. There are some men who can’t help lying, even upon their deathbed.”

“Don’t you believe any pirates ever concealed their booty?”

“Nine out of ten of the stories about pirates and hidden treasure are fabrications.”

“Be that as it may, Captain Richmond,” said Guy, with dignity, “you will lose nothing by waiting.”

“I shall lose my patience, for one thing.”

“I don’t think you have much.”

“No impertinence, young man!” said Captain Richmond, angrily.

“I don’t mean to be impertinent, but I want you to carry out in good faith the terms of the agreement I made with your owners.”

The captain walked away without a word, but there was a look upon his face which Guy did not like. He knew that if the captain chose to put an end to his stay upon the island he would have no alternative but to submit, and would be obliged to keep on to Bombay in the humiliation of failure.

Guy’s fears were increased by a few words he had with Frank Low, the young sailor already referred to as an object of dislike to the captain.

It was one evening, when the captain had retired early.

“Guy—Mr. Fenwick,” said Frank, “let me speak a few words to you.”

“By all means, Frank. You need not call me Mr. Fenwick. I am only a boy like yourself—younger, indeed.”

“But you are a passenger, while I am only a poor sailor.”

“You are my friend, all the same. Now what have you to tell me?”

“Captain Richmond is in a great funk at being obliged to stay here while you are on shore.”

“I know that very well, Frank, but he has no right to be. I made a special agreement with the owners of the Osprey for which they will be handsomely paid.”