r.

"What are you thinking about, sir?" he cried.

"About what you said, uncle," said the lad, rather confusedly.

"I didn't say anything, sir. I was listening to you."

"Yes, you did, Uncle Paul," said the boy sternly. "You said that it
would be murder to leave a man here without a boat."

"Oh, of course. So I did. And so it would be, sir. But now look here,
Rodd. I haven't known you, sir, since you were little more than a baby
without being able to read some of the changes which come over your
face. What were you thinking about that boat?"

"I was thinking, uncle, suppose he had one."

"But he hadn't one. Look here, sir; you are thinking something, and
suspecting something."

"Yes, uncle, I am; but I don't know what."

"I suppose that's because you were prejudiced against the Spaniard by
what Chubb said."

"I suppose so, uncle. You know how he said he wouldn't trust that man a
bit?"

"Yes, yes."

"Well, I always felt that I couldn't trust him a bit."

"Prejudice, boy--prejudice."

"I dare say it was, uncle; and when I found how he showed us everything
we wanted I tried to believe in him; but my head felt as if it wouldn't
go."

"He hadn't got a boat; he hadn't got a boat," said the doctor, as if to
himself.

"No, uncle; but suppose he had got a canoe?"

"That's it," cried Morny excitedly. "You are right, Rodd. You think
those were his two men?"

"Yes," said Rodd. "Two black fellows out of his schooner."

"And--and--" panted Morny, as the doctor's jaw fell and he stood staring
at the two lads, utterly speechless--"you believe that he has led us
right out here in this wild maze of a place to lose us, while he goes
back to--to--"

The poor fellow broke down, and Rodd caught him by the hand; but Morny
in the passion of his emotion snatched his away.

"Don't--don't say it!" he cried.--"While he has gone back for who knows
what? Oh, father, father, why did I come away?"

"Stop, boys, stop!" cried Uncle Paul; and to the surprise of both he
plumped himself down upon the sand, drawing up his knees, planting his
elbows upon them, and resting his burning head upon his hands. "Wait a
bit," he said. "I want to think; I want to think; I want to think.
Ah-h-h!" he groaned, at last. "Who could have imagined it? Who could
have thought it? A trick--a ruse!"

Then springing up he looked sharply round, to see that the boat's crew
were grouped together watching him wonderingly, and that see