There was a bright moon, nearly full, riding
high in the sky, and Ned was rather apprehensive that his movements
might attract attention and provoke pursuit. But the men had, for some
reason or other, kindled a large fire, round which they were holding
their carouse, and Damerell could only hope that the brilliant blaze
would dazzle their eyes, and blind them to everything beyond the circle
of its influence. Perhaps it did so, for when they reached the ship
there was no sign of pursuit.

Ned had never allowed the idea of escape to be absent from his thoughts
for a single day since the memorable one upon which the ship had first
been seized; but, fertile as he usually was in resource, he had never
been able to think of anything practicable except that of seeking a
refuge in the treasure-cave; and this scheme was open to so many serious
objections that he and Sibylla had agreed together that it must not be
adopted except as a very last resource. Now, however, as the dinghy
approached the ship and Ned gazed admiringly aloft at the tall graceful
spars and complicated network of rigging, and reflected that at that
moment the beautiful fabric was in charge of only one man--and that man
friendly to him, as he had long ago ascertained--a daring idea suddenly
took possession of him; and, without giving himself time to reflect, he
there and then resolved upon its execution.

The wind was blowing moderately fresh from the north-west; but so secure
was the anchorage and so good the holding-ground that, on arriving on
board, Ned was not at all surprised to find that the steward, instead of
keeping watch, had gone below and turned in, trusting to luck that, once
on shore, nobody would dream of going off again to the ship that night.
This arrangement, however, though it might be perfectly satisfactory to
the steward, by no means suited Ned, who at once went below and
unceremoniously routed the poor man out of his berth.

"Price," said he, "I have something of the utmost importance to say to
you. I have noticed that in the course of conversation, when nobody
else has been present, you have frequently gone out of your way to
remind me that I am an unwilling member of the piratical crew in the
midst of which we find ourselves, and you have also dropped sundry hints
that if ever I happen to hit upon a way of escape you will be more than
pleased to accompany me. Now, I want to know exactly what you have
meant by this."

"Just exac