of
it. It's God knows how far to the next water, and we don't know how
long it will take us to get there in that little boat. If we run our
water entirely out before we start, we're going to be in trouble.
We'll have a good look to-morrow, and if we don't find her, we'll run
down to Mollyhay[4] and get a few extra casks."

"Perhaps that map is wrong about the treasure, too," suggested Denton.

"I thought of that," said Handy Solomon, "but then, thinks I to myself,
this old rip probably don't make no long stay here--just dodges in and
out like, between tides, to bury his loot. He would need no water at
the time; but he might when he came back, so he marked the water on his
map. But he wasn't noways particular AND exact, being in a hurry. But
you can kiss the Book to it that he didn't make no such mistakes about
the swag."

"I believe you're right," said I.

When we came to turn in, Anderson suggested that he should sleep aboard
the boat. But Billy Simpson, in mind perhaps of the hundred ounces in
the compass-box, insisted that he'd just as soon as not. After a
little objection Handy Solomon gave in, but I thought he seemed sour
about it. We built a good fire, and in about ten seconds were asleep.

Now, usually I sleep like a log, and did this time until about
midnight. Then all at once I came broad awake and sitting up in my
blankets. Nothing had happened--I wasn't even dreaming--but there I
was as alert and clear as though it were broad noon.

By the light of the fire I saw Handy Solomon sitting, and at his side
our five rifles gathered.

I must have made some noise, for he turned quietly toward me, saw I was
awake, and nodded. The moonlight was sparkling on the hard stony
landscape, and a thin dampness came out from the sea.

After a minute Anderson threw on another stick of wood, yawned, and
stood up.

"It's wet," said he; "I've been fixing the guns."

He showed me how he was inserting a little patch of felt between the
hammer and the nipple, a scheme of his own for keeping damp from the
powder. Then he rolled up in his blanket. At the time it all seemed
quite natural--I suppose my mind wasn't fully awake, for all my head
felt so clear. Afterwards I realised what a ridiculous bluff he was
making: for of course the cap already on the nipple was plenty to keep
out the damp. I fully believe he intended to kill us as we lay. Only
my sudden awakening spoiled his plan.

I had absolutely no idea