see that I depended for the
necessary information upon which to base my plans. But there was a spot
at some distance down the front of the slope which I thought would suit
my purpose admirably if I could only reach it without being seen, and I
at once determined to make the attempt. It was a somewhat peculiarly
shaped outcrop of rock with a hollow in the middle of it, and I believed
that if I could but gain its shelter without discovery I should be able
to see from it nearly as well as from where I was, while I should
certainly be able to hear very much better. The only question was how
to get there. And after very carefully examining my surroundings from
the shelter of my screen of bushes I came to the conclusion that my only
plan would be to descend to the beach again by the way that I had come,
enter the wood as though I intended to return to the house, and skirt it
until I came very nearly to its far end, when, by concealing myself in a
thick and extensive bed of ferns, I might reasonably hope to gain the
desired spot without any very great difficulty or danger. Accordingly,
having first carefully looked about me to assure myself that I need not
fear being seen, I cautiously emerged from my hiding place, and as
cautiously made my way down to the beach again, from which it was easy
to gain the shelter and concealment of the wood. Another ten minutes
found me, heedless of the danger of snake bites, painfully wriggling my
way through the bed of ferns, lifting my head above the fronds
occasionally to make sure that I was steering a straight course; and
twenty minutes later saw me safely ensconced in my hiding place, from
which I could both see and hear distinctly without being seen.

For nearly an hour it appeared as though I had had all my trouble for
nothing, for the people on the wharf and in the sheds seemed to be going
about their regular daily business with that perfect deliberation and
entire absence of hurry which is so characteristic of the Spanish
seamen. I was beginning to consider seriously the question whether,
after all, it might not be advisable for me to endeavour to approach the
house, and even perhaps enter it, in my quest for information, when I
saw Dominique and Juan suddenly appear upon the wharf and enter a small
dinghy, in which they pulled off to the brig. Then, as the tiny craft
approached the _Barracouta_ a few figures appeared on deck, and by the
time that the dinghy reached the brig's