eslie that Turnbull was much exercised in his mind
about something, for he ate and drank silently and with a preoccupied
air; and later on the reason for this became manifest, for when at
length they rose from the table the fellow remarked with a clumsy effort
at nonchalance--

"Look here, mister, I expect you've a plenty of matters to look after
and attend to, so don't you worry about showin' me round this here
hisland of yourn; you just go on with what you've got in hand, and I'll
take a stroll somewheres by myself."

So that was it. He wanted an opportunity to go off upon an exploring
expedition unrestrained by Dick's presence! But this did not at all
chime in with Leslie's plans; for he felt certain that if he yielded to
his companion's suggestion the latter would at once make his way in the
direction of the treasure-cave, and endeavour to discover its locality,
with the result that he would inevitably come into collision with
Nicholls and Simpson. This, in any case, would doubtless happen, sooner
or later; but Dick wished to acquire a little further information before
it occurred. He therefore replied--

"Oh, thanks, very much. I was busy enough, in all conscience, before
you arrived; but now that you have turned up, and have kindly consented
to take me off the island, I have nothing further to do. So I may as
well accompany you, since I know the shortest way to such few points of
interest as the island possesses. Where would you like to go? The
crater and the watering-place are about the only spots that are likely
to tempt you, I think."

Turnbull glared at Dick as though he could have eaten him; and for a
moment the ex-lieutenant thought that his guest was about to try violent
measures with him. But if that thought was really in his mind he
suffered more prudent counsels to prevail with him, and, after a few
moments' hesitation, intimated that he would like to have a look at the
watering-place. Dick accordingly piloted his morose companion to the
spot, and pointed out how excellently it was adapted to the purpose of
watering ships, drawing his attention to the deep-water immediately
beneath the low cascade, and dilating upon the facility with which boats
could be brought alongside. But it was clearly apparent to him that
Turnbull was absolutely uninterested in the subject; and he was by no
means sorry when, upon the return to the camp, the latter declined his
invitation to remain on shore to dinner