e replace everything exactly as we found it, the pirates--if
such they be--will not suspect that anyone else has been here; they will
still continue to use the inlet, and some day they will walk right into
the little trap that I intend to set for them. Now, lads, up with that
chest, and be careful with it. Pass the word for the carpenter and
armourer to come here and bring their tools."

These two men were soon on the spot, and between them they had the chest
open in a few minutes. An eager examination of its contents showed that
there was nothing of any intrinsic value contained therein; but there
were documents and papers written in Spanish which abundantly verified
the captain's conjecture. For from these Cavendish, who could read and
understand Spanish perfectly, learned that the bay where they were now
lying was indeed the resort of a pirate crew; while the name of the
chief miscreant, as ascertained from the papers, was Jose Leirya. The
documents gave, among other particulars, a detailed account of the
scoundrel's doings ever since he had started his nefarious trade on the
Spanish Main; and the mere recital of his atrocities proved enough to
make every man of them there present swear a great oath to hunt the
villain down wherever he might be, and hang him, with all his rascally
crew, from the yard-arms of his own ship.

Nothing else of any importance having been found, the chest was
carefully locked up again, after the papers had been put back,
everything replaced in its former position and buried in the sand once
more, the utmost care being taken to destroy all evidence of the things
having been disturbed.

After this little episode the work on the ships went steadily forward.
The _Tiger_ and the _Stag Royal_ were soon finished, and the _Elizabeth_
and the _Good Adventure_ took their places.

These last-named vessels received the same attention as their consorts,
and were in a fortnight pronounced quite sound and once more ready for
sea. They were hauled off the beach, and Cavendish had the great
satisfaction of seeing his little squadron of four ships once more all
ataunto and ready to sail.

The next morning Cavendish called a meeting of his officers in his
cabin, and their long and earnest consultation resulted in the decision
that they should cruise, as originally intended, up the Mexican coast
and in the Caribbean, with an addendum to the effect that special
efforts should be made to capture the p