arge of the girls, and get them into the boat; Slush to look after the
steering; Padilla to head the party entrusted with the seizure of the
gold; while Striker, assisted by Tarry and the Frenchman, is to secure
the unfortunate men by fast binding, or, as he calls it, "sticking them
up."

The atrocious plan is complete, in all its revolting details--the hour
of execution at hand.

CHAPTER FIFTY NINE.

THE TINTORERAS.

With all sail set, the barque glides silently on to her doom.

Gomez now "cons" Slush the steering, he alone having any knowledge of
the coast. They are but a half-league from land, shaving close along
the outer edge of the breakers. The breeze blowing off-shore makes it
easy to keep clear of them.

There is high land on the starboard bow, gradually drawing to the beam.
Gomez remembers it; for in the clear moonlight is disclosed the outline
of a hill, which, once seen, could not easily be forgotten; a _cerro_
with two summits, and a _col_ or saddle-like depression between.

Still, though a conspicuous landmark, it does not indicate any
anchorage; only that they are entering a great gulf which indents the
Veraguan coast.

As the barque glides on, he observes a reach of clear water opening
inland; to all appearance a bay, its mouth miles in width.

He would run her into it, but is forbidden by the breakers, whose
froth-crested belt extends across the entrance from cape to cape.

Running past, he again closes in upon the land, and soon has the
two-headed hill abeam, its singular silhouette conspicuous against the
moonlit sky. All the more from the moon being directly beyond it, and
low down, showing between the twin summits like a great globe-shaped
lamp there suspended.

When nearly opposite, Gomez notes an open space in the line of breakers,
easily told by its dark tranquil surface, which contrasts with the white
horse-tails lashing up on each side of it.

Soon as sighting it, the improvised pilot leaves the helm, after giving
Slush some final instructions about the steering. Then forsaking the
poop, he proceeds towards the ship's waist, where he finds all the
others ready for action. Striker and La Crosse with pieces of rope for
making fast the ill-fated men; Padilla and his party armed with axes and
crowbars--the keys with which they intend to open the locker-doors.

Near the mainmast stands the first mate, a lighted lantern in his hand;
Davis beside him, with auger, mallet, and c