ffy for two
persons. This was true, yet not the whole truth. I had another reason; I
saw that nothing would be easier than for Kidd or Yawl to slip on the
cabin-hatch while I was below, and so have us at their mercy, for Ramon,
though a stalwart youth enough, could not contend with the two sailors
single-handed.

"Just as you like, sir; it's all the same to me," answered Kidd, rather
shortly, and then relapsed into thoughtful silence.

I felt sure that he was scheming something which boded us no good, though,
as yet, I had no idea what it could be. His motive for desiring to take
the sloop to Islay or Arica, rather than to Callao, was pretty obvious,
but why he should change his mind on the subject simply because of the
compass, passed my comprehension. We could make Callao merely by running
up the coast, with which, despite his disclaimer, I had not the least
doubt he was quite familiar; and even if he were not, there was nothing in
a compass to enlighten him.

But whatever his scheme might be I did not think he would attempt to use
force--unless he could take us at a disadvantage. Man for man, Ramon and I
were quite equal to Kidd and Yawl. We were, moreover, better armed, as so
far as I knew, they had no weapons, save their sailors' knives. In a
personal struggle, they might come off second best; were, in any case,
likely to get badly hurt, and unless I was much mistaken, they wanted to
get hold of my diamonds with a minimum of risk to themselves. Wherefore,
so long as we kept a sharp lookout, we had little to fear from open
violence. As for the scheme which was seething in Kidd's brain, I must
needs wait for further developments before taking measures to counteract
it.

When I had come to this conclusion I told Ramon, in Quipai, to lie down,
and that when I wanted to sleep I would waken him.

I watched until midnight, at which hour Yawl relieved Kidd at the helm,
and Kidd turned in. Shortly afterward I roused Ramon, and bade him keep
watch while I slept.

CHAPTER XXXII.

FOUND OUT.

When I awoke it was broad daylight, Yawl at the helm, the sloop bowling
along at a great rate before a fresh breeze. But, to my utter surprise,
there was no land in sight.

"How is this, Yawl?" I asked; "we are out of doors. How have you been
steering?"

"The course you laid down sir, nor' by west."

"That is impossible. I am not much of a seaman, yet I know that if you had
been steering nor' by west, we should hav