uts they are, we ought to lick the tar out of
'em."

"We could if it came to open fighting. But if they're up to mischief,
they'll know what they're after and will have the advantage of striking
the first blow.

"That is," he went on, "if there's anything in it at all. Perhaps
we're just imagining they mean something serious, when after all it may
be only a matter of sailors' grumbling. Rogers may have only uncovered
a mare's nest."

"Perhaps," admitted Tyke. "All the same, I've never trusted that
rascal, Ditty, from the minute I clapped eyes on him. An' since he
lied so about Allen, I _know_ he's a scoundrel."

"I hope he did lie," said the captain doubtfully.

"_Hope!_" cried the old man hotly. "Don't you _know_? Look here, Rufe
Hamilton, you an' me have been friends for going on thirty years, but
we break friendship right here and now if you tell me you don't _know_
that Ditty lied!"

"There, there, Tyke," soothed the skipper, "have it your own way. But
what we have on hand just now is how to get the better of Ditty and his
gang."

Gradually Tyke's ruffled feathers were smoothed and he devoted himself
to the matter in hand.

They talked late and long, but in the face of only vague conjectures,
could reach no definite conclusion. One thing they did decide: It was
so to manage matters as to leave Rogers in command of the schooner when
the captain himself should be ashore. Unless Ditty were actually
deposed, and as yet there was no valid excuse for doing this, the only
way they could carry out this plan was to see that Ditty was on shore
at the same time that the treasure seekers were.

The next morning when the party was ready to start, Captain Hamilton
spoke to Ditty.

"Mr. Ditty," he directed, "you will take ten of the men ashore on leave
this morning in the long-boat. I am going myself with the crew of the
smaller boat. Mr. Rogers will remain in charge of the ship. If you
find sweet water, send back for the casks."

Ditty started to make an objection.

"Beg pardon, sir, but I don't care for shore leave myself. Mr. Rogers
can go in my place if he wants to, sir."

"You heard what I said, Mr. Ditty. Mr. Rogers went yesterday," said
the captain curtly. "Have both boats lowered at once."

There was no help for it, and Ditty yielded a surly obedience.

"What time shall I bring the men back, sir?" he asked.

"When I give you the signal," replied the captain. "Perhaps not till
late aft