stern-sheets to snatch another hour or
two of sleep. Then, after a somewhat late breakfast, he emerged
cautiously from his leafy refuge and climbed to the top of the hill
again, ensconcing himself well within the shadow of a thick bush, from
beneath which he commanded an uninterrupted view of the entire upper bay
and harbour. Not that he expected to see much, or, indeed, anything in
particular; but he thought it well to keep a watchful eye upon things in
general and, if anything particular should happen ashore, take care to
be where he might perchance be able to detect some indication of it.
But he saw nothing at all to indicate that anything unusual had taken
place, or was taking place, in Cartagena, the only occurrence of a
noticeable character that came under his observation that day being a
violent quarrel among certain of the inhabitants of the fishing village
below, which quarrel, he shrewdly conjectured, might possibly have
something to do with a missing canoe.

He remained on the hill the whole of that day, allowing himself only
just daylight enough to find his way back to the longboat, and then,
having partaken of a meal, disposed himself to secure a good long
uninterrupted night's rest, warning the men, however, to be alert during
their watch, so that if the Captain should return during the night and
need assistance, they might be prepared to render it quickly.

But Captain Marshall did not return during that night; therefore after
an early breakfast the next morning Dick again ascended the hill to keep
watch upon the town and harbour, thinking that mayhap he might thus
catch an early glimpse of Marshall returning; and if haply he should
chance to be pursued, learn the fact in time to go to his assistance.
But this day, too, passed uneventfully away, the galleon, with the great
golden flag of Spain flaunting at her stern, showing no visible sign of
an early departure.

Dick felt so firmly convinced that the Captain would return some time
during the ensuing night that he sat up, waiting for him, and taking
watch after watch as it came round. But the morning dawned with still
no sign of Marshall; and then the young officer began to feel seriously
apprehensive; for he could not imagine that his leader should spend two
whole days in Cartagena without learning all that he desired to know
upon a matter which must be so widely discussed as the departure of an
exceptionally rich treasure ship for Old Spain. Yet