and those who had been embarked with the
commandant. Philip and Krantz had also an opportunity of communicating
apart for a short time.

When they made sail the next morning, Pedro spoke openly; he told Krantz
that the soldiers in the boat had made up their minds, and that he had
no doubt that the others would do so before night; although they had not
decidedly agreed upon joining them in the morning when they had
re-embarked. That they would despatch the commandant, and then proceed
to Batavia, and from thence obtain a passage home to Europe.

"Cannot you accomplish your end without murder?"

"Yes, we could; but not our revenge. You do not know the treatment
which we have received from his hands; and sweet as the money will be to
us, his death will be even sweeter. Besides, has he not determined to
murder us all in some way or another? It is but justice. No, no; if
there was no other knife ready--mine is."

"And so are all ours!" cried the other soldiers, putting their hands to
their weapons.

One more day's sail brought them within twenty miles of the island; for
Philip knew his landmarks well. Again they handed, and all retired to
rest, the commandant dreaming of wealth and revenge; while it was
arranging that the digging up of the treasure which he coveted should be
the signal for his death.

Once more did they embark, and the commandant heeded not the dark and
lowering faces with which he was surrounded. He was all gaiety and
politeness. Swiftly did they skim over the dark-blue sea, between the
beautiful islands with which it was studded; and before the sun was
three hours high, Philip recognised the one sought after, and pointed
out to the commandant the notched cocoa-nut tree, which served as a
guide to the spot where the money had been concealed. They landed on
the sandy beach, and the shovels were ordered to be brought on shore by
the impatient little officer; who little thought that every moment of
time gained was but so much _time_ lost to him, and that while he was
smiling and meditating treachery, that others could do the same.

The party arrived under the tree--the shovels soon removed the light
sand, and in a few minutes, the treasure was exposed to view. Bag after
bag was handed up, and the loose dollars collected into heaps. Two of
the soldiers had been sent to the vessels for sacks to put the loose
dollars in, and the men had desisted from their labour; they laid aside
their spades