followed on our outward way, and eventually we hit upon a
ravine down which brawled a small stream of deliciously sweet
crystal-clear water, following which we came out upon the margin of the
basin at the point where Rogers and his party were working. Despite the
intense heat and a perfect plague of mosquitoes the fellows were toiling
as if for life, and had already succeeded in clearing a line of fully a
hundred feet in length. I critically examined their work, pronounced it
all right, and we then went on to the islet, Sir Edgar and I discussing
by the way the distracting question of how the crew were to be dealt
with in the event of our finding the treasure. The question seemed to
resolve itself into this--that the men must either be taken away in the
ship, or left on the island; and if the former, they would certainly
have to be taken as prisoners, since, if free, they would assuredly
seize the ship, even if they had to murder me in order to accomplish
their purpose. As prisoners, however, they would be worse than useless;
they would be a continual menace and source of anxiety. Sir Edgar
consequently agreed with me that I should be fully justified in leaving
them--or, at all events, the worst of them--behind; and this I at length
determined to do; watching my opportunity to divide them up into small
parties, upon some pretext, and making prisoners of them in detail; thus
minimising the risk of a fight and its too probable accompaniment, loss
of life. There would be no likelihood whatever of the rascals starving
in such a land of plenty as the island had proved to be; they could not
possibly suffer any very serious discomfort in so genial a climate; and,
the treasure once secured, it would be no difficult matter to arrange
for their speedy rescue. This matter settled, I felt somewhat easier in
my mind, and now only required an opportunity to discuss and arrange the
details with Forbes and Joe.

On reaching the islet we found that here, too, wonderful progress had
been made, the party under Forbes having already cleared a line through
the scrub of very nearly four hundred feet in length. This was due to
the fact that they had hitherto encountered no trees in the actual line
of their work, though several had been very narrowly missed. It was
apparent, however, that on the morrow they would be less fortunate; for
which I was by no means sorry, as it would lengthen the duration of the
work, and afford me a better