“I never tried, but this seems like a good time to begin,” Gil said, with a vain attempt to laugh.
“You’d make a poor fist if you’re green at the business. Set close, both of you, an’ I’ll engage to fill you up before startin’ in for myself.”
Speaking about food had caused the boys to remember that they were very hungry, and they accepted the generous proposition without delay.
It is certain that trouble seems less when viewed by one whose stomach is full, as Gil and Nelse soon learned. When the satisfactory meal was ended both ceased to think the situation so very desperate, and actually began to plan what steps should be taken to continue the search for the supposed treasure as soon as Captain Mansfield returned.
That Jenkins did not come back, although the night had fully shut in, gave them no uneasiness, for all believed he would play the spy once more before joining them, and it would not be surprising if he were absent until past midnight.
It was dull work sitting there in the darkness after the conversation regarding their movements when they should be free was exhausted, and it seemed as if they must have been in the tunnel several hours, when Gil said, with a yawn:
“Of course, somebody must keep awake so’s to hear Jenkins when he wants the rope passed up to him, but that’s no reason why all hands of us should sit here nodding.”
“You’re right, lad. Turn in, an’ me an’ my mate will ’tend to the rest of the business.”
“We’ll have a chance to get plenty before leavin’ this ’ere hole, so don’t trouble your head about us.”
“We’ll crawl back a short piece, and try to find a place where we can stretch out at full length,” Gil suggested, and Nelse replied:
“Go ahead; I’ll follow close enough to keep hold of your coat.”
Gil proceeded on his hands and knees to avoid a possible fall, and at least twenty yards had been traversed when his companion asked:
“Don’t you think we’ve gone about far enough? It isn’t safe to get too near that door at the end, for there’s no knowing when the blacks may come down this way.”
“Up to this point a fellow would have had to double himself into a bowknot in order to lay down, and we’re not so very far from the shaft. I’ll go on a little further, and then if it hasn’t widened we might as well rejoin the others, because----”