“Captain Richmond,” he said, “does Guy Fenwick know of your intention of putting to sea?”
The captain looked as if he were about to indulge in a burst of furious anger, but he restrained himself, with a sudden thought.
“Yes,” he said, “he understands. We are coming back for him,” he added, after a pause.
Mr. Forbush looked skeptical. He did not believe a word of this.
He was about to speak again when the captain added, peremptorily: “I wish to hear no more on this subject, Mr. Forbush. I know what I am about.”
After this it would not do even for the mate to say more.
Still, the latter regarded the captain fixedly, which appeared to anger him.
“Don’t look at me in that way, Mr. Forbush!” roared the captain. “I repeat that I know what I am about!”
“I am glad you do, sir,” said the mate, coolly.
Captain Richmond glared at him, but did not reply.
Within an hour the Osprey, under full sail, for there was a good breeze, was speeding away from the island.
We must now follow Guy and his two friends, who had gone ashore in high spirits, feeling that success was within their grasp. They did not loiter on their way, but made all haste to reach that part of the island indicated as the repository of the treasure.
As they walked they talked cheerfully and hopefully of the future.
“Guy,” said Abner, “you are entitled to credit for your enterprise and pluck. It isn’t many boys of your age that would have done so much.”
“I don’t know about that, Abner,” said Guy, modestly; “but I have done the best I could.”
“I hope so. Not so much for my own sake as my father’s. I want to make his latter days comfortable.”
“Why, he isn’t so old! He’s only about ten years older than I am.”
“True; but you know as soon as a minister has passed middle life some are anxious to turn him off and put a younger man in his place.”
“Yes. There is one of the congregation--Deacon Crane--who is anxious to get rid of him. I don’t think there are many who agree with him, but I know he will do all he can to bring about a change.”
“It’s a lucky thing Luke came across that memorandum book. I don’t believe we should any of us have thought of going to the other end of the island.”
“It would have been a good while, probably, before we did.”