"We'll have it ashore in time," observed Andy. "It will come in useful."
"Never mind how. I have an idea, and, all being well, I'll fix it up to a good purpose."
"Suppose we try and find the bill of lading and the charter-party; they will give us some idea of the nature of the cargo."
A search revealed the required documents, but, being in Spanish, the apprentice could make no meaning to the text.
"Snakes!" ejaculated Andy. "There's enough to set us up as universal providers! Woollen and cotton goods, boots and leggings, hardware of American manufacture, nine cases of rifles--for some blooming insurgents more than likely--30,000 rounds of ammunition, and--hullo, this looks dangerous!--two tons of dynamite; building and railroad materials, agricultural implements, and one petrol-driven runabout, consigned to Monsieur Georges Lacroix, Grand Bassin, Tahiti. Well, I'm afraid Monsieur Georges Lacroix will have to wait for his motor-car!"
"By Jove, we are lucky!" ejaculated Ellerton. "That is, provided we get the stuff ashore."
"We'll do it," replied his chum resolutely. "Only give us time and good weather, and we'll leave precious little on the _San Martin_, I can assure you."
"Time to be off," exclaimed Terence. "It will be dark in an hour."
So, thrusting the documents into his belt, Andy dropped over the side, and received the rest of the articles that the lads had collected. Then, well laden, the boat returned to the shore.
"We've much to be thankful for," exclaimed Mr. McKay, after he had perused the ship's papers. "There is, I think, no need for anxiety as to our future. You brought the signal flags, I hope?"
"Yes," replied Ellerton, "and a couple of Peruvian ensigns."
"Good! I'm going to make up a Union Jack. There are two reasons for doing so. The first is that it can be used as a means of attracting passing vessels; the second, and more important to my mind, is that it signifies that the island becomes part of the British Empire. I've been going into the question pretty deeply. You may be aware that the Low Archipelago belongs to France. These islands consists of a number of flat coral islands, hence their name. Now, as this island is lofty and of volcanic origin, I cannot see that it can be classed as belonging to the Low Archipelago, even though it is not far distant from that group. Neither does it appear to have been inhabited, so we may be pretty safe in claiming it. Terence, there's a pencil and paper close to your elbow; will you please sketch a plan of a Union Jack?"