CHAPTER XIX.SUSPICIONS.
Not until they were ashore did Ned tell Manuel the nature of his errand, and then he said with an assumption of carelessness:
“Take me where I can buy a revolver.”
“A revolver?” the man repeated as if in surprise.
“Certainly. Is there anything to prevent?”
“Nothing, of course, only it seemed strange in the first place that there should not be an ample supply of weapons on the steamer, and then again that you might think a revolver necessary so soon after arriving at one of the most peaceable ports in the world.”
“The yacht is only chartered, and her armory belongs to her owners,” Ned replied, not intending to let the interpreter know there was nothing of the kind on board. “Besides, there are likely to be bad people in any city, and while I don’t look for any trouble, it is better to be prepared.”
Again he fancied the man had a peculiar expression on his face; but he made no delay in leadingNed to a gunsmith’s, where two Colt’s revolvers, with a small amount of ammunition, were purchased.
Then he proposed that they return to the yacht at once, and as the boat was rowed alongside, said when he had laid his bundle on the rail:
“Wait there a minute, and I’ll see what remains to be done this evening.”
With the weapons under his arm, for he did not intend to give any one a chance to tamper with them, he went directly to the kitchen, where he knew Roy would be engaged in making preparations for supper.
“Got back, have you?” the latter asked carelessly.
“Yes. Do you need the interpreter any more to-night?”
“Why, I thought it would be a good idea to have him sleep on board, and then in case any one came out from the shore we should be able to talk with them.”
“Did you say anything to him about it?”
“No, for I only thought of the plan since you went ashore.”
“Then let me send him away. I think we shall be safer alone.”
“Why, do you think——”
“I’ll explain the reason for taking so many precautions after Manuel leaves,” Ned replied as he hurried on deck, and then said as he leaned over the rail where he could speak with the man; “There is nothing more to be done. Will you please get here in the morning as soon as the workmen come? for we can’t tell them what is wanted unless you are on hand.”
“Am I not to remain on board the yacht? It is customary.”
“In this case it will be best not to do anything of the kind. We have no cook, and each fellow waits upon himself.”
“I should be willing to do the same.”
“We would rather you stayed on shore,” Ned replied, and this time he spoke so decidedly that the interpreter could do no less than take his departure.
Ned repeated the conversation to his friends, both of whom were in the kitchen, when he went below, and Roy asked curiously:
“Why is it you were opposed to his staying on board? I think it might be rather nice, for he could tell us all about the city and would be on hand when the machinists arrive.”
“I don’t think it is safe,” was the emphatic reply, which caused his companions to stare at him in surprise.
“Where can be the harm?”
“I don’t know as there would be any; but it surely can’t be wrong to take precautions, even though some of them may be foolish. I noticed a queer look on that fellow’s face when you showed him the gold, and you must remember that he talked about piratical treasure as if he expected you to tell him where we got what you sold. Now look at the matter squarely: You carry on shore, after saying we were wrecked on a key, a lot of old coins such as have been found around here. It isn’t likely you would have taken such money from home, consequently every person who sees it must at once come to the correct conclusion. That being the case, don’t you think there would be people enough in this city who would risk an encounter with three boys for the sake of learning whether there were any more of those ancient gold-pieces on board?”
“You’re right!” Roy exclaimed, a startled look coming into his eyes, and Vance added:
“How do we know but that the interpreter or his friends wouldn’t attempt the job?”
“That was exactly why I didn’t want him on board at night, and the reason of my buying these,” Ned replied as he opened the package, exposing the weapons to view. “I propose that we keep oureyes open pretty wide, not only while we remain in port, but until we can put the treasure in a safer place. This yacht and her cargo would be such a prize as might tempt very many men to turn pirates for the time being.”
“You’ve got a mighty level head,” Vance added approvingly, “and I say as I did when we were on the key, that we will recognize you as the skipper of this craft.”
Roy also believed there were good grounds for Ned’s suspicions, and for the first time since reaching port, both he and Vance were seriously disturbed in mind.
“There is no reason why you should fuss about the matter,” Ned hastened to say as he saw what sort of an effect his words had upon his companions. “It’s only a case of standing watch all the time, and that won’t be such very hard work between three.”
When a satisfactory supper had been eaten the boys sat on the deck aft, where the lights of the city could best be seen, and there all three remained until nine o’clock, when Ned proposed that the night watch be set.
“We’ll take it an hour apiece, and draw lots to see who begins. At the first thing which looks suspicious, or can’t be explained readily, the others areto be awakened. It will be better to turn all hands out on a false alarm than run any risk.”
Vance held three splinters of wood in his hands, and it was understood that he who got the longest should begin the work of watching.
By this arrangement Roy was to stand the first trick, to be followed by Ned and Vance in the order named, and, with one of the revolvers loaded ready for use, the former began to pace to and fro on the deck.
The clock had been brought from the wheel-house and hung in the after cabin, where a lamp was to be burning, in order that the sentinel might see when his time of duty expired.
Roy and Vance retired, and, worn out by their previous exertions, were soon asleep.
Although the watch was maintained regularly and each boy attended strictly to “business,” nothing of a suspicious nature was seen, and Roy began to think that perhaps Ned was a trifle too cautious.
At seven o’clock two machinists, accompanied by the interpreter, came on board, and Roy explained what was to be done.
He was not certain whether the engine had received any damage by its submersion, but asked that it be thoroughly overhauled and put into running order in the shortest possible space of time.
Manuel repeated these instructions, and the men went to work while Roy and Vance prepared breakfast, in which the interpreter was invited to join after it had been spread in the tiny forward cabin.
During the meal Manuel inquired particularly concerning the plans of the boys, regarding the port which they intended to make, who would be there to meet them, and, in fact, so many things that did not concern him as to cause Ned’s suspicions to grow stronger.
“Suppose you try to telegraph to your parents?” the latter suggested when the meal was concluded, and while speaking he kept his eyes fastened on the interpreter’s face.
It may have been only imagination on his part, but he really believed Manuel looked disappointed because such a thing was thought necessary.
“Can we do it from here?” Vance asked eagerly, and the interpreter shook his head.
“I do not think so,” he replied promptly. “There is a cable, but it has not been working. I can take a letter to the purser of the next steamer which sails for New York. He is a friend of mine and will see that it is forwarded without delay.”
“When does she sail?”
“To-morrow.”
“Then we will get one ready to-day, and perhapsour fathers will receive the news almost as quickly as if it was possible to send a telegram,” Roy replied in a tone of satisfaction as he arose from the table.
Manuel went on deck to smoke his cigar, and when he was gone Ned called his friends into the kitchen.
“I am goin’ ashore to find out if that yarn about the cable is true. Write out such a message as you want sent, an’ we’ll soon know whether Manuel is to be trusted or not.”
“You are too suspicious,” Roy said just a trifle impatiently, and Vance added quickly:
“I don’t think so. It won’t do any harm if we take too many precautions, and it may mean a good deal to miss an opportunity of knowing just what is going on.”
“But what benefit would it be to the man, even if he has an idea the yacht can be captured, to prevent us from sending a telegram?”
“Because,” Ned replied quickly, “there would be less chance thieves could be tracked if your parents had received no word from you since the Zoe left Key West.”
“But he promises to send a letter.”
“And you will have no means of knowing whether he does so or not. At all events, don’t write a line or even a word about the treasure.”
“I think you had better try your luck on shore,” Vance said decidedly. “I’ll write a telegram if Roy don’t care to, and there won’t be any damage done if you can’t send it,”
“You do that and I’ll attend to the letter,” Roy replied. “But how can Ned learn anything about the cable while he doesn’t understand the language?”
“I’ll guarantee to find some one who’ll help me along,” the boy replied confidently, and just then the return of Manuel interrupted the conversation.
“The machinists wish to speak with one of you,” he said.
“You go, Roy, while I look out for some business which must be attended to,” Vance replied as he began to write the telegram.
The two left the cabin, and as soon as the message was finished Ned put it in his pocket.
Then, while the interpreter was in the engine-room, he got into the boat and pulled ashore.
The machinists wanted to report progress, and Roy was surprised at seeing that they had already raised steam.
“They say it is all right now, except that it needs cleaning,” Manuel said after listening to one of the men a moment. “They have repaired the damage, and there is nothing to prevent your leaving by noon.”
“That is just what we will do!” Roy exclaimed, without thinking it necessary to consult his companions. “Can you get us a sailing master, engineer, and steward by that time?”
“I am certain of it,” the interpreter replied. “I had already seen two of the men, and it will not be difficult to find the third.”
“Then set about it as soon as possible. There is no reason why we should lay here a moment longer than necessary, and by starting now we can be at Key West before morning.”
“Do you need any stores?” Manuel asked.
“We have enough of everything to last us into that port. Don’t delay in getting the crew.”
As a matter of course when Manuel came on deck he failed to find the tender; but a passing craft responded to his hail, and he was set ashore within five minutes after Ned landed.
An hour later he returned with two Cubans and a negro, the latter being, according to his own account, a first-class cook.
The man who was presented as the sailing master was received by Roy and put in command at once, with instructions to be ready to get under way as soon as Ned returned.
He was not a particularly prepossessing looking man, but had the air of a sailor and was so highlyrecommended by Manuel that Roy thought he was very fortunate indeed in being able to hire such a master.
The engineer set about helping the machinists as if thoroughly well acquainted with his duties, and the negro began to wash the dishes, an action which endeared him at once to Roy’s heart, for of all the work connected with the kitchen this last was the most disagreeable.
“Do you think it was just fair to engage these people and set them to work before Ned came back?” Vance asked as soon as it was possible to speak with his friend where they would not be overheard.
“Why not?”
“Because we both agreed he should be the boss of the steamer.”
“What nonsense! We shall gain so much time, and the instant he steps aboard we will start out of the harbor. Come with me while we pay the interpreter, and then he can hail another boat to take him ashore.”
“The one he brought the men in is still alongside.”
“So much the better, for he can go at once,” and Roy went on deck, intent only on being under way at the earliest possible moment.
Manuel was talking very earnestly with the sailing master, but he stopped instantly he saw the boys and asked if there was anything more he could do.
“I think not,” Roy replied, “and there is no reason why you shouldn’t go ashore as soon as you please.”
“But since you can’t speak the language how will it be possible to tell the crew what you want done?”
“I never thought of that,” Roy replied in perplexity. “It might come unhandy.”
“You are right. Now, I have a proposition which you will do well to accept. This gentleman agrees to put the yacht into Key West for $15; the engineer wants $10 and the cook $8, they getting back here as best they can. Why not give me a ten-dollar bill for the services already performed and what I may be called upon for until the steamer is in the home port?”
“What do you think of it?” Roy asked, turning to Vance.
“I’ve got nothing to say,” the latter replied. “I don’t think it is the square thing to make these trades without at least consulting Ned.”
This remark piqued Roy, and he replied to the interpreter:
“All right, you shall go. Find out how much the machinists charge for their services and we will send them ashore at once. I suppose the engineer can finish the job of cleaning up?”
“Certainly,” Manuel said as he went into the engine-room, and a few moments later he came on deck with the workmen.
Their bill was $2, and this seemed so very reasonable as compared with some bills he had seen his father pay that Roy added a dollar to the amount.
“Tell them to go ashore,” he said to the interpreter. “I suppose they can use the boat you came out in?”
“Of course. It is my only chance to send her back.”
“Now ask the engineer to get steam on,” Roy said when the men had disappeared over the side.
“Will your friend be back soon?” Manuel inquired.
“I am expecting him every moment, and as soon as he steps aboard you may tell the captain to get under way.”
Manuel repeated this order at once, and the sailing master, after speaking a few words to the engineer, did not disdain to work the capstan himself, hauling the little craft directly over the anchor.
The black smoke which came from the stack, together with the soft murmur of escaping steam, told that the Zoe could be on her way out of the harbor in less than three minutes from the time the word to start was given.
Vance was thoroughly displeased that Roy should have thus taken the management of matters so wholly into his own hands.
He fancied that both the sailing master and the interpreter looked very well satisfied after it was decided the latter should accompany the yacht, and felt quite confident they exchanged triumphant glances when the word was given to be ready to leave the instant Ned came aboard.
Unfortunately, however, he did not remonstrate with Roy, as he should have done, but went aft and remained there alone, watching for Ned.
The most suspicious person could have found nothing in the actions of the crew to warrant any fears on the score of foul play.
The steward and the engineer appeared to be intent only upon their duties, and the captain had already shown that he was willing to turn his hand to anything which could forward the wishes of his employers.
Not until nearly an hour after the machinists had gone ashore did Ned put out from the dock, andwhen he came alongside Manuel stood ready to catch the painter.
Ned gazed with surprise at the captain and steward, both of whom chanced to be on deck, and then, beckoning to Roy, who was in the wheel-house, went below.
“Well?” the latter asked as he followed the newcomer.
“I found the telegraph office, and there hasn’t been any trouble with the cable for the past year. The interpreter has lied to us, and he must have some reason for so doing.”