Part 29 (2/2)

”I don't wonder that some place around here is called the Witch's Head,” she remarked. ”This must be like the place where Macbeth saw the witches brewing their potions.”

”Except that they brewed them 'in lightning, thunder and in rain',”

said Drew. ”Those are the only things that are missing.”

He had scarcely spoken when there was a rumbling that sounded like thunder. Drew was startled, and Ruth grew slightly pale.

”That's funny,” remarked Tyke. ”Weather's as clear as a bell too.

This ain't the hurricane season.”

The captain was in a brown study, seemingly unheedful of the rumbling sound. In a moment he roused himself and said:

”Well, now let's scatter about and see if we can find anything that looks like The Three Sisters or the Witch's Head.”

Grimshaw sat down to rest, not wis.h.i.+ng to put too heavy a strain on the leg that had been injured, and the others wandered about for half an hour trying to discover anything that might be identified as the places named on the map. But their efforts were fruitless, and the captain, looking at his watch, called a halt.

”Nothing more doing now,” he said. ”We have only time to get back to the boat. But we've got our bearings and have done a good afternoon's work. To-morrow's a new day, and we'll get on the job early.”

Reluctantly, the little party went back to the boat. They found the crew waiting for them and were pulled rapidly to the schooner, whose anchor lights were already gleaming like fireflies in the sudden dusk.

CHAPTER XX

THE EARTH TREMBLES

It was with a feeling of relief after their surroundings of the last few hours, that the treasure seekers found themselves again on board the _Bertha Hamilton_ and seated in the bright cabin at the appetizing and abundant meal that Wah Lee had prepared for them.

All four felt jubilant at the discoveries they had made. Drew and Ruth were sure that they were on the very brink of finding the pirate h.o.a.rd, and might, that very afternoon, have uncovered it if they had had a few more hours of daylight. To-morrow, they felt sure, would find them in possession of the doubloons.

Drew's personal trouble had been for the moment obscured, although the thought of it was sure to return to torment him as soon as the excitement of the afternoon's search was past.

One thing served to delight and to torture him at the same time. He was almost sure that he had surprised a secret in the eyes of Ruth. He was thrilled as he thought of it. But the next moment he groaned in anguish as he remembered the frightful charge hanging over his head.

What had he now to offer her but a wrecked career and a blackened name?

The exhilaration all had felt on their return was followed soon by reaction. Ruth withdrew early to her room, pleading weariness. Tyke was thoughtful, thinking of the thunder he had heard just before they had left the island. The captain went on deck only to find in the report of the second officer more cause for gravity.

Mr. Rogers came up to him as he emerged from the cabin.

”Couldn't get any water this afternoon, sir,” he reported. ”Found some; but it tasted strong of sulphur, sir.”

”Yes, I know, Mr. Rogers,” replied the captain. ”I tasted some myself while I was ash.o.r.e, and found it no good. Still, we've got plenty on board, so it doesn't matter.”

Still the second officer lingered.

”What is it, Mr. Rogers?” asked the captain, who saw that the man had something on his mind.

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