Part 10 (2/2)
”The stuff is on the next island,” said the Sea Monster ”I can swim over with you two on my back This way, please--we have to leave fronificent swi shi+p, and it left a frothing wake behind Every once in a while it would plunge its head into the water and come up with a fish, which it would shole
”Should you like some breakfast, David?” said the Sea Monster
[Illustration]
”No, thank you,” David answered, ”but you go right ahead Phoenix,” he added, ”what _are_ you doing?”
The Phoenix, which had been walking up and doith its wings clasped behind its back, stopped and gazed over the sea ”Pacing the quarter-deck,the horizon That is what one usually does at sea, I believe”
”You'll be wanting us to call you Admiral next,” said the Sea Monster acidly
They steae breakfast fish later they sighted the island--a little se on the horizon, dead ahead
”Land ho!” a voice croaked ”Thank heavens”
David turned in surprise The Phoenix was no longer pacing the quarter-deck and scanning the horizon It was sitting lilassy stare in its eyes
[Illustration]
”You had better hurry up,” David said to the Sea Monster ”I think the Phoenix is seasick”
”Aasped ”Merely (ulp!) temporary”
The Sea Monster turned and set used to it in no time, Admiral”
When they landed, however, the Phoenix recovered rapidly and even began to put on a slight nautical swagger The Sea Monster huerly by the two treasure hunters In a few minutes it ca its head snakelike to and fro It settled on one spot, sniffed it thoroughly, felt the sand with its whiskers, and then solemnly announced: ”Here”
”Ahoy, me hearties!” the Phoenix shouted ”Turn to and stand by to splice the oes, e furiously
Flashi+ng in the sun, the spade bit into the beach, and coarse white sand spurted in all directions The Phoenix was quite as excited as David It danced around the deepening hole with eyes asparkle, shouting such piratical terms as ”shi+ver me timbers!” ”Strike your colors!” and ”Give 'ean to beat ti in a raucous voice:
”Cut the King's throat and take the King's gold-- Heave ho, bullies, for Panama!
There's plenty of loot for the lad who is bold-- Heave away, bullies, for Panama!”
”You're flat on that last note,” said the Sea Monster
”My dear Monster, I have perfect pitch!”
”Oh, yes--you have perfect sea legs, too”
”Well, ah--How are you cons of treasure?”
David did not hear In fact he heard nothing from the first crunch of the spade onward His education was now richer by this fact: once you start out after treasure, you can think of nothing else until it is found The sun was beating hotly on him, little rivulets of sweat poured down his face and ar to for on He had settled into the rhyth could distract him