Part 18 (2/2)

Twenty minutes must have pa.s.sed. Cats' paws began to show on the bay, suggesting a squall. I observed a skiff making directly to the _Pearl_.

It had but one occupant--a black boy. He came alongside, and held up some paper, folded. I reached down and took it. And the boy was for making off at once. I told him to come aboard, speaking in French. He did not understand, so I tried him in Spanish. No, he said, he was told not to remain. I showed him a handful of silver, at which his expression changed, and he tarried.

”Wait a moment,” I said. And I opened the paper. Inside was a small sheet bearing writing, and signed by Wayne. I read hastily.

”Who gave you this?” I asked.

”A black man,” he said.

”Was a white man there?” I asked.

”I can't tell,” he answered, faltering.

”Not for all this money?” I asked.

”You won't tell on me?” he asked.

”No, I'll not tell,” I a.s.sured him.

”Yes, a white man gave it to me. He is that rich white man from the schooner.”

I gave the boy the money.

Then it was not long till I saw Duran go back to the _Orion_.

Dark clouds had begun to gather and I looked anxiously for the _Pearl's_ boat. At last I saw it come into view.

I gave them the writing, telling them the circ.u.mstances of its coming.

Captain Marat held the paper while all read as follows:

Do not follow the _Orion_. We will not be on board of her. We are promised freedom if you go not from the northwest coast, where you are, for three days. Then keep a lookout for us, and we will come to you as soon as we can.

_Wayne Scott._

The wind was on us, so we hurried down into the cabin. Directly the rain was pattering on the roof.

”So we must give up the gold for the present,” spoke Captain Marat. ”Ah, thad was it--just like we suspect: Duran plan thees thing to give us the slip.”

”Let me see that,” said Robert. And he took the paper in his fingers, studying the writing with intentness, and holding it in varying positions.

”It's Wayne's writing, all right, isn't it?” said the wondering Norris.

”Yes,” said Robert, ”but I know Wayne.”

He dug out from the papers on the table a piece of blotting paper; and he called to Rufe to bring him some water. The wondering Rufe jumped for it. Robert wet the blotting paper; then laying Wayne's writing on the table, he pressed the wet blotter on it. When he uncovered the paper we were astounded to see some of the words standing out in purple letters, the purple reading thus:

Do follow the _Orion_. We will be on board of her. you go north coast Then keep a lookout for us, and we will come to you as soon as we can.

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