“Because of greater injuries than we supposed, Captain.  There were two shots in her below the water line, and to get at them we were obliged to beach her.  LeVere came with us, expecting this job would be done before now, for by this time the schooner should be in water again, her sides scraped clean of barnacles, fit for any cruise.  We have been waiting for you along this coast for several weeks.”

“Yes, I know.  The boat we intended to take met with an accident, while the one we did take proved the slowest tub that ever sailed.  How is it here?  Are there suspicions?”

“None, Senor.  We have cruised outside most of the time.  Only once were we hailed; while Manuel, with a boat crew, was ashore for nearly a week, picking up such news as he might.  There is no warship in these waters.”

“So I discovered on landing; indeed I was told as much in England.  However your disguise is perfect.”

Estada laughed.

“There is no mistaking where the Namur came from, Senor; she’s Holland from keel to topmast, but the best sailing Dutchman I ever saw.  You said you were being watched on the sloop.  Are you known?”

The other uttered an oath snarling through his teeth.

“’Tis nothing,” he explained contemptuously.  “No more than the bite of a harmless snake in the grass.  A dog of a servant who came over with us—­one of Monmouth’s brood.  He has no knowledge of who I am, nor suspicion of my purpose.  It is not that, yet the fellow watches me like a hawk.  We had some words aboard and there is hate between us”

“If he was indentured, how came he on the sloop?”

“Fairfax bought him.  The fellow won the interest of the girl coming over, and she interceded in his behalf.  It was my plan to get him into my own hands.  I’d have taught him a lesson, but the papers were signed before we landed.  Yet the lad is not through with me; I do not let go in a hurry.”

“May I ask you your plans, Senor?”

“Yes, I am here to explain.  Are we out of ear-shot?”

“None can hear us.  Manuel has gone back to the boat.”

“Then listen.  This planter, Fairfax, has returned from England with a large sum.  It is in gold and notes.  I have been unable to learn the exact amount, but it represents the proceeds in cash of the tobacco crop of himself, and a number of his neighbors.  They pooled, and made him their agent.  Without doubt, from all I could ascertain, it will be upward of fifty thousand pounds—­not a bad bit of pocket money.  This still remains in his possession, but a part will be dispersed tomorrow; so if we hope to gain the whole, we must do so now.”

“Fifty thousand pounds, you say?  Gracioso Dios! a sum worth fighting for.”

“Ay; we’ve done some hard fighting for less.  It is here under our very hands, and there could be no better place than this in which to take it.  Everything is ready, and there is not the slightest suspicion of danger—­not even a guard set over the treasure.  I assured myself of this before coming down.”