The novice did not neglect to take a pocket-lantern; but the ship’s charts, laid in a forward quarter and damaged by the water, were beyond use.

There were also in the “Pilgrim’s” arsenal some of those solid cutlasses which serve to cut up whales.  Dick Sand chose six, destined to complete the arming of his companions, and he did not forget to bring an inoffensive child’s gun, which belonged to little Jack.

As to the other objects still held by the ship, they had either been dispersed, or they could no longer be used.  Besides, it was useless to overburden themselves for the few days the journey would last.  In food, in arms, in munitions, they were more than provided for.  Meanwhile, Dick Sand, by Mrs. Weldon’s advice, did not neglect to take all the money which he found on board—­about five hundred dollars.

That was a small sum, indeed!  Mrs. Weldon had carried a larger amount herself and she did not find it again.

Who, then, except Negoro, had been able to visit the ship before them and to lay hands on Captain Hull’s and Mrs. Weldon’s reserve?  No one but he, surely, could be suspected.  However, Dick Sand hesitated a moment.  All that he knew and all that he saw of him was that everything was to be feared from that concentrated nature, from whom the misfortunes of others could snatch a smile.  Yes, Negoro was an evil being, but must they conclude from that that he was a criminal?  It was painful to Dick Sand’s character to go as far as that.  And, meanwhile, could suspicion rest on any other?  No, those honest negroes had not left the grotto for an instant, while Negoro had wandered over the beach.  He alone must be guilty.  Dick Sand then resolved to question Negoro, and, if necessary, have him searched when he returned.  He wished to know decidedly what to believe.

The sun was then going down to the horizon.  At that date he had not yet crossed the equator to carry heat and light into the northern hemisphere, but he was approaching it.  He fell, then, almost perpendicularly to that circular line where the sea and the sky meet.  Twilight was short, darkness fell promptly—­which confirmed the novice in the thought that he had landed on a point of the coast situated between the tropic of Capricorn and the equator.

Mrs. Weldon, Dick Sand, and the blacks then returned to the grotto, where they must take some hours’ rest.

“The night will still be stormy,” observed Tom, pointing to the horizon laden with heavy clouds.

“Yes,” replied Dick Sand, “there is a strong breeze blowing up.  But what matter, at present?  Our poor ship is lost, and the tempest can no longer reach us?”

“God’s will be done!” said Mrs. Weldon.

It was agreed that during that night, which would be very dark, each of the blacks would watch turn about at the entrance to the grotto.  They could, besides, count upon Dingo to keep a careful watch.

They then perceived that Cousin Benedict had not returned.