Once more did they embark, and the Commandant heeded not the dark and lowering faces with which he was surrounded.  He was all gaiety and politeness.  Swiftly did they skim over the dark blue sea, between the beautiful islands with which it was studded, and before the sun was three hours high, Philip recognised the one sought after, and pointed out to the Commandant the notched cocoa-nut tree, which served as a guide to the spot where the money had been concealed.  They landed on the sandy beach, and the shovels were ordered to be brought on shore by the impatient little officer; who little thought that every moment of time gained was but so much time lost to him, and that while he was smiling and meditating treachery, that others could do the same.

The party arrived under the tree—­the shovels soon removed the light sand, and, in a few minutes, the treasure was exposed to view.  Bag after bag was handed up, and the loose dollars collected into heaps.  Two of the soldiers had been sent to the vessels for sacks to put the loose dollars in, and the men had desisted from their labour; they laid aside their spades, looks were exchanged, and all were ready.

The Commandant turned round to call to and hasten the movements of the men who had been sent for the sacks, when three or four knives simultaneously pierced him through the back; he fell, and was expostulating when they were again buried in his bosom, and he lay a corpse.  Philip and Krantz remained silent spectators—­the knives were drawn out, wiped, and replaced in their sheathes.

“He has met his reward,” said Krantz.

“Yes,” exclaimed the Portuguese soldiers—­“justice, nothing but justice.”

“Signors, you shall have your share,” observed Pedro.  “Shall they not, my men?”

“Yes! yes!”

“Not one dollar, my good friends,” replied Philip; “take all the money, and may you be happy; all we ask is, your assistance to proceed on our way to where we are about to go.  And now before you divide your money, oblige me by burying the body of that unfortunate man.”

The soldiers obeyed.  Resuming their shovels, they soon scooped out a shallow grave; the Commandant’s body was thrown in, and covered up from sight.

Chapter XXXIX

Scarcely had the soldiers performed their task, and thrown down their shovels, when they commenced an altercation.  It appeared that this money was to be again the cause of slaughter and bloodshed.  Philip and Krantz determined to sail immediately in one of the peroquas, and leave them to settle their disputes as they pleased.  He asked permission of the soldiers to take from the provisions and water, of which there was ample supply, a larger proportion than was their share; stating, that he and Krantz had a long voyage and would require it, and pointing out to them that there were plenty of cocoa-nuts for their support.  The soldiers, who thought of nothing but their newly-acquired wealth, allowed him to do as he pleased; and having hastily collected as many cocoa-nuts as they could, to add to their stock of provisions, before noon Philip and Krantz had embarked, and made sail in the peroqua, leaving the soldiers with their knives again drawn, and so busy in their angry altercation as to be heedless of their departure.