“Bad luck to ’t, but ’twas a wicked fall!” said Pat, fearful that his conscientious companion would expose the deceit.

“Can I render you any assistance?” asked one of the intruders, who were none other than Maxwell and Vernon, whom we left on their way to the main deck.

“Thank ye, I don’t need any,” replied Uncle Nathan, hobbling off, accompanied by Pat.

“Now, is the coast clear?” said Vernon, who carried a lantern he had borrowed from the mate.

“All clear; but put out that light,—­the engineers will notice us,” replied Maxwell.

“But I can’t find my way into the hold without it.  There is no danger of the engineers.  They are all asleep on the forward deck.”

“What do you want in the hold?” asked Maxwell, in an irritable tone.

“I want to hide this bag of money,” replied Vernon, in a whisper.  “As soon as the covey finds he has been picked, they will search the boat; and my character is not likely to save me from the indignity of being obliged to open my trunk, and turn out my pockets.”

“It is bad business, and I wish you had not done this thing.  As I told you before, I have nothing to do with it.  I feel myself rather above common robbery.”

“Self-esteem!  But you came down on your own business, not on mine.  You can return, and not trouble yourself any further,” growled Vernon.

“I need your help, and will pay you for it.”

“Very well, then, wait till this job is finished.”

“Go on!  I will follow,” replied Maxwell, finding remonstrance vain.

After a careful scrutiny of the premises, Vernon concealed his lantern under his coat, and leaped into the hold, followed by Maxwell.

“Now,” said Vernon, “I must put this bag into one of these boxes, to be guarded by the spirits of the brave men whose bones repose in them.”

“Are you mad, man?  Would you open the coffins of the dead to hide your ill-gotten gold?” exclaimed Maxwell, alarmed at the purpose of his confederate.

“Why not?  We need not disturb the bodies,—­only open the outside box.”

“Very well,” said Maxwell, who felt how useless it was to oppose his companion.  “But remember, I have nothing to do with the robbery.”

“Of course not, and nothing to do with sharing the proceeds; but sit down, if you have anything to say to me.  We are perfectly safe from interruption here;” and Vernon seated himself on the box which was occupied by the mulatto.

“My words need not be many.  In the first place, I have been insulted, and must have satisfaction; and, in the second, there is a girl in the cabin to whom I am much attached, and she will not give me the smallest sign of encouragement.  Have her I must, by fair means or foul.  I would marry her.  You understand?”

“Certainly; but what’s the plan?” asked Vernon, indifferently.

“Rather a difficult one, and may require some nerve to execute it,” replied Maxwell, who proceeded to develop his schemes, both in respect to Henry Carroll and to Emily.