“She is indeed a good girl, and knows altogether too much for poor Pathfinder, who is a reasonable man and an experienced man in his own way; but who has no more idea of the main chance than you have of spherical trigonometry, Sergeant.”

“Ah, brother Cap, had Pathfinder been with us in the boats this sad affair might not have happened!”

“That is quite likely; for his worst enemy will allow that the man is a good guide; but then, Sergeant, if the truth must be spoken, you have managed this expedition in a loose way altogether.  You should have hove-to off your haven, and sent in a boat to reconnoitre, as I told you before.  That is a matter to be repented of, and I tell it to you, because truth, in such a case, ought to be spoken.”

“My errors are dearly paid for, brother; and poor Mabel, I fear, will be the sufferer.  I think, however, that the calamity would not have happened had there not been treason.  I fear me, brother, that Jasper Eau-douce has played us false.”

“That is just my notion; for this fresh-water life must sooner or later undermine any man’s morals.  Lieutenant Muir and myself talked this matter over while we lay in a bit of a hole out here, on this island; and we both came to the conclusion that nothing short of Jasper’s treachery could have brought us all into this infernal scrape.  Well, Sergeant, you had better compose your mind, and think of other matters; for, when a vessel is about to enter a strange port, it is more prudent to think of the anchorage inside than to be under-running all the events that have turned up during the v’y’ge.  There’s the log-book expressly to note all these matters in; and what stands there must form the column of figures that’s to be posted up for or against us.  How now, Pathfinder! is there anything in the wind, that you come down the ladder like an Indian in the wake of a scalp?”

The guide raised a finger for silence and then beckoned to Cap to ascend the first ladder, and to allow Mabel to take his place at the side of the Sergeant.

“We must be prudent, and we must be bold too,” said he in a low voice.  “The riptyles are in earnest in their intention to fire the block; for they know there is now nothing to be gained by letting it stand.  I hear the voice of that vagabond Arrowhead among them, and he is urging them to set about their devilry this very night.  We must be stirring, Saltwater, and doing too.  Luckily there are four or five barrels of water in the block, and these are something towards a siege.  My reckoning is wrong, too, or we shall yet reap some advantage from that honest fellow’s, the Sarpent, being at liberty.”

Cap did not wait for a second invitation; but, stealing away, he was soon in the upper room with Pathfinder, while Mabel took his post at the side of her father’s humble bed.  Pathfinder had opened a loop, having so far concealed the light that it would not expose him to a treacherous shot; and, expecting a summons, he stood with his face near the hole, ready to answer.  The stillness that succeeded was at length broken by the voice of Muir.