“I hope you do n’t doubt, Captain Spike, my having sailed in the brig, not only in old times, but in her best times.”

Jack seemed hurt as he put this question, and Spike appeared in doubt.  The latter gazed at the little, rotund, queer-looking figure before him, as if endeavouring to recognise him; and when he had done, he passed his hand over his brow, like one who endeavoured to recall past objects by excluding those that are present.

“You will then show us the spot where my unfortunate schooner did sink, Senor Jack Tier?” put in the Mexican.

“With all my heart, senor, if it is to be found.  I think I could take you within a cable’s length of the place, though hunger, and thirst, and sharks, and the fear of drowning, will keep a fellow from having a very bright look-out for such a matter.”

“In what water do you suppose the craft to lie, Jack?” demanded the captain.

“You know as much of that as I do myself, sir.  She went down about a cable’s length from the reef, toward which she was a settin’ at the time; and had she kept afloat an hour longer, she might have grounded on the rocks.”

“She ’s better where she is, if we can only find her by sweeping.  On the rocks we could do nothing with her but break her up, and ten to one the doubloons would be lost.  By the way, Jack, do you happen to know where that scoundrel of a mate of mine stowed the money?”

“When we left the island, I carried it down to the boat myself—­and a good lift I had of it.  As sure as you are there, senor, I was obliged to take it on a shoulder.  When it came out of the boat, Mr. Mulford carried it below; and I heard him tell Miss Rose, a’terwards that he had thrown it into a bread-locker.”

“Where we shall find it, Don Wan, notwithstanding all this veering and hauling.  The old brig has luck when, doubloons are in question, and ever has had since I’ve commanded her.  Jack, we shall have to call on the cook and stewards for an anchor-watch to-night.  The people are a good deal fagged with boxing about this reef so much, and I shall want ’em all as fresh to-morrow as they can be got.  You idlers had better take the middle watches, which will give the fore-castle chaps longer naps.”

“Ay, ay, sir; we’ll manage that for ’em.  Josh and Simon can go on at twelve, and I will take the watch at two, which will give the men all the rest they want, as I can hold out for four hours full.  I’m as good for an anchor-watch as any man in the brig, Captain Spike.”

“That you are, Jack, and better than some on ’em.  Take you all round, and round it is, you ’re a rum ’un, my lad—­the queerest little jigger that ever lay out on a royal-yard.”