“Is there no way of rescuing him from the situation you have mentioned, Jack?  In a year or two I shall be my own mistress, and have money to do as I please with; put me only in the way of taking Mr. Mulford from that rock, and I will share all I am worth on earth with you, dear Jack.”

“Ay, so it is with the whole sex,” muttered Tier; “let them only once give up their affections to a man, and he becomes dearer to them than pearls and rubies!  But you know me, Miss Rose, and know why and how well I would sarve you.  My story and my feelin’s are as much your secret, as your story and your feelin’s is mine.  We shall pull together, if we do n’t pull so very strong.  Now, hearken to me, Miss Rose, and I will let you into the secret of my plan to help Mr. Mulford make a launch.”

Jack then communicated to his companion his whole project for the night.  Spike had, of his own accord, given to him and his two associates, Simon and Josh, the care of the brig between midnight and morning.  If he could prevail on either of these men to accompany him, it was his intention to take the light-house boat, which was riding by its painter astern of the brig, and proceed as fast as they could to the spot whither Mulford had found his way.  By his calculations, if the wind stood as it then was, little more than an hour would be necessary to reach the rock, and about as much more to return.  Should the breeze lull, of which there was no great danger, since the easterly trades were again blowing, Jack thought he and Josh might go over the distance with the oars in about double the time.  Should both Josh and Simon refuse to accompany him, he thought he should attempt the rescue of the mate alone, did the wind stand, trusting to Mulford’s assistance, should he need it, in getting back to the brig.

“You surely would not come back here with Harry, did you once get him safe from off that rock!” exclaimed Rose.

“Why, you know how it is with me, Miss Rose,” answered Jack. “My business is here, on board the Swash, and I must attend to it.  Nothing shall tempt me to give up the brig so long as she floats, and sartain folk float in her, unless it might be some such matter as that which happened on the bit of an island at the Dry Tortugas.  Ah! he’s a willian!  But if I do come back, it will be only to get into my own proper berth ag’in, and not to bring Mr. Mulford into the lion’s jaws.  He will only have to put me back on board the Molly here, when he can make the best of his own way to Key West.  Half an hour would place him out of harm’s way; especially as I happen to know the course Spike means to steer in the morning.”

“I will go with you, Jack,” said Rose, mildly, but with great firmness.

“You, Miss Rose!  But why should I show surprise!  It’s like all the sex, when they have given away their affections.  Yes, woman will be woman, put her on a naked rock, or put her in silks and satins in her parlour at home.  How different is it with men!  They dote for a little while, and turn to a new face.  It must be said, men’s willians!”