e
correct one, a very lively interest in the movements of the _Petrel_ was
speedily manifested by the occupants of the boats, makeshift signals of
distress being promptly displayed on board each craft. Ned paid
attention to these to the extent of closing with the fleet sufficiently
to enable him to establish their identity beyond all question, after
which he calmly made arrangements to avoid them. When this was seen the
boats hauled up in pursuit, but they might as well have attempted to
pursue the sea-birds which hovered in their wake. Ned so manoeuvred as
to pass the nearest boat well out of rifle-shot, at the same time
steering such a course as would be unlikely to excite any suspicion that
he was bound to Refuge Harbour; and though the pursuit was maintained
for nearly an hour, its hopelessness had by that time become so apparent
that the boats again bore up and were soon afterwards lost to view in
the western board.

For the information of those interested in the ultimate fate of the
pirates it may be as well to mention here that they were from that time
never more seen or heard of.

It was just noon that day when the _Petrel_ entered the narrows; and,
all fear of discovery by the pirates being now at an end, Ned took her
directly alongside the cliff immediately underneath the entrance to the
treasure-cave and began the shipment of the treasure. This was an easy
and expeditious task, the jars of gold-dust and the gold bricks being
simply slung at the end of a line and lowered down the cliff-face to
Manners, who received them below. The casket with the remainder of the
gems was not forgotten; and one particular bale of embroidered stuffs
which Sibylla had declared to be of priceless value was also taken; as
were such of the shields and weapons as would bear handling--Gaunt and
Henderson having expressed a very particular wish to possess some of
these, as quite unique curiosities. But the ivory and the other bulky
articles were left for the benefit of whosoever might choose to go after
them. The shipment was completed in about three hours, after which Ned
entered the inner basin and worked up as far as the anchorage, which
spot was indicated by the buoy still watching over the slipped anchor.
But though nobody was to be seen, and the storehouses had all the
appearance of being completely abandoned, the voyagers were far too
prudent to land--for which, indeed, there was no inducement--and, having
satisfied th