ssage except at the flood and the seas calm. Being
landed, Martin, you shall, with due regard to rest and refreshment,
forthwith secure our Treasure (the secret whereof I have included with
this my letter). Thereupon, and with all dispatch, you shall,
troubling not for the gold or silver, take but the four caskets of
jewels, and, setting them aboard your boat, sail away due West (three
days) until you shall fetch up with another island, the which you shall
know by its three several hills plain to be seen, and called Gibbet
Island, since 'twas there I hanged one Juan Maldonada (and richly
deserved it!). Here then you shall bury our Treasure (four caskets) in
such place as seemeth to you proper, and there await my coming. And if
I join you not within two months, then shall this mighty treasure
three-quarters thereof be yours. And if I come not within six months,
then shall this fortune be wholly yours since I shall be beyond all
need of it. So now, Martin, good Fortune attend you. Your boat
(chosen by me long since, and for this very purpose) is staunch, and an
excellent sea-boat and very well stored with everything for your needs,
as arms, clothes, food and the like. Moreover within the treasure-cave
is all manner of stores, so that a man even though he bides on the land
to his life's end need suffer no lack, but have his every comfort
supplied.

And now, as to your head, Martin, 'twill be none the worse by this, I
judge. And for the blow, 'twas no harder than called for, and very
well intentioned, as you shall confess one day, mayhap, unless you be
greater fool and blinder than I take you for. Howbeit I trust you,
Martin, and in bidding you farewell for the nonce, subscribe myself,

Your faithful friend and comrade to serve,
Adam Penfeather."

Having read this wordy missive, I crumpled it in angry fist and thrust
it into my pocket. But now she gives me the packet named therein, the
which I forthwith tossed overboard (like the wilful fool I was).
Thereby involving us in divers and many great dangers and difficulties,
as you shall learn hereafter.

Howbeit (the wind serving) I altered our course and stood away
south-westerly even as Adam had directed, since I perceived the weather
thickening behind us and the sea heaving with uneasy motion. And
presently my companion questions me again:

"Whither do we sail?"

"South-westerly."

"Aye, but whither?"

"To an island."

"Is it far?"

"Two days'