t the same plan that he
credited Jacopo with the intention of following. After some thought, he
took some seventy pounds of salt pork from the barrel and put it in a
sack, round which he fastened the rope in such a manner that as soon as
the strain on it was relieved it could be shaken off. Then he climbed out
on to the bough, and poured a little melted lard on the sheave of the
block to prevent it from creaking. Then he lowered the barrel down, shook
off the fastening, and drew up the rope again.

Then he sent down a large sack full of melons; this done, there was
nothing to do but to wait until dusk. He kept up a good fire all day,
thinking it probable that Jacopo would have placed himself where he could
see the smoke rising. He calculated that the man would suppose that he
would be likely to attempt to leave his post after dark, and would then
place himself somewhere on the path to shoot him as he went past. As soon
as it was dark, he lowered four of the muskets, with a bag of ammunition,
and then followed himself. He first carried the muskets and ammunition
down to the shore, and then made two trips with the pork and melons. Then
he rolled one of the water-casks, that had already been filled, down the
sand into the sea, and, entering the water breast-deep, pushed it before
him until he came to the rope from the stern of the craft to the shore.
Returning, he fetched the pork, melons, muskets, and ammunition. Then he
waded and swam out to the cutter, holding his sword in his teeth, pulled
himself noiselessly up, and then, sword in hand, descended into the cabin,
where he thought it was just possible that the Peruvian might be sleeping.
The light of the moon was sufficient to show him that it was empty.

Ascending to the deck again, he slackened out the headrope attached to a
heavy stone that served as an anchor; then he hauled on the rope ashore
until he felt the stern touch the sand. Making fast the rope, he lowered
himself down and waded to shore. Then he brought off the muskets and
ammunition, pork and melons on his head, and lastly got the barrel of
water alongside, put a sling round it, fastened the main halliards to it,
and hoisted it on board. He was now in a position to make off, but still
altogether inadequately provisioned for such a voyage as he meditated, and
after some thought he determined to return on shore.

He had at first thought of remaining on board and hoisting the sail. This
would attract the at