ise under his head for a pillow, and
both of them were snoring loudly. Atkins was sure they were sound
asleep, but he was too wary to ruin his plans by being in too great a
hurry. He allowed an hour to pass before he made any attempt to secure
the valise--that was the extra duty he was expected to perform--and then
he went about his work very cautiously. With a step that would not have
awakened a cricket, he crossed the deck and took his stand beside the
rail, within easy reach of the robbers. After assuring himself that
there was no sham about their sleep, he placed his foot against the
valise and began pushing it from under Sanders's head. Slowly and
cautiously was the movement executed, Atkins scarcely daring to breathe
the while, lest it should arouse the robber, and, at last, he had the
satisfaction of seeing Sanders's head roll down upon the deck. Quick as
a flash Atkins's foot came back beside the other, and if the burglar had
awakened then he would have seen him leaning over the rail, gazing into
the bushes ahead of the vessel, and looking as innocent as a boy of that
kind could look. But Sanders was not aroused. Wearied with his night's
work, he still snored lustily, and Atkins congratulated himself on
having accomplished the most dangerous part of his undertaking.

The next step was to arouse the band. He did not touch the valise again,
but left it lying on the deck and crept to the place where the governor
was sleeping. "Sam," he whispered, "it's all right. I've got the money."

"No!" exclaimed the governor, starting up and rubbing his eyes. "Where
is it?"

"I left it layin' close to him, so that if he wakes up before we are
ready to start he will think that his head rolled off of its own
accord."

"You're a brick," said the governor, approvingly. "This 'most makes me
forget that you were a mutineer. Call the other fellers an' we'll be
off."

Atkins was on the point of obeying this order when, to the intense
chagrin of both the Crusoe men, Sanders awoke with a start, and, raising
himself on his elbow, looked about him. Seeing the governor on his feet
he inquired:

"What's going on there?"

"Nothing," replied Sam, "only I must take my turn standin' watch now."

The robber raised a pair of very sleepy-looking eyes toward the clouds,
remarked that it was pretty near daylight, and then, pulling the valise
under his head, went off into the land of dreams again.

"Did you ever see such luck?" growled Atk