It's like madness," Esau kept on saying. "You see if he don't go off
with our chests, and then where shall we be?"

"Grumbling because I was so weak as to trust him. Never mind; I'm
hungry. Let's have something to eat."

We ordered it, and partook of a thoroughly hearty, English-looking meal;
but Gunson did not come, and as soon as Esau had finished, he suggested
that we should go and look after him.

"But he said we were to wait for him here."

"Yes, but I'm going to look for my chest," cried Esau. "I don't see any
fun in losing that."

"Nonsense! Don't be so suspicious," I said; and we waited on a full
hour, with Esau growing more and more fidgety, and by degrees infecting
me with his doubts.

All at once we heard from the distance the ringing of a bell, and the
Englishman who, as he called it, "ran the place," came up to us.

"Didn't I hear you two say that you were going by the steamer 's
afternoon?"

"Yes," I said.

"Well then, look sharp, or you'll lose the boat. She's just off."

I glanced at Esau, and as soon as he had paid we set off at a run,
reaching the little steamer just as she was being cast off from the
wharf.

"He ain't here," cried Esau, excitedly. "What shall we do--stop?"

"No," I said; "let's go on. We may find our chests on board."

"Yes," he said, sarcastically; "may. Well, we can come back again. Oh,
what a set of thieves there are abroad."

We were by this time on deck, and after a quick glance round, I pitched
upon a man who seemed to be either skipper or mate.

"Were two chests sent on board here belonging to us?"

"One-eyed man with 'em?" he said, looking at us curiously.

"Yes," I cried eagerly.

"All right. Down below."

"There, Esau," I cried, gripping him by the arm. "What do you deserve
now?"

"Punch o' the head, I suppose. Well, hooroar! and I'm glad we've got
rid of him at last."

"I don't know," I said. "I should have liked to shake hands first."

"Come, lads, what a while you've been," said Gunson, coming up out of
the cabin. "I told that boy to say you were to make haste."

"What boy?" I said.

"The one I sent. Didn't he tell you?"

I shook my head.

"Went to the wrong place, perhaps. Boxes are all right below yonder."

"But how are you going to get ashore?" I said, wonderingly.

"Same as you do."

"But--"

"Oh, didn't I tell you? I thought I'd come across with you, and see you
well on your way. Esau there wouldn't be comf