d cloud.

"If Peth was willing to put you on board, I don't see that he'd
interfere with you if you went ashore," said Trask. "As I see it,
you can pull over, get Dinshaw, and come back. You don't need to go
near that gang on the beach."

"Can't ye let me have the gun?"

"No." Trask walked away from Jarrow, satisfied that the captain
would take no action so long as there was a possibility of
continuing the argument.

Not long afterward, while the three in the cabin were playing cards
and Tom was preparing lunch, Jarrow came shambling aft, and without
a word went over the side and into the long boat. When Trask went
out on deck the captain was pulling slowly for the shore, making a
course to land near where Dinshaw was toiling in the broiling sun
at his sand piling.

All hands deserted the cabin to see what would happen. As the boat
approached the beach, Doc was seen to leave those about the fire,
and proceed toward Dinshaw, with the avowed purpose of heading the
captain off.

Jarrow made his way leisurely, and ran the boat on the shingle. He
stood watching Doc and waiting for him, and when the steward had
come close and stopped as if in doubt as to what the captain's
attitude would be, Jarrow beckoned him on with a peremptory
gesture.

There was a parley, which ended with Doc returning to the fire, and
then Jarrow approached Dinshaw. The old man looked up and waved his
hand as if pointing out the result of his labours.

Jarrow kicked the sand, and got down to examine it. Then he said
something to Dinshaw, and the latter got up and followed him
obediently to the boat. Soon they were heading back for the
schooner, Dinshaw serving an oar.

"What's the news?" asked Trask, as the boat drew near.

"They want to come back," said Jarrow. "Peth sends word that if
you'll take 'em, they'll return to duty if you'll call it square.
Seems like they've tried a wrinkle of burnin' the sand to git gold,
but it won't work, an' they're plumb disgusted."

"We won't take Peth's word about anything," said Trask.

"I guess they got a belly full o' this business," was Jarrow's
comment as he brought the boat alongside. "You make a mistake not
to take 'em up. We'd be in a bad hole here if it come on to blow
hard. Ye better let me signal 'em back."

Trask said nothing to this, but helped Dinshaw over the side. The
old man seemed utterly spent, and appeared to be in a daze from the
sun. He looked about as if he had seen none of t