"I reckon you're wrong there, lad," Bob said as his companions gathered around him, all gazing intently at a small schooner which was creeping slowly toward the key from the southeast, evidently heading directly for the cove. "That craft hasn't got American sailors on board by considerable. She looks like a fisherman--most likely comin' here for turtles. Whatever she is, we must put off goin' ashore for a spell."
Joe quickly brought the compass from the yawl, that no evidences of their intended visit ashore should be seen, and said, as he took up his tools once more:
"We'd better keep right on about our work, for in case they are coming here it may look suspicious to see us loafing when the steamer is so nearly a wreck."
But for the document found by the boys Joe would not have had such a thought. Now, however, the possibility that there might be a large amount of treasure secreted on the key made him over-cautious and distrustful.
Bob returned to the cabin, for the "curse of wealth" had also begun to make itself felt on him, and the three boys watched the approach of the stranger, but far less eagerly than would have been the case a few hours previous.
Slowly the schooner drew nearer, still heading directly for the cove, and shortening sail only when she was inside the outer point of land.
"Come on deck, Bob," Joe said in a low tone. "She's got just about way enough on to fetch us, and there's no question but that she's coming to anchor close alongside."
Bob emerged from the companion-way as the schooner swung around to her cable, and a man who was standing near the wheel shouted:
"Steamer ahoy!"
"Halloo!" Bob replied.
"What's the matter? Are you in distress?"
"Not exactly; we've been at the wrong end of a collision, an' put in here to patch up a little."
"Have you been ashore yet?"
"Do you suppose they know we found the paper?" Walter whispered in alarm as Bob hesitated before saying:
"Three of the crew landed this morning to look for water."
"Did you see any men there?"
"If you mean a Mexican, a thin feller, an' one with a red nose, we've seen more'n we wanted!" and by the tone of Bob's voice it could be easily understood that he was growing very angry.
"That's the crowd we're looking for!" the man on the schooner said excitedly. "On what part of the key are they?"
"You'll find 'em somewhere between here an' the coast of the United States. We had the brig Bonita in tow when we came to anchor, an' by lockin' us below on the tug they stole her!"
The man conversed with those near him for a moment, and then resumed the conversation by asking:
"When did that happen?"
"About two hours before sunset yesterday afternoon. Do you know anything of the scoundrels?"
"Considerable that ain't to their credit. They shipped at Nassau on a trading-vessel, and tried to get up a mutiny in order to seize the craft. The captain marooned them here, and we shouldn't have troubled our heads about such a lot if it had not been learned that they murdered two turtle-fishers in the North-west Channel three weeks ago simply for the small amount of money the men received from sale of the cargo. It looks now as if the villains had given us the slip."
"I ain't so sure of that," Bob replied after some thought. "The brig is a decently heavy sailer, an' there hasn't been wind enough to take her very far away. The chances are they're loafin' 'round the Bank now."
As may be supposed, the crew of the Sea Bird were astonished at learning the true character of those whom they would have befriended. That the men were scoundrels there had been good proof; but to learn they were murderers as well, shocked all hands.
"It's a good thing we didn't sail on the Bonita," Walter said in a whisper. "If they'd kill two fishermen for a little money, I'm sure there wouldn't have been much hesitation about butchering us before we arrived in port, so they could claim the brig."
"All that appears unfortunate is not ill-luck," Joe added; and then the captain of the schooner shouted:
