"Very well," continued my companion. "Two or three times I've seemed to
see somethin' movin' among them there white flowers, but I can't be
quite--"
"Yes, you are right, I see it; there is something--somebody--there," I
interrupted, having brought the glass to bear upon the spot while
Murdock was speaking. "Ah! now I have lost it again," I continued, "but
I am certain I saw a dark face peering through the branches. Here! let
me have your gun. If there is really anybody there we'll give him a
scare, if nothing worse."
So saying, I took the loaded gun, and, keeping my eyes firmly fixed on
the spot, stretched myself prone on the deck, with the barrel of the
weapon resting upon the rail of the schooner's very low bulwark.
Sighting the piece carefully, I brought it to bear immediately on the
spot where I thought I had seen the face, and then waited patiently for
its reappearance. But minute after minute passed and nothing appeared;
and presently Cunningham and the carpenter came up the beach staggering
under a load of timber that promised to be amply sufficient for all our
needs. I began to think that I must have been mistaken, and was about
to lay aside the gun and descend to the beach again, when the boatswain,
who had taken the glass from me and had been intently peering through
it, murmured:
"There 'tis again, Mr Temple--no, stop a minute, it's gone--no 'tain't!
Have ye got your piece bearin' dead upon that spot, sir?"