"
But at this we asked time to consider. Although we had no cause to love
the Spaniards, we had no reason to hate them with the same inveterate
hatred displayed by Montbar. Besides, in spite of the glamour that
surrounded them, we knew the buccaneers to be no better than pirates.
Still it seemed a poor return to make Captain Montbar for the service
he had rendered us to refuse his request. While we hesitated between
two minds what we should do, I bethought me of the gold dust at the
place of the painted hands. We had never intended to abandon this
treasure by reason of a swarm of insects, however numerous and venomous
they might be. The fishermen from Lamakera had excuse for doing so,
since they lacked the equipment to combat the pests which infested the
caves, but, with the resources of a ship at our disposal, it would be
strange if we could not devise some means to carry off the gold, share
it with Montbar, and thus repay the obligation we owed him.
I mentioned this project to Hartog, who at once fell in with my plan.
"You are a wizard, Peter," he said, "for finding a way out of a
dilemma. If we can get this treasure, and either share it with Montbar,
or give it all to him should it not prove considerable, our debt will
be paid, so that we may continue our voyage whithersoever our fancy
leads us, but, with the price of the ship on my conscience, I could
never regard myself as a free man.
Pages:
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199