The men nodded quickly and pointed again. "Why have you come here to tell us?" The Indian stared, then looked at his companion, with whom he rapidly exchanged a few words, ending by turning back, holding out his hands, and exclaiming-- "El Commodore Yunk. Money. Rum." "There's a frankness about this fellow that makes me disposed to believe him," said Humphrey, grimly, as he smiled at the officer. "`Commodore Yunk. Money. Rum.' And the pointing seems to me as effective as the longest speech. Look here, can you understand? Show us--" "Show--show--way--El Commodore Yunk." "Yes, that will do," said the captain. "But mind this; if you play us false--here, show him!" "Show--El Commodore Yunk," cried the Indian, catching the last words. "Money--powd--rum." "You shall have plenty," said Humphrey; "but make him understand that if he plays us false he shall be hung at the yard-arm." The officer of the watch, quite a young man, seemed to enjoy his task; for, catching up the signal halyards, he rapidly made a noose, threw it over the Indian's head, and drew it tight. Then, pointing upward, he said slowly-- "If you cheat!" "Hang um?" said the Indian, sharply. "Yes. We shall hang you if you don't show Commodore Junk." "Show El Commodore Yunk," said the Indian, composedly. "I think he understands us," said the officer of the watch. "Very well, then," cried Humphrey. "Let's start, then, at once. Now, then, south!" he cried to the man. "South?" said the Indian. "Yes, south!" cried the captain, pointing. "Show us the way." "Show. El Commodore Yunk. No." He shook his head, and pointed around him, and then to the lanterns, which shed a dim light over the scene. "No. Dark," he said. "He means it is too dark to go," said the second officer. "Look here, old brownskin. Light? sun?" "Light--sun!" cried the Indian, eagerly, pointing to the east, and then seizing the thin rope which had been twisted round his neck, he ran to the gangway, slid down into his boat, made the cord fast, and came scrambling up again to secure the signal-line. This done, he said a few words to his companion, and, going to the side, threw himself down under the bulwarks, and seemed to go to sleep at once. "Yes; that's plain enough," said Humphrey. "He means to wait till daylight. Keep a strict watch. We may have found the right man at last." He need have been under no anxiety as to the two informers, for they lay motionless till daybreak, and then rose suddenly, looked sharply round, and, going forward, pointed to the rope which moored them in mid-stream.