HORNE--Who’ll know they ain’t? They’re trying to steal what’s yours--that’s worse’n mutiny. [_As a final persuasion._] And Jimmy’s a nigger--and under no laws. And he’s stronger’n you are. You couldn’t stop ’im. BARTLETT--Aye--I couldn’t prevent---- JIMMY--[_Eagerly._] I fix um, Captain, they no tell! [BARTLETT _doesn’t answer, but stares at the treasure_. HORNE _makes violent motions to_ JIMMY _to go. The Islander stares at his master’s face. Then, seeming to read the direct command there, he grunts with satisfaction, and pulling his knife from it’s sheath, he goes stealthily off left._ CATES _raises himself on his haunches to watch the Islander’s movements_. HORNE _and_ BARTLETT _sit still in a strained immobility, their eyes on the chest_.] CATES--[_In an excited whisper._] I see ’em! They’re sittin’ with their backs this way! [_A slight pause._] There’s Jimmy. He’s crawlin’ on his hands behind ’em. They don’t notice--he’s right behind--almost atop o’ them. [_A pause._ CATES _gives a fiendish grunt_.] Ugh! [BUTLER’S _muffled cry comes from the left_.] Right in the middle of the back! The cook’s done! The boy’s runnin’! [_There is a succession of quick screams from the boy, the padding of feet running toward them, the fall of a body, and the boy’s dying groan._] HORNE--[_With satisfaction._] It’s done, sir! BARTLETT--[_Slowly._] I spoke no word, remember that, Silas Horne! HORNE--[_Cunningly._] Nor me neither, sir. Jimmy took it on himself. If blame there is--and who’d blame him for it?--it’s on him. BARTLETT--[_Gloomily._] I spoke no word! [JIMMY _returns noiselessly from the left_.] JIMMY--[_Grinning with savage pride._] I fix um fella plenty, Captain. They no tell. They no open mouth plenty too much! CATES--[_Maudlinly._] You’re a man, Jimmy--a man with guts to him--even if you’re a---- [_He babbles incoherently._] JIMMY--[_As the Captain does not look at him._] I go climb fella tree, Captain? I make look for schooner? BARTLETT--[_Rousing himself with an effort._] Yes--go up. [_The Islander climbs the tree._] HORNE--[_Getting to his feet--eagerly._] Where away, Jimmy? JIMMY--She come, Captain, she come plenty quick. HORNE--[_Looking in the direction_ JIMMY _indicates_.] I kin see her tops’ls from here, sir. Look! BARTLETT--[_Getting to his feet--stares out to sea._] Aye! There she be--and makin’ towards us fast. [_In a flash his sombre preoccupation is gone, and he is commander once more. He puts the anklet in his hand into his coat pocket--harshly._] Come down out o’ that? They’s work to do. [JIMMY _clambers down_.] Did ye leave--them--lyin’ in plain sight on the open sand? JIMMY--Yes. I no touch um, Captain. BARTLETT--Then ye’ll touch ’em now. Go, bury ’em, cover ’em up with sand. And mind ye make a good job o’ it that none’ll see. Jump now! JIMMY--[_Obediently._] I go, Captain. [_He hurries off left._]