BARTLETT--[_In a crooning, monotonous voice._] It’s heavy, I know, heavy--that chest. Up, bullies! Up with her! [_He flings himself in the shade, resting his back against the tree, and points to the sand at his feet._] Put ’er there, bullies--there where I kin see! HORNE--[_Echoing his words mechanically._] Put’er there! CATES--[_In thick, stupid tones._] Aye-aye, sir! Down she goes, Jimmy! [_They set the chest down._] BARTLETT--Sit down, lads, sit down. Ye’ve earned your spell of rest. [_The three men throw themselves on the sand in attitudes of spent weariness. Bartlett’s eyes are fixed gloatingly on the chest. There is a silence suddenly broken by Cates, who leaps to a kneeling position with a choked cry._] CATES--[_His eyes staring at the Captain with fierce insistence._] I want a drink--water! [_The others are startled into a rigid, dazzed attention._ HORNE’S _lips move painfully in a soundless repetition of the word. There is a pause. Then Bartlett strikes the side of his head with his fist, as if to drive this obsession from his brain._ BUTLER _and_ ABEL _stand looking at them with frightened eyes_.] BARTLETT--[_Having regained control over himself, in a determined voice, deep-toned and menacing._] If ye speak that word ever again, Ben Cates--if ye say it once again--ye’ll be food for the sharks! Ye hear? CATES--[_Terrified._] Yes, sir. [_He collapses limply on the sand again._ HORNE _and the_ KANAKA _relax hopelessly_.] BARTLETT--[_With heavy scorn._] Are ye a child to take on like a sick woman--cryin’ for what ye know we’ve not got? Can’t ye stand up under a little thirst like a man? [_Resolutely._] There’ll be water enough--if ye’ll wait and keep a stiff upper lip on ye. We’ll all be picked up today. I’ll stake my word on it. This state o’ things can’t last. [_His eyes fall on the chest._] Ye ought to be singin’ ’stead o’ cryin’--after the find we’ve made. What’s the lack of water amount to--when ye’ve gold before you? [_With mad exultation._] Gold! Enough of it in your share alone to buy ye rum, and wine, and women, too, for the rest o’ your life! CATES--[_Straightening up to a sitting posture--his small eyes staring at the box fascinatedly--in a stupid mumble._] Aye--aye--rum and wine!