They were without burdens now, either of provisions or gold dust; but the two axes were carried over Bry’s shoulder, and another man bore a coil of rope. They seemed to be disputing together about something, and a few of the words reached our ears. Daggett was urging them to follow a plan he had proposed, while some of the others demurred. “It’s too hot to work,” we heard one of the men declare. “It’s not too hot to hang,” shouted Daggett, in reply, “and you’ll hang, every mother’s son of you, if we don’t get to the ship!” That seemed to be an effective argument, for after a few more words of protest the men followed Daggett along the ledge, Bry coming last of all. The path was broader from there on, and they made rapid progress, soon being again lost to our view around the rock. Just as Bry disappeared he looked up and saw Nux and me eagerly watching from above. For an instant he paused to wave his hand and grin at us reassuringly; then he passed around the edge and vanished after the others. “Dat Bry don’ ’pear to be much scared,” said Nux, in an encouraged tone. “No,” I answered, thoughtfully. “He’s got some plan in his head, I’m sure, to help us. But where have the men gone now?” Nux could not answer this problem, but after a few moments it solved itself, for the robbers and Bry appeared upon the sandy shore, close to the water, and walked briskly along the narrow strip of beach between the lapping waves and the grim precipice of the mainland. It was not long before a bend in the coast hid them completely, and then we sat up and looked at one another inquiringly. “What we do now?” asked the black. “Let’s go down the rock,” I suggested, assuming to be braver than I really was. “They’ve left the gold behind them, that’s sure; and the gold is what we’re after, Nux. Once we have recovered that, it doesn’t matter so much what becomes of the thieves.” “Won’ dey come back?” enquired Nux, hesitatingly. “I hope not,” said I, truthfully. “At least not until after we’ve got back the gold. But there’s no time to lose. Follow me.” Having thus assumed the leadership, I strove to banish all unmanly fear and boldly sprang on to the end of the rocking-stone that rested on the mainland. Slowly and with caution I crept up its incline until I was directly over the gulf. It was now that the stone should tip, but it seemed that my weight, being less than that of any of the men who had passed over, was not sufficient to balance the rock, so it began to look like a risky thing for me to climb further up the tapering point.