Then he stole away like a shadow, to find out, if he
could, if there was any one else on the rock besides himself and the
dead man.
There had been hot disputes on that head in the boats. Those who were
there for the first time had even gone the length of casting strongest
possible doubts as to whether those who were there the night before had
seen or heard anything whatever, and did not hesitate to state their
belief that they were all on a fool's errand. The others replied in
kind, and when the further question was mooted as to keeping watch all
night, the scoffers told the others to keep watch if they chose; for
themselves, they were going home to their beds.
"Frightened of ghosts, I s'pose," growled one.
"No more than yourself, John Drillot. But we've wasted a day on this
same fooling, and the man's not here; and for me, I doubt if he's ever
been here."
"And what of the things we found in the shelter?" said Drillot. "Think
they came there of themselves?"
"I don't care how they came there. It's not old cloaks and blankets we
came after. Maybe he has been here.
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