"water may well serve as an excuse, and what to bold Sir Francis were
the lives of half a dozen seamen when booty for the queen lies in the
balance? The Apache told him, too, - thou see'st thou hast not played
the listening game alone, for, hiding behind the fo'castle door myself,
I heard him say it, - that here lay that famous island, San - how is't
they call it? San Catlina - I know not how 'tis spoken, - some Spanish
lingo not fit for English tongues! At any rate 'twas here your Spanish
robber, Don Cabrillo, and, for the matter of that, his precious son as
well, stopped to seek direction ere they found the land of gold. The
savage sware besides they were a gentle tribe, not given to war and
murder like the rest. I hearkened well, forsooth, knowing past doubt I
would be een one o' those chosen to try 'em out. The devil take the
Apache an he lied," he added fiercely, "I'll break his head across till
even he shrieks out for help when I get back!"

He paused to gaze fearfully at the stern cliffs now looming close at
hand, beneath which the excited natives still ran back and forth,
pointing with frantic gestures at the boat.

The third man spoke. He was smaller than the other two and darker, with
a sly look about his eyes and mouth in strong contrast to the bluff
frankness of his comrades. So far he had appeared content to listen in
amused silence, but now with a short laugh he interrupted.

"The Apache did not lie. This is the island Santa Catalina, though that,
mark you, is not the Indian name. And right well can the chief who rules
here direct our captain also to the goldfields of the north. But
hearkee, comrades. 'Tis not Drake will reap the profits this time!" He
lowered his voice mysteriously as though fearful of being overheard,
albeit nothing was nearer than his two companions and the clear, green