Early next morning their numerous chests and boxes were
hoisted on deck and lowered to waiting small boats for
transportation to shore.

There was a great quantity and variety of stuff, as the
Claytons had expected a possible five to eight years' residence
in their new home. Thus, in addition to the many necessities
they had brought, there were also many luxuries.

Black Michael was determined that nothing belonging to
the Claytons should be left on board. Whether out of
compassion for them, or in furtherance of his own self-interests,
it would be difficult to say.

There was no question but that the presence of property of a
missing British official upon a suspicious vessel would have been
a difficult thing to explain in any civilized port in the world.

So zealous was he in his efforts to carry out his intentions
that he insisted upon the return of Clayton's revolvers to him
by the sailors in whose possession they were.

Into the small boats were also loaded salt meats and biscuit,
with a small supply of potatoes and beans, matches, and
cooking vessels, a chest of tools, and the old sails which
Black Michael had promised them.

As though himself fearing the very thing which Clayton
had suspected, Black Michael accompanied them to shore,