But, Jack, what do you say--shall we keep watch to-night ?" "Why, to tell you the truth, I have been thinking the same thing--I don't much like the looks of the padrone--he squints." "That's no proof of anything, Jack, except that his eyes are not straight: but if you do not like the look of him, I can tell you that he very much liked the look of your doubloons--I saw him start, and his eyes twinkled, and I thought at the time it was a pity you had not paid him in dollars." "It was very foolish in me, but at all events he has not seen all.

He saw quite enough, Ned." "Very true, but you should have let him see the pistols, and not have let him see the doubloons." "Well, if he wishes to take what he has seen, he shall receive what he has not seen--why, there are only four of them." "Oh, I have no fear of them, only it may be as well to sleep with one eye open." "When shall we make the land ?" "To-morrow evening with this wind, and it appears to be steady.

Suppose we keep watch and watch, and have our pistols out ready, with the great-coats just turned over them, to keep them out of sight ?" "Agreed--it's about twelve o'clock now--who shall keep the middle watch ?" "I will, Jack, if you like it." "Well, then, mind you kick me hard, for I sleep devilish sound.
Good-night, and keep a sharp look-out." Jack was fast asleep in less than ten minutes; and Gascoigne, with his pistols lying by him all ready for each hand, sat up at the bottom of the boat.
There certainly is a peculiar providence in favour of midshipmen compared with the rest of mankind; they have more lives than a cat--always in the greatest danger, but always escaping from it.
The padrone of the vessel had been captivated with the doubloons which Jack had so foolishly exposed to his view, and he had, moreover, resolved to obtain them.

At the very time that our two lads were conversing aft, the padrone was talking the matter over with his two men forward, and it was agreed that they should murder, rifle, and then throw them overboard.
About two o'clock in the morning, the padrone came aft to see if they were asleep, but found Gascoigne watching.

He returned aft again and again, but found the young man still sitting up.