When everything had been brought up, two of the pirates went down into the hole, and the others handed to them the various packages.

Skilfully and quickly they worked, doubtless storing their goods with great care, until nearly everything which had been brought from the boat had been placed in the deep hole.

Some rolls of goods were left upon the ground which Mary thought were carpets, but which Abner believed to be rich Persian rugs, or something of that kind.
Now the captain stepped aside, and picking up from the sand some little sticks and reeds, he selected ten of them, and with these in one hand, and with their ends protruding a short distance above his closed fingers, he rejoined his men.

They gathered before him, and he held out toward them the hand which contained the little sticks.
"They're drawing lots!" gasped Abner, and Mary trembled more than she had done yet.
Now the lots were all drawn, and one man, apparently a young pirate, stepped out from among his fellows.

His head was bowed, and his arms were folded across his manly chest.