As it does not matter when the money is distributed, I counsel you
to humor them to-night, and postpone reasoning until to-morrow."
"I'll think about it," said Roland.
"They have bought several casks of wine, and are taking turns in
carrying them. Will you allow this wine to come aboard, even if you
determine to throw it into the water to-morrow?"
"Oh, yes," said Roland, with a shrug of the shoulders. "Coax them into
the cabin as quietly as possible, and keep them there if you can, for
should they get on deck, we shall lose some of them in the river."
Greusel turned back to meet the bellowing mob, while Roland roused the
captain and his men.
"Get ready," he said to Blumenfels, "and the moment I raise my hand,
shove off. Make for this side of the larger island, and come to rest
there for the remainder of the night. Command your rowers to put their
whole force into the sweeps."
This was done accordingly, and well done, as was the captain's custom.
The late moon threw a ghostly light over the scene, and the barren
island proved deserted and forbidding, as the crew tied up the barge
alongside.
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