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Updated: June 21, 2025
"I wonder if there are any decent beds here!" Hogvardt and Watkins had, by my directions, sat down with us; and the former was now smoking his pipe at the window, while Watkins was busy overhauling our luggage. We had brought light bags, the rods, guns, and other smaller articles. The rest was in the yacht.
We did drag in the cow; we dragged it through the house, and finally bestowed it in the compound behind. Hogvardt suggested that we should fetch the other also; but I had no mind for another surprise, which might not end so happily, and I decided to run the risk of leaving the second animal till the morning.
For a few minutes we sat listening, and I do not think that any of us were very comfortable. Then I rose to my feet, and I said: "Hogvardt, old fellow, I fancy that scheme of yours must wait a little. Unless I'm very much mistaken, we're going to have a lively evening." Well, and then we shook hands all round, and went in, and bolted the door, and sat down to wait.
He smiled and repeated, "Going to cave in, old chap?" "No, by Jove, I'm not!" cried I, leaping up. "They've had my money, and I'm going to have the island." "Take the yacht, my lord," counselled Hogvardt, "and come back with enough force from Rhodes." Well, that was sense; my impulse was nonsense. We four could not conquer the island. I swallowed my pride.
Hogvardt had just begun to expound a very elaborate scheme of escape, depending, so far as I could make out, on our reaching the other side of the island, and finding there a boat, which we had no reason to suppose would be there, when Denny raised his hand, saying, "Hark!"
Then I looked at my companions. "Queer," said Denny, and he began to whistle. Hogvardt got the little lantern, which he always had handy, and carefully inspected the door. "Locked," he announced, "and bolted top and bottom. A solid door, too!" and he struck it with his hand.
I approved of this suggestion, and Watkins having found a rope, I armed Denny with the rifle, took from the wall a large, keen hunting-knife, opened the door, and stole out, accompanied by Hogvardt and Watkins, who carried their revolvers. We reached the pen without interruption, tied our rope firmly round the horns of one of the dead beasts, and set to work to drag it along.
This sad work done, we came back, and so swift are life's changes we killed a goat for dinner, and watched Watkins dress it. Thus the afternoon wore away, and when evening came we ate our goat flesh, and Hogvardt milked our cows, and we sat down to consider the position of the garrison.
"Are you still of the same mind?" "Still of the same," said I. "It is death death for you all," she said; and without more she went to the great door. Hogvardt opened it for her, and she walked away down the road, between the high rocks that bounded the path on either side.
"So be it," said I. "But, look here; it's only just twelve. We might have a look round before we go. I want to see the place, you know." For I was very sorely vexed at being turned out of my island. Hogvardt grumbled a little at this, but here I overruled him. We took our revolvers again, left the inn, and struck straight up the road.
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