"You mean to abandon everything, then?" said De Sylva. He seemed to be
watching the onward sweep of the search-light as the warship went to
the north. But Coke was shrewd. He felt that there was something
behind the words, and he suspected the ex-President's motives.
"I don't see any 'elp for it," he answered. "Gord's trewth, wot is
there to abandon? I've lost me ship, an' me money, an' me papers, an'
'arf me men. Unless one was lookin' for trouble, this ain't no
treasure island, mister."
"Yet it might be made one."
"As how?"
"Do you not realize how greatly the members of the present Government
fear my return to Brazil? Here, I am their prisoner, practically
friendless, almost alone. They dare not kill me by process of law, yet
they are moving heaven and earth to prevent my escape, or shoot me down
in the act. Why? Because they know that the people are longing to
hail me as President again. Suppose you and your men took me to
Pernambuco----"
"S'pose hell!" snapped Coke.
"Please listen. You can but refuse when you look at the facts fairly.
If, as I say, I were put ashore at Pernambuco, or at any other of half
a dozen ports I can name, I should be among my own followers. You,
Captain Coke, and every officer and man of your ship, and her owners,
and the relatives of those who have lost their lives, would not only be
paid all just claims by the new Government, but adequately rewarded.
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