And
the rest was passed in lolling, strolling, yarns, and
disputation. The time of the China steamers was
calculated to a nicety; which done, the thought was
rejected and ignored. It was one that would not bear
consideration. The boat voyage having been tacitly set
aside, the desperate part chosen to wait there for the
coming of help or of starvation, no man had courage
left to look his bargain in the face, far less to
discuss it with his neighbours. But the unuttered
terror haunted them; in every hour of idleness, at
every moment of silence, it returned, and breathed a
chill about the circle, and carried men's eyes to the
horizon. Then, in a panic of self-defence, they would
rally to some other subject. And, in that lone spot,
what else was to be found to speak of but the treasure?
That was indeed the chief singularity, the one thing
conspicuous in their island life; the presence of that
chest of bills and specie dominated the mind like a
cathedral; and there were besides connected with it
certain irking problems well fitted to occupy the idle.
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