Why not?
It seemed strange to him that he had not thought of it at first.

The skies were perfectly clear, and he did not think there was any danger of a storm.
He rummaged about, discovered plenty of blankets and made a bed for himself in the captain's cabin, finding a grim humor in the fact that he should take that sinister man's place.

But as it was only three or four hours since he had awakened he was not at all sleepy and he returned to the deck, where he wrapped his treasure, the huge greatcoat, about his body and sat and watched.

He saw the big red sun set and the darkness come down again, the air still and very cold.
But he was snug and warm, and bethought himself of what he must undertake on the morrow.

If he continued inland long enough he would surely come to somebody, and at dawn, taking an ample supply of provisions, he would start.