As for helpin' to bring my comrades to justice, I only wish as I know'd how, and I'd do it right off, I would." Surly Dick's expression of countenance when he said this was a sufficient guarantee that he was in earnest.
"There is an island somewhere hereabout," said the lieutenant, "where the pirates are in the habit of hiding sometimes, is there not ?" Surly Dick looked at his questioner slyly, as he replied, "There is, sir." "Do you not think it very likely that they may have run there now,--that they may be there at this moment ?" "It's _oncommon_ likely," replied Dick, with a grin.
"Can you direct me how to steer, in order to reach that island ?" Surly Dick's aspect changed.

He became morose again, and looked silently at his feet for a few moments, as if he were debating something in his own mind.

He was, in truth, perplexed; for, while he was extremely anxious to bring his hated comrades to justice, he was by no means so anxious to let the lieutenant into the secret of the treasures contained in the caverns of the Isle of Palms, all of which he knew would be at once swept hopelessly beyond his grasp if they should be discovered.

He also reflected that if he could only manage to get his late companions comfortably hanged, and himself set free for having turned King's evidence against them, he could return to the island and abstract the wealth it contained by degrees.

The brilliant prospect thus opened up to him was somewhat marred, however, by the consideration that some of the pirates might make a confession and let this secret be known, in which case his golden dreams would vanish.