Mary was filled with horror for fear they should come to that bluff to search, but Abner knew there was no danger of that.

They had probably come to those shores to bury treasure, as if they were great sea-turtles coming up upon the beach to lay their eggs, and they were now looking for some good spot where they might dig.
Presently the tall man gave some orders in a low voice, and then his men left him to himself, and went back to the boat.

There was a great pine tree standing back a considerable distance from the water, battered and racked by storms, but still a tough old tree.

Toward this the pirate captain stalked, and standing close to it, with his back against it, he looked up into the sky.

It was plain that he was looking for a star.
There were very few of these luminaries to be seen in the heavens, for the moon was so bright.