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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 13859 ***
+
+BOY SCOUTS IN SOUTHERN WATERS
+
+Or, Spaniard's Treasure Chest
+
+by
+
+G. HARVEY RALPHSON
+
+Author of _Boy Scouts In The North Sea_, _Under Fire In Flanders_,
+_Boy Scouts In An Airship_, _Boy Scouts In A Motor Boat_
+
+1915
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+    I. A COLLISION IN THE FOG
+   II. CRIPPLED BY THE STRANGER
+  III. A MYSTERIOUS MESSAGE
+   IV. THE HOLE IN THE BOAT
+    V. WIG-WAGGING A WARNING
+   VI. A MAROONED BOY SCOUT
+  VII. THEIR PIRATE PRISONER
+ VIII. JACK STRICKEN BY A BULLET
+   IX. A NIGHT ATTACK
+    X. FIRST AID AND AN ESCAPE
+   XI. AN ELUSIVE BOB WHITE
+  XII. SAVED BY A STRANGER
+ XIII. A FRUITLESS SEARCH
+  XIV. TWO BEAVERS IN PERIL
+   XV. A SURPRISE AT THE FORTUNA
+  XVI. RESCUE AND CAPTURE
+ XVII. WHAT BURNED IN THE CABIN
+XVIII. SHANGHAIED!
+  XIX. TREACHERY EXPOSED
+   XX. RESCUED AT SEA
+  XXI. A FRIEND AND AN ENEMY
+ XXII. A DESPERATE ATTEMPT
+XXIII. AT THE SPANISH FORT
+ XXIV. DEFEATED BY GREED
+  XXV. THE TREASURE
+
+
+
+
+
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+
+
+
+
+
+
+BOY SCOUTS IN SOUTHERN WATERS OR THE SPANIARD'S TREASURE CHEST
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+A COLLISION IN THE FOG
+
+
+"Wow! Look at that one! That's a monster!"
+
+"That must be the ninth wave."
+
+"What do you mean by the ninth wave, Jack?"
+
+"Why, Arnold, don't you know that every third wave is bigger than the
+two preceding it and that every ninth wave is bigger than the preceding
+eight?" queried Jack Stanley.
+
+"No, can't say that I ever knew that," replied Arnold Poysor leaning out
+of the pilot house of a sturdy motor boat plowing her way through the
+waters of that part of the Gulf of Mexico known as Mississippi Sound.
+"But I do know," he continued, "that if the Fortuna takes many more
+green ones over her bow, we'll have to get something other than oilskins
+to keep us dry!"
+
+"Gee, I wish this fog would lift and let us find out where we are!" put
+in a third member of the part. "This is fierce!"
+
+"It's thicker than the mush we used to get in that South Water Street
+restaurant when we were fitting out in Chicago!" declared the first
+speaker. "That was a bum place to eat!"
+
+"Never mind the eats!" replied the one addressed as "Jack." "Just you
+keep that Klaxon going. You know we're on government waters here and the
+pilot rules require us to keep a fog signal sounding once every minute.
+We had hard enough work to convince the United States Inspectors that
+the Klaxon would make a perfectly good fog signal. Let's not fall down
+now on the job of keeping it going."
+
+"I'd hate like everything to have a collision!"
+
+"So would we all!" declared the first speaker.
+
+Four boys were standing in the pilot house of a sturdily built and
+splendidly equipped motor boat that was being rolled and tossed by the,
+waves driven from the Gulf of Mexico before a southerly wind. Great
+banks of fog were rolling inland before the wind--fog so thick it was
+scarcely possible to see a boat's length ahead.
+
+The boys were all dressed in suits of oil skins under which might have
+been seen neat khaki Boy Scout Uniforms. If their jackets had been
+exposed one might have distinguished medals that betokened membership in
+the Beaver Patrol, Boy Scouts of America. Other insignia indicated to
+the initiated that the boys had won distinction and were entitled to the
+honors in Seamanship, Life Saving, Stalking and Signaling. On the jacket
+of the one addressed as "Jack" were insignia that betokened his rank as
+Scout Master and also as Star Scout. These had been won by sheer merit.
+
+All four were manly young fellows of about seventeen and, though young,
+their faces gave evidence of alert natures thoroughly reliable and ready
+for any emergency.
+
+Their vessel, the Fortuna, appeared fully equal to any task that might
+be expected of her. Trimly built and graceful, yet solidly and staunchly
+constructed, she rode the waves like a thing of life. Her engines, which
+by common consent had been reduced to half speed in deference to the
+law, worked perfectly, driving the powerful hull through the water
+easily. Just now she met the oncoming waves, driving into them with a
+good deal of spray about the bows.
+
+Jack Stanley, Scout Master of the Beaver Patrol of Chicago, Boy Scouts
+of America, was Captain of the Fortuna. His father was president of a
+bank in Chicago and had requested Jack and his chums to take the Fortuna
+from Chicago to Southern waters where they would later on be joined by
+the banker for a cruise among the islands and points of interest in that
+vicinity. Jack was a fine, manly lad who well deserved the honors
+bestowed upon him. His companions were equally clean and worthy young
+boys who were members of the Beaver Patrol and who all were devoted to
+Jack.
+
+Harry Harvey, an orphan, worked as messenger for one of the large
+telegraph companies. He had seen a great deal of life and was far older
+than his years. Tom Blackwood worked as an inspector in one of the great
+department stores of State Street while Arnold Poysor was an apprentice
+in a printing establishment and was possessed of an ambition to become a
+great journalist.
+
+Without doubt it would have been difficult to find four more congenial
+lads than the crew of the Fortuna. Widely different in their appearance
+they still gave one the impression that they all belonged to each other.
+There was the same fearless, honest look in their sparkling eyes, the
+same erectness of carriage, the same confident walk that bespoke clean,
+ambitious, well-trained lives.
+
+Just now they were all anxiously gathered in the pilot house eagerly on
+the lookout for any possible danger that might be threatening them from
+out the dense fog being swept inland by the wind. Harry was at the wheel
+while Jack stood with his hand close to the switchboard that governed
+the engines pulsating below. Tom and Arnold were leaning half way out of
+the open windows heedless of the fog and the spray that now and again
+fell in sheets over the pilot house as the Fortuna thrust her nose into
+a large wave.
+
+"Great fishes!" ejaculated Tom. "I'd like to have a collision with some
+eats right soon. I'm nearly starved and drowned and several other
+things! I haven't eaten since we left Mobile!"
+
+"Score one for Tom!" cried Harry. "He washes the dishes next time!
+Remember our bargain, old Scout," he continued. "Do you remember what we
+agreed to do when we left Chicago?"
+
+"Could I forget it with your melodious Klaxon working overtime?" queried
+Tom. "Great Fishes isn't slang, though! Ask Jack."
+
+"How about it, Jack?" asked Harry. "Does he wash or not wash, that's the
+question. Fair play here--let the umpire decide!"
+
+Before he spoke, Jack pressed the button that actuated the Klaxon. When
+the raucous noise of the fog horn had died away he turned to the two
+disputants with a quizzical look and said:
+
+"You'd be more careful of your language if your mother were here,
+wouldn't you, Tom?" and then, as a look of triumph on the face of
+exultant Harry was about to be followed by a shout of rejoicing, he
+continued. "And I'm sure that when Harry makes a mistake we'll all be as
+considerate of his feelings as we are able. But Tom washes the dishes as
+a penalty for using slang!" he announced in a tone of pleasant finality
+that was unmistakable.
+
+"Who's going to be cook this next watch?" asked Arnold.
+
+"It's my work, by the schedule," replied Jack, "but if you lads will
+excuse me now, I'll do double duty later on. I hate to leave the deck
+even for a few minutes. I don't feel at all easy!"
+
+"Why, what can make you uneasy?" put in Harry.
+
+"I don't know," Jack answered. "I suppose it's only a notion due to
+indigestion after eating some of Tom's cookery, but I have a sort of
+uneasy feeling that something is going to happen and I want to be on
+deck when it comes. That's all!"
+
+"Well, I'm about starved and so if this portentous calamity will please
+postpone its arrival until I get my lunch, I'll be much obliged!"
+remarked Arnold. "I'll go get dinner. I follow Jack on the cooking
+schedule. What'll it be, gentlemen?"
+
+"More of that fine Red Snapper!" quickly answered Harry.
+
+"If you boys can wait long enough, I'd like some of those famous
+biscuits Arnold knows so well how to make," added Tom.
+
+"And I," said Jack, "would like a double portion of both of those and a
+cup of that excellent coffee we bought at Mobile."
+
+"Wee, Mong Sewers! Zee Chef departs!" announced Arnold disappearing down
+the stairs leading to the cabin from whence in a short time the aroma of
+delicious coffee was wafted up to the three boys in the pilot house,
+each striving to peer farther into the fog which seemed to be getting
+thicker each passing moment.
+
+"Seems to me I hear the booming of the surf on a jagged and rock bound
+coast," remarked Harry after an interval of silence following the wail
+of the Klaxon fog signal being sounded at regular intervals.
+
+"Harry, you ought to be serious once in a while!" admonished Jack.
+"There are no rocks down in this part of the world. Everything is sand
+and lots of it. Besides the real coast is over here to our starboard
+hand side. You can't hear any surf there!"
+
+"Maybe so, but I can hear what I believe to be the pounding of waves on
+a shore, just the same!" stoutly insisted Harry.
+
+"Listen a minute," exclaimed Tom raising a hand for silence.
+
+"There!" cried Harry after an interval. "There it is again!"
+
+"Jack," Tom asked turning to his chum, "can you get it?"
+
+With his face a trifle paler than was his wont, Jack nodded his head and
+with his lips closed tightly peered into the fog.
+
+"Great Wigglin' Pollywogs!" ejaculated Tom. "If we're into a surf the
+Fortuna had better give up now! We can't ever expect to get out of that
+sort of a mess with this little rabbit!"
+
+"Two times heavy on the dish washing for Thomas!" gloated Harry. "But
+we're not into the surf yet a while! Listen!"
+
+His hand was held up again for silence. From the cabin came the sound of
+the clock striking the hour in nautical fashion.
+
+"Five bells!" announced Jack.
+
+"Let's see," mused Harry. "I never can get used to that."
+
+"Ten thirty," Tom put in, "if it was a railroader; half past o'clock for
+you Dutchmen," he added with a chuckle, wrinkling a freckled nose at
+Harry and winking at Jack.
+
+"All right!" assented Harry. "Log a surf heard at--how many bells? Oh,
+yes, five bells in the morning. Log Tom Blackwood for uncivil language
+to an officer and for refusing duty under fire!"
+
+"Hark, boys!" commanded Jack "We may be getting into a mess and it's no
+time for joking and carrying on like that!"
+
+"You're right, Jack, as always!" assented Tom. "Just to show that I'm
+serious, I'll joke no more until this fog lifts!"
+
+"Here, too!" declared Harry. "But look at Rowdy! What's the matter,
+Rowdy, old chap?" he continued as a great white bulldog came up the
+ladder from the cabin. "What ails you?"
+
+The bulldog was evidently excited about something for the hair on his
+shoulders and neck was standing straight up while from his throat issued
+a low fierce growl scarcely audible above the noise of the tumbling
+waters. His every action bespoke antipathy to something. Raising himself
+upon his hind legs, the dog rested his paws upon the window sill of the
+pilot house. He peered eagerly into the white shroud of mist that
+enveloped the motor boat.
+
+"He hears that surf, too!" declared Tom. "He hears it!"
+
+"I don't believe it's surf he hears," Jack stated. "He looks just like
+he did back there in Mobile when we found that black browed fellow
+trying to board the Fortuna.
+
+"Good old Rowdy!" soothingly murmured Tom reaching over to give the dog
+a pat. "What do you see, boy? Tell your friend."
+
+"Looks to me like it might be a person he scents!" Harry stated. "Only
+it isn't a likely place for a person to be out in this mess!"
+
+"We're out in this mess, aren't we?" objected Tom.
+
+Jack's hands swiftly traveled over the switchboard seeming to find as if
+by instinct just the right levers. The engines stopped and then reversed
+full speed! The Fortuna shook and quivered from stern to stern. She fell
+off slightly into the trough.
+
+"On deck!" shouted Jack. "Here's a collision."
+
+Tom and Harry were on deck instantly. Jack leaned against the
+switchboard and groaned. The next instant came a crash!
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+CRIPPLED BY THE STRANGER
+
+
+With a lunge the Fortuna struck a dark object riding the crest of an
+oncoming wave. Jack stood against the switchboard scarcely daring to
+look while Arnold came crowding up the companion-way his face blanched
+and eyes staring. Harry and Tom were on the forward deck looking along
+either side of the plunging boat.
+
+"What did we hit?" queried Arnold in a shaking tone.
+
+"I don't know," replied Jack. "Whatever it was, we don't seem to be sunk
+yet, though. Maybe it was just a few floating boards washed adrift from
+some vessel."
+
+"What did you see, boys?" Arnold called out to his companions on deck.
+"Did we hit something or did it hit us?"
+
+"Looks to me as if we had run down a row boat and cut her right in two!"
+declared Tom. "I was sure I saw the stern of a boat just sinking here on
+the starboard side."
+
+Jack reeled against the wheel, covering his face with his hands. Despite
+his efforts a groan escaped him. Arnold sprang toward his chum and put
+an arm about his shoulders with a friendly air.
+
+"What's the matter, Jack? Are you hurt?" he asked solicitously.
+
+"Only inside" replied Jack. "I'm sure I saw a man in a row boat loom up
+out of the fog just before we struck. The shudder that ran through the
+Fortuna told me only too plainly that we had hit something more than a
+mere board or two. I can't bear to think that we've run down a man out
+here in the Gulf! It's too bad!"
+
+"Maybe it was only an empty boat, Jack," comforted Arnold. "Did you hear
+anyone cry out or see anything of a man overboard?"
+
+"No," was Jack's answer, "I didn't. I just felt that something was going
+to happen and then we struck the boat. I guess it's all right and we'd
+better get the Fortuna with her nose into it or we'll roll the engines
+off their beds. This is surely a choppy sea!"
+
+Suiting the action to the words Jack reached for the levers on the
+switchboard just as Tom and Harry returned to the shelter of the pilot
+house dripping from the sheets of spray that had come aboard while the
+vessel lay rolling in the trough of the sea.
+
+"Great Wiggling Pollywogs!" exclaimed Tom, "this is sure a nasty piece
+of weather! I'm glad I'm on top and not sloshing around in the Gulf
+right now. Bet that fellow in the boat is wet all right."
+
+"Hark, Tom!" cautioned Harry. "You mustn't talk like that."
+
+"I'm going back to finish my cooking," announced Arnold. "We'll all be
+hungry enough to eat a raw dog. And speaking of dogs," he continued
+pointing at the white bulldog still holding his position at the pilot
+house window, "what's the matter with Rowdy?"
+
+"Rowdy scents something he doesn't like," explained Tom.
+
+"I wonder," began Jack and then without finishing his half begun
+sentence he dashed madly from the pilot house and flung himself into the
+bow of the yacht now gaining headway under the impetus of the engines.
+Flat on deck he fell and crawling to the rail peered eagerly over the
+side. His friends saw him turn an agonized and pleading glance in their
+direction and then reach far over the rail of the vessel. In an instant
+Tom and Harry were by his side eager to be of any possible assistance to
+their chum.
+
+"What is it?" began Tom, but Harry motioned him to silence.
+
+"Sit on his legs!" he commanded and Tom with a flash of comprehension
+obeyed unquestioningly. His weight on Jack's feet enabled the captain to
+lean far over the rail and grasp the wrists of a clinging figure
+gripping with the tenacity of despair the links of the cable that still
+hung from the hawse pipes.
+
+Harry, too, leaned far out and in his eagerness to be of help nearly
+lost his balance and all but plunged into the sea.
+
+"Steady!" gasped Jack. "Slow and steady now or he's gone!"
+
+With a mighty heave the two boys dragged the figure to a level with the
+rail and then Tom left his post and came to their help.
+
+It was now but a short task to get the rescued person on deck, but he
+was so chilled and exhausted that he could not stand.
+
+"Let's put him below as quickly as we can, boys," Jack suggested.
+"Arnold has some hot coffee already cooking and that'll help him as much
+as anything we can do. Easy with him, now, maybe he's hurt."
+
+With tenderness and skill the boys who had been trained to care for
+injured persons helped the visitor who had boarded their vessel so
+strangely and all unannounced down the companion-way into the cabin
+where he was speedily given a change of clothing followed by a steaming
+cup of fragrant coffee.
+
+Jack again assumed command in the pilot house while Arnold took up his
+interrupted preparations for the meal.
+
+"Be sure you fry an extra big piece of that Red Snapper for the new
+lad," directed Tom as he prepared to go again to the pilot house. "He's
+about half starved and pretty near used up, I guess!"
+
+"You know I'll take care of him all right!" replied Arnold. "I'm sorry
+we broke his boat up like that but I guess we can all take a knot out of
+our neckties today. Wasn't it lucky he caught the cable, though? I'm
+delighted that we were able to save him!"
+
+"Of course, we couldn't be blamed for running into him," said Tom. "I'm
+glad we rescued him from his awful predicament and now we'll have to be
+extra good to him to make up for it!"
+
+So saying he passed up the companion-way and into the pilot house
+joining Harry and Jack at their ceaseless vigil.
+
+Busily engaged with his work in the kitchenette, Arnold was quite
+surprised to observe the door leading into the after cabin open softly.
+It admitted the newly found stranger. He had been given spare clothes
+belonging to the boys and looked little the worse for his rough
+experience of only a short time before. His eyes were black and piercing
+and might have been pleasant were it not for his disagreeable habit of
+not looking directly at the one with whom he was talking. His glance
+roved about the place taking in every detail yet never resting long in
+any one place.
+
+"How do you do?" pleasantly queried Arnold resolving to be congenial in
+spite of his instant distrust of the other. "I'm sorry we ran you down
+and ruined your boat, but I'm glad we got you aboard in time to save
+your life. It was a lucky accident."
+
+Advancing in his frank and friendly manner he held out his hand in
+greeting. The stranger at first drew back, then as if thinking better of
+his resolve, he thrust forth his hand for a quick handshake, almost
+instantly releasing Arnold's grasp.
+
+"What is your name, may I ask?" questioned Arnold.
+
+"Carlos Madero is my right name, but they call me Charley," was the
+lad's almost surly response. "I live at Pass Christian and work on a
+shrimping schooner. My boat is gone now."
+
+Arnold busied himself with the operation of the stove for a moment to
+regain his composure, for the fellow's manner had angered him
+immediately. Presently he turned and said:
+
+"My name is Arnold Poysor. I am from Chicago and so are my chums. We are
+down here for a vacation and pleasure trip. We're sorry we smashed your
+boat, but if you'll accept it, we'll give you the one we're towing
+behind us. We bought it in Mobile."
+
+"All right!" replied Carlos. "You ought to do that much."
+
+Arnold now prepared the table for dinner and calling his companions to
+eat he introduced them to Carlos as they entered the cabin. Jack
+remained at the wheel while the others ate.
+
+All the boys tried to make pleasant conversation for the newcomer but he
+greedily devoured the food set before him in a ravenous manner. His
+conversation was little better than monosyllables. At last the boys in
+despair gave up the effort of entertainment and fell to discussing their
+situation amongst themselves. They recounted the incidents of their trip
+down the Great Lakes, through the Erie Canal and down the Hudson River,
+their pleasant run down the east coast of the United States to the
+Florida Keys, past the Dry Tortugas and up to Mobile.
+
+To all of their conversation Carlos listened intently, eating in
+silence, but keenly alert to every word that was said. Finally as the
+talk lulled to an occasional remark he looked up and said:
+
+"What are you here for, anyway?"
+
+"I told you," replied Arnold, "we're here for a pleasant vacation trip.
+We'll be joined later by the father of the boy at the wheel and then we
+expect to go on up the Mississippi to our home at Chicago. Didn't you
+believe me at first?"
+
+"No," bluntly replied Carlos, "I didn't."
+
+"All right," laughed Arnold, "we'll forgive you this time."
+
+To relieve the tense situation Tom sprang to his feet saying that he
+would go and relieve Jack at the wheel while his friend ate.
+
+Once in the pilot house he was met with a questioning look from Jack who
+was holding the wheel with one hand and Rowdy with the other. The dog
+was struggling wildly to free himself.
+
+"What's the matter with Rowdy?" questioned Tom wonderingly.
+
+"I'll never tell you," Jack panted, "he's been trying to get down into
+the cabin like all possessed ever since dinner was called. I've had my
+own sweet time to keep him here."
+
+"Maybe the poor tyke is getting hungry like the rest of us human
+beings," ventured Tom. "Rowdy, are you hungry?" he asked.
+
+Rowdy's reply was a glance from bloodshot eyes toward his friend, then
+he launched himself against the door leading to the cabin emitting
+growls that were unmistakably vicious.
+
+"That's pretty near talking, Jack!" Tom stated.
+
+With a knowing look Jack assented and pointing with his thumb toward the
+newcomer's direction nodded his head once or twice. Securing a length of
+small line Jack made Rowdy fast to a ring bolt in the pilot house floor
+and then went into the cabin for his dinner.
+
+He had no better success in his effort at conversation with the stranger
+than his chums had met and shortly gave over trying to be pleasant.
+Making a hurried meal he again hastened to the pilot house where he
+assumed charge of the craft, for the fog was still thick.
+
+Arnold in an effort to be friendly asked Carlos to inspect the Fortuna
+from the interior, which offer was quickly accepted.
+
+"Here," explained Arnold, standing near the bulkhead separating the
+pilot house from the cabin, "is the forward part of the vessel. I
+suppose you'd call it the forecastle, but we have the fuel tanks, chain
+locker and lazarette here. On occasion we can use this space for extra
+bunks, but with the Pullman berths in the cabins we don't often need the
+room for anything but storage."
+
+"Where is your gasoline?" asked Carlos displaying some interest.
+
+"In tanks right up in the eyes of her," replied Arnold glad that he was
+interesting his visitor. "Then you see the engines amidships here with a
+berth on each side. The switchboard is in the center of the pilot house
+so the stairways are on each side of the engines. In the next
+compartment aft are more berths. Then still further aft, you see are the
+kitchenette on one side and the wash room on the other. Abaft of that is
+the after cabin that we use as a dining room. With the folding berths we
+can accommodate twelve people easily. It makes a fine home, all right."
+
+"Can I go to sleep?" inquired Carlos. "I'm right tired."
+
+"Sure you may," declared Arnold. "Take the after cabin and make yourself
+comfortable. I'll go up forward and let you sleep."
+
+So saying he joined his companions in the pilot house and reported to
+them the result of his effort to placate their visitor.
+
+For half an hour the Fortuna breasted the waves plunging through the
+thick fog. Anxiously the boys peered ahead ever alert.
+
+Directly the vibrations of the motors grew fainter. The boys glanced at
+each other wonderingly. Rowdy tugged at the rope that confined him and
+growled savagely. Jack's face went white as he reached for the switch.
+He looked at the other boys in wonder.
+
+The Fortuna's engines came to a dead stop!
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+A MYSTERIOUS MESSAGE
+
+
+"Pull off the hood over the engines," cried Jack to Harry who was
+quickly down the companion-way, "and see if the wires from the magneto
+are disconnected. I made a new clip while we were at Mobile and maybe it
+has broken and cut off the current."
+
+"Phew!" ejaculated Tom who was preparing to follow Harry below. "I'll
+bet something's broke loose all right. Smell it?"
+
+"Sure enough I smell gasoline strong!" declared Jack.
+
+"Some odoriferous, whatever that means!" cried Arnold. "Smells like the
+gas house up near Goose Island in the North Branch of the Chicago
+River," he added holding his nose.
+
+"Switch on the electric lights and see where the gasoline pipe has
+broken loose," suggested Jack. "It seems to me the feed pipe must have
+become broken. That's an awful smell!"
+
+"I'll venture there are gallons of gasoline in the bilge right now!"
+averred Harry. "Better open the windows a bit and let it air out in
+here. Suppose you get the bilge pump to work, Tom, and I'll try to find
+the leak."
+
+"Sure, I'll pump the bilge," assented Tom. "Just look here at the stuff
+slopping up through the floor boards," he continued. "It surely looks as
+if we'd lost some fuel."
+
+"That's funny," declared Jack. "I wonder how it could have happened. The
+pipes were all right when we fitted out and nothing we have done since
+could have injured them."
+
+A shout from Harry announced a discovery. He was backing out of the
+compartment under the pilot house floor and just forward of the engines.
+As he appeared his face was the picture of rage.
+
+"What's it?" queried Tom. "Don't hold your breath that way, you're apt
+to choke if you do," he laughed.
+
+"Where is the fellow that opened that drain cock?" shouted Harry shaking
+his fist in the air. "Someone deliberately drained our gasoline into the
+bilge. I found the drain cock wide open!"
+
+"Nobody opened it," asserted Jack. "We were all in the pilot house since
+dinner watching the fog and we couldn't reach the pipe."
+
+"I hate to say it, Jack, but we were not all in the pilot house,"
+answered Tom. "Maybe it isn't fair to the chap, but that fellow we
+nearly run over doesn't look good to me. I rather suspect him."
+
+"Hush, my lad," Jack warned. "A good Boy Scout doesn't accuse anyone
+until he has proof, and we have no proof yet of his guilt."
+
+"All right, Jack," unwillingly replied Tom, "but I can't help feel the
+way I feel, can I? He didn't impress me very favorably."
+
+"And then, look at Rowdy!" put in Harry. "He spotted the fellow when he
+was still hanging on the cable and he tried to get back into the cabin
+all the time to eat up his visitor."
+
+"Well, let's go back and wake him up and see what he knows," suggested
+Jack. "Maybe he can put up a good story that will satisfy even you
+chaps. I can hardly believe anyone would do a thing like that. He has no
+motive for attempting to cripple us like this."
+
+The boys moved with one accord toward the after cabin. The Fortuna
+rolled viciously in the trough of the choppy sea, making their footing
+extremely unsteady. Jack swung open the door.
+
+Starting back in amazement he bumped into Tom who was following closely.
+Harry was at their heels peering over their shoulders.
+
+"Where is he?" gasped Jack wonderingly. "Where did he go?"
+
+"The bird has flown!" declared Tom in a tragic tone.
+
+"Bag and baggage!" asserted Harry.
+
+True enough, not a sign of the stranger remained except the pile of
+water soaked garments in which he had been clothed when first brought
+into the cabin. These lay in a heap on the floor.
+
+"Maybe he's out on the after deck," ventured Jack still hopeful.
+
+"Let's see," answered Tom. "If he is there, I'll cook and wash dishes
+and scrub decks for a week on end!"
+
+The after deck was empty. The visitor was nowhere in sight.
+
+"Well, it looks as if he had come up out of the sea like a modern
+Neptune and like Old Neptune has gone back into it again," Jack said,
+his voice shaking. You don't suppose the fright he had turned his head
+and made him commit suicide, do you?"
+
+"Suicide your tintype!" stoutly scorned Tom. "Do you think that fellow
+would commit suicide in a rowboat?"
+
+"What do you mean?" questioned Jack wonderingly.
+
+"I mean that our young pirate friend got one perfectly good square meal
+of food, one entire new outfit of clothes and one rowboat from this
+bunch of kindergartners. Then he opened the drip cock in our fuel tank
+and sneaked out the back door and is gone."
+
+"Good night," vociferated Harry. "It's as clear as mud! Look at what
+that young villain has done! Why, he's a thief!"
+
+"Easy now," admonished Jack. "We mustn't call him names. Maybe things
+look black for him, but it may come out all right."
+
+"Yea-ah!" scorned Tom. "When I can see the back of my neck it will. That
+guy's crooked! That's what I believe."
+
+"Me, too!" declared Harry. "I vote with Rowdy. He's usually pretty near
+right when it comes to reading character!"
+
+"Well, anyhow, this won't get us anywhere, and the Fortuna is rolling
+like a loon. Let's see if Arnold can find bottom in the bilges yet and
+then we'll connect up the spare tank and start out."
+
+"Second the motion," declared Tom. "We ought to get going."
+
+Suiting the action to the word the boys returned to the cabin to find
+Arnold replacing the pump. The air was still heavy with the odor of
+gasoline but Jack deemed it safe to operate the engine, since the
+windows were to be left open giving a plentiful supply of air, thus
+preventing danger of an explosion.
+
+Tom was about to replace the hood over the engines after they had been
+started when his eye caught sight of a piece of paper lying on the
+floor. Hastily he kicked it aside and was about to pass to the pilot
+house when Harry called his attention to the paper.
+
+"Nice housekeeper you'd make," he taunted, "kick the dirt back under the
+couch and let the sweepers get it! Why don't you pick it up?"
+
+"Guess I will," replied Tom shamefacedly. "I was in a hurry."
+
+"What is it?" asked Harry. "Let me see it."
+
+"Sure, read it," Tom answered. "Read it aloud and we'll all hear."
+
+"What's this?" gasped Harry. "Listen, you fellows! Here's the secret of
+the whole thing! Hear this!"
+
+"Well, read it," impatiently cried Arnold. "I'm dying to hear."
+
+"Get the Fortuna and crew!" read Harry. "They know about the Spanish
+Chest. They're after it. Sink them if you have to."
+
+As he finished reading he glanced at each of his chums in amazement.
+Their faces were pictures of dismay and amazement.
+
+"What does that mean?" Arnold cried in tones of wonder. "What does it
+mean when it says, 'Get the Fortuna and crew?'"
+
+"The last part explains that," answered Jack. "It means that some one or
+more people are after us and will sink the Fortuna if they have to in
+order to 'get' us. It listens like desperate characters were following
+us all right. We must remember our motto, boys, and 'Be Prepared.' We
+know they're after us."
+
+"Yes, 'Be Prepared' for what?" questioned Tom. "Who're after us and why?
+What does that mean about the Spanish Chest?"
+
+"I see it's time to let you fellows in on the whole thing," declared
+Jack. "I had hoped it would not be necessary to say anything for a long
+while yet for the moon isn't full until nearly a week from now, but this
+has precipitated matters. Now, listen!
+
+"You all know Lawyer Geyer of Chicago. His offices are in the Masonic
+Temple. He and my father are very close friends--in fact they were
+schoolmates. Lawyer Geyer offered me a commission for him and fitted out
+this vessel and is paying our expenses. He also offered us half the
+reward if we were successful."
+
+"What reward?" interrupted Arnold. "Why don't you hurry?"
+
+"Keep still, rattle-head!" admonished Tom. "He's hurrying."
+
+"Well," continued Jack, "it is said that years and years ago the
+Spaniards had a fortress built on what is known as Biloxi Bay. It seems
+they wanted to fortify this section of country and built a fine place
+there. As time went on and the country became settled, this fort was
+quite a refuge for settlers in times of trouble. It is said that once a
+commander of the fort was wicked enough to turn against his own people
+and that he incited the Indians to rise against the settlers. After they
+had taken refuge in the fort he got them to put all their gold and
+jewelry into his strong box which was a stout oak chest, and then he
+planned to get away with it."
+
+"The piker!" cried Tom. "I think he should have been shot."
+
+"He was," continued Jack, "or so the story goes. Some say he was shot by
+his own people who discovered his treachery and some say he fell
+defending the fort and incidentally the gold against an attack by
+Indians. But whichever way it happened, report says that the gold was
+buried in the fort by the survivors and has never been unearthed since.
+Many people have tried to get it, but it is reported that a curse hangs
+over this wealth and that no human being will be permitted to recover
+it, unless related to the officer."
+
+"Is that why Lawyer Geyer sent us after it?" asked Harry.
+
+"I don't quite get your meaning," Jack said.
+
+"Well, you said no human being would be permitted to get the coin and
+then you said Lawyer Geyer sent us after it and--"
+
+"I move we throw him overboard--he's a scoffer!" declared Tom.
+
+"Second the motion," replied Jack laughing. "Sit still a while and
+listen to me. The worst is yet to come."
+
+"Go on, Jack!" breathlessly urged Arnold. "Tell the rest."
+
+"Well here's the curious part of the story," Jack continued. "It is said
+that only at certain stages of the moon and tide can one hope to find
+this chest of treasure. Also it is reported that only one who is of
+Spanish descent can hope to find it."
+
+"Well, that lets us in," stoutly averred Harry. "Tom, here, is Spanish
+and so am I. How about you, Rowdy?" he went on addressing the white
+bulldog to whom he gave a friendly slap.
+
+Rowdy responded with an affectionate attempt to "kiss" Harry's face and
+then endeavored to distribute his favors to the others.
+
+"Seriously," Jack continued, "I have little faith in the project. Lawyer
+Geyer seems to half believe the story, however. He was down in this
+country a while ago on some real estate business and while here got the
+tale from some source that he considered fairly reliable. So he fitted
+out the expedition and is willing to take half the proceeds, whatever it
+may be, for his share."
+
+"But it looks as if we are being opposed from the very start," objected
+Tom. "Look at this visitor and the note he left. That must indicate that
+there is a gang working against us. I'm a peaceful, orderly citizen and
+not at all inclined to start anything."
+
+"Yes, he is!" laughed Arnold. "Look at the way he put the rollers under
+the gang of thugs at our camp at Mackinac Island!"
+
+"Now, boys," continued Jack, beckoning Arnold to silence, "if any one of
+you wants to go back, he can have the chance. We're going to Pascagoula
+and also to Biloxi. At either place one can get the Louisville &
+Nashville railroad for home. Think it over. If you want to try for the
+Spanish Treasure Chest, stick. If not, you are at liberty to go home at
+any time we make a port."
+
+At that instant the lads were startled to hear the hail:
+
+"Launch ahoy! Keep off!"
+
+"Port your helm," commanded Jack to Arnold who was at the wheel.
+
+Dimly the boys made out the bulk of a schooner on their port bow, her
+sails slatting and rigging flying as she came up into the wind. As the
+Fortuna fell off they looked at the schooner and saw the main boom
+swinging across the deck, strike a man standing near the rail.
+
+"Man overboard. Give me a line," cried Arnold, springing over the rail
+without stopping to divest himself of his clothing.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+THE HOLE IN THE BOAT
+
+
+Harry dashed to the rail and seized the ring life preserver from its
+beckets. As Arnold rose to the surface and reached out for the
+unfortunate man from the schooner, Harry flung the ring-buoy with
+unerring aim. It fell true, and within Arnold's reach.
+
+Gradually pulling in the line, Harry and Tom drew their chum to the side
+of the Fortuna. The figure in his arms appeared perfectly lifeless.
+Quickly they prepared to take both on board.
+
+"Make a bowline in a bight in that line," directed Harry. "Pass it down
+to Arnold and let him send us up the man first."
+
+"Right-o," responded Tom, quickly preparing the line.
+
+It was but the work of a moment to securely fasten the line about the
+man's limp form and in another moment he was safely on deck. Arnold
+followed, coming over the rail like a monkey.
+
+First aid to the drowned was administered rapidly by the boys who prided
+themselves upon their proficiency in this art.
+
+"Looks like a nasty bump he got on the coco, too," commented Tom. "How'd
+they happen to sneak upon us so close?" he added.
+
+"Humph!" grunted Harry. "We all forgot to keep the Klaxon going while we
+listened to that fairy tale about the Spanish Treasure Chest. Maybe they
+forgot to blow their fog horn also, and there you are. Natural result of
+neglect. That's easy."
+
+"Where are they now?" queried Arnold peering about in the fog.
+
+"I believe that as soon as they saw we were picking up this chap," Jack
+replied, "they filled their sails and away they went. Certainly they are
+not here now."
+
+"Hush, boys, he's coming to," declared Tom, watching the newcomer
+anxiously for signs of returning consciousness.
+
+"Sure enough," assented Harry. "I tell you that little trick of pulling
+a fellow's tongue out isn't near as good as turning him face down. Look
+how easily this chap came around."
+
+"We'd better get him in and get him to bed as soon as we can, boys,"
+admonished Jack. "He needs a warming up."
+
+"I'll start the electric heater and percolate some coffee for both of we
+rescued persons," declared Arnold. "Lucky I hadn't put on my oilskins
+after getting dinner," he added.
+
+Quickly the boys carried the stranger to the cabin and put him into one
+of the berths. There every care was bestowed to make him comfortable and
+easy, while Arnold prepared the coffee.
+
+"Lay right there and don't try to talk," advised Arnold. "I'll stay with
+you and see that you don't want for anything."
+
+"That's kind of you," replied the stranger. "What vessel is this, if I
+may ask before you make me keep quiet?"
+
+"This is a gasoline pleasure launch," replied Arnold.
+
+"Oh, thanks," replied the stranger. "Now, I'll rest a while."
+
+In the pilot house the boys discussed the incident that had so nearly
+resulted in a collision. They were all excited and beginning to feel the
+strain upon their nerves.
+
+"This is getting to be one of our usual strenuous trips," announced
+Jack. "I declare we never go anywhere, it seems, but we dash head
+foremost into excitement and trouble. The only thing we need now to
+start us right is to discover a Boy Scout or two out here and we'll be
+prepared to go ahead and have some adventure."
+
+"Never mind, Captain, we'll find the Boy Scouts, all right. Don't think
+our luck will turn yet. Just remember the horseshoe I picked up on the
+street in Mobile," urged Tom.
+
+"Yes," Jack assented, "that's a fact. And, by the way, where did you put
+that horseshoe? I haven't seen it since."
+
+"I hung it up on the switchboard lamp bracket," said Tom.
+
+"Well, it isn't there now," declared Jack.
+
+"What's that isn't there now?" asked Arnold at that moment climbing the
+companion-way from the cabin.
+
+"Tom's horseshoe," Jack replied. "He says he hung it on the lamp over
+the switchboard and now it's gone."
+
+"Oh, that," scorned Arnold. "That was just a little bit of a mule shoe.
+That wasn't a real full-sized horse shoe."
+
+"All right, Smarty," bridled Tom. "Just tell us where you threw it
+overboard and we'll make you go dive for it."
+
+"It was swinging around and making so much noise I took it down and hung
+it on the bracket there by the compass," replied Arnold pointing to the
+missing article hung over the place indicated.
+
+"Good night," cried Jack. "Here we've been trying to steer a compass
+course in a thick fog all the way from Mobile with that thing there! No
+wonder we've been hoodooed."
+
+"Why, what's the matter?" innocently inquired Arnold.
+
+Jack's answer was to take the horseshoe from its resting place and make
+as if to fling it overboard. He restrained himself, however, and turning
+to Arnold said quietly:
+
+"Look here, young man, you evidently do not know how sensitive a thing
+the compass is. But if you had done a thing like that on some vessels
+they would have thrown you overboard. You have rendered the compass
+useless and we have been steering by a crazy instrument. Your horseshoe
+hanging there has deflected the needle to such an extent that we cannot
+even guess where we have been going."
+
+"I'm sorry," contritely answered Arnold, "but I didn't understand it
+that way. I won't do that again, that's sure."
+
+"Thanks, awfully," scornfully answered Tom. "Maybe now you'll agree that
+the thing is bigger than you imagined at first."
+
+"You're right," was Arnold's reply. "A little thing can be mighty big in
+some cases. I'll remember this for a long time."
+
+"Boys, I believe the fog is thinning out somewhat," announced Harry.
+"Maybe the old horseshoe is bringing us luck after all."
+
+"I believe you're more than half right," responded Jack.
+
+"We'd better be on the lookout for breakers and things inside as well as
+outside," declared Tom. "Remember what that Carlos de Sneakodorus Madero
+did to us when our backs were turned."
+
+"Sure enough, we ought to set a guard on this fellow," agreed Harry.
+"I'll volunteer to go and 'red up' the cabin as the Dutchman says, and
+incidentally keep an eye on his royal joblots."
+
+The boy descended to the cabin and in furtherance of his design walked
+to a locker and extracted an automatic pistol which he placed in a
+convenient pocket. He then busied himself about the place in small tasks
+that always kept him within sight of the rescued man.
+
+No effort was made by the stranger to engage the boy in conversation,
+however, and he worked away undisturbed. Occasionally the bulldog would
+enter and after sniffing suspiciously at the prostrate figure of the
+rescued man would emit a low growl of disapproval and retreat. He was
+not disposed to be friendly.
+
+On one of his trips to the forward cabin Harry noticed the clothes
+belonging to the newcomer lying on the floor where they had been dropped
+when he had been put into the berth. Thinking to care for them by
+straightening and drying them, the boy picked up the first garment in
+the pile. It was a vest and as he raised it a collection of small
+articles fell from the pocket to the floor.
+
+Among the contents was a metal match box which fell and slid across the
+floor, striking, on the locker as it dropped.
+
+"Well, that's too bad. The gentleman will have wet matches, I guess,"
+thought the boy. "I'd better empty those wet ones out and give him some
+dry ones against his waking and needing some."
+
+What was his amazement, however, upon opening the box to find instead of
+matches, a clipping from a newspaper. Harry was about to thrust it back
+into the box again when a printed word caught his attention and held him
+for a moment motionless. The word was the name of their vessel, the
+"Fortuna."
+
+Hastily glancing through the headlines, Harry uttered a quick cry and
+dashed forward to the pilot house.
+
+"Boys! Jack, Tom, Arnold," he cried excitedly. "What do you think of
+this? Here's some more of this mystery for us."
+
+"What do you mean, mystery?" queried Tom, scoffingly.
+
+"Just listen to this! Here's a newspaper clipping evidently from a
+Chicago paper which tells about our fitting out the Fortuna for the
+cruise to the Gulf of Mexico and also hazards the guess that we are
+young and adventurous spirits evidently seeking the buried treasure on
+the Gulf Coast."
+
+"Does it say that we are after the Spanish Treasure Chest at the old
+Fort on Biloxi Bay, that must be dug up in the full of the moon on a
+rising tide with not a word said?" asked Tom.
+
+"It does say that our destination is Biloxi and that we are known to be
+daring lads," replied Harry. "But that is not all."
+
+"Let's have it, Harry," cried Jack. "I'm anxious to hear all."
+
+"There's a pencil notation across the paper that says: 'Get these
+fellows at any cost.' That's mighty encouraging."
+
+"Say, fellows, this is getting uncomfortably tight! I don't like it a
+little bit," declared Tom. "Here we are peaceable Boy Scouts out for a
+little pleasure trip and all at once it begins to rain adventurous
+spirits from any old place and each of them is posted to make away with
+us and all seem to be protecting this old Spanish strong box. I wish
+they'd go away and let us pursue the even tenor of our way unmolested."
+
+"So do I," Jack replied. "But they seem to feel otherwise and so we'll
+have to take them as they come. We'll remember our motto and 'be
+prepared' to accept whatever they may have to offer."
+
+"Is this fellow going to open the drip cock on our spare gasoline tank?"
+asked Arnold. "If he is, I'm going down to mount guard over him right
+now! Once is enough and too much is plenty."
+
+"I don't believe he knows what vessel he's on yet," declared Harry. "He
+asked me and I gave him an evasive reply."
+
+"Fog's lifting, Captain," announced Tom who was at the wheel.
+
+"Sure enough, it is," joyfully cried Jack. "Now maybe we can get a
+bearing and know where we are. Do you see land anywhere?"
+
+"I see smoke," declared Harry. "What does a sailor say when he sees a
+smoke? Should he say 'smoke ho,' or 'sail ho,' or what?"
+
+"I don't know, I'm sure," Jack answered with a laugh.
+
+"And now I see two 'smoke ho's,'" cried Tom. "That means that some Boy
+Scout is in trouble and wants help."
+
+"Maybe it means that a steamer is over there and the 'ash cats' are busy
+while the firemen are putting in more coal."
+
+"I don't believe it!" declared Tom. "See that fringe of pines along
+there and see the smoke rising from the sand beyond them. It surely
+looks like two signal smokes to me! How about it?"
+
+"Let's put on some more steam and run over in that direction to discover
+who may be making the smokes," suggested Jack.
+
+It was voted a good idea and accordingly the Fortuna was headed in the
+direction of the smokes with increased speed of the motors. Every moment
+now the fog was lifting and objects could be more clearly distinguished
+on the land which lay not a great way off.
+
+"We can't get in very much closer here," declared Tom, "I see bottom
+now, I believe. We'd better slip along shore until we're about opposite
+the smokes and land in a small boat."
+
+"All right," agreed Jack. "What do you say, boys?"
+
+"Good idea, I say," offered Harry. "Who do you suppose it is making the
+smoke? Wish it were someone from Chicago."
+
+"Maybe it would be a good idea to see how our passenger is getting on,"
+suggested Arnold. "I believe I'll slip down and see."
+
+He stepped down the companion way and in a moment the boys heard him
+shout excitedly back:
+
+"Somebody come here, quickly. The Fortuna's taking in water fast. It's
+up over the floor boards now and the engine is throwing it around in
+great shape. Our passenger's gone!"
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+WIG-WAGGING A WARNING
+
+
+Tom and Harry quickly followed their chum to the cabin, where their eyes
+were greeted by the sight of water rising above the floor of the forward
+compartment.
+
+"She's started a butt!" declared Tom with a tremor in his usually cheery
+voice. "She's started a butt and we'll have to beach her or she'll sink
+right out here in the Gulf of Mexico!"
+
+"No, she won't!" snapped Harry. "Get the hand bilge pump going and I'll
+start the power pump with the electric light engine!"
+
+Quickly the directions were followed. Tom and Arnold speedily assailed
+the rising water with the hand pump, while Harry started the gasoline
+engine that operated their dynamo, connecting it to the power pump.
+Together the two agencies gained on the rising flood that threatened to
+swamp the sturdy Fortuna. Eagerly the boys plied the handle of the pump,
+keeping an eye upon the bilge.
+
+Harry went about lifting floor boards and peering here and there in an
+effort to discover the source of the great leak.
+
+"Ha!" he shouted from the after cabin. "Here's the trouble! Come here,
+you fellows, and bear a hand. Get something to plug this hole in the
+Fortuna's side. This is sheer murder!"
+
+Trusting the power pump to keep abreast of the incoming water, Tom and
+Arnold deserted their post at the hand pump and sprang to assist their
+chum whose cries told them that something had been found.
+
+The sight that met their eyes was a startling one.
+
+Harry had removed the floor boards from the center of the cabin and was
+reaching down to the bilge. A spray of water squirted up into his face
+drenching him thoroughly.
+
+"Get something to plug this hole!" he gasped. "I'm drowning!"
+
+Looking about hastily for means to plug the hole, Tom offered a jacket
+he had picked up from the locker. Arnold seized a fid from another
+locker. Harry shut his eyes, turned his head side-wise and gasped for
+breath. Reaching out for the jacket he took it from the hand of his
+friend and tried to push it into the hole through which the water was
+pouring steadily. His efforts were fruitless.
+
+"Here, take this," urged Arnold. "This fid will plug a big hole and jam
+it tight, too. Is it a butt started?"
+
+Harry took the fid from his chum. Quickly he inserted the pointed end
+into the hole he had been trying to cover with his hand.
+
+"Give me a hammer or something to knock with and I'll try to drive this
+into the hole. It's not a butt, it's an auger hole!"
+
+"An auger hole?" both boys gasped in horror.
+
+"An auger hole!" repeated Harry, his lips set and white. "Just a little
+more and we'd have been beyond all help. I think this idea of helping
+unfortunate castaways is getting to be a good thing."
+
+"Why, who on earth could have been so cold-blooded as to have bored a
+hole in our vessel?" cried Arnold. "Surely it wasn't the man whose life
+we just saved a short time ago!"
+
+"I came into this cabin," asserted Harry "and could hear the rush of
+water. I thought the leak must be here. Of course, I thought at first
+that we had started a butt in the rolling a while back, when our friend
+Carlos Sneakodorus Madero boarded us and left us."
+
+"But that seems impossible," incredulously offered Tom. "The Fortuna was
+built at Manitowoc where they have a reputation of doing first class
+work and she hasn't had rough handling at all."
+
+"It was impossible!" cried Harry. "Just as I knelt to raise the floor
+board I saw that auger lying there. Then as I raised the board, I saw a
+handful of white chips float up through the hole."
+
+"And then you saw the stream of water?" queried Arnold.
+
+"That's all there is to it, except the fact that the life-belts are
+pulled from their places on the ceiling," answered Harry.
+
+"Sure enough, they're down in a heap," declared Arnold.
+
+"And if you count them," Harry continued, "I'll wager my next meal that
+you'll find one missing. I can also guess who is wearing it at this
+moment if he hasn't thrown it away!"
+
+"Do you mean the man we picked up--the man who was knocked off the
+schooner?" breathlessly queried the younger boy.
+
+"That's the man we want!" announced Harry. "And maybe I won't do a thing
+to him when I lay hands on him. Boy Scout or not, I'll put a dent in his
+dome that'll hold coffee like a saucer!"
+
+"Will that fid hold?" questioned Tom examining the spot.
+
+"No, I don't think it will," was Harry's reply. "We'd better get a plug
+of that soft pine in the lazarette, then when it gets soaked it'll swell
+and hold tight. This fid's made of hard wood. It may hold all right for
+a while, but it'll work loose just when it should hold. If you'll get
+the pine, Arnold, I'll make a plug."
+
+Arnold hastened to bring the wood while Tom looked to the pumps and
+examined the cabin for further damage.
+
+"He got an automatic or two from the locker in the kitchenette," he
+announced returning to the after cabin after his search.
+
+"If he took those two lying on the lower shelf," announced Harry, "he
+got only one automatic! That's a joke on him."
+
+"What do you mean by that?" Arnold asked returning with the desired
+piece of wood. "If the man took two, he took only one!"
+
+"Because" explained Harry fitting the plug into place, "the other is a
+flashlight made in the shape of an automatic."
+
+Laughing over the joke unconsciously played upon himself by their late
+visitor, the boys repaired to the pilot house where the gravity of the
+situation was repeated to Jack, who had been at the wheel controlling
+the movements of the Fortuna and keeping a lookout.
+
+"I was examining the coast a moment ago with the glasses and saw what I
+took to be a man wading ashore back of our present position," explained
+Jack. "He looked as if he had on a life belt, but I couldn't be sure
+because I couldn't hold the glasses steady and handle the boat, too.
+Suppose one of you take the glasses and see what you can make out along
+the shore line in both directions."
+
+Tom took the binoculars, mounted to the cabin roof, and swept diligently
+the shore line in both directions.
+
+"What can you make out?" inquired Jack from the pilot house.
+
+"I see a fellow just as you described, only he's not wearing a life
+belt. He seems to be crossing the strip of beach sand to the fringe of
+pines a short distance inland. I don't see any automatic flashlight in
+his hand, though!" whimsically announced the watching lad. "Then on the
+other hand, I can see two smokes that look like a Boy Scout call for
+help and between the two fires I can see a Boy Scout running back and
+forth and waving his hat."
+
+"How do you know he's a Boy Scout?" challenged Harry.
+
+"Well, if he started Boy Scout signals, he'd be a Boy Scout, wouldn't
+he?" replied Tom. Besides, he's red headed like Arnold and homely like
+Harry and kind hearted like Jack and good like Tom. That's enough for
+me."
+
+"You're just right, that's enough for you!" declared Harry. "You may
+throw on your shovel--you've got a load."
+
+"Honest, now, Tom," put in Jack, "what's the straight of this? Quit your
+nonsense! We must be serious."
+
+"All right," agreed Tom. "What I said is all so except the foolishness.
+I can't see what the boy looks like. I can just make out a figure
+between the two fires. It looks slight like a boy. That's all I can make
+out. There are some trees over there just this side of the fires, and it
+looks as if we could make a landing close up to the fires. There seems
+to be a little bay there."
+
+"Thank you," said Jack in a tone of relief. "We'll run close in and try
+to find out what's the matter. Maybe the stranger can help us get our
+bearings. Lucky the fog lifted when it did or we would have piled up
+high and dry on this beach!"
+
+As the Fortuna approached the little bight indicated by Tom, they
+discovered that there would be plenty of water to enable the Fortuna to
+run close inshore and permit of their landing easily. Tom and Harry
+busied themselves with clearing away one of the metal boats carried on
+the cabin roof and preparing to lower it when the Fortuna should come to
+rest. Upon completing their task, Tom stood up for another view of the
+beach which they were approaching.
+
+"Look, Jack!" he cried. "Can you see the boy over there wig-wagging at
+us? Isn't that the Boy Scout wig-wag?"
+
+"Sure enough, it is!" declared Jack excitedly. "Take this flag and
+answer him. You're in a good place up there."
+
+He passed the flag up to Tom as he spoke. All four lads watched with
+intentness the figure on the beach, while Tom prepared to reply to his
+further signals with his flag grasped in both hands.
+
+"He's got two flags, I believe," announced Tom.
+
+"He's going to use the Semaphore code, then!" declared Jack.
+
+"There it comes!" cried Harry. "He's calling us! Answer him."
+
+"All right, Scout!" assented Tom. "Here comes the message!"
+
+"Right arm at head, left arm down in front--that's 'D,'" announced Harry
+who was watching with the glasses. "Then right and left both down and
+diagonal to the right--that's 'A.' Next both arms diagonally down away
+from the body--that's 'N.' Oh, he's telling us his name--Dan! Hurray!
+He's introducing himself!"
+
+"Here comes the rest," cried Harry excitedly, "both arms diagonally
+downward and to the left--that's 'G.' Now the right down in front and
+left diagonally up and out from the shoulder--that's 'E.' Next both arms
+out horizontally from the body--that's 'R.' Why, that spells 'DANGER!'
+What does that mean?"
+
+"Search me!" declared Tom. "I'm not a bit surprised, though for we've
+been in danger ever since we left Mobile. Anything goes here. I'd thank
+him to tell us some news, though."
+
+"Well, here comes some more!" announced Jack who had shut off the power,
+permitting the Fortuna to ride the smooth waters of the little bight
+without headway.
+
+"Here's some more!" cried Arnold, who has again taken the glasses. "Left
+arm over head, right arm diagonally down--that's 'K.' I learned that
+code last fall. Here's another. Left arm up from the shoulder diagonally
+and right down in front--that's 'E,'and he repeats it. Then right out
+horizontally and left straight up from head--that's 'P.' Next, right out
+horizontally and left diagonally up and across the breast--that's 'O.'
+Now the left is out horizontally, and the right down in front--that's
+'F.' He repeats it. Why, that says 'DANGER, KEEP OFF'! What does he
+mean?"
+
+"Maybe he means what he says," suggested Jack. "Answer him, Tom, and
+tell him we're coming ashore. Arnold and Harry, will you get the boat
+overboard and we'll go ashore to see what's up. Better take your
+automatics and see that the boat is properly equipped."
+
+"Right-o, Captain!" cried Tom. "I'll do my best."
+
+The boat was quickly brought around and Arnold, Harry and Jack prepared
+to go ashore. As they pulled away from the Fortuna, Harry cautioned Tom
+to watch the plug in the after cabin and keep dry.
+
+As the boat approached the shore the stranger on the beach frantically
+made signals indicating that he wished them to return to the Fortuna at
+once. Putting his fingers to his lips he glanced about as if in alarm
+and then put out his hand in a gesture of caution.
+
+"I'll bet there's some monkey business going on somewhere!" ventured
+Harry. "Why should he send up smoke signals for help and then tell us to
+keep away because of danger. He's kidding us!"
+
+"I think I can see someone running toward us through those trees and
+bushes over there!" announced Arnold standing and pointing.
+
+A figure broke from the cover of the bushes indicated just as Arnold
+spoke. It was the figure of a man. He stopped a moment.
+
+Tom from the Fortuna gave a wild cry and waved his arms.
+
+A shot rang out and the strange boy on the beach fell forward.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+A MAROONED BOY SCOUT
+
+
+Rushing ashore in the small boat, the boys paused scarcely long enough
+to draw their craft to a safe position on the beach before they raced to
+the spot where the stranger had fallen.
+
+They were abreast as they approached his prostrate form lying face down
+in the sand. With one accord they stooped to examine him. Jack rolled
+the body over tenderly searching for the mark of the villain's bullet
+but found none.
+
+Slowly the prostrate boy opened his eyes staring about in amazement.
+Jack supported his head while the two chums stood by anxious to be of
+assistance in rendering aid to the fallen lad.
+
+"Where are you hurt?" questioned Jack tenderly.
+
+"Nowhere!" replied the lad. "I heard a shot just as I tripped over
+something in the sand and then the next thing I knew you had me. What
+happened, anyway? Who shot and at what?"
+
+"I don't know the fellow's name, but he was at one time a passenger on
+our boat, I believe. He is a villain if ever there was one!" replied
+Jack with some warmth.
+
+"Maybe it's the same fellow I know!" declared the stranger. "But may I
+ask to whom I am indebted for the pleasure of this call?"
+
+Jack introduced himself, and then his two chums. In turn the stranger
+gave his name as Frank Evans of the Bob White patrol of St. Louis. The
+boys now started toward the rowboat, keeping a glance around for foes as
+they walked.
+
+"Hadn't we better get your things from on shore if you go with us?"
+asked Arnold, as the boys approached the boat.
+
+"I haven't a thing of my own here!" declared Frank. "If we except, of
+course, my fire stick and the remains of a flounder."
+
+"A fire stick and flounder!" cried Arnold. "Where are they?"
+
+"Up there by that old bit of wreckage," replied Frank. "You see, I had
+nothing but my pocket knife when I landed here, and haven't had much
+chance to import goods since my arrival."
+
+"How long have you been here?" queried Harry. "We thought you must be in
+desperate need from the looks of the fires."
+
+"I think this is the third day," replied Frank. "Yesterday I slept most
+of the time while the schooner was standing off and on, and the day
+before that was the day they put me ashore. I've had a rush with the
+pirates that infest these waters under the guise of honest working
+fishermen. They're a bad lot, too," he added.
+
+"Pirates?" gasped the three members of the Fortuna's crew.
+
+"That's what I'd call them," replied Frank. "You see, my chum and myself
+came down the Mississippi River in a gasoline launch. She was a
+beauty--a thirty-footer. She had a trunk cabin over three-quarters of
+her, and an open cockpit aft. We had her fitted up in pretty good shape,
+too. We wanted a little pleasure trip, so we made up our minds we'd
+bring the launch down here and if we got a good chance we'd sell her. My
+Chum, Charley Burnett, and I are the same age--seventeen last
+October--and we built the boat last winter. When we got through the Lake
+Borgne Ship Canal below New Orleans, we ran against a lot of rough
+fellows who tried to steal our boat. We held them at the point of a gun
+and ran away from their tubby old boats. Then when we got a little
+farther along the coast--to Bay St. Louis--we were warned to turn back.
+
+"Warned to turn back?" repeated the boys in chorus. "By whom?"
+
+"A black browed chap who gave the name of Wyckoff, and who said that he
+wouldn't have anyone fooling around the Spanish Chest but those who
+rightfully should share the treasure. We didn't know what he meant, and
+told him so, but he wouldn't believe us."
+
+"The Spanish Treasure Chest!" gasped Jack. "What about it?"
+
+"I don't know anything about it!" stoutly asserted Frank.
+
+"We've heard a little about it," volunteered Jack, "but nothing
+definite. We would like to know more and to know why these fellows
+should oppose your coming to this vicinity."
+
+"I've told you all I know about that part of the story," declared Frank.
+"Now you know as much as I do in that line."
+
+"What did this Wyckoff look like?" asked Harry eagerly.
+
+"He's black--I don't mean that he's a negro,--but he's one of these
+fellows with a blue-black beard that never can be shaved clean because
+it shows black under the skin. Then he's got a shifty eye and a sneaky
+look about him. Then, too," he added with a smile, "he's got a smashed
+nose where my fist landed when he put me ashore here. I certainly handed
+him a beauty that time!"
+
+"Good for you," cried Harry, clapping Frank on the shoulder.
+
+"What was the cause of that?" asked Jack, "did he hit you?"
+
+"Well, to make a long story short," Frank continued, "he and his gang
+kidnapped Charley and me from the 'Spray' two nights ago. Where they've
+got Charley I don't know. They put me ashore here without a thing to eat
+or drink and with nothing to make a fire with. As I was shoved ashore
+and before the boat got away, I ran up and landed on him. They were on a
+schooner of which Wyckoff seemed to be captain. I hope they haven't made
+away with Charley."
+
+"If Charley is as resourceful as you, he's all right," consoled Jack. "I
+admire your grit and ability. How did you get a fire?"
+
+"I made a fire stick as all Boy Scouts can and took a shoe lace for a
+bow string. I had hard work getting the first tiny blaze, but after that
+I've kept a bed of coals covered with sand as a reserve. I found a piece
+of wreckage and used part of it for a shelter. One part had a long spike
+in it and that I sharpened by scraping it on some of the shells. Then I
+got a piece of fat pine that had washed ashore and made me a torch. With
+this sharp spike and the torch I went fishing at night and got three
+dandy big flounders."
+
+"What's a flounder?" asked Arnold intensely interested.
+
+"Well," explained Frank, "a flounder is a queer sort of a flat fish.
+He's dark on top and white on the bottom. He swims on his side and has
+his two eyes on the one side of his head unlike any other fish. When the
+tide comes in he comes close inshore and burrows down into the sand to
+wait till a minnow floats by. He reaches up and snaps Mr. Minnow and
+then goes on to another good spot. If you take a bright light you can
+walk right up to the flounder without alarming him. Then before he knows
+what is coming, you thrust a spear down through his head and you have
+him."
+
+"Did you get yours that way?" eagerly asked Arnold.
+
+"Not the first one," replied Frank with a laugh. "I just scared the
+first one. And I'm afraid I forgot for a minute that I was a Boy Scout.
+I was mighty hungry and that fellow looked so nice and fat I just felt
+as if I simply had to have him."
+
+Jack's arm stole inside Frank's and a pressure of sympathy told the Bob
+White that a Beaver understood his former trouble.
+
+"I move we go and get Frank's fire stick and bow," Harry suggested, "and
+then put out the signal fires and hit the trail for the mainland. It is
+getting along in the afternoon and I'm hungry and if we make Pascagoula
+tonight, we'll have to go some."
+
+"Second the motion," declared Arnold. "But where does Pascagoula lie
+from here? Where is this place, anyway?"
+
+"We're on Petit Bois Island, I think," replied Frank. "At least, one of
+the men suggested that I be put ashore on Petit Bois and the rest
+agreed, arguing that I would stay here only a short time before some
+fishermen would visit the island and find me."
+
+"Then in that case," Jack stated, "Pascagoula lies just about northwest
+of us. If our compass hadn't been disarranged by the horseshoe, we'd
+have been in the harbor by this time," he added.
+
+"Your compass disarranged by a horseshoe?" queried Frank.
+
+"Yes," was Jack's laughing rejoinder. "Did you ever hear such a tale?
+And it was lucky for you it happened. There's a case of a horseshoe
+being lucky for you when you've never seen it yet!"
+
+After Jack had related the tale of the horseshoe and its relation to
+their present situation, Arnold suggested that they visit Frank's camp
+and then go aboard the Fortuna. This met the approval of all the boys. A
+trip to the wreckage disclosed the fact that Frank had made his bed on
+the hard, smooth sand with a fire in front of him for protection from
+the chill winds of the night.
+
+"Here's the fire stick," exultantly cried Arnold. "Gee, won't I have a
+great story written about this adventure when I get back to little old
+Chi. Sherman Street won't know me when I arrive."
+
+"Hurray," cried Harry who had wandered a short distance from the others.
+"Hurray, I've found the horse that belongs to the horseshoe! Here he is
+buried upside down in the sand."
+
+Hastening to the spot indicated the boys saw what looked to be a horse's
+foot upside down in the sand. So startling was the resemblance that Jack
+and Arnold were completely deceived for a moment, but Frank's laugh soon
+indicated that they had been mistaken.
+
+"What is it?" asked Arnold eagerly. "Gee, but I see so many new things
+here I don't know which to write a story about first."
+
+"Better not write any story about this," admonished Frank. "The
+wonderful phenomenon you see before you, my friend, is not a horse at
+all. It is merely a crab shell from which the crab has gone."
+
+"A crab shell?" repeated Arnold in wonderment. "A real crab?"
+
+"Sure enough," declared Frank. "The underside of the shell has exactly
+the same outlines as the under side of a horse's foot. This fellow has
+projecting from the heel a spikey tail that is hard and sharp at the
+end. The whole thing, as you see, is dried and hardened by exposure to
+the weather. The crab has been gone a long time."
+
+"I'm going to take it along," asserted Arnold. "I'll put it in my locker
+and make a collection of things I pick up. I'd like to see a flounder
+now so as to recognize one the next time I see it."
+
+"I have a fine big fellow at the place I had my fires," Frank answered.
+"We'll go over there and see how he's getting on. I got him last night.
+I think he must weigh as much as three or four pounds."
+
+"Tell me some more about this Spanish Treasure Chest," Jack said as the
+boys turned toward the site of Frank's camp. "I'm anxious to know
+everything you overheard anywhere that would have a bearing on the
+matter from any viewpoint. It's interesting."
+
+"I can't tell you any more than I have. I know these fellows objected to
+our visiting this locality because they seemed to believe that we were
+trying to get something that belonged to them and they were ready to
+employ force if necessary to keep us out," Frank said.
+
+"We know they are a desperate gang," Jack admitted. "Our own experiences
+show that. They also believe we are here on the same mission and already
+they have attempted to disable and sink our boat."
+
+Frank stopped in alarm. Glancing hurriedly about he grasped Jack's arm
+and in a trembling tone entreated him to leave the vicinity at his
+earliest opportunity. Jack's answer was a negative shake of his head.
+His companions also indicated their disapproval of the course.
+
+"Well, here's the flounder," announced Frank at last picking up a fine
+specimen of that denizen of the Gulf waters. "He's a beauty."
+
+The boys gathered about the fish admiring and investigating the
+peculiarities already mentioned by Frank. At last Harry spoke:
+
+"But he wouldn't be good raw and you had to have a fire. I'm always
+interested in seeing fire produced from a stick."
+
+"Oh, that's not so difficult," Frank answered; "watch me."
+
+Kneeling on the sand he grasped his fire stick in his left hand after
+placing the bowstring in position. With a shell over the upper end of
+the stick, he sawed away busily for a moment. A tiny wreath of smoke
+eddied away from the lower end of the stick.
+
+"Hurray," cried Harry, "You're fetching it. I can see it coming around
+the bend. Just look at that, boys. I can see it coming."
+
+"Put up your hands," came a coarse voice from the rear.
+
+Startled, the lads with one accord jumped to their feet to see their
+guest of a short time previous pointing an automatic at them.
+
+"Drop that gun," came an order in Tom's ringing voice.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+THEIR PIRATE PRISONER
+
+
+With an exclamation of surprise and alarm all eyes were turned in Tom's
+direction. With a steady hand he was leveling an automatic pistol at the
+head of the outlaw who now dropped his pistol hand to his side without,
+however, relinquishing his hold upon the weapon. His shifty eyes were
+closely watching the boy.
+
+"I'll not tell you again!" warned Tom. "Once is plenty."
+
+"Yes, I heard you the first time!" gritted the outlaw, opening his hand
+and permitting the weapon to drop to the sand. "You wait! You Yankees
+can't come down here and have your own way always."
+
+"We won't argue that point just now," was Tom's rejoinder. "Right now,
+you'll please put your hands up over your head." Then as the outlaw
+obeyed, Tom added--"Way up with 'em. Pick me a star or two out of the
+sky. Keep 'em up there and watch a comet while one of my friends goes
+through you for souvenirs of the occasion."
+
+As Jack stepped forward to search the captive, Frank took a closer look
+at the dark face and bruised nose, then cried out:
+
+"Why, Wyckoff, how did you get back here?"
+
+"Is this your friend Wyckoff?" questioned Jack, turning to Frank before
+continuing his task of searching their involuntary guest.
+
+"This is the man who warned me back and who marooned me on this lonely
+island!" declared Frank with some heat. "I know him!"
+
+"That settles it!" stated Jack in a determined tone. "He's going to get
+all that's coming to him if I have a vote here!"
+
+"Here, too!" chorused the others. "Here's where he gets his."
+
+"Remember, boys, we're Boy Scouts!" cautioned Jack. "No harsh measures
+will be permitted. Justice may be necessary--no more."
+
+A murmur of approval that ran around the little group showed that the
+boys heartily favored Jack's sentiment in the matter.
+
+Under cover of Tom's leveled automatic Wyckoff, for it was he, remained
+passive while Jack searched his pockets, producing therefrom the missing
+flashlight made to imitate an automatic pistol, a watch, a purse with
+some coins inside, a vile smelling pipe with a pouch of tobacco, a
+stubby lead pencil and a note book partly filled with figures and
+memoranda. Apparently there was nothing of value.
+
+"Aside from the flashlight and the real automatic pistol, I can't find
+that he's taken anything of our property," Jack said when the search was
+completed. "I guess we'd better return his own property to him. We don't
+want his money and wouldn't use his pipe."
+
+"Now let's tie him up!" Arnold suggested. "I think it would be wise to
+sew him down to the sand. He's a slippery fellow."
+
+"Good idea!" laughed Frank. "But tying is better all round."
+
+"What shall we tie him with?" asked Tom. "I have nothing."
+
+"Why, come to think of it," Harry put in, "how did you get ashore,
+anyway? Last we knew of you, you were guarding the Fortuna."
+
+"While you lads were up the beach after that horseshoe crab," explained
+Tom, "I sat on the roof of the cabin with the glasses. I thought I saw a
+figure stealing along in the shelter of those pines to the eastward of
+this spot and after a while I made him out. The glasses showed that it
+was our last visitor on board the Fortuna. So I knew he'd bear watching,
+as they say, and I went below to get a gun for emergency. When I came
+out again, he was real close, and I saw what he intended to do. I simply
+started the engines, slipped the cable and ran the Fortuna high and dry
+on shore, tumbled over the bow and arrived in time to checkmate his
+little game. I'm glad, too!"
+
+"So are we!" heartily agreed the boys with one accord.
+
+"But what are we to do with this chap?" queried Jack. "It rather worries
+me. He's apt to be a white elephant on our hands."
+
+"It would serve him good and right," began Arnold, "and be only justice,
+too, if we marooned him on this very island where he left Frank. I think
+that's the best way out of the whole thing."
+
+"Let's set the chap down by the fire," Tom suggested, "while we argue it
+out. There's still a little raw edge on the wind."
+
+Tom was right, and although the fog of the morning had gone, the air was
+still damp and the wind from the Gulf was heavy with moisture that
+chilled the boys when not in motion. Accordingly, following the lad's
+suggestion, they directed their steps toward one of the fires kindled
+earlier by Frank. There they seated themselves while Tom with one
+automatic and Jack with another watched Wyckoff.
+
+"Perhaps the prisoner at the bar may have a suggestion in the premises,"
+ventured Frank. "We want to be square with you, Wyckoff, even if you
+have treated us exceedingly unkind."
+
+"I want you fellows to take your gear and go back north!" shouted
+Wyckoff in an angry tone. "I'll fix you yet for this!"
+
+"We have a right to be here," Jack put in, "so long as we don't harm
+anyone. We are merely tourists out for a pleasure trip."
+
+"You lie!" almost screamed Wyckoff. "You're after the Spanish Chest, but
+you shall never have it! It belongs to me!"
+
+In his excitement the prisoner almost forgot himself and shook his fist
+at Jack threateningly, rising to his feet meanwhile.
+
+"Sit down!" Tom's voice, although calm, carried a world of meaning to
+the excited man whose glance toward Tom took in the unwavering blue
+muzzle of the Weapon in his captor's hand.
+
+"Suppose for the sake of argument that we were after this mythical chest
+of treasure whose value has been without doubt multiplied many times in
+the retailing of its story," Jack argued, "does that imply that we are
+committing a crime against you? Have you any more claim on the chest
+that you mention than we have?"
+
+"Yes!" shouted the angry Wyckoff. "I am a lineal descendant from the
+Spaniards who buried it. It is mine because it is in the family. I don't
+know what word you educated Yankees would use, but it is mine because it
+belonged to my father's father's father."
+
+"I know," spoke up Arnold; "you mean you have inherited it?"
+
+"Yes, that's it," agreed Wyckoff. "Besides that, you will never be able
+to get the treasure. It is cursed to anyone but a person of Spanish
+blood. I am part Spaniard and it is mine."
+
+"Well, we might consider going back in the face of such argument," said
+Frank, appearing to agree with Wyckoff, "but what did you do with my
+chum? I won't go away and leave him, you know."
+
+"Your partner and your boat are both safe," declared Wyckoff. "When we
+know that you are ready to leave, we'll bring you all together again,
+but not before. You'll never see him again otherwise."
+
+"Why, what would happen to him?" questioned Frank in amazement.
+
+Wyckoff drew his thumb across his throat with a suggestive move.
+
+The boys shuddered as they grasped the significance of his meaning.
+Their glances, met and instinctively they shrank away from the prisoner,
+who seemed to enjoy their discomfiture immensely.
+
+"I've heard great tales about this treasure chest since I came down
+here," stated Frank at last. "What is this I hear about the one who
+discovers the chest having to keep very quiet while he's digging? Is
+there anything at all in that story or not?"
+
+"It is said," stated Wyckoff, "that the one for whom the treasure is
+destined must not utter a word while digging for it. Also, he must come
+with clean hands. You understand what I mean? That is why you boys are
+yet alive. My hands have not yet been--"
+
+"Well, if they have not," interrupted Tom indignantly, "it is no fault
+of your own, old chap. You surely tried your level best to put the
+Fortuna and her crew under the water. Take it from me!"
+
+"And yet he raves about his clean hands, the dirty scoundrel!" cried
+Harry. "Why, if we were only afloat, we'd make him walk a plank!"
+
+"That reminds me," Tom put in. "The Fortuna lies on the beach unless
+she's worked herself loose, and it may be some job to get her off."
+
+"Suppose you stay here and mount guard over the prisoner," suggested
+Jack, "while we go back and look after the vessel. We'll return when
+we've gotten everything ship shape and Bristol fashion."
+
+"Suits me fine!" declared Tom. "And I hope this angelic prisoner tries
+to escape while you're gone! That would be fine!"
+
+"Tom, you're bloodthirsty, I believe!" laughed Jack indulgently. "I know
+the provocation is severe, but remember that you're a Boy Scout."
+
+"You wouldn't leave me on this island, would you?" inquired Wyckoff when
+the boys had departed for the boat. "That would be cruel."
+
+"But you marooned Frank here, didn't you?" asked Tom angrily. "Why would
+it be any worse for you than for him? Tell me that."
+
+"I told the men to leave him provisions and matches. I have no matches
+nor provisions. I cannot make a fire with sticks, as he did," replied
+the prisoner in an humble and whining tone intended to placate.
+
+"Well," Tom considered, "we might leave you some matches and some grub.
+You could find plenty of wood hereabouts, couldn't you?"
+
+"There's plenty of wood here if one could work it up," replied Wyckoff.
+"The storms have washed ashore thousands of pieces of planks and timbers
+of all sorts. Why, once I came out to one of the islands and found a
+fine boat washed ashore by a storm. It was perfectly sound and tight,
+too. There's plenty of timber here to make one rich if he could only
+salvage it and get it to market."
+
+"Then if we leave you a box of matches and some canned goods," Tom
+argued, "you'd be a lot better off than Frank was."
+
+A shout from the direction of the Fortuna indicated that something was
+taking place there. Wyckoff glanced hastily in that direction. Tom's
+first impulse was to look that way, also, but his training stood him in
+good stead. By a magnificent effort of will he kept his eyes fastened on
+the prisoner, who stared intently toward the Fortuna as if fascinated by
+what he saw. Thus they sat for a moment or two. Then Tom regained his
+composure. Wyckoff glanced out of the corner of his eye narrowly at his
+guard. Tom laughed.
+
+"You didn't want the provisions badly enough to wait for them, did you,
+you old fox?" he taunted. "You wanted me to look away for a minute and
+then you'd have gone looking for provisions alone."
+
+"You do me an injustice, lad," replied Wyckoff meekly.
+
+"All right; I apologize; but the gun is in working order just the same,
+and don't you forget it. It's still on the job."
+
+Wyckoff's glance was baleful and full of venom as he controlled himself
+with a visible effort. Hatred seemed to ooze from him as he sat quiet
+very much against his will.
+
+Another shout from the boat gave with its note of triumph a message that
+the boys were meeting success in their efforts to get the Fortuna off
+the beach. Wyckoff looked intently that way.
+
+"Ha!" he ejaculated. "They're fetching it! Good boys!"
+
+In spite of his resolve to keep his eyes on the prisoner, Tom's gaze
+wandered for an instant to the sight viewed by Wyckoff.
+
+That instant seemed to be the object of the outlaw's vigil.
+
+The boys on the Fortuna had, by dint of great exertion, managed to work
+the yacht from her resting place on the beach where Tom had driven her
+in his mad race to rescue them a short time previously. Because of the
+short distance traveled, the momentum of the boat had not been
+sufficient to drive her far up on the beach, so it was not a difficult
+matter to get her afloat again. The powerful motors tugged and pulled
+and at last they were again afloat, but minus their anchor.
+
+Frank offered to dive for it, and, divesting himself of his clothing,
+went overboard in the clear water of the little bight where the anchor
+and cable could be seen lying on the bottom.
+
+The shout of triumph voiced by the boys when the Fortuna floated free
+was echoed when Frank came to the surface after having bent on the line
+he carried to the end of the chain cable. He was nearly breathless when
+he reached the surface, but willing hands pulled him over the stern of
+the rowboat in which the boys had searched for the lost anchor. Soon he
+recovered his wind.
+
+Peace seemed never to reign for long in the Fortuna. Scarcely had the
+boys shouted in victory over the recovery of the anchor than they heard
+a shot from the shore. Harry, from his position on the pilot house,
+gesticulated and pointed inland in a frenzy.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+JACK STRICKEN BY A BULLET
+
+
+"What's up now?" cried Jack from the rowboat.
+
+"That villain has shot Tom and is running away across the island!" cried
+Arnold from his position. "Tom's lying on the sand!"
+
+"Great Double-Barreled Wiggle-Headed Pollywogs!" ejaculated Harry.
+"Excuse my French, but this is too much. If he's killed Tom, I'll resign
+from the Boy Scouts for a few minutes. I will so!"
+
+"Pull for the shore, boys!" urged Jack. "Get into your clothes, Frank!"
+And then, before either of his orders could be obeyed, he seized the
+oars and pulled the boat with lusty strokes toward the beach, intent on
+capturing the outlaw if possible. Great sobs escaped him as he worked
+manfully at the oars.
+
+Each boy at that moment was mentally blaming himself for the tragedy he
+was sure would await their arrival at the scene of the campfire. Each
+one felt that he should have remained to guard the captive outlaw who
+was so evidently desperate because of his situation.
+
+But Jack's exertions were unnecessary. Before the rowboat reached the
+sand, a flash of white had appeared over the bows of the Fortuna, a
+great splash of water gave evidence of a heavy body launched from the
+deck, and a commotion betokened a swimmer in action.
+
+"Good old boy!" cried Frank with a sob in his throat.
+
+"That never was Arnold!" cried Harry aghast at the thought of his chum
+venturing into the water alone on such a quest.
+
+"Not on your life!" Jack protested. "That was our one and only. Old
+Rowdy is on the job with both feet. He's going ashore for business, too.
+I believe that dog actually knows things!"
+
+"Heaven help that poor wretch if Rowdy gets to him first!" cried Harry.
+"Rowdy has more enthusiasm than caution, and he's apt to get rough. I
+wouldn't be surprised to find Wyckoff all strung around the island in
+small pieces when we get there."
+
+In a short time the nose of the rowboat grounded on the beach.
+
+The three boys leaped out and raced quickly to their fallen chum. Tom
+was struggling to rise from his prone position. Far across the sands the
+fleeing figure of the outlaw was being rapidly overtaken by the enraged
+bulldog, who sensed the situation and who apparently was determined to
+overtake and punish the escaped prisoner.
+
+"Are you hurt, Tom?" queried Jack in a shaking tone.
+
+"I guess so," Tom replied in a dazed manner. "No, I don't think I am,"
+he corrected himself. "That is," he continued, "I don't know just what
+happened. I heard you cry out, and as I turned to look, the explosion
+took place. What happened, anyway?"
+
+"From the look of your jaw, Wyckoff must have landed a sweeping kick
+just where the knockout nerve is located," explained Frank.
+
+"Try to shut your teeth," suggested Harry. "If you can shut your teeth
+all right, nothing serious is to be feared."
+
+Tom made the effort, but winced with pain. A grimace stole over his
+countenance and his hand went up to the injured jaw.
+
+"That hurts, doesn't it?" solicitously inquired Jack.
+
+"Not much," bravely protested Tom. "The most trouble is that I can shut
+the front teeth, but the back ones don't seem to meet by half an inch or
+more. The jaw must be dislocated."
+
+In spite of their sympathy the boys could not restrain a laugh.
+
+"I guess that if your front teeth come together your back ones meet,"
+Jack assured the injured boy. "Let's look for Wyckoff."
+
+"You mean let's look for Wyckoff's remains!" Harry tried to put in, but
+he was stopped by a gesture from Frank.
+
+"Let's not make it any more horrible than it is. That man is desperate
+and I'm afraid of him," he whispered as they helped Tom to his feet and
+started away in the direction taken by the outlaw.
+
+"I can't see him anywhere," Harry asserted. "I'll bet Rowdy has eaten
+him up body, boots and breeches. Serve him right, too!"
+
+"We're the bloodthirsty bunch!" declared Jack. "It must be some quality
+in the atmosphere down here. This is the old region infested by Captain
+Kidd and his buccaneers. They must have left something in the way of a
+piratical germ in the atmosphere."
+
+"Maybe so, but I'd like to find that dog just now," stoutly declared
+Harry. "He's had one big meal even if the quality was poor."
+
+"Follow his tracks," suggested Frank. "That's easy in this sand. See,
+here they go. My word, but he was taking long jumps."
+
+"He left in such a hurry that he didn't take my automatic," declared
+Tom. "I guess when he hit me or kicked me I must have closed on the
+trigger and started the thing going. He left without waiting to take the
+gun away from me. I'm glad of that, too."
+
+"I see him!" joyfully shouted Frank, who was slightly in the lead. "Here
+he is, and Rowdy is mounting guard. Good old dog."
+
+It was even as Frank had said. Rowdy had overtaken the fleeing villain
+and brought him to earth. Now he was walking about the prostrate form,
+occasionally stepping in and taking a nip at an arm or a leg. Wyckoff,
+thoroughly cowed, was begging and whining at a great rate. At the
+approach of the boys he begged piteously.
+
+"Let him get up, Rowdy!" commanded Jack. "Now, Wyckoff," he ordered when
+the dog had permitted that worthy to regain his feet, "You 'bout face
+and back to the campfire on the double quick. It's getting toward
+evening and we can't lay around here all night waiting on you. We want
+you for a little while yet."
+
+Wyckoff's appeals for mercy were piteous. All the way to the campfire he
+begged that the boys would show him mercy, but no response was made.
+Rowdy trotted along beside the outlaw with a satisfied air. Now and
+again he would look up at Wyckoff's face and then make as if to take a
+bite of the man's leg. At such times Wyckoff would involuntarily quicken
+his gait until cautioned by Jack to go more steadily. This was very hard
+for him to do, for he was frightened.
+
+"Frank," Tom asked when the little party arrived at the fire, "did you
+see anything of a boat on shore here during your visit?"
+
+"Come to think of it, I certainly did," replied Frank. "It is a dandy,
+too. I had made up my mind to try to drag it to the water and row to the
+mainland if no one came soon, but your arrival drove all thoughts of it
+from me. It is back here just a short distance."
+
+"Wyckoff was telling me that boats were sometimes washed ashore on these
+islands. That reminded me of it. I wonder if it wouldn't be a good idea
+to ask Mr. Wyckoff to drag the boat to the water for us. He's been very
+obliging and I don't want to overwork him without paying him for his
+trouble," Tom added sarcastically.
+
+"Hurray!" shouted Jack. "The very thing! And that may replace the one we
+brought from Mobile and gave to that other fellow,--what was his name? I
+never was much of a hand to remember names."
+
+"I know--Carlos de Sneakodorus Madero!" announced Harry.
+
+"Well, he got a boat from us, and it's only right we get one from his
+boss," asserted Tom. "Did you know your hired man stole our boat?" he
+inquired, turning to Wyckoff, who looked very humble.
+
+"No, sir," replied that worthy. "I know the young fellow, but he is not
+hired by me. I don't know what you mean about his stealing your boat. I
+never told him to do such a thing!"
+
+"All right; you've got a story coming, then. You just ask him when you
+see him again. He'll tell you," was Tom's information.
+
+"Lead us to the boat, Frank," requested Jack. "Mr. Wyckoff seems to be
+just crazy to help us launch the rowboat."
+
+Frank led the way to where a pile of great timbers and plank had been
+cast up by the angry waters during a recent storm. There, resting on top
+of the heap of lumber and timbers, was a fine skiff apparently sound and
+whole. By some curious freak of the storm it had been gently deposited
+there and left to rest while great ships had been sorely wrenched and
+even wrecked. The boys lost no time in removing the skiff with Wyckoff's
+help. To drag it along the yielding sand was a harder task. All were
+thoroughly winded when at last the skiff floated in the waters of the
+bight where lay the yacht.
+
+"Whew!" panted Frank. "That's a big job for five. I'm glad I didn't
+tackle it alone. I certainly would have been tired."
+
+"Let's leave Rowdy to guard Wyckoff while we get things in good shape on
+board and then we'll leave Wyckoff here!" suggested Tom in an aside to
+Jack. "I think we'd better leave him some grub, too. It wouldn't be
+right to just turn him adrift here alone."
+
+"What, after he kicked you like that?" inquired Jack.
+
+"Yes," Tom replied. "A Boy Scout never holds a grudge."
+
+"Good for you, Tom!" cried Jack, extending his hand to meet Tom's in a
+hearty grip. "Those sentiments make me glad that you are a member of the
+Beaver Patrol. I wish they were all like that!"
+
+No time was lost in preparing the boats for the proposed trip to the
+mainland. The afternoon was well spent and the boys were tired and
+hungry. Their day had been a most strenuous one.
+
+Arnold was already preparing coffee and pancakes in the kitchenette when
+the boys arrived with the newly discovered skiff.
+
+"We'd better get the anchor aboard," suggested Harry, "and then hoist
+the steel rowboat into her chocks and lash her fast. The skiff we can
+tow behind us as we did the other if it's agreeable."
+
+"Right-o!" sung out Tom, who had nearly forgotten his swollen jaw under
+the excitement of the moment. "I see the oar we tied onto the line that
+Frank fastened to the cable. It's right over there."
+
+In a short time the anchor was brought aboard and lashed fast. The
+rowboat was slung into place and made secure, and nothing remained but
+the disposing of Wyckoff to occupy the boys at the island.
+
+"How about it, Wyckoff?" called Harry from the deck of the Fortuna; "do
+you want some grub, or can you rustle for yourself?"
+
+A torrent of abuse was the outlaw's reply.
+
+"Watch out or I'll sic my little dog onto you!" warned Harry.
+
+"Let's not aggravate him any more than we have to," cautioned Jack.
+"Take him some grub and throw it onto the beach. Then be quick about
+getting back, for it's getting late. It's three bells now!"
+
+Harry rowed ashore with some canned beans, meats and blueberries.
+
+Keeping at a respectful distance from the shore he tossed the cans to a
+position where they could easily be recovered by the outlaw. He whistled
+to Rowdy, who came aboard the skiff with a rush, and then pulled for the
+Fortuna with a lusty stroke.
+
+Scarcely was he well aboard before Jack at the switchboard had started
+the engines and the Fortuna pointed her nose away from Petit Bois Island
+and headed for the mainland.
+
+Frank was lost in wonder and admiration as the boys showed him about the
+Fortuna. He exclaimed over the conveniences and went into raptures over
+the kitchenette and washroom.
+
+"We cooked on a furnace on the Spray," he said regretfully. "Here you've
+the gasoline and electric coils. Electric lights and electric stoves and
+electric starter on the engines. It is fine!"
+
+"What's a furnace?" inquired Arnold eagerly.
+
+"It's a sort of a bucket made of fire clay," answered Frank. "It has a
+division about half way down. Charcoal is put in on top and lighted and
+the draft comes up through a hole in the side. The natives and negroes
+down here use them quite extensively. They don't like iron stoves and
+ranges because they don't know how to use them."
+
+"Let's see if Wyckoff is keeping up his campfire," suggested Harry.
+"I'll wager he's too excited to even think about supper."
+
+When the boys reached the deck they saw Wyckoff capering and dancing
+about on the beach wildly. He was waving his arms in an evident effort
+to attract attention. A schooner was approaching from the west.
+
+"Yacht aho-o-oy!" came a faint hail across the water.
+
+Jack at the wheel held a steady course and reached a hand toward the
+switchboard. His lips were tightly closed. Again the hail came across
+the tumbling waters, but no reply was made.
+
+A shot rang out from the schooner. The boys could see the bullet
+ricochet from wave to wave and pass in front of the Fortuna.
+
+Another shot was fired. Glass tinkled. Jack fell to the floor.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+A NIGHT ATTACK
+
+
+"Oh, Jack!" cried Tom, stooping over the boy lying prone upon the pilot
+house floor. "Oh, Jack, speak to me!"
+
+Unguided by a hand at the wheel, the Fortuna fell off into the trough of
+the sea and began to roll broadside on. Another shot came from the
+schooner, but it went wild. The boys crowded about the form of their
+fallen chum and tried to lift him to his feet. Frank was the first to
+give attention to the boat.
+
+"They're gaining on us!" he cried. "Which switch controls the power?
+Let's get away from here before they kill us all!"
+
+"Those levers in the center of the board," directed Harry, "govern the
+spark and fuel. Someone get the wheel. Steer due northwest for a while
+until we get straightened out!"
+
+Frank whirled the spokes of the wheel rapidly and brought the Fortuna up
+to her course, while Harry quickly operated the switches that gave new
+impetus to the engines. Soon the Fortuna was cleaving the waves at full
+speed. Clouds of spray were thrown far aside as she mounted the crest,
+and every plunge into the trough brought a torrent of water over her
+bows. Her graceful lines offered little resistance to her progress. She
+leaped forward like a thing of life, rapidly leaving the schooner far
+astern.
+
+Another shot was fired from the pursuer, but fell far astern of the
+flying motor boat. Apparently those aboard the sailing vessel realized
+the hopelessness of further effort, for they turned and headed back for
+the island so recently left by the boys.
+
+No sooner had the Fortuna been put under full speed than, leaving Frank
+at the wheel, the others carried Jack into the cabin, where he was laid
+upon a bunk. Swiftly Tom tore away his jacket and shirt, exposing a
+chest with well-developed muscles standing out prominently. The strong,
+lithe figure of the boy gave striking evidence of the beneficial result
+of constant and well-directed physical exercise. Just now he lay limp
+and inert.
+
+"Where is he hit?" queried Harry, appearing with restoratives from the
+medicine chest. "Is he bleeding much?" he continued.
+
+"Funny thing, I can't find any blood at all!" declared Tom. "It's a
+peculiar thing, too, for if he was hit hard enough to knock him down the
+bullet must have entered his body!"
+
+"That's a strange thing, isn't it?" spoke up Arnold.
+
+"Strange is no word for it!" Tom asserted. "I'm just all at sea
+literally as well as figuratively. This is the strangest part of our
+queer experiences during the past few hours."
+
+"Let's get his clothes off and examine him closely," suggested Arnold.
+"Maybe the bullet hit him from a ricochet."
+
+"Wise little Scout!" commended Tom. "You've got a great head on those
+shoulders! I'm glad we brought you along."
+
+Before he had ceased speaking, Tom had begun to divest Jack of his upper
+clothing. With the assistance of Harry and Arnold, he removed the jacket
+and shirt in a short time.
+
+"There's nothing here at all!" he cried in amazement.
+
+"What's that bruised looking place over his heart?" asked Harry. "Seems
+to me it is discolored somewhat there."
+
+"Sure enough!" cried Arnold. "Give him first aid for drowning. That may
+start his heart action. He isn't shot after all!"
+
+"Hurray!" responded his chums in chorus, quickly putting into action the
+suggestion of Arnold. They worked quickly and effectively, their
+training standing them in good stead at this time.
+
+Before many seconds had passed, Jack opened his eyes, gasped weakly and
+then sat up on the edge of the bunk. Blinking his eyes, he put his hand
+over his heart. Arnold shouted for pure joy.
+
+"Hurrah, Frank!" he cried up the companion-way, "Jack is coming to! What
+do you think of us for life-savers?"
+
+"You can't mean it!" incredulously protested Frank.
+
+"Well we just do mean it and I for one am awful glad!"
+
+"So are all of us glad!" declared Tom. "I was worried for a while. It
+looked as if you were going to stay out, Jack!"
+
+The boys were capering about in glee over Jack's recovery though his
+smile was still a trifle wan and drawn. Slowly, however, his strength
+returned. He accepted and drank with eagerness the cup of steaming
+coffee proffered by Arnold as a restorative.
+
+"Thank you, Scout!" smiled Jack. You're a master hand at the cooking!
+What hit me? I felt quite a blow."
+
+"You were shot," declared Harry. "The pirate schooner shot at us, you
+remember, and then they had to shoot you, but we can't find any hole
+where the bullet went in. You're only bruised."
+
+"Ha!" exclaimed Jack. "I see it now! The bullet hit the automatic I had
+put in my breast pocket. I never carried it there before and don't know
+why I should have put it there this time."
+
+"Well, it's a lucky thing you varied from your habit!"
+
+"Let's see if the bullet is in the pocket yet," Harry said.
+
+A search of the jacket revealed a hole, in the outer cloth where the
+bullet had entered. Inside the pocket were the automatic and several
+slivers of lead, fragments of the shattered missile.
+
+"Jack," Harry said with a shiver, as he grasped his chum's hand, "that
+was a mighty close shave. I'm glad it terminated so well."
+
+The silent grasp that Jack returned spoke louder than words of the bond
+of friendship that existed between the boys.
+
+"Come, come," bustled Harry, "Jack will be getting hungry. Whose watch
+is it in the kitchenette? I was on last, I know!"
+
+"Yes, you were!" declared Arnold in mock anger. "You are always just off
+duty when there's work to do! We know you!"
+
+It was decided that Harry must prepare supper, for the boys were all
+famished after their hard day's work.
+
+"You'll have to check down a little if I cook!" asserted Harry. "This
+isn't a battleship, and the pirates are far astern."
+
+"Good idea," Jack assented. "Check her down, Tom, and save fuel. After
+that Madero's wasting of our gasoline, we'll need all we have. He didn't
+seem to care for expense a little bit!"
+
+The suggestion was followed, and shortly the Fortuna was traveling at a
+more moderate gait, taking the seas easily without shipping water on her
+forward deck. Frank was enthusiastic over the arrangements, declaring
+that each feature was exactly as he would have wished for it himself.
+The searchlight and cabin lights operated by the dynamo below decks were
+sources of pleasure.
+
+Harry was soon busily engaged in preparing a bountiful supper for the
+boys who were ready to do ample justice to his skill in the kitchen.
+Harry felt justly proud of his ability as did the others, who sat down
+to a supper of broiled Red Snapper with a mushroom sauce helped out by
+fried potatoes, hot baking powder biscuits and excellent coffee. Frank
+had opened a tin of marmalade which disappeared rapidly before the young
+appetites.
+
+Frank had been relieved at the wheel by Arnold who loved to be entrusted
+with the management of the boat.
+
+While the boys ate, a glorious sunset graced the western sky. Long
+spears of light flashed up through misty, veil-like clouds, seeming to
+invite the boys to the West, as if holding out to them promises of great
+things in store.
+
+Silently the boys gazed in rapt wonder. At last with a deep sigh, Frank
+broke the silence that had seemed to hold all the boys.
+
+"Isn't that grand?" he asked. "For that one could almost willingly
+repeat what we've been through today. I like sunrises and sunsets and
+storms and calms and all the phenomena of nature."
+
+"I like trees and flowers most of all!" declared Tom.
+
+"And I like live things--birds and squirrels and such!" Arnold declared.
+When I grow up, I'm going to be President and have a law passed that
+it's a crime to rob nests and kill squirrels and things like that. I'd
+rather let them live!"
+
+"Well, I belong to an Audubon Society at home," Frank stated. "I think
+it's fine to study the birds and their habits and intelligence. We study
+about other creatures, too. I am learning a lot about the creatures of
+the wild out-of-doors. It's interesting."
+
+"Here's good old Rowdy coming to get his share," cried Tom, slapping the
+bulldog on the shoulder. "There's a funny old chap. He'll take all sorts
+of mauling from any of us boys or from anyone whom he likes, but let a
+person whom he distrusts point a finger at him, and he's at their throat
+in a minute. He is very partial!"
+
+"Yes," Jack assented, "and it's remarkable what a judge of character
+that dog is, too! He can select the good from the bad about as
+unerringly as one could wish. Sometimes he will make friends with
+perfect strangers and we find afterwards they are good people even
+though first appearances were against them. Again he will take a dislike
+to some mighty fine looking folks, but we learn that they are villains
+under the surface in the long run."
+
+"Rowdy," Frank challenged, "are you going to take a shine to me or not?
+Be mighty careful, now, for I'm very anxious about it."
+
+For answer the dog who had been in the center of the floor sprang up to
+Frank's lap in an endeavor to "kiss" the boy's face. His weight
+projected so suddenly upon the lad resulted in upsetting him, and boy
+and dog rolled to the floor in a mass. Rowdy thinking a new game was on
+began pulling the boy about until all hands were arrested by a cry from
+Arnold, who still remained at the wheel.
+
+"Land Ho!" came his cry down the companion-way. "Land on the starboard
+bow. All hands on deck!"
+
+"Sure enough!" cried the lads. "There's a light, too!"
+
+"I'll wager that's Pascagoula," Tom said. "Pretty near time we were
+there by the way the Fortuna went through the water when the schooner
+was chasing us. I wonder where we can tie up!"
+
+"Let's shove her along and try to get in before dark," was Jack's
+suggestion to which the others readily assented.
+
+As the Fortuna entered the harbor the boys kept a sharp lookout for a
+promising berth for the night. Not until they were well past the bridge
+over which the Louisville & Nashville Railroad crosses the river did
+they find a place that looked suitable.
+
+"Let's not tie up to a dock," suggested Harry. "Let's anchor."
+
+This seemed the most feasible solution and was acted upon.
+
+A position was chosen apart from the busy docks and well over toward an
+unoccupied section of shore. A goodly length of cable was paid out and a
+stopper put in place. The boys then prepared for retiring without
+further attempt at getting acquainted with the town or its inhabitants,
+leaving that for the morrow.
+
+Leaving the doors between the cabins opened for ventilation and
+convenience in visiting after they were in their bunks the boys soon
+disposed themselves and prepared to pass a restful night.
+
+"Wouldn't it be better to set a watch?" asked Arnold.
+
+"I don't think it necessary," declared Harry. "It's safe here."
+
+"Sure it's safe, but I feel uneasy just the same," Arnold protested.
+"There's no knowing what's going on in these ports."
+
+It was voted, however, that no watch was necessary so the boy composed
+himself to sleep drawing the blankets closely to his chin.
+
+Scarcely had he gotten into a quiet sleep before Rowdy came to his bunk
+and insisted on making himself a bed fellow of the boy.
+
+At last everything was still. Only the heavy breathing of the tired boys
+gave evidence of life aboard the Fortuna as she rode to her anchor,
+swinging with the currents and wavelets. Her riding lights were burning
+brightly, fed from the storage batteries below decks, and everything to
+the passer by betokened peace.
+
+Once Rowdy lifted a watchful eye and growled menacingly. Arnold stirred
+uneasily in his sleep and threw an arm over the dog.
+
+Suddenly a shriek of agony pierced the air with startling distinctness.
+Shriek after shriek followed intermingled with cries of distress. The
+boys bounded from their beds in alarm.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+FIRST AID AND AN ESCAPE
+
+
+"Oh! Oh! Oh!" came the cries of pain. "Oh! Oh! Oh!"
+
+Quickly Jack's hand stole toward the switch that controlled the overhead
+lights. Instantly the cabin was a blaze of light.
+
+"What's the matter?" cried the boy looking toward the source of the
+disturbance. "What's going on here, anyway?"
+
+Rowdy bounded off his bed and dashed toward the forward cabin with a vim
+and energy that bespoke ill for someone.
+
+"Here, Rowdy," commanded Arnold, "come here, sir."
+
+Slowly the dog returned to his master's side. The hair on his shoulders
+was standing straight on end while hoarse growls issued in thunderous
+tones from his throat around which the muscles tightened in anticipation
+of a desperate struggle with an enemy.
+
+"There's someone in there," declared Harry in a tone of discovery.
+"Somebody came aboard while we were asleep."
+
+"Sure enough," scorned Tom rumpling Harry's usually smooth hair. "What
+did you suppose was making all that noise, friend?"
+
+"Well, there is someone in there," stoutly maintained Harry.
+
+"Hush, boys," commanded Jack. "Let's see who it is."
+
+Automatics were produced from under pillows and the boys moved forward
+to investigate. The cries still came loudly.
+
+"Who are you and what do you want?" questioned Jack.
+
+"Oh, help me, help me," groaned the figure lying at the foot of the
+companion-way. "Help me, I'm hurt badly."
+
+"Where are you hurt?" inquired Jack solicitously bending over the
+prostrate form curled in a heap. "I'll help you if I can."
+
+"My foot, oh, my foot," wailed the stranger. "It's cut off."
+
+"Look at the blood," declared Frank. "Good gracious, that's a bad wound.
+Wonder how he got it. How did he get aboard?"
+
+"There's something sticking into his foot," cried Harry. "Look at that
+thing projecting from his foot. No wonder it bleeds."
+
+Frank and Jack exchanged glances and then at the whispered command of
+Frank, Jack quickly sat on the head of their visitor while Tom and Harry
+threw themselves upon his leg. Frank stooped, grasped the foot with one
+hand and with the other wrenched quickly at the thing that was
+protruding through the foot of the boy.
+
+A shriek of agony told of the pain he had caused. Frank shook his head
+in pity at the suffering he had brought about. He glanced at the object
+he held in his hand, then sat down upon a locker and gave vent to shout
+after shout of laughter. The boys gazed in open mouthed wonder at the
+spectacle. Frank's laugh was hearty.
+
+"Frank," cried Jack wonderingly, "what's the matter? Have you gone plumb
+crazy or are you enjoying this boy's suffering?"
+
+"Neither," asserted Frank. "I think we'll give a little first aid and
+then thank Arnold here for catching the thief."
+
+"Thank me?" queried Arnold. "I didn't catch him."
+
+"Yes, you did," declared Frank. "But now to help him a bit."
+
+"How shall we treat the foot?" asked Tom gazing ruefully at the deck,
+now becoming crimson under the stain of blood.
+
+"Get a basin and then some hot water," directed Frank. "I think we'd
+better wash this out first and then put in some disinfectant. Have you
+got something to cleanse the wound?"
+
+"Surely have," was Tom's confident answer. "Got a whole chest full of
+dope here. Help yourself to anything you want!"
+
+"Let's put in a lot of turpentine," suggested Harry. "That's good for
+snake-bite and other things. We've got plenty of it, too."
+
+Frank took charge of the injured lad, bathing and cleansing the wounded
+foot. He prepared to bandage the member after giving it a liberal
+application of turpentine. As he was about to put the bandage in place
+Harry offered another suggestion.
+
+"Let's put on some of that fat salt pork. I got a rusty nail in my foot
+once and that's what they put on me."
+
+"Did it work?" asked Tom. "I mean the pork, of course."
+
+"Of course it worked," stoutly maintained Harry.
+
+"All right, then, put on a slice of pork. It surely can't do any harm
+and may draw out the poison from the foot."
+
+"What poison?" queried Arnold. "What did he step on?"
+
+"I told you," stated Frank in a positive tone, "that Arnold captured
+this fellow. When you know the facts, you'll agree."
+
+"Let me mop up this smear on the floor," suggested Tom, bringing hot
+water, "and then we'll all listen. Who's the Sherlock?"
+
+"Take cold water, Tom, for that spot on the floor," was Frank's
+suggestion. "If you don't the place will be discolored."
+
+"Sure enough, I guess I'm getting old and forgetful," laughed Tom.
+"We've had enough excitement today to make me forget most everything, I
+guess. Tell you what, I'm sleepy, too."
+
+"Now tell us how you happened to say that Arnold caught this chap," Jack
+demanded of Frank when the stranger had been placed in a comfortable
+position and the boys had gathered in the after cabin. "I thought Arnold
+was in the bunk when it happened."
+
+"Well, boys," began Frank producing the object he had taken from the
+visitor's foot, "Arnold discovered the horse buried upside down in the
+sand on Petit Bois and he insisted on bringing the shell."
+
+"All as plain as mud," shouted Arnold. "I left the horseshoe crab shell
+in the forward cabin. It must have got kicked about during the evening
+and left with the tail sticking straight up. When this fellow came down
+the steps, he landed on it kerplunk."
+
+"Right-O!" declared Frank. "At least," he continued, "that's my
+deduction. If anyone has a better explanation, let him give it."
+
+None was offered, however, the boys seeming to agree that Arnold's
+explanation had been correct. They all waited to hear further from
+Frank. He noticed their hesitation and continued:
+
+"I think it would be a good idea to go and interview this lad. He looks
+to me like a tough customer here for no good."
+
+This suggestion met with instant approval. The boys crowded forward
+eagerly. One or two automatics were displayed.
+
+"Hello, what's this," questioned Harry, picking up an object from the
+bunk beside the visitor who was lying on his side.
+
+"Why, it's a piece of raw meat," he exclaimed. "Where did that come
+from? We haven't any beef aboard, have we?"
+
+"Not that I know of," answered Arnold. "It's only a small piece. Give it
+to Rowdy. He needs a lunch."
+
+"Stop," shouted Jack. "Don't give that to Rowdy."
+
+"Why not?" Arnold questioned in a surprised tone.
+
+"Maybe this chap brought it aboard for that very purpose!"
+
+"What a numbskull I am," scolded Arnold. "Here I might have killed our
+best friend. I must get the habit of thinking."
+
+"How about it, friend?" queried Jack shaking the stranger by the
+shoulder. "What have you got on the meat?"
+
+"Nothing," stoutly declared the newcomer, keeping his face turned toward
+the bulkhead. "I have nothing on it."
+
+"I see," scorned Jack. "You intended to bring the meat aboard to use for
+a sandwich for yourself. You were about to use our kitchenette for a
+while, then you would have gone on peaceably."
+
+No answer was vouchsafed to this sally and Jack continued:
+
+"You might as well make a clean breast of the whole matter. We know you.
+You were aboard our boat once before. We are several gallons of gasoline
+short because of your kindness. 'Fess up, now."
+
+"I guess I know a way to make him talk," declared Frank. "Come here
+until I suggest a method that I hope will be effective."
+
+Frank and Jack withdrew a little from the group about the berth holding
+the stranger. After a moment's consultation they returned and Jack again
+addressed the injured boy in a friendly tone:
+
+"Come, now, Carlos Madero, or whatever your name may be, we want to
+treat you right, but we're going to have some information if we have to
+wring your neck to get it. We don't care about doing you any harm,
+especially since you're already wounded, but you will have to explain
+your presence here at this hour of the night. Why did you come aboard
+barefooted and unannounced?"
+
+"I am not afraid of your threats. You can't do anything to me. Besides,
+you're Boy Scouts and you wouldn't harm me."
+
+"Never mind about that just now," interrupted Jack. "We can protect
+ourselves even if we are Boy Scouts. You'll learn that."
+
+"Sure he'll learn it," chimed in Tom. "He'd better not monkey too far
+with this crowd. We'll make him eat that meat."
+
+"God idea," declared Jack. "Arnold, please start the coils and fry this
+chunk of meat for out friend. He's hungry."
+
+With these words, Jack drew an automatic and displayed it for the
+benefit of the visitor. He had no intention of using the weapon, but
+felt it might have a salutary effect. In this he was right.
+
+"I can't eat it," cried the boy. "It's poisoned."
+
+"Ah, ha," gloated Jack. "I thought so."
+
+"Oh, please let me go away," begged the lad. "I'll promise not to do
+anything against you again. I'll never bother you at all."
+
+"We don't want to do anything rash," Frank suggested. "We won't harm you
+if you'll agree not to injure us, but we must know why you came aboard
+tonight as you did and what your purpose was."
+
+"Wyckoff made me," groaned the boy covering his face with his hands.
+"There," he cried sitting up in bed, "now I've told, he'll kill me sure.
+Oh, I'm in trouble now."
+
+"Not so you could notice it," gritted Jack, taking a firmer hold on his
+automatic. "If Wyckoff tries any of his dirty tricks around here, we'll
+fill him so full of holes he'll leak straw."
+
+"You don't know him," shuddered the boy. "He's a desperate man. He shot
+a nigger once just because the fellow disputed Wyckoff about a match.
+He's a bad, bad man. I know him."
+
+"And still he had the nerve to tell us on Petit Bois that his hands were
+clean," scornfully declared Jack. "He makes me sick."
+
+"Oh, have you seen him?" questioned Carlos.
+
+"He didn't tell me that! He just told me what I must do."
+
+"What did he tell you to do?" inquired Frank not unkindly.
+
+"He said that in the after cabin of this boat under the floor boards I
+would find a plug driven into the skin of the boat to fill an auger
+hole.
+
+"He directed me to remove that plug carefully and swim ashore. I was not
+to awaken you but to get away quietly."
+
+"Well, you surely were the pussy-footed little sleuth," declared Harry.
+"It would have been impossible to hear you more than forty or fifty
+miles away. There's nothing the matter with that voice of yours. I know
+an auctioneer who could use that noise."
+
+"Don't rub it in, Harry," advised Tom. "The poor lad is having troubles
+of his own right now as it is. He's all in."
+
+"He brought it on himself," maintained Harry. "He wasn't invited aboard.
+If he'd stayed away, this never would have happened."
+
+"I know," soothed Tom, "and you'll find that most of the troubles we get
+into are caused by our own acts. I'm sleepy. Move we postpone this third
+degree business until morning."
+
+"Second the motion," declared Harry. "Let's set a guard over the
+prisoner and go back to sleep. I'm all in, myself."
+
+The suggestion met with the approval of all the boys. They were tired
+after their long and strenuous day and needed rest badly.
+
+Arnold, feeling elated because his crab shell had been the means of
+trapping the midnight visitor, volunteered to act as guard during the
+first watch. He stoutly maintained that he was not sleepy and would be
+only too glad of the chance to watch.
+
+The poisoned meat was thrown overboard and quiet reigned again.
+
+Frank awoke and stretched himself. Then he reached across to the bunk
+occupied by Jack and shook that worthy by the arm.
+
+"Let's get up and visit the hospital," he suggested, springing up.
+
+Arnold sat sleeping on the bunk. The prisoner was gone!
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+AN ELUSIVE BOB WHITE
+
+
+"Hey," cried Jack grasping Arnold roughly by the shoulder, "Where is
+your prisoner? You're a pretty guard, you are."
+
+Sheepishly Arnold glanced around, now thoroughly awake.
+
+"Has he gone?" he asked in a wondering tone. "Where is he?"
+
+"Yes, indeed, he went hours ago," asserted Frank. "He was lying here
+sleeping and a big side wheel boat pulled up with a band playing. They
+tied up to the Fortuna, fired a salute of twenty-one guns in honor of
+royalty and then the band filed through the cabin, one at a time,
+playing their instruments as hard as they could blow. The invalid got up
+and walked away with them and after another salute of twenty-one guns,
+the steamer pulled away upstream."
+
+"They did not," protested Arnold stretching himself.
+
+"Well, if they had, it wouldn't have affected you in the least,"
+declared Jack. "We were all tired out and none of us heard him get away.
+Even Rowdy didn't say anything against it and when Rowdy keeps quiet
+things are pretty still. He's a light sleeper."
+
+"How about it, Rowdy?" inquired Arnold caressing the bulldog. "You'll
+stick up for me, won't you, old pal?"
+
+Rowdy's stumpy tail wagged ecstatically as Arnold lavished affection
+upon him. He endeavored to "kiss" all hands, but this was discouraged.
+The boys dearly loved their pet but objected to "kisses."
+
+"Anyhow," decided Arnold, "Rowdy never would have let the chap get away
+if he had thought he was here for harm. So that means the boy is all
+right! He may have come here a bad boy, but he went away a good one or
+Rowdy never would have let him go. So there!"
+
+"There might be something in that, too," admitted Jack.
+
+"All hands on deck for a bath," sang out Tom. "I feel dirty!"
+
+"Let's run out of the harbor and get some clean water," Harry proposed.
+"This river looks pretty thick to me."
+
+All the boys thought the idea a good one and accordingly the anchor was
+lifted and the Fortuna put out to sea a short distance.
+
+The morning was a glorious one. Old Sol cast his rays upon the sea which
+gave them back broken and shattered into a thousand shafts of shimmering
+light. The air was cool and clear. Here and there in the distance a
+white sail like a fleeting gull marked the position of a sailing vessel,
+while a smudge of smoke from a steamer far away to the west lent a touch
+of color.
+
+No time was lost by the boys in starting the pump. Soon a stream of
+water from the hose was playing on the deck. All hands seized brushes
+and scrubbed the decks industriously until they shone in spotlessness.
+Then the hose was turned on the crew, each boy in turn enjoying hugely a
+shower bath of sea-water. After splashing about to their hearts' content
+someone mentioned breakfast.
+
+"Let's run out a ways and see what we can catch," cried Arnold. "I'd
+like a broiled fish for breakfast."
+
+Accordingly the lines were made ready and in a short time Tom announced
+a bite. His catch proved to be a Spanish mackerel of good size. No time
+was lost in cleaning the prize.
+
+"Now, while the cook prepares breakfast," Jack said, "I think we'd
+better get back into harbor. I'm dubious about that plug in the
+Fortune's side and think we'd better have her out on the ways for a new
+plank if necessary. Let's get back."
+
+"Right you are, Captain," declared Harry. "I'm cook this morning, while
+Jack must wash dishes! He said lots of slang yesterday."
+
+"Now you mention it, I'll plead guilty," laughed Jack.
+
+With laughter and gay spirits the boys could scarcely wait for
+breakfast. Harry was an adept at the kitchen as his friends all were
+willing to testify. He threw his whole soul into the task as he did with
+everything he undertook. Today was no exception.
+
+"My only regret," stated Frank as they were seated about the breakfast
+table at last, "is that I didn't find you fellows sooner."
+
+"The pleasure is mutual, I assure you--we assure you," stated Tom.
+"We've enjoyed your society immensely and hope we'll find your chum
+shortly. He can't be far away."
+
+"Wyckoff wouldn't be so desperate as to do him harm, would he?" queried
+Harry. "I can't believe he would make way with him."
+
+"I don't know," replied Frank in a dubious tone. "Wyckoff has given
+evidence that he's a mighty mean sort of a chap."
+
+"Speaking of Wyckoff," put in Jack, "I believe that's the schooner that
+chased us away from Petit Bois yesterday. Look there."
+
+All hands looked in the direction indicated by Jack and saw a schooner
+just putting out of the harbor. On her decks stood several roughly
+dressed men lounging about in attitudes that bespoke anything but the
+smart sailor. They were unkempt and untidy in appearance and were
+generally a pretty undesirable looking group.
+
+"If that's the same vessel," Frank declared, "I'm glad she didn't catch
+us! They're a hard looking collection of desperadoes."
+
+"She's tacking so as to come close aboard of us," declared Tom. "Shall I
+shift the course, Jack?" he inquired.
+
+"I don't think so," answered Jack. "Of course under the pilot rules of
+the United States, a power boat under way must keep clear of a sailing
+vessel. She has the right of way and seems to be taking it. But we can
+easily dodge her with our powerful engines."
+
+Closer and closer came the schooner until it seemed that she would
+surely collide with the motor-boat. When scarcely more than a length
+Away from the Fortuna, the schooner was brought sharply about on the
+other tack. As she came about a clear cut whistle sounded shrilly in the
+morning air:
+
+"Bob White! Bob, Bob White!"
+
+"Gracious!" cried Frank springing to his feet. "The Bob White."
+
+Instantly he was on deck sending ringing across the water his answer to
+the challenge of his Patrol:
+
+"Bob White! Bob, Bob White!"
+
+The men on the schooner laughed coarsely as the boy waited for an answer
+to his challenge. The two vessels were drawing farther apart now. Their
+voices were indistinguishable, but once more came the call:
+
+"Bob White! Bob, Bob--"
+
+Suddenly the call stopped as if a hand had been placed over the face of
+the one making the cry. The crew of the Fortuna stared at one another in
+wide eyed wonderment. They all were thinking rapidly and each seemed to
+have formed the same conclusion.
+
+"Shall I follow them, Captain?" asked Tom addressing Jack.
+
+"I'd like to," Jack replied, "but I don't think it wise. It may be that
+Charley Burnett is aboard that, schooner and that the schooner is the
+one that chased and fired at us yesterday. We are not sure of either
+supposition. If he's aboard, he's still alive. If he was not on board
+and one of the crew did the whistling, we would have our trouble for our
+pains and be laughed at and perhaps insulted into the bargain. We'd
+better wait a while, I think."
+
+"But maybe he is there and wants to get off," declared Arnold.
+
+"Possibly," agreed Jack. "But in that case if we were to attempt to
+rescue him by force, that crew is too powerful for us to overcome unless
+we run alongside and shoot them down mercilessly. We are not prepared to
+do that just yet, I hope. What's your idea concerning, this, Frank?" he
+continued addressing his friend.
+
+"It's pretty hard to say it, but I really believe you're right, Jack,"
+answered Frank holding out his hand. "'You are right."
+
+"Thank you," said Jack. "I believe this thing will come out all right
+without any serious harm to your chum or to us."
+
+If Jack could only have looked into the future he might not have spoken
+so confidently nor have believed his own words so much.
+
+The run back to the harbor occupied but little time. Arrived there Jack
+at once went ashore to arrange for hauling out and repairing the
+Fortuna. He found the marine railway without difficulty but was unable
+to secure accommodations for his motor boat at once. Every berth was
+full but one would be empty later in the day.
+
+When Jack reported again aboard the Fortuna the boys agreed that the
+best thing to do would be to wait for their chance at the ways.
+
+All felt that it would be far safer to replace the plank through which
+Wyckoff had put the auger hole in his dastardly attempt to turn the boys
+from their course.
+
+"It will give us a chance to examine her bottom," Jack argued, "and we
+can see how the barnacles like her. I believe that I'll get some copper
+paint and give the hull a coat while she's out."
+
+"Hurray," joyfully cried Arnold. "Then I can say truthfully that I'm a
+marine painter! Won't that be fine."
+
+"There are many things you might say truthfully," agreed Harry in a
+tantalizing tone. "Of course I emphasize 'might.'"
+
+"Boys, boys," cautioned Jack. "Have a joke, but don't let it go too far.
+We must constantly remember our motto and no one can 'Be Prepared' to
+resist the many temptations of life unless he is constantly in training.
+Sunshine and pleasant skies are best."
+
+"I think those chaps are like a lot of young animals," Frank observed.
+"They must have a certain amount of tussle and wrestle in order to
+develop their muscle. They'll need a lot of it later on."
+
+"No doubt you're right," Jack laughed. "Maybe I'm a little too severe. I
+hope not. I love the boys and want them to be men in every sense of the
+word. They're good boys all of them."
+
+"When will we get off the ways again, Captain Jack?" asked Harry, after
+surveying the town and shipping through the glasses.
+
+"We can't get on until late this afternoon, so that means we won't get
+the carpenter work done until tomorrow some time," Jack replied.
+"Possibly we'll be able to put her into the water again tomorrow night,
+if everything goes along well. After the carpenters replace the plank, I
+want the caulkers to search the seams for soft places in the oakum and
+after that we'll paint her."
+
+"Well, then, if it's agreeable to you, Harry and I want to go up the
+river for a fishing trip. We haven't had a chance to catch fish for a
+long while and that mackerel this morning gave us the fever. We can't be
+of any use here today so let us go."
+
+"I can't see any objection to that at all," replied Jack. "I should be
+real glad to have a mess of fresh fish and if you'll promise to return
+before dark you may go for the day."
+
+"Captain, we'll vote you a leather medal," declared Arnold.
+
+"Yes," agreed Harry, "and not only that, but we'll fetch him back a mess
+of fish that'll keep the crew busy for a week."
+
+"Let's go over and see the ship carpenter. He can tell us where the good
+fishing spots are and what bait to use," Harry suggested.
+
+"While they are over there getting information, let us put up a lunch
+for them," Tom said. "I'll pack a lot of sandwiches and put in a can of
+coffee and some pickles. That ought to last them."
+
+In a short time the boys returned and taking tackle and lunch set off up
+the river in the boat found on Petit Bois Island. Gaily they waved their
+hands at their comrades as they rounded a bend.
+
+During the remainder of the day Jack, Tom and Frank were about the
+shipyard watching the carpenters at work on various vessels of small
+tonnage drawn up for repairs. After dinner they went uptown to purchase
+the necessary paint and to arrange for an additional supply of canned
+goods with which to stock their larder.
+
+"Let's get some vegetables for supper," Tom said as they visited one of
+the stores. "It will surprise the boys when they get back all tired and
+hungry. They'll like that."
+
+Well loaded the lads returned to the shipyard. As they neared the place
+where their vessel was now lying on the ways, Jack stopped short in his
+tracks. He turned a startled glance toward his companions. Alarmed, they
+eagerly crowded closer.
+
+"What's the matter, now?" inquired Tom in a whisper.
+
+"I just saw Wyckoff sneaking behind that shed," Jack replied.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+SAVED BY A STRANGER
+
+
+"Look, Harry," Arnold cried as they rowed along. "See the palm leaf fans
+all growing in bunches on shore there."
+
+"Those must be what they call 'Palmettos,'" answered Harry.
+
+"Are they good to eat?" was Arnold's query.
+
+"Not that I know of," Harry replied, "unless some native animal here
+wants to commit suicide. They are rough and have barbs growing on the
+leaf stems. They do resemble palm leaf fans with streamers on the edge.
+We won't bother them, though."
+
+"Surely not," responded Arnold. "But look at that tree with all the gray
+washing hanging on it. Looks for all the world like all the kitchen
+mechanics and pot wrestlers in the world had hung their dirty dish
+cloths on it to dry. And there's another--and another--and another," he
+exclaimed.
+
+"I know what that is," announced Harry. "That's the Spanish moss we've
+heard about! At last, we're getting closer to the Treasure Chest. At
+least we've found something Spanish."
+
+"Pull in toward the shore," requested Arnold. "I see a spot I think
+would be ideal for a fishes park. I can almost imagine I see numbers of
+young fish sitting around on the benches in the shady spots right now.
+They look so cool and comfortable!"
+
+"I wonder if any of them are hungry enough to take a little lunch,"
+mused Harry, pulling as close to the bank as he could.
+
+"Try and see," advised Arnold. "I'm going to drop a line to a big young
+fellow I've heard about and see if he will answer."
+
+Both boys laughed quietly at the conceit. Their day started finely and
+augured well. Preparing their tackle they lost no time in lowering an
+alluring bait to the finny denizens of the water.
+
+Evidently the fish were hungry for not many minutes passed before Harry
+felt a tug at his line. He began reeling in rapidly.
+
+"Oh, what a whopper," exclaimed Arnold peering over the side of the
+boat. "It's as long as my arm and big as a good sized stove pipe, I
+believe. One or two like that will be enough."
+
+"Thanks," panted Harry. "Wait till I get this one."
+
+Skillfully the lad drew the fish to a point where he could be sure of
+landing it without danger. Then he waited for his chum to assist with
+the landing net. The fish was a beauty.
+
+"What shall we call it?" proudly questioned the lad.
+
+"Well, I should call that No. 1," gravely replied Arnold. "He looks like
+a fellow I used to know by the name of 'A. No. 1.'"
+
+"Good," cried the delighted Harry. "Now you go after his cousin. Get Mr.
+No. 2, and do it quickly."
+
+"Here he comes," declared Arnold. "I knew I spit, no, spat--what should
+I say, spitted or spatted?--on that bait just right."
+
+"You watch out or he'll walk away with the bait and all."
+
+"Bingo," yelled Arnold. "I got him."
+
+Harry laughed to see the way Arnold was struggling to keep the fish. For
+a short time it looked as if the fish had Arnold. At last after a long
+battle the fish was exhausted and gave up.
+
+"That's a better one than mine," was Harry's generous comment.
+
+"They're just about as nearly twins as it's possible to get them,"
+asserted Arnold. "And they're both beauties. It's nearly noon by my
+watch, so I vote we go ashore and build a fire. Some fish for dinner
+wouldn't go bad at all. What are these, Bass?"
+
+"I don't think so," objected Harry. "See that red spot just at the root
+of their tail? Well, the natives a call that redfish."
+
+"All right," agreed Arnold, "fresh redfish will go mighty fine. And I'm
+hungry enough to eat a big one myself."
+
+"You're always hungry, Arnold," declared his chum.
+
+"No more often than the rest of the crew. I notice they all eat when the
+eating is good. And I'd pity the chicken that had to live off the table
+scraps from our festive board," declared the boy with emphasis. "We're
+noted for being table finishers."
+
+"I notice we all brought our appetites along," admitted Harry.
+
+"Lets land near that oak tree that leans out over the water," suggested
+Arnold. There are three tall pines growing a short distance from the oak
+and that'll make a good landmark if we walk about."
+
+"The very thing! You haven't forgotten your instructions in scouting,
+have you? That idea is a good one."
+
+"Then we'll go up from the river a ways, make a little camp and eat
+dinner. Maybe we can see some of the wild creatures of this country. It
+would be interesting to watch them at play."
+
+"I'm agreeable. We've got the whole day before us. Isn't it fine to know
+that you don't have to get back at any certain time, but can just loaf
+along if you wish or work hard if you like?"
+
+"Glorious," agreed Arnold. "Just now, however, you'll want to work hard,
+I know, for we're going to have a grand feed on redfish. That means
+you'll please get the wood while I clean the 'piece de resistance' of
+our dinner. The boys put up a nice lunch."
+
+Not far from the tree where they landed the boys found a suitable spot
+for their camp. A fire was soon blazing merrily over which the fish
+cooked with an appetizing odor.
+
+"The boys laughed when I brought this pan along," remarked Arnold. "They
+evidently didn't believe I would have need for it."
+
+"They'll like that fine big fish we take home, I'll wager."
+
+"After dinner, let's gather some of that Spanish Moss and take it to the
+Fortuna. I wonder if it wouldn't make good mattresses."
+
+"They say the negroes and some of the whites down here do just that.
+They bury it in the ground a while then pack it into a mattress and have
+a fine bed. It must be buried in the earth for a time, though, they say.
+It is funny looking stuff isn't it?"
+
+"It surely is. But what is that green plant up there? It looks as if the
+oak tree were all dead except that one sprig of green. Strange that it
+should keep only one twig alive."
+
+"I believe that's mistletoe growing on a limb of the oak."
+
+"I guess you're right. And down there at the foot of the tree I see a
+quail. He's humped over and seems to be trying to make himself smaller
+all the time."
+
+"Hush, man," Harry protested. "Quails don't grow down South as far as
+this! They're a Northern bird."
+
+"Then maybe I don't know what a quail is," retorted Arnold.
+
+"I don't mean that," replied Harry, "but it seems strange to think of
+quail being here. I always had an idea that quail humped themselves
+under the shelter of a corn shock with snow blowing around their toes
+and nearly freezing them to death."
+
+"Maybe you're right. They tell me the natives call these birds
+partridges. Just the same, I'll venture to say that I can call them out
+of cover. Want to see me try it?"
+
+"Sure. Go as far as you like. We won't shoot them, though."
+
+"Certainly not. We have all we need for food except maybe a rabbit.
+Watch me toll them on."
+
+Both boys were very quiet for a few minutes, then Arnold sent out a
+plaintive "Bob White" call. In a few minutes he repeated the cry. This
+time an answer came and directly both boys were delighted to observe the
+little bright eyed bird that had responded stepping out from the shelter
+of a clump of grass.
+
+"Too bad to disappoint him," declared Arnold, "but it is getting on
+towards the shank of the afternoon, so let's take a walk around and then
+get back to the town. The Fortuna is probably on the railway by now. I
+wish the others could have been with us this glorious afternoon. It has
+been fine so far."
+
+Leaving the river the boys walked slowly along scanning closely the
+vegetation on all sides and keeping an alert eye open for the feathered
+and furry denizens of the forest.
+
+A rabbit scurried across their path and hastened with great leaps down
+the path. The boys laughed to see the patch of white tail go bounding
+down the old trail along which they were walking.
+
+"I'll choose the next one," declared Harry. "Rabbit stew for supper
+wouldn't go so bad! It would help out on canned goods."
+
+"All right, Harry," responded Arnold. "We'll make the limit one rabbit
+apiece if you don't mind. We'll have a good supper at that. There's no
+use taking home more than we can eat soon."
+
+"Here's mine, then," announced Harry taking quick aim at a fleeing
+cotton-tail. "I'll choose this one right here."
+
+As a tribute to Harry's excellent aim the rabbit bounded high in the air
+and then rolled over and over lying quite still after falling to the
+earth. His career had been stopped instantly.
+
+"I hope I can do as well," was Arnold's pleased comment.
+
+"There's your chance," announced Harry. "See him?"
+
+"Come here, rabbit," cried Arnold taking quick aim.
+
+At his shot the rabbit bounded into the air, falling as had Harry's. But
+instead of lying quietly where he had fallen the rabbit struggled and
+ran limping away. It seemed impossible for him to go rapidly, however.
+He managed to get away just too quickly to be caught. The boys hastened
+after their quarry in an effort to end its struggles as much as to
+secure the game.
+
+Their chase led them to a low spot where rank grass was growing. The
+dead stalks of the previous year's growth were fallen to the earth,
+making a dense mat of dried stubble.
+
+"Small chance of finding him in here, Harry," was Arnold's comment. "We
+might as well give it up and go on back to the boat."
+
+"I don't like to do that," protested Harry. "He might be right under
+foot for all we know. Let's kick around a little. Why, what's this?" he
+continued stooping to pick an object from the ground. The next moment
+with a scream he jumped backward.
+
+A great snake had lain directly under his feet but now was coiled in a
+mass. Its tail was whirring angrily while the great triangular head
+waved slowly from side to side.
+
+Fascinated the boy stood as if rooted to the spot.
+
+Arnold was in direct line with Harry between himself and the snake, so
+dared not shoot. Harry's automatic had dropped from his nerveless
+fingers at the first alarming whir of the vibrating rattles. Unable to
+make a sound or move a muscle the lad stood entirely unnerved while the
+great reptile prepared to strike.
+
+Arnold fired two quick shots from his automatic, hoping to attract the
+attention of the snake from its intended victim. His hope was not in
+vain. At the sound the snake seemed to hesitate a moment as if undecided
+what to do. Evidently its attention had been attracted from Harry.
+
+Elated at his success, Arnold fired twice more, but this time the angry
+buzzing recommenced. It seemed as if there was no hope whatever for the
+lad who stood with the sweat now pouring from his face. To this day he
+says that he can distinctly remember a little drop of sweat trickling
+down his nose and pausing at the tip before it splashed to the earth. He
+declares that it seemed a lifetime while he stood there expecting
+momentarily to feel the deadly fangs dart into his body and leave their
+fatal poison.
+
+He protests that so fascinated was he by the awful horror of the
+situation that he can describe accurately every marking and every detail
+of the great snake as it lay there coiled for the blow that would prove
+fatal to himself.
+
+Almost fainting, Harry heard the two shots that caused the snake to
+momentarily lower its head and cease its buzzing rattles from sounding.
+
+Hope rose within his breast as he noted this action, yet he could not
+move from the spot. His feet seemed leaden.
+
+The next instant the snake again raised its head and the second shot
+fired by Arnold seemed to increase its anger for it recommenced with
+more vigor than before the sharp buzzing of its rattles. In desperation,
+Arnold emptied his automatic into the ground at his feet, but without
+effect upon the snake.
+
+A rifle shot echoed through the forest. The rattler lunged forward.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+A FRUITLESS SEARCH
+
+
+"Surely that can't be Wyckoff," declared Tom. "He wouldn't be around
+here at this time of day. Couldn't you be mistaken?"
+
+"I don't think so," stoutly protested Jack. "He seemed to be poking his
+head around the corner of that shed and when he saw I noticed him, he
+dodged back. I am quite sure it was he."
+
+"Well, I think he has his nerve to be sneaking around the yard at this
+hour. Why can't he go on about his business instead of hounding us all
+the time, I'd like to know," indignantly stormed Frank. "He's about the
+poorest specimen of humanity I know."
+
+"He thinks he's well within his rights," argued Jack. "I don't like him,
+but I must admire his 'stick-to-itiveness.'"
+
+"Whatever that is," put in Tom. "If he'd stick to it and dig up his
+good-for-nothing old treasure chest himself instead of barking at the
+moon, we'd all be better off. But here we are at the good old Fortuna.
+My, my, how she looms up out of the water."
+
+"She certainly does look big when one can get a view of the hull below
+the water line," agreed Jack, with a note of pride.
+
+For some time the boys walked around the vessel, noting her fine lines
+and examining the hull for possible defects. They found nothing that
+they considered worthy of repair except the hole through which their
+plug projected. Jack examined with minute care the outboard end of the
+shaft log and the propeller.
+
+"Here comes the watchman," announced Frank as the boys paused at the
+foot of the ladder before going aboard the motor boat.
+
+"Let's stop and have a word with him," Tom said. "Maybe he's a pretty
+decent sort of chap. At any rate it won't hurt to get acquainted. He can
+likely tell us something about the man you saw."
+
+"Agreed," announced Jack. "By all means, let us cultivate the
+acquaintance of the watchman. We may need him in our business."
+
+Accordingly when the watchman arrived in the course of making his rounds
+the boys spoke pleasantly to him, finding him quite agreeable. In fact,
+he was inclined to visit at some length.
+
+He was glad to exchange ideas with the boys upon learning that they were
+from the North. Their tales of adventure with the motor boat seemed
+quite fascinating to him. They related some of their adventures on Lake
+Michigan and Lake Superior, in the mining region, where they had been on
+special duty during the strike of mine employees and then detailed some
+features of their trip South that had so nearly resulted in disaster.
+
+An hour passed quickly away before the boys realized that it was getting
+late. Jumping up from their seats they declared that they must prepare
+supper and make ready for their chums who were expected momentarily.
+With an expression of good will the watchman prepared to make his rounds
+of the yard.
+
+Just as he was about to move away Jack asked:
+
+"Oh, by the way, do you know a man named Wyckoff who lives in this
+vicinity somewhere? He's a man of medium build and has one of those
+peculiar blue-black beards that can never be shaved quite clean because
+the skin is so clear, the black roots of the whiskers show through. He
+also is carrying a smashed nose just now."
+
+"I cain't seem to reckomember of any sich man," deliberately replied the
+watchman. "What did youall say he done?"
+
+"I don't know what he does regularly. I think he's a fisherman and
+shrimper betimes. Possibly he does odd jobs when he's not fishing. He
+seems to be quite a handy man at any job."
+
+"No, I don't believe I can place him," replied the watchman with a note
+of regret in his voice, as if he were sorry for his lack of knowledge
+concerning the man sought.
+
+"Oh, well," lightly answered Jack, "it's no matter. He's probably from
+some other town along the coast. Don't worry about it."
+
+"Are you going to stay aboard tonight?" asked the watchman in leaving.
+"If you wanted to take a run uptown to the show I'll be mighty glad to
+watch your vessel right close while you're gone."
+
+"Thank you for the offer," Jack replied as he prepared to mount the
+ladder leading to the deck above him. "You are very kind."
+
+He was about to add that they would remain aboard the vessel, but caught
+himself and for no accountable reason answered:
+
+"We were figuring on going uptown after supper. If you happen to be in
+this part of the yard you might keep an eye on the little wagon.
+
+"And, by the way," he added, "here's a piece of change for your trouble.
+It's not much, but if you try hard you can spend it. Most business
+places are glad to get them."
+
+"Thank you, boss, thank you," eagerly cried the watchman.
+
+Jack knew by his manner that the piece of money was the object of his
+offer, but tried to avoid letting the man see that.
+
+Rowdy was unable to negotiate the ladder and consequently had to be
+carried up by Tom. At last they were all aboard, supper was under way
+and the Fortuna was bright with lights from her storage batteries. Jack
+decided it was best not to start the engines because of the danger of
+displacing the shoring.
+
+Supper was eaten and still the fishermen had not returned.
+
+"Let's turn off the lights and maybe that watchman will think we have
+gone uptown if we are quiet," suggested Jack.
+
+"All right," agreed Tom. "Can we keep Rowdy quiet, too?
+
+"Sure you'll be quiet, won't you, old chap?"
+
+Rowdy's answer was an attempt to "kiss" his friend.
+
+For some time the boys sat in silence, hoping every moment for the
+return of their friends. It was growing dusk and Jack was becoming
+anxious. Just as he was about to speak, Rowdy seemed to stiffen as if
+pointing something. The hair on his shoulders rose on end, while a
+scarcely audible growl escaped from his throat.
+
+Although the boys sat in the shadow of the pilot house and were
+indistinguishable to anyone below in the shipyard, they could still see
+each other. Jack touched Frank and Tom lightly and then using the sign
+language employed by mutes he said to them:
+
+"Rowdy sees or smells something he doesn't like."
+
+"I see it, too," signaled Tom. "It's that watchman friend of yours. He's
+coming back to see if we left some of our supper."
+
+"He was a hungry looking chap," wigwagged Frank. "I'd like to feed him
+up a little and put some fat on his ribs once."
+
+"It would take a mint of money to buy the grub," Tom's fingers spelled
+out. "He's what the livery stable owner would call a hard keeper. He
+needs a dose of something. I don't like him."
+
+"Rowdy doesn't like him either," Jack's fingers were working. "But who
+is that other chap beside him? Hush! They're coming this way as sure as
+I'm alive. Is he bringing the family?"
+
+"Wait a minute," spelled out Frank. "I wish I could talk."
+
+"Why?" asked Jack. "Aren't you talking?"
+
+"Yes, after a fashion, but those chaps can't understand this. I'd like
+to tell the watchman what a liar he is and to ask Wyckoff where my chum
+Charley Burnett is. If he didn't answer, I'd make him."
+
+"I see," Jack replied. "But have patience. We'll get him."
+
+"Here they come," announced Tom. "Both of 'em, hungry hounds."
+
+"Listen," signaled Frank. "Get this if you can."
+
+The watchman and Wyckoff, for it was he, were talking in low tones. Only
+an occasional word was audible to the three watchers on the motor boat.
+It was evident that Wyckoff had been drinking and was inclined to be a
+trifle quarrelsome. The watchman was doing his best to restrain Wyckoff
+from some act upon which he seemed determined. They were using harsh
+words but still talked in a low tone.
+
+Finally Wyckoff turned and left the yard, followed by the protesting
+watchman who slammed the gate after the retreating figure.
+
+"There, that's over," sighed Tom. "What did you get out of it?"
+
+"Just this," stated Jack. "The watchman is a liar and Wyckoff was not
+here for any good. He intends mischief of some sort."
+
+"My idea exactly," cried Tom. "He's probably gone up town to hoist
+aboard a cargo of 'Dutch Courage.' Then he'll come back here with some
+of his cronies and let the Fortuna go into the water with a splash!
+That'll be the end of the Fortuna."
+
+"Let's hope not," Frank answered. "If he does that, we'll have the law
+on him and he'll be railroaded to the pentitentiary so quick he won't
+even stop to say good-by."
+
+"If I see him when he's doing it, he'll go so far it would take a young
+fortune to send him a postal card," gritted Tom.
+
+"Possibly it would take all the wealth in the Treasure Chest," laughed
+Jack. "Our Tom is getting to be some bloodthirsty, himself."
+
+"Well, what'll we do?" asked Tom. "I hate sitting still."
+
+"I think it would not be a bad idea to go look for the boys," replied
+Jack. "It may seem foolish, but I feel that they are in trouble and need
+us. Maybe a couple of us could go and the other stay here with Rowdy to
+guard the Fortuna. It's hard to decide what to do."
+
+"Let's not separate any more," begged Tom. "We're split up enough as it
+is. Let's all go or else all stay."
+
+"All the lockers are securely fastened so no one could take much if they
+came aboard," argued Frank. "I'm in favor of remaining together if we
+can. If we only had a lantern to take with us."
+
+"We've got an acetylene headlight such as they use on motorcycles," Tom
+declared. "That would be a dandy thing."
+
+"Let's go, then, before Wyckoff comes back with his friends."
+
+Accordingly the boys secured automatics and the acetylene headlight.
+They hurriedly packed a bundle of food, borrowed one of the boats of the
+shipyard and started upstream to look for their chums. In a short time
+they discovered the skiff moored at the leaning oak. The big fish were
+duly admired by all.
+
+"They've been gone quite a while," announced Tom. "See how hard and dry
+that fish is. They forgot to put it overboard."
+
+"Evidently they didn't intend to stay long," suggested Jack.
+
+"Look at Rowdy. You didn't know he was a bloodhound, did you?"
+
+"Go it, boy," urged Jack. "Find Arnold. Find Harry."
+
+The bulldog circled about the spot where the boys had eaten dinner, lost
+the scent, picked it up again, again dropped it and finally started away
+in dead earnest. Hastening along the boys had hard work to keep up with
+him. Through forest and glade, across swampy places and over ridges the
+dog led the lads ever at a swift pace. Once in a while he stopped to
+give vent to a fierce growl.
+
+At length the boys becoming exhausted called a halt.
+
+"Make Rowdy rest a while until I get my breath," protested Tom.
+
+"He seems to know pretty near where he's going," Jack said.
+
+"Yes," agreed Frank, "and I have an idea that he's trailing the boys.
+The point that worries me is whether we can find our way back to the
+tree where the boats are tied."
+
+"I think so," replied Jack. "When we left the river we struck straight
+back for a little distance then turned directly to our left and have
+followed nearly a straight course since. I have seen the stars every
+little while and I'm sure I could find my way back."
+
+"We're going against the wind, aren't we?" questioned Tom.
+
+"Yes, what little wind there is," replied Jack, "Why?"
+
+"Oh, nothing. I just get foolish notions in my head, that's all."
+
+"What's the foolish notion, now, Tom?" queried Jack in a kindly tone.
+"Tell us what it is, man. Maybe it is worth while."
+
+"Well, just notice Rowdy, here. He's mighty uneasy and has been snuffing
+into the air for some little time. Just now as I took a deep breath I
+thought I smelled smoke and with it came an odor of burning flesh. It
+was too heavy to be merely the remains of a dinner thrown into a fire. I
+was just thinking that some accident--"
+
+"I don't think so," replied Jack. "At least we won't think that until we
+have to. It just can't be so," he added.
+
+"It's getting mighty dark in here," stated Tom. "I wish it would lighten
+up a bit. That's a fire ahead there."
+
+"Whar y'all gwine?" A giant negro barred the path.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+TWO BEAVERS IN PERIL
+
+
+Neither Harry nor Arnold is quite clear as to just what happened after
+the rattlesnake made his leap at the charmed boy.
+
+They both are agreed on one point, however. Whenever the subject of
+marksmanship is brought up, they invariably agree that the man who fired
+the shot from his rifle that afternoon was the best crackshot they ever
+saw. His skill surely saved Harry's life.
+
+What really happened was that a stranger, passing through the forest at
+the moment of the boys' predicament, heard the shots from Arnold's
+automatic. As the reader knows, the snake, Harry and Arnold were in
+direct line with Harry between the snake and Arnold. Therefore Arnold
+was unable quickly to shoot the snake. He tried to distract the
+attention of the reptile by creating a disturbance, but, as we know, in
+this he was unsuccessful. The temporary diversion was sufficient,
+however, to enable the stranger to grasp the situation as he came
+through a clump of palmettos.
+
+Swinging his rifle to his shoulder he fired, seemingly without taking
+aim. His bullet sped true to the mark and severed the head of the now
+thoroughly angered rattler. He was just in time, for already the muscles
+of steel had started to launch the death dealing fangs.
+
+It was not to be wondered at that Harry and Arnold should feel extremely
+grateful to the stranger. As he approached they both stepped forward and
+embarrassed him by the profuse thanks offered.
+
+"Now, boys, don't say another word," he protested. "I like to kill them
+varmints. It pleased me a heap to be able to he'p youall."
+
+"But we feel that you saved Harry's life, just the same and we want you
+to understand that we feel under deep obligations," Arnold insisted.
+"Another moment and it would have been too late."
+
+"Well, I guess it would," acknowledged the stranger. "That's a leetle
+the biggest snake of that partic'lar kind I ever seen."
+
+"He's big enough to be in a show," declared Harry.
+
+"How'd you like his skin?" inquired their new found friend.
+
+"No, thank you," protested Harry. "I've seen quite enough of him. I
+couldn't enjoy that skin a bit. But you may have it."
+
+"Thanks. Believe I'll just pull that hide off. I might be able to sell
+it. Some feller'll be along from up No'th and buy it."
+
+"Why, we're from up North," was Arnold's rejoinder. "Let me introduce my
+chum and myself before you handle that snake. Shake hands with Harry
+Harvey and my name is Arnold Poysor. We're from Chicago down here on a
+pleasure trip in a motor boat."
+
+"Glad to meet you," replied the fellow. "My name's Lopez. They call me
+Pete when I'm to home. How'd youall like to come over to my house for
+supper? I live just a piece from here."
+
+"Thank you, but we'd better be getting back," replied Harry. "Our
+friends will be expecting us shortly, and it's quite a ways back to the
+shipyard where our boat is on the ways for repairs."
+
+"Only a little ways," asserted Lopez. "I know a short cut through a
+bayou that'll take you there in less than half an hour. Youall better
+stay. I'm goin' to have mutton for supper, and my nigger shore knows how
+to cook mutton. He's a fine cook."
+
+While Lopez urged the boys to stay, he was busy with the carcass of the
+dead snake and soon had the skin deftly removed. His entreaties for the
+boys to visit his home were insistent. The boys felt that they owed him
+such a large debt that they could not decline, although they preferred
+to proceed in the opposite direction. At length they yielded to the
+urgent invitation. Lopez started away at a good gait through the forest,
+closely followed by his new guests, who found some difficulty in keeping
+pace with him.
+
+"I'm gwine to have mutton for supper," explained Lopez, "and I want to
+get down to my sheep as they are passin' through a little draw back here
+a piece. They always go through there about this time."
+
+After a short time the party came to a draw through which ran a small
+stream of clear water. Here they saw a flock of perhaps two hundred
+sheep feeding slowly along. All were headed in one direction.
+
+"I see a young wether," Lopez announced as the party drew up beside a
+giant pine. "Shall I pick him off?"
+
+"Go as far as you like," replied Harry. "I don't know one from another.
+They all look alike to me."
+
+"See those two drinking by that big dead stub," Lopez said. "Which one
+shall I take, the one with black on his face or the white?"
+
+"Take the black faced one," replied Arnold. "He's fatter."
+
+"Here goes then," stated Lopez seeming hardly to take aim before pulling
+the trigger. "The black faced one was what you wanted."
+
+His shot was successful. The black faced sheep fell in his tracks. Lopez
+swung quickly forward, picked up the sheep and started away with his
+burden over his shoulder.
+
+"Come on, now," he urged. "The rest of the flock'll go home all right
+and I want to get to the cabin right soon and get supper."
+
+The boys wondered at his haste to leave the spot. Arnold looked quickly
+at Harry and exchanged questioning glances, but spoke no word. Harry's
+hands were busy with the mute language, however.
+
+"Looks mighty suspicious," he telegraphed to his chum.
+
+"Just what I was thinking," declared Arnold in reply.
+
+"We'd better keep our weather eye open," was Harry's next suggestion.
+"Maybe those are his sheep and maybe they are not."
+
+"You're the wise boy," Arnold agreed. "I mistrust him."
+
+During this time the three travelers had been making good progress. At
+length they came out into a small clearing in the center of which stood
+a log cabin surrounded by every evidence of shiftlessness and neglect. A
+gunnysack did duty as a window and curtain also. The chimney at the end
+of the building was of sticks and clay while the roof was of "rived"
+shingles.
+
+At the approach of Lopez and the boys a large negro stepped out to meet
+them. His face was black as ebony while his teeth were pearly white. His
+grin was expansive.
+
+"'Deed Boss, I'se powerful glad to see you," he began.
+
+"Shut up," commanded Lopez. "Take this sheep and get some supper on the
+way just as quick as you can and not a word out of your head. I want you
+to get supper and I'll do the talkin'. Hear?"
+
+"Yaas, sir, Boss. I done hear you. I sure can get supper."
+
+"Now, boys," stated Lopez with a large, hospitable manner that was
+intended to be ingratiating, "help your se'fs to whatever you find.
+Doright, here, will soon have things goin' for supper. Let's set out on
+the gallery while he's fixin' up things."
+
+Accepting the invitation the boys disposed themselves upon the
+"gallery," as the veranda is called in that country. They noticed that
+Lopez continued to hold his rifle. Only glances could be exchanged,
+however, for Lopez seemed to be watching them.
+
+In a short time the negro announced supper and all went inside. A rough
+deal table contained broiled steaks from the sheep, while sweet potatoes
+roasted in the embers of the fire were handed around by the servant. The
+crude arrangements led the boys to again glance at one another in
+wonderment.
+
+"Take right holt, boys," urged Lopez, setting the example.
+
+The boys were hungry enough to need no second invitation. Surely the
+mutton was done to a turn and the sweet potatoes were the most delicious
+the boys had ever eaten.
+
+After supper Lopez swung round to the boys and demanded:
+
+"What youall here for, anyhow? Give it to me straight."
+
+"Came here for supper," parried Arnold. "And a mighty good one it was.
+We'd like to hire that cook of yours for the boat."
+
+"You won't need no cook on the boat if you Don't tell me the truth,"
+almost shouted Lopez, with a gleam of hatred in his eye.
+
+"Why, what's the matter?" cried Harry, springing to his feet.
+
+"I'll show you what's the matter," gritted the enraged man. "You think
+you can come down here and steal what rightfully belongs to us and take
+it away up North, don't you? I'll show you."
+
+"Why, what do you mean?" cried Harry. "I don't understand."
+
+"Don't you lie to me," shouted Lopez, making as if to strike the boy.
+"Don't you lie to me! I know what you want."
+
+"Well then, what do we want?" questioned Arnold indignantly.
+
+"Youall want that Spanish Treasure Chest, but you won't get it,"
+savagely vociferated Lopez. "That chest belongs to us."
+
+"Well then," cried Harry with some heat, "why don't you go on and get it
+instead of annoying a party of boys who are here for a pleasant outing.
+You make me tired. You act foolish."
+
+"Don't you insult me," almost screamed Lopez. "I'll let Wyckoff settle
+with you for this. You see if I don't."
+
+"Wyckoff don't worry me any," boasted Arnold with a great deal more
+composure outwardly than he felt inside. "I don't care a snap of my
+finger for Wyckoff. He couldn't lick a postage stamp."
+
+"We'll see about that!" shouted Lopez. "Doright," to the negro, "fetch
+that cord and tie these fellers up. Then you stay here and watch 'em
+while I go see what Wyckoff wants to do with 'em."
+
+"Yaas, sir, Boss!" replied the negro. "Mah name's Doright 'case Ah
+always does de rightest Ah knows how. I sure does, Boss. Ever'body what
+knows me says dat! Ah'm a Doright nigger!"
+
+"Shut up," snapped Lopez. "And stay shut, too. Don't you go talkin' to
+these boys while I'm gone, or I'll get Mammy Judy to put a conjure on
+you that'll turn half of you white and the other half green. Now you
+remember that, or I'll fix you!"
+
+"Yaas, sir, Boss," replied Doright in a shaking tone.
+
+Quickly he obeyed the commands of his master, securely fastening the
+boys' arms behind their backs with lengths of cord. He then indicated a
+bed on the floor of the cabin as a place where the boys might rest if
+they chose.
+
+"Now you stay out here on the gallery and keep your eyes open,"
+commanded Lopez. "I won't be gone more'n an hour if I can find Wyckoff
+and we'll see what he wants done with these robbers!"
+
+After he was gone Doright took up his post on the gallery. He
+persistently refused to reply to the boys' questions, and after a time
+they refrained from trying to elicit any information.
+
+"Looks like that villain Wyckoff was out after us and means business!"
+Harry ventured. "He seems to have lots of help!"
+
+"I guess this is one of those Spanish moss beds you were telling about,
+Arnold," Harry said, walking over and kicking the bed.
+
+"Looks like it," replied Arnold, "but just now the springs in the
+Fortuna berths would suit me a whole lot better. I'm homesick."
+
+"And I'm going home," declared Harry with emphasis.
+
+"How are you going?" queried Arnold. "We can't get away from the negro
+outside. He's guarding the very door."
+
+"I'll show you how we'll get out. I'm going to burn these cords off my
+arms, and then I'll set fire to the cabin, and when Doright rushes in,
+we'll rush out. Before he knows what's up, we'll be away in the woods.
+I'd like another piece of sheep, though!"
+
+"Funny they brought it in here," commented Arnold. "I'll bet Lopez stole
+it. He was in a mighty hurry to get here and then brought it inside the
+cabin. He should have left it outside."
+
+"We won't argue about that now," replied Harry kicking the remains of
+the fire about. "I'm going to get loose first thing!"
+
+Arnold protested vigorously, but to no avail. Harry maintained that Tom
+had been kicked and Jack had been shot and therefore a burn or two on
+his part should be borne unflinchingly. He found considerable difficulty
+in getting the fire applied to the cords without also burning his own
+flesh. At last he was triumphant.
+
+Quickly he loosed Arnold. He then threw the remains of the fire into the
+middle of the mattress. A burst of flame followed. In an incredibly
+short time the whole end of the cabin was blazing.
+
+Doright horrified fled to the edge of the clearing where he felt safe.
+Arnold dashed out of the cabin in terror. Turning to find Harry gone he
+rushed back, entering just as the gallery fell.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+A SURPRISE AT THE FORTUNA
+
+
+"What's it to you where we are going?" demanded Jack, as he elbowed his
+way past the others and confronted the giant.
+
+"Look here, white folks," began the negro, "Ah don't want no trouble,
+but youall mustn't go rangin' aroun' thoo mah place like this here
+'thout 'splainin' yourselfs. This is mah fahm."
+
+"Yes, it is your farm," cried Frank. "You've got as many farms as a
+hen's got teeth! All your farms are in your mind!"
+
+"Nemmine about dat, boys," grinned the black. "Jes' youall tell me where
+youall's gwine, else mebbe somepin' gwine happen!"
+
+"You're right, something's going to happen, and that mighty suddenly!"
+was Jack response. "This'll happen to you!"
+
+He swung his arm up. Tom expected momentarily to hear the report of an
+automatic. Instead he saw the negro's face lighted brilliantly by the
+dart of flame from the imitation automatic which was fitted as a
+searchlight. The powerful electric light blinded and dazzled the man on
+whom it was thrown.
+
+"Now, look here, fellow!" began Jack in a threatening tone. "If you
+don't stand one side and tell me your name at once, I'll put this light
+square on your foot and that foot'll wither up and tomorrow this time,
+it'll drop off. I could do that to your head, too, if I wanted to. But
+you will probably not make it necessary for me to do so. At least, I
+hope not."
+
+"Lordy, Boss," stuttered the now thoroughly frightened man, "Don't
+youall point that there thing mah way no mo'. Ah don't like hit--Ah
+pointedly does not. Youall needn't be afraid of me."
+
+"Nobody's afraid of you, you big lummix!" declared Tom, now coming
+forward. "What's your name, anyhow?" he demanded.
+
+"Mah name's Doright Abraham Jefferson Davis Canaan. Ah don' know de rest
+ob it. Ah 'spects dey done forgot to tell me all."
+
+"Well it's a good thing your shoulders are broad enough to carry that
+much of a load," laughed the boys. "That's enough."
+
+"Now then, Doright Whatsyourname Canaan," Jack began, "can you tell us
+where we are? It is dark in these woods and we don't know this country
+at all. Tell me where we are at."
+
+"Well, sah," began the darky, "Youall is 'bout half way to West
+Pascagoula. Yaas, sir, Boss, dat am a sure 'nuf fac'."
+
+"Good! That's enlightening!" Frank put in. "Now tell me is there a place
+nearby. I mean does anyone live near here?"
+
+"No, sir," replied Doright. "Ah can show youall where they was onct, but
+they haint there no mo'. Done moved!"
+
+"Lead on, Doright," commanded Jack, "and be careful on what road you set
+your feet. We have lost our two comrades and we are trying to find them.
+Our noble dog here has trailed them thus far, and he'll help us find the
+boys, but you can do it more quickly."
+
+In answer, Doright turned and beckoned the boys to follow. He led them
+in a short time to the site of the cabin in the clearing. There the lads
+found only a few smoking pieces of timber and a huge bed of embers.
+Tom's nose was sniffing suspiciously.
+
+"Do you get it again?" asked Frank. "I do, and it's plain as can be in
+here. Seems mighty funny, too!" he declared.
+
+"It is peculiar," agreed Tom. "I can get the odor of burned flesh as
+plain as day. I wonder what this fellow knows."
+
+"Doright," demanded Frank, pulling his automatic from his pocket and
+presenting it muzzle foremost towards the giant, "tell us what happened
+to the boys. Tell it quick and straight."
+
+Quaking with fear, the negro told of the call of the boys late in the
+afternoon; of his preparing supper; of the rage of Lopez; of his command
+to tie the boys; of his own sleepiness when thinking the boys were safe
+and of finding the cabin afire.
+
+He maintained that he had remained as long as it was possible to hope
+for the boys' safety, and then had started off in search of Lopez or
+Wyckoff to give them the news.
+
+His fear was so genuine and his grief over the fact that he had been
+unable to do anything to save their chums so intense that the boys could
+not find it in their hearts to chide him further.
+
+"Never mind, Doright," Tom exclaimed laying a hand on the broad shoulder
+of the negro. "We believe you did all you could and that you tried to
+live up to your name and to do right. Don't grieve."
+
+Rowdy had been ranging about the clearing while the conversation had
+been going on. He did not seem to take a dislike to Doright, but rather
+ignored him. This fact was commented on by the boys.
+
+"Jack," Tom spoke at length, "do you know what I think?"
+
+"No, Tom, I do not," replied Jack. "You think so many things it's hard
+to keep track of them all. I wish I might. What is it?"
+
+"I don't believe the boys ever were in that cabin at all."
+
+"Oh, yes, dey was, Boss!" protested Doright. "Ah seen 'em."
+
+"Then they got out!" stoutly maintained Tom.
+
+"Where are they now?" asked Frank. "And how do you explain that odor of
+burning flesh? There's a mystery here somewhere."
+
+"There always is a mystery when the Beaver Patrol goes out on a hike,"
+declared Tom. Look at the dense, dark mystery that surrounded us while
+we were in the Copper Country. Look at the mystery about our visit to
+Niagara Falls. We simply blunder into mystery every time we stir a foot!
+Mystery is our regular schedule!"
+
+"Yes," agreed Jack, "but we always solve the mystery. This is going to
+be no exception to the rule! We must solve it!"
+
+"Maybe Doright can explain something about this thing," suggested Frank.
+"Doright!" he called. "Can you tell me what makes such a smell of
+burning meat around here? What is it?"
+
+"'Deed, Boss, Ah cain't tell youall what it is. Ah don' know!"
+
+"Not much use quizzing him!" declared Jack. "We can't search the ruins
+now. The embers are too hot. If the boys were in there when it fell, we
+can investigate and find their remains tomorrow. For the present, I move
+that we go back to the Fortuna!"
+
+"Second the motion!" agreed Frank. "What do you say, Tom?"
+
+"Might as well, I guess," Tom stated. "It's no use sticking around here!
+We can't do anything until daylight, and the embers of the fire cool
+off. I move we get Doright here to show us the way back to the boats,
+and then we'll row back to town."
+
+"Agreed!" cried Jack at once. "Doright, do you remember the big oak that
+leans out over the water maybe two miles from here?"
+
+"'Deed Ah does, Boss!" declared the darky. "Mighty good fishin' right by
+dat oak! Sure knows dat place mighty well!"
+
+"Well, if you'll take us there and then row us down to the town where
+our vessel is lying, we'll pay you well for the trouble and give you a
+good supper and breakfast. Will you do it?"
+
+"Sure Ah will," replied Doright. "Ah'd be right smart proud to he'p
+youall. Is you ready to go right now?" he added.
+
+Having satisfied themselves that there was nothing to be gained by
+lingering near the spot, the boys decided to start for the Fortuna at
+once.
+
+They all hesitated a moment when leaving the clearing, looking back with
+lingering gaze at the spot where the cabin had stood. A lump was in each
+throat as they trudged wearily along in the wake of Doright the giant
+negro as he led them through the forest.
+
+At length he came out into the clearing near the big oak the boys had
+described. They pressed eagerly forward as the river was neared. In
+their desire to return to the Fortuna they were but expressing the
+desire of every heart to return to its home when trouble comes. Tonight
+the boys carried aching breasts. They believed that on the morrow they
+would be called upon to perform sad offices for their two friends who
+had been victims of a mistake.
+
+"I'll take the big boat with Doright, and you two lads can take the
+little skiff that the boys used," suggested Jack, who was in the lead.
+"That way we can make better time, I think!"
+
+"What's the matter with all of us going in the big boat and towing the
+skiff behind?" questioned Tom. "I don't want to be alone just now. I'd
+much rather keep together if it's possible to do so."
+
+"How about it, Doright, can you pull the boat with all of us in it?"
+Jack asked. "You know it's one of those big shipyard scows!"
+
+"Guess Ah kin, Boss," grinned Doright, in reply. "Ah'll try hahd!"
+
+"All right, then, let's be in and away at once."
+
+"Sure!" cried Tom who was now in the lead, and who had reached the live
+oak. "Sure thing. All hands and the cook get aboard!"
+
+"Something's happened!" cried Jack. "That sarcasm is so evident in Tom's
+voice I just can't believe everything is all right."
+
+"Why, nothing at all could have happened," cried Frank. "We've had more
+than our share of hard luck already. First you boys got off your course
+with a horseshoe too near the compass. Then you meet a boy who tried to
+let your fuel leak away. Then you meet the man who bores your ship full
+of holes, then you find me and we get disturbed by the possibility of
+Charley's being on that fishing schooner and now the boys have
+disappeared. It is not possible that someone has stolen our boats. It
+just couldn't happen. It mustn't happen."
+
+"Well, it's the very thing that did take place," Tom answered. "Now it's
+a weary wait until they bring the boats back or else we'll walk back to
+town. I think we'd better start walking now."
+
+"Come on, I'm game," declared Frank wheeling in his tracks. "Does
+Doright know the way back to town by the pedestrian method?"
+
+"Sure," answered the one mentioned. "Ah knows every hook and crook
+around these here parts. I've been borned and raised yere."
+
+"Then show us the way to town," entreated Jack. "We're tired."
+
+"Ah kin beat walkin'," replied Doright. "Ah'se got a boat."
+
+The boys capered about in high glee at the prospect of a boat ride so
+handy. Their enthusiasm was contagious and Doright actually hurried as
+he went away to the place where his boat was hidden.
+
+In a short time he returned and the boys embarked. The boat was a flat
+bottomed affair, made for fishing purposes, and was to be noted because
+of its rugged and simple construction, rather that for being a thing of
+beauty. Doright handled the craft with skill.
+
+"Now then, engineer," Tom cried flinging himself full length in the
+bottom of the boat, "let out a link! We're going home!"
+
+Doright's application to the oars quickly brought the party to a point
+where they could distinguish the riding lights of the vessels at anchor
+in the river. As they were passing the mouth of a little bayou, Frank
+declared he saw people in a boat near the entrance. In explanation
+Doright told him that many people were out for fish at that hour,
+seeming to think the fish fed at certain hours, hence were more easily
+captured.
+
+In a short time Doright's muscles had forced the ungainly looking craft
+to a point where it was necessary to use care in navigating the stretch
+of water if collision with shipping was to be avoided. His skill born of
+long practice was very evident. Arrived at the shipyard Jack tossed the
+black a dollar saying that they were grateful for the help he had
+rendered them.
+
+Unchallenged the boys approached the Fortuna. They expected at least a
+hail from the watchman of the yard. None came.
+
+"Ah," observed Jack stooping over a prostrate figure near the foot of
+the ladder leading to the deck of the Fortuna, "he sleeps."
+
+"What's the trouble with the watchman, if it is he?" asked Tom.
+
+"It is the watchman," Jack answered with a tenseness of expression, "and
+he's struck with bottle paralysis. I wonder if the Fortuna is all right,
+or has that Wyckoff had the run of things a while."
+
+"Let's get aboard quickly," suggested Frank, "and look about."
+
+"Up we go," cried Tom. "Easy, lads, the ladder's shaky."
+
+Jack in the lead stepped inside the pilot house and down the
+companion-way. As he reached the cabin below, his chums heard him
+stumble. Quickly they reached for the light switch.
+
+"Who left that bundle there?" asked Jack. "What's in it?"
+
+"I didn't," declared Tom; "open it up and see what's inside."
+
+Jack tore off the wrapper. Aghast he stared at his friends.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+RESCUE AND CAPTURE
+
+
+As Arnold rushed back into the burning cabin the gallery roof fell,
+effectually blocking the doorway, thus preventing escape again.
+
+"Harry," cried the frightened boy. "Harry, where are you?"
+
+Through the pall of smoke and amid the hiss and crackle of flames came
+the reassuring call that put new life into the lad.
+
+"Here I am over here in the corner. Come here a minute."
+
+"But, Harry," urged Arnold, "come on out of here. We'll be burned as
+sure as fate. What makes you stay here, anyway?"
+
+"I'm going now," declared the boy. "I forgot something that was left
+here and came back to get it. That's all."
+
+Both boys now moved toward the one window of which the cabin boasted.
+The roof at the opposite end and directly over the bed where the fire
+had started was now weakening and threatened to fall.
+
+"Up with you now, Arnold," cried Harry. "Let's make time."
+
+"You first," gasped Arnold. "You're burned and have had more smoke than
+I. Go ahead or I won't stir a step."
+
+"All right," smiled Harry. "It's a good thing the breeze is favorable.
+We'll make it all right now. Wonder where Doright is."
+
+"Never mind Doright," said Arnold, drinking in great draughts of fresh
+air. "Doright can take care of himself for all of me. I want to get back
+to the boats and the Fortuna. Let's be going."
+
+"I'm with you," Harry agreed with a satisfied chuckle.
+
+"What's the matter now?" asked Arnold. "I can't see what should amuse
+you in all this trouble. I'm worried."
+
+"I can't tell you what makes me feel so happy, but I just imagine that
+we've done a good stroke of business tonight."
+
+"In burning down a man's home?"
+
+"Yes and no. I can't tell you any more for I don't know."
+
+"More mystery, eh? Well, so long as we're hot-footing for home you may
+save the mystery. Come on, now, let's go."
+
+The boys lost no time in starting for the place where their boat had
+been left. A short conference in the shadow of a clump of palmettos was
+held. They were agreed as to the direction, although it lay in a
+different quarter than the road by which they had entered the clearing.
+Here the boys' woodcraft stood them in good stead.
+
+Soon they were out of the light cast by the now fallen walls of the
+burning cabin. Just as they felt safely away from the clearing and
+thought it safe to speak above a whisper a coarse voice called them to
+halt. They were confronted by a tall man.
+
+"It's that man Lopez," gasped Harry. "He's got back quickly."
+
+"What do you want?" questioned Arnold angrily. "Say it and be quick
+about it. We haven't time to stand here all night."
+
+"Now, don't get gay, young rooster, or I'll cut your comb."
+
+"It is Lopez," whispered Arnold. "He's still angry, too."
+
+"Put up your hands," commanded Lopez, for it was he. "Keep 'em up," he
+added. "I'll fix youall for this. You done burned my cabin and it's got
+to be paid for. I'll settle you." Then lifting his voice he called,
+"Doright! Doright! Come yere."
+
+"Comin', Boss," quavered the still frightened negro.
+
+"Doright, did these fellers set fire to my cabin?"
+
+"Yaas, sir, Boss. Dey sure done hit," replied that worthy.
+
+"We might as well arrest 'em now as any other time, then," declared
+Lopez. "Take this gun, Doright, and if they try to run, shoot."
+
+"Yaas, sir, Boss," grinned the darky. "Ah sure will shoot."
+
+"Now, boys, get going," commanded their captor. "Walk right up, too, for
+we're a long ways from home and I'm tired."
+
+"How did you happen back so soon?" queried Harry. "I thought you had
+gone to town to talk with Wyckoff about hanging us."
+
+"I done change my mind," answered Lopez. "I forgot something at the
+cabin and now hit's done burned. I have an idee I'd better shoot youall
+right now for that trick. Yes, sir, I just believe so."
+
+Knowing his quick and hasty temper as they now did, the boys were not
+unprepared for anything that might happen. Gritting their teeth they
+marched bravely on even though they felt that at any moment the erratic
+man behind them might send a bullet into their backs. They resolved,
+however, to show no fear.
+
+Not far along the path they were halted by Lopez, who whispered a short
+consultation with Doright. In a moment he ordered the boys to one side
+of the road for some distance where he compelled them to lie flat on
+their faces and commanded them to absolute silence on pain of instant
+death. He kept his rifle at their ears.
+
+"Doright," he ordered, "go back up to that there path and see what them
+folks wants. If they're strangers let 'em go on. If they're the fellers
+I think they is, toll 'em along and lose 'em. You'll know where to find
+me at the factory if I lose you now."
+
+"Yaas, sir, Boss," grinned the negro. "Ah'm named Doright."
+
+Arnold and Harry were compelled to lie with outstretched arms and
+fingers digging into the sand while their comrades parleyed with Doright
+in plain hearing of their place of concealment. Neither dared to make a
+sound or in any way attract the attention of their friends. Lopez was
+swinging the rifle muzzle slowly back and forth.
+
+After Doright and the other, party had proceeded to the destroyed cabin
+Lopez compelled his prisoners to get to their feet and walk ahead of him
+in the path.
+
+"We'll have a nice little boat ride, boys," stated Lopez in a pleased
+tone of voice. "We're going to have a pleasant trip, too."
+
+No answer was made to this remark by either of the boys. Their silence
+seemed to anger Lopez, for he upbraided them for their sulkiness. His
+moods changed quickly. Frowns tramped the heels of smiles. One moment he
+was gay, the next in despair.
+
+Arrived at the leaning oak he compelled the lads to untie both boats,
+towing the small skiff that had been brought by Harry and Arnold behind
+the big scow rowed by their friends. Into this scow he put the boys and
+then seated himself, rifle in hand.
+
+"Grab a root and growl, now," commanded Lopez. "I'm ridin' this trip.
+And mind you," he continued, "you better row quiet. No splashin' and
+bangin' around with them oars."
+
+"We'll row as well as we can," replied Harry. "A Boy Scout always does
+everything he undertakes as well as he knows how."
+
+"You're great Boy Scouts, you are," sneered Lopez. "If I had a boy like
+you, I don't know what I would do with him."
+
+"You couldn't have a boy like us," declared Arnold with some heat. "You
+know heredity exerts a wonderful influence on boys."
+
+This sally, luckily, was lost on Lopez for his knowledge of English was
+limited to say the least. His mind, ever alert, caught the sarcasm in
+the boy's tone, but he hesitated about showing his ignorance by asking
+questions concerning the meaning of the big word. He contented himself
+with abusing the boys in vile language.
+
+Pulling manfully at the oars the captives sent the scow through the
+water at a good rate of speed, rapidly shortening the distance between
+themselves and the town. Ever and anon Lopez cast a backward glance over
+the stern. Finally he commanded the boys to pull in closer toward the
+shore. His voice assumed a brisker tone with a note of anxiety in it. He
+was visibly excited.
+
+"Lopez," announced Arnold, "I see a light behind us. It's gaining on us.
+I've seen it for two or three minutes. What is it?"
+
+"Hush up about lights, boy," commanded their captor. "Youall don't see
+no lights. They ain't no lights there at all."
+
+"But I did see a light," insisted Arnold in a positive tone.
+
+"No, you never," repeated Lopez. "Don't make no difference if you think
+you saw a light, they ain't no light there."
+
+"Oh, I get you," Harry put in. "That's another of those mysterious
+'because' reasons. Or as the fellow said, 'It's so if I say so even if
+it ain't so.' Is that it, Lopez?"
+
+"Yes," snapped Lopez. "Now git to work at them oars and send this boat
+along or it'll be the worse for you."
+
+Thus urged, the boys bent to the oars with renewed vigor. Their efforts
+sent the boat along at a rapid pace. Finally as they were becoming
+exhausted, Lopez commanded them to head directly in shore. They did so,
+but instead of running ashore, shot up the entrance to a narrow bayou.
+Inside, Lopez commanded them to lie flat in the bottom of the boat. They
+heard directly the sound of approaching oars.
+
+"What's that coming, Lopez?" questioned Harry.
+
+His answer was a thrust of Lopez's foot in his ribs and again he felt
+the muzzle of the rifle creep along his spine.
+
+With the talk and laughter of their chums ringing in their ears, Harry
+and Arnold were compelled to lie silently in the scow, while the other
+party passed them a second time that night without being aware of their
+presence.
+
+"Looks like we better get up and go to work," announced their captor
+after the sound of the oars and talk from the other boatload had died
+away. "We've got a long ways to go yet," he added.
+
+"Let's take it a little easier, if you please," requested Arnold. "My
+arms are nearly pulled out of their sockets."
+
+"All right, my hearties, take your time now. I just wanted to get into
+clear while the others went past us," replied Lopez.
+
+In a short time the boys were amongst the shipping on the river. Here
+they were directed to row alongside a deserted wharf. Lopez guarded them
+while they made the boat fast and then prepared to take them up into a
+rough looking quarter of the town. Just as they were preparing to leave
+the wharf a boat was heard approaching from down stream. Lopez stopped,
+then gave a peculiar whistle.
+
+What was the boys' surprise to see Doright row up alongside the wharf,
+make fast his boat and come ashore.
+
+"Doright," Lopez commanded. "Youall come with me while I fix these young
+rascals and then I want you to come back here and take that shipyard
+man's scow back to him and take that skiff back to the shipyard, too.
+Somebody might want them boats again."
+
+"Yaas, sir, Boss," was Doright's unvarying reply.
+
+The boys were marched a short distance up the deserted street to a
+disreputable looking shanty. Here they were forced inside and compelled
+to enter an inner room.
+
+"Doright, get a piece of rope and tie these young fellers."
+
+"Haint got no rope, Boss," announced Doright. "No rope here."
+
+"What'll we tie 'em with?" inquired Lopez.
+
+"Don't know, Boss," replied the darky. "Dey don't need tyin'."
+
+"Oh no, they don't," Lopez replied sarcastically. "They didn't need it
+up in the woods, neither. That's why they burned my cabin down. Now I
+haint got no home no more'n a rabbit."
+
+"Haint got no rope, Boss," dolefully declared Doright.
+
+"Here, take this gun while I cut up their snake skin," cried Lopez,
+turning over to the negro his rifle.
+
+He proceeded to remove from an inner pocket of his jacket the skin of
+the snake that had so nearly ended the life of Harry. Cutting this into
+strips he quickly bound the boys' arms and made them sit down on a
+bench. Next he prepared to leave the room, taking Doright also.
+
+"If you are good boys and don't try to burn this place," he said from
+the doorway, "I'll bring you something to eat by and by."
+
+After he had closed the door the boys sat talking over the events of the
+day. They were agreed that the day had been a most strenuous one and
+that a little sleep would be welcomed. As they prepared to lie on the
+floor for what rest they might get, Harry gave vent to a chuckle of
+laughter. Arnold was all attention.
+
+"What is it, Harry?" he queried. "What's the joke?"
+
+"If that man only knew what he had been missing, he wouldn't have gone
+away so cheerfully," replied Harry with another chuckle.
+
+"I don't seem to get you," declared Arnold. "I think you might tell--"
+He paused. "What was that noise?" he asked.
+
+"I didn't hear any noise," replied Harry sitting up.
+
+Through the wall came the plaintive cry, "Bob, Bob White."
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+WHAT BURNED IN THE CABIN
+
+
+"Why, that's blasting gelatine," Jack declared. "One stick is enough to
+blow the Fortuna to pieces. Here are one, two, three, four, five,
+six--six sticks of high powered explosive lying right next to our
+engines. Where would the good ship have been if that stuff had let go? I
+tell you, fellows, this looks serious."
+
+"Serious is no name for it," declared Tom. "I'm scared."
+
+"Wonder where he got it?" mused Frank. "It's dangerous stuff for common
+folks to have. They don't sell it at the stores."
+
+"No doubt he stole it from someone who is using it for stumping, or some
+such work as that. He couldn't buy it," said Tom.
+
+"But look at this fuse," Jack cried. "It looks as if it had been
+lighted. Sure as you're a foot high it has been lighted."
+
+"Why didn't the stuff go off then?" queried Tom.
+
+"I don't know," Jack admitted. "I'm going to pull the end of the burned
+fuse out of this stick and see what's the matter."
+
+Suiting the action to the word, Jack slowly extracted the end of the
+fuse from the stick of gelatine in which it had been thrust.
+
+"Ha, Ha," he laughed with a motion as if to slap his thigh. Startled, he
+caught himself in time. The laughter died away.
+
+"What's the matter, Jack?" inquired Frank.
+
+"I almost dropped one of the sticks," replied Jack.
+
+"Well, what of it?" innocently Tom suggested.
+
+"Nothing of it," Jack gruffly responded. "At least, I might say nothing
+of the Fortuna and her crew if I had dropped one of the sticks. They're
+only about an inch in diameter and seven or eight inches long, but one
+of them is enough to blow this vessel into chunks and the six would have
+blown her to little pieces."
+
+"But why would dropping it to the floor have done damage?" persisted
+Tom. "I thought it had to have fire to explode it."
+
+"That's where you're wrong," Jack explained. "Most people have the same
+idea. Evidently that was also the idea of the villain who planted this
+stuff here, for he neglected to put a cap on his fuse."
+
+"What's a cap?" Tom eagerly asked. "I don't know about this."
+
+"I couldn't help but notice it," Jack scorned. "Well, it's just this
+way--You see, dynamite will burn without exploding. A very little jar,
+however, sometimes is sufficient to set it going and explode it. When
+setting off a charge, a cap containing some fulminate of mercury is put
+over the end of the fuse. That stuff will explode from fire. When the
+fuse burns down to the cap, the cap explodes and the jar of its
+explosion sets off the dynamite. See?"
+
+"Thanks," gratefully replied Tom. "Now I'm enlightened. Then the reason
+the Fortuna is still here is because the guy forgot to put his cap on
+his fuse? Am I now correct?"
+
+"Right you are, Tom," answered Jack. "Are there any further questions?
+If not, the class in explosives is dismissed."
+
+"One more, Professor, if you please." Frank had the floor. "What shall
+we do with the stuff? We don't want to keep it aboard."
+
+"That's a problem," Jack announced. "We can't merely throw it overboard;
+nor we can't leave it in a fence corner. I'll confess I'm puzzled to
+know how we shall get rid of it."
+
+"Let's leave it until morning," Tom suggested. "Just now I'm so worn out
+I can't think. I wish we had Wyckoff here, I'd put it in his pockets and
+then climb a telegraph pole with him and throw him down good and hard.
+When he landed it would explode and he'd get his."
+
+"Sure," laughed Frank. "Listen to the bloodthirsty Thomas. What do you
+suppose would be going on up the pole all that time?"
+
+"Well, I'd be there watching for Wyckoff and when the explosion blew him
+up, I'd reach out and slap his wrist as he went sailing by."
+
+"Well, he isn't here and probably won't be here for some time, either.
+We'd better get to sleep," Jack stated. "Tomorrow bright and early we'll
+get those carpenters at work. One plank is a short job and then it'll
+only be a few minutes work for all hands to slap on the copper paint and
+into the water she goes. We should have the Fortuna afloat before noon
+if everything goes well."
+
+"Hurray!" cried Tom. "Then we'll go up to the cabin--"
+
+His voice lost its ringing, cheery tone as he thought of what they might
+find at the cabin. No one could speak for a few minutes.
+
+At last they composed themselves for slumber in the after cabin that the
+boys liked so well. It was fitted up with souvenirs of their various
+trips. Here a pair of wings from a great snowy owl that Tom had shot.
+There a stuffed porcupine that caused such a commotion in their camp in
+the Canadian wilds of Georgian Bay. Here were the jaw bones of a giant
+muscalonge that had taken the bait at sunrise one morning as Harry was
+trolling from a skiff in northern Michigan. So on it went with various
+trophies of the hunt and chase. The room was their parlor, where they
+gathered for a pleasant evening and where they preferred to spend the
+night.
+
+Rowdy curled on a rug in the middle of the floor. One eye was open. Ever
+as he slept or dozed his limbs twitched convulsively and he moaned and
+muttered in his fitful unconsciousness.
+
+No disturbance wakened the boys that night. They slept soundly as only
+healthy, hearty boys can sleep when their minds are filled with pure
+thoughts of sport and active out-of-doors life. As yet they had not been
+tainted with the many things that go to disturb rest. Their everyday
+training at the Beaver Patrol club rooms had been along right lines.
+Their Scout Masters were all young men of high ambition whose purpose
+was to teach their younger scouts that highest, noblest lesson--that man
+is here for a purpose and that purpose is not a selfish one. Thus far
+their teaching had not been in vain.
+
+With the early beams of the morning sun Jack was awake.
+
+"Come on, boys," he cried. "We'll have to bathe in a pint bowl this
+morning. No hose for us today."
+
+"Well, if we can't have a shower bath, let's take a quick cold sponge
+and then have a little setting up exercise," suggested Tom.
+
+Their actions were a revelation to the watchman who was now just
+recovering from his stupor of the night before. His brain was still so
+befuddled by the liquor that he could not at once understand what was
+going on about him. His surprise pleased the boys.
+
+"What'll we have for breakfast?" asked Tom, and then added, "Suggest
+something easy, for I'm cook, you know."
+
+"Pancakes," cried Frank. "Those you made when we were leaving Petit Bois
+were just about the best I ever ate."
+
+"Pancakes it is, then," agreed Tom dashing to the kitchenette, where he
+proceeded to prepare a breakfast of delicious pancakes and coffee. A few
+freshly boiled shrimp added to the feast were welcomed by the boys. A
+passing fisherman had offered them to Jack at just the right moment. The
+boys did ample justice to the feast.
+
+Leaving the foreman to superintend the matter of replacing the plank
+where Wyckoff had bored the hole in his dastardly effort to sink the
+Fortuna and her crew, the boys took a boat from the Fortuna and rowed up
+to the leaning oak. From thence it was easy enough with Rowdy's aid to
+trail the route to the site of the cabin in the clearing.
+
+The embers had now cooled sufficiently so that the boys could search in
+the ruins. For a moment they hesitated to explore the ashes, fearing
+what they might find. A last they plucked up their courage and began a
+thorough search. The task was not a pleasant one.
+
+"What's this?" cried Tom. "Boys, I declare I smell burned flesh. That
+odor hangs around here something fierce."
+
+"Well if that big Doright was telling the truth," Frank argued, "the
+boys got out of the cabin and were safe last night. How about it?"
+
+"You can't tell anything by what that fellow said," Tom replied. "He
+just saw that we were worried about the boys and wanted them to be safe,
+so he said they were safe. That's all there is to that."
+
+"He's considerable of a child," Jack announced. "They all are."
+
+During this time Rowdy had been circling the spot where the cabin had
+stood, occasionally sending up a doleful howl.
+
+"Watch Rowdy," Tom declared. "If he isn't an indication that something
+happened here last night, I'll miss my guess."
+
+"Well, I don't believe that what you mean did happen," Jack contended.
+"If it was so, Doright would have acted differently. He was very
+composed when we saw him and that bluff he put up about this being his
+farm showed that he knew where the boys were all the time."
+
+"Then what do you suppose happened to them?" Tom's voice broke.
+
+"I don't know. They're around here somewhere. Of that I'm sure. They are
+not far away," Jack stoutly contended.
+
+"What do you think Frank?" was Tom's almost tearful query.
+
+"I think we'd better not make up our minds until we get some better
+evidence than a smell or a negro's word. Let's keep digging."
+
+Accordingly the boys vigorously attacked the plan they had in mind of
+stirring about through all the ashes in search of a clue to the
+whereabouts of their chums. At last a shout from Tom proclaimed a
+discovery. His friends rushed to his side.
+
+"Right here by the chimney." Tom broke down. "There it is."
+
+"Now, Tom," half scolded Jack. "Brace up, boy! Suppose it were reversed.
+Would you want them to squall over you?"
+
+"I can't help it," the boy answered. "I am not squalling, but I feel
+badly to lose a chum like those boys were. So do you, too."
+
+"I sure do," answered Jack poking about Tom's discovery. "I'd feel awful
+to lose a good friend even if he was a black sheep."
+
+As Jack spoke he held up on the end of a stick a small tuft of wool
+which had adhered to the end of his staff. With it came the odor of
+burned flesh again. Jack smilingly pulled Tom's sleeve.
+
+"The boys are safe," he said, exhibiting the wool. "It was a black sheep
+that burned. Arnold and Harry are not black sheep."
+
+"Good, oh, goody," cried Tom, capering about. "That's just fine."
+
+In a short time the boys finished their search now fully convinced that
+whatever might have happened to Harry and Arnold they were not now in
+the ruins of the burned cabin.
+
+"Now let's get Rowdy to help us track the boys to wherever they went,"
+suggested Tom. "I'd like to find 'em."
+
+"Good idea," responded Frank. "Let's do that. Here, Rowdy."
+
+"Fine," declared Jack. "Just the thing, if he'll do it."
+
+But the boys were doomed to another disappointment. Rowdy, after being
+put on the scent by Tom, circled about a while and then started off in
+the direction of the leaning oak. Although the boys tried to drive him
+off that trail a number of times, the bulldog persisted in following
+that route or none. At last they yielded.
+
+Straight back to the oak went Rowdy. There he stopped and gazed over the
+water for a moment, then let out a howl that echoed and reechoed across
+the water.
+
+"Well, here goes back to town," cried Jack. "That dog is all right to do
+some things, but he isn't much use, of course, as a bloodhound. I can't
+blame him but he's really no use in that line."
+
+Rowdy felt keenly the disgrace that was heaped upon him. He slunk into
+the stern sheets and hid behind Frank's legs.
+
+Once more at the shipyard the boys began to think of dinner. Before
+their preparations could be started, however, the foreman of the work on
+the Fortuna announced to them that the little vessel was all ready for
+the water. The plank was repaired, the boat all painted and ready for
+launching. Nothing was needed except a full crew.
+
+"Let's get her into the briny, then," Jack ordered. "We've had long
+enough visit ashore. Let's get out to sea again."
+
+"I'm with you there," declared Frank. "It was too bad we were forced to
+come here at all. I want to be on my way and find the boys. They must be
+somewhere near here. May be they are purposely hiding."
+
+"Hello, there's your boat back," cried Tom to the day watchman. "And as
+I live, there's our Petit Bois skiff," he shouted.
+
+"That's the boat the boys had last night," ejaculated Frank.
+
+"Say," the watchman called, "Wyckoff was lookin' for you."
+
+"What did he say he wanted?" asked Jack.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+SHANGHAIED!
+
+
+"We ought to answer that signal," declared Harry. "Maybe there's a Boy
+Scout needs help in the next room."
+
+"Remember your motto," cautioned Arnold. "Be Prepared for trouble and
+for enemies as well as to help someone."
+
+"We haven't had much chance to help anyone so far today," asserted
+Harry. "This may be just the chance to take the knot out of our
+neckties, so I'm going to take a chance. We can't afford to be too
+careful. If we were in trouble, we'd want help."
+
+"That's so," admitted Arnold. "Go to it, then. I'm with you."
+
+"Let me roll over and get on my feet and I'll slap, slap, slap on the
+floor with my foot," declared Harry. "That'll be easy."
+
+"Why don't you whistle 'Bob White,' at him?" queried the other.
+
+"Because we're not allowed to use the call of another Patrol. If he's a
+Bob White, he can't in reason howl like a wolf or bark like a dog or
+slap, slap like a beaver. You understand that."
+
+"Sure I do," admitted Arnold, "but I overlook things sometimes."
+
+Harry now succeeded in rolling over onto his face and from that
+uncomfortable position rose to his feet. He balanced himself against the
+wall while he raised one foot and gave three distinct slaps on the floor
+with the sole of his shoe. Both listened sharply.
+
+"Bob, Bob White," came the answering call through the partition.
+
+"Who's there?" called Harry in a voice trembling with excitement.
+
+"Bob White, St. Louis," came the muffled reply.
+
+"Good gracious," was Harry's startled comment. "Bob White, St. Louis.
+Then they've got Jack and Tom and Frank cooped up here."
+
+"That's awful," groaned Arnold. "What shall we do?"
+
+"If it is really a Boy Scout, we'd better try to help him."
+
+"If we only were not tied. How can we get loose?"
+
+"There's only one way that I can see," stated Harry. "If you will rise
+to your feet so that I can get at your hands with my teeth, I'll try to
+untie that rope that holds you. Then you can untie me."
+
+"But that isn't a rope," protested Arnold. "That's a snake skin and it's
+off the snake that nearly struck you. You wouldn't think of biting on
+that. You just couldn't do it. I couldn't."
+
+"That's what I thought, so I suggested that I do it."
+
+"What do you mean?" flashed Arnold. "I guess I can do anything you can.
+I've never been stumped yet and I shall not begin now."
+
+"Never mind the argument, let me get at your bonds."
+
+"Not yet. I'll untie yours, but you're not going to untie mine with your
+teeth. Tom got kicked in the jaw, Jack got shot and you got your wrists
+cruelly burned on this trip. It's no more than fair that I should have
+some of the discomforts of this experience."
+
+"Well, then, hurry up. That fellow may be in trouble."
+
+But a few minutes were required for the boy with his strong, white teeth
+to so loosen the knot hastily tied by Lopez as to render possible the
+free movement of Harry's arms. After swinging his hands vigorously a few
+moments to restore circulation, Harry then performed a similar office
+for his chum, but not, however, with his teeth. The experience was
+almost too much for Arnold, who for a time threatened to be ill from the
+suggestion of biting the thongs.
+
+When both were freed they next gave their attention to the lad on the
+opposite side of the partition. Their signals had been constantly
+answered with the plaintive, "Bob, Bob White." "This door's locked on
+the other side," declared Harry, after trying the latch. "I'll bet it's
+got a bar across."
+
+"Then the only thing to do is to batter down the partitions," declared
+Arnold. "Is it lath and plaster, or just boards?"
+
+"They don't need to use plaster in this warm country."
+
+"Well, then," Arnold continued, "We'll have to knock a hole in the
+boards. What can we get for a battering ram?"
+
+"Here's this bench. It's heavy and solid. Let's try it."
+
+Not many blows of the bench swung in the strong arms were required to
+batter loose enough of the partition to permit the boys to crawl through
+into the next compartment. There they found a boy of about their own
+age. He was dressed in a khaki uniform and medals and badges on his
+jacket proclaimed him a Boy Scout. Prominently displayed were merit
+badges proclaiming that he had attained proficiency and qualified for
+the honors of Signaling, Seamanship, Camping and Stalking.
+
+"Hello, here. What's this?" cried Harry, who was first through the
+opening. "Why, this poor Bob White is tied hard and fast."
+
+"Sure enough," was Arnold's comment. He followed fast on Harry's heels
+and was at the prostrate boy in a moment. It was a short task to free
+the lad of his uncomfortable fetters and help him to his feet. "Sure
+enough," repeated Arnold. "Poor Bob White."
+
+Their ready sympathy proved almost too much for the stranger.
+
+"Won't you come over and visit us?" was their invitation.
+
+"Thanks, I'll be glad to do so," was the reply.
+
+"I was just a bit lonesome in there, to tell the truth. I'm better now."
+
+"What shall we call you other than Bob White?" asked Harry.
+
+"My name is Charley Burnett," answered their new friend. "I belong to
+the Bob White patrol of Boy Scouts in St. Louis."
+
+"And you came down the Mississippi in a launch called the 'Spray,' and
+were set upon by a gang of thugs and pirates!" cried Arnold. "How am I
+for a mind reader or clairvoyant?"
+
+"You're just fine," declared Charley following the lads into the front
+room. "I wish I were half as good. I certainly do."
+
+"What would you do if you were?" inquired Harry.
+
+"I'd go into a trance and see if I could locate my chum."
+
+"You don't have to do that," declared Arnold. "Just cross my palm with a
+piece of silver and I'll locate him for you," he added with a laugh.
+Then pretending to take an imaginary piece of money from Charley, he
+went on, "Your chum is on a boat called the 'Fortuna.' He is in the
+hands of friends who wish him well. He has been seeking diligently for
+you but cannot find you. Where have you been?"
+
+"Well," laughed Charley, amused at the joke, "I've been sailing around
+and around and around. Most of the time I have been on a shrimping
+schooner on the Gulf. This morning the men aboard of her said that I was
+dangerous, so they were going to put me out of the way. They brought me
+here and tied me up. That's all."
+
+"Didn't you whistle 'Bob White,' at us when we were coming into the
+harbor here?" inquired Harry breathlessly. "I know you did."
+
+"Maybe I did," admitted Charley. "I whistled 'Bob White,' at all
+possible and impossible times until they threatened to kill me."
+
+"The brutes. I almost believe they'd dare do anything."
+
+The tender sympathy that was evident in the tones of his new found
+friends proved almost too much for the fortitude of the late captive. It
+was only with a great effort that he restrained the tears.
+
+"Well," at length Harry decided, "if you lads are rested, I move that we
+get busy, break out of here and go back to the--"
+
+A heavy footstep sounded on the gallery outside the door. Lopez and
+Doright entered through the door. Doright carried a tin pail. He was
+followed by Lopez with one of the boys' automatics in his hand. His face
+darkened instantly when he saw the lads.
+
+"You sure are tough customers," declared he. "I guess, Doright, youall
+better go get them old slave chains. They won't break them."
+
+"Yaas, Sir, Boss," replied the negro hastening away.
+
+"If you're hungry, better get at that grub while you got the chance,"
+offered Lopez. "In a minute that nigger'll be back with the irons, and
+then you won't be runnin' around loose."
+
+Urged on by their hunger the boys lost no time in attacking the tin
+pail. It contained but "grits," a small hominy, cooked with a piece of
+bacon, yet never it seemed to the lads had they tasted better food. Only
+the merest crumbs remained when Doright entered bearing an armful of
+clanking chains. These he threw on the floor.
+
+"Make 'em fast," ordered Lopez, keeping the muzzle of his automatic
+pistol ever trained on the group before him. "Put them leg irons on good
+and tight. Make sure of your work this time."
+
+Obediently the negro clamped the irons tightly about their ankles. Then
+drawing a longer chain through the leg irons he lifted a board from the
+floor to pass the long chain under a heavy hewn joist.
+
+A padlock securely fastened the ends of this longer chain and thus the
+boys were shackled beyond hope of releasing themselves.
+
+"Now, just to make sure, we'll leave Doright on guard and he'll have a
+gun in his hand. He likes to shoot, too. And he knows how."
+
+Never had the voice of the outlaw sounded so coarse and disagreeable as
+now when hope seemed gone. His villainous face lighted with evil triumph
+as he surveyed the plight of his captives.
+
+"Looks like old times," he gloated, "only now you boys are wearing irons
+that have graced the leg of many a slave. And there's a black boy
+guarding the white boys now. That's funny."
+
+Throwing back his head he gave vent to peal after peal of laughter.
+
+"What are you expecting to do with us?" inquired Arnold, who was longing
+to get at the throat of his jailor.
+
+"Well, Wyckoff hasn't decided yet," replied Lopez. "He has found out
+that it's a mighty uncomfortable job keeping prisoners and feeding them.
+He couldn't keep this other boy on the schooner for it was too public.
+When you came chasing into port, he got scared. I was uncomfortable,
+too. If you had hailed me then, I guess I'd have let you take the boy
+off the schooner. When we got Wyckoff, though, he said it wouldn't do.
+Youall will never have a chance at the Treasure."
+
+"No? Just wait and see what happens," taunted Arnold. "They say there's
+many a slip between the cup and the saucer. Watch us."
+
+"You are right, I'll watch you," declared the outlaw. "When we let you
+go this time, you'll say Good Bye for keeps."
+
+"You can't let things come any too swift for us," boasted Harry. "We are
+from Chicago, and if you've ever been on a Halsted street trolley at six
+o'clock of an evening, you'll know what we live on. Send along your hard
+times. We eat those things."
+
+"Maybe," gritted Lopez. "You boys better sharpen your teeth."
+
+With this he left the cabin with instructions to Doright to watch the
+boys and not permit any talking or communication.
+
+Doright was at least faithful to his trust. After one or two attempts
+the boys gave over trying to engage the negro in conversation. Becoming
+cramped in their sitting positions, they shortly stretched themselves on
+the floor and presently were fast asleep. Awakened later by a rough hand
+on their shoulders, they sat up in bewilderment. The chains on their
+legs soon apprised them of their location and surroundings. Lopez stood
+over them.
+
+"Unlock 'em, Doright," he commanded. "Get the hand irons on 'em first
+and watch out, for they're tricky. They may get you."
+
+The boys were marched out of the little cabin and down to the river,
+where they boarded a boat under the direction of Lopez.
+
+Doright at the oars had plenty of work to pull the craft with its heavy
+load. At last they approached a vessel lying at anchor in the stream.
+Lopez's hail brought an answer immediately.
+
+"Up you go," commanded the outlaw to the boys, as Doright loosened the
+shackles. "Over the rail with you now and no monkey work."
+
+So deeply loaded was the schooner--a large three-masted vessel--that the
+boys had little difficulty in reaching her rail and vaulting it.
+Arriving on deck they found an officer and two or three members of the
+crew standing ready to receive them.
+
+"Well, here are the three men you wanted," stated Lopez to the officer.
+"I had hard work gettin' them, but they wanted a vessel bad so I signed
+'em on. Now to settle up if you please."
+
+"Take these men forward, Johnson, and break 'em in," commanded the mate,
+passing some money over to Lopez. "Get a jump on 'em."
+
+A tug took the schooner in tow. As she passed the shipyard Charley
+whistled, "Bob White." The mate's fist descended on his head.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+TREACHERY EXPOSED
+
+
+"He didn't say," replied the watchman. "He left this letter."
+
+Proffering an envelope to Jack the watchman passed on to his duties.
+Apparently he had lost all interest in the missive.
+
+Jack looked blankly at his comrades. He held the letter in his hand
+unopened, while the others crowded closer.
+
+"Open it up, Captain," urged Tom. "Let's get at this mystery at once.
+We're usually shrouded in so much mystery you could cut it with a knife.
+What's the good news? Is the treasure discovered?"
+
+"Quit your joking, Tom. This may be more serious than we think. Wyckoff
+is not writing letters for the fun of it. He means business."
+
+"I can testify to that," declared Frank. "He surely does mean business.
+This treasure stuff is actually real to Wyckoff."
+
+"And that's what makes him so dangerous," Jack mused. "He's really
+deluded himself into thinking there is a treasure and that it should
+rightfully belong to him. Therefore he gets desperate when he imagines
+anyone is trying to take it from him. He's bad medicine."
+
+"Well, let's get at the letter," cried Tom impatiently.
+
+"Yes, open it up, Jack, and let's hear what he has to say."
+
+"Well, here it is," Jack replied unfolding the paper. "He says: 'For the
+last time, go back. Your pals are put out of the way and you are next.
+The treasure belongs to me and I'm going to have it.'"
+
+"That's a pretty 'howdedo,'" declared Tom as Jack's voice ceased. "I
+suppose he thinks a Boy Scout will up and go right home."
+
+"Evidently he doesn't believe any such thing, but just to be on what he
+calls the safe side, he's sent this warning."
+
+"What did he sign it? Does he leave any address for an answer?"
+
+"Not an address," declared Jack. "It's a pretty poor thing to scare a
+lot of Boy Scouts with, but I suppose it was the best he could do. It
+wasn't quite up to his standard of boring holes in boats, though. This
+is rather mild for Wyckoff."
+
+"That reminds me," announced Tom. "We'd better have them drop the
+Fortuna into the water as quickly as we can, for she won't improve any
+where she is and we may want to make a quick getaway."
+
+"Bright boy," Jack responded. "We'll do that same and then go uptown for
+some more supplies. I wonder where we can get some gasolene. We ought to
+have a wagon load of the stuff."
+
+"Yes, we surely need it and if we get any more of that Madero lad on
+board we'll need to have a wagon go along with us."
+
+"Wonder where he is now," Frank mused. "He certainly was a great lad. He
+didn't look so bad at heart. He looked to me as if he had gotten into
+bad company and didn't know the way out."
+
+"He's a bright fellow, surely," agreed Jack. "Now let's get to work.
+Where is the foreman? We'll need him first."
+
+In due course the necessary steps were taken and the Fortuna was again
+in the water. Not even an expert could have discovered the place where
+Wyckoff had bored the hole that so nearly cost the lives of the lads
+aboard the trim craft. She was again seaworthy.
+
+A trip to the business part of town was made to select necessary
+supplies and order a stock of fuel. This occupied the better part of the
+day, for the lads were careful in their buying. They were well posted as
+to value and refused to allow the local merchants to overcharge them for
+any goods.
+
+At length the supplies were all aboard and stowed in their places. The
+gasolene wagon had driven away and the boys felt more confident with
+full lockers and gasolene tanks.
+
+"We're ready for a night's rest and a long cruise," declared Tom, as the
+boys sat down to a supper of fried fish, sweet potatoes and coffee. A
+bone from the nearby butcher shop had been provided for Rowdy who lay
+upon a newspaper spread in a corner of the cabin, munching in peace. His
+manner recently had been quite composed. Everything about the Fortuna
+seemed to speak of peace.
+
+How little the boys knew what a few more hours held in store for them.
+How unfortunate, indeed, were they that the knowledge of future events
+was withheld. They might not have enjoyed the supper so much had they
+been aware of all that was to transpire.
+
+Discussing the events of the past few hours, speculating upon the
+possible location of their chums, making plans for the future, the boys
+sat late about the table. Rowdy fell asleep over his bone. At last Tom
+jumped up, declaring he would wash the dishes if the others would sweep
+and put the cabin to rights.
+
+Busily the boys went at their tasks and soon the Fortuna was once more
+"Ship shape and Bristol Fashion," as Jack loved to say.
+
+"What do you suppose Wyckoff meant when he said our pals are out of the
+way and we are next?" questioned Frank, a trifle uneasily, as his mind
+traveled back to the last time he had seen Charley and his launch the
+"Spray." "Do you suppose he meant--"
+
+"Nothing of the sort," interrupted Jack. "Unless it was an accident, I
+can't believe that those villains would make away with the boy as you
+mean. I think he is alive and well, but being detained by Wyckoff and
+his gang until they have a chance to make another effort for this
+mythical treasure. Then the lads will be free."
+
+"Oh, I hope so," fervently declared Frank. "If anything should happen to
+Charley, I could never forgive myself for bringing him down here with
+me. His parents would be prostrated with grief."
+
+"I believe you'll find it to be as I say," Jack continued.
+
+"Sure thing," cried Tom. "Those fellows may be pretty rough amongst
+their own neighbors, and do things that are mighty bad, but when they
+get amongst outsiders, they know that an inquiry would be made to trace
+the chaps who disappear. All three boys are safe, I really believe. At
+least, I'll require positive proof to the contrary."
+
+Presently the boys prepared to retire. They felt quite satisfied to know
+that their home was once more afloat. Jack declared he rested better
+when the vessel was rocked by the waves.
+
+None of the lads slept soundly. Rowdy seemed to have lost his composure
+of a few hours earlier and paced up and down the cabin.
+
+Occasionally one of the boys would start up from his bunk and wander
+about to peer from the windows or pilot house. The moon light flooded
+the town and river, turning the rigging of the ships into silver and
+glittering in dazzling bits of light from the rippling waters. Deep
+black shadows were cast by every object.
+
+Thus up and down the boys were passing a restless night.
+
+"Get up fellows," called Tom at length. "Here's a pretty sight. A
+schooner--I think she's a three master--is leaving town. See the
+fountain of sparks from the tug's smokestack. What a sight it is to see
+those sails going up. I wonder where she's headed for."
+
+"Look at the man away up there in the top," cried Jack.
+
+"And there goes another up the main rigging," put in Tom. "The sails go
+up slowly somehow. I guess she's short handed."
+
+"Maybe she's like many another vessel that my father has told me about,"
+offered Frank. "He has often told me of ships that left port with only
+two or three sober hands besides the captain and officers. When they
+were once outside the harbor and had been dropped by the tug, the mate
+would go to forecastle and rouse out the hands. If they were drunk, he'd
+beat them until they were sober."
+
+"What a terrible thing," cried Jack in horrified tones.
+
+"And then he sometimes has told me of fellows who were shanghaied aboard
+vessels against their will and kept below until so far away that
+swimming back would have been suicide."
+
+"Why didn't they complain when they once got ashore?" asked Tom. "I
+should go right to the American Consul at the port."
+
+"Well, maybe they felt that if they did they would have had fair
+treatment and maybe not. You know a captain of a vessel is king on board
+his boat when they are at sea. He might log a man for mutiny and the
+chap would be glad to run away from the vessel when he landed.
+
+"It must be a tough life on those deep sea craft in spite of all the
+fine stories we read. I don't want to go to sea."
+
+"Right you are, Tom," cried Jack. "But look at the chap, he's headed
+right in for us. I do believe he'll be on us in a minute."
+
+"Sound the Klaxon a little," said Frank. "Maybe he'll sheer off. Why not
+switch on the lights? He might see them."
+
+Quickly this suggestion was followed. Not a moment too soon it seemed,
+for the tug crew had evidently been watching the vessel they were towing
+and had not noticed the Fortuna. A whirl of the spokes by the pilot
+brought the tug on a course away from the motor boat, but the schooner
+had headway enough so that she came right on. By the narrowest margin
+she cleared the Fortuna.
+
+The boys breathed easier as she slipped past them, her bulk looming
+large beside the vessel they occupied.
+
+"What was that?" asked Jack, holding up a hand for silence.
+
+"I didn't hear anything," declared Tom. "What do you hear?"
+
+"I thought I heard it, too," cried Frank. "The Bob White call."
+
+"Where could it have come from? It must be that some of the men around
+here use that whistle," Jack decided. "We've heard it before."
+
+Although the boys discussed the matter thoroughly they could not decide
+where the call could have been sent from and finally again composed
+themselves for sleep, after extinguishing all but the riding or anchor
+light gleaming at the head of their signal staff.
+
+Morning was just breaking when they were again aroused. This time a tap
+at a window brought Rowdy to attention and made Jack spring to his feet
+in alarm. In a boat sat Doright, the negro.
+
+"What do you want?" demanded Jack. "Can we do anything for you?"
+
+"No sir, Boss, youall caint do nothin' for me," answered the negro,
+rolling his eyes upward. "Mebbe youall kin do something for them
+pardners of yourn! They done gone away."
+
+"Gone away!" gasped Frank, now joining Jack. "Gone away!"
+
+"Yaas, sir, Boss, dey done goned away on a ship named the 'Walkfast.' I
+done holp Mister Pete put 'em on board."
+
+"Where is this ship now?" demanded Frank crisply.
+
+"She done lef' a hour or two ago," answered the negro. "If youall wants
+to know where she gwine, go ax de man at de custom house."
+
+"That's a sensible thing to do," declared Jack. "Take this fellow
+aboard, while I go up to the custom house and find where the ship
+Walkfast was bound for and if this chap is not lying, we'll take a
+little cruise for an appetizer. Don't let him get away."
+
+In a few minutes Jack came running back breathless. He made haste to get
+aboard, signaling for the boys to hoist the anchor.
+
+Not a second was lost in getting the Fortuna under way with her nose
+pointed out to sea. After the engines had been set whirling Jack
+recovered his breath and explained that the vessel had been the schooner
+"Quickstep," that had so nearly wrecked the Fortuna. Her clearance was
+for New York and she was heavily laden with lumber.
+
+"We can make about three miles to his one," Jack explained. "We're about
+three hours behind him so we ought to catch him in about an hour or so
+from now unless he steers a course different from that taken by other
+vessels. He's heading for the Dry Tortugas."
+
+"Shall we boost the engines a little?" urged Tom.
+
+"No; better let them go as they are," replied Jack. "Every machine has
+what I'd call an 'economy notch.' Beyond that on either side more work
+may be done, or less, but at the expense of straining the engines or
+fuel or something. They're doing excellent work right now, so let's not
+disturb them. It won't be long now."
+
+The minutes seemed to drag like hours, however, to the boys. The glasses
+were constantly used by Tom, who was perched on top of the pilot house,
+sweeping the water for a trace of a sail.
+
+"I see her," he shouted. "I mean Ship Ahoy. No, Sail Ho."
+
+Directly the Fortuna overhauled the vessel they pursued.
+
+"I want to speak to your captain," hailed Jack.
+
+"Keep off, or I'll shoot," replied the mate at the rail.
+
+"Bob, Bob White," came a whistle from the rigging.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+RESCUED AT SEA
+
+
+"Bob, Bob White," replied Frank from the Fortuna. "Oh, there you are,
+Charley. Thank God. Oh, come down and come aboard."
+
+"Yes, he'll come aboard," vociferated the mate in a coarse voice. He was
+a brutal looking fellow, to whom the boys instantly took a violent
+dislike. "He'll stay where he is and so will you."
+
+With these words he drew from the pocket of his trousers a revolver of
+old style, but of aspect fully as vicious as its owner. It was of large
+calibre, and from the way in which the mate handled it he was evidently
+familiar with its use.
+
+But Jack was not to be daunted so easily. Stretching the truth a bit,
+perhaps, he replied to the threat of the mate:
+
+"Oh, well, if you feel like bucking the government, go ahead. I can't
+sink you with this craft, or you'd be at the bottom in a jiffy. But you
+know what it means to disobey orders of an officer."
+
+At this the fellow perceptibly weakened. But because the members of the
+crew had overheard his threats and feeling like so many cowardly bullies
+do that he must make good his word, even though in the wrong, he again
+shook the menacing revolver and shouted:
+
+"You fellows keep off or I'll shoot. You can't steal my crew. I'm a
+bucko mate, I am. You better sheer off."
+
+"Drop that gun, you villain!" cried Charley Burnett, high up in the
+schooner's rigging. At his words the mate turned.
+
+Instantly a ringing voice from the Fortuna called out:
+
+"Now I've got the drop on you! Let that gun go and tell the captain I
+want to talk to him or I'll have to shoot."
+
+Tom was perched on top of the Fortuna's pilot house with a rifle in his
+hands, the muzzle pointed straight at the mate.
+
+When the coward saw that he was indeed covered by a weapon in the hands
+of a determined person, his grasp on his own means of offense loosened,
+permitting the revolver to drop to the deck.
+
+Seeing that he was for the time worsted he tried to cover his confusion
+with a grin that was more of a snarl.
+
+"Better send for your captain and be quick about it," cried Jack
+impatiently. "We can't afford to burn up good gasolene chasing you. Move
+quickly and it will be better for you."
+
+Ungraciously the mate dispatched one of the hands to call the captain
+who appeared on deck directly in a not very good humor.
+
+When he saw the boys in their neat uniforms, however, and observed the
+trim appearance of the craft alongside his own vessel, his manner
+changed. He approached the rail and hailed:
+
+"Launch, Ahoy! What can I do for you?"
+
+"I must speak with you on important business, Captain."
+
+"All right, sir. If you'll bear off a little, I'll heave to and you may
+come aboard. I'm heavily laden and on short time, but I'll spare you a
+few moments if you can be brief."
+
+In a short time the schooner lay quietly upon the water, with the
+Fortuna ranged alongside. Fenders had been put overboard by the
+Fortuna's crew in order to protect the paint on the launch.
+
+Jack was received by the captain, who met him with a smile and hearty
+handshake of welcome. The situation was soon explained by Jack, who won
+the captain's heart by his straightforward, manly appearance and by his
+directness of speech.
+
+"So we've got some of your chums who have been shanghaied?" queried the
+captain, when Jack had finished his recital.
+
+"It looks that way, Captain," Jack announced.
+
+"Well, what are you going to do about it?" inquired the master of the
+sailing vessel in a tone intended to be severe.
+
+Jack was watching his new acquaintance closely and thought he detected
+just the suspicion of a twinkle in the captain's eye.
+
+"He's playing for time to try me out," thought the lad rapidly. "He
+wants to see what I'll do in case of refusal."
+
+Outwardly he gave no indication of what was in his mind, but appeared to
+be pondering the situation deeply. At length he said:
+
+"Captain, I'll have to leave it up to you. We want our chums who are
+aboard your vessel. I don't know what the marine law is nor whether we'd
+have a right to seize them by force if we were able. So I think I'd
+better leave it to you. What shall we do, Captain?"
+
+"Well, when you put it that way," replied the Captain, reaching for
+Jack's hand and seizing it in a hearty grasp, "I think you'd better take
+the lads and with them my apology. Will that do?"
+
+"Captain, you're a brick," shouted Jack, forgetting for a moment in his
+enthusiasm the difference in their rank. The next moment he was all
+confusion over his breach of etiquette.
+
+Laughing, the captain preceded him up the companion-way and called to
+the mate. He then ordered the boys who had been shipped aboard the
+"Quickstep," released and turned over to the captain of the Fortuna.
+This was done much to the mate's disgust.
+
+There need be no doubt as to the heartiness of the greetings that passed
+between the separated members of the Beaver and Bob White Patrols once
+they were united again. Introductions followed hastily.
+
+As the "Quickstep" sailed away on her course again, the crew of the
+Fortuna gathered on top of the cabin and waved a farewell, cheering
+until they were hoarse. At length Jack called them below.
+
+"How about some eats?" queried Tom. "I'm so empty I'd make a first rate
+drum. I declare I haven't had anything to eat in weeks."
+
+"Rubber," shouted Harry. "Stretch it. You mustn't fib."
+
+"Well, I mean it seems that long," declared Tom. "Who'll be the cook?
+Shall we run slowly until breakfast is ready?"
+
+"That's a good idea," Jack answered. "Let's run under a check until
+breakfast is over, then we'll make good time straight for Biloxi."
+
+"Hurray, we're homeward bound," shouted Tom. "Hurray again!"
+
+"Shower bath first," cried Arnold, dragging out the hose.
+
+What a glorious morning that was. Doright laughed until he could laugh
+no more to see the antics of the boys who took turns holding the hose on
+each other. The sun was just up clear of the horizon ushering in a day
+that promised to be beautiful. Only a slight swell was running on the
+Gulf giving the boys an excellent opportunity for a shower bath on deck.
+They availed themselves of the opportunity and frolicked about to their
+heart's content.
+
+At length the boys produced the brushes and proceeded to scrub the
+Fortuna until she shone--as Tom put it--"like a new bottle."
+
+Jack volunteered to act as cook, drafting Arnold to assist because of
+the extra number of mouths to be fed. Doright stayed about the
+kitchenette, taking in every detail of the splendidly equipped boat. To
+his eyes, unaccustomed to anything of the sort, the vessel was splendid
+beyond compare. He was charmed.
+
+Presently breakfast was served. All did ample justice to the shrimps,
+sweet potatoes and chicken gumbo that Jack had prepared. The excellence
+of the coffee was remarked by all.
+
+At length the boys, having eaten their fill, spread the remains of the
+breakfast for Doright. He had been serving as the boys ate.
+
+"If there isn't enough breakfast for you. Doright, we'll make some
+pancakes for you," Jack offered in a friendly tone.
+
+"Thankee, Boss. Ah guess there's more'n Ah kin eat," protested Doright.
+"Ah haint no heavy eater, nohow. Ah just lunches."
+
+Leaving the negro to satisfy his appetite and wash the dishes, the boys
+repaired to the pilot house for a conference. There detailed
+explanations of all that had happened since Harry and Arnold left for a
+fishing trip were made, while Frank Evans and Charley Burnett told their
+story of the incidents in which they had been concerned.
+
+"I'm puzzled over two things," stated Jack at length.
+
+"What are they?" queried Arnold. "Ask me, I can tell you."
+
+"First, I'm puzzled over the sudden turn of front in Doright."
+
+"That's a fact," was Tom's rejoinder. "He has turned his coat mighty
+sudden. I wonder what caused him to do it. Let's ask him."
+
+This was no sooner proposed than it met with instant favor. Doright was
+called from his labor to join the meeting.
+
+"Doright," Jack began in a kindly tone. "We have had reason to believe
+that you were opposed to us in times past. We knew that you were working
+against us and that you helped make prisoners of these lads here. Now
+what we want to know is, why should you turn about and tell us when they
+were just being put out of the way?"
+
+Breathlessly the boys all leaned forward to catch the story.
+
+"Well, sir, Boss, hit's jess like this here," began Doright. "Mah name's
+Doright Abraham Jefferson Davis Canaan. Ah fergit the rest. Ever sense
+Ah was little Ah been told by mah mammy to do right--Doright! Dat's mah
+name and Ah tries to do right."
+
+"Thanks," smiled Jack. "Now tell me why you changed so."
+
+"Well, sir, Boss, Ah jest seen that these yere boys wuzn't no men. Ah
+wuz willin' to let Lopez take the boys and shet 'em up an' all that. But
+when hit come to puttin' of 'em aboard a bucko schooner, Ah says to
+mahse'f, Ah says: 'Doright, dat haint right.'"
+
+"Yes, and what then? Why didn't you take them off the ship?"
+
+"She done gone. So Ah jest says to Mister Pete--dat's Lopez--Ah says,
+'Mr. Pete,' Ah says, 'youall better git them boys back,' an' Mr. Pete he
+done fotch me a clip over the haid with his'n gun an' Ah specs Ah got a
+bump right there now. 'Course Ah done hit Mr. Pete then and so Ah come
+on down to see youall. Mr. Pete he won't come to for a long time. Don't
+no-body come to for for a long time when Ah hits 'em. Ah don't know mah
+own strength dey tells me."
+
+"So, that was it, eh?" observed Frank. "Conscience got to hurting a
+little and we owe the presence of this united band of Boy Scouts to our
+friend Doright. Boys, I move three cheers for Doright! Give them real
+heartily now, as if you meant it."
+
+The ringing cheers went echoing across the waters of the Gulf, bringing
+a grin to Doright's black face. He scarcely caught the entire meaning of
+this tribute, but he sensed the import of it.
+
+"I think we'd better give Doright a little souvenir," Frank suggested.
+"Doright, what would you like to have best of all?"
+
+Doright considered deeply, scratching his head meanwhile. At length he
+looked up with a smile spreading across his face.
+
+"Ah reckon I'd like best to jes' cook an' clean upon this here boat. She
+sure am a fine boat and Ah wouldn't be in the way a littlest bit. Ah
+could sleep down in here by the engines or on deck."
+
+"All right, Doright," answered Jack. "We'll have to consider the matter
+a while. We'll let you know later. You may go now."
+
+After the negro's disappearance toward the cabin, the boys again
+gathered about Jack, eager for the next development.
+
+"After Doright's lucid explanation, I think we have reduced our troubles
+to just one," he announced in a tone of finality.
+
+"Just one trouble on earth," shouted Harry. "Oh my!"
+
+"And what, pray, might that be?" queried Frank.
+
+"That is just the question of whether or not there really is a treasure
+and if there is whether or not it is getatable, and whether Wyckoff and
+Lopez and their gang of rascals will make us the trouble they have been
+trying to make if we endeavor to get the chest."
+
+"Well," speculated Charley, "if there isn't a treasure, there might just
+as well be one for Wyckoff and Lopez and their gang believe there is
+one, and they're ready to fight to the last breath to get it."
+
+"They're surely scrappers," Arnold announced. "We know that."
+
+"Yes," agreed Harry, "they're scrappers from the very word."
+
+"Look at what we've had to contend with before we fairly start."
+
+"What I'm worried about," Jack announced, "is that although Lawyer Geyer
+gives minute instructions about everything else he doesn't give any
+information as to the site of the chest. The fort must have been an acre
+or so in extent, yet he doesn't say whether it was buried in this corner
+or that, or out near the wood shed or what."
+
+"We'll have to dig it all up," laughingly declared Frank.
+
+"I can fix that," boasted Harry. "I know exactly the spot where we
+should turn the first shovelful of earth."
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+A FRIEND AND AN ENEMY
+
+
+"Yes, you know all about this business," scorned Arnold. "I'll wager you
+were there when the stuff was buried."
+
+"No I wasn't there, but I know where to dig just the same. I can tell
+you within two feet of where the chest was planted."
+
+"Harry," Jack said soberly, "this is getting to be almost too serious a
+matter to joke about. If you have any information that would be of help
+to us, let's have it, but don't joke us."
+
+"I'm not joking," bridled Harry. "I've got some information that I
+believe to be pretty near the exact thing we're looking for. I got it
+from a man who wouldn't have parted with it for his right hand if he'd
+known about it, so I think it is all right."
+
+"Where did you get it and what does it look like?"
+
+"I got it in the cabin in the woods that was burned down. When Lopez
+left us that time to go for Wyckoff in order to have his captives
+appraised and disposed of, I remembered that I had seen him just before
+supper step over to a chest in the corner of the room. He unlocked the
+chest, took an envelope from his pocket, put it in the chest and dropped
+the lid. It was a spring lock for he didn't lock it again, but tried it
+to see if it was fast."
+
+"So, of course, you picked the lock and stole his time card."
+
+"Wait, Tom," cautioned Jack. "Let Harry finish his story."
+
+"So, of course," went on Harry, "when we were getting loose I forgot all
+about the paper until the place was afire. Arnold went out of the cabin
+and I was at his heels, but remembered the envelope. I wanted that badly
+just then, so I snatched up a great piece of firewood and with a few
+blows shattered the top of the chest. It had a tray that was nearly
+empty except for the thing I sought. There it lay, ready for me to take.
+So, of course, I took it. I stuffed it inside my jacket while we climbed
+out and then in the darkness I put it into an inside pocket where it has
+been ever since. Lopez forgot to search us very diligently or he would
+surely have discovered it."
+
+"What does it look like and do you think it has any information we could
+use?" inquired Jack, intensely interested.
+
+"I don't know what the thing inside is made of," answered Harry
+producing the article. "It looks like leather of a peculiar kind and on
+it are black marks. If it were not for one thing, I'd have passed it up
+entirely. Over in the corner are the words--'Biloxi Bayou.' Then the
+rest was as clear as mud."
+
+"Let's take a look at it," requested Arnold. "We all want to see what
+it's like. If it was left by a Spaniard, it's no use to us, for we can't
+read Spanish and when Harry says he read it, I can't believe he knows
+what he's talking about. He can't read Spanish."
+
+"I can read this all right," protested Harry, "and so can you. It's very
+simple. Here's a mark and there's a mark and that's all."
+
+He now spread the chart open above the binnacle so that the boys all
+might look at it. As he had said, it was a piece of soft Spanish leather
+left white by the dyer but now yellowed and darkened somewhat with age.
+In rather uneven lines were traced roughly the location of certain
+objects intended obviously to be trees. Certain of these were ranged in
+line like the range lights used by mariners when entering or leaving a
+harbor. At a spot where two lines of ranges crossed, which was evidently
+near the water's edge, was a rough sketch of a box. Evidently no words
+were needed.
+
+"I see it all as plain as day," declared Arnold. "This old chap selected
+a spot at the intersection of two ranges using big trees--maybe live
+oaks--then he dug a hole and buried the chest. It is right where the
+tide comes up so no one would think of looking there for it! He was a
+wise old chap."
+
+"Then we'll have to go there when the tide's out."
+
+"No, I don't think so. I have another idea," Jack put in, "but it's so
+foolish that we better forget it. Anyhow, I believe the fellow tried to
+say that the box was buried just at the high water mark."
+
+"All right, let it go at that," returned Harry. "If the box is there and
+the trees are there, that's all we want. We can get it."
+
+"If Wyckoff and his gang don't get there first."
+
+"What I want to know," Charley spoke up, "is what makes this line and
+the others, too, so uneven. They are soaked right into the leather and
+looks as if the ink hadn't run evenly."
+
+"Frank," queried Jack, "what do you make of it?"
+
+"I'd hate to say right out," Frank answered, "but it looks to me like
+the old Don had run out of ink and used a little red ink from the arm of
+one of his trusty followers. A little hot water would set it and turn it
+black so it would never fade."
+
+"That's horrible," shuddered Tom. "I don't like to think of such a
+thing. It makes me shivery all over just to think of it."
+
+"Well, we'll get over to Biloxi as soon as we can and look over the
+ground. When we think we've located the treasure, we'll just shove a
+spade into the sand and up'll come the dollars."
+
+"Sure, Tom, you've got it all doped out to a dot."
+
+"Where are we now? Seems we ought to be nearly to Biloxi by this time.
+We've been hitting up a pretty good pace."
+
+"We've got a long ways to go yet. There's Pascagoula over there on the
+starboard side now. We ran some little distance to the east."
+
+"Sail ho," sung out Charley who was keeping a lookout from the top of
+the pilot house. "I see a man in a row boat."
+
+"Where away?" asked Jack.
+
+"Almost dead ahead! He's not rowing very hard."
+
+"How shall I head to pick him up?" Jack questioned.
+
+"Just a trifle to starboard. There. Steady as she goes."
+
+In a short time the Fortuna driven by her powerful engines came up to
+the rowboat. As the boys approached the lone occupant of the skiff all
+were eager to see who it might be.
+
+"Some early morning fisherman," ventured Arnold.
+
+"He isn't fishing," declared Harry. "He's resting on his oars."
+
+Harry now mounted to the pilot house roof and took the glasses.
+
+"I know that chap," he cried. "Better starboard your helm and go to port
+of him. We don't want to get any closer to that chap."
+
+"Who is it, Harry?" asked Jack.
+
+"Little Simple Simon Sorefooted Carlos Madero at your service."
+
+"He got run over once by getting in the way of this vessel. I wonder if
+he's trying it again," mused Jack, holding the Fortuna on her course.
+"We've got crew enough now so that we can mount guard over him day and
+night if we want to. Let's pick him up and see what he knows. We can
+easily tow his skiff along."
+
+"Sure! Let's pick up a shark or two! Let's explode some dynamite in the
+cabin. Let's drill holes in the ship. Let's anything."
+
+"Now don't get sarcastic, if you please. Madero didn't do all those
+things. He tried something once and didn't make it work."
+
+"Yes, and he got a sore foot, too! He's out here for more."
+
+Answering the hail from the Fortuna, Madero, for it was he, asked to be
+taken aboard. He seemed weak and unable to help himself. When his
+condition became apparent the boys were all sympathy. They quickly
+helped him over the rail and then took his boat in tow.
+
+"What's on your mind, Madero?" laughed Jack. "How are you?"
+
+"I want first of all to tell you fellows how sorry I am I ever did
+anything to harm you. I believed that you were some terrible creatures
+come down here to rob and pillage and torture the natives. I had been
+told by Wyckoff that if you caught me alone you would not hesitate to
+kill me. He made me believe I was doing something creditable when I
+attempted to destroy your boat."
+
+"Well, that's all right, Madero. We forgive you."
+
+"And I want to say that I came aboard your boat the other night to
+finish what Wyckoff and I both had failed to do earlier. When you boys
+were so kind to me after my accident I hadn't the heart to hurt you. I
+returned to Wyckoff and refused to do any more. He then had me taken
+back into the country and put into the chain gang where the negro
+criminals are worked on the public highways."
+
+"The brute," exclaimed the boys almost in chorus.
+
+"And when I made a trifling mistake," went on Carlos, "the foreman had
+me stretched over a log and whipped like an animal. My back has been
+bleeding badly and I hoped I might find you to help me again if you can
+bring yourselves to do it. I don't deserve it."
+
+"Sure, we'll help you if we can," stoutly maintained Harry.
+
+"How did you happen to be away out here?" asked Jack.
+
+"When I got away from the chain gang, I went to the shipyard and asked
+for you. The foreman is furious. He says you jumped your bill. I found
+out that you had headed to the eastward and I at once concluded you had
+pursued the schooner. Then I thought you'd be coming back, headed for
+Biloxi. So I waited."
+
+The boys now tenderly removed the clothing from Madero's bruised and
+bleeding back. Cruelly had the lash torn the flesh. Their first aid
+chest was speedily opened and soothing lotions and ointments applied.
+Their work was skillfully and quickly done.
+
+Madero's gratitude knew no bounds. He could scarcely restrain the tears
+as he tried to thank the boys for their kindness.
+
+"Do you happen to know anything about what the gang did with our launch,
+the 'Spray'?" inquired Frank. "I hope she's not lost."
+
+"I think you'll find her at Biloxi," answered Carlos. "They were going
+to take here there and hide her until this matter had blown over. They
+might have repainted her and sold her under some other name after a
+while, but at present she's there, I believe."
+
+"That's good news," declared Charley. "I like that boat."
+
+"And you want to watch out," Carlos added, "for a shrimping schooner of
+those fellows. They have left Pascagoula already this morning and are
+headed for Biloxi Bay. They are determined that you shall not, under any
+circumstances, beat them to the treasure."
+
+"So there is a treasure?" asked Jack. "Do you think there is really a
+treasure hidden there, or is it all talk?"
+
+"I don't know," replied Carlos. "They believe the story."
+
+A berth was now turned over to Madero and he was urged to lie down and
+take what rest he could. As he curled up in the berth, Rowdy came in,
+jumped up on the berth and curled up beside the newcomer. Not a sign of
+antagonism did the bulldog exhibit.
+
+"Well, you're all right now," declared Harry. "That bulldog's our acid
+test. When he thinks a fellow is all right, that settles it."
+
+"That is very comforting," declared Carlos. "I hope Rowdy and I become
+great friends. He's a nice dog."
+
+"How's the foot?" inquired Harry. "I forgot to ask before."
+
+"Great," declared Madero. "You boys are fine doctors."
+
+Just at dusk the Fortuna drew into Biloxi bay. The boys had decided that
+a few fish would be required for supper and had run out some distance
+from shore where they threw over their lines with good success. Several
+Spanish Mackerel graced the bag as a result of their efforts. They were
+justly proud of their catch.
+
+Charley and Frank were elected cooks for the evening. With Doright's
+assistance they soon had a fine supper prepared. Fresh mackerel with a
+package of Saratoga chips was the piece de resistance, but the table did
+not lack for comforts. It was noticeable that their appetites were
+increasing. All were feeling in prime condition.
+
+Just before supper was served the Fortuna was tied up alongside the
+wharf of the shrimping factory where the fishing vessels landed their
+cargoes. The electric lights were turned on, presenting a cheerful scene
+as one viewed the craft from shore. Night was falling rapidly and the
+boys were glad they had reached port.
+
+Rowdy interrupted the peaceful scene by growling and moving about
+uneasily. He ran whining from one door to the other.
+
+Madero, who was sitting at the end of the table, glanced up from his
+plate to peer out of a window. With a gasp he fell back.
+
+"There's Lopez!" he cried, pointing through the window.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+A DESPERATE ATTEMPT
+
+
+Doright was standing near the door. Rowdy's excitement now increased to
+a high pitch. He dashed madly to and fro in the cabin.
+
+"I saw the fellow's face for a minute," cried Jack. "Open the door,
+Doright, and let Rowdy out. He wants to meet his friend."
+
+"Go on, dog!" whispered Doright, obeying Jack's order.
+
+Quick footsteps sounded on the wharf. A man was running away. Rowdy lost
+no time in scrambling on deck and from there to the wharf. In a moment
+came a shriek, followed by a shot. The boys shivered in apprehension.
+Their pet was alone in the dark and a shot had been fired. It seemed as
+if they must go to his assistance.
+
+Not many minutes passed before the boys felt the Fortuna rock as a body
+landed on the deck. Rowdy burst into the cabin.
+
+"Look at the boy!" shouted Arnold. "Good old Rowdy! Good dog!"
+
+"What's that he has in his mouth?" inquired Charley.
+
+"That, my friend," explained Arnold, who sat near Rowdy, "is what every
+dog gets when he runs fast--pants."
+
+"Stop your joking, Arnold," cautioned Jack. "Look at that bloody ear of
+Rowdy's. He's been shot. That's some of Lopez's work."
+
+At once a rush was made for the white bulldog. Rowdy seemed to pay
+little attention to the lacerated ear, pierced by the outlaw's bullet,
+but paraded the cabin exhibiting the cloth proudly.
+
+"I do believe he got a piece of Lopez's trousers!" declared Jack
+exultantly. Then giving Rowdy an approving slap he continued, "There's
+one time Lopez got a reminder his presence wasn't wanted."
+
+"True enough," agreed Frank, "but he may return when things have quieted
+down, and when he comes back he may be prepared to do serious damage.
+That gang is desperate and will hesitate at nothing."
+
+"Let 'em come," boasted Arnold, jumping up from his position on a locker
+where he was trying to cajole Rowdy into parting with the souvenir which
+he had brought aboard the Fortuna.
+
+"Yes, let 'em come," stoutly agreed Harry. "There are enough of us here
+so we can stand watch and watch tonight and be prepared to keep off all
+intruders. And we'll use force, if necessary, too."
+
+"It's a problem," Jack said thoughtfully. "I'm sure I don't know what to
+do. Those fellows may contemplate and execute serious damage to the
+Fortuna and to her crew. Again, they may be so near the treasure they'll
+only think of remaining near that to guard it."
+
+"By the way, Jack, where is this fort? Rather, where was it?"
+
+"As nearly as I am able to determine just now, it was located on the
+north side of that point that lies on the east side of the bay. There's
+a bayou sets up to the eastward from that point and it is on the chart
+here as 'Fort Bayou,' so I think that must have been the place. Anyhow,
+that's the place to which I have been directed."
+
+"Here it is," cried Charley, who had been examining the chart. "Here it
+says, 'Old Spanish Fort.' It's just where you said it was."
+
+"Then we'll go over there in the morning, if you like."
+
+"Let's go over there tonight," urged Tom. "There's going to be a fine
+moon and we're all interested, so we won't sleep any."
+
+"Sure! That would be fine," scorned Harry. "All of us go across the bay
+looking for this old treasure and Wyckoff will have a free hand to come
+in and sink the good ship Fortuna."
+
+"We can draw straws and leave a watch here," suggested Tom.
+
+"And Wyckoff or Lopez throw a stick of dynamite over on deck and up in
+the air they'd go! Why not take the Fortuna along?"
+
+"I don't think there's water enough over there," Jack objected.
+
+"Well, then, I'll tell you what we'll do," began Harry, "we'll all of us
+hold an election. Let Doright in on it and Carlos and--"
+
+"Yacht Ahoy!" came a hail from the wharf.
+
+"Answer him, Tom, you're nearest the door," suggested Jack.
+
+"Ahoy there, what do you want?" called Tom.
+
+"Is that the Fortuna?" queried a heavy voice.
+
+"Yes, sir," answered Tom. "What do you want?"
+
+"I'll come aboard, if you please!" replied the stranger.
+
+"Better wait a minute until we can size you up," cried Jack, stepping
+into the pilot house and switching on the searchlight, which he trained
+upon the man standing on the wharf. "We're not unprepared for callers
+and we want to make sure, you know. What do you want?"
+
+"I guess when you see this," laughed the man, exhibiting a star under
+his coat, "you won't object to my coming aboard. I am sorry to say," he
+continued in a tone of mock seriousness, "I am a United States Marshal.
+May I come aboard now?"
+
+"Yes, sir, you may," declared Tom. "But you must excuse us for our
+precaution. We've been through some trying experiences and it's no
+wonder we feel we must protect ourselves."
+
+"Got away from Pascagoula in a hurry, didn't you?" smiled the stranger
+introducing himself as Roger Harrison.
+
+"Yes, we did," stated Jack, introducing the other boys. "We got word
+from Doright, here, that our friends and our friends' friend had been
+shanghaied aboard a schooner and so we went after them and got them,
+too," he proudly stated.
+
+"Well, boys, it seems to me it would have been real easy to stop and pay
+your shipyard charges when you were coming back."
+
+The boys all gasped. In the excitement of rescuing their chums the
+matter of settling their bill at the shipyard had been crowded out of
+their minds. All were amazed and regretful.
+
+"What can we do?" questioned Jack. "I'll jump on a train and go right
+back there and pay them. When is the next train?"
+
+"Don't be in a hurry. Hear the rest," said the Marshal.
+
+"Is there anything worse?" wailed Jack. "I feel real cheap."
+
+"Nothing that you can't get out of, I guess," replied Harrison. "Those
+fellows were indignant when you slipped away so hurriedly and were about
+to telegraph Key West to look out for you when a man named Wyckoff
+approached and said you were headed for Biloxi. They couldn't believe it
+but he swore it was so."
+
+"And so you came down here to get us?" queried Jack.
+
+"I'm stationed at Gulfport, a short distance west of here," replied
+Harrison. "They wired me there and wanted to libel your craft. You know
+the United States protects merchants and workmen by seizing the vessel
+if their bills are not paid."
+
+"But we'll pay it!" stoutly protested Jack. "We have the money."
+
+"I haven't the least doubt of it," declared Harrison. "It was only a
+matter of oversight under the exciting news you got. But tell me," he
+went on, "how did Wyckoff know you were headed for this place? He seemed
+very positive about your destination."
+
+Then Jack gave Harrison the whole story. He omitted nothing that the
+boys considered of importance, even showing Harrison the map. At the
+conclusion of the recital Harrison looked serious.
+
+"Well, boys," he said at length, "you've stumbled onto what seems to be
+a reality, but I always considered it a myth. For years the report has
+been circulated that there was such a treasure and this man Wyckoff and
+Lopez claimed to be blood descendants of the officer who buried it. The
+name on that map would seem to bear them out. But tonight or tomorrow
+night will be the only time you'll have to get at the treasure for
+another year, if the whole tale is true."
+
+"How's that?" breathlessly asked the boys.
+
+"I can't explain the whole thing, for I never attempted to memorize
+details, always believing the story a fairy tale, but as I recall it,
+the moon and tide must both be just right--something like the moon is
+tonight and the tide will be in a short time--and then the ground around
+the chest softens up and the chest comes to the surface for the rightful
+heir to reach out and get it."
+
+"If there's anything at all in that," asserted Jack, "I'll bet the thing
+lays in a bed of quicksand. When the tide is just right it softens up
+and boils. Then any solid substance may be thrown up to the surface.
+Maybe someone has seen a piece of log or some driftwood at some such
+time and that's the way the treasure story started."
+
+"But I have the map," declared Harry excitedly. "What do you make of
+that? You'll have to go some to explain that."
+
+"I guess that's so," sheepishly admitted Jack. "I forgot that."
+
+"Until tonight," stated Harrison, "I never had much faith in the story,
+but this map as a climax to other things is convincing."
+
+Rowdy, who had been lying on a berth with Arnold, now slipped to the
+floor. His whole body became tense and rigid while the hairs on his back
+rose on end. A low, menacing growl issued in subdued notes from his
+throat. His attitude was threatening.
+
+"Watch the dog," whispered Jack. "Look at him."
+
+"Someone's coming," announced Arnold. "He does that only when he gets
+near someone who's a sneak or pirate or something."
+
+"Goodness, I'm glad I'm not a pirate," declared Harrison.
+
+"Get a leash on him," ordered Jack. "He's been shot once tonight and
+that's enough. Get your guns unlimbered, boys."
+
+"I'll keep a lookout on the water," volunteered Frank.
+
+"And I'll watch the wharf," said Tom. "I wish, though," he continued,
+"that the lights were off. I could see better."
+
+"Turn the switch, Charley," was Jack's request. "It's at your hand there
+on the bulkhead. It's the middle one."
+
+"I see him," whispered Tom. "It looks like Wyckoff."
+
+"Slide the door open a crack," Harry suggested, "and get the drop on
+him. If he starts anything, shoot him in the legs!"
+
+"He's laying down a bundle," whispered Charley. "It's only a small
+package. I wonder what he's going to do."
+
+For answer, Wyckoff, for it was none other, deposited the small package
+described by the boy on the bow of the Fortuna. He knelt on the wharf a
+moment leaning over toward the boat. The boys were unable to see him
+well because of the curving lines of the vessel.
+
+"Good heavens!" exclaimed Charley, starting from his post toward the
+bows. "He lit a fuse and has started away!"
+
+"Come back from there," cried Jack in a tone of authority. "Come back
+from there! Do you want to get blown into bits?"
+
+The boys rushed forward to seize their chum and drag him to a place of
+safety. He kept on undaunted. Harrison gazed in open mouthed terror from
+one to the other. All seemed horror stricken at the situation. Rowdy
+tugged fiercely at his leash.
+
+All could now see clearly the sputtering fuse attached to the package
+lying on the forward deck. From the gentle manner in which Wyckoff had
+handled it they guessed its contents. None knew better than the intrepid
+lad approaching the parcel what the result would be were he a second too
+late. Even as he hurried forward a chill seemed to run through his veins
+with the thought of what might happen were he not able to reach the
+package in time.
+
+Harrison often declares that never to his dying day will he forget the
+coolness and excellent nerve displayed by Charley as he approached the
+sputtering fuse on the other end of which lay lurking probable death for
+the whole party. He says that out of all his varied experiences none
+stands forth with more distinctness than does the one through which he
+passed that night on the Fortuna.
+
+Doright was paralyzed with terror and sank limply to the floor, resting
+his head on a bunk and praying as he never had prayed before for
+deliverance. His voice was gone, but his lips worked convulsively while
+his face took on a drawn and haggard expression seeming to visibly
+shrink together, leaving great pouches beneath his eyes and lines
+through his cheeks. He gasped for breath.
+
+In his haste Charley stumbled over the free end of the bow line, made
+fast to the deck cleat. It had been coiled loosely, leaving the free end
+trailing across the deck. Quickly he was up.
+
+Lunging forward again, his arm outstretched, the boy tried to grasp the
+package that was still just out of reach. He made a last fierce lunge
+and grasped the thing. He stood upright. A shower of sparks flew from
+the end of the shortening fuse.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+
+AT THE SPANISH FORT
+
+
+There is no doubt that Charley's bravery and quick action saved the
+Fortuna and her crew. With a mighty effort he flung the package far from
+him. It fell into the waters of the bay with a splash. The next moment a
+muffled roar was heard and a vast column of water was flung skyward. The
+Fortuna rocked in the waves.
+
+"Man overboard!" cried Tom, who had been nearer Charley than any other
+member of the crew. "Throw me a ring buoy!"
+
+He was over the side in a flying leap. He had paused but an instant to
+gauge the spot where he believed he would find the other lad. Charley's
+effort to throw the dynamite as far as possible had resulted in his
+losing his own balance. The severe motion of the Fortuna had completely
+upset him and he had fallen overboard.
+
+Instantly all was activity and bustle. Ring buoys hung in beckets at
+either side of the pilot house. A long line was attached to each. Jack
+tore one of these free preparing to throw it to his chum when he should
+rise to the surface.
+
+"Can he swim?" queried Harrison anxiously coming up the companion-way.
+"If he can't, he'll be in a bad way in this mess!"
+
+"They both are Boy Scouts with medals showing proficiency in the art!"
+declared Harry. "We can all swim," he continued.
+
+"Hurrah, then it won't be so bad! I'm hoping the explosion hasn't
+stunned the boys," cried Harrison hopefully.
+
+"There they are," shouted Frank. "Can you see them?"
+
+"I see them," Jack answered, throwing the ring buoy with true aim.
+"Stand by to help them aboard. Charley needs help!"
+
+Dashing the water from his face, Tom seized the ring buoy and with its
+assistance supported Charley's face free of the surface until drawn to
+the side of the Fortuna and relieved of his burden.
+
+First aid methods were speedily applied. Charley was placed face down
+upon the deck, where the boys took turns applying the means of
+resuscitation known as the Shaefer method. Harrison stood by in wonder
+observing every move. At length he became discouraged.
+
+"I'm afraid, boys, it's no go," he said. "He doesn't seem to be coming
+around at all. The explosion must have hit him hard."
+
+"He may be a long time coming, but we're going to keep at it in relays
+until we're all exhausted. He gave himself for us and we're prepared to
+do the same for him. He's done his good turn today."
+
+"You're right, boys; he certainly has," declared Harrison. "Now, I'm
+bigger than you lads and if you'll show me how to do the work, I'll
+help. Maybe I could squeeze more water out of him than you."
+
+Under Harrison's manipulations directed by the boys, Charley presently
+showed the flicker of an eye. They worked faithfully over him for a
+considerable time and were at last rewarded by having him on the road to
+recovery from his enforced bath and attendant experience. He had fallen
+into the water just as the explosion came.
+
+"Well, Wyckoff won't plant any more dynamite here this evening I hope,"
+declared Frank. "That's the second attempt on the Fortuna tonight and
+I'm going to take the first watch. We'll see if he does any more while
+I'm on guard. I'm tired of this."
+
+"It must be getting on into the shank of the evening--I see the moon.
+What is the hour?" asked Jack from the forward deck.
+
+As if in answer to his query the marine clock chimed two bells.
+
+"Two bells," called Harry. "Nine o'clock for landsmen."
+
+"We'd better be getting over to the fort if we're going," urged Arnold.
+"We should not wait around here all night."
+
+"Wait a minute," advised Jack. "I think we'd better deliver to Mr.
+Harrison the bundle of dynamite we found aboard the Fortuna at
+Pascagoula. We don't want it aboard here and we have no safe place to
+put it. He'll know what to do with it, won't you, Mr. Harrison? You
+understand these things better than we."
+
+"If I had my way, I'd touch it off in the bay here so it would be out of
+harm's way," declared Harrison stoutly.
+
+"But we have no fuse," objected Jack. "If we just drop it overboard the
+stuff may cause damage later on. I don't know what to do."
+
+"Let's get a fuse and cap somewhere and take the stuff over to the
+fort," suggested Harry. "We can find this place shown on the map where
+the treasure lies and dig a ways into the sand, plant the 'soup' and
+blow a hole big enough to take out a wagon load of treasure. That's the
+best way to get rid of it."
+
+"Let's put it to a vote," suggested Jack. "All in favor say--"
+
+A chorus of "ayes" carried the point. The boys were in favor of anything
+that savored of excitement. Their experience with the outlaws for the
+past few days had so nerved them up that any adventure would have been
+welcomed. The prospect of finding the treasure lent added zeal to the
+proposed journey across the bay.
+
+"We'll need a shovel or two anyway," said Frank as the boys hastened to
+make ready for the trip. "Where can we get the tools?"
+
+"Sure enough," cried Tom. "I hadn't thought of that before. I would have
+been just foolish enough to go on over there and not take a shovel with
+me at all. There's an exhibition of brains for you."
+
+"I guess you were no worse off than any of the others," Harry declared.
+"We were all in a hurry to get started."
+
+"Will Doright and Carlos go with us?" inquired Tom.
+
+"We may need them," Jack replied. "Do you want to go, Carlos?"
+
+"Maybe I wouldn't be of any help," Carlos ventured hesitatingly. It was
+evident that he felt timid about joining with the others.
+
+"You'd be the best kind of help," stoutly asserted Arnold, pushing Rowdy
+towards the negro. "Take him, Rowdy," he added with a laugh.
+
+"Ah is not in trouble wid mah feet," protested Doright. "If youall wants
+valuable help, jes' call on me. Mah name's Doright."
+
+"And we'll leave Rowdy here to guard the boat so Wyckoff and his gang
+don't get aboard," suggested Harry, drawing on his jacket.
+
+"You will not," cried Arnold. "Rowdy goes with the crowd."
+
+"We can't all get into the boat," protested Jack. "How shall we manage
+that? Counting Mr. Harrison and Rowdy and Doright and Carlos and Charley
+and Frank and Arnold and Tom and Harry and myself, there's ten of us.
+That's four more than the boat will carry."
+
+"I think I can fix you out in good shape," suggested Harrison, now
+becoming thoroughly interested. "I saw several of those big flat
+bottomed oyster boats a ways back as I came to your vessel some time
+ago. I believe with a little persuasion I could get one."
+
+"Will it take us all?" inquired Harry anxiously.
+
+"I believe it will and more, too, if necessary."
+
+"Then let's get it and be away. I'm getting nervous about the delay. I
+can understand why Wyckoff gets excited at strangers."
+
+Accordingly Harrison departed in quest of the large boat he had seen. In
+a short time the boys heard the sound of oars and discovered him rowing
+the skiff towards the Fortuna.
+
+"I have the boat all right," he cried as he approached the vessel, "but
+there is no painter. We haven't a thing to make fast with."
+
+"We've got plenty of line," asserted Jack. "Tom, suppose you hand up a
+length of that half inch stuff in the lazarette."
+
+"Here's a long piece coiled up. Will that do?" asked Tom.
+
+"Sure," asserted Harrison. "Anything that's long enough. If it's too
+long we'll let the end drag," he added with a laugh.
+
+"Now the shovels and we'll be all right," cried Arnold.
+
+"The man who had charge of the boats has gone after a couple of
+shovels," replied Harrison. "By the time we're aboard, he should be
+here. He hasn't far to go. Are all of you ready?"
+
+"All ready," declared Jack. "The doors are locked, the kitten out, the
+clock wound and everything is snug and comfy."
+
+"He knows how to close up shop," asserted Harry. "Go a voyage with him
+and see if I'm not right! I've sailed with him."
+
+"And the cap and fuse for the dynamite?" asked Frank.
+
+"Here in my pocket," replied Harrison. "I got it from the watchman. He
+wasn't inclined to let me have it as first, though."
+
+"Gee," said Harry. "I'd like to be a United States Marshal."
+
+"It is not altogether a pleasant business," smiled Harrison. "There are
+times when we have disagreeable tasks like the one I had this evening.
+Then there are other tasks that are pleasant like another one I
+anticipate I may have later on this evening."
+
+"Are you after someone else, too?" queried Arnold.
+
+"Well, yes," admitted Harrison. "But I don't know whether or not I will
+be able to locate them. That will, of course, be seen."
+
+"If we can be of any help to you, just let us know and we'll be ready to
+render any assistance possible," offered Jack.
+
+"Thank you, boys; I appreciate your kind offer, and you may be able to
+help me if my suspicions are correct."
+
+"Why, what has Wyckoff been doing?" inquired Tom.
+
+"Who said it was Wyckoff?" laughingly replied Harrison.
+
+"Well, it seems to be mighty plain that it is he."
+
+"Possibly it is he," admitted the Marshal. "There have been some shady
+deals carried through down here lately. Some smuggling and a bad wreck
+and one or two other things that the United States Government feels
+should be explained. Someone must explain."
+
+"Well, we'll help you all we can when the time comes," cried Tom
+heartily. "I'm sure we'll do that."
+
+"Here comes somebody on the wharf," declared Arnold with a hand on
+Rowdy's collar. "Wonder who it is now?"
+
+"That's the watchman," said Harrison. "He's got the shovels."
+
+As the watchman delivered the implements to the Marshal he was requested
+to keep an eye on the Fortuna. This he promised to do.
+
+"I have an idea," explained Harrison in parting, "that the parties I am
+expecting to call will be across the bay, but in case they should come,
+hold them even if you have to resort to violence."
+
+"A few more and we'd have a load," remarked Jack as the skiff with its
+unusual cargo pulled away from the Fortuna. I'm glad there are enough
+boys to go around so we can have one to each oar."
+
+"We have got a crowd, sure enough," admitted Frank. "Did you bring a gun
+with you in case something might turn up?"
+
+"Indeed I have," replied Jack. "I am pretty sure the others have theirs,
+too," he added. A vote of the crowd showed he was right. Every member of
+the Fortuna's regular crew had an automatic.
+
+A short time only was required for the passage across the bay, between
+the supports of the railroad bridge and around the point to a spot as
+near the fort as Harrison deemed best to approach.
+
+"Hello," cried Tom shaking out the line he had brought for a painter,
+"there are two pieces here. One is short and the other a long one. I may
+as well use only the short one."
+
+"Better take the other with you," suggested Jack. "Someone may pass
+while we're away and think they could use it."
+
+"Good idea," assented Tom. "I'll keep it with me."
+
+Not far from where the boys landed they discovered the time-worn
+earthworks of what had once been the old fort. Trees nearly a foot in
+diameter were seen growing on the former breastworks. Everywhere one
+could see that the fort had been long unoccupied.
+
+Harry immediately proceeded to search for the trees that had been used
+as ranges when the map had been made. He was not long in finding what he
+sought. His feet were almost in the waters of the rising tide when the
+spot where the treasure was supposed to be was located. All were visibly
+excited. The prospect was alluring.
+
+"Shall we start to dig a hole here?" asked Tom, shovel in hand.
+
+"Make a little hole and we'll touch off the dynamite."
+
+A short time sufficed to bury the explosive in a good location.
+
+"Let's all stand back now and see what happens," cried Tom.
+
+"Mr. Harrison, show Harry how to light it," requested Jack.
+
+"Stand back; here come Wyckoff and Lopez."
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV
+
+DEFEATED BY GREED
+
+
+Loaded with men, a boat was approaching from the westward. Standing in
+the bow were Wyckoff and Lopez, the two principals in the efforts to
+drive our friends from that neighborhood.
+
+Although the moonlight rendered outlines indistinct to the extent that
+it was impossible to see the exact expressions on their faces, the boys
+could all determine from their tense attitudes that they were intensely
+wrought up by their mission there.
+
+A warning hand was extended by Wyckoff toward the rowers. One of the
+negroes had been clumsy with his oar. The noise of the splash evidently
+grated on Wyckoff's nerves. His very attitude bespoke a nervous energy
+pent up and on the point of bursting forth.
+
+By his side stood Lopez, his trusty rifle in hand. As they saw the
+weapon, the boys who had seen him use it in times past knew that his
+skill with the firearm was marvelous indeed. They knew it would fare ill
+with anyone upon whom he trained it.
+
+"Wonder why they've brought their gang," cautiously whispered Harry into
+Jack's ear. "They've been mighty exclusive until now."
+
+"Hush," cautioned Jack in a very low voice. "These others are simply
+negroes they have picked up somewhere to do the digging. These are not
+men who might thwart the Wyckoff and Lopez purpose."
+
+"Better be careful about your talking," cautioned Harrison. "If all the
+story is true it will be necessary to dig the treasure in silence if it
+is to be recovered at all. Any noise breaks the spell if it occurs
+before the chest is fully out of its cache."
+
+"We won't make any noise, you can be sure of that," declared Harry.
+"We've seen that man Lopez shoot. We know how he does it."
+
+Evidently the men approaching the shore had been fully cautioned in
+regard to the necessity for quiet. The crew sprang out and dragged the
+craft high and dry on the sands, then removed the shovels.
+
+"They mean business all right," declared Arnold in Harry's ear. "See how
+Lopez herds those field hands along with that rifle."
+
+"He just poked one fellow in the back with it," answered Harry. "The lad
+just stumbled a little and Lopez jabbed him in the back. I'll bet that
+fellow's too scared to dig much."
+
+"Look at the fellow," excitedly whispered Jack. "He's going right to the
+spot where we located the treasure. He's got the map in his head, all
+right. He knows just where to dig."
+
+"Gee," shivered Tom, "I'm mighty glad this clump of palmettos here is
+between us and them. With the bright moonlight they'd see us a mile
+away. Wouldn't Lopez have a fit if he saw us?"
+
+Luckily Lopez and Wyckoff were too much occupied with their own affairs
+to investigate the neighborhood for possible spectators. They
+immediately put the men shoveling sand at a great pace.
+
+"I hope they don't dig it up all at once," declared Tom. "Look at the
+way they go at it," he cried. "See them spear their shovels into the
+ground without using their foot at all."
+
+"Hark your loud noise," hoarsely whispered Jack in a warning tone.
+"You'll have the whole gang down on us if you're not careful."
+
+"I forgot," explained the humbled Tom. "But that's a funny way to dig.
+Don't you think so, Mr. Harrison?"
+
+"That's the way they dig down in this country of pure sand."
+
+"Well, all I've got to say is that when I dig--"
+
+What Tom said might have been interesting if it had been heard. But just
+at that instant a shot rang out from the group of workers. The boys
+stared in amazement horrified at the thought of what might have
+happened. In an instant their worst fears were confirmed.
+
+Their startled eyes beheld the negroes dragging one of their number from
+the excavation under the watchful eye and threatening muzzle of Lopez's
+deadly rifle. One of the unfortunate negroes had thoughtlessly broken
+his resolve and had spoken. He had paid dearly for his mistake. Under
+the stern command of the rifle muzzle the others renewed their task,
+glancing apprehensively at the man behind the grim weapon whose
+messengers were all messengers of swift and certain death. They were
+visibly affected.
+
+Instinctively the boys drew their automatics while Harrison possessed
+himself of his revolver and made ready to use it if necessary in self
+defense. No one could guess the result should Lopez discover their
+whereabouts. Their position was now seen to be a most dangerous one, for
+they lay but a few yards beyond the rim of the excavation in which the
+men were working. Lopez was opposite.
+
+"If that man ever sees us here," whispered Harry, "we're gone."
+
+"You're right, we're gone," declared Arnold. "That man don't think any
+more of shooting a man than he did of shooting that big snake. He's
+absolutely bloodless, I believe."
+
+"Look at Wyckoff down in the excavation walking back and forth and
+around," Tom said pointing to the figure mentioned.
+
+"He surely isn't going to let anything get past him," agreed Jack. "He
+walks round and round and round as the men dig."
+
+"And they are digging at a rapid pace, too," Frank put in. "At that rate
+they ought to get the treasure before long."
+
+"I'm a little afraid," Harrison dissented. "It looks bad."
+
+"What looks bad? The two men may quarrel."
+
+"There's always a possibility of that," agreed Harrison, "but I wasn't
+thinking of that. It looks to me that the sand will probably be softened
+by the rising tide. If so, they can't remain in the excavation to dig
+for the treasure at all. They must quit."
+
+"If that happens, I can see some more dead niggers," Tom asserted. "That
+man Lopez seems to be itching to shoot someone. If he is foiled in his
+last desperate attempt to get that treasure, I can see trouble ahead for
+someone who is near him when it happens."
+
+Wyckoff now came out of the hole to join Lopez on the rim of the crater
+made by the toiling negroes. Without saying a word he evidently asked
+Lopez for something to drink, for he made a motion as if drinking from a
+cup, Lopez without taking his eyes off the workers jerked his head in
+the direction of the boat.
+
+"Now what?" asked Frank in wonderment. "Is he thirsty?"
+
+"I don't think so," replied Arnold. "I believe he's going after
+something to stimulate the shovelers. They look as if they were getting
+a little winded. See them slacken down."
+
+Wyckoff returned shortly carrying a jug. This he passed down to the men
+in the pit. Eagerly they reached for the jug, draining great draughts of
+its contents as they paused briefly.
+
+With renewed vigor the work was again taken up.
+
+"If this keeps up," declared Arnold fretfully, "those fellows will have
+all the coin in a minute and not leave any for us."
+
+"Keep your temper," Jack cautioned. "Something may happen--"
+
+The lad was interrupted by a blinding flash, followed by a roar as if
+one of the old Spanish cannons had exploded beside them.
+
+A shower of sand fell over the boys concealed behind the clump of
+palmettos. Instinctively they all drew closer their fellows.
+
+The ground shook beneath them while all around it seemed to be raining
+sand. As they looked at the spot again they could make out but two
+figures standing. Wyckoff and Lopez were on opposite sides of the pit.
+The negroes were nowhere to be seen.
+
+Wyckoff's face was cut and bleeding while Lopez seemed to have had his
+clothing bodily torn from the upper part of his body.
+
+"What do you know about that?" queried Jack. "What was it?"
+
+"An earthquake," suggested Charley, "or a volcano."
+
+"Volcano nothing," stoutly corrected Arnold. "That was the dynamite that
+Wyckoff planted on the Fortuna in Pascagoula and Jack stumbled over it
+and brought it here and we planted it a moment ago."
+
+"I shouldn't wonder if you're right," agreed Harrison. "It must be that
+one of the negroes struck it just right with his shovel."
+
+"But where are the negroes?" asked Frank.
+
+"I can't see a one. How many were there in the first place?"
+
+"Six," answered Tom. "I counted 'em. One was put out of the way by the
+villain Lopez. That left five in the pit."
+
+"I wonder where they are now," speculated Harry. "They have gone out of
+sight anyhow. Maybe they're all killed."
+
+"If they are, I wonder just how much we'll be at fault," Jack mused
+soberly. "I think we should have warned them that we had put the
+dynamite there," he added thoughtfully.
+
+His words had a depressing effect upon the whole party. They felt keenly
+the possible responsibility for the death of the five men who had been
+striving to earn an honest dollar by hard work. Seeing the effect his
+expression was having upon his comrades, Jack endeavored to correct it,
+but the boys were all very sober.
+
+Rowdy, who had been trying to make himself very small indeed, now
+emerged from his hiding place again to join the watchers.
+
+"I wonder if the explosion has enlarged the hole any," Tom ventured. "If
+it has it may make the work lots easier for us."
+
+"You speak as if we were going to be next on the program," Arnold
+laughed quietly. "Don't be too sure. Things may slip."
+
+"Well," disputed Arnold, "suppose that Wyckoff doesn't do as Lopez wants
+him to do, what then? What's to hinder Lopez shooting Wyckoff and
+getting the treasure chest himself? Tell me that."
+
+"How does that let us in?" queried Frank.
+
+"Well, if they are down and out, don't we get busy?"
+
+"I suppose so, but I believe this treasure has had enough blood spilled
+over it now. I'm getting rather scared about it."
+
+"Look there," cried Jack in a tone that was almost audible to the two
+men at the pit. "It looks as if Wyckoff were going to dig. He's a plucky
+chap all right. We must give him credit for that."
+
+Wyckoff had searched the vicinity and found a shovel. This he was now
+preparing to put to use. He was in the pit in another moment and began
+throwing the sand out. Then he paused!
+
+"That sand's wet," declared Arnold, who had observed closely.
+
+"Tide's away up and probably has seeped through the little sand
+intervening," declared Harrison. "I expected it."
+
+"Why, look at him," hoarsely urged Frank. "He seems to be floundering
+about. Can it be he's in trouble?"
+
+"It would look that way," declared Tom. "I wonder why Lopez don't come
+to his rescue instead of standing there with his rifle."
+
+"He isn't in any danger," declared Arnold. "He's just wading around in
+the soft sand that was loosened by the explosion."
+
+"Don't you believe it," urged Tom rising to his feet. "I believe the
+man's in serious trouble. It looks like quicksand."
+
+"If Lopez would let us, I'd be in favor of helping him."
+
+"I'll tell you what I'll do," volunteered Tom. "I'll make a running
+noose in this line I brought along. You boys cover Lopez with your guns
+and I'll go as close as I can and lasso Wyckoff. We can all get hold of
+the line then and maybe we'll be able to pull him out. It wouldn't be
+right to leave him there to go down."
+
+At that moment Wyckoff seemed to realize his danger. He was, indeed,
+caught in the treacherous quicksand. No doubt the sand had been loosened
+by the explosion to such an extent that although quiet heretofore, it
+was now "quick," and was working to draw into its depths any object
+unfortunate enough to be in its grasp.
+
+Like a thing of life the sand sucked and pulled at Wyckoff's feet. He
+felt himself being drawn into the terrible danger.
+
+"Help. Help," he cried, flinging his arms toward the firmer ground.
+"Pete, give me a hand! I'm going down."
+
+For answer Lopez flung his rifle up. A spurt of flame was his answer.
+Horrified, the boys expected to see Wyckoff drop. To their amazement
+Lopez had missed. Then they saw Wyckoff throw his knife straight at
+Lopez. It struck the man in the forehead.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV
+
+THE TREASURE
+
+
+Lopez staggered back a pace. His rifle fell from his grasp as he
+tottered backward and lay prostrate beside the spot where also lay the
+negro that had earlier suffered at his hands.
+
+Wyckoff's desperate aim had been true. The knife had sped straight to
+its mark and buried its point in Lopez's brain. He was beyond all help.
+But Wyckoff still struggled frantically.
+
+Tom had been busy meanwhile with the length of line brought from the
+boat. It had not been intended for such a purpose, but now the boys were
+glad they had brought it with them.
+
+All with one consent dashed from their position and ran toward the
+unfortunate outlaw, now nearly frantic. As they approached he looked up
+at them. Seized with a fit of coughing, he fell partly forward. Then the
+boys knew from the blood that gushed from his mouth that Lopez's last
+bullet had found its mark.
+
+Tom, undaunted, prepared to throw his lasso. As he did so Wyckoff again
+straightened in a mad effort to tear himself from the terrible sands.
+Then the boys witnessed a curious sight.
+
+It seemed that the depression into which they looked formed a sort of
+bowl partly full, like a bowl of porridge, with Wyckoff struggling in it
+at the side nearest their position. As they looked, the contents of the
+bowl seemed to heave and boil, then turn over and over. Wyckoff started
+down more rapidly while the boiling sands at the other side seemed to
+rise.
+
+Tom quickly flung his noose. His aim was distracted, no doubt, by the
+excitement through which he had just passed. Instead of encircling the
+unfortunate wretch below, he threw the noose beyond. It fell spread
+widely on the boiling sands. It was in such a position that Wyckoff
+could not reach it. He made a despairing effort to grasp the rope and
+then, as the sands about him were boiling and seething, he sank lower
+and lower. At last with a shriek he disappeared and the boys saw him no
+more.
+
+Tom groaned. His effort to save the man who had done so much to bring
+disaster upon himself and his chums was now beyond his reach. Although
+Tom had been doing all that he possibly could to help Wyckoff, he still
+felt keenly the humiliation of his defeat.
+
+Jack, who stood near, laid a consoling hand upon Tom's shoulder. His
+emotion was equal to that of his comrade. All were awed.
+
+It was Carlos who brought them to attention again.
+
+"Look there," he cried. "Look at that chest."
+
+The boys stared in spellbound amazement at the curious sight.
+
+Exactly in the center of the noose of rope lying now half buried in the
+boiling sands rose the end of a box or chest. It plainly showed evidence
+of age. A gasp of astonishment went around.
+
+"Pull in on the line," urged Carlos. "There's your treasure."
+
+Like one in a trance, Tom obediently pulled on the line. The noose
+tightened about the chest. Tom dragged with all his might but was unable
+to move the object. He glanced at the others. They seemed unable to
+move, but gazed with staring eyes at the sight.
+
+"Tail on here, my hearties," cried Tom. "Give us a hand."
+
+Almost instantly the others awoke to the situation and now every hand
+was grasping the line and all were pulling manfully.
+
+Inch by inch they gained. The chest was dragged slowly through the
+boiling sands to the pitside, where it was necessary to raise it to
+firmer ground. The boys dared not go close to the edge for fear of
+starting the sand caving. Their backs were straining under the burden.
+Their hands were burning from their grasp on the line.
+
+"Pull!" gasped Tom, throwing every ounce of his weight into the work.
+"Pull," he gasped again.
+
+The games in which his comrades had indulged hardening their muscles
+were now becoming of benefit to them. The tugs-of-war were showing their
+practical value. No similar number of boys of equal weight could have
+exerted the power that this group did with their trained ability to pull
+all together and keep pulling all the time.
+
+But even as they pulled and felt victory nearly within their grasp they
+realized that the sand was mightier than they. Their strength could last
+but a little while, whereas that of the quicksand was constant. The
+strain was telling on them. It seemed as if only a few more pounds on
+the rope would swing the balance in their favor. And that help was near.
+
+Dashing from the clump of palmettos where he had remained, Rowdy came
+bounding over the intervening space. His fear was now gone and when he
+saw the boys at the pit he seemed to overcome his terror that had been
+so apparent at the time of the explosion.
+
+To his canine mind the boys were playing a game that he liked. A tug of
+war was his pet diversion. Losing no time, Rowdy dashed for his favorite
+position at the end of the rope.
+
+Seizing the line in his strong teeth he settled back on his haunches and
+pulled and growled in an ecstasy of glee. His aid was of no small
+measure. A great mass of active muscle, he lent much to the effort that
+was being applied to the line.
+
+"Hurrah," cried Tom scarcely above a whisper. "It's coming. Just a
+little more now and we'll have it. Pull, boys, pull."
+
+The lads needed no urging. Every one was doing his best. And they were
+rewarded by seeing the end of the chest appear above the rim of the pit.
+It slid over the mound of sand and settled on a firm spot. Rowdy capered
+and leaped among the boys who had flung themselves prostrate on the
+sand. His joy was unlimited.
+
+"Let's get at it, boys," cried Tom. "Bring me an axe and I'll knock it
+open. I'm the original safe cracker."
+
+"What if we put it into the boat and take it aboard the Fortuna before
+we meddle with it," suggested Jack. "We can't get anything more out of
+the pit tonight and I feel like getting away from this place. It seems
+as if I can feel the ghosts of all the departed Spanish and Indians and
+others who passed away at this spot during the last seven hundred years.
+I move we go back."
+
+"Second the motion. It's carried," cried Tom. "Back we go."
+
+The boys lost no time in securing their own skiff and felt no
+compunction against using the boat brought by Wyckoff and Lopez.
+
+Into the larger of these the chest was loaded. The boys of the Fortuna
+went along as personal bodyguard with Rowdy to share the honors.
+Harrison and Carlos with Doright took the smaller boat. In a short time
+they were again on the west side of the bay and had the lights aboard
+the Fortuna glowing.
+
+"I guess, Mr. Harrison, we've been rather fortunate after all," began
+Jack. "It has seemed sometimes as if we were not going to get out of
+some of our troubles, but they all manage to end somehow. How can we get
+rid of that libel?"
+
+"I think I can fix that for you," replied Harrison. "I haven't served
+the papers yet, you know, so if you get the money to the shipyard people
+early in the morning, I'll hold off a while."
+
+"Thank you," heartily responded the lad. "When we get this cover pried
+off, we'll hand you a bucket or so of gold for the bill."
+
+As the lads were prying off the cover of the wonderful chest a hail came
+from the wharf.
+
+"Launch, Ahoy."
+
+"Now what?" petulantly cried Harry. "Always some interruption."
+
+"I think I know that voice," cried Jack. "Ahoy there, Dad."
+
+"Hello, Jack. Have you got anything to eat?"
+
+A hearty laugh followed the question. Jack's father, for it was indeed
+he, knew the appetites of the Fortuna's crew.
+
+"Sure we have," cried the delighted Jack. "When did you arrive?"
+
+"Just now," declared his father. "Mr. Geyer and I came down to see if
+you needed any help and have just walked down from the railroad. Your
+'bus line," he added with a wink, "is not running."
+
+"Oh, I'm so glad you got here," Jack replied.
+
+"Are we in time?" queried Mr. Stanley.
+
+"No, not in time to be of help when we needed you most," Jack answered;
+"but Rowdy took your place. Now we're just getting ready to count the
+money. Want to help?"
+
+"What?" questioned Mr. Stanley. "Surely there was nothing to that story
+about the buried treasure. Geyer," to his companion, "look at what these
+boys have unearthed. Isn't that astounding?"
+
+Introductions all round were followed by a hearty lunch of fish, sweet
+potatoes, canned fruit, corn pone and coffee prepared by Doright, who
+had been at once assigned to the task upon the return of the treasure
+hunters.
+
+Upon opening the chest it was found to contain a quantity of gold and
+other coins, as well as a number of jewels in settings. Mr. Geyer, the
+attorney, who was versed in those matters, informed the boys that the
+coins were of great value because of their age and excellent condition.
+Collectors, he said, would be glad to pay far in excess of their
+original face or intrinsic value.
+
+The gems were beyond his ability to estimate, although he felt sure they
+would return a handsome sum.
+
+"How much do you think we ought to get out of it?" Jack asked.
+
+"Well, after I get my share for outfitting the venture," replied Mr.
+Geyer, "I think there ought to be as much as fifty or sixty thousand
+dollars--perhaps more."
+
+"Hurrah!" shouted Tom. "That's pretty near ten thousand apiece. That's
+quite a bit of money."
+
+"You mean fifteen thousand apiece," corrected Charley.
+
+"I mean what I said--ten thousand," declared Tom. "If this crew of
+pirates lets you and Frank get away without sharing the spoils, I'll
+never sail with them again; so there!"
+
+"Nor I," declared Jack.
+
+"Nor I," stoutly agreed Harry.
+
+"Nor I," chimed in Arnold. "Rowdy isn't saying a word."
+
+So, laughing and at times half crying, the boys talked over the matter
+while they did ample justice to the meal Doright had prepared. Jack's
+father and Mr. Geyer offered to take charge of the recovered treasure,
+and with Mr. Harrison for a guard they felt safe in taking it to a place
+of security after daylight.
+
+With the treasure off their minds, and with the outlaws who had
+attempted their lives out of the way, the boys tumbled into their bunks
+on the Fortuna and slept the clock around. Their nerves had been at high
+tension for some days and they welcomed the opportunity to rest and
+recuperate from the strain.
+
+Carlos was helped to a good position with a lumber company in which Mr.
+Stanley was interested, while the boys voted to buy Doright a cabin and
+piece of land whenever he was ready to settle down.
+
+There followed a couple of weeks of uninterrupted pleasure fishing and
+exploring the islands in the Gulf of Mexico. At length the boys started
+on their way north by way of the Mississippi River, where the Fortuna
+and its crew met various interesting adventures.
+
+What happened is told in the succeeding volume of this series, entitled:
+"Boy Scouts on the Big River; or, the Pilot's Revenge."
+
+
+
+
+
+
+BOYS! OWN A MAN'S
+
+BILLIARD TABLE
+
+SOON PAID AT 10C A DAY
+
+Our handsomely illustrated billiard book--sent FREE to every
+boy--reveals the rousing sport thousands of boys are enjoying _right at
+home_. How their parents praise billiards and _pay to play_ till the
+table is paid for. How any room, attic, basement or loft gives plenty of
+space for a real Brunswick Carom or Pocket Table--now made in sizes from
+2-1/2x5 feet to 4-1/2x9 feet, regulation.
+
+
+[Illustration: BABY GRAND
+Combination Carom
+and Pocket Style]
+
+SUPERB BRUNSWICK
+
+"BABY GRAND"
+
+"Grand," "Convertibles" and "Quick Demountables"
+
+Made of rare and beautiful woods. Not toys--but scientific tables, with
+accurate angles, ever-level bed--life! speed! lightning-action!
+
+Yet our prices are low--due to mammoth output--now $27 upward
+
+PLAYING OUTFIT FREE
+
+Balls, Cues, Cue Clamps, Tips, Brush, Cover, Rack, Markers, Spirit
+Level, expert book on "How to Play," etc., all included without extra
+cost.
+
+30 DAYS' FREE TRIAL THEN 10C A DAY
+
+Our plan lets you try any Brunswick _right in your own home 30 days
+FREE_.
+
+You can pay monthly as you play--terms as low as 10c a day.
+
+Our famous book--"Billiards--The Home Magnet"--shows these tables in
+actual colors; gives prices, terms, etc. The coupon brings it--send
+today!
+
+Mail this for Billiard Book FREE
+
+THE BRUNSWICK-BALKE-COLLENDER CO. DEPT. 332,623-633 S. WABASH AV.
+CHICAGO
+
+Send postpaid, free, color book--
+
+"BILLIARDS--THE HOME MAGNET" and tell about your Home Trial.
+
+    _Name________________
+    _Address______________
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+BOYS' COPYRIGHTED BOOKS
+
+Printed from large, clear type on a superior quality of paper
+embellished with original illustrations by eminent artists, and bound in
+a superior quality of book binders' cloth, ornamented with illustrated
+covers, stamped in colors from unique and appropriate dies, each book
+wrapped in a glazed paper wrapper printed in colors.
+
+
+MOTOR BOAT BOYS SERIES
+
+By Louis Arundel
+
+    1.--The Motor Club's Cruise Down the Mississippi; or, The Dash
+              for Dixie.
+    2.--The Motor Club on the St. Lawrence River; or, Adventures
+              Among the Thousand Islands.
+    3.--The Motor Club on the Great Lakes; or, Exploring the Mystic
+              Isle of Mackinac.
+    4.--Motor Boat Boys Among the Florida Keys; or, The Struggle for
+              the Leadership.
+    5.--Motor Boat Boys Down the Coast; or, Through Storm and
+              Stress.
+    6.--Motor Boat Boys' River Chase.
+
+THE BIRD BOYS SERIES
+
+By John Luther Langworthy
+
+    1.--The Bird Boys; or, The Young Sky Pilots' First Air Voyage.
+    2.--The Bird Boys on the Wing; or, Aeroplane Chums in the Tropics.
+    3.--The Bird Boys Among the Clouds; or, Young Aviators in a
+              Wreck.
+    4.--Bird Boys' Flight; or, A Hydroplane Round-up.
+    6.--Bird Boys' Aeroplane Wonder; or, Young Aviators on a Cattle
+              Ranch.
+
+CANOE AND CAMPFIRE SERIES
+
+By St. George Rathborne
+
+    1.--Canoe Mates in Canada; or, Three Boys Afloat on the Saskatchewan.
+    2.--Young Fur Takers; or, Traps and Trails in the Wilderness.
+    3.--The House Boat Boys; or, Drifting Down to the Sunny South.
+    4.--Chums in Dine; or, The Strange Cruise in the Motor Boat.
+    5.--Camp Mates in Michigan; or, With Pack and Paddle in the Pine
+              Woods.
+    6.--Rocky Mountain Boys; or, Camping in the Big Game Country.
+
+
+For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of 60 cents.
+
+M.A. DONOHUE & CO.
+
+701-733 So. Dearborn Street, Chicago
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+BOYS' COPYRIGHTED BOOKS
+
+Printed from large, clear type on a superior quality of paper,
+embellished with original illustrations by eminent artists, and bound in
+a superior quality of binders' cloth, ornamented with illustrated
+covers, stamped in colors from unique and appropriate dies, each book
+wrapped in a glazed paper wrapper printed in colors.
+
+BOY SCOUT SERIES
+
+By G. HARVEY RALPHSON, of the Black Bear Patrol
+
+    1.--Boy Scouts in Mexico; or, On Guard With Uncle Sam.
+    2.--Boy Scouts in the Canal Zone; or, The Plot Against Uncle Sam.
+    3.--Boy Scouts in the Philippines; or, The Key to the Treaty Box.
+    4.--Boy Scouts in the Northwest; or, Fighting Forest Fires.
+    5.--Boy Scouts in a Motor Boat; or, Adventures on the Columbia
+              River.
+    6.--Boy Scouts in an Airship; or, The Warning from the Sky.
+    7.--Boy Scouts in a Submarine; or, Searching an Ocean Floor.
+    8.--Boy Scouts on Motorcycles; or, With the Flying Squadron.
+    9.--Boy Scouts Beyond the Arctic Circle; or, The Lost Expedition.
+    10.--Boy Scout Camera Club; or, The Confessions of a Photograph.
+    11.--Boy Scout Electricians; or, The Hidden Dynamo.
+    12.--Boy Scouts in California; or, The Flag on the Cliff.
+    13.--Boy Scouts on Hudson Bay; or, The Disappearing Fleet.
+    14.--Boy Scouts in Death Valley; or, The City in the Sky.
+    15.--Boy Scouts on the Open Plains; or, The Round-up not Ordered.
+    16.--Boy Scouts in Southern Waters; or, the Spanish Treasure Chest
+    17.--Boy Scouts in Belgium; or, Under Fire in Flanders
+    18.--Boy Scouts in the North Sea; or, the Mystery of U-13
+    19.--Boy Scouts under the Kaiser; or, the Uhlans in Peril
+    20.--Boy Scouts with the Cossacks; or, Poland Recaptured
+
+THE MOTORCYCLE CHUMS SERIES
+
+By Andrew Carey Lincoln
+
+    I.--Motorcycle Chums in the Land of the Sky; or, Thrilling Adventures
+              on the Carolina Border.
+    2.--Motorcycle Chums in New England; or, The Mount Holyoke
+              Adventure.
+    3.--Motorcycle Chums on the Sante Fe Trail; or, The Key to the
+              Treaty Box.
+    4.--Motorcycle Chums in Yellowstone Park; or, Lending a Helping
+              Hand.
+    5.--Motorcycle Chums in the Adirondacks; or, The Search for the
+              Lost Pacemaker.
+    6.--Motorcycle Chums Storm Bound; or, The Strange Adventures
+              of a Road Chase.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+BOYS' COPYRIGHTED BOOKS
+
+The most attractive and highest class list of copyrighted books for boys
+ever printed. In this list will be found the works of W. Bert Foster,
+Capt. Ralph Bonehill, Arthur M. Winfield, etc.
+
+Printed from large clear type, illustrated, bound in a superior quality
+of cloth.
+
+THE CLINT WEBB SERIES
+
+By W. Bert Foster
+
+    1.--Swept Out to Sea; or, Clint Webb Among the Whalers.
+    2.--The Frozen Ship; or, Clint Webb Among the Sealers.
+    3.--From Sea to Sea; or, Clint Webb on the Windjammer.
+    4.--The Sea Express; or, Clint Webb and the Sea Tramp.
+
+THE YOUNG SPORTSMAN'S SERIES
+
+By Capt. Ralph Bonehill
+
+    Rival Cyclists; or, Fun and Adventures on the Wheel.
+    Toting Oarsmen of Lake View; or, The Mystery of Hermit Island.
+    Leo the Circus Boy; or, Life Under the Great White Canvas.
+
+SEA AND LAND SERIES
+
+Four Boys' Books by Favorite Authors
+
+    Oscar the Naval Cadet.....................Capt. Ralph Bonehill
+    Blue Water Rovers.........................Victor St. Clare
+    A Royal Smuggler..........................William Dalton
+    A Boy Crusoe.............................Allen Erie
+
+ADVENTURE AND JUNGLE SERIES
+
+A large, well printed, attractive edition.
+
+    Guy in the Jungle........................Wm. Murray Grayden
+    Casket of Diamonds......................Oliver Optic
+    The Boy Railroader.....................Matthew White, Jr.
+    Treasure of South Lake Farm..............W. Bert Foster
+
+YOUNG HUNTERS SERIES
+
+By Capt. Ralph Bonehill
+
+    Gun and Sled; or, The Young Hunters of Snow Top Island.
+    Young Hunters in Porto Rico; or, The Search for a Lost Treasure.
+    Two Young Crusoes; by C.W. Phillips.
+    Through Apache Land; or, Ned in the Mountains; by Lieut. R.H.
+           Tayne.
+
+BRIGHT AND BOLD SERIES
+
+By Arthur M. Winfield
+
+    Poor but Plucky; or. The Mystery of a Flood.
+    School Days of Fred Harley; or, Rivals for All Honors.
+    By Pluck, not Luck; or, Dan Granbury's Struggle to Rise.
+    The Missing Tin Box; or, Hal Carson's Remarkable City Adventure.
+
+COLLEGE LIBRARY FOR BOYS
+
+By Archdeacon Farrar
+
+    Julian Home; or, A Tale of College Life.
+    St. Winifred's; or, The World of School
+
+
+For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of 50 cents.
+
+
+M.A. DONOHUE & CO. 701-733 So. Dearborn Street, Chicago
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+ALWAYS _ASK FOR THE_ DONOHUE
+
+COMPLETE EDITIONS AND YOU WILL GET THE BEST FOR THE LEAST MONEY.
+
+"JACK HARKAWAY"
+
+SERIES OF BOOKS
+
+FOR BOYS
+
+BY BRACEBRIDGE HEMYNG
+
+"For a regular thriller commend me to 'Jack Harkaway.'"
+
+
+[Illustration: @JACK
+HARKAWAY
+IN
+CHINA]
+
+This edition of Jack Harkaway is printed from large clear type, new
+plates, on a very superior quality of book paper and the books are
+substantially bound in binders' cloth. The covers are unique and
+attractive, each title having a separate cover in colors from new dies.
+Each book in printed wrapper, with cover design and title. Cloth 12mo.
+
+    1 Jack Harkaway's School Days
+    2 Jack Harkaway After School Days
+    3 Jack Harkaway Afloat and Ashore
+    4 Jack Harkaway at Oxford
+    5 Jack Harkaway's Adventures at Oxford
+    6 Jack Harkaway Among the Brigands of Italy
+    7 Jack Harkaway's Escape From the Brigands
+     of Italy
+    8 Jack Harkaway's Adventures Around the World
+    9 Jack Harkaway In America and Cuba
+    10 Jack Harkaway's Adventures in China
+    11 Jack Harkaway's Adventures in Greece
+    12 Jack Harkaway's Escape From the Brigands
+     of Greece
+    13 Jack Harkaways Adventures in Australia
+    14 Jack Harkaway and His Boy Tinker
+    15 Jack Harkaway's Boy Tinker Among the Turks
+
+We win send any of the above titles postpaid to any address. Each
+
+75c
+M.A. DONOHUE & CO.
+701-727 DEARBORN STREET::CHICAGO
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+ALWAYS _ASK FOR THE_ DONOHUE
+
+Complete Editions and you will get the best for the least money.
+
+THRILLING, INTERESTING, INSTRUCTIVE BOOKS, _BY_
+
+EDWARD S. ELLIS
+
+No boy's library is complete unless it contains all of the books by that
+charming, delightful writer of boys' stories of adventure, EDWARD S.
+ELLIS. The following are the titles, uniform in size, style and binding:
+
+    1. Life of Kit Carson
+    2. Lone Wolf Cave
+    3. Star of India
+    4. The Boy Captive
+    5. The Red Plume
+
+All of the above books may be had at the store where this book was
+bought, or will be sent postage prepaid at 75c each, by the publishers.
+
+M A. DONOHUE & CO., 701-727 S. Dearborn Street, CHICAGO
+
+
+    _ASK YOUR BOOKSELLER FOR_
+    THE DONOHUE COMPLETE EDITIONS
+    and you will get the best for the least money.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+BEST BOOKS NOW READY
+
+OLIVER OPTIC SERIES
+
+For a full generation the youth of America has been reading and
+re-reading "Oliver Optic." No genuine boy ever tires of this famous
+author who knew just what boys wanted and was always able to supply his
+wants. Books are attractively bound in art shades of English vellum
+cloth, three designs stamped in three colors. Printed from large type on
+an extra quality of clean flexible paper. Each book in glazed paper
+wrapper. 12mo cloth.
+
+    1 All Aboard
+    2 Brave Old Salt
+    3 Boat Club, The
+    4 Fighting Joe
+    5 Haste and Waste
+    6 Hope and Have
+    7 In School and Out
+    8 Little by Little
+    9 Now or Never
+    10 Outward Bound
+    11 Poor and Proud
+    12 Rich and Humble
+    13 Sailor Boy, The
+    14 Soldier Boy, The
+    15 Try Again
+    16 Watch and Wait
+    17 Work and Win
+    18 The Yankee Middy
+    19 The Young Lieutenant
+
+ALWAYS _ASK FOR THE_ DONOHUE Complete Editions and you will get the best
+for the least money.
+
+All of the above books may be had at the store where this book was
+bought, or will be sent postpaid at 75c per copy by the publishers.
+
+M.A. DONOHUE & CO.
+
+701-727 S. DEARBORN ST., CHICAGO
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+ALWAYS _ASK FOR THE_ DONOHUE
+
+Complete Editions and you will get the best for the least money.
+
+THRILLING, INTERESTING, INSTRUCTIVE
+
+_BOOKS_
+
+_BY_ HARRY CASTLEMON
+
+No boy's library is complete unless it contains all of the books by that
+charming, delightful writer of boys' stories of adventure, HARRY
+CASTLEMON. The following are the titles, uniform in size, style and
+binding:
+
+    1 Boy Trapper, The
+    2 Frank the Young Naturalist
+    3 Frank in the Woods
+    4 Frank on the Lower Mississippi
+    5 Frank on a Gunboat
+    6 Frank Before Vicksburg
+    7 Frank on the Prairie
+    8 Frank at Don Carlos Ranch
+    9 The First Capture
+    10 Struggle for a Fortune, A
+    11 Winged Arrow Medicine
+
+All of the above books may be had at the store where this book was
+bought, or will be sent postage prepaid at 75c each, by the publishers.
+
+M.A. DONOHUE & CO.,
+
+701-727 S. DEARBORN STREET, CHICAGO
+
+_ASK YOUR BOOKSELLER FOR_
+
+THE DONOHUE COMPLETE EDITIONS and you will get the best for the least
+money.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+ALWAYS _ASK FOR THE_ DONOHUE
+
+Complete Editions and you will get the best for the least money.
+
+HENTY SERIES
+
+_FOR BOYS_
+
+G.A. Henty was the most prolific writer of boy's stories of the
+nineteenth century. From two to five books a year came from his facile
+pen. No Christmas holidays were complete without a new "Henty Book."
+This new series comprises 45 titles. They are printed on an extra
+quality of paper, from new plates and bound in the best quality of
+cloth, stamped on back and side in inks from unique and attractive dies.
+12 mo. cloth. Each book in a printed wrapper.
+
+    1 Among Malay Pirates
+    2 Bonnie Prince Charlie
+    3 Boy Knight, The
+    4 Bravest of the Brave
+    5 By England's Aid
+    6 By Pike and Dyke
+    7 By Right of Conquest
+    8 By Sheer Pluck
+    9 Captain Bayley's Heir
+    10 Cat of Bubastes
+    11 Col. Thorndyke's Secret
+    12 Cornet of Horse, The
+    13 Dragon and the Raven
+    14 Facing Death
+    15 Final Reckoning, A
+    16 For Name and Fame
+    17 For the Temple
+    18 Friends, Though Divided
+    19 Golden Canon
+    20 In Freedom's Cause
+    21 In the Reign of Terror
+    22 In Times of Peril
+    23 Jack Archer
+    24 Lion of St. Mark
+    25 Lion of the North
+    26 Lost Heir, The
+    27 Maori and Settler
+    28 One of the 28th
+    29 Orange and Green
+    30 Out on the Pampas
+    31 Queen's Cup, The
+    32 Rujub, the Juggler
+    33 St. George for England
+    34 Sturdy and Strong
+    35 Through the Fray
+    36 True to the Old Flag
+    37 Under Drake's Flag
+    38 With Clive in India
+    39 With Lee in Virginia
+    40 With Wolfe in Canada
+    41 Young Buglers, The
+    42 Young Carthaginiaus
+    43 Young Colonists, The
+    44 Young Franc-Tireurs
+    45 Young Midshipman
+
+All of above titles can be procured at the store where this book was
+bought, or sent to any address for 50c. postage paid, by the publishers
+
+M.A. DONOHUE & CO.,
+
+701-727 SOUTH DEARBORN STREET CHICAGO
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: @THE YOUNG EXPLORER]
+
+ALGER SERIES
+
+FOR BOYS
+
+The public and popular verdict for many years has approved of the Alger
+series of books as among the most wholesome of all stories for boys. To
+meet the continued demand for these books in the most attractive style
+of the binder's art, we have made this special edition in ornamental
+designs in three colors, stamped on side and back. Clear, large type is
+used on superior super-finish paper. The elaborate designs are stamped
+upon binder's English linen cloth, with side and back titles in large
+letterings. Each book in printed wrapper. 12mo cloth.
+
+    1 Adrift in New York
+    2 Andy Gordon
+    3 Andy Grant's Pluck
+    4 Bob Burton
+    5 Bound to Rise
+    6 Brave and Bold
+    7 Cash Boy, The
+    8 Charlie Codman's Cruise
+    9 Chester Rand
+    10 Cousin's Conspiracy, A
+    11 Do and Dare
+    12 Driven From Home
+    13 Erie Train Boy
+    14 Facing the World
+    15 Five Hundred Dollars
+    16 Frank's Campaign
+    17 Grit; The Young Boatman
+    18 Herbert Carter's Legacy
+    19 Hector's Inheritance
+    20 Helping Himself
+    21 In a New World
+    22 Jack's Ward
+    23 Jed, the Poor House Boy
+    24 Joe's Luck
+    25 Julius, the Street Boy
+    26 Luke Walton
+    27 Making His Way
+    28 Mark Mason's Victory
+    29 Only an Irish Boy
+    30 Paul Prescott's Charge
+    31 Paul, the Peddler
+    32 Phil, the Fiddler
+    33 Ralph Raymond's Heir
+    34 Risen from the Ranks
+    35 Sam's Chance
+    36 Shifting for Himself
+    37 Sink or Swim
+    38 Slow and Sure
+    39 Store Boy, The
+    40 Strive and Succeed
+    41 Strong and Steady
+    42 Struggling Upward
+    43 Telegraph Boy, The
+    44 Tin Box, The
+    45 Tom, the Boot Black
+    46 Tony, the Tramp
+    47 Try and Trust
+    48 Wait and Hope
+    49 Walter Sherwood's Probation
+    50 Wren Winter's Triumph
+    51 Young Acrobat
+    52 Young Adventurer, The
+    53 Young Explorer
+    54 Young Miner
+    55 Young Musician
+    56 Young Outlaw
+    57 Young Salesman
+
+ALWAYS _ASK FOR THE_ DONOHUE
+
+Complete Editions and you will get the best for the least money/
+
+All of the above books may be had at the store where this book was
+bought, or will be sent postpaid at 50 cents each by the publishers.
+
+M.A. DONOHUE & COMPANY
+
+701-727 S. DEARBORN ST. CHICAGO
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+FAMOUS BOOKS BY FAMOUS AUTHORS
+
+
+[Illustration: @DOWN THE SLOPE]
+
+DOWN THE SLOPE
+
+By JAMES OTIS
+
+The hero of this story is a young boy who, in order to assist his
+mother, works as a "breaker" in a coal mine. The book tells how coal
+miners work; their social condition; their hardships and privations.
+
+TEDDY
+
+By JAMES OTIS
+
+A captivating story of how Teddy, a village boy, helped to raise the
+mortgage on his mother's home, and the means he took for doing so. The
+obstacles his crabbed uncle placed in his way; his connection with the
+fakirs at the County Fair; his successful Cane and Knife Board venture;
+his queer lot of friends and now they aided him; and how he finally
+outwitted his enemies.
+
+TELEGRAPH TOM'S VENTURE
+
+By JAMES OTIS
+
+A highly entertaining story of the adventures of a boy who assisted a
+United States officer of the law in working up a famous case. The
+narrative is both interesting and instructive in that it shows what a
+bright boy can accomplish when thrown upon his own resources, and also
+portrays the manner in which such officers do their work.
+
+MESSENGER NO. 48
+
+By JAMES OTIS
+
+Relates the experience of a faithful messenger boy in a large city, who
+in answering a call was the means of ferreting out a band of criminals
+who for years had baffled the police and detectives. The story tells of
+the many dangers and hardships these boys have to undergo, the important
+services they often render by their clever movements; and how by his
+fidelity to duty, Messenger Boy No. 48 rose to a most important position
+of trust and honor. It teaches boys that self-reliance, pluck and the
+faithful performance of duties are the real secrets of success. 241
+pages.
+
+These books are bound in cloth: have attractive cover designs stamped in
+two colors, with titles stamped in gold, illustrated; 12mos.
+
+For sale by all Book and Newsdealers, or will be sent to any address in
+the U.S., Canada or Mexico, postpaid, on receipt of price, $1.00 each,
+in currency, money order or stamps.
+
+M.A. Donohue & Co. 701-733 S. Dearborn St., CHICAGO.
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 13859 ***