We solemnly swear not to disturb the treasure buried by us this day, except in the presence of all the owners, or after receiving proof that one or more are dead.

(Signed) BARTH MEADOWS.

His PEDRO X GONZALES.

mark.

E. BONN.

His JOSEF X HARTTMAN.

mark.

For several moments after Harry ceased reading this singular doc.u.ment the boys stood staring at the faded characters in silence, and then Jim exclaimed:

"I'll bet them was pirates what wrote that, an' if we could only make out what it means there'd be a big pile of gold found. Let's go on board an' show it to Bob!"

The mere suggestion that they had the clew to a buried treasure was sufficient to throw all three into a perfect fever of excitement, and after carefully gathering up the coverings they started at full speed for the sh.o.r.e, shouting to each other, as they ran, the most improbable theories concerning the ancient doc.u.ment and its signers until the key resounded with their cries.

"Perhaps the men who ran away with the brig belong to the same gang who hid the paper," Walter suggested in a tremulous tone, glancing behind him every few moments, as if fancying they might be pursued.

"That couldn't be," Harry replied, panting because of the rapid pace, "unless they've taken the gold with them."

For an instant the boys' joy decreased very materially, and then grew strong once more as Jim said, confidently:

"If they had we'd seen somethin' of it; but them duffers didn't have any baggage when they come aboard. The Bonita wouldn't 'a' left the cove so quick if the men had known about this. I tell you, fellers, it was lucky for us that they stole the brig!"

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fac-simile of paper found by the boys.--(See page 157.)]

Then, as if unable longer to act like rational beings, the explorers burst into loud, incoherent shouts, which sadly lessened their speed because of the extra amount of breath required to continue the outcries.

It was this uproar which Joe heard, and he and Bob were wholly at a loss to understand what had happened as the yawl, with her noisy crew, approached the tug.

CHAPTER XIX.

AN UNEXPECTED VISIT.

It was fully ten minutes after the excited boys arrived at the Sea Bird before Bob and Joe could understand the meaning of the doc.u.ment which Harry waved so triumphantly above his head, or learn where and how it had been found. Each one insisted on telling the story at the same time, and the result was that nothing could be distinctly heard until Bob shouted:

"Hold up, lads! Give yourselves time to elect a president who can do the talkin', an' then p'rhaps me an' Joe'll find out whether you've seen the Bonita or discovered a bridge that leads to New York!"

"Let Harry tell the story while Walt an' me bail the yawl. Her seams haven't swelled enough yet to prevent her from takin' in water;" and Jim went forward resolving not to say another word until the matter was fully explained; but before Harry had well begun the recital both he and Walter were a.s.sisting in the conversation.

Bob and Joe did finally succeed in learning all the particulars regarding the finding of the ma.n.u.script, and then their excitement equaled that of the boys.

"There ain't any question but what the lads have lighted on the secret of a pirate's treasure," the old sailor said in a positive tone, and looking around at his companions as if challenging either of them to contradict him. "Years ago these keys used to be a great place for 'em to sneak in an' out of, an' it stands to reason this would 'a' been jes'

the kind of a harbor they'd try to make, 'cause there's water enough here to float a good-sized craft."

"But it's a big question as to whether we can find it;" and Joe examined the doc.u.ment carefully once more. "It has been a good while since this was written, and perhaps both the tree and the coral rock have disappeared."

"It won't take very long to learn that, matey," Bob replied in a tone so cheery that it would have been difficult to believe he had felt so angry and despondent a few hours previous. "There's a good compa.s.s in the pilot-house, an' with it an' your tape-measure we'll be able to lay out the course to a hair."

"Do you mean to knock off work for the sake of going treasure-hunting?"

Joe asked in mild surprise.

"Why not? Two or three days won't make much difference to us when the repairs are a question of weeks, an' there's no great danger of an easterly gale at this time of year."

It did not require any lengthy or able argument to convince Joe that he would be warranted in ceasing his work as machinist to become a treasure-seeker, for he was fully as eager as Bob to test the truth of the apparent statement contained in the doc.u.ment.

Half an hour after the boys came on board all hands were ready for a return to the key. The compa.s.s had been placed in the stern-sheets of the yawl; Joe carried the measuring-tape in his pocket, and all was in readiness for the start, when the old sailor suggested that one of the Sea Bird's anchors be dropped.

"I ain't afraid of her slippin' the Bonita's hawser," he said; "but it'll be a good idea to prevent her from swinging round into shoal water."

Anything, no matter how much labor it might involve, which would guard against a loss or further disablement of their second and only remaining craft should be attended to, and all hands a.s.sisted in the work. The tug's smallest anchor was let go with the cable made fast to the stern bitt, and unless a violent storm should arise she would lay to her moorings as safely as if in a dry-dock.

Bob looked once more to the stopper on the bow hawser, as if the idea of leaving the little steamer even for so short a time made him uneasy regarding her safety; and then, when, about to step over the rail into the yawl, he involuntarily glanced seaward.

"Well, if that don't take all the wind outer my sails!" he exclaimed, pointing with one hand toward the open ocean as he shaded his eyes with the other. "An hour ago I'd 'a' been glad to see sich a sight as that; but with the paper the boys found I've kinder lost all hankerin' for a chance to leave this key."

The remainder of the party were already on board the yawl, and it was some seconds before the full meaning of his words could be understood.

It was Harry who first caught a glimpse of that which attracted the old sailor's attention, and he cried, as he clambered over the steamer's rail:

"It's a vessel! Father has sent some one to look for us, and now we can go home!"

"I reckon you're wrong there, lad," Bob said as his companions gathered around him, all gazing intently at a small schooner which was creeping slowly toward the key from the southeast, evidently heading directly for the cove. "That craft hasn't got American sailors on board by considerable. She looks like a fisherman--most likely comin' here for turtles. Whatever she is, we must put off goin' ash.o.r.e for a spell."

Joe quickly brought the compa.s.s from the yawl, that no evidences of their intended visit ash.o.r.e should be seen, and said, as he took up his tools once more:

"We'd better keep right on about our work, for in case they are coming here it may look suspicious to see us loafing when the steamer is so nearly a wreck."

But for the doc.u.ment found by the boys Joe would not have had such a thought. Now, however, the possibility that there might be a large amount of treasure secreted on the key made him over-cautious and distrustful.

Bob returned to the cabin, for the "curse of wealth" had also begun to make itself felt on him, and the three boys watched the approach of the stranger, but far less eagerly than would have been the case a few hours previous.

Slowly the schooner drew nearer, still heading directly for the cove, and shortening sail only when she was inside the outer point of land.

"Come on deck, Bob," Joe said in a low tone. "She's got just about way enough on to fetch us, and there's no question but that she's coming to anchor close alongside."

Bob emerged from the companion-way as the schooner swung around to her cable, and a man who was standing near the wheel shouted:

"Steamer ahoy!"

"Halloo!" Bob replied.

"What's the matter? Are you in distress?"