"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 a.s.signed to the task upon the return of the treasure hunters.

Upon opening the chest it was found to contain a quant.i.ty 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, ent.i.tled: "Boy Scouts on the Big River; or, the Pilot's Revenge."

BOYS' COPYRIGHTED BOOKS

Printed from large, clear type on a superior quality of paper embellished with original ill.u.s.trations by eminent artists, and bound in a superior quality of book binders' cloth, ornamented with ill.u.s.trated 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 ill.u.s.trations by eminent artists, and bound in a superior quality of binders' cloth, ornamented with ill.u.s.trated covers, stamped in colors from unique and appropriate dies, each book wrapped in a glazed paper wrapper printed in colors.

BOY SCOUT SERIES