Part 20 (2/2)

”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?”

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