Part 17 (1/2)
”Never mind, we'll go anyhow!” put in Tom enthusiastically. ”Why, the box may be worth a fortune!”
”Yes, let us go by all means,” put in d.i.c.k. ”I wouldn't like any better fun than hunting for a treasure box.”
”Haven't you boys had adventures enough?” questioned Anderson Rover.
”You've been to Africa and out West, and on the ocean and the Great Lakes----”
”Oh, this would just be a little winter's outing in the mountains,” said Tom. ”We could go hunting, and have lots of fun, even if we didn't find the treasure box.”
”The treasure box was probably taken away years ago,” said Randolph Rover. ”Most likely several of the smugglers knew of it.”
”And what of that ghost?” asked Anderson Rover, with a twinkle in his eyes.
”Pooh! we're not afraid of ghosts,” sniffed Sam. ”Are we, Tom?”
”If I saw a ghost, I'd be apt to pepper him with shot, if I had my gun,”
answered Tom. ”No, I'm not afraid of such things--and neither is d.i.c.k.”
”It would be a fine thing to find a big boxful of silver,” said d.i.c.k seriously. ”I know there was lots in that cave, before Dan Baxter scooped it in. And, by the way, he must have that other map yet.”
”Perhaps he went for the treasure box!” burst out Sam.
”If the box is gone, we can't help it,” said Tom. ”But I move we get to Timber Run and Bear Pond just as soon as possible.”
”Do you want to start in this cold weather?” asked his father anxiously.
”Pooh! It isn't so very cold.”
”It's a good deal colder up in the mountains than it is here, I can tell you that. Why, you might easily freeze to death if you got lost in the snow.”
”I wonder if we couldn't find some guide who knows that territory thoroughly,” mused d.i.c.k.
”If you could find a good guide, I wouldn't mind your going,” said his parent. ”But I shall object to your going alone.”
”Then we'll hunt for a guide, and without delay,” said d.i.c.k. ”I would like to go up there before Putnam Hall opens again.”
”So would I,” came from his two brothers.
”I think I know where you can get a guide,” said Tom, after a pause.
”The Lanings have relatives at Timber Run. Let's write to Mr. Laning.”
This was agreed to, and a special trip was made to the village by Aleck Pop to post the letter. In the letter they asked Mr. Laning to telegraph, if possible, in reply.
The telegram came shortly after noon the next day. It ran as follows:
”I feel sure my brother-in-law, John Barrow, of Timber Run, can supply a reliable guide. Will write to him.
”JOHN LANING.”