Part 42 (1/2)

As for Rupert, he'd been kicked around so much the last few days that he hadn't a word to say. Here he was, too, right on the verge of the big test that he'd been workin' up to so long, and he's so meek he hardly dares open his head. When we starts pilin' into the launch he shows up with a couple of bundles.

”What the syncopated seraphims have you there?” demands Old Hickory.

”Gas bombs,” says Rupert. ”To clear out the snakes.”

”Careful with 'em,” growls Old Hickory. ”What else?”

”A few canvas bags for--for the treasure, sir,” says Rupert, duckin'

his head sheepish. ”Shall--shall I put them in?”

”Oh, you might as well,” says Old Hickory.

And once more, with Vee at the wheel, we sneaks off in the moonlight for Nunca Secos Key. We wasn't a chatty lot of adventurers. I expect we all felt like we was about to open an April fool package, and wished the others hadn't been there to watch. None of us could pa.s.s anyone else the laugh; that was some satisfaction.

There was enough outsiders, though, to give us the t.i.tter. Megrue was sure to spread the tale among Old Hickory's business friends. And who knew what that pair of foiled interviewers would do to us? Some of their stuff might get into the New York papers. Then wouldn't Mr.

Ellins be let in for a choice lot of jos.h.i.+n'! No wonder he sits chewin' savage at a cold cigar.

When we gets near the little island, though, he rouses up. He pulls on a pair of wadin' boots and, tosses another pair to me. Rupert, he's all fixed up for rough work, and even Vee has brought some high huntin'

shoes.

So, when we lands, each takes a s.h.i.+ny new spade or a pick and makes ready to explore the mound that looms mysterious through the mangrove bushes. First off, Rupert has to toss out a couple of gas bombs, in case there might be rattlers roamin' around. And, believe me, any snake that could stand that smell was ent.i.tled to stay on the ground.

It's ten or fifteen minutes before we dared go near ourselves. Rupert suggests that we start a tunnel in from the bottom, and sort of relay each other as our wind gives out.

”Very well,” says Old Hickory. ”It's a good many years since I did any excavating, but I think I can still swing a pick.”

Say, he could; that is, for a five-minute stretch. And while he's restin' up I tackles it. I didn't last so long, either. Rupert, though, comes out strong. He makes the sand fly at a great rate. Vee stands by, holdin' an electric torch, while Auntie watches from the boat.

”We're makin' quite a hole in it, Mr. Ellins,” says I, sort of encouragin'.

”It is the usual thing to do, I believe,” says he, ”before owning up that you've been fooled. Here, Killam, let me have another go at that.”

He don't do it because he's excited about it, but just because it's his turn. In fact, we'd all got to about that stage. We'd shoveled out a wagon load or two of old roots and sand and rotten sh.e.l.ls without uncoverin' so much as a rusty nail, and it looked like we might keep on until mornin' with the same amazin' success. Considerin' that we was half beaten before we started, we'd done a pretty fair job. It was just a question now of how soon somebody'd have nerve enough to make a motion that we quit. That's when we had our first little flutter.

”Huh!” says Old Hickory, jabbin' in with his spade. ”Must have struck a log. Hand me a pick, someone.”

”When he makes a swing with that, the point goes in solid and sticks.

”Right! It is a log,” he announces.

Killam tests it, and he says it's a log, too.

”An old palmetto trunk,” says he, proddin' at it. ”Two of them, one laid on the other. No, three. I say, that's funny. Let's clear away all of this stuff.”

So we goes at it, all three at once, and inside of fifteen minutes we can see what looks like the side of a little log cabin.

”If this was out in Wisconsin,” says Old Hickory, ”I should say we'd found somebody's root cellar. But who would build such a thing in Florida?”

”Come on,” says Killam, his voice sort of shrill and quivery. ”I have one of the logs loose. Now pry here with your picks, everybody.

Together, now! It's coming! Once more! There! Now the next one above. Oh, put your weight on it, Mr. Ellins. Get a fresh hold. Try her now. It's giving! Again. Harder. Look out for your toes! And let's have that light here, Miss Verona. Flash it into this hole.