"Can you walk, Dick?"
"I guess so, although being tied up made me rather stiff."
"I see your wrist is bleeding."
"Yes, and I tried pretty hard to free myself."
"And I tried, too," added Sam. "But I couldn't budge a single knot."
"We could not unknot the knots," added Tom, who was bound to have his joke.
It was now morning, for which all were thankful. The lights were put out, and the whole party partook of some of the provisions on hand.
"I believe Merrick would have left us to starve," said Sam. "He is the greatest rascal I ever knew!"
The Rover boys pointed out the direction Sid Merrick and his party had taken. Bahama Bill said that trail was new to him, and if it led to the treasure cave he did not know it.
"But I'll know the cave as soon as I see it—if it is still there," he added.