“Well, sometimes a treasure hunt proves a success,” said Jack. “Don’t forget how my father and Uncle Tom and Uncle Sam went down to the West Indies and located the Stanhope treasure.” He referred to a great treasure search, the particulars of which have been given in the volume entitled, “The Rover Boys on Treasure Isle.”
“Yes, you told us about that, Jack,” answered Spouter. “And I’ve heard the particulars from my father, too. You know, he was with the expedition.”
“Let’s get the particulars of this treasure from Small,” said Randy. “We might organize an expedition just as our folks did,” he added, his eyes glistening for the moment.
The boys took turns at steering the Fancy, and thus the greater part of the night wore away. Just as it was growing light in the east Fred, who was at the wheel, uttered an exclamation of dismay.
“What’s the trouble, Fred?” questioned Randy, who was coming out of the cabin to relieve him.
“The motor just went dead.”
“Perhaps she’s out of gasoline. Wait a minute till I take a look at the tank.”
An inspection of the gasoline tank of the craft showed that it still contained a quart or more of the volatile fluid.
“It’s in the engine, or else the battery has gone out of commission,” said Randy.
Not caring to do too much to the engine without consulting Ralph, they called the young commander of the motor boat, and while Fred continued at the wheel in an endeavor to head up against the rolling billows, Ralph and Randy commenced to hunt for the trouble.