A little later, after the monkeys had been fed to their hearts’ content, the Rover boys tied them to nearby trees so that they might not get into further mischief.
It was not until the following morning that all started out in the clumsy scow, if such it might be called, to make the trip around the eastern end of the island to where the wreck of the Coryanda lay. On the way they thought they might land once or twice on the sandy beach below the rocks in an endeavor to find some passageway leading to the spot where they thought the pirates’ gold might be hidden.
At first Jack and Randy had thought to take the trip, in company with Ira Small; but Fred and Andy had protested so vigorously that it was finally decided that all should go, even though the scow might be rather crowded.
The clumsy craft had been provided with four extra long sculls, or sweeps, and everybody, even to Andy, went barefooted, knowing that they might be standing in several inches of water most of the time. They carried their shoes in a water-tight canister, so that they might have these foot coverings whenever they landed. They also carried with them a supply of food, not knowing how long they would be away.
It was an ideal day for the trip. There was hardly any wind, and consequently the surf at the keys and along the beach had greatly subsided. They got afloat without much trouble, and then the old sailor took command, telling them how they might progress to the best advantage.
“Ain’t no need to go out any further than jest to keep from bein’ throwed up on them rocks,” he said, after they had passed the entrance to the little bay. “An’ every one keep his eyes peeled for anything that looks like an openin’.”
“Were there any marks leading to the treasure—I mean anything in the way of a signboard?” questioned Randy of the lanky sailor.
“There was supposed to be a triangle,” answered Ira Small. “A triangle of three arrows. Them sailors said the triangle led to the circle.”
“Then, having found the circle, we’ll have to keep our eyes open for the triangle,” murmured the young major.
Slowly and not without some danger, they finally rounded the eastern point of the island. Although they had watched closely, no one had discovered any opening that might lead to the bowl of the thirteen rocks. Here and there they had discovered small bunches of brushwood and vines growing among the rocks, and had seen higher up innumerable nests of sea birds, but that was all.