Farvel had left the rope which had bound him, and this the old tar appropriated.
Inside of half an hour he was back to where he had left the boys and Robert Menden.
Once more the rope was lengthened, and tested from end to end.
"Now be very careful how you hold it," said old Jacob. "It's no fool of a job to handle sech a long coil. And remember, if I whistle twice, let down; and if I whistle once, pull up. Three whistles, leave the rope as it is."
Once more he went down; first to the ledge and then to the very surface of the underground stream.
He found the water five to six feet deep, and running so strongly, that by going in up to his neck he was carried along so fiercely that the rope almost broke under the tension.
"He has been swept away and thet's the end on it," he muttered; and whistled to the others to hoist him up.
It was an almost silent crowd that bundled the treasure up in the canvas bag and a blanket which had been brought along for that purpose.
"I wish we hadn't come to Porto Rico," whispered Bob to Leander. "What will Dick's folks say of this when we tell them?"
"I'd like to know who is going to break the news," added Leander. "I'm sure I can't do it;" and he gave something like a shiver.