"Hold on," interrupted Mart, surprised. "You seem to think that I'm trying to grab it all, Cap'n. I didn't mean to—"
"Of course you didn't," laughed Captain Hollinger, stretching out easily in his chair. "But I'd like to know who else the gold belongs to, Mart. You've won it by right of conquest, seems to me."
"That's right," added Bob hastily. "It's all yours, old boy. You fought for it, and you ought to—"
"Now look here," and Mart leaned forward earnestly, with his air of determination. "That's not right. I'd never have got up if it hadn't been for Bob, Cap'n. We're in on this thing as partners, and when we get that treasure we're goin' to split on it, or Mart Judson isn't goin' to touch any of it. Now, that goes."
There was no doubt that he meant his words. Bob, however, still attempted to protest, but Mart promptly shut him up.
"None of that, Holly. I guess there's enough treasure there to satisfy us all, and my end of it is going for an education. That's all I have to say."
"Then that settles it," laughed Captain Hollinger, rising at the sound of the gong from the mess saloon. "Ah Sing has mess ready, and I'm famished. Come along, boys, and we'll all feel better after a bite to eat."
He led the way out, but at the door Mart stopped his chum.
"I forgot to thank you, Holly," he said quietly. "I won't forget that it was you pulled me up, old man. And when we mount the Pirate Shark, our names go on that brass plate together!"
And Bob grinned happily as they struck hands.