The gems were beyond his ability to estimate, although he felt sure they would return a handsome sum.
"How much do you think we ought to get out of it?" Jack asked.
"Well, after I get my share for outfitting the venture," replied Mr. Geyer, "I think there ought to be as much as fifty or sixty thousand dollars--perhaps more."
"Hurrah!" shouted Tom. "That's pretty near ten thousand apiece. That's quite a bit of money."
"You mean fifteen thousand apiece," corrected Charley.
"I mean what I said--ten thousand," declared Tom. "If this crew of pirates lets you and Frank get away without sharing the spoils, I'll never sail with them again; so there!"
"Nor I," declared Jack.
"Nor I," stoutly agreed Harry.
"Nor I," chimed in Arnold. "Rowdy isn't saying a word."
So, laughing and at times half crying, the boys talked over the matter while they did ample justice to the meal Doright had prepared. Jack's father and Mr. Geyer offered to take charge of the recovered treasure, and with Mr. Harrison for a guard they felt safe in taking it to a place of security after daylight.