"Oh, we got more than that, for gold was worth something in those days. We went there one dark and stormy night," continued Leon, growing enthusiastic when he thought of it; "but, dark as it was, we found somebody there waiting for us. These lumbermen were just as poor as they could be, and although they were brave men when fighting for the Union, they didn't mean to stand by and let a hundred thousand dollars go out of their county if they could help it, and I tell you we had a race with them. But we got away."
"I declare, you have had some experience," said Bob, "and one of these days I want to hear your story from beginning to end; but just now I have to go to the bank. Are you all ready, Hank?"
Hank was all ready, and after the Captain's sword had been put away, the three boys put on their hats and started for town.
CHAPTER XII.
"BEN WATSON DREAMED IT ALL."
When the boys arrived at the post-office Leon found some mail there for his father, so he took leave of Bob, promising to see him again that afternoon.
"Don't you forget that I told you if you wanted help to come to our house for it," said Leon. "You seem to be as happy as you want to be, living there with old Ben Watson, but there's no telling what will happen."
"I will remember, and I thank you for the assurance," said Bob. "I don't think I shall be in any danger so long as I have Ben to back me up."
Bob and Hank's first care was to go to Mr. Vollar and thank him for his kindness in regard to that pearl—paying two hundred dollars for it when he might just as well have had it for a fourth of that sum—and their next to call at the bank and deposit Hank's money. When Bob joined his companion again he had the bank-book, with his name written across the top, which he put into his pocket.
"There!" said Hank, with a long-drawn sigh of relief. "I'd like to see father get that money."
"He won't, unless you draw it for him," said Bob.