In short, he wanted no one to know that he had the money. He knew that he could trust Case and Clay, but he knew, also, that they could not be dragged into trouble because of the stolen money if they did not know that it was on board! He wanted to keep the cash for Don, but he did not want any one to know that he had it.
When, in the future, the belt should be brought out and shown to contain only sand, that would settle the money part of the affair so far as the boys were concerned, he thought. And King did not even know that he had the belt, and there was no need of his knowing.
Thus reasoning, even at that exciting time, Alex managed to fall down on the exact spot where the treasury notes had been buried and secure the oiled silk package without being observed in the act.
In fact, at that time, Clay, Case, and King were utilizing all their energy in the run they were making to head off the rowers and get to the motor boat first. The men in the boat were rowing to the utmost of their strength, and it seemed certain that they would win out in the race.
The three were still on shore when the rowers, abandoning their own boat in their haste, sprang on the Rambler’s deck. One of them rushed to get the motors into action, while the others drew guns and lined up along the side of the boat which the others would approach.
“There is no way but to fight it out!” Clay cried, drawing his own automatic. “If they get off with the Rambler now, that will be the last of her so far as we are concerned.”
The boarders crouched down behind the railing, exhibiting only ugly, triumphant faces. The man at the motors seemed to be having trouble with them, for there was no answering snap when he turned on the feed. The others finally gathered about him, as if to assist in getting the boat under way. Then an unexpected thing happened.
The boys saw the man who had first approached the motors spring into the air with a look of pain and terror on his face. Then the others almost turned handsprings getting to the prow of the boat. There was a sullen snarl on the deck, and then a furry object shot forward to the prow where the intruders stood.
In a moment the deck was clear, except that Teddy lifted his paws to the railing and looked across the island at the boys, winking one eye as if calling attention to a battle well won. He had been asleep by the motors and the intruder had stepped on him! That told the tale!
The bear had bitten the fellow through the ankle, and the battle was ended with that one bite! When the boys reached the boat the three men were swimming down stream in a futile effort to overtake their deserted rowboat. Teddy welcomed them on deck with a grin that was almost human.