“Why not?” Roy asked in surprise.
“Because we couldn’t carry all this wealth away without the fact being known, and I shouldn’t like to trust everybody with the secret that these boxes were filled with gold and silver.”
“Then you are ready to aid in launching the Zoe?” Ned said interrogatively.
“Of course I am. We mustn’t waste a single moment. Help me stack these boxes up under the tool chest, and we’ll get to work as soon as Roy cooks dinner.”
“If I’d known how it was goin’ to affect you I’d voted to go ahead with the treasure-finding two or three days ago; but I thought it would take very much longer to clear that hulk of sand.”
“There hasn’t been any time lost. Do you think it will be many days before we can have the yacht afloat?”
“I hope not. It seems as if three of us should be able to do a great deal in a short while. Suppose you and I tackle the raft while Roy is doing the cooking? That will put us ahead just so much.”
The treasure had been stowed away near the beds, and Vance was more than willing to act upon Ned’s suggestion.
He followed him to the scene of his morning’s labors, and when Roy finally called them to dinner Vance grumbled not a little because it was necessary to cease the work in order to eat.
“We must have the anchors out before sunset,” he said emphatically, much as if expecting his companion would object.