He saw that it was of no use to attempt to cope with the voyagers. Moreover, he had lost faith in the existence of the treasure.
He was in fact sick of the whole job and decided to return to America at the first chance. So he said:
“I’ll do as you say. I’m quits on this thing. It’s an accursed country, anyway.”
A short while later the two villains returned to their companions. They at once started for the shore of the lake.
Frank decided not to accompany them, for he saw that Dooley was in earnest.
As the villain dropped from the air-ship, Frank said:
“As an extra incentive, I will promise this, in spite of your bad treatment of us. If we find the gold I will overtake you and give you a fair division.”
Dooley hung his head and muttered abashed thanks. Then he and his party were off.
The aerial voyagers continued the quest for the gold. All that day they explored the sandy basin.
Toward night a find was made.