At two Jack took a wheelbarrow and went to the store and brought back a five-gallon can of gasoline. Then they embarked again in the Corsair and chugged across the harbor to the town landing. Jack saw to the purchase of more gasoline, Hal made a hurried visit to his home and Bee wandered off to buy oars, boat-hook and provisions. At a little after four they cast off again and began their return to Nobody’s Island. Bee proudly displayed a brand new spade and Hal observed it without much favor.
“What’s that for?” he asked. “Haven’t we got a shovel already?”
“Yes, but now we can all work at the same time,” replied Bee. “One of us can use the pick and the others can shovel.”
“Gee, you think of the foolest schemes!” grunted Hal. “Don’t you ever have any pleasant thoughts?”
The return voyage was quite uneventful. The Corsair dipped and rolled along as though she had never caused a moment’s uneasiness to anyone. Everything about the camp seemed the same as when they had left but Jack rowed out to the Crystal Spring to make certain that thieves had not visited her too. When he came back he reported all correct on board. “They wouldn’t have found much, anyway,” he said, “but I’d rather they let things alone.”
Bee went down to look at the excavations and, had he received the least encouragement, would have started work again. But Jack and Hal were satisfied to lie in the sun and wait for it to come time to start supper. “It’s funny,” said Hal, “but in spite of all that dinner I ate I’m pretty nearly starved again!”
When Bee joined them he was again full of the subject of treasure hunting and tried to explain just what they were to do the next morning. But the others were decidedly unsympathetic. “Don’t talk digging tonight, Bee,” begged Hal. “After what we’ve been through we deserve perfect rest for at least twelve hours. It’s terribly wearing to be cast away on a desert island. Say, do you fellows smell anything?”
They sniffed and decided that they did.
“Smells like something gone dead,” said Bee. “I think it’s in the tent.”
Hal disappeared to investigate and presently returned with the fish they had caught the morning before held at arm’s length in front of him. “Something has gone dead,” he announced with averted head. “I think I’ll bury them in the trench.”