“Besides,” said Hal, “folks have picked up money in the sand over there, Jack.”
“I guess that only happened once, Hal. If you really want to hunt for treasure, Mansfield, I guess Nobody’s Island is the most promising place we can offer you.”
“You bet I’m going to hunt! How soon will that chug-chug of yours be ready again, Hal?”
“Oh, maybe in a couple of days. Can you wait that long? I don’t believe anyone will get ahead of you and find the treasure.”
“You can’t tell,” replied Bee with a grin. “Someone might. We’d better not lose much time. Perhaps we’d better hire a boat, eh? How much will you rent yours for, Herrick?”
“I’ll rent her cheap,” replied Jack grimly, “and then make more than I’m making now. Only thing, though, it would take all day to get there in the Crystal Spring; she’s about as fast as a crab.”
Bee was studying the chart again. “Say, can I buy one of these things around here?” he asked suddenly.
“Plenty of them,” laughed Hal.
“You may borrow that if you like,” said Jack. “I don’t use it. Only take care of it, please, because it was my father’s.”
“Sure you don’t mind? I’ll take care of it. Thanks. I want to study this thing right. There’s nothing like knowing the lay of the land when you go after buried treasure. You see,” he went on as he folded the chart up and tucked it safely in his pocket, “I’m a bit of an authority on hunting for buried treasure. I’ve read all the best books on the subject, from Stevenson down to the five-cent variety, and there isn’t much I don’t know. What about getting home, Hal?”