“Absolutely,” said Fred with great conviction. “‘Take a course’ is right, and the next word is d-u-e, due.”
“Correct,” cried Grant. “Why, this is easy. Just see if I can’t read the whole thing right off now.”
“Try it anyway,” said John. “Take it slow.”
Grant studied the letters in front of him for some moments in silence. “I’ve got it,” he exclaimed at length. “Just listen to this,” and he began to read slowly, “‘Take a course due north one hundred feet from the south–’” he paused.
“From the southern, isn’t it?” queried John.
“That’s it. ‘Take a course due north one hundred feet from the southern extremity of shark rock, then east fifty feet and north by east thirty-three dig.’”
“Correct,” cried John, “only you ought to have read the last of it like this: ‘and north by east thirty-three. Dig!” and he shouted the final word with all his might.
“We’re going to find the gold, we’re going to find the gold!” shouted Fred, borrowing John’s chant, and a moment later every one in the little party had joined hands and was dancing joyously about singing and laughing and shouting. Finally they stopped from sheer exhaustion.
“Read dat again, will yo’?” demanded Sam eagerly.
“Read it, Grant,” shouted George. “We’re going to find the gold, we’re going to find the gold!”