“Lester!” called Fred. “Scrape the paint off the name on the stern there, and see if you can make out anything underneath.”
Lester took out his claspknife and scraped vigorously.
“There has been something else there,” he announced after a moment, “but I can’t fully make it out. I can see a couple of R’s––”
“That’s it,” shouted Fred jubilantly. “It’s the old Ranger. Come aboard, you fellows. Lively, now. Don’t mind about the boats. They’re safe enough for a few minutes.”
A moment more, and those on board were joined by Ross and Lester, as breathless and excited as 225 themselves, for the meaning of Teddy’s discovery had dawned upon them.
They all raced to the forecastle and tumbled in pell mell.
226CHAPTER XXIX
TREASURE COVE
With a finger that he vainly tried to keep steady, Teddy pointed to a rough tracing on the wall at the left side of the forecastle.
It took a moment to accustom their eyes to the dim light of the place, then their vision cleared and the boys could make out the details of a map similar to the one which the old sailor had described to Ross.