“Share and share alike!” cried Cliff eagerly. “That is, our part of whatever we find! Of course we’d give some to the governor’s family if we can find them.”
“We’d have to keep it secret—our plan!” said Nicky, earnestly. “We’d have to pretend to be going——”
“To cruise for Carib relics on smaller islands!” broke in Clarence Neale, as excited as his younger companions.
“Fine!” agreed Nicky. “Is the sloop big enough, Sam? Where is it? What’s it like? Is it seaworthy for a cruise like this?”
Sam said “yes” and described the one-masted, thirty-foot boat with its heavy duty motor. “Maybe close quarters to sleep in,” he said, “but she has shorely got a good name for treasure hunting!”
“What?” demanded all three chums in unison.
“The Treasure Belle——”
“Oh!” cried Nicky. “With a name like that we simply must get her! Mr. Gray, you can’t refuse us permission.”
Three eager youths pleaded. The older man, counseled and reassured by Clarence Neale, finally agreed.
“Hooray!” Nicky exulted. “Treasure bent in the Treasure Belle! Nothing can stop us!”