"Yes, and very likely double that amount more hidden some place in the island. Tom, what do you set your fortune at?"
"I guess about a hundred dollars would be more than I would ever know what to do with."
"What extravagant ideas you have! I think we will be able to suit you, though. Something like a hundred times over at the very least."
"Why, how do you mean?"
"Mean? Simply that this is to a great extent your 'find.' We heard your gun, and our suspicions were aroused at once. If it hadn't been for your nerve in the first place they would have got away. Are you willing to be fired at twice for nothing?"
One of the Madrona's men came up before the boy could answer, if, indeed, he had any answer to make, and whispered a few words to the Captain.
"Alive, is he?" the Captain exclaimed. "Get a stretcher and take him aboard at once or he may die yet of his wounds. Perhaps that would be the best thing he could do; but that's not for us to say."
To a boy of Tom's generous and manly nature it was a great relief to see the unconscious Customs Inspector carried aboard the Madrona. But he said nothing.
The Captain was silent also for a long time. Presently his attention was attracted by something unusual on the beach, and, dismissing an unpleasant train of thought, he broke out, "What have you there, men?"
Four of the Madrona's men were seen at this moment coming around the point on the shore with a very unwilling prisoner.