The three boys took their places.
The brawny oarsman had no sentiment in his composition; he only wanted to get through his task in the shortest possible time; so his passengers soon found themselves bobbing up and down, with the deep green waves foaming hard against the boat.
As it swung alongside the "Osprey," Sam Randall answered the yell which came from his chums, grabbed hold of a line and climbed aboard.
Presently all were together again. Their search for Wanatoma's gold mine was to begin.
CHAPTER IV
THE "OSPREY"
The "Osprey" was a staunch, trim-looking schooner of graceful proportions. Captain Mason, still quite young, and with enthusiasm corresponding to his years, kept his vessel always fresh and clean. Aft, a commodious cabin, with a new coat of paint, shone dazzlingly white; so did the rail and gunwale, which, around the stern, rose above the rest of the deck in an ornamental curve.
Leaving just a passageway between the cabin, and running the deck's entire length, were piles of smooth, finished boards bound in position by means of heavy ropes. Enough space was left in the center to reach the men's quarters forward; while on each side a narrow passageway between the gunwale and lumber led to the bow.
"Only hope I don't get stuck," murmured Dave, with some apprehension, as he viewed the confined space.