“Now we four—that is before we knew what a rat and skunk Rod Marbury was, had made a vow to share and share alike if ever one of us got rich. So when Hank got possession of these papers showing where some gold—and a good store there was of it—was buried on an island in the South Seas, of course he told us. And we set out to get it.
“I won’t bother to tell you what trouble and hardships we went through to get this hidden gold—maybe it was pirate gold—I don’t know. We had to work and save and scrimp—live as low as we could—until we could make a trip together to this island.”
“And did you?” cried Ned, whose eyes, like those of Harry and Bob, were shining with excitement over this romantic tale.
“We did, lad, yes. We finally got to the island with the map and papers which Hank Denby always carried, as was his right.”
“And when you got there——” began Bob.
“The cupboard was bare!” finished Harry, laughing as he completed the old nursery rhyme. “I mean there wasn’t any gold there.”
“That’s where you’re wrong,” said Jolly Bill with a smile, “for we found the gold buried just where the old map said it would be, and, what’s more, we took it out—that is some of it.”
“Did the natives attack you—did you have a fight or anything like that?” Harry wanted to know.
“Nope—nothing as exciting as that,” replied Jolly Bill.
“Crickety! I wish I could have been there!” sighed Ned. “I’ve always wanted to go to the South Seas. It’s nice and warm there, isn’t it?” he asked. “You don’t have to wear many clothes and dress up do you?”