Presently John Barrow had to get out of the wagon to fix something on the harness.  While he was doing this Dick leaned over to his two brothers.

“Don’t say anything about the map to anybody,” he whispered.  “We’ll keep that a secret for the present.”  And Tom and Sam nodded, to show that they understood.

The ride to John Barrow’s house soon came to an end, and as the boys alighted at the horseblock the door opened and Nellie and Grace Laning appeared.

“How do you do, Tom!” cried Nellie, as she ran and caught him by the hand, while Grace did the same to Sam.  “We’re awfully glad to see you, and to see Dick and Sam, too,” and a hand-shaking all around followed.  Then Mrs. Barrow, a motherly woman, was introduced and also her daughter Addie, who was Nellie’s age, and full of fun.

“Come right in, boys,” said Mrs. Barrow.  “Supper is waiting, and I’m sure you must be hungry.”

“Hungry doesn’t describe it,” said Tom.  “I could eat sole leather.  Phew! what an appetite riding in this mountain air does give a fellow!”

“Can you ever remember the time when you wasn’t without an appetite, Tom?” asked Nellie Laning, with a laugh.

“Never go so far into ancient history,” he returned solemnly, and a general laugh followed.

Soon their outfit was safely housed in the barn, and then they entered the house, where the long supper table, filled with good things, awaited them.  All three of the, girls insisted upon waiting on the boys, and it proved as jolly a meal as they had ever eaten.  They lingered for an hour at the table, talking and cracking nuts, and during that time the Rover boys became thoroughly acquainted with the Barrow family.

“Oh, I’ve heard lots about you!” said Addie Barrow.  “Nellie has told me great, long stories about Tom’s bravery, and Grace has told me all about Sam’s doings, and both of them have told about you, Dick——­”

“Now, do be still, Addie!” put in Nellie Laning.  “I declare, I never said a word!”

“Oh!  A word!  Why, you kept me awake one night for over an hour telling about how Tom——­”

“Let’s have a song,” broke in Sam.  “I see an organ in the next room and some music.  You must play,” he added, to Addie.

“She plays beautifully,” put in Grace, thankful for the change of subject.  “Addie, give them that new song, ‘I’m Sorry, Oh, So Sorry!’”

“All right,” answered the young lady of the house, and sitting down at the organ she ran her hands over the keys and started the song.  She could sing and play well, and all joined in the chorus.  The music was kept up for over an hour, and then the Rover boys retired, highly pleased over their reception.

CHAPTER XIV.

The start up the river.

“If it wasn’t for finding that treasure box I’d just as lief stay here for a few days,” remarked Tom, on getting up the following morning.