“Second the motion.  It’s carried,” cried Tom.  “Back we go.”

The boys lost no time in securing their own skiff and felt no compunction against using the boat brought by Wyckoff and Lopez.

Into the larger of these the chest was loaded.  The boys of the Fortuna went along as personal bodyguard with Rowdy to share the honors.  Harrison and Carlos with Doright took the smaller boat.  In a short time they were again on the west side of the bay and had the lights aboard the Fortuna glowing.

“I guess, Mr. Harrison, we’ve been rather fortunate after all,” began Jack.  “It has seemed sometimes as if we were not going to get out of some of our troubles, but they all manage to end somehow.  How can we get rid of that libel?”

“I think I can fix that for you,” replied Harrison.  “I haven’t served the papers yet, you know, so if you get the money to the shipyard people early in the morning, I’ll hold off a while.”

“Thank you,” heartily responded the lad.  “When we get this cover pried off, we’ll hand you a bucket or so of gold for the bill.”

As the lads were prying off the cover of the wonderful chest a hail came from the wharf.

“Launch, Ahoy.”

“Now what?” petulantly cried Harry.  “Always some interruption.”

“I think I know that voice,” cried Jack.  “Ahoy there, Dad.”

“Hello, Jack.  Have you got anything to eat?”

A hearty laugh followed the question.  Jack’s father, for it was indeed he, knew the appetites of the Fortuna’s crew.

“Sure we have,” cried the delighted Jack.  “When did you arrive?”

“Just now,” declared his father.  “Mr. Geyer and I came down to see if you needed any help and have just walked down from the railroad.  Your ’bus line,” he added with a wink, “is not running.”

“Oh, I’m so glad you got here,” Jack replied.

“Are we in time?” queried Mr. Stanley.

“No, not in time to be of help when we needed you most,” Jack answered; “but Rowdy took your place.  Now we’re just getting ready to count the money.  Want to help?”

“What?” questioned Mr. Stanley.  “Surely there was nothing to that story about the buried treasure.  Geyer,” to his companion, “look at what these boys have unearthed.  Isn’t that astounding?”

Introductions all round were followed by a hearty lunch of fish, sweet potatoes, canned fruit, corn pone and coffee prepared by Doright, who had been at once assigned to the task upon the return of the treasure hunters.

Upon opening the chest it was found to contain a quantity of gold and other coins, as well as a number of jewels in settings.  Mr. Geyer, the attorney, who was versed in those matters, informed the boys that the coins were of great value because of their age and excellent condition.  Collectors, he said, would be glad to pay far in excess of their original face or intrinsic value.

The gems were beyond his ability to estimate, although he felt sure they would return a handsome sum.