“You shall be well paid for your work, Hollbrook,” answered Mr. Rover.  “Only stick by us and help us to get this to safety.”

“Oh, I’ll stick by you,” was the ready answer.  “I’ve got no use for such scoundrels as Carey and Bossermann.  I’m only livin’ one life, and I’ll live that honest like, God helpin’ me.”

Night was coming on when they got the treasure to the surface of the ground.  They hunted around diligently until they were almost certain they had everything of value.  Each was exhausted from his labors, but all were happy.  The Rovers were particularly delighted.

“This will make the Lanings and the Stanhopes independent for life,” said Dick, to his brothers.

“And they deserve it,” returned Tom.  “Won’t they be glad when they hear the news!”

“Remember one thing,” said Sam.  “We haven’t got the treasure from the isle yet, and we don’t know how the Rainbow is faring.  If those on the Josephine capture our steam yacht I don’t know what we are going to do.”

“Well, we won’t give up the treasure, no matter what happens,” said Dick, stoutly.

Mr. Rover calculated that the treasure was worth more than Bahama Bill had said.  Roughly estimated it would foot up to over a hundred thousand dollars, and this figure did not take in some jewelry of quaint design with precious stones which were new to the treasure hunters.

“For all we know those stones may be worth another ten thousand or more,” said Dick.  “I can tell you, it’s a great find and no mistake!”

It was decided to take the treasure down to the shore of Horseshoe Bay and there bury it directly behind the sandy beach.

“And we’ll leave everything here as near as possible as we found it,” said Anderson Rover.  “Then, if Sid Merrick comes, he can look for the treasure to his heart’s content,” and he winked at his sons.

“Good!” cried Tom.  “I hope he breaks his back working to move the rocks.”

Night had settled over Treasure Isle by the time the shore was reached with the treasure, which was carried in one of the chests and in several bundles and numerous pockets.  Men and boys were thoroughly fagged out, and they sat down under the trees to rest before starting to place their find underground again.

“We might as well wait till morning,” said Tom.  “I want to have a look at that gold and that jewelry by daylight.”

“We can wait,” said his father.  “So long as none of our enemies return to this isle we shall be safe.”

They ate what little provisions were left and washed down the scanty meal with what water was left in the bottles.  So far they had been unable to find any springs on the isle.

“I believe the want of fresh water is what keeps the natives away,” was Captain Barforth’s comment, and it is probable that his surmise was correct.

“I see a light!” cried Songbird, when they were on the point of retiring.  “It is out on the water.”