“Is everybody safe?” asked Dick.

“Yes.  That Dutch boy burnt himself ag’in with a rocket, but it ain’t much an’ he don’t care, for he said the rocket hit a chap named Sobber in the stomach and keeled him over.”

“Good for Hans!” cried Sam.  “That will give Tad Sobber something to remember him by!”

As quickly as it could be done, the treasure was transferred to the two rowboats, and the entire party set out for the steam yacht.  They were careful in going through the opening in the reef, for nobody wanted to see either boat swamped and its precious contents lost.  The passage was made in safety, the searchlight aiding them.

“Back again!” cried Dick, as he mounted to the deck.

“Oh, Dick, are you safe?” cried Dora, rushing to him.

“Yes, and we have the treasure!” he answered proudly.

“Oh, how glad I am everybody is safe!” put in Nellie.

“We are all glad,” said Mrs. Stanhope.  “The last forty eight hours have been so full of peril!”

Of course everybody has to tell his or her story, and for a long time there was a perfect babel of voices.  Fred and Hans related how the steam yacht had been rescued from the clutches of the enemy, and how Frank Norton had taken command and prevented anything in the shape of a mutiny.  The ladies and girls told of how they had been scared and how they had locked themselves up in a stateroom, as Bahama Bill had said.  Then the Rover boys had to tell all about the finding of the great treasure.

“And just to think!” cried Tom.  “It is worth more than we at first supposed!” And in his glee he hugged both Mrs. Stanhope and Mrs. Laning, and then hugged Nellie.  Nellie herself was so excited she never even noticed it.

In the meantime, Captain Barforth was consulting with the chief engineer and learning some of the particulars of how the mate had acted and how the steam yacht had been chased by the tramp steamer.

“I trust I did what was proper, Captain Barforth,” said Norton, anxiously.  “I tried to use my best judgment.  From what Miss Stanhope overheard of the talk between Mr. Carey and that scoundrel of a Wingate I felt Mr. Carey was not the proper man to trust.”

“You did exactly right,” said the captain, “and what has happened since proves it.  If Carey and Bossermann try to kick up any fuss I’ll tend to them.”

Mr. Rover was called into the consultation, and it was decided to leave the vicinity of Treasure Isle at once, before the Josephine should put in an appearance.  It was a cloudy night, so they had to run with care and at reduced speed.  They kept a constant lookout for the other vessel, but failed to sight her.

“Carey and Bossermann, as well as Ulligan, will have to remain on board of her,” said Captain Barforth.  “Mr. Rover wants to get back to Philadelphia as soon as possible with the treasure, and she is under his charter.  If they want to kick up a fuss later, why, they can do it, that’s all.”