“It will be punishment enough for him if we get the treasure,” answered Mr. Rover.

“If we do.”

“You are not ready to give up yet, are you, Tom?”

“Oh, no.  But finding that treasure isn’t going to be as easy as I thought.”

“We ought to be able to find some trace of the cave pretty soon—­the isle is so small.  If the isle was large it would be a different matter.”

They decided to advance, some of the party skirting the swamp in one direction and some in another.  It was difficult work and they did not wonder that Merrick and his party had given up in disgust.  Occasionally they had to wade in water up to their ankles and then climb through brushwood that was all but impassible.  They tore their clothing more than once, and scratches were numerous.

The sun had been shining brightly, but now, as if to add to their misery, it went under some heavy clouds, casting a deep gloom over the jungle.

“We are goin’ to have a storm,” said Bahama Bill.  “An’ when it comes I reckon it will be a lively one.  I remember onct, when I was on the island o’ Cuby, we got a hurricane that come Putty nigh to sweepin’ everything off the place.  It took one tree up jest whar I was standin’ an’ carried it ’bout half a mile out into the ocean.  Thet tree struck the foremast o’ a brig at anchor an’ cut it off clean as a whistle.  Some o’ the sailors thought the end o’ the world was comin’.”

“They certainly do have some heavy hurricanes down here,” remarked Anderson Rover.  “But let us hope we’ll escape all such, even though we get a wetting,” he added, as he felt a few drops of rain.

Soon it was raining steadily, and when they reached a spot clear of trees they got soaked to the skin.  But as it was very warm they did not mind this.

“It’s like taking a bath without troubling about undressing,” said Tom, and this remark caused a smile.

They were now in a bunch once more, with Bahama Bill leading them.  The old tar was looking sharply ahead and soon he gave a grunt of satisfaction.

“What is it?” asked Anderson Rover eagerly.  “I know where I am now,” was the reply.

“And unless that earthquake knocked it skyhigh thet cave ought to be right ahead o’ us!”

CHAPTER XXVI

A DISMAYING DISCOVERY

The announcement that the treasure cave must be just ahead of them filled the entire party with renewed energy, and regardless of the rain, which was now coming down heavily, they pushed on behind Bahama Bill in a close bunch, each eager to be the first to behold the sought for spot.

There was no longer any trail, and they had to pick their way over rough rocks and through brushwood and vines which were thick regardless of the fact that they had little or no rooting places.

“I guess we’ve got to earn that treasure if we get it,” said Sam, as he paused to get his breath.