Boy Scouts in Southern Waters; Or, Spaniard's Treasure Chest

was leveling an automatic pistol at the head of the outlaw who now dropped his pistol hand to his side

again!" warned To

is hand and permitting the weapon to drop to the sand. "You wait

your head." Then as the outlaw obeyed, Tom added--"Way up with 'em. Pick me a star or two out of the sky.

ptive, Frank took a closer look at the d

how did you g

ack, turning to Frank before continuing his

ho marooned me on this lonely island!" de

rmined tone. "He's going to get all that

d the others. "Here'

oned Jack. "No harsh measures will be per

little group showed that the boys heartil

the missing flashlight made to imitate an automatic pistol, a watch, a purse with some coins inside, a vile smelling pipe with a po

anything of our property," Jack said when the search was completed. "I guess we'd bet

. "I think it would be wise to sew him d

Frank. "But tying i

him with?" asked To

"how did you get ashore, anyway? Last we k

ot and after a while I made him out. The glasses showed that it was our last visitor on board the Fortuna. So I knew he'd bear watching, as they say, and I went below to get a gun for emergency. When I came out again, he wa

ily agreed the boy

ueried Jack. "It rather worries me. He's

justice, too, if we marooned him on this very island where he

m suggested, "while we argue it out. Ther

ure that chilled the boys when not in motion. Accordingly, following the lad's suggestion, they directed their steps toward one of

he premises," ventured Frank. "We want to be square with yo

d go back north!" shouted Wyckoff in an

, "so long as we don't harm anyone. We ar

ou're after the Spanish Chest, but you

got himself and shook his fist at Jack th

eaning to the excited man whose glance toward Tom took in th

without doubt multiplied many times in the retailing of its story," Jack argued, "does that imply that w

ried it. It is mine because it is in the family. I don't know what word you educated

rnold; "you mean you

ver be able to get the treasure. It is cursed to anyone but

nt," said Frank, appearing to agree with Wyckoff, "but what di

en we know that you are ready to leave, we'll bring you all toget

en to him?" questione

b across his throat w

ing. Their glances, met and instinctively they shrank away from

rank at last. "What is this I hear about the one who discovers the chest having to

ot utter a word while digging for it. Also, he must come with clean hands. You under

fault of your own, old chap. You surely tried your level best t

dirty scoundrel!" cried Harry. "Why, if we

ies on the beach unless she's worked herself

sted Jack, "while we go back and look after the vessel. We'll re

pe this angelic prisoner tries to escape

Jack indulgently. "I know the provocation is

d you?" inquired Wyckoff when the boys had

" asked Tom angrily. "Why would it be any

es nor provisions. I cannot make a fire with sticks, as he did," rep

u some matches and some grub. You could fi

anks and timbers of all sorts. Why, once I came out to one of the islands and found a fine boat washed ashore by a storm. It was

and some canned goods," Tom argued, "yo

y, also, but his training stood him in good stead. By a magnificent effort of will he kept his eyes fastened on the prisoner, who stared intently toward the Fortuna as if fa

id you, you old fox?" he taunted. "You wanted me to look away fo

stice, lad," repli

in working order just the same, and don'

trolled himself with a visible effort. Hatred seemed to

ssage that the boys were meeting success in their efforts to g

d. "They're fetchi

on the prisoner, Tom's gaze wandered for

to be the object o

to rescue them a short time previously. Because of the short distance traveled, the momentum of the boat had not been sufficient to drive her far up on the bea

lothing, went overboard in the clear water of the little bigh

bent on the line he carried to the end of the chain cable. He was nearly breathless when he reached the surface, but willing

n victory over the recovery of the anchor than they heard a shot from the shore. Har