"Oh, anywhere so they'll be handy!" Will told him; and then the three
boys hastened to the room containing the chest and were soon kneeling on
the floor, examining carefully the object of their interest.

The chest, a long, narrow, flat box somewhat darkened with age, was
closed and securely fastened; and the tiny padlock that hung from its
side seemed to say, "If you please, I am here to protect my master's
property from the hand of any thieves; and to the extent that it is
within my power, I shall perform my duty." Its bold front and defiant
appearance did not, however, daunt the purpose of the boys. After giving
it a brief examination, they slipped around to the opposite side of the
chest, and by the aid of the screw-driver, removed the lower half of the
rusty hinges.

"Thank goodness, this chest is old!" Will exclaimed as he brushed from
his forehead the large beads of perspiration. "If these screws turned
any harder, I never could get them out. Guess we'll earn our tobacco
this time all right!"

[Illustration: Opening the Chest]

Scarcely had the last screw been removed when up came the lid; and
almost instantly three pairs of eager eyes were greedily gazing down
upon the contents of the wooden chest. There were in it a package of
old letters, various articles of clothing, a few trinkets, etc.; but
only that part of the contents that was carefully packed in one corner
claimed the attention of the boys. This, a pile of long brown strips,
or plugs, of tobacco, was what they wanted; and soon Will was busily
engaged in cutting a narrow slice from each plug and John and Charley