prosecuting a search for the hidden treasure, at much trouble and
expense. This was clear to us, and we talked the matter over that night
with eager interest. We surmised every possible case that might have
furnished the strange visitors with a working clue to the discovery of
the treasure. Speculation ran high. But there was one thing that we
became agreed upon, and that was, to become, if possible, parties to the
secret enterprise. We pondered with boys' shrewdness how this should be
done. This we could not decide upon; but we determined to play a venture
toward the desired end. The attitude of innocent curiosity seemed best
suited to our purpose. So we planned to draw up at Money Island in the
morning if we observed that the men were there; and to approach them in
an unsuspicious manner, as if we had just happened to stop at the Island
without any definite motive. This should work as a capital ruse, and, we
felt confident, it would initiate a connection on our part with the
mysterious search.

That point settled, we concluded to investigate the tent and its
occupants as well as we might under the cover of darkness, and we
promptly set out upon that project. We approached within a hundred feet
of the tent, and saw the men still sitting in the light of the fire at
the tent door; but there was no discovery of importance. They were
merely talking quietly and carelessly about some ship that one of them
seemed to be interested in. We could hear their conversation
distinctly, and we were also able to take a good observation of their
appearance.

One of them was a man upwards of sixty, of robust build and gray hair
and beard. He had a kind face, which bore the aspect of one accustomed
only to the quieter walks of life, unfamiliar with adventure and
ill-suited to an enterprise such as they were now apparently engaged