Young Hunters in Porto Rico: or, The Search for a Lost Treasure. Stratemeyer Edward
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steamship was swinging to aid him." Robert Menden paused. "That is my story, and now let me know what you think of it, and where you are bound, and what you intend to do with me."
CHAPTER IV
A COMPACT OF IMPORTANCE
"It's certainly a strange story," mused Dick, and looked questioningly at the other club members, and at Danny, who stood at the doorway, taking in with wide open eyes all that was being said.
"Sure, an' if I was youse fellers I'd hunt up dat gold!" remarked the Irish lad. "Twenty t'ousand dollars! Dat's a regular – er – mint, dat is!"
"It's not ours to hunt up," answered Bob; but he looked at Dick questioningly, nevertheless.
"You want to know what I think of your story," said the leader of the club, addressing the man they had saved. "I think it's a mighty interesting yarn."
"And where are you bound?"
"We were bound for Savannah, to take on some extra ship's stores. But the storm made us turn out to sea again, and the wind has carried us a good bit out of our course."
"It looks to me as if you lads were out for pleasure."
"You are right. We form an organization known as the Gun and Sled Club. Last winter we spent a large part of our time in the woods and had immense fun. This spring my uncle left me this yacht, and we decided to sail down the Atlantic coast as far as Florida, and then go hunting and fishing and sporting generally. But I guess it's time we introduced ourselves;" and Dick proceeded to go through the usual form for all hands but old Jacob, who was still on deck, in sole charge, now that the storm was over.
The introduction and hand-shaking made everybody feel more at home, and Robert Menden questioned several of them concerning the contemplated outing. "I presume you will land me at either Savannah or in Florida," he concluded.
"Supposing we land you in Porto Rico?" said Bob, with a sudden twinkle in his eye.
"Will you do that?" asked Robert Menden, quickly.
"It's a pretty good sail for the Dashaway," said Bob, thoughtfully. "But I think it would be all right – if we could make the stores hold out."
"Hurrah! let us go to Porto Rico!" shouted Leander, who stood by. "I wanted to say go before, but I hardly dared."
"Can you go if you want to?" questioned the Englishman, as he gazed from one to another of the boys.
"Certainly," said Dick. "We can go where we please, for our time is our own, and so is our money – what little there is of it. We are not millionaires' sons, you know," he added, with a smile. "We are working this outing on as cheap a scale as possible."
"You are better off than I, who haven't a pound – "
"But you'll get that treasure – " broke in Don.
"Perhaps." Robert Menden looked very thoughtful. "Boys, I have a proposal to make to you."
"I'm ready for it, and I'll say 'yes' in advance," cried Leander.
"Then you know what is in my mind," laughed the Englishman.
"You want us to take you to Porto Rico?"
"Yes."
"And want us to help you hunt for that treasure?"
"If you care to do so. And I will give you a share of what is found."
"How much?" asked Don, who was breathing hard, and fancied he had the treasure already in his possession.
"That is a matter to be talked over. You see, I have lost my money, so if we all go together, you will have to bear the expenses of the trip."
"We'll keep the expenses down – we'll have to do it," put in Dick. "What kind of a bargain are you willing to make?"
Robert Menden thought for a moment. "I want to go to Porto Rico immediately, so that I can reach that cave before Joseph Farvel. If you set sail in that direction without delay, I think we can beat him, even if he takes a steamer from Havana to Ponce."
"I guess you are right there," answered Leander. He got out a chart and studied it for a moment. "At a rough estimate we are now about a thousand miles from the coast of Porto Rico, while the distance to that point from Havana, Cuba, is several hundred miles longer."
"And your enemy may have to lay over several days for a steamer," put in Bob.
"If he thinks you are dead he won't hurry," added Dick. "Perhaps he will stay in Havana for a week or two."
"That is what I was thinking," resumed Robert Menden. "Yet he is a very greedy fellow, and he will want to lay hands on that gold just as quickly as he can."
"Well, I guess anybody would want to do that," laughed Leander. "Such a sum of money is not to be sneezed at."
"I am willing to sail for Porto Rico as soon as we can, but we ought to have some ship's stores for such a long trip," said Dick. "We have no fresh vegetables left, so Danny tells me."
"Well, you must do as you think best about that," answered the Englishman. "But to get to business, as you Americans would say. If you will take me to Porto Rico as speedily as you can, and accompany me on a trip inland to where this cave is said to be located, and will bear all expenses – making them as little as possible – I will agree to give you one-quarter of all that is found."
"A quarter of twenty thousand dollars would be five thousand," said Bob. "That's not bad."
"And, remember, the treasure may be worth thirty thousand – or more," put in Leander. "I move this club take up with Mr. Menden's offer."
"I second the motion," cried Don, promptly.
"Ditto!" came from Bob.
"The motion is put – and carried unanimously," said Dick, almost as quickly. "Mr. Menden, from henceforth we are at your service, so far as our means afford and as long as we can keep out of positive danger."
"Let us put our agreement in writing," suggested Leander, who was going to have no trip-up in the matter. This was also agreed to, and the tall youth was set to work on the important document. When it was finished, both Robert Menden and Dick signed it, and Danny Guirk and old Jacob added their names as witnesses.
A long consultation was had, and it was resolved to run for St. Augustine, on the Florida coast, and there procure such supplies as were necessary.
The course of the Dashaway was changed, and the wind being still fresh, they made good progress.
"Get your list ready," said Bob, "so we won't have to stay ashore any longer than is necessary."
"I'm preparing the list now," answered Dick, who was consulting with Danny. The Irish boy was in high delight, having been promised a round hundred dollars extra, should the proposed hunt for the treasure prove successful. Old Jacob had been put down for a like sum, also to the old tar's satisfaction.
The run to St. Augustine proved without special interest. The boys found Robert Menden a nice companion. The Englishman had not only travelled a good bit, but had also been a great reader, and he was not above telling a good story whenever called upon to do so.
"I had a pretty fair wardrobe," he said, on the morning following the conversation just mentioned. "But now I haven't anything but what is on my back."
"You can look over the things on the yacht," replied Dick. "Some of them, I think, will fit you – and what else must be had can be purchased in St. Augustine."
Since the start from home all of the boys had taken a deep interest in the yacht, and old Jacob had succeeded in making a fairly good sailor of each of them. But there were still many things to learn, and now Robert Menden announced that he would take lessons in seamanship, too.
"I don't want you to think I am lazy," he said. "I am just as willing to work as anybody. I expect by the time Porto Rico is reached I'll be a regular old salt."
"We can't get to that island fast enough for me," cried Bob. "I'm crazy to get at that treasure." And he felt like dancing a jig for joy, little dreaming of all the thrilling adventures and grave perils in store for the party.