e are few wild animals down here, and no savages outside of some
negroes who occasionally go on a spree and cut loose."

The rowboat was soon ready, and the boys embarked, with the best wishes
of those left behind. Hans wanted to go very much, but was told he must
wait until morning. Bahama Bill said he would rather sleep on shipboard
any time than on shore.

"A bunk for me," were his words. "It's better than under the trees or
bushes. Once I was ashore sleepin' an' a big snake crawled over my
legs. I thought some cannibals were trying to tie me fast and jumped
up. When I see the snake I run about three miles without stopping. A
cozy bunk fer me every time, yes, sir!"

It was exciting to bring the rowboat through the passage of the reef
and once the boys thought they were going to ship a good deal of water.
But the two men who were rowing knew their business and brought them
into the horseshoe harbor without mishap. They helped the lads to land,
on a small sandy strip close to some palms, and then started back to
the steam yacht.

"Treasure Isle at last!" cried Dick, when they were left alone. "So far
our quest has been successful. Now to locate the cave and unearth that
treasure!"

"And may it prove to be worth all that has been said of it," added Sam.

CHAPTER XX

THE BOYS MAKE A DISCOVERY

The boys had landed at a spot that was particularly inviting in
appearance, and they stopped for several minutes to take in the natural
beauty surrounding them. There were tall and stately palms, backed up
by other trees, trailing vines of great length, and numerous gorgeous
flowers. A sweet scent filled the air, and from the woods in the center
of the isle came the song of tropical birds.

"What a fine camping place!" murmured Sam. "A fellow could spend
several weeks here and have lots of fun, bathing and boating, and
hunting birds, and fishing," and his brothers agreed with him.

Yet the beauty of Treasure Isle was soon forgotten in their anxiety to
locate the cave. They had a general idea that it was in the center of
the horseshoe curve, and that center was quite a distance from where
they had been brought ashore.

"The best we can do is to tramp along the water's edge," said Dick.
"Then when we reach the center we can go inland."

"We haven't over an hour," replied his youngest brother. "By that time
it will be too dark to do much more. And we'll have to find some
suitable place to camp for the night."