w the
steam yacht had been rescued from the clutches of the enemy, and how
Frank Norton had taken command and prevented anything in the shape of a
mutiny. The ladies and girls told of how they had been scared and how
they had locked them selves up in a stateroom, as Bahama Bill had said.
Then the Rover boys had to tell all about the finding of the great
treasure.

"And just to think!" cried Tom. "It is worth more than we at first
supposed!" And in his glee he hugged both Mrs. Stanhope and Mrs. Laning,
and then hugged Nellie. Nellie herself was so excited she never even
noticed it.

In the meantime, Captain Barforth was consulting with the chief
engineer and learning some of the particulars of how the mate had acted
and how the steam yacht had been chased by the tramp steamer.

"I trust I did what was proper, Captain Barforth," said Norton,
anxiously. "I tried to use my best judgment. From what Miss Stanhope
overheard of the talk between Mr. Carey and that scoundrel of a Wingate
I felt Mr. Carey was not the proper man to trust."

"You did exactly right," said the captain, "and what has happened since
proves it. If Carey and Bossermann try to kick up any fuss I'll tend to
them."

Mr. Rover was called into the consultation, and it was decided to leave
the vicinity of Treasure Isle at once, before the _Josephine_
should put in an appearance. It was a cloudy night, so they had to run
with care and at reduced speed. They kept a constant lookout for the
other vessel, but failed to sight her.

"Carey and Bossermann, as well as Ulligan, will have to remain on board
of her," said Captain Barforth. "Mr. Rover wants to get back to
Philadelphia as soon as possible with the treasure, and she is under
his charter. If they want to kick up a fuss later, why, they can do it,
that's all."

"Homeward bound!" cried Sam, enthusiastically.

"And with the treasure safe on board!" added Tom. "It seems almost too
good to be true."

"And the enemy left behind," put in Dick. "I hope they go back and hunt
for the stuff," he went on, with a grin.

His wish was fulfilled, as they learned a long time later, through one
of the sailors composing the crew of the _Josephine_. The tramp
steamer tried all of the next day to locate the steam yacht and then
Sid Merrick ordered the craft back to Treasure Isle. Here, Merrick, Tad
Sobber, Carey, Bossermann and several others worked for nearly a week
trying to unearth the treasure, but, of course, w