to get after that treasure
without delay," said Dick. "If we don't, Merrick may form some kind of
a party, locate the island, and steal the gold and jewels from under
our very noses!"

"Oh, such things are not done in a day, Dick," said his father, with a
faint smile. "But I agree with you, the quicker we get after the
treasure the better."

After that a discussion lasting well after the dinner hour followed,
and was only ended when Mrs. Rover fairly drove them into the dining
room for the midday repast. It was resolved that the party to go in
search of the treasure should be made up of Anderson Rover and his
three sons, Mrs. Stanhope and Dora, the Lanings, and also Fred
Garrison, Songbird Powell and Hans Mueller. During the afternoon a
number of telegrams and letters were written, and the boys sent these
off before nightfall.

Aleck Pop was very much interested in such conversation as he had
overheard, and as he had accompanied the boys to the jungles of Africa
and on the houseboat trip he was very anxious to be a member of the
present party.

"I don't see how yo' young gen'men is gwine to git along widout me," he
said to Sam. "Don't yo' think you kin squeeze me aboadh somehow?"

"Aren't you afraid you'd get seasick, Aleck?" asked Sam.

"I ain't afraid ob nuffin, if only yo'll take me along," answered the
darkey earnestly.

"I suppose the steam yacht has its cook."

"Dat might be, Massa Sam, but didn't I cook all right on dat
houseboat?"

"You certainly did."

"Might be as how I could gib dat cook on de yacht some p'ints as to wot
yo' young gen'men like, ain't dat so?"

"Perhaps, Aleck. If you wish, I'll speak to father about it."

"Tank yo' werry much, Massa Sam!"

"But you must promise one thing," put in Tom, who was listening to the
talk.

"Wot is dat?"

"You won't run off and marry the widow Taylor when you get back."

"Huh! I'se done wid dat trash!" snorted Aleck. "She kin mahrry dat
Thomas an' welcome. I don't want her or her chillun neither!"

"All right, then, Aleck, we'll see what we can do for you," said Tom,
and Sam said the same. In the end it was agreed that Aleck should
accompany the party as a general helper, and this pleased the colored
man very much. It was a lucky thing for the boys that Aleck went along,
as certain later events proved.

CHAPTER VIII

THE ROVER BOYS IN NEW YORK

The more the Rover boys talked about the treasure hunt the more
enthusiastic they becam