Mr. Pete then and so Ah come
on down to see youall. Mr. Pete he won't come to for a long time. Don't
no-body come to for for a long time when Ah hits 'em. Ah don't know mah
own strength dey tells me."

"So, that was it, eh?" observed Frank. "Conscience got to hurting a
little and we owe the presence of this united band of Boy Scouts to our
friend Doright. Boys, I move three cheers for Doright! Give them real
heartily now, as if you meant it."

The ringing cheers went echoing across the waters of the Gulf, bringing
a grin to Doright's black face. He scarcely caught the entire meaning of
this tribute, but he sensed the import of it.

"I think we'd better give Doright a little souvenir," Frank suggested.
"Doright, what would you like to have best of all?"

Doright considered deeply, scratching his head meanwhile. At length he
looked up with a smile spreading across his face.

"Ah reckon I'd like best to jes' cook an' clean upon this here boat. She
sure am a fine boat and Ah wouldn't be in the way a littlest bit. Ah
could sleep down in here by the engines or on deck."

"All right, Doright," answered Jack. "We'll have to consider the matter
a while. We'll let you know later. You may go now."

After the negro's disappearance toward the cabin, the boys again
gathered about Jack, eager for the next development.

"After Doright's lucid explanation, I think we have reduced our troubles
to just one," he announced in a tone of finality.

"Just one trouble on earth," shouted Harry. "Oh my!"

"And what, pray, might that be?" queried Frank.

"That is just the question of whether or not there really is a treasure
and if there is whether or not it is getatable, and whether Wyckoff and
Lopez and their gang of rascals will make us the trouble they have been
trying to make if we endeavor to get the chest."

"Well," speculated Charley, "if there isn't a treasure, there might just
as well be one for Wyckoff and Lopez and their gang believe there is
one, and they're ready to fight to the last breath to get it."

"They're surely scrappers," Arnold announced. "We know that."

"Yes," agreed Harry, "they're scrappers from the very word."

"Look at what we've had to contend with before we fairly start."

"What I'm worried about," Jack announced, "is that although Lawyer Geyer
gives minute instructions about everything else he doesn't give any
information as to the site of the chest. The fort must have been an acre
or so in extent