lf crazy dreaming of gold."

"Johnson is taking it all in," remarked Jerry.

"Yes! If his eyes get much bigger they'll fall out of his head," added
Fred. "One miner told him the streets in Nome were paved with gold, and
he thinks all he has to do is to take up a few of the yellow blocks to
make him rich."

"That's the trouble with a new gold field," said Mr. Baxter. "They
circulate wild stories about it. Of course there's lots of gold in
Alaska. The thing is to find it. Fred, I hope you have that map safe?"

"Yes, sir."

"Better let me have it. I think I can take better care of it than you
can. If some one should steal it and get ahead of us we'd be in a queer
pickle."

"That's so, dad," spoke up Jerry. "I wonder how soon this steamer
sails?"

"Early to-morrow morning. That's why we came on board to-day. I don't
like to get up early to catch a boat and run the chances of getting
left."

The four treasure hunters occupied one stateroom with four berths, as
they wanted to be together.

Fred was awakened in his berth the next morning by an uneasy motion. At
first he could not understand what it was, but he soon knew that it was
caused by the action of the waves on the ship.

"Are we off?" he cried.

"That's what we are," replied Mr. Baxter.

Fred and Jerry dressed and hurried out on deck. They were out of sight
of land, for the steamer had sailed before daybreak, and it was now
about eight o'clock.

"We're headed for Alaska!" cried Fred enthusiastically.

"Aye, aye!" answered Jerry, sailor-fashion. "And there's no telling when
we'll be coming back."

"I don't want to until we get that treasure," went on Fred.

"Hush! Don't speak about it," cautioned Jerry.

At that moment a man, who, from a peculiarity in his look, was seen to
have one glass eye, passed the two lads. He glanced sharply at Fred,
and the boy regretted he had mentioned the treasure.

"Do you think he heard me?" he asked Jerry in a low tone.

"I'm afraid so. But I guess it doesn't matter. He can't know what you
meant, and there is any amount of treasure in Alaska. Still, it's better
not to speak of it on the ship."

"I'll not after this. Say, this air makes me hungry."

"Same here. Let's go to breakfast."

Little happened on the days that followed. The _Sea Lion_ steamed
steadily north, and the boys were not the only ones counting the days
until they should arrive on the Alaskan coast, for there were many who
were taking the voyag