saloon of Nick's father, dwelling upon the efforts Nick had made to
arrest Buckner. I stated that he had tried to obtain a passage to New
Orleans in the Sylvania, that I had refused to let him go in her, and
had taken care that he did not become a stowaway on board of her. I
added that Nick told me of his intention to run away from his home, and
seek his fortune in some other part of the country.

"I have no doubt that Nick stole the four thousand dollars the
messenger laid on the counter, and resorted to the trick of forging a
letter to Captain Blastblow, so that he could get the Islander off
ahead of the Sylvania," I continued.

"But how is it that Cornwood did not stop the Islander at Key West, as
it appears he got on board of her there?" asked Colonel Shepard, deeply
interested in the narrative.

"I think you will have to ask Cornwood about that," I replied. "I am a
Yankee, and I can guess what he meant."

"I don't know that I care about any guessing, Captain Alick; but if you
have any theory with a base under it, I should like to hear it," said
Colonel Shepard.

"I think Cornwood was well assured that Nick was on board of the
Islander when you sent him to intercept the steamer at Key West," I
answered. "Cornwood would not have gone on such a wild-goose chase for
nothing. According to the testimony of Captain Cayo, Cornwood and Nick
had very earnest conversation at Key West."

"I don't think it's any use to speculate over the case," interposed
Captain Blastblow. "Let us search for the money."

We all agreed that this was the next thing to do.

CHAPTER XIX.

A SEARCH FOR THE LOST TREASURE.

The two steamers had passed the bend of the river, and we had gone by
forts Jackson and St. Philip without a word being said of the
historical events which were connected with them. We were too busy with
the inquiry before us to give any attention to the surroundings, though
I could see that our passengers on board the Sylvania were discussing
what they saw on the mighty river. But nothing could have been more
uninteresting than the banks of the river near its delta.

It was a season of high water, and the low lands beyond the levee on
either side were overflowed. Occasionally we passed a vessel going down
the stream, or a powerful skeleton-tug dragging a ship against the
rapid current. There was little to be seen besides the muddy flow of
the stream all around us, and the fringe of trees that grew on the
l