watching him. But the two
were talking earnestly between themselves.

"I have a plan," began the former teacher of Putnam Hall, in a low
voice, "a plan to aid you."

"What plan?" demanded Tom.

"Hush! not so loud--or they may hear you. I presume you know what sort
of a fellow Baxter is?"

"Well, rather," said Sam dryly.

"He is planning to do you a great deal of harm. Now I think I can save
you."

"Then save us," said Tom. "Or untie us, and we will save ourselves."

"You can't save yourselves. Baxter is strong, and that guide is a giant
in strength."

"What do you propose?"

"I'm coming to that. But you must make me a promise first."

"What promise?"

"That half that treasure shall be mine when it is found."

"Half!" cried Tom and Sam together.

"Yes."

"We can't promise that," went on Tom.

"You don't want much," was Sam's comment.

"Isn't it worth something to be saved from Baxter's clutches? I
overheard him tell the guide what troubles he had had with you in the
past, and how you had been the means of sending his father to prison,
and all that. Why, he would put you out of the way forever, if he
could."

"And will you stand by, Jasper Grinder, and see that done?" asked Tom.

"No! no! But--but--he is his own master. Promise what I wish, and I will
help you."

"We can't promise you half the treasure," said Tom flatly. "But if you
will really help us, we'll promise that you shall lose nothing by the
transaction."

At this instant Dan Baxter leaped to his feet and ran for his gun,
while Bill Harney and Lemuel Husty did the same.

"Come out here, Grinder!" shouted the bully. "Somebody or some wild
animal is around!"

CHAPTER XXIII.

THE BLACK BEAR.

"Somebody is coming!" ejaculated Sam. "I hope it is Dick, with Mr.
Barrow!"

"So do I," returned Tom.

Without saying a word more, Jasper Grinder ran from the inner cave and
joined Baxter and the guide. His face was pale, and he was evidently
much disturbed.

Soon Baxter and his party were outside, and the Rover boys heard them
moving up and down the gully. Several minutes passed, and then came a
gunshot, followed by another.

"I hope they are not firing on Dick or Mr. Barrow," said Sam, with
something of a shudder.

"I guess not," returned his brother. "If they were, we'd probably hear
shots in return."

An hour went by, and then Dan Baxter and the others came back, the guide
carrying several rabbits and a large fox. The r