.

"The same old place!" murmured Bahama Bill.

"An' we anchored right out here when we took that treasure ashore! I
remember it as well if it was yesterday!" And he nodded over and over
again.

"And where is the cave from here?" asked Mr. Rover, who was as anxious
as anybody to locate the treasure.

"You can't see it, because it's behind the trees an' rocks," replied
the tar.

The reef beyond the horseshoe was a dangerous one, with the sea
dashing up many feet over it. There was only one break, less than
thirty feet wide, so gaining entrance to the harbor would be no easy
matter in a rowboat. "We had better wait until morning before we go
ashore," said Captain Barforth. "Even if we land we'll be able to do
little in the darkness."

"Oh, don't wait!" pleaded Tom.

"Why can't some of us go ashore?" put in Sam, who was as impatient as
his brother.

"I'd like to go myself," added Dick, "even if I had to stay ashore all
night. Remember, the _Josephine_ is on the way here, and the sooner some
of us get to land and locate that cave the better."

"The _Josephine_ isn't here yet," said Fred.

"No, but she may put in an appear at any time," answered Tom. "I
believe in taking time by the forelock, as the saying is."

The matter was talked over for a few minutes, and then it was decided
to let Tom, Dick, and Sam go ashore in company with two sailors, who
would then bring the rowboat back to the steam yacht. The boys were to
take blankets and some provisions with them and spend the night on the
island.

"I don't think you'll find the cave without Bahama Bill's aid," said
Mr. Rover. "But it will do no harm to look around. If this isle is
like the rest of the West Indies there will be little on it to hurt
you. There are few wild animals down here, and no savages outside of
some negroes who occasionally go on a spree and cut loose.."

The rowboat was soon ready, and the boys embarked, with the best
wishes of those left behind. Hans wanted to go very much, but was told
he must wait until morning. Bahama Bill said he would rather sleep on
shipboard any time than on shore.

"A bunk for me," were his words. "It's better than under the trees or
bushes. Once I was ashore sleepin' an' a big snake crawled over my
legs. I thought some cannibals were trying to tie me fast and jumped
up. When I see the snake I run about three miles without stopping. A
bunk fer me every time, yes, sir!"

It was exciting to bring the rowboat t