uestioned Anderson Rover.

"This looks changed to me. When I was here afore there was a rock
yonder, an' the crowd placed a mark on it fer a guide as I told ye.
Ain't no rock there now!" And he scratched his head as if he was
afraid he was not seeing aright.

"When you were here was a good many years ago," said Songbird. "The
rock may have tumbled down the hill. Let us look around."

This advice was followed, and after a long hunt a rock was found in a
hollow. It had a peculiar mark cut upon it.

"That's it!" cried Bahama Bill, in delight. "I knew it must be around
here somewhere--but what made that big rock tumble down?"

"Maybe somepody pushed him ofer," said Hans.

"Four men couldn't budge that rock," declared Fred.

"I believe an earthquake must have done it," came from Anderson Rover,
and suddenly his face grew grave. "I trust no earthquake has disturbed
the treasure cave," he added.

They pushed on, but scarcely had they covered a quarter of a mile when
Bahama Bill called another halt. And well he might, for the trail they
had been following came to an abrupt end in front of a pit several
rods in diameter and twenty to thirty feet deep. The bottom of the pit
was choked up with rocks, dead trees and brushwood.

"What now?" asked Mr. Rover, and his tone betrayed his uneasiness.

"This wasn't here afore," said the old tar, briefly. He was so
"stumped" he could scarcely speak.

"You are sure?"

"Dead certain."

"Then this isle has undoubtedly been visited by an earthquake within
the last few years."

"Thet's it, Mr. Rover."

"Maybe the trail can be picked up on the other side of the hole," came
from Fred. "Let us walk around."

He and some of the others started to do so, but soon came to a place
where walking became uncertain and dangerous. Song bird went into one
hole up to his waist and poor Hans disappeared entirely.

"Hellup! hellup!" roared the German boy. "Bull me owid, somepody!"

Aleck was close at hand, and reaching down into the hole he got hold
of Hans' hand. It was a hard pull, but presently Anderson Rover took
hold, too, and between him and the colored man they got the German
youth to the surface. Hans' face and clothing were covered with dust
and dirt and he was scratched in several places,

"I dink I was goin' t'rough to Chiny!" he said. "You pet my life I vos
careful after dis vere I valk, yah!"

"The earthquake seems to have left this part of the isle full of pits
and holes,"