Читать книгу The Secret Chart; or, Treasure Hunting in Hayti онлайн

12 страница из 64

“But why not try to learn if these things really amount to anything?” Gil suggested, eagerly. “You have said you didn’t care where we went, and this would give us a purpose.”

“Yes, and one involving no end of hard work; but if you boys want to make the venture, and can decide where this particular spot is located, I’ll head the Day Dream for the place, and give you a chance.”

Nelse and Gil began to express their gratification; but the latter’s father interrupted them by saying:

“Don’t thank me. Treasure hunting is very different from what you fancy, and one day’s work, under a tropical sun, no matter how promising your clews may be, will result in a most intense desire to leave such jobs to other idiots. It is time now to get your traps on board, for the storm gives promise of clearing away, with a favoring wind, and the Day Dream will be under way before sunrise.”

Then Captain Mansfield left them, and the boys set about obeying his orders by first wrapping the supposed guides to a large amount of wealth carefully in brown paper, after which the remainder of the work was quickly accomplished, for their minds were so filled by belief in their ability to unearth a pirate’s hoard, that many things were left behind, which, under less exciting circumstances, would have been thought absolutely indispensable.