Edward Stratemeyer

“ I have determined to charter that yacht and go on a cruise among the West Indies. It will be a fine outing for the summer, even if we don't locate Treasure Isle, as Mr. Stanhope called the spot."
"And you'll take us along?" asked Tom, quickly.
"If you want to go."
"If we want to go? Does a duck want to swim, or a dog want to scratch fleas? Of course we want to go."
"Such a trip will suit me to a T," said Sam. "And I hope with all my heart we locate that treasure," he added earnestly.
"Of course you'll take this Bahama Jack along," said Dick. ”

“ The home coming for the Rover boys was full of pleasure. Uncle Randolph and Aunt Martha were at the depot to meet them, and the aunt gave each the warmest kind of a hug and kiss, while the uncle shook hands over and over again. Nor were Anderson Rover and Aleck forgotten.
"Back again, and glad of it," said Tom, as he flung his cap into the air. "The West Indies are all right, but give me Valley Brook farm every time."
"So say we all of us," sung out Dick and Sam, and here we will once again bid our friends goodbye. ”

“ If it was true that Carey, Bossermann and Wingate contemplated joining Sid Merrick there was no telling what the enemy might not accomplish next.
"I have never liked Carey," observed Captain Barforth. "But I did not imagine he would take matters in his own hands in this fashion. I did not think he had the backbone."
"It's the thought of the treasure has done it," answered Anderson Rover. "Many a man's head is turned because of gold."
Those on the shore watched the steam yacht round the eastern point of the isle. Each heart sank as the vessel disappeared from view. ”

“ Every red-blooded boy will enjoy the thrilling adventures of Don Sturdy. In company with his uncles, one a big game hunter, the other a noted scientist, he travels far and wide—into the jungles of South America, across the Sahara, deep into the African jungle, up where the Alaskan volcanoes spout, down among the head hunters of Borneo and many other places where there is danger and excitement. Every boy who has known Tom Swift will at once become the boon companion of daring Don Sturdy. ”

“ Casting the light of the acetylene gas lamp ahead of them, the party from the Josephine moved on, directly past the spot where the Rovers were in hiding. The boys hardly dared to breathe for fear of discovery. They stood stock still until the others were all but out of sight.
"This is interesting," murmured Tom. "They must have landed on the other side of the island."
"Yes, and Merrick hired that Walt Wingate to play us foul!" cried Sam. "What shall we do next, Dick?" he continued anxiously. "They act as if they expect to get that treasure to-night!" ”

“ Soon the rowboats turned back and hastened to the side of the Josephine.
"That's what I call repelling boarders!" said Captain Barforth, grimly. "I only hope the fireworks hold out."
"It is now to be a race between the Rainbow and that other craft," observed Mr. Rover, and he was right. Inside of fifteen minutes both vessels were headed out to sea, and running at about the same rate of speed. Soon the haze over the water hid both craft from view.
"Well, one thing is certain," said Mr. Rover. "Our friends are alive to their danger and are going to do their best to get away from the enemy." ”

“ With cautious steps they stole after the Merrick party, keeping them in sight by the waving rays of the lamp and lantern ahead, as they danced over the rocks and among the trees and bushes. They kept about a hundred feet to the rear.
"I've got a plan," said Tom, as the party ahead came to a halt to make sure of the trail. "Can't we cut in somewhere and get ahead of them and then scare them back?"
"Let's try it!" exclaimed Sam. "I am sure if we play ghosts, or something like that, we'll scare Tad Sobber out of his wits."
"It's a risky thing to do," mused the eldest Rover. ”

“ 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 Rovers were particularly delighted.
"This will make the Lanings and the Stanhopes independent for life," said Dick, to his brothers.
"And they deserve it," returned Tom. "Won't they be glad when they hear the news!"
"Remember one thing," said Sam. "We haven't got the treasure from the isle yet, and we don't know how the Rainbow is faring. If those on the Josephine capture our steam yacht I don't know what we are going to do."
"Well, we won't give up the treasure, no matter what happens," said
Dick, stoutly.
Mr. Rover calculated that the treasure was worth more than Bahama Bill had said. ”

“ With their thoughts on the Rainbow and those on board, the treasure hunters went back to the vicinity of the shattered cave. Nobody felt much like working, yet to remain idle made the time hang heavily on their hands.
"There is no use of our going to work in a haphazard fashion," were Mr. Rover's words. "We must first go over the ground carefully and plan out just what is best to do. Otherwise a good portion of our energies will be wasted." ”

“ It was exciting to bring the rowboat through the passage of the reef and once the boys thought they were going to ship a good deal of water. But the two men who were rowing knew their business and brought them into the horseshoe harbor without mishap. They helped the lads to land, on a small sandy strip close to some palms, and then started back to the steam yacht.
"Treasure Isle at last!" cried Dick, when they were left alone. "So far our quest has been successful. Now to locate the cave and unearth that treasure!" ”

“ Dick, Tom and Sam listened to this conversation with keenest interest and amazement. These men had mentioned the name of Sid Merrick, the rascal who had in the past tried so hard to harm them and who had up to the present time escaped the clutches of the law. Evidently they were in league with Merrick and under his directions.
"We must capture those fellows by all means," whispered Tom, excitedly. "If we do, maybe we can find out where Merrick is."
"Yes, and Tad Sobber, too," added Sam, who had not forgotten the poisonous snake episode at Putnam Hall. ”

“ But he remained silent, and stepped into the shadow of the cabin as Wingate left the rail and crossed to the other side of the yacht. From under some coils of rope the deck hand brought forth something, lifted it over the rail and dropped it gently into the sea. Then he leaned far over the rail as before, and this lasted two or three minutes.
"He is certainly up to something out of the ordinary," thought Sam. "I wonder if he is fishing? If he is, it seems to me it is a queer way to go at it." ”

“ Without delay the bow of the steam yacht was pointed in the direction of the land that had been discovered, and after awhile all made it out, a mere speck on the blue water. But as they approached, the speck grew larger and larger, and they saw it was a beautiful tropical isle, with waving palms reaching down almost to the water's edge.
"We can't land on this side," announced Bahama Bill. "The sea is too dangerous here, We'll have to sail around to the south shore and lay to beyond the reef, and then take small boats to the inside of the horseshoe." ”

“ Then, after having pulled and cut their way through for fifty yards more, they came to a spot that was rocky and covered with a tangle of thorny bushes.
"Wow!" ejaculated Tom, after scratching his hand and his leg. "This is something prime, I must confess!"
"What I call hunting a treasure with a vengeance," added Dick, dryly.
"I move we go back," came from Sam. "We seem to be stuck in more ways than one."
"Perhaps it is better traveling just beyond," declared Dick. ”

“ They were careful in going through the opening in the reef, for nobody wanted to see either boat swamped and its precious contents lost. The passage was made in safety, the searchlight aiding them.
"Back again!" cried Dick, as he mounted to the deck.
"Oh, Dick, are you safe?" cried Dora, rushing to him.
"Yes, and we have the treasure!" he answered proudly.
"Oh, how glad I am everybody is safe!" put in Nellie.
"We are all glad," said Mrs. Stanhope. "The last forty eight hours have been so full of peril!" ”

“ Anderson Rover heaved a deep sigh, which was echoed by his sons. To get down into that mass of rocks a distance of from one to two hundred feet would surely be a herculean task, if not an impossible one. And then, too, there was a question whether or not the treasure had not dropped down through some hole in the bottom of the cave after the earthquake.
"I'll have to think this over," said Anderson Rover, after an examination of the rocks. "We'll have to try to locate the treasure and then see if we can raise enough dynamite to blow the rocks away. ”

“ Hundreds of thousands of boys have laughed until their sides ached over the weird and wonderful adventures of Jerry Todd, Poppy Ott, Trigger Berg and their friends. Mr. Edwards' boy characters are all real. They do the things other boys like. Pirates! Mystery! Detectives! Adventure! Ghosts! Buried Treasure! Achievement! Stories of boys making things, doing things, going places—always on the jump and always having fun. His stories are for boys and girls of all ages. ”

“ For a number of years Tom, Dick and Sam have attended a military academy, but now their school days at Putnam Hall are at an end, and we find them getting ready to go to college. But before leaving home for the higher seat of learning they take a remarkable cruise on a steam yacht, searching for an island upon which it is said a large treasure is hidden. They are accompanied on this trip by their father and a number of friends, and have several adventures somewhat out of the ordinary, and also a good bit of fun—for there is bound to be fun when Tom Rover is around. ”

“ Tom was the first to speak.
"Shall we follow it?" he asked.
"Might as well," answered Sam. "It's better than scratching yourself and tearing your clothing in those thorn bushes."
The boys took to the trail and passed along for a distance of quarter of a mile or more. It wound in and out around the rocks and trees and had evidently been made by some natives bringing out wild fruits and the like from the forest.
"It doesn't seem to be leading us to anywhere," was Dick's comment. "I don't know whether to go on or not." ”

“ So far no arrangements had been made for the vacation, and the brothers were anxious to know "what was in the wind," as Tom expressed it.
"Maybe we are to prepare for college," said Dick.
"Perhaps we are to go on another trip to Africa?" added Sam.
"Or start on a hunt for the North Pole," put in Tom. "That would be just the thing for this hot weather."
"I can tell you one thing," went on Dick. "Whatever father has on his mind is of a serious nature. It is no mere outing for pleasure." ”

“ So far they had been unable to find any springs on the isle.
"I believe the want of fresh water is what keeps the natives away," was Captain Barforth's comment, and it is probable that his surmise was correct.
"I see a light!" cried Songbird, when they were on the point of retiring. "It is out on the water."
He pointed, and soon all made out the lights of a vessel in the distance. Then, as the craft came closer, they saw a rocket shoot up in the air, followed by a Roman candle.
"It's the Rainbow!" shouted Dick. "That must be some sort of signal for us!"
"But where is the Josephine" asked Tom. ”

“ Why, the whole treasure isn't worth it."
"But I want to get that money and the jewels for you, Dora."
"Yes, but I don't want money and jewels if—if you are—are going to get hurt," she answered, and her deep eyes looked him through and through.
"I'll be careful after this—but we are going to get the treasure, sure thing," he added, stoutly.
"I was afraid an earthquake might have played pranks with that cave," was Captain Barforth's comment. "An earthquake can shake down the top of a cave quicker than it can shake down anything else. It doesn't take much to do it." ”