"If we don't, Merrick may form some kind of a party, locate the island, and steal the gold and jewels from under our very noses!" "Oh, such things are not done in a day, Dick," said his father, with a faint smile.

"But I agree with you, the quicker we get after the treasure the better." After that a discussion lasting well after the dinner hour followed, and was only ended when Mrs.Rover fairly drove them into the dining room for the midday repast.

It was resolved that the party to go in search of the treasure should be made up of Anderson Rover and his three sons, Mrs.Stanhope and Dora, the Lannings, and also Fred Garrison, Songbird Powell and Hans Mueller.

During the afternoon a number of telegrams and letters were written, and the boys send these off before nightfall.
Aleck Pop was very much interested in such conversation as he had overheard, and as he had accompanied the boys to the jungles of Africa and on the houseboat trip he was very anxious to be a member of the present party.
"I don't see how yo' young gen'men is gwine to get along widout me," he said to Sam.

"Don't yo' think you kin squeeze me aboadh somehow ?" "Aren't you afraid you'd get seasick, Aleck ?" asked Sam.
"I ain't afraid ob muffin, if only yo'll take me along," answered the darkey earnestly.
"I suppose the steam yacht has its cook." "Dat might be, Massa Sam, but didn't I cook all right on dot houseboat ?" "You certainly did." "Might be as how I could gab dot cook on de yacht seem p'ints as to wot yo' young gen'men like, ain't dot so ?" "Perhaps, Aleck.