Tom groaned. His effort to save the man who had done so much to bring
disaster upon himself and his chums was now beyond his reach. Although
Tom had been doing all that he possibly could to help Wyckoff, he still
felt keenly the humiliation of his defeat.

Jack, who stood near, laid a consoling hand upon Tom's shoulder. His
emotion was equal to that of his comrade. All were awed.

It was Carlos who brought them to attention again.

"Look there," he cried. "Look at that chest."

The boys stared in spellbound amazement at the curious sight.

Exactly in the center of the noose of rope lying now half buried in the
boiling sands rose the end of a box or chest. It plainly showed evidence
of age. A gasp of astonishment went around.

"Pull in on the line," urged Carlos. "There's your treasure."

Like one in a trance, Tom obediently pulled on the line. The noose
tightened about the chest. Tom dragged with all his might but was unable
to move the object. He glanced at the others. They seemed unable to
move, but gazed with staring eyes at the sight.

"Tail on here, my hearties," cried Tom. "Give us a hand."

Almost instantly the others awoke to the situation and now every hand
was grasping the line and all were pulling manfully.

Inch by inch they gained. The chest was dragged slowly through the
boiling sands to the pitside, where it was necessary to raise it to
firmer ground. The boys dared not go close to the edge for fear of
starting the sand caving. Their backs were straining under the burden.
Their hands were burning from their grasp on the line.

"Pull!" gasped Tom, throwing every ounce of his weight into the work.
"Pull," he gasped again.

The games in which his comrades had indulged hardening their muscles
were now becoming of benefit to them. The tugs-of-war were showing their
practical value. No similar number of boys of equal weight could have
exerted the power that this group did with their trained ability to pull
all together and keep pulling all the time.

But even as they pulled and felt victory nearly within their grasp they
realized that the sand was mightier than they. Their strength could last
but a little while, whereas that of the quicksand was constant. The
strain was telling on them. It seemed as if only a few more pounds on
the rope would swing the balance in their favor. And that help was near.

Dashing from the clump of palmettos where he had remained, Rowdy came
bounding over the interveni