y any game
on me."

"That shows what your promise is worth, Baxter," returned Tom. "I didn't
expect much else, though, for I know you thoroughly. Still, we told you
nothing but the truth."

With a face full of hatred Dan Baxter turned on his heel and left them.
Presently they heard him sit down with the others, and all began to eat
the food that had been cooking.

"I must say we didn't gain much," observed Tom gloomily. "I suppose I
ought to have humored him, in order to get something. But I despise him
so I can't help pitching into him."

"I wouldn't humor him--I'd starve first!" returned Sam earnestly. "I am
glad we weren't carrying the map."

"So am I glad. Rather than give it to him, I would have chewed it up
and swallowed it."

Half an hour went by, during which both boys said but little, each being
busy trying to concoct some scheme by which they might escape. They
heard the others talking in low voices, but were unable to catch what
was said.

Presently Jasper Grinder came in, bringing with him a small portion of
food and a kettle of water. Setting the things on a rock, he untied one
hand of each of the boys, that they might eat and drink.

"This is a fine meal," said Tom sarcastically.

"It is more than you deserve," replied the former teacher of Putnam
Hall.

"You always were a hard one, Grinder."

"Mr. Grinder, if you please," said the man pointedly.

"And if I don't please to call you Mister?"

"Then you will get nothing more from me."

"Do you know that you are playing a high game here, keeping us
prisoners?" asked Sam.

"What we are doing is our business." Jasper Grinder paused for a moment.
"I want you to tell me something of that treasure for which you are
seeking," he went on.

"What do you want to know?" asked Tom.

"What is the treasure worth?"

"We can't tell that until it is found."

"You are quite sure it has never been removed?"

"How can we be sure, when we don't know anything about it."

"Baxter says your brother Dick has a map."

"Hasn't Baxter a map, too?" questioned Sam.

"Something of a map, yes, but it is not very complete."

"I'm glad to hear that," said Tom quickly.

"But Baxter claims the treasure for himself."

"Really?" said Sam sarcastically. "Well, let him claim what he pleases.
If we find it, it will belong to us--don't forget that."

Again there was a pause. Jasper Grinder looked anxiously toward the
outer cave, to see if Baxter or the guide were