avy they
could scarcely budge it.

"The treasure at last!" came from all of the boys.

"Putty heavy, no mistake about that," was John Barrow's comment. "If
it's silver it's wuth considerable!"

"We must get it out somehow," said Dick, who was as excited as anyone.
"Let's get the crowbar under it."

This suggestion was carried out, and after a good deal of trouble the
box was brought up out of the hole. Beneath it lay an iron key, which
fitted the rusty lock of the treasure casket. Soon they had the box
open, and all gazed intently inside.

"Gold and silver!" shouted Tom. "See, the gold is on top, and looks as
if it had been put in some time after the silver. Wonder what the stuff
is worth?"

"Some thousand dollars, that's sure," said Dick.

Now that the treasure was found the boys scarcely knew what to do with
it. Then the guide came forward with a suggestion.

"We'll hide it in the snow for the present. Then the Baxter crowd won't
know where it is. The empty hole will throw 'em off the scent."

A nearby place was readily found, and into this the box was placed and
the snow was thrown loosely over it. This accomplished, they started
back for the camp with all possible speed.

It was a long tramp, and although he did his best Sam lagged behind.

"You go on, don't mind me," said the youngest Rover. "Only keep them
from running off with our goods."

It was a good half hour before the camp was reached. When they came in
sight of the spot it looked deserted.

"We may as well go slow," cautioned John Barrow. "There may be some sort
of a trap set for us."

They advanced with their guns ready for use, but nobody appeared, and
presently they stood close to the camp-fire. Then Dick ran into the
shelter, to find Jasper Grinder lying as Sam had left him.

"Mr. Grinder, where is the Baxter crowd?" he asked.

"Gone, half an hour ago," replied the wounded man.

"Where did they go to?"

"I don't know. They said something about following you up and spying on
you, to see if you had found the treasure."

"Creation!" ejaculated Dick, and ran outside again. "We've made a mess
of it!" he said. "They followed us up, and more than likely they've got
the treasure box this minute!"

It was found that but little in the camp had been disturbed, excepting
that Sam's gun had been taken off. What to do was now the question. Sam
could not walk further.

"Better stay here," said Dick. "If the Baxter crowd comes back, you can