ven a small quantity would restore my father's fortune and his
health?" asked Jack, persisting in his line of inquiry.

"Undoubtedly it would restore his fortune, and in my belief his
health, which he is unlikely to gain otherwise."

"Then I'll do it," said Jack, speaking for himself and Tom, for the
two lads had discussed the idea the night before. "Those dividends
from our share of the hydroaeroplane plant will fit out an expedition,
and if we fail--well, we can still sell out our interest and help dad
get on his feet again."

The telephone bell jangled. Jack answered it. The voice that came over
the wire was that of Professor Jenks. His tones trembled with
excitement as he spoke to the boy.

"I have analyzed that sample from the Colorado River," he said.

"Well, what is your verdict?" asked Jack, with a painfully beating
heart.

"That when all the expenses of reduction and refining and
transportation and digging are deducted that it will be worth at least
$100 an ounce," was the reply. "It would bring an even higher price,
for the placing of a large amount on the market will probably have the
effect of lowering it."

"Great Scott!" breathed Jack, "and there's a whole island of it there
for the taking."

"Yes; but how are yow going to get it? The cliffs are unscalable, the
river unnavigable. It might as well be in Mars for all the good it
does anyone," objected the professor.

Jack's next words were direct, to say the least.

"I've figured out all that," he said. "We can get it, if it's there to
be got. I've a reason now for going out there if it's possible to come
to some arrangement with Zeb Cummings. Can you meet me at the hospital
this afternoon to talk over the matter?"

"Are you serious?" gasped the professor.

"Perfectly," Jack assured him. "If we can't get at it by earth or
water we can reach it from the air, can't we?"

"Heaven bless my soul, I never thought of that," choked out the
professor. "I--Melissa's calling me. I'll meet you at the hospital
this afternoon."

"Tom and I will be there," said Jack, but the professor, at the
imperious bidding of Melissa, had hung up the receiver.

The result of the conference held that afternoon at the bedside of Zeb
Cummings was the formation of the Z.2.X. Exploration Company, the
members being Jack, Tom, Zeb Cummings and the professor. The capital
was to be furnished in equal amounts by the professor and the boys,
and Zeb Cummings was to be an equal