It was quite a walk, but in his eagerness Bob covered the ground in short time.

As he was passing a clump of bushes, not far from his destination, he was surprised to hear a voice calling sharply from the darkness: "Avast there!" "Who is it ?" asked Bob.
"It's me," replied Captain Obed in his husky voice.

"I hid out here to signal you so's you wouldn't be followed." "Followed?
Who by ?" "By persons anxious to get hold of the secret map that tells of the treasure buried on the island.

Are you all alone, Bob ?" "Of course." "Then go ahead into my house.

I'll follow as soon as I've taken an observation." The boy thought the old man must be rather queer to imagine any one would try to steal his secret, if secret he had.