CHAPTER XVI.
A ROW ON SHIPBOARD "Do you know, I think we are going on the wildest kind of a goose chase," said Tom, the next day, to his two brothers.
"Why ?" questioned Sam.
"Because we are depending, in large part, on what Bahama Bill has to tell, he's the worst yarn spinner I ever ran across." "It's true that he is a yam spinner," said Dick, "but behind it all father says he tells a pretty straight story of how the treasure was stolen and secreted on Treasure Isle." "I want to see the island, and the treasure, too, before I'll believe one quarter of what that sailor says," replied Tom.
"Well, we'll soon know the truth of the matter," came from Sam.

"If this good weather continues we ought to get to where we are going inside of ten days.

Of course, if we are held up by fogs or storms it will take longer." The boys, and the girls, too, for the matter of that, were greatly interested in the elegant steam yacht, and they took great pleasure in visiting every part of the vessel from bow to stem.

Captain Barforth did all in his power to make all on board the _Rainbow_ feel at home and whenever the boys visited the engine room they were met with a smile from Frank Norton.
But if they had friends on board there were also some persons they did not like.

The first mate, whose name was Asa Carey, was a silent man who rarely had a pleasant word for anybody.