CHAPTER XX
THE TREASURE OF BUFFALO LAKE
The cavernous opening into which the boys swung their lanterns in a vainattempt to penetrate its gloom seemed indeed to lead into the heart ofBuffalo Mound. A muddy, turbulent stream was rushing down it at atremendous rate, but there was room enough left to allow the passage ofan agile boy, willing to bend himself double, and the water was not deepenough to be an obstacle.
"It may show us a way out," exclaimed Glen. "I'm bound to see where itgoes. Who'll go with me?"
"We'll all go, Brick. You don't leave me behind in this dark cave, youdon't," declared Chick-chick.
"How about your head, Matt?" asked Apple.
"It's good enough now," said Matt. "I'm sure going to be along on this."
With Glen in the lead they crept one after another along the narrowpassage, Apple bringing up the rear and trailing behind him thecumbersome pick. At a place where the passage widened out into a roomyvault which gave space for them to stand erect Glen halted the littlecompany and pointed onward to show how the tunnel, leaving this vault,suddenly seemed to narrow so that there was scarcely room for a headabove water.
"It's going to be pretty risky here, fellows. I think we'd better go oneat a time. I'll crawl as far as I can. If I don't come back while youcount a hundred let Chick-chick crawl after me. If I'm stuck or chokedhe can pull on my feet and pull me back. Then Matt can do the same forhim and Apple for him. I'll either get through or be back by the timeyou count a hundred."
It seemed a long count, and it was hard for them to keep from unseemlyhurry. At ninety Chick-chick got down on his knees in the tunnel and asApple said "One hundred" he disappeared. Matt and Apple counted againand this time it was Matt who disappeared, and Apple was left alone. Buthe stuck bravely to his counting until another hundred was numbered,then he pushed his pick ahead of him and crawled into the passage, hishead scraping the top, his lips scarcely an inch above the swiftlymoving water. It seemed a long time before the passage widened, butthere were no obstacles, and in a little while he crawled into a largerspace where the three dripping boys were waiting for him.
"There's a light away on ahead," announced Glen. "I believe it'sdaylight."
It was almost a race after that. Nothing was considered in their madrush, and at every turn the light ahead became clearer until Glen, stillin the lead, made a turning and gave a great shout. The next moment allof them could see unmistakable daylight shining through a small opening.
Glen was lying at full length in the stream, trying to enlarge theopening with his hands, when they reached him.
"It's Buffalo Hollow!" he cried. "We've come clear through the Mound.This opening isn't big enough to let any of us in or out, but thewater's going out in a good stream now, and soon it will make BuffaloLake."
Apple's pick was brought into use and with its aid the boys made theopening large enough to scramble through one after the other.
It was scarcely break of day; the sun was just showing signs of risingfor his daily task. Oh, how good it felt to be out there in fullliberty, able to look around and see all the beautiful things of God'screation; how good to be able to stand erect and stretch out everymuscle. Apple had scarcely found his feet before he was off at breakneckspeed in the direction of the camp.
"He wants his father should know he's safe," explained Chick-chick, asthey looked after the flying figure. "Come on, Brick. They'll beworrying about us, too. You better keep close, Matt. Your head mightgo bad, it might."
Apple was the center of an excited crowd of scouts for there had been nosleep in camp that night. Already they were wigwagging the news of thediscovery.
"There's a big smoke all ready to be started on top o' the Mound,"explained a scout. "Soon as they get our message they'll start it andthen everybody will know and they'll all come in."
Almost as he spoke the signal shot out its flames and smoke and in lessthan twenty minutes the scoutmaster was folding his son in his embraceand wildly shaking the hands of his lost scouts.
Glen was not there. He had gone quietly into the tent where he hadexpected to find his friend Spencer.
"Good old scout!" cried Will, as he wrung his hand. "You've been givingme more worry than all the rest of my children put together, but Iforgive everything now you have returned. Wherever you've been I hopethis will be a lesson to you and you'll never go treasure huntingagain."
Glen's reply was startling.
"There is no need," he said. "The treasure is found!"
"Found again!" shouted Spencer. "Where? In a bread-box?"
"No, sir. No bread-box this time. Found in the heart of Buffalo Mound.It is pouring into Buffalo Hollow now and by this time to-morrow therewill once more be a Buffalo Lake!"
* * * * *
With the crowd of people who came from town to see the marvel of therefilling of Buffalo Lake was a skillful surgeon. He examined Matt'sscalp-wound.
"I can fix that up with the aid of the scoutmaster's first aid kit," heannounced. "You'll need a few stitches but I guess you are man enough tostand that."
"I can stand it," said Matt. "But have all the fellows go away so theywon't hear me if I holler."
"All but one or two," agreed the doctor. "I'll need one or two boys tohold things."
"Use the fellows who were with me, then!" asked Matt. "They know justabout how foolish I can be so it won't be anything new to them."
The doctor laughed.
"That's the way heroes talk sometimes," he said. "I'm glad to hear yousay it."
"They know all about me being a hero," said Matt. "But they know Ilearned something in that cave."
"All ready, now," said the doctor. "You hold the bowl," he said toApple. "And now that you have scrubbed your hands you may hold this panof instruments," he said to Chick-chick. "And I guess we haven'tanything for you to hold," to Glen.
"He's going to be the anesthetic," said Matt. "Take hold of my hands,Brick, and if I holler, punch me."
It was the first time he had addressed Glen by the name which had becomeso familiar to the others, and both knew that in the word alldifferences were swept away.
That day there was great rejoicing all through the camp at the return ofthe lost boys, great rejoicing at the success that seemed sure to cometo the plans of Jolly Bill Spencer, and mingled with the rejoicing anunderlying vein of excited speculation whether a close search of thecave would not disclose the ancient treasure of bullion or at the veryleast some booty stored there by the robber band.
Tom Scoresby again headed a delegation to approach the scoutmaster forpermission to explore the cave.
"What do you think?" asked Mr. Newton. "Who has first right there--whoare the discoverers?"
"Apple and Brick and maybe Chick-chick and Matty," replied honest Tom."But I reckon they wouldn't want to keep us out."
"It isn't my cave," disclaimed Matt, who sat there with his head swathedin bandages. "I just butted in. I got all that was coming to me."
"'Tain't mine," said Chick-chick. "But if there's any treasure I wantsome, I do."
Glen and Apple only laughed, but Mr. Newton felt that he could speak forthem.
"This is Sunday, boys," he declared. "No one will run away with thatcave over night. I don't think that Indian will be back in a hurry.Tomorrow, after camp drill, all first class scouts--the goodswimmers--may explore the cave. Mr. Spencer claims the water rights. Allbullion and other treasure found and not claimed by the authorities willbe shared alike by all in the camp."
Monday morning found the whole camp at the Ice Box. The stream stillwas high so that it was no easy matter to gain access to the cave, butno scout who had passed the swimming test for "first class" thought ofshirking the attempt. Mr. Newton himself led the way and Glen and Applewere not far behind.
The many lights relieved the pitchy darkness of the cave enough to showthe high ledges that ran still further back into the gloom.
"We will explore these ledges one at a time," said
Mr. Newton. "Letevery scout make sure of his footing before he steps. Don't getexcited."
Alas! there was unfortunately little to create excitement. Farmproducts--potatoes--bacon--several suits of clothes--old pipes--severaltools--pieces of chain--bottles that once had held liquor--even an oldstraw hat; but of treasure that could create even a moment's excitementthere seemed to be none.
"I know who brought this collection here," said Apple. "The Indian! It'shis treasure house all right, and that's why he went in here thatmorning."
"That's all right," said Tom Scoresby, "but there ought to be a lot ofreal treasure around here. If no bullion, anyway there ought to be thebank robber's stuff."
But all their searching was of no avail. When they returned through thenarrow opening they went empty handed.
Waiting on the bank with the younger boys was Matt Burton. He had notbeen allowed to enter the cave for fear that the swim under water mightinfect his wound. He was greatly disappointed at their failure and,since characteristics do not change over night, it is not surprisingthat he had a very strong opinion that if their party had been increasedby just one member the result would have been different. Let this besaid of Matt--he tried to conceal this feeling.
"Where d'ye look, Brick?" he asked.
"We explored every ledge and went into places that grown men couldn'thave squeezed through."
"Did you dig?"
"There isn't much chance to dig. The inside of the cave is a shale thatno one could dig into. It would have to be blasted."
"Then there must have been some holes or something--oh, say, did youlift up that shelf of rock we lay on that night?"
"No, we didn't find any loose rock to lift."
"That rock was loose. I remember how it seemed to tip when we moved. Inall I've read about treasure there never was any left just on top ofthe ground, except in Treasure Island, and even that was buried untilBen Gunn carried it to the cave. I'd like to look under that rock."
"We'll go back with you, Matty," chorused a dozen scouts, only too gladof further exploration.
"Mr. Newton, the water's gone down so much I'm sure I can get throughwithout wetting my head. Please let me try it," begged Matt.
"If ye don't he'll be so excited his brains'll spill out o' that gash,they will," urged Chick-chick.
"I'll give him all the help he needs," offered Glen.
"I'll go along myself," said Mr. Newton. "I guess we can manage himbetween us."
So back the whole expedition went convoying Matty to the cave. He ledthem straight to the ledge of rock and the stamp of a foot was enough toshow its lack of balance.
The boys were greatly excited--even Mr. Newton showed immense interest.
"Use the pickaxes to pry, boys. Get under these loose corners," directedthe scoutmaster. "Tom and Glen, you two are the strongest--one at eachcorner now."
The broad slab of rock started easily enough at their energetic effort.A seam appeared to widen--a crack was disclosed--there followed spacesufficient to allow a hand to be inserted and then a dozen willingscouts helped with the lift. In a couple of minutes the big slab wasthrown over with a crash, and below appeared a cavity that was evidentlythe work of men's hands.
Dark as Erebus was the interior, baffling the peering eyes of thescouts, until Mr. Newton, hanging a lantern on each point of a pickax,dangled it into the depths. A vault some four or five feet deep andrunning far back into the cave was disclosed. It was partly filled withan assortment almost as miscellaneous as the treasure left on the ledgesby the Indian; a riding saddle, an old coat, several pieces ofartillery, some tools which may have been accessory to the trade ofburglary, and scattered among these things many articles of personalproperty which, were undoubtedly of great value.
But the thing upon which the eyes of the scouts rested with greatestinterest was a metal box, probably secured from some bank, which restedconspicuously on the top of the plunder.
"Matt and Glen get first selection," said Mr. Newton. "It's their find,whatever it is."
"Well take the box," said the boys.
Although not of great size the box was rather heavy, but its handlingwas no task for two such athletes. To the great disappointment of all itwas locked.
"Never mind," said Mr. Newton. "We will open it when we get to camp. Nowthe rest of you take each what you can carry. Bear in mind that thequestion of property rights in this discovery is not to be considered atpresent. That will come later. All we do now is to carry it to camp."
They made a queer procession as they came one by one through the smallopening. Matt and Glen came first pushing their box ahead of them on theraft which had been used in bringing over their tools and lanterns. Thescouts who followed in their wake found it no easy matter to keep theirtreasure clear of the water as they crossed the swift little stream.
"These robbers chose safe place for their plunder all right, all right,"said Chick-chick to Apple, "but mighty inconvenient, it is."
"I don't see why they did it," Apple replied. "They ought to have renteda safety deposit box in some bank."
From the other bank their passage was watched not only by the excitedgroup of younger scouts but by three new arrivals. They were thesheriff, a deputy and Mr. J. Jervice.
"The kids has found the loot," exclaimed Mr. Jervice. "They're bringingit over now."
"I guess I'll have to take care o' that stuff for you, Cap," said thesheriff to Mr. Newton.
"It's just as you say," replied Mr. Newton. "We would hardly have knownthe proper thing to do with it. But I want to notify you that if thereis any reward for its recovery we claim it."
"We'll see you get it," said the sheriff. "This man Jervice tells usthat there's a lot o' valuable bonds and securities in the box. That'swhat they was down here after, mostly. Jervice thought we'd let him offif he gave the story away to us. The old gang got the location of thecave from an Indian, but Jervice couldn't find the Indian."
"The Indian's gone," said Mr. Newton. "I doubt if he ever comes back.There's a lot of stuff in the cave yet and you'd better get a boat and awagon. Some of the scouts will help you."