Once more they set to work, Sam watching them while trying to get back his breath and strength. Soon the last of the loose stones were removed from the hole, and they came upon a thin metallic slab having in the center a small ring. They pulled the slab up and disclosed a small square opening, in the middle of which rested a metallic box, about a foot and a half square and a foot in depth. The box was so heavy 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 hide."