"Tom, I could almost hug you for this!" cried Nellie, in a low voice. "Well, nobody is stopping you," he added promptly. "All right, I will--on your next birthday," cried Nellie, not to be caught. "But really, I'm a thousand times obliged to you." "This is like a room in a fairies' palace!" exclaimed Grace. "I know when I go to sleep I'll dream of fairies and rainbows, and pots of gold----" "The gold we want to unearth," broke in Sam. "Just dream where that is located and then tell us of it." "Oh, you'll be sure to find that." "How do you know?" "Oh, you never fail in anything," and Grace gave him a sunny smile. "I don't know about that, Grace. This is going to be no easy task." "Oh, I know that, Sam, but you'll win in the end, I know you will." "I trust we do--for your sake as much as for the others. You know if it is found a good share of the treasure goes to your mother." "Yes, and that will be awfully nice." "Maybe, if you get all that money, you won't notice poor me." "Poor you? Why, you'll have a great deal more than we'll have anyway. You are rich already." "Well, if you get the money you won't forget me, will you?" persisted Sam. "What a queer boy you are, Sam! Forget you! Well, just try me with the money and see!" she added, and gave him one of her warmest smiles. Then she danced off to look at the rest of the steam yacht, and the youngest Rover followed her. CHAPTER XII SOMETHING ABOUT FIRECRACKERS All was in readiness for departure but one thing, and that was the most important of all. Bahama Bill had not put in an appearance and was not expected until the evening of the Fourth of July. "We shall have to remain over the Fourth after all," said Anderson Rover. "But I imagine that will suit you boys, for you can stay in the city and have some fun." It did suit all the young folks, and they immediately planned a fine automobile tour for the afternoon, hiring two autos large enough to accommodate all of the girls and boys. The morning was spent in and around the yacht, where Tom and some of the others amused themselves by shooting off their pistols and some firecrackers. Tom had purchased some things for the Fourth the day previous and he had one package which he was careful to keep out of sight. "I am going to have a barrel of fun with the girls," he said to his brothers. "But don't tell anybody about it." "What is it?" asked his younger brother. "Wait and see." It had been arranged that the whole party should have an early lunch, so that they might start on the automobile ride by one o'clock. Aleck was in charge of the dining room of the yacht and he had spread himself in trimming it with red, white and blue streamers and small flags. "Oh, how lovely!" cried Dora, as she came in and sat down. "I declare, Aleck, you deserve a great deal of credit." And she gave the colored man a smile which pleased him immensely. "Where is Tom?" asked Mr. Rover, after all the others were seated.