The globe trotter came back and sat in the seat just ahead, facing Tim. "We'd better hunt a camp site," he said. "It's impossible to make Auburn tonight." "I've got plenty of food and blankets," said Tim. "There's a supply in my boat, too," nodded Ford. "Let's turn off the main river now." Tim sent the boat twisting around the sand bars and toward the mouth of a stream on the right bank. Trees met above the smaller stream and 200 yards up its valley they found a small clearing richly carpeted with grass. "This is fine," said Ford. "We ought to find a spring somewhere in the bluffs back of us." While Tim made the boats fast and unloaded the duffle, Ford took a water jug and went in search of water. By the time he was back, Tim had a fire, built from dry, smokeless wood, burning well. Supper was not long, with two experts in camping lending a hand. The meal was simple--bacon, eggs, fried potatoes, bread and jam, but there was plenty of everything. After they had eaten their fill, they spread their blankets beside the fire. It was a time when men's tongues are loosened and Tim waited patiently. He felt that in good time, Ford would tell him the story of his efforts to learn the whereabouts of the Southern Queen and the treasure in gold which it held. "How much do you know about my plans to recover the gold in the Southern Queen?" he asked. "To be frank, I don't know a great deal," admitted Tim. "When you came to Atkinson as 'Mr. G. Seven' you aroused my curiosity. I knew that somewhere I had seen your picture, that your name should be on the tip of my tongue. I'd have learned your identity sooner but the paper was sponsoring an air circus and I had to handle the publicity. Then when I found your picture in the file in a story a little over a year ago I knew what you were after, but by that time you had left Atkinson." "How did you trace me here?" "Found out where you had rented your car, and learned that you had made inquiries about this section of the state. Then when Sladek arrived in an amphibian and made similar inquiries I had a hunch something was going to break. After reaching Auburn it was easy to learn that the only man on the river who had been a sailor was Crazy John." "So you rented a boat and started downstream after the story and on the way Sladek's outfit took a few shots at you?" "That's about the size of it. Now all I need to fill out the story is what you're going to do." "I'm going after the treasure in the Southern Queen and I'm going to take you with me," said Ford. "You're what?" asked Tim incredulously. "I'm going to take you with me on the hunt for the treasure in the hold of the Southern Queen." Tim stared, still unbelieving. "Will you go?" Ford was pressing him for an answer. "But you don't know much about me." "I know that you're resourceful and courageous and that Crazy John said you were a good man. I'd take Crazy John's word for it even if I didn't know the other things about you."