“By creation! I never thought of that!” cried Andy. “Maybe there is a fortune after all.” “The collection is certainly worth something,” said Jack, slowly. “And I hope, for Harry’s sake, that it proves valuable, for the find belongs to him.” “We’ll share and share alike,” began Harry, but the others cut him short. They all loved their companion, and were only too glad to throw a chance of making something in his way. The coins were carefully sorted over, and then Harry tied them in his handkerchief and put them in a safe place inside of his clothes. He calculated that the collection ought to bring him in at least fifty or a hundred dollars, and to a person in his reduced circumstances this was worth obtaining. After this, the remainder of the contents of the chest, consisting of some clothing and a few books, which fell apart as soon as removed, was taken out. There was nothing more of value. On the walls of the cottage were found several old engravings representing a naval battle and several religious executions. Jack took these and placed them flat in his game-bag. “It’s about time now that we got back to the trail,” he said. “We have lost an hour here.” “Well, I for one don’t begrudge the time,” said Boxy, and all, especially Harry, said the same. With a last look around, they left the cottage, shutting the door behind them. It was the first time that the place had been visited for years, and perhaps it would be even longer before it would be visited again. They were soon on the trail again, and hurrying along as fast as the roughness of the country would permit. Up one hill and down another they went, around great rocks and across numerous tiny streams, until at last they struck the end of the valley in which they had shot the deer the day previous. “I must confess I am tired,” remarked Andy, with an effort. “We must have covered a good many miles since we started.” “We have,” returned Jack. “But I--hold on, what is that ahead?” As he uttered the last words, Jack motioned the others to stop. At the same time he pointed to where a rough lean-to rested against a wall of rocks all of twenty feet high. “That’s some kind of a ranch,” returned Harry. “And, my gracious! there is our sled standing outside!” he burst out. “Boys, we have found those fellows at last!” “Bettah be cahful,” warned Pickles. “Da may be mighty tough customahs to deal wid!” “See that your guns are ready,” ordered Jack, sternly. “We’ll lay down the law to them, no matter who they are.” Every member of the Zero Club at once complied. Boxy was a trifle nervous, but he did his best to hide it. Jack and Harry, as the natural leaders of the crowd, went to the front. Before the lean-to ran a small mountain stream, now frozen solid. Between that and the shelter smoldered a fire, and around this were scattered a large quantity of chicken feathers and the heads of two of the barnyard fowls.