man rowed off, more quickly than the boys supposed one of his age could do, they followed, but at a distance.
The day was a fine one, there was only a little wind, and the tide was with them.
"But it won't be so easy rowing back against the current," said Bob.
"Oh, don't worry," advised Sammy, eager to find where the strange man lived.
They did not have long to wait. A little later, after turning a point of land, the man rowed up to a small dock, in front of a small house, and, tieing his boat there, got out and went up the slope.
"Come on!" called Sammy, a moment later. "Let's go ashore."
"Maybe he won't like it," suggested Frank.
"Oh, he won't care," was the answer. "He's seen us following him, and he didn't say anything. Come on."
Rather against their will, Frank and Bob followed Sammy. He sent the boat up on the beach, and threw out the anchor in the sand to hold the craft against the tide. Then, followed by his chums, he approached the small cottage.
But if the boys imagined the aged man was going to witness their approach in silence they were disappointed. He reached his porch, and putting his pick, shovel and box down there, turned and hurried to meet Sammy and his chums.
"Did you boys want to see me?" he asked, and his voice was rather stern. He did not speak like the fishermen of the cove, but more, as Sammy said afterward, like Mr. Tetlow, the school principal, when he was angry.
"We—we just wanted to see," began Sammy, uncertain whether or not to tell his suspicions about the pirate gold, and to be allowed a share in the secret.
"Now look here, boys!" interrupted the aged man,
