the "chief pirate of the bounding deep" was a most disgusted and mortified boy when he learned of the unfortunate result of his uncle's scheming.

all the facts became known at a stormy meeting between mr. wingate and jenkins, which took place in the house on chelten road. nat's uncle was very angry when he learned of mr. somers' visit. as is usual in such cases, each blamed the other, and in the war of words that followed nat's presence was disregarded.

"somers," said nat, sheepishly, when he saw him later on, "this is the truth—uncle parson never told me the real reason why he wanted you kept back. 'it's a business matter,' he would say; 'there are other people trying to buy this land, and if bob somers gets out there he couldn't help discovering it.' i couldn't see any particular harm in what he wanted done. that's the reason i helped. it was only just a lot of sport to me."

"what made your uncle say anything about it in the first place?" asked bob.

"i heard him talking over the 'phone one day, and found that he was trying to buy the land. he had to tell me, for fear i might say something to you."

"but when the 'rambler' was stolen, then damaged, and at last blown up, didn't you know anything about it?"

"honestly, somers, i went to my uncle and asked him a few questions, and he flew into a terrible rage. 'do you think i'm in the business of blowing up boats?' he said. 'of course not! i had nothing to do with it.'"

"i suppose it was the same men who stole the boat?"

"you're right! say, somers, i'm awfully sorry, and hope you don't bear any ill will toward me."

bob held out his hand.

"of course i don't," he said, heartily.

and the rival leaders shook hands.

in tocono lived mr. horatio strang, a well-known copper mining expert.

mr. somers visited him and finally induced him to accompany the party to their destination. thus it happened that two gentlemen and five boys started off, early one morning, on a clair bay steamer.

the boys carried pickaxes and all other implements necessary for their work.

mr. somers' tract of land proved to be densely wooded in places, with other portions barren and rocky.

guided by information which mr. jenkins had furnished, the party went from place to place, exposing here and there the underlying strata of rock.

investigations were not completed until the sun had sunk beneath the western horizon and the gray of evening began to steal over the landscape.

"well, mr. strang," said mr. somers, turning toward the mineralogist, "what is your opinion?"

the expert removed his glasses, carefully replacing them in their case.

"for your sake, mr. somers," he replied, "i am glad to say that, to my mind, your land represents a fortune."

"in which case," said mr. somers, turning to the boys, "i have to thank the ramblers. but for you, the land would not now be in my possession."

on a pleasant evening, a few days after the party had returned to kingswood, the rambler club, the guests of mr. and mrs. somers, sat in the big dining-room of pembroke hall.

"boys," said mr. somers, at the conclusion of the repast, rising to his feet, "i feel that i owe you a great deal, and in recognition of your services, have decided to make you an offer. i want you to decide among yourselves what you would like me to give you to replace the 'rambler.' think it over."

the boys clapped their hands, thanked him heartily, and dave brandon voiced the sentiment of all when he declared that the prospects of the rambler club were bright indeed.