The Treasure of El Patron Read Online Free PDF Page A

diving bag attached to his friend’s belt.
    Tag continued working, waving away layers of sand deposited over centuries. Something glistened and caught his eye. Gently he pulled it up. It was a solid gold dagger. The hilt was ornate, and three large emeralds had been set in the handle. Tag clutched the dagger tightly and closed his eyes. If only his dad had lived to see this.
    Cowboy tapped Tag’s shoulder again. This time he held up a gold medallion. It had a cross in the center and letters on the back. Tag nodded and showed him the dagger. Cowboy’s eyes danced with excitement. Hegrabbed Tag, picked him up off the floor of the ocean, and threw him a few feet up in the water.
    Tag smiled and pointed at the gauge on his tank. They had already been down almost an hour. If they were going to keep working, they’d have to go back to the boat for more air.
    When they neared the surface of the water, Tag spotted the white bottom of another boat not far from theirs. As they broke the surface they could hear Ghost barking furiously.
    The other boat sped away, but not before Tag looked up into the mocking black eyes of the boy who had attacked him at the bait shack.
    Ghost was whining and thrashing wildly around in a circle. Blood streamed down his right front leg.
    “He’s hurt!” Tag hoisted himself into the boat, yanked off his mask and tank, and rushed to examine the wound. “It’s okay, Ghost,” he said soothingly. “Let me take a look.”
    Cowboy handed him the first-aid kit. “How bad is it?”
    “Could have been worse. They just grazed him with a rock or something.” Tag continued to talk gently to his pet while he applied antiseptic and bandages. “They were probably going to sabotage the boat, but Ghost had other ideas.”
    “This is getting worse all the time, Tag. Maybe we should just give the stuff to them and get it over with.”
    “Right. And I guess you think they’ll just pat us on the head and let us go on our way?”
    Cowboy looked miserably at the floor of the boat. “I don’t know what to think anymore.”
    Tag stroked Ghost’s matted fur. “Somehow we have to figure out a plan that will get rid of the drugs and save our skins at the same time.”

C HAPTER 11
    The bell on the screen door tinkled softly. Tag looked around the diving shop. “Gamell? Anybody here?”
    “Hang on. I’m coming.” Gamell moved aside the curtain he used for a door to the back room. “Oh, it’s you.” The elderly man stepped behind the counter. “What can I do for you boys today?”
    Tag unzipped the orange canvas bag, drew out the black lump, and set it on the counter.
    Gamell adjusted his glasses and examined it. He reached under the counter for a small chisel. Carefully he cracked the lump open. Itsplit perfectly. On the inside was an impression of a cross and what looked like a castle. “Hmmm, not bad.”
    “What is it?” Cowboy asked.
    “It
was
silver. A piece of eight.” Gamell held it up. “I can’t make out the date. It’s too far gone.”
    “Are you saying that this thing used to be a coin?” Tag leaned forward. “Was it a Spanish coin, by any chance?”
    Gamell nodded. “It’s not worth anything now, though. Once silver oxidizes, it’s pretty much useless.” He handed the pieces to Tag. “Where did you find it?”
    The corners of Tag’s mouth turned up mischievously. “Guess.”
    “Tiger Head?”
    Cowboy nudged Tag’s elbow. “Show him the rest of it.”
    “There’s more?” Gamell ran his hand through his hair and sat back on a tall stool.
    Tag took out the dagger and laid it gently on the counter. Gamell didn’t touch it. He just stared at the golden knife, transfixed. “You found it, didn’t you? You found
El Patrón
.”
    “We think so. But we couldn’t have done itwithout you. Cowboy and I have talked it over. You’re a full partner in everything we find.”
    The old man took his handkerchief out of his pocket and wiped his eyes. “After all these years, it’s