Free Pirate Island Treasure by Marilyn Helmer Page A

treasure. In fact, I’m thinking of one right now.”
    Jacob shot Charlotte an uh-oh look.
    â€œBut I’ll save it for later,” said Jack. “I hear you’re off to do some treasure hunting today.”
    Grandpa nodded. “We had best get going, but we’ll be by for fish and chips later.” He winked at Charlotte and Jacob. “Avast, mateys, The Seawind is waiting.”
    As they headed for the dock, Charlotte turned and waved at Jack.
    â€œDon’t forget—there are many different kinds of treasure,” Jack called to her. “And a story to go with every one.”

CHAPTER THREE
Hawk, Shark and
Captain Patch Eye
    The Seawind cut through the swell, splashing up ocean spray. Gulls circled lazily overhead. Sun tipped the bouncing waves with silver. Charlotte was too excited to notice. “Can’t we go faster?” she begged.
    â€œWe’re almost there,” Grandpa called over the engine noise.
    Closer to the beach, Grandpa turned off the engine and dropped anchor. He climbed over the side and down a ladder to a rubber dinghy.
    â€œAll aboard,” he called up to Charlotte an d Jacob.
    Charlotte climbed down the ladder first. Jacob was right behind her.
    When they reached the shore, they pulled the dinghy high onto the sandy beach. They shrugged out of their life jackets and grabbed their backpacks.
    â€œThe tide’s out,” said Jacob.
    â€œIt’s the best time for treasure hunting,” said Charlotte.
    Grandpa tied the dinghy to a large rock. “Everybody ready?”
    â€œLet’s go!” Charlotte’s voice drowned out Jacob’s.
    â€œWhat do you think we’ll find?” Jacob didn’t wait for an answer. “Maybe caves? Or secret hideouts?”
    â€œWait.” Charlotte stopped. “If we’re going to look for pirate treasure, we have to have pirate names.”
    Jacob spoke quickly, before Charlotte could choose first. “My name is Shark,” he growled in a piratey voice.
    â€œI’m Patch Eye,” said Charlotte. “Captain Patch Eye, commander of the pirates.”
    Jacob rolled his eyes. Leave it to Charlotte to take the best job, he thought.

    â€œGrandpa, you need a name too,” said Charlotte.
    Grandpa thought for a moment. “I’ll be Hawk,” he said.
    Charlotte took the lead. “Shark and Hawk, follow Captain Patch Eye. We’re off to find pirate treasure.”
    Jacob glared at Charlotte’s back. Sometimes Charlotte was the bossiest sister in the world.

CHAPTER FOUR
Sand Dollars
    Beyond the beach, windblown trees grew among the rocks and grasses. The beach was scattered with bits of flotsam and jetsam that had been caught between the stones and sand. The breeze carried a fishy, seaweedy smell.
    Jacob picked up a broken toy boat. He tossed an old shoe out of the way.
    â€œLook out for jellyfish,” Grandpa warned. He sat down on a large rock and took out his sketchbook. Grandpa liked drawing even more than he liked treasure hunting.
    Charlotte picked her way across the rocks and stones. Something caught her eye. She picked it up. “I found a sand dollar,” she shouted. Grandpa and Jacob came over to look.

    In Charlotte’s hand lay a flat shell, round and white as snow. In the middle, five oval lines spread out like flower petals.
    â€œI’ll bet I can find one too,” said Jacob. “I’ll bet I can find a whole bunch of sand dollars.”
    He hurried ahead of Charlotte, searching the sand. All he saw were plain old clam and crab shells. Wait. A sand dollar! Jacob snatched it up, then quickly tossed it aside. The sand dollar was broken.
    He glanced over his shoulder to see where Charlotte was. She saw him and gave a thumbs-up. “I found four more. Two big ones and two little ones.”
    Grandpa put his sketchbook into his backpack. “Ahoy, mateys. Let’s walk on up the beach and see what other treasures we