Many years ago, in the days of the smuggler known as "Rob Roy of the
West," a piratical band buried on the coast of South Devon a quantity of
treasure which was, of course, abandoned by them in the usual
inexplicable way. Some time afterwards its whereabouts was discovered by
three countrymen, who visited the spot one night and divided the spoil
between them, Giles taking treasure to the value of £800, Jasper £500
worth, and Timothy £300 worth. In returning they had to cross the river
Axe at a point where they had left a small boat in readiness. Here,
however, was a difficulty they had not anticipated. The boat would only
carry two men, or one man and a sack, and they had so little confidence
in one another that no person could be left alone on the land or in the
boat with more than his share of the spoil, though two persons (being a
check on each other) might be left with more than their shares. The
puzzle is to show how they got over the river in the fewest possible
crossings, taking their treasure with them. No tricks, such as ropes,
"flying bridges," currents, swimming, or similar dodges, may be
employed.