“Say, this one is water-stained,” War observed, pointing to a box on the top of the stack. “It’s the one that went overboard when Captain Carter loaded for the trip.”
“Hope nothing was ruined,” War said anxiously. “Let’s have a look.”
“Better not,” Ken advised.
“It’s our stuff, isn’t it?” War demanded, taking out his Scout knife.
He began to pry off the top boards. Finally, one came loose. Willie focused the beam of his flashlight on the opening.
“Say! What’s this?” he exclaimed. “We must have broken into the wrong box.”
“This isn’t our stuff,” War confirmed. “But the box is marked with our name! How do you figure it?”
His curiosity piqued, the boy went to work energetically prying loose another board. As he ripped it loose, the others obtained their first clear view of what was inside the box.
In amazement and silence, they beheld the contents. Then War burst out indignantly: “Well, I’m a jumping horn toad! That two-timing, double-crossing Captain Carter!”
The box contained several sawed off shot guns and ammunition.
“This can’t be our equipment!” Jack declared. “How’d it get into boxes marked in the Scout name?”
“We didn’t bring in a single weapon,” Ken said soberly. “I know, because I helped Hap check every box.”
“This looks bad—mighty bad,” Jack murmured.
“No wonder Captain Carter wouldn’t let me help pull this box out of the water,” Willie asserted. “He was afraid we’d find out what it held.”
“Maybe these other boxes don’t contain what they’re supposed to, either!” War said suspiciously. “I’ll bet Captain Carter has been using us to promote some scheme of his own!”
“This may explain those unsavory rumors that have been floating around Cuertos,” Jack added thoughtfully. “Captain Carter must be mixed up in some dirty business, just as Father Francisco hinted.”
“And we’re tied up with him,” Ken declared. “No wonder Hap is having such a tough time getting clearance for our expedition. If the authorities find this ammunition in Scout boxes, we’ll be finished here!”
Quickly, he pulled another box out where it could be opened. With War’s help, he pried the top boards wide enough apart so he could run a hand inside.
“More guns,” he announced grimly.
A third and a fourth box likewise were inspected. One contained ammunition and the other, hand grenades. No longer could the Scouts have the slightest doubt. Unquestionably, under cover of the Scout name, Captain Carter was bringing illegal cargo into the country!
The discovery of guns and ammunition in theShark’shold, thoroughly alarmed the Explorers.
“No wonder we’re in bad here!” Willie burst forth. “It’s because of our hook-up with the captain! I’ll bet he’s smuggling this stuff in to help Revolutionists!”
“If officials find these boxes with the Scout name on ’em, we’ll be pulled into this ugly business too!” added War.
“Another thing,” contributed Ken grimly. “Once Captain Carter discovers we’ve opened this ammunition, he may not let us have our stuff. He’ll be nasty.”
“I sure wish Hap were here,” Jack said uneasily. “I wish—”
He stiffened. A small boat had grated against theShark’shull.
“Must be our boatman,” War muttered. “We told him to stay.”
The Scouts waited rather tensely, listening. A moment later they heard heavy steps on the deck above them.
Motioning for the others to remain where they were, Jack moved noiselessly to the companionway.
Cautiously, he peered out on deck. His worst fears were confirmed. It was not their boatman who had come aboard, but Captain Carter!
Jack slipped back into the hold to report to his companions.
“It’s the old boy himself,” he whispered. “We’re in a pickle!”
“What do we do now?” War asked. “Hide?”
“Captain Carter must know someone is aboard, if our boatman waited,” Jack reasoned. “He’ll find us here quickly enough.”
“He’ll make hash of us!”
“Relax!” Jack advised. “Captain Carter seems to be alone. There are four of us.”
“Anyway, he’s the one to do the explaining—not us,” Ken pointed out. “Our gear is aboard theShark, or it’s supposed to be. We’ve got a right to be here.”
“He may be armed,” Jack warned. “We’ll have to be on the alert. Now let’s go on deck before he comes down here.”
Quickly, they all went up the companionway. As they emerged into the cool evening air, Captain Carter loomed in front of them.
“Well, blister my timbers!” he exclaimed wrathfully. “It didn’t take you long to get out here after you thought I was away! What were you doing in the hole?”
“Looking for our cargo,” Ken told him coldly.
“Didn’t I tell you to stay off this vessel?”
“You did,” Ken replied, “but I think we have a right to be here. Especially as you spent the day at a tavern instead of getting our stuff ashore.”
“You’ll get your cargo in good time.”
“We found some of the boxes in the hold,” Jack said. “They were marked for our expedition. But they didn’t contain our equipment.”
“So you opened ’em?”
“We certainly did,” War cut in, enjoying the captain’s consternation. “They contained guns and ammunition—that’s what!”
“Why, you blithering little sneaks!” the captain muttered.
“Maybe you can explain it,” Jack said quietly.
“I’ll explain nothing! Get off this vessel and stay clear! You hear me! Get off!”
“We want our equipment. Mr. Livingston—”
“Mr. Livingston—” Captain Carter mocked. “Mr. Livingston! I’m so sick of that name I could vomit! I’m sick of all you meddling, stupid little boys. You call yourselves Rovers—Explorers! One night in the hills and you’ll be whimpering for your mothers. One flurry of poisoned Indian arrows and you’ll come flying back to Cuertos crying for your morning milk!”
The seaman’s words infuriated the Scouts. War’s fists clenched tightly and he began to stammer: “Why, you-y-you—”
Jack placed a restraining hand on the younger boy’s arm. It was evident that Captain Carter deliberately had made the personal remarks, hoping to distract them from asking further questions.
“Suppose you tell us why those boxes were marked in the name of the Scout organization?” he persisted.
“Because Mr. Livingston ordered it.”
Jack eyed the captain steadily. “That’s not so,” he replied quietly. “Ken and I helped check every box that went aboard theShark. There were no guns or ammunition.”
“Those particular boxes were picked up in the Canal Zone—at Mr. Livingston’s orders.”
One and all the Explorers showed by their expressions that they did not believe the captain.
“I’m getting your stuff off this vessel right now,” the seaman announced. “Then I don’t want to hear any more squawks!”
Shoving Willie aside, he went down into the forecastle hold.
Soon, with the aid of the watch, all cargo stamped with the Scout name, had been brought on deck. Jack counted twelve boxes which he was certain had not been in the original shipment.
“What are you doing with our stuff?” he demanded.
Captain Carter did not answer. Ignoring the Scouts, he started to supervise the loading of a small motor tender.
“Shake it up!” he ordered his helper. “We got to move this stuff fast. First, those boxes of grenades.”
The Scouts witnessed the loading with increasing misgiving. They were firmly convinced that Mr. Livingston never had ordered guns or grenades for the expedition. But without him there to confirm it, they hesitated to tangle with Captain Carter.
“How will this stuff go through customs?” Ken muttered, watching as another box was lowered to the tender. “It doesn’t make sense to me!”
“Nor to me,” Jack agreed. “I’m sure Hap had no hand in this business. You notice the captain isn’t moving the regular Scout boxes—only the guns and ammunition.”
“He’s in a mighty big hurry too! Say, maybe he’s scared of custom officials, and is trying to get rid of the stuff while it’s dark!”
“We could stop him.”
“Maybe,” Ken conceded. “He’s armed though, and someone would be likely to get hurt.”
“I’m going for Mr. Livingston,” Jack announced with sudden decision.
“How?” Ken drawled. “You aim to swim?”
“Our boatman—”
“Gone. Either he went off while we were below, or more likely, Captain Carter dismissed him.”
“We’re stranded here then!”
“We are, unless we can ride in on the tender. So maybe we should wait a bit and pretend to play along.”
The Scouts clustered together, silently watching. Approximately half of the boxes containing weapons had been lowered onto the tender, when Willie heard the splash of oars.
“What was that?” he demanded in an undertone. “Our boatman coming back maybe?”
Peering out across the rail into the darkness, the Scouts at first could see no one. Then, they made out a small rowboat coming directly toward the Shark.
“Ahoy!” called a cheery voice. “Anyone aboard?”
“That sounds like Hap’s voice!” War cried excitedly.
Captain Carter also had heard the approaching boat. Speaking rapidly in Spanish, he ordered the sailor in the tender to shove off.
The Scouts shouted to Mr. Livingston, urging him to hurry. Eagerly, they helped him aboard.
“I’m relieved to find you fellows here,” the Scout leader asserted. “What a day I’ve had with government officials! Our troubles aren’t over either, I’m afraid.”
“You don’t know the half of it,” Ken said, looking directly at Captain Carter.
He waited for the master of theSharkto take the initiative in mentioning the boxes of ammunition. The captain however, smiled arrogantly, and remained silent.
Unaware of the tense situation, Mr. Livingston remarked casually:
“I’m mighty glad theSharkfinally made port. We should get our expedition on its way within a few days, providing government officials give us clearance. So far, they’ve refused.”
“Refused?” Willie demanded. “Why?”
“Well, it’s ridiculous. But a lot of nasty rumors seem to have circulated about our party. We’re under suspicion of aiding a group of would-be revolutionists, who have taken refuge in the back country. I think I finally managed to convince them of our good intentions. At any rate, port inspectors are coming aboard in a few minutes to make sure we’re not bringing in any contraband. Once our personal cargo passes inspection, the way should be cleared for us to leave Cuertos.”
“Jumping hop toads!” exclaimed War in dismay. “You mean if those government men should find guns or ammunition aboard, they’d hold up our trip?”
“If they came upon anything of that sort, they’d probably toss us in jail,” Mr. Livingston chuckled.
The Scouts could not share their leader’s amusement. Even Captain Carter had been jarred by Mr. Livingston’s casual announcement.
“The port authorities are coming here?” he demanded harshly. “Tonight?”
“Why, yes, that’s my understanding. I told them we’d welcome a thorough check.”
“You babbling idiot! You’ve done it now!”
“Done what?” Mr. Livingston coldly inquired.
“Ruined all my plans. The authorities haven’t inspected my vessel in four voyages! Now you bring ’em down on me!”
Amazed by the seaman’s blast of anger, Mr. Livingston demanded: “Any reason why inspectors shouldn’t check the cargo?”
“Any reason?” Carter mocked savagely. “If I’m caught, so are you!”
“Kindly explain.”
“Take a fast look at some of those boxes and you’ll have your answer,” Jack grimly informed the Scout leader, indicating the cargo which remained on deck.
“What’s wrong, Jack?”
“Plenty. These boxes are marked for our expedition. They’re loaded with hand grenades, sawed-off shotguns and the like. Captain Carter has moved one load to shore already.”
“Guns!” Mr. Livingston turned coldly toward the seaman. “So it’s true, Captain Carter—you’re aiding Revolutionists!”
“No, it’s not!” the captain denied.
“Then explain these boxes.”
“I have use for those grenades. You’ll hear about it in good time. Now if you’ll climb down the mast, I might cut you in on a good deal.”
“We want no deal with you, Captain Carter.”
“Figure you’re above me, eh? You and your high ideals!”
“We believe in honesty.”
“Yeah!” the captain sneered. “Well, let me tell you this—you got a lot to learn!”
“We’ll be no shield for a revolutionist.”
“You got me all wrong, I tell you!” Captain Carter shouted. “I’m not denying I used your boxes to haul in a little ammunition. I need it for a special purpose. What’s the harm? Your stuff is all here. I’ll set it ashore and no questions asked.”
“You can’t get by with it, Captain Carter.”
“I can if you’ll keep your mouth shut. You and your nice little boys!”
“The answer is no.”
“Oh, so you aim to turn me in, eh?” the captain sneered. “Don’t forget, Scoutmaster, you’re tarred with the same stick!”
“We’ll have no part in this ugly mess. From the start, your name and reputation have been a drag to the expedition.”
“The guns are in your name,” Captain Carter reminded him. “If they’re found aboard theShark, your expedition is finished. You’ll never set foot inland—not one step. You’ll find yourself under suspicion, bound head and foot with government red tape!”
Ken had been peering intently over the railing. Not only had his keen ears picked up the sound of a fast-approaching motor launch, but he could see its outline some distance to starboard.
Jack too, heard the sound, and joined Ken at the railing.
“That boat’s heading straight for theShark,” he observed uneasily.
“A government launch too,” added Ken. “It looks very much as if the red tape is on its way!”
Captain Carter moved swiftly to the rail to ascertain that Ken spoke the truth.
“It’s the customs boat all right!” he exclaimed. “They’ll search theSharkfrom stem to stern. If any of these boxes are found, I’m a dead duck!”
“You admit you’ve been helping the Revolutionists?” Mr. Livingston demanded.
“I admit nothing! What’s more, if you have any thought of trying to find Burton Monahan, you’ll keep clear of this. Help me get these boxes overboard!”
“Overboard?”
“You don’t want the government men to find ’em, do you?” Captain Carter snarled. “They’re your boxes, remember! Come on, there’s not a second to lose.”
“You’ll get no help from me.”
“Then you’re cooking your own goose! Either you lay hold and help heave the guns overboard, or I’ll deny all knowledge of the cargo.”
“That lie wouldn’t get you far.”
“You think not? I’m afraid, my dear Livingston, that you don’t know Peruvian officials as I do. They’ll believe me all right.”
Seizing a fire ax, the captain smashed open a box bearing the Scout name. Hauling out dynamite and other explosives, he dropped them overboard.
By this time, the government boat was drawing close to the schooner.
Abandoning the axe, Captain Carter dragged the filled boxes to the port railing. One by one he shoved them overboard. The heavily laden containers fell with loud splashes, sinking slowly out of sight into the dark water.
Silently, Mr. Livingston and the four Explorers witnessed the disposal of the contraband cargo. Once, as the Scout leader tried to halt the dumping, Captain Carter drew his revolver.
“Keep back!” he warned. “Move out of my way!”
He dropped the last telltale box into the water, letting it fall carefully to avoid a heavy splash.
The government boat emerged from the dark a moment later, pulling alongside theShark.
“Shark, ahoy!”
“Ahoy, there!” Captain Carter returned the shout.
“We’re coming aboard for inspection!”
“Come ahead,” the captain jovially invited.
The government boat made fast and three men came smartly aboard. Suspiciously, they looked about the deck.
“We heard a splash as we came up,” their spokesman commented.
“Some refuse we were getting rid of,” the captain replied easily. “You’ll find everything in order here.”
“We’ll have a look below.”
“Go right ahead, gentlemen,” invited the captain with elaborate courtesy.
At this point, Mr. Livingston quietly informed the officials that the seaman had dumped ammunition only a few moments before the government boat had arrived.
“That’s a blasted lie!” Captain Carter exclaimed wrathfully. “Gentlemen, this pest has it in for me, because I’ve refused to help him start on a wild hunt for Burton Monahan! He swore he’d get even, and this is the way he’s trying to do it!”
The Scouts gathered beside their leader, staunchly supporting his story.
“This is a frame up, gentlemen,” Captain Carter said smoothly to the officials. “You know me—I wouldn’t try to pull the wool over your eyes. Search the vessel and see if you can find any contraband!”
“We know you very well, Captain Carter,” was the grim response.
While Mr. Livingston and the Scouts waited, the customs men made a thorough check of the vessel. Coming upon equipment marked for the Scout expedition, they dragged the boxes out into the open.
As the first one was smashed apart, the Explorers squirmed uneasily, wondering what might be brought to light. They need have had no misgiving. The box contained only tents and sleeping bags.
Another box held heavy clothing for high altitudes. A third was filled with dehydrated foods and tinned goods.
“You see!” Captain Carter said triumphantly. “Everything in order, just as I said. These Boy Scouts are a bunch of trouble makers. They got it in for me!”
“That’s not so!” War cried hotly. “You dumped six boxes and you can’t deny it!”
“It’s not so. Even if it was, you got no proof. You can’t tie up my boat on the say-so of these irresponsible kids and their Scoutmaster!”
The government officials conferred privately. At the end of their conference, they politely informed the captain that no charge would be placed against him. They also told Mr. Livingston that he might move the Scout cargo ashore. The government boat then pulled away.
No word was spoken until the craft was well beyond the point at which voices would carry.
Captain Carter then slapped his thigh and laughed boisterously.
“Well, Scoutmaster, how’d I do? Anyone who gets ahead of Captain Carter has to get up mighty early in the morning.”
“You may hear from those government men again,” Mr. Livingston warned.
“Oh, sure! They’ve been watching me for a year, but they know they got to have proof! They’ll keep an eye on me, but they ain’t makin’ any false moves.”
“You managed to get a tender load of grenades and other stuff ashore,” Jack said coldly. “What do you aim to do with that contraband? Sell it to the Revolutionists hiding out in the hills?”
“You’re crazy!” Captain Carter’s eyes smoldered angrily. “I told you I’m not helping any Revolutionists.”
“Then what are you doing with the stuff?”
“You’d like to know, wouldn’t you?” the captain sneered. “Well, let me tell you this, young man. I was the one person who could have helped you find Burton Monahan. But would you play along? You would not! So now you’re on your own, and bad luck to you!”
“What do you mean, you’re the one person who could have helped us find Mr. Monahan?” the Scout leader asked quickly. “You have information you’ve withheld?”
“No such thing,” the captain denied. “I was the last white man to see him alive, and I know the country. But you and me can never get along.”
“A true observation,” Mr. Livingston returned. “We want no association with a man who would aid revolutionists.”
“High and mighty, ain’t you?” Captain Carter sneered. “Without me, you got no chance of ever finding Burton Monahan.”
“You know what became of him?”
“Maybe I got an idea,” the seaman returned, his eyes glinting. “Maybe if you’d play along my way—forget all your grand and glorious ideals, we could work together.”
“Just what do you propose? That we help you get your contraband cargo to a Revolutionist leader?”
“Oh, stow that talk, will you? You jar my compass! Can’t you get it through your thick skull that I’m not tied up with any revolutionists? Maybe in the old days, I picked up a dollar here and there bringing in stuff for Carlos Vandetti, but that’s behind me.”
“Then why were you bringing in grenades and ammunition?”
“I got a good use for ’em. One tender load made shore before you brought those sneakin’ officials down on my back. It ain’t enough for my purpose, but I’ll make it do.”
“You’re not making yourself clear, Captain,” Mr. Livingston said coldly. “Why not come to the point?”
“It’s like this,” the seaman replied. “I got a reason for wanting to go along on this expedition into the mountains.”
“We figured so.”
“All this loose talk about me helping the Revolutionists has made government officials suspicious. They watch me like a hawk. If I team up with your expedition, no questions will be asked.”
“Only a few minutes ago, you were trying to wreck the expedition by accusing us!”
“I was in a hank. A trigger temper’s one of my weaknesses. Now, if we can make a deal—”
“You’re proposing to trade on the Scout name. You want to move your hand grenades and what ammunition you have left under our banner?”
“I wouldn’t put it like that. I’ll go along with the expedition and give you the benefit of my experience. As I said, I got mighty good use for those grenades. If you help me, maybe I’ll help you.”
“You’ve betrayed Mr. Monahan by pretending you were sincere in trying to find his brother!”
“Who says I double-crossed him? Maybe, if you play along, I’ll lead you to Burton.”
“You do know what became of Burton Monahan,” Mr. Livingston accused. “I’ve suspected it for a long while.”
“Hold on, I didn’t say that!”
“Nevertheless, I think it may be so. Because Mr. Monahan wanted me to co-operate with you, I’ve tried in every way to obey his wishes. But this is the end, Captain. Even if you were able to guide us to Burton Monahan, I know you would do it only for your own profit!”
“Then it’s no deal?”
“No deal,” Mr. Livingston repeated firmly. “From this hour on, the Scouts go it alone. We’re severing all connection with you.”
Captain Carter’s amused smile implied that the decision was of no great moment.
“Okay, if that’s the way you want it,” he replied with a shrug. “Your cargo will be set ashore tomorrow morning. Now get off theSharkand keep out of my sight! Because I’m warning you that next time we meet, I’ll do you no favors!”
True to his word, Captain Carter set all the Scout equipment ashore before dawn the next morning. The various boxes were delivered to the hotel, and a careful inspection satisfied Mr. Livingston and the Explorers that nothing was missing.
Of the captain, no more was seen. Following the unfortunate affair aboard theShark, the officer carefully avoided the party.
“But don’t think we’ve heard the last of him,” Mr. Livingston predicted. “He’ll pop up when we least expect him and make trouble! I’ll be glad when we’re well away from this village.”
Intent upon making a start on the trip inland, the Scout leader absented himself from the hotel most of the morning. He conferred for several hours with Father Francisco, obtaining maps and a great deal of useful information.
As for the Explorers, they whiled away their time at the village and the waterfront. Always, theSharkdrew their eyes like a magnet. The vessel remained at anchor, rolling in the swells, but there was no evidence of activity aboard.
“Wonder what Captain Carter will do now that we’ve turned down a deal with him?” Willie speculated.
No one answered. In fact, the attention of the others had been diverted to the narrow strip of beach. The tide was very nearly at its high point, coming in strong.
Jack halted abruptly, staring at a pile of debris which had been washed up some distance away.
“Wow! Are we in a jam!” he exclaimed in dismay. “See what’s lying on the beach!”
“Where?” demanded Warwick, squinting into the bright sunlight.
Jack pointed up shore to a pile of rocks, against which giant greenish-blue waves were smashing.
“I still don’t see anything.”
“Then you sure need glasses! If that isn’t a box, I’m losing my own eyesight!”
“Jack’s right!” Ken exclaimed. “It is a box, and what’s worse, it looks like one of ours. Or rather, one of Carter’s that was stamped with the Scout name.”
“Golly, gee!” War cried. “How could it be? All of those boxes with ammunition and guns were sunk to the bottom of the bay!”
“The bay is shallow at this point,” Jack reminded him. “And the tide is coming in strong.”
“Ye fishes!” Willie muttered in consternation. “Suppose that is one of the boxes with the Scout name on it! Then what?”
“Captain Carter will get his!” War chortled. “Those custom officials will have proof that he was lying when he denied dumping the stuff last night!”
“They’ll also see our name printed on the boxes,” Jack reminded the group. “We’re almost certain to be involved.”
“And that would mean we can’t get out of Cuertos tomorrow,” added Ken. “As things stand now, Mr. Livingston practically has everything arranged.”
“We’d better find out if that is one of our boxes,” Jack declared, starting off across the beach. “Come on!”
Walking fast and dodging waves which washed high on the pebbles, they reached the rock pile. A water-soaked, battered box lay partially buried in wet sand.
“It’s one that Captain Carter dumped last night!” Jack asserted, turning it over. “What wretched luck that it had to wash up here!”
“And another is coming in!” War exclaimed, sighting a container which was rolling and twisting in the heavy sea.
The wave broke on the sand, leaving its telltale debris behind. War waded through ankle-deep water to drag the second box high on the beach.
“What’ll we do with ’em?” he asked.
“If these boxes are found here, custom officials are certain to hear about it,” Ken declared in a worried voice. “We don’t dare let the stuff lie.”
Quickly he scanned the deserted beach. No one was in sight.
“We could hide ’em—” he suggested slowly.
“Hap might not approve,” Jack replied. “On the other hand, he told the customs men the truth and they accepted his word. Now if we produce this evidence to nail Captain Carter, there’s no telling what wild story he’ll come up with to save his skin.”
“We know he’ll try to involve us deeply,” Ken asserted. “He warned us he’ll make trouble if he can. I’m in favor of hiding the boxes. We can tell Hap later, and if he wants us to dig them up, we’ll have to do it.”
“Okay, let’s get at it!” jack consented. “No time to lose.”
Quickly the four Rovers dragged the two boxes to a small dune which rose in front of the dark cliff. Working fast, they dug deep holes and buried the ammunition. Then they smoothed out their own footprints left on the sand.
“Well, that’s done!” Willie said, wiping perspiration from his forehead. “Think anyone saw us?”
“I dunno,” War returned, scanning the cliffs above the beach. “A native woman has been standing there for a minute or two.”
“It’s that old gal with the parrot,” Ken recognized her. “She’s watching us all right!”
“Think she saw us bury the boxes?” Jack asked uneasily.
“It’s hard to tell.”
“Even if she did, she wouldn’t know what was in ’em,” Willie said, taking the cheerful view. “Let’s move off before she gets suspicious.”
Accepting his advice, the others sauntered casually along the shore. However, as they walked, they kept an alert gaze upon the cliff, and they also watched the sea for evidence of other boxes.
“That native woman is leaving,” Ken presently reported in an undertone. “We won’t need to be so careful now.”
Selecting a spot not far from the dune where the contraband cargo had been buried, the four Rovers sat down to watch the sea.
By this time, the tide definitely had turned. While Ken, Willie and War rested, Jack made a quick tour of the beach. He returned shortly to report that the other boxes apparently had not washed ashore.
“They may roll up tomorrow, or maybe never,” he declared.
“Captain Carter sure would get a big kick out of this,” Willie remarked. “He’d consider it a huge joke on us. It certainly goes against my grain to do him a favor.”
“We’re doing ourselves a bigger one,” Ken pointed out. “If we don’t get out of Cuertos soon, I have a hunch our expedition will stall for good!”
“Maybe Father Francisco is right,” War remarked thoughtfully. “Maybe it is foolish for us to try to find Burton Monahan. If he’s been gone so many months, he must be dead.”
“Hey, listen!” Willie suddenly exclaimed.
The others became silent. A peculiar sound, distinguishable as the hum of many angry voices, plainly could be heard.
“What’s up?” Jack muttered, scrambling to his feet.
At first the Explorers could see no one. Then they sighted at least thirty villagers armed with clubs, coming down a steep cliff trail.
“A regular mob!” War observed nervously. “Heading this way too!”
“Toward us,” added Willie. “Say, they mean business!”
“There’s that parrot woman who was watching us,” Jack said, recognizing her amid the angry throng. “She’s stirred up the natives against us!”
“But why?” Ken demanded. “Did she see us bury the boxes?”
“She may have,” Jack replied. “Anyway, she’s Carter’s friend. He may be behind this!”
“We’ll have some tall explaining to do in a minute or so,” Ken said. “How’s you’re Spanish, Jack?”
“Not equal to that gang! They’re out for blood!”
Even as he spoke, a stone was hurled from above. It clattered down over the cliff, barely missing Willie’s head.
“Let’s get out of here fast!” he proposed.
A shower of stones now was falling on the beach. To remain was to invite injury.
“Hey, I don’t want to run,” War protested, holding back. “We’ve done nothing wrong. We can explain—”
“Listen, brother!” Jack said, grasping him by the arm. “You can’t explain anything to a crazy mob.”
“Especially when you can’t speak the language decently,” Ken added urgently.
The villagers now were very close, led by the chattering parrot woman. Shaking their sticks, the natives shouted ugly threats.
“Come on!” urged Jack, leading the flight. “We’ve got to move out of here fast! Unless we do, our escape will be cut off!”
The route to the hotel already had been blocked by the approaching villagers. Moving hurriedly down the beach, the Explorers climbed a steep path which wound up a high hill to the rear of the mission.
If the Scouts had hoped so easily to elude their pursuers, they learned otherwise. The villagers kept coming on, shouting angry threats, only the general import of which the boys understood.
“They’re plenty mad, and I don’t think it’s about those buried boxes either,” Jack said, looking back. “Something has stirred ’em up. If they try to lay hands on us, it could end in a bloody free-for-all.”
“Let’s make a stand and face ’em,” pleaded War, halting.
Ken pulled him along. “We’d come off badly against so many,” he advised. “Besides, if we get into a fight, we’ll be finished in this village. The Scouts would get a bad name.”
“That’s right,” Jack supported him. “But we’ll have to think of something quick! We can’t make it back to our hotel this way. Some of that wild bunch are coming up the street now to head us off!”
By this time, the group had reached the mission on the hilltop. Ken studied the high rear wall. “Father Francisco is about to have four uninvited guests!” he announced with a grin. “Over we go!”
Quickly, he boosted Willie to the top of the sturdy stone barrier. The latter then helped Jack and War, who in turn, pulled Ken to the safety of the ledge.
Just as a group of villagers came pounding up the path, they leaped lightly down into the enclosed garden.
At a table beside an under-nourished, stunted tree sat Father Francisco. The missionary calmly was sipping a cup of tea. He seemed more amused than annoyed by the unexpected intrusion.
“Excuse us, Father,” Jack apologized, brushing dust from his uniform. “We were a little pressed for time or we would have used the door.”
“A mob is after us!” War burst out. “We don’t know why, but the whole village is ready to tear us apart. Hear ’em yell? Any minute, they’ll try to break in here!”
“I think not,” smiled the missionary. “You are quite safe within these walls.”
Summoning his servant, he ordered the woman to bar the mission door. “And bring four cups and a fresh pot of tea,” he added.
The Explorers sat down and tried to relax. As casual as if he were utterly unaware of the shouting crowd on the other side of the wall, Father Francisco told the boys that Mr. Livingston had left the mission only a half hour earlier.
“I tried to dissuade him from starting in search of Burton Monahan and the lost city,” he informed the group. “His mind is made up. So I have agreed to give him what assistance I can. All arrangements have been made for you to leave on the morrow.”
“Tomorrow?” Willie repeated. “Say, that’s great!”
“We’ve worn out our welcome in this village, that’s sure,” Jack added ruefully. “I wonder what stirred everyone against us?”
“Drink your tea,” the missionary urged, “and I will seek the answer.”
Moving painfully with the aid of a cane, Father Francisco went through the patio and thence to the front entranceway where the mob had gathered. When he rejoined the Scouts fifteen minutes later, his face was grave.
“This is more serious than I thought,” he reported. “Lolita has turned the villagers against you.”
“We suspected she was at the bottom of it,” Ken nodded. “What’s it all about?”
“Lolita has convinced the villagers that your expedition is for the sole purpose of obtaining sacred Inca treasure from the ancient temples.”
“But that isn’t so,” Jack denied instantly. “Can’t we explain to them?”
“I tried, and I believe my words carried some weight. Nevertheless, my advice is to leave Cuertos as soon as you can. Tonight if possible. Or at the very latest, early tomorrow morning.”
“We don’t know much about Mr. Livingston’s plans,” Jack replied, rather worried. “We’ve scarcely seen him all day.”
“He is arranging for you to leave here by car,” the missionary disclosed. “At Cuya you will pick up a reliable guide, who will assist in hiring natives to accompany you. That part will be easy. Later steps of the journey will become increasingly hard.”
“We’re not expecting an easy time,” Jack replied quietly.
“Wherever you are, my prayers will go with you. I must admit that I am greatly relieved that Captain Carter is not to be a member of your party.”
Before anyone could reply, the servant woman came hurriedly to the garden. She addressed Father Francisco rapidly in Spanish.
“This is most annoying,” the missionary said to the Scouts. “The throng becomes unruly again. Lolita has stirred them up once more. The villagers demand that I turn you over to them.”
“We didn’t mean to cause you trouble by coming here,” Ken apologized. “If only we could make them understand—”