They thronged in the narrow door and Don poked one shoe against the bags in the corner. Then, as a look of understanding passed over his face, he turned swiftly to the others.
"I thought as much," whooped Hudson, tearing at the mouth of the bag nearest him. "Sure enough, here they are."
They swiftly tore the sacking away and the brass eagles were disclosed, swathed in straw. A thorough examination showed that they had not been damaged.
"So here is where they were taken," murmured Vench, looking around the hut.
"Yes, and who would ever think of looking for them out here?" put in Douglas. "If it hadn't been for Jim's chance discovery we would never have thought to look here."
"Things worked out in great shape all around," Jim said. "Well, now that we have the big birds, what--"
"Look!" cried Don, suddenly. "Here come some men!"
Looking out of the window of the hut the cadets saw three men coming down the swamp pathway toward the hut. They were apparently laborers. Two of them were big men, the third was short but sufficiently heavy to be formidable. A single look convinced the boys that the men were coming toward them for no good purpose.
"I'll bet those characters mean to take our eagles away from us," Vench said in a low voice.
Hudson clenched his fists. "If they do, they'll be up against one of the finest fights of their lives," he promised, his jaw set determinedly. "We're not going to give up the eagles now that we have them in our hands."
"That's right," Don backed him up. "We'll put up a fight. Suppose we spring a surprise on them?"
"How do you mean, spring it?" Terry asked.
"Suppose only three of us go out and start walking away with the eagles? Then, if they mean to fight, they'll charge three of us, and the others can charge them from the rear. What do you say to that?"
"It's a good idea," Hudson said, briskly. "Don, Terry and I will go first, while Doug, Vench and Jim wait, ready to turn the tide if they should attack us. Are we all ready? Let's go."
Carrying the eagles between them Don, Hudson and Terry left the hut in the swamp and began to cross the open space before the shack. The three cadets in reserve watched them from their post and waited. When the three men saw the cadets coming they halted.