Descending to the hole, the Scouts quickly found a compartment where a pile of boxes had been stored. All were marked in the name of the Scout organization.
“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.”
“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.