  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 the Shark from 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 the Shark. “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 the Shark and keep out of my sight! Because I’m warning you that next time we meet, I’ll do you no favors!” |
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