INCA GOLD
In the garden of Father Francisco’s mission, the Scouts, their leader
and Mr. Monahan sat sipping limeade from tall, frosted glasses.
Three weeks had elapsed since the fateful morning when Captain Carter
had set off a series of explosions in the lake within the mountain.
Since that day, many events had transpired, some of which were not
pleasant to recall.
The terrifying earthquake had completed the wreckage of many of the
impressive structures in the hidden Inca city. The great temple had been
half destroyed. Five natives had died in the disaster, and many more had
suffered injury.
That the earth tremor had been caused by the wrath of the gods over
Carter’s desecration of the treasure lake, the natives had become firmly
convinced. Angered, they had set upon him, taking his life.
“So you see,” Mr. Livingston soberly related to the missionary,
“everything considered, we are fortunate to have escaped. The natives
accepted us only because Mr. Monahan was able to convince them that we
were not there to loot the pool. After the quake we cared for the
injured, and that too, helped win friendship.”
“What of the treasure?” the missionary inquired.
“A major portion already has been removed and transported to Lima under
guard,” Mr. Monahan answered. “Government officials are at the scene to
complete the job. Our responsibility is ended.”
From a jacket pocket, Ken removed the ancient parchment he first had
seen in Father Francisco’s library.
“We return this to you, Father,” he said, offering the manuscript. “It
was found in Captain Carter’s dunnage after his death.”
“That old parrot woman must have stolen it and turned it over to him,”
contributed Jack. “Captain Carter knew you had the parchment, Father. He
probably wanted it to prevent adventurers, and particularly our party,
from seeking the lost city.”
“Your theory must be correct,” the missionary said meditatively.
“However, Captain Carter did not arrive in Cuertos until after your
party came.”
“We figure he probably tipped Lolita off about the parchment before he
left here for America,” Willie offered his opinion. “She must have
watched her chance to snatch it, and probably was paid well, either in
jewelry or cash.”
“I’m afraid my directions for reaching the lost city were not very
helpful,” Father Francisco apologized. “I gave you the best information
available, but unfortunately, I was deceived.”
“Deceived?” Warwick asked quickly. “In what way?”
“I have always believed that according to the story, the mountain of the
lost city could be seen from the doorway of this mission.”
“Actually, it can’t be,” remarked Ken.
“The wording of the manuscript was not incorrect—only our
interpretation,” declared the missionary. “Come, I will show you.”
Walking with difficulty, Father Francisco led the party through the
garden, into the mission. Surprisingly he did not conduct them to the
door with which they were familiar. Instead, he took them once more to
the half-underground library.
There, the Scouts were astonished to see that the walls had been
severely cracked. Plaster still lay untouched on the carpets.
“The quake which was so severe where you were, also struck here,” the
missionary disclosed. “The mission as you have noted, suffered some
damage. In taking down a wall here in the library, another door, which
had been plastered over, was revealed.”
“And from this original door, one would gaze directly toward the
treasure mountain!” exclaimed Jack. “No wonder so many explorers were
thrown off the track!”
Mr. Livingston told Father Francisco that he and the Scouts planned to
return to the United States as soon as flight tickets could be obtained.
Burton Monahan would remain a few weeks longer to assist government
officials in cataloging the treasures taken from the Inca city.
Mr. Monahan turned gratefully to the Scouts. “I can’t thank you fellows
enough for undertaking a dangerous mission in my behalf,” he told them.
“If it hadn’t been for you, I’m afraid Captain Carter would have
accomplished his evil purpose. Alone, I’d never have been a match for
him.”
“It was Mr. Livingston’s trick with the cigarette lighter that proved
his undoing,” Ken chuckled at the recollection. “’Course, the earthquake
helped. Even now, the natives can’t be convinced that Carter didn’t set
off the earth tremors with those grenade explosions.”
“All in all, it’s been a real trip of exploration,” Jack contributed.
“One we’ll never forget. After Peru though, it will be hard to tame
ourselves down enough to schedule a canoe trip to Minnesota.”
“Oh, I don’t know,” drawled War. “Right now, I can’t imagine anything
that would be more fun than to hit white water.”
“Or a quiet fishing trip,” added Ken.
“Depends on the kind of fish you go after,” declared Willie with a grin.
“Perch or cannibals?”
“I’ll settle for muskies,” Ken laughed. “Even a nice peppy bass!”
“The Minnesota trip may have to wait awhile,” Mr. Livingston told the
Explorers.
“Oh, that’s all right,” Ken assured him. “After a long, hard trip such
as this, we won’t need another vacation for awhile. Belton is good
enough for us.”
“How long you fellows stay there will be strictly up to you,” the Scout
leader hinted. “The truth is—I hate to tell you this—”
“Go ahead,” Willie urged. “After what we’ve been through, we can take
anything.”
“You can, and that’s a fact,” Mr. Livingston responded warmly. “I’ve
told you before, and I repeat, you fellows more than lived up to my
hopes and expectations on this trip.”
“Tell us the news,” Jack interrupted impatiently. “What’s in the wind,
Hap?”
“Word of our successful mission here has spread. I’ve already had an
offer of another expedition—one which would bring us back to South
America.”
“To Peru again?” questioned Ken.
“No,” Mr. Livingston replied, “but possibly to an even more interesting
country. How does that strike you?”
“It hits me from the ground floor up,” asserted War. “When do we take on
this new job?”
“Not for awhile,” Mr. Livingston said, smiling at his eagerness. “We all
need a little rest, and I want to rid myself completely of fever before
I lead you off on another jaunt. For that matter, other offers may
develop.”
“Then, for the immediate future, it’s Belton?” Ken asked.
“Right. We should have our flight tickets by tomorrow.”
“Just think of the yarns we can spin when we tie up with the fellows
again,” chuckled Ken, relishing the prospect. “Lucky we still have a few
Inca trophies, or I’m afraid no one would believe our story.”
“So it’s back to the USA and good old Post 21,” announced Jack with a
flourish.
“To paved roads and plenty of hot running water,” added War.
“To hamburgers and double-dip ice cream sundaes,” completed Willie, his
eyes twinkling. “Peru’s great, but right now, I’d trade every souvenir
in the world for a nice restful day at home!”
Boy Scout Explorers at Treasure Mountain
The lure of Inca gold led Burton Monahan on a dangerous trip to the
mountains of Peru. When word is brought back that he has apparently
disappeared, his brother asks “Hap” Livingston and his Boy Scout
Explorers to try to find out what happened.
An ancient parchment provides clues to the location of the Treasure
Mountain but it cannot forewarn the Explorers of the many hazards—both
natural and man-made—that must be surmounted before their goal can be
reached.
An exciting, live-action story, filled with thrilling incidents of
courage and bravery, sure to hold the interest of every adventure
enthusiast.
BOY SCOUT EXPLORERS
By Don Palmer
The BOY SCOUT EXPLORERS is a part of the BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA, a world
wide organization that helps to mold the boys of today into the men of
tomorrow.
The Boys of Explorer Post No. 21 have a very good leader named George
(Happy) Livingston. He directs the regular meetings of the Post, and
also takes them on various outings, camping trips, etc.
Follow the adventures of this group of boys, as they search for a lost
treasure, etc. and run into many thrilling experiences.
THE TITLES ARE:
1. BOY SCOUT EXPLORERS at EMERALD VALLEY.
2. BOY SCOUT EXPLORERS at TREASURE MOUNTAIN.
3. BOY SCOUT EXPLORERS at HEADLESS HOLLOW.
DAN CARTER BOOKS
By MILDRED A. WIRT
[Illustration: Dan Carter Cub Scout]
An exciting series of action stories about a group of youngsters and the
fun they enjoy as CUB SCOUTS, the junior organization of the BOY SCOUTS.
Every boy will get a kick out of the adventures of DAN CARTER and how he
and his Pack help to solve some thrilling mysteries. For boys eight to
eleven.
1 Dan Carter Cub Scout
2 Dan Carter and the River Camp
3 Dan Carter and the Money Box
4 Dan Carter and the Haunted Castle
5 Dan Carter and the Great Carved Face
6 Dan Carter and the Cub Honor
THE BOY SCOUT EXPLORERS
By DON PALMER
[Illustration: The Boy Scout Explorers at Emerald Valley]
THE BOY SCOUT EXPLORERS, senior branch of THE BOY SCOUTS of AMERICA, is
an organization dedicated towards molding the good character of our boys
and promoting their good citizenship. It seeks to instill them with a
spirit of civic duty and readiness to help others by stimulating their
interest in wholesome and creative activities.
Every boy will enjoy reading about the interesting adventures of The
Boys of Explorer Post No. 21 and their capable Scout Leader, George
(Happy) Livingston. Ideal stories for boys from 10 to 14.
1 Boy Scout Explorers at Emerald Valley
2 Boy Scout Explorers at Treasure Mountain
3 Boy Scout Explorers at Headless Hollow
For sale at all book and department stores.
CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY
200 Fifth Avenue New York 10, N. Y.
Transcriber’s Notes
--Copyright notice provided as in the original—this e-text is public
domain in the country of publication.
--Silently corrected palpable typos; left non-standard spellings and
dialect unchanged.
--In the text versions, delimited italics text in _underscores_ (the
HTML version reproduces the font form of the printed book.)