Within his fingers was a tiny ornament, plainly a corroded, blackened earring. But even to Jack’s untrained eye the metal was pure gold, very old, and set with a large emerald.
“Hey, look what I’ve found!” he shouted, holding up the trinket.
“Pipe down!” Ken warned him. “Where do you think you are? Grand Central Station?”
War had by this time crawled out onto the ledge beside Jack. He too became excited as he examined the bit of treasure.
“Say, maybe this lake is loaded with gold and gems!” he cried. “Look at the size of that emerald! Man! No wonder Burton Monahan went off his rocker when he hunted for the secret Inca city!”
Jack tossed the ornament up to Mr. Livingston and Ken who shared the enthusiasm as they examined it.
“This is either Inca or pre-Inca work,” the Scout leader asserted. “The jewelry probably was thrown into the water centuries ago as a sacrificial offering.”
“Or maybe to keep General Pizarro from getting it when he looted Peru,” added Ken.
“If you found an earring, Jack, there must be lots of other stuff down there!” War declared, preparing to dive.
“Hold on,” Jack stopped him. “This lake is so deep, I doubt you ever could reach bottom without an air tank or a diving suit. Don’t try it.”