For a few moments the boys were too exhausted to do more than stand around puffing and gasping for breath. Such a task, combined with the heat of the tropics, would tax the strength and endurance of the hardiest.
“Now let’s open it up,” exclaimed Fred. “Where’s the top?”
“It’s over on its side,” said Grant. “Here’s the top and it’s padlocked.”
“So it is,” said Fred disappointedly. “What can we do?”
“Get a rock,” directed Grant. “It’s pretty well rusted and by hammering it we may be able to break it.”
A suitable rock was quickly found and an attack begun on the padlock. Grant pounded away for dear life, while the others stood around and watched him. After a few moments he stopped to inspect the result of his efforts.
“Think you can do it?” inquired John.
“I don’t know,” said Grant. “I think I made a little impression on it, but it’ll take some time.”
“Well, I’m going back into the cave,” announced John. “I’m going to inspect that patch of light back there. When you get the box open, yell at me.”
He disappeared in the dusk of the cave while his three companions took turns at hammering the lock. It was stubborn, but was beginning to show some signs of yielding and the boys stuck manfully to their task. They seemed to be on the verge of succeeding when a great commotion inside the cave suddenly arrested their attention.