The men were working feverishly by the light of battle lanterns--big lamps with reflectors so placed as to throw the light exactly where it was needed and nowhere else.

They were taking aboard the _Arroyo_ dozens of coffin-like wooden cases, and bags and boxes, smaller and even heavier.

Silently and swiftly they toiled.
It was risky work, too, at night and in the tense haste.

There was a muttered exclamation--a heavy case had dropped! a man had gone down with a broken leg.
It was a common thing with the gun-runners.

The crew of the _Arroyo_ had expected it.