[cuz_it_aint_their_money]

I've also been told that the "V" and "X" could represent roman numerals "V = 5" and "X = 10" which also means that since E is the 5th letter and J is the 10th letter, and H is the 8th letter, the missing "?" would be H = VIII.
Which would make the clue "Excavate 8 yards west of the Mangrove tree (or possibably the "Male Tree" i.e. treemail).

[goseminoles]

Good analysis!