He hesitated a moment, remembering that riding double was scarcely a proper mode of progress for a great lady; then he took her in his arms and swung her behind him.
But by this time the boys had realized the fact of her presence, and were crowding round in clamorous amazement.
“It’s Esmeralda!” shouted Taffy, as if he could not believe his eyes.
“Yes, it’s Esmeralda,” said Varley; “but don’t bother now, boys. I’ll bring her down to the Eldorado presently—”
“Yes, yes!” cried Esmeralda, stretching out her hand to them, half laughing, half crying.
—“And you’d better keep your mouths shut about her till we turn up. Off you go, Johnson! Come down to the camp when you’ve put your horses up. The boys will want to see you.”
He spoke excitedly, for Esmeralda’s presence filled him with joy. He had no idea that anything was wrong.
Johnson started the coach, touching his hat gravely to Varley, as a soldier salutes a general; the boys sent up a ringing cheer, which was answered by the passengers; then Varley put spurs to his horse.
“Are you safe, comfortable?” he asked, patting the hands clasped round him.
“Yes, yes,” Esmeralda replied. “Do you think I have forgotten how to ride? Oh, Varley, to think of it’s being you who saved us!”