“Getting it wet isn’t good for it, is it?” said Perry sleepily.
“You are thinking of what you have in your pockets,” said the colonel. “That will not have hurt, for it would dry again pretty soon.—You have yours safe, Cyril?”
“Yes, sir, there’s about three pounds in my pockets.”
“I have as much, and John Manning a little more, while I have a small packet in each of the mules’ loads.”
“So as to make sure of saving some of it?” said Cyril eagerly.
“Yes, that is the idea, my lad,” said the colonel. “Now, boys, Manning and I will take it in turns to watch. There, get a good rest, and don’t think that I should have gone through all this labour, risk, and excitement unless I had felt that I was doing something well worthy of the trouble; so make up your minds to get it safely to San Geronimo.”
He left them, as usual, to see where the mules were grazing, and Cyril sat gazing down before him.
“What’s the matter?” said Perry.
“I was thinking that it’s all very well for you people to get back home, only it isn’t so pleasant for me.”
“Father will speak to Captain Norton for you,” said Perry.