“And they can manage the mules?”
“Oh yes, you may trust them. This man, Diego, as we call him, has been in the habit of coming down from the mountains for years to trade and sell. I consider that I was very lucky in getting him for you. When will you start, shall I tell him?”
“On the sixth day from now.”
“That is soon, is it not?”
“No; that ought to be time enough to get our mule-packs ready, and a sufficiency of stores. I have everything else.”
“Don’t hurry,” said Captain Norton. “You are very welcome here, and I shall regret your going.”
“I know that,” said the colonel warmly, “but I am eager to begin, and shall be restless till I start.”
The captain nodded, and said a few words to the Indians, who replied, and then took their departure, it being fully understood that they would be there, ready, on the sixth morning.
“Ha!” exclaimed the colonel, “that is satisfactory.—Now then, Perry, my boy, call up John Manning to unpack the luggage, and we’ll make our selection of what we mean to take. Captain Norton will keep in store for us all that we decide to leave, and he will help us with his experience in making our selection.—And you will help too, Cyril, will you not?”
“Of course, sir.”