At last, though, we had all the ties secured together in a bunch ready for immediate use—the poles bound in small bundles, and the skins fastened together by their necks, they having the advantage of being very light.
Then followed a pause for rest and refreshment, with a short consultation between my uncle and me as to our plans, which resulted in a busy hour at work, two of the mules being laden then with the gold.
This was a very difficult task, as the packages were so awkward and heavy, the object being to make them secure against any antic on the part of the mules if they became restive, and also to guard against the corners of the plates rubbing the animals’ backs.
“I’d give anything to open those bags, Harry,” said my uncle. “I feel as curious as a boy.”
“Take my word for it, Uncle,” I replied, “that they are wonderful treasures. Come, I’ll make a bargain with you.”
“What is it, my boy?”
“You shall do the unpacking and the breaking up when we set to in safety, and melt them down into ingots.”
“If we ever have the chance,” he said sadly.
“Don’t be down-hearted, Uncle,” I cried cheerily. “Recollect we are English, and Englishmen never know the meaning of the word ‘fail.’”
“True, my boy,” he replied; “but we have our work before us.”