"Heave um up, then, you who be sa strong."
I tried to lift the thing out, but could not.
"I can't move it, Eli."
"Jammed tight," he grunted.
He was right. Many hard stones were driven in at its sides.
How long it took me to move these stones I know not, but at length I succeeded in unloosing many until I was able to rock the box from side to side.
"It'll come now!" cried Eli. "Heave agin!"
Never was my strength put to such a test as at that time. I saw sparks of fire flash before my eyes, while the muscles of my arms seemed as though they would snap. It was all in vain, however.
"Let me rest a bit, Eli," I said, "then I'll try again."
"No time to rest," snarled Eli.