Once more they crept forward. The ground was rough now, interspersed with tiny bushes, and they had to feel their way cautiously to avoid noise. Suddenly Martin, slightly in the lead, stumbled down a little bank, repressing an exclamation of surprise, and felt wheel ruts underfoot. With a low warning to his companion he peered intently into the enshrouding gloom. Was it imagination or did the darkness loom more black? Cautiously, with outstretched hands, he moved forward. Then his fingers brushed a chill, damp surface and a dim shape took form before him.
“Back up!” he cautioned. “We’ve got it! It’s—great Scott, it’s a wagon! You listen for them, Nep, and I’ll feel around a bit. Hear anything? We’ll have to drop if they come. Whoa, boy!” Nelson heard his friend whispering as he drew away. There was a jingle of harness, such a sound as a horse might cause by tossing his head. Meanwhile Nelson’s hands were passing enquiringly over the vehicle. He made out a big, wide-tired wheel, the body, a cloth top stretching upward from it, and then, moving a pace, the lowered tailboard and the face of a box lying at one side of the wagon bed. At that moment Martin stepped back to his side.
“It’s a covered wagon,” he whispered, “with two horses. They’ve got them anchored with a cobblestone as big as your head. I cut the cable, though.”
“What for?” asked Nelson.
Martin chuckled, but his explanation had to wait, for the men were coming back again and there was just time for the two boys to reach the farther side of the wagon and drop to the earth before the leaders lurched to the back.
“One, two—heave!” said a voice, and there was a jar as another box landed. Then someone scrambled inside and the box was pushed into place. Other steps shuffled up and the performance was repeated. Then:
“How many more are there, Petey?” asked a voice.
“Two more. By the Saints, boys, it’s broke entirely me back is.”
“Don’t talk so loud, you! Sure, there’s other backs here. Stand aside there. Aisy now, boys! No noise!”
A third burden was deposited and shoved into place. “Is that the last?” one of the men asked.