Part 32 (1/2)

There was no mistaking the firmness of the bottom; so, carefully marking the spot by a cross which I scored on the roof with my knife, we softly dropped in six golden packages over the side of our little raft, which seemed ready to leap out of the water on being released from its heavy burden.

A soft gentle splash in each case, and then the black waters closed over each package, a pang striking my heart as they disappeared; and I asked myself whether I was wise, now that I had gained the object of my search, to let it go from me again like that. I was roused, though, from my reverie by Tom, who generally had a word of encouragement for me at the blackest times.

”There, Mas'r Harry, that's covered up well, and it can be easily uncovered again; and I'll lay my head agin a halfpenny apple, that if we don't come to fetch that there, n.o.body else won't; for unless we told, n.o.body wouldn't never find it.”

I could not help thinking that Tom was right; and now, with my treasure found, and, as it were, banked for my use, I felt lighter of spirit, and we floated easily back in about the quarter of the time occupied in going; when, carefully taking our raft once more partly to pieces, we concealed it behind the rocks, and made the best of our way to the mules.

”Now, Mas'r Harry, you may do as you like; but I say, let's get twenty or thirty of these stone icicles, just as if we'd come on purpose to fetch 'em, pack 'em atop of the mules, and ride bang out as if we were not afraid of anybody.”

It was good counsel, and I followed it, riding over the stony barrier just as the sun was setting. The stalact.i.tes were swung in coffee-bags on either side of the mules, which, delighted at being once more in the open air, cantered off merrily whenever the track would allow.

It was just beginning to grow dark upon as glorious an evening as ever shone upon the gorgeous tropic world, when we reached the end of the ravine, and both became at the same instant aware of about a dozen Indians, who advanced quickly, making friendly signs, and repeating the word--”Amigos! Amigos!”

”They want to see what we've got, Mas'r Harry,” chuckled Tom. ”Don't show fight unless they do.”

Professing to ask for tobacco and a light, the little party surrounded us; and, as if by accident, one man touched the bags, and contrived to see their contents, when he said something to his companions, to whom we civilly gave what they asked, showing no trace of tremor; while they were smiling and servile. But I could not help feeling what would have been our fate had the lading of those mules been the treasure, for twelve to two were long odds.

It was evident that they were satisfied, and giving us the country salutation, they bade us good-night, and we moved off; but Tom pulled up, and shouted after the leader of the party, who returned; when, with a face whose gravity could be seen, even in that dim short twilight, to be extreme, Tom took out one of his smallest stalact.i.tes, held it up before him, and repeated the word ”buono” three times, and then presented it to the Indian, who received it with grave courtesy and retired.

”There,” said Tom, ”if he don't go and tell his tribe that we're madmen after that, why, I was never born down Cornwall way. Say, though, Mas'r Harry, that was a narrow escape; those chaps watch that gold, and they thought we had it; and if we had been loaded that way I'm thinking that it would have been buried again, with two skulls and bones this time, and those would have been ours.”

I shuddered as I urged my mule onward, anxious to reach the hacienda, which we did earlier than I hoped for, stabled our mules, and then, relieving Tom of his golden burden, I went up to my room and secured it in my travelling case, before descending to find my uncle sitting, with Lilla kneeling beside him, holding his hand; and a glance showed me that both she and Mrs Landell had been weeping bitterly.

I was surprised to see them a.s.sembled at so late an hour, but taking no notice, I went up and shook hands.

”Well, Harry,” said my uncle sadly; ”had enough of exploring yet?”

”Quite, Uncle,” I said. ”I have finished now.”

He looked up at me for a moment, and then fell to stroking Lilla's golden hair.

”Well, lad, I'm sorry,” he said, after a pause; ”but I may as well tell you, and be out of my misery. But don't think I blame you, lad--don't think I blame you, for I suppose it was to be.”

”What is it, Uncle?” I said in an indifferent tone. ”No new trouble, I hope?”

He glanced at me in a sadly disappointed way, and then said sternly:

”_I_ don't reproach you, Harry; but that blow you struck Garcia has been my ruin, unless I buy his favour with this.”

As he spoke he laid his hand tenderly upon Lilla's head, then drew her to him and kissed her lovingly.

”But we can't do that, my little lamb--we can't do that,” he continued.

”We are to be turned out of the place; but I daresay there's a living to be got--eh, Harry? You'll not leave us, I suppose, now we're in trouble? You said you would not, and now, my lad, is the time to put you to the proof. You'll work now, won't you?”

”Not if I know it, Uncle,” I said coolly. ”Why should I work? I'm much obliged for your hospitality; but I feel now disposed to go back to England, and the sooner the better.”

My uncle did not speak, and a dead silence fell upon all. I caught one sad, reproachful glance from Lilla's eyes; and then she clung, weeping and whispering to my uncle, who, however, only shook his head.

”I think, my dears, we'll go to rest,” he said at last suddenly.