THE MYSTERIOUS SIGNALS
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.
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