Vidal did not dare to jump down with the bundle in his hands; so he
threw it carefully upon some bushes; as it fell, only the barometer
broke; the rest was already broken. El Bizco and Vidal then jumped
down and the three associates set out on a cross-country run, pursued
by the canine defender of private property, who barked at their heels.
"What damned fools we are!" exclaimed Vidal, stopping. "If a guard
should see us running like this he'd certainly arrest us."
"And if we pass the city gate they'll recognize what we're carrying in
this bundle and we'll be stopped," added Manuel.
The Society halted to deliberate and choose a course of action. The
booty was left at the foot of a wall. They lay down on the ground.
"A great many rag-dealers and dustmen pass this way," said Vidal, "on
the road to La Elipa. Let's offer this to the first one that comes
along."
"For three duros," corrected El Bizco.
"Why, of course."
They waited a while and soon a ragpicker hove into view, bearing an
empty sack and headed for Madrid. Vidal called him over and offered to
sell their bundle.
"What'll you give us for these things?"
The ragdealer looked over the contents of the bundle, made a second
inventory, and then in a jesting tone, with a rough voice, asked:
"Where did you steal this?"
The three associates chorused their protestation, but the ragpicker
paid no heed.
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