He came down from
the lookout so overcome with a great inspiration that he could not
speak. Then, as with Balboa, the fire of a splendid enthusiasm lighted
up the mean purposes of the adventurer to a higher manhood. Before his
followers, he fell on his knees and prayed Almighty God to grant him
the supreme honor of sailing an English ship on that sea!
That night the Indian came back with word that the mule train laden
with gold was close on the trail. Drake scattered his men on each side
of the road flat on their faces in high grass. Wealth was almost in
their grasp. Hope beat riotous in the young bloods. No sound but the
whir of wings as great tropic insects flitted through the dark with
flashes of fire; or the clank of a soldier unstrapping haversack to
steel courage by a drink of grog! An hour passed! Two hours before
the eager ears pressed to earth detected a padded hoof-beat over grass.
Then a bell tinkled, as the leader of the pack came in sight. Drunk
with the glory of the day, or too much grog, some fool sailor leaped in
{145} mid-air with an exultant yell! In a second the mule train had
stampeded.
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