The trader searched the boat from stem to stern, among boxes,
bales and barrels, around the machinery, by the chimneys, in vain.
And Planchet breathed freely again, whilst D'Artagnan seated himself quietly down in the shop, upon a
bale of corks, and made a survey of the premises.
It was evident that whatever their intentions, all had been decided upon before they left the ship; and so they came to the door, the sailors carrying the boxes and
bales, followed by the five who were of so different a class.
So this, also, was done according to Robin's bidding, and the candles were laid to one side, along with honest Quentin's unopened
bales of silk.
A whisper of the gold-rush had reached his ears, and he had come with several
bales of furs, and another of gut-sewn mittens and moccasins.
Boxes and
bales were rising out of the hold and being carried into the warehouse by stout porters, who tugged and bawled and clattered about with small trucks, or worked cranes with iron claws that came down and clutched heavy weights, whisking them aloft to where wide doors like mouths swallowed them up.
But now the generals are gone back to their counters; and in place of projectiles, they despatch
bales of cotton.
But when once on the sandstone platform, the scenery becomes exceedingly monotonous; each side of the road is bordered by scrubby trees of the never-failing Eucalyptus family; and with the exception of two or three small inns, there are no houses or cultivated land: the road, moreover, is solitary; the most frequent object being a bullock-waggon, piled up with
bales of wool.
These rags in
bales, of all hues and qualities, the lowest condition to which cotton and linen descend, the final result of dress -- of patterns which are now no longer cried up, unless it be in Milwaukee, as those splendid articles, English, French, or American prints, ginghams, muslins, etc.
A quarrelsome band of footsore sulky niggers trod on the heels of the donkeys; a lot of tents, camp-stools, tin boxes, white cases, brown
bales would be shot down in the courtyard, and the air of mystery would deepen a little over the muddle of the station.
Next day, some
bales of cotton goods and a few cases of provisions having been thrown on shore, the sardine-box steamer went off, not to return for another six months.
They were so strict with us as to landing any goods, that it was with extreme difficulty that I got on shore three
bales of English goods, such as fine broadcloths, stuffs, and some linen, which I had brought for a present to my partner.
