The wagoners worked hard, shouting loudly the while; dark forms now vanished in the shadow of the bales, now sprang on the top of them, while their animated gesticulations made them look, in the red light, like a crowd of savages holding some mysterious nocturnal orgies.
The merchant, meanwhile, walked up and down between the inn and the scene of action.

It was in vain that Anton implored him to rest for a few hours.

"This is no night for us to sleep in," said he, gloomily; and Anton read in his dark glance the resolve of a man who is ready to stake his all upon the accomplishment of his inflexible will.
It was nearly morning when the last giant bale was firmly secured with ropes and chains on the wagon top.

Anton, who had himself been lending a hand, now slipped down, and announced to his principal that their work was done.
"At last!" replied the merchant, drawing a long breath; and then he went up to announce the fact to their friendly escort.
He, for his part, had contrived to get through the night in his own way; first, he thoroughly enjoyed the supper and wine brought him by the terrified maids, and found leisure to say a few encouraging words to the prettiest of them.

Then he contemplated the dirty bed, and at last threw himself, with a French oath, upon it, looking now at the distorted countenance of the roguish host, who sat opposite him on the ground, now at the ceiling; and, while half asleep himself, complimenting the merchant, who looked in from time to time, upon his capacity of keeping awake a whole night.