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Show 121 "What-d that boy say?" he asked Snodgrass. Snodgrass was staring at the unkempt boys with a look of horror. "I don't know. Something about gold." Not getting the reaction they had expected, the boys turned and tore at the ropes holding the canvas bag. A wave of excitement grew around them, for the closer ones had heard what they said. The crowd began to press noisily around them, excited now. Struggling, the boys lifted the canvas bag between them, unzipping it and holding it open toward the mayor. Ignoring the governor, he stared in puzzlement. Together in unison; the boys pointed and shouted at the tope of their lungs: "We brought the gold! We found the gold bar!" Unable to believe his eyes, the mayor stared at the glittering bar they held up. Mouth agape, forgetting the governor, Mayor Okleberry ran to the edge of the bandstand and pointed down at the gold. "The gold! The gold bar," he shouted, beginning a gleeful little dance, "They've got the gold bar!" The band began to play "Happy Days are Here Again." Josh's mother came pushing through the crowd, laughing happily. In the front row of the circle around the boys young Avery Snodgrass watched with his mouth open. Horace Wolsey, looking stern, appeared from nowhere to reach for the gold in the bag. But both boys waved Horace Wolsey away and pointed to the mayor. "No, only to him," Josh declared. Then they lifted the heavy bag toward the mayor's downreaching hand. Just out of his reach, Josh pulled the bag back. |