A DISAGREEABLE SURPRISE
“You have not met Dick Fletcher?” said Ralph Granger in surprise.
“Yes, we only parted from him this morning.”
“Did he rob you?”
“No, but he tried to.”
Here Obed gave an account of Fletcher’s searching his pockets during
the night.
“I am afraid he will turn up again,” said Granger apprehensively.
“We’ll try to be ready for him,” said Obed coolly, “but I don’t mean to
borrow any trouble.”
By this time their new acquaintance had satisfied his hunger. He turned
gratefully to Obed Stackpole.
“How can I thank you for your great kindness?” he said earnestly. “I
feel that you have saved my life.”
“Tut, tut,” said Obed, “I’ve only done as you would have done in
my place. How long is it since you parted company with that skunk,
Fletcher?”
“I think it is only seven days, but it has seemed a month.”
“And didn’t you meet anybody humane enough to relieve your hunger?”
“During the first four days, but not for the last three. Part of the
time I lost my way, and did not meet any one. I hope you will never
know such torments as I have known in that time.”
“Amen to that! And now, my friend, what are your plans?”
“I should like to go back to Melbourne,” said the stranger hesitatingly.
“If you say so, we’ll fit you out with three days’ provisions, and you
can push on.”
“I hardly like to go alone.”
“I am sorry, for your sake, that we are going the other way. You see
we haven’t made our pile yet, and must go on. I’ll tell you what you’d
better do, Granger. Come along with us, and join the first party we
meet bound for the city. You will, at all events, be sure of your
victuals till then.”
“I believe your advice to be good, and will accept your kind
invitation. The tea and food have put new life in me, and my strength
has returned.”
They did not travel long together, however, for before nightfall they
fell in with a party of eight persons bound for Melbourne, who agreed
to let him join them.
“Good-bye, Granger,” said Obed, as they parted. “I think you’re all
right now.”
Toward the close of the day they entered a much pleasanter country. In
place of sandy clay, baked hard in the sun, alternating here and there
with a moist bog, they came to tall grass, trees of great height, and
meadows suitable for grazing. The cattle revelled in the rich feed, and
Obed suffered them to eat their fill, feeling that they had worked hard
and deserved it. Though it was rather earlier than usual, they decided
to encamp for the night near the margin of a creek, shaded by trees of
a gigantic size.
They slept soundly all night, but they got ready to move at seven, the
boys having made sure of a bath first. They were not to proceed far,
however. About ten o’clock, as they were skirting the woods, six men
on horseback rode out from the leafy covert. They seemed inclined to
dispute the passage of the party.
“What can they want?” ejaculated Harry, with a startled look.
“I expect they are bushrangers,” said Obed.