THE SAME, CONTINUED.
"Are you sick?" we demanded, springing towards the prostrate man and
helping him to a chair.
"I know not," he replied, wildly; "but unless I am dreaming, I heard a
voice demanding admittance to the store. Do not open the door, for
mercy's sake. I cannot bear to look upon his face again."
"Poor man," muttered Fred; "his story has affected him to such a degree
that his mind wanders. Let us put him to bed as soon as possible, for
fear of a return of the fever."
"You are mistaken, young men, if you think that fever or a diseased
imagination has caused my emotion. See, I am perfectly calm."
In fact, he didn't seem as though afflicted with his late sickness, for
his flesh was cool, and his face pale, but for all that he trembled
violently, and as though attacked with the ague.
"I thought that I recognized the voice," our patient said, in a half
whisper, and in a listening attitude, "but I may have been mistaken."
"Hullo, within there--open the door, and sell me a quart of the best
quality," cried the rough voice on the outside, accompanied by another
violent shake of the door that made every thing jar again.
Rover uttered a threatening howl, and pawed at the door as though
desirous of inserting his teeth into the body of the brawler.
"I was certain that I could not be mistaken," exclaimed Mr. Critchet, in
a hoarse whisper.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"Will you let me have the liquor? Say yes or no," cried the impatient
fellow on the outside, with an oath.
"I am positive that that is the voice of my brother-in-law," Mr.
Critchet said. "I have not heard him speak before for six years, yet
there are some things that I cannot forget. What shall I do? How shall I
act?"
"Do you wish to speak to him?" I asked; "if so, we will admit him, and
trust to our arms for security. Not a hair of your head shall be
injured, even though you tell him disagreeable truths."
"What say you? Are you awake? Shall I have the rum?" continued our
midnight visitor.
I waited for the old gentleman to come to some conclusion, and although
he was intensely agitated at the thought of an interview, he gave a
token of assent.
"Call off the dog and let him come in," said Fred, "and do you keep in
the background for the present," addressing our guest.
I quieted Rover with a word, and then unbolted and unbarred the door and
threw it open, feeling some curiosity to see the man who had had the
audacity to commit extensive forgeries, and yet escape the punishment of
the law, especially when the criminal code of England is so rigid that
rank or station in life is not respected.
"Well, sleepy heads, have you woke up?" was the impudent question that
first greeted me, and through the door strode a tall, powerful-built
man, with dark whiskers which covered his face almost to his eyelids,
and long, black hair plentifully sprinkled with gray. He wore a short
monkey-jacket, such as sailors are in the habit of adopting as a
convenient overcoat for working aloft on shipboard--a blue flannel
shirt, with large collar turned over and confined to his neck with a
black silk handkerchief--a pair of fancy colored pants, somewhat soiled
and worn, yet a little better than the majority of the miners were
accustomed to wear at Ballarat--and lastly, the visitor had on his head
a felt hat of ample proportions, such as the stockmen and shepherds of
Australia have adopted to protect their heads from the noonday heat, and
eyes from the bright sun, while scouring the plains in search of cattle.
"You are late in your purchases," I remarked, in a conciliatory tone, as
the stranger entered.
"A man with money, and a desire to spend it, can choose his own time to
trade, I suppose, can't he?" the black visitor asked, in a gruff manner;
and as he moved his arm to emphasize his words, I saw the butts of two
pistols protruding from his coat pockets--a discovery that did not alarm
me, although I was glad that their possession was revealed.
"That depends upon two things," I replied. "First, whether--"
"Pshaw! don't bother me with your homilies," he exclaimed, impatiently,
as I closed the door and turned the key.
"No, I won't, for you are homely enough in all conscience," I answered,
pretending to think that he referred to personal beauty.
The stranger turned on me like lightning, and his sinister eyes were
expressive of intense rage, but I pretended not to notice his actions.
Rover, however, became slightly alarmed for my welfare, and placed
himself between us, and showed his strong teeth with perfect frankness.
"Call off your dog," our visitor said, finding that it was useless to
intimidate, "or I will make short work of him, and sell him to the
Chinamen as a luxury."
"You would never have another chance to trade with the Celestials," I
answered, carelessly.
"Why?" demanded the black ruffian, with a grim smile, as he walked
towards that portion of the store where Fred was sitting, Mr. Critchet
having entered his room.
"Because, if you harmed my dog, I should take the liberty of shooting
you without a moment's delay."
"Well, that is a question that two would have to study over," the
stranger answered, in a more subdued tone, and with less inclination to
swagger. "I suppose that you little think that I carry these things
about me, and that they sometimes bark when I say the word, and more to
the purpose than any dog you ever owned." And he tapped the butts of his
pistols with a confident air, but the announcement was not such as he
had anticipated.
"We sometimes do a little in that line ourselves," I answered, "and we
take care that the tools we use shall be the best that money can obtain.
When this speaks it means something."
I quietly drew from my coat pocket a revolver, and held it before him,
and then as quietly returned it to its resting-place.
"I'm satisfied with your word," the dark-haired stranger said, a grim
smile spreading over his face. "When gentlemen meet they should know how
to treat each other with courtesy. By your weapon I judge that you are
an American."
"My friend and myself both claim that country as the land of our
births," I replied, pointing to Fred, who sat smoking his pipe for the
purpose of keeping the insects, attracted by our light, at a distance.
"O, I didn't see that you had a companion," the stranger exclaimed,
spying Fred for the first time, which somehow rather disconcerted him;
but he quickly rallied, and continued to converse in a free and easy
manner, like a man who had seen much of the world, and had opportunities
of enjoying it.
"I am glad to know that you are Americans, for I have visited that
country, and was kindly treated by those with whom I came in contact. A
great and fast country, as I can bear witness, for while travelling in
the southern part I suffered a railroad collision and a steamboat
explosion on the same day, and yet escaped with whole bones. Were I not
an Englishman I would be an American, to use the words of Alexander,
altered to suit the occasion."
"May I ask if you belong here in Ballarat?" I demanded, with the
intention of finding out what his business and prospects were.
"To tell you the truth, I am here on what your countrymen call a
'bender;' a freak that assails me about once in three months, and after
it is over I return to my stock-house and think how great a man can be,
and yet how little."
"Then you are a stockman?" I said.
"That is not what I am termed," he cried, with an expression of pride
upon his dark face. "I employ stockmen to look after my cattle, but I am
called a proprietor."
"I always supposed that proprietors preferred to live in the large
cities, and trust their flocks and herds to employees," Fred said,
dryly.
"What is it to you what I prefer?" he demanded, turning on Fred
fiercely. "Have I not a right to do as I please as long as I am my own
master, and pay those who work for me?"
"No one denies it, I believe," exclaimed Fred. "I only made a
supposition. Some men dislike to be seen in cities, while others would
go mad if obliged to live on the plains. I sometimes think that it
depends entirely upon the conscience which every man is supposed to have
locked within his breast, although my arguments are liable to be
refuted, on the ground that there are some men destitute of such an
article."
"Death and the devil! do you refer to me, you babbler?" shouted the
stranger, his hands again seeking the pockets where his pistols were
nestling.
"Don't get enraged at a few words," I said, half soothingly and half
ironically. "My friend didn't mean to cut you with his remarks."
"We won't quarrel over an unmeaning word," I said. "Give me a quart of
good whiskey, and I will go back to the tent where I have agreed to stop
for the balance of the night. I was told that I could get the best
liquor here of any place in Ballarat."
"Raising cattle is considered a profitable business in Australia," I
hinted, while pretending to be attending upon his wants.
"I find it satisfactory," he returned, shortly, as though determined to
baffle my inquiries.
"I have some thoughts of engaging in the business," I continued, "and
would, if I could buy a tract of land on the banks of the Loddon or the
Campaspe. All the pasturing that is desirable within sight of Mount
Macedon skirt is already sold, I suppose."
"I should think it was," he answered, with a grin; "but I am open for an
offer."
"How! do you wish to sell?" I asked, apparently in surprise.
"If I can get my price, yes."
"How long have you occupied your tract?" I inquired.
"For four years, and during that time my flocks have increased
threefold, and now I count my sheep by thousands and cattle by
hundreds."
"And your range is located on the banks of the Loddon?" I asked. "How
much land have you taken up?"
"Five thousand acres of as good pasturage as can be found in the
country, well watered, and free of bogs and quicksands."
"Why do you desire to sell, if the raising of cattle is so productive?"
I demanded.
"None of your business. If you wish to buy, say so, and I'm open for a
trade. Come and see me some day, and I'll talk with you on the matter;
at the present time I'm in a hurry."
"I think that I know a man who will take the station off your hands
without delay. Wait a moment and I'll bring him to you."
I left the cattle raiser wondering at the suddenness of my exit, and
entered the small room, where I found Mr. Critchet suffering with
nervous agitation.
"Have you heard all?" I asked.
"Yes, all."
"And do you think that you recognize the voice?"
"It is Follet," he whispered.
"Dare you face him, and demand restitution for your wrongs?" I inquired.
"Why should I fear to meet him, and strike terror into his guilty heart?
Let me go at once."
"Then roll the collar of your coat over your face, and slouch your hat
over your eyes, and keep them there until I ask you to remove them. Now
keep up a stout heart, and trust to fortune for the result."
Mr. Critchet followed me from the room without another word. His
agitation seemed to have left him, and he displayed all the "pluck"
which characterizes the representatives of Great Britain, when placed in
situations that require nerve and courage.
"Hullo! is that the man you have selected to purchase my stock?" cried
the stranger, with a hoarse laugh; "why, a horseback ride of ten miles
before breakfast would finish him for the day, and if bullocks should
get sight of his thin form, they would break into open rebellion, for
they know that it requires a powerful arm to use a stock-whip. Take your
old granddaddy back to bed, and send me a customer that can keep the
saddle all day, and sleep in a pond of water all night, if need be."
"He is not so feeble as he looks," I replied, giving Fred a quiet
signal, which he understood, and therefore rose and sauntered near the
counter, so that he could be in the rear of the stockman, in case he was
disposed to use violence.
"See," I continued, removing the hat of Mr. Critchet, and throwing back
his collar, "he does not look so very weak, after all."
I noticed the stranger gave a convulsive start when he saw that pale
face, so full of mild reproach; I heard him utter an exclamation which
sounded like an oath, and then he turned and rushed frantically towards
the door; but before he reached it, he was attacked by an enemy in his
rear that he little counted on.
Rover, who had been lying quietly at our feet, watching the movements of
the stranger with distrust, yet apparently determined to give the man a
fair hearing before he made up his mind in regard to his character,
uttered a yell when he saw our visitor turn to fly, and before he
reached the door the faithful dog had seized a portion of his garments
on that section of his body where the strain is supposed to be the
strongest, and, with defiant growls, held him fast.
"Call off your dog," shouted Follet, with an oath, "or I'll send a ball
through his lean carcass."
"If you but offer to lay your hand upon a pistol you are a dead man!"
exclaimed Fred; "remain quiet, and you are safe."
"Why should I obey you?" demanded Follet, with a sudden jerk of his
body, for the purpose of freeing himself from the jaws of the dog, in
which he was unsuccessful, for Rover took a double grip, and I think
that his teeth grazed the forger's flesh, for he attempted to apply his
hands to the spot, but was not able, and therefore they once more sought
the formidable pistols which his pockets contained.
"Curse you and your dog! Do you think I'm a bullock, to be thus dragged
down, and make no resistance?"
He was in the act of cocking the pistol when a slight blow upon his arm,
near the elbow, with the butt of a stock-whip, made him drop it as
suddenly as though his limb had been paralyzed from wrist to shoulder.
"Do you mean to rob or to assassinate me?" cried Follet, rubbing his
arm, and looking dangerous.
"Neither," we replied; "but we require you to be patient, and to make
atonement for some of the wrong that you have done. This you shall do,
or be lodged in a prison and returned to England."
"Do you take me for a child, that I should be thus lectured by boys and
a gray-headed idiot? You don't know me yet!"
The desperate man suddenly turned, while talking, and with one of his
heavy boots kicked the hound upon his head; but the noble brute did not
even utter a whimper, although the blow brought blood upon his glossy
coat. But dearly did the fellow pay for his cruelty, for, as he dashed
towards the door, for the purpose of escaping, Rover sprang upon him,
seized him by his neck, and bore him headlong to the floor, where he
held him, despite of his struggles and cries.
We let them fight it out without interference, but a few minutes were
sufficient to produce cries for quarter from Follet, although before we
listened to them we disarmed him of his knife and remaining pistol.
"Get up," I said, addressing the prostrate man, "and remember that acts
of cruelty sometimes bring immediate punishment."
He arose, sullen and angry, yet not daring to manifest it by deeds and
words. I motioned him to a place near the stove, where Mr. Critchet was
seated, and from whence he had witnessed all that had transpired,
without remark or interference.
"Why am I treated in this manner?" demanded Follet, hesitating, before
he complied with my request.
"Because we think that it is necessary for you to make reparation for
wrongs that you have committed during a lifetime."
"Who accuses me?" he asked, after a pause.
"I do!" said Mr. Critchet.
"I never saw you before in the whole course of my existence!" cried the
forger, with a degree of effrontery that was characteristic of the man.
"Do you deny that you married my sister, and that I lent you money,
besides taking up your forged paper to save your neck from the common
hangman? demanded Critchet, earnestly.
"I do," replied the prisoner, without a moment's hesitancy; "and I will
also add, that if you think that I am to be robbed with impunity, you
are mistaken. What money I have about me I shall hold on to; and when I
do gain my liberty look to yourselves, for there is law to be obtained
in Ballarat."
We consulted apart with Mr. Critchet, and found that he was positive
that the man who had wronged him so basely was in our power, and we had
too great confidence in the judgment of the old gentleman to believe
that he would tell a lie, or endeavor to deceive us in the premises.
"How old was young Follet when his father left London?" Fred asked of
Mr. Critchet.
"About sixteen," was the answer.
"Then we can settle this matter in the morning, without trouble, or
further debate."
"How?"
"By confronting the son with the father."
We determined to try the experiment at all hazards, and as there was no
law by which we could be reached for detaining a supposed criminal
without a warrant, I suggested that a pair of irons should be slipped
upon his wrists, for the purpose of insuring his security during the
night, and that in the morning we should consult with Mr. Brown, and be
governed by his advice.
My proposition was accepted, and the matter was communicated to Follet,
who swore many strange oaths, and would have resisted, but he found that
it was useless; and to add to his terror, Rover sat within a few feet of
him, displaying his ivories, and ready to avenge his affront upon the
first symptom of hostility.
The stranger at length complied with our terms, and while we provided a
bed for him, we did not fail to intimate that Rover was to watch by his
side, and give an alarm, in case he meant mischief during the night, of
which we were not much afraid.
At daybreak we wore all astir, and ready for business. We provided a
substantial breakfast for our prisoner, and then I sought the presence
of the inspector, and laid the whole matter before him.
He agreed with me that it was only right and just that Follet should
make reparation for the wrongs that he had inflicted, but thought that
it was hardly fair to make the son betray the father.
After studying over the matter some time, the inspector visited the
prison, and got the young man to give a description of his parent, and
so perfect was the likeness that there could be no doubt of his
identity.
Then, for the first time, did we tell the forger that he had a son near
him, who was held to answer for an attempt at murder. The feelings of
the man were obliged to yield before the intelligence, but how much more
intense was his sorrow, when told that his son had nearly murdered the
very man who had stepped forward to save him from starvation!
"He came honestly by the disposition, so don't blame your son," said
Brown, bluntly. "Consider how much injury you have caused the old
gentleman, and ask your heart if there is not an opportunity to make
some redress!"
"What would you have me do?" demanded the forger, sullenly.
"You own a well-stocked tract of land; you must give him a deed of it,
and then leave this part of the country forever," Mr. Brown said.
"But then I shall have to begin the world without a penny, and I am
growing old," pleaded the forger.
"So did your victim; and yet his age is greater than yours. When
stripping him of wealth you had no misgivings, and as you showed no
mercy, neither shall we."
"Give me time to consult with my friends," pleaded Follet; but Mr. Brown
was deaf to his entreaties.
"Either go with me before the commissioner, and give a title to your
property, or else you go to prison and wait the return of a ship to
England, where you will be tried for forgery, and probably condemned.
You can take your choice--a life at the hulks, or freedom and poverty."
"This is a d----d trap!" yelled the forger, "but I will not be caught so
easily."
"As you please," returned Mr. Brown, carelessly; "I have a greater
desire to see justice executed on men of your stamp than to attempt to
compromise matters. Come with me."
He passed his arm through Follet's, and beckoned Mike to do likewise;
but before the trio had taken three steps towards the door the forger's
heart began to soften.
"Am I to be locked up?" he demanded.
"Ay, in the darkest cell in the prison," returned Mr. Brown, firmly.
"One moment!" he exclaimed; "will you agree to let me go free if I
comply with your request?"
We gave the required pledge, and in less than three hours' time we had
the satisfaction of placing in Mr. Critchet's hands a deed of all the
property owned by Follet; and although the amount was not near the sum
that the former had expended to save the latter's neck, yet it was
sufficient to place the old gentleman in affluent circumstance's for the
remainder of his life.