Daylight found them standing, dark of face, around the barely cold ashes
of the Moa's Nest; and the stern determination of the party might have
been read in their compressed lips and fierce looks, as more than one
man mentally registered an oath of the stern vengeance he would take for
this cruel desolation of a peaceful home.
A short interval of rest and refreshment, and the horses were stabled in
one of the sheds yet standing; arms were examined, and the party began
to ascend the Gap, slowly and cautiously, for they knew that unless the
convicts had made their way round by the sea, they must be somewhere
higher up, amongst these natural fortresses.
It was a very slow rate at which they progressed, for they anxiously
searched for and examined every trace left by the convicts, though these
were comparatively few, Wahika having previously picked up and hidden
the greater part as he followed the ruffianly crew.
But soon these tokens disappeared, and they pressed on higher and
higher, watching eagerly for farther signs of their enemy.
Once the foremost man halted, holding up his hand as a sign to those who
followed, for there was the distant sound as of a gun; but it reached
their ears in a strange, muffled way, as if discharged on the other side
of the mountains; and another, which followed soon after, was even less
distinct.
"They must be farther up, round the bend," said one; and on they
proceeded, taking advantage of every inequality for concealment. Every
man's rifle was ready to reply to the shot which was expected at any
instant; but on they still went, without encountering a foe.
Hour after hour had passed; and at length, heated and wearied, a halt
was called by the side of a rapid, babbling stream. Provisions were
brought out, and then, for the first time, it was seen that one of the
party was missing.
"Where's the parson?" exclaimed the one who first made the discovery;
when, upon comparing notes, it was found that he had not been noticed by
any one for some hours.
"Poor old fellow, he could not keep up," said Lawler. "We shall find
him under a tree, resting, when we go back. He was not without food,
fortunately, for I saw that he had it, or he would have gone without."
"I hope no mischief will befall him," said another; and then they fell
to consulting, in cautious tones, as to the next best proceeding;
whether to press on farther, or to retrace their steps, and examine some
of the ravines, so as to join the strength they hoped by that time to
meet approaching from the lower part of the Gap, while, at the same
time, they would pick up Mr Meadows.
"I should be for going on," said Lawler, "only that I think the last
plan is the better; for I can't help thinking they have never come up
here. Let's go back: we're losing time."
Following out his suggestion, the men rose, and began, with the same
precautions, to retrace their steps, by this time spreading out in a
more extended line; while, about the same time, a party of a dozen
friends commenced the ascent of the Gap, following the plainly-marked
track left by the first detachment.
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