"Mr Gunson--Mr Gunson," but there was no reply, and a chill feeling of
horror ran through me, and the cold dew gathered on my forehead.
"Ain't you going to say a word to me, Mayne Gordon?" said Esau, in a
piteous voice.
"Say? What can I say?" I replied.
"Dunno, but you might say something. They've tied me so tight that the
ropes cut right down to the bone."
"So they have me, and it hurts horribly."
"Can't hurt you so much as it does me. Pretty sort of chap you were to
keep watch, and let them jump on us like that."
"Pretty sort of fellow you were to go to sleep," I returned, bitterly.
"Didn't go to sleep," grumbled Esau. "Only shut my eyes for a moment."
"There, don't make paltry excuses," I said, angrily.
"Dare say you two was asleep too," he said, sulkily. "I say, have they
killed poor old Gunson?"
"Don't--don't--don't!" I whispered, piteously; and in spite of the pain
it gave me, I rolled myself over and struggled along, till at last,
after a terrible struggle, I reached Gunson's side.
"Mr Gunson," I said; "Mr Gunson, pray, pray speak."
He uttered a low groan, and it sent a thrill of joy through me.
"Hurray!" whispered Esau; "he ain't dead. I say, can't we get untied
and drop on to them now when they don't expect it?"
"Impossible," I said, bitterly, "they've got the rifles too."
"Oh, I say," groaned Esau, "ain't it too bad, Mayne Gordon! Just as we
was all going to be rich, and now we shall be cheated out of it all.
Only wish I could get my hands undone."
What he would have done I cannot say, for his hands were tied fast, and
we lay there listening to the talking and coarse laughter of the men
about the fire, and a faint groan now and then from Mr Gunson, till the
day began to break; and as the sun lit up the misty valley, and shot its
bright, golden arrows through the trees, the men rose, and two of them
took hold of Mr Gunson's head and heels, and carried him out into the
open. "Dead?" said one of them.
"Not he. Take a harder crack to kill him," said the big fellow. "Bring
out them two boys and lay 'em here. I'm going to hold a court."
"Here, mind what you're doing," cried Esau, as he was lifted. "You
hurt."
"Hold your row, warmint," growled one of his hearers; and as Esau kicked
out viciously, they threw him down by Gunson just as if he was a sack of
wheat.
"All right, cowards," exclaimed Esau, viciously. "I'll serve you out
for this."
I set my teeth hard, so as not to make a sound, though they hurt me
horribly, and I too was thrown down on the grass near the fire, while
the big leader seated himself on a stone, took out and filled his pipe,
lit it with a burning brand, and then began to smoke, while the men
formed a circle round.
"Now then, young 'un," the big ruffian said to me, "speak up, and we
shan't hurt you, but if you don't tell the whole truth, one of my mates
here will take you into the woods there, and use his knife."
"And then you'll be hung," said Esau, sharply. "For cutting off his
ears, monkey," growled the fellow. "Well, they wouldn't do it for
cutting off yourn, so we'll try them first."
"Yah! you daren't," cried Esau, viciously. "Don't, don't," I said.
"It's of no good."
"Not a bit," said the big fellow. "Now then, boy, where's your mate hid
his pile?"
"I don't know," I said.
"What! No lies, or--"
He clenched his fist, and held it towards me threateningly.
"I tell you I don't know, and if I did I wouldn't tell you."
"We'll soon see about that. Now then, you," he said, turning to Esau,
"where's your mate keep his pile?"
"Dunno," said Esau, laughing. "Find out."
"Oh, we can soon do that. Won't take long. Here, you, how much did you
get out of the stream every day?"
"Don't know," I said, "anything about it."
"Ho! Very good. I say, mates, who's got the sharpest knife?"
"All on us," said his principal companion--the man who was with him
first.
"Well then, we'll have his ears off, and if that don't make him speak,
his tongue ain't no use, and we'll have off that."
"You dare to touch him," cried Dean, fiercely, "and I'll never rest till
the police catch you."
"Thank ye," said the big ruffian, and one man burst into a roar of
laughter. "There, it's of no use, boys; tell us where he buried his
pile, and you shall have a handful apiece. I don't know but what we'll
let you stop in camp and cook for us. Now then, out with it."
"I told you before," I said firmly, "I don't know, and if I did I would
not tell you."
"Look here," said one of the men, "give him a taste o' Indian. That'll
make him speak."
"What d'yer mean?"
"Pull off his boots, and put his feet close to the fire to warm."
"Oh!" cried Esau, "I wish my hands were untied."
"And serve him the same," said the man who had made the proposal.
"It'll be a race between 'em who shall speak first."
"There, it's all right. Ears off last. But they're going to speak;
arn't you, boys?"
We both remained silent.
"Oh, very well," said the big fellow; "off with their boots then."
"Don't you say a word, Esau," I whispered; "it's only to frighten us."
"No, it arn't," said the big ruffian, fiercely, for he must have guessed
what I said. "It arn't done to frighten you. Off with 'em, lads, and
hold their feet close. That'll make 'em speak--or squeak," he added,
with a grin.
"It will not, you cowardly brute," I cried, desperately, "for we neither
of us know."
"And him as does can't speak," cried Esau, fiercely. "Call yourselves
men to tie us two lads up, and do this? Yah! you're afraid."
"Where's he hid his pile, then?" growled the big ruffian.
"Don't answer him," I said; "it's of no use."
"Not a bit, my saucy young whelps. Now I give you one more chance.
Hold hard a moment," he cried to the men who held us. "Now then,
where's that there gold?"
"I don't know," I said, furiously, for the pain I suffered made me
reckless; "and I tell you again, if I did know I wouldn't say."
"I say, mates," said the big fellow, with mock seriousness, "arn't it
awful to hear two boys lie like that? Must teach 'em better, mustn't
us?"
There was a burst of laughter at this, and the men dragged off our boots
and stockings.
"That's the way," he said; "now set 'em down close to the fire, and just
warm their soles a bit; just to let 'em know what it's like."
"Oh, Esau!" I groaned, as I was seized; but he did not hear me, for as
they took hold of him he began to struggle and writhe with all his
might. Then for a few moments I began to think that this was all done
to frighten us, till I heard Esau give a shriek of pain.
"Now, will you tell us?" cried the big fellow. "Give the other a taste
too."
Four men laid hold of me, and they carried me close up to the fire,
whose glow I felt upon my face, as I too made a desperate effort to
escape. But it was useless, and I was turning faint with horror and
dread combined, for in another moment they would have forced my feet
close to the glowing embers, when I uttered a cry of joy, for Mr
Raydon, rifle in hand, suddenly strode out from among the pines, and I
was dropped, for every man seized his weapon.
"Put up your pistols," cried Mr Raydon, in a voice of thunder, as he
came up to us, his piece in his left hand, while with his right he
struck the man nearest to me a blow full in the eyes which sent him
staggering across the fire, to fall heavily on the other side.
"Stand fast, mates," cried the big ruffian, fiercely; "he's only one.
It's him from the Fort, and we've got my gentleman now."
"Stand back, sir!" roared Mr Raydon, "if you value your life."
"Give up that gun if you value yours," cried the man, and, bowie-knife
in hand, he sprang right at Mr Raydon.
But at that moment there was the sharp crack of a rifle, the ruffian's
legs gave way beneath him, and he fell forward, sticking his knife deep
into the earth.
"Fool! I warned you," said Mr Raydon, hoarsely. "Stand! all of you.
You are surrounded and covered by rifles--look!"
He pointed to where a thin film of smoke rose from among the pines,
close by where Esau had blazed the tree.
"It's a lie, mates," groaned the prostrate ruffian; "there's only two of
'em. Don't let him bully you like that."
"No, mate," cried his chief companion. "It was a shot from behind.
Come on."
He in turn rushed at Mr Raydon, who merely stepped back as the man
raised his hand to strike, when a second shot rang out from the same
place, and, with a yell of agony, the hand which held a knife dropped,
and the blade fell with a jingling sound upon a block of stone.
"Will you believe me now?" said Mr Raydon. "I tell you there are men
all round you, and every one is a marksman who can bring you down. Do
you surrender?"
"No," cried the big ruffian, through his set teeth, as he dragged
himself up on his hands. "It's the same one fired both shots. Mates,
you won't cave in and give up a claim like this?"
"No!" came in chorus. "It's our claim, and we'll fight for it."
"It is Mr Gunson's claim," I cried, angrily; "and it was ours before he
came."
"If any one has a right to the claim, it is I," said Mr Raydon; "and I
give you warning, my men, if one of you is seen in these parts after
to-day, he shall be hunted down and placed in irons till he can be sent
back to the coast for attempted murder and robbery."
"Don't listen," cried the big ruffian, hoarsely; and I could see that he
was ghastly pale. "He's nobody. He's trying to scar' you. Stand up
and fight for your rights."
"Mr Raydon, quick!" I shouted. "Take care!"
I was too late, for a revolver-shot rang out, fired by the second man;
but it was with his left hand, and I uttered a cry of joy, for it had
missed.
"Keep to your places," cried Mr Raydon; "I am not hurt. Grey and
number two advance. Stop number two and number three advance, and
collect their weapons. You others cover your men. Grey, bring down the
next who lifts a hand."
Two of the men from the Fort ran out from the pines, rifle in hand; but
at that moment there was a crackling and rustling of branches, and one
by one at least a dozen gold-finders from below came running up, armed
with rifles and revolvers.
"Ah," cried the big ruffian, from where he lay; "come on, mates.
They're trying to put a stop to the gold-washing, and to rob us of our
claim."
"Gag that scoundrel if he speaks again," cried Mr Raydon, coolly, as
the rough-looking men clustered together, dirt-stained, unkempt, and
drenched with water some of them, and all anxiously handling their
pieces. There was a low angry murmur from the new-comers, and our
assailants shouted--
"Yes; come to rob us of our claim."
"Silence!" cried Mr Raydon, turning then to the gold-finders. "I am
Mr Daniel Raydon, chief officer of Fort Elk, the station of the
Hudson's Bay Company."
"Ay, that's right," said one of the new-comers.
"I stand to all here as the magistrate of this district till the
Governor, her Majesty's representative, sends officers to preserve
order, and protect you and your rights and claims in this
newly-discovered goldfield."
"That's right, sir; that's right, sir," said the same man. "But when
we've chosen claims you're not to take them away."
"Hear, hear!" roared the big ruffian, faintly.
"And shoot him down," cried another of the fresh coiners; and there was
a loud murmur like a chorus of approval.
"Of course not, my men," said Mr Raydon, calmly.
"Don't listen to him. It's a robbery," cried one of the big ruffian's
gang. "Fired at us; shot two of our men."
"Yes; we heard the shots," said the first gold-finder.
"And I am glad you have come," said Mr Raydon. "Now then, you boys.
Has either of you seen a man here and those two lads before?"
"Seen the man," said the first speaker; "not the boys."
"Well, do you know he was working this claim with a Chinaman?"
"Yes," said another; "I saw the Chinaman only yesterday morning."
"Last night the Chinaman came to the Fort to tell me they were attacked
by a gang of ruffians, and I brought my men over the mountains to come
to their help."
"It's all a lie," said the big fellow, in a faint voice.
"Ask the boys, my good fellows," said Mr Raydon. "Ask them where Mr
Gunson is."
"Lying yonder," cried Esau, "half dead. They did it."
"These boys are bound too, you see. Tell them, Mayne Gordon, what they
were about to do when I came to your help."
"Hold our feet in the fire to make us tell where the gold is hidden."
"No, no; a bit of a game," chorussed the gang.
"Look at my feet," cried Esau, piteously; "is that a bit of a game?" and
he tried to hold up his bound legs, which the leader of the new-comers
raised and examined.
"It's true enough," said the chief speaker, indignantly; and a roar of
execration arose.
"It is all true," cried Mr Raydon. "Where is the Chinaman?"
"Allee light--me come along," cried Quong; and there was a roar of
laughter, for his voice came from high up in a tree.
"Come down, Quong; there is no danger," said Mr Raydon. "Some of you
cut these poor lads' limbs free. Stop, fool!" he roared, as one of the
gang began to sidle off. "Stand, all of you, if you value your lives.
Fire on the first scoundrel who tries to escape. I have men planted,
and good shots," he said to the leader of the gold-finders.
"You carry it with a high hand, governor," said this man, rather
abruptly.
"Well, sir, I have come to save these people here. I should have done
the same for you. This is English ground, where every man's life and
property must be protected by the law. For the time being I represent
the law, and I'll have myself obeyed. Now what have you--what have any
of you to say?"
"Three cheers for old England and the law!" cried the man. "I beg your
pardon, sir: you're right, and I'm wrong. What shall we do? Hang this
lot?"
"That's not obeying the law," said Mr Raydon, smiling. "No; two of
them are wounded. Their leader has his thigh broken; and his companion
his hand smashed, as he tried to stab me. They have got their
punishment. Disarm the rest. Then four of my men shall go with you to
see these scoundrels well down the valley. If they show their faces
here again they know the risks."
"Right!" cried the leader; and he snatched the revolver from the nearest
man, and his example was so rapidly followed, that in a few minutes the
utterly cowed gang was huddled together, unarmed, and guarded by four of
the Company's people, who had advanced from the wood at a word from
their chief.
"And now what about our claims along this stream?" said the leader of
the new-comers.
"I am here to help you maintain your just rights, sir," said Mr Raydon,
quietly. "Now help me to maintain order, and to see to the wounded men.
Bring lint and bandages, Grey."
And as that individual produced the linen from his haversack, Mr Raydon
handed his rifle to one of the gold-finders, and went down on one knee
to examine Mr Gunson's injury, which he carefully washed and bandaged.
"A terrible cut," he said, in answer to my inquiring eyes, "and
concussion of the brain. I hope not more serious. Now, my man," he
continued, turning to the big ruffian, "you tried to take my life, and I
have got to try and save yours."
The fellow made no answer, but winced and groaned with pain as his
shattered limb was set and supported by rough splints.
"This fellow will have to be carried," said Mr Raydon, rising; "he will
not walk again for many months. Now, sir, you."
He bent over the second ruffian and examined his hand, bathed and
bandaged it, and then went to the stream to wash his own.
By this time several more armed men had come up from the lower part of
the stream, and eagerly asked for particulars, while I heard a great
deal, and noted nearly everything, as I sat by Mr Gunson, suffering
agonies, for my arms and legs throbbed with the return of the
circulation.
Mr Raydon had only just finished his task when the chief speaker of the
gold-finders came up with half a dozen more.
"All my mates here, sir," he said, "from down stream ask me to speak,
and say we thank you for what you've done. We want protection, and law,
and order, and for every man to make his pile in peace. We see you've
got half a dozen men with you, and you talk of sending four down the
river with this gang."
"Yes," said Mr Raydon.
"Well, sir, we think we can save you that job. We'll see those chaps
off the premises."
"No violence," said Mr Raydon, sternly.
"Not if they behave themselves, sir, I promise that. For we think, as
there's no knowing who may come next, we should be glad if you'll keep
your men, so that in case of trouble we can appeal to you."
"Very well," said Mr Raydon; "let it be so then."
"Don't trust him," snarled one of the wounded men; "he'll rob you all of
your claims."
"Not he," said the chief speaker.
"No," said Mr Raydon, "and the first step I shall take will be to leave
two of my men in charge of this claim, which has been taken up by the
wounded prospector, Gunson."
"That's right; that's fair," came in chorus, and after a little more
conversation the men moved off with the prisoners, the wounded fellow
being carried on a litter of poles.
"Edwards," said Mr Raydon, "you and another had better stay here with
the Chinaman. Gordon, where is the gold?"
"I have not the least idea, sir."
"Oh, then you, Dean."
"Don't know a bit, sir," said Esau, who was nursing his blistered feet.
"Here, Quong, where has Mr Gunson stored the gold he has found?"
"Me no sabbee, sah. Quong give allee gole Mis Gunson take callee. No
sabbee. Hide allee gole ploply."
"Cut poles and lash them together," said Mr Raydon to Grey; "we must
carry him to the Fort. Gordon, Dean, you had better come and stay till
he is better."