It was a dreary, toilsome climb up the narrow portion of the valley, and
it was quite dark by the time we had reached the spot where we descended
first that morning, and consequently our task grew more risky and
difficult; but there was no shrinking, and following in each other's
steps, we went on over the bare mountain below where the sheep had been
seen, and with no other light than that of the stars, descended into the
narrow gorge which led down into Golden Valley.
Here we of necessity, on reaching Gunson's claim, made a halt to
refresh; but as soon as possible Mr Raydon gave the word "Forward!"
again, and the men stepped out better, for this was all well-known
ground.
Five-minute halts were made twice on the way down, so as to obtain food
at a couple of tents. Then it was on again, and the river was reached
at last, and the steady upward trudge commenced for the Fort.
Mr Raydon did not speak, but I felt that his thoughts must have been
the same as mine, as I wondered what had taken place, and whether he was
right in his belief that the enemy had gone up to the Fort after firing
the forest.
All doubt was cleared when we were about half a mile from our
destination, for there suddenly boomed out on the still night air, to
echo and die rumbling away among the mountains, the heavy report of one
of the small cannon of the block-houses, and this sound sent the men
onward at double speed, for it meant not only that the Fort was
attacked, but that Grey and those with him were making a brave defence.
"Steady, steady!" said Mr Raydon, in a low, stern voice. "We must get
up there ready for a run in. You are out of breath, my lads."
The men from the Fort, who were in front, slowed down a little at this,
dropping from the double into a sharp, quick walk; but the report of a
second gun, and then the crackle of rifle-firing, started them again
into a steady trot, and I found myself forgetting my weariness, and
running by Mr Raydon step for step.
The firing grew sharper as we neared the palisade, which was dimly seen
in the starlight, and the flashes of the rifles and the lights we saw
going here and there added to the excitement of the scene as Mr Raydon
said aloud--
"They have got in, and are trying to take the west block-house. Too
late! they have taken it," he cried, as a burst of cheering rose from
within the great fence. Then in a quick whisper he bade the men halt,
about a dozen yards from the gateway.
"Mr Barker," he said, "keep the gate, and come to our help if we want
it. Don't let a man pass. No bloodshed if you can help it--prisoners.
Now, Hudson's Bay boys, ready!"
A fresh burst of cheering arose just then, and directly after the loud
shriek of a woman, and a voice I knew as Esau's roaring out angry words.
"Forward!" said Mr Raydon. "Open out into line, and use the butts of
your rifles."
I ran with them from the force of example, and carried away by the
excitement, as our men charged rapidly across the enclosure to where, in
happy ignorance of the fact that help was at hand, the gang of
scoundrels were busy binding their prisoners, whom they had just dragged
out of the block-house. But the next minute there was a yell of rage
and hate, with the sound of heavy blows, pistol-shots, oaths and curses,
and then the pattering of feet, and Mr Raydon's voice rang out.
"Four men your way," he cried; and directly after there was a repetition
of the blows, shots, and yells, followed by a cheer from the gate.
For the last of the gang had been beaten down, and as pine-torches were
lit, the wounded were separated from the uninjured, and these latter
were placed in rows under a strong guard; while explanations followed,
Grey assuring us that the women were safe; that the cry came from Mrs
Dean, who had tried to protect her son; and that we had come just in
time, after a desperate struggle, first at the gate, and lastly at the
block-house, which he had defended as vigorously as his limited means
would allow. But at last, after being wounded twice, and his two most
helpful men laid low, he had succumbed to a desperate rush.
Day broke on as wild a looking set as can be imagined; jaded, exhausted,
blackened with smoke, our men sat and lay about for the most part
unhurt, though several showed traces of the desperate struggle made by
the surprised gang, whose one-handed leader told Mr Raydon with a
savage oath that he thought our party had been burned in the forest.
"Then it was your doing," said Barker, fiercely.
"Course it was," said the ruffian. "Give me a chance, and I'll burn
this place too."
Barker raised his fist to strike the fellow, but Mr Raydon seized his
arm.
"Don't do that," he said; "we shall not give him a chance."
And so it proved, for that night, when I rose after a long deep sleep, I
found that a party had started down the valley with the prisoners.
"You came just in time, Mayne Gordon," said Mr John to me. "I was so
frightened that it made me desperate too. I'm afraid I hurt one man."
"You did, sir," I said laughing. "Grey told me how you swung your rifle
round, and struck him down."
"I did, my boy, I did," he said. "Don't laugh. I do not feel satisfied
that I did right."
"You did it to defend your wife," said Mr Raydon, who came up; "and I
never felt so proud of you before, John. There, I must go and see my
injured men."