ELECTION OF A NEW CAPTAIN.
The excitement among the bushrangers was intense. Simultaneously they
started forward, and two of them, bending over, lifted the body of their
prostrate leader. But he was already dead. The bullet had reached his
heart, and probably he never knew what hurt him.
Robert Graham, the man who had caused his death, stood erect and
unflinching.
He threw his weapon upon the ground, folded his arms, and said, in a
tone devoid of fear: "Comrades, do with me what you will. I could not
help doing what I did. It was either my brother's life or his. Sandy was
innocent of the crime charged against him. He had no thought of
treachery, though he did mean to leave your ranks. Is there anyone among
you that would stand by and see his brother murdered before his eyes
when he had the means of preventing it?"
The bushrangers looked at each other in doubt. They had at first
accepted the captain's statement that Sandy Graham was a traitor. His
brother's explanation of his attempted desertion put a new face on the
matter. Then, again, there was not one among them that had not tired of
their despotic leader. Alive, he had impressed them with fear, and held
them in strict subordination, but he was far from popular, and had no
real friend among them. So, though they were startled and shocked, there
was no one to shed a tear over the dead. It was a moment of doubt when a
leader was wanted.
"Well," said Robert Graham, after a pause, "what are you going to do
with me? I wait your pleasure."
"He ought to be served as he served the captain," said Fletcher, who
disliked Graham, and had always been a toady to Captain Stockton.
"I say no," rejoined Rupert Ring, a man of medium height, but of great
muscular development. "It was a terrible deed, but had my brother--I
have a brother in England, whom I have not seen for fifteen years--been
in Sandy Graham's shoes, I would have done the same."
There was a half murmur, which seemed like approval.
"And after all," continued Ring, "though Sandy Graham was in fault, he
is not the first man that has been beguiled by a fair face."
"No, no!" was heard from several of the bushrangers.
"I don't wish to speak ill of the dead, but he drew the reins too tight
at times. He forgot that we have rights."
Again there was a murmur of assent. It was evident that he was carrying
his comrades with him.
"I move, therefore, that we pass over Robert Graham's deed as one to
which he was impelled by brotherly affection, and that we restore Sandy
Graham to his place in our ranks, on condition that he does not repeat
the offence. Those who agree with me, hold up their right hands."
All hands were raised except that of Fletcher.
"Release the prisoner," said Ring, turning to the two attendants.
Instantly the rope was cut, the dark cloth was removed, and Sandy
Graham, a tall, athletic, good-looking fellow, stepped forth, his face
pale from the terrible strain to which he had been subjected.
"Comrades, brothers," he said, in a voice indicating deep emotion, "I
thank you for giving me back my life. It shall be devoted to your
service."
The first to press forward, and grasp his hand convulsively was his
brother, Robert Graham.
"Robert," said Sandy, "but for your brave act I should have been lying
dead instead of him," and he pointed, with a shudder, to the dead
captain.
"For your sake, Sandy," said Robert solemnly, "I have shed human blood.
To save your life, I have become a murderer."
"No, Robert, you cannot be called that any more than if you had shed
blood in self-defence."
Their conversation was interrupted by Rupert Ring.
"Comrades," he said, "the captain is dead. We can do nothing without a
leader. We should appoint one at once."
Here Fletcher pushed forward.
"I am the oldest in service among you," he said. "I was the trusted
friend of Captain Stockton. I submit that I have the best claim to be
your leader."
But among bushrangers, as in other communities, the man who is the most
anxious to secure office is very apt to be left in the lurch. Now, it
happened that Fletcher was by no means a favorite in the band. He was
sly and sneaking in his methods, currying favor with the captain, even
at the expense of manliness and self-respect, and there were serious
doubts as to his courage. If he had been wiser, he would not have made a
boast of his standing with the late leader, for the men were heartily
tired of his tyranny, and resolved to elect someone in his place who
bore no similarity to him.
Rupert Ring smiled slightly as he heard Fletcher's modest claim.
"Comrades," he said, "you have heard Fletcher's appeal. It is true that
he is the oldest in service among you. It is for you to consider whether
that entitles him to the post of leader. Those of you who are in favor
of Dick Fletcher as your leader will signify it by raising your right
hands."
Fletcher's eye wandered anxiously around the circle. To his chagrin not
a single hand was raised save his own. There was a cheer of derision
which brought an angry flush to his cheek.
Then a clear voice was heard. It was that of the young man, Wyman, whose
conversation with the two boys has already been recorded.
"I nominate Rupert Ring for our leader," he said.
There was a chorus of approval, which emboldened Wyman to add: "As he
can't very well put the question on his own nomination, I will do so.
Those of you who want Ring for your captain, please hold up your right
hands." All hands were raised except that of Fletcher.
"That settles it," said Wyman, who was unversed in parliamentary
language. "I call for three cheers for Captain Ring!"
The woods echoed to the lusty cheers of the bushrangers. It was evident,
from the general expression of satisfaction, that the choice was a
popular one.
"Comrades," said the new captain modestly, "I did not look for this
promotion, as you may have thought from my taking the lead just now, but
I saw that it was necessary for somebody to act. I don't know whether
you have made a wise choice or not, but I will do my best to make you
think so. Since I am your captain, it is my duty first to see that
proper honor is paid to the remains of your late captain, whom sudden
death has overtaken. You two lift the body and carry it into yonder
cabin."
The two attendants did so.
"Prepare a coffin, and at daybreak we will commit him to the earth.
Whatever else may be said of him, he was a brave man, and knew not
fear."
"That is true," said Robert Graham in a low voice.
"As to his faults, those we have no further concern with. All of us have
faults and no doubt grave ones."
Fletcher, till now, had sulked in silence. He was terribly disappointed
that he had been passed over and Rupert Ring promoted to the place of
chief, but since it was so he felt that it was politic to stand well
with the new administration.
"Captain Ring," he said, extending his hand, "let me be the first to
congratulate you on your election as our captain."
Ring smiled slightly. He had never liked Fletcher.
"I accept your congratulations, Fletcher," he said, "and condole with
you on your own disappointment. We can't all be leaders."
"I hope to enjoy your favor, as I did that of Captain Stockton,"
continued Fletcher smoothly.
"That will depend on yourself," said Ring shortly.
"I would like to suggest that the two boys"--here Fletcher turned in the
direction where Harry and Jack had been standing, and ejaculated in
dismay, "I don't see them. What has become of them?"
"They have taken advantage of the excitement and confusion to run away,
I fancy," said the new captain quietly.
This was quite true. Just after the fatal shot had been fired, and the
attention of all had been taken up by the tragedy, Harry had whispered
to Jack, "Now's our time to escape, Jack. Follow me!"
"I'm with you," responded Jack promptly, and no one noticed the two as
they vanished among the trees.
"Shall I go after them, Captain Ring?" asked Fletcher in excitement.
"I'll take another man, and scour the woods for them."
"It is not necessary," said Ring indifferently. "Let them go! They would
only be in our way."
"But," protested Fletcher, "Captain Stockton meant to take them into the
band. They are bright and smart boys, and would grow up into useful
members."
"Heaven forbid!" said Ring earnestly. "Our lives are spoiled already,
and we have no chance but to continue. Leave them to grow up innocent."
"This is strange talk for a captain of bushrangers," said Fletcher,
disappointed.
"Remember that I am your captain," retorted Ring sharply, "and don't
attempt to interfere with me! Go, I would be alone."
Fletcher slunk away, mortified and disappointed. It was well for the two
boys that he had not been elected captain.