TAKEN CAPTIVE.
The new recruits, on being introduced to the captain of the bushrangers,
were subjected to a searching examination by the chief, a suspicion
having arisen in his mind that the two were spies sent out by the
government to lure the outlaws into a trap. He was convinced after a
while that they were acting in good faith, and a conference was called
to decide what should be done in the matter. On this point opinions
differed. The nugget, of course, would be a valuable prize, but it would
be impossible to dispose of it in Melbourne, as the fact of its
discovery would have been published, and any person attempting to sell
it would be instantly arrested. This view was held by Captain Ring
himself.
"That objection is easily met," said Fletcher.
"In what way?"
"One of the band could be sent to America to dispose of it. He could
carry it in his trunk as ordinary luggage."
"Perhaps you would like to undertake the commission," said Captain
Ring.
"I should be very willing," said Fletcher eagerly.
"I don't doubt you would," returned the captain, in a sarcastic tone.
"Who would insure your making over the proceeds to us?"
"I hope you don't doubt my integrity," said Fletcher, with an air of
virtuous indignation.
"Perhaps I had better say nothing on that subject, Fletcher. The band
are unwilling to subject you to the temptation--that's all. Many good
men go wrong."
"You might send someone with me," suggested Fletcher, unwilling to give
up the tempting prospect.
"We haven't got the nugget yet," answered the captain dryly.
Colson and Ropes had listened with interest to the discussion. They
began to fear that nothing would be done. They would have been as much
opposed as anyone to trusting Fletcher, as he had not inspired them with
confidence. It takes a rogue to detect a rogue, and they already
suspected his true character. Their hope of revenge on Obed Stackpole
seemed slipping through their fingers.
"The Yankee and the two boys have a good deal of gold about them,"
suggested Colson. "Of course it isn't much, compared with the nugget,
but it is better than nothing."
"How much has the Yankee?" demanded King.
"Three hundred pounds at least."
"That is something, but as he will travel with the government escort, we
should have to attack the whole party."
"Not necessarily. I have a plan that I think will work."
"Detail it."
Colson did so. What it was will appear in due time.
Meanwhile Obed and the two boys had started on their way to Melbourne.
With a strong military escort they gave themselves up to joyful
anticipations of the bright future that opened before them. They no
longer entertained apprehensions of being waylaid, being secure in the
strength of their party.
They travelled by easy stages, and at night camped out. A sentry was
always posted, who stood guard while the rest were asleep, for, unlikely
as an attack might be, it was deemed necessary to provide against it.
Often, however, after supper Obed and the two boys would take a walk
together, in order to talk over their plans without interruption from
others. On the third evening they unwittingly walked a little further
than usual. Harry was the first to notice it.
"Hadn't we better return, Obed?" he said. "We must be a mile from the
camp."
"You are right," said Obed. "It would be rather unlucky to meet with the
bushrangers, just as we are gettin' on so well."
"That's true; we mustn't run any risks."
They started to return, when Jack, stopping suddenly, said, "I thought I
heard a groan."
"So did I," said Harry.
They paused, and the groan was repeated. It appeared to come from a
couple of rods to the left in the recesses of the forest.
"If there's any poor critter in pain we ought to help him," said Obed,
"come along, boys!"
It was not difficult to discover the spot from which the groan
proceeded. A man of middle age lay outstretched beneath a tree, with an
expression of pain on his face.
"What's the matter, my friend?" asked Obed, standing over him.
"The bushrangers have robbed and beaten me," said the prostrate man
feebly.
"You don't say so! How long since?"
"About an hour."
"Then they must be near by," said Harry.
"No; they went away as soon as they got my money."
Meanwhile Jack had been attentively examining the face of the alleged
victim. He quietly beckoned to Harry to move off to a little distance.
"Well, Jack, what is it?" asked Harry, somewhat surprised.
"That man is one of the bushrangers. I remember his face very well. It
is one of the gang that captured us."
Harry was naturally startled.
"Are you sure of this?" he asked.
"Yes, I know him as well as I do Obed."
"Then it is a plot. We must get away if we can. There is danger in
staying here."
"You are right there, Harry."
"I will go up and take Obed's place while you call him away."
Harry advanced to the side of the victim, and said quietly, "Jack wishes
to speak to you a moment, Obed. He thinks we can carry this gentleman
with us, as he has lost all his money."
"Very well," said Obed, and walked to where Jack was standing.
Harry scrutinized the man's face, and he too recognized him as one of
the gang--but his face did not betray his suspicions.
"Were you robbed of much money?" he asked in a sympathizing tone.
"I had the value of a hundred pounds with me," said the other feebly.
"I suppose you came from Bendigo like ourselves?"
"Yes; have you been lucky?"
"We had some luck, but we are tired of mining, and are going back to
Melbourne. Would you like to have us take you along also?"
"Yes, if you would be so kind."
At this moment Obed's voice was heard.
"Come here, Harry; we'll make a litter to carry our friend there if he
is unable to walk."
"All right, Obed."
There might have been something in Obed's voice that betrayed him. At
any rate, the victim, looking up, eyed him keenly, and then, to the
surprise of the boys, gave a sharp whistle. Their suspicions were at
once kindled, and they started to run, but too late. From the underbrush
there sprang out three bushrangers, accompanied by Colson and Ropes, who
covered the boys with their weapons.
"Halt there!" exclaimed Fletcher in a tone of authority.
"Oh, it's you, is it?" said Obed with apparent coolness, though his
heart sank within him.
"Yes, it's I, Mr. Stackpole," returned Fletcher, with a grim smile. "I
hope you're better fixed than when we met last. I hear you've found a
nugget."
"One of those gentlemen with you can give you information about that,"
said Obed, indicating Colson.
Colson frowned and bit his lip.
"He has told us about it."
"Ask him for it, then. He broke into our tent the night we found it and
carried it off."
"Is this true?" demanded Fletcher, eying Colson suspiciously.
"No, it's a lie. The nugget is in charge of a mounted escort on the way
to Melbourne."
"What have you done with _your_ nugget, Colson?" asked Obed.
Colson did not reply.
"There's no time to waste here. Stackpole, you and the boys will have to
go with us. Here, you two men, close behind them. We must not let them
escape."
The party started with the captives in the middle. It was decidedly a
bad outlook for our three friends.