While this was being said, I felt hands busy about my hands and legs, and then a voice by me said—

"There he is, tight as a bull-calf in a butcher's cart."

Soon after the fire blazed up vividly, sending its light in amongst the trees; and I saw the faces of the two big fellows, our old friends, and several of the others, who, after making sure of the rifles and revolvers, hunted out what food there was in Gunson's little tent, and began to prepare themselves a meal.

"Don't seem to be no whiskey," said the big fellow, who was leader, as he passed close by me; and there I lay listening, perfectly helpless, and with my heart beating heavily with dread, as I pondered on the man's words about Gunson.

I waited till the men were talking round the fire, and then whispered—

"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."

I looked up at him doubtingly.

"Yes," he said; "it will be best."

Half an hour after we were on our way back, with Esau limping painfully. Two of the miners volunteered to help carry the litter, so as to relieve the four we had, and the claim was left in charge of the two others, for whom, as we came away, Quong was making, as he expressed it, "plenty good flesh tea."

It was dark night again as we reached the gate of the Fort, and heard the deep-toned baying of the great dog; and a few minutes later Mrs John was holding my hands, and as she kissed me there was a tear left upon my cheek.

"So glad, so very glad to see you back, Mayne," said Mr John, warmly. "I hope all the trouble now is at an end."

I said nothing, only helped to get Mr Gunson in his old quarters, after Esau had at last extricated himself from his mother's arms.

"Is it all real, Esau?" I said, after Mr Raydon had gone, telling us not to be alarmed at Mr Gunson's insensibility, for it might be hours before he came to.

"I shall come and see him twice in the course of the night," he said, as he went out. "You, Esau, you must rest those feet."

"Yes, sir; all right," said Esau; and it was then that I said, "Is it all real?"

"If your feet smarted like mine do, you wouldn't ask that," he replied, sulkily. "I want to know why I wasn't carried back in a litter too?"

"It was impossible," I said.

"Wasn't impossible to have given a fellow a pig-a-back. Oh, my feet, my feet! Oh, yes, it's precious real."

"I never expected to come back here like this," I said.

"Nor I neither," replied Esau. "I say, you'll keep watch by Mr Gunson, won't you?"

"Yes, of course," I said.

"That's right. I'm going to do something for my trotters."

"What are you going to do?"

"Go off to sleep."

In a few minutes I was listening to his hard breathing, and asking myself whether, after the past night, I could do duty in watching the wounded man, when there were footsteps, and two of the men's Indian wives came in.

"To nurse Mr Gunson," they said, in fair English, and a short time after I too was fast asleep.



CHAPTER FORTY SEVEN.

ALMOST SOLDIERS.

I awoke that next morning sore, miserable, and seeing everything through the very reverse of rose-coloured spectacles. For I was back at the Fort, and it now looked a very different place to the home I had journeyed so many months to find when I was sanguine and hopeful.

There appeared to be a dead weight upon me; and as I first opened my eyes, I felt as if the best thing I could do would be to rouse up Esau, and go right away. But as I looked round, my eyes lit upon Mr Gunson lying insensible in his bed, with Mrs Dean seated patiently by his side, and I felt ashamed of my thoughts, for I could not go away and leave one who had shown himself so true a friend from our first meeting, and I at once determined, no matter how painful my position might be, to stay by his side, and tend him till he grew strong again.

I shivered as I thought this, for I could just see his pale face below his bandaged head, and the ideas came—suppose he does not recover— never grow strong again? suppose he dies? The weak tears rose to my eyes at the thought, and I lay wistfully gazing at him in the silence of that bright morning, for I felt that I should be almost alone out there in that wild, new country. For Mr and Mrs John would certainly be more and more influenced by Mr Raydon; and as I could not stay at the Fort, I should never see them. The old plans of staying with them, and building up a new house somewhere in one of the lovely spots by the river, were gone, and I told myself that I should soon have to say good-bye to them.

There would be Esau, though;—perhaps not: for Mrs Dean would naturally want to stay where there were women; and as she had become attached to Mrs John, the chances were that she would stay at or near the Fort, and that would influence Esau, who would be forgiven by Mr Raydon, and stay too, while I should go off into the wilderness all alone.

Taken altogether, I was about as miserable and full of doleful ideas as a boy of my age could be. Not one bit of blue sky could I see through the clouds that shut in my future; and I was growing worse as I lay there with an indistinct fancy that I had heard Mr Raydon's voice in the night, when a bright ray of sunshine came through the window, and made a ruddy golden spot on the pine-wood ceiling.

It was only a ray of light, but it worked wonders, for it changed the current of my thoughts, setting me thinking that the sun was just peeping over the edge of the mountain lying to the east, and brightening the mists that lay in the valleys, and making everything look glorious as it chased away the shadows from gully and ravine, till it shone full upon the river, and turned its grey waters into dazzling, rippling, and splashing silver.

I don't know how it was, but that sunlight began to drive away the mists and dark vapours in my mind. I did not feel so miserable, though I was painfully stiff and sore. The future was bright, my case not so hopeless, and I was just making up my mind that Esau would never forsake me, and that Mr Gunson would not die, when Mrs Dean looked round.

"Ah, my dear," she said; "awake?"

"Yes," I said, springing up, all dressed as I was. "You have not been watching here all night?"

"Oh, no; I only came on at daybreak. He's sleeping very calmly."

"Has he spoken?"

"Oh dear no, and is not likely to for long enough. Such a pity as it is, poor man!"

"It is a terrible injury," I said. "Yes, my dear; and how thankful I am it wasn't my poor Esau. What should I have done if it had been he?"

"It would have been terrible," I said. "Or you, my dear," she whispered hurriedly, as if in apology for not naming me before.

"Oh, that would have been no consequence," I replied, bitterly.

"Oh, my dear," she cried, with the tears in her eyes; "don't—don't talk like that. I know you've been in trouble, but we all have that, and they say it makes the happiness all the sweeter."

"Yes, they say so," I replied gloomily.

"Ah, it does, my dear. There, as Mr John said to me about you, 'it will all come right in the end.'"

"Here, what's the matter?" said Esau gruffly, still half asleep. "Time to get up? Hullo, mother! Oh, oh! I recollect now. I was dreaming about old Quong. I say! Oh, my feet—my feet!"

"There, there, there, my dear; they'll soon be better," said Mrs Dean, bending over him; and the sight of those two, with Esau's pettish ill-humour, quite drove away the rest of my gloom for the time. For as Mrs Dean bent over her son, he pushed her away.

"Don't, mother; I do wish you wouldn't."

"Wouldn't what, my dear?"

"Talk to me, and pull me about like that."

"Hush! not so loud, my dear. You'll wake Mr Gunson."

"Bother Mr Gunson! There you go again. Can't you see I'm growed up now?"

"Yes, of course, Esau."

"No you can't, or you wouldn't talk to me like that. You always seem to treat me as if I was two years old; you'll be wanting to rock me to sleep some night."

"Esau, my dear, how can you?"

"Well, so you will. Pet, pet, pet, every time you get near me."

"Esau, my darling," cried Mrs Dean, excitedly. "What are you going to do?"

"Get up."

"With your feet like that?"

"Well, they'll be just the same if I lie here, and I'm not going to be ill."

"But you will be, dear, if you walk about."

"Then I shall be ill. I'm not going to lie here for you to feed me with a spoon, and keep on laying your hand on my head."

"Now, Esau, when did I try to feed you with a spoon?"

"I mean mettyphorically," grumbled Esau. "You always seem to think I'm a baby. Ah, if you begin to cry, I'll dance about and make my feet worse."

Mrs Dean wiped her eyes furtively, and Esau put his arm round her and gave her a hearty kiss, which made her beam again.

"Well," he said, turning to me with a very grim look, "not much fun in getting gold, is there? I say, who'd have thought of our coming back again like this? What 'll Mr Raydon say to us this morning?"

I felt half startled at the idea of meeting him again, but my attention was taken up by a low muttering from Mr Gunson, and I went with Mrs Dean to his side, and stood watching her bathe his head till he sighed gently, and seemed to calm down.

"Poor old chap!" said Esau; "he got a nasty one, that he did. I say, wonder how much gold him and old teapot had found?"

"Oh, never mind that now."

"But I do," said Esau; "and so would he mind if he could think and talk. Wonder where he hid it all? Let's ask Quong, because it oughtn't to be lost."

I made no answer, but stood watching the injured man, while Esau preferred sitting down and nursing first one foot and then the other, but always obstinately refusing to lot his mother touch them. "I say," he said, after a pause. "Well."

"What's old Raydon going to say to us? It was very jolly of him to come and help us as he did, but he looked pickled thunder at me and you here. He won't let us stay. We shall have to start off again."

"I suppose so," I said drearily, with my old troubles coming back; and we relapsed into silence, till there was a soft light step at the door, and Quong entered and looked sharply at the plain rough bed-place where Mr Gunson lay.

"Come over see how d'ye do," he said quickly. "Cap Gunson no go long die self?"

"No, no," I cried; "he will get well."

"Yes; get well, ploper quite well, and go wash gole. Makee flesh blead—flesh tea?"

"No, not yet," said Mrs Dean, who looked askant at the fresh-comer, and as if she did not approve of him.

"Allee light. Wait. Good fi' makee blead cakee."

"I say, Quong," whispered Esau, "did you two find much gold?"

Quong gave him a quaint laughing look. "You waitee littee bit. Allee same ask Mas Gunson. You sabbee?"

"But he can't tell us. I say, do you know where he hid what you got?"

"No; no sabbee. Mas Gunson know allee same. You wait."

Just then I heard a cough in the enclosure, and drew back a little uneasily as the door opened, and Mr Raydon entered.

"Good morning, my lads," he said, gravely and coldly. "Ah, Quong, you here? Well, nurse, how is your patient?"

"He seems very nicely, sir, and I don't think there is much fever."

"Does he seem in great pain?"

"Only at times, sir, and then I bathe his temples."

Quong looked sharply from one to the other, and began to fumble about under his blue cotton blouse till he produced from some hidden pocket a tiny thin bottle, less than my little finger, and gave it to Mr Raydon.

"Velly good," he said, eagerly. "You sabbee? Touch velly little dlop allee long Cap Gunson head. No makee hurt then."

"Ah, yes," said Mr Raydon, taking the bottle. "I have seen this before;" and as Gunson just then uttered an uneasy moan, the cork was taken out, and a very tiny drop spread with a finger lightly about his temples.

"Makee seep," said Quong, smiling. "Velly good."

The essence certainly produced the required effect, and Quong showed his yellow teeth.

"Not muchee," he said. "Velly lit dlop. Velly ofen? No, no."

"I understand," said Mr Raydon, handing back the bottle.

"No," said Quong. "No. Keep all along. You sabbee?"

"Very well, I'll keep it," said Mr Raydon; and just then there was a tap at the door.

"Come in."

Grey entered.

"Want me?"

"Bad news, sir," said Grey, in a sharp whisper. "That man from the little valley—Barker he says his name is—"

"Which was Barker?"

"That sensible man you shook hands with."

"What does he want?"

"Wants to see you, sir. They started that gang down the river with half a dozen armed miners, and they rose against them in the night."

"Yes," said Mr Raydon, excitedly. "Well?"

"They killed two, wounded all the rest, and they are all free again."

"And their own wounded men?"

"Took them into the woods with them."

"This is bad news indeed," said Mr Raydon, beginning to pace the room.

"He wants to know what's to be done," said Grey.

"I must think—I must think," said Mr Raydon, hastily. "Two men away guarding that claim."

"Yes, sir. Weakens us."

"Yes," said Mr Raydon; "and we must be weakened more. Two of our men must go to strengthen them at the claim. There must be four there."

"Won't draw them away and give up the claim, sir?"

"No," said Mr Raydon, firmly. "Go back to this Mr Barker, and say I'll be with him directly."

"Yes, sir," said Grey; and he went out with all the quiet precision of a soldier.

"Bad news—bad news indeed," said Mr Raydon, half aloud. "More trouble to lay upon your shoulders, Mayne Gordon. All your fault."

I felt a chill run through me, and I believe a cold hard look must have come into my face.

"Well, we must make the best of it. Of course you two lads must stop here."

"If you wish it, sir," I said, "we will go directly."

"I do not wish it, boy," he replied sternly. "Do you wish to leave those who have been your friends in the lurch now you have dragged all this trouble to their door?"

"No, sir," I said, as I set my teeth hard, determined to be cool, in spite of the injustice with which I felt that I was being treated.

"No, of course not. You have some stubborn pluck in you—both of you."

Esau growled in a very low tone, and made his mother look at him in a startled way, as if she had suddenly awakened to the fact that her son possessed the nature of a bear's cub.

Mr Raydon took another turn or two up and down the room.

"Mrs Dean," he said, "I can do nothing more for your patient. No doctor could; time is the only thing. I'll come back as soon as I can. Meantime my sister will come to you, and you can have either of my men's wives to assist you in nursing. They are Indians, but well trained in that way. Do your best."

"Mother always does," growled Esau.

Mr Raydon gave him a sharp look, but Esau did not flinch.

"Look here, you two," said Mr Raydon, after a pause. "I am going to send two more of my men away, for the fellows in that gang are not going to beat me. The law-and-order party must and shall prevail. This will weaken my little garrison, so you two will have to mount rifles, and take the places of two of my absent men."

"Yes, sir," I said, eagerly. "I'll do my best."

"Thank you. Now, Esau Dean, what do you say?"

"Course I shall do as he does. I'm ready."

"No, no, Esau, my boy. Your feet, your feet," cried Mrs Dean.

"Do be quiet, mother. There you go with the spoon again. Fellow don't shoot off a rifle with his foot."

I saw Mr Raydon bite his lips to repress a smile.

"I had forgotten your burnt feet. Do they feel very bad?"

"Oh, pretty tidy, sir, but I don't mind. I should like to have a pop at one of them as held me to that fire."

"Naturally," said Mr Raydon.

"But I'm afraid I can't do much marching."

"You will be posted in one of the block-houses."

"That'll do," cried Esau. "Come along, Mayne Gordon."

"You have never used a rifle."

"Why, Mr Gunson there showed us all about it. Don't you be afraid; I'll try."

"Oh, Esau!" cried Mrs Dean.

"And mother shall nurse me when I'm wounded."

"Oh, my boy—my boy!"

"Silence, sir! Mrs Dean, he is only tormenting you. It is not likely that he will be hurt, but out here in the wilderness we do sometimes have to fight to protect the women and children. There, do not be uneasy; I see your son will do you credit."

Esau gave a gulp, and turned red in the face, while I suffered a twinge of jealousy on finding that the lad, whom I blamed as the cause of all the trouble, should be spoken to in this way while I was treated with a coldness that, in my sensitive state, seemed to freeze all the better nature within me.

"A pretty mess this, sir," said Barker, as we joined him out in the enclosure. "Those stupid donkeys have let loose a nice gang. They'll be as savage as possible against everybody, and be coming down upon us just when we don't expect it."

"But have they arms and ammunition?"

"Plenty, sir. They stripped our men, and if we don't look out they'll strip us. Why, the little valley will never be safe again while they are about."

"No," said Mr Raydon. "It's a bad look-out, but we must take every precaution. You may rely on my helping you, as I promised, and if I am the unlucky one attacked first, I look for help from you."

"And you shall have it, sir. I answer for the lads up the valley. What do you propose doing first?"

"Nothing," said Mr Raydon.

The man stared at him aghast, and Mr Raydon smiled.

"But—but hadn't we better get a party together, and hunt them down, sir?"

"An excellent plan," said Mr Raydon, "but impossible in this wild country. They would lead us a terrible dance, weary us out, and perhaps take advantage of our absence to plunder our places. The better way will be to keep a sharp look-out, and punish them if they attack us."

"But if they take us by surprise, sir?"

"They must not," said Mr Raydon, quietly. "My advice to you is, that you go back and make arrangements for mutual support, so that all can hurry at once to the place attacked. You will make it one man's duty to act as messenger, and come directly to give warning here, and another to give notice up the valley at Gunson's claim."

"And the two men there will come and help us? Yes: that's good."

"There will be four of my men stationed there," said Mr Raydon. "That is a very likely place for the first attack, if they can find their way over the mountains and through the dense forest. The trouble began by their trying to seize that claim."

"Why not let them go to it again, and attack them when they are settled down?" said Barker.

"No, my man, it is not our line to attack; let that come from the enemy. Besides, I particularly wish Mr Gunson's claim to be reserved for him till he has recovered. So if the enemy find their way there you will go up to my men's help. If there is anything you want from the Fort here at your camp, you can send up, and I will supply you if I can."

"Thankye, sir, thankye. That's very neighbourly," said Barker. "I think the more of it because there's a report about that you were dead against the claims being taken up."

I stared at Mr Raydon wonderingly, for his behaviour was inexplicable to me; but I had no time given me for thought. As soon as Barker and the two men who came up with him had gone, Mr Raydon chose two of his little garrison, and sent them, well armed, and with as big loads of supplies as they could carry, by the near cut over the mountains, that is by the track taken when he and his men came to our help.

Directly after, in a sharp military way, he led us to his little armoury, and gave us each a rifle and pistol, with a few words of instruction as to where the weapons were to be kept in readiness for use; and, in addition, what we were to do in the places of the two men who had gone.

I was glad of this, for it took up my time, and gave me something else to think about. It was pleasant too—the duty of having to help in the defence of the Fort where my friends were gathered.

"Some day he'll be sorry for it all," I said to myself; and I was brooding over the past again, when Esau uttered a low chuckle, which made me turn to him wonderingly.

"Only think of it, Mayne Gordon," he said. "What a game!"

"What is a game?"

"You always being so dead on to me about going for a soldier, and here we are both of us good as soldiers after all. Why, if he'd let us tackle one of those guns," he continued, pointing to a little cannon mounted in the block-house, "it would be like joining the Ryle Artilleree."



CHAPTER FORTY EIGHT.

LOST!

We were not kept in doubt long about the proceedings of the enemy. I was in the strangers' quarters next day, talking in a whisper to Mrs John, while taking her turn at nursing poor Gunson, who still lay perfectly insensible, and so still that I gazed at him with feelings akin to terror, when Mr Raydon came in and walked straight to the bedside. We watched him as he made a short examination, and then in answer to Mrs John's inquiring look—

"I can do nothing," he said. "He is no worse. There is no fracture; all this is the result of concussion of the brain, I should say, and we can only hope that nature is slowly and surely repairing the injury."

"But a doctor, Daniel?" said Mrs John.

"My dear sister, how are we to get a surgeon to come up here? It is a terrible journey up from the coast, and I believe I have done and am doing all that a regular medical man would do."

"But—"

"Yes," he said, smiling gravely, "I know you look upon me as being very ignorant, but you forget that I have had a good deal of experience since I have been out here. I learned all I could before I came, and I have studied a good deal from books since. Why, I have attended scores of cases amongst my own people—sickness, wounds, injuries from wild beasts, falls and fractures, bites from rattlesnakes, and I might say hundreds of cases among the Indians, who call me the great medicine man."

"I know how clever you are, dear," said Mrs John.

"Thank you," he said, kissing her affectionately. "I wish I were; but I am proud of one achievement."

"What was that, dear?"

"The prescription by which I cured you." Then, turning sharply on me, his face grew hard and stern again.

"Well, Mayne Gordon," he said, "you have heard the news, of course?"

"I have heard nothing, sir," I said, eagerly, for it was pleasant to find him make the slightest advance towards the old friendly feeling. But my hopes were dashed the next moment, as I heard his words, and felt that they were intended as a reproach.

"Your friends made a raid on one of the little camps nearest the river last night, and carried off all the gold the party had washed."

"Was any one hurt?" said Mrs John, excitedly.

"Happily nothing beyond a few blows and bruises," replied Mr Raydon. "It was a surprise, and the gold-diggers fled for help. When they returned in force the gang had gone. Taken to the forest, I suppose. Get back to your duty, Mayne," he said; and I hurried away to find Esau deep in conversation with Grey about the last night's attack.

"Think they'll come up here?" said Esau.

"Like enough. If they do—"

"Well?" I said, for the man stopped. "If they do?"

"I shall be obliged to fire straight," he said, slowly. "Men who act like that become wild beasts, and they must be treated similarly."

I shuddered slightly, as I thought of his skill with the rifle.

"I know what you think," he said, gravely; "that it's horrible to shed blood. So it is; but I've got a wife here, and children, and out in a wild place like this, a man has to be his own soldier and policeman, and judge and jury too."

"It seems very horrible," I said. "It is very horrible, my lad, but it's not our doing. If these people will leave us alone, we shall not interfere with them."

"Of course not," said Esau. "Wonder whether I could hit a man."

"I hope you will not have to try," said Grey. "It's what the Governor has been afraid of for years and years."

I winced again, for it was as if everything I saw or heard tended to accuse me of destroying the peace of the place.

"Wonder whether they'll come here to-night," said Esau.

"We must be ready for them; but I don't think it's likely," said Grey. "They got a good deal of plunder last night, and plenty of provisions. I should say that they will do nothing now for a few days. They'll wait till they think we are not on the look-out."

It proved as Grey said, and for the next few days there was no alarm. Communications had been kept up with the mining camps, and one morning, as I was talking with Mr John about the terribly weak state in which Mr Gunson lay, partaking of the food and medicine administered, but as if still asleep, Mr Raydon came up.

"Gordon," he said, "you and Dean have wandered about well, and gone in nearly every direction, have you not?"

"Yes, sir," I said, wondering what was coming.

"Do you think you could find your way to Gunson's claim?"

"Of course, sir," I said, smiling.

"I do not mean by the valley," he said, testily. "I want some one to go by the short cut over the mountains—the way I came to your relief."

"I don't know, sir," I said. "I have never been there, but I will try."

"Bravo!" said Mr John. "Mayne, you're like Pat with the fiddle. He said he would try if he could play."

"Are you willing to try?" said Mr Raydon.

"With Dean, sir?"

"No; alone. I cannot spare two."

"Yes," I said, eagerly; "I'll go."

"I do not see what harm could befall you," said Mr Raydon, musingly. "The direction is well marked, and the trees are blazed through the bit of forest. Any beasts you came near would skurry off. Yes; I think I will let you go. By the way, you may as well take your rifle and pistol."

"Yes," I said, feeling quite excited over my mission. "Have you anything for me to take to the men?"

"No; it is only a visit to an outpost, to let them see that they are not forgotten, and to ask them if they have seen the enemy, or want anything. But perhaps you had better go by the valley; it is surer."

"I should like to try the near way, sir," I said.

He gazed at me thoughtfully for a few moments.

"Well," he said, to my great satisfaction, "you shall try it. You ought to know every trail round. Go and make a hearty meal before you start, and then you need not take any provisions, for you can easily be back before dark. Which way shall you go at first?"

"Up through the pines at the back," I said.

"No. Go down the valley to where that rounded rock stands up like a dome, and climb up at once, keeping to the left. Then go right over the side of the valley, and make straight for the big pine-forest you will see across the open, striking for the tallest pine at the edge. That tree is blazed with a white patch cut out by an axe. The trees right through are blazed, and from one you can see the next, and from that the next, so that you cannot go wrong."

"I see," I said; "I see."

Then he went on and told me what to do when I got through the dense forest—this being a narrow corner which ran out into the open lands, and on the other side went right off into the wilds, where it was impenetrable. He roughly sketched out points, buttresses, and ravines, which were to serve me as landmarks to make for; and then I was to go to right or left, as the case might be; and one way and another, he marked down for me a series of prominences to make for, so as to gain one and then see another from it, till I reached to where I could look down into Golden Valley, as I called it now, right above Gunson's claim.

He made me repeat my instructions, impressing upon me that I was to treat the landmarks he gave me just as I did the blazed trees in the forest, making sure of another's position before I left one, and, satisfied at last, he gave me a nod of the head, and said abruptly—

"Off as soon as you can."

"I should like to go with you, Mayne," said Mr John, eagerly.

"No, no! Nonsense!" cried Mr Raydon. "I cannot spare you, John. I may want you to shoot down a few hundreds of the enemy."

Mr John took these words so seriously that I could not help laughing, when he saw them in the right light, came with me to my quarters, watched me make a good meal, and then walked with me to the slope beneath the dome, where he shook hands and stood to see me climb.

"Be careful, my boy," he said, at parting. "It is very steep and dangerous."

I laughed, and ran up the side feeling like a goat. There was something very delightful in the excursion, after the confinement within the block-house, and in the glorious sunshine and the bright clear air, I sprang forward, turning from time to time, as I climbed higher, to wave my hand to him, and look down on Fort and valley, till the inequalities of the wild, stony side hid him from my view.

I felt in high spirits, for this task made me think that Mr Raydon was beginning to trust me again; and as I went on I thought about Mrs John and her gentle words, as she told me all would come right in the end. Then I began to think about poor Gunson, and wondered whether he would soon be better, as I hoped and prayed that he would.

This made me feel low-spirited for a while, but the glorious scene around me chased these gloomy thoughts away, for there before me in the distance was the great pine towering up above its fellows at the edge of the forest.

"Oh, it's easy enough to find one's way," I said, and excited by my task I whistled, sang, and shouted, to have my voice come echoing back.

"I want Esau over here," I said aloud, as I shifted the heavy rifle from one shoulder to the other. "How he would enjoy it!" Then I began thinking of how attentive Mr Raydon was in his stern, grave way to poor Gunson, and it struck me that he must feel a great respect for him, or he would not be so careful, seeing how he disliked it all, in keeping guard over his gold claim.

Then I had to think of my task, and climb over some rough ground, till I reached the first trees, which very soon hid the huge pine, and found it to be not quite at the edge of the forest. But I soon caught sight of it again, and on reaching it saw the great mark or blaze in its side, and from it the next. From this I could see another, and so found no difficulty in getting through the solemn groves.

On the other side, as I stood by the last blazed tree, I had no difficulty in making out a vast mass of rock, for which I at once stepped out, and all proved to be so clear, there were so many landmarks in the shape of peculiar stones, falls, and clumps of trees, that I made my way easily enough, and felt no little pride in being so trusted to tramp through these vast solitudes with a pistol in my belt and my rifle over my shoulder.

"How grand! how grand!" I kept on saying to myself, as I climbed to the top of some high point and looked around, while at such times a feeling of awe came over me at the silence and loneliness of the scene.

I found my way at last to the top of a ridge where I could look down into a green valley, seeing here and there in the distance faint lines of smoke rising over the tops of the trees, and after a hot, rather difficult descent through the pines, just as Mr Raydon must have come to our help that day, I reached the little camp, and was greeted by the men with a cheery shout.

They had not seen a sign of danger, they said, and as I looked round I saw no sign of the place having been disturbed. I heard too that the gold-washing was going on very busily below, but no party had gone higher than they were, Barker having urged upon his fellow-miners the necessity for keeping well together.

After a rest and a mug of tea, which they soon had ready for me, two of them saw me up to the ridge above the valley, and gave me a hint or two about my way, with a warning to be careful; and, full of confidence, I started forward on my return journey.

I soon lost sight of the men and trudged on, keeping a sharp look-out in the hope that I might see something in the form of game for a shot, and a change in the fare at the Fort, but the utter absence of animals was wonderful, and it was only at rare intervals that I heard the cry of a bird, or caught sight of a squirrel.

I soon found that going back was not so easy, everything looking very different reversed, and consequently I went astray twice, and had to tramp back to the spot where I knew I had erred. Once I was brought up short by a terrible precipice; a second time by a huge wall of rock, going up hundreds of feet, ample proof that I was wrong.

Returning to the starting-place was best, and each time I soon realised where I had strayed from the right track, and went on afresh.

But these wanderings took up time, and evening was setting in as I reached the great patch of wood where the trees were blazed, and under the shade of these great pines it was twilight at once, and soon after, to my dismay, I found that it was quite dark. Still I knew the direction in which I ought to go, and pressed on as fast as I could, trusting to get through the forest; and then the four miles or so out in the open could soon be got over. So I thought, but if you try to realise my position it will be easy to understand how difficult it is to keep to a certain direction, when one has constantly to turn to right or left to pass round some big tree.

Not very difficult, you may say. Trees are not so big as that. But they are out there. Just picture to yourself one of our pines starting from the ground with a beautiful curve, before growing up straight as an arrow, and so far round that I have seen them, when lying on the ground felled by the axe, about ten feet up from the roots, where they would not be so big, with the butt where it was cut, ten feet across or thirty feet round, while, down at the level of the ground, it would be a long way on to double that thickness.

To walk round such trees as that, and avoid the great roots, means taking a good many steps, and when this is done again and again, in a place where there is no beaten track, it is very easy to go astray.

It was so with me in the darkness of that forest, and I began to repent bitterly now of my determination, for I had volunteered to come, feeling positive of being able to find my way, while the more I tried to see, the more confused I grew; till, hot, panting, and weary, I came to a dead stand.

The silence was terrible, for there was not so much as a whisper in the tops of the pines. The darkness had increased so that I had to feel my way, and in a hopeless state of misery I leaned against a tree, fancying I heard steps; then the heavy breathing of some huge beast; and at last, asked myself if I was to wander about there till I fell down and died of exhaustion and want of food.



CHAPTER FORTY NINE.

I MAKE A DISCOVERY.

All this was very cowardly no doubt, but circumstances alter cases, and it is only those who have lost their way in some wild solitude who can realise the terrible feeling of bewilderment and dread which comes over him who feels that he is lost where he may never find his way again, perhaps never be found.

Fortunately these emotions come as a shock, and soon after there is a reaction. Hope revives as it did to me, and getting over the first horror and excitement, I stood leaning against the tree thinking out my position. I was lost, that was certain; and if I went on stumbling about in the dark I might perhaps be going either farther away from my destination, or perhaps round and round in a great circle. Upon thinking it out coolly there were two courses open: to lie down on a bed of pine-needles till daylight, or to try and get a glimpse of the stars through the trees, and guide myself by them.

"If I stay," I thought, "I shall frighten Mrs John horribly, and it will be very cowardly. As to being lost altogether, that's all nonsense; Mr Raydon and his men would soon find me or send Indians to hunt me out. I'm going to find the way back."

I drew a long breath, closed my eyes, and knelt down there in the utter darkness for a few minutes, to spring up again confident and refreshed to begin peering up through the trees for the stars. For I wanted to make out the Great Bear; and I quite laughed as I thought that it was the shining one I sought, not a grizzly. If I could see that, I thought I could shape my course due south-east. That must lead me out of the forest, when, even in the darkness, the rest was easy.

It might have been the most cloudy night ever seen, for the blackness above me was dense, the branches effectually shutting out every star, and I had to pause and wonder whether there was any other way by which I could steer my steps. But I could find no way out of my difficulty, and I was beginning to think that I should have to stay where I was and wait for day.

But I could not do that. I tried sitting down for a short time, but the darkness and want of action became too oppressive, and leaping up I began to walk slowly and carefully on, with my free hand extended to guide myself by the trunks of the trees, of whose proximity I was, however, generally made aware by my feet coming in contact with their roots.

My progress was very slow, and so silent that I was able to listen intently for a signal, the hope having sprung up in my breast that, as it had grown dark, Mr Raydon might have sent Grey or one of the other men to meet me, and in all probability they would fire guns to give me an idea of the direction I ought to take.

I had read of such things, and felt that in all probability this was what Mr Raydon would do. But time went on as I slowly crept along from tree to tree, cautiously picking my way, till I began to feel convinced that my chance of escaping this night was hopeless, and once more I stood gazing straight before me, till I fancied I saw a gleam of light close at hand. It was so strange and misty-looking, that it was as if a bit of phosphorus had been rubbed upon the back of a tree.

As I stared at it, the dim light died out, and all was so black once more that for the moment I thought it must have been fancy, but as I was coming to this conclusion, there it was again, and now fully convinced that it must be phosphorescent wood, I stepped forward cautiously to touch it, when it went out again. But I stretched out my hand, and leaning forward touched the trunk of a tree which grew luminous once more, till as I changed my position there it was out again. I repeated my movements, feeling puzzled at its coming and going so strangely, and then like a flash of mental light the reason came to me, and I turned sharply round with my heart beating, to look for the gleam of which this must be the reflection.

I was quite right, and I was ready to shout for joy, for there, glimmering among the trees, some distance from where I stood, I could see that there was the blaze of a small fire, which rose and fell, and flickered, sending flashes of light up among the branches overhead; and I knew at once that it must be the fire in connection with some camp, but whether Indian or English it was impossible to say. But that did not matter. The Indians all about were peaceable, and very friendly to the people of the Fort. They knew a few words of English too, so that with an intense feeling of relief, thinking that I could at least get food and shelter, if I could not obtain a guide, I stepped out more freely, the light growing now, and enabling me to see dangers in my path in the shape of the thick-growing trees.

I was not long in finding out as I approached that the party around the fire were not Indians; and as I grew near enough to see the rough, ruddy faces of a party of men, I thought it would be better to announce my coming with a shout, lest my sudden appearance should be taken as that of an enemy. Somehow or other, though, I deferred this till I had made my way close up, when I heard a voice that sounded familiar say—

"Well, it's 'bout time we started. Be late enough when we get there. Wonder whether any one 'll be on the look-out."

As I heard these words, a cold perspiration broke out on my cheeks, and I felt as if something were stirring the hair about my forehead, for I had just been walking into the lion's den; and if I had had any hope that my ears were deceiving me, there, plainly enough, in the bright glow cast by the fire, stood the second of the two men we had encountered first in the steamer.

It was he plainly enough, and he had one hand in a sling; while, as I peered forward round one of the trees, I counted eight men about the fire; and they all seemed to be well armed.

Where were they going? I asked myself. Along the track by which I had just come? They must be, I thought, and bent on seizing Gunson's claim. They would surprise the four men; and there would be blood shed, unless I could warn the poor fellows first.

"I'll go back at once," I thought; and then with a horrible sensation of depression, I realised that this was impossible, for I did not know in which direction to go.

I had hardly thought this when I saw the whole party afoot, moving off in the direction away from me, and quickly making up my mind to follow them out of the forest, and as soon as I could make out my whereabouts, to get on somehow in front, and go on ahead, I followed them. It was no easy task, for I had to get some distance round, away from the fire, and I should have lost them if one of them had not laughed aloud at some remark. This told me of the direction in which they were, and I crept on in dread lest I should get too close and be seen, and again in dread for fear I should be left behind.

To my great satisfaction they kept on talking, as if in not the slightest fear of being overheard, and I followed as near as I dared go, till in a few minutes, to my great delight, I found that we were out in the open, and I could see the stars.

"Now," I thought, "whereabouts are we? If I could only make out that large mass of rock that lay off to the left where I passed through the forest in the morning, I could soon get on before them. Why I must have walked right back, and—"

I stopped short, quite startled, for to my great astonishment I found, instead of going in the direction leading to Gunson's claim, I had come through the forest on the side I had been seeking for.

"Then they are not going to Golden Valley," I said to myself; and then it came to me like a flash of light—they were going to attack the Fort!

Of course; and that was what was meant about any one being on the watch.

My heart now beat violently, and I began to hasten my steps to get on before the party, and warn Mr Raydon of their coming. But at the end of a minute I had to check my pace, and follow more cautiously, as I tried to think where I could get before them; and the more I tried to think, the more confused and troubled I grew, for, as far as I could make out, there was no way but the track which they seemed to know; and to have gone to right or left meant to encounter some place impossible to climb in the dark, or a precipice down which I might fall. It was difficult enough in broad daylight—impossible in the dark; and in spite of all my thinking, I was at last despairingly compelled to confess that until the open ground was reached in front of the Fort, I could do nothing but follow while the enemy led.

I thought of a dozen plans to warn the defenders of the Fort, so as to put them on the alert, but the only one that seemed possible, was to wait till we were all pretty near, and then fire my rifle to give the alarm.

That I knew meant making the ruffians turn on me, but though the risk was great, I hoped to dash by them in the darkness, and reach the gate.

All this time I had been cautiously creeping along behind the gang, for at a word from their leader, the men had suddenly become very silent, and the only sound to be heard was the rattle of a stone kicked to one side, or a low whisper, evidently an order about the advance.

A curious feeling of despair was creeping over me, and I felt more and more convinced that I could not get to the front, so that all I should be able to do would be to wait till they were near the gate, and about to scale the palisade, for that was what I felt sure they meant to do, and then fire, let the result be what it might to me.

My difficulties grew greater every minute, as we advanced, and the strain upon me heavier than I could bear. In anticipation I saw the scoundrels creeping up to the Fort, cautiously getting over and silencing whoever was on guard; and then, with a feeling of horror that was almost unbearable, I saw in imagination the whole place given up to pillage and destruction, at a time too when I knew that there were many bales of valuable furs in the stores.

My progress at last became like a nightmare, in which I was following the attacking party, and unable to do anything to help my friends; so that when we were within, as a German would say, half an hour of our destination, I was in no wise startled or surprised to faintly make out in the darkness the figures of two men who suddenly rose up on either side of me; a hand was clapped over my mouth, and I was dragged down, and a knee placed on my chest.

I divined it all in an instant, and tried to resign myself to my fate, as I saw that, being well on their guard against surprise, two of the gang had fallen back and seen me, with the result I have described, so that I was absolutely stunned after a feeble struggle, when a voice at my ear said in a harsh whisper—

"What is the meaning of this treachery, Gordon? Who are those men?"

My hand caught the speaker's, and I uttered a low sob of relief.

"Mr Raydon—the men—going to attack the Fort."

"Ah!" he panted. "You hear, Grey?"

"Yes."

"But why did you not warn us?"

"They were before me. I could not get by," I whispered. "I was going to fire to alarm you all."

I heard Mr Raydon draw a low hissing breath.

"How did you know this?" he said.

"Lost my way in the forest, and saw the light of their fire."

"And the men at the claim?"

"All right, sir.—I heard these wretches say they were coming on."

"Lost, eh?" said Mr Raydon.

"Yes, sir. I've been wandering for hours."

"We were in search of you, and drew back to let these men go by. You hear his story, Grey?"

"Yes, sir. Quite right. He would lose his way in the dark. What orders?"

"His plan will be the best," said Mr Raydon. "Gordon, finding you in such company made me suspicious."

"You always do suspect me, sir," I said, bitterly.

"Silence, and come along. Grey, I shall wait till they are close up, and about to make their attempt; then at the word, fire and load again. They will be taken by surprise, and think they are between two parties. The surprise may be sufficient. If not it will alarm those within."

"And then?"

"Be ready to fire again, or make for the far side. We must get in there. Forward! I'll lead."

Mr Raydon went on first and I followed, Grey bringing up the rear. I was hurt, for it was evident that Mr Raydon's ideas of my character were poor indeed, and that at the slightest thing he was ready to suspect me of any enormity. But as I paced on quickly behind him I grew more lenient in my judgment, for I was obliged to own that my position was not a satisfactory one. I had not returned as I should have done, and when I was found, it was in company with a gang of men who were about to attack and pillage the Fort.

I had no farther time for thoughts like these. We were gaining rapidly on the gang now, and in a few minutes' time we could hear footsteps, and then they had suddenly ceased, and a whispering began, as if the leader of the party were giving orders.

Mr Raydon touched me to make out that I was close up, and I felt Grey take his position on the other side, while my heart beat so loudly that I half thought it might be heard.

All at once Mr Raydon pressed on my shoulder, and leaned over me to whisper to Grey.

"They ought to have heard this approach," he whispered. "This is not keeping good watch."

"Dark—very quiet," said Grey, in what sounded to me like a remonstrant tone; and directly after a loud clear voice rang out from the block-house at the left-hand corner near the gate.

"Who goes there? Halt, or I fire."

A low murmur arose in front of us, and Mr Raydon drew a deep breath, as if relieved. Then there was a quick advance, the flash of a rifle, and the sharp clear report.

"Only one," cried a hoarse voice. "Too dark to see. Over with you, boys!"

Bang! Another shot; and then, as I panted with excitement, Mr Raydon whispered—

"Now, altogether, fire!"

I had raised my piece at his warning, and drew the trigger; but though there was a sharp report on either side of me, my piece did not speak, and suddenly recollecting that I had forgotten to cock it, I lowered it again.

"Who's that behind? Who fired there?" cried the hoarse voice of the leader from the darkness ahead.

It was just as I was ready, and raising my piece, I fired, the butt seeming to give my shoulder a heavy blow; while directly after came three flashes from the block-house, as many roars, and, like their echoes, Mr Raydon and Grey fired again, after a rapid reloading.

This was too much for the attacking party. They were so thoroughly taken between two fires, that the next thing we heard was the hurried rush of feet, and I saw very faintly what appeared to be a shadow hurry by me, while a couple more shots from Mr Raydon and Grey completed the enemy's rout.

"Cease firing, there!" roared Mr Raydon.

A loud hail came back from the block-house, and a few minutes later we were being admitted through the well-barred gate, whose fastenings dropped with a loud clang. Then I walked up to the quarters with Mr Raydon, where the next thing I heard was Mr John's voice.

"Found him?"

"Yes; all right, and the enemy beaten," said Mr Raydon, cheerily. "Go and tell them inside."

"No need," said Mr John; "they have heard. Where are you, Mayne? Ah, that's better. Why, my dear lad, you have scared us terribly."

"I lost my way," I said, hastily.

"But what was the meaning of this firing?"

"The enemy coming in force," said Mr Raydon. "We have beaten them off though without bloodshed, and Mayne Gordon here has had another lesson in the dangers of opening up gold-claims to the scum of the earth."

"That you, Mayne Gordon?" said a familiar voice soon after, as I approached our quarters.

"Yes," I said. "Not hurt, are you, Esau?"

"Not a bit; nor you neither?"

"Yes," I said, bitterly; "wounded again."

"Eh? whereabouts? Here, come on. Mother's got lots of rag."

"No, no," I said, laughing sadly. "Not that sort of wound. It was with words."

"Go on with you. Frightening a chap like that," cried Esau. "I thought it was real."



CHAPTER FIFTY.

OUR PATIENT AWAKES.

There was no alarm next day, and scouts who were sent out came back to report that they had tracked the enemy down the river, and then up into the forest by one of the side streams, the second beyond the Golden Valley.

"Humph!" ejaculated Mr Raydon, "pleasant that, John. They have taken to the lovely wooded vale I had marked down in my own mind for your future home."

Mr John shrugged his shoulders, and gave his wife and brother-in-law a half-sad, half-laughing look.

"I am not surprised," he said, "I always was the most unlucky of men."

"Nothing of the kind, sir," retorted Mr Raydon. "You have had as much good fortune as other men—quite as much as I have. My dear John," he added more gently, "we men have a bad habit of forgetting the good in our lives, and remembering all the bad. My dear fellow, half your troubles have been caused by your want of energy."

"Yes," he said, smiling sadly, "I suppose so. I have always been too ready to give up. But," he added quickly, "I never complain."

Mr Raydon never looked so pleasant in my eyes before as he smiled at his sister, and then laid his hand on Mr John's shoulder.

"Never, John, never. You annoy me sometimes by being so easy and yielding."

"Yes, yes," said Mr John; "but I'm going to turn over a new leaf, and be stern and energetic as you are."

Mrs John crossed to him and took his hand.

"No," she said quietly, "you are going to turn over no new leaves, dear. You are best as you always have been. Daniel is wrong; we cannot have all men of the same mould."

"Do you hear all this, Mayne Gordon?" said Mr Raydon, laughingly; and before I could reply, he said quickly, "Go on now, and take your turn as sentry; I want to think out my plans. Don't talk about it to the men, but something must be done. A combination must be made to capture these men again, for we shall have no peace or safety till they are cleared away."

"What are you thinking of doing?" said Mrs John, taking alarm at his words.

"Trying to end the matter peaceably, and without bloodshed."

Mrs John uttered a sigh of relief, and I went out wondering what would be done, and thinking that if I had my way, I should collect all the miners, join forces, and then send one party to the head of the little vale, and attempt to advance with the others from the bottom by the river, little thinking what difficulties there would be in such a plan.

As soon as I was outside Mr Raydon's office, I met Grey, who gave me a grim, dry look.

"Know how many men you shot last night?" he said.

I looked at him in horror.

"Don't—don't say—" I faltered.

"All right!" he replied; "but if you're going to carry a rifle, and you use it, you must expect to knock some of the enemy over. There, I was only joking you, soldier. I don't think anybody was even scratched by a ball. If you're going to stop with us, I shall have to make a marksman of you, so that you can do as I do—give a man a lesson."

"In shooting?" I said.

He laughed.

"Yes, but you don't understand me. I mean give him such a lesson as will make him behave better. 'Tisn't pleasant, when you have grown cool after a fight, to think you have dangerously wounded or killed a man; not even if he tried to kill you. I felt that years ago, and I practised up, so that I can hit a man with a rifle just where I like— that is nearly always."

"It was you who fired at those two wretches then?" I said eagerly.

"Of course it was, and I hit one in the leg, and the other in the hand. Did nearly as well as killing 'em, eh?"

"Yes," I said, laughing. "I must practise too."

"You shall, and I hope you'll have no need to use your rifle afterwards, except on bears or deer. Where are you going?"

"Mr Raydon said I was to relieve one of the men."

"So you shall, but the first one's got an hour yet to be on duty. I'll call you when you're wanted. How's Mr Gunson?"

"I'm just going to see," I said; and I went up to the strangers' quarters and looked in, to find Mrs Dean on duty by the bedside, and Esau seated by the fire, cutting out something which he informed me was part of a trap he had invented to catch squirrels.

"How is he?" I said in a low voice to Mrs Dean.

"Very bad, my dear, and so weak."

"But hasn't he shown any sign of recovering his senses?"

"No, my dear; and it does seem so discouraging."

"Never mind, mother; you'll cure him."

"Hist!" I said.

"Well, I am whispering, ain't I," said Esau. "He couldn't hear if I didn't."

"But he must be kept quiet, Esau, and you have such a big voice. Your whispers are as loud as some people's shouts."

"Hush!" I said, as I heard steps. "Mr Raydon."

Mrs Dean rose and curtseyed as Mr Raydon entered, followed by Mr and Mrs John; and he looked surprised on seeing me there.

"Not on duty, Gordon?" he said.

"Mr Grey told me to wait till he was ready for me, sir."

"Oh!—Well, Mrs Dean, how is your patient?"

"Seems to sleep very calmly and gently, sir. I did think he looked at me sensibly once, but I'm not sure."

"Poor fellow!" said Mr Raydon gravely, as Mrs Dean left the place, followed by Esau, while I felt as if I should like to follow them; but I stayed, knowing that if I did go, Mr Raydon would think I felt guilty at being found there, when I was only obeying his officer's orders. So I remained watching, and waiting to be called.

Mr Raydon bent over the couch, and laid his hand upon his patient's head.

"Nice and cool. He must be mending, and sooner or later I believe he will recover. It is time, though, that he made some sign of returning consciousness. Ah, Mayne, my lad, this is the thirst for gold with a vengeance. I dreaded it; I have dreaded it for years. Poor fellow! A thorough gentleman at heart, but his desire for wealth was his ruin."

The words leaped to my lips, but I felt that all Mr Gunson had told me of his former life was in confidence; and beside, Mr Raydon's treatment did not encourage mine, so I was silent for a moment or so, gazing sadly at the thin worn face before me, and wishing that I was a clever doctor and able to cure him, when I started with surprise and pleasure, for Mr Gunson's eyes opened, and he lay looking fixedly at me for some time in the midst of a painful silence.

Then a look of recognition came into his gaze, and he smiled at me faintly.

"Time to get up?" he said, in a whisper. "I—"

He looked quickly round then, and his face worked a little.

"Where am I?—what?" he faltered. "Mayne, where am I? Ah! I remember now," he said, faintly.

Mr Raydon bent over him.

"Don't try to talk, Gunson. You have been ill, but you are getting better now."

"Yes," he said, softly; "I remember. Struck down just now."

I exchanged glances with Mr Raydon.

"No, not just now, because I have been lying here. Some one nursing me—yes," he cried, with more energy, as his eyes rested on Mrs John's sympathetic face, "you."

"We have all nursed you," said Mrs John, quietly. "But do not try to talk."

"No," he said, decisively; "but—there is one thing—must say—my claim—the gold."

I saw Mr Raydon's face pucker up, and a frown gather on his brow, but it cleared away directly, and he bent down over his patient, and laid his hand upon his forehead.

"Gunson, you must be quiet," he said. "Your claim is quite safe. I have men protecting it, and no gold has been found or taken away."

"Thank heaven!" sighed Gunson; and giving a grateful look round he closed his eyes, and seemed to go to sleep.

"Come away now," whispered Mr Raydon. "You will stay with him?"

Mrs John bowed her head, and softly took the chair by the pillow, while we all stole gently out of the room.

"His first waking thought, John," said Mr Raydon, bitterly; "gold— gold—gold. There, it is of no use to murmur: I must swallow my pet antipathy, I suppose."

Once more the thought of all Mr Gunson had said to me came as words to my lips; but though my friend was being wrongly judged, I felt that I could not speak.

"Some day he will know all the truth," I said, "and I must wait."

Just then Grey came up.

"Your time, Gordon," he said, abruptly. Then seeing our excited looks, he glanced towards the strangers' quarters.

"Not worse, sir?" he said, eagerly.

"No, Grey; the turn has come—better," said Mr Raydon.

Grey took off his fur cap, waved it in the air, and then with a satisfied smile he marched me off.

"That's what I like to hear; he'll be all right soon now. This place would set any man up. But I can't understand the gov'nor. He was always mad against any one coming about here hunting for gold, and yet somehow he seems to have quite taken to your friend, who talks about nothing else."

"Yes," I said; "I can't help thinking that he likes Mr Gunson."

"Oh, there's no doubt about it, my lad. We shall have him taking to gold-hunting himself one of these days."

"Never," I said, decisively, as we reached my post.

"Never's a long day, boy," said Grey, thoughtfully; "but I think you're right."



CHAPTER FIFTY ONE.

ON ACTIVE SERVICE.

The scouts went out again and again, and though they never saw the enemy, they always brought back reports that they were still in the little valley, and trying for gold there.

Mr Barker had been up to the Fort with some of the principal gold-seekers, and Mr Raydon had been down to the valley, which had rapidly grown into a busy hive. But days glided by and no plans were made, while the enemy made not the slightest sign of their presence; and Mr Raydon said it was a mystery to him how they obtained provisions.

Then, as no more attacks were made at the camp, the excitement gradually cooled down, and it was decided to leave the men alone so long as they remained peaceable, or until such time as the Governor of the colony was in a position to send up a little force to protect people, and ensure peace in his increasing settlement.

The days glided on and Mr Gunson rapidly began to mend, while I spent all the time I could at his side—Mr Raydon quietly letting me see that I was only a visitor there, the companion of the sick man; and it was regularly settled that as soon as Mr Gunson was quite well again he was to return to his claim, and I was to go with him; Esau also having, after quite a verbal battle with his mother, determined to cast in his lot with ours.

"And I shall be very glad to get away from this life of inaction," Gunson said to me one day. "They are all wonderfully kind, and I am most grateful, but I think Raydon will be pleased to see us gone."

"Yes," I said; "I shall be glad to go."

"You mean it, boy?" he said, smiling.

"Yes; there is nothing I am wanted for, and I feel as if I were an intruder. It was an unlucky day when we found that gold."

"No," cried Mr Gunson, with fierce energy; "a most fortunate day. You forget what it is going to do for me and mine."

"Yes; I spoke selfishly," I said, bitterly.

"Bah! don't look back, boy; look forward," he cried; and he suddenly became silent, and leaned back in his chair, gazing out through the open window at the wide prospect of hill, mountain, and dark green forest. "I am looking forward to being out again in those glorious pine-woods, breathing the sweet mountain air. I shall soon be quite strong again then."

I thought of my own wound, and how I had seemed to drink in health and strength as soon as I got out.

"It would not be a bad life to settle down here," continued Mr Gunson; "I should enjoy it. A beautiful life, far better than hunting for gold. But what about those scoundrels who made me like this? Is there any fresh news of them?"

"None," I said.

"That's bad. They may be in mischief. Awkward if they come and attack us again when we get back to the claim. Raydon must lend us some of his men, or else I must join forces with that Barker, though I would far rather keep the place to myself. But we cannot risk another such attack. You see what a coward weakness has made me."

"You a coward!" I cried, scornfully.

"Yes, my lad," he said, with a smile. "I do not feel a bit like a brave man should. Well," he cried, with a laugh, "that is strange!"

"What is?" I cried.

"Look," he said, pointing out of the window to a group of men coming in at the gate; "the very man I was speaking about—Barker."

"There's something wrong," I said, excitedly, as I sprang from my chair.

"Go and see," he cried; but I was already at the door, and rushed out just as Mr Raydon and Mr John came from the office, and Grey from one of the block-houses.

"How are you?" said Barker, coming up with a serious look on his face that told of bad news before he spoke.

Mr Raydon took the extended hand.

"Well," he said, "what is it? That gang again?"

"Yes," said Barker, rather huskily; "we were in hopes that we had seen the last of them, but they made an attack last night. We did not know till quite late this morning, when a man from the next claim went down to the bar nearest the big river."

"Yes, go on—quick!" said Mr Raydon.

"They had been there some time in the night. There was a party of six working together, and I suppose they surprised them."

"Well?"

"Two of the poor fellows are lying dead, sir, and the other four badly wounded. They have swept the place of everything, and got a good deal of gold."

As this bad news was told I could not look at Mr Raydon, for fear his eyes should gaze reproachfully into mine. I felt that he did glance at me as if to say—"Your work, Gordon!"

But at that moment the visitor went on speaking—

"I've come up, sir, with my mates, as we agreed to help one another. We are peaceable people, and we only ask to be let alone; but after last night's work it must be war. This can't go on."

"No," said Mr Raydon, firmly.

"We're right away here from any settlement, and there might be no law at all for any help it can give us, so we must be our own judges and jury."

"No," said Mr Raydon, firmly; "not that, but we must be our own soldiers and police."

"Then you will act with us, sir? You and your people know the country, and perhaps can lead us to where we can find and surprise them."

"If you all give me your undertaking that there shall be no unnecessary bloodshed, and that these men shall be merely seized and taken down to the coast, I will help you to the best of my power."

"Here's my hand upon it," cried Barker. "You're more of a soldier than I am, so tell us what to do, and the sooner it's done the better."

"Go back then at once, and get all your men together, and I will join you with all I can spare from the protection of my place."

"How long will you be, sir?"

"Half an hour after you get back. But be quiet, and do not let a hint reach the enemy of what is afoot."

"You may trust us, sir," said Barker. "Come on back, lads;" and all looking very stern and serious, the men turned and went steadily off.

"You'll take me, sir?" said Grey, appealingly.

"I wish I could, my man," replied Mr Raydon. "One of us must stay to take charge here, and my place is with the men to guard against excesses."

Grey looked disappointed, but he was soldier-like in his obedience to orders, and without another word he went with us to the block-house, where four men were selected and duly armed.

All at once Mr Raydon turned, and found me gazing intently at him.

"Well?" he said.

"You will let me go too, sir?" I said.

"No; you are too young to fight. Yes; you shall carry an extra rifle for me, and my surgical case."

I ran back to where Gunson lay impatiently waiting for news, and told him.

"Yes," he said, "it is quite right. This must be put down with a strong hand. Oh, if I had only strength to be one of the party! Mayne Gordon, I envy you."

Ten minutes later I was saying good-bye to Mrs John, who looked pale and horrified at the news she had heard, and began to object to my going, till Mr John whispered a few words to her, when she turned upon me a piteous look.

"I am only going as the doctor's assistant," I said, lightly, but I felt as excited as if I were about to form one of a forlorn hope.

"Ready?" said Mr Raydon, coming to the door. "Get to the men, Gordon. Good-bye, sister."

"But, Daniel!" she said, clinging to him; "is this necessary?"

"Absolutely," he replied. "John, I look to you to shoulder a rifle, and help to defend this place. Good-bye."

He shook hands hastily to avoid a painful parting, and strode out with me, so that I only had time to wave my hand to Mrs John, who was watching us as we tramped out of the gate—the five men by me looking stern and determined enough to be more than a match for the enemy, if it was a case of fair fighting, though that was too much to expect from such men as these.

Hardly a word was spoken as we descended the valley, keeping close down to the river-side, till we reached the narrow entrance to the little gorge, whose stream came bubbling and plashing down into the pool, and we had not gone above a couple of hundred yards up it, when a stern voice bade us stand, and we found ourselves face to face with the whole strength of the mining camp.