CHAPTER XVITAKEN CAPTIVE
T
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 England 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 some one 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 any one 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. Colson’s hope of revenge on Obed Stackpole seemed slipping through his 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 Ring.
“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 little distance 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 scrutinised the man’s face, and he too recognised him as one of the gang—but his face did not betray his suspicions.
“Were you robbed of much money?” he asked, in a sympathising 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, eyeing 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 withyournugget, 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.
It must be confessed that the reflections of Obed and the two boys were far from pleasant. The cup of happiness had been dashed from their lips just as they had begun to taste it. Then again it was very mortifying to watch the exultation of Fletcher and Colson, who had finally triumphed over them after being successfully baffled.
“The worst of it is,” said Obed to Harry, who was walking alongside of him, “that them skunks have got the best of it. It’s their time to crow now.”
“That’s the way I feel,” said Harry soberly. “I believe I would rather have lost twice as much to anybody else.”
“We haven’t lost all, that’s a comfort. They will take the money we have with us, but if ever we escape to Melbourne, there is the nugget money waiting for us.”
Just then Colson stepped up with a smile on his face.
“It strikes me I’ve got about even with you, friend Stackpole,” he said.
“Don’t call me friend, Colson; I don’t own any man as a friend who acts like you. So you’re a bushranger, are you?”
“Certainly not,” answered Colson, amazed.
“It looks like it,” remarked Obed significantly.
“I am merely in the company of the bushrangers just at present.”
“Aiding and abetting them in their scheming. That’s so, isn’t it?”
“No.”
“You haven’t any interest in the plunder, then?”
Now one of the bushrangers was within hearing, and Colson didn’t venture to say “No,” or it would be virtually giving up his share of the money taken from Obed and the boys.
“I don’t care to answer any of your questions,” he said stiffly.
“I don’t wonder—not a mite, Colson. Still I’d like to ask one.”
“What is it? I don’t promise to answer it, though.”
“Didn’t you find that nugget rather heavy?” asked Obed slyly.
Colson didn’t answer, but frowned, for the subject was a sore one.
“How many miles did you carry it, if I may be so bold?”
“I don’t care to discuss the subject.”
“I shouldn’t if I were you. It makes me laugh when I think how you must have looked when you found out it was nothing but common rock.”
“How much does it weigh?” inquired Colson, in a tone of curiosity.
“Somewhere between fifty and five hundred pounds. Are you thinking of attacking the guard? I wouldn’t if I were you. They are prepared for gentlemen of your kind. You’d be more likely to carry off lead than gold.”
“Confound the fellow!” thought Colson. “Helooks as if he had the best of me—I must worry him a little.”
“Do you know that you are in a very ticklish position?” he asked.
“I can’t say it’s a position I fancy much. Did you put our friends here on the track?”
“Yes, I did,” answered Colson, in a tone of satisfaction.
“I thought so. That identifies you with them, Colson. You may find it used against you in a court of justice.”
“I am no more a bushranger than you are,” said Colson uneasily.
“I would respect you more if you was, Colson. They’re open and aboveboard, anyway. You want to profit by the same means, but sneak out of it and say you’re not a bushranger. It’ll be hard to persuade the courts of that.”
“I have nothing to do with courts.”
“You may have yet. Let me give you a piece of advice.”
“What is it?” demanded Colson suspiciously.
“Join the band permanently. You’re a man after Fletcher’s own heart. You and he will make a good match.”
“Who is that mentioning my name?” asked Fletcher, who happened to be within hearing.
“I took that liberty, squire. I’ve been advisin’ Colson here to join your band.”
“What is that for?”
“I think it’s a business that will suit him. His talents all lie in that direction. He’ll be like a brother to you, Fletcher.”
“What did he say?”
“He don’t like the idea. He seems to feel above you. He says he is only keepin’ company with you for a short time.”
“Is that true?” demanded Fletcher, eyeing Colson with displeasure.
“I never said any such thing,” said Colson eagerly. “He twists my words. I have the greatest respect for the bushrangers, whom I regard as gentlemen.”
“Perhaps that is the reason you don’t feel gratified to join them, Colson?”
Fletcher laughed at this palpable hit, but Colson looked annoyed.
“I don’t expect to remain in this section of the country long,” said Colson deprecatingly, for he was very much afraid of offending Fletcher. “Of course I can’t form any permanent ties.”
“It might be better for you to leave, Colson. I’ve an idee that it isn’t good for your health to stay around here very long. You haven’t made a shinin’ success so far. Now, as to that nugget which you stole——”
“Do you mean to insult me? I never took any nugget.”
“That’s so. You’re right there, Colson. But you thought you had, all the same. Fortunately, it’s where you can’t get at it.”
“I have something to say on that point,” said Fletcher. “I understand the nugget is very valuable.”
“I’m glad to hear it. You’re a judge. I have an idee of that sort myself.”
“About how much does it weigh?”
“About seventy-five pounds. I don’t mind gratifying your innocent curiosity, Fletcher.”
Fletcher’s eyes sparkled.
“It must be very valuable,” he said.
“I reckon it is.”
“At what do you estimate it—twenty thousand dollars?”
“Not as much as that.”
“It ought to come pretty near it, though.”
Obed did not answer.
“It’s a great prize. You were very lucky.”
“So I thought at the time. I don’t feel so certain, now,” said Obed dryly.
“I think half of it will be enough for you.”
“What do you mean, Fletcher?”
“I mean that we shall want half of it.”
“How are you going to get it?”
“We mean to hold you prisoner till half the proceeds are brought in from Melbourne.”
Obed’s countenance fell. He had not thought of this.
Colson’s eyes glistened with pleasure. Till that lucky suggestion was made he saw no way of securing a share of the great prize.
“That’s a nice scheme, Fletcher,” said Obed, regaining his composure.
“So I think. You and the boys would still have a good sum of money. What do you say? Shall we make a little friendly arrangement to that effect? You could give me an order for half the sum realised, and on my securing it you would be released.”
“I shall have to talk it over with my partners here,” returned Obed. “They’re equally interested with me.”
“Better do so now.”
“I won’t till evenin’, when we have more time.”
Fletcher rode away under the impression that Obed was favourably disposed to his plan.
“When I get the money,” he said to himself, “I can decide whether to let the fellow go or not. I don’t care for the boys, but I’d like to give this Yankee a good flogging, he’s so confoundedly sarcastic. Plague take it, the fellow doesn’t know when he’s down, but talks as if he was on equal terms with me.”
Meanwhile, though Fletcher did not know it, the train of bushrangers had steadily advanced to the neighbourhood of the place where the government escort were encamped.
In fact, he was ignorant that they were so near. But Obed knew it, and he was watching his opportunity to apprise his friends of his situation. Harry had noticed the same thing. Lest he should make a premature revelation, Obed placed his hand to his lips, as a sign of silence. Harry understood, and seemed indifferent, but his heart was beating fast with excitement.
It was certainly an oversight in Fletcher not to have ascertained the situation of the government encampment. He was under the impression that it was in a direction opposite to that in which they were moving, and this determined his course. He was therefore wholly unconscious of danger, and tranquil in mind, though his situation was critical.
Obed was puzzled to know in what manner to get the necessary intelligence to his comrades. Chance gave him a suggestion. The man next him wore round his neck a whistle—designed doubtless to use in case of emergencies. It was of rather peculiar shape.
“That’s an odd whistle you’ve got there, my friend,” he said; “where did you get it?”
“In Melbourne,” answered the fellow unsuspiciously.
“I think I’ve seen one like it in the States. Let me look at it a minute.”
The bushranger allowed Obed to take it in his hand.
Suddenly Mr. Stackpole put it to his mouth, and gave a sharp, loud whistle that awakened the echoes in the forest.
Like a flash Fletcher turned from his place at the head of the train and eyed the bushranger with a frown. Obed had dropped the whistle, and was walking on with an innocent look.
“What is this foolery, Hogan?” demanded Fletcher sharply. “Don’t you know better than to whistle?”
“I didn’t, lieutenant,” answered Hogan. “It was this man here.”
“The Yankee?”
“Yes.”
“How did he get the whistle?”
“He asked to look at it.”
“What does this mean, Stackpole?” asked Fletcher angrily.
“Don’t get riled, squire,” said Obed imperturbably. “I just wanted to try it, that’s all. I had a whistle once a little like it. When I was workin’ for old Deacon Plummer in New Hampshire——”
“I will overlook it this time, but if you take any such liberty again, I’ll have you tied to a tree and whipped.”
“That’s better than bein’ shot, anyway. I won’tdo it again, squire. I ain’t particularly anxious to get into trouble.”
“These Yankees are about as stupid and presuming as any people I ever met,” Fletcher remarked to the comrade who rode beside him. “That fellow is a nuisance, but I mean to teach him a lesson before twenty-four hours are over.”
Obed and the two boys awaited with anxiety the result of the summons. The camp was but an eighth of a mile away, but hidden by the trees.
“Will they hear it?” thought Obed.
It is doubtful whether this would have been the case, but luckily for our three friends one of the escort—by name Warner—was taking a walk in the woods, and heard the whistle. His curiosity was excited, and peering through the trees he saw the bushrangers and their captives.
He was a man of promptness, and returning to the camp with all expedition made a report to the officer in command.
“How many are there in the band?” inquired Captain Forbush.
Warner reported.
The captain immediately started, under Warner’s guidance, with ten men, and arranged to intercept the bushrangers.
The first intimation Fletcher had of his danger was the sudden appearance of the soldiers, who broke through the underbrush and took the astonished bushrangers in the flank.
“Surrender instantly, or you are dead men!” exclaimed Forbush sternly.
Fletcher fell back in dismay, and was at first speechless with consternation.
“Do you surrender?” repeated the government officer impatiently.
Fletcher’s eye ran over the party that confronted him. They outnumbered his own forces two to one. He felt that resistance would be useless.
“We will release our captives if you let us go,” he said.
“So you would make conditions? You are in no condition to do that. We propose to free your captives, and to take you to our camp.”
“You had better not,” said Fletcher, hoping to intimidate the officer. “Our main band is close at hand, and they will avenge us.”
“I’ll take the risk,” said Forbush indifferently. “Throw down your arms!”
As this order was given with each of the bushrangers covered by the weapons of his own party, the bushrangers found it prudent to comply.
“Very well; now follow me.”
First, however, the rifles surrendered by the bushrangers were gathered up, and in their defenceless condition they were marched to the government camp. It added to Fletcher’s annoyance that the weapons dropped by his party were picked up and carried by their late captives, Obed and the two boys.
“So you’re comin’ to make us a visit, Fletcher?” said Obed, with an exasperating smile. “It’s just as well as if we had gone home with you. We shall be together anyway, and I know you value our society.”
“I’d like to strangle you,” muttered Fletcher.
“Thank you, but I don’t think I should enjoy it. I’ve seldom met a kinder-hearted man, Fletcher, but you have queer ways of showing it.”
Probably the most discomfited members of theparty were Colson and Ropes. All their schemes had miscarried, and they felt that they were in a genuine scrape. If they could only convince the officers that they were innocent companions of the bushrangers, they might yet escape. Accordingly, when they reached the camp Colson advanced to Captain Forbush and said: “Ahem! captain, my friend Ropes and I wish to express our thanks to you for your timely rescue, and would like to travel under your escort to Melbourne.”
“What does the man mean?” asked Forbush, turning to Obed.
“Suppose you ask him,” suggested Obed, with a smile of enjoyment.
“Like your friends here we were captured, but a little earlier. I hope—ha, ha!—you don’t take us for bushrangers? That would be a great joke, eh, Ropes?”
“Just so,” answered Ropes.
“Suppose you ask Fletcher,” again suggested Obed.
“Are these men followers of yours, Mr. Fletcher? They say you captured them.”
“They did, did they?” returned Fletcher, eyeing the two men in a manner by no means friendly. “It is a lie. They came to me and reported that your party were carrying a nugget to Melbourne, and wanted us to attack you, and get possession of it. In that case they demanded a share of the proceeds. The dogs! so they want to get favour at our expense, do they?”
“Do you know anything about them, Mr. Stackpole?” asked Captain Forbush.
“Yes, captain, and I am convinced that my friend Fletcher tells the exact truth. That skunk there[indicating Colson] tried to steal the nugget the very night of its discovery, and broke into my cabin for the purpose. He’s a sly, underhand thief, and not to be compared with a bold bushranger. I respect them for their pluck at any rate.”
“Don’t believe him! He’s prejudiced against us,” whined Colson.
“Gentlemen,” said Captain Forbush, “I will comply with your request and allow you to travel with me to Melbourne—under guard!”
Fletcher and the bushrangers looked pleased at this announcement. Their own prospects were not very bright, but they were glad to find that Colson and Ropes were to share their fate.