To Win or to Die Part 44

It was about an hour later, when their fellow gold-seekers who had come to their help had gone, promising to return next day and help over the interment of the dead man, that Dallas turned to Tregelly, who was seated with his big arms resting upon his knees, gazing down into the cheery fire that had been lit.

"Sleepy, Bob?"

"Nay, my son. Never felt so wide awake in my life. I'm thinking."

"What about?" asked Abel.

"About having killed a man," said the big fellow gravely.

"It was in self-defence," said Dallas.

"I dunno, my son. You see, I never give him a chance. Seems rather cowardly."

"The wretch was trying to destroy our lives," cried Abel hotly.

"Eh?"

"Yes; he and his companion had been firing at us for long enough," said Abel.

"Ah," cried Dallas, "and they did wound the dog. Here, old fellow, let's look at you."

In effect, the dog was just then licking at one particular part of his back, and examination proved that a bullet had ploughed off a little strip of skin.

"Only make him sore for a bit," said Tregelly, after he had examined the dog in turn. "Poor old chap! I wish I'd a bit o' pitch to touch it over for you. But I hadn't thought of that, my sons."

"Thought of what?"

"'Bout him trying to kill you. That didn't make it quite so bad o' me, did it?"

"Bad? It was stern justice, meted out to a murderer," said Dallas firmly.

Tregelly looked at him for some moments thoughtfully. "Think so?" he said.

"Of course!" cried Abel, "and so do I. You didn't want us to be killed, did you?"

"Lor' a mussy me, my son! of course not. That's why I took aim at him."

"And saved our lives, Bob," cried Dallas, clapping him hard on the shoulder.

"You think, then, that they'd have settled you if I hadn't come and stopped their little game?"

"I feel sure of it," cried Dallas.

"Hah! Yes, of course. Thank ye, my sons. I was feeling a bit uncomfortable, and beginning to think that I should be having the chap coming to bed to me every night and telling me how I'd shot him in a cowardly way; but I shan't now. That's done me a lot o' good. Hah! I feel now as if I should like a pipe."

The big, amiable, honest face lit up, and was lightened by a smile as he began searching his pockets for his tobacco-pouch and pipe.

"You see, I never killed a man before," he said. "But you can hardly call a chap like that a man. More like a wild beast--sort o' tiger."

"It's insulting a wild beast to say so, Bob," cried Dallas warmly. "A wild beast kills for the sake of food. What's the matter?"

"Pipe," said Tregelly, rising slowly and reaching out for the lantern.

"I told you I dropped it out yonder, and it's somewhere by the sledge."

"Leave that till daylight, and we'll go with you."

"Won't be any daylight for hours and hours to come," said Tregelly, putting out the light and feeling for his matches. "I can't wait all that time for a pipe. 'Sides, the sledge ought to be brought in."

"You mean to go now," said Dallas.

"Oh, yes, my son, I mean to go now. 'Tarn't so very far."

"All right; we'll go with him, Bel. There's no fear of the other scoundrel being about."

"I don't know, my sons," said Tregelly gravely. "He can't be very far away, and he's got his knife into us very deep now. P'r'aps it would be as well if you stopped here and got the breakfast ready."

"If we did," replied Dallas, "we should feel that you would never come back to eat it. Eh, Bel?"

"Yes; I'm going. We must leave Scruff to keep house for us this time."

But the dog did not seem to see matters in the same light. One minute he was giving a finis.h.i.+ng lick to his wound; the next he had shot out through the open door, barking excitedly, and looking ready to scent out and run down the last of the savage gang.

CHAPTER THIRTY SIX.

BY THE SKIN OF HIS TEETH.

Aided by Scruff, a fairly correct line was made for the forsaken sledge, the dog seeming to know exactly what was wanted, and preventing them from over-running the spot where it had been left.

This was the only thing they dreaded, for the track was--through not being beaten--almost obliterated again and again by falls of snow; but it was tolerably familiar now, the winding creek and the edge of the scrubby forest forming pretty good guides.

It was still very dark when they reached the place, Scruff uttering a low snuffling whine; but it was not easy to find a small object like a briar wood pipe.

"Must have been somewhere here I dropped it," said Tregelly. "If it was daylight I should see it directly on the white snow. Better light the lantern, I suppose."

"It would be like inviting a shot from Redbeard if he is near."

"Think so, my son?" said Tregelly thoughtfully.

"He would be almost sure to make for his old lair."

"My old lair, you mean, my son."

"Well, your old lair, then."

"Yes, it do seem likely," said the big fellow, rubbing his ear. "Giving him such a chance to aim at us. Yes, it won't do; but I must find that pipe. Look here, s'pose I go up to my hut and see if he's there."