To The West Part 107

"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 a.s.sistant," 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 plas.h.i.+ng 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.

"That's right, sir," said Barker; "ready for action. Yes? Then what's it to be?"

"My plan is very simple," replied Mr Raydon. "I propose going up the valley with my men to Gunson's claim, where I shall, of course, join the four stationed there."

"That's right," said Barker. "We asked them to come with us, but they refused. Well, sir?"

"You and your men will march down to the river, and descend till you are opposite the little vale where these people are hiding. You will find it very beautiful and park-like for the first half mile, but as the glade narrows it grows more dense, till it is filled from side to side with magnificent pines. You will spread your men out, to guard against the enemy pa.s.sing you, and this will grow more and more easy as you go slowly on."

"I understand; and what are you going to do, sir?" said the man.

"Come over the ridge, and through the forest which separates this valley from that, so as to get to the head of the little stream. Then we shall begin to descend, and, I hope, drive the scoundrels into your hands."

Barker gave his rifle-stock a hearty slap.

"Capital!" he cried. "And you can get over there?"

"I know every part here for miles round," said Mr Raydon, as I felt quite startled at his plan being exactly the same as the one I had thought of. "I will set over there somehow."

"Then we shall have them between two fires, sir," cried Barker--"good!"