Part 9 (1/2)
The young girl was then questioned, and stated that amongst the treasures of the Community was a box which had formerly belonged to her father, and of which she had been deprived by the Holy Three; and this receptacle was, she averred, filled with this paper money, which her grandfather had, her father said, obtained in exchange for gold dust.
”Why then, Rose, you are an heiress,” said Grenville, laughing, ”and we must get you back your inheritance.”
”I don't want it,” said the impulsive girl; ”I will give it to you if you can get it, d.i.c.k; but don't run any risks, I implore you.”
Wondering inwardly where the old Mormon could have found the opportunity of converting his gold into English bank paper, Grenville resumed his operations, and for the instruction of Leigh drew on the back of the note a small plan of East Utah and its princ.i.p.al streets and offices, and then in an undertone said a few words to his cousin which made the other turn pale with fear and dread.
”The scheme is a grand one, d.i.c.k,” he at length gasped out; ”but even if it succeeds, I don't see how you personally can possibly make your escape from the town. Don't risk it, old man,” he pleaded; ”we can't afford to lose you. And if you got caught, what am I to do? I shall never be able to keep these scoundrels off, or get Dora and Rose out of the country with only the Zulus to help me.”
”Now, Alf,” replied Grenville, ”you know I always make my mind up beforehand, so it's no use you arguing; besides, I really think I can escape from the place. Remember, the confusion created will amount to a positive wholesale panic, and a man less or more in the streets will never be noticed. Moreover, if the plan succeeds, it will mean at all events practical immunity from interference in the future, and will probably result in our finding an exit from the country. Of this I am determined--either I will find a way out or I will make one.”
In vain Leigh urged his view of the question--our hero had indeed come to a determination, and met all opposition, remonstrance, and entreaty with the same inflexible resolve.
His cousin next pleaded to be permitted to share the danger, but neither would Grenville allow this.
”I will,” he said, ”risk no one's life or liberty except my own upon such a fearfully hazardous expedition. I intend that Amaxosa shall accompany me inside the walls, to carry my heavy armour; and when once I have reached my destination, he will return to you. And remember, Alf, that if I happen to be taken or killed before or, possibly indeed, after the execution of my project, the Mormons will at once deliver a tremendous attack upon your position. Keep them off as long as you can with the rifles--for I shall leave you mine, as also my revolvers--and then when they are ma.s.sed together and absolutely climbing the rock, light those infernal machines of theirs and throw them into the crowd.
Let the fuses burn at least thirty seconds before you throw them down, though; and I guess you won't have much more trouble with the Mormons.
And if you, or I, or both fail, G.o.d help us, old man.”
”You don't mean to tell me you are going unarmed amongst those devils, who are raging for your blood?” remonstrated Leigh.
”Not a bit of it,” was the reply; ”I'm going to take that heavy revolver of Myzukulwa's. If needful, it will come in handy as a club after it is emptied. Besides, my game this time is not fighting, but hiding and then running; and I am specially anxious that should I have the ill-luck to fall into their hands, they may not along with me obtain any of our own modern weapons of warfare. Had I not had the luck to drop Radford Custance before he had time to hand your Winchester over to the community, we should all have gone under a month ago. Let me tell you, these fellows are not bad shots--remember the man who nearly dropped us in the Pa.s.s; and above all, don't forget poor Winfield's end.”
”I see, nothing can move you,” groaned poor Leigh.
”No earthly consideration will induce me to forego the attempt, Alf,”
was the quick reply; ”so help me, instead of seeking to divert me from the end I have in view; and above all do not mention my project to the girls. It will be time enough for them to hear it when the result is a matter of history.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN.
GUY FAWKES REDIVIVUS.
All the following day Grenville rested and slept, and when the night closed in he saw with growing satisfaction that there was likely to be a heavy storm, and this in itself indicated the probable advent of the rainy season at no very distant date.
Not wis.h.i.+ng to be delayed in any way, he set out early with Amaxosa, and by midnight, when the storm broke, had arrived within pistol-shot of the town.
By this time everywhere had grown dark as pitch, and looking up, Grenville saw that all the stars had disappeared, whilst at that very moment the surrounding landscape as well as the town stood revealed in a blinding glare of lightning, instantly succeeded by a terrific clap of thunder.
Quickly gaining the cover of the walls, Grenville hastily donned his protective armour, exchanged weapons with the Zulu, much to that worthy's astonishment, and then armed exactly as he had intended to be, and with a dozen spare cartridges in his pocket, commanded Amaxosa to return to the plateau as fast as he possibly could.
The indignation of the Zulu knew no bounds.
”Why,” he said, ”does my father distrust his faithful war-dog? Does he fear that when the time of danger comes his son will not be there? Has my father forgotten how the children of the Undi fought for him at the narrow crossing by the River of Death, has he forgotten the battle of the rock, the fight in the great black cavern, or the mighty struggle at the eastern bridge, where the red blood flowed in streams? Does he not remember how Amaxosa bore away the body of the Inkoos Winfield when he had fallen by the bullets of the witch-finders, or how, with his own hand and the box of lightning (Anglice bombsh.e.l.l), he slew five men and destroyed their moving castle? Why does the Inkoos, my father, doubt me? Amaxosa the son of Undi has but one heart, which beats true with the heart of his father; and the poor Zulu war-dog has but one body, but it would fain stand between the great white chief and the death he seeks to meet.”
Grenville was sincerely moved by this impa.s.sioned burst of feeling, exhibited by a man usually so dignified and self-contained, and it took him quite ten minutes before he could convince the chief of the wisdom of his plan; but when he had at last succeeded, and somewhat pacified his friend by accepting the loan of his war-club, the Zulu raised himself to his full height, and shaking his spear at the city, delivered himself thus:--
”Beware, witch-finders--beware, ye evil men! Touch but one hair upon the head of my father, the great white chief, beloved of his faithful children, and the sons of the Undi will rip open every fighting man in your accursed land.”
Then, grasping Grenville's hand, he stalked moodily away, and the last our friend saw of him, by the help of a vivid flash of lightning, was as he slowly entered the cover half a mile off, walking in a heavy and dejected manner, with his head sunk upon his breast.