Part 11 (2/2)
”Never fear. There's not many doors in these diggin's that can remain shut when I want 'em open,” said the robber, as he retired a few paces to enable him to deliver his blow with greater momentum.
”Howld on a minit, me frind,” said Paddy, who had quietly turned the key and laid hold of the handle; ”let me git well out o' the way, and give me warnin' before you come.”
”All right. Now then, look out!” cried Stalker.
Those inside heard the rapid little run that a man takes before launching himself violently against an object. Flinders flung the door wide open in the nick of time. The robber's foot dashed into empty s.p.a.ce, and the robber himself plunged headlong, with a tremendous crash, on the floor. At the same instant Flinders brought his billet of wood down with all his might on the spot where he guessed the man's head to be. The blow was well aimed, and rendered the robber chief incapable of further action for the time being.
”Faix, ye'll not `hoot' to yer frinds this night, anyhow,” said Flinders, as they dragged the fallen chief to the doorway, to make sure, by the faint light, that he was helpless. ”Now, thin,” continued Paddy, ”we'll away an' lead the boys to battle. You go an' muster them, sor, an' I'll take ye to the inimy.”
”Have you seen their ambush, and how many there are!” asked Gashford.
”Niver a wan have I seen, and I've only a gineral notion o' their whereabouts.”
”How then can you lead us?”
”Obey orders, an' you'll see, sor. I'm in command to-night. If ye don't choose to foller, ye'll have to do the best ye can widout me.”
”Lead on, then,” cried Gashford, half amused and half angered by the man's behaviour.
Flinders led the way straight to Gashford's hut where, as he antic.i.p.ated, the man named Bill had silently collected most of the able-bodied men of the camp, all armed to the teeth. He at once desired Gashford to put them in fighting order and lead them. When they were ready he went off at a rapid pace towards the stable before mentioned.
”They should be hereabouts, Muster Gashford,” he said, in a low voice, ”so git yer troops ready for action.”
”What do ye mean?” growled Gashford.
To this Flinders made no reply, but turning to Westly and Brixton, who stood close at his side, whispered them to meet him at the stable before the fight was quite over.
He then put his hand to his mouth and uttered three hoots like an owl.
”I believe you are humbugging us,” said Gashford.
”Whisht, sor--listen!”
The breaking of twigs was heard faintly in the distance, and, a few moments later, the tramp, apparently, of a body of men. Presently dark forms were dimly seen to be advancing.
”Now's your time, gineral! Give it 'em hot,” whispered Flinders.
”Ready! Present! Fire!” said Gashford, in a deep, solemn tone, which the profound silence rendered distinctly audible.
The marauders halted, as if petrified. Next moment a sheet of flame burst from the ranks of the miners, and horrible yells rent the air, high above which, like the roar of a lion, rose Gashford's voice in the single word:--
”Charge!”
But the panic-stricken robbers did not await the onset. They turned and fled, hotly pursued by the men of Pine Tree Diggings.
”That'll do!” cried Flinders to Brixton; ”they'll not need us any more this night. Come wid me now.”
Fred Westly, who had rushed to the attack with the rest, soon pulled up.
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