Part 20 (1/2)

The meal was finished, with the whole party refreshed and in the best of spirits. Then the sledges were drawn together, a few small pine-saplings bound on to make a roof, over which a couple of waterproof sheets were drawn, and there was a rough tent for a temporary home.

By that time it was evening, and lanterns were being hung out here and there, lamps lit in the shanties, and the place began to look more lively. In two tents there was the sound of music--a fiddle in one, a badly played German concertina in the other; but the result was not cheerful, for whenever they were in hearing the great s.h.a.ggy sledge-dogs, of which there were scores about, set up a dismal barking and howling.

The Cornishman's two friends had cheerfully elected to keep the camp, at a word from their big companion, and the other three started to have a look at the place and end by calling at the hotel upon their new acquaintance.

As soon as they were a few yards away, the Cornishman laughed and winked. ”I can trust you, and I can trust Bob Tregelly, and that's me, my sons; but I can't trust them two where there's whisky about. They've sworn to me that they won't go amongst it, and I'm not going to let 'em.

Now then, I'm about to see if I can't find something to eat at a reasonable price, and buy it. Have you lads got any money?”

”Yes, a little left,” replied both.

”Then you'd better ware a pound or so the same way; biscuit and bacon and meal, I should say. I'll meet you yonder at the hotel in an hour, and we'll pick up what we can about the whereabouts of the stuff; but we shan't want to stay here long, I expect. Will that do?”

”Yes, in an hour,” said Dallas, and they separated.

There was not much to take the young men's attention, but they heard a couple of men say that the ice was giving, and another was telling a group of a man having come to the hotel who had done wonders up some creek he and his mates had tried.

”Our friend, Bel,” said Dallas; and soon after, without making any purchases, from the inability to find what they wanted, they strolled back just at dark towards the hotel.

”What a hole!” said Abel, as they approached the place, to find from the lights, the noise, and clattering of drinking-vessels, that a tent which had been stretched over a wooden frame was crowded, and a couple of men in s.h.i.+rt-sleeves were busily going in and out from a side shed of corrugated iron, attending on the a.s.sembled guests.

”Evening, gentlemen,” said the elder of the two. ”You'll find room inside. Go right up the middle; there's more seats there.”

Just then there was a shout of excitement, and the young men looked at one another.

”It's all right, gents,” said the man, who was evidently the landlord.

”We're having a big night. There's a man from Upper Creek with a fine sample of gold. I could show you if you like. Happy to bank for you too if you strike it rich, and supply you with stores and good advice.

Any one will speak up for me.”

”But surely that means a row,” said Dallas, as a roar of voices came from the canvas building.

”No; that's about a robbery on the track. Three men came in to-day, and they're telling the lads how they were attacked and half killed. The Vigilants are strong here to-night, and there'll be business if the fellows are caught. We don't stand any nonsense here.”

”Shall we go in, Bel?” whispered Dallas.

”Yes; we needn't stay long,” was the reply. ”I want to talk to that man with the gold.”

”This way, gentlemen,” said the bar-keeper. ”You follow me.”

The pair followed the man into the long low place, along each side of which were trestle tables crowded with men drinking and smoking, the tobacco fumes nearly filling the place like a fog. There was a gangway down the centre, and they followed their guide nearly to the end, when both started violently at the sight of a group of three men seated at a table beneath the largest swinging lamp, whose reflector threw a bright light down on the biggest of the party, who was on his legs, waving his pipe as he talked loudly.

”You're making a mistake, mates,” he said. ”It's just as I telled you, and if it hadn't been for the pluck of my pals here we should have been dead as well as robbed. But you mark my words; they'll make for here, and if they do--ah, what did I say? Look, mates, look; this here's the very pair.”

There was a wild shout of rage, as every man in the place seemed to leap to his feet; and before, utterly stunned by the sudden attack and denunciation, either of the new-comers could find words to utter in their defence, they were seized and dragged to their knees.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.

A TRIAL FOR LIFE.