Part 45 (1/2)

”Do,” said Dallas, ”and we'll go with you and trap him if he is there.”

”Hoomph!” grunted Tregelly. ”I'm feared there won't be any trapping, my sons. If he's there he won't be took without a hard fight. Hadn't you two better let that be till the other fellows come back? Then we could lay siege to him and finish him off for it must come to that.”

”We are three to one,” said Dallas quietly. ”It seems cowardly to wait for more.”

”Dunno,” said their companion. ”He don't fight fair, or I'd tackle him myself. You see, he aren't a man; he's a savage beast. Look here, we've got the sledge; let's take it on. I'll go without my pipe.”

”No; you shall not,” said Dallas. ”Let's go to the hut. He may not be there. Perhaps fled far enough.”

”I dunno, my son. He'd run when he was beat for his old shelter, and I don't like making you two run bad risks just because I want a pipe o'

bacca.”

”We do not look at it in that light, Bob,” said Dallas firmly. ”This man is our mortal enemy, who seems determined to have our lives out of revenge, and it is our duty to save those lives at his expense. After what has pa.s.sed I look upon him as a sort of human tiger whose claws must be drawn. Let's take this opportunity of capturing the brute.

We'll go together and draw his fire; or perhaps we shall be able to see and disable him without his being able to do us any mischief.”

Tregelly shook his head solemnly.

”Chaps like that, with their lives in their hands, are all eyes, and when they aren't all eyes they're all ears. I don't like this business, my sons; but what you say's quite right, and I can't help feeling that we've got a chance at him now, and the dark may help us; while if he's gone back there and roused up the fire I can make sure of him. There, it's got to be done, and if we leave it the job may be worse.”

”Yes, perhaps much.”

”That's so, my son. We shall have to go about with the knowledge that that fellow's always close at hand, marking us down for a shot.”

”Better seize this opportunity,” said Abel hoa.r.s.ely. ”I feel as if we may master him now.”

”What do you say, Mr Dallas?” asked Tregelly.

”I say as my cousin does. Let's try.”

”Good, then, we'll go; on'y mind this, my sons: we're going because it's our dooty.”

”Of course.”

”Not because I want a pipe.”

”No; you have already proved that you do not wish to be selfish,” said Dallas, ”so come on.”

”Nay, I'll lead, my sons,” cried the big fellow. ”It's my shanty, and I know every step of the way. You'd go right up to the door, and he'd have first chance of a shot. That won't do for me. We must get first chance, and make him shoot at random, which means at nothing at all.

Now then, follow me. Don't fire unless you get a good chance.”

”But what is your plan, Bob?” said Dallas eagerly.

”Get him to fire, my son, and then go at him before he has time to load again.”

The lantern was left with the sledge, and with every nerve now upon the strain the two young men followed their st.u.r.dy companion, who gave them but few words as to their proceedings.

”Don't be in a hurry to fire,” he said, ”but when you get your chance, let him have it. Now, tread softly, and come on.”

The distance was comparatively short, and Abel's heart beat fast and loud, as, upon pa.s.sing through a thick clump of pines, there in front of them shone the light of a wood fire through the open door of Tregelly's hut.