Part 5 (1/2)

The outlaws hesitated, and even the natives seemed to understand what was said. Whereabouts the magic line was drawn, at which some of them would be certain to lose their lives, they could not tell. Soldiers in battle will dare any danger, but villains engaged in a criminal act are always cowards, unless driven to desperation. Such was not the case at present. A white handkerchief was shown on a stick, and a voice cried out--

”We don't want to hurt you, Mr Gilpin, or your brother, or man, but there are two fellows there, and we must have them; give them up to us, and we will go away.”

”I ask you, would you give up people who had put confidence in you?”

said James.

”We have nothing to say to that; give up the men, or we will burn down the hut and you in it,” was the answer.

”Remember the warning I have given you,” said James; ”however, we will just talk the matter over, and let you know what we decide.”

”Be sharp about it, then,” said the first speaker; ”we did not come here to s.h.i.+lly-shally, and we shall advance directly the time is up. We give you five minutes to settle the matter.”

”We must take ten; and recollect that our rifles will be kept ready for use,” added James, firmly.

”I am afraid the fellows will put their threat into execution,” said Craven. ”Now, you see, our lives are of no use to any one, and so, when the ten minutes are up, tell them that we will go with them, if they will take their departure quietly, and not injure you.”

”On no account would we do so!” exclaimed the brothers in the same breath. ”I would not trust them, even if we should be base enough to give you up.”

”Noa, sur; I'd sooner cut out my tongue than give ye up to them arrant knaves!” exclaimed Green, doubling his fist, and shaking it in the direction he supposed that the outlaws were collected.

The minutes pa.s.sed slowly by. They were doubtful whether the outlaws would begin the attack at the end of the five minutes, or wait till the termination of the ten. The dread of the fatal line, however, seemed to keep them back. The muzzles of the firearms were kept protruding from the walls, and, as there were several pistols as well as rifles, they made a good display of force, rather damping the courage of those who came expecting, probably, an easy victory.

The ten minutes came to an end, and fully another five had pa.s.sed by, and the outlaws did not advance. It was very clear, therefore, that they had not intercepted Larry, nor were aware that he had gone for the police. How long it might be before they could arrive it was impossible to say; perhaps when Larry reached their quarters the larger number had been sent in an opposite direction, and considerable time might be lost.

However, the importance of gaining as much time as possible was very great; for though the little garrison did not despair of beating off the enemy, they earnestly desired to avoid the bloodshed which must ensue if fighting once began.

James therefore waited with a sad and beating heart to give the fatal order, should the outlaws overstep the prescribed boundary.

”Well, what are you going to do?” shouted one of the men; ”are you going to give up those fellows?”

”Who is it you are looking for?” asked James, glad of any means to spin out the time.

”Gentleman Jim and Sulking Sam,” was the answer. ”Come, turn them out; you've got them.”

”I know no men by those names,” said James.

”The rogues are right enough, though. I have the honour of being designated as `Gentleman Jim,'” said Craven, with a smile.

”I say, what are the right names of the chaps?” asked one of the outlaws of a comrade.

”I never knowed 'em by any other,” was the answer.

”Come, come, master, you hand them out, and be done with it!” cried several of the men together.

”Supposing they were with us, and that we were to deliver them into your hands, what would you do with them?” asked James.

”Hang them up on the nearest tree, as we will you also, if you don't come to terms pretty quickly!” shouted the first ruffian who had spoken.

”I won't help you to be guilty of so great a crime,” said James; ”think better of it, and go away.”

”No more of this; time's up!” cried a loud voice. ”Charge, lads!”

The whole body sprang forward towards the hut. The whites instantly began firing their muskets or fowling-pieces, the blacks at the same moment casting their spears.

”Hurra! Here come the police! Look out for yourselves!” cried Sam Green, who had been keeping watch at a hole near the roof, looking eastward.