Part 37 (1/2)
said another. While the third had been ill in bed; but forgot his pains when the dire news was brought.
Again there was a council of war; and it was decided that nothing better could be done than to wait for daylight and farther reinforcements.
”Don't you think so, Lawler?” said one of his friends, noticing that the settler looked gloomy and discontented.
”Yes, I think so,” he said. ”It's quite right--quite right; but I could not help thinking of those poor creatures waiting for our help, and wondering, hour after hour, why no aid comes. But we have done our best, neighbours, and I must agree that it would be folly to go on now in the dark, and weak-handed; for I suppose they would still outnumber us, according to Mr Meadows's account.”
”It's giving them a few more hours to live,” said one of the last arrivals grimly; ”for I'm afraid they will not meet with much mercy.”
”Nor give much,” said another. And then he made a motion to the rest to preserve silence; for Mr Meadows was listening, half shuddering, to the remarks made.
”What do you advise, parson?” said one, who had not yet spoken. ”You know most about this sad business. Should we go or stay?”
”Friend Laing,” said Mr Meadows feebly, ”I would that you had not asked me that question. With the thoughts of that poor lamb in the clutches of those ravening wolves, my heart says, Go--go at once, and strike to save her. But then reason saith, Would you send these men--fathers of children, dear husbands of loving and anxious wives--to encounter useless peril, and come to ruin and death, for want of a little care?
But I think this: the miles are long between this and the Moa's Nest.
Suppose that we proceeded with caution during the dark cool hours, so as to be ready to pursue the task at daybreak? One of your number could stay here, ready to bring on the rest of our friends when they arrive; while, without proceeding to attack, we might draw off the attention of the convicts, as well as succour Edward Murray and the brave savage, who must be faint and weary long ere this--if they still live,” he muttered to himself.
The advice was received with general tokens of satisfaction; but when it came to the question who should stay behind, no man displayed his willingness to undertake that tame part of the duty. One suggested that Mr Meadows would be unable to accompany them; but he did not know the stanch spirit of the old man, who st.u.r.dily declared his intention of following.
”This food and rest were all I required,” he said; ”and I shall be no hindrance to you. My pony will bear me; and if I should be left behind for a while, I daresay I can overtake you.”
Seeing his determination, lots were drawn as to who should stay; for there was a certain feeling of respect shown by all towards their common friend.
The preparations were soon made, each man carrying a supply of provisions; and then they filed cautiously along the track, keeping ever on the alert, for each man knew that at any time a volley from behind some clump of trees or rocks far overhead, might perhaps empty half the saddles of the little party.
STORY THREE, CHAPTER EIGHTEEN.
THE AVENGERS' WAY.
Daylight found them standing, dark of face, around the barely cold ashes of the Moa's Nest; and the stern determination of the party might have been read in their compressed lips and fierce looks, as more than one man mentally registered an oath of the stern vengeance he would take for this cruel desolation of a peaceful home.
A short interval of rest and refreshment, and the horses were stabled in one of the sheds yet standing; arms were examined, and the party began to ascend the Gap, slowly and cautiously, for they knew that unless the convicts had made their way round by the sea, they must be somewhere higher up, amongst these natural fortresses.
It was a very slow rate at which they progressed, for they anxiously searched for and examined every trace left by the convicts, though these were comparatively few, Wahika having previously picked up and hidden the greater part as he followed the ruffianly crew.
But soon these tokens disappeared, and they pressed on higher and higher, watching eagerly for farther signs of their enemy.
Once the foremost man halted, holding up his hand as a sign to those who followed, for there was the distant sound as of a gun; but it reached their ears in a strange, m.u.f.fled way, as if discharged on the other side of the mountains; and another, which followed soon after, was even less distinct.
”They must be farther up, round the bend,” said one; and on they proceeded, taking advantage of every inequality for concealment. Every man's rifle was ready to reply to the shot which was expected at any instant; but on they still went, without encountering a foe.
Hour after hour had pa.s.sed; and at length, heated and wearied, a halt was called by the side of a rapid, babbling stream. Provisions were brought out, and then, for the first time, it was seen that one of the party was missing.
”Where's the parson?” exclaimed the one who first made the discovery; when, upon comparing notes, it was found that he had not been noticed by any one for some hours.
”Poor old fellow, he could not keep up,” said Lawler. ”We shall find him under a tree, resting, when we go back. He was not without food, fortunately, for I saw that he had it, or he would have gone without.”