Part 39 (1/2)
”We had so back to Melbourne Would you like to have us take you along also?”
”Yes, if you would be so kind”
At this moment Obed's voice was heard
”Come here, Harry; we'll make a litter to carry our friend there if he is unable to walk”
”All right, Obed”
Therein Obed's voice that betrayed hi up, eyed hiave a sharp whistle Their suspicions were at once kindled, and they started to run, but too late Froers, accompanied by Colson and Ropes, who covered the boys with their weapons
”Halt there!” exclaimed Fletcher in a tone of authority
”Oh, it's you, is it?” said Obed with apparent coolness, though his heart sank within him
”Yes, it's I, Mr Stackpole,” returned Fletcher, with a grim smile ”I hope you're better fixed than e entleive you infor Colson
Colson frowned and bit his lip
”He has told us about it”
”Ask hiht we found it and carried it off”
”Is this true?” de Colson suspiciously
”No, it's a lie The nugget is in charge of a mounted escort on the way to Melbourne”
”What have you done with _your_ nugget, Colson?” asked Obed
Colson did not reply
”There's no tio with us Here, you two men, close behind them We must not let them escape”
The party started with the captives in the middle It was decidedly a bad outlook for our three friends
CHAPTER xxxII
OBED IN A TIGHT PLACE
It must be confessed that the reflections of Obed and the two boys were far from pleasant The cup of happiness had been dashed froain it was veryto watch the exultation of Fletcher and Colson, who had finally triu successfully baffled
”The worst of it is,” said Obed to Harry, alking alongside of hiot the best of it It's their time to cro”