Part 41 (2/2)
”That's better than bein' shot, anyway I won't do it again, squire I aint particularly anxious to get into trouble”
”These Yankees are about as stupid and presu as any people I ever met,” Fletcher remarked to the comrade who rode beside him ”That fellow is a nuisance, but I mean to teach him a lesson before twenty-four hours are over”
Obed and the two boys awaited with anxiety the result of the suhth of a mile away, but hidden by the trees
”Will they hear it?” thought Obed
It is doubtful whether this would have been the case, but luckily for our three friends one of the escort--by na a walk in the woods, and heard the whistle His curiosity was excited, and peering through the trees he saw the bushrangers and their captives
He was ato the camp with all expedition made a report to the officer in command
”How many are there in the band?” inquired Captain Forbush
Warner reported
The captain iuidance, with ten ers
The first intier was the sudden appearance of the governh the underbrush and took the astonished bushrangers in the flank
”Surrender instantly, or you are dead men!” exclaimed Forbush sternly
Fletcher fell back in dismay, and was at first speechless with consternation
”Do you surrender?” repeated the government officer impatiently
Fletcher's eye ran over the party that confronted him They outnumbered his own forces two to one He felt that resistance would be useless
”We will release our captives if you let us go,” he said
”So you would make conditions? You are in no condition to do that We propose to free your captives, and to take you to our ca to intimidate the officer
”Our e us”
”I'll take the risk,” said Forbush indifferently ”Thron your arers covered by the weapons of his own party, the bushrangers found it prudent to comply
”Very well; now follow me”
First, however, the rifles surrendered by the bushrangers were gathered up, and in their defenseless condition they were overnment camp It added to Fletcher's annoyance that the weapons dropped by his party were picked up and carried by their late captives, Obed and the two boys
”So you're comin' tosone hoether anyway, and I know you value our society”