Part 42 (1/2)
”I'd like to strangle you,” muttered Fletcher
”Thank you, but I don't think I should enjoy it I've seldom met a kinder-heartedit”
Probably the most discomfited members of the party were Colson and Ropes All their scheenuine scrape If they could only convince the officers that they were innocent coht yet escape
Accordingly, when they reached the camp Colson advanced to Captain Forbush and said: ”Ahem! captain, my friend Ropes and I wish to express our thanks to you for your timely rescue, and would like to travel under your escort to Melbourne”
”What does theto Obed
”Suppose you ask hiested Obed, with a smile of enjoyment
”Like your friends here ere captured, but a little earlier I hope--ha, ha!--you don't take us for bushrangers? That would be a great joke, eh, Ropes?”
”Just so,” answered Ropes
”Suppose you ask Fletcher,” again suggested Obed
”Are these men followers of yours, Mr Fletcher? They say you captured the the two men in a manner by no means friendly ”It is a lie They caet to Melbourne, and wanted us to attack you, and get possession of it In that case they deet favor at our expense, do they?”
”Do you know anything about them, Mr Stackpole?” asked Captain Forbush
”Yes, captain, and I am convinced that my friend Fletcher tells the exact truth That skunk there [indicating Colson] tried to steal the nugget the very night of its discovery, and broke into my cabin for the purpose He's a sly, underhand thief, and not to be coer I respect them for their pluck at any rate”
”Don't believe hiainst us,” whined Colson
”Gentlemen,” said Captain Forbush, ”I will comply with your request and allow you to travel with ers looked pleased at this announceht, but they were glad to find that Colson and Ropes were to share their fate
CHAPTER xxxIV
FAREWELL TO MELBOURNE
No further adventures or dangers befell the party on their way to Melbourne It was thought possible that Captain Ring, in charge of the ht attempt a rescue of his coht have been that he feared the issue of the conflict, but it is also possible that he experienced no poignant regret at the capture of Fletcher, who, he well kneould have been glad to succeed him in command
At first Fletcher was buoyed up by the hope of a rescue Then, when that hope faded out, he sought for an opportunity to escape In one case he would have succeeded but for the vigilance of Obed Stackpole The latter, awakening suddenly, saw Fletcher, who in so quietly away He sprang to his feet and intercepted the fugitive
”What, Fletcher! you don't oodby? We can't spare you, really”
Fletcher tried to shake hirasp
”Let me alone, you scarecrow!” he exclaimed fiercely
”Thank you for the compliment, Fletcher,” said Obed ”I aint so han'soood deal better”