Part 77 (2/2)
One day it was Grey who encountered us somewhere on the mountain-side; another day it was one of the men; and again, on another, Mr Raydon himself, whose presence was announced by the great dog, who came bounding up, to be followed in a few minutes by his master.
He did not stay long, but as soon as he was gone I found that my feelings were shared by Esau himself.
”I say,” he growled, ”are they afraid we are going to lose ourselves?”
”Why?” I asked.
”Because whenever we come right away into the woods, they send that dog to scent us out.”
”Yes; they generally send somebody,” I said, thoughtfully.
”Do you know why?” whispered Esau.
I glanced at him, but did not answer.
”It's because the chief's afraid we shall go up yonder trying for gold.”
”And he does not trust us,” I said to myself, as I felt that Esau must be right; and the uncomfortable feeling of being suspected seemed to increase.
I was thinking about this a good deal, and had made up my mind to ask Mr Raydon if he thought I could be so dishonourable, when we neared the Fort, and I was startled back from my musings which were carrying me on through the interior, when Esau uttered a cheery hail.
”What's the matter?” I said.
”Can't you see? Look!” he cried.
”Gunson!” I exclaimed; and sure enough there he was, coming slowly towards us, looking very old and careworn, and as if he had gone through a great deal of trouble since we parted in the autumn.
”Why, my lad,” he cried, shaking hands with me warmly, ”you look quite thin and white. Been ill?”
”Yes,” I said, as I grasped his hand warmly.
”Fever?”
”No,” I said, hesitatingly; ”an accident.”
”Why don't you tell him?” said Esau, st.u.r.dily. ”I shot him.”
”You shot him?”
”Yes,” I said, quickly; ”he let the rifle slip out of his hand somehow, and the ball hit me.”
”I'm not surprised,” cried Gunson, in a tone full of anger and contempt.
”Don't say any more about it,” I cried. ”It was an accident, and I'm getting better fast. Tell me about what you have been doing.”
Gunson laughed.
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