Part 93 (1/2)

”But what does Quong say?” I asked. ”He went down the stream last night.”

”That there are thirty parties between here and the river, and that means some of them are new-comers, making their way up here before long.

To-morrow we shall have to send him to the Fort to beg for food.”

”But there is a store lower down, Quong told me.”

”Yes, and to buy off the people at their exorbitant prices, I shall have to pay with gold, and for the present I wish to avoid showing that there is any here.”

The next day dawned, and was pa.s.sing as the others had pa.s.sed, for Mr Gunson was hesitating still about sending Quong for provisions, that little gentleman having announced that there would be ”plenty bread, plenty tea, plenty bacon for another day.”

”Mayne,” said Mr Gunson, as the sun was getting low, ”I think I shall go down the stream to-night, and see if those men are there. Perhaps, after all, we are scared about nothing; they may have gone up another of the valleys instead of this, and found gold in abundance--who knows?

But I must end this suspense some--”

He started, for I was pointing down stream at something moving.

”Is that a deer?” I whispered; and before he could answer a voice cried--

”Come on, lads, it's more open up here, and it looks a likely spot.”

CHAPTER FORTY FIVE.

GUNSON'S DECISION.

”Sit fast,” said Gunson, ”both of you. Don't make any sign, and leave me to speak. But mind, if I say 'Tent,' run both of you to the tent, and seize your weapons ready to do what I say.”

I gave him a nod, and sat with beating heart watching the moving figure, which directly after caught sight of us.

”Hullo!” he said; ”some one here?” Then turning, ”Look sharp, some of you.”

Both Gunson and I had recognised the man as Quong's princ.i.p.al a.s.sailant, and I glanced sharply toward the Chinaman, to catch sight of the soles of his shoes as he crept rapidly in amongst the trees, a pretty evident sign that he too had recognised his enemy.

”Nice evening, mate,” said the big fellow, advancing, as Gunson sat by me, coolly filling his pipe. ”Ah, I just want a light.”

He came closer, looking sharply round, while we could hear the trampling and breaking of the fir-boughs, as others were evidently close at hand.

Gunson drew a burning stick from the fire, and offered it to the man, who took it, and said quietly, as he lit his own pipe--

”Camping here for the night, mate?”

”Yes: camping here.”

”Going on in the morning?”

”No; this is my claim.”

The man dropped the burning stick, and stared at Gunson.

”What?” he said. ”Oh no, that won't do. Me and my mates have chosen this patch, so you'll have to go higher up or lower down; haven't we, lads?” he continued, as one by one the rest of the gang came up.