Part 95 (1/2)

Mr Gunson, Mayne Gordon, don't be such cowards as to run away and leave a fellow. They're a-killing of me.”

”Hold your row, will you,” cried a gruff voice that was familiar to me now. ”There, you won't run away in a hurry. Have you tied that other shaver up?”

”No,” growled the man, who was lying across me.

”Look sharp then, and let's see what they've got to eat. Done the job neatly this time.”

”Yes,” said another voice, whose words made me shudder; ”bit too well, mate. This chap's a dead 'un.”

”Bah! not he. Crack on the head with a soft bit o' wood won't kill a man. Here, let's see what they've got. Make up that fire a bit.

Plaguey dark.”

While this was being said, I felt hands busy about my hands and legs, and then a voice by me said--

”There he is, tight as a bull-calf in a butcher's cart.”

Soon after the fire blazed up vividly, sending its light in amongst the trees; and I saw the faces of the two big fellows, our old friends, and several of the others, who, after making sure of the rifles and revolvers, hunted out what food there was in Gunson's little tent, and began to prepare themselves a meal.

”Don't seem to be no whiskey,” said the big fellow, who was leader, as he pa.s.sed close by me; and there I lay listening, perfectly helpless, and with my heart beating heavily with dread, as I pondered on the man's words about Gunson.

I waited till the men were talking round the fire, and then whispered--

”Mr Gunson--Mr Gunson,” but there was no reply, and a chill feeling of horror ran through me, and the cold dew gathered on my forehead.

”Ain't you going to say a word to me, Mayne Gordon?” said Esau, in a piteous voice.

”Say? What can I say?” I replied.

”Dunno, but you might say something. They've tied me so tight that the ropes cut right down to the bone.”

”So they have me, and it hurts horribly.”

”Can't hurt you so much as it does me. Pretty sort of chap you were to keep watch, and let them jump on us like that.”

”Pretty sort of fellow you were to go to sleep,” I returned, bitterly.

”Didn't go to sleep,” grumbled Esau. ”Only shut my eyes for a moment.”

”There, don't make paltry excuses,” I said, angrily.

”Dare say you two was asleep too,” he said, sulkily. ”I say, have they killed poor old Gunson?”

”Don't--don't--don't!” I whispered, piteously; and in spite of the pain it gave me, I rolled myself over and struggled along, till at last, after a terrible struggle, I reached Gunson's side.

”Mr Gunson,” I said; ”Mr Gunson, pray, pray speak.”

He uttered a low groan, and it sent a thrill of joy through me.

”Hurray!” whispered Esau; ”he ain't dead. I say, can't we get untied and drop on to them now when they don't expect it?”

”Impossible,” I said, bitterly, ”they've got the rifles too.”