Part 29 (1/2)

For several strenuous minutes they reeled, locked together, about the trail, and fell against the trees, while neither of them concerned himself greatly about the strict rules of the game. They smote when it was possible and clinched when they could; but all the time they were drawing steadily nearer the creek.

In the meanwhile Leger and Ingleby, as well as one or two miners who purposed purchasing bread from Hetty, came out from among the pines, and a corporal of police rode up on the opposite side of the creek. The miners, who did not notice him, naturally stopped.

”It's that young a.s.s Probyn,” said Ingleby. ”No doubt he deserves all he is apparently getting.”

”He is in uniform, anyway,” said Leger. ”We'll have to stop them. Let the lad go, Tomlinson!”

Tomlinson did not hear him, for just then he swung the trooper off his feet, and staggering forward a pace or two fell with him into the creek.

They splashed into the water, and apparently rolled over and over in the midst of it, while confused shouts rose from the miners.

”Pull him off. No, stand clear. Let them have a show!”

Then the corporal of police, trotting forward, pulled his horse up at the edge of the creek.

”Let up on that man, prospector,” he said sharply.

Tomlinson seemed to hear him, for he relaxed his hold and slowly stood up, while Trooper Probyn rose in the middle of the creek with the water draining from him and blood on his cheek. The miners gathered round, but the corporal sat stiffly in his saddle with expressionless face.

”Stand off, you,” he said, with a glance at them, and then turned to Probyn. ”Now, what in the name of thunder is the meaning of this circus?”

”It's a little difference of opinion,” said the trooper. ”Prospector Tomlinson felt I'd said something insulting to him.”

The corporal appeared to reflect. ”Considering where you were sent to, I can't quite figure what you were doing here, anyway; but that's not the point,” he said. ”I'll trouble you to come along to the outpost, Tomlinson.”

One of the miners stepped forward. ”He's staying where he is,” he said.

”I guess the trooper made the trouble and only got what he wanted.

Hadn't both of you better light out of this?”

There was a little grim murmur of approbation, but the corporal, who dropped his bridle, looked at the men with steady eyes.

”I'm not asking your opinions, boys,” he said.

Then Probyn turned to him. ”As a matter of fact, they're right in one respect,” he said. ”The little row had nothing to do with any question of duty. It was a private affair of mine. If it appears necessary, you can report it to Captain Esmond.”

Once more the corporal, who was a shrewd man, appeared to reflect.

”Well,” he said, ”I saw your grey tethered when I came along the trail.

You'd better get him. If you're wanted we'll come along for you, Tomlinson.”

Tomlinson turned, and looked at Probyn. ”I guess,” he said, slowly and distinctly, ”if ever you start the same circus again I'll kill you.”

The corporal, who did not appear to hear him, though everybody else did, wheeled his horse, and Probyn walked by his stirrup when he rode away.

Then Ingleby turned to Tomlinson.

”There's a good deal I want to know,” he said.

”Well,” said the big miner drily, ”there's very little you need worry about. You see, that young trooper isn't fond of me, and there was a kind of unpleasantness when we ran up against each other.”