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Flinders led the way straight to Gashford's hut where, as he anticipated, the man named Bill had silently collected most of the able-bodied men of the camp, all armed to the teeth. He at once desired Gashford to put them in fighting order and lead them. When they were ready he went off at a rapid pace towards the stable before mentioned.
'True. No No. I I didn't mean it, replied the other, shaking him by the hand, rising from his seat, and pacing restlessly about the room. 'It's a proud thing to lead the people, Gashford, he added as he made a sudden halt. 'By force of reason too, returned the pliant secretary. 'Ay, to be sure.
'Answer the captain instantly, cried Hugh, beating his hat down on his head; 'why don't you ever tell what trade you're of? 'I'm of as gen-teel a calling, brother, as any man in England as light a business as any gentleman could desire. 'Was you 'prenticed to it? asked Mr Tappertit. 'No. Natural genius, said Mr Dennis. 'No 'prenticing. It come by natur'. Muster Gashford knows my calling.
Gashford slowly rose; and picking up his hat, and looking with a baffled malevolence, yet with an air of despicable humility, all round the room, crawled out. 'And now, gentlemen, said Joe, who seemed to be the spokesman of the party, for all the rest were silent; 'the sooner we get back to the Black Lion, the better, perhaps.
It is a tacit insult to him as my choice and confidential friend to do so, remembering the cause you sided with, on the day he was maligned at Westminster. You will leave me to-night nay, as soon as we reach home. The sooner the better. 'If it comes to that, I say so too, my lord. Let Mr Gashford have his will. As to my being a spy, my lord, you know me better than to believe it, I am sure.
Arriving close to the cathedral, he halted; spoke to Gashford; and looking upward at its lofty dome, shook his head, as though he said, 'The Church in Danger! Then to be sure, the bystanders stretched their throats indeed; and he went on again with mighty acclamations from the mob, and lower bows than ever.
Many tried to turn towards the door; some of the faintest-hearted cried they had best go back, and called to those behind to give way; and the panic and confusion were increasing rapidly, when Gashford whispered Hugh. 'What now! Hugh roared aloud, turning towards them. 'Why go back? Where can you do better than here, boys!
"But what does Unaco himself think?" asked Westly. "We must fight 'em at once, an' root them out neck and crop!" These words were spoken, not by the Indian, but by a deep bass voice which sent a thrill of surprise, not unmingled with alarm, to more hearts than one; and no wonder, for it was the voice of Gashford, the big bully of Pine Tree Diggings!
The secretary regarded them both with a very favourable expression of countenance, while they gave loose to these and other demonstrations of their patriotic purpose; and was about to make some remark aloud, when Dennis, stepping up to him, and shading his mouth with his hand, said, in a hoarse whisper, as he nudged him with his elbow: 'Don't split upon a constitutional officer's profession, Muster Gashford.
They managed to carry off a considerable quantity of gold without being discovered, and Gashford, erroneously attributing their depredations to a second visit from Stalker, was so enraged that he resolved to pursue and utterly root out the robber-band. Volunteers were not wanting.
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