United States or Belgium ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
"That's true," said Joe Graddy, turning towards the fallen man, whom Rance and some of the others were examining, and who had showed some symptoms of returning consciousness; "but his wound is a bad one, and if you ain't a murderer yet, pr'aps it won't be long afore ye are one." Hearing this Frank flung Bradling violently off, and turned to examine the wounded man.
Of course revolvers and rifles were instantly pointed at them, but fortunately the miners in their exasperation had discharged all their fire-arms at Bradling not a piece remained loaded! Several therefore commenced hurriedly to re-load, but Frank shouted, in a voice that there was no misunderstanding "The first who attempts to load is a dead man!"
Like a flash of lightning Bradling plucked a revolver from his belt, pointed full at the man's breast and fired. He fell without uttering a cry, and his rifle exploded as he went down, but the ball passed harmlessly over the heads of the party. For a few seconds the travellers stood as if paralysed, and Bradling himself remained motionless, gazing sullenly on his victim.
"I s'pose," said Joe Graddy, with a sarcastic laugh, "that you'll be goin' to set up your carriage an' four, an' make me your coachman, mayhap?" "I think I may promise that with safety," replied Frank. "Indeed you may," said Jeffson, "for Bradling has been one of the most successful diggers in Bigbear Gully since you left it, and has made his fortune twice over.
It was a Redskin as did it; I came up in time to see him do it, and killed the Redskin afore he could get away. In proof whereof here is his gun, an' you'll find his carcase under the bank where the murder was committed, if ye've a mind to look for it. But Bradling is a murderer.
I did not even say that Bradling tried to murder anybody: on the contrary, I think the way in which the man Dick handled his gun at the time when Bradling fired was very susp " A shout from the crowd drowned the remainder of this speech. "String him up without more ado," cried several voices. Three men at once seized Bradling, and a rope was quickly flung over the bough of the oak.
Then Frank Allfrey leaped upon him, and grasping him by the throat wrenched the pistol out of his hand. "Murderer!" he exclaimed, tightening his hold, as Bradling struggled to release himself. "I'm no murderer," gasped Bradling; "you saw as well as I did that the fellow threatened to shoot me. Besides, he is not dead."
Need we say, reader, that he insisted on sharing it with Joe Graddy, without whose prompt and vigorous aid the rescue of Bradling could not have been effected? and need we add that the two friends found their way to the sea-coast as quickly as possible, and set sail for England without delay? We think not.
Rance, the guide, now that he was separated from his comrade, turned out to be a capital fellow, and, during the remainder of the journey, did much to make the travellers harmonise. The party now consisted of our hero and Joe Graddy, Jeffson the Yankee, Douglas the Scot, Meyer the German, and Bradling; all of whom, excepting the last, were good and true men.
Mr Allfrey," said Bradling, "I am innocent of this; I am an escaped convict, it is true, and I did try to kill that man Dick, who has given me provocation enough, God knows, but, as He shall be my judge at last, I swear I did not commit this murder. If you will cut the cords that bind my hands, you will prevent a cold-blooded murder being committed now. You saved my life once before.
Word Of The Day