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Updated: May 2, 2025
They all followed this advice with the exception of one man, a coarse savage-looking fellow, with a huge black beard and matted locks, who called himself Bradling, though there was ground for doubting whether that was the name by which he had been at first known in the world. This man pulled out an enormous brandy-flask, and with a scoffing laugh said:
Frank saw at a glance that the prisoner was his former companion Bradling, and that one of the men who held him was the stranger who had been so badly wounded by him at the camp-fire, as formerly related.
All eyes were at once turned on Frank, who stepped forward, and said "I can certainly testify to the fact that this man Bradling did attempt to shoot the man whom you call Dick, but I know nothing about the murder which seems to have been perpetrated here, and "
The man met his death at the hands of this murderer Bradling; ha! he knows his own name, you see! He is an escaped convict." "And what are you?" said Bradling, turning on him bitterly. "That is no man's business, so long as I hurt nobody," cried Dick passionately.
"It's a young feller as was a quiet harmless sort o' critter," said one of the bystanders, "who was found dead under a bush this morning with his skull smashed in; and it's my opinion, gentlemen, that, since this stranger has sworn to the fact that Bradling tried to murder Dick, he should swing for it." "I protest, gentlemen," said Frank energetically, "that I did not swear at all!
Bradling seemed to regard Frank as his chief enemy, for he shouted his name as he was moving off, praying God to send down the bitterest curses on his head. A sudden impulse moved the heart of Frank.
They became slightly delirious, and, finding that they could not keep up with the party, a few determined, if left behind, to keep together. Among the number was Bradling, and terrible were the imprecations which he hurled after the more fortunate as they parted. It seemed cruel; but to remain with them would have done no good, while it would have sacrificed more lives.
As for Bradling, no one could make out what he was, for at times he was amiable and polite, while at other times he was savage and morose. One night the travellers reached a part of the mountains which was densely covered with wood. As there was no moon, and it was almost impossible to see a step before them, Rance called a halt. "We must sleep here," he said to Jeffson.
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