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Updated: April 30, 2025
"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.
"A great deal, and I fear there will be much more when the rains set in; but let me urge you again to take my advice about appointing a cook." "That," said Joe Graddy, "is just wot we means to do, Mister wot's-yer-name?" "Stewart," said the miner.
I and my comrade Joe Graddy, at least, will remain behind, even though we should be left alone, but I am convinced that we shall not be left alone. Meanwhile," he added, addressing the guide, "I shall pay you my share of what is due, after which you may go, and I shall wish you no worse luck than that your conscience may go with you and be a lively companion."
"Dismal enough to give a man the blues just now, anyhow," observed Joe Graddy. This was undoubtedly true. There is, perhaps, nothing more desolate, more cheerless, more oppressive to the spirits, than the influence of the woods at night.
"Oh, quick! get better before he does," cried Billy wildly, as he shook his father and laved water on his face; "oh! he'll get well first and kill you." In order to do all that lay in his power to prevent this, Billy suddenly sprang up, and, seizing the tiller, dealt the prostrate Graddy several powerful blows on the head.
When next morning arrived, Joe Graddy, true to his word, appeared with the first if not of the "flood-tide," at least of the morning sun, and Frank told him that, on the previous evening, he had made arrangements to go to the diggings in company with a party that was to start the following day; that he had already made purchases of the few things which they would require on the journey, and that the only thing remaining to be done was to pack up.
There were two small sails, which he wrapped hastily round these, and then tied them all together tightly with a piece of rope. In this operation he was assisted by Graddy, who seemed to understand what his comrade meant to do. The boat was now half full of water. "Down the helm hard down," roared Gaff. "Ay, ay, sir," responded Billy, with the ready promptitude of a seaman.
Frank did not forget that his own resources were at a low ebb just then, and that he had been counting on the nugget for the payment of his expenses to the coast, and his passage to England, but he made no mention of the fact. His comrade, Joe Graddy, however, could not so easily swallow his disappointment in silence.
It is not improbable that the frightened boy would have settled the question of his recovery then and there had not his father revived, and told him to stop. For some minutes Gaff sat swaying about in a confused manner, but he was roused to renewed action by seeing Graddy move. "We must hold him now, Billy. Is there a bit of rope about?" "Not a inch, you tied it all round the oars."
When Joe Graddy heard the sum-total he looked very blank indeed, but, quickly recovering himself, insisted that they should leave off house-building, which, in the fine weather, he said, wos o' no manner o' use, and it was a matter o' prime importance to go to dig at once, an' pay off their debt without delay.
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