United States or Palau ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Throughout every scene in the strife Frank Hamersley had comported himself with a courage that made his men feel less fear of death, and less regret to die by his side. Fighting like a lion, he had been here, and there, and everywhere. He had done his full share of slaving. It was all in vain.
Having returned to his original design the scheme of atrocity so coolly and jestingly declared, Uraga takes steps towards its execution. The first is, to order his own horse, or rather that of Hamersley, to be saddled, bridled, and tied behind his own tent. The same for that ridden by Roblez.
Still urging it on, he shouted back to the Kentuckian, "You go first, Frank! Up into the kanyon, without losin' a second's time. Hyar, take my gun, an' load both, whiles I see to the closin' o' the gap." Seizing both guns in his grasp, Hamersley sprang into the chine, stopping when he got well within its grim jaws. Wilder went after, leading his steed, that still strained back upon the bridle.
Day by day Hamersley grows stronger, and is able to be abroad. Soon after Wilder, plucking him by the sleeve, makes request to have his company at some distance from the dwelling. Hamersley accedes to the request, though not without some surprise. In the demeanour of his comrade there is an air of mystery.
Hamersley took his place, and, turning his eyes upward, at once saw what his comrade referred to. It was the smoke of a fire, that appeared in the act of being kindled near the edge of the aperture above. The smoke was ascending towards the sky, diagonally drifting across the blue disc outlined by the rim of rock.
No matter how many, they had succeeded in their design, and their victims were now helplessly enclosed in the dark catacomb slowly, despairingly to perish. "All up wi' us, I reck'n," said the guide, as he once more let himself down upon the ledge to communicate the particulars to his companion. Hamersley ascended to see for himself. They could only go one at a time.
The big rock runs over at least five feet, and the stone turns out harder than I thought of." These were not cheering words to Walt Wilder. "But," continued Hamersley, his speech changing to a more hopeful tone, "I've noticed something that may serve better still; perhaps save us all the quarrying. I don't know whether I'm right; but we shall soon see."
Sure of this, they do not think of firing. And afoot, as all the Rangers are having left the horses behind to steal forward they feel helpless to pursue for the present. While hesitating, a circumstance occurs giving Hamersley a hope. The man who has mounted his horse finds a difficulty in managing him. As a Mexican he sits the saddle to perfection, but cannot make the animal go the way he wants.
Behind a tent, and partially screened by the trees, three men are in the act of mounting three horses. One is already in the saddle and moving away, the other two have just set foot in the stirrup. The roan mounted is unknown to the pursuers; but his animal is recognised by them. It is Hamersley's own horse! Of the other two but one is identified, and him only by Hamersley. He sees Gil Uraga.
Yesterday morning the dogs caught an emu, off which we made a first-rate breakfast, not having had anything to eat since the previous morning. Barometer 28.44. 31st. Started this morning in company with Mr. Monger and Jemmy in search of natives, leaving Mr. Hamersley in charge, with instructions to proceed eastward about twenty-two miles, to where I found water on the 29th.
Word Of The Day