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Updated: June 11, 2025
There happened to be a man in the party which Westly had joined, named Crossby. He had suffered much from thieves, and had a particular spite against Brixton because he had lost to him at play. He had heard Paddy Flinders's unfortunate shout, and immediately ran in the direction whence it came; while others of the party, having discovered the fugitive's track, had followed it up.
"That tumble didn't improve his wounded arm, for Gashford fell atop of him." The trapper's fear was justified. When Stalker was carried into the Indian village and examined by Fred Westly, it was found that, besides other injuries, two of his ribs had been broken, and he was already in high fever.
"They should be hereabouts, Muster Gashford," he said, in a low voice, "so git yer troops ready for action." "What do ye mean?" growled Gashford. To this Flinders made no reply, but turning to Westly and Brixton, who stood close at his side, whispered them to meet him at the stable before the fight was quite over. He then put his hand to his mouth and uttered three hoots like an owl.
"I shall join that which goes to the south-west," replied Westly. "Well, then, I will join that which goes to the south-east," returned the bully, shouldering his rifle. "Go ahead, you red reptile," he added, giving a sign to the Indian at the head of the party he had selected to lead. The Indian at once went off at a swinging walk, amounting almost to a trot.
"Nothing is farther from my thoughts than chaffing you," returned Westly, gently, "and if the mere mention of God's name is religion, then you may claim to be one of the most religious men at the diggings, for you are constantly praying Him to curse people. I have already answered your question, and can only repeat that I don't know where my friend Brixton has gone to.
After walking through the woods a considerable distance in perfect silence for the suddenness of the disaster seemed to have bereft the two friends of speech Tom Brixton turned abruptly and said "Well, Fred, we're in a nice fix now. What is to be our next move in this interesting little game?" Fred Westly shook his head with an air of profound perplexity, but said nothing.
"But he thought he was right" said Betty; and then she blushed with vexation at having been led by impulse even to appear to justify her lover. But Paul took no notice. "It matters not," said he, "for it happens that you have found us almost on the wing, Westly. I knew full well that this fellow Buxley " "They call him Stalker, if you mean the robber chief" interrupted Fred. "Pooh!
In the midst of this a slight sense of relief, mingled with the bitterness of disappointment, when he found that Betty had been sent out of the way, and that he would see her no more, for he could not bear the thought of her seeing him thus led away. "May I speak with the prisoner for a few minutes?" said Fred Westly to Gashford, as they plodded through the woods.
"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!
Seeing the fugitive standing ready with rifle in hand, he stopped at once, took rapid aim, and fired. The ball whistled close past the head of Tom, who then raised his own rifle, took deliberate aim, and fired, but Westly threw up the muzzle and the bullet went high among the tree-tops. With an exclamation of fury Brixton drew his knife, while Crossby rushed at him with his rifle clubbed.
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