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The Story of Wild Will Enderby

Chapter II. What the Stars Witnessed

page 126

Chapter II. What the Stars Witnessed.

It was late in the evening when the Senior Partner returned, but the Southern Cross was still high in the heavens, and the silvery light of the young moon lingered lovingly on the mountain peaks. The winds were still, and silence reigned supreme, save where the brawling river battled unceasingly with the stubborn rocks.

"It ain't Fox at all," said the Senior Partner in reply to Will's queries; "it's jest two of his mates. But they're on gold anyhow,—they don't say no to that. And there's a whole mob of fellows shepherding them."

"Do you intend to go with them?" Will asked.

"No, sir, that little game won't suit this child. I mean to worry through by myself. See now; you jest bide here, and work the merry sluice-box, and let me follow the trail. I've a notion that one man is better than a crowd for this kind of thing. You leave it to me, pardner."

"I'll do nothing of the sort," cried Will vehemently. "The claim—what can be got at of it—is nearly wrought out, and I'm weary of these eternal rocks and beaches. I go with you, Pratt."

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"Amendment duly moved that you don't, and I give my casting vote in favour thereof. So that's settled. You'll jest stop where you are pardner, and keep the ball a-rolling, while I prospect after these darned foxes. Too many hounds spoil the sport."

"But I will go, Pratt. Do you think I can go on fossicking in patience here, while you are running down the game? No, no, old fellow; it will not do, I must go with you."

"Well, pardner, I say you must not. It's been duly resoluted contrary, and the rules of the Co. will have to be maintained in their primitive vigour. Yes, sir, that is so."

Will lost his temper—always an easy matter for him. He sprang to his feet, and the blood flamed scarlet over face and forehead.

"I have had enough of your absurd rules," he exclaimed passionately. "I'll not stand any more of this nonsense. Who are you, that you order me to stay here? I tell you I will not. If you go from this without me, I'll go by myself, or I'll join Roche's mob. I will not remain here. Do you think I am a fish or a frog. Better that we parted at once. At once, I say! Let us dig up the gold and divide it, and then each man can travel his own road."

The Senior Partner did not immediately answer. I think he was rather amused than angry. Certainly he did not exhibit any indications of the latter feeling. For a time he discussed his plug in silence; Will meanwhile fretting up and down the narrow limits of the tent. At last the American spoke.

"Been treading on to the tail of the British lion, I page 128guess. Well, when that noble beast gets riled, the eagle can spread his wings and soar right away; and that's jest what I reckon on doing. I ain't a-going to have my calculations capsized by any of your darned meddling. No, sir! Don't you believe that. And as to the gold—What in creation is that?"

With the word he darted out of the tent. His practised ear had caught a sound—faint, indeed, but ominous. It was the sound of a footstep on the earth without.

The only living object discernible was a vagrant horse, industriously cropping the herbage on the hillside; and after a brief survey the Senior Partner returned to the tent. "It was that noble Arabian," said he.

Yet for one moment he was but a single pace distant from the form of a man who lay recumbent amidst the rocks. Presently this man arose, and, with cautious step, approached the habitation of the Co. The last rays of the moon had disappeared, and the evil bird crouched in congenial darkness. Long and patiently crouched he behind the tent; and not a word that was exchanged between the partners escaped him. For once the Senior Partner was outwitted.

And they exchanged many words. But Will's impetuosity availed nothing against the granitic resolution of Mr. George W. Pratt. Interesting as the discussion was to the listener, it is not necessary that I should repeat it here. Let me simply give the finale.

"Right you are, pardner!" thus the senior partner. "Glad you've done sitting on the safety valve; thought you'd bust right up jest now. Now you've slow'd page 129down, we can talk righteously. Best dig up the root of evil to-morrow, and lodge it at the Camp. Safest there, pardner. You see some of these darned night hawks might hover around and get scent of the plunder. You can paddle away by yourself for a spell, and if any inquiring friends leave their pasteboard for this child, tell them that George Washington Pratt is gone into the country for the benefit of his shattered constitution, leaving his bereaved partner to lament his early loss."

"I'll do it," said Will; "though it's awfully hard on me. I detest being alone. How long will you be away?"

"Well, I ain't able to mention the precise date of my return jest now. But if I don't bestow the light of my countenance upon you within a week, you may bet that I'm located on a good claim somewhere, and you can trade away the tent and fixings, and get all ready to make a fresh start."

"But how on earth am I to find you?"

"Jest you leave that to George W. Pratt. I'll send you sailing directions; you bet on that."

And so it was finally arranged.

"And now," quoth the Senior Partner in conclusion. "I'll turn in for a snooze till our foxy friends waltz along. You keep watch on deck, pardner, and rouse me out whenever they heave in sight."

Mr. George W. Pratt composed himself to sleep, and Will Enderby addressed himself to the task of watching. As an essential preliminary, he filled and lighted his pipe. Then he passed out into the bright starlight.

Whilst Will was cutting up the tobacco, the crouching page 130listener arose from his position, made a few noiseless paces in the direction of the river, then swiftly disappeared over the bank. "Ho! ho!" he chuckled when he found himself in safety on the beach. "By the living jingo!—I'm in luck's way to-night."

And he rapidly pursued his way down the river. Presently to him came another.

"What a precious long time you've been," growled the new-comer. "I was just coming to look after you. I thought as how maybe you might ha' been grabbed by the Yankee. Well, what's up? Do they mean to hook it to-night?"

"The Yank is going," responded the other; "but t'other stops behind. But I've dropped on to a better lay than the new rush. What do you think? Bless'd if they don't plant their gold in the tent, and the young 'un is to dig it up and take it into the Camp to-morrow."

Then there ensued a colloquy between these men, wherein they discussed a problem not to be found in Euclid, of which the essential points were:—Given a bag of gold (lying somewhere in the bosom of Mother Earth) A B, and a long sheath-knife C, to find the angle of incidence.

Long time Will watched and waited. The Southern Cross was dipping to the horizon, and the jewelled belt of Orion sparkled brightly overhead. Suddenly two human figures approached. One of them led a loaded pack-horse. Silently and steadily they passed by the tent and proceeded up the Gorge. Then Will awoke the Senior Partner.

"Jest a I expected," said that worthy. "They've page 131eucher'd Roche's mob and got clean away. Now, Sirree, I'm on the war-path, fair and square, and if I don't overhaul these new diggings, pardner, I'll chuck up my hand, for I shan't be worth a cent as a Senior, that's a fact."

Will was over-mastered by excitement. "By Heaven!" he cried, "I shall go mad if I am kept waiting here, while you are having all the fun to yourself. Do be reasonable, old fellow. Let me accompany you."

"I am reasonable, my young and cheerful friend. I'm so teetotally reasonable that I'll jest throw the whole thing overboard if there is to be any more negotiating about it."

That night some dwellers on the Western side of the Molyneux were startled from their slumbers by a noise, as of angry voices in high dispute. Hastily rushing forth, they beheld by the starlight the figures of two men on the other bank, struggling as for mastery. Now rolling on the earth, now erect, they wrestled fiercely with each other, and ever as they contended they neared the precipitous brink of the river. "Help! help!"—and the despairing cry awoke the echoes of the George. One of the figures was seen falling—falling downwards, towards the boiling waters.—"Murder!"—Thus, from the depths, rang the shriek of the doomed man. There was a dull thud—a surging plash—then all was silent. The other figure stood awhile motionless, as if peering into the abyss. Then throwing his arms skyward, he uttered a yell as of a wild animal in pain, and turning, disappeared from sight amidst the recesses of the mountains.

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And "the stars in their courses" shone placidly down from the unclouded sky; and the turbulent river swept on, chaunting its hoarse resounding song of triumph, and the terrified beholders watched and listened in vain for further token of conflict.

Half-an-hour afterwards a number of men came hurrying along the Gorge. It was Barney and his mates.

As they passed by, Barney called loudly on each member of the Co., but answer received he none. The tent was deserted.

"Ah, thin!" said Barney, "they've stole a march on us, boys. Shure, he's a wonderful cute man, is that Yankee."