To The West Part 97

"Silence!" cried Mr Raydon, turning then to the gold-finders. "I am Mr Daniel Raydon, chief officer of Fort Elk, the station of the Hudson's Bay Company."

"Ay, that's right," said one of the new-comers.

"I stand to all here as the magistrate of this district till the Governor, her Majesty's representative, sends officers to preserve order, and protect you and your rights and claims in this newly-discovered goldfield."

"That's right, sir; that's right, sir," said the same man. "But when we've chosen claims you're not to take them away."

"Hear, hear!" roared the big ruffian, faintly.

"And shoot him down," cried another of the fresh coiners; and there was a loud murmur like a chorus of approval.

"Of course not, my men," said Mr Raydon, calmly.

"Don't listen to him. It's a robbery," cried one of the big ruffian's gang. "Fired at us; shot two of our men."

"Yes; we heard the shots," said the first gold-finder.

"And I am glad you have come," said Mr Raydon. "Now then, you boys.

Has either of you seen a man here and those two lads before?"

"Seen the man," said the first speaker; "not the boys."

"Well, do you know he was working this claim with a Chinaman?"

"Yes," said another; "I saw the Chinaman only yesterday morning."

"Last night the Chinaman came to the Fort to tell me they were attacked by a gang of ruffians, and I brought my men over the mountains to come to their help."

"It's all a lie," said the big fellow, in a faint voice.

"Ask the boys, my good fellows," said Mr Raydon. "Ask them where Mr Gunson is."

"Lying yonder," cried Esau, "half dead. They did it."

"These boys are bound too, you see. Tell them, Mayne Gordon, what they were about to do when I came to your help."

"Hold our feet in the fire to make us tell where the gold is hidden."

"No, no; a bit of a game," chorussed the gang.

"Look at my feet," cried Esau, piteously; "is that a bit of a game?" and he tried to hold up his bound legs, which the leader of the new-comers raised and examined.

"It's true enough," said the chief speaker, indignantly; and a roar of execration arose.

"It is all true," cried Mr Raydon. "Where is the Chinaman?"

"Allee light--me come along," cried Quong; and there was a roar of laughter, for his voice came from high up in a tree.

"Come down, Quong; there is no danger," said Mr Raydon. "Some of you cut these poor lads' limbs free. Stop, fool!" he roared, as one of the gang began to sidle off. "Stand, all of you, if you value your lives.

Fire on the first scoundrel who tries to escape. I have men planted, and good shots," he said to the leader of the gold-finders.

"You carry it with a high hand, governor," said this man, rather abruptly.

"Well, sir, I have come to save these people here. I should have done the same for you. This is English ground, where every man's life and property must be protected by the law. For the time being I represent the law, and I'll have myself obeyed. Now what have you--what have any of you to say?"

"Three cheers for old England and the law!" cried the man. "I beg your pardon, sir: you're right, and I'm wrong. What shall we do? Hang this lot?"

"That's not obeying the law," said Mr Raydon, smiling. "No; two of them are wounded. Their leader has his thigh broken; and his companion his hand smashed, as he tried to stab me. They have got their punishment. Disarm the rest. Then four of my men shall go with you to see these scoundrels well down the valley. If they show their faces here again they know the risks."

"Right!" cried the leader; and he s.n.a.t.c.hed the revolver from the nearest man, and his example was so rapidly followed, that in a few minutes the utterly cowed gang was huddled together, unarmed, and guarded by four of the Company's people, who had advanced from the wood at a word from their chief.

"And now what about our claims along this stream?" said the leader of the new-comers.

"I am here to help you maintain your just rights, sir," said Mr Raydon, quietly. "Now help me to maintain order, and to see to the wounded men.

Bring lint and bandages, Grey."

And as that individual produced the linen from his haversack, Mr Raydon handed his rifle to one of the gold-finders, and went down on one knee to examine Mr Gunson's injury, which he carefully washed and bandaged.

"A terrible cut," he said, in answer to my inquiring eyes, "and concussion of the brain. I hope not more serious. Now, my man," he continued, turning to the big ruffian, "you tried to take my life, and I have got to try and save yours."

The fellow made no answer, but winced and groaned with pain as his shattered limb was set and supported by rough splints.

"This fellow will have to be carried," said Mr Raydon, rising; "he will not walk again for many months. Now, sir, you."

He bent over the second ruffian and examined his hand, bathed and bandaged it, and then went to the stream to wash his own.

By this time several more armed men had come up from the lower part of the stream, and eagerly asked for particulars, while I heard a great deal, and noted nearly everything, as I sat by Mr Gunson, suffering agonies, for my arms and legs throbbed with the return of the circulation.

Mr Raydon had only just finished his task when the chief speaker of the gold-finders came up with half a dozen more.

"All my mates here, sir," he said, "from down stream ask me to speak, and say we thank you for what you've done. We want protection, and law, and order, and for every man to make his pile in peace. We see you've got half a dozen men with you, and you talk of sending four down the river with this gang."

"Yes," said Mr Raydon.

"Well, sir, we think we can save you that job. We'll see those chaps off the premises."

"No violence," said Mr Raydon, sternly.

"Not if they behave themselves, sir, I promise that. For we think, as there's no knowing who may come next, we should be glad if you'll keep your men, so that in case of trouble we can appeal to you."

"Very well," said Mr Raydon; "let it be so then."

"Don't trust him," snarled one of the wounded men; "he'll rob you all of your claims."

"Not he," said the chief speaker.

"No," said Mr Raydon, "and the first step I shall take will be to leave two of my men in charge of this claim, which has been taken up by the wounded prospector, Gunson."