As this order was given with each of the bushrangers covered by theweapons of his own party, the bushrangers found it prudent to comply.
"Very well; now follow me."
First, however, the rifles surrendered by the bushrangers were gatheredup, and in their defenseless condition they were marched to thegovernment camp. It added to Fletcher's annoyance that the weaponsdropped by his party were picked up and carried by their late captives,Obed and the two boys.
"So you're comin' to make us a visit, Fletcher?" said Obed, with anexasperating smile. "It's just as well as if we had gone home with you.We shall be together anyway, and I know you value our society."
"I'd like to strangle you," muttered Fletcher.
"Thank you, but I don't think I should enjoy it. I've seldom met akinder-hearted man, Fletcher, but you have queer ways of showing it."
Probably the most discomfited members of the party were Colson andRopes. All their schemes had miscarried, and they felt that they were ina genuine scrape. If they could only convince the officers that theywere innocent companions of the bushrangers, they might yet escape.Accordingly, when they reached the camp Colson advanced to CaptainForbush and said: "Ahem! captain, my friend Ropes and I wish to expressour thanks to you for your timely rescue, and would like to travel underyour escort to Melbourne."
"What does the man mean?" asked Forbush, turning to Obed.
"Suppose you ask him," suggested Obed, with a smile of enjoyment.
"Like your friends here we were captured, but a little earlier. Ihope--ha, ha!--you don't take us for bushrangers? That would be a greatjoke, eh, Ropes?"
"Just so," answered Ropes.
"Suppose you ask Fletcher," again suggested Obed.
"Are these men followers of yours, Mr. Fletcher? They say you capturedthem."
"They did, did they?" returned Fletcher, eying the two men in a mannerby no means friendly. "It is a lie. They came to me and reported thatyour party were carrying a nugget to Melbourne, and wanted us to attackyou, and get possession of it. In that case they demanded a share of theproceeds. The dogs! so they want to get favor at our expense, do they?"
"Do you know anything about them, Mr. Stackpole?" asked CaptainForbush.
"Yes, captain, and I am convinced that my friend Fletcher tells theexact truth. That skunk there [indicating Colson] tried to steal thenugget the very night of its discovery, and broke into my cabin for thepurpose. He's a sly, underhand thief, and not to be compared with a boldbushranger. I respect them for their pluck at any rate."
"Don't believe him! He's prejudiced against us," whined Colson.
"Gentlemen," said Captain Forbush, "I will comply with your request andallow you to travel with me to Melbourne--under guard!"
Fletcher and the bushrangers looked pleased at this announcement. Theirown prospects were not very bright, but they were glad to find thatColson and Ropes were to share their fate.
CHAPTER XXXIV.
FAREWELL TO MELBOURNE.
No further adventures or dangers befell the party on their way toMelbourne. It was thought possible that Captain Ring, in charge of themain body of the bushrangers, might attempt a rescue of his companions.No such attack took place. It might have been that he feared the issueof the conflict, but it is also possible that he experienced no poignantregret at the capture of Fletcher, who, he well knew, would have beenglad to succeed him in command.
At first Fletcher was buoyed up by the hope of a rescue. Then, when thathope faded out, he sought for an opportunity to escape. In one case hewould have succeeded but for the vigilance of Obed Stackpole. Thelatter, awakening suddenly, saw Fletcher, who in some way had got out ofhis fetters, stealing quietly away. He sprang to his feet andintercepted the fugitive.
"What, Fletcher! you don't mean to say you are goin' to leave us withoutsayin' goodby? We can't spare you, really."
Fletcher tried to shake himself free from the Yankee's detaining grasp.
"Let me alone, you scarecrow!" he exclaimed fiercely.
"Thank you for the compliment, Fletcher," said Obed. "I aint so han'someas you are, that's a fact, but I guess I'm a good deal better."
As he spoke his grip became stronger, and Fletcher found his efforts toescape absolutely futile.
"I should like to choke you," he said fiercely.
"I've no doubt you would, Fletcher. It would be a nice amusement foryou, but I'm not quite ready for the operation just yet. When I am I'lllet you know."
"But for you, I would have got away," said Fletcher, in bitterdisappointment.
"I guess you would. It's lucky I opened my eyes in time. There'd havebeen mournin' in this camp if you'd got away, Fletcher. You're wastin'yourself in the woods. You're fitted to adorn Melbourne society, and itwon't be my fault if you don't arrive there."
At that moment Captain Forbush awoke.
"What's happened?" he asked anxiously.
"One of our friends was takin' French leave, that's all," said Obed. "Iwoke just in time to persuade him to stay a little longer."
"Ha! so Fletcher was trying to escape, was he? I am indebted to you, Mr.Stackpole, for frustrating his plan. We can't spare him at all events. Iwould rather lose any two of his companions."
"You see, Fletcher, how much we value your society," said Obed. "It wascruel in you to leave us."
"You're a fool!" exclaimed Fletcher, darting a look of hate at Obed.
"You never did appreciate me, Fletcher. All I want is your good."
Fletcher was secured in such a way that escape was no longer possible.In due time he and his comrades reached Melbourne as captives, and weretransferred to the civil authorities. It may be well to add here thatthey were tried, and sentenced to a prolonged term of imprisonment.Colson and Ropes fared a little better, their term being only half aslong. They submitted sullenly to their fate, but singularly seemed moreembittered against Obed Stackpole than against any of the officersthrough whose hands they passed. Obed would have fared badly had hefallen unprotected into their hands.
It was a joyful day for our young hero, as well as his three companions,when they saw rising before them the roofs and spires of Melbourne.During the weeks that had elapsed since their departure, they had notonly "roughed it," but they had met with a series of adventures whichwere pleasanter to remember than to pass through. Twice they had beencaptives, but each time they had been providentially rescued. Harry feltthat God had watched over him, and delivered him from danger and theschemes of wicked men, and his confidence and trust in an OverrulingPower were stronger than ever.
It was some days before they secured the money resulting from thedisposal of the nugget. When the matter was finally arranged, they foundthemselves in possession of about sixteen thousand dollars. Thisincluded the sum realized from the sale of the mining claim.
"That gives us about five thousand three hundred dollars apiece," saidHarry, after a brief calculation.
"I can't believe it," said Jack, who really seemed bewildered by hisgood fortune. "Why, it's wonderful!"
"So it is, Jack. I dare say you are the richest young sailor of your agein the world."
"I don't know about that, but I feel as rich as a Vanderbilt."
"When does the next steamer start, Obed?"
"In four days. Can you be ready in that time?"
"I would get ready to start to-morrow if necessary."
"So would I. Melbourne is a nice city, but I'd rather be on dad's farm,eatin' supper in the old kitchen, than in the best hotel here."
"After all, there's no place like home, Obed."
"That's a fact, but perhaps Jack doesn't feel so."
"My home isn't what it was once," said Jack soberly. "If mother hadn'tmarried again it would have been different, but I never can like orrespect my step-father."
"There's one place you ought to visit before you start for home, Harry,"suggested Obed.
"I mean to see the city pretty thoroughly before I go, as I don'timagine I shall ever come this way again."
"That's all righ
t, but it isn't what I mean."
"What then?"
"Do you remember the old gentleman you saved from a ruffian the nightbefore you started for the mines?"
"Mr. Woolson, yes."
"You ought to call, you and Jack."
"I'll go this morning. Will you come too, Jack?"
"I'll go with you anywhere, Harry," said the young sailor, whoseaffection and admiration for Harry were very strong.
About ten o'clock the boys entered the office of Mr. Woolson. It wassituated in one of the handsomest blocks in Little Collins Street, andthey learned that he was a wholesale merchant and importer.
"Is Mr. Woolson in?" Harry asked of a clerk.
"He is in the inner office. Have you business with him?"
"Yes."
Admitted into the inner office, the boys saw the old gentleman seated ata large desk with a pile of papers and letters before him. They were byno means certain that he would recognize them, but he did so instantly.
"I am glad to see you, my young friends," he said, rising and shakinghands with them. "I have thought of you often, and of the great serviceyou did me. Have you just returned from the mines?"
"Yes, sir."
"I hope you have had good luck."
"Wonderful luck. Jack and I are worth over five thousand dollarsapiece."
"Bless my soul! Why it only seems a week since you went away."
"It is nearly three months, and seems longer to us, for we have passedthrough a great deal."
"I shall be glad to hear a full account, but I have not time in businesshours. Will you do me the favor to dine with me at my house to-night andspend the evening?"
"With pleasure, sir."
"Then I shall expect you. The hour is six o'clock sharp."
The boys met the engagement, and passed the time most agreeably. Jackfelt a little bashful, for Mr. Woolson lived in fine style, and Jack wasnot used to an elegant house or table.
When the cloth was removed, Mr. Woolson asked the boys their plans.
"We intend to sail for New York next Saturday," said Harry. "That is asfar as we have got."
"If you were willing to stay in Melbourne, I would give you a place inmy counting-room."
"Thank you, sir, but I prefer to live in America."
"Then I will give you a letter to my nephew and business correspondentin New York. He will further any business views you may have."
"Thank you, sir."
"And I will do the same for your friend, if he desires."
"Thank you, sir," said Jack, "but I mean to keep on as a sailor; I hopesome day to be a captain."
"I will give you a place on one of our ships, and you shall be promotedas rapidly as you are qualified to rise."
Jack looked gratified, for he knew the value of so powerful a friend.
Late in the evening the boys took leave of the hospitable merchant, andthree days afterward they embarked for New York.
CHAPTER XXXV.
SOME OLD ACQUAINTANCES.
We will now return to America, and for the benefit of those readers whoare not familiar with Harry's early adventures, as narrated in the storyof "Facing the World," I will give a brief account of his story beforesetting out on the voyage to Australia.
Left an orphan, with a scanty patrimony amounting to three hundreddollars, Harry left it all in the hands of his father's friend, Mr.Benjamin Howard of Ferguson, and set out, not in quest of a fortune, butof a livelihood. He had been recommended by his father to seek a cousinof his, John Fox of Colebrook, and place himself under his guardianship.He visited Mr. Fox, but found him so mean and grasping that he left himafter a brief stay, preparing to face the world without assistance. Mr.Fox, who had two children, Joel and Sally, was greatly disappointed, ashe bad hoped to get control of the boy's slender property, and convertit to his own use. He pursued Harry, but was unable to overtake andcapture him.
Months passed, and John Fox heard nothing of his wandering relative.
One day, however, he came home triumphant.
"Well, Maria," he said, addressing his wife, "I've heard of HarryVane."
"You don't say!" ejaculated Joel, his face screwed up into an expressionof curiosity. "What did you hear? Where is he?"
"Joel," answered his father, with an attempt at solemnity, "thejudgments of the Lord have fallen upon your unhappy cousin."
"What do you mean, Mr. Fox?" asked his wife, showing curiosity in turn.
"I mean that he is lying dead at the bottom of the sea."
"Don't be so tantalizing, Mr. Fox. If you know anything about the boy,out with it!"
When Mrs. Fox spoke in this tone her husband knew that she would notstand any nonsense. So he answered without delay. "Soon after he leftour happy home, Maria, he shipped on board the _Nantucket_, as a commonsailor, I presume, and the ship was lost off in the Southern Ocean withall on board."
"How awful, pa," said Sally, who alone of all the family had felt kindlytoward Harry, "and he was so good-looking, too!"
"He wasn't a bit better looking than Joel," said her mother sharply.
"Oh, ma!"
"It's true. I never could see any good looks in him, and it doesn'tbecome you, miss, to go against your own brother. How did you find itout, Mr. Fox?"
"I came across an old copy of the _New York Herald_, giving an accountof the disaster, and mentioning Harry Vane as one of the passengers. Ofcourse it's a mistake, for he must have been one of the commonsailors."
"Well, I reckon there's no call for us to put on mourning," said Mrs.Fox.
"I don't know about that. It might look better."
"What do we care about Harry Vane?"
"My dear, he left property," said Mr. Fox significantly. "There's threehundred dollars in the hands of that man in Ferguson, besides the moneyhe got for saving the train, as much as two hundred dollars. As we arehis only relatives, that money ought to come to us by rights."
"That's so, husband. On the whole, I'll put a black ribbon on mybonnet."
"And I'll wear a black necktie," said Joel. "How much of the money am Ito have?"
"Wait till we get it," said his father shortly.
"What steps do you propose to take in this matter, Mr. Fox?" queried hiswife.
"I'm going to Ferguson to-morrow, to see Mr. Benjamin Howard. Of coursehe won't want to give up the money, but I'll show him I mean business,and am not to be trifled with."
"That's right, pa," said Joel approvingly.
"Five hundred dollars will give us quite a lift," said Mrs. Foxthoughtfully.
"So it will, so it will, my dear. Of course, I'm sorry to hear of thepoor boy's death, but I shall insist upon my rights, all the same."
Mrs. Fox warmly approved of her husband's determination, being quite asmean and money-loving as he.
CHAPTER XXXVI.
A HEART-BROKEN RELATIVE.
Late in the afternoon, John Fox knocked at the door of Benjamin Howard,in the town of Ferguson. It was a hundred miles distant from Colebrook,his own residence, and he grudged the three dollars he had spent forrailroad fare; still he thought that the stake was worth playing for.
"I am John Fox of Colebrook," he said, when Mr. Howard entered the room."You may have heard of me."
"I have," answered Mr. Howard, slightly smiling.
"I am the only living relative of Harry Vane, that is, I and myfamily."
"I have heard Harry speak of you," said Mr. Howard, non-committally.
"Yes, poor boy! I wish he were alive;" and Mr. Fox drew out a redbandanna handkerchief and covered his eyes, in which there were notears.
"What do you mean?" asked Mr. Howard, startled.
"Then you haven't heard?"
"Heard--what?"
"That he sailed in the ship _Nantucket_, which was lost, with all onboard, in the Southern Ocean?"
It so happened that Mr. Howard had received a letter from Harry afterhis arrival in Australia, and so knew that Harry was not lost. For amoment he thought Mr. Fox might have later inform
ation, but saw that itwas not so. He decided to draw Mr. Fox on, and ascertain his object incalling.
"I hope that this is not so," he said gravely.
"There is not a doubt of it," answered Fox. "There's an account of theloss of the vessel in the _New York Herald._ I cut it out, and have itin my pocket-book. Would you like to see it?"
"If you please."
Mr. Fox produced the scrap, and asked triumphantly, "Doesn't that settleit?"
"Suppose that it does, what then?"
"What then? It follows that Harry's money comes to me and my family, asthe only surviving relatives. You've got money of his, the boy toldme."
"Yes."
"About how much?"
"About three hundred dollars."
"So I thought. That money ought to be handed over to me."
"I don't see that, Mr. Fox."
"You don't see that?" interrogated Fox sharply. "Do you mean to keep ityourself?"
"Not for my own use; I am not that kind of a man, Mr. Fox. But I have noauthority to hand the money over in the unceremonious way you expect."
"Why not? Isn't the boy dead?"
"I have no proof of it."
"What better proof do you want than the _New York Herald?_"
"The account in the _Herald_ may contain errors."
"Perhaps you think the boy could swim to shore a few hundred miles,"suggested John Fox with sarcasm.
"No, I don't think that likely."