The shepherd regarded Harry keenly, and proceeded to cross-examine him.
"You say you were captured by the bushrangers?" he said.
"Yes, sir."
"When was this?"
"This morning, just after breakfast."
"Where did it happen?"
Harry told him.
"Where were you going?"
"To the mines at Bendigo."
"How large was your party?"
"There were only three of us--a countryman of ours and ourselves."
"Where is he?"
"The bushrangers robbed him and let him go."
"Why did they not release you and your friend?"
"Because, as a young member of the band told us, the captain meant tospare us to join the band."
"You are young to be travelling to the mines. What countrymen are you?"
"We are Americans."
"Humph! your story sounds well enough, but how do I know that you arenot spies of the bushrangers?"
Harry Vane's eyes flashed indignantly.
"I hope you won't think so badly of us," he said.
The shepherd seemed somewhat impressed by his indignant denial, whichcertainly seemed genuine enough, but wanted information on one point.
"How did you manage to escape? That doesn't seem very probable, at anyrate."
"We both took advantage of the excitement occasioned by the murder ofCaptain Stockton----" he began.
"What!" exclaimed the shepherd in profound astonishment, "CaptainStockton murdered! When? By whom?"
Of course Harry told the story, but that need not be repeated.
The shepherd listened in evident excitement.
"If this is true," he said, "nothing better could have happened for thispart of Australia. This man--Stockton--is noted everywhere as the mostdesperate and cruel of the bushrangers. I can't begin to tell you howmany atrocious crimes he has committed. He killed my brother in coldblood three years since,"--here the shepherd's face darkened--"becausehe defended the property of another, and tried to save it from beingstolen. If he is dead I am deeply, profoundly grateful!"
"You need have no doubt on that point, sir," said Harry. "Jack andmyself saw him shot down. There can be no doubt of his death."
"I believe you speak the truth. You don't look as if you were deceivingme. So you took the opportunity to give the bushrangers legbail, eh?"
"We didn't stay to bid them good-by," said Harry, smiling. "We ran tillwe were out of breath, but saw no one on our track. Probably it was sometime before we were thought of, and our escape noticed. We have beenwalking ever since, and were ready to drop with hunger and fatigue whenwe espied the light of your cottage, and ventured to ask for help."
"You are welcome to all that we can do for you," said the shepherd, histone changing. "I was suspicious at first, for the bushrangers are up toall sorts of tricks, but the news you have brought insures you awelcome. At last my poor brother is avenged, and the bloodthirstyvillain who killed him has gone to his account. You don't know who iselected in his place?"
"No, sir, we came away at once."
"Of course, of course; I should have thought of that."
"I hope it isn't Fletcher," said Jack.
"Ha! what do you know of Dick Fletcher?"
"More than we want to. He it was who passed himself off on us as areturned miner, and betrayed us into the hands of his comrades."
"I know of him, too. He would be as bad as the captain if he dared, buthe is a coward. His turn will come after a while. But, Lucy,"--here headdressed his daughter,--"you are not treating your guests very well.Where are your potatoes and other vegetables?"
"They were so hungry they preferred not to wait for them, papa."
"You may put them in the pot now. I want them, and I think our youngfriends will be able to eat them later."
"You are very kind, sir, but I am afraid Jack and I will not be able tocompensate you. The bushrangers took all we had, and left uspenniless."
"I don't want your money, boy. You are welcome to all you get in thishouse. We don't have visitors very often. When they do come, they haveno bills to pay."
"Unless they are bushrangers, father!" said Lucy with a smile.
"If they are bushrangers, they will meet with a still warmer reception,"said the shepherd grimly. "And now, daughter, hurry up supper, for Ihave a very fair appetite myself."
Lucy moved about quietly but actively in obedience to her father'sdirections. An hour later, or perhaps less, the table was spread oncemore, and all got up to it. The boys, though the edge of their appetitewas taken away, managed to eat the vegetables with a relish, not havinghad a chance to eat any for a considerable time, except at their hotelin Melbourne.
After supper they sat down beside the fire and talked. Living so muchalone, the shepherd and his daughter were anxious to hear all that theboys could tell them of the great world from which they lived aloof.Later in the evening, the shepherd, whose name, by the way, was AndrewCampbell, said, "Now, let us have a little music. Lucy, bring me thebagpipe."
His daughter went into an adjoining room, and brought out a Highlandbagpipe, which Campbell received, and straightway began to play upon itsome characteristic Scotch tunes. It was loud and harsh, but the boysenjoyed it for want of better.
"Don't you sing, Miss Lucy?" asked Harry, when her father laid down theinstrument.
"No," answered the girl, smiling. "I wish I did. Father is very fond ofsinging."
"Aye, am I; Lucy's mother sang, but the gift has not descended to her."
"Harry is a professional singer," said Jack. "He sings in public."
"Please sing something, then," pleaded Lucy.
"If you really wish it," answered Harry.
"I shall be glad to hear you, young sir," said the shepherd.
Harry hesitated no longer, but sang at once, choosing such Scotchmelodies as he knew in preference. The shepherd's eyes glistened, and hewas evidently much moved.
"It calls back my early days, when as a lad I trod the heath inScotland," he said. "You are a fine singer. I don't mind when I haveenjoyed an evening as much."
"I am very glad, sir, if I have been able in this way to repay yourkindness," said Harry.
"Don't speak of it, lad," said the shepherd, lapsing into his Scotchmode of speech. "We shan't miss the bit sup we have given you."
At nine o'clock all retired for the night, for the shepherd must be upearly in the morning to look after his flocks. Harry and Jack slept in asmall room back. They were very tired, and fell asleep as soon as theirheads struck the pillow.
CHAPTER XVIII.
A DANGEROUS ACQUAINTANCE.
Though the boys were very much fatigued they were up in time for anearly breakfast the next morning. It consisted of muttonchops, potatoes,bread, and coffee, and they were prepared, notwithstanding their heartysupper of the night before to do full justice to it.
The shepherd had got over his first impression, and nothing could bemore friendly than his manner toward them. He gave a still strongerproof of his confidence and friendship.
"So you think of going to the mines, my lads," he said.
"Yes, sir."
"I don't know about the wisdom of your plans. It isn't all that find thegold they look for. Are you expecting to come back with fortunes?"
"They would not be unwelcome, sir," said Harry, "but we shall at anyrate like the advantage of it, and we are young enough to tryexperiments."
"That's true; but about the gold I'm thinkin' you'll be disappointed. Atany rate I'll make you an offer--the two of you. Stay here and help metend sheep. I'll give you your living and clothes, and when you aretwenty-one, I will make you a present of a hundred sheep each to startin business for yourselves."
The proposal took Harry and Jack by surprise. They could not but observethat Lucy's face brightened with hope, as she awaited their answer. Itwas clear that she hoped it would be favorable. It must be acknowledgedthat this made a considerable impression upon them.
Lucy was a prettygirl, and they felt flattered by her desire that they should remain. Buttheir resolution was only shaken, not changed. They had but to lookabout them at the unbroken solitude to feel that life under suchcircumstances would be unendurable. Both of them had led lives ofactivity and excitement, and neither felt prepared to settle down, butthey felt grateful.
"Jack and I thank you for your kindness, Mr. Campbell," said Harry, "andconsider your offer a good one. But it would be lonely for us here, and,though we may change our minds, we would like to try the gold-fieldsfirst."
"It's only natural, lads," said the shepherd. "You are young, and youcrave excitement. When you are as old as I am, you won't mind the quiet.Go, then, to Bendigo, but if you have bad luck, come back here, and youshall be welcome to stay as long as you like, and to accept my offer ifyou feel like it then."
"I am sorry you won't stay," said Lucy, with a shade of sadness.
"I wish we could be contented to do so," said Harry. "You may be sure wewon't forget your kindness, Miss Campbell."
"Do you mean me?" asked Lucy, smiling. "I never was called Miss Campbellbefore."
"I will say Lucy, if you will allow me."
"I would rather you did."
"Then good-by, Lucy. We shall always remember you."
"And you will come back some day?"
"If we can."
"Then good-by, and don't forget your promise."
There was a suspicious moisture in the girl's eyes, for she knew thatwhen the young visitors were gone she would feel lonelier than ever.
"That's a nice girl, Jack," said Harry after a pause.
"That's so, Harry. I never saw a girl so nice before," responded Jackemphatically.
"Do you know, Jack," said Harry, turning to him with a smile, "it isjust as well we are going away."
"What do you mean, Harry?"
"If we stayed here till we were both young men, we might both fall inlove with Lucy, and quarrel over her."
"I might fall in love with her, but I would never quarrel with you,Harry," said Jack affectionately.
"No, Jack, I don't think you would. Nothing shall ever divide us."
"You are very kind to a poor sailor boy," said Jack. "You know a greatdeal more than I, and I am not fit to be your friend."
"Take care, Jack, I may quarrel with you if you say anything againstyourself. Fit or unfit, you are my chosen friend, and I should not bewilling to exchange you for anyone else I have ever met."
"Not even for Montgomery Clinton?" said Jack archly.
"Not even for him, with all his stock of trousers."
Reference was made to a young man from Brooklyn, a fellow passenger onthe ship _Nantucket_, who had acquired the reputation of a dude, and hadafforded much amusement to all on board. He will be remembered by thereaders of the preceding volume, "Facing the World."
The boys did not set out on their journey empty-handed. Lucy, bydirection of her father, had packed a basket with provisions enough tolast them two or three days. The shepherd wished also to lend them somemoney, but this Harry declined.
"We might not be able to pay it back," he said.
"I shan't miss it, lads, if you don't," urged the shepherd.
"We might be robbed of it as we were of our other money, sir. We thankyou all the same."
But they gladly accepted the basket of provisions, without which,indeed, they might have fared badly in that uninhabited wilderness.
"How far is it to Bendigo?" Harry had asked the shepherd.
"Twenty-five miles, or thereabouts," was the answer.
"If it were a straight road and good travelling we might be there bynight."! "But it is neither. You will be fortunate if you reach there inthree or four days."
"Give us the direction, and we will try it, sir."
The two young travellers, refreshed by their night's sleep and twosubstantial meals, made good progress, and by noon found themselves,despite the difficulties of the way, seven miles distant from thestation where they had received such hospitable treatment. By this timethey were hungry, and were glad to sit down at the base of a giganticgum-tree and attack the provisions they had brought with them. They werein good spirits and chatted cheerfully. Many thousands of miles awayfrom home, without a penny in their pockets, and with only a basket ofprovisions between them and starvation, they did not allow themselves tobe depressed by their uncertain prospects, but looked forwardhopefully.
"Jack," said Harry, "it seems so lonely here, I could easily believethat we two are alone in the world."
"It does seem so," said Jack.
"I feel a little like Robinson Crusoe on his island."
"Am I to be Friday?" asked Jack, with a smile.
Jack had read very few books, but who is there who has not read RobinsonCrusoe?
"I don't think you are of the right color, Jack, but I would a good dealrather have you than Friday."
They were not so far away from human companionship as they supposed, asthey soon learned to their dismay. Suddenly they heard a crunching as ofsteps upon the brush, and turning, they saw, with alarm, a tall muscularman with matted locks unprotected by a hat, a long untrimmed beard, anda suit hanging in tatters over his gaunt, bony figure. His eyes werefixed with a famished look upon the open basket of provisions.
The boys started to their feet in affright.
"Give me food!" said the stranger in a hoarse voice.
Harry took some bread and meat from the basket, and handed them to thestranger, who devoured them in silence. His appetite seemed enormous,and the boys saw in dismay that if he kept on there would be very littleleft. It was necessary, in self-defence, to limit the man's rapacity.
"More, more!" he cried, when he had eaten all that had been given him.
"We have given you all we can spare," said Harry firmly.
"Give me the basket, or I will kill you both!" exclaimed the tramp, hiseyes suffused with blood, and gleaming with fierce anger.
As he spoke, he raised a knotted stick which had served him as a cane,and swung it menacingly above his head.
CHAPTER XIX.
A RUFFIAN FOILED.
Harry and Jack were brave boys, and not easily daunted, but the attitudeof the stranger was so menacing, and his frame so indicative ofstrength, that they were both alarmed. Had their need of the provisionsbeen less urgent they would have surrendered them without a struggle,but they felt that it was a question possibly of continued life orstarvation, and this inspired them to resistance.
Holding the basket in his hand, Harry retreated behind a tree, and beganto parley.
"You are asking too much," he said. "We have given you a meal. We needthe rest for ourselves."
"No palavering, boy!" said the tramp roughly. "I need it more than youdo. Give it to me, or I will kill you."
"If I only had some weapon," thought Harry.
While he was hesitating, the tramp with a quick movement sprang to wherehe stood, clutched him by the collar, and flinging him on his back puthis knee on his breast, saying between his closed teeth, "Now I willkill you, young jackanapes! I'll teach you to interfere with me."
Poor Harry thought his last moment had come. He was powerless againsthis enemy, whose wild rage, shown in his distorted features, seemedcapable of anything. His sole helper was Jack, who flung himself on thegiant, and sought with his boyish strength to pull him away, but invain.
"I'll choke the life out of you, you young beast!" exclaimed the tramp,preparing to clutch Harry by the throat. The moment was a critical onefor the poor boy, whose career came near ending then and there.
But assistance came when least expected.
A man who had approached, unseen by either of the three, jumped from theunderbrush and with one powerful blow sent the tramp sprawling on theground beside his intended victim.
Obed Rescues the Boys from the Tramp.]
"You're rather out of your reckoning, you mean skunk!" he exclaimed. "Ifthere's any killin' to be done round here, I'm goin' to do it."
"Obed Stackpole!" ejaculated the boys in heartfelt delight, and theywere rushing forward to greet him, but he waved them back.
"Yes," he said, "it's Obed himself. I'll talk to you in a minute, afterI've got through with this consarned villain."
By this time the tramp, though startled and dazed, was on his feet, andpreparing to make a desperate assault on the Yankee. But though quite asstrong, and possibly stronger than Obed Stackpole, he had now toencounter a foe by no means to be despised. Moreover, he had laid downhis knotted stick, and Obed had secured it. It was a formidable weapon,and Mr. Stackpole was quite ready to make use of it.
"Give me my stick!" shouted the tramp hoarsely.
"I mean to," responded the Yankee coolly. "Where will you have it?"
He stepped back warily, as the other advanced, holding the stick in astrong grasp, while he kept his eyes steadily fixed on his opponent. Hewas cool, but his enemy was enraged, and rage made him incautious.
He made a desperate clutch at the stick, but with a powerful sweep Obedstruck him on the side of the head, and he fell like an ox, stunned andinsensible.
"That settles you, my friend, I guess," said Obed. "You brought it uponyourself, and you've got no one else to blame. Watch him, Harry, to seethat he doesn't come to himself, while I tie his hands."
Obed whipped a strong cord from his pockets, and secured the wrists ofthe prostrate enemy, tying them securely together.
"Will you tie his feet, too?" asked Jack.