"The worst of it is," said Obed to Harry3, who was walking alongside of him, "that them skunks4 have got the best of it. It's their time to crow now."
"That's the way I feel," said Harry soberly. "I believe I would rather have lost twice as much to anybody else."
"We haven't lost all, that's a comfort. They will take the money we have with us, but if ever we escape to Melbourne, there is the nugget money waiting for us."
Just then Colson stepped up with a smile on his face.
"It strikes me I've got about even with you, friend Stackpole," he said.
"Don't call me friend, Colson; I don't own any man as friend who acts like you. So you're a bushranger, are you?"
"Certainly not," answered Colson, amazed.
"It looks like it," remarked Obed significantly.
"I am merely in the company of the bushrangers just at present."
"No."
Now, one of the bushrangers was within hearing, and Colson didn't venture to say "No," or it would be virtually giving up his share of the money taken from Obed and the boys.
"I don't care to answer any of your questions," he said stiffly.
"What is it? I don't promise to answer it, though."
"Didn't you find that nugget rather heavy?" asked Obed slyly.
Colson didn't answer, but frowned, for the subject was a sore one.
"How many miles did you carry it, if I may be so bold?"
"I don't care to discuss the subject."
"I shouldn't if I were you. It makes me laugh when I think how you must have looked when you found out it was nothing but common rock."
"How much does it weigh?" inquired Colson, in a tone of curiosity.
"Somewhere between fifty and five hundred pounds. Are you thinking of attacking the guard? I wouldn't if I were you. They are prepared for gentlemen of your kind. You'd be more likely to carry off lead than gold."
"Confound the fellow!" thought Colson. "He looks as if he had the best of me—I must worry him a little."
"I can't say it's a position I fancy much. Did you put our friends here on the track?"
"Yes, I did," answered Colson in a tone of satisfaction.
"I thought so. That identifies you with them, Colson. You may find it used against you in a court of justice."
"I am no more a bushranger than you are," said Colson uneasily.
"I would respect you more if you was, Colson. They're open and aboveboard, anyway. You want to profit by the same means, but sneak9 out of it and say you're not a bushranger. It'll be hard to persuade the courts of that."
"I have nothing to do with courts."
"You may have yet. Let me give you a piece of advice."
"What is it?" demanded Colson suspiciously.
"Join the band permanently10. You're a man after Fletcher's own heart. You and he will make a good match."
"Who is that mentioning my name?" asked Fletcher, who happened to be within hearing.
"What is that for?"
"I think it's a business that will suit him. His talents all lie in that direction. He'll be like a brother to you, Fletcher."
"What did he say?"
"He don't like the idea. He seems to feel above you. He says he is only keepin' company with you for a short time."
"Is that true?" demanded Fletcher, eying Colson with displeasure.
"I never said any such thing," said Colson eagerly. "He twists my words. I have the greatest respect for the bushrangers, whom I regard as gentlemen."
"Perhaps that is the reason you don't feel gratified to join them, Colson?"
Fletcher laughed at this palpable hit, but Colson looked annoyed.
"I don't expect to remain in this section of the country long," said Colson deprecatingly, for he was very much afraid of offending Fletcher. "Of course I can't form any permanent ties."
"It might be better for you to leave, Colson. I've an idee that it isn't good for your health to stay around here very long. You haven't made a shinin' success so far. Now, as to that nugget which you stole——"
"Do you mean to insult me? I never took any nugget."
"That's so. You're right there, Colson. But you thought you had, all the same. Fortunately, it's where you can't get at it."
"I have something to say on that point," said Fletcher. "I understand the nugget is very valuable."
"I'm glad to hear it. You're a judge. I have an idee of that sort myself."
"About how much does it weigh?"
"About seventy-five pounds. I don't mind gratifying your innocent curiosity, Fletcher."
Fletcher's eyes sparkled.
"It must be very valuable," he said.
"I reckon it is."
"At what do you estimate it—twenty thousand dollars?"
"Not as much as that."
"It ought to come pretty near it, though."
Obed did not answer.
"It's a great prize. You were very lucky."
"So I thought at the time. I don't feel so certain, now," said Obed dryly.
"I think half of it will be enough for you."
"What do you mean, Fletcher?"
"I mean that we shall want half of it."
"How are you going to get it?"
"We mean to hold you prisoner till half the proceeds are brought in from Melbourne."
Obed's countenance12 fell. He had not thought of this.
Colson's eyes glistened13 with pleasure. Till that lucky suggestion was made he saw no way of securing a share of the great prize.
"So I think. You and the boys would still have a good sum of money. What do you say? Shall we make a little friendly arrangement to that effect? You could give me an order for half the sum realized, and on my securing it you would be released."
"I shall have to talk it over with my partners here," returned Obed. "They're equally interested with me."
"Better do so now."
"I won't till evenin', when we have more time."
Fletcher rode away under the impression that Obed was favorably disposed to his plan.
"When I get the money," he said to himself, "I can decide whether to let the fellow go or not. I don't care for the boys, but I'd like to give this Yankee a good flogging, he's so confoundedly sarcastic15. Plague take it, the fellow doesn't know when he's down, but talks as if he was on equal terms with me."
Meanwhile, though Fletcher did not know it, the train of bushrangers had steadily16 advanced to the neighborhood of the place where the government escort were encamped.
In fact, he was ignorant that they were so near. But Obed knew it, and he was watching his opportunity to apprise17 his friends of his situation. Harry had noticed the same thing. Lest he should make a premature18 revelation, Obed placed his hand to his lips, as a sign of silence. Harry understood, and seemed indifferent, but his heart was beating fast with excitement.
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1
mortifying
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| adj.抑制的，苦修的v.使受辱( mortify的现在分词 )；伤害（人的感情）；克制；抑制（肉体、情感等） | |
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2
exultation
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| n.狂喜，得意 | |
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3
harry
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| vt.掠夺，蹂躏，使苦恼 | |
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4
skunks
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| n.臭鼬( skunk的名词复数 )；臭鼬毛皮；卑鄙的人；可恶的人 | |
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5
abetting
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| v.教唆（犯罪）( abet的现在分词 )；煽动；怂恿；支持 | |
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6
plunder
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| vt.劫掠财物，掠夺；n.劫掠物，赃物；劫掠 | |
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7
mite
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| n.极小的东西；小铜币 | |
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8
ticklish
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| adj.怕痒的；问题棘手的；adv.怕痒地；n.怕痒，小心处理 | |
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9
sneak
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| vt.潜行(隐藏,填石缝)；偷偷摸摸做；n.潜行；adj.暗中进行 | |
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10
permanently
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| adv.永恒地，永久地，固定不变地 | |
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11
squire
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| n.护卫, 侍从, 乡绅 | |
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12
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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13
glistened
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| v.湿物闪耀，闪亮( glisten的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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14
regaining
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| 复得( regain的现在分词 )； 赢回； 重回； 复至某地 | |
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15
sarcastic
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| adj.讥讽的，讽刺的，嘲弄的 | |
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16
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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17
apprise
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| vt.通知，告知 | |
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18
premature
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| adj.比预期时间早的；不成熟的，仓促的 | |
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