As they moved off and began their march through the forest on foot, Tom Brixton felt that escape was indeed out of the question, for, while three men marched in front of him, four marched on either side, each with rifle on shoulder, and the rest of the band brought up the rear. But even if his chances had not been so hopeless, he would not have made any further effort to save himself, for he had given himself thoroughly up to despair. In the midst of this a slight sense of relief, mingled with the bitterness of disappointment, when he found that Betty had been sent out of the way, and that he would see her no more, for he could not bear the thought of her seeing him thus led away.
May I speak with the prisoner for a few minutes? said Fred Westly to Gashford, as they plodded through the woods. He has been my comrade for several years, and I promised his poor mother never to forsake him. May I, Gashford?
No, was the sharp reply, and then, as if relenting, Well, yes, you may; but be brief, and no underhand dealing, mind, for if you attempt to help him you shall be a dead man the next moment, as sure as Im a living one. An you neednt be too soft, Westly, he added, with a cynical smile. Your chum has Well, its no business o mine. You can go to him.
Poor Tom Brixton started as his old friend went up to him, and then hung his head.
Dear Tom, said Fred, in a low voice, dont give way to despair. With God all things are possible, and even if your life is to be forfeited, it is not too late to save the soul, for Jesus is able and willing to save to the uttermost. But I want to comfort you with the assurance that I will spare no effort to save you. Many of the diggers are not very anxious that you should bear the extreme punishment of the law, and I think Gashford may be bought over. If so, I need not tell you that my little private store hidden away under the pine-tree
There is no such store, Fred, interrupted Tom, with a haggard look of shame.
What do you mean, Tom?
I mean that I gambled it all away unknown to you. Oh! Fred, you do notyou cannot know what a fearful temptation gambling is when given way to, especially when backed by drink. No, its of no use your trying to comfort me. I do believe, now, that I deserve to die.
Whatever you deserve, Tom, it is my business to save you, if I canboth body and soul; and what you now tell me does not alter my intentions or my hopes. By the way, does Gashford know about this?
Yes, he knows that I have taken your money.
And thats the reason, said Gashford himself, coming up at the moment, that I advised you not to be too soft on your chum, for hes a bad lot altogether.
Is the man who knows of a crime, and connives at it, and does not reveal it, a much better lot? demanded Fred, with some indignation.
Perhaps not, replied Gashford, with a short laugh; but as I never set up for a good lot, you see, theres no need to discuss the subject. Now, fall to the rear, my young blade. Remember that Im in command of this party, and you know, or ought to know, that I suffer no insolence in those under me.
Poor Fred fell back at once, bitterly regretting that he had spoken out, and thus injured to some extent his influence with the only man who had the power to aid his condemned friend.
It was near sunset when they reached Pine Tree Diggings. Tom Brixton was thrust into a strong blockhouse, used chiefly as a powder magazine, but sometimes as a prison, the key of which was kept on that occasion in Gashfords pocket, while a trusty sentinel paced before the door.
That night Fred Westly sat in his tent, the personification of despair. True, he had not failed all along to lay his friends case before God, and, up to this point, strong hope had sustained him; but now, the only means by which he had trusted to accomplish his end were gone. The hidden hoard, on which he had counted too much, had been taken and lost by the very man he wished to save, and the weakness of his own faith was revealed by the disappearance of the goldfor he had almost forgotten that the Almighty can provide means at any time and in all circumstances.
Fred would not allow himself for a moment to think that Tom had stolen his gold. He only took it for a time, with the full intention of refunding it when better times should come. On this point Freds style of reasoning was in exact accord with that of his unhappy friend. Tom never for a moment regarded the misappropriation of the gold as a theft. Oh no! it was merely an appropriated loana temporary accommodation. It would be interesting, perhaps appalling, to know how many thousands of criminal careers have been begun in this way!
Now, Mister Westly, said Flinders, entering the tent in haste, whats to be done? Its quite clear that Mister Toms not to be hanged, for theres two or three of usll commit murder before that happens; but Ive bin soundin the boys, an Im afeared theres a lot o the worst wans thatll be glad to see him scragged, an theres a lot as wont risk their own necks to save him, an what betune the wan an the other, them thatll fight for him are a small minorityso, again I say, whats to be done?
Patrick Flinderss usually jovial face had by that time become almost as long and lugubrious as that of Westly.
I dont know, returned Fred, shaking his head.
My one plan, on which I had been founding much hope, is upset. Listen. It was this. I have been saving a good deal of my gold for a long time past and hiding it away secretly, so as to have something to fall back upon when poor Tom had gambled away all his means. This hoard of mine amounted, I should think, to something like five hundred pounds. I meant to have offered it to Gashford for the key of the prison, and for his silence, while we enabled Tom once more to escape. But this money has, without my knowledge, been taken away and
Stolen, you mean! exclaimed Flinders, in surprise.
No, not stolentaken! I cant explain just now. Its enough to know that it is gone, and that my plan is thus overturned.
Dee think Gashford would let him out for that? asked the Irishman, anxiously.
I think so; but, after all, Im almost glad that the moneys gone, for I cant help feeling that this way of enticing Gashford to do a thing, as it were slily, is underhand. It is a kind of bribery.
Faix, then, its not cruption anyhow, for the baste is as crupt as he can be already. An, sure, wouldnt it just be bribin a blackguard not to commit murther?
I dont know, Pat. It is a horrible position to be placed in. Poor, poor Tom!
Have ye had supper? asked Flinders, quickly.
NoI cannot eat.
Cook it then, an dont be selfish. Other people can ait, though ye cant. Itll kape yer mind employedan Ill want somethin to cheer me up whin I come back.
Pat Flinders left the tent abruptly, and poor Fred went about the preparation of supper in a half mechanical way, wondering what his comrade meant by his strange conduct.
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