CHAPTER SEVEN.
We were actually in our saddles and about to set off, when Hectorreceived a letter from his father directing him to return to town tomake some further purchases, and to transact other business.
The dominie, who had been expressing a wish to visit the city and buysome books, begged permission to accompany him.
"You go on leisurely, we'll soon catch you up," said Hector. "It is apity that you should be delayed for us."
Bracewell agreed to this arrangement. As his strength was notcompletely restored, it was considered advisable that he should makeshort stages. While we therefore rode on as we intended to thenorth-west, our friends, borrowing a couple of horses, that their ownmight be fresh when they returned to the station, galloped off towardsthe coast.
We were approaching a water-hole by the side of which we proposedencamping the first evening, when we caught sight of a native walkingleisurely along with an axe in his hand. He came forward with aconfidence which showed that he was accustomed to meet white men, and werecognised, as he approached, our former guide. He appeared to behighly pleased at seeing us, and began jabbering away in a languagewhich neither Guy nor I could understand. Bracewell, who seemed tocomprehend him, replied in the same lingo; and then told us that theblack had informed him that his tribe was in the neighbourhood and wouldbe happy if we would pay them a visit, that they might show theirgratitude for the wealth we had showered upon them.
While he was speaking, another black popped his head out from behind thebushes, when the other called to him, and he came forward. As he wasapproaching he cast his eyes to the top of a tree, a little distanceoff, when a few words were exchanged between the two.
They both ran to it and without more ado, began to ascend, cuttingslight notches with their axes, just of sufficient size to enable themto put in their toes and fingers.
We watched their proceedings with wonder at the rapidity with which theygot up, almost indeed as fast as if they were mounting an ordinaryladder. Round and round the tree they climbed, giving a couple ofstrokes with their little axes sufficient to make a notch of therequired size. Until I saw the confidence with which they proceeded, Iexpected every moment that they would drop down again to the ground.Though the tree must have been sixty feet high without a branch, theywere at the top in less than a minute, when securing themselves theyplunged down their hands. While the one drew out an opossum, the other,before the animal could bite him, knocked it on the head and threw it tothe ground.
They descended with even greater celerity than they had mounted, andthen to our surprise brought the animal to us, apparently as anoffering.
Bracewell thanking them, told them to keep it for themselves, which theywere evidently well content to do. They accompanied us to thewater-hole, where, without being told to do so, they assisted incollecting sticks for a fire.
This being done, we having hobbled our horses, they squatted themselveson the ground to skin their opossum which they then brought to beroasted. The confidence they exhibited in us showed that we might trustthem, and we allowed them to go about the camp as they liked, thoughBracewell advised that we should keep an eye on our saddle-bags andvalises lest the temptation to appropriate their contents might be toogreat to be resisted.
While we were discussing our supper, they managed to devour the whole ofthe opossum between them; and then, having stuck some boughs in theground to form a hut, they lay down side by side beneath them, and werequickly asleep, evidently feeling perfectly secure in our neighbourhood.
Both Guy and I wanted to see more of the natives, and Bracewellconsented, should our guests again offer to guide us to their camp, toride round to it, as it would not take us much out of our way. Therewas, he said, a few miles off, a large shallow lagoon, near which theywere assembled for the purpose of fishing and catching the wild fowlwhich frequented it; and that we should thus have an opportunity ofseeing the way in which they engaged in those pursuits. As he knew thecountry well, he could easily make his way back to the direct route, sothat we could run no risk of missing Hector and the dominie. ThatBracewell might enjoy a full night's rest, Guy and I agreed to keepwatch and watch, but he laughed at our proposal, declaring that it wasuseless.
"But should bushrangers stumble upon us, we might all three be stuck up,and find ourselves minus our horses and rifles," said Guy.
"No chance of that," answered Bracewell, "the fellows were certain toclear out of this part of the country, when they knew the police were ontheir tracks. There is a greater risk from the blacks, though I feelsure those two fellows there can be trusted."
In spite of Bracewell's remarks, Guy and I determined to keep to ourresolution, and as soon as he was asleep, I rose, and having made up thefire, walked about, endeavouring to keep my eyes open. I tried this forsome time, when feeling tired, I sat down with my rifle by my side.
How it was I could not tell, but before long I found myself stretched onthe ground, and when I awoke the fire was almost out. Giving a kick tothe embers to obtain a flame, I looked at my watch. It was then almostday-break and I thought it useless to rouse my brother. Directly afterwards a chorus of cachinnations from a couple oflaughing-jackasses, gave me notice that the morning would soon commence.
I called Guy and Bracewell, who shrewdly suspected what had happened,although as no harm had come of it, they spared me any severe remarks.
While we were breakfasting, the blacks, who had got on their legs,sauntered up to the camp, and begged for some of the tea and damper onwhich we were regaling ourselves.
To catch our horses, saddle up and mount, did not take us long, and asour new friends repeated their offer, we set off, the blacks runningahead. As they were making their way through scrub some distance ahead,one of them stopped and called to the other, when they each cut a longthin switch and ran towards an object which we just then saw moving inthe grass. Presently the wicked-looking head of a large snake rose inthe air. The blacks ran towards it, one on either side, and bestowingsome sharp blows with their wands, down it dropped. On getting up tothe spot, we found that it was a snake between nine and ten feet long.
The blacks seemed to consider it a great prize, for, chopping off thehead, one of them slung the body over his shoulder, and they then againwent on shouting with glee.
In a short time we arrived at the blacks' camp. It consisted of anumber of rude bowers, such as I have before described, tenanted by afew women, children, and old men, all the active men being out huntingin the lagoon which appeared just beyond.
Riding on we caught sight of a number of black figures, scattered in alldirections, engaged in knocking down with their boomerangs some largebirds perched on the withered branches of the trees overhanging thewater.
Our friends brought us one of the boomerangs to examine. It was acurved piece of wood about two feet two inches from tip to tip, rathermore than two inches wide in the middle, and diminishing towards thetips.
We saw bird after bird knocked off the trees with this remarkableweapon. When it first left the hand of the thrower, we could not decidein what direction it was going, but after making numberless circles inthe air, it never failed to hit the object intended.
Most of the birds we saw struck were cormorants, which, as they fellinto the water, the blacks seized and wrung their necks. Some, however,not being killed outright or stunned, showed fight, and attacked thenaked bodies of their assailants with their sharp beaks. We witnessedthe sport for some time, till the birds nearest us becoming alarmed,took to flight, but were followed by the persevering hunters, who markedwhere they again alighted.
As we did not wish to delay, we thanked our friends, who with theprospect of an ample feast before them, showed no inclination toaccompany us. One of them, however, had a talk with Bracewell justbefore we started.
"What was the black fellow saying?" I asked as we rode along.
"He told me that a mob of bad black fellows, as he called them, are inthe neighbourhood, and that we must
take care not to fall in with them,as they will not scruple to spear our horses at night, or, should we beoff our guard, murder us."
"What had we better do then?" I enquired.
"Be on our guard and not let them surprise us," he answered, laughing."I have no fear of the blacks, provided they know that we are preparedto give them a warm reception. We will, however, keep a look-out forthe fellows, and as soon as we get back to the regular track, I'll leavea note fixed to a tree for Hector, telling him what we have heard, andadvising him and the dominie to keep a watch at night on their horses,as I don't think it's worth while waiting for them.
"Still, notwithstanding what our black friend said, the chances are thatwe shall not fall in with the mob of bad natives," he added; and as heknew the country much better than Guy or I did, we were perfectly readyto be guided by his opinion.
We soon again got into the main track.
On reaching it, Bracewell taking out his pocketbook, wrote a few lines,warning Hector that a mob of blacks were said to be in theneighbourhood, and telling him where we proposed camping.
Cutting some thorns, he pinned it to a tree in a conspicuous place.
"Hector will not fail to observe it," he said, as he did so.
"But if the blacks see it they'll tear it down surely," I remarked.
"They'll not do that," he answered, "they'll fancy it is some charm, andwill not venture to touch it."
This done, we pushed forward, rather faster than we had hitherto beengoing, in order to arrive at a spot at which Bracewell advised that weshould camp early in the evening.
Although there were several stations scattered over the country invarious directions, the traffic between them was so limited, that noinns or even liquor stores had been established; and travellers hadconsequently to camp out in the bush night after night when proceedingtowards the interior.
We found doing this was no hardship, and infinitely preferred sleepingby our camp-fire with the canopy of heaven above us, to taking up ourquarters in a shepherd's hut or grog shop.
We were approaching the end of our day's journey, when I caught sight ofa black figure flitting among the trees in the distance. Presentlyanother, and another appeared. They did not come near us, but wereapparently moving in the same direction that we were.
I pointed them out to Bracewell.
"I saw the rascals," he answered. "They are up to mischief very likely,and think it prudent to keep at a distance from us. I'll soon make themvanish."
Lifting his rifle, he uttered a loud whoop, when in an instant everyblack disappeared, either having dropped to the ground, or got behindthe stems of trees.
"I don't suppose they'll come near us again, but it will be as well tobe on our guard when passing any thick scrub. We must either give it awide berth so that their spears cannot reach us, or gallop quickly by."
During the day-time, however, there was not much probability that theblacks would venture to attack us; but we agreed that we must be verycareful during the night, lest they should spear our horses,--a trickthey are apt frequently to play when they think that they can do so andmake their escape without the risk of a bullet through their bodies.
Though we looked out for them on every side, not another black did wesee; but Bracewell remarked, that we must not consequently fancy thatthey had taken themselves off.
However, as the day wore on, and they did not again reappear, we beganto hope that we had distanced them, and that they would not trouble usduring the night. At length we reached the water-hole, near which grewseveral magnificent trees, where there was abundance of grass for thehorses, so that they would not be tempted to stray away.
Choosing a spot with a water-hole on one side, and three or four finetrees of large girth on the other, we unsaddled our horses and made upour fire. We had provisions enough for the evening, but should have togo on short commons the next day, unless we could shoot a paddy-melon orsome birds.
Bracewell offered, as there was still sufficient light, to try to do so;but Guy and I advised him to remain in camp while we endeavoured toshoot a few parrots or cockatoos, so many of which were flitting aboutamong the boughs that we felt confident of shooting as many as werequired.
No sooner, however, did we fire, than having each brought down a parrot,the remainder of the noisy birds flew away. We followed, expecting toget some more shots, but the sound of our guns having alarmed them, assoon as we approached they again took to flight.
By some means or other, I, having hurried on, lost sight of Guy, thoughI concluded that he was following me. At last I saw a large cockatoonodding his head as if not aware of my presence. I fired, and broughthim down, when directly afterwards I heard the report of Guy's gun, muchfurther off than I had expected.
The thought just then occurred to me, that should the blacks be in theneighbourhood, they might discover our whereabouts by the reports; so Ifelt that it would be wise to be satisfied with the birds we had killed,and return to camp.
I was therefore making my way back, when, turning my head, I caughtsight of a black figure stealthily approaching with a lance in his hand.Suspecting that his intentions were hostile, I quickly reloaded,ramming down a ball. As he approached from behind the trunk of a tree,I levelled my rifle. He vanished in an instant, though when I moved onagain, I felt pretty sure that he was following me. I therefore everynow and then turned suddenly round and pointed my rifle towards mypursuer. At last, having gone on for some distance, I began to fearthat I had lost my way, for I could not see either our camp-fire or thesmoke rising from it. To ascertain if I was near it, I gave a loudcooey, expecting that Guy and Bracewell would hear me and reply.
No answer came. I began to feel rather uncomfortable, for although withmy rifle in my hand, I was a match for two or three blacks, I should bein an awkward predicament should I be followed by a whole mob. It wouldnot do to stop, so on I pushed.
Again I cooeyed, and this time I heard my friends cooey in return.Still the distance was apparently considerable, and at any moment theblacks might overtake me. I ran on as fast as the nature of the groundwould allow, endeavouring to keep a straight course.
Once more I turned round when to my dismay I beheld a score or more ofblacks armed with spears and shields. For a moment I faced them asbefore, presenting my rifle. I might bring down one of the fellows, Iknew; but then, unarmed, I should be at their mercy; I thereforecontented myself with threatening them. The instant I raised my weapon,they all vanished as before. Directly afterwards I caught sight of theglare of the fire: I dashed forward, when to my surprise I found mybrother and Bracewell coolly seated on the ground, engaged in preparinga couple of parrots which the former had shot.
"Up, up!" I exclaimed: "the blacks are upon us--there is not a momentto lose if we intend to save our lives."
"Oh, nonsense!" cried Bracewell. "You've seen a big `boomer,' or thestump of a tree, which you have mistaken for a black fellow."
I loudly protested that I was not mistaken, and advised them to loadtheir rifles with ball.
While I was speaking, a spear quivered in the tree close to where theywere sitting. They jumped to their feet in an instant.
"If we don't take care, we shall have the horses wounded," I exclaimed,and I ran to where they were feeding, leaving Guy and Bracewell to keepwatch for the appearance of our enemies.
Just as I had brought the horses up, and was tethering them behind theclump of trees, the mob of blacks came in sight, shrieking and dancingand brandishing their spears.
Bracewell, on this, exclaimed, "We'll show them that we're not to betrifled with; or they will become bolder, and make a rush upon us withtheir waddies. Guy, do you pick off that fellow on the right; I'll takethe fellow in the centre who is nourishing his weapon--he intends tohurl it at us as soon as he gets near enough. Maurice, you must keepthem in check while we are reloading, but don't fire unless theyadvance."
As he spoke, he and Guy pulled their triggers. As the smoke cleared offI saw two bla
cks on the ground--my companions were rapidly reloadingwhile I kept my rifle pointed at the advancing mob. I had my eye uponone of them, who appeared to be leader. We were tolerably wellsheltered by the roots of the trees, so that we could take aim withoutexposing ourselves.
The determined front we exhibited did not however deter the blacks fromadvancing, and as they did so, they sent a whole shower of spears, whichstuck quivering in the trunk of the tree forming our chief protection.Several, however, passed and fell into the ground close to the horses,fortunately none of which were injured.
I fired and brought down the man at whom I had aimed; I then sprangbehind shelter and reloaded, while my brother and Bracewell knocked overtwo more.
It was dreadful work, having thus to kill our fellow-creatures; but atthat moment all we thought about was that they intended to kill us, andthat it was our business to defend our lives. Whether or not we shoulddo so successfully seemed very doubtful; for as far as we could judge,while they flitted in and out among the trees, there were a hundred ormore of them yelling and shrieking and hurling their sharp-pointedspears towards us. A hundred opposed to three were fearful odds.Probably they were not aware of the smallness of our number, or theymight have made a rush at our camp, and knocked us all over with theirwaddies. Every moment we expected that they would do so. Should one ofus be killed or wounded so as to be unable to fire, the other two mustinevitably become their victims.
As yet we had happily escaped injury, and the blacks did not appearinclined to venture closer than at first. We had been firing away asrapidly as we could reload, but though we had killed several, we hadfrequently missed, for as they kept springing in and out behind thetrees in the thickening gloom, it was very difficult to hit them.Suddenly they vanished, and I was afraid were coming round to get on ourflank; the width of the water-hole, and the marshy ground on the furtherside was, however, too great to allow them to hurl their spears acrossit. My gun was loaded, but when I put my hand into my bullet-pouch, tomy dismay, I found that I had not another shot left. I told mycompanions. "Neither have I, and have just loaded with small shot,"said Bracewell.
"So have I," said Guy; "but it will do to pepper them with if they comenearer."
"But small shot will not go through their shields," I remarked.
"Then we must aim at their legs," answered Bracewell, calmly.
"Don't you think it would be prudent to mount the horses and gallop offbefore they again attack us?" asked Guy.
"They will probably be on the look-out should we make the attempt, andsurround us before we get to any distance," said Bracewell. "Better tryand hold our own here, where we have the shelter of the trees, onlydon't throw a shot away."
This discussion was cut short by a loud yell uttered by our savageenemies, who, the next instant, again came into view, and advanced withtheir spears poised. We had barely time to spring behind the trees,when a shower of spears flew through the air, some passing close to us,others sticking in the opposite side of the trunks. We immediatelyreplied, but could not see whether our shots took effect. The spearsnow fell so thickly, that we could scarcely venture to show ourselveseven for a moment to fire in return. By the sound of the savages'voices we judged they were getting nearer, and now we all felt that weshould have to sell our lives dearly, unless we could manage to mountour horses and gallop away; but it would take some time to saddle them,and the natives were not likely to allow us many moments to do so.Bracewell, however, desperate as was our condition, tried to keep up ourspirits.
As far as we could judge, the savages showed no intention of abandoningtheir object. Just as we expected that they would make their finalrush, a loud cooey was heard, and I caught the sound of the trampling ofhorses' feet. We cooeyed in return again and again. The savages musthave heard us, as well as the cooeys in the distance; for after vainlyhurling another shower of spears, they turned and scampered off as fastas their legs could carry them, their flight hastened by the pepperingwe gave their backs with small shot. Almost immediately afterwardsHector and the dominie, accompanied by half a dozen troopers, camegalloping up along the path close to the water-hole. As they appeared,without waiting to exchange words, we threw our saddles on our horses'backs and mounted ready to join them in the pursuit of our foes.
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