ing beyond a few blows and bruises," replied Mr Raydon.
"It was a surprise, and the gold-diggers fled for help. When they
returned in force the gang had gone. Taken to the forest, I suppose.
Get back to your duty, Mayne," he said; and I hurried away to find Esau
deep in conversation with Grey about the last night's attack.

"Think they'll come up here?" said Esau.

"Like enough. If they do--"

"Well?" I said, for the man stopped. "If they do?"

"I shall be obliged to fire straight," he said, slowly. "Men who act
like that become wild beasts, and they must be treated similarly."

I shuddered slightly, as I thought of his skill with the rifle.

"I know what you think," he said, gravely; "that it's horrible to shed
blood. So it is; but I've got a wife here, and children, and out in a
wild place like this, a man has to be his own soldier and policeman, and
judge and jury too."

"It seems very horrible," I said. "It is very horrible, my lad, but
it's not our doing. If these people will leave us alone, we shall not
interfere with them."

"Of course not," said Esau. "Wonder whether I could hit a man."

"I hope you will not have to try," said Grey. "It's what the Governor
has been afraid of for years and years."

I winced again, for it was as if everything I saw or heard tended to
accuse me of destroying the peace of the place.

"Wonder whether they'll come here to-night," said Esau.

"We must be ready for them; but I don't think it's likely," said Grey.
"They got a good deal of plunder last night, and plenty of provisions.
I should say that they will do nothing now for a few days. They'll wait
till they think we are not on the look-out."

It proved as Grey said, and for the next few days there was no alarm.
Communications had been kept up with the mining camps, and one morning,
as I was talking with Mr John about the terribly weak state in which
Mr Gunson lay, partaking of the food and medicine administered, but as
if still asleep, Mr Raydon came up.

"Gordon," he said, "you and Dean have wandered about well, and gone in
nearly every direction, have you not?"

"Yes, sir," I said, wondering what was coming.

"Do you think you could find your way to Gunson's claim?"

"Of course, sir," I said, smiling.

"I do not mean by the valley," he said, testily. "I want some one to go
by the short cut over the mountains--the way I came to your relief."

"I don't know, sir," I said. "I have never been ther