Old Gold Part 48

Shall I cover them, skipper, and let the n.i.g.g.e.rs have a sprinkling of buckshot to show them we are ready?"

"Yes," said the captain; "and you two gentlemen had better help. That's the first thing--to get them aboard safe."

Pieces were c.o.c.ked, and their holders sat in the boats watching the flight and pursuit, Brace's heart beating violently. He glanced up and down at the novel sight of canoes where all heretofore had been so deserted, and saw at once that there was nothing to fear in their direction for the next half-hour, while in another minute or two he could plainly see that a serious engagement would have commenced with the natives on sh.o.r.e, and the sensation this caused was both novel and strange to him.

"The idiots!" he said, in a low voice; "why couldn't they keep to their duties instead of breaking away like this?"

"Because they're just ordinary men," said Briscoe, who was by his side.

"They're going to pay pretty dear for their game, though."

"Don't you think that they will be able to get here safely?"

"That's just what I am afraid about. The n.i.g.g.e.rs are better runners than they are, and more at home on the ground, and they could catch up to them at once, only they like to tackle their enemies at a distance.

Look!"

"Yes, I see," said Brace, whose breath came and went as if he had been running hard, and his eyes dilated when he saw that, as the men tore off through the various obstacles of rock, bush, and tree, the Indians suddenly began to slacken their pace and prepare their bows.

"Ah, we must put a stop to that, gentlemen," cried the captain. "Give them something to put an end to those games."

A low murmur of acquiescence arose, and guns were levelled, but no shot rang out.

"Can't fire yet, skipper," growled Briscoe. "I could pick off a man or two with a rifle easily, but I'm not loaded with ball, and these buckshot scatter so. I don't want to hurt any of our own chaps if I can help it."

"And they're too far off from us as yet," said Brace excitedly.

"Well, they'll soon shorten the distance," growled the captain; and then he clapped his hand to the side of his mouth and yelled to his mutineers: "Now, run, you lubbers! Don't go to sleep. Run as if you meant it."

_Taang_!

"Bah! he's got it," cried the captain.

There was the dull half-musical sound of a bowstring, and to Brace's horror one of their flying men made a spasmodic jump into the air and came down upon hands and knees, his nearest messmates pa.s.sing on some twenty yards before they could check their speed; and then, in the midst of the thrill of excitement which ran through the occupants of the boats, the retreating party paused, and dashed back to help their fallen mate.

An involuntary cheer of encouragement rang out from those in the boats.

"Good boys--good boys!" yelled the captain. "That's true British, Briscoe. There, I forgive 'em all for that. Oh, if they only had something in their fists they'd drive the beggars back to the woods.

Pick him up, boys, a leg or a wing apiece, and run again. Oh, Lor' a'

mercy, gentlemen, can't one of you shoot?"

For in those exciting moments the Indians, who had come bounding forward with a triumphant yell on seeing the white man fall, hesitated and stopped in fear and surprise when they saw that their flying enemies had halted and dashed back to rescue their messmate.

This, however, was only a momentary pause, for, recovering themselves, they yelled again and rushed forward.

It was the opportunity wanted, and almost together three guns flashed out their contents, sending a little storm of buckshot amongst the runners, who turned on the instant and began to retreat towards the woods.

"Missed!" cried the captain.

"Hit!" cried Briscoe.

"No: there's not a man gone down," cried the captain.

"But plenty of hits," said Briscoe, setting the example of reloading.

"Look at them rubbing their coppery hides. The shots wouldn't penetrate at this distance."

"Never mind: it's stopped them, anyhow," growled the captain. "Bravo!

Good boys!" he cried, as he saw his mutinous lads carefully raise their companion, while two of the party armed themselves with big pieces of stone and formed themselves into a rearguard, backing slowly, their faces to the hesitating enemy.

"Bravo!" continued the captain. "My boys are the right stuff after all."

He sprang over the boat's side, gun in hand, as he spoke, and, influenced by the same feeling, Brace and Briscoe followed, the former thrusting his brother back.

"No, no, Free," he cried. "You're not strong enough yet. Stay in the boat and cover us with one of the rifles."

A look of resentment rose in Sir Humphrey's eyes, but he accepted the position, dropped back into a seat, exchanged his double fowling-piece for one of the rifles lying ready, and sat watching the progress of the three, who were at once supported by Dellow and Lynton, the men on board cheering as the party of five splashed through the shallow water to meet the mutineers, who were compelled to come slowly on account of their load.

The support was none too soon, for, recovering themselves, and enraged at seeing their intended victims escaping, the savages were now advancing once more at a run.

"Make for the boat, boys," cried the captain, as he led his party past the mutineers, and then, setting the example, levelled his piece. "We three will give 'em this taste, gentlemen," he cried. "You cover us while we reload. Now then, all together--fire!"

There were the dull flashes, the puffs of smoke, and a yelling from the enemy who, at fifty yards away, received the stinging volley and were checked, Brace and Briscoe standing fast while the captain and the two mates followed the retreating party with their load.

"Two of the enemy down," said Briscoe coolly. "Old skipper will think he and his men are better shots than we are."

"Let him," said Brace. "They're up again. Look out: they're coming on."

"Stand fast, then," said Briscoe. "Let 'em have it this way. Can you let 'em come on till they're five-and-twenty yards nearer?"

"Yes," said Brace, immediately following his companion's example and dropping on one knee to take aim.

"Aim low, Brace," said Briscoe. "Let's try to cripple their legs. We don't want to kill any of them. Aim right in the brown, as you English sportsmen say."

"Right," replied Brace, setting his teeth and kneeling firm as a rock, while the Indians came on at a trot, grimacing and yelling to frighten them into flight.

But they had the wrong stuff to deal with, and their eyes dilated and rings of white appeared round the irises in theft utter astonishment at seeing the two white men calmly awaiting their onslaught, Briscoe with the stump of a cigar in his teeth, mumbling out:

"Twenty-eight--twenty-seven--twenty-six--twenty-five--fire!"

The guns went off together, and the pair sprang up and ran after their companions, to find fifty yards nearer the boat the captain and his officers down on one knee waiting to cover them.

"Well aimed!" cried the former. "You two halt to cover us just at the water's edge. That'll give the boys time to get aboard, and then we can laugh at the copper-skinned vermin. Look sharp and reload: they're coming on again."

Brace and his companion continued their retreat, overtaking the sailors with the wounded man, whom they now saw to be Jem, and had endors.e.m.e.nt of the fact in the tones of his voice, for he was growling and abusing his bearers.

"Put me down, I says, and go and help the old man. I tell you I can get to the boat myself without any help."

"Hold your row," said one of the men; "if you don't we'll b.u.mp you."

"Don't talk, my lads; hurry on," cried Brace, who was busy reloading.

"Look sharp and get aboard."