Part 55 (1/2)
”Don't go far, boys,” said the Senator, in the tone of an anxious father.
”No, not very. That hill yonder will be a good lookout place.”
”Yes, if you are not seen yourselves.”
”We'll risk that. If we see any signs of these scoundrels, and find that they see us, we will fire to let you know. If we remain undiscovered we will come back quietly.”
”Very well. But I don't like to let you go off alone, my boys; it's too much of an exposure.”
”Nonsense.”
”I have a great mind to go too.”
”No, no, you had better stay to hold our place of retreat. We'll come back, you know.”
”Very well, then.”
The Senator sat himself down again, and b.u.t.tons and d.i.c.k vanished among the trees. An hour pa.s.sed; the three in the barricade began to feel uneasy; the prisoners were asleep and snoring.
”Hang it,” cried the Senator, ”I wish I had gone with them!”
”Never fear,” said the Doctor, ”they are too nimble to be caught just yet. If they had been caught you'd have heard a little firing.”
At that very moment the loud report of a rifle burst through the air, followed by a second; upon which a whole volley poured out. The three started to their feet.
”They are found!” cried the Senator. ”It's about a mile away. Be ready.”
Mr. Figgs had two rifles by his side, and sat looking at the distance with knitted brows. He had received some terrific bruises in the late melee, but was prepared to fight till he died. He had said but little through the day. He was not talkative. His courage was of a quiet order. He felt the solemnity of the occasion. It was a little different from sitting at the head of a Board of bank directors, or shaving notes in a private office. At the end of about ten minutes there was a crackling among the bushes. b.u.t.tons and d.i.c.k came tumbling down into the road.
”Get ready! Quick. They're here!”
”All ready.”
”All loaded?”
”Yes.”
”We saw them away down the road, behind a grove of trees. We couldn't resist, and so fired at them. The whole band leaped up raving, and saw us, and fired. They then set off up the road to this place, thinking that we are divided. They're only a few rods away.”
”How many are there of them?”
”Fourteen.”
”They must have got some more. There were only ten able-bodied, unwounded men when they left.”
”Less,” said the Doctor; ”my pistol--”
”H'st!”
At this moment they heard the noise of footsteps. A band of armed men came in sight. Halting cautiously, they examined the barricade.
Bang! It was the Doctor's revolver. Down went one fellow, yelling.