XVIII
THE Chinese, most of whom were on the surface, viewed the approach of the enemy with great uneasiness, but did not anticipate the worst Evidently they trembled only for their tails, and a few took to their claims like startled rabbits. The others stood watching the advance, jabbering excitedly, with the volubility of so many monkeys.
'Wha' for? wha' for?' cried the foremost, when confronted by the
Europeans.
'This here's an eviction, I reckon,' drawled Long.
'Go!' said Burton, pointing threateningly.
'Away with the lepers!' yelled the men.
The Chows understood monosyllables, and began to expostulate in pigeon
English.
'Charge!' cried Long, and the drive commenced in earnest.
Keeping a solid front, the whites drove the yellow men before them along the lead. Those below were dragged to the surface, and their movements were accelerated by prods from the pick and presently the whole mass was going at a run across the field, the Chinese in front, flying, as they thought, for their lives, the whites following, and the howls of the pursued and the yells of the pursuers united to make an uproar unprecedented on Simpson's Ranges.
'The troopers!' The warning voices came from the left, and the full strength of the force on Simpson's came riding gallantly from that direction, between white men and yellow.