Going out to one of the sheds across the yard I called together the Indians who were regularly employed as labourers on the farm, and told them that their master was wanted directly on business, requesting them all to spread themselves over the cultivated land, and to try and find him.
To my utter astonishment the elder of the party raised one hand with the palm outwards, uttered a few words, and one and all the Indians returned to their work.
“They didn’t understand you, Mas’r Harry,” said Tom. “Tell them again.”
I spoke to the men once more, but they maintained a gloomy silence. Then, and then only, I resorted to threats, to find a wonderful unanimity of purpose amongst them, for every man’s hand in an instant was on his knife, and they were evidently prepared to offer a fierce resistance.
“Come away, Mas’r Harry,” said Tom uneasily; “we don’t want no fighting now; but this seems rum, the men turning like that all of a sudden.”
“I’m afraid that there’s a sort of freemasonry existing amongst them, Tom,” I said, “and these men are evidently under orders. But let us see whether my uncle has returned, for I begin to be afraid that this gold is about to bring a curse with it.”
“I don’t believe in no curses, Mas’r Harry; but we ain’t a-going to be allowed to get it away without a deal of dodging, and perhaps a scrimmage. They’ve got part of it back, Mas’r Harry, but I don’t think they’ll get the big lot unless we go and show them where we’ve stowed it away.” I hurried into the house to find that the old notary had fallen asleep, while my aunt was uneasily walking about. “Have you found him, Harry?” she exclaimed. “Not yet, Aunt. I thought he might have returned.” Without waiting to hear her reply I ran back to Tom, who was watching the Indians.
“Look here, Mas’r Harry,” he exclaimed. “Here’s just the very spot where we left your uncle, isn’t it?”
“Yes,” I said.
“Well, this is just in view of those Indian chaps, and so is the way into the house all in full view of them.”