“Hah! Yah! Hoo!” roared the fellows, derisively; and one of them fired a shot, an example followed by two more, not aimed at the retreating party, but evidently meant to scare them and hasten their retreat. There was another roar of laughter at this, followed by more derisive shouts, as Grey and his companions disappeared in the building before named.
“It’s all right, lads; that’s where the landlord’s cellar is: come on!”
Mr Raydon still backed toward the corner building, and Esau and I continued our retreat to the chiefs quarters, where I saw Mr and Mrs John at the door, alarmed by the firing.
“Tell them to keep in,” cried Mr Raydon to me; and seeing that there was danger, I ran to them, half forced them back, and without instructions I snatched up Mr Raydon’s double rifle and cartridge-belt.
“Good heavens, Gordon, what is the matter?” cried Mr John.
“Nothing serious, I hope,” I said. “Orders: stay inside.”
I darted out again with the rifle, and ran to where Mr Raydon was standing his ground still, and he was saying something in a loud voice to the men, but I only caught the words—“Fair warning.”
“Hah! Good!” he exclaimed, as I ran up with the rifle; and he caught it and the cartridge-belt, but he did not attempt to load.
“Back to them,” said Mr Raydon to me; and I went unwillingly, for it seemed cowardly to go.
“He’s going to fight,” said the leader of the gang. “There, don’t pepper him, mates.”