“These boys are bound too, you see. Tell them, Mayne Gordon, what they were about to do when I came to your help.”
“Hold our feet in the fire to make us tell where the gold is hidden.”
“No, no; a bit of a game,” chorussed the gang.
“Look at my feet,” cried Esau, piteously; “is that a bit of a game?” and he tried to hold up his bound legs, which the leader of the new-comers raised and examined.
“It’s true enough,” said the chief speaker, indignantly; and a roar of execration arose.
“It is all true,” cried Mr Raydon. “Where is the Chinaman?”
“Allee light—me come along,” cried Quong; and there was a roar of laughter, for his voice came from high up in a tree.
“Come down, Quong; there is no danger,” said Mr Raydon. “Some of you cut these poor lads’ limbs free. Stop, fool!” he roared, as one of the gang began to sidle off. “Stand, all of you, if you value your lives. Fire on the first scoundrel who tries to escape. I have men planted, and good shots,” he said to the leader of the gold-finders.
“You carry it with a high hand, governor,” said this man, rather abruptly.
“Well, sir, I have come to save these people here. I should have done the same for you. This is English ground, where every man’s life and property must be protected by the law. For the time being I represent the law, and I’ll have myself obeyed. Now what have you—what have any of you to say?”