By this time several more armed men had come up from the lower part of the stream, and eagerly asked for particulars, while I heard a great deal, and noted nearly everything, as I sat by Mr Gunson, suffering agonies, for my arms and legs throbbed with the return of the circulation.
Mr Raydon had only just finished his task when the chief speaker of the gold-finders came up with half a dozen more.
“All my mates here, sir,” he said, “from down stream ask me to speak, and say we thank you for what you’ve done. We want protection, and law, and order, and for every man to make his pile in peace. We see you’ve got half a dozen men with you, and you talk of sending four down the river with this gang.”
“Yes,” said Mr Raydon.
“Well, sir, we think we can save you that job. We’ll see those chaps off the premises.”
“No violence,” said Mr Raydon, sternly.
“Not if they behave themselves, sir, I promise that. For we think, as there’s no knowing who may come next, we should be glad if you’ll keep your men, so that in case of trouble we can appeal to you.”
“Very well,” said Mr Raydon; “let it be so then.”
“Don’t trust him,” snarled one of the wounded men; “he’ll rob you all of your claims.”
“Not he,” said the chief speaker.