“I lost my way,” I said, hastily.
“But what was the meaning of this firing?”
“The enemy coming in force,” said Mr Raydon. “We have beaten them off though without bloodshed, and Mayne Gordon here has had another lesson in the dangers of opening up gold-claims to the scum of the earth.”
“That you, Mayne Gordon?” said a familiar voice soon after, as I approached our quarters.
“Yes,” I said. “Not hurt, are you, Esau?”
“Not a bit; nor you neither?”
“Yes,” I said, bitterly; “wounded again.”
“Eh? whereabouts? Here, come on. Mother’s got lots of rag.”
“No, no,” I said, laughing sadly. “Not that sort of wound. It was with words.”
“Go on with you. Frightening a chap like that,” cried Esau. “I thought it was real.”