Gemmell, who had relieved Cranbrook at Nugget a short time before, had been advised by headquarters that an attempt might soon be made by the thugs of Prospect to rush the post on Hopeful Pass and gain admittance to the gold-fields. He was to avert this attempt by 'taking such steps as he deemed advisable'—(Let the boy run his own show!) and Gemmell, who included Hopeful Pass in his jurisdiction, had instantly taken long steps—in Hopeful Pass direction, since it was better that he should be on the scene of action himself.
To resist the advance, Gemmell had erected a barrier covering the approach to the post and had maintained a perpetual look-out in the pass a mile or two ahead. This lookout was on duty now.
From Prospect that morning had come word of an advance. Gemmell had thereupon turned out half his men, leaving the rest in comfort in the tent. Gemmell had also a Maxim in the tent but, as it was water-cooled, it was liable to freeze up if left for too long in the open.
If the thugs came up, Gemmell planned to emulate the Spartans of Thermopylae.
The pass must be held to the last.
He meant to hold it.
Meanwhile, he wished the thugs would 'get it over,' as he was sure his nose was freezing.
Gemmell's scouts suddenly appeared over the skyline a hundred yards away.
"Gang of two hundred, heavily armed, just come into sight, sir," the scouts reported on arrival.
"All right," said Gemmell. Then, to the men in the tent, "Turn out, you fellows!"