THE NOVELIST

Otago Witness, Issue 4048, 13 October 1931, Page 6

THE NOVELIST

GOLD IN THE WEST

By

WALTER SMYTH.

Author of “Wooden Rails,” “ Bonzer Jones,” “The Girl from Mason Creek” and “Jean of the Tussock Country.”

(Copyright.—For the Otago Witness.)

The characters in this story are all imaginary, and have no relation whatever to anyone bearing the. same name. CHAPTER lI.—THREE MILE CREEK. Far out across the Tasman Sea the sun went down in a blaze of red and gold, and as the twilight deepened, the freshly-lit fires of the miners grew brighter and lights began to glimmer in tire numerous tents and .shacks. The day was over and the evening meal would soon be in progress. The rattle of pots and pans sounded strange and eerie in the silent bush. Duggan, glancing out of the six-by-eight tent, looked curiously at his partner who sat smoking a few feet away, and he wondered what absorbed him, for it was evident he was not listening to the familiar sounds that came floating up the lead. Duggan, inspired by the spirit of mischief, moved silently over and slapped the old man on the back. “Lord a mercy!” Eb exclaimed witii a start. “Kill me outright, but don't scare me to death.” Duggan roared with laughter. “What’s on your mind now?” he asked lightly. Eb twisted up his wrinkled face, and appeared to reflect. “ I been doin’ some thinkin’,” he answered guardedly. “ Why, you old sinner, you’re always thinking; what is it now, a new gold strike? ” “ Not altogether,” the other rejoined. “I was thinkin’ of years ago, before 1 learned sense, that if I'd done what I contemplated, I wouldn't have been here now; but Providence stepped in and saved me, so I’m still free and me own boss.” “What happened?” inquired Duggan curiously. “ You must have been contemplating something pretty risky! ” Eb snorted, “ Risky’s no name for it,” he declared emphatically. “If I’d done it, I’d have been finished for life! ” “But what the deuce was it?”

“ I got a sickness and didn't have enough sense to check it before it got a holt on me.” “Sickness! ” “ Female fever 1 ” For a few moments Duggan stared at the old man, then he laughed. “ You mean you fell in love with a girl?” “Yes,” admitted Eb soberly, “that’s what happened, and it was nearly a disaster.” “ But there's nothing wrong with that,” Duggan roared again. “ Ah! ” the other muttered gravely, “ That woman afterwards married three men, and they all died on her. Think of it. suppose I’d been one of them?” " Forget it, Eb,” his companion growled, now alive to where the conversation was leading. “ It’s time we got started for Hokitika to see Lawson.” Suddenly the old man placed a restraining hand on his partner’s shoulder. “ Boy,” he said solemnly, “ last night when you up and told me you was going to stay along with me, it was as good as if you washed up a billyful of gold, but I don’t want you to take no risks.” “Risks, Eb. what risks?” Duggan tried hard to keep his tone level, for ho was strangely moved by the old man's display of feeling. “ Don’t misunderstand me,” Eb pleaded, “I nearly lost you last night; you nearly went away—l don’t want to lose you to a woman who may not give you a square deal! ” Duggan turned uneasily’. There was no mistaking the concern in his partner's voice.

“ Eb,*’ he protested, “you don’t, need to worry about me, I guess I can take care of myself. I’m not in love, nor likely to be, hut I believe that gir] is in some kind of trouble that she can’t get clear of; you wouldn’t have me shut my eyes to it, would you?” The other was silent, and Duggan saw that he was still deeply affected? “ You know best, boy,” he answered a t last. “ I only thought I’d kind of warn you.”

A few minutes later the two were on their way to the township, and neither had a word to say until they reached the Welcome Nugget Hotel. Then Eb appeared to have forgotten his previous foreboding, for he was quite cheerful when they entered the bar.

At one end of the counter was a disreputable individual drinking neat spirit. As soon as Eb saw him he nudged his companion.

“See who that is?” he whispered. Duggan glanced over his shoulder, and as he did so the man turned a drinkinflamed face in his direction and scowled. When Duggan shook his head, Eb continued: “ That’s the chap that came out of Bendigo lane last night, and was dragged away by the man who wanted to fight you! ” Recognition instantly (lamed in Duggan’s keen blue eyes. " By George, yes. that’s him all right.” Of the barmaid he asked: “Who's he?” “ Tipsy Taylor,” she replied glancing along the bar. Duggan grinned. “ Seems a name that suits him. He was drunk last night, and by the look of things, he’s tight again to-night! ” " He's always the worse for drink.” the girl explained with a shrug. The man seemed to know he was being talked about, for he lurched into a more erect position and glared aggressively. “ Don't look at him,” Eb advised hurriedly. "We don't want to start any trouble.”

Duggan followed the advice and glanced in another direction. When the barmaid came along again, he inquired: Seen that chap Lawson about—the man who lost his gold at the Three. Mile? ” The girl shook her head, “He was here a while back.” she informed him. “ Most likely he’s still somewhere about. ’ Duggan strolled across to the dance hall and looked in. As yet there were not many in the room, for it was still early in the evening. After a while he observed Mary talking to several other girls. He tried to attract her attention, but when he failed to do so, he motioned Eb to his side. “ There is the gild you were so concerned about.” he said, indicating Mary. “ She doesn’t look very wicked, does she ? ” “ She kind of looks out of place,” Eb admitted. “ She don’t look in the right atmosphere, as it were, but you never can tell, some of those dance girls is holy terrors! ” Duggan was about to make a laughing rejoinder, when he heard a snarl behind him. Swinging round he saw Tipsy Taylor. The man was swaying backwards and forwards and beating the air with his fists. “ Hello Taylor, going to have a dance? ” Duggan asked good humouredly. “Dan —dance be damned,” the mm mumbled angrily. “ I wan’ to know wha’ th’ hell you mean by talkin’ abou’ that gal there?” “ She's a real nice girl,” Duggan replied amiably. That’s not th’ thing, why’ th’ hell does she interest you? ” “ That’s my business,” Duggan returned curtly. “ You're a damn liar—ish my* business ! ” “What’s it to do with y*ou? ” Taylor waved his arms about as though he wanted to embrace evervone within reach. “Everythin’! ” he gulped. “ You’re drunk,” sneered Duggan. “ Per-raps,” the other admitted, “ but not—not too drunk to know she’s mv girl.” “ Your girl! ” “Daughter then, if you like! ” Duggan fell back in dismay, hut the next moment he seized Taylor by the slack of his shirt. “You skunk!” he roared. “She’s not your daughter.” “ Tha’s all you know,” Taylor mumbled defiantly. “ I tell you Mary’s my daughter—leave her ’lone —-else ” “Else what?” prompted Duggan ominously. “Go on.” " Never mind,” and Tipsy lurched back to the bar. “ Let him go,” Eb suggested as Duggan went to follow him. “ Most likely he imagines things.” As the barmaid went to hurry’ past, Duggan plucked her sleeve. “That chap got a daughter? ” he asked quickly. The.girl glanced at Taylor, who seemed to have forgotten everything he had just been speaking about. “Yes,” she answered, “ she’s engaged in the dance room—Mary Taylor.” “Good God!” he gasped, then he added savagely, “Two brandies!” Duggan’s glass was emptied almost as soon as it was filled, and his bewildered gaze strayed to Eb.

“ I can’t believe it,” he kept repeating. “ It’s not true. Lord, it can’t be true! ”

Yet, Rose, the barmaid, had just confirmed Taylor’s assertion.

“ I wouldn’t worry, boy,” Eb broke in on his jumbled thoughts. “ A girl can t help who her father is, she ain t got th’ fixin’ of it.”

“ No,” Duggan agreed swiftly, “ she can’t help it, but we can help a blackguard like him from pulling her down.”

“How?” queried his partner. “ How? ” He paused and repeated the question. Then he suddenly realised that it was no affair of his, and if the girl did not want him to interfere, he had no right to do so. For some time he stared moodily at the rows of bottles on the other side of the counter, but at length he was aroused by the voice of Eb. “ Here’s Lawson. Dave.”

He pulled himself erect and turned to meet the miner, who came in accompanied by friends. “ Evening Duggan, evening Eb.” Lawson greeted them. “ Hope I haven't kept you hoys waiting? ” “ Doesn’t matter, we’ve got all evening to fill in.” then he added quickly: “I brought that money’ along.” “ Thanks,” responded the other. “ l‘m not likely’ to forget what you are doing. Some day ”he broke off with a laugh, “ but who knows if we’ll meet again. This is a quick moving community; here to-day, off to some other place to-morrow. Oh. it’s a hell of a life —let’s have a drink.”

“Yes, it’s a hell of a life! ” agreed Duggan. Presently the talk veered round to the rumours of rich strikes, and the men became eager and excited as they talked of exploiting fresh wealth. Duggan, drawn into the conversation, forgot for the time, that Tipsy Taylor was Mary’s father. “ I met a man.” he heard Lawson say. “ who's been getting twelve grains to ih’ dish up th’ Waimea ” “Huh!” a big bearded man interjected. “ You reckon that's worth leaving good ground for? ” “ But th’ chap and his party hadn't bottomed ” So the talk drifted on. with occasional spells while glasses were replenished Each man had a story’ to tell that was a little taller than the one before it.

Then the boarded man broke the sequence by hanging his fist on the counter. “ Here,” he said, “ this ain’t getting us anywhere, what about th’ gold Lawson's lost?” He paused and eyed the others inquiringly. When no one answered, he continued: “ I tell you boys, I reckon it's up to the like of us to try and git a holt on th' thieves, there’s been too manv men robbed at th’ Three Mile! ”

Lawson let slip an oath. “Is that so?” he growled. “Then what about my mate? He's due through there some time to-morrow, and he’s carrying gold too! ” “ Why not let ’em know at th’ police camp?” Eb suggested. “ Police camp—hell! ” the first speaker said <*vornfully._ “Do you think men in uniform wouldn’t be seen coming a mile away? They'd have to go along the open beach.” “ Then what’s th’ good of th’ police? ” broke in Lawson. “ Don't be in too much of a hurry,” Duggan warned. “ The Gold Coast Police are about as fine a body of men as I ever clapped eyes on. They've brought law and order to this restless community, and kept the rogues from being too venturesome.” There were murmurs of approval from the older men. “ But still,” Duggan resumed, “ I believe that if any’ organised attempt were made to capture these chaps they would be warned well in advance. It’s my opinion that someone connected with them lives in this town, otherwise they’d never hear of men coming and going with gold.” “ That's sound sense.” the bearded man agreed; “we’ve got to think up some idea that will git ’em washed up.” “ I’m thinking,” growled Lawson, “ that I'd best get along to-morrow and try’ to warn my mate.” “Yes,” someone laughed, “and all you'll get will be another crack on th’ head. You’d best stick here and trust to ‘digger's luck! ’” “Listen boys!” Duggan ordered.. “ We're doing a lot of talking, but nothing practical has come out of it. My suggestion is that we go somewhere where we're not likely’ to be overheard and discuss an idea that’s just come into my T mind.” “Where’ll we go?” inquired one of the miners. “ We could go down to th’ beach,” the bearded man remarked, “ there’s a good moon, but it will be almighty cold, and we’ll be a long way from a Jimmy Hennessy’ —we’d best stop here.” The mention of the name of an already* famous brandy was sufficient for someone to suggest another drink all round. “ All right,” Duggan agreed, “ we’ll stay here, but not in the bar; we’ll go along to the other end of the dance room. The scratch of the fiddles and the bray of the cornet will prevent anyone listening to our talk. In between dances, anyone who cares to, can spend his money at the bar.”

There was a chorus of approval. As the miners crowded into the room, several of the girls came forward expectantly, but they were gently but firmly pushed aside.

“ Not to-night, Susan,” a man laughed, “ to-morrow I’m going to buy you a diamond ring and take you alon" to th’ Theatre Royal to see Thatcher—be a good girl.”

The girl glanced at him disdainfully and shrugged her shoulders. “ Think I’d go?” she demanded. Duggan saw Mary, but he did not turn his head, although he knew her eyes were following him down the hall. “ Here we are, boys, we’ll take possession of this corner out of the way of the dancers; now we can talk.” The men grouped themselves round Duggan, and waited for him to disclose his plan. “ Get on with it,” someone urged. “ Right, I will,” he snapped. “ First of all. we know that anyone going to the Three Mile goes along the beach as far as the creek. But lately men have taken to cutting into the bush just here, so as to cross in shallower water. It’s when they’ve entered the hush that they’ve been stuck up! My suggestion is that we go by* two’s and three’s to the creek and then conceal ourselves in the bush, so that we can watch the track without ourselves being seen.” “ Sounds a likely idea,” the bearded man said approvingly. “ What time had we best start? ” “ That all depends on Lawson’s mate,” returned Duggan. “ Any idea when to expect him?” All eyes were at once focussed on Lawson. “ Well,” the latter answered, “ I don’t reckon to see sight nor sign of him till dusk; he's got a long way to come, an’ he's carrying a load.” “Then we’ll get along in the forenoon?” one of the men suggested. “ Suits me.” Duggan replied indifferently. “ Start any time you like. We can meet this side of the creek—that fixed? ” When the men agreed to follow the suggestion. and hi- was about to rise and terminate the meeting, a voice suddenly exclaimed: “ What’s wrong with the floor and the music, boys—aren't you dancing? ” Duggan looked up quickly and saw Mary, then a little to one side he ob served a small door he had not previously noticed. “ Not at present,” he replied quietly. “ We’re just discussing a bit of new ground.” The girl stood regarding him curiously. and something told him that dancing was not the tiling that interested her just then. “ Holy* hell! ” one of the miners growled as site moved away, “ where th’ devil did that damned female spring from?” “Don’t be too familiar! ” Duggan warned curtly. “ I reckon she just came through that door we hadn't noticed, and seeing us sitting here apparentlywaiting for partners, she naturally thought we wanted a fly round the room.” “ Friend of yours? ” the bearded man asked guardedly’. “Yes, any objection?” “No, oh no.” the other answered. “I just wondered.” Duggan flushed angrily, but he was not ■ anxious to precipitate trouble, so he made no further remark. That night he ' wondered if it was just chance that had brought Mary there. ' The next morning he awakened early. • Somehow he had not slept as well as he usually did. Slipping silently* from his bunk, so as not to disturb Eb. he went . outside. For a time he stood contem- . plating the long, irregular line of tents, and the countless heaps of stones that i had come out of the earth in the feverish search for gold. The surrounding forest. concealing many a creek and gully, ; was alive with singing birds. A few yards away’ a couple of wrens were hopping about in search of insects and ground berries. Already the smoke from one or two fires was curling upwards into the keen morning air, and now and then a miner appeared with either axe or billy, bent on getting wood or water. As Duggan surveyed the primitive scene, he marvelled that so many different nationalities should be banded together for the purpose of getting gold. Once he had come across a party consisting of an Englishman, an Irishman, ’ and an Australian digger; later a German had joined them. All nations were represented on the gold fields. Yet. there were few serious distrubances, and the honesty of the men was never questioned. True, there were exceptions, the robbery of Slat Lawson proved the rule. But no one for a 111011*10111 believed it to be the work of miners.

Duggan frowned. He had been drawn into the business. This, in itself, he did not mind; in fact, he was inclined to welcome it as a diversion, but curiously

he could not think of the robbery of Lawson without conjuring up the image of Mary Taylor. He knew it was ridiculous to connect her with the theft, for he was convinced she had nothing to do with it. While he was still gazing at the awakening camp he heard Eb calling him for breakfast. He sighed and wished that Mary had not appeared when she did the night before. When he returned to the tent, Eb eyed him curiously. “ So you beat me to it this morning,” he chuckled. “ Didn’t sleep too well,” Duggan growled. Eb flipped a flapjack and was silent for a while. When he turned to his mate again he inquired, “ Anything on your mind ? ” “ Not exactly,” the other answered “but I’ve been wondering what the devil that big fellow meant last night when he asked me if Mary was a friend of mine; did he think that the girl deliberately listened to our talk?”

The old man calmly* set two plates of bacon on one side. ■ “ I shouldn’t say* that ho was suspicious,” he remarked, “ but he may have thought it funny that you should choose to sit by that door.” “ I never knew the door was there.” “ Nor me. I didn't see it when we sat down.” Neither had much to say during breakfast, but when it was finished, Eb asked: “Not much use our starting to-dav, is it ? ” “Not if we’re going to the Three Mile!” returned Duggan. Outside the camp was humming with activity*. From the bush came the muffled thud of axes as men cut timber for shafting. Water hissed through the flumes, and stones and debris began to pile up on the growing heaps of tailings. One could have gone from tent to tent and helped himself to gold galore, for all the occupants were once again busily engaged in the search for “ pay dirt.” “ I don’t like missing a day,” Eb grumbled. “We never can tell what hour we're going to strike it.” “Old Timer,” Duggan said softly, “ let’s try and get hold of the thieves first—it may make all the difference to Mary! ” “How so?” demanded the old man, puzzled. * “Don’t you see?” his companion answered. “ There's nothing surer than that those fellows last night suspected the girl of deliberately* listening to our plans. I know you may think l‘m jumping to conclusions, but I can’t get it out of mv head.”

“Suppose she was. what then?” “ They probably think she will carry the information to some interested party.”

“Huh!” Eb snorted. “That sounds sill v.”

“ Don't forget,” Duggan reminded him. “ I folishly convinced those boys that someone connected with the thieves must live in or about the town, and who would be in a better position to get information than a dance girl?” “ Why. I never give that a thought,” gasped the other. “If that’s what you think, we'll be on our way.” Some hours later the two men reached the Three Mile Creek. Here they found the others awaited them. “Ah, there you are, Duggan,” Lawson greeted them. “ 1 think we're all here now —what do you propose? ” Duggan eyed the men critically* before he answered. “ We’d best draw lots to see who’s going to watch the track on the other side of the creek. No one is going to volunteer for that part of the job, for it means going through waist-high water —what do you say? ” “Where’s Ballarat Joe?” inquired Lawson. The big bearded miner, who had been curious about Duggan's friendship with Mary, now came forward. “ How's the idea strike you. Joe.” Duggan’s mouth hardened. It appeared that the plan he had thought of the night before was to be criticised by a man he instinctively* disliked and already sensed a feeling of veiled antagonism. Ballarat Joe looked Duggan straight in the eyes, and his glance was not friendly. “ OutLne th’ whole scheme,” he ordered brusquely. For a moment Duggan returned the other’s cold stare, then he continued curtly: “ The thing is quite simple. I suggest we form two parties, one to watch the track this side of the creek and one to watch the other. So that no man will feel that he has got the worst job, I advise drawing lots to see who’s to stay and who’s to cross the creek.” Ballarat Joe nodded sagely. “ Sounds fair enough,” he drawled. “If th’ men are agreeable, we’ll draw.” The others at once signified their willingness, and a few minutes later a party* was detailed to ford the stream. Strangely enough it fell to Duggan's lot to stay, while Ballarat Joe was among those who had to go over. The big miner looked grim. “ I’d rather fancied you coming with me,” he said with a side glance at Duggan. “ but it looks like you’re going to stay here.” Duggan flushed. “ Taken a sudden fancy* to me?” he inquired sarcastically. Ballarat Joe's eyes narrowed. “ You've said it,” he returned. “ I wished you was going along with me.” For a moment Duggan hesitated, then he snapped: “Right, let someone take my place, I’ll go with the creek party.” Eb stepped to his side. “ I go with you, lad.” he said simply. “No fear,” Duggan growled. “ You’ll stay here and keep dry.” Eb protested, but in vain, and he was forced to stop and watch the men go up the bush-lined bank to where the creek was easier to ford.

Duggan walked just-behind Ballarat Joe. Presently he said: “ I’m going over here! ”

“ No,” the other returned, “ best come higher up, it’s tricky* at high water.” And he walked on without a backward glance.

Duggan waited until he had disappeared among the trees, then he lowered himself into the water, and cautiously commenced to feel his way* across. He had reached a big rock, and was nearly half-way over, when he saw Ballarat Joe enter the creek. For a time the latter made good progress, but suddenly he slipped and disappeared. Duggan shouted, but he might just as well have

saved his breath, for there was none to help the unfortunate man. Then he saw the big miner appear again and endeavour to swim, but the rapidity of the water made this impossible. The current caught him and swept him along like a bit of driftwood. Duggan saw that he must pass close to where he clung to the rock. When Ballarat Joe ■was an arm’s length away, Duggan shot out a hand and seized the man’s shirt. Then commenced a grim struggle. It seemed that the water must conquer and both would be washed away, but gradually Duggan pulled the miner towards him, and finally had him safe against the rock. Ballarat Joe gasped. “By God! ” he presently exclaimed. “ You done a great piece of work —I reckoned I wag done for.” He gripped Duggan’s hand tightly, and the action was more eloquent than ■words. “We’d best get out,” Duggan reminded him. “but perhaps you want a blow first?” “ I’m all right,” the other assured him. “Me damned boots slipped.” It was typical of these men; they made light of their dangers, and wasted but few words discussing them. The rest of the men were already across the creek when Duggan and Ballarat Joe joined them. The fact that all were dripping wet made but little difference. A few cursed the. water, but the others laughed at their misfortune. “What will we do, Duggan?” Ballarat Joe asked. “Just watch th’ track, out of sight, until Lawson’s mate shows up? ” Duggan betrayed no surprise, although the words and tone conveyed to him that he was reinstated in the other’s confidence. “ Yes,” he answered, “ just that.” The big miner chose a spot beside Duggan. Presently he said apologetically: “ I reckon I done you an injustice. Last night you formed a plan, and took us to th’ dance hall to discuss it. When that gal popped out of that door, 1 thought she’d been listening to us on purpose, and somehow I got it in me head that you wanted her to hear—l’m real sorry now that I made that mistake.” Duggan felt strangely embarrassed. “ I can guess how you felt,” he returned, “ but say no more about it.” “ I won't,” the other promised, “ but somehow I ain’t easy about that gal. ’ “Why?” “Well, it seems strange; she could have seen with half an eye that we wasn’t there to dance, and in any ease, why should she come secret like through that door, instead of coming down th’ hall ? ” “Most likely she had some-reason for leaving the room, and returned to it through that door.” “ Don’t sound right to me,” the other disagreed. “ I’ve been making a few inquiries to-day, and it seems how .her father’s a queer sort of cove. He never works; just drinks. Where’s he get th’ money from to do that with? ” Duggan was silent.

The afternoon sped, but Lawson’s mate did net show up. Occasionally a digger, with swag up, passed along the track, but when each had gone by Lawson shook big head pessimistically. “Seems that cove's not coming,” growled Ballarat Joe. They held a whispered consultation, and finally it was decided that Lawson, Duggan, and Joe should go on down the track in order to meet the man. By this time the sun had gone, ami, there would be very little more daylight, so the three hurried along as fast as the rough going would allow. They had gone nearly a. mile when suddenly there was a shout from Lawson, who was in the lead. The next minute he had dropped on his knees beside a dark object. “Holy hell! ” Ballarat Joe exclaimed. “A man knocked unconscious! ” “ Yes,” Lawson cried hoarsely. “My mate, and his gold’s gone! ” (To be continued.)