"ALMA."

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XX, Issue 2038, 4 March 1887, Page 1 (Supplement)

"ALMA."

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Ax ORIMNAI, m.<u:\u\s Sioky HAUoi.n stAh.n, i-;.-,.. M.r. 11l ytv. Bi rll v. AM..-. (.I - ' Jm<> 1t.1.') CII.UTKC \» 11.- ( < 'MINIMO This gentleiA, a canny Soot, named 11‘Corkle—all Jissnrs of stations, be it remarked, are So&bmen—listened attentively, ■naked two pips, and drank three glasses of whisky and and then delivered hie opinion. •• Aweel, Msrtet Lascelles.'' be began, “I eaana say I like the seemptoma. If be is na elean daft a'teadv, he'll gang the gate, gin be stays here mo eh longer. I'm not dec* posed to accept Ibe responsibeelity of advising ye, bat I mean sdmo t, if be was my son, I’d jam kick him oat o' the boose.” “Gad Uese my soul!” exclaimed the old gentleman. “What should I do that for? The boy's as good as gold.” " Torn him oot to earn bis living—hard work is the pbeesie be needs.” “Impossible, I could not do it. Why, be would only laugh at me, and then I should ba aompellsd to laugh too. No, no—that ■obeme won't do at all.”

“ Van wee). Speak till him, then. Tell him to go away and amuse himself—get drank—play billiards, an' go to the deevil as ■naeas he cm.” " No good, he wouldn't do it.

“ Tnen he's a rant arix in terrt," replied M’Corkb, who prided himeell upon his Latiaity. “ I eaonna ca’ to mind a seemilar ease; but baa na the young gentleman got sorts wdm left ? Tell him he'll o'ny get wane gif he does na tight against his melaueholly. Tell him to iak' peeck and shovel an' gang ana to the diggin’s. Tbats where he ought to be.”

"By George, there’s some sense in that, M'Corkle," said Mr. Bascelles. 44 A spell at the diggings would do him good; and. I'll toll you wbat— I've a deuced good mind to go with him myself I" “The Board forbid I" ejaculated Mr. U'Corkle, piously. 44 What the deuco do you mean ?" asked Mr. Bascelles, ten ity. 44 Tbe lad mean gang awe’ alane, wi’ naebody to remind h:m u’ the past. Gin ye pairwest in gaein' hi'him, bo might saewell bids at home.”

‘‘Perhaps you are right—l'll speak to him to-night. Will you take another glass of whiskey ?" 44 'Deed an’ I wall," replied Mr. M’Corkle, taking the hint tor bis dismissal. 44 An’ then I'll just send him in t'ye. Harry accepted tbe suggestion very readily, and bis father was pleased to see that he looked even cheerful, whilst making preparations for the journey. He determined to proceed first to Melbourne, and leave bis after movements to be decided by circum.stancee. Almost the first person he met, upon bis arrival in that town, was a certain Captain Fortescue, whose acquaintance he had made in Sydney, where (hat gentleman had been stationed with hie regiment. They dined together, and, in tbe confidence begotten by a good dinner and generous wine, Harry told bis story, or as much of it as was necmiiary to account for his presence in Melbourne.

44 You have come over to see a little life on the diggings,'' said Captain Fortescue. 44 Come with me, join m, and, if yon don't mind a good deal of hard riding, and expo■arc to the weather, I can promise you enough 4 life ’ to satisfy you even if yon had tbe appetite of a gargantua." 44 And who are ‘us’ 7 ’ asked Harry. 44 Have yon left the army ? ’ 44 Sold out twelve months ago. I am now commander of the gold escort from Forest Creek. It luckily happens that I want a lieutenant at this moment, and, if you like, you can have ths billet. It is a rough life hot glorious fun, I can tell you.”

Harry jumped at the offer. 11 was just the aort of thing be wanted—plenty of excitement, and plenty of bard riding—be was quite effusive in his thanks to Captain Forteacoe, and agreed to bold himself ready to ■tart at any moment.

After one or two trips, the captain fell ill, as stated by the conspirators in the cavern, •ad open Harry fell the doty of taking •barge of the escort to Melbourne, He was be Ibis time delighted with the life, and, apparently, quite recovered from bis love fever.

Tue prescription of Boctor M’Corkle is as effective in sneh eases as Weston’s Wizard Oil is in most of the other ills that flesh is hair to.

CHAPTER XXVIII. aE-I'NIT*D. “ Here’s a letter lor you, miss,” said Susie to Alma shortly after they had returned front their expedition to the cave*. “Barney BraUagban, the blacksmith, sez your a acts give it to him for you about an hour ago.” Alma opened the envelope mechanically, her mind being busily occupied in devising some meani for making Mr. Harry LaseeQee acquainted with his danger; bat she wes ■tattled into attention. The letter ran as follows: -

Mr Hear Alma, 1 have received a sodden call to Snob’s

tially, and shall perhaps be compelled to (;o cn to Forest Creek. In such an event I f-hall not be home lor four or five days at the least. I have, therelore, arranged with Mrs. Brown, Susan’s mother, to sleep in the bouse until my return.

Your affectionate Uncle Stephen Tredegar, Not home for four of five days, and tg" attack is to be made on Tuesday I thought Alma. What should she do ? What could she do ? There was no post to Alsatia, the very existence of the settlement being almost unknown tr the Government. Should she engage a special messenger ? She feared to run the risk; for, although she was far from suspecting the true character of the residents of Aisatis. she instinctively felt that they were untrustworthy; and the interests at stake were of such vital importance that nothing ought to be left to chance. She argued that the attractions of a horse race, or a debauch in some wayside shanty, might prove too alluring for her messenger, and perhaps cause delay which would be ruinous. At last, she determined to go herself,and summoned Susie to her aid.

“ Susie,” she said, “ how far is it to Forest Creek?’

“ A very long way, miss, nigh seventy mile, I’ve heard say.’ “ Do you know the road ?” “ Lor hires you, no, miss 1 me know the road ? Why I ain’t been nowhere since we come hero to live, and that’s more’n ten year ago.”

Here was a poser. Alma had intended to make use of Susie as a guide, for she knew how hopeless it would be to set out alone. It was not. however, necessary that they should go as far as Forest Creek—it would be sufficient if she could meet the escort before it arrived at the place where the attack was to be made. “Do you know a man named Rigby 1” she asked. " The old man of the mountain 7” “ Yes.” "He comes here sometimes. 1 seen him, though I don’t know him, not to speak to. He's a awful old chap to look at. Beard right down to bis belt, and eyes that pierces like a gimb'et. Bad lot he is every way you take him.”

"He keeps a public-house, does he not?” asked Alma.

“ Yes, miss. Leastways it’s a shanty on the Melbourne road, not far from here.” ‘ Have you ever been there?” “ Or ce I went over with my brother Bill, miss.” “You know the way, then ?” “ Yes. It’s not hard to find, once you're over the range. I 'spose it’s maybe fourteen miles to ride; but if you go through the caves you can git there in six or seven.” That was sufficient. Alma determined to start early on Tuesday morning, and lie in wait on the roadside, a mile or two above the o'd man's shanty, until the escort passed. Ilsmtmlering that, in all probability, Susie's brother was one of the originators of (be plot, ted reflecting that, if tbai were the case, he would almost certainly pay a visit to his sister in the course of a day or two, she now sought to divert suspicion by telling the girl that her uncle had promised to take her there on his return from Forest Creek, and asked her it she would like to accompany them. “ Oh, wouldn't 11” exclaimed Susie, joyfully. “Id like to go anywheres with you, miss; but I dunno as mother would like it."

" Then don't say a word about it till my uncle comes back,” said Alma. “We will leave it to him to talk to her. I don’t think she will Kfuae him. at any rate." “ No, Burc-ly not, miss,” said Susie. “My word, I’ll eay nothing about it till he comes back.”

I During the next three days Alma underwent such torments of anxiety that in after ; years she could not recall the time without a i shudder. Her trouble was increased by the 1 advent of Susie's brother, who, as she bad ' anticipated, turned out to be the taller of the l two rullisns she had seen in the cave. Susie ! was immensely delighted to meet him, but ! (Alma thought) she seemed half afraid, and I she was certainly singularly reticent as to his ! adventures daring bis absence, j This Mr. Bill Brown spent the major part i of his time carousing at the inn, and the quiet I village was completely upset, for the men < gathered round bttn, and late at night might 1 be beard whooping and yelling as they made j their wi.y to their homes. I Alma noticed that mysterious conferences I also took place, in which most of the men ! joined; and she began to suspect that not a j few of them were concerned in the plot to rob | the escort. j On the Monday Mr. Bill Brown took his | departure,accompanied by two or three others, ; and that night there was peace.

! Soon after breakfast on Tuesday morning ! Alma called Susie, and proposed a walk up i tbe mouhtains. To her surprise the girl j hesitated. and suggested that they bad better poatpc ne their excursion (ill (he following ! day.

This iti Alma to think, and she soon arrived at the conclusion that Mr. Bill Brown had, to -.ente extent at least, made a oon» fidante ol hi? sister. She was grieved at this, lor she hsd learned to like the girl, who was of a singularly sweet disposition, and appeared to fce really attached to her mistress. Tbf thought, also, that she would be making SuJfe the unconscious instrument ol brother's betrayal, was by no means pleasant, and, altogether, Alma had a very uncomfortable task before her. But she dared not i Web. so she, with an assumption of csrelesro n-s sskedwhy Susie did not want to g > out that day.

“Well, you see, miss,” said Susie very much omb»). assed, 4> it do look uncommon like raio, unis, and—and—"

44 And you are afraid of a wetting 7 Well, 1 am not, and ™ 1 shall go alone if you do not care to come with me."

That was not to be thought ol lor a moment; Alma alone might wander anywhere, and Sueie was reluctantly compelled to consent to accompany her. Accordingly, shortly afterwards, tjiey set out, provided with luncheon, as was nanal with them when they ; went on such Excursions. Much iX'a;■ 1 .'etiug was needed to get Sueie to ppin; i,ut the path which led to the main road ; bn a: last, Alma had the happiness to f nd 1" r-cll seated under a tree on ; the side ol a hill, vith a lull view of the track along whii hj the escort most travel in its way to the establishment ol the Old Man ol the mounti dn. To say tl '»» Sartre uncomfortable, by no m«.n. exp esess the state of mind to which the poor gi 1 reduced. For hours she had led Ain '» i; !’ and down the hills, m the hope that fi itiguc would cause her to return home - but all > n v z>n, and m sheet desperation, site ha I bet to the road;, supposing that she wa * only gratifying awhim.and that her mistress would then content to leave the ■ ne juafO rb p°o(fr susi- was doomed to disappointment. Alma sealed herself under a tree, and. takinnfrum h.-r bag a small drawingblock, delil®aiely bn “in to make a sketch of the scene. ® It was latjin the i.lrjrnoon—the sky was over blended! and the sun was invisible, so Susie could Inot tell the time-the escort would pass awout sundown, and then what complication! might not ensue 0 Susie was not acquaint*! with the details of the plot, and had tak!" it into her h.tle head that the escort wa* to be "etmi-up alto the orthodox fasbi on < somewhere in the neighborhood of Bigtyt l '

In a perfect fever o! anxiety, she asked Alma the time. “ Half-past-four,” replied Alma, after look ing at her watch—it was then actually a quarter to six, but the deception was justiti able under the circumstances. “ Don't you think, miss,” said Susie, “ as we're a long ways from home, and the clouds looks threatenin’, don’t you think you’d better finish that there drawing another time 7”

“No, I do not, Susie,” replied Alma, ap. patently engrossed in her work. “Itis a lovely evening, and it won’t be dark for hours yet.” " But it's going to rain, miss,” said Susie, despairingly. Indeed, as she spoke, a huge drop fell splash upon the drawing-block, and Alma was obliged to look up. "So I see,” she said. “ Let’s get under shelter while we oan.” As she said this, Alma gathered up her drawing materials, and then, to Susie’s consternation, deliberately ran down the biil, and ensconced herself in the burnt out hollow of a huge tree which extended its limbs right across the road. Susie was in despair. What could she do ? The rain was already coming down alter a fashion that promised a steady downpour for perhaps an hour, and, for aught she knew to the contrary, her brother and his associates might coins up at any moment, She stood bewildered (or a minute, and then ran down to her mistress.

An boar paired almost in silence, both the girls were too excited to converse. Susie felt that farther remonstrance was useless, for the rain continued to poor down without a sign of cessation, and was resigned to her (ate; consoling herself also by the reflection that, after all, the escort might not come up before they started for home, and that it was also by no means certain that the attack would be made within their hearing.

At last, amid the steady splash of the rain, a rumbling noise became audible, and, a moment later, two troopers came round the corner at a hand-gallop. Following them, one of the gold-carts, drawn by (our horses; then more troopers, and, last of all, Harry Lascelles riding alone.

Alma, breathless with excitement, rushed out into the road, and, with a wild ory, of “Harry!” fell on her face almost under the hoofs of his horse.

Harry pulled up so suddenly as to throw the animal on its haunches, jumped out of the saddle, and, in a moment, was by her side.

The episode had passed nnnoticed by the troopers, who were soon out of sight; but Susie, halt-mad with anxiety, reached (he young lady almost as soon as her lover. " Alma 1” exclaimed Harry, raising the girl, and straining her to his breast. “My darling! You here 1 Tell me, am I mad?” Alma could not answer, but she blushed rosy red, and smiled so sweetly, (hat Harry needed no other assurance.

“ Let me take her, sirl” exclaimed Susie. ** You just ride on, and 111 attend to the young lady." Harry turned, and would have replied, but Alma bad recovered herself by this time, and withdrew herself gently from his arms. “ This is an old friend of mine, Susie,” she said. “The friend of whom you have heard me speak so often—Mr. Harry Lascelles. Bo good enough to leave us alone for a few minutes.”

Susie, utterly bewildered, stammered out a few words, and retired to the burnt tree; whilst Alma and Harry sought shelter under a spreading box-tree, behind the trunk of which they were concealed from the view of the girl. “My darling 1” exclaimed Harry, taking her in his arms, “ if you knew how I have suffered I”

“ Yes, Hatty ?”said Alma, smiling and crying at the same time." 44 Why did you leave me without a word—without a line 7”

Ob, Harry I” interrupted Alma. 41 We must not stay to talk now, dear. You are in terrible danger !" 44 What do you mean you little goose?” Question emphasized by a kiss. Alma hurriedly narrated her adventure in the oaves, and told of the trouble she bad had to communicate with him, and ooncludingly implored her lover to ride'on at once, and, on no account, to stop at that dreadful house.

44 And leave you alone in (he bash at nightfall ?" asked Harry. 44 You must, dear. Besides, I am quite safe. We ate not fsr from home, and Susie knows every inch of the way." Was ever mortal placed in such a position before 7 Duty demanded that he should at once take means for the defence of the enormous treasure entrusted to bis care; yet Harry Bascelles lingered. It seemed horrible to him to leave a delicate girl in tbe bush, with no other companion than a mere child like Susie, and yet, it must be done 1 44 Where shall I find you, dear, when I return ?” he asked, at last. 44 We live in a village called Alsatia, but there is no post there. I suppose our nearest post-town is Snob’s Gully. You will write to me, will you uot ?’’

44 Write to you, little one ? I’ll be with you myself as soon as a letter could reach yon. But it is dreadful to leave you now!”

44 0h, but you must!" exclaimed Alma. 44 You must 1 Do not atop another moment, but gallop after your men ?’’ 44 They will not go far—indeed, here come some of them. They missed me, you see, and came back, as I knew they would.” As he said this, Harry held her tight to his breast, and covered her face with kisses ; till the little maid, lor very shame, drew back half-frightened at his vehemence. Then, without taking another look, she ran towards Susie, calling her to come home at once. i

Hatty Lascellea took the rein ol his horse which a trooper had caught and brought to him,and mechanically vaulted into the saddle. He, too, dared not look back; so he jammed hie cap down over his eyes, stuck hie spurs into the horse, and galloped madly away.

CHAPTER XXIX. THE ESCORT ROBBBRT. On rejoining the escort, which he found waiting for him about a mile farther on, Harry at once summoned the troop-serjeant to a council of war. That worthy—an old soldier who had seen service in hie day—took matters very coolly. 11 As for going on, sir,” hesaid, “ and camping in the bush, that is simply impossible. The horses are nigh dead (beat already, and those'bushrangers would sure to follow and attack us.” “ *0 I thought myself,” said Harry, “ besides, we should be at their meroy if we were camped out. I suppose we must stop at Rigby’s.” “ Ay, and give them the biggest peppering they ever heard of.” “ The men had better be told at once.” “ I think, sir, it would perhaps be beat to speak to the drivers first. Both of ’em have seen a good bit of fighting in their day, and their advice might be worth having.” Completely inexperienced as he was, Harry naturally felt anxious to avail himself of the experience of others, and be readily consented to admit the drivers to the council, These men—Americans, like most drivers in those days—had been in California in ’lO, and lighting came as natural to them as eating and drinking. They were attired like bandits, and looked ferocious enough to scare an ordinary bushranger into fits.

The leader of the two on being made acquainted with the position almost laughed lor joy, and, turning to his mate said:

“ Seems like ole times, pard ?” " You bet 1” replied the other with a grin of delight. “We thought it would be best to wait for them at Rigby’s,” said Harry. " That’s yersort 1” exclaimed Driver No. 1, otherwise known to the world as “Zaok.” “ Lay fur ’em, an’ fetch ’em jist as they think they thinks they’re a-going’ ter rake the pot. It’s beautiful—beautiful ’” Mr. Zack was so p’eised that he actually began to dance a species of hornpipe in the mud.

“ Well, I conclude it will be best to let them alone until one or mote of them are in the room," said Harry. “ Tell yet what,” exclaimed Driver No. 2 —Dan Blossom by name—" my idea is, let the chap come up an’ collar our pistils; then up we jumps ; he sings out, his mates comes up to help him, an’ then wo ken jist bowl ’em over like they wss ten pins." “Too dangerous,” replied Harry; “we could not tackle them unarmed."

Dan looked steadily at his commander, sighed deeply, expectorated, and then condescended to explain. “Hain’t all on us got two pistols or revolvers ?” “ Yes, 1 believe so,” replied Harry. Wa-sl, one weppin lies outside the bed, unloaded, for them skunks ter collar, the other is jiet gripped in out fiats, and soon's the room's fall on ’em we lets drive.” “By Osorge, it is a good idea!" exclaimed Harry. “Bully fur you,ole boss,” said Zack to his fellow-driver. “ I reckon we've jist got them tellurs, sure.” The troop sergeant condescended also to express his approval, and so it was decided. “Now tell the men,” said Harry, “and let us tide on quickly, to make up for lost time.”

“ I’d not say a word about it if I was you, sir,” said the sergeant, “ until we are going to bed. Some of them would be sure to betray themselves by their manner, if any of the bushrangers were lurking about.” “ Which you kin bet yet life some on ’em will be lyin’ around, in the bar or elsewhetes, an’ mebbo try to make our men drunk,” said Zack. “ Our fellers are right enough to light, I think, but most of ’em ain’t been under fire, an’ ’ud ba sartiu sure to look n#»rvcn a . ,> To be continual.)