"In course it"s he. Bosley"s confessed all. Ked"nt well help it, wi"
my bowie threetenin" to make a red stream run out o" him. The gang-- thar"s twenty o" "em all counted--goed up to the Mission to plunder it-- a sort o" burglarious expedishun; Borla.s.se hevin" a understandin" wi" a treetur that"s inside--a sort o" sarvint to the Creole, Dupray, who only late engaged him. Wal; it seems they grupped the gurls, as they war makin" for the house--chanced on "em outside in the garden. Bosley an"
the other hev toated "em this far, an" war wait in for the rest to come on wi" the stolen goods. They may be hyar at any minnit; an", wi" Jim Borla.s.se at thar head, I needn"t tell ye what that means. Four o" us agin twenty--for we can"t count on Harkness--it"s ugly odds. We"d hev no show, howsomever. It "ud end in their again grabbin" these pretty critters, an" "s like "s not end our own lives."
Clancy needs no further speech to convince him of the danger. After what has occurred, an encounter with the robbers would, indeed, be disastrous. Richard Darke, leagued with Jim Borla.s.se, a noted pirate of the prairies; their diabolical plans disclosed, and only defeated by the merest accident of circ.u.mstances.
"You"re right, Sime. We mustn"t be caught by the scoundrels. As you say, that would be the end of everything. How are we to avoid them?"
"By streakin" out o" hyar quick as possible."
"Do you propose our taking to the timber, and lying hid till they go past?"
"No. Our better plan "ll be to go on to the Mission, an" get thar soon"s we kin."
"But we may meet them in the teeth?"
"We must, ef we take the main road up tother side--pretty sure to meet "em. We shan"t be sech fools. I"ve thought o" all that, an" a way to get clear of the sc.r.a.pe."
"What way?"
"That road we kim in by, ye see, leads on"ard up the bank this side. I reckin" it goes to the upper crossin", the which air several miles above the buildin"s. We kin take it, an" foller it without any fear o"
encounterin" them beauties. I"ve sent Jupe and Harkness to bring up the hosses. Ned"s tother side the tree in charge o" Bosley."
"You"ve arranged it right. Nothing could be better. Take the trail up this side. I can trust you for seeing them safe into their father"s arms--if he still live."
Woodley wonders at this speech. He is about to ask explanation, when Clancy adds, pointing to the elder sister--
"I want a word with her before parting. While you are getting ready the horses--"
"Before partin"!" interrupts Sime with increased surprise, "Surely you mean goin" along wi" us?"
"No, I don"t."
"But why, Charley?"
"Well, I"ve something to detain me here."
"What somethin"?"
"You ought to know without my telling you."
"Dog-goned ef I do."
"Richard Darke, then."
"But he"s goed off; ye don"t intend follerin" him?"
"I do--to the death. If ever I had a fixed determination in my life, "tis that."
"Wal, but you won"t go all by yerself! Ye"ll want some o" us wi" ye?"
"No."
"Not me, nor Ned?"
"Neither. You"ll both be needed to take care of them."
Clancy nods towards the sisters, adding:--
"You"ll have your hands full enough with Bosley and Harkness. Both will need looking after--and carefully. Jupe I"ll take with me."
Woodley remonstrates, pointing out the danger of the course his comrade intends pursuing. He only yields as Clancy rejoins, in a tone of determination, almost command:--
"You must do as I tell you, Sime; go on to the Mission, and take them with you. As for me, I"ve a strong reason for remaining behind by myself; a silly sentiment some might call it, though I don"t think you would."
"What is"t? Let"s hear it, an" I"ll gie ye my opeenyun strait an"
square."
"Simply, that in this whole matter from first to last, I"ve een making mistakes. So many, it"s just possible my courage may be called in question; or; if not that, my ability. Now, do you understand me?"
"Darned ef I do."
"Well; a man must do something to prove himself worthy of the name; at least one deed during his lifetime. There"s one I"ve got to do--must do it, before I can think of anything else."
"That is?"
"_Kill Richard Darke_, As you know, I"ve sworn it, and nothing shall come between me and my oath. No, Sime, not even she who stands yonder; though I can"t tell how it pains me to separate from her, now."
"Good Lord! that will be a painful partin"! Poor gurl! I reckin her heart"s been nigh broke arready. She hasn"t the peach colour she used to hev. It"s clean faded out o" her cheeks, an" what your goin" to do now aint the way to bring it back agin."
"I cannot help it, Sime. I hear my mother calling me. Go, now! I wish it; I insist upon it!"
Saying this, he turns towards Helen Armstrong to speak a word, which he knows will be sad as was ever breathed into the ear of woman.
CHAPTER SIXTY FOUR.
A WILD FAREWELL.
On Clancy and the hunter becoming engaged in their serious deliberation, the sisters also exchange thoughts that are troubled. The first bright flash of joy at their release from captivity, with Helen"s added gratification, is once more clouded over, as they think of what may have befallen their father. Now, knowing who the miscreants are, their hearts are heavy with apprehension. Jessie may, perhaps, feel it the more, having most cause--for her dread is of a double nature. There is her affianced, as well as her father!
But for Helen there is also another agony in store, soon to be suffered.
Little thinks she, as Clancy coming up takes her hand, that the light of gladness, which so suddenly shone into her heart, is to be with like suddenness extinguished; and that he who gave is about to take it away.
Gently leading her apart, and leaving Jessie to be comforted by Sime, he says--
"Dearest! we"ve arranged everything for your being taken back to the Mission. The brave backwoodsmen, Woodley and Heywood, will be your escort. Under their protection you"ll have nothing to fear. Either would lay down his life for you or your sister. Nor need you be uneasy about your father. From what this fellow, Bosley, says, the ruffians only meant robbery, and if they have not been resisted it will end in that only. Have courage, and be cheered; you"ll find your father as you left him."
"And you?" she asks in surprise. "Do you not go with us?"