In Search of the Castaways [137]
a boat then," said Robert, who never stuck at anything. "We have only to cut down a tree and hollow it out, and get in and be off." "He's going ahead, this boy of Captain Grant's!" said Paganel. "And he's right," returned John Mangles. "We shall be forced to come to that, and I think it is useless to waste our time in idle discussion." "What do you think of it, Ayrton?" asked Glenarvan seriously. "I think, my Lord, that a month hence, unless some help arrives, we shall find ourselves still on the banks of the Snowy." "Well, then, have you any better plan to propose?" said John Mangles, somewhat impatiently. "Yes, that the DUNCAN should leave Melbourne, and go to the east coast." "Oh, always the same story! And how could her presence at the bay facilitate our means of getting there?" Ayrton waited an instant before answering, and then said, rather evasively: "I have no wish to obtrude my opinions. What I do is for our common good, and I am ready to start the moment his honor gives the signal." And he crossed his arms and was silent. "That is no reply, Ayrton," said Glenarvan. "Tell us your plan, and we will discuss it. What is it you propose?" Ayrton replied in a calm tone of assurance: "I propose that we should not venture beyond the Snowy in our present condition. It is here we must wait till help comes, and this help can only come from the DUNCAN. Let us camp here, where we have provisions, and let one of us take your orders to Tom Austin to go on to Twofold Bay." This unexpected proposition was greeted with astonishment, and by John Mangles with openly-expressed opposition. "Meantime," continued Ayrton, "either the river will get lower, and allow us to ford it, or we shall have time to make a canoe. This is the plan I submit for your Lordship's approval." "Well, Ayrton," replied Glenarvan, "your plan is worthy of serious consideration. The worst thing about it is the delay it would cause; but it would save us great fatigue, and perhaps danger. What do you think of it, friends?" "Speak your mind, McNabbs," said Lady Helena. "Since the beginning of the discussion you have been only a listener, and very sparing of your words." "Since you ask my advice," said the Major, "I will give it you frankly. I think Ayrton has spoken wisely and well, and I side with him." Such a reply was hardly looked for, as hitherto the Major had been strongly opposed to Ayrton's project. Ayrton himself was surprised, and gave a hasty glance at the Major. However, Paganel, Lady Helena, and the sailors were all of the same way of thinking; and since McNabbs had come over to his opinion, Glenarvan decided that the quartermaster's plan should be adopted in principle. "And now, John," he added, "don't you think yourself it would be prudent to encamp here, on the banks of the river Snowy, till we can get some means of conveyance." "Yes," replied John Mangles, "if our messenger can get across the Snowy when we cannot." All eyes were turned on the quartermaster, who said, with the air of a man who knew what he was about: "The messenger will not cross the river." "Indeed!" said John Mangles. "He will simply go back to the Lucknow Road which leads straight to Melbourne." "Go two hundred and fifty miles on foot!" cried the young Captain. "On horseback," replied Ayrton. "There is one horse sound enough at present. It will only be an affair of four days. Allow the DUNCAN two days more to get to the bay and twenty hours to get back to the camp, and in a week the messenger can be back with the entire crew of the vessel." The Major nodded approvingly as Ayrton spoke, to the profound astonishment of John Mangles; but as every one was in favor of the plan all there was to do was to carry it out as quickly as possible. "Now, then, friends," said Glenarvan, "we must settle who is to be our messenger. It will be a fatiguing, perilous mission. I would not conceal the fact from you. Who is disposed, then, to sacrifice himself for his companions and carry our instructions to Melbourne?" Wilson and Mulrady, and also Paganel, John Mangles and Robert instantly