In Search of the Castaways [141]
smash it in. Glenarvan went out to Mulrady and Wilson, who were keeping watch. Profound silence reigned over the plain between the wood and the river. Ben Joyce and his band must be at considerable distance, for the atmosphere was in such a state of complete torpor that the slightest sound would have been heard. It was evident, from the flocks of birds on the lower branches of the trees, and the kangaroos feeding quietly on the young shoots, and a couple of emus whose confiding heads passed between the great clumps of bushes, that those peaceful solitudes were untroubled by the presence of human beings. "You have neither seen nor heard anything for the last hour?" said Glenarvan to the two sailors. "Nothing whatever, your honor," replied Wilson. "The convicts must be miles away from here." "They were not in numbers enough to attack us, I suppose," added Mulrady. "Ben Joyce will have gone to recruit his party, with some bandits like himself, among the bush-rangers who may be lurking about the foot of the Alps." "That is probably the case, Mulrady," replied Glenarvan. "The rascals are cowards; they know we are armed, and well armed too. Perhaps they are waiting for nightfall to commence the attack. We must redouble our watchfulness. Oh, if we could only get out of this bog, and down the coast; but this swollen river bars our passage. I would pay its weight in gold for a raft which would carry us over to the other side." "Why does not your honor give orders for a raft to be constructed? We have plenty of wood." "No, Wilson," replied Glenarvan; "this Snowy is not a river, it is an impassable torrent." John Mangles, the Major, and Paganel just then came out of the wagon on purpose to examine the state of the river. They found it still so swollen by the heavy rain that the water was a foot above the level. It formed an impetuous current, like the American rapids. To venture over that foaming current and that rushing flood, broken into a thousand eddies and hollows and gulfs, was impossible. John Mangles declared the passage impracticable. "But we must not stay here," he added, "without attempting anything. What we were going to do before Ayrton's treachery is still more necessary now." "What do you mean, John?" asked Glenarvan. "I mean that our need is urgent, and that since we cannot go to Twofold Bay, we must go to Melbourne. We have still one horse. Give it to me, my Lord, and I will go to Melbourne." "But that will be a dangerous venture, John," said Glenarvan. "Not to speak of the perils of a journey of two hundred miles over an unknown country, the road and the by-ways will be guarded by the accomplices of Ben Joyce." "I know it, my Lord, but I know also that things can't stay long as they are; Ayrton only asked a week's absence to fetch the crew of the DUNCAN, and I will be back to the Snowy River in six days. Well, my Lord, what are your commands?" "Before Glenarvan decides," said Paganel, "I must make an observation. That some one must go to Melbourne is evident, but that John Mangles should be the one to expose himself to the risk, cannot be. He is the captain of the DUNCAN, and must be careful of his life. I will go instead." "That is all very well, Paganel," said the Major; "but why should you be the one to go?" "Are we not here?" said Mulrady and Wilson. "And do you think," replied McNabbs, "that a journey of two hundred miles on horseback frightens me." "Friends," said Glenarvan, "one of us must go, so let it be decided by drawing lots. Write all our names, Paganel." "Not yours, my Lord," said John Mangles. "And why not?" "What! separate you from Lady Helena, and before your wound is healed, too!" "Glenarvan," said Paganel, "you cannot leave the expedition." "No," added the Major. "Your place is here, Edward, you ought not to go." "Danger is involved in it," said Glenarvan, "and I will take my share along with the rest. Write the names, Paganel, and put mine among them, and I hope the lot may fall on me." His will was obeyed. The names were written, and the lots drawn. Fate fixed on Mulrady. The brave