The Argosy, Vol. XXIV No. 2 — page 80: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

272 THE TRACK OF MIDNIGHT. ‘“'That’s so,’’ Douglas replied. ‘‘ We need not tell any one.’’ As the evening came on the men kept inside the station, and had their supper in silence asa precaution against warning any spies there might be about as to their numbers. Then, when it was dark, they crept out one by one and went to their allotted places, to lie, with rifles ready, for the sight of . the man they wanted to shoot, and the signal for their volley. It was a moonless night, and the hours passed without a sound occurring by which the watchers could learn of the enemy’s approach, until a faint glimmer of light sped through the air, and with a slight thud.a spear buried itself in the roof of the house, and the fiber tied round it burst into flame. Two more followed, and in another minute the dry sheets of bark were ablaze. ‘The fire spread along the roof and, as it increased, lit up the surround- ing bush, and enabled the men lying in ambush to see three figures creeping stealthily towards the veranda. They divided, one going to either end and the third standing boldly for- ward in front of the door. The ruddy light fell upon him and lit up his black beard and locks. : Douglas and Johnson lay side by side, and the latter softly whispered, ‘Take the man on the right, I’ll take the other, and leave Midnight to the boys.”’ Silently they aimed, while the remainder of the party held their fingers on the triggers and waited for the signal shout that Johnson was to give for the volley. Midnight stood watching the growing fire, and then burst into a loud laugh. : At the same moment Johnson shouted, and the report of the volley cut short the outlaw’s mirth. ‘The two men who were posted at either end of the veranda fell, while Midnight staggered blindly forward and stumbled. With a yell of triumph the men sprang from their hiding places and rushed upon him. Recovering himself, he faced round and raised his rifle. The charging squatters scattered round him ashe fired, and under cover of the smoke, he dashed into the bush with all the men after him. Douglas caught Johnson by the arm. ‘It’s a race for the cave!’’ he exclaimed. ‘‘ He’ll double on them, and we'll go as hard as we can to get there before him.’’ Without waiting to look at the two who were lying where they had fallen, and who, as t happened, were never to rise again, Douglas and Johnson rushed through the bush in the direction of the gully in which the cave was situated. Once they stopped to reload their rifles and listen if any one else were near them, but they could distinguish nothing, and resumed their march. The gray dawn was showing when they came to the edge of the steep bank up which they had carried Wilton. ‘They hastily clambered down, and then hastened along the gully till they reached the boulder at the end. ‘‘ Shall we go into the cave or hide up the bank ?’’ Douglas asked. ‘‘ Into the cave,’’ Johnson answered, and they turned round the boulder, and, pushing aside the trailing vine, entered. DOOKS d 5) =)