ppose old Raydon won't have us back?" cried Esau.

"But he will when he knows why I came."

"I am not so sure," said Gunson. "Well, I suppose you are right."

"No, no," cried Esau. "I meant to stop along with you. I shan't go.
If I do, it'll be to fetch mother."

I told Esau I did not believe him, and Gunson went on--

"It's awkward about those fellows, for at present might is right up
here. The worst of it is, Quong can't fight."

"No fightee," said Quong, looking up sharply. "Melican man fightee.
Quong makee flesh tea, talkee ploper English. Makee flesh blead all
hot. Hot closs bun."

"I should like to stay with you, Mr Gunson," I said; "and it is very
tempting. But I must go back."

"And if Mr Raydon refuses to have you, my lads, come back, and I'll
make you as welcome as I can."

"Flesh tea all leady," said Quong; and I was soon after gladly partaking
of the simple meal, close to the spot where I had met with the terrible
accident six months before.

Before we lay down for a few hours' rest, I wanted to tell him more
about my trouble, and how Mr Raydon suspected me. I wanted to ask him
too how he had found out about this spot. But Esau was lying close by
me, and I suspected him of playing a double part. I felt sure just then
that he had been Gunson's informant, so I had to put it all off till a
more favourable opportunity; and while I was thinking this I dropped off
fast asleep.

CHAPTER FORTY FOUR.

GREY'S MESSAGE.

"Flesh tea allee leady," cried a familiar voice in my ear; and I started
up to see the sun peering over the edge of the mountains to light up the
beautiful opalescent mists floating below. There was the scent of the
bruised pine-boughs where I lay, and a more familiar one wafted from the
fire--that of hot, newly-made bread.

"Yes, all right, I'm getting up," grunted Esau; and directly after we
went down to the stream and had a good wash, finding Gunson waiting by
the fire and watching the frizzling of some slices of bacon on our
return.

"Good morning," he said. "Come and have your breakfast. Well," he
continued, as we began, "what's it to be? Going back?"

"Yes," I said, "directly after breakfast."

"Oh!" cried Esau.

"I can't help it, Esau; we must. We are in honour bound."

"And we might make our fortunes."

"You leave me, then, to the mercy of those scoundrels down below?" said
Gunson, drily.

"I am only a boy, sir," I said; "how can I fight for you?