."

"Gag that scoundrel if he speaks again," cried Mr Raydon, coolly, as
the rough-looking men clustered together, dirt-stained, unkempt, and
drenched with water some of them, and all anxiously handling their
pieces. There was a low angry murmur from the new-comers, and our
assailants shouted--

"Yes; come to rob us of our claim."

"Silence!" cried Mr Raydon, turning then to the gold-finders. "I am
Mr Daniel Raydon, chief officer of Fort Elk, the station of the
Hudson's Bay Company."

"Ay, that's right," said one of the new-comers.

"I stand to all here as the magistrate of this district till the
Governor, her Majesty's representative, sends officers to preserve
order, and protect you and your rights and claims in this
newly-discovered goldfield."

"That's right, sir; that's right, sir," said the same man. "But when
we've chosen claims you're not to take them away."

"Hear, hear!" roared the big ruffian, faintly.

"And shoot him down," cried another of the fresh coiners; and there was
a loud murmur like a chorus of approval.

"Of course not, my men," said Mr Raydon, calmly.

"Don't listen to him. It's a robbery," cried one of the big ruffian's
gang. "Fired at us; shot two of our men."

"Yes; we heard the shots," said the first gold-finder.

"And I am glad you have come," said Mr Raydon. "Now then, you boys.
Has either of you seen a man here and those two lads before?"

"Seen the man," said the first speaker; "not the boys."

"Well, do you know he was working this claim with a Chinaman?"

"Yes," said another; "I saw the Chinaman only yesterday morning."

"Last night the Chinaman came to the Fort to tell me they were attacked
by a gang of ruffians, and I brought my men over the mountains to come
to their help."

"It's all a lie," said the big fellow, in a faint voice.

"Ask the boys, my good fellows," said Mr Raydon. "Ask them where Mr
Gunson is."

"Lying yonder," cried Esau, "half dead. They did it."

"These boys are bound too, you see. Tell them, Mayne Gordon, what they
were about to do when I came to your help."

"Hold our feet in the fire to make us tell where the gold is hidden."

"No, no; a bit of a game," chorussed the gang.

"Look at my feet," cried Esau, piteously; "is that a bit of a game?" and
he tried to hold up his bound legs, which the leader of the new-comers
raised and examined.

"It's true enough," said the chief speaker, indignantly; and a roar of
execration arose.