"It is all true," cried Mr Raydon. "Where is the Chinaman?"

"Allee light--me come along," cried Quong; and there was a roar of
laughter, for his voice came from high up in a tree.

"Come down, Quong; there is no danger," said Mr Raydon. "Some of you
cut these poor lads' limbs free. Stop, fool!" he roared, as one of the
gang began to sidle off. "Stand, all of you, if you value your lives.
Fire on the first scoundrel who tries to escape. I have men planted,
and good shots," he said to the leader of the gold-finders.

"You carry it with a high hand, governor," said this man, rather
abruptly.

"Well, sir, I have come to save these people here. I should have done
the same for you. This is English ground, where every man's life and
property must be protected by the law. For the time being I represent
the law, and I'll have myself obeyed. Now what have you--what have any
of you to say?"

"Three cheers for old England and the law!" cried the man. "I beg your
pardon, sir: you're right, and I'm wrong. What shall we do? Hang this
lot?"

"That's not obeying the law," said Mr Raydon, smiling. "No; two of
them are wounded. Their leader has his thigh broken; and his companion
his hand smashed, as he tried to stab me. They have got their
punishment. Disarm the rest. Then four of my men shall go with you to
see these scoundrels well down the valley. If they show their faces
here again they know the risks."

"Right!" cried the leader; and he snatched the revolver from the nearest
man, and his example was so rapidly followed, that in a few minutes the
utterly cowed gang was huddled together, unarmed, and guarded by four of
the Company's people, who had advanced from the wood at a word from
their chief.

"And now what about our claims along this stream?" said the leader of
the new-comers.

"I am here to help you maintain your just rights, sir," said Mr Raydon,
quietly. "Now help me to maintain order, and to see to the wounded men.
Bring lint and bandages, Grey."

And as that individual produced the linen from his haversack, Mr Raydon
handed his rifle to one of the gold-finders, and went down on one knee
to examine Mr Gunson's injury, which he carefully washed and bandaged.

"A terrible cut," he said, in answer to my inquiring eyes, "and
concussion of the brain. I hope not more serious. Now, my man," he
continued, turning to the big ruffian, "you tried to take my life, and I
have got to try and save y