The supper consisted in part of their own supplies, with some small additions from the larder of the inn. It was, at any rate, an improvement upon their camp fare, and the boys enjoyed it.
After supper they sat down on a settle in front of the inn, but presently Fletcher strayed away into the woods at the back of the house. Some fifteen minutes later Larry Linton also got up, but ostentatiously went in a different direction.
"I'm going a little ways to a squatter's to speak about some vegetables," he said.
"If you don't mind company, I'll go along too," said Obed.
"Better not," answered Larry. "There's a boggy spot which a stranger is likely to fall into."
"I've had enough of bogs," said Obed, shrugging his shoulders. "Seems to me you haven't got much besides bogs out in Australy."
So Linton went off by himself. After he was fairly out of the way, Obed said, turning to the two boys. "Did you think I wanted to go off with Linton?"
"I supposed so, as you made the proposal."
"I only wanted to find out if he wanted me or not. I have my suspicions."
"What kind of suspicions?"
Harry was the speaker, as usual, for Jack never took the lead when Harry was present.
"Fletcher and Linton are too thick together to suit me," answered the
Yankee. "Looks as if they was in league together."
"Do you think they have arranged a meeting?"
"That's just what I do think."
"But they have gone in different directions," objected Jack.
"Bless your simple heart, my boy, that's done on purpose," said Obed.
"Can't they fetch round together without our knowing it?"
"I didn't think of that," Jack admitted.
"Mr. Stackpole," said Harry after a moment's thought, "if you and Jack will keep each other company, I will explore a little myself. I may happen to be at the conference."
"Be careful if you do, Harry," said Obed. "Don't run no risk."
"I'll look out for that."
In the rear of the house, and almost reaching to it, was a forest of eucalyptus trees. It was unfavorable to Harry's purpose that these trees rise straight from the ground, and are not encumbered by underbrush. It was very pleasant walking though, and Harry sauntered along at his leisure. He almost forgot the object of his enterprise, until some half an hour later, in the stillness of the woods, his quick ear caught the sound of voices.
He was instantly on the alert. The voices, he doubted not, were those of Dick Fletcher and Larry Linton. He moved forward cautiously, and soon espied the speakers. They were sitting on the ground, under the overreaching boughs of a gigantic tree. Harry managed to get near enough to listen to the conversation, being himself concealed from view behind the trunk of a neighboring tree.
"Is there much money in the party?" he heard Linton ask.
"I can't tell you. The boys haven't got much, but that long-legged
Yankee has probably got considerable."
"What sort of a man is he?"
"He's likely to prove a troublesome customer. He is muscular, as you can see, and not easily scared."
"Has he any suspicion of you?"
"Yes; I put my foot in it the other night."
"How's that?"
"I saw him sleeping like a boy, and thought there was no danger of his waking up, so I took the liberty to explore his pockets. Before I could say Jack Robinson he had me by the throat, and wanted to know what I was after."
"That was awkward. How did you get out of it?"
"Lied out! Told him I was looking for matches, as I wanted a smoke."
"Did he swallow it down?"
"He didn't contradict me, but it has made him watchful and suspicious. If I'd got the money, I was ready to make tracks, and leave them to find their way as they could."
At this point the two rose and walked away, leaving Harry in his position behind the tree. As soon as he thought it was safe he came out, and made the best of his way to the inn, getting there about fifteen minutes before Fletcher appeared, but without the landlord. During that interval he had time to communicate what he had heard to Obed Stackpole.
"Just what I expected!" said Obed. "The treacherous skunk! So he's in league with the landlord, is he? I'll fix him."
He cautioned the two boys not to show by their manner that they had made any discovery, but to appear as usual.
The next morning the party started as usual. They plodded on for almost a mile, when Obed, turning quickly to Fletcher, said:
"Let me look at that weapon of yours a minute."
Fletcher unsuspiciously handed it over.
"I think I shall keep this, Fletcher," said Obed, eying him steadily.
"I'm pained to have to bid you good-by."
"What does all this mean?" blustered Fletcher.
"It means that your room is better than your company. We'd better part."
"Would you rob me? That revolver is mine, and I paid for a share of the things in the cart."
"I'll allow you the vally of them and pay you on the spot, but we can't go on together."
Suiting the action to the word, Mr. Stackpole handed over a handsome sum of money.
"But I don't want to sell my revolver," repeated Fletcher. "What am I to do out here alone, and unarmed."
"You'd better go back to your friend Larry Linton. He'll look out for you."
"You will regret this high-handed proceeding!" exclaimed Fletcher angrily.
"Maybe I shall, and maybe I shan't," answered Obed indifferently. "I'll risk it."
Fletcher halted a moment as if undecided, then turned back, and was soon out of sight.
CHAPTER VIII. A VICTIM OF TREACHERY
All the party felt relieved to be rid of Fletcher. Without being able to prove anything against him, all believed him to be unworthy of confidence. Now they were a united party, and whatever might be the hardships of the trip they were ready to sympathize and co-operate with each other.
They had already learned that it was no holiday trip they had undertaken. The bogs have already been referred to. In addition the heat was oppressive in the middle of the day. Then the numerous insects that infest Australia – the ants, flies, and scorpions – were most troublesome. They had to be very careful to avoid being bitten, for the bite of any these is severe and dangerous. On the day succeeding their parting from Fletcher they accomplished but six miles, the road being unusually swampy.
"I feel about tuckered out," said Obed, about the middle of the afternoon, just after he had extricated the team, by great personal effort, from a morass. "If I'd 'a' known as much of the country before startin' I wouldn't have started at all."
"It's a long road that has no ending," said Harry, smiling. He, too, was very tired, but youth is hopeful.
"It's the worst country I ever travelled in, by a long shot. If I ever make my pile, I'll take the first steamer back to Frisco."
"Who's that?" suddenly exclaimed Jack.
Obed and Harry, looking up, saw a forlorn-looking figure approaching them. It was a man of middle age, and emaciated in appearance, looking the image of despair. He tottered rather than walked, from exceeding weakness.
"For Heaven's sake give me something to eat! I am almost famished," he cried.
"Why, certainly, friend," answered Obed, rising and advancing to meet the stranger. "We don't keep a first-class hotel, but you're welcome to what we've got. Are you travellin'