Of course there was so far a pretext for his caution in the fact that there were scoundrels in those regions, who sometimes banded together and attacked people who were supposed to have gold-dust about them in large quantities, but as such assaults were not common, and as every one was equally liable to them, there seemed no sufficient ground for Bevans excessive care in the selection of his fortress.
On reaching it, Tom found its owner cutting up some firewood near his plank-bridge.
Hallo, Brixton! he cried, looking up in some surprise as the young man advanced; you seem to have bin in the wars. What have e been fightin wi, lad?
With a bear, Paul Bevan, replied Tom, sitting down on a log, with a long-drawn sigh.
Youre used up, lad, an want rest; mayhap you want grub also. Anyhow you look awful bad. No wounds, I hope, or bones broken, eh?
No, nothing but a broken heart, replied Tom with a faint attempt to smile.
Why, thats a queer bit o you for a bar to break. If you had said it was a girl that broke it, now, I could have
Where is Betty? interrupted the youth, quickly, with an anxious expression.
In the hut, lookin arter the grub. Youll come in an have some, of course. But Im coorious to hear about that bar. Was it far from here you met him?
Ay, just a short way this side o Pine Tree Diggings.
Pine Tree Diggins! repeated Paul in surprise. Why, then, didnt you go back to Pine Tree Diggins to wash yourself an rest, instead o comin all the way here?
Becausebecause, Paul Bevan, said Tom with sudden earnestness, as he gazed on the others face, because Im a thief!
You might be worse, replied Bevan, while a peculiarly significant smile played for a moment on his rugged features.
What do you mean? exclaimed Tom, in amazement.
Why, you might have bin a murderer, you know, replied Bevan, with a nod.
The youth was so utterly disgusted with this cool, indifferent way of regarding the matter, that he almost regretted having spoken. He had been condemning himself so severely during the latter part of his journey, and the meanness of his conduct as well as its wickedness had been growing so dark in colour, that Bevans unexpected levity took him aback, and for a few seconds he could not speak.
Listen, he said at last, seizing his friend by the arm and looking earnestly into his eyes. Listen, and I will tell you all about it.
The man became grave as Tom went on with his narrative.
Yes, its a bad business, he said, at its conclusion, an uncommon bad business. Got a very ugly look about it.
You are right, Paul, said Tom, bowing his head, while a flush of shame covered his face. No one, I think, can be more fully convinced of the meannessthe sinof my conduct than I am now
Oh! as to that, returned Bevan, with another of his peculiar smiles, I didnt exactly mean that. You were tempted, you know, pretty bad. Besides, Bully Gashford is a big rascal, an richly deserves what he got. No, it wasnt that I meantbut its a bad look-out for you, lad, if they nab you. I knows the temper o them Pine Tree men, an theyre in such a wax just now that theyll string you up, as sure as fate, if they catch you.
Again Tom was silent, for the lightness with which Bevan regarded his act of theft only had the effect of making him condemn himself the more.
But I say, Brixton, resumed Bevan, with an altered expression, not a word of all this to Betty. You havent much chance with her as it is, although I do my best to back you up; but if she came to know of this affair, youd not have the ghost of a chance at allfor you know the gal is religious, mores the pity, though I will say it, shes a good obedient gal, in spite of her religion, an a fectionate darter to me. But shed never marry a thief, you know. You couldnt well expect her to.
The dislike with which Tom Brixton regarded his companion deepened into loathing as he spoke, and he felt it difficult to curb his desire to fell the man to the ground, but the thought that he was Bettys father soon swallowed up all other thoughts and feelings. He resolved in his own mind that, come of it what might, he would certainly tell all the facts to the girl, and then formally give her up, for he agreed with Bevan at least on one point, namely, that he could not expect a good religious girl to marry a thief!
But you forget, Paul, he said, after a few moments thought, that Betty is sure to hear about this affair the first time you have a visitor from Pine Tree Diggings.
Thats true, lad, I did forget that. But you know you can stoutly deny that it was you who did it. Say there was some mistake, and git up some cock-an-a-bull story to confuse her. Anyhow, say nothing about it just now.
Tom was still meditating what he should say in reply to this, when Betty herself appeared, calling her father to dinner.
Now, mind, not a word about the robbery, he whispered as he rose, and well make as much as we can of the bar.
Yes, not a word about it, thought Tom, till Betty and I are alone, and thena clean breast and good-bye to her, for ever!
During dinner the girl manifested more than usual sympathy with Tom Brixton. She saw that he was almost worn out with fatigue, and listened with intense interest to her fathers embellished narrative of the encounter with the bar, which narrative Tom was forced to interrupt and correct several times, in the course of its delivery. But this sympathy did not throw her off her guard. Remembering past visits, she took special care that Tom should have no opportunity of being alone with her.
Now, you must be off to rest, said Paul Bevan, the moment his visitor laid down his knife and fork, for, let me tell you, I may want your help before night. Ive got an enemy, Tom, an enemy who has sworn to be the death o me, and who will be the death o me, I feel sure o that in the long-run. However, Ill keep him off as long as I can. Hed have been under the sod long afore now, ladifif it hadnt bin for my Betty. Shes a queer girl is Betty, and shes made a queer man of her old father.
But who is this enemy, and whenwhat? explain yourself.
Well, Ive no time to explain either when or what just now, and you have no time to waste. Only I have had a hint from a friend, early this morning, that my enemy has discovered my whereabouts, and is following me up. But Im ready for him, and right glad to have your stout arm to helpthough you couldnt fight a babby just now. Lie down, I say, an Ill call you when youre wanted.
Ceasing to press the matter, Tom entered a small room, in one corner of which a narrow bed, or bunk, was fixed. Flinging himself on this, he was fast asleep in less than two minutes. Kind natures sweet restorer held him so fast, that for three hours he lay precisely as he fell, without the slightest motion, save the slow and regular heaving of his broad chest.
At the end of that time he was rudely shaken by a strong hand. The guilty are always easily startled. Springing from his couch he had seized Bevan by the throat before he was quite awake.
Hist! man, not quite so fast gasped his host shaking him off. Come, theyve turned up sooner than I expected.
Whatwho? said Brixton, looking round.
My enemy, of coorse, an a gang of redskins to help him. They expect to catch us asleep, but theyll find out their mistake soon enough. That lad there brought me the news, and, you see, he an Betty are getting things ready.