for the term of his natural life-第70章

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CHAPTER　XXVII。

THE　VALLEY　OF　THE　SHADOW　OF　DEATH。



It　was　not　until　they　had　scrambled　up　the　beach　to　safety　that　the　absconders　became　fully　aware　of　the　loss　of　another　of　their　companions。　As　they　stood　on　the　break　of　the　beach；　wringing　the　water　from　their　clothes；　Gabbett's　small　eye；　counting　their　number；　missed　the　stroke　oar。　　

〃Where's　Cox？〃　

〃The　fool　fell　overboard；〃　said　Jemmy　Vetch　shortly。　　〃He　never　had　as　much　sense　in　that　skull　of　his　as　would　keep　it　sound　on　his　shoulders。〃

Gabbett　scowled。　　〃That's　three　of　us　gone；〃　he　said；　in　the　tones　of　a　man　suffering　some　personal　injury。

They　summed　up　their　means　of　defence　against　attack。　　Sanders　and　Greenhill　had　knives。　　Gabbett　still　retained　the　axe　in　his　belt。　　Vetch　had　dropped　his　musket　at　the　Neck；　and　Bodenham　and　Cornelius　were　unarmed。

〃Let's　have　a　look　at　the　tucker；〃　said　Vetch。

There　was　but　one　bag　of　provisions。　　It　contained　a　piece　of　salt　pork；　two　loaves；　and　some　uncooked　potatoes。　　Signal　Hill　station　was　not　rich　in　edibles。

〃That　ain't　much；〃　said　the　Crow；　with　rueful　face。　　〃Is　it；　Gabbett？〃

〃It　must　do；　any　way；〃　returned　the　giant　carelessly。

The　inspection　over；　the　six　proceeded　up　the　shore；　and　encamped　under　the　lee　of　a　rock。　　Bodenham　was　for　lighting　a　fire；　but　Vetch；　who；　by　tacit　consent；　had　been　chosen　leader　of　the　expedition；　forbade　it；　saying　that　the　light　might　betray　them。　　〃They'll　think　we're　drowned；　and　won't　pursue　us；〃　he　said。　　So　all　that　night　the　miserable　wretches　crouched　fireless　together。

Morning　breaks　clear　and　bright；　andfree　for　the　first　time　in　ten　years　they　comprehend　that　their　terrible　journey　has　begun。　　〃Where　are　we　to　go？　How　are　we　to　live？〃　asked　Bodenham；　scanning　the　barren　bush　that　stretches　to　the　barren　sea。　　〃Gabbett；　you've　been　out　beforehow's　it　done？〃

〃We'll　make　the　shepherds'　huts；　and　live　on　their　tucker　till　we　get　a　change　o'　clothes；〃　said　Gabbett　evading　the　main　question。　〃We　can　follow　the　coast…line。〃

〃Steady；　lads；〃　said　prudent　Vetch；　〃we　must　sneak　round　yon　sandhills；　and　so　creep　into　the　scrub。　　If　they've　a　good　glass　at　the　Neck；　they　can　see　us。〃

〃It　does　seem　close；〃　said　Bodenham；　〃I　could　pitch　a　stone　on　to　the　guard…house。　　Good…bye；　you　Bloody　Spot！〃　he　adds；　with　sudden　rage；　shaking　his　fist　vindictively　at　the　Penitentiary；　〃I　don't　want　to　see　you　no　more　till　the　Day　o'　Judgment。〃

Vetch　divides　the　provisions；　and　they　travel　all　that　day　until　dark　night。　The　scrub　is　prickly　and　dense。　　Their　clothes　are　torn；　their　hands　and　feet　bleeding。　　Already　they　feel　out…wearied。　　No　one　pursuing；　they　light　a　fire；　and　sleep。　　The　second　day　they　come　to　a　sandy　spit　that　runs　out　into　the　sea；　and　find　that　they　have　got　too　far　to　the　eastward；　and　must　follow　the　shore　line　to　East　Bay　Neck。　　Back　through　the　scrub　they　drag　their　heavy　feet。　　That　night　they　eat　the　last　crumb　of　the　loaf。　The　third　day　at　high　noonafter　some　toilsome　walkingthey　reach　a　big　hill；　now　called　Collins'　Mount；　and　see　the　upper　link　of　the　earring；　the　isthmus　of　East　Bay　Neck；　at　their　feet。　　A　few　rocks　are　on　their　right　hand；　and　blue　in　the　lovely　distance　lies　hated　Maria　Island。　〃We　must　keep　well　to　the　eastward；〃　said　Greenhill；　〃or　we　shall　fall　in　with　the　settlers　and　get　taken。〃　So；　passing　the　isthmus；　they　strike　into　the　bush　along　the　shore；　and　tightening　their　belts　over　their　gnawing　bellies；　camp　under　some　low…lying　hills。

The　fourth　day　is　notable　for　the　indisposition　of　Bodenham；　who　is　a　bad　walker；　and；　falling　behind；　delays　the　party　by　frequent　cooees。　Gabbett　threatens　him　with　a　worse　fate　than　sore　feet　if　he　lingers。　Luckily；　that　evening　Greenhill　espies　a　hut；　but；　not　trusting　to　the　friendship　of　the　occupant；　they　wait　until　he　quits　it　in　the　morning；　and　then　send　Vetch　to　forage。　　Vetch；　secretly　congratulating　himself　on　having　by　his　counsel　prevented　violence；　returns　bending　under　half　a　bag　of　flour。　　〃You'd　better　carry　the　flour；〃　said　he　to　Gabbett；　〃and　give　me　the　axe。〃　Gabbett　eyes　him　for　a　while；　as　if　struck　by　his　puny　form；　but　finally　gives　the　axe　to　his　mate　Sanders。　That　day　they　creep　along　cautiously　between　the　sea　and　the　hills；　camping　at　a　creek。　　Vetch；　after　much　search；　finds　a　handful　of　berries；　and　adds　them　to　the　main　stock。　　Half　of　this　handful　is　eaten　at　once；　the　other　half　reserved　for　〃to…morrow〃。　　The　next　day　they　come　to　an　arm　of　the　sea；　and　as　they　struggle　northward；　Maria　Island　disappears；　and　with　it　all　danger　from　telescopes。　　That　evening　they　reach　the　camping　ground　by　twos　and　threes；　and　each　wonders　between　the　paroxysms　of　hunger　if　his　face　is　as　haggard；　and　his　eyes　as　bloodshot；　as　those　of　his　neighbour。

On　the　seventh　day；　Bodenham　says　his　feet　are　so　bad　he　can't　walk；　and　Greenhill；　with　a　greedy　look　at　the　berries；　bids　him　stay　behind。　Being　in　a　very　weak　condition；　he　takes　his　companion　at　his　word；　and　drops　off　about　noon　the　next　day。　　Gabbett；　discovering　this　defection；　however；　goes　back；　and　in　an　hour　or　so　appears；　driving　the　wretched　creature　before　him　with　blows；　as　a　sheep　is　driven　to　the　shambles。　Greenhill　remonstrates　at　another　mouth　being　thus　forced　upon　the　party；　but　the　giant　silences　him　with　a　hideous　glance。　　Jemmy　Vetch　remembers　that　Greenhill　accompanied　Gabbett　once　before；　and　feels　uncomfortable。　He　gives　hint　of　his　suspicions　to　Sanders；　but　Sanders　only　laughs。　It　is　horribly　evident　that　there　is　an　understanding　among　the　three。

The　ninth　sun　of　their　freedom；　rising　upon　sandy　and　barren　hillocks；　bristling　thick　with　cruel　scrub；　sees　the　six　famine…stricken　wretches　cursing　their　God；　and　yet　afraid　to　die。　　All　around　is　the　fruitless；　shadeless；　shelterless　bush。　　Above；　the　pitiless　heaven。　　In　the　distance；　the　remorseless　sea。　　Something　terrible　must　happen。　　That　grey　wilderness；　arched　by　grey　heaven　stooping　to　grey　sea；　is　a　fitting　keeper　of　hideous　secrets。　　Vetch　suggests　that　Oyster　Bay　cannot　be　far　to　the　eastwardthe　line　of　ocean　is　deceitfully　closeand　though　such　a　proceeding　will　take　them　out　of　their　course；　they　resolve　to　make　for　it。　　After　hobbling　five　miles；　they　seem　no　nearer　than　before；　and；　nigh　dead　with　fatigue　and　starvation；　sink　despairingly　upon　the　ground。　Vetch　thinks　Gabbett's　eyes　have　a　wolfish　glare　in　them；　and　instinctively　draws　off　from　him。　　Said　Greenhill；　in　the　course　of　a　dismal　conversation；　〃I　am　so　weak　that　I　could　eat　a　piece　of　a　man。〃

On　the　tenth　day　Bodenham　refuses　to　stir；　and　the　others；　being　scarce　able　to　drag　along　their　limbs；　sit　on　the　ground　about　him。　　Greenhill；　eyeing　the　prostrate　man；　said　slowly；　〃I　have　seen　the　same　done　before；　boys；　and　it　tasted　like　pork。〃

Vetch；　hearing　his　savage　comrade　give　utterance　to　a　thought　all　had　secretly　cherished；　speaks　out；　crying；　〃It　would　be　murder　to　do　it；　and　then；　perhaps　we　couldn't　eat　it。〃

〃Oh；〃　said　Gabbett；　with　a　grin；　〃I'll　warrant　you　that；　but　you　must　all　have　a　hand　in　it。〃

Gabbett；　Sanders　and　Greenhill　then　go　aside；　and　presently　Sanders；　coming　to　the　Crow；　said；　〃He　consented　to　act　as　flogger。　　He　deserves　it。〃

〃So　did　Gabbett；　for　that　matter；〃　shudders　Vetch。

〃Ay；　but　Bodenham's　feet　are　sore；〃　said　Sanders；　〃and　'tis　a　pity　to　leave　him。〃

Having　no　fire；　they　make　a　little　breakwind；　and　Vetch；　half…dozing　behind　this　at　about　three　in　the　morning；　hears　someone　cry　out　〃Christ！〃　and　awakes；　sweating　ice。

No　one　but　Gabbett　and　Greenhill　would　eat　that　night。　　That　savage　pair；　however；　make　a　fire；　fling　ghastly　fragments　on　the　embers；　and　eat　the　broil　before　it　is　right　warm。　　In　the　morning　the　frightful　carcase　is　divided。　　That　day's　march　takes　place　in　silence；　and　at　midday　halt　Cornelius　volunteers　to　carry　the　billy；　affecting　great　restoration　from　the　food。　　Vetch　gives　it　to　him；　and　in　half　an　hour　afterwards　Cornelius　is　missing。　　Gabbett　and　Greenhill　pursue　him　in　vain；　and　return　with　curses。　　〃He'll　die　like　a　dog；〃　said　Greenhill；　〃alone　in　the　bush。〃　Jemmy　Vetch；　with　his　intellect　acute　as　ever；　thinks　that　Cornelius　may　prefer　such　a　death；　but　says　nothing。

The　twelfth　morning　dawns　wet　and　misty；　but　Vetch；　seeing　the　provision　running　short；　strives　to　be　cheerful；　telling　stories　of　men　who　have　escaped　greater　peril。　　Vetch　feels　with　dismay　that　he　is　the　weakest　of　the　party；　but　has　some　sort　of　ludicro…horrible　consolation　in　remembering　that　he　is　also　the　leanest。　　They　come　to　a　creek　that　afternoon；　and　look；　until　nightfall；　in　vain　for　a　crossing…place。　　The　next　day　Gabbett　and　Vetch　swim　across；　and　Vetch　directs　Gabbett　to　cut　a　long　sapling；　which；　being　stretched　across　the　water；　is　seized　by　Greenhill　and　the　Moocher；　who　are　dragged　over。

〃What　would　you　do　without　me？〃　said　the　Crow　with　a　ghastly　grin。

They　cannot　kindle　a　fire；　for　Greenhill；　who　carries　the　tinder；　has　allowed　it　to　get　wet。　　The　giant　swings　his　axe　in　savage　anger　at　enforced　cold；　and　Vetch　takes　an　opportunity　to　remark　privately　to　him　what　a　big　man　Greenhill　is。

On　the　fourteenth　day　they　can　scarcely　crawl；　and　their　limbs　pain　them。　Greenhill；　who　is　the　weakest；　sees　Gabbett　and　the　Moocher　go　aside　to　consult；　and　crawling　to　the　Crow；　whimpers：　〃For　God's　sake；　Jemmy；　don't　let　'em　murder　me！〃

〃I　can't　help　you；〃　says　Vetch；　looking　about　in　terror。　〃Think　of　poor　Tom　Bodenham。〃

〃But　he　was　no　murderer。　　If　they　kill　me；　I　shall　go　to　hell　with　Tom's　blood　on　my　soul。〃　He　writhes　on　the　ground　in　sickening　terror；　and　Gabbett　arriving；　bids　Vetch　bring　wood　for　the　fire。　　Vetch；　going；　sees　Greenhill　clinging　to　wolfish　Gabbett's　knees；　and　Sanders　calls　after　him；　〃You　will　hear　it　presently；　Jem。〃

The　nervous　Crow　puts　his　hand　to　his　ears；　but　is　conscious　of　a　dull　crash　and　a　groan。　　When　he　comes　back；　Gabbett　is　putting　on　the　dead　man's　shoes；　which　are　better　than　his　own。

〃We'll　stop　here　a　day　or　so　and　rest；〃　said　he；　〃now　we've　got　provisions。〃

Two　more　days　pass；　and　the　three；　eyeing　each　other　suspiciously；　resume　their　march。　　The　third　daythe　sixteenth　of　their　awful　journey　such　portions　of　the　carcase　as　they　have　with　them　prove　unfit　to　eat。　They　look　into　each　other's　famine…sharpened　faces；　and　wonder　〃who's　next？〃

〃We　must　all　die　together；〃　said　Sanders　quickly；　〃before　anything　else　must　happen。〃

Vetch　marks　the　terror　concealed　in　the　words；　and　when　the　dreaded　giant　is　out　of　earshot；　says；　〃For　God's　sake；　let's　go　on　alone；　Alick。　You　see　what　sort　of　a　cove　that　Gabbett　ishe'd　kill　his　father　before　he'd　fast　one　day。〃

They　made　for　the　bush；　but　the　giant　turned　and　strode　towards　them。　Vetch　skipped　nimbly　on　one　side；　but　Gabbett　struck　the　Moocher　on　the　forehead　with　the　axe。　　〃Help！　　Jem；　help！〃　cried　the　victim；　cut；　but　not　fatally；　and　in　the　strength　of　his　desperation　tore　the　axe　from　the　monster　who　bore　it；　and　flung　it　to　Vetch。　　〃Keep　it；　Jemmy；〃　he　cried；　〃let's　have　no　more　murder　done！〃

They　fare　again　through　the　horrible　bush　until　nightfall；　when　Vetch；　in　a　strange　voice；　called　the　giant　to　him。

〃He　must　die。〃

〃Either　you　or　he；〃　laughs　Gabbett。　　〃Give　me　the