CHAPTER XXIII
THE ATTACK ON BARKER'S CREEK
They made a move when the sun went down and the atmosphere became cooler. There was sufficient light for them to see their whereabouts, but the darkness increased in a short time.
This was, however, desirable for the work they had in hand.
Sergeant Machinson with the police magistrate, Jim Dennis and Dr Tom, rode together, Willie being close behind them with Constable Doonan, and two of the mounted police went on some distance ahead. The remainder of the little force brought up the rear.
Soon after their departure Sal heard a soft footfall outside; it startled her at first, but she knew it was a black fellow and she had no fear. She was pleased when she saw it was old King Charlie and that he was alone.
The old man had heard of the doings of Dalton's gang and was determined to find out if Sal was safe. He almost reverenced her, for she had always been kind to him and understood him, and listened to his weird tales with attention and belief.
He had a strange imagination this old black king, and a wonderful love for and knowledge of nature, curious in one so ignorant.
'You here, Charlie?' she said. 'Come in and rest.'
King Charlie hated houses; he preferred to remain outside and said so.
Sal brought him something to eat and drink, and watched him with kindly eyes. She guessed why he had come.
'You are safe. It is well,' he said in the peculiar way the blacks speak, and which is necessary to put into English as nearly as possible to convey their meaning. 'It came to me that you had been carried away by that wicked man who is steeped in every crime.'
'And it was true, King Charlie. He carried me off, but the good spirit saved me, and I am here safe and well,' she replied.
'They laid rough hands upon you, they beat you with sticks, lashed you with their whips, called you vile names. Is it so?'
'No, they did not beat me. They stole me for another man – Rodney Shaw,' she said.
King Charlie stood up and called down the wrath of all the powers and spirits he knew upon that gentleman's head, then squatted down exhausted and beat his hands.
She soothed him and said, 'The white men are gone to Barker's Creek and they will kill Dalton and his gang.'
'It is good,' said King Charlie. 'We will go too.'
Sal thought for a moment, and it occurred to her that King Charlie and his tribe might be of use to them. She knew these blacks, the best of the whole tribe, could fight, and were hardy, tough men. They would do anything King Charlie told them, for they were wont to obey.
'It is far and you are weary,' she said. 'Where is the tribe?'
'Woolloola,' he said, and pointed with his hand.
Sal knew Woolloola was the name given to one of their camping grounds; there were no houses there, it was not a township, merely a black fellows' camp.
'They take the gang to-morrow early,' she said. 'You will not be in time.'
'The fight will be long. We shall be in time,' was the reply.
'Follow me,' she said.
She got an old lantern and, lighting the candle, went out into the paddock. Standing still she took his arm and pointed to a mound of newly-turned earth.
'The black gin from Barker's Creek who gave me warning lies there. Abe Dalton shot her through the head. Thus was she repaid for trying to save me.'
She felt him tremble, and he raised his hand and shook it as though brandishing a spear.
'She shall be avenged!' he muttered. 'Blood shall be spilled for her. The tribe will avenge her and King Charlie will lead them on. Come!'
The old black walked before her with a peculiar dignity that would have been amusing had it been assumed, but it was not, it came natural even to this savage.
'Give me food and I will go,' he said.
'You are weary; rest.'
'I am no longer weary. She shall be avenged.'
He left her, and Sal knew he might prove a friend in need to the white men who were attacking Dalton's gang.
King Charlie, although a great age, was still active, and walked many miles a day. Leg weary he seldom was, but long fasting and starvation caused him bodily weakness. In a case such as this he was stirred on by thoughts of vengeance on Dalton and his gang, who had so bitterly wronged him. He went swiftly and surely in a direct line for his Woolloola camp, and arrived there before Sergeant Machinson and party reached the outskirts of Barker's Creek.
King Charlie harangued the tribe and roused them from their accustomed apathy. It was long since they had been in conflict with white men, but they were nothing loath to try their strength with such natural enemies as Dalton and his men. They knew every member of the gang, from bitter experience, and were not likely to make mistakes in the conflict.
They were quickly on the march, and travelled rapidly, leaving their women wailing behind.
The party from Wanabeen had no conception of what had happened, and they were only to find out later on, much to their surprise and that of Dalton's men.
On their arrival in the dense country round the Creek it soon became evident there was to be no surprising of Barker's Creek or a bloodless victory.
As they were consulting the best plan to adopt, a shot was heard, evidently a signal from one of Dalton's men who had by some means discovered their whereabouts.
'They must have had spies out in different parts of the country,' said Jim Dennis. 'We are in for a warm time, depend upon it. I don't see why you or Dr Tom ought to risk your lives over this job,' he added, looking at Mr Dauntsey and then at the doctor.
'Look here, Jim Dennis, I'm not in the habit of turning my back on the enemy, and it's a trifle mean of you to suggest such a thing.'
'No one doubts your courage, doc,' said Jim; 'but you ought to take care of yourself, because your professional services may be required.'
'And the doctor's duty is in the thick of the fight, where all the blood is being spilt. What do you say, Mr Dauntsey?'
'I am going to take my part and you will take yours, so there is an end of it; but Dennis meant well in what he said. If anyone ought to be kept out of harm's way it is Willie,' answered the magistrate.
'He will not run any risk. Will you, my lad?' said his father, anxiously.
'No, dad; but if there is a chance of potting one of the gang I'll try how I can shoot,' he replied.
It was growing light, and in half an hour there would be sunshine and no chance of further concealment.
They had decided to spread out in a circle, and make for the centre of the Creek at a signal to be given by Sergeant Machinson.
They separated, Willie keeping near his father.
It was impossible to see whether anyone was concealed in the bushes, and they had to keep on the alert in case shots were fired.
They had not long to wait, for in a few moments the crack of rifles was heard in the bush. A bullet whizzed past Jim Dennis, and he called out to Willie to follow him and galloped on some distance.
'Why does not Machinson give the signal?' he thought. 'It is not much good hanging around here to be shot at; I want to get at close quarters.'
A shrill whistle sounded, and Jim Dennis charged straight through the bush, followed by his son.
A shot from Jim's revolver was followed by a heavy fall, and he shouted, —
'Winged him, Willie; he's down. Come on!'
In a few minutes the little party were inside Barker's Creek, and they then saw Abe Dalton's plan of defence.
From Dalton's house, and the others near it, came a regular hail of bullets, and a mounted policeman threw up his arms and dropped out of his saddle like a stone.
One of his comrades dismounted, placed him across his horse, then sprang up behind and followed the others, Sergeant Machinson calling out, —
'Back! back for your lives! We have no chance in the open.'
It was a wise order, for there was nothing in standing to be shot at by men who were so well sheltered.
They halted in the bush out of rifle shot distance, and Dr Tom attended to the wounded man.
After a brief examination he said, —
'He'll pull round if there is no inward bleeding. He has been hit in the chest.'
'Your work has commenced early, doctor, bad luck to it,' said Jim Dennis. 'We'll make them pay for this later on. My advice is, fire them out.'
'We cannot get close enough,' said the sergeant.
'Fire the bush in their rear,' said Jim. 'It is dry, and the flames will soon spread.'
'What about the blacks? There's a lot of them around there.'
'We must tell them to clear out. If they do not go they will quickly move when they smell fire. I guess some of them know what a bush fire means. It is our best chance. Those fellows are all well armed,' said Jim.
'We must capture Abe Dalton and Seth Sharp alive,' said Mr Dauntsey, 'and as many of the others as possible. Shooting is too good a death for them; they must be hanged.'
'I will fire the bush and give the blacks warning,' said Jim Dennis. 'Let me go alone.'
'You are taking on a big risk,' said the doctor. 'They will not leave the rear unprotected and you'll get shot.'
'I wish to go,' said Jim.
'Let me go with him, sergeant,' said Doonan.
'Very well; only remember we cannot afford to lose a man, so run no risks that you can avoid,' replied Machinson.
They rode away and took a wide circuit round the Creek. They reached the rear of Dalton's house safely, and Jim dismounted while Doonan held his horse.
They were, however, seen from the shanties, and fire was at once opened upon them, and they retreated.
'I must crawl through the bush, snake fashion,' said Jim, 'and when I have the wood fairly alight run back as fast as I can.'
'It is a terrible risk; think of the lad,' said Constable Doonan. 'Let me go. I have no belongings.'
'I said I would do it, and I will,' said Jim.
'Wait a while; they may think we have returned, and it will give you more chance.'
They remained in their position for a considerable time, when Jim Dennis assumed a listening attitude. His solitary life had caused him to be quick at distinguishing sounds.
'What's up, Jim?' asked the constable.
Jim Dennis held up his hand to ensure silence.
Doonan watched his face, and saw his expression change to one of triumph.
'By the Lord, we have 'em now,' he said. 'Listen! Can you hear that noise?'
Doonan was all attention.
'It's a humming kind of sound. I have heard it before.'
'You have. It is blacks on the march, and they are coming here. If it's King Charlie and his tribe we will catch these scoundrels like rabbits in a net. Come with me, we will ride to meet them.'
CHAPTER XXIV
A FIERCE FIGHT
When the blacks, more than a hundred in number, saw Jim Dennis and Constable Doonan riding towards them, they halted, not being sure as to who they were.
King Charlie, however, recognised them, and went forward to meet them.
'How came you here?' asked Jim.
'Sal said you were on the war-path. I heard of the attack on your house and went to see if she was safe,' said Charlie.
'And you thought you would come on here and help us?'
'Yes.'
'And so you shall. We will give you plenty of work. Are your fellows armed?' said Jim.
'We have spears and boomerangs, and nullah nullahs and stone hatchets,' said Charlie.
'I think they will come in handy at close quarters,' said Jim with a smile. 'We shall have no occasion to fire them out. We can capture the lot alive.' Then, looking at Charlie, he said, —
'Listen to me. When you hear shots fired rush through the bush and attack the rear of the houses. We shall be in front, and they will not suspect any assault at the back. Creep close up, and hide in the bushes until you hear the signal. There are a lot of blacks over there to the right, and they will probably join you when the fight commences.'
The old man was all attention, and signified that he understood what was required and would carry out the orders.
'My revenge is near,' he said. 'They stole my people and made dogs of them, and they shall die.'
'We want to take them alive,' said Jim. 'Do not kill if you can secure them.'
Charlie struck his spear on the ground and said savagely, —
'Blood for blood, and we spare them not!'
Jim Dennis saw it was useless to argue with him, and he knew if any of Dalton's men fell into King Charlie's hands they would not have an easy death.
They rode back to their comrades, and King Charlie and his men advanced into the bush unseen.
'Back again so soon?' said Mr Dauntsey. 'Anything fresh to report?'
'The best of good luck has befallen us,' said Jim, excitedly. 'Charlie and his tribe are here. The old fellow heard from Sal what we had afoot, and came on here to help us and take his revenge. There's over a hundred of them, and they are by this time concealed in the bush at the back of the houses. When we advance in front and fire they will make a rush in the rear, and I promise you they will not be slow about it.'
'This is splendid,' said Mr Dauntsey. 'What do you say, sergeant?'
'It is the best thing that could have happened, but we shall have to be quick or those black fellows will kill them all. They will show no mercy to any of the gang,' said Machinson.
'We had better all advance in line, about a dozen yards apart,' said Mr Dauntsey, and to this the sergeant agreed.
No time was lost; the wounded man was left in as comfortable a position as possible, and they moved ahead.
'All fire quickly,' said Machinson. 'If you see no one, aim where the smoke is, on the off chance of hitting.'
In a few minutes, when Dalton and his men saw them again advancing, the firing recommenced, and it was sharply returned.
Above the crack of the rifles, however, was heard a terrific yell, which completely drowned the sound of the firing. There was a tremendous crashing in the bush at the rear of the houses and the cries of many blacks.
Dalton and his gang were surprised, and when they realised what had happened were almost in despair. They knew no mercy would be shown them by the blacks and preferred to risk capture at the hands of the police. They did not mean to give in without a desperate struggle, for their lives were at stake.
In Dalton's house, besides himself, were six of his men, including Seth Sharp and Rodney Shaw.
When Shaw discovered Sal had escaped, his rage knew no bounds, and he acted like a madman, so much so that his manager thought he had lost his senses.
Benjamin Nix tried to calm him and partially succeeded.
'Why make such a fuss over her? She's far better away from here,' said Nix.
'I'll be even with her,' replied Shaw; and there and then made up his mind to ride to Barker's Creek and bribe Dalton to scour the country for her.
When he arrived at Dalton's he found affairs had reached a crisis.
Abe Dalton was in no mood to be trifled with or to stand upon ceremony.
'This comes of meddling in your affairs,' he said savagely. 'Curse you and the girl too! You have ruined us all, yourself included, you blundering fool!'
Rodney Shaw commenced to realise the extent of the scrape he had got into, but he did not mean to be beaten.
When Abe Dalton explained to him what had happened, and that his spies had brought in news that an attack was to be made on Barker's Creek Rodney Shaw said, —
'I'll stay with you and see it through. I'd like to get a chance of putting a bullet in Jim Dennis.'
'There's more than you would give a good deal for such a chance,' said Dalton. 'If you mean to stay, well and good; I'm not going to stop you; but let me warn you it will be putting your neck in a noose to be found here. You had better clear out and do the best you can for yourself.'
Rodney Shaw, however, decided to remain. He thought Dalton and his men would easily repulse any attack made upon them, and Dennis might be killed in the struggle. He meant to have a shot at him if possible, for he had learned something during the past week that had caused him to tremble whenever he thought of the owner of Wanabeen. What that something was will be related later on.
This was how Rodney Shaw came to be at Barker's Creek, which was the worst place he could possibly be found in.
'These blacks will do for us,' said Dalton, savagely; 'and it is all the fault of you fellows keeping the gins here.'
'We must fight it out,' said Shaw. 'Curse the blacks!'
He took a steady aim and fired at Jim Dennis, but missed.
The tumult was tremendous. The black fellows, now they were let loose and had a chance of revenge, were so many infuriated savages. They yelled and danced, brandishing their spears, and rushed upon the houses, heedless of the shots fired at them.
In the blacks' camp at the creek there was a regular pandemonium. The gins shrieked with terror and thought their end was at hand, and so it was for many of them. Some of these black women had left behind in King Charlie's camp husbands and brothers, and they now took their revenge by spearing or clubbing them. It was a horrible scene, but King Charlie took no heed of it, nor did he attempt to stay the slaughter. In his savage way he regarded it as an act of justice, and he may have been right.
Round Dalton's house the fight was fierce. At the rear the blacks were forcing an entrance, at the front the police had already battered in the door.
All were on foot now and it soon became a hand-to-hand conflict.
Seeing the game was up, Rodney Shaw thought of his own safety.
At the back of the house several horses were stabled, and these had not been injured, although they were frightened. Shaw thought if he could make a rush for it he might reach them and gallop off. They were all saddled and bridled ready for an emergency.
The blacks were now swarming into the house, and Dalton's men kept them back with their revolvers.
Passing into a side room, Shaw saw a chance of escape.
The attack was mainly confined to the other part of the house, where a desperate stand was being made. Squeezing himself through the small window, Rodney Shaw managed to reach the ground safely.
Clutching his revolver, he hurried across to the horses. He was kicked and jostled by the excited animals, but escaped serious injury.
Mounting one he had fairly under control, he was riding away when some of the blacks saw him and with a yell rushed after him.
Constable Doonan also saw him, and, making for his horse, was quickly in pursuit.
Shaw, however, was too far ahead, and Doonan, halting, pulled out his carbine, took a steady aim and fired.
His shot he saw took effect, but Rodney Shaw did not fall. 'I hit him,' said Doonan. 'That will prove he was here.' Then he rode back, dismounted, and drawing his revolver, rushed into the fighting mob.
Blood flowed freely and many blacks lay dead, but still Dalton and his men held out.
From the other houses the members of the gang came out and joined in the fight, for they knew it was their last chance.
Dr Tom was busy looking after the wounded.
Jim Dennis was hit in the fleshy part of the arm, but went on fighting.
Two of the constables were mortally wounded, and the doctor was doing what he could for them.
Willie Dennis had accounted for one man, and from a distance watched the fight.
'Help me, Willie,' said the doctor. 'You will be more use here than over yonder.'
Ten of Dalton's men were killed by the blacks, and the remainder were nearly all wounded.
Dalton fought like a tiger, and when he saw Sergeant Machinson and another constable rushing upon him to seize him, he shouted, —
'So you have done for me at last, sergeant. Take that!'
He fired his revolver, and the unfortunate man fell dead, shot through the heart.
Adye Dauntsey saw him fall, and fired at Dalton, hitting the hand in which he held his revolver, and shattering it. He was at once secured.
There was no resistance now except on the part of Seth Sharp, who fought like a wild beast, but he was eventually beaten down and firmly bound.
The house presented the appearance of a shambles.
The body of Sergeant Machinson was carried outside, and Dalton said as they passed him, as he lay bound on the floor, —
'That's how I treat men who play me false. He's better dead. He was false to his trust and false to me.'
Adye Dauntsey heard him, but made no remark. The sergeant, whatever his misdeeds, had paid for them with his life while doing his duty.
They were all tired and worn out after the struggle. Many blacks had been killed, and King Charlie and his tribe set about burying them by Mr Dauntsey's orders.
The attacking party had lost two constables and Sergeant Machinson, and nearly all of them bore marks of the severe encounter.
Seth Sharp and Abe Dalton were firmly secured, and only five other men of the gang were taken alive. The blacks had already set fire to the houses and humpies, and Barker's Creek was in flames.
'They have settled the difficulty for us,' said Mr Dauntsey, 'and I think it is the best thing that could have happened. Barker's Creek will be wiped out at last.'