Page 178 - In A New World

"Yes, it's I, Mr. Stackpole," returned Fletcher, with a grim smile. "I hope
you're better fixed than when we met last. I hear you've found a nugget."

"One of those gentlemen with you can give you information about that,"

said Obed, indicating Colson.

Colson frowned and bit his lip.

"He has told us about it."

"Ask him for it, then. He broke into our tent the night we found it and
carried it off."

"Is this true?" demanded Fletcher, eying Colson suspiciously.

"No, it's a lie. The nugget is in charge of a mounted escort on the way to
Melbourne."

"What have you done with your nugget, Colson?" asked Obed.

Colson did not reply.

"There's no time to waste here. Stackpole, you and the boys will have to go
with us. Here, you two men, close behind them. We must not let them

escape."

The party started with the captives in the middle. It was decidedly a bad

outlook for our three friends.