CHAPTER XVII.

      The Fortune Of War

       Table of Contents

      At daylight Evans, Briant, Donagan, and Gordon went out of the cave, keeping careful watch around them. As the sun rose the morning mists condensed, and the lake appeared rippled by a gentle breeze from the eastward.

      All was quiet round French Den, by the side of Zealand River as well as by Trap Woods. In the enclosure the domestic animals moved about as usual, and the dog gave no sign.

      Evans looked on the ground for footprints, and he found many, particularly near French Den. They crossed each other in many directions, and showed that during the night Walston and his mates must have reached the river bank, and waited till the cave door was opened for them.

      There was no trace of blood on the sand—a proof that Rock had not even been wounded.

      But one question remained unanswered. Had Walston come by the south of the lake or by the north ? If the latter were the case, Rock must have fled towards Trap Woods.

      As it was important to clear this up, it was decided to question Forbes. Would gratitude to Kate, who had saved his life, awaken any feeling of humanity within him ? Would he forget that he had begged hospitality from those whom he intended to betray ?

      Evans went back into the cave, opened the door of the cupboard where Forbes was confined, undid his bandages, and brought him into the hall.

      "Forbes," said Evans, "your stratagem has not succeeded. It is important that I should know what are Walston's plans as far as you know. Will you answer ?"

      Forbes bowed his head and lowered his eyes, not daring to look at Evans or Kate or the boys before whom he stood. And he was silent.

      Kate spoke.

      " Forbes," said she, " you once showed a little pity in preventing your mates from killing me during the mutiny on the ship. Will you do nothing to save the children from a more frightful massacre ? "

      Forbes did not reply.

      " Forbes," said Kate, " they have given you your life when you deserved to die! All humanity is not dead within you ! After doing so much evil, why not do a little good ? "

      A half-stifled sigh came from Forbes.

      " What can I do ? " he asked, almost in a whisper.

      " You can tell us," said Evans, " what was to have happened last night, what is to happen now. Was Walston waiting outside till one of the doors was opened ? "

      " Yes," said Forbes.

      " And these children who welcomed you were to be murdered ? "

      Forbes bowed his head again.

      " Which way did the others come here ? " asked Evans.

      " From the north of the lake," answered Forbes.

      " While Rock and you came from the south ? "

      " Yes."

      " Have they been in the west of the island yet ? "

      " Not yet."

      " Where are they now ? "

      " I don't know."

      " You can tell us no more ? "

      " No."

      " But you think Walston will come back ? "

      " I do."

      Evidently Walston had been alarmed by the shot, and seeing that the stratagem had failed, had judged it best to clear off till a more favourable occasion.

      Evans despaired of getting any more information

      from Forbes, and led him back to the cupboard, and locked him in.

      Matters were now serious enough. Where was Walston ? Was he camped in the thickets of Trap Woods ? It was necessary to know, and Evans decided to seek in that direction, although the attempt might be dangerous.

      It was nearly noon when Moko took the prisoner some food. Forbes hardly touched it, so depressed did he seem to be. What was passing in his mind ? Had his conscience made him a prey to remorse ?

      After dinner Evans told the boys of his intention to go out towards Trap Woods with a view of finding out if the pirates were still near French Den. The proposition having been accepted without discussion, arrangements were made to run the least danger.

      Walston and his companions were now only six since Forbes's capture, while the little colony numbered fifteen without counting Kate and Evans. But from the seventeen in all, there had to be taken the younger ones, who could take no direct part in the fight. It was decided, therefore, that while Iverson, Jenkins, and Dole remained in the cave, with Kate, Moko, and Jack, in charge of Baxter, the bigger boys, Briant, Gordon, Donagan, Cross, Service, Webb, Wilcox, and Garnett should accompany Evans. Eight boys to six men did not appear to be a fair match, but each of them was armed with a gun and a revolver, while Walston only had the five guns saved from the ship; so that a long-range fight might give them a chance, particularly as Donagan, Wilcox, and Cross were much better shots than the American seamen. Besides, they had plenty of ammunition, while Walston was reduced to a few cartridges.

      It was two o'clock when Evans and his troop set out. Baxter, Jack, Moko, Kate, and the little ones immediately returned to the cave and shut, but did not barricade, both doors, in case the scouting party had to run for shelter. There was nothing to fear on the southern side or even on the western, for to come that way Walston would have to go to Schooner Bay before coming up the valley of Zealand River, and that would have taken too much time. Besides, after Forbes's answer that they had come down the shore of the lake, and knew nothing of the western district, Evans had no fear of an attack in the rear.

      The boys advanced cautiously along the base of Auckland Hill. Beyond the enclosure the underwood and groups of trees enabled them to reach the forest without exposing themselves too much.

      Evans went in front—after having to repress the ardour of Donagan, who always wanted to be first. When they had passed the little mound where reposed the remains of the Frenchman, they struck off so as to reach the shore of the lake.

      Fan, whom Gordon did his utmost to hold back, seemed to be searching for something, cocked her ears, sniffed with her nose on the ground,