The Gold Hunters' Adventures; Or, Life in Australia

angers, the cattle were yoked together, and had been attached t

that not a hair of the animal was ruffled, or a particle of pain inflicted. I never understood the science of using a whip until I learned it upon the plains

from his seat with an expression of gratitude

u see we are ready to start, yet we cou

wet his long gray beard. "My child thanks you all for the promptness with which you have revenged her wrongs; and to these two Americans she says, that

farewell, at par

e besought the Lord to strengthen her heart under this load of affliction. She is calm now,

d since we had seen her the day before. Weeping and fasting, and sleepless nights, and above all, the th

bid you farewell," her father said, when he saw

ecall a recollection of our features, a faint look of recognition came over her face, and her leaden eyes were

in a low whisper, seizing Fred by the ar

" Fred inquired, e

face is not so black, and your hair is lighter. But you may have changed it for the purpose of deceivi

rned with flashing eyes upon he

ged; and yet you see him standing before you alive, and insulting

iends," I replied,

would not live to see another sun. Men, indeed? Ha, ha

muttering incoherent sentences, with her eyes fixed upon the ground intentl

htly red with mortification; and to this hour, an allusion to his wonderful likeness to th

ritated the unhappy woman, who, it was very evident,

See, here is your father; and do you think he would stand unmoved in the presence o

ember you now

thought you would know the man you had l

h a movement like lightning, drew my bowie knife, which was stuck in a belt around my waist, a

gash two inches long, almost penetrating the brain. The hot blood blinded me for a moment as it gushed from the wound. I staggered back from the unexpe

and I avenge my own wrongs. Look at him bleed!-'twas my hand

her in his strong arms, and was about to bear her into the house,

's daughter, had stolen upon us unperceived, and had formed a circle in which we were the centre, to prevent an escape had we been so

first, much less suspicious people than police off

e squad, riding towards us; "what have we here-a

elessly throwing his rifle across his arm; yet it was done in such a ma

, men!-we have fallen upo

of the guns, and cleared the blood from

ward and fronting the officer. "You should know my f

g forward. "Put up your guns, men; we are not among bushrangers, I think." And in ob

at fellow?" the officer of

ands of this woman, who has lost her reason,"

Then she has no business here; or rather I should say that

even Smith suffered his features to relax in toke

inquired the lieutenant, turning

ped some of the blood from my face. The wound had nearly ceased

o me?" asked Fred,

ak!" cried the off

e is located, even if I told you its name,

at," answered the lieutena

re?" Fred

ever since the conversation commenced,

him, or he may tak

y rendered him the more impudent; for he didn't relish

e you belong?" demande

ertai

l, w

of such a place as

is in

aimed, drawing up his form to its full

's face. The dark frown passed away, and

" he asked, with an

and as our home,

much, for you both carry

saw that he was disposed to be rationa

w to handle these weapons; and it's rare that they vent

ne clings to his rifle. But, while we are talking, the woman is suffering. Maur

he convict and the stranger raised her in their arms, and removed the unfortu

Black Darnley and his gang, lately? I understand that you have been seen conversing with him a number o

d Smith, his face showing the al

o before long," cried the officer, shaking his he

searching for his gang. If you can give me any info

, awed by the great man's presence, appeared t

gang?" the officer a

nded the lieutenant, l

-and with them, Black

with me," said the

ask the Americans, t

owards us with an air entirely changed fro

report, and gav

mixed with admiration. I saw him try to suppress that feeling, but

much gusto as a knight-errant of the olden times. If I had a dozen such a

ne difficulty," answe

is that?" asked

great desire to lead,

at his men could not overh

ge reward was offered for the

nce, and the officer loo

's work that you ever began. Give me the proof that Darnley and his

old man to revenge his daughter's injuries. If you can serve Smith an

ssion of the facts relative to our taking up arms. He l

inly promise you a free, unconditional pardon for Smith and the stockman. But I must first see

manage tha

urney, and accompany

to do so. A day or a week was nothing to us, if

"do you wish a par

face, and then the blood receded

l pardon, you must go with us back t

nd he bounded to the side of the cattle, and with nervous fingers was unhitching the yokes and turning the b