The Gold Hunters' Adventures; Or, Life in Australia

ched the spot, and concealed the bodies. It was, therefore, with considerable uneasiness that we saw the lieutenant of police coolly dismount from his horse, throw the bridle

re we not to start immedia

ockman's hut. "I value your lives too much to think of asking you to underta

of the task," replie

, before we could gain the edge of yonder wood, half of the men would be sun-struck, and two-thirds of the

woods too late to make a

ring the hut, where the convict's daughter was ly

, who began to entertain an opinion that the lieutenan

hman, removing his coat and heavy swor

ishers in advance of the mai

pipe: and then, observing an expression

and cunning of bushrangers for many years, and seen much service during that time. I shall start near dark, halt half a mi

y in idleness, looked around the hut for something to make a breakfast on. The po

ady, Maurice," he said, "and

is superior, and retired

nt, carelessly; "he has served thro

r rise above the

rth and influence, not merit and brave deeds. Maurice has distinguished himself in many a hotly-contested field; yet now, in his old age,

y years, suppose that you give us a shor

n is getting better-hear her breath, regular and natu

oor, and had prevented the entrance of the aged convict. The father e

n breakfast had been disposed of, and our pipes were lighted, each of us chose a comfortable place to rest at full length on the floor of the

conversation; "suppose you favor us with a short history of some of your adventures in this country. You

ers sometimes commit, when they have a thirst for blood

to a captaincy-knocked the ashes from his pipe, carefully reloaded it, told the sentinel at the door to keep his eyes open, and not let a gang of robbers

NT MURDE

wo convicts, who seized a schooner on the coast, compelled the crew, on the pain of instant death, to navigate her to a distant part of the island,

ance, they shot the two men that rowed them ashore; and, from the time that they s

e request, if there was a moment's hesitation, was rewarded with a bullet; and it seem

y the government. I could take horses or cattle, or even press men into my service, if I thought desirable, for the purpose of capturing the bushrangers. Hardly a moment of preparation was allowed me, beyond t

parture, my troop was leaving Melbourne on the road leading towards

ettle of coffee, and broiled a piece of beef, to stay our stomachs during our long ride. From the stockman we obtained some information, as the bushra

in hope of finding somebody who would give us a little information. As time was precious, however, I was on the point of borrowing what animals I wanted, when two of my men bro

d the native had he not fled to the woods for protection. After the deed, they ransacked the hut thoroughly, possessed themselves of a quantity of rum which they

ime was too precious to waste in sleep. A hasty breakfast, and we were off; but before we had rode twelve miles our attention was attracted near the roadside by seeing a flock of

bullet holes through their heads. I made a short examination, and satisfied myself that the murders were committed the day

er tools to open the earth. With a sigh, we left the birds their prey, and once more continu

animals a resting spell, we reached the large cattle station of Witon Martells. Here we found every thing in confusion; and al

drew a revolver, and fired upon those standing in front of him; and while he was thus amusing himself, his companion sat on his horse, and laughed to see those not instantly killed endeavor to get away! Three men fell under the

gs, and then, after eating what they could find ready cooked in the hut, started for Balla

r journey, we stopped at another station to change horses. The murderers had left their mark at

piece of broiled meat, we were in the saddle again, and galloping towards the next station, where I

isgivings, I dismounted, and entered the hut; but I started back in horror, for on the floor were a dozen men, motionless and li

ess. Twelve men were surprised and bound, and made to lie flat on their backs at the word of command, and so well did they obey the

ow what human nature is, and perhaps, had I been of th

nd expressed a determination to return in a few hours' time for them. Where the villains had gone they did not know, or in what direc

that the convicts were in search of a gang of bushrangers, that had been secreted

men they wished to join were no longer organized as a gang; so bidding the men conceal the horses,

les in their hands, and revolvers in their belts, came in sight, and advanced towards the hut, conversi

had been so long accustomed to see men tremble when they raised their deadly weapo

stockmen, and was surprised to see that they trembled and turned pale; and yet

ber of prints of horses' feet which they discovered in the soft earth. They glanced suspiciously at t

rned to go, I ordered half a dozen of our light c

avoring to make their escape, they turned towards the hut, and charged towards i

as I never witnessed before. The stockmen endeavored to make their escape from the windows, and those who could not squeeze through, tried to shelter themselves behind my men, and some of

then fearful that we should all be defeated and murdered, I seized a carbine that one of my

ft; and so impetuous was his onset that we fell back a few feet, which the villain seeing, turned and attempted to escape. Before he had taken two stops towards the door, my men recovered from their su

t before he had recovered, he was loaded down with irons, and a watch placed over

have the hardihood to boast of their deeds, and plan other crimes in case of their escape. Yet those convicts d

g their deaths would be the subject of a judicial examination, prevented me. My men, half of them wounded,

tockmen provide as good a supper as they could get, we satisfied our appetites; but

over the prisoners, and relieved every two hours during the night, with express orders to shoot them if they moved hand or foot in the way of

our killed and started for Melbourne, where we arrived safe with our

the door, who had been listening to the recital,

lf; for he was a devout Catholic. "I have hardly recovered

n was just setting behind the dark forest, which we had penetrated the day before, and