o a knowledge of the real fate of the shipwrecked crew, and an
exaggerated estimate of our strength, and the capability of our
firearms, was given by our interpreter, on her own account, and was
perfectly intelligible to us from the signs and gesticulations she
made, and the scorn with which she pointed to the rude weapons of her
country-men; for the intrepid little girl had marched fearlessly up to
the group of warriors.

After delivering her speech, Lizzie withdrew to us, and we waited,
rather anxiously, the turn that affairs would take; for a peaceful
solution would be far preferable to a fight, in which, though we must
ultimately be the victors, yet success would only be achieved at
considerable loss of life, probably on both sides.

Whilst matters rested thus, and the blacks were holding an animated
discussion, one of the troopers espied a solitary dingo on the rocks
overlooking the "bora ground," and distant from us about fifty yards.
Lizzie at once said--

"Suppose you shoot 'em that fellow dingo, plenty that frighten black
fellow."

"By Jove, Lizzie, what a good idea!" we said. "Who's the best shot;
for it will be fatal to miss?"

"Let your boy fire," said Abiram, "it will astonish them much more if
they see it done by a black; and let Lizzie warn them of what is going
to take place."

"You believe you shoot 'em that fellow dingo?" asked Dunmore of
Ferdinand.

"Your (yes), marmy, mine believe."

"Plenty big glass of rum, suppose you shoot 'em bony (dead)," added
Abiram.

The trooper's eyes glistened, and he licked his lips as if the spirit
were already won.

Meanwhile Lizzie had told her countrymen to watch the dog, and they
would see him killed, and the blacks stood straining their eyes at the
doomed dingo, who, with pricked ears and drooping tail, stood
motionless against the sky-line, intently surveying the unusual scene
beneath, and wondering probably how soon he should get the relics of
the roasted fish, whose fragrant odour had assailed his nostrils, and
drawn him into his present position.

It was a moment of intense suspense while the trooper raised his
carbine--slowly and deliberately; no hurry, not even the quiver of a
muscle, for his mind was on the rum, and he recked little of the moral
influence of a successful shot;--we drew a long breath of relief as the
weapon flashed forth, and the dog, making a convulsive bound forward,
fell stone dead at the foot of the rocks, where it was ins