ing compelled to
join the ranks of the bushrangers, and of that he had a great dread.

The boys never stopped running till they had set half a mile between
them and the camp of the bushrangers. Jack was the first to show
distress.

"Hold on, Harry," he said, panting, "I am all out of breath."

Harry instantly slackened his speed.

"Look back, Jack," he said anxiously; "see if you can discover anyone
pursuing us."

"I see no one," answered Jack after a prolonged look.

"They have other things to think of," said Harry. "The murder of their
captain has put all thoughts of us out of their heads. When the
excitement has subsided a little, I am afraid they will look for us. How
terrible it was!" he added with a shudder.

"Yes," returned Jack. "I saw that man--the captive's brother--lift his
weapon and point it at the captain. Almost before I could speak it was
discharged and the captain fell. He must have been killed instantly."

"I little thought what lay before me when I left home," said Harry.

"I wish I knew what lies before us now," said Jack.

"I am afraid our prospects are rather dark. We must take care at any
rate not to fall again into the hands of the bushrangers. I am most
afraid of that man Fletcher. If he could have his way, he would show us
no mercy."

"Let us go on again," said Jack. "I only stopped to catch my breath."

"You are right, Jack. The farther we get away from the bushrangers the
better."

Before them was a densely wooded hill. The way had become difficult with
the scrub bushes that filled up the distance between the trees. The
latter were no longer the same which they had hitherto encountered, the
tall and stately eucalyptus, but were smaller and wider branched.

"We can't make our way here, Harry," said Jack despondently.

"Oh, yes, we can. Besides, don't you see, the rougher and more difficult
the way, the less are we likely to be followed. I am willing to go
through a good deal to save capture."

"So am I," answered Jack. "You are always right. Push ahead, and I'll
follow."

For three or four hours the boys kept on their way. They surmounted the
hill, and found a clearer country. Finally, turning to the right they
came upon an open tract. By this time it was growing dark, and the boys
were feeling both fatigued and hungry.

"I think we can rest now, Jack," said Harry.

With a sigh of relief Jack threw himself on the ground.

"This is worse than any work I did on shipboard