very long. You haven't made a
shinin' success so far. Now, as to that nugget which you stole----"

"Do you mean to insult me? I never took any nugget."

"That's so. You're right there, Colson. But you thought you had, all the
same. Fortunately, it's where you can't get at it."

"I have something to say on that point," said Fletcher. "I understand
the nugget is very valuable."

"I'm glad to hear it. You're a judge. I have an idee of that sort
myself."

"About how much does it weigh?"

"About seventy-five pounds. I don't mind gratifying your innocent
curiosity, Fletcher."

Fletcher's eyes sparkled.

"It must be very valuable," he said.

"I reckon it is."

"At what do you estimate it--twenty thousand dollars?"

"Not as much as that."

"It ought to come pretty near it, though."

Obed did not answer.

"It's a great prize. You were very lucky."

"So I thought at the time. I don't feel so certain, now," said Obed
dryly.

"I think half of it will be enough for you."

"What do you mean, Fletcher?"

"I mean that we shall want half of it."

"How are you going to get it?"

"We mean to hold you prisoner till half the proceeds are brought in from
Melbourne."

Obed's countenance fell. He had not thought of this.

Colson's eyes glistened with pleasure. Till that lucky suggestion was
made he saw no way of securing a share of the great prize.

"That's a nice scheme, Fletcher," said Obed, regaining his composure.

"So I think. You and the boys would still have a good sum of money. What
do you say? Shall we make a little friendly arrangement to that effect?
You could give me an order for half the sum realized, and on my securing
it you would be released."

"I shall have to talk it over with my partners here," returned Obed.
"They're equally interested with me."

"Better do so now."

"I won't till evenin', when we have more time."

Fletcher rode away under the impression that Obed was favorably disposed
to his plan.

"When I get the money," he said to himself, "I can decide whether to let
the fellow go or not. I don't care for the boys, but I'd like to give
this Yankee a good flogging, he's so confoundedly sarcastic. Plague take
it, the fellow doesn't know when he's down, but talks as if he was on
equal terms with me."

Meanwhile, though Fletcher did not know it, the train of bushrangers had
steadily advanced to the neighborhood of the place where the government
escort were encamped.

In fact, he