her and the bushrangers looked pleased at this announcement. Their
own prospects were not very bright, but they were glad to find that
Colson and Ropes were to share their fate.

CHAPTER XXXIV.

FAREWELL TO MELBOURNE.

No further adventures or dangers befell the party on their way to
Melbourne. It was thought possible that Captain Ring, in charge of the
main body of the bushrangers, might attempt a rescue of his companions.
No such attack took place. It might have been that he feared the issue
of the conflict, but it is also possible that he experienced no poignant
regret at the capture of Fletcher, who, he well knew, would have been
glad to succeed him in command.

At first Fletcher was buoyed up by the hope of a rescue. Then, when that
hope faded out, he sought for an opportunity to escape. In one case he
would have succeeded but for the vigilance of Obed Stackpole. The
latter, awakening suddenly, saw Fletcher, who in some way had got out of
his fetters, stealing quietly away. He sprang to his feet and
intercepted the fugitive.

"What, Fletcher! you don't mean to say you are goin' to leave us without
sayin' goodby? We can't spare you, really."

Fletcher tried to shake himself free from the Yankee's detaining grasp.

"Let me alone, you scarecrow!" he exclaimed fiercely.

"Thank you for the compliment, Fletcher," said Obed. "I aint so han'some
as you are, that's a fact, but I guess I'm a good deal better."

As he spoke his grip became stronger, and Fletcher found his efforts to
escape absolutely futile.

"I should like to choke you," he said fiercely.

"I've no doubt you would, Fletcher. It would be a nice amusement for
you, but I'm not quite ready for the operation just yet. When I am I'll
let you know."

"But for you, I would have got away," said Fletcher, in bitter
disappointment.

"I guess you would. It's lucky I opened my eyes in time. There'd have
been mournin' in this camp if you'd got away, Fletcher. You're wastin'
yourself in the woods. You're fitted to adorn Melbourne society, and it
won't be my fault if you don't arrive there."

At that moment Captain Forbush awoke.

"What's happened?" he asked anxiously.

"One of our friends was takin' French leave, that's all," said Obed. "I
woke just in time to persuade him to stay a little longer."

"Ha! so Fletcher was trying to escape, was he? I am indebted to you, Mr.
Stackpole, for frustrating his plan. We can't spare him at all events. I
w