up the cliff,
when we helped him along.

In a short time we joined Hector, who had caught the horses driven up to
him by the black.

We immediately mounted, and Hector taking charge of one prisoner, and
Guy of the other, I attended to the dominie. We expected that our black
guide would have kept up with the horses, but when he found the rate at
which we went, he appeared to have had enough of our society, and,
suddenly bolting off into the bush, disappeared.

"It is the way of those black fellows," observed Hector. "He has
obtained more than he expected, and has no fancy to be shot by the
bushrangers, should we encounter them; probably, also, he wants to join
his gins, who, I dare say, are not far off, though they have kept out of
our sight."

We rode on, when the ground was level breaking into a gallop. The
dominie now and then groaned, but when I offered to pull up, he always
answered--

"Go on, go on; perhaps those villains will be watching for us; I don't
want to be stuck up again or shot."

When I observed that they had only pistols, he answered--

"Ah, well! pistols will kill as well as rifles, and we don't know at
what moment they may pounce out from this thick scrub."

As I thought it possible that they might make an attempt to surprise us,
I was not sorry to follow the dominie's wishes.

We made such good way that I hoped we should reach Bracewell's before
sundown. Late in the day, I began to recognise spots we had passed
while staying with him, although so great is the sameness of the
country, that I could not feel very certain that such was the case,
until I heard Guy, who was ahead, sing out--

"Here we are! I see the top of Bracewell's hut."

We gave a cooey to let those at the station know of our approach, and in
another moment old Bob came hurrying out to meet us.

"Thankful you've come, gentlemen," he exclaimed; "though Mr Bracewell's
round the corner, he'll be glad of your society. He's in terribly low
spirits at having only me to look after him. But, whom have you there?
Picked up a couple of pirates on the road?"

We soon explained who our captives were. Old Bob shook his fist at
them.

"You rascals! You're caught at last, are you? You'll be having your
legs in chains before long I hope, and not be keeping honest folk in
fear of their lives."

"We must see where we can stow these fellows until we can send for the
police," said Guy.

"We'll stow them safe enough," said