most probable solution would seem to
be that, after a deep carouse, the old man had taxed Warrigal with his
treachery and brained him with the American axe found close to the body.
He had apparently then shot himself to avoid a lingering death, the
bullet found in his body having been probably fired by the half-caste as
he was advancing upon him axe in hand.

The dog, well known by the name of Crib, was the property and constant
companion of Ben Marston, the innocent accomplice in many of his most
daring stock-raids. Faithful unto the end, with the deep, uncalculating
love which shames so often that of man, the dumb follower had apparently
refused to procure food for himself, and pined to death at the feet of
his dead master. Though the philanthropist may regret the untimely
and violent end of men whose courage and energy fitted them for better
things, it cannot be denied that the gain to society far exceeds the
loss.

When the recesses of the Hollow were fully explored, traces of rude but
apparently successful gold workings were found in the creeks which
run through this romantic valley--long as invisible as the fabled gold
cities of Mexico.

We may venture to assert that no great time will be suffered to elapse
ere the whole of the alluvial will be taken up, and the Terrible Hollow,
which some of the older settlers assert to be its real name, will
re-echo with the sound of pick and shovel; perhaps to be the means
of swelling those escorts which its former inhabitants so materially
lessened.

With regard to the stock pasturing in the valley, a puzzling problem
presented itself when they came to be gathered up and yarded. The
adjoining settlers who had suffered from the depredations of the
denizens of the Hollow were gladly expectant of the recovery of animals
of great value. To their great disappointment, only a small number
of the very aged bore any brand which could be sworn to and legally
claimed. The more valuable cattle and horses, evidently of the choicest
quality and the highest breeding, resembled very closely individuals of
the same breed stolen from the various proprietors. But they were either
unbranded or branded with a letter and numbers to which no stock-owners
in the district could lay claim.

Provoking, as well as perplexing, was this unique state of
matters--wholly without precedent. For instance, Mr. Rouncival and his
stud-groom could almost have sworn to the big slashing brown mare, the
image