is rifle which was lying by his side, and tried
to peer into the darkness, but a moment's experiment convinced him of
the folly of his thought, and he laid the gun down again.

"I've never heard a sound like that since I left old England," the
convict said, as the baying continued, and grew nearer at each
repetition.

We all three felt an anxiety that we tried to conceal from each other.
The loneliness of our location, and the uncertainty of meeting with
friends in that part of the country, the frequent robberies that had of
late been committed, and the daring of the bushrangers, were all ample
cause for vigilance on our part; and perhaps we suspected that the dog
was used by some gang to discover the presence of travellers, and
expedite the work of pillage.

Nearer and nearer did the hound approach, and we had just time to snatch
our rifles from the ground, and start to our feet, when the animal
sprang into our narrow circle, and with subdued bays seemed to claim our
notice.

"Give him a wide berth," shouted the convict, swinging his sharp axe
over his head as though in readiness to bring it down upon the skull of
the dog if he showed signs of hostility. "Keep clear of the brute," he
continued, "for he may be mad."

The hound, a noble animal, with long, wiry limbs, and heavy jaws, around
which drops of foam were hanging, instead of shrinking from the uplifted
arm of the convict, seemed to measure the danger in which he stood at a
glance, and before we could interfere, or the heavy axe descend, sprang
full at the throat of Smith, and such was the impetuosity and suddenness
of the attack that the convict was borne to the ground, and for a moment
was at the mercy of the dog.

Fred and myself raised our rifles simultaneously, but before we brought
them to bear, the animal had quit his grip and began craunching some
bones which were lying near the fire, tearing the meat which adhered to
them in the most ravenous manner, and exhibiting all the signs of
starvation.

"Don't fire," shouted Smith, struggling to his feet. "Don't fire; you
see the poor brute is nearly starved."

We still held our rifles ready, however, and were half inclined to use
them; but, as we looked at the dog, and saw how greedily he was
devouring his food, we concluded to wait and see what he would do after
he had satisfied his appetite.

"The dog is rather quick and spiteful," cried Smith, rubbing his throat
and adjusting his shirt collar, whi