h these few
compliments we walked towards the bridge, the ghost leaving his long gun
behind.

"Ghosts," he said, in explanation, "is supposed to do unheard-of things,
but I doubt whether any regular one ever walked around the earth with a
gun; and if we should encounter the bushrangers, I think I should have
more influence unarmed, for to give the devils their due, they don't,
care a rush for the smell of gunpowder, while they is firm believers in
spirits, 'cos there is a sort of a tradition that a proprietor of a
sheep farm, who was murdered some years since, wanders round nights, and
makes himself generally disagreeable. I don't put any faith in the
stories, 'cos I don't believe that there ever was a ghost, excepting one
like me got up for the occasion."

The remark did not meet the approval of Mr. Brown, who was disposed to
argue the matter, but I cut the discussion short by recommending
silence, for fear of a party of scouts overhearing our conversation,
when not even the spectral appearance of the shepherd could have saved
us from a speedy death.

"You are right," replied the ghost, with a grave shake of his horny
head; "we can't be too cautious now, for we don't know who is near us."

By the time we reached the main land, the ghost whispered that he would
lead the way, and strike terror into the hearts of all who dared to look
upon him; and I think that he was as good as his word, for no sooner
did the horses got a glimpse of his white form than there was a
desperate attempt at a stampede; had not our animals been securely
fastened to palm trees by stout ropes we probably never should have seen
or heard of them again.

"Keep back," cried Mr. Brown, who was endeavoring to restrain his gray
horse from breaking away. "Don't come near the animals, or they will
make more noise than a hundred bushrangers."

The shepherd obeyed the order with a chuckle of delight, looking upon
the fright of the horses as the greatest compliment that could be paid
him, on the ground that animals were far better judges of supernatural
characters than men.

After we had tamed the brutes, we quickly gathered up our blankets and
provisions, and then replaced the pack upon the horse and started
towards the island. We were hastened somewhat in our movement by a sound
which my experience told me was a signal much used by bushrangers when
desirous of calling in or extending their scouts. I had heard it before,
when first on my way to the