ith the devil and his imps!" exclaimed the superstitious
bushranger, and I judged that a majority of his comrades sided with his
idea, and seemed much more disposed to return to camp than to weary
themselves with a search for unknown foes.

"You know what the cap'n will say if we go back without a good report.
It's easier for us to work now, than to scout over the whole ground
again," we heard the man who had followed the trail say.

"Yes, but why don't he take some work and do it?" demanded another, who
was disposed to grumble at the order of things.

"You had better ask him," some one answered, dryly.

"Not I," was the response; "I value my head too dearly."

The others laughed, and for a few minutes held a whispered conversation,
the burden of which seemed to be that there was something concealed
beneath the branches of the palm trees, and that it was advisable to
make an examination as soon as possible, but no one was disposed to lead
the way, for reasons--first, if an enemy, and well armed, he could
easily kill two or three of his assailants before discovery, and second,
the robbers were not sure but that there was truth in the story of their
comrade concerning the ghost of Buckerly, and if there was, they did not
care about an encounter with a spirit from the other world, who was
proof against powder, steel, and lead.

While they were still discussing the question in tones so low that we
could not hear all that passed, I thought how materially we could be
aided by the shepherd, if he was so disposed.

I was almost fearful that Mr. Brown's suspicions were correct, and that
he left us to take care of ourselves, while he made his escape on my
friend's valuable horse, worth, at any station, about fifty pounds.

"Look," cried my companion, nudging me with his elbow; "the devils have
made up their minds to run the risk, and search for the horse in the
shadow of the palm trees."

As he spoke, I saw the gang move forward in a compact body, as though
borrowing encouragement from each other, and one or two pretended to
laugh, as if scorning all apprehensions, but I thought that the mirth
did not come from their hearts.

When about midway between the trees and the bridge, I observed them halt
suddenly, and while I was wondering for what, forth, from amid the
leaves and branches of the palms, rode a figure that loomed up in the
moonlight in colossal proportions.

For a moment I forgot that the shepherd was acting