the part of a ghost,
and I felt, a little of the old symptoms return, but they were soon
banished, and then I was prepared to enjoy the rich treat of seeing how
other men acted when dealing with what was supposed to be a visitant
from the other world.

For a moment not a sound escaped the group, as the tall figure of the
shepherd, mounted on the gray horse, moved slowly and majestically
towards them. Presently I heard one fellow utter a yell of terror, and
break away from his companions, and run wildly towards the camp--then
another followed, and then another, until the remaining ones turned,
and, with shrieks and yells of horror, followed the first fugitive as
rapidly as their legs could carry them.

A number of the most timid threw away their guns, and every thing that
impeded flight, and although the ghost did not depart from his grave and
dignified bearing, and solemn walk, yet in less than five minutes no one
was in sight except the cause of the fright, our new friend, Day.

CHAPTER LXXI.

SAM TYRELL AND THE GHOST.

As soon as we saw the result of the shepherd's ruse, we crossed the
bridge and joined him.

"Didn't I do that in good style?" he asked. "Did you ever hear of a
ghost that was more successful than me?"

I complimented him by replying in the negative, and also assuring him
that I considered he was at the height of his profession.

"You may well call it a trade," he exclaimed, removing his heavy
headdress and wiping his moist brow, "for there ain't a man in the
country who knows how to do such things in shape unless he has been in
the funeral line, like me. Did you see 'em run?"

I assured him that the retreat of the bushrangers was so sudden that we
could not help noticing the fact.

"I didn't believe that coveys could cut so; and they threw away their
guns, too, that shows how skeert they was," continued Day, apparently so
overjoyed at his success that he could talk of nothing else.

"But it will not do for us to stand here and talk when the bushrangers
are liable to come back at any moment and surprise you holding
communication with beings of this earth," I said. "Let us get under the
shadow of the trees, where we can talk without danger."

My suggestion was agreed to, and in a few seconds we were on our old
camping ground and debating what we should do next. I was in favor of an
immediate retreat to the banks of the Loddon, which river I proposed to
cross, and find refuge at Haws