wood station, where we could remain for a
few days, and then return for another examination of the earth for the
treasure. Mr. Brown, whether fearful to trust to Day's honesty, or the
bushrangers' superstitious feelings, did not coincide with me, and was
for remaining until daylight at any rate, and during that time make
further search for the gold, and if not found in that period, he
proposed giving up the expedition altogether and returning to Ballarat.

The shepherd heard us discuss the merits of our several propositions
without interruption, and while we were still uncertain what to
do,--avarice bidding us to stay, and caution and prudence to fly,--he
spoke,--"I have no wish to advise you coveys in any course that ain't
right, but if you will listen to me I'll get you out of this affair in
safety, and with the money that is buried."

"How?" I asked.

"By still playing the ghost," he replied, with a grin.

"You have done so, and successfully," I said; "can't you think of some
other dodge?"

"Don't want any other," he returned, patting the bullock's head in an
affectionate manner. "Men can always be moved by their fears and guilty
consciences."

We agreed with him in that respect, but didn't see how he could serve us
further by assuming the ghost line.

"Then I'll tell you," the shepherd said. "One half of the coveys who saw
me by this time think that they have been frightened by a shadow, a
white bullock, or a horse. They won't acknowledge that they saw a ghost,
while the other portion will contend stoutly that I had fire issuing
from my mouth, and that I was the devil or his imp. With this question
unsettled I shouldn't be surprised if they made these parts another
visit to solve their doubts, for the bushrangers who haven't seen me
will only deride those who have, and disbelieve all the statements
made."

We acknowledged that there was some truth in the remark, and Day, highly
delighted with the admission, continued:

"Now I think that the best way would be for me to show myself once more
and give the coveys another and a greater fright. I can steal up to
their camping ground, and while they are quarrelling, walk into their
midst without waiting for the formalities of an introduction."

"But you may lose your life in making the experiment," I said.

"There's no fear of that--who ever heard of a man firing with a steady
hand while in the presence of a ghost?"

I reminded him that I had tried the exper