iment, and that if the ball had
struck a few inches lower down he would never have played the ghost a
second time.

"That just proves what I said. Can't you hit a man at two rods'
distance, and place the ball just where you like?"

I flattered myself that I was a good pistol shot, and could do so under
ordinary circumstances.

"Yet your hand must have shook, or I should have been hit."

There was no denying the truth of that assertion, for I remembered the
circumstance perfectly well.

"If I don't frighten them coveys so that they will avoid this place
hereafter, then I don't know much about ghosts, and how they act," Day
continued.

We tried to urge the fellow to be content with the triumph which he had
already accomplished, but he was mad for another exhibition of his
powers, and all that we could say had no effect. Go he would, and at
length we determined to accompany him for the purpose of rendering
assistance in case he wanted it, or to see how the bushrangers would
bear themselves upon a second exhibition.

The shepherd was so well acquainted with the country that he guided us
by a short route towards the camping ground, stealing along between the
bushes and trees so quietly and rapidly that, with all my knowledge of
woodcraft, I had difficulty in following him and keeping close to his
heels. At length we saw the reflection of a camp fire, and then we grew
more cautious in our movements, frequently stopping for a few minutes to
listen if we could hear other sounds besides our footsteps. But we
encountered no one, for the bushrangers had apparently fallen back upon
the main body, convinced that the coast was clear of all earthly
intruders. The shepherd stopped when he thought that we were within
sound of the camp, and beckoned us to his side.

"There's no use in you coveys getting your necks in halters follering
close arter me, 'cos 'tain't any use. We ain't going to fight the
fellers, but to frighten 'em. You jist keep a little back and watch me,
and if any thing happens, why, don't stop to see how it terminates. Get
off the best way that you can."

"That would be ungenerous," I replied. "You are now risking your life to
serve us, and we should not desert you to save ourselves."

"Don't you be afeard of me," the shepherd said, quite coolly. "I can
take care of myself, and if the bushrangers finds out the cheat I can
explain it to 'em some way or other that will satisfy 'em. Is it all
right?"

We ass