h desirous of their support during his trying
ordeal.

"You killed old Bill without a moment's warning for telling the truth,
for I have been told by others that you was one of the first to run, and
yet you saw nothing but a shadow, at which you was frightened. You
deserve death, and at my hands you shall receive it."

"For God's sake don't kill me, cap'en!" shrieked the young fellow, in
an agony of terror, throwing himself upon his knees, and begging for
mercy; "I have served you long and faithfully, and robbed as many miners
as any man in the gang."

"That certainly should entitle him to mercy," whispered Mr. Brown,
giving me a nudge with his elbow, as though I was asleep.

The leader of the bushrangers did not make any reply, but coolly drew a
pistol from his belt.

"The cold-blooded scoundrel intends to murder the man!" Mr. Brown said,
trembling with excitement and indignation; "why don't the brutes
interfere, and save the life of their comrade?"

"Take notice, men," said the robber chief, addressing his gang, "that I
am about to punish a man for committing a murder, and that hereafter, if
you must quarrel, refer the matter to me for settlement, and if I do not
satisfy you with my decision, then you can appeal to the knife or
pistol, as can be agreed upon. Have you any reason why sentence should
not be executed upon this man?"

There was no response. The villains would not even raise their voices to
save a comrade's life.

"I should imagine the fellow was the Lord High Chancellor of England to
hear him talk," muttered Mr. Brown; "lend me your revolver, and the
instant the ruffian fires I will give him a shot if it costs me my
life."

"And it would cost not only your life, but mine, and that I am not
disposed to relinquish yet. Be patient, for we can do nothing to save
the poor devil," I replied.

The man whose doom had been pronounced, a second time threw himself upon
the ground, and crawled to the feet of the leader in humble supplication
for mercy. He shed tears, and vowed that if his life was spared, he
would steal with renewed energy, and be more faithful than ever; and for
a while I thought the chief would relent, but during a moment's pause, I
distinctly heard the click of a pistol lock, and saw Tyrell's arm raised
as though taking aim.

'I shut my eyes to hide the dreadful sight, and expected to hear the
report of the weapon and the groans of the victim, but while I was
speculating on the lengt