naturally turned to each other for advice and
counsel. Mr. Brown considered that our only chance for safety was to
remain where we were, and wait patiently until Sam and his gang were
disposed to vacate the woods, and he argued shrewdly that they would
not pass a second night in a locality that had been the scene of a
cold-blooded murder, and the appearance of a ghost of the most frightful
description.

The shepherd was in favor of the same plan, and expressed himself ready
to fight like a Briton in case we were attacked, and to show his
sincerity, revealed to us the state of his powder horn, half full of
diamond glazed, while his pouch contained nearly thirty bullets, each
weighing an ounce.

Luckily we had taken the precaution to remove Mr. Brown's gray horse
from the main land to the island, so that no trace of our presence
remained, excepting the footprints of the animals.

"I think," said Day, after a moment's hesitation, "that I can venture to
meet the coveys and have a talk with 'em, and endeavor to allay their
suspicions if they have any."

Of course Mr. Brown and myself remonstrated against such a measure, as
we considered that his life would not be worth one of his sheepskins if
met by the gang.

"I don't know 'bout that," Day replied. "The coveys ain't so fond of
killing stockmen, if they don't meddle too much with their mutton, and
I'm sure whenever gentlemanly Sam and his boys have honored me with a
visit, I have let 'em have their own way, and they have killed without
hinderance. If that isn't treating 'em well, then I was not larnt
manners."

"There is some force in what you say," Mr. Brown replied.

"Of course there is. Can't I go to the coveys and pretend that I am
searching for stray sheep, and tell a lie or two about the horses, and
then hint that I don't like to be caught in this part of the country
after dark, 'cos I have seen strange sights, that I don't like to talk
about? I don't know how we are to manage, unless I act the part
proposed, for as sure as you are alive, the coveys will feel curious
enough to know what has been going on in the island, and if they once
get a hint that we are here, it is all day with us."

"We could defend the island against ten times the number of bushrangers
that belong to the gang," muttered Mr. Brown.

"No doubt of that," remarked the shepherd, dryly; "but the coveys ain't
going to make a fight of it by any means. They would starve us out in
less than t