I am positive of,
I'd sooner give up all I was worth than be burned at the stake."

"Perhaps the reason is, you are worth nothing," suggested Sam, after a
brief survey of the speaker.

"You have hit the nail of the coffin on its head this time," chuckled
Day. "I don't see a sovereign from one year's end to t'other, and don't
'spect to till my time has expired, so that I can work for myself."

"You are a ticket of leave man, then?" demanded Sam, with more feeling
than he had shown during the interview.

"Well, if I wasn't I shouldn't be here, working for thirty pounds a
year, when there's gold to be dug for the mere paying of a license. No,
no, just wait till I can call myself my own master, and then the sheep
and stock may go to the devil, for all that I care."

"Can't you tell us something more about the ghost?" asked one of the
men, who seemed to take an especial interest in Day's narrative.

"Well, I don't like to talk about the matter, 'cos 'tis said that the
old feller visits those who are too intimate with his name. My comrade,
who is at the other end of the station, told me once that he saw the
Hunter when he was all in a blaze, and that when he spoke the ghost and
flames disappeared. I don't believe half what he tells me though, 'cos I
'spose he tries to frighten me, but I've got as much courage as he has,
any day."

There was a breathless silence for a few moments, and the robbers seemed
to be digesting the story which they had listened to. We could see them
whispering together, and apparently were disposed to believe what the
shepherd had said.

"Here are the prints of horses feet," Sam exclaimed, pointing to the
ground. "Have you seen horsemen in this vicinity lately?"

"Heaven forbid," cried Day. "The only horse that visits these parts is
rode by the Hunter."

"Then we will give him fire to light him on his way," exclaimed Sam,
with a forced laugh, and calling his men he turned and walked towards
his late encampment, and was soon lost to view.

His gang followed close at his heels, and we were not sorry to see them
depart, although we could not help wondering what was meant by the
threat of finding fire for the supposed ghost. We found out, however,
full soon, and owed the scamp a bitter grudge for his work.

The shepherd pretended to walk rapidly in the direction of the
stock-house, but concealed himself amid the trees, and waited until he
thought the last robber had retired from sight, when h