obbery. Don't pray for them, Christians, for
your prayers will be in vain. They are denounced by God and man, and
hell alone knows how to punish them as their many crimes deserve.'"

"You old she devil, can't you tell us something more lively than that?"
demanded one of the bushrangers, glancing around uneasily.

"The best is yet to come," she replied, calmly, her eyes fixed upon
vacancy, as though she really saw the scenes she was narrating.

"Well, let's have the rest, and don't be too hard on bushrangers, if
it's all the same to you."

"I saw the procession reach the scaffold, and the three condemned men
ascend the steps, although they trembled so that they had to be
supported by the soldiers, for, though they could kill and rob, they
were cowards at heart, and were to die like dogs."

"They should have given the coveys a pint of brandy each, and then they
would have been all right," grunted the fellow whom the bushranger
called Bill.

"A prayer was made by the clergyman," continued Nancy, not heeding the
interruption, "and then the men were informed they could say any thing
if they wished. The crape was removed from their faces, and I saw--"

"Who?" exclaimed the listeners, eagerly.

"Your face, and yours, and yours," she cried, pointing to three of the
men, who sprang to their feet with frightful oaths, and murder in their
hearts.

"Let's hang her," cried one.

"Burn her for a witch," said another.

"D----m her," cried the third; while the fourth, who seemed to be much
pleased that he was left out of the galaxy of rascality, remained silent
and thoughtful.

"Don't harm her," exclaimed the younger woman, removing her hands from
her face, and endeavoring to shelter the person of her companion; but
the bushrangers were regardless of her entreaties, and pushed her aside
with rudeness.

I did not stop to see more. I rapidly made my way back to Mr. Wright and
party, who were anxiously expecting me, for they had begun to grow
alarmed at my absence.

"Not a moment is to be lost," I said. "Follow me, and make no noise."

"What is up?" demanded Mr. Wright, who perhaps did not like to have his
command usurped so rudely, although he did not object.

"I cannot stop to explain now. Haste, or there will be murder
committed," I replied.

No more questions were asked, and in less than five minutes after we
were in motion we were near enough to the bushrangers to witness their
operations. They were holding a co