k him where he stole it; and unless he gave pretty correct answers,
the animal would be taken away and confiscated to the services of the
force.

I could tell nothing by the earth, for the cattle had resorted to the
brook to quench their thirst, and roll in the cool mud.

I glanced hastily around, but saw nothing to excite alarm; so I touched
my horse lightly and entered the brook. The animal, disliking the mud,
sprang suddenly half way across. The quick motion of the brute probably
saved my life, for just as the animal sprang a shot was fired, and the
ball whizzed in uncomfortable proximity to my head.

I struck the spurs deeply into the brute's sides, and with a bound like
lightning, he landed me on the bank of the stream; but as he did so, the
soil yielded, and he fell, throwing me several feet from him.

Again was I indebted for my life to that simple accident, and it was of
a kind that had not occurred before during my residence in Australia,
for just as the horse fell, another sharp report of firearms was heard,
and a bullet struck the trunk of a tree over my head, and sent a shower
of bark rattling upon my face.

"I see the d----d scoundrel!" shouted Mr. Brown, and he spurred in
pursuit. I saw the form of a stout-built man, mounted on a powerful
horse, disappear amid the trees, and I quickly urged my animal to his
feet, so that I could join in the pursuit.

Before it could be done, I heard two quick, ringing shots, which my ears
told me came from Mr. Brown's revolver, and I easily guessed the fate of
the would-be assassin.

By the time I had scraped the mud from my person, Mr. Brown came riding
slowly back, looking as unconcerned and calm as possible.

"Did you hit him?" I asked.

"To be sure; both shots told," was the satisfactory reply.

"Who was the scamp? Did you recognize him?"

"Certainly; I could hardly fail to do that, when he bore your mark."

"How--my mark?" I asked in astonishment

"Yes; one of his eyes was black and blue, where you struck him last
night."

"You mean to tell me that it was Kelly who sought my life?" I cried,
recollecting that Mr. Wright had informed me that the fellow had left
the farm the night before.

"If you don't believe it, you will find the body a few rods from here
with two wounds--one on the right shoulder and the second through the
body."

"I have no desire to see it," I replied; "let us continue our journey,
and leave the scene of so disagreeable a necess