indled many
hours before and allowed to die out for want of fuel.

The only other sign of life was a grass hammock, which swung from the
branch of a tree, not more than four feet from the ground, and which
appeared to contain some person who was sleeping. For ten minutes after
we reached our allotted station we waited for Smith and the convict to
gain a position and give the signal for an attack.

[Illustration: Throwing down the weapon with an oath, the ruffian drew a
long knife; but before he had an opportunity to use it, the heavy axe
descended upon his unprotected head, and crashing through skull and
brains, it clove him to the chin. Page 66.]

There were no signs of them, and we began to fear that they had strayed
from the right path, when a small kangaroo dog walked lazily from the
cabin and stood near the door, as though debating whether he should
return and finish his nap or exercise in the open air. He was not long
in making up his mind, for his keen scent detected something in the
atmosphere that was not right; and where we were lying we could see his
sharp eyes glance suspiciously around, and saw the stiff hair upon his
back rise as though getting ready to meet the danger that was near at
hand.

There was suddenly a bay--a loud, angry bark, and then the hound which
had belonged to the murdered man bounded into the enclosure and fastened
his strong teeth into the neck of the dog, the latter hardly offering
battle so sudden was the onslaught.

There was a yelp of pain as the hound shook the smaller animal in his
strong jaws, and that cry raised an alarm that brought half a dozen men,
with long red and black beards, and repulsive faces, to the door of the
hut.

We saw their look of surprise as their eyes alighted upon the fighting
dogs--we saw them glance hastily around, and raise their guns, which
they carried in their hands, as though to get ready for a sudden attack;
and while we were in a state of uncertainty, and almost ready to
commence the fight, a tall, powerful-built man, with heavy beard and
long hair, rolled from the hammock in which he had been swinging, and
rushed towards the yelping brutes.

"Whose dog is that?" he shouted, "and why do you stand there like a pack
of fools, allowing them to make noise enough to wake the whole forest?
We shall have the beaks upon us if this continues;" and as he spoke, he
raised the branch of a tree which was lying near the fire, and lifting
it as easily as