the door, they suddenly
stopped, surprised by the number of prints of horses' feet which they
discovered in the soft earth. They glanced suspiciously at the hut, and
cocked their rifles, and debated the question as to whether they should
advance or retire.

"The latter course was decided on, and as they turned to go, I ordered
half a dozen of our light carbines to be discharged at their retreating
forms.

"The effect was like magic, for, although both were wounded, yet instead
of endeavoring to make their escape, they turned towards the hut, and
charged towards it with a cheer and a yell, as though determined to have
blood for their injuries.

"Almost before the remainder of my men could bring their guns to a cock,
the villains were upon us, discharging their revolvers to the right and
left, and creating such a scene of confusion as I never witnessed
before. The stockmen endeavored to make their escape from the windows,
and those who could not squeeze through, tried to shelter themselves
behind my men, and some of the cowards even seized the police around
their waists, and held them as shields to ward off the shots which were
flying thick in that little square room, densely crowded with human
beings.

"I saw two of my men fall, owing to the struggle which the station men
made to escape, and then fearful that we should all be defeated and
murdered, I seized a carbine that one of my people had dropped, and with
a blow, I struck one of the murderers senseless to the ground.

"The remaining one fought like a demon. After discharging the contents
of two revolvers which he carried about his person, he drew his bowie
knife and rushed into our midst, cutting to the right and left; and so
impetuous was his onset that we fell back a few feet, which the villain
seeing, turned and attempted to escape. Before he had taken two stops
towards the door, my men recovered from their surprise, and rushed upon
him. He fought like a devil, and his knife was red with the heart's
blood of one of my bravest men, before he was lying powerless, with
irons on his hands and ankles, at our feet.

"The villain that I had struck senseless, now began to show signs of
animation; but before he had recovered, he was loaded down with irons,
and a watch placed over both, with orders to blow their brains out if
they made the least attempt to escape.

"You would hardly expect that men, conquered as they were, and
momentarily expecting death at our ha