im go with us," I pleaded; "I'll warrant that he'll prove
discreet."

The animal planted his fore paws upon my shoulder, and sought to lick my
face, in gratitude. It might have been accidental, but to me it looked
as though there was something besides animal instinct in the act.

There was a unanimous vote in favor of the dog, and we once more started
on our way.

Gun after gun was discharged, both by besiegers and besieged; but as the
night was dark, and it was very evident that those in the hut did not
understand the Indian mode of warfare, of firing at the flash of their
enemies' pieces, it was pretty certain that not much harm was done to
the bushrangers.

"Come," said Fred, in a whisper, after we had watched the conflict for a
short time, "let us forward and count the number of our opponents, and
perhaps make a prisoner. Smith," he continued, addressing our stout
friend, "I need not tell you to be cautious, and make no reply if you
chance to encounter one of the scamps, and he speaks. The tones of your
voice would betray us if the party is small. Now let us move forward
and take up our positions near yonder clump of bushes by the bank of the
stream."

Fred led the way, and by his side walked the dog, with head erect, and
eyes glaring like balls of fire; but not a single yelp issued from his
capacious throat, as we strode towards the bushes and concealed
ourselves.

We had not remained long at our station before two men passed us,
talking earnestly together; and we learned enough to know that the
presence of the police was not suspected by the bushrangers, and that
the party attacking the hut was one got up for the purpose of avenging
the death of Black Darnley and his gang.

Smith's cart, filled with merchandise when we started, had been rifled
of every thing which it contained of value, and I could hear the poor
fellow groan as he thought of his loss.

"I tell you, Jim," cried one of the gang, "we are only wasting time
here; let's pack up what we've got, and be off. Bill says that he saw a
police force on the road day before yesterday, and our wasting so much
powder may bring 'em to this spot."

"And let the death of Darnley go unrevenged?" exclaimed the ruffian
addressed; "I'm blastedly ashamed of you, to hear a man talk that way!
You knows as well as I does that these fellers has got all the money
that Darnley's gang has made for six months past, and now there's a
chance of making a spec you want to