few inches of cold steel for our charity.

As daylight appeared, one by one of the gang that had escaped uninjured,
were called out, manacled, and confined to a tree, to prevent all
possibility of flight. There were many fierce oaths uttered by the
wretches, as they felt the bracelets slipped over their wrists by
Murden; and two of the hardened villains boasted of the murders which
they had committed, and laid plans for a continuance of their crimes
when they escaped, as they expected to do.

It was with difficulty that the policemen could be restrained; and once
when Murden was absent for a few moments, and had left the charge of
the prisoners to Fred and myself, one of the men, carried away by sudden
rage at the taunts which the bushrangers hurled at him, raised his
carbine, and if Fred had not struck up the barrel just as he did, the
sheriff of Melbourne would have been spared the necessity of finding
hemp for one robber. As it was, the ball whistled harmlessly over his
head.

"You are mad!" cried Fred; "would you murder the wretches in cold
blood?"

"Ay!" shouted the indignant policeman; "they have committed many
murders, and it is time their career was ended."

"I grant that," returned Fred; "but these men are now in the hands of
the law, and are entitled to a fair trial. You are paid for protecting
them, as well as apprehending. Do not let your conscience ever accuse
you of murdering a prisoner."

"You are right, sir," returned the policeman, with evident respect; "I
was foolish to be so moved, and beg you to forgive me."

"I have nothing to forgive," replied Fred, amused at the man's
earnestness; "but if you wish to do a really good action, lend Jack and
myself aid to bind up the wounds of these poor, grumbling wretches."

"That I will," cried the policeman, laying down his carbine, and
following us to the bank of the river, where the sufferers were still
lying, groaning with pain.

Just as we began washing the blood from their wounds, Murden joined us.
He looked astonished to think that we took so much interest in the men,
and after a moment's hesitancy, said,--

"I have been trying to arrange with Smith to return to Melbourne with
his team, and carry these wounded men and my prisoners. He refuses to
consent until he has obtained your acquiescence in the measure. I have
told him that his goods, which are scattered around here, are nearly
ruined by rough handling, and that he will have to sell them