ected an eagerness to know the mission upon
which Murden had been engaged that but ill compared with the man's
general indifference and lazy deportment.

"We have been after bushrangers, Bimbo," answered the lieutenant,
dismounting from his horse and approaching the stockman, who still
retained his reclining position against the side of the door.

"And did you meet any?" asked the stockman, indifferently, stealing a
look at the face of the officer as though anxious to obtain his answer
before he uttered it.

"Meet any?" replied Murden, "why, of course we did. You will not be
troubled with robbers in this part of the country for some time to come,
I'll warrant you."

I saw a black frown gather on the stockman's brow, but it was dispelled
as soon as formed, although I could not help feeling that the news
troubled the man exceedingly.

"Come, stir yourself," cried the lieutenant, when he saw that the
stockman did not appear disposed to move, and as he spoke, he laid his
hand lightly upon the fellow's shoulder, and pulled him from his
position in the doorway.

"Come, awaken, old fellow, and let us have the best quarter of beef you
possess, for we are all hungry, and I'll warrant that Jim Gulpin and his
gang--"

"So help me, God, lieutenant," cried Bimbo, hurriedly, "I don't know him
or his men, and I don't see what right--"

"Why, what is the matter with the man?" laughed Murden. "I didn't say
that you knew him. I meant that he and his gang, or what remained of
them, are my prisoners, and in less than a week their necks will be
stretched a few inches longer. There's news for you, Bimbo."

"Gulpin and his band prisoners," I heard the fellow say, in an
undertone, as though he could scarcely comprehend the news, and then an
expression stole over his face, that for a moment was frightful to
contemplate.

"Ah, here they come at last," Murden said, pointing to the cart, which
was slowly creeping along, and had been screened from view by the house.

"You don't mean to say you and your men took the bushrangers without,
any 'sistance from others, do you?" Bimbo asked.

"Why, these two Americans lent their valuable aid," replied the officer,
pointing to Fred and myself.

"P'raps it would have been as well if they staid in their own country
and looked after robbers, instead of coming to Australia," replied the
dirty scamp, with an aside glance at us that spoke murder as plainly as
if he had a knife at our throats.