"Cease your grumbling," shouted Murden, angrily, "or I'll lay my bridle
over your shoulders until they ache. Why, you miserable dog, have you
not complained to me a dozen times that you feared your life was in
danger from these same prowling gangs, and that they stole your cattle
in spite of all you could do? Another word, and I'll give you cause for
muttering. Away with you. Start a fire, and then I'll set one of my men
to cook breakfast. You are too dirty to be intrusted with food."

Bimbo must have exercised a strong control over his emotions, for in
spite of the dirt and grease with which his face was smeared, I saw it
flush angrily; but no other sign of passion was displayed. He thrust his
hands into his pockets, and with a slouching gait, as though too
indolent to move without strong inducement, sauntered towards the shed
and began kindling a fire.

"A grumbling cur," muttered Murden, looking after him; "I have half a
mind to tie him up and scar his back, and see if it will not make him a
little more energetic." But with all of the bluster of the officer, I
saw that he did not suspect the man's honesty, and I was glad that he
did not.

By the time Smith had joined us with his cart and prisoners, Bimbo had
started a fire, and produced a hind quarter of a young bullock, killed
the day before, and which had been rubbed over with fine salt to protect
it from the millions of insects which infest the air of Australia. The
fellow made an offer to cut the meat for us, but a look at his hands was
sufficient to deter us from accepting the proposition.

Maurice, the lieutenant's never-failing resort when a meal was to be
prepared, was set at work to get breakfast for the officer, Fred, and
myself, while one of the men was detailed to perform the same duty for
his companions. Another man was stationed as guard over the bushrangers,
and the balance were ordered to look to their animals, which attention
consisted in watering them at a spring near the hut, and then turning
them loose with their fore legs tied together to prevent their straying
to any great distance. One animal, however, was kept ready saddled in
case of an emergency, and not permitted to roam beyond the extent of a
long rope, like the reattas of Spain or Mexico.

Although I must confess that I was intensely hungry, and tired and
sleepy with my long journey on horseback all night, yet I felt too
uneasy in my mind to spend much time eating greasy beefsteaks an