ce,
and loaded down with men and women, anxious to get a glimpse of the
ferocious bushrangers, whose names had long been such a terror to all
having business beyond the limits of the city.

"We are in for it," said Murden, pointing towards the fast approaching
crowd. "Close up on each side of the cart, men, and let no one speak to,
or insult our prisoners!"

Before the crowd reached us, Smith deserted the side of his oxen for a
moment, and laid his hand upon my horse's bridle, saying,--

"You remember where you and Mr. Fred slept the first night you landed in
Melbourne?"

"To be sure I do," I replied; "in your house."

"And remember," he said, "I want you both to take up your quarters there
again. You will promise me this?"

"I think that we had better go to some hotel," I replied, fearing that
we should cause him trouble and expense.

"Don't think of such a thing; you will squander all of your money, and
receive no equivalent for it. Go to my house, and we'll live like
princes at a quarter the expense. Or, if you feel that you are too good
for the company of a felon--"

"Hold there, Smith," I said; "have we ever given you occasion to speak
thus?"

"No; but you will be petted and praised, and I fear that perhaps so much
attention will turn your hearts against me."

"Do not fear that," I rejoined, pressing his hand, which he returned,
until I thought my fingers were in a vice; "we found in you a friend,
and as such we shall continue to regard you until we leave the island."

"Then you will make my house your home?" Smith inquired.

"If you still insist, I answer that we had rather keep together, and be
under your roof, than to be lodged in the proudest hotel in Melbourne."

Smith's broad, red face was actually radiant with happiness, as he fell
back to his place; and as he had no other way of testifying his
happiness, he began cracking his long heavy whip, which started the
cattle into a trot, and shook up the bushrangers and the parrot so
roughly, that the latter yelled out,--

"Hullo! what's the row? Where's Bimbo? Stop, will ye?" questions which
were not answered, for just then our attention was attracted by a body
of mounted men, dressed in the same kind of uniform as our companions,
only their clothes did not look so soiled, and their arms were radiant
with recent polishing.

At their head rode a fine-looking, stout, red-faced man, who weighed
about two hundred pounds, and was a good specimen of a