our confidence? Be assured, Murden, that
as patriotic and great as we may think ourselves, there are those in our
midst, and, I believe, high in power, who do not scruple to accept of
bribes, even if the gold which is offered is stained with blood."

I thought, the lieutenant's cheeks blanched a shade paler than their
wont, and I imagined, considering he had a few hundred pounds' worth of
gold dust in his pockets, which formerly belonged to some honest man,
that he would get confused, and confess to the secret hoard which we had
discovered; but to my surprise he did no such thing, and returned an
answer that elicited my unbounded admiration, it was so cool.

"We must ferret out the parties," he said, in reply to his superior,
"and make an example, and that will strike terror to the hearts of those
disposed to accept bribes, hereafter."

"We will talk of this another time," replied the captain; "I feel now so
rejoiced to think that we have secured a number of bushrangers, that I
can hardly talk on any other subject. It was only last night Latrobe
sent for me, and wanted to know why I had done nothing towards rendering
a passage to the mines safe? The old fool! Why don't he send a company
of his idle soldiers to scour the country, if he thinks it is so very
easy to find those devils incarnate--the bushrangers?"

"Perhaps he keeps them in Melbourne because he has fears of his own
safety," replied the lieutenant, laughing.

"Perhaps so; but I'd rather trust to my police force than all the
soldiers in Australia. I suppose your two American friends will share in
the reward which has been offered?"

"I hope so, for right well do they deserve it," replied Murden,
heartily.

The multitude moved to and fro, and struggled to get glimpses of the
bushrangers in the cart, and a number of times the police were obliged
to strike those who pressed too near with the flat of their sabres, as a
slight rebuke for their curiosity; but with all the struggling I heard
no angry words pass, and for so large a crowd, it was the best natured
one I ever saw.

We drew up before a substantial-looking building, with an open square in
front, where a company of soldiers were parading.

A large gate was opened for our admission, and as soon as our party had
entered, it was shut and bolted, and the crowd excluded, although many
crawled upon the walls and sat there patiently, until the bushrangers
were placed under lock and key, in a strong dunge