hirt or pair of boots without a murmur."

Fred laughed good naturedly, and spoke jestingly in reply.

"That was because you never freighted Americans. Englishmen may consent
to have their boots pulled off, but Yankees would be apt to
remonstrate."

"I hope that we shall have no occasion to test your courage," said
Smith; "but if we meet Black Darnley, I shall not blame you for keeping
quiet."

"And who is Black Darnley?" we asked.

"An escaped convict, who has been at large for three years; and, in
spite of the two hundred pounds reward, no one has ventured to attempt
his capture. He swears that he will never be taken alive, and he will
keep his word. He has no fear of two or even three ordinary men, for he
possesses the strength of a Hercules and the desperation of a wounded
tiger. Of all the bushrangers on the island, he is the worst; and yet he
always treats me well, and lets me pass without levying toll, for he and
I are old acquaintances, and often have a social chat together about
times gone by."

"Tell us where you first met him," we said, crowding nearer the convict
to hear his story.

"Wait until we halt for a rest and feed the cattle. Half a mile from
here is a small stream of water, and under the shade of some trees near
at hand, we'll boil our coffee, and then I'll tell you about my first
meeting with Black Darnley."

As it was about noon, and we had travelled near twelve miles, the
proposed halt was any thing but disagreeable. Besides, the sun was
nearly overhead, burning and scorching us with its intense rays, and
causing the oxen to protrude their tongues and drag their weary feet
along as though they hardly possessed life enough to reach the water
spoken of.

A sharp crack of Smith's whip and the cattle started into life again;
and as he continued to flourish the dreaded lash over their heads, they
kept up their speed until we reached the stream, which slowly trickled
through dry plains, with scorched grass and withered shrubs; but, near
the banks of the river, which during the rainy season became a mighty
torrent, green trees and rank grass afforded an agreeable shade from the
burning sun.

The cattle were unyoked, and allowed to wander where they pleased, Smith
being confident of finding them near the water when he got ready to
start.

"Black Darnley, as he is called, owing to his swarthy complexion," began
Smith, after a fire was made, and water for the coffee started to
boiling, "was