t he had disappeared during the firing, and he did
not return for ten minutes, when by his panting I knew that he had
pursued the natives to the bushes, but what other damage he had done the
latter only knew.

"We shall rest in peace for the remainder of the night," Smith said,
"that is, provided any one can get rest with so many blasted bugs
buzzing in the air. The natives will not make a second attack upon us,
you may be assured."

Smith's words were found to be correct, for, when daylight appeared, a
flag of truce was sent to our camp, and an old native demanded
permission to remove the bodies of his fallen friends. We gave a willing
consent on condition that we were allowed to pass on our way without
further molestation; and after accepting our terms, we detained the old
fellow as a hostage until we were safe from their ambush, when we
dismissed him with a number of presents, and he returned to his camp
apparently delighted at his treatment.

We urged our cattle to their utmost exertions, and at sundown we were in
sight of the old convict's hut, and in close proximity to the buried
gold.

CHAPTER XXIII.

ARRIVAL AT THE OLD STOCKMAN'S HUT.--MYSTERIOUS INTERRUPTIONS DURING THE
HUNT.

As we drew near the hut which had withstood so hot an assault from the
gang of Jim Gulpin, we saw that its proprietor was seated before his
door, busily engaged in reading a book, in which he appeared deeply
interested, for he never raised his eyes until Rover, who recognized
him, thrust his cold nose on his hand and demanded a welcome.

The old man looked surprised, dropped his book, and then apparently
comprehended that we must be near, for he glanced eagerly round, and
when his eyes fell upon Smith, he started towards us at a brisk pace,
and in a few minutes the two were shaking hands like friends who had
been separated for months and years.

"But where are your companions? Where are the two generous Americans
who fought so bravely when I revenged my daughter's injuries? demanded
the old man, who did not recognize us, dressed as we were in a
respectable-looking thin suit of clothes, and with our beards shaven
off.

"O," answered Smith, carelessly, "they became infatuated with the
pleasures of Melbourne, and have remained behind."

"And our pardons?" asked the stockman, after a moment's silence, during
which we could see that he was struggling for fortitude and composure.

"Here," exclaimed Fred, "a free and uncon