s a joke which we did not care about
indulging in, and we made strenuous exertions to complete our task
before darkness had entirely set in.

Already had we piled up a large mound of earth, and excavated a hole big
enough to bury an ox, and yet nothing was to be seen of the treasure;
and as each additional shovel full of dirt was thrown up I began to grow
discouraged, and felt that I had been deceived, and almost cursed the
folly which led me to believe in the dying declaration of the
bushranger.

"I don't see any use in digging here," said Smith, pausing, and wiping
the perspiration from his heated brow; "the dirt we are removing now has
not been disturbed since the formation of the island. If there is any
gold dust buried in this clearing, we must search in another direction."

"But haven't I told you that you was in the right spot?" ejaculated
Steel Spring.

"Keep your advice for those who ask it," returned Smith, bluntly, want
of success having made him cross.

"Vell, haven't you all been haxing me, and don't I tell vere the money
is? If you 'spect to get it, you must vork."

"Then take hold of this pickaxe, and see how you like it. Jump into the
hole without a word, or I'll help you with my heavy hand!" cried Smith,
somewhat irritated.

Steel Spring would have hesitated, but a glance at the face of his
opponent decided him, and, with many a groan, he entered the hole and
commenced working.

The rest of us discussed the propriety of suspending labor until
morning, as the evening was so far advanced that it was impossible to
see half a dozen yards from our faces. Fred and myself were opposed to
cessation, as we knew that we were in a dangerous part of the country,
and how soon we should be interrupted by gangs of bushrangers it was
hard to tell. The forest was full of outlaws--desperate men, who would
shed blood freely for the sake of gold or revenge, and should we be
surprised, there was no possibility of escape.

Under these circumstances, we urged that we had better work that night,
dark as it was, than remain there two or three days, and expose our
lives needlessly.

During the time that we were debating the question, Steel Spring was
apparently busy at work, although I noticed that he paid considerable
attention to what was going on, and listened to every word uttered with
an interest that appeared unaccountable. I thought it was from
curiosity, and did not call any one's attention to it; but when I