ng ceased, and the man who appeared to be the
leader of the band again spoke:--

"I have talked with my men, and they are willing to comply with your
desire, provided you will deliver to us the gold which you found buried
in this clearing."

"As for the gold," returned Fred, "we dropped it some time ago, and you
are welcome to it if it can be found."

"Then lay down your arms and step towards us. We are not to be taken by
surprise, having heard of your Yankee tricks."

"We had better trust to darkness and our guns," muttered the old
stockman; but his warning was too late, for Fred advanced towards the
bushrangers and placed his rifle in their hands, and with a sigh I
followed his example.

"Come!" shouted the leader, his voice growing harsher as the disarming
proceeded--"there are two more of 'em; hurry up, and don't keep us
waiting too long."

"I make the third," said Smith, handing in his double barrelled gun.

"Ha, driver, are you here?" laughed the ruffian, as his eyes fell upon
Smith's burly form. "You had better have stuck to the teaming business
than digging up dead men's gold--I think you would have found it more
profitable and less dangerous."

"There is where we differ in opinion, Sam Nosey," replied Smith, quite
coolly. "I work at any kind of business where I think I can make an
honest shilling, and don't see but this expedition comes under the head
of regular trade. At the edge of the wood you will find my team and two
pair of good oxen, with a bottle of brandy such as you have not tasted
for many a day."

"You mean that I would have found things as you describe, an hour or two
ago; but the fact is, my men were hungry; so two of your cattle were
knocked in the head, and a right jolly feed we had, I assure you."

"I wish they had been so tough that their flesh would have choked you,"
was the unsatisfactory exclamation of the stout-hearted Smith.

"Your wish is unkind, considering the favor which we intend to show
you," sneered the bushranger captain.

Smith uttered an oath, and I thought, that in spite of the number around
us, he would make a push for freedom; but after glancing around and
seeing that his intention was anticipated, and that the crowd had
enclosed us in a circle, he gave up the idea.

"There is one prisoner missing--where is he?" demanded the chief,
abruptly.

"There's no other to be seen," cried half a dozen voices.

"Fools! why do you talk in that way? The old stockman is