but they vas not quick enough for Steel Spring."

"You hear what my man says; you were seen to take the gold. Yield it to
us, and go, and the devil go with you, for all I care; but deprive us of
it, and to-morrow's sun shall not see you alive."

Fred, Smith, and myself held a whispered conversation for a few minutes,
and concluded that it was better to give up the money and save our
lives, and trust to chance to recover the treasure.

"Have you decided?" asked the chief, his voice growing more rough at
each moment's delay. "We have."

"Enough; lead us to the spot where it is secreted."

"You have but a few steps to go," I said, as I motioned for the
bushrangers to stand one side and allow me to approach the spot where I
had dropped the bag.

"Let him pass!" exclaimed the robber; and, obedient to his word, the
gang stepped aside, but closed in upon me, so that I had no chance to
escape, even had I been so disposed.

"You will find the gold there," I said, pointing to the spot where I had
dropped the sack.

Half a dozen arms were thrust eagerly forth, and searched amidst the
rank grass and stunted bushes. Suddenly, one of the men uttered an
exclamation and sprang back, holding aloft his hand, upon a finger of
which was fastened a deadly snake, of a pale orange hue, with a fine
ring of black around its neck.

With oaths, and cries of terror, the robbers sought to escape from the
vicinity of their companion, who, with yells such as I thought no mortal
man capable of uttering, endeavored to unfasten the firm grip of the
adder's teeth.

We could have escaped at that time, and no one would have thought of
pursuit, so busy were the gang in regarding the contortions of the
wretch, who rushed wildly back and forth, begging, cursing, and praying
in one breath.

Once I thought of starting alone, after vainly endeavoring to attract
the attention of Fred and Smith; but I considered how cowardly it would
be to desert my friends, and banished the idea, unless we could all go
together.

"Will no one save me?" shrieked the wretch, running first to one and
then another of his comrades; but as fast as he approached them, they
would retreat, and hurl imprecations at his head for seeking to bring
destruction upon themselves.

"Curse you all for a pack of cowards!" he yelled; "may you all die by
the hands of a hangman! Will no one save me? Will no one relieve me of
this cursed snake?"

"Hold your hand still, for a moment,"