felt no fear of
immediate death, although we knew that an injudicious word would seal
our doom without a moment's delay.

"Where can the money have gone to?" whispered Fred.

"I know not," I replied; "you saw me throw it amidst the bushes, and
yet, now, it cannot be found."

"One of the gang must have watched our movements, and, during the
confusion, moved the bag to another place."

As Fred ceased speaking, the dying man, who was lying at our feet,
raised his head, and sought to get up; the effort was unsuccessful, and,
with a groan of agony, he fell back and called in feeble tones for
water.

"Water," he cried; "for the love of mercy, give me a drink of water; I
feel as though I was burning to death. My mouth is parched, and my
tongue swollen to an unnatural size."

"Give him a drink, one of you," grunted the chief. "It's probably the
last one he will ever ask for."

"Don't say that," exclaimed the snake-bitten man, struggling to rise. "I
am not going to die just yet, I can tell you. I have not half revenged
myself upon those who injured me."

"Live, and be hanged, if you can," retorted the chief, coolly, seating
himself upon a log, and lighting his pipe; "I don't hinder you from
getting well, do I?"

"No, no. Nosey, I know that you would rather assist me," said the man,
with a faint attempt at a smile, but it was soon banished from his face,
and then he again sought to rise, but without success.

The poison was spreading swiftly through his veins, and we could almost
see his body swell, so rapidly was it bloating him. He had unbuttoned
the wristbands and collar of his shirt, for the pain was too great to
keep them fastened; and as he lay at our feet a spectacle too dreadful
to be looked upon without pity, we wished that we had the means to save
a life that had been passed regardless of laws or man.

"If one of you fellers are acquainted with a prayer or two, p'raps it
would be well to mutter it over the poor devil, so that his soul may not
be snatched by the evil one as soon as it leaves his body," said a
bushranger of grim aspect, speaking to Fred and myself.

"I will willingly do all that I can to comfort the dying man," I
replied; "but first I want my arms untied, so that I can hear his last
words."

"Well, that's only asking for a reasonable thing, and hang me if I won't
risk it," replied the grizzly robber, proceeding to untie my hands.

"Hullo," shouted the chief, "what are you about?"

"I'm