ers, and that, with the complete surprise which had been gained over
them, completed their confusion. They broke, and dashed into the woods,
but not before half of their number was placed _hors du combat_, and
amidst them, stretched upon the ground bleeding from two bad wounds, was
the old sailor who had released me.

"No mercy--kill the accursed dogs," roared the stockman, swinging his
long gun over his head, and dashing after a young fellow who had fought
desperately, but now sought to escape.

"Come back," shouted Murden, in a voice of thunder. "Venture beyond the
edge of this clearing, and your life is not worth a sixpence. The
bushrangers know every turn of the woods, and are already in ambush,
waiting for victims. Extinguish that fire, men, as soon as possible, and
don't too many of you venture near it until it is smothered."

"You are the last man that I expected to see to-night, Murden," I said,
grasping his hand with a pressure that expressed my gratitude at his
arrival.

"Well, to tell you the truth," he replied, "I must say that three hours
ago I had no idea of shaking hands with old friends. But let me station
the men to prevent a surprise, for I shall have to stop here all night,
as the risk is too great trying to reach the prairie until morning, and
then we will compare notes. I see that you are well, and that is all
that I care about now. Even Smith has not lost an ounce of flesh since
our last meeting."

"I may not have lost flesh, but my worriment of mind for the last few
hours has been awful," replied the teamster, with a grin of satisfaction
at his escape.

"A few hours' sleep will restore you," cried the lieutenant, pleasantly.

By this time the police had extinguished the fire, which was burning too
brightly for safety. The half-consumed logs were thrown aside to
smoulder and die out, and dirt thrown upon the coals to extinguish their
brightness.

"Maurice," called the lieutenant, speaking to his old orderly, "station
four men at different quarters, and tell them to give an alarm if they
but hear a stick move. The bushrangers have not gone far, I warrant you,
and perhaps they will beat up our quarters before morning."

"Yes, sir," promptly replied the policeman.

"How many of our force are wounded?" the officer asked.

"Sam, sir, has got a shot in his thigh, and the blood flows pretty fast
from the wound. I have tied it up as well as possible."

"I will go and attend on him, and see wh