at can be done for his relief;"
and the lieutenant started at a brisk pace towards where the injured man
was lying.

"Well, Sam, how do you feel?" inquired Murden.

"Weak from the loss of blood, sir, but I think that I shall get over
it."

"Get over it?" repeated Murden, in pretended surprise, "of course you
will. I don't want to lose the best fighting man that I have got in my
troop. When we get back to Melbourne you can go into hospital quarters
if you wish to, but not for any length of time. I cannot spare you many
weeks, Sam."

"I'm glad to hear it, sir," replied the policeman, in a tone of voice
that showed how pleased he was. "Did you see how I brought the fellow
down who was aiming at us?"

"Of course I did. I knew the instant you sighted him that he was a dead
robber. But don't talk any more. I will have a torch lighted, even if it
brings the devils upon us, and by its light I will bind up your wound so
that you will feel quite nicely by morning."

One of the men brought a lighted limb of a gum tree, and by it Murden
examined the wound, which seemed quite severe, although he did not say
so. After he had applied some balsam which he carried in a case in his
pocket, he re-bound the leg, and then ordered the torch to be
extinguished.

"The poor fellow cannot live until morning," whispered Murden, as we
walked one side. "The main artery of his leg is cut, and he is slowly
bleeding to death."

"What are we to do with these wounded men, sir?" asked Maurice, after he
had stationed the guard.

"What can we do with them? We have neither wine, nor water, nor medicine
to bestow. But not to let them think we are cruel, call the wounded and
find out how many there are, and tell them that in the morning we will
attend to their wants, as far as we are able."

"Where is the old stockman?" I asked, not recollecting seeing him since
the fight was over.

Word was passed for him, but every one declared that he had not been
seen since the moment when Murden recalled him from the pursuit of the
rangers.

"Let him go," said the officer; "he is perfectly able to take care of
himself, and I have no doubt that he has a project in his head."

"But how in the name of humanity did he manage to find you at such a
favorable moment?"

"That is easily explained," Murden replied. "I left Melbourne two days
since in pursuit of a man who has been committing murder in the city. He
started for the Ballarat diggings, and I have be