ts enough to burn so as
to obtain the requisite amount of heat.

The danger, however, was not all passed. The ravages of the flames were
stayed, but the ground which the fire had burned over was covered with
smoking brands and livid coals, which, unless speedily extinguished by
the rain, would keep us prisoners for a number of days--and with nothing
to eat, the prospect was any thing but cheering. It is no wonder, then,
we all mentally prayed that the rain would continue, and that our eyes
were cast towards the heavens often to see if there was a prospect of
the clouds breaking away.

Still the rain poured down in torrents, and huge clouds of mist and
vapor filled the air and walled us in until we seemed as though confined
in a steam box. We cared not for that, however; rain, rain in torrents
was all that we prayed for; and so engrossed were we, that even the dead
bodies of the bushrangers, lying almost at our feet, were neglected.

At length, however, our reason returned, and we found time to pay some
respect to the dead. We resolved to bury them in a grave near the
excavation in which we had sought shelter, and for this purpose three or
four of the men commenced throwing dirt upon a large pile which we had
previously thrown up. Hardly had the second shovelful been added before
an extraordinary movement amongst the dirt took place, and the police
started back in wonder and alarm.

"What are you afraid of?" demanded Murden.

"We are afraid of nothing," replied Maurice; "but the dirt appears to be
bewitched."

"Nonsense! Strike the earth with the point of your shovels and let's see
what witchery there is concealed there," cried the lieutenant,
authoritatively.

Maurice no longer held back. He raised his shovel and drove it into the
soft earth, and the effect was electrical.

"Blast yer hies, vot is ye 'bout," roared a voice that we instantly
recollected; and before we could utter a word in astonishment, up rose
the lank form of the genius Steel Spring.

"Is this the vay to treat a man vot does hevery thing he can to save
ye?" the impudent wretch demanded, in an indignant tone.

"For God's sake, how came you alive?" asked Murden, looking at the man
as though he expected to see him disappear from before his eyes at a
moment's warning.

"O, it's wery vell to ax me how I does a thing after I get's out of a
fix," Steel Spring replied, with one of his grins; "but I know'd that I
varn't goin' to kick the bucket vi