whispered Steel Spring, "where Nosey's gang enters
hafter a thieving job. Ah, many's the time I've been so loaded with
plunder that I could 'ardly stand." But that's all passed now, you know,
and in future I'm to be 'onest and good."

"How far from this entrance is the camp?" asked Murden.

"Not mor'n a mile, sir."

"Then lead the way. Maurice, walk by the side of him, and if--but you
know what I mean."

"I think I do, sir," answered the policeman, drawing one of his
formidable holster pistols, and examining the cap with a careful glance.
"Vell, please don't pint it this way, 'cos I'm always nervous about
firearms in the 'ands of inexperienced persons."

"Don't be alarmed," replied Maurice, composedly; "I'm well acquainted
with the pistol, and once killed a bushranger with it at the distance of
fifteen rods."

"Did it hurt him?" asked Steel Spring, with a shudder.

"I don't think that it did, for he never complained to me about the
transaction," replied Maurice, with a grin. Steel Spring regarded the
face of his companion for a moment in silence, and then seemed to decide
that it would be better not to meddle with such a cool philosopher.

"Are we ready?" asked Murden, after every man had once more examined his
gun and pistols.

"All ready, sir," answered the squad, eager to push forward.

"Then step light and keep your eyes about you. Smith, will you and the
stockman defile to the left of us, while Fred and Jack perform the same
duty on the right? It is the post of danger I offer you, gentlemen."

We readily accepted our location; for we had hinted to Murden that our
safety required some such disposition of our forces, and he had acted on
the suggestion.

On we stole, slowly, but noiselessly, each man looking to see where he
planed his foot, so that no cracking of dry bushes should give warning
of our approach. In fact, so well had the men improved under Fred's
hints and observations, that they would have passed for old Indian
hunters to a casual observer.

Rover, as though aware of the nature of the expedition, trotted along a
few yards in advance of us, stopping every few minutes to snuff the air,
and then glance at my face, saying as plain as language could express
the words, "There's no danger yet--come along and I'll give you
warning."

For over an hour we picked our way, at each step whispering our repeated
vows to shoot our guide if he did not conduct us right; and when I had
begun to think th