m. "Those
bushrangers have noted the road we have taken, and will seek to cut off
our retreat. Our only safety now lies in getting through the ravine
before they can gain a position to fire at us. Ah, I thought so. Look
there."

The inspector pointed to the hill top, and there we saw all six of the
robbers running at a rapid rate towards the edge of the ravine. The
latter was about six feet deep, and it was easy to see the advantage
such a position would give them; for while they could fire at us with
awful accuracy, we could not return a shot with any hope of success.

"We are with you," cried Fred, striking his horse with his spurs, and
forward we all went at a killing pace.

The bushrangers saw that they were discovered, and raised a shout of
triumph, as though certain that we were within their toils. I heard the
inspector utter a bitter curse at his stupidity in leaving his powder
and bullets behind, and that was the only answer to the challenge.

The ravine was about thirty feet wide, and like all places where a large
body of water has forced its way, was rugged, and difficult for horses
to tread. Huge rocks and deep gullies wore met at every step, and the
utmost caution was requisite to prevent our animals from breaking their
legs, or refusing to move forward at a pace faster than a walk.

For the first few minutes after entering the passage we anticipated a
discharge over our heads every moment; but finding that the bushrangers
did not take advantage of our situation, and that, we were unmolested,
we had time to wonder at their forbearance, and to suggest to Mr. Brown
that perhaps we were more frightened than hurt.

"Not a bit of it," he rejoined. "I tell you that the scamps have not
given up the chase so easy, and that all our trouble is to come at the
outlet of the ravine. The only reason we have escaped so far, is because
we were too quick to enable them to reach the edge of the bluff at the
entrance. We shall hear from the devils, never fear, and before long, I
am thinking.

"Press on," cried the inspector, as the outlet of the ravine came in
view; "we may defeat the devils yet."

Unlucky words, for hardly had he uttered them when a sharp crack from
the top of the cliff was heard, and a ball whizzed within a few inches
of my face, and struck the nag upon which the inspector was mounted, the
animal plunged forward for a few steps, and then suddenly rearing, fell
back heavily, crushing the left leg of