proceeded to obey orders.

"Hold on, squire!" exclaimed Obed in alarm. "You aint goin' to take our
team, are you?"

"Most certainly I am. If you had had a large sum in money, we would have
spared you this. As it is, we must have them."

"But we shall starve, without money or food."

"That is nothing to me."

"Well, boys, come along," said Obed in a despondent tone. "Our prospects
aint over bright, but something may turn up."

Meanwhile there was a quiet conference among the bushrangers.

"Hold!" said the captain, as Harry and Jack were about to leave the
scene with their older companion. "_You_ can go," turning to Obed, "but
the boys remain with us."

CHAPTER XI.

TAKEN CAPTIVE.

Harry and Jack exchanged a glance of dismay. To be stripped of all they
had was a serious misfortune but in addition to be made prisoners by the
bushrangers was something of which they had not dreamed. Obed, too, was
taken aback. He had become attached to his young companions, and he was
very sorry to part with them. He could not forbear a remonstrance.

"Look here, squire," he said familiarly to the captain, "what do you
want to keep the boys for? They won't do you any good, and it'll cost
considerable to keep 'em. They're pretty hearty."

Harry and Jack could not help laughing at this practical argument.

The captain of the bushrangers frowned.

"I am the best judge of that," he said. "You are lucky to be let off
yourself. Don't meddle with matters that don't concern you."

"Take me, if you want to," said Obed independently. "I shall be lonesome
without the boys."

"You had better go while there is a chance," said the captain
menacingly. "If you give me any more trouble, I will have my men tie you
to a tree, and leave you here."

Harry was afraid the threat would be carried out, and begged Obed to
make no further intercession.

"I have no doubt we shall meet again," he said. "These gentlemen will no
doubt release us soon."

He was by no means confident of this, but he thought it politic to take
things cheerfully.

"The boy has sense," said the captain approvingly.

"Well, good-by, boys," said Obed, wringing the hands of his two young
friends. "I shall feel awfully lonely, that's a fact, but as you say, we
may meet again."

"Good-by, Obed," said each boy, trying not to look as sorrowful as he
felt.

Obed Stackpole turned, and walked slowly away. His prospects were by no
means bright, for he was left withou