ng slashes in the skin,
and filling them up with clay, so that when the wound healed, an
elevated scar was made. His hair was fastened in a top-knot, and he had
a long pointed beard, with moustache on his lips, his prominent nose
having nothing of the negro character about it. Fastened to a belt
round his waist was a snake and a little kangaroo rat, on which he
evidently intended to make his dinner. A cord round his neck supported
a shell ornament in front, and a tassel behind completed his costume. I
describe him, of course, not as we saw him when at a distance, but
according to the appearance he presented on a further acquaintance.
Suddenly, as we came upon him, he seemed in no way alarmed; but, jumping
up, he seized his spear and throwing-stick which lay on the ground at
his side. Seeing, however, that he could not possibly escape us, he
made no attempt to run.

As we approached, Hector, who from a long intercourse with the blacks
was able to make him understand what he said, inquired whether he had
seen any white men passing that way, and should he have done so, whether
he could tell us who they were.

The black, without hesitation, replied, saying, that he had seen no less
than four, that they were armed with guns, and were leading a couple of
horses.

"That looks suspicious. They must have been the bushrangers," observed
Hector; "and if--as I think possible--they are not far off, we must try
and capture the fellows, or at all events recover our horses."

Hector, who closely questioned the black, was satisfied that he wished
to be honest, and accordingly asked him if he thought that he could
track the bushrangers. He replied, without hesitation, that if he once
came upon their trail he could do so.

"Lead on, then," said Hector.

Anxious as we were to get to Bracewell's, it was important to recover
our horses, and if possible to capture the robbers. We were five
against four, for having promised the black a handsome reward, if we
should catch one or more of the villains, we could trust to his aid, and
his spear would be of as much use as our guns at close quarters; but we
could not reckon much on the assistance of the dominie, whose
nervousness we thought would prevent him from doing what was necessary.

We had not gone far, when the black declared positively, that he had
found the trail of the robbers, and that probably they would be encamped
at a water-hole not far off.

Our undertaking was one