all by himself.'

'It IS pretty heavy,' I said. 'For all we know he may have had help to
bring it in. We've no time now to see into it; we'd better make tracks
and see if Starlight has made back. We shall have to shape after a bit,
and we may as well see how he stands affected.'

'He'll be back safe enough. There's no pull in being outside now with
all the world chevying after you and only half rations of food and
sleep.'

Jim was right. As we got up to the cave we saw Starlight talking to the
old man and Warrigal letting go the horse. They'd taken their time to
come in, but Warrigal knew some hole or other where they'd hid before
very likely, so they could take it easier than we did the night we left
Rocky Creek.

'Well, boys!' says Starlight, coming forward quite heartily, 'glad to
see you again; been taking a walk and engaging yourselves this fine
weather? Rather nice country residence of ours, isn't it? Wonder how
long we shall remain in possession! What a charm there is in home! No
place like home, is there, governor?'

Dad didn't smile, he very seldom did that, but I always thought he never
looked so glum at Starlight as he did at most people.

'The place is well enough,' he growled, 'if we don't smother it all by
letting our tracks be followed up. We've been dashed lucky so far, but
it'll take us all we know to come in and out, if we've any roadwork on
hand, and no one the wiser.'

'It can be managed well enough,' says Starlight. 'Is that dinner
ever going to be ready? Jim, make the tea, there's a good fellow; I'm
absolutely starving. The main thing is never to be seen together except
on great occasions. Two men, or three at the outside, can stick up any
coach or travellers that are worth while. We can get home one by one
without half the risk there would be if we were all together. Hand me
the corned beef, if you please, Dick. We must hold a council of war by
and by.'

We were smoking our pipes and lying about on the dry floor of the cave,
with the sun coming in just enough to make it pleasant, when I started
the ball.

'We may as well have it out now what lay we're going upon and whether
we're all agreed in our minds TO TURN OUT, and do the thing in the
regular good old-fashioned Sydney-side style. It's risky, of course, and
we're sure to have a smart brush or two; but I'm not going to be jugged
again, not if I know it, and I don't see but what bush-ranging--yes,
BUSH-RANGING, it's no use saying one