l be blamed if I stay round here
long, ram or no ram."

"Suppose we refuse to let you leave us?" asked Sam, rather gruffly.

"I don't care about, leaving, as long as you stay," replied Day, with
perfect assurance, and here he looked over his shoulder, as though he
feared to see something at his elbow that would prove disagreable, "but
I don't visit this spot often, and when I do come, 'tain't in the night
time, you had better believe."

This confession seemed to awaken an interest in the bushrangers, for
they crowded round Day as though desirous of an explanation; and from
the point of our observation, carefully concealed by rank grass and
rough rocks, we could observe the gang whisper to each other, and look
at the shepherd, as though he could give an explanation if he was
disposed to.

"What do you mean by your hints and frightened looks?" demanded the
leader, in a tone that was intended to act as a warning, in case Day
should attempt to deceive.

"O, what is the bloody use of my telling you coveys any thing?" the
shepherd answered. "You fellers who don't care for the devil, wouldn't
believe me, and I should only get laughed at. Have you seen my ram?"

"Blast your ram," cried Sam, with an impatient air. "We want to know
what you mean by saying that you have seen strange sights?"

"Did I say that I had?" inquired Day, casting a rapid glance towards the
woods, as though he feared the appearance of a horrid spectre.

"We are not to be trifled with, shepherd," and as the leader spoke, he
made a motion with his gun that was very significant, and Day understood
it, although he manifested no signs of disquietude.

"Is it possible," our friend asked, "that you have never heard of the
Hunter of Mount Tarrengower? A huge spectre that rides on a white horse
sometimes, and who threatens with death all who invade his sacred
retreats. I have never seen the ghost, but one of my brother stockmen
has, and he told me that he would not look upon the like again for the
station, stock and all."

"Why does he frequent this spot in preference to others?" demanded the
leader of the gang, who seemed to be interested in the story in spite of
his assumed indifference.

"O, an old stockman once told me that a shepherd was roasted near these
diggings by a gang of bushrangers, who wanted him to give up some money
that he had. The covey was stuffy, and refused, or else he hadn't got
any, I don't know which is the right story, but this