g away, and then setting fire to the hut,
left it blazing, knowing full well that those of the gang who escaped
would return before long with reenforcements, and that our lives were
not worth much if we were taken by surprise.

We gained the open prairie, and without stopping to rest, continued our
march, until we reached the hut of the convict stockman. The daughter of
the latter came out to us, and as she laid her hand upon her father's
arm, she whispered,--

"Is he dead?"

He nodded his head, and then I saw a gleam of satisfaction cross her
face, as she thought of her injuries, and the prompt manner in which
they had been avenged.

CHAPTER IX.

THE STOCKMAN'S DAUGHTER.--MOUNTED POLICE OF MELBOURNE.

The day after our return from the excursion in pursuit of bushrangers,
the cattle were yoked together, and had been attached to the cart for an
hour, before the convict issued from his hut.

Twice had Smith cracked his long whip, each time crushing large green
flies that had alighted on the flank of the nearest ox, and yet the lash
so lightly fell that not a hair of the animal was ruffled, or a particle
of pain inflicted. I never understood the science of using a whip until
I learned it upon the plains of Australia, and saw stockmen, with one
wave of their weapon, cut chips of hide and quivering flesh from the
panting sides of frightened or contrary cattle.

As the convict advanced to meet us, Smith rose from his seat with an
expression of gratitude at the prospect of soon being enabled to move.

"Well," said Smith, speaking first, "you see we are ready to start, yet
we could not go without bidding you good-by."

"I have much to thank you for," he said, his eyes cast to the ground as
though fearful of looking up and exposing the weakness which oozed from
them, and wet his long gray beard. "My child thanks you all for the
promptness with which you have revenged her wrongs; and to these two
Americans she says, that her prayers shall ever ascend for your safe
return to your country, and that happiness may await you when you have
rejoined the friends of your childhood."

"Can we bid her farewell, at parting?" asked Fred.

"If you wish it, yes," answered the convict: "but I have prayed with her
all night, and have besought the Lord to strengthen her heart under this
load of affliction. She is calm now, and when you speak do not allude to
her bereavement, or recall yesterday's bloody tragedy."

As he cea