nds, would have the hardihood to
boast of their deeds, and plan other crimes in case of their escape. Yet
those convicts dared to tell me to my face that we should never live to
reach Melbourne, and death was far from their thoughts.

"I had a great mind to end their days on the spot; but doubtful of my
authority in the premises, and fearing their deaths would be the subject
of a judicial examination, prevented me. My men, half of them wounded,
and three dead, were frantic for the villains' blood, and it was with
difficulty that I could restrain them.

"I attended to the injuries of the men as well as I was able, and then
making the stockmen provide as good a supper as they could get, we
satisfied our appetites; but even while doing so, sleep overpowered us,
so tired were we with our long journey.

"I determined to halt for that night, at the station, and let the men
get recruited. One of the stockmen and one of my men were placed on
guard over the prisoners, and relieved every two hours during the night,
with express orders to shoot them if they moved hand or foot in the way
of attempting to escape, was the means of keeping the murderers quiet,
and enabling my men to attain that rest which they stood so much in need
of.

"Not to tire you too much with minute particulars, we next day buried
our killed and started for Melbourne, where we arrived safe with our
prisoners, and a few days afterwards they were hung in the jail-yard."

"Maurice," said the lieutenant to the sentinel at the door, who had been
listening to the recital, "do you wish to meet with two more such
villains?"

"God forbid, your honor," answered Maurice, crossing himself; for he was
a devout Catholic. "I have hardly recovered the use of my arm where the
devils struck me with a knife."

By the time the lieutenant had concluded, and we had drank a strong cup
of tea, the sun was just setting behind the dark forest, which we had
penetrated the day before, and word was passed from mouth to mouth to
bring up the horses and get ready for a start.

CHAPTER XI.

SAGACITY OF A DOG.--A NIGHT'S ADVENTURES.

"Gentlemen," asked Lieutenant Murden, as the policeman brought the
horses to the door, "I hope you know how to ride."

"We have done a little in that line," answered Fred.

"Then I shall allow three of my men to remain behind, to lend the
stockman and his daughter such assistance as they may want, while Smith
and yourselves will take their