"The villains! I wish that we could find them. Now, get up on my
horse, and we will go to where I left Hector and the dominie. We'll
breakfast as soon as we can reach a water-hole. We passed one a little
way back, and we must then try and get on to Bracewell's as soon as
possible."
With his assistance, I mounted his horse, and we soon reached the spot
where Hector was attending to the dominie, who was slowly recovering. I
really believe, from the condition he was in, that he would soon have
died. One of the ruffians had struck him over the head with the butt of
his pistol, but he had suffered more from fear than from the blow, for
he fully believed that they were going to put him to death. He was
lifted on Hector's horse, and we soon reached the water-hole. The fire
was quickly lighted, and after a good breakfast on a paddy-melon--a
small species of kangaroo--which Hector had shot the previous evening,
we felt greatly revived, and fully able to continue the journey; indeed,
I felt myself as strong as ever. Guy and Hector ran alongside the
horses, and we made good progress. We had reached an open part of the
country, when we caught sight of a figure seated on a fallen log. His
back was towards us, and he did not appear to notice our approach;
indeed, so motionless did he sit, that he might have been mistaken for a
bronze statue. He had not a rag round his body, but on his shoulders
were a number of raised marks, produced by making 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 requiring the greatest caution, for they were
certain to be on the watch, and being well armed, would prove formidable
opponents. We might, to be sure, steal upon them during the darkness of
night and shoot them down, but we had no wish to do that; our object was
to recover our property and bring them to justice. The black showed
himself to be an admirable scout. The evening was drawing on when he
told us that we were not far from where he expected to find them. How
it happened that they had not ridden to a distance, it was impossible to
say; probably the spot they had chosen, being out of the high road, they
did not expect to be discovered.
Securing our horses in a thick scrub, where they were completely
concealed, we cautiously advanced, the black going ahead. It was by
this time getting quite dark. Our great fear was that the dog they had
with them would wind us, and if so it would be necessary to shoot the
creature as it approached. This, of course, would give them the alarm,
though we hoped to spring upon them and knock over two or three before
they could escape. The horses were probably feeding at a distance, and
the saddles and baggage would be at the camp.
We were noiselessly making our way, when the black signed to us to halt,
and then began to creep forward. Anxious to have a look at the fellows
I followed his example, carrying my pistols in my belt, and I found that
Carlo was close at my heels, evidently aware that danger was at hand.
At last the black stopped, when I joined him; and looking over some low
shrubs, I saw the four bushrangers seated round a fire, their saddles
and baggage and their guns lying on the ground near them. They
evidently did not suppose that there was any chance of their being
attacked. The only one of their party who seemed to be on the watch was
their bull-dog, who, lifting up his head, turned his eyes towards us.
The wind was blowing from them to us, or the dog would have smelt us
out. As it was I fully expected every moment to see him dash forward
with a loud bark to where we lay. I did not dare to move, and scarcely,
indeed, to breathe.
After watching for some time, the black began slowly to retreat, and I
was truly thankful when we got out of hearing of their voices.