At Large

bove his head without a moment's hesitation, and whispered to Dick to do the same. Any other movement would have b

sleeping forest around them. They were contemplating the

rigidly above his head, swayed backward; his body moved gently w

ring. It was the muzzle of his precious Colt

nd-and a barrel winked in the starlight, to gleam steadily as it covered Flint's broad chest. He who had called

u on the near-side, and y

was no more need to lose his head than if the game ha

without the least emotion

," said the man with the rifl

as he wa

you with t

ly answer was a

nd, unless you want

k his stand beside Flint; three paces in front of the luckless pair shone the short barrel of t

ce recognised the burly figure of the traveller who had borrowed his match-box less than an hour before. At that moment, and not until then, Dick Edmonstone realised the situation. It was desperate; a

stone, whipped his foot from the stirrup, and kicked the youngster playfull

ushrangers set up a

, locked in mortal combat-writhing, leaping, twisting, shifting-so that the leader of the band, though he pointed his rifle at the struggling men, dared not fire, for fear of hi

w the shoulder; his adversary was kneeling on him with grinding teeth and a frightful face, and one hand busy a

e haft of a knife slipped from it; the bullet had carrie

Before you bring the lot of us to the gallows, I'll put a bullet through your own fat

us last look at the young Englishman's t

g to Flint, "and watch him with the shooter. I'll

head to heels, stooped as he walked, and was amply masked. What struck Flint-who was sufficiently cool to remain an attentive observer-was the absence of vulgar bluster about this fellow; he addressed confederates

ck aside, pointing at him the rifle, which he grasped a

yards into the scrub, "turn out that pocket." He tappe

rms and took a sh

in the face. "Why did you save me a minute ago?

oat," said t

y his coat, but his shirt as

t!" he repea

ith a moment's curiosity, b

that

t-book that contained a

en

obe

uch is

and thirt

! Che

e no

laughed c

going to," said Dick,

rising. In the pale light the young fellow's face was ghastly to look upon; it had the damp pa

um, I t

?" returned D

long set

ndown stepped forward a

hundred and odd quid

no a

ow: is it s

oked up

ith my money. Yes, it's all I have in the world, since you want to know! Do you want to madden me, you cur?

the neck and pushed forward, with a rin

enge and bind this cub. Bind tigh

monstone's body; he was bound as tightly as vindictive villain could bind him, to t

partners were lashed back to back-both able to watch their proper

h his subordinates conducted with deepening disgu

the answer. "Stock sold

as Ben; though as for Sundown, he seemed content with a supply of smoking materials, and, indeed, to be more or less preoccupied while the plunder went fo

ore we go?" the bushranger inqu

my pipe, stick it in my mouth, and put

th the full request before turning

hundred and thirty pounds) it once contained. Not that I have quite emptied it, though; I may be a devil, but I never clean a man out quite; so you'll find e

y were unlike the rest that had gone before. Before their sound had died away Sundown was in h

s teeth ached, his fingers bled, before the last knot that

t found him pale and cold, with a very hard expression upon his face. Dick allow

y were easily caught. Nor was it a difficult task to a ready-handed

of reentering the wagon, when Flint saw the

it," said Fli

athy Dick p

hey've cleaned it enti

stone withdrew the elastic

mote him; it was by his doing they had carried so many notes, through a fad of his about opening their banking account with hard cash; at

pon the still night air. It came from Flint's side. H

ket-book, and was nervously countin

! all!" he whispered in

ev

hare and share alike, between you and me, and always will be. But if you knew-if you knew! Jack, I'll put in that good word for him-I'll make it more than words, if ever I get the chance! For I do owe him

g at all; he was much