“We must hurry Murden,” Fred remarked, “and get him to use more expedition, or we shall not reach the city for a week.  Time is precious to us, until we find the buried treasure.”

“But, remember,” I whispered, as Murden came out of the hut to meet us, “do not lisp a word of this to him.”

“You appear earnest, gentlemen,” said Murden, as he joined us; “pray, what perplexes your minds now?”

“We were conversing on the subject of making a forced march to Melbourne,” Fred replied, gravely.

“And why need that trouble you?” the officer inquired.

“It does not trouble us much, but we were discussing the probability of losing our prisoners before reaching the city, in case the various bands of bushrangers in this part of the country should concentrate their forces, and make a sudden onslaught.  We do not number many fighting men, for remember that Haskill’s skull is cracked, and he can do nothing but hold it with both hands and groan.  The man is threatened with a brain fever, and should be in a hospital, instead of on the plains.”

Murden cast his eye over his men, who were cooking their suppers, it being near sundown, and was apparently debating in his mind the force of our words.  He knew that we were no cowards, for we had given him proof of our fighting qualities; and not understanding the secret motive which actuated us in pressing for a speedy march to Melbourne, began to think that there might possibly be reason in what we said.

“I hardly think the robbers would dare to attack us,” Murden said, at length; “the scamps know that my bullies can fight when roused.”

“But you do not look at things in their true light,” Fred said.  “Your present expedition is the first one that has ever been able to cope with the lawless scoundrels:  and you can readily comprehend how the bushrangers will feel when they know that two of their most formidable bands have been broken up, and by only a dozen men.  In Melbourne, one dauntless escaped convict is considered more than a match for four policemen, because the former fights with a halter around his neck, and unless he conquers, death is certain.  Be assured that the gangs in the vicinity understand the advantage of having a terrible name, and that before we reach the city they will seek to retrieve it.  I should not be surprised if even now our trail was followed, and runners sent, from one haunt to another, for the purpose of arousing the devils to fall upon us, and take vengeance.”

“If I thought so,” muttered the lieutenant, glancing along the trail which we had made on the broad plain, as though he already saw squads of enemies in the distance.

“We cannot, of course, be certain that we are followed, but I think that it is better to be over-cautious than neglectful.  One hundred pounds on each prisoner delivered to the government, is a sum of money that should not be thrown rashly away.”