“I had been sitting before the fire for a long time, trying to picture out my future life, for my past was already too well known, when the summons disturbed me.  I started to my feet, and sought the door, where my dog was already snuffing and uttering angry growls, as though suspicious that the person on the outside was not exactly such a guest as his master would wish for in that lonely habitation.  While I was uncertain what to do, another knock, louder than the first, startled the dog into a howl; but I hushed his noise, and taking down my gun, that hung over my bed, I asked what was wanted.

“‘In the name of God give me shelter,’ cried a voice that I thought I recognized, although I could not call to mind where I had heard it.

“‘Who are you?’ I asked.

“’A stranger who has been to various stations for the purpose of buying cattle, and has lost his way.  Give me shelter for the night, and God will reward you.’

“The latter part of the solicitation sounded as though uttered in a hypocritical tone, and I was undecided whether to comply with the request, or send him to the next station, about ten miles distant.  A fresh gust of wind influenced me; I slipped off the bar and opened the door; but next moment I would have given all the sheep under my charge to have had my guest where he was five minutes previous, with the oak bar across the door; for by the flickering fire that blazed upon the hearth I saw that my visitor was Black Darnley.

“He was greatly altered since I had seen him last.  His clothes hung in tatters about his body, while his large feet were shoeless and bleeding profusely:  but the fire of his black eyes was unquenched, and the bony form, still upright in spite of the hard labor to which he had been subjected, gave assurance, to my dismay, that he still possessed his giant strength.

“The instant he entered the hut he closely scrutinized my face, and then cast hurried glances around the room to see if I were alone.  Satisfied that I was, he strode to the fire, and seated himself near its cheerful blaze.

“‘I have seen your face somewhere,’ he said, looking at me keenly.

“‘I should think you would remember it,’ I replied, ’for we were both passengers in the same ship.’

“He started up with a fearful oath, and would have rushed upon me; but I brought my gun to my shoulder, and kept him at bay.

“‘I remember you now,’ he said, and seemed inclined to dash at me in spite of the weapon which I held in my hand.  ’You are the one that threatened to betray me when I wished to take the ship.  I swore to have your life for your cowardice; but I retract the oath, and now let us be friends.  Give me shelter, and something to eat, and to-morrow I will leave you for a distant station.’

“‘You are deceiving me,’ I said, still retaining my hold of the gun, and looking at him suspiciously.

“‘No, by ——­, I’m not,’ Darnley cried, with a look of sincerity:  ’here, let me prove it.  Ten days ago I murdered one of the guards, and fought my way to this part of the country in hopes of joining a gang of bushrangers.  Since that time I have been pursued and hunted like a wild beast; but they haven’t captured Black Darnley yet.’