“And you saw them remove the sack?” demanded the chief.

“Yes, hindeed I did; and ’cos I calls to you, these fellows fires at me, but they vas not quick enough for Steel Spring.”

“You hear what my man says; you were seen to take the gold.  Yield it to us, and go, and the devil go with you, for all I care; but deprive us of it, and to-morrow’s sun shall not see you alive.”

Fred, Smith, and myself held a whispered conversation for a few minutes, and concluded that it was better to give up the money and save our lives, and trust to chance to recover the treasure.

“Have you decided?” asked the chief, his voice growing more rough at each moment’s delay.  “We have.”

“Enough; lead us to the spot where it is secreted.”

“You have but a few steps to go,” I said, as I motioned for the bushrangers to stand one side and allow me to approach the spot where I had dropped the bag.

“Let him pass!” exclaimed the robber; and, obedient to his word, the gang stepped aside, but closed in upon me, so that I had no chance to escape, even had I been so disposed.

“You will find the gold there,” I said, pointing to the spot where I had dropped the sack.

Half a dozen arms were thrust eagerly forth, and searched amidst the rank grass and stunted bushes.  Suddenly, one of the men uttered an exclamation and sprang back, holding aloft his hand, upon a finger of which was fastened a deadly snake, of a pale orange hue, with a fine ring of black around its neck.

With oaths, and cries of terror, the robbers sought to escape from the vicinity of their companion, who, with yells such as I thought no mortal man capable of uttering, endeavored to unfasten the firm grip of the adder’s teeth.

We could have escaped at that time, and no one would have thought of pursuit, so busy were the gang in regarding the contortions of the wretch, who rushed wildly back and forth, begging, cursing, and praying in one breath.

Once I thought of starting alone, after vainly endeavoring to attract the attention of Fred and Smith; but I considered how cowardly it would be to desert my friends, and banished the idea, unless we could all go together.

“Will no one save me?” shrieked the wretch, running first to one and then another of his comrades; but as fast as he approached them, they would retreat, and hurl imprecations at his head for seeking to bring destruction upon themselves.

“Curse you all for a pack of cowards!” he yelled; “may you all die by the hands of a hangman!  Will no one save me?  Will no one relieve me of this cursed snake?”

“Hold your hand still, for a moment,” cried Fred, suddenly starting forward, and picking up a bowie knife, which one of the men had dropped in his terror.

The poor fellow sought to obey, but his fright was too great; and as the adder curled its tail over his arm, without relinquishing its hold, he endeavored to shake it off, and succeeded so far as the tail was concerned, but the jaws were too firmly clinched to be made to let go so easily.