“Hark!” cried the stockman, starting to his feet; “do you not hear the flames?”

We all listened, and a noise like the roaring of the surf on a beach could be heard, but apparently at a distance.

“That does not sound encouraging, I confess,” remarked Fred; “but I think that we can yet circumvent the devils.”

“How?” cried Murden, eagerly.

“Will you be governed by me, for a few hours?” Fred asked.

“Yes, and my men also,” answered Murden, heartily.

“Then let us commence work, for we have no time to lose.  In the first place, collect all the powder that your men have, and cover it with dirt, a foot high, we want no explosion to dishearten the men, and encourage the enemy.”

“Do you hear, men?” cried Murden; “bring to me your flasks without a moment’s delay.”

The policemen hastened to obey the order, and a few shovels full of earth secured our safety in that respect.

“Now, then, as many of you as can use shovels and pickaxes, dig away at that hole, which Steel Spring commenced.  Do not spare your labor, for a gang will relieve you, when tired.  Dig deep and wide.”

“But I don’t see of what use that is to be,” remonstrated Murden.

“Remember that you have promised to be guided by me.  Don’t stop to question, but see that the men work with a will, while I attend to other important duties.”

Murden no longer sought to fathom Fred’s motives, but grasped a shovel, and set an example of energy which his men were not slow to follow.

“Now, Smith, you and the stockman and Jack help me.  Rekindle the fire, which has almost died out, and burn every stick of timber within reach on the left side of us.  We will catch the bushrangers in their own trap, if they are not quick.”

“But vot is to ’come of me?  Vho’s to take care of me?  Vhere’s my friends?” yelled Steel Spring, making desperate efforts to break the bonds which confined him.

We were all too busy to attend to the wretch, and merely glanced towards him occasionally, to see if his bonds held; but Steel Spring was a man not easily discouraged, and every few minutes we were addressed with prayers and oaths, to make provision for his safety.

The fire, which Murden had given orders to extinguish, was easily rekindled, and then burning brands were thrown upon the dry bushes and leaves, raising flames that roared aloft and caught at the branches of the gum trees, and then spread to the trunks, and leaped from bough to bough, driving parrots and gaudy-plumed birds from their nests, that vented their displeasure at being disturbed by uttering hoarse croaks of rage.

“You will burn down the whole of the forest,” cried Murden, alarmed at the rapidity with which the flames were spreading.

“I had rather see it down, than a man in this company should be injured,” was the brief reply.

“Amen to that.  But, Fred, it’s growing warm here.  Is not the hole which we have dug large enough?” asked the lieutenant, wiping his brow.