“I shall remember my word, and I will keep it in every respect.  If you prove true, your life is safe, but if false, not a man under my command but will single you out for instant death.  I know your tricks, and shall be watchful.”

“I ’opes you vill, ’cos I can bear a great deal of that kind of vigilance.  But I’m all right now.  I know my friends.”

“You’ll know them better if you lead me into an ambush,” remarked Murden; and here the conversation with Steel Spring dropped, but Fred and myself took occasion to speak to the lieutenant on the folly of trusting to him, but Murden was firm.

“If I can use this man,” he argued, “to break up the gang of Nosey, and destroy that wretch, I shall think that I have been of real use to the country, and feel content to retire on my honors.  There is some risk, you say.  I grant that there is; but consider how many people have been murdered by the villains, and then reflect whether it is not better to entertain the danger and strike a blow that shall free this part of the country of bushrangers for months to come.  Come, come, look at matters in their true light and promise me your cooperation.”

How could we refuse him, after the trouble he had endured for our sake?  We extended our hands, and with a warm pressure the compact was sealed.

CHAPTER XXXI.

Capture of the bushrangers, and death of nosey.

“Vot, is the Yankees going vid us?” asked Steel Spring, when he saw Murden shaking hands with us, to bind the contract.

The question was such an impudent one that I did not feel indignant, and perhaps our calmness restrained the lieutenant from giving vent to his wrath, which we saw blazing in his eyes.  At any rate he managed to answer in a quiet tone that we were to accompany him, and that the rifles which we carried, and which he had previously expressed a great dread of, would cover his body during our march.

“Then Nosey is as good as dead,” cried the lank wretch, hardly deeming it worth while to notice the allusion to himself; and so elated did he appear, that he actually borrowed a plug of tobacco from Maurice, and forgot to return it until asked to do so.

“A portion of the men may continue digging a grave, while the rest ran retreat to our late den and get our carbines and arms all ready.  There is no knowing how soon we may want them.”

The orders of Murden were obeyed promptly; and in spite of the rain which still poured down in torrents, the guns were put in complete order, and loaded ready for use.  By the time the latter job was completed the grave was announced to be finished, and with not a prayer or a word of regret did we consign to the earth the remains of the dead bushrangers.  They were all thrown in together, without much regard to order or decency, for the policemen were too accustomed to such a state of things to become sentimental; and with a last look at the weather-beaten face of the old sailor, I turned away and walked towards the opposite end of the clearing.