“We examined attentively for a trail to show the direction that the robbers had taken, and luckily found it without difficulty.  It led in a direct course towards Sydney, and it was evident that Darnley intended to cross the country for about fifty miles, and then strike for the common road, so that he could get provisions or water from those who happened to be passing.

“I studied on the matter for a few minutes, and wondered why they should choose such an extraordinary course; at last I came to the conclusion that the murderers were really bound for Sydney, and that they had an object in view, and were determined to get there as soon as possible—­or why should they go over a mountainous country, when they might have kept the woods?

“The course which they had evidently taken was many miles shorter than the usual route, but a road that a horse could not travel.

“I suddenly recollected, while my men were following the trail for the purpose of seeing if my surmise’s were correct, that the miners had deposited in the Sydney bank about a thousand pounds, and that it was subject to their order.  Their certificates of deposit must have been upon their persons when murdered, and Darnley would not scruple to boldly present himself at the bank, or else send Steel Spring to secure the money.  I reasoned in that manner, and then concluded to act as though my surmises were facts.

“I recalled the men, and we started towards Sydney without a moment’s delay.  I knew that both robbers were fast travellers, but I calculated that I could reach the point at which they would strike the Sydney road as soon, if not sooner, than they did.

“In this I was disappointed; for although we rode all night, and only stopped long enough to recruit the strength of our animals, yet when I made an inquiry of a party bound for Ballarat, I found that two men, who stated that they were from the mines, had purchased provisions and water from them, and then continued on their course, as though they had not a moment to lose.  It was noon when the information was given, and the murderers were seen at daylight.  They had ten hours the start of us, but, nothing daunted, we pushed on, making inquiries of those whom we met, yet not a word of news could be obtained.  I did not wonder much at that, for I knew that Darnley would avoid the high road as much as it was possible, and only strike it to obtain provisions.  I also knew that he would conduct himself in a discreet manner, for fear of starting an alarm; and that he would forego all thoughts of pillage for the sake of carrying through the business which he had undertaken.

“Hoping to reach Sydney before him, I pressed on night and day, and only stopped long enough to recruit our animals when there was a prospect of their breaking down.  On the forenoon of the fourth day after leaving Ballarat we entered Sydney, and rode direct to the bank.  I inquired if the murdered men had money deposited there, and found that they had, and that no attempt to draw the same had been made.  With a brief caution to the cashier not to pay out the amount, and to arrest any one who asked for it, I mounted my force on fresh horses and again sought the road on which I expected Darnley.