“It is no use,” Mr. Brown said, wiping the perspiration from his face, and seating himself on a small rock, “for us to dig at random.  We should get nothing for our labor.  We must wait until to-morrow night, when the moon fulls, and precisely at twelve o’clock a shadow will be cast upon the spot.”

“If the sky is filled with clouds what are we to do?” I asked.

That was something that Mr. Brown had not thought of.  He mopped his face with renewed energy, and looked puzzled.

“Can’t we make a calculation if such a thing should happen?” my companion inquired.

I didn’t know but that we might, and relieved the heart of Mr. Brown of a great weight by the admission.

It was useless for us to sit there and speculate; so after another hasty glance over the island, with no bettor luck than before, we returned to our camp, and got ready for passing the night, which was fast approaching.

As soon as it was dark, however, and while Mr. Brown was getting ready his blankets, I suggested, much to his astonishment, a change in our camp, and recommended retreating to the banks of the Lodden, where we could find water for our animals, and good quarters for ourselves.

“In the name of humanity, haven’t we travelled enough for one day?” my friend demanded.  “The horses will not suffer for water, because a heavy dew is falling.  We have a keg full for our own use, and what more do you desire?”

“I have a great reluctance to waking up and finding a knife held at my throat,” I replied, “by some gentleman who has more courage than money.  We have a pretty establishment here, and many a bushranger would be glad to relieve us of our property without asking permission.”

“Pooh! there’s no danger of their finding us under these trees.  Go to sleep, and get a good night’s rest, and to-morrow we will have another search for the treasure.”

“Listen a moment, and then judge whether my advice is needless.  We have been seen, and our footsteps dogged to-day, by some person not desirous of our acquaintance.  Do you suppose that he lost sight of us for a moment, from the time we passed the gum trees until we went into ambush to watch his movements?  Don’t you think that if the stranger is disposed to bring a flock of devils on our track, he could find us here while sleeping? whereas, if we quietly move our animals to the river, we shall throw him off the scent and rest secure.  What do you think of the idea?”

“I like the plan, and wonder that I never thought of it,” replied Mr. Brown, starting up and hastily securing his blanket.  “Let us lose no time in getting back to the river.”

We carried our pack a short distance from the trees and concealed it in a clump of bushes, and then mounting our horses we quietly walked them the whole distance to the Lodden, where we found a secure place for camping, and with confidence in our scheme we went to sleep, and rested undisturbed until morning.