At last, one man, carried away by his feelings, deliberately spat into the face of old Bill, and the act was hailed with shouts of applause and laughter.  The bushranger was unable to remove the indignity, and it remained upon his grizzly countenance, a dirty monument of reproach to his tormentors.  I saw the old robber’s eyes flash fire, and I could imagine his feelings while standing there with bound arms, powerless.

“Can’t you interfere, and prevent so disgraceful a recurrence?” I asked of Mr. Brown; but that gentleman thought that it was best to wait until Mr. Wright made his appearance, and get him to check the abuses.

I thought so myself for a few minutes, but when I found that one individual in the crowd was disposed to add cruelty to his insults, I could no longer remain silent.

Mike had told the men the method which he took to get the bushrangers to cross the creek, and now one fellow, whom I noticed was foremost in the disgraceful proceedings, was testing the most tender portion of their bodies by the aid of a sharp-pointed knife; and although the robbers uttered no complaints or groans, I saw that they were suffering, and that it was time to interfere.

“These men are prisoners,” I said, urging my way through the crowd until I stood before the robbers and their tormentors.  “Let them receive good treatment, for we may desire it ourselves some day.”

The laborer whom I addressed paid not the slightest attention to my words, but continued to prick the prisoners with his knife as if he enjoyed it.  Old Bill had uttered a few savage oaths in remonstrance, but they were unheeded.

“Excuse me for interfering in your sport, my man,” I continued, laying one hand on his shoulder, “but you will gratify me if you desist.”

“What is it to you?” he demanded, rudely; and I noticed that there was an uncommon stillness in the room, and many anxious glances were cast towards me, which convinced me that I was dealing with the bully of the farm, and a man whom they all feared, and I fancied disliked.

“Excuse me for interrupting you, but I think that I have a right to.  I assisted to capture the men, and therefore have a voice in relation to their disposal.”

I was perfectly cool and collected while speaking, for I did not intend that the fellow should get the advantage of me by displaying passion.

“Your voice is of no account here in this house, so you will just take yourself off, and go to the devil, if you wish.”

“I have no desire to see your relations, so I shall do no such thing.  I have a right to be in the house, and I have authority to ask you to desist from ill treating these men.  If you do not, I shall—­”

“What?” the bully asked, thrusting his face close to mine, and leering most insultingly.

“Make you,” I answered, decidedly.

“You will?” he demanded, with a malignant look.