“I like it,” answered the lieutenant, after a moment’s musing; “but I object to one thing.”

“Name it”

“The idea of your going forward and exposing your lives in a service that does not concern you.  You remain with my men, and I alone will venture into the midst of these villains.”

“And let the Australian government lose a valued officer?  No, sir, stay with your men, and let Fred and myself do the scouting duty,” I said.

“But you’re not going without me,” Smith exclaimed, abruptly; “I made a bargain with you, gentlemen, to take you to the mines, and I’m not going to lose sight of you for a moment.”

“You shall go with us, Smith,” we answered; and I could feel the warm pressure of the honest fellow’s hand at being allowed the privilege of still adhering to our fortunes, although the duty which we were about to enter upon was one fraught with no common danger.

“I don’t see but that I shall be obliged to give my consent, after all,” Murden said; “if you are rash enough to thrust your heads into the lion’s mouth, why, take my best wishes for your success, and start at once.  Ah, there speaks one of my carbines again.  The garrison is on the alert.”

As we started on our expedition, the hound, which had been lying near without a sign of impatience, bounded to his feet and led the way.  We debated for a moment as to the expediency of allowing him to accompany us; but while discussing the question, he returned, and, as though guessing that he was the subject of our talk, looked into our faces and uttered a low whine.

“Let him go with us,” I pleaded; “I’ll warrant that he’ll prove discreet.”

The animal planted his fore paws upon my shoulder, and sought to lick my face, in gratitude.  It might have been accidental, but to me it looked as though there was something besides animal instinct in the act.

There was a unanimous vote in favor of the dog, and we once more started on our way.

Gun after gun was discharged, both by besiegers and besieged; but as the night was dark, and it was very evident that those in the hut did not understand the Indian mode of warfare, of firing at the flash of their enemies’ pieces, it was pretty certain that not much harm was done to the bushrangers.

“Come,” said Fred, in a whisper, after we had watched the conflict for a short time, “let us forward and count the number of our opponents, and perhaps make a prisoner.  Smith,” he continued, addressing our stout friend, “I need not tell you to be cautious, and make no reply if you chance to encounter one of the scamps, and he speaks.  The tones of your voice would betray us if the party is small.  Now let us move forward and take up our positions near yonder clump of bushes by the bank of the stream.”

Fred led the way, and by his side walked the dog, with head erect, and eyes glaring like balls of fire; but not a single yelp issued from his capacious throat, as we strode towards the bushes and concealed ourselves.