“I knew the owner of this ring.  It was I that freighted him and his goods to the mines.  He was an American, and had had the ring manufactured in California expressly to order.  I am certain that I am correct, for when we passed this very stream, the owner requested me to wear it while he bathed.”

“But his name?” I asked.

“I only heard him called Edward by his companions; but I know that he was an American, and he said he belonged in New York, or New England city, I don’t know which.”

I could but smile at Smith’s geography, although the scene before me was not well calculated to provoke mirth.  I sighed over the unhappy fate of Edward, and handed the jewel to Murden, when he returned it, saying,—­

“Keep it, my friend, and may you at some future day be enabled to trace the family of the owner, and tell them of the sad fate which their relative probably met.”

[With this object in view, I have left the ring with the publishers of the American Union, thinking that probably these sketches might attract the attention of some person cognizant of the manufacture of the jewel, and the rightful ownership.  The publishers in Boston will be happy to answer all questions concerning the property, and considering the scenes which the ring has gone through, it may indeed be regarded as a curiosity.  I shall always retain the ring, and when I gaze at the emblems which are engraved upon it, my thoughts will wander back to the sad scenes which I witnessed while in Australia, and the violent death of the wearer.]

“In with the bodies,” cried Murden, “we have much to do before sunset.”

As soon as the grave was filled in, the troop regained their former jocularity, and they began dividing among themselves the property which they had found upon the persons of the bushrangers.

The amount was not large, not more than a hundred pounds, yet Murden received his share without a blush, appearing to think that he was doing no more than his duty.  Even the dead policeman was remembered, and as he had left a widow in Melbourne, his portion was deposited with the lieutenant, to be paid to her.  As Fred and myself were offered our portion, we declined, and begged that it might be given to the lady in question, which action on our part raised us in the estimation of the men immensely.

“Dare you venture across the prairie this forenoon?” asked Murden; “I would not ask you, were it not necessary to use all despatch to reach Melbourne as soon as possible; but to benefit you and your friends, the convicts, I must get a sight of Darnley and his gang.”

“If that is your object,” we replied, “we are prepared to accompany you as soon as you are ready.  Let us get a cup of coffee and a piece of broiled lamb, and then start.”

“But my prisoners?” suggested the lieutenant.

“Leave them in charge of a portion of your men until we return,” I replied.