I saw the stockman glance around to see if his actions were observed, and that stealthy look was like a cat’s watching for its prey—­I saw that the sentry was examining the lock of his carbine, and paying no attention to Bimbo’s movements, while the rest of the men were engaged in smoking and lounging near—­and then for a moment the heads of Jim Gulpin and the stockman were close together, as though whispering confidentially.  It was only for an instant, however.  With renewed oaths and abuse Bimbo hurried the robbers in their meal, until Murden interfered, and ordered that they be allowed to eat in peace.

“The idea of letting such scamps as these eat,” cried Bimbo, with a kick of his bare, horny foot against one of the bushranger’s ribs.  “I’d sarve ’em if I had my way.”

Bimbo was replied to with interest by the robbers, and to stop the noise the lieutenant sent the fellow to the hut to get it ready for the reception of the latter, as it was thought to be a good place to keep them during our halt, which we expected to extend to sundown, owing to the intense heat of the day.

The robbers were removed to the hut, and their manacles taken from their feet, but the handcuffs still confined their hands, and as they were chained two by two they were powerless.  A sentry was posted, and the men, glad to obtain a few hours’ sleep, stowed themselves under the shed, and wherever they could screen their faces from the sun.

Fred and myself, taking our saddles for pillows, repaired to the back part of the hut, the coolest place we could find, and in a few minutes both of us were sleeping soundly.  I had not slept long, however, before I was awakened by a peculiar noise, that sounded like the grating of a saw.  Instead of starting up to investigate, I pretended to sleep, and partly opening one eye, saw to my surprise that Bimbo was on his knees near my feet, and working with cautious energy upon a board which he was endeavoring to remove.  The instrument he was operating with was an old knife, with notches on the blade, made to resemble a saw.

I continued my position, and by my regular breathing convinced the fellow that I was sleeping soundly.  A dozen times did he pause and listen, and scrutinize my face, and then I read the man’s true character in his wicked eyes, for they gleamed like those of a serpent, and I saw murder in every look.

I resolved to continue counterfeiting, and await the result.  Half a dozen times did Bimbo suspend work, and steal to the front part of the hut to discover if his operations were suspected, and each time he returned, and after a glance at Fred and myself, commenced work with renewed energy.

At length a hole large enough to run his hand in was obtained, and then I heard low whispers pass between Bimbo and the robber chief.

“You must get us out of this scrape,” said Jim, authoritatively.

“But how can I at present?  Better wait till night, and then I know half a dozen coves what will strike for you.  We can easily get ahead and wait for you near the Three Forks.”