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 party that the two bushrangers took possession of Dodge's apparently deserted hut, intending to occupy it so long as circumstances might render convenient. A quantity of leaves were strewed upon the ground over which some dried grass had been scattered. On this rough pallet the outlaws stretched their weary limbs, and seemed desirous of resigning themselves to slumber. Although both remained silent for some time neither slept, and an observer would have detected certain suspicious glances which Jarrol cast now and then towards the clouded countenance of his companion. If he fancied he could detect the workings of the mind beneath, his conclusions were very far from the truth. Bayley had been looking earnestly into the fire for some moments half unconscious of the presence of another, when he rose, and after pacing up and down the hut once or twice he said abruptly, "Did you ever pray, Jarrol?"

"Why what makes you ask such a question now?" said Jarrol, "'tis not for us to talk of prayer. Come, sit down and tell me some of your adventures." But Bayley again seated himself, and silently buried his face in the folds of his blanket. Jarrol availed himself of the opportunity to remove the caps from Bayley's gun, and placed others in their stead from which he had previously extracted the detonating substance, thus rendering the weapon useless. Bayley soon laid himself out with a deep sigh and fell asleep. Jarrol played the hypocrite for awhile, he then noiselessly arose and taking a heavy brand from the fire he struck his late deliverer a cruel blow upon the temple. The wounded man rolled over with a deep groan and grasped his gun, but the blow was repeated and again a third time, until the victim lay stunned and helpless. Jarrol scarcely dared to look upon the quivering body, but it was necessary for his own safety and the furtherance of his designs that Bayley should be secured whilst in his present state. Accordingly he