Page:Australian Emigrant 1854.djvu/174

 no means feeble voice, "Hut! ahoy!" and an answer was immediately returned.

"Listen," he went on to say, "I am coming unarmed to explain to you the utter hopelessness of your situation, and to afford you the only chance remaining for your lives. If you deal treacherously with me, every man here will see me amply revenged; won't you, lads? A simultaneous cheer arose from all sides. With the utmost coolness, extending both arms, and still carrying the novel flag of truce, Dodge left the shelter of the store and walked towards the door of the hut, from whence a tall man issued in a similar attitude. After exchanging a few words they went back together, and the door was closed.

"You are as good as taken," were the first words Dodge uttered as he entered. "Don't deceive yourselves, you can't escape. As it is, you have shed no blood in the fray, and may escape hanging."

"But since the choice remains with us, we prefer the risk of being shot," was the rejoinder.

"Well, it's all a matter of opinion," Dodge remarked; "give me a light for my pipe." This request was complied with, and he handed his pouch to the leader of the gang, who also proceeded to smoke, and the two sat down and remained for a time silent. After scanning each other closely, Dodge said "I like your cut vastly, and I don't fancy this is the first time we have met. Your being in the company of such very respectable gentlemen as I see about you does rather bother me. How is it?"

"I don't feel disposed to offer you any explanation upon that point," said the leader, "and I presume it is not the object of your mission. Let us proceed to business. You come to demand our surrender. We refuse. What then?"

"You are entirely in error," Dodge replied; "let us quite