Page:Australian Emigrant 1854.djvu/191

Rh in an opossum rug and kept in the hollow of a tree so that his friends might be afforded the opportunity of interring him elsewhere.

At the termination of the second day, Dodge, tired of inactivity, procured a bullock dray, which happened to be passing for a distant station, and emptying it of its contents was preparing to convey the body of the magistrate to Melbourne, when the arrival of a party of mounted police, who had been sent from town, relieved our friends of this self-imposed charge. Providing themselves with such stores as were at hand, they left the scene of the late fight, and not without a sense of thankfulness that it was with whole skins, when they noticed how the neighbouring trees were marked by the bullets which had been fired from the hut.

It was Dodge's intention to have put his companions upon a good line for Melbourne and then to have returned alone, but on being pressed he acknowledged that a visit to town would be a great treat to him, and that he should like to accompany them, only that it would be too much like putting his head into the lion's mouth.

"But," said Slinger, "you have forgotten your bargain with us. Your creditors will listen to terms, I'll be bound; and by allowing the purchase money of your station to go towards the liquidation of your debts, I dare say you may be cleared from your present difficulties."

"Bless your innocence," Dodge cried, laughing incredulously, "you'll never see me clear: I was born in difficulties, and I shall die in 'em."

"I'm not so sure of that," said Slinger. "Now just tell us, as near as you can, the position in which you stand."

"I'll show you," said Dodge, turning every pocket he possessed inside out. "There! without one single screw. When I