The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-05-10

h!tcr walking DrlSkly Tor about twelve
miles he came to sly grog shop, where he
found two men convcrsing one, evidently
the host; the other (he knew as well us if
it had been revealed to him) was the fourth
Bushrangcr.
In the endless wids of Australia there is
not Il Bushman whose life does not often
do Bushmcn become in this respect, that
they can tell the date of every mark upon
the ground. l have heard them debate as
to whether blacks track was an hour old,
or two hours. Now, My Chairman had
seen the tracks of four horses in company,
and he had carefully tracked the fourth up
to this 'humpy," close to which it was
standing quietly tied by the bride.
eff | don't ride that horse away from
this to-day" said My Chairman to himself,
''may | never have the blessing Of St. Pat
rick |"
The host was little man the Bushran-
ger was a tall and muscular villain, with
long black hair falling down his shoulders
bad sign, as it showed he had been long
''out."
They had been talking on subject that
had excited the Bushrangcr; and that sub
ject, rs far as My Chairman could gather
from the muttcred words he overheard at
his entrance, was that the police were on
their way up, and not very far Off
My Chairman gave the Masonic sign; it
was answered by The host.
"flallo," said the Bashrangcr, "where
do you hail from2"
81 have come down the road"
"Haven't you got horse 2"
There was no use shamming here, so My
Chairman at once replied
81 was stuck up and robbed twelve miles
from this by the Bushrangers"
''Thc deuce! Are they 80 ncar2 Isn't
it fortunate, Casey, that l knew this in
time 2"
"Why2 2" said Casey. "You'rc not going
that way you came from that direction
yourself a while ago."
The Bushranger at that moment was
lighting his pipe with burning coal, and
his back was turned. My Chainmn gavea
look and made gesture which were per-
fectly understood by the shrewd little host
81 must be going, old man." said the
Bushranger, after his pipe had been success
fully lighted 'Lct's have glass of grog
all round first"
"All right !" said the little man. Three
glasses of rum soon stood before the party.
My Chairman put his hand forward to take
up one of the glasses, but Casey, with an
awkward apology about helping the gent
first, handed the robbcr that very glass,
gave another to My Chairman, and drank
off the third himself.
My Chairman understood all this, and
hoped that the Supplying potion would soon
take effect. But no. The ruftiian's consti-
St. Paul's, and the draught only increased
his sharpness and penetration.
"Do you think don't see through you2"
said he with diabolical glance at Casey.
"I'm not so sure of you (this was to My
Chainmam if was, Iknow what should
do"
"What have I done, sir2" said Casey.
"What have you done, you villain
Everything. I'll have your life!"
Now, although My Chairman did not
think that the rutlan meant the threat liter
ally, yet lie made his little preparations.
The fellow was armed to the teeth. lie
had two rcvolvors in his belt, and a double
barreed gun stood close to him. "A large
sheath-knife hung on his hip. Every sec
ond increased the rufllan's fury. Els curses
and threats were, appalling Casey, tho
other side Of the fire, sat tho picture Of dis
may.
"Why don't you answer me2" the rob-
Dor at last shouted.
:. "Bccausee," gasped Casey, 81 have moth
ing to say"
''Nothing to say7" roarcd the Bushran-
ger. "Take that !"
11o drew revolver, half rose from his
seat, and with wonderful quiclsness, levelcd
the weapon at Casey. But My Chairman
was quicker than no. He had quietly pick
cd up an American tomahawk which lay on
block beside him, and, just as .ae Bush
ranger had given the half turn to fire, down
came tho tomahawk on tho back of the
neck. The pistol exploded at the same
moment. The wrctched man gave hardly
culver. He was dead In q second. The
two survivors looked into each others faces.
ss'Of course he was q Bushrangcr2" in
quired Casey, after a long pause.
''Of course he was" said My chairman;
and he then told him the whole story. 'But
even If he were not, did 1t in self defense,
forhe would have shot me the next minute"
''You saved my life, however," said
Casey, ''and that is everything to tho pur-
pose. ~ .s+t sa. y
81 thought at first," said My chairman,
that you were in league with the robbers"
Probably I might have been forced to
be 80 In time" was the reply; ''but have
not been here long, and, rely upon it,
chant be here long"
t'What is beststo be done7" said My
Chairman. "Shall ride on and meet the
police, II they are on the way2M Et
ssFor the Lords sake, don'tl" exclaimed
the other "His mates are sure to be here
In no time, and they'll torture me II they
fad this cut" 81