Year: 1874

tie you hand and foot. You can then say to
those fellows outside, when you are questioned,
that we bound you and were robbing you at the
time of their arrival"


Good - said Birch, in q tone Of involuntary
admiration "By Cd good idea"


"They intend to fire the house." continued
Long, without noticing the interruption.


"Fre the house!" exclaimed bingham IN
great alarm Heaven and earth, shall be
burnt up like dead dog"


Never fear" replied Long, we shall leave
the door open behind us, and take my word for
it they will soon find their way inside after we
CO."


There must be no but about IT. F" said Birch,
who now clearly comprehended the plan OF
Long "You must obey orders, and let me tell
you we are giving you much the easiest chance
of the three, for you could not live minute in
the storm that we shall make outside when we
burst forth"


"What course are we to take for Hunts! y
asked Long. before stuffing the handkerchief
in the old mans mouth.


''St Sight in the rear for quarter OF mile'
YOU will then come to brook, cross 1t and turn
to your right, and ten minutes sharp riding VIII
bring you to the Newburn road. You theh
know how to go yourselves


Very good, now good bye and keep stout
heart"


lone moment" SAID Birch, pausing az IT
struck with sudden idea, lyon must mlslead
the pursuit and cover up the trail. When these
fellows question you, tell them that the maraud-
ers who slipped through their fingers dropped
an intention OF going to Sharrots Grove on the
other side of the river, and when they press you
for particulars, describe to them Farrell and
Magee. think that will be turning the tables
on the ID highbinders pretty well.


Though Long did not comprehend the mean
ing of this particular direction, he had too
much Difference for the wishes of his comrade
to make any opposition, moreover he felt SUI


fcient piqe at Farrell to make the prospect OF
a calamity to that person palatable. Had he


known that he was indebted to Farrell IN


double sense for his present peril he would


doubtless have been the first to suggest the


ruse of Birch himself.


New then, believe we are all ready Tor
start. said he, tightening his belt and gathef'
ing his knife afresh.


Zone moment more" said Birch, whose pc
cular energies and intellect were now thorough
" aroused we must create diversion IN ON
, favor. Get the back door unbarred and read,
20 swing open. while fire my pistols at th'
crowd IN the front. The party in the rear vii
then run to the edges Of the house to see what
afoot and we shall have a clear doorway for
minute at least"


Q Sulting the action to the word, the tall free
i booter drew out his pistols and moving III iron
a put their muzzles in succession at two hssure


IN the logs. which were revealed by the blaz
: and after firing them slipped them back in hi
belt that they might not be lett as tel-taies o.
s the floor. The two robbers stood side by sld


for moment, when Long gave the word, an
e swinging open the door they both sprang fort
n together. The pistol shots had created the &c


sired effect, and in two or three bounds tn
o COMPANIONS cleared the position which tn
u guards had occupied and ran towards the horse
Il without interruption. In the next instant To


startled guards gave the alarm and couple
e musket shots whistled by their ears, as IL
r. prologue of a Wild halloo and general chase
70 The robbers, however, did not turn to look b


hind They reached the horses, and withol
II waiting to unite their brides cut them from IL
er limbs where they were fastened. Long WI
1t the first IN the saddle, and as he wheeled h
IN steed he perceived blow aimed at Blrch's hes
le with the butt of one OF the extended muske
lg Just as he was about to mount. The NOV


ment of his horse brought hlm within strlkii
10 distance. when down went his blade upon Il


musketeer's neck with blow that sent him
d. meath his comrades horse, and as the amin
le of the rescued robber, who was now IN the sa
ID die, bounded forward he trampled the adverse
ce in the EARTH Birch then took the lead, and
ID answer to the balls that followed their coui


Long held his solitary pistol ready. He had
X need to fire it, however, they had the OF
OF horses ia the party. and IN few minutes th
IN we're beyond the immediate danger OF the cha
We Ghe bloody comrades then rode onward elat


with the mode Of their escape, and lit on
1h road by the lurid glare of the burning b
Is which, like true FRIEND extended its assistar
or to them. even after they had abandoned it I
us ever. They had four hours OF darkness yet


fore them, and 80 we'll did they improve it, Il
he at an hour before dawn they had arrived at
se STATEN of Burt Hunt where Fox, their conf
re- crate, had been anxiously awaiting them. I


pensing with the ordinary cordlalties OF a
nd ception, they briefly told their story, dispatch
is- their horses in the charge of the youth to


their throats and set them in the stream. SC
er, to prevent detection and mislead The trail.
-he These precautions having been taken. L.
nd gave directions to the owner OF the cabin


call up Fox, for they must take to the bush
M fore the day broke and lie close until they Inc
be from Grafton, or until, at least they had
ash certained whether the lynchers had folio


their trail, or been led in a different dirctlor
: to the counsel of old bingham.
as In accordance with these views. an athlc
ard middle-sized man, of some thirty-three or I
rds years of age OF repusive features and slit
# twinklng eye, soon appeared upon the SCI
for and Long accosted him by the title Of "Jud
red acquainted him with the necessity of a C
leet cover.


With "Why, what the devil is afoot now " as


Fox, shaking off his drowsiness "some
ked strike ~


was "No, but as Is generally the case in all


wav busness we have been forced 10 encoul