The Outlaws of Cradle Mountain.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 15, Issue 40, 20 May 1904, Page 2

The Outlaws of Cradle Mountain.

k Story of Van DI ©mail's Land. FOUNDED ON FACT. 1

By CAPTAIN LACIE, (James J. Wright).

Author of “The Gem Finders,” “In the Wake of Fortune,” “Narratives of the Bushranging Times,” “Th» Huts of Ellerslie,” &o„ &o.

[all rights RESERVED.] Part 111. His companions laughed aa Lyell spoke, and then Sinclair said, in a quiet tone, “ It will require time to restore our rights as citizens. By the time we got back the whole island would be ringing with a lying and interesting account of our doings. We would be made out as bushrangers and pirates, and in the first public outburst of indignation no mercy would be shown us. There are thirty of them against three of us, and what hope would wo have ? No ! We must wait a month or two until the trouble calms down, and then the Hobart Town visit may be talked about.” Forbes did not make any comment, and Lyell, feeling there was a good deal of sense in Sinclair’s argument, also remained silent. Soon other necessities put the discussion aside. Forbes had to bo relieved at the oars, and all the party felt much in m rl of food. The biscuits were broached, ami these, with some cooked pork and a liberal allowance of rum, were handed round by Sinclair, and found very welcome. Aa daylight broke, the fugitives in the boat eagerly scanned their surroundings, hut there was no sign of pursuit. Westward lay the unbroken ocean, hut to the east, about three miles distant, towered tremendous cliffs, and rising back from them were swelling forest-clad ranges. The coast line presented a moat rugged and determined front to tho unceasing attacks -of the icy Southern Ocean. To a very unusual elevation was added a strange irregularity of form which justly entitled it to rank amongst the grandest and most wildly magnificent scenes of nature. It abounded with peaks and ridges, gaps, and fissures disdaining the smallest uniformity of figure. Lofty ridges of mountains, bounded by tremendous cliffs, projected a mile or more out into the ocean, and as Forbes looked to the south-east ho conceived the idea of running into one of the small bays lying between them, and suggested this plan to the others. “It looks easy enough from here, hut wait until the mists lift and you’ll not bo so ea<*er to try. This is one of the most treacherous coasts in the world,” objected Sinclair.' , ~ , “If we only had water there would be no need to land. How the deuce did we all manage to forget that?” angrily responded Forbes, who appeared to be nettled at his comrade’s demeanor. In the haste to stock tho boat, and probably at the timfe forgetting this important item—as they had so long been well .supplied with it—they had neglected to place a stock of fresh water in their boat. The omission was not altogether a very serious one, since they only intended to skirt the coast; but it was certainly inconvenient,. and would have to be remedied as soon as possible. Rum proved a very inadequate substitute for the necessary fluid, and at length all agreed that a landing must be ‘ effected. The day was beautifully fine" and the sea remarkably smooth, so that fairly good progress was made", but as the boat was heavily laden not so much as they would have wished. It was well on in the afternoon when the voyagers came in sight of a small river which entered the ocean between two cliffs, and they decided to pull in. The stream came from a conspicuous peak which they rigidly guessed was Mount Heemskerk. A distanVirof nearly a mfle had to be pfllled against the current before a suitable landing place was found. A hundred yards further on tho stream rolled noisily over a low rid"c of rocks, the water thete being fresh, ' It was not long before a large fire was lighted. Tea was made, some moat cooked, and rum and tobacco were served around to each, and all were soon busily employed. When their appetites wore satisfied Forbes took tho clatncs from the boat and suggested they should be divided. “ I’ll take the uniform if ye’ve no objection, for I think it’s tho only suit will go near fitting me,” he remarked as the garments were turned out. His companions recognised his claim, and as they were all sadly in want of clothing they soon donned the garments, Sinclair and Lvoll being clothed as two ordinary A.B.’s,' while the military lieutenant’s uniform almost fitted the long limbs of Forbes. “T know the man these belong to, an’ some day I’ll have his heart’s blood,” spoke tho giant in a bitter tone as he looked down at tho garb. . “I should think he will want yours for stealing his clothes,” remarked Sinclair, who had partly regained his spirits. “ There has been enough blood spilling already, Cod knows. Lot us try to go on peaceably for the future,” added Lyell, but his companions took little notice of his remark. During the earlier part of the night a considerable quantity of the meat was cooked, as, if the weather proved favorable, it was not intended to land for several days, and thev could not cook hi the boat. By means of a large oiKlamp the men rigged up an apparatus whereby they could boil water and make tea on board, a hot drink being a luxury not otherwise obtainable. It was fully two hours after sunrise on the following morning before they again took to the boat and dropped down the river towards tho ocean. They felt more than usually secure. The muskets —six in all with tho fowling piece and pistols, were loaded, and there was ample ammunition, Though these precautions were taken they did not expect attack, feeling that they had thoroughly outwitted their pursuers. As they passed between tho groat cliffs through which the river entered tho ocean, with Forbes rowing, Sinclair and Lyell took a qnick survey, the latter’s gaze being directed southwards. He had not time to ■ half examine the f heaving expanse of water when a deop cry—like the baffled growl of a wild animal—startled « Mm. Instantly turning, ho saw Sinclair pointing to the north-west, and a half blind person could not fail to see the cause of his dismayed call. Not two iniles away lay a schooner brought to, whilst half that distance between could be seen a boat filled with armed men and being propelled towards the mouth of the river which the piratical bushrangers Were leaving. , , If a thunderbolt had struck the craft, it 9 occupants could not have been more astonished, but the explanation was simple mough. The boat which Forbes and his Wmpanions saw leaving tho schooner at the

Pieman River previous; to their' attack contained a party -attracted by the smoke signals inland. • Thjj same, evening, a few miles up streamy they met; Tracker Thornton and three men! making for the coast ffpm CJradlo Mountain. The greater portion offthe force which had attacked 1 Forbes ann hisqnatea had refcurned to Settlement to report whait had happened, but the Tracker determined, to-follow the trail. When Captain Hfewett and Bisohoff, Wio were in the "boat, diet Thornton the latter strongly advised thWn to return; “ The ruffians have madjb for the coast,’ and there is no saying what mischief they may work. Let us get back'without delay,” he urged. The captain laughed at the Tracker’s fears, but they were found later on to be only too well founded. ; It was late at night when the boat party reached the vicinity of the schhoner, and in turning & bend they were bailed from’the bank. “ Thait’a; the lieutenant’s Voice ; there must bb \ something • wrong,” exclaimed Hewett,’ and his words were realised. Wiien they pujlled to the bank the story of the seizure *)was unfolded and an immediate attack dp cided on, which nearly resulted in the down)’all of mates. Luokilji for them the man shot—though nlit fatally—by Forbes’ bullet, was none othi >r than Thornton, the most valuable p erson in the party. In the confusion whi ch ensued, the pirates, as the reader knt >ws, escaped. Acting of i the tracker’s advice, Captain Hewitt stei red the schooner southwards so Os to examine any inlets or havens where the fugitives might take shelter“My opinion is they will make for Port Davey and <1 ry to get picked up by any foreign whaling vessel which may bo about there. That will mean escape for them,” Thornton explained. Thus it was Vhat the trio were practically trapped at the Uoemskerk River. The situation was, indeed, a desecrate one for the fugitives. “ The Huon, sure enough,” exclaimed Forbes, whoso sailor training madeit easier for him to recognise the rig and outlines .of the craft. “ Let us pull to Sea, Ben. Wo will yet foil them,” called Sinclair excitedly. “That would' mean death. The light boat yonder would soon overhaul us,” came the grim answe’r. “ But we can fight. Wo have plenty of arms,” retorted Sinclair. For answer, Forbes looked significantly towards Lyell and then answered, “We must put back and take to the bush again. There we have a chanflo, but none yonder,” and the giant pointed- seawards. Even as he spoke Forbes turned the boat, and then, handing an oar to Lyell, the two began to pull with might and main into the river. As they did so a puff of smoko r®se from the on-coming iboat, but the bullet fell short of its mark. . It did not take them long to reach the point at which they had camped the previous night, and at once they began to rapidly secure the most valuable part of the cargo. At least Forbes and Lyell worked hard, but Sinclair showed a disinclination. to do so. . “ Let us fight,” 1 he savagely exclaimed. “If you had taken my advioe and gone nefrth this trouble would not have come.” “ Oficourso we will fight, but let us get all wo want into the bush. They are sure to beat us on the water. Divide the ammunition, Lyell, and take a good pull at this,” the tall man observed, handing the luckless, prospector a panniaan full of rum. Ned Lyell did not-wait for a second invitation, for he felt there was desperate work ahead-, and such as be had no heart for. As soon as the most suitable stores were landed Forbes got a huge stone and dashed it through tho bottom of the boat, completely destroying it for use. Then, seizing an immense load, he led the way towards a high range near Mount HeomsScrk. He had not gone one hundred yards when Sinclair stopped and refused to follow. “These hounds.” be said, “cannot land except at this spot,, and I’m going to fight them if I have to do fit alone.” For a few moments Forbes was irresolute. Then ho put down his load beside a tall pine and answered, “Yo’ll not fight ’em alone, Jack. So long-as I have life left I’ll give ye a band, lad.” A.s he finished, the giant unslung one of the two muskets he carried, and proceeded' ,to examine the priming. “ I’ll not fight. Why should there bo more bloodshed. We can get away now, and I refuse to shoot down men in this manner,” suddenly interrupted Lyell. Sinclair turned on him fiercely, exclaiming, “ You must either fight or run. If you are not with us you are against us. Will you fight or not ? ” “ I’ll not fight,” stubbornly replied the young man, “ I would ra.ther die in the bush. “ Then give us your guns, you can keep the pistols but we want the muskets ” responded Sinclair with a Ravage light in his eyes. For puswer Lyell handed over the weapons as requested, though Forbes, in a tone very different to that of his young companion, urged him to stick to his mates. “ It is no use leaving us now Ned ” ho said, “ I saved your life once an’ I don’t like to see you throw it away now, If ye go into the bush like that it means death, and if ye give ycrself up it will bo the same. Don’t bo a fool lad, see, they are coming now. What do ye say for the last time ? ” \ I can’t shoot down people in cold blood, Ben, and I don’t think we should fight now, God bless you for what you did for me and if I could return you it at the cost of half my life, I would do so. If—” “ Come on Forbes, the fool will ruin ns. Look out! they are making a rush for land ” interrupted Sinclair, as ho ran forward to to the shelter of some high rocks. Casting a glance at Lyell, which waa f almost appealing, the giant followed. For a few nfoments Lyell sto'od irresolute, and then with a sigh turned to the east and plunged into the depths of the gloomy bush. As lie did so, the sound of musket shots smote his ears and his natural reluctance to shed human blood, caused his pace to quicken. The last glimpse ha caught of Forbes and-Sinclair was when ascending tho brow of a hill close by, he located them by the powder smoke which answered the discharges kept up by those in the boat. The young prospector saw Sinclair working his way nearer tho river with Forbes close to his band, and tho action convinced Lyell that they meant to deal mA death to tho utmost. The next minute they were hid from view and only tho thunderous echoes of the shooting showed where the struggle was goins l, on. Soon, too, those ominous sounds became faint and it was not long before silence swallowed them up. ;?■' i It was then that Lyell began tb realise his terrible, position. Tho food taken would 'scarce last him for one day, and the pistols 'offered but a preoorrotis, means of obtaining sustenance. It ,was not that thought how"ever, which most oppressed him. Tho lawful feeling of loneliness which thesolitudo caused, began to'prey on him, and the remembrance of tho terrible time in tho bauri glen, depressed him. It was about'two hours after noon, and in his distracted state of mind, the fugitive had taken little note of his route. He was almost at the base of a huge peak, and, after a few mohients reflection, he decided to climb it and reconnoitre his surroundings.

Then it occurred to him that it would be so much lost time, for Lyell had resolved to go back and either meet his victorious companions or give hiirtself up to their captors. Either course would be much preferable to sojourning in tho awful bush. Acting on impulse, ho turned and began the back journey, which Lyell reckoned would not be difficult of accomplishment. He pushed through the jungle with feverish haste, making wreck of his sailor costume but the shadows of the coming night fell ami there was yet no sign of tho river or the coast. It was impossible to travel through such country in the darkness and lie wm forced to halt for tho night. Sleep was out Of the question and he did not care -to eat. During tho evening tho wind, rose and tho night became stormy, torrents of rain adding to the discomfort of the situation. With tho first glimpse of daylight he was again on his way and two hours later from the summit of a high ridge, he caught sight of the ocean about three miles due west. In ! an hour he reached it and from the top of a Stupendous cliff, looked out on the raging Waste of waters. The storm of the previous night had lashed the ocean into a state of fury, such as the young man had not beforo seen, the great rollers which dashed upon tho iron cliffs deafened him with their thunder, and tho spray was flung to his very feet. The schooner, he reflected, could not live on a lee shore in such a sea, and the idea occured to him that it may have found refuge in the river where the conflict had taken place. Once as he strained his eyes seaward, it seemed as if a glimpse of tho vessel’s sails were reflected on his vision, but, no doubt it was only one ot the white crested waves. No, it could not be “Tho Huon,” and then ho began to look for tho river. So far as ho could judge from the groat peak, it lay to the south and in that dirction Lyell bant his steps. Tho boom of tho sea Was pleasant to his ears, the sound was a welcome contrast to tho weird solitude of the forest,. Early in the afternoon tho young man eat his first meal since the previous morning, and tho food revived him ; he had about a pint of rum in a flask and a small draught of the liquid gave him temporary confidence. There was no time for halting and the food was oaten as he pushed through the dense scrub which grew to the very edge of the cliffs. It was about an hour beforo sunset when, to his relief, the young man came to the mouth of tho river where he and his comrades had been trapped. As he stood at tho junction of the stream with the ocean on one of the tremendous walls of rock which formed its banks, Lyoll was in a good position to make a thorough reconnaissance. First his vision ranged seaward but there was nothing visible save the waste of heaving tumultuous waters. Ho well knew that the schooner could not be in that direction as the sea was too rough, but instinctively ho felt it must have sought the refuge of tho river, caution was therefore necessary and with extreme care he began to work his way to a point where a better view of the streiftn could be had. In less than a quarter of an hour he reached a position from which the falls could bo seen, but not a trace of the Huon was visible.

“ May have gone down in the storm, but the boat’s crew should be around” he muttered, still going towards the spot where ho had left Forbes and Sinclair in combat with the soldiers. Although Lyell’s original intention was to give himself up to those on the schooner, ho now began to exercise the greatest caution to prevent any party from surprising him. He would first ascertain what had happened, perhaps the bodies of his two late comrades might be found, and if so, it would do much to decide his future course of action. With the odds against them, and their desperate character, it was most improbable they would 'be taken alive. It was not long beforo ho reached the spot where tho wrecked boat still lay, but it was evident the place was deserted so far as human occupancy wont. Save for the dull booming of the angry ocean and tho noise made by the tumbling waters of the river, no other sound could bo heard. Tho ashes of the camp-fire made by himself and comrades, were still undisturbed, but there were no signs that the party from the schooner had remained long at the spot. Satisfied with the brief scrutiny that no foes were about, Lyell turned in the direction of the rocks, where he had last seen Forbes and Sinclair, he had not gone a doien yards when, f in parsing a huge log, something oaught his eyes which caused his face to blanch, and brought him to a sudden halt. A small mound of freshly turned earth was almost at his feet and it needed no second sight on the part of the young man, to realise that it was a grave he was looking upon ; but whoso grave ? Ah ! that was tho ; vital question. ' What if it should hold all that was mortal of Forbes and Sinclair ! Lyell had still a lingering hope that one or both of them .might have escaped into tho bush, and if so, ho might meet them. If not, Ivhat a terrible position ho was in. With tho schooner wrecked, or at all events —so far aa ho was concerned—out of reach, what would his fate bo ? The recent experiences had unnerved him, and ho ceuld not view tho situation calmly. Leaning against the log, Lyell remained for several minutes, a prey to the most distracting thoughts, and then summoning resolution, he decided to learn tho worst. Picking up a broad shovel-shaped piece of wood close to the grave, he at once began to remove the earth, and it was not long before he had excavated the shallow grave sufficiently to allow an inspection of what it contained. In ’such a place and under the circumstances, the task was a gruesome one, but desperate as he was, Lyell did not heed it, A sigh of relief, which indeed, more nearly resembled a groan, burst from him when the distorted features of the deceased were laid bare. It was not the face of either Forbes or Sinclair but one of the soldiers who had landed from the boat. “They would’nt take the trouble to bury the others ” muttered Lyelll as ho hastily re-covered the remains. “They may be at the rqcks still,” he added. His task was scarcely finished when a rustling sound in some dry scrub close by caused him to spring up in alarm and seize a pistol. As ho turned, tho grey form of a tiger wolf slunk away, and almost instantly disappeared, much to Lyell’s relief. The brute’s presence induced the young man to roll some logs on to the wild grave, and then ho turned to the rocks. Except for tho trampled undergrowth and the footmarks in the debris at the base of tho stony outcrops, there was nothing to indicate that anyone had been at the place. Some ot the footprints were almost obliterated by the rain of the previous night, and' the storm had effectually destroyed all possibility of picking up and following a trail if one had been left.

it was now twilight, and with a sense of awful loneliness Lyell sank down at the base of one of the great rocks and abandoned himself to despair. For hours lie remained in a condition of stupor, until exhaustion overpowered him, and he dropped into a disturbed slumber. The sun had risen when he awoke, and once more commenced his solitary wanderings. An hour later he endeavored to shoot a wallaby, but when he pulled the trigger of his pistol he

was norror stuck to find no report followed. The sorm had damped the powder, and his dreams were now useless. This was a terribh misfortune, and for a time he abandonedall hope. Then the love of life entered iis heart, and ho struggled onward. Tie last remaining food was consumed, aul, with a blind hope of reaching succor, lyell crossed the river at the shallow falls and turned to the south. If possible, he vould keep near the coast, for the boom oltho breaking waves was a sort of companionship to him. In shaping towards th< seaboard he got into a deep valley, whica was almost impassable, and in its gloomy depths night again enshrouded him. * On the fifth day his clothes hung in rags about him The scrub had lacerated his flesh, and starvation added its horrors to his position. More than once he felt that madness would soon claim him, and at such times he (topped and tried to reason his fears away, but the more he reasoned, the greater became his perception of the utter hopelessness of the situation. It was on the afternoon of the fifth day that from the summit o! a high range he caught sight of the waters of Macquarie Harbor, which barred progress to the south. His only hope now was to reach some headland and try to attract the attention of some passing vessel, but the chances of doing so were almost hopeless. Very few vessels, indeed, passed along the treacherous coast, and those which did gave it a wide berth. When the sun rose on the sixth day Lyell was so weak, physically and mentally, that it seemed ho could go no further. The coast was several miles to the west, and a high range intervened which must be crossed. For hours the young man lay on sho damp rocky ground, but as evening drew on he jumped up in a mad frenzy—the last effort of the instinct of self preservation —and plunged into the glen which lay at the base of. the range.

It will be now necessary to take the reader back to the combat which Sinclair and Forbes voluntarily began with the boat’s crew from the Huon. The latter was in charge of Lieutenant Lytton, whom the giant fugitive had threatened to kill. He had eight men with him, all splendidly armed, so that the odds were immensely against the two daring outlaws. The firearms of these days, with their flintlocks, could scarcely be called weapons of precision, for their fire was generally erratic ; but at close quarters they could do considerable execution in the hands of good marksmen. Forbes and his companion had the advantage of superior cover and the spare muskets, so that the contest was not so unequal as the numbers woixld indicate. Indeed, before the boat’s crew could land, one of the occupants a soldier named Bell was shot dead by a bullet from Sinclair’s mu'sket. A few moments later Lytton and his men had reached cover and began a heavy, but rather random, fusillade against the two men. ‘ ‘ If that Lyell, had only stopped to load the guns lie would have been useful,” exclaimed Sinclair as the weapons were being discharged and the fire of the Huon’s party became hotter. Forbes did not reply. He was trying to get a shot at the lieutenant, against whom he expressed such a hatred. His first attemnt had been unsuccessful, but he watched the tree behind which Lytton was sheltered with eyes that evilly gleamed with suppressed fury. For half-an-hour stray shots were exchanged, and then Sinclair suddenly exclaimed, “ They are trying to flank us, Ben. Watch that space yonder,” and he pointed to a small clearing some distance to the right, across which a soldier had just run. The giant, with musket ready, watched the space, and in a few moments Lieutenant Lytton, in the glaring uniform worn by that gentleman, was seen to rush into the clearing. In an instant Forbes fired, and th(£ officer staggered, but quickly recovering himself, reached the opposite cover. " 1 hit him, Jack. Didn’t ye notice him nearly drop,” cried the giant triumphantly. “ Yes. but they’ll hit us directly. There are three more of them safely over.” replied Sinclair as he threw his still smoking musket down after fruitlessly firing at one of the attackers. “Come back, man,” suddenly exclaimed Forbes, seirlng Sinclair by the arm in the grip of a Samson and twisting him close to is side. The action saved the young man’s life, for an instant later a bullet splashed against the rock where he had been crouching. For a few moments the desperate Sin-, clair glared in the direction whence the shot had been fired, and the smoko rising through the scrub quickly showed the position. For a couple of seconds his face worked hideously, and the features became distorted with the blood passion whiensurgea in his heart. Then, just as rapidly, his normal expression was resumed, and he calmly said, “We must get back from herb, for it means death to stay. Come on, therei isn’t a moment to lose.” This fact was quite apparent to Forbes, and, seizing the large bundle of stores close by, he and his comrade at Once began to cautiously retreat along the course of the river, Ten minutes later, at a signal from the lieutenant, a simultaneous rush was' made by the front and flank parties at the rocks, only to find the place deserted. . Lytton’s arm was hanging helplessly at his side, broken by the bnllet fired by Forbes, but, notwithstanding the pain of the injury, he announced his intention of following the fugitives. “ We must hunt the ruffians to the death and avenge poor Bell as well as the other good men they have sent to an grave. Wilkinson and Heywood can remain with thb boat and the rest will follow me. If—” : “ But, Sir, with that arm you should have' attention. It would be awful to get through the scrub with it. I will go after the' scoundrels,” Corporal Spriggs ventured to{ remonstrate. j “ I feel quite able to follow Spriggs, and I) want vengeance. We, must neft lose a! minute. Come this—” 1 As the lieutenant was speaking, the boom of a six-pounder, carried by the schooner,' burst upon their ears and caused Lytton to; suddenly stop, while a look of vexation crept! over his face. “That is the signal to return. What can' the captain mean ? ” —ho said. “Perhaps they’ve spied the scoundrels making down the coast,” explained the corporal. “ It may be,” replied the officer who was now beginning to feel acutely the painful injury sustained, “Wo must get back, but let us bury poor Bell. Get the hatchets and make the grave here,” and the lieutenant' pointed to a spot close to a huge log, and the hapless soldier was very quickly laid uifder the 9ed. “We must get off this coast Lytton,” spoke Captain Hewitt when the boat reached the schooner. “The barometer is falling in an alarming way and a big storm here would mean death to all. What has happened to yon,” he concluded looking at the bandaged : arm and then glancing at the men. “Could’nt you put into the river,” began the lieutenant not heeding the last question. “ Bell is dead and mv arm broken bv these

ruffians. Stibely ybu don’t intend to fun away from them,” j “ The river is specially marked unsafe on my chart and if we do not get miles away from here before long Bell’s fate will be ours. Look at the matter in a reasonable way Lytton. I am responsible for the safety of the craft and all on board. When the storm passes we can come back and. hunt these piratical bushrangers to the death,” argued Hewitt, who followed the words up by'taking the officer to his cabin to attend to his injury after having given orders to get under way and steer to the westward. Lytton soon recognised the wisdom of Hewitt’s words and in the evening when the storm burst he well knew that delay would have been fatal. It did not take long to acquaint the skipper with details of the short conflict and the latter filled with indignation at the pillage of the schooner in the Pieman River, swore a few round nauti cal oaths at the continued immunity which attended the men who had committed the indignity to the Huon. Whatever hope he or the lieutenant might have had in the way of vengeance, was frustrated by the elements. For days the storm raged out on the ocean driving them to the south-west and it was only by the exercise of splendid seamanship that the schooner rode safely through it. On the fifth day, the fine harbour of Port Davey was made a hundred miles south of the point they wished to regain. After sheltering there a few days it was decided to run round to Hobart Town and report to the authorities. This was all the more necessary as Lytton’s arm was in a bad way and provisions were running short. Thus it was that those on the Huon were foiled in their anticipated vengeance. Meanwhile, how fared it with Forbes and Sinclair. Thattheymade good their retreat is of course, apparent to the reader. Indeed they wondered why no pursuit took place, but as night approached and: the storm burst, Forbes rightly guessed that the land party had been recalled by the captain so that the dangerous coast might be avoided. It was late at night when the two fugitives halted, and neither were in good temper. Sinclair in particular was disposed to grumble at what he considered the fatal mistake made in coming southward. Forbes being of a more phlegmatic disposition, di3 not take much notice of his complaints, though they irritated him a good deal. The night, too, was not calculated to promote a more cheerful frame of mind. The storm raged with appalling fury. Huge trees were uprooted by the furious gale which carried along in blinding sheets a tempest of rain. The two men had several narrow escapes of being killed or maimed by falling trees and branches, but at last they managed to reach a rocky range and get under the shelter of a cliff. Fortunately, they had ample provisions to last for several days, whilst the guns and ammunition were kept in order, and the sunrise of a new day caused to cease hie grumbling! whilst a hot breakfast put renewed heart into both. Now that they had come so far south, the young man was quite agreeable that the course should be continued. “ It is too late, Ben, to turn northwards now. That big party under Thornton may still be up that way, and the only hope we have is to reach I’ort Davey. If we can come across a friendly whaling vessel there all may yet be right,” he explained. Forbes had the same end in view, and it was not long after sunrise before both began the journey. Progress was more difficult than usual, for the heavy rains had swollen the creeks and rivulets which had to be crossed, and it was often a hard task to get over them. All went well, however, until the morning of the third day, when the journey was brought to an abrupt stop through an accident to Forbes. He had shot a rock wallaby on the side of a precipitious range close to the coast, and in recovering it from the cliff ledge he slipped and fell a distance of quite twenty feet on to the hard rock below. It was fortunate, indeed, that no bones were broken, though most painful injuries were sustained. He had landed in an upright position, dislocating the left ankle and spraining the other. In fact, if he had broken both legs Forbes could not have been more helpless. “ We’ll have to camp here for a few days, Jack. There’s no help for it, lad. I can’t Walk a yard,” and a spasm of pain contorted tho giant’s features. It was quite certain that many days would elapse before Forbes would be able to travel in such country, and a half-utterea imprecation escaped Sinclair’s lips as he realised the fact. Of lats a desijfe filled his mind to push on and leave the dreadful district, but now it might be weeks—and with Winter coming on—before a step forward could be made. With tho list grace possible under the circumstances, Sinclair set to work to make a camp, but even the injured man, anguished with pain as he was, could not help noticing his comrade’s manner. Near the foot of the cliff down which Forbes had slipped a suitable spot was selected, and Sinclair erected a small breakwind, under Which Forbes lay. A stream of water Fan within a few feet, and the site was well secluded from observation. When everything had been made comfortable as circumstances permitted, Sinclair took tho fowling piece, and in a wattle gully adjacent managed to secure several bronzepigeons. These, with the wallaby, were made ready and r cooked, the work occupying the fugitives’ mind. All that Could be done with Forbes’ injuries—after putting back the dislocation—was to bind the feet with wet cloths. A curious figure the j’t looked as he lay stretched out in the shelter of the breakwind. The gorgeous uniform taken from the Huon’s cabin was now soiled and tattered, and looked anything bnt handsome. Two woollen shirts were added to the attire, and showed through tho regimentals in several places. The headgear worn was not unlike a “bear skin,” having been roughly made from two opossum skins by Forbes hknself. Nbr hadSinclair’ naval garb came through the busfi ordeal any better. Indeed, it was less suited for travel in such a district than the lieutenant’s uniform, and both men recognised that the primitive clothing of skins would soon have to be fallen back on. On the day following the accident, Forbes’ injuries wore even more painful than when they were inflicted. H,e was scarce able to move, and almost as helpless as a child. Sinclair’s impatience increased rather than diminished, and while at the camp he never ceased to bewail the folly which had brought them to the south. His huge companion, racked with pain, took little notice of the grumbling, and that seemed to aggiavate Sinclair. That night as he sat in silence by the camp fire he many times looked curiously at the restless figure of the giant as he lay tossing under the breakwind. For hours the young man sat alternately gazing into the fire or looking towards hia comrade. Near midnight he rose, and taking one of four bottles of rum which still remained, poured nearly a pint into a pan mean and took it to Forbes. “ Drink this, Ben, and it will make you sleep. If you could only rest properly the feet would get well in a few cUtFB, You

haven’t Had’ a sleep for three or four nights.” There was a tone of kindliness in tho young man’s voice which impressed his nigged comrade strangely, and when ho drank tho spirits Forbes turned and said, “I’ll not bo long getting over this; Jack. In a day or so, perhaps, I can start again. Ye’ve bin’good to me, and some day, perhaps, I’ll be able to do something for ye. I’ll try an* sleep now, lad.” The effect of the potent drink, combined with the exhaustion of long wakefulness, soon overcame Forbes, and he dropped into a deep slumber, which lasted for several hours. It was long after sunrise when the seal of sleep was broken, and, feeling wonderfully refreshed, tho giant turned and looked about him. The fire was almost out, and he was alone, but that did not trouble him, as he naturally concluded that Sinclair had gone to seek for game, as was his custom. An hour passed, and then another, but the young man did not return, and the wounded giant failed to hear the report of his gun. Another hour went by, and then hunger and thirst began to assail the helpless fugitive. Partly raising himself, he turned and saw just behind a pannican of water, with the rum bottle beside it, and a quantity of food. At first a feeling of gratitude at the thoughtfulness of his friend filled Forbes’ heart, but, as ho looked again at the arrangements and then up to the heavens whero the sun was shining and well on its daily journey, a sudden, awful fear smote his heart. It was only for an instant that the fearful idea filled his mind. Then he laughed and muttered—“ What a fool I am to think that? Jack is as true as steel. Besides, he could gain nothing by leaving me.” * Seizing the food and drink, Forbes satisfied the cravings of appetite and then in calmer mpod began to again take note. Two loaded muskets and a pistol lay within reach ; ,but Sinclair always left the arms handy when he sallied from the camp. The ammunition, too, was put in tho shelter of tho breakwind, but that was really the best place for it. The food and stores were also beside him, taken from a recess in the did where they were kept. Forbes could* not understand that part of the surroundings, but he still had faith in his comrade. As the sun dipped into the western sky, the helpless man began to grow more restless. Sinclair had not stopped away so long on any previous occasion. The fire had long since flickered out and as the deep shadows crept athwart tho break wind, a great fear began to settle on Forbes. “Perhaps an accident has happened to him and he is lying like myself somewhere,” he muttered, but only to dismiss the idea. “ Why did lie put those things beside me, ’twas not done before ? The restless man continued. “There’s something wrong,” he added, and a frightful expression of suppressed hatred rested on his face, as he fell back with a groan. Night soon enshrouded Forbes, but for hours he lay without sign of life, then he aat u|> and gave utterance to a torrent of awful imprecations against his late comrade. “Living or dead, I’ll never rest until vengeance is mine. The treacherous hound has gone away and left me hero to die after all I did for him. But I will circumvent him yet,” Forbes exclaimed aloud with frightful oaths. When daylight came, tho giant dragged himself to the spot whero the fire was usually made and near which a small pile of fuel had been placed. “Another proof of his treachery,” the wounded fugitive muttered as he got the wood and quickly made a fire. Water in abundance was only a few feet distant and there was sufficient food to last a week, so that Forbes’ position was not absolutely hopeless. He realised that, but also felt it was about as forlorn and desperate a strait to bo reduced to as ever fell to the lot of man, Still he irjust live for vengeance and the thought made him insensible to pain. The necessity for movement, however, must inevitably retard recovery and it might be a month or more—if he managed to survive - before travelling was possible. < To he continued )