The three men stopped their game, whilst he who had been addressed as Sam, and had saluted the officer as "Puffey," inquired—
"Who are they?"
For answer, Stone asked, "Did you hear about the murder at the Beaver Hills?"
"Yes; my mate was telling me all about it only last night."
"Old Robson and his two sons made a plucky stand, but the band was too strong for them."
"Were all three of them killed?"
"They set fire to the homestead, and when the flames at length compelled them to fly they were shot down like rabbits."
"What became of the two women?"
"They were fortunately away on a visit to a friend at Wolseley, and did not return that night."
"They succeeded in driving away about forty head of cattle, which have been traced into the neighbourhood of the Touchwood Hills."