"The bushrangers robbed him and let him go."
"Why did they not release you and your friend?"
"Because, as a young member of the band told us, the captain meant to spare us to join the band."
"You are young to be travelling to the mines. What countrymen are you?"
"We are Americans."
"Humph! your story sounds well enough, but how do I know that you are not spies of the bushrangers?"
Harry Vane's eyes flashed indignantly.
"I hope you won't think so badly of us," he said.
The shepherd seemed somewhat impressed by his indignant denial, which certainly seemed genuine enough, but wanted information on one point.
"How did you manage to escape? That doesn't seem very probable, at any rate."