"That settles it," said Wyman, who was unversed in parliamentary language. "I call for three cheers for Captain Ring!"
The woods echoed to the lusty cheers of the bushrangers. It was evident, from the general expression of satisfaction, that the choice was a popular one.
"Comrades," said the new captain modestly, "I did not look for this promotion, as you may have thought from my taking the lead just now, but I saw that it was necessary for somebody to act. I don't know whether you have made a wise choice or not, but I will do my best to make you think so. Since I am your captain, it is my duty first to see that proper honor is paid to the remains of your late captain, whom sudden death has overtaken. You two lift the body and carry it into yonder cabin."
The two attendants did so.
"Prepare a coffin, and at daybreak we will commit him to the earth. Whatever else may be said of him, he was a brave man, and knew not fear."
"That is true," said Robert Graham in a low voice.
"As to his faults, those we have no further concern with. All of us have faults and no doubt grave ones."
Fletcher, till now, had sulked in silence. He was terribly disappointed that he had been passed over and Rupert Ring promoted to the place of chief, but since it was so he felt that it was politic to stand well with the new administration.
"Captain Ring," he said, extending his hand, "let me be the first to congratulate you on your election as our captain."
Ring smiled slightly. He had never liked Fletcher.