Two men, unmounted, who seemed to be servants, came forward, and proceeded to obey orders.
“Hold on, squire!” exclaimed Obed in alarm “You ain’t goin’ to take our team, are you?”
“Most certainly I am. If you had had a large sum in money, we would have spared you this. As it is, we must have them.”
“But we shall starve, without money or food.”
“That is nothing to me.”
“Well, boys, come along,” said Obed in a despondent tone. “Our prospects ain’t over bright, but something may turn up.”
Meanwhile there was a quiet conference among the bushrangers.
“Hold!” said the captain, as Harry and Jack were about to leave the scene with their older companion. “You can go,” turning to Obed, “but the boys remain with us.”
Harry and Jack exchanged a glance of dismay. To be stripped of all they had was a serious misfortune, but in addition to be made prisoners by the bushrangers was something of which they had not dreamed. Obed, too, was taken aback. He had become attached to his young companions, and he was very sorry to part with them. He could not forbear a remonstrance.
“Look here, squire,” he said familiarly to the captain, “what do you want to keep the boys for? They won’t do you any good, and it’ll cost considerable to keep ’em. They’re pretty hearty.”