“My men,” he said, “we have refreshed ourselves by eating, and now a less pleasant scene awaits us. I am your captain, and to me you have sworn implicit obedience. Is it not so?”
“Yes, yes!” answered the bushrangers.
“But one thing is essential. There must be no traitor, no malcontents among us. A large reward has been offered for my apprehension—five thousand pounds! It shows how much they are afraid of us,” and he raised his head with conscious pride. “Against open enemies we can hold our own, but not against the secret foe who sits beside us as a friend, and eats and drinks with us. When such a one is found, what shall be his fate?”
He paused for a reply, and it came from the lips of all in one stern word—“Death!”
“I am answered,” said the captain. “The sentence has been pronounced, not by my lips but by your own.”
Here he turned to two attendants, who were stationed near at hand. “Bring forth the traitor,” he said.
The two men disappeared within one of the huts, and immediately reappeared, leading behind them a third, with his hands tied behind him. His face was covered by a black cloth, which effectually screened his features.
“Complete your task!” said the captain, with a wave of his hand.
The two guards set the offender with his back to a tree, and producing a rope, quickly passed it round his waist and tied him securely, with his screened face toward the band.
“Wretch!” said the captain in a terrible voice, “you thought to betray us, and expose us to punishment and death, but the doom which you were ready to bring upon us has recoiled upon yourself. You would have sold your captain and comrades for gold. They have pronounced your doom, and it is Death! Have you anything to say?”