"HERE, GIVE IT ME BACK," SAID THE BUSHRANGER
Harding had raised the paper towards the lamp-light, and was looking scrutinizingly at it. It seemed to be a rough map. There was a wavy line that evidently represented the course of a ravine or gully, and on each side were jagged marks that betokened rising ground. Right across the paper ran the words in large ill-formed characters:
"Deadman's Gully."
About the middle of the paper there was a sort of big blot, and underneath in smaller words was written:
"Big gum. Dig five feet due south from hole."
Gray came leisurely up to Harding's side.
"What is it?" he said, holding out his hand for the paper.
A scowl came over the face of the man on the ground. He flung himself upward and snatched the paper from Harding's hand with a violent oath. The effort was too much for him, and he fell back groaning and helpless. But he still kept the paper clutched in his right hand, and his eyes fixed themselves on Gray with something of the look of a trapped wild beast.
"Keep off, can't you!" he gasped out. "A pretty gentleman you are, pryin' and sneakin' like that."