"Vell, I had to live on something, so I used to shoot into flocks of parrots; but I've skeered 'em all hoff, I believe."
"And why did you not try to get hold of a sheep? There are plenty of those within five miles of the forest."
"And get pinked by the hold shepherd wid the long gun?" he demanded, with a knowing grin, which showed that he had heard of the skill of the old man with his smooth bore.
"You have confessed that you once belonged to a gang of bushrangers, and you may have been guilty of many crimes. It is a duty which we owe to the government to either hang you, or else deliver you to the police. Which do you prefer?"
"Vell, to tell the plain truth, I don't like neither plan, and I don't b'leeve that you will do it."
"Why?" we asked, astonished at his assurance
"'Cos, then I couldn't help you get the dirt out if you give me up to the police. I'd peach 'bout it," and then you'd have to fork over to the government, and would get nothing for your pains."
"But suppose we should despatch you on the spot?"
"But there's no use s'posing any thing of the kind. 'Mericans don't often kill people in cold blood."
"You know that we are Americans?" we demanded, in astonishment.