"I know that," the old man answered, with a silent chuckle.
"How do you know that it was gone!' I demanded.
"Why, because when you threw it down, I picked it up, and made my way out of the woods as fast as possible."
"And the bushrangers took it from you?" I demanded.
"I didn't say so," the stockman replied, coolly.
"You don't mean to tell me that the money is safe?" asked Fred.
"Well, I should think it was, because I don't believe that any bushranger would discover the place where I hid it." "Bless your old heart!" cried Smith, slapping him on the shoulder; "you are worth a dozen of us young ones. But why didn't you say something about it before?"
"And let those police fellers share with us? No, no; I know too much for that; they would have required at least half the amount found, and I didn't think my young friends here would be willing to be bled to such an extent. They shall have the money, and can do as they please. I have redeemed my word; I promised to assist them, for they have assisted me; and when I have placed the gold in their hands, I shall think that I have only paid them a small portion of the debt which I owe them."
We were too much surprised and delighted to speak for some time, for the recovery of the money was something we were not prepared for.