"Six of them are dead—and with them, Black Darnley," cried Smith.
"You are trifling with me," said the officer, sternly.
"No—upon my word; but ask the Americans, they will tell you all."
"Is it so?" asked the policeman, turning towards us with an air entirely changed from that with which he had first addressed us.
We confirmed the report, and gave the particulars.
He listened to us with astonishment; and yet his wonder was not unmixed with admiration. I saw him try to suppress that feeling, but it would find vent, John Bull like, and with an oath he exclaimed,—
"By G——! you Americans are a wonderful people. You seek adventures with as much gusto as a knight-errant of the olden times. If I had a dozen such as you two under my charge, I'd soon free this neighborhood of bushrangers."
"There would be but one difficulty," answered Fred, with a laugh.
"And pray what is that?" asked the lieutenant.