HOW TO BIND A BOOK. IV. BEATING AND PRESSING. WE are now getting practical: we have seen how the sheets are folded and prepared for binding; the next thing is to bind them. In bookbinding establishments the folding is generally done by young women and girls; and it is astonishing with what rapidity and dexterity the operation is performed. The folders are seated before a long, flat board, and each folder, placing the open quire of sheets before her, doubles over the pages in their proper order, and then, with a bone folding-knife, folds the sheet into the requisite shape, as octavos, duodecimos, etc. A good folder will fold 500 octavo sheets in an hour, but her average number is 300. The proper mode of holding the sheet and using the paper-knife, will be seen in this cut of THE FOLDER. We now arrive at the next operation-Beating. Shake the sheets upon the table or slab by their backs and heads, so as to make the whole of the pages even at the back. This facilitates the division into parts or sections. You then take a portion, and beat it well and evenly all over, with a somewhat heavy and flat-headed hammer. In beating the sheets you draw them towards you gradually, so that every part of the sheet is equally beaten. First, you beat one side, and turn the section over and beat the other. And so you proceed with each section till the whole book is made flat and solid. member, however, that each section, previous to beating, should be enclosed in a waste leaf or wrapper, so as to guard it against injury, and to avoid any marks, stains, or creases from the hammer. Re Look carefully also to see that the ink does not "set off" or print itself on the opposite page. If the book has been recently printed, and the ink not thoroughly dry, there is always a tendency in the type to set off. If, therefore, you see any signs of set-off, you must give the sheets much less beating than they would otherwise require. In machine-printed books the ink is longer in drying than in books printed at the hand press. Some binders dry the sheets by placing the book in a cool oven or before the fire; but in drying the ink, be very careful that you do not scorch the paper. A better plan, especially if the book be valuable, is to interleave the book with thin white paper, which will receive the ink set off. But if the sheets of the book to be bound have been hot-pressed or thoroughly coldpressed as may easily be ascertained by passing the hand over the surface of the type-this precaution is unnecessary. In large bookbinding houses, a rolling machine is used instead of the hammer. After having been well hammered or pressed, you again collate the sheets to see that all the signatures and pages run in proper order. The waste leaves are added at the beginning and the end; the back and head are knocked up square, the plates and supplements (if any) are inserted, a leaf of tissue being placed in front of each plate, and your book is ready for sewing, which operation will be presently described. Meanwhile, however, it will be as well that the young bookbinder acquaint himself with the Technical Terms used in the trade. The definitions of the Terms will assist him in more thoroughly comprehending much that we have to say. V.—TECHNICAL TERMS USED IN THE ART OF Gilt. A book bound firm and strong, having BOOKBINDING. Arms.-Plate on which are engraved, in relief, armorial bearings, usually gilt on the sides of Asterisk.-A sign used by the printers at the books belonging to the libraries of the nobility. bottom of the front page of the duplicate leaves printed to supply the place of those cancelled. Bands. The strings whereon the sheets of a volume are sewn, which are either let in by sawing the back, or project from the back. This term also applies to pieces of leather glued on at the back previous to covering the book, and used merely for ornament. The space between two of these is called between bands. Bands.-Name given to bindings simply covered with leather in the tanned state. Thus we say, in sheep bands. Bazil.-Sheep skin tanned, used for common bindings. Bead. The little knot of the headband. Beating. A section of sheets of a work taken at one time, and beat with the hammer upon the stone. Bleed.-A work is said to bleed, if cut into the print. Blind-Tooled.-Where the book is ornamented with the gilding-tools, but without gold. Boards.-The name given to the pieces of wood used in the various processes of pressing, backing, cutting, and burnishing of the work; also, the side covers of the book. Boards, In.-When the edges of a book are cut after the boards have been laced in. Out of boards, when cut first. Where the book is Covered with paper or cloth, it is also called in boards. Bosses. The plates of brass attached to the sides of large volumes, for their greater preservation. Cancels. Leaves containing errors, which are to be cut out and replaced with others printed correctly; and generally given with the last sheet of a book. Case Work.-Where the covers are prepared before placing on the volume. Catch-Word.-A word met with in early printed books at the bottom of the last page of each sheet, which word is the first of the page which follows in the next. Chain-Stitch.-The stitch which the sewer makes at the head and tail of the volume previous to commencing another course. Collating. This operation is common to the gatherer, folder, and binder. It is the examining of the sheets, to see that the signatures properly follow, to prevent any transposition whereby the work would be rendered imperfect. Corners.-The triangular brass tools used as ornaments on the corners of the sides of books. The pieces of brass fixed on stationary bindings; also the pieces of leather pasted on the corners of half-bound books. Cropping.-The cutting down of a book near the print. Double Book.-When a book is printed in half sheets, it is called a double book. Drawing in.-The operation of fastening the boards to the back of the volume, with the bands on which it is sewn. End Papers.-The blank leaves placed at the beginning and end of a volume. Extra; as Calf-extra.-Is a term applied to the style of binding, when the book is well forwarded, lined with good marble paper, has silk headbands, and gilt with a narrow roll round the sides and inside the square. Finisher.-The workman who executes the colouring, gilding, and other ornamental operations of binding. Filleted.-Is when the bands of a volume are marked with a single gilt line only. Folder.-The party who folds the book according to the pages, previous to its being bound or boarded. This department in large towns is generally done by females. Fore-edge.-The front edge of the book. Forwarder.-The workman who performs all the operations of binding, up to the colouring. Foot-line.-The line at the bottom of the first page of each sheet, under which is placed the signature. Gatherer.-The name given to the person who classes the printed sheets of a volume according to the signatures. Gathering.-A portion of ten or twelve sheets of a volume, as made up previous to folding; thus, a work is said to consist of two, three, or more gatherings. Gilder.-In London and great towns, the workman who gilds the edges of books; also applied to the one who gilds the backs and sides. plain end-papers and gilt back. Glaire.-Name given to the whites of eggs used in the process of gilding. Grooves. The projections formed on the sides of the books in backing, to admit of the boards laying even with the back when laced in. Guards.-Shreds of strong paper interspersed and sewn to the backs of books, intended for the insertion of prints, &c., to prevent the book being uneven when filled." Also the pieces projecting over the end-papers. Gutter. The round front edge of a volume, formed by flattening the circular back previous to cutting. Half-bound.-When the back and corners of a book only are covered with leather, and the sides with coloured or marble paper. Half-extra.-Books forwarded carefully, and lined with common marble paper, having silk head-bands, and narrow rolled round the sides with gold, but plain inside. Head. The top of the volume. Headband. The silk or cotton ornament worked at the top and bottom of the back. Headline. -The line immediately under the running-title on the pages of a book. Inset.-The pages cut off in folding, and placed in the middle of the folded sheet. Justification.-The observance that the pages of works, bound in one volume, agree in length and breadth, so as to insure their not being cut into the print. Kettle-stitch.-A corruption of chain-stitch. Lettered.-Volumes simply filleted on the back, and the title lettered. Lines.-A book is said to be in morocco lines, when the only ornament is a plain fillet on the bands and round the sides. Lining the Boards.-Pasting paper on the boards before fixing them to the volume, to give them more firmness. Marbler. The workman who marbles the edges of books, &c. Nose.-In glueing up a volume, if the workman has not been careful to make all the sheets occupy a right line at the head, it will present a point either at the beginning or end, which point is called a nose. Overcasting.-An operation in sewing, where the work consists of single leaves or plates, the thread being brought over the back and the needle pierced through the paper near the band. Pallet.-Name given to the tools used in gilding the bands. Paring.- Bringing down with the knife the edges of leather, &c., to avoid the projections they would otherwise make. Points.-Terms of printing and folding. They are two holes made in the sheets in the process of printing, to insure, in turning, what is called good register. These holes serve as a guide in certain folds which are made by the folder. Quire.-The same as a gathering. Registers.-Ribbons fastened under the headband, left hanging at the foot, to denote the place where the reader may have left off. Rolls. The cylindrical ornaments used for gilding. [To be continued.] FACING THE WORLD. BY WATTS PHILLIPS, AUTHOR OF "THE DEAD HEART." CHAPTER XXX. I GET A THE "MARY-Mary!" I cried, as I rushed on. "It I saw the bulky ruffian, Tiger Tom, descend by the ladder; but though my finger trembled upon the trigger of my revolver, I dared not fire for fear of injuring the one being who was dearest to me on earth; the bushranger, who was alarmed by my frantic eries, holding her so that she served as a shield to his huge body, while he made his unsteady but rapid descent. "Look alive, Tom!" cried a voice, which I recognised as that of Sweet William. "The traps are waking up, and in less than a minute the whole household will come pouring out as if we'd kicked over an ant-hill. Once in the saddle we're all right.' " Here he evidently caught sight of me as I came tearing my way through the bushes. "Stop your row, youngster! You won't? Well, then, it's your fault, not mine, if I'm obliged to stop it for you." A bullet whizzed close to my ear, then another and another; but I still kept on my headlong "Where is she?" I asked. "Mary-Miss Ashton ?" "That's what we have yet to find out," said Stumpy. "Mr. Ap' Thomas, who arrived here only an hour ago, has taken half-a-dozen of our chaps, together with Joe Sprules, and is in hot pursuit. Though who they are pursuing you alone can tell us; for it was your shouts for help that brought us all out, and then we found the young lady gone and you lying beside a log, your cutlass and revolver tightly grasped in your hands, and bleeding like a pig from a wound in your temple." "Then those villains have carried her off ?" "What villains? Who are they? Did you recognise them ?" And a dozen similar questions were showered upon me, as with a desperate effort of strength I rose to my feet. "How many of them were there ?" "Two." "I cannot allow you, Brian, to accompany I turned away, and was making for the door, He, with some of the best mounted troopers, had struck, as they thought, the trail of the marauders; but not only had they failed to overtake the abductors of Mary, but when they arrived at a place the gully, before spoken ofwhich had evidently served as an encampment for the main body of the bushrangers, the embers of the fire were still glowing; but, though the nest was warm, the birds were flown. Retracing their road, the troopers had returned to the house of the magistrate, to gather fresh information, and await further directions. This speech was received with much applause. When it subsided, our chief remarked that nothing would give him greater pleasure than a brush with the bushrangers. "But," said he, “I suppose that most of you have heard of that famous receipt in the cookery books about dressing a hare, which begins with first catch your hare;' now it seems to me that when we're talking of rewards the hare's quietly making its way out of our reach." "It strikes me," said Joe, alluding to the shepherds and stock-keepers we had questioned The latter were soon given. Mr. Sadgrove during our three days' ineffectual pursuit-"it wished himself to accompany us in the pursuit; strikes me all those fellows put us purposely on but, as he was by no means a good horseman, the wrong scent. We know from the evidence his wish was speedily overruled; and when we- of our eyes, besides their own statements, that a body of some twenty troopers, with Ap' Tiger Tom and his band had passed by their Thomas at our head-rode away from Burnt stations, yet not one of them has given a word of Plains, we left the magistrate preparing to re-information which has proved correct." join his wife at Blake's station, where she was Nor would you, Master Joe, if you was put staying, and where the news of our success or in their place," said an old trooper, who had been non-success, was to be brought to him. a convict himself many years ago. "William Bates-the 'man with the mole on his cheek'-and the fellow known as Tiger Tom." It was early morning when we rode into the There was a movement among the bystanders, bush, determined never to give up the present a movement of horror and of pity; for the cha-pursuit before we had brought Tiger Tom and racters of these two men were well known. his companions to justice. "Let us hope that Mr. Ap' Thomas has been successful in overtaking them," said Mr. Sadgrove, who, to do him justice, appeared to be utterly cast down by the abduction of Mary. "In the meanwhile let all be prepared to join in the pursuit, and if any inducement can be wanting to urge you in such a matter, I will give fifty pounds to the man or men who restore Miss Ashton to her home." Fifty pounds! and that in addition to the heavy rewards already offered by the Colonial Government for the capture of the two brigands, who for so long a time had levied black-mail upon the squatters in the bush, was a fortune to most of those who heard Mr. Sadgrove's offer, and the words "boot and saddle!" were on every tongue, when Stumpy interfered. "No-no," he said, "you must have patience, my lads; the more haste the worse speed in sich matters. Wait till Mr. Ap' Thomas returns; he fellered the trail, and it would be wus than folly to move without him. Besides, he's superior officer, and duty is duty all the world over." For my own part, I had no other thought but Mary, and the only ray of comfort that stole into my mind was that, being detained as a hostage for her rascally stepfather's "honourable" behaviour, no injury was likely to be offered to her. Yet, when I considered the lawless villains who surrounded her-villains steeped to the very lips in vice, and without fear of any law divine or human, I shuddered at the possibilities my imagination conjured up, and urged my companions to extra exertion. "Do you think I'd act dishonest ?" asked Joe, warmly. "I think you'd act with common prudence," was the answer. Suppose yourself living out in a lonely hut some twenty miles away from any other human habitation, yet with a know. ledge that any hour may bring a visit from those who, if they suspected the slightest hint on your part to the traps of them or their doings, would make no more ado of cutting your throat and firing your roof than I do of slicing off this here chunk of 'bacca and chewing of it after wards." Then, how are we ever to hope to catch these fellows ?" asked another of the troopers; "for without some better indication than we've got at present it's like seeking for a needle in a bundle of hay to hope to find them in this infernal bush.' The brave fellows, however, required but little prompting. The rewards were heavy, to say nothing of Mr. Sadgrove's fifty pounds; and then rose up that strange, wild feeling which is Why, this is the hope I've got," replied the in most men's minds-a feeling of exultation-old trooper, now busily and contentedly chewing an ever-increasing excitement which seems to his quid, "that I never yet knew a large gang attend the eager "hunting down" of something, such as Tiger Tom's, but there wasn't at least whether that something be a man, a fox, or a one traitor among 'em; some chap, who, to hare. save his own life, would gladly put a halter round the neck of each of his companions. A mutual danger sometimes makes men stick together; but when a plank of safety is offered there's sure to be some one eager to grasp it, even though he drowns all his fellers in doing so. Honour among thieves is all my eye! I've lived among 'em, and know better." The hot chase became a cold chase, and with rapid ridings hither and thither, we grew to be "I beg your pardon," interrupted one of our more cautious, and far less confident of success. men, "Mr. Sadgrove is a magistrate, and while For days we scoured the bush, penetrating the in his district we are all, Mr. Ap' Thomas in-prickly and tangled wilderness for miles upon cluded, under his orders." miles in every direction, seemingly, but the right one; for, though we heard reports of the bushrangers' deeds, and guessed at their possible whereabouts, from the various shepherds and stockkeepers that we chanced upon, no specific information was given that could lead to their capture. "And my orders are," burst in Mr. Sadgrove, greatly excited-far more excited than I had ever seen him-"my orders are, that these fellows should be pursued, and my daughter" (he always liked to call her his daughter) "brought back. As for the bushrangers, shoot them down! slash them down! don't spare one of them. Every dead man shall count double in the reward." I said nothing, but I looked at him in wonder. I knew this man to be a traitor, a base traitor to the trust which had been placed in his hands. I knew him to be my personal enemy, even contemplating zay murder. Yet his anger against these very men, with one of whom, at least, I knew him to be on terms of criminal relationship, was evidently genuine. Nor is this to be wondered at. Men, them. On the third day after our departure from For a moment or two I hesitated. garrisoned by three men; but now by some He had scarcely uttered these words, when one of our men, who was standing near the door, held up his hand, calling out as he did so: "I hear the sound of a horse's hoofs, and coming along at a thundering pace too." We all rose up as one man, and moved towards the door, which was now thrown open. The sound of a horse's hoofs most decidedly approaching nearer and nearer. A horse at full gallop. "Turn out, men!" said Mr. Ap' Thomas, and not at all loath, we snatched up our carbines, and turned out accordingly. The road leading to the station was a very primitive affair, rendered difficult by fallen tree trunks, stones, deep ruts, and other unpleasant obstacles; but the horseman, whom we now could see rapidly approaching, never slackened a moment his headlong speed, but using, as we could see, both whip and spur, made no parse I would be treated as a maniac or worse. I till he reined in his foam-flaked and exhausted had no proof but my bare assertion, and who "What the deuce"-ho used a stronger word, horse in front of the station door, where we were would believe that? Stumpy and Joe certainly but the meaning was the same-" can have be-all grouped, our chief, Mr. Ap' Thomas, a iew would, but as my personal friends, their belief come of these fellows ?" said Mr. Ap' Thomas. paces in advance of us. would go for less than nothing. No, my best" On every side we get news of them; but nopolicy was to watch, wait, and for the present, where do we sce them. They can't have say nothing. Forewarned forearmed. Mr. Sad- vanished under the earth, though one would be grove had shown me his cards, and, knowing glad to hear that the whole gang was safely his game, or, at least, a part of it, I will play buried with a yard of good stiff soil betwixt mine accordingly. it and the blessed daylight." "Come along, mates," I said. "Mr. Sadgrove Aas given his orders, and the sooner we're in our saddles the better." A hand was laid upon my shoulder, touching it for a moment, and for a moment only, while a voice said, softly, yet audibly, to all in the room: "Don't say that, Mr. Ap' Thomas," observed Joe. "It would be very hard if, after all our chasing and riding, till we've nearly worn out our saddles-to say nothing of our own precious skins-that we are to miss the reward after all. I'm not a chap as in general goes in for what The first thing the horseman did was to fing himself from his horse, and still holding the bridle, turn to the trooper nearest to him. "Give me a drink of brandy, whisky, rum anything: I'm dead beat, and before I can tell my errand I must put some new life in me; and when you've given me the pick-me-up,' if anyone of you know anything of surgery, let him take a squint at my left shoulder, for I'm cursedly mis taken if he won't find a bullet lodged in it." The drink was brought, and the man, who was evidently much exhausted, was assisted into the CHAPTER XXXI. JOB PURKIS TELLS HIS STORY. THE BITER BIT.-A RIDE FOR DEAR LIFE. "THE MAN PROVES WITH THE MOLE ON HIS CHEEK HIMSELF A GOOD SHOT, THOUGH HE MIGHT HAVE BEEN A BETTER.-WE ARE ON THE RIGHT SCENT AT LAST. PURKIS recognised me by a nod, and as "An ugly wound, isn't it? but better there than through the head. The head was aimed at, and the head would most assuredly have been hit but that I, knowing what was coming, and at what part he would aim, swerved aside just in time.' "Who would aim? Who are you talking about ?" asked Mr. Ap' Thomas. "William Bates-Sweet William, or, if you like it better, 'the man with the mole on his cheek.'" We all started at this revelation, and pressed round Purkis, who was seated in a chair, with our chief bending over him. "Where is he?" said one. "Is he far from here ?" asked another. "And Tiger Tom, do you know anything about him?" demanded a third; while I, eager to ask news of my dear Mary, dared not speak from very dread of the answer I might receivean answer which, knowing the character of the wretches in whose hands she was, might destroy my hopes of happiness for ever. "Have patience, gentlemen," said Purkis. "I can't answer you all at once." Then, turning to Ap: Thomas, who, with much skill, had withdrawn the ball, and dressed his wound: "How many men have you at this station ?" "What business is that of yours ?" "None whatever, in one sense; but it's a business of yours, and a very important one. I've not ridden straight here, balancing myself for miles in my saddle, with a bullet in my shoulder, Shall I tell you without some object in view. what that object was ?" "Out with it! If you didn't mean to tell it, I don't see what's the good of your preface." "Just so. You're a smart man, Mister Superintendent. Well, the object that brought me here was revenge.' "Upon whom?" one. "Give me another drink, and knock me up a bed somewhere, and-for there's nothing to my mind like brevity-I'll make my story a short First and foremost, my name's PurkisJob Purkis-Longheaded Job, as I'm called in the bush. I'm an object of care to the Sydney swells, as you know, and there's fifty pounds reward for my capture, so, when you get it, share it among you." There was some little astonishment at this announcement, but the curiosity to hear further intelligence was too great for the astonishment to find a more than momentary expression. "I don't think you'll get it, though," Purkis went on. "I've given the Government some valuable hints, and am here to give you one on the present occasion-a hint which will put a round sum in each of your pockets, while, if carefully worked out by you, it will help me to Your comrade here, Mr. pay a debt I owe. Burton, will bear witness that it was by my means he escaped from certain death at SmokeJack Hill; for if I hadn't sent the blackey with a line to you gentlemen telling his danger and his whereabouts, he'd have swung the next morning, or been made a target of for Tiger Tom's favourite ball-practice." He paused a moment from sheer exhaustion, and motioned impatiently for more drink, then went on, gathering strength as he warmed with his subject. THE GENTLEMAN'S JOURNAL. clients under the protection of the law." At this moment the loud barking of a dog was to whom I'd been of some service leant over, and | is to say, if he'd have been content to rob his whispered as he passed me a lump of damper: "It's known who gave the information that brought the traps to Smoke-Jack Hill. As you heard, and we all turned our faces in the direction from whence the sound proceeded. know bush-law-look out!" I required no more. The next minute, on some He then again repeated his first question: "Take fifteen of them, and strike for the Gum The barking of a dog is something, I can tell you, when heard miles away from any human We hadn't long to wait. The bushes were soon habitation, and in the solitude of the bush. pushed aside, and the tall figure of a man His gun was slung behind him by a emerged into the open. He was a tall, gaunt, powerful man, but evidently far advanced in years. strap, and a large bull-dog ran before him, held in check by a rope which, passing through a ring in the dog's collar, was not only tightly grasped by the man, but twisted twice round his right wrist. The dog continued to bark loudly, tearing and dragging at the rope which held him, as if anxious to have the satisfaction of fastening his teeth into one of us. "Quiet, Cruncher-quiet, will you! These are friends. Down, lad-down!" The dog ceased barking, but still kept up a menacing growl, which made those of our fellows who had dismounted give him a wide berth. The man was dressed like a shepherd or stockkeeper, but the most curious part about him was the scorched and blackened look of his hands and face. He appeared as if he had just stepped out of some fiery furnace, which had turned his skin the colour of an ancient parchment. As he approached us, he touched his battered felt hat in salutation. Here Purkis became so exhausted from loss of blood and pain from his wound, that he was permitted to lie down on one of the trooper's beds, while gathering round Mr. Ap' Thomas, we held a hurried council of war. I told what I knew of Purkis, the enormous service he had rendered "Good morning, gentlemen. I suppose you're me-saying nothing, of course, about the bond I hed signed and pointed out that his life was evi- on the look-out for those murdering thieves who "If you mean Tiger Tom and his band, you're dently in the greatest danger while any of Tiger have been making a hell of these parts for some Tom's band was at large, and therefore his fur-time past ?". "But, qrion for question, who may you be?" ther betrayal of his former comrades was now a "You Goa't know me ?" asked the new-comer, matter of self-protection, and quite to be ex-in the right, old man," answered our chief. pected. turning to one of the troopers in our company. "Nor you?" turning to another. "Of course you don't. I doubt if my old mother, if she was alive, would know me now." So it was determined that we should at once set off in the direction he, Purkis, had indicated, leaving five of our men to garrison the station and keep guard over the wounded man till our return, giving them instructions to treat him with every kindness, but on no account to allow him to escape. Indeed, it was not at all likely he could make the attempt, even had he so desired, for each movement seemed to increase the pain of the wound in his shoulder. CHAPTER XXXII. SANDY M'TAVISH AND HIS DOG CRUNCHER.CURED, BUT NOT KILLED.-A VOW OF REVENGE. I GET A GREAT FRIGHT, AND START FOR BLAKE'S STATION. MORNING dawned long before we reached the rising ground called Beacon Hill; and, as might be expected, though the ashes of their fires were to be seen in the gully-thus confirming Purkis's story-the bushrangers were flown. It was now our business to track them, and several troopers, skilled in such matters, dismounted to examine the tracks, one-the old trooper who had once been a convict-exhibiting a sagacity which could scarcely have been surpassed by the "black fellows" themselves. "The band is some seventeen in number," he "but said, as the result of his examination; when they quitted the camp they separated themselves into three portions, the larger going north, the lesser ones striking out east and west.' "We'd better follow their example," said Mr. Ap' Thomas, and accordingly our troop was also divided into three parts, and the separate tracks of the bushrangers carefully followed. After each had pursued the selected track for more than two miles, following it in its most intricate windings, which evidently were intended to throw any followers off the pursuit-for, like the hare, the bushrangers had doubled back and back twenty times, as if anxious to obliterate or rather to confuse all trace of their progresswe emerged from the bush upon a broad open plateau, the three divisions of our troop again coming face to face with each other; the tracks at first so widely diverging, having, with all their manifold twistings and turnings, come at last to one place. "Well, by some cursed negligence on the part As from three different points we rode out of one of you."-here he darted a look at Mr. containing the into the plateau, presenting our carbines at each Ap' Thomas-"the paper warning fell into the hands of Sweet William. other, a roar of laughter burst from nearly all. "That Tiger Tom's a deep one," said Mr. Ap' I needn't say that he knew the handwriting, "You might just as well try to catch though I had attempted to disguise it. So when Thomas, wiping his forehead with an air of much I rode into their camp some six hours ago, I was vexation. received with shouts of welcome, and none were those floating vapours as to catch him." "He a deep one," growled the old trooperOne scoop warmer in friendly greeting than that subtle serpent, 'the man with the mole on his cheek.'"he's as shallow as one of them pools which the The chap who's We had supped like princes, and were washing dew leaves behind it of a morning. down the grub with our pannikins of tea, when of the hand and it's gone. I saw Sweet William whisper in the ear of Tiger up to all the dodges is Sweet William. Tom, and after a time both rose up and glided precious eyes, what a lawyer that chap would away from the circle; at the same time a chap have made if he'd only have kept honest-that My "Why," said the last man he had addressed, leaning down from his saddle; and taking a long done to yourself, mate? You haven't taken to survey of the old stock-keeper's face-"why, if chimbley climbing, have you ?" it isn't Sandy M'Tavish! Why, what have you "Something like it," growled the stockkeeper. "There, you needn't stare any more at me as if I was a prize pig, or had a couple of heads too many. I have been up a chimney, with a fire lighted under me, and all because I wouldn't tell where the money was hidden. Mr. Blake's money, which I'd brought from the Sydney market." As the stock-keeper said these words I rememhad boasted to his friend and associate in crime, bered the act of atrocity of which Tiger Tom Sweet William. "Why, I heard Tiger Tom himself speak of dried, but as dead as a that act of cruelty," I said; "but if my memory herring.' serves me," I added, "when he left you you were not only as highly "He thought I was, the brutal villain; but I've life enough still left in me for one thing, and that's to hunt him into his grave wherever gave his men orders to pitch me into the stream, he may be. When the brigand left my hut he which, fortunately for me, they did, and the that and Cruncher did." (Here he stooped water being shallow, and my head resting on the stone, the cold brought me to, leastways down and patted the dog.) "Cruncher had been away with my son down to Mr. Blake's station, and coming home found me in the quandary I've described to you. The dog saw me first, and drags me out of the water; then somehow or other the pair of them managed to get me back to life again. Then I sends the lad down to tell Mr. Blake of his loss, and to assure him that That's more than four have been on old Sandy M'Tavish won't rest till he has not only the money back, but also the life of the robber who took it. days ago, and Cruncher and "It shall be a gold piece in your pocket if you can," put in Mr. Ap' Thomas, "besides the thanks of the Government." "I don't want your gold nor your thanks neither," was the churlish reply. I've a score to settle as well as you, and what I do is done on my own hook." Here one of our men, an Irishman, gave a laugh. "By the powers!" he said, "it's very nearly done on your own hook that you was just now by your own showing; it's not everybody who "In the long valley near Kangaroo Bottom. I've been searching for their tracks for days past, but like yourselves, I suppose, struck out yonder by the gully and followed them up till Cruncher and me came upon the rascals themselves down in the long valley afore mentioned. Cruncher would have gone at 'em at once, but I kept him back, and, creeping as near as I could, listened. What do you think these daring villains were up to? They had determined to make an attack upon Mr. Blake's station, where, as one of them said-a sly, smoothspoken chap he was, with a mole on his cheekthere was a young parson who could carry out the business they had in view." "Did you hear what that business was ?" "Not clearly, but something concerning a young woman who, as I understood, they held captive amongst them. Heaven help her, poor wench! I'd pity my worst enemy if he or she were a prisoner with such a crew.' THE STOCK-KEEPER AND HIS DOG. Without listening to another word, and with a | Joe, "spur on after him. I have a duty to perbeating heart, I brought my horse alongside to that of Mr. Ap'Thomas. "I ask your permission, sir, to push on in advance. In fact I must do so. This young lady is my relative, a near and dear relative; and more than that"-I said this with a gasp, for it was in vain I endeavoured to hide my emotion'she is my affianced wife!" 66 I could say no more, for my feelings overpowered me, but Stumpy and Joe spoke out well. "Let us accompany Burton to Blake's station," they said; "we will neither spare ourselves nor our horses, but will act with caution when we arrive there, and return to meet you when you have made your way to the same place by a surer though longer road than the one which lies right through the thickest bush. Your duty, sir, precludes all precipitation, which might hazard the end you have in view, but let us reconnoitre beforehand, and you may depend upon our prudence and discretion." To prove, or rather to disprove the latter, I had not waited for Mr. Ap' Thomas's answer, but was already spurring my horse into the bush, taking the direction indicated by the old stock-keeper, when our chief called after me: "Push on, Brian, and the best of luck attend you! And you, lads," addressing Stumpy and form, and must guard against a rashness that may imperil many lives. This good fellow here," touching Sandy M'Tavish on the shoulder with his riding-whip, "will guide us by the longest but surest path. I fully appreciate your feelings and respect them. And be sure of this, that when the hour of danger has come, that you'll find us close beside you." All this Joe and Stumpy reported to me afterwards. I heard not a single word, but with the name of Mary Ashton on my lips dashed into the tangled brushwood. My comrades gave me a ringing cheer, while my two friends, rejoicing in the permission just given, came crashing through the branches behind me. "What is the danger that menaces my Mary ?" I thought; "and what could those villains have meant by speaking of a clergyman? Whatever crime they may contemplate we may yet be in time to frustrate it, or at least, I shall be there should harm have happened, to avenge her." My two friends were riding close beside me, but neither spoke. All of us felt it was no time for words but action, and plying whip and spur, each kept on with resolute face, knitted brow, and firm-set jaw, prepared to rescue, or die for, Mary Ashton. [To be continued.] PROFESSING TO ASK FOR TOBACCO AND A LIGHT, THE PARTY OF INDIANS SURROUNDED US. COULD they see us, or could they not? see the water look thick. P'r'aps they will yet, Tom's advice was so good that we sat for quite "Tom," I said, "it was an act of folly for us to be working there without one of us watching. I tell you what we must do: we must rest till it begins to grow dusk, and then begin, working in the dark. Do you see ?" "Well, I can see now, Mas'r Harry," said Tom, grinning, "but I don't see how I'm going to see then. Hov so be, Mas'r Harry, just as you like. I'm ready when you are." The afternoon passed, the sun disappeared beThe least movement on our parts, a whinny or hind the mountains, and the dark shadows began snort from the mules, would have been sufficient to fall, just as, with a loud shriek, bird after bird to have betrayed our whereabouts, and blood-winged its way out of the cavern for its nightly shed would perhaps have followed; but all remained still save once, when I heard Tom's gunlock give a faint click, just as first one and then another head was being withdrawn. "There, Mas'r Harry," said Tom, in a whisper. "What do you think of that? They're on the look-out for us, you see. And we got grumbling about the little dam breaking, when what did it break to do?-why, to smooth over the rough work we had done, so as those copper-coloured gentlemen shouldn't see it and make a row. But, say, Mas'r Harry, I a'most wonder they didn't quest of food. We stole down to the barrier, I was not so sanguine now of the toil proving I felt pretty sure that they would not venture by night to a cavern whose interior was clothed by them with endless mysterious terrors, though it possessed terrors enough, as we well knew, without the aid of superstition. But, all the same, there was the chance of others having an object in watching us, so every spadeful was thrown out in silence, every word spoken in a whisper. The night came on impenetrably black and obscure, but we worked on, feeling our way lower and lower, taking turn and turn, till once more we stood in the pit we had dug, and commenced groping about with our hands, for the spades told us that we had come to whatever was buried. "More of these yaller stones," said Tom; and we threw out, as quietly as we could, quite a couple of hundred rough lumps about the size of those fragments of granite used for Macadamising a modern road. "Tom," I said, after trying about with my spade, "there's something more here. I believe those pieces were put in to deceive whoever searched." "Let me clear out a little more of the sand, Mas'r Harry." He threw out a few more spadefuls, filling the spade each time with his hands so as to throw out nothing more than sand; and then once more we began to feel about. |