Fred laughed good naturedly, and spoke jestingly in reply.

“That was because you never freighted Americans.  Englishmen may consent to have their boots pulled off, but Yankees would be apt to remonstrate.”

“I hope that we shall have no occasion to test your courage,” said Smith; “but if we meet Black Darnley, I shall not blame you for keeping quiet.”

“And who is Black Darnley?” we asked.

“An escaped convict, who has been at large for three years; and, in spite of the two hundred pounds reward, no one has ventured to attempt his capture.  He swears that he will never be taken alive, and he will keep his word.  He has no fear of two or even three ordinary men, for he possesses the strength of a Hercules and the desperation of a wounded tiger.  Of all the bushrangers on the island, he is the worst; and yet he always treats me well, and lets me pass without levying toll, for he and I are old acquaintances, and often have a social chat together about times gone by.”

“Tell us where you first met him,” we said, crowding nearer the convict to hear his story.

“Wait until we halt for a rest and feed the cattle.  Half a mile from here is a small stream of water, and under the shade of some trees near at hand, we’ll boil our coffee, and then I’ll tell you about my first meeting with Black Darnley.”

As it was about noon, and we had travelled near twelve miles, the proposed halt was any thing but disagreeable.  Besides, the sun was nearly overhead, burning and scorching us with its intense rays, and causing the oxen to protrude their tongues and drag their weary feet along as though they hardly possessed life enough to reach the water spoken of.

A sharp crack of Smith’s whip and the cattle started into life again; and as he continued to flourish the dreaded lash over their heads, they kept up their speed until we reached the stream, which slowly trickled through dry plains, with scorched grass and withered shrubs; but, near the banks of the river, which during the rainy season became a mighty torrent, green trees and rank grass afforded an agreeable shade from the burning sun.

The cattle were unyoked, and allowed to wander where they pleased, Smith being confident of finding them near the water when he got ready to start.

“Black Darnley, as he is called, owing to his swarthy complexion,” began Smith, after a fire was made, and water for the coffee started to boiling, “was transported in the same ship as myself; but our conduct during the passage to Australia was widely different, he was rebellious, and I docile.  He was half the time wearing irons, and when free from fetters endeavoring to create a mutiny.  I never meditated any such project, and threatened one time to disclose his plans if he did not give them up.