If we had once given the matter a thought, we might have known that the bushrangers would return to their camp by break of day, for the purpose of securing their effects which they had left behind, and to talk over the matter of the spiritual apparition.  I almost regretted that we had not, during their absence, endeavored to gain some secure retreat, either at the station on our right, which our Day belonged to, and where it was thought the bushrangers would not have dared to follow us, or else having struck out boldly for Mount Tarrengower, endeavored to have discovered a path or trail that led over the mountain, where we might have found safety.  In case no trail existed, we could have secreted ourselves in one of the dark glens on the side of the Mount, and remained there until Day had brought us word that the coast was clear.

Even Mr. Brown and the ghost began to look black when the peculiar calls, which we knew were signals employed by the bushrangers, saluted us.  Daylight was already upon us, and the occupation of our apparition was at an end, for however horrid he might look during darkness, the light of the sun revealed his true character, and stripped him of his ghastly look.

As it was impossible for us to venture from the island while the robbers infested the woods, we naturally turned to each other for advice and counsel.  Mr. Brown considered that our only chance for safety was to remain where we were, and wait patiently until Sam and his gang were disposed to vacate the woods, and he argued shrewdly that they would not pass a second night in a locality that had been the scene of a cold-blooded murder, and the appearance of a ghost of the most frightful description.

The shepherd was in favor of the same plan, and expressed himself ready to fight like a Briton in case we were attacked, and to show his sincerity, revealed to us the state of his powder horn, half full of diamond glazed, while his pouch contained nearly thirty bullets, each weighing an ounce.

Luckily we had taken the precaution to remove Mr. Brown’s gray horse from the main land to the island, so that no trace of our presence remained, excepting the footprints of the animals.

“I think,” said Day, after a moment’s hesitation, “that I can venture to meet the coveys and have a talk with ’em, and endeavor to allay their suspicions if they have any.”

Of course Mr. Brown and myself remonstrated against such a measure, as we considered that his life would not be worth one of his sheepskins if met by the gang.

“I don’t know ’bout that,” Day replied.  “The coveys ain’t so fond of killing stockmen, if they don’t meddle too much with their mutton, and I’m sure whenever gentlemanly Sam and his boys have honored me with a visit, I have let ’em have their own way, and they have killed without hinderance.  If that isn’t treating ’em well, then I was not larnt manners.”

“There is some force in what you say,” Mr. Brown replied.