Page 187 - In A New World

It is doubtful whether this would have been the case, but luckily for our
three friends one of the escort--by name Warner--was taking a walk in the

woods, and heard the whistle. His curiosity was excited, and peering
through the trees he saw the bushrangers and their captives.

He was a man of promptness, and returning to the camp with all expedition
made a report to the officer in command.

"How many are there in the band?" inquired Captain Forbush.

Warner reported.

The captain immediately started, under Warner's guidance, with ten men,
and arranged to intercept the bushrangers.

The first intimation Fletcher had of his danger was the sudden appearance
of the government soldiers, who broke through the underbrush and took the

astonished bushrangers in the flank.

"Surrender instantly, or you are dead men!" exclaimed Forbush sternly.

Fletcher fell back in dismay, and was at first speechless with consternation.

"Do you surrender?" repeated the government officer impatiently.

Fletcher's eye ran over the party that confronted him. They outnumbered
his own forces two to one. He felt that resistance would be useless.

"We will release our captives if you let us go," he said.

"So you would make conditions? You are in no condition to do that. We
propose to free your captives, and to take you to our camp."

"You had better not," said Fletcher, hoping to intimidate the officer. "Our

main band is close at hand, and they will avenge us."