Page 96 - In A New World

"What!" exclaimed the shepherd in profound astonishment, "Captain
Stockton murdered! When? By whom?"

Of course Harry told the story, but that need not be repeated.

The shepherd listened in evident excitement.

"If this is true," he said, "nothing better could have happened for this part of
Australia. This man--Stockton--is noted everywhere as the most desperate

and cruel of the bushrangers. I can't begin to tell you how many atrocious
crimes he has committed. He killed my brother in cold blood three years
since,"--here the shepherd's face darkened--"because he defended the

property of another, and tried to save it from being stolen. If he is dead I am
deeply, profoundly grateful!"

"You need have no doubt on that point, sir," said Harry. "Jack and myself
saw him shot down. There can be no doubt of his death."

"I believe you speak the truth. You don't look as if you were deceiving me.

So you took the opportunity to give the bushrangers legbail, eh?"

"We didn't stay to bid them good-by," said Harry, smiling. "We ran till we

were out of breath, but saw no one on our track. Probably it was some time
before we were thought of, and our escape noticed. We have been walking

ever since, and were ready to drop with hunger and fatigue when we espied
the light of your cottage, and ventured to ask for help."

"You are welcome to all that we can do for you," said the shepherd, his
tone changing. "I was suspicious at first, for the bushrangers are up to all

sorts of tricks, but the news you have brought insures you a welcome. At
last my poor brother is avenged, and the bloodthirsty villain who killed him
has gone to his account. You don't know who is elected in his place?"

"No, sir, we came away at once."

"Of course, of course; I should have thought of that."