Part 37 (2/2)
”Then go ahead and rob the government train yourself”
Colson saw that he was helpless, and nified his assent
”Very well, then,” said Fletcher, ”you may come with us, and I will introduce you to the captain By the ho found the nugget? You have not told me that”
”A Yankee and two boys”
”What was the Yankee's naerly
”Stackpole--Obed Stackpole”
Fletcher whistled
”I know the man,” he said ”The boys are about sixteen--one a sailor?”
”Yes”
”I know the I should like better than to take all they have and leave them penniless”
”I don't like the this was the way to curry favor with his new acquaintance
”You know them also?”
”Yes; they have treated me meanly”
Colson probably referred to their substituting a co him to mortification and disappointment
Fletcher asked hied into the woods, and led his party to the headquarters of the bushrangers
CHAPTER xxxI
TAKEN CAPTIVE
The new recruits, on being introduced to the captain of the bushrangers, were subjected to a searching exa arisen in his overnment to lure the outlaws into a trap He was convinced after a while that they were acting in good faith, and a conference was called to decide what should be done in the et, of course, would be a valuable prize, but it would be impossible to dispose of it in Melbourne, as the fact of its discovery would have been published, and any person atte to sell it would be instantly arrested This vieas held by Captain Ring himself
”That objection is easily met,” said Fletcher
”In ay?”
”One of the band could be sent to America to dispose of it He could carry it in his trunk as ordinary luggage”