was a party in search of them, and so as I hadn't been in a scrimmage for a long while, niver since I left dear ould Ireland, I told my wife I was going to look for wild cattle, and by the powers I've found 'em. As for my Masther, Misther Ruffin, he's here somewhere, and wont he enjoy himself by and by." During the conversation, the owner of the station joined them, but he carried no weapon. After mutual recognitions, Dodge inquired the reason.
"Reason enough," he replied in rather a surly tone, "all my arms are in possession of the fellows who now occupy my place yonder. Ruffin and some friends called on me this morning to ask my aid in an endeavour to take the bush-rangers. I had agreed, we had made all arrangements and were sat down to a comfortable breakfast, when, before you could say Jack Robbinson, d——-—e if they hadn't taken us. There were ten, all mounted, one of 'em on my own horse, and they rushed the hut. Unfortunately, all our arms had been piled outside, ready for a start, and when I had reached the door expecting to find some fellows come to join us, I was met by an ugly-looking brute who poked the muzzle of a pistol in my face and inquired whether I could take a hint. 'We don't want to hurt any one' he said, 'but we mean to stock ourselves with provisions, that's all. What we have to do, we wish done without bloodshed; that's all I have to say, so hold my horse.'
"Your horse," said I, "why its mine."
"'Come, no grumbling' he replied, as he glanced to one of his gang who stood a few paces from the door. I was mightily inclined to mount as I took the bridle from his hand, but I didn't care to leave my companions in a fix. They fared no better than myself. One of them who ventured to make some show of resistance with a carving knife, was unceremoniously knocked down with the but end of a pistol, and the rest were
