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They reached me just in time. I was weak and helpless from my fails; had lost all hope; was terrified at my position; and felt that the few hours I had been there I had lived a lifetime—and that my end was near. Oh! how glad I was. How passionately I thanked them, and even hugged them in my rapturous joy.
We sooned gained the mouth of the cave, and when I saw the glorious sunlight, and realised that I was saved, I lifted my heart, and prayed that my vow in the cave might never he broken.
CHAPTER IV.— Retribution.
When we reached the station we found that Dowling and Price had been there, and had stolen a gun, two pistols, all the ammunition that was handy, besides provisions for their journey. We discussed, was it wise to pursue? I pointed out "if we did blood would be shed—probably our own—as they were better armed than we were." Being the greatest sufferer, the decision was left to me. In the interests of our party, and because my life had been spared, I decided not to follow them. My companions consented, at the same time saying the "just retribution of Heaven" would overtake them.
Two years later Maitland, Mac, and myself left for Adelaide. Going through the Ninety-mile Desert one night our horses strayed. Whilst searching for them the next morning Mac. pointed Lo a heap of bleached human bones. Near by, almost buried in sand, were a battered canteen and a rusty pistol. These we recognised as having been the property of Dowling. Scratched in the canteen after some difficulty these words were made out—"We are dying from thirst." Thus they miserably perished.
