shot his horse through the heart, wishing to take Melrose alive, who, on coming to earth with his horse, got entrapped, having one leg fast under the carcase.
Charlie sprung from his saddle to disarm him, but on approaching him, received the other charge in his left side, which made him stagger, but the ball fortunately glanced off his powder flask, which he carried in the breast pocket of his coat. "Shoot me, you villain, you have a charmed life," roared the disappointed bushranger; but his captor refused the demand, and secured him on the spot.
The combat between the other two did not last so long, for on exchanging shots, Williams fell wounded, and became an easy captive to his active antagonist.
A party of troopers who were scouring the neighbourhood, through the information of Mr. Ramsey, were attracted by the firing, and made for the spot, when the bushrangers were handed over to their charge.
On Charlie's return to Mr. Forbes', a scene presented itself which was heartrending to behold. Miss Forbes, who a short time before was in the height of happiness, was now the picture of despair as she lay upon her couch. The family, who had been congratulating her so recently, were now bewailing her approaching end in the noontide of her youth and beauty, and heaping execrations on the head of the destroyer of their peace. The clergyman, who had come to solemnise her marriage, was now engaged in administering to her dying moments.
On seeing Charlie return, she feebly beckoned to him; when he approached her, she whispered in his ear, "you have not taken his life?" Charlie told her that he had not, but that he had secured him. She then replied—"Thanks, I shall now die happy. I feared that you, above all others, should stain your hands with his blood, since you were the saviour of our family from disgrace; but alas! you are unable to save my life, which is as well, I hope. Farewell, may your life be longer and happier than mine." She then called around to her the weeping family, and after an affecting adieu, breathed her last.
The excitement manifested on the apprehension and trial of the bushrangers had never been equalled in the
