They were far enough away from the rest of the party to carry on their conversation unheard--otherwise, neither Harry nor his informant would have ventured to speak with so much freedom. At this eulogium, however, Harry scanned, with some curiosity, the face and figure of the famous bushranger, who was sitting about three rods distant. He was a man of large frame, powerfully built, with hair and beard black as night, and keen, penetrating eyes that seemed to look through those upon whom they were fixed. He had about him an air of command and conscious authority, so that the merest stranger could not mistake his office. About his mouth there was something which indicated sternness and cruelty. He was a man to inspire fear, and Harry, after a steady examination, felt no surprise at the man"s reputation.
"How long has he been captain?" asked Harry.
"Ever since I joined the band," answered the young man. "I don"t know how much longer."
"How long have you been a member of the band?"
"Five years."
"You must have been a mere boy when you joined."
"I was seventeen. I am twenty-two now."
"I should like to ask you a question, but you may not like to answer it."
"Go on! If I don"t care to answer, I will tell you so."
"What induced you to join the bushrangers?"
"I will tell you," said the young man, showing neither offence nor reluctance. "I was employed in Melbourne in a business establishment.
One of my fellow-clerks stole some money, and, to screen himself, managed to implicate me by concealing a part of the stolen money in my coat pocket. I knew no way to prove my innocence, and my employer was not a man to show pity, so I escaped from Melbourne and took refuge in the bush. There I fell in with Captain Stockton, who offered me a place in his band. I accepted, and here I am."
"But for the act of your fellow clerk you would have been an honest business man today, then?"
"Very likely."
"What a pity!" said Harry regretfully, for he was much attracted by the open face and pleasant manners of the young man.
"So I thought at first, but I became used to it. After a while I grew to like the free life of the bush."
"I don"t call it free. You can"t go back to Melbourne for fear of arrest."
"Oh, yes, I have been there several times," said the young man carelessly.
"How did you manage it?" asked Harry, puzzled.
"I disguised myself. Sometimes the captain sends me on special business."
"Like Fletcher?" asked Harry quickly.
"No; I shouldn"t like that work. It suits him, however."
"I never should have taken you for a bushranger. You look too honest."
The other laughed.
"I think I was meant to be an honest man," he said. "That is, I am better suited to it. But fate ordained otherwise."
"Fate?"
"Yes; I believe that everything that happens to us is fated, and could not have been otherwise."
"You think, then, that you were fated to be a bushranger?"
"I am sure of it."
"That, then, accounts for it not troubling you."
"You are right. We can"t kick against fate, you know."
"I shouldn"t like to believe as you do," said Harry earnestly.
"You"ll come to believe it sooner or later," said the outlaw, with an air of conviction.
"Then what is the use of trying to lead a good and honorable life?"
"That"s just what I say. There isn"t any use."
Harry had never before met anyone holding such views of fate. He was interested, but repelled. He felt that he could not and would not accept any such idea, and he said so.
"You"ll change your mind after you become one of us," said his companion.
"After what?" e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Harry.
"After you become one of us."
"But that will never be. How can you think such a thing!"
"Because I know it is to be. Why do you think the captain brought you here? He had your money, and couldn"t get any more out of you."
"Do you really mean what you say?" asked Harry, his heart filled with a sickening apprehension that this might be true.
"Of course I do. The captain likes young people. You two boys are smart and bright, and he is going to make you members of the band."
"He can"t! I"ll die first!" exclaimed Harry with suppressed energy.
"You will see. But hush! don"t speak so loud. For my part I shall be very glad to have you among us. You will be companions for me. You are only about a year younger than I was when I joined."
At this moment their companion was called away, and Harry, bending toward Jack, whispered in his ear: "I am afraid he is right about the captain"s intentions. We must try to escape as soon as there is any chance."
"I"m with you," Jack whispered back.
CHAPTER XIII.
A TRIAL AND ITS TRAGIC FINALE.