As mute as fox mid1 mangling2 hounds.
And when he died, his parting groan3
Had more of laughter than of moan!
The loud baying of a dog awoke the desperadoes concealed4 in the cavern5. It was broad daylight, and they quickly discovered that the outlet6 to their retreat was beset7. In the intervals8 of the clamour made by their canine9 assailants, they could hear many human voices, whose expressions denoted their certainty that they had at last tracked the ruffian Foxley and his bloodthirsty band to their harbourage, while the tone of one, who seemed to be in authority, was now distinguishable; who, after stilling the fierce baying of his four-footed allies, demanded if any man present knew what sort of a cave it was. Another voice replied to this enquiry, that it was very large, but had only this one outlet.
Directly afterwards the leader shouted out, “Foxley, we know you are here, and you may as well come out, for we will carry away the hill by handfuls, but what we will have you!”
To this invitation the person addressed made no reply, but busily occupied himself in loading all his fire-arms, in which example he was imitated by his companions, and the whole three now took up positions on one side commanding the entrance, which, it will be remembered, was so low that a man must creep upon all fours to come in.
Again and again the garrison10 of the cave was hailed, but still preserved an obstinate11 silence. At last a figure appeared at the opening, worming its way in. The head was hardly well in sight when the reports of three muskets12 resounded14 with terrific effect through the cavern. The cap fell off the intruder, which now proved to be merely a long pole, dressed up for the nonce to ascertain15 the impediments which might offer to freedom of ingress. A loud shout greeted the success of this stratagem16 by the assailants, and once more Foxley was hailed, to tell him if he did not come out and surrender they would smother17 him and all his companions with smoke, as they did the rats on board ship.
“You may try that and be damned,” growled18 the dauntless ruffian m reply.
Nor was it long before dense19 volumes of smoke filled the hold, rolling in thick, yellow, suffocating20 masses into every nook and cranny, until the inmates21 had no resource to preserve their lives; save by lying down flat on their faces and placing mouths and nostrils22 to the ground. The women were in great fear, but restrained themselves from making any noisy demonstrations23 of it, and they at length found a spot much more free from this suffocating vapour than any other part of the cavern. Owing to its being placed far back, beyond the narrow slit24 before mentioned as serving the bushrangers for a chimney, they were much more at ease.
For two hours the fire was kept up. It was then slackened, and voices could again be heard outside: they were speculating upon the probability of any of the marauders being still alive. Presently the former stratagem was repeated; but this time it produced no effect, the bushrangers being apparently25 determined26 now not to throw away a charge of ammunition27 until they should be certain of their mark, and the pole was in consequence shortly withdrawn28. A volley of musketry was next discharged through the opening; but the balls rattled29 idly against the rocky roof of the bushrangers’ fortress30, as the latter, being all lying on the floor, and the pieces apparently elevated at their muzzles31 in firing, all the shot passed harmlessly over them.
Three of the assailants now came creeping in, one of whom was rather before the other two. Foxley sprang to his feet, placed himself beside the entrance without noise, and the instant the man’s head was within his reach, the brass-bound stock of the ruffian’s musket13 descended32 upon it with such force that the skull33 was shattered as absolutely as if it had been but a walnut34 shell, the blood and brains of the victim flying in the faces of his two compeers, who both uttered cries of pain as McCoy and Smith discharged their pieces at them. But these two either withdrew from the opening immediately or were pulled back by their associates outside, for they disappeared directly, while the dead body of their comrade still cumbered the entrance.
The bushrangers, having now reloaded their pieces, discharged all three of them together at random36 through the orifice after the fugitives37, which served at least to clear their immediate35 front. The voices were not so distinctly heard any more; but fire was renewed, and the smoke reappeared in greater volume than ever. After some time Foxley went to the split or rift38 that had as yet proved their salvation39 by allowing part of the smoke to escape. After looking at it for some time, he motioned McCoy to him, and they both began to fashion some pegs40 out of the remains41 of their firewood, and these they drove into various parts of the side so as to form a rude kind of ladder on which the leader soon got. These enabled him to reach a projecting pinnacle42 that concealed portion of the orifice above them, and he quickly afterwards threw down a quantity of rubbish into the cave and got still higher. At last he was seen or heard no longer for some minutes.
When Foxley made his reappearance he seemed in great joy, and Ralph heard him, addressing one of the girls, say, “Thanks to old Nick, Sophy, we can all get out of this smothering43 hole as easy as kiss your hand. I’ve been right up to the top, seen all them beggars below, busy heaping more wood on to the fire. But they could not see me, and there’s a gully within a hundred yards of the mouth of the hole. If we could only get there unseen, they might bid us good-bye.”
This news being communicated to Smith and McCoy, the flight began, with Foxley getting up first to help the women, that followed him closely. McCoy was after them, to render any assistance that might be required. Rashleigh came next, loaded with food, and Smith closed the retreat. After the pinnacle or ledge44 which served them for a landing-place was once gained, the difficulty in ascending45 was really but very slight, the chasm46 being wide enough to allow even Ralph, burdened as he was, to squeeze along it; and the angle of inclination47 was not by any means too steep to walk up.
When Rashleigh reached the top, their female companions were already gone, and the thick shrubs48, coupled with the smoke that rolled over the face of the hill and the natural inequalities of the place, effectually concealed them from the view of those beneath, whom they could however hear plainly enough stimulating49 each other to increased exertion50 and venting51 many a bitter execration52 upon the heads of Foxley and his ruffian fellows.
The bushrangers did not long remain to remark the proceedings53 of their foes54, but took their way to the gully, along which they rapidly passed, nor paused an instant in their headlong haste, until they had placed the hill between themselves and their assailants, whom they soon left far behind them.
They pursued their hurried flight westward55 with the greatest speed they could exert, nor did they see a single living thing during the whole of that day. At nightfall, deep in the recesses56 of a darksome and rocky ravine of the mountain, they at length halted and stretched themselves upon the ground to rest, not daring to light any fire for the preparation of food even in this solitude57, as fear urged upon them that they might be close pursued, and the gleam of a light in such a waste would immediately attract the attention of those whom they most desired to shun58.
In the dead of the night Foxley roared out, “Help! Murder! I am choking . . . Take his hand from my throat. Oh!”
Upon his comrades’ going to his assistance, they found him in a kind of fit, with his eyes wide open, foaming59 at the mouth, raving60 incoherent muttering sounds and gnashing his teeth. They obtained some water, by the application of which he partially61 revived; but he was no sooner able to stand than he got up and ran off at full speed. McCoy directed Smith to look out after our adventurer, and follow them. He then hastened on the tracks of the other, whom they all thought had gone mad.
Smith now, by blows and curses, compelled Rashleigh to get up and renew the flight, stumbling in the darkness over fallen trees, at times falling into cavities worn by mountain streams, yet not allowed to stay for a single instant by his brutal62 companions, to whom fear lent wings, because they believed the avengers of blood to be at their heels. Our unhappy adventurer was hurried along for four and twenty hours more through the heart of the mountains; and when, at last, they deemed themselves in a slight degree of safety, they halted on the edge of the valleys of the Comnaroy, at least 140 miles distant from the scene of their last outrage63.
As if to add to the discomfort64 of these guilty wretches67, the weather, which had been variable for some time, now settled into a perfect deluge68 of wet. The loudest peals69 of heaven-born artillery70 reverberated71 through the sky. The forked lightnings played around them upon every side in broad and vivid sheets of flame. The loftiest trees were crashed to the earth, and the rain descended in such torrents72 that every small level spot was converted into a standing73 pool.
The houseless wretches, who did not even possess the means of stripping a sheet of bark, the ordinary resource of bushmen in Australia upon such occasions, were now perfectly74 miserable75. Overpowered with the fatigue76 of their superhuman exertions77 in the hurried flight, they yet could only rest in a miry pool or snatch brief and dangerous repose78 by leaning against trees, liable every instant they did so to be hurried into eternity79 by an explosion of the electric fluid. Firing, of course, was beyond their reach, for had they even succeeded in lighting80 a scanty81 flame, it could endure but few moments beneath such torrents of rain as continually were falling. Their scanty clothing was quickly drenched82 and all their food spoilt, but these they felt to be minor83 evils compared to the want of repose, which they one and all so much needed. The vilest84 hovel which could afford them shelter would have been hailed with heartfelt joy as superior to that experienced in the possession of a palace.
There has been an idea prevalent in almost all bygone ages and nearly every country under heaven, that men whose crimes have been so atrocious that they actually seemed to cry aloud to heaven for vengeance85, have at length been utterly86 cast off as unworthy the divine mercy, and that they appear even in this world to feel a foretaste of those torments87 to which they are doomed88, the anguish89 of which deprives them of reason and renders their ruin more easy and certain.
The Scottish language has at this day a word expressive90 of the national belief in such a doctrine91. It is fey, and is used to designate the conduct of a man who rushes, as it were, upon destruction; and the old Romans used to say, quem deus vult perdere, prius dementat.
To this notion Ralph Rashleigh ever inclined in his after life from having witnessed the conduct of the villain92 Foxley during those dreadful three days they spent in the Comnaroy swamps. This ruffian, who had by his own account been repeatedly guilty of every crime that stains the decalogue and of others so atrocious that they are not named among Christians94, in short, whose soul was so despoiled95 with blood-stained guilt65 that it might have dyed the waters of the vast ocean, was here delivered up a prey96 to the sharpest pangs97 of remorse98. Twenty times in a day would he now exemplify the truth of the sacred word which states that “the wicked flee when no man pursueth”. Often he would seem to have his staring eye-balls fixed99 on vacancy100, until a strong, fierce shuddering101 came over his whole frame, and he fell to the earth, raving ever that he was being choked, or that dogs were tearing him piecemeal102. Then, after the humble103 means his colleagues in crime possessed104 had been effectually used for his resuscitation105, he would start to his feet and run with frantic106 speed until his strength was exhausted107 or his failing limbs struck against some obstacles that hurled108 him headlong to the ground.
During all this time he spoke109 not one reasonable word, and if either Smith or McCoy went near him would fix his unspeakably wild eyes upon their faces as if he knew them not. But when they began to speak kindly110 to him, he would glare wildly for a few seconds and at last would get up and run, or endeavour to strike them to the earth. On the evening of the third day Ralph overheard a conversation between McCoy and Smith, from the terms of which it seemed they were at last agreed that their leader had become hopelessly mad, and they now deliberated whether they had better kill him. Smith suggested for them to toss up who should do this, and then, cutting off Foxley’s head, go in and deliver it, telling a plausible111 tale of the hardships he had perforce to sustain to capture the ruffian, by which means as this both, or at any rate one of the two, might at least earn pardon for himself, with the hope of a reward of freedom or promotion112 besides.
McCoy did not appear much to relish113 this plan; but Smith urged so many cogent114 arguments in its favour that at last it was mutually agreed to think over the scheme until morning, and the ruffians withdrew to the scanty covert115 of boughs116 which they had put up to shelter them in some measure from the pelting117 of the pitiless storm, which still continued unabated, and indeed appeared likely to last for many days yet.
Rashleigh had contrived118 a kind of lair119 for himself by breaking up a number of boughs, which he laid on the earth, the larger sticks downwards120, confining them in their places by stakes set upright on each side, This he roofed with other bare boughs first, and at length thatched with small leafy twigs122 tied up in bundles. This very meagre shelter, however, he did not complete until the evening of the third day, for it was very troublesome, as he had only a small knife for a stock of working tools. Yet when completed, the loose sticks beneath permitted a passage for the water under his body, while the leafy thatch121 — the leaves being carefully placed all one way — kept him a little dry overhead. He proceeded to take an immeasurable quantity of repose, which was so very needful, especially after the long fatigue and continual drenching123 he had received.
It was late on the morning of the fourth day when a great commotion124 induced our adventurer to peep out of his bothy. He saw Foxley down, bleeding profusely126, and doubted not that his two compeers had indeed made up their minds to sacrifice him as they had spoken of doing the previous night; but he quickly found out it was an accident, induced by the chief’s having started madly up, as before, and fallen over a root. His head had come in contact with a sharp-pointed stone, cutting a deep gash127 above his temple, which his companions were now vainly endeavouring to close so as to stanch128 the bleeding, which indeed was profuse125; nor was it until Foxley must have lost nearly two quarts of blood that their rude bandage produced its wished-for effect.
The wounded bushranger lay nearly three hours in a torpid129 state; and when he at length unclosed his eyes, it was evident that reason had returned, for he spoke in a soft and very low voice, asking McCoy, whom he addressed by name, where they were; and he seemed much surprised when he was told the distance they had travelled. After taking a drink of water, Foxley went once more to sleep, and as the rain had now gone completely away, the others were enabled to do so likewise, on some drier part, more agreeably than they had yet done since they left Richmond. The next day, being the fifth of their sojourn130 here, during which time they had had but one meal, Foxley was very hungry; and as his fellow-marauders felt the assaults of the same enemy, they determined to set about robbing some settlement in order to obtain provisions. They therefore followed the banks of the Comnaroy rivulet131, not doubting but that they would discover some stock — or sheep-station, of which there were a good many to the right of the Bathurst country.
They now turned southwards along the edge of the brook132; but it was not until the forenoon of the next day that they at last descried133 a small hut and stockyard, which occupied the centre of a little natural clearing. The door of the dwelling134 was open, and smoke was ascending the chimney.
The bushrangers deliberated together how they might best approach it without being perceived by the inmates, until they should be too close for any of them to escape. At length they all made a circuit, by which they gained the back of the place, still keeping among the trees. Here Foxley and Smith disencumbered themselves of all their burdens, taking only a gun in the hand, and pistols in the belt of each; and throwing themselves on their faces, began to crawl through the grass in that manner. Rashleigh who was left in the charge of McCoy, was lying down behind a log, but could see the space around the hut without any difficulty. He observed that just as the two desperadoes had reached one corner of the stockyard, a man came out of the dwelling with a whip in his hand, and now approached a small shed built against the end of it, from which he led forth135 a horse ready saddled and bridled136. He had his foot in the stirrup and was apparently about to mount when the two bushrangers stood up and presenting their pieces at him, ordered him to halt on peril138 of death. But the man, just casting one glance at them, vaulted139 lightly into the saddle and struck his horse with the spur, so that the animal bounded off.
After the rider had passed the covert of the hut, he rode within twenty yards of Foxley and Smith, who again roared out to him to stop; but he shook his bridle137 rein140, and on sped the active colt he bestrode. Both the bushrangers fired simultaneously141. The rider’s hat flew off, pierced by the slugs from Smith’s musket. That the horseman was yet unharmed a loud cheer soon satisfied all within hearing of it, and he was quickly lost to view among the trees, riding south at the top of his speed. His opponents now reloaded their pieces, and calling upon McCoy to join them, disappeared into the hovel.
When Rashleigh and his guard arrived at the door they found the three inmates of the hut upon their knees, while Foxley, with a pistol in each hand, was raving at them and threatening them all with instant death. As soon as Smith saw McCoy about to enter, he made a significant motion, as if indicating his disgust at the present proceedings of their leader, and added a gesture, as if he only sought the assent142 of his comrade to fire his piece into Foxley’s back.
But McCoy shook his head in disapprobation of this proposal, and instead of it said to his leader, “I say, Phil, don’t be in a passion, but let us make these crawlers get us a feed ready, for I’m very hungry.”
“Is that you, Sandy?” demanded the insane ruffian. “I thought these beggars had got you taken, and I was just a-going to slaughter143 them for it.
“Oh no!” returned the other. “I’m not taken yet! Come, get up, you chaps, and let us see what you have got to eat.” And the trembling inmates, thus released from the fear of immediate death, began to bustle144 about in order to make ready food for these unwelcome visitors.
One of these stockmen was very tall and had a singularly forbidding, lugubrious145 expression of countenance146, upon which Foxley fixed his eyes repeatedly, sometimes with a vacant look of interrogation, and at others with an angry frown. At last his diseased imagination prompted the bushranger, and he spoke.
“I say, you great long fellow, what’s your name?”
The man tremblingly replied, “Allen. William Allen is my name.”
“You lie, blast you!” roared the querist; “for you are long Hempenstall, that used to hang the rebels long ago in Ireland!”
“I am sure, sir,” returned the terrified object of this address, “I never was in Ireland in my life!”
“Now, I say, Sandy,” persisted Foxley, “An’t it a hard case that such a varmint of a caterpillar147 as that should strive to make a man like me out a liar148? I tell you”— to the stockrnan —“you are the walking gallows149! I have heard my father talk about you when I was little, how you used to go about with ropes, and when the soldiers would catch a couple of rebels, they would tie them together by the neck and throw them over your shoulder so that they was choked!”
The poor man here muttered it was not possible it could be him, as he was only twenty-two years of age.
“There!” roared the brutal Foxley, cruel even in insanity150. “Say so again, and I’ll tear your tongue out by the roots.”
“Never mind the long ghost, Phil,” now interposed McCoy. “The feed is ready. Come along!” And he persuaded the ruffian to go to the table.
Before Foxley would begin to eat, however, he pulled a pistol out of his belt and laid it beside him. And after their meal he roared out for the object of his suspicious hatred151, whom he persisted in calling Hempenstall, and caused him to sing for his sport; then, taking down a stockwhip, he flogged him for making ugly faces.
The next vagary152 he engaged in was making all the three inmates of the hut dance jigs153, he himself repeatedly quickening their steps by lashing154 them upon the legs. And these and other diversions he prolonged until after sunset, in spite of the entreaties155 of Smith and McCoy, who wished to be gone from the place, fearing the approach of some assailants, whom the horseman that had escaped would most probably dispatch to apprehend156 them.
To all the desires and urgent requests of Smith and McCoy that he would leave this hut, Foxley only at first replied by an idiotic157 laugh; but when towards nightfall they became more pressing in their instances, he worked himself into a fury, bidding them begone by themselves. Nor was it until after dark that he would set off, and even then insisted on passing the night in a thicket158 scarcely a mile from the scene of their last robbery.
Early the next morning the bushrangers were about to proceed, but had scarcely begun their march before they found there was a camp of native blacks close at hand, who had obviously seen them first and were now preparing for the attack. An obstinate conflict ensued before the sable159 sons of the forest were sufficiently160 dispersed161 to enable the marauders to pursue their flight; and when at last they gave way in front, they hung upon the skirts and rear of the route taken by the bushrangers, frequently discharging a spear or boomerang at one or other of the white men.
In the afternoon the blacks seemed to relax in their pursuit, and when at length the fugitives imagined themselves in a place of sufficient security to warrant their halting, not one of their assailants had been heard or seen for upward of two hours. The harassing162 nature of their day’s march, carried on in continual dread93, without food since the previous evening, made rest with a prospect163 of refreshment164 very welcome to all, and each one set himself busily to work to assist in the preparation of their supper.
They were all engaged in partaking of this meal when suddenly a wild cry of a most thrilling and savage165 kind burst from a neighbouring thicket and a perfect shower of spears and other native missiles rained among them, some of which knocked both McCoy and Rashleigh over as they sat, without however very materially injuring either. Smith and Foxley leaped on their feet and fired into the thicket. A yell of anguish followed the discharge, which was redoubled when the latter — whose whole conduct seemed to have undergone a complete change, his reason appearing to return at the approach of danger — now, with a smile of malignant166 satsfaction, seized a fire stick, and calling on his companions to follow him, set fire to the scrubby thicket that concealed their enemies.
Smith and McCoy instantly copied his example, running hither and thither167 with their blazing brands, until the whole of the seared undergrowth was in a flame. The breeze, blowing freshly from the west, seconded their efforts, and the destructive element, flying on the wings of the wind, soon outstripped168 the efforts of the unfortunate aborigines to escape. Many frantic yells testified their agony at the torments by which they were thus suddenly encircled, and their unconquerable enemy, the fire, seemed like the hydra169, on every hand expanding its devouring170 jaws171 to receive them; while the noise of the advancing flames, as they reared their fiery172 heads on high, until with blazing tongues they licked the tops of the loftiest forest trees, was a perfectly appalling173 compound of roaring, crackling and hissing174, while ever and anon the explosion of some small receptacle of pent-up air appeared like a discharge of musketry.
A few of the boldest of the blacks charged the bushrangers through the flames, and two or three of them were shot down in the attempt, the rest scouring175 away in the direction of their camp, but so fearfully scorched176 that it seemed highly problematical whether any of them could survive. The fire, now having exhausted all it could feed upon in this neighbourhood, was posting on toward the east, spreading its destructive ravages177 on every side and illuminating178 the sky for many a mile with a lurid179 glow.
Foxley, after laughing at the retreating foes in a scornful manner, said, “They say a burned child dreads180 the fire. if so, I should think we might now get our suppers without any fear of them black beggars coming back to disturb us!”
“I don’t know that,” remarked McCoy. “Maybe they might come after us the more now to try for revenge. I’ve heard say the blacks in this part will follow any man that does them an injury an hundred miles, but what they will sarve him out for it!”
“Well, then, maybe so,” rejoined Foxley. “All we’ve got to do is to keep a sharp look-out, for I don’t think they’ll be like to sneak181 upon us through the scrub any more after the warming they got!” And the party once more sat down to their food, which they finished in peace; nor were they again molested182 during that night.
Having resumed their march next day, they were much surprised about ten o’clock in the forenoon to hear the baying of several dogs, a circumstance which the more alarmed them in this solitude, as they had good reasons for believing they were not nearer than thirty miles to any habitation of civilized183 man. They halted and began to ponder.
“By heaven!” exclaimed Smith at last. “The wind is blowing from the south. Bathurst lies in that direction from here. Those dogs are coming this way, and it’s very likely they are the bloodhounds in search of us; for they have bloodhounds there. 1 have been hunting the blacks with them myself!”
The sound grew nearer every instant, and facing to the quarter from whence it proceeded, they quickly saw several mounted and apparently well-armed men, who appeared to be galloping184 on their track, guided as well by the dogs they had heard as by several blackfellows, some of whom bore evident marks in their singed185 heads and scorched appearances of being those who escaped from the burning scrub the night before. Now, prompted by revenge and probably also stimulated186 by promises of reward from those they led, they were using their keenest sagacity in following the trail of Foxley and his comrades, whose destruction these sable warriors187 absolutely panted for, after the immolation188 of so many of their tribe by the hands of the marauders.
“It is those infernal bloodhounds!” cried Foxley to his companions. “And by all the devils in hell!” he added, as the pursuers drew nearer, “There’s that blasted McGuffin at the head of the party, and the young Shanavans alongside of him . . . I don’t know what you mean to do,” added the ruffian, now rendered desperate, “but I will never be taken alive; nor I’ll not fall by myself either.”
McCoy and Smith both swore they would die on the ground they occupied, and consequently. the bushrangers, shaking hands all round, prepared themselves for a desperate struggle.
As for Rashleigh, he was now quite neglected, and crept into a thicket out of the way. Here he lay perdu behind a log, but could see all that passed, himself, as he hoped, unobserved.
The spot occupied by the bushrangers was on the rise of a considerable elevation189; between them and the advancing party lay a narrow valley, and the intermediate space was nearly clear of trees.
McGuffin had now espied190 his late tormentors, and he shouted out to his followers191, “Here are the murdering, ravishing dogs at last. Hurra! Down with them, my lads!” And he fired his piece at the head of Foxley as he spoke, but without effect, for the bushrangers, one and all, were covered by trees, round which they dodged192, so as to prevent a certain aim being taken at them.
The young Shanavans also united their boyish voices in a cheering hurra, which was echoed by two mounted policemen that rode beside them. This party also fired as they advanced; and the latter, flinging their carbines to the earth, drew their sabres and galloped193 up the hill towards the bushrangers, who were now also attacked in their rear by the party of blacks with volleys of spears and every other native missile weapon.
The marauders’ retreat was thus effectually cut off; but to do the ruffian Foxley justice, he does not seem to have thought of any such thing as flight. For he stood unflinchingly and returned the cheer of the attacking party with one equally loud, shouting out to his comrades “not to fire till the beggars were close up”, an order which he himself followed so exactly that McGuffin was nearly riding over him before the bushranger chief pulled the trigger of his piece, and down came his assailant, horse and man, to the ground.
McGuffin, however, was unwounded, for by checking his steed suddenly when he saw Foxley’s intention, the animal had reared up and received the discharge in his brain that was intended for his rider, who had gained his knee in rising again; while Foxley, with his musket clubbed, was rushing upon him to beat out his brains, when the youngest of the Shanavans struck the bushranger’s weapon out of his hand, and himself to the earth with the butt194 end of his gun.
McGuffin seized Foxley as he fell, and a desperate struggle ensued, neither party being enabled to rise or to obtain any advantage over the other, while young Shanavan could not strike the bushranger again for fear of injuring his companion as they rolled over and over the ground. At length one of the policemen, coming up, seized an opportunity, and cleft195 Foxley’s skull completely in twain with his weighty sabre, and the bloodthirsty ruffian thus died without a groan. Yet such was the tenacity196 of his grip upon McGuffin’s throat that it was found necessary to cut off his right hand at the wrist and to mangle197 every one of his fingers before the other could be freed.
In the mean time Smith had shot one of the advancing policemen dead, but was in his turn sabred by the same policeman that had given Foxley his death blow; while McCoy, by whose hand the elder Shanavan had fallen badly wounded, was knocked down by the younger one, to whom he was at last forced to yield, being overpowered, disarmed198 and secured by two or three others before he could get up.
McGuffin was some time before he recovered the effects of Foxley’s death grip, and when he regained199 his legs, he apostrophized his now inanimate enemy. “You wretch66, I’ve paid my vow200 at last. I’ve never yet been off a horse since you done it; and I would have hunted you to hell but I’d have got my revenge.” And with that he kicked the prostrate201 ruffian.
At this moment he saw McCoy in the hands of captors, and raising from the earth the piece which Foxley had dropped, he rushed towards the captive bushranger. Those who held McCoy left go their holds, and the latter, suddenly drawing a pistol from his breast which had escaped their search, levelled it at McGuffin, and ere the other could close with him, fired. His opponent fell instantly; but the surviving policeman, rushing up, cut McCoy down the moment afterwards.
In the mean time, the blacks, in hunting about, had discovered our unfortunate adventurer’s retreat, and dragged him forth to the light. The other men were now all busily engaged about McGuffin, whose wound, on being examined, was found not likely to be immediately mortal, and Rashleigh was led unresistingly by his sable captors to this spot, where he was quickly recognised by a person present as having formed one of the party when they robbed the hut on the Comnaroy rivulet; and in spite of his protestations that he had been the unwilling202 thrall203 of the bushrangers, he was secured in handcuffs.
After a consultation204, the victors placed the bodies of Foxley and Smith, who were quite dead, upon one horse; and those of the policeman and a constable205, who had also been slain206 in the fray207, were bound on another. McCoy and McGuffin, both severely208 wounded, were mounted on horseback before two of the party, their wounds having been first as well bandaged as circumstances would permit. Young Shanavan attended to his elder brother, whose wound was not found to be so very severe, and the party thus began their march to Bathurst, which, journeying slowly, they reached upon the third day, when Rashleigh was placed in separate confinement209 from McCoy.
The inhabitants for many miles round flocked to hear the evidence given upon the inquest, which took place three days after their arrival. The dead bodies were placed in an outer shed, McGuffin was brought on a stretcher from the hospital, and McCoy, tied on an easy chair, was placed at the bar with our adventurer.
After hearing the evidence of McGuffin and the others, a verdict of “justifiable homicide” was returned in the case of Foxley and Smith, while on view of the bodies of the policeman and constable, it was found that “wilful murder” had been committed by Philip Foxley, Christopher Smith and Andrew McCoy, the two former of whom were since deceased; and the latter was held over to take his trial at the next sessions of the Supreme210 Criminal Court at Sydney.
Our adventurer, who had not been seen by any of the witnesses during the affray, and who had been found unarmed after it was over, was next examined before a magistrate211, and his examination ended in his committal to take his trial at the same time and place with Andrew McCoy, for bushranging and robbery, both of which at that time were equally capital offences with the most cold-blooded brutal murder.
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mangling
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3
groan
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| vi./n.呻吟，抱怨；(发出)呻吟般的声音 | |
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4
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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5
cavern
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| n.洞穴，大山洞 | |
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6
outlet
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| n.出口/路；销路；批发商店；通风口；发泄 | |
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7
beset
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| v.镶嵌；困扰，包围 | |
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8
intervals
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| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
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9
canine
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| adj.犬的，犬科的 | |
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10
garrison
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| n.卫戍部队；驻地，卫戍区；vt.派(兵)驻防 | |
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11
obstinate
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| adj.顽固的，倔强的，不易屈服的，较难治愈的 | |
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12
muskets
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| n.火枪，（尤指）滑膛枪( musket的名词复数 ) | |
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13
musket
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| n.滑膛枪 | |
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14
resounded
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| v.（指声音等）回荡于某处( resound的过去式和过去分词 )；产生回响；（指某处）回荡着声音 | |
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15
ascertain
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| vt.发现，确定，查明，弄清 | |
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16
stratagem
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| n.诡计，计谋 | |
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17
smother
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| vt./vi.使窒息；抑制；闷死；n.浓烟；窒息 | |
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18
growled
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| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
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19
dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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20
suffocating
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| a.使人窒息的 | |
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21
inmates
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| n.囚犯( inmate的名词复数 ) | |
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22
nostrils
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| 鼻孔( nostril的名词复数 ) | |
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23
demonstrations
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| 证明( demonstration的名词复数 )； 表明； 表达； 游行示威 | |
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24
slit
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| n.狭长的切口；裂缝；vt.切开，撕裂 | |
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25
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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26
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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27
ammunition
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| n.军火，弹药 | |
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28
withdrawn
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| vt.收回；使退出；vi.撤退，退出 | |
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29
rattled
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| 慌乱的，恼火的 | |
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30
fortress
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| n.堡垒，防御工事 | |
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31
muzzles
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| 枪口( muzzle的名词复数 )； （防止动物咬人的）口套； （四足动物的）鼻口部； （狗）等凸出的鼻子和口 | |
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32
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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33
skull
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| n.头骨；颅骨 | |
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34
walnut
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| n.胡桃，胡桃木，胡桃色，茶色 | |
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35
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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36
random
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| adj.随机的；任意的；n.偶然的(或随便的)行动 | |
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37
fugitives
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| n.亡命者，逃命者( fugitive的名词复数 ) | |
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38
rift
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| n.裂口，隙缝，切口；v.裂开，割开，渗入 | |
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39
salvation
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| n.（尤指基督）救世，超度，拯救，解困 | |
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40
pegs
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| n.衣夹( peg的名词复数 )；挂钉；系帐篷的桩；弦钮v.用夹子或钉子固定( peg的第三人称单数 )；使固定在某水平 | |
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41
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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42
pinnacle
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| n.尖塔，尖顶，山峰；(喻)顶峰 | |
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43
smothering
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| （使）窒息， （使）透不过气( smother的现在分词 )； 覆盖； 忍住； 抑制 | |
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44
ledge
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| n.壁架，架状突出物；岩架，岩礁 | |
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45
ascending
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| adj.上升的，向上的 | |
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46
chasm
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| n.深坑，断层，裂口，大分岐，利害冲突 | |
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47
inclination
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| n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好 | |
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48
shrubs
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| 灌木( shrub的名词复数 ) | |
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49
stimulating
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| adj.有启发性的，能激发人思考的 | |
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50
exertion
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| n.尽力，努力 | |
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51
venting
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| 消除； 泄去； 排去； 通风 | |
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52
execration
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| n.诅咒，念咒，憎恶 | |
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53
proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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54
foes
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| 敌人，仇敌( foe的名词复数 ) | |
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55
westward
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| n.西方，西部；adj.西方的，向西的；adv.向西 | |
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56
recesses
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| n.壁凹( recess的名词复数 )；（工作或业务活动的）中止或暂停期间；学校的课间休息；某物内部的凹形空间v.把某物放在墙壁的凹处( recess的第三人称单数 )；将（墙）做成凹形，在（墙）上做壁龛；休息，休会，休庭 | |
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57
solitude
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| n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方 | |
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58
shun
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| vt.避开，回避，避免 | |
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59
foaming
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| adj.布满泡沫的；发泡 | |
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60
raving
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| adj.说胡话的；疯狂的，怒吼的；非常漂亮的；令人醉心[痴心]的v.胡言乱语(rave的现在分词)n.胡话；疯话adv.胡言乱语地；疯狂地 | |
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61
partially
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| adv.部分地，从某些方面讲 | |
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62
brutal
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| adj.残忍的，野蛮的，不讲理的 | |
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63
outrage
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| n.暴行，侮辱，愤怒；vt.凌辱，激怒 | |
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64
discomfort
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| n.不舒服，不安，难过，困难，不方便 | |
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65
guilt
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| n.犯罪；内疚；过失，罪责 | |
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66
wretch
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| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
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67
wretches
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| n.不幸的人( wretch的名词复数 )；可怜的人；恶棍；坏蛋 | |
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68
deluge
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| n./vt.洪水，暴雨，使泛滥 | |
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69
peals
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| n.（声音大而持续或重复的）洪亮的响声( peal的名词复数 )；隆隆声；洪亮的钟声；钟乐v.（使）（钟等）鸣响，（雷等）发出隆隆声( peal的第三人称单数 ) | |
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70
artillery
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| n.(军)火炮，大炮；炮兵(部队) | |
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71
reverberated
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| 回响，回荡( reverberate的过去式和过去分词 )； 使反响，使回荡，使反射 | |
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72
torrents
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| n.倾注；奔流( torrent的名词复数 )；急流；爆发；连续不断 | |
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73
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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74
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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75
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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76
fatigue
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| n.疲劳，劳累 | |
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77
exertions
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| n.努力( exertion的名词复数 )；费力；（能力、权力等的）运用；行使 | |
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78
repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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79
eternity
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| n.不朽，来世；永恒，无穷 | |
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80
lighting
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| n.照明，光线的明暗，舞台灯光 | |
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81
scanty
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| adj.缺乏的，仅有的，节省的，狭小的，不够的 | |
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82
drenched
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| adj.湿透的；充满的v.使湿透( drench的过去式和过去分词 )；在某人（某物）上大量使用（某液体） | |
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83
minor
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| adj.较小(少)的，较次要的；n.辅修学科；vi.辅修 | |
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84
vilest
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| adj.卑鄙的( vile的最高级 )；可耻的；极坏的；非常讨厌的 | |
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85
vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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86
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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87
torments
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| （肉体或精神上的）折磨，痛苦( torment的名词复数 )； 造成痛苦的事物[人] | |
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88
doomed
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| 命定的 | |
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89
anguish
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| n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦，烦恼 | |
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90
expressive
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| adj.表现的，表达…的，富于表情的 | |
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91
doctrine
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| n.教义；主义；学说 | |
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92
villain
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| n.反派演员，反面人物；恶棍；问题的起因 | |
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93
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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94
Christians
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| n.基督教徒( Christian的名词复数 ) | |
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95
despoiled
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| v.掠夺，抢劫( despoil的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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96
prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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97
pangs
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| 突然的剧痛( pang的名词复数 )； 悲痛 | |
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98
remorse
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| n.痛恨，悔恨，自责 | |
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99
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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100
vacancy
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| n.（旅馆的）空位，空房，（职务的）空缺 | |
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101
shuddering
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| v.战栗( shudder的现在分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
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102
piecemeal
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| adj.零碎的；n.片，块；adv.逐渐地；v.弄成碎块 | |
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103
humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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104
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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105
resuscitation
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| n.复活 | |
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106
frantic
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| adj.狂乱的，错乱的，激昂的 | |
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107
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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108
hurled
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| v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
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109
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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110
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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111
plausible
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| adj.似真实的，似乎有理的，似乎可信的 | |
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112
promotion
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| n.提升，晋级；促销，宣传 | |
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113
relish
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| n.滋味，享受，爱好，调味品；vt.加调味料，享受，品味；vi.有滋味 | |
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114
cogent
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| adj.强有力的，有说服力的 | |
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115
covert
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| adj.隐藏的；暗地里的 | |
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116
boughs
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| 大树枝( bough的名词复数 ) | |
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117
pelting
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| 微不足道的，无价值的，盛怒的 | |
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118
contrived
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| adj.不自然的，做作的；虚构的 | |
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119
lair
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| n.野兽的巢穴；躲藏处 | |
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120
downwards
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| adj./adv.向下的（地），下行的（地） | |
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121
thatch
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| vt.用茅草覆盖…的顶部；n.茅草(屋) | |
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122
twigs
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| 细枝，嫩枝( twig的名词复数 ) | |
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123
drenching
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| n.湿透v.使湿透( drench的现在分词 )；在某人（某物）上大量使用（某液体） | |
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124
commotion
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| n.骚动，动乱 | |
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125
profuse
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| adj.很多的，大量的，极其丰富的 | |
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126
profusely
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| ad.abundantly | |
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127
gash
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| v.深切，划开；n.(深长的)切(伤)口；裂缝 | |
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128
stanch
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| v.止住（血等）；adj.坚固的；坚定的 | |
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129
torpid
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| adj.麻痹的，麻木的，迟钝的 | |
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130
sojourn
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| v./n.旅居，寄居；逗留 | |
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131
rivulet
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| n.小溪，小河 | |
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132
brook
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| n.小河，溪；v.忍受，容让 | |
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133
descried
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| adj.被注意到的，被发现的，被看到的 | |
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134
dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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135
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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136
bridled
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| 给…套龙头( bridle的过去式和过去分词 )； 控制； 昂首表示轻蔑（或怨忿等）； 动怒，生气 | |
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137
bridle
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| n.笼头，束缚；vt.抑制，约束；动怒 | |
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138
peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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139
vaulted
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| adj.拱状的 | |
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140
rein
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| n.疆绳，统治，支配；vt.以僵绳控制，统治 | |
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141
simultaneously
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| adv.同时发生地，同时进行地 | |
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142
assent
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| v.批准，认可；n.批准，认可 | |
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143
slaughter
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| n.屠杀，屠宰；vt.屠杀，宰杀 | |
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144
bustle
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| v.喧扰地忙乱，匆忙，奔忙；n.忙碌；喧闹 | |
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145
lugubrious
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| adj.悲哀的，忧郁的 | |
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146
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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147
caterpillar
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| n.毛虫，蝴蝶的幼虫 | |
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148
liar
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| n.说谎的人 | |
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149
gallows
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| n.绞刑架，绞台 | |
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150
insanity
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| n.疯狂，精神错乱；极端的愚蠢，荒唐 | |
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151
hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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152
vagary
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| n.妄想，不可测之事，异想天开 | |
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153
jigs
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| n.快步舞（曲）极快地( jig的名词复数 )；夹具v.（使）上下急动( jig的第三人称单数 ) | |
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154
lashing
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| n.鞭打；痛斥；大量；许多v.鞭打( lash的现在分词 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥 | |
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155
entreaties
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| n.恳求，乞求( entreaty的名词复数 ) | |
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156
apprehend
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| vt.理解，领悟，逮捕，拘捕，忧虑 | |
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idiotic
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| adj.白痴的 | |
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158
thicket
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| n.灌木丛，树林 | |
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159
sable
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| n.黑貂；adj.黑色的 | |
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160
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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161
dispersed
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| adj. 被驱散的, 被分散的, 散布的 | |
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162
harassing
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| v.侵扰，骚扰( harass的现在分词 )；不断攻击（敌人） | |
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prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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164
refreshment
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| n.恢复，精神爽快，提神之事物；（复数）refreshments:点心，茶点 | |
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165
savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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166
malignant
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| adj.恶性的，致命的；恶意的，恶毒的 | |
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167
thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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168
outstripped
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| v.做得比…更好，（在赛跑等中）超过( outstrip的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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169
hydra
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| n.水螅；难于根除的祸患 | |
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170
devouring
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| 吞没( devour的现在分词 )； 耗尽； 津津有味地看； 狼吞虎咽地吃光 | |
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171
jaws
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| n.口部；嘴 | |
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172
fiery
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| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
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173
appalling
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| adj.骇人听闻的，令人震惊的，可怕的 | |
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174
hissing
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| n. 发嘶嘶声, 蔑视 动词hiss的现在分词形式 | |
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175
scouring
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| 擦[洗]净，冲刷，洗涤 | |
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176
scorched
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| 烧焦，烤焦( scorch的过去式和过去分词 )； 使（植物）枯萎，把…晒枯； 高速行驶； 枯焦 | |
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177
ravages
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| 劫掠后的残迹，破坏的结果，毁坏后的残迹 | |
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178
illuminating
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| a.富于启发性的，有助阐明的 | |
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179
lurid
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| adj.可怕的；血红的；苍白的 | |
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180
dreads
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| n.恐惧，畏惧( dread的名词复数 )；令人恐惧的事物v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的第三人称单数 ) | |
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181
sneak
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| vt.潜行(隐藏,填石缝)；偷偷摸摸做；n.潜行；adj.暗中进行 | |
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182
molested
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| v.骚扰( molest的过去式和过去分词 )；干扰；调戏；猥亵 | |
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183
civilized
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| a.有教养的，文雅的 | |
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184
galloping
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| adj. 飞驰的, 急性的 动词gallop的现在分词形式 | |
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185
singed
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| v.浅表烧焦( singe的过去式和过去分词 )；（毛发）燎，烧焦尖端[边儿] | |
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186
stimulated
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| a.刺激的 | |
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187
warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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188
immolation
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| n.牺牲品 | |
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189
elevation
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| n.高度；海拔；高地；上升；提高 | |
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190
espied
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| v.看到( espy的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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191
followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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192
dodged
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| v.闪躲( dodge的过去式和过去分词 )；回避 | |
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193
galloped
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| （使马）飞奔，奔驰( gallop的过去式和过去分词 )； 快速做[说]某事 | |
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194
butt
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| n.笑柄；烟蒂；枪托；臀部；v.用头撞或顶 | |
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195
cleft
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| n.裂缝；adj.裂开的 | |
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196
tenacity
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| n.坚韧 | |
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197
mangle
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| vt.乱砍，撕裂，破坏，毁损，损坏，轧布 | |
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198
disarmed
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| v.裁军( disarm的过去式和过去分词 )；使息怒 | |
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199
regained
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| 复得( regain的过去式和过去分词 )； 赢回； 重回； 复至某地 | |
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200
vow
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| n.誓(言)，誓约；v.起誓，立誓 | |
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201
prostrate
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| v.拜倒，平卧，衰竭；adj.拜倒的，平卧的，衰竭的 | |
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202
unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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203
thrall
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| n.奴隶；奴隶制 | |
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204
consultation
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| n.咨询；商量；商议；会议 | |
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205
constable
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| n.(英国)警察，警官 | |
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206
slain
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| 杀死，宰杀，杀戮( slay的过去分词 )； (slay的过去分词) | |
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207
fray
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| v.争吵；打斗；磨损，磨破；n.吵架；打斗 | |
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208
severely
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| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
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209
confinement
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| n.幽禁，拘留，监禁；分娩；限制，局限 | |
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210
supreme
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| adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的 | |
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211
magistrate
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| n.地方行政官，地方法官，治安官 | |
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