The Argosy, Vol. XXIV No. 2 — page 33: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE TRACK OF MIDNIGHT. 225 broken dray. But now that he heard of the worse than wasted life his victim had lived, and the misery and unhappiness he had brought to others, his re- morse vanished, and in its place he felt a proud emulation at his own deed. ‘““T?’m not sorry I shot him,’’ he involuntarily exclaimed. “If the authorities will accept his word as evidence that he was Plover, it was a good stroke for you. ‘There has been a reward out for years for him or proof of his death,’’ Farrell replied. ‘“T wonder how you know so much about him;’’ Farrell’s comrade said. ‘That is easy enough to explain,’’ Farrell answered witha laugh. ‘‘ My father was sergeant in the company that Major Pearson brought out. The major was only a lieutenant then and the old man a corporal, and of course he knew all the yarn about the rivalry between his officer and Plover. ‘The old man’s one song to me ever since I joined the police is, ‘ Find the major’s daughter and shoot that villian Plover.’ ’’ ‘‘ And Wilton has taken half the job out of your hands,’’ Johnson said. ‘‘ And I’ll be only too pleased if he takes the other half and disposes of it in the same manner,’’ Farrell replied. A few days later the band dispersed. In the mean time Johnson had gone round his little circle suggesting that as Wilton had been rather roughly treated by them when he first met them, they might make up enough among themselves to enable him to buy a new team and dray in Sydney. ‘The pro- posal had been readily acceded to, and when the two troopers and Wilton had parted from the main body, the latter had in his possession a variety of orders on Sydney agents totaling to a sufficiently large sum to set his mind at rest as to the re-equipment of his carrying requisites. But there was yet another change in store for him. Upon his arrival in Sydney the shooting of Plover was reported, and all the other information which he had been able to obtain as to the later doings of the gang. The news reached Major Pearson, and he exerted himself to the utmost to obtain the promised reward for Wilton. ‘The result was that a land order was given to him and he discussed with Farrell the best course to adopt. “Pll tell you what I would do,’’ the honest trooper answered. ‘‘ I would apply for Meleelee Run. Doolan’s dead, and as far as we know there is no one who can claim to be his heir. If the government give it to you, then you'll be in the district where Midnight generally is, and who knows but that you will be able to finish my task and find the major’s daughter? ”’ ‘It’s a bargain on one condition,’’ Wilton said. ‘‘ You saved me from being hanged and helped to find out who Plover was. If you agree to come and share the place, I'll apply forit. Then wecan track Midnight together.’’ It took some persuasion to make Farrell agree, but in the end he con- sented, and again with the major’s influence behind him, Wilton was allowed to use his grant in taking up the unoccupied run of Meleelee. Instead of buying a team and a dray with the funds the squatters had given him, he devoted it to-purchasing stock, the major insisting, upon con- siderably augmenting the capital of the two young partners. Wilton started off at once for the station, Farrell having to wait a month or so before he could get away from the service, and it was arranged that when he followed, (Cc) Eomicbooks |