The Argosy, Vol. XXIV No. 2 — page 59: what you’re looking at

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

THE TRACK OF MIDNIGHT. 251 uiorses, Which he proceeded to saddle. When he had completed that he moved towards the cave, pausing as he passed the fire to kick the logs closer together, with the result that a brighter flame shot up. ‘“That’s enough. Wedon’t want the bush afire,’’ a surly voice said from the interior of the cave. He answered with an imprecation and continued his way into the cave. Wilton, forgetful for the moment of his position, was anxious to see where the man went, and, as he passed under the rock, craned his neck forward. But he was still too far back to get a view of the cave, and he leaned his hand on the edge of the ledge in order to give himself a better position. His weight told on the half decomposed stone, and the part where his hand rested gave way and fell with a loud clatter, his arm at the same time slipping down. The man who had brought up the horses rushed out and looked up as Johnson pulled Wilton back. ‘“What’s that?’’ he exclaimed, looking straight up to where the two men were cowering. A harsh laugh came from the cave and a well known voice exclaimed, ‘“'You’re a brave chap to be scared of a wallaby !’’ ‘* Great kingdom !’’ Johnson exclaimed, and he clutched Wilton by the arm as ina vise when he heard the familiar tones. ‘‘ Now who is Midnight ?’’ Wilton whispered hoarsely. ‘* Douglas, as I’m a living being !’’ Johnson gasped, naming a man who had gone with them on their last expedition, and of whom Giles had always been suspicious. | ‘“Whist !’’ Wilton whispered as the sounds of angry voices came up from below. ‘They bent their heads towards the edge again and listened. ‘“Go on with the horses or you'll miss your mates,’’ they heard Douglas say. ‘“Clear out sharp and don’t stand there like an owl,’’ the surly voice they had first heard said. The man they had seen came from under the shadow of the rock, swear- ing loudly. He walked to the horses, and mounting one, rode off into the bush leading the other. The mttrmur of voices came from the cave, but not distinctly enough for the listeners to hear the words. ‘They lay with their heads on the ledge until the sounds ceased and the fire grew dull. ‘Then Johnson whispered to Wilton that they had better be off. ‘Up or down ?”’ Wilton asked. ‘We'll take the track and trust to luck,’’ Johnson replied. “Ts it not risky ?’’ Wilton said. ‘‘T hope it is. I could put up with anything now,’’ Johnson replied in a bitter tone. They crept cautiously down and on to the ledge, along which they went as rapidly as they could, hearing nothing and meeting nothing until they arrived at the fallen tree. There was a faint gray coming into the eastern sky when they reached the top. ‘* Shall we look for the passage ?’’ Wilton asked. ‘‘ Better climb over the top,’’ Johnson answered as he clambered up. Eomichbooks 5}