A Duel in the Desert
you!" added the Superintendent, below his breath and through his teeth.
"Well," replied the outlaw, "you've got your revenge. I must expect you to rub it in."
"My fine friend," rejoined Cairns, "you may expect worse than that, and still you won't be disappointed."
Stingaree made no reply; and it would have taken a very shrewd eye to have read deeper than the depth of sullen despair expressed in every inch of his bound body and every furrow of his downcast face. Even the vindictive Cairns ceased for a time to crow over so abject an adversary in so bitter an hour. Meanwhile, the five horses streamed slowly through the high lights and heavy shadows of a winding avenue of scrub. It was like a hot-house in the dense, low trees: not a wandering wind, not a waking bird; but five faces that dripped steadily in the shade, and all but caught fire in the sun. Ahead rode Howie, dazed and bleeding, with his callous young constable; the sergeant and his chief, with Stingaree between them, now brought up the rear. By degrees Stingaree raised his chin a little, but still looked neither right nor left.
"Cheer up!" cried the chief, with soothing irony.
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