'The same,' responded the voice, and the next moment the hall door was
smashed in, and Sam Redfern sprang in, followed by his gang.

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CHAPTER II

Annie's Father was at once overpowered, and Annie herself lay bound with
cords on the drawing-room sofa. Sam Redfern set a guard round the
lonely hut, and all human aid was despaired of. But you never know. Far
away in the Bush a different scene was being enacted.

'Must be Injuns,' said a tall man to himself as he pushed his way
through the brushwood. It was Jim Carlton, the celebrated detective.
'I know them,' he added; 'they are Apaches.' just then ten Indians in
full war-paint appeared. Carlton raised his rifle and fired, and
slinging their scalps on his arm he hastened towards the humble log hut
where resided his affianced bride, Annie Ridgway, sometimes known as the
Flower of the Bush.

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CHAPTER III

The moon was low on the horizon, and Sam Redfern was seated at a
drinking bout with some of his boon companions.

They had rifled the cellars of the hut, and the rich wines flowed like
water in the golden goblets of Mr Ridgway.

But Annie had made friends with one of the gang, a noble, good-hearted
man who had joined Sam Redfern by mistake, and she had told him to go