‘You know all about Gardiner’s ultimate fate, of course,’ my companion resumed, ‘though you were not in the colonies at the time—how he and nearly all his gang were at last taken, and how Frank himself got a long term. It could never be proved against him that he had actually killed any one, and so he escaped the gallows. He is serving out his time now in Darlinghurst up there, and behaving himself very decently, they say.’ * * * * * Gardiner, the most notorious highwayman, on the whole, that ever ranged the Australian bush, only served a portion of his allotted term. At the end of that period, Sir Hercules Robinson, the then governor of New South Wales, exerted himself to obtain Gardiner’s release from further imprisonment, believing that the prisoner’s good conduct from the beginning of his incarceration deserved this. Many persons thought this course on the part of Sir Hercules somewhat hasty and injudicious; and it was not without considerable opposition and difficulty that the governor had his way, as he finally did. On his release, Gardiner betook himself to California, where it was generally understood that he became the proprietor of a drinking-bar—a somewhat inglorious finish to his career. SOME REALITIES OF RANCHING. FROM A MONTANA CORRESPONDENT. Much has lately been written on the subject of Western Ranching—enough to make the matter perhaps wearisome to some readers; but I have not seen any writer touch on the worst side. Frequently I hear of young fellows, who, attracted by the tales they have read, are eager to go West and into ranching. For those who conduct it properly, there is money in this business; but let me tell these youngsters that there is little else in it. At first, everything is novel; but that soon wears off, and then for a thoroughly good monotonous life. I know nothing to compare with it. Life in a log cabin, with bacon and beans and canned vegetables for food, and a lot of uneducated cowboys as daily associates, is not the most fascinating thing in this world. Your men may be good, honest, trustworthy fellows; but they are rough and uncouth in speech and manners, and you soon get utterly tired of their company. Your letters, papers, and magazines help, of course, to while away many a weary hour. Riding after cattle, branding, &c., is your chief excitement; but let me say that constant daily work at that gets monotonous in time. You have some big-game shooting, always more or less difficult of access; and you have trout-fishing—successful, when the fish choose to bite. I have generally found the best fishing when the weather was hottest and the mosquitoes thickest. Again, remember that a small band of cattle does not return ready cash in proportion to a large one. Your expenses are greater in proportion, and the results are liable to discourage you.