Adventures in Australia, by W. H. G. Kingston. 

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A couple of young men go to Australia to stay awhile with the uncle ofone of them. While on the way up to the uncle's station they meet withvarious adventures. 

During the book we are introduced to various of the animals ofAustralia, the kookaburra, the wombat, the kangaroo, the wallaby, andmany others. We also meet with the aboriginal occupiers of the land. 

Finding that they like the life in Australia, the two young men decideto settle, and they buy, with the uncle's assistance, an area of land onwhich to create a station. 

This is not a long book, but it is amply illustrated. Some of thedrawings are very nice indeed. 

You will enjoy this book, and it makes a good audiobook. 

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ADVENTURES IN AUSTRALIA, BY W. H. G. KINGSTON. 

CHAPTER ONE. 

Some years ago two travellers, mounted on wiry yet strong lookingsteeds, were wending their way through a forest in Australia. They wereboth young and dressed much alike in broad-brimmed pith hats, loose redshirts, corduroy trousers and high boots with spurs. 

Each of them had stuck in his belt an axe, a brace of pistols, and along knife; while at his back was slung a serviceable-looking rifle, showing that they were prepared to defend themselves, should theyencounter any treacherous blacks, a very possible contingency at thatperiod of the country's history. 

They were followed by an active native also mounted, who led a horsecarrying their baggage. The scenery was not especially attractive, indeed so great was its sameness that alone they would have been utterlyunable to find their way. On either side rose tall stringy-bark andother gum-trees, their curious and narrow leaves affording scarcely anyshelter from the rays of the almost vertical sun, the huge white stemsfrom which the bark hung down in ragged masses giving them a weird anddreary aspect. Tracks there were, but they branched now in onedirection now in the other, and were more calculated to bewilder thetravellers than to guide them aright. Their map--for being new arrivalsin the country they carried one--told them that they should soon reach abroad stream. They were now looking out eagerly for it, wonderingwhether they should have to wade through it or should find a ferry-boatready to take them and their animals across. 

I may as well say--having thus begun, after the fashion of a writerwhose pure and wholesome works I used heartily to enjoy in my boyhooddays--that one of the travellers was myself, Maurice Thurston, and theother my brother Guy, a year only my senior. We had lately lost ourfather, with whose sanction we had settled some time before to come outto Australia and seek our fortunes. We, our mother, our two sisters, and another brother, had been left with a very limited income; and Guyand I, wishing to push our own fortunes and establish a home for therest of the family, agreed that no time should be lost in carrying ourplan into execution. As soon therefore as our mother's affairs had beensettled, we set sail from England, and, about two weeks before the day Iam describing, arrived in Australia. We had not come entirely on awild-goose chase. A cousin of our father's, Mr Oliver Strong, had longbeen settled in the country, and had replied to an application made tohim some time before by our father, saying that he should be happy toreceive us and put us in the way of doing well for ourselves, if we weresober, steady, strong, active, willing fellows with heads on ourshoulders and without any "fine gentleman" notions. 

We were now making our way toward his station, some hundred miles in theinterior. Though we had not ridden far from our camping place, theintense heat of the sun made us feel very thirsty, and sympathise withour horses which must have been equally so; thus we were anxious as soonas possible to reach the river, where we hoped to find an abundance ofwater. 

From our black guide we could not obtain much information; for, althoughwe were well assured that he spoke English when we engaged him, we foundthat it was of a character which would take us some time to learn. However he understood us better than we did him, though we had to putquestions in all sorts of ways and repeat them over and over again. Wethen had to puzzle out his replies, not always arriving at asatisfactory conclusion. 

Guy frequently stood up in his stirrups and looked ahead, hoping tocatch the sheen of water. At last we began to have some uncomfortablesuspicions that, although our black attendant professed to know the way, he had managed to lose it--a circumstance not at all unlikely to occur--and that we were wandering far out of our proper course. Though the sunwas of some assistance, yet we might be going too much to the north ortoo much to the west, and might pass a long way off from the stationwhich we wished to reach. All we could do therefore was to exert ourwits, and, should we have got out of the direct path, to try and findit. At length the foliage before us became somewhat thicker, but nosign of water did we see. We were riding on when a loud cry reached ourears. 

"There's some one in distress!" I exclaimed. 

"I fear that you are right, we must find out, " answered Guy. 

We were urging on our horses, when a peal of mocking laughter seemed tocome from the wood close to us. 

"What can that be?" I asked; "some natives who want to frighten us, oran unfortunate maniac. "

The shout of laughter was repeated. 

"Him one jackass!" observed our guide, Toby. 

"Jackass! What can the fellow mean?" cried Guy. 

Then looking up we discovered a large bird not far off who was evidentlyuttering the extraordinary sound we heard. It was, as Toby told us, alaughing-jackass, or a gigantic kingfisher. So ridiculous were thesounds that we could not help laughing too. 

Presently a number of cockatoos, rising with loud screams just beforeus, flew over the trees to pitch again not far off. As we were watchingthem we found ourselves at the top of a bank, some thirty or forty feetin height. Below it, to the right and left, stretched a sandy bottomscarcely less than half a mile in breadth, and on the opposite side roseanother bank. Below the one on which we stood was a stream of water, flowing sluggishly along, scarcely twelve feet wide, and so shallow thatwe could see the bottom. 

"Can this be the river we were to come to?" I exclaimed, examining themap. 

"No doubt about it, " answered my brother; "perhaps sometimes this broadbed of sand is covered, and if we had found it so, we should have hadconsiderable difficulty in crossing; so it is as well as it is, here iswater enough for ourselves and our weary beasts. " We accordingly agreedto stop and dine. Having watered our horses, we hobbled them and turnedthem at liberty under some trees where grass was growing; thenunslinging our guns, we went in search of the cockatoos we had seen. Ikilled one, and Guy a parrot; but the report of our guns frightened awaythe birds, which were more wary than usual, and we had to returnsatisfied with this scanty supply of food. On reaching the spot we hadselected for our camp, close to the water where our black boy waswaiting for us, we found that he had during our absence made a fire, atwhich we cooked the birds, Toby devouring the larger portion. 

We would gladly have eaten some fruit, however sour it might have been, but none was to be found. We had just finished masticating the toughparrot, when we caught sight of two natives scampering along as if theywere mad, so it seemed to us, for they had their eyes fixed in the airand appeared regardless of all impediments in their way. We shouted tothem, but not hearing us, on they went, now leaping over the fallentrunk of a tree, now rushing through a bush, now tumbling into a hole, still keeping their eyes fixed on the object which engaged theirattention. We asked Toby what they were about. 

"Dey huntee bee. Soon catchee!" he answered. The reply wasintelligible enough, but why they should hunt a bee puzzled us. Theyhowever stopped, while yet in sight, under a large tree, the stem ofwhich they began to climb. Hoping, as was really the case, that theywere going to rob the hive of its honey, we followed them. As weapproached we could see their dusky forms among the lower branches, withvast numbers of bees flying about them, whose presence they seemedalmost to disregard. 

The two natives were so busily employed that they did not at firstperceive us; but when they came down, they regarded us with muchastonishment, and we were afraid that they would turn tail and run off, without giving us the honey which it was our object to obtain. Wetherefore made all the friendly signs we could think of, and I havingfortunately a gaily printed cotton handkerchief in my pocket, presentedit to them, signifying at the same time that we wished some of the honeyin return. 

Our quiet manner quickly disarmed their suspicions, and returning withus, they poured out as much honey as our two tin pots could contain. 

I may as well describe the mode of finding the honey the bee-huntersadopt. On perceiving a bee sucking the juice from flowers, he hurriesto the nearest pool and selects a spot where the banks shelve gradually. He then lying on his face fills his mouth with water, and patientlyawaits the arrival of the bee: as the insect requires moisture, he knowsthat ere long it will come and drink. The moment it approaches him heblows the water from his mouth over it, thus slightly stunning it. Before it has recovered, he seizes it and by means of some gum fastensto its legs a tuft of white down, which he has obtained from theneighbouring trees. The insect flies in a straight line towards itsnest, while the white down serving to impede the progress, enables thehunter to keep it in view, till it reaches its home. 

We ate the honey with a small supply of biscuit, and found it far moresatisfactory food than the tough parrots had proved. 

Having taken a last drink and filled up our waterbottles, we parted onfriendly terms with the natives; when, saddling our horses, we continuedour journey. 

"There is little chance of our reaching another river with more water init than the last, to camp by, " observed my brother; "I see none markeddown on the maps for leagues ahead. "

We passed through the same sort of scenery as before, with the samedreary views on either side, so that we might have fancied that we hadalready crossed the country a dozen times. 

We at length came to the bed of a stream, no longer however containingwater, though I doubt not that we should have obtained it by diggingbeneath the surface. 

The appearance of the bee-hunters had warned us that there were nativesabout, and we had been cautioned against trusting them. We heard thatthey had at different times murdered a number of unfortunate hut-keepersand shepherds up the country, so that we were inclined to form veryunfavourable opinions of the aborigines. Toby, to be sure, was faithfulenough, but then he was semi-civilised. We now asked him if he thoughtthat there were many natives in the neighbourhood to whom thebee-hunters belonged. 

He shook his head--"May be!" he said; "bad mans, keep out of him way. "

This advice we were ready enough to adopt, and we had no fear, should wemeet them on the open ground, of keeping them at bay; but we wishedespecially to avoid being caught asleep, either at night or restingduring the noon-day heat. 

We had, at this time, literally no experience about Australia. We hadread a few books, to be sure, but Mr Strong had not described thecountry, and only advised our father to send us out without incumbrancesof any description--a small stock of serviceable clothes, a few booksand a box of pills apiece. We followed out his injunctions almost tothe letter, adding only some well-made tools, a fowling-piece each, anda supply of ammunition, to which we added on our arrival a fewnecessaries for travelling in the bush. 

Thus we found that one animal could carry all our worldly possessions, afew odd articles for immediate use being packed in our saddle-bags. Wewere now, as the day was wearing on, looking out for a convenient placeto camp. We tried to make Toby understand that we wished for one inwhich we could not easily be surprised by natives, or if surprised, where we could defend ourselves with some hope of success. 

The nature of the ground had changed since the morning, and we nowentered a rocky and wild-looking district. 

Here we should have no difficulty, we thought, in selecting a spot forour camp. We were looking about, when we spied in the distance whatappeared to be the figure of a man standing against a tree. My brotherinstantly rode forward and I following him saw a person who, to allappearance, though in bush costume, was a gentleman, bound with hishands behind his back, and secured firmly to a tree. He was deadly paleand seemed so much exhausted that he did not even speak to us as weapproached. 

To leap from our horses and release him without asking questions, wasthe work of a minute. Having put him on his feet and waited until hehad somewhat recovered, we inquired how he had been placed in theposition in which we had found him. 

"Some rascally bushrangers surprised, and `stuck me up, '" he answered. "I had just dismounted, when three of them, who had been lying inambush, suddenly sprang on me, and before I could draw my revolver, knocked me down. 

"I fully believed that they intended to murder me, but they contentedthemselves with carrying off my horse and arms and ammunition andeverything I had about me; having lashed me to this tree, and thengalloped away, leaving me to the chance of dying of thirst andstarvation, or being gnawed to death by the dingoes. Had you not comeup, such might have been my fate; and, believe me, I am deeply gratefulto you for rescuing me from it. "

We had been aware of the possibility that we might meet with natives, but had not thought of the likelihood of encountering bushrangers, indeed we fancied that the country was no longer infested by suchcharacters. 

We, of course, having assured the stranger that we were very glad tohave been of use to him, invited him to accompany us until he couldobtain another horse, and offered to let him ride one of ours by turns. 

"I should like however to try and catch the fellows who robbed you;"exclaimed Guy. "Is there any chance of overtaking them? Surely theywill encamp not far from this, and if we follow their tracks we mightcome upon them as suddenly as they surprised you. "

"Very little chance of that, " observed the stranger. "They aredesperate fellows, and, knowing that every man's hand is against them, keep a strict watch. They are aware that it is possible that I might bereleased, and will probably ere this have got a good many miles away, Iam, however, grateful to you for your offer, though I am sorry to delayyou. I confess that, without a gun or flint and steel, I should be verysorry to perform the rest of the journey on foot by myself. I am goingto the north-west, and I judge, from the direction you were riding, thatour roads lie the same way. "

Guy told him that we were bound for Mr Strong's station, which weunderstood was nearly a hundred miles off; and at the rate we couldtravel with our baggage-horse, we did not expect to reach it for threeor four days. 

Observing how ill the stranger looked I suggested that we should at oncelook out a good spot for camping. 

"I can help you, as I know the country, " said the stranger. "A shortdistance further on there is a water-hole in what during the rainyseason is sometimes a torrent; we can there obtain all the requisitesfor a camp. "

I now insisted that he should mount my horse, and we set out. 

Pushing forward, we soon reached the spot he spoke of. Our newcompanion, after examining the ground, told us that the bushrangers hadbeen there, and after watering their horses had ridden on, as hesupposed they would, and that we need have no apprehensions of an attackfrom them. 

We soon hobbled the horses in the usual fashion, fastening their legstogether with leathern straps in such a way as to make it impossible forthem to move beyond a slow walk, so that if they were inclined to straythey could not go far. 

Toby quickly lighted a fire, while the stranger by our advice restednear it. Guy and I taking our guns went out in different directions insearch of game, which is usually to be found near a water-hole inAustralia. We soon came back, Guy with a brace of pigeons and I withthree parrots, so that we had ample food for all hands. As we haddamper and tea, we enjoyed a satisfactory meal which greatly revived ournew friend. While we were seated round the fire--Toby watching thehorses--the stranger inquired if we were related to Mr Strong. Thisled us to give him a brief sketch of our history. 

"May I ask your name?" he said. "Mine is Norman Bracewell. "

"And ours is Thurston, " said my brother. "What! Guy Thurston?"exclaimed Bracewell, leaning forward and grasping Guy's hand; "I thoughtfrom the first that I knew your features. We were at school together. `Little Guy' we used to call you, and you haven't forgotten me?"

"No indeed!" said Guy warmly, "you always stood my friend when the bigfellows tried to bully me, and I have a perfect recollection of yourcountenance. I have often wished to know what had become of you, butcould only hear that you had gone abroad. "

"I thought of writing to let you know, in case you should ever come outto Australia; but I fancied that that was so unlikely and the chances ofmeeting you so small that I did not carry out my intention. You muststop at my hut. The longer you stay the better. We will have many atalk about old times and I think I can put you up to all sorts ofinformation which will be useful to you in the country. To tell you thetruth, I doubt if you will find your cousin, Mr Strong, as I heard thathe had gone northwards to occupy a new station, some hundreds of milesoff, and if so you will probably find no one to give you a welcome athis house except some old hut-keeper. "

On hearing this, Guy and I gladly agreed to stop a few days withBracewell until we could obtain some definite information as to themovements of our cousin. 

We told him of our meeting with the two bee-hunters. 

"This proves that there are some natives in the neighbourhood. They maybe honest, but they may also be ill-disposed, as are many of the blacksin this region. I advise that we keep a strict watch at night, and Ioffer to stand guard part of the time, " observed Bracewell. 

We agreed to keep a watch, but after the trying time he had gone throughwe thought that he ought to have a quiet night's rest so as to be thebetter able to continue his journey the next morning. 

Toby had put up a rough hut of boughs, which would afford two of us at atime sufficient shelter from the night air. Of rain there was no fear. Toby erected a hut for himself with a few boughs stuck upright in theground, which formed all the protection he required. 

I undertook to keep the first watch, and I promised my brother that Iwould call him when I could no longer remain with my eyes open. Frompast experience we knew that it would not do to trust Toby, who would bevery certain to be down as soon as he found that our eyes were off him. Guy and Bracewell were quickly asleep and I commenced walking to andfro, keeping a look-out on every side and sometimes stopping to throw afew sticks on the fire. I could see the horses safely feeding hear athand, and so perfect was the silence which reigned around that I couldnot fancy that there was any real necessity for keeping awake. Still, as I had undertaken to do so, I should not have felt justified in lyingdown. I should probably have let the fire out, and the smoke from thatwas at all events useful to keep mosquitoes and sandflies somewhat atbay. Should the fire go out it was no more than possible that a pack ofdingoes might creep up, and while we were in darkness drive the horsesaway, or carry off our saddle-bags, or tear our saddles andsleeping-rugs to pieces. I persevered therefore, stopping every now andthen to amuse myself by looking up at the star-lighted sky and trying tomake out the various constellations, conspicuous among which was thebrilliant cross of the southern hemisphere. Except the occasional croakof a frog, the cry of a night bird, or the chirp of a cricket, not asound had reached my ears; when suddenly, as I was watching the moonrising above the rocks on one side of the camp, the most unearthlyshrieks and yells rent the air. Guy, awakening, started to his feet. 

"What's the matter?" he exclaimed. "I dreamed that savages were uponus, and expected the next moment to have a spear through me. "

"I haven't seen any savages, but those sounds seem scarcely human, Iwonder Bracewell hasn't been awakened by them. We must rouse up Tobyand learn what he thinks they are. "

The fearful noise still continued. We stood with our arms readyexpecting every moment to see a herd of savages rush in upon us, forthat the sounds were produced by natives we could have no doubt. Wequickly made Toby spring to his feet. 

"What's all that noise about?" asked Guy. 

"He-he-he, ho-ho-ho! dat corroborree, " answered Toby who did not appear, as we expected would be the case, at all astonished at the uproar. 

Bracewell at length awoke and confirmed what Toby had said, that thesavages were indulging in one of their native dances. 

"I should like to go and see it, " I exclaimed; "can we do so withoutrisk of being discovered?"

Taking Toby to guide us, while Bracewell remained in camp, we set out. We were scarcely prepared for the strange and weird sight which we sawas we looked over some low bushes we had just reached. Before us was anopen glade, beyond which the moon was rising brightly. In the centre ofthe glade burned a fire. Seated on the ground were a number of figuresrattling sticks together. Suddenly there burst forth out of thedarkness a score of skeleton-like figures who threw themselves intoevery possible attitude, now stretching out their legs, now springing upand clapping their hands, and all the time shrieking, laughing andsinging, and following a big black fellow who acted as fugleman andstood on one side with stick in hand to direct the proceedings. 

Not for a moment did they cease, though every now and then we might havefancied that they had disappeared had we not distinguished their blackbacks turned towards us. We watched until we grew weary of the sight, but the dancers appeared in no way tired; and as we saw no chance oftheir giving in, we retreated to our own camp, pretty well tired out andassured that they would not molest us during the night. 

CHAPTER TWO. 

The night passed as Bracewell had predicted, without a visit from thenatives; and as he assured us that they were not at all likely to attackfour armed men in the day-time, we, being anxious to become betteracquainted with them, agreed before setting off to pay a visit to theircamp. They were sure indeed to find ours out; so that it would be aswell to show that we had no fear of them, and to gain their friendship. On examining the birds we had cooked the previous evening we found theyhad been nearly devoured by the white ants, a large nest of which wediscovered a short distance from the camp. We had therefore to look outfor some fresh provisions. Bracewell was a much better shot than eitherof us; and, taking my gun, in a few minutes he killed a small kangaroowhich he found as it was about to spring out of the bush where it hadspent the night, scarcely a hundred yards from the camp. Having skinnedit in the most scientific fashion, the joints were put on to roast. Wehad now an abundance for our noon-day meal; for, as the animal was aboutfour feet long, including the tail which was nearly half its length, itafforded us a good supply of meat. We should have preferred starting atday-break, but without food we none of us felt inclined to commence ourjourney. Toby indeed gave us to understand that he could not think ofleaving while so much good meat remained to be eaten. Having given himas much as we all three consumed, we packed up the remainder in oursaddle-bags and then--I insisting that Bracewell should mount my horsewhile I walked--we set off for the native village which we caught sightof a short distance to the north of our camp. The inhabitants werelying about in front of it, evidently enjoying the _otium cumdignitate_. The men mostly stretched on the ground surrounded by theirdogs, while the women were squatting outside their leafy bowers. Thehuts, if so they can be called, were placed in a semi-circle, and wereformed by thick boughs stuck in the ground joining at the top on whichother boughs were lightly thrown. They were scarcely more than fourfeet in height and might be described rather as screens than huts, astheir only object appeared to be to keep off the wind from theinhabitants and the small fires which burnt before them. On the outsidewere stuck their spears ready for instant use. Except some pieces ofopossum skin round their loins, the men wore no garments, though severalof them had fillets bound round their brows. Two or three were smokingshort clay pipes obtained from shepherds or hut-keepers with whom theyhad come in contact. Several of the men started up, and seizing theirspears advanced as they saw us approach, but the greater number laygorged with food on the ground, not apparently noticing us. Bracewell, who could speak Toby's lingo, told him to say to the black fellows, thatwe wished to be their friends; that their corroborree had afforded us agood deal of amusement; and that if we could kill a kangaroo we wouldgive it to them to make another feast the next night. 

As soon as Toby had translated what had been said, the blacks beganchattering away in the most extraordinary fashion. 

As they ceased Toby informed us that they were highly pleased with ouroffer. They wished to remain friends with the white men, and if wechose to stop with them we should be welcome. Of course, we had noinclination to do this, but we asked if two or three of them wouldaccompany us to carry home any game we might kill. They howeverdeclined the invitation, saying that they were well filled already, ofwhich fact their distended condition was sufficient evidence. 

"Well then, as we cannot turn back, you will have to go without akangaroo, even though we may shoot one, " said Bracewell, and tellingToby to wish them a friendly farewell we rode on. 

As I was very active and had been accustomed to running at school, Ieasily kept up with the horses. At length however, as the sun grewhotter, I should have been glad enough to remount. Bracewell, observingthat I was becoming fatigued, insisted on getting off his horse, but ofthis I would not hear. He however dismounted, when Guy made him get onagain and put me on his own horse. Before long, however, my brother wasnearly knocked up, and seeing this I proposed that he should remount, and that I should ride Toby's horse. Toby made a wry face, for, although better able to run than any of us, he considered that it wasmore dignified to ride. 

As we rode along we kept a look-out for kangaroos, as we should havebeen glad to kill one for ourselves, although our black friends were notlikely to benefit by it. 

We had gone some way when we caught sight of a dark object appearingjust above a thick mass of leaves some two hundred yards away. Standingup in my stirrups I saw that it was the head of a kangaroo who wasengaged in pulling off the foliage. I called to Bracewell and mybrother, hoping that if we could get nearer before the creature movedaway, we might shoot it. 

Throwing the halter of the baggage-horse, which I had been leading, toToby, I rode towards the spot, unslinging my rifle and as I did soramming down a ball. The creature was more wide-awake than I hadsupposed. I had just got near enough to fire, when it broke from itscover in fine style and, after taking a few jumps to see in whatdirection to go, it started forward over the open ground withoutapparent effort. 

"That's a large _boomer_, an old one!" shouted Bracewell, "he'll give usa long run. If we had dogs we should soon however catch him. "

In the excitement of the chase, forgetting that we ran great risk ofknocking up our horses, away we started. Although the animal had onlytwo legs to run on and had an enormous tail to carry, which does not, Ireally believe, help it, though it serves to balance itself in itsupright position, so far did it get ahead of us that it was uselessfiring. I had scarcely noticed the direction it was taking, but onlooking round I found that it was leading us back to the spot from whichwe had come. How far it had got I cannot say, when four or five blackfellows started up with spears in their hands uttering loud shouts andshrieks. The _boomer_ saw that it had no chance of escape in thatdirection, being perhaps better acquainted with its black enemies thanwith the strange creatures on four legs which had been pursuing it. Ittherefore stopped and gave us time to approach before it bounded roundand made off to the right. I had thrown myself from my horse, for I hadno notion at that time of firing from my saddle. I took a steady aimand pulled the trigger. My bullet must have hit it on the hinder leg, for it slackened its pace. In the meantime Bracewell and Guy dashedforward. The creature, instead of continuing its flight, again stopped, and facing the horsemen as they approached struck out with one of itshinder claws, and had not Bracewell suddenly turned his steed, sofuriously did it strike that he would have been severely wounded. Turning round however he dealt it so heavy a blow on the head with hisriding-whip that it staggered, and Guy firing brought it to the ground. The natives, whom we recognised as our friends of the morning, now cameup and claimed the prize. Bracewell gave them to understand that wemust first cut out as many steaks as we required. When this was done wehanded the body over to them. They appeared highly delighted andespecially struck by the moderate quantity we claimed. We had now toturn back to where we had left Toby in charge of the baggage animal. Ihad some secret apprehensions that, if not honest, he might bolt withour traps and be received with open arms as a wealthy man among some ofhis countrymen. I was not aware at the time that he belonged to a triberegarded as hereditary enemies by the people inhabiting the country wewere travelling through, and that he was as likely to lose his life attheir hands as any white man would be. We looked about in alldirections and at length, to our no small satisfaction, espied him stillstanding by the horses and wondering what had become of us. We had lostconsiderable time by our hunting, though we had obtained a good dinner, and of course had been delayed also by one of the party having toproceed on foot. 

While we were seated round our camp-fire Bracewell said--

"I scarcely like to make the proposal I am about to do, and yet perhapsyou will not object. If you will consent to remain in camp here andallow me to take one of your horses, I will ride forward and bring acouple of fresh ones from my station. Should you not do this I mustinsist on walking, though I shall of necessity delay you. I confessalso, that I am anxious to give notice that the bushrangers are abroad, or they may be visiting my hut or some of my neighbours, and carry offarms and ammunition, which is chiefly what they come after, for theydon't find much else than food in the shepherds' huts. "

"Pray do as you think best, " said Guy, "I am sure Maurice will agreewith me that we should not at all mind remaining stationary for a fewhours, nor will our other horses, which require rest. "

I thought the plan a good one, and before the day had actually broken, Bracewell mounted my horse and away he rode at a rate which assured usthat we should not be long alone. As Toby had plenty of food, he didnot grumble at the delay, but sat himself down contentedly at the firewhich he promised to keep alight, while we took our guns and went toshoot some birds or a kangaroo if we could see one. 

The great drawback to a traveller in a hot country is the impossibilityof preserving fresh meat, which exposed to the sun quickly becomesuneatable. What we killed one day was therefore unfit for food thenext, and we had each morning to shoot some more game, or contentourselves with damper and tea. 

We had already become pretty skilful in baking damper, which consistssimply of flour and water, kneaded on a board, and baked in the form ofa large biscuit under the ashes. 

We saw several kangaroos, but they bounded away before we could get nearenough to shoot them, and had to content ourselves as before with acouple of parrots and as many pigeons, which was an ample supply, foralthough the over-high kangaroo meat did not suit our palates, Toby hadno objection to it. 

We had been shooting for some time, and were making our way back tocamp, when we caught sight in the distance of three horsemen, theirheads and those of their steeds, occasionally appearing above thebrushwood. They appeared to be coming towards us. 

At first we thought that they must be Bracewell and two companions; butas we could make out no led horses, and they were not approaching fromthe direction he would appear, we concluded that they must be strangers. 

"What if they should be bushrangers?" said Guy. "If they catch Tobyalone they are certain to carry off our baggage and horses, and willprobably shoot him to prevent him giving information. "

"The sooner we get back to camp the better, " I answered. 

We hurried on, keeping ourselves concealed as much as possible. "Itwould be prudent to load our guns with ball, " said Guy; "the fellowswon't know that we suspect them, and may think that they can stick us upwith perfect ease. "

Fortunately our horses were close to the camp, and as soon as we reachedit we sent Toby to bring them in, not telling him that we suspected thecharacter of the strangers. As they approached we anxiously examinedtheir appearance, which was certainly not in their favour. They weresavage-looking fellows with long beards, their unkempt hair hanging overtheir shoulders. They pulled up suddenly when they saw us standing withour backs to a couple of large trees, our baggage and saddles piled onthe ground, and Toby holding our horses. 

"What is your pleasure, friends?" asked Guy. The fellows examined uswithout answering. 

"You look as if you'd know us again should we come across you, " saidGuy. "Just take my advice. Ride on and leave us to cook our dinner. "

"Who are you, young chaps, and where are you going?" inquired one of thehorsemen, who from his appearance we concluded was the leader of theparty. 

"We are going our own way and are not inclined to give that informationto those who have no authority to ask it, " replied Guy in a firm voice. 

"Did you fall in with a young fellow who had been stuck up bybushrangers?" inquired the man. 

The question convinced us that we were not mistaken as to the characterof our visitors. 

"I have just told you that we are not going to answer any questions fromthose who have no right to put them, " said Guy. 

"Oh, oh, oh!" cried the man, making a movement as if he was about tounsling his gun. 

"If you do that, I'll fire, " shouted Guy. "Our rifles are loaded withball; now ride on, we do not wish to take your lives, but we have nointention of being stuck up. "

During this conversation I was looking at the other two fellows, who hadnot spoken but seemed to be waiting until their chief gave a sign tothem to act. As my eye ranged over the countenance of one of them, itstruck me forcibly that I had seen the man before, but when or where, Icould not recollect. He was evidently very young, for while the facesof the others were covered with hair, he had but a small moustache onhis lips, but exposure to the hot sun had so tanned his complexion, thathad he been an intimate friend I might have failed to recognise him. Helooked at me and then at my brother, whose attention was occupied by theolder bushranger and did not notice him as I was doing. 

"Oh, oh, oh!" exclaimed the man, after the warning Guy had given him;and, without saying another word, he and his companions turned theirhorses' heads and rode away in the direction from whence they had come. Probably they had been attracted by the smoke of our fire, and expectedto find some travellers unprepared for them; so we should have been hadwe not fallen in with Bracewell, and should certainly have lost ourbaggage and horses, and perhaps our lives. 

"We have had a narrow escape, for there is no doubt about those fellowsbeing bushrangers, " I observed to Guy. 

"Not the slightest, " replied my brother. "I felt that there was onlyone way to deal with them. Had we shown the slightest hesitation ornervousness, they would have attempted to frighten us into submission. "

"Did you notice the countenance of one of the others?" I asked. "Icould not help fancying that I knew it well. If it were not so veryimprobable, I should say that it was that of a fellow I remember atschool when I first went there. I wish that you had observed him, foras you must have known him better than I did, you would have been moresure about the matter. "

"What, do you mean the youngest of the three?" asked Guy. "The fact isI did note him. It struck me that he was wonderfully like a fellow Ialways stood clear of, though he especially tried to make friends withme. If you remember the name of the person you think he was, tell me, and I shall better be able to judge whether I am right. "

"I am nearly certain then that it was Cyril Vinson. "

"You are right, " answered Guy. "He was a clever fellow without aparticle of principle; and I remember hearing it reported some timeafter he left school, that he had committed forgery, and that, althoughhe was not convicted, his friends had sent him out of the country. "

We talked over the matter, and agreed that it was very strange we shouldso soon after our arrival in the country have fallen in, under suchextraordinary circumstances, with two old school-fellows. 

The day passed by without another visit, either from the bushrangers orthe blacks. As may be supposed, we kept a remarkably bright look-outduring the night. Either Guy or I remained awake, walking up and downin the neighbourhood of our camp-fire. Directly the bells on the necksof our horses sounded faint, we sent out Toby to drive them in, that wemight run as little risk as possible of their being carried off. 

Bracewell had told us that sometimes natives stole up and speared thehorses at night, or tried to drive them away from the camp, though theymight not venture to attack their owners. We had chiefly therefore tofear a trick of this sort being played us, but it was almost impossibleto guard against the horses being surprised during the darkness, shouldthey be at any distance from the camp. 

As those we had fallen in with appeared to be friendly, we hoped that weshould escape so unpleasant a loss. 

As the next day passed on we looked at our watches, anxiously expectingBracewell. With the chance of another visit from the bushrangers, wedid not like to go far from the camp; but we shot as many birds as wewanted, though Toby would have been happier had we brought him akangaroo, that he might gorge himself to his heart's content. 

As I had been awake so much during the night, I felt very sleepy, andhad thrown myself on the ground to get some rest, when I heard Guy say--

"Here come a couple of horsemen, but whether they are Bracewell and acompanion, or the bushrangers returning, I cannot say. At all events wemust be prepared for them. "

I sprang to my feet, and Toby was sent to bring in the horses. Ourapprehensions of another visit from the bushrangers were soon set atrest when we recognised Bracewell, who was followed by another manleading a spare horse. 

"I am sorry to have kept you so long, " he exclaimed, as he threw himselffrom his steed. "Our horses had strayed, frightened by the blacks, whohave killed one of them. If we come across the fellows they must lookout for broken heads in consequence. However, Bob and I succeeded incatching three, and then lost no time in coming to you. "

When we told him of the visit we had received from the bushrangers, heexclaimed:--

"We must run those fellows down. It is too bad that we should be unableto ride in security through the country without the risk of beingrobbed, perhaps murdered, by such villains. "

We immediately saddled our horses, packed our traps on our baggageanimal, and prepared to go forward under Bracewell's guidance. Old Bob, his hut-keeper and factotum, dropped behind to drive on thebaggage-horse at a greater speed than Toby was inclined to move. Iheard him talking to the black in a lingo which was utterlyincomprehensible to me. 

Bracewell was much astonished when Guy told him that we had recognisedCyril Vinson among the bushrangers. We were once more, on account ofthe slow pace of our baggage-horse, compelled to camp, but as Bracewellwished to get back to his hut that night, he rode forward, leaving oldBob to guide us in the morning. Old Bob undertook to keep watch, and ashe did not look like a man who would go to sleep while so engaged, wewere able to rest securely. 

It was nearly evening the next day when we caught sight of the hutsforming our friend's station. He came forward to meet us. 

"I expected you somewhat sooner, " he said. "As Bob was away, I wasengaged in performing one of his duties--feeding the inhabitants of myfarm-yard. I have a curious lot, which I have caught and tamed atdifferent times. Here they are, come and have a look at them. "

And he led the way to an enclosure with a hut on one side of it. As hestooped down, ducks and fowls rushed forward to obtain the food he heldin his hand, the pigs came grunting up, and several long-legged birds--storks I believe they were--stood by waiting for their share, numerousparrots and parroquets were perched on the railings, as tame as thebarn-door fowls, while a laughing-jackass looked on complacently from anoverhanging bough, every now and then uttering its strange notes. 

Bracewell directed Bob to finish feeding the birds, and ushered us intothe hut. It was about thirty feet long and twelve wide, roughly builtwith a verandah in front, and contained a centre room and one on eitherside. The interior was far neater than I had expected from theappearance of the outside, and was furnished with tables and chairs, andseveral cupboards and some book-shelves; the walls were ornamented witha few pictures and native weapons, while two spare guns and some pistolswere against them. A couple of large Scotch deer hounds of abadger-like colour accompanied their master. They were intelligent, powerful-looking animals, and were used, he told us, for hunting thekangaroo. Before a fire in a smaller hut on one side of the mainbuilding, two joints of mutton were roasting. 

"I can give you but bush fare, " said our host, "mutton, damper, and tea;for of wine and spirits I have none, with the exception of a bottle ofbrandy, which I keep safely locked up for reasons which I will explainto you. "

Besides the large hut I have described there were two smaller ones and ashed, which served as a stable and cowhouse. Near them was an enclosedfield and small kitchen-garden, such as is not often seen at anAustralian cattle or sheep station. To the west was a thick wood, whichafforded shelter from the winds blowing at times hot and sand-laden fromthe interior; while in front was a slight dip, at the bottom of whichwas the bed of a river, but through it a trickling stream alone atpresent found its way to the eastward. Here and there appeared grovesof acacias, while as far as the eye could reach in every other directionwere grassy downs, scattered over which we caught sight of aconsiderable herd of sheep wending their way homewards. Altogether, Bracewell's station presented a more civilised aspect than any we hadfallen in with on our journey. 

CHAPTER THREE. 

We spent a pleasant evening with Bracewell, talking over old times andour future prospects. He gave us a great deal of good advice, by whichwe hoped to profit. 

"I am very glad you have come out, old fellows, for I am sure you willsucceed if you stick to work, " he observed. "I have not done badly. Ibegan with eight head of cattle, and now I have three hundred; and withforty sheep, which have become upwards of two thousand. I should havehad a larger number had I known more of the business when I commenced, but I have lost many by disease and dingoes, and the natives. You mustmake up your mind to take the rough and smooth together, and not despairthough you happen to get what they call a run of ill-luck--which in ninecases out of ten arises from a man's carelessness. I confess that Ihave sometimes felt my solitude; but yet, with my friends on the shelvesup there, and these faithful animals at my feet, I have had no greatreason to complain. I also remember that I should have been much worseoff in many respects had I remained at home. "

"But what about the blacks and the bushrangers?" asked Guy. 

"The blacks have been troublesome at times, but I have hitherto beenable to keep them at bay, " answered Bracewell; "and with regard to thebushrangers, none have ever paid me a visit. The fellows who stuck meup the other day were the first I had the misfortune to fall in with. Iwonder if Vinson recognised me; but I think not, or if he did he keptout of sight. I am grieved to think it was him, as he will certainly, before long, come to an untimely end; for no bushranger ultimatelyescapes, and most of them run but a very short career: they either getshot or die of starvation and sickness in the bush. "

When we talked of continuing our journey the next day, Bracewell wouldnot hear of it. 

"Your relative does not expect you, " he observed, "and you will pick upmore useful knowledge on my station than you will on a more extensiverun; besides which I want you to have some hunting with me, to show youthis part of the country. "

Nothing loth, we agreed to Bracewell's proposal. It was not until alate hour, for the bush, that we turned into our bunks in one of theside-rooms, which he told us he kept as his guest-chamber. Bracewellslept in a hammock in the sitting-room, while old Bob occupied the otherroom. 

The first day we spent riding over the run, visiting the cattle andinspecting the sheep. In the evening Bracewell proposed that we shouldgo into the neighbouring wood in search of opossum, whose skins hewished to obtain to make some rugs, which he said he wanted to sleep onwhen camping out or to serve as coverlets in cold weather. His shepherdpossessed a couple of small dogs, famous opossum hunters. The sheephaving been penned, their master was requested to accompany us. 

The Australian opossum is a long-bodied short-legged little animal, witha furry tail by which he can suspend himself on the branches of trees, while it assists him to make rapid progress among them. He is fond ofhiding himself in the holes of decayed trees, out of which it is no easymatter to smoke him. Being a nocturnal animal he is more generallycaptured during the day-time, for the bright light of the sun puzzleshim and he knows not in what direction to make his escape. 

We soon arrived at a large hole in a gum-tree round which the dogs beganbarking, leaving us no doubt that several opossums were ensconcedwithin. Our first care was to collect a quantity of sticks and greenleaves; when, a fire being kindled inside the hole, the smoke began toascend, filling the whole of the cavity, which extended to where theboughs branched off. The moon having risen, we could see almost as wellas in daylight. Before long, three or four little creatures emergedfrom the hole and began to make their way upwards. One, however, almostsuffocated by the smoke, fell to the ground; when the dogs, instantlypouncing upon it, would have torn it to pieces had not their masterpulled them off. Guy shot another, and two more were brought to theground by the sticks which the rest of us hove at them before they hadrecovered their senses, after having been so unexpectedly smoked out oftheir nests. 

We were equally successful with two other trees, round which the dogsgave tongue, and after an hour's hunting we returned carrying ourprizes, which took Bracewell and his shepherd some time to clean. 

"Of course opossum hunting is but tame work, I'll allow, " exclaimedBracewell while washing his hands after having cleaned the last of thebeasts; "but as you are both good horsemen and have steady nerves wewill to-morrow go in chase of some wild cattle which have appeared inthe bush not far off. I should not object to kill a couple of them, aswe are in want of fresh meat and I cannot afford to slaughter my sheep. Perhaps on the way we may fall in with a kangaroo, which is sure to giveus good sport. "

Next morning found us all three galloping along through the open forest. We trusted entirely to Bracewell's guidance, for before we had gone amile, I confess I should have had a difficulty in finding my way backagain. 

"We are in luck, " cried Bracewell, as in less than half an hour wecaught sight of four head of the wild cattle we were in search of. Aswe approached they began pawing on the ground, sticking out their tailsand looking anything but amiable. 

"They will charge if we don't take care, " observed Bracewell. "Shoutand crack your whips, that will make them show us their flanks. "

We had, I should have said, our guns in readiness, and a brace ofpistols in our belts, so that we were well armed for the encounter witha wild bull, who, looking upon human beings and every other animal asenemies, was a dangerous character to engage. 

Bracewell had before instructed us how to act under such ordinarycircumstances as were likely to occur. The cracking of our whips, andour loud shouts, at length frightened the three bulls, and instead ofrunning at us they turned tail and off they went. 

"Tally-ho!" shouted Bracewell, and we made chase. 

Our object was now to overtake them. Bracewell having got up to apowerful red bull, for a few seconds he and the animal kept timetogether; then gaining a little and keeping it on his right side hefired, and the superb beast, with a low bellow, crashed headlong to theground. Pulling up for a moment he galloped after me, as I dashed onclose to another bull I had singled out; but in consequence of a fallentree which would have compelled me to slacken speed, I had ranged up onthe wrong side, so that I could not fire with due effect. Fearinghowever that the bull would escape, I took the best aim I could, fired, and wounded it. The bull, maddened with rage, charged wildly at myhorse. 

"Spur for your life, " shouted Bracewell. I did so, for I expected everymoment to see the bull rip open my steed with his powerful horns, and Iknew that if it was gored I might be trampled to death. 

The bull came thundering behind me and actually touched my horse, whichnearly sent me over its head as it kicked out viciously to defenditself. Happily Bracewell was close behind, and coming up presented themuzzle of his pistol at the bull's head. The next moment I was safe. In the meantime Guy had been pursuing a third bull. I had heard himfire twice. I now saw the animal rushing on, with head down, about torun at him. Fortunately a tree was near at hand, round which he managedto guide his horse, when the bull for a moment losing sight of him hewas able to take a steady aim: he fired and the monster rolled over. 

"Nervous work!" exclaimed Bracewell. "You fellows have behavedcapitally, though I really forgot the danger to which you might beexposed, but I am very thankful that no harm has been done. We'll nowride back as hard as we can go, and get the cart to bring in the meatbefore the dingoes or black fellows or the ants have taken possession ofit. "

We agreed that hunting wild cattle was more exciting sport thangalloping after kangaroos, although we fancied that the latter was thefinest amusement to be found in Australia. Not a moment was lost on ourarrival at home in getting the cart under way, and Guy and I undertookto accompany it, but Bracewell could not again leave the station duringthe time that old Bob who drove it, and Toby who went to assist him, were away. As we approached the scene of action, we caught sight of anumber of what at a distance I should have fancied were ordinary dogs--with sharp muzzles, short, erect ears, and bushy tails--hovering roundthe spot. 

"They're dingoes!" cried Guy. "The rascals have already commencedoperations on one of the bulls. We must drive them off or old Bob won'thave much meat to carry home. "

We dashed at the brutes with our riding-whips, which we brought intoactive play. Some well-aimed lashes on their backs made the dingoesturn tail and retreat to a safe distance, where they stood watching theoperation of cutting up one of the animals. 

While we were assisting Bob and Toby to load the cart with the flesh ofthe first bullock, the dingoes made a sudden dash at the carcase of theanimal on which they had before commenced. 

This was more than we could stand. 

"If I was you, sir, I'd give them a lesson they'll not forget, " criedBob; and throwing ourselves on our horses, we rode at the savage pack, using the butts of our whips with such good effect that we knocked overupwards of half a dozen before the rest of the pack took to flight. Toprevent their returning, we pursued them as they went off in thedirection of the station, when, firing our pistols, we brought down twoor three more; but we were soon thrown behind by having to pull up andreload, and the pack, keeping wonderfully well together, again managedto distance us. Still, excited by the chase, we kept on, the deaddingoes marking the course we had taken. Our horses, having beensomewhat tired by the chase after the wild cattle and the rides to andfrom the station, did not make as good play as they might otherwise havedone. Neither Guy nor I thought of pulling up, however, while we hadthe chance of killing more of the brutes. At last my horse, stumbling, threw me over his head, and I lost the rein; when finding himself atliberty, away he galloped, showing no inclination to be caught. Ishouted to my brother, who had got some distance on; he heard me, andseeing what had occurred went in chase of my steed, which byoccasionally doubling and then galloping off again, well-nigh tired outhis horse. I ran here and there hoping to catch the animal, but it tookgood care to avoid me. At length however Guy got hold of it, by whichtime, of course, the pack had escaped. We now had to consider what roadwe should take, but when we looked round we found it was a questiondifficult to decide. 

"If we could but come across one of the dead dingoes, we could easilymake our way back to where we left old Bob, " observed Guy. 

We felt sure that the last dingo we had killed could not be far off. 

"This is the spot where my horse threw me, and I had just before knockedover a dingo, " I said, "I know it by that peculiar-looking gum-tree. "

We rode on, expecting to come upon the dead dingo, but though wesearched about we could nowhere discover it. On and on we went, stillno dingoes could we see, nor could we distinguish the track made by ourhorses' feet. The sky had become overcast, but though we could not seethe sun, we knew that it must be near setting. In a short time theincreasing darkness made us feel somewhat uncomfortable about the chanceof being benighted. 

We cooeyed as loudly as we could in the hope that Bob and Toby wouldhear our voices, but no answer reached us. Had we been riding horsesbelonging to the station, we might have let them select their course andthey would probably have taken us in; but we had mounted our own beasts, which could not be depended on. Still, as long as there was lightsufficient to enable us to avoid knocking our heads against the boughsof trees, we rode on, hoping that we might at length reach the station. At last, however, we agreed that we must make up our minds to spend thenight in the bush, hungry and thirsty as we felt. Next morning wethought we should, at all events, easily find our way. We accordinglydismounted, hobbled our horses, collected materials for a fire, andchoosing a spot free from grass we soon kindled a flame, though itrather mocked us as we had nothing to cook at it. We settled that oneshould keep watch and look after the horses. The poor animals weresuffering from thirst as much as we were, and were continually movingaway to look for water, for without it they showed little inclination tocrop the grass. Had we thought it prudent for both of us to sleep, thenight would have appeared to pass by much more quickly than it did. Iwas very thankful when at length day broke, and we were saluted by themerry call of the laughing-jackass. We did not shoot him, but we killeda couple of parrots, which we quickly roasted to satisfy the gnawings ofhunger, and then mounting our horses made, as we thought, in thedirection of the station. We felt especially vexed with ourselves forlosing our way, and causing Bracewell the anxiety he would naturallyfeel on our account, though he would guess pretty clearly what hadhappened from the report old Bob would give him on his return. 

We had gone some distance, when we caught sight of a fire and a columnof smoke rising, in the morning air. 

"Perhaps that is the camp of some people Bracewell has sent out to lookfor us, " said I. 

"It may be that of bushrangers, " observed Guy. "It will be prudent, atall events, to approach it cautiously. "

Riding on, we caught sight of a black figure with his back towards us, seated before a small fire at which he was apparently engaged in cookingsomething. His attention absorbed in his occupation, he did not observeus. The delicate morsel he was preparing for his meal was, weafterwards discovered, a large snake. When his ear at length caught thesound of horses' feet, he started up, and seizing the half-roastedsnake, scampered off. Had we not made signs to him that we wished to befriends, he would soon have been out of sight. Seeing, however, that wedid not unsling our rifles, he gained courage and returned to the fire. 

We beckoned to him to continue roasting his snake, and then endeavouredto make him understand that we wanted a guide to conduct us to thestation. He seemed determined not to understand our wishes. However, we waited patiently, hoping that when he had eaten his snake he might bemore inclined to act as our guide. Finding that we had no intention ofmolesting him, he took things leisurely. The snake being roasted, hebegan to stow it away. 

"I wonder he doesn't offer us some, though I'm not inclined to eat it, "I observed. 

"He is a perfect savage, and has no wish to part with his dainty fare, "replied Guy. 

We thought that the fellow would soon come to an end of the meal, andthat then he would pack up the rest of the snake and carry it with him. To our surprise he did not stop until he had swallowed the whole of it, and when we again made signs to him that we wanted him to guide us, hestroked his stomach and signified that he should prefer sleeping by theside of his fire. 

Guy at length, losing patience, gave a flourish with his stock whip, when an idea seemed suddenly to strike the black, and getting up he madesigns to us to follow him. We naturally supposed that he intended tolead us to the station, and rode after him without hesitation. We hadnot gone far, however, when a cooee reached our ears. We replied, andpresently, looking round in the direction from whence the sound came, wesaw Bracewell galloping towards us, followed by Toby. 

"I am thankful that I found you sooner than I expected, " he said. "Where do you think you were going?"

"To the station, " answered Guy. 

"You were riding, however, in an opposite direction, " said our friend. 

"The black we fell in with, undertook to guide us, " I remarked. 

"The rascal had no intention of taking you to my station. He wouldprobably have led you into the midst of a gang of his own people who, Ihave had notice, are encamped in the neighbourhood, and had they foundyou unprepared they might have speared you for the sake of your horsesand clothes. The fellow you fell in with was probably one of theirscouts who had been sent forward to ascertain what we were about. Should they have found us off our guard, they might have robbed the hutsand carried off some of our cattle and sheep. "

While Bracewell was speaking, I looked round and found that the blackfellow had disappeared. This strongly corroborated the account ourfriend had given us. 

As we were suffering greatly from thirst, we were anxious to get back assoon as possible. We had, we found, gone at least ten miles out of ourway. Bracewell had, however, with the aid of Toby, traced us. Thoughour horses were tired, their eagerness to obtain water made them exertthemselves, and they did not take long to cover the ground. Mostthankful we were when we reached the stream close to the station, wherewe and they could take a good draught of the refreshing fluid. 

We then, by our friend's advice--while old Bob was preparing dinner--turned into our bunks and managed to get a sound snooze, awaking muchrefreshed. 

Next morning we had completely recovered from the fatigues we had gonethrough, and we now felt that we ought to continue our journey to MrStrong's. 

"But I don't like you two fellows, with only Toby, to travel through thebush, with a chance of falling in with hostile blacks or those rascallybushrangers, who would only be too glad to stick you up and revengethemselves for your setting me free, " said Bracewell. "I have givennotice to the police that the latter gentlemen are abroad, and beforelong, clever as they may think themselves, they will be run to earth;but the blacks are far more difficult customers to deal with--they arehere, there, and everywhere. One only knows where they have been whenthe cattle are found speared, or the hut-keeper murdered, or the sheepdriven off. I should like to accompany you myself, but I cannot atpresent leave my station. However, if you will wait for a couple ofdays longer I will ride part of the way with you, and in the meantime wewill try to ascertain the whereabouts of the mob of blacks, and I shallbe able to judge whether the road will be safe for you to travel. "

The two days passed by pleasantly enough, during which we rode round thestation with Bracewell, to assist him in examining his sheep and to helpin the various duties of a squatter's life. 

Meantime, Toby and another native were sent out to ascertain what hadbecome of the mob of blacks reported to be in the neighbourhood. Theycame back saying that, although they had come upon their tracks, thenatives had moved away westward, and that we were not likely to fall inwith them. We again, accordingly, told our host that we must go. 

"Well, if you must, you must; and according to my promise I intend toride part of the way with you, " he answered. "I wish however that youcould do without your baggage, and we would see how fast we could getover the ground; but as you have to take that, we must be content with asteady pace, and I'll make play on my way back so as to be at home againby night. "

As there was a moon in the sky, and Bracewell knew every inch of theground, we were in our saddles long before day-break, carrying with usour breakfast and kettle in which the tea could easily be made at thecamp-fire. 

We had performed some ten or twelve miles before sunrise, enjoying thecool fresh air of early morning, and fresh it is even in Australiabefore the burning sun gains his power over the world. 

We camped near a water-hole, from which we obtained all the fluid werequired for our morning's meal. We had again mounted and were goinground on the opposite side, when Bracewell exclaimed--"The blacks havebeen here. See, here are the remains of their fire still smouldering. They cannot have left it very long. We must keep a look-out for themwhen passing any spot from which they may hurl their lances should theybe badly disposed; not that that is likely to be the case, and theycertainly will not venture to attack us in the open. "

Toby, who had examined the ground, gave it as his opinion that they hadgone away to the northwards and that, being probably on a huntingexpedition, they would be too intent on attacking their game to annoyus. Toby was right, and in about half an hour, just as we reached thetop of a slight ridge or elevation which had before hidden them fromview, we caught sight of several dusky figures, each holding in his handa throwing-stick with a long spear attached to it. One of them hadfixed to his left arm a shield of boughs which concealed his body as hecrept towards a group of kangaroos feeding in the grassy bottom. As thehunters did not perceive us and we had time, we stood still watchingthem. 

The throwing or throw-stick, is to serve the purpose of a sling forcasting the spear. A heavy flat piece of wood, between two and threefeet long, has at one end a slight hollow into which the end of thespear is fitted while at the other is a heavy weight, thus assisting thehunter in the act of throwing the spear. Except a small fillet of grassthe natives wore not a particle of clothing, though there were severalscarifications on their bodies; and what sailors call a spritsail-yardrun through their nostrils which added to the ferocity of theirappearance. 

As we wanted to see how they would proceed, we kept as much as possiblebehind the ridge, and as the wind came from the kangaroos to us, we werenot discovered by the animals. All this time the hunters were creepingforward, concealing themselves among the shrubs and trees until they gotnear enough to the game to hurl their spears with effect. 

One fellow crept forward, holding his shield of boughs, until it seemedto us that he was almost close up to the kangaroos. Then his spear flewfrom his throwing-stick with so tremendous a force that the animal wasalmost pinned to the ground. Not a spear missed, and almost at the samemoment three kangaroos were killed. Three others hopped away, but werepursued by the nimble-footed hunters, who using their throwing-sticks asclubs, despatched the animals with reiterated blows on the head. 

Not until the hunt was over did we show ourselves, when we astonishedthe savages standing over their slain game. Fixing their spears intheir sticks they threatened to launch them against us should we attemptto deprive them of their prizes. On seeing this we directed Toby to saythat we had no intention of interfering with them. Whether or not theyunderstood him, however, we could not tell, for they stood withoutaltering their position, and not wishing to have an encounter with themwhich must have ended in bloodshed, we made a wide circuit beyond thereach of their weapons. When we looked back we saw them joined by alarge number of their fellows who were employed in dragging off thebodies of the kangaroos. 

"I am afraid you will be in some danger from them on your return, " Iobserved to Bracewell. 

"No fear of that, " he answered. "They will be too busy in gorgingthemselves with the flesh of the kangaroos; besides they will not be onthe look-out for me, and a well-mounted man, provided he doesn't comeunexpectedly on a mob, need have no fear of them. My rifle can carryfarther than their throwing-sticks, a fact of which they are wellaware. "

We soon lost sight of the blacks, and after riding on several milesfurther, our friend told us that he must bid us farewell, promising, however, to ride over to Mr Strong's station, should he find he couldleave home, to see how we were getting on. "And remember, " he added, "Ishall be glad if one or both of you can join me, should you not findyourselves comfortable at your relative's; and if he has moved on, as heintended doing, to another station, come back if you think fit at once;though probably, if he expects you, he will have left word that you maybe forwarded on to him. He has, I understand, a large family, but as wehave never met I cannot give you a description of them. I need not warnyou to keep as good a watch at night as you have hitherto done, and toavoid either blacks or suspicious looking white men, though I do notmean to say that you are to look upon every traveller you meet with as abushranger. "

We having again thanked Bracewell for his advice and the hospitality hehad shown us, he turned his horse's head towards his home, and weproceeded on our journey. 

CHAPTER FOUR. 

We had already, according to our calculation, performed the distance toMr Strong's station, but no signs of it could we discover. The heatwas oppressive, and seeing a wood on our left, we were assured from thenature of the trees, that either a water-hole or a stream would befound. We agreed to camp there for a couple of hours to let our horsesfeed and to take our dinner, hoping then by pushing on that we shouldbefore evening at all events arrive at the station. I had riddenforward to look out for the water, when just as I caught sight of theglitter of a pool, I saw two persons emerge from the shade. They werewhite lads with a couple of dogs and had guns in their hands. So intentwere they on some object before them that they did not perceive me. Oneof them fired at an opossum which they had, I concluded, driven out ofits hole. The animal fell to the ground, when they dashed forward tosave it from being torn to pieces by the dogs. As they did so, one ofthem looked up and saw me watching them. 

"Hallo! Where do you come from?" he exclaimed advancing. 

"From England, " I answered. "We want to reach Mr Strong's station, andshall be obliged if you will help us to find it. "

"That's where we live, so we can take you to it, " replied the lad. "Youhave, however, come somewhat out of your way, and must have passed it onyour right. "

I thanked him. "And who are you?" I asked. 

"We are Mr Strong's sons, " he replied. "We came here to look for somestray cattle which are hid in this scrub, so we shall first have todrive them out, but that won't take us long. We left our horses hobbledclose at hand while we stopped, intending to take our dinner, as we havebeen out since the morning. "

"We were going to do the same, " I observed. "Here comes my brother Guy;if you haven't eaten your dinner you'll join us, won't you?"

"Of course!" he said laughing. "And I conclude that you are Guy andMaurice Thurston, our cousins we have been expecting out from the oldcountry for some months past. My name is Hector. That is my brotherOliver. I suppose you have heard of us?"

I had to confess that I had not before heard their names, though I didnot like to say how little I knew about them. 

Guy, Toby, and I, having dismounted and allowed our horses to drink atthe pool, hobbled them and let them go away to feed, while we sat downin a shady spot to discuss our provisions. Our cousins produced damper, cold beef and cheese from their pockets; while Toby placed before us apiece of a kangaroo which we had shot the previous day and somebiscuits, while we all contented ourselves with a draught of water fromthe pool. 

The meal was quickly despatched, when our cousins jumped up saying thatthey must look out for the cattle, and that as soon as we saw the herdrounded up and clear of the scrub, we might follow in the rear. Theyadvised us to take care should any of them charge us, as they were aptto be vicious, and Toby might have a difficulty in escaping. "You neednot hurry yourselves, " they added, "but when you hear the sound of ourstock whips, you had better mount and be ready to start. "

Guy and I agreed that it was very fortunate we had fallen in with ourcousins, who seemed to be wonderfully hardy fellows, and we hoped mightprove good companions. 

We waited a short time, when we heard, coming from some distance, apparently, the sharp report of the whips, like the sound of crackers. Now the sounds, mingled with a chorus of lowing and bellowing, reachedus from one side, now from the other, every moment approaching nearer, so that we agreed that it would be wise to catch our horses and mount. We were quickly in our saddles, when several bulls burst out of thescrub a short distance from us. We rode forward to get out of their wayas they looked very much inclined to charge us. Presently othersappeared in different directions, and then our two young cousins, cracking their long whips, followed, rounding up the cattle in the mostscientific manner, and turning several cows which with their calves wereevidently intent on bolting back into the scrub. 

We soon got excited with the scene, and although our horses weresomewhat tired and we had no stock whips, we managed so effectually toturn the cattle with our ordinary riding-whips, that our cousinsdeclared we assisted them very much. The mob once collected went onsteadily until we got them into the paddock, an enclosure half a mile inextent, into which, some bars being removed, most of them eagerlyrushed. A few however tried to bolt, but were sent back by the stockwhips, and all were fortunately turned in; some to be used for beef, others for branding, while the cows were wanted for milking. 

"Where is the station?" I asked. "I can see only this immensepaddock. "

"There!" answered Hector, pointing to where I caught sight of the roofsof several low buildings. "We shall soon be there. "

We put our horses into a canter, and in a short time arrived before acollection of buildings like Indian bungalows, the centre of which wasthe dwelling house, which had slab walls and shingled roof, with apretty verandah in front. 

A stout gentleman, a few grey hairs sprinkling his head and large bushybeard, came out to meet us, and on hearing from Hector who we were, welcomed us cordially. 

Our cousins took our horses, which they turned into a small paddockcontaining a shed at one end to afford shelter to the animals. 

We then entered the house, where we were introduced to the hostess, atall lady, somewhat sallow and careworn, but with considerable animationin her manner. We were next made known to three young ladies, two ofwhom we understood were Misses Strong and a third Clara Mayne, a friend;besides these there were three young children. In a short time, twotall lads, sunburnt, and sinewy, made their appearance with stock whipsin their hands and broad-brimmed hats on their heads. 

"You have not seen them all yet, " observed our hostess. 

Two more young men came in, one somewhat older than Guy, the other aboutmy own age, and I found that they also were cousins. Altogether agoodly company sat down to the evening meal. We all waited onourselves, there being no female helps in the household. 

A rattling conversation was kept up, the young men describing to theirfather the events of the day, while we had to give an account of ouradventures from the time of our landing. They were all highlyinterested in hearing of Bracewell being stuck up by bushrangers and howwe had rescued him. 

"We must put a stop to the career of those gentlemen, " observed MrStrong. "We have heard before this of their doings, and I have evenconsidered it prudent not to leave the ladies alone in the house withouttwo or three men as guards; a most abominable inconvenience, and yet, from knowing the atrocities of which they are capable, I consider itabsolutely necessary. "

The blacks, he said, had also been troublesome. A large mob who hadbeen wandering about in that part of the country, might, he thought itpossible, take it into their heads, to pay the station a visit; thoughit was not likely that they would do harm should they find his peopleprepared for them. 

After a pleasant evening, we were shown to the room we were to occupy inone of the other sheds where three of our cousins also slept. One ofthe elder ones was called in the night to mount guard, and we found thata watch was regularly kept in case either bushrangers or blacks shouldmake their appearance. 

Next morning our cousins invited us to accompany them to drive inanother mob of cattle for the purpose of mustering and branding thecalves. We proposed riding our own horses, but they laughed at thenotion. 

"You'd get run down to a certainty, " said Hector. "As we go along I'lltell you what you'll have to do, for there's nothing like beginning atonce. "

We were in the saddle before daylight, having first breakfasted, when wefound a mob of sixty or eighty tame cattle, a short distance from thestation. 

"What are they for?" I asked. 

"They are coaches!" answered Hector. "We use them to entice the wildones, who take shelter among them, and then the whole are more easilydriven into the stock yards. "

The animals quietly pursued their way, going wherever their driverschose to direct them. We mustered a dozen horsemen. On arriving closeto the run where the wild cattle were known to be, three of the menremained with the coaches, and the rest of us rode forward, dividinginto two parties, the one going to the right, the other to the left, soas to encircle the whole camp, --the name given to the spot where thewild cattle congregate. The country had a very wild appearance, therewere rocks and hills and fallen trees in all directions, and I guessedthat we should have a pretty rough ride. Our object was to drive thecattle towards the coaches and to prevent any of them turning back andbreaking through the line we formed in their rear. We were accompanied, I should have said, by a pack of dogs, of a somewhat mongrel appearance, of all sizes and shapes. On arriving at the camp one of the bestmounted stockmen went ahead to lead the cattle, which curiously enoughalways follow where they see another animal going, and now the workbegan. 

Cracking our whips and shouting at the top of our voices, off we startedover the rough ground, now dashing up a hill, now descending the steepside of another, our animals springing and dodging about to avoid rocksand other obstructions. Now we leaped over trees, twisting and turningin every direction to avoid the standing stumps and jumping overscattered logs; now we had to force our way through a thick patch ofsaplings which caught us as in a net. Not occasionally but _every_moment some of the cattle would turn and attempt to break through, someof our party having immediately to wheel round, with loud cracks oftheir whips, and make the beasts head the other way. None of us seemedto think of the danger we were running. Though Guy and I were goodhorsemen it was pretty hard work for us, and our whips were but oflittle use as we could not make them crack like the rest of the party. The cows gave us most trouble, but the dogs hung on to the animals, somecatching them by the nose, others by the heels or tails, not ceasing toworry them until they took the required direction. 

As we were riding along, after we had got free of the bush, a huge bullmade a dash out, attempting to escape. I galloped after him, belabouring him with my whip, and in spite of his continuing to try andtoss me, turned him back into the herd. 

"Well done, Maurice, " exclaimed Hector, "you'll make a first-ratestockman, but you must practise with your whip before you can become asexpert as is necessary. "

We visited, in the course of a day or two, other camps in which the wildcattle were collected in the same fashion; when, led by the coaches, thewhole were driven into the yards, as they are called, situated at thehead station. Here they were allowed to remain until next morning whenthe operation of mustering and branding commenced. The yard was sodivided that the cattle required for the various purposes were driveninto different compartments; the calves into one, the cattle to beslaughtered into another, and those to be turned loose again, into athird, while the stockmen from two or three neighbouring stationsattended to claim any of their masters' cattle which had got in amongMr Strong's. 

A calf having been lassoed, it was hauled up and its head held down by aplank, when a hot brand was handed to a man standing ready to press itagainst the creature's skin, where an indelible mark was left, when thelittle bellower was allowed to rise and make its escape into anotherpen. 

Guy and I were not of much use, but we saw everything going forward, andlent a hand whenever we could. 

"Now, my lads, " said Mr Strong to us the next day; "I see the stuff youare made of. You'll do, and if you like to remain with me to learn allyou ought to know, you are welcome; after that you can decide whatcourse you will follow. "

We had been some days at the station when a person arrived who hadoccasionally been spoken of as Mr Kimber. He acted as tutor to ourhost's younger sons as he did also to another family in theneighbourhood. He was a graduate of one of our leading universities, and had been found by Mr Strong in the humble capacity of hut-keeper ona neighbouring station, a situation he was compelled to take inconsequence of having expended the whole of his means. His presentoccupation was more in accordance with his tastes, although his salarywas, I suspect, not very considerable. He was evidently not cut out foran Australian settler, for though he could manage to stick on horseback, as Hector observed, "he preferred a walk to a gallop;" while hepersisted in wearing a stove-pipe hat and a swallow-tail coat, which heevidently considered a more dignified costume than the straw hat and redshirt generally worn by all ranks in the bush. He was amusing from thesimplicity of his remarks, and as he was honest and well-informed, MrStrong was really glad to retain him. 

We had been expecting a visit from Bracewell, as Guy had written to himto tell him that we were still remaining with our relative, who did notappear to have any idea of leaving his station, but he had received noanswer. 

Mr Kimber gave two days of the week to the family of a Captain Mason, who owned the station next to Mr Strong's. His plan was to ride overearly in the morning of one day and to return late in the evening of thenext. 

After we had become tolerably intimate he invited me to accompany him, and to assist in teaching two of the younger boys. As I wished tobecome acquainted with Captain Mason, and to see his station, I readilyaccepted his invitation. I found a family very similar to that of MrStrong, and quite as numerous; the girls and boys tall and lithe, but asactive as crickets. The girls told me to tell my cousins that theywould ride over some day to see them, as soon as those abominablebushrangers had been captured. 

We started somewhat later than usual from Captain Mason's, but the"Dominie, " as the boys called him, had frequently traversed the road, and assured me that he knew it perfectly. We pushed on, however, asfast as we could go, wishing to get in before dark, as my companionconfided to me the fact that he felt not a little nervous about thebushrangers, of whose atrocious deeds the young Masons had been tellinghim--the murders they had committed, the huts they had attacked, and thenumber of people they had stuck up. I could not disprove thestatements, though I believe the accounts greatly exaggerated, and Idescribed to him the way we had driven the fellows off by the exhibitionof firmness and courage. 

"All very well in daylight, " he observed; "but suppose the villains wereto pop up from behind the bushes on the other side of the road, andorder us to stand and deliver, and to threaten to shoot us if weattempted to draw our pistols, --and by the bye I haven't any to draw, --what should we do?"

"Put spurs to our horses and gallop out of their way, " I answered. "They wouldn't dare to fire, and if they did, the chances are they wouldmiss us. We must run some danger in this country, and the risk is notnearly so great as riding after wild cattle as we have still to do, sopray do not make yourself unhappy on the subject. "

Still, I saw that my companion looked anxiously about him, especially asit began to grow dusk, immediately after which darkness came on, and wewere compelled to moderate our speed for fear of getting a knock on ourheads from overhanging branches, or riding against fallen logs. 

Eager as the dominie was to get on, not being a first-rate horseman hewent even slower than was necessary. We were passing through a thickishpart of the forest, when, reining in his steed, he whispered to me in atremulous voice--"Pull up, pray do, I hear the tramp of horses' feet. Suppose they should be bushrangers, they might shoot us down before wehad time to escape. "

I reined in my steed to listen for the sounds which his sensitive earhad detected. "They may be simply wild cattle, or riderless horses, taking a scamper, " I observed, laughing. 

"Oh, no; they don't move about after dark, " he said; "they must bemounted horses, do let us remain quiet until we ascertain who the peopleare. "

"They are very likely some of the young Strongs coming out to meet us, "I remarked. 

Scarcely had I said this, however, than I caught sight of two horsemenriding across an open glade some distance off. There was sufficientlight for me to make out the figures distinctly. One was a big fellowin a rough garb, the other was slighter, and both were armed. Presentlyafterwards two others came into view, the moonbeams glancing on thebarrels of their rifles, showing that they also were armed. I fullyexpected that they would discover us, and I intended if they did soboldly to ride up and enquire where they were going. They galloped on, however, without perceiving us. As I alone had arms I felt that itwould be folly to interfere with them, as we might run the risk of beingshot, while we could gain no possible advantage. I therefore remainedperfectly quiet, and in another minute they were out of sight. Theywere going in the direction of Captain Mason's station. They would be, however, mistaken, I hoped, if they expected to surprise our friends;who had assured me that they kept a watch by night and day, and werewell prepared for such gentry. 

As soon as they were out of hearing, we rode on; the dominie I sawfeeling far from happy, as every now and then he turned his head overhis shoulder to assure himself that we were not followed. 

The moon, which had now risen high in the sky, afforded us ample lightto see our way. As the country became more open, we were able to pushon as fast as we could go. 

We were to have another adventure. While still some distance from home, the loud lowing of a cow reached our ears. The animal was evidentlyalarmed at something. Galloping towards it, we found on getting up thatshe was endeavouring to protect her calf from the attack of a dozendingoes. Now she would run at one with her sharp horns, now at another, but the moment she had gone in one direction the brutes would assail herhelpless young one. They were not even deterred by our approach. 

"We must put an end to these dingoes!" I exclaimed. Unstrapping one ofmy stirrup irons and using it as a weapon, I singled out one of the wilddogs, and succeeded, after several attempts, in giving it a blow on thehead which brought it to the ground. I then attacked another, which Itreated in the same fashion. The dominie tried to imitate me but verynearly tumbled over on his nose, though he assisted in protecting thecalf by driving off the cowardly brutes. The cow at last pinned one tothe ground with her horns, and then turning round attacked it with herheels until she well-nigh pounded it into a jelly. At length thesurvivors took to flight. 

"We have killed three at at all events, " remarked the dominie. 

"Not so sure of that, " I answered as we rode away, and turning my head, I observed that one of the dingoes was beginning to move. I turnedround, when it lay perfectly still, but it had crept on half a dozenyards at least. 

I gave it a few more blows with my stirrup iron, and then getting out myknife cut its throat. I treated its companions in the same manner, as Idid not feel sure that the one the cow had tossed was really dead, sotenacious of life are the brutes. 

I do not know whether the cow was grateful, but we left her licking hercalf where the dingoes had bitten it. When we drew in sight of thestation we saw Hector and his elder brother Ralph coming to meet us. 

"We got somewhat anxious about your being so much later than usual, "said the latter. "We have had a visit from some suspicious characterswho said that they were in search of work and had lost their way, andbegged that they might have a night's lodging in one of the out-houses, and some supper and breakfast, and that one or two of us would ridealong with them in the morning to show them the road to the nextstation. As, however, Hector had detected a brace of pistols under theshirt of the man who spoke, and saw that the others had long knives intheir belts, while their countenances were of the most villainous cast, we refused to comply with their wishes, and told them that they mustride on and camp out as they had evidently previously been doing. "

"I did not think all had villainous countenances, " said Hector; "therewas one good-looking young fellow among them. He kept in the backgroundand said nothing. However, I had no doubt of what they were, and theyshowed it by riding away when they found that we were not to be takenin. Oliver followed them, when they stopped at a piece of scrub, fromwhich they each drew forth a rifle and several other articles, stillfurther proving that they had some treacherous design in coming to thestation. "

CHAPTER FIVE. 

The account we brought of the direction the supposed bushrangers wereriding convinced Mr Strong that such was their character, and thatpressed for food and ammunition, probably for both, they were going tosome other station to supply their wants by force. We, however, heardnothing of them, nor had they, we found, visited Captain Mason'sstation, and in what direction they had gone we could not ascertain. 

Some days after the events I have described, a stockman who had beenengaged by Mr Strong's agent arrived. He had stopped at Bracewell's, and brought the sad intelligence that our friend was ill, and that hehad expressed a strong wish that either Guy or I should come and staywith him. He also greatly wanted medical advice. No doctor was to befound within sixty miles of the station. Guy and I were eager to go tothe assistance of our friend, and Mr Strong gave both of us leave. Hector having some business to transact for his father at the chieftown, and the dominie, who we found had a considerable amount of medicalknowledge, offered to go if he could be spared for a few days. To thisMr Strong did not object, and before daylight the next morning we setoff carrying huge saddle-bags in which the articles we required werestowed. Those of the dominie contained his medicine chest--not a verylarge one, but well suited for the bush, where Morrison's pills are morein request than drugs in general. We were accompanied by two dogs, oneof which had from my first arrival especially attached himself to me, and Hector, to whom he belonged, had made me a present of him. 

Though anxious about our friend we were all in high spirits at theprospect of a gallop across the country, which few people in good healthcould fail to enjoy. Even the dominie forgot his fears of bushrangersand mials, or wild blacks. 

Our road lay through a lightly timbered country, and here and therepatches of scrub consisting of a sweet-scented wattle. We saw pigeonsin abundance, and at times a kangaroo hopped away before us. The grass, owing to the heat of the weather, was rather yellow than green, but weknew that a few showers would soon change its hue. After traversingthis country for several miles, we saw some trees evidently much largerthan those round us. As we drew near, the vegetation below us lookedgreen, a sign that we were approaching a creek or water-hole. Just thenwe caught sight of three kangaroos leisurely cropping the grass. Before, however, we could unsling our rifles, they winded us and boundedaway at a rate which would have made it hopeless to follow them unlesswe had been accompanied by native dogs and were prepared for a longchase. We accordingly unsaddled at the hole, which was full ofunusually clear water, a luxury not often obtained in the bush. Thegrass, also, beneath the trees being shaded was closer and greener thanthat elsewhere; they were mostly tea-trees and gum-trees, many of themgrowing to a good size. Among the boughs we saw numbers of whitecockatoos, parrots, laughing-jackasses, and many other birds, whoreceived us, as we prepared to camp for our noon-day meal, with a loudchorus of varied cries. 

Having allowed our horses some time to feed, we again mounted and rodeforward. We camped again at night at another water-hole, and were at anearly hour the next morning once more in our saddles. 

We had proceeded some little distance, when I observed that Guy's horsehad gone lame, and presently it made a fearful stumble from which hecould with difficulty recover it. 

"I am afraid that I must get off and walk, and give the horse a chanceof recovering himself, " said Guy. 

We pulled up, and Hector examined the animal's hoofs. A sharp thorn hadrun into his right fore-foot, and though Hector extracted it, the animalstill remained as lame as before. We should not, under ordinarycircumstances, have minded the delay, but knowing how ill Bracewell waswe were much annoyed. 

At last Hector offered to remain with Guy, if the dominie and I wouldride on. To this proposal I was very glad to accede. 

The dominie at first looked a little uncomfortable at having to proceedwith a single companion. 

"Suppose we were to fall in with bushrangers, " he observed. "Whatshould we do?"

"Shoot them through the head if they offer to interfere with you, " saidHector. "You are always thinking of those fellows. The chances arethey cleared out of our district long ago when they found that we wereprepared for them. "

"You may do our friend Bracewell a great deal of good, " I observed, "foryou at all events know more about doctoring than any of us. You candiscover what is the matter with him. "

"I certainly will not decline doing what you say, " he answered, andseeing to our saddle-girths we prepared for a gallop which would bringus up to Bracewell's station before nightfall, Hector and Guy promisingto follow as fast as they could, although they would have to camp outanother night. We started off. The dominie had lately improved in hishorsemanship, and we made good play over the ground. I felt sure that Iknew the way, as the track between the two stations was tolerably welldefined. There were only two places, of no great extent, passingthrough which we should have to pull rein. At the first the ground wasunusually rough and rocky, with thick underwood. We got over it, however, and soon afterwards had to pass through a gorge in the onlyrange of hills we had to cross. The path was narrow, so that we couldnot conveniently ride side by side. I therefore, as guide, took thelead, and had unintentionally got some way ahead of the dominie, when Iheard him cry out, and turning round to see what was the matter I foundmy right arm seized by a fellow who had sprung out from behind a rockwhile another grasped my horse's rein, and the next instant I wasdragged to the ground. 

"Stuck up at last, young master, " cried a voice which I recognised asthat of the tall bushranger Guy and I had before encountered and drivenoff. "Do not be a fool and show fight, or I'll blow your brains out. Here, hand out what you've got about you. You may think yourselffortunate if we leave you the clothes on your back, but we don't wantthem. Do as I tell you, down on your knees and stay there, while I feelyour pockets. "

As may be supposed I did not carry much money in the bush, but onleaving home I had put a couple of sovereigns in my pocket. My rifle, of course, I expected to lose. 

While the bushranger was performing the operation of cleaning me out, asavage bull-dog approached, and I thought was going to fly at me, but Ifound his eyes were directed towards some object at my back, whichproved to be my faithful Carlo, who, however ready to do battle in mycause, thought it prudent, in the presence of a superior force, to yieldto circumstances. 

All this time I could not see what was happening to the dominie, but Iconcluded that he would wisely not attempt to make any resistance, andthat he was being cleaned out as I was. I did not again hear his voice, and as the bushranger swore that he would shoot me through the headshould I move, I thought it as well not to look round lest he should puthis threat into execution. The fellow who had taken my horse now pickedup my gun and carried it off to a short distance. Two of them thenproduced a rope, intending, I concluded, to treat the dominie and me asthey had Bracewell. 

As the man who stood over me returned his pistol to his belt, I took aglance round to try and ascertain what had become of my companion, buthe was nowhere to be seen, and I feared, therefore, that they intendedto bind him to a tree at such a distance that we could hold nocommunication with each other. My dog Carlo was also not to be seen; Ifelt, however, nearly sure that the bushrangers had not carried him off. I had often remarked his peculiar sagacity, and hoped that, finding hecould do me no good, he had kept out of the way to avoid the risk ofbeing either killed or captured. I soon found that my anticipationswere correct. The bushranger now holding a pistol to my head made meget up and walk to a tree some distance from the track, so that shouldany travellers pass by I should not be discovered. I might have acted amore heroic part had I struggled desperately, seized a pistol, andattempted to blow out the brains of one of the ruffians; but as I feltthat it was more than likely I should lose my own life, I considered itwiser to yield with calmness and dignity. 

The villains were well up to their work, and having secured my handsbehind me, they fastened me in so effectual a way to a tree, that Icould not possibly set myself at liberty. 

Without speaking another word to me, the big bushranger led off myhorse, carrying with him my gun and articles he had taken from me, anddisappeared among the trees. I saw two other persons leading a horse, going in the same direction, one of whom I felt sure, from his figure, was Vinson, though I did not see his countenance. Indeed, I suspectthat he had unintentionally avoided coming near me. 

As soon as the bushrangers had gone, I looked round in search of thedominie, but could nowhere discover him. I could scarcely hope that hehad escaped, or, if he had, that he had got off on horseback. I feltnearly sure that the horse I had just seen led away by the robbers washis. I was thus left in doubt how they had treated him, whether theyhad bound him as they had me, or used greater violence. As soon as Ifancied that they had gone off to a sufficient distance not to hear me, I shouted to the dominie, hoping to hear a reply. Not a sound reachedmy ears, and I began seriously to apprehend that they had knocked him onthe head or stabbed him. I remembered the dread he had always expressedof the bushrangers, and I thought it possible that he might have hadsome especial reason for fearing them. Perhaps he had known one ofthem, or might have attempted at some time or other to betray them intothe hands of the police. 

After shouting in vain for some minutes, I began to lose all hope ofreceiving a reply. What had become of Carlo, I could not tell; I fearedthat the bushrangers must have killed him, as I felt nearly sure that hewould not have deserted me, either to make his escape from the scene ofdanger, or to follow them. I should have been glad to have him by myside for the sake of companionship; it also struck me that should hecome, he might possibly be able to bite through the thongs if I couldshow him what I wanted done. I called to him several times, but he didnot appear. At last I arrived at the conclusion that the bushrangershad killed him. I now began to think of my own dangerous position, while thus utterly unable to defend myself. If discovered by hostileblacks, they would make me a target for their spears, or a pack ofdingoes might attack me. I never had heard of their assaulting a livingman, but I saw no reason why they should not do so, should they discoverthat I had no means of defending myself. A snake or scorpion might biteme, and mosquitoes or other stinging insects were sure to find me outand annoy me; while I had the prospect of remaining without water orfood for hours, or perhaps days to come, when I might at last perishfrom hunger and thirst. Such and other gloomy thoughts passed throughmy mind. I had not from the first struggled, for I felt sure that Ishould thus tighten the thongs which bound me. Now, however, I set towork calmly to try and release myself, by drawing up one of my hands, hoping that if I could but get my head low enough to reach the thonground my arm, I might in time gnaw it through; but after making avariety of efforts I found that the attempt was vain, and giving it up, I resigned myself to my fate, whatever that might be. 

Still it must be understood that I did not altogether lose hope. Therewas the possible chance of the dominie having escaped, and that sometraveller might be coming by and release me, as Guy and I had releasedBracewell. Still many hours might pass before then, and I was alreadysuffering from thirst, though I was not troubled by hunger. Being outof the path, I could only hope to attract attention from passers-by byshouting as I heard the sound of their horses' footsteps. This I coulddo as long as I retained my senses, but I might, I feared, drop off intoa state of stupor, and those who might have released me might be closeat hand without my knowing it. 

Suddenly I thought I would make one more attempt to ascertain if thedominie was within hearing. I shouted as loud as I could bawl, and thengave a cooey, which would reach further than any other sound. Ilistened; a faint cry came from a distance. It was the dominie's voice, I thought, but could not make out what he said. The tones weremelancholy in the extreme. It might be some consolation to him, poorfellow, to know that I was alive, and I no longer doubted that thebushrangers had treated him in the same manner that they had me, thoughI suspected that he had been either stunned or so frightened that he hadnot before heard my shouts or been able to reply. I intended every nowand then to give him a hail, when it occurred to me that our voicesmight attract any blacks passing at a distance, and that we should thusincrease the risk of being killed by them. 

I could scare sly tell how the hours went by. At length darkness cameon, and I began to doze. It was the best thing I could do, as itprevented me from feeling either hunger or thirst. I was, however, quickly awakened by the thongs cutting my limbs as I bent forward. Ithen tried to lean against the tree with my feet out, and in thatposition I escaped the pressure on my limbs, and was at last able todrop off to sleep. My slumbers, as may be supposed, were far frompleasant, indeed I was conscious all the time that somethingdisagreeable had happened; but still, by thus snatching a few intervalsof sleep, I found that the night passed away faster than I should havesupposed possible. Strange sounds occasionally reached my ears. Ifancied that I heard in the distance the yelping and barking of a packof dingoes, and as the brutes often hunt together in considerablenumbers, I dreaded that they might find out the dominie and me, and tearus to pieces. With intense relief I saw the streaks of dawn appear inthe sky. The laughing-jackass uttered his cheerful notes, and parrotsand other birds began to chirp and screech and chatter. The soundtended somewhat to raise my spirits, though the pangs of hunger andthirst which now oppressed me soon became insupportable. As in daylightthe blacks might be passing, I was afraid of attracting their attentionby crying out, so that I was unable to ascertain how it fared with thepoor dominie. When the sun rose, the heat became oppressive, and theinsects began to buzz about my face, while I had no power to drive themoff. 

This annoyance was trying in the extreme. I spluttered and spat, andwinked my eyes, and shook my head, to very little effect; and althoughthe creatures did not often bite me, their buzzing and tickling almostdrove me mad. At last a sound struck my ear. It was the bay of ahound, then came a bark, and the next instant the faithful Carlo boundedup to me, and licking my face, soon drove off the flies. Then, havingexhibited his delight, away he went barking cheerfully. Presently thesound of the tramping of horses' hoofs reached my ears, but on a sudden, the sound ceased, and I feared that I had been deceived; but then itoccurred to me that the rider had discovered the dominie, and wasstopping to set him at liberty. In a few seconds I caught sight of ahorseman. It was my brother Guy, who came galloping up to me. Throwinghimself from his saddle, without stopping to ask questions he cut thethongs which bound me to the tree. 

"You looked so pale that I thought that was the first thing to do, " saidGuy, as he supported me in his arms, and gradually let me sink down onthe ground, for I could not stand. "Hector is looking after thedominie, he is even in a worse condition than you are. "

"I am fearfully thirsty, " I said. 

"I knew you must be, " he replied, applying a water-bottle to my mouth. 

The draught, which was tolerably cool, had an almost instantaneouseffect, and I was at once able to get up on my feet. 

"We thought something had happened when Carlo, rushing back, camebarking and pulling at our trousers; and as soon as we could catch ourhorses, in spite of the lameness of mine, we started off. We could nottravel fast at night, but immediately day broke we galloped on; and I amthankful indeed, my dear Maurice, to find you uninjured--but how did youget into this plight?"

I briefly told him of the way the bushrangers had stuck me up. 

"The villains! I wish that we could find them. Now, get up on myhorse, and we will go to where I left Hector and the dominie. We'llbreakfast as soon as we can reach a water-hole. We passed one a littleway back, and we must then try and get on to Bracewell's as soon aspossible. "

With his assistance, I mounted his horse, and we soon reached the spotwhere Hector was attending to the dominie, who was slowly recovering. Ireally believe, from the condition he was in, that he would soon havedied. One of the ruffians had struck him over the head with the butt ofhis pistol, but he had suffered more from fear than from the blow, forhe fully believed that they were going to put him to death. He waslifted on Hector's horse, and we soon reached the water-hole. The firewas quickly lighted, and after a good breakfast on a paddy-melon--asmall species of kangaroo--which Hector had shot the previous evening, we felt greatly revived, and fully able to continue the journey; indeed, I felt myself as strong as ever. Guy and Hector ran alongside thehorses, and we made good progress. We had reached an open part of thecountry, when we caught sight of a figure seated on a fallen log. Hisback was towards us, and he did not appear to notice our approach;indeed, so motionless did he sit, that he might have been mistaken for abronze statue. He had not a rag round his body, but on his shoulderswere a number of raised marks, produced by making slashes in the skin, and filling them up with clay, so that when the wound healed, anelevated scar was made. His hair was fastened in a top-knot, and he hada long pointed beard, with moustache on his lips, his prominent nosehaving nothing of the negro character about it. Fastened to a beltround his waist was a snake and a little kangaroo rat, on which heevidently intended to make his dinner. A cord round his neck supporteda shell ornament in front, and a tassel behind completed his costume. Idescribe him, of course, not as we saw him when at a distance, butaccording to the appearance he presented on a further acquaintance. Suddenly, as we came upon him, he seemed in no way alarmed; but, jumpingup, he seized his spear and throwing-stick which lay on the ground athis side. Seeing, however, that he could not possibly escape us, hemade no attempt to run. 

As we approached, Hector, who from a long intercourse with the blackswas able to make him understand what he said, inquired whether he hadseen any white men passing that way, and should he have done so, whetherhe could tell us who they were. 

The black, without hesitation, replied, saying, that he had seen no lessthan four, that they were armed with guns, and were leading a couple ofhorses. 

"That looks suspicious. They must have been the bushrangers, " observedHector; "and if--as I think possible--they are not far off, we must tryand capture the fellows, or at all events recover our horses. "

Hector, who closely questioned the black, was satisfied that he wishedto be honest, and accordingly asked him if he thought that he couldtrack the bushrangers. He replied, without hesitation, that if he oncecame upon their trail he could do so. 

"Lead on, then, " said Hector. 

Anxious as we were to get to Bracewell's, it was important to recoverour horses, and if possible to capture the robbers. We were fiveagainst four, for having promised the black a handsome reward, if weshould catch one or more of the villains, we could trust to his aid, andhis spear would be of as much use as our guns at close quarters; but wecould not reckon much on the assistance of the dominie, whosenervousness we thought would prevent him from doing what was necessary. 

We had not gone far, when the black declared positively, that he hadfound the trail of the robbers, and that probably they would be encampedat a water-hole not far off. 

Our undertaking was one requiring the greatest caution, for they werecertain to be on the watch, and being well armed, would prove formidableopponents. We might, to be sure, steal upon them during the darkness ofnight and shoot them down, but we had no wish to do that; our object wasto recover our property and bring them to justice. The black showedhimself to be an admirable scout. The evening was drawing on when hetold us that we were not far from where he expected to find them. Howit happened that they had not ridden to a distance, it was impossible tosay; probably the spot they had chosen, being out of the high road, theydid not expect to be discovered. 

Securing our horses in a thick scrub, where they were completelyconcealed, we cautiously advanced, the black going ahead. It was bythis time getting quite dark. Our great fear was that the dog they hadwith them would wind us, and if so it would be necessary to shoot thecreature as it approached. This, of course, would give them the alarm, though we hoped to spring upon them and knock over two or three beforethey could escape. The horses were probably feeding at a distance, andthe saddles and baggage would be at the camp. 

We were noiselessly making our way, when the black signed to us to halt, and then began to creep forward. Anxious to have a look at the fellowsI followed his example, carrying my pistols in my belt, and I found thatCarlo was close at my heels, evidently aware that danger was at hand. At last the black stopped, when I joined him; and looking over some lowshrubs, I saw the four bushrangers seated round a fire, their saddlesand baggage and their guns lying on the ground near them. Theyevidently did not suppose that there was any chance of their beingattacked. The only one of their party who seemed to be on the watch wastheir bull-dog, who, lifting up his head, turned his eyes towards us. The wind was blowing from them to us, or the dog would have smelt usout. As it was I fully expected every moment to see him dash forwardwith a loud bark to where we lay. I did not dare to move, and scarcely, indeed, to breathe. 

After watching for some time, the black began slowly to retreat, and Iwas truly thankful when we got out of hearing of their voices. 

CHAPTER SIX. 

When I got back to my friends we held a consultation as to our best modeof proceeding. It was agreed that we would wait until the bushrangersseparated, which they were sure to do in the morning, and then rush onthose in the camp while the others were away. The dog would prove thechief obstacle, and it was settled that I was to shoot him while Hectorand Guy should dash into their camp. Two of the men would in allprobability remain, while the others went to look after the horses, leaving their arms behind them. The dominie was to remain with thehorses in case any of the fellows escaping might gallop off with them. 

We waited until about a couple of hours to dawn, when we crept forward, led by the black. We dared not approach as close as we could havewished, on account of their watch-dog, who would be certain to give thealarm. Our plans being arranged, the dominie and I lay down, and, wearied with what we had lately gone through, slept for the greater partof the night. 

It was still dusk when, having crept up to the robbers' camp, we saw oneof them get up and throw some sticks on the fire. He then aroused hiscompanions, and two of them, the big bushranger and one I took to beVinson, went off, as we concluded, to bring in the horses, happilyleaving their guns behind them. 

Now was our opportunity. At a signal from Hector, we rose to our feet, and holding our guns ready to fire, rushed towards the two men, who wereengaged in cooking their breakfast. The bull-dog, with a fierce bark, sprang towards us. As he did so, the black with his spear nearly fixedthe brute to the ground, which saved me from having to fire, and thusalarming the other two. One of the men attempted to take up his gun, but it was beyond his reach; he, however, seized from the fire a thickstick, with which he made a blow at my head; but at that instant mybrave Carlo sprang at his throat with a force which brought him to theground. Hector and Guy were in the meantime struggling with the otherman, whom they succeeded in securing. Having lashed his arms behindhim, they were at liberty to come to my assistance, and soon firmlybound the fellow Carlo had overthrown, for I had not struck a blow. Onexamining the countenances of the men we discovered that they were bothstrangers. The big bushranger and Vinson, who were, we had littledoubt, the other two we had seen, had gone off probably to catch thehorses. Having left their arms behind them they were in our power, butit was a great question whether we could manage to capture them. Theywould probably be back in a few minutes, and we had at once to decidehow to act. 

"I have a bright idea, " exclaimed Guy; "I tell you what we will do. We'll gag these two fellows to prevent them from crying out, and dragthem behind those bushes close to the camp. You, Maurice, and theblack, being also concealed, must threaten to shoot them if they attemptto make any noise. Hector and I will then take their places at thefire, and pretend to be cooking the breakfast. As there will not bemuch light for some time, the other men when they return will not atfirst discover us, and we shall be able to point our rifles and orderthem to give in before they are aware of the trap we have laid. To makethings more certain, we'll put on our prisoners' cabbage straw hats andred shirts, so that the chances are that they will get close up beforethey find out their mistake. "

Hector and I highly approving of Guy's suggestion, we immediately setabout putting it into execution. The black, who, being a remarkablyintelligent fellow, fully understood our object, seemed highlydelighted, grinning from ear to ear, as he assisted us. 

We quickly gagged our prisoners, and then, dragging them behind thebushes, took off their shirts and hats, which, as they were far fromclean, I was secretly glad I had not got to wear. Guy and Hector putthem on, and then examining the fire-arms to ascertain if they wereproperly loaded, drew them close to the fire, before which they satdown. While one turned the spits on which they had put some meat toroast, the other employed himself in chopping up sticks and placing themon the fire. So exactly did they act the parts in which we had foundour present prisoners engaged, that I felt sure the other men would notsuspect the trap laid for them until they were close up to the camp. Itwas to be hoped that both would come at the same time, for if not, though we might seize one, the other would probably be warned, and makehis escape. There was a risk, of course, that they would come acrossthe dominie and the horses, and if so, would guess that we haddiscovered their camp, and would at all events be on their guard. Guyhad, however, especially charged the dominie that should the bushrangersby any accident discover him, he was to keep them at a distance bythreatening to fire if they approached. 

While my brother and Hector were bending over the fire as I havedescribed, I kept peering through the bushes, keeping one eye on our twoprisoners, though I felt sure that the black would watch them carefullyas he squatted down by their side with a sharp knife in his hand. Itwas a nervous time, but we had not long to wait before we heard the dullsound of galloping feet, and several horses came in sight, followed bythe big bushranger mounted on a powerful steed. I could nowhere seeVinson, so that he at all events would have a chance of escaping. Thehorses came rushing on, and as they got near the fire separated, some onone side, some on the other. With an oath the big man shouted out--

"Why don't you stop them, you fellows?" The two figures bending overthe fire did not appear to hear him, until, throwing himself from hishorse, he approached them; when, snatching up their rifles, theysuddenly turned round and presented the barrels at his head. 

"Hands up, or we fire!" cried Guy and Hector in the same breath. 

Notwithstanding this warning the bushranger's right hand instantly movedtowards the butt of the pistol in his belt, his left still holding therein; he, however, quickly changed his mind, for he well knew, should heattempt to draw his weapon, before he could present it a couple of ballsmight be crashing through his brain. Another oath escaped his lips. 

"Caught at last, " he cried out, as if he was going to yield, but thenext instant with a bound he was in his saddle, leaning forward at thesame time, so that the horse's neck might protect his head. Guy fired. 

The bullet only grazed the fellow's shoulder. I was taking aim at thefugitive, when another person appeared, driving before him the remainderof the horses. Forgetting for a moment that the bushranger's guns laybeside my brother and Hector, but recollecting that the big fellow had abrace of pistols in his belt, I was afraid of firing lest I should miss;and that he, coming back, would turn the tables on us. The next instantHector and Guy had each picked up a gun. The big bushranger had, however, already got to a considerable distance, and although bothfired, he continued his course, apparently uninjured. 

While they were reloading, the fourth man, whom I took to be Vinson, haddisappeared. We all three immediately rushed out to stop the horses, and succeeded in catching our own and two others. Our own saddles werein the robber's camp, so all we had to do was to put them on ready for astart. We then placed our prisoners on the backs of the other two, securing their legs under the horses' bellies, and fastening longleathern thongs to the bridles. We then, carrying off the ammunition, and two of the guns as trophies, smashed up the others, and threw thesaddles and the few articles of baggage we found, on the fire, retaining, however, one or two things which were likely to proveacceptable to our black guide, who was highly delighted with his shareof the plunder. Hoping to receive a further reward, he undertook toaccompany us to Bracewell's, and to lead our prisoners' horses. Wethought it prudent, however, not to trust him too much, though weaccepted his offer, provided he could keep up to us. 

We were anxious as soon as possible to hand our prisoners over to thepolice, lest their two comrades, still at large, with others of the gangthey might fall in with, should attempt their rescue; but we felt prettysecure, as they would know that, so long as we were on the watch, theywere not likely to succeed. Should we, however, be kept out anothernight, they would compel us to be very vigilant, while we should have toguard both ourselves and the horses. 

Although the two bushrangers had escaped, we had succeeded in breakingup the gang, and without guns and ammunition they would have greatdifficulty in supporting themselves; while the two we had made prisonerswould probably, on their trial, be ready to give such information asmight assist in the capture of others. 

Leading on our prisoners, we now set out to return to where we had leftthe dominie. 

We had, I should have said, hurriedly eaten some of the provisions Guyand Hector had cooked, and we took the remainder so that no time need belost in proceeding to Bracewell's. 

On reaching the spot, what was our dismay to see neither the dominie northe horses. We shouted to him, but no reply came. 

"What can have become of him?" exclaimed Guy. "Those fellows must havefallen in with him, and compelled him to accompany them. "

"I do not think that is possible, " I remarked, "for they went off in adifferent direction. Still his disappearance is very mysterious. Wemust try to learn what the black thinks about the matter. "

We inquired of our guide, by signs and such words as he understood. 

He examined the ground on every side and then started off at a run in asoutherly direction, and on closer examination we discovered traces ofthe horses. 

After waiting some time, as the black did not return, Guy proposed thatHector should stay by the prisoners and the two animals we hadrecovered, while he and I went in search of our missing friend. 

Hector undertook to do as proposed. 

"I'll hobble all four of them, " he observed, "and there'll be no risk oftheir getting away. "

Not wishing to lose more time we started. After going on for some timewe got separated, and I found to my right a deep gully, with steepcliff-like banks, mostly covered with trees of a character which showedthat there was generally an abundance of water; indeed, I observedseveral small pools, joined by a trickling rivulet three or four feetonly in width. 

As I went along, I shouted out our friend's name. At last I heard thetramp of horses, and looking about, I caught sight through the trees ofour two animals with their saddles on their backs, the black following, driving them before him. 

I was thankful to find that they had been recovered, though much grievednot to see the dominie, for I naturally feared that some seriousaccident had happened to him. I now once more returned, intending torejoin Hector, when I heard a faint shout. It came from the directionof the gully. My hopes revived of finding the dominie. After going onsome way, I again heard the shout followed by a cooey which I was sure, however, was not uttered by him. It was the voice either of Guy orHector. 

I cooeyed in return. Soon afterwards another reached my ears, comingfrom the same direction. At last I gained the summit of a cliff, when, looking down, I saw Guy bending over the prostrate form of a man. 

I soon joined my brother, and found that the fallen person was thedominie. Guy was employed in chafing his hands, and trying to restorehim to consciousness. 

"Can he have been attacked by bushrangers, and thrown here?" I asked. 

"I don't think that, " answered Guy, pointing up to the cliff. "See, hemust have fallen over, and striking his head on the ground, have becomeinsensible. Go and get some water from yonder pool in your hat, and Ithink that if we bathe his head, he will come to. "

I did as Guy desired me, and in a short time we had the satisfaction ofseeing our companion revive. 

"Have you got the horses?" were the first words he spoke. 

"All right!" I answered, "and we have captured two bushrangers into thebargain. "

The news seemed to have a good effect, and now that he had come tohimself, he quickly, with our assistance, was able to get up the cliff, when we helped him along. 

In a short time we joined Hector, who had caught the horses driven up tohim by the black. 

We immediately mounted, and Hector taking charge of one prisoner, andGuy of the other, I attended to the dominie. We expected that our blackguide would have kept up with the horses, but when he found the rate atwhich we went, he appeared to have had enough of our society, and, suddenly bolting off into the bush, disappeared. 

"It is the way of those black fellows, " observed Hector. "He hasobtained more than he expected, and has no fancy to be shot by thebushrangers, should we encounter them; probably, also, he wants to joinhis gins, who, I dare say, are not far off, though they have kept out ofour sight. "

We rode on, when the ground was level breaking into a gallop. Thedominie now and then groaned, but when I offered to pull up, he alwaysanswered--

"Go on, go on; perhaps those villains will be watching for us; I don'twant to be stuck up again or shot. "

When I observed that they had only pistols, he answered--

"Ah, well! pistols will kill as well as rifles, and we don't know atwhat moment they may pounce out from this thick scrub. "

As I thought it possible that they might make an attempt to surprise us, I was not sorry to follow the dominie's wishes. 

We made such good way that I hoped we should reach Bracewell's beforesundown. Late in the day, I began to recognise spots we had passedwhile staying with him, although so great is the sameness of thecountry, that I could not feel very certain that such was the case, until I heard Guy, who was ahead, sing out--

"Here we are! I see the top of Bracewell's hut. "

We gave a cooey to let those at the station know of our approach, and inanother moment old Bob came hurrying out to meet us. 

"Thankful you've come, gentlemen, " he exclaimed; "though Mr Bracewell'sround the corner, he'll be glad of your society. He's in terribly lowspirits at having only me to look after him. But, whom have you there?Picked up a couple of pirates on the road?"

We soon explained who our captives were. Old Bob shook his fist atthem. 

"You rascals! You're caught at last, are you? You'll be having yourlegs in chains before long I hope, and not be keeping honest folk infear of their lives. "

"We must see where we can stow these fellows until we can send for thepolice, " said Guy. 

"We'll stow them safe enough, " said old Bob, "and, provided we keeptheir arms lashed behind their backs, and their legs in limbo, they'llnot escape from where I'll put them. "

The captive bushrangers cast angry glances at the speaker, but as theirmouths were still gagged, they could not express their feelings bywords. 

Before we went in to see Bracewell, we had hauled them off their horses, and under Bob's directions, dragged them into a hut, which had only onedoor and one window. He then brought a couple of stout ropes, withwhich we secured them to the posts which supported the roof, one oneither side of the hut, so that they could not reach each other. Wenext drew the gags from their mouths, expecting that they would make thefirst use of their tongues by abusing us, but they appeared to be toodull and brutal even to do that. After closing the door and window, weleft them to their own devices. 

"I'll take care that they don't get out during the night. If they trythat dodge, I'll send a bullet through their heads, " muttered old Bob. 

Bracewell, who had been asleep when we arrived, awoke as we entered, delighted to see us, and insisted on getting up to do the honours of hishut. Old Bob in the meantime was cooking supper, and a verysatisfactory one he managed to produce. 

Our coming, as we expected, did our friend a great deal of good, and wehoped that the medicine which the dominie brought would still furtherrestore him. 

Old Bob insisted that a guard should be kept on the prisoners, and heoffered to stand watch for four hours, provided we three took theremainder of the night between us. To this we could not object, thoughwhen he aroused me, I confess that I got up very unwillingly. 

I was thankful, however, that his advice was followed. While standingbefore the door, I heard one of the fellows announce to his comrade thathe had got one of his arms free, and that in another minute he would sethim at liberty. Had they succeeded in doing this, they would have hadno difficulty in working their way out of the hut. 

I at once opened the door, and walked up to the fellow with a pistol inmy hand. I found that he had really managed to get an arm free, thoughthe moment he saw me he placed it behind him. 

I shouted to old Bob, who quickly came to my assistance, and we soon hadthe fellow more securely fastened than before. We then examined theother. Though he had evidently been trying his best to get out hisarms, he had not succeeded. As may be supposed, we did not allow theman opportunity of attempting the same trick again, and when I called upGuy, I charged him to keep a watch on the two fellows, a lantern beingplaced in the middle of the hut to throw its light upon them. 

At day-break Hector rode off to execute the commissions for his father, and at the same time to summon the police. 

As our prisoners required our constant attention, we were very thankfulwhen a dozen black troopers came clattering up to the station under thecommand of an English officer, to whom we handed over the bushrangers, and gave a full description of how they had been caught, and of theirtwo companions who had escaped. 

We had, as we expected, to go and give evidence; but, fortunately, astheir trial came on at once, we were not long delayed. 

By the time we were wanted, Bracewell, thanks to the dominie's medicalskill, had almost entirely recovered. He was able to identify the twomen as among the party who had attacked him, we also having found intheir possession some of his property which they had taken. The othertwo were still at large, but the police entertained no doubt that theyshould catch them before long. 

We all returned to Bracewell's, and I was glad to find that he hadaccepted an invitation from Mr Strong, to pay him a visit, which he wasable to do as he had engaged a trustworthy man to assist old Bob intaking care of the station. We therefore prepared to set outimmediately. 

CHAPTER SEVEN. 

We were actually in our saddles and about to set off, when Hectorreceived a letter from his father directing him to return to town tomake some further purchases, and to transact other business. 

The dominie, who had been expressing a wish to visit the city and buysome books, begged permission to accompany him. 

"You go on leisurely, we'll soon catch you up, " said Hector. "It is apity that you should be delayed for us. "

Bracewell agreed to this arrangement. As his strength was notcompletely restored, it was considered advisable that he should makeshort stages. While we therefore rode on as we intended to thenorth-west, our friends, borrowing a couple of horses, that their ownmight be fresh when they returned to the station, galloped off towardsthe coast. 

We were approaching a water-hole by the side of which we proposedencamping the first evening, when we caught sight of a native walkingleisurely along with an axe in his hand. He came forward with aconfidence which showed that he was accustomed to meet white men, and werecognised, as he approached, our former guide. He appeared to behighly pleased at seeing us, and began jabbering away in a languagewhich neither Guy nor I could understand. Bracewell, who seemed tocomprehend him, replied in the same lingo; and then told us that theblack had informed him that his tribe was in the neighbourhood and wouldbe happy if we would pay them a visit, that they might show theirgratitude for the wealth we had showered upon them. 

While he was speaking, another black popped his head out from behind thebushes, when the other called to him, and he came forward. As he wasapproaching he cast his eyes to the top of a tree, a little distanceoff, when a few words were exchanged between the two. 

They both ran to it and without more ado, began to ascend, cuttingslight notches with their axes, just of sufficient size to enable themto put in their toes and fingers. 

We watched their proceedings with wonder at the rapidity with which theygot up, almost indeed as fast as if they were mounting an ordinaryladder. Round and round the tree they climbed, giving a couple ofstrokes with their little axes sufficient to make a notch of therequired size. Until I saw the confidence with which they proceeded, Iexpected every moment that they would drop down again to the ground. Though the tree must have been sixty feet high without a branch, theywere at the top in less than a minute, when securing themselves theyplunged down their hands. While the one drew out an opossum, the other, before the animal could bite him, knocked it on the head and threw it tothe ground. 

They descended with even greater celerity than they had mounted, andthen to our surprise brought the animal to us, apparently as anoffering. 

Bracewell thanking them, told them to keep it for themselves, which theywere evidently well content to do. They accompanied us to thewater-hole, where, without being told to do so, they assisted incollecting sticks for a fire. 

This being done, we having hobbled our horses, they squatted themselveson the ground to skin their opossum which they then brought to beroasted. The confidence they exhibited in us showed that we might trustthem, and we allowed them to go about the camp as they liked, thoughBracewell advised that we should keep an eye on our saddle-bags andvalises lest the temptation to appropriate their contents might be toogreat to be resisted. 

While we were discussing our supper, they managed to devour the whole ofthe opossum between them; and then, having stuck some boughs in theground to form a hut, they lay down side by side beneath them, and werequickly asleep, evidently feeling perfectly secure in our neighbourhood. 

Both Guy and I wanted to see more of the natives, and Bracewellconsented, should our guests again offer to guide us to their camp, toride round to it, as it would not take us much out of our way. Therewas, he said, a few miles off, a large shallow lagoon, near which theywere assembled for the purpose of fishing and catching the wild fowlwhich frequented it; and that we should thus have an opportunity ofseeing the way in which they engaged in those pursuits. As he knew thecountry well, he could easily make his way back to the direct route, sothat we could run no risk of missing Hector and the dominie. ThatBracewell might enjoy a full night's rest, Guy and I agreed to keepwatch and watch, but he laughed at our proposal, declaring that it wasuseless. 

"But should bushrangers stumble upon us, we might all three be stuck up, and find ourselves minus our horses and rifles, " said Guy. 

"No chance of that, " answered Bracewell, "the fellows were certain toclear out of this part of the country, when they knew the police were ontheir tracks. There is a greater risk from the blacks, though I feelsure those two fellows there can be trusted. "

In spite of Bracewell's remarks, Guy and I determined to keep to ourresolution, and as soon as he was asleep, I rose, and having made up thefire, walked about, endeavouring to keep my eyes open. I tried this forsome time, when feeling tired, I sat down with my rifle by my side. 

How it was I could not tell, but before long I found myself stretched onthe ground, and when I awoke the fire was almost out. Giving a kick tothe embers to obtain a flame, I looked at my watch. It was then almostday-break and I thought it useless to rouse my brother. Directly afterwards a chorus of cachinnations from a couple oflaughing-jackasses, gave me notice that the morning would soon commence. 

I called Guy and Bracewell, who shrewdly suspected what had happened, although as no harm had come of it, they spared me any severe remarks. 

While we were breakfasting, the blacks, who had got on their legs, sauntered up to the camp, and begged for some of the tea and damper onwhich we were regaling ourselves. 

To catch our horses, saddle up and mount, did not take us long, and asour new friends repeated their offer, we set off, the blacks runningahead. As they were making their way through scrub some distance ahead, one of them stopped and called to the other, when they each cut a longthin switch and ran towards an object which we just then saw moving inthe grass. Presently the wicked-looking head of a large snake rose inthe air. The blacks ran towards it, one on either side, and bestowingsome sharp blows with their wands, down it dropped. On getting up tothe spot, we found that it was a snake between nine and ten feet long. 

The blacks seemed to consider it a great prize, for, chopping off thehead, one of them slung the body over his shoulder, and they then againwent on shouting with glee. 

In a short time we arrived at the blacks' camp. It consisted of anumber of rude bowers, such as I have before described, tenanted by afew women, children, and old men, all the active men being out huntingin the lagoon which appeared just beyond. 

Riding on we caught sight of a number of black figures, scattered in alldirections, engaged in knocking down with their boomerangs some largebirds perched on the withered branches of the trees overhanging thewater. 

Our friends brought us one of the boomerangs to examine. It was acurved piece of wood about two feet two inches from tip to tip, rathermore than two inches wide in the middle, and diminishing towards thetips. 

We saw bird after bird knocked off the trees with this remarkableweapon. When it first left the hand of the thrower, we could not decidein what direction it was going, but after making numberless circles inthe air, it never failed to hit the object intended. 

Most of the birds we saw struck were cormorants, which, as they fellinto the water, the blacks seized and wrung their necks. Some, however, not being killed outright or stunned, showed fight, and attacked thenaked bodies of their assailants with their sharp beaks. We witnessedthe sport for some time, till the birds nearest us becoming alarmed, took to flight, but were followed by the persevering hunters, who markedwhere they again alighted. 

As we did not wish to delay, we thanked our friends, who with theprospect of an ample feast before them, showed no inclination toaccompany us. One of them, however, had a talk with Bracewell justbefore we started. 

"What was the black fellow saying?" I asked as we rode along. 

"He told me that a mob of bad black fellows, as he called them, are inthe neighbourhood, and that we must take care not to fall in with them, as they will not scruple to spear our horses at night, or, should we beoff our guard, murder us. "

"What had we better do then?" I enquired. 

"Be on our guard and not let them surprise us, " he answered, laughing. "I have no fear of the blacks, provided they know that we are preparedto give them a warm reception. We will, however, keep a look-out forthe fellows, and as soon as we get back to the regular track, I'll leavea note fixed to a tree for Hector, telling him what we have heard, andadvising him and the dominie to keep a watch at night on their horses, as I don't think it's worth while waiting for them. 

"Still, notwithstanding what our black friend said, the chances are thatwe shall not fall in with the mob of bad natives, " he added; and as heknew the country much better than Guy or I did, we were perfectly readyto be guided by his opinion. 

We soon again got into the main track. 

On reaching it, Bracewell taking out his pocketbook, wrote a few lines, warning Hector that a mob of blacks were said to be in theneighbourhood, and telling him where we proposed camping. 

Cutting some thorns, he pinned it to a tree in a conspicuous place. 

"Hector will not fail to observe it, " he said, as he did so. 

"But if the blacks see it they'll tear it down surely, " I remarked. 

"They'll not do that, " he answered, "they'll fancy it is some charm, andwill not venture to touch it. "

This done, we pushed forward, rather faster than we had hitherto beengoing, in order to arrive at a spot at which Bracewell advised that weshould camp early in the evening. 

Although there were several stations scattered over the country invarious directions, the traffic between them was so limited, that noinns or even liquor stores had been established; and travellers hadconsequently to camp out in the bush night after night when proceedingtowards the interior. 

We found doing this was no hardship, and infinitely preferred sleepingby our camp-fire with the canopy of heaven above us, to taking up ourquarters in a shepherd's hut or grog shop. 

We were approaching the end of our day's journey, when I caught sight ofa black figure flitting among the trees in the distance. Presentlyanother, and another appeared. They did not come near us, but wereapparently moving in the same direction that we were. 

I pointed them out to Bracewell. 

"I saw the rascals, " he answered. "They are up to mischief very likely, and think it prudent to keep at a distance from us. I'll soon make themvanish. "

Lifting his rifle, he uttered a loud whoop, when in an instant everyblack disappeared, either having dropped to the ground, or got behindthe stems of trees. 

"I don't suppose they'll come near us again, but it will be as well tobe on our guard when passing any thick scrub. We must either give it awide berth so that their spears cannot reach us, or gallop quickly by. "

During the day-time, however, there was not much probability that theblacks would venture to attack us; but we agreed that we must be verycareful during the night, lest they should spear our horses, --a trickthey are apt frequently to play when they think that they can do so andmake their escape without the risk of a bullet through their bodies. 

Though we looked out for them on every side, not another black did wesee; but Bracewell remarked, that we must not consequently fancy thatthey had taken themselves off. 

However, as the day wore on, and they did not again reappear, we beganto hope that we had distanced them, and that they would not trouble usduring the night. At length we reached the water-hole, near which grewseveral magnificent trees, where there was abundance of grass for thehorses, so that they would not be tempted to stray away. 

Choosing a spot with a water-hole on one side, and three or four finetrees of large girth on the other, we unsaddled our horses and made upour fire. We had provisions enough for the evening, but should have togo on short commons the next day, unless we could shoot a paddy-melon orsome birds. 

Bracewell offered, as there was still sufficient light, to try to do so;but Guy and I advised him to remain in camp while we endeavoured toshoot a few parrots or cockatoos, so many of which were flitting aboutamong the boughs that we felt confident of shooting as many as werequired. 

No sooner, however, did we fire, than having each brought down a parrot, the remainder of the noisy birds flew away. We followed, expecting toget some more shots, but the sound of our guns having alarmed them, assoon as we approached they again took to flight. 

By some means or other, I, having hurried on, lost sight of Guy, thoughI concluded that he was following me. At last I saw a large cockatoonodding his head as if not aware of my presence. I fired, and broughthim down, when directly afterwards I heard the report of Guy's gun, muchfurther off than I had expected. 

The thought just then occurred to me, that should the blacks be in theneighbourhood, they might discover our whereabouts by the reports; so Ifelt that it would be wise to be satisfied with the birds we had killed, and return to camp. 

I was therefore making my way back, when, turning my head, I caughtsight of a black figure stealthily approaching with a lance in his hand. Suspecting that his intentions were hostile, I quickly reloaded, ramming down a ball. As he approached from behind the trunk of a tree, I levelled my rifle. He vanished in an instant, though when I moved onagain, I felt pretty sure that he was following me. I therefore everynow and then turned suddenly round and pointed my rifle towards mypursuer. At last, having gone on for some distance, I began to fearthat I had lost my way, for I could not see either our camp-fire or thesmoke rising from it. To ascertain if I was near it, I gave a loudcooey, expecting that Guy and Bracewell would hear me and reply. 

No answer came. I began to feel rather uncomfortable, for although withmy rifle in my hand, I was a match for two or three blacks, I should bein an awkward predicament should I be followed by a whole mob. It wouldnot do to stop, so on I pushed. 

Again I cooeyed, and this time I heard my friends cooey in return. Still the distance was apparently considerable, and at any moment theblacks might overtake me. I ran on as fast as the nature of the groundwould allow, endeavouring to keep a straight course. 

Once more I turned round when to my dismay I beheld a score or more ofblacks armed with spears and shields. For a moment I faced them asbefore, presenting my rifle. I might bring down one of the fellows, Iknew; but then, unarmed, I should be at their mercy; I thereforecontented myself with threatening them. The instant I raised my weapon, they all vanished as before. Directly afterwards I caught sight of theglare of the fire: I dashed forward, when to my surprise I found mybrother and Bracewell coolly seated on the ground, engaged in preparinga couple of parrots which the former had shot. 

"Up, up!" I exclaimed: "the blacks are upon us--there is not a momentto lose if we intend to save our lives. "

"Oh, nonsense!" cried Bracewell. "You've seen a big `boomer, ' or thestump of a tree, which you have mistaken for a black fellow. "

I loudly protested that I was not mistaken, and advised them to loadtheir rifles with ball. 

While I was speaking, a spear quivered in the tree close to where theywere sitting. They jumped to their feet in an instant. 

"If we don't take care, we shall have the horses wounded, " I exclaimed, and I ran to where they were feeding, leaving Guy and Bracewell to keepwatch for the appearance of our enemies. 

Just as I had brought the horses up, and was tethering them behind theclump of trees, the mob of blacks came in sight, shrieking and dancingand brandishing their spears. 

Bracewell, on this, exclaimed, "We'll show them that we're not to betrifled with; or they will become bolder, and make a rush upon us withtheir waddies. Guy, do you pick off that fellow on the right; I'll takethe fellow in the centre who is nourishing his weapon--he intends tohurl it at us as soon as he gets near enough. Maurice, you must keepthem in check while we are reloading, but don't fire unless theyadvance. "

As he spoke, he and Guy pulled their triggers. As the smoke cleared offI saw two blacks on the ground--my companions were rapidly reloadingwhile I kept my rifle pointed at the advancing mob. I had my eye uponone of them, who appeared to be leader. We were tolerably wellsheltered by the roots of the trees, so that we could take aim withoutexposing ourselves. 

The determined front we exhibited did not however deter the blacks fromadvancing, and as they did so, they sent a whole shower of spears, whichstuck quivering in the trunk of the tree forming our chief protection. Several, however, passed and fell into the ground close to the horses, fortunately none of which were injured. 

I fired and brought down the man at whom I had aimed; I then sprangbehind shelter and reloaded, while my brother and Bracewell knocked overtwo more. 

It was dreadful work, having thus to kill our fellow-creatures; but atthat moment all we thought about was that they intended to kill us, andthat it was our business to defend our lives. Whether or not we shoulddo so successfully seemed very doubtful; for as far as we could judge, while they flitted in and out among the trees, there were a hundred ormore of them yelling and shrieking and hurling their sharp-pointedspears towards us. A hundred opposed to three were fearful odds. Probably they were not aware of the smallness of our number, or theymight have made a rush at our camp, and knocked us all over with theirwaddies. Every moment we expected that they would do so. Should one ofus be killed or wounded so as to be unable to fire, the other two mustinevitably become their victims. 

As yet we had happily escaped injury, and the blacks did not appearinclined to venture closer than at first. We had been firing away asrapidly as we could reload, but though we had killed several, we hadfrequently missed, for as they kept springing in and out behind thetrees in the thickening gloom, it was very difficult to hit them. Suddenly they vanished, and I was afraid were coming round to get on ourflank; the width of the water-hole, and the marshy ground on the furtherside was, however, too great to allow them to hurl their spears acrossit. My gun was loaded, but when I put my hand into my bullet-pouch, tomy dismay, I found that I had not another shot left. I told mycompanions. "Neither have I, and have just loaded with small shot, "said Bracewell. 

"So have I, " said Guy; "but it will do to pepper them with if they comenearer. "

"But small shot will not go through their shields, " I remarked. 

"Then we must aim at their legs, " answered Bracewell, calmly. 

"Don't you think it would be prudent to mount the horses and gallop offbefore they again attack us?" asked Guy. 

"They will probably be on the look-out should we make the attempt, andsurround us before we get to any distance, " said Bracewell. "Better tryand hold our own here, where we have the shelter of the trees, onlydon't throw a shot away. "

This discussion was cut short by a loud yell uttered by our savageenemies, who, the next instant, again came into view, and advanced withtheir spears poised. We had barely time to spring behind the trees, when a shower of spears flew through the air, some passing close to us, others sticking in the opposite side of the trunks. We immediatelyreplied, but could not see whether our shots took effect. The spearsnow fell so thickly, that we could scarcely venture to show ourselveseven for a moment to fire in return. By the sound of the savages'voices we judged they were getting nearer, and now we all felt that weshould have to sell our lives dearly, unless we could manage to mountour horses and gallop away; but it would take some time to saddle them, and the natives were not likely to allow us many moments to do so. Bracewell, however, desperate as was our condition, tried to keep up ourspirits. 

As far as we could judge, the savages showed no intention of abandoningtheir object. Just as we expected that they would make their finalrush, a loud cooey was heard, and I caught the sound of the trampling ofhorses' feet. We cooeyed in return again and again. The savages musthave heard us, as well as the cooeys in the distance; for after vainlyhurling another shower of spears, they turned and scampered off as fastas their legs could carry them, their flight hastened by the pepperingwe gave their backs with small shot. Almost immediately afterwardsHector and the dominie, accompanied by half a dozen troopers, camegalloping up along the path close to the water-hole. As they appeared, without waiting to exchange words, we threw our saddles on our horses'backs and mounted ready to join them in the pursuit of our foes. 

CHAPTER EIGHT. 

The sergeant in command of the troopers told us that they had been sentforward in search of some bushrangers who with unaccountable hardihood, notwithstanding the capture of two of their companions, were stillcommitting their depredations in that part of the country; and thathaving accompanied Hector, who had discovered our note, they had come onto assist us in case we should be attacked by the blacks. 

We all rode on together in the direction we supposed the savages to havetaken. But darkness was coming on: the sergeant soon pulled updeclaring that we might as well look for a needle in a bundle of hay, asexpect to catch one of them. 

Had we had any natives with us we might have tracked them during thenight. We should now however only run the risk of losing our waywithout the slightest chance of capturing a black man. 

This was very evident, and we accordingly settled to return to the campand wait until the following morning. 

Hector and the dominie had brought a good supply of provisions in theirsaddle-bags, and our supper being cooked, we sat round the fire sippingour mugs of scalding tea, and fighting our battle over again. 

The sergeant told us that the mob which had attacked us was said to bethe most daring in that part of the country. They had already, it wassupposed, murdered two hut-keepers and a shepherd, and had carried offlarge numbers of sheep. Without natives to track them it would beimpossible to come upon their camp so as to capture their leaders. Thepunishment they had received from us might perhaps, we thought, preventthem from committing further depredations in the neighbourhood; and thesergeant's business for the present was to hunt down the bushrangers, which was more in his way. He, as soon as he had seen us safely on ourroad, must continue his course in the direction he had been informedthey had taken. 

At length we began to get drowsy, and one after the other we lay downwith our horse-cloths for bedding and our saddles for pillows. 

The sergeant undertook that one of his men should keep watch, though itwas very improbable that the blacks would venture to attack us duringthe night. 

I was awakened just before dawn by the "settler's clock, " as thelaughing-jackass is frequently called; and lifting my head, by the lightof the still burning embers of our fire saw the dominie rubbing hiseyes, but no one else was moving. I suspected from this that the lastman on guard had gone to sleep. No sticks had been thrown on for aconsiderable time, and on counting heads I discovered that the sergeantand his troopers were all snoring loudly, and sound asleep. I bethoughtme that we would play them a trick; so quickly arousing Guy andBracewell, I proposed that we should unite our voices and give aterrific shriek as if a whole mob of black fellows were about to breakinto the camp. They agreed. 

We did shriek with a vengeance, the echo resounding through the forest. The effect was electrical. Up jumped the sergeant and his men andseizing their arms prepared to receive their expected foes. 

"Whereabouts are they?" exclaimed the sergeant. "Reserve your fire, until you see them, " he added--a caution I should not have considerednecessary. "Did any of you gentlemen catch sight of them?" he asked. Our loud laugh told him the trick we had played. "Which of you lads waskeeping guard?" he enquired. 

"I was, " answered one, who had been among the loudest of the snorers, and we found that the speaker had in reality the middle watch, buthaving dropped off, had not called his relief. 

We thought it best to say as little as possible about the matter, foraccording to strict military discipline, the man who goes to sleep onguard in the face of an enemy, becomes liable to the punishment ofdeath. The sergeant also, who was a good-natured fellow, was evidentlyanxious not to take too much notice of the matter. 

We soon got the fire made up, and having breakfasted, we mounted androde in the direction we supposed that the blacks had taken, but exceptthe dead bodies of the men we had shot, no trace of them could wediscover. They probably could not tell whether or not we had anynatives with us, and therefore took care to leave no trail by which theycould be followed up. They might possibly have been hiding all the timein the neighbourhood, or might--contrary to their usual custom--havetravelled during the night. 

After looking for an hour or more we agreed that it would be useless tosearch further and pursued our course towards Mr Strong's. Thesergeant's way for some distance lay in the same direction, and he andhis men therefore accompanied us. We had got about half way, when wesaw a white man running towards us. He appeared to be in a desperatehurry, and as he approached made signs entreating us to stop. 

"What's the matter, my man?" inquired Bracewell as he came up. 

"I am a shepherd on Mr Robinson's out-station, " he answered. "I haddriven my flock to the run this morning, when who should I see comingtowards me but old Bill the hut-keeper who had a spear in his side andanother in his back. He had just time to tell me that, soon after I hadgone, a whole mob of blacks surrounded the hut, and to the best of hisbelief were still either in or about it, when, though I did my best tohelp him by cutting out the spear, he sank back and died. On this I wasafraid to stay where I was lest the blacks should find me out, and wastrying to reach Mr Strong's or some other station, when I saw you. "

This account made us resolve at once to try and surprise the blacks. The shepherd acknowledged that he and his mate had just before got in onthe sly some bottles of rum, which it was possible the blacks might havefound; and that if so, should we advance cautiously, we might verylikely catch them. Not a moment however was to be lost, and one of thetroopers taking the shepherd up behind him on his horse to act as ourguide, we set off in the direction of the hut. It was so situated atthe bottom of a hill, with a belt of trees on one side, that led by theshepherd we were able to get close up to it without being discovered. 

We there dismounted, leaving our horses under the charge of the dominiewho volunteered for the service. 

We crept cautiously down towards the hut, the sounds proceeding fromwhich showed us to our great satisfaction, that it was still inpossession of the blacks. We now advanced with greater caution, Bracewell and Hector, who were the most experienced in bush life, leading, I following, until we could look right down upon the hut. Afew blacks were squatting on the ground outside, and the hut itselfappeared to be full of them. The sergeant and his men, I should havesaid, had brought some coils of rope with which to bind any prisonersthey might capture. These they formed into lassoes for the purpose ofthrowing over the heads of the blacks. As we watched the hut, thepeople collected round it had, as far as we could judge, no intention ofmoving, probably fancying that they were safe, for the present, frompursuit. 

Bracewell now made a sign to us to rise to our feet, so that we mightrush down on the hut and capture all the blacks in it if not thoseoutside. At the signal we were in motion, the troopers with their drawnswords in one hand and their pistols in the other, and we with ourrifles. We had got half way down the slope before the blacks discoveredus. Most of those outside scampered off, but we saw, by the crowd atthe door, that the hut was full, and before many could escape, we wereat the entrance. Some tried to get out of the window on one side of thehut, but Guy, Hector, and I shot them down as they reached the ground, thus putting a stop to any others escaping in that direction; while thesergeant and his troopers, bursting into the hut, soon had several ofthe rest secured by their necks. Others were knocked down. The greaternumber either lay helpless on the ground or stared stupidly at theirassailants. Had our object been slaughter we might have killed thewhole mob, but the sergeant had received orders to capture as many aspossible alive, and we were thankful not to have to destroy any more ofthe poor wretches. 

Altogether, thirty were made prisoners, but we could not calculate howmany had made their escape. The greater number, however, had left theirspears and waddies behind them, so that they were not likely for thepresent to attempt further mischief. At the request of the sergeant webrought down the horses and assisted him in securing the prisoners andarranging them in the order in which they were to march. It took sometime to bind the unfortunate wretches, whom we secured with their armsbehind them, and then fastened together by strong ropes six in a line. Our next care was to collect all the arms, which, with the exception ofa few we desired to possess, were broken and thrown on the fire. 

There was very little chance of rescue; indeed, had the blacks still atliberty made the attempt, they would to a certainty have hastened thedeath of their friends. The shepherd entreated us to assist him inbringing in the body of the hut-keeper--a task, from a sense ofhumanity, we undertook, while he remained to look after his sheep. 

We accordingly brought the body in on the dominie's horse and placed itin the bunk in which the unfortunate man, a few hours before, had beensleeping, little dreaming of the fate awaiting him. The dominie, Guy, and I remained at the hut, while Bracewell and Hector rode off to thehead station to give information of what had occurred and to obtain acompanion for the poor man. 

Finding a couple of spades in the hut, Guy and I employed our time inburying the blacks who had been shot on the first onslaught. It was afar from pleasant undertaking, but it was better to put them undergroundbefore they were discovered by the dingoes or vultures, which wouldbefore long find them out. 

The day was waning and as our companions had not returned we began tofear that we should have to spend the night in the hut. I was glad atlength when I saw the shepherd returning with the flock. He thanked usheartily for what we had done. 

When he entered the hut he seemed dreadfully upset at the sight of hisdead mate. "It is a trying life, this shepherding, gentlemen, " heobserved; "with the chance of being speared or clubbed by theblackfellows, or stuck up by a bushranger, while one has to spend dayafter day without a human being to speak to, from sunrise to sunset--andthen to have one's only chum killed so suddenly! It is well-nigh morethan I can bear. "

It was late at night before Bracewell and Hector came back, accompaniedby Mr Piatt, the overseer from the head station, and another man totake the place of the murdered hut-keeper. As it was now too late tothink of proceeding on our journey that night, we turned our horses intoa spare paddock, where they could find grass enough to satisfy theirhunger until the morning. 

Having stowed our baggage inside the hut, after supper we lay down, where we could find room on the ground; one of the party, however, keeping watch in case the blacks should return, though it was not at alllikely they would do that. 

Before sunrise the shepherd and his new mate got up to dig a grave forthe murdered man, in which we saw him placed before we started. Wethen, having breakfasted, continued our route, Mr Piatt accompanyingus, as, for a couple of miles or so, our roads lay in the samedirection. He had come away without his rifle, or arms of anydescription, excepting his heavy riding-whip, and he declared that theywere unnecessary; for the blacks, he said, would never venture to attacka well-mounted man, and as for bushrangers, when there was no booty tobe obtained they were not likely to interfere with him. He had riddenabout the country in all directions, and except when hunting a kangarooor emu, he had never had to fire a shot. 

"But with a mob of savage blacks in the neighbourhood, it would be moreprudent to be armed, " I observed. 

"My horse-whip will soon send them to the rightabout, should any of themventure to come near me, " he answered laughing. "However we have gothalf a dozen rifles at the head station, and as soon as I get back I'llarm each man and we'll quickly drive the remainder of the mob from theneighbourhood. Depend upon it if any are remaining they'll clear outfast enough when they find we are after them. "

We soon got over the two miles the overseer was to accompany us. Hethen, thanking us for the service we had rendered his people, turned offto the right. He was still in sight, when we heard him shout, and I sawthat he was galloping along with uplifted whip as if to strike someobject on the ground. Supposing that he had called us, we rode towardshim. Just then I saw a tall black man spring up from behind a bush and, with axe in hand, attack the overseer, who, it appeared to me, was ingreat danger of being killed; but as the savage was about to strike, thelash of the whip caught his arm and wrenched the weapon out of his hand. 

The black, uttering a cry of disappointed rage, bounded away and amoment after was lost to sight among the scrub. On getting near toPiatt we saw two more natives on the ground, the one a youth badlywounded, the other a _gin_, old and wrinkled, apparently the mother ofthe lad. 

"I would not have attempted to strike them, had I seen that one was awoman and that the lad was wounded, " said the overseer, as he pointed tothe wretched beings; "but I fancied they were black fellows hiding away, and trying to escape my notice. The man who attacked me is probably theboy's father, and they have shown more than usual affection for theirson. "

"Don't you think that we could do something for the poor lad?" observedBracewell. "Mr Kimber will see what chance there is of his recovery. "

"With all the pleasure in the world, " said the dominie, dismounting, andhe and Bracewell examined the lad's hurt. 

The _gin_ sat watching their proceedings. 

"He is shot through the body. It is a wonder that he has lived so long, for I make no doubt he is one of the blacks who attacked the hut, "observed the dominie. "I don't believe that the best surgeon in theland could do him any good. If we were to attempt to move him, he woulddie before we had carried him a hundred yards. "

Bracewell expressed the same opinion. 

We tried to make the old _gin_ understand that there was no hope of herson's recovery; indeed, the next instant, while lifting him up, andafter he had given a few gasps, his arms fell helplessly by his side, and we saw that he was dead. 

"We had better leave him to his mother, and probably his father willreturn as soon as we have gone, " observed Bracewell. "He has broughthis fate upon himself, and we can do no more. "

This was very evident, and the overseer, who was in a hurry to get back, galloped on, while we once more rode forward, leaving the poor womanwith her dead son. 

We had had enough of fighting, and were truly glad to reach Mr Strong'sstation without any other accident. Bracewell was warmly welcomed. 

Although he had not before been a visitor at the house, his highcharacter, his perseverance and industry were all known to Mr Strong, who might possibly have had no objection to bestow upon him one of hisblooming daughters. 

We spent our time in the usual way, working on the station, varied withan occasional hunt after kangaroos, for as they eat up the grassrequired for the sheep, it is considered necessary to destroy them whenthey are numerous near a station. The blacks, after the severe lessonthey had received from us, and from other settlers in the neighbourhood, betook themselves to another part of the country, and we had no longerany fear of being troubled by them. 

We had been some days at Mr Strong's, and Bracewell was talking ofreturning home, when a hut-keeper from the most distant station arrivedin great alarm, stating that he had been beset the previous evening by aparty of white men on horseback, who, taking his gun and ammunition, hisweek's supply of provisions and everything else, they could lay hands onin the hut, had lashed him hand and foot, threatening that if he gaveinformation of their visit, they would return and kill him. Fortunately, soon after they had gone a shepherd arrived, but he hadbeen afraid at first to leave the hut lest they should put their threatinto execution. Waiting till daylight, he had followed their tracks forsome distance, when he had hurried back to bring us information of therobbery. His idea was, that having supplied themselves with arms, theyintended to pillage some of the larger stations, but how he arrived atthis conclusion he did not say. His account was sufficiently clear tomake us resolve to follow them up, and to try and put a stop to theircareer. Whether or not they were led by our former acquaintance, thebig bushranger, and that unhappy fellow Vinson, we could not tell; butfrom the description the hut-keeper gave of two of the men who hadattacked him, we strongly suspected that such was the case. 

As there was no time to be lost, we at once organised a party to set outin search of the fellows. The only black on whom we could rely to actas a scout was our own attendant Toby, who volunteered, withouthesitation, to accompany us. The party consisted of the three elderStrongs, Bracewell, Guy, and I, and two men from the station, with Toby. All of us were mounted, and we agreed to call on our way at CaptainMason's to get further reinforcements, thinking it not unlikely that thebushrangers had already paid him a visit, or if not that they werelurking in the neighbourhood. 

As we rode fast we arrived at the captain's before the evening. He hadseen nothing of the bushrangers; but we found the family somewhat in astate of alarm, as a shepherd had come in with the information that akeeper on one of the captain's stations had been killed in his hut theprevious night, and that he himself had narrowly escaped with his life. 

Captain Mason, therefore, gladly reinforced us with a couple of men; he, however, thinking it prudent to remain to defend his house, lest, duringour absence, the daring ruffians might venture to attack it. 

Riding towards the hut, we hoped that we might come upon the track ofthe outlaws. In this we were not mistaken; and Toby assured us that weshould be able to follow them up, as they had taken no pains to concealtheir movements. As it grew dark he dismounted, and led the way in amanner which showed that he was well accustomed to the work. 

After going some distance, he begged us to halt, saying that we were notfar off from the camp of the bushrangers. 

Having pulled up under the shelter of some tall bushes, we waited tohear the report Toby might bring us. He again crept forward. We hadnot remained long, when the crack of a rifle was heard. As Toby hadgone unarmed, with the exception of a long knife which he usuallycarried in his belt, we feared that coming suddenly on the bushrangershe had been shot. At all events, as concealment was no longernecessary, we dashed forward, Bracewell and I, with Mr Strong'soverseer leading. We had not gone far, when we caught sight of Tobystanding with his knife in his hand, and, some twenty paces from him, ofa man in the act of levelling his musket to fire. 

That the latter was one of the bushrangers, there could be no doubt, andthe overseer, without waiting to inquire, raising his rifle, dischargedit. The bullet took effect, but not until the man had fired; Toby atthe same moment fell to the ground, and I thought was killed; but thebushranger, before the smoke had cleared away, had darted behind a tree. 

I had not fired, and my attention was attracted for an instant by Toby, who, to my great satisfaction, I saw spring to his feet and make chaseafter the fugitive. We called him back, thinking, probably, that theman was not alone, and that our black follower would fall a victim tohis intrepidity; but, without heeding us, he dashed forward, and as soonas Bracewell had reloaded, we followed him. It was no easy matter, however, to make our way between the trees, which here grew unusuallythick, while the ground was encumbered by fallen trunks and boughs. Thespot had evidently been chosen by the bushrangers as a place likely toafford concealment, and, at the same time, enable them to defendthemselves. 

"That fellow was placed here on watch, to warn his comrades of theapproach of an enemy, and, depend upon it, they are not far off, " saidBracewell. "We shall come upon them presently, and it will be our ownfault if we allow any of the gang to escape. "

We now heard the sound of fire-arms, and as the bushrangers were warnedof our approach, we knew that their first impulse would be to mounttheir horses and gallop off. 

Our great object, therefore, was to prevent them from doing this, andunless they had kept their animals saddled and bridled, we had still aprospect of succeeding. 

CHAPTER NINE. 

Darkness was coming on, but we had still light sufficient to see ourway, and should we not come up with the bushrangers at once, they mightbe off, and we should find it a hard matter to overtake them. We hadgone on for some minutes, expecting every instant to discover them, whenToby stopped. 

"Dey dare, " he said, pointing to a rocky knoll which rose just above thewood through which we were making our way. The reason they had notmounted their horses was now apparent, for we caught sight of theanimals scampering away in the distance. The outlaws had probably takenup this position under the idea that they could effectually defendthemselves against us, evidently not knowing the numbers composing ourparty. The instant we emerged from among the trees, several bulletscame flying past our heads. By a simultaneous impulse we fired inreturn. 

"On, on! before they have time to reload, " cried Bracewell. 

We dashed forward with our pistols in our hands. When we reached theknoll, not a man was to be seen on his feet, but three lay dead or dyingamong the rocks. At that instant a fourth sprang up with a rifle in hishand with which he was taking aim at Bracewell, when, before he had timeto pull the trigger, the overseer fired and he fell. I had recognisedVinson, and as I rode up, I observed the look of agony and despair whichoverspread the countenance of my former school-fellow. I think he musthave known me, but he was unable to speak, and before I could dismounthe had ceased to breathe. 

It was a sad end of a mis-spent life, and yet at one time Cyril Vinsonwas one of the most admired and sought after in a fashionable circle. Among the bodies we discovered that of the big bushranger, while wefound that of the man who first fired a short distance from the knoll, where he had fallen and died before he had been able to reach hiscompanions. 

One of the gang only escaped, but Toby declined to go in search of himuntil the following morning, as he could not, he said, traverse theforest at night. 

At daylight we followed him up, but found that he had managed to catchone of the horses, and for the time had made good his escape. 

We got back to the station the next day. The information we brought ofthe destruction of the long dreaded gang, caused no small satisfactionto our neighbours. Some weeks afterwards the body of the bushranger whohad escaped was discovered in a state of emaciation, showing that hemust have been starved to death. 

Although there is generally work enough on an Australian station tooccupy everybody, we made frequent excursions to hunt kangaroo, dingoes, and emus. Mr Strong, however, objected to the younger members of hisfamily expending the large amount of powder and shot they were apt tofire away. He would allow them, he said, only the use of bows andarrows, promising, however, to give each a rifle when they could bring aparrot down on the wing, an emu running, or a kangaroo bounding over theground. We therefore employed ourselves during the longer evenings ofwinter in manufacturing bows and feathering a large supply of arrows, for both of which objects we found suitable material. 

We were in the meantime daily gaining experience in all farmingoperations which would prove of the greatest value when we should havecharge of a station on our own account. 

I had long promised to make a hunting trip with Hector and his two youngbrothers, Oliver and Ralph. As soon as our weapons were finished we setoff, accompanied by Toby, who, since the courage he had displayed incapturing the bushrangers, had become a person of no small importance. I took the liberty, however, of carrying my rifle, as Hector also didhis. We agreed to camp out for one or two nights, or as long as theflour and biscuits in our wallets would last. 

It is usual to hunt the emu on horseback with dogs, when the bird ispursued until the dogs can get up to it, and seizing it by the throatdrag it down. We, however, hoped with Toby's assistance to stalk it asthe natives are in the habit of doing, and for this purpose our bows andarrows were likely to prove as efficient weapons as rifles, the reportof which would be certain to drive the birds away from the spot wherethey were feeding; whereas the silent arrow might bring down one withoutfrightening the others. 

We tramped over many weary miles till we reached the edge of a largeplain known to be frequented by emus, far beyond any of the sheep-runs. On one side it was bounded by an extensive scrub, which beingfortunately to leeward, we hoped by creeping along under its cover toget within reach of the birds. We had proceeded some way when we caughtsight of several, but they were all feeding too far off to give us anyhope of shooting them without showing ourselves. Had we been mounted wemight have been able to run down two or three, but being on foot, ourbest chance was to wait in ambush until some unwary bird got withinrange of our arrows. My idea was that, if we could shoot one, theothers, from curiosity, would come to see what was the matter. 

We accordingly agreed to wait patiently until we were certain of hittingour "quarry. " Toby set us a good example by taking post behind a bush, where he stood looking like a bronze statue well blackened by Londonsmoke. 

Had two or three emus come near enough, I do not think that Hector and Icould have resisted the temptation to use our rifles. Not a sound washeard, except when an emu uttered its hollow, booming note, as ifcarrying on a conversation with its mate. At length one of the noblebirds came stalking up directly towards where we lay hid. It was fullyseven feet in height, with powerful, stout legs, while its wings were sosmall that they could not be distinguished from its lightish brown andgrey plumage. It got up to within twenty yards, when Oliver and Ralph, unable longer to restrain their eagerness, leapt to their feet, and senta couple of shafts into its body. The emu, seeing them, turned tail, and off it went at a rapid rate. Influenced by a natural impulse, theystarted off in chase, instead of getting under cover and watching forthe chance of another bird coming up to it. Toby also sprang out frombehind a tree, and Hector and I followed, trusting that the arrows hadstruck deep enough, if not mortally to wound the emu, at all events, toprevent its keeping up the pace at which it was going. Our plucky youngcompanions were fixing fresh arrows to their strings as they ran on, while Toby, bounding over the ground, promised soon to come up with thewounded bird. What had become of the other emus, I could not see; and Ihad to look where I was stepping, for fear of toppling down on my nose. I do not think I ever ran faster in my life. The emu kept on, but stillit did not gain upon us sufficiently fast to make us abandon the hope ofcoming up with it. At length its pace became slower, and Oliver, whowas leading, sent another arrow into its body. It went off again onfeeling the pain, faster than ever; but before long, once more slackenedits speed, though it still managed to keep ahead. A pretty long chaseit led us altogether, still the excitement and prospect of catching itat last induced us to proceed, Oliver and Ralph shouting and hallooingin high glee, as they dashed over the ground, while Toby held his axeready to give it a finishing blow as soon as he could get up to it. Iwas but a short distance behind the others, and supposed that Hector wasfollowing me; but at last the hard-pressed emu showed evident signs ofgiving in, and Oliver was springing towards it, when Toby shouted--

"Take care, him give kick one side!"

Fortunately Oliver followed this advice, when, in spite of its hurts, the bird struck out so furiously behind and on one side, that it wouldhave broken his leg, or have inflicted a dangerous wound, had it struckhim. 

The black now, getting in front of it, threw the axe with so sure anaim, that the bird, its head almost cleft in two, fell dead to theground. 

The two boys uttered a shout of triumph, in which I joined. I expectedto hear Hector's voice, but on looking round he was nowhere to be seen. What had become of him, neither his brothers nor the black could say. We were afraid that he must have hurt his foot, or fallen and beenunable to follow. We could scarcely calculate how far we had come. Oliver declared that it must have been five miles at least; but I didnot think the distance was nearly so much. The question was now, whatto do with our emu while we went back in search of Hector, as we wereunwilling to abandon so valuable a prize to the dingoes, who were verylikely to find it out. Fortunately there were some bushes near whichwould afford fuel for a fire, and Toby consented to camp on the spot, while we returned to look for our companion. 

I should have said that Guy and Bracewell had promised to ride after usthe next morning with a spare horse or two, to carry back the spoils ofthe chase. I knew that they would come, although they had expressedgreat doubt whether we should have any game to carry home. They hadsettled to meet us at a spot with which Hector was acquainted; but if hewere lost we should be unable to find it. 

After we had taken some rest and food we set off, leaving Toby to skinand cut up the emu. 

We had spent so much time in the chase, that it began to grow darkbefore we had got a mile on our way; still, as we had a compass with us, we were able to keep in the right direction. 

"As the moon is about to rise, we shall soon be able to see our way, "said Oliver; "but what can have happened to Hector?"

No one was able to answer that question. As we went on we shouted outhis name, but no reply came, and I began to feel very uneasy. I thoughtthat I had seen him certainly close to the point we had now reached. 

I twice fired off my rifle, but listened in vain for the report of his. I now began to regret that we had not brought Toby with us, for he wouldhave been far more likely to find him than we were. 

His brothers were almost in despair. 

"We had better go back and get Toby, " exclaimed Oliver. 

"Something dreadful must have happened. Perhaps he has been bitten by apoisonous snake, or kicked by an emu, " said Ralph. 

"Unless a mob of blacks have been hiding in the scrub and tracked us, " Iremarked. 

"But then I don't see how they could have overtaken him without ourseeing them, " said Oliver. 

At last it became so dark that we found it impossible to proceed, and itwas proposed to halt until the moon should rise, when we should betterbe able to find our way. 

We accordingly sat down on the ground to wait until the pale luminary ofnight could give us her light. 

She rose even sooner than we had expected. 

"Hurrah!" cried Oliver, "it will soon be almost as light as day, andunless Hector has fallen asleep, we shall find him. "

We accordingly went on, shouting out as before. Presently my footslipped into a hole, and I very nearly dislocated my ankle. 

"What could have made that hole?" I exclaimed. 

"Wombats, I've a notion, " answered Oliver. "Look, there's one of thecreatures!" As he spoke we saw an animal like a small bear waddlingalong over the ground. Presently we caught sight of another andanother. We had evidently got into a colony of the creatures. 

"I wonder we did not come across these when we were running after theemu, " I observed. "I am afraid that we have got out of our way. "

"We must have been close on one side or the other, for I'm certain thatwe were at no great distance from this, " answered Oliver. 

"Hector, Hector!" he shouted. 

"Listen!" cried Ralph: "I heard a voice. It came from the right--it'snot far off there!"

Again we shouted, when listening attentively we all three heard a replyand felt sure that we were not mistaken as to the direction from whichit came. 

On making our way towards the spot we caught sight of a dozen or morewombats, and presently of the head and arms of a person rising above theground. 

"That must be Hector! Hector, Hector, is it you?" shouted Oliver. 

"Yes, yes! make haste or I shall tumble back again, " was the answer. 

We sprang forward and caught him by the arms; when, all three haulingaway, we quickly dragged him out of a large hole into which he hadfallen. 

"Take care, " he said. "I cannot stand--I sprained my ankle when fallinginto the hole, and the pain was so great that I believe I must havefainted. When I came to myself, I found that it was perfectly dark, andno sooner had I managed to reach the top of the hole than a whole herdof those wombats came sniffing round me, wondering what strange creaturehad got among them. I shouldn't have minded them, had they not tried tobite my hands and compelled me to let go again. "

The wombats, on our appearance, had waddled off, so that they did notinterfere with us while we were attending to Hector. 

On his trying to use his foot he found that his ankle was not so muchinjured as he had supposed, and that by supporting himself on ourshoulders he could manage to hobble along. He therefore very willinglyagreed to try and get back to the camp. 

"But what has become of your gun?" I asked; "can you remember where youleft it?"

"I'm sure I don't know, " answered Hector; "I had it in my hand when Ifell, but when I felt about for it I could nowhere find it. "

We searched for the rifle round the hole and at last came to theconclusion that it must have fallen in. 

Ralph offered to descend. 

He got down without difficulty and soon cried out that he had found therifle at the bottom. "Stay, I have found something else, " he added ashe handed up the rifle. "While I was groping about, my hand came incontact with two hairy creatures. Here they are!" and stooping downagain he hauled out two young wombats. We speedily knocked them on thehead, agreeing that they would make a very good roast for supper. 

We should have been puzzled to know how the big wombat got out of thehole, had not Ralph told us that he had found a passage sloping upwardsto a smaller entrance some distance off. 

As the two small wombats might not prove sufficient for all hands I shota big fellow which measured nearly three feet in length, and was coveredwith a thick hairy coat. 

Ralph undertook to carry it on his shoulders, while Oliver and Isupported Hector. 

We now lost no time in making our way back to the camp. Our progresswas of necessity slow, but we reached it at last, having been guidedduring the latter part of the distance by the bright flames of Toby'sfire. 

We immediately set to work to cook the wombat. Toby however hadsatisfied his hunger on the flesh of the emu, though he managed after alittle rest to devour no small portion of the meat we had brought. 

We then lay down to sleep, pretty well tired by the fatigue we had gonethrough. To our dismay Hector was utterly unable to walk the nextmorning, but fortunately our friends discovered us on their way to therendezvous, and he mounting one of the horses we set off for home. Wecarried with us the emu, which it was calculated would yield between sixand seven quarts of fine oil. It is for the sake of this valuableproduct that the bird is generally hunted. 

Hector very good-naturedly bore the bantering of the rest of the partyon the subject of his adventure among the wombats. 

We had ridden some distance across the open country, when we observedahead what looked like a dense black mist in the far distance above thescrub. 

"What can that be?" I asked of Bracewell. 

"I don't like its appearance, " he answered. "I fear that the bush is onfire, and if so it is impossible to say where it will stop. It appearsto be at no great distance from the station. What do you think, Hector?"

"I'm sure it's very near, " he answered hurriedly; "and during this dryweather the rapidity with which it spreads is extraordinary. Push on, all of you; don't mind me, I can be of no use with this lame foot, butyou may still be in time to assist in saving our dear ones at homeshould the fire reach the house. Here, Maurice, do you mount my horse, and I'll get on the animal carrying the emu; there's not a moment tolose. "

I willingly acted according to his suggestion; and, leaving him with histwo younger brothers and Toby, Bracewell, Guy, and I galloped forward. 

Bracewell appeared more agitated than I had ever seen him before. Hehad been paying great attention to Mary Strong, and the thought nowoccurred to him that she was in danger. While we were dashing on ashard as we could go, it appeared to us that the conflagration wasrapidly extending. Already dense wreaths of smoke, rising towards thesky, formed a thick canopy overhead; while we could see every now andthen the bright flames darting upwards above the intervening bush assome tall tree was wrapped in their embrace. 

It was very evident that the homestead was in the greatest danger, evenif it was not already encircled in flames; and although the inmatesmight have made their escape, we could not tell in what direction theyhad fled. They would have endeavoured to save as much of their propertyas possible from destruction, and Bracewell's fears conjured up thedreadful idea that they might have been caught by the rapidly advancingfoe before they could reach a place of safety. 

With whip and spur we urged on our animals. We had as yet seen no oneto tell us in what direction our friends had gone. There was a streamto the left, used in the shearing season for washing the sheep, andBracewell hoped that they might have made their way to it. 

The intervening ground was free of trees, and the grass had been croppedso low that the fire was not likely to make much progress over it. Theymight, however, still be at the house, and towards it we directed ourcourse. 

As we galloped up what was our dismay to find it on fire, while theoutbuildings were nearly burnt to the ground! We dashed up shouting toour friends, but no one replied. 

"They must have gone across the stream, " cried Bracewell; and turningour horses' heads we rode furiously on through the flames which hadalready caught the bushes on either side of us. After shouting againand again it was with unspeakable thankfulness that we heard our shoutsanswered, and dashing across the stream, we found the family assembledon a spot where the fire was not likely to reach. 

Mary was on her palfrey, her father standing by her side endeavouring toquiet her alarm, while Mrs Strong with the children and young peoplewere seated on the ground among such articles as they had been able tosave. 

Our arrival greatly relieved their anxiety, for they had fancied that weand the boys might have been passing through a part of the wood in whichthe fire had been raging. 

The flames spread to the east and the west, but having nothing to feedon near the stream they fortunately did not cross to the side on whichwe had taken refuge. 

The fire continued to rage long after darkness had come on, and grandand terrible was the spectacle it exhibited. We watched it anxiouslynot knowing how far it might extend. I was much struck with the calmway in which Mr Strong endured his hard fortune. Not a murmur escapedhis lips, but over and over again he expressed his gratitude to Heavenfor having preserved all those dear to him from injury. 

Under his directions we all turned to and put up some huts for theladies, in which they passed the night. Mercifully towards morning aheavy fall of rain came on and extinguished the fire almost as suddenlyas it had begun. 

Next morning Mr Strong set about ascertaining his losses and withwonderful energy took steps to repair them. 

Bracewell invited the family to take up their abode at his hut untiltheir new house was ready to receive them, and they immediately set offin one of the waggons which had escaped. 

Guy and I, with the young Strongs, worked with the farm hands frommorning till night, in putting up fences and rebuilding the house; andin a wonderfully short time the station, which had become little morethan a mass of ruins, began to assume a habitable aspect. 

Though we worked without wages the knowledge we gained was of thegreatest value to us in our subsequent career. In a year or two ourworthy cousin had completely recovered from the heavy losses he hadsustained. 

Bracewell before long became the husband of Mary Strong. 

The proprietor of the next station to his wishing to sell out, we, assisted by him, were able to purchase it; and as soon as we had got upa tolerable residence, we sent to the old country for our mother andsisters; and I may honestly say we have had no cause to regret havingfixed our home in Australia. 

THE END.