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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Adventures in Australia, by W.H.G. Kingston
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Adventures in Australia
+
+Author: W.H.G. Kingston
+
+Illustrator: E. Evans
+
+Release Date: May 8, 2007 [EBook #21383]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ADVENTURES IN AUSTRALIA ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England
+
+
+
+
+Adventures in Australia, by W.H.G. Kingston.
+
+________________________________________________________________________
+
+A couple of young men go to Australia to stay awhile with the uncle of
+one of them.  While on the way up to the uncle's station they meet with
+various adventures.
+
+During the book we are introduced to various of the animals of
+Australia, the kookaburra, the wombat, the kangaroo, the wallaby, and
+many others.  We also meet with the aboriginal occupiers of the land.
+
+Finding that they like the life in Australia, the two young men decide
+to settle, and they buy, with the uncle's assistance, an area of land on
+which to create a station.
+
+This is not a long book, but it is amply illustrated. Some of the
+drawings are very nice indeed.
+
+You will enjoy this book, and it makes a good audiobook.
+
+________________________________________________________________________
+
+ADVENTURES IN AUSTRALIA, BY W.H.G. KINGSTON.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER ONE.
+
+Some years ago two travellers, mounted on wiry yet strong looking
+steeds, were wending their way through a forest in Australia.  They were
+both young and dressed much alike in broad-brimmed pith hats, loose red
+shirts, corduroy trousers and high boots with spurs.
+
+Each of them had stuck in his belt an axe, a brace of pistols, and a
+long knife; while at his back was slung a serviceable-looking rifle,
+showing that they were prepared to defend themselves, should they
+encounter any treacherous blacks, a very possible contingency at that
+period of the country's history.
+
+They were followed by an active native also mounted, who led a horse
+carrying their baggage.  The scenery was not especially attractive,
+indeed so great was its sameness that alone they would have been utterly
+unable to find their way.  On either side rose tall stringy-bark and
+other gum-trees, their curious and narrow leaves affording scarcely any
+shelter from the rays of the almost vertical sun, the huge white stems
+from which the bark hung down in ragged masses giving them a weird and
+dreary aspect.  Tracks there were, but they branched now in one
+direction now in the other, and were more calculated to bewilder the
+travellers than to guide them aright.  Their map--for being new arrivals
+in the country they carried one--told them that they should soon reach a
+broad stream.  They were now looking out eagerly for it, wondering
+whether they should have to wade through it or should find a ferry-boat
+ready to take them and their animals across.
+
+I may as well say--having thus begun, after the fashion of a writer
+whose pure and wholesome works I used heartily to enjoy in my boyhood
+days--that one of the travellers was myself, Maurice Thurston, and the
+other my brother Guy, a year only my senior.  We had lately lost our
+father, with whose sanction we had settled some time before to come out
+to Australia and seek our fortunes.  We, our mother, our two sisters,
+and another brother, had been left with a very limited income; and Guy
+and I, wishing to push our own fortunes and establish a home for the
+rest of the family, agreed that no time should be lost in carrying our
+plan into execution.  As soon therefore as our mother's affairs had been
+settled, we set sail from England, and, about two weeks before the day I
+am describing, arrived in Australia.  We had not come entirely on a
+wild-goose chase.  A cousin of our father's, Mr Oliver Strong, had long
+been settled in the country, and had replied to an application made to
+him some time before by our father, saying that he should be happy to
+receive us and put us in the way of doing well for ourselves, if we were
+sober, steady, strong, active, willing fellows with heads on our
+shoulders and without any "fine gentleman" notions.
+
+We were now making our way toward his station, some hundred miles in the
+interior.  Though we had not ridden far from our camping place, the
+intense heat of the sun made us feel very thirsty, and sympathise with
+our horses which must have been equally so; thus we were anxious as soon
+as possible to reach the river, where we hoped to find an abundance of
+water.
+
+From our black guide we could not obtain much information; for, although
+we were well assured that he spoke English when we engaged him, we found
+that 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 put
+questions in all sorts of ways and repeat them over and over again.  We
+then had to puzzle out his replies, not always arriving at a
+satisfactory conclusion.
+
+Guy frequently stood up in his stirrups and looked ahead, hoping to
+catch the sheen of water.  At last we began to have some uncomfortable
+suspicions 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 sun
+was of some assistance, yet we might be going too much to the north or
+too much to the west, and might pass a long way off from the station
+which we wished to reach.  All we could do therefore was to exert our
+wits, and, should we have got out of the direct path, to try and find
+it.  At length the foliage before us became somewhat thicker, but no
+sign of water did we see.  We were riding on when a loud cry reached our
+ears.
+
+"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 to
+come from the wood close to us.
+
+"What can that be?"  I asked; "some natives who want to frighten us, or
+an 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 evidently
+uttering the extraordinary sound we heard.  It was, as Toby told us, a
+laughing-jackass, or a gigantic kingfisher.  So ridiculous were the
+sounds that we could not help laughing too.
+
+Presently a number of cockatoos, rising with loud screams just before
+us, flew over the trees to pitch again not far off.  As we were watching
+them we found ourselves at the top of a bank, some thirty or forty feet
+in height.  Below it, to the right and left, stretched a sandy bottom
+scarcely less than half a mile in breadth, and on the opposite side rose
+another bank.  Below the one on which we stood was a stream of water,
+flowing sluggishly along, scarcely twelve feet wide, and so shallow that
+we could see the bottom.
+
+"Can this be the river we were to come to?"  I exclaimed, examining the
+map.
+
+"No doubt about it," answered my brother; "perhaps sometimes this broad
+bed of sand is covered, and if we had found it so, we should have had
+considerable difficulty in crossing; so it is as well as it is, here is
+water enough for ourselves and our weary beasts."  We accordingly agreed
+to stop and dine.  Having watered our horses, we hobbled them and turned
+them at liberty under some trees where grass was growing; then
+unslinging our guns, we went in search of the cockatoos we had seen.  I
+killed one, and Guy a parrot; but the report of our guns frightened away
+the birds, which were more wary than usual, and we had to return
+satisfied with this scanty supply of food.  On reaching the spot we had
+selected for our camp, close to the water where our black boy was
+waiting for us, we found that he had during our absence made a fire, at
+which 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 tough
+parrot, when we caught sight of two natives scampering along as if they
+were mad, so it seemed to us, for they had their eyes fixed in the air
+and appeared regardless of all impediments in their way.  We shouted to
+them, but not hearing us, on they went, now leaping over the fallen
+trunk of a tree, now rushing through a bush, now tumbling into a hole,
+still keeping their eyes fixed on the object which engaged their
+attention.  We asked Toby what they were about.
+
+"Dey huntee bee.  Soon catchee!" he answered.  The reply was
+intelligible enough, but why they should hunt a bee puzzled us.  They
+however stopped, while yet in sight, under a large tree, the stem of
+which they began to climb.  Hoping, as was really the case, that they
+were going to rob the hive of its honey, we followed them.  As we
+approached we could see their dusky forms among the lower branches, with
+vast numbers of bees flying about them, whose presence they seemed
+almost to disregard.
+
+The two natives were so busily employed that they did not at first
+perceive us; but when they came down, they regarded us with much
+astonishment, and we were afraid that they would turn tail and run off,
+without giving us the honey which it was our object to obtain.  We
+therefore made all the friendly signs we could think of, and I having
+fortunately a gaily printed cotton handkerchief in my pocket, presented
+it to them, signifying at the same time that we wished some of the honey
+in return.
+
+Our quiet manner quickly disarmed their suspicions, and returning with
+us, 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-hunters
+adopt.  On perceiving a bee sucking the juice from flowers, he hurries
+to the nearest pool and selects a spot where the banks shelve gradually.
+He then lying on his face fills his mouth with water, and patiently
+awaits the arrival of the bee: as the insect requires moisture, he knows
+that ere long it will come and drink.  The moment it approaches him he
+blows the water from his mouth over it, thus slightly stunning it.
+Before it has recovered, he seizes it and by means of some gum fastens
+to its legs a tuft of white down, which he has obtained from the
+neighbouring trees.  The insect flies in a straight line towards its
+nest, while the white down serving to impede the progress, enables the
+hunter to keep it in view, till it reaches its home.
+
+We ate the honey with a small supply of biscuit, and found it far more
+satisfactory food than the tough parrots had proved.
+
+Having taken a last drink and filled up our waterbottles, we parted on
+friendly terms with the natives; when, saddling our horses, we continued
+our journey.
+
+"There is little chance of our reaching another river with more water in
+it than the last, to camp by," observed my brother; "I see none marked
+down on the maps for leagues ahead."
+
+We passed through the same sort of scenery as before, with the same
+dreary views on either side, so that we might have fancied that we had
+already crossed the country a dozen times.
+
+We at length came to the bed of a stream, no longer however containing
+water, though I doubt not that we should have obtained it by digging
+beneath the surface.
+
+The appearance of the bee-hunters had warned us that there were natives
+about, and we had been cautioned against trusting them.  We heard that
+they had at different times murdered a number of unfortunate hut-keepers
+and shepherds up the country, so that we were inclined to form very
+unfavourable opinions of the aborigines.  Toby, to be sure, was faithful
+enough, but then he was semi-civilised.  We now asked him if he thought
+that there were many natives in the neighbourhood to whom the
+bee-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 we
+meet them on the open ground, of keeping them at bay; but we wished
+especially to avoid being caught asleep, either at night or resting
+during the noon-day heat.
+
+We had, at this time, literally no experience about Australia.  We had
+read a few books, to be sure, but Mr Strong had not described the
+country, and only advised our father to send us out without incumbrances
+of any description--a small stock of serviceable clothes, a few books
+and a box of pills apiece.  We followed out his injunctions almost to
+the letter, adding only some well-made tools, a fowling-piece each, and
+a supply of ammunition, to which we added on our arrival a few
+necessaries for travelling in the bush.
+
+Thus we found that one animal could carry all our worldly possessions, a
+few odd articles for immediate use being packed in our saddle-bags.  We
+were now, as the day was wearing on, looking out for a convenient place
+to camp.  We tried to make Toby understand that we wished for one in
+which 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 now
+entered a rocky and wild-looking district.
+
+Here we should have no difficulty, we thought, in selecting a spot for
+our camp.  We were looking about, when we spied in the distance what
+appeared to be the figure of a man standing against a tree.  My brother
+instantly rode forward and I following him saw a person who, to all
+appearance, though in bush costume, was a gentleman, bound with his
+hands behind his back, and secured firmly to a tree.  He was deadly pale
+and seemed so much exhausted that he did not even speak to us as we
+approached.
+
+To leap from our horses and release him without asking questions, was
+the work of a minute.  Having put him on his feet and waited until he
+had somewhat recovered, we inquired how he had been placed in the
+position 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 in
+ambush, 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 contented
+themselves with carrying off my horse and arms and ammunition and
+everything I had about me; having lashed me to this tree, and then
+galloped away, leaving me to the chance of dying of thirst and
+starvation, or being gnawed to death by the dingoes.  Had you not come
+up, such might have been my fate; and, believe me, I am deeply grateful
+to 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 such
+characters.
+
+We, of course, having assured the stranger that we were very glad to
+have been of use to him, invited him to accompany us until he could
+obtain 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 they
+will encamp not far from this, and if we follow their tracks we might
+come upon them as suddenly as they surprised you."
+
+"Very little chance of that," observed the stranger.  "They are
+desperate 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 be
+released, and will probably ere this have got a good many miles away, I
+am, however, grateful to you for your offer, though I am sorry to delay
+you.  I confess that, without a gun or flint and steel, I should be very
+sorry to perform the rest of the journey on foot by myself.  I am going
+to the north-west, and I judge, from the direction you were riding, that
+our roads lie the same way."
+
+Guy told him that we were bound for Mr Strong's station, which we
+understood was nearly a hundred miles off; and at the rate we could
+travel with our baggage-horse, we did not expect to reach it for three
+or four days.
+
+Observing how ill the stranger looked I suggested that we should at once
+look out a good spot for camping.
+
+"I can help you, as I know the country," said the stranger.  "A short
+distance further on there is a water-hole in what during the rainy
+season is sometimes a torrent; we can there obtain all the requisites
+for 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 new
+companion, after examining the ground, told us that the bushrangers had
+been there, and after watering their horses had ridden on, as he
+supposed they would, and that we need have no apprehensions of an attack
+from them.
+
+We soon hobbled the horses in the usual fashion, fastening their legs
+together with leathern straps in such a way as to make it impossible for
+them to move beyond a slow walk, so that if they were inclined to stray
+they could not go far.
+
+Toby quickly lighted a fire, while the stranger by our advice rested
+near it.  Guy and I taking our guns went out in different directions in
+search of game, which is usually to be found near a water-hole in
+Australia.  We soon came back, Guy with a brace of pigeons and I with
+three parrots, so that we had ample food for all hands.  As we had
+damper and tea, we enjoyed a satisfactory meal which greatly revived our
+new friend.  While we were seated round the fire--Toby watching the
+horses--the stranger inquired if we were related to Mr Strong.  This
+led 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 thought
+from 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 big
+fellows tried to bully me, and I have a perfect recollection of your
+countenance.  I have often wished to know what had become of you, but
+could only hear that you had gone abroad."
+
+"I thought of writing to let you know, in case you should ever come out
+to Australia; but I fancied that that was so unlikely and the chances of
+meeting you so small that I did not carry out my intention.  You must
+stop at my hut.  The longer you stay the better.  We will have many a
+talk about old times and I think I can put you up to all sorts of
+information which will be useful to you in the country.  To tell you the
+truth, I doubt if you will find your cousin, Mr Strong, as I heard that
+he had gone northwards to occupy a new station, some hundreds of miles
+off, and if so you will probably find no one to give you a welcome at
+his house except some old hut-keeper."
+
+On hearing this, Guy and I gladly agreed to stop a few days with
+Bracewell until we could obtain some definite information as to the
+movements 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 may
+be honest, but they may also be ill-disposed, as are many of the blacks
+in this region.  I advise that we keep a strict watch at night, and I
+offer to stand guard part of the time," observed Bracewell.
+
+We agreed to keep a watch, but after the trying time he had gone through
+we thought that he ought to have a quiet night's rest so as to be the
+better able to continue his journey the next morning.
+
+Toby had put up a rough hut of boughs, which would afford two of us at a
+time 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 the
+ground, which formed all the protection he required.
+
+I undertook to keep the first watch, and I promised my brother that I
+would call him when I could no longer remain with my eyes open.  From
+past experience we knew that it would not do to trust Toby, who would be
+very 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 and
+fro, keeping a look-out on every side and sometimes stopping to throw a
+few sticks on the fire.  I could see the horses safely feeding hear at
+hand, and so perfect was the silence which reigned around that I could
+not 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 lying
+down.  I should probably have let the fire out, and the smoke from that
+was at all events useful to keep mosquitoes and sandflies somewhat at
+bay.  Should the fire go out it was no more than possible that a pack of
+dingoes might creep up, and while we were in darkness drive the horses
+away, or carry off our saddle-bags, or tear our saddles and
+sleeping-rugs to pieces.  I persevered therefore, stopping every now and
+then to amuse myself by looking up at the star-lighted sky and trying to
+make out the various constellations, conspicuous among which was the
+brilliant cross of the southern hemisphere.  Except the occasional croak
+of a frog, the cry of a night bird, or the chirp of a cricket, not a
+sound had reached my ears; when suddenly, as I was watching the moon
+rising above the rocks on one side of the camp, the most unearthly
+shrieks and yells rent the air.  Guy, awakening, started to his feet.
+
+"What's the matter?" he exclaimed.  "I dreamed that savages were upon
+us, and expected the next moment to have a spear through me."
+
+"I haven't seen any savages, but those sounds seem scarcely human, I
+wonder Bracewell hasn't been awakened by them.  We must rouse up Toby
+and learn what he thinks they are."
+
+The fearful noise still continued.  We stood with our arms ready
+expecting every moment to see a herd of savages rush in upon us, for
+that the sounds were produced by natives we could have no doubt.  We
+quickly 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 the
+savages were indulging in one of their native dances.
+
+"I should like to go and see it," I exclaimed; "can we do so without
+risk 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 saw
+as we looked over some low bushes we had just reached.  Before us was an
+open glade, beyond which the moon was rising brightly.  In the centre of
+the glade burned a fire.  Seated on the ground were a number of figures
+rattling sticks together.  Suddenly there burst forth out of the
+darkness a score of skeleton-like figures who threw themselves into
+every possible attitude, now stretching out their legs, now springing up
+and clapping their hands, and all the time shrieking, laughing and
+singing, and following a big black fellow who acted as fugleman and
+stood 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 have
+fancied that they had disappeared had we not distinguished their black
+backs 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 of
+their giving in, we retreated to our own camp, pretty well tired out and
+assured that they would not molest us during the night.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWO.
+
+The night passed as Bracewell had predicted, without a visit from the
+natives; and as he assured us that they were not at all likely to attack
+four armed men in the day-time, we, being anxious to become better
+acquainted with them, agreed before setting off to pay a visit to their
+camp.  They were sure indeed to find ours out; so that it would be as
+well 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 they
+had been nearly devoured by the white ants, a large nest of which we
+discovered a short distance from the camp.  We had therefore to look out
+for some fresh provisions.  Bracewell was a much better shot than either
+of us; and, taking my gun, in a few minutes he killed a small kangaroo
+which he found as it was about to spring out of the bush where it had
+spent the night, scarcely a hundred yards from the camp.  Having skinned
+it in the most scientific fashion, the joints were put on to roast.  We
+had now an abundance for our noon-day meal; for, as the animal was about
+four feet long, including the tail which was nearly half its length, it
+afforded us a good supply of meat.  We should have preferred starting at
+day-break, but without food we none of us felt inclined to commence our
+journey.  Toby indeed gave us to understand that he could not think of
+leaving while so much good meat remained to be eaten.  Having given him
+as much as we all three consumed, we packed up the remainder in our
+saddle-bags and then--I insisting that Bracewell should mount my horse
+while I walked--we set off for the native village which we caught sight
+of a short distance to the north of our camp.  The inhabitants were
+lying about in front of it, evidently enjoying the _otium cum
+dignitate_.  The men mostly stretched on the ground surrounded by their
+dogs, while the women were squatting outside their leafy bowers.  The
+huts, if so they can be called, were placed in a semi-circle, and were
+formed by thick boughs stuck in the ground joining at the top on which
+other boughs were lightly thrown.  They were scarcely more than four
+feet in height and might be described rather as screens than huts, as
+their only object appeared to be to keep off the wind from the
+inhabitants and the small fires which burnt before them.  On the outside
+were stuck their spears ready for instant use.  Except some pieces of
+opossum skin round their loins, the men wore no garments, though several
+of them had fillets bound round their brows.  Two or three were smoking
+short clay pipes obtained from shepherds or hut-keepers with whom they
+had come in contact.  Several of the men started up, and seizing their
+spears advanced as they saw us approach, but the greater number lay
+gorged with food on the ground, not apparently noticing us.  Bracewell,
+who could speak Toby's lingo, told him to say to the black fellows, that
+we wished to be their friends; that their corroborree had afforded us a
+good deal of amusement; and that if we could kill a kangaroo we would
+give it to them to make another feast the next night.
+
+As soon as Toby had translated what had been said, the blacks began
+chattering away in the most extraordinary fashion.
+
+As they ceased Toby informed us that they were highly pleased with our
+offer.  They wished to remain friends with the white men, and if we
+chose to stop with them we should be welcome.  Of course, we had no
+inclination to do this, but we asked if two or three of them would
+accompany us to carry home any game we might kill.  They however
+declined the invitation, saying that they were well filled already, of
+which fact their distended condition was sufficient evidence.
+
+"Well then, as we cannot turn back, you will have to go without a
+kangaroo, even though we may shoot one," said Bracewell, and telling
+Toby to wish them a friendly farewell we rode on.
+
+As I was very active and had been accustomed to running at school, I
+easily kept up with the horses.  At length however, as the sun grew
+hotter, I should have been glad enough to remount.  Bracewell, observing
+that I was becoming fatigued, insisted on getting off his horse, but of
+this I would not hear.  He however dismounted, when Guy made him get on
+again and put me on his own horse.  Before long, however, my brother was
+nearly 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 was
+more dignified to ride.
+
+As we rode along we kept a look-out for kangaroos, as we should have
+been glad to kill one for ourselves, although our black friends were not
+likely to benefit by it.
+
+We had gone some way when we caught sight of a dark object appearing
+just above a thick mass of leaves some two hundred yards away.  Standing
+up in my stirrups I saw that it was the head of a kangaroo who was
+engaged in pulling off the foliage.  I called to Bracewell and my
+brother, hoping that if we could get nearer before the creature moved
+away, we might shoot it.
+
+Throwing the halter of the baggage-horse, which I had been leading, to
+Toby, I rode towards the spot, unslinging my rifle and as I did so
+ramming down a ball.  The creature was more wide-awake than I had
+supposed.  I had just got near enough to fire, when it broke from its
+cover in fine style and, after taking a few jumps to see in what
+direction to go, it started forward over the open ground without
+apparent effort.
+
+"That's a large _boomer_, an old one!" shouted Bracewell, "he'll give us
+a long run.  If we had dogs we should soon however catch him."
+
+In the excitement of the chase, forgetting that we ran great risk of
+knocking up our horses, away we started.  Although the animal had only
+two legs to run on and had an enormous tail to carry, which does not, I
+really believe, help it, though it serves to balance itself in its
+upright position, so far did it get ahead of us that it was useless
+firing.  I had scarcely noticed the direction it was taking, but on
+looking round I found that it was leading us back to the spot from which
+we had come.  How far it had got I cannot say, when four or five black
+fellows started up with spears in their hands uttering loud shouts and
+shrieks.  The _boomer_ saw that it had no chance of escape in that
+direction, being perhaps better acquainted with its black enemies than
+with the strange creatures on four legs which had been pursuing it.  It
+therefore stopped and gave us time to approach before it bounded round
+and made off to the right.  I had thrown myself from my horse, for I had
+no notion at that time of firing from my saddle.  I took a steady aim
+and pulled the trigger.  My bullet must have hit it on the hinder leg,
+for it slackened its pace.  In the meantime Bracewell and Guy dashed
+forward.  The creature, instead of continuing its flight, again stopped,
+and facing the horsemen as they approached struck out with one of its
+hinder claws, and had not Bracewell suddenly turned his steed, so
+furiously did it strike that he would have been severely wounded.
+Turning round however he dealt it so heavy a blow on the head with his
+riding-whip that it staggered, and Guy firing brought it to the ground.
+The natives, whom we recognised as our friends of the morning, now came
+up and claimed the prize.  Bracewell gave them to understand that we
+must first cut out as many steaks as we required.  When this was done we
+handed the body over to them.  They appeared highly delighted and
+especially struck by the moderate quantity we claimed.  We had now to
+turn back to where we had left Toby in charge of the baggage animal.  I
+had some secret apprehensions that, if not honest, he might bolt with
+our traps and be received with open arms as a wealthy man among some of
+his countrymen.  I was not aware at the time that he belonged to a tribe
+regarded as hereditary enemies by the people inhabiting the country we
+were travelling through, and that he was as likely to lose his life at
+their hands as any white man would be.  We looked about in all
+directions and at length, to our no small satisfaction, espied him still
+standing by the horses and wondering what had become of us.  We had lost
+considerable time by our hunting, though we had obtained a good dinner,
+and of course had been delayed also by one of the party having to
+proceed 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 perhaps
+you will not object.  If you will consent to remain in camp here and
+allow me to take one of your horses, I will ride forward and bring a
+couple of fresh ones from my station.  Should you not do this I must
+insist on walking, though I shall of necessity delay you.  I confess
+also, 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 off
+arms and ammunition, which is chiefly what they come after, for they
+don't find much else than food in the shepherds' huts."
+
+"Pray do as you think best," said Guy, "I am sure Maurice will agree
+with me that we should not at all mind remaining stationary for a few
+hours, 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 us
+that we should not be long alone.  As Toby had plenty of food, he did
+not grumble at the delay, but sat himself down contentedly at the fire
+which he promised to keep alight, while we took our guns and went to
+shoot some birds or a kangaroo if we could see one.
+
+The great drawback to a traveller in a hot country is the impossibility
+of preserving fresh meat, which exposed to the sun quickly becomes
+uneatable.  What we killed one day was therefore unfit for food the
+next, and we had each morning to shoot some more game, or content
+ourselves with damper and tea.
+
+We had already become pretty skilful in baking damper, which consists
+simply of flour and water, kneaded on a board, and baked in the form of
+a large biscuit under the ashes.
+
+We saw several kangaroos, but they bounded away before we could get near
+enough to shoot them, and had to content ourselves as before with a
+couple of parrots and as many pigeons, which was an ample supply, for
+although the over-high kangaroo meat did not suit our palates, Toby had
+no objection to it.
+
+We had been shooting for some time, and were making our way back to
+camp, when we caught sight in the distance of three horsemen, their
+heads and those of their steeds, occasionally appearing above the
+brushwood.  They appeared to be coming towards us.
+
+At first we thought that they must be Bracewell and two companions; but
+as we could make out no led horses, and they were not approaching from
+the direction he would appear, we concluded that they must be strangers.
+
+"What if they should be bushrangers?" said Guy.  "If they catch Toby
+alone they are certain to carry off our baggage and horses, and will
+probably 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.  "It
+would be prudent to load our guns with ball," said Guy; "the fellows
+won't know that we suspect them, and may think that they can stick us up
+with perfect ease."
+
+Fortunately our horses were close to the camp, and as soon as we reached
+it we sent Toby to bring them in, not telling him that we suspected the
+character of the strangers.  As they approached we anxiously examined
+their appearance, which was certainly not in their favour.  They were
+savage-looking fellows with long beards, their unkempt hair hanging over
+their shoulders.  They pulled up suddenly when they saw us standing with
+our backs to a couple of large trees, our baggage and saddles piled on
+the ground, and Toby holding our horses.
+
+"What is your pleasure, friends?" asked Guy.  The fellows examined us
+without answering.
+
+"You look as if you'd know us again should we come across you," said
+Guy.  "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 the
+horsemen, who from his appearance we concluded was the leader of the
+party.
+
+"We are going our own way and are not inclined to give that information
+to 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 by
+bushrangers?" inquired the man.
+
+The question convinced us that we were not mistaken as to the character
+of our visitors.
+
+"I have just told you that we are not going to answer any questions from
+those who have no right to put them," said Guy.
+
+"Oh, oh, oh!" cried the man, making a movement as if he was about to
+unsling his gun.
+
+"If you do that, I'll fire," shouted Guy.  "Our rifles are loaded with
+ball; now ride on, we do not wish to take your lives, but we have no
+intention of being stuck up."
+
+During this conversation I was looking at the other two fellows, who had
+not spoken but seemed to be waiting until their chief gave a sign to
+them to act.  As my eye ranged over the countenance of one of them, it
+struck me forcibly that I had seen the man before, but when or where, I
+could not recollect.  He was evidently very young, for while the faces
+of the others were covered with hair, he had but a small moustache on
+his lips, but exposure to the hot sun had so tanned his complexion, that
+had he been an intimate friend I might have failed to recognise him.  He
+looked at me and then at my brother, whose attention was occupied by the
+older 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 their
+horses' heads and rode away in the direction from whence they had come.
+Probably they had been attracted by the smoke of our fire, and expected
+to find some travellers unprepared for them; so we should have been had
+we not fallen in with Bracewell, and should certainly have lost our
+baggage and horses, and perhaps our lives.
+
+"We have had a narrow escape, for there is no doubt about those fellows
+being bushrangers," I observed to Guy.
+
+"Not the slightest," replied my brother.  "I felt that there was only
+one way to deal with them.  Had we shown the slightest hesitation or
+nervousness, they would have attempted to frighten us into submission."
+
+"Did you notice the countenance of one of the others?"  I asked.  "I
+could not help fancying that I knew it well.  If it were not so very
+improbable, I should say that it was that of a fellow I remember at
+school when I first went there.  I wish that you had observed him, for
+as you must have known him better than I did, you would have been more
+sure about the matter."
+
+"What, do you mean the youngest of the three?" asked Guy.  "The fact is
+I did note him.  It struck me that he was wonderfully like a fellow I
+always stood clear of, though he especially tried to make friends with
+me.  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 a
+particle of principle; and I remember hearing it reported some time
+after he left school, that he had committed forgery, and that, although
+he 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 should
+so soon after our arrival in the country have fallen in, under such
+extraordinary circumstances, with two old school-fellows.
+
+The day passed by without another visit, either from the bushrangers or
+the blacks.  As may be supposed, we kept a remarkably bright look-out
+during the night.  Either Guy or I remained awake, walking up and down
+in the neighbourhood of our camp-fire.  Directly the bells on the necks
+of our horses sounded faint, we sent out Toby to drive them in, that we
+might run as little risk as possible of their being carried off.
+
+Bracewell had told us that sometimes natives stole up and speared the
+horses at night, or tried to drive them away from the camp, though they
+might not venture to attack their owners.  We had chiefly therefore to
+fear a trick of this sort being played us, but it was almost impossible
+to guard against the horses being surprised during the darkness, should
+they be at any distance from the camp.
+
+As those we had fallen in with appeared to be friendly, we hoped that we
+should escape so unpleasant a loss.
+
+As the next day passed on we looked at our watches, anxiously expecting
+Bracewell.  With the chance of another visit from the bushrangers, we
+did not like to go far from the camp; but we shot as many birds as we
+wanted, though Toby would have been happier had we brought him a
+kangaroo, that he might gorge himself to his heart's content.
+
+As I had been awake so much during the night, I felt very sleepy, and
+had 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 a
+companion, or the bushrangers returning, I cannot say.  At all events we
+must be prepared for them."
+
+I sprang to my feet, and Toby was sent to bring in the horses.  Our
+apprehensions of another visit from the bushrangers were soon set at
+rest when we recognised Bracewell, who was followed by another man
+leading a spare horse.
+
+"I am sorry to have kept you so long," he exclaimed, as he threw himself
+from his steed.  "Our horses had strayed, frightened by the blacks, who
+have killed one of them.  If we come across the fellows they must look
+out for broken heads in consequence.  However, Bob and I succeeded in
+catching three, and then lost no time in coming to you."
+
+When we told him of the visit we had received from the bushrangers, he
+exclaimed:--
+
+"We must run those fellows down.  It is too bad that we should be unable
+to ride in security through the country without the risk of being
+robbed, perhaps murdered, by such villains."
+
+We immediately saddled our horses, packed our traps on our baggage
+animal, and prepared to go forward under Bracewell's guidance.  Old Bob,
+his hut-keeper and factotum, dropped behind to drive on the
+baggage-horse at a greater speed than Toby was inclined to move.  I
+heard him talking to the black in a lingo which was utterly
+incomprehensible to me.
+
+Bracewell was much astonished when Guy told him that we had recognised
+Cyril Vinson among the bushrangers.  We were once more, on account of
+the slow pace of our baggage-horse, compelled to camp, but as Bracewell
+wished to get back to his hut that night, he rode forward, leaving old
+Bob to guide us in the morning.  Old Bob undertook to keep watch, and as
+he did not look like a man who would go to sleep while so engaged, we
+were able to rest securely.
+
+It was nearly evening the next day when we caught sight of the huts
+forming our friend's station.  He came forward to meet us.
+
+"I expected you somewhat sooner," he said.  "As Bob was away, I was
+engaged in performing one of his duties--feeding the inhabitants of my
+farm-yard.  I have a curious lot, which I have caught and tamed at
+different 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 he
+stooped down, ducks and fowls rushed forward to obtain the food he held
+in his hand, the pigs came grunting up, and several long-legged birds--
+storks I believe they were--stood by waiting for their share, numerous
+parrots and parroquets were perched on the railings, as tame as the
+barn-door fowls, while a laughing-jackass looked on complacently from an
+overhanging bough, every now and then uttering its strange notes.
+
+Bracewell directed Bob to finish feeding the birds, and ushered us into
+the hut.  It was about thirty feet long and twelve wide, roughly built
+with a verandah in front, and contained a centre room and one on either
+side.  The interior was far neater than I had expected from the
+appearance of the outside, and was furnished with tables and chairs, and
+several cupboards and some book-shelves; the walls were ornamented with
+a few pictures and native weapons, while two spare guns and some pistols
+were against them.  A couple of large Scotch deer hounds of a
+badger-like colour accompanied their master.  They were intelligent,
+powerful-looking animals, and were used, he told us, for hunting the
+kangaroo.  Before a fire in a smaller hut on one side of the main
+building, 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 of
+brandy, which I keep safely locked up for reasons which I will explain
+to you."
+
+Besides the large hut I have described there were two smaller ones and a
+shed, which served as a stable and cowhouse.  Near them was an enclosed
+field and small kitchen-garden, such as is not often seen at an
+Australian cattle or sheep station.  To the west was a thick wood, which
+afforded shelter from the winds blowing at times hot and sand-laden from
+the interior; while in front was a slight dip, at the bottom of which
+was the bed of a river, but through it a trickling stream alone at
+present found its way to the eastward.  Here and there appeared groves
+of acacias, while as far as the eye could reach in every other direction
+were grassy downs, scattered over which we caught sight of a
+considerable herd of sheep wending their way homewards.  Altogether,
+Bracewell's station presented a more civilised aspect than any we had
+fallen in with on our journey.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THREE.
+
+We spent a pleasant evening with Bracewell, talking over old times and
+our future prospects.  He gave us a great deal of good advice, by which
+we hoped to profit.
+
+"I am very glad you have come out, old fellows, for I am sure you will
+succeed if you stick to work," he observed.  "I have not done badly.  I
+began with eight head of cattle, and now I have three hundred; and with
+forty sheep, which have become upwards of two thousand.  I should have
+had 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 must
+make up your mind to take the rough and smooth together, and not despair
+though you happen to get what they call a run of ill-luck--which in nine
+cases out of ten arises from a man's carelessness.  I confess that I
+have sometimes felt my solitude; but yet, with my friends on the shelves
+up there, and these faithful animals at my feet, I have had no great
+reason to complain.  I also remember that I should have been much worse
+off 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 been
+able to keep them at bay," answered Bracewell; "and with regard to the
+bushrangers, none have ever paid me a visit.  The fellows who stuck me
+up the other day were the first I had the misfortune to fall in with.  I
+wonder if Vinson recognised me; but I think not, or if he did he kept
+out of sight.  I am grieved to think it was him, as he will certainly,
+before long, come to an untimely end; for no bushranger ultimately
+escapes, and most of them run but a very short career: they either get
+shot or die of starvation and sickness in the bush."
+
+When we talked of continuing our journey the next day, Bracewell would
+not hear of it.
+
+"Your relative does not expect you," he observed, "and you will pick up
+more useful knowledge on my station than you will on a more extensive
+run; besides which I want you to have some hunting with me, to show you
+this part of the country."
+
+Nothing loth, we agreed to Bracewell's proposal.  It was not until a
+late hour, for the bush, that we turned into our bunks in one of the
+side-rooms, which he told us he kept as his guest-chamber.  Bracewell
+slept in a hammock in the sitting-room, while old Bob occupied the other
+room.
+
+The first day we spent riding over the run, visiting the cattle and
+inspecting the sheep.  In the evening Bracewell proposed that we should
+go into the neighbouring wood in search of opossum, whose skins he
+wished to obtain to make some rugs, which he said he wanted to sleep on
+when camping out or to serve as coverlets in cold weather.  His shepherd
+possessed a couple of small dogs, famous opossum hunters.  The sheep
+having been penned, their master was requested to accompany us.
+
+The Australian opossum is a long-bodied short-legged little animal, with
+a 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 of
+hiding himself in the holes of decayed trees, out of which it is no easy
+matter to smoke him.  Being a nocturnal animal he is more generally
+captured during the day-time, for the bright light of the sun puzzles
+him 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 began
+barking, leaving us no doubt that several opossums were ensconced
+within.  Our first care was to collect a quantity of sticks and green
+leaves; when, a fire being kindled inside the hole, the smoke began to
+ascend, filling the whole of the cavity, which extended to where the
+boughs branched off.  The moon having risen, we could see almost as well
+as in daylight.  Before long, three or four little creatures emerged
+from the hole and began to make their way upwards.  One, however, almost
+suffocated by the smoke, fell to the ground; when the dogs, instantly
+pouncing upon it, would have torn it to pieces had not their master
+pulled them off.  Guy shot another, and two more were brought to the
+ground by the sticks which the rest of us hove at them before they had
+recovered their senses, after having been so unexpectedly smoked out of
+their nests.
+
+We were equally successful with two other trees, round which the dogs
+gave tongue, and after an hour's hunting we returned carrying our
+prizes, which took Bracewell and his shepherd some time to clean.
+
+"Of course opossum hunting is but tame work, I'll allow," exclaimed
+Bracewell while washing his hands after having cleaned the last of the
+beasts; "but as you are both good horsemen and have steady nerves we
+will to-morrow go in chase of some wild cattle which have appeared in
+the bush not far off.  I should not object to kill a couple of them, as
+we 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 give
+us 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 a
+mile, I confess I should have had a difficulty in finding my way back
+again.
+
+"We are in luck," cried Bracewell, as in less than half an hour we
+caught sight of four head of the wild cattle we were in search of.  As
+we approached they began pawing on the ground, sticking out their tails
+and looking anything but amiable.
+
+"They will charge if we don't take care," observed Bracewell.  "Shout
+and crack your whips, that will make them show us their flanks."
+
+We had, I should have said, our guns in readiness, and a brace of
+pistols in our belts, so that we were well armed for the encounter with
+a wild bull, who, looking upon human beings and every other animal as
+enemies, was a dangerous character to engage.
+
+Bracewell had before instructed us how to act under such ordinary
+circumstances as were likely to occur.  The cracking of our whips, and
+our loud shouts, at length frightened the three bulls, and instead of
+running 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 a
+powerful red bull, for a few seconds he and the animal kept time
+together; then gaining a little and keeping it on his right side he
+fired, and the superb beast, with a low bellow, crashed headlong to the
+ground.  Pulling up for a moment he galloped after me, as I dashed on
+close to another bull I had singled out; but in consequence of a fallen
+tree which would have compelled me to slacken speed, I had ranged up on
+the wrong side, so that I could not fire with due effect.  Fearing
+however that the bull would escape, I took the best aim I could, fired,
+and wounded it.  The bull, maddened with rage, charged wildly at my
+horse.
+
+"Spur for your life," shouted Bracewell.  I did so, for I expected every
+moment to see the bull rip open my steed with his powerful horns, and I
+knew that if it was gored I might be trampled to death.
+
+The bull came thundering behind me and actually touched my horse, which
+nearly sent me over its head as it kicked out viciously to defend
+itself.  Happily Bracewell was close behind, and coming up presented the
+muzzle 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 him
+fire twice.  I now saw the animal rushing on, with head down, about to
+run at him.  Fortunately a tree was near at hand, round which he managed
+to guide his horse, when the bull for a moment losing sight of him he
+was able to take a steady aim: he fired and the monster rolled over.
+
+"Nervous work!" exclaimed Bracewell.  "You fellows have behaved
+capitally, though I really forgot the danger to which you might be
+exposed, but I am very thankful that no harm has been done.  We'll now
+ride back as hard as we can go, and get the cart to bring in the meat
+before the dingoes or black fellows or the ants have taken possession of
+it."
+
+We agreed that hunting wild cattle was more exciting sport than
+galloping after kangaroos, although we fancied that the latter was the
+finest amusement to be found in Australia.  Not a moment was lost on our
+arrival at home in getting the cart under way, and Guy and I undertook
+to accompany it, but Bracewell could not again leave the station during
+the 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 a
+number of what at a distance I should have fancied were ordinary dogs--
+with sharp muzzles, short, erect ears, and bushy tails--hovering round
+the spot.
+
+"They're dingoes!" cried Guy.  "The rascals have already commenced
+operations on one of the bulls.  We must drive them off or old Bob won't
+have much meat to carry home."
+
+We dashed at the brutes with our riding-whips, which we brought into
+active play.  Some well-aimed lashes on their backs made the dingoes
+turn tail and retreat to a safe distance, where they stood watching the
+operation of cutting up one of the animals.
+
+While we were assisting Bob and Toby to load the cart with the flesh of
+the first bullock, the dingoes made a sudden dash at the carcase of the
+animal 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," cried
+Bob; 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 over
+upwards of half a dozen before the rest of the pack took to flight.  To
+prevent their returning, we pursued them as they went off in the
+direction of the station, when, firing our pistols, we brought down two
+or three more; but we were soon thrown behind by having to pull up and
+reload, and the pack, keeping wonderfully well together, again managed
+to distance us.  Still, excited by the chase, we kept on, the dead
+dingoes marking the course we had taken.  Our horses, having been
+somewhat tired by the chase after the wild cattle and the rides to and
+from the station, did not make as good play as they might otherwise have
+done.  Neither Guy nor I thought of pulling up, however, while we had
+the 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 at
+liberty, away he galloped, showing no inclination to be caught.  I
+shouted to my brother, who had got some distance on; he heard me, and
+seeing what had occurred went in chase of my steed, which by
+occasionally doubling and then galloping off again, well-nigh tired out
+his horse.  I ran here and there hoping to catch the animal, but it took
+good care to avoid me.  At length however Guy got hold of it, by which
+time, of course, the pack had escaped.  We now had to consider what road
+we should take, but when we looked round we found it was a question
+difficult to decide.
+
+"If we could but come across one of the dead dingoes, we could easily
+make 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 knocked
+over 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 we
+searched about we could nowhere discover it.  On and on we went, still
+no dingoes could we see, nor could we distinguish the track made by our
+horses' feet.  The sky had become overcast, but though we could not see
+the sun, we knew that it must be near setting.  In a short time the
+increasing darkness made us feel somewhat uncomfortable about the chance
+of being benighted.
+
+We cooeyed as loudly as we could in the hope that Bob and Toby would
+hear our voices, but no answer reached us.  Had we been riding horses
+belonging to the station, we might have let them select their course and
+they 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 light
+sufficient to enable us to avoid knocking our heads against the boughs
+of 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 the
+night in the bush, hungry and thirsty as we felt.  Next morning we
+thought we should, at all events, easily find our way.  We accordingly
+dismounted, hobbled our horses, collected materials for a fire, and
+choosing a spot free from grass we soon kindled a flame, though it
+rather mocked us as we had nothing to cook at it.  We settled that one
+should keep watch and look after the horses.  The poor animals were
+suffering from thirst as much as we were, and were continually moving
+away to look for water, for without it they showed little inclination to
+crop the grass.  Had we thought it prudent for both of us to sleep, the
+night would have appeared to pass by much more quickly than it did.  I
+was very thankful when at length day broke, and we were saluted by the
+merry call of the laughing-jackass.  We did not shoot him, but we killed
+a couple of parrots, which we quickly roasted to satisfy the gnawings of
+hunger, and then mounting our horses made, as we thought, in the
+direction of the station.  We felt especially vexed with ourselves for
+losing our way, and causing Bracewell the anxiety he would naturally
+feel on our account, though he would guess pretty clearly what had
+happened 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 column
+of smoke rising, in the morning air.
+
+"Perhaps that is the camp of some people Bracewell has sent out to look
+for us," said I.
+
+"It may be that of bushrangers," observed Guy.  "It will be prudent, at
+all 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 cooking
+something.  His attention absorbed in his occupation, he did not observe
+us.  The delicate morsel he was preparing for his meal was, we
+afterwards discovered, a large snake.  When his ear at length caught the
+sound of horses' feet, he started up, and seizing the half-roasted
+snake, scampered off.  Had we not made signs to him that we wished to be
+friends, he would soon have been out of sight.  Seeing, however, that we
+did not unsling our rifles, he gained courage and returned to the fire.
+
+We beckoned to him to continue roasting his snake, and then endeavoured
+to make him understand that we wanted a guide to conduct us to the
+station.  He seemed determined not to understand our wishes.  However,
+we waited patiently, hoping that when he had eaten his snake he might be
+more inclined to act as our guide.  Finding that we had no intention of
+molesting him, he took things leisurely.  The snake being roasted, he
+began 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, and
+that 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, he
+stroked his stomach and signified that he should prefer sleeping by the
+side 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 made
+signs to us to follow him.  We naturally supposed that he intended to
+lead us to the station, and rode after him without hesitation.  We had
+not gone far, however, when a cooee reached our ears.  We replied, and
+presently, looking round in the direction from whence the sound came, we
+saw 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 would
+probably have led you into the midst of a gang of his own people who, I
+have had notice, are encamped in the neighbourhood, and had they found
+you unprepared they might have speared you for the sake of your horses
+and clothes.  The fellow you fell in with was probably one of their
+scouts who had been sent forward to ascertain what we were about.
+Should they have found us off our guard, they might have robbed the huts
+and carried off some of our cattle and sheep."
+
+While Bracewell was speaking, I looked round and found that the black
+fellow had disappeared.  This strongly corroborated the account our
+friend had given us.
+
+As we were suffering greatly from thirst, we were anxious to get back as
+soon as possible.  We had, we found, gone at least ten miles out of our
+way.  Bracewell had, however, with the aid of Toby, traced us.  Though
+our horses were tired, their eagerness to obtain water made them exert
+themselves, and they did not take long to cover the ground.  Most
+thankful we were when we reached the stream close to the station, where
+we 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 much
+refreshed.
+
+Next morning we had completely recovered from the fatigues we had gone
+through, and we now felt that we ought to continue our journey to Mr
+Strong's.
+
+"But I don't like you two fellows, with only Toby, to travel through the
+bush, with a chance of falling in with hostile blacks or those rascally
+bushrangers, who would only be too glad to stick you up and revenge
+themselves for your setting me free," said Bracewell.  "I have given
+notice to the police that the latter gentlemen are abroad, and before
+long, clever as they may think themselves, they will be run to earth;
+but the blacks are far more difficult customers to deal with--they are
+here, there, and everywhere.  One only knows where they have been when
+the cattle are found speared, or the hut-keeper murdered, or the sheep
+driven off.  I should like to accompany you myself, but I cannot at
+present leave my station.  However, if you will wait for a couple of
+days longer I will ride part of the way with you, and in the meantime we
+will try to ascertain the whereabouts of the mob of blacks, and I shall
+be 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 the
+station with Bracewell, to assist him in examining his sheep and to help
+in the various duties of a squatter's life.
+
+Meantime, Toby and another native were sent out to ascertain what had
+become of the mob of blacks reported to be in the neighbourhood.  They
+came back saying that, although they had come upon their tracks, the
+natives had moved away westward, and that we were not likely to fall in
+with them.  We again, accordingly, told our host that we must go.
+
+"Well, if you must, you must; and according to my promise I intend to
+ride part of the way with you," he answered.  "I wish however that you
+could do without your baggage, and we would see how fast we could get
+over the ground; but as you have to take that, we must be content with a
+steady pace, and I'll make play on my way back so as to be at home again
+by night."
+
+As there was a moon in the sky, and Bracewell knew every inch of the
+ground, we were in our saddles long before day-break, carrying with us
+our breakfast and kettle in which the tea could easily be made at the
+camp-fire.
+
+We had performed some ten or twelve miles before sunrise, enjoying the
+cool fresh air of early morning, and fresh it is even in Australia
+before the burning sun gains his power over the world.
+
+We camped near a water-hole, from which we obtained all the fluid we
+required for our morning's meal.  We had again mounted and were going
+round on the opposite side, when Bracewell exclaimed--"The blacks have
+been 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 them
+when passing any spot from which they may hurl their lances should they
+be badly disposed; not that that is likely to be the case, and they
+certainly will not venture to attack us in the open."
+
+Toby, who had examined the ground, gave it as his opinion that they had
+gone away to the northwards and that, being probably on a hunting
+expedition, they would be too intent on attacking their game to annoy
+us.  Toby was right, and in about half an hour, just as we reached the
+top of a slight ridge or elevation which had before hidden them from
+view, we caught sight of several dusky figures, each holding in his hand
+a throwing-stick with a long spear attached to it.  One of them had
+fixed to his left arm a shield of boughs which concealed his body as he
+crept towards a group of kangaroos feeding in the grassy bottom.  As the
+hunters did not perceive us and we had time, we stood still watching
+them.
+
+The throwing or throw-stick, is to serve the purpose of a sling for
+casting the spear.  A heavy flat piece of wood, between two and three
+feet long, has at one end a slight hollow into which the end of the
+spear is fitted while at the other is a heavy weight, thus assisting the
+hunter in the act of throwing the spear.  Except a small fillet of grass
+the natives wore not a particle of clothing, though there were several
+scarifications on their bodies; and what sailors call a spritsail-yard
+run through their nostrils which added to the ferocity of their
+appearance.
+
+As we wanted to see how they would proceed, we kept as much as possible
+behind the ridge, and as the wind came from the kangaroos to us, we were
+not discovered by the animals.  All this time the hunters were creeping
+forward, concealing themselves among the shrubs and trees until they got
+near enough to the game to hurl their spears with effect.
+
+One fellow crept forward, holding his shield of boughs, until it seemed
+to us that he was almost close up to the kangaroos.  Then his spear flew
+from his throwing-stick with so tremendous a force that the animal was
+almost pinned to the ground.  Not a spear missed, and almost at the same
+moment three kangaroos were killed.  Three others hopped away, but were
+pursued by the nimble-footed hunters, who using their throwing-sticks as
+clubs, despatched the animals with reiterated blows on the head.
+
+Not until the hunt was over did we show ourselves, when we astonished
+the savages standing over their slain game.  Fixing their spears in
+their sticks they threatened to launch them against us should we attempt
+to deprive them of their prizes.  On seeing this we directed Toby to say
+that we had no intention of interfering with them.  Whether or not they
+understood him, however, we could not tell, for they stood without
+altering their position, and not wishing to have an encounter with them
+which must have ended in bloodshed, we made a wide circuit beyond the
+reach of their weapons.  When we looked back we saw them joined by a
+large number of their fellows who were employed in dragging off the
+bodies of the kangaroos.
+
+"I am afraid you will be in some danger from them on your return," I
+observed to Bracewell.
+
+"No fear of that," he answered.  "They will be too busy in gorging
+themselves with the flesh of the kangaroos; besides they will not be on
+the look-out for me, and a well-mounted man, provided he doesn't come
+unexpectedly on a mob, need have no fear of them.  My rifle can carry
+farther than their throwing-sticks, a fact of which they are well
+aware."
+
+We soon lost sight of the blacks, and after riding on several miles
+further, our friend told us that he must bid us farewell, promising,
+however, to ride over to Mr Strong's station, should he find he could
+leave home, to see how we were getting on.  "And remember," he added, "I
+shall be glad if one or both of you can join me, should you not find
+yourselves comfortable at your relative's; and if he has moved on, as he
+intended 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 may
+be forwarded on to him.  He has, I understand, a large family, but as we
+have never met I cannot give you a description of them.  I need not warn
+you to keep as good a watch at night as you have hitherto done, and to
+avoid either blacks or suspicious looking white men, though I do not
+mean to say that you are to look upon every traveller you meet with as a
+bushranger."
+
+We having again thanked Bracewell for his advice and the hospitality he
+had shown us, he turned his horse's head towards his home, and we
+proceeded on our journey.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FOUR.
+
+We had already, according to our calculation, performed the distance to
+Mr Strong's station, but no signs of it could we discover.  The heat
+was oppressive, and seeing a wood on our left, we were assured from the
+nature of the trees, that either a water-hole or a stream would be
+found.  We agreed to camp there for a couple of hours to let our horses
+feed and to take our dinner, hoping then by pushing on that we should
+before evening at all events arrive at the station.  I had ridden
+forward to look out for the water, when just as I caught sight of the
+glitter of a pool, I saw two persons emerge from the shade.  They were
+white lads with a couple of dogs and had guns in their hands.  So intent
+were they on some object before them that they did not perceive me.  One
+of them fired at an opossum which they had, I concluded, driven out of
+its hole.  The animal fell to the ground, when they dashed forward to
+save it from being torn to pieces by the dogs.  As they did so, one of
+them 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, and
+shall 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.  "You
+have, however, come somewhat out of your way, and must have passed it on
+your right."
+
+I thanked him.  "And who are you?"  I asked.
+
+"We are Mr Strong's sons," he replied.  "We came here to look for some
+stray cattle which are hid in this scrub, so we shall first have to
+drive them out, but that won't take us long.  We left our horses hobbled
+close at hand while we stopped, intending to take our dinner, as we have
+been 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 and
+Maurice Thurston, our cousins we have been expecting out from the old
+country for some months past.  My name is Hector.  That is my brother
+Oliver.  I suppose you have heard of us?"
+
+I had to confess that I had not before heard their names, though I did
+not like to say how little I knew about them.
+
+Guy, Toby, and I, having dismounted and allowed our horses to drink at
+the pool, hobbled them and let them go away to feed, while we sat down
+in a shady spot to discuss our provisions.  Our cousins produced damper,
+cold beef and cheese from their pockets; while Toby placed before us a
+piece of a kangaroo which we had shot the previous day and some
+biscuits, while we all contented ourselves with a draught of water from
+the pool.
+
+The meal was quickly despatched, when our cousins jumped up saying that
+they must look out for the cattle, and that as soon as we saw the herd
+rounded up and clear of the scrub, we might follow in the rear.  They
+advised us to take care should any of them charge us, as they were apt
+to be vicious, and Toby might have a difficulty in escaping.  "You need
+not hurry yourselves," they added, "but when you hear the sound of our
+stock whips, you had better mount and be ready to start."
+
+Guy and I agreed that it was very fortunate we had fallen in with our
+cousins, who seemed to be wonderfully hardy fellows, and we hoped might
+prove 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, reached
+us 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 the
+scrub a short distance from us.  We rode forward to get out of their way
+as they looked very much inclined to charge us.  Presently others
+appeared in different directions, and then our two young cousins,
+cracking their long whips, followed, rounding up the cattle in the most
+scientific manner, and turning several cows which with their calves were
+evidently intent on bolting back into the scrub.
+
+We soon got excited with the scene, and although our horses were
+somewhat tired and we had no stock whips, we managed so effectually to
+turn the cattle with our ordinary riding-whips, that our cousins
+declared we assisted them very much.  The mob once collected went on
+steadily until we got them into the paddock, an enclosure half a mile in
+extent, into which, some bars being removed, most of them eagerly
+rushed.  A few however tried to bolt, but were sent back by the stock
+whips, 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 immense
+paddock."
+
+"There!" answered Hector, pointing to where I caught sight of the roofs
+of several low buildings.  "We shall soon be there."
+
+We put our horses into a canter, and in a short time arrived before a
+collection of buildings like Indian bungalows, the centre of which was
+the dwelling house, which had slab walls and shingled roof, with a
+pretty verandah in front.
+
+A stout gentleman, a few grey hairs sprinkling his head and large bushy
+beard, 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 paddock
+containing a shed at one end to afford shelter to the animals.
+
+We then entered the house, where we were introduced to the hostess, a
+tall lady, somewhat sallow and careworn, but with considerable animation
+in her manner.  We were next made known to three young ladies, two of
+whom we understood were Misses Strong and a third Clara Mayne, a friend;
+besides these there were three young children.  In a short time, two
+tall lads, sunburnt, and sinewy, made their appearance with stock whips
+in 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 about
+my own age, and I found that they also were cousins.  Altogether a
+goodly company sat down to the evening meal.  We all waited on
+ourselves, there being no female helps in the household.
+
+A rattling conversation was kept up, the young men describing to their
+father the events of the day, while we had to give an account of our
+adventures from the time of our landing.  They were all highly
+interested in hearing of Bracewell being stuck up by bushrangers and how
+we had rescued him.
+
+"We must put a stop to the career of those gentlemen," observed Mr
+Strong.  "We have heard before this of their doings, and I have even
+considered it prudent not to leave the ladies alone in the house without
+two or three men as guards; a most abominable inconvenience, and yet,
+from knowing the atrocities of which they are capable, I consider it
+absolutely necessary."
+
+The blacks, he said, had also been troublesome.  A large mob who had
+been wandering about in that part of the country, might, he thought it
+possible, take it into their heads, to pay the station a visit; though
+it was not likely that they would do harm should they find his people
+prepared for them.
+
+After a pleasant evening, we were shown to the room we were to occupy in
+one of the other sheds where three of our cousins also slept.  One of
+the elder ones was called in the night to mount guard, and we found that
+a watch was regularly kept in case either bushrangers or blacks should
+make their appearance.
+
+Next morning our cousins invited us to accompany them to drive in
+another mob of cattle for the purpose of mustering and branding the
+calves.  We proposed riding our own horses, but they laughed at the
+notion.
+
+"You'd get run down to a certainty," said Hector.  "As we go along I'll
+tell you what you'll have to do, for there's nothing like beginning at
+once."
+
+We were in the saddle before daylight, having first breakfasted, when we
+found a mob of sixty or eighty tame cattle, a short distance from the
+station.
+
+"What are they for?"  I asked.
+
+"They are coaches!" answered Hector.  "We use them to entice the wild
+ones, who take shelter among them, and then the whole are more easily
+driven into the stock yards."
+
+The animals quietly pursued their way, going wherever their drivers
+chose to direct them.  We mustered a dozen horsemen.  On arriving close
+to the run where the wild cattle were known to be, three of the men
+remained with the coaches, and the rest of us rode forward, dividing
+into two parties, the one going to the right, the other to the left, so
+as to encircle the whole camp,--the name given to the spot where the
+wild cattle congregate.  The country had a very wild appearance, there
+were rocks and hills and fallen trees in all directions, and I guessed
+that we should have a pretty rough ride.  Our object was to drive the
+cattle towards the coaches and to prevent any of them turning back and
+breaking 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 best
+mounted stockmen went ahead to lead the cattle, which curiously enough
+always follow where they see another animal going, and now the work
+began.
+
+Cracking our whips and shouting at the top of our voices, off we started
+over the rough ground, now dashing up a hill, now descending the steep
+side of another, our animals springing and dodging about to avoid rocks
+and other obstructions.  Now we leaped over trees, twisting and turning
+in every direction to avoid the standing stumps and jumping over
+scattered logs; now we had to force our way through a thick patch of
+saplings which caught us as in a net.  Not occasionally but _every_
+moment some of the cattle would turn and attempt to break through, some
+of our party having immediately to wheel round, with loud cracks of
+their whips, and make the beasts head the other way.  None of us seemed
+to think of the danger we were running.  Though Guy and I were good
+horsemen it was pretty hard work for us, and our whips were but of
+little 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, some
+catching them by the nose, others by the heels or tails, not ceasing to
+worry them until they took the required direction.
+
+As we were riding along, after we had got free of the bush, a huge bull
+made a dash out, attempting to escape.  I galloped after him,
+belabouring him with my whip, and in spite of his continuing to try and
+toss me, turned him back into the herd.
+
+"Well done, Maurice," exclaimed Hector, "you'll make a first-rate
+stockman, but you must practise with your whip before you can become as
+expert as is necessary."
+
+We visited, in the course of a day or two, other camps in which the wild
+cattle were collected in the same fashion; when, led by the coaches, the
+whole were driven into the yards, as they are called, situated at the
+head station.  Here they were allowed to remain until next morning when
+the operation of mustering and branding commenced.  The yard was so
+divided that the cattle required for the various purposes were driven
+into different compartments; the calves into one, the cattle to be
+slaughtered into another, and those to be turned loose again, into a
+third, while the stockmen from two or three neighbouring stations
+attended to claim any of their masters' cattle which had got in among
+Mr Strong's.
+
+A calf having been lassoed, it was hauled up and its head held down by a
+plank, when a hot brand was handed to a man standing ready to press it
+against the creature's skin, where an indelible mark was left, when the
+little bellower was allowed to rise and make its escape into another
+pen.
+
+Guy and I were not of much use, but we saw everything going forward, and
+lent a hand whenever we could.
+
+"Now, my lads," said Mr Strong to us the next day; "I see the stuff you
+are made of.  You'll do, and if you like to remain with me to learn all
+you ought to know, you are welcome; after that you can decide what
+course you will follow."
+
+We had been some days at the station when a person arrived who had
+occasionally been spoken of as Mr Kimber.  He acted as tutor to our
+host's younger sons as he did also to another family in the
+neighbourhood.  He was a graduate of one of our leading universities,
+and had been found by Mr Strong in the humble capacity of hut-keeper on
+a neighbouring station, a situation he was compelled to take in
+consequence of having expended the whole of his means.  His present
+occupation was more in accordance with his tastes, although his salary
+was, I suspect, not very considerable.  He was evidently not cut out for
+an Australian settler, for though he could manage to stick on horseback,
+as Hector observed, "he preferred a walk to a gallop;" while he
+persisted in wearing a stove-pipe hat and a swallow-tail coat, which he
+evidently considered a more dignified costume than the straw hat and red
+shirt generally worn by all ranks in the bush.  He was amusing from the
+simplicity of his remarks, and as he was honest and well-informed, Mr
+Strong was really glad to retain him.
+
+We had been expecting a visit from Bracewell, as Guy had written to him
+to tell him that we were still remaining with our relative, who did not
+appear to have any idea of leaving his station, but he had received no
+answer.
+
+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 over
+early in the morning of one day and to return late in the evening of the
+next.
+
+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 to
+become acquainted with Captain Mason, and to see his station, I readily
+accepted his invitation.  I found a family very similar to that of Mr
+Strong, and quite as numerous; the girls and boys tall and lithe, but as
+active as crickets.  The girls told me to tell my cousins that they
+would ride over some day to see them, as soon as those abominable
+bushrangers 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, as
+fast as we could go, wishing to get in before dark, as my companion
+confided to me the fact that he felt not a little nervous about the
+bushrangers, of whose atrocious deeds the young Masons had been telling
+him--the murders they had committed, the huts they had attacked, and the
+number of people they had stuck up.  I could not disprove the
+statements, though I believe the accounts greatly exaggerated, and I
+described to him the way we had driven the fellows off by the exhibition
+of firmness and courage.
+
+"All very well in daylight," he observed; "but suppose the villains were
+to pop up from behind the bushes on the other side of the road, and
+order us to stand and deliver, and to threaten to shoot us if we
+attempted 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 would
+miss us.  We must run some danger in this country, and the risk is not
+nearly so great as riding after wild cattle as we have still to do, so
+pray do not make yourself unhappy on the subject."
+
+Still, I saw that my companion looked anxiously about him, especially as
+it began to grow dusk, immediately after which darkness came on, and we
+were compelled to moderate our speed for fear of getting a knock on our
+heads from overhanging branches, or riding against fallen logs.
+
+Eager as the dominie was to get on, not being a first-rate horseman he
+went even slower than was necessary.  We were passing through a thickish
+part of the forest, when, reining in his steed, he whispered to me in a
+tremulous voice--"Pull up, pray do, I hear the tramp of horses' feet.
+Suppose they should be bushrangers, they might shoot us down before we
+had time to escape."
+
+I reined in my steed to listen for the sounds which his sensitive ear
+had 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 be
+mounted horses, do let us remain quiet until we ascertain who the people
+are."
+
+"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 horsemen
+riding across an open glade some distance off.  There was sufficient
+light for me to make out the figures distinctly.  One was a big fellow
+in a rough garb, the other was slighter, and both were armed.  Presently
+afterwards two others came into view, the moonbeams glancing on the
+barrels of their rifles, showing that they also were armed.  I fully
+expected that they would discover us, and I intended if they did so
+boldly to ride up and enquire where they were going.  They galloped on,
+however, without perceiving us.  As I alone had arms I felt that it
+would be folly to interfere with them, as we might run the risk of being
+shot, while we could gain no possible advantage.  I therefore remained
+perfectly quiet, and in another minute they were out of sight.  They
+were 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 were
+well prepared for such gentry.
+
+As soon as they were out of hearing, we rode on; the dominie I saw
+feeling far from happy, as every now and then he turned his head over
+his shoulder to assure himself that we were not followed.
+
+The moon, which had now risen high in the sky, afforded us ample light
+to see our way.  As the country became more open, we were able to push
+on 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 evidently
+alarmed at something.  Galloping towards it, we found on getting up that
+she was endeavouring to protect her calf from the attack of a dozen
+dingoes.  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 her
+helpless young one.  They were not even deterred by our approach.
+
+"We must put an end to these dingoes!"  I exclaimed.  Unstrapping one of
+my stirrup irons and using it as a weapon, I singled out one of the wild
+dogs, and succeeded, after several attempts, in giving it a blow on the
+head which brought it to the ground.  I then attacked another, which I
+treated in the same fashion.  The dominie tried to imitate me but very
+nearly tumbled over on his nose, though he assisted in protecting the
+calf by driving off the cowardly brutes.  The cow at last pinned one to
+the ground with her horns, and then turning round attacked it with her
+heels until she well-nigh pounded it into a jelly.  At length the
+survivors 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 turned
+round, when it lay perfectly still, but it had crept on half a dozen
+yards at least.
+
+I gave it a few more blows with my stirrup iron, and then getting out my
+knife cut its throat.  I treated its companions in the same manner, as I
+did not feel sure that the one the cow had tossed was really dead, so
+tenacious of life are the brutes.
+
+I do not know whether the cow was grateful, but we left her licking her
+calf where the dingoes had bitten it.  When we drew in sight of the
+station 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 characters
+who said that they were in search of work and had lost their way, and
+begged 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 ride
+along with them in the morning to show them the road to the next
+station.  As, however, Hector had detected a brace of pistols under the
+shirt of the man who spoke, and saw that the others had long knives in
+their belts, while their countenances were of the most villainous cast,
+we refused to comply with their wishes, and told them that they must
+ride on and camp out as they had evidently previously been doing."
+
+"I did not think all had villainous countenances," said Hector; "there
+was one good-looking young fellow among them.  He kept in the background
+and said nothing.  However, I had no doubt of what they were, and they
+showed it by riding away when they found that we were not to be taken
+in.  Oliver followed them, when they stopped at a piece of scrub, from
+which they each drew forth a rifle and several other articles, still
+further proving that they had some treacherous design in coming to the
+station."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FIVE.
+
+The account we brought of the direction the supposed bushrangers were
+riding convinced Mr Strong that such was their character, and that
+pressed for food and ammunition, probably for both, they were going to
+some other station to supply their wants by force.  We, however, heard
+nothing of them, nor had they, we found, visited Captain Mason's
+station, and in what direction they had gone we could not ascertain.
+
+Some days after the events I have described, a stockman who had been
+engaged by Mr Strong's agent arrived.  He had stopped at Bracewell's,
+and brought the sad intelligence that our friend was ill, and that he
+had expressed a strong wish that either Guy or I should come and stay
+with him.  He also greatly wanted medical advice.  No doctor was to be
+found within sixty miles of the station.  Guy and I were eager to go to
+the assistance of our friend, and Mr Strong gave both of us leave.
+Hector having some business to transact for his father at the chief
+town, and the dominie, who we found had a considerable amount of medical
+knowledge, offered to go if he could be spared for a few days.  To this
+Mr Strong did not object, and before daylight the next morning we set
+off carrying huge saddle-bags in which the articles we required were
+stowed.  Those of the dominie contained his medicine chest--not a very
+large one, but well suited for the bush, where Morrison's pills are more
+in request than drugs in general.  We were accompanied by two dogs, one
+of 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 the
+prospect of a gallop across the country, which few people in good health
+could fail to enjoy.  Even the dominie forgot his fears of bushrangers
+and mials, or wild blacks.
+
+Our road lay through a lightly timbered country, and here and there
+patches of scrub consisting of a sweet-scented wattle.  We saw pigeons
+in 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 we
+knew that a few showers would soon change its hue.  After traversing
+this country for several miles, we saw some trees evidently much larger
+than those round us.  As we drew near, the vegetation below us looked
+green, a sign that we were approaching a creek or water-hole.  Just then
+we caught sight of three kangaroos leisurely cropping the grass.
+Before, however, we could unsling our rifles, they winded us and bounded
+away at a rate which would have made it hopeless to follow them unless
+we had been accompanied by native dogs and were prepared for a long
+chase.  We accordingly unsaddled at the hole, which was full of
+unusually clear water, a luxury not often obtained in the bush.  The
+grass, also, beneath the trees being shaded was closer and greener than
+that elsewhere; they were mostly tea-trees and gum-trees, many of them
+growing to a good size.  Among the boughs we saw numbers of white
+cockatoos, parrots, laughing-jackasses, and many other birds, who
+received us, as we prepared to camp for our noon-day meal, with a loud
+chorus of varied cries.
+
+Having allowed our horses some time to feed, we again mounted and rode
+forward.  We camped again at night at another water-hole, and were at an
+early hour the next morning once more in our saddles.
+
+We had proceeded some little distance, when I observed that Guy's horse
+had gone lame, and presently it made a fearful stumble from which he
+could with difficulty recover it.
+
+"I am afraid that I must get off and walk, and give the horse a chance
+of recovering himself," said Guy.
+
+We pulled up, and Hector examined the animal's hoofs.  A sharp thorn had
+run into his right fore-foot, and though Hector extracted it, the animal
+still remained as lame as before.  We should not, under ordinary
+circumstances, have minded the delay, but knowing how ill Bracewell was
+we were much annoyed.
+
+At last Hector offered to remain with Guy, if the dominie and I would
+ride on.  To this proposal I was very glad to accede.
+
+The dominie at first looked a little uncomfortable at having to proceed
+with a single companion.
+
+"Suppose we were to fall in with bushrangers," he observed.  "What
+should we do?"
+
+"Shoot them through the head if they offer to interfere with you," said
+Hector.  "You are always thinking of those fellows.  The chances are
+they cleared out of our district long ago when they found that we were
+prepared for them."
+
+"You may do our friend Bracewell a great deal of good," I observed, "for
+you at all events know more about doctoring than any of us.  You can
+discover what is the matter with him."
+
+"I certainly will not decline doing what you say," he answered, and
+seeing to our saddle-girths we prepared for a gallop which would bring
+us up to Bracewell's station before nightfall, Hector and Guy promising
+to follow as fast as they could, although they would have to camp out
+another night.  We started off.  The dominie had lately improved in his
+horsemanship, and we made good play over the ground.  I felt sure that I
+knew the way, as the track between the two stations was tolerably well
+defined.  There were only two places, of no great extent, passing
+through which we should have to pull rein.  At the first the ground was
+unusually rough and rocky, with thick underwood.  We got over it,
+however, and soon afterwards had to pass through a gorge in the only
+range of hills we had to cross.  The path was narrow, so that we could
+not conveniently ride side by side.  I therefore, as guide, took the
+lead, and had unintentionally got some way ahead of the dominie, when I
+heard him cry out, and turning round to see what was the matter I found
+my right arm seized by a fellow who had sprung out from behind a rock
+while another grasped my horse's rein, and the next instant I was
+dragged to the ground.
+
+"Stuck up at last, young master," cried a voice which I recognised as
+that of the tall bushranger Guy and I had before encountered and driven
+off.  "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 yourself
+fortunate if we leave you the clothes on your back, but we don't want
+them.  Do as I tell you, down on your knees and stay there, while I feel
+your pockets."
+
+As may be supposed I did not carry much money in the bush, but on
+leaving 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, a
+savage bull-dog approached, and I thought was going to fly at me, but I
+found his eyes were directed towards some object at my back, which
+proved to be my faithful Carlo, who, however ready to do battle in my
+cause, thought it prudent, in the presence of a superior force, to yield
+to circumstances.
+
+All this time I could not see what was happening to the dominie, but I
+concluded that he would wisely not attempt to make any resistance, and
+that 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 head
+should I move, I thought it as well not to look round lest he should put
+his threat into execution.  The fellow who had taken my horse now picked
+up my gun and carried it off to a short distance.  Two of them then
+produced a rope, intending, I concluded, to treat the dominie and me as
+they had Bracewell.
+
+As the man who stood over me returned his pistol to his belt, I took a
+glance round to try and ascertain what had become of my companion, but
+he was nowhere to be seen, and I feared, therefore, that they intended
+to bind him to a tree at such a distance that we could hold no
+communication with each other.  My dog Carlo was also not to be seen; I
+felt, however, nearly sure that the bushrangers had not carried him off.
+I had often remarked his peculiar sagacity, and hoped that, finding he
+could do me no good, he had kept out of the way to avoid the risk of
+being either killed or captured.  I soon found that my anticipations
+were correct.  The bushranger now holding a pistol to my head made me
+get up and walk to a tree some distance from the track, so that should
+any travellers pass by I should not be discovered.  I might have acted a
+more heroic part had I struggled desperately, seized a pistol, and
+attempted to blow out the brains of one of the ruffians; but as I felt
+that it was more than likely I should lose my own life, I considered it
+wiser to yield with calmness and dignity.
+
+The villains were well up to their work, and having secured my hands
+behind me, they fastened me in so effectual a way to a tree, that I
+could not possibly set myself at liberty.
+
+Without speaking another word to me, the big bushranger led off my
+horse, carrying with him my gun and articles he had taken from me, and
+disappeared 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 suspect
+that he had unintentionally avoided coming near me.
+
+As soon as the bushrangers had gone, I looked round in search of the
+dominie, but could nowhere discover him.  I could scarcely hope that he
+had escaped, or, if he had, that he had got off on horseback.  I felt
+nearly sure that the horse I had just seen led away by the robbers was
+his.  I was thus left in doubt how they had treated him, whether they
+had bound him as they had me, or used greater violence.  As soon as I
+fancied 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 reached
+my ears, and I began seriously to apprehend that they had knocked him on
+the head or stabbed him.  I remembered the dread he had always expressed
+of the bushrangers, and I thought it possible that he might have had
+some especial reason for fearing them.  Perhaps he had known one of
+them, or might have attempted at some time or other to betray them into
+the hands of the police.
+
+After shouting in vain for some minutes, I began to lose all hope of
+receiving a reply.  What had become of Carlo, I could not tell; I feared
+that the bushrangers must have killed him, as I felt nearly sure that he
+would not have deserted me, either to make his escape from the scene of
+danger, or to follow them.  I should have been glad to have him by my
+side for the sake of companionship; it also struck me that should he
+come, he might possibly be able to bite through the thongs if I could
+show him what I wanted done.  I called to him several times, but he did
+not appear.  At last I arrived at the conclusion that the bushrangers
+had killed him.  I now began to think of my own dangerous position,
+while thus utterly unable to defend myself.  If discovered by hostile
+blacks, they would make me a target for their spears, or a pack of
+dingoes might attack me.  I never had heard of their assaulting a living
+man, but I saw no reason why they should not do so, should they discover
+that I had no means of defending myself.  A snake or scorpion might bite
+me, and mosquitoes or other stinging insects were sure to find me out
+and annoy me; while I had the prospect of remaining without water or
+food for hours, or perhaps days to come, when I might at last perish
+from hunger and thirst.  Such and other gloomy thoughts passed through
+my mind.  I had not from the first struggled, for I felt sure that I
+should thus tighten the thongs which bound me.  Now, however, I set to
+work 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 thong
+round my arm, I might in time gnaw it through; but after making a
+variety 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.  There
+was the possible chance of the dominie having escaped, and that some
+traveller might be coming by and release me, as Guy and I had released
+Bracewell.  Still many hours might pass before then, and I was already
+suffering from thirst, though I was not troubled by hunger.  Being out
+of the path, I could only hope to attract attention from passers-by by
+shouting as I heard the sound of their horses' footsteps.  This I could
+do as long as I retained my senses, but I might, I feared, drop off into
+a state of stupor, and those who might have released me might be close
+at hand without my knowing it.
+
+Suddenly I thought I would make one more attempt to ascertain if the
+dominie was within hearing.  I shouted as loud as I could bawl, and then
+gave a cooey, which would reach further than any other sound.  I
+listened; 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 were
+melancholy in the extreme.  It might be some consolation to him, poor
+fellow, to know that I was alive, and I no longer doubted that the
+bushrangers had treated him in the same manner that they had me, though
+I suspected that he had been either stunned or so frightened that he had
+not before heard my shouts or been able to reply.  I intended every now
+and then to give him a hail, when it occurred to me that our voices
+might attract any blacks passing at a distance, and that we should thus
+increase the risk of being killed by them.
+
+I could scare sly tell how the hours went by.  At length darkness came
+on, and I began to doze.  It was the best thing I could do, as it
+prevented me from feeling either hunger or thirst.  I was, however,
+quickly awakened by the thongs cutting my limbs as I bent forward.  I
+then tried to lean against the tree with my feet out, and in that
+position I escaped the pressure on my limbs, and was at last able to
+drop off to sleep.  My slumbers, as may be supposed, were far from
+pleasant, indeed I was conscious all the time that something
+disagreeable had happened; but still, by thus snatching a few intervals
+of sleep, I found that the night passed away faster than I should have
+supposed possible.  Strange sounds occasionally reached my ears.  I
+fancied that I heard in the distance the yelping and barking of a pack
+of dingoes, and as the brutes often hunt together in considerable
+numbers, I dreaded that they might find out the dominie and me, and tear
+us to pieces.  With intense relief I saw the streaks of dawn appear in
+the sky.  The laughing-jackass uttered his cheerful notes, and parrots
+and other birds began to chirp and screech and chatter.  The sound
+tended somewhat to raise my spirits, though the pangs of hunger and
+thirst which now oppressed me soon became insupportable.  As in daylight
+the blacks might be passing, I was afraid of attracting their attention
+by crying out, so that I was unable to ascertain how it fared with the
+poor dominie.  When the sun rose, the heat became oppressive, and the
+insects began to buzz about my face, while I had no power to drive them
+off.
+
+This annoyance was trying in the extreme.  I spluttered and spat, and
+winked my eyes, and shook my head, to very little effect; and although
+the creatures did not often bite me, their buzzing and tickling almost
+drove me mad.  At last a sound struck my ear.  It was the bay of a
+hound, then came a bark, and the next instant the faithful Carlo bounded
+up to me, and licking my face, soon drove off the flies.  Then, having
+exhibited his delight, away he went barking cheerfully.  Presently the
+sound 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 it
+occurred to me that the rider had discovered the dominie, and was
+stopping to set him at liberty.  In a few seconds I caught sight of a
+horseman.  It was my brother Guy, who came galloping up to me.  Throwing
+himself from his saddle, without stopping to ask questions he cut the
+thongs which bound me to the tree.
+
+"You looked so pale that I thought that was the first thing to do," said
+Guy, as he supported me in his arms, and gradually let me sink down on
+the ground, for I could not stand.  "Hector is looking after the
+dominie, 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 instantaneous
+effect, and I was at once able to get up on my feet.
+
+"We thought something had happened when Carlo, rushing back, came
+barking and pulling at our trousers; and as soon as we could catch our
+horses, in spite of the lameness of mine, we started off.  We could not
+travel fast at night, but immediately day broke we galloped on; and I am
+thankful indeed, my dear Maurice, to find you uninjured--but how did you
+get 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 my
+horse, and we will go to where I left Hector and the dominie.  We'll
+breakfast as soon as we can reach a water-hole.  We passed one a little
+way back, and we must then try and get on to Bracewell's as soon as
+possible."
+
+With his assistance, I mounted his horse, and we soon reached the spot
+where Hector was attending to the dominie, who was slowly recovering.  I
+really believe, from the condition he was in, that he would soon have
+died.  One of the ruffians had struck him over the head with the butt of
+his pistol, but he had suffered more from fear than from the blow, for
+he fully believed that they were going to put him to death.  He was
+lifted on Hector's horse, and we soon reached the water-hole.  The fire
+was quickly lighted, and after a good breakfast on a paddy-melon--a
+small 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 the
+horses, and we made good progress.  We had reached an open part of the
+country, when we caught sight of a figure seated on a fallen log.  His
+back 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 a
+bronze statue.  He had not a rag round his body, but on his shoulders
+were a number of raised marks, produced by making slashes in the skin,
+and filling them up with clay, so that when the wound healed, an
+elevated scar was made.  His hair was fastened in a top-knot, and he had
+a long pointed beard, with moustache on his lips, his prominent nose
+having nothing of the negro character about it.  Fastened to a belt
+round his waist was a snake and a little kangaroo rat, on which he
+evidently intended to make his dinner.  A cord round his neck supported
+a shell ornament in front, and a tassel behind completed his costume.  I
+describe him, of course, not as we saw him when at a distance, but
+according to the appearance he presented on a further acquaintance.
+Suddenly, as we came upon him, he seemed in no way alarmed; but, jumping
+up, he seized his spear and throwing-stick which lay on the ground at
+his side.  Seeing, however, that he could not possibly escape us, he
+made no attempt to run.
+
+As we approached, Hector, who from a long intercourse with the blacks
+was able to make him understand what he said, inquired whether he had
+seen any white men passing that way, and should he have done so, whether
+he could tell us who they were.
+
+The black, without hesitation, replied, saying, that he had seen no less
+than four, that they were armed with guns, and were leading a couple of
+horses.
+
+"That looks suspicious.  They must have been the bushrangers," observed
+Hector; "and if--as I think possible--they are not far off, we must try
+and capture the fellows, or at all events recover our horses."
+
+Hector, who closely questioned the black, was satisfied that he wished
+to be honest, and accordingly asked him if he thought that he could
+track the bushrangers.  He replied, without hesitation, that if he once
+came 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 recover
+our horses, and if possible to capture the robbers.  We were five
+against four, for having promised the black a handsome reward, if we
+should catch one or more of the villains, we could trust to his aid, and
+his spear would be of as much use as our guns at close quarters; but we
+could not reckon much on the assistance of the dominie, whose
+nervousness we thought would prevent him from doing what was necessary.
+
+We had not gone far, when the black declared positively, that he had
+found the trail of the robbers, and that probably they would be encamped
+at a water-hole not far off.
+
+Our undertaking was one requiring the greatest caution, for they were
+certain to be on the watch, and being well armed, would prove formidable
+opponents.  We might, to be sure, steal upon them during the darkness of
+night and shoot them down, but we had no wish to do that; our object was
+to recover our property and bring them to justice.  The black showed
+himself to be an admirable scout.  The evening was drawing on when he
+told us that we were not far from where he expected to find them.  How
+it happened that they had not ridden to a distance, it was impossible to
+say; probably the spot they had chosen, being out of the high road, they
+did not expect to be discovered.
+
+Securing our horses in a thick scrub, where they were completely
+concealed, we cautiously advanced, the black going ahead.  It was by
+this time getting quite dark.  Our great fear was that the dog they had
+with them would wind us, and if so it would be necessary to shoot the
+creature as it approached.  This, of course, would give them the alarm,
+though we hoped to spring upon them and knock over two or three before
+they could escape.  The horses were probably feeding at a distance, and
+the 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 fellows
+I followed his example, carrying my pistols in my belt, and I found that
+Carlo 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 low
+shrubs, I saw the four bushrangers seated round a fire, their saddles
+and baggage and their guns lying on the ground near them.  They
+evidently did not suppose that there was any chance of their being
+attacked.  The only one of their party who seemed to be on the watch was
+their 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 us
+out.  As it was I fully expected every moment to see him dash forward
+with 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 I
+was 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 mode
+of proceeding.  It was agreed that we would wait until the bushrangers
+separated, which they were sure to do in the morning, and then rush on
+those in the camp while the others were away.  The dog would prove the
+chief obstacle, and it was settled that I was to shoot him while Hector
+and Guy should dash into their camp.  Two of the men would in all
+probability remain, while the others went to look after the horses,
+leaving their arms behind them.  The dominie was to remain with the
+horses 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 have
+wished, on account of their watch-dog, who would be certain to give the
+alarm.  Our plans being arranged, the dominie and I lay down, and,
+wearied with what we had lately gone through, slept for the greater part
+of the night.
+
+It was still dusk when, having crept up to the robbers' camp, we saw one
+of them get up and throw some sticks on the fire.  He then aroused his
+companions, and two of them, the big bushranger and one I took to be
+Vinson, went off, as we concluded, to bring in the horses, happily
+leaving 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 were
+engaged in cooking their breakfast.  The bull-dog, with a fierce bark,
+sprang towards us.  As he did so, the black with his spear nearly fixed
+the brute to the ground, which saved me from having to fire, and thus
+alarming 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 thick
+stick, with which he made a blow at my head; but at that instant my
+brave Carlo sprang at his throat with a force which brought him to the
+ground.  Hector and Guy were in the meantime struggling with the other
+man, whom they succeeded in securing.  Having lashed his arms behind
+him, they were at liberty to come to my assistance, and soon firmly
+bound the fellow Carlo had overthrown, for I had not struck a blow.  On
+examining the countenances of the men we discovered that they were both
+strangers.  The big bushranger and Vinson, who were, we had little
+doubt, the other two we had seen, had gone off probably to catch the
+horses.  Having left their arms behind them they were in our power, but
+it was a great question whether we could manage to capture them.  They
+would probably be back in a few minutes, and we had at once to decide
+how 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 drag
+them behind those bushes close to the camp.  You, Maurice, and the
+black, being also concealed, must threaten to shoot them if they attempt
+to make any noise.  Hector and I will then take their places at the
+fire, and pretend to be cooking the breakfast.  As there will not be
+much light for some time, the other men when they return will not at
+first discover us, and we shall be able to point our rifles and order
+them to give in before they are aware of the trap we have laid.  To make
+things more certain, we'll put on our prisoners' cabbage straw hats and
+red shirts, so that the chances are that they will get close up before
+they find out their mistake."
+
+Hector and I highly approving of Guy's suggestion, we immediately set
+about putting it into execution.  The black, who, being a remarkably
+intelligent fellow, fully understood our object, seemed highly
+delighted, grinning from ear to ear, as he assisted us.
+
+We quickly gagged our prisoners, and then, dragging them behind the
+bushes, took off their shirts and hats, which, as they were far from
+clean, I was secretly glad I had not got to wear.  Guy and Hector put
+them on, and then examining the fire-arms to ascertain if they were
+properly loaded, drew them close to the fire, before which they sat
+down.  While one turned the spits on which they had put some meat to
+roast, the other employed himself in chopping up sticks and placing them
+on the fire.  So exactly did they act the parts in which we had found
+our present prisoners engaged, that I felt sure the other men would not
+suspect the trap laid for them until they were close up to the camp.  It
+was 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 make
+his escape.  There was a risk, of course, that they would come across
+the dominie and the horses, and if so, would guess that we had
+discovered their camp, and would at all events be on their guard.  Guy
+had, however, especially charged the dominie that should the bushrangers
+by any accident discover him, he was to keep them at a distance by
+threatening to fire if they approached.
+
+While my brother and Hector were bending over the fire as I have
+described, I kept peering through the bushes, keeping one eye on our two
+prisoners, though I felt sure that the black would watch them carefully
+as he squatted down by their side with a sharp knife in his hand.  It
+was a nervous time, but we had not long to wait before we heard the dull
+sound of galloping feet, and several horses came in sight, followed by
+the big bushranger mounted on a powerful steed.  I could nowhere see
+Vinson, so that he at all events would have a chance of escaping.  The
+horses came rushing on, and as they got near the fire separated, some on
+one 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 over
+the fire did not appear to hear him, until, throwing himself from his
+horse, he approached them; when, snatching up their rifles, they
+suddenly 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 moved
+towards the butt of the pistol in his belt, his left still holding the
+rein; he, however, quickly changed his mind, for he well knew, should he
+attempt to draw his weapon, before he could present it a couple of balls
+might be crashing through his brain.  Another oath escaped his lips.
+
+"Caught at last," he cried out, as if he was going to yield, but the
+next instant with a bound he was in his saddle, leaning forward at the
+same 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 the
+fugitive, when another person appeared, driving before him the remainder
+of the horses.  Forgetting for a moment that the bushranger's guns lay
+beside my brother and Hector, but recollecting that the big fellow had a
+brace 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 instant
+Hector and Guy had each picked up a gun.  The big bushranger had,
+however, already got to a considerable distance, and although both
+fired, he continued his course, apparently uninjured.
+
+While they were reloading, the fourth man, whom I took to be Vinson, had
+disappeared.  We all three immediately rushed out to stop the horses,
+and succeeded in catching our own and two others.  Our own saddles were
+in the robber's camp, so all we had to do was to put them on ready for a
+start.  We then placed our prisoners on the backs of the other two,
+securing their legs under the horses' bellies, and fastening long
+leathern thongs to the bridles.  We then, carrying off the ammunition,
+and two of the guns as trophies, smashed up the others, and threw the
+saddles and the few articles of baggage we found, on the fire,
+retaining, however, one or two things which were likely to prove
+acceptable to our black guide, who was highly delighted with his share
+of the plunder.  Hoping to receive a further reward, he undertook to
+accompany us to Bracewell's, and to lead our prisoners' horses.  We
+thought it prudent, however, not to trust him too much, though we
+accepted his offer, provided he could keep up to us.
+
+We were anxious as soon as possible to hand our prisoners over to the
+police, lest their two comrades, still at large, with others of the gang
+they might fall in with, should attempt their rescue; but we felt pretty
+secure, as they would know that, so long as we were on the watch, they
+were not likely to succeed.  Should we, however, be kept out another
+night, they would compel us to be very vigilant, while we should have to
+guard both ourselves and the horses.
+
+Although the two bushrangers had escaped, we had succeeded in breaking
+up the gang, and without guns and ammunition they would have great
+difficulty in supporting themselves; while the two we had made prisoners
+would probably, on their trial, be ready to give such information as
+might assist in the capture of others.
+
+Leading on our prisoners, we now set out to return to where we had left
+the dominie.
+
+We had, I should have said, hurriedly eaten some of the provisions Guy
+and Hector had cooked, and we took the remainder so that no time need be
+lost in proceeding to Bracewell's.
+
+On reaching the spot, what was our dismay to see neither the dominie nor
+the horses.  We shouted to him, but no reply came.
+
+"What can have become of him?" exclaimed Guy.  "Those fellows must have
+fallen in with him, and compelled him to accompany them."
+
+"I do not think that is possible," I remarked, "for they went off in a
+different direction.  Still his disappearance is very mysterious.  We
+must 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 a
+southerly direction, and on closer examination we discovered traces of
+the horses.
+
+After waiting some time, as the black did not return, Guy proposed that
+Hector should stay by the prisoners and the two animals we had
+recovered, 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 of
+their getting away."
+
+Not wishing to lose more time we started.  After going on for some time
+we got separated, and I found to my right a deep gully, with steep
+cliff-like banks, mostly covered with trees of a character which showed
+that there was generally an abundance of water; indeed, I observed
+several small pools, joined by a trickling rivulet three or four feet
+only in width.
+
+As I went along, I shouted out our friend's name.  At last I heard the
+tramp of horses, and looking about, I caught sight through the trees of
+our 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 grieved
+not to see the dominie, for I naturally feared that some serious
+accident had happened to him.  I now once more returned, intending to
+rejoin Hector, when I heard a faint shout.  It came from the direction
+of the gully.  My hopes revived of finding the dominie.  After going on
+some 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 or
+Hector.
+
+I cooeyed in return.  Soon afterwards another reached my ears, coming
+from 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 the
+dominie.  Guy was employed in chafing his hands, and trying to restore
+him 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, he
+must have fallen over, and striking his head on the ground, have become
+insensible.  Go and get some water from yonder pool in your hat, and I
+think 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 of
+seeing 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 the
+bargain."
+
+The news seemed to have a good effect, and now that he had come to
+himself, 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 to
+him by the black.
+
+We immediately mounted, and Hector taking charge of one prisoner, and
+Guy of the other, I attended to the dominie.  We expected that our black
+guide would have kept up with the horses, but when he found the rate at
+which 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 has
+obtained more than he expected, and has no fancy to be shot by the
+bushrangers, should we encounter them; probably, also, he wants to join
+his gins, who, I dare say, are not far off, though they have kept out of
+our sight."
+
+We rode on, when the ground was level breaking into a gallop.  The
+dominie now and then groaned, but when I offered to pull up, he always
+answered--
+
+"Go on, go on; perhaps those villains will be watching for us; I don't
+want 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 at
+what 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 before
+sundown.  Late in the day, I began to recognise spots we had passed
+while staying with him, although so great is the sameness of the
+country, 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 in
+another moment old Bob came hurrying out to meet us.
+
+"Thankful you've come, gentlemen," he exclaimed; "though Mr Bracewell's
+round the corner, he'll be glad of your society.  He's in terribly low
+spirits 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 at
+them.
+
+"You rascals!  You're caught at last, are you?  You'll be having your
+legs in chains before long I hope, and not be keeping honest folk in
+fear of their lives."
+
+"We must see where we can stow these fellows until we can send for the
+police," said Guy.
+
+"We'll stow them safe enough," said old Bob, "and, provided we keep
+their arms lashed behind their backs, and their legs in limbo, they'll
+not escape from where I'll put them."
+
+The captive bushrangers cast angry glances at the speaker, but as their
+mouths were still gagged, they could not express their feelings by
+words.
+
+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 one
+door and one window.  He then brought a couple of stout ropes, with
+which we secured them to the posts which supported the roof, one on
+either side of the hut, so that they could not reach each other.  We
+next drew the gags from their mouths, expecting that they would make the
+first use of their tongues by abusing us, but they appeared to be too
+dull and brutal even to do that.  After closing the door and window, we
+left them to their own devices.
+
+"I'll take care that they don't get out during the night.  If they try
+that 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 his
+hut.  Old Bob in the meantime was cooking supper, and a very
+satisfactory one he managed to produce.
+
+Our coming, as we expected, did our friend a great deal of good, and we
+hoped that the medicine which the dominie brought would still further
+restore him.
+
+Old Bob insisted that a guard should be kept on the prisoners, and he
+offered to stand watch for four hours, provided we three took the
+remainder of the night between us.  To this we could not object, though
+when he aroused me, I confess that I got up very unwillingly.
+
+I was thankful, however, that his advice was followed.  While standing
+before the door, I heard one of the fellows announce to his comrade that
+he had got one of his arms free, and that in another minute he would set
+him at liberty.  Had they succeeded in doing this, they would have had
+no difficulty in working their way out of the hut.
+
+I at once opened the door, and walked up to the fellow with a pistol in
+my hand.  I found that he had really managed to get an arm free, though
+the moment he saw me he placed it behind him.
+
+I shouted to old Bob, who quickly came to my assistance, and we soon had
+the fellow more securely fastened than before.  We then examined the
+other.  Though he had evidently been trying his best to get out his
+arms, he had not succeeded.  As may be supposed, we did not allow them
+an opportunity of attempting the same trick again, and when I called up
+Guy, I charged him to keep a watch on the two fellows, a lantern being
+placed 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 thankful
+when a dozen black troopers came clattering up to the station under the
+command of an English officer, to whom we handed over the bushrangers,
+and gave a full description of how they had been caught, and of their
+two companions who had escaped.
+
+We had, as we expected, to go and give evidence; but, fortunately, as
+their trial came on at once, we were not long delayed.
+
+By the time we were wanted, Bracewell, thanks to the dominie's medical
+skill, had almost entirely recovered.  He was able to identify the two
+men as among the party who had attacked him, we also having found in
+their possession some of his property which they had taken.  The other
+two were still at large, but the police entertained no doubt that they
+should catch them before long.
+
+We all returned to Bracewell's, and I was glad to find that he had
+accepted an invitation from Mr Strong, to pay him a visit, which he was
+able to do as he had engaged a trustworthy man to assist old Bob in
+taking care of the station.  We therefore prepared to set out
+immediately.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SEVEN.
+
+We were actually in our saddles and about to set off, when Hector
+received a letter from his father directing him to return to town to
+make some further purchases, and to transact other business.
+
+The dominie, who had been expressing a wish to visit the city and buy
+some books, begged permission to accompany him.
+
+"You go on leisurely, we'll soon catch you up," said Hector.  "It is a
+pity that you should be delayed for us."
+
+Bracewell agreed to this arrangement.  As his strength was not
+completely restored, it was considered advisable that he should make
+short stages.  While we therefore rode on as we intended to the
+north-west, our friends, borrowing a couple of horses, that their own
+might be fresh when they returned to the station, galloped off towards
+the coast.
+
+We were approaching a water-hole by the side of which we proposed
+encamping the first evening, when we caught sight of a native walking
+leisurely along with an axe in his hand.  He came forward with a
+confidence which showed that he was accustomed to meet white men, and we
+recognised, as he approached, our former guide.  He appeared to be
+highly pleased at seeing us, and began jabbering away in a language
+which neither Guy nor I could understand.  Bracewell, who seemed to
+comprehend him, replied in the same lingo; and then told us that the
+black had informed him that his tribe was in the neighbourhood and would
+be happy if we would pay them a visit, that they might show their
+gratitude for the wealth we had showered upon them.
+
+While he was speaking, another black popped his head out from behind the
+bushes, when the other called to him, and he came forward.  As he was
+approaching he cast his eyes to the top of a tree, a little distance
+off, when a few words were exchanged between the two.
+
+They both ran to it and without more ado, began to ascend, cutting
+slight notches with their axes, just of sufficient size to enable them
+to put in their toes and fingers.
+
+We watched their proceedings with wonder at the rapidity with which they
+got up, almost indeed as fast as if they were mounting an ordinary
+ladder.  Round and round the tree they climbed, giving a couple of
+strokes with their little axes sufficient to make a notch of the
+required size.  Until I saw the confidence with which they proceeded, I
+expected every moment that they would drop down again to the ground.
+Though the tree must have been sixty feet high without a branch, they
+were at the top in less than a minute, when securing themselves they
+plunged 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 to
+the ground.
+
+They descended with even greater celerity than they had mounted, and
+then to our surprise brought the animal to us, apparently as an
+offering.
+
+Bracewell thanking them, told them to keep it for themselves, which they
+were evidently well content to do.  They accompanied us to the
+water-hole, where, without being told to do so, they assisted in
+collecting sticks for a fire.
+
+This being done, we having hobbled our horses, they squatted themselves
+on the ground to skin their opossum which they then brought to be
+roasted.  The confidence they exhibited in us showed that we might trust
+them, and we allowed them to go about the camp as they liked, though
+Bracewell advised that we should keep an eye on our saddle-bags and
+valises lest the temptation to appropriate their contents might be too
+great to be resisted.
+
+While we were discussing our supper, they managed to devour the whole of
+the opossum between them; and then, having stuck some boughs in the
+ground to form a hut, they lay down side by side beneath them, and were
+quickly asleep, evidently feeling perfectly secure in our neighbourhood.
+
+Both Guy and I wanted to see more of the natives, and Bracewell
+consented, should our guests again offer to guide us to their camp, to
+ride round to it, as it would not take us much out of our way.  There
+was, he said, a few miles off, a large shallow lagoon, near which they
+were assembled for the purpose of fishing and catching the wild fowl
+which frequented it; and that we should thus have an opportunity of
+seeing the way in which they engaged in those pursuits.  As he knew the
+country well, he could easily make his way back to the direct route, so
+that we could run no risk of missing Hector and the dominie.  That
+Bracewell might enjoy a full night's rest, Guy and I agreed to keep
+watch and watch, but he laughed at our proposal, declaring that it was
+useless.
+
+"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 to
+clear out of this part of the country, when they knew the police were on
+their tracks.  There is a greater risk from the blacks, though I feel
+sure those two fellows there can be trusted."
+
+In spite of Bracewell's remarks, Guy and I determined to keep to our
+resolution, and as soon as he was asleep, I rose, and having made up the
+fire, walked about, endeavouring to keep my eyes open.  I tried this for
+some 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 on
+the ground, and when I awoke the fire was almost out.  Giving a kick to
+the embers to obtain a flame, I looked at my watch.  It was then almost
+day-break and I thought it useless to rouse my brother.
+ Directly afterwards a chorus of cachinnations from a couple of
+laughing-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 on
+which we were regaling ourselves.
+
+To catch our horses, saddle up and mount, did not take us long, and as
+our new friends repeated their offer, we set off, the blacks running
+ahead.  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 long
+thin switch and ran towards an object which we just then saw moving in
+the grass.  Presently the wicked-looking head of a large snake rose in
+the air.  The blacks ran towards it, one on either side, and bestowing
+some sharp blows with their wands, down it dropped.  On getting up to
+the 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 the
+head, one of them slung the body over his shoulder, and they then again
+went on shouting with glee.
+
+In a short time we arrived at the blacks' camp.  It consisted of a
+number of rude bowers, such as I have before described, tenanted by a
+few women, children, and old men, all the active men being out hunting
+in the lagoon which appeared just beyond.
+
+Riding on we caught sight of a number of black figures, scattered in all
+directions, engaged in knocking down with their boomerangs some large
+birds perched on the withered branches of the trees overhanging the
+water.
+
+Our friends brought us one of the boomerangs to examine.  It was a
+curved piece of wood about two feet two inches from tip to tip, rather
+more than two inches wide in the middle, and diminishing towards the
+tips.
+
+We saw bird after bird knocked off the trees with this remarkable
+weapon.  When it first left the hand of the thrower, we could not decide
+in what direction it was going, but after making numberless circles in
+the air, it never failed to hit the object intended.
+
+Most of the birds we saw struck were cormorants, which, as they fell
+into the water, the blacks seized and wrung their necks.  Some, however,
+not being killed outright or stunned, showed fight, and attacked the
+naked bodies of their assailants with their sharp beaks.  We witnessed
+the sport for some time, till the birds nearest us becoming alarmed,
+took to flight, but were followed by the persevering hunters, who marked
+where they again alighted.
+
+As we did not wish to delay, we thanked our friends, who with the
+prospect of an ample feast before them, showed no inclination to
+accompany us.  One of them, however, had a talk with Bracewell just
+before 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 in
+the 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 be
+off 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 prepared
+to give them a warm reception.  We will, however, keep a look-out for
+the fellows, and as soon as we get back to the regular track, I'll leave
+a note fixed to a tree for Hector, telling him what we have heard, and
+advising 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 that
+we shall not fall in with the mob of bad natives," he added; and as he
+knew the country much better than Guy or I did, we were perfectly ready
+to 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 the
+neighbourhood, 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, and
+will not venture to touch it."
+
+This done, we pushed forward, rather faster than we had hitherto been
+going, in order to arrive at a spot at which Bracewell advised that we
+should camp early in the evening.
+
+Although there were several stations scattered over the country in
+various directions, the traffic between them was so limited, that no
+inns or even liquor stores had been established; and travellers had
+consequently to camp out in the bush night after night when proceeding
+towards the interior.
+
+We found doing this was no hardship, and infinitely preferred sleeping
+by our camp-fire with the canopy of heaven above us, to taking up our
+quarters in a shepherd's hut or grog shop.
+
+We were approaching the end of our day's journey, when I caught sight of
+a black figure flitting among the trees in the distance.  Presently
+another, and another appeared.  They did not come near us, but were
+apparently 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 them
+vanish."
+
+Lifting his rifle, he uttered a loud whoop, when in an instant every
+black disappeared, either having dropped to the ground, or got behind
+the stems of trees.
+
+"I don't suppose they'll come near us again, but it will be as well to
+be on our guard when passing any thick scrub.  We must either give it a
+wide berth so that their spears cannot reach us, or gallop quickly by."
+
+During the day-time, however, there was not much probability that the
+blacks would venture to attack us; but we agreed that we must be very
+careful during the night, lest they should spear our horses,--a trick
+they are apt frequently to play when they think that they can do so and
+make their escape without the risk of a bullet through their bodies.
+
+Though we looked out for them on every side, not another black did we
+see; but Bracewell remarked, that we must not consequently fancy that
+they had taken themselves off.
+
+However, as the day wore on, and they did not again reappear, we began
+to hope that we had distanced them, and that they would not trouble us
+during the night.  At length we reached the water-hole, near which grew
+several magnificent trees, where there was abundance of grass for the
+horses, so that they would not be tempted to stray away.
+
+Choosing a spot with a water-hole on one side, and three or four fine
+trees of large girth on the other, we unsaddled our horses and made up
+our fire.  We had provisions enough for the evening, but should have to
+go on short commons the next day, unless we could shoot a paddy-melon or
+some 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 to
+shoot a few parrots or cockatoos, so many of which were flitting about
+among the boughs that we felt confident of shooting as many as we
+required.
+
+No sooner, however, did we fire, than having each brought down a parrot,
+the remainder of the noisy birds flew away.  We followed, expecting to
+get some more shots, but the sound of our guns having alarmed them, as
+soon as we approached they again took to flight.
+
+By some means or other, I, having hurried on, lost sight of Guy, though
+I concluded that he was following me.  At last I saw a large cockatoo
+nodding his head as if not aware of my presence.  I fired, and brought
+him down, when directly afterwards I heard the report of Guy's gun, much
+further off than I had expected.
+
+The thought just then occurred to me, that should the blacks be in the
+neighbourhood, they might discover our whereabouts by the reports; so I
+felt 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 caught
+sight 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 on
+again, I felt pretty sure that he was following me.  I therefore every
+now and then turned suddenly round and pointed my rifle towards my
+pursuer.  At last, having gone on for some distance, I began to fear
+that I had lost my way, for I could not see either our camp-fire or the
+smoke rising from it.  To ascertain if I was near it, I gave a loud
+cooey, expecting that Guy and Bracewell would hear me and reply.
+
+No answer came.  I began to feel rather uncomfortable, for although with
+my rifle in my hand, I was a match for two or three blacks, I should be
+in an awkward predicament should I be followed by a whole mob.  It would
+not 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 the
+blacks might overtake me.  I ran on as fast as the nature of the ground
+would allow, endeavouring to keep a straight course.
+
+Once more I turned round when to my dismay I beheld a score or more of
+blacks armed with spears and shields.  For a moment I faced them as
+before, presenting my rifle.  I might bring down one of the fellows, I
+knew; but then, unarmed, I should be at their mercy; I therefore
+contented myself with threatening them.  The instant I raised my weapon,
+they all vanished as before.  Directly afterwards I caught sight of the
+glare of the fire: I dashed forward, when to my surprise I found my
+brother and Bracewell coolly seated on the ground, engaged in preparing
+a couple of parrots which the former had shot.
+
+"Up, up!"  I exclaimed: "the blacks are upon us--there is not a moment
+to lose if we intend to save our lives."
+
+"Oh, nonsense!" cried Bracewell.  "You've seen a big `boomer,' or the
+stump of a tree, which you have mistaken for a black fellow."
+
+I loudly protested that I was not mistaken, and advised them to load
+their rifles with ball.
+
+While I was speaking, a spear quivered in the tree close to where they
+were 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 keep
+watch for the appearance of our enemies.
+
+Just as I had brought the horses up, and was tethering them behind the
+clump of trees, the mob of blacks came in sight, shrieking and dancing
+and brandishing their spears.
+
+Bracewell, on this, exclaimed, "We'll show them that we're not to be
+trifled with; or they will become bolder, and make a rush upon us with
+their waddies.  Guy, do you pick off that fellow on the right; I'll take
+the fellow in the centre who is nourishing his weapon--he intends to
+hurl it at us as soon as he gets near enough.  Maurice, you must keep
+them in check while we are reloading, but don't fire unless they
+advance."
+
+As he spoke, he and Guy pulled their triggers.  As the smoke cleared off
+I saw two blacks on the ground--my companions were rapidly reloading
+while I kept my rifle pointed at the advancing mob.  I had my eye upon
+one of them, who appeared to be leader.  We were tolerably well
+sheltered by the roots of the trees, so that we could take aim without
+exposing ourselves.
+
+The determined front we exhibited did not however deter the blacks from
+advancing, and as they did so, they sent a whole shower of spears, which
+stuck 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 sprang
+behind shelter and reloaded, while my brother and Bracewell knocked over
+two more.
+
+It was dreadful work, having thus to kill our fellow-creatures; but at
+that moment all we thought about was that they intended to kill us, and
+that it was our business to defend our lives.  Whether or not we should
+do 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 or
+more of them yelling and shrieking and hurling their sharp-pointed
+spears towards us.  A hundred opposed to three were fearful odds.
+Probably they were not aware of the smallness of our number, or they
+might have made a rush at our camp, and knocked us all over with their
+waddies.  Every moment we expected that they would do so.  Should one of
+us be killed or wounded so as to be unable to fire, the other two must
+inevitably become their victims.
+
+As yet we had happily escaped injury, and the blacks did not appear
+inclined to venture closer than at first.  We had been firing away as
+rapidly as we could reload, but though we had killed several, we had
+frequently missed, for as they kept springing in and out behind the
+trees in the thickening gloom, it was very difficult to hit them.
+Suddenly they vanished, and I was afraid were coming round to get on our
+flank; the width of the water-hole, and the marshy ground on the further
+side was, however, too great to allow them to hurl their spears across
+it.  My gun was loaded, but when I put my hand into my bullet-pouch, to
+my dismay, I found that I had not another shot left.  I told my
+companions.  "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 come
+nearer."
+
+"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 off
+before they again attack us?" asked Guy.
+
+"They will probably be on the look-out should we make the attempt, and
+surround us before we get to any distance," said Bracewell.  "Better try
+and hold our own here, where we have the shelter of the trees, only
+don't throw a shot away."
+
+This discussion was cut short by a loud yell uttered by our savage
+enemies, who, the next instant, again came into view, and advanced with
+their 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 immediately
+replied, but could not see whether our shots took effect.  The spears
+now fell so thickly, that we could scarcely venture to show ourselves
+even 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 we
+should have to sell our lives dearly, unless we could manage to mount
+our 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 our
+spirits.
+
+As far as we could judge, the savages showed no intention of abandoning
+their object.  Just as we expected that they would make their final
+rush, a loud cooey was heard, and I caught the sound of the trampling of
+horses' feet.  We cooeyed in return again and again.  The savages must
+have heard us, as well as the cooeys in the distance; for after vainly
+hurling another shower of spears, they turned and scampered off as fast
+as their legs could carry them, their flight hastened by the peppering
+we gave their backs with small shot.  Almost immediately afterwards
+Hector and the dominie, accompanied by half a dozen troopers, came
+galloping 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 sent
+forward in search of some bushrangers who with unaccountable hardihood,
+notwithstanding the capture of two of their companions, were still
+committing their depredations in that part of the country; and that
+having accompanied Hector, who had discovered our note, they had come on
+to assist us in case we should be attacked by the blacks.
+
+We all rode on together in the direction we supposed the savages to have
+taken.  But darkness was coming on: the sergeant soon pulled up
+declaring that we might as well look for a needle in a bundle of hay, as
+expect to catch one of them.
+
+Had we had any natives with us we might have tracked them during the
+night.  We should now however only run the risk of losing our way
+without the slightest chance of capturing a black man.
+
+This was very evident, and we accordingly settled to return to the camp
+and wait until the following morning.
+
+Hector and the dominie had brought a good supply of provisions in their
+saddle-bags, and our supper being cooked, we sat round the fire sipping
+our mugs of scalding tea, and fighting our battle over again.
+
+The sergeant told us that the mob which had attacked us was said to be
+the most daring in that part of the country.  They had already, it was
+supposed, murdered two hut-keepers and a shepherd, and had carried off
+large numbers of sheep.  Without natives to track them it would be
+impossible to come upon their camp so as to capture their leaders.  The
+punishment they had received from us might perhaps, we thought, prevent
+them from committing further depredations in the neighbourhood; and the
+sergeant'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 our
+road, must continue his course in the direction he had been informed
+they had taken.
+
+At length we began to get drowsy, and one after the other we lay down
+with our horse-cloths for bedding and our saddles for pillows.
+
+The sergeant undertook that one of his men should keep watch, though it
+was very improbable that the blacks would venture to attack us during
+the night.
+
+I was awakened just before dawn by the "settler's clock," as the
+laughing-jackass is frequently called; and lifting my head, by the light
+of the still burning embers of our fire saw the dominie rubbing his
+eyes, but no one else was moving.  I suspected from this that the last
+man on guard had gone to sleep.  No sticks had been thrown on for a
+considerable time, and on counting heads I discovered that the sergeant
+and his troopers were all snoring loudly, and sound asleep.  I bethought
+me that we would play them a trick; so quickly arousing Guy and
+Bracewell, I proposed that we should unite our voices and give a
+terrific shriek as if a whole mob of black fellows were about to break
+into 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 and
+seizing 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 considered
+necessary.  "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 was
+keeping 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, but
+having dropped off, had not called his relief.
+
+We thought it best to say as little as possible about the matter, for
+according to strict military discipline, the man who goes to sleep on
+guard in the face of an enemy, becomes liable to the punishment of
+death.  The sergeant also, who was a good-natured fellow, was evidently
+anxious not to take too much notice of the matter.
+
+We soon got the fire made up, and having breakfasted, we mounted and
+rode in the direction we supposed that the blacks had taken, but except
+the dead bodies of the men we had shot, no trace of them could we
+discover.  They probably could not tell whether or not we had any
+natives with us, and therefore took care to leave no trail by which they
+could be followed up.  They might possibly have been hiding all the time
+in the neighbourhood, or might--contrary to their usual custom--have
+travelled during the night.
+
+After looking for an hour or more we agreed that it would be useless to
+search further and pursued our course towards Mr Strong's.  The
+sergeant's way for some distance lay in the same direction, and he and
+his men therefore accompanied us.  We had got about half way, when we
+saw a white man running towards us.  He appeared to be in a desperate
+hurry, 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 had
+driven my flock to the run this morning, when who should I see coming
+towards me but old Bill the hut-keeper who had a spear in his side and
+another in his back.  He had just time to tell me that, soon after I had
+gone, a whole mob of blacks surrounded the hut, and to the best of his
+belief were still either in or about it, when, though I did my best to
+help him by cutting out the spear, he sank back and died.  On this I was
+afraid to stay where I was lest the blacks should find me out, and was
+trying 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 on
+the sly some bottles of rum, which it was possible the blacks might have
+found; and that if so, should we advance cautiously, we might very
+likely catch them.  Not a moment however was to be lost, and one of the
+troopers taking the shepherd up behind him on his horse to act as our
+guide, we set off in the direction of the hut.  It was so situated at
+the bottom of a hill, with a belt of trees on one side, that led by the
+shepherd we were able to get close up to it without being discovered.
+
+We there dismounted, leaving our horses under the charge of the dominie
+who volunteered for the service.
+
+We crept cautiously down towards the hut, the sounds proceeding from
+which showed us to our great satisfaction, that it was still in
+possession 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.  A
+few blacks were squatting on the ground outside, and the hut itself
+appeared to be full of them.  The sergeant and his men, I should have
+said, had brought some coils of rope with which to bind any prisoners
+they might capture.  These they formed into lassoes for the purpose of
+throwing over the heads of the blacks.  As we watched the hut, the
+people collected round it had, as far as we could judge, no intention of
+moving, probably fancying that they were safe, for the present, from
+pursuit.
+
+Bracewell now made a sign to us to rise to our feet, so that we might
+rush down on the hut and capture all the blacks in it if not those
+outside.  At the signal we were in motion, the troopers with their drawn
+swords in one hand and their pistols in the other, and we with our
+rifles.  We had got half way down the slope before the blacks discovered
+us.  Most of those outside scampered off, but we saw, by the crowd at
+the door, that the hut was full, and before many could escape, we were
+at the entrance.  Some tried to get out of the window on one side of the
+hut, 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 the
+sergeant and his troopers, bursting into the hut, soon had several of
+the rest secured by their necks.  Others were knocked down.  The greater
+number either lay helpless on the ground or stared stupidly at their
+assailants.  Had our object been slaughter we might have killed the
+whole mob, but the sergeant had received orders to capture as many as
+possible alive, and we were thankful not to have to destroy any more of
+the poor wretches.
+
+Altogether, thirty were made prisoners, but we could not calculate how
+many had made their escape.  The greater number, however, had left their
+spears and waddies behind them, so that they were not likely for the
+present to attempt further mischief.  At the request of the sergeant we
+brought down the horses and assisted him in securing the prisoners and
+arranging them in the order in which they were to march.  It took some
+time to bind the unfortunate wretches, whom we secured with their arms
+behind 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 of
+a few we desired to possess, were broken and thrown on the fire.
+
+There was very little chance of rescue; indeed, had the blacks still at
+liberty made the attempt, they would to a certainty have hastened the
+death of their friends.  The shepherd entreated us to assist him in
+bringing in the body of the hut-keeper--a task, from a sense of
+humanity, we undertook, while he remained to look after his sheep.
+
+We accordingly brought the body in on the dominie's horse and placed it
+in the bunk in which the unfortunate man, a few hours before, had been
+sleeping, little dreaming of the fate awaiting him.  The dominie, Guy,
+and I remained at the hut, while Bracewell and Hector rode off to the
+head station to give information of what had occurred and to obtain a
+companion for the poor man.
+
+Finding a couple of spades in the hut, Guy and I employed our time in
+burying the blacks who had been shot on the first onslaught.  It was a
+far from pleasant undertaking, but it was better to put them underground
+before they were discovered by the dingoes or vultures, which would
+before long find them out.
+
+The day was waning and as our companions had not returned we began to
+fear that we should have to spend the night in the hut.  I was glad at
+length when I saw the shepherd returning with the flock.  He thanked us
+heartily for what we had done.
+
+When he entered the hut he seemed dreadfully upset at the sight of his
+dead mate.  "It is a trying life, this shepherding, gentlemen," he
+observed; "with the chance of being speared or clubbed by the
+blackfellows, or stuck up by a bushranger, while one has to spend day
+after day without a human being to speak to, from sunrise to sunset--and
+then to have one's only chum killed so suddenly!  It is well-nigh more
+than I can bear."
+
+It was late at night before Bracewell and Hector came back, accompanied
+by Mr Piatt, the overseer from the head station, and another man to
+take the place of the murdered hut-keeper.  As it was now too late to
+think of proceeding on our journey that night, we turned our horses into
+a spare paddock, where they could find grass enough to satisfy their
+hunger 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 all
+likely they would do that.
+
+Before sunrise the shepherd and his new mate got up to dig a grave for
+the murdered man, in which we saw him placed before we started.  We
+then, having breakfasted, continued our route, Mr Piatt accompanying
+us, as, for a couple of miles or so, our roads lay in the same
+direction.  He had come away without his rifle, or arms of any
+description, excepting his heavy riding-whip, and he declared that they
+were unnecessary; for the blacks, he said, would never venture to attack
+a well-mounted man, and as for bushrangers, when there was no booty to
+be obtained they were not likely to interfere with him.  He had ridden
+about the country in all directions, and except when hunting a kangaroo
+or emu, he had never had to fire a shot.
+
+"But with a mob of savage blacks in the neighbourhood, it would be more
+prudent to be armed," I observed.
+
+"My horse-whip will soon send them to the rightabout, should any of them
+venture to come near me," he answered laughing.  "However we have got
+half a dozen rifles at the head station, and as soon as I get back I'll
+arm each man and we'll quickly drive the remainder of the mob from the
+neighbourhood.  Depend upon it if any are remaining they'll clear out
+fast enough when they find we are after them."
+
+We soon got over the two miles the overseer was to accompany us.  He
+then, thanking us for the service we had rendered his people, turned off
+to the right.  He was still in sight, when we heard him shout, and I saw
+that he was galloping along with uplifted whip as if to strike some
+object on the ground.  Supposing that he had called us, we rode towards
+him.  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 in
+great danger of being killed; but as the savage was about to strike, the
+lash 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 a
+moment after was lost to sight among the scrub.  On getting near to
+Piatt we saw two more natives on the ground, the one a youth badly
+wounded, the other a _gin_, old and wrinkled, apparently the mother of
+the lad.
+
+"I would not have attempted to strike them, had I seen that one was a
+woman and that the lad was wounded," said the overseer, as he pointed to
+the wretched beings; "but I fancied they were black fellows hiding away,
+and trying to escape my notice.  The man who attacked me is probably the
+boy's father, and they have shown more than usual affection for their
+son."
+
+"Don't you think that we could do something for the poor lad?" observed
+Bracewell.  "Mr Kimber will see what chance there is of his recovery."
+
+"With all the pleasure in the world," said the dominie, dismounting, and
+he 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 the
+land could do him any good.  If we were to attempt to move him, he would
+die 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 her
+son's recovery; indeed, the next instant, while lifting him up, and
+after 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 will
+return as soon as we have gone," observed Bracewell.  "He has brought
+his 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 woman
+with her dead son.
+
+We had had enough of fighting, and were truly glad to reach Mr Strong's
+station without any other accident.  Bracewell was warmly welcomed.
+
+Although he had not before been a visitor at the house, his high
+character, his perseverance and industry were all known to Mr Strong,
+who might possibly have had no objection to bestow upon him one of his
+blooming daughters.
+
+We spent our time in the usual way, working on the station, varied with
+an occasional hunt after kangaroos, for as they eat up the grass
+required for the sheep, it is considered necessary to destroy them when
+they are numerous near a station.  The blacks, after the severe lesson
+they had received from us, and from other settlers in the neighbourhood,
+betook themselves to another part of the country, and we had no longer
+any fear of being troubled by them.
+
+We had been some days at Mr Strong's, and Bracewell was talking of
+returning home, when a hut-keeper from the most distant station arrived
+in great alarm, stating that he had been beset the previous evening by a
+party of white men on horseback, who, taking his gun and ammunition, his
+week's supply of provisions and everything else, they could lay hands on
+in the hut, had lashed him hand and foot, threatening that if he gave
+information of their visit, they would return and kill him.
+Fortunately, soon after they had gone a shepherd arrived, but he had
+been afraid at first to leave the hut lest they should put their threat
+into execution.  Waiting till daylight, he had followed their tracks for
+some distance, when he had hurried back to bring us information of the
+robbery.  His idea was, that having supplied themselves with arms, they
+intended to pillage some of the larger stations, but how he arrived at
+this conclusion he did not say.  His account was sufficiently clear to
+make us resolve to follow them up, and to try and put a stop to their
+career.  Whether or not they were led by our former acquaintance, the
+big bushranger, and that unhappy fellow Vinson, we could not tell; but
+from the description the hut-keeper gave of two of the men who had
+attacked 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 out
+in search of the fellows.  The only black on whom we could rely to act
+as a scout was our own attendant Toby, who volunteered, without
+hesitation, to accompany us.  The party consisted of the three elder
+Strongs, 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 Captain
+Mason's to get further reinforcements, thinking it not unlikely that the
+bushrangers had already paid him a visit, or if not that they were
+lurking in the neighbourhood.
+
+As we rode fast we arrived at the captain's before the evening.  He had
+seen nothing of the bushrangers; but we found the family somewhat in a
+state of alarm, as a shepherd had come in with the information that a
+keeper on one of the captain's stations had been killed in his hut the
+previous 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, during
+our absence, the daring ruffians might venture to attack it.
+
+Riding towards the hut, we hoped that we might come upon the track of
+the outlaws.  In this we were not mistaken; and Toby assured us that we
+should be able to follow them up, as they had taken no pains to conceal
+their movements.  As it grew dark he dismounted, and led the way in a
+manner which showed that he was well accustomed to the work.
+
+After going some distance, he begged us to halt, saying that we were not
+far off from the camp of the bushrangers.
+
+Having pulled up under the shelter of some tall bushes, we waited to
+hear the report Toby might bring us.  He again crept forward.  We had
+not remained long, when the crack of a rifle was heard.  As Toby had
+gone unarmed, with the exception of a long knife which he usually
+carried in his belt, we feared that coming suddenly on the bushrangers
+he had been shot.  At all events, as concealment was no longer
+necessary, we dashed forward, Bracewell and I, with Mr Strong's
+overseer leading.  We had not gone far, when we caught sight of Toby
+standing with his knife in his hand, and, some twenty paces from him, of
+a man in the act of levelling his musket to fire.
+
+That the latter was one of the bushrangers, there could be no doubt, and
+the overseer, without waiting to inquire, raising his rifle, discharged
+it.  The bullet took effect, but not until the man had fired; Toby at
+the same moment fell to the ground, and I thought was killed; but the
+bushranger, 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 chase
+after the fugitive.  We called him back, thinking, probably, that the
+man was not alone, and that our black follower would fall a victim to
+his intrepidity; but, without heeding us, he dashed forward, and as soon
+as Bracewell had reloaded, we followed him.  It was no easy matter,
+however, to make our way between the trees, which here grew unusually
+thick, while the ground was encumbered by fallen trunks and boughs.  The
+spot had evidently been chosen by the bushrangers as a place likely to
+afford concealment, and, at the same time, enable them to defend
+themselves.
+
+"That fellow was placed here on watch, to warn his comrades of the
+approach of an enemy, and, depend upon it, they are not far off," said
+Bracewell.  "We shall come upon them presently, and it will be our own
+fault if we allow any of the gang to escape."
+
+We now heard the sound of fire-arms, and as the bushrangers were warned
+of our approach, we knew that their first impulse would be to mount
+their horses and gallop off.
+
+Our great object, therefore, was to prevent them from doing this, and
+unless they had kept their animals saddled and bridled, we had still a
+prospect of succeeding.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER NINE.
+
+Darkness was coming on, but we had still light sufficient to see our
+way, and should we not come up with the bushrangers at once, they might
+be off, and we should find it a hard matter to overtake them.  We had
+gone on for some minutes, expecting every instant to discover them, when
+Toby stopped.
+
+"Dey dare," he said, pointing to a rocky knoll which rose just above the
+wood through which we were making our way.  The reason they had not
+mounted their horses was now apparent, for we caught sight of the
+animals scampering away in the distance.  The outlaws had probably taken
+up this position under the idea that they could effectually defend
+themselves against us, evidently not knowing the numbers composing our
+party.  The instant we emerged from among the trees, several bullets
+came flying past our heads.  By a simultaneous impulse we fired in
+return.
+
+"On, on! before they have time to reload," cried Bracewell.
+
+We dashed forward with our pistols in our hands.  When we reached the
+knoll, not a man was to be seen on his feet, but three lay dead or dying
+among the rocks.  At that instant a fourth sprang up with a rifle in his
+hand with which he was taking aim at Bracewell, when, before he had time
+to pull the trigger, the overseer fired and he fell.  I had recognised
+Vinson, and as I rode up, I observed the look of agony and despair which
+overspread the countenance of my former school-fellow.  I think he must
+have known me, but he was unable to speak, and before I could dismount
+he had ceased to breathe.
+
+It was a sad end of a mis-spent life, and yet at one time Cyril Vinson
+was one of the most admired and sought after in a fashionable circle.
+Among the bodies we discovered that of the big bushranger, while we
+found 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 his
+companions.
+
+One of the gang only escaped, but Toby declined to go in search of him
+until the following morning, as he could not, he said, traverse the
+forest at night.
+
+At daylight we followed him up, but found that he had managed to catch
+one 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 of
+the destruction of the long dreaded gang, caused no small satisfaction
+to our neighbours.  Some weeks afterwards the body of the bushranger who
+had escaped was discovered in a state of emaciation, showing that he
+must have been starved to death.
+
+Although there is generally work enough on an Australian station to
+occupy everybody, we made frequent excursions to hunt kangaroo, dingoes,
+and emus.  Mr Strong, however, objected to the younger members of his
+family expending the large amount of powder and shot they were apt to
+fire away.  He would allow them, he said, only the use of bows and
+arrows, promising, however, to give each a rifle when they could bring a
+parrot down on the wing, an emu running, or a kangaroo bounding over the
+ground.  We therefore employed ourselves during the longer evenings of
+winter 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 farming
+operations which would prove of the greatest value when we should have
+charge of a station on our own account.
+
+I had long promised to make a hunting trip with Hector and his two young
+brothers, Oliver and Ralph.  As soon as our weapons were finished we set
+off, accompanied by Toby, who, since the courage he had displayed in
+capturing the bushrangers, had become a person of no small importance.
+I took the liberty, however, of carrying my rifle, as Hector also did
+his.  We agreed to camp out for one or two nights, or as long as the
+flour and biscuits in our wallets would last.
+
+It is usual to hunt the emu on horseback with dogs, when the bird is
+pursued until the dogs can get up to it, and seizing it by the throat
+drag it down.  We, however, hoped with Toby's assistance to stalk it as
+the natives are in the habit of doing, and for this purpose our bows and
+arrows were likely to prove as efficient weapons as rifles, the report
+of which would be certain to drive the birds away from the spot where
+they were feeding; whereas the silent arrow might bring down one without
+frightening the others.
+
+We tramped over many weary miles till we reached the edge of a large
+plain known to be frequented by emus, far beyond any of the sheep-runs.
+On one side it was bounded by an extensive scrub, which being
+fortunately to leeward, we hoped by creeping along under its cover to
+get within reach of the birds.  We had proceeded some way when we caught
+sight of several, but they were all feeding too far off to give us any
+hope of shooting them without showing ourselves.  Had we been mounted we
+might have been able to run down two or three, but being on foot, our
+best chance was to wait in ambush until some unwary bird got within
+range of our arrows.  My idea was that, if we could shoot one, the
+others, from curiosity, would come to see what was the matter.
+
+We accordingly agreed to wait patiently until we were certain of hitting
+our "quarry."  Toby set us a good example by taking post behind a bush,
+where he stood looking like a bronze statue well blackened by London
+smoke.
+
+Had two or three emus come near enough, I do not think that Hector and I
+could have resisted the temptation to use our rifles.  Not a sound was
+heard, except when an emu uttered its hollow, booming note, as if
+carrying on a conversation with its mate.  At length one of the noble
+birds came stalking up directly towards where we lay hid.  It was fully
+seven feet in height, with powerful, stout legs, while its wings were so
+small that they could not be distinguished from its lightish brown and
+grey plumage.  It got up to within twenty yards, when Oliver and Ralph,
+unable longer to restrain their eagerness, leapt to their feet, and sent
+a 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, they
+started off in chase, instead of getting under cover and watching for
+the chance of another bird coming up to it.  Toby also sprang out from
+behind a tree, and Hector and I followed, trusting that the arrows had
+struck deep enough, if not mortally to wound the emu, at all events, to
+prevent its keeping up the pace at which it was going.  Our plucky young
+companions were fixing fresh arrows to their strings as they ran on,
+while Toby, bounding over the ground, promised soon to come up with the
+wounded bird.  What had become of the other emus, I could not see; and I
+had 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 still
+it did not gain upon us sufficiently fast to make us abandon the hope of
+coming up with it.  At length its pace became slower, and Oliver, who
+was leading, sent another arrow into its body.  It went off again on
+feeling the pain, faster than ever; but before long, once more slackened
+its speed, though it still managed to keep ahead.  A pretty long chase
+it led us altogether, still the excitement and prospect of catching it
+at last induced us to proceed, Oliver and Ralph shouting and hallooing
+in high glee, as they dashed over the ground, while Toby held his axe
+ready to give it a finishing blow as soon as he could get up to it.  I
+was but a short distance behind the others, and supposed that Hector was
+following me; but at last the hard-pressed emu showed evident signs of
+giving 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 would
+have broken his leg, or have inflicted a dangerous wound, had it struck
+him.
+
+The black now, getting in front of it, threw the axe with so sure an
+aim, that the bird, its head almost cleft in two, fell dead to the
+ground.
+
+The two boys uttered a shout of triumph, in which I joined.  I expected
+to 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 been
+unable to follow.  We could scarcely calculate how far we had come.
+Oliver declared that it must have been five miles at least; but I did
+not think the distance was nearly so much.  The question was now, what
+to do with our emu while we went back in search of Hector, as we were
+unwilling to abandon so valuable a prize to the dingoes, who were very
+likely to find it out.  Fortunately there were some bushes near which
+would 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 us
+the next morning with a spare horse or two, to carry back the spoils of
+the chase.  I knew that they would come, although they had expressed
+great doubt whether we should have any game to carry home.  They had
+settled to meet us at a spot with which Hector was acquainted; but if he
+were lost we should be unable to find it.
+
+After we had taken some rest and food we set off, leaving Toby to skin
+and cut up the emu.
+
+We had spent so much time in the chase, that it began to grow dark
+before 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 out
+his name, but no reply came, and I began to feel very uneasy.  I thought
+that 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 would
+have 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 a
+poisonous snake, or kicked by an emu," said Ralph.
+
+"Unless a mob of blacks have been hiding in the scrub and tracked us," I
+remarked.
+
+"But then I don't see how they could have overtaken him without our
+seeing them," said Oliver.
+
+At last it became so dark that we found it impossible to proceed, and it
+was proposed to halt until the moon should rise, when we should better
+be able to find our way.
+
+We accordingly sat down on the ground to wait until the pale luminary of
+night 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, and
+unless Hector has fallen asleep, we shall find him."
+
+We accordingly went on, shouting out as before.  Presently my foot
+slipped 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 the
+creatures!"  As he spoke we saw an animal like a small bear waddling
+along over the ground.  Presently we caught sight of another and
+another.  We had evidently got into a colony of the creatures.
+
+"I wonder we did not come across these when we were running after the
+emu," 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 that
+we 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's
+not far off there!"
+
+Again we shouted, when listening attentively we all three heard a reply
+and felt sure that we were not mistaken as to the direction from which
+it came.
+
+On making our way towards the spot we caught sight of a dozen or more
+wombats, and presently of the head and arms of a person rising above the
+ground.
+
+"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 hauling
+away, we quickly dragged him out of a large hole into which he had
+fallen.
+
+"Take care," he said.  "I cannot stand--I sprained my ankle when falling
+into the hole, and the pain was so great that I believe I must have
+fainted.  When I came to myself, I found that it was perfectly dark, and
+no sooner had I managed to reach the top of the hole than a whole herd
+of those wombats came sniffing round me, wondering what strange creature
+had got among them.  I shouldn't have minded them, had they not tried to
+bite my hands and compelled me to let go again."
+
+The wombats, on our appearance, had waddled off, so that they did not
+interfere with us while we were attending to Hector.
+
+On his trying to use his foot he found that his ankle was not so much
+injured as he had supposed, and that by supporting himself on our
+shoulders he could manage to hobble along.  He therefore very willingly
+agreed to try and get back to the camp.
+
+"But what has become of your gun?"  I asked; "can you remember where you
+left it?"
+
+"I'm sure I don't know," answered Hector; "I had it in my hand when I
+fell, 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 the
+conclusion that it must have fallen in.
+
+Ralph offered to descend.
+
+He got down without difficulty and soon cried out that he had found the
+rifle at the bottom.  "Stay, I have found something else," he added as
+he handed up the rifle.  "While I was groping about, my hand came in
+contact with two hairy creatures.  Here they are!" and stooping down
+again he hauled out two young wombats.  We speedily knocked them on the
+head, 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 the
+hole, had not Ralph told us that he had found a passage sloping upwards
+to a smaller entrance some distance off.
+
+As the two small wombats might not prove sufficient for all hands I shot
+a big fellow which measured nearly three feet in length, and was covered
+with a thick hairy coat.
+
+Ralph undertook to carry it on his shoulders, while Oliver and I
+supported Hector.
+
+We now lost no time in making our way back to the camp.  Our progress
+was of necessity slow, but we reached it at last, having been guided
+during the latter part of the distance by the bright flames of Toby's
+fire.
+
+We immediately set to work to cook the wombat.  Toby however had
+satisfied his hunger on the flesh of the emu, though he managed after a
+little 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 gone
+through.  To our dismay Hector was utterly unable to walk the next
+morning, but fortunately our friends discovered us on their way to the
+rendezvous, and he mounting one of the horses we set off for home.  We
+carried with us the emu, which it was calculated would yield between six
+and seven quarts of fine oil.  It is for the sake of this valuable
+product that the bird is generally hunted.
+
+Hector very good-naturedly bore the bantering of the rest of the party
+on the subject of his adventure among the wombats.
+
+We had ridden some distance across the open country, when we observed
+ahead what looked like a dense black mist in the far distance above the
+scrub.
+
+"What can that be?"  I asked of Bracewell.
+
+"I don't like its appearance," he answered.  "I fear that the bush is on
+fire, and if so it is impossible to say where it will stop.  It appears
+to 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 dry
+weather 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, but
+you may still be in time to assist in saving our dear ones at home
+should 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 to
+lose."
+
+I willingly acted according to his suggestion; and, leaving him with his
+two younger brothers and Toby, Bracewell, Guy, and I galloped forward.
+
+Bracewell appeared more agitated than I had ever seen him before.  He
+had been paying great attention to Mary Strong, and the thought now
+occurred to him that she was in danger.  While we were dashing on as
+hard as we could go, it appeared to us that the conflagration was
+rapidly extending.  Already dense wreaths of smoke, rising towards the
+sky, formed a thick canopy overhead; while we could see every now and
+then the bright flames darting upwards above the intervening bush as
+some tall tree was wrapped in their embrace.
+
+It was very evident that the homestead was in the greatest danger, even
+if it was not already encircled in flames; and although the inmates
+might have made their escape, we could not tell in what direction they
+had fled.  They would have endeavoured to save as much of their property
+as possible from destruction, and Bracewell's fears conjured up the
+dreadful idea that they might have been caught by the rapidly advancing
+foe before they could reach a place of safety.
+
+With whip and spur we urged on our animals.  We had as yet seen no one
+to tell us in what direction our friends had gone.  There was a stream
+to the left, used in the shearing season for washing the sheep, and
+Bracewell hoped that they might have made their way to it.
+
+The intervening ground was free of trees, and the grass had been cropped
+so low that the fire was not likely to make much progress over it.  They
+might, however, still be at the house, and towards it we directed our
+course.
+
+As we galloped up what was our dismay to find it on fire, while the
+outbuildings were nearly burnt to the ground!  We dashed up shouting to
+our friends, but no one replied.
+
+"They must have gone across the stream," cried Bracewell; and turning
+our horses' heads we rode furiously on through the flames which had
+already caught the bushes on either side of us.  After shouting again
+and again it was with unspeakable thankfulness that we heard our shouts
+answered, and dashing across the stream, we found the family assembled
+on a spot where the fire was not likely to reach.
+
+Mary was on her palfrey, her father standing by her side endeavouring to
+quiet her alarm, while Mrs Strong with the children and young people
+were seated on the ground among such articles as they had been able to
+save.
+
+Our arrival greatly relieved their anxiety, for they had fancied that we
+and the boys might have been passing through a part of the wood in which
+the fire had been raging.
+
+The flames spread to the east and the west, but having nothing to feed
+on near the stream they fortunately did not cross to the side on which
+we had taken refuge.
+
+The fire continued to rage long after darkness had come on, and grand
+and terrible was the spectacle it exhibited.  We watched it anxiously
+not knowing how far it might extend.  I was much struck with the calm
+way in which Mr Strong endured his hard fortune.  Not a murmur escaped
+his lips, but over and over again he expressed his gratitude to Heaven
+for having preserved all those dear to him from injury.
+
+Under his directions we all turned to and put up some huts for the
+ladies, in which they passed the night.  Mercifully towards morning a
+heavy fall of rain came on and extinguished the fire almost as suddenly
+as it had begun.
+
+Next morning Mr Strong set about ascertaining his losses and with
+wonderful energy took steps to repair them.
+
+Bracewell invited the family to take up their abode at his hut until
+their new house was ready to receive them, and they immediately set off
+in one of the waggons which had escaped.
+
+Guy and I, with the young Strongs, worked with the farm hands from
+morning till night, in putting up fences and rebuilding the house; and
+in a wonderfully short time the station, which had become little more
+than a mass of ruins, began to assume a habitable aspect.
+
+Though we worked without wages the knowledge we gained was of the
+greatest value to us in our subsequent career.  In a year or two our
+worthy cousin had completely recovered from the heavy losses he had
+sustained.
+
+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 up
+a tolerable residence, we sent to the old country for our mother and
+sisters; and I may honestly say we have had no cause to regret having
+fixed our home in Australia.
+
+THE END.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's Adventures in Australia, by W.H.G. Kingston
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ADVENTURES IN AUSTRALIA ***
+
+***** This file should be named 21383.txt or 21383.zip *****
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
+        http://www.gutenberg.org/2/1/3/8/21383/
+
+Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England
+
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