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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Young Berringtons, 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: The Young Berringtons
+       The Boy Explorers
+
+Author: W.H.G. Kingston
+
+Illustrator: JMcLR
+
+Release Date: May 19, 2008 [EBook #25524]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE YOUNG BERRINGTONS ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England
+
+
+
+
+The Young Berringtons, by W.H.G. Kingston.
+
+________________________________________________________________________
+This is quite a short book that had been published in parts in a
+children's magazine.  One branch of the Berrington family had been
+established in Australia for a long time, and had built up quite a
+profitable station.  Another branch of the family had been living in a
+wealthy style in London, when their business failed, and they had just
+enough money left to make their way to Australia, to join their cousins.
+
+They find that life is not going to be all that easy.  A mob of original
+inhabitants were in the neighbourhood, and were threatening them.  Who
+can blame them?  A terrible storm comes, and blows the roof off the
+house.  Then the river floods, much higher than it had ever done before,
+and the house is destroyed.  So is much of the stock.  The decision is
+made to look further inland for a better place to start a new station.
+That is the part of the story that gives the book its second title, "The
+Boy Explorers."  They do find a suitable place, but are once again
+attacked by aborigines, whom they beat off with great difficulty.
+
+Eventually they make peace with the aborigines, and all begins once more
+to go well.  The various people, adults and children, are well drawn,
+especially two rather tiresome ones: Hector, one of the children brought
+from Britain, and Mrs Berrington, the wife of the original settler, who
+has a dreadful habit of fainting every time anything stressful occurs.
+
+________________________________________________________________________
+THE YOUNG BERRINGTONS, BY W.H.G. KINGSTON.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER ONE.
+
+THE YOUNG COLONISTS INTRODUCED--EXPECTANT RELATIVES--IN SEARCH OF "OLD
+BOLTER"--A DINNER IN THE BUSH--BOLTER TRIES TO ESCAPE--ENCOUNTER
+BLACKS--BOLTER BROUGHT BACK--SANDY MACDOUGAL.
+
+"I wonder what sort of fellows these English cousins of ours will turn
+out?" exclaimed Harry Berrington, as he rode up alongside his elder
+brother Paul.  "Judging by their photographs, which Uncle Frank sent us
+out last year, I have an idea that they are mighty fine young gentlemen,
+who will be apt to turn up their noses at us colonial `corn-stalks.'"
+
+"Hector and Reginald are good-looking fellows, I should think, and wear
+fine clothes but beyond that--whether they are dark or fair, have blue
+eyes and pink cheeks, or whether they can ride, and shoot, swim, and
+play cricket, or can only dance and sing, or draw, or suchlike girlish
+things--I have not the slightest notion," answered Paul.  "We shall,
+however, soon know; for, according to the letter father got yesterday
+their ship ought to reach Moreton Bay in the course of three or four
+weeks; and I hope that I may have the chance of going down to Ipswich to
+meet them."
+
+"I don't think you will be so lucky," observed Harry.  "I heard father
+say that he intended going himself, as he expected poor Aunt Augusta
+would require a good deal of attention, as she has been accustomed to
+live luxuriously, and has never done anything for herself.  From a
+remark he made, I suspect that both the boys and girls have been brought
+up in the same fashion.  Although they may get into our ways at last,
+they won't like our style of life at all when they first arrive."
+
+"They must learn to like it, somehow or other," observed Paul.  "Poor
+Uncle Frank!  I really pity him; he has lost nearly all his fortune; and
+to be obliged, at his time of life, to begin to work hard!  And work
+hard he must, like the rest of us."
+
+"Yes, indeed; I have heard mother say that they lived in a large house
+in London, with butlers, footmen, housekeeper, nurses, and all sorts of
+servants; and had carriages and horses, and saw lots of company," said
+Harry.
+
+"They'll not have much of that out here; they will have to be their own
+servants, or consider themselves fortunate if they can hire an Irish
+girl, or get a black _gin_ to do the rough work.  We must try and help
+them, however, as much as we can, until they get accustomed to our
+ways," observed Paul.  "And Mary, and Janet, and Lizzie will, I am sure,
+do their best to save them trouble."
+
+"Of course, we all will, in reality; but I don't think I shall be able
+to help laughing when I see the exquisite Mr Hector and his brother
+Reginald attempting to round up cattle, riding after stray horses, or
+milking cows.  And there are two other boys--Edgar and Albert.  I wonder
+what they will be like; they are about the same ages as Bob and Tommy,
+and if they are as great pickles they will manage to lead each other
+into all manner of scrapes; but we shall have rare fun with the girls if
+they have got any life in them."
+
+The two speakers were fine, active-looking lads, sons of Captain Hugh
+Berrington, who had settled in the colony of Queensland a short time
+before Paul, the eldest, was born.  They might have been known as young
+gentlemen by the tone of their voices rather than by their costume,
+which consisted of a red serge shirt, loose trousers fastened at the
+waist with a leathern belt, large boots coming up to their knees, and
+broad-brimmed cabbage-tree hats.  Each carried in his hand a heavy whip
+with a long thick thong.  The elder, in addition, had a brace of pistols
+in his belt, which weapons were necessary in case of the sudden
+appearance of any strange natives.  They were mounted on strong, active
+little horses, which evidently got but a small amount of grooming.
+
+The lads had just left their home, which was situated on the banks of
+the Burnett river.  It is worthy of a short description.  The
+house, though built entirely of wood, and on one floor, was a
+substantial-looking building, containing ten rooms, with a broad
+verandah running entirely round it.  The frame-work was of rough timber,
+and the walls were composed of slabs, which are boards split out of the
+iron-bark or blue gum-tree.  The roof was covered with shingles, or
+tiles of wood, split like the slabs and sawn to the required size.
+
+Bound the homestead was a field of Indian corn, an orchard full of
+fruit-trees of various descriptions, a kitchen-garden supplying all
+sorts of vegetables, and a smaller space devoted to flowers, most of
+which would have been highly prized in an English conservatory.  There
+were several out-buildings beyond the cultivated ground, with yards and
+pens for cattle and sheep.
+
+Altogether, Stratton was considered a very flourishing little homestead,
+of which the owner was justly proud.  The sun had scarcely risen, when,
+after a hurried breakfast, the two young Berringtons had set out on an
+expedition in search of "Old Bolter," one of their horses, well
+so-called, who--no unusual circumstance--was reported missing.  They had
+a difficult task before them, for Old Bolter was a cunning rogue, and by
+this time had probably got far away into the bush; but to find him they
+were determined, as he was wanted for work, and could do twice as much
+as any other horse when he chose.  They were now, as fast as the
+numerous trees would allow them, cantering forward through a scrub,
+extending for some distance from the banks of the river.  Familiar as
+was the scenery to them, Paul, who had an eye for the picturesque, could
+not help remarking the beauty of the rich tropical vegetation amid which
+they were passing.  The sun, now rapidly rising behind their backs,
+threw a bright glow on the dark-green branches of the huge fig-trees,
+the feathery leaves of the cabbage and other palms, and here and there,
+tall pines or red cedars, towering above the mass of foliage, with vines
+and creepers of many hues hanging to the boughs in wreaths and festoons,
+or extending to the ground like loose ropes from the rigging of a ship.
+
+They soon got clear of the scrub, for Old Bolter would certainly not be
+hiding within it, for the best of reasons--not a blade of grass grew on
+the leaf-covered ground.  They now entered the more open country, called
+forest land, in contradistinction to the scrub.  Here, though gum-trees
+of vast size towered to the sky, they generally stood far apart--their
+curiously-shaped leaves, with their edges turned upwards, allowing the
+sun's rays to penetrate to the grass-covered ground.  Paul and Harry now
+began to look out eagerly for the runaway.  There were one or two places
+in which he had before been found, and these they had settled first to
+visit.  They were gullies, or dry creeks, bordered thickly by trees,
+beneath the shade of which he could stand during the heat of the day,
+and, while whisking off the flies with his long tail, meditate at his
+leisure.  Three of these places were visited, but Old Bolter was not
+there.  The water-holes in their neighbourhood were dry, which would
+account for the absence of the knowing old steed.
+
+"He has gone to Myall Creek, depend upon it," observed Paul; "we shall
+find him in the scrub thereabouts."
+
+Harry agreed that his brother was very likely correct in his surmise,
+and, the ground being open, they again rode forward.  Harry especially
+delighted in a hard gallop.  By getting over the ground at an early
+hour, they might rest during the heat of the day under the shade of the
+myall trees--from which the creek took its name--and employ themselves
+in shaping a few stock whip-handles, which are made from its fragrant
+wood; they would then recommence their search for Old Bolter.  Once
+having found him, there would be no stopping until they had got him safe
+back into the paddock.  An hour's hard riding brought them up to Myall
+Creek, within the dry bed of which they hoped to find Bolter, provided
+he had not discovered their approach, when to a certainty he would be
+off to some other place of concealment.  They had prudently brought
+provisions with them, and, having securely hobbled their horses so that
+they might feed close to them, they sat down beneath the shade of a tree
+on the edge of the scrub and ate their dinners.  They then cut some
+sticks from the myall trees suited for their purpose, and, while they
+sat resting in the shade, employed themselves in shaping the wood into
+the required size with their knives.
+
+"Now," cried Paul, jumping up, "we must hunt up Old Bolter."
+
+They quickly caught their steeds, and, unhobbling them, mounted.
+
+"You go round the north side, and I will take the south of the bush,"
+said Paul.  "If you see Bolter, cooey to me, and take care that he does
+not make off westward, or we shan't get back to-night--or to-morrow,
+perhaps."
+
+"No fear about that.  I'll head him if I catch sight of his ears, and
+take good care to turn him towards you."
+
+Harry accordingly rode away to the northward, while Paul directed his
+course round the southern end of the bush, and then circling round,
+reached the west side of the creek, in the dry bed of which he hoped to
+find Bolter.  He examined the ground carefully, expecting to find some
+track of the missing horse, but not a sign could he see.  Half an hour
+or more elapsed, when he heard Harry's shrill cooey; but, from the
+faintness of the sound, he knew that his brother must be a long way off.
+Putting spurs to his horse he galloped forward, expecting every moment
+to see Bolter dash out of the creek and make for the west.  At last he
+caught sight of Harry, and directly afterwards, from some thick bushes,
+out sprang Bolter, and, as had been expected, made off towards the west,
+just midway between the two lads.
+
+"After him!" cried Paul, and turning their horses' heads they gave them
+the rein.  The animals seemed to know the object of the chase, and were
+eager as their riders to overtake the truant.
+
+The ground was rough and broken, with here and there trees lying across
+it, blown down by a whirlwind; but they scarcely stopped Bolter, who
+seemed to take an especial pleasure in leaping over them, and leading
+his pursuers along the worst ground he could find.  The other animals
+were, however, quite as eager to come up with Bolter as he was to
+escape, and exerted themselves to the utmost.  Should he once get out of
+sight, as there appeared every probability of his doing, days might pass
+before he could again be discovered.  They were approaching another
+scrub, which was, however, sufficiently open to allow the horses to pass
+through.
+
+"If he once gets in there, our game will be up!" cried Paul.  "On,
+Harry, on! we must head him before he reaches it."
+
+"Very well to sing out, `On, on!'  My beast is doing his best, and
+Bolter doesn't intend to be caught," cried Harry.
+
+That Bolter would escape seemed very likely.  He had got within a few
+yards of the scrub, when he suddenly wheeled round, almost on his
+haunches, and galloped back the way he had come.  Scarcely had he done
+so, when a black figure started up from behind some bushes, and hurled a
+long lance at him, but the weapon merely grazed his side, and stuck in
+the ground.
+
+"Back, back! the blacks!  There may be more of them!" cried Paul.
+
+Harry had seen the native, and pulled up as his brother spoke.  They
+were just in time, for a dozen or more black fellows, showing
+themselves, sprang forward poising their spears ready to hurl at the
+young horsemen.  Old Bolter, fully comprehending the danger which he and
+his owners were in, instead of going over the bad ground took that to
+the left, allowing Paul and Harry to ride up close to him on either
+flank.  Nevertheless, he kept his eyes about him, evidently intending to
+make off in some other direction if he could.  The three horses now tore
+along over the ground, the nimble-footed blacks, with their spears in
+hand, following them for some distance.  At length, however, Paul,
+looking back, found that they had got well ahead of the natives.  It was
+important not to be overtaken, for they evidently belonged to some
+hostile tribe who intended mischief.  Bolter, who seemed to be aware
+that there was no longer any danger from the blacks, made two or three
+attempts to escape; but Paul and Harry reminding him of his duty with
+their stock whips, he at length made straight as an arrow for the
+station, over the very course they would have chosen.  Nothing stopped
+him.  Across the country he galloped, with the two riders on either
+side.  As they approached the yard they shouted to Sandy Macdougal, the
+overseer, who, fortunately, was close at hand, to open the gate, and in
+rushed Old Bolter.
+
+"We had a hard matter to find him, and he would have got away from us
+after all if a number of black fellows had not tried to spear him,"
+observed Paul.  "We must be on our guard against them, or they will be
+doing some mischief."
+
+"You've indeed done vera weel to bring the brute back so soon," said
+Sandy, as he carefully closed the gate, not to give Bolter another
+chance of escaping.  "It would be wise to send over to Ogilvie to let
+the police know that there are strange blacks in the neighbourhood.
+Better to prevent the mischief than punish their puir bodies after it's
+committed, and as they attacked you, there's sufficient reason for
+warning them to take their departure."
+
+The lads having unsaddled their horses, turned them into the paddock,
+and, accompanied by Sandy, repaired to the house.  On the way the
+overseer inquired more particularly about their meeting with the blacks.
+
+"It's a mercy they didna spear you.  Praise the Lord for His goodness,
+lads; He always watches over those who trust Him.  Dinna fail to do
+that."
+
+Sandy Macdougal was an old follower of Captain Berrington.  He had
+accompanied him from ship to ship as his coxswain; and when the captain
+retired from the service, and obtained the allotment of land on which he
+finally settled in Australia, Sandy, though he might have obtained a
+pension by serving a year or two longer at sea, insisted on accompanying
+him.  While the captain was going through the arduous work of settling,
+Sandy was like his right hand.  When the old sailor might have set up a
+farm of his own he declined doing so, preferring to serve his old
+commander in the capacity of overseer; and most faithfully did he
+discharge his trust.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWO.
+
+JOURNEY TO MEET THE BERRINGTONS FROM ENGLAND--MRS HUGH BERRINGTON AND
+HER FAMILY--MR HAYWARD, THE TUTOR--HARRY RETURNS--PREPARATIONS--THE
+ARRIVAL.
+
+The drays for the intended journey were packed, and the horses put to.
+The captain stood ready, booted and spurred.  Harry, to his great
+delight, was to accompany his father.  Paul would much have liked to go,
+but not the slightest sign of disappointment did he allow himself to
+exhibit; indeed, he was justly proud of having the responsibility, with
+the aid of Sandy, of looking after the family.
+
+The drays were not at all like the cumbersome vehicles which are known
+under that name in England.  They were merely large, strongly-built
+carts on two wheels, drawn by three, four, or five horses, as the nature
+of the country might require; though, on a smooth road, one could drag
+them.  Old Bolter might have suspected that he would be wanted when he
+ran off, for he was put into the heaviest.  They were now chiefly loaded
+with wool and other produce, and with a few articles the travellers
+required for their journey.  On the return journey they would be fitted
+in a very different way--with canvas tilts to keep out the sun or rain,
+while in the inside goods were to be packed, easy chairs, or piles of
+bedding, and cushions for the accommodation of the ladies and young
+children.  Besides the horses for the drays, four others were taken, in
+case the new arrivals should wish to ride.  They were steady animals,
+not addicted to following Old Bolter's example.  The drays having been
+sent on ahead, the captain and Harry, wishing the loved ones at Stratton
+good-bye, mounted their horses, and quickly overtook them.  The captain
+felt no anxiety about the blacks, as Sandy had given notice to the
+police of their threatened attack on the young Berringtons, and a party
+had been sent out, under an experienced officer, to drive them away.
+
+Now that her husband was fairly off to meet his brother's family, Mrs
+Hugh Berrington began to realise the fact that they were coming, and
+actively commenced making preparations for their reception.  She was a
+motherly, active, cheerful little woman, who never, by any chance, lost
+her temper, even under the most vexatious circumstances, and always saw
+things on the bright side.
+
+Her girls were very like her in many respects--hearty, merry creatures,
+with plenty of good sense, not only ready to work, but absolutely hating
+idleness.  Mary, who was older than Paul, took somewhat after her
+father, a tall, handsome girl, though she did not think about the
+matter; nor did any one else, because they loved her for her good
+qualities.  Janet and Lizzie were very like their mother; and Effie was
+a fair-haired, blue-eyed little damsel, not yet five years old, though
+she, like her sisters, could assume a sedate air, and help in household
+matters in all sorts of ways, besides looking after the pet animals.
+Rob, who came next to Janet, was a sturdy little chap, courageous as a
+young lion.  No pain could make him cry out, and he could already ride
+after the cattle with as much boldness as his elder brothers.  Tommy,
+the youngest, it must be acknowledged, was inclined to be a pickle.
+Effie patronised him, and did her best to keep him out of mischief, and
+he, in most instances, followed her precepts; though, as yet, he had
+done very little towards making himself useful, nor had he made any
+great strides in book-learning.
+
+The captain and Mrs Berrington had felt the difficulty of educating
+their children, and had resolved to send the elder boys and girls to a
+school at Sydney or Melbourne, when the captain, while on a journey,
+happened to stop at a shepherd's hut towards night to obtain shelter
+from a storm which was coming on.  The hut-keeper was a rough-looking
+fellow, and the captain fully expected to find the shepherd the same
+description of person.  The sheep having been folded, the shepherd
+entered the hut.  What, then, was Captain Berrington's surprise to find
+himself addressed in a tone and manner which showed that the speaker was
+a gentleman and a person of education, as he proved by his conversation,
+while the small but well-chosen library on a shelf above his bunk, and a
+copy of Horace which he took from his pocket, showed that the rough life
+he led did not prevent him from still indulging in the pleasures of
+literature.
+
+He had gone through his course at the university, and had intended
+entering one of the learned professions, when he was obliged to visit
+Australia for his health.  During his absence from home, he heard that
+every penny of the property he possessed was lost; and unable, after
+frequent attempts, to obtain employment in the cities, he had, as a last
+resource, been induced to go into the bush and turn shepherd, hoping
+ultimately, by the knowledge he would gain, to be able to take some
+superior situation on an estate.  He, however, confessed that he was
+heartily weary of the life which, it was evident, was rendered doubly
+disagreeable by the character of his mate, although he uttered no
+complaint against the man.  The term of service for which he had engaged
+was just about to expire, and Captain Berrington, much pleased with him,
+invited him, as soon as he should be at liberty, to come to Stratton.
+In the meantime he made all the inquiries in his power about Mr
+Hayward, and was satisfied of the truth of the account he gave of
+himself.  Mr Martin Hayward was not only a scholar and a gentleman, but
+was a fair artist, and possessed considerable musical talent; he was,
+moreover, a true and enlightened Christian.  He had spent about a month
+at Stratton, when Captain Berrington made him an offer to act as tutor
+to his children.  This he had eagerly accepted, and had faithfully
+fulfilled his trust, never showing the slightest inclination to resign
+it.  The boys were very fond of him, and, for the few hours they were
+every day engaged in their studies, they worked most diligently.  He
+also afforded Mrs Berrington considerable help in instructing the
+girls, so that they were fully as well educated, at all events, as the
+generality of young ladies.
+
+Mrs Hugh Berrington received a letter from her husband, saying that his
+brother Frank and family had arrived, including a Miss Emily Saville,
+the younger sister of Mrs Berrington, and that they proposed setting
+out directly the ladies should have recovered the effects of the
+sea-voyage.  The letter had been some days coming; no time was to be
+lost, the party might quickly follow.  Mrs Hugh and the girls were busy
+from morning to night making preparations for the reception of their
+relatives.  Mr Hayward insisted on putting up a hut for himself near
+that of the overseer, in order that his room might be devoted to their
+use; and Paul, answering for Harry, agreed to follow his example.  Even
+then it would require pretty close packing to accommodate the two
+families.
+
+All preparations had been made, and Mrs Hugh Berrington began to wish
+that her relatives would arrive and terminate the period of suspense.
+
+It was nearly two months since the drays had started, when one evening,
+just as Paul had returned from stocking the cattle, and was on his way
+home, with his saddle on his arm, he caught sight of a person on
+horseback galloping towards him.
+
+"It must be Harry!" he cried.  "No--yes--it is him!  He'll bring us
+news."
+
+Harry soon came up, and as he threw himself from his steed and shook
+hands with his brother, exclaimed, "They'll be here soon after dark, and
+father sent me on that mother might have supper ready, and be prepared
+for them."
+
+"What sort of people are they?  How do you like them?" asked Paul.
+
+"As to that, if we take them in the lot, the less said about them the
+better.  Uncle Frank's a fine fellow, and father seems very glad to have
+him; but Aunt Augusta--well, you'll see her when she comes.  She wishes
+herself home again, and so do Evelina and Adela, I suspect.  The younger
+boys are jolly little fellows; but Hector--we shall have to break him
+in--he's just what we thought he'd be.  Reginald is more likely to take
+soon to our ways; he's a manly sort of fellow, and there's some fun in
+him.  However, you will soon be able to judge for yourself about them
+all; only there's one thing--we must not let Mr Hector lord it over us.
+If he attempts it, we must take the shine out of him."
+
+Before Harry had told Paul half of what he wanted to know they reached
+home, when, as may be supposed, the whole household was aroused into a
+state of the greatest activity.
+
+At last the beds were made, the supper-table was laid, the lamps were
+lighted, and all was ready.  Mrs Berrington and her daughters had sat
+down, and taken up their work.  Two of them had attempted to read, but
+found that impossible just then.  Biddy was watching over the pots and
+pans in the kitchen.  The boys were at the front door, now and then
+running along the road to listen, when the cracking of whips, the tramp
+of horses, and the sound of wheels was heard.
+
+"Here they come! here they come!" cried the boys, in chorus.
+
+Paul and Harry lighted their lanterns.  "That's Uncle Frank," exclaimed
+the latter, as a tall, gentlemanly-looking man rode up alongside their
+father.
+
+Mrs Hugh Berrington came out to receive them.  Greetings were over by
+the time the first dray drew up at the door.  The captain and Mrs
+Berrington assisted a lady to descend, and carried her in their arms
+into the house.  Two young ladies were next helped out, who appeared to
+take very little notice of any one, until Mary and Janet, hurrying
+forward, kissed them affectionately, and welcomed them to Stratton, when
+they led them into the sitting-room.
+
+"That's Aunt Augusta, and those two Evelina and Adela," whispered Harry.
+"And here comes Sybil, the youngest; a jolly little bird, isn't she?
+Then Gertrude, Edgar, and Albert are with their Aunt Emily in the other
+dray.  I shouldn't be surprised if Mr Hector were there too, for I
+don't see him on horseback; but here comes Reginald--he'll want to be
+introduced, or he'll not speak to you," and Harry laughed.  "Here,
+Reginald, old fellow, this is my brother Paul, and these are Rob and
+Tommy," exclaimed Harry, as a fine-looking lad rode up and, dismounting,
+shook hands with his cousins.
+
+The second dray now drove up, and Hector, a delicate-looking youth, was
+the first to get out, stretching himself and yawning as he did so.
+
+A very nice-looking young lady, whom the children called "Aunt Emily,"
+followed; and then Gertrude, Edgar, and Albert, of whom little could be
+known, as they did not utter a word, were lifted out.
+
+"Here, lend a hand and help us, you fellows!" said Paul to his cousins,
+as he and Harry went to assist their father and Mr Berrington, who,
+with their tutor and Sandy, were engaged in unloading the drays.
+
+Reginald at once came forward, but Hector, without replying, sauntered
+into the house.
+
+The articles as they were taken out were piled up round the walls of the
+rooms, leaving but little space to move about.  Mr Hayward at once went
+back to his hut, telling Paul and Harry that he was ready for them, and
+that there would be a bed for one of his cousins if he wished to come
+up.  It was some time after the ladies had been shown their rooms,
+before they made their appearance at the supper-table--Mrs Berrington
+leaning on her husband's arm, the elder girls following, having changed
+their travelling dresses for evening costume, such as was not often seen
+in the bush.  Their cousins, who wore their usual plain dress, looked at
+them with no slight astonishment.  Hector came in shortly afterwards,
+and took his seat without speaking.
+
+"I am afraid that you must be very tired," remarked Mrs Hugh to her
+sister-in-law.
+
+"Yes, indeed; I wonder that I have survived it coming over those
+dreadful mountains--sufficient to shake the nerves of the strongest, and
+mine are sensitive to a degree," was the answer.
+
+"A few days of quiet will set you all to rights," observed the captain.
+"Your girls do not appear to be the worse for it, though Hector looks
+somewhat knocked up."
+
+"Ah, yes! he takes after me," said Mrs Berrington.
+
+"I'm rather more bored than tired," observed Hector.  "I didn't imagine
+that such a country as this was to be found in the Queen's dominions."
+
+"It's the finest country in the world, old fellow," said Harry, from the
+other end of the table.  "You'll learn to like it in time.  So cheer up,
+we'll soon make a man of you."
+
+Hector turned a disdainful glance towards the speaker.
+
+"Harry, do not let your tongue run loose," observed his father, though
+with no very angry glance.
+
+The conversation soon became general, Miss Emily Saville doing her best
+to make amends for her sister's silence.  She and her nieces expressed
+themselves delighted with the delicious fruits offered them, and the
+evening passed by more pleasantly than might have been expected.
+Reginald accepted his cousins' invitation to accompany them to their
+quarters, thus enabling Hector to share his room with Rob and Edgar.  It
+is not necessary to particularise how the rest of the family were stowed
+away.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THREE.
+
+EARLY RISING--MILKING COWS--HOW TO "BAIL-UP" A COW--VICIOUS ANIMALS--
+HECTOR CHARGED, AND TAKES TO FLIGHT--REGINALD AND HIS PAIL UPSET BY A
+CALF--TRIES AGAIN, AND SUCCEEDS.
+
+"Rouse up, you fellow, and come and learn how to milk cows!" exclaimed
+Harry, as, the second morning after the arrival of the party, he, just
+at the break of day, rushed into his cousin Hector's room.  Hector had
+done nothing the previous day but sit, rod in hand, on the bank of the
+river, attempting to catch some fish.  He now yawned and stretched
+himself.
+
+"It cannot be time to get up yet--it is scarcely daylight."
+
+"There's light enough to milk the cows, and the cool of the morning is
+the best time," answered Harry.  "Your Aunt Emily and the rest of the
+girls are there already."
+
+"I'll get up presently, when I've had a little more sleep," said Hector,
+yawning again.
+
+"No, no; you've got to learn how to do it, and if you don't begin now,
+you never will.  You must learn how to do everything, or you cannot
+become a prosperous settler.  I'll not leave you until I see you up."
+
+Hector reluctantly, and in no good humour, began to dress.  As he
+intended finishing his toilet after his return, he was soon ready.
+
+"Come along!  Sandy, Paul, and Reginald are driving in the cows; though
+we have a few which won't come up to `the bail,' as they will soon be
+taught to do; and it will be some fun to you to see how we manage
+things."
+
+"You don't expect me to milk cows?" said Hector, as they walked along.
+
+"Indeed I do, if you are to have milk for breakfast; it is what young
+hands like you and the girls are most suited for."
+
+"I am older than you are," exclaimed Hector, looking indignantly at
+Harry.
+
+"Older in years, but younger in this country.  Why, my little brother
+Rob is of more use than you'll be for months to come, if you don't look
+sharp about it."
+
+"It's a horrid country, to say the best of it; I wish I hadn't come out
+here," exclaimed Hector.
+
+"It is my country," answered Harry, "and I'll not have it abused.  It is
+as fine a country as any in the world, or finer, I believe."
+
+"You call that rocky range, which took us three days to get over, a fine
+country!"
+
+"Ah! that's nothing! you must take the rough with the smooth.  I dare
+say there are quite as many rugged places in England."
+
+"From what I have seen of it, all I can say is, I intend to leave your
+beautiful country as soon as papa gets back some of his property.  I
+hope to obtain a commission in the Guards."
+
+"You'd better try and get a commission in our Black-guards," answered
+Harry, laughing.  "They are a very useful body of men, and most of their
+officers are gallant fellows."
+
+"Bosh!" cried Hector, who felt too indignant to make any other reply.
+
+He, nevertheless, accompanied Harry to the stock-yard, where they found
+Mary and Janet with their milk-pails, and their two elder cousins and
+Miss Saville.  Within the yard into which the cattle were being driven,
+on one side, were two strong posts, about five feet high, with a
+cross-piece on the top and another at the bottom, with a strong rail
+between them, which could be moved from side to side and fixed by means
+of a peg.  Just behind this, but outside the yard, was a windlass, with
+a rope passing between the two posts.
+
+"Do you see those posts?" asked Harry; "that's where we milk our cows."
+
+As he spoke he patted a cow on the back, and crying, "Bail-up!" she
+walked quickly up and put her head between the posts, where it was so
+secured by the rail that she could not withdraw it.  Taking one of the
+pails, and seating himself on a stool close by, he commenced the
+operation, which, to Hector's intense astonishment, he performed in a
+thoroughly efficient manner.  Other cows walked up without the slightest
+trouble, and were milked in the same way by his sisters.
+
+"Now, girls, you had better clear out of the yard!" shouted Paul; "we
+have two or three somewhat restive animals to deal with."
+
+Mary and Janet, whose pails were by this time full, followed their
+brother's advice, and, accompanied by Miss Saville and their cousins,
+made their way out of the yard; while Mr Hayward, who summoned Harry
+and Reginald to his assistance, stood ready at the windlass.  Paul took
+hold of the rope, which was unwound, with a noose at the end of it fixed
+to a long stick, and approached one of the cows just before driven into
+the yard.  Immediately he attempted to throw the noose over her head she
+swerved, now on one side, now on the other, taking care never to put her
+nose to the ground.  At last, however, Paul succeeded in throwing the
+noose over her horns, when he drew it tight by a jerk.
+
+"Haul away!" he shouted; and round went the windlass, the cow, in the
+meantime, making every effort to free herself, leaping and bounding,
+throwing up her head and trying to shake off the rope.  But all was in
+vain.  Sandy sounded his stock whip at her flanks, now and then giving
+her a touch to remind her that it was at hand, until gradually she was
+drawn up to the posts and her head securely fixed, when Sandy approached
+with the milk-pail.
+
+"I'm not going to trust you yet, my lady," he said, fastening her
+hind-legs up on the side on which he was about to take his seat.  This
+done, he began the operation of milking.  He had almost drawn as much as
+he expected to obtain, when the cunning cow, finding that she could not
+kick over the pail, came down on her side; and Sandy, with difficulty,
+made his escape from under her with the loss of the contents of his
+pail.
+
+There were two other cows to be milked, which had been standing by
+watching attentively the treatment received by their companion.  Paul,
+taking the rope, approached one of them.  The creature seemed to have
+made up her mind not to be milked, and as he drew near she whisked round
+with wonderful rapidity, now and then making as if she would run at him;
+but Paul was far too active to be caught.  Suddenly her eyes fell on
+Hector, who had been ashamed to leave the yard, although greatly longing
+to do so.  Putting down her head, with a loud bellow she rushed towards
+him.
+
+"Run for it!  Spring on one side, and then make a bolt for the palings.
+I'll help you over!" shouted Harry.
+
+Hector, however, was too much frightened to follow the advice.  Instead
+of facing the cow and watching what she was about to do, he turned round
+and ran across the slippery yard; before he got far, as might have been
+expected, down he fell.  The next instant the cow would have been upon
+him, had not Paul, who had been following with the noose, succeeded
+dexterously in slipping it over her horns, when the windlass being
+turned rapidly round, she found herself brought up by a violent jerk.
+In vain she endeavoured to get free.  The hide rope which had caught her
+was strong enough, as Sandy affirmed, "to hold a seventy-four," and she
+was quickly, in spite of her bellowings and kickings, hauled up to "the
+bail;" while Hector, much frightened and excessively angry at his
+accident, picked himself up, and ran to the paling towards which Harry
+was beckoning him.
+
+Sandy took care on this occasion not to be caught by the cow, and
+managed to take all the milk he required.  Several others were brought
+up in the same fashion.  Two who had been looking on, seeing that,
+whatever they might do, they would have to submit at last, walked up
+quietly and poked their heads into "the bail."
+
+"I should like to try and milk a cow," exclaimed Reginald, who felt
+ambitious to imitate his cousins' example and make himself useful.
+
+"We have two more heifers to milk, and you shall try; but I don't think
+you will succeed at first," said Paul.
+
+Reginald was determined to make an attempt.  As the heifer showed no
+great inclination to submit to the process--being accompanied by her
+calf--she was caught by the horns, quickly dragged up to "the bail," and
+leg-roped.  Here she stood quietly enough while Paul stroked her, patted
+her back, and scratched her about the ears.
+
+"Now, Reginald!" cried Paul, "get your stool and milk-pail, and try what
+you can do."  Neither Paul nor his cousin had observed that the calf--
+only a few weeks old--which had remained on the other side of the yard,
+had been stamping and pawing the ground, and exhibiting other signs of
+indignation at seeing its mother made captive.
+
+Reginald, with sleeves tucked up and eager face, commenced trying to
+milk, but not a drop could he produce.  Suddenly, uttering a loud cry,
+the calf, with head lowered, made a dash across the yard, sending
+Reginald flying in one direction, his milk-pail and stool in others, to
+the great amusement of the lookers-on.  Reginald picked himself up, not
+being really hurt; and although he at first looked very frightened, he
+soon recovered his equanimity.
+
+"Now, Reginald," said Paul, "you will very likely succeed better this
+time.  Try again."
+
+Reginald had plenty of spirit, and getting the pail and stool, once more
+sat himself down; and Paul showing him how to work, he managed to draw
+milk from the heifer.
+
+"Capital!" cried Paul; "but you had better let me finish--one cannot
+tell how long she may stay quiet."
+
+At breakfast Hector and Reginald gave very different versions of the
+milking business of the morning.  Hector described it as "a nasty,
+disgusting affair;" while Reginald declared "that it was very good fun,
+and that he was proud of his own performance, in spite of his
+misadventure."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FOUR.
+
+PETS--A RAMBLE THROUGH THE SCRUB--ROB ACTS THE HERO--SEES A LURKING
+BLACK--THE PARTY HURRY HOMEWARDS--ALARMING INTELLIGENCE BROUGHT BY PAUL.
+
+As much of the time of the young Berringtons was likely to be taken up
+by their newly-arrived cousins, it was arranged that they and Mr
+Hayward should make holiday.  As soon, therefore, as Mary and Janet had
+finished their household duties they invited their cousins to take a
+walk round the gardens, which they had not yet seen, and along the bank
+of the river.
+
+"We can show you some pretty views," said Mary.
+
+"You shall see all our pets," added Janet.
+
+"Pray take your sunshades, girls," murmured Mrs Berrington, who had
+just come out of her room.  "Without them you will spoil your
+complexions to a certainty, and perhaps suffer from a _coup-de-soleil_.
+You do not let your daughters go out without them?" she added, turning
+to her sister-in-law.
+
+"We never think of such a thing," answered Mrs Hugh; "our hats are
+lined with pith, and broad-brimmed, and we do not mind a few freckles."
+
+The young ladies, acting on their mother's suggestion, took their
+sunshades, which, it must be confessed, were not altogether useless,
+although their cousins did very well without them.
+
+They had got a short distance from the house, when Evelina uttered a
+scream and pointed to a large animal with a long tail, pointed nose, and
+short arms, which came hopping along at a great rate towards them.
+
+"Oh! what's that monster?" she exclaimed.  "How can we get out of its
+way?"
+
+"That's only our tame kangaroo, Jumper," answered Janet, laughing.  "He
+is a great pet; he has been out with Sandy all the morning, and is now
+coming to pay his respects to us."
+
+The kangaroo, which was upwards of five feet high, came bounding along,
+moving himself by the wonderful muscular power of his long hind-legs,
+though he had in addition to carry his tail, which he lifted off the
+ground when moving; this tail, however, assisted him to rest when he
+reached his young mistresses and waited to receive the piece of bread
+they had brought to give him.  Close behind came an animal on four legs.
+
+"Oh! here comes another horrid creature," cried Adela.  "A wolf! a
+wolf!"
+
+"No; we have no wolves here.  That is our kangaroo dog Bruce.  He and
+Jumper are great friends, though he would run down, and kill any of
+Jumper's relatives without the slightest remorse.  Here, Bruce, Bruce."
+
+A magnificent dog, a mixture of a Saint Bernard and greyhound, came up
+and licked Mary's and Janet's hand, and attempted to treat their cousins
+in the same way.  The young ladies, not liking his looks, started back,
+and it was some time before they could be persuaded to pat him on the
+head.  Although Janet called Jumper and Bruce to accompany them, the
+latter only obeyed; the former bounded towards the house.
+
+"The rogue has gone to see what he can get in the kitchen; if he can
+catch Biddy off her guard, he'll snatch up anything he can find, and be
+away with it," observed Mary.
+
+The menagerie was in the flower-garden, where several of their pets
+which could not be allowed to remain at liberty were confined.  Among
+the prettiest was a flying squirrel, a little animal with beautiful fur,
+its legs united by a membrane which enables it to float from the
+treetops to the ground without injury, then to run up the trunk of
+another, once more to descend, and thus make its way along.  Poor little
+"Fussy!" its habits were nocturnal, and it had been accustomed to roam
+about at large in the house; but Captain Berrington, fearing that it
+might disturb his guests, had turned it out of doors to live with
+several other animals which his children had tamed.
+
+The young ladies had made their way along a path which had been cut
+through the scrub, close to the banks of the river, that Mary might show
+her cousins the views she had spoken of.  They had been joined by Rob
+and Edgar, who considered that they could not let them go so far from
+home without an efficient escort.
+
+"With such valiant guards we may, I think, venture further than we have
+been accustomed to," said Mary.  "We shall have to stoop now and then to
+get under the vines, or squeeze ourselves between the trunks of the
+trees.  We have no wild animals to fear, and need only be careful not to
+tread upon a snake."
+
+"A snake!" exclaimed Evelina.  "Oh, how dreadful!  Let's go home."
+
+"Oh, come on," cried Bob, "I'll clear the road, and kill any snakes
+which may show their ugly heads."
+
+Flourishing his hatchet, which he drew from his belt, he proceeded to
+cut away the vines and any branches which impeded their way.
+
+Their progress was of course slow, but Rob asserted that they would soon
+come out into a more open spot, when they would be able to walk as fast
+as they liked.  The air beneath the shade of the tall trees was
+deliciously cool compared to the hot atmosphere of the open ground; and
+even Evelina acknowledged that it was very pleasant.  She had not gone
+far, however, before she shrieked out to Mary--
+
+"You said there were no savage creatures!  Look at this monster; it will
+kill us all!"
+
+"Why, that's only an iguana.  It has no teeth, and wouldn't bite you if
+it had.  I'll try and catch it, and you shall have it for dinner; it
+makes an excellent stew," exclaimed Rob, who heard her cry out.
+
+The iguana, a large species of lizard, was, however, far too quick for
+Rob, and was away out of sight before he got up to the tree on which he
+had seen it.  Edgar manfully kept up with him, but having no weapon
+except a clasp knife, he could render but little service in clearing the
+road.  Rob was shouting to the girls to "come on," when suddenly he
+himself stopped short.
+
+"Edgar, did you see any one?" he asked, in a low voice.
+
+"Yes, a hideous black face; it popped down immediately behind the
+bushes."
+
+"We had better not go on, then; for though many of the blacks are
+friendly hereabouts, yet others who come from a distance are very
+treacherous."
+
+Not stopping to hear more, Edgar scampered away to tell the ladies, who,
+as soon as they heard the alarming intelligence, began to beat a
+retreat.  They were quickly overtaken by Rob, who had not only seen a
+black man, but a bundle of spears, and was fully satisfied of the danger
+of remaining longer in the scrub.
+
+Mary was the first to recover herself.  "After all, the boys may have
+mistaken the stump of a tree for a native; or if they did see a black,
+he may have come with no bad intentions," she observed; "we need not
+give up our walk in consequence."
+
+However, her cousins looked so frightened that she led them directly out
+of the scrub towards the kitchen, garden, intending to go round under a
+trellis work, which had a thick hedge on the outside, and at that hour
+of the day afforded a pleasant shady walk.  They were passing along that
+part which was nearest the open ground when they heard the tramp of a
+horse's hoofs galloping at fall speed, and directly afterwards Paul
+shouting out to Harry--
+
+"Where's our father?"
+
+"He has gone off with Uncle Frank to Gibson's station," answered Harry.
+"But what's in the wind?"
+
+"The blacks have shown their ugly faces again, not far off.  I caught
+sight of a mob of them just before I passed Jenkins's hut, and when
+stopping to leave a message I could nowhere find him.  The blacks have
+evidently been there, and, I am afraid, have killed him.  I did not stop
+to search longer, but came on to tell father, that he might send over to
+Ogilvie to set the police after them."
+
+"I'll ride Bolter, and get Reginald to come with me," answered Harry.
+
+"Reginald!  He's no use; he will never keep up with you, and the chances
+are that he is pitched off before you have galloped a mile.  Get Mr
+Hayward or Sandy to go with you," said Paul.
+
+"They are both away just now," answered Harry; "but why can't you get a
+fresh horse and go yourself?"
+
+"Look here," the girls heard Paul say; "one of the black fellows dashed
+a spear, and gave me this ugly scratch on the side, and I should be
+foolish to attempt riding so far.  I must go in and get mother to doctor
+it."
+
+The young ladies, on hearing this, were naturally much alarmed.  Mary
+was about to call to her brothers, but they were already beyond hearing;
+so she, followed by the rest of the party, hastened to the house that
+she might break the intelligence to her mother.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FIVE.
+
+PAUL COMES HOME WOUNDED--PREPARE FOR AN EXPECTED ATTACK--HECTOR
+MISSING--THE BOYS GO IN SEARCH OF HIM--BIDDY GIVES THE ALARM--ROB AND
+EDGAR AGREE TO KEEP WATCH--THE WAY THEY DO SO--ARRIVAL OF THE BLACK
+POLICE AND THEIR OFFICER.
+
+As soon as Mary arrived at home she told her mother what she had heard;
+and lint, salve, and bandages were speedily got ready.
+
+Paul's pale cheek when he arrived showed that he was suffering
+considerably, though he made light of the wound.
+
+"Oh! it's nothing!" he said, trying to laugh.  "A black fellow's spear
+merely grazed my side, though had not Polly swerved at that moment it
+would have stuck into her neck."
+
+"It is a mercy, my boy, that it did not strike you in the back," said
+Mrs Hugh Berrington, examining the wound, which she thought far more
+severe than Paul was inclined to suppose it.
+
+"I had been looking after some cattle which had strayed from one of the
+herdsmen, a new hand," he said, "when I suddenly found myself close to a
+mob of strange blacks, the very same, I suspect, Harry and I met with
+when hunting up Old Bolter.  Knowing the imprudence of trusting myself
+among them, I immediately turned my horse's head and galloped off, but
+not until several spears had been hurled at me.  I felt one pop through
+my clothes, but I thought that it had given me only a slight scratch.
+On reaching Jenkins's station, wishing to warn him of the vicinity of
+the black fellows, I looked about everywhere, but could not find him,
+and therefore came on that information might be sent to the police
+without delay, in order that they might proceed in search of the
+strangers and drive them away.  Before returning home I found Mr
+Hayward, who, with Harry, has gone over to Ogilvie to give information
+of the blacks being in the neighbourhood."
+
+"But what if they should come here while our husbands are away?"
+exclaimed Mrs Berrington, trembling with alarm.
+
+"I am here, and this slight hurt won't prevent me from defending you,"
+exclaimed Paul, feeling not a little indignant at his aunt's remark,
+"and there are Reginald, and Hector, and Sandy, and the other men will
+be back before long."
+
+"And _we_ can fight too," exclaimed Janet.  "I know how to fire a
+pistol, so does Mary."
+
+"What a fearful state of things!" ejaculated Mrs Berrington.
+
+"Oh, aunt, you'll soon get accustomed to it," said Janet, who often
+spoke very like Harry.
+
+"I hope that we shall not be reduced to such extremities," said Aunt
+Emily.  "But where are Reginald and Hector?"
+
+"I saw Reginald at our hut; I told him to come on here in case he might
+be wanted, but as to Hector, I do not know where he is."
+
+"Suppose he should be fishing by the river, and the blacks should find
+him.  They may kill the poor boy," exclaimed Mrs Berrington.
+
+Though Paul thought this more than possible, should Hector have gone to
+any distance, he tried to reassure his aunt, intending to go himself and
+try and find his cousin.
+
+When, however, he attempted to move, he discovered that he could not do
+so without great pain and difficulty.  He was thankful when Reginald
+came in, and Rob at the same time making his appearance, he sent the two
+off in search of Hector, warning them to keep away from any place which
+might conceal a lurking enemy.  He then held a consultation with Mary
+and Janet, and arranged with them how they might best prepare the house
+for defence, should the blacks attack it.  They all knew that there was
+not much real danger provided that they were not taken by surprise, as
+the natives, unaccustomed to the use of fire-arms, were sure to run away
+if sturdily withstood.  He knew he could depend upon his two elder
+sisters, though he suspected that his cousins would not prove heroines.
+
+The day wore on, the captain and his brother were not expected until
+late.  Reginald and Rob had not returned from their search for Hector,
+and Sandy, whom they expected, had not yet made his appearance.
+
+The sun set, and darkness came on; the girls agreed to watch in
+different directions, from whence they could command the approaches to
+the house.  Biddy was naturally stationed at the kitchen end of the
+house, which looked towards the bush.  Poor Mrs Berrington's alarm
+became greater and greater.
+
+Mrs Hugh and her daughters were doing their best to keep her from
+fainting by the due application of sal volatile, though they themselves
+could scarcely restrain their own fears.
+
+Suddenly a fearful shriek ran through the house; it came from Biddy.
+Mary and Janet hurried round, shutting the doors opening on the verandah
+where they had been stationed, and rushed towards her.
+
+"Sure, the nagers are coming! the nagers are coming!" they heard her
+again and again shriek out.  She was, however, at her post at the door,
+but had thrown her apron over her head.  Before closing the door, the
+courageous girls looked out to ascertain how far off the natives were
+from the house.  There, sure enough, they saw three figures approaching
+with what looked like long spears in their hands.
+
+"Arrah! come in, me darlin's, and don't let the nagers catch ye!"
+shrieked Biddy.
+
+"What's all that hullabaloo about?" exclaimed one of the figures,
+approaching, and Hector, and Reginald, and Rob came up to the door.
+
+Biddy, however, who had stopped her ears as well as hid her face, still
+fancied that they were blacks, and continued shrieking as loudly as
+ever.
+
+"Run, Rob, and tell mother and aunt that you have come back safe, while
+we try and bring this foolish girl to her senses," said Mary.
+
+It was, however, some minutes before Biddy could be quieted, and assured
+by the sight of the young masters that it was they whom she had seen,
+and that no natives had shown themselves.
+
+Reginald then told Mary that they had found Hector fast asleep on the
+bank, while his fishing-rod was floating in the middle of a water-hole,
+and that they had spent some time in attempting to recover it.  Though
+the boys had returned safe, and one cause of anxiety was removed, there
+was still a possibility that the blacks would attack the place, should
+they have been on the watch, and have discovered that the gentlemen were
+away.
+
+Paul, however, did not think this likely, as, had they been lurking
+about, they would certainly have caught the boys, and perhaps have
+killed them.  Poor Mrs Berrington continued bemoaning her hard fate in
+coming to such a country.
+
+"But, my dear Augusta," said Mrs Hugh, "no harm has happened to those
+we love, and we ought not to mistrust God.  You and I have gone through
+numerous trials and troubles, and have been mercifully preserved through
+them all."
+
+At length the captain and his brother returned, and, having heard
+nothing of the blacks, were greatly surprised at the state of agitation
+into which the family had been thrown.  The captain commended Paul for
+his judgment in sending for the police.  Taking their fire-arms with
+them, they at once went back to let Sandy and the other men know that
+the blacks had been seen near the house, that they might be on their
+guard.
+
+"They are not likely to be surprised while Bruce is on the watch,"
+observed Paul; "he can scent a black a hundred yards off."
+
+Poor Mrs Berrington was thus again made anxious, fearing that her
+husband and the captain might be attacked before they got back to the
+house.  At last they made their appearance, reporting that Sandy and the
+men were on the watch at the stock-yards, but that Harry and Mr Hayward
+had not yet returned; indeed, the captain believed that they would
+probably accompany the police, or, at all events, not come back until
+the morning.
+
+The children were put to bed, and the ladies were at length persuaded to
+retire to rest.  The captain and Mr Berrington arranged to keep watch
+and watch, so that they might run no risk of being surprised.  Paul
+wanted to join them, but his father insisted that he should remain
+quiet, lest his wound, trifling though he considered it, might become
+inflamed.  Hector went into his room without offering his services.  Mr
+Berrington looked vexed, but said nothing; possibly he thought that he
+would go to sleep at his post, and thus be worse than useless.
+
+"I say, Edgar, though we are sent to bed, we are not bound to go to
+sleep," exclaimed Rob.  "I vote that you and I keep watch at the window,
+turn and turn about.  I have got one of Paul's pistols, and if any
+blacks come we will shoot them."
+
+"But they would have to come fearfully close to do that, and I don't
+think I could fire at a man with a spear in his hand, grinning horribly
+at me out of the dark."
+
+It is easy to imagine the picture Edgar conjured up.
+
+"That's the very time I would shoot," answered Rob; "if I did not, he
+might hurl the spear and stick it into me."
+
+"Keep quiet, you fellows," growled out Hector, who was awakened by their
+talking, though he did not hear what they said.  They were silent till
+they thought that he was again asleep.
+
+"If you're afraid I'm not," said Rob.  "I will take the first watch, and
+I will call you when it's time for you to look out, and then you can
+rouse me up if you see anything, and I will be alongside you in a
+moment."
+
+Edgar having agreed to this, Rob sat himself down on a stool, with his
+head just above the window-sill, on which it soon dropped.  He was, in
+reality, fast asleep, though all the time he thought that he was keeping
+a very bright lookout, and that he saw savages creeping up in the
+distance, but that he was waiting to give the alarm until they should
+get somewhat closer.  At last he awoke with a most uncomfortable crick
+in his neck, and found, to his surprise, that the dawn had broken.
+Hector and Edgar were sleeping soundly, and believing that no blacks
+would venture near the house by daylight, he wisely crept into his bunk,
+where he lay until roused by the sound of the gong which summoned the
+family to prepare for breakfast.
+
+The night had passed without any appearance of the blacks, and the
+captain, who had searched round the house in every direction, could find
+no traces of them.  He began, indeed, to suspect that Rob must have been
+mistaken in supposing that he had seen a lurking native in the scrub.
+He and Mr Berrington, followed by Bruce, after breakfast made a long
+circuit through the scrub, and visiting the spot Rob described, the
+captain had reason to change his opinion, for he at length found traces
+of natives, and the remains of a fire, where they must have encamped
+that very night.  This satisfied him that the precautions he had taken
+had not been useless, but, as far as he could judge, the blacks had
+retreated to the westward.  The chief anxiety of the family was now
+about Harry and Mr Hayward, who had not yet returned.  Late in the day,
+however, Rob and Edgar, who were patrolling round and round the house
+under the idea that they were keeping guard, saw Harry galloping up to
+them.
+
+"Well, what news?" shouted Rob.  "We have been expecting the blacks all
+day, but they have not come yet.  Have you fallen in with them?"
+
+"Yes, indeed we have!" answered Harry, "and had a desperate fight too.
+We killed some of them, and the rest ran off.  Lieutenant Bertram, of
+the police, believes that they will still remain lurking in the
+neighbourhood, and has come on with some of his men to be ready to act
+as a guard to the house should father wish it.  We have had some
+exciting work, let me tell you.  It was wonderful the way our black
+police hunted down their countrymen; but I must not stop, as they will
+be wanting to know at home what has happened."
+
+Dismounting, Harry hurried into the house, while his younger brother led
+his tired steed to the paddock.
+
+Harry had just made his report, and Mrs Hugh was busy in preparing some
+food for their expected visitors, when Mr Hayward, accompanied by a
+young officer, rode up to the door, closely followed by a dozen black
+troopers, in dark blue and red uniforms.  Mr Hayward introduced
+Lieutenant Bertram, who explained his reasons for coming.
+
+Mrs Berrington was profuse in her thanks.  "We have had a dreadful
+fright, Mr Bertram, and I hope that you and your men will remain here
+until the blacks are driven out of the country.  I shall get no rest,
+night or day."
+
+"I am afraid, madam, that will not be so easy an operation as you
+suppose," answered the lieutenant.  "The blacks have an idea that they
+are the owners of the soil, and that we are intruders, and they are not
+very willing to decamp.  Our business is rather to keep them in order,
+and prevent them from attacking the whites."
+
+As Harry explained that they had been a good many hours without eating,
+supper was immediately placed on the table, while provisions were
+carried out to the troopers, who sat down in a circle on the
+grass-plot--it could not be dignified as a lawn--with their horses
+picketed near them.  The ladies went out to see them as they sat in the
+sunlight, not at all inconvenienced by its glare.  They seemed merry,
+careless fellows, laughing and chattering away in their own curious
+lingo--a mixture of English and native words.
+
+Mr Bertram said they were all blacks from a distance, composed of two
+or three different tribes who could not understand each other's original
+language.  The captain was grieved to find that there was little doubt
+that his shepherd had been murdered, although his body had not been
+discovered.  The flock had been driven to a station nearer home, where
+two of the police had been left to watch the hostile natives, although
+it was not at all likely that they would for the present make another
+attack.
+
+Poor Mrs Berrington saw, with much regret, the lieutenant and his men
+take their departure.  They were going, he said, to make another
+thorough search for the hostile natives, and to advise them to remove to
+a distance from the white men's stations.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SIX.
+
+PLEASANT RIDES THROUGH THE COUNTRY--MAGNIFICENT VEGETATION--HECTOR STUNG
+BY A NETTLE--A HURRICANE--ROOF OF THE HUT BLOWN OFF.
+
+Some weeks passed away, and the new comers were getting accustomed to
+bush-life.  Even the unimpressible Evelina and Adela began to take an
+interest in what was going on, though they were still open to the
+criticism pronounced on them by Harry to Reginald--
+
+"Those girls of yours are very well in their way, but it is a pity they
+cannot learn to make themselves useful."
+
+Aunt Emily was, however, delighted with all she saw--the trees, the
+birds, the animals; and much indeed there was to admire during the rides
+she and two or three of the girls were accustomed to take, either with
+Mr Berrington or Paul, Harry or Reginald.
+
+All apprehension of an attack from the blacks had subsided, and they
+frequently rode to a considerable distance from Stratton.  The country
+beyond the scrub was open, or rather only sprinkled with tall ungainly
+gum-trees, but there was to be found in many spots other and very
+beautiful foliage.  In some places groves of acacia-trees with yellow
+blossoms, and in other spots tall coral trees with long pendulous red
+flowers, looking exactly like strings of coral hanging from the dark
+foliage.  Sometimes they came upon the curiously-shaped bottle tree,
+which greatly resembles a lemonade bottle placed in the ground.  Then,
+not far off, would be found the grass tree, from the summit of which
+long pendants projected like enormous blades of grass.  Even these trees
+were of considerable height.  Mr Berrington said that during the hot
+months he always had a supply of the wood, as the smoke arising from it
+emits not only a very pleasant odour, but is much objected to by the
+mosquitos, and by burning it in the room those pests of Queensland are
+always driven out.
+
+One of the most remarkable trees they met with was the bunya-bunya, a
+species of pine.  It towered like a pinnacle above all the other trees,
+reaching a height of upwards of two hundred feet.
+
+Some of the young trees were peculiarly handsome, throwing out branches
+all around close to the ground to a distance of many yards, and smaller
+branches rising in regular gradation to the top, thus forming a perfect
+cone with so dense a foliage that it was evident no animal could
+penetrate it.  At the top of the older trees grew an enormous cone of
+fruit, each being the size of a chestnut.  From some of these a bare
+pole shot up nearly a hundred feet above the branches, with this
+prodigious cone at the summit.  Notwithstanding this, the party saw a
+couple of blacks belonging to a friendly tribe, who occasionally camped
+near them, climb to the top, whence they threw down the fruit in
+handfuls.  Harry and Reginald filled their pockets with some of it,
+which they carried home.  It was cooked as chestnuts are, but was
+pronounced more farinaceous and much nicer to eat.
+
+The party frequently took provisions with them, and enjoyed a picnic in
+some beautiful spot while their horses were hobbled near.  On one of
+these occasions Hector had condescended to accompany them.  He and Paul,
+with Mr Hayward, were walking some little distance from the rest, when
+Hector, not taking an interest in the conversation of his cousin and the
+dominie, sauntered away from them.  Hector had the habit as he walked
+along of pulling off the leaves of any shrub or tree he passed, from
+mere thoughtlessness, not with any idea of examining their shape or
+character.
+
+"Where's Hector got to?" suddenly exclaimed Paul.
+
+"There he is," said Mr Hayward; then he shouted, "Come back, Hector;
+come back!  Don't touch those shrubs."
+
+But Hector either did not hear or did not heed the call, and Mr Hayward
+and Paul set off to run after him.  Presently they heard him shriek out,
+and throw down a large leaf like that of a mallow, which he had plucked
+from a shrub about fifteen feet in height.
+
+"That's a nettle tree," exclaimed Mr Hayward; "poor fellow! he'll
+suffer for it."
+
+They found Hector wringing his hand, and declaring that he had been
+stung by a snake.  He was somewhat consoled when Mr Hayward and Paul
+assured him that he had only by mistake caught hold of a huge nettle,
+though he might expect to suffer from its effects for some days to come.
+He wanted to run off to a stream near which the party had picnicked, to
+cool his hand in the water.
+
+"That will only make matters worse," said Paul; "you must keep your hand
+as dry as possible, for every time you wet it the pain will come on
+again."
+
+Poor Hector could scarcely refrain from crying out with pain.
+
+"You must grin and bear it, old fellow," said Harry, really wishing to
+console him.  "When you get home mother will, I dare say, apply some
+remedy.  We were fortunately warned about catching hold of nettles
+before we had your experience; but you'll never do it again."
+
+All the party enjoyed the ride, except poor Hector, who complained
+bitterly of the pain he suffered from the stinging-nettle.  On their
+arrival at home, Mrs Hugh applied ammonia and oil.  At length he
+acknowledged that the pain had considerably abated, but during the
+remainder of the evening he took every opportunity of abusing the
+country and "its horrible productions."
+
+Harry, who was always ready to take up the cudgels in favour of his
+native land, answered, "Why, even you in England have got nettles, and
+poisonous berries too, and, I am sure, have not got one-tenth part of
+the fruits and plants which this country can produce.  We can grow the
+sugar-cane, cotton, coffee, rice and tobacco, and Peruvian bark, or what
+answers as well, and spices of all sorts, while few of our berries are
+poisonous; and, except those rascally dingos, we have not an animal in
+the country which can do any harm to man or beast."
+
+"Oh, yes! it's a very nice land indeed," sneered Hector.
+
+"Come, old fellow, you're shut up, after all," exclaimed Harry,
+triumphantly, "and it is time to go to bed.  I'm off to our hut.  Come
+along, Reggy; Paul went there an hour ago."
+
+Family prayers were over.  The two lads, wishing their fathers and
+mothers and all hands good night, set off to their abode.
+
+Mr Hayward and the rest of the inmates of the hut had been some time
+asleep, when they were awakened by a fearful uproar, like the howling,
+shrieking, and hissing of a thousand locomotive engines dashing on at
+full speed--so Reggy described it.  They could scarcely hear their own
+voices as they shouted to know what was happening.
+
+"A storm, lads, and such a one as we don't often get," said Mr Hayward,
+who was dressing as fast as he could.  The rest followed his example,
+for at any moment the roof of their hut might be carried off.  As they
+looked out they saw the tallest trees bending and groaning under the
+fearful blast.  At that moment a huge branch, broken off, was dashed to
+the ground near them with a tremendous crash, while the whole air was
+filled with leaves, twigs, and smaller branches.
+
+The thunder, which had been heard at a distance, came near.  At first it
+sounded like a faint cannonading, but now it broke overhead with
+terrible roars and rattles, as if a pitched battle were raging amid the
+clouds, drowning all other sounds.  In such rapid succession did peal
+follow peal, that they appeared like one continuous roar.
+
+Black clouds made the night as dark as pitch, until the lightning burst
+forth and lit up the whole of the surrounding scene.  Streams of the
+electric fluid, running down the stems of the tall trees, went hissing
+along the ground like fiery serpents.  Blast succeeded blast, until
+suddenly the whole roof of the hut, being lifted together, was carried
+off, the inmates knew not where; when down came the rain in a sheet of
+water, rather than drops.  The lads were thankful that they had got on
+their clothes, at all events, and had time to slip into their
+waterproofs.
+
+"We must go and see what is happening at the house.  I only hope the
+fencing won't be blown down, or we shall have work enough to-morrow to
+collect the stock again," cried Paul.
+
+In spite of the storm, and the danger they ran from falling boughs, they
+commenced making their way towards the house.  Sometimes it was so dark
+that they could not see a foot before them.  Then, in an instant, a
+bright flash would illumine the whole scene, and they rushed forward
+again, stopping when darkness came upon them.  At length they calculated
+that they must be close to the house.  A flash revealed it to them, but
+it appeared as if the roof had gone.  No one was to be seen.  They
+shouted, but no reply came.  They tried to open the door, but it was
+fastened within.  Perhaps those they loved had been crushed by the
+falling roof.  The thought was too dreadful.  Paul and Harry shook at
+the door, and shouted again and again.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SEVEN.
+
+THE BOYS GO TO ASSIST THEIR FRIENDS--PAUL AND HARRY ENTER THE HOUSE
+THROUGH THE ROOF--ALARM OF THE FAMILY--FEARS OF THE RIVER RISING--PAUL
+SETS OFF TO OBTAIN PROVISIONS.
+
+Paul and Harry, who had run on first, kept knocking and knocking at the
+door, and shouting at the top of their voices, but the creaking of the
+verandah posts, the rattling of the shingles on the roof, the continuous
+roar of the thunder, and the howling of the wind among the trees,
+completely drowned their voices.  They ran round to try and find an
+entrance by one of the windows or back door, but the shutters were all
+closed.  At length Mr Hayward and Reggy came up, but they were not more
+successful in making the inmates hear when they knocked and shouted at
+the front door.  Harry proposed climbing up and dropping down through
+the opening in the roof.  A large portion of the verandah had been torn
+away, but the beams remained.
+
+"You forget, Harry," shouted Paul in his ear, "we may reach the roof,
+but how shall we get down without the risk of breaking our legs over the
+fragments which may have fallen in, or the tables and chairs?  Stay a
+moment!  There's a rope in the harness room, and if that has not been
+blown away I'll get it."
+
+Paul recollecting where he had last seen the rope, was able to lay his
+hand on it, even in the dark.  He soon groped his way back.
+
+Harry having proposed the expedition, climbed up first, Paul handing him
+the rope.  He soon reached a rafter, and lowering the rope until he knew
+that it touched the ground, he fastened it securely, and at once
+descended, followed by Paul.  They had dropped into their own bedroom,
+which they had given up to Hector; after feeling about, however, they
+decided he was not there.  Neither were Rob nor Edgar.  They then groped
+their way along the passage at the back of the house, to the
+sitting-room end.  During a momentary lull of the storm they thought
+they heard voices.  On opening the door, they presented themselves to
+the astonished eyes of their family.
+
+Mr Berrington, aided by Mrs Hugh and Miss Saville, was endeavouring to
+calm the fears of his wife and elder daughters, who were well nigh in
+hysterics, while Mary and Janet were attending to the children--who,
+poor little things, were naturally very much frightened.  Hector, who
+had got his hand wet, was crying out that he had been bitten by a
+scorpion, forgetting how he had been stung by a nettle the previous
+morning.  The captain, meantime, was doing his best to keep the windows
+closed, with the assistance of Biddy, who was bringing him such pieces
+of wood as she could find to nail up against them, for they threatened
+to give way, when the wind would have blown out the only lamp which was
+burning on the table in the centre of the room.
+
+"Where have you boys come from?" asked their father; "I thought all the
+doors were shut."
+
+"So they are," shouted Paul, "but we came down through the roof."
+
+"What! were you blown all this way?" asked Mr Berrington, looking up.
+
+"Not exactly," answered Harry, "we came on our legs."
+
+"Has your hut been blown down?" asked their father.
+
+"The best part of it, on a night like this--the top has," answered
+Harry.
+
+Paul then explained that Mr Hayward and Reggy were all this time
+waiting outside, not knowing how to get in.  The captain would not let
+them open the door, however, without his assistance, and they all three
+accordingly repaired to it.
+
+"Are you still there?" shouted Harry.
+
+A voice answered, "Yes."
+
+"Stand by to close the door again," said the captain, and slightly
+opening it, in rushed Reggy and Mr Hayward, when the whole party,
+pressing hard, once more closed it, though the blast which came in sent
+several of the articles of furniture rattling down.
+
+"How, in the name of wonder, did you get in?" exclaimed Reggy, when he
+found Paul and Harry inside.
+
+He could scarcely believe it when they told him how they had managed to
+find an entrance.  The door being secured, they hastened back to the
+sitting-room.  It was no easy matter to carry on a conversation amid the
+wild uproar, though the captain, accustomed to storms at sea, made
+himself heard.  He could not tell how much of the roof had gone, for,
+even through a small aperture the rain made its way in torrents.  He was
+thankful that any part remained which could afford them shelter.  Paul
+could give no account of how it fared with Sandy and the men at the
+stock-yard.  Mr Hayward volunteered to go back and ascertain, but the
+captain would not allow this.  "You ran risk enough in coming, and I am
+thankful that you have escaped," he said.
+
+Nothing more could now be done until daylight, as the whole house was in
+darkness, for as soon as the lamp was lighted in any part, except in the
+sitting-room, it was blown out again by the wind which made its way
+through the roof.  The captain did not express his fears to the rest of
+the party, with the exception of Mr Hayward and Paul, but his chief
+anxiety was about the river.  On listening at the side of the house
+nearest to it, they could hear the water rushing along its hitherto dry
+bed, evidently at headlong speed.  Mr Hayward, ever ready to assist,
+offered to go out and ascertain how high it had risen.
+
+"We may remain here in safety at present, I trust," said Captain
+Berrington: "it is still a dozen feet below us, probably more, and
+unless it should rise much higher, we should only unnecessarily expose
+the ladies to this tremendous rain and the fearful danger of falling
+branches were we to quit the house.  We must, however, keep a watch upon
+it and escape in time."
+
+Several terrific blasts came, which threatened to blow down the house,
+or tear off the whole roof.  The wind, after the last, began to lull,
+and the rain ceased.  The house, with the exception of the sitting-room,
+was in such a condition that the family were compelled to remain in that
+apartment.  The night wore slowly away, and every one was thankful when
+daylight at last returned.  Sad indeed was the havoc which had been
+committed by the tempest; but the captain was thankful that none of the
+family had been injured, and not a word of complaint escaped him.
+
+No time was lost in commencing to repair the damages.  While Biddy was
+trying to get her kitchen in order and light a fire, Janet and Mary,
+with pails and mops, assisted by their cousins, were busily employed in
+"swabbing decks," as their father called it, and hanging up the wet
+bedding to dry.
+
+The captain and his brother, with Mr Hayward, got the carpenter's
+tools, and commenced repairing the roof, while the younger boys
+collected all the shingles they could find.  Paul, Harry, and Reggy
+started off to the stock-yards, to see how things fared there, and to
+assist Sandy and the men if necessary.  Before going they took a glance
+at the river.  Reggy could scarcely believe that it was the same stream
+he had seen the day before, as it now went foaming and rushing by,
+carrying huge trunks of trees and dead cattle in its vortex, while it
+appeared four times as broad as before.
+
+"We have often had it as high as this in a rainy season, although it has
+seldom risen so high at other times," said Paul.
+
+Hector declared that his hand hurt him too much to allow him to do
+anything, although he at length condescended, when summoned by his
+sisters, to try and put his own room in order.
+
+As the lads went along, they observed the havoc which had been produced
+by the storm.  Several tall trees had been blown down, others denuded of
+their branches.  The maize was beaten to the ground, the kitchen-garden
+had suffered greatly, and flower-blossoms had everywhere been torn off,
+while many of the fruit-trees were destroyed.
+
+"It cannot be helped," said Paul, "happily, things grow here very
+rapidly, and in a short time we shall have all to rights again."
+
+Reginald thought Paul a great philosopher, but he only spoke the truth.
+They met Sandy coming to ask how the family had fared; he reported more
+favourably of the stock-yard than Paul had expected.  A portion of the
+roof of some of the buildings had been blown off; but the strong fences
+intended to resist the charge of a fierce bull or angry heifer had
+withstood the strongest blasts.
+
+"We ken weel where our weak points are," observed Sandy; "we will soon
+get things to rights."
+
+Every one had enough to do during that and several following days.  The
+buildings were re-roofed, the fallen trees were sawn through and dragged
+out of the way to be split up or burned.  The garden fences were
+repaired, and everything else put to rights.  Meantime the river had
+fallen almost to its usual level, though the water-holes were united,
+and it now ran in a regular current.  The captain's chief regret was for
+his maize crop; nothing could restore that, and he expected to obtain
+scarcely a quarter of the produce he had looked for.  It would be
+necessary, therefore, to dispatch the drays some hundreds of miles to
+obtain flour, and this must be done as soon as possible, before the
+regular rainy season should set in.  It would not last long, but during
+that time many of the creeks would be impassable, and other places might
+be flooded.
+
+There was so much to be done that Captain Berrington did not wish to go
+himself, and though Paul was always very useful at home, he determined
+to send him in charge of the party.  Paul would have liked to take
+either Harry or Reggy, but they now worked so well together that his
+father was unwilling to separate them, besides which they were able to
+do a great deal of work, and had in addition to attend some hours in the
+day to their studies, as Mr Hayward had resumed his duties as tutor,
+the girls, as well as the boys, regularly attending the school.
+
+Paul could not but feel proud at being so thoroughly trusted by his
+father, and he hoped to perform his commission well; although he would
+gladly have had a companion in his long and tedious journey.
+
+The men who accompanied him had been some time in the captain's employ,
+and were considered thoroughly trustworthy.  He himself felt much more
+anxious about the family.  It was not only possible that the blacks
+might return and cause them alarm, but he might not obtain flour where
+he expected to find it.  Although they would not in consequence be
+actually in want of food, it would be a considerable privation to have
+to go without bread.  The captain had also confided to him a project Mr
+Berrington and he had in view, of forming a new station further up the
+country.  They had not, however, fixed on it; but beyond the ranges to
+the north-west the captain had heard that a fine region existed, and he
+proposed forming a party to explore it.  He had promised Paul that he
+should go, and told him that he proposed setting off at the termination
+of the rainy season.  Paul, having bid farewell to his family,
+accompanied by Harry and Reggy, who were going to see him a few miles on
+the way, rode after the drays, which had started at daybreak that
+morning.
+
+The two boys returned towards evening, reporting all well.  Paul was
+much missed; even Hector complained that he had not now a companion to
+talk to.  Although Harry and Reggy were merry fellows, it was generally
+acknowledged that they were not equal to Paul.
+
+"I trust we shall have him back soon," said his mother, after he had
+been gone some time; "although I wish that tidings of him had reached
+us."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER EIGHT.
+
+A KANGAROO HUNT--CHASING EMUS--A PACK OF DINGOES PUT TO FLIGHT.
+
+Reggy had by this time learned to make himself almost as useful as
+Harry.  Their great delight was riding after stray cattle and horses,
+which afforded them constant occupation.
+
+Occasionally they visited the sheep-stations, to see that all was right,
+or to give directions to the shepherds.
+
+Sometimes they drove one of the drays carrying provisions and stores, a
+task which was not so pleasant as galloping over the country.  Now and
+then Hector was persuaded to join them in the former duty, but he would
+never even attempt to learn to drive a dray.
+
+"If I could manage to get hold of a well-built dogcart from London, I
+should have no objection to turn out a tandem," he said, as he
+contemptuously surveyed the dray.
+
+As the captain was convinced that "all work and no play makes Jack a
+dull boy," he occasionally allowed all hands who could be spared to go
+out hunting, the game being kangaroos or emus, when Bruce and the other
+dogs at the station had an active part to play.  Hector, who rode pretty
+well, had no objection to join in it.  Even Rob and Edgar were at times
+allowed to go out.
+
+The damage caused by the storm having been repaired, about a week after
+Paul left home a hunting party was organised, the captain and Mr Haward
+joining it, with all the boys.  Sandy, on such occasions, always
+remained at home, although he had learned to stick to the saddle as well
+as any man.  Hunting was not to his taste; besides which, he considered
+it his duty to look after the ladies at the house and the cattle at the
+station.
+
+It was a lovely morning; not a cloud was in the sky.  The air was so
+pure, and so fine a breeze was blowing, that no one felt the heat.  The
+boys were in high spirits as they rode along on their sturdy little
+horses, with the dogs barking and frisking around them.  They had not
+gone far before a large kangaroo was sighted--an "old man," as the big
+kangaroos are called by the settlers.  He was employed in plucking the
+leaves from some shrubs which partly concealed him.  So busily engaged
+was he, that he did not at first notice their approach, but as they got
+near his quick ear detected the sound of their horses' feet, and taking
+one glance at them over his shoulder, he bounded off to seek safety in
+flight.
+
+The dogs gave chase, the horsemen followed close upon their heels.  The
+kangaroo appeared to move but slowly, and to be making his long bounds
+with deliberation.
+
+"We shall be up to him in three minutes!" cried Reggy.
+
+"Not so fast as that, by a long way," answered Harry; "he is now going
+at double the speed you suppose, and will soon increase it."
+
+Harry was right.  On went the kangaroo towards a creek in which there
+were two or three deep water-holes, a couple of miles to the northward.
+Hector and Reginald could not help laughing as they saw the wonderful
+bounds he made, holding his little front claws close to him, as a man
+does when running a race, with his knowing head held upright.
+Sometimes, when passing through high grass, the head and shoulders alone
+were visible, and the dogs could not be perceived except by the waving
+grass, while often they could not see the chase; still they kept on in
+its tracks.  At last a large water-hole was reached, the kangaroo leapt
+into it, and having gained the centre, turned round and watched for the
+approach of the dogs.  Bruce--knowing old fellow--was well aware that
+the kangaroo would have him at a great disadvantage, and contented
+himself by standing at the edge and barking, as he knew the animal must
+in time abandon his present position and again take to flight.  All the
+older dogs imitated Brace's example; but two young ones, thinking
+themselves braver than their companions, swam out, expecting to catch
+the kangaroo by the neck and bring him down.  The first which approached
+was caught in his short arms before the dog could seize his throat, and
+was held down under the water, the kangaroo looking round all the time
+with perfect unconcern.  In vain the dog struggled: the greater its
+efforts to free himself, the more rapidly the water entered its mouth.
+
+The second dog attempted to make a diversion in its favour, but the
+kangaroo managed to give it a blow with the sharp claw of one of its
+hinder feet, and, with a yelp of pain, it swam back to the shore,
+leaving a ruddy stain in the water, while the body of the first dog
+which had been seized floated up deprived of life.
+
+Harry and Reggy, with Mr Hayward, who were leading, now came up, but
+the kangaroo observing one side of the water-hole unguarded, suddenly,
+with a few bounds, reached it and made off before the dogs could get
+round to seize him.  Away he went, bounding on as before towards the
+scrub in which he might have hoped to obtain shelter.  The horsemen lost
+some little time in first getting the dead dog out of the water-hole and
+by crossing the creek; but they soon recovered their lost ground, as the
+kangaroo was becoming wearied with his exertions.
+
+A thick scrub was ahead, and directly in front were some large trees.
+The dogs got almost near enough to catch hold of the tail of the
+kangaroo, when renewing his exertions, he managed to jump up close to
+one of the big trees, and to turn round with his back to the trunk.
+Here he stood at bay, showing, however, not the slightest sign of fear.
+As the dogs came barking fiercely round it, Reggy, wishing to display
+his courage, leapt off his horse, and was on the point of running up to
+the kangaroo when Mr Hayward shouted to him to stop; and he had soon
+good reason to be thankful that he had done so, for another of the young
+dogs getting within reach of the kangaroo, it struck out with one of its
+hind-claws and inflicted a terrible wound on its assailant.  The dog,
+uttering a yelp of pain, endeavoured to crawl away, but before it did so
+another blow stretched it dead in front of the kangaroo as a warning to
+its companions.
+
+It seemed cruel, after the animal had so bravely fought for his life, to
+destroy him; but, as he would probably have killed more of the dogs, Mr
+Hayward fired and finished his career.
+
+The kangaroo was quickly skinned, his long tail being secured to one of
+the saddles.  The best part of the meat, being wrapped in large leaves,
+was hung up in the shade, to be carried home on their way back.  The
+remainder was left as a trap to the dingoes, whom it was hoped would
+remain feasting, and be shot by the party on their return.
+
+The object of the expedition, however, was to hunt emus.  Leaving the
+scrub, they reached some open downs of wide extent.  Keeping, by the
+captain's directions, on the lee side, they rapidly advanced, with a
+bright lookout ahead.  The emu will run from human beings, especially
+from blacks.  It is not, however, afraid either of horses or drays.  It
+greatly resembles, in size and shape, the ostrich; but its colour is of
+a uniform brownish-black with feather-like hairs in lieu of feathers,
+and it has no wings, but its legs being very strong it can run at a
+rapid rate.  As its head reaches seven feet or more from the ground it
+can obtain a wide view over the plain.
+
+Mr Hayward, who well understood the habits of the bird, rode on in
+front.  At length he made a sign that he saw emus in the distance, when
+the whole party, as had been arranged, dismounted and led on their
+horses, keeping them between themselves and the emus.  They were thus
+able to get within a couple of hundred yards, when the wingless birds
+showed signs of alarm.  Mr Hayward gave the signal to mount, and
+leaping on his horse the rest followed his example, and the emus set off
+running at a speed calculated to try the mettle of the fleetest horse
+and the endurance of the dogs.  The pack, with loud yelps, bounded after
+them, followed by the horsemen, whose object was to keep them together.
+
+The emus had no intention of being caught, but they had the wind against
+them, which somewhat impeded their progress.  Two, however, showed signs
+of flagging, and the dogs got up to them.  It would have been better for
+them had they kept at a respectful distance, for the hindmost emu
+kicking out struck one of them on the chest, and sent it flying among
+its companions.  The rest of the pack taking warning kept out of reach
+of the bird's powerful feet.  At length one of the hard-pressed
+creatures dropped to the ground, where it was speedily despatched by the
+captain, while Mr Hayward and the boys galloped after the remainder of
+the flock.  Two more were run down and killed in the same manner.  The
+skins were soon taken off and thrown across the horses' necks.  A
+portion also of the flesh was secured, as Harry, Reggy, and Edgar
+expressed a strong wish to taste it.
+
+The party then commenced their return home.  On reaching the spot where
+the kangaroo had been killed, they caught sight of a pack of dingoes, to
+which they gave chase.  Bruce and his companions pulled down several of
+these pests to the settler, and others were shot.  Not a particle of
+kangaroo remained on the ground.  The dingoes had been unable to reach
+the meat hung up among the branches, although, from the appearance of
+the trampled ground beneath, they had evidently made great efforts to
+get at it.  There were numbers of flies, however, buzzing around, and in
+a very few hours it would have been uneatable.  This was only one of
+several kangaroo and emu hunts in which the boys took a part.  Even
+Hector acknowledged that there was some fun in the sport, though he
+should like to have turned out in a red coat and riding-cap.
+
+"With the thermometer at ninety in the shade?" remarked Harry.  "I don't
+think you would ride out a second time in such a fashion."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER NINE.
+
+A BLACK HELP FOR BIDDY OBTAINED--BENDIGO, HER HUSBAND--PRODUCTS OF THE
+ESTATE--SHOOTING EXCURSIONS--HECTOR AND THE LEECHES--THE BOYS AWAKENED
+BY A LAUGHING JACKASS--A FLOOD IN THE RIVER.
+
+Things went on quietly enough at the farm, until one day Biddy struck--
+not for wages, but for help.  She could not bear to see the young ladies
+do the work they were compelled to do, and yet it was more than she
+could do herself.
+
+The captain inquired whether she would object to a black help.
+
+"Sure not, yer honour, if she kapes a dacent tongue in her mouth,"
+answered Biddy.  So the captain rode out to obtain the assistance Biddy
+asked for.  A short distance away, a small tribe of friendly blacks were
+encamped; among them was one called Bendigo.  He had frequently visited
+the station, and was ready to make himself generally useful by chopping
+wood or occasionally assisting the shepherds.  He had a wife named
+Betty, who, if she was not pretty to European notions, was thought to be
+so by Bendigo, and she was a young, good-natured, merry little woman.
+
+The captain invited the couple to come and take up their abode on the
+farm.  They were to have a hut to themselves.  Betty was to help Biddy,
+and Bendigo was to do any work required of him.  The offer was accepted,
+and Betty was forthwith installed as Biddy's help.  Her costume when she
+made her appearance was not altogether suited to her new style of life,
+as it consisted of a man's old shirt and a piece of grass matting as a
+petticoat.
+
+The young ladies immediately manufactured for her a robe of blue serge
+trimmed with red braiding, while Biddy initiated her into the use of
+soap and water, to which she had hitherto been a stranger.  She
+carefully brushed her hair and combed it out with a horse-comb, none of
+those in ordinary use being strong enough for the purpose.
+
+Betty was immensely proud of her new costume, and hurried away to
+exhibit herself to her husband and the other black fellows on the
+station.  Had not Bendigo stopped her she would have gone off to the
+camp; but he, not without reason, feared that she might have been
+deprived of her new dress by some of her beloved relatives.
+
+Every morning she appeared at daybreak, and if Biddy overslept herself
+she was sure to awaken her by loudly knocking at the door of the kitchen
+in which Biddy slept.  They were very good friends, though neither could
+understand a word the other said.  But Betty quickly learned, after a
+certain sort, Biddy's language, and, as may be supposed, a very curious
+lingo was the result.  Harry declared that any day Betty might be taken
+for a black Irish girl.
+
+"Sure we have no naguers in the ould country, Master Harry!" answered
+Biddy.
+
+Betty soon learned to perform any work she was shown how to do; but she
+preferred tending the children, and if she saw them running down to the
+river, or wandering too far from the house, she was after them like a
+shot, always bringing them back in her arms, sitting down and lecturing
+them after her own fashion--telling them of a fearful monster which had
+its abode beneath the water, or of wild men who lay concealed in the
+scrub ready to carry them off and eat them.  Poor Betty had no notion of
+right or wrong, and, although she did not steal or tell falsehoods, it
+was from the belief that the white people, who knew everything, would to
+a certainty find her out.  As soon as she had obtained some knowledge of
+English, Mary and Janet endeavoured to instil into her dark mind some
+religious ideas.  It was long, however, before they were satisfied that
+she had comprehended the simplest truths.
+
+The family were now anxiously waiting Paul's return.  All the flour in
+the store-room had been exhausted, but they were not so badly off as
+they might have been in some regions.  The captain had an acre or more
+planted with the sweet potato--a species of yam, each root weighing from
+three to four pounds, and sometimes even more.  Biddy had learned to
+cook them properly, when they appeared dry and floury.  Though the
+cousins at first declared that they were too sweet to eat, they
+acknowledged, however, when dressed under the roast meat, that they were
+very nice.  Then they had bananas, a pleasant, nutritious fruit.  The
+captain, on first coming to the farm, had formed a plantation of these
+trees, and as they had been well protected they had escaped destruction
+from the hurricane.  The trees were raised from suckers, which grew
+around the bottom of the parent tree.  Within eighteen months from the
+time the plants had been set out the trees began to bear fruit.  This
+comes out from the centre of the plant, and hangs down in a large bunch,
+five or six in a bunch.
+
+One great advantage was that there were ripe bananas all the year round,
+though they were most plentiful in the summer.  The trees were upwards
+of twenty feet in height, with broad green leaves four to six feet in
+length.  There was an avenue composed of them running from one side of
+the garden to the other, which afforded at all times a delightful shade.
+The stems contain a quantity of fibrous matter, which makes excellent
+rope.
+
+"We shall not starve while we have these to subsist on," observed the
+captain to his brother.  "The people in the south call us `Banana-men';
+and not a bad name either, for with their aid we could manage to subsist
+on beef and mutton, even had we no other vegetable productions to depend
+upon."
+
+Mary and Janet had nearly two hundred hens in their poultry yard, and by
+attending carefully to them and not allowing them to stray, they were
+able to obtain several dozen eggs daily.
+
+Hector and the younger boys frequently went out fishing, but Harry and
+Reggy preferred shooting.  On one occasion Hector volunteered to
+accompany them.
+
+The boys were feeling somewhat fatigued from their walk, when they
+reached a large water-hole, which they had not before visited.
+
+"The water looks very refreshing; I intend to have a bath," said Hector,
+beginning to undress.
+
+Just then Harry caught sight of a flight of parrots, which had pitched
+in some trees near at hand.  Reginald and he crept near.  Firing
+together they brought down nearly a dozen.  They were picking up the
+birds when they heard Hector cry out.  Running back to the water-hole,
+they saw him almost in the middle.
+
+"Help me! help me!" he shouted.
+
+"Why, if you've got thus far, why can't you wade back again?" asked
+Harry.
+
+"There are some horrid creatures sticking to me, and I don't know what
+they will do," cried Hector.
+
+Harry and Reggy, caring nothing for the wetting, plunged in, and soon
+helped Hector back on to dry ground.  He had not cried out without
+reason, for what was their dismay to see twenty or thirty leeches
+sticking to his body, and several had fixed themselves to their own arms
+even during the short time they had been in the water.  They pulled them
+off as fast as they could, but found it no easy matter to stop the blood
+which flowed from some of the spots to which the creatures had fixed
+themselves.
+
+"I shall bleed to death!  I shall bleed to death!" sighed poor Hector.
+
+"I don't think things will be so bad as that," said Harry.
+
+The leeches were very small at first, looking somewhat like thick bits
+of hair, but they rapidly began to swell, and two which stuck on Reggy's
+wrist, which he did not observe while assisting his brother, had grown
+to the size of his little finger.  Fortunately the leeches were wiped
+off poor Hector's body before they had time to extract much of his
+blood.  Although he declared that he felt very faint he soon recovered,
+and being attended to by Reggy and Harry, put on his clothes, vowing
+that it should be the last time he would ever bathe in that detestable
+country.
+
+"All water-holes have not got leeches in them," observed Harry.  "There
+are none in those near Stratton, and I would advise you to break that
+resolution."
+
+Hector, however, declaring that he felt very ill, insisted on returning
+home.
+
+"Any news of Paul yet?" asked Harry, as they arrived at home.
+
+"Not a word," said his father; "if he does not appear to-morrow I intend
+to ride out and try to discover him."
+
+Hector, meanwhile, was bitterly complaining to his mother of the
+sufferings he had endured.  "I wish that you'd let me go back to
+England, or try and get me some gentlemanly post in Sydney or
+Melbourne," he said.
+
+"I will ask your father," was the answer.
+
+The captain, to whom Mr Berrington communicated his son's request,
+laughed heartily.  "I am sorry for the poor boy.  He would find that he
+had dropped out of the frying-pan into the fire.  If he cannot find
+occupation in the bush, depend upon it he will not in the city.  People
+there do not want fine young gentlemen any more than they do here.  Do
+not let him go, as you will only be throwing your money away, but have
+patience with him, and by degrees he will get accustomed to our ways,
+and prove useful at last."
+
+Mr Berrington told his son "that he would think about the matter," and
+Hector used to talk to his cousins of the Government appointment he
+expected soon to obtain.
+
+The heat had been very great.  Not a cloud was in the sky, and not a
+breath of wind fanned the topmost boughs of the tallest trees.  Captain
+Berrington had determined on starting to discover what had become of
+Paul.  Rob and Edgar were awake before daylight.  The whole family
+intended to be up to see the captain off.  The window was left open on
+account of the heat.  Presently, from the wood close at hand, there came
+forth a wild shriek of merry laughter, which made Hector start up.
+
+"Where in the world did that come from?" he exclaimed.
+
+Rob pointed to the wood.
+
+"What can it be?" asked Hector.
+
+Rob did not answer, amused at his cousin's astonishment.
+
+Again, another jovial peal of laughter, followed by a self-satisfied
+chuckle, came from the wood.
+
+"What is it?  What is it?" asked the others.
+
+"You would have heard it before, many a time, if you had been awake at
+this hour," answered Rob.  "That is the settler's alarum--the laughing
+jackass."
+
+"Laughing jackass!" exclaimed Hector.  "I never heard that a jackass
+laughed, and I don't see one there," for in his eagerness he had jumped
+up, and gone to the window.
+
+The dawn, it should have been said, had just broken.
+
+"Wait until we have more light," said Rob; "perhaps you will then see
+our friend.  I can just make him out.  He is not down on the ground,
+where you are looking for him--he is up in yonder tree."
+
+"Up in a tree?" exclaimed his cousins, in chorus.
+
+"Yes; he generally lives up there, but he does not indulge in such
+uproarious laughter until early in the morning.  I suppose he laughs at
+the folly of people lying in bed, and so tries to wake them up."
+
+Hector and Edgar were more mystified than ever.  At last they caught
+sight of a large brown bird with a big beak, sitting on a bough and
+nodding its head, and then laughing away with all its might.  They could
+now no longer have any doubt whence the sound proceeded.
+
+Just then Harry, arriving from the hut, came into the room.
+
+"Come along, Harry," cried Reggy, "you said there would be time for a
+bathe before breakfast."
+
+"I'm your man," said Harry.  "Come, be quick, Hector, or we shall be
+back before you have put the finishing touch to your toilet."
+
+The two lads hurried down to the river.  Except in the water-holes which
+were joined by a trickling rivulet the whole bed was dry, but the ponds
+were of sufficient depth to afford a pleasant bath.
+
+The boys were on the point of throwing off their clothes to plunge in,
+when Harry exclaimed, "Hark! what's that sound?"
+
+"It is like distant thunder," answered Reggy.
+
+"It can't be thunder, there's not a cloud in the sky," replied Harry.
+"It seems to me to be coming right down the river.  I don't like it; I
+heard just such a sound some years ago, when a great flood came down and
+rose nearly up to the house.  We won't bathe, but run back and tell
+father; he'll judge what it is and what's best to be done."
+
+The boys hurried back; but before they had got up to the top of the bank
+the roaring sound had greatly increased, and Harry was more convinced
+than before that a heavy flood was approaching.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TEN.
+
+ALARMING PROGRESS OF THE FLOOD--THE CAPTAIN REMOVES HIS FAMILY TO HIGHER
+GROUND--THE BOYS, IN THEIR EAGERNESS TO SAVE MORE PROPERTY, ARE CUT OFF
+BY THE WATER.
+
+Directly on receiving the information brought by Harry and Reggy,
+Captain Berrington hurried down to the river, followed by Hector, Rob,
+and Edgar.  Presently, as they looked up the dry bed between the high
+banks, they saw a wall of water moving on towards them, such, on a
+smaller scale, as might have been beheld by the Egyptians when
+attempting to cross the Red Sea.  But this was high enough to overwhelm
+any human beings, or horses or cattle, which might have been in its way.
+The summit hissed and foamed, rising almost to the top of the bank.  No
+streams advanced before it: it was literally a wall of water.  On it
+came, its roar growing louder and louder.  In less than a minute after
+it had been seen it rushed by, filling the whole bed of the river, and
+sending its surges up those portions of the bank which sloped more
+gradually.
+
+"Back, back, boys!" shouted the captain.
+
+They had to run as quickly as their legs would carry them to avoid the
+torrent.  Where the ground had just before been perfectly dry there was
+now a hissing, foaming torrent of yellow water, carrying along branches
+of trees, and even big trunks.  The captain, who had been joined by his
+brother, watched it anxiously.
+
+"I had hopes that this was merely the result of a thunder-storm up the
+country," he observed; "but see, it continues to rise, which shows me
+that there must be a vast volume of water behind what there is here.  We
+have some cattle feeding on the low land higher up; I trust that White
+has had the discretion to drive them to the upper ground."
+
+"I fear some animals have been caught, if not ours," observed Mr
+Berrington.  "There go the bodies of two heifers.  See, here comes a
+third."
+
+The captain was silent for a few minutes.  "Harry!" he exclaimed, "run
+and tell Sandy to put the horses in all the drays, and bring them down
+here."
+
+"What's that for?" asked Mr Berrington, as Harry ran off to obey the
+order.
+
+"The river once came up within three feet of the house.  Had it risen a
+foot higher it would have flooded the whole ground.  It may rise two,
+three, or four feet higher than that.  I wish to be prepared for the
+worst, and to save what property we can, with our wives and children, in
+case the house should be flooded."
+
+The captain desired all the party to return with him, and then announced
+his apprehensions to the ladies.  "We will breakfast first, and then
+pack up the most valuable portion of our property, so that we may decamp
+if necessary," he said, calmly.  His spirit inspired the rest: even Mrs
+Berrington, who for a wonder had got up, ate some breakfast.  The boys
+set to with a will.
+
+"You know we may have some work to do, and it's wise to take in plenty
+of provender beforehand.  We don't know when we may have time to eat
+again," observed Harry, cracking his third egg.
+
+His brothers and cousins followed his example, in spite of the roaring
+sound which continued outside.
+
+Biddy and Betty were busy packing up the cooking utensils, while the
+ladies were employed in filling their trunks with their clothes and the
+most valuable articles they possessed.  Poor Mrs Berrington's state can
+better be imagined than described.  Her sister's time was much taken up
+in endeavouring to calm her alarm.  The captain again went out.  The
+river, as he feared would be the case, had greatly increased.  Still, it
+might possibly not rise higher than it had done before.  He stuck
+several poles in the ground to mark its progress.  The first, then the
+second and the third, were reached with unexpected rapidity.  Already
+the water was rushing over the opposite bank where the ground was
+lowest, sweeping everything before it.  There was a danger that the
+scrub being carried away might form a dam lower down, and, if so, create
+much greater damage than if the river continued open to its mouth.
+
+"I wish the drays would come," the captain said to his brother.  "We
+must get our wives and girls as soon as possible to the top of the
+ridge.  I thank heaven this did not occur at night, or we might have
+been washed out of our beds."
+
+Still Mr Berrington could not believe that the water would come up
+higher.
+
+"Look there!" said the captain, pointing to the southward among the
+trees; "it is flooding the whole scrub.  In a short time this place will
+be surrounded."
+
+As he spoke, two or three kangaroos and several wallabies were seen in
+the distance making their escape into the open.
+
+"These fellows know there is danger, or they would not be going at that
+rate," observed the captain.
+
+As the drays had not arrived, Reggy offered to set off to hurry them on.
+
+"We intend to take you for a morning drive," exclaimed Mr Berrington to
+his wife, in as cheerful a voice as he could command.
+
+"But why should we leave the house?" she asked.
+
+"Merely as a matter of precaution," answered the captain.  "It is
+possible that the water may reach close up to us, and the ground between
+this and the ridge is lower, so that we should have a difficulty in
+crossing it should the house be flooded."
+
+"Here come the drays," cried Rob, who had been looking out for them.
+Harry was driving one, Reggy another, and Bendigo a third.  Sandy and
+the men had galloped off to gather in the cattle on the higher ground,
+and Bendigo and Harry had had a hard matter to put to the horses, which
+had caused the delay.
+
+"There is no time to be lost now," whispered the captain to his brother.
+"We will load the drays as fast as we can.  You shall drive your wife
+and mine, with the young children; the rest of us will follow as soon as
+we can."
+
+Without a moment's delay the drays were loaded.  Biddy and Betty, as
+Harry declared, "worked like troopers."  The trunks and boxes having
+been put in, their bedding was placed on the top of them.  Still there
+was all the furniture and various articles which it seemed a pity to
+leave to the mercy of the flood.
+
+"You go on, father," cried Harry to the captain, "with the girls; Reggy,
+Hector, and I, with Biddy and the blacks, will soon load up with a few
+more things and quickly overtake you."
+
+The captain, who was anxious to place the girls in safety, with a
+portion of their property, trusting to Harry's discretion, followed his
+advice.
+
+"Don't delay," he shouted, pointing to the water, which was already
+overflowing the kitchen-garden, though it had not yet reached the road
+they were to cross.  Hector was ashamed to ask to go with the captain,
+though he would infinitely rather have done so.  He, indeed, exerted
+himself far more than he had ever been known to do before.
+
+Biddy and Betty were as active as ever, carrying out all sorts of
+things, some of which might have been left behind, until Harry and Reggy
+pointed out what was considered of most value.  Already the dray was as
+full as it could hold.  Bendigo shouted out that it was time to be off,
+and jumped on the seat.
+
+"We go now, we go now!" he cried.
+
+Biddy and Betty clung to the hinder part of the dray, struggling in vain
+to get in.
+
+"Off with you," exclaimed Harry; "we will follow on foot."
+
+Bendigo cracked his whip, and his horses dashed forward at such a rate
+that it was a wonder the dray did not immediately capsize.  Harry
+watched it anxiously as it went down a dip from which there was a gentle
+rise.  Already a stream of water was running through the hollow, but it
+looked a mere rivulet, not half a foot deep, which could be passed over
+with a good spring.
+
+"It is a pity we should not get a few more goods," said Harry; "although
+I don't believe the water will reach the house: yet, if it does,
+everything will be spoiled, if not washed away."
+
+They hurried through the rooms, picking up whatever they thought most
+valuable.  Even Hector was inspired with a desire to save something,
+especially several articles belonging to himself.  Harry had taken a run
+into the kitchen, where he discovered some dampers, which Biddy in her
+alarm had forgotten to remove from the ashes.
+
+"It is a pity to lose these," said Harry, clapping them into the pockets
+of his jacket--good capacious ones, as every bushman's should be.  There
+was, besides, a pot of yams, by this time completely cooked.
+
+"Here, Reggy, stow some of these away," he cried out.  "The chances are
+that we shall not have too much to eat on the top of the hill there,
+unless Biddy has been more thoughtful than she appears to have been when
+she left these.  What she could have been about I don't know!"
+
+So busily were they engaged that they did not hear the increased roar of
+the waters.
+
+"Come, you fellows, it's time to be off, I'm sure," cried Hector, who
+had been feeling very nervous all the time.
+
+"Just half a minute longer," answered Harry; "I must lash these things
+up."
+
+Hector, however, would not stop, and rushed out of the house.  Directly
+afterwards he came back, looking very pale.
+
+"The water is rushing through the hollow like a mill-sluice!" he
+exclaimed; "we shall lose our lives if we attempt to cross."
+
+Harry and Reggy followed him out.  He spoke too truly.  They were cut
+off from what was now the mainland by a foaming torrent twelve yards or
+more in width, which was carrying along fruit-trees, rocks, and palings,
+whirling them round and round so that it would be impossible to swim
+across or to wade, even should the depth allow of their doing so.
+Hector threw down his load and wrung his hands.
+
+"Stay!" cried Harry, "we've got a ladder! we may get across by that."
+
+They all three ran back for it, and attempted to throw it across, but
+the channel was too wide, and it was almost torn from their grasp.  It
+would have been lost had not Harry fastened a rope to the lower round,
+by which it was hauled in.
+
+"The ladder may be useful for another purpose," observed Harry.
+
+They lifted it up and carried it back to the house.  The water was by
+this time rising even faster than before.  The maize field, the yam and
+potato-ground, the orchard and kitchen-garden, were all flooded.
+Palings and hedges were everywhere giving way before the torrent.  A
+rise of another foot would bring it up to the walls of the house.  The
+floor was somewhat higher, so that it would not damage that much should
+the flood cease to rise when it got thus far.  But would it cease? was
+the question.  If it once began to beat against the walls of the house,
+would they stand?  Reggy proposed climbing up to the roof by means of
+the ladder.
+
+"That would be a place of very doubtful safety," said Harry.
+
+They looked up the stream, now extending a quarter of a mile or more on
+either side of its original bed.  The whole country around them seemed
+flooded, with the exception of the hill to which the drays had gone.
+
+"I am afraid that it will reach the stock-yard," said Harry, "and it
+must be close to it already; if so, the cattle will have a poor chance.
+See, it has already carried away the hen-house, and there go the poor
+hens, flying away towards the nearest branches they can reach.
+Unfortunately, I cut the wings of a number only the other day because
+they would stray, and now they will all be lost."
+
+"Oh! what shall we do?  What shall we do?" exclaimed Hector.
+
+"We are not going to lose our lives if we can help it," said Harry, who
+retained his presence of mind.
+
+He was just then watching the piggeries.  The torrent struck them,
+carrying away the palings and letting the inmates loose.
+
+"Foolish beasts!" exclaimed Harry, "instead of swimming towards the
+shore they are going with their heads down the stream, taking it quite
+coolly.  They might have been on dry ground in five minutes if they had
+gone in the right direction."
+
+Notwithstanding Harry's warning, Hector insisted on getting upon the
+roof.
+
+"The water would surely not rise much above the floor, and as the house
+had withstood the hurricane it would not be knocked down by the flood,"
+he said.
+
+Calling to Reggy to help him, he climbed up and took his seat on the
+ridge.
+
+"Come up! come up!" he shouted to Harry and Reggy; "you will be safe
+enough here."
+
+"You had better come down and get up that tree," answered Harry,
+pointing to one which stood on ground of the same level as the house,
+and but a short distance from it.
+
+Besides its trunk there were the numerous pendants, which had struck
+down and taken root, so that it was more likely to resist the torrent
+than any other of the trees near.
+
+Hector, however, was obstinate.  He was confident that he was safe, at
+all events for the present, and thought he should remain so.
+
+"I should grow giddy if I were to climb up into such a tree as that," he
+answered; "Reggy, you may go if you like, but I'll stay here."
+
+Harry, who carried the ladder, placed it against the tree, which reached
+sufficiently high to enable them to get hold of one of the lower
+branches, by which they could hoist themselves higher.  Harry, however,
+had no intention of going up until it became absolutely necessary.
+Still the water rose.  It was now sweeping over the ground on which they
+stood.  Reggy, again entreating Hector to come, rushed up to the tree
+and mounted the ladder.  Just then the captain and Mr Berrington
+appeared in the distance.  The roar of the waters prevented their voices
+being heard.  Their alarm at seeing their boys placed in so perilous a
+position was, of course, very great.  Harry saw them making signs and
+pointing to the tree.
+
+"They want you to do as I advise," shouted Harry.  "Come down! come
+down!"
+
+Hector felt the house shake, as a surge beat against it larger than any
+of its predecessors.  He lost confidence in the safety of his position.
+
+"Slip off the roof by the verandah," shouted Harry.
+
+At length, as he saw Harry still standing below him, not being aware
+that the water was over his ankles, he slid down.
+
+When Hector discovered that he must jump into the water, he attempted to
+climb back again.  This, however, from his alarm, and from being
+unaccustomed to climb, was more than he could do, and down he slid,
+Harry catching him at the bottom.
+
+"Now run for it!" cried the latter, seizing him by the arm, and they
+made towards the ladder, the water hissing and foaming at their heels.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER ELEVEN.
+
+THE BOYS TAKE REFUGE IN A TREE--THE HOUSE CARRIED AWAY--DESTRUCTION OF
+CATTLE--A COW CAUGHT IN THE BOUGHS--A NIGHT UP THE TREE--HARRY KEEPS UP
+THE SPIRIT OF THE PARTY.
+
+The flood came roaring up, carrying everything in its course on either
+side of the ground over which the lads were making their way.  Hector
+had begun to cry out when he saw how high the water was.
+
+"It won't wash us away yet, never fear," exclaimed Harry, dragging him
+along.  It was almost up to their knees, however, before they reached
+the ladder.
+
+"You go up first," said Harry.  "Be quick about it; I'll follow."
+
+Hector began to climb the ladder much slower than Harry liked, for as he
+looked round he saw a huge wave, far wider, though not so high as that
+which first appeared, roaring and leaping as it came down the river.
+Trees and fences, which had hitherto withstood the flood, gave way
+before it.
+
+"Quick, quick," cried Harry, shoving Hector up, "it will be upon us in a
+few seconds, and may carry the ladder away."
+
+On it came, surging up against the walls of the house.  Reggy caught
+hold of Hector's hand and handed him up on the branch.
+
+"We must get higher up than this," he shouted; "look there! look there!"
+
+Harry again turned round.  The house seemed literally to melt away
+before the flood.  The water rose around it, and then, as the wave
+rushed on, the fragments of the walls and roof were seen floating on
+mixed with articles of furniture, chairs, tables, and bedsteads.  Now
+the wave surged against the tree.  Harry had just time to spring on to
+the branch, and to secure the ladder by a rope when the lower end was
+lifted, and it would have been carried away by the flood had it not thus
+fortunately been secured.  The lads watched the various articles as they
+floated by, hopelessly lost, for in a few minutes they would be driven
+by the current against the trunks of trees, or the rocks, and would be
+dashed to pieces.
+
+By climbing out to the end of a branch Harry was able to see where his
+father and uncle were standing, and to make a signal to them that he and
+his cousins were safe.  This must greatly have relieved the mind of the
+captain and his brother, though they probably still considered the lads
+in greater danger than they themselves were inclined to believe that
+they were.
+
+Several trees had been uprooted and carried along by the torrent, and
+theirs might share the same fate.  Harry returned again to the end of
+the branch, and found that his father and uncle had gone away to look
+after the party on the hill.
+
+Harry now proposed that they should get higher up, for the water had
+already risen several feet above the ground, and might in a short time
+be up to the branch in which they sat.  Higher and higher they got.
+
+"When is it going to stop?" cried Reggy.  "Harry, do you think this is
+such a flood as that which drowned all mankind except Noah's family?"
+
+"I'm very sure it is not," answered Harry.  "God promised never to send
+such another, and put His bow in the clouds as a token.  I have heard of
+many such floods in this country, though this, to be sure, is higher
+than any we have known, and I cannot account for it; but I have not the
+slightest doubt that it will stop before long, though no doubt it will
+have done a great deal of damage.  That cannot be helped.  It might have
+come on at night, and we might all have been washed away before we knew
+where we were, or fifty other things might have happened.  We have
+reason to be thankful, as matters might have been worse."
+
+"I don't see how that could be," cried Hector.  "To have to take refuge
+in a tall tree, cut off from all help, without anything to eat or drink,
+is as bad as one can well conceive."
+
+"Come, come, don't grumble; it never makes a person happy, though it is
+said there are some fellows who are never happy unless they are
+grumbling, but I don't believe that."
+
+"But if the flood does not subside before night, where are we to sleep?"
+asked Hector.
+
+"Why, up in the boughs, like birds or 'possums, to be sure," answered
+Harry.  "By-the-bye, we may find a 'possum, and he may serve us for
+supper."
+
+"But how can we get a fire to cook him?" inquired Reggy with a slight
+suspicion that Harry was quizzing his brother.
+
+"Oh, as to that, we must eat him raw; but many a sailor, wrecked on a
+desert island, has had to live on worse fare," said Harry.
+
+"Oh, dear!  Oh, dear!  I wish we had never come out to this horrible
+country.  We shall be starved, to a certainty," moaned Hector; "I'm
+desperately hungry already."
+
+"Are you?  Poor fellow! then you will have to come to 'possum, or have
+to eat a tree-lizard, or our friend the laughing jackass, or her eggs,
+if she happen to have a nest in this tree.  We must set off on a voyage
+of discovery directly."
+
+"I wonder you can joke, placed in so fearful a position as we are," said
+Hector, in an angry tone.
+
+"What would be the use of moaning and sighing, I should like to know?"
+asked Harry.  "I always like to make the best of things.  The flood
+won't last for ever.  It is sure to go down in two or three days or a
+week at the most, and in the meantime we must make ourselves comfortable
+where we are."
+
+"Comfortable, indeed! up a fig-tree with nothing to eat," groaned
+Hector.
+
+"Well, well, old fellow, things are not so bad as that.  Here's a bit of
+damper to stay your appetite until we can catch a 'possum or a laughing
+jackass for dinner;" and Harry produced one of the dampers which he had
+stowed away in his pocket.
+
+This somewhat consoled Hector, who had hitherto declared that he could
+never touch such doughy stuff, although he ate his share eagerly, as did
+Reggy his.
+
+"It may be a satisfaction for you to know that I have got some more,"
+said Harry; "but it won't do to eat them all up at once; we must put
+ourselves on an allowance, or we may have to starve at last.  Now let us
+see how things are getting along."
+
+Harry looked out from the leafy covert in which the three lads had
+ensconced themselves high up among the forks of the huge tree.  The
+flood was still surging on, setting towards the south-east, and
+spreading farther and farther over the country.  He was grieved to see a
+number of bullocks floating by, showing that the flood must be sweeping
+over some of the pastures, and have carried them off before they could
+be driven on to the higher ground.  They were in all probability his
+father's.  Their loss must inevitably be very heavy.  Their house and
+the greater part of their furniture was gone.  How many heads of cattle
+he could not calculate.  Other settlers farther down must have suffered
+in the same degree, perhaps in a still greater.
+
+"We ought to be thankful that the lives of all the family have been
+saved, and three drays full of property.  If father hadn't been wide
+awake, they would have been lost too," said Harry.  At last he caught
+sight of some pigs feeding on the shore.  "Well, those fellows have
+saved themselves, at all events, and I see some hens, too, in those
+trees; well, matters might be worse, we must acknowledge that."
+
+Reggy agreed with him, but nothing would comfort Hector; his only remark
+was that--"It is a horrible, detestable country; if I can once get out
+of it I won't come back in a hurry."
+
+"Three little blackbirds sat in a tree--Singing, heigh-ho, heigh-ho,
+fiddle-de-dee," sang Harry.  "Now I vote we make a nest for ourselves;
+as to the water sinking low enough to allow our getting on shore
+to-night, that's out of the question.  Come, Reggy, help me up with the
+ladder, we must not let that go; we may find it useful in getting down
+some day or other, and the rope will help to make our nest."
+
+They hauled up the ladder and placed it horizontally across the boughs.
+
+"Stay," cried Harry, "if we get it up into this fork it will serve as a
+back to our sleeping-place, and the rope passed two or three times
+backwards and forwards will secure the sides."  Harry had his axe in his
+belt.  "We must cut some boughs to raise the sides, lest we should stray
+in our sleep and tumble overboard."
+
+By creeping along one of the boughs they were able to reach some small
+branches suited to their purpose.  These were secured by means of some
+of the fine vines which hung about the boughs.  Harry and Reggy declared
+the nest they had formed was perfect.
+
+"I vote we have an annual feast here in commemoration of this flood,"
+said Harry, "and we will invite our friends to join us."
+
+"It will hold all who come," growled Hector.  "I would rather try to
+forget so disagreeable an event."
+
+"There are some fellows who are never satisfied," said Harry, looking
+away from Hector.
+
+Harry did his best to keep up his cousins' spirits and his own by
+talking away.  Their conversation was interrupted by feeling some heavy
+body strike the tree, and looking down they saw a bullock, which had
+come down the torrent, driven against some of the lower branches, on
+which the poor animal was endeavouring to find a foot-hold; it
+succeeded, and remained fixed in the boughs.  Its struggles soon ceased,
+and it was pretty clear that, overcome by its exertions, it was dead,
+for its head hung over the boughs into the water.
+
+"No fear of starving," said Harry; "we may have as much beef-steak as we
+like."
+
+"Thank you!  I'd rather not eat such horrid stuff," said Hector.
+
+"As you please," answered Harry.  "The time may come when you will
+change your tone."
+
+Night was approaching, the water was evidently rising less rapidly than
+before, still it was spreading over the country.  Here and there
+hillocks and knolls appeared like islands in the midst of the sea.
+
+"I wish that we had brought a gun with us; we could have made a signal
+to our friends that we are all safe.  My fear is that they will be
+anxious about us."  Harry did not for a moment think about himself.
+"Well, old fellows, it's time to turn in."
+
+After they had finished their frugal supper of damper and sweet potatoes
+they arranged themselves for the night.
+
+"Don't take to walking in your sleep, Hector, and you'll be all right,"
+said Harry.
+
+"But what if the tree should give way!  I'm certain I felt it shake,"
+groaned Hector.
+
+"Cling to the boughs like grim death," answered Harry; "it won't sink,
+and we shall be floated to shore somehow or other."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWELVE.
+
+AWAKENED BY THEIR FRIEND THE LAUGHING JACKASS--ANOTHER DAY UP THE TREE--
+THE FLOOD SUBSIDES--RETURN TO DRY LAND--FIND THE FAMILY ENCAMPED--PAUL
+RETURNS.
+
+The darkness of the night contributed to make the position of the three
+lads even more trying than it had been during the day.  Notwithstanding
+Harry's assertions, even Reggy could not help fearing that the tree
+might be carried away.  The roar of the waters did not for a moment
+cease, while the wind howled through the branches, and the occasional
+lowing of some heifers more fortunate than their companions, and who had
+landed on some island knoll, reached their ears.  The stout tree,
+however, held firm, and after some hours' anxious watching they all
+dropped off to sleep.  They were awakened by a loud cheerful cachination
+close above their heads, and on looking up, what should they see but
+their friend the laughing jackass, looking very much surprised to find
+them in such near proximity to its mate's nest.
+
+"Much obliged to you, old fellow," said Harry to the bird, which nodded
+its head in response, and laughed again as if he were going to split his
+sides.
+
+"That's a good sign," observed Harry; "there's no storm coming, or he
+would not be so merry.  It's my belief that we shall find the water has
+dropped considerably."
+
+Harry was right, for on looking down they saw the unfortunate bullock
+hanging in the branches considerably above the surface, while the force
+of the current was evidently much lessened.  The water, indeed, at the
+first glance seemed to be sinking into the earth, but, watching more
+narrowly, they could detect currents running from all quarters into the
+main stream, which still went hissing and foaming on as before.
+
+They all felt very thirsty, but none of them were inclined to drink the
+muddy liquid which flowed by them.  At last they could hold out no
+longer, and Harry, unreeving the rope, descended to the water and
+brought up a hatful.  It did not look nearly as yellow as they had
+expected, and they were thankful to quench their thirst.  The day wore
+on.
+
+"If no further flood comes down, I really believe that we may be able to
+get on shore to-night," said Harry.
+
+"I hope so, indeed," moaned Hector; "to have to sleep again up among the
+boughs would be terrible; my back aches fearfully."
+
+Harry proved to be mistaken, for when darkness returned the water was
+still too deep to allow of their making their way to the hill where they
+hoped to find their family, especially as they could not tell what
+channels and holes might have been formed by the torrent.  They had
+still enough damper and sweet potato to last them for another meal.
+
+They were again awakened by that irrepressible fellow, the laughing
+jackass, at early dawn, and on looking out from their leafy bower they
+found that the ground beneath their feet was dry.
+
+"Now let us get down and make the best of our way to the hill, to let
+our fathers and mothers know we are safe," he exclaimed.  They soon
+reached the ground.  To walk over it, however, was not very easy, as it
+was thickly covered with slime.  Not a vestige of the house remained,
+nor a fence of any sort.  The whole land had been reduced to a perfect
+wilderness.
+
+"It is ours still, however," observed Harry, "and will probably prove
+twice as fruitful as it was before, and won't require manuring for years
+to come.  I dare say father will think of that, and it will be some
+consolation to him.  Now, let's move on."
+
+This was more easily said than done.  They attempted to walk steadily,
+but, instead, went slipping and sliding about, and in some places they
+could with difficulty make progress.  They had not gone far when they
+caught sight of Mr Hayward.  He expressed his delight at seeing them.
+
+"We have indeed been anxious about you, though the captain was satisfied
+that you were safe," exclaimed their tutor.
+
+On getting off the ground which had been covered with water, the boys
+hurried on, and soon reached the hill, on the side of which, under a
+grove of acacia-trees, they found the family encamped.  The tent which
+had been stowed at the station had been put up for the accommodation of
+the ladies, while the rest of the party slept either in or under the
+drays.  They had not in reality suffered much hardship, as they were as
+well off as they would have been in making a journey, with the exception
+of want of bread.
+
+Mrs Hugh and her daughters were making the best of everything, though
+it was sad for them to contemplate the fruitful spot amid which their
+house had stood, now a slimy wilderness.
+
+"Any news of Paul?" asked Harry.
+
+Captain Berrington shook his head.  "I am thankful I had not started
+from home when this occurred; but I must now try and learn what has
+become of him," he answered.  "Should he have escaped all other dangers,
+he may have been caught by this flood; and I am indeed very, very
+anxious."
+
+Harry told Mr Hayward what his father had said.
+
+"I am ready to start this instant, either alone or with any one whom
+your father will allow to accompany me," he said.
+
+"I'll go!" cried Harry.
+
+"You may be wanted; there is work to do for all hands, though perhaps I
+can best be spared," answered Mr Hayward.
+
+Thinking that Bendigo might be useful in learning from any blacks they
+might meet if Paul's drays had been seen, he asked whether he would go.
+
+Bendigo replied that he was quite ready.  Harry, also, to his great
+satisfaction got leave to accompany his tutor.
+
+As the horses were quite fresh, and the saddles had been saved, they
+agreed to start immediately; though they would have to trust to their
+guns for provisions, except when they could fall in with any
+sheep-stations, where beef and mutton could be procured.
+
+Everywhere as they rode along were signs of the destruction caused by
+the flood.
+
+"It must be a lesson to us and others not to build near one of these
+rivers, liable to such inundations," said Mr Hayward.  "Had not your
+father possessed cattle and sheep, he would have been ruined; as it is,
+he has suffered severe loss.  But how admirably does he and your mother
+bear it, as they do the prolonged absence of Paul.  It raises them more
+than ever in my estimation.  I hope we shall be fortunate in finding a
+satisfactory spot for a new location, as he will not be again tempted to
+build in his old one.  I believe if Paul is restored to them safe, they
+will look upon their losses as trifles."
+
+This conversation occurred on the second day of their journey.  They had
+just mounted a slight ridge, and before them spread out a wide extent of
+level land.
+
+"I think I see something very like a dray, with two horsemen near it,"
+said Harry.
+
+Mr Hayward could not make out the objects which his young companion's
+sharp eyes had detected; still they both instinctively increased their
+speed.
+
+"I'm sure it is a dray, with a man on horseback.  The dray is very like
+ours, and the rider like Paul.  Hurrah!" cried Harry, and putting spurs
+to his horse he dashed forward.
+
+Mr Hayward followed, although not quite as fast, and saw Harry shaking
+hands with the stranger; and even he was soon convinced that the first
+of the two was Paul.
+
+After the first greetings were over, and they were once more moving
+towards Stratton, Paul described how he had been attacked by
+bush-rangers, whom he had beaten off, and his narrow escape from the
+flood.
+
+Paul, as may be supposed, was received with joyful welcome by the
+family.
+
+The first thing to be done was to build a house for the ladies, where
+they might be secure should another inundation occur.  The captain,
+however, was of opinion that that was not at all likely, as the late one
+was higher than had ever been known to take place by the oldest
+colonists.  Towards the proposed work all hands devoted the whole of
+their energies; and hewing, sawing, and carrying of timber went on from
+morning until night.
+
+In little more than a week, a tolerably substantial house of a size
+sufficient to hold the ladies of the family was put up, but some days
+more were required to manufacture bedsteads, chairs, tables, and other
+articles of furniture.  However, within a fortnight the family were once
+more settled, and a stranger visiting them would not have supposed how a
+short time before they had been houseless.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THIRTEEN.
+
+THE EXPLORING EXPEDITION SETS OUT--PASSAGE OVER THE MOUNTAINS--
+PRECAUTION AGAINST THE NATIVES--WITNESS A CORROBBEREE--ESCAPE FROM THE
+BLACKS--THE PARTIES SEPARATE.
+
+The captain was anxious to commence, without a moment's delay, his
+proposed exploring expedition.  He intended to form two parties, so as
+to inspect a large tract of country in a short time.
+
+Naturally, his brother would have taken one, and he the other; but Mr
+Berrington was so little accustomed to bush-life, that the captain
+persuaded him to remain at home, and to let Mr Hayward lead the other
+party.
+
+Hector, who had no great liking for Mr Hayward, begged that he might
+accompany his uncle.
+
+Sandy would have liked to follow his master, but his duties kept him at
+home.
+
+"Mr Berrington is a verra gude gentleman, but he kens little about
+farm-work as yet, and I canna trust him," he observed.
+
+The captain took the most trustworthy of the men, thus making up his
+party to four.  Paul, Harry, and Reggy accompanied Mr Hayward, and with
+the addition of Bendigo, who was likely to prove very useful, their
+party was complete.
+
+They were all well mounted, Paul having Old Bolter to ride.  Their
+equipment was simple in the extreme.  They each carried their rifles and
+pistols, with a good supply of ammunition, small shot and bullets, axes
+and long knives, a blanket to sleep in at night, and a tin pannikin;
+while between them they had a kettle for boiling water, a camp oven, two
+large canvas water-bags, a store of tea, salt and pepper, some flour in
+a bag, with a thick piece of canvas for kneading it, while sugar and all
+other luxuries were dispensed with.
+
+Their dresses were red shirts, thick duck trousers, broad-brimmed hats,
+blucher boots, and leggings, with a strap round the waist to hold the
+axe and pouch containing matches, knife, and other small articles.
+Their course was to be towards the west and north-west.  The first four
+or five days they were to travel together, after this they were to
+separate, the captain keeping a little to the northward of west and then
+circling round to the southward; and Mr Hayward travelling to the
+southward of west and circling round to the northward; and then to
+return towards the spot from whence they had started.  They would thus
+explore a wide extent of country, and would, they hoped, find a suitable
+spot for forming a fresh location.
+
+The boys were in high spirits, forgetting all their previous troubles.
+The expedition they were undertaking was exactly what they had often
+talked about doing alone, without any grown-up person.  However, Mr
+Hayward always made himself so completely one of them that they were
+glad of his society.
+
+The country they passed over during the first two days they were well
+acquainted with, and they met with no adventures.  The first night they
+stopped at a hut on their most remote out-station.  Beyond this they
+reached a lofty range, on the opposite side of which their explorations
+were to commence.  As it rose in the distance it appeared to be no
+formidable barrier, but as they got near, lofty cliffs or precipices,
+and steep slopes covered with brushwood, seemed to rise out of the
+plain, such as must present an almost insuperable obstacle to the
+progress of the horses.  Hector declared that no human being could
+surmount them.
+
+"We must get up somehow or other, and with our horses too," answered
+Captain Berrington, laughing.
+
+In a short time they found a dry channel down which a torrent had made
+its way, and by this they proceeded, still keeping in their saddles.  At
+length, however, they had to dismount to climb a steep slope among rocks
+and trees.  Now they turned to the right, now to the left, now they had
+to descend a shoulder of the mountain, now to ascend again, the captain
+carefully marking the way by barking the trees, or, where there were no
+trees, by piling up fragments of rocks.
+
+The eastern was fortunately the worst side of the range.  The descent on
+the west side down a moderate slope brought them into an undulating
+park-like plain, covered with grass sprinkled over with the ever-present
+blue and white gum-trees, while just before them appeared an open patch
+of green plain, offering a tempting feed to cattle.
+
+Smoke ascending from two or three shepherds' huts in the distance showed
+that this part of the country was already occupied.  They had,
+therefore, to proceed until they could reach an unclaimed district.  The
+last night the party were together they camped in a wood on the borders
+of a river in which, though its course was dry, there were several
+water-holes within half a mile of each other.
+
+As they had ridden on all day without water for the horses they halted
+early.  The captain, however, would not allow a fire to be lighted until
+nightfall, lest its smoke might attract the attention of the blacks,
+who, although they might not venture to attack them, would watch their
+future movements, and perhaps, if unfriendly, cause them some annoyance.
+
+At night there would be less risk of a fire being seen, unless by any
+one coming close up to the camp, providing the flames were not allowed
+to ascend to any great height.  The horses, as usual, were hobbled near,
+and they were sure not to stray away from the good grass and water.
+
+As usual, the captain and Paul, who were the best shots of the party,
+took their guns to provide supper and breakfast, no difficult task, as
+parrots, pigeons, and other birds abounded.  They brought back an ample
+supply, with the addition of a wallaby and a bandicoot.  The larger
+portion of the latter animals would serve as a supper for the dogs.  The
+boys had taken off the edge of their appetites with some cold damper,
+which they had brought in their pouches, and some wild fruit they had
+met with, but were very glad when the captain allowed them at last to
+light the pile of sticks they had collected, to put on the kettle, and
+to begin roasting the game.  Harry and Reggy undertook to make some
+fresh dampers, Paul to attend to the camp oven, while Hector was set to
+turn the spits.  The rest of the party were clearing the ground round
+the fire, bringing water, looking after the horses, and putting up some
+slabs of bark to serve as a shelter for the night.  All hands were "as
+busy as bees," as Harry remarked.
+
+Supper over--the last they expected to take together for some weeks--
+most of the party prepared for rest.  The fire was allowed to smoulder,
+but no fresh sticks were put on, and they believed that even should any
+natives be in the neighbourhood they would not have discovered the camp.
+
+Harry proposed, before turning in, taking a bath in another water-hole,
+a short distance down the bed of the river, as they did not quite like
+the idea of bathing in the one from which they were to fill their kettle
+and water-bottles the next morning.  The sun had only just disappeared,
+though darkness was rapidly coming on.  However, there was the moon
+which would enable them to see their way.  They could not possibly lose
+it by returning along the bank of the river; but as the scrub was
+tolerably open and the ground hard, they settled to make their way
+through it instead of trudging over the soft sand in the bed of the
+stream.
+
+They had got near the water-hole when they saw a number of small lights
+moving among the trunks of the trees, now appearing, now disappearing.
+
+"Why, those must be fire-flies," cried Reggy.
+
+"They are far too red and bright for that," whispered Paul; "don't speak
+above your breath.  The lights come from the fire-sticks carried by
+natives, they always move about with them by night, and they are
+gathering round the water-hole.  See! there are others coming from an
+opposite direction, they are either going to have a corrobberee or a
+fight, perhaps both; we must take care not to be discovered.  They are
+so intent on what they are about, however, that they are not likely to
+observe us."
+
+"I should like to see what they are going to do," said Reggy.  "We need
+not retreat, I suppose?"
+
+"Oh, no! let us stop," said Harry.  "They will not find us out if we
+keep quiet."
+
+"We had better be off," remarked Hector, somewhat alarmed; "they may
+knock us all on the head."
+
+"No, no," replied Harry, "we have our arms, and we are not going to run
+away from a few blacks; I vote we stay and see what is going forward."
+
+Paul consented, though he felt it would be more prudent to return to the
+camp and warn their friends of the neighbourhood of the natives.
+
+Concealed by some low bushes they remained where they were, and could
+see all that was going forward.  Suddenly all was dark, but the sound of
+the natives' voices showed that they were still near where they had
+first been seen.  Presently bright flames burst up from the ground--a
+fire had been lighted, but no one could be seen.
+
+"They are between us and the fire," whispered Paul.
+
+"I hope they are not coming this way," said Hector.
+
+"No fear of that," answered Harry.
+
+A minute elapsed, when Hector uttered an exclamation in a voice so loud
+that it was a wonder it did not betray them.
+
+"Oh, look there! look there! what can those horrid things be?"
+
+As he spoke, at the opposite side of the fire there appeared what looked
+exactly like a band of dancing skeletons leaping and twisting in the
+most grotesque fashion.  At the same time wild shrieks, cries, and
+shouts rose from a hundred voices, intended to represent singing,
+accompanied by the rattling of musical instruments, and the slapping of
+their parchment-like skins by the older natives rose in the night air.
+Now all the legs on one side would go up, now those on the other, now
+the arms would be thrown above the grinning skulls, now they would be
+placed akimbo, now they would sink close to the ground with bended
+knees, now spring up into the air.  Indeed, they assumed in succession
+every possible attitude, all moving together as if pulled by one string.
+Then, as suddenly as they had appeared, they vanished from sight.
+
+Reggy was on the point of crying out when Paul put his hand on his
+mouth.
+
+"Can those be real skeletons?" inquired Hector.
+
+"Oh, dear, no!" whispered Paul; "they are merely blacks who have painted
+their bodies in that curious fashion.  They are holding one of their
+corrobberees.  They will keep it up all night, and little rest we shall
+get while they are howling and shrieking in this fashion."
+
+The boys, however, remained some time watching the strange, weird scene.
+It would be difficult to describe the various antics performed by the
+savages.  So amused were the lads that they forgot how time passed; but
+Paul at length suggested that they should find their way back.  It was
+no easy matter to do so through the thick wood, although they were
+assisted in steering their course by the noise behind them.  At last
+they reached the bank of the river, when they were able to make better
+progress.  They found the captain and the rest of the party very anxious
+about them.  The noise of the natives had reached the camp, and it was
+feared that they might have fallen into their hands.  Bendigo advised
+that they should start before daybreak.
+
+"Black fellow sleep then; no come after us," he said.
+
+The captain resolved to follow Bendigo's advice, but not to separate
+until they had proceeded some little way farther westward; so that the
+blacks, when they should discover their trail, would be influenced by
+the number of persons forming the party, and not venture to follow them.
+
+A strict watch was, of course, kept during the night.  Paul, his
+brother, and cousins, notwithstanding the noise, slept like tops.  At
+the hour proposed the horses were caught and the party mounted.
+
+The explorers crossed the bed of the river some way to the north, at a
+distance from the blacks' camp, and, as the ground was level, were able
+to make good progress.  At noon they stopped at a water-hole, which,
+though very muddy, enabled them to give a draught to their horses; but,
+unless it could be filtered, they felt no inclination to drink it
+themselves, their water-bottles being full.  A fire was lighted, and
+some pigeons and other birds shot and cooked.
+
+The two parties now separated, the captain pointing out the course Mr
+Hayward was to take, while he struck more to the northward.  What
+adventures might they not encounter before they again met!
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FOURTEEN.
+
+STOP AT A SHEPHERD'S HUT--SUFFERINGS FROM WANT OF WATER--MR HAYWARD
+TAKEN ILL--RETURN TO THE HUT--THE YOUNG EXPLORERS PROCEED ALONE.
+
+The captain's party was soon lost sight of.  The boys rode on in high
+spirits.  In spite of the heat the air felt pure and bracing.  The
+scenery for miles, however, was unvarying--everywhere the same gigantic
+gum-trees were to be seen; but vast as were their limbs, they afforded
+but little shade.  Some were scathed and leafless, from others hung in
+tatters long strips of bark, giving them a peculiar, ragged appearance.
+In the evening they reached the hut of a shepherd.  On account of the
+blacks there were two hut-keepers, sturdy fellows, well-armed.  They
+said that further west there were no other white men, and as they
+themselves had never been more than a few miles from their hut in that
+direction they knew nothing of the country, but that there was a
+water-hole at the extreme limit of the station in the direction the
+explorers were proceeding.  It was full, the shepherd said, when he was
+last there, but he could give them no other information.  He and his
+mate would be very happy to accommodate them for the night; but Mr
+Hayward, after surveying the interior of the hut, replied that he and
+his party would not incommode them, but would be content to sleep round
+their own camp fire, under a neighbouring tree.  Tea, damper, and mutton
+were, however, plentifully supplied by their hosts.
+
+Roused next morning by a laughing jackass, who had conveniently perched
+himself on a bough overhead, they took breakfast in the hut with the
+shepherd, and set off at the time he drove out his flock to pasture.
+
+"I am very much afraid we shall be disappointed after all," said Paul,
+as they approached the water-hole.
+
+"Why?" asked Reggy.
+
+"Because I see no cockatoos, laughing jackasses, or other birds flying
+about.  If there were water they would be there."
+
+Paul's fears were realised--there was not a drop of water in the hole.
+
+"Patience," cried Paul; "we shall probably fall in with another before
+night."
+
+The poor horses, however, suffered more than their riders, as they had
+still some water in their canvas bottles.  They rested for a time in the
+shade under the trees round the water-hole, and then again rode on.
+They were now in a perfectly new country.  They kept their eyes about
+them on every side to discover such a region as they were in search of.
+They passed through a country which might have suited their purpose, but
+there was a great drawback--the want of water.  That was absolutely
+necessary for either a sheep or cattle station.  They rode on and on,
+their horses began to droop their heads; all that could be done was to
+moisten the poor animals' lips with a little water from the bottles.
+
+"What would I not give for a large, juicy water-melon?" exclaimed Harry.
+
+"Don't talk about such a thing," said Reggy; "still I shouldn't mind a
+few bunches of grapes."
+
+"They are sour enough now," observed Paul; "but cheer up, the trees look
+thicker, and we shall come on water soon, or I am very much mistaken."
+
+Mr Hayward had spoken but little during the day.  The boys observed
+that he was not in his usual spirits; though he did not complain, he was
+evidently ill.  As the day advanced he grew worse, and Paul would have
+proposed stopping had they found water, but it would be out of the
+question to camp without it.  Bendigo had never been in this part of the
+country, as he belonged to a tribe which inhabited a region to the east,
+until the white man came and drove them farther into the interior.  The
+signs of water, however, should there be any in the neighbourhood, were
+not likely to escape his observation.  He frequently stood up in his
+stirrups to look about him, but each time shook his head, observing, "No
+water here."
+
+For several hours the poor horses had not tasted a drop, while they
+themselves had had barely sufficient to wet their lips.  They were more
+likely to find it by going straight on than by turning either to the
+right hand or to the left.  So on they went.
+
+The day was drawing to a close, not a sign of water appeared, when
+suddenly Bendigo shouted, "Dare, dare!" and pointed to some trees which
+could be just seen in the horizon.
+
+They pushed on, but on reaching the trees, the hollow in which water
+once had been was dry.  A chorus of groans escaped the explorers.  "On,
+on!" cried Paul.
+
+"We must not despair, we can hold out a few hours longer."
+
+The moon got up, and, relieved from the heat of the sun, the explorers
+were better able to endure the want of water.  Mile after mile they went
+on, their weary horses, however, moving but slowly.  At length Paul
+cried out, "My beast seems to fancy that water is near; I feel him
+tugging at the rein."
+
+"So does mine," said Harry.
+
+Bruce gave a bark, signifying his satisfaction, and dashed on.  A silver
+spot appeared ahead, lighted by the beams of the moon, which had now
+risen high in the sky.  The horses galloped on, Bruce dashed forward,
+Mr Hayward seemed to revive.  They reached a large water-hole!  It was
+necessary to keep back the horses, however, lest they should rush in and
+stir up the mud.  Paul and Harry dismounted, and while Bendigo took
+charge of their horses, they, unstrapping their pannikins, hurried down
+the bank.  It was no easy matter to fill them, as they had to go down
+the bank, and then to wade through the mud to get to the water, which
+looked so bright at a distance.
+
+"Take care that there are no leeches," said Mr Hayward.
+
+Paul had a piece of linen through which he strained the water from one
+pannikin to another, then handed it to Harry, who carried it to their
+tutor before he would touch any himself.  Reggy was next served, then
+Harry, and Paul drank last.  How delicious the liquid tasted.
+
+"I could drink a dozen pannikins full," said Harry, as he drained off a
+second.
+
+"So could I--two dozen, for that matter," said Reggy.
+
+Paul had, therefore, no sinecure in filling the pannikins.  Bruce had in
+the meantime quenched his thirst.
+
+At last, as Harry said, "having taken off the edge of their thirst,"
+Bendigo and the horses might now drink.  The steeds were then hobbled,
+and preparations made for camping.
+
+Bendigo said that he did not think any black fellows were in the
+neighbourhood, as he could discover no traces of them near the edges of
+the water-hole.  None of the rest of the party could have pronounced an
+opinion on the subject.
+
+The moon shone brightly over the ground, the fire was lighted, and
+damper and tea quickly made, while some birds which they had shot in the
+morning, and had been carried hung to their saddles, were speedily
+cooked.
+
+During the night Mr Hayward grew so much worse that Paul thought he was
+going to die.  To advance, with the risk of not finding water the next
+day, would be madness.  Paul suggested that they should go back to the
+hut, and leave him with the shepherd, while they went forward to meet
+the captain, who would otherwise become alarmed at not seeing them.
+
+Mr Hayward agreed to this, though he expressed a hope that he might
+sufficiently recover to be able to accompanying them.  "We will wait
+here a day, however, and see how I am.  After a short rest I may be
+strong enough to go forward."
+
+During the day Paul and Harry shot several birds and pigeons, three
+ducks and a couple of wallabies.  While Reginald sat by Mr Hayward,
+Bendigo wandered about in search of fruits and roots, which none but a
+black would have discovered.  When well boiled the latter served instead
+of potatoes, while the wild fruits were very refreshing.  They had thus
+an abundant and varied fare.
+
+Mr Hayward did not appear to get better.  They had come away without
+medicines, no one dreaming of being ill; still Paul hoped that their
+tutor would be sufficiently recovered to continue the journey the
+following morning: but when the time came, it was evident that he was
+not in a fit state to run the risk of having no good water to drink.
+They determined therefore to go back together, though two days would
+thus be lost.  By starting at sunrise they made good progress during the
+cooler hours.  Having filled their water-bottles they had enough to last
+them during the day, and to wet the lips of the horses and Bruce.
+
+It was not until nightfall that they got back to the shepherd's hut.
+The men promised to take every possible care of Mr Hayward, who, though
+not much worse, was certainly not better.  He assured his young
+companions that he should recover in the course of a few days.  "At all
+events, do not fail to come and look for me on your return," he said,
+smiling.  "I should not like to be left here longer than is necessary."
+
+They remained only during the night, and again starting before the sun
+rose they reached the water-hole where they had before camped by
+nightfall.
+
+It was satisfactory to find no traces of blacks.  Bendigo now assumed a
+great air of importance.  Paul and Harry agreed that he fancied himself
+the leader of the party.  "Let him do so," said Paul, "it may make him
+more careful.  He will consider himself responsible should we meet with
+any misfortune."
+
+Travelling through a new country, hitherto untrod by the foot of a white
+man, is no doubt very interesting in theory, but it becomes dreadfully
+wearisome in practice.  To go on hour after hour with huge gum-trees on
+every side, the only change being the sight of a kangaroo, a wallaby, a
+bandicoot, or a jolly little paddy-melon hopping away.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FIFTEEN.
+
+THE EXPLORERS RUN SHORT OF POWDER--SCANTY FARE--CAMPED AT NIGHT--
+CONTINUE JOURNEY--BENDIGO OBTAINS HONEY.
+
+Two days had passed away; the young explorers made good progress.  They
+now discovered, what caused them some anxiety, that they were running
+short of ammunition.  Without it they would have a difficulty in
+obtaining food, although Bendigo and Bruce might help them.  It was
+absolutely necessary to retain sufficient powder to protect themselves
+should they encounter any hostile blacks.  Paul insisted that they
+should not fire another shot, except to kill a kangaroo or emu; at the
+same time, he did not wish to confess to Bendigo the small amount of
+ammunition they possessed.  They had thus been for some time on short
+commons, and were beginning to feel the effects of scanty fare.  Bendigo
+trapped several creatures, now and then catching a 'possum in its hole,
+or an iguana.  Occasionally he found eggs where they themselves would
+not have discovered them.  Had they been able to preserve the animals
+they caught they might have subsisted very well; but after a few hours,
+even though the meat was cooked, it became uneatable, and they were
+obliged to give it to Bendigo or Bruce, who were not so particular.
+
+They had been very unsuccessful all day, and had made a long march, when
+they encamped somewhat earlier than usual near a water-hole.  They were
+fully aware of the risk they ran when selecting such a spot of a visit
+from the blacks; but they hoped, by keeping a good watch, not to be
+surprised by them.  They knew that their chief danger would arise should
+they not be prepared; for when the natives see white men on their guard,
+they will seldom venture to attack them.  The fire had been lighted,
+but, excepting a 'possum and a few small eggs, and a little damper, they
+had nothing to eat.  They had, however, a good supply of tea, the most
+welcome of beverages, the only one which can be taken with impunity
+under all circumstances.
+
+An hour or more after dark was spent in talking over the prospects of
+their journey.  In three or four days more they hoped to meet the
+captain's party.
+
+Bendigo and Paul, accompanied by Bruce, having made a circuit of the
+camp, to be sure that no natives were lurking near, the whole party lay
+down to rest.
+
+For the first time during their expedition, the following morning they
+started without breakfast, except a draught of cold water.
+
+"I hope we shall find something during the day," said Harry.  "This sort
+of work doesn't tend to keep up a fellow's spirits, and we shall be
+inclined to give a less favourable report of the country than it
+deserves."
+
+As they rode along they carefully observed the character of the trees
+and soil over which they were passing.  The grass was thicker and
+greener than they had anywhere seen it.  Of course they kept an anxious
+lookout for game.  They caught sight of kangaroos, wallabies, and other
+small animals in considerable numbers, but were unable to catch them, or
+even get near enough to shoot one.
+
+Reggy now began to cry out bitterly for food.
+
+"People told us that this land, was one flowing with milk and honey; we
+have had none of either since we started on this expedition," he
+exclaimed.
+
+Just as he said this they observed Bendigo watching something in the
+air, and, urging on his horse, he started off ahead of them towards a
+large tree, beyond which they caught sight of the glitter of water.
+Near it were some trees with wide-spreading boughs, intertwined by
+numbers of the never-failing vine.  Here was just the place they wanted.
+
+Bendigo, knowing that they would camp there, dismounted, and hobbled his
+horse.  They then saw him narrowly examining a tall gum-tree, up to
+which he had ridden.  It must have been a hundred feet in height before
+any branches were reached.
+
+"If he sees anything up there it will be of little use," observed Reggy,
+"for I am sure he will never get it."
+
+"Stay a minute," answered Harry; "the black knows what he is about."
+
+Bendigo, without explaining his object, cut some long vines; he then
+rapidly plaited, from the grass growing near, a rough basket, which he
+fastened to his belt.  Taking the vines, he now twisted them in the form
+of a hoop round the tree, leaving sufficient space to admit his own body
+between the trunk and the hoop; holding the hoop in both hands, he
+jerked the side furthest from himself upwards.  He then cut with his
+hatchet a notch for his feet, and then gave another jerk, and cut
+another notch, and thus up he went until he reached the branch.
+
+The boys had never seen their black companion perform this feat before,
+and felt no little fear that he might slip down.  It was wonderful with
+what rapidity he went up, evidently feeling himself perfectly secure.
+In a few minutes he returned, having cut a large comb of honey out of a
+hole high up in the tree, the owners of which were seen hovering about
+their rifled abode.  Having descended, he handed his prize to Paul, who,
+placing it on a slip of bark, which served as a dish, served it on
+leaves to his companions, with whom he shared it.
+
+Without waiting to be complimented for his performance, of which he
+seemed to think nothing, the black again started off, and ascended
+another tree, towards which his quick eye had detected some bees flying.
+
+The young explorers, who had eaten nothing for some hours, set to with a
+will, and quickly devoured the first comb, wax and all, being ready for
+the second, which Bendigo soon brought them.  He again came back with a
+third, which, however, they could not attack, so he ate the greater
+portion himself, giving the remainder to Bruce, who gobbled it up with
+evident satisfaction.
+
+"Plenty of food now," said Bendigo, as he led his companions from tree
+to tree, some of which were oaks, and others honeysuckles.  Wherever
+there was a hole in the trunk it was occupied by a colony of bees.  The
+insect which makes this honey is exactly like a common house-fly in
+appearance, the combs being generally small and the wax quite black.
+The cells into which the comb is divided are two or three times larger
+than those of the English bee, and are roundish and irregular in shape,
+but the honey is very good, being sweet, and having besides a slight
+pleasantly acid taste.  As these bees possessed no sting, they could be
+robbed with impunity of the result of their industry.  Since that time
+English bees have swarmed in prodigious numbers over the country, and
+now afford ample food to whites and blacks alike.
+
+"While we can get this honey there is no fear of starving," observed
+Paul.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SIXTEEN.
+
+A SUITABLE SPOT FOR A STATION FOUND--ENCAMP ON A HILL--BLACKS DISCOVERED
+TO BE IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD--PREPARATIONS FOR DEFENCE--ATTACKED BY THE
+NATIVES--AMMUNITION EXHAUSTED.
+
+The young explorers had been upwards of two days travelling through a
+splendid country, subsisting chiefly on honey, though they might have
+revelled in abundance had they ventured to use their guns, when they
+came in sight of a river of veritable running water, bright and clear.
+In the distance, moreover, were a range of hills of no great elevation,
+but rising precipitously apparently out of the plain.  Not without some
+difficulty they found a ford, by which they crossed the river.  It ran
+south for some distance, then circled round in front of the hills, and
+then again struck off south and east.  They galloped forward, eager to
+ascertain the character of the hills, for much depended on their being
+precipitous or not.  Paul surveyed the country with a delighted eye.
+
+"If cattle cannot get over these hills, we have found such a situation
+as we might look for over hundreds of miles and not find," he exclaimed;
+"they form a fence along one side and a half of the run, and the river,
+which appears to be impassable, except in a few places, will serve for
+another side and a half, or more, so that there will be but one outlet
+for cattle."
+
+"Excellent!" cried Harry.  "Father will be as pleased as you are, if it
+turns out as we hope."
+
+As they approached the hills they discovered, to their intense
+satisfaction, that they were as precipitous as they had expected.
+Cliffs from fifty to a hundred feet extended along the whole length of
+the range, with here and there dark impassable gullies, having steep
+sides, up which no cattle could climb.  Down them ran streams of various
+sizes, all concentrating in the river through which they had passed.
+
+"No fear of drought here!" exclaimed Paul.  "It is worth all the trouble
+we have gone through to find it."
+
+Returning to the river, they rode along, tracing it as far up as the
+range, which extended a considerable way to the southward, and would
+serve as a fence to their station.  The country on the other side,
+further to the south, was more thickly wooded, and consequently afforded
+less pasture.  There was a risk, to be sure, that the river might
+overflow, but they could find no traces of a flood.  All would depend on
+the place where it took its rise; if in the range above them, there was
+no fear, but if it had a long course on the opposite side of the range,
+a sudden downpour of rain might swell its waters before they had time to
+escape through their natural channel.  That important point would be
+ascertained when their father arrived.  They had, it should be said,
+notched the trees as they came along, so that he was not likely to cross
+their track.
+
+"In case there is a chance of the country being flooded, I think we
+might build our house on yonder knoll, close under the hill, with the
+river bending round it," observed Paul; "it is a beautiful spot, and we
+should get a fine view from it over the whole district.  I vote that we
+camp there to-night, and set up a flag-staff, so that our father may see
+it miles off; for I feel sure he will not pass to the west of this range
+without first examining the country where we now are."
+
+Paul's proposal was at once adopted.  The trees on the knoll, though
+growing pretty thickly, were of no great height, and it would be easy to
+cut a flag-staff long enough to rise above them.
+
+"Old Bolter" was hobbled as usual, and the young explorers, having
+ascertained that the river was nowhere fordable in the neighbourhood of
+the knoll, nor up to the point where it came out of the hills, the rest
+of the horses were turned loose, as there was no fear of their bolting.
+
+As they hoped their journey westward was now terminated, they ventured
+to shoot as many parrots and pigeons as would serve them for an ample
+meal.  This done, they lighted their fire, leaving Reggy to cook the
+birds, while Paul, Harry, and Bendigo went down to the scrub on the bank
+of the river to cut a pine suitable for a flag-staff.  The soft wood
+yielded easily to their axes, and in a few minutes it lay on the ground.
+To lop off the branches and bark it occupied but a short time, and
+then, all three placing it on their shoulders, they carried it up the
+hill.
+
+"But what are we to do for a flag?" asked Reggy.
+
+"We must fasten our handkerchiefs and my spare shirt together.  A strong
+breeze will be required, to be sure, to blow it out; but, depend upon
+it, our father will guess what it means at any distance," answered Paul.
+
+The flag was made, and lashed on with some strips of hide taken from the
+last kangaroo they had shot, as they had no halyards with which to hoist
+it.  The pole was lashed to the trunk of another tree.  When it was up,
+it was seen to tower above all those on the knoll.  They enjoyed a
+better meal than they had had for many a day, and drank success to their
+new station--for they already considered it their own--in pannikins of
+tea.
+
+While daylight lasted they kept a lookout for the captain and his party;
+but their friends did not appear.  As far as they could ascertain, no
+white man had ever before set foot in that region, and very proud they
+felt at being the discoverers of so fine a country.  Below them they
+could just distinguish their horses feeding quietly, and they felt sure
+that the animals would not stray far from the camp.
+
+Near the top of the knoll, on the steepest side, just behind their camp,
+was a huge rock, like an excrescence, although the rest of the elevation
+was almost smooth.  As the glare of their fire fell on it at nightfall,
+it looked like the ruins of an ancient castle perched on the hillside.
+
+"I vote we call this `Castle Hill;' it will be a good name for our
+station," said Harry.
+
+Paul and Reggy tried to find another name, but could not improve on
+Harry's suggestion.  At length, as they were all pretty well tired with
+their day's work, they lay down by the fireside, wrapped in their
+blankets, Bruce keeping watch.
+
+Two or three times during the night Paul was awakened by hearing the dog
+utter a low growling bark.  On each occasion Bendigo started up, and
+looked out, but did not like to go far in the dark by himself.  Paul
+asked him if he thought any one was near.
+
+"Me see in morning," was the only answer he could obtain; and the black
+crouched down again, as if going to sleep.
+
+Paul, confident that Bruce--who was evidently on the alert--would arouse
+him should danger be near, again fell asleep.  He did not awake Harry
+and Reggy, who slept on, notwithstanding Bruce's barking and his
+conversation with Bendigo.  The black roused up Paul at daybreak.
+
+"Stay here; me go look round.  Black fellows near, I tinkee."
+
+Harry and Reggy soon got up, and shook themselves--the only dressing
+operation they had to perform.
+
+"I vote we go down and have a bathe," exclaimed Harry.
+
+"You had better not," said Paul.  "Bendigo suspects that natives have
+been near us during the night; and I believe that such was the cause of
+Bruce's barking.  We must look to our arms, at all events, in case they
+should prove unfriendly.  Not to lose time, let us light the fire and
+cook breakfast."
+
+They all, accordingly set about doing so.  As the light increased, Paul
+climbed to the rock which has been spoken of, to look out for the
+horses; for he naturally feared that, if the blacks had been in the
+neighbourhood, they might have driven them away or speared them.
+
+As he cast his eye over the plain he could nowhere see the animals.
+They might, of course, have got round to the other side of the knoll,
+but still their non-appearance made him anxious.  A shout from Harry,
+announcing breakfast, called him back to the camp.  Bendigo had not yet
+returned.  It was not necessary to wait for him.  The young explorers
+made a hearty meal--Bruce coming in for his share--to prepare them for
+the work to be done, whatever that might be.
+
+They had just finished breakfast, having laid aside a share for the
+black, when he was seen coming up the hill, stealing among the bushes.
+He shook his head, as he sat down and gobbled up his breakfast.
+
+"Black fellows here--no good--come again; horses gone too," and he
+pointed to the north-east, the only outlet to the region, except by a
+ford over the river.
+
+"We must go after the horses at once, then," exclaimed Harry.
+
+"No, I certainly would not," answered Paul; "our best plan will be to
+remain where we are until we can learn what the blacks are about.
+Should they attack us, we could not have a better place for defence than
+the one we occupy.  If we find that they have driven off the horses, we
+might follow and try to recover them; but if not, I again say we should
+remain where we are."
+
+Reggy thought Paul's plan the best, and Harry soon saw its wisdom.
+Bendigo also approved of it, and said that he would set out again and
+try to discover the whereabouts of the black fellows.
+
+"There appear to be a good many birds on the knoll.  We shall probably
+find some 'possums and other animals, so that we shall not want for food
+if we can catch them; but we must not throw a shot away," observed Paul.
+"We shall want our powder to keep the blacks in check."
+
+Bendigo told them not to be anxious about food, as he could obtain as
+much for them as they could require.  Having taken a survey round from
+the top of the rock, he glided down the knoll, keeping among the bushes
+so as not to be seen by any enemies who might be on the watch.
+
+Although the three lads kept looking round on every side, they could
+nowhere discover him.  Harry suggested that they should fortify their
+rock with small trees and boughs, which they could easily cut down, and
+which would keep off the spears of the natives.
+
+"A very good idea," said Paul; and they all three set to work, trusting
+to Bruce to give them timely notice should strangers approach.  They
+chose only small trees, which quickly yielded to their axes, and they
+were thus soon enabled to form a breastwork on the only accessible side
+of the rock.  Although it was not capable of withstanding a determined
+rush of the enemy, yet as long as their ammunition lasted the blacks
+were not likely to come to close quarters.
+
+They had made some progress in the work, when Bruce suddenly rushed
+partly down the hill, uttering a loud bark.  The lads instantly sprang
+behind the breastwork, ready for action; but directly afterwards Bruce
+came back, wagging his tail, and, almost following him, Bendigo
+appeared.
+
+"Black fellows all about," he said, looking approvingly at the
+fortification, the object of which he at once understood.  He told them
+that they need not expect an attack for some time, though he was certain
+that the black fellows would surround them should they venture down into
+the plain on foot.
+
+"But how are we to get back our horses?" asked Reggy; "and if we do not
+get them back, how are we to return home?"
+
+Bendigo said that he hoped to recover them, as they were not very far
+off.
+
+"If he does not, we must make up our minds to trudge back on foot.  It
+will be a long journey, but he will not let us want for food," said
+Harry.
+
+Bendigo, faithful to his promise, again left them, and soon returned,
+bringing a 'possum and several combs of honey.  He also filled their
+water-bottles; so that they had sufficient provisions to stand a siege
+of some hours, at all events.  He had gone on a second expedition, when
+he was seen hurrying back up the hill.
+
+"Black fellows come!" he exclaimed, as he sprang behind the breastwork.
+
+The boys got their rifles ready.
+
+"We must not fire unless the natives show a determination to attack us,"
+observed Paul; "their blood will then be on their own heads if they do
+so.  We must get Bendigo to tell them that we wish to be at peace; and
+that if they will bring back our horses we will part on friendly terms."
+
+Paul explained to Bendigo what he wished.  The black laughed, as if he
+did not consider there would be any use in attempting to come to terms
+with his countrymen but merely patted his rifle, as though he considered
+that it contained the best argument they could employ.
+
+They waited for some minutes.
+
+"I don't think the blacks are coming at all," said Harry.
+
+"Bruce seems of a different opinion," answered Paul.
+
+The dog was stretching out his neck, and slowly creeping forward;
+presently he gave a loud bark, and then bounded back into the fort.  At
+the same instant the side of the hill below them appeared covered with
+black forms, who kept flitting in and out among the trees, making their
+way upwards.  Bendigo shouted to them, but they only replied with loud
+and derisive cries and shrieks.  They had evidently made up their minds
+to destroy the white men.  Flourishing their spears, they leaped from
+behind their cover, and came springing up the hill.
+
+"Must not we fire?" asked Harry.
+
+"Wait; they may even yet think better of it," answered Paul.
+
+A flight of spears came rattling against the breast-work; but,
+fortunately, from the distance at which they were hurled, they either
+flew over or fell against their fortification.
+
+In return, the four rifles cracked at the same moment.  So well were
+they aimed, that the same number of their assailants fell, and rolled
+over down the hill, the rest scampering back, in evident alarm, to seek
+for the nearest shelter.
+
+The little garrison immediately reloaded.  Though so many of the natives
+had been killed or wounded, they quickly regained their courage; and,
+having received a lesson, took care as they advanced not to expose
+themselves.  It was some time before Paul again gave the order to fire.
+His bullet alone struck an enemy; the others glanced off against the
+trees.  They all speedily reloaded, and were ready once more to fire
+before the blacks threw their spears, which flew against the rock,
+without wounding any of them, although they all had narrow escapes--
+Paul's hat was pierced, a spear grazed Harry's shoulder, and another
+flew close to Reggy's ear.  Notwithstanding this, they took good aim,
+wounding two of the blacks, who--as they had done before--rushed down
+the hill.
+
+"Reload! quick! quick!" cried Paul.
+
+They all fired at the retreating enemy.
+
+In the excitement of the moment Paul had forgotten the necessity of
+husbanding their ammunition.  On examining their powder, they found that
+they had not two rounds apiece left.
+
+In spite of the loss of their companions--two, if not three, of whom had
+been killed outright--the blacks, after a short time, began again to
+mount the hill.  Bendigo, without waiting for orders, fired, being
+instinctively followed by Harry and Reggy.  Not one of the shots,
+however, took effect; and, with shouts and shrieks, the blacks came on.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.
+
+THEIR CONDITION APPEARS DESPERATE--THE CAPTAIN AND HIS PARTY TO THE
+RESCUE--RETURN TO STRATTON--THE YOUNGER CHILDREN LOST IN THE SCRUB.
+
+"Harry and Reggy, we must sell our lives dearly," exclaimed Paul, as he
+prepared for a last desperate struggle with the blacks, who were
+infuriated at the loss of so many of their companions.  The fact that
+they had not taken to flight showed that they were a fierce and warlike
+tribe, very different from most of those found in the southern parts of
+Australia.  Harry had climbed to the higher part of the rock to take a
+look round.  "Hurrah!" he cried, "I see some horsemen coming across from
+the north-east, and driving some horses before them.  They must be ours,
+and the people must be our father's party."
+
+Paul and Reggy echoed Harry's shout.  "We must not give in, whatever we
+do," said Paul, "we have our pistols loaded, and we must drive back the
+black fellows with them.  Don't either of you miss your aim.  We must
+not fire until they are close upon us.  As soon as they come near enough
+I'll give their chief, if they've got one, the contents of my rifle, and
+that will, perhaps, check them."
+
+Harry had still kept his post at the top of the rock, and taking off his
+jacket he waved it, pointing to the flag which flew just above them,
+while he shouted with all his might, forgetting, in the excitement, that
+the horsemen were too far off to hear him.  His action, however,
+attracted the attention of the blacks, and they, looking round,
+discovered the horsemen.  They immediately halted, and began jabbering
+away in loud voices.  It was evident that they were alarmed at the sight
+of the strangers.
+
+If three lads and a black had been able to hold them in check for so
+long a time, what chance would they have when encountered by a party of
+well-armed men on horseback?
+
+Such, probably, was the tenor of their remarks to each other.
+Notwithstanding this their chief endeavoured to lead them up the hill,
+apparently hoping to capture the fort before the arrival of the
+horsemen.  He was flourishing his spear and shouting to his companions
+to come on, when he got within range of Paul's rifle.
+
+"It is his own fault," said Paul, taking aim.  His bullet struck the
+right shoulder of the savage, who went spinning round down the hill, and
+was soon in the midst of his followers, who now took to flight
+helter-skelter, and were soon lost to sight among the trees.
+
+Bendigo proposed sallying out and killing some more of them, but Paul
+ordered him to remain quiet.
+
+"We will hold our position until the white men come up," he said.
+"Harry, do you think they are our father's party?"
+
+"No doubt about it," answered Harry.
+
+The defenders again raised a loud shout.  This time they were heard,
+and, the captain leading, they were all soon mounting the hill.  All
+that had occurred was briefly told.  The captain had observed the
+beautiful run from the hill, and, fortunately turning back, had
+descended, and found the only entrance which existed.  He had seen the
+flag in the distance, and guessing by whom it was hoisted, was making
+his way towards it.
+
+He at once saw the necessity of teaching the blacks a lesson, and the
+horses he had recovered being saddled, the whole party set off in
+pursuit.  The blacks, however, had got the start of them, and swam the
+river, having left their wives and children on the other side.
+
+"I trust they have received a lesson they will not easily forget, and
+that when we come here, as I hope to do, they will not venture to attack
+us," said the captain.
+
+Paul and Harry were delighted at hearing that their father had resolved
+to apply for the run.  As no one else was likely to have made a claim
+for it, there was every probability that it would be granted to him.
+They were much surprised at the altered appearance and manners of
+Hector, whose cheek was well browned, and who looked infinitely more
+manly and fit for work than he had done before.  He seemed in good
+spirits and greatly to have enjoyed the trip.  Indeed, as they sat round
+the camp fire that evening, not a grumble did he mutter.
+
+The captain was, of course, grieved to hear of Mr Hayward's illness,
+though he hoped that they should find him perfectly recovered on their
+return.  The next morning Bendigo went out to ascertain whether the
+blacks had taken their departure, while the captain and his party rode
+round the proposed run to notch the trees and make other marks for
+identifying it.  The whole day was thus occupied, and on their return
+Bendigo met them with the satisfactory intelligence that the blacks had
+gone off to a distance, carrying their dead with them.  It was a sign
+that they did not intend to come back.
+
+The following morning, after a good night's rest, the whole party
+commenced their journey homewards.  The captain, having been very
+sparing of his ammunition had sufficient to enable them to obtain food,
+though, during two or three days they were somewhat hard put to it for
+water.  The hole in which they found the dead cattle contained a
+sufficient supply for the horses and Bruce, but none of the rest of the
+party, except Bendigo, felt inclined to taste it.
+
+They found Mr Hayward quite recovered.  The shepherds had treated him
+with all the attention they possibly could.  The captain had warned his
+party not to speak of the new run in the presence of the shepherds, lest
+they might mention it to their employers, and create some dispute.
+
+Stopping on Sunday to rest, they travelled on for the remainder of the
+week, performing nearly thirty miles a day, the horses all the time
+obtaining no other food than the grass they could pick up, and often
+having to go several hours without water; still they and their riders
+got back to Stratton in very good condition.
+
+The captain had, without loss of time, to go to Brisbane to obtain legal
+possession of his new run.  As soon as possible after his return, he
+intended to set out with his flocks, herds, and his family for the site
+of the new station.
+
+The children, in consequence of the out-door life they led, had got into
+somewhat erratic ways.  Miss Saville had done her best to teach the
+younger girls, as well as Tommy and Albert, but even they were apt to
+break loose and to rebel against her authority, as well as that of their
+elder sisters.
+
+The season of wild fruit had come round, and raspberries were especially
+plentiful.  Rob and Edgar determined that they must go off to the scrub
+to obtain a supply for preserving, and Tommy and Albert insisted on
+accompanying them.
+
+"I go too," said Effie; "if we cannot reach the fruit high up, we can
+pick that growing near the ground as fast as you can."
+
+Without asking leave they all set off, having first provided themselves
+with large baskets which Rob and Edgar had been busy in manufacturing.
+
+They would certainly not have been allowed to go without Betty, but she
+was watching over little Sybil, who was unwell, and was not aware that
+they had set out.  They went along to the westward on the edge of the
+scrub which the flood had not reached--indeed, its traces had even
+disappeared from the surface which it had covered.  They were somewhat
+disappointed at first in not finding fruit in the abundance they had
+expected, and so they went on and on until they reached a part of the
+scrub sufficiently open to enable them to penetrate into it.  Here Rob
+and Edgar thought that they could without difficulty procure plenty of
+fruit.  They were soon hard at work picking away with great delight.
+
+"Keep together," cried Rob, "or we may chance to lose ourselves."
+
+"No fear," answered Effie, "we will look where you go."
+
+Edgar said the same.  Rob felt very proud of being the leader of so
+large a party, but in his eagerness to pick a quantity of fruit, he did
+not watch over them as carefully as he should have done.  On and on they
+went, Rob making a remark every now and then to those near him.
+Presently he heard Tommy shriek out, "A snake, a snake!" and throwing
+down his basket, he ran off towards the more open part of the scrub.
+
+"Come back!" cried Rob.  "It is only a paddy-melon, and won't hurt you
+or any one else."
+
+Tommy, however, would not stop.
+
+"Come along, Edgar, and catch the child," cried Rob, forgetting Effie
+and Albert, whom he had not seen for some minutes.
+
+It was some time before Tommy could be overtaken.
+
+"You stupid monkey!" cried Rob, when he caught him; "there are no snakes
+here to do you any harm."
+
+Tommy, however, was not easily persuaded, and still asserted that he had
+seen the head of a big snake.  At length they got him to come back and
+pick up his basket.
+
+"Hulloa!  Where are Effie and Albert?" asked Rob.  "We left them close
+here, I am sure."
+
+They looked about in every direction; they shouted, but no answer came.
+
+"This is provoking!" cried Rob.  "I expected those children to keep
+close to us; see how obstinate they are!  I'll make them remember this
+when we catch them."
+
+Rob became very anxious when, after hunting about for some time, he
+could find neither his little sister nor his cousin.  How they could
+have got out of hearing seemed incredible.  Rob, though very clever in
+his own opinion, was in a serious difficulty.  While he fancied that he
+was going west, he had turned east; and thinking that he was just
+getting out of the scrub, he found himself, to his surprise, close to
+the river.
+
+His first exclamation was, "Dear me! how could we have got over to the
+other side?"  Then, after due reflection, he recollected that was
+impossible; he must have gone in an opposite way to what he had
+supposed.
+
+Darkness came on.  Tommy began to cry, and Edgar felt very much inclined
+to join him.  "Poor Albert! poor Effie!  Where can they have gone?"
+They were a long way from home, they knew; but they dreaded going back
+without their little brother and sister.  Indeed, in the dark they would
+be unable to find their way, for they had no notion of steering
+themselves by the stars.  The fruit, though very fit for making jelly,
+was full of seeds, and not satisfying; but they had no other food, so at
+last they sat down and ate enough to allay the cravings of hunger.
+
+The alarm at Stratton became very great when the children did not
+return.  No one knew in what direction they had gone, but the baskets
+they had made had disappeared; consequently, it was supposed that they
+had set off on an expedition to pick fruit.  At that hour it was
+impossible to see their trail; even Betty could not do it.  However, Mr
+Hayward, accompanied by the boys and Bruce, at once started in search of
+the missing children.  They made their way along the edge of the scrub,
+and penetrated into it whenever they could find an opening, cooing at
+the top of their voices, and shouting loudly, "Rob, Tommy, Effie,
+Albert! answer!  Where are you?"
+
+No answer came.
+
+"I trust that the black fellows have not got hold of them," said Mr
+Hayward.
+
+"We must pursue, and get them back," cried Harry.  "Savage as the
+natives are, they would not dare to injure them."
+
+Mr Hayward did not reply; he might have known more of the natives than
+Harry did.
+
+At length, having gone some distance, they heard a faint cooey in reply
+to theirs.
+
+"Hurrah!  That must be Rob's voice," exclaimed Harry; "though where it
+came from I cannot tell.  I will cooey again."
+
+Harry gave another loud cooey; again a distant answer was heard.
+
+"Why, that must be behind us," said Harry; "it comes from the edge of
+the scrub."
+
+They had by this time made their way into the interior.  Bruce, on
+hearing the second cooey, pricked up his ears and bounded forward.  They
+turned back, guided by Rob's voice, and casting the light of their
+lanterns about, they at length saw Rob standing up, with Tommy and Edgar
+lying down near him.
+
+"Oh, I am so thankful you have come!" exclaimed Rob.  "Have you found
+Effie and Albert?"
+
+The question alarmed Mr Hayward and the other boys.
+
+"No; what has become of them?" asked Harry.
+
+"We lost sight of them all of a sudden, and though we hunted about, we
+have not seen them since; and then we could not find our way home in the
+dark."
+
+Mr Hayward saw that there was no use in scolding poor Rob, who was
+already dreadfully alarmed, and fully conscious that he was to blame for
+the loss of the two children.  Tommy and Edgar, who had dropped off
+soundly asleep from fatigue, were now awakened.
+
+"I will continue the search for the other children," said Mr Hayward,
+turning to the boys; "but the rest had better return with Rob and the
+little ones.  If I do not soon come back with the children, follow in
+this direction in the morning with Bendigo and Betty, who will assist in
+tracing them out better than we can.  Do not alarm your mothers more
+than is necessary, and assure them that I have little doubt but that we
+shall find the truants.  I will take Bruce with me."
+
+"Go, good dog--go!" said Harry, patting him on the head.
+
+Bruce understood his duty, and without hesitation accompanied Mr
+Hayward; while Harry and Reggy, taking charge of the children, made
+their way back to Stratton with the rest of the party, the younger ones
+every now and then sobbing as they thought of their carelessness in
+losing sight of Effie and Albert.
+
+It is needless to describe the alarm which the disappearance of the two
+children caused their mothers and sisters.  The elder boys were eager to
+set off again at once, but were persuaded to wait until daylight; when,
+accompanied by the two blacks, they immediately started off to commence
+a search for the lost children.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER EIGHTEEN.
+
+THE CHILDREN RECOVERED--JOURNEY INTO THE INTERIOR--ARRIVAL AT CASTLE
+HILL--STATION ESTABLISHED--HOUSE ATTACKED BY NATIVES--CONCLUSION.
+
+Poor Mrs Berrington's anxiety produced a succession of fainting fits;
+she therefore required the constant attention of her sister and Mrs
+Hugh, who was herself much alarmed at the disappearance of the children.
+As soon as the girls had performed the necessary duties of the morning,
+they all set out in the direction taken by their brothers, carrying with
+them a supply of food, as the party, which had started early in the
+morning, had gone away without breakfast.
+
+It was noon before the girls heard the cooeys uttered by the
+searching-party, which proved that the children had not yet been
+discovered.
+
+Hurrying along, they at last came in sight of Reggy, who was at the very
+edge of the scrub.
+
+"Have you seen anything of them?" asked Mary.  "Nothing: nor of Mr
+Hayward either," was the unsatisfactory answer.
+
+Poor Mary's heart sank.  She dearly loved little Effie, and his sisters
+in their way were very fond of Albert; besides, they believed that it
+would be the death of their mother if he were lost.
+
+Reggy gave notice to the rest of the party, when they were within hail,
+that the ladies had arrived with some provisions; and although they all
+declared that they were too anxious to be hungry, they not unwillingly
+partook of the food the thoughtful girls had brought with them.
+
+Once more they resumed their search; but as hour after hour went by, and
+neither the children nor Mr Hayward were found, the anxiety of the
+searching-party became almost unbearable.  To abandon the search was not
+to be thought of.  Bendigo and Betty had not hitherto discovered the
+trail, for in so thick a wood, it was no easy matter, even for them.
+
+At length they shouted out, "We have the trail! we have the trail!" and,
+like two beagles, off they set, with their noses close to the ground.
+
+The excitement of the party may be supposed.  The boys managed to follow
+as quickly as they could, though their clothes were nearly torn from
+their backs.  The rest of the party remained outside the scrub, keeping
+up a communication with those within.  The day, however, was wearing on,
+and no sign of the children had yet been seen.  The sun's rays, as he
+sank towards the west, were glancing almost horizontally through the
+trees, when a bark was heard.  Paul gave a loud cooey.  It was answered,
+and greatly to their joy they saw Mr Hayward coming along with the
+children in his arms.  The blacks had only just before discovered him
+seated on the ground, and feeding them with some pigeon which he had
+shot and some wild fruit he had collected.
+
+Mary took Effie in her arms, Paul carried Albert on his shoulders, thus
+relieving Mr Hayward, who was pretty well worn out.  He had gone on all
+the previous night, and greater part of that morning, keeping up with
+Bruce, who had been running before him, until he was nearly exhausted.
+Suddenly Bruce, with a loud bark, bounded forward, and to his great joy
+he discovered the children, who had evidently cried themselves to sleep.
+On being awakened by the dog, the first thing they did was to ask for
+food, which it had taken some time to obtain.
+
+It was late at night before they got back, when they found Captain
+Berrington, and the anxiety which the news he had received on his
+arrival had caused was soon brought to an end.  He had secured the run,
+and wished immediately to set out to take possession of it.  He expected
+the drays soon to arrive with the various stores and provisions he had
+purchased.  The elder ladies, Mrs Berrington especially, looked forward
+with some alarm to this journey; although Mrs Hugh did not express her
+feelings.  Aunt Emily and the girls were, however, in good spirits, and
+expected to enjoy it.
+
+At last the preparations were completed.  Three drays, each drawn by
+four horses, to carry the ladies and children, were covered over and
+fitted up internally as comfortably as circumstances would allow.  The
+other drays, laden with stores, were to be drawn by oxen.  Reggy and
+Hector rode on horseback, as they would assist in the arduous task of
+driving the cattle.  The captain, Mr Berrington, and Mr Hayward drove
+the three drays, while Paul and Sandy--with the assistance of three
+shepherds and hut-keepers--took charge of the sheep.  There were three
+spare saddle-horses that the young ladies might ride whenever they
+wished.  Thus arranged, they started early in the morning.
+
+When the party moved forward, they had the appearance of a large tribe
+migrating.  The long line of drays, with the herds of cattle, the drove
+of horses and flocks of sheep, with their numerous attendants, some
+mounted, others on foot; the oxen lowing, the sheep bleating, the shouts
+of the drivers, and the stockmen's whips sounding above all.  The huge
+drays were each dragged by twelve bullocks, the two polers and leaders
+being steady old stagers, as were those immediately in front of the
+polers.
+
+Thus they moved forward, resting only on Sunday.  The most difficult
+part of their journey was surmounting the range, when even Mrs
+Berrington preferred climbing up on foot to remaining in the dray.  The
+bright fresh air, and the necessity of exerting herself, seemed to do
+her good; and by the time she reached the top, though somewhat fatigued,
+she appeared a different person, being not a little proud of her
+performance.  Even the warmest admirers of the country, however, had to
+confess that there was a great sameness in the scenery, and many of the
+rivers and creeks they crossed had no water in them.
+
+An ample supply of water was carried in the drays for the use of the
+travellers; but often the horses, cattle, and sheep suffered greatly
+from having to go a long way before a stream or a water-hole could be
+reached.
+
+The gentlemen's guns amply supplied the larder, so that it was necessary
+only occasionally to kill a sheep, or one of the oxen.
+
+"There's `Castle Hill,' mother!" cried Harry, riding up to the dray in
+which Mrs Hugh and some of the girls were seated--pointing as he spoke
+to the knoll which he and his companions had so bravely defended against
+the blacks, and which could be seen below the range bounding the plain
+on the west.
+
+The whole party pushed forward, and by evening were encamped at the foot
+of the knoll.  Every one was delighted with the situation, while they
+felt sure the climate was superior to that of Stratton, although the
+soil might not produce the tropical fruits which flourished nearer the
+coast.  No time was lost in preparing the ground on which to build the
+house.  To level this sufficiently for the purpose required two or three
+days' hard work, but everybody set to with a will.  The house was to
+face south, overlooking a long stretch of the river, and a boundless
+plain beyond, with a view of the picturesque hill on the right.
+
+We must not describe the house building, every one being engaged in it,
+except the men absolutely required to herd the cattle and sheep, and
+that was comparatively an easy task.  Only one outlet required watching,
+and the animals were not inclined to stray from the rich pasture on
+which they found themselves.  The blacks and dingoes had of course to be
+looked after; but Bendigo reported that there were none of the former in
+the neighbourhood, although it was impossible to say at what time they
+might appear.
+
+The house, when completed, was far larger than Stratton, and easily held
+the two families; while, according to the captain's design, wings could
+be put up on either side for the accommodation of any fresh comers.
+
+Stock-yards and cattle-pens had then to be formed, the latter close to
+the river, where the sheep, before shearing, could be washed, a very
+important process.
+
+The station being a large one, the gentlemen were often on horseback
+from morning until night, going round to the different runs.  The huts
+were put up in various directions for the accommodation of the stockmen
+and shepherds; in some instances in imitation of Castle Hill, or with
+small gardens near them, very unusual, it must be owned, in that part of
+Australia.
+
+On an Australian farm work never ceases, but at certain seasons there is
+less than at other times, and on these occasions pleasant excursions
+were made on horseback in various directions by the younger members of
+the family.
+
+A party had been formed to visit a waterfall farther off than they had
+yet ridden.  Paul, Harry, and Reginald escorted Mary, Lizzie and
+Gertrude, while Miss Saville, Janet, and Adela remained at home.  Mr
+Hayward had gone out emu shooting, while the captain and Mr Berrington
+had started off to visit a station at some distance.  Janet and Adela
+were seated at their work in the verandah in front of the house, when
+Albert, who was playing in the shade near them, exclaimed, "See! what
+can those black things be floating in the river?"
+
+"They must be fish," said Effie.
+
+"Fish!  No, they are round and black."
+
+Janet looked out.  She, too, could distinguish some black objects.  The
+captain's spy-glass hung in the hall.  Getting it she saw at once that
+the black objects were the heads of natives.  They quickly came to the
+shore and began crawling along towards the house.  There were a
+considerable number, armed with spears and clubs.  In another minute
+they would have landed and have escaped her observation, had not it been
+drawn to them by Albert's exclamation.  They could be coming with no
+good intent.  All the gentlemen were away.  To obtain assistance in time
+was impossible.  The blacks might attack and pillage the house, and be
+off again, before any of the party could return.  Sandy, and perhaps
+another man might be in the stock-yard near the hill, but how to summon
+them in time was the question.
+
+Janet called Rob, who, with Edgar, was in the carpenter's shop at the
+back of the house.
+
+Rob at once volunteered to go down and try and find Sandy.  She charged
+him to be careful to keep out of the view of the savages.  The first
+thing to be done was to shut the doors and windows.  Adela and Edgar at
+once began to do so, while Janet hurried in to tell her mother, and
+aunt, and Miss Saville.  The latter immediately assisted in preparing
+the house for defence.
+
+Though the savages, if they intended an attack, might ultimately force
+their way in, it would take some time to tear down the shutters, which
+were secured by strong bars.  The ladies were looking out eagerly for
+the return of Rob with Sandy.  Scarcely had all the doors and windows
+been made fast, than the natives appeared hurrying up the hill with
+their spears and clubs in hand.
+
+"What arms have we got?" asked Miss Saville.  "We must use them and
+fight to the last, sooner than yield."
+
+They found two rifles and three brace of pistols.
+
+"Can you load them?" inquired Miss Saville.
+
+"I have seen my brothers very often do so, and mamma can, but we will
+not call her until it is necessary, she is attending to Aunt Augusta,
+who is in a dreadful state of alarm."
+
+"But where is the powder?"
+
+"Here is a powder flask," cried Edgar, "but, dear me! there's nothing in
+it."
+
+In vain they searched about.  No one could tell where the captain kept
+the powder.  It was in a safe place, that they knew, and he was certain
+to have a store in the house, probably in some spot from whence he could
+easily remove it in case of fire.
+
+"The blacks have evidently been watching the house, and have seen all
+the gentlemen go away," observed Miss Saville.  "If we could fire a few
+shots at them, they would fancy that some of our friends have returned,
+and would probably take to flight."
+
+They hunted round and round; even Mrs Hugh could not tell where the
+powder was to be found.  Not a moment was to be lost, and already the
+blacks were almost at the top of the hill.  Up they came, about a
+hundred of them.  Probably they were those who had attacked Paul and had
+been so signally defeated.  They had now come to revenge themselves in a
+terrible way.  The girls could hear them approaching.  They halted for
+an instant on finding the doors and windows closed, and were consulting
+together.  They were evidently disappointed, having expected to surprise
+the house.  At any moment a fire might be opened on them.  Finding,
+however, that they were allowed to remain with impunity in front of the
+house, a party of them rushed up to the door and began battering away
+with their clubs, hoping to break it open.  In addition to the bars, the
+girls had placed the dining-room table and the heaviest articles of
+furniture they could find against it.
+
+"If they break in we must run for refuge to mamma's room, and barricade
+the door as well as we can.  We may delay them, at all events.  Oh! if
+we had but a charge of powder, one single shot might frighten the
+savages."
+
+All this time the search was continued for powder, but with the same
+want of success.  Already the door was giving way.  It was strong and
+heavy, being formed of thick slabs fastened to cross-pieces.  First one
+slab was broken and beaten in, then another, and the blacks began to
+thrust through the hole with their spears.
+
+"We must fly!" cried Miss Saville, taking Effie and Sybil.  "Do, Janet,
+do, Adela--come, come; do not venture to remain here longer.  Run, Edgar
+and Albert! the savages will kill you if you remain."
+
+"I will show them the muzzle of this rifle; it may keep them in check
+for a few moments longer," exclaimed Janet.  Taking the weapon, she
+thrust it through the gap made by the blacks' clubs.
+
+It had the effect Janet expected.  Once more they retreated, but finding
+that no shot was fired, the savages again came on.  Blow after blow
+resounded on the door, the splinters flew about, when with a loud crash
+the door gave way.  Two or three savages were on the point of springing
+in, when a rifle-shot was heard, and one of them fell; the next instant
+Janet, who was the last to leave the spot, saw Mr Hayward spring
+forward and with the butt of his rifle strike down two more.  What was
+her alarm, however, to find that instead of flying, the rest were
+attacking him with their clubs, the blows of which he could with
+difficulty parry.  Still he bravely kept his post in the verandah,
+preventing the blacks from again stepping on to it.
+
+Several minutes he waged the unequal fight, keeping the blacks at bay.
+Already he had been struck more than once; his strength must fail at
+last.  Some savages farther off, finding that the clubs of those in
+front were of no avail, rushed forward with their spears, and in another
+instant they would have pierced the white man, when a couple of shots
+laid two of them low.  The shots were followed by the appearance of Rob,
+Sandy, and Jock Andrews, one of the men, who furiously threw themselves
+on the savages, Rob firing his pistol at the head of one of them.  The
+blacks, not knowing how many white men might be following, took to
+flight and rushed down the hill, allowing Mr Hayward and the rest time
+to reload.  Janet, from behind the fragments of the door, handed out the
+two rifles, which Sandy and his companion loaded and as quickly
+discharged at the flying enemy, whom they then pursued down the hill,
+uttering loud shouts, in which they were joined by Bruce's fierce bark,
+he having at that instant been attracted to the spot.
+
+The blacks made straight for the river, into which they plunged and swam
+across, without even looking behind them; nor did they stop on landing,
+but made direct for the "bush."  To follow them would have been useless
+with so small a party.
+
+Mr Hayward was anxious to get back, to ascertain if any of the ladies
+had been injured, and to repair the damage caused by the savages before
+the return of the party on horseback.  There was some risk that the
+savages might fall in with the latter.
+
+Brave little Rob offered to gallop off to warn them.  Jock Andrews
+begged that he might go with Master Rob.  There were still two horses in
+the paddock, though not very good ones.  They were quickly caught and
+saddled, and Rob and his attendant set off.  They had to cross by the
+ford some way down the river, in which direction the riding-party was
+coming.  They would have to make a wide circuit, so as not to fall in
+with the blacks.
+
+Rob and Jock rode on as fast as their sorry steeds would allow, looking
+out for the savages, who might, they feared, be on the watch for the
+riding-party, to revenge themselves for the defeat they had suffered.
+They had gone some distance, when Jock exclaimed--
+
+"There they are, Master Rob, there they are!"
+
+"What, the blacks!" cried Rob.  "We must keep clear of them, and gallop
+on."
+
+"No, sir, the captain and the ladies," answered Jock, who, standing up
+in his stirrups, could obtain a wider view than his young companion.
+
+"Hurrah!" cried Rob, and he dashed on to meet the party.
+
+"What has happened, my lad?" exclaimed the captain in a tone of alarm,
+on seeing him approach.
+
+Rob briefly explained what had happened.
+
+"Thank heaven that they have escaped," said the captain.  "We nearly
+fell in with the blacks, but seeing a mob of them in the distance, I
+thought it prudent to make a circuit, and so avoided them, or I don't
+know what would have been the consequences."
+
+The captain was, of course, anxious to reach home.  The remainder of the
+distance was performed at a gallop.  They found Mrs Berrington greatly
+recovered, and Mrs Hugh as calm as ever.  Janet and Adela received
+their meed of praise.  They had proved themselves true heroines, for had
+it not been for their courage and presence of mind--in all human
+probability the whole family would have been destroyed by the savage
+blacks.
+
+Paul and Harry immediately volunteered to ride off and obtain the
+assistance of the police, lest the blacks--as it was probable they would
+do--might return.
+
+While the lads were gone, the captain and his brother, with Mr Hayward,
+the rest of the boys, and the men, employed themselves in repairing the
+door and further fortifying the house.  Their labour was rendered
+unnecessary, however, by the arrival of a strong party of police, led by
+Paul and Harry, who had fortunately found them nearer than they had
+expected.
+
+Chase was immediately made after the blacks, who were overtaken and
+severely punished for their unprovoked attack on Castle Hill Farm.
+Several were made prisoners, and the captain begged not only that their
+lives might be spared, but treated them so kindly that when set at
+liberty they expressed their regret at having attempted to injure so
+good a man, and promised that they and their tribe would henceforth be
+friends with the whites.  Some of them indeed came back, and, under Mr
+Hayward's instruction, became so far civilised as to make themselves
+very useful, and two or three of their number imbibed the truths of
+Christianity.
+
+Hector, greatly to his delight, obtained a commission as an officer in
+the police force; but he was very glad, after the experience of a year,
+to return to the farm, where, wonderful to relate, he ultimately became
+very useful.  Captain Berrington and his family worked steadily on, and
+were rewarded for their industry by the success of most of their
+undertakings.  They, of course, experienced the vicissitudes of settlers
+in general; but, though they occasionally lost many of their cattle and
+sheep, their flocks and herds increased, and were soon scattered far and
+wide over the surrounding country.
+
+Putting their trust in God, and applying themselves diligently to the
+task they had undertaken, they were, on the whole, as successful as they
+could desire, and their cousins from England had every reason to be
+thankful that they had come out from the old country to become settlers
+in Australia.
+
+THE END.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's The Young Berringtons, by W.H.G. Kingston
+
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