The Kangaroo Hunters; Or, Adventures in the Bush (2024)

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OR,

ADVENTURES IN THE BUSH.

By ANNE BOWMAN,

AUTHOR OF "ESPERANZA," "THE CASTAWAYS," "THE YOUNG EXILES," ETC., ETC.

PHILADELPHIA:
PORTER & COATES.

"He faced round, and with his fore-feet—his arms Ishould say—he seized me, and gave me a heavy fall."

PREFACE.

The rapid spread of education creates a continual demand for new books,of a character to gratify the taste of the young, and at the same timeto satisfy the scruples of their instructors. The restless, inquiringspirit of youth craves, from its first development, food for theimagination, and even the simplest nursery rhymes owe their principalcharm to their wonderful improbability. To these succeed theever-interesting tales of Fairies and Enchanters; and the ardent boyonly forsakes Ali Baba and Sindbad for the familiar and lifelikefictions of "Robinson Crusoe," and the hundred pleasant tales on the"Robinson Crusoe" model which have succeeded that popular romance.

It is the nature of man to soar above the common prose of every-day lifein his recreations; from the weary school-boy, who relieves his mind,after arithmetical calculations and pages of syntax, by fancifuladventures amidst scenes of novelty and peril, and returns to his laborsrefreshed, to the over-tasked man of study or science, who wades throughhis days and nights of toil, cheered by the prospect of a holiday ofvoyaging or travelling over new scenes.

This spirit of inquiry has usually the happiest influence on thecharacter of the young and old, and leads them—

In this belief, we are encouraged to continue to supply the young withbooks which do not profess to be true, though they are composed oftruths. They are doubtless romantic, but cannot mislead the judgment orcorrupt the taste; their aim being to describe the marvellous works ofcreation, and to lead the devout mind to say with the divine poet,—

A. B.

Richmond, October, 1858.

CONTENTS.

THE KANGAROO HUNTERS.

CHAPTER I.

The Rector and the Soldier.—The Mayburn Family.—A Mission toIndia.—The Orphans of Wendon.—Ruth the Unlucky.—Jack's Project.—TheAddition to the Mayburn Establishment.

"I am a selfish creature, O'Brien," said Mr. Mayburn, the rector ofWendon, to his invalid friend. "I cannot forbear from coming once moreto annoy you with my lamentations, and to ask your counsel, for I ammost unhappy. Every object I behold, every word I hear, recalls to mymind my bereavement. I cannot remain in this place after the loss of mybeloved wife. She was the moving power of my household. It was she, infact, who was the pastor and director of the parish, the skilful tutorof her children, the guide and the guardian of her weak and erringhusband. Alone, I am unfit for my responsible office; I shudder over theconviction that I am faithless to my vows; I know, O'Brien, that I donot fulfil my duty."

"There is an easy remedy for your distress, my good friend," answeredCaptain O'Brien; "my advice is, do your duty, and be comforted."

"It is physically impossible, O'Brien," said the mourner. "My nerves areshattered; my health is completely destroyed. I shrink from communionwith society; and though I exert myself to give my boys their dailylessons, I would afterwards gladly enclose myself in my study, and liveamongst my books."

"No doubt you would," replied O'Brien; "but God did not send us intothis world to vegetate in solitude, and bring forth no fruit. Act,Mayburn, I beseech you, man; power comes with action, you know well; andwhatever man has done, may be done. Work! work! is the counsel of theworn-out dying soldier to him who has yet the labors of life spreadbefore him."

"But you have no idea how feeble my bodily powers are," groaned therector.

"I can form a very tolerable idea of your strength," said the captain;"for the last time I was out I saw you plunged up to the knees in thegreen marsh, regardless of a cold north-east March wind."

"I remember the day well," answered Mr. Mayburn, with animation, "for Iwas fortunate enough to obtain the eggs of the crested grebe in themarsh. You will not have forgotten that the preceding summer I got afine specimen of the bird."

"Very well," said his friend; "now, if you were able thus to toil and toendure to save the eggs of a bird, you may surely exert yourself stillmore to save the soul of a Christian. Go more among your poor; talk tothem, help them with your knowledge, and teach them to live happily anddie happily. I am not without experience in such work, Mayburn; as longas I was able, I had a little flock of my own; and in secular matters atany rate, was a sort of parish priest among my soldiers. I felt aninterest in the history and in the daily life of every man in mycompany, and was never more at home than in the nooks and corners wheremy poor fellows dwelt. It was this pleasant and profitable work thatMrs. Mayburn ably accomplished for you, and I see Margaret is treadingin her steps; go with her, Mayburn, support her in her virtuous course,and you will discover that life has still its pleasures for you."

"Not here! not here! my dear O'Brien," answered Mr. Mayburn. "SometimesI determine to relinquish this parish, and accept one of smallerpopulation, where the responsibility would be less; at other moments Iam prompted to adopt an entirely opposite course, and to make up for mypast wasted life by devoting my remaining days to missionary labors indistant lands, where I might be more stimulated to exertion, in thenecessity of action. Give me your advice, O'Brien, on which of these twoplans to decide. On the one hand, I have the temptation offered me toexchange for a small living on the north-eastern coast, where I shouldmeet with many ornithological novelties; on the other hand, I know Ihave still sufficient interest among my old friends to obtain theappointment to some mission in the colonies. I should prefer NorthernIndia or South Australia, both affording rich fields to the naturalist."

"A matter of secondary consideration," said O'Brien, smiling. "But waita month or two, my good friend; we must not decide hastily on such animportant step; and before that time has elapsed, you will havefulfilled the last pious offices for me. Do not be agitated, Mayburn. Iknow that I am dying; these old wounds have slowly, but successfully,undermined the fortress; it cannot hold out long. But be comforted; I amresigned and calm, nay, I am happy, for I know in whom I trust. Now,Mayburn, to you and to your sweet daughter I must bequeath my wild,half-taught boy. Give him all the book-lore he can be made to imbibe;above all, Mayburn, make him a Christian. To Margaret I intrust hisphysical education. I should wish him to be fitted to perform such workin this world as it may please God to call him to. I am thankful that Imust leave him poor, as he will thus be exempt from the grandtemptation, and forced into healthy action. May God direct his labors tothe best and wisest end."

The words of his dying friend had for some time a salutary influenceover the amiable but vacillating Mayburn. With remorse and shame helooked on his own discontent, and with a brief gleam of energy he turnedto the duties of his office; but long habits of self-indulgence inliterary pursuits and literary ease were not to be suddenly overcome;and when the grave closed over his faithful friend and wise counsellor,O'Brien, he soon shrunk back into morbid, solitary musings, andgradually sunk into his accustomed indolence. But a waking of remorseinduced him to write to his old college friend, the Bishop of ——, topray that he might be allowed to resign his living, and be appointed tosome distant mission.

Mr. Mayburn, though upright in principle and amiable in disposition, wasyet unfitted, from his deficiency in firmness, for the responsibilitiesof his office; but his constitutional timidity and indolence had escapednotice during the lifetime of his valuable and energetic wife, who haddirected his actions and concealed his feeble nature. But it was thewill of God that she should be suddenly called from him; and, stunnedwith his loss, he abandoned himself to sorrow and inaction. The death ofhis valuable friend and counsellor, Captain O'Brien, cut away the lastprop of the feeble man, who was now alternately sunk in useless grief orhaunted with the horrors of neglected duties.

Pious and eloquent, his people declared he was an angel in the church;but in their humble dwellings his visits, like those of angels, "wereshort and far between." In his family, it was his pleasure tocommunicate to his children the rich treasures of learning that hepossessed; but the lessons of life, the useful preparation for thebattle of the world, he had not the skill or the energy to teach.

His daughter, now sixteen years of age, had been ably instructed by herexcellent mother, and possessed good sense and prudence beyond heryears. Arthur, the eldest son, one year younger, had benefited by hismother's advice and example equally with his sister, whom he resembledin disposition. His brother Hugh, not yet thirteen years old, was tooyoung to have profited much by instruction, and was more volatile thanMargaret and Arthur. But the children were all frank, true, andconscientious; and had yet escaped the temptations and perils of theworld.

Gerald, the orphan son of the faithful and attached friend of Mr.Mayburn, Captain O'Brien, was the most weighty charge of his timidguardian; though but twelve years old, he was bold, independent, andforever in mischief; and hourly did Mr. Mayburn groan under hisresponsibility, for he had solemnly promised to fulfil the duties of afather to the boy, and he trembled to contemplate his incapacity forthe office.

"Margaret," said he to his daughter, "I request that you or Jenny willnever lose sight of that boy after he leaves my study. I am continuallydistracted by the dread that he should pull down the old church towerwhen he is climbing to take the nests of the harmless daws, or that heshould have his eyes pecked out by the peaco*cks at Moore Park, when heis pulling the feathers from their tails."

"Do you not think, papa," answered Margaret, "that you are partlyresponsible for his mischievous follies? You have imbued him with yourornithological tastes."

"He has no taste, Margaret," replied her father hastily. "He has nojudgment in the science. He has never learned to distinguish theCorvidæ from the Columbidæ; nor could he at this moment tell you towhich family the jackdaw he makes war with belongs. He is negligenthimself, and, moreover, he allures my son Hugh from his serious studies,to join him in rash and dangerous enterprises. He is totally deficientin the qualities of application and perseverance. I have a dimrecollection, Margaret, of a childish hymn, written by the pious Dr.Watts, who was no great poet, but was really an observer of the habitsof the animal creation. This hymn alludes prettily to the industry ofthe bee, and if you could prevail on Gerald to commit it to memory, itmight suggest reflections on his own deficiencies."

"Papa," said Margaret laughing, "Gerald could repeat 'How doth thelittle busy bee,' when he was four years old, and I do not think that arepetition of it now would make any serious impression on him."

"He has no taste for the higher range of poetry," said his distressedguardian; "and has too much levity to seek knowledge in the directpaths. What would you think of giving him to learn an unpretending poemby Mrs. Barbauld, which describes the feathered tribes with tolerableaccuracy. It commences,

"Gerald is not lazy, papa, he is only thoughtless," said Margaret. "Letus hope that a few years will bring him more wisdom; then he will learnto admire Homer, and to distinguish birds like his good guardian."

Mr. Mayburn sighed. "But what shall I do with the boy," he said, "whenmy duties summon me to distant lands? I am bewildered with doubts of thefuture. Will it be right, Margaret, to remove you and my promising boysfrom country, society, and home, perhaps even from civilization?"

"No, no, papa, you are not fitted for a missionary to savages," answeredMargaret, "you must choose some more suitable employment. And if you arebent on quitting England, surely you cannot suppose, whatever may beyour destination, that we should consent to be separated from you."

"God forbid that it should be so!" exclaimed the father. "But I cannotbut feel, my child, that I have been selfish and negligent. Give me someconsolation—tell me that you think I may yet do some good in a strangeland. I am persuaded that I shall be better able to exert myself amongcomplete heathens than I am among these cold, dull, professedChristians."

"If you feel this conviction, papa," said Margaret, "it is sufficient.When we earnestly desire to do right, God always provides us with work.We must all try to aid you. And Gerald is now our brother, papa; he mustaccompany us in our wanderings. The boys anticipate with great delightthe pleasures of a sea-voyage, and I myself, though I regret to leave mypoor people, enjoy the idea of looking on the wonders of the world."

"Then, Margaret," added Mr. Mayburn, "I must trust you and Jenny towatch that giddy boy, Gerald. Warn him of the dangers that surround him.I should never survive if he were to fall overboard. I promised O'Brienmuch; but, alas! I have done little."

Margaret engaged to use all needful watchfulness, though, she assuredher father, Arthur would care for the young boys; and being nowconvinced that her father's resolution to leave England was earnest andunchangeable, the young girl, assisted by Jenny Wilson, the old nurse,set about the serious preparations for this important change; and when amission to a remote part of India was proposed to Mr. Mayburn, he foundthe whole of his family as ready as he was himself to enter into thisnew and hazardous undertaking.

"I looked for nothing better, Miss Marget, my darling," said nurseJenny; "and my poor mistress, lying on her death-bed, saw it allplainly. Says she to me, 'Nurse,' says she, 'your good master will neversettle after I'm gone. He'll be for shifting from this place; but mindthis, nurse, you'll stick to my childer.' And then and there I said Iwould never leave ye; 'specially you, Miss Marget; where you go, I mustgo, and I hope God will spare me to nurse childer of yours. Thoughwhere you are to meet with a suiting match I cannot see, if master willchoose to go and live among black savages."

"Not so bad as that, nurse," said Margaret, smiling. "I trust that ourlot may be cast on a more civilized spot, where we may find many of ourown countrymen living among the benighted people we are sent to teach;and even they, though ignorant and degraded, are not absolutely savage,neither are they blacks, my dear nurse."

"Well, my child, you know best," answered Jenny. "But there's a soretask laid out for you, that will have all the work to do. Not but whatmaster is a grand hand at preaching, and can talk wonderful, nows andthens, to poor folks; but he cannot get round them as you can. He neverseems to be talking to them as it were face to face, but all likepreaching to them out of his pulpit; and somehow he never gets nigh handto them. But it's God will, and, please Him, we must all do our best; weshall be missed here; and oh, Miss Marget, what will come of poor RuthMartin? and we promising to take the lass next month, and make a goodservant of her. Here's Jack, too; just out of his time, a fair goodworkman, and a steady lad, and none but you and master to look up to,poor orphans."

"Do not be distressed, nurse," replied Margaret, "I have thought of allmy scholars; I have prepared a list of those I wish papa especially torecommend to his successor; and perhaps Mrs. Newton will take Ruth ontrial."

"She won't do it, Miss Marget," answered Jenny. "I tried her before, andshe flounces, and flames, and says all sorts of ill words again thelass, as how she's flappy and ragged, and knows nothing; and when Iasked her what she could expect from childer as was found crying overtheir poor father and mother lying dead under a hedge; she saidoutright, she should expect they would turn out vagabonds, like themthey belonged to. Yes, she said that; after you had given the poorthings schooling for six years."

It was not the least of Margaret Mayburn's pangs, on leaving Wendon,that she must be compelled to abandon the poor children of the parish,whom she had long taught and cared for; and she sighed over theincapacity of the rough orphan girl that she now set out with herfaithful nurse to visit.

Ruth and Jack Martin had been found one cold morning of winter in a laneleading to the village of Wendon, sitting by the side of the hedge,weeping over the dead bodies of their parents, who had perished fromfamine and fever, exposed to the storm of the previous night. Thechildren were conveyed to the workhouse, and from their story, andfurther inquiries, it was made out that their mother had left a tribe ofgipsies to marry a railway navvy, as the children called their father.He was a reckless, drunken profligate; and after losing his arm from anaccident which originated in his own carelessness, was dismissed fromhis employment, and driven to wander a homeless vagrant. The childrensaid they had lived by begging, and had often been nearly starved; buttheir mother would never let them steal or tell a lie, and she had oftencried when their father came to their lodging very drunk, speaking verybad words, and holding out silver money, which their mother would nottouch.

But at last he was seized with a bad fever on the road, and, houselessand penniless, they crept under a haystack; from thence the childrenwere sent to the road-side to beg from passengers, or to seek somefarmhouse, where charity might bestow on them a little milk or a fewcrusts of bread; but the poor wife sickened of the same disease whichwas carrying off her husband, and in their desperation the wretchedsufferers dragged themselves to the road which led to the village, inhopes of reaching it, and finding shelter and aid. But it was too late.In the midst of the beating snow, and in the darkness of a winter'snight, the man sank down and died. The wretched woman cast herself downbeside him, and, overcome by sorrow and long suffering, did not surviveto see the morning light.

The sympathy created by this melancholy event procured many warm friendsfor the orphans. They were fed and clothed, sent to school, andcarefully instructed in that pure religion of which they had formerlyhad but vague notions. Jack, the boy, who was about eleven years of agewhen they were orphaned, was a thoughtful, industrious lad; for threeyears he made useful progress at school, and in the last three years,under a good master, he had become a skilful carpenter. Ruth, who wastwo years younger than her brother, had inferior abilities; she wasrough, boisterous, and careless; and was ever the dunce of the school,till at length the schoolmistress begged she might be put to somethingelse, for she declared she made "no hand at learning." She was thenplaced with an old woman, who daily complained that "the lass was of nouse; she was willing enough; but if she was set to wash the cups, shebroke them; and she could not even stir the fire but she would poke itout." At fifteen years old, Ruth was a strong, active girl, extremelygood-natured, true, and honest, fondly attached to her brother, anddevoted to her kind friends at the rectory; yet, certainly, Ruth was nofavorite with the wives of the neighboring farmers, who unanimouslyagreed that she must have "two left hands," she was so awkward in allher undertakings. Under these untoward circ*mstances, it had beenarranged that Ruth should undergo an apprenticeship in the rectoryestablishment, to fit her for household service. This event was lookedforward to by the girl with great delight, and it was with much regretthat Margaret set out to announce to her their plan of leaving Wendon,which must necessarily extinguish her hopes of preferment.

There was still another who would deeply feel their loss; and Margaretwas accompanied by her brothers, who were anxious to see their untiringassistant, Jack. It was he who gave his useful aid to them in theconstruction of bows, bats, leaping-bars, and all the wooden appliancesof school-boy sports; and above all the people of the village, the boysmurmured most that they must part with Jack.

They found the industrious lad busily engaged in making a new crutch forNanny, the old woman with whom the orphans lived. "You see, MasterHugh," said he, "poor Ruth happened to throw down Nanny's crutch, andthen the careless lass fell over it, and snapped it. I reckon it hadbeen a bit of bad wood; but this is a nice seasoned stick I've had laidby these two years for another purpose, and it comes in nicely; forNanny was cross, and poor Ruth was sadly put about, and this will setall straight."

At this moment, Ruth, who had been sent out to milk Nanny's cow,entered in woful plight. She had neglected to tie Brindle's legsproperly, and the animal, irritated by the teasing bark of an ill-taughtlittle dog, had struggled to extricate itself, kicked Ruth into the mud,and the milk-pail after her, and then run off, pursued by its tormentor;and the girl returned with her dress torn and dirty, and her milk-pailempty. Nanny scolded, Jack shook his head, Margaret gently remonstratedwith her for her carelessness, and, worst cut of all, the younggentlemen laughed at her. Then Ruth fairly sat down and cried.

"Well, Nanny," said Margaret, "you must look over Ruth's fault thistime, for we have some sad news for you all. We are going to leaveWendon."

Jack threw down his work, and Ruth, forgetting her own vexation, held upher hands, crying out, "Not without me, please, Miss Marget. Youpromised to try and make me good for something; please do, Miss Marget,and I'll pray God to make me of some use to you."

"But, Ruth," said Hugh, "we are going far away from here, across thewide sea, and among people who neither talk, nor look, nor live as wedo."

"How many legs have they, Master Hugh?" asked the awe-struck girl.

"Only two legs, and one head, Ruth," answered he, laughing; "and we feelpretty sure that they will not eat us; but, for all that, I am afraidthey are a little bit savage, if they be roused."

"Will you be so kind as to tell me, Mr. Arthur," said Jack, "where youmay be going really."

Arthur then explained to Jack the plans of Mr. Mayburn, and assured himthey all felt a pang at leaving Wendon; and especially they regrettedthe parting from the children they had themselves assisted to teach.

"Then let us go with you," cried Ruth vehemently.

"Cannot we both work and wait on you? If I stay here I shall be sure toturn out a bad lass. Jack, honey, we'll not be left behind, we will runafter Miss Marget and Mr. Arthur."

Jack was thoughtful and silent, while Margaret said to the weepinggirl,—"If we had only been removing to any part of England, Ruth, wewould have taken you with us, if it had been possible; but we dare notpropose such an addition to the family in a long voyage, which will costa large sum of money for each of us; besides this, we are going to acountry where your services, my poor girl, would be useless; for all theservants employed in cooking, house-work, and washing, are men, who bearthe labor, in such a hot climate, better than women could."

"If you please, Miss Margaret," said Jack, eagerly, "I have thought ofsomething. Will you be kind enough to tell me the name of the ship youare to go in, and I will get my master to write me out a goodtestimonial, and then I will seek the captain, to offer to work for mypassage and for that of poor Ruth, if you will agree to try her; for yousee, Miss Margaret, we must never be parted. And when once we're landed,please God, we'll take care to follow you wherever you may go."

Margaret was deeply affected by the attachment of the orphans; andthough she felt the charge of Ruth would be a burden, she promised toconsult her father about the plan, and the brother and sister were leftin a state of great anxiety and doubt.

As they walked home, Margaret and Arthur talked of Jack's project tillthey satisfied themselves it was really feasible; and Arthur believedthat, once landed in India, the lad might obtain sufficient employmentto enable him to support himself and his sister.

"Oh, Jack will be a capital fellow to take with us," said Hugh. "I knowpapa will consent, for he could always trust Jack to find the birds'nests, and bring away the right eggs, as well as if he had gone himself.Then he is such an ingenious, clever fellow, just the man to be castaway on a desolate island."

"I trust we shall never have occasion to test his talents under suchextreme circ*mstances," said Arthur; "but, if we can manage it, I shouldreally like Jack to form a part of our establishment. As to thatluckless wench, Ruth, I should decidedly object to her, if we could becruel enough to separate them, which seems impossible. But I shallalways be haunted with the idea that she may contrive, somehow, to runthe ship upon a rock."

"Oh! do let us take Ruth, Meggie," exclaimed Gerald; "it will be suchfun. Isn't she a real Irish girl, all wrong words and unlucky blunders.Won't she get into some wonderful scrapes, Hugh?"

"With you to help her, Pat Wronghead," replied Hugh. "But mind, Meggie,she is to go. Papa will say what you choose him to say; and I willcajole nurse out of her consent."

And serious as the charge was likely to become, it was at length agreedthat Jack and Ruth should be included in the party with the Mayburns;and the girl was immediately transferred to the rectory, to undergo ashort course of drilling previous to the momentous undertaking.

CHAPTER II.

Departure from Wendon.—Embarkation in the Amoor.—Ruth'sAdventures in London.—The Deverell Family.—The Pleasures of theVoyage.—Tropical Wonders.—The Flying-fish.—The Stormy Petrel.—TheAlbatross.—Deverell's Plans.—The Indian Ocean.—A Storm.

Finally the successor of Mr. Mayburn arrived, was initiated in hisoffice, introduced to his new parishioners, and had promised to supply,as well as he was able, the loss which the mourning poor must sustain inthe departure of the charitable family. Mr. Mayburn's old friend, theBishop of ——, himself accompanied the family to London, directed themin the mode of fitting out for the voyage, and for their new residence,and supplied them with letters of instruction as well as of introductionbefore he left them. Some weeks of delay followed, and severaldisappointments; but at length they were induced to embark, with nurseWilson, Ruth, and Jack, on board the Amoor, a good sailing vesselbound to Melbourne, with many passengers; and from thence to Calcutta,with cattle and merchandise; Captain Barton, who commanded the ship,being an old acquaintance of Mr. Mayburn. Established in a large andcommodious cabin, Margaret begged that nurse would keep Ruth always withthem, for the girl was distracted with the strange objects around her.

"Sit ye down, lass, and hem that apron," said Jenny, in a tone ofauthority. "Truly, Miss Margaret, I wouldn't go through the last weekagain to be Queen Victoria herself, God bless her; and all owing to thatunlucky lass. Jack is a decent lad, and it's unknown what a help he wasabout getting the things here safe; but all the folks in London seemedof one mind that she was fitter for a 'sylum than for a creditablegentleman's family. It's no good blubbering about it now, girl; just seeand mind what you are about, for there's no police here to look afteryou."

"Did the police really get hold of her, nurse?" asked Gerald. "Whatfun!"

"I never took her out for a walk, Master O'Brien," answered Jenny, "butthey had their eye on her; they marked her at once as one that neededwatching—a simpleton! Why, it was no later than yesterday morning whenshe worked on me, fool-body as I was, to go with her to see St. Paul's;and what did she do then but start from my arm and run right across astreet thronged with cabs, and wagons, and omnibuses. I just shut myeyes and screamed, for I never thought to see her again living; andthere was such a hallooing among coachmen and cabmen, and such screamingof women, as was never heard. How they got all them horses to stop isjust a miracle; but when I looked again, there was a lot of policeholding horses' heads, and one man was hauling Ruth right across; and hehad his trouble, for when she heard all that hullabaloo, she was forturning back to me through the thick of it. Oh! Miss Marget, wasn't Ishamed out of my life when they fetched her back to me at last, and onefine fellow said I had better lead my daughter in a string."

Ruth giggled hysterically at the recital of her adventure, and whenMargaret said to her gravely,—"You behaved very improperly, Ruth, whydid you leave your kind friend, Mrs. Wilson?"

"Please Miss Marget," sobbed the girl; "it was a window full of bonniebabbies."

"She's just a babby herself, Miss Marget," said Jenny, wrathfully. "Itwas a fine toyshop she saw, and she had no more sense but run amongcarriages to it. She's hardly safe shut up here; see if she doesn'ttumble into the sea some of these days."

But when Ruth's curiosity and astonishment had somewhat subsided, thequiet and firm government of Margaret, and the watchful care of Jack,had great power over her; though still the wild boys Hugh and Geraldsometimes tempted her to pry into forbidden places, or to join them insome mischievous frolic.

The greater part of the accommodation of the Amoor was given up to agentleman of good birth and property, who was emigrating to Australia.He had obtained a grant of an immense tract of land in the very midst ofthe country, further north than the steps of the colonists had yetreached. To this remote district he was taking his mother, his youngsister, and a younger brother who had studied medicine; and besidesthese, a number of male and female servants, carpenters, smiths,builders, drainers, shepherds, and various workmen likely to be usefulin a new colony. These men were accompanied by their wives and children,forming a considerable clan, all depending on their worthy and energeticchieftain. The vast amount of goods brought out by all these emigrants,much that was useless, as must ever be the case, among the useful, hadheavily laden the vessel.

The Mayburns and Deverells were drawn together as much by kindred tasteas by inevitable circ*mstances, and they soon became as true friends asif they had been intimately acquainted for years. Edward Deverell, withpromptness and practical knowledge, managed the affairs and smoothed thedifficulties of the Mayburns; while Mr. Mayburn instructed the ignorant,and, at the desire of the captain, a right-minded man, daily read themorning and evening services publicly—a most beneficial practice,producing order and decorum, and implanting in the minds of the youngthe seeds of future blessing.

"How truly I should rejoice, dear Margaret," said Deverell, "if we couldinduce your excellent father to join our expedition. I would thenundertake to build a church; and might hope for a blessing on my newcolony, if the foundation were so happily laid. The climate is declaredto be exceedingly salubrious, much more likely to suit you all than theunhealthy air of India. It would be an inestimable advantage to my dearsister Emma; she has never known the care and tenderness of a sister;she needs a more cheerful companion than her good mother, who hasdelicate health; and you, Margaret Mayburn, are the model I should wishher to imitate."

"I need a sister quite as much," answered Margaret, "to soften my roughpoints, and your gentle, gay little Emma charms and interests me; but,alas! papa has accepted a duty which he must not relinquish without atrial to fulfil it. I regret that it should be in such a locality forthe sake of my brothers."

"You are right, my dear friend," replied he; "observe how happily theyare now engaged. Arthur has looked over the dried plants, and he is nowdissecting rabbits with my brother. Hugh and your ingenious Jack are atwork with my carpenters, making models of broad-wheeledtravelling-wagons and canoes for the rivers. Even the mischievous urchinO'Brien is out of danger when he is engaged with my grooms and herdsmen,in attendance on my valuable horses and cattle. What can these ardentboys find to interest and amuse them in the arid and enfeebling plainsof India?"

Margaret knew that if her father heard these arguments, they wouldcertainly agitate him, and might even shake his determination to proceedin the undertaking, which she and Arthur were of opinion he was bound tocomplete. She therefore begged Deverell to use no further persuasions;but she promised him, that if the Indian mission was beyond the physicalor mental strength of her father, she would try to induce him to returnto Melbourne, and from thence they would endeavor to make their way tothe station of Mr. Deverell, who had promised to leave directions fortheir progress with his banker at Melbourne, which he proposed to makehis mart for business.

It was truly the fact, that in pleasant employment no one found the longvoyage tedious. Jack was especially charmed with his increase ofknowledge. "You see, sir," said he to Arthur, "I was qualified to make afour-post bedstead, or a chest of drawers, as well as the best of thesechaps; but they tell me them sort of things isn't much needed in themforrin parts. But what they've brought along with them is quite anotherthing: frames for wooden houses, ready to nail up in no time; mills andthreshing machines; great, broad-felloed wagons for their rough roads,and boats of all makes. Just look, Mr. Arthur, I've made bits of modelsof all them things, you see. We can't say but they may turn up usefulsome day."

Even Ruth the unlucky lost her cognomen, and became popular among theemigrant women; for when kept quietly at regular employment, she couldbe steady and useful; it was only when she was hurried, or thrown uponher own responsibility, that she lost her head, and blundered intomischief. She nursed the babes tenderly and carefully, helped the poorwomen to wash their clothes, and for the first time in her life began tobelieve she might be of some use in the world. Gerald, who alwaysinsisted on it that Ruth was not half so bad as she was represented,assured Jenny that all the girl's errors arose from improper management."You do not appreciate her talents justly, nurse," said he. "She isquite a genius, and ought to have been Irish, only she was born inEngland. You have wronged poor Ruth; you see she has never drowned ababby yet."

"Well, Master O'Brien, wait a bit, we're not through our voyage yet,"said Jenny, oracularly.

"The Ides of March are not gone, she would say," said Hugh.

"I didn't mean to say no such thing, Master Hugh," replied she; "you'reso sharp with one. I'm not so daft, but I know March is gone, andMay-day ought to be at hand; not that we can see any signs of it,neither leaves nor flowers here, and I cannot see days get any longer.How is it, Master Arthur? Is it because we're atop of the water?"

Arthur endeavored to make Jenny comprehend the natural consequences oftheir position, now within the tropics, and daily drawing nearer to theequator; but he only succeeded in agitating the mind of the old woman,without enlightening her.

"God help us!" she exclaimed. "Nigher and nigher to the sun! It'sdownright temptation and wickedness, my dears; and my thought is, oneought to stay where it has pleased Him to plant us. And think ye, MasterArthur, we shall all turn black, like them nigg*rs we saw in Londonstreets."

"No; certainly not, nurse," answered Arthur. "It requires hundreds ofyears, under a tropical sun, to change the color of Europeans. Besides,the negroes, although we are all children of Adam, are of a distinctrace from us. We are certainly not, like the thick-lipped negroes, thedescendants of Ham."

"Likely he had been the plainest of Noah's family," said Jenny, "forbeauty runs in the blood, that I'll stand to," continued the attachednurse, looking round with complacency on her handsome young nurslings.

To the young voyagers there was an indescribable charm in the noveltieswhich the sea and the air offered to them in the tropical region theyhad now entered. Now for the first time they beheld the flying-fish risesparkling from the waves, to descend as quickly; escaping for a shorttime from its enemies in the waves to expose itself to the voracioustribes of the air, who are ready to dart upon it. And sometimes theelegant little Stormy Petrel, with its slender long legs, seemed to walkthe waters, like the fervent St. Peter, from whom it derives its name.

"But is not this bird believed to be the harbinger of storms?" askedMargaret of her father, as he watched with delight the gracefulcreature he had so often desired to behold.

"Such is the belief of the sailors," answered he, "who have added theill-omened epithet to its name. It is true that the approach, or thepresence, of a gale, has no terror to this intrepid bird, the smallestof the web-footed tribe. It ascends the mountainous wave, and skimsalong the deep hollows, treading the water, supported by its expandedwings, in search of the food which the troubled sea casts on thesurface:

as a poet who is a true lover of nature has written. Yet it is notalways the harbinger or the companion of the storm, for even in thecalmest weather it follows a vessel, to feed on the offal thrownoverboard, as fearless and familiar in the presence of man as the pertsparrow of London."

"Here, papa!" cried Hugh, "here is a new creature to add to yourcollection. I know him at once,—the huge Albatross."

With the admiration of a naturalist, Mr. Mayburn looked on the giganticbird, continuing its solemn majestic flight untiringly for hours afterthe ship, its keen eye ever on the watch for any floating substancewhich was thrown from the vessel, and then swooping heavily down tosnatch the prize voraciously, and circling round the ship, again toresume its place at the wake.

"I see now," said he, "why Coleridge wrote,—

But the poet mistook the habits of the bird entirely when he added, that'on mast or shroud it perched.' The difficulty of expanding its wing offive joints, so immensely long, would impede its rising from the mast ofa ship; it scrambles along the waves before it can rise above them; andit has been well said, 'The albatross is the mere creature of the wind,and has no more power over itself than a paper kite or an air balloon.It is all wing, and has no muscle to raise itself with, and must waitfor a wind before it can get under sail.'"

The family were assembled on deck in the close of the evening, after thefervid heat of an equatorial sun, and they beheld with enjoyment thewonders of the deep; but the old nurse seemed disturbed and awe-struck.

"Every thing seems turned topsy-turvy here," said she. "Days far hotternor ever I mind them, and May-day not come; fishes with wings, flying asif they were birds, and birds walking atop of the water, as if it weredry land. It's unnatural, Miss Marget, and no good can come on it, Isay."

"Ah! if you were but going with us, Mrs. Wilson," said Charles Deverell;"then I would engage you should see wonders. You should see beastshopping about like birds, and wearing pockets to carry their young onesin; black swans and white eagles; cuckoos that cry in the night, andowls that scream by day; pretty little birds that cannot sing, and beesthat never sting. There the trees shed their bark instead of theirleaves, and the cherries grow with the stone outside."

"Now, just hold your tongue, Mr. Charles," answered nurse, angrily."Your brother would scorn to talk such talk; but you're no better thanMaster Gerald, trying to come over an old body with your fairy stories."

"It is quite true, Mrs. Wilson," said Emma Deverell, "and I wish youwere all going with us into this land of enchantments. Then, Margaret,dear Margaret, how happy we should be. You should be queen, and we allyour attendant sylphs, and

"Merry for you, little wild goose," said her brother Edward; "butCharles has told you the fairy birds do not sing; and our sylph-lifewill be one of hard labor for many months before we make our fairy-landand court lit to receive our queen. Then we must try and lure her to us.How shall we contrive it, Emma?"

Margaret smiled and shook her head. "Too bright a dream," said she, "tobe safely indulged in. But you must tell us all you propose to do, andwe will watch your progress in fancy."

"Oh, do tell us all about it, Edward," said Hugh. "But, first of all,make a dot upon my map, that we may know where you are when we come toseek you."

"Very prudent, Hugh," answered Edward, "though I doubt the accuracy ofmy dot on this small map; but I suppose I shall not be more than ahundred miles wrong, and that is nothing in the wilds of Australia."

"But I see you will be close on this great river that falls into theDarling," said Hugh; "so if we only follow up the rivers, we must findyou."

"You would not find that so easy a task as it seems, my boy," repliedEdward. "Neither are we, as you suppose, close on that river, but fiftymiles from it; but we have a charming little river laid down on ourplan, which we must coax and pet in the rainy season, that it mayprovide us with water in the drought."

"You have a most extensive tract," said Arthur, looking on the plan.

"Oh, yes," said Charles, "we propose, you know, to build a castle forourselves, and a town for our vassals."

"There lies my castle," said Edward, pointing to some large packageswhich contained the frame of his future abode. "As for the town, I amnot without hopes to see it rise some time, and do honor to its name."

"Deverell, I conclude?" observed Arthur.

"So my mother wishes the station to be called," replied he; "but my own'modest mansion,' I should wish to name Daisy Grange."

"I never understood that the daisy was indigenous in Australia," saidMr. Mayburn.

"Certainly it is not, sir," answered Edward; "but we have fortunatelybrought out a number of roots of this dear home flower, and will try todomesticate them in our new country; though I fear they will be apt toforget their native simplicity, and learn to flaunt in colors."

"I know why you wish to call your house Daisy Grange, Edward," saidEmma, nodding sagaciously at Margaret, and the general laughter showedthe little girl had surmised correctly.

"A very pretty and delicate compliment," said Mr. Mayburn: "our ownglorious Chaucer speaks of the daisy as—

and the noble Margaret of Valois, a Christian and a scholar, had thedaisy, or marguerite, worn in honor of her name, and is herselfremembered as the 'Marguerite of Marguerites'."

And thus they amused themselves till, without storm or delay, they hadcrossed the equator, and entered the South Sea, when a new source ofenjoyment was opened to Mr. Mayburn, who had long desired to view theconstellations of the south; and favorable weather enabled them to studyastronomy every night. Never for a moment did the voyage seem tedious inthe cheerful society of the happy families, and all things concurred torender it agreeable. The provisions were excellent, fresh meat andbread, with milk in abundance, prevented them from suffering from changeof diet; and constant employment made the moments fly. In the morningthe young Mayburns, with Emma Deverell, read with Mr. Mayburn, andstudied Hindostanee; and in the evening they walked on deck, listeningto the pleasant anecdotes told by Edward Deverell, who had been a greattraveller. Then they had music, and occasionally dancing; and ifsometimes a light gale tossed the vessel, or swept the dinner from thetable, the contretemps caused mirth rather than wailing. Mr. Mayburnhimself, busily engaged in teaching, lecturing, or in writing anddelivering simple sermons to the poor emigrants, recovered hischeerfulness, and once more began to confide in himself.

And so, in good time, they reached the Cape, and Jenny discovered thatnow, "when May-day was turned," it was far colder than any May-day inEngland, and put on her warm shawl to land with her young charge to seethe town, and to look after that "f*ckless Ruth." It was a greatpleasure to the ardent young people to set their feet on the shores ofAfrica, to see the vessels of many nations crowding the harbor, and thepeople of many countries thronging the busy streets, to make excursionsto the mountains and vine-covered hills around, and to collect thebotanical treasures of a new and fertile region. Mr. Deverell was moreusefully engaged with his herdsmen and shepherds, in completing hisstock of cattle and sheep, and in making other purchases for his greatundertaking; and thus many days were spent pleasantly and profitably.

Once more embarked, a shade of melancholy was perceptible—among theyoung especially—as they daily approached nearer to the shores wherethey must be separated; for the two families, so kindred in taste anddisposition, had become truly attached during their long voyage; andnotwithstanding the pleasant prospect of new scenes and pursuits, theywere less cheerful every day. Even Edward Deverell, with his mindcrowded with plans for clearing, draining, cultivating, sheep-shearing,and tallow-melting, felt deep regret at the prospect of separation fromthe lively, intelligent boys, and their amiable and sensible sister; andMargaret herself, usually so composed and contented, sighed to think shemust lose the valuable counsel of Edward, the friendly protection of hismild invalid mother, and the warm affection of the sprightly Emma; andevery evening, as they walked on deck, they indulged hopes, and sketchedplans of meeting again.

After they had entered the Indian Ocean, they had no longer thefavorable and pleasant breezes they had so long enjoyed, and while Hughand Gerald were anxiously looking out for pirates, and talking ofMalays, of prahus, and of kreeses, the sailors were watching the signsof the sky, wrestling with contrary winds, and guarding against suddengales.

"How vexatious," said Hugh, "to be drifted about every way but the rightway, and to have all this noise and splashing and dashing, and yetnothing to come of it. Now if we had a grand regular storm, and ashipwreck, and were all cast away on an uninhabited island, it would bean adventure; there would be some life in that."

"More likely there would be death in it," said Margaret. "Do not be sopresumptuous, unthinking boy!"

"I should enjoy the thing amazingly myself, Margaret," said Gerald; "sodon't you look grave about it. Or what would you think, Hugh, if a greatfleet of prahus were to surround us and try to board us, while we, armedand ready for them, were to pour our shots into them, and put the roguesto flight. But first we would take care to capture the fierce piratecaptain, and take possession of all his treasures. Then wouldn't weenter Melbourne in triumph, and have the robber hauled up to thegallows."

"Pirates do not usually carry their treasures about in their prahus,"said Arthur; "nor do I think it is at all desirable that we shouldencounter a piratical fleet. Where are your guns to pour downdestruction on the foe, Master Gerald?"

"Oh, murther!" cried the wild boy, "wasn't I forgetting the guns! Now,what for did we come in a merchantman, as quiet and dull as a quaker?Well, well, Arty, we have plenty of brave fellows, and our own riflesand pistols, besides knives and dirks. We should defend ourselves likeBritons, I'll be bound."

But the next day there was no cause to complain of dulness, for a realgale came on, and all was confusion. The wind roared, the waves rosetremendously, the ship rolled fearfully in a heavy sea, and before nightthe maintop-gallant was carried away. Then sail was reduced; but louderand stronger grew the tempest amid the darkness of night. Mast aftermast was rent away, and the crippled vessel continued to drifthelplessly for twenty-four hours, when the violence of the gale began toabate. Signals of distress were made, but long in vain. At length avessel appeared in sight, and distinguishing their signals, made up tothem. It was bound to Melbourne, which was now within a few days' sail,and, with as much kindness as difficulty, the stranger succeeded intaking the disabled Amoor in tow, and bringing her into port insafety.

CHAPTER III.

Melbourne.—The Squatters.—The Two Convicts.—A PainfulSeparation.—The Golden Fairy.—Ruth's Misfortunes.—A NocturnalAlarm.—Ruth's Confession.—The Ship on Fire.

Weary, distressed, and suffering, the passengers on the Amoor gladlylanded on the busy wharf, and were conveyed to Melbourne, where Mr.Mayburn and his daughter, Mrs. Deverell and Emma, were settled in ahandsome hotel; but Mr. Deverell and his people, with the youngMayburns, remained at the port to land the cargo and inspect the damagedone by the storm. It was soon ascertained that the loss must beconsiderable—a number of sheep and cattle, besides a valuable horse,had been swept into the sea; and all that had been saved were in badcondition; but it was to be hoped a short rest at Melbourne mightrestore these, and fit them for their long journey into the interior.Then Deverell had to search for experienced drovers to guide and assisthis own men; and finally, he undertook to inquire for the first vesselto Calcutta that could accommodate Mr. Mayburn and his family, as somemonths must elapse before the disabled Amoor could be prepared toresume the voyage.

The girls looked out from the windows of the hotel with admiration atthe broad and peopled streets, the handsome churches, and the Europeanaspect of a town on the spot which, but a few years before, had been alonely wilderness; but the pious Mr. Mayburn called them away to unitewith him in thanksgiving for this their first experience of the progressof divine and social knowledge, even into the farthest regions of theearth.

"The spirit which has clothed the desert with the blessings of peace andabundance," said he, "and has planted the gospel of life in anewly-discovered world, will by God's blessing spread onwards like afertilizing river till the word of the Lord be accomplished; for theblessed day draweth nigh when the scattered people of God shall begathered into one fold, and the great shepherd shall say, 'Well done.'"

"God speed the day, dear papa," said Margaret. "But we must not be merewatchers; we must all be workers. Wherever we go, we shall find anuntilled field, and we must all put our shoulders to the plough."

"You are right, my child," replied he, with a sigh; for though everwilling to fulfil the duty lying before him, Mr. Mayburn wantedresolution to seek out the hard work of the fervent missionary ofChristianity. Evening brought to them the fatigued young men withsatisfactory news. A vessel, the Golden Fairy, which had landed aparty of gold-diggers from England, was going forward to Calcutta withsheep and merchandise. The captain, very glad to obtain passengers,readily agreed to accommodate Mr. Mayburn's family; he was to sail inthree days, so no time must be lost in making preparations.

"As to my own affairs," added Edward Deverell, "I have succeeded infinding quarters for all my live-stock. The cattle, horses, pigs, andsheep were certainly somewhat unruly; but the women and children tentimes more troublesome. Such an amount of bundles, bags, baskets,cradles, and cats as they have brought! How we have housed them all is amiracle; and how we are to get them up the country is a puzzlingproblem. Finally, I have bought a train of wagons, and engaged twogentlemen as guides, who are her majesty's prisoners, released onparole; in fact, two ticket-of-leave convicts."

A scream from Emma, and a groan from her mother, followed thisinformation.

"Surely you have not been so rash, Edward," said Mrs. Deverell. "Let usmake our way rather with our own people only. Consider the contaminationof such society for our poor virtuous followers. Besides, it is but tooprobable we may be robbed and murdered by such wretches."

"It is an inevitable evil, mother," answered Edward, "for we cannotattempt the journey without guidance. These men have behaved well sincetheir transportation; they are brothers—poachers—who, like many intheir situation, have erred rather through ignorance and weakness thandepravity. At least, such is the report of the overlooker whor*commended them. They have been out before in the interior withsquatters, and know the valleys of the Murray and the Darling, beyondwhich our ultra-frontier tract is spread. I have been to the ColonialOffice, and have obtained the necessary forms for taking possession offifty thousand acres of waste land, as it is called, for a long leaseof years. And now, mother, we are, according to the legalized andelegant form, squatters."

"Colonists, my son; I cannot bear the strange, uncouth wordsquatters," said Mrs. Deverell.

"Nevertheless, mamma," said Edward, laughing, "it is official language.We may call ourselves, if we choose, landed gentry; but the world ofAustralia will rank us only as part of the squattocracy."

"Am I a squatter?" asked little Emma, in dismay; and great was the mirthof her favorite friends, Hugh and Gerald, when Emma was pronounced to belegally a squatter.

Early next morning the two convict guides were admitted to receive theirfinal directions from Mr. Deverell, and were regarded with someuneasiness and much curiosity. One was a rough country lad, dressed in afustian suit and a fur cap, rude in manner, but of pleasing, opencountenance: the other, who was older, had a shabby-genteel appearance;he had discarded his convict's habit, and had expended the earnest-moneyreceived from Mr. Deverell in an old suit of black clothes, and a verybad English hat, which he had placed on his head in a jaunty style.

"Please to show me your district by map, sir," said he, bowing at thesame time in a very conceited manner to the ladies. "You must look tome, cartee blank, sir; for you see, sir, my brother is notintelligible; he has not had the blessing of eddication."

"And your education, my friend," said Edward Deverell, "has not been ablessing to you, I fear. Have you not rather turned it to evil?"

"Quite the contrairy, sir," said the man. "I look forrard to itshelping me up-hill in this free country. Why, sir, a man born anunder anhedge may top over quality and ride in his carriage here, if he can onlycome round his parts of speech rightly. But Davy will stick where he is,for he never could tell an X from an anpassy."

"It's all true," said the rough rustic, "I'se no scholar like Bill,master, but I'se do my best for ye, and glad to get out from amang yonrogues. It's hard for a lad to be sorted with such company for justsniggling a hare."

"Ensnaring, David," said his brother, pompously; "sniggling iscolloquial."

"Sniggling, you know, Bill," answered David, "our lads call it in t'north country; and little harm is there in't I say, that they shouldsend a poor lad amang thieves and cut-throats. But, please God, I'se outof their way, and it will be mony a day afore I come nigh them again."

"You seem a simple, though ignorant youth," said Mr. Mayburn, "and Icannot understand how it happened you were so severely punished forpoaching; though doubtless it is an offence against the law."

Bill laughed contemptuously as he replied for his brother,—"You see,sir, Davy was always a fool, or we need not both have been expostulatedto this place. Our master always called him David Simple, and sureenough, if it had not been for his downright idiosyncrasy, we might havegot clear off; but nothing would serve him but to show fight."

"Now, just be quiet, Bill, man," said David; "it was for thee I stoodout. You'se hear all, master; I'se tell t' truth. Bill had his gun, andbrought down a few birds, and I were knocking a few rabbits over, and itchanced to be a moonshiny night, when out pops a keeper, and fells Billdown with a club; and I heard him shout out to me, as how his arm wasbroken. That aggravated me bitter, and up I ran, and leathered t' fellowwell with my stick. Then Bill got up and ran off, but I was fain tostop, and give t' keeper a hiding; but he roared out so loud that twomore chaps came up, and first took me, and then went off after Bill.When they got to our lodging, he made as how he knew nought about it,but they found birds and his gun underneath t' bed; and there was hisarm all black and blue, but not broken, as he said. So off they carriedus to prison, and Bill wanted me to say as how he that were with me wereJack Kay, an auld poacher; but I couldn't swear away a man'scharackter, and t' keeper took his oath Bill wanted to shut him, and Iwere no better; so they sent us both over t' water. It's a thousandpities for Bill, for he's a scholar, cute as he is about sniggling."

David was the favorite of the family, who did not admire the flowerylanguage and cunning look of cute Bill; but among a horde of lawlessmen, Edward Deverell congratulated himself that he had been fortunateenough to obtain two men less depraved than might have been expected.

It was with a sinking heart, oppressed with strange forebodings, thatMargaret looked on the large, dark, dirty and gloomy ship honored by theinappropriate name of the Golden Fairy. She grieved for the separationfrom the new friends that the whole family had learned to love so well,and she shrunk from the prospect of unknown difficulties and dangers,when all decision and responsibility would be thrown upon her, from thehelpless character of her beloved but irresolute parent. During thefirst voyage, the powerful and energetic character of Edward Deverellhad swayed the judgment of Mr. Mayburn; but in future, Margaret felt shecould only look to her young brother Arthur for aid.

"Yet have I not a greater aid?" she repeated to herself. "Forgive me, myheavenly Father! Thou art my friend and my counsellor! Let me ever turnto Thee in my trials, and I must be in safety." And thus, with a heartever recognizing the presence and relying on the love of a watchful God,Margaret Mayburn walked on her way steadily and fearlessly.

The parting of the two families was very painful, yet they cheeredthemselves with the hope so unquenchable in the young. They talkedconfidently of their future meeting, the boys traced over and over againon the map the route they proposed to take to Daisy Grange; and, but forMargaret's firmness, even Mr. Mayburn, at the last moment, would haverelinquished his hopes of spreading the gospel in the East, to followthe new colonists into the dreary untrodden deserts.

There was an appearance of neglect and disorder in the Golden Fairythat was repugnant to the taste of the Mayburns, after being accustomedto the trim, orderly arrangements of the Amoor; Edward Deverellpointed out to Captain Markham several necessary changes which must bemade for the comfort of passengers who paid him so handsomely, and wasannoyed to perceive that his suggestions were received slightingly andalmost contemptuously. He himself procured more conveniences for thecabin of his friends, and he besought Margaret and Arthur to be firm anddetermined with Markham, who seemed careless, and, he suspected,addicted to drinking. Now, when too late, he regretted that he had notinduced the family to remain at Melbourne for the sailing of the mailpacket; but Arthur had been anxious for his father to hasten to hismission, lest his vacillating nature should lead him to relinquish it.Besides which, the throng of gold-diggers made the cost of living atMelbourne a serious consideration.

Finally, with tears and sorrowful hearts, the friends took leave of eachother, with the remote chance that favorable circ*mstances might bringthem together again; and it was not till the fair sunny shores ofAustralia had faded from their sight, that the voyagers retired to theircabin to endeavor to resign themselves to their changed circ*mstances.

The want of order in their new home was particularly trying to thescarcely-reclaimed Ruth. She had learned to be useful among the emigrantwomen in the neatly-ordered Amoor; but she soon relapsed into herusual heedless habits, amidst the scattered packages and generalconfusion in the Golden Fairy. She stumbled over boxes which were notstowed in their proper places, she was thrown down by some terrifiedsheep that had escaped from its pen, she trod to death some ramblingchicken that had found its way into the cabins, or she destroyed thecups and plates by officiously spreading the table in the midst of agale, though she had been warned of the consequences.

"Margaret," said Mr. Mayburn, who had been uneasily watching the girl'sunlucky movements, "I am of opinion that poor Ruth should be subjectedto some restraint I observe that the inevitable result of herundertakings is destruction. She is a curious study; nor can I solve themystery why she should always do wrong when she designs to do right I amalarmed, Margaret; I eat my food in terror, lest she should have pouredlaudanum into the curry, or scattered arsenic over the pudding."

"Have no fear, papa," answered Margaret. "Ruth is never intrusted withculinary preparations: the cook is too cross to allow her to touch anyof his dishes, nor has she the means of procuring any of those dreadedpoisons. I do not fear that she will harm any one but herself with herheedlessness; but, poor girl, she is covered with bruises and cuts fromfalls. Nor is she entirely to blame, for the cabins are filled up withpackages which Arthur says ought to be stowed in the hold. We must,however, make up our minds to be inconvenienced for the short time Itrust we shall be shut up in this prison."

"That I could do, my child," answered he; "but I fear Markham is not aman of understanding to depend on in emergency. This is a sea of perils,of storms and pirates. What would become of us if any of these dangersassailed us? Arthur, you look disturbed; you think with me, that Markhamis unfit for his situation."

"Truly, papa, I have some doubts of him," replied Arthur. "I think hemust be an experienced sailor, for he has made this voyage many times;and I should not have lost confidence in him, if I had not actually seenhim intoxicated. And I fear he is utterly unprincipled, for he wanted usto join him in his nightly revels. Now, Margaret, if a storm should comeon in the night, I feel assured that he would be incapable of givingorders."

"And a pretty set of queer-looking boys he has fished up at Melbourne,"said Gerald, "to man the ugly ship. Hugh and I have marked our men, andhaven't they rogue written on their black brows!"

"But, Gerald, is it not somewhat unkind to form so hasty a judgment?"said Margaret. "These sailors are strangers; why do you class them asrogues?"

"Because, Meggie," said Hugh, "Gerald saw with his own eyes a lot offellows in their yellow convict dress brought up for Markham to choose acrew from, for all his own men had deserted to go to the diggings. Andwe both agree that he must have picked out the most villanous-looking ofthe lot. Now, just come up with us, Meggie, and take a look at thefellows, and you shall hear what Jack says."

Margaret went on deck with her brothers, to walk round the disorderlyplace; and, under the pretext of examining the various parts of theship, she carefully marked the faces of the men she encountered, andcould not deny that they were not only coarse and bold, but that most ofthem had the fierce, sinister, lowering expression which usuallydistinguishes the convict. She stopped to speak to Jack, who was busilyengaged finishing a model he had begun at Melbourne, of one of thelight-hung, commodious, broad-wheeled travelling wagons Mr. Deverell hadbought at that place.

"I could easily make one for you, Miss Margaret," said Jack, "if it wereneeded; but they tell me you'll want no wheeled-carriages yonder. More'sthe pity. I wish master had been persuaded to stay with Mr. Deverell. Idon't half like this, for, oh! Miss Margaret," added he, looking around,"we've got among a bad lot."

"What have we to fear, Jack?" asked she, pale with fear.

"Don't be down-hearted, miss," said the lad; "but I doubt we may haveawkward work; for when Captain Markham is in his cups, everybody'smaster. But please God to send us fair winds, we shall soon get throughthe voyage."

"We must pray for His help, Jack," said Margaret; "and let us avoidthese men as much as possible. You, Jack, as well as my brothers, mustremain below; better endure confinement than encounter wickedness."

"And please, Miss Margaret," continued Jack, "would you ask Mrs. Wilsonto mind and keep Ruth close; for these saucy fellows amuse themselveswith sending her on some foolish errand, and getting her into mischief.I near had a fight with that big brute, the mate, for pitching her overa hencoop; but Wilkins, that little sharp fellow at the masthead, got meaway."

Margaret and Arthur had many long and serious conversations on theiruncomfortable position, particularly when their voyage was retarded bythe contrary winds of that uncertain sea. Then the family secludedthemselves in the two crowded cabins appropriated to their use, andendeavored, by prayer and regulation of the mind, to prepare themselvesfor the dangers into which such an ill-ruled vessel might be hurried.

After a day of great vexation, occasioned by the carelessness of Ruth,who had, by some mischievous device of the sailors, let all the poultryloose, and had been compelled by the violent captain to hunt them upfrom every corner of the vessel, the girl had been summoned beforeMargaret and Jenny, to be rebuked for her thoughtless conduct. She wept,and promised to improve, and was sent to her berth, Nurse declaring thatshe had made up her mind never to lose sight of her all the next day.Then, after meeting for prayers in Mr. Mayburn's cabin, they returned,to seek such repose as their close, uncomfortable berths afforded.

It might have been two or three hours after this, when Margaret awokewith a strange feeling of oppression and fear, which she vainlyattempted to shake off. At length, she called out from her berth,"Nurse, are you awake? Will you go on deck with me for a few minutes? Ilong for the refreshment of the night air, for the cabin is moresuffocating than usual to-night. Surely a storm must be at hand, for theair is positively scorching."

Jenny yawned and murmured, till at length, becoming aware of the requestof her young mistress, she scrambled from her awkward berth; but nosooner was she on her feet, than, thoroughly awakened, she exclaimed,"God have mercy on us! for there must be something on fire. I smell andfeel it must be so!"

Margaret sprang up, trembling in every limb, but firm in heart, to rushthrough the door that separated the cabins, and arouse her father andbrothers. Jenny, in the mean time, opened the outer door, and then thesmell of burning wood was plainly perceptible. While Mr. Mayburn and hissons hastily got ready, Margaret proceeded to the cabin of Capt.Markham, and knocked loudly in her fright, crying out almostunconsciously as she knocked, "Fire! fire!"

"Who calls fire?" cried Markham, with a bitter oath. "Who dares to saythat?" and his head appeared from the cabin door. His voice was huskyand broken, and Margaret feared he was intoxicated and might notcomprehend her, as she rapidly narrated her observations and her fears.Deep and horrible were the curses of the wicked man, as he staggeredforward, screaming and yelling for the watch. That there was any watchin this disorderly establishment, Margaret doubted. She hurried back toher father; and they were soon alarmed by the sounds of dreadful curses,the trampling of many feet, the ringing of bells, and the cries of thedisturbed and terrified sheep. Arthur and Hugh were sent up to ascertainthe fact of danger, and they found the lazy crew effectually roused toaction; lanterns were flying about in different directions; and atlength the fatal cry was heard, "Fire in the after-hold!"

CHAPTER IV.

Insubordination of the Sailors.—Rapid Progress of the Fire.—The Boatslowered.—Ruth's Prize.—A Man saved.—Black Peter.—The Adventure of aReprobate Crew.—A Dangerous Comrade.

Then the harsh voice of Markham was heard pouring out orders, loud, butalmost inarticulate with rage and drunkenness; while, regardless of hisawful situation, with fearful blasphemy he imprecated curses on thenegligence which had caused the accident, and on the tardiness of actionamong his insubordinate crew. At length the fire-engine was got to work;lengths of leather hose were stretched down to the burning hold; bucketswere rapidly passed from hand to hand; and the splashing of water wasfollowed by the hissing of the flames.

The four young men joined the sailors and worked manfully at the engineor with buckets, while Mr. Mayburn, alternately trembling, weeping, anddespairing, and then, in earnest prayer, regaining his firmness andresignation, occupied the care and attention of Margaret almostentirely. Jenny, with practical good sense, was collecting the mostvaluable part of their property.

"If we be not burnt to death first, Miss Marget," she said; "Jack tellsme we shall be took off in boats, God help us! so it's time to be makingready. Come, lass!" to Ruth, "and tie this bag. What ails ye, yousimpleton? What are you staring round in that fashion for?"

Ruth was gazing about with a wild expression of terror in her eyes, and,unmindful of the injunctions of Mrs. Wilson, she suddenly threw down thebag, and fell on her knees before Mr. Mayburn, crying out, "Ah, master,will they hang me? I didn't think it would burn us all alive! I couldn'tfind it again, try all I would."

"Unfortunate girl," said Mr. Mayburn, "have you lost your senses, orwhat have you done? Speak the truth."

"I will tell truth, master," sobbed the girl. "It was when I were latingup them bonnie chickens as had got out, and big Peter tied a rope acrossin yon passage for me to tummel ower, and I rolled down t' ladder intothat big, dark place where they keep great bales and barrels, and allmanners of things; my lantern was broken and my candle was lost. I gotmysel' gathered up, and I groped about for t' candle, but I couldn'tfind it, and I got sadly flayed in that dark hole, so I climbed up andsaid nought to nobody; but, oh, master, I couldn't get to sleep, for itcame into my head, may be my candle might have set some of them bundlesin a low, and we might all be burned in our beds, and me not saying aword alike, for fear."

"God forgive you, Ruth," said her master. "Pray for mercy; and if itplease Him to save us in this fearful hour of peril, never forget themisery and destruction your carelessness has caused."

The penitent and affrighted girl shook in every limb, and Margaretkindly soothed and prayed with her till she calmed her agitation. Thenthe young and thoughtful daughter said,—

"Papa, we must not remain inclosed in this suffocating cabin. Let us goon deck, and if no other hope remains, we will demand a boat, that wemay escape from a horrible death."

"Lead the way, my child," said Mr. Mayburn, "and I will follow you, as Iever do; for I feel utterly helpless alone."

They proceeded to the deck, followed by Jenny and Ruth loaded withpackages; and when they reached the scene of terror and confusion, theywere embarrassed among piles of boxes, barrels, and bales, which werecontinually drawn up from below, the bales which were blazing beingimmediately thrown overboard.

By the light of the torches, Margaret discovered among the throng heryoung brothers, busily employed in hauling ropes and carrying buckets;they were heated with exertion and blackened with smoke. O'Brien hadeven got his hair singed with the flames. Still untired, they would havecontinued their efforts, but all seemed ineffectual, from the total wantof subordination and unanimity among the sailors. Mr. Mayburn walked upto Captain Markham, who stood aloof from the rest, in a perfect state offrenzy, from fear, anger, and intoxication. He continued to shout aloudcontradictory and absurd orders, which were utterly unheeded by thelawless crew; each man doing what he chose, and nothing being doneeffectually.

"The fire is certainly progressing, Captain Markham," said Mr. Mayburn."Let me entreat you to issue orders for some means of providing for thesafety of so many human beings all unfit for death. We, who are yourpassengers, demand the means of escape."

With a fearful oath, the wretch said his passengers might care forthemselves; he had enough to do to save his ship; and save it he would,if it cost him half the crew.

"I'll pitch the dogs into the fire," said he, "if they do not soonextinguish it; and not a man shall leave the Golden Fairy living."

"There's not many will do that," cried the audacious mate, "if they donot look sharp. The fire has just reached the tallow hogsheads, man, andwhere will your ship be then? Come along, lads, we can do no more; solet every fellow lay his hands on what he likes best, and lower theboats now or never."

The call was readily responded to, in spite of the threats of theinfuriated captain; and though the flames were now heard roaring below,and were even visible in some parts, the after-deck was still uninjured;and from thence the boats were lowered. Arthur and Jack went up to themen to request that a boat, or at all events seats in one of the boats,might be given to their party, who would be willing to reward the menfor any trouble they occasioned. The insolent mate, who seemed to haveassumed the command of the rest, laughed at the request.

"Charity begins at home!" cried he. "We have no places to spare. Comeon, my lads! lower the biscuit and the brandy casks. I'll manage thestrong box. Out of my way, gentry. If you say another word we'll pitchyou all into the sea—men and women."

"There's no hope of our getting a boat to ourselves, Mr. Arthur," saidJack, "for they 're all afloat now, and they'll soon have them off; so Iwould say, if you'd help a bit, we should set about getting up a raft asfast as we can—here are plenty of spare spars about."

When Markham saw the men preparing to forsake the vessel, he became morefurious than ever, and seizing the mate by the collar, he swore he wouldhave him put in irons. But his attempts were useless against thepowerful villain, who flung him on one side like a noxious reptile; andthe rest of the remorseless wretches, to rid themselves at once of theopposition of the violent drunkard, hurled him down into the flames,which were already bursting through the crevices of the deck.

"I can't stand that," cried Wilkins, one of the sailors, coming up toJack; "I'se not the chap to turn my back on my comrades; but I've nevercommitted wilful murder, and I'll just cut away from a gang of suchdeep-dyed rogues, and join ye, my honest fellow. Come, I'se ready tolend a hand."

A helping hand was truly desirable in their extremity of distress; butMr. Mayburn shrank from the fierce, rough aspect of the convict sailor,and besought Arthur, in a low tone, to reject any association with crimeand infamy.

"Be satisfied, my dear father," answered he, "I will do nothingunadvisedly; but if this man shrinks from evil and turns to good, howshall we excuse ourselves if we force him back to destruction? Besides,it is now too late; see, the first boat has already deserted the ship."

With loud cheers, the most daring of the crew headed by the mate, rowedoff in the long boat, and were soon lost in the darkness that shroudedall except the fearful space around the burning ship. The second boatfollowed, the hardened men turning a deaf ear to the entreaties of thepassengers whom they had abandoned on the wreck. They refused even toaid them in lowering their hastily-constructed and unsafe raft, butlaughed and sneered at the rude workmanship.

But the flames, fed by the hogsheads of tallow in the hold, now blazedup through the cabin windows, and bursting through the decks, ran alongwith fatal rapidity, momentarily threatening the distressed family witha dreadful fate. It was now that the cool prudence and skill of theirfaithful friend Jack rescued them. His observing eye had noted the meansadopted by the sailors; he had tools and appliances; he arranged anddivided the labor, of which even the women had their share; and the ruderaft was at length successfully lowered. A few necessaries were hastilythrown upon it, including a cask of biscuit and one of water, whichWilkins at great hazard had obtained; he had also brought up a smallbarrel of rum, but Arthur peremptorily refused to take it, and, to endall discussion, flung it into the sea, and firmly told Wilkins, he wouldrather leave him to perish on the burning ship, than carry him away withsuch a temptation to evil.

The man grumbled unavailingly, but at last returned to his duty. Nothingmore could be secured, except a few ropes, and spars, with some tools torepair the raft. Then a spare sail was cast over the stowage, and, oneafter another, Mr. Mayburn and the trembling women were let down; theactive boys quickly followed. Jack and Wilkins were the last to descendfrom their perilous position, where they had been so surrounded by theflames, now crawling up the masts, that Margaret dreaded every momentthey should fall victims; but they happily alighted on the lumberingraft in safety. Then oars were taken up, and no time was lost inpushing off as far as possible from the ill-fated Golden Fairy; nordid they pause even to look round till they were at a safe distance,when they stood off for a few minutes to contemplate the splendid andfrightful spectacle.

Wilkins now confessed to them that there were some barrels of gunpowderconcealed in the vessel, which the reckless sailors had smuggled fromMelbourne for their own purposes; for it had been their fixed intention,at a favorable opportunity, to murder the captain and passengers, orland them on some desert island; and to take possession of the ship forpiratical enterprises in the Indian Ocean. The knowledge that thispowder was in the ship had hastened their flight from the certainconsequences, and Wilkins was surprised that the catastrophe had been solong averted. But now, as they watched the blackened ribs of the vessel,through which the intense flame glowed, while clouds of smoke, myriadsof sparks, and burning flakes, rose from the wreck, a loud explosionalmost deafened them; another and another succeeded; then blazed up amass of flame, which seemed to rise to the very clouds for a fewminutes, followed by utter darkness and silence.

"May God, in his infinite mercy, still preserve the weak creatures hehas so miraculously delivered," said Mr. Mayburn, devoutly. "We wereface to face with death, and never, my children, can the crackling,roaring sound of that fierce and unconquerable conflagration fade frommy recollection. We had not the consolation of the martyrs who sufferedfor the faith, and who could look on the flames as the brief path toeternal glory. We were summoned in the midst of life's cares andfrailties, unwillingly, fearfully, to be dragged to doom; and He sparedus, that we might better prepare to appear before His tribunal. Blessedforever be His holy name!"

Solemnly and earnestly rose the Amen from the rescued. Even the hardenedconvict lowered his voice as he said, with levity, to Jack, "That was acanny bit prayer; will 'it help us ony, think ye?"

"Yes, Wilkins," said Jack, "I do believe that God never fails to helpthem who pray to Him. And some day, my man, you will be glad to believeit too."

Wilkins said no more, but he often remembered the new, strange words hehad heard poured out amidst that horror of darkness.

"Now, Captain Arthur," cried out Hugh, "please to say where we are, andwhither we are to go?"

"I wish I could determine where we are," answered Arthur; "but we havebeen so tossed about for the last two days, that I have no idea of ourposition. Certainly we are out of our regular course."

"If Bully Dan were right," said Wilkins, "we ought to be now a good bitnorth of Swan River, and among islands and reefs puzzling enough atnoonday; and in this black darkness it's odd that we ever see landagain. If any on ye had thought of an anchor, we might have laid offtill day."

There was nothing but patience and resignation for the voyagers. The seawas less agitated than it had been during the day, and they driftedsteadily over the waves; but in what direction they could not determine;for such was the confusion of their embarkation, and such the darknessthat enveloped them, that no one could pronounce from what point thewind was blowing.

"What is that fluttering sound I hear?" asked Mr. Mayburn, in a voice ofalarm.

A moment's silence followed, then every one distinctly heard thefluttering. At length Ruth said, "Oh! if you please, master, it was onlyme. I couldn't bide that they should be burned alive, bonnie things; itwere not their fault! It's them bits of chickens as I were hunting upwhen all this bad work were done—God forgive me!—and I gathered theminto a basket; and if ye please, Miss Marget, dinnot let them be eaten,they're so bonnie."

Margaret readily granted the noisy little prisoners their life, andapplauded the humanity of Ruth, whose struggles to keep her restlesscharge in order created some mirth, and diverted them for a time fromthe contemplation of their own troubles.

But another sound was now heard above the monotonous rumbling of theunquiet ocean. It was surely, they thought, a human cry! It was againrepeated; and Wilkins said very coolly, "It'll be some of our chaps.Like enough they'll have capsized yon big crazy boat. They'd a keg ofbrandy to fight about; and I'll be bound they'd never settle as long asthere were a drop left in't."

"Can we not show them a light?" said Mr. Mayburn: "that was a cry ofdistress, and humanity calls on us to aid them."

"There's no room here for any more hands," muttered Wilkins. "Drunkenrogues! they'd kick these few shaking clogs to bits in no time: and thenwhere are we?"

"Nevertheless, Margaret, we must do our duty. Arthur, what do you say?"asked Mr. Mayburn anxiously.

A loud and dismal scream, at no great distance, decided the questionwithout further discussion. Gerald produced a match-box; and though thewind had got up rather boisterously, they succeeded in lighting anddisplaying a long splinter of wood. Then a voice was heard to cry,"Help! help!" and Wilkins, with a suppressed curse, said, "It's thatdesp'rate rogue, Black Peter, and no mistake. Better let him drown, Itell ye, comrades; but I've heared 'em say, water won't haud him.They're all alike bad dogs to let loose among us; they've guns andpowder, and they're up to ony sort of bloody work."

Mr. Mayburn groaned at this speech, and said, "What shall we do,Arthur?—we are wholly defenceless against those bad men."

"Don't you think of that, sir," said O'Brien; "Hugh and I looked afterthat. We brought off a pair of first-rate rifles, with lots of powderand shot. We are the boys to manage the defences. We left the nauticalmatters to our captain, Arthur; Jack sought up the spars and hammers,and such matters; and Margaret did the commissariat. Division of labor,you see, sir—all regular."

"I did not think your giddy brain could have arranged so well," said Mr.Mayburn: "I am ashamed to say I have not been so thoughtful."

"No, no, papa," said Hugh; "Gerald is taking more credit than is due tous. It was Margaret who arranged what each should do, and allowed us toadd to our duties as we chose; in consequence of which, you see, Geraldand I thought of destroying life, and Ruth of preserving it."

While thus talking, the young rowers had been endeavoring laboriously toforce the heavy raft, against the wind, towards the spot from whence thecries seemed to proceed. The darkness was so intense that it was in vainthe eye sought to penetrate it; but the cry, still heard at intervals,seemed to approach nearer, probably directed by the light. Still it wasnot without an involuntary shudder, and a half-uttered shriek, that theyfelt and saw a hand grasp the raft, and heard a hoarse voice demandhelp. This was immediately given; Arthur and Jack, with much difficulty,drew upon the raft the almost lifeless form of a tall, powerful man, wholay gasping many minutes before he was able to reply to the anxiousinquiries of his preservers if any of his companions yet survived.

"Every rogue among 'em gone to his reckoning," said he, with adiabolical laugh. "A good riddance! If we'd only saved the gold and thebrandy! But hand me a sup of something, good folks."

"We have nothing but water," said Arthur gravely.

The man made a wry face, and said, "I've had more nor enough of that.Well, then, what are ye bound after in this queer craft? It'll not standmuch weather, I take it. And," with an oath, "Wilkins, man, how came youto drop in among these saints?"

Wilkins gave the man a fiery glance, as he answered, "It were a bitsafer to-night among saints nor amang sinners, it's like; and I guess yewere thinking so a bit sin' yersel'."

"Never heed that that's gone, man," said the careless villain: "I'm inas good a place as they are now."

"Ay, Peter," said Wilkins, "it's all true as how neither fire nor waterwill touch thee. We'se see what thou was born to."

"Keep a civil tongue in thy head," replied Peter, "for thou and me mustchum together, and see what we can pick up."

"What was the cause of your accident, unhappy man?" said Mr. Mayburn,coming up to him.

"None so unhappy now," answered the surly fellow; "better off nor I havebeen for a few years past, if it were not for want of brandy. I'se freeand idle, and can have plenty of grub, I reckon," looking at the casks;"so I'se do now. We might have kept together; but, ye see, we began owersoon with our brandy, and had only one drinking-cup among us, andeverybody wanted it first; and so we chaps got to words, and then tohard hits, and then out came our knives. We were badly crowded; and,somehow, in our scrimmage, we all fell atop of one another, and capsizedour boat, and away we all went down. Then, when we came up, such cursingand yelling never was heard on earth or sea, and, dark as it was, nonecould catch hold on aught to save him. It was soon settled, however; forall our chaps were over far gone in drink to help themselves, and theywent down, shouting out, one after another. I had the luck to catch holdof the brandy-keg, and I took care to keep hold; but I could not stop itfrom leaking, and it vexed me sore that so much good liquor should bemade into salt-water grog, and no time to get a sup. I shouted as loudas I could, and let myself float, till I got sight of your signal, andthen I thought there was a bit of a chance; so I managed to swim a fewstrokes, keeping one hand on my barrel; but I made little way, if thesea and the wind hadn't brought me right up to you. When my barrelbumped again the raft, I lost hold, and I hardly know how it was Iclutched the spars; but here I be snug and safe in harbor."

"Thank God for your preservation, reckless man," said Mr. Mayburn. "He,who is all mercy to His sinful creatures, has granted you a respite,that you may learn to know and serve Him. Cast not away the preciousboon, but in this awful hour, turn to Him, repent, and pray."

The good man kneeled down beside the reprobate, and offered up anearnest prayer for the wretched sinner, who was sound asleep before Mr.Mayburn had concluded; and it was with a sigh he turned from the man,sorrowful, but not hopeless.

CHAPTER V.

Afloat on an Unknown Sea.—The insubordinate Sailor.—The CoralReefs.—An Island in view.—The Perilous Landing.—Peter'sRebellion.—The First Night on Shore.—Ruth among the Crockery.—Avaluable Prize.—The March from the First Encampment.

As the morning light dawned on the distressed voyagers, they becameaware of their perilous situation. Around them lay the wide restlessocean, now agitated by a south-west wind, which drove them onward,washed and drenched by the waves, which threatened destruction to theirfrail vessel, in the midst of which the little knot of united friendswere now gathered, their unwelcome guest still lying asleep apart fromthem. As soon as the light permitted him, Jack began steadily andcarefully to repair and strengthen the raft. The spare spars he nowlashed round to form a sort of gunwale, to protect them from the spray;and after taking out a supply of biscuit for use, he nailed over thewhole of the packages the large sail they had brought away, to steadyand preserve them from any injury from the waves.

The man they had rescued from death now awoke, and joined the rest: hewas a tall, powerful, savage-looking man, still wearing the convictuniform, so offensive to the taste of the civilized; and his mannerswere rude and insolent.

"Have you no better prog than this poor stuff?" said he, as his portionof biscuit and cup of water were offered to him. "The Queen allows usbetter rations nor this, after your grand laws have made us out to berogues."

"You fare as we do," answered Arthur, mildly. "As long as we havebiscuit, you are welcome to share it. We make no distinctions in ourcommon distress."

"You were a pack of fools," said the man, "not to bring away somethingworth freightage, when you had space enough. Had you sense to fetch acompass?"

"We had no opportunity to secure chart or compass," replied Arthur."Besides, we were too thankful for the means God gave us to save ourlives, to have many thoughts or cares about where we should go. We arein His hands, and I trust, by his mercy, may reach some safe harbor."

"It's as well to tell you beforehand," said the sailor, "that you'dbetter not get it into your heads that you are going to give me up tohard labor and irons again. Wherever I set my foot on land I mean to bemy own master, and the first among you that peaches on me shall rue it."Here the man drew from his breast a brace of pistols, and added,—"Yousee I managed to keep my barkers safe. What would you say, man, to aball right through your ugly head?"—and he presented the muzzle of thepistol to Wilkins, who shrank behind Arthur.

"You must mean that threat for a jest, Peter," said Arthur, in a tone ofdispleasure. "If you are in earnest, I can only remind you that we alsohave arms. I am commander here, and the first man on the raft that showsany signs of insubordination, I shall certainly shoot dead."

Peter stared scornfully and vindictively at Arthur, but seeing hisunmoved countenance, he turned off with a sort of laugh, and withdrew tothe stern of the raft.

"What a capital fellow Arty is, Hugh!" whispered Gerald. "See how he hascowed that huge bully. Are we not proud of our captain?"

Towards noon the heat of the sun became excessive, and was mostdistressing to the voyagers exposed to its beams; Margaret and herfather especially suffered from it, till Jack contrived an ingeniouscanopy for them by raising some spars, over which he spread theboat-cloaks, which the boys had fortunately worn to protect them fromthe flames in the burning ship. As evening came on, the wind increasedalarmingly, and they looked round anxiously to obtain some idea of theirposition, till at last Wilkins pointed out some hazy dots on the wideocean desert, which he pronounced to be small islands.

"O Arthur," said Margaret, "if it be possible, let us land on an island;I long to feel my feet on firm ground. Have you any idea what islandsthese are?"

"I ken'em," said Wilkins, "and can tell ye they're all alike quitedissolute."

"Then I pray, Arthur," said Mr. Mayburn, "that we may avoid them. We hadbetter continue to float on the solitude of the ocean, than seek thehaunts of the wicked."

The boys laughed; they understood better than their father thepeculiarities of Wilkins's language, and Arthur said,—"I have read,papa, that these north-western islands of Australia are generally small,barren, and uninhabited. If we could safely land on one of them, itwould be desirable, that we might rest and improve our raft before wesought the mainland; but I fear they will be difficult of approach,from the coral reefs that surround them."

"Which I long to behold, Arthur," said Mr. Mayburn; "and I beseech youto endeavor to reach one of these reefs. I have ever desired to lookupon the work of those toiling, wonderful insects; minute agents of theOmniscient for mighty purposes, laboring incessantly to carry out theplans of creative wisdom.

Wilkins stared at the enthusiastic naturalist, and, turning to Arthur,said, "Does he want us to land among them reefs, think ye? A bonnieclash we should have with this log float. If we'd had a few of them barkboats as them black fellows has up country, we might have made a shift;but, ye see," indicating the fair sex by a finger pointed towards them,"they'd make no hand of swimming among breakers."

"Indeed, they would not," answered Arthur; "we must contrive some safermethod for them, Wilkins. But if we could, by using our oars, draw nearto these isles, I should like to inspect them."

"Ye cannot suspect 'em, sir," answered Wilkins, "without ye were rightatop on 'em. Why, they're all dry and bare, and clear of aught but a fewbirds but I'se willing to use an oar, if ye'd like to see 'em."

It was hard work rowing that heavy raft, and the ungrateful Peterrefused to assist, but sat apart, smoking cigars, of which, it appeared,he had contrived to bring a box about his person; still before nightthey had approached within a mile of a rocky island. Then the suddendarkness of a tropical region surprised them, and compelled them to waitfor day, uneasy at the dangerous proximity of the coast, towards which,Wilkins pointed out, a current seemed to be urging them.

"We must have all hands at work, captain," said he, "to keep off themugly rocks. Come, Peter, man, take up an oar."

"Not I," said the savage, "I'se take a snooze; and when we're drifted abit nigher hand, rouse me up, and I'll make a swim to shore. I've nomind for another capsize."

It was a service of toil and danger, and the active young men plied theoars vigorously for hours, trusting they were standing safely off thedangerous reefs, till at last, worn out with fatigue, one after anotherthey dropped asleep.

Jack and Wilkins held out till a pale light showed them breakers closeat hand, and they felt the current carrying them into the danger. It wasa moment of deep anxiety. "See," said Wilkins, "yon uncoveredreef—let's try to get a bit nigher to it; then we'll knot a rope to ourraft, and I'll swim off and find a way to moor it. If three on us wereatop on yon reef we might haul up t' rest on 'em."

All the youths were now roused, and anxious to share this service ofperil, for all could swim: but Wilkins was strong, and the mostexperienced; so while he tied one end of the rope round him, Arthur andJack secured the other end to the raft, and then they continued to holdoff against the current as they watched the bold swimmer till they sawhim standing safely on the dry reef. In five minutes more they felt, bythe strain, that the rope was fast to the rock. Then Arthur went offwith a second rope, secured from danger by having the first to hold byif necessary. When he reached Will, he found the reef was broader andsafer than he had dared to hope, while beyond it the water was not morethan a foot deep to a shingly beach.

"If we had 'em all here, ye see," said Wilkins, "they could easy wadeout."

"Then what shall we do, Wilkins? what is our next step?" asked Arthur.

"We must get more hands," answered he. "And here's a canny opening,clear of breakers; we'll try to bring her in here."

Then, after he had, with sailor's skill, secured the ropes to two hugefragments of rock, he continued,—"Now, let's be off again, and see howwe can manage it. If we could get that big lubberly Black Peter to lenda hand, he's a powerful chap at a tug."

"Then he shall work or starve," said Arthur, firmly.

"That's the text, captain; stick to that," said Wilkins, as they plungedinto the water again.

Their return to the raft was easier than they had expected, for the tidewas ebbing, and already some of the rocks were bare which an hour beforehad been covered with breakers; besides, the stretched ropes afforded arest for the hands when they needed it. Arthur explained his plan to hisfriends on the raft, and called on all hands to aid in propelling orhauling the raft towards the smooth opening in the reef.

"You must assist in hauling the ropes," said Arthur to Peter.

The man swore violently that he would never submit to be ordered by aboy.

"I have the management of the party," answered Arthur, "and all arewilling to obey me except you. Take your choice: if you refuse to sharethe work, most assuredly you shall not share the rations."

The wretch darted a furious glance at Arthur, and put his hand into hisbreast; but observing the little band had their eyes on him, he mutteredwith a sneer, "A parcel of fools!" and plunged after Wilkins and Arthurto the reef, to tug at the ropes.

The raft had drifted among scattered rocks, and there was muchdifficulty in preventing it from being dashed against them; but thoseleft upon it used long poles to push off from these dangers, while themen on the reef continued to haul the ropes, in hopes of drawing theraft to the opening they wished it to enter, belaying the rope anew asthey gained a few yards. Slowly and painfully the work progressed;sometimes they snatched a moment for food and rest; sometimes thefaint-hearted threw down an oar or pole, as a strong wave cast themback, after they hoped they had made some way.

At length, wedged between two reefs that ran out to sea, they found theycould make no further progress, though there was yet a hundred yards ofdeep water between the raft and the dry rocks to which the ropes wereattached.

When Arthur saw this, he called out, "Haul taught and belay the ropes;and now, how shall we convey the weak to the shore, Wilkins?"

"Bad job!" growled he. "We might swim out and trail 'em after us; butlikely they'd be flayed."

"Halloo! Arthur," called out Hugh, "come over and see what we areabout."

When Arthur had reached the raft, he saw that Jack, with the help of theboys, had lashed together three or four light spars to form a sort ofcatamaran, large enough for one person to sit upon. To each end ofthis they had attached a long rope, with one end of which Jack proposedto swim to the reef of refuge, ready to draw over in this float, one ata time, those who were unable to swim; and he engaged, if the voyageronly kept quiet, there would be no danger; and though the raft was nowfirmly fixed, it was probable it would be dashed to pieces athigh-water, so no time must be lost to make the trial, that the ladingas well as the passengers might be saved; and Jack set off with the roperound him.

Now the question was, who would venture on this frail float the first?The water looked dark and deep, and all shrunk back. At length it wasarranged that they should test the safety of it by first sending over apart of the freightage of the raft, as less valuable than human life.Still, these slender necessaries were precious to them, and they firmlylashed a part of the packages to the float, and anxiously launched andwatched the light raft until they saw it safely drawn to the reef andunladed by Jack. It was then hauled back, and Margaret, to encourage herfather, ventured next, her brothers having lashed her firmly down, andcharged her to be calm and motionless.

After her safe arrival, Mr. Mayburn gained courage to follow her, andwas succeeded by Nurse Wilson. Ruth begged to carry her basket of fowls;but was not permitted, which was fortunate for the chickens, for theterrified and restless girl, attempting to change her position, capsizedthe frail bark; but Wilkins and Arthur swam out to her assistance, andsoon righted it, and, half-dead with fright and the salt water she hadswallowed, she was turned over to Jenny, and the young men returned tothe raft to assist at the removal of the most valuable part of thecargo—the provisions, guns, and ammunition.

In the mean time Peter had roused himself to take a trip to the raft,and when Arthur and Wilkins reached it, they found the ferocious manholding Hugh by the throat, and threatening to shoot him if he did notgive up one of the guns, which the boy held in the case firmly graspedin his hand, while Gerald was releasing the other gun from the covering,that he might defend Hugh, and protect the powder and shot, which heguarded behind him.

As soon as Wilkins and Arthur stepped out on the raft, the savagerelinquished his grasp of the boy; but called out in an insolent manner,"Give me one of the guns, and my share of the powder and shot youbrought off. They are as much mine as yours, and I claim my right."

"You are mistaken, Peter," said Arthur; "the guns are our own privateproperty. The powder is not legally yours or ours; but the necessity ofthe occasion caused us gladly to save it from destruction; at somefuture day we may be able to account for it to the owners. In the meantime, I choose to keep possession of such a dangerous material; nor willI allow you to commit deeds of violence. We have saved your life, andsupplied you with food. If your nature does not prompt you to bethankful, at least be neutral; do not return evil for good."

The man did not answer, but there was a dogged look of ferocity in hiseyes, that plainly spoke his feelings; and Wilkins whispered to Arthur,as they were tying on the packages,—

"Would you mind our twisting a rope round his arms and legs, and givinghim a shove overboard? he's dangerous."

"No, Wilkins," answered Arthur. "Let the man live; we have no right tobe his executioners, though I believe he deserves death. If we all reachland safely, we must watch and guard against him; and, above all,Wilkins, do you take care that he does not tempt you back to evilcourses."

"We'se see," answered the man, "I'se not to reckon on; but I fancy I'das lief take service with ye, as turn rogue again, with a cut-throat doglike him."

Arthur earnestly hoped that they might be able to reclaim thisgood-natured but ignorant man. He conversed kindly with him, as theycarefully and successfully managed the transit of the whole lading,including Ruth's chickens; and then, Wilkins taking the charge of thetwo young boys as they swam to the reef, Arthur remained a few minutesto cut away the ropes, which were too valuable to be abandoned, afterwhich he signified to the apparently careless Peter that he must look tohis own safety.

"I see all that," said the man in a surly tone; "depend on't, I shallnot stay here; you haven't got rid of me yet. So mind your own business,young fellow, and I'll mind mine."

Arthur left him and soon rejoined his friend; and Peter, drawing hisknife and severing the cords that had lashed together the spars of theraft, he allowed them to float, and grasping one piece to supporthimself, he swam to the dry reef.

The tide having now left the beach uncovered as far as this reef, thefamily went forward to the lofty cliffs which rose from the narrowshingly strand, and immediately began to remove their property to asecure place above high-water mark.

"We may surely find a better spot for a night's encampment than this,"said the indefatigable Arthur, when, resting from his labors, he lookedup at the rocky heights. "There appears to be a belt of trees furthernorth, that might possibly afford more shelter. Can you walk as far,papa?"

"I cannot exert myself more, my son," answered Mr. Mayburn. "Let usremain here; in this delicious climate, from what I have read, the nightwill produce no noxious vapor to harm us. Let us therefore offer ourevening prayer to God, and rest calmly under the canopy of His skies,after this day of trial and toil."

The word of the father was the law of his children; and after they hadmade a sort of tent of the poles and sail from the raft, under which theboat-cloaks were spread, they joined in prayer and lay down to rest; butstill apprehensive of the evil disposition of Peter, each took an hourof watching to guard the packages till daylight. The brilliant light ofa tropical sun disclosed to the thoughtful castaways a smooth sea but abarren coast, and they looked round in vain for the means of subsistenceor escape. They saw Peter at some distance, dragging out of reach of thetide the timbers of the raft, which had been thrown upon the beach.

"I am glad he is so usefully employed," observed Mr. Mayburn. "I trusthe feels ashamed of his ingratitude, and means to build us a hut withthese planks."

"Not he," replied Wilkins; "I ken him better nor that. He'd never fashto pick up them spars; but he wants 'em to use for his own purposes. Butlet him be, let him be. Chaps like him is always twining a rope fortheir own necks."

"Then, Wilkins," answered Margaret, "we ought not to 'let him be;' weought to try and induce him to undertake some happier and moreprofitable undertaking; do, Arthur, speak to the man."

Arthur and Jack walked down to the beach, while Ruth made a fire andboiled some water from the casks, to make tea, a supply of which, and aconsiderable quantity of sugar, being among the provisions they hadsaved.

"Come, Peter," said Arthur, "you will need some breakfast, and such aswe have, we offer to you. What are you going to do with these spars?"

"They are my property, by the laws of wrecking," grumbled the man, "sokeep your mouth shut about them. I'll come to your breakfast, if I canget nought better nor your poor stuff."

Finding all their approaches to intimacy with this sullen creaturerepelled, they returned to the tent, where they found nurse in a stateof great anger with Ruth the unlucky, who had literally walked intothe China breakfast service, which the considerate Jenny had herselfbrought away from the ship, guarded on the wreck, and had just spreadout on a clean napkin on the beach, when the girl being sent to summonMr. Arthur, had rushed through the midst of the crockery, of which onlythe teapot and two cups escaped destruction. It was not in the nature ofan Irish boy to be serious at such an accident, and O'Brien had laughedso provokingly, that Jenny was roused almost to distraction.

"A vagabond lass, as she is!" she exclaimed. "I blame myself, MissMarget; I knew what was in her, and I ought to have seen to have had hershut up in one of them Union prison-houses. Nothing's safe where shecomes; and see now, we may just drink tea, sup and sup round."

"And we may be thankful we have tea, nurse," said Margaret. "And see,here is a tin cup we used for the water, may do duty instead of ourpretty Staffordshire ware."

"And we may meet with a china-shop before long, nurse," said Hugh. "Weare not so very far from the great Empire."

"Well, Master Hugh," replied nurse, "I don't pretend to know where wemay be; but there's little signs of shops or houses round us.——If thatdoesn't beat all!" exclaimed she, as Peter took up the cup of tea shehad prepared for her master, drank it scalding hot at once, and thencoolly sat down, drew out his knife and began to open and swallowoysters, with which he had filled his cap.

"Shares!" cried Wilkins, good-humoredly, holding out his hand.

"Seek them for yourself," said the churl, continuing his repast; onwhich Wilkins, calling on O'Brien to follow him, took his biscuit, andset out to search along the rocks. Margaret felt alarmed to see Geraldaccompany this man; but Arthur assured her he believed Wilkins might betrusted.

In a short time Gerald came running up to them, and throwing down a capfilled with oysters, he cried out, "Give us a rope, Jack! we have got aturtle, and turned him on his back, that he may not get back to thewater; but he is such a monstrous fellow that I don't know how we shallget him dragged all the way to this place."

"Then our best plan will be to go to him," answered Arthur; "we have notemptation to remain in this barren spot; and you seem to have found aland of plenty; therefore I propose we should march at once."

Each took up some burthen to carry, leaving the casks and heavy packagesfor the present, and moved forward to encamp in a new spot.

CHAPTER VI.

A Pleasant Resting-place.—The Turtle.—A KnavishTrick.—Destitution.—An Exploring Expedition.—Lake Scenery.—A WreckedVessel.—Strange Footsteps.—A Prudent Retreat.—Return of theExplorers.

After walking about a quarter of a mile towards the north, they reacheda nook, surrounded by mangrove-trees, which, like the banyan-tree,formed bowers propped by pillars of successive trunks and stems, andinterwoven with roots and branches. At the part nearest to the sea, thelower branches were without leaves, and had been evidently laid bare bythe visits of the sea. These branches were now at low tide uncovered,and clustered with oysters. The mangrove-wood, spreading up the steepcliff, was backed by some loftier trees; and it appeared as if animpenetrable barricade was formed by nature to forbid approach to theinterior.

A niche formed by the up-rooting of some aged tree, of which fewremnants remained, offered a shady retreat, much more attractive thantheir late exposed encampment. Then Jenny was shown the enormous turtlelying on its back, waiting for execution, the innumerable oystersclinging to the mangroves, the crabs crawling on the uncovered rocks,and the clouds of sea-birds sailing overhead or sitting stupidly on therocks fishing; and, charmed with the promise of plenty, she said:

"We may do a bit here, Miss Marget, while this fine weather lasts, if wecan light on any fresh water. Birds and fish may serve us well enough."

"Where all those tall green trees grow," said Arthur, pointing to theheights, "there must be water to be found; and, in the mean time, wehave a large cask, which we must bring up if we make an encampmenthere."

"I have brought the kettle full," said Jenny, "and a bag of biscuitstoo. We might have got more here, but nought would serve Ruth but hugthem weary chickens with her."

"They will die, shut up in that basket, Ruth," said Gerald. "Come, Hugh,while Jack and Wilkins are killing that poor turtle, let us make apoultry-coop under the roots of the mangrove."

"Above high-water mark, remember, Gerald," said Arthur.

"Oh, botheration! Arty," answered he; "and you fancy I can't make ahencoop without a blunder; but you shall see."

The boys selected a space among the arched roots, out of reach of thetide, and interwove the sides with branches, making a snug and airydwelling for the fowls, which rejoiced in their emancipation from thebasket; and the tropical shades were startled with the novel sound ofthe crowing of a co*ck.

In the mean time, Jack and Wilkins had killed the turtle, cut the fleshinto pieces, and cleaned the strong back shell, which they proposedshould be useful; and, after a fire had been made, a portion of theturtle was cooked in its recent habitation, to the wonder and delight ofJenny, who was in despair for cooking-vessels. Then the rest of the meatwas placed under the trees, in the most shady situation, and scatteredover with the portion of salt they could spare from the small storethey had brought; but, in that sultry climate, they feared they shouldnot be able to preserve it more than one day.

"We could easily knock down a few of those boobies, if you would likethem, nurse," said Hugh.

"Certainly not, Hugh," said his father; "with the abundance of food wepossess, it would be merciless to destroy more life; and I am able tostudy the form and habits of the sluggish bird as conveniently while itis seated on that rock as if it lay dead on the beach."

The mosquitoes were so numerous among the trees in their newresting-place, that Mr. Mayburn, who suffered remarkably from theattacks of insects, was greatly distressed; and Margaret said to herbrothers:

"It will be impossible for papa to remain among these mosquito-hauntedtrees; we must either try to penetrate further into the island, or wemust return to the bare and quiet rocky strand we have quitted. At allevents, we must have the sail brought to make a tent."

It was finally decided that after their dinner they would, for one nightat least, return to their landing-place; and the turtle being cooked aswell as turtle could be cooked under such adverse circ*mstances, withNurse Wilson as chef de cuisine, they sat down to enjoy it. Knives andforks they possessed; plates they had not; but the shells of some of thelarge oysters tolerably well supplied the want. After they had dined,sultry as it was, they were glad to resume their burdens, and flee fromthe venomous mosquitoes which followed them for some distance; but,unwilling to forsake the trees, their tormentors abandoned them whenthey reached the bare cliffs.

A cry of dismay from Hugh and Gerald, who had preceded the rest,announced some vexatious catastrophe, and hurried them forward to seewith bitter mortification the disappearance of the casks and the variouspackages they had left on the spot where they landed.

"I mistrusted that rogue," exclaimed Wilkins, "specially when he didn'tturn up to his dinner. He's a deep un, and no mistake."

The boys went to the sea, now flowing over the reefs, and saw that thespars of the broken-up raft, which had been thrown on shore, were alsogone. It was plain the artful villain had constructed another raft, andset out on it, carrying off their provisions, one of the guns, and thepowder and shot.

"And worst of all," said Jack, "my tool-chest, and my axe, which heborrowed from me this morning."

"More fool you to lend it to him," said Wilkins, furiously enraged. "Itseems to me as how roguery thrives better nor aught, say what ye willotherwise."

"Do not speak so foolishly, Wilkins," said Margaret. "Wickedness cannever thrive, even on this earth. This bad man has probably run intogreater distress than he has left, with the added torment of a badconscience. It is only when we walk in truth and honesty that we canhope for the protection of God."

"Where can the fellow mean to steer to?" asked Hugh.

"With a light raft," answered Arthur, "he may perhaps work round to theeast of the island, if it be an island, and from thence he probablyhopes to reach the mainland. We have sustained a heavy loss from hisknavery; but we shall sleep sounder to-night from the knowledge that heis not near us."

After a good night's rest, they arose to look round them and considerwhat was the best course in their destitute situation. Mr. Mayburn wasdejected, Margaret was anxious, but the boys were full of hope andenergy.

"Hugh and Gerald," said Arthur, "I call on you to listen seriously tome. It is all very well to hunt turtles, and I do not object to yourknocking down a few boobies, for we must have the means of supportinglife; but we have a great object in view at present. We must ascertainwhere we are, and what step we are next to take. We cannot yet be surethat this is, as we suspect, an island."

"It seems a desolate spot," said Margaret, shuddering.

"Worse than Robinson Crusoe's island, Meggie," said Hugh, "for we havenot even the goats. Not a four-footed animal have I set eyes on yet, andthe bipeds are few and ugly."

"I wish we may not find some bipeds," said Arthur, "that are moreoffensive than the gulls and boobies."

"Oh, botheration!" said Gerald. "Sure you won't mean the savages, Arty.What jolly fun if we had an invasion! Wouldn't we drub them like Britishheroes as we are?"

"And pray, most valiant knight of Ireland," answered Arthur, "where areyour weapons of warfare?"

"Oh, murder! what a blunderer I am!" replied the boy; "I had forgottenthe state of our armory. Let us consider. We have one rifle, with asmall amount of ammunition, one bowie-knife, two penknives, one capitalstick-knife, the table-knives, and——has anybody else any dangerousweapons?"

"I have a silver fruit-knife and a pair of scissors," said Margaret.

"Quite useless," replied he. "Now, nurse, turn out your pockets."

Jenny produced a housewife, containing needles, thread, and scissors,thimble, a nutmeg-grater, a cork-screw, and the half-dozen useful forks.Jack, always prudent, still retained in his pockets a large clasp-knife,a hammer, and a few nails. Mr. Mayburn had a small microscope, forceps,a case of delicate instruments of surgery, some blotting-paper, and asketching-book and pencils; all of which were regarded with contempt bythe warrior Gerald.

"Well," said he, "we must just set to work to make bows and arrows,pikes and clubs. Those trees we saw yesterday will supply us withmaterials."

"We will trouble you, then," said Arthur, "to take your axe and cut downa tree."

"There you are caught again, Pat," said Hugh. "Another blunder! Poorunhappy fellows we are; destitute of means, we can neither fight nor runaway, if this be an island we have been thrown on."

"That brings us to the point again," said Arthur. "That is the thingnecessary to be known; so, without further delay, we three will set outand make a careful inspection of the coast. We will leave Wilkins andJack to guard the encampment; I will carry the rifle and the few chargeswe have left, but I trust I may not be called on to use them, for Ishould grudge them exceedingly."

"Shed no blood, I beseech you, my son," said Mr. Mayburn. "We areintruders; do not let us become invaders. If we can obtain immunity forourselves, let us be satisfied. Even if we should be attacked, we haveno right to retaliate, but should rather take to flight."

"But, dear papa," answered Hugh, "we cannot fly without wings. We are atbay here, and must fight or fall. But, depend on it, we shall becautious, with Arthur the prudent to lead us; and remember, this is onlyan exploring and foraging expedition."

The bold little party then set out towards the mangrove-wood, throughwhich, with much toil and many windings, they forced their way, andgained more open ground. They crossed the bed of a river, which was now,however, but a series of muddy pools, from which, though anxious to havea draught of fresh water, they felt no inclination to drink. Beyond thisspot some low bare sandhills rose, which they crossed, and thence to asteep eminence. They climbed up this, and found themselves among vastpiles of rocky fragments mixed with tall wiry grass.

They looked round; all was silence and desolation, the barren chaoticscenery being varied only by the tall bare trunks of a species ofacacia, which here and there broke the monotony of the prospect; and nowthe boys felt convinced that they were placed on a truly desert island.

Still they moved forwards, though depressed and silent, over the dismalwilderness; till at length they were cheered by the sight of vegetation,and hailed with pleasure some tall trees. Arthur recognized thecabbage-palm, the slender stem sixty feet in height, with the round tuftof edible leaves at the summit. Hugh would willingly have tried to climbthe tree to procure the leaves, but his brother persuaded him to deferthe exploit till a more favorable opportunity, and pointed out to him afringe of the graceful casuarina, which promised the blessing of water.They made up to it, and found it bordered a broad and glittering lake,in the clear waters of which they distinguished multitudes of largefish, while on the banks the noisy water-fowl were building their nests.The edge of the lake was stuck over with fresh-water mussels; and butfor the flies and mosquitoes which haunted the trees, this spot appeareda terrestrial paradise compared with the dreary bay they had left.

"This is the place for our camp and fortress," said Hugh; "let us bringup our rear-guard at once. We shall have the lake for our water-tank,and its feathered and finny inhabitants for our rations."

"And these winged monsters for our besieging foes," added Gerald,striking a mosquito from his nose.

"It is a pleasant and tempting situation, certainly," said Arthur; "andwe might select a spot sufficiently distant from the water to avoidthese bloodthirsty insects. But we must be certain that we shall have noneighbors more dangerous than the mosquitoes. We had better explore tothe coast."

Hugh and Gerald had contrived to knock down two pairs of ducks, whichthey slung across their shoulders, and marched forward towards morefertile plains, where high grass and low bushes spread a verdantcovering over the soil, till they reached a thick wood, slopingdownwards, through which they penetrated, and found themselves on anarrow strand, similar to that on which they had landed.

A rocky promontory ran out to the sea at a little distance; the broken,rugged, rocky sides were clothed with brushwood, and a lofty headlandjutted out at the summit. Their further progress would have been cut offhad it been quite high water; but the tide was still low enough topermit them, with some care, to turn round the promontory, and gain abroader strand, which was strewed with huge fragments of rock, amongstwhich they saw, with great astonishment, the wreck of a large vessellying. The hull was divided; the forecastle-deck was in one place, andat a distance lay part of the quarter-deck.

At first the boys were struck speechless with this unexpected sight;then they began to climb over the rocks to reach the wreck, and Geraldbreathlessly asked: "Will we find any of them alive?"

"Alive, man!" exclaimed Hugh. "You may see at once this is no recentaffair; look at this chain, the sea must have washed over it somehundreds of times, for it is covered with rust."

The sea was even now breaking over the scattered rocks, making theapproach to the wreck at once difficult and dangerous; but the boys madeout that the vessel must have been first thrown on the rocks, andafterwards broken up by the sea. It now remained a melancholy spectacle;timbers, decks, masts, and yards, scattered or piled in confused heaps,apparently untouched by man for weeks or months. The upper parts of thestern and hull as far forward as the mizen chains were entire, lying onthe stern-frames; but no bodies were found, and the boats being missing,Arthur suggested that the crew must have got off, carrying with them theuseful articles they might need; for little could be seen except themere timbers, except that where the marks of an axe were found on themizen-mast, the axe itself, though much rusted, was lying near, andgladly seized by the boys.

"Margaret will become alarmed," said Arthur, "if we delay our return;but to-morrow we must examine this wreck more closely. Much hasdoubtless been carried off by the boats or the waves; but even the yardsand chains may be useful to us."

"I wish we could find any thing to eat," sighed Gerald.

"Depend on it, Gerald," said Hugh, "the greedy sea will have devouredthe provisions. I cannot even see an empty cask which might be useful.But, halloo! captain, our retreat is cut off; the sea is washing theheadland, and we may be glad to use the old hull as an ark now."

"I think we may be able to turn the next point," said Arthur, pointingto another jutting rock of the indented coast which stood out about ahundred yards in the opposite direction, and where a sort of shelf a fewfeet from the water afforded an unsafe pass. "Be quick, boys; we mustbeat the waves if we would escape before next tide."

Away the daring boys darted among the windings and over the barriers ofbroken rock, till they reached the second promontory, and with the wavesdashing close below them, rounded it, coming out on an almost impassablenarrow hem of encumbered beach, which stretched before them for severalhundred yards. Crawling close to the cliffs, they found at length thestrand grew broad and level, and they sprang forward to enjoy morefreedom, when they were suddenly startled by the sight of the shell ofa turtle, which they could not but suspect the hand of man had removedfrom the back of the rightful proprietor.

They looked intently on it, then Arthur said, "This shell hasundoubtedly been roughly cut from the animal. The important question is,who cut it?"

"Perhaps the crew of the wrecked vessel," suggested Hugh.

"It may have been so," answered Arthur, somewhat relieved.

Then O'Brien shouldered the large shell, and they moved forwardthoughtfully for a few minutes; till a dark spot at some distance fromthe water attracted the attention of Arthur; they hastened towards it,and saw to their great consternation, not only the traces of a recentfire, but the naked footmarks of men, the head of a turtle still bloody,a long wooden spear, plainly hardened by fire, and an instrument whichArthur recognized from description to be a throwing-stick for the spear,as it had a hook at one end which fitted a notch at the heel of thespear, which the holders were thus enabled to project with great force.

"We must carry away these curious arms," said Hugh.

"Certainly not, I think," replied Arthur. "In the first place, we haveno right to take them, since they have been left here in good faith, aswe might have left our spades in our own grounds at home; and next weshould thus place ourselves in the position of invaders and marauders,and incur the enmity of dangerous foes. We had better obliterate alltraces of our visit, and, like prudent fellows, retreat quietly."

"Run away! Arthur," exclaimed O'Brien. "You may as well speak plainly.And won't Margaret think us a set of poltroons?"

"We will talk of that as we retreat," said Arthur, laughing; "but wemust carefully examine the way we came, that we may leave no footsteps."

As it happened, the vivacity and restless curiosity of the boys hadinduced them to keep close to the cliffs, leaping from rock to rock,peeping into crannies for nests, so that no traces were left, exceptwhere the tide would soon wash them away, and Arthur resolved now toascend the cliffs at once, instead of going round the island, to escapeany risking of meeting the savages. He calculated that they had reacheda part of the shore nearly opposite to that on which they had firstlanded; and by directly crossing the island, which he felt could not bemore than three miles over, they might safely and speedily rejoin theirfriends.

"I do not think it probable," he said, "that this barren island has anypermanent inhabitants. The people who have left their traces on thecoast may come over from some more productive soil, solely to catch theturtles."

"Do you think they came from the mainland?" asked Hugh; "I fancied fromthe heights of the east cliffs, I could make out a gray line, which wasdoubtless Australia."

"I scarcely can fancy," answered Arthur, "that a people whom we haveseen described as so deficient in intelligence should be able toconstruct canoes to come such a distance. It is more likely they areinhabitants of one of the hundred dangerous islands of this sea. Itwill be prudent, at all events, to avoid them if we can."

As they rapidly made their way directly across the island, O'Brienwished there had been a boat left on the wreck, and Hugh said, "Couldn'twe build a boat, Arthur? Jack is up to any work of that sort."

"We have not tools or time, Hugh," answered Arthur. "Only consider howlong it would take, even if we had the means, to complete a boat to beuseful to us. No; at present we must content ourselves to make the bestof our situation; and as I do not think the savages have found the bayof the wrecked vessel, I shall propose that we move our encampment intothat snug nook."

"What capital fun," cried Gerald. "We will bring them off directly."

"Softly, good youth!" said Arthur. "We must hold a council on such animportant matter. But see Jack perched on yon tall tree, to watch for usand give notice; and here comes Meggie to meet us and hear the news."

CHAPTER VII.

The Results of the Expedition.—The Long Vacation.—Removed from theLanding-place.—Birds and their Nests.—Fishing.—Tapping a Cask ofPotatoes.—Tent-making.—The Shell Spades.—Digging a Tank.—A GrandAttempt at Boat-building.

"Get all into marching order, Meggie," said Hugh. "We have found out abetter site for a settlement than our present encampment, and Gerald andI mean to build a shealing."

"And not a mangrove or a mosquito to be seen near it," added Gerald;"nothing but a ship at anchor."

"A ship!" exclaimed Margaret, in astonishment. "What does the wild boymean, Arthur?"

"You will only see the remains of a ship, Meggie," answered Arthur; "andthough you may think the scene of a shipwreck a melancholy spot toselect, yet it seems a convenient, sheltered cove, and a desirableretreat for a short time, till we arrange our plans for the future."

When they arrived at the encampment, and the adventures of the day hadbeen told, Jack heard with especial interest the account of the wreckedvessel; and as he examined the rusty axe, he planned great undertakingswith the aid of his new tool; while Jenny looked with much satisfactionon the ducks, which she declared were "more Christian meat than themslimy, fat turtles;" and Ruth, smoothing the beautiful plumage with herhands, and thinking, with foreboding dread, of the fate of herfavorites, said—

"Bonnie things! what a sham' to kill 'em."

"And see what papa and I have found," said Margaret, producing a baskethalf-filled with the eggs of the turtle, while Jenny served up to themsome roasted in the ashes, which the hungry ramblers thought delicious.

Then a consultation was held on the project of removal. Margaret shrunkfrom any risk of meeting with the savage islanders; but Arthurconsidered they should be safer from any encounter with them in thesecluded nook they had discovered, which was guarded by coral reefs,dangerous even to such light canoes as these people usually had, andhidden by the jutting promontories, than they should be to remain intheir present exposed encampment, or even in the more fertile regions ofthe interior.

Mr. Mayburn had some shadowy fancies of civilizing and converting thewhole horde at once; but Arthur argued that the time was not favorablefor the undertaking, and that they must try to establish themselves in amore independent position before they indulged any hopes of reclaiming alarge body of heathens.

"Besides, papa," added he, "we must look forward to some plan of leavingthis dull and desolate island, and we may have an opportunity ofsignalling some passing sail if we establish ourselves on the beach."

"Ye'll not see mony ships amang yon reefs," said Wilkins, "barringthey're drove there in a gale, and then, as ye've seen, there's poorchance of they're getting off again."

"But we might build a boat with the remains of the wreck," suggestedJack.

"There's some sense in that," answered the man; "but when ye've gottenyour boat fettled up, what port would ye be making for?"

"I am pledged to go to India, Wilkins," said Mr. Mayburn.

"Pledged to a fiddlestick," replied he, with contempt. "Think ye now yecan sail to Indy in a crazy bit boat like what we chaps can puttogether. Ye'll have to make right across for t' mainland; and mind whatI tell ye: I'se stick to ye, and work for ye, and fight for ye, butye're not to be 'liv'ring me up at Sydney yonder to be shackled anddrove like a nigg*r slave."

"I fear, Wilkins," answered Arthur, "there is little probability of ourreaching Sydney; but we are all too grateful for the services of afaithful adherent, to think of returning evil for them; and you may besatisfied we shall continue to protect you to the utmost of our power.And, my dear father, you must no longer distress yourself with the ideaof fulfilling your appointment in India. We shall be reported lost inthe Golden Fairy, and the mission will be filled up. You must resignyourself to accept any safe refuge that is accessible, and wait forhappier circ*mstances."

"In the mean time, papa," said Margaret, "God will surely provide uswith work. And till we have more extended opportunities our own heartsrequire our labor. We must not neglect our duty at home."

"I thank you, my child," answered he, "for reminding me of my wastedhours. It is indeed full time that I should resume the active duties ofmy profession. I have a weighty responsibility. Do you not think that Ishould begin at once, by recalling my boys to their daily studies?"

O'Brien looked piteously at Hugh, who laughed at his mournfulcountenance, and Margaret replied,

"The boys are not idle, papa. They are studying in the great book ofNature. Every hour shows to them some new wonder of creation, and raisestheir thoughts to the mighty Creator. Every sight and sound develops anew idea; and all you are called on to do, papa, is to watch and towater."

"That is all I am fit to do," answered he. "I want the energy andfirmness that you possess—a blessed boon from God. The deep sorrow thatever haunts me is, that my life has been spent in vain purposes, neveraccomplished."

"My dear, conscientious father," said Margaret, "be comforted; I trustthe hour may yet come when you will have a field for your pious labors:till then, have no remorse in following your simple and blamelessamusem*nts. I have no merit in my duties of attending, governing, andlecturing these wild boys. I love the office; I was certainly not bornfor any sphere more elevated. But you, papa, whose sole enjoyment is tosit in an easy-chair before a table laden with books and a cabinetfilled with eggs and wings, were wrenched violently from your naturewhen you were doomed to pass days in forcing these unwilling boys tolearn the rules of syntax, or the crabbed mysteries of Euclid. We areshaken from our proprieties here; you cannot teach Latin or work outproblems without books; so you must take your ease, and consider thisthe long vacation."

"You are the girl for knowing a few things, Meggie!" said O'Brien,admiringly. "Be sure, sir, Hugh and I will work to any amount to helpyou in your ornithology and oology, if you will spare us the philologya bit. There's no running about with a conjugation in one's mouth."

"And as Arthur has demonstrated his problem on the best position for theencampment," said Hugh, "I conclude we had better move at once. Nooccasion to send forward notice about well-aired beds."

"And no occasion, Hugh Harebrain," said Arthur, "to be overtaken bydarkness on our journey. Let us be deliberate. Jenny must roast theducks for our breakfast in the morning, Jack must collect his valuablework-tools, Ruth must again imprison those luckless chickens, and thenwe must all have a night's rest. It will be time enough to set out inthe morning, and we must take care to start before the sun blazes out inall its fervor."

All obeyed orders; and, with the first ray of light, the whole camp wasalive. It was very important this time that nothing should be leftbehind. Peter had relieved them from the charge of biscuit and water,which he had carried off with the tool-chest and gun; but there wasstill a little tea and sugar, which was carefully preserved. Thesail-cloth was rolled up; even the oars used for tent-poles were taken;and, after morning prayers, they set out slowly along the beach, andthrough the mazy, ascending woods, till they reached the table-land ofthe rocky isle. They crossed it this time at the head of the lake whichthey had discovered the preceding day, and found this part of the islandstill more fertile and lovely than any they had yet seen. Mr. Mayburnwas in ecstasy; he stopped continually to point out some new andbeautiful grass, some bright nameless flower, or some strange tree;while the notes, harsh, musical, or merry, of thousands of birds, filledhim with amazement and delight.

"From this moment, my boys," said he, "I release you from the severestudies which, Margaret truly observes, are unfitted to ourcirc*mstances and the relaxing climate. I merely require from you toobtain me specimens—single specimens only—of the eggs and nests ofthese birds; and, if it were not cruel, I should long to possess some ofthese rare creatures in all their beauty."

"I fear, papa," observed Margaret, "that you have no means of preservingbirds; therefore it would be useless to take them."

"You are right, Margaret," he answered. "I will be content with a nestand an egg of each species."

"Would you mind about having the nest and egg of that fellow, sir?"asked O'Brien, pointing to a majestic black swan sailing on the lake.

"Rara avis!" exclaimed he; then added, with a sigh, "no, no, Gerald,we have no means. The animal is weighty, therefore the nest must belarge, and not of a portable nature. I relinquish the preciouspossession. But let us linger on the borders of the lake, to examine itswild charms. Would that I had saved my botanical library, that I mighthave made out the species of these broad flags and thick bamboos!"

"These round reeds will make capital arrows," said Hugh, cutting down abundle of them; "and I doubt not but some of them would be elasticenough for the bows. We may surely, with all our learning, succeedbetter in making them than untaught savages. Then we may bring down ourbirds noiselessly, and defy the thievish tricks of Black Peter."

"But first, Hugh," said O'Brien, "we must have a trial with some ofthese big fellows in the lake," pointing to some large perch-shapedfish.

Jack sharpened some of the reeds to a point, and the boys were soonplunging about in the clear bright lake, pursuing and striking the fish;and after fifty vain attempts, they succeeded at length in spearing two,which, though young, were of large size, and Arthur concluded they mustbe the river cod (Grystes Peelii), so much praised by Australiantravellers. Then, regardless of wet garments, which the hot sun soondried, the boys triumphantly proceeded on with their spoil. Jack, in themean time, had struck off from the edge of the lake a cluster offresh-water mussels of various sizes, and emptied them, to serve forspoons and drinking-cups.

Thence they moved forward, anxious now to seek some shelter from theincreasing heat of the day, and gladly entered the wood, from which,with some difficulties in the descent, they reached the wreck-encumberedbay. All were at once attracted to the side of the vessel; Jack,especially, examined it with intense interest, considering its futureservice to him. Margaret and her father were moved to tears, as theycontemplated the shattered fabric, and thought on the brave but probablyunprepared men who might have been hurried into eternity before thefinal catastrophe.

While Hugh and Gerald climbed the sides to explore the interior of thewreck, Arthur observed that some of the timbers had been carried away bythe tide even since the previous day, and he consulted with Jack aboutthe possibility of breaking up and endeavoring to save such parts asmight be useful to themselves; and in order to lose no time theygrasped a loosened plank, to draw it away beyond the reach of the tide.No sooner had they removed it, than a large cask rolled from theopening, which they concluded led into the hold. The cask broke openwith the fall, and a number of potatoes ran out. Every hand was quicklysummoned to collect and save the valuable contents; the cask was rightedand carefully removed up the beach, and it was great amusem*nt to theboys to pursue the straggling potatoes, and save them from being sweptaway by the next tide.

"I say, O'Brien, my boy, I wonder your Irish nose did not scent thepratees yesterday," said Hugh.

"Now isn't it luck, Arty," said Gerald. "Will we plant some? and then weshall never want as long as we stay here."

Margaret looked alarmed at the plan of planting potatoes for futureprovision; but Arthur replied, he hoped they should be able to leave theisland before the potatoes were exhausted; nevertheless, he approved ofthe provident project of Gerald, and promised to seek a favorable spotto plant some, for the benefit of future visitors to this unproductiveisland.

"But do not be afraid, nurse," added he, "to boil us a large shell ofpotatoes to-day; we have abundance; and in our scarcity of bread, wecould not have found a more valuable prize."

Ruth had been in the wood to seek for a convenient place for a hencoop,and now rushed out with torn garments, exclaiming,—"Oh! Miss Marget,come and see what a bonnie beck there is."

A beck, or stream of water, was, indeed, a valuable discovery; and,conducted by Ruth, Arthur and Jack forced their way through entangledroots and brushwood, till they reached a narrow rivulet of clear water,probably flowing from the lake by some unseen channel beneath the grassyregion they had crossed; and after trickling down the rocks, it againdisappeared in the sand and shingles of the beach.

"This is but a slender supply, Jack," said Arthur; "I fear it might failus in a drought."

"We must dig a tank, Mr. Arthur," he answered; "that is, if we can raisea spade."

Jack considered for a few minutes. He was not to be checked by apparentdifficulties in his undertakings. "What do you think, Mr. Arthur, of oneof those big oyster or mussel shells? I could tie one to a stick withsome of these stringy fibres of creeping plants; or, better far, there'sa tree up above, that seems to have a bark you might ravel out intostrings; and there's another tree, with a stiff, regular sort of gum, asgood as glue, oozing out of it. Now, with all these, I'll be bound tomake a spade or two that will turn up this light soil fast enough."

"Then the sooner we set about it the better, Jack," answered Arthur. "Wecannot do better than remain in this spot, if we meet with nodisturbance, until we can make some canoe or raft to take us off; and itis absolutely necessary to secure a supply of water. Let us go andchoose our shells."

But when they returned to the beach, they found Mr. Mayburn so muchovercome by the scorching heat of the sun, that their first care was toget up a tent or shelter of some kind for him. They selected a deepniche in the cliff, where the rocks formed a complete angle, and havingprocured from the wreck some suitable spars, they fixed them in thecrevices of the rocks, to form the rafters of the roof, which theycovered with the long grass which grew above the cliffs. The sail wasthrown over the front, as a curtain, and they were thus provided with ashady and convenient apartment.

At low tide, Hugh and Gerald amused themselves with searching for nestsin the extremity of the promontory, and finding an opening, they hadpenetrated into a spacious cave, the mouth of which would be covered athigh-water; but as it shelved upwards to a considerable distance in therocks, the back part was safe and dry.

"Just think, Hugh, my boy," said O'Brien, "what a fortress this would befor us if we were invaded. One man could defend the entrance with thegun, even at low-water; and how we should defy the rogues when the tidewas up."

"But it would be horribly dismal, Gerald," answered Hugh. "We couldnever bear to live in it long; and, you know, we need no sleeping-roomsor houses to cover us in this fine climate; so we will leave ituninhabited, at least in peaceful times. But we will show it to Arthur,and ask him if it would not make a good storehouse."

Arthur congratulated the boys on their discovery, and the timid fatherwas highly gratified at the thoughts of such a secure retreat; after hehad satisfactorily ascertained that it could always be accessible atlow-water, and never dangerous at the highest tide; and Margaretproposed that the cookery should be accomplished within the cave, thatthe smoke might not attract the observation of the dreaded natives. SoJenny established her kitchen here, and prepared an excellent dinner offish, and potatoes boiled in the shells of the turtle, while Margaretkept watch for the returning tide, though Jenny said, "It's all littleuse, Miss Marget; it has to be, I feel. Ruth's sartain to be catched andfastened up in this eerie place."

Jack made a careful inspection of the remains of the vessel, and fromthe stern cabin, which was still uninjured, he drew out, with the helpof the boys, a rough bench and a table,—useful acquisitions; and stillbetter, a good-sized empty cask, which had contained brandy, and was nowconveniently employed as a water-cask. Then, after a long survey of thestate of the timbers, Jack announced that, with the help of Wilkins'sstrong arm, and Arthur's judgment and perseverance, he would undertaketo build a sort of boat.

Wilkins shrugged up his shoulders at the prospect of hard work under aburning sun, and said, "Why, one had as lief be working in irons downyonder; where one was safe of full rations, and bacca, and rum into t'bargain."

"And ruin to body and soul, you may add, unhappy man," said Mr. Mayburn."Be not discontented that the mercy of God has rescued you from evil,and cast you among true friends, who ask you to do no more than they dothemselves; to fare simply, and to work. You were not placed in thisworld to live like the beasts, who eat, and drink, and perish for ever.Your life is here but the beginning of eternity; the hour of death isclose at hand to all, when those who have done evil shall receive theirpunishment, and those who have listened to God shall find a blessed homein a new and glorious world."

Wilkins never replied to any of Mr. Mayburn's preachings, as he calledthese admonitions; but he scoffed less than formerly, and Margaretobserved that his manners were somewhat softened; and she daily prayedto God that they might be permitted to aid in reclaiming, at least, onesinful soul.

The next day Jack succeeded in binding two large shells to stouthandles, and fixing them with gum; then, while he left them to harden,he set to work to clean the rusty axe with sand and stones, and atlength rendered it serviceable. He was thus enabled to break up thewreck, and to select such timber as would be useful for his projectedundertaking; he extracted all the large nails that were uninjured, andafter many days' labor, had accumulated materials to begin his greatwork.

But the first employment of the youths was to be digging the well; theywent every morning to the lake to procure fish, birds, or eggs, for theprovision of the day, and then returned to assist in digging, the spadesbeing now available, as the gum had become as hard as the shell. Afterthey had sunk the tank sufficiently deep, they lined it with flatstones; and saw with great satisfaction, that they need never be withouta supply of fresh water, if they remained at this cove.

Some time passed, and they saw no more traces of visitors to the island,and they ventured to ramble to some distance along the beach, bringingin occasionally a turtle, or a basket of turtles' eggs, to vary theirdiet. They also used daily a small quantity of potatoes, but they wereeconomical with these valuable roots, of which they hoped to raise acrop in the island, and, should they ever reach it, on the main land aswell.

After the tank was completed, Jack selected a spot conveniently nearhigh-water mark, and seriously set about boat-building. He had carefullyexamined the boats during their voyages, and while in the Amoor hemade many inquiries of the obliging ship-carpenter; but though bold andsanguine in all his enterprises, he did sometimes feel that he hadundertaken a stupendous task.

The planks that would best have suited his purpose were more or lessinjured by the sea; he had no means of forming iron bolts or screws, yetthe indefatigable youth persevered; but the month of August, the earlyspring of that climate, was advanced before the boat assumed a form ofpromise. It was then caulked with matted cordage found in the vessel,and with gum, of which they had abundance. Now, though rough and clumsy,Jack declared it "looked like work;" and after two pair of oars had beenmade with little difficulty, to the great delight of the young workmen,a day was fixed for launching the boat.

CHAPTER VIII.

The Launch of the Boat.—An Alarming Catastrophe.—DisappointedHopes.—Jack's Perseverance.—A Peep at the Old Encampment.—Black Peteragain.—The Loss of the Boat.—Canoe-building.—The Luggage-van.

It was necessary to carry the boat fairly out to deep water, to test itsperfect security; but the reefs were impassable before the cove, andthey were aware they should be compelled to row to some distance withinthem till they found an opening. A roller, left in the wreck, enabledthem at high-water to run out the boat, and Wilkins and Arthurvolunteered to make the first trial in it. Jack was detained on shore,where he was always usefully employed, and the two boys were consideredtoo wild to be risked in the first trip—an arrangement which they wouldgladly have rebelled against.

The anxious watchers stood on shore to mark the boat first float on thewater, and then the strokes of the oars, which carried it round thepromontory at the south out of their sight. Then Jack and the two boysascended through the wood to the heights, and crossed the cape, to watchthe further progress of the precious vessel. But what was theirconsternation to see no traces of it. They hurried down to the beachbeyond the promontory, and gazed wildly around, uttering cries ofdistraction. A few minutes of horror succeeded: then they saw the headsof the two swimmers, who appeared to be struggling violently againstthe receding waves.

The two boys would have plunged at once into the water; but Jack, in atone of authority, commanded them to remain still, and throwing off hisown light frock, he rapidly cut a long branch of mangrove, and swam out,holding it out towards Arthur, who seemed nearly exhausted, and whoeagerly clutched the branch as soon as it was within his reach. ThenJack turned round, and swimming with one hand, drew the almost senselessArthur, still firmly grasping the branch, after him into shallow water,where Hugh was waiting to receive him. Still fresh and unfearing, Jackset out again towards Wilkins, who had grasped an oar and was supportinghimself with it, when, just as he saw his friend coming up to aid him,he either dropped the oar from exhaustion, or some unseen rock dashed itfrom his hand, and he immediately disappeared.

A great cry rose from the boys on the beach; but the minute after, herose again, lying on his back, and apparently insensible. This enabledJack to approach him with greater safety, and catching hold of his longhair, he drew the senseless body of the poor man towards the shore. ButHugh perceived Jack could not long hold out, and throwing off hisclothes, he struck out to meet him, compelled him to relinquish thecharge of Wilkins; and thus they were all enabled at length to reach theshore. But all were greatly exhausted, and Wilkins was apparently deadwhen they drew him on the beach.

O'Brien hastened through the woods, and by cries and signals broughtMargaret and Jenny to their assistance, by whose prudent care andapplications the poor man was restored to consciousness. No sooner washe recovered, than, trembling excessively, he looked wildly round, andsaid,—

"Good Lord! it is a terrible thing to die in one's sins!"

"How glad I am to hear you say these words, Wilkins!" said Margaret;"and now let all our words and thoughts be thanks to Him who has givenyou time to turn from these sins, and lead a new life. Pray to Himopenly. We are all your friends, and we will join you;" and kneelingdown by the side of the convict, Margaret offered up a simple and shortthanksgiving for the two men happily rescued from death, and a prayerfor continued mercy for their souls. For the first time the lips ofWilkins moved in prayer, and he audibly uttered "Amen."

In order to remove the anxiety of Mr. Mayburn, they returned to theencampment as soon as the exhausted swimmers were able to walk. ThenArthur related to his friends that as soon as they had got the boat intodeep water, they suspected there was something wrong about her, and wereendeavoring to make to shore, when she whirled round and was swamped ina moment, and the labor of weeks and the hopes of escape were at oncelost.

The whole party were greatly dejected; but Jack, who was at first deeplymortified, was the first to shake off his chagrin, and to declare boldlythat he would make another experiment. "We have plenty of materialsquite handy," said he; "and it cannot be so far to the coast of the mainland. If you will let me try again, sir, I feel quite certain I couldmake two bark canoes that would take us all, and, if we were oncefairly over the reefs, could be paddled across without danger."

"My good boy," said Mr. Mayburn, "I am but an indifferent judge ofnautical affairs; but you must allow your first adventure has beensignally discouraging. Nevertheless, I admire that perseverance whichmust in the end subdue obstacles and command success, and I do notobject to your continuing your experiments; but I would advise you totry your next boat on the lake, where, in case of accidents, no fatalconsequences need be feared."

"I will make a canoe at once," answered he; "but I will risk no lives. Iwill paddle it across to the mainland myself, and then return toconvince you of its security. This time I have no fears, provided we donot overload our vessels. I will set out to seek a tree immediately."

"You will eat your dinner first, my man," said nurse; "and if you had abit of sleep after your swimming, before you set off to cut down trees,there would be more sense in it. Here's some good roast duck for you; agrand dinner it might have been if we had only had sage and onions."

Jack found Jenny was right. He was not equal to a long walk after hisexertions and vexations; so he sat down to eat his roast duck, and thenset about making models of canoes, prahus, and catamarans, from therecollection of what he had seen or read of. But next morning, leavingWilkins, who was much bruised, and still weak, and subdued by mental andbodily suffering, in the care of Margaret and her father, the young menset out to explore the island for a tree of proper height and girth tomake use of for their first attempt at a canoe.

"After all, Mr. Arthur," said Jack, "if this should fail, we could trycatamarans. That would be easy enough, and we have mangroves close athand that would answer exactly for making them. But then I have mydoubts if the master, or Miss Margaret, could be brought round to trustthemselves on such bits of floats for a voyage that far. Here's a grandtree! Now, if we can only peel it clean, it will set us up."

It was a tall fine tree of the Eucalyptus or gum species, with a thickrough bark, which seemed as if it might be easily removed. Arthur beganby making a deep incision round the trunk at the bottom, and also in aperpendicular line as high as he could reach. By standing on a fragmentof rock, he was able to carry it up to the height of twelve feet, and tofinish it by another circular incision. Hugh and Gerald stood at thefoot of the tree to receive the bark, which, when gently raised from thetrunk, was easily separated, and let down in one piece without anyinjury, to the great delight of the boys. Jack was anxious to have ittransported to the cove immediately; but the boys wished to take a peepat their first landing-place before their return, and they all turnedtheir steps in that direction. Hugh and Gerald had distanced the twoelder youths, who had not reached the cliffs, when they saw the two boysreturning in haste, with dismay on their faces.

"Oh! Arthur," cried Gerald, "such a vexation! We are in for a battle,and we have no arms! The savages are ready for us on the beach."

"But we are not ready for them," replied Arthur, "and must thereforekeep out of sight. Do you two hasten homewards with the bark, while Jackand I reconnoitre."

Then cautiously creeping along to the edge of the cliffs, they lookeddown on the narrow strand below, and saw a number of the dark nativesgathered round some object close to the water, which seemed to haveexcited their curiosity. Jack, with a muttered exclamation of vexation,recognized this to be his unfortunate boat which had doubtless driftedon shore here.

"Oh! Mr. Arthur," whispered the lad, in great agitation; "as sure as youare living, I see that rogue, black Peter, that got all my tools, amongthe savages; depend on it he has brought them here to seek for us."

"To seek for the remainder of our property, I suspect, Jack," repliedArthur. "They are probably not very anxious to encounter our fire-arms;and we should be no prize to them, even if they could capture us. But wehad best decamp now, as we are quite unarmed, and it might be dangerousto be detected; and, Jack, we must set to work directly. I am anxiousnow to get away as soon as possible, for these fellows will beconstantly in our way on this small isle."

They withdrew with the same caution with which they had approached, andthen hurried to overtake the boys, who were moving slowly along,carrying the bark; and with the additional hands they soon brought itsafely into harbor, to the admiration of Mr. Mayburn, who was, however,greatly distressed to hear of another visit of the savages. Then, asthey measured and arranged the work, they discussed with wonder theappearance of black Peter among the natives, and the cause of hisdisturbing their quiet seclusion.

"Peter's in his reet place amang 'om," said Wilkins, "and it's time forus to be off when he shows his black, ugly face. As sure as we're here,master, if he cannot 'tice me off to join his crew, and startbush-ranging, he'll take my life. He's a reg'lar black-hearted un for abit of vengeance."

"But, surely, Wilkins," said Margaret, "there can be no fear that you,who have now learnt to know good from evil—you, who have seen thewickedness of your past life, should ever go back to such sin."

"Why, ye see, miss," answered the man, "it's little that such as yeknow, what a queer tempting a chap feels for a free, roving life. Why!half of our biggest rogues did know good from evil; and what of that?They liked evil better nor good. I reckon there's a bad spirit as isalways tugging at a fellow's heart."

"You are right, Wilkins," replied Mr. Mayburn. "It is the power of thePrince of Darkness that you feel in your heart, dragging you to the pitof perdition. But if you pray to God, my poor man, he will send youstrength to resist the evil one."

Wilkins groaned, and his friends felt true pity for the unfortunate man,who was sensible of his own weakness; and while all deeply regrettedthat the infamous Peter had chosen to pursue them, they resolvedcontinually to watch and pray for the complete reformation of Wilkins.Neither could the family feel in safety while they believed the savagesremained on the island; it was therefore arranged that Arthur andJack—the most prudent heads—should return to the cliffs above thelanding-place of these unpleasant visitors, to watch their proceedings,and endeavor, if possible, to discover their plans, and the motives thatbrought them to the island.

In the mean time, the other boys transferred the bark to the capaciouscave; the tent was also stowed there, with every other trace of theirhabitation; and it was arranged that, if there was likely to be anydanger of detection, the two sentinels were to announce it by a sharpwhistle, when the whole family would be ready to take shelter in thegloomy but secure fortress.

Concealing themselves as much as possible among the tangled mangroves,Arthur and Jack went round to the spot from whence they had previouslyseen the strangers, and beneath the abundance of brushwood above thecliffs they made for themselves a complete hiding-place, with loopholesfor observation. They saw the men still assembled round the boat, butthe sound of the hammer induced them to conclude that Peter was engagedrepairing some damage in it; and, to the great vexation of Jack, he sawhis own tool-chest, which he valued so highly, standing on one side, andat a little distance lay the boughs of a large mangrove tree, and theaxe with which they had been felled.

Arthur suggested that Peter had brought these men to the island, hopingto find the remainder of their property, and bringing the tools to cutdown a tree and make a raft to carry away the spoils; for the lightcanoes which were lying on the beach were only fit to contain oneperson, or, at the most, two in each; and that, finding the boat, Peterhad thought it more convenient than a raft for the purpose.

"Do you think, Mr. Arthur," said Jack, "they will be leaving any of thecanoes behind them? I should like to see how they finish them off at theends. But surely they'll never start off in that unlucky boat; I couldhardly bide to see them enter her, knowing what we know."

But Arthur was of opinion that they were not called upon to risk theirown lives and the lives of their friends, by going forward to report thecharacter of the boat. Besides, Peter, the only person who would be ableto understand their language, would probably not believe them.

So they continued to watch till Peter had completed his work, and then,by the efforts of the natives, the boat was launched, the whole partycelebrating the event by dancing, singing, and flinging about their armswith childish delight. Peter selected three of the men to accompany himin the boat, which, with the aid of some long poles and paddles fromtheir canoes, they pushed off and forced over the rocks. The rest of thenatives leaped into their canoes, and followed with shouts ofadmiration.

In deep anxiety the two young men continued to watch the boat, whichthey expected every moment to see disappear; but whether Peter had foundout its defects and remedied them, or the water had swelled the wood andrendered it fit for service, it was impossible to say. One thing onlywas clear, that as long as they could observe it, till it had passedtowards the south, out of their view, it continued to move slowly, butwith apparent security.

Leaving their position, they crossed over to a high point at the southof the island, from whence they could perceive the little fleet—thecanoes now diminished to mere specks—proceeding towards a dark object,which they judged to be a distant island.

Satisfied that the people had all departed, they descended to the beachto inspect the scene of their visit, Jack remaining for some time silentfrom the mortification of seeing the product of his labors appropriatedso successfully by the unscrupulous Peter; and almost disappointed thathe had not witnessed the boat go down, as he expected. But when theyreached the strand, he recovered his spirits at the sight of a canoewhich they had not been able to carry off conveniently after manning theboat. It was not useful as a prize, for it would only contain one personin comfort; but he was able, as he wished, to examine the workmanship.

"Shall we carry it off, Mr. Arthur?" he said. "A fair exchange is norobbery; and you know, sir, this is poor payment for my good boat."

"I think we had better leave it, Jack," answered Arthur. "The blackswill certainly return for it; and when they find it removed, they willbe convinced that we are still concealed on the island. If we remainunsuspected, Peter will naturally conclude from the sight of the wreckedboat, that we are all drowned; and will then think no more about us. Yousee the simple construction of the canoe, closed at the ends by thestringy bark, which we can easily procure; or better still, we can usehempen ropes, of which we have still some; and we must strengthen thebottom by an extra layer of bark, or by thin planks."

"It's not badly put together," said Jack, with a critical air; "but itwill be strange if a regular taught English carpenter cannot beat it.I'm not daunted, Mr. Arthur, after all my vexations. And here'ssomething that pleases me better; and, say what you will, sir, this ismy own, and I'll take it."

This was a small saw, which had been left beneath the lopped branches ofthe mangrove; and Arthur, prudent as he was, not only agreed that Jackhad a perfect right to carry away his own property; but he thought hemight do it with safety; for, in the place where it was lying, it wouldcertainly be washed away by the next tide, if it was left behind; and,charmed with their prize, they hastened home to report that theintruders had departed.

Hugh and Gerald were in a high state of indignation at the audacity ofPeter in carrying off their boat; and Wilkins was furious, upbraidingJack for his professional unskilfulness; when a fellow like Black Petercould make the boat fit to stand a voyage.

"We do not know yet how the voyage ended," said Margaret. "It may be theboat has again foundered where help could not be had."

"God send it may!" said Wilkins. Mr. Mayburn reproved the thoughtlessman for the exclamation, telling him he ought rather to pray that thesinful man might be long spared, that he might have opportunity torepent.

"Him repent!" cried Wilkins; "bless you, master, ye might as lief lookto Miss here turning bush-ranger! It's not in him. He were just born fornought but to die a rascal, and that he'll do, and no mistake!"

"It is a mistake, rash man!" replied Mr. Mayburn. "God sent no man intothe world marked for perdition. There is ever a door open that thevilest may enter. Let us all pray that he may find that door; and if Godpermit me, I would gladly use my humble efforts to reclaim the wretchedsinner."

"Well, all I can say is, sir," answered Wilkins, "God send ye may neverhave a chance. Ye're a deal ower good to be thrawn away in runningefter such a rogue, and ten to one he'd twist yer neck if ye said a wordto him."

Wilkins could not be convinced that there was any hope for Black Peter;and Margaret besought her father henceforth to talk to the ignorant manof his own peril, rather than of that of his worthless comrade; of whomhe was not yet in a frame of mind to tolerate the mention.

The bark canoe was now begun in earnest. It was twelve feet in length,and broad enough to admit two persons seated on the bottom, for benchesthey did not venture to introduce. The ends were closed firmly with thestringy fibres of the tree named the "stringy bark tree," as the toughfibres of this bark seemed more suitable for the purpose than thehemp-twisted ropes found in the ship.

Ten days completed the first canoe, and hardened the gum used to coatit. Paddles and oars were added, and then the workmen fondly looked uponit as a success, and Jack was sanguine in his expectation that in fairweather it must reach the mainland safely. But it was not large enoughto contain the whole party, and a second visit to the interior wasnecessary, and a second gum-tree was barked. At this visit, and onseveral occasions, the younger boys looked out on the coast for tracesof the natives, but all continued so tranquil that they began to hopethey should not again be disturbed.

Before they began to make the second canoe they made a trial of thefirst, by carefully conveying it over the reefs, and launching it beyondthem. Wilkins offered to take it alone; but Jack chose to accompany him,that he might note any imperfection and correct it. It floatedbeautifully, was easily governed, and the workmen were full of pride andhope as they deposited their canoe in the cave, and turned to work atanother.

"If we can but succeed as well with the next," said Jack, "we shall havenothing to dread but a gale, or too heavy a loading. Let us consider,Mr. Arthur; we shall be four in the first boat, and five in the second.Five will be too many for it, sir."

"And my clothes," said Margaret, "the gun, knives, and axe, with all ourtable utensils, besides necessary provisions. How are they to bestowed?"

All were silent; for to stow all these things besides the fourpassengers, would be more dangerous than even the fifth person.

"I say, Jack, my lad," said Wilkins, "ye'll have to rig up a catamaran,like them they have down yonder, to land folks over a high surf. I'sesee and manage it myself, and then ye'll be shot of me. Ye ken I'se agood-to-nought; and maybe I'd be bringing down a storm on ye all, likethat Jonah as master was reading on."

Though Mr. Mayburn assured Wilkins God would not pour his vengeance onthem for protecting a man who had shown some hopes of amendment, thesuggestion of Wilkins was fully approved. A catamaran was obviouslydesirable, and as soon as the second canoe was completed, they set towork, lopped the stems of the mangrove, and lashed them together to formas large a raft as they required. This they surrounded with a frame ofthin wood, and the catamaran was completed to the satisfaction of theworkmen, ready for the cargo to be tied to it. Gerald named it theluggage-van, and declared he would certainly take his passage on it.

When all was finished, it became an object of consideration what mightbe the nature of the coast they should land upon. They had read thatmany parts of the west coast of Australia were mere deserts, arid andbarren, without food or water, and they knew not but they might bedriven on such an inhospitable shore. It was therefore advisable, beforethey abandoned the plenty that now surrounded them, that they shouldcollect stores for possible contingencies. The brandy cask they hadfound in the wreck was large; this, before they embarked, they proposedto fill with fresh water from the tank, the most important provision forthe voyage. And for the rest, one fine morning the whole party set outwith bags and baskets on a foraging expedition to obtain food to victualtheir fleet.

CHAPTER IX.

The Foray.—Young Potatoes.—More Intruders.—Ruth's Introduction to theSavages.—The Sailing of the Fleet.—The Desert Shore.—The GiantAnt-hill.—Once more at Sea.—A Storm, and the Loss of the Catamaran.

When they arrived at the lake, they found the margin crowded with thenests of aquatic birds, built among the reeds, and a dozen fine duckswere soon taken. Ruth filled a large basket with eggs, and finally aquantity of fish was procured. With this ample provision they turnedhomewards; but passing the plot they had sowed with potatoes on theirfirst arrival at the cove, they were astonished to see how forward theplants were; and on digging they found young potatoes, of which theycarried away a small bag; but as they still had a large supply of thosefound in the wreck, they left the greater part for the benefit ofsucceeding visitors.

When they came near the height above the beach, on which they had firstseen the footsteps of the natives, Hugh and Gerald went to the cliff tolook over once more on the well-remembered spot, but started backimmediately, for, to their deep distress, they beheld a considerablenumber of naked savages, painted with white chalk in a most frightfulmanner, dancing, singing, and throwing up their arms as if they werefrantic.

The boys made a signal of silence to the rest; but Ruth, who wasalways, as Jenny said, in the wrong place, had followed the boys to thecliff, and, curious to know what they had seen below, she leaned forwardto look down through an opening in the bush. O'Brien, alarmed lest sheshould be seen darted forward to seize her arm and draw her back; butstartled by the action, and terrified by the scene below, she lost herbalance, and, encumbered with the heavy basket, tottered over the edge,rolled down the steep cliff through the crackling, thorny brushwood, andalighted amidst the strange wild crew on the beach.

Springing up and looking round, the distracted girl uttered a successionof shrill screams, and the natives, in equal terror and amazement, gazedon the strange creature that had so suddenly descended amongst them. Herhair, which was very long, and of a fiery red color, was flying looseover her scarlet cloak, her wild eyes were starting from her head, andher pallid face was streaming with blood from the scratches she hadreceived in her descent. For a moment the savages appeared paralyzed;then, without looking round, they fled to their canoes; and the nextminute were seen paddling with all speed from the shores haunted by sucha frightful spectre.

By this time, Jack, in great alarm about his sister, had descended tothe beach, and was immediately followed by the rest of the young men;and the distressed, woe-begone aspect of Ruth, who continued to sob andgroan even after her fears were subdued, made Gerald laugh heartily, inspite of the tragic consequences that might have ensued from theaccident.

"Come along, girl," said Jack, kindly. "Thank God you are not muchworse; so what have you to cry about now?"

"It's the eggs, Jack," she sobbed out. "What must I do? They're allbroken, and what will Jenny say to me?"

"Never mind that," answered he; "take up your basket, and come away withme to the lake, where you can wash your face and fill your basket again,and make the best of a bad job."

Jack's practical philosophy consoled the weeping girl, who collectedmore eggs, and soon recovered from the distress of her adventure. Theboys found that the timid natives had left behind them in their frightspears, boomerangs, and some excellent cordage, twisted of the fibres ofthe stringy bark tree. Wilkins would gladly have carried off these, andunwillingly relinquished them at the command of Mr. Mayburn. "Whatmatters," said he, "standing on ceremony with them there black fellows.Why, they would niver ax your leave to snatch t' bite out of yer mouth!"which observation drew down on Wilkins a rebuke from Mr. Mayburn, and anexposition of the law of honesty, as established by God and man.

All the property of the natives was therefore left untouched, and thefamily returned to their own quiet nook, now more anxious than ever toleave a place to which curiosity, or the desire to recover theirweapons, might at any moment bring back the late undesirable visitors.

Every one was now busily employed: a small number of potatoes were againplanted, and the remainder of their store packed in sail-cloth bags. Theducks and fish were cooked; the eggs of the wild-fowl, as well as aquantity which Ruth's poultry had produced, were boiled hard, and packedwith soft grass in a box. The water-cask was filled; and then all thepackages and provisions were lashed securely to the raft, which they hadfinished by a mast and sail made from some rent remains of canvas on themasts of the wreck.

The large sail which had formed the tent cover was spread over the wholeof the freightage and nailed down. Then the bottoms of the canoes werespread with fine grass for seats, and after a thanksgiving to God, whohad given them the power and the means to accomplish this importantundertaking, the family lay down in the balmy, dry, spring air of thatdelicious climate, to take their last night's rest on the friendly isle.

The first dawn of morning roused them to action. Spies were sent to theheights to ascertain that the coast was quiet; then the first canoe,containing Mr. Mayburn and Margaret, Arthur and Hugh, was launched, andcarried safely over the reefs. Jack and O'Brien, with Jenny and Ruth,filled the second, and Wilkins followed, paddling the heavy raft.

"I'm not easy in my mind, Jack," said nurse, "for Master Gerald is up toany mischief; and if he sets Ruth on, we'se all be drowned."

"Keep your eyes on her, Mrs. Wilson," answered Jack; "and if she willnot sit still, we'll have her tied upon Wilkins's catamaran." O'Brien'slaughter at the idea of Ruth being stowed with the luggage, made thepoor girl shed tears; but she was comforted with the care her chickensrequired, she having persisted in retaining the charge of her pets.

For an hour they labored steadily, without any rest, till a westerlybreeze got up, and Wilkins, to his great relief, was able to hoist hissail; for he had previously been crying out for a helping hand. Then thecatamaran floated briskly over the waves, which were, however, a littlemore raised by the wind than was pleasant for the slender canoes. Buteven the most timid took courage when the long line of low coast becameplainly visible. No threatening rocks or foaming breakers appeared tocreate terror; and all seemed so favorable to the voyage of theunskilled mariners, that they began to be fastidious in their choice ofa landing-place.

"Let us coast awhile, Arty," said Hugh, "till we come to the mouth of ariver, which will insure us a fertile coast. There is no occasion for usto land on a desert."

"There would only be one danger in such a choice," replied Arthur,—"Thenatives may also prefer the fertile coast, and would be likely to opposethe landing of intruders. I think I should prefer to land at first on anuninhabited spot. We could then examine the country, and determine ourfuture course. It appears to me, as we draw nearer, and can observe thelow coast opposite to us, that the landing would suit our canoes. Whatdo you say, papa?"

"I think you are right, Arthur," answered he. "I see trees above thebeach; and surely I distinguish large birds on the shore, a still moreencouraging prospect."

Margaret looked intently for some time in silence; then, turning to herbrother, she said, "Are those figures we see really birds, Arthur?"

Arthur looked round once more towards the coast, and then, calling outto the other boats, "South! south!" he altered the direction of thecanoe, and said,—

"After all, papa, we must coast a few miles, at least; for those figuresare the natives, who are, as I now see, armed with spears, and willprobably resist our landing, regarding us as foreign invaders. We mustnot begin our pilgrimage by going to war."

"Do you think Peter is with them?" asked Hugh.

"I do not suspect that he is," said Arthur. "I fancy Peter's associateswere islanders; but we must avoid all intercourse with the natives aslong as we can."

"How glad I am, brother," said Margaret, "that we are sailing south. Howhappy we should all be if we could ever reach the dear Deverells."

"My dear sister," answered Arthur, laughing, "you surely do not expectthat we can voyage along the whole coast of West Australia in theseshells. If we ever purpose to meet the Deverells again, we must havestout vessels for the sea, and wagons and horses for the land journey;which could only be obtained by the influence of some powerful fairy inour present desolate position."

"Nevertheless, Arthur," said his father, "if God permits us to set ourfeet on that continent in safety, my aim shall be to discover, ifpossible, the estate of that estimable young man; and to offer myself toundertake the church of his new colony. I now despair of ever reachingmy destination in India, and my heart and my wishes point to DaisyGrange."

The eyes of his children sparkled as they listened to the speculationsof their father; though Arthur smiled and shook his head, and Margaretsighed, as they thought on the difficulties of so prodigious an attempt.

"Never despair, Meggie," said Hugh; "we'll do it. We are all strongfellows, in sound health, and I flatter myself tolerably ingenious. Ifeel full of resources, and Jack is a mine of wealth. If we succeed incrossing the sea in these slender toy boats, I do not see why we shouldnot traverse the whole continent of Australia, with our stout frames andbold hearts."

"To me," said Mr. Mayburn, "it would be the realization of along-indulged dream to set my foot in a new and lovely world,

Yes, my children, I also believe that, by God's help, we may penetratethe wilderness, and look on wonder hidden since the day of creation. Iam content to encounter hardships. Let us go on."

"But, papa," answered Arthur, "c'est le premier pas qui coûte; andthis first step we have yet to make—the step upon terra firma.Margaret thinks that must be very easy; but we poor mariners, who know'the dangers of the seas,' have some notion of the difficulties oflanding a bark canoe on an unknown coast, without rudder, lead, anchor,or any nautical appliance; and not one amongst us, as you know, papa,far advanced in the study of the grand science of navigation."

"That is wholly my fault, my boys," answered Mr. Mayburn. "I ought tohave arranged that the charming science of navigation should form one ofyour mathematical recreations; but I never dreamed that you would becalled upon to make use of a branch of knowledge so rarely cultivated inthe quiet life of retirement to which we were called. But are we notsome miles from those threatening savages now, Arthur?"

"Not quite far enough, sir," said Arthur. "They may have watched, andintend to follow us. We will put a dozen miles between us before we makefor the shore. But I see poor Wilkins is quite worn out, and, as hissail is useless now, I must spare you to help him, Hugh, and papa willtake an oar."

They approached near enough to mark the variations of the coast, nowflat and sandy, then rugged, and occasionally bristling with rocks,which would have torn their little bark to shivers if they hadencountered them. At last every arm was exhausted, and the oppositecoast being low and untenanted, they rowed up to it with caution, lookedkeenly round for reefs and hidden rocks, of which they were in greatdread.

"Let us run in first," shouted Wilkins from his raft. "We can bide ashock better nor ye, and likely we may help ye out of yer troubles abit, when we've gotten this ugly craft landed."

Margaret felt some alarm for Hugh; but Arthur reminded her that Wilkinswas, in fact, the only sailor amongst them; besides, rough as he was, hewas too much attached to the boy to lead him into any danger. So thecanoes lay to, watching the clumsy catamaran paddled into shallow water.Then they saw Wilkins wade to shore, towing in his raft with a rope,till at length, by the aid of Hugh, it was safely drawn on a low, broad,sandy beach.

Wilkins then hailed Arthur, pointed out the mode of bringing in thecanoes; and wading out breast-high in the water to assist him, finallyall were happily landed.

"There's an ugly sand-bank just out yonder," said Wilkins, "and I werefeared ye might run atop on it. Now ye niver thought, master, these bitsof co*ckle-shells should turn out grand sailers as they are. I say, Jack,man, ye'll try a three-decker next, I reckon."

Wilkins was in high good-humor, tired as he was, with his successfulvoyage; and declared Hugh was a clever little chap, and he liked himbetter than any other lad he had ever seen. And now Margaret saw, with ahopeful heart, that the man was really changed; his rough and loweringcountenance began to look brighter; and the desperate convict was thusprovidentially led into the path of reformation.

"Now that we are really landed," said Mr. Mayburn, "I would ask what weare to do."

"I should answer, papa," said Hugh, "let us eat, and rest; for you haveno idea how tired and hungry Wilkins and I are."

All declared the suggestion was excellent, and while the provisions weregot from the catamaran, Arthur walked a little way from the beach toinspect the country, and saw before him only a wide bare plain, skirtedtowards the sea by a few mangroves, and apparently devoid of allinhabitants, rational or brute. This was not a promising prospect; allthat could be said of it was, that it was quiet; though they weredreadfully annoyed by the mosquitos when they sat down to dinnerunder the shade afforded by the mangroves.

As they ate their wild duck, they seriously discussed the future. Theywere reluctant to set out over the plains and abandon their littlefleet, lest circ*mstances should render it necessary to resume theirvoyage.

"What say you, Hugh, my boy," said Gerald, "if you and I were to take arun across these downs, and look out for a pleasant place for anencampment, out of the way of these rascally stinging beasts?"

"What say you, Arthur," asked Hugh, "will your excellency permit two ofyour humble servants to set out on an exploring expedition?"

"I think it would be more prudent for his excellency to command theexpedition in person," said Arthur; "I dare not trust you, mythoughtless lads, and we can leave a safe protection for the garrison inour two heroes, Jack and Wilkins; therefore let us march at once. Takethe gun out of its case, and give it into my charge; and you can carrythe spears and throwing-sticks."

The young men had completed, while in the island, a number of spears andthrowing-sticks, from the models of those left behind by the natives;they had even successfully imitated the boomerang,—that mysteriousweapon of warfare, so eccentric in its movements, and so remarkable inits effect; but they had not yet attained the art of casting it. Bowsand arrows had been commenced, and these Jack undertook to employhimself in completing during their absence.

Though Arthur was a prudent and safe protector for his young brothers,and Wilkins and Jack were powerful defenders to leave behind, the familydid not separate without considerable anxiety. The young men crossedthe plains directly from the beach, satisfied that they were in safetyon that vast open waste, on which not even a growth of brushwood offeredconcealment for a foe. A loose, sandy soil, covered with thin, browngrass, gave to these sterile downs the appearance of a perfect desert.To crown all, they could not see in any direction the indication ofwater; and, thankful that they had brought a supply of this preciousnecessary of existence from the island that would last them for manydays, Arthur still felt every moment more convinced that it would befolly to linger on this inhospitable coast, where, unfurnished with anymeans of hastening their progress to a more fertile region, they shouldbe in danger of perishing with famine.

"We shall have to try the canoes again, Hugh," said he.

"It would be all very good fun," said Gerald, "if it was not such hardwork. And it's little use hoisting a sail, for ten to one we shall havea contrary wind."

"I hardly think the odds are so great as that against a fair wind myboy," answered Arthur; "but at all events hard work is better than hardfare. So we must just get such a night's rest as the mosquitos willpermit us, and then try a bit of coasting in the morning. We can hardlycome on a more cheerless coast than this."

"What in the world is that before us, Arthur?" exclaimed Hugh. "Thiscoast must be inhabited, for this erection is certainly the work ofman's hand. It is one of the pyramids of Egypt in miniature."

"No, Hugh, man's hand has never meddled with this structure," repliedArthur. "I recognize it from description as one of the marvels ofinsect industry—an ant-hill. Observe the skill and ingenuity that musthave been displayed to construct this huge abode for a countless nation.This firm yellow clay is now so hardened that without some tools wecould scarcely overthrow it."

"I see no entrance," said Hugh, "is it possible that it is inhabited?"

"Look here, close to the ground," answered Arthur, "at this tiny speckof an aperture, from which I have just seen a diminutive insect emerge!and it has been remarked, that these creatures, the smallest of theirspecies, erect themselves the most lofty abodes. This must be eight feetin height, and wonderful as it appears externally as the work of thatminute creature, the interior, we read, is still more astonishing—amiracle of perfection in art."

"Let us open it, Arthur, and have a peep at the curious little nation,"said Gerald.

"And thus destroy the labor of thousands!" answered Arthur. "No, Gerald,you would surely never wish to be so wantonly destructive. We had betterremember the advice of Solomon, 'Consider its ways, and be wise.'"

"Margaret will laugh at our exploits as foragers," said Hugh. "We havecertainly seen an ant-hill, but we have not even found an egg to carryhome. I wish we could pick up any token of life or vegetation in thisdesert. Let us make a little tour, Arthur. I have my eye on ourland-mark, that tall, bare, spectral mangrove."

Arthur did not object to walk a short distance towards the south,anxious to obtain a more extensive view of the coast; but they wentover the bare, uninteresting soil for two hours without anysatisfaction. A single dry, withered acacia spread its thin branchesbefore them; and Arthur was glad to climb it to extend his view alongthe coast line. But all appeared desolation: not a hill, a rock, or agreen fringe to denote vegetation or water. He descended, muchdisappointed, and silently and thoughtfully they directed their steps tothe boats.

It was night before they reached their anxious friends, who saw in theirjaded and melancholy countenances the disappointment of their hopes.

"Didn't I tell ye all along," grumbled Wilkins, "as how north were yerpoint, and ye'll have to make a north course, after all. I've run alongthis here coast long afore this, and I say again, ye'll find neithermeat nor water for hundreds of miles down south."

"I must allow, Wilkins," answered Arthur, "that voyagers have everstated that this coast from the eighteenth to the twenty-fifth degree oflatitude is certainly desert; and that in the lower latitudes it isfertile and well watered; but by returning north we are flying from theaim of our hopes, and must necessarily risk encounters with thenatives."

Margaret sighed as she thought of removing still further from theDeverells, and Wilkins said,—

"Never ye heed them black fellows; they're nought but a set of reet downcowards, to be fled away by that silly bit lass. We're six clever chapsagain 'em, and if we bully a bit at first, we'se drive 'em afore us likesheep."

Mr. Mayburn shook his head, and Arthur had some doubts of such an easyvictory; but it was expedient to keep up the spirit of the party, andhe made no answer. Then, mortifying as it was to retrace their course,it was finally agreed they should sail north next morning, keeping insight of the coast, and avoiding the landing-place where they had seenthe natives the previous day. They proposed to seek the mouth of ariver, if they could possibly discover one, which might form an easymode of access to the interior.

Jack had during the day carefully examined the canoes, added a freshcoating of the gum, which he had brought with him, and lashed thetimbers of the raft tight and firm. Then, after an uneasy night ofvexatious contentions with the mosquitos, they breakfasted, prayed forGod's blessing on their perilous enterprise, and once more committedthemselves to the ocean.

Since they first landed on their little island, the weather hadcontinued to be invariably calm and beautiful, and even the thoughtlessRuth and the rude convict seemed to be struck with the "witchery of theclear blue sky," while the more intelligent did not forget to thanktheir bounteous Creator, who had tempered their little trials with thisblessing. Now, cheered by the bright sky and the fresh sea breeze, theyoung rowers plied their oars with willing hands, singing merrily asthey urged their fragile barks over the light curling waves.

Hugh had joined Wilkins, as on the previous day, and, favored by a southwind they spread the sail. Wilkins, however, augured no good of thisfavorable breeze, declaring the south wind was always the fore-runner ofa storm; but they might as well make the best of a bad job, by easingtheir arms a bit. But for many hours they sailed on favorably anduninterruptedly, for Margaret had taken care that each canoe should beamply provisioned for the day. When they passed that part of the coastwhere the natives had been assembled on the previous day, they saw thatit was now untenanted; but they felt no inclination to visit a localityso frequented, so continued their voyage; and on passing a hilly shoreabout a mile further north, they not only saw the people collected innumbers and waving their spears, but could hear their yells as theyventured to approach within a mile of the shore.

"I say, Wilkins, my man," said Hugh. "Do you fancy our little troopcould drive all that lot of fellows before us like a flock of sheep? Ishould hardly like to make the experiment, unless each of us was armedwith a good rifle."

"That's just what we want, Master Hugh," replied Wilkins. "It were justthat there gun, as I grudged that rogue Peter a vast deal more nor bagsof bread and such like. If we'd had a few more guns, we might havedefied every black fellow alive atween here and Perth. They've not thatsense to make out what it is, as makes all that clatter and smoke; andit's just because they ken nought about it as makes 'em so soft.... But,halloo! Master Hugh, I don't half like yon sky, we'se have some weatherafore long."

Hugh hailed the canoes, to announce to Arthur the meteorologicalobservations of Wilkins; and as the man had certainly more experiencethan any of the party, they could not help feeling a little alarmed.Arthur looked anxiously towards the coast for a favorable landing-place,but here, only high bare cliffs ran along the shore, against which thewaves dashed with a fury that warned them they must not approach near.

Gradually, the sky grew dark with clouds, the wind was heard before itwas felt; and before Hugh and Wilkins could tear down their rude sail,the raft was whirled round, and hurried furiously past the canoestowards a sort of eddy which was dashing and foaming not a quarter of amile before them. With all the speed they could make, Arthur and hisfather rowed forward to rescue Hugh and Wilkins, regardless, at thatmoment, of the fate of the raft itself.

The two men had now got the sail lowered; the raft was dashed amongstthe breakers, but Arthur's canoe gained on them, and he could hearWilkins hailing them, "Keep clear of the eddy; and send us a rope."Fortunately the mooring rope was still attached to the canoe, and Arthurendeavored, though many times ineffectually, to fling it within reach ofthe doomed catamaran.

At length Wilkins secured the rope, and binding it firmly round Hugh, heflung the boy clear of the tossing raft. Arthur and the half-distractedfather hauled the rope gently, as long as the poor lad seemed able tocontend against the waves, and when he seemed to have yielded to theirviolence, they drew him, senseless, to the canoe. The cares of Margaretsoon restored him, and in the mean time Wilkins had plunged into theboiling waves, and though a good swimmer, he with much difficultyreached the canoe, which they saw, with distress, was now far too muchladen in such a sea.

CHAPTER X.

A Total Wreck.—An Unknown Coast.—The Green Ants.—The Whiteco*ckatoo.—Waifs.—The Gourd Tree.—The Fresh-water Rivulet.—A RiverVoyage Projected.

"The catamaran is lost, master," said Wilkins, as soon as he couldspeak. "But life afore property any day, and somehow I've had thoughtsof late as how I'se hardly fit to die.... Now then; look about ye, youngman. That there eddy's a freshet; there's a river comes in there, andthat's where as we should be, if we can make land cannily. Here, auldmaster, lend me them oars, and sit ye down and look after that youngchap."

Arthur agreed with Wilkins; but it was a perilous undertaking to carrythe canoes over the foaming breakers, the hidden rocks of that frowningcoast. His own experience rendered him hopeless of ever accomplishingthe task, and he was now thankful for the advice and assistance ofWilkins.

"Then we must tow them in the other canoe," said Arthur. "Remember,Wilkins, whether we be saved or lost, we must have them with us."

"Ay! ay!" answered he. "Let them fling us their tow-rope, and do you seeto belay it cannily; and if we be swamped, look sharp and clutch Misshere, and make a swim with her. We're nigh shallow water now, and we maydrive in, barrin' rocks."

It was only by clinging to each other, that Margaret and her father, aswell as the two women in the second canoe, were able to keep theirseats, as the waves tossed up, whirled, and washed over their frailbarks. Sometimes they seemed to be thrown upon land, and the next wavecarried them back with it.

"Now then!" cried Wilkins, holding up his oar, and signalling to Jack tofollow his example. "Now, when we ground again, you, master, jump outand hold her hard for yer life."

The next moment the canoe did ground with a shock, and Wilkins plungedthe oar into the sandy shore, and held his ground firmly till Arthur andMr. Mayburn leaped out of the canoe and held the prow; he followed theirexample, and though still up to the waist in water, they grasped theircharge, standing close to each other, and bravely withstood thereturning wave. Then rapidly retreating to the shore, they easily drewafter them the lightened canoe, and placed it high and dry on the beachbefore the next wave overtook them.

Jack and O'Brien, though they at last happily reached the same haven,had not escaped without mishap. The canoe had been capsized by the shockof grounding, and, but for the assistance of Wilkins, Ruth must havebeen lost. She was dragged out senseless, but still holding her basketon her arm; and her first words on her recovery were loud lamentationsat the discovery that two of her fowls were drowned.

In the mean time the second canoe was whirling wildly among thebreakers, and Arthur called out that, if possible, it must be saved; andall hands were soon engaged in catching the towing-rope, by which theysoon succeeded in drawing the shattered bark to the beach.

"I think that is a useless labor, Arthur," said Mr. Mayburn, "for Itrust that none here may ever again be compelled to tempt the dangers ofthe ocean in such a frail and imperfect bark. By God's mercy, our feetare once more upon the earth, the natural and ordained locality of man.Byron, the wondrous poet who apostrophized the ocean, says:—

"I feel, Arthur, that I am in my proper place, and desert or fruitful,lonely or populous, I would still remain on land."

"So you shall, dear papa, if God permits it," answered Arthur; "but noton this bare and comfortless strand. We must penetrate to a morehospitable region. It was to render this journey less toilsome to youthat I meditated to secure and fit up the canoes, in order to use themin ascending the river which we see pouring into the sea, and which mustbe our guide to the interior."

"Ay," said Wilkins, "rivers is rivers in this queer, dry country; andother folks ken that as well as us; and when ye light on a sup of water,make sure of finding a lot of them black fellows gathered round it. Butthey're no better nor brute beasts, and we're a match for 'em any day."

"We shall have to risk encountering them," said Arthur, "for the sake ofproviding ourselves with food, for I fear we are now reduced to absolutedestitution."

"We have Ruth's plump chickens," said the mischievous O'Brien.

"Oh, Master Gerald!" exclaimed Ruth, weeping; "and could you have aheart to kill the poor dumb creatures as have lived wi' us so long? Iwould hunger sooner nor eat a bit of one of them, not if we had friedham to it."

The volatile boy laughed heartily at Ruth's visionary fancy of chickenand ham; and Margaret assured the sorrowful girl that only the fear ofstarvation should compel them to slay her pets, though the two drownedchickens must certainly be cooked, and not left on the beach for thegulls.

They had landed not far north of the mouth of what they now found to bea considerable river, to the banks of which they soon made their way,and found that it ran between high cliffs, leaving a narrow pathway atthe side, almost impassable, with huge fragments of rock scattered alongit. But they remained fixed in their intention of following up itscourse, as the safest guide in their expedition. But first they mustrest, and have such refreshment as they could obtain, the provisions inthe canoes being washed out in the struggle to land. They sat down underan overhanging cliff, where curtains of drooping creeping plantsshielded them from the sun, the boys having brought up stones for seats;and, after fervent thanks for their safety, they all felt a peace andtranquillity scarcely to be hoped for in their destitute condition.

"It was most fortunate that the rifle was with me in the canoe," saidArthur, "and safe in the case. It is no worse for the immersion. Thecharges I always carry in my belt in the water-proof case; so we areprovided for defence. But the raft and its precious contents,Margaret!"

"Have trust in God, my son," said Mr. Mayburn. "Look up at thatmagnificent snow-white bird, one of the eagle tribe, which is even nowsoaring over our heads. Why should we doubt? He who feeds the fowls ofthe air will not forget his children on earth."

"Here are lots of oysters, papa," said Hugh, "and Gerald has run after alarge crab. There will certainly be turtles on the beach, and birds andeggs in the cliffs, and then we have water in the river."

"But there's not a kettle, nor a toasting-fork," said Ruth dejectedly.

"I'll provide you with both," answered the boy. Then from the roots of amangrove, which spread below the cliffs, he tore down an enormousmussel, the shells of which were at least six inches in length, and,drawing an arrow from his belt, he gave both to the girl, saying, "Here,Ruth, are your kettles and toasting-fork."

A plentiful, but strangely cooked, repast was soon prepared, consistingof the limbs of the drowned chickens, toasted or broiled over a fire ofdrift-wood, and served on oyster shells. Knives they had fortunatelypreserved, but nothing more, and they could not help feeling the want ofthe common necessaries of social life.

After dinner the young men cleared the canoes from the accumulated weedand water, drew them under the shelter of the cliff, spread theirboat-cloaks in them, and persuaded Margaret and their father to rest,while they held council what course to pursue next; but they foundthemselves so overcome with fatigue and anxiety, that at the firstapproach of darkness they all sought rest under the canopy of heavenbefore they should commence their labors.

"Are all assembled?" called Gerald, at the first gleam of daylight."Hugh and I have already been at the beach, and collected a hat-full ofturtles' eggs and some wood for a fire. And now, Arthur, we are off onanother excursion; we want to climb the cliffs, to see what sort ofcountry we have been thrown upon."

"Then you must accept me for a third in your enterprise," answeredArthur, "for papa would not approve of two such wild fellows setting outalone. Now, nurse, Hugh has made a fire to roast us some eggs, and witha shell of cold water from that jar we saved in the canoe, we have ourbreakfast complete."

"If you could but light on a few leaves of tea, Mr. Arthur," said Jenny,"I could manage without milk and sugar; but I shall miss my drop oftea."

Arthur could give Jenny no hopes of any tea-leaves, or even of anysubstitute for that agreeable shrub, but he was sanguine about procuringeggs, and even birds, for dinner. Then promising to return in an hour ortwo, and taking the gun with them, each of the hardy boys cut down astrong stick, and then marched off along the narrow pathway at the footof the high cliffs which enclosed the guiding river. After walking somedistance, the shelving rocks, covered with rich tropical creepingshrubs, appeared accessible, and they climbed to the summit, shakingdown upon them, as they forced their way through the bushes, multitudesof stinging green ants. Then they walked first to the edge of the cliffsthat overhung the sea, and looked round to observe their position.

It was plain that they were now upon the mainland, and that they hadbeen driven into a wide bay, with headlands running out on each side,while the entrance was barred by coral reefs which it seemed miraculousthat they should have escaped. Beyond the reefs they distinguishedshadowy dots, which they concluded were small islets, probably similarto that which had sheltered them so long, and which they nowcongratulated themselves they had exchanged for a wider field and morepromising prospect of reaching a permanent resting-place.

"How I wish papa was here," exclaimed Hugh. "Do look at those curiousbirds, and tell me what they are, Arthur. Oh, now I know they must beco*ckatoos, from their odd cry. Would it be right to kill them?"

"I shall have a shy at one," said Gerald, who had luckily brought hisbow slung on his back; and he directly brought down with an arrow a finelarge bird about eighteen inches in length, with snowy plumage and abright orange crest.

"What will Margaret say?" exclaimed Hugh. "But it is a handsomecreature, and papa will be delighted to preserve it."

"It must help to preserve us," replied Arthur, "for we are in true need.We must try to find some nests in the cliffs, and at least procure eggsto increase our rations; for a co*ckatoo, which has a large amount offeather upon it, will be but a small dinner for nine hungry people."

They examined the crevices of the rocks, and found many nests of gullsand co*ckatoos, containing eggs and even tolerable-sized young birds, ofwhich they brought away half a dozen, and filled their pockets witheggs, and then turned from the coast to take a glance inland. The viewbefore them was wild, and scattered over with rocks, but seemed wellwooded; and from the curious mingled cries from the bushes, they judgedthat the feathered tribes were abundant.

Then they commenced their perplexing descent through the tangled bushes,shaking off, as they proceeded, the tormenting ants, which ran over themin countless numbers, each little creature seeming determined to makeits presence felt.

"After our observations," said Arthur, "I am still of opinion that, ifthe canoes can be repaired, we must try to make them useful in ascendingthe river, the banks of which promise to afford us abundant food; whilethe waters supply us with their precious refreshment. We may encounterthe natives, certainly; but we shall be able to escape from them moreeasily in the canoes, than if we were dragging slowly on by land. Wemust begin immediately to fit them for the voyage."

"I saw a fine gum-tree above," said Hugh, "that will supply us withmaterials for mending or making. We must bring Jack here; but oh! Arty,I quite forgot—his tools would be all swept away with that unluckycatamaran."

"It is a most unfortunate loss," replied Arthur; "but we must notdespair. If we have not the best means, we must take the next best; wemust consider and contrive, and not care for hard work."

They returned with their booty, and found Jack standing with a pensiveand disturbed countenance over the canoes; while Wilkins and Margaret,the tide being now low, had wandered down to the sea; where Geraldquickly followed them, and found that their object was to watch, inhopes that any part of the cargo of the catamaran might be thrown on theshore. Their first prize was a locker filled with potatoes, which Jackhad fortunately nailed up to prevent the water coming in, and thus thecontents were quite uninjured. But they found a greater treasure still,in the estimation of Margaret; a portmanteau of linen, which the thiefPeter had either overlooked or despised, and which had been one of thegreatest comforts left them in their bereaved condition. They werefortunately all wearing good stout boots, and their outer clothing, inthat charming climate, was of minor importance.

The waifs were speedily removed from the beach to the encampment, wherethey found Jenny and Ruth in great distress.

"This is worse than all, Miss Marget," said nurse. "With that brightbonnie river running in sight of us, we have not a sup of water fit fora Christian to drink. It's as salt as pickle; enough to poison one, andcan sarve for nothing that I can think on, but just to boil fish in."

"I had not considered, Arthur," said Mr. Mayburn, "till nurse made herexperiment, that the tide naturally rises up the river, probably formany miles, thus cutting us off from one of the most importantnecessaries of life. Now, perilous as it may be to leave the coast, itis imperative on us to move, or we must perish."

Arthur reflected for a few minutes, and then said, "Let us have someeggs, Meggie; then Jack will accompany us, and we will set out to tracethe river up the ravine; and I cannot but think we shall certainly meetwith tributary streams from the hills, of perfectly fresh water."

"But how shall we bring back the supplies to the camp?" asked Hugh. "Wehave no vessels except mussel-shells, or our cups."

"Oh, warra!" exclaimed Gerald, "if the sea would only be civil enough togive us back our water-cask! Could we not go out to the reefs, Arthur,and look for it?"

"It was too heavy to be easily thrown on shore," answered Arthur. "It ismost likely fixed in some sand-bank, whence it will require a storm tomove it. We must each choose one of the largest of the mussels we sawthis morning clinging to the banks, and bring them in filled with freshwater—provided we meet with the water—carrying it as steadily as weare able. If we only had the canoes in working condition, we would moveat once above the influence of the tide. Can we possibly repair them,Jack? We can procure bark and gum."

Jack turned out the contents of his pockets—neatly tied knots of smallcords, a clasp knife, a hammer, and about a pint of nails.

"I always have a hammer and a few nails about me, you see, Mr. Arthur,"said he, "and if I had but an axe and a saw, I'd not fear any work. Butit's a sin to be drowned; something will be sure to turn up; so withGod's help we'll manage these bits of boats, and then, thank God, MasterO'Brien saved his bow."

"And here you see the remains of mine, Jack," said Hugh. "I have pickedit up on the beach. You must try and fit me out again, and then neitherstorm nor savage shall tear it from me. Only think, papa, if I had hadmy bow, we might have brought down a splendid white-headed hawk!"

"Would that you had succeeded, my boy," answered his father. "Awhite-headed hawk would indeed have been a gem in my collection, ananomaly in the known feathered race. But, indeed, every living creaturein these regions is an anomaly to all naturalists. This co*ckatoo isobviously of an antipodean race. Its form, habits, and peculiar notes,mark it to be of a distinct and modern family, having even littlerelation to the psittacidæ of the ancient race. I am pleased with thisremarkable bird, my dear boys, and feel no inclination to have it cookedand eaten like a common barn-door fowl."

"For my part," said Margaret, "I should feel less remorse in devouringthis stranger than one of our old familiar friends, Ruth's belovedpets."

There was a common outcry against this household homicide, or gallicide,as Hugh called it; but there were young birds and eggs sufficient forthe day's provision; so the co*ckatoo was reprieved, and Mr. Mayburncarefully preserved the bird in all the glories of its white plumage andyellow crest, so curiously movable at the will of the bird.

Once more the young men set out for the very important object ofdiscovering fresh water; and the tide being down, they walked up themargin of the river with less difficulty than in the morning, but it wasnot till after they had gone two or three miles beneath the thicklycovered cliffs, which were perfectly alive with multitudes of strangebirds, that they came to a narrow ravine, opening at the north, fromwhich a low cascade poured a clear but slender rill into the river.

They at once decided to ascend this branch stream. Its narrow bed wasguarded by lofty rocks, which hid from their eyes every prospect butthat of the clear blue sky above them, and their voices sounded hollowas if from below the ground; but, to their great satisfaction, the waterwas fresh, clear, and cool, and no sparkling champagne was ever enjoyedmore truly than the draughts they quaffed from the shells of thefresh-water mussels which were abundantly clustered on the banks andstrewed around.

"Don't you feel, Gerald," said Hugh, "as if we were passing through somegloomy glen to arrive at a grand old Moorish castle—full ofenchantments of course?"

"That's a capital idea, Hugh," answered he. "Then there will be abeautiful princess shut up in the steel tower, with a hideous blackenchanter keeping guard over her, and a fiery red dragon at the gate,and we have to conquer him with one rifle and half a dozen cartridges,that we may release the princess."

"Why, you Irish blunderer," replied Hugh, "whoever heard that eitherdragon or enchanter could be overcome by powder and shot? If you havenot fairy patronage, you must have valor and prudence, and resolution;and there's Arthur, though he looks so meek and quiet, would be theconquering hero."

"We will leave the siege of the enchanted castle for a more convenientopportunity," said Arthur, "and be content to carry home such valuabletrophies of conquest as a few shells of fresh water. But why has Hughclimbed that almost perpendicular cliff?"

"He fancied he saw a palm-tree on the height," answered Gerald; "but ifit really be a palm, I must say it is an ugly tree; and, for my part, Iwould much rather have found an apple-tree, only, as I supposeSeptember is spring in this antipodean world, the apples could not beready."

"Moreover, apples are not indigenous in Australia," said Arthur; "norshall we, I fear, meet with any equivalent fruit. Some of the palms arereally useful, but I cannot think what species of palm that can be."

A voice was heard from above, commanding them to clear the way, and ahuge gourd was hurled down, rolling to the very edge of the stream. Itwas plainly not fresh plucked, but must have lain long on the ground;and when Hugh descended, disappointed that he had not been able to findany fruit on the tree, Arthur explained that the gourds that were knownwere not generally edible, but most useful as vessels for holding water.Then Jack cut a hole in the shell, which they cleansed from all thedecayed matter, and washed frequently to remove the bitter taste of thecontents. The gourd was slung by a cord, which Arthur himself placedover his shoulders, and filled with the fresh water for their friends.

Jack having found the Eucalyptus or gum-tree that he required, theystripped it of the bark, and, having filled a mussel-shell with thefresh oozing gum, they returned to the encampment, well pleased withtheir successful, though very tedious expedition; for the flowing tidemade their return along the banks most difficult. In fact, Arthur was ofopinion that if they waited for a spring tide, the river would entirelyflood the ravine, and render their progress impossible except by boat.

"I was not aware," said Mr. Mayburn, "that the wide-spreading butfastidious genus Cucurbita extended to these strange regions; yetthis gourd surely belongs to it I am curious to see the tree, toascertain if it is of any known species."

"At all events," said Margaret, "it will be very useful to us. Itscontents are truly precious, and we are most grateful to our perseveringand active purveyors. And we welcome them heartily to their dinner ofbroiled ducklings, or whatever else these delicate little birds may benamed, with one potatoe for each person, which has been boiled with saltwater in a mussel-shell."

The potatoes were pronounced to be improved by their saline immersion,and the ducklings had no fault except youth and leanness. But oysterswere plentiful, and the report of the explorers announced abundance inthe regions up the river; so that it was with thankful hearts the familysought repose after their labors, to fit them for the renewed toil ofthe next day.

Jack commenced his work at daylight. He fixed large patches of bark withgum over the weak or damaged part of the canoes, and left them to hardenin the sun. Then, with immense labor, they cut down with their knivessome boughs for poles to propel the vessels. A single oar had beenthrown ashore by the last tide, and some broken spars, from which a pairof short oars were rudely formed. Hugh and Gerald had been employed inthe mean time in the search for turtles' eggs, and had been fortunateenough to meet with a quantity, as well as with a small turtle. None ofthe party had much taste for the rich food, but nothing eatable was tobe despised in their situation; so the turtle was sacrificed, andanother kettle provided for the cooks.

"The gum seems already hardened on the boats," said Arthur, "and I donot see, papa, that we have any temptation to remain on thismosquito-haunted coast longer than necessary. In another hour the tidewill be flowing up the river, and will assist our voyage greatly. Shallwe then at once set out on our important expedition?"

"I see the necessity of it, my son," answered Mr. Mayburn, "and amsatisfied. Let us implore a blessing on our undertaking, and then goforth, confiding in the protection of the Most High."

Wilkins attended the family devotions with decorum now; but what effectwas produced in his heart was yet to be developed. Hugh and Margaret, towhom he listened more patiently than to the rest, were satisfied thatsome change was taking place in the sinful man, and earnestly believedthat he would, by God's grace, be turned to the truth.

CHAPTER XI.

The Voyage up the River.—The Way to China.—The Note of a StrangeBird.—A Hasty Flight.—A Tropical Storm.—The Loss of the Canoes.—TheCave of the Bats.—A Toilsome Pilgrimage.

After the fervent heat of noon had somewhat subsided, the party arrangedthemselves in the two canoes, and, aided by the tide, swept up theriver, which now extended to the cliffs on both sides, and effectuallycut off any passage by land. Occasionally the fallen masses of thesandstone rocks, which lay shelving or sloping to the water, werecovered with a rich growth of low entangled shrubs, now bursting intoflowers of many a brilliant hue; amongst which numbers of pert, noisy,little green or variegated parrots hopped about, chattering over thesestrange disturbers of their wonted tranquillity.

"Charming! charming!" exclaimed Mr. Mayburn. "This is the sublimesolitude of which I have dreamed all my life. How glorious it would be

What a completion of all my hopes it would be, my children, if you couldfind some quiet spot where we might land, and be content to pass ourlives upon it."

This desire of Mr. Mayburn was received by his children with someconsternation, while Ruth, though she but vaguely understood theproposal, looked round at the prison-like rocky walls, the sombretwilight, and the dashing waters, and began to cry. Even Wilkins, whoheard all that was said in Mr. Mayburn's canoe, cried out, "Nay, nay,master, that would upset all; I'se not flinch to sail wi' ye, or totramp wi' ye; but to bide here for good, among oysters and poll-parrots,is what I can't stand. It would soon set me off bush-ranging."

"We must move onward, papa," said Arthur, "but doubtless we shall find,as we proceed, scenes that will interest you even more than this. We mayeven encounter peaceful tribes; and though our ignorance of theirlanguage will prevent our holding any beneficial intercourse with them,we may at all events give them an example of kindness and forbearance."

"And remember, papa," said Margaret, "we have a definite aim in ourtravels. We must look forward to the pleasure of joining our friends,the Deverells."

"But, Margaret," replied he, "how can you hope that we shall ever beable to traverse the vast space that must separate us? How can you and Ipenetrate forests, climb mountains, or cross mighty rivers?"

"Few of them last to signify, master," said Wilkins, "by yer leave; andbetter for us if we had more. I kenned some of our chaps down yonder astired of slavery, and what would serve 'em but be off to Chinee, whichthey heared say lay to t' north; and reet glad were they to sneak backto hard work and full rations. Why, they'd gone miles and miles over drysand, wi' niver a tree to shelter 'em or a sup of water to drink. Whererivers ought to have been, there were just dry mud and wet mud, andthat were all. We'se want no boats in them there rivers."

"Pray, dear papa," said Arthur, "do not look so much alarmed atWilkins's exaggerated reports. I have read the travels of scientific andexperienced explorers, who certainly agree that large portions of thecoast are desert, but give strong reasons for hope that the interior maybe fruitful and well-watered. To these fertile regions, I am of opinion,we should endeavor to penetrate; for we have not means nor nauticalskill to attempt a sea-voyage, even to the inhabited islands of theIndian Ocean. But it is for you to decide, papa."

"I leave it to you, my boy," answered his father. "I rely on your energyand judgment, under Heaven."

"Are we to turn up our watering-river?" called Hugh, from the forwardboat.

"Here is a niche in the rocks," answered Arthur, "secure from the tide,where we will rest to-night, as we shall have our fresh water near athand."

The nook was as convenient as any roofless place could be for a nightabode; and even Margaret had now become accustomed to this wild life,and rested her head on a pillow of rock, in the open air, with the peaceand comfort of a tranquil and pious spirit.

Early in the morning the boys went up the fresh-water rivulet to enjoythe luxury of a bath; and such was the profusion of fish that filled theclear water, that they succeeded without difficulty in spearing two ofthe large species of river-cod that they had found in the island lake;and as these weighed ten or twelve pounds each, they returned verytriumphant with their spoil.

"I know it has been familiarly named the river-cod," said Hugh; "but youknow, papa, the cod is strictly a sea-fish; besides, this ugly fellow,if he were not so large, is not unlike a perch."

"It is like the productions of Australia," said Mr. Mayburn; "unclassedand strange. It seems to blend the distinctive features of the cod andthe perch,—the salt-water and fresh-water tribes."

"But it's safe to eat?" asked Jenny, anxiously.

"We have already tried it with impunity, nurse," answered Arthur; "alltravellers praise it as delicate and nutritious, and, from its abundancein the rivers, it must be a great boon to the natives."

The fish was boiled in the salt-water. But before night they had rowedbeyond the influence of the tide; and had now to labor hard to ascendthe river, the high banks of which continued to be shaded by mangroves,which were weighed down with clusters of oysters and fresh-watermussels, looking like some strange fruits of this new country.

There was something so sublime and awe-inspiring in the novelty of thescenery, that the whole party long contemplated it in silence, till anexclamation from Ruth, about the "bonnie ducks," roused them to observethe flocks of wild-fowl; and Jenny thanked God that there could be nofamine here; while Mr. Mayburn noted with admiration the varieties ofwater-fowl, beautiful and unknown, which sailed over the river orclamored noisily among the mangroves.

The labor of ascending the river in the heat of the day soon fatiguedall the rowers, and they were thankful to seek refuge and rest in anarrow ravine which ran out north, and which, after the rains, would bea rivulet. At present, all that proved its existence were a few narrowchannels, with here and there a pool of clear water. The rapidlyspringing tropical vegetation had already spread and matted itself inthe very bed of the river, forming a picturesque jungle, amidst the darkfoliage of which the tiny rills sparkled like diamonds. On each sidetowered lofty cliffs, hung gracefully with luxuriant creepers, and athick belt of tall gum-trees and wild nutmeg-trees, covered with greedy,noisy parrots, ran along the base. Every thing was new and charming; andhaving drawn the canoes up in safety beneath the roots of a mangrove,they wandered slowly up the ravine, to find, if possible, a grassy spoton which to rest and eat their dinner. As they walked along, they foundon each side openings in the cliffs, smaller ravines or river-beds; allsimilar in rich vegetation, and all equally lonely. It was a perfectlabyrinth of nature; a scene of enchantment that filled the minds of theeducated with admiration and holy thoughts, but shook the ignorant withall the tremor of supernatural terrors.

"I wonder much," said Margaret, "that we should find these beautifulscenes unpeopled."

"Ye'll see people soon enough, Miss," said Wilkins. "What would they dohere? Queer fellows as they be, they cannot perch atop of trees likethem howling poll-parrots, nor lie under water like oysters. Wait tillwe come on a bit of bare common, and ye'll see folks enough."

"Wilkins is right enough, Margaret," said Arthur, "this lovely spot,happily for the free inhabitants of the air and the water, is unfit forthe dwelling of man. I do not think it would be prudent to wander faramong these bewildering ravines, our safest guide will be the broadriver; and as we cannot meet with a convenient dining-room here, Ipropose that we should return to eat our dinner under the mangroves, indefiance of the troublesome inhabitants around us."

But Jenny contrived to smoke away the mosquitos with her cooking-fire,though the green ants still contrived to annoy her by falling as garnishon the beautiful fish which she served on a turtle's shell. The hungrygroup only laughed at the petty vexation, as they gathered round thefeast with oyster-shell plates and mussel-shell cups, to eat heartily,though they wanted forks, spoons, and, as Jenny declared, all Christiancomforts.

With renewed vigor they resumed their oars, and pursued their voyage onthe pleasant highway, which the young and ardent believed would forwardthem towards the distant home they hoped to reach. And when absolutefatigue compelled them to desist, they found a convenient landing-placefor the canoes on a broad patch of bare sand. They drew them on shore,and, to stretch their cramped legs, walked forward till they reached aspot where a slip of the rocks had formed a gradual ascent.

Though encumbered with trees and brushwood, they were all desirous toattempt this ascent to search for nests and eggs, and, above all, toattain, if possible, the heights above, that they might survey thecountry through which they were passing. They found innumerable nests ofducks, geese, and swans, and of a large bird which distracted Mr.Mayburn by its resemblance to the pelican. They found also somewell-grown young birds, but contented themselves with carrying off acouple of fine cygnets.

"Hark, Arthur!" said Hugh; "what a strange cry. It must be the note ofsome new bird. Let us follow the sound, that we may obtain it, ifpossible, for papa."

"Bird, indeed!" exclaimed Wilkins; "fiddlestick! Ye'll bide where yeare, Master Hugh. Ye little ken what sort on a bird that is. Ye'd betterkeep quiet, for them sort of birds is awkward customers. I reckon I kenthat 'Coo-ee! Coo-ee!' better nor either ye or t' auld master. It'snought else but them black fellows hailing one another."

"I fear it is but too true, Hugh," said Arthur. "I have heard of thecurious cry of the natives."

"Let us flee," said Mr. Mayburn, turning hastily back. "Let us not seekscenes of discord and bloodshed."

"Couldn't I steal among the trees and get a peep at them?" said O'Brien."The wood is so thick, they would never see me, and then I could let youknow what we had to fear."

"I wouldn't have ye to be over sure," said Wilkins, "that there's nothalf a hundred blackies skulking underneath this here scrub as we'retrailing through. They're cute rogues, and like enough, they've beentracking us all along. We'se be better looking after our boats, norafter them. We'se see plenty on 'em afore long."

It was plainly prudent to retreat, wherever the unseen enemy might be;and having secured their boats beneath a spreading mangrove, theyroasted and ate some eggs, and then discussed calmly the prospect ofmeeting the natives, which now seemed inevitable.

"I have finished another bow," said Jack; "we have arrows and spears,and a throwing-stick. And then Mr. Arthur has his rifle."

"That's worth all t' rest put together," replied Wilkins. "They can beatus out and out with spears, and them queer crookt boomerangs; but give'em a shot, and they'll fly off like sparrows. We'll have to mind, for,ye see, they'll never come on us boldly like men, but they'll sneak andcower, and spy, to see what we're made on. And I'd like to see t' auldmaster there keep up his heart; for if they see a fellow among us show awhite feather, we're all done."

"But I should never think of carrying a white feather, Wilkins," saidMr. Mayburn. "I confess that I have harbored the thought of holding outto them a green branch, which, I have understood, ever signifies a flagof truce among savage nations."

"A fig for yer flags!" cried Wilkins contemptuously. "Show 'em a stoutheart and a long rifle, and they'll understand 'em better nor a greenflag. There goes the Coo-ee again! Will you put out that fire, lass.Is there any sense in sending up a smoke to let 'em see where we are?"

Ruth extinguished the fire, trembling with fright, and then crept closeto Margaret and Jenny. As it was now quite dark, the women, as usual,lay down in the canoes, and the men watched and rested alternately tilldaylight dispelled the fear of a nocturnal attack. Then, not likingtheir neighborhood, they launched the canoes again, resolving tobreakfast on a more secure spot; and after proceeding many miles up theriver, they disembarked on a flat rock that ran out from the cliffs,where they cooked eggs for their breakfast, and the cygnets to take withthem for the next meal.

But on embarking again, they found, with some uneasiness, that thenavigation of the river was becoming difficult. The breadth of the bedgradually contracted; the rocks on each side overhung the water, intowhich large blocks had fallen from above, among which the stream rushedin strong eddies, or poured over the masses in cascades; thus renderingtheir progress perilous, if not impossible.

Suddenly, before they had observed any premonitory signs, a terrificstorm of thunder and lightning burst upon them, accompanied by a violentwind and a deluge of rain. The peals of thunder, repeated again andagain among the towering cliffs, were tremendous. Ruth shrieked withterror, and Margaret, with all her firmness, trembled to hear the voiceof the tempest.

The little canoes, whirled round and dashed against the rocks, seemeddoomed to inevitable destruction. Wilkins, in this fearful emergency,succeeded in securing a rope to one canoe, then leaping out upon ashelving rock, he held it till, with Hugh's assistance, the three womenwere snatched out, one after another, to the rock, where they clung tothe trees to keep themselves from being swept away by the wind; but theytried in vain to save the canoe, as Wilkins had relinquished the rope toassist the women, and they were mortified to see it hurried down theimpetuous river beyond all hopes of recovery.

The river was already raised by the pouring rain, but Wilkins boldlyplunged in with an oar, which he extended to the men in the secondcanoe, and assisted them to reach the shore; but their boat, which hadbeen previously damaged, was whirled against a rock, and went to pieces.

"Thank God no lives are lost," murmured Mr. Mayburn, as, exhausted anddrenched with rain, he crouched under the trees, the light foliage ofwhich afforded very insufficient shelter from the torrents of rain whichdescended on them; and for some time they were so stunned with theirfears and their desolate condition, that they could not command theirthoughts sufficiently to consider where they should turn to search for abetter protection.

At length Arthur pointed out that a little higher up the river a slab ofrock ran out and formed a sort of canopy over the narrow hem of beachbeneath. Thither, therefore, the distressed party removed, and theyfound even a more convenient shelter than they had hoped; for the hollowbeneath the slab was raised about four feet from the ground, andextended backwards into the sandstone rock, forming a cavern imperviousto wind and rain. Their entrance dislodged hundreds of bats, of strangeand frightful forms, and Mr. Mayburn half forgot his fears and miserieswhile he looked with admiration on a huge, imp-like creature, which heasserted must be the animal distinguished by travellers as the "flyingfox."

After these hideous inhabitants were dispersed, Margaret and the twodistressed women gladly took possession of this gloomy retreat, whichwas dry and secure. Piles of dead wood lay scattered round it, whichenabled them to make a fire and dry their dripping garments. To theirgreat joy, they had been able to preserve their bows, spears, and rifle,and Ruth had grasped firmly her precious basket of chickens. At themoment when the danger was imminent, Wilkins had had presence of mind tothrow on shore the locker of potatoes, and also the portmanteau, fromwhich they all were now glad to procure changes of clothes. The cookedprovisions were lost; but they roasted some potatoes, and enjoyed theirsimple repast, while the thunder rolled loudly over their heads, and therain poured like a deluge into the swollen river.

"We can go no farther to-day," said Hugh, looking out with a melancholyair. "What can we do, Gerald?"

Jack was already at work in a retired nook, making arrows from thebamboos which were plentifully scattered round; and, roused by hisexample, the boys joined him to sharpen spears and shape bows, whichwere to be completed when they met with gum to cement them, and stringybark to form the bowstrings. Arthur cleaned his valuable rifle, Margaretwove some reeds into a basket for eggs, Mr. Mayburn lectured; Wilkinsalone seemed weary and out of his element, his good properties only cameout when roused to action by difficulties, and as Margaret watched himlazily rolling a piece of bark for a cigar, and then lying down to smokeit, she longed for some settled habitation, that this unfortunate man,now but half reclaimed, might have useful occupation and acquire regularhabits.

But even the most industrious of the party could not but find that wild,stormy day long and tedious in this damp and dismal shelter. Nor was itwithout alarm that they saw the river gradually rise, till the level waswithin a foot of the floor of their retreat; and if it should rise highenough to overflow the cave, they were aware there could be nopossibility of escape, for the waters already dashed against the cliffson each side of them. They watched anxiously. At length, withthankfulness, they saw the rain cease; and before darkness shut outobservation, the water had fallen a few inches. Then, free from theirusual nightly torment of the bush-haunting mosquitos, they enjoyed acalm night's rest in the cool cavern.

Morning brought new cares. The casual storm had passed away, and it wastoo early for the usual tropical rainy season; but, alas! they had nomeans of voyaging onward, and the waters blockaded them. There was nopath along the beach. They waited another day, in terror of famine oranother storm. A very slight decrease of the waters was seen nextmorning. The cliffs were too high and precipitate for even the boldestto climb, the river too deep and impetuous to be crossed except in aboat, and the narrow hem of sand now left at the edge was barelysufficient for the passage of one person; and even it seemed to themthat in some places the rocks ran out so far that all progress must becut off.

They might, perhaps, with great risk, have made their way along thebeach back to the sloping ascent to the cliffs which they had visitedtwo days before, and thus gain the heights; but that would probablybring them into contact with the wild natives from whom they had fled insuch haste. Besides, they were unwilling to leave the banks of theriver, which insured them fresh water, while, at the same time, itprevented them from being bewildered in a strange and perplexingcountry. Arthur asked his father to decide on what they should do inthis dilemma.

"I leave all to you, Arthur," answered he, "as usual. I am distractedwith sinful doubts and fears. We cannot, I am aware, continue to live ina cave, as men were wont to do in the early and barbarous ages; and theprospect of perilous wanderings in an unknown wilderness shakes my weaknerves. But I will trust in Him, my children, and pray for this blessedboon; may

"Well, then, make up your mind, General Arthur," said Hugh. "Call up theforces and arrange the march. Gerald, my boy, you can make no objectionto carry the pratees, I'm certain."

"We must each take a share in the toil of carrying off our slenderpossessions," said Margaret. "Let Arthur divide and portion this duty."

"Then, Margaret," said Arthur, "I determine that Nurse and you shouldunpack that portmanteau and tie up the contents in bundles, for thebetter convenience of division."

"Never ye fash to open it out, Miss," said Wilkins. "I reckon I'sequalified to take that leather box on my back without breaking 't."

But Arthur would not suffer the good-natured fellow to be overloaded;and Margaret lightened the trunk by filling some pillow-covers with partof the contents, and these were suspended across the shoulders ofArthur, Hugh, and Jack. Two of these useful bags were also filled withpotatoes, to be carried by Mr. Mayburn and Gerald. Ruth would not leaveher basket of poultry, and Margaret and Jenny collected the shells andsmall articles remaining. The locker was unwillingly left behind, as tooheavy for carriage; and then, each carrying, in addition to his burden,some weapon, they set out in single file, headed by Arthur, Wilkinsfollowing close behind him, along the narrow sandy path, which wasencumbered by masses of sandstone fallen from the rocks; andoccasionally rendered still more difficult by the roots of a mangrove,twisted with creepers, spreading even into the river, or a droopingacacia, or casuarina, which it was necessary laboriously to cut away, orto tear down, before they could force a passage.

CHAPTER XII.

Alligators.—The Giant's Staircase.—Access to a New Region.—ThePheasant Cuckoo.—Wild Oats.—The Unequal Contest.—The FirstKangaroo.—Scenes of Arcadia.—A Hint at Cannibalism.—The co*ckatooWatch.—The Enemy put to Flight.

The cliffs which rose above their path were about three hundred feet inheight; these were almost perpendicular, and even, in some places,overhung the river; which had again spread out to about a mile in width,while rocky masses in the midst, covered with vegetation, formedinnumerable little islets, among which, even if they had saved theircanoes, they would have found it perilous to navigate.

"Hugh! Hugh!" cried Gerald, who was at the end of the long line. "I seeour canoe; if you will join me, we will swim to it, and bring it in."

All eyes were directed to the dark floating object he had pointed put,when suddenly Ruth screamed out, "They're alive! Master Hugh, there's alot on 'em. They'll eat us all up."

"I perceive now indeed," said Mr. Mayburn, in much agitation, "whatthese huge masses are. Observe, Margaret, on that island where the tallmangrove is so conspicuous, those dark moving forms; they are alligatorsstretched in the sun, while some of the dangerous creatures are floatingon the river. See, my children, how providentially we have been snatchedfrom peril. One of these monsters might have capsized our little boat,and we should have been abandoned to be devoured by these frightfulcreatures."

At these words, Ruth shrieked out, and endeavored in her distraction toforce her way past the rest; but was held back by Jack, who followed herin the line, and who tried to convince her of the folly of her fears.Nevertheless, they all felt more comfortable, when they lost sight ofthe islets and their hideous inhabitants.

Again the river narrowed, and now they became alarmed as a strangerumbling noise gradually increased before them. They paused forconsideration; this was totally unlike the usual sounds of thewilderness, where the varied notes of the birds, and the continuedhumming of the insects, alone disturbed the silence.

"It resembles the roaring of waters," said Arthur. "I trust that now,when the river has obviously fallen, we need not fear that another floodshould overtake us. But follow me quickly—let us lose no time inendeavoring to reach the security of a wider strand."

As they proceeded, the roaring and rumbling grew louder and louder; theyknew it was the voice of a torrent, and it was with beating hearts theywound round a bend in the course of the greatly narrowed river, and sawat a short distance before them a majestic cataract, pouring its foamingwaters into the river, which bounded and dashed onward like a troubledsea, even to the spot where the wanderers stood, transfixed with wonderand admiration at the spectacle.

"This is indeed the majesty of nature!" exclaimed Mr. Mayburn. "Howfeeble seem all the labors of man, when compared with this stupendouswork of God!

"Ay! Ay! it's a grand thing to see, master," said Wilkins; "but how arewe to get out on our fix? We're not made wi' wings, like them bigfellows, clamoring and diving at t' top yonder."

A row of large birds were perched on fragments of rock at the verysummit of the fall, plunging their heads into the rushing waters, andseeming to rejoice in the grand commotion.

"They look like pelicans, papa," said Hugh; "I can see the red pouchunder their throat."

"The bird is one of the family, I apprehend, my son," answered Mr.Mayburn. "It is commonly called the frigate pelican, and is peculiar tothe tropics, fishing in rivers as well as in the sea. Its wings and tailare immensely long, but the body, if stripped of the feathers, is muchsmaller than you would expect to find it. But observe now, Hugh, anobler bird. See, far above us soars a superb black eagle, which seemsto look down with equal scorn on the noisy birds, the dashing waters,and the helpless men so far below it."

As they slowly drew near, they calculated that the height of thecataract must be a hundred and fifty feet at least, and saw that thewaters poured over horizontal strata of the sandstone rocks, each layerprojecting beyond the one above, and forming a series of steps, whichrose from four to eight feet in height. The water did not descend in avolume, but in courses, which left parts of the rocks uncovered, and onthese parts moss and even grass had sprung up.

Amidst the admiration and enjoyment which all felt in the contemplationof this novel spectacle, an unpleasant conviction crossed the minds ofeven the most enthusiastic, that they were indeed, as Wilkins hadremarked, "in a fix." It was impossible to proceed unless they couldascend the formidable brush-covered cliffs, where the weight of a manclinging to the bushes might bring down an avalanche of the crumblingsandstone rock to bury him in its fall; or, still more perilous, thatthey should attempt to ascend what Gerald called "the Giant'sStaircase"—the mighty cataract itself.

The voice of the torrent drowned the weaker voice of man; Arthur couldnot understand that Gerald was calling out to Hugh to follow him; andbefore he could proclaim any interdiction, the two light-footed, activeboys, by clinging to the firmly-rooted grass in the crevices, had gaineda resting-place on the first step of the rocks at the extreme edge ofthe fall, and were calling on the rest to follow them.

At this extremity about four feet of the rocks remained dry from thesummit to the base, and certainly this must be the ladder they mustmount if they hoped to escape; but how difficult, how perilous, was theattempt! Jack surveyed the ground attentively, then producing from hispocket a large roll of cord, he tied one end to a mangrove-tree on thebeach, and unrolling it as he went up, followed the boys, holding theline tight to support Mr. Mayburn and Margaret, Jenny and Ruth, who,assisted by Arthur and Wilkins, were one after another raised to thefirst resting-place. Arthur soon joined them; but Wilkins remained tosee the whole ascent completed before he would leave the strand.

Distracted by the noise of the torrent, the dashing of the spray, andthe terror lest the slippery stone or the supporting clump of grassshould fail them, it was a fearful struggle for the timid women, and forMr. Mayburn, quite as timid and much less light than they, to be raisedfrom step to step, assisted always by Arthur below and Jack above; butfinally they were placed in safety on the heights of the cataract. ThenJack waved his handkerchief, for his voice would have been inaudible, asa signal for Wilkins to follow; and he, more accustomed than they toclimbing, loosed and leisurely wound up the cord, as he sprang from rockto rock, till he joined the grateful and happy family.

The first sentiment of all was thankfulness to God, poured forth inearnest prayer. Their next feeling was curiosity to look upon a new,open country, after being so long imprisoned in the gloomy ravine below.They saw that the river was no longer a broad, navigable stream, but wasflowing through many narrow channels from the east and south-east, whichunited above the cataract. An open and lovely glade lay before them,thinly wooded, and covered with tall grass, and flowers of the mostbrilliant dyes. Birds of rare beauty and strange notes hovered about therivulets, and the air was darkened with insects; but they saw no traceyet of man. Far away to the south-east lay a gray line of mountains,towards which the wishes of all the anxious travellers turned.

"That range of mountains must be our first aim, papa," said Arthur."Thank God, we seem yet to be in a land of plenty; nor need we have anyfear of destitution so long as we continue in a well-watered district.If you are now able to proceed, Margaret, we must endeavor to bivouacon some spot less exposed to the rays of the sun and the observation ofthe natives than this. Let us follow the nearest channel of the river;if we wish to diverge further south, it will not be difficult to crossit."

A sharp twang startled Mr. Mayburn, and a beautiful bird fell at hisfeet.

"Just as I wished it, sir," said Gerald. "I meant the bird to be laid atyour feet. Wasn't it a capital shot, Hugh?"

"Lucky, at any rate, Gerald," answered Hugh. "Well, papa, what bird isit?"

"It is perfectly new to me, Hugh," answered his father, "as, indeed, allthe strange creation around me seems to be. The toes, like those of theScansores, are placed two forward, and two backward, to facilitate therunning up trees, and in form it so much resembles our cuckoo, thatdoubtless it is the bird we have read of as the Pheasant-cuckoo. See,there are more running among the grass, like pheasants—and hark howthey whirr as they take to flight, now that they have been startled bythat mischievous boy."

The pheasants were tempting game, and several brace were bagged beforeMargaret could restrain the ardent sportsmen, and remonstrate on thewanton cruelty of destroying more than their necessities required. Then,bending their course to a low hill, on which stood a wild nutmeg-tree,they saw that it was covered with beautiful white pigeons. On this spota fire was made, and the pheasants prepared for cooking, and thenspitted on slender peeled bamboos, which were set up with one end in theground, round the fire. Gerald would gladly have added to the feast byshooting some of the confiding pigeons, which continued to feed on thegreen fruits of the nutmeg-tree, without any fear of their dangerousneighbors; but even Nurse reproved the boy for his destructiveinclinations, declaring it would be very unlucky to shoot a whitepigeon.

Though they hoped this resting-place would have proved pleasant, theysoon found it would be impossible to remain near the water, so intenselyvexatious was the plague of flies. Thick clouds of these teasingcreatures buzzed round, settling in black bunches on the meat; fillingeyes, nose and mouth, and irritating the skin with their continualattempts to pierce it with their thin, tiny proboscis.

The boys declared the flies were ten times worse than the mosquitos; andto escape these Lilliputian foes, Arthur decided that they should crosssome of the narrow rills, which now ran wide apart, and deviate towardsthe south, where a rising ground promised to introduce them to newscenery.

When they reached the hills, they found them steeper than they expected;but on ascending to the height, they were gratified to see before them abeautiful country. Lofty trees adorned the plain, and high grass roseeven to their shoulders, as they passed through it. On several spots,vast fragments of the sandstone-rock, grown over with beautifulflowering creepers, lay in picturesque confusion; and the Eucalyptus,with its spicy flowers, the Pandanus, loaded with fragrant blossoms, andthe Cabbage-palm, were also encircled by the parasitic plants which addsuch a grace to tropical scenery. Wearied with forcing their way throughthe tall, sharp, wiry grass, they stopped before a high, broken rockwhich overhung and flung a shade over the spot they had selected fortheir resting-place. Then the boys cleared the ground, by laboriouslycutting down the long grass, which they spread to form beds, a luxury towhich they were unaccustomed.

"We'd better have fired it," said Wilkins. "Our bush-ranging chapsalways sets it in a low; it saves trouble."

"I should be grieved to destroy the luxuriant vegetation that God hasspread over these plains," said Mr. Mayburn. "Besides we could notcalculate where such a conflagration might end."

"Little matter where it ended," answered the man. "There's lots of thisstuff, such as it is; but Ruth, lass, ye've gotten hold on a bettersample."

Ruth usually released her unfortunate chickens at each resting-place,that they might have air, and seek food, and she had herself beenrunning about for grubs, seeds, or any thing they could eat, and she nowreturned with a perfect sheaf of some kind of bearded grain, suspendedon the ear by slender filaments like the oat, but still unripe.

"This surely should be an edible grain," said Mr. Mayburn, "and willprobably be ripe as early as November, in a climate which produces twoharvests. How richly laden is each ear, and the straw cannot be lessthan six feet in length. I conclude it is an Anthistiria. Feed yourfowls, Ruth; the food is suitable, and happily abundant. Had we but amill to grind it, we might hope in due season to enjoy once more theblessing of bread."

"There's not likely to be any mills handy hereabout," said Wilkins;"but when folks is put to it, it's queer what shifts they can make. Justhand us over a handful of that there corn, my lass."

Wilkins soon found two flat stones suited to his purpose, spread theshelled grains on the larger stone and bruised the soft corn into apaste, which he handed over to Jenny, saying, "Here's yer dough, mother!now see and bake us a damper, bush fashion; it's poor clammy stuff yet abit, but a bad loaf's better nor no bread."

Then Wilkins showed Jenny that slovenly mode of bread-making, commoneven among the civilized colonists of Australia, the product of which isa sort of pancake baked in the ashes. But this substitute for the staffof life was thankfully received by those who had been so long deprivedof the genuine blessing; but the green paste was stringy and dry, andJenny proposed to blend a boiled potato with the next damper, to make itmore like bread.

"Nevertheless," said Arthur, "if we only boil it as a green vegetable,this acquisition will be an agreeable addition to our roast birds.Suppose we each reap a bundle of the ears to carry onwards: at allevents the grains will feed the fowls."

The boys soon cut down a quantity of the heads of the corn, and earlynext morning they rubbed out the grains, with which they filled severalbags, Ruth herself collecting a store for the poultry. Then, resolvingto wait till the heat of the day was over before they marched on theirjourney, Margaret employed herself in making useful bags of grass, whilethe young men sauntered about, observing the novelties around them, andprocuring from one of the clear rivulets a large provision of fish forthe day's consumption.

"And see, Margaret," said Gerald, "would you not have been proud, inEngland, of such a magnificent bouquet as this," presenting to her abrilliant assemblage of flowers.

"Now, papa, come to our assistance," said Margaret, "and name these'illustrious strangers.' Surely I scent among them our own deliciousJasmine."

"It certainly resembles the jasmine, as well in form, as in perfume,"answered Mr. Mayburn. "Yet, like all Australian productions, it differsessentially from the species it resembles. We will, however, name itjasmine. This golden flower of the ranunculus race, might represent thebutter-cup of our meadows, yet it certainly is not the butter-cup. Andthis might be a rose, with its slender stem, and pale-pink wax-likepetals—is it not a Boronea, Arthur? This crimson flower resembles thesweet-pea, of which it has the scent, and the papillonaceous form. Butit is vain to attempt to class, at once, a strange and marvellous newFlora. Well might Dr. Solander honor the first spot discovered of thislovely country with the name of Botany Bay, thus propheticallyanticipating the rich harvests naturalists should reap in its wealth ofplants. This is truly a tour of pleasure, my children, and I care nothow long I linger on the flowery road."

"If it were not for the flies and mosquitos, papa," added Hugh, rubbinghis tortured nose, which being rather prominent, was a favorite resortof the insects.

"What an advantage it is, in this country, to have a snub nose!" saidGerald. "Oh! my boy, it is my turn to laugh now. But I say, Arthur!Wilkins! What is yon fellow? See, papa, what a splendid spectacle!"

Not twenty yards from where they stood, and on part of the ground theyhad cleared from the tall grass, they saw, with admiration mingled withfear, an immense bright yellow and brown serpent slowly winding amongthe low stubble. No one seemed to know exactly how to act on seeing thisstrange visitor, except Gerald, who sprung forward, armed with a stoutstick; but Arthur forcibly held him back, and Wilkins said,—

"Let him be! let him be! ye'd best not mell on him. I ken his sneakingways; he never bites; but he squeezes like a millstone. Now then; he'safter his own business. See what he's at."

An elegant brownish-grey animal, which, though they now saw for thefirst time, they recognized at once, bounded from the grass; and whilethe boys were crying out in ecstacy, "The kangaroo! the kangaroo!" theysaw the wily serpent raise itself, and envelope the terrified animal inits coils; and they knew well the doom of the poor kangaroo, for theembrace of its foe was certain death.

"Now come on, all on ye; we're safe enough now," cried Wilkins; and allthe young men, armed with sticks, and undeterred by the shrieks of thewomen, ran up to the animals, and attacked the serpent by striking thehead with repeated blows. When, roused to defence, it began to uncoilitself from its victim, knives were produced; and with many wounds, theysucceeded at length in putting an end to a creature at the very sight ofwhich man instinctively shudders.

"Be sartin he's dead," said Wilkins. "I'd niver trust them fellows; I'veseen one on 'em march off two ways when he's been cut in two pieces.They do say they niver die outright. But blacky has a way to settle andkeep him quiet: he just eats him."

To eat a serpent was an exploit at which the civilized stomach revolted;and the creature was abandoned to take its chance of reviving to commitmore destruction in the world, after Mr. Mayburn had examined it with asmuch interest as he could feel for a creature so abhorred. It was abouttwelve feet long, and certainly one of the Boa family, but resemblingmore the boa of Africa and Asia, than that of America. Mr. Mayburnearnestly desired to preserve the skin; but any additional incumbrancein the long pilgrimage that lay before them was not to be thought of,and he reluctantly relinquished the idea.

"I'd scorn to mell wi' such a foul beast," said Wilkins, "for t' sake ofhis bonnie skin; but by yer leave, I'se uncoil him, 'cause, ye see, abit of kangaroo meat will suit us as well as he. It's canny fair meat,specially about t' broad stern."

The kangaroo, which was but a young one, not standing more than fourfeet in height, was extricated from the murderous grasp of the boa; butwas almost flattened by the powerful pressure. The boys gathered roundthe strange animal with great curiosity, lost in admiration of itsgraceful form, powerful hind legs, and pretty small head. The long ears,divided upper lip, like that of the hare, long tapering tail, andremarkable pouch, in which a very young animal was found, were allremarked before it was skinned and turned over to the cooks. The skinwas then washed, and spread to dry, to be converted into boots whenthose useful articles of clothing should be needed.

Before they set out, part of the kangaroo flesh was roasted, or ratherbroiled, to be in readiness for supper, and the rest of the meat carriedoff by the willing Wilkins. Then, delighted with the novelties of theday, they went on in the same direction as before, walking cheerfullyalong, uninterrupted by any alarm, through the wild and charmingscenery, where bright skies, and birds and flowers, might have given afanciful mind the idea of an Arcadia.

The sudden darkness of the tropics compelled them to rest at the foot ofsome steep hills covered with brushwood, and opening on more forest-likescenery than any they had yet passed. Tiny rills trickled down thecrevices in the hills, and the rich emerald green of the turf proclaimeda moist soil, and assured them they were yet far from the dreadeddeserts.

Their night's rest was again painfully disturbed, for, though at a greatdistance, the peculiar coo-ee of the natives was several timesdistinctly heard; nor would Mr. Mayburn and Margaret venture to sleeptill a watch was arranged, of two persons, who were instructed toconverse loudly the whole time; for, according to the report of Wilkins,the natives would never venture to attack a party who were prepared toreceive them.

"They'll be tracking us all along, Master Arthur," said Wilkins, as heand Arthur kept watch together. "That's their way. Then they think torun down on us unawares, to pick, and steal, and murder, and eat us upinto t' bargain, if they get a chance."

"Surely not, Wilkins," answered Arthur. "I know that the New Zealanderswere, in their original wild state, cannibals; but I never heard suchan abominable character given of the Australian aborigines."

"If ye have to rove long about t' bush," answered the man, "ye'll comeon many a picked bone that niver was that of a kangaroo or a 'possum.Why, they'll not mind telling ye as how man's flesh is twice as tenderas 'possum's. There's no dealing wi' 'em, master. They're just a meanlot. It were a bad job our losing them guns."

"It was a loss, Wilkins," said Arthur; "but I should not feel that I hadthe same right to shoot a native that I had to shoot a kangaroo."

"There's nought to choose atween 'em," replied Wilkins, "but justthis—we can make a good meal of a kangaroo, and a Christian must besore set afore he could stomach a black fellow."

"But even a black man has a soul, Wilkins," said Arthur.

"I question if these dogs have much of that," answered he; "and if theyhave oughts of soul, it's all given to him that's bad. Lord help us, Mr.Arthur, they're all, as one may say, lost; like them creaturs as oldmaster reads on, full of devils."

"And yet those unhappy men, so possessed, you remember, Wilkins,"answered Arthur, "were not lost beyond redemption. Our blessed Lord notonly banished the evil spirits, but forgave the men their sins. So mightthese ignorant natives, if they were taught and received God's holyword, yet be saved."

"I'se not set on gainsaying ye, Mr. Arthur, in that," said the man, "forI were nigh as bad as them mysel'; and is yet, for what I ken, if I'd achance to fall back. I'd like not, if I could help it; now when I kenreet fra' wrong; and pray God keep me fra' Black Peter and his crew."

"Hark Wilkins! did you hear a rustling?" asked Arthur.

"Nay, but I tell you what I heared," replied he. "I heared themco*ckatoos flacker and cry out, on yon trees; and depend on't they hear astrange foot."

"Then they are better watchmen than we are," said Arthur. "What shall wedo, Wilkins?"

"Just ye tell your folks not to be fleyed at nought," said he, "andwe'll set them rogues off in no time."

Arthur warned Margaret and his father not to be alarmed at any noisethey might hear, and the other young men, roused at the report of anassault, were soon in the ranks. Then, at a signal agreed, they raisedtheir voices in a simultaneous halloo! that rang against the rockyhills. A loud rustling succeeded, and a dozen dark figures, visible inthe moonlight, emerged from the bushes, and fled swiftly across theplain.

"Saved!" cried Hugh: "for this time at least. But, I say, Arthur, wemust not sleep in the bush every night, or they'll catch us at last. Isaw several fine roomy caves in the rocks as we came along. We must takepossession of the next we fall in with, and then we shall only have theentrance to guard."

"They held spears in their hands, I saw," said Gerald; "I wonder whythey did not send a few among us?"

"They're ower sly for that, Master Gerald," said Wilkins. "They'd liketo come on us all asleep, and butcher us. Now they'll dog us, day afterday; but if we hold on steady-like, we'se wear 'em out at last."

"If we could but put a good broad river between us," said Jack, "wemight feel safe. Did you see that stringy bark tree just at hand, Mr.Arthur? I marked it in my mind, and if Master Hugh, and you, and MasterO'Brien will help me, we will twist some long ropes, on our roadto-morrow, and then, I fancy, if we came to a river we could not ford,we might contrive a ferry-boat."

CHAPTER XIII.

Rope-making.—The Cavern of Illustrations.—Ruth at theWater-pools.—Victualling the Fortress.—The Blockade.—Assault andBattery.—Bloodshed.—The close Siege.—Prospect of Famine.

Mr. Mayburn was uneasy till they set out next morning; for the thickbush-covered hill was a convenient spot for concealment. They left theirsleeping-place, therefore, at the earliest dawn, and continued theirprogress, while the young men found several trees of the stringy bark;the strips of the bark, measuring twenty or thirty feet, were hangingfrom the trunk raggedly, but very conveniently for the purpose of theworkmen, who collected a quantity of the rolls of bark, and carried iton their shoulders, till a singular isolated column of rock attractedthem to examine it; and as it afforded a little shade, and stood in anopen glade, where they need not fear hidden enemies, they rested at thefoot of it, and eat their breakfast of kangaroo steaks. Then Jack,fixing short poles into the ground to tie the bark to, soon set all theyouths to work to twist strong ropes of considerable length. They spentsome hours in this labor, and completed so heavy a burden of ropes, thatwhen they set out again they looked anxiously for an opportunity ofrelieving themselves by putting the ropes to profitable use. Theydirected their steps towards a rocky range before them, which held out aprospect of protection for the night; and bending under the weight oftheir burden, they were glad to reach the straggling, mountainous,sandstone rocks which, running east and west, interrupted their directcourse.

It was always easy in these ranges to find caves or hollow grottos,convenient for a retreat, and the bright moon showed them a low opening,which admitted them into a spacious and lofty cave. It was large enoughto have contained fifty persons, dry and clean—for the floor was offine sand; and when they had lighted a fire, they discovered that theywere not the first who had inhabited the cave, for the walls werecovered with rude, colored paintings of men and animals—the men andanimals of Australia. With great amusem*nt and astonishment the boyslooked on the kangaroo, the opossum, many curious lizards, and heads ofmen, colossal in size, and imperfect in execution, somewhat resemblingthe ambitious child's first attempts at high art.

"I think I couldn't draw so good a kangaroo as that myself," saidGerald; "but I could make something more like the head of a man. Dolook, Margaret; that fellow has crimson hair and a green nose."

"They have not, certainly," said Mr. Mayburn, "attained perfection inthe art of coloring; nevertheless, the uninstructed men who couldaccomplish these drawings cannot be so deficient in abilities as we havebeen taught to believe these aborigines are. I wish we could, withsafety to ourselves, hold intercourse with a small number of them. Couldit not be attempted, Arthur?"

"If they would approach us openly, we would endeavor to meet themamicably, my dear father," answered Arthur; "but when they steal on ustreacherously, we must conclude their intentions are hostile. Even nowwe must prepare for defence; and though we might keep watch at theopening, I think we had better build it up."

They soon secured the entrance with slabs of stone, and then eat theirsupper, and slept with less uneasiness than usual.

"Who has moved them stones?" asked Wilkins, sharply, as, roused by thelight streaming in, he sprung from the nook he had chosen for his lair.

"It's that fidgety lass," answered Jenny. "She's been scuttling aboutthis hour, feeding her poultry, and setting things to rights as if wewere living in a parlor; and then she roused me up to help her to make abit of way to get out to fetch water. You see, Wilkins, she's ahard-working lass, but it's her way to make a fuss."

"A fuss, indeed!" replied he, indignantly; "and a nice fuss she wouldhave made if she'd let a hundred black fellows in on us. Halloo, Jack!it would be as well if we were off to see after that unlucky sister ofthine."

The rest of the family were soon aware of Ruth's errantry, but they didnot expect she would be far from the cave, as the water was spread inpools and rills, abundantly, at the foot of the rocks. The next minute,however, they were startled by a succession of shrieks, and snatching uptheir weapons, the young men rushed out, and then saw, to their greatvexation, Ruth running wildly towards them, pursued by six of thenatives, in their usual unclothed state; and it was plain their swiftsteps would soon overtake the affrighted girl, unless they were promptlychecked.

"Shout as loud as ye like," cried Wilkins, "but mind not to send asingle arrow without hitting, or they'll not care a dump for us. See andaim to do some damage—d'ye hear?"

The natives were yelling and waving their spears, and their opponentsanswered by hallooing and brandishing their glittering knives, at thesight of which the savages stopped suddenly, and looked anxiously round,as if expecting reinforcement; then discharging a volley of spears, theyturned round and rapidly fled out of sight.

Ruth was left lying prostrate on the ground, and when Jack got up toher, he found a spear had struck her on the shoulder, but fortunatelystuck in her wide cloak, without injuring her, though her terror anddistress were great.

"They'll eat me up," she cried out. "They'll eat us all, Jack; and, oh,what will Jenny say? they've gotten my water-can!"

In her great fear, the poor girl had thrown away the usefulgourd-bottle—a serious loss; and Gerald was intrusted to convey herback to the cave, while the rest went forward to the pools, in hopes ofrecovering the gourd and procuring water. The vessel was, happily,found, and filled with water, and the youths returned to the cave, wherethey found great alarm prevailing.

"Had we not better flee without delay?" asked Mr. Mayburn.

Arthur looked significantly at Wilkins, and the man said,—"Ay, ay, Mr.Arthur! ye have a head; ye can see a bit afore ye. Why, master, a bonniefigure we should cut running ower yon bare grounds—men folks and womenfolks, all like a pack of scared rabbits, wi' a pack of a hundred or soof these naked black dogs at our heels."

"But, my good man, if we stay here we shall be slain," said Mr. Mayburn,in great agitation.

"No, no, dear papa," answered Arthur. "I conclude that Wilkins's planis, that we should remain here, and hold our impregnable castle till thefoe grows tired of the hopeless siege."

"That's the best thing," said Wilkins; "they're a set of stiff hands,and we'se be put to it to tire 'em out; but we'll try what we can do.And, I say, master, we must give a look round for stores; we'll neverlet 'em starve us out. It takes good rations to get up one's heart."

"And if we have to be shut up some time," said Margaret, muchdistressed, "we must have, especially, a supply of water."

"In course, Miss," answered Wilkins; "that's a thing we cannot want,barring we had beer, which isn't to be had, more's the pity. Let's see;if we'd a bit of a tub or barrel, we'd easy fill't now, afore they'reback on us. Nay, nay, Jenny, woman; let that meat be just now, and bringus all your shells, or aught that'll hold water."

The gourd was emptied into the large turtle-shell, and Wilkins took itback to be refilled at the pools, the rest following with the largest ofthe mussel-shells; and as they went on, they carefully looked out forany available article of food that could be easily attained before thereturn of the enemy. The air was thronged with birds, and every tree wasan aviary. They might soon have brought down a quantity with theirarrows, but Arthur urged on them the necessity of first obtaining thewater. After they had filled all their water-vessels, they found theyshould only have a supply for two days, even if carefully husbanded.Thankful even for this boon, they had yet time to shoot a dozenpheasants, before the coo-ee of the natives, gradually getting nearer,made it necessary that they should seek the cave, and make ready theirdefences.

Their first care was to fortify strongly the opening which formed theirentrance, and which they hoped was the only weak point. But as it wasevident, from the paintings, that this cave was well known to thenatives, it was expedient to search it thoroughly, lest there should beother outlets. Many branches ran from the main cave, but all seemedequally impregnable; and the only openings were small gaps far above theground, from which the decomposed sandstone had fallen, and layscattered in fragments over the ground. There were traces of fires,showing that the cave had been previously inhabited, but no remains offuel; and a few withered sticks that they had brought in the precedingday were all the provision they had made for cooking their food.

"After all our wild and savage life," said Hugh, "we are not yet comedown to eat uncooked meat, I really think; and by your leave, CaptainArthur, we will make a sally to pick up sticks."

"Look through this cranny, Hugh, and tell me if you think this is a timefor throwing open our gates," said Arthur.

"I give in! I give in!" answered the boy. "Look out, Gerald; see what aswarm of dark wretches, all in earnest too, for they have sheaves ofspears in the left hand, while the right hand is raised to do battle.Keep back, Ruth! you simpleton. You have certainly seen enough of theseugly monsters."

"Oh Miss Marget!" shrieked the girl, "they'll come in and eat us. Stonewalls is nought to 'em. They're not Christian folks, they're spurrits!they 're skellingtons; I ken 'em by their bones. Oh! send them back totheir graves, master!"

Within thirty yards of the rock, and immediately before it, weregathered crowds of fierce savages; their dark skins marked with a whitesubstance like pipe-clay, in fantastic figures; most of them werepainted to represent skeletons. And while, with wild and demoniac yells,they were leaping and whirling round with graceful agility, they poisedtheir spears, ready to cast them as soon as a victim appeared in sight.There was a painful expression of surprise and vexation on every face;and Jack, usually so indulgent to his sister's foibles, could not helpsaying:

"Oh, Ruth, lass! this is thy doing."

"Why, Jack, honey!" sobbed she, "what could I think, when I seed thatbig grinning black face glouring at me fra' t' middle on a bush, andnone nigh hand me: and oh! honey, I'd setten out afore I said myprayers. What could I do but just skirl and run? and I did it."

"That you did, Ruth, and no mistake," said O'Brien. "But, after all,it's better to have our enemies before our face than at our back. Will Isend an arrow among them, Arty?"

"Certainly not, Gerald," answered Arthur; "we may need all our arrows,and we had better not be the first to commence an aggression. If we hadhad plenty of powder and shot, I have no doubt we might have dispersedthem without bloodshed; but I am loth to waste a single cartridge ofour small store. What are they about now, Hugh?"

One tall savage had mounted a mass of rock about thirty yards from them;and now, with wonderful dexterity, he sent a spear whirling through theair directly through a small gap in the rock, about twenty feet from theground. Most fortunately, Arthur had ordered the whole party to gatherclose to the entrance, and the weapon passed on one side of them, andfalling upon a shell of water tilted it over.

"Good-for-nothing rascals!" cried Jenny. "See what a mischief they'vedone."

"Be thankful, nurse," said Arthur, "that we saw the intention of thefellow, and were able to escape the spear. We now know our weak points,and may keep out of harm's way."

But Gerald, who thought the first aggression was committed, no longerscrupled to draw his bow, and sent an arrow, which he had barbed withskill, into the shoulder of the warrior on the rock, with such force,that he was hurled to the ground. In an instant all his companionscrowded around him; he was raised from the ground, and the whole partydisappeared in the bush, with every symptom of terror.

Wilkins was in an ecstasy of delight. He patted Gerald roughly on theback, saying, "That's the thing, my brave lad; ye're of the right sort;ye've let the rogues see what we can do. But if ye'd missed him we'devery soul been done. They'd have reckoned nought on us."

"It was a rash act, Gerald," said Mr. Mayburn; "but I hope the poor manis not seriously injured."

Wilkins made a grimace as he said, "Them there arrows is made o'purpose to injer, master. They're a bit sharpish to bide when they bangin among a fellow's bones, and no doctor at hand to hack 'em out."

"Didn't I tell you, Master Gerald," said Ruth, "that it were a sin and ashame to make them things as would rive folks' flesh?"

"You are the girl that said that," answered Gerald, wild with hisexploit; "and weren't you right, Ruth, astore! I meant them to rive;and see how the cowards have scampered off from them. Couldn't we go outnow, Arthur? You know we want firewood."

"Do not be impatient, Gerald," replied Arthur, "we have fuel sufficientfor one day, and we do not know how far our foes may have fled."

"Depend on't, Mr. Arthur," said Wilkins, "there's not a bush or a rockwe see but has its man. We'll have to make shift to live on what we havefor a bit. They'll soon be trying another dodge."

But though the usual coo-ee rang through the distant woods, mingledwith the soft low wailing of the voices of women, the people were notseen again during a day which seemed unusually long to the anxiousprisoners. The women cooked the pheasants with the last firewood, whileMargaret filled a pillow-cover with the feathers for her father's head;but they had all become so accustomed to the hard earth, or at best to abed of wiry grass, that even Mr. Mayburn regarded this pillow as auseless luxury, and an undesirable addition to the baggage, whichrendered their journey so tedious.

"I will undertake to carry the light pillow," said Margaret, "and Itrust we may again meet with a river to lighten the toil of ourpilgrimage."

"If we found a wagon drawn by oxen, like them Mr. Deverell bought,"said Jenny, "it would be fitter for my master and you, Miss Marget."

"And a few good horses for the rest of us, nurse," said Hugh; "but saywhat you will, papa, of the beauty and excellence of this new country,it is a great vexation that there are no beasts of burden. Neitherelephant nor camel; not even a llama or a quagga which may be reduced toservitude. No four-footed creature have we yet seen but the kangaroo;and one never read, even in the Fairy Tales, of a man hopping along,mounted on a kangaroo."

"Nothing for it but trudging, Hugh," said Gerald, "unless we could meetwith an ostrich to tame."

"I fear," replied Mr. Mayburn, "that the emu, which is the ostrich ofAustralia, is not formed for carrying burdens, nor tractable enough tosubmit to the dominion of man. I am anxious to see the bird, though Ifear we may obtain no advantage from meeting with it."

In rambling among the caves to fill up the tedious hours, the boysdiscovered, in a distant branch cavern, a heap of dry wood which hadfallen through an opening in the rock, at least fifty feet above them.If this opening were even known to the natives, it could not avail themas a means of descent to the cave, and, much to the mortification of theadventurous boys, it was totally inaccessible from the interior.

"But we can comfort nurse's heart," said Hugh, "by the report that wehave found fuel enough for an English winter. And see, Gerald, some ofthese strong straight sticks will make us a sheaf of arrows, and we canbarb them with the fish-bones we preserved. Here's our work for theday."

It was a comfort to Margaret to have the two most restless of the partyquietly employed; though Mr. Mayburn objected to the barbing of thearrows, so unnecessary for destroying birds, so cruel if meant for thesavages. Wilkins sat down to make a pair of shoes of the skin of thekangaroo, and Jack made more ropes with the remains of the stringy bark.And thus the day of anxiety passed without more alarm.

Another morning dawned through the chinks of the rocky walls, and forsome time all was so still, that they began to hope the natives hadwithdrawn; but before the middle of the day the whole troop presentedthemselves so suddenly, that they were close to the rocks, and thus,secure from the arrows of the besieged, before they could prevent theirapproach.

They had come armed with heavy clubs, with which they began violently tobatter the walled entrance. This was a formidable mode of attack, andthe only mode of defence was to accumulate more stones to strengthen thebarrier. Still the men persevered, fresh parties relieving those whowere tired; but the defence seemed already shaking; while Margaret,always resolute in difficulties, had herself almost lost the power ofconsoling her more timid father. Wilkins seemed watching for anopportunity, placed before a narrow crevice in the rock, which wasshaded outside by brush, and suddenly they saw him plunge his long knifethrough the opening against which he had seen one of the nativesleaning.

The knife entered the back of the man, who uttered a groan, and fell. Hewas immediately surrounded by the rest, who examined the wound, and thengazed round, apparently unable to comprehend the nature of this attackfrom an invisible enemy. Some of the men fled at once, many of thempierced by the arrows the young men sent after them, while othersremained to bear away, with care and tenderness, the bleeding body oftheir companion, who appeared to be mortally wounded. These humane menwere respected, even by their opponents, and permitted to retireunmolested; and for the remainder of the day, except for the sounds ofmourning from the native women, which, however, gradually became morefaint and distant, all continued still and peaceful.

The next morning broke on the besieged party with the melancholyconviction that their fortress was no longer tenable. The spring wasalready advanced, the air had become hot and parching, and the water wasexhausted.

"We must endeavor, under any circ*mstances," said Arthur, "to procurewater, or we must die. I propose that three of us should set out to thenearest pool for a supply, leaving the rest to guard the entrance; andif we are successful, to re-admit us. If the savages should attack andovercome us, then it will be the duty of those left here to close thebarrier, leaving us to our fate, and to use every exertion in theirpower to protect and save the feeble."

Sad as was this necessity, it was imperative, and now the question was,who were to have the honor of joining the "Forlorn Hope," as Hugh termedthe expedition. Arthur decided that the party should consist of Hugh,Wilkins, and himself. Jack was too useful to be risked, Gerald too rashto be trusted.

Arthur would not even take with him the valuable rifle, their primereliance, but left it in the charge of Jack. Then, with bows and arrowsslung over their backs, and such water-vessels as they could command intheir hands, they cautiously went out, leaving orders to the garrison,that each man should stand before his slab of stone, to be ready toreplace it before the opening, if necessary.

They reached the pool without interruption, satisfied their own thirst,filled the vessels, and then, with joy and triumph, turned homewards.But before they had proceeded many yards, a loud "Coo-ee," not farfrom them, proved they had not escaped notice. The cry was echoed frommany distant spots, and the water-carriers redoubled their speed, till aspear, whizzing close to the ear of Wilkins, induced Arthur to call ahalt. They faced round, set down their water-buckets, and handled theirbows. They saw that they were pursued by about a dozen men, who werethirty or forty yards behind them, amongst whom they discharged arrows,two or three times in rapid succession, with some effect, it would seem,from the confusion and irresolution which they observed had taken placeamong the natives; of which they took advantage, and snatching up theirvaluable burdens, they reached the cave before the savages rallied, and,being joined by a reinforcement, were quickly following them.

"Up with the defences," cried Arthur, breathlessly. "And now, thank God!we shall be able to hold out two or three days longer."

"Then we shall have to live on potatoes and these few green oats," saidJenny, "for we have only six pheasants left, and they spoil fast in thishot place. But, to be sure, there's them greedy hens, that can eat asmuch as a man, and are no good, unless we eat them."

"Oh no, Jenny, please don't!" cried Ruth. "See, here's six eggs they'velaid; isn't that some good? poor bit things! Oh, Miss Marget, dinnot let'em be killed!"

Margaret willingly granted the fowls their lives, the eggs beingconsidered equivalent to the oats the animals consumed; and she beggedJenny to have more trust in God, who had till now continued to supplytheir "daily bread."

CHAPTER XIV.

Rambles through the Caves.—Fairy Bower.—A Rough Path toFreedom.—Preparations for Flight.—The Use of the Rifle.—A Case ofConscience.—Departure.—Travelling among the Bogs.—A View of theRiver.—Making an Axe.—A New Plant.

After they had dined with strict economy, and ascertained that theirsavage foes had for the present withdrawn into the bush, they resumedtheir usual occupations. Hugh and Gerald, impatient under theirconfinement, chose to ramble through the mazy windings of the varioushollows which existed in the sandstone rock, searching for a long timein vain for novelty or adventure; at length they wound along a branchpassage, which terminated, to their astonishment, in a wall, hung, likea bower, with garlands of flowery creeping plants, from which the notesof various birds greeted the ears of the delighted boys.

"Sure enough, Hugh, this is Fairy Bower," said Gerald.

"It is open to the day," said Hugh, "and we must find out what liesbeyond it."

A slab of rock, which had fallen inwards, lay close to the wall; it wassix feet in height, but by making a staircase of other fragments whichwere lying round, they mounted the fallen slab, and putting aside theleafy curtains which hid the opening, they looked out on a completewilderness of rocky masses and green thickets, which appeared at onceimpervious and interminable. The temptation to be once more under theopen sky could not be resisted, and without much difficulty the boysdescended among the matted bushes.

"We will follow out the adventure," said Gerald, "till we reach theEnchanted Castle. Had we not better cut some spears as we make our way,that we may be prepared to slay the dragons?"

"We had better have had one of Jack's balls of cord," replied Hugh,"that we might have tied one end here before we set out, or we shallnever be able to find our way back through such a labyrinth."

"Couldn't we drop pebbles, as Hop-o'-my-Thumb did?" asked Gerald.

"Where are we to get the pebbles?" answered Hugh, "and how could we findthem again, man, among this brush? But what is this white,chalky-looking material by the pool? I cannot help thinking it must bethe clay which the savages use for painting their bodies. Let us getsome; I have a use for it."

They collected some of this moist pipe-clay on a large leaf, andclimbing again to the opening, they cut away a portion of the creepersto uncover the rock, upon which they marked, as high as they couldreach, a large white cross.

"We cannot miss that holy and propitious sign," said Hugh, "so let usventure forward, Gerald. It is such a charming novelty to be able towalk fearlessly in the open air. You observe we are now facing thesouth; so if we can discover an outlet from this thicket, we shall be onthe direct track to continue our journey."

It was not easy, however, to preserve any direct course through thetangled brake, which was occasionally broken by patches of fine grassand rills of water, and diversified by tall trees; the various kinds ofEucalyptus, the wild nutmeg with its spicy odor, and the acacia coveredwith golden blossoms, the whole being mingled with masses of rock fallenfrom the regular range, broken into fragments and scattered far andwide; some grown over with the vegetation of years, and others freshlyrent from the soft decaying mountains.

Threading their way through this lovely wilderness, not forgetting tolook back frequently at their guiding signal, the boys now hailed withpleasure and admiration the sight of thousands of birds springing fromtheir nests, while each, in its own peculiar language, seemed todeprecate the intrusion of the presumptuous strangers.

"Won't we carry back birds and eggs enough to victual the fortress for aweek!" said Gerald.

"No need for that, Gerald," answered Hugh, "when we have the preserve inour own private grounds. We can just bag a brace or two, to prove thetruth to our people. But, now, my boy, we must try to find the end ofthis wonderful maze—who knows but what it may lead to liberty?"

"It is a rough road anyhow," said Gerald. But they struggled throughthick bushes, leaped over rocks, or waded through pools or rills formore than an hour, and then, fearful of alarming their friends, theyproposed to return. But just as they had made this resolve, Hughdeclared that he heard the sound of rolling water, and they continuedtheir toilsome exertions till they reached at length the side of a rapidriver, which poured through a narrow gorge in the mountains, and flowedtowards the west. The river seemed about fifty yards across, and toodeep to be forded; the banks were overgrown with tall bamboos mingledwith fine rushes; but beyond the south banks, the country appeared moreopen.

"If we could only cross this river," said Hugh, "we should completelyescape from those cowardly blacks, who have, I believe, no canoes. Wewill bring Jack here; he can find bark in abundance for his use, and ifwe help him, I have no doubt he can make a canoe that will carry usacross. At any rate, let us take him a piece of the bark to tempt him tocome."

They soon stripped from the stem a piece of flexible bark, and, withsome of the fibres of the stringy bark, they tied this into a bag, whichthey filled, as they returned, with eggs and four brace of good-sizedyoung pheasants. They kept in the track they had made in coming, andhaving the white cross before them as a guide, they had much lessdifficulty in their homeward course than they expected, and in verygreat spirits presented themselves before their greatly anxious friends.

"We have been out on a sporting expedition," said Gerald, flinging downthe birds. "What do you think of our game-bag, General Arthur?"

"I must think that you have been very rash and imprudent," answeredArthur. "I conclude, boys, that you have found some other outlet fromthe cave; but how could you risk discovery for the sake of these birds?"

"We have discovered an outlet," replied Hugh; "but I think even Margaretand my father will agree that there was no risk, when they see theplace. Now you must all listen to our wonderful adventure."

They did listen with great pleasure and thankfulness. The earnest desireof every heart was to escape from the constant dogged and depressingpursuit of their savage and artful foes, and the account of theunsuspected path to the river filled them with the hopes which they hadnearly abandoned.

"Can we not set out now?" asked Mr. Mayburn eagerly. "Certainly not, myfather," answered Arthur. "It will first be necessary that we have somemeans arranged for crossing the river; besides, the day is too faradvanced for us to make such an important movement before night; and wemust try to divert the suspicions of the savages from our flight, byletting them believe we still intend to hold the fortress."

"If you're not knocked up, Master Hugh," said Jack, "I should like wellto see with my own eyes what there is to do, and whether I can do it ornot. Would you mind guiding me; and Wilkins, may be, will go with us, tohelp me to carry down my ropes?"

Wilkins was always ready and willing; he shouldered a coil of rope, andthe two unwearied boys, followed by him and Jack, set out to show theirmarvellous discovery to the two practical men, who looked round at thecharming wilderness with an eye to the usefulness rather than to thebeauty of all they saw.

"Birds is poor feeding, and eggs is worse," said Wilkins; "but if weiver get free fra' them dowly stone walls, we'se see if we can't get ashot at them kangaroos. Ay, ay! Master Hugh, any sky over head's betternor a jail; not but I've been shut in worse prisons nor yon, God forgiveme; but ye see I were reet sarved then. But it is aggravatin, I say, tobar oneself up wi' one's own will like."

"See here, Wilkins," exclaimed Jack; "what a grand stock of all kinds ofwood, if we had but a few good tools. I noticed that a black fellow thatwas fighting yesterday had a capital axe in his hand; it seemed to bemade of a sort of flint stone, and I only wish we could meet with apiece fit for such a job."

"It's not a time to be felling trees," replied Wilkins, "when we've atroop of black rogues at our heels. Now come, we're here, it seems, att' river they telled on, and a canny river it is; if we can manage toput it atween us and them, we'se have a clear coast, I reckon; for theyalways keep at their own side."

"Then help me to bark this tree," said Jack; "and if we cannot manage acanoe, we'll try a ferry-boat."

The tree was barked in one long sheet, the ends were tied up with cords,and this was Jack's extempore canoe. But as soon as it was hastilycompleted, they were compelled to speed homeward to prevent themselvesbeing bewildered in the darkness; and even now, but for the visiblewhite cross, they would have been unable to distinguish the entrance."Now, Nurse, darling," cried Gerald, dancing round Jenny, "pack up yourpots and pans and bundles, and you, Ruth, call up your precious chicks,and make ready. Then, at daybreak, when you hear me whistle theréveille, fall into your ranks, to march."

"We do not know how far the ground beyond the wilderness may beexposed," said Arthur, "and we had better look out before we leave inthe morning, to observe if all continues still."

"That's all just as it ought, Mr. Arthur," said Wilkins; "ye're a sharpchap at a drill. And we'd as well puzzle 'em a bit, and rattle out a fewarrows just afore we start, to make 'em believe we mean to haud ourown."

In the morning, when all was ready for setting out, and they had laidthe foundation of a good breakfast, the scream of Ruth, who had climbedto an aperture to obtain a look-out, announced that the objects of herantipathy were in sight. All flocked to the crevices to ascertain whatthey had to fear, and observed that a number of the natives were ladenwith bundles of dry wood, which they had piled before the rock, and madeup a fire, having apparently chosen to establish themselves there, andkeep a perpetual watch, and yet keep too close to the rock to be indanger from the arrows of the besieged. This was vexatious, and Wilkinssaid,—"Ye're tied to waste a shot on 'em, or here they'll sit and watchand listen, and sure enough they'll make out we're away, if they hearnought stirring inside, and they'll be off to stop us. Look at yonfellow, painted red, quavering about, and banging t' stones wi' his axe.That's t' chap as sent his spear close to my ears, and I owe him yet forthat job. Just let me have a chance, Mr. Arthur. I ken ye're allsoft-hearted, so I'se not kill him outright."

Arthur was very reluctant to waste one cartridge or spill one drop ofblood; but the fierce gestures of the powerful savage, and his violentblows against the walled entrance, rendered him a dangerous antagonist;and on the promise of Wilkins that he would not mortally wound the man,Arthur resigned the loaded rifle to one he knew to be well skilled infire-arms.

Wilkins carefully selected his position and his time, and when thesavage raised his arm for the stroke, he fired into his shoulder. Witha horrible yell, the man threw down the axe, and fell upon his face. Ina moment the whole troop, with cries of terror, were flying towards thewoods; two only remaining, who hastily lifted and carried away thewounded man, with loud wailings.

"There! we'se be clear on 'em for one bit," said Wilkins. "Now's ourtime to be off."

"But I should like much to have the axe," said Jack. "Surely, Mr.Arthur, there could be no harm in our taking the axe."

"And sure we will take it," exclaimed Gerald. "All fair, you know,general; the spoils of battle. The axe we may consider as prize-money."

"What does papa say? I leave the affairs of justice to him," saidArthur, smiling.

"Then, I think," said Mr. Mayburn, deliberately—"Margaret, tell me if Iam right—I think we, as Christians, should set a bad example toheathens, if we carried off their property."

Jack sighed, as he looked wistfully at the axe through an opening in therock, and said,—"It is tied to the handle with the stringy-bark, andthen it seems fixed with gum. I'm sure I could manage it, Mr. Arthur, ifwe could only meet with the right stone; but this soft sandy rock isgood for nothing."

But now no more time was to be wasted. All marched along, more or lessladen, headed by the two proud pioneers, and with their various packageswere safely got through the opening, and, to their great joy, once moretasted the blessing of fresh air. The pleasure of Mr. Mayburn, among thevariety of strange birds, was unbounded; and he was with difficultyprevailed on to move forwards, by the promise that, under morefavorable circ*mstances, they would all assist him in obtainingspecimens of the curious new species. But now expedition was prudent,and even imperative, and over the twice-trodden track they movedsilently and speedily till they reached the river.

There lay the frail bark Jack had contrived for crossing the river, andto each end of which he now attached one of his long coils of cord.Then, taking up two pieces of bark he had prepared for paddles, hecalled out,—"Now, Master Hugh, just take hold of the coil at the prow;step in, and we'll try her. Mr. Arthur and Wilkins must run out thestern-rope, and when we're over, Miss need have no fear."

Hugh, pleased to be selected for the first enterprise, leaped upon theslender canoe, and assisted Jack to paddle it across the rapid river;and when they safely reached the reedy bank, they unrolled their ropeand secured the end, allowing the bark to be drawn back for Margaret,who was the first single passenger. She accomplished her short voyagehappily, and, one at a time, the party were ferried over, bringing theirpackages with them. Then the ropes were cut away to be preserved, andthe light boat was suffered to drift down the stream; while thethankful, emancipated prisoners forced their way through the jungle ofreeds and canes, and saw before them a bright-green luxuriant plain,spreading as far as the eye could reach.

"Musha!" cried the Irish O'Brien, laughing joyfully. "Sure I have comeon my own dear native bogs! the emerald plains of old Hibernia. No wantof water now, my boys! Don't I hear it trickling beneath that brightturf, and won't we soak our boots well, my dears?"

"They're bogs, sure enough," said Wilkins, "and there's nought for itbut making a run. Slow and sure would be all wrong here, Mr. Arthur,where, if ye don't skip, ye must sink. Here, give me hold of yer hand,old woman, and lope on wi' me."

Jenny, to whom this invitation was addressed, was not accustomed tolope; but, half dragged and half lifted by Wilkins, she followed therest, who were plunging, wading, running, or leaping, from one dry spotto another, over the luxuriant reedy marsh. The ground was thronged withthousands of wild fowls, especially with numbers of a graceful,bright-colored bird of the crane species, very attractive to Mr.Mayburn. Clouds of troublesome insects filled the air; but life andliberty were in view, and small annoyances were disregarded; and, in thestrength of their substantial breakfast, the travellers pursued theirtoilsome course across the marshy ground, till towards the end of theday, completely worn out, they cast themselves down to rest on the sideof a firm hillock, beneath the shade of a lofty spreading tree, whichhad the rare quality, in Australia, of a thick foliage of large leaves,and seemed to be a species of chestnut.

Then the boys were put in requisition, and wild ducks procured forsupper; and, after this needful refreshment, they united in thanks toGod for their escape, and for the plenty that surrounded them, in aregion where the air was pure and healthy, and the animals innocuous;and this night they slept in the open air, fearless of disturbance.

Next morning they proceeded on their way, after the boys had cut astrong staff for each traveller; likening themselves to a party ofpilgrims with their long crooks. Still the same luxuriant vegetation laybefore them, and still they continued the same arduous toiling over thesoft yielding soil, in which every footstep was buried; but their stoutstaves and cheerful spirits carried them on for hours.

They continually saw the kangaroo bounding over the ground, and theactive opossum running up the tall gum-tree, or the pandanus, and weresorely tempted to pursue them.

"But only reflect, boys," said Arthur, "on the imprudence of attemptingto chase or shoot these animals now. It would be impossible for us tocarry more than our usual burdens over this heavy ground. Wait till wearrive at our resting-place; and in the profusion of food around us, Itrust we shall not want. But observe, papa, we no longer see the rangeof sandstone hills lying to the east: we are certainly entering a newregion. That ridge before us will probably lead us from these tediousmarshes. We must try to toil up the ascent before we rest."

It was really a toil, in the heated atmosphere, to climb thebush-encumbered hills; but on reaching the summit, they were repaid bylooking down on a lovely valley.

It was on a lower level than that they had left, dotted over with greenhills, and adorned with a forest-like scattering of majestic trees,beneath which the grass was as rich as that of a cultivated meadow, andenamelled with brilliant flowers; while the scented jasmine blossomsclung round the taller trees, and filled the air with perfume. Parrotsof every bright color played in the sunbeams, chattering in the mostdistracting manner; while at intervals the discordance of their harshcries was broken by the clear, bell-like notes of a musical warbler.Numerous silver streams might be seen at a distance, threading theplains, all on their way, Arthur observed, to swell some large river.

"Which we shall have to cross, most likely," said Hugh; "so, Jack, wemust look about for materials for canoes again."

"I am almost afraid to suggest it," said Mr. Mayburn; "but why should weleave this lovely, tranquil valley? Why should we not erect a simplehut, and dwell here in peace, abundance, and contentment, without toiland without care? What say you, Margaret?"

"Would it not be an idle and useless existence, papa?" answered she.

"With not even wild beasts to hunt," added Gerald.

"No books to read, or horses to ride," said Hugh, sadly.

"Ay, it would be dowly enough a bit at first," said Wilkins, "and thenthem rogues would somehow make us out, and lead us a bonnie life."

"And it isn't fit, master," said nurse, indignantly, "that decent women,let alone Miss Margaret, should live their lives among heathens withouta rag to their backs. Here's poor Ruth breaking her heart to think ofthem savages."

"I believe, papa," said Arthur, laughing, "the votes are against yourresolution. For my own part, I cannot believe this rich and well-wateredspot should be neglected by the natives. Depend on it, there are tribesnot far distant, that might annoy us if we were stationary, though Itrust we may not meet with many so ferocious as our last acquaintances."

"I am wrong, my son," replied Mr. Mayburn. "I know my own weakness ofjudgment, and you see I have grace to acknowledge my blunder."

"We will descend into the valley now," said Arthur, "and have a pleasantrest among this rich scenery. I hope that in a few days more we mayreach some important river, which, if we can cross, we may at all eventsbe satisfied that we have left our old enemies behind us, though wecannot tell what new ones we may encounter."

After many days' pleasant travelling over the well-watered and plentifulplains, they passed over a succession of green ridges, from the highestof which they had a view of a large river, certainly too wide to becrossed by Jack's bark ferry-boat; and now speculations were awakened ofboats, canoes, and easy voyaging.

"I'm sure you could make a bark canoe, Jack," said Hugh, "that might bepaddled well enough on a fair open river like that. Let us push forwardand reconnoitre our chances of changing trudging for voyaging."

"I'd have ye look about ye," said Wilkins, "and mind yer steps. Yon'sjust t' place for 'em to gather. There'll be fish, and slugs, andsnakes, and all that sort of varmint. Why, bless ye, Jenny, woman, yeneedn't make such a face; I've seen 'em gobbling for hours at worms andgrubs, and then they'll suck lots of stuff out of them gum-trees. But Isay, what's yon black bit?"

The "black bit" was a circle where a fire had been made not long before;near the scorched spot lay half-finished spears, headed with sharp hardstones, of which some large slabs were piled near the place, and afinished axe made from the same flint-like stone.

"I will not take their axe, Mr. Arthur," said Jack, "because they havemanufactured it, and of course it is property like; but stones arenothing but stones all the world over, and free to anybody. So if you'llwait I'll sit down now and try to make an axe the model of that, and itwill be a shame if I cannot improve on it."

He was not denied the trial, and the result was, that Jack's axe was acapital tool. Hugh had cut a handle from one tree, while Geraldcollected the gum oozing from another into a mussel-shell, and Jackselected the stone, and sharpened the edge on a block of sandstone, forthe blade. Then cutting a cleft in the handle, he inserted and tied theblade first, covering the joining with gum, and finally placing it inthe sun to dry. This success induced him to make a second axe, while thewhole party sat down to watch the interesting work.

But the uneasiness of Mr. Mayburn compelled them at length to leave aspot which was evidently a haunt of the natives. They continued to walktowards the river over rich undulating ground covered with soft grassand the wild oats, the spring crop of which was here nearly ripe, andwas eagerly reaped to increase the provision store. Then they came on aswampy soil, which had been apparently overflowed by the river after therains, and which was grown over by a perfect forest of mangroves,thickly peopled by mosquitos. It was with difficulty they could forcetheir way through the trees to the river, which they judged to be aboutthree hundred yards across, flowing towards the west, and certainly toodeep to be forded. High cliffs shut out all view of the country on theopposite bank; and, much as it would have been desirable, Arthur fearedthey would not be able to cross it except in canoes.

"I think it would be still better to sail up it," said Hugh.

"We have no canoes ready for such a purpose," answered Arthur, "nor canwe yet begin to make one till our axes are sufficiently hardened to usewith safety. I propose that we should draw back beyond the marshyground, and follow up the course of the stream for one day at least. Wecan all be at work collecting materials for boats."

Any thing that gave them employment was acceptable to the boys, and theyscampered from one tree to another to examine the quality or try todiscover the species. The names they did not know, but were content todistinguish the varieties as palm, oak, ash, cedar, or box, as theyfancied they resembled those well-known trees. There were also thevarious gum-trees, the cabbage-palm, and a new and interesting object toMr. Mayburn, which he recognized from description,—the grass-tree,Xanthorrhœa arborea, the rough stem of which was ten feet in heightand about two feet in circumference, and which terminated in a palm-treeform, with a cluster of long grass-like foliage drooping gracefully;while from the midst of the cluster sprang a single stamen of ten feetin height.

Mingled with the loftier trees was a sort of shrub, called by Wilkinsthe Tea Shrub, the leaves of which, he told them, were used in thecolony as tea "by them as liked such wishwash;" and as Jenny and Ruthdeclared that they especially did like this "wishwash," they gathered aquantity of the leaves to make the experiment of its virtues.

"It certainly belongs to a family of plants," said Mr. Mayburn, "whichare all-important to the comfort and health of man; and though I do notknow the species, I should judge that an infusion of these leaves wouldproduce a wholesome, and probably an agreeable, beverage. The delicatewhite flowers are not unlike those of the tea-plant, certainly. Butpray, nurse, do not load yourself with too great a burden of the leaves,for the shrub seems abundant, and we have already too much to carry inthis burning climate."

CHAPTER XV.

The Tea-Shrub.—Another Canoe.—A Skirmish with the Natives.—WoundedHeroes.—An Attempt at Voyaging.—A Field of Battle.—The WidowedJin.—Wilkins's Sorrows.—Baldabella in Society.—The Voyage resumed.

"When are we to dine—or sup, rather—commander?" said Hugh; "I am sofamished, that I could eat one of those noisy co*ckatoos half-cooked, andMargaret looks very pale and weary."

"We must try to reach one of those green hills before us," said Arthur;"we shall there be pretty certain to meet with some cave or hollow,where we can at least, stow our luggage; and then our cares and oursleep will be lighter; and as we go along, we will plunder some nests,that Margaret may have eggs for her supper."

They took as many eggs and young birds as they required, and went ontill they found, among the hills, a hollow, capacious enough for anight's lodging, and here they made a fire to cook the birds and to boilthe tea in a large mussel-shell. Ruth bemoaned again her awkwardness inbreaking the tea-cups; for now they had to sip the infusion of leavesfrom co*ckle-shells. Wilkins declined the luxury; but the rest enjoyedit, and declared that it not only had the flavor of tea, but even of teawith sugar, which was an inestimable advantage.

"The plant is certainly saccharine," pronounced Mr. Mayburn.

"If it had only been lacteal too," said Hugh, "we might have had aperfect cup of tea; but, papa, don't you think it has a little of thearoma of the camomile tea with which nurse used to vex us after theChristmas feasts?"

"It is certainly not the genuine tea," answered Mr. Mayburn, "thepeculiar Théa of China; but, doubtless, custom, would reconcile us toits peculiar flavor. We are surrounded with blessings, my children; and,above all, have reason to be thankful for this sweet tranquillity."

But, just as he spoke, a distant coo-ee from the woods proclaimed thatthey were not out of the reach of the usual cares of life; and theyhastily extinguished the fire and retired into the rocky shelter,trusting that the darkness would prevent any discovery.

As soon as the daylight permitted him, Jack commenced to make thecanoes, which the dangerous vicinity of the natives rendered immediatelynecessary. He roused his young masters, and Hugh and Gerald readilyagreed to assist him; while Arthur made his way through the marsh to theside of the river, to select a convenient place for crossing it.

But he could see no possibility of landing on the opposite side, whichwas guarded by perpendicular cliffs; and with much uneasiness heproceeded up the river in hopes of seeing an opening, to which theymight venture to cross. But after walking some distance, he thought itbest to return to the family, to propose that they should take a hastybreakfast, and then move at once higher up the river, with watchfulnessand caution, till they found the south banks more favorable for theirattempt. There was no time to prepare tea, to the disappointment of thewomen: cold pheasant and co*ckatoo formed the breakfast. Then every oneshouldered his burden, and the half-finished canoe was carried off, tobe completed under more favorable circ*mstances.

They had walked without interruption for about two miles, when Margaretobserved to her brother Arthur, that an opening in the mangrove belt,that ran along the banks of the river, would allow them to pass through,and afford them a safer and more advantageous track than their presentexposed road. They could then select at once a shallow ford, or a flatstrand, on the opposite banks, to facilitate their crossing.

"Let us hasten over the swamp," said she, "and secure this importantadvantage. Dear papa is in continual alarm on these open plains, and Iam quite losing my usual courage."

But as they drew near the opening to the water, Arthur, alwaysthoughtful, felt a distrust of this singular interruption of the closeentangled belt of the river. "See here, Margaret," said he. "Beneath theroots of this mangrove you have a perfect leafy arbor, with walls ofbrilliant and fragrant creepers. In this pleasant bower I propose thatwe should leave you and your maidens, my father, and all our property,while I lead my brave little band forward to reconnoitre before weproceed farther."

The tears stood in the eyes of the affectionate sister as she submittedto this prudent arrangement, and saw her dearly-loved brothers and theirfaithful attendants prepare to set out on this service of danger.

"You can keep Ruth tied to one of these root columns," said Gerald,"and gag her if she opens her mouth for a scream." Then making a grimaceat the trembling girl, the laughing youth followed his friends.

"Gerald is not in earnest, my poor girl," said Mr. Mayburn; "but it isnevertheless important—nay, it is even imperative—that you shouldpreserve absolute silence and immobility."

"That is, Ruth," said Margaret, interpreting the order, "you must sitquite still and hold your tongue, whatever may happen."

The little band marched on till they came to the opening of the road,and they now saw that the trees had been burned down, and the spacepurposely cleared. This was a startling sight, and before they coulddetermine whether they should retreat or go forward, two nativesappeared, approaching from the river-side, who no sooner set eyes on theformidable strangers, than they turned back hastily, and fled out ofsight.

"Let us be prepared for defence," said Arthur; "but, if possible, wewill meet them amicably. We will stand abreast in a line, and look asbold as we can."

Loud yells were now heard, and soon a number of men confronted the smallband, armed, as usual, with spears and throwing-sticks. They wereapparently much excited, though not painted for war. Arthur held out agreen bough, and made friendly signs to them, continuing slowly toapproach with his companions. For a minute or two the savages seemedstruck dumb and motionless with astonishment; then at once, they resumedtheir yells, leaping and whirling their spears in a threatening manner.

Still undeterred in their wish for peace, the bold youths walked forwardtill a spear flew amongst them and wounded Wilkins in the shoulder; whothen rushed forward, uttering a loud execration, and, with a huge clubhe carried, struck the man who had thrown the spear senseless to theground. With frightful cries the natives flung more spears, while two ofthem seized Wilkins; but he shook them off, as if they had been infants,and a volley of arrows from his friends directed the attention of theassailants from him; for every arrow had done execution. Wilkins thendrew back into the ranks and cried out, "The rifle, sir! the rifle Isay, or we're all dead men!"

There could indeed be no hesitation now, and Arthur fired one of hisbarrels, intending the charge to pass over the heads of the enemy; butone tall savage, who was leaping at the moment, received the shot in hischeek and head, and fell back into the arms of his companions, who borehim off with dismal lamentations, and the rest followed hastily,carrying away the senseless body of the man struck down by Wilkins.

They saw the savages force their way among the mangroves higher up theriver, and flee to the hills at the north; and, confident that they wereat present in safety, Arthur anxiously reviewed his forces. Wilkinslooked very pale, and the spear was still sticking in his shoulder. Hughwas stretching out a bloody hand, grazed somewhat severely, while Geraldwas waving triumphantly a large sombrero hat, woven of rushes byMargaret, and which now bore the noble crest of a spear which hadpierced, and carried it from his head, without injuring him.

"Sure, and won't the Lady Margaret bestow her glove on me," cried thewild boy, "when she sees the honors I have brought away upon my knightlyhelmet?"

"It's been a close shave, young fellow," grumbled Wilkins, as hesucceeded with a groan, in drawing out the spear, which was followed bysuch a flow of blood, that Arthur thought it expedient to send the twoboys with him to Margaret, that his wound might be dressed; while Jackand he hastily surveyed the field for which the party had fought andbled.

A wide cleared space, sloping gradually to the river, was covered withvarious articles hastily abandoned. Clubs, boomerangs, heaps of wildoats, with shells of the fresh-water mussel, and bones of fish. Largesheets of bark were placed round the spot, lined with grass, andapparently used as beds. On these Jack cast a longing eye and said,"Bark is cheap enough for them that have arms and knives, Mr. Arthur,and these come quite convenient for our boats just now; and no harm atall, I think."

"Well, Jack," answered Arthur, "I think my father's scruples would notoppose such an appropriation. But can we cross at once? There seems atolerable landing-place nearly opposite."

"We must get the canoes ready for launching as fast as we can," repliedJack; "for we cannot do better than cross, to get out of the way ofthose fellows, who will be sure to come back for their things. I'll justborrow this handy axe a bit: we can leave it behind us when we go."

Jack did not lose time; two of the bark beds were nearly transformedinto canoes by the time that Arthur had gone to the mangrove bower andbrought up all the party, with the unfinished canoe and the luggage.

Wilkins had his arm in a sling; but, though he certainly was sufferingmuch, he made light of his wound, and Hugh had his hand bound up.

"This is a bad job, Mr. Arthur, for two to be laid off work when we'reso sharp set," said Wilkins. "I say, master, ye'll be forced to lend ahand," addressing Mr. Mayburn.

"My good man," replied he, "I am willing to undertake any labor suitedto my capacity; but I fear that I am but an indifferent mechanic."

Hugh and Gerald laughed heartily at the idea of papa with a hammer or anaxe in his hand.

"Nay, nay, master," continued Wilkins, "ye'll turn out a poor hand wi'yer tools, I reckon; but we'll learn ye to paddle these floats. I'se befit for a bit work, 'cause, ye see, I've gettin my right arm; but thatpoor lad's quite laid off wi' his right hand torn. Gather up some ofthem bits of bark to make paddles, Master Gerald."

"But no spears or weapons, Gerald," added Mr. Mayburn. "We must notcarry off the property of these men, however inimical they are to us."

"Why, begging yer pardon, master," replied Wilkins; "there's them therespears as was stuck into us, we'se surelie keep. Ye couldn't expect onus to send them things as rove our flesh off our bones back to 'em wi'our compliments and we were obliged to 'em."

"That would certainly be an excess of honesty," said Arthur; "and Ithink with you, Wilkins, that we are entitled to the three spears thatinjured us. For oars and paddles we have abundance of materials; I onlygrieve that we have so few hands; but those are able and willing towork; so let us hasten to get ready for the water."

Two hours elapsed, however, before the three sound workmen were able toget all ready for the launch. In the mean time Wilkins and Hugh hadsearched for the nests of the water-fowl, and taken a supply of youngbirds, which the women had roasted for present and future provisions.

Finally, three bark canoes were launched, each containing three persons,and the river was crossed in safety. Finding they could manage theirlittle barks satisfactorily, they then agreed to row up the river aslong as it was practicable, which would, at all events, be lesslaborious than walking with heavy burdens.

Without any alarms, except from seeing the smoke of distant fires on theshore they had left, they had passed through beautiful and diversifiedscenery for many miles, before the rapid close of the day warned them toland; and under an overhanging cliff on the south bank of the river,they drew their canoes on shore, and encamped for the night.

Satisfied with their pleasant and expeditious mode of travelling, theyresumed their route next morning, and with the necessary interruptionsof landing for supplies of the plentiful food that surrounded them, andfor needful rest, they continued for many days to voyage on the samebroad river; and though they occasionally saw smoke rising on the northside, they never met with any of the natives.

But at length this desirable tranquillity was disturbed; for one daythey were alarmed by sounds which they recognized as the angry yells ofthe savages in their fury, and they knew some fearful contention wastaking place. The sounds proceeded from the south shore, and the riverbeing at least two hundred yards broad at this part, they rowed to thenorth bank, in order to place a wide barrier between themselves and thecontending savages.

Loud and louder grew the yells and cries when they drew near the sceneof action, and curiosity induced them to rest on their oars, though theycould not see the combat; but gradually the sounds died away, and it wasplain the contending parties had shifted their field of battle.

After all had been quiet for some time, the boys begged earnestly thatthey might be allowed to land and view the scene from whence thesediscordant cries arose; and, at last, leaving Jack, Hugh, and Mr.Mayburn in charge of the canoes, Arthur with Gerald and Wilkins steppedon shore, and making their way through the jungle, came on awidely-spread, woody country, and saw, at no great distance, thescattered spears and clubs, which indicated that they were really uponthe field of battle.

Cautiously drawing near, they were shocked to meet with the bodies ofnative men, transfixed by spears or destroyed by clubs. They gazed withdeep distress upon this sad sight, and were preparing to return, whenthey were startled by hearing a low sobbing sound, followed by a shrillfaint cry, and searching round among the low bushes, they found a nativewoman mourning over the body of one of the slain, while clinging to herwas a child about four years old. They approached hastily; but no soonerdid the woman see them, than she caught up her child, and would havefled, but Wilkins caught her arm, and pointing to the dead body, spokea few words to her in a jargon he had acquired during his residence inthe colony, which she seemed to understand, for she replied by somewords in a low, musical voice.

"It's the poor fellow's jin, ye see," said he.

"His jin!" said Gerald, laughing. "What is a jin, Wilkins?"

"Why, all one as we should say his wife," replied Wilkins; "and there'snought to laugh at, Master Gerald, for she seems, poor body! like to diehersel'. I'se a bad hand at talking in their way; ye see its mair like abird chirruping nor our folks rough talk. My big tongue cannot frame tosing out like a blackbird. Now there was Peter——"

The woman uttered a scream of terror as Wilkins pronounced the name, andlooking wildly round, she clasped the child, repeating distinctly, inaccents of fear, "Peter! Peter!"

"She knows the rogue, I'll be bound!" exclaimed Wilkins, endeavoring bywords and signs to obtain some information from her.

The woman pointed to the bleeding body at her feet, made a sign ofstabbing, and again uttered in a vindictive tone, "Peter!" And onexamining the wounds of the corpse, Wilkins pointed out to Arthur thatthey were not inflicted by the spear; for the man had been evidentlystabbed to the heart by a sharp long-bladed weapon.

"That's been Peter's knife, I'd swear," said he, "and the sooner we takeoff, the better, for he's an ugly neighbor;—poor body! she may wellhave a scared look!"

As they turned away, the woman, it appeared, had read pity in theireyes, for she put her child into the hands of Arthur, and pointingtowards the west, again murmured the name of Peter, and signified thathe would return to murder her child and herself. Then lying down by thebody of her husband, she closed her eyes, indicating that she must diethere.

"What are we to do, Mr. Arthur?" said Wilkins, with tears on his roughcheeks; "my heart just warks for her. But ye see—maybe as how masterand miss wouldn't be for havin' such an a half dementet, ondecent bodyamang 'em. What are we to do? Will ye just say? Sure as we're here, ifwe leave her, that rascal will kill her; for ye see this dead fellow,he's a big 'un, and likely he'd been again Peter, for he'd be like ahead amang 'em."

"Oh, let us take both the woman and her child," said Gerald. "I will runforward to carry the child to Margaret and bring back some clothes forthe unhappy mourner;" and without waiting for any sanction to hisproceedings, he set off to the canoes with his prize. The alarmed womanstarted up, and looked anxiously after her child; but Wilkins made herunderstand she should also follow it, and she appeared satisfied. It wasnot long before O'Brien returned, accompanied by Jenny, who brought aloose garment for the astonished woman, on whose scanty toilet the neatold woman looked with unqualified disapprobation, as she assisted inarraying her more consistently with civilized customs; or, as she termedit, "made her decent."

Somewhat uncertain of the prudence of making this addition to theirparty, Arthur led the way to the boats, determined to consult his fatherand Margaret before the matter was determined. When the poor widow sawher child, dressed in a temporary costume of silk handkerchiefs, andholding Margaret's hand, in great contentment, her eyes glistened withpleasure, and going up to Mr. Mayburn and Margaret, she threw herselfdown on the strand, with her face to the ground, in an attitude ofsubmission to her protectors.

"Poor creature," said Mr. Mayburn; "can we not restore her to herpeople, Wilkins? You know something of her language—inquire herwishes."

"I can partly make out what she says, master," answered he; "but I framebadly in hitting on them singsong queer words. I take it, all herfriends have been killed right away, and she wants to stay wi' us."

"She's not a fit body to be company to Miss Marget," said nurse. "You'relike to see that yourself, Wilkins."

"And if I did see that, Mrs. Jenny," answered Wilkins, in a sharp tone,"and I can't say I did see 't, it's wiser heads nor yours and mine asought to settle that. They say God made us all akin, and it's, maybe,true; but there's a strange deal of difference among us, nowadays, Iconsate. Now, I'd not like to say that monkey-like, dark-avised poorcreater were born sister to my bonnie Susan Raine, as I ought to havewed, Mrs. Jenny, if I hadn't turned out a graceless."

"It is strange, Wilkins," said Margaret, "that there was a fine,well-behaved young woman, named Susan Raine, came over with us in theAmoor. She was with one of the emigrant families that Mr. Deverellbrought over from England."

"It's now better nor two years sin' I got a letter wrote to her, Miss,"said Wilkins, greatly moved; "but, like me, ye see, she's no scholar,and I heared nought from her, and I judged she'd wed another. Then Icared nought what came on me; and I consorted wi' Black Peter, and suchchaps, and took any job of work to get away from yon gallows hole, whenI found as how she'd not look at me. What like was she ye talked on,Miss?"

"She was a fair, blue-eyed woman," answered Margaret, "with yellow hair,and a bright color; and she spoke with a north-country accent."

"God forgive me all my sins, and bring me to that lass," said Wilkins,"for I'se clear on 't, it was just my Sue. Mind ye tie me up, Mr.Arthur, if that bad fellow, Black Peter, comes nigh us; I ken he'll wantto nab me, and make a rogue on me again."

"You must ask God to give you strength to resist the temptations of sucha wretch," said Mr. Mayburn, "and your prayers will be heard. A greatand good man has said of prayer, that it is

"Ay, it seems a grand hymn," answered Wilkins; "but I mind short prayersbest, and I'se try, master, to stick to 'em; for ye ken I'se but a softgood-to-nought. But it may please God to make summut out on me yet; andwi' my own will, I'se niver leave ye."

The question of admitting the unfortunate woman among them was soondecided. She crouched down in the stern of one of the canoes, holdingthe child on her lap; and the river being fortunately very smooth, theywere enabled, though much crowded, to row off with the additionalweight, being anxious to leave the spot before the natives should returnto collect their spears. Besides, from the woman's words and signs theycomprehended that the victorious combatants would come back to take herlife and that of her child.

CHAPTER XVI.

The Mother and Child.—The Interior of the Country.—AnotherCataract.—The Pilgrim Troop.—The Difficult Ascent.—The FrilledLizard.—The Mountain-range.—The Kangaroo-chase.—The Pass of Erin.

But it was not till they had left the bloody field many miles behindthem that the woman recovered so far from her fear and stupefaction asto be able, by signs and half-understood words, to indicate to them thatshe was friendless and homeless; and that Peter would kill her, the lastof her family; and from the report of Wilkins, and other sources ofinformation, Mr. Mayburn concluded that it was the custom of thesenorthern people to live in families, or clans, rather than in tribesof many, one man being the head of the house, if we may so speak ofthose who rarely have a house; but who live, like the beasts of thefield, in the open air, unless driven by the rains to take shelter incaves.

From the woman they learnt that her name was Baldabella, and that of herchild was Nakinna. She was young, and her features were not unpleasant;her eyes were brilliant, and her voice soft and musical; nor was shedisfigured in any way, except that through the gristle of her nose shewore a fish-bone. The only garment she wore when she was discovered, wasa short cloak of the skins of opossums, sewed neatly together and pinnedround her neck with a pointed bone. When they drew the canoes ashore atthe close of the day, on a narrow strand, Baldabella looked with wonderon the arrangements made for the night, and the process of broilingbirds and roasting eggs at the fire, and drew away when invited topartake of the strangely-cooked food. Then she plunged her fingers intothe mud at the edge of the water, and soon went up to Margaret, and putinto her hand some small gray reptiles resembling slugs. Margaret shrankfrom the feast, shaking her head; but the woman put one into her ownmouth, and swallowed it living with great relish, crammed one into themouth of the child, and then returned to hunt for more.

Jenny held up her hands to express her abhorrence; Ruth stared at thewoman with terror, evidently looking on her as a kind of sorceress; andO'Brien laughed, as he said, "Well, nurse, you need not be so muchdisgusted; I dare say these snails taste as well as the ugly oysterswhich we are cannibals enough to swallow alive."

"Oysters, Master Gerald," answered nurse, reprovingly, "are eat bydecent Christian people; and I see no harm in them, specially withpepper and vinegar; but these things are varmint. Our ducks in Englandwould hardly touch them."

"A duck is not a fastidious feeder, nurse," said Margaret, "and I wouldnot answer for its nicety in this matter. But this poor stranger prefersthe food she has been accustomed to, and we have no right to scoff ather taste. If she remain with us, no doubt, in time, she will conform toour habits."

For many days longer they continued their uninterrupted voyage up theriver, the widow becoming daily more at home with her protectors.Margaret clothed her in one of her old dresses, with which she was muchdelighted, and in other respects she began to adopt the customs of herstrange protectors. She voluntarily discarded her nose ornament; shebathed herself and her child daily; she at length ate the same food, andimitated the manners of her friends.

Margaret made light dresses for the little Nakinna, who rapidly caughtthe English names for the objects around her, and from her the motherlearnt many words. But it was with deep concern that Mr. Mayburn saw theperfect indifference with which Baldabella regarded the religiousworship of the family. She looked at first much astonished to see menand women kneel down, and to hear the solemn prayers pronounced by Mr.Mayburn; but she soon turned carelessly away to dig for worms, or tocollect sticks for the fire.

Not so the little Nakinna; for, after observing the devotions two orthree times, she walked up to Margaret, knelt down by her, lifted up herlittle hands, and seemed to listen with interest, though she could notyet understand. This act of docility and obedience was very gratifyingto her kind instructress, who anxiously wished for the time when amutual understanding might render it possible to communicate to theseheathens a knowledge of the truth.

"Can it be possible, Wilkins," said Mr. Mayburn, "that these wretchednatives are so lost as not even to acknowledge a Supreme Being! not evento 'see God in clouds, and hear Him in the wind!' not to feel that theremust be a spiritual Ruler of the universe?"

"Why, to my fancy, master," answered Wilkins, "t' men folks isn'taltogether dull chaps; but them poor jins just get all their senseknocked out on their heads. Poor bodies! they're no better off nor dogsnor asses. They work fra' morn to night, and hug heavy loads, and getkicks and short allowance for their pains."

There was a crushed, subdued look about the woman that renderedWilkins's assertion not improbable; but Margaret hoped that, by kindtreatment, the dormant intellect of the native might be developed.

At length the river became more difficult of navigation, the stream morerapid, and encumbered with fallen rocks, while rapids and fallscompelled them to land continually among thick jungles, or on the narrowstrand below precipitous cliffs. A mountain range was now visible beforethem, and they concluded that they must soon reach the source of thefriendly river, when they should have to abandon the canoes for a lesssafe and convenient mode of travelling.

"We cannot stand walking again," said Gerald. "Couldn't we carry thecanoes forward awhile? and perhaps we might have the luck to fall inwith another river. What a grand thing it would be if we could find oneflowing to the east or the south, that we might run easily down thestream without any hard work."

"That is not very probable, Gerald," said Arthur, "when we are yet sofar from the central part—what we may strictly term the interior of thecountry. But we will certainly spare ourselves the labor of carryingaway our canoes when we leave the water; for there can be no difficulty,in such a richly-wooded region, in procuring materials for makingcanoes, if we should need them. The noise of the waters seems to growlouder, and I fear we are again approaching some great cataract, whichwill probably, like the last we encountered, terminate all hopes ofboating. I propose that we should at once make for yonder niche in thecliffs, and unlade the canoes. Wilkins and I will then row up as high aswe can in a lightened canoe, to endeavor to find out a mode of ascendingfrom this deep gully."

"If we are to land," said Gerald, "it will be easy enough to climb thesewooded heights."

"Easy for you, my boy," said Arthur, "especially if you had noencumbrances; but think of papa, and Margaret, Baldabella and her child,and all the bags and bundles which constitute our wealth. We mustendeavor to discover an easier road, and in the mean time we willdisembark at this convenient spot."

Mr. Mayburn and Margaret remonstrated with Arthur for exposing himselfand Wilkins to more danger than the rest, but were at length persuadedthat the expedition could be executed with more safety and success by asmall party; and two of the canoes, with all the stowage, were thereforelanded in a shady nook, while the two men rowed on in the third boat.Margaret and her father waited uneasily, but the two boys amusedthemselves by penetrating into the woods, to seek birds; Jack cut downbranches of trees, and formed them into spears, arrows, or forks; Jennyand Ruth cooked some birds, and Baldabella, armed with a spear, wadedinto a shallow creek of the river near them, and speared two large fish,of the species they called the fresh-water cod. Still everybody thoughtthe hours went slowly, and were truly glad to see the light canoegliding swiftly down the stream with Arthur and Wilkins, who drew itashore; then Arthur said,—

"If possible, we must make our way along the banks, for the river iseven now dangerous of ascent, and at no great distance our voyage wouldbe entirely arrested by a cataract, similar to that we encountered soonafter our reaching the mainland. Wilkins and I, after mooring our canoeto the mangroves, climbed to the heights, and found we were then only atthe base of successive ranges of hills, which terminated in high-peakedmountains, apparently inaccessible. From these hills flowed manyrivulets, which unite at the grand cataract and form this river."

To make further progress in their journey, it was therefore necessarythat they should reach the country above the high rocky banks of theriver, and Arthur said that on their return they had noticed one placewhere it might be possible for the whole party to ascend; though thepath must necessarily be one of difficulty.

They dined on roast birds and broiled fish, and then began an activepreparation for walking. Every thing that was worth transporting wasreduced to as small a compass, and made as portable as possible; thecanoes were reluctantly abandoned, and then the long train, headed, asusual, by Arthur, set out; Baldabella quietly taking her place in theline, bearing her child on her shoulder, and resting on her longfish-spear.

"I could fancy we were the Israelites, wandering in the wilderness,"said Gerald.

"You will please to recollect, Gerald," said Hugh, "that the Israelitesexceeded us in number in a trifling degree, extending to hundreds ofthousands, we are told; and then, though Arthur is doubtless a cleverfellow, he cannot be such a guide as the wise and gifted Moses."

"The Israelites had a more infallible Guide," said Mr. Mayburn, "thaneven their great leader Moses, until by discontent and disobedience,they rejected the Holy One. Let us take warning, my children, lest weshould, in like manner, forget the certain protection which our HeavenlyFather extends to all his faithful people."

They slowly wound along the narrow strand, sometimes sunk in mud,sometimes climbing over mounds of pebbles or piles of drift-wood,anxiously examining the thick matted woods which covered the precipitouscliffs, and even occasionally intercepted their path. For some time theydespaired of finding any spot favorable for the purpose of reaching thelevel ground; till Arthur pointed out the place which he had previouslynoticed, where the banks had given way, and a great fall of rocks hadformed a sort of sloping staircase, less encumbered with the brushwood,and less abrupt than they had expected.

"If we ever succeed in reaching the height," said Arthur, "this must beour path. The strong must lead the way, and aid in drawing up thefeeble. These drooping creepers will be convenient to cling to, that wemay not lose the ground we have made. Give me your hand, Meggie."

With many a slip downwards, a scream, and a rending of garments, thewomen were dragged up through the almost perpendicular wood. Baldabellaalone, erect and firm in foot, despised assistance. She disencumberedherself of all loose drapery, and clasping her child, she stepped among,under, or over the bushes, with speed and safety; and long before themen had reached the height, she had quietly resumed the garb of hersex, and was seated to wait for the arrival of the less-practisedclimbers. They were scarcely all assembled, weary and tattered, at thehead of the cliff, when Ruth, who was the last, suddenly uttered apiercing shriek, and rushed down into the matted bush again, pursued byJack, who captured and brought her back, struggling and exclaimingagainst his interference.

"Oh, Jack, man, let me be," cried she; "didn't thou see 't? It's anuncanny place, this. I seed it mysel', Jack; it were a little auldfairy, grinning at me, wi' a long tail."

Jack was too enlightened to have any dread of a fairy, even with a longtail; and he persisted in bringing up Ruth, pale and trembling, to therest of the party, though she continued to cry out, "Yonder she sits!Jack, honey! keep out on her way; she'll charm thee."

As soon as the boys heard Ruth's story of the tailed fairy, they ranwith great glee to the spot she pointed out, and there, perfectly calmand immovable, they beheld the old fairy, in the form of a veryextraordinary lizard. It was seated on its tail, apparently undismayedby the presence of observers; and Mr. Mayburn was called to the spot toexamine the new discovery. The length of the body might be five inches,but the tail was twice that length; the color yellowish brown and black.It was scaly and frightful, and its human-like face, prominent eyes,long claws, and plaited ruff, might well terrify the ignorant andsuperstitious.

"I recognize the creature," said Mr. Mayburn, "from the descriptiongiven by more than one traveller, to be the Chlamydosaurus Kingii,peculiar to Australia. The frill which surrounds its head, extendingeven to the chest, and folded in plaits, points out the distinctspecies. This ruff is a curious membrane, which can be expanded, bymeans of slender transverse cartilages, at the will of the animal, whenit is roused to anger."

"Then observe, papa," said Gerald, "how indignant it is at ourimpertinent remarks. See how it spreads its broad frill, and shows itssharp teeth, as if it wished to bite us. Must I knock it down?"

"Truly, Gerald," answered Mr. Mayburn, "my curiosity would overcome thefeelings of humanity, and I should be tempted to desire to obtain thecreature; but I see Arthur shakes his head at the suggestion. And, afterall, we have no right to slaughter the unoffending animal."

Baldabella, on whose ears Mr. Mayburn's words fell in vain, looked withglittering eyes on the reptile, and raising her spear said in her newlanguage, "Baldabella eat him." But the lizard, with an instinct ofdanger, ran swiftly up the tree, assisted by its hooked claws, andescaped the blow. When far above any fear of attack, it again calmly satdown, looking down on the baffled woman with a frightful sarcastic grin.

"There now!" said Ruth, "didn't I tell ye she were uncanny? She heardall 'at were said, as sure as we're here." For Ruth's conviction of itssupernatural rank was not to be shaken by Mr. Mayburn's scientificdemonstration.

After satisfying their curiosity in looking at the frilled lizard,Arthur called on his forces to resume their march. Before them now layrich green hills, rising gradually above each other, and intersected byclear streams, flowing into the river they had left. These hills werethe first steps to mountains which rose, high and rugged, even to theclouds. The hills, though tedious, would not be very difficult toascend; but how to pass the mountains they could not yet judge.

The mountain-range ran, as far as the eye could reach, from north-eastto south-west, and completely intercepted them in the road they desiredto pursue. To pass them, if possible, must therefore be their aim; or avast deal of time must be lost in making a circuitous course.

"We will ascend the hills, at all events," said Arthur, "and look roundus. We may, perhaps, find some natural pass. We might even try akangaroo-path, which must be found, for, see what herds of the animalsare bounding along under the lofty trees on the hills."

"Oh, do let us have a kangaroo-hunt, Arthur!" exclaimed Hugh. "We arehungry, and kangaroo meat would fill us; and therefore, papa, we have aright to kill and eat."

"Let's see ye set about it," said Wilkins. "They're sharper fellows norye think on, them kangaroos, my lad. They're a match for most folks,barrin' ye have dogs, or follow them up till they fall tired, andthat'll maybe, not be for half a day. I ken a good deal ofkangaroo-hunting; but I'se not clear that them there chaps is so shy asdown-country beasts; ye see, they'll niver like have clapped eyes atopon a man, and they'll not ken man's crafty ways."

"To the disgrace of human nature," said Mr. Mayburn, "what Wilkinssuggests is true: wherever he is recognized by the brute creation, theyinstinctively

"Well, sir," said Gerald, "that is, I suppose, because the ignoble fearsthe noble—the coward the brave."

"And you may add, Gerald, the slave his tyrant," continued Mr. Mayburn."It is ever thus with

"But, papa," said Hugh, "we are in need of food, and you must allow thatit is more humane to destroy one kangaroo than a dozen co*ckatoos orpheasants."

"I agree with Hugh, papa," said Margaret. "We will, if possible, contentourselves to-day with taking one life."

Armed with spears and throwing-sticks, bows and arrows, and oneboomerang which Baldabella had found, and which no one but herself couldyet use, the hunters preceded Mr. Mayburn and Margaret. By thedirections of the experienced Wilkins, they spread along in a line, toguard the foot of the hill; for he said the animal always took adownward course when it was alarmed, for, as its fore-feet never touchthe ground in its greatest speed, it has more time in a descent to drawup the hind legs, to make the immense spring, than it could have with anascent before it.

No sooner had the timid animals seen the strange forms of the huntersthan they started off with such incredible speed, that no oneunacquainted with their habits could have believed that their flight wasa series of jumps, and that their fore-feet never touched the ground. Intheir confusion, some of the animals tried to penetrate the rank of thehunters, while some fled to the right or to the left. The spears andarrows showered amongst them, and more than one beast carried off theweapon sticking in him. But it was the boomerang of Baldabella which,after complicated and mysterious evolutions, struck and stunned a largeanimal, which Wilkins presently despatched with his knife.

Arthur then recalled the hunters, saying, "We will have no moreslaughter. This large animal will supply us with as much meat as we canconsume while it remains fresh, and it would be wanton to slay more."

The rear rank then joined them. The body of the kangaroo, suspended on along pole, was shouldered by Wilkins and Jack, and the march wasresumed. They ascended and descended several hills, till night andfatigue compelled them to rest in a little hollow, where a cooking-firewas made, and they supped with great enjoyment on venison steaks; and,like the early inhabitants of the world, before luxury and artificialwants had enervated them, they slept beneath the canopy of heaven, amongthe everlasting hills.

"Get up, Arthur," cried Hugh, early next morning. "Get up, and come tosee our mountain-pass. Gerald discovered it, and therefore we propose toname it the 'Pass of Erin.'"

CHAPTER XVII.

The Dangerous Pass.—The Coupled Travellers.—The MountainLabyrinth.—The Emancipation of Ruth's Chickens.—A Combatà l'outrance.—The Ornithorhyncus.—The Forest in theMountains.—Singing Birds.—The Laughing Jackass.

Arthur was soon alert, and followed the boys, who led him up the side ofthe next high hill and along the ridge for about three hundred yards tothe south west, and then pointed out to him a narrow rent or gorge inthe mountain, lying far below the hill on which they stood; but fromthis hill a gradual ascent, formed by fallen rocks, made a rude path toa narrow shelf or terrace which they now saw far above them, and whichran along the precipitous side of the rocky wall. Arthur shuddered as hesaid, "Is that narrow terrace passable, do you think, Gerald?"

"Oh, yes," answered he; "Hugh and I had a run along it before we wokeyou, and it is not half so bad as it looks. We shall manage very well ifwe go 'goose-walk;' but I think it would not be safe for two abreast. Tobe sure, it is rather confusing to look down into the depths below; butwe must give them all a caution, and I think it would be better toblindfold Ruth."

"There is nothing for us but to try it," said Arthur. "Let us return tobreakfast before we set out."

"Yes, we might as well reduce the bulk of the kangaroo," said Hugh, "forit will be awkward to carry it along our pass."

But when the plan was fully arranged, it was judged expedient to cut upthe kangaroo, and only carry away sufficient for another day'sconsumption. Even the useful skin was reluctantly abandoned, as Arthurknew well they must have no unnecessary encumbrance. Ruth could not,however, be persuaded to leave her pet fowls, but resolutely set outwith her basket on her arm.

Then, after beseeching a blessing on their perilous journey, theymarched forward, and gradually ascending the hills, they reached thenarrow path that skirted the mountain. This natural shelving wasscattered over with loose stones, and occasionally broken away till aledge of only about five or six feet was left for them; but the creepingplants that covered the rock enabled the timid to grasp a kind ofsupport on one hand, as they moved cautiously along the unequal andperilous path. Below this terrace yawned a deep gully, that formed thebed of a stream, which at all seasons washed its sides. This stream wasnow shallow, and moved sluggishly; but rugged crags, and torn-up trees,lying in the bed, showed that raging torrents must pour into it afterthe rainy season.

From the interstices of the bush-covered rocks sprang the gray-leavedgum-tree, the elegant casuarina, and a bright-leaved tree resembling thebox, but lofty and strong. Among these trees parrots and co*ckatooschattered incessantly, and on the gum-trees hundreds of little activeopossums sported with all the playfulness of monkeys; and Mr. Mayburnwas so interested in watching them hang from the branches, suspended bytheir curved tail, to rifle the nests of the birds, or feed on thenumerous insects round them, that Arthur, in alarm, stepped back to holdhis father by the arm.

"I tell you what we must do, Arthur," said Gerald; "we must be linked incouples, as the travellers on the Alps are; then, if one makes a falsestep, there's a chance for his mate to draw him up."

"No bad plan, Gerald," answered Arthur; "but we must take care to couplewith judgment. The prudent or brave must take charge of the rash or thetimid. I will take papa; Jack, his unlucky sister; Hugh, Margaret, or,more correctly, Margaret must take Hugh; Wilkins will take charge ofnurse; and you, the neglected proposer of this wise measure, cannotprofit by it, unless you will submit to be guided by Baldabella, whoseems to trip along with her lively burden unapprehensive of danger."

Hugh preferred to walk unfettered; and Arthur had no fears for thenative woman, whose firm and steady step showed that she had beenaccustomed to such rough and scrambling paths.

Arthur, who was the first of the line, now became uneasy, as, on lookingbefore him, he remarked that, as far as the eye could reach, thereappeared to be no termination to the mountain wilderness. He could havefancied that a labyrinth of broken, precipitous, lofty, and interminablerocks shut them completely from the world. It was a bewilderingprospect, and even the strong heart of Arthur almost failed him, and hishead whirled at the sight of such stupendous and uncertain difficulties.

A scream from Ruth recalled him to his immediate duties, and on turninground he saw her much-valued basket of poultry bound down the precipiceover the bushes, till it rested on a lower ledge, some hundreds of feetbeneath them, where it flew open, and the fowls, uninjured by theirinvoluntary flight, fluttered from their prison, and began calmly topeck about for food; while the little bantam co*ck proclaimed his libertyby shaking his plumes and uttering his conceited hoarse crow.

"They are settlers now, Ruth," cried Gerald, laughing; "the firstcolonists—regular squatters. How astonished future travellers will bewhen they make the curious discovery: a species of bird remarkably likeGallus Barndoorii. What grand names they will bestow on them! andwrite long papers, and puzzle ornithologists."

But the patriarch of this new species was not allowed to squat among theaborigines with impunity; his triumphant notes were answered by a crowof defiance in a less familiar tone from a splendid co*ck pheasant, whichpounced down on the new comer with a furious peck, that the true-trainedEnglish bird, notwithstanding his foreign ancestry, could not brook. Thebrave little bantam retaliated boldly, and a furious combat ensued,causing even the English hens to raise their heads from their pleasantfeast, and appear somewhat interested in the event; while Ruth shrieked,"He'll kill him! Jack, honey! throw a stone at him! drive him off!Chuck! chuck!"

But though Ruth's familiar cry failed to separate the combatants àl'outrance, the pleased hens recognized the well-known call, andresponded to it by fluttering and scrambling up the mountain side, topartake of the scattered grain; and in the fulness of their feast, theywere easily captured, and stowed in separate bags and pouches, till anew dwelling could be made for them.

Then the little feathered hero below, having vanquished and left hisantagonist for dead, perched for a moment on the pinnacle of a shatteredrock, and crowed triumphantly, as if to defy the whole race of nativebirds; after which demonstration, he leisurely followed his femalefriends up the steep, to share their feast and their captivity.

Notwithstanding the alarm and delay caused by this accident, there wassomething amusing about it that was not without its beneficial effects.Ruth continued to lament the loss of her basket; but Jack scolded herseriously for her foolish fears and awkwardness, which were the solecause of the loss. He declared the fowls were absolute pests, and whollyuseless in a region where birds and eggs dropped into your hands; buthis remonstrances having produced tears of penitence and promises ofamendment, he relented, and promised to make for her a coop, or cage, ofcane, which would be easier to carry than the basket, and afford moreair to the unfortunate prisoners.

After wandering for two days along their frequently dangerous, andalways difficult, aerial pathway, resting only when they came to somerocky hollow, they began to pine for a less-hazardous road; and they nowperceived that, with the usual caprice of Australian rivers, the streamin the narrow bed below them had disappeared, though slender rillscontinually fell from the mountains, but subsided into bogs, or formedpools below. They therefore resolved, if they could safely accomplish*t, to descend to the bed of the river; and endeavor to extricatethemselves from the rocky maze in which they seemed hopelessly involved.

After another day's travelling, they fancied the descent appeared morepracticable than it had yet been since they set out on the shelvingterrace, and it was decided to make the trial. The first step woulddecidedly be the most difficult. About twelve feet below them anothershelf of rock projected, wider than that on which they now stood; buthow to reach it was a puzzling question, for the descent wasperpendicular, and quite overgrown with thorny bushes.

"If you will help me, Master Hugh," said Jack, "I think we may manageit. We must just cut down the bushes into steps like for them that feeltimid."

Employment was the grand need of the active boys, and to clear a passageas low as they could reach, and then step down on the bushes to workbelow, was a pleasant amusem*nt. The stone axes were now found to beperfectly serviceable, and they soon cut six clearances, each two feetdeep, graduating like a staircase, of which the matted brush formed thesteps, which reached to the lower terrace; and down the staircase theagitated females were, one after another, assisted, and safely placed onthe broad shelf.

This was a decided victory, and they now saw, to their greatsatisfaction, that the lower descent sloped so much, from accumulatedrocks and drift-wood, that by clearing the way with the axes, theyeasily reached the comparative security of the muddy bed of the vanishedriver. They looked round on the immense walls which inclosed them withsome dismay; then Gerald said,—

"Now, Meggie, we only want the great rains to come on, and then we shallhave some notion of the situation of sinful man in the Deluge."

"I trust, my dear boy," said Mr. Mayburn, "that you do not allude tothat fearful judgment with levity. And surely, Arthur, we are not nearthe time of the terrific tropical rains."

"Usually, papa, I believe the heaviest autumnal periodical rains are inFebruary and March," said Arthur. "We are now in the midst of summer;still I must confess I have read of continued rains, even at thisseason; but I trust we shall be in a safer locality before such tryingweather comes on. We are certainly progressing in the way we wish to go;but the immense extent of the mountain-range is extraordinary.Fortunately, we are not in a desert, we are surrounded by plenty, and asfar as we have yet penetrated, ferocious animals seem unknown; and more,ferocious man rarely encountered. I only fear for your strength, dearpapa, and for that of dear Meggie."

"Fear not for us, Arthur," answered Margaret; "you know I am naturallystrong; and God has given renewed life and health to dear papa. Hisdelight in these new and varied scenes of Nature makes every toil lightto him. Observe him now, pausing and contemplating something at yonlarge pond; let us join him. Now, papa! what is the new discovery?"

"Wonderful, my children," said he. "Behold this marvellous new creature.Undoubtedly it must be the Ornithorhyncus paradoxus, the duck-billedPlatypus, which I should have recognized, from the numerous sketches Ihave seen; and my warmest hopes are fulfilled in the happiness of reallylooking on the rare animal in its native wilds."

"Is't a duck, think ye, Miss Marget?" asked Ruth, with a kind of awe.

"Has a duck four legs, Ruth?" asked Gerald. "Has it fur on its back,and a broad finny tail? No, Ruth, this is not a strange fowl, but astrange beast."

"Nevertheless," said Mr. Mayburn, "there are irreconcilablecirc*mstances in such a decision. This animal, if we rank it among themammalia, belongs to no order yet named, but stands alone. Quadruped itis, certainly; web-footed, certainly; ovo-viviparous, certainly, as theeggs are hatched before birth, and the young then suckled, like themammalia. Feeding on worms and grubs, like the duck; sleeping rolled up,like the hedgehog; playful as the monkey, and harmless as the dove;—wecannot but look with astonishment and admiration on this remarkablecaprice of Nature."

"They're ugly beasts, that I'll say," was Jenny's remark, "and not halfso good as a duck for such as us; but I'se warrant them poor heathenseat 'em as we would a roast goose."

Leaving the platypus, which they now saw at every pool as theyproceeded, they walked on till the ravine gradually became wider, butthe mountain-line still spread on each side. Soon after, the poolsdisappeared, and rich grass supplied their place. Wild and wonderful wasnow their daily journey, for before them lay immense untrodden forests,inclosed between lofty cliffs, which rose to the clouds, and thetravellers felt inspired with awe as they looked round on the majesty ofNature.

Yet the softer features of loveliness were not absent; every step was onsome beautiful, usually some quite new, plant, and the lofty foresttrees were of species now first seen, and were garlanded round withflowering creepers of the most brilliant dyes; while the rich perfumeof the jasmine, and the heliotrope-like odor of the golden-blossomedacacia filled the air. Bright orchidæ, unnamed and unknown, masses offerns of unexampled beauty, were scattered round this vast conservatoryof nature; and amidst all this profusion, thousands of birds whistled,chattered, warbled, and uttered the startling foreign notes which assureyou that you are in a strange land.

There was the sweet-voiced bell-bird, a pretty little creature, whosenotes ring with a silver sound; there was the pert pied bird, whichmight seem really a magpie, if it were not tailless, which has a lowflute-like song, swelling like the organ; whence it is named by thecolonists the organ-magpie; and as each strain of these warblers diedaway, the loud, hoarse, derisive notes of a curious bird, resemblingnone of the known species of the world, seemed to ridicule the musicalperformers.

"No doubt, papa," said Hugh, "this must be the 'laughing jackass,' ofwhich we have read an account. Do you hear the regular 'Ha! ha! ha!'from which he derives his name, and which sounds so strangely whenmingled with the notes of the warblers? But now he has roused all theco*ckatoos and parrots, who are screaming their jargon above all othersounds."

"Just listen, Hugh," said Gerald, "those jackass birds are surelyblowing a penny trumpet. Did you ever hear such a noise—laughing,braying, trumpeting? you might fancy you were at a country fair. HowRuth does stare! I say, Ruth, what do you think of them?"

"Will they be Christians, Master Gerald?" asked the trembling girl.

"Hopeless heathens, Ruth," answered the wild boy; "feathered donkeys,flying punches, instinctive mocking-birds, repeating sounds which theyhave never heard. See, papa, there is one of the jolly fellows, perchedon yon gum-tree. What a monstrous beak he has!"

"I contemplate the bird with great interest, my boy," answered Mr.Mayburn. "It has been classed with the Halcyons by naturalists, andnamed Dacelo gigantea; yet, in its social habits, and flexible and aptorgans of voice, it seems rather to resemble the jay. It is somewhatremarkable that amidst the gorgeously-attired birds that surround it,this rarely-gifted bird wears a garb so simple and unadorned. Youobserve that it frequents the gum-tree, and its sombre plumage,assimilating so happily with the gray foliage of the tree, is at once aprotection and a distinction. How rejoiced I should be, my dear boy, ifwe could make a complete collection of these rare creatures; but thedifficulties of transporting them safely in our journey areinsurmountable."

"Wait, sir," replied Gerald, "till we catch our quaggas; then Jack willmake us a wagon, which we can convert into a menagerie, filled withcurious animals, and drawn by our own beasts."

"The quagga is not a native of Australia, Gerald," replied Mr. Mayburn;"nor does the country, happily, produce any of the large and fiercequadrupeds. We must not dare to think of any vehicle for travelling; yetmany hundred miles separate us from the useful animals of our dearfriends the Deverells; and my heart fails me when I reflect on theimprobability of our ever reaching them."

Margaret sighed as she said, "And I too, dear papa, cannot help manyidle wishes that we were come to open plains, and more direct paths.These lovely wilds of Nature, forests and mountains, are very charming;but they seem too romantic and unreal to be satisfactory. If we were tokeep a journal, and publish it hereafter, we should, I fear, beridiculed for inventing fairy tales."

"In truth, Margaret," answered her father, "fairy tales were notoriginally mere inventions of the imagination. They were the offspringof the experience of observing travellers over lovely untrodden wildslike these. And what are the miraculous transformations they describebut such as might really happen—the ingenious contrivances of man whendestitute of all the resources of civilized life? Has not Jacktransformed a flint-stone into an axe? and have we not cups and plateswhich were once the abodes of the shell-fish? Difficulties originatemiraculous efforts, and man is indebted to the good fairies, Necessityand Ingenuity, for many of his comforts."

"Very true, dear papa," said Arthur; "and the fairy Necessity now callson us peremptorily to escape from these forests, where I have twiceduring this day heard the coo-ee of the natives, though at aconsiderable distance before us. I have been for some time anxiouslyexamining the south side of the gorge for any outlet which may enable usto turn away from their haunts."

They had been making their way for some hours along the southernextremity of the forest, still hemmed in by the high rocks, when Gerald,creeping into a narrow cleft, declared that he had found a tunnel, andcalled on Hugh to assist him in exploring it. Fearful that they shouldbewilder themselves in the recesses of the mountains, Arthur proposedthat all the party should enter the opening, which was a cavern of greatheight and space, where they might remain till he and his brotherspenetrated further into the rocks. They lighted some dry branches fortorches, and set out, satisfied that the rest would be in safety in thissecure retreat.

The boys found this tunnel descend gradually: sometimes it was narrowand low, sometimes wide and encumbered with fallen fragments of rock;still, it was airy, and they were able to pass on, till they concludedthey must have walked half a mile. They were then so desponding thatthey thought of turning back, but at length a glimmering of lightsatisfied them that there must be another outlet, and they took courageto proceed, till they reached a matted thicket of brushwood throughwhich they forced their way, and then had the pleasure of seeing the skyabove their heads, though they were still in a very narrow gully. Itseemed to be the dry bed of a rivulet, choked up with stones and torn-upbushes. Before them rose another line of bush-covered mountains, but notso lofty or precipitous as those they had left behind.

"Is it worth while," said Hugh, "to drag the whole party through thatgloomy subterranean passage, to bring them into this glen, which seemsperfectly barren and lifeless? I am of opinion that we were better inour old forest."

"Wait for my decision," said Gerald, springing up the side of theopposite mountains, regardless of the rending of his light blouse, andhis scratched hands; and before long he stood on the summit.

"This will do for us capitally," he cried out. "Wide plains below, butan awkward step down to them. Jack will have to cut a staircase again."

This account of the country satisfied Arthur, and they hastened back atonce to relieve the anxiety of their friends, whom they found in a stateof great alarm. The cries of the savages had gradually approached sonear to them, that Margaret induced Wilkins and Jack to close theopening by which they had entered with a large piece of rock. Then theyhad heard voices close to the rocks, and Baldabella, who was now able tospeak many English words, said—"Many bad black fellows! much bad! seewhite man foot-walk.—Black fellow come—slow, slow—catch all—eatmaster—eat miss—eat old Jin—eat Nakinna—all! all!"

It was with much difficulty they restrained the cries of Ruth, when shecomprehended that she was in danger of being eaten; and though Mr.Mayburn doubted and disputed the existence of cannibalism in Australia,Wilkins and Jack succeeded in inducing the whole family to move on inthe track of the pioneers, rather than risk the danger of discovery atthe mouth of the cave.

CHAPTER XVIII.

The Tunnel through the Mountains.—The Chase of the Emu.—An Encounterwith the Natives.—The Rescue of Baldabella and her Child.—Making aBridge.—Canoes Again.—The Fishing of Baldabella.

The report of the boys decided the movement of the family, and theyhastened through the long tunnel to the cheerless glen. They then soughtthe easiest ascent, that they might escape from these widely-spreadmountains, and a herd of kangaroos in the bush, disturbed by strangevoices, just then appeared, and bounded up the steep wood at a placewhich the travellers who followed them found had been selected with ahappy instinct, for it was less abrupt and less matted with brush thanthat which Gerald had ascended. The strong assisted the weak, and withsome difficulty all were brought to the ridge, and looked down withmingled feelings of relief and alarm on the widely-spread, thinly-woodedplains so far below them.

The descent was much more tedious and laborious. Axes and ropes were putin requisition; but finally all planted their feet thankfully on thegreen sward, and looked round on a new region, where their progresswould be less retarded, but their exposure to observation wouldnecessarily be greater than before.

"And I see neither meat nor water," said Jenny, despondingly.

"We have still potatoes left," said Margaret; "and though we have notyet seen much animal life, I trust there is no fear of famine. Icertainly see some creature moving beneath yon golden acacia."

"Huzza! papa!" cried Gerald. "There's the Emu at last! I saw one at theZoological Gardens, and I know the fellow at once. Now, how are we toget hold of him? I fear his skin is too tough for a spear or an arrow todo much harm, and Arthur is so careful of his charges."

"I have but four left," answered Arthur, with a sigh, "and I amunwilling to waste my shot, and perhaps attract the attention of thewandering natives. We will try arrows and spears, and, if we can, theboomerang."

"Be canny, lads!" cried Wilkins, in great excitement. "Keep at his back,I tell ye; he can see half a mile afore him, but he's as deaf as a post;and if he once gets a sight on us he'll be off like Voltigeur, and he'llbe a smart chap as sets eyes on him again. Stand here, we'll try a thrownow; and Jin, woman, gie us a touch of yer boomerang."

Baldabella was as much excited as any of the party, and perfectlyunderstood the rules of emu-hunting. They fixed themselves at a properdistance, and then, seeing that the bird, which had been feeding on someroot or herbage, had raised its head, as if about to move, they flungtheir spears and discharged their arrows with some effect, as a spearand an arrow were left in its side; Baldabella at the same time threwher boomerang, which struck it with such force that it staggered, anduttered a deep, booming cry; but, rallying again, it began to run veryswiftly, till a second flight of spears and arrows brought it to theground.

All the party then went up to it; and O'Brien had approached, and wasabout to touch it, when Wilkins seized his arm, and drew him back justin time; for the animal struck out its powerful leg, and shattered thebow which the boy held in his hand.

"He would have sarved your leg as bad," said Wilkins, "if he could havehitten ye. He has a leg like a sledge hammer for a hit. We'se be forcedto give him a few more spears afore it will be safe to come nigh him."

But a blow on the head stunned the huge creature; and it was thenquickly dispatched and cut up. They contented themselves with carryingoff the two hind quarters, which Wilkins assured them afforded the mostpalatable meat, and which would be ample provision for two days.

"There are some eggs, too," said Hugh, "which we might carry off forpapa; but they are so tremendously large and heavy."

"The egg is, I believe, excellent food," said Arthur; "but with food weare abundantly supplied. I think we must take two, however; one forpapa, the other to form into that very useful vessel, a water-bottle orbucket."

Delighted with the immense dark green egg, and the examination of thecurious, fur-like plumage of the emu, Mr. Mayburn no longer regrettedthe forest scenery he had left, but cheerfully went forward over thegreen and flowery plain, till, after walking many miles, they encampedbeneath a gum-tree, made a fire, and broiled some emu-steaks, which allpronounced would have been better than beef-steaks if they could havehad a little salt to eat with them; but they were gradually becomingreconciled to this privation.

No one dared to murmur, amidst their blessings, because they had been aday without water; but they trusted in God to provide them with thisboon, too, in his good time. The large egg was carefully cleaned outthrough a small opening made by Jack at one end, and then slung withcords, to make it convenient to carry next day, before they took theirrest.

But the next day they had travelled for many hours, till, faint andweary, their steps were feeble and languid, when the sight of a line ofcasuarina-trees directed them to the bed of a river, now quite dry; andwhile the most exhausted sat down to rest, the young and activeproceeded up the hard bed till it became mud, and a little higher, muddypools. Into these pools they, at once, plunged their faces, and drank,and moistened their burning skin, and then each laughed at the crust ofdirt left on his neighbor's face. But by persevering in walking on, theymet with a pool of clearer water, from which they filled their waterbuckets and mussel-shells, and returned to take the refreshment to theirfriends, and then to conduct them to the moister region.

They continued to pursue the course of the chain of pools which must ina short time be really a river, when the periodical rains came on. Theprospect of these approaching rains rendered all the thoughtful of theparty anxious and uneasy; for the pleasant open air life to which theyhad become habituated would then be intolerable.

For two days the emu-flesh was eatable, and the pools amply suppliedthem with water. Then they again reached a line of low hills from whichthe river had its source; and through the shrubs and brushwood thatcovered them they forced or cut their way, and descended on a morefertile and pleasant plain.

But, to their great annoyance, they beheld before them several nativesgathered round a fire, employed in making spears and arrows, which theywere hardening in the fire. On one side sat two women, bruising somegrain or nuts between two stones: these women wore cloaks of opossumfur; but the men were almost entirely naked, and had their bodies markedwith frightful cicatrices. Though it was plain these natives must haveseen the approach of the strangers, and probably now, for the first timebeheld white men, they preserved a dignified composure, pursuing theirlabors, without any apparent notice of the intruders.

Arthur drew up the forces abreast in a long line, saying, "Walk onfirmly, and imitate the indifference of the natives. I entreat you,above all, not to show the least fear."

They marched slowly forward till they were close to the savages, whenthe little Nakinna, attracted by the sight of a child about her own age,which was playing near the women, broke from her mother and ran up tothe child. The tallest of the men then stepped from the rest and caughtup the child in his arms. The distracted mother darted forward to rescueher, and was also seized and detained by two natives, while she calledout piteously to her white friends to assist her.

Arthur was much vexed at this incident, which he feared would form apretext for a quarrel; but it was impossible to abandon poor Baldabella,who seemed very repugnant to return to savage life. He therefore calledWilkins to follow him, and going up to the man who held the child, madean effort to remove her gently from his arms. The man resisted and heldher firmly; then Arthur, assuming a threatening expression ofcountenance, uttered some words in a loud, stern tone, and at the sametime pointed to his rifle.

The savage stared at him and his weapon with a countenance half of fear,half of wonder. He then pointed to the complexion of the mother and thechild, and also to his own, and to Arthur's, as if he questioned theright of the white people to detain those who certainly were not oftheir race.

Arthur then made Baldabella comprehend that she must tell the men thatif they did not release her and Nakinna, the white men would kill themall. The woman at once understood and repeated the message; and wasanswered by the tall savage. She shook with terror as he spoke, andturning to Arthur said,—

"Black fellow say, Peter want Baldabella. Baldabella must go. No, no!good white man! Bad Peter kill Baldabella! kill Nakinna!"

It was doubly annoying to find these troublesome natives were acquaintedwith the villanous bush-ranger; but it was certain Baldabella must notbe left in the power of the wretch, at any cost. While he hesitated whatsteps to take, one of the women, roused by the cries of Nakinna, went upto the savage who held her, and spoke to him in soft, persuasiveaccents, at the same time attempting to take the child from him. Thehardened wretch put down the child at his feet, and snatching up a club,struck the woman to the earth, senseless, if not dead.

No longer able to control his indignation, Arthur, seeing a herd ofkangaroos bounding along within reach of a shot, directed the attentionof the man to them, and then fired his rifle, and shot a large animaldead. Astonishment and terror overcame the usual assumed calmness ofthe natives, and several of them fled in confusion.

Arthur then, pointing to the kangaroo, and then to Baldabella, indicatedhis wish for the exchange, and the two men who still held her readilyresigned their captive, and ran up to take possession of the morevaluable spoil, followed by the inhuman chief; after he had, with avindictive countenance, spurned the poor child from him with his foot.The mother caught up her child and fled to her friends, prostratedherself before Arthur, and placed his foot on her neck; then rising, sheresumed her usual dignified and graceful step, and fell into the rankwith the rest of the party, who lost no time in moving forward, afterMargaret had seen that the unfortunate victim of the chief's cruelty waskindly attended to by the woman who was her companion.

"It were a burning shame," grumbled Wilkins, "to let them saucy nigg*rstake off with that fine beast, and have to fast ourselves. For ye see,Master Hugh, that shot's flayed away all on 'em, and it may be longenough afore we light on 'em again."

"Have some faith, my good man," said Mr. Mayburn. "We have been fed likethe prophet in the wilderness, by miracle, let us not fear, God willstill provide us with food."

"At the present moment," said Arthur, "it would be imprudent to delayeven to seek provisions. Our first consideration must be to move awayfrom this part as quickly as possible, for I suspect these people willkeep us in sight as long as they can."

"Ay, master," said Wilkins, "they'll need ye to shoot beasts for 'em!Depend on't they'll dog us."

This was an uncomfortable suspicion, and Margaret and Arthur talked andpondered deeply on plans and arrangements, almost regardless of thebrilliant buds and blossoms that enchanted Mr. Mayburn. They walked onwith regular and rapid steps over the flower-strewed ground, amidst therich smell of the foliage and the flowers and the strange music of thewoods. Kangaroos and emus were seen at some distance, but prudenceforbade any delay for the chase, and they made no halt till extremefatigue compelled them to rest on the side of a grassy hill, where theleast wearied set out to search the bushes for nests. Some fine youngbirds supplied them with a good supper; eggs were now rarely found, butwith these Ruth's fowls frequently supplied them.

"Where next?" asked Margaret. "I think, Arthur, I can distinguish adeep-green line far distant to the south-east. May we not hope itindicates the situation of another river?"

"We have ever been cheered, thank God," said Mr. Mayburn, "through allour pilgrimage, with continued benefits. We have never yet experiencedthe perils and privations of the desert, which has ever been supposed toexist in the interior of Australia."

"Travellers in South Australia," replied Arthur, "have certainly metwith those barren regions; but in this tropical country we have, indeed,enjoyed all the plenty which nature can bestow. At present we needwater; but in the morning we will, if God permits, direct our course tothe green belt we have seen. If we can again resume our canoe voyaging,it will be a great relief to us; and even if the river be dried up atpresent, we can take the bed for our guide, and may find pools of waterfor our daily use. But, my dear Margaret, I am ashamed to say I feeldespondent when I reflect that this is January; the autumn rains maysoon come on, and we have no idea where we can shelter you and dear papafrom the fury of tropical storms."

"I could soon run up a bit of a hut, with bark roofing," said Jack,briskly.

"I am quite aware of that, Jack," answered Arthur, "and have muchreliance on your skill and promptness. The great difficulty seems to bethe selection of a site out of the observation of the treacherous andvindictive natives; or of one whom I dread still more, that vilebush-ranger, who appears to be tracking us for some evil purpose."

"He has a spite again me, that's sartain, Mr. Arthur," said Wilkins."Then, he'd like to put his hands on that gun; and there would be,likely, some pickings of things as would suit him, let alone money,that, like enough, ye'll have amang ye."

"But what possible use can the misguided man have for money in awilderness among savages?" asked Mr. Mayburn, in astonishment.

"Why, not a deal of use just hereabouts," answered Wilkins; "but ye kennought about bush-rangers, and all their rounds and changes. If Peterhad cash, he'd be off to some of them far away bush publics; and therehe'd have a grand tuck out, till he'd spent every rap, and be fresh toset out on a new hook. That's bush-ranging life, master."

"And a fearful life it is in this world, Wilkins," said Mr. Mayburn;"but still more fearful as a preparation for the world to come. ThankGod that you are rescued from it, my poor man."

"Ay, I'se clear on't now," replied he, "thanks to ye, master; and, Godbe praised, there's no shame can stick to a fellow for turning roundwhen he's got into a slough."

"Not at all, Wilkins," said his good teacher; "the best Christians havesinned and repented; and to all it is said that they must through muchtribulation enter the kingdom of God."

The heart of Wilkins was enclosed in a rough husk, but the soil was notbad; the seed that was sown in it was not unfruitful, but was slowlycoming to maturity.

Early in the morning the pilgrims took the road towards the green beltthey had observed the previous day; and though many tedious hoursintervened before they reached it, they were rewarded by discoveringthat the belt of trees hung over the banks of a considerable river,narrow, but deep, with high rocky banks, so far above the level of thestream on the side on which they stood, that the water which they somuch required was unattainable.

This disappointment was vexatious, and they continued to pass along theedge of the cliff for some time in melancholy silence, till, at a verynarrow part of the river, Jack stopped, and, pointing to a tall tree onthe edge, proposed that they should cut it down, so that it should fallacross the river and form a bridge. This would be an undertaking at oncetedious and hazardous; but the advantage of placing the river betweenthemselves and the inimical savages was obvious, as it was improbablethat they should have the means of crossing. It was therefore agreedthat they should make the experiment.

They had found abundance of the wild oats on the plain, which were nowquite ripe; and Ruth was busily employed in bruising the grain to makebiscuits, while Jenny roasted potatoes in the ashes, and looked down onthe river with longing eyes, for the tea-shrub was abundant round them,and nurse pined for her cup of tea again. Leaving the women thusengaged, the young woodcutters commenced their operations with theirstone axes, though they had failed to render them very sharp, relievingeach other at intervals; for in truth the cutting down a stout tree wasnot a little tiresome.

But perseverance subdues great difficulties; at last the tree fellmajestically, and rested securely on the opposite bank. Then the proudyoung workmen proceeded to lop the branches which stood in the way,levelling and smoothing the trunk as much as they were able, and runningover it to prove its security; and, finally, Jack carried a rope across,attached to some of the erect boughs, to form a sort of hand-rail tosatisfy the timid. With some persuasion, Mr. Mayburn was so farsatisfied of the safety of the rude bridge, that he suffered himself tobe led across; then Margaret and the two women were safely conductedover; Baldabella followed, looking with astonishment at their timidity,and tripping lightly along with her child upon her shoulder.

When all had crossed, the rope was withdrawn and coiled up again, and,with the aid of levers and axes, the bridge was broken and cast down, tobe floated away by the stream, that the savages might not have theadvantage of it in their pursuit.

The banks on which the travellers now stood were less precipitous thanthose they had left; they were clothed with bamboos and rushes, and inmany places open down to the river, where they gladly procured thewater of which they were so much in need. Then they continued to walkalong a narrow muddy strand, looking with longing eyes at the smoothwater, on which a canoe might have been paddled with so much lessexertion than the continued labor of walking. It would soon be made,Jack declared; and, after a night's rest, all were ready to work, if thework were provided for them—the great point, as Jack said, being "tofall on the right sort of tree."

Before they had finished another weary day's walk, they had "fallen onthe right tree," barked it, and, uniting their efforts, formed andgummed two canoes. These required a day to be hardened for service,during which they made paddles, cut down the oat grass to serve forlining the canoes, after they had thrashed out the ripe grain. The womenbaked biscuits and boiled fish, with which the river abounded, collectedsome tea-leaves, and finished provisioning the boats.

Next morning they were again seated in these very commodious canoes,delighted to rest after all their fatigues; for the labor of paddling onthe smooth river was comparatively easy. They continued an uninterruptedvoyage of many days, though they several times saw the smoke of firesrising from the brush on the north bank, and sometimes even heard thecoo-ee of the natives, which made them apprehensive that they were notunnoticed; but they satisfied themselves that their mode of travellingdefied pursuit. They rarely landed more than once a day, usually on thesouth bank, where they often met with some small tributary stream,abounding in fish, and the adroit spearing of Baldabella always providedthem with an abundant supply, sufficient for supper and breakfast. Thisfish was principally the fresh-water cod, as they named it, of verylarge size. Every morning after breakfast, before they embarked, theywalked out to look round for some favorable spot to which they mightretire during the approaching rains, but in vain. Still the high cliffscontinued on one side of the river; and on the side where they wished toremain they still saw spread before them marshy plains.

CHAPTER XIX.

A Cache.—The Black Forest.—A Site for the Hut—The Eagles.—Gerald'sAccident.—A Subterranean Grotto.—The Pitcher Plant.—A PotatoGround.—The Fig-tree.—Australian Jumbles.—The Hungry Guest.

They began at last to be weary of the monotonous voyaging, and wereglad, one morning, on ascending the banks, to see a change of scenery.The reedy swamps were replaced by rich grassy slopes, where tall treesand bright creeping blossoms, the fragrant golden flower of the Acaciaand the balmy odor from various trees of the Eucalyptus kind,encouraged them to hope that they might find a retreat in such apleasant region.

"Halloo!" cried Wilkins. "Just all on ye step here, and take a good lookat this here tree. We're not the first white folks as has had a lookround hereabout. As sure as you're there, Mr. Arthur, there's a catch,as they call 't, under this same tree. Look ye, I kenned it all as soonas ever I set eyes on that there criss-cross, cut wi' an honest steelblade, I'se warrant it; and says I to mysel', our own folks has beenhere, and we'll just try a bit at their diggings; that's wi' yer leave,Mr. Arthur."

Arthur hesitated; he certainly neither wished to commit, nor to conniveat, a robbery; but he considered some information worth knowing might befound in the cache. He therefore sent to the canoes for shells,spades, and knives; and all the young men began to dig with as muchearnestness and anxiety as if they had been the gold-diggers in thesouth of the country.

"If we were to find a great nugget of gold," said Gerald.

"I would rather find a good saw," said Jack.

"Or an iron kettle," suggested Margaret.

"I should like a telescope," said Hugh.

"Now, nurse, what will you have?" asked Arthur.

"Well then, Mr. Arthur, honey, if I must speak," answered nurse, "Iwould say a barrel of flour; but just as God pleases."

"I feel it! I feel it!" cried Gerald, flinging away his knife in hisecstasy. "It is something hard."

"Be very careful," said Arthur. "We must not damage the hidden stores.Whatever can it be? here are canisters and bags."

"It'll be tea and sugar," cried Ruth, clapping her hands with delight.

"Nay, nay, lass, what need for folks to bury tea and sugar?" saidWilkins. "Here's summut a deal better—powder and shot. And see here,Mr. Arthur, ye're a scholar; this'll be like her Majesty's ship's nameon 'em."

"There is, indeed," replied Arthur, "and the date when they were placedhere, which is three years ago. I fear the owners will never return toclaim them now."

"All the better for us," said Wilkins. "There's nought here a bit worse,and it's all fair, ye ken, Mr. Arthur. Finders, keepers, all t' worldround."

Arthur looked inquiringly at his father.

"The wisdom of the world, Wilkins," said Mr. Mayburn, "is not always thewisdom of God. But, in the case of this treasure-trove, Arthur, as theammunition is certainly the property of her Majesty, lying uselesshere, I do think—Margaret, am I right?—I am of opinion that we mayappropriate a part of this valuable deposit; leaving in the place awritten acknowledgment of the loan. Then, if God spares us to have theopportunity, we must report our trespass to the Government."

"I think you are right, dear papa," said Margaret; "but the temptationis so great, that perhaps we are none of us in a state to give impartialjudgment."

Wilkins, without listening to a word of the discussion, had taken onhimself the responsibility of the offence, and was already activelyengaged in moving off the bags and canisters to the boats.

"Not more than we may need, remember, Wilkins," said Margaret.

"And who's to say what we may need, miss," answered the man. "We'vemony a hundred mile to trot yet, and some uglier customers than t' blackfellows to come on afore we've done, and that's them hang-gallowsbush-rangers."

"We will compromise with our conscience," said Arthur, "by taking awayhalf the store; and papa's portable writing-case will supply us with themeans of making a brief statement and an apology."

The note was written, enclosed in a bark case, and attached to one ofthe bags left in the hole; the soil was then restored, and the turfcarefully replaced, so that no trace of the cache might attract thenatives.

"They'd make a bonny kettle of fish, if they did come on 't," saidWilkins; "for ten to one they'd fling t' powder on t' fire, and thenthere'd not be mony on 'em left to talk about it."

"We must take especial care to guard our cargo against fire," saidArthur; "and we have also another enemy to fear—the water—which mightsoon render our treasure useless. Therefore, the sooner we leave theboats, and 'take to the bush,' as Wilkins says, the better. This countrycertainly looks pleasant; but I should prefer a more woody and shelteredspot."

"If you look directly south, Arthur," said Hugh, "you will see a blackspot, which, I take it, must be a thick forest. It would make a goodland-mark for us, if we leave the river. What do you say? must we aimfor it?"

Arthur directed his attention to Hugh's black forest, which certainlystood in the way they wished to go; and as there was no appearance ofsmoke, or even of former fires on the plains, there was some reason tothink the district might not be frequented by the savages. Theseconsiderations decided them to abandon once more the easycanoe-voyaging, and, with the weighty addition to their burdens of theammunition from the cache, they slowly set out. The plain was coveredwith rich high grass that would have fed thousands of cattle, but wasnow only tenanted by herds of graceful kangaroos and small detachmentsof tall stalking emus. The trees were populated with swarms of parrots,co*ckatoos, pheasants, and small warblers, and the air rang with theirmingled notes, cheerful at least, if not harmonious.

When the dark wood became fully visible to them, Margaret observed thatBaldabella seemed startled and uneasy, and frequently paused as ifreluctant to proceed. But when, after an hour's walk, the sombre thickforest spread before them, half a mile across, the woman turned round toMargaret with trembling limbs, and said in a faltering voice, pointingto the forest, "Good miss, no go; bad spirit kill all people; goodmaster, Baldabella, all die. Bad spirit very angry, say no people gohere."

Margaret tried to reason with the terrified woman, who had now turnedround to flee with her child; she appeared to be agitated in the highestdegree, and when the child clung to Margaret, who turned to follow therest, the distressed mother, wringing her hands, wailed in the mostpathetic manner; till at length, with an air of sudden resolution, shedrew herself up, with her usual dignity, and said,—

"Baldabella die, not leave good friends," and walked calmly on by theside of Margaret.

Arthur had learned previously that the natives regarded a dark wood withsuperstitious awe; but he now concluded that Baldabella had someacquaintance with this particular spot, and that it was an object offear to the natives. This was a circ*mstance which would render it stillmore desirable to the travellers as a place of seclusion; and when theycame up close to the gloomy forest, they did not wonder at thesuperstitious dread of the ignorant savages. It seemed as if neither mannor beast, nor even the light of heaven, could penetrate the mysteriousspot. Lofty trees, resembling the pine, the chestnut and the cypress, asclosely ranged as it was possible for nature to plant them, were sointerwoven and matted together, for the height of eight or ten feet withcoiled thorny shrubs and creeping plants, that they formed animpenetrable fortress that seemed to defy the impotent attacks of man.

"I wonder which of us is the favored prince who is to 'cut his brightway through,' this enchanted wood," said Gerald. "Here's an adventure,Hugh! Now for knives and axes!"

"Do not be too hasty, boys," said Arthur. "It would be prudent to makethe circuit of the wood first, in order to select the most accessiblepoint. Besides," continued he, as they walked on, "I think we mustproceed with caution. We will cut a low tunnel, the entrance to whichcan be easily closed, if we find it possible to remain here for a shortseason; and thus we shall leave no trace of our presence."

"I shall be well content to remain here," said Mr. Mayburn, "amidstthese noble and curious trees and shrubs. To study their varieties willsufficiently occupy and amuse me."

"And I shall be satisfied to live in a hut," said Margaret, "howeverrude it may be, where we can have rest and peace; where we can repairour tattered garments, and perhaps make new boots to replace these wornfragments. But I fear our abode in the forest must be gloomy anddepressing."

"We can build a nest in the trees," said Gerald, "as the people did inthe Swiss Family Robinson, and live in the cheerful society of parrotsand co*ckatoos. That looks like the very fig-tree the family inhabited;let us choose it. See, it is covered with ripe figs that look verytempting. I should like to climb for some."

"The fig-tree will not fly away, Gerald," said Arthur, "and just now wemust all have more important employment. We must immediately commenceour tunnel, for the air is more sultry than ever, and I have fanciedmore than once that I have heard the distant roll of thunder. Isincerely wish we had a shelter at hand. I must call on you, myfriends, to halt at once. We will try this point."

The part of the wood before which they had arrived, though quiteimpervious, was less thorny than any part they had yet passed, andtherefore more easy to work, and they began to cut down the entangledbrushwood for about four feet in height, and wide enough to admit thepassage of one person only. The lopped branches were carefullycollected, to be removed to the interior of the wood, when the path wascompleted; but their labor was long and tedious, for the forest couldnot be less than fifty yards in breadth. Fortunately after piercing itfor twenty yards, they found the underwood less rank and entangled, andwere satisfied with trampling it down to make the road smoother for thewomen.

This wood terminated finally in a glade of extraordinary beauty, richlyclothed with grass and studded with the gorgeous flowers of the tropicalregions. This glade spread before them level for some distance, thengradually sloped upwards, thickly grown with wild oats, and then withbrush, to a great height, the whole forming an isolated mountain, whichwas apparently flat at the summit.

The young boys declared this must be the very abode of enchantment; andas the ascent was a succession of green terraces, they were all able,with some fatigue, but with little difficulty, to attain the highestridge, when they saw, with some astonishment, that a few feet below themlay a basin or crater, covered with verdure—tall grass mingled with theusual thick brush.

After gazing on it for a few minutes, Hugh said, "What a capital placefor our hut. Margaret cannot call this height gloomy, for, by mountingthe ridge, we can look over the forest and survey the whole countryround us. Then the flowers are so gay and pleasant, and we shall seemultitudes of birds. Do look, papa, at those two superb eagles that aresoaring above our heads, and that doubtless have their eyrie somewherein this mountain."

But while they were gazing at the birds, O'Brien, who stood at somedistance from them, was making ready his bow, and before they were awareof it he had skilfully sent an arrow into one of the eagles, which fellfluttering and screaming among the brushwood.

"Victory! victory!" he cried, looking round for Mr. Mayburn. "Did yousee me shoot the eagle, papa?"

"I saw and admired the magnificent creatures, Gerald," answered Mr.Mayburn; "and I deeply grieved to see one fall by your hand. It was novictory, but a wanton cruelty. You have destroyed the noble bird for nouseful purpose, and my heart is afflicted to observe the distress of theattached mate. See how he circles round the spot which has left himbereaved and lamenting. I am forcibly reminded of the powerful words ofone of our modern classical poets, who, in describing such a tragicalbereavement, writes,—

"I thought you would have liked to possess the bird, papa," said Gerald,"and I am really sorry for the widowed mate. I feel quite uncomfortableto see the old fellow soaring round me and uttering, I have no doubt,violent abuse. But I may as well recover my game, that you may gratifyyour curiosity by examining an Australian eagle."

"I saw it fall just behind yon yellow-flowered shrub, which looks solike our own English furze," said Hugh.

Gerald dashed forward into the bush to search for his prize, whileMargaret and her father examined with great satisfaction the richtable-land, and Jack pointed out a favorable site for a wattled,bark-roofed hut, which, he asserted, might be easily constructed in acouple of days. But while they were discussing this important affair,they were alarmed by a loud cry from Gerald, "Help, help! the enchanterhas got me! Come, Arthur, by yourself, and throw me a rope!"

All were in alarm, and where to throw the rope was the question, for theboy was not to be seen. Arthur and Jack, with a pole and ropes, steppedlightly over the bushes, expecting to find Gerald plunged in a marsh.His cries directed them to a spot, where they saw only his head and onearm clinging to a bush.

"Take care what you are about," said he; "I have slipped into a hole,and perhaps there may be more like it. You had better just slide thepole along till I can catch it, and then, perhaps, I may manage to raisemyself. The worst is, I hear that furious eagle, fluttering and hissingjust below me, and I am every moment in fear lest she should attack me,and peck my legs to revenge her wrongs."

With the aid of the rope and the pole, and the exertions of his friends,Gerald scrambled to a safe spot in the bushes, and then they all took asurvey of the cave, or grotto, that lay below; and were so muchinterested by it, that they resolved to explore it at once. Jackvolunteered to make the first expedition, and began by attaching therope to a stout bush to facilitate his descent, and taking with him thepole to test the security of the ground below.

The floor of the cave was not more than twelve feet below the opening,and Jack looked round to find himself in a large grotto, floored withdry white sand; the rocky sides were garlanded with creeping plants, andit was lighted by many apertures above, similar to that through whichGerald had fallen, and, like that, almost covered with brushwood. Darkbranch-caves ran from this airy grotto, into which they penetrated for afew yards, to satisfy themselves that it was uninhabited; and, from theobservations he made, Arthur could not but believe the whole was ofvolcanic origin, and, in fact, a portion of the crater of an exhaustedvolcano.

"We may find a capital magazine here for the powder," said Jack; "andthis light part will make a kitchen for the women folks while we arebuilding the hut Think you, Mr. Arthur, I should make them a ladder?They'll hardly like swinging down by a rope."

Arthur thought they would certainly not like such a mode of descent, andthe ladder was decided on. Then he ventured to draw near the screamingeagle to endeavor to extract the arrow from his wing, but the bird madesuch fierce returns for his kindness, that he was compelled to retreat,and wait for a more favorable moment for the operation; and in the meantime, the youths ascended to report the discovery of the cave.

Wilkins had been employed in cutting down and bringing up the ascent aquantity of the wild oats, and Margaret and her father were foundstanding by a pool of clear water, which, though now somewhat shallow,would doubtless contain an abundant supply after the rain. Around thispond Mr. Mayburn had found many new and beautiful flowers, and, as soonas he was satisfied of O'Brien's safety, he hastened to point out one ofhis most valued acquisitions.

"Observe, my dear children," said he, "one of the most curious plantsever discovered, Cephalotus follicularis, one of the pitcher-plants,so named from the peculiar-form of the delicate white blossoms. Youperceive that these pitchers on the strong footstalk contain water—inthis are some drowned insects. Hence, some writers have asserted thatthese flowers are used by the larger insects of prey as receptacles fortheir food. But we must see that this accumulated moisture is topreserve the plant in its beauty during the long dry season."

"Could we not plant potatoes here?" asked Margaret. "In this genialclimate we might soon raise a crop, and our stock is now very low."

"Of course we can, Meggie," said Hugh. "I understand the habits of oursolanum. This light, dry, fresh soil will exactly suit it. Come,Gerald, let us lose no time in marking off and clearing ourpotato-ground, before the rains stop us. That will be more useful thanshooting eagles."

They were all gratified with the discovery of the cave, and anxious tosee it, but were induced to wait till a ladder was made, which was to becommenced as soon as a party had returned to the wood to fill up themouth of the tunnel. For this purpose they used part of the loppedbranches, which they arranged so artfully, that no one could suspect abreach had been made. The remainder of the brushwood was to be conveyedup the mountain for firewood.

After this, Hugh and Gerald made a foray in an immense fig-tree,dispersing the feathered tenants, and carrying off a large stock of theripe fruit. The rest returned, laden with firewood and wild oats. ThenJenny made them some tea, and cakes of bruised oats, mixed with theplentiful but insipid juice of the figs. These cakes were baked in theashes, and much enjoyed by the ever keenly hungry boys, who named thedark hard biscuits Australian jumbles.

Before night should put an end to their labors, Jack and the young boyscut down a slender tree, resembling the pine, to make a ladder; andMargaret, with the help of Wilkins, pared off the turf, dug a large plotof ground, and planted it with potatoes. Then, worn out with a day ofextreme toil, the wayfarers rested beneath a threatening sky, in theheated atmosphere which indicated an approaching storm.

A few drops of rain at daybreak roused up the whole family to promptactivity.

"It's no time to start and build to-day," said Wilkins. "Wait a bit;here's a storm ower our heads; or, if ye want work, what say ye tosinking yon bit pond a foot deeper? it holds nought, and when t' rainfalls it'll overflow and half drown us, if we don't mind."

Arthur thought it was a more prudent plan to dig another pond orreservoir, rather deeper than the original one, and make a channelbetween the two. They should thus secure a supply of water, and preventtheir potato ground from being washed away by a sudden flood.

"And, now that the ladder is finished," said Margaret, "it would bebetter that papa and I should descend at once into this subterraneangrotto, and make it ready for our temporary abode, till you are able tobuild a hut; for there is certainly a prospect of rain falling to-day."

"Come along," cried Gerald, "that I may usher you into mynewly-discovered dominions. Now, Ruth, we shall have you safe; you willhave few opportunities of committing mischief when you are below theearth. Come and descend into the burning mountain, and take care youdon't fight with my eagle."

"Oh! master, is't true—is't a burning mountain?" asked Ruth, in terror.

"It has been a volcano," answered Mr. Mayburn, "but, in all probability,exhausted, hundreds of years ago. It is now, as you see, a beautifulwilderness."

Ruth did not regard the beauty of the spot; she saw only, in her mind'seye, the red flames pouring from Mount Vesuvius, as depicted in a gaudypicture-book she had seen in her childhood.

"Oh, please, Miss Marget," she exclaimed, "stay up here! don't go downinto that hole; it'll, maybe, break out again, and we'll all be burntalive."

But Margaret remonstrated, the boys laughed and Jenny scolded; and,finally, Jack brought Ruth down to the range of subterranean apartments,where Margaret and Jenny soon planned dormitories, kitchen, andstore-rooms. A large alcove was to be the chapel, and the light bowerygrotto beneath the entrance was to be the drawing-room,—at least, tillthe heavy rains should compel them to seek more effectual shelter. Herethey collected stones for seats, and rolled into the midst a large pieceof rock for a table, upon which was spread the breakfast of tea andoat-cakes, at present their only provision.

Mr. Mayburn was delighted to have the opportunity of inspecting sonearly the wounded, but still fierce eagle, with its shining blackplumage; and he judged it was that known as Aquila Fucoso. It was invain, however, to attempt a close examination till Wilkins and Jack,after some struggling, and a few severe pecks, succeeded in holding ittill Arthur extracted the arrow from the wing, and saw that nature wouldprobably heal the wound in a few days. In the mean time the bird wasstarving, for it rejected with disdain the farinaceous food offered toit; and Hugh and Gerald promised, as soon as the reservoir wascompleted, to set out and shoot some small birds or opossums, for theirhungry guest.

CHAPTER XX.

The Reservoir.—The Rains.—The Native Companion.—The Employments ofPrison Life.—The Unlucky Chase.—Jack's Tale of Trouble.—Black Peter'sTemptations.—The Release of the Eagle.—The Rescue Party.

The reservoir was six feet deep and ten feet in diameter, and was linedwith flat stones from the interior of the cave, where large slabs werescattered round. This was not completed in one day, and on the secondmorning, while Wilkins and Jack finished the work, and, after digging atrench, laid down a spout of bark between the ponds, Hugh and Geraldwent down to the wood below, to shoot birds. But before the end of theday the workmen were driven to shelter by the violent rain; and the twoboys returned, drenched to the skin, and laden with pheasants,co*ckatoos, and a wild turkey, as large as an English Christmas turkey,and resembling that bird so much, that the name was considered notinappropriate. They had, thus, a handsome dinner for themselves, andabundance of food for the hungry and somewhat tamed eagle.

They were seated at their late repast when the storm began in earnest;tremendous peals of thunder rolled through the immense hollows of themountain, and seemed to shake the very rocks from their foundation. Ruthscreamed and looked round in distraction, expecting the eruption of thevolcano was at hand; and even the proud eagle trembled to hear the voiceof the skies. Then the rain came down in torrents, showering throughthe leafy coverings of numerous apertures above them, and driving themback into the gloomy security of the solid rocks; grateful for even thatdismal retreat in the sudden storm.

"We need not remain in the dark, though we are in the crypt," said Hugh."Come, Gerald, let us light some flambeaux, and fix them on the walls;then, with all these trailing garlands suspended from above, we mayfancy ourselves in a ball-room."

The caverns were lighted up, and then every one found employment. Mr.Mayburn produced the head and neck of the turkey, which he contemplatedwith much interest.

"It certainly must be the bird described as the Wattled Talegalla,Arthur," said he, "and which is considered to represent the turkey inAustralia; the red skin of the head, bright orange wattle, and largedisproportionate feet, prove the fact; and I am gratified that you haveobtained a specimen of it."

"We are all gratified, papa," said Margaret, "for it is the most usefuland delicious bird we have yet found in this ornithological paradise."

The boys employed themselves in thrashing the wild oats, storing thegrain in bags, and then arranging the straw for mattrasses—a perfectluxury to them, after they had for so long slept on the bare ground.They had their knives and axes, and abundant material in the boughs andspare pieces of the tree that was cut down for the ladder; and, to fillup the time, Jack presided over a school of art, where the ingenious andactive employed heads and hands, and produced some articles of greatuse. Margaret took the opportunity to teach lessons of civilization andreligion to the lively little Nakinna, and, through the child, pouredthe words of truth into the heart of the mother. Wilkins, who wasmiserable when unemployed, good-naturedly assisted Jenny and Ruth invarious household matters, made a stone hearth for the fire, helped tocook, piled up the dry fuel, contrived a wattled niche for the fowls,and went out through the rain to bring in water, when needed.

Three or four days were thus passed in contented seclusion, the stormstill continuing unabated; then, though the rain fell incessantly, theprisoners began to be weary, and to have a great desire to visit theworld above. They engaged to bring in fresh provisions, if Jenny wouldprovide dry clothes for them on their return from their foragingexpedition; and with bows, arrows, axes, and game-bags, Wilkins, Jack,and the three boys set out, delighted to return to the light, and to thepure air of heaven, and enjoying even the cool rain.

"Do, Arthur, look at those tall birds with the crimson crest and hugewooden-looking beak," said Hugh. "One of them would be as useful as theturkey was, for a dinner dish. I suppose we must call them storks;though they are really, to us, among the anonymous creatures of thisstrange new world."

"Ye may find t' like of them all over," said Wilkins. "Folks down at t'colony calls 'em 'native companions;' they trust ye, poor rogues, as ifye were their brother; ye might just walk up to yon fellows, and wringtheir necks."

"Which I should certainly object to do, Wilkins," answered Hugh. "Icould not make up my mind to wring the neck, or to feed on, 'mine ownfamiliar friend.' We will be content to reduce the multitude of thenoisy impertinent co*ckatoos and parrots; or suppose, Arthur, we descendto the glade below, where we can cut more wood, and shoot some opossumsfor our aquiline guest. The skins will make us splendid cloaks to wearthis rainy season."

And, careless of the wet plunge, the joyous youths descended through thebrushwood, and reaching the verdant glade, they shot as many opossums asthey wished; filled some bags with ripe figs, and finally, after a longchase, and many a fall on the moist slippery ground, they secured awandering kangaroo of large size, which, in distress of weather, had bysome means found its way into this enclosed retreat.

Jack had in the mean time barked a tree of the Eucalyptus species, andtying the cumbrous spoil with a rope, he drew it after him up themountain. Wilkins shouldered the kangaroo, and the rest, equally laden,toiled through the bushy, moist, sloping wood, and arrived safely at thecave, to diffuse amusem*nt and contentment among their expectingfriends, and to furnish more employment for their enforced leisure time.They were all invested in dry garments; then Jack examined his prize,and said,—

"Just look at this bark, Mr. Arthur. I have seen none yet so firm andhard; it is completely an inch plank, fit for any sort of work. I couldmake a light wagon of it, if we had any animals to draw it; and, anyhow,I'll set about a table and some seats, directly, and then I'll try somebuckets, and dishes, and such-like things. Now's the time for work, whenthere's no walking."

For many days the ample supply of provisions, and the amusem*nt ofoccupation, reconciled the young men to the gloomy seclusion of theirretreat. During this time a square piece of bark, flattened and smoothedwith sharp stones, was placed on four posts, for a table; long slipssimilarly supported, formed stools and benches. Trenchers, dishes,buckets, and bowls, certainly somewhat rude in form, were next finished,the gum which exuded from many trees near them supplying themplentifully with an admirable cement. There is a charm to civilizedminds in being surrounded with the appliances and arrangements ofdomestic life; and the women became reconciled, and even attached totheir monotonous existence—especially when an occasional cessation ofrain permitted them to live in the front portion of the cave, which wasrendered pleasant and cheerful by the subdued light through the foliage.

A day of fair weather tempted the young men to leave their confinement,and not only to descend to the enclosed glade below, but to venture tobreak through the charmed circle of the wood, and have a scamper overthe plains after the kangaroos and emus which frequented it. And on themargin of a chain of pools, newly filled by the recent rains, they oncemore saw the tall native companion, amid swarms of wild ducks; while,from among the wild oats whirred flocks of small beautiful birdsresembling the quail, but with an elegant crest.

They filled their game-bags with birds, and a troop of kangaroosappearing in sight, they were tempted to pursue them for a considerabletime. At last the animals sought refuge in a spreading thick wood, intowhich Wilkins and Jack, with axes and spears, followed them. The youngboys in the mean time were engaged in chasing a pair of emus; till,weary and unsuccessful, they turned away in disappointment, to join thekangaroo hunters. But just at that moment they were struck with thevexatious sound of the coo-ee of the natives, which proceeded from thewood where the kangaroos had sheltered. This alarming cry decidedthem—especially as Arthur was without his rifle—to return withoutdelay, that they might close the tunnel entrance of their abode.

Keeping as much as possible under the shelter of the trees, they quicklymade their way over the plains to the Black Forest, Gerald frequentlylooking back; at last he said, "Jack and Wilkins are not yet in sight,shall I turn back to seek them, Arthur, or must I give them a halloo?"

"Neither, my dear fellow," answered Arthur. "However unkind it may seem,we must not risk the discovery of our retreat by attracting the nativesto our heels. Wilkins and Jack must have heard the coo-ee as well aswe; and have most likely hid themselves till the savages have passed andthey can return to us safely. We must keep open, but guard, the entrancetill we see them return. Now, go on, boys; take the game-bags to thecave, and then quietly bring away my rifle and cartridge-case, withoutsaying a word about this vexatious incident. Till you return I willconceal myself behind the bushes, and watch for the return of our twoabsentees."

The boys hastened to the cave, to fulfil their mission; and leavingtheir bags, which contained some of the pretty quails, to divert theattention of Mr. Mayburn and Margaret, they returned to watch silentlyand anxiously, ready to close the entrance as soon as their friendsreturned, or if they should be alarmed by the approach of the natives.Gerald climbed a tree, that he might command the plains moreeffectually, and, from this elevated situation, he startled Arthur bycrying out,—

"Oh, Arthur! he is killed! I know he is killed! Dear old fellow, weshall never see him more! There is only Jack."

"Who is killed? What do you see? Do speak plainly, Gerald," said Arthur,hastily.

"I see him coming by himself," answered the distracted boy. "I mean Isee Jack; not Wilkins. It's quite sure they must have killed him; Jacknever would have left him, if he was living."

The two boys below were now almost as much agitated as Gerald, for theyplainly saw Jack hurrying across the plain alone, and when he drew near,Arthur was quite sure, from his pale and sorrowful countenance, thatsome heavy misfortune had occurred. He plunged into the open tunnel, andthen said, "Close it directly if you please, Mr. Arthur; I am so bad, Ican do nothing."

"But Wilkins! where is Wilkins, Jack?" asked Hugh.

Jack burst into tears as he said, "Oh, Master Hugh! the bad rogues havegot him; and all I could think on, I couldn't help him."

"Are there any hopes? Do you think they will murder him?" asked Arthur,trembling.

"I think not, Mr. Arthur," answered Jack; "but I'll tell you all aboutit as soon as we've closed up this gap, and tried to keep them safe thatare left."

The distressed boys hastened to restore the barrier with particularcare; and then, as they slowly proceeded homeward, Jack related hismelancholy adventure.

"We had got quite into the thick of the wood after that unlucky caperingbeast, when all at once that queer call of the black fellows rung intoour ears. 'We're in for it now, and no mistake, my lad,' said Wilkins tome. 'Just you thrust yourself into that cover, and I'll listen a bit, tomake out their whereabouts.' I forced myself into a thicket, mattedtogether, for about six feet upwards, as thick as this wood round us.You had to fight for every inch of way; and I kept thinking all alongthat he was following me, but he was not. You know, Mr. Arthur, he is agood bit stouter than I am, and my fancy is that he had fought andrustled among the bushes till he'd been found out; for first I heard adog growl, and then I heard his voice, speaking such words as he hasnever said of late—an oath, Mr. Arthur; then followed such yells! and Iknew they had got him.

"Well, my first thought was to make my way out, that I might help him;but just then I got a sight of all the gang of them through the bushes.There could not be less than a hundred; and, worst of all, though he wasnaked, and painted like a savage, I made out at once that bad fellow,Black Peter, among them. Four men had hold of Wilkins. They had takenaway his knife and spears, and Peter was taunting him, as they pulledhim along. I heard him say, 'Thou wast a fool, Wilkins, to stop so longwith them preaching folks; I thought thou'd a bit more spirit—thou,that aimed to take a spell at bush-ranging, like a man. But thou'llcome along with us now, and thou'lt find we're a bit jollier than yonsmooth, long-faced dogs.'

"Then Wilkins spoke out and said, 'I reckon my comrades were somewhatbetter than thine, Peter. Anyhow, we managed to keep clothes to ourbacks.'

"The sly rogue tried to get round poor Wilkins then, and went on,'That's just to please those black rogues, Wilkins; but, man, we're offdown south just now, to pick up stock, and cash too. Then we'll get goodclothes; and as soon as we've done with them, we'll rid ourselves ofthese black fools, and have a grand jollification out of our money.There'll be some fun in that, man. And have these comrades of thine anycash or stuff worth lifting? I'd like that other gun they carried, and,anyhow, some powder and shot. I hav'n't a grain left—all blazed awayafter such game as that,'—and the good-for-nothing fellow pointed tothe poor black natives, that didn't understand a word he had beensaying.

"Wilkins muttered some words, very low, that I couldn't catch; but Ifancy he didn't tell truth, for Peter went on to say and swear that hewould soon be on our track, for we couldn't get far in these rains; andthat Wilkins needn't think to join us, for he would take care and keephim in a safe place—a snuggery, he called it.

"I made up my mind that I would see what and where this snuggery was;and when the men had passed on, and were out of hearing, I cautiouslytracked them to a place in the midst of the wood, which they had clearedby burning down the trees, for there lay the blackened stumps; and acrying sin it was, Mr. Arthur, to waste so much good timber. On oneside there was a great rock, into which they dragged poor Wilkins,through a small opening, and I saw no more of him; but I think theymeant to do him no harm, for there's little doubt Peter wants him to beuseful to him. Wilkins is a shrewd fellow, moreover; and I feel surehe'll try to get away from them. But if they have him, as it were, inprison, what do you say, Mr. Arthur, shouldn't we help him?"

"Certainly, I think we are bound to do so," said Arthur. "But we musthold a council, for we shall have to act with consideration and cautionif we venture to leave our fortress."

There was great distress in the family, and many tears were shed whenthe adventure was communicated to them; for, notwithstanding the formererrors of Wilkins, and his yet unsubdued passions, he was much belovedfor his kind nature and his attachment to his true friends. Mr. Mayburnhimself even gave his sanction to an expedition for the purpose ofattempting the rescue of Wilkins, if he did not return to them in a dayor two.

But for many days after this the rain fell so incessantly that it wasimpossible to leave their shelter, even though all their provisions wereexhausted except the valuable grain, and a scanty supply of eggs fromthe domestic fowls. To these they were able occasionally to add thefruit of a large tree which grew in the glade below, bearing huge pods;each pod contained several almond-shaped seeds, which were enclosed inshells. These nuts were now ripe; they tasted like filberts, and were avery agreeable and nutritious addition to their spare diet.

The wounded eagle, now quite sound, was an object of great interest tothe prisoners: its nature was so fierce, that Arthur despaired of itsever becoming tamed; but it submitted to their approach when theirobject was to bring it food—usually the entrails of the birds, whichhad been reserved for it. But seeing the untamable nature of the bird,and Margaret, especially, having great compassion on its mate, it wasagreed to restore it to liberty; though O'Brien declared the royal birdwould doubtless, before this, have chosen another queen. One morningthere was an intermission of rain; and the opportunity was taken torelease the captive from the bonds which secured its legs. The leafycovering was at the same time removed from the opening above, and theglorious light allowed to stream into the cave. The sight of the sky andthe sensation of freedom roused the energy of the bird, and, with ajoyous fluttering of the wings, it raised itself from the ground, soaredround the confined spot for a minute, then, bursting through theopening, rose proudly to a height above, and after some gyrations, as ifto test its recovered powers, it sailed away beyond the sight of itshospitable protectors, of whom two—Jenny and Ruth—rejoiced greatly atthe departure of a guest so voracious.

"My bonnie hens had to be pinched for that great ugly creature," saidRuth, "when now two are laying every day, and one has been sitting thisfortnight; and she's sure to be lucky, Miss Marget, for I set her onthirteen eggs; two of 'em, to be sure, were not her own; Master Hughfetched 'em in to make up a lucky cletch."

"Yes," said Hugh, "I should think it was perhaps the first time that anEnglish hen has had the honor of hatching the eggs of the CuculusPhasianus."

In due time Ruth's chickens were hatched, to the great amusem*nt of theinmates of the cave; they were carefully tended and out of reach ofdanger, and seemed likely to be reared prosperously, the English familyfraternizing with the Australian intruders most agreeably. A second dayof fair weather determined the anxious young men to set out in search ofpoor Wilkins, lest the savages should have left their fastnesses in therock, to follow their leader in his bush-ranging excursions. Day afterday they had mounted high trees to scan the plain, in hopes of seeingtheir lost companion, or observing the departure of his captors; but nohuman form was seen, and Arthur felt assured that if Wilkins hadeffected his escape, nothing would have prevented him from making hisway through the Black Forest to join them.

It was resolved to take the rifle, with sufficient ammunition todisperse the savages, and also all the weapons they possessed for, inall probability, it would be necessary to storm the fortress. Jack andthe three boys were intended to be the whole force; but Baldabella soearnestly entreated that she might accompany them that they were inducedto admit her into the train. She could throw a boomerang or spear betterthan any of them; her sympathy was excited for Wilkins, who had alwaysbeen her protector; and her knowledge of the habits and the language ofthe people might make her very useful to them.

CHAPTER XXI.

The Approach to the Prison.—Baldabella's Stratagem.—The Release of theCaptive.—Wilkins's Tale of Trials.—A Well.—The Potato Crop.—TheFlying Opossum.—The Salt Plant.—Preparations for a Siege.

Cautiously and quietly the party wound, under the cover of the trees andbushes, across the plain, till they reached the wood that enclosed theabode of the savages. Then the peril increased. Jack led the way, andone after another they followed, step by step, through, under, or overthe matted brush; and, finally, the leader placed his party in aposition where they could all command a view of the rocky cave, thoughthey stood at a short distance from each other. On the cleared groundbefore the cave two women were seated, bruising nuts between two stones;and several children were playing round them. The anxious young menwatched for some minutes, but none of the men appeared; then Baldabellaproposed to go forward to introduce herself to the women, her friendspromising to rescue her if they attempted to detain her.

Disencumbering herself from the light robe she condescended to wear incivilized life, and retaining only her cloak of furs, she took herfish-spear in her hand, and penetrated to a distant part of the wood,from whence she made her appearance on the charred glade, many yardsfrom the ambush of her friends, and with slow steps, counterfeitinggreat fatigue, she walked up to the women, to demand, as she hadarranged with her friends, food and repose. As soon as they perceivedher, the women rose and looked round anxiously, and the young menexpected every moment to hear the signal call for them; but the solitaryfeeble form of Baldabella seemed to re-assure them. She drew near andtalked for some minutes to her dark sisters; and the soft and patheticinflections of her voice convinced the concealed party that she wasappealing to that compassionate feeling which is ever so strong in theheart of woman.

The women listened, and invited the stranger to sit down by them; theyfed her with the rich kernels of the nuts, and, the rain beginning tofall again, they took her with them into the cave for shelter. Howanxiously the young men waited, at one moment prompted to burst out andfree the captive, who seemed to have no gaoler but the women, and thenresolving to leave the whole affair to the shrewd management ofBaldabella. Arthur was anxiously examining the state of his rifle andammunition, which he had carefully shielded beneath his fur cloak, whenthey were roused to force their way through the bush by the loud andtriumphant voice of Wilkins, the low and apparently smothered coo-eeof the women, and, finally, by the appearance of Baldabella, rushingwildly from the cave, followed by Wilkins, excited, tattered, andemaciated. He carried a gun in his hand, and staggered up to his friendsas if intoxicated.

"Take this, and load it directly," said he, giving Hugh the gun. "Myhands are so cramped wi' them tough bands, that it'll be long afore Ihave any use on 'em. Rascals! rogues! Come on, I say; march while wecan; yon screeching jins will soon bring a wasp's-nest round us."

Not caring for caution now, they hacked and burst through the thickwood, till they reached the plain; and then the coo-ee of the dupedwomen rang alarmingly on their ears, and was soon answered by a faintand distant cry from the absent men. Poor Wilkins, whose legs had beenbound till they were numbed, made but slow progress; and Arthur orderedO'Brien and Jack, with Baldabella, to move rapidly forward, to guard,or, if necessary, to close the pass, while Hugh and he protected theslow retreat of Wilkins.

They made no use of their arms till they saw the whole body of thesavages appear outside the wood, and spears were falling round them.Then Hugh and Arthur fired their guns simultaneously into the midst ofthe foes, who plunged screaming into the woods. Two men lingeredoutside, but another volley from the second barrel, struck down one, andhis companion disappeared in a moment.

"Now, Mr. Arthur," cried Wilkins, as he hurried forward, "now don't yetrust 'em. They're watching us; we'se be done if we make straight to ourcutting. They're sharp-eyed chaps; we'se have to bubble 'em a bit."

Wilkins was right; and though it occupied some time, they made thecircuit of the forest, before they ventured to enter; after which, theylost no time in closing up the opening with great art and care. Then therescued prisoner was conducted to the cave, welcomed with great joy,fresh clad, and fed with pheasant, biscuit, and the unfailing tea; andhis friends gathered round him to hear the tale of his hardships andtrials.

"Ay, ay! this is all as it ought to be," said he; "and God be thankedI'se out on t'clutches of them unnat'ral dogs. They tied me hand andfoot, all 'cause I couldn't be made to swear as how I'd turnbush-ranger, and start by robbing and murdering them as had cared for meand given me meat and claithes and good advice. That brute Peter bulliedme, and kicked me when he knew I was tied fast; and he'd have put aknife into me, but likely he thought to bring me into his ways; and hewere feared his blackeys might turn round on him, for they'd no illblood again me. Then he ordered as how I were to have nought given me toeat, and sure enough I'd been starved afore this; but them poor jins,'whiles, popped a few bites into my mouth, and brought me a sup ofwater, when I were like to go mad for want on't. A hempen rope wouldn'thave held me, afore I lost my strength; but them stringy bark cords arelike iron.

"It were dowly wark, and mony and mony a time, master, I thought overyour words, and all my bad life, and my coward's death, and God'sjudgment to come. And then and there I settled it in my mind, if Hepleased to set me free again, I'd niver swear another oath, I'd nivertell another lie, and I'd niver miss praying for strength, when badthoughts came into my mind. I see, Miss, ye'r crying over my black sins,and well ye may, God help me. After this, I felt a bit more cheery, andI were sure some on ye would see after me; but I niver reckoned on herto be t'first, and were quite stunned when I saw her come in witht'other jins. But I plucked up my heart; I kenned she'd mind my words,and I just said,—

"'Yer knife—cut these ropes!' and as sharp as a needle she was up tome, pulled out a knife from under her cloak, and cut me loose. But poorcreaters as we are, I couldn't move arm or leg for a good bit, and herthere, hauding a hand on one woman's mouth, and a hand on t' others,flayed as how they'd shrike out, till I come round a bit, and got myarms worked round from behind me, and my feet to shuffle on. Then Ithanked God in my heart, and off we came, and here we are; God bless yeall. I'se niver leave ye, whiles I have life. But, Mr. Arthur, we're notsafe; Peter's a cunning fish."

"There's one comfort, Wilkins," said Arthur; "they do not like to facethe heavy rain, which is now very welcome; and before it ceases, we mustmake ready for a siege; unfortunately, we want provisions."

Ruth placed herself uneasily before her poultry hutch, and Wilkins said,"There's lots of pigeons amang yon trees; I can soon trap a lot, andfetch 'em down here alive, and we'll fit up a dove-cote, and have tamebirds to eat. We'se be forced to care nought for a drop of rain, but setoff and forage about inside of t' wood."

To be besieged in a subterranean cave, from whence there was no retreat,was truly an alarming prospect; and several plans of fortification anddefence were projected during the continuance of the heavy rain; while,regardless of the weather, the active youths left the cave to forage forstores, and to survey the plains that divided them from their enemies.

"Do look at our potatoes, Arthur," said Hugh; "how they have sprung upthe last month. In another week they will be fit to eat, and we shallhave a plentiful crop of these useful roots."

Though they saw all was still on the moist plain, they did not venturebeyond the wood, but easily procured birds, figs, and oats in abundance;and after Wilkins had placed his traps for pigeons, and Hugh had takenup a root of the still small potatoes, they returned to the cave,heavily laden with good things.

Day after day they brought in fruit and grain to add to the stores, andcaptured a number of fine pigeons, for which Jack wattled off a niche inthe cave, and they were supplied with grass and brushwood for nests, andgrain for food, to induce them to settle quietly. It was impossible inthis climate to keep animal food eatable for more than two days; but solong as they had grain and potatoes they knew that they could live,provided they could secure a constant supply of water.

This was their most perplexing difficulty; and even amidst the rain thestony lining of the reservoir was taken up that they might bore theground beneath it with long poles. Up to the waist in water, they boredineffectually for an hour, the pole always striking against the solidrock. At length the pole passed through, there was an accidental openingin the rock, and the party who watched in the caves below, saw, withdelight, the water trickle through into a recess some distance from theentrance. Then they all descended, to sink a well in the soft sandyfloor of the cave, which they lined with slabs, and looked on withpleasure as this little reservoir gradually filled from the pool above,which the continual rains kept constantly filled with water.

It was ten days before all these labors were fully accomplished; then adry day succeeded, and every hand was actively employed in digging up,carrying off, and storing the potatoes, which were of good size, and anabundant crop. They had made a number of bags of a flexible bark forcontaining stores; but now so many were filled that Margaret was afraid,if they had to set out soon, they should be unable to carry all off.

Then, after ascertaining the undisturbed solitude of the plain beyondthe wood, Arthur and Wilkins set out in hopes of procuring a change offood; but no kangaroos or emus were in sight, and they feared to venturefar from their place of refuge. They shot some opossums, filled one bagwith the leaves of the tea-shrub, at the particular request of Jenny,and another with the leaves of a salt plant, which seemed to have sprungup after the rain, and which Arthur was glad to carry off, that he mighttry an experiment of which he had read.

"But, I say, Mr. Arthur," said Wilkins, "we've gone and made a bad jobof it; just look ye here, we've niver thought that we were leaving atrack, and here it is on this plashy bog, and no mistake. We might justas well have hung out a sign-post, to ask blacky to walk in."

Arthur was much vexed at his own carelessness, but he saw nothing couldnow be done but to endeavor to confuse the track as much as possible,and he arranged with Wilkins that they should separate, branch off indifferent directions, and finally they made a circuit opposite to eachother round the wood, that the weak point might not be discovered.

"Ye see, Mr. Arthur," said Wilkins before they separated, "if Peter hasan inkling that we're aback of these trees, he'd soon cut his waythrough, with a bit of help. But then, them fools of black fellows areas bad as our fond lass Ruth; they're flayed out of their wits of thiswood, and they'll be shy of coming nigh hand it. I ken a good bit oftheir talk, ye see, but I'se a bad hand at framing their queerchirruping words. I heard 'em tell of bad sperrits as haunted this wood.But Black Peter's set on getting haud of t' master's money, and guns,and powder, and such like, and he's not good to put down. I seed MasterHugh's rifle as soon as they pulled me into that hole, and kept an eyeon't. It were no use to them, for they'd no powder; and I said tomyself, if God please to loose me, that gun goes wi' me."

They then parted to move round the dark forest, and during his walk,Arthur was alarmed to see smoke from the wood in which the cave of thesavages lay; and before he reached the opening, he heard their curiousand unwelcome cry, which proclaimed that the foe was near, and hefeared, watching their movements, and now deeply regretted that they hadleft their retreat. Gladly they returned to it, and doubly secured theentrance, determining to keep an incessant watch, lest they should besurprised in their citadel.

On their return they found that Jack, assisted by Hugh and Gerald, hadformed an oven, lined with slabs, on the hearth where the cooking-firewas usually made, and Jenny was preparing cakes of bruised oats, and apigeon-pie made in a large oyster-shell, and covered with potatoes, tobe baked in the new oven. The flesh of the opossum was not relished byany of the party. Jenny declared she would just as soon eat a monkey;Ruth was afraid to touch one, even before it was cooked; and Mr.Mayburn, after a long lecture to prove that the flesh must certainly bewholesome, from the habits and the vegetable diet of the class ofanimals to which it belonged, concluded by declining, himself, to eatof it.

"Nevertheless," he said, "I am not prejudiced by the vulgar error ofconfounding this little creature with the ugly opossum of America, towhich it bears no resemblance, except in its marsupial formation and itsplayful habits. In fact, the graceful form, delicate color, andextraordinary agility of this beautiful animal, seem to rank it ratherwith the squirrels; and from the lateral folds of membrane, which it hasthe power to expand, in order to support its flying leaps through theair, it has been named by some travellers the 'flying squirrel,' thoughdistinct from the American squirrel, and, like all the quadrupeds of thecountry, exclusively Australian."

The pretty delicate gray skins were carefully preserved, to be sewedtogether for cloaks; and the hungry boys did not disdain a stew ofopossums, which they declared was quite as good as rabbit. But previousto the cookery, Arthur showed his father the new salt-shrub; and thelarge and peculiar form of the leaves enabled them to decide that itmust be Brown's Rhagodia Parabolica, the leaves of which are edible.Anxious to make the experiment, the leaves were boiled for some time,strained, and the liquor filtered and evaporated several times, and atlength the exposure to great heat produced some crystals of salt, to thedelight of the young chemists, and still more to the content of Jenny,who treasured the precious salt, which had so long been the granddeficiency in her cookery. The leaves themselves were added to the stew,and not only communicating a salt flavor to the insipid meat, but formeda tender vegetable, tasting like spinach; and it was determined to omitno opportunity of searching for this valuable plant.

In the preparation and enjoyment of their abundant food, they did notneglect the necessary precautions for concealing their retreat. All thepotato stalks were thrown into the cave, for fuel, and the ground wassmoothed over as much as possible, and strewn with stones, that thetraces of cultivation might haply escape observation; a watch wascontinually kept on the heights, and every opening that lighted thecave, with the exception of some narrow crevices, was carefully coveredwith a slab of stone beneath the brush, lest an accident similar to thatwhich befell O'Brien should lead their enemies to discover thesubterranean hollow.

This precaution rendered their abode gloomy, though they left theprincipal opening—the entrance—uncovered till any serious cause ofalarm should render it prudent to enclose themselves entirely; and whena cessation of the rain permitted them, they all gladly remained in theopen air, enjoying the perfume of the revived vegetation, and the joyfulnotes of thousands of birds which sported in the air, fluttered on thetrees, or clamored noisily round the pools of water, plunging theirbeaks into the mud for the worms and reptiles on which they fed. Thesecreatures supplied the family with unfailing food, and afforded Mr.Mayburn constant amusem*nt in studying their various habits.

But a cessation of rain brought to them also a certain increase ofperil. The natives were seen spreading over the plain below, hunting thekangaroo or opossum; and Black Peter, himself, easily distinguished,as Gerald said, because he was white, was observed stooping down, asArthur suspected, to scrutinize the track, which he feared the rain hadfailed to obliterate. Still, occasionally heavy showers fell, anddispersed the people, who shrink from rain; and it was not till onemorning, when none was actually falling, though dark clouds hid the sun,that the whole force of the savages, certainly exceeding fifty men,appeared crossing the plain; following slowly, and it seemedreluctantly, their debased chief, Black Peter.

When they had approached within a hundred yards of the forest, thenatives halted at once, and Peter, after speaking some words to them,began again to examine the perplexed track, and drawing close to thetrees, followed it round the whole boundary, apparently puzzled andenraged. At length he paused not far from the real entrance, andswinging round his axe above his head, he called out loudly to thepeople. They answered by throwing their axes on the ground, andremaining erect and motionless. The watchers above distinctly heardrepeated strokes of the axe on the hard pine-trees; but they were wellconvinced that the efforts of one man alone could not accomplish anentrance, even for many days, and therefore felt comparativelytranquillized.

Still there was the absolute conviction that they were in a state ofsiege; that this man was of indomitable determination, of cruel anddepraved nature, and that ultimately his obstinacy might bend even thetimid savages to his will. And at this thought, fear and anxiety stoleover every heart. Mr. Mayburn was persuaded to remain in the cave withMargaret and the three women, the sentinels promising to send reports ofthe progress of affairs to them, while, with tears and prayers theywaited the result.

"Now, Mr. Arthur," said Wilkins, "just let me say my say. We've t' beston't yet: let's keep yon pass again all them rogues, and see which sidetires first. We'll cut a canny hole to fire through at 'em, and load onegun after another; and as ye 're a bit soft-hearted yersel', ye maunjust let me be front-rank man, and I'se pick off my chaps, reet andleft, till there's not a rogue can stand again us. Folks say as howPeter's charmed; but I'se have a blaze at him, onyhow, and see if Ican't stop his mischief."

"That will be capital!" cried Gerald. "And let us dig trenches, Arthur,and then won't we pepper the rascals snugly."

"But these savages are not rascals, Gerald," said Arthur; "they are onlyignorant wretches, misled by a rascal. To fire on them from an ambushwould be cold-blooded murder, which papa would never sanction. We haveno right deliberately to destroy so many human lives."

"Ye're a real soft un, master," said Wilkins. "What's a few savages?Bless ye, t' country round about teems with 'em; they'll niver bemissed!"

Nevertheless, Arthur could not be persuaded that it was expedient orexcusable to destroy the surplus population of savages; and he preferredto reserve his charges for absolute defence.

CHAPTER XXII.

Peter's last Stratagem.—Firing the Fortress.—The Watch-tower.—TheWelcome Rain.—The close Siege.—The Conflict.—The Defeat ofPeter.—The Fortress abandoned.—Once more on the Road.—Resting in theWilds.

But now they observed that Peter had returned to his party, and wastalking to them with violent gesticulation; continually pointing to thewood, and waving them forward. The men drew nearer, and gathered round athicket of low bushes, where they appeared busily engaged for a fewminutes. Then the watchful sentinels saw, to their great dismay, manyburning brands, one after another, flame up in the hands of the natives,who now rush boldly forward to cast them among the underwood of theforest. This was indeed a fearful sight, and no time was lost inretreating to the cave, where, after Arthur had carefully observed thatno track was left to the spot, they all entered; a slab was introducedover the opening, beneath the brushwood, and now only small intersticeswere left to admit air and faint gleams of light to the agitated partybelow.

When the terrific mode of penetrating their fortress was told to Mr.Mayburn, and the reality of the obstinate siege burst upon him, stunnedwith horror, he remained speechless and motionless till Margaret rousedhim, by entreaties that he would pray for them.

"I will pray, my child," said he, "I will pray for speedy death; fordeath is inevitably our doom, and, alas! in its most frightful form."

"Will they burn us alive, Miss Marget?" shrieked Ruth; "and my bonniehens, and them poor pigeons?"

"Be silent, Ruth," said Margaret. "God is great in power. It may be Hiswill yet to save us, if we pray to Him."

"There are caves within caves here, Meggie," said Hugh. "Gerald and Iknow some queer corners, and we may escape beyond their discovery; and Imake no doubt we may even cut our way through in some other part of thehollow, if we can only hold out long enough, and puzzle these fellows."

But the temporary depression of Mr. Mayburn had now left him; he hadrecovered his firmness and faith in God; and he summoned round him hisagitated family, to join him in fervent prayer for help and protectionin this hour of extreme need. He spoke to them long and earnestly, notdenying his own weakness; and besought each to contend with hisbesetting sin: the strong must yield to His will; the weak must ask forfortitude; the erring must resolve to forsake his sins; and thedesponding must trust wholly to Him who was mighty to save and mercifulto the oppressed.

"We are now, my children," he added, "wanderers, as were his chosenpeople in the wilderness. Let us, then, remember the marvellous worksthat He hath done, His wonders, and the judgments of his mouth."

Composed and hopeful, after their religious exercise the besieged beganto examine their defences and their resources. The powder had beencarefully preserved in a solid rocky niche, where no stray spark couldpossibly reach it. The provision, though simple, was abundant—thestore of potatoes alone seemed inexhaustible.

"We can surely live," said O'Brien, "like thousands of my careless,healthy countrymen, on the pratee! and defy famine. And, please,General Arthur, to come and see the watch-tower that Hugh and I havefound out."

Arthur followed the restless boys, who carried off the ladder with them,through many a narrow winding, till they reached a very lofty hollow.Here the boys rested their ladder, and ascended as high as they couldwith its assistance, after which they climbed the rugged wall till aprojecting ledge enabled them to stand; and when Arthur joined them,they pointed out to him some horizontal crannies between the strata ofthe stone, through which he looked down upon the table land of themountain; and he perceived that this rock formed the parapet, orboundary wall of the crater.

They were thus enabled to survey their own hitherto peaceful domain, aswell as the surrounding wood, from which a dense smoke was now rising.The moist and green trees had long refused to blaze, but at length, asthe boys were silently and anxiously watching, they saw the red threadscrawl through the black clouds; they heard the loud crackling of driedbranches; and finally the broad flames rose majestically above the darktrees, and spread rapidly towards the east side of the mountain, urgedby a west wind. The roaring of the flames, the noise of falling timber,the screams and discordant cries of hundreds of disturbed and affrightedbirds, which continued to wheel, as if fascinated, over the flames,prevented any sound of human voices being audible; and the actors inthe frightful devastation were alike unseen and unheard.

Hugh sobbed with grief as he watched numbers of his favorite birds,suffocated with the thick smoke, fall down senseless; Gerald exclaimedagainst the destruction of the ripe oats in the glade below, which werenow blazing fiercely; and Arthur, pale and agitated, saw the fearfulconflagration rapidly spreading up the side of the mountain, and dreadedthe moment when, the brushwood being consumed above the cave, the slabsthat covered the entrance must inevitably be detected, and they mustsubmit to be baited in their last hold.

"Arthur, what shall we do?" exclaimed Hugh, "for the fire is running upthe brush at the side of the mountain. See, now, it blazes over theedge; it has caught a heap of potato stalks that I was so careless as toleave there. Gerald, there are Margaret's favorite parterres allblazing,—the scarlet geranium, the blue convolvulus, and the sweet,home-like jasmine. How she will grieve! But, I forget, we have more togrieve for; already the sparks are falling on the bush over our grotto!What will become of Margaret and papa?"

"We must go to them," replied Arthur. "We have seen the worst that canhappen; it is useless remaining here. Let us comfort them, and lead theminto the deepest recesses of the mountain. We may, at least, escape thefearful effects of the conflagration."

"And then, Arthur," said Hugh, "we may surely defend them with our guns.It will be a just cause."

"It will! it will!" answered Arthur. "God send that we may not be calledon to shed blood; but I believe we should be justified in doing it. Doyou yet see the enemy, Gerald?"

"No, Arthur; but God is good to us," said Gerald. "The rain is fallingagain, and our dear Black Forest will not be entirely consumed; andperhaps we may have opportunity to escape."

The rain re-commenced suddenly, and so heavily, that in a short time theblazing conflagration was extinguished, and the progress of the invadersarrested; for, when the boys joined their trembling friends, Wilkinssaid,—

"Depend on 't they've crept into some hole or other; they're justdownreet cowards about a drop of rain, for all their running aboutwithout a rag to their backs."

"But we cannot exist long in this state of misery," said Mr. Mayburn."What would you advise, Arthur?"

"I should say, dear papa," answered he, "that we must defend ourposition as long as it is tenable, and then have all prepared, andattempt a retreat—a dangerous but inevitable measure. Jack will pointout the most convenient mode of making up packages for carrying away. Wemust, if possible, take our potatoes, for we may meet with a sterileregion."

"And the hens and chickens," added Ruth, imploringly.

"We had certainly better release them," he replied, with a smile, "andintroduce a new race into the country; or else roast them and make themuseful."

But Ruth so pathetically and earnestly begged to be allowed to carry her"bonnie bit chicks," that, on the promise that the young ones should begiven up to be eaten, in case of need, she was permitted to encumberherself with her favorites. Jack made her a light basket for them, of aportable form; he then proceeded to pack, compress, and arrange thebaggage in convenient burdens for each; while Jenny baked in the oven,which she greatly regretted having to abandon, a sufficient quantity ofbiscuits to fill two large bags. The boots had all been thoroughlyrepaired during the rains; and, as it was probable they would have toset out before the weather was settled, the skins of the opossums weresewed into cloaks, to protect them.

Thus, during one day of continuous rain, when no signs of the savageswere seen, they were able to make all ready for the flight, which wasnow become absolutely necessary; and it was proposed that the nextmorning, though the clouds still threatened a continuance of rain, theyshould make a last substantial breakfast in their secure sanctuary, andthen set out at once. The breakfast was eaten, and the burdensapportioned; but, before they ventured to emerge, the boys ran off totake a survey of the plains from their watch-tower, and hastily returnedto announce the vexatious intelligence that the whole body of thesavages had passed through the devastated forest, and were alreadyascending the side of the mountain.

"Now for the defence!" exclaimed Hugh, seizing his gun, and placing theladder at the opening.

"Remove the ladder, Hugh," said Arthur. "Remember that papa has givenall authority to me. Do nothing but what I command."

Hugh made a grimace, and touched his cap.

"You, Gerald, had better go to the watch-tower," continued Arthur."Margaret and papa, Jenny, Ruth, Baldabella, and the child, willaccompany you. We shall have sufficient force to defend the cave here."

"But Margaret can watch. Do let me have some work, Arthur," said Gerald.

"Very well, then, you shall be aide-de-camp, and bring me the reportsof sentinel Margaret. Away! away!" said Arthur.

Margaret was placed on the ledge, to watch, and reported that Peter,followed by the unwilling savages, was already on the height. She sawthe keen-eyed convict examine the ground, and take up a scorchedpotato-stalk, with some of the bulbs hanging to it, which had beenimprudently left. He then went forward to the stone-lined reservoir,which was plainly the work of man; and pointed it out to his followers,as well as some tracks on the soft earth. The natives, however, lookedsullen, did not reply, but gazed anxiously round, as if expecting someunusual appearance; and all shrunk together beneath the rocky wall inwhich the watchers were concealed.

When Margaret communicated her observations, Baldabella said, "Blackfellow look for Bayl-yas—bad spirit; they not know good white manpray, send Bayl-yas away."

"Now, Meggie," said Gerald, springing up the ladder to her side; "I'llgive them a fright, and disperse them;" and the imprudent boy uttered adeep unearthly groan. In a moment the men darted forward, and werespringing down the steep, when the commanding voice of their leaderrecalled them; and Margaret, with much vexation, saw that he wasexplaining the cause of their alarm, for he pointed to the spot whereshe stood, in a menacing manner. He continued to speak to the men in atone of exultation, waving his arms, till he induced them to return andaccompany him in his search.

"Away, at once, foolish boy," said Margaret; "and tell Arthur all wehave seen, and your imprudent act. They will not leave the spot now,till they have found our hiding-place."

Poor Gerald, completely crest-fallen, hastened to make his report andhis confession; and Arthur saw plainly they should now be obliged tohave recourse to arms. He ordered Hugh to wait till he should have firedoff his two barrels, and then to take his place till he should have timeto reload. The ammunition was put in charge of Wilkins and Jack to serveout; and cruel as was the necessity, Arthur trusted they might thusdefend their position, and weary out even the malignant and stubbornconvict.

There could be no doubt discovery must soon take place, as the light bydegrees poured into the cave, through the small openings which thesavages uncovered one after another. Still Peter saw none of these couldpossibly be the entrance to any concealment; but at length he stepped onthe large slab; it was immediately removed, and a shout of exultationarose, as the large chasm pointed out the retreat of the persecutedfamily. For a moment there was a pause: even if the descent had beeneasy, the men were not so rash as to throw themselves into the clutchesof their foes below, and spears directed against an unseen enemy wouldbe wasted. Then Peter leaned over the opening, and called out,—

"Come on, ye cowards, and fight fairly if ye can, or else hand up themguns, wi' yer powder and cash, and then cut off, vagabonds as ye are,or I'll make this den ower hot to haud ye."

Arthur made a sign of silence, for he saw Wilkins was impatient and verymuch inclined to indulge in pouring out invectives against his formercompanion. Then a few spears and stones were flung down at random, whichwere easily avoided by the besieged, who had ensconced themselves inniches of the rock, and the light-hearted boys could scarcely restraintheir laughter at the futile attempts. But the resolute convict was notto be baffled; he was heard speaking to his followers in their ownlanguage, and Baldabella was placed near enough to hear and interpret.When she had listened a few minutes, she turned to Arthur with a look ofterror, and said,—"Bad Peter say, 'Burn all! burn white jin! black jin!Nakinna! good master! all burn!'"

The next moment confirmed the woman's report, for flaming brands throwninto the cave announced the desperate plan of the besiegers. Arthurcalled for water, and buckets of water were brought to quench each brandas it fell; but the suffocating smoke in that confined spot wasintolerable.

"We must end this nuisance, or we shall be stifled," said Arthur; and asPeter himself, with an armful of kindled brushwood, bent over to cast itbelow, Arthur fired on him, and the man fell back beneath the flamingbranches, which were scattered over him; then calling for the ladder,which had been brought near, the intrepid youth mounted to the opening,fired again into the midst of the assembled savages, and, rapidlydescending, removed the ladder.

The yells and groans they heard from above afforded sufficient proofthat the shots had taken effect, and Hugh and Gerald were sent to thewatch-tower to make observations. They saw that Peter was able to stand,supported by two men, but his right arm appeared to be powerless; awound in the shoulder was bleeding, and he was raging and stamping withagony, evidently from the burns he had received, for the savages wereapplying some leaves to his breast and face.

"I have never had a shot yet," said Hugh, when he returned. "It is veryhard, Arthur—pray let me run up the ladder and scatter a few of therascals."

"No, no! my dear Hugh," answered Arthur; "such a measure would be wantonand inhuman at this moment. These wretched savages are mere machines inthe hands of the villain whose own cruel designs have recoiled onhimself. If they had never met this man, they might perhaps have beentroublesome and annoying to us, but a little experience of our superiorknowledge and power would have relieved us from them. Now even, they arenot detained near us from choice, for they evidently abhor and dread theplace, but they stay to fulfil the duties of humanity to this wretch whohas so unaccountably beguiled them."

"I'll tell ye how he came round 'em, Mr. Arthur," said Wilkins. "Iheared 'em say when I were chained up yonder, as how that good-to-noughtwere a head man, and husband to one of their jins, and he'd been spearedand killed outreet by some black fellows down south, and now he weresent back to 'em wi' a white skin. Peter made 'em swallow all thatrigmarole, cunning dog as he is."

"I have read," said Mr. Mayburn, "that some of these ignorant tribeshave such an extraordinary superstition: believing that the souls of thedeparted revisit the earth in the form of white men. There is blendedwith this faith a strange recognition of the doctrine of immortality,and, we might hope, of regeneration; but the crimes of this wretch inthat which they believe to be his second life must have startled eventhe untaught heathens whom he has thus deceived."

"They're off, Mr. Arthur," said Wilkins, who had ascended to the openingto look round; "there's not a soul left. I reckon they'd be right gladto quit; and that rogue Peter's not in a way to trouble us for one bit;so, what say ye, master, if we were to bolt afore they'd settled what todo? Here's t' mistress seems all ready."

"I am quite ready, Wilkins," said Margaret, "and agree with you. Itappears to me, Arthur, that our best hope is, to snatch this opportunityto get the advantage of a few hours' start, that we may not be easilyovertaken when that wicked man is sufficiently recovered to take thefield again."

"And mind, Mr. Arthur, sharp's t' word," said Wilkins, "if we want tobeat him. He let me into his schemes a bit, as how he meant to get themfellows after him down south to join a lot of bush-rangers as was tomeet him. Ye see, we're not top walkers, at no time; and wi' all thisstuff to hug, we'd better be trotting."

"Make ready!" cried Gerald, tying on his knapsack of bark, and puttinginto one pocket a canister of powder, and into the other a bag of shot;"we must trot, as Wilkins says, as well as fellows can trot carryingsuch burdens as ours. I say, Arty, haven't I got my share?"

"You have indeed, my boy," answered Arthur. "I fear you will not be ableto get on long under such a heavy burden; but we must try, at firsthowever, to carry as much away as we can bear. Take your bow to supportyou, and mount the ladder. Now, Hugh."

Hugh was similarly laden, but carried a gun instead of a bow. Ruth wouldnot resign her fowls, and had in addition the serious weight of a largebag of potatoes. Margaret, Jenny, and Baldabella carried the bread andthe remainder of the potatoes, the poor native having in addition thecharge of her child. Mr. Mayburn was laden with the shells and bucketswhich constituted their household furniture; and Arthur, Wilkins, andJack cleared off all the rest of the weapons and bags. The descent tothe plains had been rendered easy by the conflagration, which had almostentirely destroyed the forest, and the travellers chose their path in adirection opposite to the wood which was the abode of the natives. Theytoiled on with swift feet and anxious hearts, scarcely conscious oftheir heavy burdens, for two hours; in which time they had left theirdesolated sanctuary far away to the north.

The ground was level and fertile, and the weather favorable; for the sunwas overclouded, though no rain was falling; and relaxing their extremespeed, they still continued to walk on, till downright fatigue andhunger pointed out the necessity of rest. The best place for theirencampment that they could select was in the midst of a thicket of thetea-shrub and other low brushwood. The young men with their axes cleareda spot for a fire, and niches for sleeping-places; they plucked thefresh leaves from the plants to make tea, and enjoyed their coarsebiscuit, soothed by the silver tones of the bell-bird, the musicalpiping of the organ-magpie, and the soft cry of an invisible bird, thecurious notes of which resembled those of the curlew.

Night fell on them with all the beauty of the tropical regions; the softbreeze loaded with fragrance from the luxuriant flowers revived by therecent rains, the bright stars above their heads, the brilliantfire-flies floating round them, the dying notes of the half hushedbirds, the incessant hum of the restless insect tribes; all was harmony,inspiring devout and holy thoughts; and the weary travellers slepthappily and trustfully till morning awoke them to resume their labors.

CHAPTER XXIII.

A Bark Sledge.—The Friendly Tribe.—The Wild Melon.—A NocturnalAlarm.—The Wombats.—The Bivouac on the Heath.—The Savagesagain.—Away to the South.

The women had prepared breakfast, and Arthur was becoming impatient,before Jack and the two young boys appeared, dragging after them a largesheet of bark, to which they had attached ropes.

"It was Jack's thought!" exclaimed Gerald. "Is it not a capitalplan?—the baggage-wagon! Off with your knapsack, Arty; Jenny, bringyour pots and pans. Every thing must be tied on our sledge, and we willdraw it in turns—two men to form a team."

"It will be a great relief, certainly," said Arthur, "so long as theplains continue tolerably clear and level; but, I fear, over the mattedbrush or the rugged mountain we shall find it useless."

"Why then, Mr. Arthur," said Jack, "it will only be taking up our loadsa bit, and leaving the sledge. We can soon cut another sheet when theroad gets smoother."

The sledge answered admirably, and, relieved from their burdens, theywent on for several days, over well-watered and well-wooded plains,without interruption, and without delay, except when the disengagedyouths lingered behind to shoot a few pheasants or co*ckatoos, that thebread might not be too soon exhausted. In a week after they had left thecave, they saw kangaroos again, and even the sledge was abandoned, thatall might join in the chase. After a long hunt, they succeeded inkilling one; and the weather being now less sultry, they were able topreserve the meat for two days. The skin was cleaned and dried, and thenconverted into bags for the biscuit, for showers of rain still felloccasionally, and they had been compelled to take off their cloaks toprotect their valuable food.

One evening, an unwelcome return of the heavy rain induced them to lookanxiously round for some shelter, and turning round a clump of tallbushes, they came suddenly on a cluster of scattered huts, formed ofgreen boughs and open in front. Beneath these canopies several women,wearing cloaks of fur, were employed in pounding grain or nuts betweentwo stones, while they sung some song in a low, musical tone, and inperfect harmony.

Outside the huts stood several tall men. They had a single loose garmentof fur cast round them, but the bust was wholly uncovered, and marked bymany raised cicatrices. They were engaged in making arrows or spears,and never raised their heads from their employment; but, with the usualdignified indifference of the savage, did not appear to notice theapproach of the strangers, though probably they had never before seenthe white man. Even the women continued their work and their song; andit was only when Baldabella, who had been introduced by her protectors,went forward, holding her child, to ask the women to give some goodwhite people shelter from the rain in their huts, that the men turned tolisten, and the women suspended their labor. The head of the family,pointing out an empty hut, spoke to Baldabella, and said, as sheinterpreted his words, "That very good for white man; for black man;plenty rain make much cold."

Glad of the refuge, while Baldabella remained to talk to the women ofthe tribe, the rest took possession of the slight hut, and preparedtheir supper of the remains of the kangaroo, of which they invited theirfriendly hosts to partake. The natives now assembled round them withsome curiosity, tasted the seethed kangaroo, and seemed to relish it;rejected the roasted potatoes with disgust, but greedily enjoyed thebiscuit, especially the jumbles, as the boys called them, which wereflavored with the juice of the figs.

Then the women in return for this hospitality, brought to them somepods, which Arthur recognized to be the fruit of the Acaciastenophylla, the seeds, or nuts, resembling in flavor the cachou-nut.They brought also a small melon, or cucumber, now ripe and sweet, withwhich the plains that the travellers had crossed this day had beencovered; but they had not ventured to eat it till now, when they saw howthe natives enjoyed it.

"It certainly belongs to one of the most useful orders of plantsconsidered as the food of man," said Mr. Mayburn; "and, as far as I candetermine from recollection, I believe it to be the Cucumis pubescens.This is truly a country of rich and abundant resources; wanting but thelight of civilization and religion to render it a paradise."

"Surely, papa," said Margaret, "our countrymen acted unwisely when theysuffered the first steps into these lovely and untrodden wilds to bemade by the vilest of criminals. Alas! alas! what must the ignorantnatives think of such Christian missionaries!"

"It was an error, Margaret," answered her father, "wide in its mischief,fatal in its results; and generations must pass away before the errorcan be rectified. But a purer and holier influence is at work; and, inhis own good time, God will assuredly enlighten the people, through theefforts of his faithful servants. Would that I were able to take myshare in the great work! but, alas! I am but the barren fig-tree, andcontinually I hear that awful sentence ringing in my ear, 'Cut it down;why cumbereth it the ground?'"

The earnest father then called on his family to kneel in prayer, whilethe natives stood round in silent wonder, especially when they remarkedthe devout demeanor of Baldabella, and heard the little child murmuringin English the responses, in imitation of her kind teachers. Afterprayers the women seemed to be earnestly questioning Baldabella; andMargaret was pleased to hear the woman speak long and earnestly to thequestioners, for she was convinced that Baldabella was truly a Christianin faith, so far as her simple mind could comprehend the faith.

Though they considered it prudent to keep a watch, the sleep of thefamily was not disturbed by any fears, for these natives seemed quietand inoffensive; and through Baldabella they learnt that they had evershunned the restless and destructive tribes to the north, and a stillmore dangerous people, whom they spoke of with terror, as the tribes ofthe "Great River," to the south. But, the interpreter added, they didnot like the white people who came to kill the menuah, as they namedthe kangaroo; and the emu, and to carry off their weapons. But they weresatisfied that these white strangers were peaceful like themselves, andthey wished them well, and would show them the way through themountains.

The weary travellers gratefully accepted this offer, for the prospect ofhaving to ascend, without guidance, a line of mountains which cut offtheir progress to the south, and of being compelled to resume theirheavy burdens, was alarming. Early in the morning they sought the women,to present them with some biscuit and with a pair of fowls, of whichBaldabella undertook to explain the great usefulness, and the domestichabits and proper mode of feeding.

Then they once more set out, guided by the chief among the natives; andhaving skirted the mountains for three or four miles to the east, founda narrow gorge, through which a shallow rill ran towards the south,along the flowery margin of which they passed till they came uponanother wide plain, less wooded and fertile than that which they hadleft, but grown over with the Cucumis laden with fruit. This plain wasperforated with dangerous holes, which their guide told them were thedens of a large animal, very fierce, which he called the Wombat, andwhich the boys were filled with a great desire to encounter andvanquish.

Once on the plains, the native pointed out the direction which they wereto follow, greatly to the east of south. He shook his head when theyintimated their wish to proceed due south, and, according to Baldabella,declared there was "no water"—a most important objection to the route.Arthur gave the man one of the table-knives, much to the discontent ofJenny and the great delight of the receiver; and the gratified nativestood watching them for some time, and then slowly returned to hispeople.

"Now for the wombats!" exclaimed Gerald, looking anxiously down into oneof the dens of these unknown animals. But all was still and dark; andArthur begged that there might be no delay, as, in all probability, theanimals could only be drawn from their retreats by dogs, or be surprisedby long watching, and time was now too precious to be spent on such anuncertain pursuit. Continuing, therefore, to follow the course of theslender rivulet, which, however, soon became but a chain of pools, theytravelled for several miles, eating, as they went on, the juicy melons,as they called the Cucumis, till the sight of a smoke in the directionof the pools induced them reluctantly to forsake even this small supplyof water, and to diverge directly to the south, till they should havepassed the danger of encountering another tribe, who might prove lessfriendly than their late hosts.

The sudden fall of night compelled them to rest at a spot where no waterwas to be discovered, and, too late, they regretted that they had notbrought a supply from the pools. Reluctantly they made their only mealof the day on bread; fortunately they were able to add melons; still theprivation was felt; they were unsatisfied and much depressed, tillcalmed by the blessed influence of prayer. Then all anxiety was hushedby a sound sleep on the wide, treeless plain.

They had slept some hours, when Arthur was awaked by a startling cry,and, springing up in alarm, he seized his gun, and called hastily toJack to follow him. The moon was shining brightly, and they were enabledto see some moving objects at no great distance, towards which theyquickly directed their steps, and, on drawing near, they heard the voiceof O'Brien crying out, "Arthur! Arthur! come and kill these frightfulbeasts! I shall be worried!"

They now saw the head of O'Brien, who, supported only by his hands, hadsunk into a hole or den, and was surrounded by a troop of hideous largeanimals, with the form of a bear and the nose of a badger. They wereactually running over the boy, and apparently very uneasy at hisintrusion. Jack's spear soon despatched one of the animals; the restfled to their dens at the sight of more invaders of their homes; andO'Brien was dragged from the hole he had accidentally taken possessionof, and scolded by Arthur for his imprudence. It appeared that he had,while lying awake, seen one of the wombats roaming about in search offood, and while pursuing it with his spear he had fallen into the den,and by his cries raised the whole community of these social and harmlessbeasts, which, powerful and numerous as they were, had attempted noinjury against the rude invader.

The wombat Jack had killed was about the size of a sheep; they divestedit of its smooth thick fur skin, which was hung up to dry immediately.In the morning they had an opportunity of examining the curious, clumsyanimals, which were still busily feeding. Wilkins declared their fleshto be delicate and excellent food; but, without water, no one felt anyappetite for meat.

"Doubtless," said Mr. Mayburn, "this creature is the Phascolomysursinus, partaking of the form of the bear and the hog; but, like thegreat majority of Australian animals, marsupial."

"He is an ugly fellow," said Hugh, "with his huge body and short legs;but his skin is capital; we will clean it to make a mattrass for papa,and we must have another skin for Margaret. After all, Jenny, awombat-steak will be more juicy than this dreadful dry, husky biscuit;and I suppose we must try to eat, or we shall never have strength to getout of this desert."

The steaks were really excellent with sliced melon, if the travellerscould have relished food without water; and after breakfast they setout, again eagerly watching for signs of water; but no one feelingsufficient energy to execute another wombat before they departed. Theycontinued to struggle on over a loose sandy soil, covered with a bushresembling the heath, so dear to the northern people of Great Britain;the very sight of which cheered the thirsty wanderers in the dry desert;and they talked of the moors of home till their steps grew lighter. Butthe toil of dragging the light sledge over or through the bushes becamehard labor; and at length Mr. Mayburn, exhausted with thirst, was soovercome that two of the young men had to support him, as they slowlymoved on to escape from this desert.

"Keep up your heart, master," said the attached Wilkins; "and Jenny,woman, be getting yer cans ready; we'se have a sup of rain afore long,depend on't. Now some of ye light-heeled young uns, run on, and seek outa shelter for t' master."

The sky was dark, the thunder rumbled at a distance, and the youngpeople looked round in happy anxiety for some shelter; but in vain,—noteven a tree was to be seen; and at last they were obliged to contentthemselves with a little cleared spot, backed by a low brush-coveredhill, and surrounded by the tea-shrub mingled with the graceful heath.There they hollowed out a sort of recess in the soft sandy hill-side,before which they hung the skin of the wombat, that Mr. Mayburn andMargaret, at least, might be sheltered. By this time the rain had begunto fall in torrents, and every vessel they had brought away was placedto catch the precious drops.

Then the boys made forms as they called them, beneath the brushwood,into which they crept, to escape, as far as they could, the deluge ofrain. But ever and anon a hand was stretched out to obtain a draught ofthe long-pined-for water; and though they declared it tasted warm, theyfelt so refreshed that there succeeded a great appetite forwombat-steak, which could not, however, be gratified; for to attempt tomake a fire was hopeless.

"What charming dormitories we have!" said Gerald. "The rain drippingthrough these narrow-leaved shrubs and dabbling your face all nightlong, will be so comfortable. I don't think a wombat's den would be sucha bad thing to-night. Ruth, how do the co*cks and hens like thisweather?"

"I keeps 'em covered an' under my cloak, Master Gerald," answered she;"but, bonnie things, they tremmel and cower all of a heap. You see,birds and such-like, are all for sunshine."

"And sunshine enough they've had here, Ruth," replied he; "and now wemust not be unthankful for the rain we wanted much. Pleasant dreams toyou all, my friends!" called out the lively boy, as he dived under thebushes, to scratch himself out a den, as he said. But the rain and thethunder prevented much sleep, and at the first gleam of light, the boysissued from their comfortless dens, with some dry twigs which hadformed their beds, and with which they proposed, though the rain wasstill falling, to make a fire to cook some meat. But before they couldaccomplish their plan, they were disturbed by a trampling among thebushes, and the sound of human voices.

"The savages! the savages!" whispered Hugh; "I think I can distinguishthe voice of Black Peter."

"Scatter the twigs," said Arthur; "put the water-vessels underneath thebushes. Draw these skins into your form, Margaret, and crouch out ofsight. Now! now! to cover, all of you!"

They had scarcely given the place the appearance of being unvisited, anddrawn themselves securely under the scrub, when the voices were so closeto them that they could distinguish, though they could not understandthe words. Only Black Peter, who pronounced the language slowly, wassufficiently distinct for them to make out the words signifying"mountains" and "plenty of water."

The party passed close to them, but without pausing, and when the stepsand voices sounded sufficiently distant, Arthur looked out, and saw thesame men who had besieged them in their mountain retreat, still headedby Peter. All the men were outrageously painted white and red, thoughthey were partially covered with opossum cloaks to shelter them from therain. Arthur observed that they moved on towards the east, where, at agreat distance, appeared a dark line, which he concluded was themountain-range Peter had alluded to.

One after another the alarmed family appeared from their hiding-places;Baldabella was eagerly questioned about their discourse, and she repliedthat she had heard Peter say, "White men go to mountain, find muchwater. Peter go to mountain, find plenty water, plenty white fellow,plenty gun, knife. Kill white man, kill bad fellow Wilkins."

"She's reet! I'll uphold her," said Wilkins. "Depend on 't Peter'sheared of some bush-rangers out ower yonder, and he'll want to join 'em.We'se have to keep clear of their track, master. Just look round ye,what chance should we have again a lot of them desp'rate rogues, wi'guns in their hands, and blood in their hearts; and when they're fairlyset on, them blacks is as bad; they reckon nought of a dozen lives toget haud on a gun."

"Whither shall we flee?" cried Mr. Mayburn, in a distracted tone."Speak, Margaret—Arthur—and you, my good man, who, steeped in evil,had yet strength given you to turn away from it, guide and save us!Alas! it is but too true; man, civilized or savage, preserves his innateand original depravity. 'There is none good; no, not one.' Men havespoken of the simple and pure life of the desert; we see what it is intruth."

"Yes, dear papa," said Margaret, "we must bid adieu to the fallaciousdreams of poetry, the romance of that golden age when men were virtuousbecause they were ignorant. These are men to whom the temptations of theworld are unknown; men who have never looked on the brilliantdecorations of vice; yet they are harsh, cruel, selfish, and faithless.Is this truly human nature, papa?"

"I fear, my child, it is too truly human nature," answered Mr.Mayburn,—"fallen, degraded, unredeemed human nature. Well does a greatand wise writer on the natural depravity of man picture the ignorantsavage as 'a compound of pride and indolence, and selfishness, andcunning and cruelty; full of a revenge which nothing could satiate, of aferocity which nothing could soften; strangers to the most amiablesensibilities of nature.' Then what weight of sin must rest on the soulsof those who, having been taught the way of truth themselves, takeadvantage of the frailty of humanity to lead these heathens into thegulf of crime. Woe to those men 'who know the best, and yet the worstpursue.'"

While they watched the gradual disappearance of their enemies, the rainceased, and Jenny summoned the party to the enjoyment of tea to theirdry biscuit, before they resumed their journey, the prospect of whichwas still unpromising.

"We must now, defying all the threatened deserts, go on towards thesouth," said Arthur, "and evade, if we possibly can, our implacable andinveterate pursuers. The temptation to cross the eastern mountains isgreat, but I fear, Wilkins, we should hardly be safe, even in the rearof such dangerous company."

"Nay, nay! Mr. Arthur, keep out of their way," said Wilkins. "Ye hearedwhat Baldabella said about their going to rondessvowse ower yonder wi'them roguish bush-rangers; and I see no sense in running into t' thickon 'em."

"Certainly not, Wilkins," answered Arthur. "Then we will decide on aroute due south. So, forward, my brave men, and let us carefully carryaway the water we have preserved, for I fear much we have not yet passedthe wilderness."

CHAPTER XXIV.

The Dry Wilderness.—Despair.—The Coming-down of the Waters.—TheDiscomfited Savages.—Hunger and Thirst.—The Footsteps in the Mud.—APond.—The Talegalla and its Nest.—The Valley of Promise.—The River tothe South.

It was indeed on a wilderness they now entered, where low entangledbrushwood spread as far as the eye could extend, unvaried by theappearance of a single tree rising above it; and as they toiled throughor over this perplexing ground, carrying the bark sledge, which it wasimpossible to draw over the bush, they were often deceived by the sightof a line of tall reeds, the border of the bed of some river, now whollydry, or merely muddy with the rain of the previous day. They saw noanimals, except two or three emus, which swiftly fled from pursuit; andthey were too eager to escape from the dry desert to waste time in thechase. For two days, successive morning suns showed them the sametrackless and unwatered heaths spread before them; then the water wasexhausted, and they turned away with loathing from the dry bread andpotatoes.

Slowly and languidly they dragged on their weary way, still watching andhoping in vain. Another day of suffering dawned on them; and now thescorching air, the dry food, the fatigue, and the consuming thirstovercame them one after another, and before evening Mr. Mayburn said,"Let us lie down here, Arthur. God has chosen, in His wisdom, to putthis termination to our efforts. Nature is exhausted; let us lie downand prepare for death."

"Not so, my dear father," answered Arthur. "God wills that we should beactive, and strive to surmount difficulties, or He would not havebestowed on us the bounteous gifts of thought and action. Margaret, Iknow your faith and resolution; encourage my father."

"You look to me in vain, my dear brother," said Margaret. "I am unableto think or to move. Save our beloved father, and leave me beneath thesebushes to die. I feel that death must be near at hand."

"I beseech you to rally your energy, my darling Meggie," said herbrother, in a broken voice. "Surely, after the rain that fell yesterday,we must soon find some pools. We must not be so weak as to remain here,with our pursuers so near to us, and drought and death around us. Let ustry at least to cross this muddy and deceitful gorge, and be thankful;for remember, my dear sister, if this had been now a foaming river, weshould have been unable to ford it, and must have been lost in thisdesert."

Margaret was too weak to reply, and Arthur, lifting her with difficultyin his enfeebled arms, descended the banks, and crossed the wide bed ofa river which was scarcely moist enough to leave the traces of hisfootsteps. Wilkins and Jack supported Mr. Mayburn across, and the restlanguidly followed. They crawled slowly up the rocky banks of theopposite side, which were covered with thick scrubby bushes; and thenbeneath a spreading acacia, they sat down to rest a few moments, andendeavored to nerve themselves to endurance and exertion.

"Surely, Wilkins," said Arthur, "that lofty line of mountains which wecan still see at the east, though so distant, ought to supply springsand streams to these plains, and there must be water at no greatdistance. You and I are pretty stout; can we not leave these feeblefolks here, and go on to search for some relief for them?"

"Look yonder, Mr. Arthur," answered Wilkins, "just atween us and themmountains, and say if we ought to leave 'em behind us."

Arthur beheld with dismay, at about a mile's distance, a dark massmoving over the bare plain. He saw that the savages were returning, andeven his firm heart failed, for here was no shelter—no hope of escape.He remained struck dumb for a minute; then he whispered to his brothersthe dreadful fact, adding, "They must be nearer than they appear to be,for I surely hear them as well as see them. Certainly, some sound breaksthe stillness of this solitary desert. It must be the murmur of manyvoices."

"It seems to me like men felling wood," said Jack.

"It is more like the blessed sound of water," said O'Brien, springingup.

Still the mass of figures, though now more defined and plainlyrecognized to be the savage host, approached slowly; and they could notproduce the strange rumor, which momentarily grew louder, crackling,tearing, roaring, like the mighty elephant, forcing its way through thethicket. All the party now heard in trembling fear this unaccountablephenomenon, and the weeping women knelt down to pray for aid amidstaccumulated distresses.

"Father," murmured the almost unconscious Margaret, "I smell water. Oh,give me some, or I die."

"It is water!" shouted O'Brien "I said it was water. It is the rivercoming down. Come on, Hugh, let us meet it;" and he leaped down into thebed of the stream.

"Stop the lad!" cried Wilkins, following and dragging him up the bankagain. "We'se ha'e water enough, and more nor we want soon. Look ye!look ye!" and they saw a slender thread of water come crawling over thebed like a silver snake.

"Sharp! sharp! hand us a bucket!" called Wilkins; and, provided with abucket, he descended and quickly procured a small quantity of water torelieve the worst sufferers; but before a second supply could beobtained, he was compelled to retreat in haste, and an amazing spectacleburst on the eyes of the beholders. A mighty tower of water was seen toapproach, rushing, pouring, foaming; casting up from it trunks of trees,drenched garlands of creeping plants, and showers of pebbles. In anincredibly short space of time the resistless torrent had filled thedeep gorge, and was splashing over the rocky banks.

Gradually the torrent subsided into a smooth, deep, and flowing river,from which the pining sufferers obtained the refreshment they had solong sought, and then, with bended knees, offered up a thanksgiving tothat Great Power who had by this providential event rescued them from apainful death, and interposed an insurmountable barrier between them andtheir vindictive enemies, who, having now approached near enough to beaware of this unexpected obstacle, saw, with evident wrath, their prizesnatched from their grasp. At the command of their implacable andwell-known chief, Peter, some of the most skilful threw their spears;but the river was not less than fifty yards across, besides which, thestrong east wind drifted away the weapons from their intended aim; andthe invigorated and uninjured family lost no time in leaving thedangerous spot, and were soon beyond sight of the stubborn natives, andthe malicious bush-ranger.

"It is plain they have no means of crossing the river," said Arthur;"but, Wilkins, what can have induced them to return from the mountains?"

"I reckon they'll have somehow missed their comrades as was to be,"answered Wilkins. "Maybe they'd an inkling as how we were behind 'em andnot afore 'em; and they'd niver reckon on t' water coming down; and nota soul among 'em can swim, barring Peter, and he knew better nor trusthisself among us alone. We've stopped 'em a bit now, master."

"Not we, Wilkins, but God," said Mr. Mayburn. "It was 'the Lord thatbrought again the waters upon them,' and saved us. To His name be theglory."

"We have still before us a long struggle through these sterile wilds,"said Arthur; "but this deliverance must give us renewed courage forlabor and privation. Now we may afford to eat our supper, and take ourrest without fear."

The strongest of the party, before they left the river, had filled allthe vessels with water, and brought them off, and very soon, almostwithin hearing of the noisy savages, they made a fire, and enjoyed againthe luxury of tea to their potatoes, before weary nature sought repose.But as soon as it was light, they set out, after again having tea to fitthem for another day of toil. The march was resumed with renewed healthand spirits, but still the monotony of the matted rough desert, whichrarely afforded a clear spot for them to draw the sledge, fatigued anddepressed them before the day was over. And when they rested for theevening, and Jenny produced the scanty remainder of potatoes, and thestill smaller portion of grain, dismay sat on every countenance, andJack was the first to demand that Ruth's basket might be lightened, andthe contents given up to satisfy the hungry and healthy appetite of thepublic in general.

It was found on inspection that besides three full-grown fowls, the girlwas still carrying six good-sized chickens, the rest of the brood havingperished, from accident or scanty food. Immediately, as a matter ofexpediency to save the oats, to lessen the burden they had to carry, andto feed the hungry, sentence was passed that two chickens should beexecuted each day, and it was hoped, before all were eaten, some regionof more plenty might be attained.

With great reluctance, and floods of tears, Ruth relinquished her pets,and at the end of the three days, only the old fowls were left, andevery potato, grain, and drop of water was gone. Then, indeed, theyrealized the misery of famine; strength and cheerfulness left them, andthey tottered reluctantly forward, slowly and in mournful silence.

Sometimes an emu was seen at a distance, but none had energy or strengthto chase it, and Arthur, whose mental vigor supported him, when all weresinking round him, tried in vain to rouse them from their apathy.

"Let us struggle on a little longer," he said. "Once more I see a tallline of reeds, and by God's mercy, we may not be disappointed this time.Come, Jack, you and I will make a forced march in search of succor forthose who are weaker than ourselves; and if we succeed we will return torefresh and bring them forward."

With buckets slung over their shoulders, and leaning on their longspears, the two young men strained every nerve to reach the reeds likethose which had so frequently disappointed them, and, cutting or forcingtheir way through the tall canes, they came again on the bed of ariver—moist and muddy, indeed, but not a pool of water was to be seen.

"Let us ascend higher; we may find a little," said Arthur. "But, surely,Jack, here are footsteps on the soft earth. Some one has been herebefore us."

"Sure enough there has," replied Jack. "Men have been here; bootedchaps, too; none of the savages; anyhow, not them that we reckonsavages, but like enough, they'll be little better. Ay, their track runsupward; what say ye, Mr. Arthur, are we to follow it?"

"We must follow it, Jack," answered Arthur; "we must find water, ordeath is inevitable to us; and we are better in the rear of suspectedfoes than before them. And yonder are pools before us, God be thanked.Let us drink and then we will carry life back to those who are ingreater need than ourselves."

The pools afforded ample supplies. The young men drank, and bathed theirburning faces and heads, and then hastened back, refreshed and vigorous,bearing full buckets for the anxious party who awaited their return, andafter they had drunk, and were able to converse, they were informed ofthe appearance of the footsteps.

"I'd like to see 'em wi' my own eyes," said Wilkins. "If it be ony ofour chaps from t' colony, run-a-way fellows, I ken t' make of theirboots at t' first sight. But it's a long step for 'em to have marched,poor rogues. What think ye if we stirred from here? for I'd like to tellye what I ken about them tracks."

The whole party went forward more briskly than before, and reached thebed of the river, where Wilkins carefully examined the marks, and thensaid,—"Bush-rangers, as sure as ye stand there, Mr. Arthur. Here's beenfour on 'em; and look ye here, what call ye them tracks? I say, beastsand horses. I ken their game: they'll have druv' off a lot of stock, andthey'll reckon to squat here somewhere north. But they'll find they'llhave to seek out a cannier bit nor this. Like enough, master, it'll bethem chaps as Black Peter was lighting on finding."

By this time the two younger boys had ascended considerably higher upthe bed of the river, and reached a large pond covered with water-fowl.They were fortunate enough to shoot four ducks, and came back laden withthis grateful relief to their utter destitution. They dined as soon asthe birds could be cooked; and this rest, and abundant food, invigoratedand cheered them to set out once more.

They would gladly have continued to travel along the bed of the river,where they might certainly have depended on a constant supply of water,as well as wild ducks; but, on consideration, it was decided that tofollow the steps of lawless robbers was a dangerous experiment, and thatit was advisable still to continue the southern course over the drearydesert. Their progress was, however, rendered more tolerable, by theknowledge that they carried with them water for two days, at least; andthey began to perceive there was beauty, even in that wide, solitarywilderness, though it appeared unknown to all the living world.

Yet it was not altogether without living inhabitants; for, the secondday, Gerald surprised them by crying out, "A turkey! a turkey!" andspears, arrows, and boomerang, were speedily sent after the lucklessbird, though the sight and the cries of the strange multitude had causedit to spring from the bush where it was feeding, to the lowest branchesof a tree somewhat taller than the unvaried dwarf bushes; and fromthence, rather by leaps than by flight, it ascended to the highbranches, where it only exposed itself more to the weapons of theinveterate sportsmen, and was speedily brought down.

It was beyond the usual size of the English turkey, to which it bore astrong resemblance, and delighted Ruth with the idea that they werecoming among poultry again. The young naturalists had more opportunityof observing this specimen than the last they had killed, and theyagreed that this curious bird belonged to a family peculiar to thisstrange country, the Megapodidæ, but so nearly allied to the family ofMeleagrinæ, that it might familiarly be called the Australian turkey.

"There can be no doubt that it is, as I formerly believed," said Mr.Mayburn, "the Talegalla of the prince of ornithologists, Gould. Themassy claw is a striking characteristic, so conformable to the habitsand haunts of the bird, enabling it to run amongst the bush, or climbtrees to escape its enemies, the chief of which is the Dingo, ornative dog, which has been rather troublesome to us from its nocturnalyelping than from its appearance. Now, concluding this to be theTalegalla, we must endeavor to discover the remarkable nest of thisbird, which, like the ostrich, leaves its eggs to be hatched by the sun.These eggs we are told are delicious; but above all, the sight of thepeculiar nest would gratify my curiosity."

They had not proceeded far, when they saw, a little out of their course,a curious mound or pyramid, which they all went up to examine. It mighthave been the work of man's hand, so regularly and artfully the ground,for a considerable space round it, was entirely cleared of vegetation,and the decayed grass and brushwood thus removed formed the remarkablemound. The lower part seemed to have been erected some years, the decaybeing complete; the upper part was fresher, as if recently renewed.

"It is apparent that this pile must be the work of years," said Mr.Mayburn, "and is probably accomplished by numbers laboring in common toraise this vast hatching oven. I am reluctant to disturb a work whichhas cost so much labor; but I think we might partially uncover it, toobserve the internal arrangement."

The boys mounted the pile, which was six feet in height, and carefullyunpacked the upper layer of the hot-bed, when they soon discovered avast number of large white oval eggs, nearly four inches in length,which were buried standing on end, with the broad end uppermost, aboutten inches apart from each other. One of the eggs was partially hatched;and the young bird might be seen, covered, not with down, but withfeathers.

At the sight of the feathered bird in the shell Ruth turned away withdisgust from the long-desired poultry. "Nay, Master Gerald," said she,as the boy held out the egg to her; "ye'll not catch me touching an egglike that, niver sitten on as it ought to be, and t' bird chippingready-feathered. It's unnat'ral, and they're uncanny creaters, theyare."

"Why, one of these unbroken eggs would make a custard, Ruth, as good asthat of an English Turkey," said Gerald.

"That's what I'se niver credit, sir," answered she. "Not a custard fitfor Christians. Them black folks 'll eat aught 'at falls in their way.Oh! Miss Marget, this is a queer, awesome country!"

They did not take any of the eggs, which appeared to be in an advancedstate for hatching; but they roasted the talegalla, and found itdelicious meat, though it must be remembered appetite was keen andturkey a rarity.

"Now, to-morrow morning," said Arthur, "we must make for yon distantgreen hills; and I trust we shall find a pleasanter region. If we couldbut meet with one of the rivers that flow towards the south, we mighttry boating again, and make our journey on an easier plan. Surely weought to have reached the division between the northern and southernwaters."

"It would be a rare hit to light on a good river," said Wilkins, "forwe're gettin fearfully into t' midst of a nest of bush-rangers, andwe'll ha'e little chance of slipping 'em, trailing on in this way."

The morning view of the green hills was so flattering that they indulgedin the luxury of tea for breakfast, though the water was nearlyexpended, and then proceeded hopefully over the scrub, now diversifiedwith various species of acacia, a Stenochylus bending under its largescarlet blossoms, and a Boronia laden with lilac flowers. Cheerfullyhailing the fertile regions once more, they soon reached the steepwooded ascent of the hills, where the lively notes of the birds againgave life to the solitude; while their brilliant plumage lighted up thegray foliage of the acacia and the dark gloom of the evergreens.

After an hour's laborious ascent they reached the table-land, where thefresh breeze and the balmy fragrance announced a pleasanter region. Theyrested, and looked round with admiration and delight on the gloriousprospect below them. On the east and on the west distant ranges ofmountains were visible, between which lay a rich valley studded withlofty forest trees, while here and there arose green hills crowned withrocky masses resembling towers and fortresses, or ruined castles, inpicturesque beauty.

From the western range of mountains might be seen a long, dark-greenline, stretching to the south-east, which they decided must be theboundary of some large river. This line they impatiently desired toreach; and, after a short rest, they continued their march over a plainrich with rare shrubs and many new and curious grasses now in seed,amongst which they hailed with pleasure their old friend the oat-grass,with which they filled the emptied bags as they passed through it. Adark and luxuriant wood formed the green line they had seen from theheights, and crossing it, they stood on the rocky banks of a rapid riverwhich flowed to the south-east.

For a few moments they stood silently contemplating this pleasant sight,beneath a graceful Acacia Pendula. Then Mr. Mayburn turned to hisfamily, with tears in his eyes, and said, "My children, let us givethanks where thanks are due. We are again rescued from famine,captivity, or death. Let us praise His name who has brought us from thedark valley of the shadow of death, to life and hope."

All kneeled down, and the little Nakinna was the first to raise herinfantine voice, saying "Our Father;" and to that simple and sublimeexpression of heavenly trust, Mr. Mayburn added the prayers of humility,hope, and gratitude.

"To-night we must rest," said Arthur, when the prayers were concluded;"but to-morrow we must, if possible, make two canoes."

"We will bark the trees to-night, Mr. Arthur, if you please," said Jack."The bark will dry, and I'd like all ready to start. To-morrow's neverso safe as to-day."

"Jack's right," said Wilkins. "I were feeling a bit idle mysel', butthere's no sense in't; so lend us hand on an axe, and I'se be none theworse for a stroke of work."

While the young men were engaged in cutting away the bark for the shellsof the canoes, and the fibres of the stringy bark for tying them, andcollecting the strong gum for cement, Baldabella descended to the river,and soon speared two immense fish, which seemed to be a species ofmullet; and she also brought in a quantity of the fresh-water mussels,the shells of which were so useful for domestic purposes.

The broiled fish and hastily prepared oat-cake—or damper, as Wilkinscalled it—formed an excellent supper; and though the nights had nowbecome cold, even in that tropical region, they slept on beds of heath,covered with opossum cloaks, without injury or disturbance.

CHAPTER XXV.

Boat-building again.—Unlucky Ruth.—The Woods on Fire.—Dangers on Landand Water.—The Wounded Girl.—A Home among the Mountains.—TheBottle-tree.—The Bee-hunt.—Bean-coffee.—The Lost Hunters.

At the first merry cry of the laughing jackass, which announced the dawnas regularly as the English co*ck-crow, the workmen rose to labor attheir hopeful undertaking; and before many hours were passed the canoeswere nearly finished, and the women were busy cutting down grass forseats; when Ruth, who had left them, came rushing back through the wood,with her wildest look of distraction, crying out, "They seed me! MissMarget, they seed me!"

"Thou unlucky lass!" exclaimed Jenny. "Where hast thou been? and who'sseen thee?"

"Them black men, they seed me!" answered she. "I were cutting some oatsfor my hens; and I heared 'em shouting out their coo-ee, and when Ilooked round I seed a lot of 'em, a long way off, and I skriked out; Icouldn't help it, Miss Marget, and then they coo-eed again, and off Iran. But I'se feared they heared me skrike, onyhow."

Margaret, in deep dismay, communicated this unfortunate event to herbrothers, and Arthur went through the wood to reconnoitre. From a hiddenretreat he observed a troop of men, still at a great distance, whoappeared to be stooping down to mark some track on the ground, fromwhich he judged Ruth's cries had been unnoticed. He returned in hasteto report his observations.

"They've tracked us, sure enough," said Wilkins. "Sharp's the word,lads, we may distance 'em yet, if we work hard. We'se run down t' waterat a bonnie rate."

"I will watch and report their approach, while you all work at theboats," said Margaret. "Where shall I stand, Wilkins?"

"Just here, Miss," answered he, "aback of this thick bush. There's yerpeep-hole; and shout when they get close up."

Margaret's first shout was a terrific one. "Arthur! Wilkins!" she criedin a frantic voice. "Oh! God help us! whither shall we flee? Thewretches are firing the wood."

The savages, taking advantage of a north wind, had fired the long drygrass—a common practice with the natives. It was already fiercelyblazing, and rushing towards the wood with resistless fury. The groundon which the travellers had encamped, and the spot where the young menwere working, they had fortunately cleared for beds, and for seats inthe boats; and now, while Jack and Arthur finished the canoes, the restcut down the brushwood round, and flung it into the river, leaving aspace of twenty or thirty yards wide quite cleared. But beyond that rosethe lofty trees, that, once blazing, must shower down destruction onthem.

Already the crackling of the trees announced that the conflagration wasbegun in the woods, and that no time must be lost, if they hoped toescape from it. Flights of white co*ckatoos, of bright-colored parrots,and glittering bronze pigeons, rose screaming from their desolatedhomes, and affrighted opossums sprang from their nests, swung on thetrees, or fell senseless with the smoke on the ground. But in this timeone canoe was completed and launched, with the women, all the baggage,and Mr. Mayburn and Hugh to direct it. They had been swept down theriver to a considerable distance from the fire before the second canoe,imperfectly completed, whirled off with the rest of the family, whor*ached their friends at a point of safety, with wild looks and scorchedhair.

Then they all rested a moment, to look back on the terrific and stillspreading conflagration, by the red light of which they saw thefrightful outline of the dark forms, among whom, though now naked, andscarcely less dark than the rest, they distinguished the muscular andungraceful form of Peter, which strangely contrasted with the stately,slender, and agile forms of the natives.

"He's not lit on them t' other rangers yet," said Wilkins. "That's agood job, onyhow; for, ye see, they'd horses, and we'd fairly beenhunted down like foxes."

Augmented by the recent rains, the river flowed in an uninterruptedcourse, and before the evening and the calls of hunger induced them toarrest their flight, the grateful family believed they must haveprogressed twenty-five or thirty miles to the south-east, with veryslight exertion, through new and lovely scenes of hill, vale, rockymountains, and rich forests.

Then, on the margin of the river, beneath the shelter of a thick wood,they landed, to thank God for their escape, and to take rest. Mussels, asort of cray-fish, and the river-cod, formed their supper, which wascooked in fear and trembling, lest the smoke of their fire should bringon them the savages, or the flames should spread to the brushwood, acatastrophe they now regarded with horror.

Before they set out the following morning, the canoes were completelyfinished, and oars and paddles added: thus their progress was safe andeasy, and for three days no accident arrested their course; but on thefourth day they were compelled to land, to repair a rent in one of thecanoes, and were startled at their labor by the sound of the "coo-ee"and an alarming rustling among the trees. Without delay the canoes werecarried to the water, and all embarked; nor had they proceeded twentyyards before a large opening appeared in the wooded bank, which hadevidently been cleared by fire. Here they beheld the first permanentsettlement of the natives they had yet met with. Many large huts stoodround, formed of boughs, and thatched with bark. Several fires wereburning, around which the women and children were gathered, and a numberof men, armed with spears and clubs, advanced to the bank withthreatening aspect, when they saw the canoes.

Loud and angry words were heard, which Baldabella interpreted tobe,—"What for white men come here? Go away! go away!" And the way inwhich they waved their clubs and stone tomahawks was very intimidating.

"Best take no notish of their antics, Mr. Arthur," said Wilkins; and,all agreeing in the wisdom of the counsel, they rowed forward, the menstill uttering defiance against the strange invaders, and apparentlyamazed that their threats were received with indifference. But Ruth,whom Jenny had been ineffectually endeavoring to calm, at last could nolonger control her terror, and poured forth such a succession ofshrieks, that the savages seemed encouraged, and immediately directed avolley of spears against the canoes.

The swift motion happily discomfited their attempt, and but one speartook effect, seriously wounding the right arm of Ruth, which she hadheld up to shield her face.

A few moments carried the boats beyond the reach of the weapons, andthey continued their voyage, till they believed themselves safe from thepursuit of the assailants. Mr. Mayburn and Margaret bound up the woundof Ruth, which bled profusely, and was very painful, and she could notbe persuaded that she should ever recover. She declared that she waskilled, and she earnestly begged that she might be buried in achurch-yard, till Jenny, out of patience with her cowardice, said,—

"Be quiet, ye silly wench; where think ye we're to find a church-yardamong these heathens?"

"Then they'll eat me, Jenny!" she cried, in great horror.

"Be comforted, Ruth," said Margaret; "you are under the protection of amerciful God; and as long as we are spared, we will take care of you,and even bury you if it be His will that you die before us. But, believeme, Ruth, though your wound must be painful, there is no danger for yourlife, unless you cry and fret yourself into a fever; so pray bepatient."

"I will, Miss Marget," sobbed she. "Indeed I will, if you will feed myhens, and gather corn, whiles, for 'em. Shame on them black savages asburned down all that good corn."

The fretfulness and timidity of Ruth, however, inflamed the woundgreatly; and before the next day ended, they thought it prudent todisembark at some quiet spot, where she could have shelter and rest. Thebanks of the river had now become rocky, gradually sloping upwards torugged and irregular mountains, amongst which they trusted to find theshelter they desired. A sloping bank offered them a landing-place, andthey disembarked, and the men bearing the light canoes on theirshoulders, they left the river. Jack carried Ruth, now quite unfit forexertion, in his arms, and they were soon plunged into a maze ofmountains, cut apart by narrow ravines, some of which were choked withfallen stones, and through others clear streams of water poured betweenrocks covered with new and graceful ferns, some of which were ofgigantic size.

The further they penetrated into this maze, the more they becameperplexed and embarrassed. At length, O'Brien, who had forced his waythrough a narrow, stone-encumbered crevice, called on them to join himin a lovely little valley, of three or four hundred yards across,encompassed with precipitous, overhanging rocks, and inaccessible,except by the narrow opening through which they had entered. It wasovergrown with tall grass, amongst which they saw the useful wild oats;in one corner was a deep clear pool of water, while the surroundingrocks were covered with brushwood, from which were heard the pleasingnotes of the beautiful pigeon, which the naturalists judged to beGeophaps Scripta, and which all agreed was the most delicious birdever placed before gormandizing man.

There were numerous caves in these rocks, and they had only to chooseone dry and light for the sick woman, and then, enjoying the luxury ofmany apartments, the young men selected their own bed-chambers, theboats were safely stowed into one hollow, and the ammunition placedcarefully in another rocky cave; and once more the family rejoiced in atemporary resting-place.

One of the caves was chosen for a kitchen, and again the active youngmen dug, and lined with stones, an oven, in which Jenny baked cakes ofthe fresh-gathered oats, a dozen pigeons were despatched, tea was madefor the invalid, and all was festivity and peace. Still, Ruth's wound,which was torn by a jagged spear, showed no appearance of healing, andit was resolved to spend some days in this beautiful and untroddensolitude, to allow the poor girl to recover, and to recruit the strengthof all. But it was not possible to confine the active boys to the narrowvalley, and they daily found a pretext for some expedition. One day theyset out to search for the Tea shrub, and brought home a large quantityof leaves. Another day they scaled some of the lower rocks, to obtaingum from the numerous trees from which it exuded, and brought out allthe family to see a curious tree, the trunk of which, formed like abarrel, was in the thickest part not less than thirty feet incircumference.

"It is one of the Sterculiads," said Mr. Mayburn, "and is, I conclude,that wonder of Australia popularly known as the Bottle Tree, or, morescientifically, this peculiar species is named Delabechea Rupestris.It appears to be full of gum, and is, doubtless, a great blessing to thenatives."

Baldabella seemed rejoiced to see the tree, which she declared was"good, very good," chewing the branches with great enjoyment; and theyfound there was so much mucilage in the wood, that they cut someshavings, and poured boiling water over them, when a clear, sweet jellywas formed, most agreeable to the palate, and highly relished by thewhole party.

The next expedition was suggested by Baldabella, who pointed to somebees humming among the trees, and said, "Make very good dinner—verygood supper; Baldabella find his nest." Margaret taught the woman thename, honey, which she concluded was the good dinner she alluded to.Then the woman caught a bee, appearing to have no fear in handling it,and catching a piece of white down which had fallen from the breast ofsome bird, and was floating on the air, she touched it with gum, andstuck it upon the captive bee; she now called on the rest to follow her,and leaving the valley, she stood on an elevated rock, released the bee,and kept her keen eye fixed on the white down as it sailed away,following the flight of the insect, till she saw it settle in a tree.Then she stopped, and pointing to the trunk, ordered Jack to cut it. Hisaxe was soon at work; the bark was stripped, and the hollow laid open:they found the tree quite filled with honey, and cutting away aconsiderable quantity, they carried it off on pieces of bark. The bees,which were very small, either careless in the midst of plenty, orpowerless to injure, did not molest the robbers. The honey was muchmingled with wax, and looked and tasted like gingerbread; but, kneadedwith the bitter oat-paste, it rendered the biscuits pleasanter and morepalatable.

"We really seem to have all we want here, Miss Marget," said Jenny oneday. "Isn't it a pity to hurry t' poor master over these weary commonsand fells? We'se be sure to have winter at some end; and hadn't webetter bide here a bit till it's past?"

"It is really near the beginning of winter now, nurse," said Margaret;"it is more than a year since we left England; for it is now the end ofApril. I felt the air a little cold during last night, though now it ismild and balmy; and the evergreen shrubs, continual successions offlowers, noisy birds, and humming insects, make it more like an Englishsummer than the end of autumn. This is truly a charming climate."

"It's very nice, Miss Marget," answered Jenny; "but don't you think weshould be better of a change of meat? One tires of pigeons always."

"Very right, Jenny," said O'Brien; "though the observation is not new.I'll tell you what we will do: we will stalk a kangaroo for you."

"No easy task, I should think, Gerald," said Arthur, "if the kangaroo beas difficult to tire out as Wilkins tells us."

"He'll lead ye a bonnie chase," said Wilkins, "that will he. Ye'll tireafore him. Ye'd better wait till Baldabella makes an end of that netshe's shaping to catch 'em. She's a long time about it."

"And we may wait another week," said Gerald, "to obtain the ignoblemeans of snaring the poor fellow. No; I say, let us have a regularstalking-day. Arthur, what do you say?"

"I cannot have Arthur leave us for a day," said Mr. Mayburn. "I shouldnot feel it safe for Margaret. I can rely on his judgment anddiscretion."

A few days after this Jack was engaged in putting the canoes in repair,and Wilkins had gone off to the river with Baldabella, to spear fish,when the two boys entreated that they might be allowed to take spearsand bows—guns being prohibited, unless Arthur was of the party,—andset out after a kangaroo; for the woods and grassy hollows among themountains abounded in game.

On the promise to Mr. Mayburn that they would not ramble far from home,they were allowed to go; while Margaret was employed in teaching littleNakinna to read, by tracing letters and words on the sand, and Mr.Mayburn and Arthur were searching the crevices of the rocks for the rarebirds and the brilliant plants which, even at that late season, were tobe found in profusion.

In the middle of the day Baldabella and Wilkins returned with basketsfilled with large fish, and a bag of pods filled with small beans, whichthey had plucked in a sandy nook near the river. Each pod contained tenor twelve beans; and Baldabella's exclamations of delight showed theywere considered a prize.

"I fear," said Arthur, "that these beans are too dry at this season tobe useful as good vegetables, but I fancy we might roast them, and usethem as a substitute for coffee, to surprise our sportsmen when theyreturn from their expedition."

With great satisfaction, Jenny heated the oven and roasted the beans,which were not larger than those of coffee, till they became the properdeep-brown color. They were then bruised between two stones, and boiledwith a little honey, and the brown liquid wanted but milk to representindifferent coffee. The partakers of the beverage declared it to beperfect; and Wilkins was sent back to the river to procure an abundantsupply, to be roasted for future occasions.

When the evening drew near, and the family, leaving their severaloccupations, assembled together as usual, great anxiety filled everybreast, for the two hunters had not returned. They had taken noprovision with them; but this was a minor consideration, for no onecould starve in this region of plenty. Nor could the chase itself leadthem into danger; but there remained the ever-existing terror of thetreacherous and cunning natives, or still worse, of an encounter withthe lawless bush-rangers. The fears of Mr. Mayburn soon amounted to deepdistress, and at length Arthur and Wilkins set out to a high point ofthe mountains, where they could command an extensive view, hoping to seethe wanderers. But before they reached the pinnacle, sudden darknessveiled the prospect, and Arthur reluctantly adopted the only means hecould then use to recall the boys. He fired his rifle, and the echoes,flung from mountain to mountain, thundered like a charge of artillery;and it seemed impossible that this report should not reach the ears ofthe thoughtless ramblers.

After waiting a few minutes, in the vain hope of hearing some answeringshout, Arthur and Wilkins retraced their steps to the caves, depressedwith the ill-success of their mission. Yet such was the deep distress ofthe father, that his children endeavored to conceal their own sorrow,that they might console him. He mourned as lost, not only his own braveboy, but the not less dear son of his lamented friend; and long refusedto be comforted. Arthur represented to him that no more could beeffected till morning; but that the youths, when they had gone astraywould have probably taken refuge in one of the numerous caves in themountains, where they would be safe during the night; and he promisedthat at the first gleam of light, he, Wilkins, and Jack, would set outin different directions to search for them.

"And remember, dear papa," said Margaret, "this is, happily, not acountry of fierce beasts; they may enter a cave boldly, secure that theyshall not disturb a lion or a bear in his den. Nor need they fear thesnowstorm or the hurricane. This is a pleasant land! God seems to havecreated it for the abode of peace. Is it not, then, fearful wickednessthat civilized man, the professed Christian should scatter the seeds ofevil rather than the seeds of truth among the simple inhabitants?"

"This is, truly, a calm and blessed region," answered Mr. Mayburn. "Weseem to have been Heaven-directed towards it; and if my two dear boyswere again safely at my side, I confess that I should feel reluctant toleave it. In this vast and lovely solitude, where man has never beforeplanted his destroying foot, where neither storms nor wild beastsappall, and where God himself provides our food, even as He fed theProphet in the wilderness, we seem to be brought face to face with Him.Here we see and hear Him alone in His glorious works so richly scatteredaround us. Such may have been Eden, before the sin of man polluted it.In this sublime solitude, consecrated to devotion and peace, would Iwillingly remain conversing with my God. Here would I,—

"It is a charming vision," said Margaret. "But look round you, papa; thefresh, the restless, the aspiring spirit of youth must be exercised anddisciplined by the duties and trials of life. We may not dare to rest,dear father, till we have done our work."

"You are always rational, Margaret, and I am but a selfish visionary,"answered Mr. Mayburn. "Even now my idle dreams have turned away mythoughts from my heavy and real calamity—the loss of my children."

"Depend on't we'se find t' lads all right, master," said Wilkins; "andthey'll tell us what a good laugh they had when they heared that grandsalute we gave 'em amang these rattling hills."

CHAPTER XXVI.

The Search for the Lost.—The Fig-tree.—Signals.—The Wanderersfound.—The Wounded Boy.—The Sufferings of the Thirsty.—The Rescue andReturn.—The Kangaroo Conflict.—A strange Meeting.—TheBush-rangers.—The miraculous Escape.

Sleep fled from all the sorrowful family, and they gladly saw themorning light which would enable them to set out to track the unluckyboys. The three men chose the high pinnacle from whence Arthur had firedthe preceding evening for a rendezvous, and fixed a white cross ofpeeled rods against the dark foliage of a gum-tree, that stood tall andconspicuous on the summit, as a land-mark. From thence Arthur proceededdirectly north amidst the intricacies of the mountains, while Jack wentoff at the right-hand, and Wilkins at the left. It was agreed that theyshould meet at the same spot in the evening, if the search was notsuccessful before then. Arthur carried one of the guns; the other beingleft with Mr. Mayburn, that he might fire it as a signal, in case ofalarm; while Arthur proposed, if he succeeded in discovering thefugitives, to recall the other two men by firing his gun.

Arthur's share of the work was certainly the most toilsome. At onemoment he was climbing over some lofty rock; the next, he was searchingfor a pass amidst inaccessible heights; then winding through tortuousgorges, till his head became so bewildered that it was only when heobserved the course of the sun, or caught sight of the happy signal ofthe white cross, that he was able to determine his position. Severaltimes, from some elevation, he shouted loudly the names of the absentboys, but none answered. The day wore away, and he gladly rested for ashort time beneath a fig-tree, still bearing a quantity of ripe fruit,while the ground was strewn with the decayed figs, on which flocks ofbronze pigeons, yellow co*ckatoos, and rose-colored parrots, were busilyfeeding. These birds seemed to confide in Arthur's forbearance, for theycontinued to enjoy their feast without evincing any alarm, except by avehement greeting, in their several notes, as if they inquired hisbusiness at their board.

The arched roots of the fig-tree afforded him an easy mode of access tothe upper branches, where he filled his straw hat with the fruit, andthen continued his walk, enjoying the refreshment; for the figs, thoughnot luscious, were ripe and juicy.

"I will give one more shout," thought he; and his voice, cleared andstrengthened by his refreshment, rang through the echoing mountains. Hewaited for five minutes; still there was no reply; but his eye caught alight smoke among the mountains. It might be the fires of the natives hethought; but even were it so, the boys might have fallen into theirhands, and no time must be lost in rescuing them. He made ready his gun,and, still bearing his load of figs, he directed his course brisklytowards the suspected spot. But it was most difficult to attain theplace from whence the smoke seemed to proceed, and he wandered for anhour amidst intricate windings, making many unsuccessful attempts topenetrate to the spot, till at length he came to a small hollow,surrounded by dungeon-like walls, where a fire of dry wood wassmouldering, but no one was near it.

"Hugh! Gerald!" he shouted; and at the sound of his voice his brotherappeared, crawling feebly from a hole in the rocks.

"Hugh, my boy, are you hurt?" asked Arthur, in a hurried tone: "andwhere is Gerald?"

Hugh pointed to the hole from whence he had issued, and in a hoarse,weak voice, said, "Water! water!" Scarcely conscious what he did, Arthurpressed the juice of a fig into the parched mouth of the boy, whomurmured, "Thank God! But, oh, Arty! can you get any water for poorGerald?"

Putting more figs into his hand, Arthur stooped down to the lowentrance, and passed into a small dark hollow, where Gerald wasstretched out, almost insensible, and near him lay dead a huge kangaroo.Arthur gave the poor boy the only refreshment he had to offer, the juiceof the figs; but he seemed in a much more feeble state than Hugh, andwhen his kind friend with difficulty got him out into the open air, hesaw with consternation that his leg was bound up with a handkerchief,through which the blood was oozing.

"How did this happen, Hugh?" asked Arthur, before he ventured to examinethe wound.

"It was the kangaroo," answered he; "and then, when we had killed it, wewere far too ill to eat it, though we have had no food since we lefthome."

"I cannot tell what I must do," said Arthur. "It will be impossible toget you home to-night, feeble as you are; and papa will now be in alarmat my absence."

"But you will not leave us again, Arty," said Hugh, sobbing. "I feardear Gerald will die. I dare not remain alone any longer."

"I must leave you for a short time," answered Arthur. "I think I shallbe able to summon Wilkins and Jack to us; then they can search forwater, and carry Gerald home."

Hugh burst into tears, and said, "But the bush-rangers—I cannot tellyou all, Arthur, my head is so bad. There are bush-rangers; we have seenthem; they will meet you, and they will come and kill us. At least,carry Gerald back to the cave."

In increased alarm, Arthur conveyed Gerald into the dismal cave, andleaving them all the remainder of the figs, he waited to hear no more,but hurried off with all speed towards the rendezvous, looking round ashe went on, for some spring or pool from which he could procure waterfor the suffering boys. When he reached a high rock, not far from therendezvous, he ventured to fire his gun, and was immediately answered bythe shouts of the men, who, following the sound and flash of the gun,soon came up to him.

"Where are they? Oh, Mr. Arthur, have you not found them?" said Jack.

Arthur, in a few words, told the distressing story; and night being nowat hand, it was agreed that Jack should return to appease the uneasinessof the family, while Wilkins should accompany Arthur back to the twoanxious boys, with whom they would remain till daylight, and then bringthem home. Wilkins undertook to procure water for them from a pool at alittle distance, where Jack and he rested, and where they had cleanedout two large gourds they had found, and converted them intowater-bottles.

These gourds were a great treasure; they carried them to the pool,filled them with fresh-water, and, after drinking themselves, hastenedforward with all the vigor that remained to them after the day'sfatigue, towards the spot where the boys were lying, but did not reachit till night had made it most difficult to discover it. The joy of thepoor wanderers was excessive when they saw their friends arrive,bringing the refreshment they so much desired. Gerald was alreadysomewhat revived by the figs; and after he and Hugh had drunk somewater, they began to desire more substantial food; and it was not longbefore Wilkins had cut off, and broiled, some steaks of kangaroovenison, of which all the hungry party partook with great enjoyment.Still the boys were too much weakened and exhausted to enter into anydetails of their adventure that night; and when Arthur and Wilkins hadcollected heath for beds and covering—for the nights were nowchill,—they all crept into the cave, and slept soundly till awakened bythe rude, early greeting of the laughing jackass.

Then, after more kangaroo steaks, Arthur made an examination of Gerald'slacerated and bruised leg, which Hugh had previously bandaged to thebest of his skill. They could now spare water to wash the wound, and thebandages were replaced by some made from Arthur's handkerchief; andWilkins having cut down the spreading bough of a fig-tree, Gerald andthe kangaroo were placed side by side upon it, and borne by Arthur andWilkins. The procession moved slowly and silently, Hugh looking roundanxiously as he preceded the litter, in dread of the terriblebush-rangers.

The rugged mountain-road tired the bearers greatly, but long before theyreached the rendezvous, they saw a figure standing before the darkgum-tree, and a loud "Halloo!" brought Jack to meet and assist them. Hehad considerately brought with him a bucket of water; and they restedand refreshed themselves, before they completed their toilsome journey.But fatigue was forgotten when they all met again in the quiet valley;Mr. Mayburn and Margaret wept for joy, and though nurse did not fail tochide them as "bad boys," she fondled and nursed the wanderers, andproduced for their comfort co*ckatoo-stew, flavored with wild herbs thatresembled parsley and marjoram, and mixed with the beans they had got onthe banks of the river.

"Keep a sentinel at the pass, Arthur," said Hugh. "We shall be watchedand tracked; there will be scouts all around us. It is a miracle that wehave arrived here safely."

"Oh! Master Hugh, honey, is it that good-to-nought Black Peter?" askedJenny.

"Worse than that, I am sorry to say, nurse," answered he; "for there aredozens of Black Peters ready to snap us up. But don't look so sorrowful,Meggie, and I'll just tell you how it all happened. That big oldfellow," pointing to the kangaroo, "kept us trotting after him for hoursand hours, and always when we got him within reach of a spear or anarrow, he bounded off like a race-horse, and you could not say whetherhe hopped, or galloped, or flew. It was a beautiful sight, but veryvexatious. At last we got desperate; we were tired and hungry, and wedetermined to have him; so we parted, that we might attack him on bothsides, and force him to stand at bay. It was a capital plan, and turnedout very well. We chased him into that queer little dungeon-like hollowwhere you found us. He flew round and round, but we guarded theentrance, and he could not escape, and at last we drove him into acorner, pierced mortally with our spears. I wanted Gerald to wait tillthe beast was weakened with loss of blood; but he was in a hurry tofinish, so he rushed on with his drawn knife, and I followed to helphim. But when the brave old fellow found he had not a chance, he facedround, and with his fore-feet—his arms, I should say—he seized me, andgave me a heavy fall. Gerald was then behind, and plunged his knife intohim, on which the desperate creature struck out with his powerful hindclaw, and tore and bruised poor Gerald, as you see.

"I was soon on my feet again, and then I speedily despatched the beast;but I should never like to kill another in that way; it was just likemurdering one's grandfather. Then I turned to poor Gerald. Oh, Margaret!if you had seen how he bled! and how frightened I was till I got hiswounds tied up! He was very thirsty, and begged me to get him somewater, or he thought he must die. So off I set, keeping a sharp eye onour den, that I might find it again. I mounted a crag, and looked aboutme till I saw flocks of birds, all hovering over one place, a goodstretch from me. 'That's my aim,' thought I, and on I dashed, over rocksand valleys, straight forward, till I saw before me a grandsilver-looking lake, covered with ducks and swans; while regiments ofbirds, like cranes and pelicans, with other unknown species, were drawnup round it.

"I could look at nothing else but the birds for some time, I was socharmed, and I planned directly to bring papa to the place the verynext day; but remembering poor Gerald's condition, I went forward, andlooking round to scan the grassy plains between the mountains and thelake, I was astonished to see a number of large animals grazing, whichwere certainly not kangaroos, but real, downright quadrupeds, walking ontheir four legs. 'Here's a grand new field of natural history,' thoughtI. 'Yes, we must certainly take up our quarters here.' But, halloo! whatdid I see that moment, hobbling ungracefully up to me, but our oldfriend Charlie Grey!"

"Charlie Grey! Edward Deverell's favorite horse!" exclaimed Margaret."You have been dreaming, Hugh; it could not be!"

"It could be, Meggie, for it really was he," answered Hugh. "Do youremember how we used to feed the handsome fellow with bits of bread onthe voyage? It came into my mind just then, and I plucked a handful ofoats, and held them out, calling 'Charlie! Charlie!' Poor, dear oldfellow! he could not trot up to me as his heart wished, but he limpedforward as well as his hobbles would allow him."

"Hobbles!" exclaimed Wilkins; "then he'd been nabbed by thembush-rangers."

"Sure enough he had, Wilkins," continued Hugh; "and there were five orsix strong black draught-horses, besides a herd of bullocks and cows;every beast, I'll venture to say, stolen from our friend EdwardDeverell. Well, I had forgot all about poor Gerald and the water, andwas feeding and stroking Charlie, when I saw he had a halter on hisneck; and I thought I might as well just cut the hobbles, mount him,ride off to take Gerald behind me, and away we would gallop home. Butthe water!—I had forgotten that we had no vessel to contain water; but,fortunately, at the edge of the lake, near a place where a fire had beenkindled, I saw piles of large mussel-shells. I filled two, placed themin my hat, and slung it round my neck. Then I pulled out my knife, andstooped down to cut Charlie's bonds; but just then such yells fell on myears that I started up, and saw on one of the heights a line of fiercelooking men, attired in the conspicuous yellow dress of the convicts.Their guns were directed towards me, and there was no longer time torelease and mount Charlie; in fact, I had not presence of mind to decideon doing it, but ran off as fast as my legs would carry me, just in timeto escape a volley of shots from the wretches. Thankful that I hadescaped unhit, I fled desperately, never looking behind me till Ireached poor Gerald, whom I found very ill and restless, parched withthirst; and there was scarcely a teaspoonful of water left in theshells, from my rapid flight. I was telling him my story, when we hearda tremendous report of fire-arms, and we trembled to think the villainswere pursuing me; but now I conclude it must have been your signal-shot,an idea which never occurred to me in my distracted state. I then gotGerald into that little hole, and dragged the great kangaroo after him,that nothing suspicious might be in sight if they followed me; though Ihardly dared to hope that our den should escape their observation. DearGerald groaned and tossed about all night. How much I did grieve that Ihad not succeeded in bringing him the water! Nor was our conditionimproved next morning, for I was afraid to venture out beyond thehollow, round which I sought in vain for any fruit or juicy herb to coolour parched mouths. Gerald, in all his agony, was twice as brave as Iwas; and if he had been the sound one, I know he would have risked anydanger to obtain help for me."

"Botheration! Hugh, my boy," said Gerald, "didn't I know all the timethat it was my moans and groans that made you turn soft and sob like agirl? I couldn't help grunting out like a pig shut out of a cabin on arainy night; and then you grunted and cried too, for company. We were apair of pleasant, jolly fellows all day, Meggie, as you may easilysuppose. Day, indeed, do I say! why, we thought it must be a week, atleast! As night came on, it grew very cold, and Hugh scrambled out togather a few sticks together to make a fire before our cave. Before hecame back, I heard the crack! crack! of a gun running from rock to rock;and when I saw Hugh, I tried to speak to him; and then I know no moretill I felt the cold fig-juice on my dry tongue. Won't I like figs aslong as I live; and won't I have an alley of fig-trees in my garden whenI locate—squat, I mean, and build a mansion, and marry."

"Mrs. O'Brien may possibly object to the Ficus in her garden, Gerald,"said Arthur;—"it is not a comely tree in its proportions; but thequestion may safely rest awhile. Now, Hugh, after you heard the gun?"

"Then I threw more wood upon the fire," answered he, "that the smokemight be seen, and crept back into the cave; for I could not get overthe fear that the shot might have come from the bush-rangers; and I hadthus given them a signal to our hiding-place. Think of my joy when Iheard the voices which I never expected to hear again!"

Jenny had wept abundantly at the tale of suffering, and she nowendeavored to show her sympathy by placing before the fatigued andhungry boys another collation, consisting of bean-coffee sweetened withhoney, and sweet oat-cakes; and certainly, if Mr. Mayburn had notinterfered with grave sanitary admonitions, the boys were in danger ofeating themselves into a fever.

"I have thought much on this unfortunate adventure," said Mr. Mayburn,when they met together the next morning. "It is a fearful reflection toknow that we are in the midst of a horde of banditti, ready to interceptour least movement. What shall we do? We appear to be in safety here;but this lovely spot would become a prison to you all, if you wereforbidden to move from it. Arthur, what do you say? Wilkins, my goodman, do you think we are quite safe?"

"Not ower and above, I say, master," answered Wilkins; "they're justranging hereabouts, to pick up recruits among them fools of blackfellows, and to keep out of t' way of them as they've pillaged; andthey're ripe for any thieving or ill-doing as falls in their way. Butthey'll not sattle long; they'll range off down south to turn theirbeasts into brandy, and we'se be better at their heels nor afore 'em."

"I think, papa, Wilkins is right," said Arthur. "We may rest a good timehere without any sacrifice of comfort. We have grain and water at hand;pigeons and co*ckatoos in our own preserve, asking us to roast them; anexcellent store of honey, coffee, and tea, as we are pleased to name theAustralian representatives of these luxuries; spacious and dry lodgings,and fresh air. Certainly, with occasional forays, conducted with dueprudence, we shall have abundant and excellent provision for any lengthof time. This monstrous kangaroo ought to supply us with meat for manydays; and I think we might dry part of it in the sun, to resemble theSouth-American charqui."

"It is an admirable idea, Arthur," said Mr. Mayburn; "we shall thusavoid the sin of wasting the good gifts of Providence. I have read adescription of the process; I know the meat must be cut in slices, and Ishould like to assist you in carrying out the plan, though, practically,I am inexperienced. The first difficulty appears to be, how to avoid thedestruction of the skin in slicing it."

"Why, papa, we skinned him this morning," replied Hugh. "The skin isalready cleaned and spread to dry; we shall rub it with a little fat, torender it pliable, and then we shall have a blanket or a cloak ofinestimable value."

"True, my son; I had forgotten that preliminary operation," said Mr.Mayburn. "But still I cannot understand how we shall obtain the largeslices;—the bones, the form of the animal, present great obstacles."

"Leave it to the experienced, papa," said Margaret. "Wilkins knows howto slice up a kangaroo."

It was capital employment and amusem*nt for the active to cut up thehuge animal into thin slices, which were spread out on the bush, and theardent sun of the climate, even at this late season, soon dried the meatperfectly; and Margaret wove grass bags to pack it in; and thus severaldays passed without alarm or annoyance; and with due care and attentionthe wound of Gerald was perfectly healed.

CHAPTER XXVII.

The Eagle's Eyrie.—The Chaotic Solitude disturbed.—The VoluntaryPrisoners.—The Report of the Spy.—The Foe at the Gates.—A Traitor inthe Camp.—Dispersion of the Invaders.—A lucky Escape.—A pleasantVoyage.

After a few days more had elapsed, the close confinement became irksometo all. Baldabella, accustomed to a free, roving life, pleaded her greatdesire to fish by moonlight; and as there was less danger for her thanfor the white men, this was permitted, and she returned safely withabundance of fish to increase the store of provisions. Then Hugh andGerald, unlucky as their last expedition had been, begged humbly thatthey might be allowed to put their noses out beyond the bars of theircage.

"No, no! unruly boys," answered Margaret; "you have a spaciouspleasaunce around you; be content and thankful to enjoy it."

"Then surely we may climb the woods at the side?" said Hugh. "We want tofind the nests of the strange birds we hear above us. No harm can befallus in our own domain; it will be only like running up a ladder, thebrush is so thick and low. Come along, Gerald, and let us inspect thewonders of our aviary."

Mr. Mayburn would really have liked himself to have a peep into the manyholes and crannies of the rocks, which sent forth such multitudes ofbirds, and he could not object to the expedition. The agile boys made nodelay, but, clinging to the bushes, sprung up the almost perpendicularside of the mountain, disturbing the domestic peace of the tenderpigeons, provoking the voluble abuse of the noisy co*ckatoos, andfinally, at the summit, regarding with awe, at a respectful distance,the eyrie of the dark eagle, which, with the fire of its fierce eyes,defied their approach.

"We will avoid any offence to Aquila," said Hugh. "We might come tothe worse again, Gerald. But where are you mounting now?"

"Only to the peak, Hugh," answered he. "I should like to have a peepround, to find out what our neighborhood is." And the active boy soongained the highest point, and stood there, an Australian Mercury, on the"heaven-kissing hill."

"What a wonderful sight!" he cried out. "Do come up, Hugh, to see theseheights, and hollows, and windings,—a rocky chaos! It is like thebeginning of a new world!" Then turning round to observe the scene athis left hand, he suddenly cried out, in a tone of alarm,—"Halloo! I'min for it now!" and as he hastily descended from his elevated position,the report of fire-arms, multiplied as usual among the mountains, provedthat the chaotic solitude was not free from the visitation of man.

"Down! down! hurry to them, Hugh!" continued Gerald, now safe from theshots. "Tell them to gather in the charqui, and the firewood, and allthings scattered about. Above all, let Ruth carry off the poultry, andgag that noisy co*ck; the rangers are at our heels. I shall take up myabode in this darling little oven behind the bushes, and if they shouldmount the ramparts, I shall be able to act spy. No words about it, butbe off. It is safer here than down below."

There was indeed no time for Hugh to delay, for many traces ofhabitation were scattered over the valley. Buckets stood at the well;linen was spread to dry; the charqui was exposed on the bushes; knivesand axes were lying about, and the hens and chickens, and men and women,were all out, enjoying the open air. When Hugh dropped among them,breathless and pale, to tell his vexatious tale, they had somewhatanticipated the danger, from hearing the report of the fire-arms; andall hands were already employed to endeavor to restore to the busyvalley the wild and solitary aspect of undisturbed nature. The fowlswere collected into their coop, which was placed in a dark hollow; andthough they did not follow Gerald's advice, and gag the tell-tale co*ck,they threw a large cloak over the coop, and chanticleer, duped into thebelief that it was night, folded his wings, and, mounted on his perch,resigned himself to repose amidst his family.

When they had restored to the lately populous vale as natural anappearance as circ*mstances would allow, they all withdrew into thelargest cave, and filled up the entrance, with an appearance of artfuldisorder, with rocky fragments, very impatient for Gerald's return toreport the extent of the danger to which they were exposed, and the bestmode of escaping from it. But after waiting a considerable time in theirgloomy prison, weary of compelled inaction, every heart was filled withanxiety at the protracted absence of the adventurous boy. Three hourselapsed, and after listening and looking through the crevices of therock in vain, Arthur was on the point of venturing out to ascend thecliffs himself, when Gerald's voice was heard whispering through anarrow opening, "Is it a serpent or a genie you think I am, to glidethrough this peep-hole? Open sesame!"

There was no time lost in admitting the welcome visitor. "Now, then!"said he; "quick! quick! the foe is at the gate. Now, my boys, do thething nately, as we Irish say. We mustn't build it up like a wall yousee, Jack."

It was not built like a wall; but by the united strength of the party,an immense mass of rock was rolled before the opening, which nearlyclosed it, the pendent branches from above concealing the fissures, andaffording light and a means of making observations in safety.

"Now, Gerald," said Margaret, "I beseech you to tell me what is themeaning of all this alarm?"

"All my fault; my ill luck again, Meggie," answered he. "I would erectmyself like a statue at the very summit of the mountains; and fromthence I saw on a plain below half a dozen fellows mounted on horseback,whom I recognized, by their canary-colored garments, to be those wickedconvicts. I sank down from my eminence in a moment, but not before thehawk-eyed rogues had seen me and fired. I was not hit; but I expectedthey would be after me if they could climb through the brush, so I creptinto a snug little hollow just below the peak, arranged my leafycurtains in an elegant manner, and waited to receive my company so longthat I had really dropped asleep, and was only awaked by the rough,coarse voices of men swearing and using language which I have done mybest to forget altogether.

"They seemed to be in a great rage, and one wicked wretch sworedreadfully and said, 'It's the same ugly little cove as we blazed atafore. He's a spy sent out by them p'lice, and he's off to informagainst us. We'll burn him alive if we lay hands on him.'

"I didn't want to be burnt alive, so I crept into a corner, and laystill as a mouse.

"'T' other chap were bigger, I say,' growled another fellow.

"'Haud yer jaw,' answered the first; 'think ye they keep a pack of younghounds like this to point free rangers? But where's he slunk?'

"'I say, Bill,' called out a third voice, 'look ye down here. It's asnug, cunning hole; will 't be t' p'lice office, think ye?'

"'How'd they get at it, man?' replied Bill. 'Dost thee think they've gotwings to flee down?'

"'I'se warrant ye, we'll somehow find a road into it,' said the firstvoice. 'We'se try, at ony end; for we'll have to clear our way afore weset out on another spree. I'se about tired of eating flesh, now t'brandy's all swallowed; and if we could light on Black Peter, we'd beoff on some grand job to set us up again.'

"'Halloo! lads! what's this?'

"Then I heard oaths, and strange screams, and blows, and something heavyflopped past my den, screaming; and wasn't I in a grand fright to thinkthat one of these rogues had found such a ready road down to ourgrounds. But I soon heard the men above me again, cursing the venomousbird; and I guessed then that they had fallen in with our friendAquila, and, perhaps, been worsted. I ventured cautiously to lookdown, and saw the poor eagle fluttering and hopping about below, halfkilled by the brutes no doubt; but by degrees I heard their voices dyingaway, and was sure they were withdrawing. Then I took courage, andslipped down my rude ladder as briskly as a lamp-lighter, and was withyou, only pausing a moment to look at the poor eagle as I passed, lyingcrouched in a corner covered with blood, and extending a broken wing.And now, Arthur, don't you think our citadel is in danger?"

"Indeed I do, Gerald," answered Arthur. "All we can do is to keepclosely hidden as long as we can, and then to fight for our dear friendswho cannot fight for themselves. We have weapons,—spears, arrows, andtwo rifles; and we have a capital position for defending the weak. Ifthere be no more than six men, we will defy them."

"That will be capital," said Gerald,—"a regular siege. How is thecastle provisioned, Jenny?"

"Why, lucky enough, Master Gerald," answered she, "we fetched in here,because it was nighest at hand, all the dried meat, and the skin, and wefilled the buckets before we brought them from the well; and that's justwhat we have, barring a few cakes; for one never looked for being shutup here like. There's all the oats, and the tea and coffee, and thefirewood, are left in what we called our kitchen."

"We'se do," said Wilkins, "we'se soon sattle their business, I reckon,"looking grimly at the edge of his knife as he sharpened it upon a stone;adding, "And how and about them guns, captain? Who's to work 'em?"

"I shall take one myself," answered Arthur; "and if I thought I couldtrust to your discretion, Wilkins, I would put the other into yourhands."

"You may trust me for bringing down my bird," said the man; "that'swhat I were always up to, or I hadn't been here."

"What I mean you to understand by discretion, Wilkins," said Arthur,"is, that you are not to fire till I order you; and then to wing, notto bring down your bird."

"Why, what's the good of that?" remonstrated Wilkins; "it's like givinga rogue a ticket of leave, just to turn a thief into a murderer; that'swhat ye'll get for being soft. I ken my chaps: ye'd better make an endon 'em."

"It would be unjust and inhuman," said Mr. Mayburn. "These mistaken menmay not intend to hurt any of us."

"Except to burn me alive, sir," said Gerald.

"That, I apprehend, my boy," answered Mr. Mayburn, "was but anexaggerated form of speech. But, hark! what noise do I hear?"

Sounds were heard like the rolling of stones. Arthur commanded silence,as every thing depended on their remaining watchful and still. Thenvoices were distinguished, and, through the green pendent branches, menwere seen in the tranquil valley,—men in the felon's marked dress ofgrey and yellow, ferocious in aspect, coarse and blasphemous inlanguage. Mr. Mayburn shuddered as he heard, for the first time, theoaths and defiant words of hardened infidels; and the good man kneeleddown to pray that God would visit with a ray of grace these lostsinners.

"Ay! ay!" cried one, "here are the tracks of the gentry coves: and lookye, Jem, here's a woman's bit of a shoemark. What will they be actinghere, I'd like to know. If we could fall on that saucy lad now, I'djust wring his neck about for him."

Gerald made up a queer face at Hugh, but they did not dare to laugh.

"Will they have oughts of cash with them?" growled another man. "What dowe want with women and lads?"

"To trade with 'em, man," answered the other; "to swop 'em yonder amongt' squatters for cash down. We'll thrust some of them black fellowsforward to bargain for us; they're easy wrought on to do a job likethat. But where can their den be? they're surely flitted."

Examining every open cave and hollow in the surrounding rocks, the men,using the most violent and abusive language, searched the little valleyin vain; and the anxious prisoners began to hope that they would soon bewearied out and retire, when suddenly they were appalled by a shrilltriumphant crow from the little bantam co*ck, which had probablydiscovered the deception practised on him. A momentary silence wasfollowed by shouts and loud laughter, as the invaders rushed to theprison-house of the impatient fowls.

Wilkins muttered unspeakable words, and darted a furious glance at Ruth;and Gerald, with a deep low groan, whispered, "A traitor in the camp!"while Ruth climbed up to an opening, in great alarm, to observe the fateof her beloved pets. That was soon determined. The voice of the unluckybird had plainly pointed out its abode; the stony prison was forcedopen; a crowing, a screaming, and a fluttering were heard; two of thefowls were seen to fly awkwardly to the bushes, above the reach of themarauders, and chanticleer was beheld by his distracted mistress, swunground lifeless, with his head grasped by his destroyer.

At this cruel spectacle, the simple girl could no longer control herfeelings. She uttered a piercing shriek; Jenny sprang on her too late tostop the indiscretion, and dragged her from the opening, shaking herviolently, and even provoked so far as to administer a little soundboxing of the ears, declaring that the girl ought to be hanged; whileWilkins, with ill-repressed fury, shook his hand at the unfortunateoffender, and then said, "It's all up now! Stand to yer guns, myhearties; we'se have a tight bout on 't."

"Ay, man the walls!" cried Gerald,—

"Quieter ye are, t' better, Mr. Gerald," said Wilkins. "What say ye, Mr.Arthur, if we fix on our port-holes; and then, if we pick out our chaps,we'll soon thin 'em."

"By no means," said Mr. Mayburn. "Such a proceeding would be unfair; themen would not even see their enemies."

"An ambush is always fair in the strategy of war," said Hugh. "These menare invaders, papa, and we have a right to drive them off."

The affair soon came to a crisis; the cry of Ruth had not passedunnoticed. The men rushed up to the fortress, and with stones and clubsendeavored to force an entrance. A volley of shots and arrows drove themback, wounded, and furious in their language; but when the firingceased, they took courage, and again advanced to renew the attempt. Thistime aim was taken, and two men fell dead, or desperately wounded; andthey retired once more, and entered into some consultation unheard bytheir opponents. Then a villainous-looking fellow cried out, in ataunting manner,

"I say, ye cowardly chaps, show yer faces, and 'liver yersel's up aforeyer forced to it; we'se use ye well, and keep ye till ye raise cash topay yer ransom. Else, mark my words, if ye send any more of yermurdering shots, we'll take ye at last, and twist all yer necks whileyer living."

"Mistaken man!" cried Mr. Mayburn, "why will you provoke the wrath ofGod by causing desolation and slaughter among his glorious works? Knowyou not that for all these things God will bring you to judgment?"

"Halloo!" cried the wretch; "what! ye've gotten a missioner amang ye.He'll do precious little harm."

"His only desire is to do good," said Arthur. "But you are mistaken ifyou think us cowards. We have brave men among us, who will not submit toany treaty with convicts. We have nothing to give you; we areshipwrecked voyagers, who have only saved our guns, and with them wewill defend our lives and liberty. We do not wish to injure you if youwill leave us in peace; and you have neither means nor numbers toovercome us."

"We'se see about that," answered the man. "We'se soon raise force toburn or starve ye out."

Another consultation succeeded; and finally they departed, leaving thebesieged under the disagreeable impression that they had only departedto procure a reinforcement.

"What a different set of fellows Robin Hood's Free Rangers were," saidHugh. "Gerald and I have many a time longed to have lived in merrySherwood."

"Lawlessness inevitably leads to crime," said Mr. Mayburn. "I fear thehalo of chivalry and romance blinds us as to the real character of thoseoutlaws."

"Yes, Hugh," said Arthur; "if your bold archers of Sherwood were toattempt their troublesome frolics in these days, the police would soonarrest their course, and we should see Robin Hood and his merry menplaced on the treadmill."

"There's no time to talk about treadmills, Mr. Arthur," said Wilkins."T' boats is safe; and what say ye if we be off? They'll not be back yeta bit; for they'll have to gather up them black fellows and talk 'emower wi' lots of lies; but if we were out of this queer hole and justfree-like on t' water, we'd manage to distance yon awkward scamps yet.But we ought to start off-hand."

"My good man," said Mr. Mayburn, "I feel in greater safety here than ifI were wandering through the labyrinths of these mountains, where wemight any moment be surprised and captured."

"We must send out a scout," said Arthur. "Who will be the safest? Iobject to no one but Gerald, who would inevitably rush into the camp ofthe enemy."

Gerald bowed to the compliment, and Wilkins said, "I've a sort ofnotion, Mr. Arthur, as how Baldabella would suit better nor ony of us.Ye see, these jins are used to spying work."

When Baldabella fully understood the important service required of her,she started up, ready at once to undertake it, and as soon as the heavybarrier was moved, glided through the aperture, and fled lightly on hererrand. During her absence, the rest made ready all their burdens againfor recommencing their pilgrimage; and the time seemed incredibly shorttill the woman returned with a bright countenance, saying,—"Bad men gomuch far; smoke for black fellows come. White man go away now; veryhush; no see he be gone."

Reassured by her words, the family emerged from their stronghold. Themen pulled down the stones they had piled to conceal the canoes, broughtthem out, and then, heavily laden, commenced their march. But at themoment of departure a loud clucking of the escaped fowls arrested theweeping Ruth, who summoned, by calls and scattered grains, the smallremainder of her charge,—two fowls; which she placed once more in theircoop, and with a lightened heart, disregarded this addition to herburden, and followed the procession, which was now led by Baldabella,who had discovered the shortest road through the windings of themountains to the banks of the river. When the welcome stream was seenbefore them, the boats were once more launched and laden, and on thesmooth but rapid river they were quickly carried from the scene ofdanger.

"That rogue who argued with you, Arthur," said Gerald, "was the veryfellow that threatened to burn me alive, and sure enough, if we hadsurrendered to them, we should all have been piled up for a bonfire.Don't you think so, Wilkins?"

"Why, Master Gerald," answered he, "I'll not say that, 'cause as howthey could have made nought of our dead bones. Money's what they lookto: they'd sell us, plunder us, strip us of every rag we have, but,barrin' we went again 'em, and wrought 'em up, mad-like, they'd hardlytrouble to burn us. But I'll not say how it might be if they turned usower to them hungry black fellows; they'd likely enough roast and eatus, but white chaps has no stomach for meat of that sort."

"Whither can we flee to avoid these desperate cannibals?" said Mr.Mayburn. "Do you conceive, Wilkins, that the river is really the safestcourse?"

"Safe enough, master," answered the man, "so long as we stick to ourboats, and can keep our jaws at work. But we'se want meat, and themblack fellows gets thicker farther south. We'se fall in with mony anill-looking lot on 'em as we run down; and likely enough, we'se have torattle a shot at 'em nows and thens."

"God forbid that we should be compelled to shed more blood," said Mr.Mayburn. "I feel my heart oppressed with sorrow when I behold the sinand ignorance of these people, and, alas! I know not how to alleviateit: I can only pray for them."

"We will trust that our prayers may avail with a merciful God," saidMargaret; "and if we should be permitted to reach the estate of EdwardDeverell, we will all labor, papa, to diffuse instruction around us; andin His own good time, I trust, God will spread the light of His truth tothe remotest corner of these yet barbarous regions. I feel already as ifI saw Daisy Grange plainly before us."

"There's mony a hundred mile atween us and them ye talk on," saidWilkins, morosely; "and I'se be cast away sure enough when ye turn inamong them squatters. They're all sharp enough to put their claws on anidle vagabond like me, and send him back to chains and hard commons."

"That shall never be, Wilkins," replied Hugh. "It is settled that youand I are never to part; and if Edward Deverell should refuse to receiveyou, we will squat by ourselves; like Robinson Crusoe and his manFriday, build a hut, and shoot kangaroos."

Arthur laughed at the plan of a separate establishment, and assuredWilkins of certain protection in that home they pined to reach; and acalm and pleasant hope now filled every heart, as hours and days passedeasily while they sailed down the broad river undisturbed by cares ordread, till the failure of provisions and a great change in the sceneryroused them from their pleasant dream.

"This is a melancholy and desert-like heath," said Arthur, as he lookedbeyond the low banks upon a wide extent grown over with the lowentangled brush; "but we must make a foraging party to replenish ourbaskets. I can see on some marshy patches a scattering of wild oats, andwe may hope to find some of the feathered gluttons that feed on them."

"And please to bring some tea-leaves, if you can find them, Mr. Arthur,"said Jenny; "I get on badly without a drop of tea, such as it is."

"Now, boys," said Arthur, "get out the axes. We must clear a place amongthe reeds for Margaret and my father; then we will moor the canoessafely, and leave a guard to watch them, while we go off on ourexploring expedition."

CHAPTER XXVIII.

The Cookery disturbed.—A Signal-rocket.—A Surprise andCapture.—Pillage.—The Taste of Gunpowder.—A Fatal Explosion.—TheContrivances of Necessity.—A Region of Famine.—Renewed Hopes.—AnUnfair Advantage.

A nook was soon cleared, where the family landed, and the light canoeswere drawn close to shore, and moored to the canes. Then the fine rusheswere cut down and spread to form seats for Margaret and her father; andArthur, with Wilkins and Jack, set out with guns and bows, leaving Hughand O'Brien to guard the encampment. Baldabella then went off with herspear, and soon pierced several large fish; and while Mr. Mayburn tookout his book, and Margaret talked to Nakinna, Jenny and Ruth made a fireto broil the fish.

Already the cooking began to smell temptingly, and the hungry littlegirl was dancing joyfully about the fire, watching till the repast wasready, when Baldabella suddenly threw down her spear, started forward,and laying her hand on Margaret's arm, she held up her finger in anattitude of warning, and bent forward as if listening. Then drawing adeep sigh, she whispered through her closed teeth—"Baldabella hear him,missee; black fellow come—one, two, many—eat missee—eat Nakinna—burnall!" Then snatching up her child, she gazed wildly round, and her fearswere confirmed a minute after, by the fatal cry ringing through thereeds, which announced the proximity of the dreaded natives.

The boys, who were rambling about among the bamboos, searching fornests, at the vexatious sound of the coo-ee, left their spoil to hurryto the encampment, and entreat their father and sister to embark at onceand seek safety; but Mr. Mayburn could not be persuaded to leave theabsent.

"Then let us make a sally to bring them up," said Gerald; "no timeshould be lost; we have our bows to defend ourselves, though theycarried the guns with them."

"But they must have heard the coo-ee as well as we did," replied Hugh,"and, depend on it, they are on the road back to us. I say, nurse, wemust eat our fish cold; just pull that fire to pieces."

Ruth the unlucky, always officious, took a bucket of water and threw itover the blazing sticks; on which a dark, dense smoke rose up from themlike a column, and the cries of the natives were now heard loud andtriumphant.

"Oh! Ruth, Ruth!" said Hugh, "you have sent up a signal-rocket to them.Margaret and papa, do step into the canoe; there is more safety on theriver than here."

"I do not see that, Hugh," answered Mr. Mayburn; "the water is soshallow here, that they could wade to us, and we must not run down thestream and leave our kind foragers."

A loud rustling and crackling among the reeds prevented more words; theboys would have sent their arrows into the thicket, but Margaretbesought, and Mr. Mayburn commanded, that they should not beginaggression, and a few minutes rendered these weapons absolutely useless,for they were closely surrounded by a numerous tribe of natives,carrying spears. But the anxious voyagers soon discovered that thepeople were peacefully inclined, for they made no attempt to injure thestrangers, but with loud cries and rapidly-uttered words, seemed toexpress astonishment rather than anger.

One man took Margaret's large sun-hat from her head and placed it on hisown, which so much delighted the rest, that all the hats of the partywere coolly and speedily appropriated, without any opposition from therightful owners, except from Ruth, who tied her bonnet so firmly underher chin, that the rough attempts of the man to tear it from her headnearly strangled her, till Margaret stepped forward to relieve her byloosing the strings.

O'Brien, also, was so indignant when one of the savages came to claimhis hat, that he flung it into the river, but the man leaped in andrescued it, and at the same time he discovered the canoes, and summonedhis friends vociferously to look on these new treasures. In the meantime the fish already cooked was devoured by some of the natives, andthe rest revived the fire to cook the remainder of Baldabella's spoil.

Jenny's shawl was next discovered, and appropriated by a bold marauder,who threw it, in not ungraceful drapery, over his uncovered shoulders.Another savage stripped from Ruth a large cloak which she had hastilyput on to conceal the basket which contained her last two fowls, whichshe held on her arm. This basket was a new prize, and the fowls wereregarded with much curiosity.

"Oh! tell 'em not to twine their necks about, Mistress Baldabella,"cried Ruth. "Tell 'em what bonnie creaters they are, laying every day,too."

But Baldabella, shy and fearful, had slunk behind the rest, and Margaretundertook to point out to the robber the value of the fowls, by showinghim the eggs and caressing the birds. The man grinned, to express thathe understood the explanation, sucked the eggs, and then walked off withbasket and fowls, leaving Ruth in complete despair.

Just at that moment, Arthur issued from among the reeds, and startedback, overcome with amazement and dismay, at the sight of the dark crowdwhich thronged the little clearance. He was immediately surrounded, andbefore he could offer any effectual resistance, his gun and hat weretaken away, as well as a bag of pigeons that was hung over his arm.

"Baldabella," said he, "ask the chief of the tribe what he wants fromus. We will give him the birds, and some knives and axes; but his peoplemust then go away, and leave us our canoes and our guns."

Baldabella reluctantly came forward, and bending her head down as sheapproached the chief, repeated her message in a submissive tone, and thesavage replied in a long harangue which made the poor woman tremble, andwhich she interpreted to her friends, greatly abridged, saying:—"Blackfellow say, he take all: he very angry. Good white friend allrun—fast—go away! Meny, much meny, black fellows come—all veryhungry—eat fish—eat bird—eat all white friend. Go fast,massa;—missee, good friend, go away!"

This was decidedly sound advice; but under the present circ*mstances itwas no easy task for the large party to run away. Wilkins and Jack hadjoined them, and were immediately seized by the savages, disarmed, andheld fast by their captors. The attack was too sudden to allow them anyopposition, and Jack looked deeply distressed, while Wilkins wasabsolutely furious, till a few words from Arthur induced them to submitwith quietness to have their game and their hats taken away from them.

Then the robbers paused, evidently lost in admiration of the complicateddress of their captives, which they seemed desirous to possess, but werepuzzled how to separate the garments from the wearer, or probablydoubtful whether they did not actually form a part of that anomalouscreature, a white man. It was plain, however, that Baldabella and herchild were of their own race, and the chief went up to her, andcommanded her to follow him, and become one of his jins. The poor woman,in terror and indignation, refused his request, and turned to flee fromhim; the savage immediately seized the child, and the alarmed mother,supported by Arthur and Hugh, tried in vain to rescue the screaminggirl, till the man, in a violent rage, sprung forward to the river, andflung the child into the water. But in a moment Hugh leaped in after it,and brought the half-senseless child to the distracted mother, who hadplunged in after him herself.

But now the chief's attention was diverted from Baldabella to the spoilsof his victims; and some of the men were sent off with baskets,portmanteaus, knives, axes, guns, and all the precious possessions ofthe unfortunate travellers, who momentarily expected to be murdered aswell as pillaged.

When the canoes had been completely ransacked, four of the men carriedthem off, while the rest were collected round a skin bag which containedtheir valuable ammunition. One of the natives drew out a canister ofgunpowder, forced it open, and filled his mouth with the powder. Withludicrous grimaces, he spat out the nauseous mixture, and raised hishand to fling the rest upon the fire. Arthur saw the motion, and callingon his friends to escape, he rushed up, hoping to arrest the arm of theignorant man; but he was too late, and though he retreated the moment hesaw the canister flying through the air, he was prostrated senseless bythe fearful explosion that followed.

The very earth shook beneath their feet, and such of the natives as werenot actually stunned by the shock, fled, with cries of horror, into thebush, which was already blazing in several places from the burningfragments of the fire cast in all directions. The emancipated prisonershad all, with the exception of Arthur, reached in safety the edge of theriver; and though trembling and much shaken, they had not sustained anyinjury. Arthur was brought to them perfectly insensible; but in a fewminutes, when water had been plentifully poured over him, he recovered,and except a nervous tremor that lasted many hours, and the loss of hishair, which was completely scorched off, no serious consequencessucceeded his perilous accident.

But though temporarily relieved from the presence of the savages, theywere still in the midst of great dangers. The dry blazing reeds renderedfurther progress impossible; and they gratefully thanked God that thelittle spot they had cleared for their landing now afforded them asecure refuge.

The wind carried the flames rapidly down the east bank of the rivertowards the south; and they waited in great agitation till a path shouldbe opened for them to proceed. Their anxious silence was interrupted bythe sound of a low musical wail, so expressive of sorrow that it painedevery heart; and on looking round, they saw the dirge proceeded fromBaldabella, who was bending over the body of the native who had perishedin the explosion caused by his own ignorance, and now lay a blackenedcorpse on the spot from whence he had flung the canister.

The little girl was kneeling by her mother, seeming to be conscious ofthe solemnity of the ceremony, and raising her feeble voice, inimitation of her mother. Much affected, Mr. Mayburn drew near them, andbriefly and simply explained to the tender-hearted woman the uselessnessof mourning over the hapless dead, and the lesson his sudden fateafforded to the living; and he begged her to join him in the prayer thatthey might all live so watchfully, that the hour of death might neversurprise them unprepared. The plain truths of Christianity had fallenwith good effect on the mind of the grateful and gentle woman, and Mr.Mayburn hoped earnestly that she and her child had been, by God's mercy,rescued from darkness.

"And now, let us turn away from this sad spectacle, my good woman,"continued Mr. Mayburn, "and endeavor to escape from this burningwilderness, for we all have work to do in the world. Arthur, will you,with your usual prudence, decide which way we shall turn? The flames areraging before us, and these savage natives may, at any moment, beset usfrom behind. My judgment fails to point out any escape; but, Arthur, Iwill pray for God's assistance, that you may be enabled to save us all."

"We may retrace our path up the river—a discouraging journey!" saidArthur; "or we may wait till the devouring flames have cleared a roadfor us; but the delay is perilous. Even should we try to force our wayeast, into yon barren desert, destitute as we now are, we should onlyobtain a change of evils; and I am reluctant to leave the friendlyriver, where alone we can hope to obtain food and water."

Baldabella pointed across the broad river, and said, "Go quick there,find many root, many nut, no black fellow. Bad black fellow come backsoon, paint all white; very angry, see brother dead; kill all white man,eat Nakinna, carry away Baldabella! God never come to black fellow."

To cross the river did certainly seem the most desirable plan; but howto effect the transit was a perplexing question. It was about a hundredyards across, but, as far as they could judge, not more than from fourto five feet deep at any part; so that the young men would have nodifficulty in wading across; but to the women, and even to Mr. Mayburn,such an undertaking would be very difficult, if not impossible.

Jack looked round in despair; there were no trees, and even if there hadbeen any, he had no axe. They examined carefully the field of plunder,in hopes some tool or utensil might have been overlooked by theplunderers; but, except the spear of the fallen native, and thefishing-spear of Baldabella, nothing had been left behind. Wilkins hadfortunately preserved a long knife which he wore under his blouse; and,from the mysterious form of the dresses, the pockets had escaped beingrifled.

Jack looked joyfully at the knife, and said, "We might cut some of thesethick tall reeds, and make a float for them, Mr. Arthur. I have a fewloose nails in my pocket, and here's a stone with a hole through it; wecan fix a reed handle to it, and then it will make shift for a hammer.We could easily guide them over on a float of this sort, it's myopinion."

It was at least desirable to make the experiment; so without delay thestrong bamboos were cut, broken, or torn down; a range of them placedflat, close together on the ground, connected by transverse bars, whichwere fastened somewhat imperfectly with Jack's precious "loose nails." Aquarter of an hour completed this slight frame; in which time theconflagration, which had run to some distance down the banks of theriver, had left a scorched and smoking clearance, disclosing the bodiesof three more victims, who had not been able to escape the rapid flames.The boys found also several nests of half-roasted water-fowls, whichthey snatched away at some risk from the heated ground, and broughtforward for a needful repast.

"If we had but saved the ropes!" exclaimed Jack. But ropes were notattainable, nor even that excellent substitute for them, the stringybark; and the raft was launched on the river, to be drawn or urgedacross by the strong arms of the men. Margaret, at her own request, wasthe first to venture on the frail machine, guided on one side by Jack,and on the other by Wilkins, who waded, and in some places swam, andbrought their charge in safety to the opposite bank, which was coveredwith reeds like that which they had left.

In this way the strong men successively brought over Mr. Mayburn and thetwo women. Baldabella, with her child on her shoulder and herfishing-spear in her hand, plunged at once into the water, followed byArthur, who insisted on her holding his hand through the deepest part.Finally, after a sorrowful look at the scene of their losses, and a vainsearch for any trifling article of their property, the two boys followedtheir friends. Then the disconsolate travellers, forcing their waythrough the reedy thicket, stood to gaze with consternation on the wildbarren region that spread before them.

"God has pleased to cast us feeble and destitute into this widewilderness," said Mr. Mayburn; "of ourselves, we can do nothing, but Heis mighty to save. He rescued us from the murdering savage, from flood,and from fire, and He will not suffer us to perish from famine, if wepray and trust. Let us lift up our hands and voices in thanksgiving andsubmission."

The rough convict, the ignorant Baldabella, and the simple child joinedearnestly in the devotions of their more enlightened friends; andrefreshed and hopeful, they rose from their knees, "to walk in faith thedarkling paths of earth."

"If we can but keep near the river," said Margaret, "we cannot perishfor want; and, besides, it seems to lead us in the very path we wish tofollow."

"Fish is better nor starving," said Wilkins; "but I reckon we'se soontire on't, if we come on nought better. What's come to t' lass now?"addressing Ruth, who was weeping.

"I've gone and roven a hole in my boot," sobbed she, "and I don't knowhow ever I'se to git it mended."

The boys laughed at the small distress of Ruth; but, after all, it wasno laughing matter for her. To walk over the brush-covered plain, oramong the dry reeds, was a trying exertion even for the well-shod, andMargaret was dismayed when she considered how this could be accomplishedwhen their boots should fail. "Yet why dare I doubt?" she said. "See,Ruth; Baldabella, and even little Nakinna, walk as well as we do, andthey are barefooted. We must not shrink from such small trials as this."

Just then a pair of the splendid bronze pigeons, so unequalled in beautyby any of their race, winged their flight from the water above the headsof the travellers; and though they no longer had the means of obtainingthese birds, as delicious in taste as they are lovely in plumage, theywere satisfied to see there were animals in the waste around them.

"These thin bamboos would make capital arrows," said Hugh; "and I haveno doubt we can bend one of these tall canes for a bow, if we had butthe means of stringing it."

"We might, at all events, sharpen some of the canes for spears," saidArthur, "not only for defence in need, but to be useful if we should beso fortunate as to encounter a kangaroo, or meet with the burrows of thewombats."

"What has become of our raft?" asked Margaret "You had there a goodstock of bamboos ready cut."

"With all my nails in them," exclaimed Jack. "What a fool I was not toremember that in time; now it will be far enough down the river."

It was too true: the raft had already been carried away by the streamout of their sight; and all deeply regretted their negligence, as theymoved slowly through the entangled scrub, frequently compelled to walkactually over the low bushes. On the opposite shore of the river theycould still discover the wild flames flying down before the wind, andleaving behind a black smoking surface.

When wearied with the excitement and toil of the day, they werecompelled to seek rest among the comfortless reeds, they sat down andlooked at each other for some time rather sorrowfully, for the pressureof hunger had fallen on all. It was Baldabella who first relieved theirdistress; with untired energy she went to the river with her spear, andreturned very soon with a large river-cod, and an apron filled with thefresh-water mussels, now truly prized for their useful shells. A firewas soon made, the fish was spitted on a sharpened reed, and while itwas roasting, Hugh, with Wilkins's invaluable knife, cut a number ofshort thin reeds into chopsticks, as he called them, to enable them toconvey the roasted fish from the reeds on which it was dished to theirmouths. Rude as the contrivance was, and laughable as were the failuresmade in using their new utensils, they managed to make a satisfactorysupper, and were content to sleep among the reeds in the open air,though the nights now felt exceedingly cold.

For several days they continued to toil on along the reedy banks of theriver, over the same cheerless bush, and subsisting on the sameunvarying fish diet. Then the banks became rocky and precipitous, andthe river so difficult of access that it was only at rare openings theywere able to obtain water or fish. But soon after the landscape wasenlivened once more by tall trees. Their path was over the grassyplains, which were even now, in the winter of the year, gay with brightflowers. More than once they remarked with thankfulness the track of thekangaroo, and the chattering of birds gave them hopes of new food, andthey anxiously sought the means of obtaining them.

With what joy they recognized the stringy-bark tree, and gathered thefibres to twist into bowstrings, and with what triumph did Hugh, thefirst who finished the rude weapon, draw his rough string and bring downpigeons and co*ckatoos sufficient for an ample meal even to thehalf-starved, but which taxed the ingenuity of the women to cook in anyway. They were finally made into what Gerald called a Meg Merriliesstew, which was cooked in a very large mussel-shell, and even withoutsalt or vegetables was fully enjoyed by the dissatisfied fish-eaters.

Then they all sat down earnestly to make a complete stock of bows andarrows; even Baldabella worked hard in twisting the bark for strings,and when they set out to continue their journey, they felt moreconfidence, for they were now provided with the means of obtaining food,and of defending themselves against hostile attacks; and in another daythey again met with wild oats, and, to the joy of the women, with thetea-bush. The fig-trees no longer bore fruit, but they were stillcovered with their usual inhabitants, flocks of brilliant pigeons,chattering co*ckatoos, and the satin-bird, distinguished by its flossyplumage and dazzling bright eye. Occasionally they still met with thecucumber melon, a pleasant refreshment when they were weary; and now,strong in hope, they went on their way, still keeping within sight ofthe river.

"Every hour must bring us nearer to some of the most remote settlementsof enterprising squatters," said Margaret, as they rested beneath afig-tree one evening; "and all our trials would be forgotten if we couldonce more feel the blessing of a roof over our heads and hear thelanguage of civilized life."

"It'll be a gay bit yet afore we come on 'em, Miss," said Wilkins."Folks is not such fools as to squat on bare commons; and there'sanother thing ye'll find,—we'se meet a few more of them black dogs yet,specially if we come on a bit of good land; they're up to that as wellas we are. And now, as things look a bit better, I'd not wonder ifthey're nigh at hand."

"I agree with you, Wilkins," said Arthur. "We are now certainly indanger of encountering tribes of natives, especially as we are on thetrack of the kangaroos, a great temptation to them."

"I wish we could see one of the mountebank beasts," said Gerald;"wouldn't I send an arrow or a spear into him. Take notice, all of you,I intend to bag the first old fellow that shows his long nose."

A sudden spring from a thicket behind them brought a large kangaroo intothe midst of the circle, and before they had recovered the surprisesufficiently to take up bows or spears, a succession of rapid bounds hadcarried the animal completely beyond their reach.

A burst of laughter from his friends somewhat disconcerted O'Brien, butwith his usual good-humor he said, "Very well; I allow you to laughto-night. The fellow took an unfair advantage of me; but wait tillto-morrow."

CHAPTER XXIX.

A Seasonable Supply.—Visitors in the Night.—Captivity.—An OldAcquaintance.—The Ranger's Settlement.—An Embassy to DaisyGrange.—Jack in a New Office.—The Grateful Native Woman.—Davy'sCompunction.—Bush-ranging Life.

Next morning, when the broiled fish was ready for breakfast, Gerald andHugh were missing. With some uneasiness the rest watched and waited foran hour, when a shout announced the approach of the wanderers, andArthur and Jack set out to meet them, and were glad to assist them indragging in a kangaroo.

"It is the same impudent fellow that defied me last night," said Gerald."I tracked his curious boundings to a wood three miles from here; andthen Hugh and I beat the bushes and shouted till we drove him out ofcover; but he cost us lots of arrows and spears before we could dispatchhim; and a weighty drag he has been for us this winter morning of June,when the sun is as hot as it is in our summer June at home. Now,Wilkins, help to skin him; we mean to have all our boots mended with hishide."

"But, Arthur, we must tell you," said Hugh, "that when we were in thewood we saw a smoke at a considerable distance to the south-west. Do youthink it could possibly be from some station? Gerald wished much to goon and ascertain whence it arose, but I persuaded him to wait till weconsulted you; besides, I knew you would be all uneasy if we were longabsent. Have we got so near the squatters, Wilkins?"

"Not a bit of chance on 't, Master Hugh," replied he. "We're far enoughfrom t' squatters yet. Depend on 't it's just another lot of themgood-to-nought black rogues. They'll be thick enough here where there'saught to get, I'se warrant 'em."

"It is most natural and just, Wilkins," said Mr. Mayburn, "that the trueproprietors of the soil should participate in its fruits. I fear it iswe who are, in fact, the rogues, robbing the wretched aborigines oftheir game, and grudging them even a settlement in their own land."

"But we have not robbed them, papa," said Hugh. "Kangaroos and pigeonsabound here enough for all; and we do not wish to hurt the poor wretchesif they would not annoy us. Here is Margaret quite ready to open aschool for them, if they would come and be taught."

"Margaret has done more good than any of us," said Mr. Mayburn; "she haslabored incessantly to instruct Baldabella and her child, and to open tothem the way of salvation. It is thus by scattered seeds that the greatwork of diffusing the truth is to be accomplished; and I fear, Hugh, wehave been too much engrossed with the cares of this life to thinkseriously."

"Now, boys," said Arthur, "we had better not linger; the kangaroo isskinned, and the meat is cut up into convenient portions for carriage;let us walk on briskly till we are hungry enough to enjoy it."

Onward they moved over the extensive grassy plains, recognizing withpleasure various tall trees of the varieties of Eucalyptus, theGrass-tree with its long weeping branches, the Pandanus with itsslender palm-like stem, and the Fig-tree with its spreading roots.Beneath one of these trees they encamped to cook kangaroo steaks, and toenjoy once more what Wilkins called "a decent, nat'ral dinner." There,with strips of skin for thread and a fish-bone for a needle, Wilkinsrepaired the worn and tattered boots, while Margaret and Baldabella madenetted bags of the stringy bark, and Jenny and Ruth bruised the wildoats which the young men had cut down as they came along.

"The rest of the skin I mean to make into a bag," said Jack; "for wemust carry with us a good stock of oats; we may, probably, again come tosome spot where they are not to be found."

Mr. Mayburn looked with pleasure on the busy hands round him; and thoughhe deeply regretted the irreparable loss of his books, wasted on theplundering savages, his composed mind soon submitted to the trial. Hisretentive memory supplied the place of books, and, from the richtreasures of his reading he delighted to repeat to his attentivelisteners pleasant and instructive lectures. Cheered and invigorated bylabor and amusing conversation, the united party forgot all their cares,offered up their devotions with calm and happy hopes, and slept amongthe sheltering roots of the fig-tree without fear.

Some unaccustomed sounds suddenly roused the sleepers, and they lookedround to behold through the dim light of breaking day the grim visagesof a numerous band of tall savages, with rough heads and beards, whowere armed with spears, and who looked on their surprised captives witha sort of scornful indifference, as they beckoned them to rise andfollow them. Hugh and Gerald sprung up to seize their spears and bows,but Arthur, with more prudence, ordered them to forbear making anyhostile demonstration. "We are in the power of these strangers," hesaid; "our only hope must be in conciliation and treaty. I will try tomake the best of it."

Then turning to the native who stood nearest to him, he endeavored, inthe few words he had learnt from Baldabella, to make him understandtheir poverty and inoffensive disposition, and their desire to bepermitted to proceed on their journey. The man looked round, as if tocall on another to reply, and, to the astonishment of Arthur, a voicefrom the crowd answered in English.

"We are open to a fair reg'lar treatise, young man, Perdoose yer swag,which is the vulgar country word for what we English terminate tin,and then we will sign your disfranchisem*nt."

The voice and the extraordinary phraseology were familiar to theMayburns, and Hugh cried out, "What, Bill, is that you? How came youhere? Is David Simple with you? and where is Mr. Deverell?"

The man, who had now come forward, dressed in the remnants of hisformerly seedy foppery, looked annoyed at the recognition. He staredimpudently at Hugh, and said, "You have mistaken your man, young master.I have no convalescence of you."

"It is in vain for you to affect ignorance of us, Bill," said Arthur;"we know you to be a ticket-of-leave man, engaged as a servant atMelbourne by Mr. Deverell. I am grieved to find you in such unsuitablecompany, and would advise you to join us, and guide us to your master'sstation, where we shall be able to reward you liberally."

"Thank you, sir," said the man, laughing scornfully; "but Mr. Deverelland I did not part good friends, and I have no innovation to visit himagain. His ways is percoolar, and a gentleman as has had a deliberateeddication looks higher nor waiting on cattle; so Davy and I came to adissolution to abrogate the place, and set out on a predestinarianexcrescence."

"He means, master," said Davy, with a downcast look, interpreting hisbrother's difficult language; "he means as how we took to t' bush. I wasbad to win round to 't; but Bill, he'd collogued with a lot of blackfellows, and had 'em all in a wood hard again our boundaries; and theythranged me round, and threaped as how they'd cut my throat if I stayedafter them to peach; and, graceless dog as I were, I joined 'em to driveour best stock, when we knew as how master was off for a week. It were asore day's work, and little good do I see in living among a set ofraggles like them. I warn ye, master, if ye've gotten any cash about ye,just pay 't down, and make no words about it, afore they get aggravated,for they're a bloody set, that are they."

"But, my poor mistaken man," said Mr. Mayburn, "what in the world canthese savages do with money in this houseless wilderness?"

"That's our affair," answered Bill. "So open your bank, old fellow, andleave it to intelligible fellows like me to transact your gold intobrandy."

"In the first place, Bill," replied Arthur, "I think it is my duty toremind you of the fatal consequences of highway robbery, and to beseechyou to return to your duty, and endeavor to retrieve your error. In thenext place, you cannot possibly benefit by your extortion, for we areliterally and truly without money. We have letters of credit onCalcutta, and we could certainly obtain money at Melbourne, but only byour personal application at that place. We have been already stripped byone of the black tribes, of every article of property we possessed, andwe are now wholly destitute. This is the exact truth. Now I suggest toyou that your wisest plan would be to leave us to pursue our wayunmolested; unless you or your misguided brother will accompany us tothe settlement of Mr. Deverell, with whom, I think, we have sufficientinfluence to induce him to pardon your offence."

"Who would be the fools then?" answered the man. "No, sir, your oratoriomakes no depression on me. If you haven't got money, you're worth money.You must march in the arrear of your captivators to our quarters. Youshall then write a letter, which I shall dedicate to you. I never travelwithout my writing impediments; and one of my 'cute black fellows, as isconservant in English, shall be dispersed away to your friend Mr.Deverell, who must confiscate to me cash or stuff for your ransom; andwhen I see my brandy and cigars, you are disfranchised."

It was useless to attempt opposition to the mandates of the imperiousand conceited bush-ranger, and the disconsolate captives reluctantlyfollowed the man, surrounded by such a troop of natives as precluded allhopes of escape, and exposed to the insults and plunder of thesesavages, who wrested from them their spears and bows. Wilkins hadcontrived to secret his knife under his vest, and thus saved it. Theyhad not proceeded far before they were joined by a band of women,revolting in appearance and manner, who crowded round them, rudelyexamined their garments, and freely possessed themselves of such as theycould conveniently snatch away. Margaret looked round for Baldabella toassist her in remonstrating with these harpies, and was surprised to seethat she had disappeared.

Margaret then remembered that, on the previous night, the woman hadselected a thicket considerably apart from the rest, as a sleeping-placefor herself and her child, and she concluded that at the first alarm ofthe invaders, the poor woman had escaped, her dread of herfellow-countrymen overcoming even her allegiance to her friends. Afterall, Margaret considered it was as well; there were two less to beanxious for, and she had no fears for the native on her own soil: shewould certainly find food, and would probably wait and watch for therelease of the captives.

The unpleasant march of the prisoners extended to nearly three miles;then, descending a low hill, they arrived at a lovely wooded valley,where, on the banks of a little creek, or streamlet, stood a number ofrough bark huts. A herd of cattle were feeding on the grassy plain, andsome horses, hobbled, to prevent them straying, were mingled with them.Naked children were rolling on the grass, shouting and laughing; womenwere busy bruising nuts, or making nets; and some aged men were seatedin the sun with their knees raised to their heads, looking stupid andhalf dead.

It was the first scene of pastoral life that the travellers had beheldin Australia, and would have had a certain charm to them had they beenin a position to enjoy it. But the thoughts of their captivityengrossed their minds, and they contemplated with uneasiness the fierceand threatening countenances of the lawless men who surrounded them, andwho drove them forward like the cattle they had so villainouslyobtained, and lodged them in a large bark hut which stood at theextremity of the scattered hamlet. This rude shelter was wholly open infront, and filthily dirty inside; but they were thankful for any shelterthat divided them from the coarse and abandoned robbers; and, flingingthemselves on the ground, the disconsolate captives reflected silentlyon their perilous situation, while their captors, assembled before therude prison, seemed earnestly discussing, as Arthur concluded, the meansof making the most profit of their destitute prisoners.

After some minutes had elapsed, they were favored with a visit from theaudacious and ignorant convict Bill, who addressed them with his usualpompous air, saying,—

"Gentlemen, we have dissented on dispersing one of your gang along withour embarrasser to Deverell, that he may be incensed into the right ofthe thing. We set you up as worth a hundred pound, hard cash, for thelot; but if we concentrate to take stuff, we shall exhort two hundred.Things is bad to sell in the bush. We expectorate a chap in a day or twoas is intentionable to buy our stock, and then you must keep closequarters, for when my colloquies get their brandy they are always a bitumbrageous."

When Mr. Mayburn comprehended the meaning of this elaborate nonsense, hedeclared positively that he would not allow one of his children todepart on such an unjust errand, accompanied by an abandoned reprobate.

"I should like nothing better than to start off on such a trip," saidGerald. "What a surprise it would be at Daisy Grange when they saw mybrown face; and wouldn't pretty Emma say, with tears in her eyes, 'Oh,Gerald! what has become of Arthur?' And grave Edward Deverell would fallinto heaps of confusion, and say, 'Margaret! why is not Margaret withyou?'"

Arthur laughed, but shook his head, and refused to abet any plan ofsubjecting the thoughtless boy to such risk.

"But might not Wilkins go?" asked Hugh.

"Not I, thank ye, Master Hugh," answered the man, hastily; "we'd likeenough fall in with some of them hot-headed black pollis when we gotnigh to t' station, and they're all so set up wi' their guns, that aforeI could get out a word they'd sure to pick me out for a runaway, andshoot me dead; and, more nor that, I'll not say if I were let looseamong them care-nought rangers, as I mightn't fall into their ways, andtake to t' bush like 'em; and then, ye see, all yer good work would beflung away."

"Wilkins might be useful to you here, Master Arthur," said Jack; "but Idon't see why I shouldn't go. I'm no ways feared; and I could put Mr.Deverell up to getting hold of these vagabonds and their own cattle; andthen, you know, sir, I should find timber and tools enough, and I couldsoon knock up a bit of a wagon to bring up for Miss Margaret and themaster, and the other poor things. What think you, sir, about it?"

"I must confess, papa," said Arthur, "that I feel satisfied that Jack isthe right man. But can we make up our minds to part with our tried andfaithful friend? I leave it to you to decide."

"My dear son," answered Mr. Mayburn, much agitated, "I cannot decidesuch an important question. Only consider; should his savage companionprove treacherous, our dear Jack may be sacrificed, and his blood fallon our heads. I shrink from the responsibility."

"Nevertheless, dear papa," said Margaret, weeping bitterly, "I fear wemust consent. Jack will be accompanied by only one man, whose policy itwill be to be careful of his life till the transaction be completed. Onhis return, rely on it, Edward Deverell will take care he has arms andprotection. Jack is sagacious, brave, and prudent. I grieve to part withhim; but I believe it may be for the benefit of all. We must resign him,and pray for God's blessing on our brave deliverer."

"And I say, Jack, my man," said Wilkins, "if ye should chance to lighton a bonnie bit lass, called Susan Raine, down yonder, just ye say ashow Wilkins is not altogether that graceless she counts him. He's badenough, God knows; but he oft thinks on days of lang syne; and he'strue, tell her, come what may."

It was then communicated to the vile dictator of the dark band that amessenger was ready to set out to procure the ransom from Mr. Deverell;and the next day, amidst the loud sobs of Ruth and the silent grief ofthe rest, Jack took leave, and set forward towards the south,accompanied by a tall, crafty-looking savage, who had evidently beenaccustomed to traffic with the bush-rangers, and had acquired sufficientEnglish to serve his purpose. One of their ablest defenders was thussevered from the unfortunate captives, who hourly became more alarmedabout their position. Forbidden to leave the hut, they were merely fed,like the dogs, with the disgusting remains of the untempting food oftheir savage captors; and but for the secret good offices of Davy, theymust have perished of thirst. He brought them every night a bark bucketof water from the creek, which saved their lives.

But Mr. Mayburn and Margaret, who could not touch the decomposed fishand gnawed bones that were thrown to them, gradually sunk into a stateof weakness that distracted their helpless friends. Four days elapsedafter Jack's departure, and Margaret was reclining, weak and weary, yetunable to sleep, against the back wall of the hut, when about midnight,she was startled by a scratching sound outside the bark. Much alarmed,but too weak to move, she trembled, and feebly called to Jenny, who wassleeping near her. But just at that moment the low, sweet voice ofBaldabella greeted her, through an opening made in the bark near theground.

"Missee, good dear missee!" murmured the woman; "Baldabella see all,look in all gunyoes. Baldabella come, all sleep now; bring bread,bring fish for missee and good master."

Then through the opening Jenny received cakes of pounded oats, such asshe herself had taught Baldabella to make, broiled fish, and a barkvessel filled with hot tea, a plentiful and luxurious repast. When shehad given up her store, the grateful woman whispered, "Baldabella gomake more bread, come again dark night. Pray God bless white friends."

The prayer of Baldabella was gratefully acknowledged and responded to byher much affected friends, who blessed the hour they were so happy as tosnatch the poor widow from the death which hung over her body and soul,and to win her affections and sympathy. Invigorated by the wholesome andclean food, Mr. Mayburn and Margaret again began to hope for betterdays, and to plan their pleasant journey south.

For three nights Baldabella returned with her abundant and seasonablegifts; while the sordid wretch who detained them, plainly cared only forthe ransom he hoped to obtain for them. But Davy continued to steal inevery night with the welcome supply of fresh water, and remained tolisten to their prayers and hymns, with a softened and mournfulcountenance.

"Ye see, sir," said the poor fellow to Arthur, "our Bill, he's up to allsorts of things; he's had a grand eddication, and knows reet fra' wrongbetter nor me; and he orders me, like, and I cannot say him nay; hereckons I'se but a simple chap."

"Did you ever learn your Catechism, Davy?" asked Margaret.

"They did get that into me, Miss," answered he, "and little good it'sdone me. I niver like to think on 't nowadays; it's just awesome, it is."

"Thou shalt not steal!" said Mr. Mayburn, emphatically.

"Please, master, not to talk on't," said the agitated young man; "it'sabout them beasts as ye're meaning on. But our Bill says, says he, 'Itstands to reason as them as has ower mony ought to sarve them as hasnone.' Now what think ye of that, sir?"

"I think and know, David," said Mr. Mayburn, "that it is God's will thatall men should obey His commandments, and do their duty in the stationwhere He has placed them. You had no more right to take Mr. Deverell'scattle than these poor savages have to strip you naked and leave you todie alone in the desert, and in the eyes of God you are more guilty thanthey would be, for you have been taught His law. You know that God hassaid that the thief shall not enter the kingdom of heaven. Now, David,death is near to us all, young or old: think what will be your dreadfulfate when you wake in another world, forsaken by God. Then turn to Himnow, while there is yet time, and pray for repentance and pardon throughthe blessed Saviour, that your sins may be forgiven, and you may bebrought to dwell with him forever."

"Well, master, I can tell ye if 't were to do again," answered the man,"Bill s'ould niver talk me ower to put my hands to t' job. And, afterall, a poor set we've made on 't. Ye see, this is how we did it; wedarked and kept quiet till t' master was off down t' country, then wemarked off our beasts, and picked out our saddle-horses, and a guna-piece. I ought to have had warning plenty about me'ling wi' a gun.Then off we set at midnight, driving our beasts and a flock of sheep,and were soon up till them black fellows as was watin' us. First wedruv' our sheep till a bush public, where a sly auld hand took 'em, andgave us a lot of bad brandy and worse tobacco for 'em, and sin' thatwe've run and rode about t' country, up and down, hereaway andthereaway, like wild beasts. Then we're feared of t' pollis, and we'refeared of all ther' black fellows, as can turn rusty when they like, andit's nought but drinking, cursing, and fighting all day long, brutes aswe are. I'se fairly tired, master, and I'd fain be back amongChristians; but then, I'd niver be t' fellow to peach; and, ower that, Iknow there's a rope round my neck, as is sartain to be tightened if Ishow my face at our station again."

CHAPTER XXX.

A Proposal of Marriage.—Bill's Rejection andRevenge.—Pocket-picking.—Jack's Return.—Black Peter again.—Bushranging Merriment.—A Flight in the Dark.—An Emu-chase.—Thedisappointed Hunters.—Pursuit.—A Stratagem.

Simple Davy, the whole family believed, would not prove irreclaimable,and they used every persuasion to bring the poor man to a knowledge ofhis faults, and to a desire to reform them; but his blind submission tohis "eddicated" brother proved a formidable obstacle, till his heartbecame enlightened by the truths of religion. The cunning villain Billwas a great annoyance to the family: he continually visited them, andhis absurd speeches no longer afforded them amusem*nt, for he had nowsignified his intention of becoming a candidate for the hand ofMargaret.

"Not that Miss would aggress," said the convict, "to live with these lowignis fatuus men, that we eddicated men terminate flea-beings, seeingshe is not customary to their ways. But you see, Miss, I preponderatesetting up a bush tavern, quite illimitable to the beat of the imperiouspollis; quite a genteel hottle, where you might prorogue like a lady,and I'd not reject to adapt these lads, and give them a job at waiting;and we might revive an opening for the old governor, if you matteredhaving him."

Hugh and Gerald would have seized the impudent rascal and flung him outof the hut, but Arthur restrained them, and arresting his father'sindignant remonstrance, he said, "Bill, my sister must never again hearsuch absurd and offensive language; she is too young even to think ofsuch things, and quite unfitted by education and religion for minglingwith lawless bush-rangers."

"We'll see about that, young fellow," answered Bill with a diabolicalgrin. "You might have permeated the young woman to speak for herself;she's old enough to be deciduous. But wait a bit till I touch yourransom, and then we'll considerate about her. She was not secluded in mybargain, and you'll find as how I'm empirical here."

The terror and distress of Margaret were very great, and but for theabsence of Jack, who was always ingenious in affairs of difficulty,Arthur would have yielded to her wish, and attempted their escape, whichby the aid of Baldabella in the out-works, and of David, who was muchashamed of his brother's audacious proposal, in the citadel, they didnot think would be extremely difficult. The bark hut which was theirprison, was situated at the extremity of the range of huts, and close toa thick wood, from which Baldabella made her nightly visits withoutdisturbance. David had supplied the young men with some sheets of barkto partition off the back part of the hut for Margaret and her servants,and from this apartment it would be easy to cut open the bark, andescape into the wood, the savages usually sleeping on the ground beforethe hut.

Still, unless they were driven to extremities, they desired to defertheir flight till the return of Jack, as, besides the hope that he mightbring them efficient aid from Mr. Deverell, they did not wish to abandonhim to the wrath of the disappointed rangers; but they explained theirintention to Baldabella, and begged her to be prepared; and they hopedthat they were prevailing on David to become their companion and guide.

Several days passed in the same dreary and distressing seclusion. If anyof the prisoners ventured to breathe the air outside the hut, they wereassailed with rude language, pelted and insulted by the rangers or theblacks. Jenny and Ruth had gone out to cut some grass to spread over theground on which they slept, and were seized by the women, their clothestorn, their hair pulled, and the contents of their pockets discoveredand torn from them.

"Ragged I am, and ragged I may be, now," said Jenny. "I wonder what goodmy bit housewife will do them ondecent hussies; and neither thread,needle, nor scissors have I left. And Miss Marget, my honey, there wasmy silver thimble that you bought me in London, and my prayer-book fromMaster Arthur,—God bless him!—and my spectacles that master gave me;but that's little matter, I don't need them when I've nothing left toread or sew."

Ruth sobbed out incoherently, "My bonnie purse; oh dear! oh dear! and mytwo shillings, and my lucky crook't sixpence, and my Sunday ribbons andcotton gloves, and my bonnie little Testament! Oh dear! where's I to getmair?"

Mr. Mayburn consoled the women, and showed them his pocket Bible, whichhe had still preserved, and from which he could daily read to them thewords of comfort and hope; and Margaret encouraged Jenny with theprospect of one day reaching Daisy Grange, when she felt assured thatthe orderly and prudent Mrs. Deverell would have needles and thread tobestow on them.

One evening some very unusual sounds tempted Gerald who was alwaysrestless in his confinement, to steal out of the hut. He was absent sometime, and Arthur had become very uneasy lest he should have beenarrested and punished for this disobedience of orders, when, with a facefull of news, he rushed back into the hut, exclaiming, "Jack is broughtback! there are three or four more of those ugly convicts; and, oh,Arthur, there is Black Peter amongst them!"

This was really melancholy news, and Mr. Mayburn in deep distress lookedappealingly to Arthur.

"Margaret must be taken away," he said; "I cannot have her remain amongthese reprobates. Then there is Wilkins, poor fellow! That wicked wretchhas ever persecuted and hated him; he is not safe with us; we must carefor him, and send him away. But ought we not all to depart? I feel thatI am unable to judge the matter calmly; decide for us, my son."

"I shall be better able to do that, papa," answered Arthur, "when Ilearn what extraordinary circ*mstance has induced Jack to return. It isquite impossible that he can have executed his mission; and I cannotimagine that these robbers have relinquished their desire for theransom-money. I am very anxious to see him."

The sounds of riot and discord were now heard through the hamlet; theprisoners concluded that more brandy had been brought in, and it wasproducing its usual delusive and fatal effects among men and women. Theintoxication proceeded to madness; horrid oaths and blasphemy were theonly words to be distinguished; first uttered by the white man,erroneously named a Christian, and then eagerly imitated by his heathenbrother. In the midst of the confusion, Jack stole in unnoticed by thesavages to his anxious friends. He was pale with fatigue,disappointment, and alarm; for he saw that the frenzy of the intoxicatedwretches might at any moment lead them to murder.

"Mr. Arthur," said he, hurriedly, "I have got hold of a gun and a fewcharges, and David will follow me here with another, as soon as thefellows drink themselves into stupor; then we must make off withoutdelay, or we are lost. Black Peter has determined to have his own way,and you know what his way is; and depend on it, if he had not been ledoff with the brandy, he would have been here to bully and threatenbefore now."

"Alas! alas!" said Mr. Mayburn, "how did it happen, my good lad, thatyou fell into the hands of that abandoned man?"

"We met him on our way, sir," answered Jack, "mounted on a handsomehorse that he'd stolen from somebody's station; he was dressed like agentleman, and three more fellows, all bush-rangers, I'll be bound, werealong with him, well mounted too. They were carrying kegs of liquor andbales of tobacco to barter for the stolen cattle, which they mean todrive down the country to sell. Peter knew me as soon as he set eyes onme, and hailed me to know what had become of my comrades. Then the sulkyblack fellow that rode with me took on him to tell, in his lingo, whatwe were after. It would have made your blood run cold, master, to hearhow that brute Peter cursed Bill; he said he was nought but a poor,pitiful, long-tongued fool, to swap such a prize for a hundred pounds;and he swore he would have ten times as much for the bargain, and haveit for himself too. 'I've got shot of my cowardly troop, ye see,' hesaid to my guide; 'they didn't suit me; they ran away at the sight ofblood. I'll see now if I can't put that set-up fellow, Bill, down a peg,and manage your folks a bit better, blackey.' Then he went back to hiswhite colleagues, and said, 'You might make a penny of these tworunaways; there's money on their heads; what say ye to carrying themoff?'

"I cannot tell how they settled their treacherous plan; but as they hadarms, they forced us to turn back with them; and Bill looked so cowedwhen he saw Black Peter, that I make no doubt the craftier rogue of thetwo will be master by to-morrow; and there will be a poor chance for us,if we do not overreach him to-night. Well, Davy, how are they gettingon?" he added, as the simple fellow entered cautiously.

"They'll not be lang fit for wark," answered he. "Some's down now, andBill and Peter had come to fighting; but them new chaps, as corned withyou, parted 'em; and I seed 'em wink at Peter, and they said as how itcould be settled to-morrow. But it would hardly be safe to stop forthat; and if ye're ready and willing, I'se get ye off cannily aftherit's dark."

"We are willing and ready, David," said Arthur, "and most thankful tohave you for our guide. I will engage that Mr. Deverell will pardon andprotect you, if we are fortunate enough to reach Daisy Grange; but howmy father and sister are to accomplish the journey, I cannot think."

"It's all pat, sir; see to me for that," answered David. "Not a chapamang 'em was fit to hobble t' horses but me, I had it all my own way,and I brought our two, and their four, all round to t' back of this herewood, and tied 'm up ready saddled. Afore midnight, light on me to bethere, and all fettled and ready. I'se get Baldabella to warn ye at t'reet minute, and then ye can make yer way out backwards, and she'llbring ye through t' wood, and we'se get a good start afore day-leet.They've no more horses fit for t' saddle, if they were fit themselves;but it will be a fair bit afore they sleep off their drunken fit."

The yells and screams of the mad drunkards grew louder and morediscordant, and the trembling women clung fearfully to each other in theback apartment of the hut, where they had already cut an opening largeenough to allow them to escape; but they were anxious to defer theattempt till Davy thought the moment favorable. At length they heard theoaths and curses muttered in fainter tones; and, one after another, thevoices died away. Gladly the anxious captives marked the deep silencethat succeeded, which was finally broken by David whispering through theopening behind the hut,—

"Come along; be sharp, and tread soft. There's a lot of chaps lyingafore t' hut: ye cannot come out that way. Mind ye dinnot waken 'em.Here's Baldabella; she'll trail ye through t' bush, and I'll on afore,and make ready."

Trembling and breathless, one after another they followed Baldabella,forcing their way through the thick underwood, scarcely conscious ofbruises, scratches, and rent garments, till, by the faint light of themoon through a gathering mist, they saw David holding the harnessedhorses outside the tangled wood.

"Manage as ye like," said he; "there's twelve on us, reckoning t' babby,but some on ye is leet weights."

Baldabella refused to mount, and, giving her child to Wilkins, shewalked on; and so light and swift was her pace, that she kept up wellwith the doubly-laden horses, though they proceeded as speedily as theycould over the grassy plains. For six hours they continued to travel duesouth, silently and uninterruptedly; then the morning light cheeredtheir spirits, they realized the fact of their freedom, and theyrejoiced as they rested on a rich plain while the horses fed, and liftedup their voices in praise and thanksgiving that they were once more freein a savage land; and even poor David, with tears of penitence, unitedhumbly with them in prayer.

All the party needed the refreshment they knew not where to seek, whenBaldabella produced a netted bag of cakes and nuts, with which they wereobliged to content themselves; and hoping that they might meet withwater before they were again compelled to rest, they set forward withgratitude and cheerfulness. But they were somewhat disheartened as theyproceeded; for though herbage and trees were plentiful, water was rarelyto be met with. Hollows in the earth, which contained a muddy remnant ofthe well-filled pools of the rainy season, were their sole dependence—ascanty and unpleasant supply. They had long ago lost sight of the river,from which they had designedly diverged in order to mislead theirpursuers, leaving it on their left hand. Fig-trees were common on theplains, but no longer bearing fruit; still, they continued to befrequented by the co*ckatoos and pigeons, and having made bows andarrows, they procured as many as they wished for food.

On the fourth day, Baldabella, who was before them, summoned them by thewelcome cry, "Yarrai! yarrai!—water! water!" and they saw a narrowfull streamlet, rushing to the south-east, probably to swell some largeriver; a consideration very tempting to the travellers, who could notventure on the direct track which David was acquainted with, lest theyshould be overtaken. They resolved, therefore, to continue by the water,so necessary to preserve their own strength and that of their horses;and though the approach towards a large river might place them amongstthe black tribes again, they would still be on the highway which led tocivilization.

They now selected their resting-places close by the refreshing stream,and without adventure, till it happened that one day they had indulgedfor some hours in a noonday repose under the shelter of some trees. Thenthe young men set out to beat the wood for birds; but Gerald soon criedout, "To horse! to horse! bold hunters. Emus are in view!" and, onskirting the wood, the whole family had a view of a flock of those hugebirds, at some distance on the plain, grazing with all the tranquillityof domestic cattle.

"We are not in want of emus, Gerald," said Mr. Mayburn. "These creaturesare as free to live as we are ourselves. Why will men become huntersfrom mere wantonness?"

"We could do cannily with one, master," said Jenny. "They're fair goodeating, and ye see, sir, great strong men gets tired of these bits ofbirds."

Mr. Mayburn sighed at the necessity of disturbing the peace of the happycreatures, and duly impressed on Arthur his wish that only one birdshould be killed. All the young men, roused at the thoughts of thechase, sprang upon their horses, and, armed with spears and bows,galloped off to the field. Crafty and swift as these birds are, theywere not entirely able to elude their mounted enemies, who attacked themwith spears and arrows, and at last succeeded in separating from therest and surrounding one large bird, in which several arrows had beenpreviously lodged. Infuriated with pain and fright, the bird ranfrantically round the circle, in fruitless endeavors to escape betweenthe horses; and Gerald, piercing it with his long spear to oppose itsretreat, it turned suddenly round, and, striking out backwards with itspowerful leg, inflicted such a blow on the horse he was riding, that itstaggered and fell.

Alarmed at the accident, the hunters all rode up to assist Gerald; andthe wounded emu profited by the opportunity, and effected a retreat toits companions, to the great vexation of the sanguine young men. Theysoon raised the horse and his rider. Gerald had escaped unhurt; but thehorse was so bruised by the kick of the powerful creature, that Arthursaw with consternation that their journey must be delayed some time,till it recovered from the blow; if, indeed, it was not renderedentirely incapable of further service.

Mortified and dejected, the discomfited hunters returned to theencampment, where they were received by Mr. Mayburn with a lesson onhumanity to animals, by Margaret with friendly raillery, and by Jennywith ill-repressed murmurs; but all were grieved at the sufferings ofthe poor horse.

"That beast must just lie where he is for one day, however," saidWilkins; "and I question whether that'll sarve to mend a bad job. I say,some of ye slips of lads, run up them trees, and take a look round, tosee if t' coast's clear."

It was at once employment and amusem*nt for the active boys, Hugh andGerald, to climb two tall fig-trees that grew in front of the wood, andscan the wide scene around.

"Now, sentinels," cried Margaret from below, "please to report what youhave observed."

"I can see our little rivulet," said Hugh, "winding like a silver threadover the plains to the south-east, even to the very horizon, where agray line terminates the view. That may be the hem of the large riverArthur has planned."

"I say, Arthur, come up," cried Gerald; "I want you to look at a darkmass far away north. I could almost fancy I saw it moving."

Arthur was soon by his side, and, after examining the object pointedout, he said with a sigh, "You are right, Gerald, it does move; and Ifear we are pursued at this unlucky moment, when we cannot, I fear,continue our flight. You, boys, remain to watch, while I descend to holda council about our perilous situation."

"Hand us up the guns, then, Arthur," answered Gerald, "and see if wewill not guard the pass. Not a single rogue shall advance, but we willmark him and bring him down from our watch-tower."

"That plan will not do, Gerald," said Arthur. "Your office is to watch,and, as soon as you can, to ascertain their strength."

Then the distressed youth descended to report his lamentable tidings tothe tranquil party below, and great was the dismay felt by the timid.

"We might send off master and Miss Margaret," said Jack. "What think youof that, Mr. Arthur? We could hold out here a good bit, to let them havea good start down south; and then, if God helped us, we might get afterthem."

"Margaret, what do you say to this plan?" asked Mr. Mayburn. "There isDavy, who seems honest, could we not trust him to conduct us and our twopoor women to our friends the Deverells?"

"It must not be so, dear papa," answered Margaret; "we must live or dietogether. Think how unhappy we should be to leave them exposed todangers for our sakes. But could we not hide in this thick wood? Itmight be that the pursuers would not discover us."

"But the trail, Margaret," answered Arthur,—"the trail would betray us.Is there any mode left us to escape, do you think, Wilkins?"

"Ay, ay, Mr. Arthur, ye fancy it's best to set one rogue to cheatanother," replied Wilkins. "Keep up your heart, Miss; I'se thinking wecan lead 'em on a wrong scent yet."

The wood behind them spread for a considerable way along the side of therivulet, from which it was about a hundred yards distant. The oppositebanks were hemmed up to the water with a broad growth of reeds, beyondwhich lay a vast entangled scrub.

"We'll see if we cannot manage to send 'em ower yonder," continuedWilkins, pointing to the opposite side; "so bring t' horses here, andcome along wi' ye."

By the orders of Wilkins the men mounted the five sound horses, havingfirst led the lame one, with Margaret, Mr. Mayburn, and the women, intothe intricacies of the wood, and left them, carefully arranging thebush, so that no trail could be seen. Then the horsem*n, making a broadtrack, by riding abreast, proceeded to the shallow rivulet, crossed it,and breaking down the reeds before them, forced a pass to the scrub.Here it was unnecessary to proceed, as on the brush-covered ground itwas easy to suppose the trail might be lost; they therefore returned,carefully retracing their steps to the river, and riding the horses inthe water about a hundred yards down the stream, from which, at distantintervals, they brought them up singly to the wood, obliterating thetrail with scrupulous care; and, finally, through several convenientopenings, they introduced them into the heart of the wood, where a smallgrassy spot enabled them to leave the animals to graze, after carefullysecuring them. Here all the party assembled, to wait the event, exceptthe three boys, who, taking guns and bows, returned to the fig-treesfrom whence they had first perceived the pursuers, re-ascended, andconcealed themselves in the thick foliage, to watch the foe, and, ifnecessary, to defend the fortress.

The pursuers were now plainly visible, and the watchers discovered thatthe party consisted of the bush-rangers, driving before them a herd ofcattle, and accompanied by a band of the natives. The processioncertainly formed an imposing body, but the men were on foot, and mustnecessarily proceed slowly with the cattle; and if all the horses hadbeen fit for the road, Arthur saw they might easily have escapedpursuit, and he bitterly regretted the imprudent and unprofitable chaseof the emu. He now considered that the most advisable plan would be, ifpossible, to allow the men to pass, and then to follow them.

CHAPTER XXXI.

The Sentinels in the Trees.—The End of Bill the Convict.—TheBush-rangers deceived.—A strange New Animal.—A Bloody Conflict.—TheMountain-pass.—The Fruit of the Acacia.—The Travellers inCustody.—The Court of Justice.

Every moment increased the anxiety of the young sentinels, who werescarcely able to speak for agitation. At last Hugh said,—

"Isn't it a capital chance for us, Arthur, that the great drove ofcattle are before the keen-eyed rangers? They will trample down ourtrail effectually."

This was certainly an advantage to the fugitives, especially as theyremarked the cattle followed the exact track they had made. They werenow able to distinguish the powerful figure of Black Peter, who wasaccompanied by the three strange bush-rangers whom Jack had met withhim, and followed by about fifty of the natives whom they had seen withBill the convict. These men were painted white, as if for battle, andwere armed with spears and boomerangs; but Bill was not with them,—acirc*mstance that gave great satisfaction to Arthur, for the sake ofpoor David.

The whole body drew up beneath the very trees in which the young menwere hidden; and whilst the cattle plunged into the river with greatenjoyment, Peter was examining the trail which led to the water, and hadbeen purposely made to mislead them. He then pointed out to hiscompanions the broken reeds on the opposite bank, and after pouring outa volley of curses, he said,—

"They've crossed here, and not very long sin', that's clear. We're closeat their heels, and we mustn't bide long dawdling here; and, Jem, see yekeep that brandy out of t' way of them black and white bugaboos, orwe'se have 'em, when their blood's up, knocking out our brains, and wehaven't a gun left to learn 'em manners with. Let me lay hold on my gunagain, and t' first job I'll put it to will be to shoot every soul ofthem sneaking, preaching thieves but t' girl, and I'll set her up as abush-ranger's jin. She's mine by right, sure enough, now that I've putan end to t' palavering of that sneaking fool Bill."

"But, Peter, man," was the answer of one of the men, "I fancy them blackfellows didn't half like yer putting a knife into their leader; and downt' country folks would call it a murder."

"It saved Government a good rope," said Peter, "for that was his due. Hewas a bigger rogue than me, and that's saying a deal."

The fearful oaths that these abandoned men mingled with theirconversation perfectly appalled the listening boys, and they felt greatrelief when they rose; and each drinking a cup of brandy, Peter said,—

"Now come on, and let's get our work done. Them fools will be forced toslacken their pace soon, for the beasts will never hold out over yonscrub; and when we've got our guns and horses, and made an end of thelot of thieves, we'll push on and see if we can't do a stroke ofbusiness among any new squatters."

Then the man made a speech to his black troop, in their own language,which seemed to give them pleasure, for they danced and clashed theirspears, and started up to continue their route. Thankfully the watcherssaw the wretches cross the river, and fall into the snare of continuingover the scrub; but they did not venture to descend for half an hour,when they had lost sight of the rangers, and concluded they must beseparated by a distance which rendered them safe.

"What rascals!" exclaimed Gerald. "It was well I had not one of theguns, Arthur; I don't think I could have helped shooting Black Peter,when he boasted that he had murdered Bill. I think I had a right."

"No you hadn't, Gerald," said Hugh. "It would not have been Englishjustice. The worst criminal has a right to a trial by jury. What do yousay, Arthur?"

"We should have some trouble in summoning a jury here, Hugh," answeredArthur; "nevertheless, I should not have liked to take on myself theoffice of executioner. Besides, you must remember, such an act wouldhave brought destruction on ourselves, and on all who depend on us. Godwill bring the villain to justice."

The boys made their way through the thick wood till they reached thelittle glade where their anxious friends were watching for them.

"All right!" cried Gerald; "we need not call over the roll. Now you mustall be content to form the rear-guard of the bush-rangers. I suppose,Arthur, there is no need to hurry; we are not particularly desirous toovertake the rogues."

"But, my dear boys!" exclaimed Mr. Mayburn; "Arthur, do you speak. Is itsafe to venture from this quiet retreat yet? Consider these lawless menmight, at any moment, turn round; and it seems they would not scrupleto commit murder."

"Was Bill with 'em, sir?" asked David, looking very much ashamed.

With much kindness and consideration, Arthur gently broke to the poorlad the melancholy fate of his vile brother; and David shed many tearsfor the unhappy convict.

"I were auld enough to have known better, sir," said he; "he couldn'thave gettin' me into bad ways, if I'd thought on my prayers and turnedagain' him; and if I'd held out, things mightn't have turned out so badwi' him. Them that lets themselves be 'ticed to do bad deeds, is worsenor them that 'tices 'em. God forgive me for niver speaking out like aman to poor Bill!"

Margaret spoke kindly to the sorrowful man, showing him the fearfulwarning sent in this sad catastrophe, and beseeching him never to forgetit; but to pray continually that he might be kept strictly in the rightpath.

Wilkins was much shocked at the violent death of the convict; but,nevertheless, he whispered to Jenny, "He's well ta'en out of t' way; forhe were a bigger scoundrel nor Peter hisself, for all his grandrigmarole talk."

As the lame horse was unfit for work yet, it was led after the rest; andArthur, who chose to walk, selected David for his companion, and tookthe opportunity, while he consoled him under his heavy affliction, todirect his softened heart to good and holy aspirations. They continuedtheir journey along the right bank of the rivulet; the country beingmore fertile, and the grassy plains more favorable for the horses thanamong the brushwood.

For three days they proceeded undisturbed, and with revived hopes. Thenthe scenery became still more beautiful; the ground was covered withlofty trees, on which already the young buds were forming. These treeswere tenanted by thousands of lovely birds; and their cheerful notesenlivened the solitude. In the distance before them rose a pile ofscattered rocky mountains, which, as they drew nearer, they saw werecovered with brushwood, and might have formed a barrier to their path,but they seemed to be pierced by innumerable narrow winding gorges.

"We must proceed with great caution and watchfulness here," said Arthur;"for it is not improbable that we may have fallen unhappily upon thetrack of our enemies, and we must have gained ground on them, now thatwe are all mounted again. We must be careful to avoid an encounter amongthese perplexing mountains."

"We have two guns," said Gerald, "and we should have no difficulty inkeeping one of these narrow passes against the whole undisciplined gang;then we could have our bowmen hid in the brushwood above, to shower downdestruction on the foe. It is a grand spot for a skirmish!"

"God forbid that we should be called on to make this lovely solitude afield of blood!" said Mr. Mayburn. "How dare proud and disobedient manprofane the sanctity of Nature, and desecrate her grand and marvellousworks. Does not the contemplation of these mighty mountains, spreadingas far as the eye can reach, broken into fantastic forms, and apparentlyinaccessible and impassable, startle and humiliate the presuming prideof fallen man?"

"Keep in the rear, papa," said Arthur; "we must reconnoitre secretly,before we venture into these mazes."

"Choose a narrow pass, Arthur," cried Gerald. "It will suit best for ourmanœuvres, if we come to a battle. Halloo! what wild beast can thatbe I hear roaring. No Australian animal that we have met with yet hassuch a sonorous voice."

"Oh, Jack!" cried Ruth, clinging to her brother, behind whom she wasmounted. "Jack, honey, stop a bit, hear ye; yon's a bear, and I'sefeared of my life; it's a bear like them 'at dances about at t' fairs!"

"A bear growls," said Hugh; "but that is decidedly a roar; it is morelike the voice of the royal lion, and we shall have some sport at last.To arms! to arms!"

Jack and Ruth were some yards in advance of the rest, when suddenly froma thicket just before them, a wild bull rushed furiously upon theirpath, tossing his head, as if enraged that his solitude had beeninvaded, or probably expecting to encounter the powerful opponent whichhad banished him in disgrace from his own herd. He was a huge, dark-redanimal, with short sharp horns and broad forehead, and his fierce andfiery eye, and loud threatening bellow, denoted him to be a dangerousantagonist.

He stopped for a moment and eyed the horse, then tore round and round,throwing up the earth with his horns, and uttering continually a deepsullen roar. Jack was turning round to avoid the unpleasant meeting,when suddenly the infuriated animal arrested his whirling course, andbefore Jack could extricate himself from Ruth's arms, to use his spear,the beast had rushed impetuously on the horse, and gored it frightfully.The terrified horse immediately reared, and flung both his riders off.

Jack, though considerably bruised, sprang up, dragged the senseless Ruthout of the path of the mad creature, and placed her under the bushes,and then returned with his spear ready to defend himself; but he foundto his great grief his poor horse thrown down, trampled on, and gored bythe frenzied animal, which continued to repeat its merciless attacks,regardless of the many wounds inflicted by Wilkins and Hugh, who hadgalloped up in haste to aid Jack.

At length, tired with goring the horse, the bull turned on Jack, whofaced him with his uplifted spear; but before he could strike, Arthurcalled out to them all to draw back, and, riding up himself, he shot thebeast through the head. It fell heavily, and Wilkins dismounted, drewout his knife, and went up to finish the execution; but he was tooearly, for the powerful animal rose again to his legs, caught the man onhis strong brow, and flung him over his head to a considerable distance.

A second shot, however, despatched the bull, and then all went up toWilkins, whom they found insensible; but, though much bruised andstunned by the fall, he was providentially unwounded by the horns of theformidable animal. The exertions of his distressed friends soon restoredthe poor man to his senses, and he was able to take little Nakinna, tolook at the "big dingo," which astonished her so much, and evenBaldabella deigned to express some interest at the sight of an animal somuch larger than any she had ever beheld. Wilkins declared it was ashame to leave so much good meat lying to waste on the high road; butthey were now in a land of plenty; besides, the dark coarse flesh of thebull was not of a tempting quality, and it was agreed that it might aswell be abandoned.

But the question arose, "Where did this bull come from?" It wascertainly not an Australian animal; and should it have wandered from anysettlement, they might hope that they were not so very far fromcivilization; and as they discussed the probability, and continued theirjourney, they looked out carefully lest they should encounter any morewild cattle.

A very narrow passage, between two high wood-covered rocky walls,offered a convenient pass, and even suitable to the warlike plan ofO'Brien; and Arthur taking the lead, with Gerald behind him, theyventured to leave the rest at the entrance of the pass, till they hadfirst ascertained the safety and direction of the road.

"Arthur," said Gerald, in a suppressed voice, "I am certain that I heara rustling in the bushes over our heads. Do stop a moment, and let mesend an arrow into the bush."

"Pray forbear, my boy," answered Arthur; "if it should be another wildbull, your arrow would only irritate it; and if, as it is probable, thebush-ranger should be some harmless pigeon or parrot, let it live, weare well provided with food. Let us rather turn our thoughts to theseperplexing passages, which strike out on all sides of us, and which willbewilder us till we shall never find our way back to our friends, if wego much further. Now, which of these roads shall we take? After all,Gerald, I think we had better turn back for the rest, and take ourchance altogether. Which of these puzzling alleys did we come through?"

"Not that dismal hole, Arthur," answered he, laughing. "We came alonghere, I remember this beautiful overhanging acacia."

Just as he spoke, some stones fell from above on them; and Gerald,seizing the pendent branch of the acacia, leaped from his horse, andbefore Arthur could interfere was swinging and climbing up the rock.

"Gerald, you rash fellow," cried Arthur, "what has induced you to such awild frolic? what are you about to do? Do come down."

"Not before I make out the meaning of the acacia showering down stoneson my head, instead of fruit," answered Gerald; and then Arthur heardhim say in a tone of astonishment, "Halloo! my friend, what will youplease to be looking after?"

In utter amazement and alarm at hearing the boy address any being inthat strange solitude, Arthur tied the horses to the tree, and, armedwith his gun, climbed the rock so expeditiously, that he arrestedGerald's spear, as he was about to strike a tall, rough-looking man,with whom he was struggling, and who turned round as Arthur appeared,saying, "How many more on ye may there be? We can match ye all, roguesas ye are. Have ye fetched our beast back?"

"My good man," said Arthur, "it seems to me that we have been bothmistaken. You take us for bush-rangers, and we thought you belonged tothe same thievish community. Now, we are poor travellers, robbed bythose rangers, who have, with difficulty, made our escape from theplunderers, destitute of all property."

"Ye'll surelie, not have a face to tell me that, young fellow," answeredthe man, "when I seed ye mysel' atop of one of our horses."

"That certainly is a suspicious circ*mstance," answered Arthur,laughing; "and I must tell the truth; we did borrow the horses from ourjailers, that we might have the means of making our escape."

"That's likely all flam," said the man. "Howsomever, ye mun come aforeour master, and make out yer story. I'se not soft enough to let ye offthis like."

"We shall be very glad indeed to see your master," replied Arthur;"especially if he is of our country, and near at hand. Who is he? andwhere is he?"

"He's a squatter," grumbled the man, "and he's down yonder, seeking outa road to get through these in-and-out walls fit to puzzle a conjuror."

"If you will show us an easier mode of descent than that by which wereached you," said Arthur, "we will not only willingly accompany you;but we will take with us the whole of our party, and the stolen horsesinto the bargain."

The man looked very suspiciously at the free and easy strangers, but,anxious to recover his master's property, he led them by an easy descentto the pass, and then suffered O'Brien to go and bring up the rest ofthe party, retaining Arthur as a hostage. But the astonishment of thestranger was very great, when he saw the long line of the travellersfilling up the narrow pass; and struck by the venerable appearance ofMr. Mayburn, who rode first, his hard features relaxed, he touched hiscap with respect, and rode before the travellers, to be the first toannounce to his master this wonderful encounter.

Keeping their guide in sight, they followed him through many narrow andintricate paths, gradually ascending, till they came on a wide and levelgrass-covered spot, still surrounded by high mountainous walls. A numberof horses were feeding on the grass, and at the foot of a majestic andalmost perpendicular cliff, clothed with a thick forest, were reposing aparty of men, eating their repast, which was spread out upon the grass.One of the party looked round, and, with a cry of joy, the wanderersrecognized their friend Edward Deverell.

"Arthur! Hugh!" he exclaimed, "my dear and reverend friend Mr. Mayburn!Margaret too! What pleasure! and what miracle can have brought ustogether once more in these strange and wild mountains?"

"Your man has brought us up before your worship on a charge ofstealing," said Arthur, laughing; "and he certainly did not exceed hisduty; he had good grounds for apprehending us, for it seems we areactually travelling on your horses."

"I am glad they are in such good hands," answered Deverell; "but howeverdid my shepherd meet with you?"

"Why, sir," said the man, "ye see, I heared summut like a shot, and offI set, for I was curious like to see what it might be; and I clomb andcrambled about, till all at once I hears talking, and I peers through t'bushes, and there I sees one of these here young gents atop of ourSallydun, and says I to myself, 'Them's rangers, they are;' and whenyoung master there clomb up, and defied me like, I thought it werenat'ral that they were rangers, and I laid hands on 'em."

As soon as the man had finished his narrative, repeated and joyfulgreetings passed between the friends, and Edward Deverell explained thathis appearance at such a distance from his home originated in his desireto pursue and capture the audacious bush-rangers who had robbed him ofso much property.

"I have brought with me three of my own stock-keepers to identify thecattle," he said; "the rest, as you may see from their complexion anduniform, are of that useful body, the native police."

These dark-complexioned officials were of very striking appearance;their dress was light and scanty, bristling with pistols and sabres;their feet bare, and their hair long and flowing. Their keen, glitteringeyes ran over the strangers in a most professional manner, veryembarrassing to Wilkins and David, who both held down their heads beforethe searching glances. David seemed afraid to appear before his injuredmaster, who looked much surprised to see him attached to Mr. Mayburn'sparty; but discreetly deferred any investigation into the affair, tillhe should be informed what strange chance had brought the voyagers toIndia into the very heart of Australia.

"Don't you remember, Edward Deverell," said Hugh, "that Gerald and Ialways wished to be here, instead of broiling among the Hindoos, andbeing carried about in palanquins? And I believe Arthur and Margaretlonged for it in their hearts, only they conceived it was papa's duty tofulfil his engagement. Yet, after all, it is not our own will, but ahappy ordination of Providence, that has at length united us; and now, Isuppose, we must follow your example and squat in Australia."

"But consider the risk, my dear Hugh," said Mr. Mayburn. "Even ourexperienced friend Deverell has not escaped being plundered by thesesavages, who are too frequently in union with unscrupulous murderers. Ishould live in continual dread in these wild regions."

"Why, papa," said Gerald, "there are robbers and murderers even in happyand civilized Britain."

"Doubtless there are, Gerald," said Edward Deverell. "No civilizationcan eradicate the black spot of our fallen nature; it is only the graceand mercy of God that can keep the evil spirit in subjection. But haveno fears, my dear Mr. Mayburn; we must not alarm Margaret when we hopeto persuade her to visit our lonely retreat. We have an excellent policestaff; and when our servants are properly drilled, and our fences madesecure, we shall be as safe as we should be in Europe. Now give thehorses to the servants; sit down and eat; and then let me hear yourstrange adventures."

CHAPTER XXXII.

Travellers' Wonders.—The Detective Force.—A Trap for the Rangers.—TheSkirmish and the Victory.—Daisies in Australia.—The Constancy of SusanRaine.—The Trial and Sentence of the Natives.—Peter and hisColleagues.

Arthur was the narrator, and his long and wonderful story produced muchsympathy and astonishment in his friendly hearer. At the earnest requestof Margaret, the delinquent Davy was pardoned, and reinstalled in hisoffice of stock-keeper; and Mr. Deverell promised to interest himself toobtain the emancipation of Wilkins.

"I must enlist you all to join my small force," said Edward Deverell;"for it is my intention to persevere in my attempt to recover my cattleand punish the robbers. My black allies are of opinion that the men whodrove off the cattle will dispose of them to some of those unprincipleddealers who range the interior to pick up such bargains, and who canagain sell them for large profits to the Macquarie gold-diggers, whomake no inquiries how they were obtained. They must necessarily bringthe cattle through the direct pass of these mountains, which is notquite so perplexing as that you had selected; and we are encamped hereto watch for and intercept them. From your report, the party will bemore numerous than we expected; but the hungry blacks who swell theirtrain, in the hopes of receiving a share of the brandy and tobacco, areno heroes. I think, Hugh, we shall be able to give them a drubbing."

"As if there could be a doubt of it!" said Hugh, contemptuously. "We areall ready to enlist into the ranks, captain, I will engage to say—thatis, with the exception of papa and the womankind; the chaplain to theregiment, and the Sisters of Charity who are to attend on the wounded."

"Most useful members of the army they will be," answered Deverell, "ifwe come to close quarters; for, greatly as I abhor warfare, I do notexpect to settle this vexatious matter without bloodshed."

"If ye did, sir," said Wilkins, "ye'd be wrong; and, depend on't, ye'dsoon have plenty more such-like customers. If a mad dog were to bite aman, and he let it run off, he'd be safe to bite other folks, and that'snot fair. I say, knock him on t' head at first."

"The cases will hardly bear comparison, Wilkins," replied Mr. Mayburn;"and it has ever been a question among reasoning men whether thedestitute ought to be subjected to capital punishment for seizing ashare of the abundance of the prosperous."

"Robin Hood law!—rob the rich to feed the poor," cried Gerald. "Onlythink of papa encouraging bush-ranging!"

"My dear Mr. Mayburn, spare your compassion for these rogues," saidDeverell, laughing. "These men are not destitute—they are worthless,idle vagabonds, and, according to the by-laws of squatters and settlers,they are amenable to justice. I shall certainly reclaim my own property,give the scoundrels a sound thrashing, and, if they show fight, we areprepared for actual service, and they must take the consequences."

It was long before the party were tired of conversation, and settled totake a secure night's rest; while the watchful police relieved eachother, lest the rangers should pass during the night. In the morningthey placed themselves in convenient posts on the mountains, where theycould command all the approaches; but the day was somewhat advanced whennotice was given that objects were seen approaching at a distance. Thenthe work of preparation actually began; along the heights of the passwere placed the rifle-rangers, as Hugh termed them, consisting ofArthur, Gerald, and himself, Mr. Deverell, and six of the police.Margaret and Mr. Mayburn, with the women, were left in perfect securityin the little glen where the encampment was formed; and the rest of theparty guarded the end of the pass, to secure any of the enemy who mightsucceed in reaching it.

"We conclude," said Mr. Deverell, "that the rangers, who doubtless arewell acquainted with the pass, will drive the cattle on before them. Nowwe propose to secure these as they issue from this walled passage, andwhen they are all again in our possession, the stock-keepers must beready to drive them off; while the rest of our troop must intercept andcapture the drivers, to prevent pursuit. And now, Davy, I will test yourfidelity again. Will you take up your whip and set off with our beaststo the station?"

"If ye'd not object, master," said Davy, humbly, "I'd as lief have ashot among 'em afore I set out, specially at that deep, black-heartedrogue Peter, as put an end to our Bill. I can't say, master, Bill didn'tget far wrang; but Peter's out and out a worse chap, and it wasn't hisplace to kill a better fellow nor hisself."

"You will obey my orders, Davy," said his master, "and leave thepunishment of Peter in our hands. I will take care he shall suffer forhis misdeeds; and you will do your duty best by looking after your oldfour-footed friends. Have the rogues spared poor Lily, David? She was ofa fine breed, Gerald, and I was deeply incensed at the rogues forselecting her to carry off."

"Bless ye, master, they count nought of breeds," answered Davy; "allthey want is to kill plenty for beef, and to swop all they've left forspurrits and backy; Lily was to t' fore when I cut off from 'em, bonniecretur, but she'll be hard up, if they've brought her this far. Shealways kenned me, master, and let me milk her; but she niver could bidethem black fellows nigh hand her."

"Very good, Davy," answered Deverell. "Then your duty is to drive offLily, and as many more beasts as you can manage, to this glen; and toremain here with Mr. Mayburn till we come up, as we hope, with ourprisoners. Then we shall set out in good spirits on our long journey toDaisy Grange."

In a quarter of an hour all the arrangements were made, the bravedefenders were all ready: by this time the procession was close to themountains; the bush-rangers were driving the cattle before them,followed by Peter, with his black troop. He now appeared painted likehis men with the peculiar insignia of war and defiance, his body beingmarked in red lines in the form of a skeleton, a decoration he hadprobably adopted to conciliate the natives.

The weary cattle were slowly urged into the narrow rock-bound path, oneof the rangers heading them, to lead them along the right pass, therest following them closely. The confined path rung with the lowing ofthe alarmed and reluctant cattle, forced onward cruelly by the spears oftheir drivers, whose wild and terrific oaths completed the discordanttumult. At length, when the cattle-leader emerged from the narrow partof the pass to a more open space, and had his face turned back to seethat the line of animals was properly brought forward, he was easilyseized, gagged, and bound by the dexterous police. Then, as the animalsone after another appeared, they were driven off by the stock-keepers tothe glen.

The rest of the party were prepared to capture the rangers as theyfollowed the cattle; but the sudden cry of the leader, who had beenseized, and which was easily distinguished amidst the clamor of thenoisy cattle, was heard by Peter. The shrewd man at once comprehendedthe opposition that awaited them, and calling on his black fellows towield their spears and follow him, he rushed on, with his men behindhim, to the scene of conflict. The police on the heights allowed him andsome of his black followers to proceed a little forward, and then fireda volley down into the midst of the blacks that were left behind, who,surprised and bewildered, and ever terrified at the effects offire-arms, turned back tumultuously and fled. In vain the desperateBlack Peter shouted to rally his followers, and fought desperatelyagainst the men at the end of the pass with the few supporters he hadbrought on. He and his troops were soon overpowered, and all capturedand bound, with very little bloodshed.

"Huzza!" cried Gerald; "a glorious victory! Arthur, you must write thedespatch; naming the superior force of the enemy, the cool anddetermined bravery of the little body of defenders, the desperateresistance of the furious bush-rangers, their complete discomfiture;and, finally, you must particularly mention the prudent, vigorous, andsuccessful support of the young Lieutenant O'Brien, who is recommendedfor promotion."

"Margaret will consider us all heroes," said Hugh; "and we must hastenon as speedily as possible to allay her anxiety for us. But, CaptainDeverell, whatever are we to do with these prisoners?"

"We are bound to convey or send the dangerous bush-rangers to Sydney,"answered Deverell, "there to be dealt with according to law. As for thecowardly, treacherous, and ignorant natives, we must devise somepunishment for them; but, if possible, we will not encumber ourselveswith them, nor be obliged to feed them on our journey. For the presentwe must contrive to keep them in some place of security till the policereturn from their useless chase of the unhappy blacks who have fled."

"And who will, I hope, escape," said Arthur; "for they are but tools inthe hands of these abandoned convicts, and are scarcely themselvesresponsible for their deeds of evil."

"See here," said Gerald; "this large cave would make a good jail, and wemight build up the entrance."

"Then ye'll have to look about for a lot of caves, Master Gerald," saidWilkins, "and lodge 'em, as they say down t' country, on t' separatesystem, or we'se find all our birds flown to-morrow morning, I'llengage. Why, bless you, if that there Black Peter was shut up for a daywi' a new-born babby, he'd make 't a rogue for life. He'd make a parsoninto a bush-ranger, give him a bit of time; and my fancy is as how he'shelped by that bad 'un as is his master; God save us!"

"There is no doubt, Wilkins," said Mr. Mayburn, "that the Great Spiritof Evil does readily and unfailingly stretch forth his hand to aid hiswicked followers, and we should all join in your prayer, my good man.May God save us in the hour of temptation!"

Around the little hollow where the encampment was found, and where theyoung heroes were joyfully welcomed, were many small caves in the rocks,in which the prisoners, black and white, were separately enclosed. Oneof the stock-keepers had received a spear-wound in his arm; and one ofthe misguided natives was killed by a rifle-shot. These were all thecasualties. When the police returned from the pursuit of the blackfugitives, who had taken refuge in a thick wood, after many of them hadbeen severely wounded, Mr. Deverell requested that all further pursuitshould be relinquished, as the cattle were recovered and the ringleaderswere now in confinement, which he knew would be a terrible punishment tothem, even though it were only for one night.

Margaret and Mr. Mayburn paid every care and attention to the woundedman, and when all their duties were fulfilled, the united friends satdown, to rest on the green turf, and to talk of the hopeful future.

"Now, we are all anxious to know, Edward Deverell," said Hugh, "if youhave got your house built, or if you are all dwelling in tents; and,above all, what kind of place is Daisy Grange?"

"I have got my house built, Hugh," answered he, "and Daisy Grange Iwill leave undescribed, only assuring you that it will be completely aparadise in my eyes when I see you all there, which I trust will bebefore many days are passed."

"And the daisies?" inquired Margaret.

"The daisies were at first coy and capricious in their new home,"answered he, "but finally they have yielded to care and perseverance,and consented to adorn my small lawn, in sufficient numbers to justifyme in retaining the dear name for my much beloved home."

"And what does Emma do in the wilderness?" asked Hugh.

"She cultivates flowers," replied Deverell, "sews on buttons, andperforms other needful female occupations, plays, sings, reads, and isnot ashamed to assist her mother, and Susan the dairy-maid, to make thebutter and cheese."

"Is that Susan Raine?" asked Margaret, anxiously, for she saw Wilkinslooking at Mr. Deverell with much agitation. "Is that the pretty, modestSusan, that was our fellow-voyager?"

"It is the same girl," answered Deverell. "Poor Susan, we are all verysorry for her; she had to endure a grievous disappointment, for she hadtaken the opportunity of accompanying us, as our servant, in order thatshe might join her betrothed, a wild fellow that had been transportedfor some venial offence; and when we reached Melbourne, and institutedthe regular inquiry, we found the man had made his escape in an Indiavessel, with some vile wretches who had been working with him. I fear heis wholly unworthy of the good girl, who still mourns so deeply forhim."

"He's nought but a reg'lar scoundrel," said Wilkins, impetuously, "heis; and she'd sarved him right if she'd gone and wed another; that'swhat she has done likely, sir?"

"That is what I certainly wished her to do," said Deverell, lookingsurprised at the free interference of Wilkins; "but the silly girl isstill haunted by the wild hope of reclaiming the unfortunate man who wasthe companion of her childhood. She has refused the young herdsman whois so kindly attended by Miss Margaret; a worthy fellow, and hasdetermined to remain unmarried for the sake of the convict who has socruelly neglected her."

"That's like my bonnie true-hearted lass," said Wilkins, much excited."Scamp as I were to lose her! But now please, Miss Margaret, to put in aword like for me. Tell t' master I'se nought like so bad but thatthere's some hopes of me, if Sue will take up wi' me; but how can I lookfor't?"

Margaret undertook to explain Wilkins's position to Deverell, and toplead for him to Susan; and the rough convict turned away with a tear inhis eye, as the recollection of youthful and innocent days shone throughthe mist of evil deeds that had darkened his mature life.

Mr. Deverell was pleased with the story of Wilkins, and as he would befar removed from temptation at the settlement, and would be carefullywatched by his good friends, he promised to bestow Susan on him; and nowthey prepared to break up the encampment, and to pursue their journeyunder pleasant auspices.

"But before we set out," said Mr. Deverell, "it will be necessary tocome to some, arrangement about our troublesome prisoners. We must holda court of justice, as imposing as circ*mstances will permit, andendeavor to alarm them, and make a salutary impression on them."

"There is a handsome rocky throne for the bench," said Hugh. "Please toascend to the elevation, Mr. Judge Deverell, and look as grave as youpossibly can; papa will sit by you in the character of Mercy, tomitigate the severity of Justice. Arthur and Gerald must take that hill,and Jack and I will remain here to represent counsel. We will not takethe trouble to call a jury, because I know my lord judge has made up hismind about the sentence. Now, all you people stand round, and leave apassage for the police to bring up the prisoners. Will this do, mylord?"

"I am content, Hugh, provided you all look serious," answered Deverell."You must make the most of our strength, and display your arms toadvantage. With these ignorant natives, in their present condition,intimidation is the only mode of subjection. I hope the time is not verydistant when milder measures may be used to win them to civilization. Weare commencing the work by educating the children."

The glen was first cleared by sending the stock-keepers forward with thecattle, as their progress must necessarily be slow; then, one afteranother, the police released the trembling, crouching savages from thecaves, and brought them before the judge. The poor wretches, at thesight of the array of guns and spears before them, endured all theterrors of death. Deverell, who had acquired some facility in speakingtheir language, made a long address to the terrified men; reproachingthem with their folly and ingratitude in robbing him, who had neverrefused to assist them in their days of destitution, and who earnestlydesired their welfare. He warned them of the danger of dealing with thebush-rangers, who always deceived them, and of frequenting the bushtaverns to obtain the poisonous liquor which would in the end destroytheir whole nation. He threatened them with instant death if they daredto transgress again; and then, satisfied with the fright he had giventhem, he relieved them from their misery by giving them leave to depart;a permission which they did not delay a moment to make use of; butsprung up the rocks, and speedily disappeared to seek the concealment ofthe bush.

There remained now only the four vile bush-rangers to dispose of; butthese men, all escaped convicts, Mr. Deverell declined to punish,proposing to commit them to the charge of four of the mounted police,who were to conduct them, or, as these officials appropriately expressedit, to drive them to Sydney, and there deliver them into the hands ofjustice.

These ruffians were therefore brought from their respective dungeons,and manacled two together; their persons were searched, lest they shouldhave any concealed arms; and their legs were then released from thefetters. Peter, who obstinately refused to submit to the incumbrance ofclothing, required no search, and was coupled to one of his bush rangingfriends, loudly showering curses on his conquerors.

"Do you mean us to set out fasting with these malignant scoundrels?" heyelled out. "Ye're fine Christians, to hunger folks. And ye know as wellas we do these greedy black rascals will prig all our rations on t'road."

Mr. Deverell did know that the black police were scandalously harshwith their white prisoners, and he therefore ordered that these wretchedcriminals should sit down for half an hour, and be supplied with aplentiful breakfast of cold meat, which they began to devour ravenously,watched curiously by Ruth, who concealed herself in a thicket, that shemight look in safety at these terrible bush-rangers. All the rest of theparty, glad to avoid the sight of the wretches, wandered off to anotherlittle glen which opened from their encampment, except Mr. Deverell andArthur, who had called the police to one side to give them a strictcharge to be watchful and determined, but at the same time to treattheir prisoners with humanity.

While they were conversing, they were startled and alarmed by a screamfrom Ruth, who, they believed, had left the encampment with the rest ofthe party, and on turning round they saw, to their great vexation, theranger who had been linked with Peter galloping off on the horse of oneof the police, which, ready for starting, had been tied to a tree nearthe prisoners. The police mounted the other three horses that wereready, and speedily pursued the fugitive; while Deverell and Arthur wentup in haste, and found, to their extreme mortification, that the villainPeter was also missing. The remainder of the party, recalled from theirramble by the shriek of Ruth, had now joined them; and when the agitatedgirl was able to give an account of the occurrence, she said:—

"He reached out, and took a cloak off t' horse, and groped in t' pocketstill he fetched out summut, maybe a key, for I heard a click; and thenPeter jumped up and laid hands on t' horse; but t' other fellow wassharp after him, and pushed him off, and loped atop on his backhisself, and galloped off like mad, and left Peter standing. Oh master!how awful he swore and stamped about, and took off right up to me, and Ishrieked out; and then he scrambled up yon wood." And Ruth pointed tothe precipitous wood-covered wall of the glen.

CHAPTER XXXIII.

A Chase over the Mountains.—The Frightful End of theBush-ranger.—Ruth's Opinion.—The Cereopsis.—A Description of theColony.—The Dingo.—The Cattle at Home.—The Park.—The Arrival atDaisy Grange.

They had not time to consider what steps to take, when Wilkins criedout, "Yon's the rogue;" and they caught a glimpse of the painted figureof the fugitive among the trees, at a height which seemed almostimpossible to reach, for they all considered this precipitous rockinaccessible.

"We must not let the villain escape us," cried Jack, "or he will be sureto lead more poor wretches astray. Some of you follow me." And, withoutfurther delay, he caught hold of the branches of the lowest tree, andswung himself up, grasping the overhanging boughs, and forcing his waythrough the entangled bushes with toil and danger, while Ruth continuedto cry out like a distracted creature.

It was strange, that in this dilemma the usual cool presence of mind ofthe fearless and determined ruffian seemed to forsake him. If he hadsought the labyrinthine passages of the widely-spread mountain, he mighteasily have bewildered his pursuers; but he continually exposed himselfto observation through the trees on the mountain-side.

Wilkins and one of the herdsmen of Mr. Deverell soon followed Jack,their whole mind bent on capturing this treacherous and sanguinaryvillain. Behind them, urged by curiosity, anxiety for her brother, anddetestation of Black Peter, the excited girl Ruth, notwithstanding theefforts of her friends, plunged through the bushes to follow them,shouting wildly to her brother when she caught glimpses of the spectralfigure of the convict, with the red lines painted on his body.

Onward up that tedious ascent the practised bush-ranger proceeded, noteven pausing for breath; and his half-exhausted pursuers began to fearhe would escape them; but, after half an hour's struggle, a lightgleamed through the trees. They believed they were coming to a more openspace, when, rather than allow the convict to escape, the men resolvedto use their guns. The next minute they emerged from the wood, and thewhole party shrunk back, astonished at the magnificent scene that laybefore them. A few feet from the wood a vast abyss opened. The eye couldnot penetrate its depths: it appeared fathomless and dark, for on allsides it was bounded by the perpendicular cliff which descended from theverge of the forest.

For a moment only could the dizzy sight regard that terrific descent,from which only three feet of solid earth separated them; and they clungto the trees, as they looked round to search for the fugitive. To theirgreat horror, they beheld the desperate man, making his way along thenarrow hem of earth, supported by a spear he had caught up on one hand,and holding by the trees on the other, and apparently seeking for aconvenient spot where he might again descend into the wood. He stoppedand turned round, and observing his pursuers, who feared even to usetheir guns in such a perilous position, the vindictive wretch poisedand flung the spear. But before it had even reached its destination, ayell of mortal terror was heard; the shelf of rock on which he stood,gave way under the impetuosity of his movement; and the doomed wretchwas hurled into that vast space, beyond the reach of human eyes, hisshrieks of horror growing fainter as he sank into death. While at thesame time, from the tree which he had grasped, and which shook as hefell, rose a flight of black co*ckatoos, mocking with their loud strangecries his fearful fate.

"Lord have mercy on him!" exclaimed Jack, covering his face, and struckwith awe.

"It's a judgment, man," said Wilkins. "Just see how this poor fellow isbleeding with the rogue's last will and deed."

The spear of Peter had entered the breast of the herdsman, who wasbleeding profusely. Wilkins drew out the weapon, and Jack, seeing Ruthat his side, who had succeeded in reaching him in time to see thecatastrophe, despatched her in haste to the encampment, to send aid forthe wounded man.

Fearful of looking any longer at that dark and terrible grave of thesinful wretch, the girl tumbled down through the steep wood, and rushingup to Mr. Mayburn and Margaret, said, "He's carried off alive! Them badspirits,—them! them!—have flown away with Black Peter;" and thedistracted girl positively shrieked as she pointed to a pair of harmlessblack co*ckatoos perched on a fig-tree, which were curiously peering downon the strange creatures below; and most assuredly the coal-blackplumage, lofty crest, and fan tail, striped with bars of fiery scarlet,gave to the birds an unearthly and fiend-like appearance.

"Can anybody extract sense from the exclamations of this wild girl?"asked Mr. Mayburn, much distressed. "Ascertain, Margaret, how thewretched man has escaped."

"I tell ye," continued Ruth, with decision, "I seed them black creaters,wi' my own eyes, take him up, and flee away wi' him, down into a blackpit; and poor Tom Atkinson's hit wi' a spear, and ye're to clamber up t'wood to doctor him."

On the whole, the deduction drawn from Ruth's incoherent narrative was,that the presence of some of the party was needed; and Mr. Deverell andMr. Mayburn, supplied with cold water and linen bandages, set out toclimb through the wood, on the beaten track of the pursued and thepursuers; but before they had half ascended, they met with Wilkins andJack, bearing the wounded man with difficulty through the matted andsteep wood. When they were relieved by additional assistance, they soonreached the glen, and satisfied the anxiety of the perplexed family by acorrect recital of the awful fate of the villanous bush-ranger.

"It's just what might have come to me, and I'd been but reet sarved,"said Wilkins, "if it hadn't been for ye all. I reckon it pleased God tosend ye, just o' purpose to bring round a good-to-naught chap, as not asoul else would notish, or hauld out a finger to save. Poor reprobate!Ye ken a deal of things, Miss Marget; can ye say what Peter was seeingafore him, when he yelled out, fleeing down into that black hole?"

"God be merciful to the sinner!" said Margaret. "It is not for us,Wilkins, to speak of that which God hides from us; but rather toprepare, that we may be ready for a sudden call to judgment."

It was not long before the police returned with the fugitive, whom theyhad overtaken and captured. He was now secured with the other tworangers, and Peter being disposed of, there was nothing to prevent thepolice from proceeding with their prisoners to Sydney; and the guardsand captives set out on their long journey, leaving the united partyvery thankful for their separation from the wretched delinquents. Thenext morning, after praying for a blessing on their expedition, thehappy friends set forward cheerfully, now safely guided by EdwardDeverell, and hoping, before long, to reach the long-desired haven ofpeace and rest.

But many a day of toil and anxiety still succeeded: the privations ofthe barren and dry desert, the perils of rude mountain-passes, and thefording deep and foaming rivers, besides the subtle and vindictivepursuit of various unfriendly tribes of natives. At length they attainedin safety the fertile banks of a broad and rapid river, which Mr.Deverell and his followers greeted with shouts of joy.

"My good Mr. Mayburn," said Edward Deverell, "I call on you now to offerup a thanksgiving to Him who has led us in safety through thewilderness. This river is our guide and highway; it flows on to our ownmuch-loved home; it is the blessing and ornament, dear Margaret, ofDaisy Grange."

All joined with Christian earnestness in a thanksgiving for the mercieswhich even the lately awakened and reformed criminals could appreciateand understand; and Edward Deverell rejoiced to see that the twoconvicts, Wilkins and Davy, would not be a dangerous addition to hislittle Christian community.

"Now, my dear friends," said Edward Deverell, "we may trust that ourprogress may be unimpeded. This fertile soil, watered by the river, willrestore our enfeebled cattle; then we shall have milk with our flourcakes, which, prepared by the skilful hand of Jenny, disdain fellowshipwith the heavy 'damper' of the Australian traveller. If this abundantfood does not satisfy us, the trees will give us birds, and the riverfish, to diversify our diet. Ought we not to rejoice?"

"If you please, Mr. Deverell," said Jenny, "yon's a bonnie flock ofgeese; couldn't ye get us one for a roast?"

"We must have more than one for our large party, Jenny," said Deverell,laughing. "Come, boys, let us have a shot at Jenny's geese, and secureone specially for Mr. Mayburn's new museum."

Delighted with the prospect of sport, the boys were soon ready, andreturned from the banks of the river with two pair of these large birds.Edward Deverell held out one of them to Jenny, saying, "Now, my goodwoman, can you tell me what this fowl is?"

"A gray goose, Mr. Deverell, sure enough," answered Jenny. Thenregarding it closely, she added, "but it has a queer short neb, sir;it's like all things in this country, it's just unnat'ral."

"Nurse, it is no more a goose than you are," said Hugh; "it is raraavis, papa, that is,—a bird of Australia."

"I recognize it with delight," said Mr. Mayburn, "from the descriptionof Latham and later ornithologists, who class it as a new genus; andfrom the curious cere which envelopes the base of the bill, he namesit Cereopsis. Still it belongs to the swimming birds, though the legsare naked above the joint, and the membrane between the toes does notform the web foot. It is, therefore, less fitted for the water than thegoose or swan, and is more strictly a wader, living, not on fish, butvegetable food. In fact, it is a much handsomer bird than the goose, andI would gladly preserve it, if I had the means."

"You will have means and opportunity at the Deverell station, my dearMr. Mayburn," said Edward. "My brother Charles will supply the means,and assist you to form a museum; and Emma has domesticated a flock ofthese birds, which in common parlance are known as the short-billedgeese; and I can assure you the flesh is most delicate, very unlike thatof the common water-fowls which live on fish."

"I rejoice much, Edward Deverell," said Mr. Mayburn, "that you concurwith me in admiring the works of nature,—a taste which I haveendeavored to implant in my children. I remember the words of a cleverwriter. 'To look on the creation with an eye of interest and feeling,must be ever acceptable to the Creator. To trace out the severalproperties of his works, and to study with diligence and humility theirlaws, their uses, and operations, is an employment worthy the immortalmind of man; since it is one of those studies which we may reasonablyhope will survive beyond the grave.'"

"How delighted I am that dear little Emmy is taking the first steps ofstudy in ornithology, by setting up a poultry-yard," said Hugh. "We hadmany disputes about waste of time in such useless pursuits, in which Idid not escape without much contumely for my bird lore. My generousretaliation shall be to improve her collection. I will get her the blackswan, the talegalla, the apteryx...."

"And the emu and ornithorhynchus would look well in the poultry-yard,Hugh," said Gerald, laughing.

"That would be a great error, my dear boys," said Mr. Mayburn. "Thehabits of the ornithorhynchus are directly opposed to the domesticarrangements of the poultry-yard: it is not even a fowl; it is anunclassed animal, of burrowing and diving propensities, and would be atroublesome, if not a dangerous, inmate among domestic fowls."

"I will leave it to Hugh and Emma to arrange the foreigners as they mayjudge best," said Mr. Deverell; "but I know all our English fowls arefuriously national, and would resent the introduction of strangers, evento bloodshed. Even the civil wars of the community tax the patience ofEmma and her handmaid Susan greatly; and she has threatened to reducetheir numbers, now become enormous."

"I can supply her with an assistant poultry-maid," said Margaret; "mypoor Ruth is devotedly attached to fowls, and can manage them betterthan she can do any thing else in the world. Ruth, would you not like tobe Mr. Deverell's poultry-woman?"

"I would like to be amang 'em, bonnie creaters!" answered Ruth, withgreat joy, "if you be there Miss Marget, and if they be co*cks and hens;and if them black fellows will not run off wi' them."

"Our black neighbors are all tame, Ruth," answered Mr. Deverell. "Weemploy those who can be taught to work, clothe the women, and teach thechildren; and in times of scarcity or sickness, we feed and attendthem. As far as their ignorant and dull nature will allow, we havereason to think that gratitude or policy would prevent them frominjuring us or our property."

"But the bush-rangers," said Margaret; "are you not ever in fear of thecrafty, vindictive bush-rangers?"

"During our journey," answered Mr. Deverell, "it is necessary that weshould be watchful; but our black police have reduced the number ofthese vagabonds greatly, and our party is too formidable to be openlydefied. We must necessarily pass, now and then, one of those infamous,lonely, road-side bush-taverns, as they are called, at which thesevillains are in the habit of congregating, that they may exchange theirplunder for spirits and tobacco with the men at the station, who thenforward the cattle to Sydney or to the gold-diggings. But ourpolice-followers are well acquainted with these detestable stations, andare always prepared for any assault. Above all, dear Margaret, we have aprecious charge, and think ourselves a band of brave fellows; every daydiminishes our danger, for it brings us nearer to our own inhabitedgrounds, where the villains might venture to plunder secretly, but wouldcertainly not dare to show themselves."

"But are your retainers spread about the estate?" said Hugh. "I thoughtyou intended to build a town."

"I scarcely aim so high, Hugh," replied Deverell. "My stock-keepers arescattered over the cleared land in huts, to look after the cattle. Ilive in my castle, like a feudal lord, surrounded by my vassals, whohave erected rude temporary huts. But if you will all agree to settleround me, we will really found a colony. I will make an application topurchase, instead of leasing, my immense tract of land. We will divideand cultivate it, which I never could do alone; and we will begin tobuild a handsome village, or perhaps two villages—one named Mayburn,and the other Deverell."

"Please, sir, have you plenty of timber?" asked Jack, roused at theprospect of work.

"You will see my woods and forests soon, Jack," answered Mr. Deverell."Then I have inexhaustible quarries of stone in the mountains, and somegood quarrymen and stonecutters on my establishment. We will have aregular English village, with a green for sports, and pleasant gardensto the cottages."

For a few days more they travelled pleasantly over the grassy turf; thenthey came on almost impenetrable brushwood; and as this formidableobstacle to their progress would require vigor to overcome it, theyencamped to spend the night, and commence their fatigue with the morninglight. But they found conversation and repose equally impossible, fromthe disturbance caused by the restless movements and incessant bellowingof the cattle, which struggled to escape from the pens in which theirattendants had confined them. Hugh went up to them with some curiosity,to know what was the cause of this unusual excitement amongst the quietcreatures. The herdsmen were all grinning and rubbing their hands withgreat glee.

"Well, Patrick," said Deverell to one of the men, "what is the jest thatyou seem to enjoy so much?"

"It's the bastes, master," answered the man exultingly; "they know wherethey are, the craters! Don't they smell the smell of their own comrades,sinsible darlings! And it isn't the brush they'd mind if we were givingthem lave to it. Isn't it a short cut they'd make to come at them as isof their own blood! True old Irish they are, and illegant bastes.Arrah, didn't them rogues see that when they came kidnapping? and didn'tthey choose them out, in regard that there were no bastes to be seenlike them! Bad luck to the rappareens!"

"Can it be possible," asked Margaret, "that we are really so near toDaisy Grange that the animals scent it?"

"We are a long day's journey yet from Daisy Grange," answered Deverell;"but it is true that we are not far from the borders of my extensiveestate. This formidable thorny brushwood forms, in fact, the boundaryand defence on this side, neither easy nor desirable to penetrate. Avery large portion of the interior of my land is not only uncultivated,but is even unknown to me. We take care, however, to havecattle-stations and hut-keepers round the boundaries, that our rightsmay be recognized and preserved; and doubtless these weary wanderershave been stolen from one of the border stations, and now scent withgreat satisfaction their old companions, and their old quiet, luxurioushomes."

"Then I suppose we may conclude," said Gerald, "that if we understoodthe vaccine gamut, we should hear that big old red cow bellowing 'Home!sweet home!' And don't I wish we could join her, for I don't like thelook of that ugly scrub we shall have to carry our horses through."

"Not altogether ugly," said Margaret; "look at this curious andinteresting Banksia, with its stiff yellow robe; the white star-likeblossoms of this shrub, which resembles our myrtle; and here is our oldfriend the tea-shrub."

"Which Jenny will have to relinquish now," said Deverell, "for the realtea of China, of which we have a goodly store. But, Jem, or some of youmen over there, be pleased to fire a shot or two to chase away thoseintolerable noisy dingoes, which, doubtless, like the ogre, smell freshmeat, and would like to make a foray on our game."

"Let us shoot a dingo, Edward," said Hugh; "I should like to look at thefellow closely."

"It is scarcely consistent with humanity," answered Deverell, "todestroy an animal that can be of no use to us; but we have an excuse inthe wolfish character of the dingo, which destroys our sheep in numbers,if not closely watched; and nothing affords my shepherds and herdsmenmore gratification than to trap or shoot one of these marauders." Hughhad the gratification of shooting the dingo, or warragle, asBaldabella named it, and bringing it in for Arthur and his father toinspect. Margaret retired in disgust, the intolerable smell of thefierce-looking little animal was so offensive.

"From its destructive habits," said Mr. Mayburn, "I should have expectedto see a larger animal; but of its wolfish ferocity there seems nodoubt. It is remarkable that it is, unlike the land quadrupeds yet foundin Australia, carnivorous, and not marsupial; thus confirming the theorythat the race of dogs is to be found in every known region of the world.This dingo is a degraded representative of the noble animal, crafty,bloodthirsty, and untamable. I am satisfied with seeing this specimen,but I cannot admire the creature."

Before the first gleam of day, while the moon yet lighted up theheavens, the impatient travellers set out to cross the bush; and formore than two hours the long cavalcade wound with toil and difficultythrough the tangled thorny bush. At length the lowing of other cattlethan their own greeted their ears, and the fresher breeze that came overthe cleared ground announced that they had passed the boundary, and werenow actually entering the domain of Mr. Deverell. In a short time themingled and familiar cries of the drovers and their charge roused thefirst stock-man in his hut, who rushed out in great joy to welcome thereturn of the expedition.

"Ay, ay, sir!" said the man, "I see they've picked out and made an endof the choicest of the stock; it's like their ways;" and he grumbled outhis wishes that certain evil consequences might attend their unlawfulfeasts on his chosen favorites, and concluded by caressing those whichhad happily escaped being devoured by the robbers. He then proposed tosend forward one of the shepherds to announce the good news; but thetravellers, now relieved from the charge of the cattle, and havingpassed through the greatest difficulties of their journey, agreed toproceed forward without delay, and announce in their own persons thesuccess of the expedition at head-quarters.

They crossed a vast tract of wild and beautiful forest ground, which wasstill uncleared, but at this season bright with rich flowers, and noisywith the birds that thronged the tall trees; and continued to rideforward till the heat of the noonday sun compelled them to rest twohours most reluctantly in a shady grove. Then, once more mounting, theyrode forward to enter on a new region. Before them lay spread large,well-cultivated, fenced lands, stocked with sheep and cattle, anddotted here and there with the snug neat huts of the shepherds andstock-keepers; while the lowing and bleating of the animals, and thedistant barking of dogs, and sound of English voices, were music to thecharmed ears of the weary travellers. "His name be praised!" said Mr.Mayburn, reverently uncovering his head, "who has led us through the dryand barren wilderness to a land of plenty and peace."

The whole party were deeply affected at the first glimpse of homescenery and home sounds; but Deverell looked round with much anxietytill he caught sight of a respectable-looking man riding among thecattle at a distance, whom he hailed, and the man rode forward in haste,calling out, "Welcome home, master."

"Thanks, Harris; but tell me, is all well at the Grange?" askedDeverell.

"Charming, sir," answered he; "saw them all this morning. Old mistressquite brisk, asking after the lambs; and Miss, throng with her poultry,and telling me to look after some grain for them. And here comes Mr.Edward, sir, to answer for himself."

"Halloo! Charley," cried Edward, riding up to shake hands with hisbrother, "my good fellow, what have you been about, and what in theworld has induced you to bring the prisoners with you?" and he lookedwith suspicion and annoyance at the large party of distressed and raggedfollowers, who had purposely turned away from him. At last Margaretlooked round and smiled, and the delighted young fellow laughed with joyat seeing his old friends, and with amusem*nt at their miserablecondition.

"My dear Margaret! my good friends!" he exclaimed, "I am quite wild withsurprise and pleasure. Never mind your ragged furbelows; little Emma isa capital needlewoman, and will sew up all those great rents."

"It will be a great blessing to me," said Margaret, laughing, "to see aneedle again."

"A needle, Margaret!" exclaimed Charles, "we have millions of needles;Edward has a storehouse crammed with every thing that everybody canwant, under every circ*mstance. He could supply a large English countrytown with goods; chests of needles, walls built up of paper, acres ofthat muslin stuff you wear, so suitable to the thorny bush. Ask for whatyou will, you can have it at Edward's grand bazaar."

"If you please, Mr. Charles," said Jack, "do you think Mr. Edward hasany tools?"

"You have only to speak, Jack," answered he; "we can supply you with theappliances of the arts, from a steam-engine to a delicate lancet. I am aclever shopman, and shall be happy to do the honors of the bazaar."

"Indeed, Charles, you are a very troublesome and disorderly shopman,"said his brother, "as my store-keeper declares, creating vast confusionamong his neatly-arranged shelves. Allowing for some exaggeration, mydear friends, Charles has told you the fact. I found my poor people hadto pay so extravagantly for the little luxuries and necessaries of lifethey required, either from the extortions of itinerant dealers, who aredangerous visitors to admit into a settlement, or from the expense ofjourneys to Sydney or Melbourne to make their purchases, that I resolvedto supply them at moderate prices myself, which I am enabled to do bybringing wagon-loads of goods from Sydney, and furnishing a largestorehouse which I had built for the purpose."

"But are you not afraid of the bush-rangers being attracted by yourvaluable storehouse?" asked Mr. Mayburn.

"I have a clever-managing store-keeper, who, with his assistant, sleepsin the place, where they have arms, two fierce dogs, and an alarm-bellloud enough to rouse the whole hamlet. Besides, our bush-rangers preferhighway robbery, or raids on the cattle, to the more dangerous attemptsat house-breaking. You need fear no bush-rangers, my dear Mr. Mayburn,if you were once within the walls of my castle, where I trust to welcomeyou speedily. Now I wish you to look at the beautiful variety of timbertrees which I have left standing as ornaments to my spacious park."

It was amongst these varied and extraordinary trees that the cavalcadewere now passing. Several varieties of the Eucalyptus and the palmtribe, with their bare tall trunks and crested heads, were mingled withwhite or golden-blossomed acacias; the Hibiscus, peculiar toAustralia; the drooping grass-tree; and one spreading fig-tree stoodlike a natural temple, with its pillar-like roots entwined with elegantcreeping plants, with a grace beyond the reach of art. Beneath thesetrees the turf was resplendent with spring flowers, on which werequietly grazing flocks of white sheep, supplying the place of thearistocratic deer. As they issued from the woodland upon a grassy glade,sloping gently to the banks of the river, Charles rode forward toannounce the glad tidings at Daisy Grange, which was now in sight on apretty eminence, backed by higher hills, which stretched beyond intogray mountains. As they rode slowly forward on their worn-out horses,Mr. Mayburn was lost in admiration of the curious and happily-blendedtrees, and Edward Deverell said,—

"The names given by the colonists to these new and remarkable trees arepuzzling and inapplicable. This tree, named by them the red cedar, iscertainly not a cedar; though it is very useful, being our best timbertree, the wood resembling mahogany. The apple-tree bears no fruit, andhas no claim whatever to the tantalizing name. The rose-wood, so calledfrom its delicate perfume, is a kind of Meliaceæ, the fruit of whichis uneatable. Then we have the cherry, Exocarpus, the fruit of whichis useless, and peculiarly unlike the dear old cherry of England, withwhich, however, I trust to regale you in a few months. I can alreadydiscover the white blossoms of the tree peeping over my garden walls;and I propose that we give these tired horses to the men, and walk upthe hill, that you may contemplate leisurely the imposing appearance ofmy baronial hall."

But however Edward Deverell might depreciate his mansion, the distressedwanderers regarded its appearance with admiration and delight as theypassed over the sloping lawn, laid out with excellent taste inparterres of gay-colored flowers rising from the green turf, which wasenamelled with the daisies of England; and saw the pretty house whichoffered them shelter after fifteen months of wandering.

The building, though entirely of wood, was picturesque and spacious. Itwas surrounded by a large garden, beyond which were raised the largestorehouse; stables, and farm-buildings. Along the front of the housewas a broad veranda, supported by columns, entwined with roses,honeysuckles, and the well-loved creeping flowers of England, nowbursting into blossom; while the large portico was curtained withdraperies of the rich flowering climbers of Australia—the convolvulus,the curious passion-flower, and other graceful unknown plants, tostimulate the curiosity of the botanists.

But it was not at this moment that all the beauties of the Grange wereobserved, for the hospitable doors stood open, and the agitated partywere hurried into the cool and spacious hall, where Mrs. Deverell andher smiling daughter waited to welcome Edward and his unexpectedcompanions.

CHAPTER XXXIV.

The Comforts of Civilization.—Susan Raine.—The Hamlet and theChurch.—Plans for the Future.—Mrs. Edward Deverell.—The Beauties ofDaisy Grange.

The excitement of the reception was great: such screams of wonder anddelight! so many tears at the thoughts of the trials and sufferings ofthe wanderers and so much laughter at their tattered condition! Thensucceeded such haste and bustle to procure immediate aid to restore tothem the comforts of which they had been so long deprived, and to spreadthe hospitable board with the refreshments so long untasted.

It was only by interjections and extorted answers that any details oftheir trials were known at first. It was necessary that they should berestored to the likeness of civilized beings; and the servants vied withtheir master and mistress in providing food and raiment for the needy.

"Tell me, dear Emma," said Margaret, as she brushed her dishevelled hairand arrayed herself in a clean muslin dress belonging to herfriend,—"tell me if you have still, and unmarried, the prettydairy-maid, Susan Raine, who accompanied you from England. One of ourfaithful attendants, though rude and unpolished, will be broken-heartedif he does not find his Susan here."

"But surely, Margaret," answered Emma, "you are not speaking of thegraceless convict, Wilkins? You alarm me, for the good girl has told meher whole history; and, though she is unwilling to allow it, there isno doubt the man behaved basely in inducing her to come over fromEngland to join him, only to find the worthless fellow had absconded."

"But let me explain his conduct to you, Emma," said Margaret; "let metell you his story of sins and repentance and then I hope you willconsent to be his mediator and friend."

Then, before they descended to join the rest, Margaret told her friendall the circ*mstances of Wilkins's temptation, fall, and happyreformation after having been thrown amongst them; and this was thefirst part of the adventures of the travellers that was related at DaisyGrange. And when the girls told Mrs. Deverell this tale of trials, shepromised that Susan, who was now engaged in the dairy, should have theunexpected event properly revealed to her before she was introduced toher much-lamented friend.

The travellers scarcely recognized each other in their amendedappearance, for which they had been indebted to the wardrobes of theirfriends; and they now proceeded to the large dining-room, where thetable was spread with the plenty of an English home. Beef and muttonfrom the fields; fowls from the poultry-yard; pastry made by Emma; fruitand vegetables from the garden, and cream from the dairy. To thesehomely luxuries was added home-brewed ale from the barley grown on thesettlement, which Edward Deverell said must satisfy his guests for sometime, till his vines produced him grapes fit to make wine.

In the mean time Jenny and Ruth, with Baldabella and her child, had beenproperly cared for by the maid-servants of the establishment, who werein exuberant spirits at the novelty of visitors, and especially suchwonderful and amusing visitors, who could tell them such strange talesof their travels; and even Baldabella in time got over her shyness,under the pressing hospitality of the reception; and little Nakinna wasin ecstasies at the novelties she beheld and the dainties which she nowfirst tasted. Wilkins moped in a corner in deep distress till his friendHugh came to him, who insisted on his shaving and dressing himselfneatly, and who then accompanied him to the dairy, where Susan, alreadyacquainted with his story by Emma, was sitting weeping, but quite readyto receive and pardon the repentant man; and the mirth and festivity ofthe servants' hall were complete when the reunited pair joined theparty.

It was late before the wanderers had recounted their adventures; andthey all fully enjoyed the luxury of beds, after being so longaccustomed to the open air, though the boys declared sleeping in anenclosed room was rather confining. Next morning, after a breakfast ofcoffee and cream, with all the other good things of the farm, they setout to see the hamlet, which was to become in time the town of Deverell.This hamlet stood about a quarter of a mile from the Grange, andconsisted of a long row of wooden huts, thatched with bark, and paintedgreen; each stood apart in a pretty garden, and each had behind it aboutan acre of land fenced round, where a cow, and sometimes a sheep or two,were grazing; every thing looked clean, orderly, and prosperous.

From the cottages to the river it was not more than three or fourhundred yards, and before them was a green, in the midst of which was anenclosure that contained a neat stone-built church, with its low towerand bell to summon the congregation to church.

Mr. Mayburn was moved even to tears at the sight of this temple of Godin the remote wilds; he seized the hand of Deverell, and said, "MayHeaven bless you, my son! tell me whom you expect to fulfil the dutiesof this holy place."

"We have but just completed the most difficult and important work wehave yet undertaken," answered Deverell. "The stone has been broughtfrom our own quarry; but the labor of cutting and building was great andtedious. Our people are, however, pious and industrious, and they gladlyworked extra hours to raise the place of worship they pined for. I haveever proposed to wait for you to be our priest, my good father; andmonth after month I have expected letters from you. For some of thegraceless crew of the Golden Fairy, who escaped in the boats, reachedAdelaide; and when they reported the vessel to be destroyed by fire,they asserted that you and your family had been taken up by an Indiaman.My plan was, as soon as I had heard from you where you were settled, towrite to beseech you to join me. It is only during the last month that,afflicted and disappointed by your long silence, I have reluctantlyturned my thoughts to the necessity of searching for another minister;and I was on the eve of setting out on a long journey to consult ourworthy bishop, when the raid of the bush-rangers called me away torecover my property. Now Heaven has sent you to us, may I not, then,venture to hope that you are ours for life?"

"For life, Edward Deverell," answered Mr. Mayburn. "I am content andhappy to remain with you; and I feel sure my children are determined todo the same. Teach them to be useful and happy as you are; and allow usto form part of your new colony."

"Huzza!" cried Hugh; "but you must grant us allotments to build cottageson, Governor Deverell."

"You shall hear all my plans," answered Deverell. "In the first place,you must all be our guests till dwellings are provided; the Grange islarge enough for a city hotel. We will begin by building a handsomemanse for our worthy pastor, with a large and convenient museum, whicheverybody must try to furnish with wonderful birds and eggs, and all thenatural curiosities of Australia. I can spare volumes of my own to fitup the library, till we can procure all that are needed from Sydney."

"Delightful!" said Margaret. "I long to see you begin."

"Then we must have a house and workshop for our friend Jack," continuedDeverell; "and constitute him head carpenter of Deverell. On yourrecommendation, I will venture to employ Wilkins as a stock-keeper; heshall be placed at the dairy-house, which the prudent Susan shallmanage; and they shall have a good allotment, with cows and pigs oftheir own, to encourage them to prudence and industry. As for yourfemale followers, Nurse Wilson, Ruth, and the native woman and child,they must remain with us, at least till the parsonage-house iscompleted, and Mr. Mayburn wishes to found his household."

"I propose, Edward," said Margaret, "that, if you do not object, Ishould teach some of the little girls of the hamlet—I see you have anumber who are peeping at us from the cottages; then Nakinna will learnwith them, and soon be a little English girl in all but complexion."

"That is just what I expected from you, Margaret," answered Deverell;"and Emma will be delighted to have such an associate. On this prettyspot, my brother Charles proposes to build a good house for himself,that he may be near his patients, who, I am happy to say, are few. Heintends, when his house is ready, to go down to Sydney, and bring thencea wife to preside over it. He has fixed on a very charming young orphangirl, who, with her two young sisters that will accompany her, will forma most agreeable addition to our society."

"That is quite right," said Mr. Mayburn. "I rejoice to hear of hisintention. And you, my dear Edward—would it not be also desirable thatyou should bring some lady suitable to you to this pleasant abode? Ifyou have really resolved to pass your days here, it is your duty tomarry."

"Do you think so, my very dear friend?" answered Deverell. "Then I leavethe affair in your hands; you must kindly select a bride for me."

"I, my dear Edward!" exclaimed Mr. Mayburn. "I that have ever lived somuch out of the world, and that am now a perfect solitary. I am actuallyacquainted with no young ladies in the world but your sister and my ownchild."

"Perhaps, papa," said Gerald archly, "Edward would be satisfied to takeMargaret."

"How exceedingly absurd you can be, my dear boy," said Mr. Mayburn;then, after a few minutes' consideration, he added: "The thought neveroccurred to me before; it is not an absurd idea. I really do not seewhy such a pleasant arrangement might not be."

Margaret fled from the delicate discussion, and Edward Deverell thenassured Mr. Mayburn, that not only he should be satisfied to takeMargaret, but that he had never thought of any other person; aseverybody but Mr. Mayburn understood long ago.

Then Margaret had to be asked if she would consent to be the mistress ofthat comfortable and happy household, to which she agreed, providingMrs. Deverell and Emma would still continue to share the pleasures andduties of her home. And Edward told her all his plans for extending thepopulation of his colony, and regulating it according to the laws ofEngland and the commands of God. The great hall was, when needed, a hallof justice, and his people knew they were amenable to the law as much asif they lived in England.

"You should see how grave I look when I am seated on my throne ofoffice, Margaret," said Deverell: "I must have Mr. Mayburn and Arthur onthe bench in future, to give more dignity to my court. And now I mustshow you a domain which will be especially your own—my gardens,orchards and vineyards."

No labor or expense had been spared to enrich the gardens with all thefairest products of Australia and England. Conservatories and hot-houseswere not needed in this charming climate, where the most delicateflowers and choicest fruits reached perfection in the open air. The richblossoms of the apple, peach, apricot, and nectarine were now glowing onevery side, and the trees, though so young, gave promise of abundantfruit; and the fragrance of the strawberry beds proclaimed the fruit tobe ripe. Margaret was delighted with all she saw, and astonished at thethought of the labor and perseverance that must have been used.

A long avenue was shaded with the broad and luxuriant leaves of thevine, on which small bunches of grapes were already formed, a youngcrop, but giving promise of the rich vintage future years would bring.

"When my vines have reached maturity," said Deverell, "I shall requireall the heads and the hands I can command, in order to make good winefrom my own vineyard, of which, if God spare me, I have no fear. And Ihope, Margaret, you are pleased with the delicate and fragrant blossomsof my orange-trees. They are yet but low shrubs; but I trust we shalllive to see them tall and productive trees."

But it required many pleasant days, and many rambles about the domain,to see all that had been done, and all that it was proposed to do. Mr.Mayburn's new dwelling was planned and immediately commenced, orchardsand gardens were marked out, and a list of fruit-trees and seeds madeout. Jack was in his element, superintending the cutting down of timbertrees, and then manufacturing them into tables and chairs, and otheruseful furniture, to his heart's content.

"It's a great comfort, Mr. Arthur," said he, as his three young friendsstood near him in his new workshop. "It's a great comfort to have a goodchest of tools again, and that thief, Peter, no longer here to make offwith them; and to be working at good jobs that we shall not have to runaway and leave behind us, as we had to do when those ugly black fellowswere always hanging at our heels."

"But, Jack," answered Hugh, "do you know that Mr. Deverell has a numberof those black fellows employed on his estate, who not only wear clothesand live in huts, but speak English, behave quietly and honestly, andattend prayers regularly with the other work-people. Baldabella is veryglad to meet with the native women, who are not jins here, but wives;she certainly holds herself a little above them, but she condescends toteach them decorum and the manners of society. We are all to be employedin the schools immediately, and then you will see what wonders papa andArthur and Margaret will effect among these poor natives."

"Well, Master Hugh," answered Jack, with a certain air of incredulity,"I hope, by God's help, it may turn out as you say; but you'll not getWilkins to believe such a thing. He hates blacks like toads, and alwaysdid. There's Susan, however, she is a quiet, good lass; but she has agood spirit, and maybe she may win her good man to think better of them.But, Mr. Arthur, now you are at your proper work among books, and MasterHugh and Master Gerald, they'll be riding about on the land, I shall notsee much of you; there's no need for any of you to take up a hammernow."

"Your workshop will always be a favorite resort, depend on it, Jack,"said Arthur; "but I am going to read hard for the next year, to make upfor lost time. Then papa intends me to go to England, to be entered atone of the universities."

"And to return to us the Reverend Arthur Mayburn," said Gerald, "readyto help papa, and, I should say, to marry little Emma."

"But I shall always come and help you, Jack, when I have time," saidHugh; "we should all be mechanics here, in case of vicissitudes. Myparticular pursuit will be to study medicine with Charles Deverell, tobe fitted for the second doctor when our colony shall be so muchincreased that two are required. Gerald is to be farmer, and hunter, andgame-keeper, and ornithological assistant to papa; and then, I think,Jack, we shall form such a pleasant, cosy family circle, that we shallnone of us feel any inclination 'to take to the bush.'"

"Farewell to the cowardly bush-rangers," said Gerald. "They never dareface such a band of heroes. I shall be head ranger myself; and on grandoccasions I shall call you all around me for a field-day, to beat thebushes, and keep up our character of successful Kangaroo Hunters."

END.

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This edition contains the Fourth Series—Tales from French history—andis the only complete edition published in this country.

CHARLES DICKENS' COMPLETE WORKS.

Author's Edition. 14 vols., with aportrait of the author on steel, and eight illustrations by F. O. C.Darley, Cruikshank, Fildes, Eytinge, and others, in each volume. 12mo.Cloth, extra, black and gold, per vol., $1.00; sheep, marbled edges, pervol., $1.50; half imt. Russia, marbled edges, per vol., $1.50; halfcalf, gilt, marbled edges, per vol., $2.75.

Sold separately in cloth binding only.

*Also in Alta Edition, one illustration, 75 cents.

The same. Universe Edition. Printed on thin paper and containing oneillustration to the volume. 14 vols., 12mo. Cloth, extra, black andgold, per vol., 75 cents.

The same. World Edition. 7 vols., thick 12mo., $12.25. (Sold in setsonly.)

CHILD'S HISTORY OF ENGLAND.
By Charles Dickens.

Popular 12mo. edition;from new electrotype plates. Large clear type. Beautifully illustratedwith 8 engravings on wood. 12mo. Cloth, extra, black and gold, $1.00.

Alta Edition. One illustration, 75 cents.

"Dickens as a novelist and prose poet is to be classed in the front rankof the noble company to which he belongs. He has revived the novel ofgenuine practical life, as it existed in the works of Fielding,Smollett, and Goldsmith; but at the same time has given to his materialan individual coloring and expression peculiarly his own. Hischaracters, like those of his great exemplars, constitute a world oftheir own, whose truth to nature every reader instinctively recognizesin connection with their truth to darkness."—E. P. Whipple.

MACAULAY'S HISTORY OF ENGLAND. From the accession of James II. By ThomasBabington Macaulay. With a steel portrait of the author. Printed fromnew electrotype plates from the last English Edition. Being by far themost correct edition in the American market. 5 volumes, 12mo. Cloth,extra, black and gold, per set, $5.00; sheep, marbled edges, per set,$7.50; half imitation Russia, $7.50; half calf, gilt, marbled edges, perset, $15.00.

Popular Edition. 5 vols., cloth, plain, $5.00.

8vo. Edition. 5 volumes in one, with portrait. Cloth, extra, black andgold, $3.00; sheep, marbled edges, $3.50.

MARTINEAU'S HISTORY OF ENGLAND.
From the beginning of the 19th Centuryto the Crimean War.
By Harriet Martineau.

Complete in 4 vols., with fullIndex. Cloth, extra, black and gold, per set, $4.00; sheep, marblededges, $6.00; half calf, gilt, marbled edges. $12.00.

HUME'S HISTORY OF ENGLAND.
From the invasion of Julius Cæsar to theabdication of James II, 1688.
By David Hume.

Standard Edition. With theauthor's last corrections and improvements; to which is prefixed a shortaccount of his life, written by himself. With a portrait on steel. A newedition from entirely new stereotype plates. 5 vols., 12mo. Cloth,extra, black and gold, per set, $5.00; sheep, marbled edges, per set,$7.50; half imitation Russia, $7.50; half calf, gilt, marbled edges, perset, $15.00.

Popular Edition. 5 vols. Cloth, plain, $5.00.

GIBBON'S DECLINE AND FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE.
By Edward Gibbon.
WithNotes, by Rev. H. H. Milman.

Standard Edition. To which is added acomplete Index of the work. A new edition from entirely new stereotypeplates. With portrait on steel. 5 vols., 12mo. Cloth, extra, black andgold, per set, $5.00; sheep, marbled edges, per set, $7.50; halfimitation Russia, $7.50; half calf, gilt; marbled edges, per set,$15.00.

Popular Edition. 5 vols. Cloth, plain, $5.00.

ENGLAND, PICTURESQUE AND DESCRIPTIVE.
By Joel Cook,
author of "A HolidayTour in Europe," etc.

With 487 finely engraved illustrations,descriptive of the most famous and attractive places, as well as of thehistoric scenes and rural life of England and Wales. With Mr. Cook'sadmirable descriptions of the places and the country, and the splendidillustrations, this is the most valuable and attractive book of theseason, and the sale will doubtless be very large. 4vo. Cloth, extra,gilt side and edges, $7.50; half calf, gilt, marbled edges, $10.00; halfmorocco, full gilt edges, $10.00; full Turkey morocco, gilt edges,$15.00; tree calf, gilt edges, $18.00.

This work, which is prepared in elegant style, and profuselyillustrated, is a comprehensive description of England and Wales,arranged in convenient form for the tourist, and at the same timeproviding an illustrated guide-book to a country which Americans alwaysview with interest. There are few satisfactory works about this landwhich is so generously gifted by Nature and so full of memorials of thepast. Such books as there are, either cover a few counties or aredevoted to special localities, or are merely guide-books. The presentwork is believed to be the first attempt to give in attractive form adescription of the stately homes, renowned castles, ivy-clad ruins ofabbeys, churches, and ancient fortresses, delicious scenery, rock-boundcoasts, and celebrated places of England and Wales. It is written by anauthor fully competent from travel and reading, and in position toproperly describe his very interesting subject; and the artist's pencilhas been called into requisition to graphically illustrate itswell-written pages. There are 487 illustrations, prepared in the higheststyle of the engraver's art, while the book itself is one of the mostattractive ever presented to the American public.

Its method of construction is systematic, following the most convenientroutes taken by tourists, and the letter-press includes enough of thehistory and legend of each of the places described to make the storyhighly interesting. Its pages fairly overflow with picture anddescription, telling of everything attractive that is presented byEngland and Wales. Executed in the highest style of the printer's andengraver's art, "England, Picturesque and Descriptive," is one of thebest American books of the year.

HISTORY OF THE CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
By the Comte De Paris.

With Mapsfaithfully Engraved from the Originals, and Printed in Three Colors.8vo. Cloth, per volume, $3.50; red cloth, extra, Roxburgh style, uncutedges, $3.50; sheep, library style, $4.50; half Turkey morocco, $6.00.Vols I, II, and III now ready.

The third volume embraces, without abridgment, the fifth and sixthvolumes of the French edition, and covers one of the most interesting aswell as the most anxious periods of the war, describing the operationsof the Army of the Potomac in the East, and the Army of the Cumberlandand Tennessee in the West.

It contains full accounts of the battle of Chancellorsville, the attackof the monitors on Fort Sumter, the sieges and fall of Vicksburg andPort Hudson; the battles of Port Gibson and Champion's Hill, and thefullest and most authentic account of the battle of Gettysburg everwritten.

"The head of the Orleans family has put pen to paper with excellentresult.... Our present impression is that it will form by far the besthistory of the American war."—Athenæum, London.

"We advise all Americans to read it carefully, and judge for themselvesif 'the future historian of our war,' of whom we have heard so much, benot already arrived in the Comte de Paris."—Nation, New York.

"This is incomparably the best account of our great second revolutionthat has yet been even attempted. It is so calm, so dispassionate, soaccurate in detail, and at the same time so philosophical in general,that its reader counts confidently on finding the complete workthoroughly satisfactory."—Evening Bulletin, Philadelphia.

"The work expresses the calm, deliberate judgment of an experiencedmilitary observer and a highly intelligent man. Many of its statementswill excite discussion, but we much mistake if it does not take high andpermanent rank among the standard histories of the civil war. Indeedthat place has been assigned it by the most competent critics both ofthis country and abroad."—Times, Cincinnati.

"Messrs. Porter & Coates, of Philadelphia, will publish in a few daysthe authorized translation of the new volume of the Comte de Paris'History of Our Civil War. The two volumes in French—the fifth andsixth—are bound together in the translation in one volume. Our readersalready know, through a table of contents of these volumes, published inthe cable columns of the Herald, the period covered by this newinstallment of a work remarkable in several ways. It includes the mostimportant and decisive period of the war, and the two great campaigns ofGettysburg and Vicksburg.

"The great civil war has had no better, no abler historian than theFrench prince who, emulating the example of Lafayette, took part in thisnew struggle for freedom, and who now writes of events, in many of whichhe participated, as an accomplished officer, and one who, by hisindependent position, his high character and eminent talents, was placedin circ*mstances and relations which gave him almost unequalledopportunities to gain correct information and form impartial judgments.

"The new installment of a work which has already become a classic willbe read with increased interest by Americans because of the importanceof the period it covers and the stirring events it describes. In advanceof a careful review we present to-day some extracts from the advancesheets sent us by Messrs. Porter & Coates, which will give our readers aforetaste of chapters which bring back to memory so many half-forgottenand not a few hitherto unvalued details of a time which Americans ofthis generation at least cannot read of without a fresh thrill ofexcitement."