KANGAROO HUNTERS
THE LIBRARY
OF
THE UNIVERSITY
OF CALIFORNIA
PRESENTED BY
PROF. CHARLES A. KOFOID AND
MRS. PRUDENCE W. KOFOID
V
I
He faced round, and with Ms forefeet his arms I should say he seized
me, and gave me a heavy fall."
THE
KANGAROO HUNTERS;
OB,
ADVENTURES IN THE BUSH.
BY ANNE BOWMAN,
AUTHOR OF "ESPERANZA," "THE CASTAWAYS." "THE TOUNO
ETC., ETC.
Light and limber, upwards driven,
On the hoar crag quivering ;
Or through gorges thunder-riven,
Leaps she with her airy spring !
But behind her still, the foe
Near, and near the deadly bow!"
SCHILLER, translated by Snliotr,
PHILADELPHIA:
PORTER & COATES,
6737
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 time to satisfy the
scruples of their instructors. The restless, inquiring
spirit of youth craves, from its first development, food
for the imagination, and even the simplest nursery
rhymes owe their principal charm to their wonderful
improbability. To these succeed the ever-interesting
tales of Fairies and Enchanters ; and the ardent boy
only forsakes Ali Baba and Sindbad for the familiar and
lifelike fictions 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 life in his recreations ; from the
weary school-boy, who relieves his mind, after arith-
metical calculations and pages of syntax, by fanciful ad-
ventures amidst scenes of novelty and peril, and returns
to his labors refreshed, to the over-tasked man of study
or science, who wades through his days and nights of
toil, cheered by the prospect of a holiday of voyaging
or travelling over new scenes.
<v)
M312310
PREFACE.
This spirit of inquiry has usually the happiest in-
fluence on the character of the young and old, and
leads them
" To know
The works of God, thereby to glorify
The great Work-Master."
In this belief, we are encouraged to continue to sup-
ply the young with books which do not profess to be
true, though they are composed of truths. They are
doubtless romantic, but cannot mislead the judgment or
corrupt the taste ; their aim being to describe the mar-
vellous works of creation, and to lead the devout mind
to say with the divine poet,
" Great are thy works, Jehovah, infinite
Thy power ; what thought can measure thee, or tongue
Eelate thee ? "
A. B.
RICHMOND, October, 1858,
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
The Rector and the Soldier. The Mayburn Family. A Mission
to India. The Orphans of Wendon. Ruth the Unlucky.
Jack's Project. The Addition to the Mayburn Establishment
page 1-16
CHAPTER II.
Departure from Wendon. Embarkation in the Amoor. Ruth's
Adventures in London. The Deverell Family. The Pleasures
of the Voyage. Tropical Wonders. The Flying-fish. The
Stormy Petrel. The Albatross. Deverell's Plans. The Indian
Ocean. A Storm 17-31
CHAPTER III.
Melbourne. The Squatters. The Two Convicts. A Painful
Separation. The Golden Fairy. Ruth's Misfortunes. A Noc-
turnal Alarm. Ruth's Confession. The Ship on Fire . 32-44
CHAPTER IV.
Insubordination of the Sailors. Rapid Progress of the Fire.
The Boats lowered. Ruth's Prize. A Man Saved. Black
Peter. The Adventure of a Reprobate Crew. A Dangerous
Comrade . 45-57
CHAPTER V.
Afloat on an Unknown Sea. The Insubordinate Sailor. The
Coral Reefs. An Island in view. The Perilous Landing.
Peter's Rebellion. The First Night on Shore. Ruth among
the Crockery. A Valuable Prize. The March from the First
Encampment 58-71
(vii)
fill CONTENTS.
CHAP TER VI.
A Pleasant Resting-place. The Turtle. A Knavish Trick.
Destitution. An Exploring Expedition. Lake Scenery. A
Wrecked Vessel. Strange Footsteps. A Prudent Retreat.
Return of the Explorers 72-84
CHAPTER VII.
The Results of the Expedition. The Long Vacation. Removed
from the Landing-place. Birds and their Nests. Fishing.
Tapping a Cask of Potatoes. Tent-making. The Shell Spades.
Digging a Tank, A Grand Attempt at Boat-building 85-97
CHAPTER VIII.
The Launch of the Boat An Alarming Catastrophe. Disap-
pointed Hopes. Jack's Perseverance. A Peep at the Old En-
campment. Black Peter again. The Loss of the Boat.
Canoe-building. The Luggage-van 98-111
CHAPTER IX.
The Foray. Young Potatoes. More Intruders. Ruth's Intro-
duction to the Savages. The Sailing of the Fleet. The Desert
Shore. The Giant Ant-hill. Once more at Sea. A Storm,
and the Loss of the Catamaran 112-127
CHAPTER X.
A Total Wreck. An Unknown Coast. The Green Ante. The
White Cockatoo. Waifs. The Gourd Tree. The Fresh-
water Rivulet. A River Voyage Projected .... 128-142
CHAPTER XI.
The Voyage up the River. The Way to China. The Note of a
Strange Bird. A Hasty Flight. A Tropical Storm. The Loss
of the Canoes. The Oave of the Bats. A Toilsome Pilgrim-
age
143-156
CHAPTER XII.
Alligators. The Giant's Staircase. Access to a New Region.
The Pheasant Cuckoo. Wild Oats. The Unequal Contest.
The First Kangaroo. Scenes of Arcadia. A Hint at Cannibal-
ism. The Cockatoo Watch. The Enemy put to Flight 157-172
CONTENTS. DC
C H A r I E R XIII.
Rope-making;. The Cavern of Illustrations. Ruth at the Water-
pools. Victualling the Fortress. The Blockade. Assault and
Battery. Bloodshed. The close Siege. Prospect of Famine
173-186
CHAPTER XIV,
Rambles through the Caves. Fairy Bower. A Rough Path to
Freedom. Preparations for Flight. The Use of the Rifle.
A Case of Conscience. Departure. Travelling among the
Bogs. A View of the River. Making an Axe. A New Plant
187-202
CHAPTER XV.
The Tea-Shrub. Another Canoe. A Skirmish with the Natives.
Wounded Heroes. An Attempt at Voyaging. A Field of
Battle. The Widowed Jin. Wilkins's Sorrows. Baldabella
in Society. The Voyage resumed ........ 203-216
CHAPTER XVI.
The Mother and Child. The Interior of the Country, Another
Cataract. The Pilgrim Troop. The Difficult Ascent. The
Frilled Lizard. The Mountain-range, The Kangaroo-chase.
The Pass of Erin 217-228
CHAPTER XVII.
The Dangerous Pass. The Coupled Travellers. The Mountain
Labyrinth. The Emancipation of Ruth's Chickens, A Com-
bat a Voutrance. The Ornithorhyncus. The Forest in the
Mountains. Singing Birds. The Laughing Jackass . 229-241
CHAPTER XVIII.
The Tunnel through the Mountains. The Chase of the Emu.
An Encounter with the Natives. The Rescue of Baldabella and
her Child. Making a Bridge. Canoes Again. The Fishing
of Baldabella 242 254
CHAPTER XIX.
A Cache. The Black Forest. A Site for the Hut. The Eagles.
Gerald's Accident. A Subterranean Grotto. The Pitcher
Plant. A Potato Ground. The Fig-tree. Australian Jum-
bles The Hungry Guest 255-268
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XX.
The Reservoir. The Ruins. The Native Companion. The
Employments of Prison Life. The Unlucky Chase. Jack's
Tale of Trouble. Black Peter's Temptations. The Release of
the Eagle. The Rescue Party 269-280
CHAPTER XXI.
The Approach to the Prison. Baldabella's Stratagem. The
Release of the Captive. Wilkins's Tale of Trials. A Well.
The Potato Crop. The Flying Opossum. The Salt Plant.
Preparations for a Siege 281-292
CHAPTER XXII.
Peter's last Stratagem. Firing the Fortress. The Watch-tower.
The Welcome Rain. The close Siege. The Conflict. The
Defeat of Peter. The Fortress abandoned. Once more on the
Road. Resting in the Wilds 293-305
CHAPTER XXIII.
A Bark Sledge. The Friendly Tribe. The Wild Melon. A
Nocturnal Alarm. The Wombats. The Bivouac on the Heath.
The Savages again. Away to the South .... 306-317
CHAPTER XXIV.
The Dry Wilderness. Despair. The Coming-down of the Wa-
ters. The Discomfited Savages. Hunger and Thirst. The
Footsteps in the Mud. A Pond. The Talegalla and its Nest.
The Valley of Promise. The River to the South . . 318-330
CHAPTER XXV.
Boat-building again. Unlucky Ruth. The Woods on Fire.
Dangers on Land and Water. The Wounded Girl. A Home
among the Mountains. The Bottle-tree. The Bee-hunt.
Bean-coffee. The Lost Hunters 331-343
CHAPTER XXVI.
The Search for the Lost. The Fig-tree. Signals. The Wander-
ers found. The Wounded Boy. The Sufferings of the Thirsty.
The Rescue and Return. The Kangaroo Conflict. A strange
Meeting. The Bush-rangers. The miraculous Escape 344-355
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XXVII.
^he Eagle's Eyrie. The Chaotic Solitude disturbed. The Vol-
untary Prisoners. The Report of the Spy. The Foe at the
Gates. A Traitor in the Camp. Dispersion of the Invaders.
A lucky Escape. A pleasant Voyage 356-369
CHAPTER XXVIII.
The Cookery disturbed. A Signal-rocket. A Surprise and Cap-
ture. Pillage. The Taste of Gunpowder. A Fatal Explo-
sion. The Contrivances of Necessity. A Region of Famine.
Renewed Hopes.- An Unfair Advantage 370-383
CHAPTER XXIX.
A Seasonable Supply. Visitoi-s in the Night. Captivity. An
Old Acquaintance. The Ranger's Settlement. An Embassy to
Daisy Grange. Jack in a New Office. The Grateful Native
Woman. Davy's Compunction. Bush-ranging Life . 384-396
CHAPTER XXX.
A Proposal of Marriage. Bill's Rejection and Revenge.
Pocket-picking. Jack's Return. Black Peter again. Bush-
ranging Merriment. A Flight in the Dark. An Erau-chase.
The disappointed Hunters. Pursuit. A Stratagem 397-409
CHAPTER XXXI.
The Sentinels in the Trees. The End of Bill the Convict. The
Bush-rangers deceived. A strange New Animal. A Bloody
Conflict. The Mountain-pass. The Fruit of the Acach'.
The Travellers in Custody. The Court of Justice . . 410-422
CHAPTER XXXII.
Travellers' Wonders. The Detective Force. A Trap for the
Rangers. The Skirmish and the Victory. Daisies in Austra-
lia. The Constancy of Susan Raine. The Trial and Sentence
of the Natives. Peter and his Colleagues 423-435
CHAPTER XXXIII
A Chase over the Mountains. The Frightful End of the Bush-
ranger. Ruth's Opinion. The Cereopsis. A Description of
the Colony. The Dingo. The Cattle at Home. The Park.
The Arrival at Daisy Grange 436-453
XII CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XXXIV.
The Comforts of Civilization. Susan Raine. The Hamlet and the
Church. Plans for the Future. Mrs. Edward Deverell. The
Beauties of Daisy Grange 454-463
THE
KANGAROO HUNTERS.
CHAPTER I.
The Rector and the Soldier. The Mayburn Family. A Mission
to India. The Orphans of Wendon. Ruth the Unlucky.
Jack's Project. The Addition to the Mayburn Establishment.
"I AM a selfish creature, O'Brien," said Mr. May-
burn, the rector of Wendon, to his invalid friend. " I
cannot forbear from coming once more to annoy you
with my lamentations, and to ask your counsel, for I am
most unhappy. Every object I behold, every word I
hear, recalls to my mind my bereavement. I cannot
remain in this place after the loss of my beloved wife.
She was the moving power of my household. It was
she, in fact, who was the pastor and director of the par-
ish, the skilful tutor of her children, the guide and the
guardian of her weak and erring husband. Alone, I
am unfit for my responsible office ; I shudder over the
conviction that I am faithless to my vows; I know,
O'Brien, that I do not fulfil my duty."
" There is an easy remedy for your distress, my good
friend," answered Captain O'Brien; "my advice is, do
your duty, and be comforted."
1 (1)
2 THE FRIENDS.
"It is physically impossible, O'Brien," said the
mourner. " My nerves are shattered ; my health is
completely destroyed. I shrink from communion with
society; and though I exert myself to give my boys
their daily lessons, I would afterwards gladly enclose
myself in my study, and live amongst my books."
" No doubt you would," replied O'Brien ; u but God
did not send us into this world to vegetate in solitude,
and bring forth no fruit. Act, Mayburn, I beseech you,
man; power comes with action, you know well; and
whatever man has done, may be done. Work ! work !
is the counsel of the worn-out dying soldier to him who
has yet the labors of life spread before him."
" But you have no idea how feeble my bodily powers
are," groaned the rector.
" 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 the green marsh, regard-
less of a cold north-east March wind."
"I remember the day well," answered Mr. Mayburn,
with animation, " for I was fortunate enough to obtain
the eggs of the crested grebe in the marsh. You will
not have forgotten that the preceding summer I got a
fine specimen of the bird."
ft Very well," said his friend ; " now, if you were able
thus to toil and to endure to save the eggs of a bird,
you may surely exert yourself still more to save the
soul of a Christian. Go more among your poor ; talk
to them, help them with your knowledge, and teach
them to live happily and die happily. I am not with-
out experience in such work, Mayburn ; as long as I
was able, I had a little flock of my own ; and in
secular matters at any rate, was a sort of parish priest
INDIA OR AUSTRALIA? 3
among my soldiers I felt an interest in the history
and in the daily life of every man in my company, and
was never more at home than in the nooks and corners
where my poor fellows dwelt. It was this pleasant
and profitable work that Mrs. Mayburn ably accom-
plished for you, and I see Margaret is treading in her
steps ; go with her, Mayburn, support her in her virtu-
ous course, and you will discover that life has still its
pleasures for you."
" Not here ! not here ! my dear O'Brien," answered
Mr. Mayburn. " Sometimes I determine to relinquish
this parish, and accept one of smaller population, where
the responsibility would be less ; at other moments T
am prompted to adopt an entirely opposite course, and
to make up for my past wasted life by devoting my
remaining days to missionary labors in distant lands,
where I might be more stimulated to exertion, in the
necessity of action. Give me your advice, O'Brien, on
which of these two plans to decide. On the one hand,
I have the temptation offered me to exchange for a
small living on the north-eastern coast, where I should
meet with many ornithological novelties ; on the other
hand, I know I have still sufficient interest among my
old friends to obtain the appointment to some mission
in the colonies. I should prefer Northern India or
South Australia, both affording rich fields to the nat-
uralist,"
" A matter of secondary consideration," said O'Brien,
smiling. " But wait a month or two, my good friend ;
we must not decide hastily on such an important step ;
and before that time has elapsed, you will have fulfilled
the last pious offices for me. Do not be agitated, May-
burn. I know that I am dying; these old wounds
4 THE CHARGE.
have slowly, but successfully, undermined the fortress ,
it cannot hold out long. But be comforted ; I am re-
signed 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 Mar-
garet I intrust his physical education. I should wish
him to be fitted to perform such work in this world as
it may please God to call him to. I am thankful that
I must leave him poor, as he will thus be exempt from
the grand temptation, and forced into healthy action.
May God direct his labors to the best and wisest end."
The words of his dying friend had for some time a
salutary influence over the amiable but vacillating May-
burn. With remorse and shame he looked on his own
discontent, and with a brief gleam of energy he turned
to the duties of his office ; but long habits of self-indul-
gence in literary 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, and
gradually sunk into his accustomed indolence. But a
waking of remorse induced him to write to his old col-
lege friend, the Bishop of * * *, to pray that he might
be allowed to resign his living, and be appointed to
some distant mission.
Mr. Mayburn, though upright in principle and amia-
ble in disposition, was yet unfitted, from his deficiency
in firmness, for the responsibilities of his office ; but his
constitutional timidity and indolence had escaped notice
during the lifetime of his valuable and energetic wife,
who had directed his actions and concealed his feeble
THE MAYBURNS.
nature. But it was the will of God that she should be
suddenly called from him ; and, stunned with his loss,
he abandoned himself to sorrow and inaction. The
death of his valuable friend and counsellor, Captain
O'Brien, cut away the last prop of the feeble man,
who was now alternately sunk in useless grief or
haunted 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 aijgels, " were short and far
between." In his family, it was his pleasure to com-
municate to his children the rich treasures of learning
that he possessed; but the lessons of life, the useful
preparation for the battle 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 her excellent mother, and possessed
good sense and prudence beyond her years. Arthur,
the eldest son, one year younger, had benefited by his
mother's advice and example equally with his sister,
whom he resembled in disposition. His brother Hugh,
not yet thirteen years old, was too young to have prof-
ited much by instruction, and was more volatile than
Margaret and Arthur. But the children were all
frank, true, and conscientious ; and had yet escaped
the temptations and perils of the world.
Gerald, the orphan son of the faithful and attached
friend of Mr. May burn, Captain O'Brien, was the
most weighty charge of his timid guardian ; though
but twelve years old, he was bold, independent, and
forever in mischief; and hourly did Mr. Mayburn
groan under his responsibility, for he had solemnly
promised to fulfil the duties of a father to the boy,
1*
6 MARGARET MAYBURN.
and he trembled to contemplate his incapacity for the
office.
" Margaret," said he to his daughter, " I request that
you or Jenny will never lose sight of that boy after he
leaves my study. I am continually distracted by the
dread that he should pull down the old church tower
when he is climbing to take the nests of the harmless
daws, or that he should have his eyes pecked out by
the peacocks at Moore Park, when he is pulling the
feathers from their tails."
" Do you not think, papa," answered Margaret, " that
you are partly responsible for his mischievous follies ?
You have imbued him with your ornithological tastes."
" He has no taste, Margaret," replied her father has-
tily. " He has no judgment in the science. He has
never learned to distinguish the Corvidce from the (70-
lumUdce ; nor could he at this moment tell you to
which family the jackdaw he makes war with belongs.
He is negligent himself, and, moreover, he allures my
son Hugh from his serious studies, to join him in rash
and dangerous enterprises. He is totally deficient in
the qualities of application and perseverance. I have
a dim recollection, Margaret, of a childish hymn, writ-
ten by the pious Dr. Watts, who was no great poet, but
was really an observer of the habits of the animal cre-
ation. This hymn alludes prettily to the industry of
the bee, and if you could prevail on Gerald to commit
it to memory, it might suggest reflections on his own
deficiencies."
" Papa," said Margaret laughing, " Gerald could re-
peat ' How doth the little busy bee,' when he was four
years old, and I do not think that a repetition of it now
would make any serious impression on him."
GERALD O BRIEN. 7
"He has no taste for the higher range of poetry,"
said his distressed guardian ; " and has too much levity
to seek knowledge in the direct paths. What would
you think of giving him to learn an unpretending poem
by Mrs. Barbauld, which describes the feathered tribes
with tolerable accuracy. It commences,
* Say, who the various nations can declare,
That plough, with busy wing, the peopled air ! ' "
" Gerald is not lazy, papa, he is only thoughtless,"
said Margaret. " Let us hope that a few years will
bring him more wisdom ; then he will learn to admire
Homer, and to distinguish birds like his good guar-
dian."
Mr. Mayburn sighed. "But what shall I do with
the boy," he said, "when my duties summon me to
distant lands? I am bewildered with doubts of the
future. Will it be right, Margaret, to remove you and
my promising boys from country, society, and home,
perhaps even from civilization ? "
" No, no, papa, you are not fitted for a missionary to
savages," answered Margaret, "you must choose some
more suitable employment. And if you are bent on
quitting England, surely you cannot suppose, whatever
may be your destination, that we should consent to be
separated from you."
" God forbid that it should be so ! " exclaimed the
father. " But I cannot but feel, my child, that I have
been selfish and negligent. Give me some consolation
tell me that you think I may yet do some good in a
strange land. I am persuaded that I shall be better
able to exert myself among complete heathens than I
am among these cold, dull, professed Christians."
8 PREPARATIONS.
"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
must accompany us in our wanderings. The boys
anticipate with great delight the pleasures of a sea-
voyage, and I myself, though I regret to leave my poor
people, enjoy the idea of looking on the wonders of the
world."
"Then, Margaret," added Mr. Mayburn, "I must
trust you and Jenny to watch 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'Brien much ; but, alas ! I have done little."
Margaret engaged to use all needful watchfulness,
though, she assured her father, Arthur would care foF
the young boys ; and being now convinced that her
father's resolution to leave England was earnest and
unchangeable, the young girl, assisted by Jenny Wilson,
the old nurse, set about the serious preparations for this
important change ; and when a mission to a remote part
of India was proposed to Mr. Mayburn, he found the
whole of his family as ready as he was himself to enter
into this new and hazardous undertaking.
"I looked for nothing better, Miss Marget, my
darling," said nurse Jenny; "and my poor mistress,
lying on her death-bed, saw it all plainly. Says she to
me, ' Nurse,' says she, 'your good master will never
settle after I 'm gone. He '11 be for shifting from this
place ; but mind this, nurse, you '11 stick to my childer.'
And then and there I said I would never leave ye;
'specially you, Miss Marget ; where you go, I must go,
and I hope God will spare me to nurse childer of yours.
NURSE WILSON. 9
Though where you are to meet with a suiting match
I cannot see, if master will choose to go and live
among black savages."
" Not so bad as that, nurse," said Margaret, smiling.
" I trust that our lot may be cast on a more civilized
spot, where we may find many of our own 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 sore task laid out for you, that will
have all the work to do. Not but what master is a
grand hand at preaching, and can talk wonderful, nows
and thens, to poor folks ; but he cannot get round them
as you can. He never seems to be talking to them as
it were face to face, but all like preaching to them out
of his pulpit ; and somehow he never gets nigh hand to
them. But it's God will, and, please Him, we must all
do our best ; we shall be missed here ; and oh, Miss
Marget, what will come of poor Ruth Martin ? and we
promising to take the lass next month, and make a good
servant of her. Here's Jack, too; just out of his time,
a fair good workman, 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 all my scholars ; I have prepared a
list of those I wish papa especially to recommend to
his successor ; and perhaps Mrs. Newton will take Ruth
on trial."
" She won't do it, Miss Marget," answered Jenny.
" I tried her before, and she flounces, and flames, and
says all sorts of ill words again the lass, as how she 's
10 RUTH AN1> JACK MARTIN.
flappy and ragged, and knows nothing; and when
asked her what she could expect from childer as was
found crying over their poor father and mother lying
dead under a hedge ; she said outright, she should
expect they would turn out vagabonds, like them they
belonged to. Yes, she said that ; after you had given
the poor things 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 the
incapacity of the rough orphan girl that she now set
out with her faithful nurse to visit.
Ruth and Jack Martin had been found one cold
morning of winter in a lane leading to the village of
Wendon, sitting by the side of the hedge, weeping
over the dead bodies of their parents, who had perished
from famine and fever, exposed to the storm of the
previous night. The children were conveyed to the
workhouse, and from their story, and further inquiries,
it was made out that their mother had left a tribe of
gipsies to marry a railway navvy, as the children called
their father. He was a reckless, drunken profligate;
and after losing his arm from an accident which origi-
nated in his own carelessness, was dismissed from his
employment, and driven to wander a homeless vagrant.
The children said they had lived by begging, and had
often been nearly starved ; but their mother would
never let them steal or tell a lie, and she had often
cried when their father came to their lodging very
drunk, speaking very bad words, and holding out silver
money, which their mother would not touch.
But at last he was seized with a bad fever on the
THE ORPHANS. 11
road, and, houseless and penniless, they crept under a
haystack ; from thence the children were sent to the
roadside to beg from passengers, or to seek some farm-
house, where charity might bestow on them a little milk
or a few crusts of bread ; but the poor wife sickened of
the. same disease which was carrying off her husband,
and in their desperation the wretched sufferers dragged
themselves to the road which led to the village, in hopes
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's night, the man sank down and
died. The wretched woman cast herself down beside
him, and, overcome by sorrow and long suffering, did
not survive to see the morning light.
The sympathy created by this melancholy event pro-
cured many warm friends for the orphans. They were
fed and clothed, sent to school, and carefully instructed
in that pure religion of which they had formerly had
but vague notions. Jack, the boy, who was about eleven
years of age when they were orphaned, was a thought-
ful, industrious lad; for three years he made useful pro-
gress at school, and in the last three years, under a good
master, he had become a skilful carpenter. Ruth, who
was two years younger than her brother, had inferior
abilities ; she was rough, boisterous, and careless ; and
was ever the dunce of the school, till at length the
schoolmistress begged she might be put to something
else, for she declared she made " no hand at learning."
She was then placed with an old woman, who daily
complained that " the lass was of no use ; she was will-
ing enough ; but if she was set to wash the cups, she
broke them; and she could not even stir the fire but
she would poke it out." At fifteen years old, Ruth was
12 USEFUL JACK.
a strong, active girl, extremely good-natured, true, and
honest, fondly attached to her brother, and devoted to
her kind friends at the rectory; yet, certainly, Ruth
was no favorite with the wives of the neighboring far-
mers, who unanimously agreed that she must have
" two left hands," she was so awkward in all her under-
takings. Under these untoward circumstances, it had
been arranged that Ruth should undergo an apprentice-
ship in the rectory establishment, to fit her for house-
hold service. This event was looked forward to by the
girl with great delight, and it was with much regret that
Margaret set out to announce to her their plan of leav-
ing Wendon, which mus.t necessarily extinguish her
hopes of preferment.
There was still another who would deeply feel their
loss ; and Margaret was accompanied by her brothers,
who were anxious to see their untiring assistant, Jack.
It was he who gave his useful aid to them in the con-
struction of bows, bats, leaping-bars, and all the wooden
appliances of school-boy sports ; and above all the peo-
ple of the village, the boys murmured most that they
must part with Jack.
They found the industrious lad busily engaged in
making a new crutch for Nanny, the old woman with
whom the orphans lived. " You see, Master Hugh,"
said he, " poor Ruth happened to throw down Nanny's
crutch, and then the careless lass fell over it, and
snapped it. I reckon it had been a bit of bad wood ;
but this is a nice seasoned stick I 've had laid by these
two years for another purpose, and it comes in nicely ;
for Nanny was cross, and poor Ruth was sadly put
about, and this will set all straight."
At this moment, Ruth, who had been sent out to
RUTH THE UNLUCKY. 13
milk Nanny's cow, entered in woful plight. She had
neglected to tie Brindle's legs properly, and the animal,
irritated by the teasing bark of an ill-taught little dog,
had struggled to extricate itself, kicked Ruth into the
mud, and the milk-pail after her, and then run off, pur-
sued by its tormentor ; and the girl returned with her
dress torn and dirty, and her milk-pail empty. Nanny
scolded, Jack shook his head, Margaret gently remon-
strated with her for her carelessness, and, worst cut of
all, the young gentlemen laughed at her. Then Ruth
fairly sat down and cried.
" Well, Nanny," said Margaret, " you must look over
Ruth's fault this time, for we have some sad news for
you all. We are going to leave Wendon."
Jack threw down his work, and Ruth, forgetting her
own vexation, held up her hands, crying out, "Not
without me, please, Miss Marget. You promised to
try and make me good for something ; please do, Miss
Marget, and I '11 pray God to make me of some use to
you."
" But, Ruth," said Hugh, " we are going far away
from here, across the wide sea, and among people who
neither talk, nor look, nor live as we do."
" How many legs have they, Master Hugh ? " asked
the awe-struck girl.
" Only two legs, and one head, Ruth," answered he,
laughing ; " and we feel pretty sure that they will not
eat us ; but, for all that, I am afraid they are a little
bit savage, if they be roused."
" Will you be so kind as to tell me, Mr. Arthur,"
said Jack, " where you may be going really."
Arthur then explained to Jack the plans of Mr. May-
2
14 REGRETS AT PARTING.
burn, and assured him they all felt a pang at leaving
Wendon ; and especially they regretted the 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 to turn out a bad lass. Jack,
honey, we '11 not be left behind, we will run after Miss
Marget and Mr. Arthur."
Jack was thoughtful and silent, while Margaret said
to the weeping girl, " If we had only been removing
to any part of England, Ruth, we would have taken
you with us, if it had been possible ; but we dare not
propose such an addition to the family in a long voyage,
which will cost a large sum of money for each of us ;
besides this, we are going to a country where youi
services, my poor girl, would be useless; for all the
servants employed in cooking, house-work, and wash-
ing, are men, who bear the labor, in such a hot climate,
better than women could."
" If you please, Miss Margaret," said Jack, eagerly,
" I have thought of something. Will you be kind
enough to tell me the name of the ship you are to go
in, and I will get my master to write me out a good
testimonial, and then I will seek the captain, to offer
to work for my passage and for that of poor Ruth, if
you will agree to try her ; for you see, 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; and though she felt the charge of Ruth
JACK'S PROJECT. 15
would be a burden, she promised to consult her father
about the plan, and the brother and sister were left in
a state of great anxiety and doubt.
As they walked home, Margaret and Arthur talked
of Jack's project till they satisfied themselves it was
really feasible ; and Arthur believed that, once landed
in India, the lad might obtain sufficient employment to
enable him to support himself and his sister.
" Oh, Jack will be a capital fellow to take with us,"
said Hugh. " I know papa 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 cast away on a desolate island."
" I trust we shall never have occasion to test his tal-
ents under such extreme circumstances," said Arthur ;
" but, if we can manage it, I should really like Jack to
form a part of our establishment. As to that luckless
wench, Ruth, I should decidedly object to her, if we
could be cruel enough to separate them, which seems
impossible. But I shall always be haunted with the
idea that she may contrive, somehow, to run the ship
upon a rock."
" Oh ! do let us take Ruth, Meggie," exclaimed
Gerald; "it will be such fun. 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 will cajole
nurse out of her consent."
And serious as the charge was likely to become, it
16 JACK'S PROJECT.
was at length agreed that Jack and Ruth should be
included in the party with the Mayburns ; and the girl
was immediately transferred to the rectory, to undergo
a short course of drilling previous to the momentous
undertaking.
CHAPTER II.
Departure from Wendon. Embarkation in the Amoor. Ruth's
Adventures in London. The Deverell Family. The Pleasures
of the Voyage. Tropical Wonders. The Flying-fish. The
Stormy Petrel. The Albatross. Deverell's Plans. The Indian
Ocean. A Storm.
FINALLY the successor of Mr. Mayburn arrived, was
initiated in his office, introduced to his new parishioners,
and had promised to supply, as well as he was able, the
loss which the mourning poor must sustain in the de-
parture of the charitable family. Mr. Mayburn's old
friend, the Bishop of * * *, himself accompanied the
family to London, directed them in the mode of fitting
out for the voyage, and for their new residence, and
supplied them with letters of instruction as well as of
introduction before he left them. Some weeks of delay
followed, and several disappointments; but at length
they were induced to embark, with nurse Wilson, Ruth,
and Jack, on board the Amoor, a good sailing vessel
bound to Melbourne, with many passengers ; and from
thence to Calcutta, with cattle and merchandise ; Cap-
tain Barton, who commanded the ship, being an old
acquaintance of Mr. Mayburn. Established in a large
and commodious cabin, Margaret begged that nurse
would keep Ruth always with them, for the girl was
distracted with the strange objects around her.
" Sit ye down, lass, and hem that apron," said Jenny,
in a tone of authority. " Truly, Miss Margaret, I
2* (17)
18 RUTH IN LONDON.
wouldn't go through the last week again to DC Queen
Victoria herself, God bless her ; and all owing to that
unlucky lass. Jack is a decent lad, and it *s unknown
what a help he was about getting the things here safe ;
but all the folks in London seemed of one mind that
she was fitter for a 'sylum than for a creditable gentle-
man's family. It J s no good blubbering about it now,
girl ; just see and mind what you are about, for there 's
no police here to look after you."
" Did the police really get hold of her, nurse ? "
asked Gerald. "What fun !"
" I never took her out for a walk, Master O'Brien,"
answered Jenny, but they had their eye on her ; they
marked her at once as one that needed watching
a simpleton 1 Why, it was no later than yesterday
morning when she 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 a
street thronged with cabs, and wagons, and omnibuses.
I just shut my eyes and screamed, for I never thought
to see her again living ; and there was such a hallooing
among coachmen and cabmen, and such screaming of
women, as was never heard. How they got all them
horses to stop is just a miracle ; but when I looked
again, there was a lot of police holding horses' heads,
and one man was hauling Ruth right across ; and he
had his trouble, for when she heard all that hullabaloo,
she was for turning back to me through the thick of it.
Oh ! Miss Marget, was n't I shamed out of my life
when they fetched her back to me at last, and one fine
fellow said I had better lead my daughter in a string."
Ruth giggled hysterically at the recital of her adven-
THE EMIGRANTS. 19
ture, and when Margaret said to her gravely, " You
behaved very improperly, Ruth, why did you leave
your kind friend, Mrs. Wilson ? "
" Please Miss Marget," sobbed the girl ; " it w r as a
window full of bonnie babbies."
" She 's just a babby herself, Miss Marget," said
Jenny, wrathfully. " It was a fine toyshop she saw,
and she had no more sense but run among carriages to
it. She 's hardly safe shut up here ; see if she does n't
tumble into the sea some of these days."
But when Ruth's curiosity and astonishment had
somewhat subsided, the quiet and firm government of
Margaret, and the watchful care of Jack, had great
power over her ; though still the wild boys Hugh and
Gerald sometimes tempted her to pry into forbidden
places, or to join them in some mischievous frolic.
The greater part of the accommodation of the Amoor
was given up to a gentleman of good birth and prop-
erty, who was emigrating to Australia. He had ob-
tained a grant of an immense tract of land in the very
midst of the country, further north than the steps of
the colonists had yet reached. To this remote district
he was taking his mother, his young sister, and a
younger brother who had studied medicine ; and besides
these, a number of male and female servants, carpen-
ters, smiths, builders, drainers, shepherds, and various
workmen likely to be useful in a new colony. These
men were accompanied by their wives and children,
forming a considerable clan, all depending on their
worthy and energetic chieftain. The vast amount of
goods brought out by all these emigrants, much that
was useless, as must ever be the case, among the use-
ful, had heavily laden the vessel.
20 EDWARD DEVERF.LL.
The May burns and Deverells were drawn together
as much by kindred taste as by inevitable circum-
stances, and they soon became as true friends as if
they had been intimately acquainted for years. Ed-
ward Deverell, with promptness and practical knowl-
edge, managed the affairs and smoothed the difficulties
of the Mayburns; while Mr. Mayburn instructed the
ignorant, and, at the desire of the captain, a right-
minded man, daily read the morning and evening ser-
vices publicly a most beneficial practice, producing
order and decorum, and implanting in the minds of the
young the seeds of future blessing.
"How truly I should rejoice, dear Margaret," said
Deverell, " if we could induce your excellent father to
join our expedition. I would then undertake to build
a church; and might hope for a blessing on my new
colony, if the foundation were so happily laid. The
climate is declared to be exceedingly salubrious, much
more likely to suit you all than the unhealthy air of
India. It would be an inestimable advantage to my
dear sister Emma ; she has never known the care and
tenderness of a sister ; she needs a more cheerful com-
panion than her good mother, who has delicate health ;
and you, Margaret Mayburn, are the model I should
wish her to imitate."
" I need a sister quite as much," answered Margaret,
" to soften my rough points, and your gentle, gay little
Emma charms and interests me ; but, alas ! papa has
accepted a duty which he must not relinquish without
a trial to fulfil it. I regret that it should be in such
a locality for the sake of my brothers."
" You are right, my dear friend," replied he ; " ob-
serve how happily they are now engaged. Arthur has
PLEASANT EMPLOYMENT. 21
looked over the dried plants, and he is now dissecting
rabbits with my brother. Hugh and your ingenious
Jack are at work with my carpenters, making models
of broad- wheeled travelling-wagons and canoes for the
rivers. Even the mischievous urchin O'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 ardent boys find to interest
and amuse them in the arid and enfeebling plains of
India?"
Margaret knew that if her father heard these argu-
ments, they would certainly agitate him, and might
even shake his determination to proceed in the under-
taking, which she and Arthur were of opinion he was
bound to complete. She therefore begged Deverell to
use no further persuasions ; but she promised him, that
if the Indian mission was beyond the physical or men-
tal strength of her father, she would try to induce him
to return to Melbourne, and from thence they would
endeavor to make their way to the station of Mr. Dev-
erell, who had promised to leave directions for their
progress with his banker at Melbourne, which he
proposed to make his mart for business.
It was truly the fact, that in pleasant employment
no one found the long voyage tedious. Jack was espec-
ially charmed with his increase of knowledge. " You
see, sir," said he to Arthur, " I was qualified to make
a four-post bedstead, or a chest of drawers, as well as
the best of these chaps ; but they tell me them sort of
things is n't much needed in them forrin parts. But
what they 've brought along with them is quite another
thing : frames for wooden houses, ready to nail up in
no time ; mills and threshing machines ; great, broad-
22 THE IDES OF MARCH.
felloed wagons for their rough roads, and boats of all
makes. Just look, Mr. Arthur, I've made hits of
models of all them things, you see. We can't say but
they may turn up useful some day."
Even Ruth the unlucky lost her cognomen, and be-
came popular among the emigrant women ; for when
kept quietly at regular employment, she could be
steady and useful ; it was only when she was hurried,
or thrown upon her own responsibility, that she lost
her head, and blundered into mischief. She nursed
the babes tenderly and carefully, helped the poor
women to wash their clothes, and for the first time in
her life began to believe she might be of some use in
the world. Gerald, who always insisted 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 is quite a genius,
and ought to have been Irish, only she was born in
England. You have wronged poor Ruth; you see she
has never drowned a babby 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 did n't mean to say no such thing, Master Hugh,"
replied she ; " you 're so sharp with one. I 'm not so
daft, but I know March is gone, and May-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 be-
cause we 're atop of the water ? "
Arthur endeavored to make Jenny comprehend the
THE STORMY PETREL. 23
natural consequences of their position, now within the
tropics, and daily drawing nearer to the equator ; 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 ! Its downright temptation and
wickedness, my dears ; and my thought is, one ought
to stay where it has pleased Him to plant us. And
think ye, Master Arthur, we shall all turn black, like
them niggers we saw in London streets."
" No ; certainly not, nurse," answered Arthur. " It
requires hundreds of years, under a tropical sun, to
change the color of Europeans. Besides, the negroes,
although we are all children of Adam, are of a distinct
race from us. We are certainly not, like the thick-
lipped negroes, the descendants of Ham."
" Likely he had been the plainest of Noah's family,"
said Jenny, "for beauty runs in the blood, that I'll
stand to," continued the attached nurse, looking round
with complacency on her handsome young nurslings,
To the young voyagers there was an indescribable
charm in the novelties which the sea and the air offered
to them in the tropical region they had now entered.
Now for the first time they beheld the flying-fish rise
sparkling from the waves, to descend as quickly; es-
caping for a short time from its enemies in the waves
to expose itself to the voracious tribes of the air,
who are ready to dart upon it. And sometimes the
elegant little Stormy Petrel, with its slender long legs,
seemed to walk the waters, like the fervent St. Peter,
from whom it derives its name.
" B ut is not this bird believed to be the harbinger of
storms ? " asked Margaret of her father, as he watched
24 THE ALBATROSS.
with delight the graceful creature he had so often de-
sired to behold.
" Such is the belief of the sailors," answered he,
" who have added the ill-omened epithet to its name.
It is true that the approach, or the presence, of a gale,
has nO terror to this intrepid bird, the smallest of the
web-footed tribe. It ascends the mountainous wave,
and skims along the deep hollows, treading the water,
supported by its expanded wings, in search of the food
which the troubled sea casts on the surface :
' Up and down ! up and down !
From the base of the wave to the billow's crown,
Amidst the flashing and feathery foam,
The Stormy Petrel finds a home,'
as a poet who is a true lover of nature has written.
Yet it is not always the harbinger or the companion
of the storm, for even in the calmest weather it follows
a vessel, to feed on the offal thrown overboard, as fear-
less and familiar in the presence of man as the pert
sparrow of London."
" Here, papa ! " cried Hugh, " here is a new creature
to add to your collection. I know him at once, the
huge Albatross."
With the admiration of a naturalist, Mr. Mayburn
looked on the gigantic bird, continuing its solemn ma-
jestic flight untiringly for hours after the ship, its keen
eye ever on the watch for any floating substance v hich
was thrown from the vessel, and then swooping heavily
down to snatch the prize voraciously, and circling round
the ship, again to resume its place at the wake.
" I see now," said he, " why Coleridge wrote,
' The Albatross did follow,
And every day, for food or play,
Came to the mariner's hollo ! '
FAIRY LAND. 25
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 of five joints, so
immensely long, would impede its rising from the mast
of a ship ; it scrambles along the waves before it can
rise above them ; and it has been well said, ' The alba-
tross 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 wait for a wind before it can get under sail.' "
The family were assembled on deck in the close of
the evening, after the fervid heat of an equatorial sun,
and they beheld with enjoyment the wonders of the
deep ; but the old nurse seemed disturbed and awe-
struck.
"Every thing seems turned topsy-turvy here," said
she. " Days far hotter nor ever I mind them, and
May-day not come ; fishes with wings, flying as if they
were birds, and birds walking atop of the water, as if
it were dry land. It 's unnatural, Miss Marget, and no
good can come on it, I say."
" Ah ! if you were but going with us, Mrs. Wilson/' .
said Charles Deverell ; " then I would engage you
should see wonders. You should see beasts hopping
about like birds, and wearing pockets to carry their
young ones in ; black swans and white eagles ; cuckoos
that cry in the night, and owls that scream by day ;
pretty little birds that cannot sing, and bees that never
sting. There the trees shed their bark instead of their
leaves, 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
3
26 PLANS FOR THE FUTURE.
talk ; but you 're no better than Master Gerald, trying
to come over an old body with your fairy stones."
" It is quite true, Mrs. Wilson," said Emma Deverell,
"and I wish you were all going with us into this land
of enchantments. Then, Margaret, dear Margaret, how
happy we should be. You should be queen, and we all
your attendant sylphs, and
* Merry it would be in fairy-land,
Where the fairy birds were singing.' "
" Merry for you, little wild goose," said her brother
Edward ; " but Charles has told you the fairy birds do
not sing ; and our sylph-life will be one of hard labor
for many monlhs before we make our fairy-land and
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, " to be safely indulged in. But you
must tell us all you propose to do, and we 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 to seek you."
" Very prudent, Hugh," answered Edward, " though
I doubt the accuracy of my dot on this small map ; but
I suppose I shall not be more than a hundred 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 the Darling," said Hugh ; " so if we only follow
up the rivers, we must find you."
" You would not find that so easy a task as it seems,
mv boy," replied Edward. "Neither are we, as you
LA BELLE MARGUERITE. 27
suppose, close on that river, but fifty miles from it ; but
we have a charming little river laid down on our plan,
which we must coax and pet in the rainy season, that it
may provide 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 for ourselves, and a tpwn for our vassals."
"There lies my castle," said Edward, pointing to
some large packages which contained the frame of his fu-
ture abode. " As for the town, I am not 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," re-
plied he ; " but my own * modest mansion,' I should
wish to name Daisy Grange."
"I never understood that the daisy was indigenous
in Australia," said Mr. Mayburn.
" Certainly it is not, sir," answered Edward ; " but
we have fortunately brought out a number of roots of
this dear home flower, and will try to domesticate them
in our new country ; though I fear they will be apt to
forget their native simplicity, and learn to flaunt in
colors."
"I know why you wish to call your house Daisy
Grange, Edward," said Emma, nodding sagaciously at
Margaret, and the general laughter showed the little
girl had surmised correctly.
" A very pretty and delicate compliment," said Mr.
Mayburn: "our own glorious Chaucer speaks of the
daisy as
* La belle marguerite,
O commendable flower, and most in minde; *
28 VISIT TO THE CAPE.
and the noble Margaret of Va-ois, a Christian and a
scholar, had the daisy, or marguerite, worn in honor of
her name, and is herself remembered as the " Marguer-
ite of Marguerites."
And thus they amused themselves till, without storm
or delay, they had crossed the equator, and entered the
South Sea, when a new source of enjoyment was opened
to Mr. Mayburn, who had long desired to view the
constellations of the south; and favorable weather en-
abled them to study astronomy every night. Never for
a moment did the voyage seem tedious in the cheerful
society of the happy families, and all things concurred
to render it agreeable. The provisions were excellent,
fresh meat and bread, with milk in abundance, pre-
vented them from suffering from change of diet ; and
constant employment made the moments fly. In the
morning the young Mayburns, with Emma Deverell,
read with Mr. Mayburn, and studied Hindostanee ; and
in the evening they walked on deck, listening to the
pleasant anecdotes told by Edward Deverell, who had
been a great traveller. Then they had music, and oc-
casionally dancing ; and if sometimes a light gale tossed
the vessel, or swept the dinner from the table, the con-
tretemps caused mirth rather than wailing. Mr. May-
burn himself, busily engaged in teaching, lecturing, or
in writing and delivering simple sermons to the poor
emigrants, recovered his cheerfulness, and once more
began to confide in himself.
And so, in good time, they reached the Cape, and
Jenny discovered that now, "when May-day was
turned," it wa.s far colder than any May-day in Eng-
land, and put on her warm shawl to land with her
young charge to see the town, and to look after that
THE INDIAN OCEAN. 29
" feckless Ruth." It was a great pleasure to the ardent
young people to set their feet on the shores of Africa,
to see the vessels of many nations crowding the harbor,
and the people of many countries thronging the busy
streets, to make excursions to the mountains and vine-
covered hills around, and to collect the botanical treas-
ures of a new and fertile region. Mr. Deverell was
more usefully engaged with his herdsmen and shep-
herds, in completing his stock of cattle and sheep, and
in making other purchases for his great undertaking;
and thus many days were spent pleasantly and profit-
ably.
Once more embarked, a shade of melancholy was
perceptible among the young especially as they
daily approached nearer to the shores where they must
be separated ; for the two families, so kindred in taste
and disposition, had become truly attached during their
long voyage ; and notwithstanding the pleasant pros-
pect of new scenes and pursuits, they were less cheerful
every day. Even Edward Deverell, with his mind
crowded with plans for clearing, draining, cultivating,
sheep-shearing, and tallow-melting, felt deep regret at
the prospect of separation from the lively, intelligent
boys, and their amiable and sensible sister ; and Mar-
garet herself, usually so composed and contented, sighed
to think she must lose the valuable counsel of Edward,
the friendly protection of his mild invalid mother, and
the warm affection of the sprightly Emma; and every
evening, as they walked on deck, they indulged hopes,
and sketched plans of meeting again.
After they had entered the Indian Ocean, they had
no longer the favorable and uleasant breezes they had
SO A STORM.
so long enjoyed, and while Hugh and Gerald were
anxiously looking out for pirates, and talking of Malays,
of prahus, and of kreeses, the sailors were watching the
signs of the sky, wrestling with contrary winds, and
guarding against sudden gales.
" How vexatious," said Hugh, " to be drifted about
every way but the right way, and to have all this noise
and splashing and dashing, and yet nothing to come of
it. Now if we had a grand regular storm, and a ship-
wreck, and were all cast away on an uninhabited island,
it would be an adventure ; there would be some life in
that."
" More likely there would be death in it," said Mar-
garet. " Do not be so presumptuous, unthinking boy ! "
"I should enjoy the thing amazingly myself, Mar-
garet," said Gerald ; " so don't you look grave about it.
Or what would you think, Hugh, if a great fleet of
prahus were to surround us and try to board us, while
we, armed and ready for them, were to pour our shots
into them, and put the rogues to flight. But first we
would take care to capture the fierce pirate captain,
and take possession of all his treasures. Then would n't
we enter Melbourne in triumph, and have the robber
hauled up to the gallows."
" Pirates do not usually carry their treasures about
in their prahus," said Arthur ; " nor do I think it is
at all desirable that we should encounter a piratical
fleet. Where are your guns to pour down destruction
on the foe, Master Gerald ? "
" Oh, murther ! " cried the wild boy, " was n't I for-
getting the guns ! Now, what for did we come in a
merchantman, as quiet and dull as a quaker? "Well,
A STORM. 31
well, Arty, we have plenty of brave fellows, and our
own rifles and pistols, besides knives and dirks. We
should defend ourselves like Britons, I'll be bound."
But the next day there was no cause to complain of
dulness, for a real gale came on, and all was confusion.
The wind roared, the waves rose tremendously, the
ship rolled fearfully in a heavy sea, and before night
the maintop-gallant was carried away. Then sail was
reduced ; but louder and stronger grew the tempest
amid the darkness of night. Mast after mast was rent
away, and the crippled vessel continued to drift help-
lessly for twenty-four hours, when the violence of the
gale began to abate. Signals of distress were made,
but long in vain. At length a vessel appeared in sight,
and distinguishing their signals, made up to them. It
was bound to Melbourne, which was now within a few
days* sail, and, with as much kindness as difficulty, the
stranger, succeeded in taking the disabled Amoor in tow,
and bringing her into port in safety.
CHAPTER III.
Melbourne. The Squatters. The Two Convicts. A Painful
Separation. The Golden Fairy. Ruth's Misfortunes. A
Nocturnal Alarm. Ruth's Confession. The Ship on Fire.
WEARY, distressed, and suffering, the passengers or
the Amoor gladly landed on the busy wharf, and were
conveyed to Melbourne, where Mr. Mayburn and his
daughter, Mrs. Deverell and Emma, were settled in a
handsome hotel ; but Mr. Deverell and his people, with
the young Mayburns, remained at the port to land the
cargo and inspect the damage done by the storm. It
was soon ascertained that the loss must be consider-
able a number of sheep and cattle, besides a valuable
horse, had been swept into the sea ; and all that had
been saved were in bad condition ; but it was to be
hoped a short rest at Melbourne might restore these,
and fit them for their long journey into the interior.
Then Deverell had to search for experienced drovers
to guide and assist his own men ; and finally, he under-
took to inquire for the first vessel to Calcutta that could
accommodate Mr. Mayburn and his family, as some
months must elapse before the disabled Amoor could be
prepared to resume the voyage.
The girls looked out from the windows of the hotel
with admiration at the broad and peopled streets, the
handsome churches, and the European aspect of a town
on the spot which, but a few years before, had been a
lonely wilderness; but the pious Mr. Mayburn called
(32)
THE LANDING. 33
them away to unite with him in thanksgiving for this
their first experience of the progress of divine and
social knowledge, even into the farthest regions of the
earth.
"The spirit which has clothed the desert with the
blessings of peace and abundance," said he, " and has
planted the gospel of life in a newly-discovered world,
will by God's blessing spread onwards like a fertilizing
river till the word of the Lord be accomplished; for
the blessed day draweth nigh when the scattered people
of God shall be gathered into one fold, and the great
shepherd shall say, ' Well done.' "
" God speed the day, dear papa," said Margaret.
" But we must not be mere watchers ; we must all be
workers. Wherever we go, we shall find an untilled
field, and we must all put our shoulders to the plough."
" You are right, my child," replied he, with a sigh ;
for though ever willing to fulfil the duty lying before
him, Mr. Mayburn wanted resolution to seek out the
hard work of the fervent missionary of Christianity.
Evening brought to them the fatigued young men with
satisfactory news. A vessel, the Golden Fairy, which
had landed a party of gold-diggers fro:n England, was
going forward to Calcutta with sheep and merchandise.
The captain, very glad to obtain passengers, readily
agreed to accommodate Mr. May burn's family ; he was
to sail in three days, so no time must be lost in making
preparations.
" As to my own affairs," added Edward Deverell, " I
have succeeded in finding quarters for all iny live-stock.
The cattle, horses, pigs, and sheep were certainly some-
what unruly , but the women and children ten times
more troublesome. Such an amount of bundles, bags,
3
34 THE SQUATTERS.
baskets, cradles, and cats as they have brought ! How
we have housed them all is a miracle ; and how we are
to get them up the country is a puzzling problem.
Finally, I have bought a train of wagons, and engaged
two gentlemen as guides, who are her majesty's prison-
ers, released on parole; in fact, two ticket-of-leave
convicts."
A scream from Emma, and a groan from her mother,
followed this information.
" Surely you have not been so rash, Edward," said
Mrs. Deverell. " Let us make our way rather with our
own people only. Consider the contamination of such
society for our poor virtuous followers. Besides, it is
but too probable we may be robbed and murdered by
such wretches."
" It is an inevitable evil, mother," answered Edward,
" for we cannot attempt the journey without guidance.
These men have behaved well since their transportation ;
they are brothers poachers who, like many in their
situation, have erred rather through ignorance and
weakness than depravity. At least, such is the report
of the overlooker who recommended them. They have
been out before in the interior with squatters, and know
the valleys of the Murray and the Darling, beyond
which our ultra-frontier tract is spread. I have been to
the Colonial Office, and have obtained the necessary
forms for taking possession of fifty thousand acres of
waste land, as it is called, for a long lease of years.
And now, mother, we are, according to the legalized
and elegant form, squatters."
" Colonists, my son; I cannot bear the strange,
uncouth word squatters," said Mrs, Deverell.
" Nevertheless, mamma," said Edward, laughing, " it
THE BLESSINGS OF " EDDICATION." 35
is official language. "We may call ourselves, if we
choose, landed gentry ; but the world of Australia will
rank us only as part of the squattocracy"
" Am I a squatter ? " asked little Emma, in dismay ;
and great was the mirth of her favorite friends, Hugh
and Gerald, when Emrna was pronounced to be legally
a squatter.
Early next morning the two convict guides were
admitted to receive their final directions from Mr.
Deverell, and were regarded with some uneasiness and
much curiosity. One was a rough country lad, dressed
in a fustian suit and a fur cap, rude^ in manner, but of
pleasing, open countenance : the other, who was older,
had a shabby-genteel appearance ; he had discarded his
convict's habit, and had expended the earnest-money
received from Mr. Deverell in an old suit of black
clothes, and a very bad 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 the same time in a very conceited manner
to the ladies. "You must look to me, cartee blank,
sir ; for you see, sir, my brother is not intelligible ; he
has not had the blessing of eddication."
"And your education, my friend," said Edward
Deverell, "has not been a blessing to you, I fear.
Have you not rather turned it to evil?"
" Quite the contrairy, sir," said the man. " I look
forrard to its helping me up-hill in this free country.
Why, sir, a man born anunder an hedge may top over
quality and ride in his carriage here, if he can only
come round his parts of speech rightly. But Davy
will stick where he is, for he never could tell an X
from an anpassy"
86 THE TWO CONVICTS.
" 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 yon rogues. It's hard for a lad to
be sorted with such company for just sniggling a hare."
" Ensnaring, David," said his brother, pompously ;
" sniggling is colloquial."
" 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 should send a poor lad amang
thieves and cut-throats. But, please God, I 'se out of
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 I cannot understand how it hap-
pened you were so severely punished for poaching ;
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 expostulated to this place.
Our master always called him David Simple, and sure
enough, if it had not been for his downright idiosyn-
crasy, we might have got clear off ; but nothing would
serve him but to show fight."
" Now, just be quiet, Bill, man," said David ; " it
was for thee I stood out. You 'se hear all, master ; I 'se
tell t' truth. Bill had his gun, and brought down a few
birds, and I were knocking a few rabbits over, and it
chanced to be a moonshiny night, when out pops a
keeper, and fells Bill down with a club ; and I heard
him shout out to me, as how his arm was broken.
That aggravated me bitter, and up I ran, and leath-
ered t' fellow well with my stick. Then Bill got up
and ran off, but I was fain to stop, and give t' keeper a
THE GOLDEN FAIRY. 37
hiding ; but he roared out so loud that two more 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 his arm all
black and blue, but not broken, as he said. So off they
carried us to prison, and Bill wanted me to say as how
he that were with me were Jack Kay, an auld poacher ;
but I could n't swear away a man's charackter, and t*
keeper took his oath Bill wanted to shut him, and I
were no better ; so they sent us both over t' water.
It 's a thousand pities 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 flowery language and cunning look of cute
Bill ; but among a horde of lawless men, Edward
Deverell congratulated himself that he had been for-
tunate enough to obtain two men less depraved than
might have been expected.
It was with a sinking heart, oppressed with strange
forebodings, that Margaret looked on the large, dark,
dirty and gloomy ship honored by the inappropriate
name of the Golden Fairy. She grieved for the sep-
aration from the new friends that the whole family had
learned to love so well, and she shrunk from the pros-
pect of unknown difficulties and dangers, when all de-
cision and responsibility would be thrown upon her,
from the helpless character of her beloved but irreso-
lute parent. During the first voyage, the powerful and
energetic character of Edward Deverell had swayed
the judgment of Mr. Mayburn ; but in future, Mar-
garet felt she could only look to her young brother
Arthur for aid.
4
38 THE GOLDEN FAIRY.
"Yet have I not a greater aid?" she repeated to
herself. " Forgive me, my heavenly Father ! Thou
art my friend and my counsellor ! Let me ever turn
to Thee in my trials, and I must be in safety." And
thus, with a heart ever recognizing the presence and
relying on the love of a watchful God, Margaret May-
burn walked on her way steadily and fearlessly.
The parting of the two families was very painful,
yet they cheered themselves with the hope so un-
quenchable in the young. They talked confidently of
their future meeting, the boys traced over and over
again on the map the route they proposed to take to
Daisy Grange ; and, but for Margaret's firmness, even
Mr. Mayburn, at the last moment, would have relin-
quished his hopes of spreading the gospel in the East,
to follow the new colonists into the dreary untrodden
deserts.
There was an appearance of neglect and disorder
in the Golden Fairy that was repugnant to the taste
of the Mayburns, after being accustomed to the trim,
orderly arrangements of the Amoor ; Edward Dev-
erell pointed out to Captain Markham several neces-
sary changes which must be made for the comfort of
passengers who paid him so handsomely, and was an-
noyed to perceive that his suggestions were received
slightingly and almost contemptuously. He himself
procured more conveniences for the cabin of his friends,
and he besought Margaret and Arthur to be firm and
determined with Markham, who seemed careless, and,
he suspected, addicted to drinking. Now, when too
late, he regretted that he had not induced the family
to remain at Melbourne for the sailing of the mail
packet; but Arthur had been anxious for his father
CONFUSION. 39
to hasten to his mission, lest his vacillating nature
should lead him to relinquish it. Besides which, the
throng of gold-diggers made the cost of living at Mel-
bourne a serious consideration.
Finally, with tears and sorrowful hearts, the friends
took leave of each other, with the remote chance that
favorable circumstances might bring them together
again ; and it was not till the fair sunny shores of
Australia had faded from their sight, that the voya-
gers retired to their cabin to endeavor to resign them-
selves to their changed circumstances.
The want of order in their new home was particu-
larly trying to the scarcely-reclaimed Ruth. She had
learned to be useful among the emigrant women in the
neatly-ordered Amoor ; but she soon relapsed into her
usual heedless habits, amidst the scattered packages
and general confusion in the Golden Fairy. She stum-
bled over boxes which were not stowed in their proper
places, she was thrown down by some terrified sheep
that had escaped from its pen, she trod to death some
rambling chicken that had found its way into the cabins,
or she destroyed the cups and plates by officiously
spreading the table in the midst of a gale, though she
had been warned of the consequences.
" Margaret," said Mr. Mayburn, who had been un-
easily watching the girl's unlucky movements, " I am of
opinion that poor Ruth should be subjected to some
restraint. I observe that the inevitable result of her
undertakings is destruction. She is a curious study ;
nor can I solve the mystery why she should always
do wrong when she designs to do right. I am alarmed,
Margaret ; I eat my food in terror, lest she should
40 CAPTAIN MARKIIAM.
have poured laudanum into the curry, or scattered arse-
nic over the pudding."
" Have no fear, papa," answered Margaret. " Ruth
is never intrusted with culinary preparations : the
cook is too cross to allow her to touch any of his
dishes, nor has she the means of procuring any of those
dreaded poisons. I do not fear that she will harm any
one but herself with her heedlessness ; but, poor girl,
she is covered with bruises and cuts from falls. Nor
is she entirely to blame, for the cabins are filled up
with packages which Arthur says ought to be stowed in
the hold. We must, however, make up our minds to
be inconvenienced for the short time I trust we shall be
shut up in this prison."
" That I could do, my child," answered he ; " but I
fear Markham is not a man 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 dangers assailed us ? Arthur, you look disturbed ;
you think with me, that Markham is unfit for his situa-
tion."
" Truly, papa, I have some doubts of him," replied
Arthur. "I think he must 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
seen him intoxicated. And I fear he is utterly un-
principled, for he wanted us to join him in his nightly
revels. Now, Margaret, if a storm should come on in
the night, I feel assured that he would be incapable of
giving orders."
"And a pretty set of queer-looking boys he has
fished up at Melbourne," said Gerald, "to man the
A VILLANOUS LOOKING CREW. 41
ugly ship. Hugh and I have marked our men, and
have n't they rogue witten 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 as rogues ? "
" Because, Meggie," said Hugh, " Gerald saw with
his own eyes a lot of fellows in their yellow convict
dress brought up for Markham to choose a crew from,
for all his own men had deserted to go to the diggings.
And we both agree that he must have picked out the
most villanous-looking of the lot. Now, just come up
with us, Meggie, and take a look at the fellows, and
you shall hear what Jack says."
Margaret went on deck with her brothers, to walk
round the disorderly place ; and, under the pretext of
examining the various parts of the ship, she carefully
marked the faces of the men she encountered, and
could not deny that they were not only coarse and
bold, but that most of them had the fierce, sinister,
lowering expression which usually distinguishes the
convict. She stopped to speak to Jack, who was
busily engaged finishing a model he had begun at
Melbourne, of one of the light-hung, commodious,
broad-wheeled travelling wagons Mr. Deverell had
bought at that place.
" I could easily make one for you, Miss Margaret,"
said Jack, " if it were needed ; but they tell me you '11
want no wheeled-carriages yonder. More 's the pity.
I wish master had been persuaded to stay with Mr.
Deverell. I don't half like this, for, oh ! Miss
Margaret," added he, looking around, " we 've got
among a bad lot"
4*
42 RUTH'S MISFORTUNES.
" 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 have awkward work ; for when Captain
Markham is in his cups, everybody 's master. But
please God to send us fair winds, we shall soon get
through the voyage."
" We must pray for His help, Jack." said Margaret ;
" and let us avoid these men as much as possible. You,
Jack, as well as my brothers, must remain below ;
better endure confinement than encounter wickedness."
"And please, Miss Margaret," continued Jack,
" would you ask Mrs. Wilson to mind and keep Ruth
close; for these saucy fellows amuse themselves with
sending her on some foolish errand, and getting her
into mischief. I had near had a fight with that big
brute, the mate, for pitching her over a hencoop ; but
Wilkins, that little sharp fellow at the masthead, got
me away."
Margaret and Arthur had many long and serious
conversations on their uncomfortable position, particu-
larly when their voyage was retarded by the contrary
winds of that uncertain sea. Then the family secluded
themselves in the two crowded cabins appropriated to
their use, and endeavored, by prayer and regulation of
the mind, to prepare themselves for 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 poultry loose, and had
been compelled by the violent captain to hunt them up
from every corner of the vessel, the girl had been sum-
ALARM. 43
moned before Margaret and Jenny, to be rebuked for
her thoughtless conduct. She wept, and promised to
improve, and was sent to her berth, Nurse declaring
that she 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 awoke with a strange feeling of oppres-
sion and fear, which she vainly attempted 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 ? I long for the refreshment of the night air,
for the cabin is more suffocating than usual to-night.
Surely a storm must be at hand, for the air is posi-
tively scorching."
Jenny yawned and murmured, till at length, becom-
ing aware of the request of her young mistress, she
scrambled from her awkward berth; but no sooner
was she on her feet, than, thoroughly awakened, she
exclaimed, " God have mercy on us ! for there must be
something on fire. I smell and feel it must be so ! "
Margaret sprang up, trembling in every limb, but
firm in heart, to rush through the door that separated
the cabins, and arouse her father and brothers. Jenny,
in the mean time, opened the outer door, and then the
smell of burning wood was plainly perceptible. While
Mr. Mayburn and his sons hastily got ready, Margaret
proceeded to the cabin of Capt, Markham, and knocked
loudly in her fright, crying out almost unconsciously
as she knocked, " Fire ! fire ! "
"Who calls fire?" cried Markham, with a b'tter
oath. "Who dares to say that?" and his head in-
44 THE SHIP ON FIRE.
peared from the cabin door. His voice was husky and
broken, and Margaret feared he was intoxicated and
might not comprehend her, as she rapidly narrated her
observations and her fears. Deep and horrible were the
curses of the wicked man, as he staggered forward,
screaming and yelling for the watch. That there was
any watch in this disorderly establishment, Margaret
doubted. She hurried back to her 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 the disturbed and terrified sheep. Arthur
and Hugh were sent up to ascertain the fact of danger,
and they found the lazy crew effectually roused to
action ; lanterns were flying about in different direc-
tions ; and at length the fatal cry was heard, " Fire in
the after-hold!"
CHAPTER IV.
Insubordination of the Sailors. Rapid Progress of the Fire.
The Boats lowered. Ruth's Prize. A Man saved. Black
Peter. The Adventure of a Reprobate Crew. A Dangerous
Comrade.
THEN the harsh voice of Markham was heard pour-
ing out orders, loud, but almost inarticulate with rage
and drunkenness ; while, regardless of his awful situa-
tion, with fearful blasphemy he imprecated curses on
the negligence which had caused the accident, and on
the tardiness of action among his insubordinate crew.
At length the fire-engine was got to work ; lengths of
leather hose were stretched down to the burning hold ;
buckets were rapidly passed from hand to hand; and
the splashing of water was followed by the hissing of
the flames.
The four young men joined the sailors and worked
manfully at the engine or with buckets, while Mr.
Mayburn, alternately trembling, weeping, and despair-
ing, and then, in earnest prayer,, regaining his firmness
and resignation, occupied the care and attention of
Margaret almost entirely. Jenny, with practical good
sense, was collecting the most valuable part of their
property.
" If we be not burnt to death first, Miss Marget," she
said ; " Jack tells me we shall be took off in boats, God
help us ! so it 's time to be making ready. Come, lass ! "
to Ruth, " and tie this bag. What ails ye, you simple-
ton ? What are you staring round in that fashion for ? "
(45)
46 THE CULPRIT.
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 the bag, 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 could n't find it again, try all I
would."
" Unfortunate girl," said Mr. Mayburn, " have you
lost your senses, or what have you done ? Speak the
truth."
" I will tell truth, master," sobbed the girl. " It was
when I were lating up them bonnie chickens as had got
out, and big Peter tied a rope across in yon passage for
me to tummel ower, and I rolled down t' ladder into
that big, dark place where they keep great bales and
barrels, and all manners of things ; my lantern was
broken and my candle was lost. I got mysel' gathered
up, arid I groped about for t' candle, but I could n't find
it, and I got sadly flayed in that dark hole, so I climbed
up and said nought to nobody; but, oh, master, I
could n't get to sleep, for it came into my head, may be
my candle might have set some of them bundles in a
low, and we might all be burned in our beds, and me
not saying a word alik, for fear."
" God forgive you, Ruth," said her master. " Pray
for mercy ; and if it please Him to save us in this
fearful hour of peril, never forget the misery and de-
struction your carelessness has caused."
The penitent and affrighted girl shook in every limb,
and Margaret kindly soothed and prayed with her till
she calmed her agitation. Then the young and thought-
ful daughter said,
" Papa, we must not remain inclosed in this suffo-
THE SCENE ON DECK. 47
eating cabin. Let us go on deck, and if no other hope
remains, we will demand a boat, that we may escape
from a horrible death."
" Lead the way, my child," said Mr. Mayburn, " and
I will follow you, as I ever do ; for I feel utterly help-
less alone."
They proceeded to the deck, followed by Jenny and
Ruth loaded with packages; and when they reached
the scene of terror and confusion, they were embar-
rassed among piles of boxes, barrels, and bales, which
were continually drawn up from below, the bales which
were blazing being immediately thrown overboard.
By the light of the torches, Margaret discovered
among the throng her young brothers, busily em-
ployed in hauling ropes and carrying buckets ; they
were heated with exertion and blackened with smoke.
O'Brien had even got his hair singed with the flames.
Still untired, they would have continued their efforts,
but all seemed ineffectual, from the total want of sub-
ordination and unanimity among the sailors. Mr. May-
burn walked up to Captain Markham, who stood aloof
from the rest, in a perfect s ate of frenzy, from fear,
anger, and intoxication. He continued to shout aloud
contradictory and absurd orders, which were utterly
unheeded by the lawless crew; each man doing what
he chose, and nothing being done effectually.
"The fire is certainly progressing, Captain Mark-
ham," said Mr. Mayburn. " Let me entreat you to
issue orders for some means of providing for the safety
of so many human beings all unfit for death. We, who
are your passengers, demand the means of escape."
With a fearful oath, the wretch said his passengers
might care for themselves ; he had enough to do to save
48 LOWERING THE BOATS.
his ship ; and save it he would, if it cost him half the
crew.
" I '11 pitch the dogs into the fire," said he, " if they
do not soon extinguish it ; and not a man shall leave
the Golden Fairy living."
" There 's not many will do that," cried the auda-
cious mate, " if they do not look sharp. The fire has
just reached the tallow hogsheads, man, and where will
your ship be then ? Come along, lads, we can do no
more ; so let every fellow lay his hands on what he
likes best, and lower the boats now or never."
The call was readily responded to, in spite of the
threats of the infuriated 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 the men 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 men
for any trouble they occasioned. The insolent mate,
who seemed to have assumed the command of the rest,
laughed at the request.
" Charity begins at home ! " cried he. " We have no
places to spare. Come on, my lads ! lower the biscuit
and the brandy casks. I '11 manage the strong box.
Out of my way, gentry. If you say another word
we '11 pitch you all into the sea men and women.
" There 's no hope of our getting a boat to ourselves,
Mr. Arthur," said Jack, " for they 're all afloat now,
and they'll soon have them off; so I would say, if
you 'd help a bit, we should set about getting up a
raft as fast as we can here are plenty of spare spars
about."
THE RAFT. 49
When Markham saw the men preparing to forsake
the vessel, he became more furious than ever, and seiz-
ing the mate by the collar, he swore he wtiuld have him
put in irons. But his attempts were useless against
the powerful villain, who flung him on one side like
a noxious reptile ; and the rest of the remorseless
wretches, to rid themselves at once of the opposition
of the violent drunkard, hurled him down into the
flames, which were already bursting through the crevi-
ces of the deck.
" I can't stand that," cried Wilkins, one of the sail-
ors, coming up to Jack ; " I'se not the chap to turn
my back on my comrades ; but I 've never committed
wilful murder, and I '11 just cut away from a gang of
such deep-dyed rogues, and join ye, my honest fellow.
Come, I 'se ready to lend a hand."
A helping hand was truly desirable in their extrem-
ity of distress ; but Mr. Mayburn shrank from the
fierce, rough aspect of the convict sailor, and besought
Arthur, in a low tone, to reject any association with
crime and infamy.
u Be satisfied, my dear father," answered he, u I will
do nothing unadvisedly ; but if this man shrinks from
evil and turns to good, how shall 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, rowed off in the long boat, and were soon
lost in the darkness that shrouded all except the fearful
space around the burning ship. The second boat fol-
lowed, the hardened men turning a deaf ear to the en-
treaties of the passengers whom they had abandoned on
5
50 THE PASSENGERS' RAFT.
the wreck. They refused even to aid them in lowering
their hastily-constructed and unsafe raft, but laughed
and sneered at the rude workmanship.
But the flames, fed by the hogsheads of tallow in the
hold, now blazed up through the cabin windows, and
bursting through the decks, ran along with fatal rapid-
ity, momentarily threatening the distressed family with
a dreadful fate. It was now that the cool prudence and
skill of their faithful friend Jack rescued them. His
observing eye had noted the means adopted by the sail-
ors ; he had tools and appliances ; he arranged and
divided the labor, of which even the women had their
share ; and the rude raft was at length successfully
lowered. A few necessaries were hastily thrown upon
it, including a cask of biscuit and one of water, which
Wilkins at great hazard had obtained ; he had also
brought up a small barrel of rum, but Arthur peremp-
torily refused to take it, and, to end all discussion, flung
it into the sea, and firmly told Wilkins, he would rather
leave him to perish on the burning ship, than carry him
away with such a temptation to evil.
The man grumbled unavailingly, but at last returned
to his duty. Nothing more could be secured, except a
few ropes, and spars, with some tools to repair the raft.
Then a spare sail was cast over the stowage, and, one
after another, Mr. Mayburn and the trembling women
were let down; the active boys quickly followed.
Jack and Wilkins were the last to descend from their
perilous position, where they had been so surrounded by
the flames, now crawling up the masts, that Margaret
dreaded every moment they should fall victims; but
they happily alighted on the lumbering raft in safety.
Then oars were taken up, and no time was lost in push-
THE CATASTROPHE. 51
ing off as far as possible from the ill-fated Golden
Fairy ; nor did 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 and frightful spec-
tacle.
Wilkins now confessed to them that there were some
barrels of gunpowder concealed in the vessel, which
the reckless sailors had smuggled from Melbourne for
their own purposes ; for it had been their fixed intention,
at a favorable opportunity, to murder the captain and
passengers, or land them on some desert island ; and to
take possession of the ship for piratical enterprises in
the Indian Ocean. The knowledge that this powder
was in the ship had hastened their flight from the cer-
tain consequences, and Wilkins was surprised that the
catastrophe had been so long averted. But now, as
they watched the blackened ribs of the vessel, through
which the intense flame glowed, while clouds of smoke,
myriads of sparks, and burning flakes, rose from the
wreck, a loud explosion almost deafened them ; another
and another succeeded ; then blazed up a mass of flame,
which seemed to rise to the very clouds for a few
minutes, followed by utter darkness and silence.
" May God, in his infinite mercy, still preserve the
weak creatures he has so miraculously delivered," said
Mr. Mayburn, devoutly. " We were face to face with
death, and never, my children, can the crackling, roar-
ing sound of that fierce and unconquerable conflagration
fade from my recollection. We had not the consolation
of the martyrs who suffered for the faith, and \vl,o
could look on the flames as the brief path to eternal
glory. We were summoned in the midst of life's cares
52 THE HORROR OF DARKNESS.
and frailties, unwillingly, fearfully, to be dragged to
doom ; and He spared us, that we might better prepare
to appear before His tribunal. Blessed forever be His
holy name ! "
Solemnly and earnestly rose the Amen from the
rescued. Even the hardened convict lowered his voice
as he said, with levity, to Jack, " That was a canny bit
prayer ; will 'it help us ony, think ye ? "
"Yes, Wilkins," said Jack, "I do believe that God
never fails to help them who pray to Him. And some
day, my man, you will be glad to believe it too."
Wilkins said no more, but he often remembered the
new, strange words he had heard poured out amidst
that horror of darkness.
" Now, Captain Arthur," cried out Hugh, " please to
say where we are, and whither we are to go ? "
" I wish I could determine where we are," answered
Arthur; "but we have been so tossed about for the
last two days, that I have no idea of our position.
Certainly we are out of our regular course."
" If Bully Dan were right," said Wilkins, " we ought
to be now a good bit north of Swan River, and among
islands and reefs puzzling enough at noonday ; and in
this black darkness it's odd that we ever see land again.
If any on ye had thought of an anchor, we might have
laid off till day."
There was nothing but patience and resignation for
the voyagers. The sea was less agitated than it had
been during the day, and they drifted steadily over the
waves ; but in what direction they could not determine ;
for such was the confusion of their embarkation, and
such the darkness that enveloped them, that no one
RUTH'S PRIZE. 53
could pronounce from what point the wind was blow-
ing.
" What is that fluttering sound I hear ? " asked Mr.
Mayburn, in a voice of alarm.
A moment's silence followed, then every one distinctly
heard the fluttering. At length Ruth said, "Oh! if
you please, master, it was only me. I could n't bide
that they should be burned alive, bonnie things ; it were
not their fault ! It 's them bits of chickens as I were
hunting up when all this bad work were done God
forgive me ! and I gathered them into 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, and applauded the humanity of Ruth, whose
struggles to keep her restless charge in order created
some mirth, and diverted them for a time from the
contemplation of their own troubles.
But another sound was now heard above the monot-
onous rumbling of the unquiet ocean. It was surely,
they thought, a human cry! It was again repeated;
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 of brandy to fight about ; and
I '11 be bound they 'd never settle as long as there were
a drop left in V
" Can we not show them a light ? " said Mr. May
burn : " that was a cry of distress, and humanity calls
on us to aid them."
' There 's no room here for any more hands," mut-
tered Wilkins. "Drunken rogues! they'd kick these
few shaking clogs to bits in no time : and then where
are we ? "
51 BLACK PETER.
"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, deci-
ded the question without further discussion. Gerald
produced a match-box ; and though the wind had got
up rather boisterously, they succeeded in lighting and
displaying a long splinter of wood. Then a voice was
heard to cry, " Help ! help ! " and Wilkins, with a sup-
pressed curse, said, "It's that desp'rate rogue, Black
Peter, and no mistake. Better let him drown, I tell 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 and powder, 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 defence-
less against those bad men."
" Do n't you think of that, sir," said O'Brien ; " Hugh
and I looked after that. We brought off a pair of
first-rate rifles, with lots of powder and shot. We are
the boys to manage the defences. We left the nautical
matters 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 ar-
ranged 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 to us. It was Margaret who arranged
what each should do, and allowed us to add to our duties
as we chose ; in consequence of which, you see, Gerald
A MAN SAVED. 55
and I thought of destroying life, and Ruth of preserv-
ing it."
While thus talking, the young rowers had been en-
deavoring laboriously to force the heavy raft, against
the wind, towards the spot from whence the cries
seemed to proceed. The darkness was so intense that
it was in vain the eye sought to penetrate it ; but the
cry, still heard at intervals, seemed to approach nearer,
probably directed by the light. Still it was not without
an involuntary shudder, and a half-uttered shriek, that
they felt and saw a hand grasp the raft, and heard a
hoarse voice demand help. This was immediately
given ; Arthur and Jack, with much difficulty, drew
upon the raft the almost lifeless form of a tall, power-
ful man, who lay gasping many minutes before he was
able to reply to the anxious inquiries of his preservers
if any of his companions yet survived.
" Every rogue among 'em gone to his reckoning,"
said he, with a diabolical laugh. " A good riddance !
If we 'd only saved the gold and the brandy ! 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 '11 not stand much
weather, I take it. And," with an oath, " Wilkins, man,
how came you to drop in among these saints ? "
Wilkins gave the man a fiery glance, as he answered,
" It were a bit safer to-night among saints nor amang
sinners, it 's like ; and I guess ye were thinking so a bit
sin' yersel'."
" Never heed that that 's gone, man," said the careless
villain : " I 'm in as good a place as they are now."
56 THE EFFECTS OF BRANDY.
"Ay, Peter," said Wilkins, "it's all true as how
neither fire nor water will touch thee. We'se see
what thou was born to."
"Keep a civil tongue in thy head," replied Peter,
"for thou and me must chum together, and see what
we caji 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 have been for a few years past, if it
were not for want of brandy. I'se free and 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 ower soon with our brandy, and had
only one drinking-cup among us, and everybody wanted
it first ; and so we chaps got to words, and then to hard
hits, and then out came our knives. We were badly
crowded ; and, somehow, in our scrimmage, we all fell
atop of one another, and capsized our boat, and away
we all went down. Then, when we came up, such curs-
ing and yelling never was heard on earth or sea, and,
dark as it was, none could catch hold on aught to save
him. It was soon settled, however ; for all our chaps
were over far gone in drink to help themselves, and
they went down, shouting out, one after another. I had
the luck to catch hold of the brandy-keg, and I took
care to keep hold ; but I could not stop it from leaking,
and it vexed me sore that so much good liquor should
be made into salt-water grog, and no time to get a sup.
I shouted as loud as I could, and let myself float, till I
got sight of your signal, and then I thought there was
a bit of a chance ; so I managed to swim a few strokes,
keeping one hand on my barrel ; but I made little way,
THE REPROBATE. 57
if the sea and the wind had n't brought me right up to
you. When my barrel bumped again the raft, I lost
hold, and I hardly know how it was I clutched 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 sin-
ful creatures, has granted you a respite, that you may
learn to know and serve Him. Cast not away the
precious boon, but in this awful hour, turn to Him,
repent, and pray."
The good man kneeled down beside the reprobate,
and offered up an earnest prayer for the wretched sin-
ner, 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
Coral Reefs. An Island in view. The Perilous Landing.
Peter's Rebellion. The First Night on Shore. Ruth among
the Crockery. A valuable Prize. The March from the First
Encampment.
As the morning light dawned on the distressed voy-
agers, they became aware of their perilous situation.
Around them lay the wide restless ocean, now agitated
by a south-west wind, which drove them onward, washed
and drenched by the waves, which threatened destruc-
tion to their frail vessel, in the midst of which the little
knot of united friends were now gathered, their unwel-
come guest still lying asleep apart from them. As soon
as the light permitted him, Jack began steadily and
carefully to repair and strengthen the raft. The spare
spars he now lashed 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 the whole of
the packages the large sail they had brought away, to
steady and preserve them from any injury from the
waves.
The man they had rescued from death now a\roke,
and joined the rest : he was a tall, powerful, savage-
looking man, still wearing the convict uniform, so offen-
sive to the taste of the civilized ; and his manners were
rude and insolent.
" Have you no better prog than this poor stuif ? "
said he, as his portion of biscuit and cup of water were
CAPTAIN ARTHUR. 59
offered to him. " The Queen allows us better rations
nor this, after your grand laws have made us out to be
rogues."
" You fare as we do," answered Arthur, mildly. "As
long as we have biscuit, you are welcome to share it.
We make no distinctions in our common distress."
" You were a pack of fools," said the man, " not to
bring away something worth freightage, when you had
space enough. Had you sense to fetch a compass ? "
" We had no opportunity to secure chart or compass,"
replied Arthur. " Besides, we were too thankful for
the means God gave us to save our lives, to have many
thoughts or cares about where we should go. We are
in 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 M better not get it into your heads that you
are going to give me up to hard labor and irons again.
Wherever I set my foot on land I mean to be my 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, " You see I managed to
keep my barkers safe. What would you say, man, to
a ball right through your ugly head ? " and he pre-
sented the muzzle of the pistol to Wilkins, who shrank
behind Arthur.
" You must mean that threat for a jest, Peter," said
Arthur, in a tone of displeasure. " If you are in ear-
nest, I can only remind you that we also have arms. I
am commander here, and the first man on the raft that
shows any signs of insubordination, I shall certainly
shoot dead."
Peter stared scornfully and vindictively at Arthur
60 ISLANDS IN SIGIIT.
but seeing his unmoved countenance, he turned off with
a sort of laugh, and withdrew to the stern of the raft.
" What a capital fellow Arty is, Hugh ! " whispered
Gerald. " See how he has cowed that huge bully.
Are we not proud of our captain ? "
Towards noon the heat of the sun became excessive,
and was most distressing to the voyagers exposed to
its beams ; Margaret and her father especially suffered
from it, till Jack contrived an ingenious canopy for
them by raising some spars, over which he spread the
boat-cloaks, which the boys had fortunately worn to
protect them from the flames in the burning ship. As
evening came on, the wind increased alarmingly, and
they looked round anxiously to obtain some idea of
their position, till at last Wilkins pointed out some
hazy dots on the wide ocean desert, which he pro-
nounced 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 islands these are ? "
" I ken 'em," said Wilkins, " and can tell ye they 're
all alike quite dissolute."
"Then I pray, Arthur," said Mr. Mayburn, "that
we may avoid them. We had better continue to float
on the solitude of the ocean, than seek the haunts of
the wicked."
The boys laughed ; they understood better than their
father the peculiarities of Wilkins's language, and Ar-
thur said, "I have read, papa, that these north-west-
ern islands of Australia are generally small, barren,
and uninhabited. If we could safely land on one of
them, it would be desirable, that we might rest and
improve our raft before we sought the mainland ; but
THE CORAL REEKS. 61
I fear they will be difficult of approach, from the coral
reefs that surround them."
" Which I long to behold, Arthur," said Mr. May-
burn ; " and I beseech you to endeavor to reach one
of these reefs. I have ever desired to look upon the
work of those toiling, wonderful insects ; minute agents
of the Omniscient for mighty purposes, laboring inces-
santly to carry out the plans of creative wisdom.
' As the kings of the cloud-crowned pyramid
Their noteless bones in oblivion hid,
They slumber unmarked 'mid the desolate main,
While the wonder and pride of their works remain.' "
Wilkins stared at the enthusiastic naturalist, and, turn-
ing to Arthur, said, " Does he want us to land among
them reefs, think ye ? A borfnie clash we should have
with this log float. If we 'd had a few of them bark
boats 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 safer method for them, Wilkins.
But if we could, by using our oars, draw near to these
isles, I should like to inspect them."
" Ye cannot suspect 'em, sir," answered Wilkins,
" without ye were right atop on 'em. Why, they 're
all dry and bare, and clear of aught but a few birds
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 Peter refused to assist, but sat apart, smok-
ing cigars, of which, it appeared, he had contrived to
bring a box about his person; still before night they
6
62 SWIMMING TO THE REEFS
had approached within a mile of a rocky island. Then
the sudden darkness of a tropical region surprised
them, and compelled them to wait for 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 them ugly rocks. Come, Peter, man,
take up an oar."
" Not I," said the savage, " I 'se take a snooze ; and
when we're drifted a bit nigher hand, rouse me up, and
I '11 make a swim to shore. I 've no mind for another
capsize."
It was a service of toil and danger, and the active
young men plied the oars vigorously for hours, trusting
they were standing safely off the dangerous reefs, till
at last, worn out with fatigue, one after another they
dropped asleep.
Jack and Wilkins held out till a pale light showed
them breakers close at hand, and they felt the current
carrying them into the danger. It was a moment of
deep anxiety. " See," said Wilkins, " yon uncovered
reef let's try to get a bit nigher to it; then we'll
knot a rope to our raft, and I '11 swim off and find a
way to moor it. If three on us were atop on yon reef
we might haul up t' rest on 'em."
All the youths were now roused, and anxious to
share this service of peril, for all could swim : but
Wilkins was strong, and the most experienced ; so
while he tied one end of the rope round him, Arthur
and Jack secured the other end to the raft, and then
they continued to hold off against the current as they
watched the bold swimmer till they saw him standing
PETER'S MEETING. 63
safely on the dry reef. In five minutes more they felt,
by the strain, that the rope was fast to the rock. Then
Arthur went off with a second rope, secured from dan-
ger by having the first to hold by if necessary. When
he reached Will, he found the reef was broader and
safer than he had dared to hope, while beyond it the
water was not more than a foot deep to a shingly beach.
" If we had 'em all here, ye see," said Wilkins, " they
could easy wade out."
" 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 '11 try to
bring her in here."
Then, after he had, with sailor's skill, secured the
ropes to two huge fragments of rock, he continued,
" Now, let 's be off again, and see how we can manage
it. If we could get that big lubberly Black Peter to
lend a 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 Wil-
kins, as they plunged into the water again.
Their return to the raft was easier than they had
expected, for the tide was ebbing, and already some of
the rocks were bare which an hour before had been
covered with breakers ; besides, the stretched ropes
afforded a rest for the hands when they needed it.
Arthur explained his plan to his friends on the raft,
and called on all hands to aid in propelling or hauling
the raft towards the smooth opening in the reef.
" You must assist in hauling the ropes," said Arthui
to Peter.
64 THE RAFT ON THE ROCKS.
The man swore violently that he would never submit
to be .ordered by a boy.
" I have the management of the party," answered
Arthur, "and all are willing to obey me except you.
Take your choice : if you refuse to share the work,
most assuredly you shall not share the rations."
The wretch darted a furious glance at Arthur, and
put his hand into his breast ; but observing the little
band had their eyes on him, he muttered with a sneer,
" A parcel of fools ! " and plunged after Wilkins and
Arthur to the reef, to tug at the ropes.
The raft had drifted among scattered rocks, and there
was much difficulty in preventing it from being dashed
against them ; but those left upon it used long poles to
push off from these dangers, while the men on the reef
continued to haul the ropes, in hopes of drawing the
raft to the opening they wished it to enter, belaying the
rope anew as they gained a few yards. Slowly and
painfully the* work progressed ; sometimes they snatched
a moment for food and rest ; sometimes the faint-hearted
threw down an oar or pole, as a strong wave cast them
back, after they hoped they had made some way.
At length, wedged between two reefs that ran out
to sea, they found they could make no further progress,
though there was yet a hundred yards of deep water
between the raft and the dry rocks to which the ropes
were attached.
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 ; but likely they 'd be flayed."
THE CATAMARAN. C5
" Halloo ! Arthur," called out Hugh, " come over and
see what we are about."
When Arthur had reached the raft, he saw that
Jack, with the help of the boys, had lashed together
three or four light spars to form a sort of catamaran,
large enough for one person to sit upon. To each end
of this they had attached a long rope, with one end of
which Jack proposed to swim to the reef of refuge,
ready to draw over in this float, one at a time, those
who were unable to swim ; and he engaged, if the voy-
ager only kept quiet, there would be no danger ; and
though the raft was now firmly fixed, it was probable it
would be dashed to pieces at high-water, so no time
must be lost to make the trial, that the lading as well as
the passengers might be saved ; and Jack set off with
the rope round 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 was arranged that
they should test the safety of it by first sending over a
part of the freightage of the raft, as less valuable than
human life. Still, these slender necessaries were pre-
cious to them, and they firmly lashed a part of the
packages to the float, and anxiously launched and
watched the light raft until they saw it safely drawn
to the reef and unladed by Jack. It was then hauled
back, and Margaret, to encourage her father, ventured
next, her brothers having lashed her firmly down, and
charged her to be cairn and motionless.
After her safe arrival, Mr. Mayburn gained courage
to follow her, and was succeeded by Nurse Wilson.
Ruth begged to carry her basket of fowls ; but was not
6*
66 A STRUGGLE ON THE RAFT.
permitted, which was fortunate for the chickens, for the
terrified and restless girl, attempting to change her
position, capsized the frail bark ; but Wilkins and Ar-
thur swam out to her assistance, and soon righted it,
and, half-dead with fright and the salt water she had
swallowed, she was turned over to Jenny, and the
young men returned to the raft to assist at the removal
of the most valuable part of the cargo the provisions,
guns, and ammunition.
In the mean time Peter had roused himself to take a
a trip to the raft, and when Arthur and Wilkins reached
it, they found the ferocious man holding Hugh by the
throat, and threatening to shoot him if he did not give
up one of the guns, which the boy held in the case
firmly grasped in his hand, while Gerald was releasing
the other gun from the covering, that he might defend
Hugh, and protect the powder and shot, which he
guarded behind him.
As soon as Wilkins and Arthur stepped out on the
raft, the savage relinquished 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 you brought
off. They are as much mine as yours, and I claim my
right."
"You are mistaken, Peter," said Arthur; "the guns
are our own private property. The powder is not
legally yours or ours ; but the necessity of the occa-
sion caused us gladly to save it from destruction ; at
some future day we may be able to account for it to the
owners. In the mean time, I choose to keep possession
of such a dangerous material ; nor will I allow you to
commit deeds of violence. We have saved your life,
ALL SAVED. C7
and supplied you with food. If your nature does not
prompt you to be thankful, at least be neutral; do not
return evil for good."
The man did not answer, but there was a dogged
look of ferocity in his eyes, that plainly spoke his feel-
ings ; 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 giving him a shove overboard?
he's dangerous."
" No, Wilkins," answered Arthur. " Let the man
live; we have no right to be his executioners, though
I believe he deserves death. If we all reach land
safely, we must watch and guard againsf him ; and,
above all, Wilkins, do you take care that he does not
tempt you back to evil courses."
" We 'se see," answered the man, " I 'se not to reckon
on ; but I fancy I 'd as lief take service with ye, as turn
rogue again, with a cut-throat dog like him."
Arthur earnestly hoped that they might be able to
reclaim this good-natured but ignorant man. He con-
versed kindly with him, as they carefully and success-
fully managed the transit of the whole lading, including
Ruth's chickens ; and then, Wilkins taking the charge
of the two young boys as they swam to the reef, Arthur
remained a few minutes to cut away the ropes, which
were too valuable to be abandoned, after which he
signified to the apparently careless Peter that he must
look to his own safety.
" I see all that," said the man in a surly tone ; " de-
pend on 't, I shall not stay here ; you have n't got rid
of me yet. So mind your own business, young fellow,
and 1 11 mind mine."
68 THE LANDING-PLACE.
Arthur left him and soon rejoined his friend ; and
Peter, drawing his knife and severing the cords that
had lashed together the spars of the raft, he allowed
them to float, and grasping one piece to support him-
self, he swam to the dry reef.
The tide having now left the beach uncovered as far
as this reef, the family went forward to the lofty cliffs
which rose from the narrow shingly strand, and imme-
diately began to remove their property to a secure place
above high-water mark.
" We may surely find a better spot for a night's en-
campment than this," said the indefatigable Arthur,
when, resting from his labors, he looked up at the
rocky heights. " There appears to be a belt of trees
further north, that might possibly afford more shelter.
Can you walk as far, papa ? "
"I cannot exert myself more, my son," answered
Mr. Mayburn. " Let us remain here ; in this delicious
climate, from what I have read, the night will produce
no noxious vapor to harm us. Let us therefore offer
our evening 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 had made a sort of tent of the poles and
sail from the raft, under which the boat-cloaks were
spread, they joined in prayer and lay down to rest;
but still apprehensive of the evil disposition of Peter,
each took an hour of watching to guard the packages
till daylight. The brilliant light of a tropical sun dis-
closed to the thoughtful castaways a smooth sea but a
barren coast, and they looked round in vain for the
means of subsistence or escape. They saw Peter at
aome distance, dragging out of reach of the tide the
RUTH AMONG THE CROCKERT. 69
timbers of the raft, which had been thrown upon the
beach.
" I am glad he is so usefully employed," observed
Mr. Mayburn. "I trust he feels ashamed of his in-
gratitude, and means to build us a hut with these
planks."
" Not he," replied Wilkins ; " I ken him better nor
that. He 'd never fash to pick up them spars ; but he
wants 'em to use for his own purposes. But let him
be, let him be. Chaps like him is always twining a
rope for their own necks."
"Then, Wilkins," answered Margaret, "we ought
not to * let him be ; ' we ought to try and induce him
to undertake some happier and more profitable under-
taking ; do, Arthur, speak to the man."
Arthur and Jack walked down to the beach, while
Ruth made a fire and boiled some water from the casks,
to make tea, a supply of which, and a considerable
quantity of sugar, being among the provisions they had
saved.
" Come, Peter," said Arthur, " you will need some
breakfast, and such as we 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, "so keep your mouth shut about
them. 1 '11 come to your breakfast, if I can get nought
better nor your poor stuff."
Finding all their approaches to intimacy with this
sullen creature repelled, they returned to the tent,
where they found nurse in a state of great anger with
Ruth the unlucky, who had literally walked into the
China breakfast service, which the considerate Jenny
had herself brought away from the ship, guarded on
70 OYSTERS.
the wreck, and had just spread out on a clean napkin
on the beach, when the girl being sent to summon Mr.
Arthur, had rushed through the midst of the crockery,
of which only the teapot and two cups escaped de-
struction. It was not in the nature of an Irish boy to
be serious at such an accident, and O'Brien had laughed
so provokingly, that Jenny was roused almost to dis-
traction.
" A vagabond lass, as she is ! " she exclaimed. " I
blame myself, Miss Marget ; I knew what was in her,
and I ought to have seen to have had her shut up in
one of them Union prison-houses. Nothing's safe
where she comes ; 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 our pretty Stafford-
shire ware."
" And we may meet with a china-shop before long,
nurse," said Hugh. " We are not so very far from the
great Empire."
" Well, Master Hugh," replied nurse, " I don't pre-
tend to know where we may be ; but there 's little
signs of shops or houses round us. If that does n't
beat all ! " exclaimed she, as Peter took up the cup
of tea she had prepared for her master, drank it
scalding hot at once, and then coolly sat down, drew
out his knife and began to open and swallow oysters,
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; on which Wilkins, calling on O'Brien to
OYSTERS. 71
follow him, took his biscuit, and set out to search along
the rocks. Margaret felt alarmed to see Gerald accom-
pany this man ; but Arthur assured her he believed
Wilkins might be trusted.
In a short time Gerald came running up to them,
and throwing down a cap filled with oysters, he cried
out, " Give us a rope, Jack ! we have got a turtle, and
turned him on his back, that he may not get back to
the water ; but he is such a monstrous fellow that I
don't know how we shall get him dragged all the way
to this place."
" Then our best plan will be to go to him," answered
Arthur ; " we have no temptation to remain in this
barren spot; and you seem to have found a land of
plenty ; therefore I propose we should march at once."
Each took up some burthen to carry, leaving the
casks and heavy packages for the present, and moved
forward to encamp in a new spot.
CHAPTER VI.
A Pleasant Resting-place. The Turtle. A Knavish Trick.
Destitution. An Exploring Expedition. Lake Scenery. A
Wrecked Vessel. Strange Footsteps. A Prudent Retreat.
turn of the Explorers.
AFTER walking about a quarter of a mile towards
the north, they reached a nook, surrounded by man-
grove-trees, which, like the banyan-tree, formed bowers
propped by pillars of successive trunks and stems, and
interwoven with roots and branches. At the part near-
est to the sea, the lower branches were without leaves,
and had been evidently laid bare by the visits of the
sea. These branches were now at low tide uncovered,
and clustered with oysters. The mangrove-wood,
spreading up the steep cliff, was backed by some loftier
trees ; and it appeared, as if an impenetrable barricade
was formed by nature to forbid approach to the interior.
A niche formed by the up-rooting of some aged tree,
of which few remnants remained, offered a shady retreat,
much more attractive than their late exposed encamp-
ment. Then Jenny was shown the enormous turtle
lying on its back, waiting for execution, the innumera-
ble oysters clinging to the mangroves, the crabs crawling
on the uncovered rocks, and the clouds of sea-birds
sailing overhead or sitting stupidly on the rocks fishing ;
and, charmed with the promise of plenty, she said :
u We may do a bit here, Miss Marget, while this fine
weather lasts, if we can light on any fresh water.
Birds and fish may serve us well enough."
(72)
THE POULTRY-HOUSE. 73
" Where all those tall green trees grow," said Arthur,
pointing to the heights, "there must be water to be
found ; and, in the mean time, we have a large cask,
which we must bring up if we make an encampment
here."
" I have brought the kettle full," said Jenny, " and
a bag of biscuits too. We might have got more here,
but nought would serve Ruth but hug them weary
chickens with her."
" They will die, shut up in that basket, Ruth," said
Gerald. " Come, Hugh, while Jack and Wllkins are
killing that poor turtle, let us make a poultry-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 a hen-coop without a blunder ; but
you shall see."
The boys selected a space among the arched roots,
out of reach of the tide, and interwove the sides with
branches, making a snug and airy dwelling for the
fowls, which rejoiced in their emancipation from the
basket; and the tropical shades were startled with the
novel sound of the crowing of a cock.
In the mean time, Jack and Wilkins had killed the
turtle, cut the flesh into pieces, and cleaned the strong
back shell, which they proposed should be useful ; and,
after a fire had been made, a portion of the turtle was
cooked in its recent habitation, to the wonder and
delight of Jenny, who was in despair for cooking-
vessels. Then the rest of the meat was placed under
the trees, in the most shady situation, and scattered
over with the portion of salt they could spare from the
7
74 THE TURTLE.
small store they had brought ; but, in that sultry climate,
they feared they should not be able to preserve it more
than one day.
" We could easily knock down a few of those boobies,
if you would like them, nurse," said Hugh.
" Certainly not, Hugh," said his father ; " with the
abundance of food we possess, it would be merciless to
destroy more life ; and I am able to study the form and
habits of the sluggish bird as conveniently while it is
seated on that rock as if it lay dead on the beach."
The mosquitoes were so numerous among the trees
in their new resting-place, that Mr. Mayburn, who
suffered remarkably from the attacks of insects, was
greatly distressed ; and Margaret said to her brothers :
"It will be impossible for papa to remain among
these mosquito-haunted trees ; we must either try to pen-
etrate further into the island, or we must return to the
bare and quiet rocky strand we have quitted. At all
events, we must have the sail brought to make a tent."
It was finally decided that after their dinner they
would, for one night at least, return to their landing-
place; and the turtle being cooked as well as turtle
could be cooked under such adverse circumstances, with
Nurse Wilson as chef de cuisine, they sat down to enjoy
it. Knives and forks they possessed ; plates they had
not ; but the shells of some of the large oysters tolera-
bly well supplied the want. After they had dined,
sultry as it was, they were glad to resume their bur-
dens, and flee from the venomous mosquitoes which
followed them for some distance; but, unwilling to
forsake the trees, their tormentors abandoned them when
they reached the bare cliffs.
A cry of dismay from Hugh and Gerald, who had
THE ROBBER PETER. 75
preceded the rest, announced some vexatious catastrophe,
and hurried them forward to see with bitter mortifica-
tion the disappearance of the casks and the various
packages they had left on the spot where they landed.
"I mistrusted that rogue," exclaimed Wilkins,
" specially when he did n't turn 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 the spars of the broken-up raft,
which had been thrown on shore, were also gone. It
was plain the artful villain had constructed another raft,
and set out on it, carrying off their provisions, one of
the guns, and the powder and shot.
" And worst of all," said Jack, " my tool-chest, and
my axe, which he borrowed from me this morning."
"More fool you to lend it to him," said Wilkins,
furiously enraged. " It seems to me as how roguery
thrives better nor aught, say what ye will otherwise."
" Do not speak so foolishly, Wilkins," said Margaret.
" Wickedness can never thrive, even on this earth.
This bad man has probably run into greater distress
than he has left, with the added torment of a bad con-
science. It is only when we walk in truth and. honesty
that we can hope for the protection of God."
" Where can the fellow mean to steer to ? " asked
Hugh.
" With a light raft," answered Arthur, " he may per-
haps work round to the east of the island, if it be an
island, and from thence he probably hopes to reach the
mainland. We have sustained a heavy loss from his
knavery ; but we shall sleep sounder to-night from the
knowledge that he is not near us."
After a good night's rest, they arose to look round
76 AN IMPORTANT OBJECT.
them and consider what was the best course in their
destitute situation. Mr. Mayburn was dejected, Marga-
ret was anxious, but the boys were full of hope and
energy.
" Hugh and Gerald," said Arthur, " I call on you to
listen seriously to me. It is all very well to hunt
turtles, and I do not object to your knocking down a
few boobies, for we must have the means of supporting
life ; but we have a great object in view at present.
We must ascertain where we are, and what step we are
next to take. We cannot yet be sure that 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 have not even the goats. Not a
four-footed animal have I set eyes on yet, and the
bipeds are few and ugly."
" I wish we may not find some bipeds," said Arthur,
" that are more offensive 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 ! Would n't we drub them like British heroes
as we are ? "
" And pray, most valiant knight of Ireland," answered
Arthur, " where are your weapons of warfare ? "
"Oh, murder! what a blunderer I am!" replied the
boy ; " I had forgotten the state of our armory. Let
us consider. We have one rifle, with a small amount
of ammunition, one bowie-knife, two penknives, one
capital stick-knife, the table-knives, and has any-
body else any dangerous weapons ? "
" I have a silver fruit-knife and a pair of scissors,"
said Margaret.
INSPECTION OP WEAPONS. 77
" 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 a sketching-book and
pencils ; all of which were regarded with contempt by
the 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 with materials."
"We will trouble* you, then," said Arthur, "to take
your axe and cut down a tree."
"There you are caught again, Pat," said Hugh.
"Another blunder! Poor unhappy fellows we are;
destitute of means, we can neither fight nor run away,
if this be an island we have been thrown on."
"That brings us to the point again," said Arthur.
" That is the thing necessary to be known ; so, without
further delay, we three will set out and make a careful
inspection of the coast. We will leave Wilkins and
Jack to guard the encampment ; I will carry the rifle
and the few charges we have left, but I trust I may not
be called on to use them, for I should grudge them
exceedingly.'"'
" Shed no blood, I beseech you, my son," said Mr.
Mayburn. " We are intruders ; do not let us become
invaders. If we can obtain immunity for ourselves, let
us be satisfied. Even if we should be attacked, we
7*
78 AN EXPLORING PARTY.
have no right to retaliate, but should rather take to
flight."
" But, dear papa," answered Hugh, " we cannot fly
without wings. We are at bay here, and must fight or
fall. But, depend on it, we shall be cautious, with
Arthur the prudent to lead us ; and remember, this is
only an exploring and foraging expedition."
The bold little party then set out towards the man-
grove-wood, through which, with much toil and many
windings, they forced their way, and gained 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 have a draught of fresh water, they
felt no inclination to drink. Beyond this spot some
low bare sandhills rose, which they crossed, and thence
to a steep eminence. They climbed up this, and found
themselves among vast piles of rocky fragments mixed
with tall wiry grass.
They looked round; all was silence and desolation,
the barren chaotic scenery being varied only by the
tall bare trunks of a species of acacia, which here and
there broke the monotony of the prospect ; and now the
boys felt convinced that they were placed on a truly
desert island.
Still they moved forwards, though depressed and
silent, over the dismal wilderness ; till at length they
were cheered by the sight of vegetation, and hailed
with pleasure some tall trees. Arthur recognized the
cabbage-palm, the slender stem sixty feet in height,
with the round tuft of edible leaves at the summit.
Hugh would willingly have tried to climb the tree to
procure the leaves, but his brother persuaded him to
defer the exploit till a more favorable opportunity,
THE LAKE AND ITS INHABITANTS. 79
and pointed out to him a fringe of the graceful casua-
rina, which promised the blessing of water. They
made up to it, and found it bordered a broad and glitter-
ing lake, in the clear waters of which they distinguished
multitudes of large fish, while on the banks the noisy-
waterfowl were building their nests. The edge of the
lake was stuck over with fresh-water mussels ; and but
for the flies and mosquitoes which haunted the trees,
this spot appeared a terrestrial paradise compared with
the dreary bay they had left.
" This is the place for our camp and fortress," said
Hugh ; " let us bring up 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 ; " and we might select a spot sufficiently
distant from the water to avoid these bloodthirsty
insects. But we must be certain that we shall have
no neighbors more dangerous than the mosquitoes. We
had better explore to the coast."
Hugh and Gerald had contrived to knock down two
pairs of ducks, which they slung across their shoulders,
and marched forward towards more fertile plains, where
high grass and low bushes spread a verdant covering
over the soil, till they reached a thick wood, sloping
downwards, through which they penetrated, and found
themselves on a narrow 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
80 THE WRECKED VESSEL.
with brushwood, and a lofty headland jutted out at the
summit. Their further progress would have been cut
off had it been quite high water ; but the tide was si ill
low enough to permit them, with some care, to turn
round the promontory, and gain a broader strand,
which was strewed with huge fragments of rock,
amongst which they saw, with great astonishment, the
wreck of a large vessel lying. The hull was divided ;
the forecastle-deck was in one place, and at 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 tlie
rocks to reach the wreck, and Gerald breathlessly
asked : " Will we find any of them alive ? "
" Alive, man ! " exclaimed Hugh. " You may sec
at once this is no recent affair ; look at this chain, the
sea must have washed over it some hundreds of times,
for it is covered with rust."
The sea was even now breaking over the scattered
rocks, making the approach to the wreck at once diffi-
cult and dangerous ; but the boys made out that the
vessel must have been first thrown on the rocks, and
afterwards broken up by the sea. It now remained a
melancholy spectacle ; timbers, decks, masts, and yards,
scattered or piled in confused heaps, apparently un-
touched by man for w r eeks or months. The upper parts
of the stern and hull as far forward as the mizen chains
were entire, lying on the stern-frames; but no bodies
were found, and the boats being missing, Arthur sug-
gested that the crew must have got off, carrying with
them the useful articles they might need; for little
could be seen except the mere timbers, except that
THE RETREAT CUT OFF. 81
where the marks of an axe were found on the jnizen-
mast, the axe itself, though much rusted, was lying
near, and gladly 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 has doubtless been car-
ried off by the boats or the waves ; but even the yards
and 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 devoured the provisions. I cannot even see
an empty cask which might be useful. But, halloo !
captain, our retreat is cut off; the sea is washing the
headland, 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, pointing to another jutting rock of the
indented coast which stood out about a hundred yards
in the opposite direction, and where a sort of shelf a
few feet from the water afforded an unsafe pass. " Be
quick, boys ; we must beat the waves if we would escape
before next tide."
Away the daring boys darted among the windings
and over the barriers of broken rock, till they reached
the second promontory, and with the waves dashing
close below them, rounded it, coming out on an almost
impassable narrow hem of encumbered beach, which
stretched before them for several hundred yards.
Crawling close to the cliffs, they found at length the
strand grew broad and level, and they sprang forward
to enjoy more freedom, when they were suddenly
9
82 TKACES OF MAX.
startled by the sight of the shell of a turtle, which they
could not but suspect the hand of man had removed
from the back of the rightful proprietor.
They looked intently on it,, then Arthur said, " This
shell has undoubtedly 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 forward thoughtfully for a few minutes ; till a
dark spot at some distance from the water attracted
the attention of Arthur ; they hastened towards it, and
saw to their great consternation, not only the traces of
a recent fire, but the naked footmarks of men, the head
of a turtle still bloody, a long wooden spear, plainly
hardened by fire,, and an instrument which Arthur
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 the spear, 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 have no right to take them, since they
have been left here in good faith, as we might have
left our spades in our own grounds at home ; and next
we should thus place ourselves in the position of in-
vaders and marauders, and incur the enmity of danger-
ous foes. We had better obliterate all traces of our
Tisit, and, like prudent fellows, retreat quietly."
THE PRUDENT RETREAT. 83
"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 wo retreat," said Arthur,
laughing ; " but we must carefully examine the way we
came, that we may leave no footsteps."
As it happened, the vivacity and restless curiosity of
the boys had induced them to keep close to the cliffs,
leaping from rock to rock, peeping into crannies for
nests, so that no traces were left, except where the tide
would soon wash them away, and Arthur resolved now
to ascend the cliffs at once, instead of going round the
island, to escape any risking of meeting the savages.
He calculated that they had reached a part of the
shore nearly opposite to that on which they had first
landed; and by directly crossing the island, which he
felt could not be more than three miles over, they might
safely and speedily rejoin their friends.
" I do not think it probable," he said, " that this bar-
ren island has any permanent inhabitants. The people
who have left their traces on the coast may come over
from some more productive soil, solely to catch the tur-
tles."
" Do you think they came from the mainland ? "
asked Hugh ; " I fancied from the heights of the east
cliffs, I could make out a gray line, which was doubt-
less Australia."
" I scarcely can fancy," answered Arthur, " that a
people whom we have seen described as so deficient in
intelligence should be able to construct canoes to come
such a distance. It is more likely they are inhabitants
of one of the hundred dangerous islands of this sea.
84 THE RETURN.
It will be prudent, at all events, to avoid them if we
can."
As they rapidly made their way directly across the
island, O'Brien wished there had been a boat left on
the wreck, and Hugh said, " Could n't we build a boat,
Arthur ? Jack is up to any work of that sort."
" We have not tools or time, Hugh," answered Ar-
thur. " Only consider how long it would take, even if
we had the means, to complete a boat to be useful to us.
No ; at present we must content ourselves to make the
best of our situation ; and as I do not think the savages
have found the bay of the wrecked vessel, I shall pro-
pose that we move our encampment into that 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 an important matter. But see
Jack perched on yon tall tree, to watch for us and give
notice; and here comes JVleggie to meet us and hear
the news."
CHAPTER VII.
The Results of the Expedition. The Long Vacation. Removed
from the Landing-place. Birds and their Nests. Fishing.
Tapping a Cask of Potatoes. Tent-making. The Shell Sptides.
Digging a Tank. A Grand Attempt at Boat-building.
" GET all into marching order, Meggie," said Hugh.
" We have found out a better site for a settlement than
our present encampment, and Gerald and I 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 boy mean, Arthur ? "
" You will only see the remains of a ship, Meggie,"
answered Arthur ; " and though you may think the
scene of a shipwreck a melancholy spot to select, yet it
seems a convenient, sheltered cove, and a desirable re-
treat for a short time, till we arrange our plans for the
future."
When they arrived at the encampment, and the ad-
ventures of the day had been told, Jack heard with
especial interest the account of the wrecked vessel ;
and as he examined the rusty axe, he planned great
undertakings with the aid of his new tool ; while Jenny
looked with much satisfaction on the ducks, which she
declared were " more Christian meat than them slimy,
fat turtles ; " and Ruth, smoothing the beautiful plu-
mage with her hands, and thinking, with foreboding
dread, of the fate of her favorites, said
(85)
80 PLANS OF ESCAPE.
" Bonnie things ! what a sham' to kill 'em."
" And see what papa and I have found," said Mar-
garet, producing a basket half-filled with the eggs of
the turtle, while Jenny served up to them some roasted
in the ashes, which the hungry ramblers thought deli-
cious.
Then a consultation was held on the project of re-
moval. Margaret shrunk from -any risk of meeting
with the savage islanders ; but Arthur considered they
should be safer from any encounter with them in the
secluded nook they had discovered, which was guarded
by coral reefs, dangerous even to such light canoes as
these people usually had, and hidden by the jutting
promontories, than they should be to remain in their
present exposed encampment, or even in the more fer-
tile regions of the interior.
Mr. Mayburn had some shadowy fancies of civilizing
and converting the whole horde at once ; but Arthur
argued that the time was not favorable for the under-
taking, and that they must try to establish themselves
in a more independent position before they indulged
any hopes of reclaiming a large body of heathens.
" Besides, papa," added he, " we must look forward
to some plan of leaving this dull and desolate island,
and we may have an opportunity of signalling some
passing sail if we establish ourselves on the beach."
" Ye '11 not see mony ships amang yon reefs," said
"Wilkins, " barring they 're drove there in a gale, and
then, as ye 've seen, there 's poor chance of they 're
getting off again."
" But we might build a boat with the remains of the
wreck," suggested Jack.
" There 's some sense in that," answered the man ;
INDIA RELINQUISHED. 87
** but when ye Ve gotten your 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 con-
tempt. " Think ye now ye can sail to Indy in a crazy
bit boat like what we chaps can put together. Ye '11
have to make right across for t' mainland ; and mind
what I tell ye : I 'se stick to ye, and work for ye, and
fight for ye, but ye 're not to be 'liv'ring me up at Syd-
ney yonder to be shackled and drove like a nigger
slave."
" I fear, Wilkins," answered Arthur, " there is little
probability of our reaching Sydney ; but we are all too
grateful for the services of a faithful adherent, to think
of returning evil for them ; and you may be satisfied
we shall continue to protect you to the utmost of our
power. And, my dear father, you must no longer dis-
tress yourself with the idea of fulfilling your appoint-
ment in India. We shall be reported lost in the
Golden Fairy, and the mission will be filled up. You
must resign yourself to accept any safe refuge that is
accessible, and wait for happier circumstances."
" In the mean time, papa," said Margaret, " God will
surely provide us with work. And till we have more
extended opportunities our own hearts require our la-
bor. We must not neglect our duty at home.''
" I thank you, my child," answered he, " for remind-
ing me of my wasted hours. It is indeed full time that
I should resume the active duties of my profession. I
have a weighty responsibility. Do you not think that
I should begin at once, by recalling my boys to their
daily studies ? "
88 THE LONG VACATION.
O'Brien looked piteously at Hugh, who laughed at
his mournful countenance, and Margaret replied,
" The boys are not idle, papa. They are studying
in the great book of Nature. Every hour shows to
them some new wonder of creation", and raises their
thoughts to the mighty Creator. Every sight and
sound develops a new idea ; and all you are called on
to do, papa, is to watch and to water."
" That is all I am fit to do," answered he. " I want
the energy and firmness that you possess a blessed
boon from God. The deep sorrow that ever haunts
me is, that my life has been spent in vain purposes,
never accomplished."
" My dear, conscientious father," said Margaret, " be
comforted ; I trust the hour may yet come when you
will have a field for your pious labors : till then, have
no remorse in following your simple and blameless
amusements. I have no merit in my duties of attend-
ing, governing, and lecturing these wild boys. I love
the office; I was certainly not born for any sphere
more elevated. But you, papa, whose sole enjoyment
is to sit in an easy-chair before a table laden with books
and a cabinet filled with eggs and wings, were wrenched
violently from your nature w r hen you were doomed to
pass days in forcing these unwilling boys to learn the
rules of syntax, or the crabbed mysteries of Euclid.
We are shaken from our proprieties here ; you cannot
teach Latin or work out problems without books ; so
you must take your ease, and consider this the long
vacation."
"You are the girl for knowing a few things, Meg-
gie ! " said O'Brien, admiringly. " Be sure, sir, Hugh
and I will work to any amount to help you in your
A PLEASANT REGION. 89
ornithology and oology, if you will spare us the philol-
ogy a bit. There 's no running about with a conjuga-
tion in one's mouth."
"And as Arthur has demonstrated his problem on
the best position for the encampment," said Hugh, " I
conclude we had better move at once. No occasion to
send forward notice about well-aired beds."
" And no occasion, Hugh Harebrain," said Arthur,
" to be overtaken by darkness on our journey. Let us
be deliberate. Jenny must roast the ducks for our
breakfast in the morning, Jack must collect his valua-
ble work-tools, Ruth must again imprison those luckless
chickens, and then we must all have a night's rest. It
will be time enough to set out in the morning, and we
must take care to start before the sun blazes out in all
its fervor."
All obeyed orders; and, with the first ray of light,
the whole camp was alive. It was very important this
time that nothing should be left behind. Peter had
relieved them from the charge of biscuit and water,
which he had carried off with the tool-chest and gun ;
but there was still a little tea and sugar, which was
carefully preserved. The sail-cloth was rolled up;
even the oars used for tent-poles were taken ; and,
after morning prayers, they set out slowly along the
beach, and through the mazy, ascending woods, till
they reached the table-land of the rocky isle. They
crossed it this time at the head of the lake which they
had discovered the preceding day, and found this part
of the island still more fertile and lovely than any they
had yet seen. Mr. Mayburn was in ecstasy; he stopped
continually to point out some new and beautiful grass,
some bright nameless flower, or some strange tree;
8*
90 THE BLACK SWAN.
while the notes, harsh, musical, or merry, of thousands
of birds, filled him with amazement and delight.
" From this moment, my boys," said he, " I release
you from the severe studies which, Margaret truly
observes, are unfitted to our circumstances and the
relaxing climate. I merely require from you to obtain
me specimens single specimens only of the eggs
and nests of these birds ; and, if it were not cruel, I
should long to possess some of these rare creatures in
all their beauty."
" I fear, papa," observed Margaret, " that you have
no means of preserving birds; therefore it would be
useless to take them."
" You are right, Margaret," he answered. " I will
be content with a nest and an egg of each species."
" Would you mind about having the nest and egg
of that fellow, sir ? " asked O'Brien, pointing to a ma-
jestic 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 be large, and not
of a portable nature. I relinquish the precious posses-
sion. But let us linger on the borders of the lake, to
examine its wild charms. Would that I had saved my
botanical library, that I might have made out the spe-
cies of these broad flags and thick bamboos ! "
" These round reeds will make capital arrows," said
Hugh, cutting down a bundle of them ; " and I doubt
not but some of them would be elastic enough for the
bows. We may surely, with all our learning, succeed
better in making them than untaught savages. Then
we may bring down our birds noiselessly, and defy the
thievish tricks of Black Peter."
THE BAY OF THE WRECK. 91
" But first, Hugh," said O'Brien, " we must have a
trial with some of these big fellows in the lake," point-
ing to some large perch-shaped fish.
Jack sharpened some of the reeds to a point, and the
boys were soon plunging about in the clear bright lake,
pursuing and striking the fish ; and after fifty vain at-
tempts, they succeeded at length in spearing two, which,
though young, were of large size, and Arthur con-
cluded they must be the river cod ( Grystes Peelii)^ so
much praised by Australian travellers. Then, regard-
less of wet garments, which the hot sun soon dried,
the boys triumphantly proceeded on with their spoil.
Jack, in the mean time, had struck off from the edge
of the lake a cluster of fresh-water mussels of various
sizes, and emptied them, to serve for spoons and drink-
ing-cups.
Thence they moved forward, anxious now to seek
some shelter from the increasing heat of the day, and
gladly entered the wood, from which, with some difficul-
ties in the descent, they reached the wreck-encumbered
bay. All were at once attracted to the side of the
vessel ; Jack, especially, examined it with intense in-
terest, considering its future service to him. Margaret
and her father were moved to tears, as they contem-
plated the shattered fabric, and thought on the brave
but probably unprepared men who might have been
hurried into eternity before the final catastrophe.
While Hugh and Gerald climbed the sides to explore
the interior of the wreck, Arthur observed that some
of the timbers had been carried away by the tide even
since the previous day, and he consulted with Jack
about the possibility of breaking up and endeavoring
to save such parts as might be useful to themselves;
92 THE POTATO-CASK.
and in order to lose no time they grasped 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 the opening, which they concluded led into
the hold. The cask broke open with the fall, and a
number of potatoes ran out. Every hand was quickly
summoned to collect and save the valuable contents ;
the cask was righted and carefully removed up the
beach, and it was great amusement to the boys to
pursue the straggling potatoes, and save them from
being swept away by the next tide.
" I say, O'Brien, my boy, I wonder your Irish nose
did not scent the pratees yesterday," said Hugh.
" Now is n't it luck, Arty," said Gerald. " Will we
plant some ? and then we shall never want as long as
we stay here."
Margaret looked alarmed at the plan of planting
potatoes for future provision ; but Arthur replied, he
hoped they should be able to leave the island before
the potatoes were exhausted; nevertheless, he approved
of the provident project of Gerald, and promised to
seek a favorable spot to plant some, for the benefit of
future visitors to this unproductive island.
" But do not be afraid, nurse," added he, " to boil
us a large shell of potatoes to-day ; we have abundance ;
and in our scarcity of bread, we could 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 gar-
ments, 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
A NEW SPADE. 93
forced their way through entangled roots and brush-
wood, till they reached a narrow rivulet of clear water,
probably flowing from the lake by some unseen channel
beneath the grassy region they had crossed ; and after
trickling down the rocks, it again disappeared in the
sand and shingles of the beach.
" This is but a slender supply, Jack," said Arthur ;
" I fear it might fail us in a drought."
"We must dig a tank, Mr. Arthur," he answered;
" that is, if we can raise a pade."
Jack considered for a few minutes. He was not
to be checked by apparent difficulties in his undertak-
ings. "What do you think, Mr. Arthur, of one of
those big oyster or mussel shells ? I could tie one to
a stick with some of these stringy fibres of creeping
plants; or, better far, there's a tree up above, that
seems to have a bark you might ravel out into strings ;
and there 's another tree, with a stiff, regular sort of
gum, as good as glue, oozing out of it. Now, with all
these, I '11 be bound to make 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. " We cannot do better than remain
in this spot, if we meet with no disturbance, until we
can make some canoe or raft to take us off; and it is
absolutely necessary to secure a supply of water. Let
us go and choose our shells."
But when they returned to the beach, they found
Mr. Mayburn so much overcome by the scorching heat
of the sun, that their first care was to get up a tent or
shelter of some kind for him. They selected a deep
niche in the cliff, where the rocks formed a complete
angle, and having procured from the wreck &ome
94 THE FORTRESS.
suitable spars, they fixed them in the crevices of the
rocks, to form the rafters of the roof, which they cov-
ered with the long grass which grew above the cliffs.
The sail was thrown over the front, as a curtain, and
they were thus provided with a shady and convenient
apartment.
At low tide, Hugh and Gerald amused themselves
with searching for nests in the extremity of the prom-
ontory, and finding an opening, they had penetrated
into a spacious cave, the mouth of which would be cov-
ered at high-water ; but as it shelved upwards to a con-
siderable distance in the rocks, the back part was safe
and dry.
" Just think, Hugh, my boy," said O'Brien, " what a
fortress this would be for us if we were invaded. One
man could defend the entrance with the gun, even at
low-water ; and how we should defy the rogues when
the tide was up."
" But it would be horribly dismal, Gerald," answered
Hugh. " We could never bear to live in it long ; and,
you know, we need no sleeping-rooms or houses to
cover us in this fine climate ; so we will leave it unin-
habited, at least in peaceful times. But \\e 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 father was highly gratified at the thoughts of
such a secure retreat ; after he had satisfactorily ascer-
tained that it could always be accessible at low-water,
and never dangerous at the highest tide ; and Margaret
proposed that the cookery should be accomplished within
the cave, that the smoke might not attract the observa-
tion of the dreaded natives. So Jenny established her
PROJECTS OF WORK. UO
kitchen here, and prepared an excellent dinner of fish,
and potatoes boiled in the shells of the turtle, while
Margaret kept watch for the returning tide, though
Jenny said, " It 's all little use, Miss Marget ; it has to
be, I feel. Ruth 's sartain to be catched and fastened
up in this eerie place."
Jack made a careful inspection of the remains of the
vessel, and from the stern cabin, which was still unin-
jured, he drew out, with the help of the boys, a rough
bench and a table, useful acquisitions; and still
better, a good-sized empty cask, which had contained
brandy, and was now conveniently employed as a water-
cask. Then, after a long survey of the state of the
timbers, Jack announced that, with the help of Wil-
kins's strong arm, and Arthur's judgment and perse-
verance, he would undertake to build a sort of boat.
Wilkins shrugged up his shoulders at the prospect
of hard work under a burning sun, and said, " Why,
one had as lief be working in irons down yonder ; 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 do themselves ; to fare simply, and to work.
You were not placed in this world 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 is close at hand to all, when those who have done
evil shall receive their punishment, and those who have
listened to God shall find a blessed home in a new and
glorious world."
96 FORAGING.
"\Vilkins never replied to any of Mr. Mayburn's
preachings, as he called these admonitions ; but he
scoffed less than formerly, and Margaret observed that
his manners were somewhat softened; and she daily
prayed to God that they might be permitted to aid in
reclaiming, at least, one sinful soul.
The next day Jack succeeded in binding two large
shells to stout handles, 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 at length
rendered it serviceable. He was thus enabled to break
up the wreck, and to select such timber as would be
useful for his projected undertaking ; he extracted all
the large nails that were uninjured, and after many
days' labor, had accumulated materials to begin his
great work.
But the first employment of the youths was to be
digging the well ; they went every morning to the lake
to procure fish, birds, or eggs, for the provision of the
clay, and then returned to assist in digging, the spades
being now available, as the gum had become as hard as
the shell. After they had sunk the tank sufficiently
deep, they lined it with flat stones ; and saw with great
satisfaction, that they need never be without a 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, bringing in occasionally
a turtle, or a basket of turtles' eggs, to vary their diet.
They also used daily a small quantity of potatoes, but
they were economical with these valuable roots, of which
they hoped to raise a crop in the island, and, should
they ever reach it, on the main land as well.
BOAT-BUILDING. 97
After the tank was completed, Jack selected a spot
conveniently near high-water mark, and seriously set
about boat-building. He had carefully examined the
boats during their voyages, and while in the Amoor he
made many inquiries of the obliging ship-carpenter;
but though bold and sanguine in all his enterprises, he
did sometimes feel that he had undertaken a stupendous
task.
The planks that would best have suited his purpose
were more or less injured by the sea ; he had no means
of forming iron bolts or screws, yet the indefatigable
youth persevered ; but the month of August, the early
spring of that climate, was advanced before the boat
assumed a form of promise. 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 been made with little diffi-
culty, 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. Disap-
pointed Hopes. Jack's Perseverance. A Peep at the Old En-
campment. Black Peter again. The Loss of the Boat.
Canoe-building. The Luggage-van.
IT was necessary to carry the boat fairly out to deep
water, to test its perfect security ; but the reefs were
impassable before the cove, and they were aware they
should be compelled to row to some distance within
them till they found an opening. A roller, left in the
wreck, enabled them at high-water to run out the boat,
and Wilkins and Arthur volunteered to make the first
trial in it. Jack was detained on shore, where he was
always usefully employed, and the two boys were
considered too wild to be risked in the first trip an
arrangement which they would gladly have rebelled
against.
The anxious watchers stood on shore to mark the
boat first float on the water, and then the strokes of
the oars, which carried it round the promontory at the
south out of their sight. Then Jack and the two boys
ascended through the wood to the heights, and crossed
the cape, to watch the further progress of the precious
vessel. But what was their consternation to see no
traces of it. They hurried down to the beach beyond
the promontory, and gazed wildly around, uttering cries
of distraction. A few minutes of horror succeeded :
then they saw the heads of the two swimmers, who
(98)
THE RESCUE OF WILKINS. 99
appeared to be struggling violently against the receding
waves.
The two boys would have plunged at once into the
water ; but Jack, in a tone of authority, commanded
them to remain still, and throwing off his own light
frock, he rapidly cut a long branch of mangrove, and
swam out, holding it out towards Arthur, who seemed
nearly exhausted, and who eagerly clutched the branch
as soon as it was within his reach. Then Jack turned
round, and swimming with one hand, drew the almost
senseless Arthur, still firmly grasping the branch, after
him into shallow water, where Hugh was waiting to
receive him. Still fresh and imfearing, Jack set out
again towards Wilkins, who had grasped an oar and
was supporting himself 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 it
from his hand, and he immediately disappeared.
A great cry rose from the boys on the beach; but
the minute after, he rose again, lying on his back, and
apparently insensible. This enabled Jack to approach
him with greater safety, and catching hold of his long
hair, he drew the senseless body of the poor man to-
wards the shore. But Hugh perceived Jack could
not long hold out, and throwing off his clothes, he
struck out to meet him, compelled him to relinquish
the charge of Wilkins ; and thus they were all enabled
at length to reach the shore. But all were greatly
exhausted, and Wilkins was apparently dead when
they drew him on the beach.
O'Brien hastened through the woods, and by cries
and signals brought Margaret and Jenny to their
assistance, by whose prudent care and applications the
100 JACK'S PERSEVERANCE.
poor man was restored to consciousness. No sooner
was he recovered, than, trembling excessively, he looked
wildly round, and said,
" Good Lord ! it is a terrible thing to die in one's
sins ! "
" How glad I am to hear you say these word.-,
Wilkins ! " said Margaret ; " and now let all our words
and thoughts be thanks to Him who has given you time
to turn from these sins, and lead a new life. Pray to
Him openly. We are all your friends, and we will
join you ; " and* kneeling down by the side of the con-
vict, Margaret offered up a simple and short thanks-
giving for the two men happily rescued from death,
and a prayer for continued mercy for their souls. For
the first time the lips of Wilkins moved in prayer, and
he audibly uttered " Amen."
In order to remove the anxiety of Mr. May burn,
they returned to the encampment as soon as the ex-
hausted swimmers were able to walk. Then Arthur
related to his friends that as soon as they had got the
boat into deep water, they suspected there was some-
thing wrong about her, and were endeavoring to make
to shore, when she whirled round and was swamped in
a moment, and the labor of weeks and the hopes of
escape w T ere at once lost.
The whole party were greatly dejected ; but Jack,
who was at first deeply mortified, was the first to shake
off his chagrin, and to declare boldly that he would
make another experiment. u We have plenty of ma-
terials quite handy," said he ; " and it cannot be so far
to the coast of the main land. If you will let me try
again, sir, I feel quite certain I could make two bark
canoes that would take us all, and, if we were once
JACK'S PERSEVERANCE. 101
fairly over the reefs, could be paddled across without
danger."
" My good boy," said Mr. Mayburn, " I am but an
indifferent judge of nautical affairs ; but you must allow
your first adventure has been signally discouraging.
Nevertheless, I admire that perseverance which must
in the end subdue obstacles and command success, and
I do not object to your continuing your experiments;
but I would advise you to try your next boat on the
lake, where, in case of accidents, no fatal consequences
need be feared."
" I will make a canoe at once," answered he ; " but I
will risk no lives. I will paddle it across to the main-
land myself, and then return to convince you of its
security. This time I have no fears, provided we do
not 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 a bit 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 ; a grand 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 his exertions and vexations ; so he
sat down to eat his roast duck, and then set about mak-
ing models of canoes, prahus, and catamarans, from
the recollection of what he had seen or read of. But
next morning, leaving Wilkins, who was much bruised,
and still weak, and subdued by mental and bodily suf-
fering, in the care of Margaret and her father, the
young men set out to explore the island for a tree of
proper height and girth to make use of for their first
attempt at a canoe.
102 BARKING A TREE.
"After all, Mr. Arthur," said Jack, "if this should
fail, we could try catamarans. That would be easy
enough, and we have mangroves close at hand that
would answer exactly for making them. But then I
have my doubts if the master, or Miss Margaret, could
be brought round to trust themselves on such bits of
floats for a voyage that far. Here 's a grand tree !
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 thick rough bark, which seemed as if it
might be easily removed. Arthur began by making
a deep incision round the trunk at the bottom, and
also in a perpendicular line as high as he could reach.
By standing on a fragment of rock, he was able to
carry it up to the height of twelve feet, and to finish it
by another circular incision. Hugh and Gerald stood
at the foot of the tree to receive the bark, which, when
gently raised from the trunk, was easily separated, and
let down in one piece without any injury, to the great
delight of the boys. Jack was anxious to have it trans-
ported to the cove immediately ; but the boys wished to
take a peep at their first landing-place before their
return, and they all turned their steps in that direction.
Hugh and Gerald had distanced the two elder youths,
who had not reached the cliffs, when they saw the two
boys returning 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 therefore keep out of sight Do you two
hasten homewards with the bark, while Jack and I
reconnoitre."
PETER AMONG THE NATIVES. 103
Then cautiously creeping along to the edge of the
cliffs, they looked down on the narrow strand below,
and saw a number of the dark natives gathered round
some object close to the water, which seemed to have
excited their curiosity. Jack, with a muttered exclama-
tion of vexation, recognized this to be his unfortunate
boat which had doubtless drifted on shore here.
" Oh ! Mr. Arthur," whispered the lad, in great agi-
tation ; " as sure as you are living, I see that rogue,
black Peter, that got all my tools, among the savages ;
depend on it he has brought them here to seek for us."
" To seek for the remainder of our property, I sus-
pect, Jack," replied Arthur. " 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 we had best decamp now, as we are quite unarmed,
and it might be dangerous to be detected ; and, Jack,
we must set to work directly. I am anxious now to get
away as soon as possible, for these fellows will be con-
stantly in our way on this small isle."
They withdrew with the same caution with which
they had approached, and then hurried to overtake the
boys, who were moving slowly along, carrying the bark ;
and with the additional hands they soon brought it
safely into harbor, to the admiration of Mr. Mayburn,
who was, however, greatly distressed to hear of another
visit of the savages. Then, as they measured and
arranged the work, they discussed with wonder the
appearance of black Peter among the natives, and the
cause of his disturbing their quiet seclusion.
" Peter 's in his reet place amang 'om," said Wilkins,
" and it 's time for us to be off when he shows his black,
Mgly face. As sure as we 're here, master, if he cannot
104 AN AMBUSH.
'tice me off to join his crew, and start bush-ranging,
he '11 take my life. He 's a reg'lar black-hearted un for
a bit 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 the wickedness of your
past life, should ever go back to such sin."
" Why, ye see, miss," answered the man, " it 's little
that such as ye know, 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 is always tugging at a fellow's heart."
"You are right, Wilkins," replied Mr. Mayburn,
" It is the power of the Prince of Darkne'ss that you
feel in your heart, dragging you to the pit of perdition.
But if you pray to God, my poor man, he will send
you strength to resist the evil one."
Wilkins groaned, and his friends felt true pity for the
unfortunate man, who was sensible of his own weak-
ness ; and while all deeply regretted that the infamous
Peter had chosen to pursue them, they resolved con-
tinually to watch and pray for the complete reformation
of Wilkins. Neither could the family feel in safety
while they believed the savages remained on the island ;
it was therefore arranged that Arthur and Jack the
most prudent heads should return to the cliffs above
the landing-place of these unpleasant visitors, to watch
their proceedings, and endeavor, if possible, to discover
their plans, and the motives that brought them to the
island.
In the mean time, the other boys transferred the bark
to the capacious cave ; the tent was also stowed there,
PETER, A CARPENTER. 105
with every other trace of their habitation ; and it was
arranged that, if there was likely to be any danger of
detection, the two sentinels were to announce it by a
sharp whistle, when the whole family would be ready to
take shelter in the gloomy 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 previously seen the strangers,
and beneath the abundance of brushwood above the
cliffs they made for themselves a complete hiding-place,
with loopholes for observation. They saw the men still
assembled round the boat, but the sound of the hammer
induced them to conclude that Peter was engaged re-
pairing some damage in it ; and, to the great vexation
of Jack, he saw his own tool-chest, which he valued so
highly, standing on one side, and at a little distance lay
the boughs of a large mangrove tree, and the axe with
which they had been felled.
Arthur suggested that Peter had brought these men
to the island, hoping to find the remainder of their
property, and bringing the tools to cut down a tree and
make a raft to carry away the spoils ; for the light
canoes which were lying on the beach were only fit to
contain one person, or, at the most, two in each ; and
that, finding the boat, Peter had thought it more con-
venient than a raft for the purpose.
" Do you think, Mr. Arthur," said Jack, " they will
be leaving any of the canoes behind them ? I should
like to see how they finish them off at the ends. But
surely they '11 never start off in that unlucky boat ; I
could hardly bide to see them enter her, knowing what
we know."
But Arthur was of opinion that they were not called
106 THE BOAT AFLOAT.
upon to risk their own lives and the lives of their
friends, by going forward to report the character of the
boat. Besides, Peter, the only person who would be
able to 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 party celebrating the
event by dancing, singing, and flinging about their arms
with childish delight. Peter selected three of the men
to accompany him in the boat, which, with the aid of
some long poles and paddles from their canoes, they
pushed off and forced over the rocks. The rest of the
natives leaped into their canoes, and followed with
shouts of admiration.
In deep anxiety the two young men continued to
watch the boat, which they expected every moment to
see disappear; but whether Peter had found out its
defects and remedied them, or the water had swelled
the wood and rendered it fit for service, it was impossi-
ble to say. One thing only was clear, that as long as
they could observe it, till it had passed towards the
south, out of their view, it continued to move slowly,
but with apparent security.
Leaving their position, they crossed over to a high
point at the south of the island, from whence they could
perceive the little fleet the canoes 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 de-
scended to the beach to inspect the scene of their visit,
Jack remaining for some time silent from the mortifica-
tion of seeing the product of his labors appropriated so
A NATIVE CANOE. 107
successfully by the unscrupulous Peter; and almost
disappointed that he had not witnessed the boat go
down, as he expected. But when they reached the
strand, he recovered his spirits at the sight of a canoe
which they had not been able to carry off conveniently
after manning the boat. It was not useful as a prize,
for it would only contain one person in comfort; but
he was able, as he wished, to examine the workman-
ship.
"Shall we carry it off, Mr. Arthur?" he said. "A
fair exchange is no robbery ; and you know, sir, this is
poor payment for my good boat."
"I think we had better leave it, Jack," answered
Arthur. " The blacks will certainly return for it ; and
when they find it removed, they will be convinced that
we are still concealed on the island. If we remain
unsuspected, Peter will naturally conclude from the
sight of the wrecked boat, that we are all drowned;
and will then think no more about us. You see the
simple construction of the canoe, closed at the ends by
the stringy bark, which we can easily procure ; or better
still, we can use hempen ropes, of which we have still
some ; and we must strengthen the bottom by an extra
layer of bark, or by thin planks."
"It's not badly put together," said Jack, with a
critical air ; " but it will be strange if a regular taught
English carpenter cannot beat it. I'm not daunted,
Mr. Arthur, after all my vexations. And here 's some-
thing that pleases me better ; and, say what you will,
sir, this is my own, and I '11 take it."
This was a small saw, which had been left beneath
the lopped branches of the mangrove; and Arthur,
108 PETER'S CHARACTER.
prudent as he was, not only agreed that Jack had a
perfect right to carry away his own property ; but he
thought he might do it with safety ; for, in the place
where it was lying, it would certainly be washed away
by the next tide, if it was left behind ; and, charmed
with their prize, they hastened home to report that the
intruders had departed.
Hugh and Gerald were in a high state of indignation
at the audacity of Peter in carrying off their boat ; and
Wilkins was furious, upbraiding Jack for his professional
unskilfulness ; when a fellow like Black Peter could
make the boat fit to stand a voyage.
" We do not know yet how the voyage ended," said
Margaret. " It may be the boat has again foundered
where help could not be had."
" God send it may ! " said Wilkins. Mr. Mayburn
reproved the thoughtless man for the exclamation,
telling him he ought rather to pray that the sinful man
might be long spared, that he might have opportunity
to repent.
" Him repent ! " cried Wilkins ; " bless you, master,
ye might as lief look to Miss here turning bush-ranger !
It 's not in him. He were just born for nought but to
die a rascal, and that he '11 do, and no mistake ! "
" It is a mistake, rash man ! " replied Mr. Mayburn.
" God sent no man into the world marked for perdition.
There is ever a door open that the vilest may enter.
Let us all pray that he may find that door ; and if God
permit me, I would gladly use my humble efforts to
reclaim the wretched sinner."
" Well, all I can say is, sir," answered Wilkins, " God
send ye may never have a chance. Ye 're a deal ower
THE CANOES FINISHED. 109
good to be thrawn away in running efter such a rogue,
and ten to one he 'd twist yer neck if ye said a word to
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 man of his
own peril, rather than of that of his worthless comrade ;
of whom he 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 benches they did not
venture to introduce. The ends were closed firmly
with the stringy fibres of the tree named the " stringy
bark tree," as the tough fibres of this bark seemed
more suitable for the purpose than the hemp-twisted
ropes found in the ship.
Ten days completed the first canoe, and hardened
the gum used to coat it. Paddles and oars were added,
and then the workmen fondly looked upon it as a suc-
cess, and Jack was sanguine in his expectation that in
fair weather it must reach the mainland safely. But it
was not large enough to contain the whole party, and a
second visit to the interior was necessary, and a second
gum-tree was barked. At this visit, and on several oc-
casions, the younger boys looked out on the coast for
traces of the natives, but all continued so tranquil that
they began to hope they should not again be disturbed.
Before they began to make the second canoe they
made a trial of the first, by carefully conveying it over
the reefs, and launching it beyond them. Wilkins of-
fered to take it alone ; but Jack chose to accompany
him, that he might note any imperfection and correct
10
110 A CATAMARAW.
it. It floated beautifully, was easily governed, -and the
workmen were full of pride and hope as they deposited
their canoe in the cave, and turned to work at another.
" If we can but succeed as well with the next," said
Jack, " we shall have nothing 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 our table utensils, besides necessary
provisions. How are they to be stowed ? "
All were silent ; for to stow all these things besides
the four passengers, would be more dangerous than
even the fifth person.
" I say, Jack, my lad," said Wilkins, u ye '11 have to
rig up a catamaran, like them they have down yonder,
to land folks over a high surf. I 'se see and manage it
myself, and then ye '11 be shot of me. Ye ken I 'se a
good-to-nought ; and maybe I 'd be bringing down a
storm on ye all, like that Jonah as master was read-
ing on."
Though Mr. May burn assured Wilkins God would
not pour his vengeance on them for protecting a man
who had shown some hopes of amendment, the sugges-
tion of Wilkins was fully approved. A catamaran was
obviously desirable, and as soon as the second canoe
was completed, they set to work, lopped the stems of
the mangrove, and lashed them together to form as
large a raft as they required. This they surrounded
with a frame of thin wood, and the catamaran was com-
pleted to the satisfaction of the workmen, ready for the
cargo to be tied to it. Gerald named it the luggage-
van, and declared he would certainly take his passage
on it.
JL FOKAGING EXPEDITION. Ill
"When all was finished, it became an object of con-
sideration what might be the nature of the coast they
should land upon. They had read that many parts of
the west coast of Australia were mere deserts, arid and
barren, without food or water, and they knew not but
they might be driven on such an inhospitable shore. It
was therefore advisable, before they abandoned the
plenty that now surrounded them, that they should col-
lect stores for possible contingencies. The brandy cask
they had found in the wreck was large ; this, before
they embarked, they proposed to fill with fresh water
from the tank, the most important provision for the voy-
age. And for the rest, one fine morning the whole
party set out with bags and baskets on a foraging expe-
dition to obtain food to victual their fleet.
CHAPTER IX.
The Foray. Young Potatoes. More Intruders. Ruth's Intro-
duction to the Savages. The Sailing of the Fleet. The Desert
Shore. The Giant Ant-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 the nests of aquatic birds, built
among the reeds, and a dozen fine ducks were soon
taken. Ruth filled a large basket with eggs, and finally
a quantity of fish was procured. With this ample pro-
vision they turned homewards; but passing the plot
they had sowed with potatoes on their first arrival at
the cove, they were astonished to see how forward the
plants were; and on digging they found young pota-
toes, of which they carried away a small bag ; but as
they still had a large supply of those found in the
wreck, they left the greater part for the benefit of suc-
ceeding visitors.
When they came near the height above the beach,
on which they had first seen the footsteps of the na-
tives, Hugh and Gerald went to the cliff to look over
once more on the well-remembered spot, but started
back immediately, for, to their deep distress, they be-
held a considerable number of naked savages, painted
with white chalk in a most frightful manner, dancing,
singing, and throwing up their arms as if they were
frantic.
The boys made a signal of silence to the rest ; but
(112)
RUTH AMONG THE SAVAGES. 113
Ruth, who was always, as Jenny said, in the wrong
place, had followed the boys to the cliff, and, curious
to know what they had seen below, she leaned for-
ward to look down through an opening in the bush.
O'Brien, alarmed lest she should be seen darted for-
ward to seize her arm and draw her back ; but startled
by the action, and terrified by the scene below, she lost
her balance, and, encumbered with the heavy basket,
tottered over the edge, rolled down the steep cliff
through the crackling, thorny brushwood, and alighted
amidst the strange wild crew on the beach.
Springing up and looking round, the distracted girl
uttered a succession of shrill screams, and the natives,
in equal terror and amazement, gazed on the strange
creature that had so suddenly descended amongst them.
Her hair, which was very long, and of a fiery red color,
was flying loose over her scarlet cloak, her wild eyes
were starting from her head, and her pallid face was
streaming with blood from the scratches she had re-
ceived in her descent. For a moment the savages ap-
peared paralyzed; then, without looking round, they
fled to their canoes; and the next minute were seen
paddling with all speed from the shores haunted by
such a frightful spectre.
By this time, Jack, in great alarm about his sister,
had descended to the beach, and was immediately fol-
lowed by the rest of the young men ; and the distressed,
woe-begone aspect of Ruth, who continued to sob and
groan even after her fears were subdued, made Gerald
laugh heartily, in spite of the tragic consequences that
might have ensued from the accident.
" Come along, girl," said Jack, kindly. " Thank God
10*
114 THE LAW OF HONESTY.
you are not much worse; so what have you to cry
about now ? "
" It 's the eggs, Jack," she sobbed out. " What must
I do ? They 're all broken, and what will Jenny say
tome?"
" Never mind that," answered he ; " take up your
basket, and come away with me 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 collected more eggs, and soon recovered from the
distress of her adventure. The boys found that the
timid natives had left behind them in their fright spears,
boomerangs, and some excellent cordage, twisted of the
fibres of the stringy bark tree. Wilkins would gladly
have carried off these, and unwillingly relinquished
them at the command of Mr. Mayburn. " What mat-
ters," 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 an exposition of the law of honesty, as established
by God and man.
All the property of the natives was therefore left
untouched, and the family returned to their own quiet
nook, now more anxious than ever to leave a place to
which curiosity, or the desire to recover their weapons,
might at any moment bring back the late undesirable
visitors.
Every one was now busily employed : a small num-
ber of potatoes were %gain planted, and the remainder
of their store packed in sail-cloth bags. The ducks
THE EMBARKATION. 115
and fish were cooked; the eggs of the wild-fowl, as
well as a quantity which Ruth's poultry had produced,
were boiled hard, and packed with soft grass in a box.
The water-cask was filled; and then all the packages
and provisions were lashed securely to the raft,
which they had finished by a mast and sail made
from some rent remains of canvas on the masts of
the wreck.
The large sail wmch had formed the tent cover was
spread over the whole of the freightage and nailed
down. Then the bottoms of the canoes were spread
with fine grass for seats, and after a thanksgiving to
God, who had given them the power and the means to
accomplish this important undertaking, the family lay
down in the balmy, dry, spring air of that delicious
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 the heights to ascertain that the
coast was quiet; then the first canoe, containing Mr.
Mayburn and Margaret, Arthur and Hugh, was
launched, and carried 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 to any mischief; and if he sets
Ruth on, we 'se all be drowned."
" Keep your eyes on her, Mrs. Wilson," answered
Jack ; " and if she will not sit still, we '11 have her tied
upon Wilkins's catamaran." O'Brien's laughter at the
idea of Ruth being stowed with the luggage, made the
poor girl shed tears ; but she was comforted with the
116 A SIGHT OF THE MAIN LAND.
care her chickens required, she having persisted in
retaining the charge of her pets.
For an hour they labored steadily, without any
rest, till a westerly breeze got. up, and Wilkins, to his
great relief, was able to hoist his sail ; for he had pre-
viously been crying out for a helping hand. Then the
catamaran floated briskly over the waves, which were,
however, a little more raised by the wind than was
pleasant for the slender canoes. But even the most
timid took courage when the long line of low coast be-
came plainly visible. No threatening rocks or foaming
breakers appeared to create terror ; and all seemed so
favorable to the voyage of the unskilled mariners, that
they began to be fastidious in their choice of a landing-
place.
" Let us coast awhile, Arty," said Hugh, " till we
come to the mouth of a river, which will insure us a
fertile coast. There is no occasion for us to land on a
desert."
" There would only be one danger in such a choice,"
replied Arthur, " The natives may also prefer the
fertile coast, and would be likely to oppose the land-
ing of intruders. I think I should prefer to land
at first on an uninhabited spot. We could then
examine the country, and determine our future
course. It appears to me, as we draw nearer, and
can observe the low coast opposite to us, that the
landing would suit our canoes. What do you say,
papa ? "
" I think you are right, Arthur," answered he. " I
see trees above the beach; and surely I distinguish
large birds on the shore, a still more encouraging
prospect."
NATIVES ON THE COAST. 117
Margaret looked intently for some time in silence;
then, turning to her brother, she said, "Are those
figures we see really birds, Arthur?*'
Arthur looked round once more towards the coast,
and then, calling out to the other boats, " South !
south ! " he altered the direction of the canoe, and
said,
" After all, papa, we must coast a few miles, at least ;
for those figures are the natives, who are, as I now see,
armed with spears, and will probably resist our landing,
regarding us as foreign invaders. We must not 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 associates were islanders; but we must avoid
all intercourse with the natives as long as we can."
" How glad I am, brother," said Margaret, " that we
are sailing south. How happy we should all be if we
could ever reach the dear Deverells."
" My dear sister," answered Arthur, laughing, " you
surely do not expect that we can voyage along the
whole coast of West Australia in these shells. If we
ever purpose to meet the Deverells again, we must
have stout vessels for the sea, and wagons and horses
for the land journey ; which could only be obtained
by the influence of some powerful fairy in our present
desolate position."
"Nevertheless, Arthur," said his father, "if God
permits us to set our feet on that continent in safety,
my aim shall be to discover, if possible, the estate of
that estimable young man ; and to offer myself to
undertake the church of his new colony. I now despair
118 AN UNKNOWN COAST.
of ever reaching my destination in India, and my heart
and my wishes point to Daisy Grange."
The eyes of his children sparkled as they listened to
the speculations of their father ; though Arthur smiled
and shook his head, and Margaret sighed, as they
thought on the difficulties of so prodigious an attempt.
" Never despair, Meggie," said Hugh ; " we '11 do it.
We are all strong fellows, in sound health, and I flatter
myself tolerably ingenious. I feel full of resources,
and Jack is a mine of wealth. If we succeed in cross-
ing the sea in these slender toy boats, I do not see why
we should not traverse the whole continent of Austra-
lia, with our stout frames and bold hearts."
" To me," said Mr. Mayburn, " it would be the real-
ization of a long-indulged dream to set my foot in a
new and lovely world,
' To slowly trace the forest's shady scene,
Where things that own not man's dominion dwell,
And mortal foot hath ne 'er or rarely been.'
Yes, my children, I also believe that, by God's help, we
may penetrate the wilderness, and look on wondeii
hidden since the day of creation. I am content to
encounter hardships. Let us go on."
" But, papa," answered Arthur, " c'est le premier pas
qui coute ; and this first step we have yet to make
the step upon terra Jirma. Margaret thinks that must
be very easy ; but we poor mariners, who know ' the
dangers of the seas/ have some notion of the difficulties
of landing 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."
DIFFICULTIES OF LANDING. 119
" That is wholly my fault, my boys," answered Mr.
Mayburn. " I ought to have arranged that the charm-
ing science of navigation should form one of your
mathematical recreations ; but I never dreamed that
you would be called upon to make use of a branch of
knowledge so rarely cultivated in the quiet life of
retirement to which we were called. But are we not
some miles from those threatening savages now,
Arthur?"
" Not quite far enough, sir," said Arthur. " They
may have watched, and intend to follow us. We will
put a dozen miles between us before we make for the
shore. But I see poor Wilkins is quite worn out, and,
as his sail is useless now, I must spare you to help him,
Hugh, and papa will take an oar."
They approached near enough to mark the variations
of the coast, now flat and sandy, then rugged, and
occasionally bristling with rocks, which would have torn
their little bark to shivers if they had encountered
them. At last every arm was exhausted, and the
opposite coast being low and untenanted, they rowed
up to it with caution, looked keenly round for reefs and
hidden rocks, of which they were in great dread.
" Let us run in first," shouted Wilkins from his raft.
" We can bide a shock better nor ye, and likely we may
help ye out of yer troubles a bit, when we 've gotten
this ugly craft landed."
Margaret felt some alarm for Hugh; but Arthur
reminded her that Wilkins was, in fact, the only sailor
amongst them; besides, rough as he was, he was too
much attached to the boy to lead him into any danger.
So the canoes lay to, watching the clumsy catamaran
paddled into shallow water, Then they saw Wilkins
120 THE VOYAGERS ON SHORE.
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 the canoes ; and wading out breast-high
in the water to assist him, finally all were happily
landed.
" There 's an ugly sand-bank just out yonder," said
Wilkins, " and I were feared ye might run atop on it.
Now ye niver thought, master, these bits of cockle-
shells should turn out grand sailers as they are. I say,
Jack, man, ye '11 try a three-decker next, I reckon."
Wilkins was in high good-humor, tired as he was,
with his successful voyage ; and declared Hugh was a
clever little chap, and he liked him better than any
other lad he had ever seen. And now Margaret saw,
with a hopeful heart, that the man was really changed ;
his rough and lowering countenance began to look
brighter ; and the desperate convict was thus providen-
tially led into the path of reformation.
" Now that we are really landed," said Mr. Mayburn,
" I would ask what we are to do."
" I should answer, papa," said Hugh, " let us eat,
and rest ; for you have no idea how tired and hungry
Wilkins and I are."
All declared the suggestion was excellent, and while
the provisions were got from the catamaran, Arthur
walked a little way from the beach to inspect the
country, and saw before him only a wide bare plain,
skirted towards the sea by a few mangroves, and appar-
ently devoid of all inhabitants, rational or brute. This
was not a promising prospect ; all that could be said of
it was, that it was quiet ; though they were dreadfully
A WALK INLAND. 121
annoyed by the mosquitos when they they sat down to
dinner under the shade afforded by the mangroves.
As they ate their wild duck, they seriously discussed
the future. They were reluctant to set out over the
plains and abandon their little fleet, lest circumstances
should render it necessary to resume their voyage.
" What say you, Hugh, my boy," said Gerald, " if
you and I were to take a run across these downs, and
look out for a pleasant place for an encampment, out of
the way of these rascally stinging beasts ? "
" What say you, Arthur," asked Hugh, " will your
excellency permit two of your humble servants to set
out on an exploring expedition ? "
u I think it would be more prudent for his excellency
to command the expedition in person," said Arthur; "I
dare not trust you, my thoughtless lads, and we can
leave a safe protection for the garrison in our two he-
roes, Jack and Wilkins ; therefore let us march at once.
Take the gun out of its case, and give it into my
charge ; and you can carry the spears and throwing-
sticks."
The young men had completed, while in the island, a
number of spears and throwing-sticks, from the models
of those left behind by the natives ; they had even
successfully imitated the boomerang, that mysterious
weapon of warfare, so eccentric in its movements, and
so remarkable in its effect; but they had not yet at-
tained the art of casting it. Bows and arrows had been
commenced, and these Jack undertook to employ him-
self in completing during their absence.
Though Arthur was a prudent and safe protector for
his young brothers, and Wilkins and Jack were power-
ful defenders to leave behind, the family did not sepa-
11
122 THE DESERT SHORE.
rate without considerable anxiety. The young men
crossed the plains directly from the beach, satisfied that
they were in safety on that vast open waste, on which
not even a growth of brushwood offered concealment
for a foe. A loose, sandy soil, covered with thin, brown
grass, gave to these sterile downs the appearance of a
perfect desert. To crown all, they could not see in any
direction the indication of water ; and, thankful that
they had brought a supply of this precious necessary of
existence from the island that would last them for many
days, Arthur still felt every moment more convinced
that it would be folly to linger on this inhospitable
coast, where, unfurnished with any means of hastening
their progress to a more fertile region, they should be
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 hard work. And it 's little use hoisting a
sail, for ten to one we shall have a contrary wind."
" I hardly think the odds are so great as that against
a fair wind my boy," answered Arthur ; " but at all
events hard work is better than hard fare. So we must
just get such a night's rest as the mosquitos will per-
mit us, and then try a bit of coasting in the morning.
We can hardly come on a more cheerless coast than
this."
" What in the world is that before us, Arthur ? " ex-
claimed Hugh. " This coast must be inhabited, for this
erection is certainly the work of man's hand. It is one
of the pyramids of Egypt in miniature."
" No, Hugh, man's hand has never meddled with this
structure," replied Arthur. " I recognize it from de-
THE ANT-HILL. 123
scription as one of the marvels of insect industry
an ant-hill. Observe the skill and ingenuity that must
have been displayed to construct this huge abode for a
countless nation. This firm yellow clay is now so hard-
ened that without some tools we could scarcely over-
throw 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 speck of an aperture, from which I have
just seen a diminutive insect emerge ! and it has been
remarked, that these creatures, the smallest of their
species, erect themselves the most lofty abodes. This
must be eight feet in height, and wonderful as it ap-
pears externally as the work of that minute creature,
the interior, we read, is still more astonishing a mir-
acle 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 ! " an-
swered Arthur. " No, Gerald, you would surely never
wish to be so wantonly destructive. We had better
remember the advice of Solomon, ' Consider its ways,
and be wise.' "
"Margaret will laugh at our exploits as foragers,"
said Hugh. " We have certainly seen an ant-hill, but
we have not even found an egg to carry home. I wish
we could pick up any token of life or vegetation in this
desert. Let us make a little tour. Arthur. I have my
eye on our landmark, that tall, bare, spectral man-
grove."
Arthur did not object to walk a short distance
towards the south, anxious to obtain a more extensive
124 DISAPPOINTMENT.
view of the coast ; but they went over the bare, un-
interesting soil for two hours without any satisfaction.
A single dry, withered acacia spread its thin branches
before them ; and Arthur was glad to climb it to ex-
tend his view along the coast line. But all appeared
desolation : not a hill, a rock, or a green fringe to de-
note vegetation or water. He descended, much disap-
pointed, and silently and thoughtfully they directed
their steps to the boats.
It was night before they reached their anxious
friends, who saw in their jaded and melancholy coun-
tenances the disappointment of their hopes.
" Did n't I tell ye all along," grumbled Wilkins, " as
how north were yer point, and ye '11 have to make a
north course, after all. I 've run along this here coast
long afore this, and I say again, ye '11 find neither meat
nor water for hundreds of miles down south."
"I must allow, Wilkins," answered Arthur, "that
voyagers have ever stated that this coast from the
eighteenth to the twenty-fifth degree of latitude is cer-
tainly desert ; and that in the lower latitudes it is fer-
tile and well watered ; but by returning north we are
flying from the aim of our hopes, and must necessarily
risk encounters with the natives."
Margaret sighed as she thought of removing still
further from the Deverells, and Wilkins said,
" Never ye heed them black fellows ; they 're nought
but a set of reet down cowards, to be fled away by that
silly bit lass. We 're six clever chaps again 'em, and
if we bully a bit at first, we 'se drive 'em afore us like
sheep."
Mr. Mayburn shook his head, and Arthur had some
doubts of such an easy victory ; but it was expedient
AFLOAT ONCE MORE. 125
to keep up the spirit of the party, and he made no
answer. Then, mortifying as it was to retrace their
course, it was finally agreed they should sail north next
morning, keeping in sight of the coast, and avoiding
the landing-place where they had seen the natives the
previous day. They proposed to seek the mouth of a
a river, if they could possibly discover one, which
might form an easy mode of access to the interior.
Jack had during the day carefully examined tne
canoes, added a fresh coating of the gum, which he had
brought with him, and lashed the timbers of the raft
tight and firm. Then, after an uneasy night of vex-
atious contentions with the mosquitos, they breakfasted,
prayed for God's blessing on their perilous enterprise,
and once more committed themselves to the ocean.
Since they first landed on their little island, the
weather had continued to be invariably calm and
beautiful, and even the thoughtless Ruth and the rude
convict seemed to be struck with the " witchery of the
clear blue sky," while the more intelligent did not for-
get to thank their bounteous Creator, who had tempered
their little trials with this blessing. Now, cheered
by the bright sky and the fresh sea breeze, the young
rowers plied their oars with willing hands, singing
merrily as they urged their fragile barks over the light
curling waves.
Hugh had joined "Wilkins, as on the previous day,
and, favored by a south wind they spread the sail.
Wilkins, however, augured no good of this favorable
breeze, declaring the south wind was always the fore-
runner of a storm ; but they might as well make the
best of a bad job, by easing their arms a bit. But for
many hours they sailed on favorably and uninterrupt-
11*
126 THREATENING NATIVES.
edly, for Margaret had taken care that each canoe
should be amply provisioned for the day. When they
passed that part of the coast where the natives had
been assembled on the previous day, they saw that it
was now untenanted ; but they felt no inclination to
visit a locality so frequented, so continued their voy-
age ; and on passing a hilly shore about a mile further
north, they not only saw the people collected in num-
bers and waving their spears, but could hear their yells
as they entured to approach within a mile of the
shore.
" I say, Wilkins, my man," said Hugh. " Do you
fancy our little troop could drive all that lot of .fellows
before us like a flock of sheep? I should hardly like to
make the experiment, unless each of us was armed
with a good rifle."
"That's just what we want, Master Hugh," replied
Wilkins. " It were just that there gun, as I grudged
that rogue Peter a vast deal more nor bags of bread
and such like. If we'd had a few more guns, we
might have defied every black fellow alive atween here
and Perth. They Ve not that sense to make out what
it is, as makes all that clatter and smoke; and it'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 weather afore long."
Hugh hailed the canoes, to announce to Arthur the
meteorological observations of Wilkins; and as the
man had certainly more experience than any of the
party, they could not help feeling a little alarmed.
Arthur looked anxiously towards the coast for a favor-
able landing-place, but here, only high bare cliffs ran
along the shore, against which the waves dashed with
A STORM. 127
a fury that warned them they must not approach
near.
Gradually, the sky grew dark with clouds, the wind
was heard before it was felt; and before Hugh and
Wilkins could tear down their rude sail, the raft was
whirled round, and hurried furiously past the canoes
towards a sort of eddy which was dashing and foaming
not a quarter of a mile before them. With all the
speed they could make, Arthur and his father rowed
forward to rescue Hugh and Wilkins, regardless, at
that moment, of the fate of the raft itself.
The two men had now got the sail lowered ; the raft
was dashed amongst the breakers, but Arthur's canoe
gained on them, and he could hear Wilkins hailing
them, " Keep clear of the eddy ; and send us a rope."
Fortunately the mooring rope was still attached to the
canoe, and Arthur endeavored, though many times
ineffectually, to fling it within reach of the doomed cat-
amaran.
At length Wilkins secured the rope, and binding it
firmly round Hugh, he flung the boy clear of the
tossing raft. Arthur and the half-distracted father
hauled the rope gently, as long as the poor lad seemed
able to contend against the waves, and when he seemed
to have yielded to their violence, they drew him, sense-
less, to the canoe. The cares of Margaret soon re-
stored him, and in the mean time Wilkins had plunged
into the boiling waves, and though a good swimmer, he
with much difficulty reached the canoe, which they saw,
with distress, was now far too much laden in such a
sea.
CHAPTER X.
A Total Wreck. An Unknown Coast. The Green Ants. The
White Cockatoo. Waifs. The Gourd Tree. The Fresh-
water Rivulet. A River Voyage Projected.
"THE catamaran is lost, master," said Wilkins, as
soon as he could speak. " But life afore property any
day, and somehow I've had thoughts of late as how
I 'se hardly fit to die. . . . Now then ; look about ye,
young man. That there eddy 's a freshet ; there 's a
river comes in there, and that 's where as we should be,
if we can make land cannily. Here, auld master, lend
me them oars, and sit ye down and- look after that
young chap."
Arthur agreed with Wilkins ; but it was a perilous
undertaking to carry the canoes over the foaming
breakers, the hidden rocks of that frowning coast.
His own experience rendered him hopeless of ever
accomplishing the task, and he was now thankful for
the advice and assistance of Wilkins.
" 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 see to belay it cannily ; and if we
be swamped, look sharp and clutch Miss here, and make
a swim with her. We 're nigh shallow water now, and
we may drive in, barrin' rocks."
(128)
THE CANOES WRECKED. 129
It was only by clinging to each other, that Margaret
and her father, as well as the two women in the second
canoe, were able to keep their seats, as the waves tossed
up, whirled, and washed over their frail barks. Some-
times they seemed to be thrown upon land, and the
next wave carried them back with it.
" Now then ! " cried Wilkins, holding up his oar, and
signalling to Jack to follow his example. " Now, when
we ground again, you, master, jump out and hold her
Lard for yer life."
The next moment the canoe did ground with a shock,
and Wilkins plunged the oar into the sandy shore, and
held his ground firmly till Arthur and Mr. Mayburn
leaped out of the canoe and held the prow ; he followed
their example, and though still up to the waist in water,
they grasped their charge, standing close to each other,
and bravely withstood the returning wave. Then rap-
idly retreating to the shore, they easily drew after them
the lightened canoe, and placed it high and dry on the
beach before 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 shock of grounding,
and, but for the assistance of Wilkins, Ruth must have
been lost. She was dragged out senseless, but still
holding her basket on her arm ; and her first words on
her recovery were loud lamentations at the discovery
that two of her fowls were drowned.
In the mean time the second canoe was whirling"
wildly among the breakers, and Arthur called out that,
if possible, it must be saved ; and all hands were soon
engaged in catching the towing-rope, by which they
9
130 SAFE ON SHORE.
soon succeeded in drawing the shattered bark to the
beach.
" I think that is a useless labor, Arthur," said Mr.
Mayburn, " for I trust that none here may ever again
be compelled to tempt the dangers of the ocean in such
a frail and imperfect bark. By God's mercy, our feet
are once more upon the earth, the natural and ordained
locality of man. Byron, the wondrous poet who apos-
trophized the ocean, says :
' His steps are not upon thy paths, thy fields
Are not a spoil for him, thou dost arise
And shake him from thee ! ' "
" 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," an-
swered Arthur ; " but not on this bare and comfortless
strand. We must penetrate to a more hospitable region.
It was to render this journey less toilsome to you that
I meditated to secure and fit up the canoes, in order to
use them in ascending the river which we see pouring
into the sea, and which must be our guide to the in-
terior."
" Ay," said "Wilkins, " rivers is rivers in this queer,
dry country ; and other folks ken that as well as us ;
and when ye light on a sup of water, make sure of find-
ing a lot of them black fellows gathered round it. But
ihey '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 of providing ourselves with food,
for I fear we are now reduced to absolute destitution."
DESTITUTION. 131
"We have Ruth's plump chickens," said the mis-
chievous O'Brien.
" Oh, Master Gerald ! " exclaimed Ruth, weeping ;
"and could you have a heart to kill the poor dumb
creatures as have lived wi' us so long ? I would hunger
sooner nor eat a bit of one of them, not if we had fried
ham to it,"
The volatile boy laughed heartily at Ruth's visionary
fancy of chicken and ham ; and Margaret assured the
sorrowful girl that only the fear of starvation should
compel them to slay her pets, though the two drowned
chickens must certainly be cooked, and not left on the
beach for the gulls.
They had landed not far north of the mouth of what
they now found to be a considerable river, to the banks
of which they soon made their way, and found that it
ran between high cliffs, leaving a narrow pathway at
the side, almost impassable, with huge fragments of rock
scattered along it. But they remained fixed in their
intention of following up its course, as the safest guide
in their expedition. But first they must rest, and have
such refreshment as they could obtain, the provisions
in the canoes being washed out in the struggle to land.
They sat down under an overhanging cliff, where cur-
tains of drooping creeping plants shielded them from
the sun, the boys having brought up stones for seats ;
and, after fervent thanks for their safety, they all felt a
peace and tranquillity scarcely to be hoped for in their
destitute condition.
" It was most fortunate that the rifle was with me in
the canoe," said Arthur, " and safe in the case. It is no
worse for the immersion. The charges I always carry
in my belt in the water-proof case ; so we are provided
132 SHELL-FISH.
for defence. But the raft and its precious contents,
Margaret ! "
"Have trust in God, my son," said Mr. Mayburn.
" Look up at that magnificent snow-white bird, one of
the eagle tribe, which is even now soaring over our
heads. Why should we doubt? He who feeds the
fowls of the air will not forget his children on earth."
" Here are lots of oysters, papa," said Hugh, " and
Gerald has run after a large crab. There will certainly
be turtles on the beach, and birds and eggs 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 '11 provide you with both," answered the boy.
Then from the roots of a mangrove, which spread
below the cliffs, he tore down an enormous mussel, 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, consisting of the limbs of the drowned chick-
ens, toasted or broiled over a fire of drift-wood, and
served on oyster shells. Knives they had fortunately
preserved, but nothing more, and they could not help
feeling the want of the common necessaries of social
life.
After dinner the young men cleared the canoes from
the accumulated weed and water, drew them under the
shelter of the cliff, spread their boat-cloaks in them, and
persuaded Margaret and their father to rest, while they
held council what course to pursue next; but they
found themselves so overcome with fatigue and anxiety,
GREEN ANTS. 133
that at the first approach of darkness they all sought
rest under the canopy of heaven before 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 of turtles' eggs and
some wood for a fire. And now, Arthur, we are off on
another excursion ; we want to climb the cliffs, to see
what sort of country we have been thrown upon."
" Then you must accept me for a third in your enter-
prise," answered Arthur, " for papa would not approve
of two such wild fellows setting out alone. Now,
nurse, Hugh has made a fire to roast us some eggs, and
with a shell of cold water from that jar we saved in the
canoe, we have our breakfast 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 of tea."
Arthur could give Jenny no hopes of any tea-leaves,
or even of any substitute for that agreeable shrub, but
he was sanguine about procuring eggs, and even birds,
for dinner. Then promising to return in an hour or
two, and taking the gun with them, each of the hardy
boys cut down a strong stick, and then marched off
along the narrow pathway at the foot of the high cliffs
which enclosed the guiding river. After walking some
distance, the shelving rocks, covered with rich tropical
creeping shrubs, appeared accessible, and they climbed
to the summit, shaking down upon them, as they forced
their way through the bushes, multitudes of stinging
green ants. Then they walked first to the edge of the
cliffs that overhung the sea, and looked round to observe
their position.
12
134 THE WHITE COCKATOO.
It was plain that they were now upon the mainland,
and that they had been driven into a wide bay, with
headlands running out on each side, while the entrance
was barred by coral reefs which it seemed miraculous
that they should have escaped. Beyond the reefs they
distinguished shadowy dots, which they concluded were
small islets, probably similar to that which had sheltered
them so long, and which they now congratulated them-
selves they had exchanged for a wider field and more
promising prospect of reaching a permanent resting-
place.
" How I wish papa was here," exclaimed Hugh.
" Do look at those curious birds, and tell me what they
are, Arthur. Oh, now I know they must be cockatoo?,
from their odd cry. Would it be right to kill them ? "
" I shall have a shy at one," said Gerald, who had
luckily brought his bow slung on his back ; and he
directly brought down with an arrow a fine large bird
about eighteen inches in length, with snowy plumage
and a bright orange crest.
" What will Margaret say ? " exclaimed Hugh. " But
it is a handsome creature, 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 eggs to increase our
rations ; for a cockatoo, which has a large amount of
feather upon it, will be but a small dinner for nine
hungry people."
They examined the crevices of the rocks, and found
many nests of gulls and cockatoos, containing eggs and
even tolerable-sized young birds, of which they brought
away half a dozen, and filled their pockets with eggs,
WAIFS. 135
and then turned from the coast to take a glance inland.
The view before them was wild, and scattered over with
rocks, but seemed well wooded ; and from the curious
mingled cries from the bushes, they judged that the
feathered tribes were abundant.
Then they commenced their perplexing descent
through the tangled bushes, shaking off, as they pro-
ceeded, the tormenting ants, which ran over them in
countless numbers, each little creature seeming deter-
mined to make its presence felt.
" After our observations," said Arthur, " I am still of
opinion that, if the canoes can be repaired, we must try
to make them useful in ascending the river, the banks
of which promise to afford us abundant food ; while the
waters supply us with their precious refreshment. We
may encounter the natives, certainly ; but we shall be
able to escape from them more easily in the canoes,
than if we were dragging slowly on by land. We must
begin immediately to fit them for the voyage."
" I saw a fine gum-tree above," said Hugh, " that will
supply us with materials for mending or making. We
must bring Jack here ; but oh ! Arty, I quite forgot
his tools would be all swept away with that unlucky
catamaran."
"It is a most unfortunate loss," replied Arthur; "but
we must not despair. If we have not the best means,
we must take the next best ; we must consider and con-
trive, and not care for hard work."
They returned with their booty, and found Jack
standing with a pensive and disturbed countenance over
the canoes ; while Wilkins and Margaret, the tide being
now low, had wandered down to the sea; where Gerald
quickly followed them, and found that their object was
136 SALT WATER.
to watch, in hopes that any part of the cargo of the
catamaran might be thrown on the shore. Their first
prize was a locker filled with potatoes, which Jack had
fortunately nailed up to prevent the water coming in,
and thus the contents were quite uninjured. But they
found a greater treasure still, in the estimation of Mar-
garet ; a portmanteau of linen, which the thief Peter
had either overlooked or despised, and which had been
one of the greatest comforts left them in their bereaved
condition. They were fortunately all wearing good
stout boots, and their outer clothing, in that charming
climate, was of minor importance.
The waifs were speedily removed from the beach to
the encampment, where they found Jenny and Ruth in
great distress.
" This is worse than all, Miss Marget," said nurse.
" With that bright bonnie river running in sight of us,
we have not a sup of water fit for a Christian to drink.
It's as salt as pickle; enough to poison one, and can
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 her experiment, that the tide naturally
rises up the river, probably for many miles, thus cutting
us off from one of the most important necessaries of
life. Now, perilous as it may be to leave the coast, it
is imperative on us to move, or we must perish."
Arthur reflected for a few minutes, and then said,
" Let us have some eggs, Meggie ; then Jack will
accompany us, and we will set out to trace the river
up the ravine; and I cannot but think we shall cer-
tainly meet with tributary streams from the hills, of
perfectly fresh water."
WANT OF TOOLS. 137
"But how shall we bring back the supplies to the
camp ? " asked Hugh. " We have no vessels except
mussel-shells, or our cups."
" Oh, warra ! " exclaimed Gerald, " if the sea would
only be civil enough to give 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 js most likely fixed in some
sand-bank, whence it will require a storm to move it.
We must each choose one of the largest of the mussels
we saw this morning clinging to the banks, and bring
them in filled with fresh water provided we meet
with the water carrying it as steadily as we are able.
If we only had the canoes in working condition, we
would move at 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 small cords, 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. But it 's a sin to be
drowned ; something will be sure to turn up ; so with
God's help we '11 manage these bits of boats, and then,
thank God, Master O'Brien saved his bow."
" And here you see the remains of mine, Jack," said
Hugh. " I have picked it up on the beach. You must
try and fit me out again, and then neither storm nor
savage shall tear it from me. Only think, papa, if I
had had my bow, we might have brought down a
splendid white-headed hawk ! "
12*
138 FRESH WATER.
" Would that you had succeeded, my boy," answered
his father. " A white-headed hawk would indeed have
been a gem in my collection, an anomaly in the known
feathered race. But, indeed, every living creature in
these regions is an anomaly to all naturalists. This
cockatoo is obviously of an antipodean race. Its form,
habits, and peculiar notes, mark it to be of a distinct
and modern family, having even little relation to the
psittacidcB of the ancient race. I am pleased with this
remarkable bird, my dear boys, and feel no inclination
to have it cooked and eaten like a common barn-door
fowl."
" For my part," said Margaret, " I should feel less
remorse in devouring this stranger than one of our old
familiar friends, Ruth's beloved pets."
There was a common outcry against this household
homicide, or gallicide, as Hugh called it ; but there were
young birds and eggs sufficient for the day's provision ;
so the cockatoo was reprieved, and Mr. Mayburn care-
fully preserved the bird in all the glories of its white
plumage and yellow crest, so curiously movable at the
will of the bird.
Once more the young men set out for the very impor-
tant object of discovering fresh water; and the tide
being down, they walked up the margin of the river
with less difficulty than in the morning, but it was not
till after they had gone two or three miles beneath the
thickly covered cliffs, which were perfectly alive with
multitudes of strange birds, that they came t9 a narrow
ravine, opening at the north, from which a low cascade
poured a clear but slender rill into the river.
They at once decided to ascend this branch stream.
Its narrow bed was guarded by lofty rocks, which hid
THE GLOOMY GLEN. 139
from their eyes every prospect but that of the clear
blue sky above them, and their voices sounded hollow
as if from below the ground ; but, to their great satisfac-
tion, the water was fresh, clear, and cool, and no spark-
ling champagne was ever enjoyed more truly than the
draughts they quaffed from the shells of the fresh-water
mussels which were abundantly clustered on the banks
and strewed around.
" Don't you feel, Gerald," said Hugh, " as if we
were passing through some gloomy glen to arrive at
a grand old Moorish castle full of enchantments of
course ? "
" That 'a a capital idea, Hugh," answered he. " Then
there will be a beautiful princess shut up in the steel
tower, with a hideous black enchanter 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, " who-
ever heard that either dragon or enchanter could be
overcome by powder and shot ? If you have not fairy
patronage, you must have valor and prudence, and reso-
lution ; and there 's Arthur, though he looks so meek
and quiet, would be the conquering hero."
" We will leave the siege of the enchanted castle for
a more convenient opportunity," said Arthur, " and be
content to carry home such valuable trophies of con-
quest as a few shells of fresh water. But why has
Hugh climbed that almost perpendicular cliff? "
" He fancied he saw a palm-tree on the height," an-
swered Gerald ; " but if it really be a palm, I must say
it is an ugly tree ; and, for my part, I would much
rather have found an apple-tree, only, as I suppose
140 THE GOURD.
September is spring in this antipodean world, the ap-
ples could not be ready."
" Moreover, apples are not indigenous in Australia,"
said Arthur ; " nor shall we, I fear, meet with any
equivalent fruit. Some of the palms are really use-
ful, but I cannot think what species of palm that can
be."
A voice was heard from above, commanding them
to clear the way, and a huge gourd was hurled down,
rolling to the very edge of the stream. It was plainly
not fresh plucked, but must have lain long on the
ground ; and when Hugh descended, disappointed that
he had not been able to find any fruit on the tree,
Arthur explained that the gourds that were known
were not generally edible, but most useful as vessels
for holding water. Then Jack cut a hole in the shell,
which they cleansed from all the decayed matter, and
washed frequently to remove the bitter taste of the con-
tents. The gourd was slung by a cord, which Arthur
himself placed over his shoulders, and filled with the
fresh water for their friends.
Jack having found the Eucalyptus or gum-tree that
he required, they stripped it of the bark, and, having
filled a mussel-shell with the fresh oozing gum, they
returned to the encampment, well pleased with their
successful, though very tedious expedition ; for the
flowing tide made their return along the banks most
difficult. In fact, Arthur was of opinion that if they
waited for a spring tide, the river would entirely flood
the ravine, and render their progress impossible except
by boat.
" I was not aware," said Mr. Mayburn, " that the
wide-spreading but fastidious genus Cucurbita extended
THE CANOES REPAIRED. 141
to these strange regions ; yet this gourd surely belongs
to it. I am curious to see the tree, to ascertain if it
is of any known species."
" At all events," said Margaret, " it will be very use-
ful to us. Its contents are truly precious, and we are
most grateful to our persevering arid active purveyors.
And we welcome them heartily to their dinner of
broiled ducklings, or whatever else these delicate little
birds may be named, with one potatoe for each person,
which has been boiled with salt water 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 oysters were plentiful,
and the report of the explorers announced abundance
in the regions up the river ; so that it was with thank-
ful hearts the family sought repose after their labors, to
fit them for the renewed toil of the next day.
Jack commenced his- work at daylight. He fixed
large patches of bark with gum over the weak or dam-
aged part of the canoes, and left them to harden in the
sun. Then, with immense labor, they cut down with
their knives some boughs for poles to propel the vessels.
A single oar had been thrown ashore by the last tide,
and some broken spars, from which a pair of short oars
were rudely formed. Hugh and Gerald had been em-
ployed in the mean time in the search for turtles' eggs,
and had been fortunate enough to meet with a quan-
tity, as well as with a small turtle. None of the party
had much taste for the rich food, but nothing eatable
was to be despised in their situation ; so the turtle was
sacrificed, and another kettle provided for the cooks.
" The gum seems already hardened on the boats,"
142 THE CANOES REPAIRED.
said Arthur, " and I do not see, papa, that we have any
temptation to remain on this mosquito-haunted coast
longer than necessary. In another hour the tide will
be flowing up the river, and will assist our voyage
greatly. Shall we then at once set out on our impor-
tant expedition ? "
" I see the necessity of "it, my son," answered Mr.
Mayburn, "and am satisfied. Let us implore a bless-
ing on our undertaking, and then go forth, confiding in
the protection of the Most High."
Wilkins attended the family devotions with deco-
rum now ; but what effect was produced in his heart
was yet to be developed. Hugh and Margaret, to
whom he listened more patiently than to the rest, were
satisfied that some change was taking place in the sin-
ful man, and earnestly believed that 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
Strange Bird. A Hasty Flight. A Tropical Storm. The Loss
of the Canoes. The Cave of the Bats. A Toilsome Pilgrim-
age.
AFTER the fervent heat of noon had somewhat sub-
sided, the party arranged themselves in the two canoes,
and, aided by the tide, swept up the river, which now
extended to the cliffs on both sides, and effectually cut
off any passage by land. Occasionally the fallen
masses of the sandstone rocks, which lay shelving or
sloping to the water, were covered with a rich growth
of low entangled shrubs, now bursting into flowers of
many a brilliant hue ; amongst which numbers of pert,
noisy, little green or variegated parrots hopped about,
chattering over these strange disturbers of their wonted
tranquillity.
" Charming ! charming ! " exclaimed Mr. Mayburn.
" This is the sublime solitude of which I have dreamed
all my life. How glorious it would be
1 To hold with Heaven communion meet,
Meet for a spirit bound to Heaven,
And, in this wilderness beneath,
Pure zephyrs from above to breathe.'
What a completion of all my hopes it would be, my
children, if you could find some quiet spot where we
might land, and be content to pass our lives upon it."
(143)
144 THE RIVER VOYAGE.
This desire of Mr. Mayburn was received by his
children with some consternation, while Ruth, though
she but vaguely understood the proposal, looked round
at the prison-like rocky walls, the sombre twilight, and
the dashing waters, and began to cry. . Even Wilkins,
who heard 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 to tramp 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 may even en-
counter peaceful tribes ; and though our ignorance of
their language 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 our travels. 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 be able to traverse the vast space
that must separate us ? How can you and I penetrate
forests, climb mountains, or cross mighty rivers ? "
" Few of them last to signify, master," said Wilkins,
" by yer leave ; and better for us if we had more. I
kenned some of our chaps down yonder as tired of
slavery, and what would serve 'em but be off to Chinee,
which they beared say lay to t' north ; and reet glad
were they to sneak back to hard work and full rations.
Why, they 'd gone miles and miles over dry sand, wi'
niver a tree to shelter 'em or a sup of water to drink.
Where rivers ought to have been, there were just dry
EVIL REPORTS. 145
mud and wet mud, and that were all. We 'se want no
boats in them there rivers."
" Pray, dear papa," said Arthur, " do not look so
much alarmed at Wilkins's exaggerated reports. I
have read the travels of scientific and experienced ex-
plorers, who certainly agree that large portions of the
coast are desert, but give strong reasons for hope that
the interior may be fruitful and well-watered. To these
fertile regions, I am of opinion, we should endeavor to
penetrate ; for we have not means nor nautical skill to
to attempt a sea- voyage, even to the inhabited islands of
the Indian Ocean. But it is for you to decide, papa."
" I leave it to you, my boy," answered his father.
" I rely on your energy and judgment, under Heaven."
" Are we to turn up our watering-river ? " called
Hugh, from the forward boat.
" 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 at hand."
The nook was as convenient as any roofless place
could be for a night abode ; 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
peace and comfort of a tranquil and pious spirit.
Early in the morning the boys went up the fresh-
water rivulet to enjoy the luxury of a bath ; and such
was the profusion of fish that filled the clear water, that
they succeeded without difficulty in spearing two of the
large species of river-cod that they had found in the
island lake ; and as these weighed ten or twelve pounds
each, they returned very triumphant with their spoil.
" I know it has been familiarly named the river-cod,"
said Hugh ; " but you know, papa, the cod is strictly a
13
146 THE FRESH WATER COD.
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 ; " unclassed and strange. It seems to blend
the distinctive features of the cod and the 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 ; " all travellers praise it as delicate
and nutritious, and, from its abundance in the rivers, it
must be a great boon to the natives."
The fish was boiled in the salt-water. But before
night they had rowed beyond the influence of the tide ;
and had now to labor hard to ascend the river, the high
banks of which continued to be shaded by mangroves,
which were weighed down with clusters of oysters and
fresh-water mussels, looking like some strange fruits of
this new country.
There was something so sublime and awe-inspiring
in the novelty of the scenery, that the whole party long
contemplated it in silence, till an exclamation from
Ruth, about the " bonnie ducks," roused them to observe
the flocks of wild-fowl ; and Jenny thanked God that
there could be no famine here ; while Mr. Mayburn
noted with admiration the varieties of water-fowl, beau-
tiful and unknown, which sailed over the river or clam-
ored noisily among the mangroves.
The labor of ascending the river in the heat of the
day soon fatigued all the rowers, and they were thank-
ful to seek refuge and rest in a narrow ravine which
ran out north, and which, after the rains, would be a
rivulet. At present, all that proved its existence were
a few narrow channels, with here and there a pool of
THE BANKS OF THE RIVER. 147
clear water. The rapidly springing. tropical vegetation
had already spread and matted itself in the very bed of
the river, forming a picturesque jungle, amidst the dark
foliage of which the tiny rills sparkled like diamonds.
On each side towered lofty cliffs, hung gracefully with
luxuriant creepers, and a thick belt of tall gum-trees
and wild nutmeg-trees, covered with greedy, noisy par-
rots, ran along the base. Every thing was new and
charming ; and having drawn the canoes up in safety
beneath the roots of a mangrove, they wandered slowly
up the ravine, to find, if possible, a grassy spot on
which to rest and eat their dinner. As they walked
along, they found on each side openings in the cliffs,
smaller ravines or river-beds ; all similar in rich vege-
tation, and all equally lonely. It was a perfect laby-
rinth of nature ; a scene of enchantment that filled
the minds of the educated with admiration and holy
thoughts, but shook the ignorant with all the tremor
of supernatural terrors.
" I wonder much," said Margaret, " that we should
find these beautiful scenes unpeopled."
" Ye '11 see people soon enough, Miss," said Wilkins.
" What would they do here ? Queer fellows as they
be, they cannot perch atop of trees like them howling
poll-parrots, nor lie under water like oysters. Wait
till we come on a bit of bare common, and ye '11 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 for the dwelling of man. I
do not think it would be prudent to wander far among
these bewildering ravines, our safest guide will be the
broad river ; and as we cannot meet with a convenient
148 THE PLEASANT HIGHWAY.
dining-room here, I propose that we should return to
eat our dinner under the mangroves, in defiance of the
troublesome inhabitants around us."
But Jenny contrived to smoke away the mosquitos
with her cooking-fire, though the green ants still contriv-
ed to annoy her by falling as garnish on the beautiful
fish which she served on a turtle's shell. The hungry
group only laughed at the petty vexation, as they gath-
ered round the feast with oyster-shell plates and mussel-
shell cups, to eat heartily, though they wanted forks,
spoons, and, as Jenny declared, all Christian comforts.
With renewed vigor they resumed their oars, and
pursued their voyage on the pleasant highway, which
the young and ardent believed would forward them
towards the distant home they hoped to reach. And
when absolute fatigue compelled them to desist, they
found a convenient landing-place for 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 a spot where a slip of the rocks had formed
a gradual ascent.
Though encumbered with trees and brushwood, they
were all desirous to attempt this ascent to search for
nests and eggs, and, above all, to attain, if possible, the
heights above, that they might survey the country
through which they were passing. They found innu-
merable nests of ducks, geese, and swans, and of a large
bird which distracted Mr. Mayburn by its resemblance
to the pelican. They found also some well-grown
young birds, but contented themselves with carrying off '
a couple of fine cygnets.
" Hark, Arthur ! " said Hugh ; " what a strange cry.
It must be the note of some new bird. Let us follow
THE NEW BIRD. 149
the sound, that we may obtain it, if possible, for
papa."
"Bird, indeed!" exclaimed Wilkins; "fiddlestick!
Ye '11 bide where ye are, Master Hugh. Ye little ken
what sort on a bird that is. Ye 'd better keep quiet, for
them sort of birds is awkward customers. I reckon I
ken that 'Coo-ee! Coo-ee ! ' better nor either ye or
t 'auld master. It 's nought else but them black fellows
hailing one another."
" I fear it is but too true, Hugh," said Arthur. " I
have heard of the curious cry of the natives."
" Let us flee," said Mr. Mayburn, turning hastily
back. " Let us not seek scenes of discord and blood-
shed."
" Could n't I steal among the trees and get a peep at
them ? " said O'Brien. u The wood is so thick, they
would never see me, and then I could let you know
what we had to fear."
" I would n't have ye to be over sure," said Wilkins,
"that there's not half a hundred blackies skulking
underneath this here scrub as we're trailing through.
They're cute rogues, and like enough, they've been
tracking us all along. We 'se be better looking after
our boats, nor after 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 be-
neath a spreading mangrove, they roasted and ate some
eggs, and then discussed calmly the prospect of meeting
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."
13*
150 A WHITE FEATHER.
" That 's worth all t' rest put together," replied Wil-
kins. " They can beat us out and out with spears, and
them queer crookt boomerangs ; but give 'em a shot,
and they '11 fly off like sparrows. We '11 have to mind,
for, ye see, they '11 never come on us boldly like men,
but they '11 sneak and cower, and spy, to see what we 're
made on. And I 'd like to see t' auld master there
keep up his heart ; for if they see a fellow among us
show a white feather, we 're all done."
"But I should never think of carrying a white
feather, Wilkins," said Mr. Mayburn. " I confess that
I have harbored the thought of holding out to them a
green branch, which, I have understood, ever signifies a
flag of truce among savage nations."
" A fig for yer flags ! " cried Wilkins contemptuously.
" Show 'em a stout heart and a long rifle, and they '11
understand 'em better nor a green flag. There goes
the Coo-ce 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 close to 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 till
daylight dispelled the fear of a nocturnal attack. Then,
not liking their neighborhood, they launched the canoes
again, resolving to breakfast on a more secure spot ; and
after proceeding many miles up the river, they disem-
embarked on a flat rock that ran out from the cliffs,
where they cooked eggs for their breakfast, and the
cygnets to take with them for the next meal.
But on embarking again, they found, with some un-
easiness, that the navigation of the river was becoming
A THUNDERSTORM. 151
difficult. The breadth of the bed gradually contracted ;
the rocks on each side overhung the water, into which
large blocks had fallen from above, among which the
stream rushed in strong eddies, or poured over the
masses in cascades ; thus rendering their progress per-
ilous, if not impossible.
Suddenly, before they had observed any premonitory
signs, a terrific storm of thunder and lightning burst
upon them, accompanied by a violent wind and a deluge
of rain. The peals of thunder, repeated again and
again among the towering cliffs, were tremendous.
Ruth shrieked with terror, and Margaret, with all her
firmness, trembled to hear the voice of the tempest.
The little canoes, whirled round and dashed against
the rocks, seemed doomed to inevitable destruction.
Wilkins, in this fearful emergency, succeeded in secur-
ing a rope to one canoe, then leaping out upon a shelving
rock, he held it till, with Hugh's assistance, the three
women were snatched out, one after another, to the
rock, where they clung to the trees to keep themselves
from being swept away by the wind ; but they tried in
vain to save the canoe, as Wilkins had relinquished the
rope to assist the women, and they were mortified to see
it hurried down the impetuous river beyond all hopes
of recovery.
The river was already raised by the pouring rain,
but "Wilkins boldly plunged in with an oar, which he
extended to the men in the second canoe, and assisted
them to reach the shore ; but their boat, which had been
previously damaged, was whirled against a rock, and
went to pieces.
" Thank God' no lives are lost," murmured Mr. May-
burn, as, exhausted and drenched with rain, he crouched
152 THE CAVE OF THE BATS.
under the trees, the light foliage of which afforded very
insufficient shelter from the torrents of rain which de-
scended on them ; and for some time they were so
stunned with their fears and their, desolate condition,
that they could not command their thoughts sufficiently
to consider where they should turn to search for a bet-
ter protection.
At length Arthur pointed out that a little higher up
the river a slab of rock ran out and formed a sort of
canopy over the narrow hem of beach beneath. Thither,
therefore, the distressed party removed, and they found
even a more convenient shelter than they had hoped ;
for the hollow beneath the slab was raised about four
feet from the ground, and extended backwards into the
sandstone rock, forming a cavern impervious to wind
and rain. Their entrance dislodged hundreds of bats,
of strange and frightful forms, and Mr. Mayburn half
forgot his fears and miseries while he looked with ad-
miration on a huge, imp-like creature, which he asserted
must be the animal distinguished by travellers as the
" flying fox."
After these hideous inhabitants were dispersed, Mar-
garet and the two distressed women gladly took posses-
sion of this gloomy retreat, which was dry and secure.
Piles of dead wood lay scattered round it, which en-
abled them to make a fire and dry their dripping gar-
ments. To their great joy, they had been able to
preserve their bows, spears, and rifle, and Ruth had
grasped firmly her precious basket of chickens. At the
moment when the danger was imminent, Wilkins had
had presence of mind to throw on shore the locker of
potatoes, and also the portmanteau, from which they all
were now glad to procure changes of clothes. The
THE LONG DAY. 153
cooked provisions were lost ; but they roasted some po-
tatoes, and enjoyed their simple repast, while the thun-
der rolled loudly over their heads, and the rain poured
like a deluge into the swollen river.
" We can go no farther to-day," said Hugh, looking
out with a melancholy air. " What can we do, Ger-
ald?"
Jack was already at work in a retired nook, making
arrows from the bamboos which were plentifully scat-
tered round; and, roused by his example, the boys
joined him to sharpen spears and shape bows, which
were to be completed when they met with gum to ce-
ment them, and stringy bark to form the bowstrings.
Arthur cleaned his valuable rifle, Margaret wove some
reeds into a basket for eggs, Mr. Mayburn lectured ;
Wilkins alone seemed weary and out of his element, his
good properties only came out when roused to action by
difficulties, and as Margaret watched him lazily rolling
a piece of bark for a cigar, and then lying down to
smoke it, she longed for some settled habitation, that
this unfortunate man, now but half reclaimed, might
have useful occupation and acquire regular habits.
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 it without alarm
that they saw the river gradually rise, till the level was
within a foot of the floor of their retreat ; and if it should
rise high enough to overflow the cave, they were aware
there could be no possibility of escape, for the waters
already dashed against the cliffs on each side of them.
They watched anxiously. At length, with thankfulness,
they saw the rain cease ; and before darkness shut out
observation, the water had fallen a few inches. Then,
154 IMPRISONMENT.
free from their usual nightly torment of the bush-haunt-
ing mosquitos, they enjoyed a calm night's rest in the
cool cavern.
Morning brought new cares. The casual storm had
passed away, and it was too early for the usual tropical
rainy season ; but, alas ! they had no means of voyag-
ing onward, and the waters blockaded them. There
was no path along the beach. They waited another
day, in terror of famine or another storm. A very
slight decrease of the waters was seen next morning.
The cliffs were too high and precipitate for even the
boldest to climb, the river too deep and impetuous to be
crossed except in a boat, and the narrow hem of sand
now left at the edge was barely sufficient for the pas-
sage of one person ; and even it seemed to them that in
some places the rocks ran out so far that all progress
must be cut off.
They might, perhaps, with great risk, have made their
way along the beach back to the sloping ascent to the
cliffs which they had visited two days before, and thus
gain the heights ; but that would probably bring them
into contact with the wild natives from whom they had
fled in such haste. Besides, they were unwilling to
leave the banks of the river, which insured them fresh
water, while, at the same time, it prevented them from
being bewildered in a strange and perplexing county.
Arthur asked his father to decide on what they should
do in this dilemma.
" I leave all to you, Arthur," answered he, " as usual.
I am distracted with sinful doubts and fears. We
cannot, I am aware, continue to live in a cave, as men
were wont to do in the early and barbarous ages ; and
the prospect of perilous wanderings in an unknown wil-
THE PILGRIMS. 155
derness shakes my weak nerves. But I will trust in
Him, my children, and pray for this blessed boon ; may
' Israel's mystic guide,
The pillared cloud, our steps decide ! ' '
" Well, then, make up your mind, General Arthur,"
said Hugh. " Call up the forces and arrange the march.
Gerald, my boy, you can make no objection to carry
the pratees, I'm certain." -
" We must each take a share in the toil of carrying
off our slender possessions," said Margaret. " Let Ar-
thur divide and portion this duty."
" Then, Margaret," said Arthur, " I determine that
Nurse and you should unpack that portmanteau and tie
up the contents in bundles, for the better convenience of
division."
" Never ye fash to open it out, Miss," said Wilkins.
** I reckon I 'se qualified 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 part of the contents,
and these were suspended across the shoulders of Ar-
thur, Hugh, and Jack. Two of these useful bags were
also filled with potatoes, to be carried by Mr. Mayburn
and Gerald. Ruth would not leave her basket of poul-
try, and Margaret and Jenny collected the shells and
small articles remaining. The locker was unwillingly
left behind, as too heavy for carriage ; and then, each
carrying, in addition to his burden, some weapon, they
set out in single file, headed by Arthur, Wilkins follow-
ing close behind him, along the narrow sandy path,
which was encumbered by masses of sandstone fallen
156 ALONG THE RIVER.
from the rocks ; and occasionally rendered still more
difficult by the roots of a mangrove, twisted with creep-
ers, spreading even into the river, or a drooping acacia,
or casuarina, which it was necessary laboriously to cut
away, or to tear down, before they could force a pas-
sage.
CHAPTER XII.
Alligators. The Giant's Staircase. Access to a New Region.
The Pheasant Cuckoo. Wild Oats. The Unequal Contest.
The First Kangaroo. Scenes of Arcadia. A Hint at Cannibal-
ism. The Cockatoo Watch.' The Enemy put to Flight.
THE cliffs which rose above their path were about
three hundred feet in height; these were almost per-
pendicular, 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, formed innumerable little islets, among
which, even if they had saved their canoes, they would
have found it perilous to navigate.
" Hugh ! Hugh ! " cried Gerald, who was at the end
of the long line. " I see our 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 a lot on em.
They '11 eat us all up."
" I perceive now indeed," said Mr. Mayburn, in much
agitation, " what these huge masses are. Observe,
Margaret, on that island where the tall mangrove is so
conspicuous, those dark moving forms ; they are alliga-
tors stretched in the sun, while some of the dangerous
creatures are floating on the river. See, my children,
how providentially we have been snatched from peril.
14 (157)
158 THE ALLIGATORS.
One of these monsters might have capsized our little
boat, and we should have been abandoned to be devoured
by these frightful creatures."
At these words, Ruth shrieked out, and endeavored
in her distraction to force her way past the rest ; but
was held back by Jack, who followed her in the line,
and who tried to convince her of the folly of her fears.
Nevertheless, they all felt more comfortable, when they
lost sight of the islets and their hideous inhabitants.
Again the river narrowed, and now they became
alarmed as a strange rumbling noise gradually increased
before them. They paused for consideration ; this was
totally unlike the usual sounds of the wilderness, where
the varied notes of the birds, and the continued hum-
ming 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 flood should overtake us.
But follow me quickly let us lose no time in endeav-
oring to reach the security of a wider strand."
As they proceeded, the roaring and rumbling grew
louder and louder ; they knew it was the voice of a
torrent, and it was with beating hearts they wound
round a bend in the course of the greatly narrowed
river, and saw at a short distance before them a majestic
cataract, pouring its foaming waters into the river,
which bounded and dashed onward like a troubled sea,
even to the spot where the wanderers stood, transfixed
with wonder and admiration at the spectacle.
" This is indeed the majesty of nature ! " exelaimed
Mr. Mayburn. " How feeble seem all the labors of
man, when compared with this stupendous work of God !
PELICANS. 159
' How profound
The gulf! and how the giant element
From rock to rock leaps with delirious bound,
Crushing the cliffs ! ' "
"Ay! Ay! it's a grand thing to see, master," said
Wilkins ; " but how are we to get out on our fix ?
We're not made wi' wings, like them big fellows,
clamoring and diving at t' top yonder."
A row of large birds were perched on fragments of
rock at the very summit of the fall, plunging their
heads into the rushing waters, and seeming to rejoice
in the grand commotion.
" They look like pelicans, papa," said Hugh ; " I can
see the red pouch under 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 to the tropics, fishing
in rivers as well as in the sea. Its wings and tail are
immensely long, but the body, if stripped of the feathers,
is much smaller than you would expect to find it. But
observe now, Hugh, a nobler bird. See, far above us
soars a superb black eagle, which seems to 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 the cataract must be a hundred and fifty feet
at least, and saw that the waters poured over horizontal
strata of the sandstone rocks, each layer projecting
beyond the one above, and forming a series of steps,
which rose from four to eight feet in height. The water
did not descend in a volume, but in courses, which left
parts of the rocks uncovered, and on these parts moss
and even grass had sprung up.
160 THE GIANT'S STAIRCASE.
Amidst the admiration and enjoyment which all felt
in the contemplation of this novel spectacle, an unpleas-
ant conviction crossed the minds of even the most
enthusiastic, that they were indeed, as Wilkins had
remarked, " in a fix." It was impossible to proceed
unless they could ascend the formidable brush-covered
cliffs, where the weight of a man clinging to the bushes
might bring down an avalanche of the crumbling sand-
stone rock to bury him in its fall ; or, still more perilous,
that they should attempt to ascend what Gerald called
" the Giant's Staircase " the mighty cataract itself.
The voice of the torrent drowned the weaker voice
of man ; Arthur could not understand that Gerald was
calling out to Hugh to follow him ; and before he could
proclaim any interdiction, the two light-footed, active
boys, by clinging to the firmly-rooted grass in the crev-
ices, had gained a resting-place on the first step of the
rocks at the extreme edge of the fall, and were calling
on the rest to follow them.
At this extremity about four feet of the rocks re-
mained dry from the summit to the base, and certainly
this must be the ladder they must mount if they hoped
to escape; but how difficult, how perilous, was the
attempt! Jack surveyed the ground attentively, then
producing from his pocket a large roll of cord, he tied
one end to a mangrove-tree on the beach, and unrolling
it as he went up, followed the boys, holding the line
tight to support Mr. Mayburn and Margaret, Jenny and
Ruth, who, assisted by Arthur and Wilkins, were one
after another raised to the first resting-place. Arthur
soon joined them; but Wilkins remained to see the
whole ascent completed before he would leave the
strand.
A NEW COUNTRY. 161
Distracted by the noise of the torrent, the dashing
of the spray, and the terror lest the slippery stone or
the supporting clump of grass should fail them, it was
a fearful struggle for the timid women, and for Mr.
Mayburn, quite as timid and much less light than they,
to be raised from step to step, assisted always by Arthur
below and Jack above ; but finally they were placed in
safety on the heights of the cataract. Then Jack waved
his handkerchief, for his voice would have been inaudi-
ble, as a signal for Wilkins to follow ; and he, more
accustomed than they to climbing, loosed and leisurely
wound up the cord, as he sprang from rock to rock, till
he joined the grateful and happy family.
The first sentiment of all was thankfulness to God
poured forth in earnest 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 was flowing through many narrow channels
from the east and south-east, which united above the
cataract. An open and lovely glade lay before them,
thinly wooded, and covered with tall grass, and flowers
of the most brilliant dyes. Birds of rare beauty and
strange notes hovered about the rivulets, and the air
was darkened with insects ; but they saw no trace yet
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 any fear of des-
titution so long as we continue in a well-watered district.
If you are now able to proceed, Margaret, we must
14*
162 THE PHEASANT-CUCKOO.
endeavor to bivouac on some spot less exposed to the
rays of the sun and the observation of the 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 cross it."
A sharp twang startled Mr. Mayburn, and a beautiful
bird fell at his feet.
"Just as I wished it, sir," said Gerald. "I meant
the bird to be laid at your feet. Wasn't it a capital
shot, Hugh ? "
"Lucky, at any rate, Gerald," answered Hugh.
" Well, papa, what bird is it ? "
"It is perfectly new to me, Hugh," answered his
father, " as, indeed, all the strange creation around me
seems to be. The toes, like those of the Scansores, are
placed two forward, and two backward, to facilitate the
running up trees, and in form it so much resembles our
cuckoo, that doubtless it is the bird we have read of as
the Pheasant-cuckoo. See, there are more running
among the grass, like pheasants and hark how they
whirr as they take to flight, now that they have been
startled by that mischievous boy."
The pheasants were tempting game, and several
brace were bagged before Margaret could restrain the
ardent sportsmen, and remonstrate on the wanton cru-
elty 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 spot a fire was made,
and the pheasants prepared for cooking, and then spit-
ted on slender peeled bamboos, which were set up with
one end in the ground, round the fire. Gerald would
gladly have added to the feast by shooting some of the
THE PLAGUE OF FLIES. 163
confiding pigeons, which continued to feed on the green
fruits of the nutmeg-tree, without any fear of their dan-
gerous neighbors ; but even Nurse reproved the boy for
his destructive inclinations, declaring it would be very
unlucky to shoot a white pigeon.
Though they hoped this resting-place would have
proved pleasant, they soon found it would be impossible
to remain near the water, so intensely vexatious was
the plague of flies. Thick clouds of these teasing
creatures buzzed round, settling in black bunches on
the meat ; filling eyes, nose and mouth, and irritating
the skin with their continual attempts to pierce it with
their thin, tiny proboscis.
The boys declared the flies were ten times worse
than the mosquitos; and to escape these Lilliputian
foes, Arthur decided that they should cross some of the
narrow rills, which now ran wide apart, and deviate
towards the south, where a rising ground promised to
introduce them to new scenery.
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 a beautiful coun-
try. Lofty trees adorned the plain, and high grass
rose even to their shoulders, as they passed through it.
On several spots, vast fragments of the sandstone-rock,
grown over with beautiful flowering creepers, lay in pic-
turesque confusion ; and the Eucalyptus, with its spicy
flowers, the Pandanus, loaded with fragrant blossoms,
and the Cabbage-palm, were also encircled by the para-
sitic plants which add such a grace to tropical scenery.
Wearied with forcing their way through the tall, sharp,
wiry grass, they stopped before a high, broken rock
164 A PLEASANT REGION.
which overhung and flung a shade over the spot they
had selected for their resting-place. Then the boys
cleared the ground, by laboriously cutting down the
long grass, which they spread to ibrm beds, a luxury to
which they were unaccustomed.
" We 'd better have fired it," said Wilkins. " Our
bush-ranging chaps always sets it in a low ; it saves
trouble."
" I should be grieved to destroy the luxuriant vege-
tation that God has spread over these plains," said Mr.
Mayburn. " Besides we could not calculate where such
a conflagration might end."
" Little matter where it ended," answered the man.
" There 's lots of this stuff, such as it is ; but Ruth,
lass, ye Ve gotten hold on a better sample."
Ruth usually released her unfortunate chickens at
f-ach resting-place, that they might have air, and seek
food, and she had herself been running about for grubs,
seeds, or any thing they could eat, and she now returned
with a perfect sheaf of some kind of bearded grain,
suspended on the ear by slender filaments like the oat,
but still unripe.
" This surely should be an edible grain," said Mr.
Mayburn, " and will probably be ripe as early as No-
vember, in a climate which produces two harvests.
How richly laden is each ear, and the straw cannot
be less than six feet in length. I conclude it is an
Anthistiria. Feed your fowls, Ruth ; the food is suita-
ble, and happily abundant. Had we but a mill to grind
it, we might hope in due season to enjoy once more the
blessing of bread."
" There 's not likely to be any mills handy herea-
WILD OATS. 165
bout," said Wilkins ; " but when folks is put to it, it 's
queer what shifts they can make. Just hand us over a
handful of that there corn, my lass."
Wilkins soon found two flat stones suited to his pur-
pose, spread the shelled grains on the larger stone and
bruised the soft corn into a paste, which Re 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 a bit, but a bad loaf 's better nor no
bread."
Then Wilkins showed Jenny that slovenly mode of
bread-making, common even among the civilized colo-
nists of Australia, the product of which is a sort of
pancake baked in the ashes. But this substitute for
the staff of life was thankfully received by those who
had been so long deprived of the genuine blessing ; but
the green paste was stringy and dry, and Jenny pro-
posed to blend a boiled potato with the next damper,
to make it more like bread.
11 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 all events the
grains will feed the fowls."
The boys soon cut down a quantity of the heads of
the corn, and early next morning they rubbed out the
grains, with which they filled several bags, Ruth her-
self collecting a store for the poultry. Then, resolving
to wait till the heat of the day was over before they
marched on their journey, Margaret employed herself
in making useful bags of grass, while the young men
sauntered about, observing the novelties arouiK 1 them,
166 EXOTICS.
and procuring from one of the clear rivulets a large
provision of fish for the day's consumption.
" And see, Margaret," said Gerald, " would you not
have been proud, in England, of such a magnificent
bouquet as this," presenting to her a brilliant assem-
blage of flowers.
" Now, papa, come to our assistance," said Margaret,
" and name these * illustrious strangers/ Surely I
scent among them our own delicious Jasmine."
" It certainly resembles the jasmine, as well in form,
as in perfume," answered Mr. Mayburn. " Yet, like
all Australian productions, it differs essentially from the
species it resembles. We will, however, name it jas-
mine. This golden flower of the ranunculus race,
might represent the butter-cup of our meadows, yet it
certainly is not the butter-cup. And this might be a
rose, with its slender stem, and pale-pink wax-like
petals is it not a Boronea, Arthur? This crimson
flower resembles the sweet-pea, of which it has the
scent, and the papilionaceous form. But it is vain to
attempt to class, at once, a strange and marvellous new
Flora. Well might Dr. Solander honor the first spot dis-
covered of this lovely country with the name of Botany
Bay, thus prophetically anticipating the rich harvests
naturalists should reap in its wealth of plants. This is
truly a tour of pleasure, my children, and I care not
how long I linger on the flowery road."
" If it were not for the flies and mosquitos, papa,"
added Hugh, rubbing his tortured nose, which being
rather prominent, was a favorite resort of the insects.
" What an advantage it is, in this country, to have a
snub nose ! " said Gerald. " Oh ! my boy, it is my turn
THE BOA AND ITS VICTIM. 1C7
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 they had cleared from the tall grass, they
saw, with admiration mingled with fear, an immense
bright yellow and brown serpent slowly winding among
the low stubble. No one seemed to know exactly how
to act on seeing this strange visitor, except Gerald, who
sprung forward, armed with a stout stick ; but Arthur
forcibly held him back, and Wilk'ins said,
" Let him be ! let him be ! ye 'd best not mell on him.
I ken his sneaking ways ; he never bites ; but ht
squeezes like a millstone. Now then ; he 's after his
own business. See what he 's at."
An elegant brownish-grey animal, which, though they
now saw for the first time, they recognized at once,
bounded from the grass ; and while the boys were cry-
ing out in ecstacy, " The kangaroo ! the kangaroo ! "
they saw the wily serpent raise itself, and envelope the
terrified animal in its coils; and they knew well the
doom of the poor kangaroo, for the embrace of its foe
was certain death.
" Now come on, all on ye ; we 're safe enough now,"
cried Wilkins ; and all the young men, armed with
sticks, and undeterred by the shrieks of the women,
ran up to the animals, and attacked the serpent by
striking the head with repeated blows. When, roused
to defence, it began to uncoil itself from its victim,
knives were produced; and with many wounds, they
succeeded at length in putting an end to a creature at
the very sight of which man instinctively shudders.
"Be sartin he's dead," said Wilkins. "I'd niver
trust them fellows ; I 've seen one on 'em march off two
168 THE FIRST KANGAROO.
ways when he 's been cut in two pieces. They do say
they niver die outright. But blacky has a way to set-
tle and keep him quiet : he just eats him."
To eat a serpent was an exploit at which the civil-
ized stomach revolted ; and the creature was abandoned
to take its chance of reviving to commit more destruc-
tion in the world, after Mr. Mayburn had examined it
with as much interest as he could feel for a creature ?o
abhorred. It was about twelve feet long, and certainly
one of the Boa family, but resembling more the boa of
Africa and Asia, than that of America. Mr. Mayburn.
earnestly desired to preserve the skin ; but any addi-
tional incumbrance in the long pilgrimage that lay be-
fore them was not to be thought of, and he reluctantly
relinquished the idea.
" I 'd scorn to mell wi' such a foul beast," said Wil-
kins, " for t' sake of his bonnie skin ; but by yer leave,
I 'se uncoil him, 'cause, ye see, a bit of kangaroo meat
will suit us as well as he. It 's canny fair meat, spe-
cially about t' broad stern."
The kangaroo, which was but a young one, not stand-
ing more than four feet in height, was extricated from
the murderous grasp of the boa ; but was almost flat-
tened by the powerful pressure. The boys gathered
round the strange animal with great curiosity, lost in
admiration of its graceful form, powerful hind legs, and
pretty small head. The long ears, divided upper lip,
like that of the hare, long tapering tail, and remarkable
pouch, in which a very young animal was found, were
all remarked before it was skinned and turned over to
the cooks. The skin was then washed, and spread to
dry, to be converted into boots when those useful arti-
cles of clothing should be needed.
ARCADIAN SCENES. 169
Before they set out, part of the kangaroo flesh was
roasted, or rather broiled, to be in readiness for supper,
and the rest of the meat carried off by the willing Wil-
kins. Then, delighted with the novelties of the day,
they went on in the same direction as before, walking
cheerfully along, uninterrupted by any alarm, through
the wild and charming scenery, wjiere bright skies, and
birds and flowers, might have given a fanciful mind tne
idea of an Arcadia.
The sudden darkness of the tropics compelled them
to rest at the fpot of some steep hills covered with
brushwood, and opening on more forest-like scenery
than any they had yet passed. Tiny rills trickled
down the crevices in the hills, and the rich emerald
green of the turf proclaimed a moist soil, and assured
them they were yet far from the dreaded deserts.
Their night's rest was again painfully disturbed, for,
though at a great distance, the peculiar coo-ee of the
natives was several times distinctly heard ; nor would
Mr. Mayburn and Margaret venture to sleep till a
watch was arranged, of two persons, who were in-
structed to converse loudly the whole time ; for, ac-
cording to the report of Wilkins, the natives would
never venture to attack a party who were prepared to
receive them.
" They '11 be tracking us all along, Master Arthur,"
said Wilkins, as he and Arthur kept watch together.
' That 's their way. Then they think to run down on
us unawares, to pick, and steal, and murder, and eat us
up into t' bargain, if they get a chance."
" Surely not, Wilkins," answered Arthur. " I know
that the New Zealanders were, in their original wild
15
170 CANNIBALISM.
state, cannibals ; but I never heard such an abomina-
ble character given of the Australian aborigines."
"If ye have to rove long about t' bush," answered
the man, " ye '11 come on 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 ten-
der as 'possum's. There 's no dealing wi' 'em, master.
They 're just a mean lot. It were a bad job our losing
them guns."
* It was a loss, Wilkins," said Arthur ; " but I should
not feel that I had the same right to sh.oot a native that
I had to shoot a kangaroo."
" There's nought to choose atween 'em," replied Wil-
kins, "but just this we can make a good meal of a
kangaroo, and a Christian must be sore 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," an-
swered he ; " and if they have 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
old master 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 not only ban-
ished the evil spirits, but forgave the men their sins.
So might these ignorant natives, if they were taught
and received God's holy word, yet be saved."
" I 'se not set on gainsaying ye, Mr. Arthur, in that,"
said the man, " for I were nigh as bad as them myseP ;
nd is yet, for what I ken, if I'd a chance to fall back.
THE COCKATOO WATCH. 171
I 'd like not, if I could help it ; now when I ken reet
fra' wrong; and pray God keep me fra' Black Peter
arid his crew."
" Hark Wilkins ! did you hear a rustling ? " asked
Arthur.
" Nay, but I tell you what I beared," replied he. " I
beared them cockatoos flacker and cry out, on yon trees ;
and depend on 't they hear a strange foot."
" Then they are better watchmen than we are," said
Arthur. What shall we do, Wilkins ? "
" Just ye tell your folks not to be fleyed at nought,"
said he, " and we '11 set them rogues off in no time."
Arthur warned Margaret and his father not to be
alarmed at any noise they might hear, and the other
young men, roused at the report of an assault, were
soon in the ranks. Then, at a signal agreed, they
raised their voices in a simultaneous halloo ! that rang
against the rocky hills. A loud rustling succeeded, and
a dozen dark figures, visible in the moonlight, emerged
from the bushes, and fled swiftly across the plain.
" Saved ! " cried Hugh : " for this time at least. But,
I say, Arthur, we must not sleep in the bush every night,
or they '11 catch us at last. I saw several fine roomy
caves in the rocks as we came along. We must take
possession of the next we fall in with, and then we shall
only have the entrance to guard."
" They held spears in their hands, I saw," said Ger-
ald ; u I wonder why they did not send a few among
us?"
" They 're ower sly for that, Master Gerald," said
Wilkins. " They 'd like to come on us all asleep, and
butcher us. Now they 11 dog us, day after day ; but if
we hold on steady-like, we 'se wear 'em out at last."
172 THE STIilNGY BARK.
" If we could but put a good broad river between us,"
said Jack, " we might 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 Mas-
ter O 'Brien will help me, we will twist some long ropes,
on our road to-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 the Water-
pools. Victualling the Fortress. The Blockade. Assault and
Battery. Bloodshed. The close Siege. Prospect of Famine.
MR. MAYBURN was uneasy till they set out next morn-
ing ; for the thick bush-covered hill was a convenient
spot for concealment. They left their sleeping-place,
therefore, at the earliest dawn, and continued their pro-
gress, while the young men found several trees of the
stringy bark ; the strips of the bark, measuring twenty
or thirty feet, were hanging from the trunk raggedly,
but very conveniently for the purpose of the workmen,
who collected a quantity of the rolls of bark, and carried
it on their shoulders, till a singular isolated column of
rock attracted them to examine it ; and as it afforded a
little shade, and stood in an open glade, where they
need not fear hidden enemies, they rested at the foot 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 the youths to work to twist strong ropes
of considerable length. They spent some hours in this
labor, and completed so heavy a burden of ropes, that
when they set out again they looked anxiously for an
opportunity of relieving themselves by putting the ropes
to profitable use. They directed their steps towards a
rocky range before them, which held out a prospect of
protection for the night ; and bending under the weight
15* (173)
174 THE CAVE OF PICTURES.
of their burden, they were glad to reach the straggling,
mountainous, sand-stone rocks which, running east and
west, interrupted their direct course.
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 enough to
have contained fifty persons, dry and clean for the
floor was of fine sand ; and when they had lighted a
fire, they discovered that they were not the first who
had inhabited the cave, for the walls were covered with
rude, colored paintings of men and animals the men
and animals of Australia. With great amusement and
astonishment the boys looked on the kangaroo, the opos-
sum, many curious lizards, and heads of men, colossal
in size, and imperfect in execution, somewhat resem-
bling the ambitious child's first attempts at high art.
" I think I could n't draw so good a kangaroo as that
myself," said Gerald ; " but I could make something
more like the head of a man. Do look, Margaret ; that
fellow has crimson hair and a green nose."
" They have not, certainly," said Mr. Mayburn, u at-
tained perfection in the art of coloring ; nevertheless,
the uninstructed men who could accomplish these draw-
ings cannot be so deficient in abilities as we have been
taught to believe these aborigines are. I wish we
could, with safety to ourselves, hold intercourse with a
small number of them. Could it not be attempted, Ar-
thur?"
" If they would approach us openly, we would endeav-
or to meet them amicably, my dear father," answered
Arthur ; " but when they steal on us treacherously, we
must conclude their intentions are hostile. Even now
KUTIl'S SALLY FROM THE CAVE. 175
we must prepare for defence ; and though we might
keep watch at the opening, I think we had better build
it up."
They soon secured the entrance with slabs of stone,
and then eat their supper, and slept with less uneasiness
than usual.
" Who has moved them stones ? " asked Wilkins,
sharply, as, roused by the light streaming in, he sprung
from the nook he had chosen for his lair.
"It's that fidgety lass," answered Jenny. "She's
been scuttling about this hour, feeding her poultry, and
setting things to rights as if we were living in a par-
lor ; and then she roused me up to help her to make a
bit of way to get out to fetch water. You see, Wilkins,
she 's a hard-working lass, but it 's her way to make a
fuss."
" A fuss, indeed ! " replied he, indignantly ; " and a
nice fuss she would have 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 of
thine."
The rest of the family were soon aware of Ruth's
errantry, but they did not expect she would be far from
the cave, as the water was spread in pools and rills,
abundantly, at the foot of the rocks. The next minute,
however, they were startled by a succession of shrieks,
and snatching up their weapons, the young men rushed
out, and then saw, to their great vexation, Ruth running
wildly towards them, pursued by six of the natives, in
their usual unclothed state ; and it was plain their swift
steps would soon overtake the affrighted girl, unless
they were promptly checked.
1 / G THE WATER-POOLS.
" Shout us loud as ye like," cried Wilkins, "but mind
not to send a single arrow without hitting, or they'll not
care a dump for us. See and aim to do some damage
d' ye hear ? "
The natives were yelling and waving their spears,
and their opponents answered by hallooing and bran-
dishing their glittering knives, at the sight of which the
savages stopped suddenly, and looked anxiously round,
as if expecting reinforcement ; then discharging a volley
of spears, they turned round and rapidly fled out of
sight.
Ruth was left lying prostrate on the ground, and when
Jack got up to her, he found a spear had struck her on
the shoulder, but fortunately stuck in her wide cloak,
without injuring her, though her terror and distress
were great.
" They '11 eat me up," she cried out. " They '11 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
useful gourd-bottle a serious loss ; and Gerald was
intrusted to convey her back to the cave, while the rest
went forward to the pools, in hopes of recovering the
gourd and procuring water. The vessel was, happily,
found, and filled with water, and the youths returned to
the cave, where they found great alarm prevailing.
" Had we not better flee without delay ? " asked Mr.
May burn.
Arthur looked significantly at Wilkins, and the man
said, u Ay, ay, Mr. Arthur ! ye have a head ; ye can
see a bit afore ye. Why, master, a bonnie figure we
should cut running ower yon bare grounds men folks
TOO LATE TO RETREAT. 177
and women folks, all like a pack of scared rabbits, wi' a
pack of a hundred or so of 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 plan is, that we should remain here, and
hold our impregnable castle till the foe 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 '11 try what we can do. And, I say, master, we
must give a look round for stores ; we '11 never let '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, much distressed, " 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 is n'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 're
back on us. Nay, nay, Jenny, woman ; let that meat
be just now, and bring us all your shells, or aught
that '11 hold water."
The gourd was emptied into the large turtle-shell,
and Wilkins took it back to be refilled at the pools, the
rest following with the largest of the mussel-shells ; and
as they went on, they carefully looked out for any avail-
able article of food that could be easily attained before
the return of the enemy. The air was thronged with
birds, and every tree was an aviary. They might soon
have brought down a quantity with their arrows, but
12
178 LAYING IN PROVISIONS.
Arthur urged on them the necessity of first obtaining the
water. After they had filled all their water-vessels,
they found they should only have a supply for two days,
even if carefully husbanded. Thankful even for this
boon, they had yet time to shoot a dozen pheasants,
before the coo-ee of the natives, gradually getting nearer,
made it necessary that they should seek the cave, and
make ready their defences.
Their first care was to fortify strongly the opening
which formed their entrance, and which they hoped was
the only weak point. But as it was evident, from the
paintings, tliat this cave was well known to the natives,
it was expedient to search it thoroughly, lest there
should be other outlets. Many branches ran from the
main cave, but all seemed equally impregnable ; and
the only openings were small gaps far above the ground,
from which the decomposed sandstone had fallen, and
lay scattered in fragments over the ground. There were
traces of fires, showing that the cave had been previously
inhabited, but no remains of fuel; and a few withered
sticks that they had brought in the preceding day were
all the provision they had made for cooking their food.
"After all our wild and savage life," said Hugh, "we
are not yet come down to eat uncooked meat, I really
think ; and by your leave, Captain Arthur, we will
make a sally to pick up sticks."
" Look through this cranny, Hugh, and tell me if you
think this is a time for throwing open our gates," said
Arthur.
u I give in ! I give in ! " answered the boy. " Look
out, Gerald ; see what a swarm of dark wretches, all in
earnest too, for they have sheaves of spears in the left
hand, while the right hand is raised to do battle. Keep
THE SIEGE BEGUN. 179
back, Ruth ! you simpleton. You have certainly seen
enough of these ugly monsters."
" Oh Miss Marget ! " shrieked the girl, " they '11 come
in and eat us. Stone walls is nought to 'em. They 're
not Christian folks, they 're spurrit?, ! they 're skelling-
tons ; I ken 'em by their bones. Oh ! send them back
to their graves, master ! "
Within thirty yards of the rock, and immediately
before it, were gathered crowds of fierce savages ; their
dark skins marked with a white substance like pipe-
clay, in fantastic figures ; most of them were painted to
represent skeletons. And while, with wild and demo-
niac yells, they were leaping and whirling round with
graceful agility, they poised their 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 help saying :
" Oh, Ruth, lass ! this is thy doing."
" Why, Jack, honey ! " sobbed she, " what could I
think, when I seed that big grinning black face glouring
at me fra' t' middle on a bush, and none nigh hand me :
and oh ! honey, I'd setten out afore I said my prayers.
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 I send 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 had had plenty
of powder and shot, I have no doubt we might have
dispersed them without bloodshed; but I am loth to
180 THE FIRST SPEAR.
waste a single cartridge of our 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 dex-
terity, he sent a spear whirling through the air directly
fhrough a small gap in the rock, about twenty feet from
the ground. Most fortunately, Arthur had ordered the
whole party to gather close to the entrance, and the
weapon passed on one side of them, and falling upon a
shell of water tilted it over.
" Good-for-nothing rascals ! " cried Jenny. " See
what a mischief they 've done."
" Be thankful, nurse," said Arthur, " that we saw the
intention of the fellow, 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 longer scrupled to draw his bow, and sent
an arrow, which he had barbed with skill, into the
shoulder of the warrior on the rock, with such force,
that he was hurled to the ground. In an instant all his
companions crowded around him ; he was raised from
the ground, and the whole party disappeared in the
bush, with every symptom of terror.
Wilkins was in an ecstasy of delight. He patted
Gerald roughly on the back, 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 'd every soul been done. They 'd have reckoned
nought on us."
" It was a rash act, Gerald," said Mr. Mayburn ; " but
I hope the poor man is not seriously injured."
Wilkins made a grimace as he said, " Them there ar-
GEKALD'S DEED OF ARMS. 181
rows is made o' purpose to injer, master. They 're a bit
sharpish to bide when they bang in among a fellow's
bones, and no doctor at hand to hack 'em out."
" Did n't I tell you, Master Gerald," said Ruth, " that
it were a sin and a shame to make them things as would
rive folks' flesh ? "
" You are the girl that said that," answered Gerald,
wild with his exploit ; " and were n't you right, Ruth,
astore ! I meant them to rive ; and see how the cow-
ards have scampered off from them. Could n't we go
out now, Arthur ? You know we want firewood."
" Do not be impatient, Gerald," replied Arthur, " we
have fuel sufficient for 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 rock we see but has its man. We '11
have to make shift to live on what we have for a bit.
They '11 soon be trying another dodge."
But though the usual coo-ee rang through the distant
woods, mingled with the soft low wailing of the voices
of women, the people were not seen again during a day
which seemed unusually long to the anxious prisoners.
The women cooked the pheasants with the last firewood,
while Margaret filled a pillow-cover with the feathers
for her father's head ; but they had all become so accus-
tomed to the hard earth, or at best to a bed of wiry grass,
that even Mr. Mayburn regarded this pillow as a useless
luxury, and an undesirable addition to the baggage,
which rendered their journey so tedious.
" I will undertake to carry the light pillow," said Mar-
garet, <; and I trust we may again meet with a river to
lighten the toil of our pilgrimage."
" If we found a wagon drawn by oxen, like them
16
182 THE WEARINESS OF CONFINEMENT.
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 say what you will, papa, of the beauty
and excellence of this new country, it is a great vexa-
tion that there are no beasts of burden. Neither ele-
phant nor camel ; not even a llama or a quagga which
may be reduced to servitude. 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 meet with an ostrich to tame."
" I fear," replied Mr. Mayburn, " that the emu, which
is the ostrich of Australia, is not formed for carrying
burdens, nor tractable enough to submit to the domin-
ion of man. I am anxious to see the bird, though I
fear we may obtain no advantage from meeting with
it."
In rambling among the caves to fill up the tedious
hours, the boys discovered, in a distant branch cavern, a
heap of dry wood which had fallen through an opening
in the rock, at least fifty feet above them. If this open-
ing were even known to the natives, it could not avail
them as a means of descent to the cave, and, much to
the mortification of the adventurous boys, it was totally
inaccessible from the interior.
" But we can comfort nurse's heart," said Hugh, " by
the report that we have found fuel enough for an Eng-
lish winter. And see, Gerald, some of these strong
straight sticks will make us a sheaf of arrows, and we
can barb them with the fish-bones we preserved.
Here 's our work for the day.*'
THE ASSAULT. 183
It was a comfort to Margaret to have the two most
restless of the party quietly employed ; though Mr.
Mayburn objected to the barbing of the arrows, so un-
necessary for destroying birds, so cruel if meant for the
savages. Wilkins sat down to make a pair of shoes of
the skin of the kangaroo, 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 for some time all was so still, that they
began to hope the natives had withdrawn ; but before
the middle of the day the whole troop presented them-
selves so suddenly, that they were close to the rocks,
and thus, secure from the arrows of the besieged, before
they could prevent their approach.
They had come armed with heavy clubs, with which
they began violently to batter the walled entrance.
This was a formidable mode of attack, and the only
mode of defence was to accumulate more stones to
strengthen the barrier. Still the men persevered, fresh
parties relieving those who were tired ; but the defence
seemed already shaking ; while Margaret, always reso-
lute in difficulties, had herself almost lost the power of
consoling her more timid father. Wilkins seemed
watching for an opportunity, placed before a narrow
crevice in the rock, which was shaded outside by brush,
and suddenly they saw him plunge his long knife through
the opening against which he had seen one of the na-
tives leaning.
The knife entered the back of the man, who uttered
a groan, and fell. He was immediately surrounded by
the rest, who examined the wound, and then gazed
round, apparently unable to comprehend the nature of
184 THE FORLORN HOPE.
this attack from an invisible enemy. Some of the men
fled at once, many of them pierced by the arrows the
young men sent after them, while others remained to
bear away, with care and tenderness, the bleeding body
of their companion, who appeared to be mortally
wounded. These humane men were respected, even
by their opponents, and permitted to retire unmolested ;
and for the remainder of the day, except for the sounds
of mourning from the native women, which, however,
gradually became more faint and distant, all continued
still and peaceful.
The next morning broke on the besieged party with
the melancholy conviction that their fortress was no
longer tenable. The spring was already advanced, the
air had become hot and parching, and the water was
exhausted.
" We must endeavor, under any circumstances," said
Arthur, " to procure water, or we must die. I propose
that three of us should set out to the nearest pool for a
supply, leaving the rest to guard the entrance ; and if
we are successful, to re-admit us. If the savages should
attack and overcome us, then it will be the duty of those
left here to close the barrier, leaving us to our fate, and
to use every exertion in their power 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 termed the expedition.
Arthur decided that the party should consist of Hugh,
Wilkins, and himself. Jack was too useful to be risked,
Gerald too rash to be trusted.
Arthur would not even take with him the valuable
rifle, their prime reliance, but left it in the charge ot
THE FORLORN HOPE. 185
Jack. Then, with bows and arrows slung over their
backs, and such water-vessels as they could command in
their hands, they cautiously went out, leaving orders to
the garrison, that each man should stand before his slab
of stone, to be ready to replace 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 far from
them, proved they had not escaped notice. The cry
was echoed from many distant spots, and the water-car-
riers redoubled their speed, till a spear, whizzing close
to the ear of Wilkins, induced Arthur to call a halt.
They faced round, set down their water-buckets, and
handled their bows. They saw that they were pursued
by about a dozen men, who were thirty or forty yards
behind them, amongst whom they discharged arrows,
two or three times in rapid succession, with some ef-
fect, it would seem,, from the confusion and irresolution
which they observed had taken place among the na-
tives ; of which they took advantage, and snatching up
their valuable burdens, they reached the cave before
the savages rallied, and, being joined by a reinforce-
ment, 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," said Jenny, "for we have only six
pheasants left, and they spoil fast in this hot place.
But, to be sure, there 's them greedy hens, th'it can eat
16*
186 RELIEF.
as much 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 Ve laid ; is n 't that some good ?
poor bit things ! Oh, Miss Marget, dinnot let 'em be
killed ! "
Margaret willingly granted the fowls their lives, the
eggs being considered equivalent to the oats the animals
consumed ; and she begged Jenny to have more trust
in God, who had till now continued to supply their
" daily bread."
CHAPTER XIV.
Rambles through the Caves. Fairy Bower. A Rough Path to
Freedom. Preparations for Flight. The Use of the Rifle.
A Case of Conscience. Departure. Travelling among the
Bogs. A View of the River. Making an Axe. A New Plant.
AFTER they had dined with strict economy, and ascer-
tained that their savage foes had for the present with-
drawn into the bush, they resumed their usual occupa-
tions. Hugh and Gerald, impatient under their con-
finement, chose to ramble through the mazy windings of
the various hollows which existed in the sandstone rock,
searching for a long time in vain for novelty or adven-
ture ; at length they wound along a branch passage,
which terminated, to their astonishment, in a wall,
hung, like a bower, with garlands of flowery creeping
plants, from which the notes of various birds greeted
the ears .of the delighted boys.
" Sure enough, Hugh, this is Fairy Bower," said Ger-
ald.
" It is open to the day," said Hugh, " and we must
find out what lies beyond it."
A slab of rock, which had fallen inwards, lay close to
the wall ; it was six feet in height, but by making a
staircase of other fragments which were lying round,
they mounted the fallen slab, and putting aside the leafy
curtains which hid the opening, they looked out on a
complete wilderness of rocky masses and green thickets,
which appeared at once impervious and interminable.
The temptation to be once more under the open sky
(1ST)
188 THE WHITE CROSS.
could not be resisted, and without much difficulty the
boys^ descended among the matted bushes.
"'We will follow out the adventure," said Gerald,
"till we reach the Enchanted Castle. Had we not b< t-
ter 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 shall never be able to find
our way back through such a labyrinth."
" Could n' 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 find them again, man,
among this brush ? But what is this white, chalky-look-
ing material by the pool? I cannot help thinking it
must be the clay which the savages use for painting
their bodies. Let us get some ; I have a use for it."
They collected some of this moist pipe-clay on a
large leaf, and climbing again to the opening, they cut
away a portion of the creepers to uncover the rock, up-
on which they marked, as high as they could reach, a
large white cross.
" We cannot miss that holy and propitious sign,"
said Hugh, " so let us venture forward, Gerald. It is
such a charming novelty to be able to walk fearlessly in
the open air. You observe we are now facing the
south ; so if we can discover an outlet from this thicket,
we snail be on the direct track to continue our jour-
ney."
It was not easy, however, to preserve any direct
course through the tangled brake, which was occasion-
ally broken by patches of fine grass and rills of water,
THE ROAD TO LIBERTY. 189
and diversified by tall trees ; the various kinds of Eu-
calyptus, the wild nutmeg with its spicy odor, and the
acacia covered with golden blossoms, the whole being
mingled with masses of rock fallen from the regular
range, broken into fragments and scattered far and
wide ; some grown over with the vegetation of years,
and others freshly rent from the soft decaying moun-
tains.
Threading their way throagh this lovely wilderness,
not forgetting to look back frequently at their guiding
signal, the boys now hailed with pleasure and admira-
tion the sight of thousands of birds springing from their
nests, while each, in its own peculiar language, seemed
to deprecate the intrusion of the presumptuous stran-
gers.
*' Won't we carry back birds and eggs enough to vic-
tual the fortress for a week ! " said Gerald.
" No need for that, Gerald," answered Hugh, " when
we have the preserve in our own private grounds. We
can just bag a brace or two, to prove the truth to our
people. But, now, my boy, we must try to find the end
of this wonderful maze who knows but what it may
lead to liberty ? "
" It is a rough road anyhow," said Gerald. But they
struggled through thick bushes, leaped over rocks, or
waded through pools or rills for more than an hour, and
then, fearful of alarming their friends, they proposed to
return. But just as they had made this resolve, Hugh
declared that he heard the sound of rolling water, and
they continued their toilsome exertions till they reached
at length the side of a rapid river, which poured
through a narrow gorge in the mountains, and flowed
towards the west. The river seemed about fifty yards
190 GOOD TIDINGS.
across, and too deep to be forded ; the banks were
overgrown with tall bamboos mingled with fine rushes ;
but beyond the south banks, the country appeared more
open.
" If we could only cross this river," said Hugh, "we
should completely escape from those cowardly blacks,
who have, I believe, no canoes. We will bring Jack
here ; he can find bark in abundance for his use, and if
we help him, I have no doubt he can make a canoe that
will carry us across. At any rate, let us take him a
piece of the bark to tempt him to come."
They soon stripped from the stem a piece of flexible
bark, and, with some of the fibres of the stringy bark,
they tied this into a bag, which they filled, as they re-
turned, with eggs and four brace of good-sized young
pheasants. They kept in the track they had made in
coming, and having the white cross before them as a
guide, they had much less difficulty in their homeward
course than they expected, and in very great spir-
its presented themselves before their greatly anxious
friends.
" We have been out on a sporting expedition," said
Gerald, flinging down the birds. " What do you think
of our game-bag, General Arthur ? "
" I must think that you have been very rash and im-
prudent," answered Arthur. "I conclude, boys, that
you have found some other outlet from the cave ; but
how could you risk discovery for the sake of these
birds?"
" We have discovered an outlet," replied Hugh j
" but I think even Margaret and my father will agree
that there was no risk, when they see the place. Now
you must all listen to our wonderful adventure."
THE PIONEERS. 19.
They did listen with great pleasure and thankfulness.
The earnest desire of every heart was to escape from
the constant dogged and depressing pursuit of their sav-
age and artful foes, and the account of the unsuspected
path to the river filled them with the hopes which they
had nearly abandoned.
" Can we not set out now ? " asked Mr. Mayburn
eagerly. " Certainly not, my father," answered Arthur.
" It will first be necessary that we have some means
arranged for crossing the river ; besides, the day is too
far advanced for us to make such an important move-
ment before night ; and we must try to divert the sus-
picions of the savages from our flight, by letting them
believe we still intend to hold the fortress."
" If you 're not knocked up, Master Hugh," said Jack,
" I should like well to see with my own eyes what there
is to do, and whether I can do it or not. Would you
mind guiding me ; and Wilkins, may be, will go with
us, to help me to carry down my ropes ? "
"Wilkins was always ready and willing ; lie shouldered
a coil of rope, and the two unwearied boys, followed by
him and Jack, set out to show their marvellous discovery
to the two practical men, who looked round at the
charming wilderness with an eye to the usefulness
rather than, to the beauty of all they saw.
" Birds is poor feeding, and eggs is worse," said Wil-
kins ; " but if we iver get free fra' them dowly stone
walls, we 'se see if we can't get a shot at them kangaroos.
Ay, ay ! Master Hugh, any sky over head 's better nor
a jail ; not but I 've been shut in worse prisons nor yon,
God forgive me ; but ye see I were reet sarved then.
But it is aggravatin, I say, to bar oneself up wi' one's
own will like."
192 THE FERRY-BOAT.
" See here, Wilkins," exclaimed Jack ; " what a
grand stock of all kinds of wood, if we had but a few
good tools. I noticed that a black fellow that was fight-
ing yesterday had a capital axe in his hand ; it seemed
to be made of a sort of flint stone, and I only wish we
could meet with a piece fit for such a job."
"It's not a time to be felling trees," replied Wilkins,
''when we 've a troop of black rogues at our heels.
Now come, we 're here, it seems, at t' river they Celled
on, and a canny river it is ; if we can manage to put it
atween us and them, we'se have a clear coast, I
reckon ; for they always keep at their own side."
"Then help me to bark this tree," said Jack; "and if
we cannot manage a canoe, we '11 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 hastily completed, they
were compelled to speed homeward to prevent them-
selves being bewildered in the darkness ; and even now,
but for the visible white cross, they wo-uld have been
unable to distinguish the entrance. " Now, Nurse,
darling," cried Gerald, dancing round Jenny, " pack up
your pots and pans and bundles, and you, Ruth, call up
your precious chicks, and make ready. Then, at day-
break, when you hear me whistle the reveille, fall into
your ranks, to march."
" We do not know how far the ground beyond the
wilderness may be exposed," said Arthur, " and we had
better look out before we leave in the morning, to ob-
serve if all continues still."
" That 's all just as it ought, Mr. Arthur," said Wil-
kins ; " ye 're a sharp chap at a drill. And we 'd as
well puzzle 'em a bit, and rattle out a few arrows just
THE EFFECTS OF A SHOT. 193
afore we start, to make 'em believe we mean to haud
f)ur own."
In the morning, when all was ready for setting out,
and they had laid the foundation of a good breakfast,
the scream of Ruth, who had climbed to an aperture to
obtain a look-out, announced that the objects of her
antipathy were in sight. All flocked to the crevices to
ascertain what they had to fear, and observed that a
number of the natives were, laden with bundles of dry
wood, which they had piled before the rock, and made
up a fire, having apparently chosen to establish them-
selves there, and keep a perpetual watch, and yet
keep too close to the rock to be in danger from the ar-
rows of the beseiged. This was vexatious, and Wil-
kins said, " Ye 're tied to waste a shot on 'em, or here
they '11 sit and watch and listen, and sure enough they '11
make out we're away, if they hear nought stirring in-
side, and they '11 be off to stop us. Look at yon fellow,
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 for that job. Just let me have
a chance, Mr. Arthur. I ken ye 're all soft-hearted, so
I 'se not kill him outright."
Arthur was very reluctant to waste one cartridge or
spill one drop of blood ; but the fierce gestures of the
powerful savage, and his violent blows against the
walled entrance, rendered him a dangerous antag-
onist ; 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 in fire-
arms.
Wilkins carefully selected his position and his time,
and when the savage raised his arm for the stroke, he
17
194 THE DEPARTURE.
fired into his shoulder. With a horrible yell, the man
threw down the axe, and fell upon his face. In a mo-
ment the whole troop, with cries of terror, were flying
towards the woods ; two only remaining, who hastily
lifted and carried away the wounded man, with loud
wailings.
" There ! we *se be clear on 'em for one bit," said
Wilkins. " Now 's our time 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," said Arthur, smiling.
" Then, I think," said Mr. Mayburn, deliberately
"Margaret, tell me if I am right I think we, as
Christians, should set a bad example to heathens, if \ve
carried off their property."
Jack sighed, as he looked wistfully at the axe
through an opening in the rock, and said, " It is tied
to the handle with the stringy-bark, and then it seems
fixed with gum. I 'm sure I could manage it, Mr. Ar-
thur, if we could only meet with the right stone ; but
this soft sandy rock is good for nothing."
But now no more time was to be wasted. All
marched along, more or less laden, headed by the two
proud pioneers, and with their various packages were
safely got through the opening, and, to their great joy,
once more tasted the blessing of fresh air. The pleas-
ure of Mr. Mayburn, among the variety of strange
birds, was unbounded ; and he was with difficulty
THE BOGS. 195
vailed on to move forwards, by the promise that, under
more favorable circumstances, they would all assist
him in obtaining specimens of the curious new species.
But now expedition was prudent, and even imperative,
and over the twice-trodden track they moved silently
and speedily till they reached the river.
There lay the frail bark Jack had contrived for cross-
ing the river, and to each end of which he now attached
one of his long coils of cerd. Then, taking up two
pieces of bark he had prepared for paddles, he called
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 the stern-rope, and when
we 're over, Miss need have no fear."
Hugh, pleased to be selected for the first enterprise,
leaped upon the slender canoe, and assisted Jack to pad-
dle it across the rapid river ; and when they safely
reached the reedy bank, they unrolled their rope and
secured the end, allowing the bark to be drawn back for
Margaret, who was the first single passenger. She ac-
complished her short voyage happily, and, one at a
time, the party were ferried over, bringing their pack-
ages with them. Then the ropes were cut away to be
preserved, and the light boat was suffered to drift down
the stream ; while the thankful, emancipated prisoners
forced their way through the jungle of reeds and canes,
arid 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 come on my own dear native bogs ! the
emerald plains of old Hibernia. No want of water
now, my boys ! Don't I hear it trickling beneath that
196 CROSSING THE MARSH.
bright turf, and won't we soak our boots well, my
dears?"
"They're bogs, sure enough," said Wilkins, "and
there 's nought for it but 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 to lope ; but, half dragged and half lifted
by Wilkins, she followed the rest, who were plunging,
wading, running, or leaping, from one dry spot to
another, over the luxuriant reedy marsh. The ground
was thronged with thousands 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 and liberty
were in view, and small annoyances were disregarded ;
and, in the strength of their substantial breakfast, the
travellers pursued their toilsome course across the
marshy ground, till towards the end of the day, com-
pletely worn out, they cast themselves down to rest on
the side of a firm hillock, beneath the shade of a lofiy
spreading tree, which had the rare quality, in Australia,
of a thick foliage of large leaves, and seemed to be a
species of chestnut.
Then the bows were put in requisition, and wild
ducks procured for supper ; and, after this needful re-
freshment, they united in thanks to God for their es-
cape, and for the plenty that surrounded them, in a
region where the air was pure and healthy, and the ani-
mals innocuous ; and this night they slept in the open
air, fearless of disturbance.
FOREST SCENERY. 197
Next morning they proceeded on their way, after the
boys had cut a strong staff for each traveller ; likening
themselves to a party of pilgrims with their long crooks.
Still the same luxuriant vegetation lay before them,
and still they continued the same ardudus toiling over
the soft yielding soil, in which every footstep was
buried ; but their stout staves and cheerful spirits car-
ried them on for hours.
They continually saw ttie kangaroo bounding over
the ground, and the active opossum running up the tall
gum-tree, or the pandanus, and were sorely tempted to
pursue them.
"But only reflect, boys," said Arthur, "on the im-
prudence of attempting to chase or shoot these animals
now. It would be impossible for us to carry more than
our usual burdens over this heavy ground. Wait till
we arrive at our resting-place ; and in the profusion of
food around us, I trust we shall not want. But observe,
papa, we no longer see the range of sandstone hills ly-
ing to the east : we are certainly entering a new region.
That ridge before us will probably lead us from these
tedious marshes. "We must try to toil up the ascent
before we rest."
It was really a toil, in the heated atmosphere, to
climb the bush-encumbered hills ; but on reaching the
summit, they were repaid by looking down on a lovely
valley.
It was on a lower level than that they had left, dotted
over with green hills, and adorned with a forest-like
scattering of majestic trees, beneath which the grass
was as rich as that of a cultivated meadow, and enam-
elled with brilliant flowers ; while the scented jasmine
blossoms clung round the taller trees, and filled the air
17*
198 A TEMPTATION.
with perfume. Parrots of every bright color played in
the sunbeams, chattering in the most distracting man-
ner ; while at intervals the discordance of their harsh
cries was broken by the clear, bell-like notes of a musi-
cal warbler. Numerous silver streams might be seen
at a distance, threading the plains, all on their way, Ar-
thur observed, to swell some large river.
" Which we shall have to cross, most likely/' said
Hugh ; " so, Jack, we must look about for materials for
canoes again."
"I am almost afraid to suggest it," said Mr. May-
burn ; " but why should we leave this lovely, tranquil
valley ? Why should we not erect a simple hut, and
dwell here in peace, abundance, and contentment, with-
out toil and 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 then them rogues would somehow make
us out, and lead us a bonnie life."
" And it is n't fit, master," said nurse, indignantly,
" that decent women, let alone Miss Marget, should live
their lives among heathens without a rag to their backs.
Here 's poor Ruth breaking her heart to think of them
savages."
" I believe, papa," said Arthur, laughing, " the votes
are against your resolution. For my own part, I can-
not believe this rich and well-watered spot should be
neglected by the natives. Depend on it, there are
tribes not far distant, that might annoy us if we were
A BLACK BIT. 199
stationary, though I trust 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 of judgment, and you see I
have grace to acknowledge my blunder."
" We will descend into the valley now," said Arthur,
" and have a pleasant rest among this rich scenery. I
hope that in a few days more we may reach some im-
portant river, which, if we can cross, we may at all
events be satisfied that we have left our old enemies be-
hind us, though we cannot tell what new ones we may
encounter."
After many days' pleasant travelling over the well-
watered and plentiful plains, they passed over a succes-
sion of green ridges, from the highest of which they had
a view of a large river, certainly too wide to be crossed
by Jack's bark ferry-boat ; and now speculations were
awakened of boats, canoes, and easy voyaging.
" I 'in sure you could make a bark canoe, Jack," said
Hugh, " that might be paddled well enough on a fair
open river like that. Let us push forward and recon-
noitre our chances of changing trudging for voyaging."
" I 'd have ye look about ye," said Wilkins, " and
mind yer steps. Yon 's just t' place for 'em to gather.
There '11 be fish, and slugs, and snakes, and all that sort
of varmint. Why, bless ye, Jenny, woman, ye need n't
make such a face ; I 've seen 'em gobbling for hours
at worms and grubs, and then they '11 suck lots of stuff
out of them gum-trees. But I say, 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 hard stones, of which
200 MAKING TOOLS.
some large slabs were piled near the place, and a fin-
ished axe made from the same flint-like stone.
" I will not take their axe, Mr. Arthur," said Jack,
" because they have manufactured it, and of course it is
property like ; but stones are nothing but stones all the
world over, and free to anybody. So if you '11 wait I '11
sit down now and try to make an axe the model of that,
and it will be a shame if I cannot improve on it."
He was not denied the trial, and the result was, that
Jack's axe was a capital tool. Hugh had cut a handle
from one tree, while Gerald collected the gum oozing
from another into a mussel-shell, and Jack selected the
stone, and sharpened the edge on a block of sand-
stone, for the blade. Then cutting a cleft in the handle,
he inserted and tied the blade first, covering the joining
with gum, and finally placing it in the sun to dry.
This success induced him to make a second axe, while
the whole party sat down to watch the interesting work.
But the uneasiness of Mr. Mayburn compelled them
at length to leave a spot which was evidently a haunt of
the natives. They continued to walk toAvards the river
over rich undulating ground covered with soft grass and
the wild oats, the spring crop of which was here nearly
ripe, and was eagerly reaped to increase the provision
store. Then they came on a swampy soil, which had
been apparently overflowed by the river after the rains,
und which was grown over by a perfect forest of man-
groves, thickly peopled by mosquitos. It was with
difficulty they could force their way through the trees to
the river, which they judged to be about three hundred
yards across, flowing towards the west, and certainly too
deep to be forded. High cliffs shut out all view of the
country on the opposite bank ; and, much as it would
THE GRASS-TREE. ,201
have been desirable, Arthur feared they 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 can we yet begin to make one
till our axes are sufficiently hardened to use with safety.
, I propose that we should draw back beyond the marshy
ground, and follow up the course of the stream for one
day at least. We can all be at work collecting materials
for boats."
Any thing that gave them employment was accepta-
ble to the boys, and they scampered from one tree to
another to examine the quality or try to discover the
species. The names they did not know, but were con-
tent to distinguish the varieties as palm, oak, ash, cedar,
or box, as they fancied they resembled those well-known
trees. There were also the various gum-trees, the cab-
bage-palm, and a new and interesting object to Mr.
Mayburn, which he recognized from description, the
grass-tree, Xanthorrhoea, arborea, the rough stem of
which was ten feet in height and about two feet in cir-
cumference, and which terminated in a palm-tree form,
with a cluster of long grass-like foliage drooping grace-
fully; while from the midst of the cluster sprang a
single stamen of ten feet in height.
Mingled with the loftier trees was a sort of shrub,
called by Wilkins the Tea Shrub, the leaves of which,
he told them, were used in the colony as tea " by them
as liked such wishwash ; " and as Jenny and Ruth de-
clared that they especially did like this "wishwash,"
they gathered a quantity of the leaves to make the ex-
periment of its virtues.
202 THE TEA-SHRUB.
" It certainly belongs to a family of plants," said Mr
Mayburn, " which are all-important to the comfort and
health of man ; and though I do not know the species,
I should judge that an infusion of these leaves would
produce a wholesome, and probably an agreeable, bever-
age. The delicate white flowers are not unlike those
of the tea-plant, certainly. But pray, nurse, do wot
load yourself with too great a burden of the leaves, for
the shrub seems abundant, and we have already too
much to carry in this burning climate."
CHAPTER XV.
The Tea-Shrub. Another Canoe. A Skirmish *ith the Natives.
Wounded Heroes. An Attempt at Voyaging. A Field of
Battle. The Widowed Jin. Wilkins's Sorrows. Baldabella
in Society. The Voyage resumed.
"WHEN are we to dine or sup, rather comman-
der ? " said Hugh ; " I am so famished, that I could eat
one of those noisy cockatoos half-cooked, and Margaret
looks very pale and weary."
" We must try to reach one of those green hills be-
fore us," said Arthur ; " we shall there be pretty cer-
tain to meet with some cave or hollow, where we can at
least, stow our luggage ; and then our cares and our
sleep will be lighter ; and as we go along, we will plun-
der some nests, that Margaret may have eggs for her
supper."
They took as many eggs and young birds as they
required, and went on till they found, among the hills,
a hollow, capacious enough for a night's lodging, and
here they made a fire to cook the birds and to boil the
tea in a large mussel-shell. Ruth bemoaned again her
awkwardness in breaking the tea-cups ; for now they
had to sip the infusion of leaves from cockle-shells.
Wilkins declined the luxury ; but the rest enjoyed it,
and declared that it not only had the flavor of tea, but
even of tea with sugar, which was an inestimable advan-
tage.
" The plant is certainly saccharine," pronounced Mr.
Mayburn.
(203)
204 THE LUXURY OP TEA.
" If it had only been lacteal too," said Hugh, " we
might have had a perfect cup of tea ; but, papa, don 't
you think it has a little of the aroma of the camomile
tea with which nurse used to vex us after the Christmas
feasts?"
" It is certainly not the genuine tea," answered Mr.
Mayburn, " the peculiar Thea of China ; but, doubt-
less, custom, would reconcile us to its 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 that they were not out of the reach of the
usual cares of life ; and they hastily 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 com-
menced to make the canoes, which the dangerous vicin-
ity of the natives rendered immediately necessary. He
roused his young masters, and Hugh and Gerald read-
ily agreed to assist him ; while Arthur made his way
through the marsh to the side of the river, to select a
convenient place for crossing it.
But he could see no possibility of landing on the op-
posite side, which was guarded by perpendicular cliffs ;
and with much uneasiness he proceeded up the river in
hopes of seeing an opening, to which they might ven-
ture to cross. But after walking pome distance, he
thought it best to return to the family, to propose that
they should take a hasty breakfast, and then move at
once higher up the -river, with watchfulness and cau-
tion, till they found the south banks more favorable
for their attempt. There was no time to prepare tea,
THE BANKS OF THE RIVER. 205
to the disappointment of the women : cold pheasant and
cockatoo formed the breakfast. Then every one shoul-
dered his burden, and the half-finished canoe was car-
ried off, to be completed under more favorable circum-
stances.
They had walked without interruption for about two
miles, when Margaret observed 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, arid afford them a safer and more advanta-
geous track than their present exposed road. They
could then select at once a shallow ford, or a flat
strand, on the opposite banks, to facilitate their cross-
ing.
" Let us hasten over the swamp," said she, " and se-
cure this important advantage. Dear papa is in con-
tinual alarm on these open plains, and I am quite losing
my usual courage."
But as they drew near the opening to the water, Ar-
thur, always thoughtful, felt a distrust of this singular
interruption of the close entangled belt of the river.
" See here, Margaret," said he. " Beneath the roots of
this mangrove you have a perfect leafy arbor, with
walls of brilliant and fragrant creepers. In this pleas-
ant bower I propose that we should leave you and your
maidens, my father, and all our property, while I lead
my brave little band forward to reconnoitre before we
proceed farther."
The tears stood in the eyes of the affectionate sis-
ter as she submitted to this prudent arrangement, and
saw her dearly-loved brothers and their faithful attend-
ants prepare to set out on this service of danger.
" You can keep Ruth tied to one of these root col-
18
206 A RECONNOISSANCE.
umns," said Gerald, " and gag her if she ope: s her
mouth for a scream." Then making a grimace at the
trembling girl, the laughing youth followed his friends.
" Gerald is not in earnest, my poor girl," said Mr.
Mayburn ; "but it is nevertheless important nay, it
is even imperative that you should preserve absolute
silence and immobility."
"That is, Ruth," said Margaret, interpreting the
order, " you must sit quite 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 space purposely
cleared. This was a startling sight, and before they
could determine whether they should retreat or go for-
ward, two natives appeared, approaching from the
river-side, who no sooner set eyes on the formidable
strangers, than they turned back hastily, and fled out
of sight.
" Let us be prepared for defence," said Arthur ;
" but, if possible, we will meet them amicably. "We
will stand abreast in a line, and look as bold as we
can."
Loud yells were now heard, and soon a number of
men confronted the small band, armed, as usual, with
spears and throwing-sticks. They wer^ apparently
much excited, though not painted for war. Arthur held
out a green bough, and made friendly signs to them,
continuing slowly to approach with his companions.
For a minute or two the savages seemed struck dumb
and motionless with astonishment ; then at once, they
resumed their yells, leaping and whirling their spears
in a threatening manner.
A SKIRMISH. 207
Still undeterred in their wish for peace, the bold
youths walked forward till a spear flew amongst them
and wounded Wilkins in the shoulder ; who then rushed
forward, uttering a loud execration, and, with a huge
club he carried, struck the man who had thrown the
spear senseless to the ground. With frightful cries the
natives flung more spears, while two of them 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 the assailants from him; for every
arrow had done execution. Wilkins then drew back
into the ranks and cried out, " The rifle, sir ! the rifle I
say, or we 're all dead men ! "
There could indeed be no hesitation now, and Arthur
fired one of his barrels, intending the charge to pass
over the heads of the enemy ; but one tall savage, who
was leaping at the moment, received the shot in his
cheek and head, and fell back into the arms of his com-
panions, who bore him 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 the river, and flee to the hills at
the north ; and, confident that they were at present in
safety, Arthur anxiously reviewed his forces. Wilkins
looked very pale, and the spear was still sticking in his
shoulder. Hugh was stretching out a bloody hand,
grazed somewhat severely, while Gerald was waving
triumphantly a large sombrero hat, woven of rushes by
Margaret, and which now bore the noble crest of a
spear which had pierced, and carried it from his head,
without injuring him.
"Sure, and won't the Lady Margaret bestow her
208 THE WOUNDED.
glove on me," cried the wild boy, " when she sees the
honors I have brought away upon my knightly hel-
met?"
"It's been a close shave, young fellow," grumbled
Wilkins, as he succeeded with a groan, in drawing out
the spear, which was followed by such a flow of blood,
that Arthur thought it expedient to send the two boys
with him to Margaret, that his wound might be dressed;
while Jack and he hastily surveyed the field for which
the party had fought and bled.
A wide cleared space, sloping gradually to the river,
was covered with various articles hastily abandoned.
Clubs, boomerangs, heaps of wild oats, with shells of
the fresh-water mussel, and bones of fish. Large sheets
of bark were placed round the spot, lined with grass,
and apparently 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
at all, I think."
" Well, Jack," answered Arthur, " I think my father's
scruples would not oppose such an appropriation. But
can we cross at once ? There seems a tolerable land-
ing-place nearly opposite."
"We must get the canoes ready for launching as fast
as we can," replied Jack ; " for we cannot do better
than cross, to get out of the way of those fellows, who
will be sure to come back for their things. I '11 just
borrow this handy axe a bit : we can leave it behind us
when we go."
Jack did not lose time ; two of the bark beds vere
nearly transformed into canoes by the time that Arthur
had gone to the mangrove bower and brought up all
DIVISION OF LABOK. 209
the party, with the unfinished canoe and the lug-
gage.
Wilkins had his arm in a sling ; but, though he cer-
tainly was suffering much, 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 're so sharp set," said Wilkins. " I say,
master, ye '11 be forced to lend a hand," addressing Mr.
Mayburn.
" My good man," replied he, " I am willing to under-
take any labor suited to 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 an axe in his hand.
" Nay, nay, master," continued Wilkins, " ye '11 turn
out a poor hand wi' yer tools, I reckon ; but we '11 learn
ye to paddle these floats. I'se be fit for a bit work,
'cause, ye see, I 've gettin my right arm ; but that poor
lad 's quite laid off wi' his right hand torn. Gather up
some of them bits of bark to make paddles, Master
Gerald."
" But no spears or weapons, Gerald," added Mr.
Mayburn. " We must not carry off the property of
these men, however inimical they are to us."
" Why, begging yer pardon, master," replied Wilkins ;
" there 's them there spears as was stuck into us, we 'se
surelie keep. Ye could n't expect on us 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 I think with you, Wilkins, that we are
entitled to the three spears that injured us. For oars
and paddles we have abundance of materials ; I only
210 CANOES ON THE RIVER.
grieve that we have so few hands ; but those are able
and willing to work ; so let us hasten to get ready for
the water."
Two hours elapsed, however, before the three sound
workmen were able to get all ready for the launch. In
the mean time Wilkins and Hugh had searched for the
nests of the water-fowl, and taken a supply of young
birds, which the women had roasted for present and fu-
ture provisions.
Finally, three bark canoes were launched, each con-
taining three persons, and the river was crossed in safety.
Finding they could manage their little barks satisfacto-
rily, they then agreed to row up the river as long as it
was practicable, which would, at all events, be less la-
borious than walking with heavy burdens.
Without any alarms, except from seeing the smoke of
distant fires on the shore they had left, they had passed
through beautiful and diversified scenery for many miles,
before the rapid close of the day warned them to land ;
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, they resumed their route next morning, and
with the necessary interruptions of landing for supplies
of the plentiful food that surrounded them, and for need-
ful rest, they continued for many days to voyage on the
same broad river ; and though they occasionally saw
smoke rising on the north side, they never met with
any of the natives.
But at length this desirable tranquillity was dis-
turbed ; for one day they were alarmed by sounds which
they recognized as the angry yells of the savages in
THE FIELD OF BATTLE. 211
their fury, and they knew some fearful contention was
taking place. The sounds proceeded from the south
shore, and the river being at least two hundred yards
broad at this part, they rowed to the north bank, in or-
der to place a wide barrier between themselves and the
contending savages.
Loud and louder grew the yells and cries when they
drew near the scene of action, and curiosity induced
them to rest on their oars, though they could not see
the combat ; but gradually the sounds died away, and
it was plain the contending parties had shifted their
field of battle.
After all had been quiet for some time, the boys
begged earnestly that they might be allowed to land
and view the scene from whence these discordant cries
arose ; and, at last, leaving Jack, Hugh, and Mr. May-
burn in charge of the canoes, Arthur with Gerald and
Wilkins stepped on shore, and making their way through
the jungle, came on a widely-spread, woody country,
and saw, at no great distance, the scattered spears and
clubs, which indicated that they were really upon the
field of battle.
Cautiously drawing near, they were shocked to meet
with the bodies of native men, transfixed by spears or
destroyed by clubs. They gazed with deep distress
upon this sad sight, and were preparing to return, when
they were startled by hearing a low sobbing sound, fol-
lowed by a shrill faint cry, and searching round among
the low bushes, they found a native woman mourning
over the body of one of the slain, while clinging to her
was a child about four years old. They approached
hastily ; but no sooner did the woman see them, than
she caught up her child, and would have fled, but Wil-
212 THE MOURNING WIDOW.
kins caught her arm, and pointing to the dead bod/,
spoke a few words to her in a jargon he had acquired
during his residence in the colony, which she seemed to
understand, for she replied by some words 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 's nought to laugh at, Master Ger-
ald, for she seems, poor body ! like to die herseP. I 'se
a bad hand at talking in their way ; ye see its mair like
a bird chirruping nor our folks rough talk. My big
tongue cannot frame to sing out like a blackbird. Now
there was Peter "
The woman uttered a scream of terror as Wilkins
pronounced the name, and looking wildly round, she
clasped the child, repeating distinctly, in accents of fear,
"Peter! Peter!"
" She knows the rogue, I '11 be bound ! " exclaimed
Wilkins, endeavoring by words and signs to obtain
some information from her.
The woman pointed to the bleeding body at her feet,
made a sign of stabbing, and again uttered in a vindic-
tive tone, " Peter ! " And on examining the wounds of
the corpse, Wilkins pointed out to Arthur that they
were not inflicted by the spear ; for the man had been
evidently stabbed to the heart by a sharp long-bladed
weapon.
" That 's been Peter's knife, I 'd swear," said he,
" and the sooner we take off, the better, for he 's an
ugly neighbor ; poor body ! she may well have a
scared look ! "
A CASE OF MISERY. 213
As they turned away, the woman, it appeared, had
read pity in their eyes, for she put her child into the
hands of Arthur, and pointing towards the west, again
murmured the name of Peter, and signified that he
would return to murder her child and herself. Then
lying down by the body of her husband, she closed her
eyes, indicating that she must die there.
"What are we to do, Mr. Arthur?" said Wilkins,
with tears on his rough cheeks ; " my heart just warks
for her. But ye see maybe as how master and miss
would n't be for havin' such an a half dementet, ondecent
body amang 'em. What are we to do? Will ye just
say ? Sure as we 're here, if we 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 a
head amang 'em."
" Oh, let us take both the woman and her child," said
Gerald. " I will run forward to carry the child to Mar-
garet and bring back some clothes for the unhappy
mourner ; " and without waiting for any sanction to his
proceedings, he set off to the canoes with his prize.
The alarmed woman started up, and looked anxiously
after her child ; but Wilkins made her understand she
should also follow it, and she appeared satisfied. It was
not long before O'Brien returned, accompanied by
Jenny, who brought a loose garment for the astonished
woman, on whose scanty toilet the neat old woman
looked with unqualified disapprobation, as she assisted
in arraying her more consistently with civilized cus-
toms ; or, as she termed it, " made her decent."
Somewhat uncertain of the prudence of making this
addition to their party, Arthur led the way to the boats,
determined to consult his father and Margaret before
214 THE GRATEFUL SAVAGE.
the matter was determined. When the poor widow
saw her child, dressed in a temporary costume of silk
handkerchiefs, and holding Margaret's hand, in great
contentment, her eyes glistened with pleasure, and going
up to Mr. Mayburn and Margaret, she threw herself
down on the strand, with her face to the ground, in an
attitude of submission to her protectors.
" Poor creature," said Mr. Mayburn ; " can we not
restore her to her people, Wilkins ? You know some-
thing of her language inquire her wishes."
" I can partly make out what she says, master," an-
swered he ; " but I frame badly in hitting on them sing-
song queer words. I take it, all her friends have been
killed right away, and she wants to stay wi' us."
" She 's not a fit body to be company to Miss Mar-
get," said nurse. " You 're like to see that yourself,
Wilkins."
" And if I did see that, Mrs. Jenny," answered Wil-
kins, in a sharp tone, " and I can't say I did see 't, it 's
wiser heads nor yours and mine as ought 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, now-
adays, I consate. Now, I 'd not like to say that mon-
key-like, dark-avised poor creater were born sister to
my bonnie Susan Raine, as I ought to have wed, Mrs.
Jenny, if I had n'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 the Amoor. She was
with one of the emigrant families that Mr. Deverell
brought over from England."
" It 's now better nor two years sin* I got a letter
wrote to her, Miss," said Wilkins, greatly moved ;
SUSAN RAINE. 215
" but, like me, ye see, she 's no scholar, and I heared
nought from her, and I judged she'd wed another.
Then I cared nought what came on me ; and I con-
sorted wi' Black Peter, and such chaps, and took any
job of work to get away from yon gallows hole, when I
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 Mar-
garet, " 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 fel-
low, Black Peter, comes nigh us ; I ken he '11 want to
nab me, and make a rogue on me again."
"You must ask God to give you strength to resist
the temptations of such a wretch," said Mr. Mayburn,
" and your prayers will be heard. A great and good
man has said of prayer, that it is
1 A stream, which from the fountain of the heart
Issuing, however feebly, nowhere flows
Without access of unexpected strength.' "
" Ay, it seems a grand hymn," answered Wilkins ;
" but I mind short prayers best, and I 'se try, master, to
stick to 'em ; for ye ken I'se but a soft good-to-nought.
But it may please God to make summut out on me
yet ; and wi' my own will, I'se niver leave ye."
The question of admitting the unfortunate woman
among them was soon decided. She crouched down in
the stern of one of the canoes, holding the child on her
lap ; and the river being fortunately very smooth, they
were enabled, though much crowded, to row off with
216 AN ADDITION TO THE PARTY.
the additional weight, being anxious to leave the spot
before the natives should return to collect their spears.
Besides, from the woman's words and signs they com-
prehended that the victorious combatants would come
back to take her life and that of her child.
CHAPTER XVI.
The Mother and Child. The Interior of the Country. Another
Cataract. The Pilgrim Troop. The Difficult Ascent. The
Frilled Lizard. The Mountain-range. The Kangaroo-chase.
The Pass of Erin.
BUT it was not till they had left the bloody field
many miles behind them that the woman recovered so
far from her fear and stupefaction as to be able, by
signs and half-understood words, to indicate to them
that she was friendless and homeless ; and that Peter
would kill her, the last of her family ; and from the re-
port of Wilkins, and other sources of information, Mr.
Mayburn concluded that it was the custom of these
northern people to live in families, or clans, rather than
in tribes of many, one man being the head of the house,
if we may so speak of those who rarely have a house ;
but who live, like the beasts of the field, in the open
air, unless driven by the rains to take shelter in caves.
From the woman they learnt that her name was Bal-
dubella, and that of her child was Nakinna. She was
young, and her features were not unpleasant ; her eyes
were brilliant, and her voice soft and musical ; nor was
she disfigured in any way, except that through the gris-
tle of her nose she wore a fish-bone. The only gar-
ment she wore when she was discovered, was a short
cloak of the skins of opossums, sewed neatly together
and pinned round her neck with a pointed bone. When
they drew the canoes ashore at the close of the day, on
a narrow strand, Baldabella looked with wonder on
19 (217)
218 BALDABELLA'S FOOD.
the arrangements made for the night, and the process of
broiling birds and roasting eggs at the fire, and drew
away when invited to partake of the strangely-cooked
food. Then she plunged her fingers into the mud at the
edge of the water, and soon went up to Margaret, and
put into her hand some small gray reptiles resembling
slugs. Margaret shrank from the feast, shaking her
head ; but the woman put one into her own mouth, and
swallowed it living with great relish, crammed one into
the mouth of the child, and then returned to hunt for
more.
Jenny held up her hands to express her abhorrence ;
Ruth stared at the woman with terror, evidently looking
on her as a kind of sorceress ; and O'Brien laughed, as
he said, " Well, nurse, you need not be so much dis-
gusted ; I dare say these snails taste as well as the ugly
oysters which we are cannibals enough to swallow
alive."
" Oysters, Master Gerald," answered nurse, reprov-
ingly, " are eat by decent Christian people ; and I see no
harm in them, specially with pepper and vinegar ; but
these things are varmint. Our ducks in England would
hardly touch them."
" A duck is not a fastidious feeder, nurse," said Mar-
garet, "and I would not answer for its nicety in this
matter. But this poor stranger prefers the food she
has been accustomed to, and we have no right to scoff
at her taste. If she remain with us, no doubt, in time,
she will conform to our habits."
For many days longer they continued their uninter-
rupted voyage up the river, the widow becoming daily
more at home with her protectors. Margaret clothed
her in one of her old dresses, with which she was much
NAKINNA. 219
delighted, and in other respects she began to adopt the
customs of her strange protectors. She voluntarily dis-
carded her nose ornament ; she bathed herself and her
child daily ; she at length ate the same food, and imi-
tated the manners of her friends.
Margaret made light dresses for the little Nakinna,
who rapidly caught the English names for the objects
around her, and from her the mother learnt many
words. But it was with deep concern that Mr. May-
burn saw the perfect indifference with which Baldabella
regarded the religious worship of the family. She
looked at first much astonished to see men and women
kneel down, and to hear the solemn prayers pronounced
by Mr. Mayburn ; but she soon turned carelessly away
to dig for worms, or to collect sticks for the fire.
Not so the little Nakinna; for, after observing the
devotions two or three times, she walked up to Marga-
ret, knelt down by her, lifted up her little hands, and
seemed to listen with interest, though she could not yet
understand. This act of docility and obedience was
very gratifying to her kind instructress, who anxiously
wished for the time when a mutual understanding might
render it possible to communicate to these heathens a
knowledge of the truth.
" Can it be possible, Wilkins," said Mr. Mayburn,
" that these wretched natives are so lost as not even to
acknowledge a Supreme Being! not even to 'see God
in clouds, and hear Him in the wind ! ' not to feel that
there must be a spiritual Ruler of the universe ? "
" Why, to my fancy, master," answered Wilkins,
" t' men folks is n't altogether dull chaps ; but them
poor jins just get all their sense knocked out on their
heads. Poor bodies 1 they 're no better off nor dogs
220 RAPIDS AND ROCKS.
nor asses. They work fra' morn to night, and hug
heavy loads, and get kicks and short allowance for their
pains."
There was a crushed, subdued Jook about the woman
that rendered Wilkins's assertion not improbable ; but
Margaret hoped that, by kind treatment, the dormant
intellect of the native might be developed.
At length the river became more difficult of naviga-
tion, the stream more rapid, and encumbered with fallen
rocks, while rapids and falls compelled them to land
continually among thick jungles, or on the narrow strand
below precipitous cliffs. A mountain range was now
visible before them, and they concluded that they must
soon reach the source of the friendly river, when they
should have to abandon the canoes ibr a less safe and
convenient mode of travelling.
" We cannot stand walking again," said Gerald.
" Could 'nt we carry the canoes forward awhile? and
perhaps we might have the luck to fall in with another
river. What a grand thing it would be if we could
find one flowing to the east or the south, that we
might run easily down the stream without any hard
work."
" That is not very probable, Gerald," said Arthur,
" when we are yet so far from the central part what
we may strictly term the interior of the country. But
we will certainly spare ourselves the labor of carrying
away our canoes when we leave the water ; for there
can be no difficulty, in such a richly-wooded region, in
procuring materials for making canoes, if we should
need them. The noise of the waters seems to grow
louder, and I fear we are again approaching some great
cataract, which will probably, like the last we encoun-
DISEMBARKATION. 221
tered, terminate all hopes of boating. I propose that we
should at once make for yonder niche in the cliffs, and
unlade the canoes. Wilkins and I will then row up as
high as we can in a lightened canoe, to endeavor to fin<i
out a mode of ascending from this deep gully."
" If we are to land," said Gerald, " it will be easy
enough to climb these wooded heights."
" Easy for you, my boy," said Arthur, " especially if
you had no encumbrances ; but think of papa, and
Margaret, Baldabella and her child, and all the bags
and bundles which constitute our wealth. We must
endeavor to discover an easier road, and in the mean
time we will disembark at this convenient spot."
Mr. Mayburn and Margaret remonstrated with Ar-
thur for exposing himself and Wilkins to more danger
than the rest, but were at length persuaded that the
expedition could be executed with more safety and suc-
cess by a small party ; and two of the canoes, with all
the stowage, were therefore landed in a shady nook,
while the two men rowed on in the third boat. Marga-
ret and her father waited uneasily, but the two boys
amused themselves by penetrating into the woods, to
seek birds ; Jack cut down branches of trees, and
formed them into spears, arrows, or forks ; Jenny and
Ruth cooked some birds, and Baldabella, armed with a
spear, waded into a shallow creek of the river near
them, and speared two large fish, of the species they
called the fresh-water cod. Still everybody thought
the hours went slowly, and were truly glad to see the
light canoe gliding swiftly down the stream with Ar-
thur and Wilkins, who drew it ashore ; then Arthur
said,
" If possible, we must make our way along the banks,
~19*
222 ANOTHER CATARACT.
for the river is even now dangerous of ascent, and at no
great distance our voyage would be entirely arrested by
a cataract, similar to that we encountered soon after our
reaching the mainland. Wilkins and I, after mooring
our canoe to the mangroves, climbed to the heights, and
found we were then only at the base of successive ranges
of hills, which terminated in high-peaked mountains,
apparently inaccessible. From these hills flowed many
rivulets, which unite at the grand cataract and form this
river."
To make further progress in their journey, it was
therefore necessary that they should reach the country
above the high rocky banks of the river, and Arthur
said that on their return they had noticed one place
where it might be possible for the whole party to as-
cend ; though the path must necessarily be one of diffi-
culty.
They dined on roast birds and broiled fish, and then
began an active preparation for walking. Every thing
that was worth transporting was reduced to as small a
compass, and made as portable as possible ; the canoes
were reluctantly abandoned, and then the long train,
headed, as usual, by Arthur, set out ; Baldabella quietly
taking her place in the line, bearing her child on her
shoulder, and resting on her long fish-spear.
" I could fancy we were the Israelites, wandering in
the wilderness," said Gerald.
" You will please to recollect, Gerald," said Hugh,
" that the Israelites exceeded us in number in a trifling
degree, extending to hundreds of thousands, we are
told ; and then, though Arthur is doubtless a clever fel-
low, he cannot be such a guide as the wise and gifted
Moses."
THE HAZARDOUS ATTEMPT. 223
" The Israelites had a more infallible Guide," said
Mr. Mayburn, " than even their great leader Moses,
until by discontent and disobedience, they rejected the
Holy One. Let us take warning, my children, lest we
should, in like manner, forget the certain protection
which our Heavenly Father extends to all his faithful
people."
They slowly wound along the narrow strand, some-
times sunk in mud, sometimes climbing over mounds of
pebbles or piles of drift-wood, anxiously examining the
thick malted woods which covered the precipitous cliffs,
and even occasionally intercepted their path. For
some time they despaired of finding any spot favorable
for the purpose of reaching the level ground ; till Ar-
thur pointed out the place which he had previously no-
ticed, where the banks had given way, and a great fall
of rocks had formed a sort of sloping staircase, less en-
cumbered with the brushwood, and less abrupt than
they had expected.
" If we ever succeed in reaching the height," said
Arthur, " this must be our path. The strong must lead
the way, and aid in drawing up the feeble. These
drooping creepers will be convenient to cling to, that
we may not lose the ground we have made. Give me
your hand, Meggie."
With many a slip downwards, a scream, and a rend-
ing of garments, the women were dragged up through
the almost perpendicular wood. Baldabella alone, erect
and firm in foot, despised assistance. She disencum-
bered herself of all loose drapery, and clasping her
child, she stepped among, under, or over the bushes,
with speed and safety ; and long before the men had
reached the height, she had quietly resumed the garb of
224 A FAIRY WITH A TAIL.
her sex, and was seated to wait for the arrival of the
less-practised climbers. They were scarcely all assem-
bled, weary and tattered, at the head of the cliff, when
Ruth, who was the last, suddenly uttered a piercing
shriek, and rushed down into the matted bush again,
pursued by Jack, who captured and brought her back,
struggling and exclaiming against his interference.
" Oh, Jack, man, let me be," cried she ; " did n't thou
see't? It's an uncanny place, this. I seed it mysel',
Jack ; it were a little auld fairy, grinning at me, wi' a
long tail."
Jack was too enlightened to have any dread of a
fairy, even with a long tail ; and he persisted in bring-
ing up Ruth, pale and trembling, to the rest of the
party, though she continued to cry out, " Yonder she
sits ! Jack, honey ! keep out on her way ; she '11 charm
thee."
As soon as the boys heard Ruth's story of the tailed
fairy, they ran with great glee to the spot she pointed
out, and there, perfectly calm and immovable, they be-
held the old fairy, in the form of a very extraordinary
lizard. It was seated on its tail, apparently undismayed
by the presence of observers ; and Mr. Mayburn was
called to the spot to examine 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 and superstitious.
" I recognize the creature," said Mr. Mayburn, " from
the description given by more than one traveller, to be
the Chlamydosaurus Kingii, peculiar to Australia. The
frill which surrounds its head, extending even to the
THE FRILLED LIZARD. 225
chest, and folded in plaits, points out the distinct species.
This ruff is a curious membrane, which can be
expanded, by means of slender transverse cartilages, at
the will of the animal, when it is roused to anger."
'* Then observe, papa," said Gerald, " how indignant
it is at our impertinent remarks. See how it spreads
its broad frill, and shows its sharp teeth, as if it wished
to bite us, Must I knock ife down ? "
" Truly, Gerald," answered Mr. Mayburn, " my curi-
osity would overcome the feelings of humanity, and I
should be tempted to desire to obtain the creature ; but I
see Arthur shakes his head at the suggestion. And, af-
ter all, we have no right to slaughter the unoffending
animal."
Baldabella, on whose ears Mr. Mayburn's words fell
in vain, looked with glittering eyes on the reptile, and
raising her spear said in her new language, " Balda-
bella eat him." But the lizard, with an instinct of
danger, ran swiftly up the tree, assisted by its hooked
claws, and escaped the blow. When far above any fear
of attack, it again calmly sat down, looking down on
the baffled woman with a frightful sarcastic grin.
" There now ! " said Euth, " did n't I tell ye she were
uncanny ? She heard all 'at were said, as sure as
we 're here." For Ruth's conviction of its supernatural
rank was not to be shaken by Mr. Mayburn's scientific
demonstration.
After satisfying their curiosity in looking at the
frilled lizard, Arthur called on his forces to resume
their march. Before them now lay rich green hills,
rising gradually above each other, and intersected by
clear streams, flowing into the river they had left.
These hills were the first steps to mountains which rose,
226 THE KANGAROO HERDS.
high and rugged, even to the clouds. The hills, though
tedious, would not be very difficult to ascend ; but how
to pass the mountains they could not yet judge.
The mountain-range ran, as far as the eye could
reach, from north-east to south-west, and completely in-
tercepted them in the road they desired to pursue. To
pass them, if possible, must therefore be their aim ; or
a vast deal of time must be lost in making a circuitous
course.
" We will ascend the hills, at all events," said Ar-
thur, "and look round us. We may, perhaps, find
some natural pass. We might even try a kangaroo-
path, which must be found, for, see what herds of the
animals are bounding along under the lofty trees on the
hills."
" Oh, do let us have a kangaroo-hunt, Arthur ! " ex-
claimed Hugh. " We are hungry, and kangaroo meat
would fill us ; and therefore, papa, we have a right to
kill and eat.'*
" Let 's see ye set about it," said Wilkins. " They 're
sharper fellows nor ye think on, them kangaroos, my
lad. They 're a match for most folks, ban-in' ye have
dogs, or follow them up till they fall tired, and that '11
maybe, not be for half a day. I ken a good deal of
kangaroo-hunting ; but I 'se not clear that them there
chaps is so shy as down-country beasts ; ye see, they '11
niver like have clapped eyes atop on a man, and
they '11 not ken man's crafty ways.'*
" To the disgrace of human nature," said Mr. May-
burn, " what Wilkins suggests is true : wherever he is
recognized by the brute creation, they instinctively
4 Shun the hateful sight of man.' '*
PLAN FOR A CHASE. 227
" Well, sir," said Gerald, " that is, I suppose, because
the ignoble fears the noble the coward the brave."
" And you may add, Gerald, the slave his tyrant,"
continued Mr. Mayburn. " It is ever thus with
1 Man, proud man !
Dressed in a little brief authority. ' "
" But, papa," said Hugh, " we are in need of food,
and you must allow that it is more humane to destroy
one kangaroo than a dozen cockatoos or pheasants."
"I agree with Hugh, papa," said Margaret. "We
will, if possible, content ourselves to-day with taking one
life."
Armed with spears and throvving-sticks, bows and ar-
rows, and one boomerang which Baldabella had found,
and which no one but herself could yet use, the hunters
preceded Mr. Mayburn and Margaret. By the direc-
tions of the experienced Wilkins, they spread along in
a line, to guard the foot of the hill ; for he said the ani-
mal always took a downward course when it was
alarmed, for, as its fore-feet never touch the ground in
its greatest speed, it has more time in a descent to draw
up the hind legs, to make the immense spring, than it
could have with an ascent before it.
No sooner had the timid animals seen the strange
forms of the hunters than they started off with such in-
credible speed, that no one unacquainted with their hab-
its could have believed that their flight was a series of
jumps, and that their fore-feet never touched the
ground. In their confusion, some of the animals tried
to penetrate the rank of the hunters, while some fled to
the right or to the left. The spears and arrows show-
ered amongst them, and more than one beast carried off
228 THE KANGAROO CHASE.
the weapon sticking in him. But it was the boomerang
of Baldabella which, after complicated and mysterious
evolutions, struck and stunned a large animal, which
Wilkins presently despatched with his knife.
Arthur then recalled the hunters, saying, " We will
have no more slaughter. This large animal will supply
us with as much meat as we can consume while it re-
mains fresh, and it would be wanton to slay more."
The rear rank then joined them. The body of the
kangaroo, suspended on a long pole, was shouldered by
AVilkins and Jack, and the march was resumed. They
ascended and descended several hills, till night and fa-
tigue compelled them to rest in a little hollow, where a
cooking-fire was made, and they supped with great en-
joyment on venison steaks ; and, like the early inhabi-
tants of the world, before luxury and artificial wants
had enervated them, they slept beneath the canopy of
heaven, among the everlasting hills.
" Get up, Arthur," cried Hugh, early next morning.
" Get up, and come to see our mountain-pass. Gerald
discovered it, and therefore we propose to name it the
* Pass of Erin.'"
CHAPTER XVII.
The Dangerous Pass. The Coupled Travellers. The Mountain
Labyrinth. The Emancipation of Ruth's Chickens. A Com-
bat a ? entrance. The Ornithorhyncus. The Forest in the
Mountains. Singing Birds. The Laughing Jackass.
ARTHUR was soon alert, and followed the boys, who
lecl him up the side of the next high hill and along the
ridge for about three hundred yards to the south west,
and then pointed out to him a narrow rent or gorge in
the mountain, lying far below the hill on which they
stood ; but from this hill a gradual ascent, formed by
fallen rocks, made a rude path to a narrow shelf or ter-
race which they now saw far above them, and which
ran along the precipitous side of the rocky wall. Ar-
thur shuddered as he said, <k ls that narrow terrace
passable, do you think, Gerald ? "
" Oh, yes," answered he ; " Hugh and I had a run
along it before we woke you, and it is not half so bad as
it looks. We shall manage very well if we go ' goose-
walk ; ' but I think it would not be safe for two abreast.
To be sure, it is rather confusing to look down into the
depths below ; but we must give them all a caution,
and I think it would be better to blindfold Ruth."
" There is nothing for us but to try it," said Arthur.
" Let us return to breakfast before we set out."
" Yes, we might as well reduce the bulk of the kan-
garoo," said Hugh, " for it will be awkward to carry it
along our pass."
But when the plan was fully arranged, it was judged
20 ( 229 )
230 A PERILOUS JOURNEY.
expedient to cut up the kangaroo, and only carry away
sufficient for another day's consumption. Even the
useful skin was reluctantly abandoned, as Arthur knew
well they must have no unnecessary encumbrance.
Ruth could not, however, be persuaded to leave her pet
fowls, but resolutely set out with her basket on her
arm.
Then, after beseeching a blessing on their perilous
journey, they marched forward, and gradually ascend-
ing the hills, they reached the narrow path that
skirted the mountain. This natural shelving was
scattered over with loose stones, and occasionally
broken away till a ledge of only about five or six
feet was left for them ; but the creeping plants that
covered the rock enabled the timid to grasp a kind of
support on one hand, as they moved cautiously along
the unequal and perilous path. Below this terrace
yawned a deep gully, that formed the bed of a stream,
which at all seasons washed its sides. This stream
was now shallow, and moved sluggishly ; but rugged
crags, and torn-up trees, lying in the bed, showed that
raging torrents must pour into it after the rainy season.
From the interstices of the bush-covered rocks sprang
the gray-leaved gum-tree, the elegant casuarina, and a
bright-leaved tree resembling the box, but lofty and
strong. Among these trees parrots and cockatoos chat-
tered incessantly, and on the gum-trees hundreds of little
active opossums sported with all the playfulness of mon-
keys ; and Mr. Mayburn was so interested in watching
them hang from the branches, suspended by their
curved tail, to rifle the nests of the birds, or feed on the
numerous insects round them, that Arthur, in alarm,
stepped back to hold his father by the arm.
THE COUPLED TRAVELLERS. 231
" I tell you what we must do, Arthur," said Gerald ;
" we must be linked in couples, as the travellers on the
Alps are ; then, if one makes a false step, there 's a
chance for his mate to draw him up."
" No bad plan, Gerald," answered Arthur ; " but we
must take care to couple with judgment. The prudent
or brave must take charge of the rash or the timid. I
will take papa ; Jack, his- unlucky sister ; Hugh, Mar-
garet, or, more correctly, Margaret must take Hugh;
Wilkins will take charge of nurse; and you, the neglected
proposer of this wise measure, cannot profit by it, unless
you will submit to be guided by Baldabella, who seems
to trip along with her lively burden unapprehensive of
danger."
Hugh preferred to walk unfettered ; and Arthur had
no fears for the native woman, whose firm and steady
step showed that she had been accustomed to such
rough and scrambling paths.
Arthur, who was the first of the line, now became
uneasy, as, on looking before him, he remarked that, as
far as the eye could reach, there appeared to be no ter-
mination to the mountain wilderness. He could have
fancied that a labyrinth of broken, precipitous, lofty, and
interminable rocks shut them completely from the
world. It was a bewildering prospect, and even the
strong heart of Arthur almost failed him, and his head
whirled at the sight of such stupendous and uncertain
difficulties.
A scream from Ruth recalled him to his immediate
duties, and on turning round he saw her much-valued
basket of poultry bound down the precipice over the
bushes, till it rested on a lower ledge, some hundreds
of feet beneath them, where it flew open, and the fowls,
232 THE COMBAT.
uninjured by their involuntary flight, fluttered from
their prison, and began calmly to peck about for food ;
while the little bantam cock proclaimed his liberty by
shaking his plumes and uttering his conceited hoarse
crow.
" They are settlers now, Ruth," cried Gerald, laugh-
ing ; " the first colonists regular squatters. How as-
tonished future travellers will be when they make the
curious discovery : a species of bird remarkably like
Callus Barndoorii. What grand names they will be-
stow on them ! and write long papers, and puzzle orni-
thologists."
But the patriarch of this new species was not allowed
to squat among the aborigines with impunity; his tri-
umphant notes were answered by a crow of defiance in
a less familiar tone from a splendid cock pheasant, which
pounced down on the new comer with a furious peck,
that the true-trained English bird, notwithstanding his
foreign ancestry, could not brook. The brave little
bantam retaliated boldly, and a furious combat ensued,
causing even the English hens to raise their heads from
their pleasant feast, and appear somewhat interested in
the event ; while Ruth shrieked, " He '11 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 a I' entrance, the pleased hens recognized
the well-known call, and responded to it by fluttering
and scrambling up the mountain side, to partake of the
scattered grain ; and in the fulness of their feast, they
were easily captured, and stowed in separate bags and
pouches, till a new dwelling could be made for them.
Then the little feathered hero below, having van-
THE VICTORY. 233
quished and left his antagonist for dead, perched for a
moment on the pinnacle of a shattered rock, and crowed
triumphantly, as if to defy the whole race of native
birds ; after which demonstration, he leisurely followed
his female friends up the steep, to share their feast and
their captivity.
Notwithstanding the alarm and delay caused by this
accident, there was something amusing about it that
was not without its beneficial effects. Ruth continued
to lament the loss of her basket ; but Jack scolded her
seriously for her foolish fears and awkwardness, which
were the sole cause of the loss. He declared the fowls
were absolute pests, and wholly useless in a region
where birds and eggs dropped into your hands ; but
his remonstrances having produced tears of penitence
and promises of amendment, he relented, and promised
to make for her a coop, or cage, of cane, which would
be easier to carry than the basket, and afford more air
to the unfortunate prisoners.
After wandering for two days along their frequently
dangerous, and always difficult, aerial pathway, resting
only when they came to some rocky hollow, they began
to pine for a less-hazardous road ; and they now per-
ceived that, with the usual caprice of Australian rivers,
the stream in the narrow bed below them had disap-
peared, though slender rills continually fell from the
mountains, but subsided into bogs, or formed pools be-
low. They therefore resolved, if they could safely
accomplish it, to descend to the bed of the river; and
endeavor to extricate themselves from the rocky maze
in which they seemed hopelessly involved.
After another day's travelling, they fancied the de-
scent appeared more practicable than it had yet been
90*
234 AN EXTEMPORE STAIRCASE.
since they set out on the shelving terrace, and it was
decided to make the trial. The first step would decid-
edly be the most difficult. About twelve feet below
them another shelf of rock projected, wider than that
on which they now stood ; but how to reach it was a
puzzling question, for the descent was perpendicular,
and quite overgrown with thorny bushes.
" If you will help me, Master Hugh," said Jack, " I
think we may manage it. We must just cut down the
bushes into steps like for them that feel timid."
Employment was the grand need of the active boys,
and to clear a passage as low as they could reach, and
then step down on the bushes to work below, was a
pleasant amusement, The stone axes were now found
to be perfectly serviceable, and they soon cut six clear-
ances, each two feet deep, graduating like a staircase,
of which the matted brush formed the steps, which
reached to the lower terrace ; and down the staircase
the agitated females were, one after another, assisted,
and safely placed on the broad shelf.
This was a decided victory, and they now saw, to their
great satisfaction, that the lower descent sloped so much,
from accumulated rocks and drift-wood, that by clear-
ing the way with the axes, they easily reached the
comparative security of the muddy bed of the vanished
river. They looked round on the immense walls
which inclosed them with some dismay ; then Gerald
said,
" Now, Meggie, we only want the great rains to come
on, and then we shall have some notion of the situation
of sinful man in the Deluge."
" I trust, my dear boy," said Mr. Mayburn, " that you
do not allude to that fearful judgment with levity. And
THE ORNITHORHYNCHUS. 235
surely, Arthur, we are not near the time of the terrific
tropical rains."
" Usually, papa, I believe the heaviest autumnal peri-
odical rains are in February and March," said Arthur.
" We are now in the midst of summer ; still I must con-
fess I have read of continued rains, even at this season ;
'but I trust we shall be in a safer locality before such
trying weather comes on. "We are certainly progress-
ing 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 as far as we have yet penetrated, ferocious animals
seem unknown ; and more, ferocious man rarely encoun-
tered. I only fear for your strength, dear papa, and for
that of dear Meggie."
"Fear not for us, Arthur," answered Margaret;
" you know I am naturally strong ; and God has given
renewed life and health to dear papa. His delight in
these new and varied scenes of Nature makes every toil
light to him. Observe him now, pausing and contem-
plating something at yon large 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
Ornithorhynchus paradoxus, the duck-billed Platypus,
which I should have recognized, from the numerous
sketches I have seen ; and my warmest hopes are ful-
filled in the happiness of really looking on the rare ani-
mal 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
236 AN ANOMALOUS ANIMAL.
it fur on its back, and a broad finny tail ? No, Ruth,
this is not a strange fowl, but a strange beast."
" Nevertheless," said Mr. Mayburn, " there are
irreconcilable circumstances in such a decision. This
animal, if we rank it among the mammalia, belongs to
no order yet named, but stands alone. Quadruped it is,
certainly; web-footed, certainly; ovo-viviparous, cer-
tainly, as the eggs are hatched before birth, and the
young then suckled, like the mammalia. Feeding on
worms and grubs, like the duck ; sleeping rolled up, like
the hedgehog ; playful as the monkey, and harmless as
the dove ; we cannot but look with astonishment and
admiration on this remarkable caprice of Nature."
" They 're ugly beasts, that I '11 say," was Jenny's
remark, " and not half so good as a duck for such as us ;
but I 'se warrant them poor heathens eat 'em as we would
a roast goose."
Leaving the platypus, which they now saw at every
pool as they proceeded, they walked on till the ravine
gradually became wider, but the mountain-line still
spread on each side. Soon after, the pools disappeared,
and rich grass supplied their place. Wild and wonder-
ful was now their daily journey, for before them lay
immense untrodden forests, inclosed between lofty cliffs,
which rose to the clouds, and the travellers felt in-
spired with awe as they looked round on the majesty of
Nature.
Yet the softer features of loveliness were not absent ;
every step was on some beautiful, usually some quite
new, plant, and the lofty forest trees were of species now
first seen, and were garlanded round with flowering
creepers of the most brilliant dyes ; while the rich per-
THE LAUGHING JACKASS. 237
fume of the jasmine, and the heliotrope-like odor of the
golden-blossomed acacia filled the air. Bright orchida,
unnamed and unknown, masses of ferns of unexampled
beauty, were scattered round this vast conservatory
of nature ; and amidst all this profusion, thousands of
birds whistled, chattered, warbled, and uttered the
startling foreign notes which assure you that you are in
a strange land.
There was the sweet- voiced bell-bird, a pretty little
creature, whose notes ring with a silver sound; there
was the pert pied bird, which might seem really a mag-
pie, if it were not tailless, which has a low flute-like
song, swelling like the organ ; whence it is named by
the colonists the organ-magpie ; and as each strain of
these warblers died away, the loud, hoarse, derisive
notes of a curious bird, resembling none of the known
species of the world, seemed to ridicule the musical
performers.
"No doubt, papa," said Hugh, "this must be the
* laughing jackass,' of which we have read an account.
Do you hear the regular < Ha ! ha ! ha !' from which he
derives his name, and which sounds so strangely when
mingled with the notes of the warblers ? But now he
has roused all the cockatoos and parrots, who are
screaming their jargon above all other sounds."
" Just listen, Hugh," said Gerald, " those jackass
birds are surely blowing a penny trumpet. Did you
ever hear such a noise laughing, braying, trumpeting?
you might fancy you were at a country fair. How
Ruth does stare ! I say, Ruth, what do you think of
them?"
" Will they be Christians, Master Gerald ? " asked the
trembling girl.
238 MORE STRANGE ANIMALS.
" Hopeless heathens, Ruth," answered the wild boy ;
"feathered donkeys, flying punches, instinctive mock-
ing-birds, repeating sounds which they have never
heard. See, papa, there is one of the jolly fellows,
perched on yon gum-tree. What a monstrous beak he
has 1 "
" I contemplate the bird with great interest, my boy,"
answered Mr. Mayburn. " It has been classed with the
Halcyons by naturalists, and named Dacelo gigantea ;
yet, in its social habits, and flexible and apt organs of
voice, it seems rather to resemble the jay. It is some-
what remarkable that amidst the gorgeously-attired birds
that surround it, this rarely-gifted bird wears a garb so
simple and unadorned. You observe that it frequents
the gum-tree, arid its sombre plumage, assimilating so
happily with the gray foliage of the tree, is at once a
protection and a distinction. How rejoiced I should be,
my dear boy, if we could make a complete collection of
these rare creatures ; but the difficulties of transporting
them safely in our journey are insurmountable."
" Wait, sir," replied Gerald, " till we catch our quag-
gas ; then Jack will make us a wagon, which we can
convert into a menagerie, filled with curious 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 fierce quadrupeds. We
must not dare to think of any vehicle for travelling ; yet
many hundred miles separate us from the useful animals
of our dear friends the Deverells; and my heart fails
me when I reflect on the improbability of our ever
reaching them."
Margaret sighed as she said, " And I too, dear papa,
THE GOOD FAIRIES. 239
cannot help many idle wishes that we were come to
open plains, and more direct paths. These lovely wilds
of Nature, forests and mountains, are very charming 1 ;
but they seem too romantic and unreal to be satis-
factory. If we were to keep a journal, and publish it
hereafter, we should, I fear, be ridiculed for inventing
fairy tales."
"In truth, Margaret," answered her father, "fairy
tales were not originally mere inventions of the imagi-
nation. They were the offspring of the experience of
observing travellers over lovely untrodden wilds like
these. And what are the miraculous transformations
they describe but such as might really happen the
ingenious contrivances of man when destitute of all the
resources of civilized life ? Has not Jack transformed a
flint-stone into an axe ? and have we not cups and plates
which were once the abodes of the shell-fish ? Difficul-
ties originate miraculous efforts, and man is indebted to
the good fairies, Necessity and Ingenuity, for many of
his comforts."
" Very true, dear papa," said Arthur ; " and the fairy
Necessity now calls on us peremptorily to escape from
these forests, where I have twice during this day heard
the coo-ee of the natives, though at a considerable dis-
tance before us. I have been for some time anxiously
examining the south side of the gorge for any outlet
which may enable us to turn away from their haunts."
They had been making their way for some hours
along the southern extremity of the forest, still hemmed
in by the high rocks, when Gerald, creeping into a
narrow cleft, declared that he had found a tunnel, and
called on Hugh to assist him in exploring it. Fearful
240 A TUNNEL.
that they should bewilder themselves in the recesses of
the mountains, Arthur proposed that all the party should
enter the opening, which was a cavern of great height
and space, where they might remain till he and his
brothers penetrated further into the rocks. They lighted
some dry branches for torches, and set out, satisfied that
the rest would be in safety in this secure retreat.
The boys found this tunnel descend gradually : some-
times it was narrow and low, sometimes wide and en-
cumbered with fallen fragments of rock ; still, it was
airy, and they were able to pass on, till they concluded
they must have walked half a mile. They were then so
desponding that they thought of turning back, but at
length a glimmering of light satisfied them that there
must be another outlet, and they took courage to pro-
ceed, till they reached a matted thicket of brushwood
through which they forced their way, and then had the
pleasure of seeing the sky above their heads, though
they were still in a very narrow gully. It seemed to be
the dry bed of a rivulet, choked up with stones and
torn-up bushes. Before them rose another line of bush-
covered mountains, but not so lofty or precipitous as
those they had left behind.
" Is it worth while," said Hugh, " to drag the whole
party through that gloomy subterranean passage, to
bring them into this glen, which seems perfectly barren
and lifeless ? I am of opinion that we were better in
our old forest."
" Wait for my decision," said Gerald, springing up
the side of the opposite mountains, regardless of the
rending of his light blouse, and his scratched hands ;
and before long he stood on the summit.
CANNIBALS. 241
" This will do for us capitally," he cried out. " Wide
plains below, but an awkward step down to them.
Jack will have to cut a staircase again."
This account of the country satisfied Arthur, and they
hastened back at once to relieve the anxiety of their
friends, whom they found in a state of great alarm.
The cries of the savages had gradually approached so
near to them, that Margaret induced Wilkins and Jack
to close the opening by which they had entered with a
large piece of rock. Then they had heard voices close
to the rocks, and Baldabella, who was now able to
speak many English words, said "Many bad black
fellows ! much bad ! see white man foot-walk. Black
fellow come slow, slow catch all eat master
eat miss eat old Jin eat Nakinna all! all!'*
It was with much difficulty they restrained the cries
cf Ruth, when she comprehended that she was in dan-
ger of being eaten ; and though Mr. Mayburn doubted
and disputed the existence of cannibalism in Australia,
Wilkins and Jack succeeded in inducing the whole fam-
ily to move on in the track of the pioneers, rather than
risk the danger of discovery at the mouth of the cave.
21
CHAPTER XVIII.
The Tunnel through the Mountains. The Chase of the Emu
An Encounter with the Natives. The Rescue of Baldabella and
her Child. Making a Bridge. Canoes Again. The Fishing of
Baldabella.
THE report of the boys decided the movement of the
family, and they hastened through the long tunnel to the
cheerless glen. They then sought the easiest ascent,
that they might escape from these widely-spread moun-
tains, and a herd of kangaroos in the bush, disturbed by
strange voices, just then appeared, and bounded up the
steep wood at a place which the travellers who followed
them found had been selected with a happy instinct, for
it was less abrupt and less matted with brush than that
which Gerald had ascended. The strong assisted the
weak, and with some difficulty all were brought to the
ridge, and looked down with mingled feelings of relief
and alarm on the widely-spread, thinly-wooded plains so
far below them.
The descent was much more tedious and laborious.
Axes and ropes were put in requisition ; but finally all
planted their feet thankfully on the green sward, and
looked round on a new region, where their progress
would be less retarded, but their exposure to observa-
tion would necessarily be greater than before.
" And I see neither meat nor water," said Jenny, de-
spondingly.
" We have still potatoes left," said Margaret ; " and
though we have not yet seen much animal life, I trust
(242)
THE CHASE OF THE EMU. 243
there is no fear of famine. I certainly see some crea-
ture moving beneath yon golden acacia."
" Huzza ! papa ! " cried Gerald. " There 's the Emu
at last ! I saw one at the Zoological Gardens, and I
know the fellow at once. Now, how are we to get
hold of him ? I fear his skin is too tough for a spear or
an arrow to do much harm, and Arthur is so careful of
his charges."
" I have but four left," answered Arthur, with a sigh,
" and I am unwilling to waste my shot, and perhaps at-
tract the attention of the wandering natives. We will
try arrows and spears, and, if we can, the boomerang."
" 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 '11 be off like Voltigeur, and he '11 be
a smart chap as sets eyes on him again. Stand here,
we '11 try a throw now ; and Jin, woman, gie us a touch
of yer boomerang."
Baldabella was as much excited as any of the party,
and perfectly understood the rules of emu-hunting.
They fixed themselves at a proper distance, and then,
seeing that the bird, which had been feeding on some
root or herbage, had raised its head, as if about to move,
they flung their spears and discharged their arrows with
some effect, as a spear and an arrow were left in its
side; Baldabella at the same time threw her boome-
rang, which struck it with such force that it staggered,
and uttered a deep, booming cry ; but, rallying again, it
began to run very swiftly, till a second flight of spears
and arrows brought it to the ground.
All the party then went up to it ; and O'Brien had
approached, and was about to touch it, when Wilkins
244 THE USEFUL EGGS.
seized his arm, and drew him back just in time ; for the
animal struck out its powerful leg, and shattered the
bow which the boy held in his hand.
" He would have sarved your leg as bad," said Wil-
kins, " if he could have hitten ye. He has a leg like a
sledge hammer for a hit. We 'se be forced to 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 then quickly dispatched and cut up. They
contented themselves with carrying off the two hind
quarters, which Wilkins assured them afforded the most
palatable meat, and which would be ample provision for
two days.
" There are some eggs, too," said Hugh, " which we
might carry off for papa ; but they are so tremendously
large and heavy."
" The egg is, I believe, excellent food," said Arthur ;
" but with food we are abundantly supplied. I think
we must take two, however ; one for papa, the other
to form into that very useful vessel, a water-bottle or
bucket."
Delighted with the immense dark green egg, and the
examination of the curious, fur-like plumage of the emu,
Mr. Mayburn no longer regretted the forest scenery he
had left, but cheerfully went forward over the green
and flowery plain, till, after walking many miles, they
encamped beneath a gum-tree, made a fire, and broiled
some emu-steaks, which all pronounced would have
been better than beef-steaks if they could have had a
little salt to eat with them ; but they were gradually
becoming reconciled to this privation.
No one dared to murmur, amidst their blessings,
THE CHAIN OF POOLS. 245
because they had been a day without water ; but they
trusted in God to provide them with this boon, too, in
his good time. The large egg was carefully cleaned
out through a small opening made by Jack at one end,
and then slung with cords, to make it convenient to
carry next day, before they took their rest.
But the next day they had travelled for many hours,
till, faint and weary, their steps were feeble and languid,
when the sight of a line of casuarina-trees directed
them to the bed of a river, now quite dry ; and while
the most exhausted sat down to rest, the young and
active proceeded up the har$ bed till it became mud,
and a little higher, muddy pools. Into these pools they,
at once, plunged their faces, and drank, and moistened
their burning skin, and then each laughed at the crust
of dirt left on his neighbor's face. But by persevering
in walking on, they met with a pool of clearer water,
from which they filled their water buckets and mussel-
shells, and returned to take the refreshment to their
friends, and then to conduct them to the moister region.
They continued to pursue the course of the chain of
pools which must in a short time be really a river, when
the periodical rains came on. The prospect of these
approaching rains rendered all the thoughtful of the
party anxious and uneasy ; for the pleasant open air
life to which they had become habituated would then be
intolerable.
For two days the emu-flesh was eatable, and the
pools amply supplied them with water. Then they
again reached a line of low hills from which the river
had its source ; and through the shrubs and brushwood
that covered them they forced or cut their way, and
descended on a more fertile and pleasant plain.
21*
246 AN UNPLEASANT RENCONTKE.
But, to their great annoyance, they beheld before
them several natives gathered round a fire, employed in
making spears and arrows, which they were hardening
in the fire. On one side sat two women, bruising some
grain or nuts between two stones : these women wore
cloaks of opossum fur ; but the men were almost entire-
ly naked, and had their bodies marked with frightful
cicatrices. Though it was plain these natives must
have seen the approach of the strangers, and probably
now, for the first time beheld white men, they preserved
a dignified composure, pursuing their labors, without any
apparent notice of the intruders.
Arthur drew up the forces abreast in a long line, say-
ing, " Walk on firmly, 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, when the 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 to
the child. The tallest of the men then stepped from
the rest and caught up the child in his arms. The dis-
tracted mother darted forward to rescue her, and was
also seized and detained by two natives, while she called
out piteously to her white friends to assist her.
Arthur was much vexed at this incident, which he
feared would form a pretext for a quarrel ; but it was
impossible to abandon poor Baldabella, who seemed
very repugnant to return to savage life. He therefore
called Wilkins to follow him, and going up to the man
who held the child, made an effort to remove her gently
from his arms. The man resisted and held her firmly ;
then Arthur, assuming a threatening expression of coun-
BALDABELLA, A CAPTIVE. 247
tenance, uttered some words in a loud, stern tone, and
at the same time pointed to his rifle.
The savage stared at him and his weapon with a
countenance half of fear, half of wonder. He then point-
ed to the complexion of the mother and the child, and
also to his own, and to Arthur's, as if he questioned the
right of the white people to detain those who certainly
were not of their race.
Arthur then made Baldabella comprehend that she
must tell the men that if they did not release her and
Nakinna, the white men would kill them all. The
woman at once understood and repeated the message ;
and was answered by the tall savage. She shook with
terror as he spoke, and turning to Arthur said,
" Black fellow say, Peter want Baldabella. Balda-
bella must go. No, no ! good white man ! Bad Peter
kill Baldabella ! kill Nakinna ! "
It was doubly annoying to find these troublesome
natives were acquainted with the villanous bush-
ranger ; but it was certain Baldabella must not be left
in the power of the wretch, at any cost. While he hes-
itated what steps to take, one of the women, roused by
the cries of Nakinna, went up to the savage who held
her, and spoke to him in soft, persuasive accents, at the
same time attempting to take the child from him. The
hardened 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 of kangaroos bounding along within reach
of a shot, directed the attention of the man to them,
and then fired his rifle, and shot a large animal dead.
Astonishment and terror overcame the usual assumed
248 THE RESCUE.
calmness of the natives, and several of them iled in
confusion.
Arthur then, pointing to the kangaroo, and then to
Baldabella, indicated his wish for the exchange, and the
two men who still held her readily resigned their cap-
tive, and ran up to take possession of the more valuable
spoil, followed by the inhuman chief; after he had, with
a vindictive countenance, spurned the poor child from
him with his foot. The mother caught up her child and
fled to her friends, prostrated herself before Arthur, and
placed his foot on her neck ; then rising, she resumed her
usual dignified and graceful step, and fell into the rank
with the rest of the party, who lost no time in moving
forward, after Margaret had seen that the unfortunate
victim of the chief's cruelty was kindly attended to by
the woman who was her companion.
" It were a burning shame," grumbled Wilkins, " to
let them saucy niggers take 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 long enough
afore we light on 'em again."
" Have some faith, my good man," said Mr. Mayburn.
" We have been fed like the prophet in the wilderness,
by miracle, let us not fear, God will still provide us with
food."
" At the present moment," said Arthur, " it would be
imprudent to delay even to seek provisions. Our first
consideration must be to move away from this part as
quickly as possible, for I suspect these people will keep
us in sight as long as they can."
" Ay, master," said Wilkins, " they '11 need ye to shoot
beasts for 'em ! Depend on 't they '11 dog us."
This was an uncomfortable suspicion, and Margaret
FEARS OF THE DESERTS. 249
and Arthur talked and pondered deeply on plans and
arrangements, almost regardless of the brilliant buds
and blossoms that enchanted Mr. Mayburn. They
walked on with regular and rapid steps over the flower-
strewed ground, amidst the rich smell of the foliage and
the flowers and the strange music of the woods. Kan-
garoos and emus were seen at some distance, but pru-
dence forbade any delay for the chase, and they made
no halt till extreme fatigue compelled them to rest on
the side of a grassy hill, where the least wearied set out
to search the bushes for nests. Some fine young birds
supplied them with a good L ~H>er; eggs were now
rarely found, but with these Ru. 's fowls frequently
supplied them.
" Where next ? " asked Margaret. " I think, Arthur,
I can distinguish a deep-green line far distant to the
south-east. May we not hope it indicates the situation
of another river ? "
" We have ever been cheered, thank God," said -Mr.
Mayburn, " through all our pilgrimage, with continued
benefits. We have never yet experienced the perils
and privations of the desert, which has ever been sup-
posed to exist in the interior of Australia."
"Travellers in South Australia," replied Arthur,
" have certainly met with those barren regions ; but in
this tropical country we have, indeed, enjoyed all the
plenty which nature can bestow. At present we need
water ; but in the morning we will, if God permits, di-
rect our course to the 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 at
present, we can take the bed for our guide, and may
find pools of water for our daily use. But, my dear
250 BUSH-RANGING LIFE.
Margaret, I am ashamed to say I feel despondent when
I reflect that this is January ; the autumn rains may
soon come on, and we have no idea where we can shel-
ter you and dear papa from the fury of tropical storms."
" I could soon run up a bit of a hut, with bark roof-
ing," said Jack, briskly.
" I am quite aware of that, Jack," answered Arthur,
u and have much reliance on your skill and promptness.
The great difficulty seems to be the selection of a site
out of the observation of the treacherous and vindictive
natives ; or of one whom I dread still more, that vile
bush-ranger, who appears to be tracking us for some
evil purpose."
" He has a spite again me, that 's sartain, Mr. Ar-
thur," 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 '11 have amang ye."
""But what possible use can the misguided man have
for money in a wilderness among savages ? " asked Mr.
Mayburn, in astonishment.
" Why, not a deal of use just hereabouts," answered
Wilkins ; " but ye ken nought about bush-rangers, and
all their rounds and changes. If Peter had cash, he 'd
be off to some of them far away bush publics ; and there
he 'd have a grand tuck out, till he 'd spent every rap,
and be fresh to set 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. Thank God that you are res-
cued from it, my poor man."
" Ay, I 'se clear on 't now," replied he, " thanks to ye,
A RIVER IN THE WAY. 251
master ; and, God be praised, there 's no shame can
stick to a fellow for turning round when he 's got into a
slough."
"Not at all, Wilkins," said his good teacher; "the
besf- Christians have sinned and repented ; and to all it
is said that they must through much tribulation enter
the kingdom of God."
The heart of Wilkins was enclosed in a rough husk,
but the soil was not bad ; the seed that was sown in it
was not unfruitful, but was slowly coming to maturity.
Early in the morning the pilgrims took the road to-
wards the green belt they had observed the previous
day ; and though many tedious hours intervened before
they reached it, they were rewarded by discovering that
the belt of trees hung over the banks of a considerable
river, narrow, but deep, with high rocky banks, so far
aboye the level of the stream on the side on which they
stood, that the water which they so much required was
unattainable.
This disappointment was vexatious, and they con-
tinued to pass along the edge of the cliff for some time
in melancholy silence, till, at a very narrow part of the
river, Jack stopped, and, pointing to a tall tree on the
edge, proposed that they should cut it down, so that it
should fall across the river and form a bridge. This
would be an undertaking at once tedious and hazard-
ous ; but the advantage of placing the river between
themselves and the inimical savages was obvious, as it
was improbable that they should have the means of
crossing. It was therefore agreed that they should
make the experiment.
They had found abundance of the wild oats on the
plain, which were now quite ripe ; and Ruth was busily
252 A BRIDGE.
employed in bruising the grain to make biscuits, while
Jenny roasted potatoes in the ashes, and looked down
on the river with longing eyes, for the tea-shrub was
abundant round them, and nurse pined for her cup of
tea again. Leaving the women thus engaged, the
young woodcutters commenced their operations with
their stone axes, though they had failed to render them
very sharp, relieving each other at intervals ; for in
truth the cutting down a stout tree was not a little tire-
some.
But perseverance subdues great difficulties ; at last
the tree fell majestically, and rested securely on the
opposite bank. Then the proud young workmen pro-
ceeded to lop the branches which stood in the way, lev-
elling and smoothing the trunk as much as they were
able, and running over 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 to satisfy
the timid. With some persuasion, Mr. Mayburn was
so far satisfied of the safety of the rude bridge, that he
suffered himself to be led across ; then Margaret and
the two women were safely conducted over ; 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, to be floated away
by the stream, that the savages might not have the ad-
vantage of it in their pursuit.
The banks on which the travellers now stood were
less precipitous than those they had left ; they were
clothed with bamboos and rushes, and in many places
VOYAGING AGAIN. 253
open down to the river, where they gladly procured the
water of which they were so much in need. Then they
continued to walk along a narrow muddy strand, look-
ing with longing eyes at the smooth water, on which a
canoe might have been paddled with so much less exer-
tion 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 the work were provided for
them the great point, as Jack said, being " to fall on
the right sort of tree."
Before they had finished another weary day's walk,
they had " fallen on the right tree," barked it, and, unit-
ing their efforts, formed and gummed two canoes. These
required a day to be hardened for service, during which
they made paddles, cut down the oat grass to serve for
lining the canoes, after they had thrashed out the ripe
grain. The women baked biscuits and boiled fish, with
which the river abounded, collected some tea-leaves,
and finished provisioning the boats.
Next morning they were again seated in these very
commodious canoes, delighted to rest after all their fa-
tigues ; for the labor of paddling on the smooth river
was comparatively easy. They continued an uninter-
rupted voyage of many days, though they several times
saw the smoke of fires rising from the brush on the
north bank, and sometimes even heard the coo-ee of the
natives, which made them apprehensive that they were
not unnoticed ; but they satisfied themselves that their
mode of travelling defied pursuit. They rarely landed
more than once a day, usually on the south bank, where
they often met with some small tributary stream, abound-
ing in fish, and the adroit spearing of Baldabella always
provided them with an abundant supply, sufficient for
22
254 AWAY FROM THE MARSHES.
supper and breakfast. This fish was principally the
fresh-water cod, as they named it, of very large size.
Every morning after breakfast, before they embarked,
they walked out to look round for some favorable spot
to which they might retire during the approaching
rains, but in vain. Still the high cliffs continued on
one side of the river ; and on the side where they
wished to remain they still saw spread before them
marshy plains.
CHAPTER XIX.
A Cache. The Black Forest. A Site for the Hut. The Eagles.
Gerald's Accident. A Subterranean Grotto. The Pitcher
Plant. A Potato Ground. The Fig-tree. Australian Jum-
bles. The Hungry Guest.
THEY began at last to be weary of the monotonous
voyaging, and were glad, one morning, on ascending the
banks, to see a change of scenery. The reedy swamps
were replaced by rich grassy slopes, where tall trees and
bright creeping blossoms, the fragrant golden flower of
the Acacia and the balmy odor from various trees of
the Eucalyptus kind, encouraged them to hope that they
might find a retreat in such a pleasant region.
"Halloo!" cried Wilkins. "Just all on ye step
here, and take a good look at this here tree. We 're
not the first white folks as has had a look round here-
about. 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 soon as ever I set eyes on that there
criss-cross, cut wi' an honest steel blade, I'se warrant it ;
and says I to mysel', our own folks has been here, and
we '11 just try a bit at their diggings ; that 's wi' yer leave,
Mr. Arthur."
Arthur hesitated ; he certainly neither wished to com-
mit, nor to connive at, a robbery ; but he considered some
information worth knowing might be found in the cache.
He therefore sent to the canoes for shells, spades, and
knives; and all the young men began to dig with as
(255)
256 THE CAo^_
much earnestness and anxiety as if they had been the
gold-diggers in the south 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, " I would say a barrel of flour ; but just
as God pleases."
" I feel it ! I feel it ! " cried Gerald, flinging away his
knife in his ecstasy. " 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 '11 be tea and sugar," cried Ruth, clapping her
hands with delight.
" Nay, nay, lass, what need for folks to bury tea and
sugar ? " said Wilkins. " Here 's summut a deal better
powder and shot. And see here, Mr. Arthur, ye 're
a scholar ; this '11 be like her Majesty's ship's name on
'em."
" There is, indeed," replied Arthur, " and the date when
they were placed here, which is three years ago. I fear
the owners will never return to claim 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' world round."
Arthur looked inquiringly at his father.
" The wisdom of the world, Wilkins," said Mr. May-
burn, " is not always the wisdom of God. But, in the
case of this treasure-trove, Arthur, as the ammunition is
POWDER AND SHOT. 257
certainly the property of her Majesty, lying useless here,
I do think Margaret, am I right? I am of opinion
that we may appropriate a part of this valuable deposit ;
leaving in the place a written acknowledgment of the
loan. Then, if God spares us to have the opportunity,
we must report our trespass to the Government."
" I think you are right, ..dear papa," said Margaret ;
" but the temptation is so great, that perhaps we are
none of us in a state to give impartial judgment."
Wilkins, without listening to a word of the discussion,
had taken on himself the responsibility of the offence,
and was already actively engaged 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," an-
swered the man. " We 've mony a hundred mile to trot
yet, and some uglier customers than t' black fellows to
come on afore we 've done, and that 's them ha*ng-gallows
bush-rangers."
" We will compromise with our conscience," said Ar-
thur, "by taking away half the store ; and papa's portable
writing-case will supply us with the means of making a
brief statement and an apology."
The note was written, enclosed in a bark case, and
attached to one of the bags left in the hole ; the soil was
then restored, and the turf carefully replaced, so that no
trace of the cache might attract the natives.
" They 'd make a bonny kettle of fish, if they did come
on 't," said Wilkins ; for ten to one they'd fling t' powder
on t' fire, and then there 'd not be mony on 'em left to
talk about it."
" We must take especial care to guard our cargo
22*
258 TAKING TO THE BUSH.
against fire," said Arthur ; " and we have also another
enemy to fear the water which might soon render
our treasure useless. Therefore, the sooner we leave
the boats, and ' take to the bush,' as Wilkins says, the
better. This country certainly looks pleasant; but I
should prefer a more woody and sheltered spot."
"If you look directly south, Arthur," said Hugh,
" you will see a black spot, which, I take it, must be a
thick forest. It would make a good land-mark for us, if
we leave the river. What do you say ? must we aim
for it?"
Arthur directed his attention to Hugh 's black forest,
which certainly stood in the way they wished to go ;
and as there was no appearance of smoke, or even of
former fires on the plains, there was some reason to
think the district might not be frequented by the sav-
ages. These considerations decided them to abandon
once more the easy canoe-voyaging, and, with the
weighty addition to their burdens of the ammunition
from the cache, they slowly set out. The plain was
covered with rich high grass that would have fed
thousands of cattle, but was now only tenanted by herds
of graceful kangaroos and small detachments of tall
stalking emus. The trees were populated with swarms
of parrots, cockatoos, pheasants, and small warblers, and
the air rang with their mingled notes, cheerful at least,
if not harmonious.
When the dark wood became fully visible to them,
Margaret observed that Baldabella seemed startled and
uneasy, and frequently paused as if reluctant to proceed.
But when, after an hour's walk, the sombre thick for-
est spread before them, half a mile across, the woman
turned round to Margaret with trembling limbs, and
THE BLACK FOREST. 259
said in a faltering voice, pointing to the forest, " Good
miss, no go; bad spirit kill all people; good master,
Baldabella, all die. Bad spirit very angry, say no peo-
ple go here."
Margaret tried to reason with the terrified woman,
who had now turned round to flee with her child ; she
appeared to be agitated in the highest degree, and when
the child clung to Margaret, who turned to follow the
rest, the distressed mother, wringing her hands, wailed
in the most pathetic manner ; till at length, with an air
of sudden resolution, she drew herself up, with her usual
dignity, and said,
" Baldabella die, not leave good friends," and walked
calmly on by the side of Margaret.
Arthur had learned previously that the natives
regarded a dark wood with superstitious awe ; but he
now concluded that Baldabella had some acquaintance
with this particular spot, and that it was an object of
fear to the natives. This was a circumstance which
would render it still more desirable to the travellers as
a place of seclusion ; and when they came up close to
the gloomy forest, they did not wonder at the supersti-
tious dread of the ignorant savages. It seemed as if
neither man nor beast, nor even the light of heaven,
could penetrate the mysterious spot. Lofty trees,
resembling the pine, the chestnut and the cypress, as
closely ranged as it was possible for nature to plant
them, were so interwoven and matted together, for the
height of eight or ten feet with coiled thorny shrubs
and creeping plants, that they formed an impenetrable
fortress that seemed to defy the impotent attacks of
man.
" I wonder which of us is the favored prince who is
2GO THE IMPENETRABLE BARRIER.
to * cut his bright way 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 make the circuit of the wood first,
in order to select the most accessible point. Besides,"
continued he, as they walked on, "I think we must
proceed with caution. We will cut a low tunnel, the
entrance to which can be easily closed, if we find it pos-
sible to remain here for a short season ; and thus we
shall leave no trace of our presence."
" I shall be well content to remain here," said Mr.
Mayburn, "amidst these noble and curious trees and
shrubs. To study their varieties will sufficiently occupy
and amuse me."
" And I shall be satisfied to live in a hut," said Mar-
garet, " however rude it may be, where we can have
rest and peace ; where we can repair our tattered gar-
ments, and perhaps make new boots to replace the.-e
worn fragments. But I fear our abode in the forest
must be gloomy and depressing."
"We can build a nest in the trees," said Gerald,
" as the people did in the Swiss Family Robinson, and
live in the cheerful society of parrots and cockatoos.
That looks like the very fig-tree the family inhabited ;
let us choose it. See, it is covered with ripe figs that
look very tempting. I should like to climb for some."
" The fig-tree will not fly away, Gerald," said Arthur,
" and just now we must all have more important em-
ployment. We must immediately commence our tunnel,
for the air is more sultry than ever, and I have fancied
more than once that I have heard the distant roll of
thunder. I sincerely wish we had a shelter at hand. I
SCENE OF BEAUTY. 2G1
must call on you, my friends, to halt at once. We will
try this point."
The part of the wood before which they had arrived,
though quite impervious, was less thorny than any part
they had yet passed, and therefore more easy to work,
and they began to cut down the entangled brush-wood
for about four feet in height, and wide enough to admit
the passage of one person "only. The lopped branches
were carefully collected, to be removed to the interior
of the wood, when the path was completed ; but their
labor was long and tedious, for the forest could not be
less than fifty yards in breadth. Fortunately after
piercing it for twenty yards, they found the underwood
less rank and entangled, and were satisfied with tramp-
lino- it down to make the road smoother for the women.
O
This wood terminated finally in a glade of extraordi-
nary beauty, richly clothed with grass and studded with
the gorgeous flowers of the tropical regions. This
glade spread before them level for some distance, then
gradually sloped upwards, thickly grown with wild oats,
and then with brush, to a great height, the whole form-
ing an isolated mountain, which was apparently flat at
the summit.
The young boys declared this must be the very abode
of enchantment ; and as the ascent was a succession of
green terraces, they were all able, with some fatigue, but
with little difficulty, to attain the highest ridge, when
they saw, with some astonishment, that a few feet below
them lay a basin or crater, covered with verdure tall
grass mingled with the usual thick brush.
After gazing on it for a few minutes, Hugh said,
" What a capital place for our hut. Margaret cannot
call this height gloomy, for, by mounting the ridge, we
262 THE EAGLES.
can look over the forest and survey the whole country
round us. Then the flowers are so gay and pleasant,
and we shall see multitudes of birds. Do look, papa,
at those two superb eagles that are soaring above our
heads, and that doubtless have their eyrie someAvhere in
this mountain."
But while they were gazing at the birds, O'Brien,
who stood at some distance from them, was making
ready his bow, and before they were aware of it he had
skilfully sent an arrow into one of the eagles, which
fell fluttering and screaming among the brushwood.
"Victory! victory!" he cried, looking round for
Mr. Mayburn. " Did you see 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 no victory,
but a wanton cruelty. You have destroyed the noble
bird for no useful purpose, and my heart is afflicted to
observe the distress of the attached mate. See how
he circles round the spot which has left him bereaved
and lamenting. I am forcibly reminded of the power-
ful words of one of our modern classical poets, who, in
describing such a tragical bereavement, writes,
' She whom he mourns
Lies dying, with the arrow in her side,
In some far stony gorge, out of his ken,
A heap of fluttering feathers : never more
Shall the lake glass her flying over it ;
Never the black and dripping precipices
Echo her stormy scream as she sails by ! ' "
" I thought you would have liked to possess the bird,
papa," said Gerald, "and I am really sorry for the
GERALD'S ACCIDENT. 263
widowed mate, I feel quite uncomfortable to 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 gratify your curiosity by examining an
Australian eagle."
" I saw it fall just behind yon yellow-flowered shrub,
which looks so like our own English furze," said Hugh.
Gerald dashed forward into the bush to search for his
prize, while Margaret and her father examined with
great satisfaction the rich table-land, and Jack pointed
out a favorable site for a wattled, bark-roofed hut,
which, he asserted, might be easily constructed in a
couple of days. But while they were discussing this im-
portant affair, they were alarmed by a loud cry from
Gerald, " Help, help ! the enchanter has got rne ! Come,
Arthur, by yourself, and throw me a rope ! "
All were in alarm, and where to throw the rope was
the question, for the boy was not to be seen. Arthur
and Jack, with a pole and ropes, stepped lightly 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 one arm 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 the pole along till I can
catch it, and then, perhaps, I may manage to raise my-
self. The worst is, I hear that furious eagle, fluttering
and hissing just 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 exer-
tions of his friends, Gerald scrambled to a safe spot in
the bushes, and then they all took a survey of the cave,
2G4 THE SUBTERRANEAN CAVE.
or grotto, that lay below ; and were so much interested
by it, that they resolved to explore it at once. Jack
volunteered to make the first expedition, and began by
attaching the rope to a stout bush to facilitate his
descent, and taking with him the pole 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 with dry white sand ;
the rocky sides were garlanded with creeping plants,
and it was lighted by many apertures above, similar to
that through which Gerald had fallen, and, like that,
almost covered with brushwood. Dark branch-caves
ran from this airy grotto, into which they penetrated
for a few yards, to satisfy themselves that it was unin-
habited; and, from the observations he made, Arthur
could not but believe the whole was of volcanic origin,
and, in fact, a portion of the crater of an exhausted
volcano.
" We may find a capital magazine here for the pow-
der," said Jack ; " and this light part will make a kitchen
for the women folks while we are building the hut.
Think you, Mr. Arthur, I should make them a ladder ?
They '11 hardly like swinging down by a rope."
Arthur thought they would certainly not like such a
mode of descent, and the ladder was decided on. Then
he ventured to draw near the screaming eagle to en-
deavor to extract the arrow from his wing, but the bird
made such fierce returns for his kindness, that he was
compelled to retreat, and wait for a more favorable
moment for the operation ; and in the mean time, the
youths ascended to report the discovery of the cave.
Wilkins had been employed in cutting down and
THE PITCHER-PLANT. 265
bringing up the ascent a quantity of the wild oats, and
Margaret and her father were found standing by a pool
of clear water, which, though now somewhat shallow,
would doubtless contain an abundant supply after the
rain. Around this pond Mr. Mayburn had found many
new and beautiful flow*ers, and, as soon as he was satisfied
of O'Brien's safety, he hastened to point out one of his
most valued acquisitions.
" Observe, my dear children," said he, " one of the
most curious plants ever discovered, Cephalotus follicu-
laris, one of the pitcher-plants, so named from the
peculiar-form of the delicate white blossoms. You
perceive that these pitchers on the strong footstalk
contain water -in this are some drowned insects.
Hence, some writers have asserted that these flowers are
used by the larger insects of prey as receptacles for their
food. But we must see that this accumulated moisture
is to preserve the plant in its beauty during the long
dry season."
" Could we not plant potatoes here ? " asked Margaret.
" In this genial climate we might soon raise a crop, and
our stock is now very low."
" Of course we can, Meggie," said Hugh. " I under-
stand the habits of our solanum. This light, dry, fresh
soil will exactly suit it. Come, Gerald, let us lose no
time in marking off and clearing our potato-ground,
before the rains stop us. That will be more useful than
shooting eagles."
They were all gratified with the discovery of the cave,
and anxious to see it, but were induced to wait till a
ladder was made, which was to be commenced as soon as
a party had returned to the wood to fill up the mouth
23
266 AUSTRALIAN JUMBLES.
of the tunnel. For this purpose they used part of the
lopped branches, which they arranged so artfully, that
no one could suspect a breach had been made. The
remainder of the brushwood was to be conveyed up 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 the ripe fruit. The rest
returned, laden with firewood and wild oats. Then
Jenny made them some tea, and cakes of bruised oats,
mixed with the plentiful but insipid juice of the figs.
These cakes were baked in the ashes, and much enjoyed
by the ever keenly hungry boys, who named the dark
hard biscuits Australian jumbles.
Before night should put an end to their labors, Jack
and the young boys cut down a slender tree, resembling
the pine, to make a ladder ; and Margaret, with the help
of Wilkins, pared off the turf, dug a large plot of
ground, and planted it with potatoes. Then, worn out
with a day of extreme toil, the wayfarers rested beneath
a threatening sky, in the heated atmosphere which indi-
cated an approaching storm.
A few drops of rain at daybreak roused up the whole
family to prompt activity.
" 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 to sinking yon bit pond a foot
deeper ? it holds nought, and when t' rain falls it '11
overflow and half drown us, if we don't mind."
Arthur thought it was a more prudent plan to dig
another pond or reservoir, rather deeper than the origi-
nal one, and make a channel between the two. They
THE EXTINCT VOLCANO. 267
should thus secure a supply of water, and prevent
their potato ground from being washed away by a sud-
den flood.
" And, now that the ladder is finished," said Marga-
ret. " it would be better that papa and I should descend
at once into this subterranean grotto, and make it ready
for our temporary abode, till you are able to build a
hut ; for there is certainly a prospect of rain falling
to-day."
" Come along," cried Gerald, " that I may usher you
into my newly-discovered dominions. Now, Ruth, we
shall have you safe ; you will have few opportunities of
committing mischief when you are below the earth.
Come and descend into the burning mountain, and take
care you don'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 beautiful wilderness."
Ruth did not regard the beauty of the spot ; she saw
only, in her mind's eye, the red flames pouring from
Mount Vesuvius, as depicted in a gaudy picture-book
she had seen in her childhood.
" Oh, please, Miss Marget," she exclaimed, " stay up
here ! don't go down into that hole ; it '11, maybe, break
out again, and we '11 all be burnt alive."
But Margaret remonstrated, the boys laughed and
Jenny scolded ; and, finally, Jack brought Ruth down
to the range of subterranean apartments, where Mar-
garet and Jenny soon planned dormitories, kitchen,
and store-rooms. A large alcove was to be the chapel,
and the light bowery grotto beneath the entrance was to
2G8 A SUBTERRANEAN DWELLING.
be the drawing-room, at least, till the heavy rains
should compel them to seek more effectual shelter.
Here they collected stones for seats, and rolled into the
midst a large piece of rock for a table, upon which was
spread the breakfast of tea and oat-cakes, at present
their only provision.
Mr. Mayburn was delighted to have the opportunity
of inspecting so nearly the wounded, but still fierce
eagle, with its shining black plumage ; and he judged it
was that known as Aquila Fucoso. It was in vain,
however, to attempt a close examination till Wilkins
and Jack, after some struggling, and a few severe pecks,
succeeded in holding it till Arthur extracted the arrow
from the wing* and saw that nature would probably heal
the wound in a few days. In the mean time the bird
was starving, for it rejected with disdain the farina-
ceous food offered to it; and Hugh and Gerald prom-
ised, as soon as the reservoir was completed, to set
out and shoot some small birds or opossums, for their
hungry guest.
CHAPTER XX.
The Reservoir. The Rains. The Native Companion. The
Employments of Prison Life.' The Unlucky Chase. Jack's
Tale of Trouble. Black Peter's Temptations. The Release of
the Eagle. The Rescue Party.
THE reservoir was six feet deep and ten feet in diam-
eter, and was lined with flat stones from the interior
of the cave, where large slabs were scattered round.
This was not completed in one day, and 'on the second
morning, while Wilkins arid Jack finished the work,
and, after digging a trench, laid down a spout of bark
between the ponds, Hugh and Gerald went down to the
wood below, to shoot birds. But before the end of the
day the workmen were driven to shelter by the violent
rain ; and the two boys returned, drenched to the skin,
and laden with pheasants, cockatoos, and a wild turkey,
as large as an English Christmas turkey, and resem-
bling that bird so much, that the name was considered
not inappropriate. They had, thus, a handsome dinner
for themselves, and abundance 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 the mountain, and
seemed to shake the very rocks from their foundation.
Ruth screamed and looked round in distraction, expect-
ing the eruption of the volcano was at hand ; and even
the proud eagle trembled to hear the voice of the skies.
Then the rain came down in torrents, showering
23* (269)
270 THE WILD TURKEY.
through the leafy coverings of numerous apertures
above them, and driving them back into the gloomy
security of the solid rocks ; grateful for even that dismal
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
may fancy 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 contemplated with
much interest.
" It certainly must be the bird described as the Wat-
tled Talegalla, Arthur," said he, " and which is consid-
ered to represent the turkey in Australia ; the red skin
of the head, bright orange wattle, and large dispropor-
tionate feet, prove the fact ; and I am gratified that you
have obtained a specimen of it."
" We are all gratified, papa," said Margaret, " for it is
the most useful and delicious bird we have yet found in
this ornithological paradise."
The boys employed themselves in thrashing the wild
oats, storing the grain in bags, and then arranging the
straw for mattrasses a perfect luxury 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 and spare pieces of the tree that was cut down
for the ladder ; and, to fill up the time, Jack presided
over a school of art, where the ingenious and active
employed heads and hands, and produced some articles
of great use. Margaret took the opportunity to teach
lessons of civilization and religion to the lively little
THE NATIVE COMPANION. 271
Nakinna, and, through the child, poured the words of
truth into the heart of the mother. Wilkins, who was
miserable when unemployed, good-naturedly assisted
Jenny and Ruth in various household matters, made a
stone hearth for the fire, helped to cook, piled up the
dry fuel, contrived a wattled niche for the fowls, and
went out through the ram to bring in water, when
needed.
Three or four days were thus passed in contented
seclusion, the storm still continuing unabated; then,
though the rain fell incessantly, the prisoners began to
be weary, and to have a great desire to visit the world
above. They engaged to bring in fresh provisions, if
Jenny would provide dry clothes for them on their
return from their foraging expedition ; and with bow?,
arrows, axes, and game-bags, Wilkins, Jack, and the
three boys set out, delighted to return to the light, and
to the pure air of heaven, and enjoying even the cool
rain.
" Do, Arthur, look at those tall birds with the crimson
crest an] huge wooden-looking beak," said Hugh.
" One of them would be as useful as the turkey was, for
a dinner dish. I suppose we must call them storks ;
though they are really, to us, among the anonymous
creatures of this strange 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 if ye were their brother ;
ye might just walk up to yon fellows, and wring their
necks."
"Which I should certainly object to do, Wilkins,"
answered Hugh. u I could not make up my mind to
wring the neck, or to feed on, 'mine own familial*
272 THE IRON-BARK.
friend.' We will be content to reduce the multitude of
the noisy impertinent cockatoos and parrots ; or suppose,
Arthur, we descend to the glade below, where we can
cut more wood, and shoot some opossums for our aqui-
line guest. The skins will make us splendid cloaks to
wear this rainy season."
And, careless of the wet plunge, the joyous youths
descended through the brushwood, and reaching the
verdant glade, they shot as many opossums as they
wished ; filled some bags with ripe figs, and finally, after
a long chase, and many a fall on the moist slippery
ground, they secured a wandering kangaroo of large
size, which, in distress of weather, had by some means
found its way into this enclosed retreat.
Jack had in the mean time barked a tree of the
Eucalyptus species, and tying the cumbrous spoil with a
rope, he drew it after him up the mountain. Wilkins
shouldered the kangaroo, and the rest, equally laden,
toiled through the bushy, moist, sloping wood, and
arrived safely at the cave, to diffuse amusement and
contentment among their expecting friends, and to fur-
nish more employment for their enforced leisure time.
They were all invested in dry garments ; then Jack ex-
amined his prize, and said,
" Just look at this bark, Mr. Arthur. I have seen
none yet so firm and hard ; it is completely an inch
plank, fit for any sort of work. I could make a light
wagon of it, if we had any animals to draw it ; and,
anyhow, I '11 set about a table and some seats, directly,
and then I '11 try some buckets, and dishes, and such-like
things. Now 's the time for work, when there 's no
walking."
For many days the ample supply of provisions, and
A KANGAROO HUNT. 273
the amusement of occupation, reconciled the young men
to the gloomy seclusion of their retreat. During this
time a square piece of bark, flattened and smoothed
with sharp stones, was placed on four posts, for a ta-
ble ; long slips similarly supported, formed stools and
benches. Trenchers, dishes, buckets, and bowls, cer-
tainly somewhat rude in form, were next finished, the
gum which exuded from many trees near them sup-
plying them plentifully with an admirable cement.
There is a charm to civilized minds in being surrounded
with the appliances and arrangements of domestic life ;
and the women became reconciled, and even attached
to their monotonous existence especially when an
occasional cessation of rain permitted them to live in
the front portion of the cave, which was rendered
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 to break through
the charmed circle of the wood, and have a scamper
over the plains after the kangaroos and emus which
frequented it. And on the margin of a chain of pools,
newly filled by the recenTrains, they once more saw the
tall native companion, amid swarms of wild ducks;
while, from among the wild oats whirred flocks of small
beautiful birds resembling the quail, but with an ele-
gant crest.
They filled their game-bags with birds, and a troop
of kangaroos appearing in sight, they were tempted to
pursue them for a considerable time. At last the ani-
mals sought refuge in a spreading thick wood, into
which Wilkins and Jack, with axes and spears, followed
274 DISPERSION OF THE HUNTERS.
them. The young boys in the mean time were engaged
in chasing a pair of emus ; till, weary and unsuccessful,
they turned away in disappointment, to join the kanga-
roo hunters. But just at that moment they were struck
with the vexatious sound of the coo-ee of the natives,
which proceeded from the wood where the kangaroos
had sheltered. This alarming cry decided them es-
pecially as Arthur was without his rifle to return
without delay, that they might close the tunnel entrance
of their abode.
Keeping as much as possible under the shelter of the
trees, they quickly made their way over the plains to
the Black Forest, Gerald frequently looking 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. " How-
ever unkind it may seem, we must not risk the discov-
ery of our retreat by attracting the natives to our heels.
Wilkins and Jack must have heard the coo-ee as well
as we ; and have most likely hid themselves till the
savages have passed and they can return to us safely.
We must keep open, but guard, the entrance till we see
them return. Now, go on, boys ; take the game-bags
to the cave, and then quietly bring away my rifle and
cartridge-case, without saying a word about this vexa-
tious incident. Till you return I will conceal myself
behind the bushes, and watch for the return of our two
absentees."
The boys hastened to the cave, to fulfil their mission ;
and leaving their bags, which contained some of the
pretty quails, to divert the attention of Mr. Mayburn
and Margaret, they returned to watch silently and anx-
THE RETURN OF JACK. 275
iously, reaJy to close the entrance as soon as their
friends returned, or if they should be alarmed by the
approach of the natives. Gerald climbed a tree, that
he might command the plains more effectually, and,
from this elevated situation, he startled Arthur by cry-
ing out,
Oh, Arthur ! he is killed ! I know he is killed !
Dear old fellow, we shall 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 dis-
tracted boy. " I mean I see Jack ; not Wilkins^ It 's
quite sure they must have killed him ; Jack never
would have left him, if he was living."
The two boys below were now almost as much agi-
tated as Gerald, for they plainly saw Jack hurrying
across the plain alone, and when he drew near, Arthur
was quite sure, from his pale and sorrowful counte-
nance, that some heavy misfortune had occurred. He
plunged into the open tunnel, and then said, " Close it
directly if you please, Mr. Arthur ; I am so bad, I can
do nothing."
"But Wilkins! where is "Wilkins, Jack?" asked
Hugh.
Jack burst into tears as he said, " Oh, Master Hugh !
the bad rogues have got him ; and all I could think on,
I could n'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 '11
tell you all about it as soon as we 've closed up this gap,
and tried to keep them safe that are left."
276 THE CAPTURE OF WILKINS,
The distressed boys hastened to restore the barrier
with particular care ; and then, as they slowly pro-
ceeded homeward, Jack related his melancholy adven-
ture.
" We had got quite into the thick of the wood after
that unlucky capering beast, when all at once that queer
call of the black fellows rung into our ears. * We 're in
for it now, and no mistake, my lad,' said Wilkins to me.
' Just you thrust yourself into that cover, and I '11 listen
a bit, to make out their whereabouts.' I forced myself
into a thicket, matted together, for about six feet up-
wards, as thick as this wood round us. You had to
fight for every inch of way ; and I kept thinking all
along that he was following me, but he was not. You
know, Mr. Arthur, he is a good bit stouter than I am,
and my fancy is that he had fought and rustled among
the bushes till he 'd been found out ; for first I heard a
dog growl, and then I heard his voice, speaking such
words as he has never said of late an oath, Mr. Ar-
thur ; then followed such yells ! and I knew 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
was naked, 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 taken away his
knife and spears, and Peter was taunting him, as they
pulled him along. I heard him say, ' Thou wast a fool,
Wilkins, to stop so long with 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 '11
277
corne along with us now, arid thou 'It find we 're a bit
jollier than yon smooth, long-faced dogs.'
"Then Wilkins spoke out and said, *I reckon my
comrades were somewhat better than thine, Peter.
Anyhow, we managed to keep clothes to our backs.'
" 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 off down south just now, to
pick up stock, and cash too. Then we'll get good
clothes ; and as soon as we 've done with them, we '11 rid
ourselves of these black fools, and have a grand jollifica-
tion out of our money. There '11 be some fun in that,
man. And have these comrades of thine any cash 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 away after such game as that,' and
the good-for-nothing fellow pointed to the poor black
natives, that did n't understand a word he had been say-
ing.
" Wilkins muttered some words, very low, that I
could n't catch ; but I fancy he did n't tell truth, for
Peter went on to say and swear that he would soon be
on our track, for we could n't get far in these rains ;
and that Wilkins need n't think to join us, for he would
take care and keep him 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 cautiously tracked
them to a place in the midst of the wood, which they
had cleared by burning down the trees, for there lay
the blackened stumps ; and a crying sin it was, Mr.
Arthur, to waste so much good timber. On one
24
2V THE RELEASE OF THE EAGLE.
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 they meant to do him no harm, for
there 's little doubt Peter wants him to be useful to him.
Wilkins is a shrewd fellow, moreover ; and I feel sure
he '11 try to get away from them. But if they have him,
as it were, in prison, what do you say, Mr. Arthur,
should n't we help him ? "
" Certainly, I think we are bound to do so," said Ar-
thur. " But we must hold a council, for we shall have
to act with consideration and caution if we venture to
leave our fortress."
There was great distress in the family, and many
tears were shed when the adventure was communicated
to them; for, notwithstanding the former errors of
Wilkins, and his yet unsubdued passions, he was much
beloved for his kind nature and his attachment to his
true friends. Mr. Mayburn himself even gave his
sanction to an expedition for the purpose of attempting
the rescue of Wilkins, if he did not return to them in a
day or two.
But for many days after this the rain fell so inces-
santly that it was impossible to leave their shelter, even
though all their provisions were exhausted except the
valuable grain, and a scanty supply of eggs from the
domestic fowls. To these they were able occasionally
to add the fruit of a large tree which grew in the glade
below, bearing huge pods ; each pod contained several
almond-shaped seeds, which were enclosed in shells.
These nuts were now ripe ; they tasted like filberts, and
were a very agreeable and nutritious addition to their
spare diet.
The wounded eagle, now quite sound, was an object of
HATCHING FOWLS. 279
great interest to the prisoners: its nature was so fierce,
that Arthur despaired of its ever beeoming tamed ; but it
submitted to their approach when their object was to
bring it food usually the entrails of the birds, which
had been reserved for it, But seeing the untamable
nature of the bird, and Margaret, especially, having
great compassion on its ma'te, it was agreed to restore it
to liberty ; though O'Brien declared the royal bird
would doubtless, before this, have chosen another queen.
One morning there was an intermission of rain ; and the
opportunity was taken to release the captive from the
bonds which secured its legs. The leafy covering was
at the same time removed from the opening above, and
the glorious light allowed to stream into the cave. The
sight of the sky and the sensation of freedom roused the
energy of the bird, and, with a joyous fluttering of the
wings, it raised itself from the ground, soared round the
confined spot for a minute, then, bursting through the
opening, rose proudly to a height above, and after some
gyrations, as if to test its recovered powers, it sailed
away beyond the sight of its hospitable protectors, of
whom two Jenny and Ruth rejoiced greatly at the
departure of a guest so voracious.
u My bonnie hens had to be pinched for that great
ugly creature," said Ruth, " when now two are laying
every day, and one has been sitting this fortnight ; and
she 's sure to be lucky, Miss Marget, for I set her on
thirteen eggs ; two of 'em, to be sure, were not her
own ; Master Hugh fetched 'em in to make up a lucky
eletch."
" Yes," said Hugh, " I should think it was perhaps
the first time that an English hen has had the honor of
hatching the eggs of the Guculus PhasianusT
280 THE PARTY FOR THE RESCUE.
In due time Ruth's chickens were hatched, to the
great amusement of the inmates of the cave ; they were
carefully tended and out of reach of danger, and seemed
likely to be reared prosperously, the English family
fraternizing with the Australian intruders most agreea-
bly. A second day of fair weather determined the
anxious young men to set out in search of poor Wilkins,
lest the savages should have left their fastnesses in the
rock, to follow their leader in his bush-ranging excur-
sions. Day after day they had mounted high trees to
scan the plain, in hopes of seeing their lost companion,
or observing the departure of his captors ; but no human
form was seen, and Arthur felt assured that if Wilkins
had effected his escape, nothing would have prevented
him from making his way through the Black Forest to
join them.
It was resolved to take the rifle, with sufficient
ammunition to disperse the savages, and also all the
weapons they possessed for, in all probability, it would
be necessary to storm the fortress. Jack and the three
boys were intended to be the whole force ; but Balda-
bella so earnestly entreated that she might accompany
them that they were induced to admit her into the train.
She could throw a boomerang or spear better than any
of them; her sympathy was excited for Wilkins, who
had always been her protector ; and her knowledge of
the habits and the language of the people might make
her very useful to them.
CHAPTER XXI.
The Approach to the Prison. Baldabella's Stratagem. The
Release of the Captive. Wilkins's Tale of Trials. A Well.
The Potato Crop. The Flying Opossum. The Salt Plant.
Preparations for a Siege.
CAUTIOUSLY and quietly the party wound, under the
cover of the trees and bushes, across the plain, till they
reached the wood that enclosed the abode of the savages.
Then the peril increased. Jack led the way, and one
after another they followed, step by step, through, under,
or over the matted brush ; and, finally, the leader
placed his party in a position where they could all
command a view of the rocky cave, though they stood
at a short distance from each other. On the cleared
ground before the cave two women were seated, bruising
nuts between two stones ; and several children were
playing round them. The anxious young men watched
for some minutes, but none of the men appeared ; then
Baldabella proposed to go forward to introduce herself
to the women, her friends promising to rescue her if
they attempted to detain her.
Disencumbering herself from the light robe she con-
descended to wear in civilized life, and retaining only
her cloak of furs, she took her fish-spear in her hand,
and penetrated to a distant part of the wood, from
whence she made her appearance on the charred glade,
many yards from the ambush of her friends, and with
slow steps, counterfeiting great fatigue, she walked up
24* (28I/
282 A STRATAGEM.
to the women, to demand, as she had arranged with her
friends, food and repose. As soon as they perceived
her, the women rose and looked round anxiously, and
the young men expected every moment to hear the sig-
nal call for them ; but the solitary feeble form of Bal-
dabella seemed to re-assure them. She drew near and
talked for some minutes to her dark sisters ; and the
fcoft and pathetic inflections of her voice convinced the
concealed party that she was appealing to that compas-
sionate feeling which is ever so strong in the heart of
woman.
The women listened, and invited the stranger to sit
down by them ; they fed her with the rich kernels of
the nuts, and, the rain beginning to fall again, they took
her with them into the cave for shelter. How anxious-
ly the young men waited, at one moment prompted to
burst out and free the captive, who seemed to have no
gaoler but the women, and then resolving to leave the
whole affair to the shrewd management of Baldabella.
Arthur was anxiously examining the state of his rifle
and ammunition, which he had carefully shielded be-
neath his fur cloak, when they were roused to force
their way through the bush by the loud and triumphant
voice of Wilkins, the low and apparently smothered
coo-ee of the women, and, finally, by the appearance of
Baldabella, rushing wildly from the cave, followed by
"Wilkins, excited, tattered, and emaciated. He carried
a gun in his hand, and staggered up to his friends as if
intoxicated.
" Take this, and load it directly," said he, giving
Hugh the gun. " My hands are so cramped wi' them
tough bands, that it '11 be long afore I have any use on
'cm. Rascals ! rogues ! Come on, I say ; march while
THE ESCAPE. d
we can; yon screeching jins will soon bring a wasp's-
nest round us."
Not caring for caution now, they hacked and burst
through the thick wood, till they reached the plain ; and
then the coo-ce of the duped women rang alarmingly on
their ears, and was soon answered by a faint and distant
3ry from the absent men." Poor "Wilkins, whose legs
had been bound till they were numbed, made but slow
progress ; and Arthur ordered O'Brien and Jack, with
Baldabella, to move rapidly forward, to guard, or, if
necessary, to close the pass, while Hugh and he pro-
tected the slow retreat of Wilkins.
They made no use of their arms till they saw the
whole body of the savages appear outside the wood,
and spears were falling round them. Then Hugh and
Arthur fired their guns simultaneously into the midst
of the foes, who plunged screaming into the woods.
Two men lingered outside, but another volley from the
second barrel, struck down one, and his companion dis-
appeared in a moment.
" Now, Mr. Arthur," cried Wilkins, as he hurried
forward, " now don't ye trust 'em. They 're watching
us ; we 'se be done if we make straight to our cutting.
They 're sharp-eyed chaps ; we 'se have to bubble 'em
a bit."
Wilkins was right ; and though it occupied some
time, they made the circuit of the forest, before they
ventured to enter ; after which, they lost no time in
closing up the opening with great art and care. Then
the rescued prisoner was conducted to the cave, wel-
comed with great joy. fresh clad, and fed with pheasant,
biscuit, and the unfailing tea ; and his friends gathered
round him to hear the tale of his hardships and trials.
284 "WILKINS'S TALE.
" Ay, ay ! this is all as it ought to be," said he ; " and
God be thanked I'se out on t' clutches of them unnat'ral'
dogs. They tied me hand and foot, all 'cause I could n't
be made to swear as how I'd turn bush-ranger, and
start by robbing and murdering them as had cared for
me and given me meat and claithes and good advice.
That brute Peter bullied me, and kicked me when he
knew T was tied fast ; and he M have put a knife into
me, but likely he thought to bring me into his ways ;
and he were feared his blackeys might turn round on
him, for they'd no ill blood again me. Then he or-
dered as how I were to have nought given me to eat,
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 of water, when I were like to go
mad for want on 't. A hempen rope would n't have
held me, afore I lost my strength ; but them stringy
bark cords are like iron.
" It were dowly wark, and mony and mony a time,
master, I thought over your words, and all my bad life,
and my coward's death, and God's judgment to come.
And then and there I settled it in my mind, if He
pleased to set me free again, I 'd niver swear another
oath, I 'd niver tell another lie, and I 'd niver miss pray-
ing for strength, when bad thoughts 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, and I were sure some on ye would see after me ;
but I niver reckoned on her to be t' first, and were
quite stunned when I saw her come in with t' 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
THE RAINS. 285
needle she was up to me, pulled out a knife from under
her cloak, and cut me loose. But poor creaters as we
are, I could n't move arm or leg for a good bit, and her
there, 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 my arms worked round from
behind me, and my feet to shuffle on. Then I thanked
God in my heart, and off we came, and here we are ;
God bless ye all. I 'se niver leave ye, whiles I have
life. But, Mr. Arthur, we 're not safe ; Peter 's a cun-
ning fish."
" There 's one comfort, Wilkins," said Arthur ; " they
do not like to face the heavy rain, which is now very
welcome ; and before it ceases, we must make ready for
a siege ; unfortunately, we want provisions."
Ruth placed herself uneasily before her poultry
hutch, and Wilkins said, u There 's lots of pigeons
amang yon trees ; I can soon trap a lot, and fetch 'em
down here alive, and we '11 fit up a dove-cote, and have
tame birds to eat. We 'se be forced to care nought for
a drop of rain, but set off 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 and defence were pro-
jected during the continuance of the heavy rain ; while,
regardless of the weather, the active youths left the
cave to forage for stores, and to survey the plains that
divided them from their enemies.
" Do look at our potatoes, Arthur," said Hugh ;
" how they have sprung up the last month. In another
week they will be fit to eat, and we shall have a plenti-
ful crop of these useful roots."
286 A SUPPLY OF WATER.
Though they saw all was still on the moist plain, they
did not venture beyond the wood, but easily procured
birds, figs, and oats in abundance ; and after Wilkins
had placed his traps for pigeons, and Hugh had taken
up 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, and captured a number of fine pigeons, for
which Jack wattled off a niche in the cave, and they
Were supplied with grass and brushwood for nests, and
grain for food, to induce them to settle quietly. It was
impossible in this climate to keep animal food eatable
for more than two days ; but so long 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 the stony lining of the reservoir was
taken up that they might bore the ground beneath it
with long poles. Up to the waist in water, they bored
ineffectually for an hour, the pole always striking
against the solid rock. At length the pole passed
through, there was an accidental opening in the rock,
and the party who watched in the caves below, saw,
with delight, the water trickle through into a recess
some distance from the entrance. Then they all de-
scended, to sink a well in the soft sandy floor of the
cave, which they lined with slabs, and looked on with
pleasure 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 ac-
complished ; then a dry day succeeded, and every hand
was actively employed in digging up, carrying off, and
VICTUALLING THE FORT. 287
storing the potatoes, which were of good size, and an
abundant crop. They had made a number of bags of
a flexible bark for containing 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 beyond the wood", Arthur and Wilkins set out
in hopes of procuring a change of food ; but no kanga*
roos or emus were in sight, and they feared to venture
far from their place of refuge. They shot some opos-
sums, filled one bag with 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 sprung up
after the rain, and which Arthur was glad to carry off,
that he might try an experiment of which he had read.
" But, I say, Mr. Arthur," said Wilkins, " we 've gone
and made a bad job of it ; just look ye here, we 've
niver thought that we were leaving a track, and here it
is on this plashy bog, and no mistake. We might just
as 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 could now be done but to endeavor to
confuse the track as much as possible, and he arranged
with Wilkins that they should separate, branch off in
different directions, and finally they made a circuit
opposite to each other round the wood, that the weak
point might not be discovered.
" Ye see, Mr. Arthur," said Wilkins before they sep-
arated, "if Peter has an inkling that we're aback of
these trees, he 'd soon cut his way through, with a bit of
help. But then, them fools of black fellows are as bad
as our fond lass Ruth ; they 're flayed out of their wits
288 COOKERY.
of this wood, and they '11 be shy of coming nigh hand it.
I ken a good bit of their talk, ye see, but I 'se a bad
hand at framing their queer chirruping 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 Master Hugh's rifle as soon as
they pulled me into that hole, and kept an eye on 't. It
were no use to them, for they 'd no powder ; and I said
to myself, 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 the savages lay ; and
before he reached the opening, he heard their curious
and unwelcome cry, which proclaimed that the foe was
near, and he feared, watching their movements, and now
deeply regretted that they had left their retreat.
Gladly they returned to it, and doubly secured the en-
trance, determining to keep an incessant watch, lest they
should be surprised in their citadel.
On their return they found that Jack, assisted by
Hugh and Gerald, had formed an oven, lined with slabs,
on the hearth where the cooking-fire was usually made,
and Jenny was preparing cakes of bruised oats, and a
pigeon-pie made in a large oyster-shell, and covered
with potatoes, to be baked in the new oven. The flesh
of the opossum was not relished by any 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 be wholesome, from
the habits and the vegetable" diet of the class of ani-
THE SALT-PLANT. 289
mals to which it belonged, concluded by declining, him-
self, to eat of it.
" Nevertheless," he said, " I am not prejudiced by the
vulgar error of confounding this little creature with the
ugly opossum of America, to which it bears no resem-
blance, except in its marsupial formation and its playful
habits. In fact, the graceful form, delicate color, and ex-
traordinary agility of this beautiful animal, seem to rank
it rather with the squirrels ; and from the lateral folds
of membrane, which it has the power to expand, in or-
der to support its flying leaps through the air, it has
been named by some travellers the * flying squirrel,'
though distinct from the American squirrel, and, like
all the quadrupeds of the country, exclusively Austra-
lian."
The pretty delicate gray skins were carefully pre-
served, to be sewed together for cloaks ; and the hungry
boys did not disdain a stew of opossums, which they
declared was quite as good as rabbit. But previous to
the cookery, Arthur showed his father the new salt-
shrub ; and the large and peculiar form of the leaves
enabled them to decide that it must be Brown's Rhago-
dia Parabolica, the leaves of which are edible. Anx-
ious to make the experiment, the leaves were boiled for
some time, strained, and the liquor filtered and evapo-
rated several times, and at length the exposure to great
heat produced some crystals of salt, to the delight of the
young chemists, and still more to the content of Jenny,
who treasured the precious salt, which had so long been
the grand deficiency in her cookery. The leaves them-
selves were added to the stew, and not only communi-
cating a salt flavor to the insipid meat, but formed a
tender vegetable, tasting like spinach ; and it was deter-
25
290 SECLUSION.
mined to omit no opportunity of searching for this val-
uable plant.
In the preparation and enjoyment of their abundant
food, they did not neglect the necessary precautions for
concealing their retreat. All the potato stalks were
thrown into the cave, for fuel, and the ground was
smoothed over as much as possible, and strewn with
stones, that the traces of cultivation might haply escape
observation ; a watch was continually kept on the
heights, and every opening that lighted the cave, with
the exception of some narrow crevices, was carefully
covered with a slab of stone beneath the brush, lest an
accident similar to that which befell O'Brien should lead
their enemies to discover the subterranean hollow.
This precaution rendered their abode gloomy, though
they left the principal opening the entrance uncov-
ered till any serious cause of alarm should render it
prudent to enclose themselves entirely ; and when a
cessation of the rain permitted them, they all gladly re-
mained in the open air, enjoying the perfume of the re-
vived vegetation, and the joyful notes of thousands of
birds which sported in the air, fluttered on the trees, or
clamored noisily round the pools of water, plunging
their beaks into the mud for the worms and reptiles on
which they fed. These creatures supplied the family
with unfailing food, and afforded Mr. Mayburn constant
amusement in studying their various habits.
But a cessation of rain brought to them also a cer-
tain increase of peril. The natives were seen spread-
ing over the plain below, hunting the kangaroo or opos-
sum ; and Black Peter, himself, easily distinguished,
as Gerald said, because he was white, was observed
stooping down, as Arthur suspected, to scrutinize the
THE ENEMY IN SIGHT. 291
track, which he feared the rain had failed to obliterate.
Still, occasionally heavy showers fell, and dispersed the
people, who shrink from rain ; and it was not till one
morning, 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 seemed reluctantly, their
debased chief, Black Peter.
When they had approached within a hundred yards
of the forest, the natives halted at once, and Peter, after
speaking some words to them, began again to examine
the perplexed track, and drawing close to the trees, fol-
lowed it round the whole boundary, apparently puzzled
and enraged. At length he paused not far from the
real entrance, and swinging round his axe above his
head, he called out loudly to the people. They an-
swered by throwing their axes on the ground, and re-
maining erect and motionless. The watchers above dis-
tinctly heard repeated strokes of the axe on the hard
pine-trees ; but they were well convinced that the ef-
forts of one man alone could not accomplish an en-
trance, even for many days, and therefore felt compara-
tively tranquillized.
Still there was the absolute conviction that they
were in a state of siege ; that this man was of indomi-
table determination, of cruel and depraved nature, and
that ultimately his obstinacy might bend even the timid
savages to his will. And at this thought, fear and anx-
iety stole over every heart. Mr. Mayburn was per-
suaded to remain in the cave with Margaret and the
three women, the sentinels promising to send reports of
the progress of affairs to them, while, with tears and
prayers they waited the result.
292 PLANS OF DEFENCE.
" Now, Mr. Arthur," said Wilkins, " just let me say
my say. We 've t' best on 't yet : let 's keep yon pass
again all them rogues, and see which side tires first.
We '11 cut a canny Role to fire through at 'em, and load
one gun after another ; and as ye 're a bit soft-hearted
yersel,' ye maun just let me be front-rank man, and
I 'se pick off my chaps, reet and left, till there 's not a
rogue can stand again us. Folks say as how Peter 's
charmed ; but I 'se have a blaze at him, onyhow, and
see if I can't stop his mischief."
" That will be capital ! " cried Gerald. " And let us
dig trenches, Arthur, and then won't we pepper the ras-
cals snugly."
" But these savages are not rascals, Gerald," said Ar-
thur ; " they are only ignorant wretches, misled by a
rascal. To fire on them from an ambush would be
cold-blooded murder, which papa would never sanction.
We have no right deliberately to destroy so many hu-
man 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 '11 niver be missed ! "
Nevertheless, Arthur could not be persuaded that it
was expedient or excusable to destroy the surplus pop-
ulation of savages ; and he preferred to reserve his
charges for absolute defence.
CHAPTER XXII.
Peter's last Stratagem. Firing the Fortress. The Watch-tower.
The Welcome Rain. The close Siege. The Conflict. The
Defeat of Peter. The Fortress abandoned. Once more on the
Road. Resting in the Wilds.
BUT now they observed that Peter had returned to
his party, and was talking to them with violent gesticu-
lation ; continually pointing to the wood, and waving
them forward. The men drew nearer, and gathered
round a thicket of low bushes, where they appeared
busily engaged for a few minutes. Then the watchful
sentinels saw, to their great dismay, many burning
brands, one after another, flame up in the hands of the
natives, who now rush boldly forward to cast them
among the underwood of the forest. This was indeed a
fearful sight, and no time was lost in retreating to the
cave, where, after Arthur had carefully observed that
no track was left to the spot, they all entered ; a slab
was introduced over the opening, beneath the brush-
wood, and now only small interstices were left to ad-
mit air and faint gleams of light to the agitated party
below.
When the terrific mode of penetrating their fortress
was told to Mr. Mayburn, and the reality of the obsti-
nate siege burst upon him, stunned with horror, he re-
mained speechless and motionless till Margaret roused
him, by entreaties that he would pray for them.
" I will pray, my child," said he, " I will pray for
25 * ( 293 )
294 THE PROGRESS OF THE SIEGE.
speedy death ; for death is inevitably our doom, and,
alas ! in its most frightful form."
" Will they burn us alive, Miss Marget ? " shrieked
Ruth ; " and my bonnie hens, and them poor pigf ons ? "
" Be silent, Ruth," said Margaret. " God is great
in power. It may be His will yet to save us, if we
pray to Him."
" There are caves within caves here, Meggie," said
Hugh. " Gerald and I know some queer corners, and
we may escape beyond their discovery ; and I make no
doubt we may even cut our way through in some other
part of the hollow, if we can only hold out long enough,
and puzzle these fellows."
But the temporary depression of Mr. Mayourn had
now left him ; he had recovered his firmness and faith
in God ; and he summoned round him his agitated
family, to join him in fervent prayer for help and pro-
tection in this hour of extreme need. He spoke to
them long and earnestly, not denying his own weak-
ness ; and besought each to contend with his besetting
sin : the strong must yield to His will ; the weak must
ask for fortitude ; the erring must resolve to forsake his
sins ; and the desponding must trust wholly to Him
who was mighty to save and merciful to the oppressed.
" We are now, my children," he added, " wanderers,
as were his chosen people in the wilderness. Let us,
then, remember the marvellous works that He hath
done, His wonders, and the judgments of his mouth."
Composed and hopeful, after their religious exercise
the besieged began to examine their defences and their
resources. The powder had been carefully preserved
in a solid rocky niche, where no stray spark could
possibly reach it. The provision, though simple, was
THE WATCH-TOWER. 295
abundant the store of potatoes alone seemed inex-
haustible.
" We can surely live," said O'Brien, " like thousands
of ray careless, healthy countrymen, on the pratee ! and
defy famine. And, please, General Arthur, to come
and see the watch-tower that Hugh and I have found
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 could with its
assistance, after whicn they climbed the rugged wall till
a projecting ledge enabled them to stand ; and when
Arthur joined them, they pointed out to him some hori-
zontal crannies between the strata of the stone, through
which he looked down upon the table land of the moun-
tain ; and he perceived that this rock formed the para-
pet, or boundary wall of the crater.
They were thus enabled to survey their own hitherto
peaceful domain, as well 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, as
the boys were silently and anxiously watching, they saw
the red threads crawl through the black clouds ; they
heard the loud crackling of dried branches ; and finally
the broad flames rose majestically above the dark trees,
and spread rapidly towards the east side of the moun-
tain, urged by a west wind. The roaring of the flames,
the noise of falling timber, the screams and discordant
cries of hundreds of disturbed and affrighted birds, which
continued to wheel, as if fascinated, over the flames,
prevented any sound of human voices being audible;
296 THE FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN.
and the actors in the 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 exclaimed against the destruc-
tion of the ripe oats in the glade below, which were
now blazing fiercely ; and Arthur, pale and agitated,
saw the fearful conflagration rapidly spreading up the
side of the mountain, and dreaded the moment when,
the brushwood being consumed above the cave, the
slabs that covered the entrance must inevitably be de-
tected, and they must submit to be baited in their last
hold.
" Arthur, what shall we do ? " exclaimed Hugh, u for
the fire is running up the brush at the side of the moun-
tain. See, now, it blazes over the edge ; it has caught
a heap of potato stalks that I was so careless as to leave
there. Gerald, there are Margaret's favorite parterres
all blazing, the scarlet geranium, the blue convolvu-
lus, and the sweet, home-like jasmine. How she will
grieve ! But, I forget, we have more to grieve for ; al-
ready 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 can happen ; it is useless remaining
here. Let us comfort them, and lead them into the
deepest recesses of the mountain. We may, at least,
escape the fearful effects of the conflagration."
" And then, Arthur," said Hugh, " we may surely de-
fend them with our guns. It will be a just cause/'
" It will J it will ! " answered Arthur. " God send
that we may not be called on to shed blood ; but I be-
PACKING UP. 297
lieve we should be justified in doing it. Do you yet
see the enemy, Gerald ? "
" No, Arthur ; but God is good to us," said Gerald.
" The rain is falling again, and our dear Black Forest
will not be entirely consumed ; and perhaps we may
have opportunity to escape."
The rain re-commenced suddenly, and so heavily,
that in a short time the blazing conflagration was extin-
guished, and the progress of the invaders arrested ; for,
when the boys joined their trembling friends, Wilkins
said,
" Depend on 't they 've crept into some hole or other ;
they're just downreet cowards about a drop of rain,
for all their running about without a rag to their
backs."
" But we cannot exist- long in this state of misery,"
said Mr. May burn. " What would you advise, Ar-
thur?"
"I should say, dear papa," answered he, "that we
must defend our position as long as it is tenable, and
then have all prepared, and attempt a retreat a dan-
gerous but inevitable measure. Jack will point out the
most convenient mode of making up packages for carry-
ing away. We must, if possible, take our potatoes, for
we may meet with a sterile region."
" And the hens and chickens," added Ruth, implor-
ingly-
" We had certainly better release them," he replied,
with a smile, " and introduce a new race into the coun-
try ; or else roast them .and make them useful."
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 be given up to be
298 THE WATCH.
eaten, in case of need, she was permitted to encumber
herself with her favorites. Jack made her a light bas-
ket for them, of a portable form ; he then proceeded to
pack, compress, and arrange the baggage in convenient
burdens for each ; while Jenny baked in the oven, which
she greatly regretted having to abandon, a sufficient
quantity of biscuits to fill two large bags. The boots
had all been thoroughly repaired during the rains ; and,
as it was probable they would have to set out before the
weather was settled, the skins of the opossums were
sewed into cloaks, to protect them.
Thus, during one day of continuous rain, when no
signs of the savages were seen, they were able to make
all ready for the flight, which was now become abso-
lutely necessary ; and it was proposed that the next
morning, though the clouds still threatened a continu-
ance of rain, they should make a last substantial break-
fast in their secure sanctuary, and then set out at once.
The breakfast was eaten, and the burdens apportioned ;
but, before they ventured to emerge, the boys ran off
to take a survey of the plains from their watch-tower,
and hastily returned to announce the vexatious intelli-
gence that the whole body of the savages had passed
through the devastated forest, and were already ascend-
ing the side of the mountain.
" Now for the defence ! " exclaimed Hugh, seizing his
gun, and placing the ladder at the opening.
" Remove the ladder, Hugh," said Arthur. " Re-
member that papa has given all 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,
A FRIGHT FOK THE FOE. 299
Baldabella, and the child, will accompany 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 reports of sentinel Margaret. Away!
away ! " said Arthur.
Margaret was placed on the ledge, to watch, and re-
ported that Peter, followed by the unwilling savages,
was already on the height. She saw the keen-eyed
convict examine the ground, and take up a scorched
potato-stalk, with some of the bulbs hanging to it,
which had been imprudently left. He then went for-
ward 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, looked sullen, did not reply, but gazed anx-
iously round, as if expecting some unusual appearance ;
and all shrunk together beneath the rocky wall in
which the watchers were concealed.
When Margaret communicated her observations, Bal-
dabella said, " Black fellow look for Bayl-yas bad
spirit ; they not know good white man pray, send Bayl-
yas away." ,
" Now, Meggie," said Gerald, springing up the ladder
to her side ; " I '11 give them a fright, and disperse
them ; " and the imprudent boy uttered a deep un-
earthly groan. In a moment the men darted forward,
and were springing down the steep, when the com-
manding voice of their leader recalled them ; and Mar-
garet, with much vexation, saw that he was explaining
the cause of their alarm, for he pointed to the spot
where she stood, in a menacing manner. He continued
300 THE CLOSE SIEGE.
to speak to the men in a tone of exultation, waving his
arms, till he induced them to return and accompany
him in his search.
" Away, at once, foolish boy," said Margaret ; " and
tell Arthur all we have 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 and his confession ; and Arthur saw
plainly they should now be obliged to have recourse to
arms. He ordered Hugh to wait till he should have
fired off his two barrels, arid then to take his place till
he should have time to reload. The ammunition was
put in charge of Wilkins and Jack to serve out ; and.
cruel as was the necessity, Arthur trusted they might
thus defend their position, and weary out even the ma-
lignant and stubborn convict.
There could be no doubt discovery must soon take
place, as the light by degrees poured into the cave,
through the small openings which the savages uncov-
ered one after another. Still Peter saw none of these
could possibly be the entrance to any concealment ; but
at length he stepped on the large slab ; it was immedi-
ately removed, and a shout of exultation arose, as the
large chasm pointed out the retreat of the persecuted
family. For a moment there was a pause : even if the
descent had been easy, the men were not so rash as to
throw themselves into the clutches of their foes belcw,
and spears directed against an unseen enemy would be
wasted. Then Peter leaned over the opening, frnd
called out,
" Come on, ye cowards, and fight fairly if ye can, or
else hand up them guns, wi' yer powder and cash, and
STORMING THE ENTRANCE. 301
then cut off, vagabonds as ye are, or I '11 make this den
o\ver hot to baud ye."
Arthur made a sign of silence, for he saw Wilkins
was impatient and very much inclined to indulge in
pouring out invectives against his former companion.
Then a few spears and stones were flung down at ran-
dom, which were easily avoided by the besieged, who
had ensconced themselves in niches of the rock, and the
light-hearted boys could scarcely restrain their laughter
at the futile attempts. But the resolute convict was
not to be baffled ; he was heard speaking to his follow-
ers in their own language, and Baldabella was placed
near enough to hear and interpret. When she had lis-
tened a few minutes, she turned to Arthur with a look
of terror, 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 thrown into the cave announced the des-
perate plan of the besiegers. Arthur called for water,
and buckets of water were brought to quench each
brand as it fell ; but the suffocating smoke in that con-
fined spot was intolerable.
" We must end this nuisance, or we shall be stifled,"
said Arthur ; and as Peter himself, with an armful of
kindled brushwood, bent over to cast it below, Arthur
fired on him, and the man fell back beneath the flaming
branches, which were scattered over him ; then calling
for the ladder, which had been brought near, the in-
trepid youth mounted to the opening, fired again into
the midst of the assembled savages, and, rapidly de-
scending, removed the ladder.
The yells and groans they heard from above afforded
sufficient proof that the shots had taken effect, and
26 .
302 PETER'S DECEPTION.
Hugh and Gerald were sent to the watch-tower to
make observations. They saw that Peter was able to
stand, supported by two men, but his right arm appeared
to be powerless ; a wound in the shoulder was bleeding,
and he was raging and stamping with agony, evidently
from the burns he had received, for the savages were
applying some leaves to his breast and face.
" 1 have never had a shot yet," said Hugh, when he
returned. " It is very hard, Arthur pray let me run
up the ladder and scatter a few of the rascals."
" No, no ! my dear Hugh," answered Arthur ; " such
a measure would be wanton and inhuman at this mo-
ment. These wretched savages are mere machines in
the hands of the villain whose own cruel designs have
recoiled on himself. If they had never met this man,
they might perhaps have been troublesome and annoy-
ing to us, but a little experience of our superior knowl-
edge and power would have relieved us from them.
Now even, they are not detained near us from choice,
for they evidently abhor and dread the place, but they
stay to fulfil the duties of humanity to this wretch who
has so unaccountably beguiled them."
" I '11 tell ye how he came round 'em, Mr. Arthur,"
said Wilkins. " I heared 'em say when I were chained
up yonder, as how that good-to-nought were a head
man, and husband to one of their jins, and he 'd been
speared and killed outreet by some black fellows down
south, and now he were sent back to 'em wi' a white
skin. Peter made 'em swallow all that rigmarole, cun-
ning dog as he is."
" I have read," said Mr. Mayburn, " that some of
these ignorant tribes have such an extraordinary super-
stition : believing that the souls of the departed revisit
AN OPPORTUNITY OF ESCAPE. 303
the earth in the form of white men. There is blended
with this faith a strange recognition of the doctrine of
immortality, and, we might hope, of regeneration ; but
the crimes of this wretch in that which they believe to
be his second life must have startled even the untaught
heathens whom he has thus- deceived."
" They 're off, Mr. Arthur," said Wilkins, who had as-
cended to the opening to look round; "there's not a
soul left. I reckon they'd be right glad to 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 to do ? Here 's t' mistress seems all
ready."
"I am quite ready, Wilkins," said Margaret, "and
agree with you. It appears to me, Arthur, that oui
best hope is, to snatch this opportunity to get the advan-
tage of a few hours' start, that we may not be easily
overtaken when that wicked man is sufficiently recov-
ered to take the field again."
" And mind, Mr. Arthur, sharp 's t' word," said Wil-
kins, " if we want to beat him. He let me into his
schemes a bit, as how he meant to get them fellows after
him down south to join a lot of bushrangers as was to
meet him. Ye see, we 're not top walkers, at no time ;
and wi' all this stuff to hug, we 'd better be trotting."
" Make ready ! " cried Gerald, tying on his knapsack
of bark, and putting into one pocket a canister of
powder, and into the other a bag of shot ; " we must
trot, as Wilkins sayr, as well as fellows can trot carry-
ing such burdens as ours. I say, Arty, have n't I got
my share ? "
" You have indeed, my boy,' ' answered Arthur. " I
fear you will not be able to get on long under such a
304 THE RETREAT.
heavy burden ; but we must try, at first however, to
carry as much away as we can bear. Take your bow
to support you, and mount the ladder. Now, Hugh."
Hugh was similarly laden, but carried a gun instead
of a bow. Ruth would not resign her fowls, and had
in addition the serious weight of a large bag of pota-
toes. Margaret, Jenny, and Baldabella carried the
bread and the remainder of the potatoes, the poor native
having in addition the charge of her child. Mr. May-
burn was laden with the shells and buckets which con-
stituted their household furniture ; and Arthur, Wilkins,
and Jack cleared off all the rest of the weapons and
bags. The descent to the plains had been rendered
easy by the conflagration, which had almost entirely de-
stroyed the forest, and the travellers chose their path
in a direction opposite to the wood which was the abode
of the natives. They toiled on with swift feet and anx-
ious hearts, scarcely conscious of their heavy burdens,
for two hours ; in which time they had left their deso-
lated sanctuary far away to the north.
The ground was level and fertile, and the weather
favorable ; for the sun was overclouded, though no rain
was falling; and relaxing their extreme speed, they still
continued to walk on, till downright fatigue and hunger
pointed out the necessity of rest. The best place for
their encampment that they could select was in the
midst of a thicket of the tea-shrub and other low brush-
wood. The young men with their axes cleared a spot
for a fire, and niches for sleeping-places ; they plucked
the fresh leaves from the plants to make tea, and enjoyed
their coarse biscuit, soothed by the silver tones of the
bell-bird, the musical piping of the organ-magpie, and
THE RETREAT. 305
the soft cry of an invisible bird, the curious' notes of
which resembled those of the curlew,
Night fell on them with all the beauty of the tropical
regions ; the soft breeze loaded with fragrance from the
luxuriant flowers revived by the recent rains, the bright
stars above their heads, the brilliant fire-flies floating
round them, the dying notes of the half hushed birds,
the incessant hum of the restless insect tribes ; all was
harmony, inspiring devout and holy thoughts ; and the
weary travellers slept happily and trustfully till morning
awoke them to resume their labors.
26*
CHAPTER XXIII.
A Bark Sledge. The Friendly Tribe. The Wild Melon. A
Nocturnal Alarm. The Wombats. The Bivouac on the Heath.
The Savages again. 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 large sheet of bark, to
which they had attached ropes.
" It was Jack's thought ! " exclaimed Gerald. " Is it
not a capital plan? the baggage- w agon ! Off with
your knapsack, Arty ; Jenny, bring your pots and pans.
Every thing must be tied on our sledge, and we will
draw it in turns two men to form a team."
" It will be a great relief, certainly," said Arthur, " so
long as the plains continue tolerably clear and level;
but, I fear, over the matted brush or the rugged moun-
tain we shall find it useless."
" Why then, Mr. Arthur," said Jack, " it will only be
taking up our loads a bit, and leaving the sledge. We
can soon cut another sheet when the road gets smoother.'*
The sledge answered admirably, and, relieved from
their burdens, they went on for several days, over well-
watered and well-wooded plains, without interruption,
and without delay, except when the disengaged youths
lingered behind to shoot a few pheasants or cockatoos,
that the bread might not be too soon exhausted. In a
week after they had left the cave, they saw kangaroos
again, and even the sledge was abandoned, that all might
(306)
HE FRIENDLY TRIBE. 307
join in the chase. After a long hunt, they succeeded in
kifling one ; and the weather being now less sultry, they
were able to preserve the meat for two days. The skin
was cleaned and dried, and then converted into bags for
the biscuit, for showers of rain still fell occasionally,
and they had been compelled to take off their cloaks
to protect their valuable food.
One evening, an unwelcome return of the heavy rain
induced them to look anxiously round for some shelter,
and turning round a clump of tall bushes, they came
suddenly on a cluster of scattered huts, formed of green
boughs and open in front. Beneath these canopies sev-
eral women, wearing cloaks of fur, were employed in
pounding grain or nuts between two stones, while they
sung some song in a low, musical tone, and in perfect
harmony.
Outside the huts stood several tall men. They had
a single loose garment of fur cast round them, but the
bust was wholly uncovered, and marked by many raised
cicatrices. They were engaged in making arrows or
spears, and never raised their heads from their employ-
ment ; but, with the usual dignified indifference of the
savage, did not appear to notice the approach of the
strangers, though probably they had never before seen
the white man. Even the women continued their work
and their song ; and it was only when Baldabella, who
had been introduced by her protectors, went forward,
holding her child, to ask the women to give some good
white people shelter from the rain in their huts, that
the men turned to listen, and the women suspended
their labor. The head of the family, pointing out an
empty hut, spoke to Baldabella, and said, as she inter-
308 NEW FRUITS.
preted his words, " That very good for white man ; foi
black man ; plenty rain make much cold."
Glad of the refuge, while Baldabella remained to talk
to the women of the tribe, the rest took possession of
the slight hut, and prepared their supper of the remains
of the kangaroo, of which they invited their friendly
hosts to partake. The natives now assembled round
them with some curiosity, tasted the seethed kangaroo,
and seemed to relish it; rejected the roasted potatoes
with disgust, but greedily enjoyed the biscuit, especially
the jumbles, as the boys called them, which were fla-
vored with the juice of the figs.
Then the women in return for this hospitality,
brought to them some pods, which Arthur recognized
to be the fruit of the Acacia stenophylla, the seeds, or
nuts, resembling in flavor the cachou-nut. They brought
also a small melon, or cucumber, now ripe and sweet,
with which the plains that the travellers had crossed
this clay had been covered ; but they had not ventured
to eat it till now, when they saw how the natives en-
joyed it.
" It certainly belongs to one of the most useful orders
of plants considered as the food of man," said Mr. May-
burn ; " and, as far as I can determine from recollec-
tion, I believe it to be the Oucumis pubescens. This is
truly a country of rich and abundant resources ; want-
ing but the light of civilization and religion to render it
a paradise."
" Surely, papa," said Margaret, " our countrymen
acted unwisely when they suffered the first steps into
these lovely and untrodden wilds to be made by the
vilest of criminals. Alas ! alas ! what must the igno-
rant natives think of such Christian missionaries ! "
A NIGHT AT THE HUTS. 309
"It was an error, Margaret," answered her father,
" wide in its mischief, fatal in its results ; and genera-
tions must paes away before the error can be rectified.
But a purer and holier influence is at work ; and, in his
own good time, God will assuredly enlighten the people,
through the efforts of his faithful servants. Would that
I were able to take my share in the great work ! but,
alas ! I am but the barren fig-tree, and continually 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, while the natives stood round in silent won-
der, especially when they remarked the devout de-
meanor of Baldabella, and heard the little child mur-
muring in English the responses, in imitation of her
kind teachers. After prayers the women seemed to be
earnestly questioning Baldabella ; and Margaret was
pleased to hear the woman speak long and earnestly to
the questioners, for she was convinced that Baldabella
was truly a Christian in faith, so far as her simple mind
could comprehend the faith.
Though they considered it prudent to keep a watch,
the sleep of the family was not disturbed by any fears,
for these natives seemed quiet and inoffensive ; and
through Baldabella they learnt that they had ever
shunned the restless and destructive tribes to the north,
and a still more dangerous people, whom they spoke of
with terror, as the tribes of the " Great River," to the
south. But, the interpreter added, they did not like
the white people who came to kill the menuah, as they
named the kangaroo ; and the emu, and to carry off
their weapons. But they were satisfied that these white
strangers were peaceful like themselves, and they wished
310 OVER THE MOUNTAINS.
them well, and would show them the way through the
mountains.
The weary travellers gratefully accepted this offer,
for the prospect of having to ascend, without guidance,
a line of mountains which cut off their progress to the
south, and of being compelled to resume their heavy
burdens, was alarming. Early in the morning they
sought the women, to present them with some biscuit
and with a pair of fowls, of which Baldabella undertook
to explain the great usefulness, and the domestic habits
and proper mode of feeding.
Then they once more set out, guided by the chief
among the natives ; and having skirted the mountains
for three or four miles to the east, found a narrow gorge,
through which a shallow rill ran towards the south,
along the flowery margin of which they passed till they
came upon another wide plain, less wooded and fertile
than that which they had left, but grown over with the
Cucumis laden with fruit. This plain was perforated
with dangerous holes, which their guide told them were
the dens of a large animal, very fierce, which he called
the Wombat, and which the boys were filled with a great
desire to encounter and vanquish.
Once on the plains, the native pointed out the direc-
tion which they were to follow, greatly to the east of
south. He shook his head when they intimated their
wish to proceed due south, and, according to Baldabella,
declared there was " no water " a most important ob-
jection to the route. Arthur gave the man one of the
table-knives, much to the discontent of Jenny and the
great delight of the receiver ; and the gratified native
stood watching them for some time, and then slowly re-
turned to his people.
THE WOMBATS. 311
* l Now for the wombats ! " exclaimed Gerald, looking
anxiously down into one of the dens of these unknown
animals. But all was still and dark ; and Arthur begged
that there might be no delay, as, in all probability, the
animals could only be drawn from their retreats by dogs,
or be surprised by long watching, and time was now
too precious to be v^pent on such an uncertain pursuit
Continuing, therefore, to follow the course of the slender
rivulet, which, however, soon became but a chain of
pools, they travelled for several miles, eating, as they
went on, the juicy melons, as they called the Cucumis,
till the sight of a smoke in the direction of the pool^ in-
duced them reluctantly to forsake even this small sup-
ply of water, and to diverge directly to the south, till
they should have passed the danger of encountering
another tribe, who might prove less friendly than their
late hosts.
The sudden fall of night compelled them to rest at a
spot where no water was to be discovered, and, too late,
they regretted that they had not brought a supply from
the pools. Reluctantly they made their only meal of
the day on bread ; fortunately they were able to add
melons ; still the privation was felt ; they were unsatis-
fied and much depressed, till calmed by the blessed influ-
ence of prayer. Then all anxiety was hushed by 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 to Jack to follow
him. The moon was shining brightly, and they were
enabled to see some moving objects at no great dis-
tance, towards which they quickly directed their steps,
and, on drawing near, they heard the voice of O'Brien
312 A HARMLESS ANIMAL.
crying out, " Arthur ! Arthur ! come and kill these
frightful beasts ! I shall be worried ! "
They now saw the head of O'Brien, who, supported
only by his hands, had sunk into a hole or den, and was
surrounded by a troop of hideous large animals, with
the form of a bear and the nose of a badger. They
were actually running over the boy, and apparently
very uneasy at his intrusion. Jack's spear soon de-
spatched one of the animals ; the rest fled to their dens
at the sight of more invaders of their homes ; and
O'Brien was dragged from the hole he had accidentally
taken possession of, and scolded by Arthur for his im-
prudence. It appeared that he had, while lying awake,
seen one of the wombats roaming about in search of
food, and while pursuing it with his spear he had fallen
into the den, and by his cries raised the whole commu-
nity of these social and harmless beasts, which, power-
ful and numerous as they were, had attempted no injury
against the rude invader.
The wombat Jack had killed was about the size of a
sheep ; they divested it of its smooth thick fur skin,
which was hung up to dry immediately. In the morn-
ing th'ey had an opportunity of examining the curious,
clumsy animals, which were still busily feeding. Wil-
kins declared their flesh to be delicate and excellent
food ; but, without water, no one felt any appetite for
meat.
" Doubtless," said Mr. Mayburn, " this creature is
the Phascolomys ursinus, partaking of the form of the
bear and the hog ; but, like the great majority of Aus-
tralian animals, marsupial."
" He is an ugly fellow," said Hugh, " with his huge
oody and short legs ; but his skin is capital ; we will
THE WELCOME SHOWER. 313
clean it to make a mattrass for papa, and we must have
another skin for Margaret. After all, Jenny, a wom-
bat-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 get out of this desert."
The steaks were really -excellent with sliced melon,
if the travellers could have relished food without water ;
and after breakfast they set out, again eagerly watching
for signs of water ; but no one feeling sufficient energy
to execute another wombat before they departed. They
continued to struggle on over a loose sandy soil, cov-
ered with a bush resembling 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. But the toil of dragging the light sledge
over or through the bushes became hard labor ; and
at length Mr. Mayburn, exhausted with thirst, was so
overcome that two of the young men had to support
him, as they slowly moved on to escape from this des-
ert.
" Keep up your heart, master," said the attached Wil-
kins ; " 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 out
a shelter for t' master."
The sky was dark, the thunder rumbled at a distance,
and the young people looked round in happy anxiety
for some shelter ; but in vain, not even a tree was to
be seen ; and at last they were obliged to content them-
selves with a little cleared spot, backed by a low brush-
covered hill, and surrounded by the tea-shrub mingled
with the graceful heath. There they hollowed out a
27
314 A RAINY NIGHT.
sort of recess in the soft sandy hill-side, before which
they hung the skin of the wombat, that Mr. May burn
and Margaret, at least, might be sheltered. By this
time the rain had begun to fall in torrents, and every
vessel they had brought away was placed to catch the
precious drops.
Then the boys made forms as they called them, be-
neath the brushwood, into which they crept, to escape,
as far as they could, the deluge of rain. But ever and
anon a hand was stretched out to obtain a draught of
the lorig-pined-for water ; and though they declared it
tasted warm, they felt so refreshed that there succeeded
a great appetite for wombat-steak, which could not,
however, be gratified ; for to attempt to make a fire
was hopeless.
" What charming dormitories we have ! " said Ger-
ald. " The rain dripping through these narrow-leaved
shrubs and dabbling your face all night long, will be so
comfortable. I don't think a wombat's den would be
such a bad thing to-night. Ruth, how do the cocks and
hens like this weather ? "
" I keeps 'em covered an under my cloak, Master Ger-
ald," answered she ; " but, bonnie things, they trem-
mel and cower all of a heap. You see, birds and such-
like, are all for sunshine."
"And sunshine enough they 've had here, Ruth," re-
plied he ; " and now we must not be unthankful for the
rain we wanted much. Pleasant dreams to you all, my
friends ! " called out the lively boy, as he dived under
the bushes, to scratch himself out a den, as he said.
But the rain and the thunder prevented much sleep,
and at the first gleam of light, the boys issued from
their comfortless dens, with some dry- twigs which had
THE FOE AT HAND. o!5
formed their beds, and with which they proposed,
though the rain was still falling, to make a fire to cook
some meat. But before they could accomplish their
plan, they were disturbed by a trampling among the
bushes, and the sound of human voices.
" The savages ! the savages ! " whispered Hugh ; " I
think I can distinguish the voice of Black Peter."
" Scatter the twigs," said Arthur ; " put the water-
vessels underneath the bushes. Draw these skins into
your form, Margaret, and crouch out of sight. Now !
now ! to cover, all of you ! "
They had scarcely given the place the appearance of
being unvisited, and drawn themselves securely under
the scrub, when the voices were so close to them that
they could distinguish, though they could not under-
stand the words. Only Black Peter, who pronounced
the language slowly, was sufficiently 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 steps and voices sounded sufficiently dis-
tant, Arthur looked out, and saw the same men who
had besieged them in their mountain retreat, still headed
by Peter. All the men were outrageously painted
white and red, though they were partially covered with
opossum cloaks to shelter them from the rain. Arthur
observed that they moved on towards the east, where,
at a great distance, appeared a dark line, which he con-
cluded was the mountain-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 replied that she had
heard Peter say, "White men go to mountain, find
316 NATURAL DEPRAVITY.
much water. 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 's beared of some bushrangers
out ower yonder, and he '11 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 fairly set on,
them blacks is as bad ; they reckon nought of a dozen
lives to get haud on a gun."
" Whither shall we tiee ? " cried Mr. Mayburn, in a
distracted tone. "Speak, Margaret Arthur and
yon, 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 innate and original depravity. * There is
none good ; no, not one.' Men have spoken of the
simple and pure life of the desert ; we see what it is in
truth."
"Yes, dear papa," said Margaret, "we must bid
adieu to the fallacious dreams of poetry, the romance of
that golden age when men were virtuous because they
were ignorant. These are men to whom the tempta-
tions of the world are unknown ; men who have never
looked on the brilliant decorations of vice ; yet they
are harsh, cruel, selfish, and faithless. Is this truly hu-
man nature, papa ? "
" I fear, my child, it is too truly human nature," an-
swered Mr. Mayburn, " fallen, degraded, unredeemed
human nature. Well does a great and wise writer on
the natural depravity of man picture the ignorant sav-
TO THE SOUTH. 317
age as ( a compound of pride and indolence, and selfish-
ness, and cunning and cruelty ; full of a revenge which
nothing could satiate, of a ferocity which nothing could
soften ; strangers to the most amiable sensibilities of
nature.' Then what weight of sin. must rest on the
souls of those who, having been taught the way of truth
themselves, take advantage of the frailty of humanity to
lead these heathens into the gulf of crime. Woe to
those men ' who know the best, and yet the worst pur-
sue.' "
While they watched the gradual disappearance of
their enemies, the rain ceased, and Jenny summoned
the party to the enjoyment of tea to their dry biscuit,
before they resumed their journey, the prospect of
which was still unpromising.
" We must now, defying all the threatened deserts,
go on towards the south," said Arthur, " and evade, if
we possibly can, our implacable and inveterate pursu-
ers. The temptation to cross the eastern mountains is
great, but I fear, Wilkins, we should hardly be safe,
even in the rear of such dangerous company."
" Nay, nay ! Mr. Arthur, keep out of their way,"
said Wilkins. " Ye beared what Baldabella said about
their going to rondessvowse ower yonder wi' them rogu-
ish bush-rangers ; and I see no sense in running into
t' thick on 'em."
" Certainly not, Wilkins," answered Arthur. " Then
we will decide on a route due south. So, forward, my
brave men, and let us carefully carry away the water
we have preserved, for I fear much we have not yet
passed the wilderness."
2?*
CHAPTER XXIV.
The Dry Wilderness. Despair. The Coming-down of the Wa-
ters. The Discomfited Savages. Hunger and Thirst. The
Footsteps in the Mud. A Pond. The Talegalla and its Nest.
The Valley of Promise. The River to the South.
IT was indeed on a wilderness they now entered,
where low entangled brushwood spread as far as the
eye could extend, unvaried by the appearance of a
single tree rising above it ; and as they toiled through
or over this perplexing ground, carrying the bark
sledge, which it was impossible to draw over the bush,
they were often deceived by the sight of a line of tall
reeds, the border of the bed of some river, now wholly
dry, or merely muddy with the rain of the previous day.
They saw no animals, except two or three emus, which
swiftly fled from pursuit ; and they were too eager to
escape from the dry desert to waste time in the chase.
For two days, successive morning suns showed them
the same trackless and unwatered heaths spread before
them ; then the water was exhausted, and they turned
away with loathing from the dry bread and potatoes.
Slowly and languidly they dragged on their weary
way, still watching and hoping in vain. Another day
of suffering dawned on them ; and now the scorching
air, the dry food, the fatigue, and the consuming thirst
overcame them one after another, and before evening
Mr. Mayburn said, " Let us lie down here, Arthur.
God has chosen, in His wisdom, to put this termination
(318)
DESPAIR. 319
to our efforts. Nature is exhausted ; let us lie down
and prepare for death."
" Not so, my dear father," answered Arthur. v God
wills that we should be active, and strive to surmount
difficulties, or He would not have bestowed on us the
bounteous gifts of thought and action. Margaret, I
know your faith and resolution ; encourage my father."
"You look to me in vain, my dear brother," said
Margaret. " I am unable to think or to move. Save
our beloved father, and leave me beneath these bushes
to die. I feel that death must be near at hand."
" I beseech you to rally your energy, my darling
Meggie," said her brother, 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 us try at least to cross this
muddy and deceitful gorge, and be thankful ; for re-
member, my dear sister, if this had been now a foaming
river, we should have been unable to ford it, and must
have been lost in this desert."
Margaret was too weak to reply, and Arthur, lifting
her with difficulty in his enfeebled arms, descended the
banks, and crossed the wide bed of a river which was
scarcely moist emough to leave the traces of his foot-
steps. Wilkins and Jack supported Mr. Mayburn
across, and the rest languidly followed. They crawled
slowly up the rocky banks of the opposite side, which
were covered with thick scrubby bushes ; and then be-
neath a spreading acacia, they sat down to rest a few
moments, and endeavored to nerve themselves to endur-
ance and exertion.
" Surely, Wilkins," said Arthur, " that lofty line of
320 THE RETURNING FOE.
mountains which we can still see at the east, though so
distant, ought to supply springs and streams to these
plains, and there must be water at no great distance.
You and I are pretty stout ; can we not leave these fee-
ble folks here, and go on to search for some relief for
them?"
" Look yonder, Mr. Arthur," answered Wilkins, "just
atween us and them mountains, and say if we ought to
leave 'em behind us."
Arthur beheld with dismay, at about a mile's distance,
a dark mass moving over the bare plain. He saw that
the savages were returning, and even his firm heart
failed, for here was no shelter no hope of escape.
He remained struck dumb for a minute ; then he whis-
pered to his brothers the 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
breaks the stillness of this solitary desert. It must be
the murmur of many voices."
" It seems to me like men felling wood," said Jack.
" It is more like the blessed sound of water," said
O'Brien, springing up.
Still the mass of figures, though now more defined
and plainly recognized to be the savage host, approached
slowly ; and they could not produce the strange rumor,
which momentarily grew louder, crackling, tearing,
roaring, like the mighty elephant, forcing its way through
the thicket. All the party now heard in trembling fear
this unaccountable phenomenon, and the weeping wo-
men knelt down to pray for aid amidst accumulated dis-
tresses.
" Father," murmured the almost unconscious Marga-
ret, " I smell water. Oh, give me some, or I die."
COMING DOWN OF THE WATER. 321
"It is water!" shouted O'Brien "I said it was
water. It is the river coming down. Come on, Hugh,
let us meet it ; " and he leaped down into the bed of the
stream.
" Stop the lad ! " cried Wilkins, following and drag-
ging him up the bank again. " 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 the bed like a silver snake.
" Sharp ! sharp ! hand us a bucket ! " called Wilkins ;
and, provided with a bucket, he descended and quickly
procured a small quantity of water to relieve the worst
sufferers ; but before a second supply could be obtained,
he was compelled to retreat in haste, an4 an amazing
spectacle burst on the eyes of- the beholders. A mighty
tower of water was seen to approach, rushing, pouring,
foaming ; casting up from it trunks of trees, drenched gar-
lands of creeping plants, and showers of pebbles. In
an incredibly short space of time the resistless torrent
had filled the deep gorge, and wa3 splashing over the
rocky banks.
Gradually the torrent subsided into a smooth, deep,
and flowing river, from which the pining sufferers ob-
tained the refreshment they had so long sought, and
then, with bended knees, offered up a thanksgiving to
that Great Power who had by this providential event
rescued them from a painful death, and interposed an
insurmountable barrier between them and their vindic-
tive enemies, who, having now approached near enough'
to be aware of this unexpected obstacle, saw, with evi-
dent wrath, their prize snatched from their grasp. At
the command of their implacable and well-known chief,
Peter, some of the most skilful threw their spears ; but
322 THE ENEMY DISCOMFITED.
the river was not less than fifty yards across, besides
which, the strong east wind drifted away the weapons
from their intended aim ; and the invigorated and unin-
jured family lost no time in leaving the dangerous spot,
and were soon beyond sight of the stubborn natives, and
the 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 '11 have somehow missed their com-
rades as was to be," answered Wilkins. " Maybe they 'd
an inkling as how we were behind 'em and not afore
J em ; and they 'd niver reckon on t' water coming down ;
and not a soul among 'em can swim, barring Peter, and
he knew better nor trust hisself among us alone. We 've
stopped 'em a bit now, master."
"Not we, Wilkins, but God," said Mr. Mayburn.
" It was ' the Lord that brought again the waters upon
them,' and saved us. To His name be the glory."
" We have still before us a long struggle through
these sterile wilds," said Arthur; "but this deliverance
must give us renewed courage for labor and privation.
Now we may afford to eat our supper, and take our rest
without fear."
The strongest of the party, before they left the river,
had filled all the vessels with water, and brought them
off, and very soon, almost within hearing of the noisy
savages, they made a fire, and enjoyed again the luxury
' of tea to their potatoes, before weary nature sought re-
pose. But as soon as it was light, they set out, after
again having tea to fit them for another day of toil.
The inarch was resumed with renewed health and
spirits, but still the monotony of the matted rough desert.
THREATENED FAMINE. 323
which rarely afforded a clear spot for them to draw the
sledge, fatigued and depressed them before the day was
over. And when they rested for the evening, and
Jenny produced the scanty remainder of potatoes, and
the still smaller portion of grain, dismay sat on every
countenance, and Jack was the first to demand that
Ruth's basket might be lightened, and the contents given
up to satisfy the hungry and healthy appetite of the
public in general.
It was found on inspection that besides three full-
grown fowls, the girl was still carrying six good-sized
chickens, the rest of the brood having perished, from
accident or scanty food. Immediately, as a matter of
expediency to save the oats, to lessen the burden they
had to carry, and to feed the hungry, sentence was
passed that two chickens should be executed each day,
and it was hoped, before all were eaten, some region of
more plenty might be attained.
With great reluctance, and floods of tears, Ruth re-
linquished her pets, and at the end of the three days,
only the old fowls were left, and every potato, grain, and
drop of water was gone. Then, indeed, they realized
the misery of famine ; strength and cheerfulness left
them, and they tottered reluctantly forward, slowly and
in mournful silence.
Sometimes an emu was seen at a distance, but none
had energy or strength to chase it, and Arthur, whose
mental vigor supported him, when all were sinking
round him, tried in vain to rouse them from their apa-
thy.
" Let us struggle on a little longer," he said. " Once
more I see a tall line ot reeds, and by God's mercy, we
may not be disappointed this time. Come, Jack, you
324 FOOTSTEPS.
and I will make a forced march in search of succor
for those who are weaker than ourselves ; and if we
succeed we will return to refresh and bring them for-
ward."
With buckets slung over their shoulders, and leaning
on their long spears, the two young men strained every
nerve to reach the reeds like those which had so fre-
quently disappointed them, and, cutting or forcing their
way through the tall canes, they came again on the bed
of a river 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 here before us."
" Sure enough there has," replied Jack. " Men have
been here ; booted chaps, too ; none of the savages ;
anyhow, not them that we reckon savages, but like
enough, they '11 be little better. Ay, their track runs
upward ; what say ye, Mr. Arthur, are we to follow
it?"
"We must follow it, Jack," answered Arthur; "we
must find water, or death is inevitable to us ; and we
are better in the rear of suspected foes 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 in greater need than ourselves."
The pools afforded ample supplies. The young men
drank, and bathed their burning faces and heads, and
then hastened back, refreshed and vigorous, bearing full
buckets for the anxious party who awaited their return,
and after they had drunk, and were able to converse,
they were informed of the appearance of the footsteps.
" I 'd like to see 'em wi' my own eyes," said Wilkins.
MAKING OUT THE TIIACK. 325
"If it be ony of our chaps from t' colony, run-a-way fel-
lows, I ken t' make of their boots 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
tell ye what I ken about them tracks."
The whole party went forward more briskly than be-
fore, and reached the bed of the river, where Wilkins
carefully examined the marks, and then said, "Bush-
rangers, as sure as ye stand there, Mr. Arthur. Here 's
been four on 'em ; and look ye here, what call ye them
tracks ? I say, beasts and horses. I ken their game :
they '11 have druv' off a lot of stock, and they'll reckon
to squat here somewhere north. But they '11 find they '11
have to seek out a cannier bit nor this. Like enough,
master, it '11 be them chaps as Black Peter was lighting
on finding."
By this time the two younger boys had ascended con-
siderably higher up the bed of the river, and reached a
large pond covered with water-fowl. They were fortu-
nate enough to shoot four ducks, and came back laden
with this grateful relief to their utter destitution. They
dined as soon as the birds could be cooked ; and this
rest, and abundant food, invigorated and 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 to fol-
low the steps of lawless robbers was a dangerous ex-
periment, and that it was advisable still to continue the
southern course over the dreary desert. Their pro-
gress was, however, rendered more tolerable, by the
knowledge that they carried with them water for two
28
326 THE WILD TURKEY.
days, at least ; and they began to perceive there was
beauty, even in that wide, solitary wilderness, though it
appeared unknown to all the living world.
Yet it was not altogether without living inhabitants ;
for, the second day, Gerald surprised them by crying
out, " A turkey ! a turkey ! " and spears, arrows, and
boomerang, were speedily sent after the luckless bird,
though the sight and the cries of the strange multitude
had caused it to spring from the bush where it was feed-
ing, to the lowest branches of a tree somewhat taller
than the unvaried dwarf bushes; and from thence,
rather by leaps than by flight, it ascended to the high
branches, where it only exposed itself more to the
\veapons of the inveterate sportsmen, and was speedily
brought down.
It was beyond the usual size of the English turkey,
to which it bore a strong resemblance, and delighted
Ruth with the idea that they were coming among poul-
try again. The young naturalists had more opportu-
nity of observing this specimen than the last they had
killed, and they agreed that this curious bird belonged
to a family peculiar to this strange country, the Megap-
odidce, but so nearly allied to the family of Meleagrince,
that it might familiarly be called the Australian turkey.
" There can be no doubt that it is, as I formerly be-
lieved," said Mr. Mayburn, "the Talegalla of the
prince of ornithologists, Gould. The massy claw is a
striking characteristic, so conformable to the habits and
haunts of the bird, enabling it to run amongst the bush,
or climb trees to escape its enemies, the chief of which
is the Dingo, or native dog, which has been rather
troublesome to us from its nocturnal yelping than from
its appearance. Now, concluding this to be the Tale-
A CURIOUS NEST. 327
galla, we must endeavor to discover the remarkable
nest of this bird, 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 the peculiar 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 might have 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 brush-
wood thus removed formed the remarkable mound.
The lower part seemed to have been erected some
years, the decay being 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 accom-
plished by numbers laboring in common to raise this vast
hatching oven. I am reluctant to disturb a work which
has cost so much labor ; but I think we might partially
uncover it, to observe the internal arrangement."
The boys mounted the pile, which was six feet in
height, and carefully unpacked the upper layer of the
hot-bed, when they soon discovered a vast number of
large white oval eggs, nearly four inches in length,
which were buried standing on end, with the broad end
uppermost, about ten inches apart from each other.
One of the eggs was partially hatched ; and the young
bird might be seen, covered, not with down, but with
feathers.
At the sight of the feathered bird in the shell Ruth
turned away with disgust from the long-desired poultry.
" Nay, Master Gerald," said she, as the boy held out*
328 A DELICIOUS DINNER.
the egg to her ; "ye '11 not catch me touching an egg
like that, niver sitten on as it ought to be, and i* bird
chipping ready-feathered. It 's unnat'ral, and they 're
uncanny creaters, they are."
" Why, one of these unbroken eggs would make a
custard, Ruth, as good as that of an English Turkey,"
said Gerald.
"That's what I'se niver credit, sir," answered she.
" Not a custard fit for Christians. Them black folks
'11 eat aught 'at falls in their way. Oh ! Miss Marget,
this is a queer, awsome country ! "
They did not take any of the egg?, which appeared
to be in an advanced state for hatching ; but they
roasted the talegalla, and found it delicious meat, though
it must be remembered appetite was keen and turkey a
rarity.
" Now, to-morrow morning," said Arthur, " we must
make for yon distant green hills ; and I trust we shall
find a pleasanter region. If we could but meet with
one of the rivers that flow towards the south, we might
try boating again, and make our journey on an easier
plan. Surely we ought to have reached the division
between the northern and southern waters."
" It would be a rare hit to light on a good river," said
Wilkins, " for we 're gettin fearfully into t' midst of a
nest of bush-rangers, and we '11 ha'e little chance of slip-
ping 'em, trailing on in this way."
The morning view of the green hills was BO flattering
that they indulged in the luxury of tea for breakfast,
though the water was nearly expended, and then pro-
ceeded hopefully over the scrub, now diversified with
various species of acacia, a Stenochylus bending under
its large scarlet blossoms, and a Boronia laden with lilac
THE RICH VALLEY. 329
flowers. Cheerfully hailing the fertile regions once
more, they soon reached the steep wooded ascent of the
hills, where the lively notes of the birds again gave life
to the solitude ; while their brilliant plumage lighted up
the gray foliage of the acacia and the dark gloom of the
evergreens.
After an hour's laborious- ascent they reached the ta-
ble-land, where the fresh breeze and the balmy fra-
grance announced a pleasanter region. They rested,
and looked round with admiration and delight on the
glorious prospect below them. On the east and on the
west distant ranges of mountains were visible, between
which lay a rich valley studded with lofty forest trees,
while here and there arose green hills crowned with
rocky masses resembling towers and fortresses, or ru-
ined castles, in picturesque beauty.
From the western range of mountains might be seen
a long, dark-green line, stretching to the south-east,
which they decided must be the boundary of some large
river. This line they impatiently desired to reach ;
and, after a short rest, they continued their march over
a plain rich 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. A
dark and luxuriant wood formed the green line they had
seen from the heights, and crossing it, they stood on the
rocky banks of a rapid river which 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 his family, with tears in
his eyes, and said, " My children, let us give thanks
28*
330 CANOE BUILDING.
where thanks are due. We are again rescued from
famine, captivity, or death. Let us praise His name
who has brought us from the dark valley of the shadow
of death, to life and hope."
All kneeled down, and the little Nakinna was the first
to raise her infantine voice, saying " Our Father ; " and
to that simple and sublime expression 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-morro\v's never so safe as to-
day."
" Jack 's right," said Wilkins. " I were feeling a bit
idle rnyser, but there 's no sense in 't ; so lend us haud
on an axe, and I 'se be none the worse for a stroke of
work."
While the young men were engaged in cutting away
the bark for the shells of the canoes, and the fibres ot
the stringy bark for tying them, and collecting the
strong gum for cement, Baldabella descended to the
river, and soon speared two immense fish, which seemed
to be a species of mullet; 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 Wilkins called it formed an excellent
supper; and though the nights had now become cold,
even in that tropical region, they slept on beds of heath,
covered with oDOSSiim cloaks, without injury or disturb-
ance.
CHAPTER XXV.
Boat-building again. Unlucky Ruth. The Woods on Fire.
Dangers on Land and Water. -*- The Wounded Girl. A Home
among the Mountains. The Bottle-tree. The Bee-hunt.
Beau-coffee. The Lost Hunters.
AT the first merry cry of the laughing jackass, which
announced the dawn as regularly as the English cock-
crow, the workmen rose to labor at their hopeful under-
taking ; and before many hours were passed the canoes
were nearly finished, and the women were busy cutting
down grass for seats ; when Ruth, who had left them,
came rushing back through the wood, with her wildest
look of distraction, crying out, " They seed me ! Miss
Marget, they seed me ! "
" Thou unlucky lass ! " exclaimed Jenny. " Where
hast thou been ? and who 's seen thee ? "
" Them black men, they seed me ! " answered she. " I
were cutting some oats for my hens ; and I heared 'em
shouting out their coo-ee, and when I looked round I
seed a lot of 'em, a long way off, and I skriked out ; I
couldn't help it, Miss Marget, and then they coo-eed
again, and off I ran. But I 'se feared they heared me
skrike, onyhow."
Margaret, in deep dismay, communicated this unfor-
tunate event to her brothers, and Arthur went through
the wood to reconnoitre. From a hidden retreat he
observed a troop of men, still at a great distance, who
appeared to be stooping down to mark some track on
the ground, from which he judged Ruth's cries had been
( 331 >
332 A FIRE IN THE GRASS.
unnoticed. He returned in haste to report his observa-
tions.
" 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' water at a bonnie
rate."
" I will watch and report their approach, while you
all work at the boats," said Margaret. " Where shall I
stand, Wilkins ? "
" Just here, Miss," answered he, " aback of this thick
bush. There 's yer peep-hole ; and shout when they
get close up."
Margaret's first shout was a terrific one. " Arthur !
Wilkins ! " she cried in a frantic voice. " Oh ! God
help us ! whither shall we flee ? The wretches are fir-
ing the wood."
The savages, taking advantage of a north wind, had
fired the long dry grass a common practice with the
natives. It was already fiercely blazing, and rushing
towards the wood with resistless fury. The ground on
which the travellers had encamped, and the spot where
the young men were working, they had fortunately
cleared for beds, and for seats in the boats ; and now,
while Jack and Arthur finished the canoes, the rest cut
down the brushwood round, and flung it into the river,
leaving a space of twenty or thirty yards wide quite
cleared. But beyond that rose the lofty trees, that, once
blazing, must shower down destruction on them.
Already the crackling of the trees announced that the
conflagration was begun in the woods, and that no time
must be lost, if they hoped to escape from it. Flights
of white cockatoos, of bright-colored parrots, and glit-
tering bronze pigeons, rose screaming from their deso-
DRIVEN TO THE WATER. 333
lated homes, and affrighted opossums sprang from their
nests, swung on the trees, or fell senseless with the
smoke on the ground. But in this time one canoe was
completed and launched, with the women, all the bag-
gage, and Mr. May burn and Hugh to direct it. They
had been swept down the river to a considerable dis-
tance from the fire before the second canoe, imperfectly
completed, whirled off with the rest of the family, who
reached their friends at a point of safety, with wild looks
and scorched hair.
Then they all rested a moment, to look back on the
terrific and still spreading conflagration, by the red light
of which they saw the frightful outline of the dark
forms, among whom, though now naked, and scarcely
less dark than the rest, they distinguished the muscular
and ungraceful form of Peter, which strangely con-
trasted with the stately, slender, and agile forms of the
natives.
" He 's not lit on them t' other rangers yet," said Wil-
kins. " That 's a good job, onyhow j for, ye see, they 'd
horses, and we 'd fairly been hunted down like foxes."
Augmented by the recent rains, the river flowed in
an uninterrupted coarse, and before the evening and the
calls of hunger induced them to arrest their flight, the
grateful family believed they must have progressed
twenty-five or thirty miles to the south-east, with very
slight exertion, through new and lovely scenes of hill,
vale, rocky mountains, and rich forests.
Then, on the margin of the river, beneath the shel-
ter of a thick wood, they landed, to thank God for their
escape, and to take rest. Mussels, a sort of cray-fish,
and the river-cod, formed their supper, which was
cooked in fear and trembling, lest the smoke of their
334 A NATIVE SETTLEMENT.
fire should bring on them the savages, or the flames
should spread to the brushwood, a catastrophe they now
regarded with horror.
Before they set out the following morning, the canoes
were completely finished, and oars and paddles added :
thus their progress was safe and easy, and for three
days no accident arrested their course ; but on the
fourth day they were compelled to land, to repair a rent
in one of the canoes, and were startled at their labor by
the sound of the " coo-ee" and an alarming rustling
among the trees. Without delay the canoes were car-
ried to the water, and all embarked ; nor had they
proceeded twenty yards before a large opening ap-
peared in the wooded bank, which had evidently been
cleared by fire. Here they beheld the first permanent
settlement of the natives they had yet met with. Many
large huts stood round, formed of boughs, and thatched
with bark. Several fires were burning, around which
the women and children were gathered, and a number
of men, armed with spears and clubs, advanced to the
bank with threatening aspect, when they saw the ca-
noes.
Loud and angry words were heard, which Baldabella
interpreted to be, " What for white men come here ?
Go away ! go away ! " And the way in which they
waved their clubs and stone tomahawks was very intim-
idating.
" Best take no notish of their antics, Mr. Arthur,"
said Wilkins ; and, all agreeing in the wisdom of the
counsel, they rowed forward, the men still uttering defi-
ance against the strange invaders, and apparently
amazed that their threats were received with indiffer-
ence. But Ruth, whom Jenny had been ineffectually
RUTH WOUNDED. 335
endeavoring to calm, at last could no longer control her
terror, arid poured forth such a succession of shrieks,
that the savages seemed encouraged, and immediately
directed a volley of spears against the canoes.
The swift motion happily discomfited their attempt,
and but one spear took effect, seriously wounding the
right arm of Ruth, which she had held up to shield her
face.
A few moments carried the boats beyond the reach
of the weapons, and they continued their voyage, till
they believed themselves safe from the pursuit of the as-
sailants. Mr. Mayburn and Margaret bound up the
wound of Ruth, which bled profusely, and was very
painful, and she could not be persuaded that she should
ever recover. She declared that she was killed, and
she earnestly begged that she might be buried in a
church-yard, till Jenny, out of patience with her cow-
ardice, said,
" Be quiet, ye silly wench ; where think ye we 're to
find a church-yard among these heathens ? "
" Then they '11 eat me, Jenny ! " she cried, in great
horror.
" Be comforted, Ruth," said Margaret ; " you are un-
der the protection of a merciful 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, be-
lieve me, Ruth, though your wound must be painful,
there is no danger for your life, unless you cry and fret
yourself into a fever ; so pray be patient."
" I will, Miss Marget," sobbed she. " Indeed I will,
if you will feed my hens, and gather corn, whiles, for
'em. Shame on them black savages as burned down all
that good corn."
336 COMPELLED TO LAND.
The fretfulness and timidity of Ruth, however, in-
flamed the wound greatly ; and before the next day
ended, they thought it prudent to disembark at some
quiet spot, where she could have shelter and rest. The
banks of the river had now become rocky, gradually
sloping upwards to rugged and irregular mountains,
amongst which they trusted to find the shelter they de-
sired. A sloping bank offered them a landing-place,
and they disembarked, and the men bearing the light
canoes on their shoulders, they left the river. Jack
carried Ruth, now quite unfit for exertion, in his arms,
and they were soon plunged into a maze of mountains,
cut apart by narrow ravines, some of which were
choked with fallen stones, and through others clear
streams of water poured between rocks covered with
new and graceful ferns, some of which were of gigantic
size.
The further they penetrated into this maze, the more
they became perplexed and embarrassed. At length,
O'Brien, who had forced his way through a narrow,
stone-encumbered crevice, called on them to join him
in 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 was overgrown
with tall grass, amongst which they saw the useful wild
oats ; in one corner was a deep clear pool of water,
while the surrounding rocks were covered with brush-
wood, from which were heard the pleasing notes of the
beautiful pigeon, which the naturalists judged to be
Geophaps Scripta, and which all agreed was the most
delicious bird ever placed before gormandizing man.
There were numerous caves in these rocks, and they
A COMMODIOUS ABODE. 337
had only to choose one dry and light for the sick
woman, and then, enjoying the luxury of many apart-
ments, the young men selected their own bed-cham-
bers, the boats were safely stowed into one hollow, and
the ammunition placed carefully in another rocky cave ;
and once more the family rejoiced in a temporary rest-
ing-place.
One of the caves was chosen for a kitchen, and again
the active young men dug, and lined with stones, an
oven, in which Jenny baked cakes of the fresh-gathered
oats, a dozen pigeons were despatched, tea was made
for the invalid, and all was festivity and peace. Still,
Ruth's wound, which was torn by a jagged spear,
showed no appearance of healing, arid it was resolved
to spend some days in this beautiful and untrodden soli-
tude, to allow the poor girl to recover, and to recruit
the strength of all. But it was not possible to confine
the active boys to the narrow valley, and they daily
found a pretext for some expedition. One day they set
out to search for the Tea shrub, and brought home a
large quantity of leaves. Another day they scaled
some of the lower rocks, to obtain gum from the numer-
ous trees from which it exuded, and brought out all the
family to see a curious tree, the trunk of which, formed
like a barrel, was in the thickest part not less than
thirty feet in circumference.
"It is one of the Sterculiads" said Mr. Mayburn,
" and is, I conclude, that wonder of Australia popularly
known as the Bottle Tree, or, more scientifically, this
peculiar species is named Delabechea Rupestris. It ap-
pears to be full of gum, and is, doubtless, a great bless-
ing to the natives."
Baldabella seemed rejoiced to see the tree, which she
29
338 BEE-HUNTING.
declared was " good, very good," chewing the branches
with great enjoyment ; and they found there was so
much mucilage in the wood, that they cut some shav-
ings, and poured boiling water over them, when a clear,
sweet jelly was formed, most agreeable to the palate,
and highly relished by the whole party.
The next expedition was suggested by Baldabella,
who pointed to some bees humming among the tvces,
and said, "Make very good dinner very good sup-
per; Baldabella find his nest." Margaret taught the
woman the name, 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 catch-
ing a piece of white down which had fallen from the
breast of some bird, and was floating on the air, she
touched it with gum, and stuck it upon the captive
bee ; she now called on the rest to follow her, and leav-
ing 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. His axe
was soon at work ; the bark was stripped, and the hol-
low laid open : they found the tree quite filled with
honey, and cutting away a considerable quantity, they
carried it off on pieces of bark. The bees, which were
yery small, either careless in the midst of plenty, or
powerless to injure, did not molest the robbers. The
honey was much mingled with wax, and looked and
tasted like gingerbread ; but, kneaded with the bitter
oat-paste, it rendered the biscuits pleasanter and more
palatable.
" We really seem to have all we want here, Miss
STALKING A KANGA11OO. 339
Marget," said Jenny one day. " Is n't it a pity to
hurry t' poor master over these weary commons and
fells ? We 'se be sure to have winter at some end ; and
had n't we better 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 HOW the end of April. I felt
the air a little cold during last night, though now it is
mild and balmy ; and the evergreen shrubs, continual
successions of flowers, noisy birds, and humming insects,
make it more like an English summer than the end of
autumn. This is truly a charming climate."
" It 's very nice, Miss Marget," answered Jenny ;
" but don't you think we should be better of a change of
meat ? One tires of pigeons always."
" Very right, Jenny," said O'Brien ; " though the ob-
servation is not new. I '11 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 be as difficult to tire out as Wilkins
tells us."
" He '11 lead ye a bonnie chase," said Wilkins, " that
will he. Ye '11 tire afore him. Ye'd better wait till
Baldabella makes an end of that net she 's shaping to
catch 'em. She 's a long time about it."
" And we may wait another week," said Gerald, " to
obtain the ignoble means of snaring the poor fellow.
No ; I say, let us have a regular stalking-day. Arthur,
what do you say ? "
" I cannot have Arthur leave us for a day," said Mr.
Mayburn. " I should not feel it safe for Margaret. I
can rely on his judgment and discretion."
A few days after this Jack was engaged in putting
340 NATIVE COFFEE.
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 spears and
bows guns being prohibited, unless Arthur was of the
party, and set out after a kangaroo ; for the woods
and grassy hollows among the mountains 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 little Nakinna to
read, by tracing letters and words on the sand, and Mr.
Mayburn and Arthur were searching the crevices of
the rocks for the rare birds and the brilliant plants
which, even at that late season, were to be found in pro-
fusion.
In the middle of the day Baldabella and Wilkins re-
turned with baskets filled with large fish, and a bag of
pods filled with small beans, which they had plucked in
a sandy nook near the river. Each pod contained ten
or twelve beans ; and Baldabella's exclamations of de-
light showed they were considered a prize.
" I fear," said Arthur, " that these beans are too dry
at this season to be useful as good vegetables, but I
fancy we might roast them, and use them as a substitute
for coffee, to surprise our sportsmen when they return
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 proper deep-brown color.
They were then bruised between two stones, and boiled
with a little honey, and the brown liquid wanted but
milk to represent indifferent coffee. The partakers of
the beverage declared it to be perfect ; and Wilkins was
THE MISSING HUNTERS. 341
sent back to the river to procure an abundant supply,
to be roasted for future occasions.
When the evening drew near, and the family, leaving
their several occupations, assembled together as usual,
great anxiety filled every breast, for the two hunters
had not returned. They had taken no provision with
them ; but this was a minor consideration, for no one
could starve in this region of plenty. Nor could the
chase itself lead them into danger ; but there remained
the ever-existing terror of the treacherous and cunning
natives, or still worse, of an encounter with the lawless
bush-rangers. The fears of Mr. Mayburn soon amounted
to deep distress, and at length Arthur and Wilkins set
out to a high point of the mountains, where they could
command an extensive view, hoping to see the wander-
ers. But before they reached the pinnacle, sudden dark-
ness veiled the prospect, and Arthur reluctantly adopted
the only means he could 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 of the thoughtless ramblers.
After waiting a few minutes, in the vain hope of
hearing some answering shout, Arthur and Wilkins re-
traced their steps to the caves, depressed with the ill-
success of their mission. Yet such was the deep distress
of the father, that his children endeavored to conceal
their own sorrow, that they might console him. He
mourned as lost, not only his own brave boy, but the
not less dear son of his lamented friend ; and long re-
fused to be comforted. Arthur represented to him that
no more could be effected till morning ; but that the
youths, when they had gone astray would have proba-
29 *
342 TRUST IN GOO,
bly taken refuge in one of the numerous caves in the
mountains, where they would be safe during the night ;
and he promised that at the first gleam of light, he,
Wilkins, and Jack, would set out in different directions
to search for them.
" And remember, dear papa," said Margaret, " this is,
happily, not a country of fierce beasts ; they may enter
a cave boldly, secure that they shall not disturb a lion
or a bear in his den. Nor need they fear the snow-
storm or the hurricane. This is a pleasant land ! God
seems to have created it for the abode of peace. Is it
not, then, fearful wickedness that civilized man, the
professed Christian should scatter the seeds of evil
rather than the seeds of truth among the simple inhabi-
tants?"
" This is, truly, a calm and blessed region," answered
Mr. Mayburn. " We seem to have been Heaven-di-
rected towards it ; and if my two dear boys were again
safely at my side, I confess that I should feel reluctant
to leave it. In this vast and lovely solitude, where
man has never before planted his destroying foot, where
neither storms nor wild beasts appall, and where God
himself provides our food, even as He fed the Prophet
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 scattered around us. Such
may have been Eden, before the sin of man polluted it.
In this sublime solitude, consecrated to devotion and
peace, would I willingly remain conversing with my
God. Here would I,
' Sustain'd and soothed
By an unfaltering trust, approach my grave,
Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch
About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams.' "
THE SEARCH, 343
<( It is a charming vision," said Margaret. ** But
look round you, papa ; the fresh, the restless, the aspir-
ing spirit of youth must be exercised and disciplined 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 my thoughts
from my heavy and real calamity the loss of my chil-
dren."
" Depend on 't we 'se find t' lads all right, master,"
said Wilkins ; " and they '11 tell us what a good laugh
they had when they beared that grand salute we gave
'em amang these rattling hills."
C II APT Eli XXVI.
The Search for the Lost. The Fig-tree. Signals. The Wander-
ers found. The Wounded Boy. The Sufferings of the Thirsty.
The Rescue and Return. The Kangaroo Conflict. A strange
Meeting. The Bush-rangers. The miraculous Escape.
SLEEP fled from all the sorrowful family, and they
gladly saw the morning light which would enable them
to set out to track the unlucky boys. The three men
chose the high pinnacle from whence Arthur had fired
the preceding evening for a rendezvous, and fixed a
white cross of peeled rods against the dark foliage of a
gum-tree, that stood tall and conspicuous on the summit,
as a land-mark. From thence Arthur proceeded di-
rectly north amidst the intricacies of the mountains,
while Jack went off at the right-hand, and Wilkins at
the left. It was agreed that they should meet at the
same spot in the evening, if the search was not success-
ful before then. Arthur carried one of the guns ; the
other being left with Mr. Mayburn, that he might fire
it as a signal, in case of alarm ; while Arthur proposed,
if he succeeded in discovering the fugitives, to recall the
other two men by firing his gun.
Arthur's share of the work was certainly the most toil-
some. At one moment he was climbing over some lofty
rock ; the next, he was searching for a pass amidst inac-
cessible heights ; then winding through tortuous gorges,
till his head became so bewildered that it was only
when he observed the course of the sun, or caught sight
of the happy signal of the white cross, that he was able
(344)
1HE FIG-TREE. 315
to determine his position. Several times, from some
elevation, he shouted loudly the names of the absent
boys, but none answered. The day wore away, and he
gladly rested for a short time beneath a fig-tree, still
bearing a quantity of ripe fruit, while the ground was
strewn with the decayed figs, on which flocks of bronze
pigeons, yellow cockatoos, ,. and rose-colored parrots,
were busily feeding. These birds seemed to confide in
Arthur's forbearance, for they continued to enjoy their
feast without evincing any alarm, except by a vehement
greeting, in their several notes, as if they inquired his
business at their board.
The arched roots of the fig-tree afforded him an easy
mode of access to the upper branches, where he filled
his straw hat with the fruit, and then continued his
walk, enjoying the refreshment ; for the figs, though
not luscious, were ripe and juicy.
" I will give one more shout," thought he ; and his
voice, cleared and strengthened by his refreshment,
rang through the echoing mountains. He waited for
five minutes ; still there was no reply ; but his eye
caught a light smoke among the mountains. It might
be the fires of the natives he thought ; but even were it
so, the boys might have fallen into their hands, and no
time must be lost in rescuing them. He made ready
his gun, and, still bearing his load of fig?, he directed
his course briskly towards the suspected spot. But it
was most difficult to attain the place from whence the
smoke seemed to proceed, and he wandered for an hour
amidst intricate windings, making many unsuccessful
attempts to penetrate to the spot, till at length he came
to a small hollow, surrounded by dungeon-like walls,
346 THE LOST FOUND.
where a fire of dry wood was smouldering, but no one
was near it.
" Hugh ! Gerald ! " he shouted ; and at the sound of
his voice his brother appeared, crawling feebly from a
hole in the rocks.
" Hugh, my boy, are you hurt ? " asked Arthur, in a
hurried tone : " and where 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, Arthur pressed the
juice of a fig into the parched mouth of the boy, who
murmured, " Thank God ! But, oh, Arty ! can you
get any water for poor Gerald ? "
Putting more figs into his hand, Arthur stooped
down to the low entrance, and passed into a small dark
hollow, where Gerald was stretched out, almost insensi-
ble, and near him lay dead a huge kangaroo. Arthur
gave the poor boy the only refreshment he had to offer,
the juice of the figs ; but he seemed in a much more
feeble state than Hugh, and when his kind friend with
difficulty got him out into the open air, he saw with con-
sternation that his leg was bound up with a handker-
chief, through which the blood was oozing.
" How did this happen, Hugh ? " asked Arthur, be-
fore he ventured to examine the wound.
" It was the kangaroo," answered he ; " and then,
when we had killed it, we were far too ill to eat it,
though we have had no food since we left home."
" I cannot tell what I must do," said Arthur. " It
will be impossible to get you home to-night, feeble as
you are ; and papa will now be in alarm at my ab-
sence."
THE WOUNDED BOY. 347
" But you will not leave us again, Arty," said Hugh,
sobbing. " I fear dear Gerald will die. I dare not re-
main alone any longer."
" I must leave you for a short time," answered Ar-
thur. " I think I shall be able to summon Wilkins and
Jack to us ; then they can search for water, and carry
Gerald home."
Hugh burst into tears, and said, " But the bush-ran-
gers I cannot tell you all, Arthur, my head is so bad.
There are bush-rangers ; we have seen them ; 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, and leaving them all the remainder of the
figs, he waited to hear no more, but hurried off with all
speed towards the rendezvous, looking round as he went
on, for some spring or pool from which he could procure
water for the suffering boys. When he reached a high
rock, not far from the rendezvous, he ventured to fire
his gun, and was immediately answered by the 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 now at hand, it was agreed that Jack
should return to appease the uneasiness of the fam-
ily, while Wilkins should accompany Arthur back to
the two anxious boys, with whom they would remain
till daylight, and then bring them home. Wilkins un-
dertook to procure water for them from a pool at a little
distance, where Jack and he rested, and where they had
348 FRESH-WATER.
cleaned out two large gourds they had found, and con<
verted them into water-bottles.
These gourds were a great treasure ; they carried
them to the pool, filled them with fresh-water, and, af-
ter drinking themselves, hastened forward with all the
vigor that remained to them after the day's fatigue, to-
wards the spot where the boys were lying, but did not
reach it till night had made it most difficult to discover
it. The joy of the poor wanderers was excessive when
they saw their friends arrive, bringing the refreshment
they so much desired. Gerald was already somewhat
revived by the figs ; and after he and Hugh had drunk
some water, they began to desire more substantial food ;
and it was not long before Wilkins had cut off", and
broiled, some steaks of kangaroo venison, of which all
the hungry party partook with great enjoyment. Still
the boys were too much weakened and exhausted to en-
ter into any details of their adventure that night ; and
when Arthur and Wilkins had collected heath for beds
and covering for the nights were now chill, they
all crept into the cave, and slept soundly till awakened
by the rude, early greeting of the laughing jackass.
Then, after more kangaroo steaks, Arthur made an
examination of Gerald's lacerated and bruised leg,
which Hugh had previously bandaged to the best of hi.*
skill. They could now spare water to wash the wound,
and the bandages were replaced by some made from
Arthur's handkerchief; and Wilkins having cut down
the spreading bough of a fig-tree, Gerald and the kan-
garoo were placed side by side upon it, and borne by
Arthur and Wilkins. The procession moved slowly
and silently, Hugh looking round anxiously as he pre-
ceded the litter, in dread of the terrible bush-rangers.
THE WELCOME HOME. 349
The rugged mountain-road tired the bearers greatly,
but long before they reached the rendesvouz, they saw
a figure standing before the dark gum-tree, and a loud
" Halloo ! " brought Jack to meet and assist them. He
had considerately brought with him a bucket of water ;
and they rested and refreshed themselves, before they
completed their toilsome journey. But fatigue was for-
gotten when they all met again in the quiet valley ; Mr.
Mayburn and Margaret wept for joy, and though nurse
did not fail to chide them as " bad boys," she fondled
and nursed the wanderers, and produced for their com-
fort cockatoo-stew, flavored with wild herbs that resem-
bled parsley and majoram, and mixed with the beans
they had got on the banks of the river.
" Keep a sentinel at the pass, Arthur," said Hugh.
" We shall be watched and tracked ; there will be scouts
all around us. It is a miracle that we have arrived
here safely."
"Oh! Master Hugh, honey, is it that .good-to-nought
Black Peter ? " asked Jenny.
"Worse than that, I am sorry to say, nurse," an-
swered he ; " for there are dozens of Black Peters ready
to snap us up. But don't look so sorrowful, Meggie,
and I '11 just tell you how it all happened. That big old
fellow," pointing to the kangaroo, " kept us trotting after
him for hours and hours, and always when we got him
within reach of a spear or an arrow, he bounded off
like a race-horse, and you could not say whether he
hopped, or galloped, or flew. It was a beautiful sight,
but very vexatious. At last we got desperate ; we were
tired and hungry, and we determined to have him ; so
we parted, that we might attack him on both sides, and
force him to stand at bay. It was a capital plan, and
30
350 THE KANGAROO CONFLICT.
turned out very well. We chased him into that queer
little dungeon-like hollow where you found us. He flew
round and round, but we guarded the entrance, and he
could not escape, arid at last we drove him into a corner,
pierced mortally with our spears. I wanted Gerald to
wait till the beast was weakened with loss of blood ; but
he was in a hurry to finish, so he rushed on with his
drawn knife, and I followed to help him. But when the
brave old fellow found he had not a chance, he faced
round, and with his forefeet his arms, I should say
he seized me, and gave me a heavy fall. Gerald was
then behind, and plunged his knife into him, on which
the desperate creature struck out with his powerful hind
claw, 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 M'ay ; it was just like murdering 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 his wounds tied up ! He was
very thirsty, and begged me to get him some water, or
he thought he must die. So off I set, keeping a sharp
eye on our den, that I might find it again. I mounted
a crag, and looked about me till I saw flocks of bird?,
all hovering over one place, a good stretch from me.
' That 's my aim,' thought I, and on I dashed, over rocks
and valleys, straight forward, till I saw before me a
grand silver-looking lake, covered with ducks and
swans ; while regiments of birds, like cranes and peli-
cans, with other unknown species, were drawn up round
it.
" I could look at nothing else but the birds for some
time, I was so charmed, and I planned directly to bring
CHARLIE GREY. 351
papa to the place the very next day ; but remembering
poor Gerald's condition, I went forward, and looking
round to scan the grassy plains between the mountains
and the lake, I was astonished to see a number of large
animals grazing, which were certainly not kangaroos,
but real, downright quadrupeds, walking on their four
legs. 4 Here 's a grand new field of natural history/
thought I. ' Yes, we must certainly take up our quar-
ters here.' But, halloo ! what did I see that moment,
hobbling ungracefully up to me, but our old friend
Charlie Grey ! "
u 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 you remember how we used to feed the
handsome fellow with bits of bread on the voyage ? It
came into my mind just then, and I plucked a handful
of oats, and held them out, calling ' Charlie ! Charlie ! '
Poor, dear old fellow ! he could not trot up to me as
his heart wished, but he limped forward as well as his
hobbles would allow him."
" Hobbles ! " exclaimed Wilkins ; " then he 'd been
nabbed by them bush-rangers."
" Sure enough he had, Wilkins," continued Hugh ;
and there were five or six strong black draught-
horses, besides a herd of bullocks and cows ; every
beast, I '11 venture to say, stolen from our friend Edward
Deverell. Well, I had forgot all about poor Gerald
and the water, and was feeding and stroking Charlie,
when I saw he had a halter on his neck ; 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
352 THE BUSHRANGER'S CHARGE.
home* But the 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 been kindled,
I saw piles of large mussel-shells. I filled two, placed
them in my hat, and slung it round my neck. Then I
pulled out my knife, and stooped down to cut Charlie's
bonds ; but just then such yells fell on my ears that I
started up, and saw on one of the heights a line of fierce
looking men, attired in the conspicuous yellow dress of
the convicts. Their guns were directed towards me,
and there was no longer time to release and mount
Charlie ; in fact, I had not presence of mind to decide
on doing it, but ran off as fast as my legs would cany
me, just in time to escape a volley of shots from the
wretches. Thankful that I had escaped unhit, I fied
desperately, never looking behind me till I reached poor
Gerald, whom I found very ill and restless, parched
with thirst ; and there was scarcely a teaspoonful of
water left in the shells, from my rapid flight. I was
telling him my story, when we heard a tremendous re-
port of fire-arms, and we trembled to think the villains
were 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 got Gerald into that
little hole, and dragged the great kangaroo after him,
that nothing suspicious might be in sight if they followed
me ; though I hardly dared to hope that our den should
escape their observation. Dear Gerald groaned and
tossed about all night. How much I did grieve that I
had not succeeded in bringing him the water! Nor
was our condition improved next morning, for I was
afraid to venture out beyond the hollow, round which I
sought in vain for any fruit or juicy herb to cool our
THE PANGS OF THIRST. 353
parched mouths. Gerald, in all his agony, was twice as
brave as I was ; and if he had been the sound one, I
know he would have risked any danger to obtain help
for me."
" Botheration ! Hugh, my boy," said Gerald, " did n't
I know all the time that it was my moans and groans
that made you turn soft and sob like a girl ? I could n't
help grunting out like a pig shut out of a cabin on a
rainy night ; and then you grunted and cried too, for
company. We were a pair of pleasant, jolly fellows all
day, Meggie, as you may easily suppose. Day, indeed,
do I say ! why, we thought it must be a week, at least !
As night came on, it grew very cold, and Hugh scram-
bled out to gather a few sticks together to make a fire
before our cave. Before he came 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 more till I felt the cold fig-juice on my
dry tongue. Won't I like figs as long as I live ; and
won't I have an alley of fig-trees in my garden when I
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 the question may
safely rest awhile. Now, Hugh, after you heard the
gun?"
" Then I threw more wood upon the fire," answered
he, " that the smoke might be seen, and crept back into
the cave ; for I could not get over the fear that the
shot might have come from the bushrangers ; and I had
thus given them a signal to our hiding-place. Think
of my joy when I heard the voices which I never ex-
pected to hear again ! "
30*
354 BANDITTI.
Jenny had wept abundantly at the tale of suffering,
and she now endeavored to show her sympathy by
placing before the fatigued and hungry boys another
collation, consisting of bean-coffee sweetened with
honey, and sweet oat-cakes ; and certainly, if Mr. May-
burn had not interfered with grave sanitary admoni-
tions, the boys were in danger of eating themselves into
a fever.
" I have thought much on this unfortunate adven-
ture," said Mr. Mayburn, when they met together the
next morning. " It is a fearful reflection to know that
we are in the midst of a horde of banditti, ready to in-
tercept our 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 were forbidden to
move from it. Arthur, what do you say? Wilkins,
my good man, do you think we are quite safe ? "
" Not ower and above, I say, master," answered Wil-
kins ; " they're just ranging hereabouts, to pick up re-
cruits among them fools of black fellows, apd to keep
out of t' way of them as they 've pillaged ; and they 're
ripe for any thieving or ill-doing as falls in their way.
But they 'il not sattle long ; they '11 range off down south
to turn their beasts 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 time here without any sacrifice of com-
fort. We have grain and water at hand ; pigeons and
cockatoos in our own preserve, asking us to roast them ;
an excellent store of honey, coffee, and tea, as we are
pleased to name the Australian representatives of these
luxuries ; spacious and dry lodgings, and fresh air.
Certainly, with occasional forays, conducted with due
CHARQUI. 355
prudence, we shall have abundant and excellent provis-
ion for any length of time. This monstrous kangaroo
ought to supply us with meat for many days ; and I
think we might dry part of it in the sun, to resemble
the South- American ckarqui."
" It is an admirable idea, Arthur," said Mr. Mayburn ;
" we shall thus avoid the sirr of wasting the good gifts
of Providence. I have read a description of the pro-
cess ; I know the meat must be cut in slices, and I
should like to assist you in carrying out the plan, though,
practically, I am inexperienced. The first difficulty ap-
pears to be, how to avoid the destruction of the skin in
slicing it."
" Why, papa, we skinned him this morning," replied
Hugh. " The skin is already cleaned and spread to
dry ; we shall rub it with a little fat, to render it plia-
ble, and then we shall have a blanket or a cloak of ines-
timable value."
" True, my son ; I had forgotten that preliminary
operation," said Mr. Mayburn. " But still I cannot
understand how we shall obtain the large slices ; the
bones, the form of the animal, present great obstacles."
" Leave it to the experienced, papa," said Margaret.
** Wilkins knows how to slice up a kangaroo."
It was capital employment and amusement for the
active to cut up the huge animal into thin slices, which
were spread out on the bush, and the ardent sun of the
climate, even at this late season, soon dried the meat
perfectly ; and Margaret wove grass bags to pack it in ;
and thus several days passed without alarm or annoy-
ance ; and with due care and attention the wound of
Gerald was perfectly healed.
CHAPTER XXVII.
The Eagle's Eyrie. The Chaotic Solitude disturbed. The Vol-
untary Prisoners. The Report of the Spy. The Foe at the
Gates. A Traitor in the Camp. Dispersion of the Invaders.
A lucky Escape. A pleasant Voyage.
AFTER a few days more had elapsed, the close con-
finement became irksome to all. Baldabella, accus-
tomed to a free, roving life, pleaded her great desire to
fish by moonlight ; and as there was less danger for her
than for the white men, this was permitted, and she re-
turned safely with abundance of fish to increase the
store of provisions. Then Hugh and Gerald, unlucky
as their last expedition had been, begged humbly that
they might be allowed to put their noses out beyond the
bars of their cage.
" No, no ! unruly boys," answered Margaret ; " you
have a spacious pleasaunce around you ; be content and
thankful to enjoy it."
" Then surely we may climb the woods at the side ? "
said Hugh. " We want to find the nests of the strange
birds we hear above us. No harm can befall us in our
own domain ; it will be only like running up a ladder,
the brush is so thick and low. Come along, Gerald,
and let us inspect the wonders of our aviary."
Mr. Mayburu would really have liked himself to
have a peep into the many holes and crannies of the
rocks, which sent forth such multitudes of birds, and he
could not object to the expedition. The agile boys made
no delay, but, clinging to the bushes, sprung up the al-
(356)
THE CHAOTIC SOLITUDE. 357
most perpendicular side of the mountain, disturbing the
domestic peace of the tender pigeons, provoking the
voluble abuse of the noisy cockatoos, and finally, 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 to the worse again, Gerald. But
where are you mounting now ? "
" Only to the peak, Hugh," answered he. " I should
like to have a peep round, to find out what our neigh-
borhood is." And the active boy soon gained the high-
est 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 these heights, and hollows, and
windings, a rocky chaos ! It is like the beginning of
a new world ! " Then turning round to observe the
scene at his left hand, he suddenly cried out, in a tone
of alarm, " Halloo ! I 'm in for it now ! " and as he
hastily descended from his elevated position, the report
of fire-arms, multiplied as usual among the mountains,
proved that the chaotic solitude was not free from the
visitation of man.
" Down ! down ! hurry to them, Hugh ! " continued
Gerald, now safe from the shots. " Tell them to gather
in the charqui, and the firewood, and all things scattered
about. Above all, let Ruth carry off the poultry, and
gag that noisy cock ; the rangers are at our heels. I
shall take up my abode in this darling little oven behind
the bushes, and if they should mount the ramparts, I
shall be able to act spy. No words about it, but be off)
. It is safer here than down below."
358 A PRUDENT SECLUSION.
There was indeed no time for Hugh to delay, for
many traces of habitation were scattered over the val-
ley. Buckets stood at the well ; linen was spread to
dry ; the charqui was exposed on the bushes ; knives
and 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 somewhat an-
ticipated the danger, from hearing the report of the fire-
arms ; and all hands were already employed to endeavor
to restore to the busy valley the wild and solitary as-
pect of undisturbed nature. The fowls were collected
into their coop, which was placed in a dark hollow ; and
though they did not follow Gerald's advice, and gag the
tell-tale cock, they threw a large cloak over the coop,
and chanticleer, duped into the belief 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 an appearance as circumstances would allow,
they all withdrew into the largest cave, and filled up
the entrance, with an appearance of artful disorder, with
rocky fragments, very impatient for Gerald's return to
report the extent of the danger to which they were ex-
posed, and the best mode of escaping from it. But af-
ter waiting a considerable time in their gloomy prison,
weary of compelled inaction, every heart was filled with
anxiety at the protracted absence of the adventurous
boy. Three hours elapsed, and after listening and look-
ing through the crevices of the rock in vain, Arthur
was on the point of venturing out to ascend the cliffs
himself, when Gerald's voice was heard whispering
through a narrow opening, " Is it a serpent or a genie
A SPY. 359
you think I am, to glide through this peep-hole ? Open
sesame ! "
There was no time lost in admitting the welcome vis-
itor. " Now, then ! " said he ; " quick ! quick ! the foe
is at the gate. Now, my boys, do the thing nately, as
we Irish say. We must n't build it up like a wall you
see, 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 nearly closed it, the
pendent branches from above concealing the fissures,
and affording light and a means of making observations
in safety.
" Now, Gerald," said Margaret, " I beseech you to
tell me what is the meaning of all this alarm ? "
" All my fault ; my ill luck again, Meggie," answered
he. " I would erect myself like a statue at the very
summit of the mountains ; and from thence I saw on a
plain below half a dozen fellows mounted on horseback,
whom I recognized, by their canary-colored garments,
to be those wicked convicts. I sank down from my
eminence in a moment, but not before the hawk-eyed
rogues had seen me and fired. I was not hit ; but I
expected they would be after me if they could climb
through the brush, so I crept into a snug little hollow
just below the peak, arranged my leafy curtains in an
elegant manner, and waited to receive my company so
long that I had really dropped asleep, and was only
awaked by the rough, coarse voices of men swearing
and using language which I have done my best to forget
altogether.
" They seemed to be in a great rage, and one wicked
wretch swore dreadfully and said, * It 's the same ugly
360 THE BATTLE WITH THE EAGLE.
little cove as we blazed at afore. He 's a spy sent out
by them p'lice, and he 's off to inform against us. We '11
burn him alive if we lay hands on him.'
" I did n't want to be burnt alive, so I crept into a
corner, and lay still 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 young hounds like this to point free ran-
gers ? But where 's he slunk ? '
" * I say, Bill,' called out a third voice, * look ye down
here. It r s a snug, 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 got wings to flee down ? '
"'I 'se warrant ye, we '11 somehow find a road into it,'
said the first voice. ' We 'se try, at ony end ; for we '11
have to clear our way afore we set 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
be off on some grand job to set us up again.'
" c Halloo ! lads ! what 's this ? '
" Then I heard oaths, and strange screams, and blows,
and something heavy flopped past my den, screaming ;
and was n't I in a grand fright to think that one of these
rogues had found such a ready road down to our
grounds. But I soon heard the men above me again,
cursing the venomous bird ; and I guessed then that they
had fallen in with our friend Aquila, and, perhaps, been
worsted. I ventured cautiously to look down, and saw
the poor eagle fluttering and hopping about below, half
killed by the brutes no doubt ; but by degrees I heard
their voices dying away, and was sure they were with-
THE CITADEL IN DANGER. 361
drawing. Then I took courage, and slipped down my
rude ladder as briskly as a lamp-lighter, and was with
you, only pausing a moment to look at the poor eagle as
I passed, lying crouched 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 keep closely hidden as long as we can, and
then to fight for our dear friends who cannot fight for
themselves. We have weapons, spears, arrows, and
two rifles ; and we have a capital position for defending
the weak. If there be no more than six men, we will
defy them."
"That will be capital," said Gerald, "a regular
siege. How is the castle 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 we filled the buckets
Jbefore we brought them from the well ; and that 's just
what we have, barring a few cakes ; for one never
looked for being shut up here like. There's all the
oats, and the tea and coffee, and the firewood, 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 could trust to your discretion, Wilkins, I
would put the other into your hands."
" You may trust me for bringing down my bird," said
31
362 THE SIEGE IN EARNEST.
the man ; " that's what I were always up to, or I had n't
been here."
" What I mean you to understand by discretion, Wil-
kins," said Arthur, " is, that you are not to fire till I
order you ; and then to wing, not to bring down your
bird."
" Why, what '& the good of that ? " remonstrated Wil-
kins; "it's like giving a rogue a ticket of leave, just to
turn a thief into a murderer; that's what ye '11 get for
being soft. I ken my chap? : ye 'd better make an end
on 'em."
" It would be unjust and inhuman," said Mr. May-
burn. " These mistaken men may not intend to hurt
any of us."
" Except to burn me alive, sir," said Gerald.
" That, I apprehend, my boy," answered Mr. May-
burn, " was but an exaggerated 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. Then voices were distin-
guished, and, through the green pendent branches, men
were seen in the tranquil valley, men in the felon's
marked dress of grey and yellow, ferocious in aspect,
coarse and blasphemous in language. Mr. Mayburn
shuddered as he heard, for the first time, the oaths and
defiant words of hardened infidels ; and the good man
kneeled down to pray that God would visit with a ray
of grace these lost sinners.
" Ay ! ay ! " cried one, " here are the tracks of the
gentry coves : and look ye, Jem, here 's a woman's bit
of a shoemark. What will they be acting here, I 'd like
A TRAITOR IN THE CAMP. 363
to know. If we could fall on that saucy lad now, I 'd
just 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 do we want with women and
lads?"
" To trade with 'em, man," answered the other ; " to
swop 'em yonder among t' squatters for cash down.
We '11 thrust some of them black fellows forward to bar-
gain for us ; they 're easy wrought on to do a job like
that. But where can their den be ? they 're surely flitted."
Examining every open cave and hollow in the sur-
rounding rocks, the men, using the most violent and
abusive language, searched the little valley in vain ;
and the anxious prisoners began to hope that they
would soon be wearied out and retire, when suddenly
they were appalled by a shrill triumphant crow from
the little bantam cock, which had probably discovered
the deception practised on him. A momentary silence
was followed by shouts and loud laughter, as the invad-
ers rushed to the prison-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 ob-
serve the fate of her beloved pets. That was soon de-
termined. The voice of the unlucky bird had plainly
pointed out its abode ; the stony prison was forced
open ; a crowing, a screaming, and a fluttering were
heard ; two of the fowls were seen to fly awkwardly to
the bushes, above the reach of the marauders, and
364 THE CRISIS.
chanticleer was beheld by his distracted mistress, swung
round lifeless, with his head grasped by his destroyer.
At this cruel spectacle, the simple girl could no longer
control her feelings. She uttered a piercing shriek ;
Jenny sprang on her too late to stop the indiscretion,
and dragged her from the opening, shaking her vio-
lently, and even provoked so far as to administer a little
sound boxing of the ears, declaring that the girl ought
to be hanged ; while Wilkins, with ill-repressed fury,
shook his hand at the unfortunate offender, and then
said, " It 's all up now ! Stand to yer guns, my hear-
ties ; we 'se have a tight bout on V
" Ay, man the walls ! " cried Gerald,
a i
Hold hard the breath, and bend up every spirit
To his full height! On, on, ye noble English! ' "
" 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 '11 soon thin 'em."
" By no means," said Mr. May burn. " Such a pro-
ceeding would be unfair ; the men would not even see
their enemies."
" An ambush is always fair in the strategy of war,"
said Hugh. " These men are invaders, papa, and we
have a right to drive them off. "
The affair soon came to a crisis ; the cry of Ruth
had not passed unnoticed. The men rushed up to the
fortress, and with stones and clubs endeavored to force
an entrance. A volley of shots and arrows drove them
back, wounded, and furious in their language ; but
when the firing ceased, they took courage, and again
advanced to renew the attempt. This time aim was
THE INVADERS DISPERSED. 365
taken, and two men fell dead, or desperately wounded ;
and they retired once more, and entered into some con-
sultation unheard by their opponents. Then a villain-
ous-looking fellow cried out, in a taunting manner,
" I say, ye cowardly chaps, show yer faces, and 'liver
yersel's up afore yer forced to it ; we 'se use ye well,
and keep ye till ye raise cash to pay yer ransom. Else,
mark my words, if ye send any more of yer murdering
shots, we '11 take ye at last, and twist all yer necks
while yer living."
" Mistaken man ! " cried Mr. Mayburn, " why will
you provoke the wrath of God by causing desolation
and slaughter among his glorious works? Know you
not that for all these things God will bring you to judg-
ment ? "
" Halloo ! " cried the wretch ; " what ! ye 've gotten
a missioner amang ye. He '11 do precious little harm."
" His only desire is to do good," said Arthur. " But
you are mistaken if you think us cowards. We have
brave men among us, who will not submit to any treaty
with convicts. We have nothing to give you ; we are
shipwrecked voyagers, who have only saved our guns,
and with them we will defend our lives and liberty.
We do not wish to injure you if you will leave us in
peace ; and you have neither means nor numbers to
overcome us."
" We 'se see about that," answered the man. " We'se
soon raise force to burn or starve ye out."
Another consultation succeeded ; and finally they de-
parted, leaving the besieged under the disagreeable im-
pression that they had only departed to procure a rein-
forcement.
" What a different set of fellows Robin Hood's Free
31*
366 A SCOUT.
Rangers were," said Hugh. " Gerald and I have many
a time longed to have lived in merry Sherwood."
"Lawlessness inevitably leads to crime," said Mr.
Mayburn. " I fear the halo of chivalry and romance
blinds us as to the real character of those outlaws."
" Yes, Hugh," said Arthur ; " if your bold archers
of Sherwood were to attempt their troublesome frolics
in these days, the police would soon arrest their course,
and we should see Robin Hood and his merry men
placed on the treadmill."
" There's no time to talk about treadmills, Mr. Ar-
thur," said Wilkins. " T' boats is safe ; and what say
ye if we be off? They '11 not be back yet a bit ; for
they '11 have to gather up them black fellows and talk
'em ower wi' lots of lies ; but if we were out of this
queer hole and just free-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 if I were wandering through
the labyrinths of these mountains, where we might any
moment be surprised and captured."
" We must send out a scout," said Arthur. " Who
will be the safest ? I object to no one but Gerald, who
would inevitably rush into the camp of the enemy."
Gerald bowed to the compliment, and Wilkins said,
" I Ve a sort of notion, 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 ser-
vice required of her, she started up, ready at once to
undertake it, and as soon as the heavy barrier was
moved, glided through the aperture, and fled lightly on
AGAIN AFLOAT. 367
her errand. During her absence, the rest made ready
all their burdens again for recommencing their pilgrim-
age ; and the time seemed incredibly short till the wo-
man returned with a bright countenance, saying,
" Bad men go much far ; smoke for black fellows come.
White man go away now ; very hush ; no see he be
gone."
Reassured by her words, the family emerged from
their stronghold. The men pulled down the stones they
had piled to conceal the canoes, brought them out, and
then, heavily laden, commenced their march. But at
the moment of departure a loud clucking of the escaped
fowls arrested the weeping Ruth, who summoned, by
calls and scattered grains, the small remainder of her
charge, two fowls ; which she placed once more in
their coop, and with a lightened heart, disregarded this
addition to her burden, and followed the procession,
which was now led by Baldabella, who had discovered
the shortest road through the windings of the mountains
to the banks of the river. When the welcome stream
was seen before them, the boats were once more launched
and laden, and on the smooth but rapid river they were
quickly carried from the scene of danger.
" That rogue who argued with you, Arthur," said
Gerald, " was the very fellow that threatened to burn
me alive, and sure enough, if we had surrendered to
them, we should all have been piled up for a bonfire.
Don't you think so, Wilkins ? "
" Why, Master Gerald," answered he, " I '11 not say
that, 'cause as how they could have made nought of our
dead bones. Money 's what they look to : they 'd sell
us, plunder us, strip us of every rag we have, but, bar-
rin' we went again 'em, and wrought 'em up, mad-like,
3G8 ANTICIPATIONS.
they 'd hardly trouble to burn us. But I '11 not say how
it might be if they turned us ower to them hungry black
fellows; they'd likely enough roast and eat us, but
white chaps has no stomach for meat of that sort."
" Whither can we flee to avoid these desperate canni-
bals ? " said Mr. Mayburn. " Do you conceive, Wil-
kins, that the river is really the safest course ? "
" Safe enough, master," answered the man, " so long
as we stick to our boats, and can keep our jaws at work.
But we'se want meat, and them black fellows gets thicker
farther south. We 'se fall in with mony an ill-looking
lot on 'em as we run down ; and likely enough, we 'se
have to rattle 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 op-
pressed with sorrow when 1 behold the sin and ignorance
of these people, and, alas ! I know not how to alleviate
it : I can only pray for them."
" We will trust that our prayers may avail with a
merciful God," said Margaret; "and if we should be
permitted to reach the estate of Edward Deverell, we
will all labor, papa, to diffuse instruction around us ; and
in His own good time, I trust, God will spread the light
of His truth to the remotest corner of these yet barbar-
ous regions. I feel already as if I saw Daisy Grange
plainly before us."
" There 's mony a hundred mile atween us and them
ye talk on," said Wilkins, morosely ; " and I 'se be cast
away sure enough when ye turn in among them squat-
ters. They 're all sharp enough to put their claws on
an idle vagabond like me, and send him back, to chains
and hard commons."
"That shall never be, Wilkins," replied Hugh. "It
A FORAGING PARTY. 369
is settled that you and I are never to part ; and if Ed-
ward Deverell should refuse to receive you, we, will
squat by ourselves ; like Robinson Crusoe and his man
Friday, build a hut, and shoot kangaroos."
Arthur laughed at the plan of a separate establish-
ment, and assured Wilkins of certain protection in that
home they pined to reach ; - and a calm and pleasant
hope now filled every heart, as hours and days passed
easily while they sailed down the broad river undisturbed
by cares or dread, till the failure of provisions and a
great change in the scenery roused them from their
pleasant dream.
" This is a melancholy and desert-like heath," said
Arthur, as he looked beyond the low banks upon a wide
extent grown over with the low entangled brush ; u but
we must make a foraging party to replenish our bas-
kets. I can see on some marshy patches a scattering
of wild oats, and we may hope to find some of the feath-
ered 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 with-
out a drop of tea, such as it is."
" Now, boys," said Arthur, " get out the axes. We
must clear a place among the reeds for Margaret and
my father ; then we will moor the canoes safely, and
leave a guard to watch them, while we go off on our
exploring expedition,,"
CHAPTER XXVIII.
The Cookery disturbed. A Signal-rocket. A Surprise and Cap-
ture. Pillage. The Taste of Gunpowder. A Fatal Explo-
sion. The Contrivances of Necessity. A Region of Famine.
Renewed Hopes. An Unfair Advantage
A NOOK was soon cleared, where the family landed,
and the light eanoes were drawn close to shore, and
moored to the canes. Then the fine rushes were cut
down and spread to form seats for Margaret and her
father ; and Arthur, with Wilkins and Jack, set out
with guns and bows, leaving Hugh and O'Brien to
guard the encampment. Baldabella then went off with
her spear, and soon pierced several large fish ; and
While Mr. Mayburn took out his book, and Margaret
talked to Nakinna, Jenny and Ruth made a fire to broil
the fish.
Already the cooking began to smell temptingly, and
the hungry little girl was dancing joyfully about the
fire, watching till the repast was ready, when Baldabella
suddenly threw down her spear, started forward, and
laying her hand on Margaret's arm, she held up her fin-
ger in an attitude of warning, and bent forward as if lis-
tening. Then drawing a deep sigh, she whispered
through' her closed teeth " Baldabella hear him,
missee ; black fellow come one, two, many eat
missee eat Nakinna burn all ! " Then snatching
up her child, she gazed wildly round, and her fears were
confirmed a minute after, by the fatal cry ringing through
( a7ft >
A SIGNAL-ROCKET. 371
the reeds, which announced the proximity of the dreaded
natives.
The boys, who were rambling about among the bam-
boos, searching for nests, at the vexatious sound of the
coo-ee, left their spoil to hurry to the encampment, and
entreat their father and sister to embark at once and
seek safety ; but Mr. Mayburn could not be persuaded
to leave the absent.
" Then let us make a sally to bring them up," said
Gerald ; " no time should be lost ; we have our bows to
defend ourselves, though they carried 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, we must eat our fish
cold ; just pull that fire to pieces."
Ruth the unlucky, always officious, took a bucket of
water and threw it over the blazing sticks ; on which a
dark, dense smoke rose up from them like a column, and
the cries of the natives were now heard loud and trium-
phant.
"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 the river than
here."
" I do not see that, Hugh," answered Mr. Mayburn ;
" the water is so shallow here, that they could wade to
us, and we must not run down the stream and leave our
kind foragers."
A loud rustling and crackling among the reeds pre-
vented more words ; the boys would have sent their ar-
rows into the thicket, but Margaret besought, and Mr.
Mayburn commanded, that they should not begin
372 THE FATE OF THE FOWLS.
aggression, 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 the people were
peacefully inclined, for they made no attempt to injure
the strangers, but with loud cries and rapidly-uttered
words, seemed to express astonishment rather than an-
ger.
One man took Margaret's large sun-hat from her
head and placed it on his own, which so much delighted
the rest, that all the hats of the party were coolly and
speedily appropriated, without any opposition from the
rightful owners, except from Ruth, who tied her bonnet
so firmly under her chin, that the rough attempts of the
man to tear it from her head nearly strangled her, till
Margaret stepped forward to relieve her by loosing the
strings.
O'Brien, also, was so indignant when one of the sav-
ages came to claim his hat, that he flung it into the river,
but the man leaped in and rescued it, and at the same
time he discovered the canoes, and summoned his
friends vociferously to look on these new treasures. In
the mean time the fish already cooked was devoured by
some of the natives, and the 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 hastily
put on to conceal the basket which contained her last
two fowls, which she held on her arm. This basket was
a new prize, and the fowls were regarded with much cu-
riosity.
SPOLIATION. 373
" Oh ! tell 'em not to twine their necks about, Mis-
tress 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 Margaret undertook to point out to the robber
the value of the fowls, by showing him the eggs and ca-
ressing the birds. The man grinned, to express that
he understood the explanation, sucked the eggs, and
then walked off with basket and fowls, leaving Ruth in
complete despair.
Just at that moment, Arthur issued from among the
reeds, and started back, overcome with amazement and
dismay, at the sight of the dark crowd which thronged
the little clearance. He was immediately surrounded,
and before he could offer any effectual resistance, his
gun and hat were taken 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 from us. We will give him the birds,
and some knives and axes ; but his people must then go
away, and leave us our canoes and our guns."
Baldabella reluctantly came forward, and bending her
head down as she approached the chief, repeated her
message in a submissive tone, and the savage replied in
a long harangue which made the poor woman tremble,
and which she interpreted to her friends, greatly
abridged, saying : " Black fellow say, he take all : he
very angry. Good white friend all run fast go
away! Meny, much meny, black fellows come all
very hungry eat fish eat bird eat all white
friend. Go fast, massa ; missee, good friend, go
away ! "
This was decidedly sound advice ; but under the
32
374 SPOLIATION.
present circumstances it was no easy task for the large
party to run away. Wilkins and Jack had joined them,
and were immediately seized by the savages, disarmed,
and held fast by their captors. The attack was too sud-
den to allow them any opposition, and Jack looked
deeply distressed, while Wilkins was absolutely furious,
till a few words from Arthur induced them to submit
with quietness to have their game and their hats taken
away from them.
Then the robbers paused, evidently lost in admiration
of the complicated dress of their captives, which they
seemed desirous to possess, but were puzzled how to
separate the garments from the wearer, or probably
doubtful whether they did not actually form a part of
that anomalous creature, a white man. It was plain,
however, that Baldabella and her child were of their
own race, and the chief went up to her, and commanded
her to follow him, and become one of his jins. The
poor woman, in terror and indignation, refused his re-
quest, and turned to, flee from him ; the savage imme-
diately seized the child, and the alarmed mother, sup-
ported by Arthur and Hugh, tried in vain to rescue the
screaming girl, till the man, in a violent rage, sprung
forward to the river, and flung 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 had
plunged in after him herself.
But now the chief's attention was diverted from
Baldabella to the spoils of his victims ; and some of the
men were sent off with baskets, portmanteaus, knives,
axes, guns, and all the precious possessions of the un-
fortunate travellers, who momentarily expected to be
murdered as well as pillaged.
A TASTE OF GUNPOWDER. 375
When the canoes had been completely ransacked,
four of the men carried them off, while the rest were
collected round a skin bag which contained their valu-
able ammunition. One of the natives drew out a canis-
ter of gunpowder, forced it open, and filled his mouth
with the powder. With ludicrous grimaces, he spat out
the nauseous mixture, and raised his hand to fling the
rest upon the fire. Arthur saw the motion, and calling
on his friends to escape, he rushed up, hoping to arrest
the arm of the ignorant man ; but he was too late, and
though he retreated the moment he saw the canister fly-
ing through the air, he was prostrated senseless by the
fearful explosion that followed.
The very earth shook beneath their feet, and such of the
natives as were not actually stunned by the shock, fled,
with cries of horror, into the bush, which was already blaz-
ing in several places from the burning fragments of the fire
cast in all directions. The emancipated prisoners had
all, with the exception of Arthur, reached in safety the
edge of the river ; and though trembling and much
shaken, they had not sustained any injury. Arthur was
brought to them perfectly insensible ; but in a few min-
utes, when water had been plentifully poured over him,
he recovered, and except a nervous tremor that lasted
many hours, and the loss of his hair, which was com-
pletely scorched off, no serious consequences succeeded
his perilous accident.
But though temporarily relieved from the presence
of the savages, they were still in the midst of great dan-
gers. The dry blazing reeds rendered further progress
impossible ; and they gratefully thanked God that the
little spot they had cleared for their landing now af-
forded them a secure refuge.
376 THE BURNING WILDERNESS.
The wind carried the flames rapidly down the east
bank of the river towards the south ; and they waited
in great agitation till a path should be opened for them
to proceed. Their anxious silence was interrupted by
the sound of a low musical wail, so expressive of sorrow
that it pained every heart ; and on looking round, they
saw the dirge proceeded from Baldabella, who was
bending over the body of the native who had perished
in the explosion caused by his own ignorance, and now
lay a blackened corpse on the spot from whence he had
flung the canister.
The little girl was kneeling by her mother, seeming
to be conscious of the solemnity of the ceremony, and
raising her feeble voice, in imitation of her mother.
Much affected, Mr. Mayburn drew near them, and
briefly and simply explained to the tender-hearted wo-
man the uselessness of mourning over the hapless dead,
and the lesson his sudden fate afforded to the living ;
and he begged her to join him in the prayer that they
might all live so watchfully, that the hour of death
might never surprise them unprepared. The plain
truths of Christianity had fallen with good effect on the
mind of the grateful and gentle woman, and Mr. May-
burn 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 en-
deavor to escape from this burning wilderness, 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 are raging before us, and these sav-
age natives may, at any moment, beset us from behind.
My judgment fails to point out any escape; but, Ar-
A FLOAT. 377
thur, I will pray for God's assistance, that you may be
enabled to save us all."
" We may retrace our path up the river a discour-
aging journey ! " said Arthur ; " or we may wait till the
devourin " flames have cleared a road for us ; but the
delay is perilous. Even should we try to force our way
east, into yon barren desert," destitute as we now are, we
should only obtain a change of evils ; and I am reluctant
to leave the friendly river, 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 back soon, 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 desira-
ble plan ; but how to effect the transit was a perplexing
question. It was about a hundred yards across, but, as
far as they could judge, not more than from four to five
feet deep at any part ; so that the young men would
have no difficulty 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 had been any, he had no axe. They
examined carefully the field of plunder, in hopes some
tool or utensil might have been overlooked by the
plunderers ; but, except the spear of the fallen native,
and the fishing-spear of Baldabella, nothing had been
left behind. Wilkins had fortunately preserved a long
knife which he wore under his blouse ; and, from the
32*
378 FORDING THE RIVER.
mysterious form of the dresses, the pockets had escaped
being rifled.
Jack looked joyfully at the knife, and said, " We
might cut some of these thick tall reeds, and make a
float for them, Mr. Arthur. I have a few loose nails in
my pocket, and here 's a stone with a hole through it ;
we can 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 my opinion."
It was at least desirable to make the experiment ; so
without delay the strong bamboos were cut, broken, or
torn down ; a range of them placed flat, close together
on the ground, connected by transverse bars, which
were fastened somewhat imperfectly with Jack's pre-
cious " loose nails." A quarter of an hour completed
this slight frame ; in which time the conflagration,
which had run to some distance down the banks of (he
river, had left a scorched and smoking clearance, dis-
closing the bodies of three more victims, who had not
been able to escape the rapid flames. The boys found
also several nests of half-roasted water-fowls, which
they snatched away at some risk from the heated
ground, and brought forward for a needful repast.
" If we had but saved the ropes ! " exclaimed Jack.
But ropes were not attainable, nor even that excellent
substitute for them, the stringy bark ; and the raft was
launched on the river, to be drawn or urged across by
the strong arms of the men. Margaret, at her own
request, was the 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, and
brought their charge in safety to the opposite bank,
THE BRONZE PIGEONS. 379
which was covered with reeds like that which they had
left.
In this way the strong men successively brought
over Mr. May burn and the two women. Baldabella,
with her child on her shoulder and her fishing-spear in
her hand, plunged at once into the water, followed by
Arthur, who insisted on her holding his hand through
the deepest part. Finally, after a sorrowful look at
the scene of their losses, and a vain search for any
trifling article of their property, the two boys followed
their friends. Then the disconsolate travellers, forcing
their way through the reedy thicket, stood to gaze with
consternation on the wild barren region that spread
before them.
" God has pleased to cast us feeble and destitute into
this wide wilderness," said Mr. Mayburn ; " of ourselves,
we can do nothing, but He is mighty to save. He res-
cued us from the murdering savage, from flood, and
from fire, and He will not suffer us to perish from fam-
ine, if we pray and trust. Let us lift up our hands and
voices in thanksgiving and submission."
The rough convict, the ignorant Baldabella, and the
simple child joined earnestly in the devotions of their
more enlightened friends ; and refreshed and hopeful,
they rose from their knees, " to walk in faith the dark-
ling paths of earth."
" If we can but keep near the river," said Margaret,
" we cannot perish for want ; and, besides, it seems to
lead us in the very path we wish to follow."
" Fish is better nor starving," said Wilkins ; " but I
reckon we 'se soon tire on 't, if we come on nought bet-
ter. What 's come to t' lass now ? " addressing Ruth,
who was weeping.
380 FISH DIET.
"I've gone and roven a hole in my boot," sobbed
she, " and I don't know how ever I 'se to git it mended."
The boys laughed at the small distress of Ruth ; but,
after all, it was no laughing matter for her. To walk
over the brush-covered plain, or among the dry reeds,
was a trying exertion even for the well-shod, and Mar-
garet was dismayed when she considered how this
could be accomplished when their boots should fail.
" Yet why dare I doubt ? " she said. " See, Ruth ;
Baldabella, and even little Nakinna, walk as well as we
do, and they are barefooted. We must not shrink from
such small trials as this."
Just then a pair of the splendid bronze pigeons, so
unequalled in beauty by any of their race, winged their
flight from the water above the heads of the travellers ;
and though they no longer had the means of obtaining
these birds, as delicious in taste as they are lovely in
plumage, they were satisfied to see there were animals
in the waste around them.
" These thin bamboos would make capital arrows,"
said Hugh ; " and I have no doubt we can bend one of
these tall canes for a bow, if we had but the means of
stringing it."
" We might, at all events, sharpen some of the canes
for spears," said Arthur, " not only for defence in need,
but to be useful if we should be so fortunate as to en-
counter a kangaroo, or meet with the burrows of the
wombats."
" What has become of our raft ? " asked Margaret
" You had there a good stock of bamboos ready cut."
"With all my nails in them," exclaimed Jack.
"What a fool I was not to remember that in time;
now it will be far enough down the river."
FISH DIET. 381
It was too true : the raft had already been carried
away by the stream out of their sight ; and all deeply
regretted their negligence, as they moved slowly through
the entangled scrub, frequently compelled to walk act-
ually over the low bushes. On the opposite shore of
the river they could still discover the wild flames flying
down before the wind, and leaving behind a black
smoking surface.
When wearied with the excitement and toil of the
day, they were compelled to seek rest among the com-
fortless reeds, they sat down and looked at each other
for some time rather sorrowfully, for the pressure of
hunger had fallen on all. It was Baldabella who first
relieved their distress ; with untired energy she went to
the river with her spear, and returned very soon with a
large river-cod, and an apron filled with the fresh-
water mussels, now truly prized for their useful shells.
A fire was soon made, the fish was spitted on a sharp-
ened reed, and while it was roasting, Hugh, with Wil-
kins's invaluable knife, cut a number of short thin reeds
into chopsticks, as he called them, to enable them to
convey the roasted fish from the reeds on which it was
dished to their mouths. Rude as the contrivance was,
and laughable as were the failures made in using their
new utensils, they managed to make a satisfactory
supper, 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
/eedy banks of the river, over the same cheerless bush,
and subsisting on the same unvarying fish diet. Then
the banks became rocky and precipitous, and the river
so difficult of access that it was only at rare openings
382 BOWS AND ARROWS.
they were able to obtain water or fish. But soon after
the landscape was enlivened once more by tall trees.
Their path was over the grassy plains, which were even
now, in the winter of the year, gay with bright flowers.
More than once they remarked with thankfulness the
track of the kangaroo, and the chattering of birds gave
them hopes of new food, and they anxiously sought the
means of obtaining them.
With what joy they recognized the stringy -bark tree,
and gathered the fibres to twist into bowstrings, and
with what triumph did Hugh, the first who finished the
rude weapon, draw his rough string and bring down
pigeons and cockatoos sufficient for an ample meal even
to the half-starved, but which taxed the ingenuity of
the women to cook in any way. They were finally
made into what Gerald called a Meg Merrilies stew,
which was cooked in a very large mussel-shell, and even
without salt or vegetables was fully enjoyed by the dis-
satisfied fish-eaters.
Then they all sat down earnestly to make a complete
stock of bows and arrows; even Baldabella worked
hard in twisting the bark for strings, and when they set
out to continue their journey, they felt more confidence,
for they were now provided with the means of obtaining
food, and of defending themselves against hostile attacks ;
and in another day they again met with wild oats, and, to
the joy of the women, with the tea-bush. The fig-trees
no longer bore fruit, but they were still covered with
their usual inhabitants, flocks of brilliant pigeons, chat-
tering cockatoos, and the satin-bird, distinguished by its
glossy plumage and dazzling bright eye. Occasionally
they still met with the cucumber melon, a pleasant
refreshment when they were weary ; and now, strong in
A BRIEF VISIT. 383
hope, they went on their way, still keeping within sight
of the river.
" Every hour must bring us nearer to some of the
most remote settlements of enterprising squatters," said
Margaret, as they rested beneath a fig-tree one evening ;
u and all our trials would be forgotten if we could once
more feel the blessing of a roof over our heads and hear
the language of civilized life."
" It '11 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 's another thing ye '11 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 well as we are. And now, as things look a
bit better, I'd not wonder if they're nigh at hand."
" I agree with you, Wilkins," said Arthur. " We are
now certainly in danger of encountering tribes of na-
tives, especially as we are on the track of the kangaroos,
a great temptation to them."
" I wish we could see one of the mountebank beasts,"
said Gerald ; " would n'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 into the midst of the circle, and before
they had recovered the surprise sufficiently to take up
bows or spears, a succession of rapid bounds had carried
the animal completely beyond their reach.
A burst of laughter from his friends somewhat dis-
concerted O'Brien, but with his usual good-humor he
said, " Very well ; I allow you to laugh to-night. The
fellow took an unfair advantage of me ; but wait till to-
morrow."
CHAPTER XXIX.
A Seasonable Supply. Visitors in the Night. Captivity. An
Old Acquaintance. The Ranger's Settlement. An Embassy to
Daisy Grange. Jack in a New Office. The Grateful Native
Woman. Davy's Compunction. Bush-ranging Life.'
NEXT morning, when the broiled fish was ready for
breakfast, Gerald and Hugh were missing. With some
uneasiness the rest watched and waited for an hour,
when a shout announced the approach of the wanderers,
and Arthur and Jack set out to meet them, and were
glad to assist them in dragging in a kangaroo.
u 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 ; and then Hugh and I
beat the bushes and shouted till we drove him out of
cover ; but he cost us lots of arrows and spears before
we could dispatch him ; 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 his hide."
" But, Arthur, we must tell you," said Hugh, " that
when we were in the wood we saw a smoke at a consid-
erable distance to the south-west. Do you think it
could possibly be from some station ? Gerald wished
much to go on and ascertain whence it arose, but I per-
suaded him to wait till we consulted you ; besides, I
( 884 )
THE QUESTION OF RIGHT. 385
knew you would be all uneasy if we were long absent.
Have we got so near the squatters, Wilkins ? "
" Not a bit of chance on 't, Master Hugh," replied he.
" We 're far enough from t' squatters yet. Depend
on 't it 's just another lot of them good-to-nought black
rogues. They '11 be thick enough here where there 's
aught to get, I 'se warrant 'eni."
" It is most natural and just, Wilkins," said Mr. May-
burn, " that the true proprietors of the soil should par-
ticipate in its fruits. I fear it is we who are, in fact,
the rogues, robbing the wretched aborigines of their
game, and grudging them even a settlement in their
own land."
" But we have not robbed them, papa," said Hugh.
" Kangaroos and pigeons abound here enough for all ;
and we do not wish to hurt the poor wretches if they
would not annoy us. Here is Margaret quite ready
to open a school for them, if they would come and be
taught."
" Margaret has done more good than any of ns," said
Mr. Mayburn ; " she has labored incessantly to instruct
Baldabella and her child, and to open to them the way
of salvation. It is thus by scattered seeds that the
great work of diffusing the truth is to be accomplished ;
and I fear, Hugh, we have been too much engrossed
with the cares of this life to think seriously."
" Now, boys," said Arthur, " we had better not lin-
ger ; the kangaroo is skinned, 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 with pleasure various tall trees of
the varieties of Eucalyptus, the Grass-tree with its long
33
386 PLANS FOR TO-MORROW.
weeping branches, the Pandanus with its slender palm-
like stem, and the Fig-tree with its spreading roots.
Beneath one of these trees they encamped to cook kan-
garoo steaks, and to enjoy once more what Wilkins
called " a decent, nat'ral dinner." There, with strips of
skin for thread and a fish-bone for a needle, Wilkins re-
paired the worn and tattered boots, while Margaret and
Baldabella made netted bags of the stringy bark, and
Jenny and Ruth bruised the wild oats 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 we must carry with us a good stock of
oats ; we may, probably, again come to some spot
where they are. not to be found."
Mr. Mayburn looked with pleasure on the busy
hands round him ; .and though he deeply regretted the
irreparable loss of his books, wasted on the plundering
savages, his composed mind soon submitted to the trial.
His retentive memory supplied the place of books, and,
from the rich treasures of his reading he delighted to re-
peat to his attentive listeners pleasant and instructive
lectures. Cheered and invigorated by labor and amus-
ing conversation, the united party forgot all their cares,
offered up their devotions with calm and happy hopes,
and slept among the sheltering roots of the fig-tree with-
out fear.
Some unaccustomed sounds suddenly roused the
sleepers, and they looked round to behold through the
dim light of breaking day the grim visages of a numer-
ous band of tall savages, with rough heads and beards,
who were armed with spears, and who looked on their
surprised captives with a sort of scornful indifference, as
they beckoned them to rise and follow them. Hugh
OLD ACQUAINTANCES. 387
and Gerald sprung up to seize their spears and bows,
but Arthur, with more prudence, ordered them to for-
bear making any hostile demonstration. " We are in
the power of these strangers," he said ; " our only hope
must be in conciliation and treaty. I will try to make
the best of it."
Then turning to the native who stood nearest to him,
he endeavored, in the few words he had learnt from
Baldabella, to make him understand their poverty and
inoffensive disposition, and their desire to be permitted
to proceed on their journey. The man looked round,
as if to call on another to reply, and, to the astonish-
ment of Arthur, a voice from 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 disfranchisement."
The voice and the extraordinary phraseology were
familiar to the Mayburns, and Hugh cried out, " What,
Bill, is that you ? How came you here ? Is David
Simple with you ? and where is Mr Deverell ? "
The man, who had now come forward, dressed in the
remnants of his formerly seedy foppery, looked annoyed
at the recognition. He stared impudently at Hugh,
and said, " You have mistaken your man, young mas-
ter. 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 at Melbourne by Mr. Dev-
erell. I am grieved to find you in such unsuitable
company, and would advise you to join us, and guide us
388 TAKING TO THE BUSH.
to your master's station, where we shall be able to re-
ward you liberally."
" Thank you, sir," said the man, laughing scornfully ;
but Mr. Deverell and I did not part good friends, and
I have no innovation to visit him again. His ways is
percoolar, and a gentleman as has had a deliberate eddi-
cation looks higher nor waiting on cattle ; so Davy and
I came to a dissolution to abrogate the place, and set
out on a predestinarian excrescence."
" He means, master," said Davy, with a downcast
look, interpreting his brother's difficult language ; " he
means as how we took to t' bush. I was bad to win
round to 't ; but Bill, he 'd collogued with a lot of black
fellows, and had 'em all in a wood hard again our boun-
daries ; and they thranged. me round, and threaped as
how they'd cut my throat if I stayed after them to
peach ; and, graceless dog as I were, I joined 'em to
drive our best stock, when we knew as how master was
off for a week. It were a sore day's work, and little
good do I see in living among a set of raggles 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 can these savages do with money in
this houseless wilderness ? "
" That 's our affair," answered Bill. " So open your
bank, old fellow, and leave it to intelligible fellows like
me to transact your gold into brandy."
" In the first place, Bill," replied Arthur, " I think it
is my duty to remind you of the fatal consequences of
TAKEN PRISONERS. 389
highway robbery, and to beseech you to return to your
duty, and endeavor to retrieve your error. In the next
place, you cannot possibly benefit by your extortion, for
we are literally and truly without money. We have
letters of credit on Calcutta, and we could certainly
obtain money at Melbourne, but only by our personal
application at that place. We have been already strip-
ped by one of the black tribes, of every article of prop-
erty we possessed, and we are now wholly destitute.
This is the exact truth. Now I suggest to you that
your wisest plan >would be to leave us to pursue our
way unmolested ; unless you or your misguided brother
will accompany us to the settlement of Mr. Deverell,
with whom, I think, we have sufficient influence to
induce him to pardon your offence."
" Who would be the fools then ? " answered the man.
" No, sir, your oratorio makes no depression on me.
If you have n't got money, you 're worth money. You
must march in the arrear of your captivators to our
quarters. You shall then write a letter, which I shall
dedicate to you. I never travel without my writing
impediments ; and one of my 'cute black fellows, as is
conservant in English, shall be dispersed away to your
friend Mr. Deverell, who must confiscate to me cash or
stuff for your ransom ; and when I see my brandy and
cigars, you are disfranchised."
It was useless to attempt opposition to the mandates
of the imperious and conceited bushranger, and the dis-
consolate captives reluctantly followed the man, sur-
rounded by such a troop of natives as precluded all
hopes of escape, and exposed to the insults and plunder
of these savages, who wrested from them their spears
and bows. Wilkins had contrived to secrete his knife
33*
390 THE RAXGERS' SETTLEMENT.
under his vest, and thus saved it. They had not pro-
ceeded far before they were joined by a band of women,
revolting in appearance and manner, "who crowded
round them, rudely examined their garments, and freely
possessed themselves of such as they could conveniently
snatch away. Margaret looked round for Baldabella to
assist her in remonstrating with these harpies, and was
surprised to see that she had disappeared.
Margaret then remembered that, on the previous
night, the woman had selected a thicket considerably
apart from the rest, as a sleeping-place for herself and
her child, and she concluded that at the first alarm of
the invaders, the poor woman had escaped, her dread
of her fellow-countrymen overcoming even her allegi-
ance to her friends. After all, Margaret considered it
was as well ; there were two less to be anxious for, and
she had no fears for the native on her own soil : she
would certainly find food, and would probably wait and
watch for the release 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 of rough
bark huts. A herd of cattle were feeding on the grassy
plain, and some horses, hobbled, to prevent them stray-
ing, were mingled with them. Naked children were
rolling on the grass, shouting and laughing ; women
were busy bruising nuts, or making nets; and some
aged men were seated in the sun with their knees
raised to their heads, looking stupid and half dead.
It was the first scene of pastoral life that the travel-
lers had beheld in Australia, and would have had a
certain charm to them had they been in a position to
AN EMBASSY. 391
enjoy it. But the thoughts of their captivity engrossed
their minds, and they contemplated with uneasiness the
fierce and threatening countenances of the lawless men
who surrounded them, and who drove them forward
like the cattle they had so villanously obtained, and
lodged them in a large bark hut which stood at the
extremity of the scattered namlet. This rude shelter
was wholly open in front, and filthily dirty inside ; but
they were thankful for any shelter that divided them
from the coarse and abandoned robbers ; and, flinging
themselves on the ground, the disconsolate captives
reflected silently on their perilous situation, while their
captors, assembled before the rude prison, seemed ear-
nestly discussing, as Arthur concluded, the means of
making the most profit of their destitute prisoners.
After some minutes had elapsed, they were favored
with a visit from the audacious and ignorant convict
Bill, who addressed them with his usual pompous air,
saying,
" Gentlemen, we have dissented on dispersing one of
your gang along with our embarrasser to Deverell, that
he may be incensed into the right of the thing. We
set you up as worth a hundred pound, hard cash, for the
lot ; 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 two as is intentionable
to buy our stock, and then you must keep close quar-
ters, for when my colloquies get their brandy they are
always a bit umbrageous."
When Mr. Mayburn comprehended the meaning of
this elaborate nonsense, he declared positively that he
would not allow one of his children to depart on such
an unjust errand, accompanied by an abandoned repro-
bate.
392 CHOOSING A REPRESENTATIVE.
"I should like nothing better than to start off on
such a trip," said Gerald. " What a surprise it would
be at Daisy Grange when they saw my brown face ;
and would n't pretty Emma say, with tears in her eyes,
' Oh, Gerald ! what has become of Arthur ? ' And
grave Edward Deverell would fall into heaps of con-
fusion, and say, ' Margaret ! why is not Margaret with
you?'"
Arthur laughed, but shook his head, and refused to
abet any plan of subjecting the thoughtless boy to such
risk.
" But might not Wilkins go?" asked Hugh.
" Not I, thank ye, Master Hugh," answered the man,
hastily ; u we 'd like enough fall in with some of them
hot-headed black pollis when we got nigh to t' station,
and they 're all so set up wi' their guns, that afore I
could get out a word they 'd sure to pick me out for a
runaway, and shoot me dead ; and, more nor that, I '11
not say if I were let loose among them care-nought ran-
gers, as I might n't fall into their ways, and take to t'
bush like 'em ; and then, ye see, all yer good work
would be flung away."
" Wilkins might be useful to you here, Master Ar-
thur," said Jack ; " but I don't see why I should n't go.
I 'm no ways feared ; and I could put Mr. Deverell up
to getting hold of these vagabonds and their own cattle ;
and then, you know, sir, I should find timber and tools
enough, and I could soon knock up a bit of a wagon to
bring up for Miss Margaret and the master, and the
other poor things. What think you, sir, about it ? "
" I must confess, papa," said Arthur, " that I feel sat-
isfied that Jack is the right man. But can we make up
our minds to part with our tried and faithful friend ? I
leave it to you to decide."
JACK IN OFFICE. 393
" My dear son," answered Mr. Mayburn, much agi-
tated, " I cannot decide such an important question.
Only consider ; should his savage companion prove
treacherous, our dear Jack may be sacrificed, and his
blood fall on our heads. I shrink from the responsi-
bility."
"Nevertheless, dear papa," said Margaret, weeping
bitterly, " I fear we must consent. Jack will be accom-
panied by only one man, whose policy it will be to be
careful of his life till the transaction be completed. On
his return, rely on it, Edward Deverell will take care
he has arms and protection. Jack is sagacious, brave,
and prudent. I grieve to part with him ; 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 light on a bonnie bit lass, called Susan
Raine, down yonder, just ye say as how Wilkins is not
altogether that graceless she counts him. He 's bad
enough, God knows ; but he oft thinks on days of lang
syne ; and he 's true, tell her, come what may."
It was then communicated to the vile dictator of the
dark band that a messenger was ready to set out to pro-
cure the ransom from Mr. Deverell ; and the next day,
amidst the loud sobs of Ruth and the silent grief of the
rest, Jack took leave, and set forward towards the south,
accompanied by a tall, crafty-looking savage, who had
evidently been accustomed to traffic with the bush-
rangers, and had acquired sufficient English to serve
his purpose. One of their ablest defenders was thus
severed from the unfortunate captives, who hourly be^
came more alarmed about their position. Forbidden to
leave the hut, they were merely fed, like the dogs, with
394 BALDABELLA'S FIDELITY.
the dLguoling remains of the untempting food of their
savage captors ; and but for the secret good offices of
Davy, they must have perished of thirst. He brought
them every night a bark bucket of water from the
creek, which saved their lives.
But Mr. Mayburn and Margaret, who could not
touch the decomposed fish and gnawed bones that were
thrown to them, gradually sunk into a state of weak-
ness that distracted their helpless friends. Four days
elapsed after Jack's departure, and Margaret was re-
clining, weak and weary, yet unable 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 was sleeping near her.
But just at that moment the low, sweet voice of
Baldabella greeted her, through an opening made in
the bark near the ground.
" Missee, good dear inissee ! " murmured the woman ;
" Baldabella see all, look in all gunyoes. Baldabella
come, all sleep now ; bring bread, bring fish for inissee
and good master."
Then through the opening Jenny received cakes of
pounded oats, such as she herself had taught Baldabella
to make, broiled fish, and a bark vessel filled with hot
tea, a plentiful and luxurious repast. When she had
given up her store, the grateful woman whispered,
" Baldabella go make more bread, come again dark
night, Pray God bless white friends."
The prayer of Baldabella was gratefully acknowl-
edged and responded to by her much affected friends,
who blessed the hour they were so happy as to snatch
the poor widow from the death which hung over her
DAVY'S COMPUNCTION. 395
body and soul, and to win her affections and sympathy.
Invigorated by the wholesome and clean food, Mr.
Mayburn and Margaret again began to hope for better
days, and to plan their pleasant journey south.
For three nights Baldabella returned with her abun-
dant and seasonable gifts ; Awhile the sordid wretch who
detained them, plainly cared only for the ransom he
hoped to obtain for them. But Davy continued to steal
in every night with the welcome supply of fresh water,
and remained to listen to their prayers and hymns, with
a softened and mournful countenance.
" Ye see, sir," said the poor fellow to Arthur, " our
Bill, he 's up to all sorts of things ; he 's had a grand
eddication, and knows reet fra' wrong better nor me ;
and he orders me, like, and I cannot say him nay ; he
reckons 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 's done me. I niver like to think
on 't nowadays ; it 's just awsome, it is."
" Thou shalt not steal ! " said Mr. Mayburn, em-
phatically.
" Please, master, not to talk on't," said the agitated
young man ; " it's about them beasts as ye 're meaning
on. But our Bill says, says he, * It stands to reason as
them as has ower mony ought to sarve them as has
none.' Now what think ye of that, sir ? "
" I think and know, David," said Mr. Mayburn,
"that it is God's will that all men should obey His
commandments, and do their duty in the station where
He has placed them. You had no more right to take
Mr. Deverell's cattle than these poor savages have to
396 THE THIEF'S CONFESSION.
strip you naked and leave you to die alone in the
desert, and in the eyes of God you are more guilty
than they would be, for you have been taught Hi* law.
You know that God has said 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
dreadful fate when you wake in another world, forsaken
by God. Then turn to Him now, while there is yet
time, and pray for repentance and pardon through the
blessed Saviour, that your sins may be forgiven, and
you may be brought 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, after all, a poor set
we 've made on 't. Ye see, this is how we did it ; we
darked and kept quiet till t' master was off down t'
country, then we marked off' our beasts, and picked out
our saddle-horses, and a gun a-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 we druv' our sheep till a bush
public, where a sly auld hand took 'em, and gave us a
lot of bad brandy and worse tobacco for 'em, and sin*
that we've run and rode about t' country, up and
down, hereaway and thereaway, like wild beasts. Then
we 're feared of t' pollis, and we 're feared of all ther'
black fellows, as can turn rusty when they like, and
it 's nought but drinking, cursing, and fighting all day
long, brutes as we are. I 'se fairly tired, master, and
J 'd fain be back among Christians ; but then, I 'd
niver be t' fellow to peach ; and, ower that, I know
there's a rope round my neck, as is sartain to be
tightened if I show my face at our station again."
CHAPTER XXX.
A Proposal of Marriage. Bill's Rejection and Revenge.
Pocket-picking. Jack's Return. Black Peter again. Bush
ranging Merriment. A Flight in the Dark. An Emu-chase.
The disappointed 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 of his faults, and
to a desire to reform them ; but his blind submission to
his " eddicated " brother proved a formidable obstacle,
till his heart became enlightened by the truths of relig-
ion. The cunning villain Bill was a great annoyance
to the family: he continually visited them, and his
absurd speeches no longer afforded them amusement,
for he had now signified his intention of becoming a
candidate for the hand of Margaret.
" Not that Miss would aggress," said the convict, " to
live with these low ignis fatuus men, that we eddicated
men terminate flea-beings, seeing she is not customary
to their ways. But you see, Miss, I preponderate set-
ting up a bush tavern, quite illimitable to the beat of
the imperious pollis ; quite a genteel bottle, 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
mattered having him."
Hugh and Gerald would have seized the impudent
rascal and flung him out of the hut, but Arthur re-
strained them, and arresting his father's indignant re*
34 ( 397 )
398 BILL DISAPPOINTED.
monstrance, he said, " Bill, my sister must never again
hear such absurd and offensive language ; she is too
young even to think of such things, and quite unfitted
by education and religion for mingling with lawless
bushrangers."
" We '11 see about that, young fellow," answered Bill
with a diabolical grin. "You might have permeated
the young woman to speak for herself; she '& old enough
to be deciduous. But wait a bit till I touch your ran-
som, and then we'll considerate about her. She was
not secluded in my bargain, and you '11 find as how I 'm
empirical here."
The terror and distress of Margaret were very great,
and but for the absence of Jack, who was always ingen-
ious in affairs of difficulty, Arthur would have yielded
to her wish, and attempted their escape, which by the
aid of Baldabella in the out-works, and of David, who
was much ashamed of his brother's audacious proposal,
in the citadel, they did not think would be extremely
difficult. The bark hut which was their prison, was
situated at the extremity of the range of huts, and close
to a thick wood, from which Baldabella made her nightly
visits without disturbance. David had supplied the
young men with some sheets of bark to 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, and escape into the wood, the savages usually
sleeping on the ground before the hut.
Still, unless they were driven to extremities, they de-
sired to defer their flight till the return of Jack, as,
besides the hope that he might bring them efficient aid
from Mr. Deverell, they did not wish to abandon him to
the wrath of the disappointed rangers; but they ex-
POCKET-PICKING. 399
plained their intention to Baldabella, and begged her to
be prepared ; and they hoped that they were prevailing
on David to become their companion and guide.
Several days passed in the same dreary and distress-
ing seclusion. If any of the prisoners ventured to
breathe the air outside the hut, they were assailed with
rude language, pelted and insulted by the rangers or the
blacks. Jenny and Ruth had gone out to cut some grass
to spread over the ground on which they slept, and were
seized by the women, their clothes torn, their hair pulled,
and the contents of their pockets discovered and torn
from them.
" Ragged I am, and ragged I may be, now," said
Jenny. " I wonder what good my bit housewife will do
them ondecent hussies ; and neither thread, needle, nor
scissors have I left. And Miss Marget, my honey, there
was my silver thimble that you bought me in London,
and my prayer-book from Master 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 to read or sew."
Ruth sobbed out incoherently, " My bonnie purse ;
oh dear ! oh dear ! and my two shillings, and my lucky
crook't sixpence, and my Sunday ribbons and cotton
gloves, and my bonnie little Testament ! Oh dear !
where 's I to get mair ? "
Mr. Mayburn consoled the women, and showed them
his pocket Bible, which he had still preserved, and from
which he could daily read to them the words of comfort
and hope; and Margaret encouraged Jenny with the
prospect of one day reaching Daisy Grange, when she
felt assured that the orderly and prudent Mrs. Deverell
would have needles and thread to bestow on them.
400 THE RETURN OF JACK.
One evening some very unusual sounds tempted Ger-
ald who was always restless in his confinement, to steal
out of the hut. He was absent some time, and Arthur
had become very uneasy lest he should have been ar-
rested and punished for this disobedience of orders,
when, with a face full of news, he rushed back into the
hut, exclaiming, " Jack is brought back ! 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 looked appealingly to Arthur.
" Margaret must be taken away," he said ; " I can-
not have her remain among these reprobates. Then
there is Wilkins, poor fellow ! That wicked wretch
has ever persecuted and hated him ; he is not safe with
us; we must care for him, and send him away. But
ought we not all to depart ? I feel that I am unable to
judge the matter calmly ; decide for us, my son."
" I shall be better able to do that, papa," answered
Arthur, " when I learn what extraordinary circum-
stance has induced Jack to return. It is quite impos-
sible that he can have executed his mission ; and I can-
not imagine that these robbers have relinquished their
desire for the ransom-money. I am very anxious to
see him."
The sounds of riot and discord were now heard
through the hamlet ; the prisoners concluded that more
brandy had been brought in, and it was producing its
usual delusive and fatal effects among men and women.
The intoxication proceeded to madness ; horrid oaths
and blasphemy were the only words to be distinguished ;
first uttered by the white man, erroneously named a
Christian, and then eagerly imitated by his heathen
THE EFFECTS OF THE BRANDY. 401
brother. In the midst of the confusion, Jack stole in
unnoticed by the savages to his anxious friends. He
was pale with fatigue, disappointment, and alarm ; for
he saw that the frenzy of the intoxicated wretches
might at any moment lead them to murder.
" Mr. Arthur," said he, hurriedly, " I have got hold
of a gun and a few charges, and David will follow me
here with another, as soon as the fellows drink them-
selves into stupor ; then we must make off without de-
lay, 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 led off with the
brandy, he would have been here to bully and threaten
before now."
" Alas ! alas ! " said Mr. Mayburn, " how did it hap-
pen, my good lad, that you fell into the hands of that
abandoned man ? "
" We met him on our way, sir," answered Jack,
u mounted on a handsome horse that he 'd stolen from
somebody's station ; he was dressed like a gentleman,
and three more fellows, all bushrangers, I '11 be bound,
were along with him, well mounted too. They were
carrying kegs of liquor and bales of tobacco to barter
for the stolen cattle, which they mean to drive down the
country to sell. Peter knew me as soon as he set eyes
on me, ad hailed me to know what had become of my
comrades. Then the sulky black fellow that rode with
me took on him to tell, in his lingo, what we were after.
It would have made your blood run cold, master, to
hear how 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
34*
402 PETER OPPOSED TO BILL.
have it for himself too. ' I Ve got shot of my cow-
ardly troop, ye see/ he said to my guide ; * they did n't
suit me ; they ran away at the sight of blood. I '11
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 his white colleagues, and said,
* You might make a penny of these two runaways ;
there 's money on their heads ; what say ye to carrying
them off? *
" I cannot tell how they settled their treacherous plan ;
but as they had arms, they forced us to turn back with
them ; and Bill looked so cowed when he saw Black
Peter, that I make no doubt the craftier rogue of the
two 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 getting on ? " he added, as
the simple fellow entered cautiously.
" They '11 not be lang fit for wark," answered he.
" Some 's down now, and Bill and Peter had come to
fighting; but them new chaps, as corned with you,
parted 'em ; and I seed 'em wink at Peter, and they
said as how it could be settled tomorrow. But it
would hardly be safe to stop for that ; and if ye 're
ready and willing, 1 'se get ye off cannily afther it 's
dark."
"We are willing and ready, David," said Arthur,
u and most thankful to have you for our guide. I will
engage that Mr. Deverell will pardon and protect you,
if we are fortunate enough to reach Daisy Grange ; but
how my 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 chap amang 'em was fit to hobble t' horses but
ESCAPE FROM THE HUT. 403
me, I had it all my own way, and I brought our
two, and their four, all round to t' back of this here
wood, and tied 'm up ready saddled. Afore midnight,
light on me to be there, 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 '11 bring 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 more discordant, and the trembling women
clung fearfully to each other in the back apartment of
the hut, where they had already cut an opening large
enough to allow them to escape ; but they were anxious
to defer the attempt till Davy thought the moment
favorable. At length they heard the oaths and curses
muttered in fainter tones ; and, one after another, the
voices died away. Gladly the anxious captives marked
the deep silence that succeeded, which was finally
broken by David whispering through the opening be-
hind the hut,
" Come along ; be sharp, and tread soft. There 's a
lot of chaps lying afore t' hut : ye cannot come out that
way. Mind ye dinnot waken 'em. Here 's Baldabella ;
she '11 trail ye through t' bush, and I '11 on afore, and
make ready."
Trembling and breathless, one after another they fol-
lowed Baldabella, forcing their way through the thick
underwood, scarcely conscious of bruises, scratches, and
rent garments, till, by the faint light, of the moon through
a gathering mist, they saw David holding the harnessed
horses outside the tangled wood.
404 DISTRESS FOR WATER.
" 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, she walked on ; and so light and swift was her
pace, that she kept up well with the doubly-laden horses,
though they proceeded as speedily as they could over
the grassy plains. For six hours they continued to
travel due south, silently and uninterruptedly ; then the
morning light cheered their spirits, they realized the
fact of their freedom, and they rejoiced as they rested
on a rich plain while the horses fed, and lifted up
their voices in praise and thanksgiving that they were
once more free in a savage land ; and even poor David,
with tears of penitence, united humbly with them in
prayer.
All the party needed the refreshment they knew not
where to seek, when Baldabella produced a netted bag
of cakes and nuts, with which they were obliged to con-
tent themselves ; and hoping that they might meet with
water before they were again compelled to rest, they set
forward with gratitude and cheerfulness. But they
were somewhat disheartened as they proceeded ; for
though herbage and trees were plentiful, water was
rarely to be met with. Hollows in the earth, which
contained a muddy remnant of the well-filled pools of
the rainy season, were their sole dependence a
scanty and unpleasant supply. They had long ago lost
sight of the river, from which they had designedly di-
verged in order to mislead their pursuers, leaving it on
their left hand. Fig-trees were common on the plains,
but no longer bearing fruit ; still, they continued to be
frequented by the cockatoos and pigeons, and having
made bows and arrows, they procured as many as they
wished for food.
THE EMUS. 405
On the fourth clay, Baldabella, who was before them,
summoned them by the welcome cry, " Yarrai ! yar-
rai ! water ! water ! " and they saw a narrow full
streamlet, rushing to the south-east, probably to swell
some large river ; a consideration very tempting to the
travellers, who could not venture on the direct track
which David was acquainted with, lest they should 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 to-
wards a large river might place them amongst the
black tribes again, they would still be on the highway
which led to civilization.
They now selected their resting-places close by the
refreshing stream, and without adventure, till it hap-
pened that one day they had indulged for some hours
in a noonday repose under the shelter of some trees.
Then the young men set out to beat the wood for birds;
but Gerald soon cried out, " To horse ! to horse ! bold
hunters. Emus are in view ! " and, on skirting the
wood, the whole family had a view of a flock of those
huge birds, at some distance on the plain, grazing with
all the tranquillity of domestic cattle.
" y?e are not in want of emus, Gerald," said Mr.
Mayburn. " These creatures are as free to live as we
are ourselves. Why will men become hunters from
mere wantonness ?"
" We could do cannily with one, master," said Jenny.
" They 're fair good eating, and ye see, sir, great strong
men gets tired of these bits of birds."
Mr. Mayburn sighed at the necessity of disturbing
the peace of the happy creatures, and duly impressed
on Arthur his wish that only one bird should be killed.
4U6 THE UNSUCCESSFUL CHASE.
All the young men, roused at the thoughts of the chase,
sprang upon their horses, and, armed with spears and
bows, galloped off to the field. Crafty and swift as
these birds are, they were not entirely able to elude their
mounted enemies, who attacked them with spears and
arrows, and at last succeeded in separating from the
rest and surrounding one large bird, in which several
arrows had been previously lodged. Infuriated with
pain and fright, the bird ran frantically round the circle,
in fruitless endeavors to escape between the horses ; and
Gerald, piercing it with his long spear to oppose its re-
treat, it turned suddenly round, and, striking out back-
wards with its powerful leg, inflicted such a blow on the
horse he was riding, that it staggered and fell.
Alarmed at the accident, the hunters all rode up to
assist Gerald; and the wounded emu profited by the
opportunity, and effected a retreat to its companions, to
the great vexation of the sanguine young men. They
soon raised the horse and his rider. Gerald had escaped
unhurt ; but the horse was so bruised by the kick of the
powerful creature, that Arthur saw with consternation
that their journey must be delayed some time, till it re-
covered from the blow ; if, indeed, it was not rendered
entirely incapable of further service.
Mortified and dejected, the discomfited hunters re-
turned to the encampment, where they were received by
Mr. Mayburn with a lesson on humanity to animals, by
Margaret with friendly raillery, and by Jenny with ill-
repressed murmurs ; but all were grieved at the suffer-
ings of the poor horse.
" That beast must just lie where he is for one day,
however," said Wilkins ; " and I question whether
that '11 sarve to mend a bad job. I say, some of ye
THE PURSUERS. 407
slips of lads, run up them trees, and take a look round,
to see if t' coast 's clear."
It was at once employment and amusement for the
active boys, Hugh and Gerald, to climb two tall fig-
trees that grew in front of the wood, and scan the wide
scene around.
" Now, sentinels," cried Margaret from below, " please
to report what you have observed."
" I can see our little rivulet," said Hugh, " winding
like a silver thread over the plains to the south-east,
even to the very horizon, where a gray line terminates
the view. That may be the hem of the large river
Arthur has planned."
"I say, Arthur, come up," cried Gerald; "I want
you to look at a dark mass far away north. I could
almost fancy I saw it moving."
Arthur was soon by his side, and, after examining
the object pointed out, he said with a sigh, " You are
right, Gerald, it does move ; and I fear we are pursued
at this unlucky moment, when we cannot, I fear, con-
tinue our riight. You, boys, remain to watch, while
I descend to hold a council about our perilous situa-
tion."
" Hand us up the guns, then, Arthur," answered
Gerald, " and see if we will not guard the pass. Not a
single rogue shall advance, but we will mark 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 to the tranquil party below, and
great was the dismay felt by the timid.
408 STRATAGEMS.
"We might send off master and Miss Margaret,"
said Jack. "What think you of that, Mr. Arthur?
We could hold out here a good bit, to let them have a
good start down south ; and then, if God helped us, we
might get after them."
" Margaret, what do you say to this plan ? " asked
Mr. Mayburn. "There is Davy, who seems honest,
could we not trust him to conduct us and our two poor
women to our friends the Deverells ? "
" It must not be so, dear papa," answered Margaret ;
"we must live or die together. Think how unhappy
we should be to leave them exposed to dangers for our
sakes. But could we not hide in this thick wood ? It
might 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 es-
cape, do you think, Wilkins ? "
" Ay, ay, Mr. Arthur, ye fancy it '& best to set one
rogue to cheat another," replied Wilkins. " Keep up
your heart, Miss ; I 'se thinking we can lead 'em on a
wrong scent yet."
The wood behind them spread for a considerable way
along the side of the rivulet, from which it was about a
hundred yards distant. The opposite banks were
hemmed up to the water with a broad growth of reeds,
beyond which lay a vast entangled scrub.
" We 11 see if we cannot manage to send 'em ower
yonder," continued Wilkins, pointing to the opposite
side ; " so bring t' horses here, and come along wi' ye."
By the orders of Wilkins the men mounted the five
sound horses, having first led the lame one, with Mar-
garet, Mr. Mayburn, and the women, into the intricacies
of the wood, and left them, carefully arranging the bush,
DISGUISING THE TRAIL. 409
so that no trail could be seen. Then the horsemen,
making a broad track, 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 it was easy to suppose the trail might be lost ;
they therefore returned, carefully retracing their steps
to the river, and riding the horses in the water about a
hundred yards down the stream, from which, at distant
intervals, they brought them up singly to the wood, ob-
literating the trail with scrupulous care ; and, finally,
through several convenient openings, they introduced
them into the heart of the wood, where a small grassy
spot enabled them to leave the animals to graze, after
carefully securing them. Here all the party assembled,
to wait the event, except the three boys, who, taking
guns and bows, returned to the fig-trees from whence
they had first perceived the pursuers, re-ascended, and
concealed themselves in the thick foliage, to watch the
foe, and, if necessary, to defend the fortress.
The pursuers were now plainly visible, and the watch-
ers discovered that the party consisted of the bush-
rangers, driving before them a herd of cattle, and
accompanied by a band of the natives. The procession
certainly formed an imposing body, but the men were
on foot, and must necessarily proceed slowly with the
cattle ; and if all the horses had been fit for the road,
Arthur saw they might easily have escaped pursuit, and
he bitterly regretted the imprudent and unprofitable
chase of the emu. He now considered that the most
advisable plan would be, if possible, to allow the men to
pass, and then to follow them.
35
CHAPTER XXXI.
The Sentinels in the Trees. The End of Bill the Convict. The
Bush-rangers deceived. A strange New Animal. A Bloody
Conflict. The Mountain-pass. The Fruit of the Acacia.
The Travellers in Custody. The Court of Justice.
EVERY moment increased the anxiety of the young
sentinels, who were scarcely able to speak for agitation,
At last Hugh said,
"Isn't it a capital chance for us, Arthur, that the
great drove of cattle are before the keen-eyed rangers ?
They will trample down our trail effectually."
This was certainly an advantage to the fugitives, es-
pecially as they remarked the cattle followed the exact
track they had made. They were now able to distin-
guish the powerful figure of Black Peter, who was ac-
companied by the three strange bushrangers whom
Jack had met with him, and followed by about fifty of
the natives whom they had seen with Bill the convict.
These men were painted white, as if for battle, and
were armed with spears and boomerangs ; but Bill was
not with them, a circumstance that gave great satis-
faction to Arthur, for the sake of poor David.
The whole body drew up beneath the very trees in
which the young men were hidden ; and whilst the cat-
tle plunged into the river with great enjoyment, Peter
was examining the trail which led to the water, and had
been purposely made to mislead them. He then
pointed out to his companions the broken reeds on the
(410)
THE FATE OF BILL. 411
opposite bank, and after pouring out a volley of curses,
he said,
" They 've crossed here, and not very long sin', that 's
clear. We 're close at their heels, and we must n't bide
long dawdling here ; and, Jem, see ye keep that brandy
out of t' way of them black and white bugaboos, or
we 'se have 'em, when their blood 's up, knocking out
our brains, and we have n't a gun left to learn 'em man-
ners with. Let me lay hold on my gun again, and t'
first job I '11 put it to will be to shoot every soul of
them sneaking, preaching thieves but t' girl, and I '11 set
her up as a bushranger's jin. She's mine by right,
sure enough, now that I 've put an end to t' palavering
of that sneaking fool Bill."
" But, Peter, man," was the answer of one of the
men, " I fancy them black fellows did n't half like yer
putting a knife into their leader ; and down t* country
folks would call it a murder."
" It saved Government a good rope," said Peter, " for
that was his due. He was a bigger rogue than me,
and that 's saying a deal."
The fearful oaths that these abandoned men mingled
with their conversation perfectly appalled the listening
boys, and they felt great relief 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 to slacken their pace soon, for the
beasts will never hold out over yon scrub ; and when
we 've got our guns and horses, and made an end of the
lot of thieves, we '11 push on and see if we can't do a
stroke of business among any new squatters."
Then the man made a speech to his black troop, in
their own language, which seemed to give them pleas-
412 THE DECEIVED RANGERS.
lire, for they danced and clashed their spears, and
started up to continue their route. Thankfully the
watchers saw the wretches cross the river, and fall into
the snare of continuing over 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 be
separated by a distance which rendered them safe.
" What rascals ! " exclaimed Gerald. " It was well I
had not one of the guns, 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 English justice. The worst criminal has
a right to a trial by jury. What do you say, Arthur? "
" We should have some trouble in summoning a jury
here, Hugh," answered Arthur ; " nevertheless, I should
not have liked to take on myself the office of execu-
tioner. Besides, you must remember, such an act
would have brought destruction on ourselves, and on all
who depend on us. God will bring the villain to jus-
tice."
The boys made their way through the thick wood till
they reached the little glade where their anxious friends
were watching for them.
" All right ! " cried Gerald ; " we need not call over
the roll. Now you must all be content to form the
rear-guard of the bush-rangers. I suppose, Arthur,
there is no need to hurry ; we are not particularly de-
sirous to overtake the rogues."
" But, my dear boys ! " exclaimed Mr. Mayburn ;
" Arthur, do you speak. Is it safe to venture from this
quiet retreat yet ? Consider these lawless men might,
DAVID'S DISTRESS. 413
at any moment, turn round ; and it seems they would
not scruple to commit murder."
" Was Bill with 'em, sir ? " asked David, looking
very much ashamed.
With much kindness and consideration, Arthur gently
broke to the poor lad the melancholy fate of his vile
brother ; and David shed "many tears for the unhappy
convict.
" I were auld enough to have known better, sir," said
he ; " he could n't have gettin me into bad ways, if I 'd
thought on my prayers and turned again' him ; and if
I 'd held out, things might n't have turned out so bad wi'
him. Them that lets themselves be 'ticed to do. bad
deeds, is worse nor them that 'tices 'em. God forgive
me for niver speaking out like a man to poor Bill ! "
Margaret spoke kindly to the sorrowful man, showing
him the fearful warning sent in this sad catastrophe,
and beseeching him never to forget it ; but to pray con-
tinually that he might be kept strictly in the right path.
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 ; for he were a bigger
scoundrel nor Peter hisself, for all his grand rigmarole
talk."
As the lame horse was unfit for work yet, it was led
after the rest ; and Arthur, who chose to walk, selected
David for his companion, and took the opportunity,
while he consoled him under his heavy affliction, to di-
rect his softened heart to good and holy aspirations.
They continued their journey along the right bank of
the rivulet ; the country being more fertile, and the
grassy plains more favorable for the horses than among
the brushwood.
35*
414 MOUNTAIN SCENERY.
For three days they proceeded undisturbed, and wiih
revived hopes. Then the scenery became still more
beautiful ; the ground was covered with lofty trees, on
which already the young buds were forming. These
trees were tenanted by thousands of lovely birds ; and
their cheerful notes enlivened the solitude. In the dis-
tance before them rose a pile of scattered rocky moun-
tains, which, as they drew nearer, they saw were cov-
ered with brushwood, and might have formed a barrier
to their path, but they seemed to be pierced by in-
numerable narrow winding gorges.
" We must proceed with great caution and watchful-
ness here," &aid Arthur ; " for it is not improbable that
we may have fallen unhappily upon the track of our
enemies, and we must have gained ground on them,
now that we are all mounted again. We must be care-
ful to avoid an encounter among these perplexing
mountains."
" We have two guns," said Gerald, " and we should
have no difficulty in keeping one of these narrow
passes against the whole undisciplined gang ; then we
could have our bowmen hid in the brushwood above,
to shower down destruction on the foe. It is a grand
spot for a skirmish ! "
" God forbid that we should be called on to make
this lovely solitude a field of blood ! " said Mr. May-
burn. " How dare proud and disobedient man profane
the sanctity of Nature, and desecrate her grand and
marvellous works. Does not the contemplation of these
mighty mountains, spreading as far as the eye can reach,
broken into fantastic forms, and apparently inaccessible
and impassable, startle and humiliate the presuming
pride of fallen man ? "
A NEW ANIMAL. 415
There is a voiceless eloquence in earth
Telling of him who gave her wonders birth. "
" 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 our manoeuvres, if we come to a bat-
tle. Halloo ! what wild beast can that be I hear roar-
ing. No Australian animal that we have met with yet
has such a sonorous voice."
" Oh, Jack ! " cried Ruth, clinging to her brother,
behind whom she was mounted. " Jack, honey, stop a
bit, hear ye ; yon 's a bear, and I 'se feared 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 more like 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 from a thicket just before them, a
wild bull rushed furiously upon their path, tossing his
head, as if enraged that his solitude had been invaded,
or probably expecting to encounter the powerful oppo-
nent which had banished him in disgrace from his own
herd. He was a huge, dark-red animal, with short
sharp horns and broad forehead, and his fierce and fiery
eye, and loud threatening bellow, denoted him to be a
dangerous antagonist.
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 deep sullen roar.
Jack was turning round to avoid the unpleasant meet-
ing, when suddenly the infuriated animal arrested his
whirling course, and before Jack could extricate him-
416 A DANGEROUS ANTAGONIST.
self from Ruth's arms, to use his spear, the beast had
rushed impetuously on the horse, and gored it fright-
fully. The terrified horse immediately reared, and
flung both his riders off.
Jack, though considerably bruised, sprang up, drag-
ged the senseless Ruth out 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 found to his great grief his poor horse thrown down,
trampled on, and gored by the frenzied animal, which
continued to repeat its merciless attacks, regardless of
the many wounds inflicted by Wilkins and Hugh, who
had galloped up in haste to aid Jack.
At length, tired with goring the horse, the bull turned
on Jack, who faced him with his uplifted spear ; but
before he could strike, Arthur called out to them all to
draw back, and, riding up himself, he shot the beast
through the head. It fell heavily, and Wilkins dis-
mounted, drew out his knife, and went up to finish the
execution ; but he was too early, for the powerful ani-
mal rose again to his legs, caught the man on his strong
brow, and flung him over his head to a considerable
distance.
A second shot, however, despatched the bull, and
then all went up to Wilkins, 'whom they found insen-
sible ; but, though much bruised and stunned by the
fall, he was providentially unwounded by the horns of
the formidable animal. The exertions of his distressed
friends soon restored the poor man to his senses, and he
was able to take little Nakinna, to look at the " big
dingo," which astonished her so much, and even Bal-
dabella deigned to express some interest at the sight of
an animal so much larger than any she had ever beheld.
THE FRUIT OF THE ACACIA. 417
Wilkins declared it was a shame to leave so much
good meat lying to waste on the high road ; but they
were now in a land of plenty ; besides, the dark coarse
flesh of the bull was not of a tempting quality, and it
was agreed that it might as well be abandoned.
But the question arose, " Where did this bull come
from ? " It was certainly not an Australian animal ;
and should it have wandered from any settlement, they
might hope that they were not so very far from civil-
ization ; and as they discussed the probability, and con-
tinued their journey, they looked out carefully lest they
should encounter any more wild cattle.
A very narrow passage, between two high wood-
covered rocky walls, offered a convenient pass, and
even suitable to the warlike plan of O'Brien ; and Ar-
thur taking the lead, with Gerald behind him, they
ventured to leave the rest at the entrance of the pass,
till they had first ascertained the safety and direction of
the road.
"Arthur," said Gerald, in a suppressed voice, " I am
certain that I hear a rustling in the bushes over our
heads. Do stop a moment, and let me send an arrow
into the bush."
" Pray forbear, my boy," answered Arthur ; " if it
should be another wild bull, your arrow would only
irritate it ; and if, as it is probable, the bush-ranger
should be some harmless pigeon or parrot, let it live,
we are well provided with food. Let us rather turn
our thoughts to these perplexing passages, which strike
out on all sides of us, and which will bewilder us till we
shall never find our way back to our friends, if we go
much further. Now, which of these roads shall we
take ? After all, Gerald, I think we had better turn
418 AN ACCUSATION.
back for the rest, and take our chance altogether.
Which of these puzzling alleys did we come through ': "
" Not that dismal hole, Arthur," answered he, laugh-
ing. " We came along here, 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, and before Arthur could
interfere was swinging and climbing up the rock.
" Gerald, you rash fellow," cried Arthur, " what has
induced you to such a wild frolic ? what are you about
to do ? Do come down."
" Not before I make out the meaning of the acacia
showering down stones on my head, instead of fruit,"
answered Gerald; and then Arthur heard him say in a
tone of astonishment, " Halloo ! my friend, what will
you please to be looking after ? "
In utter amazement and alarm at hearing the boy
address any being in that strange solitude, Arthur tied
the horses to the tree, and, armed with his gun, climbed
the rock so expeditiously, that he arrested Gerald'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, u How many more
on ye may there be ? We can match ye all, rogues as
ye are. Have ye fetched our beast back ? "
" My good man," said Arthur, " it seems to me that
we have been both mistaken. You take us for bush-
rangers, and we thought you belonged to the same
thievish community. Now, we are poor travellers,
robbed by those rangers, who have, with difficulty,
made our escape from the plunderers, destitute of all
property."
TAKEN UP ON SUSPICION. 419
"Ye '11 surelie, not have a face to tell me that,
young fellow," answered the man, " when I seed ye
mysel' atop of one of our horses."
" That certainly is a suspicious circumstance," an-
swered Arthur, laughing ; " and I must tell the truth ;
we did borrow the horses from our jailers, that we
might have the means of making our escape."
" That 's likely all flam," said the man. " Howsom-
ever, ye mun come afore our master, and make out yer
story. I 'se not soft enough to let ye off this 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 ? and where is he ? "
" He 's a squatter," grumbled the man, " and he 's
down yonder, seeking out a 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 we reached you," said Arthur, " we will
not only willingly accompany you ; but we will take
with us the whole of our party, and the stolen horses
into 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 descent to the pass,
and then suffered O'Brien to go and bring up the rest
of the party, retaining Arthur as a hostage. But the
astonishment of the stranger was very great, when he
saw the long line of the travellers filling up the narrow
pass ; and struck by the venerable appearance of Mr.
Mayburn, who rode first, his hard features relaxed, he
touched his cap with respect, and rode before the trav-
ellers, to be the first to announce to his master this
wonderful encounter.
420 A PLEASANT MEETING.
Keeping their guide in sight, they followed him
through many narrow and intricate paths, gradually
ascending, till they came on a wide and level grass-
covered spot, still surrounded by high mountainous
walls. A number of horses were feeding on the grass,
and at the foot of a majestic and almost perpendicular
cliff, clothed with a thick forest, were reposing a party
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 wanderers recognized their friend Ed-
ward Deverell.
" Arthur ! Hugh ! " he exclaimed, " my dear and
reverend friend Mr. Mayburn ! Margaret too ! What
pleasure ! and what miracle can have brought us
together once more in these strange and wild moun-
tains?"
" Your man has brought us up before your worship
on a charge of stealing," said Arthur, laughing ; " and
he certainly did not exceed his duty ; he had good
grounds for apprehending us, for it seems we are
actually travelling on your horses."
" I am glad they are in such good hands," answered
Deverell ; " but however did my shepherd meet with
you ? "
" Why, sir," said the man, " ye see, I beared summut
like a shot, and off I set, for I was curious like to see
what it might be ; and I clomb and crambled 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 our Sallydun, and says I to myself, ' Them 's
rangers, they are ; ' and when young master there clomb
up, and defied me like, I thought it were nat'ral that
they were rangers, and I laid hands on 'em."
THE NATIVE POLICE. 421
As soon as the man had finished his narrative, re-
peated and joyful greetings passed between the friends,
and Edward Deverell. explained that his appearance at
such a distance from his home originated in his desire
to pursue and capture the audacious bush-rangers who
had robbed him of so much property.
" I have brought with me" three of my own stock-
keepers to identify the cattle," he said ; " the rest, as
you may see from their complexion and uniform, are of
that useful body, the native police."
These dark-complexioned officials were of very strik-
ing appearance; their dress was light and scanty,
bristling with pistols and sabres ; their feet bare, and
their hair long and flowing. Their keen, glittering
eyes ran over the strangers in a most professional
manner, very embarrassing to Wilkins and David,
who both held down their heads before the searching
glances. David seemed afraid to appear before his
injured master, who looked much surprised to see him
attached to Mr. Mayburn's party; but discreetly de-
ferred any investigation into the affair, till he should be
informed what strange chance had brought the voy-
agers to India into the very heart of Australia.
" Don't you remember, Edward Deverell," said
Hugh, " that Gerald and I always wished to be here,
instead of broiling among the Hindoos, and being
carried about in palanquins? And I believe Arthur
and Margaret longed for it in their hearts, only they
conceived it was papa's duty to fulfil his engagement.
Yet, after all, it is not our own will, but a happy ordi-
nation of Providence, that has at length united us ; and
now, I suppose, we must follow your example and squat
in Australia."
36
422 EXPLANATIONS.
" But consider the risk, my dear Hugh," said Mr.
Mayburn. " Even our experienced friend Deverell
has not escaped being plundered by these savages,
who are too frequently in union with unscrupulous
murderers. I should live in continual dread in these
wild regions."
" Why, papa," said Gerald, " there are robbers and
murderers even in happy and civilized Britain."
" Doubtless there are, Gerald," said Edward Deverell.
"No civilization can eradicate the black spot of our
fallen nature ; it is only the grace and mercy of God
that can keep the evil spirit in subjection. But have
no fears, my dear Mr. Mayburn ; we must not alarm
Margaret when we hope to persuade her to visit our
lonely retreat. We have an excellent police staff;
and when our servants are properly drilled, and our
fences made secure, we shall be as safe as we should be
in Europe. Now give the horses to the servants ; sit
down and eat; and then let me hear your strange
adventures."
CHAPTER XXXII.
Travellers' Wonders. The Detective Force. A Trap for the
Rangers. The Skirmish and the Victory. Daisies in Austra-
lia. The Constancy of Susan Raine. The Trial and Sentence
of the Natives. Peter and his Colleagues.
ARTHUR was the narrator, and his long and wonder-
ful story produced much sympathy and astonishment in
his friendly hearer. At the earnest request of Margaret,
the delinquent Davy was pardoned, and reinstalled in
his office of stock-keeper ; and Mr. Deverell promised
to interest himself to obtain the emancipation of Wil-
kins.
" 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 cattle and punish the rob-
bers. My black allies are of opinion that the men who
drove off the cattle will dispose of them to some of those
unprincipled dealers who range the interior to pick up
such bargains, and who can again sell them for large
profits to the Macquarie gold-diggers, who make no in-
quiries how they were obtained. They must necessarily
bring the cattle through the direct pass of these moun-
tains, which is not quite so perplexing as that you had
selected ; and we are encamped here to watch for and
intercept them. From your report, the party will be
more numerous than we expected ; but the hungry
blacks who swell their train, in the hopes of receiv-
ing a share of the brandy and tobacco, are no heroes.
(423)
424 ROBIN HOOD LAW.
I think, Hugh, we shall be able to give them a drub-
bing."
" As if there could be a doubt of it ! " said Hugh,
contemptuously. " We are all ready to enlist into the
ranks, captain, I will engage to say that is, with the
exception of papa and the womankind ; the chaplain
to the regiment, and the Sisters of Charity who are to
attend on the wounded."
" Most useful members of the army they will be,"
answered Deverell, " if we come to close quarters ; for,
greatly as I abhor warfare, I do not expect to settle this
vexatious matter without bloodshed."
" If ye did, sir," said Wilkins, " ye 'd be wrong ; and,
depend on % ye M soon have plenty more such-like cus-
tomers. If a mad dog were to bite a man, and he let it
run off, he 'd be safe to bite other folks, and that 's not
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 the destitute ought to be
subjected to capital punishment for seizing a share of the
abundance of the prosperous."
" Robin Hood law J rob the rich to feed the poor,"
cried Gerald. " Only think of papa encouraging bush-
ranging!"
" My dear Mr. Mayburn, spare your compassion for
these rogues," said Deverell, 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 thrash-
ing, and, if they show fight, we are prepared for actual
service, and they must take the consequences."
THE WORK OP PREPARATION. 425
It was long before the party were tired of conversa-
tion, and settled to take a secure night's rest ; while the
watchful police relieved each other, lest the rangers
should pass during the night. In the morning they
placed themselves in convenient posts on the mountains,
where they could command all the approaches; but
the day was somewhat advanced when notice was given
that objects were seen approaching at a distance. Then
the work of preparation actually began ; along the
heights of the pass were placed the rifle-rangers, as Hugh
termed them, consisting of Arthur, Gerald, and himself,
Mr. Deverell, and six of the police. Margaret and
Mr. Mayburn, with the women, were left in perfect
security in the little glen where the encampment was
formed ; and the rest of the party guarded the end of
the pass, to secure any of the enemy who might succeed
in reaching it.
"We conclude," said Mr. Deverell, "that the ran-
gers, who doubtless are well acquainted with the pass,
will drive the cattle on before them. Now we propose
to secure these as they issue from this walled passage,
and when they are all again in our possession, the
stock-keepers must be ready to drive them off; while
the rest of our troop must intercept and capture the
drivers, to prevent pursuit. And now, Davy, I will
test your fidelity again. Will you take up your whip
and set off with our beasts to the station ? "
" If ye 'd not object, master," said Davy, humbly,
" I 'd as lief have a shot among 'em afore I set out,
specially at that deep, black-hearted rogue Peter, a.s
put an end to our Bill. I can't say, master, Bill did n 't
get far wrang; but Peter's out and out a worse chap,
and it wasn't his place to kill a better fellow nor
hisself."
426 LILT.
" You will obey my orders, Davy," said his master,
" and leave the punishment of Peter in our hands. 1
will take care he shall suffer for his misdeeds ; and you
will do your duty best by looking after your old four-
footed friends. Have the rogues spared poor Lily,
David ? She was of a fine breed, Gerald, and I was
deeply incensed at the rogues for selecting her to carry
off."
"Bless ye, master, they count nought of breeds,"
answered Davy; "all they want is to kill plenty for
beef, and to swop all they 've left for spurrits and backy ;
Lily was to t' fore when I cut off from 'em, bonnie cre-
tur, but she '11 be hard up, if they 've brought her this
far. She always kenned me, master, and let me milk
her ; but she niver could bide them black fellows nigh
hand her."
" Very good, Davy," answered Deverell. " Then
your duty is to drive off Lily, and as many more beasts
as you can manage, to this glen ; and to remain here
with Mr. Mayburn till we come up, as we hope, with
our prisoners. Then we shall set out in good spirits on
our long journey to Daisy Grange."
In a quarter of an hour all the arrangements were
made, the brave defenders were all ready : by this time
the procession was close to the mountains ; the bush-
rangers were driving the cattle before them, followed by
Peter, with his black troop. He now appeared painted
like his men with the peculiar insignia of war and defi-
ance, his body being marked in red lines in the form of
a skeleton, a decoration he had probably adopted to
conciliate the natives.
The weary cattle were slowly urged into the narrow
rock-bound path, one of the rangers heading them, to
THE SKIRMISH. 427
lead them along the right pass, the rest following them
closely. The confined path rung with the lowing of
the alarmed and reluctant cattle, forced onward cruelly
by the spears of their drivers, whose wild and terrific
oaths completed the discordant tumult. At length, when
the cattle-leader emerged from the narrow part of the
pass to a more open space, and had his face turned back
to see that the line of animals was properly brought
forward, he was easily seized, gagged, and bound by
the dexterous police. Then, as the animals one after
another appeared, they were driven off by the stock-
keepers to the glen.
The rest of the party were prepared to capture the
rangers as they followed the cattle ; but the sudden cry
of the leader, who had been seized, and which was
easily distinguished amidst the clamor of the noisy cat-
tle, was heard by Peter. The shrewd man at once
comprehended the opposition that awaited them, and
calling on his black fellows to wield their spears and
follow him, he rushed on, with his men behind him, to
the scene of conflict. The police on the heights al-
lowed him and some of his black followers to proceed a
little forward, and then fired a volley down into the
midst of the blacks that were left behind, who, surprised
and bewildered, and ever terrified at the effects of fire-
arms, turned back tumultuously and fled. In vain the
desperate Black Peter shouted to rally his followers,
and fought desperately against the men at the end of
the pass with the few supporters he had brought on.
He and his troops were soon overpowered, and all cap-
tured and bound, with very little bloodshed.
" Huzza ! " cried Gerald ; " a glorious victory ! Ar-
thur, you must write the despatch ; naming the superior
428 THE VICTORY.
force of the enemy, the cool and determined bravery of
the little body of defenders, the desperate resistance of
the furious bushrangers, their complete discomfiture ;
and, finally, you must particularly mention the prudent,
vigorous, and successful support of the young Lieuten-
ant O'Brien, who is recommended for promotion."
" Margaret will consider us all heroes," said Hugh ;
" and we must hasten on as speedily as possible to allay
her anxiety for us. But, Captain Deverell, whatever
are we to do with these prisoners ? "
" We are bound to convey or send the dangerous
bushrangers to Sydney," answered Deverell, " there to
be dealt with according to law. As for the cowardly,
treacherous, and ignorant natives, we must devise some
punishment for them ; but, if possible, we will not en-
cumber ourselves with them, nor be obliged to feed them
on our journey. For the present we must contrive to
keep them in some place of security till the police re-
turn from their useless chase of the unhappy blacks
who have fled."
" And who will, I hope, escape," said Arthur ; " for
they are but tools in the hands of these abandoned con-
victs, and are scarcely themselves responsible for their
deeds of evil."
" See here," said Gerald ; " this large cave would
make a good jail, and we might build up the en-
trance:"
" Then ye '11 have to look about for a lot of caves,
Master Gerald," said Wilkins, "and lodge 'em, as they
say down t' country, on t' separate system, or we 'se
find all our birds flown to-morrow morning, I'll en-
gage. Why, bless you, if that there Black Peter was
shut np for a day wi' a new-born babby, he 'd make 't
THE PRISONERS. 429
a rogue for life. He 'd make a parson into a bush-
ranger, give him a bit of time ; and my fancy is as how
he 's helped by that bad 'un as is his master ; God save
us!"
"There is no doubt, Wilkins," said Mr. Mayburn,
" that the Great Spirit of Evil does readily and unfail-
ingly stretch forth his hand* to aid his wicked followers,
arid 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 the young heroes were joyfully wel-
comed, were many small caves in the rocks, in which
the prisoners, black and white, were separately enclosed.
One of the stock-keepers had received a spear-wound in
his arm ; and one of the misguided natives was killed
by a rifle-shot. These were all the casualties. When
the police returned from the pursuit of the black fugi-
tives, who had taken refuge in a thick wood, after many
of them had been severely wounded, Mr. Deverell re-
quested that all further pursuit should be relinquished, as
the cattle were recovered and the ringleaders were now
in confinement, which he knew would be a terrible
punishment to them, even though it were only for one
night.
Margaret and Mr. Mayburn paid every care and at-
tention to the wounded man, and when all their duties
were fulfilled, the united friends sat down, to rest on the
green turf, and to talk of the hopeful future.
" Now, we are all anxious to know, Edward Dever
ell," said Hugh, " if you have 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,
430 THE DAISIES.
"and Daisy Grange I will leave undescribed, only
assuring you that it will be completely a paradise in my
eyes when I see you all there, which I trust will be
before 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 justify me in re-
taining 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, and performs other needful female occupations,
plays, sings, reads, and is not ashamed to assist her
mother, and Susan the dairy-maid, to make the butter
and cheese."
" Is that Susan Raine ? " asked Margaret, anxiously,
for she saw Wilkins looking at Mr. Deverell with much
agitation. " Is that the pretty, modest Susan, that was
our fellow-voyager ? "
" It is the same girl," answered Deverell. " Poor
Susan, we are all very sorry for her ; she had to endure
a grievous disappointment, for she had taken the oppor-
tunity of accompanying us, as our servant, in order that
she might join her betrothed, a wild fellow that had
been transported for some venial offence; and when
we reached Melbourne, and instituted the regular in-
quiry, we found the man had made his escape in an
India vessel, with some vile wretches who had been
working with him. I fear he is wholly unworthy of
the good girl, who still mourns so deeply for him."
" He 's nought but a reg'lar scoundrel," said Wilkins,
SUSAN'S CONSTANCY. 431
impetuously, "he is; and she'd sarved him right if
she 'd gone and wed another ; that 's what she has done
likely, sir?"
" That is what I certainly wished her to do," said
Deverell, looking surprised at the free interference of
Wilkins ; " but the silly girl is still haunted by the wild
hope of reclaiming the unfortunate man who was the
companion of her childhood. She has refused the
young herdsman who is so kindly attended by Miss
Margaret ; a worthy fellow, and has determined to re-
main unmarried for the sake of the convict who has so
cruelly neglected her."
" That 's like my bonnie true-hearted lass," said Wil-
kins, much excited. " Scamp as I were to lose her !
But now please, Miss Margaret, to put in a word like
for me. Tell t' master I 'se nought like so bad but that
there 's some hopes of me, if Sue will take up wi' me ;
but how can I look for 't ? "
Margaret undertook to explain Wilkins's position to
Deverell, and to plead for him to Susan ; and the rough
convict turned away with a tear in his eye, as the
recollection of youthful and innocent days shone through
the mist of evil deeds that had darkened his mature
life.
Mr. Deverell was pleased with the story of Wilkins,
and as he would be far removed from temptation at the
settlement, and would be carefully watched by his good
friends, he promised to bestow Susan on him ; and now
they prepared to break up the encampment, and to pur-
sue their journey under pleasant auspices.
" But before we set out," said Mr. Deverell, " it will
be necessary to come to some arrangement about our
troublesome prisoners. We must hold a court of jus-
432 A COURT OF JUSTICE.
tice, as imposing as circumstances will permit, and
endeavor to alarm them, and make a salutary impres
sion on them."
" There is a handsome rocky throne for the bench,"
said Hugh. " Please to ascend to the elevation, Mr.
Judge Deverell, and look as grave as you possibly can ;
papa will sit by you in the character of Mercy, to miti-
gate the severity of Justice. Arthur and Gerald must
take that hill, and Jack and I will remain here to repre-
sent counsel. We will not take the trouble to call a
jury, because I know my lord judge has made up his
mind about the sentence. Now, all you people stand
round, and leave a passage for the police to bring up
the prisoners. Will this do, my lord ? "
" I am content, Hugh, provided you all look serious,"
answered Deverell. " You must make the most of our
strength, and display your arms to advantage. With
these ignorant natives, in their present condition, intimi-
dation is the only mode of subjection. I hope the time
is not very distant when milder measures may be used
to win them to civilization. We are commencing the
work by educating the children."
The glen was first cleared by sending the stock-keep-
ers forward with the cattle, as their progress must
necessarily be slow ; then, one after another, the police
released the trembling, crouching savages from the
caves, and brought them before the judge. The poor
wretches, at the sight of the array of guns and spears
before them, endured all the terrors of death. Dever-
ell, who had acquired some facility in speaking their
language, made a long address to the terrified men ; re-
proaching them with their folly and ingratitude in rob-
bing him, who had never refused to assist them in their
THE REPRIEVED NATIVES. 433
days of destitution, and who earnestly desired their
welfare. He warned them of the danger of dealing
with the bushrangers, who always deceived them, and
of frequenting the bush taverns to obtain the poisonous
liquor which would in the end destroy their whole nation.
He threatened them with instant death if they dared to
transgress again ; and then, "satisfied with the fright he
had given them, 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; but sprung up
the rocks, and speedily disappeared to seek the conceal-
ment of the bush.
There remained now only the four vile bushrangers
to dispose of; but these 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
expressed it, to drive them to Sydney, and there deliver
them into the hands of justice.
These ruffians were therefore brought from their re-
spective dungeons, and manacled two together; their
persons were searched, lest they should have any con-
cealed arms ; and their legs were then released from the
fetters. Peter, who obstinately refused to submit to the
incumbrance of clothing, required no search, and was
coupled to one of his bushranging friends, loudly show-
ering curses on his conquerors.
" Do you mean us to set out fasting with these malig-
nant scoundrels ? " he yelled out. " Ye 're fine Chris-
tians, to hunger folks. And ye know as well as we do
these greedy black rascals will prig all our rations on t'
road."
Mr. Deverell did know that the black police were
37
434 THE ESCAPE OF PETER.
scandalously harsh with their white prisoners, and he
therefore ordered that these wretched criminals should
sit down for half an hour, and be supplied with a plenti-
ful breakfast of cold meat, which they began to devour
ravenously, watched curiously by Ruth, who concealed
herself in a thicket, that she might look in safety at
these terrible bushrangers. All the rest of the party,
glad to avoid the sight of the wretches, wandered off to
another little glen which opened from their encampment,
except Mr. Deverell and Arthur, who had called the
police to one side to give them a strict charge to be
watchful and determined, but at the same time to treat
their prisoners with humanity.
While they were conversing, they were startled and
alarmed by a scream from Ruth, who, they believed, had
left the encampment with the rest of the party, and on
turning round they saw, to their great vexation, the
ranger who had been linked with Peter galloping off on
the horse of one of the police, which, ready for starting,
had been tied to a tree near the prisoners. The police
mounted the other three horses that were ready, and
speedily pursued the fugitive ; while Deverell and Ar-
thur went up in haste, and found, to their extreme mor-
tification, that the villain Peter was also missing. The
remainder of the party, recalled from their ramble by
the shriek of Ruth, had now joined them ; and when the
agitated girl was able to give an account of the occur-
rence, she said :
" He reached out, and took a cloak off t' horse, and
groped in t* pockets till he fetched out summut, maybe
a key, for I heard a click ; and then Peter jumped up
and laid hands on t' horse ; but t* other fellow was sharp
after hinij and pushed him off and loped atop on his
THE ESCAPE OF PETER. 435
back hisself, 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 I shrieked out ;
and then he scrambled up yon wood." And Ruth
pointed to the precipitous wood-covered wall of the
glen.
CHAPTER XXXIII.
A Chase over the Mountains. The Frightful End of the Bush-
ranger. Ruth's Opinion. The Cereopsis. A Description of
the Colony. The Dingo. The Cattle at Home. The Park.
The Arrival at Daisy Grange.
THEY had not time to consider what steps to take,
when Wilkins cried out, " Yon 's the rogue ; " and they
caught a glimpse of the painted figure of the fugitive
among the trees, at a height which seemed almost im-
possible to reach, for they all considered this precipitous
rock inaccessible.
" We must not let the villain escape us," cried Jack,
" or he will be sure to lead more poor wretches astray.
Some of you follow me." And, without further delay,
he caught hold of the branches of the lowest tree, and
swung himself up, grasping the overhanging boughs,
and forcing his way through the entangled bushes with
toil and danger, while Ruth continued to cry out like a
distracted creature.
It was strange, that in this dilemma the usual cool
presence of mind of the fearless and determined ruffian
seemed to forsake him. If he had sought the labyrin-
thine passages of the widely-spread mountain, he might
easily have bewildered his pursuers ; but he continually
exposed himself to 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
THE FEARFUL ABYSS. 437
this treacherous and sanguinary villain. Behind them,
urged by curiosity, anxiety for her brother, and detes-
tation of Black Peter, the excited girl Ruth, notwith-
standing the efforts of her friends, plunged through the
bushes to follow them, shouting wildly to her brother
when she caught glimpses of the spectral figure of the
convict, with the red lines painted on his body.
Onward up that tedious ascent the practised bush-
ranger proceeded, not even pausing for breath ; and
his half-exhausted pursuers began to fear he would
escape them ; but, after half an hour's struggle, a light
gleamed through the trees. They believed they were
coming to a more open space, when, rather than allow
the. convict to escape, the men resolved to use their
guns. The next minute they emerged from the wood,
and the whole party shrunk back, astonished at the
magnificent scene that lay before them. A few feet
from the wood a vast abyss opened. The eye could not
penetrate its depths : it appeared fathomless and dark,
for on all sides it was bounded by the perpendicular
cliff which descended from the verge of the forest.
For a moment only could the dizzy sight regard that
teriffic descent, from which only three feet of solid
earth separated them ; and they clung to the trees, as
they looked round to search for the fugitive. To their
great horror, they beheld the desperate man, making
his way along the narrow 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 a
convenient spot where he might again descend into the
wood. He stopped and turned round, and observing
his pursuers, who feared even to use their guns in such
a perilous position, the vindictive wretch poised and
37*
438 THE END OF PETER.
flung the spear. But before it had even reached its
destination, a yell of mortal terror was heard ; the shelf
of rock on which he stood, gave way under the impetu-
osity of his movement ; and the doomed wretch was
hurled into that vast space, beyond the reach of human
eyes, his shrieks of horror growing fainter as he sank
into death. While at the same time, from the tree
which he had grasped, and which shook as he fell, rose
a flight of black cockatoos, mocking with their loud
strange cries his fearful fate.
" Lord have mercy on him ! " exclaimed Jack, cover-
ing his face, and struck with awe.
"It's a judgment, man," said Wilkins. "Just see
how this poor fellow is bleeding with the rogue's last
will and deed."
The spear of Peter had entered the breast of the
herdsman, who was bleeding profusely. Wilkins drew
out the weapon, and Jack, seeing Ruth at his side, who
had succeeded in reaching him in time to see the catas-
trophe, despatched her in haste to the encampment, to
send aid for the wounded man.
Fearful of looking any longer at that dark and terri-
ble grave of the sinful wretch, the girl tumbled down
through the steep wood, and rushing up to Mr. Mayburn
and Margaret, said, " He 's carried off alive ! Them
bad spirits, them ! them ! have flown away with
Black Peter ; " and the distracted girl positively shriek-
ed as she pointed to a pair of harmless black cockatoos
perched on a fig-tree, which were curiously peering
down on the "strange creatures below; and most as-
suredly the coal-black plumage, lofty crest, and fan tail,
striped with bars of fiery scarlet, gave to the birds an
unearthly and fiend-like appearance.
THE WARNING JUDGMENT. 439
* Can anybody extract sense from the exclamations
of this wild girl ? " asked Mr. Mayburn, much distressed.
"Ascertain, Margaret, how the wretched man has es-
caped."
" 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 black pit ; 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 in-
coherent narrative was, that the presence of some of
the party was needed; and Mr. Deverell and Mr.
Mayburn, supplied with cold water and linen bandages,
set out to climb through the wood, on the beaten track
of the pursued and the pursuers ; but before they had
half ascended, they met with Wilkins and Jack, bearing
the wounded man with difficulty through the matted
and steep wood. When they were relieved by addi-
tional assistance, they soon reached the glen, and satis-
fied the anxiety of the perplexed family by a correct
recital of the awful fate of the villanous bushranger.
" It 's just what might have come to me, and I 'd
been but reet sarved," said Wilkins, " if it had n' t been
for ye all. I reckon it pleased God to send ye, just o'
purpose to bring round a good-to-naught chap, as not
a soul else would notish, or hauld out a finger to save.
Poor reprobate ! Ye ken a deal of things, Miss Mar-
get ; can ye say what Peter was seeing afore 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 to prepare, that we may be
ready for a sudden call to judgment."
440 THE HOME RIVER.
It was not long before the police returned with the
fugitive, whom they had overtaken and captured. He
was now secured with the other two rangers, and Peter
being disposed of, there was nothing to prevent the
police from proceeding with their prisoners to Sydney ;
and the guards and captives set out on their long jour-
ney, leaving the united party very thankful for their
separation from the wretched delinquents. The next
morning, after praying for a blessing on their expedi-
tion, the happy friends set forward cheerfully, now
safely guided by Edward Deverell, and hoping, before
long, to reach the long-desired haven of peace and rest.
But many a day of toil and anxiety still succeeded :
the privations of the barren and dry desert, the perils
of rude mountain-passes, and the fording deep and foam-
ing rivers, besides the subtle and vindictive pursuit of
various unfriendly tribes of natives. At length they
attained in 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 offer up a thanksgiving to Him
who has led us in safety through the wilderness. This
river is our guide and highway ; it flows on to our own
much-loved home ; it is the blessing and ornament,
dear Margaret, of Daisy Grange."
All joined with Christian earnestness in a thanksgiv-
ing for the mercies which even the lately awakened and
reformed criminals could appreciate and understand ; and
Edward Deverell rejoiced to see that the two convicts,
Wilkins and Davy, would not be a dangerous addition
to his little Christian community.
" Now, my dear friends," said Edward Deverell, " we
THE CEREOPSIS. 441
may trust that our progress may be unimpeded. This
fertile soil, watered by the river, will restore our en-
feebled cattle ; then we shall have milk with our flour
cakes, which, prepared by the skilful hand of Jenny,
disdain fellowship with the heavy ' damper ' of the
Australian traveller. If this abundant food does not
satisfy us, the trees will give us birds, and the river fish,
to diversify our diet. Ought we not to rejoice ? "
" If you please, Mr. Deverell," said Jenny, " yon 's a
bonnie flock of geese ; could n'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 secure one specially
for Mr. Mayburn's new museum."
Delighted with the prospect of sport, the boys were
soon ready, and returned 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 good
woman, can you tell me what this fowl is ? "
" A gray goose, Mr. Deverell, sure enough," answered
Jenny. Then regarding 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 rara avis, papa, that is, a bird of Aus-
tralia."
"I recognize it with delight," said Mr. Mayburn,
"from the description of Latham and later ornitholo-
gists, who class it as a new genus ; and from the curious
cere which envelopes the base of the bill, he names it
Cereopsis. Still it belongs to the swimming birds,
442 ORNITHOLOGY.
though the legs are naked above the joint, and the mem-
brane between the toes does not form the web foot. It
is, therefore, less fitted for the water than the goose or
swan, and is more strictly a wader, living, not on fish,
but vegetable food. In fact, it is a much handsomer
bird than the goose, and I would gladly preserve it, if I
had the means."
" You will have means and opportunity at the Deverell
Cation, my dear Mr. Mayburn," said Edward. " My
orother Charles will supply the means, and assist you to
form a museum ; and Emma has domesticated a flock of
Miese birds, which in common parlance are known as
tfie short-billed geese ; and I can assure you the flesh is
most delicate, very unlike that of the common water-
fowls which live on fish."
" I rejoice much, Edward Deverell," said Mr. May-
burn, " that you concur with me in admiring the works
of nature, a taste which I have endeavored to implant
in my children. I remember the words of a clever
writer. l To look on the creation with an eye of interest
and feeling, must be ever acceptable to the Creator.
To trace out the several properties of his works, and
to study with diligence and humility their laws, their
uses, and operations, is an employment worthy the
immortal mind of man ; since it is one of those studies
which we may reasonably hope will survive beyond the
grave.' "
" How delighted I am that dear little Emmy is tak-
ing the first steps of study in ornithology, by setting up a
poultry-yard," said Hugh. "We had many disputes
about waste of time in such useless pursuits, in which I
did not escape without much contumely for my bird
RUTH, A POULTRY-MAID. 443
lore. My generous retaliation shall be to improve her
collection. I will get her the black swan, 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. " The habits of the ornithorhynchus are
directly opposed to the domestic arrangements of the
poultry-yard : it is not even a fowl ; it is an unclassed
animal, of burrowing and diving propensities, and would
be a troublesome, if not a dangerous, inmate among do-
mestic fowls."
" I will leave it to Hugh and Emma to arrange the
foreigners as they may judge best," said Mr. Deverell ;
" but I know all our English fowls are furiously national,
and would resent the introduction of strangers, even to
bloodshed. Even the civil wars of the community tax
the patience of Emma and her handmaid Susan greatly ;
and she has threatened to reduce their numbers, now
become enormous."
" I can supply her with an assistant poultry-maid,"
said Margaret ; " my poor Ruth is devotedly attached
to fowls, and can manage them better than she can do
any thing else in the world. Ruth, would you not like
to be Mr. Deverell's poultry-woman ? "
" I would like to be amang 'em, bonnie creaters ! "
answered Ruth, with great joy, u if you be there Miss
Marget, and if they be cocks and hens ; and if them
black fellows will not run off wi' them."
'* Our black neighbors are all tame, Ruth," answered
Mr. Deverell. " We employ those who can be taught
to work, clothe the women, and teach the children ;
and in times of scarcity or sickness, we feed and attend
444 THE COLONY AS IT WILL BE.
them. As far as their ignorant and dull nature will
allow, we have reason to think that gratitude or policy
would prevent them from injuring us or our property."
" But the bushrangers," said Margaret ; " are you
not ever in fear of the crafty, vindictive bushrangers ? "
" During our journey," answered Mr. Deverell, " it is
necessary that we should be watchful ; but our black
police have reduced the number of these vagabonds
greatly, and our party is too formidable to be openly
defied. We must necessarily pass, now and then, one
of those infamous, lonely, road-side bush-taverns, as
they are called, at which these villains are in the habit
of congregating, that they may exchange their plunder
for spirits and tobacco with the men at the station, who
then forward the cattle to Sydney or to the gold-dig-
gings. But our police-followers are well acquainted
with these detestable stations, and are always prepared
for any assault. Above all, dear Margaret, we have a
precious charge, and think ourselves a band of brave
fellows ; every day diminishes our danger, for it brings
us nearer to our own inhabited grounds, where the
villains might venture to plunder secretly, but would
certainly not dare to show themselves."
" But are your retainers spread about the estate ? "
said Hugh. " I thought you intended to build a town."
" I scarcely aim so high, Hugh," replied Deverell.
" My stock-keepers are scattered over the cleared land
in huts, to look after the cattle. I live in my castle,
like a feudal lord, surrounded by my vassals, who have
erected rude temporary huts. But if you will all agree
to settle round me, we will really found a colony. I
will make an application to purchase, instead of leasing,
my immense tract of land. We will divide and culti-
THE RANZ DES VACHES. 445
vate it, which I never could do alone ; and we will be-
gin to build 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 the prospect 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 some good quar-
rymen and stonecutters on my establishment. We will
have a regular English village, with a green for sports,
and pleasant gardens to the cottages."
For a few days more they travelled pleasantly over
the grassy turf ; then they came on almost impenetra-
ble brushwood ; and as this formidable obstacle to their
progress would require vigor to overcome it, they en-
camped to spend the night, and commence their fatigue
with the morning light. But they found conversation
and repose equally impossible, from the disturbance
caused by the restless movements and incessant bellow-
ing of the cattle, which struggled to escape from the
pens in which their attendants had confined them.
Hugh went up to them with some curiosity, to know
what was the cause of this unusual excitement amongst
the quiet creatures. The herdsmen were all grinning
and rubbing their hands with great glee.
" Well, Patrick," said Deverell to one of the men,
" what is the jest that you seern to enjoy so much ? "
" It 's the bastes, master," answered the man exult-
ingly ; " they know where they are, the craters ! Don't
they smell the smell of their own comrades, sinsible dar-
lings ! And it is n't the brush they 'd mind if we were
giving them lave to it. Isn't it a short cut they'd
make to come at them as is of their own blood ! True
38
446 THE DINGO.
old Irish they are, and illegant bastes. Arrah, did n't
them rogues see that when they came kidnapping ? and
did n't they choose them out, in regard that there were
no bastes to be seen like them ! Bad luck to the rappa-
reens ! "
" Can it be possible," asked Margaret, " that we are
really so near to Daisy 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 extensive estate.
This formidable thorny brushwood forms, in fact, the
boundary and defence on this side, neither easy nor de-
sirable to penetrate. A very large portion of the inte-
rior of my land is not only uncultivated, but is even un-
known to me. We take care, however, to have cattle-
stations and hut-keepers round the boundaries, that our
rights may be recognized and preserved ; and doubtless
these weary wanderers have been stolen from one of the
border stations, and now scent with great satisfaction
their old companions, and their old quiet, luxurious
homes."
" Then I suppose we may conclude," said Gerald,
" that if we understood the 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 the look of that ugly scrub we shall have to
carry our horses through."
" Not altogether ugly," said Margaret ; " look at this
curious and interesting Banksia, with its stiff yellow
robe ; the white star-like blossoms of this shrub, which
resembles our myrtle ; and here is our old friend the
tea-shrub."
THE LAST DAY OP DANGER. 447
" Which Jenny will have to relinquish now," said
Deverell, " for the real tea of China, of which we have
a goodly store. But, Jem, or some of you men over
there, be pleased to fire a shot or two to chase away
those intolerable noisy dingoes, which, doubtless, like
the ogre, smell fresh meat, and would like to make a
foray on our game."
" Let us shoot a dingo, Edward," said Hugh ; " I
should like to look at the fellow closely."
" It is scarcely consistent with humanity," answered
Deverell, " to destroy an animal that can be of no use
to us ; but we have an excuse in the wolfish character
of the dingo, which destroys our sheep in numbers, if
not closely watched ; and nothing affords my shep-
herds and herdsmen more gratification than to trap or
shoot one of these marauders." Hugh had the gratifi-
cation of shooting the dingo, or warragle, as Baldabella
named it, and bringing it in for Arthur and his father
to inspect. Margaret retired in disgust, the intolera-
ble smell of the fierce-looking little animal was so offen-
sive.
" From its destructive habits," said Mr. Mayburn, " I
should have expected to see a larger animal ; but of its
wolfish ferocity there seems no doubt. It is remarkable
that it is, unlike the land quadrupeds yet found in Aus-
tralia, carnivorous, and not marsupial ; thus confirming
the theory that 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 speci-
men, but I cannot admire the creature."
Before the first gleam of day, while the moon yet
lighted up the heavens, the impatient travellers set out
448 ALL WELL.
to cross the bush ; and for more than two hours the
long cavalcade wound with toil and difficulty through
the tangled thorny bush. .At length the lowing of other
cattle than their own greeted their ears, and the fresher
breeze that came over the cleared ground announced
that they had passed the boundary, and were now act-
ually entering the domain of Mr. Deverell. In a short
time the mingled and familiar cries of the drovers and
their charge roused the first stock-man in his hut, who
rushed out in great joy to welcome the return of the
expedition.
" Ay, ay, sir ! " said the man, " I see they 've picked
out and made an end of the choicest of the stock ; it '&
like their ways ; " and he grumbled out his wishes that
certain evil consequences might attend their unlawful
feasts on his chosen favorites, and concluded by caress-
ing those which had happily escaped being devoured
by the robbers. He then proposed to send forward one
of the shepherds to announce the good news ; but the
travellers, now relieved from the charge of the cattle,
and having passed through the greatest difficulties of
their journey, agreed to proceed forward without delay,
and announce in their own persons the success of the
expedition at head-quarters.
They crossed a vast tract of wild and beautiful
forest ground, which was still uncleared, but at this
season bright with rich flowers, and noisy with the
birds that thronged the tall trees ; and continued to
ride forward till the heat of the noonday sun compelled
them to rest two hours most reluctantly in a shady
grove. Then, once more mounting, they rode forward
to enter on a new region. Before them lay spread
large, well-cultivated, fenced lands, stocked with sheep
EDWARD DEVERELL. 449
and cattle, and dotted here and there with the snug
neat huts of the shepherds and stock -keepers ; while
the lowing and bleating of the animals, and the distant
barking of dogs, and sound of English voices, were
music to the charmed ears of the weary travellers.
" His name be praised ! " said Mr. Mayburn, reverently
uncovering his head, " who has led us through the dry
and barren wilderness to a land of plenty and peace."
The whole party were deeply affected at the first
glimpse of home scenery and home sounds ; but Deverell
looked round with much anxiety till he caught sight of
a respectable-looking man riding among the cattle 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 ? " asked Deverell.
" Charming, sir," answered he ; " saw them all this
morning. Old mistress quite 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 I Charley," cried Edward, riding up to
shake hands with his brother, u my good fellow, what
have you been about, and what in the world has in-
duced you to bring the prisoners with you ? " and he
looked with suspicion and annoyance at the large party
of dL-tressed and ragged followers, who had purposely
turned away from him. At last Margaret looked round
and smiled, and the delighted young fellow laughed
with joy at seeing his old friends, and with amusement
at their miserable condition.
" My dear Margaret ! my good friends ! " he ex-
claimed, M I am quite wild with surprise and pleasure,
38*
450 THE BAZAAR.
Never mind your ragged furbelows; -little Emma is
a capital needlewoman, and will sew up all those great
rents."
" It will be a great blessing to me," said Margaret,
laughing, " to see a needle again."
" A needle, Margaret ! " exclaimed Charles, " we
have millions of needles ; Edward has a storehouse
crammed with every thing that everybody can want,
under every circumstance. He could supply a large
English country town with goods; chests of needle.*,
walls built up of paper, acres of that muslin stuff you
wear, so suitable to the thorny bush. Ask for what
you will, you can have it at Edward's grand bazaar."
" If you please, Mr. Charles," said Jack, " do you
think Mr. Edward has any tools ?"
" You have only to speak, Jack," answered he ; " we
can supply you with the appliances of the arts, from a
steam-engine to a delicate lancet. I am a clever shop-
man, 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 confusion among his
neatly-arranged shelves. Allowing for some exaggerr-
tion, my dear friends, Charles has told you the fact. I
found my poor people had to pay so extravagantly for
the little luxuries and necessaries of life they required,
either from the extortions of itinerant dealers, who are
dangerous visitors to admit into a settlement, or from
the expense of journeys to Sydney or Melbourne to
make their purchases, that I resolved to supply them
at moderate prices myself, which I am enabled to do
by bringing wagon-loads of goods from Sydney, and
THE PARK. 451
furnishing a large storehouse which I had built for the
purpose."
" But are you not afraid of the bush-rangers being
attracted by your valuable storehouse ? " asked Mr.
Mayburn.
" I have a clever-managing store-keeper, who, with
his assistant, sleeps in the place, where they have arms,
two fierce dogs, and an alarm-bell loud enough to rouse
the whole hamlet. Besides, our bushrangers prefer
highway robbery, or raids on the cattle, to the more
dangerous attempts at house-breaking. You need fetir
no bushrangers, my dear Mr. Mayburn, if you were
once within the walls of my castle, where I trust to
welcome you speedily. Now I wish you to look at the
beautiful variety of timber trees which I have left
standing as ornaments to my spacious park."
It was amongst these varied and extraordinary trees
that the cavalcade were now passing. Several varieties
of the Eucalyptus and the palm tribe, with their bare
tall trunks and crested heads, were mingled with white
or golden-blossomed acacias ; the Hibiscus, peculiar to
Australia ; the drooping grass-tree ; and one spreading
fig-tree stood like a natural temple, with its pillar-like
roots entwined with elegant creeping plants, with a
grace beyond the reach of art. Beneath these trees
the turf was resplendent with spring flowers, on which
were quietly grazing flocks of white sheep, supplying
the place of the aristocratic deer. As they issued from
the woodland upon a grassy glade, sloping gently to the
banks of the river, Charles rode forward to announce
the glad tidings at Daisy Grange, which was now in
sight on a pretty eminence, backed by higher hills,
which stretched beyond into gray mountains. As the/
452 DAISY GRANGE.
rode slowly forward on their worn-out horses, Mr. May-
burn was lost in admiration of the curious and happily-
blended trees, and Edward Deverell said,
" The names given by the colonists to these new and
remarkable trees are puzzling and inapplicable. This
tree, named by them the red cedar, is certainly not a
cedar ; though it is very useful, being our best timber
Iree, the wood resembling mahogany. The apple-tree
bears no fruit, and has no claim whatever to the tanta-
lizing name. The rose-wood, so called from its delicate
perfume, is a kind of Meliacece, the fruit of which is
uneatable. Then we have the cherry, Exocarpus, the
fruit of which is useless, and peculiarly unlike the dear
old cherry of England, with which, however, I trust to
regale you in a few months. I can already discover
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 up the hill, that you may con-
template leisurely the imposing appearance of my baro-
nial hall."
But however Edward Deverell might depreciate his
mansion, the distressed wanderers regarded its appear-
ance with admiration and delight as they passed over
the sloping lawn, laid out with excellent taste in par-
terres of gay-colored flowers rising from the green turf,
which was enamelled with the daisies of England ; and
saw the pretty house which offered them shelter after
fifteen months of wandering.
The building, though entirely of wood, was pictu-
resque and spacious. It was surrounded by a large gar-
den, beyond which were raised the large storehou?e ;
stables, and farm-buildings. Along the front of the
house was a broad veranda, supported by columns, en-
DAISY GRANGE. 453
twined with roses, honeysuckles, and the well-loved
creeping flowers of England, now bursting into blossom ;
while the large portico was curtained with draperies of
the rich flowering climbers of Australia the convol-
vulus, the curious passion-flower, and other graceful un-
known plants, to stimulate the curiosity of the botanists.
But it was not at this moment that all the beauties of
the Grange were observed, for the hospitable doors stood
open, and the agitated party were hurried into the cool
and spacious hall, where Mrs. Deverell and her smiling
daughter waited to welcome Edward and his unexpected
companions.
CHAPTER XXXIV.
The Comforts of Civilization. Susan Raine. The Hamlet and thq
Church. Plans for the Future. Mrs. Edward Deverell. Thf
Beauties of Daisy Grange.
THE excitement of the reception was great: such
screams of wonder and delight ! so many tears at the
thoughts of the trials and sufferings of the wanderers J
and so much laughter at their tattered condition ! Then
succeeded such haste and bustle to procure immediate
aid to restore to them the comforts of which they had
been so long deprived, and to spread the hospitable
board with the refreshments so long untasted.
It was only by interjections and extorted answers
that any details of their trials were known at first.
It was necessary that they should be restored to the
likeness of civilized beings ; and the servants vied with
their master and mistress in providing food and raiment
for the needy.
" Tell me, dear Emma," said Margaret, as she brushed
her dishevelled hair and arrayed herself in a clean mus-
lin dress belonging to her friend, " tell me if you have
still, and unmarried, the pretty dairy-maid, Susan Raine,
who accompanied you from England. One of our faith-
ful attendants, though rude and unpolished, will be
broken-hearted if he does not find his Susan here."
" But surely, Margaret," answered Emma, " you are
not speaking of the graceless convict, Wilkins? You
alarm me, for the good girl has told me her whole his-
(454)
THE BANQUET. 455
toiy ; and, though she is unwilling to allow it, there is
no doubt the man behaved basely in inducing her to
come over from England to join him, only to find the
worthless fellow had absconded."
"But let me explain his conduct to you, Emma," said
Margaret ; " let me tell you his story of sins and repent-
ance and then I hope you will consent to be his media-
tor and friend."
Then, before they descended to join the rest, Marga-
ret told her friend all the circumstances of Wilkins's
temptation, fall, and happy reformation after having
been thrown amongst them ; and this was the first part
of the adventures of the travellers that was related at
Daisy Grange. And when the girls told Mrs. Deverell
this tale of trials, she promised that Susan, who was now
engaged in the dairy, should have the unexpected event
properly revealed to her before she was introduced to
her much-lamented friend.
The travellers scarcely recognized each other in their
amended appearance, for which they had been indebted
to the wardrobes of their friends ; and they now pro-
ceeded to Ihe large dining-room, where the table was
spread with the plenty of an English home. Beef and
mutton from the fields ; fowls from the poultry-yard ;
pastry made by Emma ; fruit and vegetables from the
garden, and cream from the dairy. To these homely
luxuries was added home-brewed ale from the barley
grown on the settlement, which Edward Deverell said
must satisfy his guests for some time, till his vines pro-
duced him grapes fit to make wine.
In the mean time Jenny and Ruth, with Baldabella
and her child, had been properly cared for by the maid-
servants of the establishment, who were in exuberant
456 DEVERELL.
spirits at the novelty of visitors, and especially such
wonderful and amusing visitors, who could tell them
such strange tales of their travels ; and even Balda-
bella in time got over her shyness, under the pressing
hospitality of the reception ; and little Nakinna was
in ecstasies at the novelties she beheld and the dainties
which she now first tasted. Wilkins moped in a corner
in deep distress till his friend Hugh came to him, who
insisted on his shaving and dressing himself neatly, and
who then accompanied him to the dairy, where Susan,
already acquainted with his story by Emma, was sitting
weeping, but quite ready to receive and pardon the
repentant man; and the mirth and festivity of the
servants* hall were complete when the reunited pair
joined the party.
It was late before the wanderers had recounted their
adventures ; and they all fully enjoyed the luxury of
beds, after being so long accustomed to the open air,
though the boys declared sleeping in an enclosed room
was rather confining. Next morning, after a breakfast
of coffee and cream, with all the other good filings of
the farm, they set out 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, and
consisted of a long row of wooden huts, thatched with
bark, and painted green ; each stood apart in a pretty
garden, and each had behind it about an 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 four hundred yards, and before them was a
green, in the midst of which was an enclosure that con-
THE PARSONAGE HOUSE. 457
tained a neat stone-built church, with its low tower and
bell to summon the congregation to church.
Mr. Mayburn was moved even to tears at the sight
of this temple of God in the remote wilds ; he seized
the hand of Deverell, and said, " May Heaven bless you,
my son ! tell me whom you expect to fulfil the duties
of this holy place."
" We have but just completed the most difficult and
important work we have yet undertaken," answered
Deverell. " The stone has been brought from our
own quarry ; but the labor of cutting and building
was great and tedious. Our people are, however,
pious and industrious, and they gladly worked extra
hours to raise the place of worship they pined for. I
have ever proposed to wait for you to be our priest, my
good father ; and month after month I have expected
letters from you. For some of the graceless crew of the
Golden fairy, who escaped in the boats, reached
Adelaide ; 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, to write to beseech you to join me. It is only
during the last month that, afflicted and disappointed
by your long silence, I have reluctantly turned 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 our worthy bishop, when the raid
of the bush-rangers called me away to recover 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. May-
burn. " I am content and happy to remain with you ;
39
458 THE SCHOOLS.
and I feel sure my children are determined to do the
same. Teach them to be useful and happy as you are ;
and allow us to form part of your new colony."
" Huzza ! " cried Hugh ; " but you must grant us
allotments to build cottages on, 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 is large enough for
a city hotel. We will begin by building a handsome
manse for our worthy pastor, with a large and conven-
ient museum, which everybody must try to furnish with
wonderful birds and eggs, and all the natural curiosities
of Australia. I can spare volumes of my own to fit up
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," continued Deverell ; " and constitute him
head carpenter of Deverell. On your recommendation,
I will venture to employ Wilkins as a stock-keeper ; he
shall be placed at the dairy-house, which the prudent
Susan shall manage ; and they shall have a good allot-
ment, with cows and pigs of their own, to encourage
them to prudence and industry. As for your female
followers, Nurse Wilson, Ruth, and the native woman
and child, they must remain with us, at least till the
parsonage-house is completed, and Mr. Mayburn wishes
to found his household."
" I propose, Edward," said Margaret, " that, if you
do not object, I should teach some of the little girls of
the hamlet I see you have a number who are peep-
ing at us from the cottages ; then Nakinna will learn
MARGARET AT HOME. 459
with 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 pretty spot, 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. He intends, when his house is
ready, to go down to Sydney, and bring thence a wife
to preside over it. He has fixed on a very charming
young orphan girl, who, with her two young sisters
that will accompany her, will form a most agreeable
addition to our society."
" That is quite right," said Mr. Mayburn. " I rejoice
to hear of his intention. And you, my dear Edward
would it not be also desirable that you should bring
some lady suitable to you to this pleasant abode ? If
you have really resolved to pass your days here, it is
your duty to marry."
" Do you think so, my very dear friend ? " answered
Deverell. " Then I leave the affair in your hands ;
you must kindly select a bride for me."
" I, my dear Edward ! " exclaimed Mr. Mayburn. " I
that have ever lived so much out of the world, and that
am now a perfect solitary. I am actually acquainted
with no young ladies in the world but your sister and
my own child."
"Perhaps, papa," said Gerald archly, "Edward
would be satisfied to take Margaret."
" How exceedingly absurd you can be, my dear boy,"
said Mr. Mayburn ; then, after a few minutes' consid-
eration, he added : " The thought never occurred to me
4GO THE VINEYARDS.
before ; it is not an absurd idea. I really do not see
why such a pleasant arrangement might not be."
Margaret fled from the delicate discussion, and Ed-
ward Deverell then assured Mr. Mayburn, that not only
he should be satisfied to take Margaret, but that he had
never thought of any other person ; as everybody but
Mr. Mayburn understood long ago.
Then Margaret had to be asked if she would consent
to be the mistress of that comfortable and happy house-
hold, to which she agreed, providing Mrs. Deverell and
Emma would still continue to share the pleasures and
duties of her home. And Edward told her all his plans
for extending the population of his colony, and regulat-
ing it according to the laws of England and the com-
mands of God. The great hall was, when needed, a
hall of justice, and his people knew they were amenable
to the law as much as if they lived in England.
" You should see how grave I look when I am seated
on my throne of office, Margaret," said Deverell : " I
must have Mr. Mayburn and Arthur on the bench in
future, to give more dignity to my court. And now I
must show 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 the fairest products of Australia and
England. Conservatories and hot-houses were not
needed in this charming climate, where the most deli-
cate flowers and choicest fruits reached perfection in the
open air. The rich blossoms of the apple, peach, apri-
cot, and nectarine were now glowing on every side, and
the trees, though so young, gave promise of abundant
fruit ; and the fragrance of the strawberry beds pro-
JACK AT WORK. 461
claimed the fruit to be ripe. Margaret was delighted
with all she saw, and astonished at the thought of the
labor and perseverance that must have been used.
A long avenue was shaded with the broad and luxu-
riant leaves of the vine, on which small bunches of
grapes were already formed, a young crop, but giving
promise of the rich vintage future years would bring.
" When my vines have reached maturity," said Dev-
erell, " I shall require all the heads and the hands I can
command, in order to make good wine from my own
vineyard, of which, if God spare me, I have no fear.
And I hope, Margaret, you are pleased with the deli-
cate and fragrant blossoms of my orange-trees. They
are yet but low shrubs ; but I trust we shall live to see
them tali and productive trees."
But it required many pleasant days, and many ram-
bles 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,
orchards and gardens were marked out, and a list of
fruit-trees and seeds made out. Jack was in his ele-
ment, superintending the cutting down of timber trees,
and then manufacturing them into tables and chairs,
and other useful furniture, to his heart's content.
" It 's a great comfort, Mr. Arthur," said he, as his
three young friends stood near him in his new work-
shop. " It 's a great comfort to have a good chest of
tools again, and that thief, Peter, no longer here to
make off with them ; and to be working at good jobs
that we shall not have to run away and leave behind us,
as we had to do when those ugly black fellows were
always hanging at our heels."
" But, Jack." answered Hugh, " do you know that
39*
462 THE KANGAROO HUNTERS.
Mr. Deverell has a number of those black fellows em-
ployed on his estate, who not only wear clothes and live
in huts, but speak English, behave quietly and honestly,
and attend prayers regularly with the other work-
people. Baldabella is very glad to meet with the native
women, who are notjins here, but wives ; she certainly
holds herself a little above them, but she condescends to
teach them decorum and the manners of society. We
are all to be employed in the schools immediately, and
then you will see what wonders papa and Arthur 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 '11 not get Wilkins to believe
such a thing. He hates blacks like toads, and always
did. There 's Susan, however, she is a quiet, good
lass ; but she has a good spirit, and maybe she may win
her good man to think better of them. But, Mr. Ar-
thur, now you are at your proper work among books,
and Master Hugh and Master Gerald, they '11 be riding
about on the land, I shall not see much of you ; there 's
no need for any of you to take up a hammer now."
"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 up for lost time.
Then papa intends me to go to England, to be entered
at one of the universities."
" And to return to us the Reverend Arthur May-
burn," said Gerald, "ready to help papa, and, I should
say, to marry little Emma."
" But I shall always come and help you, Jack, when
I have time," said Hugh ; " we should all be mechanics
here, in case of vicissitudes. My particular pursuit
THE KANGAROO HUNTERS. 463
will be to study medicine with Charles Deverell, to be
fitted for the second doctor when our colony shall be so
much increased that two are required. Gerald is to be
farmer, and hunter, and game-keeper, and ornithological
assistant to papa; and then, I think, Jack, we shall
form such a pleasant, cosy family circle, that we shall
none of us feel any inclination * to take to the bush.' "
" Farewell to the cowardly bushrangers," sakl Gerald.
" They never dare face such a band of heroes. I shall
be head ranger myself; and on grand occasions I shall
call you all around me for a field-day, to beat the
bushes, and keep up our character of successful KANGA
BOO HUNTERS."
END.
STANDARD AND POPULAR BOOKS
PUBLISHED BY
PORTER & tarn, PHILADELPHIA, PA
WAVEELEY NOVELS. By SIR WALTER SCOTT.
*Waverley.
*Guy Mannering.
The Antiquary.
Rob Boy.
Black Dwarf; and Old Mortality.
The Heart of Mid- Lothian.
The Brid of Lamraermoor; and A
Legend of Montrose.
*Ivanhoe.
The Monastery.
The AbbotL
Keuilwortlu
The Fortunes of NigeL
Peveril of the Peak.
Quentiu Durward.
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Redgauntlet
The Betrothed; and The Talisman.
Woodstock.
The Fair Maid of Perth.
Anne of Geierstein.
Count Robert of Paris; and Castle
Dangerous.
Chronicles of the Canongate.
The Pirate.
Household Edition, 23 vols. Illustrated. 12mo. Cloth, extra,
black and gold, per vol., $1.00; sheep, marbled edges, per vol.,
$1.50; half calf, gilt, marbled edges, per vol., $3.00. Sold sepa-
rately in cloth binding only.
Universe Edition. 25 vols. Printed on thin paper, and con-
taining one illustration to the volume. 12ino. Cloth, extra, black
and gold, per vol., 75 cts.
World Edition. 12 vols. Thick 12mo. (Sold in sets only.)
Cloth, extra, black and gold, $18.00 ; half imt. Eussia, marbled
edges, $24.00.
This is the best edition for the library or for general use published. Its
convenient size, the extreme legibility of the type, which is larger than
is used iu any other 12mo edition, either English or American.
TALES OF A GEANDFATHEE. By SIR WALTER SCOTT, Bart,
4 vols. Uniform with the Waverley Novels.
Household Edition. Illustrated. 12mo. Cloth, extra, black
and gold, per vol , $1.00; sheep, marbled edges, per vol., $1.50;
half calf, gilt, marbled edges, per vol., $3.00.
This edition contains the Fourth Series Tales from French history and
Is the only complete edition published in this country.
-ft)
PORTER & COATES* PUBLICATION'S.
CHARLES DICKENS' COMPLETE WOEKS. Author's Edition.
14 vols., with a portrait 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, per vol., $1.50 ; half
imt. Eussia, marbled edges, per vol., $1.50: half calf, gilt,
marbled edges, per vol., $2.75.
Christmas Books, Uncommercial
Traveller, aud Additional
Christmas Stories.
Bleak House.
Little Dorrit.
Tale of Two Cities, and Great Ex-
pectations.
Our Mutual Friend.
Edwin Drood, Sketches, Master
Humphrey's Clock, etc., etc.
Pickwick Papers.
Oliver Twist, Pictures of Italy, and
American Notes.
Nicholas Nickleby.
Old Curiosity Shop, and Reprinted
Pieces.
Barnaby Rudge, and Hard Times.
*Martin Chuzzlewit
Bombay and Son.
David Copperfield.
Sold separately in cloth binding only.
*Also in Alta Edition, one illustration, 75 cents.
The same. Universe Edition. Printed on thin paper and con-
taining one illustration to the volume. 14 vols,, 12mo. Cloth,
extra, black and gold, per vol., 75 cents.
The same. World Edition. 7 vols., thick 12mo., $12.25. (Sold
in sets only.)
CHILD'S HISTOEY OF ENGLAND. By CHARLES DICKENS.
Popular 12mo. edition; from new electrotype plates. Large
clear type. Beautifully illustrated with 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 rank of
the noble company to which he belongs. He has revived the novel of genu-
ine practical life, as it existed in the vrorks of Fielding, Smollett, and Gold-
smith; but at the same time has given to his material an iudividual coloring
and expression peculiarly his own. His characters, like those of his great
exemplars, constitute a world of their own, whose truth to nature every
reader instinctively recognizes in connection with their truth to darkness."
E. P. Whipple*
MACAULAY'S HISTOEY OF ENGLAND. From the accession
of James II. By THOMAS BABINGTON MACAULAY. With a
steel portrait of the author. Printed from new electrotype
plates from the last English Edition. Being by far the most
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 Eussia, $7.50; half calf,
gilt, marbled edges, per set, $15.00.
Popular Edition. 5 vols., cloth, plain, $5.00.
8vo. Edition. 5 volumes in one, with portrait. Cloth, extra,
Vack and gold, $3.00; sheep, marbled edges, $3.50.
MAETINEAU'S HISTOEY OF ENGLAND. From the beginning
of the 19th Century to the Crimean War. By HARRIET MAR-
TINEAU. Complete in 4 vols., with full Index. Cloth, extra,
black and gold, per set, $4.00 ; sheep, marbled edges, $6.00 ; half
calf, gilt, marbled edges. $12.00.
PORTER A COATES* PUBLICATIONS.
HUME'S HISTORY OF ENGLAND. From the invasion of
Julius Csesar to the abdication of James II, 1688. By DAVID
HUME. Standard Edition. With the author's last corrections
and improvements ; to which is prefixed a short account of
his life, written by himself. With a portrait on steel. A new
edition 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 Kussia, $7.50 ; half calf,
gilt, marbled edges, per set, $15.00.
Popular Edition. 5 vols. Cloth, plain, $5.00.
GIBBON'S DECLINE AND FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE.
By EDWARD GIBBON. With Notes, by Rev. H. H. MILMAN.
Standard Edition. To which is added a complete Index of
the work. A new edition from entirely new stereotype plates.
With portrait on steel. 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, per set,
$15.00.
Popular Edition. 5 vols. Cloth, plain, $5.00.
ENGLAND, PICTURESQUE AND DESCRIPTIVE. By JOEL
COOK, author of " A Holiday Tour in Europe," etc. With 487
finely engraved illustrations, descriptive of the most famous
and attractive places, as well as of the historic scenes and
rural life of England and Wales. With Mr. Cook's admirable
descriptions of the places and the country, and the splendid il-
lustrations, this is the most valuable and attractive book of the
season, and the sale will doubtless be very large. 4to. Cloth,
extra, gilt side and edges, $7.50; half calf, gilt, marbled edges,
$10.00 ; half morocco, full gilt edges, $10.00 ; full Turkey mo-
rocco, gilt edges, $15.00; tree calf, gilt edges, $18.00.
This work, which is prepared in elegant style, and profusely illustrated,
is a comprehensive description of England and Wales, arranged in conve-
nient form for the tourist, and at the same time providing an illustrated
guide-book to a country which Americans always view with interest. There
are few satisfactory works about this land which is so generously gifted by
Nature and so full of memorials of the past. Such books as there are, either
cover a few counties or are devoted to special localities, or are merely guide-
books. The present work is believed to be the first attempt to give in attrac-
tive form a description of the stately homes, renowned castle*, ivy-clad ruins
of abbeys, churches, and ancient fortresses, delioious scenery, rock-bound
coasts, and celebrate! places of England and Wales. It is written by an
author fully competent from travel and reading, and in position to properly
describe his very interesting subject; and the artist's pencil has been called
into requisition to graphically illustrate its well-written pages. There are
487 illustrations, prepared in the highest style of the engraver's art, while
the book itself is one of the most attractive ever presented to the American
public.
Its method of construction is systematic, following the most convenient
routes taken by tourists, and the letter-press includes enough of the history
and legend of each of the placps described to make the story highly inter-
esting. Its pages fairly overflow with picture and description, telling of
everything attractive that is presented by England and Wales. Executed
In the highest style of the printer's and engraver's art, " England, Pictur-
esque and Descriptive," is one of the best American books of the year.
PORTER & COATES' PUBLICATIONS.
HISTORY OF THE CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA. By the COMTB
DE PAKIS. With Maps faithfully Engraved from the Origin-
als, and Printed in Three Colors. 8vo. Cloth, per volume,
$3.50; red cloth, extra, Roxburgh style, uncut edges, $3.50;
sheep, library style, $4.50 ; half Turkey morocco, $6.00. Voli
I, II, and III now ready.
The third volume embraces, without abridgment, the fifth and sixth
rolumes of the French edition, and covers one of the most interesting as
well as the most anxious periods of the war, describing the operations of the
Army of the Potomac in the East, and the Army of the Cumberland and
Tennessee in the West.
It contains full accounts of the battle of Chancellorsville, the attack of the
monitors on Fort Sumter, the sieges and fall of Vicksburg and Port Hudson ;
the battles of Port Gibson and Champion's Hill, and the fullest and most
authentic account of the battle of Gettysburg ever written.
"The head of the Orleans family has put pen to paper with excellent
result Our present impression is that it will form by far the best
history of the American vra.T."At?ienceum, London.
"We advise all Americans to read it carefully, and judge for themselves
if 'the future historian of our war,' of whom we have heard so much, be not
already arrived in the Comte de Paris." Nation, New York.
"This is incomparably the best account of our great second revolution
that has yet been even attempted. It is so calm, so dispassionate, so accurate
in detail, and at the same time so philosophical in general, that its readei
counts confidently on finding the complete work thoroughly satisfactory."
Evening Bulletin, Philadelphia.
"The work expresses the calm, deliberate judgment of an experienced
military observer and a highly intelligent man. Many of its statements
will excite discussion, >>ut we much mistake if it does not take high and
permanent rant among the standard histories of the civil war. Indeed
that place has been assigned it by the most competent critics both of this
country and abroad." Times, Cincinnati.
"Messrs. Porter & Coates, of Philadelphia, will publish in a few days the
authorized translation of the new volume of the Comte de Paris' History of
Our Civil War. The two volumes in French the fifth and sixth are bound
together in the translation In one volume. Our readers already know,
through a table of contents of these volumes, published in the cable columns
of the Herald, the period covered by this new installment of a work remark-
able in several ways. It includes the most important and decisive period of
the war, and the two great campaigns of Gettysburg and Vicksburg.
"The great civil war has had no better, no abler historian than the French
prince who, emulating the example of Lafayette, took part in this new
struggle for freedom, and who now writes of events, in many of which he
participated, as an accomplished officer, and one who, by his independent
position, his high character and eminent talents, was placed in circum-
stances and relations which gave him almost unequalled opportunities to
gain correct information and form impartial judgments.
"The new installment of a work which has already become a classic will
be read with increased interest by Americans because of the importance of
the period it covers and the stirring events it describes. In advance of a
careful review we present to-day some extracts from the advance sheets sent
us by Messrs. Porter & Coates, which will give our readers a foretaste of
chapters which bring back to memory so many half-forgotten and not a few
hitherto unvalued details of a time which Americans of this generation at
least cannot read of without a fresh thrill of excitement."
14 DAY USE
RETURN TO DESK FROM WHICH BORROWED
LOAN DEPT.
This book is due on the last date stamped below, or
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v
LD 21A-50m-9,'58
(6889slO)476B
General Library
University of California
Berkeley
M31E310
