own to a hearty feed of the rich grass.

But there was work to be done that evening, though not much. The tent
had to be set up, and as the boys drove in the pegs, it was with a
heartier will, for they knew that they would not be withdrawn for some
time to come.

The position for the house was soon decided, for nature herself had
planned it; a charming spot, sheltered to the north by a range from the
scorching north wind; and in addition there was a grove of magnificent
gum-trees, just far enough apart to have allowed them to grow to their
greatest perfection, while dotted here and there were other trees with
prickly leaves and pyramidal growth, their lower boughs touching the
ground, every one a perfect specimen that it would have been a sin to
cut down.

From this chosen spot the land sloped gradually down to the sparkling
river, with its beautiful falls and pools, while away on the other side,
beyond the bed of the stream, stretched out a grand expanse of land all
on a gentle slope. On the hillier side an equally beautiful expanse,
extending for miles, sloped upward toward the mountains, offering
pasture that would have satisfied the most exacting.

"We are the first settlers here," cried the captain, "and as I have a
right, Jack, to-morrow we will ride in different directions, and blaze
trees for our boundaries. Then there will only be the plan and
description to send to the crown offices in the city, and we take up a
grand estate that will in due time be our own."

"Our own!" cried Norman, excitedly. "But you will have a bit of the
river too?"

"I shall take up land on both sides--a large estate. There is plenty
for all Englishmen, but those who are enterprising enough to do as we
have done, of course, get the first choice."

"I'm very glad you are satisfied, my dear," said Mrs Bedford,
affectionately, as they all lingered in the glorious sunset light over
their evening meal, the whole place seeming a perfect paradise.

"I am satisfied," said the captain, "for here there is ample reward for
those who like to work, and we can see our boys have a grand future
before them in the new land."

"I'm glad too," said Aunt Georgie, in her matter-of-fact way. "You may
quite rely upon us all setting to work to make the best of things, when
you men and boys have built us a house to keep off the rain--for I
suppose it does rain here sometimes, though we have not seen any."

"Rain, aunt? Tremendously."

"Well