of swimming to do. If we rush 'em they'll get over in no time."

"Very well. But we will cut out all the cows with calves too young to
swim."

This did not take long, and some thirty or forty cows with calves were
separated from the mob, and driven some distance back into the scrub by
Fraser. Then with the usual yelling and cracking of whips the main mob
was rushed down the bank into the water, a wide-horned, stately bullock,
plunging into the yellow stream, and taking the lead Close behind the
cattle followed the three men and Kate, the latter and Gerrard keeping
on the "lee" side of the mob so as to prevent them spreading out and
getting too far down-stream, where there was danger from a number of
snags of ti-trees, which showed above water in the middle of the creek.
The cattle, however, kept well together, and when the deep part was
reached, swam safely across, despite the rather strong current.

"They went over splendidly, didn't they?" cried Fraser to Gerrard, as
he gave his horse a loose rein and leant forward to let the animal swim
easily. "We are lucky to get them over so easily, and----"

His words were interrupted by a cry of terror from Kate, as the colt she
was riding gave an agonised snort of terror, and began pawing the water
with its fore-feet.

"Help me, father! Mr Gerrard! Oh, it is an alligator!" and as she spoke
she was nearly unseated. "It has Cato by the off hind leg."

Gerrard, only ten yards away from her, turned his horse's head, and
shouted to her to throw herself off, and then, with a deadly terror in
his heart, saw her shaken off; and disappear in the surging stream,
but in a few seconds she rose to the surface, panting and choking, but
swimming bravely, though she was unable to see. Gerrard, now beside her,
leant over, placed his left arm round her waist, and held her tight.

"Don't be afraid," he said, "I have you safe; take a good grip of my
horse's mane and hold on; he will take you across in a few minutes," and
as the girl obeyed, he slipped out of the saddle, so as to swim beside
her. Then his bronzed face went white with horror as the black snout
of an alligator thrust itself out of the water between the girl and
himself, and the saurian tried to seize her by the shoulder. In an
instant Gerrard had clutched the reptile by the throat with his right
hand.

"Go on, go on; for God's sake, do not mind me!" he cried to Kate; "I
have the brute by its throat," and then, as he and the