r so he would be by her side at Ocho Rios.

There had never been what some people call "courtship" between Kate and
Gerrard. When she came to the station on her promised visit, her father
had come with her. He stayed a few days at Ocho Rios, and then set out
on his return to Black Bluff Creek, accompanied by Gerrard, who was
going part of the way with him. They had ridden for a mile or two from
the station, chatting on various matters, when Gerrard suddenly drew
rein.

"Mr Fraser!"

The old man looked up, wondering at the "Mr."

"What is it, Gerrard?"

"I am going to ask your daughter to marry me."

Fraser could not help a smile. "There's no beating about the bush
with you, Tom Gerrard." Then he put out his hand, and said with grave
kindness: "You are the one man whom I should like to see her marry."

"Thank you," and the younger man's face flushed with pleasure.

Then Fraser, like the tactful man he was, said not a word more on the
matter.

"Look here, Gerrard, what is the use of your coming any further with me
when you have so much to do? Get back, my son--and I wish you luck. Give
Kate my love, and tell her I said so," and then shaking hands with his
friend, he struck into a smart canter.

Gerrard rode slowly home. Kate, Jim, and Mary were engaged in making a
seine in the cool back verandah. Kate looked up with a smile, surprised
and pleased to see him back so soon.

"Will you come with me and shoot some guinea-fowl, Miss Fraser?" Then he
hurriedly turned to Jim: "You need not come, Jim. Go on with the seine."

An hour later they returned--without any guinea-fowl. Gerrard was in
high spirits. He slapped Jim on the back.

"Let the seine rip, Jim, and get your gun, and we'll try and get some
pheasants. We couldn't see a blessed guinea-fowl anywhere; could we,
_Kate?_"

"No, _Tom_, we could not; they are horribly scarce to-day, Jim," she
replied demurely, as she fled to her room.

After a quiet, restful night, Gerrard and Tommy made an early start,
driving the pack-horse in front of them, and followed by the three spare
horses. All that day they travelled slowly, and at sunset reached the
mouth of the alligator-haunted Coen, where, to Gerrard's delight, they
saw a smart, white-painted lugger lying at anchor. In answer to their
loud _coo-e-e!_ a boat manned by two Malays, put off, and the master
jumped ashore.

"How are you, Mr Gerrard? You see I'm three days sooner than I said, but
we got a rattling