gers; but all were ready
to join in the hunt for them. Therefore it was decided that Dick
Shillito and the two Watsons should each ride, at once, to
neighbouring stations to bring aid. At one of the stations two more
policemen would be found, and as in the pursuit they should
probably pass near other stations, their numbers would swell as
they went. When this was settled, the party sat down to the meal.

"How did you come upon them, Shillito?" Caister asked.

"I had been spending the day with the Wilkinsons. I did not start
to ride home till it was rather late, and I was riding fast when,
about a quarter of a mile before I got to my place, I rode right
into the middle of a lot of men on horseback. They evidently hadn't
heard me coming, and were as much surprised as I was.

"There was a general shout of 'Bail up!' and I saw at once what
sort of gentry they were. However, I didn't stop, but in the
confusion dashed through.

"A few shots were fired at me. I suppose they were too surprised to
aim straight. Then they started off after me. I knew it was no use
making for home, for there was only one man there; so I swept round
and made for your place. My horse is a good one, you know, and I
gained on them all except one man, who must have been capitally
mounted, for he gradually crept up to me. He wasn't twenty yards
behind me when he shouted:

"'Stop, or I fire!'

"I pulled straight up and, as he came up to me, let fly at him. He
tumbled off his horse, and I galloped off till I got here."

"What has become of your horse, I wonder?"

"I gave him a cut with my whip, as I jumped off. He cantered away.
Of course they may have caught him, but I don't think it's likely."

"You will find him somewhere about at daylight, I expect. I will
ride Caister's spare horse, now."

For Jim, with one of the hands, had gone out to fetch in the two
horses from the spot where they had been turned loose.

Chapter 14: An Unexpected Meeting.

As soon as it was light the party were assembled and started, Jim
leading the way, at a swinging pace which kept the horses going at
a hand canter. The marks were, for a time, perfectly easy to
follow. Five miles on the tracks led to a shepherd's hut. At their
call, the man came out.

"You had a visit from bush rangers last night?"

"What if I did?" the man replied gruffly. "I can't help where the
bush rangers pay their visits. Yes, they came in here and said they
wanted some supper; an