thought Harry anxiously. Having no
weapon with him, he took a piece of a broken rail, so that in case of
necessity he might have a means of defence.

He was about to venture on a third knock when a tremulous voice, which
the boys at once recognized as that of a girl, was heard from within.

"Who are you? What do you want?"

"We are two boys who have lost our way, and are almost starved,"
answered Harry. "For Heaven's sake let us in, and give us something to
eat."

There was a pause, the girl being evidently undecided.

"Are there only two of you?" she asked.

"Only two."

"You are sure there is no one with you?"

"No one."

"And you are boys?"

"Yes."

"What brings you here--in this lonely place, at this hour?"

"We are on our way to the gold-fields of Bendigo."

"But this is off the road."

"I know it. The fact is, we were captured by the bushrangers, and have
made our escape. We plunged into the woods, thinking we were less likely
to be caught and carried back."

There was a change in the girl's tone as she said: "Is this really true?
You are not bushrangers yourselves?"

"No, I hope not," answered Harry with a boyish laugh.

This laugh, which sounded natural and genuine, evidently inspired the
girl with confidence.

"If I let you in, will you promise to do no mischief?" she asked.

"You shall have no cause to regret admitting us, we promise that."

There was still a little pause of indecision, and then a bolt was drawn,
and the door opened. The two boys saw in the doorway a pleasant-faced
girl of fourteen, whose eyes fell upon them not without a shade of
anxiety. But when she saw that the two visitors were boys not much older
than herself, there was a look of relief, and she said: "I will trust
you. Come in if you like. Hush, Bruno!"

This was addressed to a large shepherd dog that stood beside her, eying
them suspiciously.

A weight seemed lifted from the hearts of the two boys, as they caught
sight of the comfortable interior of the hut. On the one side of the
room was a large open fireplace, on which a good fire was burning. The
flickering flames helped illumine the apartment, and diffused a
home-like air, which was most grateful to the two tired wanderers.

"You are very kind to admit us," said Harry. "You have no idea how great
a favor it is."

"I would have let you in before, but I thought you might be
bushrangers," said the girl.

"We don't look much like bushrangers, do we?"