said Harry with a smile.

The girl smiled too. She was evidently pleased with the appearance of
her two visitors.

"No; if I had seen you, I should have known better than to think you
belonged to their band. Come in and sit down by the fire."

"Thank you."

Harry and Jack seated themselves on a settle near the fire, and the girl
continued to eye them curiously.

"I suppose you are boys," she said.

"We don't call ourselves men yet," answered Harry.

"I never saw a boy before," was the unexpected remark of their young
hostess.

"WHAT!" ejaculated the two boys in concert.

"I scarcely ever saw anybody," explained the girl. "My father and I live
here alone, and have lived here for years. He has a flock of fifteen
hundred sheep to watch and tend. Sometimes another shepherd calls here,
and we had a visit from the bushrangers last year."

"It must be very lonely for you," said Harry in a sympathetic tone.

"Yes, it is; but I am used to it. Father is away all day, but he leaves
Bruno to keep me company."

"Come here, Bruno!" said Jack in a coaxing tone.

Bruno eyed Jack dubiously, and finally walked up to him deliberately,
and allowed himself to be stroked.

"Bruno doesn't think we are bushrangers," said Jack, smiling.

"He did at first, though," the girl replied with an answering smile.
"Have you been walking all day?"

"Yes; the greater part of the day."

"Then you must be hungry."

"We are almost starved!" said Harry tragically. "Are we not, Jack?"

"I am quite starved," said the young sailor.

"Then I must get you some supper," said the girl in a hospitable tone.

"Thank you," said Harry earnestly. "Will you let me know your name?" he
asked.

"My name is Lucy."

"My grandmother's name was Lucy," said Jack.

"Then you may look upon me as your grandmother," said the girl
demurely.

Of course all three laughed heartily at this absurdity. Then Lucy moved
about with quick steps, and soon a goodly supper of mutton-chops was
fizzling in the frying-pan, sending forth savory odors that made their
mouths water. Presently Lucy drew out a table, and placed upon it the
chops and some cold bread.

"I would boil some potatoes," she said, "but you might not like to wait
so long."

"I think we won't wait, Lucy."

"You haven't told me your name," said Lucy as they drew up to the
table.

"My name is Harry Vane," said the possessor of that name.

"And mine is Jack Pendleton."

"Harry and Jack," repe