ructed of wood, with a low pitched
roof, and wide long verandah, up to which a flight of broad steps led
us. We found a matronly-looking dame, with a bevy of young ones,
standing in the verandah, evidently wondering at the number of guests
Mr Praeger was bringing to the house. They were all activity on
hearing the state of the occupants of the wagon, and hurried down the
steps to assist in lifting in our wounded companions, for neither
Charley nor Mark were able to walk. The captain, however, got up the
steps by merely leaning on Mr Praeger's arm.

In a few minutes all three were placed in bed, Mrs Praeger declaring
that it was the only place fit for either of them, though her son was
certainly the most hurt.

The young ladies were so busy during the evening, flitting about here
and there, that I could scarcely tell how many there were of them. I
remarked, however, that one was taller than the others, very fair, and
with a graceful figure. When Armitage--who had remained out of sight,
looking after the horses--came in, she was not in the room, and it was
some time before she returned. When she did so, he rose to his feet,
and regarded her earnestly, while the colour mounted to his cheek and
brow; then he bowed, and stood apparently irresolute whether to advance
or retreat. She started on seeing him and then put out her hand. He
sprang across the room and took it.

"I little expected to have the happiness of seeing you, Miss Hargrave,"
he said.

"Is it a happiness?" she asked, in a calm tone.

"Indeed it is," he replied. "I heard that you had left England, but
could not ascertain to what part of the world you had gone."

What further passed between our friend and the young lady I cannot tell,
as they lowered their voices, while they retired to a window at the
other end of the room, Armitage forgetting all about his supper.

The ladies of the family, I should say, did not sit down to table, as
they had already taken their evening meal, and insisted on waiting upon
us.

Peter Praeger returned sooner than was expected with the doctor, whom he
found on a visit to a family five or six miles off.

He gave a more favourable report of Dick and Charley than I expected,
but young Mark, he said, would require the greatest possible care; a
good constitution, however, he hoped, would enable him to pull through,
though his hurts were of a most serious description.

I had no opportunity of speaking to Armitage befo