nt beauty as though it had never been disturbed by the
hand of man. The hut was large and well-constructed, though now a
little falling to decay. It was built of logs laid horizontally in
order one above another, and rendered tolerably wind-proof by the moss
and clay which served to fill up the crevices.

Into this primitive dwelling Jacob followed his guide. He was surprised
at the air of comfort presented by the interior. Not that there was
much to boast of in the way of furniture, but great pains and skill had
evidently been used to give an air of snugness to the one long, desolate
apartment of which the hut consisted. On a low, roughly-made bedstead
lay poor Frank Oldfield, judiciously shielded from draughts by hangings
of carefully arranged drapery. His various possessions lay around him,
neatly piled up, or hung on the walls. And what struck Jacob with both
pleasure and surprise, was a text in large printed characters on the
wall--opposite the foot of the bed. The words of the text were: "The
blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin." Oh, what a marvellous
power have the words of the blessed Bible to prove their own heavenly
origin in circumstances like these! In a moment it was clear to Jacob
that his master was in good hands. These words out of that volume which
is the revelation of the God of love to poor guilty sinners, told him so
with a force which no eloquence or assurance from human lips could
strengthen. Yet there were other, and very pleasing, proofs also, for
at the bed's head sat a middle-aged, kindly-looking woman, who was
acting the part of nurse to the poor emaciated figure that lay on that
couch of sickness.

"Who is it?" asked a feeble voice, as the newcomers entered the hut.

"An old servant, mother, of the gentleman's," answered the young
bushman.

"What, Jacob Poole!" exclaimed Frank, raising himself up.

"There, don't worry or excite yourself," said the kind woman. "I'll
prop you up a bit, but you mustn't talk too much. It'll only make you
bad again."

Jacob came forward.

"Mr Frank," he said, "I've come over, as soon as I heard as you was
badly, to do whatever I can for you. Mr Oliphant's let me come; and he
and Mr Hubert's rare and vexed as you're so ill. So I'm to see as you
want for nothing, and to let them know how you're coming on. And I'm
bound to stay with you till you gets round again."

The poor patient held out his hand to Jacob, while the tears streame