ed Jack; "they will
never get it out otherwise."

The pack-horses and the other herds must have passed before the accident
had occurred; for there was scarcely room to allow the animals to get by
between the cart and the ditch. Just as Mr Strelley's herd arrived at
the waggon, over it went, completely blocking up the road.

"Had we not better try and help them?" exclaimed Jack to Brinsmead;
"they will never do it of themselves, and we should soon get the wood
off the waggon."

"Let us see how they manage for themselves first," answered Brinsmead.
"I don't see what business they have to upset their waggon just at this
moment. It is my belief that they could have prevented the accident had
they chosen, from the way it went over."

Meantime the drovers with shouts and blows were turning back the herd,
to prevent them rushing into the water, which they were about to do when
they found they could pass no other way.

"Shall we help you?" cried Jack to the carters. "We should soon with a
few ropes be able to get your wheels on dry ground, if you take the
weight off the top."

"Mind your own business, young man!" exclaimed a voice from the
neighbourhood of the cart. "We know what we're about, and that's more
than you do, I'm thinking."

"I do not like the look of things," said Brinsmead to Jack. "I will
stay here, and you go back and see after the cattle; I don't know what
may be happening otherwise."

Jack accordingly, whip in hand, rode back, the herd being much more
separated than usual. As he went on, he saw a considerable number of
stragglers in the rear; and as he approached them, what was his
astonishment to find that they were being driven away by a dozen fellows
or more across the country! He instantly put spurs to his horse and
galloped after them, drawing a pistol, and holding it in his hand as he
advanced. The cattle-lifters, however,--for such there could be no
doubt they really were,--took no notice of his approach, only urging on
the beasts the faster. As he came up to the nearest man, he pulled the
trigger, but the pistol flashed in the pan; while the man at whom he
aimed uttered a scornful laugh in return. His second pistol behaved in
the same manner; and on putting his hand in his pocket for his
powder-flask, he found that that had gone.

"You will get the worst of it," cried the man, "if you attempt to
approach," drawing, as he spoke, a pistol from under his smock-frock.
"You had better