t, for within the specified time--the
team having stepped out more readily, guided as they were by their
instinct to where water, grass, and rest awaited them--and soon after
the great orange globe had risen above what looked like the rim of the
world, the wagon was pulled up at the edge of a broad crack in the dusty
plain, where the bottom of the spruit could be seen full of rich green
grass besprinkled with flowers, through which ran the clear waters of an
abundant stream.

A fire was soon lighted, a billy hung over it to boil, and Anson, after
watching the team, which had dragged their load so well and so far,
munching away at the juicy grass, began to get out the necessaries
connected with his own meal.

"Hah!" he said softly, as he rubbed his hands; "sorry I haven't got my
two fellow-clerks to breakfast: it would have been so nice and Ugh!" he
growled, shading his eyes to give a final look round, for there in the
distance, evidently following the track by which he had come through the
night, there was a little knot of horsemen cantering along, and from
time to time there came a flash of light caused by the horizontal beams
of the sun striking upon rifle-barrel or sword.

Anson's hands dropped to his sides, and he looked to right, left, and
behind him as if meditating flight. Then his eyes went in the direction
of his oxen, freshly outspanned, but he turned frowningly away as he
felt that even with the team already in their places, the lumbering
bullocks could not have been forced into a speed which the horses could
not have overtaken in a few yards at a canter.

Then he shaded his eyes again to have a good look at the party of
horsemen.

"Police," he said, in a hiss. "Yes, and that's Norton. _Hfff_!"

He drew in his breath, making a peculiar sound, and then, as if
satisfied with the course he meant to pursue, he went back to the fire
and continued his preparations for his meal, apparently paying no heed
to the party of mounted police till they cantered up and came to a halt
by the wagon.

"Hallo, constables!" cried Anson boisterously; "who'd have thought of
seeing--Why, it's you, Mr Norton!"

"Yes," said the superintendent. "You seem surprised!"

"Why, of course I am. Got something on the way? Anyone been smuggling
stones?"

"Yes," said the officer shortly.

"Sorry for them then, for I suppose you mean to catch 'em."

"I do," said the officer warningly.

"That's right; I'm just going to have