he intervening bush as
some tall tree was wrapped in their embrace.

It was very evident that the homestead was in the greatest danger, even
if it was not already encircled in flames; and although the inmates
might have made their escape, we could not tell in what direction they
had fled. They would have endeavoured to save as much of their property
as possible from destruction, and Bracewell's fears conjured up the
dreadful idea that they might have been caught by the rapidly advancing
foe before they could reach a place of safety.

With whip and spur we urged on our animals. We had as yet seen no one
to tell us in what direction our friends had gone. There was a stream
to the left, used in the shearing season for washing the sheep, and
Bracewell hoped that they might have made their way to it.

The intervening ground was free of trees, and the grass had been cropped
so low that the fire was not likely to make much progress over it. They
might, however, still be at the house, and towards it we directed our
course.

As we galloped up what was our dismay to find it on fire, while the
outbuildings were nearly burnt to the ground! We dashed up shouting to
our friends, but no one replied.

"They must have gone across the stream," cried Bracewell; and turning
our horses' heads we rode furiously on through the flames which had
already caught the bushes on either side of us. After shouting again
and again it was with unspeakable thankfulness that we heard our shouts
answered, and dashing across the stream, we found the family assembled
on a spot where the fire was not likely to reach.

Mary was on her palfrey, her father standing by her side endeavouring to
quiet her alarm, while Mrs Strong with the children and young people
were seated on the ground among such articles as they had been able to
save.

Our arrival greatly relieved their anxiety, for they had fancied that we
and the boys might have been passing through a part of the wood in which
the fire had been raging.

The flames spread to the east and the west, but having nothing to feed
on near the stream they fortunately did not cross to the side on which
we had taken refuge.

The fire continued to rage long after darkness had come on, and grand
and terrible was the spectacle it exhibited. We watched it anxiously
not knowing how far it might extend. I was much struck with the calm
way in which Mr Strong endured his hard fortune. Not a murmur escaped
h