earing it reported some time
after he left school, that he had committed forgery, and that, although
he was not convicted, his friends had sent him out of the country."

We talked over the matter, and agreed that it was very strange we should
so soon after our arrival in the country have fallen in, under such
extraordinary circumstances, with two old school-fellows.

The day passed by without another visit, either from the bushrangers or
the blacks. As may be supposed, we kept a remarkably bright look-out
during the night. Either Guy or I remained awake, walking up and down
in the neighbourhood of our camp-fire. Directly the bells on the necks
of our horses sounded faint, we sent out Toby to drive them in, that we
might run as little risk as possible of their being carried off.

Bracewell had told us that sometimes natives stole up and speared the
horses at night, or tried to drive them away from the camp, though they
might not venture to attack their owners. We had chiefly therefore to
fear a trick of this sort being played us, but it was almost impossible
to guard against the horses being surprised during the darkness, should
they be at any distance from the camp.

As those we had fallen in with appeared to be friendly, we hoped that we
should escape so unpleasant a loss.

As the next day passed on we looked at our watches, anxiously expecting
Bracewell. With the chance of another visit from the bushrangers, we
did not like to go far from the camp; but we shot as many birds as we
wanted, though Toby would have been happier had we brought him a
kangaroo, that he might gorge himself to his heart's content.

As I had been awake so much during the night, I felt very sleepy, and
had thrown myself on the ground to get some rest, when I heard Guy say--

"Here come a couple of horsemen, but whether they are Bracewell and a
companion, or the bushrangers returning, I cannot say. At all events we
must be prepared for them."

I sprang to my feet, and Toby was sent to bring in the horses. Our
apprehensions of another visit from the bushrangers were soon set at
rest when we recognised Bracewell, who was followed by another man
leading a spare horse.

"I am sorry to have kept you so long," he exclaimed, as he threw himself
from his steed. "Our horses had strayed, frightened by the blacks, who
have killed one of them. If we come across the fellows they must look
out for broken heads in consequence. However, Bob and