hey may think themselves, they will be run to earth;
but the blacks are far more difficult customers to deal with--they are
here, there, and everywhere. One only knows where they have been when
the cattle are found speared, or the hut-keeper murdered, or the sheep
driven off. I should like to accompany you myself, but I cannot at
present leave my station. However, if you will wait for a couple of
days longer I will ride part of the way with you, and in the meantime we
will try to ascertain the whereabouts of the mob of blacks, and I shall
be able to judge whether the road will be safe for you to travel."

The two days passed by pleasantly enough, during which we rode round the
station with Bracewell, to assist him in examining his sheep and to help
in the various duties of a squatter's life.

Meantime, Toby and another native were sent out to ascertain what had
become of the mob of blacks reported to be in the neighbourhood. They
came back saying that, although they had come upon their tracks, the
natives had moved away westward, and that we were not likely to fall in
with them. We again, accordingly, told our host that we must go.

"Well, if you must, you must; and according to my promise I intend to
ride part of the way with you," he answered. "I wish however that you
could do without your baggage, and we would see how fast we could get
over the ground; but as you have to take that, we must be content with a
steady pace, and I'll make play on my way back so as to be at home again
by night."

As there was a moon in the sky, and Bracewell knew every inch of the
ground, we were in our saddles long before day-break, carrying with us
our breakfast and kettle in which the tea could easily be made at the
camp-fire.

We had performed some ten or twelve miles before sunrise, enjoying the
cool fresh air of early morning, and fresh it is even in Australia
before the burning sun gains his power over the world.

We camped near a water-hole, from which we obtained all the fluid we
required for our morning's meal. We had again mounted and were going
round on the opposite side, when Bracewell exclaimed--"The blacks have
been here. See, here are the remains of their fire still smouldering.
They cannot have left it very long. We must keep a look-out for them
when passing any spot from which they may hurl their lances should they
be badly disposed; not that that is likely to be the case, and they
certainly will not ventur