draw our pistols,--and by the bye I haven't any to draw,--
what should we do?"

"Put spurs to our horses and gallop out of their way," I answered.
"They wouldn't dare to fire, and if they did, the chances are they would
miss us. We must run some danger in this country, and the risk is not
nearly so great as riding after wild cattle as we have still to do, so
pray do not make yourself unhappy on the subject."

Still, I saw that my companion looked anxiously about him, especially as
it began to grow dusk, immediately after which darkness came on, and we
were compelled to moderate our speed for fear of getting a knock on our
heads from overhanging branches, or riding against fallen logs.

Eager as the dominie was to get on, not being a first-rate horseman he
went even slower than was necessary. We were passing through a thickish
part of the forest, when, reining in his steed, he whispered to me in a
tremulous voice--"Pull up, pray do, I hear the tramp of horses' feet.
Suppose they should be bushrangers, they might shoot us down before we
had time to escape."

I reined in my steed to listen for the sounds which his sensitive ear
had detected. "They may be simply wild cattle, or riderless horses,
taking a scamper," I observed, laughing.

"Oh, no; they don't move about after dark," he said; "they must be
mounted horses, do let us remain quiet until we ascertain who the people
are."

"They are very likely some of the young Strongs coming out to meet us,"
I remarked.

Scarcely had I said this, however, than I caught sight of two horsemen
riding across an open glade some distance off. There was sufficient
light for me to make out the figures distinctly. One was a big fellow
in a rough garb, the other was slighter, and both were armed. Presently
afterwards two others came into view, the moonbeams glancing on the
barrels of their rifles, showing that they also were armed. I fully
expected that they would discover us, and I intended if they did so
boldly to ride up and enquire where they were going. They galloped on,
however, without perceiving us. As I alone had arms I felt that it
would be folly to interfere with them, as we might run the risk of being
shot, while we could gain no possible advantage. I therefore remained
perfectly quiet, and in another minute they were out of sight. They
were going in the direction of Captain Mason's station. They would be,
however, mistaken, I hoped, if they expected to surpr