emper. He
heard later on that the man had joined the Black Police, and a deserter
from the Black Police is in nine cases out of ten an unmitigated
villain.

Then Sandy became communicative, and frankly told his involuntary host
part--but part only--of his story, and wound up by saying--

"You must not sleep here to-night. There is a big mob of myalls camped
in the river-bed three miles away from here. If they see you, they'll
kill you for certain between now and to-morrow night, when you are going
through some of the gorges. You must saddle up again, and I'll take you
along another track and leave you safe."

Tired as the horses were, Potter took Sandy's advice, and the two
started at sunset, the blackfellow leading. They travelled for some
hours, and then again camped--this time without a fire. Sandy remained
till daylight, and during a further conversation boasted that he had
enough gold in nuggets to allow him to have "a fine time in Sydney or
Melbourne," where he meant to make his way some day "when things got
a bit quiet and people thought he was dead." In proof of his assertion
about the gold he gave Potter a two ounce nugget he picked out from
several others which were carried in one of his ammunition pouches.
Before they parted Potter gave him--at his particular request--one of
the two blankets he carried, and then Sandy and he shook hands, and the
blackfellow, rifle in hand, disappeared, and left his former master to
continue his journey.

"What a hawwid chawacter!" said Mr. Assheton, when the clergyman had
concluded his story. "Why don't the police exert themselves and catch or
shoot the fellow?"

"It is such very difficult country," explained Myra, "and, in fact, has
not yet all been explored."

The ladies rose, and Myra and Sheila, pleading fatigue, went to their
rooms--or rather to Myra's--leaving Mrs. and Miss Trappeme and Mrs.
Wooler to, as Sheila said, "Tear me to pieces. But I could not let that
woman insult me without retaliating."

"Of course you did right. She's an odious creature."

Grainger returned alone about eleven o'clock. He tapped at Myra's door,
and asked her if she was asleep.

"No. Miss Carolan is here; we've been having a lovely talk."

"Well, go to bed, and have a lovely sleep. I want to see you both,
especially Miss Carolan, very early in the morning. We can all go out on
the beach before breakfast."

"Very well, Ted. Has Mr. Mallard come in?"

"No. He will not be here f