re shearers,
one of them calling out--"I'm a shearer, and I'm going to work, for I've
a wife and family to keep. D--n your unions."

With a war-whoop the whole body, headed by the red-headed bully, made
for the two men, who, in spite of the presence of six constables, were
doomed to be knocked about severely, if not in danger of being killed,
when Hil, in an impulsive moment, rushed forward to their rescue.

"Stand aside, you cowards," she called out, producing a revolver. "I
shoot the first man that touches them again." Then the crowd fell back
for a moment.

"You dirty cowards," said Hal, coming forward with Reg.

"Who the devil are you?" said the red-headed leader.

"I'm a man, and I'll see fair play. What right have you to kick these
fellows?"

"You're very plucky, all because your mate has got a shooting-iron."

"I can use my fists, too," said Hil, putting up her revolver and
standing forward.

"Here put up your hands," interposed Hal and, pushing Hil aside, gave
the fellow one from the shoulder that staggered him.

"A fight, a fight," yelled the crowd. "Go it, stranger."

Hal faced his man squarely and, watching his opportunity, landed him one
in the mouth that stretched him flat on his back.

"Any more?" asked Reg, looking round, as if he would like his share. But
the crowd had had enough and, as the two men who had been the cause of
the row had taken advantage of the fight to slip out of the way, Hal and
Reg and the girls got away without further adventure.

They found the town a very small one, which had once, like most inland
towns, been in a fairly prosperous condition so long as the railway kept
away from it; but the advent of the iron horse had caused it to fall,
like scores of similar towns, into a deserted condition. Luck favoured
the boys, for on calling at Condon's Hotel they got into conversation
with an old swag man.

"Seen any strangers about to-day?" asked Hal.

"What do you call strangers--men like yourself?"

"Yes."

"Well, I see one come with Joe Brown by the train this morning."

"What sort of a looking fellow was he?"

"He had old togs on, but didn't seem used to them."

"Where is he now?"

"Don't know. Last I see of him he was in a buggy."

"What was he doing?"

"Why, driving away, of course. Seemed in a blooming hurry, too, and
looked as if he was going a journey by the stuff he had aboard."

"Where did he get the turn-out?"

"Don't know; but this is awfully dry