like?"

"Tall, dark, and about twenty-eight," put in Wyck.

"That's my boss," said Joe, taking the cue. "I tried to persuade him
from going, but he would go."

"Well, he asked me to take his buggy to Dalby for him, and I am going
to do it," said Abrahams.

"Quite right!" said Wyck.

Four people greedily took in this conversation, and made their plans
accordingly. As the fire died low, first one, and then another went to
their tents, and the camp was deserted. Wyck slept in the van with
Abrahams.

CHAPTER XXIV.

FRED PHILAMORE.

When the following morning broke, the sky was dull and heavy and the
atmosphere close and oppressive. This did not seem to trouble the girls,
who packed up their swags, saddled their horses, and were away on the
road before the others were astir.

The boys were the next to move, and their surprise was great when they
found their new chum neighbours had disappeared.

"They're early risers, and no mistake," remarked Reg, rubbing his eyes.

"Yes. I wonder which way they've gone. However, that's easily settled,"
and he looked for hoof-marks, which he found, setting in the direction
of Chinchilla. But neither attached any importance to the matter.

"We'd better make for the buggy," said Hal. And they shouldered their
swags and made for the river once more.

Wyck, camped in Abrahams' van, found it difficult to sleep on account of
the owner's loud snoring. At day-break he lay looking out on the camp
through a crack in the cover. He saw the girls rise and depart, and the
boys follow them. Thinking it about time for them to be moving, he woke
Abrahams and went off to Joe's tent.

"Now then, Joe," he called out at that worthy's tent. "Get up, and let's
get off to Dalby. I've had enough of the bush."

"Hullo! where's the other coves?" asked Joe, in surprise, gazing round
the camp.

"Gone long ago."

"Which way did they go?"

"Along the river, I expect."

"Now then, boys, harness up. We must make Dalby to-night," said
Abrahams, appearing on the scene.

"Do you know what time the train goes?" asked Wyck.

"There's one early in the morning, I think," said Abrahams.

"I must catch that."

"I am just as anxious to get back as you are. I don't like the look of
the weather, and I should not be surprised if we had a big rain."

"You're right there, boss," chimed in Joe. "I've been thinking the
same."

After a hasty breakfast, they made a start and reached Dalby about seven