; but I must now try and learn what has
become of him," he answered. "Should he have escaped all other dangers,
he may have been caught by this flood; and I am indeed very, very
anxious."

Harry told Mr Hayward what his father had said.

"I am ready to start this instant, either alone or with any one whom
your father will allow to accompany me," he said.

"I'll go!" cried Harry.

"You may be wanted; there is work to do for all hands, though perhaps I
can best be spared," answered Mr Hayward.

Thinking that Bendigo might be useful in learning from any blacks they
might meet if Paul's drays had been seen, he asked whether he would go.

Bendigo replied that he was quite ready. Harry, also, to his great
satisfaction got leave to accompany his tutor.

As the horses were quite fresh, and the saddles had been saved, they
agreed to start immediately; though they would have to trust to their
guns for provisions, except when they could fall in with any
sheep-stations, where beef and mutton could be procured.

Everywhere as they rode along were signs of the destruction caused by
the flood.

"It must be a lesson to us and others not to build near one of these
rivers, liable to such inundations," said Mr Hayward. "Had not your
father possessed cattle and sheep, he would have been ruined; as it is,
he has suffered severe loss. But how admirably does he and your mother
bear it, as they do the prolonged absence of Paul. It raises them more
than ever in my estimation. I hope we shall be fortunate in finding a
satisfactory spot for a new location, as he will not be again tempted to
build in his old one. I believe if Paul is restored to them safe, they
will look upon their losses as trifles."

This conversation occurred on the second day of their journey. They had
just mounted a slight ridge, and before them spread out a wide extent of
level land.

"I think I see something very like a dray, with two horsemen near it,"
said Harry.

Mr Hayward could not make out the objects which his young companion's
sharp eyes had detected; still they both instinctively increased their
speed.

"I'm sure it is a dray, with a man on horseback. The dray is very like
ours, and the rider like Paul. Hurrah!" cried Harry, and putting spurs
to his horse he dashed forward.

Mr Hayward followed, although not quite as fast, and saw Harry shaking
hands with the stranger; and even he was soon convinced that the first
of the two was Paul.