After the first greetings were over, and they were once more moving
towards Stratton, Paul described how he had been attacked by
bush-rangers, whom he had beaten off, and his narrow escape from the
flood.

Paul, as may be supposed, was received with joyful welcome by the
family.

The first thing to be done was to build a house for the ladies, where
they might be secure should another inundation occur. The captain,
however, was of opinion that that was not at all likely, as the late one
was higher than had ever been known to take place by the oldest
colonists. Towards the proposed work all hands devoted the whole of
their energies; and hewing, sawing, and carrying of timber went on from
morning until night.

In little more than a week, a tolerably substantial house of a size
sufficient to hold the ladies of the family was put up, but some days
more were required to manufacture bedsteads, chairs, tables, and other
articles of furniture. However, within a fortnight the family were once
more settled, and a stranger visiting them would not have supposed how a
short time before they had been houseless.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN.

THE EXPLORING EXPEDITION SETS OUT--PASSAGE OVER THE MOUNTAINS--
PRECAUTION AGAINST THE NATIVES--WITNESS A CORROBBEREE--ESCAPE FROM THE
BLACKS--THE PARTIES SEPARATE.

The captain was anxious to commence, without a moment's delay, his
proposed exploring expedition. He intended to form two parties, so as
to inspect a large tract of country in a short time.

Naturally, his brother would have taken one, and he the other; but Mr
Berrington was so little accustomed to bush-life, that the captain
persuaded him to remain at home, and to let Mr Hayward lead the other
party.

Hector, who had no great liking for Mr Hayward, begged that he might
accompany his uncle.

Sandy would have liked to follow his master, but his duties kept him at
home.

"Mr Berrington is a verra gude gentleman, but he kens little about
farm-work as yet, and I canna trust him," he observed.

The captain took the most trustworthy of the men, thus making up his
party to four. Paul, Harry, and Reggy accompanied Mr Hayward, and with
the addition of Bendigo, who was likely to prove very useful, their
party was complete.

They were all well mounted, Paul having Old Bolter to ride. Their
equipment was simple in the extreme. They each carried their rifles and
pistols, with a good supply of ammunition, small shot and bullets,