led,
and preparations made for camping.

Bendigo said that he did not think any black fellows were in the
neighbourhood, as he could discover no traces of them near the edges of
the water-hole. None of the rest of the party could have pronounced an
opinion on the subject.

The moon shone brightly over the ground, the fire was lighted, and
damper and tea quickly made, while some birds which they had shot in the
morning, and had been carried hung to their saddles, were speedily
cooked.

During the night Mr Hayward grew so much worse that Paul thought he was
going to die. To advance, with the risk of not finding water the next
day, would be madness. Paul suggested that they should go back to the
hut, and leave him with the shepherd, while they went forward to meet
the captain, who would otherwise become alarmed at not seeing them.

Mr Hayward agreed to this, though he expressed a hope that he might
sufficiently recover to be able to accompanying them. "We will wait
here a day, however, and see how I am. After a short rest I may be
strong enough to go forward."

During the day Paul and Harry shot several birds and pigeons, three
ducks and a couple of wallabies. While Reginald sat by Mr Hayward,
Bendigo wandered about in search of fruits and roots, which none but a
black would have discovered. When well boiled the latter served instead
of potatoes, while the wild fruits were very refreshing. They had thus
an abundant and varied fare.

Mr Hayward did not appear to get better. They had come away without
medicines, no one dreaming of being ill; still Paul hoped that their
tutor would be sufficiently recovered to continue the journey the
following morning: but when the time came, it was evident that he was
not in a fit state to run the risk of having no good water to drink.
They determined therefore to go back together, though two days would
thus be lost. By starting at sunrise they made good progress during the
cooler hours. Having filled their water-bottles they had enough to last
them during the day, and to wet the lips of the horses and Bruce.

It was not until nightfall that they got back to the shepherd's hut.
The men promised to take every possible care of Mr Hayward, who, though
not much worse, was certainly not better. He assured his young
companions that he should recover in the course of a few days. "At all
events, do not fail to come and look for me on your return," he said,
smiling. "I should