hey not be prepared; for when the natives see white men on their guard,
they will seldom venture to attack them. The fire had been lighted,
but, excepting a 'possum and a few small eggs, and a little damper, they
had nothing to eat. They had, however, a good supply of tea, the most
welcome of beverages, the only one which can be taken with impunity
under all circumstances.

An hour or more after dark was spent in talking over the prospects of
their journey. In three or four days more they hoped to meet the
captain's party.

Bendigo and Paul, accompanied by Bruce, having made a circuit of the
camp, to be sure that no natives were lurking near, the whole party lay
down to rest.

For the first time during their expedition, the following morning they
started without breakfast, except a draught of cold water.

"I hope we shall find something during the day," said Harry. "This sort
of work doesn't tend to keep up a fellow's spirits, and we shall be
inclined to give a less favourable report of the country than it
deserves."

As they rode along they carefully observed the character of the trees
and soil over which they were passing. The grass was thicker and
greener than they had anywhere seen it. Of course they kept an anxious
lookout for game. They caught sight of kangaroos, wallabies, and other
small animals in considerable numbers, but were unable to catch them, or
even get near enough to shoot one.

Reggy now began to cry out bitterly for food.

"People told us that this land, was one flowing with milk and honey; we
have had none of either since we started on this expedition," he
exclaimed.

Just as he said this they observed Bendigo watching something in the
air, and, urging on his horse, he started off ahead of them towards a
large tree, beyond which they caught sight of the glitter of water.
Near it were some trees with wide-spreading boughs, intertwined by
numbers of the never-failing vine. Here was just the place they wanted.

Bendigo, knowing that they would camp there, dismounted, and hobbled his
horse. They then saw him narrowly examining a tall gum-tree, up to
which he had ridden. It must have been a hundred feet in height before
any branches were reached.

"If he sees anything up there it will be of little use," observed Reggy,
"for I am sure he will never get it."

"Stay a minute," answered Harry; "the black knows what he is about."

Bendigo, without explaining his object, cut some long