ly followed by Harry and Reggy. Not one of the shots,
however, took effect; and, with shouts and shrieks, the blacks came on.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.

THEIR CONDITION APPEARS DESPERATE--THE CAPTAIN AND HIS PARTY TO THE
RESCUE--RETURN TO STRATTON--THE YOUNGER CHILDREN LOST IN THE SCRUB.

"Harry and Reggy, we must sell our lives dearly," exclaimed Paul, as he
prepared for a last desperate struggle with the blacks, who were
infuriated at the loss of so many of their companions. The fact that
they had not taken to flight showed that they were a fierce and warlike
tribe, very different from most of those found in the southern parts of
Australia. Harry had climbed to the higher part of the rock to take a
look round. "Hurrah!" he cried, "I see some horsemen coming across from
the north-east, and driving some horses before them. They must be ours,
and the people must be our father's party."

Paul and Reggy echoed Harry's shout. "We must not give in, whatever we
do," said Paul, "we have our pistols loaded, and we must drive back the
black fellows with them. Don't either of you miss your aim. We must
not fire until they are close upon us. As soon as they come near enough
I'll give their chief, if they've got one, the contents of my rifle, and
that will, perhaps, check them."

Harry had still kept his post at the top of the rock, and taking off his
jacket he waved it, pointing to the flag which flew just above them,
while he shouted with all his might, forgetting, in the excitement, that
the horsemen were too far off to hear him. His action, however,
attracted the attention of the blacks, and they, looking round,
discovered the horsemen. They immediately halted, and began jabbering
away in loud voices. It was evident that they were alarmed at the sight
of the strangers.

If three lads and a black had been able to hold them in check for so
long a time, what chance would they have when encountered by a party of
well-armed men on horseback?

Such, probably, was the tenor of their remarks to each other.
Notwithstanding this their chief endeavoured to lead them up the hill,
apparently hoping to capture the fort before the arrival of the
horsemen. He was flourishing his spear and shouting to his companions
to come on, when he got within range of Paul's rifle.

"It is his own fault," said Paul, taking aim. His bullet struck the
right shoulder of the savage, who went spinning round down the hill, and
was soon in the