o use in scolding poor Rob, who was
already dreadfully alarmed, and fully conscious that he was to blame for
the loss of the two children. Tommy and Edgar, who had dropped off
soundly asleep from fatigue, were now awakened.

"I will continue the search for the other children," said Mr Hayward,
turning to the boys; "but the rest had better return with Rob and the
little ones. If I do not soon come back with the children, follow in
this direction in the morning with Bendigo and Betty, who will assist in
tracing them out better than we can. Do not alarm your mothers more
than is necessary, and assure them that I have little doubt but that we
shall find the truants. I will take Bruce with me."

"Go, good dog--go!" said Harry, patting him on the head.

Bruce understood his duty, and without hesitation accompanied Mr
Hayward; while Harry and Reggy, taking charge of the children, made
their way back to Stratton with the rest of the party, the younger ones
every now and then sobbing as they thought of their carelessness in
losing sight of Effie and Albert.

It is needless to describe the alarm which the disappearance of the two
children caused their mothers and sisters. The elder boys were eager to
set off again at once, but were persuaded to wait until daylight; when,
accompanied by the two blacks, they immediately started off to commence
a search for the lost children.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN.

THE CHILDREN RECOVERED--JOURNEY INTO THE INTERIOR--ARRIVAL AT CASTLE
HILL--STATION ESTABLISHED--HOUSE ATTACKED BY NATIVES--CONCLUSION.

Poor Mrs Berrington's anxiety produced a succession of fainting fits;
she therefore required the constant attention of her sister and Mrs
Hugh, who was herself much alarmed at the disappearance of the children.
As soon as the girls had performed the necessary duties of the morning,
they all set out in the direction taken by their brothers, carrying with
them a supply of food, as the party, which had started early in the
morning, had gone away without breakfast.

It was noon before the girls heard the cooeys uttered by the
searching-party, which proved that the children had not yet been
discovered.

Hurrying along, they at last came in sight of Reggy, who was at the very
edge of the scrub.

"Have you seen anything of them?" asked Mary. "Nothing: nor of Mr
Hayward either," was the unsatisfactory answer.

Poor Mary's heart sank. She dearly loved little Effie, and his sisters
in their wa