he was."

"Ah, that's being a soldier, sir. They drill 'em up into being as stiff
as can be, and to look as if they like it when they're being shot at.
That's what makes English soldiers such fine fellows in a battle."

Further discussion was put an end to by the coming up to us of my
father.

"You heard what Colonel Preston said, George?"

"Yes, father."

"About being safe, and the risk of fresh attacks by the Indians?"

"Yes, father; we heard every word--didn't we, Morgan?"

"Oh yes; everything, sir."

"Well," said my father, "it is quite possible that this party came to
spy out the land so as to prepare for a descent. If this is so, there
is a good deal of risk in staying here. I have made up my mind what to
do under the circumstances."

"Oh, master! Oh, Captain Bruton!" broke out Morgan; "don't say that
after the pains we took in getting our garden in order, and in helping
to build the house, and never happy unless I was going to do something
to make it look pretty, you're thinking of moving and letting some one
else come in?"

"I think the risk is very great in staying; and that for your wife's
sake, my son's, and yours, I perhaps ought to give up this, and go and
take up fresh land close to my brother settlers."

"But, begging your pardon, sir, don't you think nothing of the sort
again. What do you say, Master George?"

"Oh, I shouldn't like to go away from here," I said.

"There, sir! Hear that?" cried Morgan. "Why, if you come to reckon it
up, how do you know that you're going to be safer there than here? If
the Injins come, that's where they'll go for first, and we're just as
likely to be killed there as here."

"Possibly, Morgan."

"And then look at the place, sir, all along by the big river. It arn't
half so healthy as this. I never feel well there, and I know the land
arn't half so rich."

"But we must study safety, my man," said my father.

"Of course we must, sir, so what's the good of being scared about some
Injins, who may never come again, and running right into where there's
likely to be fevers--and if some day there don't come a big flood and
half drown 'em all, I'm a Dutchman, and wasn't born in Carnarvon after
all."

"But there is another consideration, Morgan; we have some one else to
look after--your wife."

"Oh, don't you trouble about me, sir," cried Sarah; and we looked up in
astonishment. "I came out here to look after you and Master George, not
for you t