from the rifle
sent them back to the shore. For three days and nights no fire or
smoke was seen, and the two whalers ceased to keep watch. But early
next morning voices were heard from the beach below the hut; the
blacks were trying to launch the boat. Page and Jim shouted at them
and went down the cliff; then the blacks ran away up the rocks, and
were quickly out of sight. Presently Mrs. page came running out of
the hut half dressed, and carrying her baby; she said she heard the
blacks jabbering in the garden. In a short time the hut was in a
blaze, and was soon burned to the ground. The two men then launched
their boat and went to the Port. Davy shipped a crew of six men, and
started in his whaleboat for the island; but the wind was blowing
hard from the west, and they did not arrive at the island until next
day. The blacks had then all disappeared; and, as the men wanted
something to eat, Davy told them to dig up some potatoes, while he
went and shot six rabbits. When he returned with his game, the men
said they could not find any potatoes. He said, "That's all
nonsense," and went himself to the garden; but he could not find one
potato. The blackfellows had shipped the whole crop in their canoes,
so that there was nothing but rabbit for breakfast.

In this manner the reign of the Page dynasty came to an abrupt
termination. The baby heir-apparent grew up to man's estate as a
private citizen, and became a fisherman at Williamstown.

UNTIL THE GOLDEN DAWN.

After Mr. Latrobe's short visit to Port Albert, Gippsland was for
many years ruled by Mr. Tyers with an authority almost royal. Davy,
after his first rebellious outburst at the burning of the huts, and
his subsequent appointment as pilot, retired to the new Port Albert
and avoided as much as possible the haunts of the commissioner. On
the salt water he was almost as powerful and imperious as was his
rival by land. He ruled over all ships and shipwrecks, and allowed
no man to say him nay.

Long Mason, the first overseer of Woodside Station, took over a cargo
of fat cattle to Hobarton for his brother. After receiving the cash
for the cattle he proceeded to enjoy himself after the fashion of the
day. The shepherd knocked down his cheque at the nearest groggery
and then returned to his sheep full of misery. Long Mason had nearly
300 pounds, and he acted the part of the prodigal brother. He soon
made troops of friends, dear brethren and sister