a desperate fight of it, even if they did not thrash us.
Of course, in anything like an equal number of my own men I should
not hesitate, but I don't think it will be fair for you settlers to
undertake such a service as that."

"Listen!" Shillito exclaimed, "they are coming back again."

Surely enough, on the night air the sound of horses, galloping at
full speed, could be heard.

"I don't think it can be them," Reuben said. "They would have no
motive in coming back, after they once rode off. They would know we
should be ready for them."

"I don't see who else it can be. At any rate, all our guns are
loaded; and if it is them, all the better."

Suddenly a loud cooey was heard.

"That's Jim!" Reuben exclaimed. "I should know his call among a
thousand. He must have made off to get help at once, but I don't
know how he can have done it in time."

"Why, it's the Watsons and my men!" he exclaimed, as the party rode
up into the light.

"All safe?" one of the settlers cried, as he jumped from his horse.

"All safe, thank God," Reuben replied. "Did Jim bring you news that
we were attacked?"

"Yes; fortunately we were sitting up late, talking, when he rode
up; so there was not a minute lost."

"Rode up!" Reuben repeated, in surprise; "why, where did you get a
horse, Jim?"

"Rode master's horse," Jim said.

"What!" Reuben exclaimed in delight, "what, is Tartar safe? I was
afraid his body was under those ruins. Why, how did you get him
out?"

"Jim was in de stable, sah, when bush ranger ride up. De horses was
stamping, and I not hear dem till dey come quite close, den it was
too late to run out.

"De moment dat dey began to make bobbery at door, I opened stable
door and bring out de three horses."

"What! Did you get mine out, too?" Dick shouted. "Jim, you are a
trump, and no mistake."

"Den," Jim went on, paying no attention to the interruption, "me
led de other two hosses little way, and let them go loose, sure not
go far from home; and I jump on Tartar, and ride like de debel to
Watson's for de police."

"Well done, Jim. You have done capitally. Now let us talk over what
we had better do."

The party re-entered the house. Fresh wood was thrown on to the
fire, and one of Dick's hands proceeded to put food on the table,
and prepare tea, while the others consulted what course should be
pursued.

It was agreed, at once, that more aid would be necessary, before
they could think of attacking the bush ran