ver have taken the alarm so soon. I am sorry, now,
that we did not send a party round to the other side before we
charged down upon them; but my blood was on fire at the sight of
the burning station, and at the thought of the women in the hands
of those scoundrels."

A minute later, a man rode up at full speed from behind.

"Is that you, Jones?" Reuben said, stepping forward.

"Yes, sir," the man replied, reining in his horse. "I left Wilkins
behind, and rode on to tell you what had happened."

"What has happened, Jones?"

"It's a bad business, sir, a shocking bad business; but it might
have been worse. It seems they broke in about half an hour before
we got there. One of the hands was supposed to be on watch in the
stockyard; but either he was asleep, or they crept up to him and
killed him before he could give the alarm. Then they got up to the
house and burst in the door, before the others were fairly awake.

"They shot the two hands at once; but I suppose, as their blood
wasn't up, and no resistance was offered, they thought they had
plenty of time for fooling; for they must have reckoned that no
force they need be afraid of could be got together, for three or
four hours. So they made Donald and his wife and sister get
breakfast for them. The women, it seemed had got pistols, and both
swore they would blow out their brains if any man laid a hand on
them. However, the bush rangers did not touch them, though they
told them they would have to go off with them.

"They made Donald sit down at one end of the table, while their
captain took the other; and the two women, half dressed as they
were, waited on them. It was lucky for them that we were so close
when the alarm was given, for all made a rush to get to their
horses; only the captain stopping a moment, to let fly at Donald."

"Did he kill him?" Reuben asked.

"No, sir, the bullet hit him in the body, and the ladies were
crying over him when I went in, thinking he was dead. I thought so,
too, but I found he was breathing. They poured some brandy down his
throat, and presently he opened his eyes; then, as there was
nothing for me to do, I thought I had best gallop on and give you
the news, for I knew that you would be anxious to know what had
taken place."

"Thank you, Jones, you did quite right. What an escape those poor
ladies have had! Another quarter of an hour, we might have been too
late, for those villains would not have kept up the farce long."