rounds and in
the park till tea-time, and after tea I shall be happy to conclude my
story, the most important part of which is yet to come."

CHAPTER TWELVE.

CLOUD AND SUNSHINE.

There was clearly much anxiety on the part of the guests to hear the
conclusion of Colonel Dawson's narrative. So the bountiful tea which
had been provided was speedily despatched, and every eye fixed intently
on the speaker when he resumed his address, after the tables had been
withdrawn and the hearers settled in their old places.

"You will remember," began the colonel, "that I had sorrowful things to
tell you in continuing my story: and sorrowful indeed they are, though
not without a mixture of brightness. Horace had been gone from the
colony, on what I might call his missionary trial-trip, about a month,
when I was one day sitting alone under the veranda of my country house,
thinking over many things, and specially pondering the wonderful way in
which I had gained two so dear to me as Horace and his father. Then my
thoughts and heart went across the sea to my dear nephew,--when I was
suddenly aroused from my day-dream by seeing just before me a stranger,
who must have come up very silently, for I was quite unaware of his
approach till I looked up and saw him gazing very keenly and not very
pleasantly at me. It was now evening, and twilight, of which there is
very little in those parts, would speedily be followed by darkness. The
new-comer was dressed in bush fashion, and carried a rifle, and I could
see the stocks of a brace of pistols peeping out from his blouse. The
man's features and appearance altogether were most forbidding; and
though a military man myself, I felt anything but comfortable with these
ferocious eyes staring full upon me. However, in the bush open house is
more or less a rule, and rough-looking fellows often turn up and request
a night's lodging and food, which we do not think of refusing them.
Besides which, the wild-looking outside not unfrequently covers an
honest heart beneath. So, while I did not at all like the looks of my
visitor, I asked him what he wanted, and if he would sit down and take
some refreshment. He replied, in a voice as rough as his appearance,
that he was looking after some horses which had strayed as he was
bringing them overland, and that he should be glad of a mouthful of
bread and cheese and a drink. The refreshment was brought him by one of
my men, whom he eyed all over; wh