something to serve you. First, I must warn you never to
be unarmed, either in your hut or out of it; and especially advise you
and your brother, when you ride out, always to keep together. Many of
the hands on the station are exasperated with you for your style of
proceeding, and they think that if they could get rid of you they would
have things their own way."

Thanking Craven for his advice, Arthur pushed on towards home as rapidly
as his grey would carry him. He was relieved on finding that James had
just before arrived. He told his brother of the warning Craven had
given him.

James was at first inclined to laugh at it. "The scoundrels dare not
injure us!" he exclaimed. Then he remembered Basham's revengeful looks,
and the surly manner of several of the hands, and finally agreed with
his brother that it would be wiser to go armed, and keep together.

They had removed the hut-keeper to another post, and placed Green in
charge of their abode. This would have been necessary, if for no other
reason, for the purpose of having it kept clean and habitable, which the
dirty habits of the former occupant rendered impracticable. The exact
situation of the hut has not been described. It stood on a hillside,
the ground immediately round it cleared, but with bush both above it and
on either side, extending to a considerable distance. In some places
the trees were fine and lofty, in others only stringy-bark or low
bushes. A river passed in front at the distance of less than a quarter
of a mile, full and flowing in winter, but after the heats of summer
consisting of a succession of water-holes connected by a trickling rill.
During the shearing season the river was a scene of the greatest
animation, as all the flocks from far and near were driven up to it,
that the sheep might be washed before being deprived of their fleeces.
After a sudden downfall of rain, the quiet stream became a roaring,
boiling torrent, sweeping onward with terrific force, now forming a wide
lake, and, once more confined by high and narrow banks, whirling along
with rapid eddies; and at spots, where a few hours before a person could
pass on foot, the current would test the strength of the strongest
swimmer or most powerful horse to cross; at other times it relapsed into
a state of silence, not without much picturesque beauty of a tranquil
character. The hut commanded a view of the river, but it, as well as
the sheds, sheep-folds, and stock-yard