tions for future protection. Sam had thrown
himself on his bed in a corner of the hall, and his loud snoring told
that he was fast asleep. The brothers had been reading in their
sitting-room, and were on the point of retiring to bed, when a slight
tap was heard at the window. They thought it was some night bird
attracted by the light, and took no notice. A louder tap was heard;
Arthur opened the window.

"Wisht! mister, dear; just let me in, for I've something to say to ye,"
said a voice, which he recognised to be Larry Killock's.

"I will let you in by the door, Larry, unless you like to jump through
the window," said Arthur.

"The quickest way's the best," was the answer, as Larry leaped through
the opening, adding, "shut the shutters, lest any one's eyes should be
looking this way." Larry was out of breath, and looked faint and weary,
as if he had come a long distance.

"What brings you here, Larry?" said Arthur, in a tone of anxiety, which
it was natural he should feel.

"It's bad news I've to tell yer honours; but if I'd had to lose my life,
I'd have come to tell it," he answered. "No matter how I found it out,
but I did find it out, that the people on the station, just because you
have put a stop to their robberies and rogueries, have determined to do
away with you. As villains is mostly cowards, there's none of them
dares to bell the cat themselves, and so they've engaged some of them
black fellows--the thieves of the world--to do the job for them. It was
to be done quickly, and I came along, ignorant entirely if I'd be in
time or not to save yer honours' lives; but they've not killed you yet,
and we'll see if we can't be a match for them." The Irishman went on to
say that the plan proposed was to set fire to the surrounding bush, and
that while they ran out, as they naturally would, to stop the flames
from approaching their dwelling, by cutting down the surrounding grass
and bushes, they were to be knocked down with boomerangs by the blacks,
and their bodies dragged into the fire.

The brothers immediately decided what to do. Waking up Sam and telling
him what they had heard, they bade Larry take care of the house and make
a good supper; and, reaping-hooks and axes in hand, they sailed out to
clear the ground of all fuel capable of bringing the flames up to the
hut. Beginning at the back of the building, they worked away
energetically, gradually extending their circle till they had cut down
and