ydney.

They were sitting round a fire made mainly of grass, to eat their
supper, for no wood was procurable in the district in which that night's
camp was made. There were, indeed, a few stunted sandalwood bushes and
some odd clumps of spinifex; but these were so difficult to cut that
they had preferred to manage with a bundle of wood which had been
gathered some days ago and slung on to the back of the wagon for use in
an emergency like this, and when the wood had dwindled to a bank of
red-hot embers they had piled grass upon it, and so kept the fire going
while supper was in progress, because the wind was so cold.

For the first time since they had started on their travels they were
glad to go to their rest wrapped up in rugs and coats. Even then the
boys under the wagon were so cold that Don suggested they should all lie
very close together on one mattress, while the other was used as a top
covering; and this arrangement made them so comfortable and warm that
they were all fast asleep until they were suddenly aroused by a terrific
screaming from the wagon. Then, when they started up, still drowsy with
their heavy slumber, they were promptly knocked down and trampled in the
dust.

CHAPTER XI

Anxious Hours

"Help! Help!" shrieked Nealie.

"Oh! Oh! Oh!" squealed Sylvia, while Ducky's screaming rose above the
deafening roar that was all around them.

Rupert and Rumple fought and struggled to throw off the mattress and the
canvas and the oddments of clothing in which they were entangled. They
were choked and nearly suffocated, frightened almost out of their wits
by the crying of the girls, to which was now added the lusty howling of
Don and Billykins, who were being rolled and punched and pummelled like
their elders.

It was Rumple who got disentangled first, and when his head was free,
and he had managed to scramble to his feet, he gave a horrified shout of
amazement; for the wagon was lying on its side, there was the sound of
galloping in his ears, and everywhere he turned there was nothing to be
seen but rushing cattle and tossing horns.

[Illustration: "POURED PAST THE OVERTURNED WAGON"]

They had seen so much of the fierceness of the cattle on the previous
day that in a minute his hand was on Rupert's head, and he was pressing
his brother back into the comparative shelter given by the projecting
wagon wheel.

"Stay where you are! Don't attempt to move! It can't last much longer!"
he shouted,