ol to knock me over. So I gave him the mixture right in the
face, and let him go by. Up went both his hands, and away went he
and his horse, somewhere over the common out of sight. I just
turned round, and walked quietly back. I didn't see the fun of
accepting any more attacks in the rear. Then up rides Number Two,
a broad-faced young farmer on a big gray horse, blowing like a
grampus. He pulled up short when we met, and stared, and I walked
past him. You never saw a fellow look more puzzled. I had
regularly stale-mated him. However, he took heart, and shouted,
'had I met the Captain?' I said, 'A gentleman had ridden by on a
bright bay.' 'That was he; which way had he gone?' So I pointed
generally over the common, and Number Two departed; and then down
came the storm, and I turned again, and came on here."

"The Captain! It must have been Wurley, then, who fired at you."

"I don't know who it was. I only hope he won't be blinded."

"It's a strange business altogether," said Tom, looking into the
fire; "I scarcely know what to think of it. We should never have
pulled through but for you, that's certain."

"I know what to think of it well enough," said East. "But now
let's hear what happened to you. They didn't catch you, of
course?"

"No, but it was touch and go. I thought it was all up at one
time, for Harry would turn right across their line. But he knew
what he was about; there was a bog between us, and they came on
right into it, and we left them floundering."

"The convict seems to have his head about him, then. Where is he,
by the way? I'm curious to have a look at him."

"Looking after the horses. I'll call him in. He ought have
something to drink."

Tom went to the door and called Harry, who came out from the
rough shed which served as a stable, in his shirt, with a wisp of
hay in his hand. He had stripped off coat, and waistcoat, and
braces, and had been warming himself by giving the horses a good
dressing.

"Why, Harry, you haven't had anything," said Tom; "come across
and have a glass of something hot."

Harry followed into the kitchen, and stood by the end of the
screen, looking rather uncomfortable, while Tom poured him out a
glass of the hot mixture, and the lieutenant looked him over with
keen eyes.

"There, take that off. How are the horses?"

"Pretty fresh, Master Tom; but they'd be the better of a bran
mash, or somethin' cumfable. I've spoke to the missus about it,
and 'tis ready to pu