h in almost the same instant that no man
would be very likely to blunder in by chance. The place was securely
hidden from view on three sides at least, and on the fourth, the side
where they now stood, the approach was so difficult and, as they learnt
later, dangerous that a man must have some very good reason for
attempting it. Cumshaw it was who first put his thoughts into words.

"I can't help thinking," he said, "that the old chap must have come over
from this side. Most likely he was dodging someone."

"I wouldn't be surprised at that," said the other.

"I don't think he'd have found the other way in a month of Sundays.
However, let's get along. We'll have to make haste now we're without
horses, What's it to be? Riverina or Adelaide?"

"I favor the Riverina," Cumshaw said. "I'm more familiar with the
country, and they've got nothing against me up there."

"Riverina it is then," Bradby agreed with a laugh. "All places are the
same to me. I've no more liking for one than for another."

So it came about that the valley faded away into the dim distance south
of them, and presently they were toiling across the barrier of mountains
that cuts Northern Victoria off from the rest of the State.

The tragedy happened that evening. An hour or so before sunset they
decided to camp hard by a little creek they had just discovered.
Cumshaw, as usual, tended to the fire, and Bradby, after idling about
for a while, suggested that he had better go hunting, in the hope of
being able to obtain fresh meat for the meal.

"All right," said Cumshaw. "Go ahead. But don't be any longer than you
can help."

"I'll be back as soon as I can," Bradby answered, and slipped into the
shadows that were already gathering thick and fast. Abel Cumshaw worked
away, whistling softly to himself the while. He was so busy doing one
thing and another that it was not until darkness fell suddenly and
completely on the scene that he realised how quickly time had passed.
His first thought then was that Bradby was away much longer than he had
any right to be. It occurred to him that Bradby might have gone much
further than he intended and by some mischance had lost his way. He
decided to wait a while longer, and then, if Bradby did not appear in
the meantime, to go in search of him. But the time passed, the fire died
away to red hot coals, and the shadows fell thickly on everything; but
still Bradby did not come. At last Cumshaw rose swiftly to his feet i