ht was of Aurora. 'Don't you know her?'

He stepped from the tent as he spoke, and was astonished to find that his
visitor was Lucy Woodrow. She was riding a splendid bay horse, and
leading a small, sturdy-looking chestnut, and was dust-stained and tired.
Her face was gray with anxiety. She did not smile as he approached her,
but held a letter towards him.

'Read,' she said. 'He says you will understand.'

'But, Lucy, won't you dismount? You are tired.'

'For pity's sake, waste no time! Read!'

He unfolded the note, and read:

'DEAR MISS WOODROW,

'I am seriously wounded, and lying helpless. My life is in danger. There
is one man who will save me; there is one woman whom I can trust to go to
him. You are that woman. I appeal to all that is good, kind, and merciful
in you to help me. Believe nothing you have heard. I am the victim of
circumstances--circumstances of the most terrible kind. Only be the
sweet, tender woman you have always seemed to me. Ride to Jim Done at
Blanket Flat as soon as possible in the morning; bring him to me. I know
he will not hesitate when he knows that I am crippled in the Bush, and at
the mercy of my enemies. The boy will explain the rest.

'Your unfortunate friend,

'WALTER RYDER.'

'The half-caste boy at the station, who knows where Mr. Ryder is hidden,
brought that to me,' Lucy said. 'He met me at a gorge leading into the
range this morning with this horse. The boy is to meet us at the mouth of
the gorge and take us to him. He escaped from Boobyalla when the troopers
came, and hid in the Bush. He was seen and shot in the neck, but found
another hiding-place, and is waiting for you. You will come?'

She had spoken in a hard, unimpassioned voice, as if repeating a lesson;
only her eyes betrayed the intense feeling that possessed her.

'I will go,' he answered. 'Hadn't you better have some tea and something
to eat? It is a long ride.'

'No, no,' she said; 'we cannot spare a moment.'

'I insist.' He put up his hands to help her. His words were quiet, but
his tone was masterful. She looked into his face, and obeyed him. 'Better
rest a while now than break down later--and I do not know the way.
Harry,' he called, turning to his mate, 'will you give the horses a
drink? You have not pressed them?' he said to Lucy.

'No; I was afraid, knowing they would have to carry us back.'

'My mate will change the saddles. I must ride the stronger horse.
Meanwhile, get something to eat. We h