I would propose that we go about it at once. To ascertain his
inclination, however, I will write him; and if I think any good can be
done, I will myself ride over to Brompton and see him."

The plan met with the ready concurrence of John Ferguson; and they
continued their walk, to look at the spot to which Mr. Rainsfield
referred; and arriving there, they stood contemplating its advantages.
As Mr. Rainsfield had remarked, the banks were very steep and lofty; and
the river confined within narrow limits, ran more rapidly than
elsewhere. On the sloping banks grew some gigantic gum trees, which Mr.
Rainsfield proposed felling in such a way, as to fall across the stream
(which he calculated they would do); and then two or three so placed,
with a flooring of smaller saplings, and a coating of earth, a
substantial, and economical structure could be erected; while with a
little labour expended in partially levelling the approaches, it would
answer the purposes of the most solid edifice. They both agreed that the
site was an eligible one, and offered facilities which should not be
neglected; and with this belief, and determining to use some exertions
to carry out their idea, they turned to retrace their steps to the
house; when Mr. Rainsfield drew John's attention to the forms of some
aborigines, who were skulking behind the trees in the distance on the
opposite side of the river.

"Those fellows," said he, "are all abroad; their camp is on the other
side of the Gibson, in the scrub below us; and they evidently want to
get over here, to cross by 'the flats' beyond our place, instead of
swimming the river above. Bob Smithers must be out of the way, or they
would not venture a chance of falling in with him; he always keeps them
off his brother's run if he can help it; and he generally succeeds, for
he has the active management of the station, and his word is law. I
have been obliged to follow his example lately myself, for I have been
so much troubled by their pilfering, that I have determined to keep them
away from the place. Not long ago, I caught one of them walking off with
one of the men's rations, which the stupid fellow left exposed; and I
gave the delinquent a charge of shot, which made him speedily relinquish
his booty, and impart to his tribe a healthy dread of the consequences
of pilfering from Strawberry Hill. Now, unfortunately, I anticipate
further trouble with them; for the blackguards have got a ruffian
amongst t