hy, you don't mean to tell me that they are all dead, all four?--those
strong men! Oh, surely not, Dick?' and she caught hold of my arm, and
looked up into my face.

'Yes, Aileen, all. We came after and followed up dad, when we got home;
it's a wonder he did it by himself. But we saw them all four lying
stretched out.'

She put down her head and never spoke more till we parted.

. . . . .

We turned back, miserable enough all of us, God knows. After having
Aileen to make the place bright and pleasant and cheer us all up losing
her was just as if all the little pleasure we had in our lives was
dropped out of them--like the sun going out of the sky, and the
wind rising; like the moon clouding over, and a fog burying up
everything--dark and damp, the same as we'd had it many a time
cattle-driving by night. We hardly spoke a word to one another all the
way home, and no wonder.

Next day we all sat about, looking more down on our luck, dad said, than
any day since we'd 'turned out'. Then Starlight told him about him and
Aileen, how they'd made it up to be married some day or other. Not
yet, of course; but if he could get away by Melbourne to some of these
places--the islands on the Pacific coast, where vessels were always
sailing for--he didn't see why his luck shouldn't change. 'I have always
thought your daughter,' he says to father, 'one of the grandest women I
ever met, in any degree, gentle or simple. She has had the imprudence
to care for me; so, unless you have some well-grounded objection--and I
don't say you haven't, mind you, I should if I were in your place--you
may as well say you're contented, and wish us luck!'

Father was a long time before he said anything. He sat there, looking
very sullen and set-like, while Starlight lit a cigar and walked quietly
up and down a few paces off.

Dad answers at last. 'I don't say but what other lads would have suited
better if they'd come off, but most things goes contrary in this world.
The only thing as I'm doubtful of, Captain, is your luck. If that's bad,
all the trying and crying won't set it right. And it's great odds as
you'll be caught or shot afore the year's out. For that matter, every
one of us is working for Government on the same road. But the gal's a
good gal, and if she's set her fancy on you I won't block her. You're a
pair of dashed fools, that's all, botherin' your heads with the like at
a time like this, when you boys are all more likely