lieved, for the signal told that you had not been taken by surprise,
and as there was no more firing it was clear they had drawn off."

"But how did you get to that side of the clearing, Mr. Atherton?"

"I followed the wood till within a few hundred yards of the clearing, as
I made sure if there were hostile natives about they would be at the
edge of the bush. Then I got down into the river and waded along the
edge. The bank in front here was not high enough to hide me, though I
stooped as much as I could; but I reckoned that all eyes would be fixed
on the house, and it was not likely I should be noticed. And now, what
is it all about? I am sure you would not have fired the signal unless
there had been good cause for the alarm." Wilfrid related what had taken
place.

"Well done, Miss Marion!" Mr. Atherton said when he had finished. "It
was lucky for your brother that you did not go with your father and
mother this morning.

"It was lucky," Wilfrid agreed; "but at the same time, if I had been
quite alone I should have closed the shutters and door as they came up,
and kept indoors. I only ventured to meet them outside because I knew
that Marion had a gun ready to hand to me the moment I wanted it."

"Yes; but you see there was not time to hand you the gun, Wilfrid, as
it turned out, and you would have been knocked on the head to a
certainty if your sister had not come to your rescue."

"That I certainly should; and I know that I owe Marion my life. What do
you think we had better do now?"

"I do not think we can do anything, Wilfrid, beyond trying to find out
whether the fellows who came here were alone, or were part of a larger
party. Where are your natives?"

"The three men are chopping, and Jack went out with the Grimstones to
look for the cattle."

"Was he with you when you heard the shots fired, Bob?"

"He was with us a minute or two before, and was following a track. After
we heard the signal we did not think anything more about him, and
whether he followed us or went on looking after the cattle I do not
know."

"If you go to the door, Wilfrid, and give a loud cooey it will bring him
in if he is within hearing. You may be sure that he heard the signal,
for his ears are keener than those of your men; but he would not rush
straight back, but would come cautiously through the woods according to
his nature."

Wilfrid went to the door and gave a loud cooey. A minute later the Maori
issued from the bush, ne