our necks. We carry our rifles on our other
shoulders, and that will balance matters. That is right. Now on we go
again." With occasional halts they went on for another four hours. By
this time the ladies and the little girl were completely exhausted from
stumbling over roots and low shrubs in the darkness and the two men also
were thoroughly fatigued; for the night was extremely hot, and the work
of carrying Wilfrid in addition to the weight of their ammunition, told
upon them. They had long since lost the path, but knew by the stars that
they were keeping in the right direction.

"Now we will have a few hours' halt," Mr. Atherton said. "We may
consider ourselves as perfectly safe from pursuit, though we shall have
to be cautious, for there may be parties of these scoundrels wandering
about the country. We may hope that a good many of the settlers heard
the firing and made off in time, but I fear we shall hear some sad
stories of this night's work."

Lying down the whole party were in a few minutes fast asleep. Wilfrid
had offered to keep watch, saying that he had done no walking and could
very well keep awake, but Mr. Atherton said that nothing would be gained
by it. "You could see nothing, and you would hear nothing until a party
of natives were quite close, and unless they happened by sheer accident
to stumble upon us they could not find us; besides, though you have done
no absolute walking, the exertion of sitting up and holding on has been
quite as much for you in your weak state as carrying you has been for
us. No, we had best all take a rest so as to start fresh in the
morning."

Mr. Atherton woke as soon as daylight broke, and rousing himself,
cautiously looked round. There was nothing in sight, and he decided to
let the party sleep for a few hours longer. It was eight o'clock and the
sun was high before the others opened their eyes.

Mr. Atherton was standing up. "There is a horseman coming across the
plain," he said; "no doubt he is following the track; by the line he is
taking he will pass a little to our right. I will go out to hear the
news. I think you had better remain where you are, he may be followed."

Mr. Atherton walked through the bush until he reached the track just as
the rider came along.

"Ah! you have escaped, Mr. Atherton; I am glad of that. Have all your
party got away?"

"Yes, thank God!" Mr. Atherton said; "and now what is the news?"

"I cannot tell all," the settler said, "but t