e clearing. A loud whoop of welcome
was heard as they appeared, and Jack came tearing down from the house to
meet them. A moment later Marion appeared at the door, and she too came
flying towards them. Mr. and Mrs. Renshaw also appeared on the verandah.

"I need not ask you how you are, my boy," Mr. Renshaw said as Wilfrid,
who had leapt from his horse as Marion ran up, hastened forward with her
to the house. "Your mother has told us so much about your illness that I
hardly anticipated seeing you looking a picture of health. Mr. Atherton,
I am delighted to see you. My wife has told me how much we all owe to
you both for your care of Wilfrid and for having brought him and my wife
safely out of the hands of the natives."

"I am very glad that I was able to be of some little service, Mr.
Renshaw. It is quite as pleasant, you know, to be able to aid as it is
to be aided, so we will look upon the obligation as mutual. Wilfrid has
invited me to take up my quarters here for a day or two until my shanty
is put in order again."

"It would be a pleasure to us if you would take up your abode here
permanently," Mr. Renshaw said as Mr. Atherton dismounted from his horse
and the two men rung each other's hands warmly. "Jack, take the two
horses round to the shed. And now come in. Fortunately dinner is just
ready, and I have no doubt you are ready too."

Wilfrid was struck with the change that had come over his father since
he had been away. He looked better and stronger than he had ever seen
him before, and spoke with a firmness and decision quite new to him. Mr.
Renshaw, finding the whole responsibility of the farm upon his
shoulders, had been obliged to put aside his books and to throw himself
into the business with vigour. At first the unusual exertion involved by
being out all day looking after things had tried him a good deal, but he
had gained strength as he went on, and had even come to like the work.
The thought that his wife and Wilfrid would be pleased to find
everything going on well had strengthened him in his determination to
stick to it, and Marion had, as far as the house work allowed her, been
his companion when about the farm, and had done her best to make the
evenings cheerful and pleasant. They had had a terribly anxious time of
it during the week between the arrival of the news of the massacre at
Poverty Bay and Mrs. Renshaw's return; but after that their life had
gone on quietly, although, until the news of th