of them were of one family.

"Alas! Ned, had we arrived a few days sooner we might have saved them,"
said Tom.

"I think they must have been freed from their pains and sorrows here
more than a week since," replied the other, fastening his horse to a
tree, and proceeding to search the clothes of the unfortunates for
letters or anything that might afford a clue to their identity. "We
must stay here an hour or two, Tom, and bury them."

No scrap of writing, however, was found--not even a book with a name on
it--to tell who the strangers were. With hundreds of others, no doubt,
they had left their homes, full of life and hope, to seek their fortunes
in the land of gold; but the Director of man's steps had ordered it
otherwise, and their golden dreams had ended with their lives in the
unknown wilderness.

The two friends covered the bodies with sand and stones, and, leaving
them in their shallow grave, pursued their way; but they had not gone
far when a few large drops of rain fell, and the sky became overcast
with dark leaden clouds.

"Ned," said Tom, anxiously, "I fear we shall be caught by the rainy
season. It's awkward being so far from the settlements at such a time."

"Oh, nonsense! surely you don't mind a wetting?" cried Ned; "we can push
on in spite of rain."

"Can we?" retorted Tom, with unwonted gravity. "It's clear that you've
never seen the rainy season, else you would not speak of it so lightly."

"Why, man, you seem to have lost pluck all of a sudden; come, cheer up;
rain or no rain, I mean to have a good supper, and a good night's rest;
and here is just the spot that will suit us."

Ned Sinton leaped off his horse as he spoke, and, fastening him to a
tree, loosened the saddle-girths, and set about preparing the
encampment. Tom Collins assisted him; but neither the rallying of his
comrade, nor his own efforts could enable the latter to shake off the
depression of spirits, with which he was overpowered. That night the
rain came down in torrents, and drenched the travellers to the skin,
despite their most ingenious contrivances to keep it out. They spent
the night in misery, and when morning broke Ned found that his companion
was smitten down with ague.

Even Ned's buoyant spirits were swamped for a time at this unlooked-for
catastrophe; for the dangers of their position were not slight. It was
clear that Tom would not be able to travel for many days, for his whole
frame trembled, when the f