themselves
in shaping a few stock whip-handles, which are made from its fragrant
wood; they would then recommence their search for Old Bolter. Once
having found him, there would be no stopping until they had got him safe
back into the paddock. An hour's hard riding brought them up to Myall
Creek, within the dry bed of which they hoped to find Bolter, provided
he had not discovered their approach, when to a certainty he would be
off to some other place of concealment. They had prudently brought
provisions with them, and, having securely hobbled their horses so that
they might feed close to them, they sat down beneath the shade of a tree
on the edge of the scrub and ate their dinners. They then cut some
sticks from the myall trees suited for their purpose, and, while they
sat resting in the shade, employed themselves in shaping the wood into
the required size with their knives.

"Now," cried Paul, jumping up, "we must hunt up Old Bolter."

They quickly caught their steeds, and, unhobbling them, mounted.

"You go round the north side, and I will take the south of the bush,"
said Paul. "If you see Bolter, cooey to me, and take care that he does
not make off westward, or we shan't get back to-night--or to-morrow,
perhaps."

"No fear about that. I'll head him if I catch sight of his ears, and
take good care to turn him towards you."

Harry accordingly rode away to the northward, while Paul directed his
course round the southern end of the bush, and then circling round,
reached the west side of the creek, in the dry bed of which he hoped to
find Bolter. He examined the ground carefully, expecting to find some
track of the missing horse, but not a sign could he see. Half an hour
or more elapsed, when he heard Harry's shrill cooey; but, from the
faintness of the sound, he knew that his brother must be a long way off.
Putting spurs to his horse he galloped forward, expecting every moment
to see Bolter dash out of the creek and make for the west. At last he
caught sight of Harry, and directly afterwards, from some thick bushes,
out sprang Bolter, and, as had been expected, made off towards the west,
just midway between the two lads.

"After him!" cried Paul, and turning their horses' heads they gave them
the rein. The animals seemed to know the object of the chase, and were
eager as their riders to overtake the truant.

The ground was rough and broken, with here and there trees lying across
it, blown down by a w