on either
side. As they approached the yard they shouted to Sandy Macdougal, the
overseer, who, fortunately, was close at hand, to open the gate, and in
rushed Old Bolter.

"We had a hard matter to find him, and he would have got away from us
after all if a number of black fellows had not tried to spear him,"
observed Paul. "We must be on our guard against them, or they will be
doing some mischief."

"You've indeed done vera weel to bring the brute back so soon," said
Sandy, as he carefully closed the gate, not to give Bolter another
chance of escaping. "It would be wise to send over to Ogilvie to let
the police know that there are strange blacks in the neighbourhood.
Better to prevent the mischief than punish their puir bodies after it's
committed, and as they attacked you, there's sufficient reason for
warning them to take their departure."

The lads having unsaddled their horses, turned them into the paddock,
and, accompanied by Sandy, repaired to the house. On the way the
overseer inquired more particularly about their meeting with the blacks.

"It's a mercy they didna spear you. Praise the Lord for His goodness,
lads; He always watches over those who trust Him. Dinna fail to do
that."

Sandy Macdougal was an old follower of Captain Berrington. He had
accompanied him from ship to ship as his coxswain; and when the captain
retired from the service, and obtained the allotment of land on which he
finally settled in Australia, Sandy, though he might have obtained a
pension by serving a year or two longer at sea, insisted on accompanying
him. While the captain was going through the arduous work of settling,
Sandy was like his right hand. When the old sailor might have set up a
farm of his own he declined doing so, preferring to serve his old
commander in the capacity of overseer; and most faithfully did he
discharge his trust.

CHAPTER TWO.

JOURNEY TO MEET THE BERRINGTONS FROM ENGLAND--MRS HUGH BERRINGTON AND
HER FAMILY--MR HAYWARD, THE TUTOR--HARRY RETURNS--PREPARATIONS--THE
ARRIVAL.

The drays for the intended journey were packed, and the horses put to.
The captain stood ready, booted and spurred. Harry, to his great
delight, was to accompany his father. Paul would much have liked to go,
but not the slightest sign of disappointment did he allow himself to
exhibit; indeed, he was justly proud of having the responsibility, with
the aid of Sandy, of looking after the family.

The drays were no