y were very fond of Albert; besides, they believed that it
would be the death of their mother if he were lost.

Reggy gave notice to the rest of the party, when they were within hail,
that the ladies had arrived with some provisions; and although they all
declared that they were too anxious to be hungry, they not unwillingly
partook of the food the thoughtful girls had brought with them.

Once more they resumed their search; but as hour after hour went by, and
neither the children nor Mr Hayward were found, the anxiety of the
searching-party became almost unbearable. To abandon the search was not
to be thought of. Bendigo and Betty had not hitherto discovered the
trail, for in so thick a wood, it was no easy matter, even for them.

At length they shouted out, "We have the trail! we have the trail!" and,
like two beagles, off they set, with their noses close to the ground.

The excitement of the party may be supposed. The boys managed to follow
as quickly as they could, though their clothes were nearly torn from
their backs. The rest of the party remained outside the scrub, keeping
up a communication with those within. The day, however, was wearing on,
and no sign of the children had yet been seen. The sun's rays, as he
sank towards the west, were glancing almost horizontally through the
trees, when a bark was heard. Paul gave a loud cooey. It was answered,
and greatly to their joy they saw Mr Hayward coming along with the
children in his arms. The blacks had only just before discovered him
seated on the ground, and feeding them with some pigeon which he had
shot and some wild fruit he had collected.

Mary took Effie in her arms, Paul carried Albert on his shoulders, thus
relieving Mr Hayward, who was pretty well worn out. He had gone on all
the previous night, and greater part of that morning, keeping up with
Bruce, who had been running before him, until he was nearly exhausted.
Suddenly Bruce, with a loud bark, bounded forward, and to his great joy
he discovered the children, who had evidently cried themselves to sleep.
On being awakened by the dog, the first thing they did was to ask for
food, which it had taken some time to obtain.

It was late at night before they got back, when they found Captain
Berrington, and the anxiety which the news he had received on his
arrival had caused was soon brought to an end. He had secured the run,
and wished immediately to set out to take possession of it. He expect