house. Biddy was naturally stationed at the kitchen end of the
house, which looked towards the bush. Poor Mrs Berrington's alarm
became greater and greater.

Mrs Hugh and her daughters were doing their best to keep her from
fainting by the due application of sal volatile, though they themselves
could scarcely restrain their own fears.

Suddenly a fearful shriek ran through the house; it came from Biddy.
Mary and Janet hurried round, shutting the doors opening on the verandah
where they had been stationed, and rushed towards her.

"Sure, the nagers are coming! the nagers are coming!" they heard her
again and again shriek out. She was, however, at her post at the door,
but had thrown her apron over her head. Before closing the door, the
courageous girls looked out to ascertain how far off the natives were
from the house. There, sure enough, they saw three figures approaching
with what looked like long spears in their hands.

"Arrah! come in, me darlin's, and don't let the nagers catch ye!"
shrieked Biddy.

"What's all that hullabaloo about?" exclaimed one of the figures,
approaching, and Hector, and Reginald, and Rob came up to the door.

Biddy, however, who had stopped her ears as well as hid her face, still
fancied that they were blacks, and continued shrieking as loudly as
ever.

"Run, Rob, and tell mother and aunt that you have come back safe, while
we try and bring this foolish girl to her senses," said Mary.

It was, however, some minutes before Biddy could be quieted, and assured
by the sight of the young masters that it was they whom she had seen,
and that no natives had shown themselves.

Reginald then told Mary that they had found Hector fast asleep on the
bank, while his fishing-rod was floating in the middle of a water-hole,
and that they had spent some time in attempting to recover it. Though
the boys had returned safe, and one cause of anxiety was removed, there
was still a possibility that the blacks would attack the place, should
they have been on the watch, and have discovered that the gentlemen were
away.

Paul, however, did not think this likely, as, had they been lurking
about, they would certainly have caught the boys, and perhaps have
killed them. Poor Mrs Berrington continued bemoaning her hard fate in
coming to such a country.

"But, my dear Augusta," said Mrs Hugh, "no harm has happened to those
we love, and we ought not to mistrust God. You and I have gone through
numerous