trials and troubles, and have been mercifully preserved through
them all."

At length the captain and his brother returned, and, having heard
nothing of the blacks, were greatly surprised at the state of agitation
into which the family had been thrown. The captain commended Paul for
his judgment in sending for the police. Taking their fire-arms with
them, they at once went back to let Sandy and the other men know that
the blacks had been seen near the house, that they might be on their
guard.

"They are not likely to be surprised while Bruce is on the watch,"
observed Paul; "he can scent a black a hundred yards off."

Poor Mrs Berrington was thus again made anxious, fearing that her
husband and the captain might be attacked before they got back to the
house. At last they made their appearance, reporting that Sandy and the
men were on the watch at the stock-yards, but that Harry and Mr Hayward
had not yet returned; indeed, the captain believed that they would
probably accompany the police, or, at all events, not come back until
the morning.

The children were put to bed, and the ladies were at length persuaded to
retire to rest. The captain and Mr Berrington arranged to keep watch
and watch, so that they might run no risk of being surprised. Paul
wanted to join them, but his father insisted that he should remain
quiet, lest his wound, trifling though he considered it, might become
inflamed. Hector went into his room without offering his services. Mr
Berrington looked vexed, but said nothing; possibly he thought that he
would go to sleep at his post, and thus be worse than useless.

"I say, Edgar, though we are sent to bed, we are not bound to go to
sleep," exclaimed Rob. "I vote that you and I keep watch at the window,
turn and turn about. I have got one of Paul's pistols, and if any
blacks come we will shoot them."

"But they would have to come fearfully close to do that, and I don't
think I could fire at a man with a spear in his hand, grinning horribly
at me out of the dark."

It is easy to imagine the picture Edgar conjured up.

"That's the very time I would shoot," answered Rob; "if I did not, he
might hurl the spear and stick it into me."

"Keep quiet, you fellows," growled out Hector, who was awakened by their
talking, though he did not hear what they said. They were silent till
they thought that he was again asleep.

"If you're afraid I'm not," said Rob. "I will take the first watch, and
I