ness, but
I intended, if there was any firing, to wait until the farmers were
satisfied that I meant honestly, provided, of course, I escaped getting
hit, of which I was in some fear, I must confess.

Luckily for my safety, Mr. Brown and Day remained where I left them, and
were watching my movements with some curiosity, and considerable
anxiety. Had they advanced towards the house at the same moment as
myself, we should all have bitten the dust, and rich pickings the
stockmen would have had emptying our pockets, and boasting of their
exploits in shooting three men with but a single effective revolver to
defend themselves.

On I galloped, waving my handkerchief in token of friendship, and
exciting dismal howls from the canine brutes, whom I expected every
moment would desert their flocks and attack me, but I afterwards
understood that the dogs were so well trained that no amount of
temptation could induce them from their charges. Had it been otherwise,
my gallant horse would have had to put his speed to good account, tired
as he was.

When within three rods of the house, I halted, and prepared for a parley
with the garrison, and I was the more ready to commence it, from the
simple circumstance of seeing about a dozen old muskets pointed at me,
and the holders of the same glancing along the barrels, as though
meaning mischief.

"Can you give me and my friends supper and lodgings to-night?" I asked,
addressing the crowd, seeing no one that I supposed was in authority.

"Go away wid ye, ye thaves and murderers," cried a voice, "rich with
brogue," and I could not help laughing in the fellow's face at the
answer.

"We will pay you well for our entertainment," I continued, after I had
sufficiently recovered my composure.

"Will ye lave, yer blackguard?" demanded the first speaker, shaking his
old gun at me, and motioning for me to depart as soon as possible.

"We have been without food all day," I continued, "and, after escaping
the dangers of the burning plains, it seems hard to be driven away from
a Christian's door like dogs."

"It's a pity, so it is, that ye wasn't consumed in that same fire. Away
wid ye, and don't bother honest people like us. Ye can't come in here,
and that's flat."

"I suppose that you imagine we are bushrangers," I said; "in that you
are mistaken. We have just escaped from a gang."

"Thin ye had better 'scape back agin, as fast as yer two legs will carry
ye," cried the Irishman.

"It's