our garments, and if you wish, take a bath
before supper."

The proposition which our host made was not to be neglected, for my skin
felt as though parched in an oven, and my clothes were so scorched that
they were ready to fall to pieces. We did not scruple, therefore, to
avail ourselves of the courtesy of Mr. Wright, and after a wash in a
huge hogshead, that was used for bathing purposes, we once more found
ourselves comfortable, with clean garments, and when we were dressed
supper was announced.

Day, who had participated in our toils and struggles, and whom we had
learned to regard with considerable affection, declined seating himself
at the table with us, and all our urging did not overcome his
diffidence, although backed by Mr. Wright, but, I must confess, rather
feebly, and it was so evident that the farmer did not care about the
company of Day that I no longer urged it.

"I saw the fire that is raging in the woods early this morning," Mr.
Wright said, when he saw that our appetites were slightly checked, "and
I feared that it would spread this way, and so gave orders to drive in
the cattle and pen them up until all danger was passed. I was more
willing to do this from the fact that my two Australians reported
bushrangers in the vicinity, and that, after hovering around for a day
or two, they had left for Mount Tarrengower."

While Mr. Wright was speaking, we could hear roars of laughter in the
next room, which seemed to be the kitchen.

"My men are at their supper, and I suppose that your follower, whom some
of my people tell me belongs at the next station, is amusing them with
his wonderful adventures."

"He is as honest a fellow as ever lived, and has served us most
faithfully. Without his aid we should not have escaped the fury of as
savage a flock of bushrangers as ever roamed through the woods of
Australia."

I spoke with some warmth, for I considered that Day deserved as good
treatment as ourselves.

"I don't doubt his honesty or his bravery," returned our host, dryly,
"but I am compelled to believe that if you knew how much I have to
contend with here in the wilderness, hardly knowing friend from foe, and
desired to treat all alike, I am sure that you would not think hard of
me if I did desire to exclude the shepherd from the table. Be assured
that he is happier where he is, and when another stockman visits my farm
he will not be expected to sit at the same table with myself. Discipline
is what