k all round, and here's success to our expedition."

While I was fitting my head gear the door opened, and in walked Day, his
eyes glistening as though he had drank a cup too much of Mr. Wright's
strong water.

"No, you don't," he said, surveying us from head to foot; "if you think
that you can get off without the best ghost that the country can produce
you are mistaken. You can count me in." "Then hurry and get ready," I
exclaimed, "for we have not a moment to lose."

"Ready?" asked the shepherd, "ain't I all reedy as I am? I don't want
your ile-skins to keep off a little wet. I'm used to it. Lead the way,
blackies, and I'll keep close to your heels."

"But you have no weapons," Mr. Wright said.

"Ain't I got 'em? Look here!" and to my surprise, he produced from the
bosom of his flannel shirt a large pair of horse pistols, which he had
borrowed from one of the farm hands.

"You'll do; go ahead," our host said. And as we sallied into the entry
we saw that all the laborers were drawn up in a line, as though to take
formal leave of us.

"Please, sir, let me go wid you," I heard the familiar voice of the
Irishman, who greeted me on my arrival, say.

"And me," cried a dozen voices, in the same breath.

"I don't want you all, but Mike may go," was the brief reply.

"Glory to God! we'll lick thunder out of all the bloody bushrangers that
iver dared to show their homely faces this side of the Loddon. I'm off;"
and Mike, who feared that the order for his going would be revoked,
snatched a long spear that stood in the entry, and rushed out of the
house hatless and shoeless, and full of fight.

"Take good care of the house, Jackson," Mr. Wright said, addressing his
servant, who stood near him.

"You don't wish me to accompany you, sir?" he asked.

"No, no. Stay here and take care of the house, and mind that you defend
it against all odds, in case of an attack."

"Bushrangers move quick," muttered Kala.

"I'm coming. Now, gentlemen, we will try the speed of your limbs;" and
out of the house we sallied, and stood in the driving storm for a few
minutes, completely blinded by the sudden transition from light to
pitchy darkness.

"Follow Kala," muttered the native; but the request was an
impossibility, because Kala was invisible even a foot from where we
stood.

"Give the strangers your arms, and lead them until their eyes get
accustomed to the darkness," Mr. Wright said, addressing the natives.

"That is a good