e. I used to receive
visits occasionally from the miserable natives, who hang around a sheep
station; but as I never encouraged their intrusions, and watched their
doings with a sharp eye, they generally avoided me. Twice they tried to
murder me, but I was wary and escaped.

"The hut in which I lived was built of logs, plastered on the outside
with clay to keep out the rain, and contained one room, with a
fireplace, a bed made of sheep skins, a table and two stools. The door
was a stout one, made expressly to resist a siege in case the natives
grew vicious, and was secured on the inside by a large bar.

"I have been thus particular in my description of my habitation, because
one night, when the rain was pouring down in torrents, and the wind beat
against the hut as though it would take it from its foundation, I was
startled by hearing a loud knock at the door.

"I had been sitting before the fire for a long time, trying to picture
out my future life, for my past was already too well known, when the
summons disturbed me. I started to my feet, and sought the door, where
my dog was already snuffing and uttering angry growls, as though
suspicious that the person on the outside was not exactly such a guest
as his master would wish for in that lonely habitation. While I was
uncertain what to do, another knock, louder than the first, startled the
dog into a howl; but I hushed his noise, and taking down my gun, that
hung over my bed, I asked what was wanted.

"'In the name of God give me shelter,' cried a voice that I thought I
recognized, although I could not call to mind where I had heard it.

"'Who are you?' I asked.

"'A stranger who has been to various stations for the purpose of buying
cattle, and has lost his way. Give me shelter for the night, and God
will reward you.'

"The latter part of the solicitation sounded as though uttered in a
hypocritical tone, and I was undecided whether to comply with the
request, or send him to the next station, about ten miles distant. A
fresh gust of wind influenced me; I slipped off the bar and opened the
door; but next moment I would have given all the sheep under my charge
to have had my guest where he was five minutes previous, with the oak
bar across the door; for by the flickering fire that blazed upon the
hearth I saw that my visitor was Black Darnley.

"He was greatly altered since I had seen him last. His clothes hung in
tatters about his body, while his large feet were