Part 44 (1/2)

”Now, sergeant,” Reuben said, ”I shall hand over the command to you; and shall ride on at once, with my boy I am most anxious about the ers' horses They have not been ridden and, having had three or four days' rest, are comparatively fresh The fellow has had only one day's start and, if I push straight on, I may be there before him”

Reuben briefly bade adieu to his friends, while Jiers' horses and, leading two others, they started together in darkness Changing saddles every ten ht, when they halted; for the horses, accusto journeys, were now completely broken down, and Jim and his ,” Ji off the saddles and hobbling the horses; ”too , Jiland would hardly believe horses could go a hundred miles in a day, even if led a part of the distance Another fifty miles will take us to Donald's

It is about twenty ht; and that was about thirty ht a fire, sah?”

”No, Jim, it isn't worth while There is sory; but I a about, a firethem round on us”

”No tink black fellows near, massa”

”I don't think so either, but I don't want to run the risk, Jim; besides, I am sure neither of us can be trusted to keep watch”

Reuben, in spite of his fatigue, was soht that probably Tom Thorne was, at that time, camped at the water hole twenty , his horse would be far fresher than those he had ridden, wasup, and pursuing his way on foot; but he was stiff in every limb, and felt that the journey was beyond hier had taken so there, he would have no leaht they were afoot The saddles were put on the horses, and they continued their way Reuben soon found, however, that the five hours he had rested had been insufficient to restore the horses and, even by riding theet the at the water hole, the reround carefully, and found the tracks of a horse; and was of opinion that the rider had started three or four hours previously Reuben carried a large flask of spirits and, having poured what reiven theain pressed on

Tenstation The owner of this had not joined in the expedition, being ato leave his wife in such an exposed position

But upon Reuben's arrival he at once agreed to lend him two fresh horses, and to take care of those which Reuben brought with hi the two huge bowls of bread and milk These were thankfully sed by Reuben and Jim and, five minutes later, they started on the fresh horses

It was indeed a relief, to Reuben's anxiety, to find hiallop, after the slow and tedious pace at which he had travelled sinceHis spirits rose, and the fears which had oppressed hiic He assured himself that he had no cause for anxiety, for that the two constables would assuredly be on the watch, and Kate had promised not to venture beyond the doors of the house until his return

Chapter 18: Settling Accounts

Reuben soon checked the speed of his horse Anxious as he was to arrive as soon as possible, he ht he knew, yet have occasion to try the ani pace, at which he had started, into an ordinary steady gallop The horses were fresh and in good condition, and for severalThen they were allowed to ease down into a walk, until they got their wind again; and then started at the pace, half canter, half gallop, which is the usual rate of progression of the colonial horses They drew rein at last on a slight eminence, from which the Donalds' station, a mile or so distant, could be perceived

”Thank God,” Reuben muttered to himself, ”I am back here, at last

There is no occasion for further hurry;” and the horses were allowed to go at an easy walk

”Man on horseback,” Ji Reuben's arm

”Where--where, Jih deallop fast”

Reuben had not caught sight of the figure, but he pressed his spurs against the horse's sides

”I will see who it is, at any rate Jiht on to the house, and say I shall be there in a few allop, towards the point where his course would probably intersect that of the horse in the direction Jim had pointed out, he turned over rapidly, in his ht whether his anxiety for Kate Ellison was nota fool of him Why should he turn fro journey, to start at full speed on the track of this figure, of which Jiht be a stockhbouring stations to see how Donald was getting on; but even so, he told hi himself of that

It was not the way Mr Barker would take to his station Had it been a neighbour who had coain, so early Neither of the constables would be riding away, in defiance of his orders on no account to stir any distance frolimpse of the horseman He was not more than half a mile away now, but the view he obtained was so instantaneous that he could not distinguish any particulars

”He is riding fast, anyhow,” he said ”Faster than a er, sent on urgent business; or it is Thorne”