Part 12 (2/2)

”I don't like its appearance,” he answered ”I fear that the bush is on fire, and if so it is ireat distance from the station What do you think, Hector?”

”I' this dry weather the rapidity hich it spreads is extraordinary Push on, all of you; don't mind me, I can be of no use with this la our dear ones at home should the fire reach the house Here, Maurice, do youthe ely acted according to his suggestion; and, leaving hier brothers and Toby, Bracewell, Guy, and I galloped forward

Bracewell appeared itated than I had ever seen hi, and the thought now occurred to hi on as hard as we could go, it appeared to us that the conflagration was rapidly extending Already dense wreaths of s towards the sky, formed a thick canopy overhead; while we could see every now and then the bright fla bush as some tall tree rapped in their embrace

It was very evident that the hoer, even if it was not already encircled in flaht have made their escape, we could not tell in what direction they had fled They would have endeavoured to save as much of their property as possible from destruction, and Bracewell's fears conjured up the dreadful idea that theyfoe before they could reach a place of safety

With whip and spur we urged on our animals We had as yet seen no one to tell us in what direction our friends had gone There was a strea the sheep, and Bracewell hoped that they round was free of trees, and the grass had been cropped so low that the fire was not likely to ht, however, still be at the house, and towards it we directed our course

As we galloped up as our diss were nearly burnt to the ground! We dashed up shouting to our friends, but no one replied

”They one across the strea our horses' heads we rode furiously on through the flaht the bushes on either side of us After shouting again and again it ith unspeakable thankfulness that we heard our shouts answered, and dashi+ng across the stream, we found the family assembled on a spot where the fire was not likely to reach

Mary was on her palfrey, her father standing by her side endeavouring to quiet her alar people were seated on the ground a such articles as they had been able to save

Our arrival greatly relieved their anxiety, for they had fancied that we and the boys h a part of the wood in which the fire had been raging

The fla to feed on near the stream they fortunately did not cross to the side on which we had taken refuge

The fire continued to rage long after darkness had corand and terrible was the spectacle it exhibited We watched it anxiously not knowing how far it ht extend I wasendured his hard fortune Not a ain he expressed his gratitude to Heaven for having preserved all those dear to him from injury

Under his directions we all turned to and put up soht Mercifully towards uished the fire al set about ascertaining his losses and onderful energy took steps to repair them

Bracewell invited the family to take up their abode at his hut until their new house was ready to receive theons which had escaped

Guy and I, with the young Strongs, worked with the far up fences and rebuilding the house; and in a wonderfully short time the station, which had becoan to assues the knowledge we gained was of the greatest value to us in our subsequent career In a year or two our worthy cousin had completely recovered from the heavy losses he had sustained

Bracewell before long beca

The proprietor of the next station to his wishi+ng to sell out, we, assisted by hiot up a tolerable residence, we sent to the old country for our mother and sisters; and Ifixed our home in Australia

THE END