Part 10 (2/2)
”Any news of Paul?” asked Harry.
Captain Berrington shook his head. ”I am thankful I had not started from home when this occurred; but I must now try and learn what has become of him,” he answered. ”Should he have escaped all other dangers, he may have been caught by this flood; and I am indeed very, very anxious.”
Harry told Mr Hayward what his father had said.
”I am ready to start this instant, either alone or with any one whom your father will allow to accompany me,” he said.
”I'll go!” cried Harry.
”You may be wanted; there is work to do for all hands, though perhaps I can best be spared,” answered Mr Hayward.
Thinking that Bendigo might be useful in learning from any blacks they might meet if Paul's drays had been seen, he asked whether he would go.
Bendigo replied that he was quite ready. Harry, also, to his great satisfaction got leave to accompany his tutor.
As the horses were quite fresh, and the saddles had been saved, they agreed to start immediately; though they would have to trust to their guns for provisions, except when they could fall in with any sheep-stations, where beef and mutton could be procured.
Everywhere as they rode along were signs of the destruction caused by the flood.
”It must be a lesson to us and others not to build near one of these rivers, liable to such inundations,” said Mr Hayward. ”Had not your father possessed cattle and sheep, he would have been ruined; as it is, he has suffered severe loss. But how admirably does he and your mother bear it, as they do the prolonged absence of Paul. It raises them more than ever in my estimation. I hope we shall be fortunate in finding a satisfactory spot for a new location, as he will not be again tempted to build in his old one. I believe if Paul is restored to them safe, they will look upon their losses as trifles.”
This conversation occurred on the second day of their journey. They had just mounted a slight ridge, and before them spread out a wide extent of level land.
”I think I see something very like a dray, with two hors.e.m.e.n near it,”
said Harry.
Mr Hayward could not make out the objects which his young companion's sharp eyes had detected; still they both instinctively increased their speed.
”I'm sure it is a dray, with a man on horseback. The dray is very like ours, and the rider like Paul. Hurrah!” cried Harry, and putting spurs to his horse he dashed forward.
Mr Hayward followed, although not quite as fast, and saw Harry shaking hands with the stranger; and even he was soon convinced that the first of the two was Paul.
After the first greetings were over, and they were once more moving towards Stratton, Paul described how he had been attacked by bush-rangers, whom he had beaten off, and his narrow escape from the flood.
Paul, as may be supposed, was received with joyful welcome by the family.
The first thing to be done was to build a house for the ladies, where they might be secure should another inundation occur. The captain, however, was of opinion that that was not at all likely, as the late one was higher than had ever been known to take place by the oldest colonists. Towards the proposed work all hands devoted the whole of their energies; and hewing, sawing, and carrying of timber went on from morning until night.
In little more than a week, a tolerably substantial house of a size sufficient to hold the ladies of the family was put up, but some days more were required to manufacture bedsteads, chairs, tables, and other articles of furniture. However, within a fortnight the family were once more settled, and a stranger visiting them would not have supposed how a short time before they had been houseless.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN.
THE EXPLORING EXPEDITION SETS OUT--Pa.s.sAGE OVER THE MOUNTAINS-- PRECAUTION AGAINST THE NATIVES--WITNESS A CORROBBEREE--ESCAPE FROM THE BLACKS--THE PARTIES SEPARATE.
The captain was anxious to commence, without a moment's delay, his proposed exploring expedition. He intended to form two parties, so as to inspect a large tract of country in a short time.
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