The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1865-07-28

well roast Hallelujah first. That's oul
look out. Well see if the old prayer.
patterer has nothing else to do but help tc
run us down. Give him a taste of fire
before the devil gets him.
! l had no fever, no lassitude, now; the
prOstratiOn of the last few weeks left me al
by magic, and in its stead l felt fierce
delightful energy tingling along every
nerve. Down close amongst the dry tin
dering grass, away with suppressed breath
and wild feeling closing around my heart
[ crept from the vicinity of the fire.
pursued my way on my hands and knees,
with slow determined care that has since
surprised me, avoiding every branch Oh
twig that might crackle in my path.
hurried on past the flock without so much
as disturbing sheep.
Not till long safe distance intervened
did l stand erect, and fresh for the events
of the night. Whatever they might be,
God in his mercy alone knew.
/ turned and saw the black forms of
the bush-rangers moving about the blaze.
and with a run started for the hut. Be
tore quarter of an hour passed, saw it
dlmly against the sky, and almost at the
same instant frightened snort told me
that the horse was within a few yards of
my course. Uttering a hurried thanks
giving that had found him so providen-
TALLY near, untastened the hobbies with
quick steady hands, and led him to the
threshold
put on the patched saddle and bride,
and i'll another five minutes the fine old
cob was stretching himself to swift free
gallop. My mind was too full for thought
but l can remember uttering repeatedly
the words, "Thank God !"
What contrast to the still hot monot-
onous days, and the enervated frame
What testimony to the power of mental
excitement over bodily lassitude. The
horse felt my determination too. and sped
along without pause or stumble. 1t was
seven miles to the station, and the black
aoa;n as hurried on f,r door l;e. o,.an
crobhad Ground ona ,Irun. h;uoals H.
brave old cob had as little thought of rest
as had. Once, indeed, he paused at a
supsJ tbo Eff n.o, -. ,uh;.h ha1
St.rted H.vo hor,os ;n,,,;,;> 49, ,,,o,a..
tim.ntp dom, know b,,t boro ,f,on
wondered ,t tbe lorr ,,nur,,s5 n,l,on of
that brave old celdino
There AWAY in the black darkness |
see something that i not :: stor / i,
moving, or iS il the race of,be horse Il
seems cxtinguished now. No tber, il i
again. Hurrah. il is 4 candle, II i the
homestead. calm and neacofuI Ao,;n
thank God.
Strange to say. never felt sucl. a sense
of pleasure as l did when l learned that
had found the house so quickIv-the most
familiar point is not easily gained in the
trackleSS bush at night. \ minute more
and had dlSmounted TO take down the
slip pannels of the station fence; another
minute, and | had galloped up the front
entrance at pace that dashed the gravel
from the trlm-kept paths.
The door opened. and Il guSh of light
streamed upon the darkness, glinting on
the sides OF the reeking horse. Mr.
christmas himSelf-old, but hale and VIZ
orous As many a younger man-peered
out into the night with IN expression OF
surprise. In beyond, were the evidences
of calm and refinement. A quiet comfort
dwelt in the little glimpse | had of the
room, that settled upon me even then.
rough bushman as | was with a pleasing
sense. l can recall myself. bending be-
low the withers OF the painting horse, to
peer under the rather low verandah. my
dress wet with perspiration from his heavy
sides. and my hand pressing the moisture
from his shoulder till heard it fall pat
tering on the gravel.
MIR. Christmas thought it was the work
ing oversecr, for he said, els it YOU Cur
ran ;" and without waiting for reply.
he turned to place the light upon the table
and then stepped out to where was.
"WclI, Curran, what is it! Thought
you were at the fire.
sit is not Curran, sir" | replied, ''but
Ned, the shepherd. | have come to tell
you-"
50 Better have your supper first. Ned
You've had a hard ride, see Are the
sheep all right 90
| UThero is M tima nr Sunnar Rod