The weekly union record., 1865-09-23

BE signed TO the side board. where ocean
ter stood. was about to follow his sngges
ton When be said, Stay, Go around the
table. Everything mast wear the appearance
of peace. We cannot tell where they are
now, and i, would 20, do to arouse their sus.
pieions'
10 few minutes the light was extiuguished,
the door was bolted, and We stepped quietly
out 90 the little parterre in front.
Now said my master, slowly, :" there are
only our two selves 10 defend my home and my
children. Ny servants are all absent at the
bush FIRE that was reported this afternoon, aud
everything will depend upon our eoolness and
determination. We cannot do otherwise than
shoot to XIII. The gang will Of course enter
BY the slip pannels, for they viii net run the
the faintest noise eau be heard on such a night
as this, they will not hazard the pulling down
Of the feuce We will each take up posi-.
tion behind the largest posts, take sure aim,
aim. aud FIRE low. I'll FIRE FIRST" As silent
as speciess, We walked across to the paddock
entrance, and stood opposite each other al the
place indicated. With stranng eyes and beat.
ing heart, peered into the obscurity. Afar,
| thought could see faint tint Of the sky,
like the reflection of the rufliau's camp FIRE
The night was terribly silent and oppressive.
There was nothing apparently on which to ex
ercise the senses but kind of over powering
hush. There was dim, hazy curtain across
the sky, and the night was black darkness.
l should have thought ofteptimes that was
dreaming, were it not for the patient motion,
less figure opposite and the faint stars. Iuac-
ton under such circumstances is hardly to be
borne, and my thoughts often wandered from
their intensity. l began to speculate how long
it would take star to pass some black ragged
patch of cloud, and then | would look before
me and see 1t dancing 90 the darkness. Then
the face Of Red Jim would glow upon me, till
| saw the hdeous features close TO where
stood. Still no sound broke on the dark
shrouding night. Sometimes thought, with
chilly start, that the bushrangers might have
approached the house by some other way, but
up behind me all was quiet.
At last there came thin, faint murmu1 that
barely caught the ear, and as listened TO
know if it were real, l caught another but bet
ter defined noise that overpowered the first At
last determined something that might be the
footballs of horse sometimes it would die
away and come again, but each time more
clearly than before. And yet could not feel
certain that | was not deceiving myself. Event
ually, heard a mufled sound, distinct, and
defined enough to proclaim the approach of
horse or horses.
Mr.. Christmas heard it also, for dimly saw
him move.
My hands felt along the cool barrels, and
toyed with the hammers and triggers anxious
ly enough, and l put the gun to my shoulder
against the sky, but failed 10 see the view
Just as had taken the weapon down again.
Mr.. Christmas said, in a clear, low whisper
Be sure you aim low, and don't be in q bur-
ry."
As the sounds of the horses hoofs and of
voices mingled, l detected the double click
from the opposite gun. followed the exam
pie, and with both guns cooked, we awaited
the enemys nearer approach. Gradually, l
recognized the outlines of men against the sky,
cloudy as it was they were approaching 10
single file, and as they became blacker and
better defined, l heard stfed laugh and an
oath. 10 a short time they were within twen-
ty-yards of where We stood, aud they pulled
up to consult Although they spoke in wbis-
pers heard much that passed, for my seuse
of hearing had become extremely acute, as
that of all shepherds does. 1t was impossible
to distinguish by the tone. who the speakers
were, but ! heard one of them inquire:
Are you sure the hands amt above?"
Sartin-when Leaay spun his yarn about
the fire, the cove sent 'em all away to it."
Hallelujah fust. Ii we fire the box, it'll
bring EN- back"
And DO grabbing the mols," whispered |
one of them authoritatively, and whom 1 FAM
cied was Red Jim, till | make the cursed old /
psalm singer back log for the bonfire. Then /
we'll make love if you choose"
Come on" said an impatient voice don't
hold prayer meeting over it."
They then tied their horses to fence that /
ran at right angles to the post against which /
stood, and approached the entrance, still IN /
single file. determined to adhere strictly to /
the orders bad received, and waited for the /
opposite fire. l knew that my companion /
would allow the men to advance little, so that /
be might not endauger me and it was with
throbbing heart that saw the black form of
the first bushranger pass between US.
baarJ hin, ctnr HE NTH on oath ovpr q /