Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1865-08-11


"Yes, we'll see if his psalm.singinI
will save him now."
Then the other said "There are
couple of women there, and we shall
have time to give them taste of busl
life before morning.
"Look ye 'ere," growled the rufian
swell roast Hallelujah first. That's ou
look out. Well see if the old prayer
patterner has nothing else to do but helT
to run US down. Give him taste o
fire before the devil gets him."
l had no fever, no lassitude, now
the prostration of the last few weeks left
me as by magic, and in its stead felt 9
fierce delightful energy tingling along
every nerve. Down close amongst the
dry tindering grass, away with suppress
ed breath, and wild feeling closing
round 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, avoid
ing every branch or twig that might
crackle in my path. i hurried on past
the flock without so much as disturbing
a sheep.
Not till a long safe distance interviewed
did / 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 bushrangers moving about the blaze,
and with run started for the hut
Before quarter of an hour passed, |
saw it dimly against the sky, and almost
at the same instant frightened snort
told me that the horse was within few
yards of my course. Uttering hurried
thanksgiving that | bad found him so
providentially near, unfastened the hob.
bles with quick steady hands, and led
him TO the threshold.
| put on the patched saddle and bri>
die, and in another five minutes the fine
old cob was stretching himself to a swift
free gallop. My mind was too full for
thought; but | can remember uttering
repeatedly the words, "Thank God y
What a contrast to the still bot 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. It was
seven miles to the station, and the black
belts of timber rose, and passed, and came
again, as | hurried on for dear life, over
grabbed ground and abrupt hillocks.--
The brave old cob had as little thought
of rest as | had. Once indeed, he paus-
ed at a rocky crossing place, but immedl'
ately resumed the swift pace at which he
had started. Have horses intuition or
presentiment | don't know; but
have often wondered at the long unurged
gallop of that brave old gelding,
There away beyond in the black dark
ness, see something that is not a STAR
Is it moving, or is it the pace ofthe horse
1t seems extinguished now. No, there
it is again. Hurrab, it is candle. 1t
is the homestead, calm and peaceful
Again thank God.
Strange to say, never felt such
sense of pleasure as did when ] learned
that ] had found the house so quickly
the most familiar point is not easily gain
ed in the trackless bush at night. A
minute more, and | had dismounted to
take down the slip panels of the station
fence; another minute, and | had gall
loped up TO the front entrance at pace
that dashed the gravel from the trim. kept
parks.
The door opened, and gush OF light
streamed upon the darkness, glintiug on
the sides of the reeking horse. Mr..
Christmas himself-old, but hale and Wig.
orous as many younger man--peered
out into the night with an expression Of
surprise. In beyond, were the evidences
of calm and refinement. A quiet com,
fort dwelt in the little glimpse had of
the room, that settled upon me even then,
rough bushman as | was, with pleasing
sense. can recall myself, bending be-
low the painting horse, to peer under the
rather low verandah, my dress wet with
from his heavy sides, and
my hand pressing the moisture from his
shoulders till | heard it fall pattering on
The gravel.
Mr.. Christmas thought it was the
working overseer, for he said, "Is that
you, Curran ?" and without waiting for
a reply, he turned to place the light upon
he table, and then stepped out to where
was.
"Well, Curran, what is 1t? l Thought
you were at the fire."
at is not Curran, sir" ! replied, "but
Ned, the shepherd. | have come to tell
"Better have your supper first, Ned.
You've had hard ride, see. Are the
sheep all rightP
"There is no time for supper. Red
Jiml
/ hurriedly told him all l knew. He
heard me to the end without once inter
.upting, and then said quickly, "Come
n. There is indeed no time to lose."
/ stepped after him across the pleas |
Int room, where there were seated two
aides reading.
Ladies'" said Mr.. Christmas, as grace
ully as though l held the position of {
gentleman rather than that of servant {
'this is Ned Graham, the shepherd, to
whom you remember sending medicine
md comforts during bis Illness" The {
aides bowed pleasantly as Mr.. Christmas {
continued, "He is now come to return
your kindness with interest,""
They looked at me with some surprise
. ,lI,, tb;1L ba.auoa of tba or, | ,