The weekly union record., 1865-09-23

with suppressed breath. and wild feeling
closing around my heart, l crept from the Vi
cini,y of the fire. lpursned my way, on ny
hands and knees. with slow determined care
that has since surprised me. avoiding every
branch or twig that might crackle in my path.
l hurried on past the flock without so much as
disturbing sheep.
Not till long safe distance intervened did
| staud erect, and fresh from 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
run l started for the hut. Before quarter
OF an hour passed, saw it dimy against the
sky, and almost at the same instant frighten-
ed snort told me that the horse was within q
few yards of my course. Utteriug buried
thanksgiving that had found him so prov
dentiay near, l unfastened the hobbies with
quick, steady hands, and led him to the thresh
hold
put on the patched saddle and bride, 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 re-
member uttering repeatedly the words, Thank
Cod
What a contrast to the still hot monotonous
days, and the enervated frame What ties
timony to the power of mental excitement over
bodily lassitude! The horse felt my deter
minaton too, and sped along without pause or
stumble. 1t was seven miles to the station,
and the black belts of timber rose, passed, and
came again, as hurried on for dear life, over
carbbed ground and abrupt hillocks. The
brave old cob had as little thought of rest as
| had. Once, indeed, he paused, at a rocky
crossing place. but Immediately resumed the
swift pace at which We had started. Have
horses intuition or presentment? | don't
know but l have often wondered at the long
unurged gallop of the brave old geding.
There away beyond in the black darkness, l
see something that is not star. Is it moving
or is it the pace of the horse? 1t seems ex-
tingushed now. No, there it is again. Hur
rah, it is candle. 1t is the homestead, calm
and peaceful. Again, thank God.
Strange to say, never felt such a sense of
pleasure as | did when | learned that had
found the house so quickly-the most familiar
point is not easily gained iu the trackless bush
at night. A minute more, and had dismount'
ed to take down the slip panneis of the station
fence; another minute, and l had galloped up
to the front entrance at pace that dashed the
gravel from the trim kept paths.
The door opened. and a gush of light
streamed upon the darkness, glisteniug on the
sides of the reekiug horse. Mr.. Christmas
himself-old, but pale and vigorous as many a
younger man-peered out into the night with
an expression Of surprise. In beyond were
the evidences of calm ard refinement. A quiet
comfort dwelt in the little glimpse had of
the room that settled upon me even then,
rough bushman as l was, with a pleasing
sense. car recall myself bending below the
withers of the painting horse, to peer under the
rather low verandah, my dress wet with per-
spiration from his heavy Sides and my hand
pressing the moisture from his shoulder 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 reply, he turned to
place the light upon the table, and then step
ped out to where l was.
Well, CurreD, what is it? l thought you
were at the fire."
at is not Curran, SIR" l replied, d" but
Ned. the shepherd 1 have come to tell
you"
Better have your supper first, Ned You
have had a hard ride, l see. Are the sheep
all right ?"
There is no time for supper. Red Jim !"
l hurriedly told him all l knew. He heard
me to the end without once interrupting, and
then said quickly, Come in. There is indeed
no time to loose"
stepped after him across the pleasant room
where there were seated two ladies reading.
Ladies, said Mr.. Christmas, as gracefully
as though held the position of a gentleman
rather than that of servant, this is Ned
Graham, the shepherd, to whom you remember
sending medicine and comforts during his ILL.,
ness" The ladies bowed pleasantly as Mr..
Christmas continued, " He has come to return
your kindness with interest"
They looked at me with some surprise
principally, think, because of the emphatic,
distinct way in which the last few words were
spoken. After pause the master said, Anne
liza, Emily wish to speak to you both for q
moment"
They all three left the room, while l, Gu
rious in such matter, looked at the open books
that were lying on the table. One was Ivan