The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-05-01
THEAUSTRALIANSSTORY

l had just finished reading for the
twentieth time my last letter from home
when a sudden growl from Bouncer,
our station dog, brought me back from
the dream into which was beginning
to fall and made me drop my letter,
look hastily round and then walk to the
door of the hut. But all was as it should
be. Nothing unusual was to be seen in
any direction. The sun was sinking
blood red behind a range of dim blue
hills. and stars were beginning to show
on the paling sky.
Long Ridge station was a very soli-
times; but just at present, when Long
Peter and were its only occupants, the
loneliness of our position was horrible.
/ don't think Peter felt it as l did. He
was tall, gaunt Scotchman, who had
been shepherd in his native land. l
had come out from full nest-a happy
home; and the awful monotony of the
Australian wilds seemed sometimes more
than | could bear.
For month at least Long Peter and I
had shared the work and the danger be-
tween US, he, as the most experienced,
going out with the sheep, while 1 kept
the hut, cooked the food and attended to
the various duties.
On this particular day had been feel
ing an amount of listless WEAKNESS
which could scarcely understand my
self; but the fact was that nervous de-
preston so overpowered me that when
Bouncer rose up from my feet with a
growl | started as though some terrible
danger was close at hand. walked to
the door of the hut, as | have said, and
looked keenly all around, but could not
see anything unusual. Still Bouncer
knew what he was about; he never
growled without having something to
show for it. | therefore walked back to
my faithful companion, and, taking his
muzzle in both my hands, "What is it,
Bouncer, my boy:" L said. SIS it friend
or foe? Almost any one would be well
come in this dreary solitude"
Bouncer had risen to his feet and was
listening intently. Again he growled;
no, not growled, but whined impatiently,
and trotted to the door. Then | knew
that whoever might be approaching was
no enemy, but a friend. Yet who could
it be? Long Peter and his sheep were
not due yet for nearly an hour, and |
need scarcely say that afternoon visitors
were scarce at Long Ridge. followed
Bouncer to the door of the hut and
shading my eyes with my hand, looked
earnestly toward the west, which was
the direction in which the dog was look
ing. Presently the quick though muffied
fall of a horses feet became distinctly
audible. / knew the canter well; it was
that of Blackfoot, the splendid riding
horse belonging to Mr.. Ashby, the owner
of the station. Yes, there he was, can
tering over the waving grass and making
straight for Long Ridge Good after
noon, Jem," he said in his usual pleasant
manner. "Give me light for my pipe
and a morsel to eat, for | must be off
again directly. Any news going? Long
Peter is not home yet, l suppose"
Even as Mr.. Ashby spoke we could
recognize the bleating of the flock, and
could dimly see the white feeces of the
sheep as they emerged from the somber
shadows of the trees. AYE, there they
come" said the master, in a relieved
tone of voice; land now, after a few
words with Peter, / can mount and be
on | ought to be at home before it is
quite dark. Jem," he added impress
siyely, Il came today to warn You .4d
Peter that there are blacks in the neigh
borhood. They have been lurking round
the home station for several days. and
they mean mischief, too, for their
women are not with them l would
have sent Sam and Jerry here to help
you and Peter, but it is impossible now
TO do so. My wife and children must be
protected, and we need all the hands We
have. hope your guns are in good or
der. Do you want powder or lead?
I'VE have enough of BOTH" replied,
'but we have only half dozen bullets
I'll run them tomorrow" This | said
with flush of shame rising to nv
cheek, for had not Peter asked me that
very morning to run the bullets? Yet |
had spent the long summer day listleSsly
reading letters, because. forSooth. saw
no immediate need of the bullets: and /,
now, thanks to my carelessless, we We're 1
practically unarmed.
Mr.. Ashby did not seem to observe my |
embarrassment. for he WAS standing at
the door impatiently waiting for Peter. /
lie had, however, heard my words, Cor I
he replied Immediately: Don't put off |
anything till tomorrow, Jem. Fetch the /
mold and get the bullets run at once;
then go TO the water hole and fetch up as /
many bucketfuls as you can stow away
in the hut.
Even as he spoke Peter and his fiocks |
arrived, the animals feeding quietly all |
the way along. Good dFening. sir" /
said Long Peter quietly to his master. /
I've had some trouble with the beasts |
today. Three are missing. | found the |
body of one of them. Sir, it had been |
spearedl"
Mr.. Ashby looked full at the man, con-
ste-nation clearly written IN his face. /
Are they so near Us as that, Peter" he
said. Il must get home tonight / only
came to warn you and Jem."
Il don't think that you can possibly
go, sir" responded the shepherd. coolly
filling a psnnilan Of tea They are too
close to u.s."
We looked at the man lnquiringly;
his face was pale but resolute looking,
and his voice sank TO whisper as ne
added: after seeing the spear wound
in the sheep 1 looked about me pretty
sharp you may be sure, but l saw moth
ing till was clear of the timber, then |
n 0b4ad ona of Tba blacks v-ri1-lI,,,