Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1891-07-10
THE AUSTRALIANS SroBT.

j had Just finished reading for the TWEEN
tieth 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 solitary
spot indeed, even at the best of 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 As ] did He was tall. gant
Scotchman, who had been shepherd in
his native land. | had come out from a
full nest--a happy home; and the awful
monotony OF the Australian wilds seemed
sometimes more than l could bear.
For a month at least Long Peter and
had shared the work and the danger be
tween us: he, as the most experienced. GO
ing out with the sheep. while / kept the
hut. cooked the food. and attended TO the
various duties
Oll lulS particular udN Iiu bttl IttllllI
an amount of listless WEAKNESS which
could scarcely understand myself: hut the
fact was that nervous depression so over
powered me that when Bouncer rose up
from my feet with 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
hut coul1 not see anything unusual. Still
II vii af b.A aip hot
er growled without having something to
show Tor it, | therefore walked back to
my faithful companion, and. taking his
muzzle in both my hands. "What is it,
Bouncer. my boy?' / said. is it friend
or foe Almost any one would be- welcome
in this dreary solitude
Bouncer had risen to his feet and was
listening intently. Again he growled; no.
not growled, but whined impatently. and
trotted to the door Then | knew that
whoever might be approaching was no enc
my. but a friend. Yet who could il be?
Long Peter and his sheep were not due vet
for nearly an hour; and I.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 looking. Presently the quick though
mufiied 1all OF a horses hoofs became dis
tinctly audible | knew the canter well !:
ii was that of Blackfoot, the splendid rid
ing-horse belonging to Mr.. Ashby, the OWL
er 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 a light for my pipe
and morsel to eat, for l must be OFF again
directly Any news going? Long Peter
is not home yet. l suppose"
Even as Mr.. Ashby spoke We could rec
ognize the bleating OF the flock and could
dimly see the white teeces of the sheep as
they emerged from the sombre shadows of
the trees "Ay, there they come said
the master, in a relieved tone of voice !;
land now, after a few words with Peter.
! can mount and be of l ought to be al
home before it is quite dark. Jem,' he
added impressively. Il came today 10 warn
you and Peter that there are blacks in the
neighborhoOd. They have been lurking
round the home station for several days.
and they mean mischief, too, for their wonl-
en- are not with them. ! would have sent
Sam and Jerry here TO help you and Peter.
but il is impossible now to do so: nv wife
and children must be protected. and We
need all the hands we have l hope your
guns are in good order? 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 l said
with flush OF shame rising TO my cheek.
for had not Peter asked me that very morn
ing to run the bullets? Yet l had spent
the long summer day listlessly reading let
tiers, because, forsooth. ! saw no immedi-
ate need of the bullets: and now. thanks
10 my carelessness, We were practically un-
armed
Mr.. Ashby did not seem to observe my
embarrassment, for ne was standing at the
door impatiently waiting for Peter; he had
however, heard my words Tor he replied
Immediately, Don't put OF anything till
tomorrow, Jem: fetch the mould, and get
the bullets run at once; then 90 10 the wa
ter-hole and bring as many buckets full a,
you can stow away in the hut.
Even as he spoke. Peter and his flock,
arrived. the animals feeding quietly all thu
way along. "GOOd-evenng. sir" said
Long Peter quietly TO his master. 1--WE
had some trouble with the beasts today
three are missing. ! found the body OF
one OF them. 1t had been speared'
Mr.. Ashby looked full at the man, con.
stematiOn clearly written in his face. "Art
they so near Us as that, Peter2' he said
Il must get home tonight: l only came
TO warn you and Jem,"
Il don't think that you can possibly 60
sir, go responded the shepherd, coollv filling
pannikin of tea; they are TOO close Il
rs
We looked at the man inquiringly; hi,
face was pale but notwithstanding, and hi,
voice sank 10 a whisper as he added: al
ter seeing the spear-wound in the sheep.
looked about me pretty sharp you may be
sure, but l saw nothing TIL ! was Just clear
of the timber, then ! sighted one of tn,
blacks Wrigglng through the grass like q
snake. would have fired at him. hut j saw
another. then anOther.so thought it best
10 return ami warn Jem. They did not guess
that / had seen them. or ] would have hai
spear through my back. As il is, ! eX.
pect they will attack Us tonight
Scarcely were the words ont of his moutl
when spear whizzcd through the opeI
doorway and quiyered in the wooden slab,
behind. Had my Two companions been a,
inexperienced a. ] was, all would now hav,
been confusion and dismay, but both the
master ami Long Peter We're old colOnsts
and had had more than one brush with tn,
natives. They were both as cool as posi-
bic.
Bar the door, Jem, said the shepherd
land hand me the powder-tiask and bullets
Here BOunceT, keep 10 heel good dog. "
With feeling more akin 10 agony thar
! had ever known before handed the pow.
aN.Ia d. N- 4 ILL., Al