The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-06-02

long, rolling waves OF the plaln, Wltn |
now and then d glimpse of tall gray
kankagroo that bounded off to right or
left through the waving grass, or
little furry bandicoot that would scud
with a quick rush, half jump and half
run, into the impenetrable shelter of
the tall heritage.
Twice / had stopped at the streams
we had crossed to give Cossack drink
and once to give him feed from the
nosebag carried at the pommel Of the
saddle and now as the sun was wester-
ing and beginning to throw long shad-
ows from the range across the plain /
reached at last the end of the spur for
which I had been steering so long. The
sharp tinkling gush of the stream made
Cossack prick forward his ears as we
descended the slope into the broad bot
tom, where the Cinna-gulla creek
dashed over it's flashing bed of polished
white pebbles.
The long shadow of the range had
fallen dark and silent over the plain
and the light was dying very low in
the western sky before / rode up to
Hutchen's. The place hadn't much to
recommend it to the fastidous, but
year in Australia had effectually re-
moved me out of that class, and l was
well pleased to let the stableman take
charge of Cossack while walked into
the rough and ready common room OF
THE Divide" Supper-the rough but
plentiful Australian bush supper-with
its invariable mutton and it's inevitable
damper-bread and tea, and after sit
| ting sleepily for half an hour in the
place where had supped / was glad to
be shown the way to a rough bed in a
still rougher bedroom where l could
rest after my siXty-mile ride.
awoke with the blazing morning
| sun full in my face. and knew that 1
| had oversight myself. To spring out of
bed and complete my simple toilet was
| the work Of but a minute or two, and
| in a quarter of an hour l had swal-
| lowed a hasty breakfast and started
again on my journey. The morning
was beautiful, and Cossack, who
seemed as fresh as when we had start
ed for our ride of yesterday, appeared
to enjoy it as much as 1 did myself.
The way to Maroona lay for the first
twelve miles or so along the foot of the
range, and here the bush ran out into
the plain in long tongues through
which a rough road had been cut, broad
enough for two carts to pass one an
other. 1 wanted to get to the station
by twelve o'clock if possible, and 1t was
now after seven, so that steady seven
| miles an hour would just about do 1t in
the time. There was no need to push
| Cossack. He was going at his own
favorite pace and seemed to enjoy II.
He evidently liked the cool shade of
the forest with its long arcades OF
shadow, tlecked and splashed with gol-
H.. l. - IL. r
fully sympathized with him. The wood
was full of life; parrots chartered and
called in harsh conversational tones
from tree to tree; cocl<atoos scolded
and swore in the leafyresearches where
the flash Of their white and golden
plumage combined with their voices to
betray them; bandicoots scuttled
across the track with shy, quick, mo-
tion; an occasional green or brown liz
ard darted up a tree, it's bright eye
turned inquiringly on the intruders;
and now and then striped or spotted
snake would glide with a swift sinuous
motion that taxed the eye to follow it
into the DINNER shadows of the forest.
Now we were drawing closer to the
range, for / could hear the gush and
murmur of the stream that ran along
its foot on my left hand and / knew
that l should soon have passed the for
est road and have to strike across the
open plain in the full blaze of the morn
ing sunshine. At that moment my ear
caught a new sound which belonged
neither to the forest nor the stream. 1t
was dull, and sounded distant at first
but ii was the tramp of horses hoofs
and it came from behind. There was
nothing much in that, and yet felt my
hand steal inVoluntarily to my belt
where the bag of money hung concealed
under my coat. The horse was travel.
ing faster than mine, for the sounds
grew louder every minute, and turned
half round in my saddle to see what my
new companion might be like He
wasn't following the road, but riding 6
little way within the edge of the forest
on my right. l could just make out
that his horse was a tall bay, and that
he was coming with the long swinging
gallop of the old bush stager through
the trees. / was wondering whether
had better pull up or take no notice til
, he came alongside, when suddenly hC
! hailed me in deep, strong voice:
Halo, young fellow!" he shouted
! Hold hard there" The voice was per
> emptory, and there was a hardly con
: cealed threat in the tone. What wa.
, | the man? Could he be a bushranger'
I Then Macallisters words came back Il
\ me: Bless your heart, youngster, tina
) sort OF things played out years ago.
q No, 1t couldn't be bushranger. CUES
{ tion and answer passed through IN,
a mind at lightning speed, but / neithe
I replied to the hail, nor checked tn
( speed OF Cossack's canter. In anothe
Q second the summons came again. ant
D this time in louder and if possible
e harsher tone than before: Hold hard
: l say, youngster!" The tone decided
me.
And who the mischief are you?"
shouted, as l touched Cussack's f1anl
with the spur, hint which he instantI
acknowledged by breaking into a gal
lop. Cossack's gallop was well know
in the district, and l had little fear O
the tall bay oVertaking him. Perhap
my pursuer was of the same opinion
for inanother half minute / heard
fierce oath that came rolling out of tn
wood; then there came a sudden shar
report of pistol, which reached m
ears just as Cossack made a wild. head
long plunge, throwing me like a ston
from a sling. 1 heard the report.
felt myself hurled through the air;
struck against something-and tina
was all.
PART II.
"Hallo." IT was the first sound tha
, reached my ear. / opened my eyes an