The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1899-03-16
A Night in DEVILS Gully
By Owen Hall

TT WAS the edge Of the forest at last.
had wandered for hours since l
missed my companions in the endless
mazes of that gray Tasmanian forest.
till had almost made up my mind that
should have to spend the night there.
The idea had been far from cheerful,
and IL was with a start OF pleased sur
prise that found myself. almost with
OUT any warning, in the open space once
more. 1t was just sunset; the western
sky was still one blaze Of crimson
glory, and the long shadows from the
opposite range were flung darkly across
the lower ground before me.
Not a breath Of wind was stirring
II was so quiet, indeed, that after the
first minute or two l could hear the
rush and murmur OF the little stream
which appeared to run through the bot
tom of the valley, though ktwas in-
visible from the spot on which l stood.
The sound reminded me that l was
thirsty. and made my way with hasty
strides down the slope to where the riv-
ulet-for in this summer weather it was
no more-found its way through
channel almost hidden by a luxurian:
growth Of tree ferns and shrubs. l
lsaped hastily down the bank to the
bed Of pebbles below, and, leaning my
gun against the bank, knelt on the
stones and took long draught Of the
deliciously cool water.
When got up and looked around the
first thing l noticed was the strange
way in which great rock hung beet
ling over the bed Of fhe stream, almost
like q tower that had somehow got
tilted to one side. II was but few
yards higher up the stream than where
stood. and my eye caught sight OF
path ascending the bank which looked
a. il it had been used quite lately. I
felt my spirits rise at once. After all,
my luck was not so bad as had begun
to fancy. This was a good deal better.
At any rate, than being lost in the bush.
The path looked as il it had been q good
deal used, and even il nobody came
along it that night had only to wait
for daylight to see the track for myself
and find my way back again to my
friends at Gartmere.
paused to think what should do
in the meantime. AS far as I could see
there was no particular reason why
should not make bed among the
clumps of fern that covered the ground
near the banks Of the stream; and yet
somehow l didn't like the idea. There
might be snakes about, and even water
rats would be disagreeable companions.
The great bowlder looked as II it had q
fat top, and il l could only climb it
should certainly be out of harms way
during the night.
A dozen steps brought me to the foot
OF the rock. and as looked up saw
that it was even higher than had sup
posed. 1t seemed to rise almost perpen-
dicularly on two sides, while on third
it overhung the bed of the stream; but
on the side nearest me 1t sloped more
gradually. l was still looking at it
doubtfully when Gstant sound from
the forest, uko *as Rsise caused by the
1sal1ing Of Q sgsEiysh, decided me to
ny it. grasas5 AZ gun and scram-
asd up the face Of he rock. ltwas not
solitIicult to climb = ! had fancied. and
n two or three miDutes | had reached
the top.
mot such bad place. either" said
10 myself as looked around. The.top
was nearly fat, or, If anything, slightly
followed out, and there were tufts OF
grass and beds Of moss upon it that
promised to make something of bed.
I was satisfied that it would answer my
purpose. and at any rate wasn't like
ly to be disturbed by anything there.
I was tired with my long tramp, but as
yet didn't feel sleepy, SO took seat
on the edge Of the rock, with my legs
hanging over. and prepared to enjoy a
smoke.
1t was very quiet. AS listened l
couldn't hear sound except the low
musical gurgle of the stream below me.
Then I suddenly remembered the sound
that had seemed to come from the for
est as I stood hesitating at the foot Of
the rock. What could it have been ?
1t was not loud; but for the silence
around should perhaps hardly have
heard it at all. BUTT certainly sounded
like the noise of breaking stick, on
which something had put heavy foot.
There had been no wind at all so IL
must surely have been some living ami.
NAL. was just in the state Of mind in
which one is inclined to speculate lazily
on passing things of little importance.
II might have been cattle in the forest,
Of course, but I had been told that cattle
in Tasmania were kept within fences.
ss-s-.~s son ~e1nther annnh Of the