The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1910-01-20

marked small oasis amid Uno WllQeT-
ness of sandhills. Suddenly she straight
ened herself. and there rang out. in a
high, clear treble, the call that is famil-
lar throughout the length and breadth
of Australia.
''Coo-ee! Coo-ee!" Pretty Jean Bres
sington was beginning to feel little des-
perate. "Coo-ee!"
"Was you a-callin' me, missy?" said
a harsh voice suddenly at her elbow.
The girl turned with start. Not
three yards away stood a tatterdema-
lion "sundowner"- hopelessly ragged
tramp, ferocious in matted hair and
beard, leering at her from beneath the
rim of his shapeless hat.
Call again, my pretty" he grinned,
as Jean faced round. II like to hear we,
an it does no harm. There won't no.
body come. Got it all to ourselves nice
ly, amt we?'
go away!" cried the girl, her eyes
flashing. BE careful, my friends may
be here at any moment"
give been trackin' We this mile,'' went
on the rufiian, "and when you started
bawlin' thinks to myself chance for
me. Yer wants 'elp? Well, I'm going to
'elp yer, and myself too. Seer"
1--we given you warning" said Jean,
speaking as calmly as she could. ga
step nearer, and" She made motion
as if seeking her revolver.
But the fellow laughed outright.
you wouldn't scare rabbit he
said. Il amt goin' to hurt We, but if We
start any rumpusin', why, then
He made a sudden dive, seized her
arm, and caught at the gold chain round
her neck. The next instant the girl was
conscious of acting in desperate strug-
gle, and with only one prayer in her
mind-that she might not lose her foot
ing.
Then, all at once. the tramp let go and
sprang back, throwing up his arms.
Don't shoot, mattel" he said hoarsely.
Il won't shoot, for the lady's sake, -
said mans voice. "Clear out, or I'll
drop you yet, like the varmint you are!"
When Jean could see with sufficient
clearness she made out the form. of a
big, broad shouldeved man. who had
stepped out from the clump of trees,
and now held the tramp in range with
his revolver. The rescuer lowered his re-
volver and came slowly towards the girl.
That sort needs shootin' on sight"
he said. you're not hurt, are you,
missy?"
'Hurt-oh, not" Jean dried her eyes,
and looked up cheerily. 'I'm not hurt
bit-thanks to you. Pm so very CRATE
full. l wonder-would you keep this
ask your own daughter to wear it, as a
token of what you once did for met"
The man stood silent, looking down at
locket attached.
missy" he said gently. "She don't know
have it different You're from, the old
country, L guess. That's where she is
now, growing up sweet and good and
innocent. bless her!"
you'll go back to your daughter some
day." she said gently, ''or she'll come to
you. Won't you keep the 'chain?"
mo need, missy. l shan't need re-
minding that, for once in a way, was
able to do somebody a bit of good.
Where is it you want to get to. missy
the town.
Eyes," said Jean. eff you could put
me on the right road
tits that right road as I'm not par
ticularly~ eager for" he said. "Still--"
He stepped little way from her into
the open, and scanned the wide horizon
under his hand. He stopped and seemed
to listen.
'Ah!" he said suddenly, with a change
of tone. -
Jean gazed round them, startled. All
she could see was flight of birds-par-
rots-that had risen screaming from
clump of trees in the distance
''You see that, missy?" questioned the
man, turning to her.
''Those birds? Something startled
them!" Jean replied. -
aye, something startled them!' And
the man set his teeth. ''Ihe patrol, /
reckon! Half dozen of 'em-mounted!
Stay where you are, missy, the menIl
take you home. They're troopers out
after Jack Bolderson, bushranger, and
Jack Bolderson is me, missy!''
He made dash past the startled girl
to clear the bush and reach his horse.
The next instant there was the sharp,
clean smack of cordite through the still
air. Jean ran desperately in the track
of the bushranger. He had rushed back
into cover, and as she came up he STUN
bled and fell forward helplessly.
The girl knew no terror now. She ran
to him, and gave him all her young, Wig
orous support.
They've winged mel" he gasped
"Got me this time fair!' He was on
his feet, but one foot dragged after him,
manned and useless.
"They haven't got you YETI said the
girl, very white, he- eyes cleaning. She
tore off his soft gaiter and there. half
way between knee and ankle, was the
bullet mark
She swathed his wound, and bound it
with his neckcloth. Her movements were
swift and sure.
Having finished her rough attempt at
surgery, Jean looked round little
wildly.
With finger on lip she pointed to
little pit scooped under an overhanging
ridge of roots and sand 'In there"
she motioned, "quick!" q
The man looked at her an instant,
then obeyed He crawled in backwards,
till head and shoulders only showed be-
meath the overhanging ridge, but he
could get in no farther. Instantly Jean