Year: 1870

the short twilight was past and the stars
were looking down calmly upon the scene
of the afternoons bloodshed. Though but
shortly before, dusky figure after dusky fig
ure might have been seen gliding from tree
to tree or darting across some open spot,
yelling and brandishing spear or club, now
all was silent save at times the distant low
ing of some of Samson's cattle or the bleat-
ing of sheep. Now and again, too, would
come the barking and bowling of the dogs
that had been driven away by the fierce
native onslaught; one of those raids made
upon the settlers, whom they looked upon
as usurpinS their land.


Samson Harris seemed utterly prostrat-
ed by his agony Of soul, ior again and again
almost incessantly-he Kept picturing 10
himself the child ne accused himself oi
neglectinS, struggling in the hands of The
blacks. He would have gone TO seek her
now mad as the act would have been, III
the darkness OF the night. surrounded SIS
they were by enemies, but for the prayers
of his wife, and their only hope seemed to
be that poor Mary had taken alarm and
sought for refuge in the scrub, which ex-
tended fer some distance in one direction.
This. he knew would be but an act of folly
Il she hid been seen, for they would have
tracked her footsteps to the piece of refuge
with the greatest of ease; their prayer was
that she might have taken the alarm in
time. Anderson and his companion had
had a very narrow escape at the station
they occupied some few miles from Sam
sons house, but bold front and daring
charge had enabled them to combine their
forces, SO, as Anderson had hoped, to De of
/ g. Cos II,
he had, In spite OF her fathers opposition,
long entertained warm feeling Of admirs-
tioii.


There was chance that under cover of
the darkness, Mary might thread her w y
amongst the blacks and reach the hut, and
in the hope Anderson stood at the open
door Watching the night through. hour af-
ter hour, his senses on the stretch. More
than once, too, with Teddy for comp m
ion, he walked for some little distance
round the hut; but stumbling over the
body of one of their enemies, he fell
amongst the bushes with 70 loud crash
that he was glad TO retreat, and stand
watching once more at his post.


| An inspection after the afternoon 'sEtrug-
gle had proved that, beyond a few scratch.
es, the defenders of the hut had escaped
unframed; and but for the fearful anxiety
which oppressed all present, they would
have hopefully looked for the morning,
ready to meet their enemy again with renew
ed courage. Provisions they had in plenty,
if needs we're, for weeks. Ammunition,
too, showed no signs of running short, till
Samson opened little keg, to find that the
powder it should have contained vas pow
der no more, but one hard mass, into which
it had been turned by the dripping from
the roof The bad news was conveyed
from one to the other in grim silence. the
men examined their powder TASKS, to find
that he who was most wealthy possessed
but charges beyond the one in his rifle.


"Will they attack again tomorrow was
the oft repeated question. One thought
they would for revenge, and neverrest con-
tent until all within the hut were destroy
ed; another was of the opinion that they
would be too demoralized and that the
morning light would find them all miles
away; but this last supposition was too full
of hope to be believed in. Anderson and
Harris rarely spoke, but while the others,
feaIless in the knowledge that natives nev-
er attack by night, slept heavily, they
watched on, repeating to themselves, as
they pictured the solemn silence of the vast
woods around, the camp of the natives and
their savage cruelties, the same words over
and again


Where was Nary"


Ill.


Watching the long night through with
straiHing eyes constantly directed at every
spot that seemed never so little darker than
the night itself Bush, tree. farming i'm
plements, all IN their turn were magnified
into enemies, performing the same dn,ies
as the inmates of the hut, and waiting 10
spy out their weakness and the best place
fer the morrow's assault. But as the night
wore on, and the watchful stars still shed
their peaceful light, change came over
the wakeful ones, and the objects that had
before been looked upon as enemies, were
taken for the figure of her whose absence
had created such void in more than one
heart. But though Anderson started hope
fully again and again. and reused the sleep
ing black by his side. there was no rust
ling, gliding step, no eager, light form OF
the fair young girl, who, with beatin z
heart, had threaded her way amid her sleep
ing enemies, and now bounded toward the
hut for shelter.


Anderson groaned, and could have torn
his hair; go, disappointed, feverish and
restless he once more walked round the
hut, listening attentively for some sound
where all was still as in the vast region
around, even to solemnity. But in vain;
and could he have done so he might have
sought in sleep that rest and refreshing his
jaded body needed


Morning at last; first the pale, pearly
grsy; then the far up faint pink tinge
then the blushing, glowing clouds; ther
the gorgeous golden arrows darting to the


zenith; and lastly, as if with bound, came
, the glorious sun himself, to beam upor
the earth with smile, as though all were


peace, and sorrow was thing unknown
But there was neither rest or peace, fol
| with series of frantic yells the blacks
, again showed themselves, crying, leapirg
: dancing, shouting, partly to alarm thei
} enemies, partly to work themselves up t.
the fighting pitch. Their faces were streak
ed with q kindsof red ochre and pipe clay
4 while upon the little bark shields they car
, red. gro.esquely hideous human faces wer
t depicted, to intimidate those whom the,
s attacked. Nude, save for the opossum ski
!, strip knotted loosely round their loins, the,
: once more came boldly up to their atsac


upon the hutt hurling spear and boomer
q ang-those singulr weapons, which, fail
Q ing to strike the object aimed at, return I
!; the thrower's hand.


s There was nothing for il, SO far as th
# inmates were concerned, but to fire till th
o last bullet and grain of powder should b


expended, and then trust TO such weapon
d as they could muster for close quarters
d giving up being q question never ono
d mooted; and now, as shot after shot We
/, fred, it was pitiful to see the effect in tt
It bright red spot or long cash in the flesl
k where bullet had struck obliquely. BI
!s when fighting in defence of life, men ha,
AZ but little compassion for those who woul


rob them of the gift, and it was with gri
re feeling of satisfaction thst savage aft
D. savage was seen to fall, till a tall, darir
q, fellow had dashed up to the hut, clapp,
e. his hand on bis chest. leaped into the ai
of and fell motionless, when Anderson thre


down his rifle, saying, That's the Ia
n charge


n, A gloomy silence ensued. Men gag
1y from ono to the other; then fixed long al
Id anxious looks upon those who lad be,
e. their leaders in the fight, as if expectil


them to hit upon some plan of escape fro
be the death that seemed imminent. NJ
lis they swept the approaches to the hut