“I hope you are, for there are those coming who will soon arouse you,” replied the cat, jumping on the back of a chair, and erecting his back in the form of a rainbow. “Hark! that noise is worse than our caterwauling. Hear them forcing in the door of the front office.”
As the cat spoke there came upon their ears first a low grating noise, then followed a sound as if the heavy door of the bank had been wrenched off its hinges. “Lord help us! It’s the bushrangers, and master’s away. Oh! what shall I do?” and the poor boy began to cry bitterly.
“Stop crying. Wait and see!” Tabby hadn’t time to say more, ere three men, with masks upon their faces, and armed with revolvers, rushed into the room.
“Hallo! only a boy here. Where’s the manager?” inquired one of the robbers, grasping Toney.
“He isn’t here, sir.”
“Come, none o’ that,” cried the man gruffly. [[110]]“Tell us where he is, or I’ll shove you a-top of that fire.”
Toney looked at the fire, and then at the bushranger, and began to cry afresh.
“Where’s the manager?”
“Gone to Mr. Hilton’s, the station on the river.”
“Are you certain?”