"All safe?" one of the settlers cried, as he jumped from his horse.
"All safe, thank God," Reuben replied. "Did Jim bring you news that we were attacked?"
"Yes; fortunately we were sitting up late, talking, when he rode up; so there was not a minute lost."
"Rode up!" Reuben repeated, in surprise; "why, where did you get a horse, Jim?"
"Rode master's horse," Jim said.
"What!" Reuben exclaimed in delight, "what, is Tartar safe? I was afraid his body was under those ruins. Why, how did you get him out?"
"Jim was in de stable, sah, when bush ranger ride up. De horses was stamping, and I not hear dem till dey come quite close, den it was too late to run out.
"De moment dat dey began to make bobbery at door, I opened stable door and bring out de three horses."
"What! Did you get mine out, too?" Dick shouted. "Jim, you are a trump, and no mistake."
"Den," Jim went on, paying no attention to the interruption, "me led de other two hosses little way, and let them go loose, sure not go far from home; and I jump on Tartar, and ride like de debel to Watson's for de police."