By this time all three were in the saddle again.
"Shall we attack them, papa?"
"No, boys; we have given them quite a severe lesson enough. At the same time, we will move a little across, so that we can get a good sight of them as they pass, and make sure that they have got nothing with them."
"They are coming exactly this way, papa."
"Yes, I see, Hubert; they are no doubt riding back upon their trail. They will turn off quickly enough when they see us."
But the newcomers did not do so, continuing straight forward.
"Get your carbines ready, boys; but don't fire till I tell you. They must belong to some other party, and cannot know what has happened. No doubt they take us for Indians."
"I don't think they are Indians at all," Hubert said as the figures rapidly approached.
"Don't you, Hubert? We shall soon see. Halloo!"
"Halloo! hurrah!" came back to them; and in another five minutes they were shaking hands heartily with their three friends from Canterbury, the Jamiesons, and two or three other neighboring settlers.