They met Craig coming, tearing along on his big horse, and glad he was to see them.
"Oh, Craig," cried Etheldene, "we've been having such fun, and been bushed, and everything!"
"I found this 'ere young gent a-bolting with this 'ere young lady," said their guide, whom Craig knew and addressed by the name of Hurricane Bill.
"A runaway match, eh? Now, who was in the fault? But I think I know. Let me give you a bit of advice, sir. Never trust yourself far in the Bush with Miss Ethie. She doesn't mind a bit being lost, and I can't be always after her. Well, dinner is getting cold."
"Did you wait for us?" said Etheldene.
"Not quite unanimously, Miss Ethie. It was like this: Mr. Cooper and Mr. Harry waited for you, and your father waited for Mr. Broadbent. It comes to the same thing in the end, you know."
"Yes," said Etheldene, "and it's funny."
"What did you come for, Bill? Your horse looks a bit jaded."
"To invite you all to the hunt. Findlayson's compliments, and all that genteel nonsense; and come as many as can. Why, the kangaroos, drat 'em, are eating us up. What with them and the dingoes we've been having fine times, I can tell ye!"
"Well, it seems to me, Bill, your master is always in trouble. Last year it was the blacks, the year before he was visited by bushrangers, wasn't he?"