Events proved that Jack was right. They came to an open place, from which they could distinctly see the light gleaming from a dwelling only forty rods away.
"There, what did I tell you?" demanded Jack triumphantly.
"You are right, Jack. I am glad enough to admit it. Now the question is, will the people who occupy the house let us in?"
"They can't be so inhuman as to refuse. Pass on, Harry."
They were not long in reaching the hut. It was one of those slab huts which are used by shepherds. They are lonely enough, the stations being in some instances twenty miles from the nearest dwelling. This was a single dwelling, the home of one of the out keepers. The chief stations are usually an aggregation of dwellings. In the yard was a pile of wood for fuel. Close at hand was a paddock surrounded by a rail fence, over which hung a number of sheepskins. All these evidences of habitation cheered the hearts of the lonely boys.
Harry went up to the door and knocked.
His knock appeared to create some commotion inside. A voice was heard, and then there was audible the barking of a dog, but no one came to the door.
"Suppose you knock again, Harry," said Jack.
"They must have heard my first knock. Perhaps they don't want to let us in."
However, Harry knocked again.