“I am sorry, for your sake, that we are going the other way. You see we haven’t made our pile yet, and must go on. I’ll tell you what you’d better do, Granger. Come along with us, and join the first party we meet bound for the city. You will, at all events, be sure of your victuals till then.”
“I believe your advice to be good, and will accept your kind invitation. The tea and food have put new life in me, and my strength has returned.”
They did not travel long together, however, for before nightfall they fell in with a party of eight persons bound for Melbourne, who agreed to let him join them.
“Good-bye, Granger,” said Obed, as they parted. “I think you’re all right now.”
Toward the close of the day they entered a much pleasanter country. In place of sandy clay, baked hard in the sun, alternating here and there with a moist bog, they came to tall grass, trees of great height, and meadows suitable for grazing. The cattle revelled in the rich feed, and Obed suffered them to eat their fill, feeling that they had worked hard and deserved it. Though it was rather earlier than usual, they decided to encamp for the night near the margin of a creek, shaded by trees of a gigantic size.
They slept soundly all night, but they got ready to move at seven, the boys having made sure of a bath first. They were not to proceed far, however. About ten o’clock, as they were skirting the woods, six men on horseback rode out from the leafy covert. They seemed inclined to dispute the passage of the party.
“What can they want?” ejaculated Harry, with a startled look.
“I expect they are bushrangers,” said Obed.
CHAPTER VI
FLETCHER TURNS UP AGAIN
