Cloud and Sunshine.
There was clearly much anxiety on the part of the guests to hear the conclusion of Colonel Dawson’s narrative. So the bountiful tea which had been provided was speedily despatched, and every eye fixed intently on the speaker when he resumed his address, after the tables had been withdrawn and the hearers settled in their old places.
“You will remember,” began the colonel, “that I had sorrowful things to tell you in continuing my story: and sorrowful indeed they are, though not without a mixture of brightness. Horace had been gone from the colony, on what I might call his missionary trial-trip, about a month, when I was one day sitting alone under the veranda of my country house, thinking over many things, and specially pondering the wonderful way in which I had gained two so dear to me as Horace and his father. Then my thoughts and heart went across the sea to my dear nephew,—when I was suddenly aroused from my day-dream by seeing just before me a stranger, who must have come up very silently, for I was quite unaware of his approach till I looked up and saw him gazing very keenly and not very pleasantly at me. It was now evening, and twilight, of which there is very little in those parts, would speedily be followed by darkness. The new-comer was dressed in bush fashion, and carried a rifle, and I could see the stocks of a brace of pistols peeping out from his blouse. The man’s features and appearance altogether were most forbidding; and though a military man myself, I felt anything but comfortable with these ferocious eyes staring full upon me. However, in the bush open house is more or less a rule, and rough-looking fellows often turn up and request a night’s lodging and food, which we do not think of refusing them. Besides which, the wild-looking outside not unfrequently covers an honest heart beneath. So, while I did not at all like the looks of my visitor, I asked him what he wanted, and if he would sit down and take some refreshment. He replied, in a voice as rough as his appearance, that he was looking after some horses which had strayed as he was bringing them overland, and that he should be glad of a mouthful of bread and cheese and a drink. The refreshment was brought him by one of my men, whom he eyed all over; while all the time he was eating, those same fierce and restless eyes were taking in everything about the place, till he rose to go, with a muttered word or two which hardly sounded like thanks.
“No sooner was he out of sight than Horace’s father joined me in the veranda. His voice was agitated as he asked,—
“‘Do you know that man?’
“‘Not that I am aware of,’ I replied; ‘indeed I may say, certainly not; for once seen, such a man is not easily forgotten. A more villainous face I never beheld.’
“‘You may well say so,’ said my friend. ‘I know that man too well; he nearly succeeded in taking my life at the diggings,—he is somewhat older-looking, of course, but there is no mistaking him. He was an escaped convict when I knew him, and belonged to the most dangerous set in the place where I was working. I don’t at all like his lurking about here. You may depend upon it, his presence bodes no good.’
“‘I can well believe that,’ I said; ‘so we must take proper precautions, and see that the men are on the look-out.’
“‘Yes,’ he replied, ‘I will see to that; and it will be as well to send a messenger to-night over to Melbourne to give the police a hint, as I fancy they would not be sorry to come across this fellow, as his doings are no doubt pretty well known to them.’
“Nothing more occurred that night to disturb us; but the following day four horsemen might be seen riding up towards the house at a dashing gallop, just about noon. I was prepared, however, for their coming and had caused all the men about the place to take refuge in my own house, which I had made provision for barricading if necessary. I had only three or four men on the place at that time, and their wives and children. These last I brought into an inner room when I saw the horsemen in the distance. Though a soldier by profession, I was exceedingly reluctant to shed blood, and had resolved on the present occasion not to do so if it could possibly be avoided.