Settling Day. Gould Nat

would serve his purpose so long as it got me into a hole.'

      He galloped on at a fast pace, and towards evening saw his men in the distance. They were in no hurry, and evidently did not fear pursuit. The horse was with them and going quietly.

      'I have tamed him at anyrate,' said Jim. 'I'll tame them before I have done with them.'

      He rode away to the left, for he knew a track by which he thought he could get ahead, and there wait until they came past.

      The country near Barker's Creek was covered with scrub, and there was a considerable amount of shelter, much of it never having been cleared or touched in any way, but just left in its wild condition. He knew it would be a near thing between them, as the round would take him several miles out of his way. It was, however, the only course to pursue, so he sent his horse along at his best pace and hoped for success.

      There is scarcely any twilight in the colonies, the sun goes down quickly, and day turns into night rapidly.

      When Jim Dennis reached the spot he had ridden for he saw it would be almost dark in an hour, but that would serve his purpose.

      If he could get hold of the stallion he knew the horse would gallop readily enough alongside his own.

      He waited with the best patience he could muster, for he did not know whether they had passed the place. As the time went by he began to be afraid they had beaten him after all, and he had had his ride for nothing.

      Presently, however, his quick ears caught the sound of horses' hoofs, and then he knew he had a chance of success. As they drew nearer he made ready to ride straight at them. Peering through the bushes that concealed him, he saw the two men coming along at a careless pace, evidently unaware there was any danger at hand.

      When they were about fifty yards away he rushed up at them, and before they could prepare to meet him he covered one man with his revolver and said, —

      'Now, you Dalton fellows, give up that horse. There are six shots here, so you have no chance.'

      They knew him, and a volley of oaths came from them.

      'He's not your horse,' said one of the men.

      'That's my business. He is not yours, and you took him out of my yard. Hand him over.'

      'You'll suffer for this, Jim Dennis. Abe Dalton is not the man to forget it.'

      'You tell Abe Dalton and the whole of your dirty gang that I am not afraid of any of you. Now hand over the horse.'

      He rode forward, still keeping his revolver handy.

      The horse was handed over, and the man who had spoken before said, —

      'We'll be even with you for this.'

      'You are a set of cowards,' said Jim. 'There is not a fair fight in you. I am not afraid of half-a-dozen such as you.'

      Then he thought, if they have revolvers it may be awkward, but he knew, after a moment's consideration, that had such been the case they would have risked it and used them.

      It was Abe Dalton's plan to often send his men out unarmed, so that there was no danger of any shooting, for he knew when it come to murder it was a serious matter.

      Jim rode away with his capture, and a volley of abusive language was sent after him.

      He was undecided whether to take the horse to Wanabeen, or go to Cudgegong. He could reach the latter place early in the morning, so he made up his mind to go there. He could wait about until some of the hands were out, and as they were generally up early there would not be a long delay.

      He reached Cudgegong about two o'clock, and as there was no one to be seen he tied the horse securely and, having hitched up his own some distance away from the other, he went to see if there was a chair on the verandah he could rest in.

      It was no uncommon thing for a stranger to sleep on the verandah at one of the stations, and in the morning be provided with a breakfast and then sent on his way.

      He stepped quietly along the boards and soon found a comfortable seat.

      He was tired, for he had been in the saddle many hours, and, although he was a man who could do with but little sleep, he commenced to feel drowsy.

      How long he had been asleep he did not know, but he awoke with a start and listened.

      There was a peculiar sound inside the room near which he sat.

      He thought it was a man moaning, but was not sure. Then he heard someone moving about, and footsteps approached the window of the room which led on to the verandah.

      He remained perfectly quiet and waited expectantly for some explanation of what he had heard.

      CHAPTER VIII

      AT CUDGEGONG STATION

      He had not long to wait. The doors were pushed open and someone looked out.

      In the dim light he saw it was Rodney Shaw, and he seemed to be listening intently. Then he went inside, leaving the windows open.

      'He must have heard me step on to the verandah,' thought Jim.

      He heard him moving about the room again, and, although he had no desire to spy upon him, he thought it better to remain in his present position.

      'Perhaps he has been indulging too freely,' said Jim to himself. 'He could take more than his share before he went away.'

      'Curse the thing!'

      Jim heard these words distinctly, and then came the sound of a man stumbling over a chair.

      It was strange behaviour on the part of Rodney Shaw, and Jim Dennis could not understand it.

      In a short time all was quiet, and he decided to slip off the verandah and go round to the horses.

      He was passing the open window when he heard a cry of surprise, almost of terror, from within, which caused him to stop.

      Looking into the room, he saw Rodney Shaw sitting on his bed, in his pyjamas, and glancing at him with wide, staring eyes.

      'Who the devil are you?' said Shaw in a wild tone of voice.

      'It's only me, Jim Dennis.'

      'What are you doing there? Why are you spying about on my verandah? I'll have you locked up,' said Shaw.

      Jim laughed, and made excuses for him.

      'He's not himself, he's been drinking,' he thought.

      'I brought your horse back, and I camped in a chair on the verandah to wait until some of the hands were about.'

      'I don't believe it. It's a – ' began Shaw.

      'Stop,' said Jim. 'Even if you have been on a "jag," I allow no man to call me that.'

      He spoke in a resolute tone, and Rodney Shaw, pulling himself together, thought better of what he was about to say, and went out to him.

      'You took me by surprise,' he said in an apologetic way. 'I have been absent so long that I am not accustomed to the change again.'

      'How haggard and worn he looks,' thought Jim. 'I wonder what ails him.'

      'Have you been on a "jag"?' asked Jim, smiling.

      Rodney Shaw looked at him. He evidently did not understand what he meant.

      Jim thought this strange.

      'Surely you have not forgotten what a "jag" means. You have been on one or two in your time at Swamp Creek.'

      Rodney Shaw laughed.