The Argosy, Vol. XXIV No. 2 — page 73: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE TRACK OF MIDNIGHT. 265 girths of the one he was riding until about the center of the stream, when it deepened until the horse was carried off its legs. The three others, which were in front, swam for the opposite shore, and were again on their feet twenty yards further ahead, and from there until they reached dry ground they were only up to their knees. Turning them up the stream he drove them at a smart gallop until he arrived opposite the humpy. ‘There was still a fair sized creek running where the track of sand had been before the flood, but he again put the horses into it and managed to get them over to the rise, now an island, on which the humpy stood. A few minutes later and he rode up and exchanged warm greetings with the three who were awaiting him. ‘‘ We had better not waste time here,’’ Douglas said when they had each told of their experiences. ‘‘ Now that the flood has gone down the gang may come back to look for their prisoners.’’ ‘“Ves, we had better get over to the other side and have a rest and a feed there,’’ Johnson assented. Mary and Narli were even more anxious to leave the place, and, ignoring the wet state of the saddles, they all mounted and set off. They succeeded in getting over the small creek easily and rode quickly for the ford, Mary’s spirits rising higher than they had been for many days. As they approached Toombul, Johnson galloped on ahead. When he came in sight of the station, he saw Wilton on the veranda and waved his hat to him. ‘‘Where’s Douglas?’’ Wilton cried, as he rode up. ‘‘ Coming along with the others,’’ Johnson answered, as he sprang from his horse. = ‘‘The others? ‘Then-you have . ‘“We found them safe enough,’’ Johnson replied, as Wilton grasped his hand and once more failed to put his thoughts into words. ‘‘ I came on ahead to fix things up a bit,’’ he added quietly, and not until long after did Wilton learn all that was implied in the simple expression, ‘‘ We found them safe enough.’’ Shortly the three came in sight, and Wilton hurried to meet them. Mary slipped from her horse, and, heedless of all else, Wilton clasped her in his arms. ‘My love, my love,’’ he said, as she clung. to him, sobbing. “Oh, that cruel Midnight,” she moaned. ‘‘ He killed’ father, and nearly killed you.’’ | ‘* But I am all right now,’’ he whispered, ‘‘ and we will go away to Sydney and get police and have that scoundrel hanged yet.’’ ‘Oh, it has been awful,’’ she moaned. ‘‘ I would have killed myself, only Narli stopped me.”’ ‘* And that would have killed me,’’ he answered. ‘“Just before Mr. Douglas came——’’ she began, and then, looking round, broke off. ‘‘ Where is he?’’ she exclaimed, for Douglas had continued on his way with Narli and Mary’s horse, and the two were standing by them- selves, CONIC OOKSnEO |