AWAKENED BY THEIR FRIEND THE LAUGHING JACKASS--ANOTHER DAY UP THE TREE--
THE FLOOD SUBSIDES--RETURN TO DRY LAND--FIND THE FAMILY ENCAMPED--PAUL
RETURNS.
The darkness of the night contributed to make the position of the three
lads even more trying than it had been during the day. Notwithstanding
Harry's assertions, even Reggy could not help fearing that the tree
might be carried away. The roar of the waters did not for a moment
cease, while the wind howled through the branches, and the occasional
lowing of some heifers more fortunate than their companions, and who had
landed on some island knoll, reached their ears. The stout tree,
however, held firm, and after some hours' anxious watching they all
dropped off to sleep. They were awakened by a loud cheerful cachination
close above their heads, and on looking up, what should they see but
their friend the laughing jackass, looking very much surprised to find
them in such near proximity to its mate's nest.
"Much obliged to you, old fellow," said Harry to the bird, which nodded
its head in response, and laughed again as if he were going to split his
sides.
"That's a good sign," observed Harry; "there's no storm coming, or he
would not be so merry. It's my belief that we shall find the water has
dropped considerably."
Harry was right, for on looking down they saw the unfortunate bullock
hanging in the branches considerably above the surface, while the force
of the current was evidently much lessened. The water, indeed, at the
first glance seemed to be sinking into the earth, but, watching more
narrowly, they could detect currents running from all quarters into the
main stream, which still went hissing and foaming on as before.
They all felt very thirsty, but none of them were inclined to drink the
muddy liquid which flowed by them. At last they could hold out no
longer, and Harry, unreeving the rope, descended to the water and
brought up a hatful. It did not look nearly as yellow as they had
expected, and they were thankful to quench their thirst. The day wore
on.
"If no further flood comes down, I really believe that we may be able to
get on shore to-night," said Harry.
"I hope so, indeed," moaned Hector; "to have to sleep again up among the
boughs would be terrible; my back aches fearfully."
Harry proved to be mistaken, for when darkness returned the water was
still too deep to allow of their making their way to the hill where they
hoped to find their family, especially as they could not tell what
channels and holes might have been formed by the torrent. They had
still enough damper and sweet potato to last them for another meal.
They were again awakened by that irrepressible fellow, the laughing
jackass, at early dawn, and on looking out from their leafy bower they
found that the ground beneath their feet was dry.
"Now let us get down and make the best of our way to the hill, to let
our fathers and mothers know we are safe," he exclaimed. They soon
reached the ground. To walk over it, however, was not very easy, as it
was thickly covered with slime. Not a vestige of the house remained,
nor a fence of any sort. The whole land had been reduced to a perfect
wilderness.
"It is ours still, however," observed Harry, "and will probably prove
twice as fruitful as it was before, and won't require manuring for years
to come. I dare say father will think of that, and it will be some
consolation to him. Now, let's move on."
This was more easily said than done. They attempted to walk steadily,
but, instead, went slipping and sliding about, and in some places they
could with difficulty make progress. They had not gone far when they
caught sight of Mr Hayward. He expressed his delight at seeing them.
"We have indeed been anxious about you, though the captain was satisfied
that you were safe," exclaimed their tutor.
On getting off the ground which had been covered with water, the boys
hurried on, and soon reached the hill, on the side of which, under a
grove of acacia-trees, they found the family encamped. The tent which
had been stowed at the station had been put up for the accommodation of
the ladies, while the rest of the party slept either in or under the
drays. They had not in reality suffered much hardship, as they were as
well off as they would have been in making a journey, with the exception
of want of bread.
Mrs Hugh and her daughters were making the best of everything, though
it was sad for them to contemplate the fruitful spot amid which their
house had stood, now a slimy wilderness.
"Any news of Paul?" asked Harry.
Captain Berrington shook his head. "I am thankful I had not started
from home when this occurred; but I must now try and learn what has
become of him," he answered. "Should he have escaped all other dangers,
he may have been caught by this flood; and I am indeed very, very
anxious."
Harry told Mr Hayward what his father had said.
"I am ready to start this instant, either alone or with any one whom
your father will allow to accompany me," he said.
"I'll go!" cried Harry.
"You may be wanted; there is work to do for all hands, though perhaps I
can best be spared," answered Mr Hayward.
Thinking that Bendigo might be useful in learning from any blacks they
might meet if Paul's drays had been seen, he asked whether he would go.
Bendigo replied that he was quite ready. Harry, also, to his great
satisfaction got leave to accompany his tutor.
As the horses were quite fresh, and the saddles had been saved, they
agreed to start immediately; though they would have to trust to their
guns for provisions, except when they could fall in with any
sheep-stations, where beef and mutton could be procured.
Everywhere as they rode along were signs of the destruction caused by
the flood.
"It must be a lesson to us and others not to build near one of these
rivers, liable to such inundations," said Mr Hayward. "Had not your
father possessed cattle and sheep, he would have been ruined; as it is,
he has suffered severe loss. But how admirably does he and your mother
bear it, as they do the prolonged absence of Paul. It raises them more
than ever in my estimation. I hope we shall be fortunate in finding a
satisfactory spot for a new location, as he will not be again tempted to
build in his old one. I believe if Paul is restored to them safe, they
will look upon their losses as trifles."
This conversation occurred on the second day of their journey. They had
just mounted a slight ridge, and before them spread out a wide extent of
level land.
"I think I see something very like a dray, with two horsemen near it,"
said Harry.
Mr Hayward could not make out the objects which his young companion's
sharp eyes had detected; still they both instinctively increased their
speed.
"I'm sure it is a dray, with a man on horseback. The dray is very like
ours, and the rider like Paul. Hurrah!" cried Harry, and putting spurs
to his horse he dashed forward.
Mr Hayward followed, although not quite as fast, and saw Harry shaking
hands with the stranger; and even he was soon convinced that the first
of the two was Paul.
After the first greetings were over, and they were once more moving
towards Stratton, Paul described how he had been attacked by
bush-rangers, whom he had beaten off, and his narrow escape from the
flood.
Paul, as may be supposed, was received with joyful welcome by the
family.
The first thing to be done was to build a house for the ladies, where
they might be secure should another inundation occur. The captain,
however, was of opinion that that was not at all likely, as the late one
was higher than had ever been known to take place by the oldest
colonists. Towards the proposed work all hands devoted the whole of
their energies; and hewing, sawing, and carrying of timber went on from
morning until night.
In little more than a week, a tolerably substantial house of a size
sufficient to hold the ladies of the family was put up, but some days
more were required to manufacture bedsteads, chairs, tables, and other
articles of furniture. However, within a fortnight the family were once
more settled, and a stranger visiting them would not have supposed how a
short time before they had been houseless.