THE CHILDREN RECOVERED--JOURNEY INTO THE INTERIOR--ARRIVAL AT CASTLE
HILL--STATION ESTABLISHED--HOUSE ATTACKED BY NATIVES--CONCLUSION.
Poor Mrs Berrington's anxiety produced a succession of fainting fits;
she therefore required the constant attention of her sister and Mrs
Hugh, who was herself much alarmed at the disappearance of the children.
As soon as the girls had performed the necessary duties of the morning,
they all set out in the direction taken by their brothers, carrying with
them a supply of food, as the party, which had started early in the
morning, had gone away without breakfast.
It was noon before the girls heard the cooeys uttered by the
searching-party, which proved that the children had not yet been
discovered.
Hurrying along, they at last came in sight of Reggy, who was at the very
edge of the scrub.
"Have you seen anything of them?" asked Mary. "Nothing: nor of Mr
Hayward either," was the unsatisfactory answer.
Poor Mary's heart sank. She dearly loved little Effie, and his sisters
in their way were very fond of Albert; besides, they believed that it
would be the death of their mother if he were lost.
Reggy gave notice to the rest of the party, when they were within hail,
that the ladies had arrived with some provisions; and although they all
declared that they were too anxious to be hungry, they not unwillingly
partook of the food the thoughtful girls had brought with them.
Once more they resumed their search; but as hour after hour went by, and
neither the children nor Mr Hayward were found, the anxiety of the
searching-party became almost unbearable. To abandon the search was not
to be thought of. Bendigo and Betty had not hitherto discovered the
trail, for in so thick a wood, it was no easy matter, even for them.
At length they shouted out, "We have the trail! we have the trail!" and,
like two beagles, off they set, with their noses close to the ground.
The excitement of the party may be supposed. The boys managed to follow
as quickly as they could, though their clothes were nearly torn from
their backs. The rest of the party remained outside the scrub, keeping
up a communication with those within. The day, however, was wearing on,
and no sign of the children had yet been seen. The sun's rays, as he
sank towards the west, were glancing almost horizontally through the
trees, when a bark was heard. Paul gave a loud cooey. It was answered,
and greatly to their joy they saw Mr Hayward coming along with the
children in his arms. The blacks had only just before discovered him
seated on the ground, and feeding them with some pigeon which he had
shot and some wild fruit he had collected.
Mary took Effie in her arms, Paul carried Albert on his shoulders, thus
relieving Mr Hayward, who was pretty well worn out. He had gone on all
the previous night, and greater part of that morning, keeping up with
Bruce, who had been running before him, until he was nearly exhausted.
Suddenly Bruce, with a loud bark, bounded forward, and to his great joy
he discovered the children, who had evidently cried themselves to sleep.
On being awakened by the dog, the first thing they did was to ask for
food, which it had taken some time to obtain.
It was late at night before they got back, when they found Captain
Berrington, and the anxiety which the news he had received on his
arrival had caused was soon brought to an end. He had secured the run,
and wished immediately to set out to take possession of it. He expected
the drays soon to arrive with the various stores and provisions he had
purchased. The elder ladies, Mrs Berrington especially, looked forward
with some alarm to this journey; although Mrs Hugh did not express her
feelings. Aunt Emily and the girls were, however, in good spirits, and
expected to enjoy it.
At last the preparations were completed. Three drays, each drawn by
four horses, to carry the ladies and children, were covered over and
fitted up internally as comfortably as circumstances would allow. The
other drays, laden with stores, were to be drawn by oxen. Reggy and
Hector rode on horseback, as they would assist in the arduous task of
driving the cattle. The captain, Mr Berrington, and Mr Hayward drove
the three drays, while Paul and Sandy--with the assistance of three
shepherds and hut-keepers--took charge of the sheep. There were three
spare saddle-horses that the young ladies might ride whenever they
wished. Thus arranged, they started early in the morning.
When the party moved forward, they had the appearance of a large tribe
migrating. The long line of drays, with the herds of cattle, the drove
of horses and flocks of sheep, with their numerous attendants, some
mounted, others on foot; the oxen lowing, the sheep bleating, the shouts
of the drivers, and the stockmen's whips sounding above all. The huge
drays were each dragged by twelve bullocks, the two polers and leaders
being steady old stagers, as were those immediately in front of the
polers.
Thus they moved forward, resting only on Sunday. The most difficult
part of their journey was surmounting the range, when even Mrs
Berrington preferred climbing up on foot to remaining in the dray. The
bright fresh air, and the necessity of exerting herself, seemed to do
her good; and by the time she reached the top, though somewhat fatigued,
she appeared a different person, being not a little proud of her
performance. Even the warmest admirers of the country, however, had to
confess that there was a great sameness in the scenery, and many of the
rivers and creeks they crossed had no water in them.
An ample supply of water was carried in the drays for the use of the
travellers; but often the horses, cattle, and sheep suffered greatly
from having to go a long way before a stream or a water-hole could be
reached.
The gentlemen's guns amply supplied the larder, so that it was necessary
only occasionally to kill a sheep, or one of the oxen.
"There's `Castle Hill,' mother!" cried Harry, riding up to the dray in
which Mrs Hugh and some of the girls were seated--pointing as he spoke
to the knoll which he and his companions had so bravely defended against
the blacks, and which could be seen below the range bounding the plain
on the west.
The whole party pushed forward, and by evening were encamped at the foot
of the knoll. Every one was delighted with the situation, while they
felt sure the climate was superior to that of Stratton, although the
soil might not produce the tropical fruits which flourished nearer the
coast. No time was lost in preparing the ground on which to build the
house. To level this sufficiently for the purpose required two or three
days' hard work, but everybody set to with a will. The house was to
face south, overlooking a long stretch of the river, and a boundless
plain beyond, with a view of the picturesque hill on the right.
We must not describe the house building, every one being engaged in it,
except the men absolutely required to herd the cattle and sheep, and
that was comparatively an easy task. Only one outlet required watching,
and the animals were not inclined to stray from the rich pasture on
which they found themselves. The blacks and dingoes had of course to be
looked after; but Bendigo reported that there were none of the former in
the neighbourhood, although it was impossible to say at what time they
might appear.
The house, when completed, was far larger than Stratton, and easily held
the two families; while, according to the captain's design, wings could
be put up on either side for the accommodation of any fresh comers.
Stock-yards and cattle-pens had then to be formed, the latter close to
the river, where the sheep, before shearing, could be washed, a very
important process.
The station being a large one, the gentlemen were often on horseback
from morning until night, going round to the different runs. The huts
were put up in various directions for the accommodation of the stockmen
and shepherds; in some instances in imitation of Castle Hill, or with
small gardens near them, very unusual, it must be owned, in that part of
Australia.
On an Australian farm work never ceases, but at certain seasons there is
less than at other times, and on these occasions pleasant excursions
were made on horseback in various directions by the younger members of
the family.
A party had been formed to visit a waterfall farther off than they had
yet ridden. Paul, Harry, and Reginald escorted Mary, Lizzie and
Gertrude, while Miss Saville, Janet, and Adela remained at home. Mr
Hayward had gone out emu shooting, while the captain and Mr Berrington
had started off to visit a station at some distance. Janet and Adela
were seated at their work in the verandah in front of the house, when
Albert, who was playing in the shade near them, exclaimed, "See! what
can those black things be floating in the river?"
"They must be fish," said Effie.
"Fish! No, they are round and black."
Janet looked out. She, too, could distinguish some black objects. The
captain's spy-glass hung in the hall. Getting it she saw at once that
the black objects were the heads of natives. They quickly came to the
shore and began crawling along towards the house. There were a
considerable number, armed with spears and clubs. In another minute
they would have landed and have escaped her observation, had not it been
drawn to them by Albert's exclamation. They could be coming with no
good intent. All the gentlemen were away. To obtain assistance in time
was impossible. The blacks might attack and pillage the house, and be
off again, before any of the party could return. Sandy, and perhaps
another man might be in the stock-yard near the hill, but how to summon
them in time was the question.
Janet called Rob, who, with Edgar, was in the carpenter's shop at the
back of the house.
Rob at once volunteered to go down and try and find Sandy. She charged
him to be careful to keep out of the view of the savages. The first
thing to be done was to shut the doors and windows. Adela and Edgar at
once began to do so, while Janet hurried in to tell her mother, and
aunt, and Miss Saville. The latter immediately assisted in preparing
the house for defence.
Though the savages, if they intended an attack, might ultimately force
their way in, it would take some time to tear down the shutters, which
were secured by strong bars. The ladies were looking out eagerly for
the return of Rob with Sandy. Scarcely had all the doors and windows
been made fast, than the natives appeared hurrying up the hill with
their spears and clubs in hand.
"What arms have we got?" asked Miss Saville. "We must use them and
fight to the last, sooner than yield."
They found two rifles and three brace of pistols.
"Can you load them?" inquired Miss Saville.
"I have seen my brothers very often do so, and mamma can, but we will
not call her until it is necessary, she is attending to Aunt Augusta,
who is in a dreadful state of alarm."
"But where is the powder?"
"Here is a powder flask," cried Edgar, "but, dear me! there's nothing in
it."
In vain they searched about. No one could tell where the captain kept
the powder. It was in a safe place, that they knew, and he was certain
to have a store in the house, probably in some spot from whence he could
easily remove it in case of fire.
"The blacks have evidently been watching the house, and have seen all
the gentlemen go away," observed Miss Saville. "If we could fire a few
shots at them, they would fancy that some of our friends have returned,
and would probably take to flight."
They hunted round and round; even Mrs Hugh could not tell where the
powder was to be found. Not a moment was to be lost, and already the
blacks were almost at the top of the hill. Up they came, about a
hundred of them. Probably they were those who had attacked Paul and had
been so signally defeated. They had now come to revenge themselves in a
terrible way. The girls could hear them approaching. They halted for
an instant on finding the doors and windows closed, and were consulting
together. They were evidently disappointed, having expected to surprise
the house. At any moment a fire might be opened on them. Finding,
however, that they were allowed to remain with impunity in front of the
house, a party of them rushed up to the door and began battering away
with their clubs, hoping to break it open. In addition to the bars, the
girls had placed the dining-room table and the heaviest articles of
furniture they could find against it.
"If they break in we must run for refuge to mamma's room, and barricade
the door as well as we can. We may delay them, at all events. Oh! if
we had but a charge of powder, one single shot might frighten the
savages."
All this time the search was continued for powder, but with the same
want of success. Already the door was giving way. It was strong and
heavy, being formed of thick slabs fastened to cross-pieces. First one
slab was broken and beaten in, then another, and the blacks began to
thrust through the hole with their spears.
"We must fly!" cried Miss Saville, taking Effie and Sybil. "Do, Janet,
do, Adela--come, come; do not venture to remain here longer. Run, Edgar
and Albert! the savages will kill you if you remain."
"I will show them the muzzle of this rifle; it may keep them in check
for a few moments longer," exclaimed Janet. Taking the weapon, she
thrust it through the gap made by the blacks' clubs.
It had the effect Janet expected. Once more they retreated, but finding
that no shot was fired, the savages again came on. Blow after blow
resounded on the door, the splinters flew about, when with a loud crash
the door gave way. Two or three savages were on the point of springing
in, when a rifle-shot was heard, and one of them fell; the next instant
Janet, who was the last to leave the spot, saw Mr Hayward spring
forward and with the butt of his rifle strike down two more. What was
her alarm, however, to find that instead of flying, the rest were
attacking him with their clubs, the blows of which he could with
difficulty parry. Still he bravely kept his post in the verandah,
preventing the blacks from again stepping on to it.
Several minutes he waged the unequal fight, keeping the blacks at bay.
Already he had been struck more than once; his strength must fail at
last. Some savages farther off, finding that the clubs of those in
front were of no avail, rushed forward with their spears, and in another
instant they would have pierced the white man, when a couple of shots
laid two of them low. The shots were followed by the appearance of Rob,
Sandy, and Jock Andrews, one of the men, who furiously threw themselves
on the savages, Rob firing his pistol at the head of one of them. The
blacks, not knowing how many white men might be following, took to
flight and rushed down the hill, allowing Mr Hayward and the rest time
to reload. Janet, from behind the fragments of the door, handed out the
two rifles, which Sandy and his companion loaded and as quickly
discharged at the flying enemy, whom they then pursued down the hill,
uttering loud shouts, in which they were joined by Bruce's fierce bark,
he having at that instant been attracted to the spot.
The blacks made straight for the river, into which they plunged and swam
across, without even looking behind them; nor did they stop on landing,
but made direct for the "bush." To follow them would have been useless
with so small a party.
Mr Hayward was anxious to get back, to ascertain if any of the ladies
had been injured, and to repair the damage caused by the savages before
the return of the party on horseback. There was some risk that the
savages might fall in with the latter.
Brave little Rob offered to gallop off to warn them. Jock Andrews
begged that he might go with Master Rob. There were still two horses in
the paddock, though not very good ones. They were quickly caught and
saddled, and Rob and his attendant set off. They had to cross by the
ford some way down the river, in which direction the riding-party was
coming. They would have to make a wide circuit, so as not to fall in
with the blacks.
Rob and Jock rode on as fast as their sorry steeds would allow, looking
out for the savages, who might, they feared, be on the watch for the
riding-party, to revenge themselves for the defeat they had suffered.
They had gone some distance, when Jock exclaimed--
"There they are, Master Rob, there they are!"
"What, the blacks!" cried Rob. "We must keep clear of them, and gallop
on."
"No, sir, the captain and the ladies," answered Jock, who, standing up
in his stirrups, could obtain a wider view than his young companion.
"Hurrah!" cried Rob, and he dashed on to meet the party.
"What has happened, my lad?" exclaimed the captain in a tone of alarm,
on seeing him approach.
Rob briefly explained what had happened.
"Thank heaven that they have escaped," said the captain. "We nearly
fell in with the blacks, but seeing a mob of them in the distance, I
thought it prudent to make a circuit, and so avoided them, or I don't
know what would have been the consequences."
The captain was, of course, anxious to reach home. The remainder of the
distance was performed at a gallop. They found Mrs Berrington greatly
recovered, and Mrs Hugh as calm as ever. Janet and Adela received
their meed of praise. They had proved themselves true heroines, for had
it not been for their courage and presence of mind--in all human
probability the whole family would have been destroyed by the savage
blacks.
Paul and Harry immediately volunteered to ride off and obtain the
assistance of the police, lest the blacks--as it was probable they would
do--might return.
While the lads were gone, the captain and his brother, with Mr Hayward,
the rest of the boys, and the men, employed themselves in repairing the
door and further fortifying the house. Their labour was rendered
unnecessary, however, by the arrival of a strong party of police, led by
Paul and Harry, who had fortunately found them nearer than they had
expected.
Chase was immediately made after the blacks, who were overtaken and
severely punished for their unprovoked attack on Castle Hill Farm.
Several were made prisoners, and the captain begged not only that their
lives might be spared, but treated them so kindly that when set at
liberty they expressed their regret at having attempted to injure so
good a man, and promised that they and their tribe would henceforth be
friends with the whites. Some of them indeed came back, and, under Mr
Hayward's instruction, became so far civilised as to make themselves
very useful, and two or three of their number imbibed the truths of
Christianity.
Hector, greatly to his delight, obtained a commission as an officer in
the police force; but he was very glad, after the experience of a year,
to return to the farm, where, wonderful to relate, he ultimately became
very useful. Captain Berrington and his family worked steadily on, and
were rewarded for their industry by the success of most of their
undertakings. They, of course, experienced the vicissitudes of settlers
in general; but, though they occasionally lost many of their cattle and
sheep, their flocks and herds increased, and were soon scattered far and
wide over the surrounding country.
Putting their trust in God, and applying themselves diligently to the
task they had undertaken, they were, on the whole, as successful as they
could desire, and their cousins from England had every reason to be
thankful that they had come out from the old country to become settlers
in Australia.