Settling Day

for his living. Everything depended upon the weather. Without rain the land became a mere barren waste, and the stock perished. There were no artesian bores then, no artifici

of beneath the surface, or that he

ce with him. He could not leave the lad while in danger. He would have lost everything sooner tha

signs of the approach of the welcome storm. In the distance he saw black masses of clouds, but

the coming rain, and sniffed the air an

ok round,' he said to himself

He beckoned to Sal and told her to look af

a certain amount of comradeship between Jim Dennis and his horses. They seemed to understan

various signs around him he knew the rain was near at hand. As far as he cou

for water. Big cracks appeared in the ground where it had been unable to stand the cons

breeze commence to blow. It fanned his face and refreshed him, and his horse snorted and tossed his

o ride on, for the storm was coming towards him

d to ride home. He had gone out to greet it

him, and he saw one of them was a st

and and glove with the gang. The mounted police, too, had a 'down' on Jim, with one exception, Constable Doonan, who was his staunch friend. It was over the sticking up of the mail at Potter's Shanty and the robber

investigating the robbery, wished to lay the blame upon Jim Dennis, an

for them, and, managed to

e coals for not capturing the thieves, and

how did he come by the five-pound note? We must have him yet, my lads, but he'll take some catchin

discovered Sergeant Machinson and the bulk of his men had a 'set' against Jim D

able Doonan was stationed at Swamp Creek, a

tract of country. He had several men under him, amongst them Doonan. He would have removed Doona

disposed person had put it on his run in order to get him into trouble. Such things were often do

loud, startling cracks. The vivid lightning frightened the mob of horses

a splendid mover and s

ughbred, or nearly so,

a stallion too. Wonder whose he is? I must make inquiries. This is no put-up job to

as he neared home saw the

o himself; 'and I must get

form. Instead of the dull, dry brown would come a bright, refreshing green. The grass grows with remarkable rapidity in such regions and the scene changes as though by magic. The horses had

ying to savage his nearest neighbour. A battle royal

e the combatants to understand he was act

d as though he had been shot, and stood still quivering. Crack cam

ht in his eyes. He evidently did not understand this un

n. You'll savage me, will you? My

h shirt, such as stockmen wear, a dullish red, it having seen some service, and his breeches fitted neatly into his ridi

Jim kept his eyes stea

mal had time to plunge forward towards him, Jim Dennis whirled his

freed again, and then t

ore the animal could turn, he had brought the lash down again on his back, an

ruggle was

rse nearest him, and there was a general up

n doing so he became wedged in a corner against

seizing it short in his hand, he t

dazed him for a moment but did not daunt him. The horse stood o

n such a tight fix before, and he c

ain and again with the stock of hi

vigorous lashing from a strong arm made him alter his tactics. He came down on all fours and then kicked furious

is defeat sullenly. He retreated, an

Constable Doonan who had so

came just in time. That's a brute

b when I was out on the run. The storm gave them a fright, and they galloped into the yard. H

thoroughbred. I have heard nothing about a horse being lost. He mus

re bringing him from Sydney or somewhere, and he manag

such a soaking. What a difference it will make to your place. By the w

d through, thanks to Dr Tom. Come in and se

as come back from England?' sai

y, he must have been aw