CHAPTER V.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1902, 13 September 1884, Page 5

CHAPTER Y.

The cause of the sudden change in the happy camp, and the peaceful attitude of the nativeß is briefly told. Tom and James Soanlan had been out since early morning looking for missing cattle. As they rode along admiring the fine country, and following up every ravine where cattle would be likely to run, they came in sight ot & number of natives and a white man. The latter had a gun, and at once levelled it at -the new comers, fired, and struck James, who dropped out of his saddle, uttering a low moan. Tom instantly raised his rifle and

ked, but unfortunately it; missed the white nan, and struck a native, who, uttering a and leaping high in the air, fol^to the ground dead. s 'She natives retreated towards the camp. ' Torn dismounted, and satisfied himself that ' life had utterly gone out of hi 3 brother. ; He had hardly finished his examination, , oefore the shrieks of the natives from the ' jarnp, made him aware of the close proximity : of a large force of natives, probably a camp, md from what he knew of the district, he :oncluded it must be that of the renowned tlonshaw. No time was to be lost. The -houts were coming closer and closer, and they had an ominous sound. Marking the ■spot where his brother lay, he remounted ais horse, and was soon galloping over u he ground; he could not go very fast; i.he ground wag rough; his pursuers were rapidly approaching. He sank his spurs mlo the animal's side and it gallantly bore on. The natives were nearing — so near that 10 could hear them running over the dry ! cdves and withered branches. He glanced iround as he galloped into a creek, and ■>aye his horse a word of encouragement for ihe stiff bank on the opposite side. He daw about half-a-dozen natives in pursuit. One far ahead of the others ; when he saw him he ambled. He had never Been so large and powerful a man as this, and the expression on his face of high resolution and courage made him feel the hopelessness of his flight. " This must bo Bonshaw," he muttered, "I am done." With an effort the gallant beast mounted the bauk, and as it did so a spear came whissing thiough the air and lodged in Tom's left shoulder blade". The gun which he was carrying dropped from his hand, and at the same moment a long trailing vine tripped^up tue horse. It fell heavily and dashed its ndcr to the ground. In the fall the shaft of the sppar broke off, and, even in the excitement of the moment, the pain was intense. The horse was utterly exhausted, and lay panting on the spot where it fell. There was no time for flight ; certainly not from the foremost native. He drew his revolver, and as Bonshaw appeared above the bank he tired and grazed the king's arm. In another instant Bonshaw was upon him, and with one blow from his nullah nullah, knocked mm insenaible to the ground. .For a time he stood over the body with a look of ferocity and scorn until his followers came up. He gave the motionless body a kick with his feet, as if spurning it from him. One of the natives was about to give tho fata) finishing stroke, but the king struck the descending nullah, and sent it flying among a clump of ferns and creepers. "He is mine ; leave him to me," said the king. Just then the furious galloping of a horse was heard through the scrub, and in a few minutes (leoige appeared. He looked at the apparently dead man; started and stared again. " Why this is young Scanlan ! He is not dead? " A few earnest words in the eat* of the king, and he bent over the body and applied all the memedies he could think of, but no sign of life was shown. At length a gin came up, and she applied some native remedies, which had a good effeot. The prostrate man breathed audibly and soon opened his eyes. When the king saw these signs of life he left, remarking, " it was a pity he had not died ; " but gave directions that if unable to piu sue his own road to bring him back to the cam}). Tho blow had been a severe one, and although ho was now showing signs of life he did not seem to be conscious of what was going on around. A litter was made, composed of long vines, and hoisted on the broad shoulders of four stout natives, on which he was carefully placed and carried to the camp. The king placed his hut at the disposal of : the wounded man. Amoretta was j>laced in charge. The king's hut was the largest in the camp. It contained three rooms ot at the least 10 feet square each. The Bides of the one into which Scanlan was carried, were decorated with the skins of the kangaroo and wallaby ; while a number of rude attempts at modelling, formed out of clay, representing beasts, birds, and li^hes were hung up and lay around. The bed on which be was laid was composed of the bark of the tea tree ; and his covering was a soft rug of the skins of oppossums. George Sutton stayed at the camp over the night to watch the progress of his friend's recovery. He had shown signs of fever during the night, and required all the attention that was given him so willingly and lovingly. In the intervals of short sleep George took j a stroll round the camp. Every time he returned to the hut he found the king and Amoretta in affectionate embraces. The king had not so many tender speeches for hia love when George was present ; but there seemed to be such a child-like enjoyment and innocence in the bearing of them both that George could not help thinking of his own Annie, and how happy he would be if the day of their union was as near as the king and Amoretta's. When the sun rose, and the morning air began to blow fresh through the gum trees and waft the odour of the scrub betore it, all EeverishneßS left the patient, and he felt better, but still unable to rise. George lefts the camp soon after breakfast time. As he was going away he made a happy allusion to the courtship of the king and Amoretta, which pleased them both. Amoretfca's eyes beamed forth happiness, her lips slightly apart shewed her pure white teeth, and she clapped her hands in glee.