Night was approaching, the water was evidently rising less rapidly than before, still it was spreading over the country. Here and there hillocks and knolls appeared like islands in the midst of the sea.

"I wish that we had brought a gun with us; we could have made a signal to our friends that we are all safe. My fear is that they will be anxious about us." Harry did not for a moment think about himself.

"Well, old fellows, it's time to turn in."

After they had finished their frugal supper of damper and sweet potatoes they arranged themselves for the night.

"Don't take to walking in your sleep, Hector, and you'll be all right,"

said Harry.

"But what if the tree should give way! I'm certain I felt it shake,"

groaned Hector.

"Cling to the boughs like grim death," answered Harry; "it won't sink, and we shall be floated to sh.o.r.e somehow or other."

CHAPTER TWELVE.

AWAKENED BY THEIR FRIEND THE LAUGHING JACKa.s.s--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 a.s.sertions, 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 jacka.s.s, 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 sh.o.r.e 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 jacka.s.s, 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 hors.e.m.e.n 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.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN.

THE EXPLORING EXPEDITION SETS OUT--Pa.s.sAGE OVER THE MOUNTAINS-- PRECAUTION AGAINST THE NATIVES--WITNESS A CORROBBEREE--ESCAPE FROM THE BLACKS--THE PARTIES SEPARATE.

The captain was anxious to commence, without a moment's delay, his proposed exploring expedition. He intended to form two parties, so as to inspect a large tract of country in a short time.