THE DOUBLE ABDUCTION

Bush Advocate, Volume XXII, Issue 141, 20 June 1910, Page 3

THE DOUBLE ABDUCTION

(continued.) The parson and O'Donnell went to see Hamilton, whom they found still insensible, and, as far as they could judge, in a sinking condition. They then inspected their prisoners, who had, of course, passed a rather uncomfortable night; but who now seemed resigned to their fate. They directed Mickey to make a ring with white ashes round each man, and then to kill the ants inside the ring. JSo more would cross the little ridge of ashes. Ted questioned Jack Fraser as to his knowledge of the district, and elicited the fact that about thirteen miles to the north "old Spicer's" new head station was to be found. "Ah! Is that so? 1 know Mr Spicer."

"1 suppose yer want ter get something to cart us into ther 'jug' Avith. If 3 r er toiler the mountain north yer'll cut some tracks ten miles from here. They'll take yer ter old Spicer's." "I knew he was out this way somewhere; but I did not think he was so close. I'll see you have a good breakfast for your information, Fraser." ' After breakfast he said to Julius: "1 must go and get those two horses of .Little's from the gully and take word to old Spicer at Gnalta. He is a magistrate, and will give us an order to bury Little, after enquiry, and, no doubt, he will find us horses and vehicles to get home with. I'll leave you in charge, Julius, with the parson. Don't forget that there may be a danger of some of Little's men coming here to look for them, though I don't think so." 3 , "No, there's no chance of that. They had arranged not to be disturbed for some days," said the parson; "but I think I'll mount guard with Jack Fraser at the mouth of the gully while you are away, in case of accidents : "All right. Mickej' had better come with me." In an hour they were back with tlie horses, and found all well. Juliuswas still improving under the care of the girls, though he was still very shaky. "I will have to go up to Gnalta myself. Mickey will not tackle it without me," said Ted. "Oh, Mr O'Donnell, what if those men should break loose?" "They cannot, Miss Hetty; and if

they did, Julius' here and the parson .sire more than a match for them—with a revolver, too." "Yes, you must go, Mr O'Donnell, but you will return before night? And must you take Mickey?" "Yes. I may want him to run tracks to the station. At any rate, he is no good here without me. I'll certainly return before sunset." Three hours after, Ted, followed by Micke3 T , rode up to the new homestead where Mr Spicer was living. That gentleman was a fine type of the old Australian pioneer. About sixty years of age, hair and long beard white as snow, full of vigor, and a capable manager of men, he had taken up 450,000 acres of Crown lands, and was still busy forming Ms station, to Avhich he gave the native name of "Gnalta." Wellsinkers' tank-sinkers, fencers, and builders were employed over the vast area held by him. Some sheep and were employed looking after them, and poisoning the dingoes, which wrought great havoc amongst them at times. The veteran was at home, and when O'Donnell rode up he was greeted cordially. O'Donnell was known throughout the district as a smart and capable officer, a well-educated man, and one who was well connected ; so he was welcomed to ' 'the house" at every station he had oc-

casion to visit. "Turn your horses out and come along ,• inside, sergeant," said Mr Spicer, hospitably. "No, thank you, Mr Spicer. I have no time now. I require your services as a Justice of the Peace." "Eh! What's that'?" Mr Spicer was slightry deaf. "I have captured those sheepstealers, the Frasers, and have them chained up down there," nodding in the direction of the Daubney range." "You don't say so! I am glad to hear that. They are fearful rascals, dangerous scoundrels. How did you get, them? i suppose you want horses to take them to town?" "More than that, Mr Spicer. Tou heard of the disappearance of the two girls'from Wilcannia?" "Yes. Miss Farnaham and her pretty little. cousin. Of course. Poor things." "Well, they are there, too." "Eh! What? How do you mean?" "There's still more. You know Little and Hamilton?" "Yes. They have been loafing with their sheep on that unoccupied country for some time," in the tone of reprobation which a man generally employs when he knows that someone else is enjoying, free of cost, that which others have to pay for. "Little is ' dead, and Hamilton, I fear, is dying.- They are in the same place as the shcepstealers and the girls." What's all this at all. Have those" villains, the Frasers, done this?" ".No. The worst villains were Little and Hamilton. Let me tell you all about it."

By H. K. BLOXHA^, Author of " On the Fringe of the Never, Never."

And, briefly, he recited the events of the past fortnight to the astonished Mr Spicer, who could hardly believe his ears. As soon as ho fully understood what was required, he cried : "Excuse, me, sergeant, we must got down there at once. Those poor girls may be in danger yet. Here, Mr Oallighan, tell Mr Boulton to run to the horse paddock. We'll need the big waggonette and my double-seater buggy. .Please get them ready. Tell Boulton to hurry up; -it is important." Messrs Callighan and Boulton were Mr Spicer's overseers. In half an hour Mr Spicer and the two overseers—Mr Boulton riding with O'Donnell and Mickey—were on their way to the gorge, which' they reached in the early afternoon, and found the parson on guard at the entrance, chatting with Dick Fraser, whose pipe he kept going, as he was still secured to the tree. "So, Fraser, you would not take my advice, and it's come to this, now," said Mr Spicer, sternly. "Wot can a feller do, sir. Those beastly cops," with a vindictive glance at Ted, "get a down on a feller, and then wot are yer to do?" "Bring him up along with us," directed Mr Spicer. So Dick Fraser was released from the tere, but immediately handcuffed again,, and the party proceeded up the valley. Carrie and Hetty were very glad to see them arrive, for they had been dreadfully frightened. It was marvellous how they had improved their appearance. When Ted left in the morning they had looked like two very disorderly angels, but, he thought at any rate, like angels all the same. In soiled and somewhat ragged white dresses, hair negligently coiffured, they had presented a general appearance of "staleness." Now, however, they, by some wonderful process, appeared as fresh looking and as dainty almost as they usually were. Carrie's strong face was wreathed ■ in happy smiles, while Hetty fairly dimpled again with vivacious beauty. 'They still looked like angels, Ted thought, but like nice, clean, well-cared-for angels.

Julius Hawkins, though lie tried to put a brave front on it, Avas evidently very weak, and the girls at times had feared that Mrs Fraser. would try to get the key of the handcull's from him to release the men. But they had declined to allow her to enter the hut, acting on the suggestion of Julius, who found himself nearly fainting once. They felt sure that the woman had made up her mind to do something desperate, and so their relief was great when they saw O'Donnell, with the venerable Mr Spacer and the two stalwart overseers, appear. Mr Spicer, who had met the girls in Wilcannia, and who knew Mr Farnaham well in collection with station contracts, signified his wish to speak' to Carrie and Hetty alone, so Ted and Callaghan and Boulton went to the tent to see Hamilton, whom they found now conscious, but very weak. He knew O'Donnell at once, and said: "I'm so glad, O'Donnell, that you have won. Mrs Fraser has told me all about it. What brutes we were," and he closed his eyes wearily. "How's the head?" Ted asked. "It is as good as it deserves to be. I'm done for. I'll not see to-mor-row." "I hope it is not so bad as that.Mr Hpicer is here. He is a J.P., you know, and if there is anything you would like to fix up in case—er —he will do it for you." "There's only one thing I must do. A dying man's word will be taken, I suppose. I w.ant to have it set out clearly in my dying depositions that .Little and I wore alone to blame—only us. Hetty and Miss Farnaham —they were not in any way responsible for what happened."

"JN'o, no, of course not. We know that." "But for their sakes I must make a full statement." Ted turned to Mr Callaghan and said: "Ask Mr Spicer if he will come here, please. Teli him to bring his writing materials." He saw at once that such a statement as Hamilton could give would be the most effectual means of stopping the tongues of any evil-disposed scandalmongers. Mr Spicer, having heard the girls' version of affairs, came at once. He walked up to the parson and said : "Air Siinson, I have done you an injustice in' the past. I own I have looked upon you as—as —well, I did not think you the good man I know you to be. Shake hands, sir, and count me your friend for life, if you will." (TO BE CONTINUED.)