STORIES AND SKETCHES BY SCHOOL CHILDREN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2288, 6 January 1898, Page 51

STORIES AND SKETCHES BY SCHOOL CHILDREN.

X.— AN ORIGIN A.L STOKY.

(By Olive Nbale, Normal School, aged 16.)

My story opens iv the early days of Australia when the blacks were still hostile to the English settlers.

It was a sulfcry evening in December. No sound broke the stillness save the solemn murmur of a stream as its waters curled among the green pebbles. In the distance the hills were lit up with the blush, of evening borr >wed fiom the sky ; while, spectral in the fading daylight, stood the homestead of Colonel Speers — the only human h&bitat'ou visible, the Govern naenfc settlement being nino miles away.

As a rumour had been noised abroad th*\t the natives were nob too friendly Mrs Speers and her two daughters were anxiously awaiting the return of the colonel, who had that morniug repaired to the village for fresh provisions, taking the men with him. Suddenly Florrie, the elder or the two girl", started up from Ihe lounge on which she had been, reclining and excitedly called :

" Mother ! the black*— the blacks ! "

In a moment Mm Spsers was on her fuet, and, looking through the spy-glass, clearly discerned against the ruddy horizon the forms snd weapons of hostile natives.

What should they do ?

Without a moment's delay they must ride to the settlement. It; was a case of life or death.

Just; as hhay were about to gallop off Florrie remembered that six miles in the opposite direction from the village lived an old settler with his wife. JJiading thtt the birds had flown and being afraid to afcback the Government statiou, the cruel " ebon mas 3 " would at once betake themselves thifcher.

" Mother, they must not be left to the ctuel mercy of these savages. I must warn tham," cried Florrie. " Ride on to ths settlement with Efiie ; I shall follow."

In a second, ere her mother could answer, the brave girl had turned her horse's head and was gone. Let us follow her.

Over the roug^ and rocky ground goes the horse with its rider ; faster and faster they speed, when — whizz ! an arrow shoots past them, grazing the horse's ear. The blacks are in hob pursuit !

Will she reach the settlers in time ? Already the horse, which had been oat working the previous day, shows s'gas of flagging ; while not with physical power, but with sheer determination of spirit, the brave girl urges it on. Nearer and nearer the pursuers gvn npon her, darker and darker become tbe shadows, when, lo ! Lunar from her starry height, lendiDg her pale light, unveils far m tua distance tbe white homestead.

H>lf a mile ! Will she do it ? Yes, she has reached the gate, and quickly dismounting — for there is no time to lose— arouses the sleeping settlers.

With a whoop and a yell the blacks, juet as their would-be pr ; ze gallops off, outer the g-ite. But they are five miles from the settlement; they must if possible reach, it, though against fearful odds — a howling pack of savages behind — a dark and broken road before. Ride on ! Ride on 1 Why stop to consider ? At a headlong pace the horses go, and ere midnight;, when the curtain between the dark and the daylight is depending, they are safe. But the powerful emotions through which Florrie had passed and the terrible straining of her faculties played their havoc, and before the fugitives reached the haven of safety the dauntless girl had lost consciousness. For a long tima the meseeuger of Death lingered about her cauch, but careful nursing drove him away.

How pleased were all the settlers when they heard that the colonel's daughter was recovering ; so pleased, indeed, that when she had recruited her health they presented to her a solid medal of Australian gold. Oa that memorable night the natives, finding themselves ha MaA, had burnt the colonel's home, so as soon as Florrie was strong enough they sailed for England.