United States or Ghana ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Two or three insignificant facts, a hasty glance exchanged between him and the blacksmith at the Wimerra River, his unwillingness to cross towns and villages, his persistence about getting the DUNCAN summoned to the coast, the strange death of the animals entrusted to his care, and, lastly, a want of frankness in all his behavior all these details combined had awakened the Major's suspicions.
It has been like that since the Wimerra. 'All the horses are dead. 'The poison is not far off. 'There is enough to kill a regiment of cavalry. 'A useful plant this gastrolobium. "I heard them say this to each other, and then they were quite silent; but I did not know enough yet, so I followed them. Soon the conversation began again.
"For nothing else," replied the Major; "and ever since we left the Wimerra, his gang has been on our track and spying on us, waiting for a favorable opportunity." "Yes." "Then the wretch was never one of the sailors on the BRITANNIA; he had stolen the name of Ayrton and the shipping papers." They were all looking at McNabbs for an answer, for he must have put the question to himself already.
McNabbs declared they had never changed countries; but Paganel told him to wait, and he would soon see a difference. And on the faith of this assurance marvelous things were expected by the whole party. In this fashion, after a march of sixty miles in two days, the caravan reached the parish of Apsley, the first town in the Province of Victoria in the Wimerra district.
The expedition was decided on. At the Wimerra he found means of communicating with one of his gang, the blacksmith of Black Point, and left traces of our journey which might be easily recognized. The gang followed us. A poisonous plant enabled them gradually to kill our bullocks and horses. At the right moment he sunk us in the marshes of the Snowy, and gave us into the hands of his gang."
Glenarvan and John Mangles went at the sides of the wagon, ready to lend any assistance the fair travelers might require, and Paganel and Robert brought up the rear. All went well till they reached the middle of the Wimerra, but then the hollow deepened, and the water rose to the middle of the wheels.
The next day, at 11 A. M., the wagon reached the banks of the Wimerra on the 143d meridian. The river, half a mile in width, wound its limpid course between tall rows of gum-trees and acacias. Magnificent specimens of the MYRTACEA, among others, the metroside-ros speciosa, fifteen feet high, with long drooping branches, adorned with red flowers.
"Start at once, then, and we will camp here, on the banks of the Wimerra, till you return." IT was not without apprehension that the Major saw Ayrton quit the Wimerra camp to go and look for a blacksmith at the Black Point Station.
Thousands of birds, the lories, and greenfinches, and gold-winged pigeons, not to speak of the noisy paroquets, flew about in the green branches. Below, on the bosom of the water, were a couple of shy and unapproachable black swans. This rara avis of the Australian rivers soon disappeared among the windings of the Wimerra, which water the charming landscape in the most capricious manner.
"Upon my honor, Ayrton," the Major could not help saying, "it is a pity that you hadn't had the shoeing of all our beasts when we forded the Wimerra." "Why, sir?" asked Ayrton. "Because out of all our horses only the one your blacksmith had in his hands has escaped the common fate." "That's true," said John Mangles. "It's strange it happens so."
Word Of The Day