CHAPTER XXXIII.
A Chase over the Mountains.--The Frightful End of theBush-ranger.--Ruth's Opinion.--The Cereopsis.--A Description of theColony.--The Dingo.--The Cattle at Home.--The Park.--The Arrival atDaisy Grange.
They had not time to consider what steps to take, when Wilkins criedout, "Yon's the rogue;" and they caught a glimpse of the painted figureof the fugitive among the trees, at a height which seemed almostimpossible to reach, for they all considered this precipitous rockinaccessible.
"We must not let the villain escape us," cried Jack, "or he will be sureto lead more poor wretches astray. Some of you follow me." And, withoutfurther delay, he caught hold of the branches of the lowest tree, andswung himself up, grasping the overhanging boughs, and forcing his waythrough the entangled bushes with toil and danger, while Ruth continuedto cry out like a distracted creature.
It was strange, that in this dilemma the usual cool presence of mind ofthe fearless and determined ruffian seemed to forsake him. If he hadsought the labyrinthine passages of the widely-spread mountain, he mighteasily have bewildered his pursuers; but he continually exposed himselfto observation through the trees on the mountain-side.
Wilkins and one of the herdsmen of Mr. Deverell soon followed Jack,their whole mind bent on capturing this treacherous and sanguinaryvillain. Behind them, urged by curiosity, anxiety for her brother, anddetestation of Black Peter, the excited girl Ruth, notwithstanding theefforts of her friends, plunged through the bushes to follow them,shouting wildly to her brother when she caught glimpses of the spectralfigure of the convict, with the red lines painted on his body.
Onward up that tedious ascent the practised bush-ranger proceeded, noteven pausing for breath; and his half-exhausted pursuers began to fearhe would escape them; but, after half an hour's struggle, a lightgleamed through the trees. They believed they were coming to a more openspace, when, rather than allow the convict to escape, the men resolvedto use their guns. The next minute they emerged from the wood, and thewhole party shrunk back, astonished at the magnificent scene that laybefore them. A few feet from the wood a vast abyss opened. The eye couldnot penetrate its depths: it appeared fathomless and dark, for on allsides it was bounded by the perpendicular cliff which descended from theverge of the forest.
For a moment only could the dizzy sight regard that terrific descent,from which only three feet of solid earth separated them; and they clungto the trees, as they looked round to search for the fugitive. To theirgreat horror, they beheld the desperate man, making his way along thenarrow hem of earth, supported by a spear he had caught up on one hand,and holding by the trees on the other, and apparently seeking for aconvenient spot where he might again descend into the wood. He stoppedand turned round, and observing his pursuers, who feared even to usetheir guns in such a perilous position, the vindictive wretch poisedand flung the spear. But before it had even reached its destination, ayell of mortal terror was heard; the shelf of rock on which he stood,gave way under the impetuosity of his movement; and the doomed wretchwas hurled into that vast space, beyond the reach of human eyes, hisshrieks of horror growing fainter as he sank into death. While at thesame time, from the tree which he had grasped, and which shook as hefell, rose a flight of black cockatoos, mocking with their loud strangecries his fearful fate.
"Lord have mercy on him!" exclaimed Jack, covering his face, and struckwith awe.
"It's a judgment, man," said Wilkins. "Just see how this poor fellow isbleeding with the rogue's last will and deed."
The spear of Peter had entered the breast of the herdsman, who wasbleeding profusely. Wilkins drew out the weapon, and Jack, seeing Ruthat his side, who had succeeded in reaching him in time to see thecatastrophe, despatched her in haste to the encampment, to send aid forthe wounded man.
Fearful of looking any longer at that dark and terrible grave of thesinful wretch, the girl tumbled down through the steep wood, and rushingup to Mr. Mayburn and Margaret, said, "He's carried off alive! Them badspirits,--them! them!--have flown away with Black Peter;" and thedistracted girl positively shrieked as she pointed to a pair of harmlessblack cockatoos perched on a fig-tree, which were curiously peering downon the strange creatures below; and most assuredly the coal-blackplumage, lofty crest, and fan tail, striped with bars of fiery scarlet,gave to the birds an unearthly and fiend-like appearance.
"Can anybody extract sense from the exclamations of this wild girl?"asked Mr. Mayburn, much distressed. "Ascertain, Margaret, how thewretched man has escaped."
"I tell ye," continued Ruth, with decision, "I seed them black creaters,wi' my own eyes, take him up, and flee away wi' him, down into a blackpit; and poor Tom Atkinson's hit wi' a spear, and ye're to clamber up t'wood to doctor him."
On the whole, the deduction drawn from Ruth's incoherent narrative was,that the presence of some of the party was needed; and Mr. Deverell andMr. Mayburn, supplied with cold water and linen bandages, set out toclimb through the wood, on the beaten track of the pursued and thepursuers; but before they had half ascended, they met with Wilkins andJack, bearing the wounded man with difficulty through the matted andsteep wood. When they were relieved by additional assistance, they soonreached the glen, and satisfied the anxiety of the perplexed family by acorrect recital of the awful fate of the villanous bush-ranger.
"It's just what might have come to me, and I'd been but reet sarved,"said Wilkins, "if it hadn't been for ye all. I reckon it pleased God tosend ye, just o' purpose to bring round a good-to-naught chap, as not asoul else would notish, or hauld out a finger to save. Poor reprobate!Ye ken a deal of things, Miss Marget; can ye say what Peter was seeingafore him, when he yelled out, fleeing down into that black hole?"
"God be merciful to the sinner!" said Margaret. "It is not for us,Wilkins, to speak of that which God hides from us; but rather toprepare, that we may be ready for a sudden call to judgment."
It was not long before the police returned with the fugitive, whom theyhad overtaken and captured. He was now secured with the other tworangers, and Peter being disposed of, there was nothing to prevent thepolice from proceeding with their prisoners to Sydney; and the guardsand captives set out on their long journey, leaving the united partyvery thankful for their separation from the wretched delinquents. Thenext morning, after praying for a blessing on their expedition, thehappy friends set forward cheerfully, now safely guided by EdwardDeverell, and hoping, before long, to reach the long-desired haven ofpeace and rest.
But many a day of toil and anxiety still succeeded: the privations ofthe barren and dry desert, the perils of rude mountain-passes, and thefording deep and foaming rivers, besides the subtle and vindictivepursuit of various unfriendly tribes of natives. At length they attainedin safety the fertile banks of a broad and rapid river, which Mr.Deverell and his followers greeted with shouts of joy.
"My good Mr. Mayburn," said Edward Deverell, "I call on you now to offerup a thanksgiving to Him who has led us in safety through thewilderness. This river is our guide and highway; it flows on to our ownmuch-loved home; it is the blessing and ornament, dear Margaret, ofDaisy Grange."
All joined with Christian earnestness in a thanksgiving for the mercieswhich even the lately awakened and reformed criminals could appreciateand understand; and Edward Deverell rejoiced to see that the twoconvicts, Wilkins and Davy, would not be a dangerous addition to hislittle Christian community.
"Now, my dear friends," said Edward Deverell, "we may trust that ourprogress may be unimpeded. This fertile soil, watered by the river, willrestore our enfeebled cattle; then we shall have milk with our flourcakes, which, prepared by the skilful hand of Jenny, disdain fellowshipwith the heavy 'damper' of the Australian traveller. If this abundantfood does not satisfy us, the trees will give us birds, and the riverfish, to diversify our diet. Ought we not to rejoice?"
"If you please, Mr. Deverell," said Jenny, "yon's a bonnie flock ofgeese; couldn't ye get us one for a roast?"
"We must have more than one for our large party, Jenny," said De
verell,laughing. "Come, boys, let us have a shot at Jenny's geese, and secureone specially for Mr. Mayburn's new museum."
Delighted with the prospect of sport, the boys were soon ready, andreturned from the banks of the river with two pair of these large birds.Edward Deverell held out one of them to Jenny, saying, "Now, my goodwoman, can you tell me what this fowl is?"
"A gray goose, Mr. Deverell, sure enough," answered Jenny. Thenregarding it closely, she added, "but it has a queer short neb, sir;it's like all things in this country, it's just unnat'ral."
"Nurse, it is no more a goose than you are," said Hugh; "it is _raraavis_, papa, that is,--a bird of Australia."
"I recognize it with delight," said Mr. Mayburn, "from the descriptionof Latham and later ornithologists, who class it as a new genus; andfrom the curious _cere_ which envelopes the base of the bill, he namesit _Cereopsis_. Still it belongs to the swimming birds, though the legsare naked above the joint, and the membrane between the toes does notform the web foot. It is, therefore, less fitted for the water than thegoose or swan, and is more strictly a wader, living, not on fish, butvegetable food. In fact, it is a much handsomer bird than the goose, andI would gladly preserve it, if I had the means."
"You will have means and opportunity at the Deverell station, my dearMr. Mayburn," said Edward. "My brother Charles will supply the means,and assist you to form a museum; and Emma has domesticated a flock ofthese birds, which in common parlance are known as the short-billedgeese; and I can assure you the flesh is most delicate, very unlike thatof the common water-fowls which live on fish."
"I rejoice much, Edward Deverell," said Mr. Mayburn, "that you concurwith me in admiring the works of nature,--a taste which I haveendeavored to implant in my children. I remember the words of a cleverwriter. 'To look on the creation with an eye of interest and feeling,must be ever acceptable to the Creator. To trace out the severalproperties of his works, and to study with diligence and humility theirlaws, their uses, and operations, is an employment worthy the immortalmind of man; since it is one of those studies which we may reasonablyhope will survive beyond the grave.'"
"How delighted I am that dear little Emmy is taking the first steps ofstudy in ornithology, by setting up a poultry-yard," said Hugh. "We hadmany disputes about waste of time in such useless pursuits, in which Idid not escape without much contumely for my bird lore. My generousretaliation shall be to improve her collection. I will get her the blackswan, the talegalla, the apteryx...."
"And the emu and ornithorhynchus would look well in the poultry-yard,Hugh," said Gerald, laughing.
"That would be a great error, my dear boys," said Mr. Mayburn. "Thehabits of the ornithorhynchus are directly opposed to the domesticarrangements of the poultry-yard: it is not even a fowl; it is anunclassed animal, of burrowing and diving propensities, and would be atroublesome, if not a dangerous, inmate among domestic fowls."
"I will leave it to Hugh and Emma to arrange the foreigners as they mayjudge best," said Mr. Deverell; "but I know all our English fowls arefuriously national, and would resent the introduction of strangers, evento bloodshed. Even the civil wars of the community tax the patience ofEmma and her handmaid Susan greatly; and she has threatened to reducetheir numbers, now become enormous."
"I can supply her with an assistant poultry-maid," said Margaret; "mypoor Ruth is devotedly attached to fowls, and can manage them betterthan she can do any thing else in the world. Ruth, would you not like tobe Mr. Deverell's poultry-woman?"
"I would like to be amang 'em, bonnie creaters!" answered Ruth, withgreat joy, "if you be there Miss Marget, and if they be cocks and hens;and if them black fellows will not run off wi' them."
"Our black neighbors are all tame, Ruth," answered Mr. Deverell. "Weemploy those who can be taught to work, clothe the women, and teach thechildren; and in times of scarcity or sickness, we feed and attendthem. As far as their ignorant and dull nature will allow, we havereason to think that gratitude or policy would prevent them frominjuring us or our property."
"But the bush-rangers," said Margaret; "are you not ever in fear of thecrafty, vindictive bush-rangers?"
"During our journey," answered Mr. Deverell, "it is necessary that weshould be watchful; but our black police have reduced the number ofthese vagabonds greatly, and our party is too formidable to be openlydefied. We must necessarily pass, now and then, one of those infamous,lonely, road-side bush-taverns, as they are called, at which thesevillains are in the habit of congregating, that they may exchange theirplunder for spirits and tobacco with the men at the station, who thenforward the cattle to Sydney or to the gold-diggings. But ourpolice-followers are well acquainted with these detestable stations, andare always prepared for any assault. Above all, dear Margaret, we have aprecious charge, and think ourselves a band of brave fellows; every daydiminishes our danger, for it brings us nearer to our own inhabitedgrounds, where the villains might venture to plunder secretly, but wouldcertainly not dare to show themselves."
"But are your retainers spread about the estate?" said Hugh. "I thoughtyou intended to build a town."
"I scarcely aim so high, Hugh," replied Deverell. "My stock-keepers arescattered over the cleared land in huts, to look after the cattle. Ilive in my castle, like a feudal lord, surrounded by my vassals, whohave erected rude temporary huts. But if you will all agree to settleround me, we will really found a colony. I will make an application topurchase, instead of leasing, my immense tract of land. We will divideand cultivate it, which I never could do alone; and we will begin tobuild a handsome village, or perhaps two villages--one named Mayburn,and the other Deverell."
"Please, sir, have you plenty of timber?" asked Jack, roused at theprospect of work.
"You will see my woods and forests soon, Jack," answered Mr. Deverell."Then I have inexhaustible quarries of stone in the mountains, and somegood quarrymen and stonecutters on my establishment. We will have aregular English village, with a green for sports, and pleasant gardensto the cottages."
For a few days more they travelled pleasantly over the grassy turf; thenthey came on almost impenetrable brushwood; and as this formidableobstacle to their progress would require vigor to overcome it, theyencamped to spend the night, and commence their fatigue with the morninglight. But they found conversation and repose equally impossible, fromthe disturbance caused by the restless movements and incessant bellowingof the cattle, which struggled to escape from the pens in which theirattendants had confined them. Hugh went up to them with some curiosity,to know what was the cause of this unusual excitement amongst the quietcreatures. The herdsmen were all grinning and rubbing their hands withgreat glee.
"Well, Patrick," said Deverell to one of the men, "what is the jest thatyou seem to enjoy so much?"
"It's the bastes, master," answered the man exultingly; "they know wherethey are, the craters! Don't they smell the smell of their own comrades,sinsible darlings! And it isn't the brush they'd mind if we were givingthem lave to it. Isn't it a short cut they'd make to come at them as isof their own blood! True old Irish they are, and illegant bastes.Arrah, didn't them rogues see that when they came kidnapping? and didn'tthey choose them out, in regard that there were no bastes to be seenlike them! Bad luck to the rappareens!"
"Can it be possible," asked Margaret, "that we are really so near toDaisy Grange that the animals scent it?"
"We are a long day's journey yet from Daisy Grange," answered Deverell;"but it is true that we are not far from the borders of my extensiveestate. This formidable thorny brushwood forms, in fact, the boundaryand defence on this side, neither easy nor desirable to penetrate. Avery large portion of the interior of my land is not only uncultivated,but is even unknown to me. We take care, however, to havecattle-stations and hut-keepers round the boundaries, that our rightsmay be recognized and preserved; and doubtless these weary wanderershave been stolen from one of the border stations, and now scent withgreat satisfaction their old companions, and their old quiet, luxurioushomes."
"Then I suppose
we may conclude," said Gerald, "that if we understoodthe vaccine gamut, we should hear that big old red cow bellowing 'Home!sweet home!' And don't I wish we could join her, for I don't like thelook of that ugly scrub we shall have to carry our horses through."
"Not altogether ugly," said Margaret; "look at this curious andinteresting Banksia, with its stiff yellow robe; the white star-likeblossoms of this shrub, which resembles our myrtle; and here is our oldfriend the tea-shrub."
"Which Jenny will have to relinquish now," said Deverell, "for the realtea of China, of which we have a goodly store. But, Jem, or some of youmen over there, be pleased to fire a shot or two to chase away thoseintolerable noisy dingoes, which, doubtless, like the ogre, smell freshmeat, and would like to make a foray on our game."
"Let us shoot a dingo, Edward," said Hugh; "I should like to look at thefellow closely."
"It is scarcely consistent with humanity," answered Deverell, "todestroy an animal that can be of no use to us; but we have an excuse inthe wolfish character of the dingo, which destroys our sheep in numbers,if not closely watched; and nothing affords my shepherds and herdsmenmore gratification than to trap or shoot one of these marauders." Hughhad the gratification of shooting the _dingo_, or _warragle_, asBaldabella named it, and bringing it in for Arthur and his father toinspect. Margaret retired in disgust, the intolerable smell of thefierce-looking little animal was so offensive.
"From its destructive habits," said Mr. Mayburn, "I should have expectedto see a larger animal; but of its wolfish ferocity there seems nodoubt. It is remarkable that it is, unlike the land quadrupeds yet foundin Australia, carnivorous, and not marsupial; thus confirming the theorythat the race of dogs is to be found in every known region of the world.This dingo is a degraded representative of the noble animal, crafty,bloodthirsty, and untamable. I am satisfied with seeing this specimen,but I cannot admire the creature."
Before the first gleam of day, while the moon yet lighted up theheavens, the impatient travellers set out to cross the bush; and formore than two hours the long cavalcade wound with toil and difficultythrough the tangled thorny bush. At length the lowing of other cattlethan their own greeted their ears, and the fresher breeze that came overthe cleared ground announced that they had passed the boundary, and werenow actually entering the domain of Mr. Deverell. In a short time themingled and familiar cries of the drovers and their charge roused thefirst stock-man in his hut, who rushed out in great joy to welcome thereturn of the expedition.
"Ay, ay, sir!" said the man, "I see they've picked out and made an endof the choicest of the stock; it's like their ways;" and he grumbled outhis wishes that certain evil consequences might attend their unlawfulfeasts on his chosen favorites, and concluded by caressing those whichhad happily escaped being devoured by the robbers. He then proposed tosend forward one of the shepherds to announce the good news; but thetravellers, now relieved from the charge of the cattle, and havingpassed through the greatest difficulties of their journey, agreed toproceed forward without delay, and announce in their own persons thesuccess of the expedition at head-quarters.
They crossed a vast tract of wild and beautiful forest ground, which wasstill uncleared, but at this season bright with rich flowers, and noisywith the birds that thronged the tall trees; and continued to rideforward till the heat of the noonday sun compelled them to rest twohours most reluctantly in a shady grove. Then, once more mounting, theyrode forward to enter on a new region. Before them lay spread large,well-cultivated, fenced lands, stocked with sheep and cattle, anddotted here and there with the snug neat huts of the shepherds andstock-keepers; while the lowing and bleating of the animals, and thedistant barking of dogs, and sound of English voices, were music to thecharmed ears of the weary travellers. "His name be praised!" said Mr.Mayburn, reverently uncovering his head, "who has led us through the dryand barren wilderness to a land of plenty and peace."
The whole party were deeply affected at the first glimpse of homescenery and home sounds; but Deverell looked round with much anxietytill he caught sight of a respectable-looking man riding among thecattle at a distance, whom he hailed, and the man rode forward in haste,calling out, "Welcome home, master."
"Thanks, Harris; but tell me, is all well at the Grange?" askedDeverell.
"Charming, sir," answered he; "saw them all this morning. Old mistressquite brisk, asking after the lambs; and Miss, throng with her poultry,and telling me to look after some grain for them. And here comes Mr.Edward, sir, to answer for himself."
"Halloo! Charley," cried Edward, riding up to shake hands with hisbrother, "my good fellow, what have you been about, and what in theworld has induced you to bring the prisoners with you?" and he lookedwith suspicion and annoyance at the large party of distressed and raggedfollowers, who had purposely turned away from him. At last Margaretlooked round and smiled, and the delighted young fellow laughed with joyat seeing his old friends, and with amusement at their miserablecondition.
"My dear Margaret! my good friends!" he exclaimed, "I am quite wild withsurprise and pleasure. Never mind your ragged furbelows; little Emma isa capital needlewoman, and will sew up all those great rents."
"It will be a great blessing to me," said Margaret, laughing, "to see aneedle again."
"A needle, Margaret!" exclaimed Charles, "we have millions of needles;Edward has a storehouse crammed with every thing that everybody canwant, under every circumstance. He could supply a large English countrytown with goods; chests of needles, walls built up of paper, acres ofthat muslin stuff you wear, so suitable to the thorny bush. Ask for whatyou will, you can have it at Edward's grand bazaar."
"If you please, Mr. Charles," said Jack, "do you think Mr. Edward hasany tools?"
"You have only to speak, Jack," answered he; "we can supply you with theappliances of the arts, from a steam-engine to a delicate lancet. I am aclever shopman, and shall be happy to do the honors of the bazaar."
"Indeed, Charles, you are a very troublesome and disorderly shopman,"said his brother, "as my store-keeper declares, creating vast confusionamong his neatly-arranged shelves. Allowing for some exaggeration, mydear friends, Charles has told you the fact. I found my poor people hadto pay so extravagantly for the little luxuries and necessaries of lifethey required, either from the extortions of itinerant dealers, who aredangerous visitors to admit into a settlement, or from the expense ofjourneys to Sydney or Melbourne to make their purchases, that I resolvedto supply them at moderate prices myself, which I am enabled to do bybringing wagon-loads of goods from Sydney, and furnishing a largestorehouse which I had built for the purpose."
"But are you not afraid of the bush-rangers being attracted by yourvaluable storehouse?" asked Mr. Mayburn.
"I have a clever-managing store-keeper, who, with his assistant, sleepsin the place, where they have arms, two fierce dogs, and an alarm-bellloud enough to rouse the whole hamlet. Besides, our bush-rangers preferhighway robbery, or raids on the cattle, to the more dangerous attemptsat house-breaking. You need fear no bush-rangers, my dear Mr. Mayburn,if you were once within the walls of my castle, where I trust to welcomeyou speedily. Now I wish you to look at the beautiful variety of timbertrees which I have left standing as ornaments to my spacious park."
It was amongst these varied and extraordinary trees that the cavalcadewere now passing. Several varieties of the _Eucalyptus_ and the palmtribe, with their bare tall trunks and crested heads, were mingled withwhite or golden-blossomed acacias; the _Hibiscus_, peculiar toAustralia; the drooping grass-tree; and one spreading fig-tree stoodlike a natural temple, with its pillar-like roots entwined with elegantcreeping plants, with a grace beyond the reach of art. Beneath thesetrees the turf was resplendent with spring flowers, on which werequietly grazing flocks of white sheep, supplying the place of thearistocratic deer. As they issued from the woodland upon a grassy glade,sloping gently to the banks of the river, Charles rode forward toannounce the glad tidings at Daisy Grange, which was now in sight on apretty eminence, backed by higher hills, which st
retched beyond intogray mountains. As they rode slowly forward on their worn-out horses,Mr. Mayburn was lost in admiration of the curious and happily-blendedtrees, and Edward Deverell said,--
"The names given by the colonists to these new and remarkable trees arepuzzling and inapplicable. This tree, named by them the red cedar, iscertainly not a cedar; though it is very useful, being our best timbertree, the wood resembling mahogany. The apple-tree bears no fruit, andhas no claim whatever to the tantalizing name. The rose-wood, so calledfrom its delicate perfume, is a kind of _Meliaceae_, the fruit of whichis uneatable. Then we have the cherry, _Exocarpus_, the fruit of whichis useless, and peculiarly unlike the dear old cherry of England, withwhich, however, I trust to regale you in a few months. I can alreadydiscover the white blossoms of the tree peeping over my garden walls;and I propose that we give these tired horses to the men, and walk upthe hill, that you may contemplate leisurely the imposing appearance ofmy baronial hall."
But however Edward Deverell might depreciate his mansion, the distressedwanderers regarded its appearance with admiration and delight as theypassed over the sloping lawn, laid out with excellent taste in_parterres_ of gay-colored flowers rising from the green turf, which wasenamelled with the daisies of England; and saw the pretty house whichoffered them shelter after fifteen months of wandering.
The building, though entirely of wood, was picturesque and spacious. Itwas surrounded by a large garden, beyond which were raised the largestorehouse; stables, and farm-buildings. Along the front of the housewas a broad veranda, supported by columns, entwined with roses,honeysuckles, and the well-loved creeping flowers of England, nowbursting into blossom; while the large portico was curtained withdraperies of the rich flowering climbers of Australia--the convolvulus,the curious passion-flower, and other graceful unknown plants, tostimulate the curiosity of the botanists.
But it was not at this moment that all the beauties of the Grange wereobserved, for the hospitable doors stood open, and the agitated partywere hurried into the cool and spacious hall, where Mrs. Deverell andher smiling daughter waited to welcome Edward and his unexpectedcompanions.