water; and now the horrors of thirst were
added to my sufferings. Doubts of my path
also began to flit across my mind. I could
perceive no landmark which might serve as
a guide; and could no longer form any idea
of my position. Still, I thought I had not
greatly wandered from a direct line; and
could I but strike the Loddon, which I
imagined to lie before me, it would be easy
to follow its downward course to Kororook.

After a short pause I proceeded, and soon
came to another blazing range, over a portion
of which the fire had recently passed. Not
caring to plunge again amongst the burning
timber, I continued my course up a grassy
valley which wound around the base of the
hill; and was just congratulating myself on
approaching a more open country, when, on
turning the corner of a projecting spur, I
found myself directly in front of the fire
itself. Thrusting my handkerchief into my
mouth, I mustered all my speed and made
for the black spot on the range, which alone
promised safety. Scarcely had I reached it
when the flames rushed by with whirlwind
speed, cracking and roaring with a fearful
sound; and in less time than it takes to write
the occurrence, the whole valley through
which I had just passed was enveloped in
fire and smoke. Had it not been for the
haste with which I had quitted the snake-heap,
I should undoubtedly have been overtaken at
a place where, having no refuge at hand, I
must have fallen a victim to the fire. Kneeling
on the hill-side, I fervently thanked
Providence for my preservation, and the act
soothed my mind; for I felt after that, that I
was not alone, even in that dread wilderness.

Up, and on again, over rocks and ranges,
now running the gauntlet between flaming
trees, and anon forcing my way through
tangled scrub, as the undergrowth is locally
termed. I presently lost all traces of the fire,
and at length, entered a small plain; but
before this time the conviction had seized me,
that I was lost in the bush, and therewith
came the horrible idea, that it might possibly
be my fate to wander amidst those deserts
till I perished of hunger. I had heard of
such cases, had been told of unfortunate
wretches whose remains had been found in
the wild bush; and so vividly was I
impressed with the fear of sharing their dreadful
doom, that I pencilled my English address
on several of my cards, in order that my
friends might be informed of my death.

With what joy then did I survey the plain
before me! Here at least there was hope, for
I could see some little distance ahead, whereas,
in the heartless country I had left, the prospect
was ordinarily limited to a few score yards.

To increase my delight, I had not proceeded
far, when I perceived a human being emerge
from the ranges, a little in advance of myself;
I attempted to call him, but my parched
throat refused to perform the desired office
until I had plucked a few gum-leaves,
and chewed them. Thus refreshed, I loudly
shouted, Coo-ee! a cry peculiar I believe to
Australia. It is admirably adapted for
conveying the voice to a great distance, consisting
of two distinct notes: the first, loud, shrill
and prolonged: the second, short and sharp.

The stranger turned readily, and waited
for me to come up with him. He was short
of stature, and his features were nearly
indistinguishable, owing to the thick growth of a
rough grisly beard, which straggled,
unchecked, over his bronzed face. His clothing
consisted of the ordinary bush attire: a
cabbage-tree hat, a blue serge shirt, and
moleskin trousers, confined and supported, sailor
fashion, by a leather belt, from which was
suspended a tin cup, or pannikin. Athwart
his shoulders he carried his swag, (Anglice
blankets.) and this somewhat disappointed
me, for it betokened that he also was a
stranger in that locality.

On questioning him, I found that such was
indeed the case, for he was travelling in search
of employment as shepherd. "But," said he,
"it ain't very much odds, where I go; I
am as likely to get work at one station as
another. So, as I knows a little about this part
of the country, I may as well go your way,
and perhaps you'll be able to help me to a
berth at Kororook."

Rough and rude as the man was, I would
not, just then, have exchanged his company
for that of the most polished philosopher in
Europe, unless the latter had been as good
a bushman as I hoped to find in my new
acquaintance.

The heat now became oppressive and the
vertical rays of the declining sun, shining full
in my face, almost blinded me, as we crossed
that treeless plain. At the further end a
herd of cattle were grazing, and near these
my companion led the way; the appearance
of the country, and the presence of the cattle
induced him to expect water in that direction.
We were jogging on at a fair pace, when
suddenly my blue-shirted friend exclaimed: "I
think these bullocks have a mind to stick us
up. Look!"

I observed a huge beast, apparently the
commodore of the herd, stalking slowly,
and with a menacing action of the head,
towards us, the rest followed en masse. What
was to be done? We were at least a quarter
of a mile from the timber; and before we
could possibly reach its shelter, the cattle
would overtake us; when, even if we escaped
their horns, we must inevitably be crushed
under their hoofs.

"Stand still," said Blueshirt; "they have
not begun galloping yet, and may take us
for stumps if we don't move."

I had considerable doubt of the animals'
instincts misleading them in this way; but it
was our only chance. Soon, to my relief, the
leader ceased to advance, and throwing up
his brawny head, seemed to be snuffing the
air. He was evidently puzzled, and in his being