lighted, and had exterminated the lingering remnants of that which
had been intended to destroy him, he stood still a while almost in
despair. His condition seemed to be hopeless. What could he do
against such a band of enemies, knowing as he did that, had he been
backed even by a score of trusty followers, one foe might still
suffice to ruin him? At the present moment he was very hot with the
work he had done, as were also Jacko and the German. O'Dowd had also
come up as they were completing their work. Their mode of
extinguishing the flames had been to beat them down with branches of
gum-tree loaded with leaves. By sweeping these along the burning
ground the low flames would be scattered and expelled. But the work
was very hard and hot. The boughs they used were heavy, and the air
around them, sultry enough from its own properties, was made almost
unbearable by the added heat of the fires.

The work had been so far done, but it might be begun again at any
moment, either near or at a distance. No doubt the attempt would be
made elsewhere along the boundary between Gangoil and Boolabong--was
very probably being made at this moment. The two men whom he could
trust and Jacko were now with him. They were wiping their brows with
their arms and panting with their work.

He first resolved on sending Mickey O'Dowd to the house. The distance
was great, and the man's assistance might be essential. But he could
not bear to leave his wife without news from him. Then, after
considering a while, he made up his mind to go back toward his own
fence, making his way as he went southerly down toward the river.
They who were determined to injure him would, he thought, repeat
their attempt in that direction. He hardly said a word to his two
followers, but rode at a foot-pace to the spot at his fence which he