the consequences it involves. The ha- ceivable as they must be in their ultimate | are included in it. It is more easy to nature enough can be traced of their admit this as a general proposition than working to assure us that they are all really to see it as a truth and to accept all closely related to each other, and belong to a system which is one. Out of the chemical elements of nature, in numerous but definite combinations, it is the special function of vegetable life to lay the foundations of organic mechanism; whilst it is the special function of animal life to take in the materials thus supplied, and to build them up into the highest and most complicated structures. This involves a vast cycle of operations, as to the unity of which we cannot be mistaken for it is a cycle of operations obviously depending on adjustments among all the forces both of solar and terrestrial physics -and every part of this vast series of adjustments must be in continuous and unbroken correlation with the rest. From Blackwood's Magazine. BUSH-LIFE IN QUEENSLAND. XXX. A RAID OF THE MYALLS. THE months flew round rapidly in the new country. Shearing was past, and things were beginning to assume a more homely aspect on John's station and at Lilianfield, as Stone had christened his new possession. There was much intercourse between John and the Stones, and he often rode over to Lilianfield during the wet weather; and with the intuitive quickness of her sex, Bessie guessed before long his love for some one; and he at last confided to her his secret, feeling much relieved in being able to talk about Ruth to one who could understand his feelings. Thus every step in the progress of science which tends to reduce all organisms to one and the same set of elementary substances, or to one and the same initial structure, only adds to the certainty with which we conclude that it is upon something else than composition, and upon something else than structure, that those vast differences ultimately depend which separate so widely between living things in rank, in function, and in power. And although we cannot tell what that something is although science does not as yet even tend to explain what the directive agencies are or how they work one thing, at least, is plain: that if a very few elementary substances can enter into an untold variety of combinations, and by virtue of this variety can be made to play a vast variety of parts, this result can only be attained by a system of mutual adjustments as immense as the variety it produces, as minute as the differences on which it depends, and as centralized in direction as the order and harmony of its results. And so we come to understand that the unity which we see in nature is that kind of unity which the mind recoger, turning them back, and sending over nizes as the result of operations similar to its own, not a unity which consists in sameness of material, or in identity of composition, or in uniformity of structure, but a unity which consists in similar principles of action that is to say, in like methods of subordinating a few elementary forces to the discharge of special functions, and to the production, by adjustment, of one harmonious whole. And of this unity, we who see it, and think of it, and speak of it- —we are part. In body and in mind we belong to it, and How different was the aspect of things this wet season compared with the last! Stations were formed for nearly a hundred and fifty miles outside John's run, and he began to regard himself quite as an inside squatter. His neighbors greatly assisted him in keeping his cattle togeth notice whenever they were discovered making away; and, in like manner, he performed the same good office for them. Things soon began to wear quite a settled look. He had also been most fortunate in his relations with the blacks. From the outset it had been his principle to leave them unmolested unless provoked to adopt severer measures, and he had been enabled as yet to keep them away without bloodshed. A more intimate acquaintance with the ways and customs of the whites. had produced a certain amount of contempt for them among the Myalls; and here and there a murder of a white man or two in the district, or a wholesale spearing of cattle, announced that a war of aggression, and also of retaliation, had commenced. Indeed the behavior of some of the whites was reprehensible in the highest degree; and a few of the more brutal spirits thought as little of "knocking over a nigger at sight as they would have done of shooting a kangaroo. This was, however, far from being a general feeling; and notwithstanding the charges brought against the pioneer squatters in the southern newspapers, by, for the most part, ignorant and sentimental writers, those who were acquainted with them, and with the dangers and provocations of their daily lives, will admit that the greater number acted with temperate forbearance towards those tribes of aboriginals with whom they came in contact. It was indeed both instructive and amusing to investigate the surroundings of some of those who espoused most loudly the cause of "the poor black." Some were comfortably settled southern squatters, whose fathers or predecessors had once been pioneers themselves, and who, in bequeathing to their followers the country they had wrested from the original inhabitants, had, along with it, transmitted to them a complicity and share in any injustice and guilt exercised in its acquisition. Others were blatant town politicians, anxious to develop the resources of the country," who, by neglecting no opportunity of furthering immigration, discovering new gold-fields, and exploring fresh pastoral country, urged the energetic white men to seek their fortune in places where they must of necessity come in contact with their black brethren, a contact which history shows to have been ever attended with conflict. A few were ministers of the gospel, who, although shaking their heads in sorrowful disapproval of the manner in which the "poor blacks" were driven from their hunting-grounds in order to make room for the white man's sheep, never hesitated to acquire, if possible, on favorable terms, land thus appropriated, or who were to be seen, armed with carbine or pistol, making their way from one little bush community to another, for the purpose of collecting money. The majority, however, were well-meaning men, but thoroughly norant of the state of matters, and of the real feelings and behavior of most of those whose actions they condemned. Things, as we have said, bore a cheerful and bright aspect; and the rapidly increasing number of his young stock led our hero to look forward hopefully to the time when he might clear off the heavy debt which at present embarrassed him, and settle down into a breeder of pure stock, after the manner of his friend Fitzgerald. Stone had also done very well; his lambings had been good, indeed they could hardly have been otherwise on the splendid country he owned; but the heavy expense of carriage, wages, etc., materially affected his profit. He felt that the roughness of the life was by no means suited to his young wife, and had made up his mind to sell Lilianfield on the first fair offer. In pursuance of this scheme he had started on a trip down to the coast to meet a would-be purchaser, leaving Bessie with her infant at home. A married overseer, whose wife attended to the cooking, resided in a cottage close by, and Bessie's plucky heart would not permit her to detain her husband from his important business. The overseer was a good enough servant under the direction of his master, but foolhardy and totally incapable of being intrusted with any charge by himself. Stone left with the intention of returning in about ten days, or twelve at the most. Everything was safe; there seemed no possibility of anything going wrong at home; and if Bessie was in want of advice or help of any sort, she could send over for John. So thinking, and hoping the result of his journey would render all fears unnecessary in future, Stone had started. John had been made aware of his friend's intended absence, and would have ridden over to see Bessie, but had been prevented owing to the sudden appearance of blacks on his run, who not only disturbed his cattle, but speared a number of them, and, among others, a valuable herd bull. He had just returned from viewing the remains of the slain animals, and was sitting musing on the best course to pursue, when Stone's black boy, a little fellow about twelve years old, dashed up on a reeking horse. "Missa Wess, black fellow kill 'em altogether. White fellow 'long o' Lillanfill!" "What name ? 99 (what do you say?) roared John, jumping up. "Yohi," said the boy, still sitting on yards, his horse, "altogether bong" (dead), "one | boy calls from the gateway of one of the fellow bail bong" (one not dead). "Which one bail bong?" demanded John, in terror. "Missis bail bong, ony cawbawn prighten" (Missis not dead, only dreadfully frightened). "Blucher!" vociferated John at the top of his voice. (Gunpowder had been sent home to his tribe at his special request.) Blucher appeared in a moment. He had grown to be a smart, active, intelligent lad, with his energies always strung to the utmost, as if waiting to dash forward and execute his master's orders as soon as communicated. "Here 'nother one white fellow." Yes, so there is, it is the mate of the first man. He lies doubled across a log, his head battered in a most frightful manner, his old blue-serge shirt thick with gore, the jagged "nullah-nullah" which was used in the atrocious deed broken on the ground near him. "Come along," shouts John, and once more he is hastening along towards Lilianfield. As he dashes up to the door of the barred-up house, it opens, and Bessie rushes out dishevelled and pale, with her infant in her arms. She holds out her hand, but she cannot utter a word, and John has to lead her to a seat, where her feelings relieve themselves in a flood of tears. As soon as she could speak, she explained to John that soon after her husband left, the overseer had met some blacks on the run, and in opposition to the treatment adopted towards them by Stone, he had encouraged them about the head-station. For a few days they had behaved themselves with propriety; but Bessie, fearful for the life of herself and child, had barricaded the house she resided in, and determined to await her husband's return. The overseer and his wife, on the contrary, saw no danger, and the woman could not be persuaded to sleep in the same house with Bessie. What occasioned the outbreak Bessie did not know, but a number of savages made a rush upon the unfortunate woman, killing her at once. They then tried to enter the house in which she herself dwelt, and were only deterred upon her Arming himself with Snider and revolver, and providing his attendant with the same, John mounted, and with his two companions was soon galloping towards the scene of the disaster. As they proceeded, the usually smiling downs seemed to tell a tale of horror and bloodshed. Between the road and the blue mountain ranges a huge bush-fire raged fiercely, the smuts from which, though many miles away, floated down upon them as they tore along. The sky was lurid, and a dull roar struck their ears, intimating the ex-firing two or three shots from her hustent and fury of the conflagration. Blucher spurs alongside of his master, and points out that the road is covered with naked footprints. Presently they come across scattered mobs of sheep, apparently lost, and approach a sheepstation hut, to which the flock evidently belongs. John, still at a gallop, turns off the road to examine the hut, and Blucher draws his carbine, looking about him eagerly. Yes; it is just as the black boy expected. There lies one old shepherd on his face, across the threshold of the door, pierced by a couple of spears, and his head ghastly with tomahawk wounds. John does not feel at all surprised. Somehow it seems quite natural. He has no time to do anything at present, and is about riding away, when the little band's revolver, which, urged by desperation, notwithstanding her total ignorance and dread of firearms, she succeeded in. The little black boy had been away playing in the creek; and frightened by the wild shouts, which enabled him to guess what was being enacted, he lay hidden among the long-bladed grass tussocks until night, when, stealing out quietly, he made his way to the house, and finding his mistress alive, was directed by her to seck out John. Bessie had seen nothing of the overseer, and feared that he had also paid for his foolhardiness with his life. John soon made up his mind as to what had to be done. Writing a hasty note requesting the presence of the detachment urgently, he despatched the bee once more to the "officer in charge of thes native mounted police barracks," near | Irishman, very gentlemanly in his manByng's station, trusting that he might not ners, and of good family. Judicious and be absent on patrol. Inditing another to firm in the management of his command, the manager of an adjoining sheep-station, he was one of the best officers in the serhe put it into the hands of Blucher, in- vice of government, and his tact in manstructing him to return with all haste. aging his boys prevented desertions and kept them in a state of constant efficiency. He had been transferred to his present district from a barracks near a large goldfield, where a slight hauteur of manner had rendered him somewhat unpopular among the roughs, who believe in the glorious maxim of "ilberty, fraternity, and equality." He then set to work to dig a grave for the poor woman who had fallen a victim to the bloodthirsty aboriginals, with Bessie, whose nerves were dreadfully shaken, for a companion. So much occupied was he, that he did not hear her joyous exclamation of surprise as her husband galloped up furiously, and springing off his horse, folded her to his heart; and his happiness was scarcely less than Bessie's when Stone stepped to the edge of the grave and called to him. Something had made Stone uneasy-what it was he could not say; but without waiting to finish his business he had hurried back, unable to rest until he had once more seen his wife and child. As he drew near his home his vague fears grew stronger, and the smoke-laden atmosphere seemed to fill him with a dread, to which the body of the overseer, lying a mutilated trunk on the road, gave only too fearful a reality. All was well now, however, Bessie thought; and that evening, late, they had plenty of assistance in the shape of the super of the run to which John had sent Blucher, who came over with three or four men. Very glad to meet you, West, but sorry for the occasion. Nothing hap pened to Mrs. Stone, I trust? I don't see her about." "No, thank God!" said John; and he gave a short account of what had occurred. "Ah! just so," returned the mounted trooper; "one-half of the murders are occasioned by foolhardiness and an overweening trust in the generosity of the blacks. I'll just walk down and see the rations served out, and return." So saying, he walked down to where his men had erected their tents. Stone returned late in the evening; but as he felt the urgent need of looking after his other shepherds, and as their friend the superintendent could not longer spare the time from his own business, it was arranged that John alone should accompany the troopers in their pursuit. To tell the truth, John was not sorry for the opportunity thus afforded of striking wholesome terror into the tribe, which, notwithstanding his peaceful behavior towards them, was beginning to cause him serious trouble and loss. Next morning early, Stone put Bessie in the buggy, and started over with her for the friendly manager's dwelling, where he had arranged she should remain for a week or two. John and the rest busied themselves in burying the overseer and the poor shepherds, and in collecting the sheep, which, fortunately, had re- The troopers were, of course, delighted mained in the vicinity of the yard. These at the prospect of a collision with their they left in charge of three of the men, countrymen, and an unusual degree of well armed, and then returned to Lilian-activity prevailed in the camp, field head-station. so much so, that next morning before sunrise, while Stone and his guest were getting through their hasty breakfast, the corporal of the troop made his appearance at the door, and stiffening himself into an erect military attitude, saluted gravely, reporting at the same time, "Every sing all righ, Mahmy."* "Very good, Howard," returned his superior, whose name was Blake. All were soon in readiness to start, and Blucher brought up his master's horse and his own, his eyes glistening with envy Mahmy or Mammie, the name given by black police to their officers. as he noted "the pomp and circumstance | horses. It would have been a work of of glorious war" which attended the mar- some difficulty to trace the retreating mob shalling of his sable brethren. The black troopers presented a very warlike and efficient front, as they stood up in line, each one by his horse's head, awaiting the order to mount. The blue jackets, with their red collars and cuffs, became the dark complexions exceedingly well, and their wild faces were brought out into fierce relief by their curtained white cap-covers. White riding-trousers and serviceable leggings protected their extremities, and black leathern belts with large cartridge-pouches hung across their shoulders. Under each saddle lay a large blue military saddlecloth bound with red. A change of clothing and a blanket, rolled in a strong piece of American duck, were strapped over the pommel of their saddles, and a Snider carbine hung on the right side. 66 Blake took his horse from the orderly who stood holding it, and walking forward a little, quietly gave the command, Prepare to mount. Mount " motioning them at the same time in the direction in which they themselves knew they had to go. After the first hundred yards the men broke the stiff cavalry order which they at first preserved, and rode at ease. two being, however, specially detailed to look after the pack-horses bearing the rations and spare ammunition, with the tents of the troop. John and Blake brought up the rear at some distance. The sub-inspector was a good-looking young man, with refined features and a dark complexion. A short moustache shaded the upper lip, and an occasional lisp gave a piquancy to his modulated voice, indicating a boyishness which its owner was far from possessing. He wore no uniform, with the exception of a whitecovered forage-cap; but his horse was accoutred in a similar manner to that of his men, and in addition he wore a revolver in his belt. They made their way towards the sheep-station where the unfortunate shepherds had been killed all the tracks having been ascertained to run in that direction. It soon turned out, from examination of circumstances, that the men were slaughtered merely because in their retreat, the blacks had happened to drop across them. Blake now halted his men, and ordered two to the front for the purpose of following up tracks, desiring the others to keep behind him and John with the pack from the hut, owing to the bush-fire which had swept over the country, but for the fact that the tracks of two or three who had lagged behind were discovered making over the burnt ground after their tribe. The soft, powdered, black and grey débris of the long grass revealed the naked footprints distinctly; and steadily the advanced guard followed them over the wide plain, and on to the banks of the river, where it issued from the hilly country, nearly fifteen miles above Lilianfield, and not very much farther from John's own run. The tracks were two days old, and the boys pushed on rapidly but cautiouslyeagerly listening to the slightest sound, and examining, with the most careful scrutiny, the leaves and twigs disturbed by the light-heeled Myalls in their retreat. Nothing escaped them; and whenever an important fact was discovered tending to throw light upon the particular tribe of blacks, or their numbers, or motives, the trooper who observed it would ride up and report the matter to his officer. In about five miles farther they came upon a deserted camp. The numerous fires proved that it had been occupied by a large number of natives; and the bark gunyahs, and the heaps of ashes, denoted that they had resided in it for some time. Many trees were stripped of their bark in the neighborhood, and beaten paths ran down to the water. Circular ovens, formed of large stones, for roasting meat, were in plenty; and here and there the presence of bullock-bones told John that his herd had supplied the camp with several good feeds. Smaller heaps of grey ashes, and heaps of mussel-shells surrounding the main hearth, pointed out where the warrior's wives and children had slept around him; and in the neighborhood of each lay a big round stone or two, for the purpose of pounding up the kernels of the nuts, whose husks lay in small piles about the camp. A few broken gourds, a broken spear or two, and a cracked coolaman,* were to be seen here and there; and small irregular pieces of the soft, thick bark of the ti-tree were scattered round the fires, on one or two of which a brand still smouldered. The detachment halted and camped for the night about a mile farther on. There was a certain amount of romance about | * Native vessel for fetching water. |