Page 103 - In A New World

or three days. The shepherd wished also to lend them some money, but this
Harry declined.

"We might not be able to pay it back," he said.

"I shan't miss it, lads, if you don't," urged the shepherd.

"We might be robbed of it as we were of our other money, sir. We thank
you all the same."

But they gladly accepted the basket of provisions, without which, indeed,
they might have fared badly in that uninhabited wilderness.

"How far is it to Bendigo?" Harry had asked the shepherd.

"Twenty-five miles, or thereabouts," was the answer.

"If it were a straight road and good travelling we might be there by night."!
"But it is neither. You will be fortunate if you reach there in three or four

days."

"Give us the direction, and we will try it, sir."

The two young travellers, refreshed by their night's sleep and two

substantial meals, made good progress, and by noon found themselves,
despite the difficulties of the way, seven miles distant from the station
where they had received such hospitable treatment. By this time they were

hungry, and were glad to sit down at the base of a gigantic gum-tree and
attack the provisions they had brought with them. They were in good spirits

and chatted cheerfully. Many thousands of miles away from home, without
a penny in their pockets, and with only a basket of provisions between them
and starvation, they did not allow themselves to be depressed by their

uncertain prospects, but looked forward hopefully.

"Jack," said Harry, "it seems so lonely here, I could easily believe that we
two are alone in the world."