Page 84 - In A New World

"I am afraid our prospects are rather dark. We must take care at any rate not
to fall again into the hands of the bushrangers. I am most afraid of that man

Fletcher. If he could have his way, he would show us no mercy."

"Let us go on again," said Jack. "I only stopped to catch my breath."

"You are right, Jack. The farther we get away from the bushrangers the

better."

Before them was a densely wooded hill. The way had become difficult with
the scrub bushes that filled up the distance between the trees. The latter
were no longer the same which they had hitherto encountered, the tall and

stately eucalyptus, but were smaller and wider branched.

"We can't make our way here, Harry," said Jack despondently.

"Oh, yes, we can. Besides, don't you see, the rougher and more difficult the

way, the less are we likely to be followed. I am willing to go through a
good deal to save capture."

"So am I," answered Jack. "You are always right. Push ahead, and I'll
follow."

For three or four hours the boys kept on their way. They surmounted the

hill, and found a clearer country. Finally, turning to the right they came
upon an open tract. By this time it was growing dark, and the boys were
feeling both fatigued and hungry.

"I think we can rest now, Jack," said Harry.

With a sigh of relief Jack threw himself on the ground.

"This is worse than any work I did on shipboard," he said.

Harry smiled.