Page 94 - In A New World
P. 94
CHAPTER XVII.
CHAPTER XVII.
A WELCOME IN THE WILDS.
Before Lucy could reach the door, it was opened, and a stalwart man of
middle age paused on the threshold, in evident surprise.
"Whom have you here, Lucy?" he asked in a tone of displeasure.
"Two boys, papa, who came here in distress, having lost their way."
"Did I not caution you against admitting strangers?" continued her father
with a slight frown.
"Yes, but these are boys, not men."
Harry Vane thought it was time to start.
"I hope, sir," he said, "you won't blame your daughter for her kindness to
us. We stood greatly in need of friendly help, having been robbed of
everything by the bushrangers, from whom we managed by good luck to
escape some hours since."
The shepherd regarded Harry keenly, and proceeded to cross-examine him.
"You say you were captured by the bushrangers?" he said.
"Yes, sir."
"When was this?"
"This morning, just after breakfast."
"Where did it happen?"
Harry told him.
