But how to get word to him? He was at Goulburn, eighteen miles away. There was no mail, and she had not a vestige of anything to pay for sending word to him. She was very weak too from lack of food. But every one around her was so confident of the grand success about to be made, that she resolved to try to walk up to Goulburn. Accordingly, she set out leaving the baby at home with the girls, and walked feebly towards Goulburn. She was about half-way there when she came to a river. This was forded by teams, but across it had been thrown a plank, and a poor one it was, too. Mary looked at the foaming water, and then at the rotten plank, and felt it would be an impossibility almost to go across. Still, she must get over, so she started; but she had only got a little way out before her head began to reel, she was weak and faint, and about to fall, when she had sense remaining to lay flat down on the plank, and wait for strength. As she prayed for strength and help she heard a horse's hoofs behind her, and a gentleman on horseback dashed into the stream. He rode up to her and said, "Madam, permit me to help you. Let me take your hand and I will ride close by the board, and thus get you across all right." "Oh sir, you are very kind," answered Mary as she arose thanking God that He had heard her prayer. "Where are you going, madam? Pardon me, I do not ask from idle curiosity." "To Goulburn, sir to my husband." "I was wondering as I came along, to see a woman on this lonely road. You surely do not expect to reach Goulburn to-night?" "I thought sir, I would go as far as I could, then lie down and rest until I could go further." "Well my poor woman, good-by! and success attend you on your journey." "Many thanks, kind sir, may God reward your kind act." And so he rode on. Mary went on some distance, and began to feel that she could go no farther. Suddenly she saw a woman approaching her. Wondering, the two women at last met, and the stranger said to Mary, "Are you the woman a gentleman on horseback assisted across the river?" "Yes ma'am." "Then you are to come with me. He has paid us for your supper and lodging to-night. Also, he paid me to come out and meet you and show you the way." "Thank God! I am almost worn out. What was the gentleman's name, please?" "That I can't tell. But here's our house. Come, get your supper, it is waiting." And thus was her humble prayer answered, and a friend raised up to her in her sore need.