I had remained three months at Annerley, often in dread of my husband's return, but beginning to hope that a letter which my father had despatched to him, through a trader, would induce him to accede to a legal separation. Alas! it seemed to me that it only reminded him that he held in his hands the power of tormenting me. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ I was one evening walking up and down the trellised passage, pondering mournfully on my future prospects, when the author of all my misery appeared before me. He was scarcely recognisable at first. His complexion was bronzed, his beard and whiskers, enormously grown, gave him a ferocious appearance, and his costume was more like that of a buccaneer than anything else. He carried pistols in his belt, and on my screaming as he seized my hand, he drew one of the weapons out, and, in sheer recklessness, discharged it. The ball entered the thatched roof; the noise attracted my father from the vineyard. The scene that ensued baffles description. My father drew me towards him. Lyle held the pistol, with one barrel yet undischarged, close to my head. My father released me in dismay, and stood helpless, it had been useless to attempt to thrust the weapon aside--"Advance a finger, stir a foot," said Lyle, "and I fire. She is my wife; you gave her to me, and a precious bargain I have got. I will keep her while it suits me, and when I am inclined to go roving again, I will send her back. Call _me_ swindler!--it was _you_ who took _me_ in with your promises. Liar and scoundrel that you are, you had _no_ funds in India, but you had a mind to palm off upon me what Fairfax had cast off!--and yet you were not so keen in this matter as your wife. Ah! start, if you will, but keep your distance, and send some one for this frightened fool's kit. You are rightly served; I will take care that you shall pay me for keeping this daughter of yours, that was to have so fair a fortune." The servants, attracted by the noise, gathered round us. My father would fain have drawn Lyle away, to prevent so public an exposure. Little May was in our service at that time--he had a _kierrie_ (stick), and, springing up, struck the pistol out of my persecutor's hand. It was impossible, however, to come to terms with him. All that my father could obtain from him was a Respite till a wagon could be prepared for travelling, and some arrangement made for occupying a small farm near B--. It was not far from Mr Trail's mission station, and within a mile or two of a little military outpost. You were speaking of Mimosa Drift the other day. You know the desert solitude of that beautiful spot. Ah! what terrible hours have I passed among the alders overhanging that hoarsely-murmuring river! For there I would retire to weep, sometimes; there I would hide myself from my husband in his hours of wrath.