His reason told him that this latter would be the slower process, while if he trusted to the settlers in these far-off regions, the news would set them aflame, and they would muster readily. There would be no cumbrous arrangements for the expedition, but each man would seize his piece and mount horse, ready to join the little levy, and help to drive the invader from the neighbourhood of his home--the home which each had won for himself from the wilderness, and which was now in danger from these marauders. He halted for a while by the side of one of the many streams, pressing upon his companion food and rest beneath the shady foliage, and watched her in the hope that sleep would visit the weeping woman--a short halt being absolutely necessary, on account of the ruggedness of their path, the excessive heat in the ravines, and the distance they had to travel. Seeing, however, that Mrs Lee's thoughts were wholly upon bringing rescue to her child, they were soon again upon their way, and before many hours were over, receiving the hearty welcome of a bluff settler, who with his wife and child stood at his door to receive the travellers. "Glad to see you, Mrs Lee," he exclaimed. "And where's Martin? Parson Meadows, too! But what's wrong? Why, you've got a cut on the head there, and--what does it all mean?" Mr Meadows led him aside, wondering, as he saw Mrs Lee throwing herself sobbing into his wife's arms. The business was soon explained, and the settler's hearty English face grew stern and overcast. "Heaven preserve us!" he muttered. "Poor Martin Lee! and it might have been here first! But are you in earnest, parson? Convicts?--landed? What should they come here for?" "Spoil!--plunder!--desolation!" replied Mr Meadows. The settler drew his guest into the house, forced him into a chair, and then dashed out of the room, shouting to a couple of his men. Ten minutes after, two stout well-mounted fellows galloped off in different directions. "Mr Meadows," said the settler, returning to where he had left his visitor, "I couldn't go myself and leave them, or I'd have been one of those to gallop off; but the news will spread fast, and by morning we shall have a gathering here, I hope, that shall crush out these blood-thirsty locusts. Don't think me unneighbourly that I did not go myself." "A man's first worldly duty is to his wife and children, friend Lawler," said Mr Meadows. "I blame you not, for we may perchance even yet have to fight for them before help comes." "Heaven forbid!" exclaimed the settler; but he took down with nervousness fowling-piece and rifle, and began to wipe and oil them ready for service. "I'd almost ask you to help in a time of need like this," he continued, "but for your cloth." "Help, friend Lawler! Yes, I'll help; for I have already turned man of war in defence of the Moa's Nest, and am afraid that I did some mischief amongst these men you call locusts; but they deserved it all, I fear."