For some time we were quite at a loss what to do; for although we had firearms and ammunition in the house, there were only four men of us—­my father, myself, and two servant lads—­while the bushrangers, as we had been told, were at least ten or twelve in number.  To have thought then of repelling them by force, was out of the question; it could only have ended in the murder of us all.

Under these circumstances, my father determined on applying to the authorities for constabulary or military protection; and with this view went to Liverpool, where the district magistrate resided.

On stating the case to the latter, he at once gave my father a note to the commanding officer of the garrison, enjoining him to send a small party of military along with him,—­these to remain with us for our protection as long as circumstances should render it necessary, and, in the meanwhile, to employ themselves in scouring the adjoining woods, with a view to the apprehension of the bushrangers, and to fire on them without hesitation in all cases where they could not be captured.

The result was, that a party of twelve men, commanded by a sergeant, were immediately turned out, and marched off with my father.

I was sitting on an eminence close by the house, and which commanded a view of the road leading to and from Liverpool, looking out for my father’s return, when the party came in sight.

As they neared, I recognised the men, from certain particulars in their uniform, a party of the—­th, the regiment into which I had enlisted.

The circumstance excited some curious feelings, and awakened a train of not very pleasing reflections.

I had never dreamt of meeting any of the corps in so distant a part of the world; yet there was nothing more likely or more natural, a large military force being always kept in New South Wales, and frequently changed.

I felt, however, no uneasiness on the subject, thinking that it was not at all probable, seeing the very short time I had been in the regiment, and the constant accession of new men it was receiving, I should be recognised by any of the party.

In the meantime, the party were rapidly approaching me, and were now so near, that I could perceive the sergeant to be a tall and handsome young man of about two or three and twenty.  Little did I yet dream who this sergeant was.  I descended to meet them.  We came up to each other.  The sergeant started on seeing me, and looked at me with a grave surprise and fixed gaze.  I did precisely the same by him.  We advanced towards each other with smiling faces and extended arms.  “Lorimer!” exclaimed the sergeant.  “Lindsay!” I replied.  It was indeed Lindsay, my old comrade, promoted to a sergeantcy.