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148 Another strange circumstance happened at this time, which enveloped him still deeper in the mystery by which he was surrounded.

One evening while sitting in his room after the labours of the day, Donald, who had been on his usual rounds among the shepherds, entered breathless, with a countenance which bespoke terror and hesitation, when his master addressed him as follows:—

"Well, Donald, everything all right among the shepherds? No more attacks of the Warrigals, I hope? Why you look as though you had seen a ghost."

"To tell the truth, sir," said Donald, "If it was not a ghost I saw, I certainly saw something approaching it. But before I proceed any further, I wish to ask a question, which I trust you will answer."

"Certainly Donald, out with it," said Charlie.

"Well then," continued Donald, "I wish to know whether you are (as I have heard) a descendant of the Meoble family."

"Undoubtedly I am, Donald, I hope you have not seen the Cu Glas," replied Charlie.

"I'm sorry to say that I think I have," said Donald; "as I was riding across the plain, just now, my horse began to prick up his ears, and look behind him; it struck me first that the blacks were after me, but, on looking round, I saw a dog following me. Thinking it was a dingo, I slackened my pace and drew my pistol to have a shot at him. He then came up to me, when I beheld in the place of a wild dog, a large grey stag-hound, the very picture of poor Bran you left at home, stood before me. Being positive that no such animal was to be found in this colony, and according to the description of the Cu Glas, I instantly bethought myself that you were a relation of the Meoble family, and that he had followed you to Australia. After sniffing at me for a few seconds, he gave a whine, and left me."

"A rather long journey he must have had Donald. I thought you had left all your superstition on the other side of the line," replied Charlie, smiling at his servant's tenacity to Highland superstition.