CHAPTER IX.
THE BUSH FIGHT.
Harry Heathcote had on this occasion entertained no doubt whatever that the fire had been intentional and premeditated.

A lighted torch must have been dragged along the grass, so as to ignite a line many yards long all at the same time.

He had been luckily near enough to the spot to see almost the commencement of the burning, and was therefore aware of its form and circumstances.

He almost wondered that he had not seen the figure of the man who had drawn the torch, or at any rate heard his steps.

Pursuit would have been out of the question, as his work was wanted at the moment to extinguish the flames.