At any rate, it behoved him to take advantage of the chance and to go forth on the new adventure without unnecessary delay.

But the savour was gone for him from adventure--the salt out of life.

The stroke of luck--if it were one--had come too late.
And now the Great Drought had broken at last.
Next evening there came up a terrific thunderstorm, and a hurricane such as had not visited the district for years.

It broke in the direction of the gidia scrub, and razed many trees.

It passed over the head-station and travelled at a furious rate along the plain.
Hailstones fell, as large as a pigeon's egg, and stripped off such leafage as the drought had left.