The bodies were now taken from the ditch, and laid side by side
until the other settlers should arrive. It was not long before they
began to assemble, riding up in little groups of twos and threes.
Rage and indignation were upon all their faces at the sight of the
devastated house, and their feelings were redoubled when they found
that the whole of the family, who were so justly liked and
esteemed, were dead. The Edwards and the Jamiesons were among the
earliest arrivals, bringing the Gaucho Martinez with them. Perez,
too, shortly after arrived from Canterbury, he having been out on
the farm when his master left.
Although all these events have taken some time to relate, it was
still early in the day. The news had arrived at six, and the
messengers were sent off half an hour later. The Hardys had set out
before eight, and had reached the scene of the catastrophe in half
an hour. it was nine o'clock when the bodies were found, and half
an hour after this friends began to assemble. By ten o'clock a
dozen more had arrived, and several more could be seen in the
distance coming along at full gallop to the spot.
"I think," Mr. Hardy said, "that we had better employ ourselves,
until the others arrive, in burying the remains of our poor
friends.
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