The warrior Burradella then came into camp, limping badly. During the chase he had trodden on a sharp stake that cut deep into the sole of his foot. He reported that none of the Gunn-e-darr men had been killed, and only three wounded.

With only thirty-five men and some staunch boys the Red Chief had tricked and attacked eighty-one able-bodied enemy in the most successful ambush ever known to the legends of the Gunn-e-darr tribe. News of this would make the name of the Red Chief and the Gunn-e-darr men feared far and wide, while giving them that greatly desired time to build up the tribe. Feeling happier than he had for many a long day, the Red Chief sat apart from his exultant men with Burradella, seriously debating what they should do next.

“We must run to earth those we can,” declared the Red Chief vigorously. “Few must reach home. We shall carry straight on and attack their home camp—we shall steal their women, instead of their stealing ours. Their tribesmen will be expecting their victorious warriors’ return. They will never dream that we shall come first! So we should attack, I say, for such a chance as this will never come again.

Burradella fully agreed, and the Red Chief shouted his orders. “Cook all the meat that Boobuk brought—we shall eat a strong man’s meal. Then the fifteen oldest warriors and fifteen boys will carry a full load of meat to the women and children at the Secret Camp, and remain there under Burradella’s orders as guards. Thirty-five picked men will come with me to chase the Cassilis warriors, then attack their home camp. Only the very fittest warriors can come with me, for we travel fast and far there and back and there may be much fighting. All the rest of the warriors will remain here with Burradella to protect the women and be ready with help should I have to fight my way back.”

There was a rush then to build up the fires and cook, while soon fierce arguments broke out as to who were the fittest men to go with the Red Chief.

The Red Chief with his thirty-five picked warriors, with Boobuk as second in charge, loaded themselves with their war weapons and cooked meat and set off swiftly on the tracks of the eighteen foemen who had fled from the camp when surprised by Boobuk.

Across the Porcupine Ridges the tracks kept together for some miles at racing pace, then slowed down. There the tracks deviated south towards the scrub near Carrowreer. Apparently the fugitives, finding that they were not pursued and realizing that a long and arduous journey lay ahead, had paused to hunt for food.

“They seek wallaby meat,” said the Red Chief grimly, “and they know where to look for it. They will come out of the scrub to cook their meat—and we will be waiting to eat it for them!”

They rattled their weapons with guttural laughter at the grim joke. Almost as the chief spoke six Cassilis warriors, each with a wallaby on his shoulder, appeared striding down the mountain side. Twelve more followed. They came out to the forest land and climbed down into a deep gully.