About three in the afternoon
She smiled at him through her tears , then stooped and kissed the hand that held her , and as he loosened his grasp , flew up the embankment and joined her grandmother . Next day the Durham lads and Gentleman Jim had disappeared . It seemed a wonder in that flat open plain where they could disappear to , but the creek had many windings , and its bed was so wide and so far beneath the surface of the plain , there was ample room for men and horses to hide there . About three in the afternoon , a lowing of cattle and cracking of stockwhips announced the arrival of Macartney 's mob , and the beasts , wild with thirst , for the way had been long and hot , and the waters were dried up for miles back , rushed tumultously down into the waterhole , trampling one another in their eagerness to get to the water . The men could no nothing but look on helplessly , and finally Fisher , a tall young fellow with that sad look on his bearded face , which sometimes comes of much living alone , left the mob to his men , and flinging his reins on his horse 's neck went towards the hut . Nellie stood in the doorway , but when she saw who it was , mindful of her lover 's fierce warning of the night before , she drew back into the hut , and the sadness on the man 's face deepened , for Nellie Durham , the cattle-duffer 's granddaughter , was the desire of his heart , and the light of his eyes , and Murwidgee Waterhole , when he had charge of the cattle , was on the main road to everywhere . He dismounted and entered , and Mrs. Durham bustled up to him -- eager to make amends for Nellie 's want of cordiality .