Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1899-06-06
\ neeu nardIy ask you 70


conclusions 1 need nardIy ask you 70
believe me-
Jack. / protested. "I'llpunch you.
head for You in another minutelN
"All right. old chap. you can--after-
ward. The ghost Of smile lit up his
face for the moment and he went on
again as II there had been no interrup.
tion. "I've very strong suspicion that
there's q warrant out for my arrest In
fact, Il was the knowledge of this that
hastsned me TO make mp my mind when
you asked me TO 20 with you 70 West
ern Australia You've only known me
by the name Of Tyndall. I suspect the
police have another one for me, but
from motives Of prudence think II
will be better to stick TO my present
name. II the police have come to the
Macarthur heard they were coming
they may be in position to make II
awkward for me, 80 you're liable to be
seriously inconvenienced at any time
through keeping my company. Now.
Dick, all You We got TO say is that you
want to go with Mackenzie and III 60
right on You can make any excuse for
me you like. III pan ont somehow.
Now. speak out ] shan't be offended
whatever you do And. look here. III
leave you the gray ~ keepsake. old
chap
Jack. You cowardly brutel You
know / haven't strength left to punch
your head As for the police. hang
theml"
was disappointed In Jack, but nm
doubtedly my reference to the police
was unjust and uncalled for.
On reaching Skeleton creek. which
was series of water holes in deep.
thickly wooded hollow. we pulled of
the track and pitched our camp Just
before sunset. when was brushing the
ashes off a dampcr. Mackenzie's party
ratified up Within hundred yards Of
Ms they pitched their camp took .
big dose Of quinine and turned in soon
after supper Jack had insisted on this
On coming into camp he had produced
a small pot Of extract Of meat and made
some Of il ready for me. Ibid not know
till long afterward that at Turmoil.
lagoon store he had come away without
getting some much needed articles OF
clothing in order that he might pur-
chase several little luxuries for my all
ing condition. You've got 60 fortify
yourself. old chap. he remarked ITO
morrow's Sunday. and as it's one OF
your bad days think we'd better camp
here. Apart from the Fourth Command
ment, Dick. I'm Scot enough to know
the value OF one days rest in seven.
venture 10 say we don't lose by it. Our
cattle are always in better condition
and get through more work in the long
run than those who keep travelling right
ON.
q little later placed my bedding
under a shady ironbark tree. The NOR
poke's chant and the Groom Of the pos
sum blended with other strange sounds.
and fell asleep
Next morning. after breakfast,
heard the jangling Of bells and the
drumming Of hoofs as Mackenzie's black
boys brought up the horses allowed
few minutes TO elapse before going
over 20 lind whether or not they had
fetched up ours with them On reach
ing the spot where the boys had round
ed them up | found Jack and Norah
Mackenzie already there. The latter
bad just said something TO my mate
that had evidently startled him; fol
yhen he saw me he Eft her and came
toward me
"Our gray's not In the mob. ht
said '.I made sure he was-must gC
and do little horse hunting. ! wonde,
where ne could have strayed to any
howf"
"Me See m yaraman track go uI
along creek. sang ont Vary. "Tha,
fellow bin lose IN one fellow shoe
There Is no sign or mark on the face
Of nature that the Australian black fel
low will not read US II 1t were an oper
book. He must do it to live But ths
practice through successive generations
has become an instinct-he takes TO !,
as readily as kitten takes to playing
with ball Of worsted-
"No. Dick. you WON'T" ! was NOV
ing toward my horse "You stop where
You are. I'm going
Norah Mackenzie went over to pal
one q the horses. and Jack. taking tn,
bride out of my hand. walked of to
catch the roam. Before doing 50 he sait
to me in an aside which considered
Just little too audible: Look out fol
that girl. old chap She has either got
the power Of second sight or she is Q
gypsy in Disguise. watched him rid,
off. Jack. as usual. was doing the lions
share of the woTkf
The sober expression on my face az
thought Of these things probably at
tracted Norah Mackenzie's attention Al
she moved away; anyhow she stoppet
and spoke
"Are you travelling todayf' sh'
queried.
"No. / think not You see. my mats
and are Scotch
That's to say. you make virtue q
sound policy.
"A woman Is always at liberty Il
measure other peoples corn by her Owl
bushel. ] rejoined politely.
''Even il they come from Invernessr
she added thoughtfully and with
smile
IN