rrange packages where they had broken loose, and seeing
generally to the many little matters that have so much to do with the
success of an overland journey with a caravan.

Then breakfast was announced just after the boys had returned from the
river, where they had had to content themselves with a wash, while
Shanter looked on, and then followed them back, apparently supremely
proud and happy to be in their company.

Breakfast over, and the provisions repacked, Shanter not having been
forgotten by big white Mary, as he insisted upon calling Aunt Georgie,
the horses and drawing bullocks were put to, a last glance cast round to
see that nothing had been left, and then, prior to giving the word to
advance, the captain mounted with his little field-glass to the top of
the highest load, where he carefully scanned the country, and made
remarks to his brother as to the direction to take that day.

"Yes," he said at last; "the river evidently makes a vast bend here, and
curves round to the north. We will go straight across from here to that
hill--mountain I ought to call it.--Do you see, German?"

"Yes, sir, I see," said the gardener, shading his eyes.

"There can be no mistake as to your course; the plain is perfectly level
and treeless, and we ought easily to get there for our mid-day halt.
How far do you think it is--eight miles?"

"Twenty," said Uncle Jack, sturdily.

"Nonsense!"

"Yes, twenty. The air is so clear that places look closer than they
are."

"Well, we will not argue," said the captain, lowering himself down.
"There's your mark, German; make straight for that."

"No," shouted a voice; and all turned with a look of wonder to Shanter,
who had evidently been listening intently, and who was now in a great
state of excitement, gesticulating and flourishing his nulla-nulla
wildly.

"What do you say?" cried the captain, frowning.

"No go 'long," cried Shanter, pointing across the plain. "No--no.
Horse fellow--bull-cow fellow, all go puff-puff."

And he went down on all fours, with his eyes wide and staring, mouth
open, and tongue lolling out, breathing hoarsely and heavily, snuffling
about the while at the ground. Then he threw up his head, and whinnied
like a horse in trouble, snuffled about again, and lowed like an ox, and
finally seemed to grow weaker and weaker till he fell over on his side,
struggled up again, fell on his side, stretched out his head and legs,
and finally gave a wonderful imit