ellow squeezum."

He spoke rather faintly, and walked slowly as they went back to the
blanket-gunyah, where the black lay down directly, uttering a deep
groan, as he moved himself painfully.

"There was plenty of water here, Shanter," said Norman.

"Piggi (the sun) gone sleep. Mine can't see."

They spoke to him again, but there was no reply, his breathing told,
however, that he had dropped off, and Norman elected to keep watch till
morning, and the others went to the tent.

It was just after daybreak when Norman heard a rustling, and looking
round there was Tam creeping out from his shelter.

"Make big fire--make damper," he said quietly, and to the lad's delight
the black went slowly about the task of blowing the embers, and getting
a few leaves and twigs to burn before heaping up the abundant supply of
wood close at hand.

Breakfast was soon ready, the boys being in the highest of glee, and
Shanter sat and ate and smiled broadly at the friendly demonstrations
which kept greeting him.

"Mine been along big sleep, get well," he said in reply to the
congratulations showered upon him, and then proved quite willing to sit
still while the packhorse was loaded--lightly now--and the others
caught, saddled, and bridled, and a glance round given before they made
a start to follow the trail back home.

Then followed a little discussion as to the order of starting, but
Shanter settled it by tucking his nulla-nulla and boomerang into his
waistband, shouldering his spear, and starting off at the head of the
packhorse which followed him like a dog.

"All right," said Norman.

"Yes. What a rum fellow he is!" whispered Rifle. "But I wouldn't go
very far to-day."

The boys mounted, and gave a cheer as they said farewell to the
water-hole.

"It almost seems as if all this had been a dream," said Tim, as they
rode on behind the black. "You wouldn't think he had been so bad."

"Yes, you would," cried Norman, urging his horse forward, as he saw
Shanter make a snatch at the packhorse's load, and then reel.

But Norman saved him, and the poor fellow looked at him piteously. "Big
boomer squeeze mine," he whispered hoarsely. "Legs baal walk along."

That was very evident, for he was streaming with perspiration, and
gladly drank some water from their tubs.

Then the difficulty was solved by Norman making Shanter mount the horse
he had himself ridden, and the journey was continued with the black
striding the saddle a