even with the Donovans--we knew it was
the Donovans. And Fate seemed to be of Dad's mind; for the Donovans
got into "trouble,", and were reported to be "doing time." That pleased
Dad; but the vengeance was a little vague. He would have liked a
finger in the pie himself.

Four years passed. It was after supper, and we were all husking corn
in the barn. Old Anderson and young Tom Anderson and Mrs. Maloney were
helping us. We were to assist them the following week. The barn was
illuminated by fat-lamps, which made the spiders in the rafters uneasy
and disturbed the slumbers of a few fowls that for months had insisted
on roosting on the cross-beam.

Mrs. Maloney was arguing with Anderson. She was claiming to have
husked two cobs to his one, when the dogs started barking savagely.
Dad crawled from beneath a heap of husks and went out. The night was
dark. He bade the dogs "Lie down." They barked louder. "Damn
you--lie down!" he roared. They shut up. Then a voice from the
darkness said:

"Is that you, Mr. Rudd?"

Dad failed to recognise it, and went to the fence where the visitor
was. He remained there talking for fully half-an-hour. Then he
returned, and said it was young Donovan.

"DONOVAN! MICK Donovan?" exclaimed Anderson. And Mother and Mrs.
Maloney and Joe echoed "MICK Donovan?" They WERE surprised.

"He's none too welcome," said Anderson, thinking of his horses and
cows. Mother agreed with him, while Mrs. Maloney repeated over and over
again that she was always under the impression that Mick Donovan was in
gaol along with his bad old father. Dad was uncommunicative. There
was something on his mind. He waited till the company had gone, then
consulted with Dave.

They were outside, in the dark, and leant on the dray. Dad said in a
low voice: "He's come a hundred mile to-day, 'n' his horse is
dead-beat, 'n' he wants one t' take him t' Back Creek t'morrer 'n'
leave this one in his place...Wot d'y' think?" Dave seemed to think a
great deal, for he said nothing.

"Now," continued Dad, "it's me opinion the horse is n't his; it's one
he's shook--an' I've an idea." Then he proceeded to instruct Dave in
the idea. A while later he called Joe and drilled him in the idea.

That night, young Donovan stayed at Shingle Hut. In the morning Dad
was very affable. He asked Donovan to come and show him his horse, as
he must see it before thinking of exchanging. They proceeded to the
paddock together.