n' Rogers, an' my
dad, an' ole Tinribs, an' the rest. They're all after you. You're fairly
in fer it.'

Dick's face became radiant with magnificent ideas.

'What! You don't mean they're goin' t' form a band t' capture us?'

'Well, they sorter agreed about somethin' like that.'

'My word, that's into our hands, ain't it? Lemme see, we must be a band
of bushrangers what's robbed the gold escort an' the mounted p'lice're
huntin' us in the ranges. I'll be--yes, I'll be Morgan. An' Ted--!
What'll we make Ted? I know--I know. He'll be my faithful black boy,
what'll rather die than leave me. You fellers bring a cork to-morrow, an'
we'll pretty quick make a faithful black boy of Twitter.'

All eyes were turned upon Ted, who did not seem in the least impressed by
the magnificent prospect. Indeed, the faithful native was palpably out of
sorts; he took no part in the enthusiasm of his mates, his face was pale,
and funk was legible in the diffident eye he turned upon the company.
Dick noted this and put in an artful touch or two.

'Jacky-Jacky, the faithful black boy,' he said; 'brave as a lion, an' the
best shot in the world--better'n me!

The ruse was not successful. Ted failed to respond.

'Twitter don't seem to want to be no black boy,' said Phil.

'I'll be Jacky-Jacky,' volunteered Peterson eagerly.

Peterson was a stolid youth with a face like a wooden doll; absolutely
reliable since he was as stubborn under adult rule as a whole team of
unbroken bullocks, and quite reckless of consequences for the reason that
he never anticipated them. Peterson would have made a most successful
Jacky-Jacky, but his suggestion was overlooked in the general concern
inspired by Ted's conduct.

Feeling the eyes of the party upon him, Ted grew more uneasy, the corners
of his mouth drew down, one finger went up slowly, and Twitter began to
snivel.

'I--I--w--wa--want to go home,' he said.

The mates looked at each other in amazement. Ted was little, but his
pluck had been tried on many occasions, and this was a great surprise.

'Well, he's on'y a kiddy,' said Phil pityingly, and with the superiority
two years may confer.

Dick found the three were looking to him for an explanation.

'Ted's real scared,' he said. 'We made a discovery this afternoon--in
there.'

'In the big drive?' asked Jacker. The others looked startled.

Dick nodded, and took up the candle. 'Come an' see,' he said.

Dick led the way along the opposite drive