--know me."

"So it seems," said Sir James; "but I've bought them."

"Yes," said the man, in his most melancholy tone.

"Well, what were you going to say by way of explanation?"

"Nothing."

"Well, what do you want?"

"Breakfast."

"That's what he said before," cried Dean.

"Hungry," said the man, quite reproachfully.

The doctor laughed, and the rest joined in chorus, Dan beginning to
stamp about in the exuberance of his delight.

"Beg pardon, gentleman," he said, checking himself suddenly, "but he do
set me off."

"But the worst of it is, my man," said the doctor, "that this is
resolving itself into no laughing matter."

"No, sir," said Buck respectfully. "There's more cry about him than
laugh."

"Yes," said Mark sharply. "If you had been here and heard him talk it
would have sounded to you as if he had come for help because he was
ill."

"Well, whatever is done," said Sir James, "we must give the poor fellow
some breakfast, and follow it up with a few shillings, or we shall be
having him putting a stop to our expedition."

"Mind he doesn't hear what you say, father," whispered Mark.

"To be sure," said the doctor. "We mustn't let him realise what a power
he has in his hands."

"In his fingers, I think," said Mark.

"And it seems to me," said Sir James, "that he already knows it. Here,
what about breakfast? We will talk about it over our morning meal."

They did, with the result that their party was afterwards increased by
one who had already proved how he could manage the fresh purchases. And
if further inducement were needed it was afforded by Mark, who suddenly
exclaimed, "I've got it, doctor!"

"Got what?"

"This fellow can manage ponies splendidly."

"Well, we know that," said the doctor drily.

"Yes," continued Mark; "but why couldn't a man who can manage dumb
animals like that be quite at home with bullocks?"

"Good boy," said Sir James. "There is something in that. You mean, for
him to take the place of the bullock leader--fore--what you call him."

"Loper, father."

"Yes. Is there any connection between loper and leaper, doctor?"
continued Sir James.

"I cannot say on the instant. It wants thinking out, sir. Antelope--
loper--leaper."

"Well, never mind that," said Sir James. "But if he can manage the
bullocks too that is an additional reason why he should stay."

"But he is such a dismal, unhappy sort of fellow," protested Mark.

"Yes, boy, but he can be v