o
hunt out wallabies or some other of the hopping kangaroo family peculiar
to the land. Jimmy had always some fresh expedition on the way, upon
which we started with boy-like eagerness. But now all at once,
consequent upon my determination, my course of life had been changed,
and it seemed that, young as I was, all the work that fell to my hand
was man's work. Yesterday I was a boy, now I was a man.

That was my rather conceited way of looking upon matters then, and there
was some ground for my assumption of manliness; but if excuse be needed
let me say in my defence that I was suddenly cast into this career of
dangerous adventure, and I was very young.

Some such musings as the above, mixed up with recollections of my
peaceful bed-room at home, and the gentle face that bent over me to kiss
me when I was half asleep, were busy in my brain, when the doctor said
softly:

"This seems to be such a strong place, Joe, my lad, that I hardly like
leaving it; but we must get on. Go forward and start them. Tell them
to be as quiet as possible."

His words seemed full of relief, and I started round to obey him, glad
to have an end to the terrible inaction, when, to my utter astonishment,
I found Jack Penny, who was behind me, sitting with his legs dangling
over the edge of the rocky shelf, and apparently within an inch or two
of the water, while his shoulders were propped against the side of the
chasm; his rifle was in his lap and his chin buried in his breast--fast
asleep!

"Jack!" I whispered softly, utterly astounded that any one could sleep
at a time like that; but he did not hear me.

"Jack!" I said again, and laid my hand upon his shoulder, but without
result.

"Jack!" I said, giving him an impatient shove.

"Get out!" he mumbled softly; and Gyp, whom I had not seen before,
resented this interference with his master by uttering a low growl.

"Down, Gyp!" I said. "Here, Jack; wake up!" I whispered, and this
time I gave him a kick in the leg.

"I'll give you such a wunner, if you don't be quiet!" he growled. "Let
me alone, will yer!"

"Jack! be quiet!" I whispered, with my lips to his ear. "The savages
are close at hand!"

"Who cares for the savages?" he grumbled, yawning fearfully. "Oh! I am
so sleepy. I say, I wish you'd be quiet!"

"Wake up!" I said, shaking him; and Gyp growled again.

"Shan't!" very decidedly.

"Wake up directly, Jack! Jack Penny, wake up!"

"Shan't! Get out!"