d
must be content; if I take more than that, it's robbery to my mind, and
with that I've no business."

"Oh those are Rudge's notions, he's been putting you up to that sort of
stuff," remarked Peach, with a look of contempt; and then he muttered,
"But I'll be even with him and you too."

"They are the notions of all decently honest men," said Wells, turning
away from the tempter.

Peach was not a man to give up a plan he had once formed. As he could
not get the help of Rudge and Wells, he tried other means to get
possession of his master's cattle. He had always made friends, as far
as he could, with the blacks, a tribe of whom often pitched their tents
near his hut. He was a sober man, and did not mind parting with his
rum. All sober men are not good men, though drunkenness rarely fails to
lead to crime and punishment. He had looked out for the blacks, and had
told them that they must help him to get the cattle. They had managed
from time to time to drive off a few calves.

As has been said, cattle have a fear of blacks, and, scenting them at a
long distance, scamper off as soon as they draw near.

Thus Peach could not get much help from his friends. He now set off
again on horseback to pay them a visit; for they were camped some miles
away. He took care to go provided with presents, a few coloured
handkerchiefs and knives, and a few other things.

On his way, his horse put his foot into a hole, and fell. Peach was
thrown over his head. He was not much hurt, so he got up, and catching
his horse, mounted again.

"Now I am on you I will pay you off, you brute," he exclaimed, thrashing
the poor animal with his heavy whip. The horse dashed on for some way,
then stopped short. He was dead lame. In vain Peach tried to make him
move. To return would have taken longer than to go on; so dismounting,
he led on the animal, hoping to reach the blacks' camp before
night-fall. He went on and on, and it grew darker and darker, till he
thought that he should have to camp out. He had no fancy to do that by
himself. There were no wild beasts in the country to fear, and he would
have told any one who asked him, that he did not believe in ghosts and
spirits and such-like gentry; still there was something he did not like
when he was all alone in the dark woods at night. His conscience was
not at ease. There were strange sounds and sights he could not make
out. He had no almighty Friend to whom he could offer up a