harshly, to find a resting-place farther
on, and Nic returned disappointed.

"Legs seem to be better, Nic?" said the doctor.

"Yes; I had forgotten them, father. But those birds!"

"Well, you scared them. You saw what they were?"

"Not white pigeons or gulls?" said Nic. "I could almost have fancied
that they were cockatoos."

"No fancy about it, Nic. They were sulphur crests. You'll see
thousands in the groves down by the river."

"Is there a river about here?"

"Your wet clothes seemed to suggest something of the kind," said the
doctor, laughing.

"But that was a pond," said Nic.

"A water-hole--a deep place in the river. That depression is a river,
Nic," continued the doctor, pointing; "there it runs yonder. You can
trace it by the trees which cluster along its course. It is dried up
now, all but a hole here and there; but after rains it is a rushing
stream, and I dare say a little water is always trickling along its
course from hole to hole a few feet under ground. Now then, pack up the
basket. We shall want it for supper. Have a nap afterwards if you are
tired. I shall not go on for an hour and a half yet."

But Nic wanted no nap--there was too much to see; and it did not seem to
be long before the order was given to yoke the oxen and saddle up.

CHAPTER NINE.

NIC'S EXPERIENCES.

"Now, Nic," said the doctor, as they stood ready to make a fresh start,
"we shall go on, so as to reach another water-hole and camp for the
night."

As he spoke the doctor rammed down the last wad and examined the priming
of the new gun Nic had brought out. Then, finding the pan full of
powder, he tried whether the flint was well screwed up in the hammer.

"Put these on," he said, and he handed the boy his shot-belt and
powder-flask.

"Are we going to shoot anybody, father?" asked Nic eagerly.

"I hope not, boy; but it is a custom out here to go armed when you are
travelling, and we are getting some distance out now away from the town.
Up with your and try and mount a little better. Take hold of your
reins and the mane there tightly, up with your left foot into the
stirrup, and lay your hand on the cantle of the saddle; don't pull it,
only support yourself by it. Now draw your off rein a little, so that
the horse cannot sidle away, spring up lightly, and throw your leg over.
Mount."

Nic obeyed, as he thought, to the letter, and got into the saddle
somehow, making his horse fidget and wag its tai