" said the doctor to Brookes, who uttered a loud
yell somewhat like the _yodel_ of the Swiss peasants to their cattle on
the mountain side.

The great sleek beasts responded directly, and came from where they were
grazing, bellowing loudly, right up to the waggon, as if expecting to be
yoked.

"To keep them from being speared," said the doctor to Nic. Then to the
men: "Yoke up, and drive the waggon right out into the open. They could
reach the poor beasts from behind those trees."

The men set to work leisurely enough, while at a word from his father
Nic, whose hands trembled from excitement, bridled and saddled Sour
Sorrel.

"Take off the hobbles, boy," said the doctor; and this was done. A few
minutes later the bullocks, which had from long habit taken their places
readily, were yoked, and drew out the waggon right into a clear spot
away from trees, which would shelter the enemy if they made an attack.

"Hah!" ejaculated the doctor, "now we can breathe freely. Brookes, you
are all right with a gun. Have you ever used a piece, Leather?"

"Not much," said the man sourly; "but I know how to load, and can keep
you going."

"My son will load," said the doctor sternly. "You must do your best."

"Yes," said the man shortly; and Nic thought to himself, "Father does
not want me to shoot any one."

"Now then, keep a sharp look-out," said the doctor. "If the blacks
show, up at once into the front of the waggon, and we will take the
back. No firing unless they try to spear the cattle. Then the blacks
must accept their fate."

Incongruous ideas occur to us all, even in times of the greatest peril;
and a waft of something in the air drew Nic's attention to the fire
under the big gum tree, where the tea, hot cake, and bacon were ready
for breakfast, and for a moment the boy felt hungry.

All was perfectly still. Then a magpie began to pipe his arpeggios,
which sounded sweet and clear in the morning air; and this seemed to be
the signal to start a chorus of whistling and shrieking up in the thick
boughs, where a flock of paroquets were hidden; and a glow in the east
made the morning grey look so opalescently beautiful that it was hard to
believe there could be any danger.

"Are you sure you saw blacks, Nic?" said the doctor.

"Oh yes, father--certain."

"We ought to do some scouting, to see if they have moved and mean
mischief."

"I'll go, father."

"No, boy: you are not used to the ways of these people