ied the tea and sugar canisters under his arm, and taking
pan-handle in one hand, kettle-handle in the other, he trotted back in
safety, the blacks having made no sign.

"Bravo! Well done!" cried the doctor; and Nic noted that the bright,
animated look passed away, to give place to a sullen scowl, which came
over the man's face like a cloud.

"Help yourselves, men," continued the doctor; and Brookes came to them
once again.

"Nic," said the doctor, "I am in agony. It may be all imagination, and
if it is I should bitterly regret leaving the waggon. Do you see?"

"No, father; I don't quite understand. Do you mean you want to ride on
to the Bluff, and yet don't want to because it may only be a scare?"

"Exactly. And if I did decide for us to ride on together, these men
would take fright and leave the waggon to be plundered."

The doctor paused to search the trees again, but all was still.

"Send one of the men, father."

"I don't want to weaken my defensive force, boy."

"I'd go, father, but I don't know the way," said Nic.

"Yes: you shall go, my boy. The horse will take you straight to the
station as soon as he is well away from his companion; and, look here!
the track may prove faint, but do you see that notch in the mountains?"

"Where it looks as if a square piece had been cut out, and a cat's head
with its ears standing up?"

"Yes: that notch is the pass through the mountains, and is just about
two miles behind our house, which stands on a slope. You could not miss
it."

"A wooden house: I know," said the boy; "but are the others at all like
it?"

"What others? There is no other station for miles, boy. Well, will you
risk it?"

"I don't see any risk, father."

"No; but blacks may be there. Well mounted, though, you could easily
give them a wide berth."

"I'm not afraid," said Nic.

"That's right. You will ride straight there, then, and--"

The doctor stopped short, with his face drawn and wrinkled.

"Yes, father: and what?"

"If the station is a smoking ruin, ride back to us as hard as you can."

"Oh, don't say that."

"I have said it, boy. There--prove yourself worthy of my mission."

"Yes, father; but if all is right?"

"Stay there, and tell your mother to keep any black-fellows at a
distance till I get home. You can help her defend the place for a few
hours. Now: no words. Take a piece of the damper, and put a couple of
rashers between, have a good deep drink of the t