ea--as much as you can,
for you will have a thirsty ride--eat your breakfast as you go. Mind,
straight as the crow flies for that notch: never mind the track. No
words. Shake hands. Mount, and be off."

Nic saw that it was no time for words, and hurriedly breaking the
bread-cake, he placed the bacon between the thin pieces, saw that his
shot belt and powder flask were right, took a deep draught of tea, and
then, gun in hand, turned to find Leather holding his horse, and looking
him fixedly in the eyes.

"Yes; what is it?" said Nic hurriedly.

"Keep in the open: don't go near any of the scrub."

"Why not?" said Nic.

"Blacks," said the man, as the boy settled himself in the saddle.

"Off!" cried the doctor, pointing to the mountain gap. Nic waved his
hand, pressed his nag's sides, and it bounded off; the other horse
making a plunge to follow but it was tethered to a waggon wheel. But
before the boy had gone fifty yards he turned, for there was a
tremendous barking, and he saw that the doctor was at the back of the
waggon doing something to the dogs. Then there was a shout, and he saw
that they were loosened, and were tearing after him, barking loudly in
their wild excitement.

"To come with me," thought Nic; and directly after, as he cantered
steadily on, the two collies were racing round him, unsettling his horse
as they leaped up, at its muzzle, at its legs, and then dashing on, mad
with delight, but rather interfering with his comfortable seat, for they
made the horse partake of their excitement and strain at the rein to
join the two freed prisoners in their wild career over the tree-dotted
plain.

The dogs soon settled down, though, to a more sober pace, and began to
hunt in and out among the bushes and trees; finding nothing, but
thoroughly enjoying their freedom.

Every now and then they came bounding back to the horse, to look up at
Nic, barking loudly, their eyes flashing and tails whisking from side to
side, as if telling him of their delight; and as the boy rode he gave
them a word or two of encouragement.

But Nic did not speak much, for he had too much upon his mind; and as
soon as he saw that there was not the slightest fear of the dogs
straying away from the horse, he kept his eyes fixed upon the notch in
the mountains right ahead, and rode steadily on, keeping his horse to a
steady canter; and bearing Leather's laconic warning in mind, he left
the track to one side or the other wherever