a bit downwards and then up hill."

The old man strode on, leading his companion up and down for a while and
then beginning a steady ascent.

"This is the bit as the sheep made going to and from the folds. 'Nother
five minutes and we shall be atop o' the side o' the gully. You come
along a bit higher up. There we are," he said, at last. "Now look
straight ahead and tell me what you see."

"A light swinging to and fro, and up and down."

"That's it, sir; and that light's the master's waggon lantern. Know why
it dances about like that?"

"Somebody seems to be swinging it."

"Yes," said the old man with a chuckle; "and some, body's that big
bullock with the white spot on his for'd. Know how he carries the
lantern?"

"Tied round his neck."

"Nay; it's been hooked on to his horn," said the old man with a chuckle.
"I showed master how to do that, and you wouldn't think it was in a big
stupid-looking hox; but it's my belief as old Cheery likes carrying that
there light, and is quite proud of it."

"Nonsense!" said Nic, as he watched the faint star down below them on
the level.

"No, I dunno as it's nonsense, sir. I think he do, because if he didn't
he'd on'y have to give his head a cant on one side and send that there
lantern a-flying; and he never do. Now steady: it's a bit steeper here.
See your way better, can't you?"

"Yes, it's so much more open; and how beautiful it looks in the
moonlight!"

"Ay, it do, sir; but it looks better by day a deal. Now hold hard."

Nic stopped, and the old man gave the Australian cry, which was answered
hoarsely from the darkness round the swaying lantern. Then there were
several sharp cracks of a whip and the rattle of chains.

"That's old Brookes. He can slash a whip. Good workman, Brookes, on'y
he hayve got too much tongue. There now, we're down on the level, and
you can make out the waggon. Leastwise I can."

"Father!" shouted Nic excitedly. "All well?"

"All well?" came back.

"Yes!" and a minute later the boy was walking by his father's side,
holding on by the horse's mane, answering questions and asking others.

"Oh yes," said the doctor; "they came out at last and made a show of
attacking us; but I sent a charge of shot spattering among the leaves
over their heads, and they turned and ran."

Half an hour after, while the oxen were still laboriously tugging the
heavy waggon up the slope leading to the station, Nic and his father
reached one illum