erlice. You give them leave, and off they'll go and watch everything,
just as if they were on'y playing about. Then we shall know
everything."

In the result, there was very little to know; for when the three
blackfellows came back that night, they could only tell that there had
been a long hunt for the convict. They got to know, too, that there was
to be another next day.

Then the police returned, received their letters for the doctor, and as
they rode off for their long journey to the port they told Nic in
confidence not to make himself uncomfortable, for they would be back
soon with a little troop and some trackers, and that then they would
soon catch the escaped man.

"I don't suppose he'll venture near the station, sir; but if he does,
and don't surrender, you're justified in shooting him down."

Nic drew his breath hard as he went back to the house very thoughtfully,
but he said nothing indoors.

That afternoon he mounted, and sent the two collies nearly frantic by
whistling to them to come after him; and as they dashed on Nic rode
after at an easy canter, to take a long round amongst the grazing,
off-lying cattle, and carry out another project he had in mind.

It was very pleasant riding there through the far-stretching, park-like
place, and that afternoon the number of birds he passed was enormous,
but Nic did not shoot at them. A large iguana, a hideous, dragon-like
creature, ran to a big tree, making Sorrel start as it crossed his path,
and then the great lizard crept up among the branches, puffing itself
out, waving its tail, and looking threatening and dangerous. But Nic
paid no heed to it, instead of shooting it for the blacks' supper. And
twice over large snakes were left unmolested, in spite of the furious
barkings of the dogs, and their reproachful looks, which seemed to say,
"Why didn't you shoot?"

For Nic had been thinking that if he extended his round day by day, he
would, sooner or later, come upon Leather, who must be in hiding
somewhere near, for he would never dare to go right off into the wilds
and seek starvation.

There were the dogs too; and in all probability they would scent him
out, and he could warn him of the coming of the police.

But though Nic extended his rounds more and more, the days glided by,
and neither in open glade, deep ravine, ferny gorge, hollow forest
monarch, nor dense patch of bush did he come upon the slightest token of
the convict ever having been the