lady's return.

"Well, Nic," said his father at last, as they gazed searchingly in each
other's eyes, and with the most satisfactory result, "do you think you
will like Australia?"

"Like it?" cried Nic. "Why, of course, father: isn't it home?"

"Yes, but rather a rough, unpolished place."

"What does that matter!" said Nic proudly. "Shan't I be with you all
again?"

CHAPTER SEVEN.

PREPARING TO START.

In those days it did not take long to see the town. There were some
shabby-looking stores and shops, a few settlers' houses, the hotel,
taverns, and plenty of tents. The substantial parts were the buildings
erected for the soldiery and convicts. But these latter were busy
enough, gangs of them being marched out every morning under a strong
guard to work at road making, quarrying, and other tasks; and as Nic,
boy like, went round everywhere during the few days of his stay at the
governor's house, he ran up eagerly, as soon as a convict gang appeared,
to see if he could encounter his old shipboard friend the head warder,
and whether he could recognise any of the convicts who came out in the
_Northumbrian_.

But they and the soldiers seemed to have been absorbed in the large body
of men in the convict lines and barracks, and he looked in vain for the
fierce, swarthy ruffian, his comic, grimace-making friend Twenty-five,
and the pitiful, pleading countenance of Thirty-three.

Still, there was a great deal to see, and the time went rapidly as he
watched the convicts at work with their armed guard always on the _qui
vive_ to shoot down any man who attempted to resist their warders or
make for the bush.

There were the blacks too, fairly plentiful in those days, hanging about
the place ready to help drive sheep or cattle, or do any light work
which did not entail much labour.

The hospitality at Government House was everything that could be
desired, and here the lieutenant and ensign were welcomed again and
again during their stay.

The last day came, when, after making all his preparations, the doctor
announced that they would start at dawn the next morning.

"Why not stay another week?" said Lady O'Hara.

"You know," said the doctor: "those at home are eager to see us back;
and Nic here is longing to find out what home is like. When shall we
see the governor and you?"

"Before many months are over. That road is begun, you see, and we shall
work up in your direction. Perhaps we may run over for