ey'd tell upon us and spoil us. Master Nic,
can't you believe in me!"

Nic was silent for a few moments as he turned to look in the man's eyes.

"Yes," he said at last; "I do believe in you."

"And you'll trust me, zur?"

Again there was a momentary hesitation before Nic answered, "Yes."

"Hoe, Master Nic, hoe," whispered Pete excitedly; "he's been watching
us, and he's sent the dogs at us for not being at work."

As proof thereof the two fierce-looking brutes came rushing down one of
the rows, open-mouthed, and Pete raised his hoe as if to strike.

"Me first, Master Nic," panted Pete. "I aren't afeared. Let him do
what he likes after; I'll kill one or both on 'em before they shall
touch you."

At that moment there was a savage growling from the dogs not thirty
yards away, and they came rushing at the poor fellows as hard as they
could tear.

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE.

A LURKING PERIL.

In obedience to the order which had despatched them, the two
well-trained bloodhounds of the overseer tore on till they were about to
bound upon the prisoners, when a sharp, shrill whistle arrested their
rush on the instant, and they stopped, growling fiercely, their white
teeth menacing, and their eyes red, as with a smouldering fire.

The next moment a different note was blown from a distance, a shrill,
chirruping note which made the dogs turn and bark. Then one of them set
off at a steady trot, while the other, as if its duty were done,
approached Nic in the most friendly way, with its tail waving from side
to side.

The whistle chirruped again, and the dog gave vent to a sharp bark, as
much as to say, "All right, I'm coming--" and bounded after its
companion.

"Well, we're out of that job, Master Nic. I did wonder at that dog
coming at you zo fierce."

"Set at me, Pete," said Nic quietly, "and education was stronger than
nature. Keep on working now, and pray let me do my hoeing myself."

Pete grunted, and was silent, as he chopped away with his hoe till a
horn was blown up at the house, when the tools were shouldered, and, hot
and weary, the two companions trudged back to their barrack, to partake
of their evening meal together, Humpy Dee and his party sitting quite
aloof, for the feud was stronger than ever.

From that day a change seemed to have come over Nic. It was partly due
to the feeling of returning health, but as much to his growing belief in
Pete's sincerity, and to the conviction that under the