e,
and drew rein so as not to scare them, for they were coming steadily
along, and there close behind was Shanter, spear in hand, running to and
fro, prodding, striking, and keeping the drove together; while the boys,
now dividing, rode round to join him behind, bringing the frightened
cattle back into camp panting, hot, and excited, but the panic was at an
end.

"That will do," said the captain, pleasantly. "I give in about Tam o'
Shanter;" and from that hour the black was installed as guardian of the
"bull-cows and horse fellows," to his very great delight.

In his broken English way he explained the cause of the panic.

"Plenty 'possum fellow up a tree," he said. "One make jump down on
bull-cow fellow back. You pidney? Kimmeroi (one) run, metancoly run.
Bull-cow stupid fellow. Plenty frighten. No frighten Shanter."

That little incident had shown the black's real value, and he was
henceforth looked upon as a valuable addition to the station, being sent
out at times scouting to see if there was any danger in the
neighbourhood. His principal duties, though, were that of herdsman and
groom, for he soon developed a passionate attachment to the horses, and
his greatest satisfaction was displayed when he was allowed to go and
fetch them in from grazing for his young masters.

He had a great friend, too, in Aunt Georgie--"big white Mary," as he
would persist in calling her--and oddly enough, it seemed to give him
profound satisfaction to squat down outside after he had fetched wood or
water, and be scolded for being long, or for the quality of the wood, or
want of coolness in the water.

Meanwhile, the building had gone on merrily, for there was an intense
desire to provide a better shelter for the ladies before the glorious
weather changed and they had to do battle with the heavy rains. Sam
German gave up his first ideas of fencing in a garden, and worked most
energetically with his axe. Then one or other of the boys helped with
the cross-cut saw, and posts were formed and shingles split--wooden
slates Rifle called them--for the roofing.

A rough sawpit was made, too, under Uncle Munday's superintendence, the
tools and implements thoughtfully brought proving invaluable, so that in
due time uprights were placed, a framework contrived, and, sooner even
than they had themselves anticipated, a well-formed little house was
built, was completed with windows and strong shutters, and, at the
sides, tiny loopholes