tion there
plainly enough, though it had remained unnoticed before, on account of
the dry time, were the marks of the nightly gallops on the hard
sun-baked soil.

"That explains it all, eh, Jack?" he said to his brother.

"Yes; the black scoundrel! I had noticed for some time past how fond he
was of horses."

"Yes," said Norman; "nothing pleased him better than petting them and
giving them bits of his damper."

"Very good taste for a savage to appreciate how noble a beast is the
horse, but I'm not going to introduce the said noble animal for the
delectation of black savages."

"But you will not be very hard upon him, father?"

"No," said the captain, tightening his lips, "not very."

"What shall you do?" said Uncle Jack.

"Lay wait for his black lordship to-night, and give him a sound
horse-whipping."

Rifle's face twitched a little, and the three boys exchanged glances.

"Better be careful, Ned," said Uncle Jack. "These fellows can be very
revengeful."

"I am not afraid. He must have a severe lesson, and as I am his
master--Marmi, as he calls me--I shall give it at once."

"But you will not sit up for him alone?" said Uncle Jack.

"Oh no. I shall want you all to help me; and so as to make sure of him,
there is to be no riding out to-day. He is, of course, hiding in the
scrub somewhere, and I don't want him disturbed."

Rifle looked very hard at Norman, who turned to his father.

"Well, Norman?"

"We all like Shanter, father," he said. "He is not much better than a
child in some things."

"Exactly; I know that."

"We want you to let him off, father--forgive him."

The captain looked more stern, and tightened his lips.

"I appreciate your generosity, my boys, but it must not be looked over.
I must punish him. Words will be of no use. I am afraid it must be
blows. But look here; I will be as mild as I can. Will that satisfy
you?"

"I suppose it must, father," said Rifle, dolefully.

"Yes, my boy, it must; and now look here: not a word to them indoors.
It would only startle mamma and the girls. Your uncle and I will be
going to keep watch to-night, and you can slip out of your window as you
did last night."

Hence it was that about ten o'clock that night the little party were all
crouching by the palings watching, as well as the darkness would allow,
and listening for the faintest sound, not a word being uttered for fear
the black's abnormally sharp ears should detect their presenc