himself another rub, looking about in the
darkness from one to the other.

"Let me fetch him a bit of damper, father," whispered Rifle.

"No," said the captain, sternly. "The scoundrel has nearly ruined a
fine young horse, and he must be taught a lesson.--Now, sir, be off!"

"Baal gib mine big damper?" cried the black.

"No; only the whip," said the captain, giving the thong a sharp crack,
and then another and another in all directions near the black's naked
shoulders, with the result that at every crack Shanter winced and leaped
about.

"Marmi Man gib mine damper."

"I can't," said Norman.

"Marmi Rifle, Marmi Tim, gib mine damper."

"No--no--no," shouted the captain. "Now go and never come here again."

The black gave another writhe, as if smarting from the pain of the blow
he had received, and ended by snatching boomerang and club from his
waistband, uttering a fiercely defiant yell as he clattered them
together, leaped the fence and darted off straight across the paddock,
shouting as he rushed on toward the horses, and sending them in panic to
the end of the enclosure.

"The scoundrel!" shouted the captain; "those horse will cripple
themselves on the posts and rails. No; they're coming back again," he
cried, as he heard the little herd come galloping round. "Steady
there--woho--boys! Steady, woho there--woho!" he continued; and the
horses gradually ceased their headlong flight, and turned and trotted
gently toward the familiar voice.

The captain was joined by the boys, who all went toward the horses,
patting and caressing them for a few minutes before leaving the paddock
and going back toward the house.

"Now," said the captain; "who is to say that this black fellow will not
come to-morrow night, or perhaps to-night, take out a rail or two, and
drive off all our horses?"

"I can," said Norman.

"So can we," cried Rifle. "I don't believe old Shanter ever could
steal."

"Well done, boys, for your belief in savage nature," cried Uncle
Jack.--"No, Ned, you are wrong. I believe that the poor fellow is
honest as the day."

"Thank you, uncle," whispered Tim.

"Well," said the captain, "we shall see. But I think I have let the
poor fellow off very easily. I came out to-night meaning to give him a
tremendous horse-whipping, but out of weakness and consideration for you
boys' feelings, I've let him off with one cut."

"Enough too," said Uncle Jack, "for it was big enough for a dozen."

"We