HAPTER TWENTY THREE.

"HE HAS GONE."

But though a curious, morbid fascination attracted the boy to the
loophole, there were no horrors to see. Silently, and unknown to the
defenders of the happy little English home, the blacks had carried away
their dead and wounded, and all outside looked so beautiful and
peaceful, that the events of the past night seemed like a dream.

On all sides of the low, wooden house, eager eyes were scanning the
wooded patches, trees, and ridges, but there was no sign of an enemy.
The only significant thing visible was that the rails of the great
paddock had been taken down in one place, and the horses and cattle were
out and about grazing.

"I can see no sign of them," said the captain, suddenly closing his
glass; the others, after making their own inspection from the several
loopholes left for defence, now waiting to hear the captain's
announcement after using his telescope. "No, I can see no sign of
them.--Here, Tam."

The black came to his side, gave himself a writhe, and said with a grin,
"Baal mine ride horse fellow lass night, Marmi."

"No, no," said the captain, smiling; "but look here; black fellow gone
along."

"All hide um myall scrub," said Shanter, quietly.

"No, no, gone--gone," said the captain. "Plenty run away."

"Baal plenty run away," cried the black, who understood the mutilated
English of the settlers, made for native comprehension, more easily than
ordinary talk. "No, baal plenty run away. Hide."

"How do you know. You pidney?"

The black nodded, and a cunning smile overspread his face as he led the
captain to the loopholes at the front, side, and back of the house,
pointed out at the cattle, and then said with the quiet decision of one
who has grasped a fact: "Horse fellow--bull-cow--say baal go near scrub,
black fellow throw spear."

The captain uttered an ejaculation, and the boys laughed.

"Well done, Shanter!" cried Rifle. "Look, father, they are all keeping
together out in the middle."

"Oh yes there's no doubt about it," said the captain. "I shall end by
having quite a respect for Tam."

"Baal whip Shanter?" said the black sharply.

"No; never again."

"Marmi gib Shanter plenty horse fellow ride?"

"Yes, you shall ride and herd the cattle."

"Big white Mary gib plenty soff damper?"

"Yes, plenty."

"How coo-ee! Big white Mary gib Shanter plenty soff damper now?" cried
the black.

"Yes, come along, aunt; and Marian, you and the