ll chawed off 'em too."

Just then a pig and a dog made a simultaneous rush for a bone, and the
pig secured it. The dog, by way of revenge, fastened on to the pig, and
made him squeal like a locomotive engine whistling. The old man kicked
at large under the table, and restored order.

"You ain't eatin', Mister," he said, forking a duck on to Carew's plate
with his own fork. "These ducks is all right. They're thick on the
lagoon. The Chow only had two cartridges, but he got about a dozen.
He lays down and fires along the water, and they're floatin' very near
solid on it. But here's the cattle comin' up."

Looking out of the door, they saw about two hundred cattle coming in
a long, stringing mob up the plain, driven by four black figures on
horse-back. As they drew near the yards, several cattle seemed inclined
to bolt away; but the sharp fusillade of terrific whips kept them up to
the mark, and, after a sudden halt for a few minutes, the mob streamed
in through the gates. A number of rails were put in the posts, and
made fast with pegs. The riders then remounted, and came cantering and
laughing down to the homestead. All four were aboriginals, two were the
boys that had been seen at the yard. The two new boys were dressed
in moleskins, cotton shirts, and soft felt hats, and each had a gaudy
handkerchief tied round his throat.

One was light, wiry, and graceful as a gazelle--a very handsome boy,
the embodiment of lightness and activity. The other was short and squat,
with a broad face. Both grinned light-heartedly as they rode up, let
their horses go, and carried their saddles on to the verandah, without
bothering about the strangers.

"Those are nice-looking boys," said Carew. "I mean the two new boys just
coming in."

"New boys!" said the old man. "Them! They're my two gins. And see here,
Mister, you'll have to keep off hangin' round them while you're camped
here. I can't stand anyone interferin' with them. If you kick my dorg,
or go after my gin, then you rouse all the monkey in me. Those two do
all my cattle work. Come here, Maggie," he called, and the slight "boy"
walked over with a graceful, easy swing.

"This is new feller?" he said, introducing Carew, who bowed gracefully.
"He b'long Sydney. You think him plenty nice feller, eh?"

"Yowi," said the girl laughing. "He nice feller. You got 'em matches?"
she said, beaming on Carew, and pulling a black pipe out of her
trousers' pocket. "Big fool that Lucy, dro