at we
took to fetch the water--old Brown Ginger. He's a regular brick, and
likes us. Don't kick so much as the others--and take it in turns to
ride him. What do you say now?"

"Well--yes! I like that idea; but you wouldn't care for that."

"Look here, you're growing a sore-boned, old disagreeable. Say I'm a
selfish beast at once."

"Shan't!"

"Then it's all right," cried Ned.

"It's very good of you, old fellow."

"Bah! Rubbish! Stuff! I say, are you so very sore?"

"I can't hardly move some ways."

"Like me to give you a rub?"

"Oh no," said Chris, increasing the friction he was applying across the
small of his back. "I shall be better soon. Only it's just as if I'd
been hammered all over. But how queer that I should sleep like that!"

"Not a bit of it. The doctor said it was all right and it would do you
good."

"Where is he?" cried Chris.

"Along with Wilton, watching the Indians down at the gulch. Father's up
yonder along with old Griggs, keeping an eye on the top of the cliff,
and shooting the birds that rise out of the hollows and rifts there.
They come down our part to get at the water."

"Then you've been all alone?"

"Yes, playing pony and mule-herd. Nobody at home but me in this big
three-storey house."

"But what about breakfast?" said Chris anxiously.

"Over hours and hours ago. Hungry?"

"I think so: I feel very hungry."

"That's a good sign," cried Ned, grinning. "Now I'll confess. That's
why I roused you up. There's coffee hot, and damper, and a split-up and
frizzled bird. I don't know what it is. Sort of vulture crow,
perhaps."

"What! A carrion bird?" cried Chris. "Disgusting! They're not good to
eat."

"Oh, these are--delicious. I ate half of one this morning. Perhaps
they're not carrion birds, though."

"It's all your gammon," cried Chris. "Who shot them?"

"Old Griggs, when they came after the water."

"That proves it. Old Griggs knows what's good to eat well enough.--Hah,
that's better. I'm not quite so stiff now. But is there plenty of
water?"

"Lots. Why?"

"I want to have a wash."

"Bucket and pan waiting for your lordship in the bathroom. There, go
and have it; and look sharp. You'll find me in the kitchen. We're
using that till the workmen have been to put the breakfast-room in a
state of repair."

"You seem pretty lively this morning," said Chris, rather sourly, for he
was in a good deal of pain.

"Of course I am. We're