ile the two men were seated beneath another
tree eating, the black standing on one leg a short distance away,
resting upon his spear and holding the sole of his right foot flat
against his left knee so as to form a peculiar angle. And every now and
then one of the men pitched him a piece of bread, which he caught deftly
and proceeded to eat.

"Just as if he were a dog," thought Nic, as he sat down by his father
and began his _al fresco_ dinner.

And how good it was! He forgot all about the stiffness in his legs in
the pure enjoyment of those moments. No school picnic had ever
approached it, for everything was so gloriously new and fresh. The
beautiful land stretched undulating right away to the blue-tinted
mountains, the water-pool sparkled in the sunshine, the horses and
cattle grazed in the thick rich grass, and the waggon helped to form a
picture against a clump of shrubs, half-covered with yellow flowers,
while a delicious scent of musk filled the air.

Never had repast tasted so delicious; and, with two exceptions, every
living creature seemed to be partaking of this enjoyment in the midst of
the peaceful repose in that lovely spot. The exceptions were the dogs,
which kept on watching them and uttering an uneasy bark now and then,
for the rich grass in which they stood was not to their taste.

Nic went on eating in silence for a few minutes, and then, breaking a
loaf in two, rose and went off to the dogs, which readily attacked the
bread, a long diet of biscuit on board ship having made them fairly
vegetarian in their tastes.

The doctor nodded approval as Nic returned wondering whether he would
receive a reproof, and the wayside meal went on till the doctor spoke.

"Well, Nic," he said, "how do you like the beginning of your rough
life?"

"It's glorious, father," cried the boy eagerly.

"Humph! In spite of the first lesson in riding, the ducking, and this
muddly way of eating--no table-cloth, no chairs or table?"

"Oh, I like it."

"Because it's new and the sun shines?"

"I know that the sun doesn't always shine, father," cried Nic. "I shall
like it, I know."

"That's right. But look: here come some visitors that you have only
seen in cages at home."

Nic had already sprung to his feet, and he walked out from beneath the
tree to gaze excitedly at a flock of white birds that came sailing up,
evidently to alight in the grove, but the sudden appearance of the boy
made them turn off, shrieking