een busy. Hot bread
was waiting, and crisp, brown slices of bacon were fizzling in the pan.

"Ready?" said the doctor; and then the boy started, for these words
followed: "Have a good swim?"

"Yes, father--glorious."

"Water cold?"

"Yes; but I'm all of a glow now."

"Take your tea."

Nic took the big tin mug.

"Damper?"

"Oh no, father; I had a thorough good rub."

"I said damper."

"Yes, father, I know. Only my hair--just a little."

"He dunno what you mean, sir," said Brookes with a chuckle, as he waited
to take the men's share of the breakfast away.

"Oh, I see," said the doctor, laughing. "Have some hot bread with your
bacon, Nic? We call this cake damper."

Nic did not mind what they called it, and he took his portion and his
rasher of hot bacon, and he repeated the action with the greatest of
pleasure, sipping at intervals from the milkless contents of his big tin
mug without once regretting the absence of milk or cream.

Memorandum. Ride for many hours over the luxuriant downs on a clear
day, when the air is laden with the health-giving odours of the gum
trees, lie down tired out, and sleep with your slumber appearing to last
one minute, but enduring for eight hours; lastly, have a plunge in a
clear water-hole, and after a brief swim a tremendous rub, and you will
be ready to perform as satisfactorily over the _al fresco_ breakfast and
do it as much justice as Dominic Braydon.

"A little more, Nic?" said his father.

"Yes, please."

Nic said that twice; and a little while after, as a recollection came
suddenly back:

"I say, father, are there any crocodiles or dangerous things in these
rivers?"

"If there were, do you think I should have sent you to bathe?" was the
reply.

"Oh no, of course."

"There are plenty, I believe, up north, where the rivers are always open
right to the sea; but never here."

"But fish, father?"

"Oh yes, there are fish, principally what they call here the black-fish.
You'll have to try for them by-and-by."

"Very big?" asked Nic, who was thinking of his bath.

"Oh no; small fish, but delicious eating. Now then, any more?"

"No, thanks, father."

"Then go and feed the dogs. We start in a quarter of an hour. One
moment. Do you feel very stiff?"

"Stiff?--well, yes, a little, father."

"Not very bad, then. How do you feel about a trot to-day?"

"I'll--I'll try, father. Look--look!"

The boy jumped up in his excitement, for there was a