chest beneath him which had suddenly developed
a hard edge and an awkward corner; the dogs, too, were uneasy, and
barked a good deal at the moon. Then some kind of animal in the plural
number seemed to be holding a meeting up among the branches of the huge
tree under which they encamped, for there were endless squealings and
skirmishes about, which woke the boy again and again, to lie and listen,
and think about his new home in the great Australian wilderness, of his
mother and sisters, whether they were much changed, and ending, just
before dozing off again, by wondering what they would think of him.

It was, then, with a feeling of no little satisfaction that he woke
again to hear the magpie piping, and hurriedly scrambled out, fully
convinced that he was up first that morning, but found, as usual, that
the fire was already burning brightly, and that some one had been on the
watch, not one of which had he been allowed to keep.

This time it was the man Leather whom Nic joined, towel in hand, on his
way for his regular morning swim.

"Morning! You're first, then?"

The man gave him a nod, and by the light of the fire his face looked
surly.

"Has my father been out yet?"

"Sleep in the front of the waggon."

Nic felt disposed to go on, but he was in such high spirits that he was
obliged to say a few words more.

"We shall be at the Bluff to-night."

"Oh?" said the man indifferently.

"Well, ain't you glad to get home?"

"No: I'm only a servant."

"But it's your home for the present."

The man threw a few more sticks on the fire, and said nothing.

"I say, Leather, what sort of a place is it?"

"Station's like other stations."

"Yes, but is it pretty--beautiful?"

"No."

"What? My father said it was a grand place with a glorious view."

"It's built of wood and thatched with bark, and you can see a long way."

"But the mountains?"

"There are mountains; so there are for miles."

"But the river?"

"There is a creek, but this time of the year it is mostly water-holes."

"But it's a beautiful place to live in?"

"Is it?" said the man coldly.

"Oh, I say, you want your breakfast!" said Nic laughingly.

"No; I am not hungry."

"Then what's the matter with you, Leather?"

"Nothing."

"Ah, well, I must go and have my dip."

The man gave him a sour look, and Nic ran on, passing the horses grazing
together, which were ready to look up and whinny a welcome.

"There," cried, the boy, as