than t'other.
I call it the doctor's leg, and I said I'd come up country with him if
he'd have me, and he said he would, and I helped him make this place.
We cut the wood and knocked in the nails, and I've bred horses and sheep
and cows for him, and I'm going to stick to him to the end, and then
he's promised to dig a hole hisself under yan big gum tree with my name
placed over me, and that's where I'm goin' to sleep. Now you wants to
go back to your mar. She's been a-frettin' arter you for years while
you was being taught to read and write, so be a good boy to her. But, I
say, you couldn't ha' rid another five-and-thirty mile to-day."

"No," said Nic. "Take care of the horse."

"Ay, and the dogs too. Here, give's your paw."

The dog he spoke to growled and showed its teeth.

"Ah, friends! Give him your paw," cried Nic.

The dog held out its right paw, but threw up its head and drew back its
muzzle, as it looked at Nic protestingly, as much as to say, "He's only
a stranger, and I don't know anything about him."

"Now you," growled Samson; and the same business was gone through, with
the dog whining uneasily.

"Hullo! what's the matter?" said Samson, lifting the leg. "There--don't
make that row. It's on'y a thorn. You'll get lots o' them in your toes
if you behave yourself. Dogs ought to wear boots in some o' these
parts. That's it. Big un too. See it?"

He made an offer as if to prick the dog's nose, after drawing out a
long, sharp thorn, making the beast yelp; but as soon as it was out it
gave the place a lick, and then barked loudly and danced about the old
man, both dogs following him readily now as he went off grinning to the
stable.

Mrs Braydon and the girls were waiting, and Nic was led limping toward
the house.

"Only a bit stiff with riding," said the boy. "Then we are to be
comfortable about father?"

"I suppose so, my dear," said Mrs Braydon. "Janet, my love, see to the
tea."

"Everything is ready, mother dear," said the girl affectionately; "and
really I don't think we need fidget. Nic cannot go back. He must stay
and take care of us and the station."

"Yes," said Mrs Braydon sadly, as if she thought it would be of more
consequence to take care of the doctor; and Nic was led into the house,
after passing through a neatly kept, well fenced-in garden, full of
trees, shrubs, and flowers new to him, though beyond a hedge there was a
broad spread of homely old friends of a usefu