day. Didn't teach you to make barrow wheels at school, I
suppose?"

"No," said Nic, laughing. "Wheel-making's an accomplishment."

"Then they ought to ha' taught you. Been strange and useful to you as a
squatter, sir. Didn't teach you to shoe horses nayther, I'll be bound."

"No, nor blacksmithing either."

"Then it's a shame, sir, for I know the master paid a lot o' money for
you to be well taught. I wish they'd teached you to make wheels, for
you see these here soon warps in the hot sun and cracks. But there,"
cried the old man, grinning, "there's hard, sound trees enough to cut
down and saw into thousands and thousands of barrow wheels; and as to
horseshoeing, I can teach you that, my lad. I shoe all ours, and the
master likes my shoes better than those he makes."

"Does father make horseshoes?"

"Does he make horseshoes?" cried Sam. "Why, I should think he does, and
trims a hoof, and nails splendid. He beats me hollow. There he goes--
at it again," muttered the old man, as Brookes's voice rose. "I wish
he'd leave the poor chap alone."

"Is he bullying Leather again?"

"Ay, my lad; and he'd like to tan Leather too, on'y he daren't do that.
I 'most wish the poor chap'd give him one for his not, and then p'r'aps
he'd be quiet with his tongue. Brooky's never satisfied. He's like
lots of 'em: he thinks, because a chap's a 'signed servant, he's to be
bullied and kicked. They forgets as a convict is a man arter all."

"Of course," said Nic, frowning.

"The free men settlers is jealous of the government chaps, and hates
'em. I don't doubt Leather's a reg'lar crab, but set him to do a job
and he does it. I never know'd him skulk or flinch anything. The
master'll ketch old Brooky at it some day, and then there'll be a row.
I do wonder, though, as Leatherhead don't give him one between the
eyes."

"Perhaps he will some day, if Brookes goes too far."

"Nay, nay, my lad, he won't do that. That wouldn't do. 'Signed
servant's got to take what he gets, and be thankful. Why, do you know
what'd happen if Leather turned on Brooky?"

"Brooky would complain to the master, and Leather would be fetched over
to Mr Dillon's--magistrate, you know. He'd have the cat, and a warning
that if he didn't behave he'd go back to the chain gang, and it would be
a bad mark agin him."

"Then it would be very unfair," said Nic sharply.

"Yes, sir, it would; but the world don't allus play quite fair, and, you
see, g