sharp screams from a flock of cockatoos, which, like the other birds,
seemed wilder here in the moist shades than he had found them high up on
the park-like downs near the great mountain gorge.

He crept upon his chest cautiously once more to get his eyes just over
the sharp rock edge of the pool, to look down into the depths, fully
convinced that he would not see a fish; but to his surprise there was
quite a shoal of a goodly size slowly sailing about, and after a few
moments he was able to make out that they were close by the bait, which
lay at the bottom, moving slowly, while one of the largest fish was
certainly looking at it.

"Bother!" muttered Nic, as he looked round about and thought of old
Sam's style of fishing. "Well, one can't catch these with a shovel and
a pickaxe. No one could bale out this pool."

"Having bad luck, sir?" said a deep voice; and Nic started up to find
Leather standing close behind.

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO.

A WOOLLY PATIENT AND A SCARE.

The man had approached over the soft moss unheard, though Nic had had
warning of his coming from the cockatoos, which had shrieked out their
alarm notes as he came down from among the sheep.

"Why, Leather, I did not hear you coming," said Nic, half annoyed by the
interruption.

"I suppose not, sir. You were too intent. Don't they bite?"

"No, not a bit," said Nic gruffly; and to himself, "I wish he'd go."

"What are you fishing with, sir?"

"Worms."

"They will only take worms after a flood, when the water's thick."

Then without a word the man walked away, and Nic drew his line sharply
from the water.

"Might have told me what bait they would take," muttered the boy.
"Perhaps he doesn't know. Wish I had brought some paste. I don't care;
that's good enough bait for anything. Now, here, some of you--bite."

But they did not, and Nic sat upon a great stone, feeling rather
ill-used. He was glad the convict had gone, and at the same time sorry.

"I suppose I answered him very gruffly, and that sent him off," thought
Nic.

"Now, sir. I've caught a few of these."

Nic jumped again, for once more the man had approached in silence.

"Eh! what have you got?"

"Locusts, or grasshoppers, sir. Have you a nice-sized new hook?"

"Oh yes, plenty," cried Nic eagerly, opening a flat box from which the
man took one he thought suitable.

The next minute the hook bearing the great worm had been removed and one
good-sized shot only left