k, leaving about four feet out at each end.

"Now, Brookes, take the other end," said the doctor; "lift together, and
get the pole on your shoulders, both of you."

"What, and carry that lame sheep home?" said Brookes.

"Yes; and its legs must not touch the ground."

"But hadn't you better let us chuck it across the back of the horse?"

"No. Now, together. Lift," cried the doctor; and as this was done the
sheep gave a dismal bleat, and hung from the pole, with its head and
legs out,--a ridiculous-looking object, which made Nic smile, but
Brookes's face made the smile expand, so soured and puckered did it
become, for the sheep was heavy, the farm buildings were some distance
away, and the sun was coming down hot as the two men strode away,
Leather looking heavy and stern, but apparently ready to undertake any
amount of work.

"You can ride, Nic," said the doctor, as the boy fetched up the horse.

"But my fishing-rod and line, father?"

"Where are they?"

"Down yonder, by one of the pools."

"Oh, then you must go that way home."

"Yes, father, and I have two fish."

"Well done."

"I say, father, I feel sure that Leather did not kick that sheep."

"Who did then?" said the doctor.

"I don't like to say, father."

"That is suggesting your belief that it was Brookes, a man whom I have
always found to work well in my interests, Nic. He has no spite against
me."

"Do you think the other man has?"

"I don't know, boy. There, go on your way, and I'll go home. One word,
Nic. I want you to enjoy yourself, but I cannot have my men taken away
from their work, mind that."

The doctor cantered after the men bearing the sheep, and as Nic stood
for a few minutes watching them, he heard the sheep give a piteous baa,
as if protesting against its treatment, after which the men halted and
changed shoulders.

Nic was too far off to see the expression of the men's faces, but he
felt pretty certain that Brookes's was anything but pleasant, and he
felt glad.

"I believe he did that out of spite against Leather," thought Nic, "so
as to make it seem as if it was through neglect. I don't know, though,
a man could hardly be such a brute."

Nic descended into the little valley once more, and made his way along
by the stream to the pool where he had left his rod.

"There's one more locust," he said to himself; "and I'll try and catch
another fish. Three will make a much better show. I dare say one would
bite dir