ut he
dropped the hand and drew back, sending a pang through Nic, who felt
that he must have been guilty of some terrible crime, and they stood
looking in each other's eyes for some little time. Then the boy spoke
in a husky whisper--for he said to himself, "Poor chap, he must be very
sorry for it now,"--"What was it you did, Leather?"

"Nothing."

"Then why were you sent out here?"

Nic started, and repented having spoken, for the convict drew himself
up, with his eyes flashing and his face convulsed by rage, scorn, and
indignation.

"Why was I sent out here, boy?" he raged: "because a jury of my
fellow-countrymen said I was guilty, and the judge told me that I
deserved the greater punishment because I--a man of education, holding
so high and responsible a position, and who ought to have known better--
was worse than a common ignorant thief; and that he must make an example
of me, that the world might see how government servants found no favour
when they sinned. He said I had had a fair trial, that my countrymen
condemned me, and that he quite agreed with their verdict; and he
sentenced me to twenty-one years' transportation,--he might as well have
said for life."

Nic stood looking at him in pain and misery, and the convict began
pacing up and down in the agony evoked by this dragging up of the past.

"I'm sorry I spoke," faltered Nic.

"No, no: I'm glad. It is like stabbing me, but if I bleed, boy, it is a
relief. Transportation for twenty-one years, and to what a life of
horror, misery, and despair! Companion to the greatest scoundrels and
wretches that ever breathed; loathed and hated by them, because I was
not what they, called their sort. Then, when sent out for good
behaviour as an assigned servant, hated and scorned and trampled upon by
every honest man. You have seen--you know. The convict from the chain
gang, a branded felon. Nic, boy!--I beg your pardon, sir," he cried
bitterly--"Master, your slave wonders sometimes that he is alive. I
tell you I've prayed night after night for death, but it would not come:
no spear, no blinding stroke from the sun, no goring by the half-wild
bullocks which have chased me; no fall when I have desperately climbed
down the side of that gorge. No! spite of all risk I have grown
stronger, healthier, as you see--healthier in body, but more and more
diseased in mind."

He stopped and threw himself down upon his breast, to bury his face in
his hands; and just