h."

There was the hot stillness of the Australian midday around them, and
for some time neither spoke.

Then all at once Leather sprang to his feet.

"There, sir," he said, "you are the first who has heard my tale. The
law has branded me a convict, and I can only say `Please let all this be
as if it had never been said.' And yet I don't know," he continued,
with his eyes softening; "it has done me good. Still I don't ask you to
believe me, sir. There is plenty of deceit out here, and I have met
some clever actors of innocent parts in the different gangs."

"But I do believe you," cried Nic earnestly--"every word. Oh, I felt
that you could not have been so bad."

"Thank you, my lad," said the convict, smiling; and Nic thought what a
fine, handsome, manly fellow he was when his face lit up. "No: I cannot
shake hands. Some day, perhaps. I should like to help you, not drag
you down. It is master and servant, you know. Yes," he added, after a
pause, as he gazed earnestly in Nic's eyes, "you do believe me. There,
I shall work more easily now, for life is brighter than it was."

He sprang to his feet now, and moved to go, but came back.

"We were forgetting the execution of the poisonous snake, sir," he said,
with a little laugh. "This way."

"No," said Nic quietly; "let it live another day."

He walked to his horse, lifted the rein and threw it over the animal's
neck, then sprang upon its back.

"Master Nic!"

"Yes."

"This is our secret, sir, and you must keep your place."

"Secret? Why shouldn't I tell my mother and father that you were
condemned for that which you did not do?"

"I'll tell you, sir," cried Leather. "Because they cannot listen with
your ears, nor see me with your eyes."

"My father is everything that is just," said Nic proudly, "and my mother
all that is gentle and true."

"God bless her! yes, my boy," said the convict softly; "but if you
speak, Mrs Braydon, knowing me for what I am, will say, `This man has
wormed himself into my son's confidence--he has obtained an influence
over him that is not healthy--he had better go,' and I should be
exchanged, Master Nic, as they would exchange a horse or bullock. Don't
speak, sir, and have me sent away!"

Nic looked in the pleading eyes, and saw that the man's lips were
quivering from the strong emotion which animated him.

"Our secret, then," he said; and at a touch of the heel the horse
bounded away, with its rider feeling tha