ct of his coming, though he felt that the magistrate
knew.

"Thank you, no, Mr Dillon," he said. "I have come over about our man."

"So I supposed," said Mr Dillon, smiling; "but we can talk as we eat."

"I can't at a time like this, sir," said Nic. "I've come for him,
please, to take him back with me."

"Indeed!" said Mr Dillon, smiling. "Do you know all that happened?--
while you were out, I presume?"

"Yes, everything, sir, and how you were misinformed."

"Misinformed, was I?" said Mr Dillon pleasantly. "I think not."

"But you were, sir, indeed. I know both the men so well."

"I suppose so, my lad. Let me see, you have been in the colony quite a
short time?"

"Yes; but I've seen a great deal of them," cried Nic, whose face burned
with annoyance at the magistrate's look of amusement.

"And you are, of course, a good judge of convict servants?"

"I know nothing about any but our own men, sir. But I have heard
everything, sir, and I am sure that our man Leather does not deserve to
be punished. It would be unjust."

"You think so?"

"Yes, sir: I'm sure of it."

"And you want to take him back with you?"

"If you please, sir--now. I know the man so well, and I am certain that
I can answer for there being no more trouble."

"That's speaking broadly, my boy," said Mr Dillon, slapping Nic on the
shoulder; "but comes tea--dinner's ready, and we can continue our
argument as we have it."

Nic shook his head.

"I couldn't eat, sir, with that poor fellow in such trouble," he said.

"Well, that's very kind and nice of you, my boy," said Mr Dillon, "and
I like you for it; but come now, let's be reasonable. You see, I am the
magistrate of this district, but I want to talk to you, not like a man
of law, only as your father's friend and neighbour."

"Yes, I felt that you would, sir," said Nic, who was encouraged.

"Your father has, I suppose, left you in charge of his station?"

"Yes, sir."

"Well, boys out here have to act like men, and I like your manly way
about this business. You came back, found out the trouble, and rode
over directly to set it right?"

"Yes, sir--exactly."

"That's all very right and just; only as a man of long experience, young
Braydon, you see, I know better how to manage these troubles than you
possibly can--a lad fresh over from school."

"Yes, sir, I suppose so," said Nic, "in most cases; but I do know our
man better than you."

"You think so, my lad; but you ar