ed
him, picked up and girthed his saddle, saw to the bridle, and then
mounted, while Mr Dillon stood watching him, half amused, half angry.

Then a thought struck Nic, and he bent down as if to reach the
cheek-piece of the bit, and slipped a shilling into the man's hand.

"Where's our man shut up?" he whispered.

"In the big shed behind the house," said the man, staring.

Then at a touch Sour Sorrel started off.

"Going now?" shouted Mr Dillon.

Nic raised his hand to his hat as he galloped off, but he did not turn
his head.

"The conceited young puppy!" cried Mr Dillon angrily, as he watched the
boy's receding form; "and he wouldn't eat bread and salt. He deserves
to be flogged himself for his obstinacy. I don't know, though: I wish
I'd had a boy like that."

He re-entered the house, and Nic rode on homeward, the slowest, saddest
ride he had had since he entered the colony, for as soon as he was out
of sight of the house he drew rein and let Sorrel walk.

CHAPTER TWENTY NINE.

A NIGHT'S WORK.

"What shall I do?" said Nic to himself.

Being faint, and feeling half stunned, no answer came; and he looked
round at the beautiful country, which appeared newer and more beautiful
than ever in the orange-gold of approaching evening, while all within
was black with misery and despair.

He never knew before how much he liked the stern, manly fellow who that
next morning was to be tied up and flogged; and the more Nic thought of
the horrible punishment the deeper grew his misery, as he felt what a
helpless boy he was in the matter; and a number of wild plans began to
enter his head.

He had no gun with him now, but he could ride back, fetch it, and wait
till morning. Then he would ride up to the Wattles just when they were
going to tie up Leather, take his place beside him, and, with presented
gun, dare any one to touch his father's servant.

Then the weak tears came into the boy's eyes, and he laughed a piteous,
contemptuous laugh at himself for harbouring such a silly, romantic
notion.

And all the while Sorrel went on at his steady walk, growing cool and
comfortable, refreshed too by the light feed he had had and the rub
down.

They went slowly on till sunset, when Nic drew rein, and sat gazing at
the large orange ball sinking away beyond the mountains.

"So beautiful!" he said, forced into admiration of the glories of the
coming evening; "and poor Leather lying there handcuffed and waiting to
be