he nag's mane, and as it sprang off
ran easily by its side, the docile beast making straight for home.

For some minutes they went on like this, with the sounds growing
fainter; and then the convict broke the silence.

"Master Nic," he whispered, "I am innocent, my lad. I did not use the
axe. That ruffian struck me with the fork handle till my manhood
revolted against it, and I knocked him down with my fist, boy--my fist."

"Yes, I know: Sam told me," said Nic hoarsely. "I came to try and get
you away."

"God bless you, my lad! I couldn't bear to stay there and be disgraced
more than I have. It was too hard."

"How did you escape?"

"Broke the handcuffs apart, climbed to the rafters, pulled open the bark
thatching and let myself down; but the dogs gave the alarm."

"Well, they shan't have you now," cried Nic, pulling up. "Jump on and
ride home. I'll run beside you. They can't take you away again."

The convict laughed bitterly.

"You foolish boy," he said gently, "the law is on their side. No.
Good-bye, lad. Don't forget me. You know the truth, but you must not
be mixed up with my escape. You have done nothing yet. Off with you--
home!"

"But you, Leather, what are you going to do?" said Nic huskily.

"Escape if I can, and I think I shall."

"But where--what to do? Wait till father comes home?"

"No. What can he do? Dillon will send me to the chain gang as a
dangerous man; and I am now, boy--I am, for it shall only be my dead
body they shall take."

"Leather!"

"No, Nic. Frank Mayne, an honest man. Home with you, boy!"

"But you?"

"I? There's room enough yonder. To begin a new life of freedom--a
savage among the blacks."

There was a smart blow of the open hand delivered on the horse's neck,
and the startled beast sprang forward into a wild gallop, which the boy
could not for the moment check. When he did, and looked round, there
was the darkness of the night, the cry of some wild bird; the baying of
the dogs had ceased, and he was quite alone.

"He can't be far," thought the boy, and he whistled softly again and
again, but there was no reply. He tried to pierce the darkness, but it
was very black now, and he noticed that the stars had been blotted out,
and directly after there came _pat_; _pat_, _pat_--the sound of great
drops of rain, the advance-guard of a storm.

It would have been useless to try and follow the convict, and at last
Nic let his impatient horse move on