ast night and broke a way out for that
fellow to escape."

"I did not," said Nic firmly.

"Do you mean to tell me that you did not bring over a handcuff key which
your father has, and climb in at the roof and unlock the bracelets?"

"I do tell you so!" said Nic. "I did not know we had such a thing."

"On your word as a gentleman?"

"On my word as a gentleman," said Nic. Then to himself: "If he asks me
if I came over, I must say Yes."

"Then I beg your pardon," said Mr Dillon. "But you have him here?"

"No," said Nic, "he is not here."

"I must ask your men. Will you summon them?"

"The blacks too?" said Nic.

"Yes, all of them, please."

"Hi, Sam!" cried Nic, as the old man banged to and fastened the door
where he had shut up the dogs. "Call Brookes and the blacks; then come
here."

"Right, sir," said the old man; and Mr Dillon went on:

"He got away somehow, and the dogs were after him till the storm spoiled
the scent."

"Then you can't flog him," said Nic in triumph.

"Not this morning, of course," said Mr Dillon good humouredly. "All
right, my young friend, you'll come round to my way of thinking."

"Never," said Nic firmly.

"That's a long time, squire. But don't you look so satisfied. You
really do not imagine that our friend can get away?"

"There's plenty of room," said Nic.

"To starve, my led. But, mark my words, if we don't run him down this
morning, he'll come back before long to ask for his punishment, if the
myall blacks have not speared him and knocked him on the head."

Just then the men came forward, and the magistrate's attention was taken
up, so that he did not see Nic's shudder.

"Oh, Brookes," said Mr Dillon, "that fellow broke out and ran for the
bush last night?"

"What?" cried the man, changing colour.

"Has he made you deaf?" said Mr Dillon. "Your Leather got away last
night. Have you seen him?"

"No, no," said Brookes, who looked unnerved. "But you'll run him down,
sir?"

"Of course. And you, Samson?"

"No, sir, he hasn't been back here. Here, you--Bung, Rig, Damper: have
you seen Leather 'smorning?"

"Plenty mine see Leather chop rail."

"Yes, yes, that was yesterday. 'Smorning?"

The three blacks made a peculiar sound, and threw up their chins.

"No good, Belton," said Mr Dillon. "Back to the bunya clump. I have
an idea that he struck off there, so as to keep up by the river. Don't
care to mount and come and see a convict hunt, squire,