l his voice and make it firm.

Then, as he took the knife, he examined it as if in doubt, hesitating
about turning it over, and then handing it back, saying firmly, "No."

"That's a lie," thought the man, as he retook the knife, "and my lord
here is trying to keep the lair hidden. He knows."

But the knife had no crosses filed in the handle, and Nic was breathing
freely, when he noticed that the black was pointing to something else--a
faintly marked footprint, evidently made by a coarsely made sandal or
shoe. Beyond this was another, and again beyond another.

"That's right--go on!" rang in his ears, and the next moment the party
was again in motion, with the blacks bending low, and from walking
beginning to trot, while the policeman pressed his horse closer to
Nic's.

"Easy trail to follow, sir," he said. "Now, then, don't you think you'd
better save us further trouble by taking us straight across country to
your man's form?"

"I told you I did not know where he was hiding," said Nic shortly.

"You did, sir, but I thought I'd save trouble. These birds are a bit
desperate when run down, and I'm sure you wouldn't like to see him shot
when he refuses to surrender. Now, would you?"

"No," said Nic, rather faintly.

"Out with it then, and we'll take him by surprise--surround him after
dusk. Then it will mean a flogging or two, and another year in the
gang, and perhaps a fresh chance. Better than being buried, sir, in the
bush."

Nic remained silent, but with his brow contracted.

"Very well, sir, but you see. Why, I can trace that track as I ride.
We could find him now without the blacks."

Still Nic held his peace, and rode on beside the man, as mile after mile
was traced, leading, to the boy's surprise, toward the Bluff, but
curving off a mile from home, as if to go round it to reach the other
side.

And so it proved, the blacks trotting on till they did pass the house
half a mile away; and Nic jumped to the conclusion that the poor fellow
had made for the fern gully, up which, somewhere probably on the
riverside, was his lair.

They went right on, without once being at fault, the footprints, with
the left sole badly cracked across, showing clearly at times in the soft
soil, till the place where the black-fish were caught was passed, and
the valley slope mounted for the open ground, where the sheep was kicked
into the rift that ran down toward the water.

From here the footsteps went right acros