this went on for some minutes,
ending in a regular wild country dance peculiar to bird-land, after
which all was still. Some of the cranes rested on one leg, with a heel
projecting from beneath their tails, others stood still with their heads
cowered down between their shoulders, and the rest stalked solemnly
about, peering here and there in search of frogs or small fish, and it
was hard to imagine that these grave and reverent-looking grey signors
could ever have been guilty of such antics.

On some days Nic arrived late, and when the moon rose went opossum
shooting, the skins being prepared by the convict for a bed. One
evening he stayed late to be taken to see the lyre bird come dancing
down a green lane between dense casuarinas, to a favourable spot for
these beautiful creatures. And once he saw the peculiar bird, large as
a pheasant, spread its curious tail, dance, rattle its wings, and
indulge in a series of cries and calls--now it would be whistling, at
another time making a sound like the cracking of a whip, and at another
time justifying its native name of bullan-bullan.

Mayne had always some new natural history object to introduce to Nic,
throwing himself heart and soul into his pursuits, and announcing at
last that he had seen emus about in one particular spot, and saying he
was sure that there must be a nest.

Nic had longed to get specimens of the great dark green eggs, and he
heard the announcement with delight.

"Just what I wanted," he cried; "but I meant for us to explore the
cavern next time I came."

"If we soon find the nest, we shall have time to do some exploring as
well," replied Mayne; "so bring your candles, and I'll get some of the
bunya wood and dry it in the sun. It burns well, and it will help to
light up some of the dark parts. When will you come over?"

"Day after to-morrow."

"If your father has not returned," said the convict sadly.

"Well, if he does, on the next day. I say, don't look so downhearted.
You see that was all fancy about Brookes suspecting anything."

"I don't know," said the convict thoughtfully.

"I think I do," said Nic, laughing. "He has been as nervous as can be
for fear of your coming back to punish him for laying information about
you with Mr Dillon. If he felt that you were anywhere near, he would
soon go over to the Wattles again. Sam says you've gone right away a
hundred miles up in the myall scrub to join the Gunalong tribe, and
married and