d tired, entered the hotel
room.

"I hope that man sent the guns all right," said Nic.

"He did, for I received a note from him and a receipt for their
delivery."

"I'm glad of that," said Nic. "I was anxious about them." Lady O'Hara
looked amused. Then, watching the boy closely, she said:

"By the way, Dominic, I don't think I told you I meant that gun with the
short stock for you."

"For me?" cried Nic, flushing with excitement. Then hastily, "Oh no, I
don't want to shoot people."

"You may if they want to kill you or those whom you love, my boy. But
in any case you may want to shoot snakes and the wonderfully beautiful
birds which you will see in the bush. A gun is a necessity for a
settler, and so are those."

She pointed to a parcel on a side table.

"Fetch those here, and open the paper."

Nic fetched the strongly done-up packet, opened it with trembling
fingers, and laid bare a beautifully finished axe and a sheath knife of
the finest steel, with stout buckhorn handle and leathern belt.

"Not drawing-room presents, my boy," said the lady, smiling, "but
suitable for a young settler. There, you can squeeze those in your
portmanteau; the gun you can have when we get over the sea."

"But, Lady O'Hara!" faltered Nic; "the gun--such an expensive one."

"Of course it is. Who'd buy cheap rubbish to take abroad? You want the
plainest and the best that money can buy."

"Yes, but I meant--"

"That they were too costly to accept? Not a bit, my boy. We owe your
father a deep debt. Didn't he doctor and save both our lives? And he's
a dreadfully obstinate man to deal with; but I can do as I like with
you, so now hold your tongue."

"But I must thank you, Lady O'Hara."

"No, you needn't. Now then, Dominic--dear, dear! three syllables to say
every time I speak to you. What a tiresome, long name, though it does
sound Irish."

"Latin," said Nic.

"Irish; and don't contradict me, sir. Sure I had an uncle in Galway,
who was Dominick O'Hara, with a _k_ to it. I shall call you Nic."

"Yes, do, please."

"I will. So now then, Nic, you haven't a husband to meet when you get
over yonder--a fierce-looking governor, who barks at people; and when I
get back he'll be asking me what I forgot to bring. Now, my dear boy,
do tell me what I've failed to get."

"I can't," said Nic laughingly; "you seem to have bought nearly
everything."

"Ah, ye're no use to me at all, at all, boy. I'm sure there's