Leastwise I can." "Father!" shouted Nic excitedly.

"All well ?" "All well ?" came back.
"Yes!" and a minute later the boy was walking by his father's side, holding on by the horse's mane, answering questions and asking others.
"Oh yes," said the doctor; "they came out at last and made a show of attacking us; but I sent a charge of shot spattering among the leaves over their heads, and they turned and ran." Half an hour after, while the oxen were still laboriously tugging the heavy waggon up the slope leading to the station, Nic and his father reached one illuminated door, where the doctor sprang down to embrace wife and daughters, after which he handed his horse's rein to old Samson and waited till the wain was drawn up into the enclosure and the bullocks were turned loose to graze.
"Our task to-morrow, Nic,--to see to the unloading." "But will the things be safe there ?" said the boy.
"Safe?
yes, unless the blacks come down upon us.

But I have no fear.
Now, Nic, I'm not like you: I haven't been fed and pampered by the women for hours.

I'm starving for a good meal." "So am I, father." "What, again ?" said the doctor, as he reached the door, just as Brookes and Leather carried the lantern into the kitchen, where a meal was spread for them.

"Here, my dear, this boy says he's hungry again." "Again, father ?" cried Hilda; "why, he has had nothing but a cup of tea!" "Why?
Not well ?" "Oh yes, father, quite," cried Nic.