When I came up the country to be Mr Dillon's servant I was almost constantly alone.

They used to send me my rations now and then.

It was a very solitary life." "How lonely!" "Yes, sir--lonely," said the man, with a tinge of bitterness in his tones; "but it had its advantages.

There was no Brookes." Nic started and looked keenly in the man's face; but he frowned and turned hastily away, as if angry at what he had said.
"I must be getting back to the sheep, sir," he said hurriedly.

"They are terribly weak, foolish things, always catching some disease.