The Dingo Boys Part 53

"Hear, hear!" cried Rifle and Tim, emphatically; and they went behind Mrs Bedford's chair, as if to show how they would defend her.

"One more," said the captain. "Sam German, you have shared our sufferings; and it is due to you, our faithful servant of many years, that I should not leave you out. What do you say?"

"What do I say, sir?" cried the gardener, fiercely; as he strode forward and brought his fist down heavily on the table. "I say, go and leave that there garden, with all them young trees and plants just a-beginning to laugh at us and say what they're a-going to do? No, sir; no: not for all the black fellows in the world."

Sam scowled round at everybody, and went back to the kitchen door.

"That settles it, gentlemen," said the captain, quietly. "After a life of disappointment and loss, I seem to have come into the promised land.

I am here, and with G.o.d's help, and the help of my brother, my servant, and my three brave boys, I'll stay."

"And Shanter, father," shouted Rifle.

"Yes, and the trusty black whom I so unjustly doubted."

"Marmi want Shanter?" said the black, thrusting in his head.

"Yes: that settles it, captain," said the doctor. "I don't wonder at it. I wouldn't give up in your place.--Will you speak now, Henley?"

"No, no, go on. I can't talk," said the young planter, colouring.

"Very well then, I will.--Then the fact is, Captain Bedford, my friend Henley here is not satisfied with his land at Port Haven. He can sell it advantageously to a new settler, and he has seen that tract next to yours, one which, I agree with him, looks as if it was made for sugar.

Miss Henley, his sister, is on her way out to keep house for him, so he will get one up as quickly as possible."

"Yes," said Henley, "that's right. Now tell 'em about yourself."

"Of course," said the doctor, quietly. "My sister is coming out with Miss Henley, and I have elected to take up the tract yonder across the river, adjoining yours."

"You?" said the captain. "Where will you get your patients?"

"Oh, I am sure to have some. Here's one already," he said, laughingly.

"I mean to dress that poor fellow's burns."

"Baal--no--baal," shouted Shanter, fiercely. "Big white Mary--soff rag, plenty goosum greasum."

"Be quiet, Shanter," said Aunt Georgie, grimly.

"But," cried the captain. "Oh, it is absurd. You are throwing away your chances."

"Not at all, sir. I don't see why a doctor should not have a farm."

"But really--" began the captain.

"One moment, sir," cried the doctor, interrupting; "will you come and settle near your fellow-creatures?"

"You have heard my arguments, gentlemen. It is my duty to stay."

"Yes," said the doctor; "and in reply, Henley here and I say that it is our duty as Englishmen to come and help to protect you and yours."

Uncle Jack and the captain rose together, and took the young men's hands, and then the party left the table to stroll out into the garden, upon as lovely an evening as ever shone upon this beautiful earth.

Every one looked happy, even Shanter, who was fast asleep; and as Norman, who was alone with his brother and cousin, looked round at the scene of peace and beauty, he could not help thinking that his father had done well. But his thoughts were rudely interrupted by Rifle, who threw himself on the gra.s.s, kicked up his heels, burst into a smothered fit of laughter, and then sat up to wipe his eyes.

"Oh, what a game!" he cried.

"What's a game?" said Tim. "What's the matter, Man? Is there some black on my nose?"

"No!" cried Rifle. "Why, you blind old mole, can't you see?"

"See what?"

"Why Mr Henley and the doctor want to come and live out here. Look."

"Well, what at? They're talking to Ida and Hetty. That's all."

"That's all!" cried Rifle, scornfully. "But it isn't all. They want to marry 'em, and then we shall all live happily afterwards. That's it.

Isn't it, Man?"

Norman nodded.

"Yes, I think he's right, Tim. I am glad, for I think they are two good fellows as any I ever met."

Rifle was right. For in the future all came about as he had said, saving that all was not happiness.

Still Dingo Station became one of the most prosperous in our great north-east colony, and as fresh tracts of the rich land were taken up, the troubles with the blacks grew fewer and died away.

One word in conclusion. Sam German declared pettishly one day that there never was such a hopeless savage as Shanter.

"You couldn't teach him nought, and a lazier beggar never lived."

It was unjust: Shanter could learn in his way, and he worked hard for Marmi (the captain), harder still for "Big white Mary," to whom he was a most faithful servant, but only in work that took his fancy.

"Oh," said Norman, one day, "I am glad father wouldn't give up."

"Give up?" cried Rifle, scornfully. "Why, he would have been mad!"

And Tim cried, "Why, we shouldn't have been called 'The Dingo Boys' if he had."

"Who calls us 'Dingo Boys?'" cried Rifle, sharply.

"The people at Port Haven and all about when they speak of Wallaby Range," replied Tim.

"Like their impudence," said Rifle importantly.

"Don't be so c.o.c.ky, Rifle," said Norman quietly. "Let them if they like. What's in a name?"

THE END.