The Dingo Boys Part 9

Uncle John Munday Bedford obeyed in silence, but kept an eye upon his brother as he poured in powder, rammed down a wad, and then sent a charge of big shot rattling into the gun before thrusting in another wad and ramming it home.

As he did all this, and then prised open the pan of the lock to see that it was well filled with the fine powder--for there were no breechloaders in those days, and the captain had decided to take their old flint-lock fowling-pieces for fear that they might be stranded some day up-country for want of percussion caps--the deadly sickness pa.s.sed off, and Captain Bedford sighed deeply, and began to reload in turn.

Meanwhile, Norman, after glancing at his father, naturally enough ran to where he had left his clothes, hurried into shirt and trousers, and as soon as he was, like his companions, half-dressed, came toward the two men, Rifle and Tim following him, after the trio had had a whispered consultation.

"I'm very sorry, father," faltered Norman, as he saw the stern, frowning face before him, while Uncle Jack looked almost equally solemn.

Then, as the captain remained silent, the lad continued: "I know you said that we were to journey up the country quite in military fashion, and obey orders in everything; but I did not think it would be doing anything wrong for us all to go and have a morning swim."

"Was it your doing?" said the captain, coldly.

"Yes, father. I know it was wrong now, but I said there would be time for us all to bathe, as the river was so near. I didn't think that--"

"No," said the captain, sternly, "you did not think--you did not stop to think, Norman. That is one of the differences between a boy and a man.

Remember it, my lad. A boy does not stop to think: as a rule a man does. Now, tell me this, do I ever refuse to grant you boys any reasonable enjoyment?"

"No, father."

"And I told you before we started that you must be very careful to act according to my rules and regulations, for an infringement might bring peril to us all."

"Yes, father."

"And yet you took upon yourself to go down there to bathe in that swift, strange river, and took your brother and cousin."

"Yes, father. I see it was wrong now, but it seemed a very innocent thing to do."

"Innocent? You could not have been guilty of a more wild and mad act.

Why would not the captain allow bathing when we were in the tropics?"

"Because of the sharks; but there would not be sharks up here in this river."

"Are there no other dangerous creatures infesting water, sir?"

A horrified look came into Norman's eyes, and the colour faded out of his cheeks.

"What!" he said at last, in a husky voice, "are there crocodiles in the river?"

"I had it on good authority that the place swarmed with them, sir; and you may thank G.o.d in your heart that my enterprise has not been darkened at the start by a tragedy."

"Oh, father!" cried the boy, catching at the captain's hand.

"There, it has pa.s.sed, Man," said the captain, pressing the boy's hand and laying the other on his shoulder; "but spare me such another shock.

Think of what I must have felt when German told me you boys had come down to bathe. I ought to have warned you last night; but I cannot think of everything, try as I may. There, it is our secret, boys. Your mother is anxious enough, so not a word about this. Quick, get on your clothes, and come on to breakfast.--Jack, old fellow," he continued, as he walked slowly back, "it made me feel faint as a woman. But mind about the firing. We did not hit anything. They will very likely ask."

As it happened, no questions were asked about the firing, and after a hearty breakfast, which, in the bright morning, was declared to be exactly like a picnic, they started once more on what was a glorious excursion, without a difficulty in their way. There was no road, not so much as a faint track, but they travelled on through scenery like an English park, and the leader had only to turn aside a little from time to time to avoid some huge tree, no other obstacles presenting themselves in their way.

German, the captain's old servant, a peculiarly crabbed man in his way, drove the cart containing the tent, provisions, and other immediate necessaries; Uncle Munday came last on horseback with his gun instead of a riding-whip, driving the cattle and spare horses, which followed the lead willingly enough, only stopping now and then to crop the rich gra.s.s.

The progress was naturally very slow, but none the less pleasant, and so long as the leader went right, and Uncle Munday took care that no stragglers were left behind, there was very little need for the other drivers to trouble about their charges; while the girls, both with their faces radiant with enjoyment, cantered about quite at home on their side-saddles, now with the captain, who played the part of scout in advance and escort guard, now behind with Uncle Jack, whose severe face relaxed whenever they came to keep him company.

Hence it was that, the incident of the morning almost forgotten, Norman left the horses by whose side he trudged, to go forward to Rifle, who was also playing carter.

"How are you getting on?" he said.

"Slowly. I want to get there. Let's go and talk to Tim."

Norman was ready enough, and they went on to where their cousin was seated on the shaft of one of the carts whistling, and practising fly-fishing with his whip.

"Caught any?" said Rifle.

"Eh? Oh, I see," said the boy, laughing. "No; but I say there are some flies out here, and can't they frighten the horses!"

"Wouldn't you like to go right forward?" said Norman, "and see what the country's like?"

"No: you can see from here without any trouble."

"Can you?" said Rifle; and catching his cousin by the shoulder, he gave him a sharp pull, and made him leap to the ground.

"What did you do that for?" said Tim resentfully.

"To make you walk. Think the horse hasn't got enough to drag without you? Let's go and talk to Sourkrout."

"If old Sam hears you call him that, he'll complain to father," said Norman quietly.

"Not he. Wouldn't be such an old sneak. Come on."

The three boys went forward to where Sam German sat up high in front of the cart looking straight before him, and though he seemed to know that the lads were there by him, he did not turn his eyes to right or left.

"What can you see, Sam?" cried Rifle eagerly.

"Nought," was the gruff reply.

"Well, what are you looking at?"

"Yon tree right away there."

"What for?"

"That's where the master said I was to make for, and if I don't keep my eye on it, how am I to get there."

He nodded his head toward a tree which stood up alone miles and miles away, but perfectly distinct in the clear air, and for a few minutes nothing more was said, for there were flies, birds, and flowers on every hand to take the attention of the boys.

"How do you like Australia, Sam?" said Norman, at last.

"Not at all," grumbled the man.

"Well, you are hard to please. Why, the place is lovely."