The Dingo Boys Part 8

"Yes. Be off!"

The black nodded and laughed.

"Got tickpence--got damper. No couldn't tick a knifum in Shanter. Go 'long--be off!"

He turned sharply, made a terrible grimace at Aunt Georgie, shook his spear, struck an att.i.tude, as if about to throw his spear at her, raised it again, and then threw the bread high up, caught it as it came down on the point, shouldered his weapon, and marched away into the darkness, which seemed to swallow him up directly.

"There, good people," said the captain merrily, "now time for bed."

Ten minutes later the embers had been raked together, watch set, and for the most part the little party dropped asleep at once, to be awakened by the chiming notes of birds, the peculiar whistle of the piping crows, and the shrieks of a flock of gloriously painted parrots that were busy over the fruit in a neighbouring tree.

CHAPTER FIVE.

"HOW MANY DID YOU SEE?"

It was only dawn, but German had seen that the great kettle was boiling where it hung over the wood fire, and that the cattle were all safe, and enjoying their morning repast of rich, green, dewy gra.s.s. The boys were up and off at once, full of the life and vigour given by a night's rest in the pure fresh air, and away down to the river side to have a bath before breakfast.

Then, just as flecks of orange were beginning to appear, Aunt Georgie came out of the tent tying on an ap.r.o.n before picking up a basket, and in a businesslike way going to the fire, where she opened the canister, poured some tea into a bit of muslin, and tied it up loosely, as if she were about to make a tea-pudding.

"Too much water, Samuel," she said; "pour half away."

Sam German lifted down the boiling kettle, and poured half away.

"Set it down, Samuel."

"Yes, mum," said the man obediently; and as it was placed by the fire, Aunt Georgie plunged her tea-bag in, and held it beneath the boiling water with a piece of stick.

Just then the captain and Uncle Jack appeared from where they had been inspecting the horses.

"Morning, auntie," said the former, going up and kissing the st.u.r.dy-looking old lady.

"Good-morning, my dear," she replied; "you needn't ask me. I slept deliciously, and only dreamed once about that dreadful black man.-- Good-morning, John, my dear," she continued, kissing Uncle Jack. "Why, you have not shaved, my dear."

"No," he said gruffly, "I'm going to let my beard grow."

"John!" exclaimed Aunt Georgie.

"Time those girls were up," said the captain.

"They'll be here directly, Edward," said the old lady; "they are only packing up the blankets."

"Oh!" said the captain; "that's right. Why, where are the boys gone?"

"Down to the river for a bathe, sir," said German.

"What! Which way?" roared the captain.

"Straight down yonder, sir, by the low trees."

"Quick, Jack, your gun!" cried the captain, running to the wagon, getting his, and then turning to run in the direction pointed out; his brother, who was accustomed to the captain's quick military ways, and knowing that he would not give an order like that if there were not dire need, following him directly, armed with a double gun, and getting close up before he asked what was the matter.

"Matter?" panted the captain. "c.o.c.k your piece--both barrels--and be ready to fire when I do. The boys are gone down to the river."

"What, are there really savages there?"

"Yes," said the captain, hoa.r.s.ely; "savages indeed. Heaven grant we may be there in time. They have gone to bathe, and the river swarms for a long way up with reptiles."

Uncle Jack drew a deep breath as, with his gun at the trail, he trotted on beside his brother, both increasing their pace as they heard the sound of a splash and shouting.

"Faster!" roared the captain, and they ran on till they got out from among the trees on to a clearing, beautifully green now, but showing plain by several signs that it was sometimes covered by the glittering river which ran deep down now below its banks.

There before them were Rifle and Tim, just in the act of taking off their last garments, and the former was first and about to take a run and a header off the bank into the deep waters below, when, quick as thought, the captain raised his gun, and without putting it to his shoulder, held it pistol way, and fired in the air.

"Now you can shoot!" cried the captain; and again, without stopping to ask questions, Uncle Jack obeyed, the two shots sounding almost deafening in the mist that hung over the ravine.

As the captain had antic.i.p.ated, the sound of the shots stopped Rifle at the very edge of the river, and made him make for his clothes, and what was of even greater importance, as he reached the bank where the river curved round in quite a deep eddy beneath them, there was Norman twenty yards away swimming rapidly toward a shallow place where he could land.

Words would not have produced such an effect.

"Now," said the captain, panting for breath from exertion and excitement, "watch the water. Keep your gun to your shoulder, and fire the moment there is even a ripple anywhere near the boy."

Uncle Jack obeyed, while as Norman looked up, he saw himself apparently covered by the two guns, and at once dived like a dabchick.

"Madness! madness!" groaned the captain; "has he gone down to meet his fate. What are you loaded with?"

"Ball," said Uncle Jack, laconically.

"Better lie down and rest your piece on the edge of the bank. You must not miss."

As they both knelt and rested the guns, Norman's head appeared.

"I say, don't," he shouted. "I see you. Don't do that."

"Ash.o.r.e, quick!" roared the captain, so fiercely that the boy swam harder.

"No," roared the captain again; "slowly and steadily."

"Yes, father, but don't, don't shoot at me. I'm only bathing."

"Don't talk; swim!" cried the captain in a voice of thunder; and the boy swam on, but he did not make rapid way, for the tide, which reached up to where they were, was running fast, and as he swam obliquely across it, he was carried rapidly down.

"What have I done--what does it mean?" he thought, as he swam on, growing so much excited now by the novelty of his position that his limbs grew heavy, and it was not without effort that he neared the bank, still covered by the two guns; and at last touched bottom, waded a few paces, and climbed out to where he was able to mount the slope and stand in safety upon the gra.s.s.

"Ned, old fellow, what is it?" whispered Uncle Jack, catching his brother's arm, for he saw his face turn of a ghastly hue.

"Hus.h.!.+ don't take any notice. I shall be better directly. Load that empty barrel."