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diff --git a/43425.txt b/43425.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 9256e4b..0000000 --- a/43425.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,3895 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Jean, Our Little Australian Cousin, by -Mary F. Nixon-Roulet - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: Jean, Our Little Australian Cousin - -Author: Mary F. Nixon-Roulet - -Illustrator: Diantha W. Horne - -Release Date: August 9, 2013 [EBook #43425] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JEAN, OUR LITTLE AUSTRALIAN COUSIN *** - - - - -Produced by Emmy, Beth Baran and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive) - - - - - - - - - - - -Our Little Australian Cousin - - - - - -THE - -Little Cousin Series - -(TRADE MARK) - - Each volume illustrated with six or more full-page plates in - tint. Cloth, 12mo, with decorative cover, - per volume, 60 cents - - -LIST OF TITLES - -BY MARY HAZELTON WADE - -(unless otherwise indicated) - - =Our Little African Cousin= - =Our Little Alaskan Cousin= - By Mary F. Nixon-Roulet - =Our Little Arabian Cousin= - By Blanche McManus - =Our Little Armenian Cousin= - =Our Little Australian Cousin= - By Mary F. Nixon-Roulet - =Our Little Brazilian Cousin= - By Mary F. Nixon-Roulet - =Our Little Brown Cousin= - =Our Little Canadian Cousin= - By Elizabeth R. MacDonald - =Our Little Chinese Cousin= - By Isaac Taylor Headland - =Our Little Cuban Cousin= - =Our Little Dutch Cousin= - By Blanche McManus - =Our Little Egyptian Cousin= - By Blanche McManus - =Our Little English Cousin= - By Blanche McManus - =Our Little Eskimo Cousin= - =Our Little French Cousin= - By Blanche McManus - =Our Little German Cousin= - =Our Little Greek Cousin= - By Mary F. Nixon-Roulet - =Our Little Hawaiian Cousin= - =Our Little Hindu Cousin= - By Blanche McManus - =Our Little Hungarian Cousin= - By Mary F. Nixon-Roulet - =Our Little Indian Cousin= - =Our Little Irish Cousin= - =Our Little Italian Cousin= - =Our Little Japanese Cousin= - =Our Little Jewish Cousin= - =Our Little Korean Cousin= - By H. Lee M. Pike - =Our Little Mexican Cousin= - By Edward C. Butler - =Our Little Norwegian Cousin= - =Our Little Panama Cousin= - By H. Lee M. Pike - =Our Little Persian Cousin= - By E. C. Shedd - =Our Little Philippine Cousin= - =Our Little Porto Rican Cousin= - =Our Little Russian Cousin= - =Our Little Scotch Cousin= - By Blanche McManus - =Our Little Siamese Cousin= - =Our Little Spanish Cousin= - By Mary F. Nixon-Roulet - =Our Little Swedish Cousin= - By Claire M. Coburn - =Our Little Swiss Cousin= - =Our Little Turkish Cousin= - - L. C. PAGE & COMPANY - New England Building, - Boston, Mass. - -[Illustration: JEAN.] - - - - -JEAN - -Our Little Australian Cousin - -By - -Mary F. Nixon-Roulet - - _Author of "God, the King, My Brother," "Our - Little Spanish Cousin," "Our Little Alaskan - Cousin," "Our Little Grecian Cousin," - "Our Little Brazilian Cousin," etc._ - - - _Illustrated by_ - Diantha W. Horne - -[Illustration] - - - Boston - L. C. Page & Company - Publishers - - - - - _Copyright, 1908_ - BY L. C. PAGE & COMPANY - (INCORPORATED) - - Entered at Stationers' Hall, London - - _All rights reserved_ - - - First Impression, September, 1908 - Second Impression, October, 1909 - - - - - TO - Kirby McDonough - _A Little Texas Friend_ - - - - -Preface - - -Australia, though a continent, is a part of the Empire of Great Britain. -A few years ago it was a wild country, where no white people lived, -filled with Blacks, who were man-eating savages. These are fast dying -out, but in this story you will learn something about them, and of the -lives of your Australian Cousins. - - - - -Contents - - - CHAPTER PAGE - I. "LAND!" 1 - II. SAILING TO SYDNEY 8 - III. A DRIVE 20 - IV. ON THE WAY TO THE "RUN" 32 - V. LIFE AT DJERINALLUM 47 - VI. "LOST!" 60 - VII. JEAN FINDS A FRIEND 76 - VIII. IN THE BUSH 90 - IX. HOUSEKEEPING IN A CAVE 101 - X. DANDY SAVES THE DAY 117 - - - - -List of Illustrations - - - PAGE - JEAN _Frontispiece_ - "'I THOUGHT PACIFIC MEANT PEACEFUL,' SAID FERGUS" 11 - "'THAT IS THE LYRE BIRD, ISN'T HE A HANDSOME FELLOW?'" 58 - "'THAT WAS A PLATYPUS, OR WATER MOLE,' SAID MR. - MCDONALD" 66 - "THE LEAVES PARTED AND A BLACK FACE PEERED THROUGH - THE BUSHES" 99 - "THE BLACK BOY ON A PONY LED BY A WHITE CHILD" 128 - - - - -Our Little Australian Cousin - - - - -CHAPTER I - -"LAND" - - -FERGUS and Jean were very tired of the long voyage. They stood at the -taffrail looking over the dancing waves, longing for the sight of land. - -"It seems as if we would never get there, Father," said Fergus. "How -long it is since we left home!" - -"And how far away Scotland seems," sighed his mother, as she took little -Jean on her lap and stroked her fair hair. - -"But Australia is to be our home now," said Mr. Hume cheerfully. "See, -there is the very first glimpse of it," and he pointed across the water -to a dim line, as the look-out called "Land!" - -"We are passing Port Phillip's Head," he said presently. "See the -lighthouse! Soon we shall land and you will see a beautiful city." - -"Beautiful!" Fergus said in surprise. "Why, I thought Melbourne was a -wild sort of a place. You have told us about the time you were here long -ago, before you married my mother, and you had floods in the streets and -had to climb up on top of some one's porch for fear of being drowned." - -"That was fifteen years ago, my son," said Mr. Hume with a smile. -"Melbourne is very different now from what it was then, and then it was -not at all like it was when its first settlers saw it. - -"It was in 1836 that Robert Russell came here to survey the shore near -Port Phillip and find out whether boats could go up the River Yana. He -felt this to be just the place for a city, planned Melbourne and laid -out the streets. It seems strange to think that then the blacks owned -all this land and the Wawoorong, Boonoorong, and Wautourong tribes -roamed these shores, and that when Russell laid out his city there were -native huts standing. The place was called Bear Grass, and in 1837 there -were thirteen buildings, eight of which were turf huts. Now Melbourne is -seven miles square and the principal street is a mile long. You will -soon see how handsome the buildings are, for we are now making ready to -land after our long journey." - -Fergus and Jean Hume had come from Scotland to live in Australia. Their -father had been a farmer, but he had lost all his little fortune through -the rascality of a friend, and had determined to try again in the -colony. - -Australia is a colony of Great Britain just as Canada is, and though it -is at the other side of the world, still it is British. - -Mrs. Hume had a sister in Sydney and they were to visit her before going -to the Gold Country, where Mr. Hume intended to try his fortune. - -Fergus was a fine boy of twelve and Jean was eight, and both were much -excited at the trip, while Mrs. Hume's sadness at leaving her old home -was mixed with joy at the idea of seeing again the sister from whom she -had been separated for years. - -The landing on the Melbourne quay proved interesting for the children, -and they were very much impressed with their first glimpse of the city. - -"Why, Father," exclaimed Fergus, as they drove in a cab up Flinders -Street, "Melbourne streets seem as busy as those of Glasgow!" - -"Indeed they are, my son," said his father, smiling. "Perhaps they are -busier. You see Victoria is the busiest part of this country, although -the people of New South Wales will tell you that their district is far -superior and Sydney a much handsomer city than Melbourne." - -"If the wares one sees in the streets are any sign, Victoria must have a -great variety of products," said Mrs. Hume. "The shops have all manner -of things in the windows, and besides there are great drays of wood, -coal and timber." - -"Victoria is called the Garden of Australia," said Mr. Hume. "You will -see considerable of it if we go up to Sydney by rail instead of by sea." - -"Oh, Father!" cried Fergus, who loved the water, "are we going to do -that?" - -"I haven't decided yet which would be the better plan," Mr. Hume -answered. "I had thought of going by steamer and stopping at Hobart in -Tasmania, but it will take a great deal longer and you will miss the -trip through Victoria, which is said to be the prettiest part of this -great continent." - -"I think the sooner we reach Aunt Mildred the better for all of us," -said Mrs. Hume. "The children are tired with the long voyage and winter -will soon be here." - -"Winter!" exclaimed Jean. - -"Winter, why, Mother!" cried Fergus. "This is June!" - -"Yes, I know that," said his mother. "But don't you know that in the -Southern Hemisphere, winter and summer change places? In Victoria, -midwinter comes in July." - -"Will it be cold?" asked Jean. - -"No, dear, winter here is not like our nipping Scotch frost. It is not -very cold here, and it rains in winter instead of snowing." - -"I don't think that is nice at all," said Fergus. "We'll have no -sleighing." - -"There are many things we will miss here," said his mother sadly, but -his father said cheerfully, - -"There are many things here we can't have at home, also. When I get to -the Gold Fields you shall have all the gold you want, and that is -something you never had in Scotland. Now, our fine drive is over and -here we are at the hotel, where we shall have some luncheon. How have -you enjoyed your first drive in an Australian city?" - -"Very much," cried both of the children. - -"It will be some time before you take another one, for I believe after -all that we shall go by boat to Sydney. I understand that the sea trip -is very pleasant and it is less expensive." - -"I am glad," said Fergus. - -"A boat sails this afternoon and there is nothing for us to do but have -our luggage transferred from one boat to the other," said Mr. Hume, as -they all went in to luncheon. - - - - -CHAPTER II - -SAILING TO SYDNEY - - -THE travellers set sail for Sydney in a calm and beautiful afternoon -when earth and sea seemed at peace. The sea sparkled in the sunlight as -if set in diamonds and the vessel fairly danced over the waters as it -sailed out of Bass Strait into the dark waters of the blue Pacific. The -afternoon passed quietly and toward evening all gathered on deck to see -the sunset, for Australia is noted as the land of wonderful sunsets, and -from the sea these can be viewed in all their splendour. - -Gold, crimson, yellow, pink, from brilliant to soft, from light to dark, -the clouds changed in countless colour schemes, bewilderingly beautiful. -The whole sky was a dome of softest rose, then a flaming crimson, then -pearly-tinted heliotrope; the sea, too, shone in varying shades of -beauty, until all melted and blended into one exquisitely soft shade of -deep-toned purple, and into this the smiling stars stole one by one, the -countless stars of the southern night, and above all shone the glory of -the Southern Cross. - -"Oh, Father," whispered Jean, "I have never seen anything so beautiful! -Is the sunset always like this in Australia?" - -"This was a particularly fine one, daughter, but whenever the sun sets -it is a thing worth looking at." - -"How quickly it has grown dark after all that splendour," said Mrs. -Hume, looking at the sky over which the clouds were passing. - -"I don't like the look of the sky," said Mr. Hume. "I'm afraid there is -a squall coming." - -"Worse than a squall, sir," said a sailor, hurrying by. "It looks to me -like a hurricane." - -The air had grown suddenly warm and the sky was overhung with heavy -clouds, while flashes of lightning blazed across the sky. Suddenly a -great waterspout seemed to rise up like an inky-black pillar from sea to -sky. The ship tossed about and pitched so badly that it was impossible -to keep one's feet and Mr. Hume led his little party to the cabin. - -[Illustration: "'I THOUGHT PACIFIC MEANT PEACEFUL,' SAID FERGUS."] - -"Oh, Father! what shall we do?" cried Jean, frightened. - -"Go to sleep is the best thing to do if you can," he said, and the -children were put to bed in their berths, in which they could hardly -stay, so violent was the pitching of the ship. - -The wind howled and roared and, as the storm kept up all night, there -was little sleep in the cabin. When the morning came it was little -better. Sea and sky were dull gray, save where the foam-crested waves -broke in sheets of spray against the sides of the vessel, sending the -foam high into the air. - -"It is a cross sea," said the sailor on the look-out and the captain -shook his head. "It's a bad outlook," he said. "I don't like the gray -water." - -"I thought Pacific meant peaceful," said Fergus, who stood clinging to -his father on deck, looking at the wonderful scene. "It doesn't seem -peaceful to me," as a great wave broke over the deck and drenched him to -the skin. - -"Like most peaceful things, it is terrible when it is roused," said Mr. -Hume. "There is a strong current running up and down this eastern shore -of Australia and it often sets vessels quite out of their course. -Sometimes they are washed miles out of their way, and occasionally, in -the darkness, run upon one of the little islands which dot this sea." - -"Is Tasmania one of them?" asked Fergus. - -"We have long since passed Tasmania," said his father. "But there are -many little islands between here and Sydney. There! What is that?" he -exclaimed. Suddenly it seemed as if land sprang at them through the fog -and they were almost upon a rocky shore. So near to it was their steamer -that there was barely time to put about and it was only by the quickest -action that they escaped the rocks. The steamer lurched and rolled, -pitched and tossed in the gale, but she passed the rocks in safety, and -as afternoon waned and night drew on, the storm grew less, until by -midnight the sea was quiet. The morning of the third day broke in a -golden splendour, the air was fresh and cool, the sky and the sea were -as blue as a sapphire, the children glad to be out of the stuffy cabin -and up on deck. - -"If the weather continues like this we shall not be long in reaching -Sydney," said Mr. Hume. "And I am sure we shall all be glad to get -there." - -"What kind of a place is Sydney?" asked Fergus. - -"It is a fine city, my boy, and very different from what it was when -Botany Bay was peopled with felons." - -"What are felons?" asked Jean. - -"Felons are people who have done wrong and must be kept in prison for -punishment in the hope that they will learn to do right," answered Mr. -Hume. "Botany Bay was named by the botanist Joseph Banks who was with -Cook when he made his first voyage in 1770. It is an inlet near Sydney -and the English sent their criminals there until 1840. Such men as -behaved well when they reached the colony were allowed to leave the -penal settlement upon tickets, and were called 'ticket of leave men.' -They could be followed up and brought back if they misbehaved in any -way. Many of them were good men who had been led into wrongdoing and -were glad to have a chance to be good again. They went out into the -'bush,' cleared farms or sheep stations, and many of them grew rich. -Quite a number of the good citizens of Australia to-day, could, if they -would, trace their descent back to 'ticket of leave' men." - -"I shouldn't think they would like to do that," said Fergus. "I wouldn't -like any one to know that my people had done wrong." - -"Everybody does wrong," said Jean sagely. - -"Yes, but every one isn't found out," her brother answered. "When they -are, it hurts." - -"But if it's found out that they're sorry and are going to do good for -ever and ever," the little girl looked puzzled, "then does it matter?" - -"Dear little childish point of view," said her mother, with a smile, and -her father added, - -"It would be a good thing if older people felt so." - -Sydney looked beautiful enough as their ship steamed into the bay to pay -them for their troublesome voyage. The harbour is one of the handsomest -in the world. The city is picturesquely situated upon the bold and -rocky slopes which rise from the water's edge and is defended from any -possible attack by bristling forts and batteries. - -"This narrow entrance to the harbour is called 'the Heads,'" said Mr. -Hume to the children, who were dancing about asking a thousand -questions, of which their father answered the most important. "The -lighthouse is a guide to all storm-driven sailors, and also a good -lookout, should any enemies of England hope to steal upon Australia -unawares. I think Sydney one of the most delightfully situated cities I -have ever visited. It is surrounded by parks and groves where grow -bananas, orange trees, palms and all manner of tropical plants. Its -climate is healthful and life here easy and pleasant." - -"The buildings seem very handsome," said Mrs. Hume, as the city came -into view, gleaming white and beautiful in the morning sun. - -"The sandstone upon which the town is built gives fine building -material," said her husband, "and while, in the older part of the city, -streets are narrow and houses old-fashioned, the newer portion compares -favourably with almost any of the modern European cities. - -"We are just about in now; the sailors are making ready to cast the -hawser." - -"Oh, Fergus! There is Mildred!" cried Mrs. Hume to her husband, pointing -to a sweet-faced little woman who stood beside a large, burly-looking -man upon the wharf. "It is worth almost the long journey from home just -to see her again!" and she stretched out her hands to the sister whom -she had not seen for ten years. - -Soon they were landed and the two sisters greeted each other joyfully. - -"Elsie! How glad I am to welcome you to Australia," cried Mrs. McDonald, -while her sister said, - -"Mildred, you don't look a day older than when you left Scotland!" - -"Life is easy out here," said Mr. McDonald genially. "Come, all of you. -The carriage is waiting. We are glad to have a visit from you and want -it to be as long a visit as possible. We have planned all manner of -things to do during your stay." - -As they drove through the handsome streets, Mrs. McDonald said, - -"It is nearly time we went into the country, and after you are well -rested and have seen Sydney, Angus is going to take us up to the station -so you can see just what life is on an Australian 'run.'"[1] - -"I am sure we shall enjoy it," said Mrs. Hume. "But just now I can think -of nothing to do but getting rested. The sea motion is still in my head, -and I believe that if I could go to bed and think that Jean could sleep -without danger of falling out of bed, I could sleep for two or three -days without waking up." - -"We'll take care of the wee lassie and of this big boy, too," said Mr. -McDonald kindly, laying an arm about Fergus' shoulder. "Sandy is up at -the run and you will have fine times with him there, and your mother -shall rest as long as she wants to. - -"But you are not seeing the sights as we pass. We think Sydney about the -finest thing on this side of the world. These buildings are a part of -the University. The College of St. Paul's there belongs to the Church of -England, and St. John's is Roman Catholic." - -"It is all very handsome," said Mrs. Hume. - -"How Sydney has changed since I was here," said Mr. Hume. "It is not -like the same place." - -"Its growth is simply wonderful," said Mr. McDonald. "We have now all -manner of manufactories. Wagons are made here and sold all over -Australia and New Zealand. There are fine glass and pottery works, boot -and shoe factories, besides stove foundries and carriage works. Tobacco -and fine liquors are manufactured here and Sydney is really the center -of the British colonies in the South." - -"Here we are at home," said his wife. "So your interesting lecture must -cease. I am sure Elsie would rather see a good cup of tea and a -comfortable bed than hear your discourse on the beauties of Sydney when -she's homesick for dear little Glasgow." - -"Tea and bed will do much to do away with homesickness, and the sight of -you will do more," said her sister as they alighted from the carriage -and went up the steps of a handsome house surrounded by fine trees and a -garden radiant with flowers. - -FOOTNOTE: - -[1] Run is the name given to a ranch in Australia. - - - - -CHAPTER III - -A DRIVE - - -A FEW days' rest made the travellers as good as new and Fergus and Jean -were ready for any kind of an adventure. They went about the city -interested in each and everything they saw, for they were bright little -children, full of spirits to the brim. - -"We are to take a drive this afternoon," said Mrs. McDonald one morning. -"Your Uncle Angus is going to show you Wuurna-wee-weetch, which means -'home of the swallow.' It is the largest squatter station anywhere about -here, and it is as handsome as any noble estate at home." - -"That will be jolly, Aunt Mildred," said Fergus, who loved driving. - -When luncheon was over they all seated themselves in Mr. McDonald's -comfortable road-cart, and his fine span of horses pranced along the -Sydney streets. - -"We are passing St. Andrew's Cathedral now," said Mrs. McDonald. "And -there is St. Mary's Cathedral, which is equally fine. There is the -Governor's Mansion, the Museum, the Art Gallery, and now we are entering -Hyde Park. Isn't it beautiful? The water works of Sydney are excellent -and the water supply never fails. It comes sixty-three miles from the -Nepean River and is stored in a huge reservoir. Even in the hottest -weather there is enough water to keep our parks green and beautiful." - -"You are very enthusiastic over your adopted country," said her sister, -teasingly. - -"Indeed I am. I have learned to love Australia, the rural life better -than the urban. You wait until we go up to the 'run' and see if the -charm of the Bush country life doesn't hold you." Mrs. McDonald smiled. -"Now we are entering the grounds of Wuurna-wee-weetch. Tell me, is the -Duke of Argyle's place finer?" - -They drove over the estate, which was surpassingly beautiful. - -"I have heard so much of the Australian Bush and how wild and bare it -is," said Fergus, "that I had no idea that there was anything here so -fine as this." - -"What magnificent trees," said his mother. - -"Those are the eucalyptus, the gum trees for which Australia is famous," -said Mr. McDonald. "The eucalyptus grows to an enormous height, many of -the trees are 150 feet high and eleven feet around the trunk. In some -places they grow to be twenty feet in diameter. They are not good shade -trees because the leaves, which are shaped like little lances, grow -straight up and down, that is, with one edge toward the sun. But in -spite of that, the tree is one of the most useful in the world. There -are nearly 150 varieties of eucalyptus, and most of these are found in -Australia. The lumber is used for all kinds of building purposes. Many -of the trees contain a hard substance, 'manna,' from which we get a kind -of sugar called _melitose_. Others give us _kino_, a resin used in -medicine. The bark yields tannin, and from one variety with 'stringy -bark' we get a fibre used for making rope, the manufacture of paper and -for thatching roofs. From the leaves an oil is distilled which is much -used in medicine, being particularly good to dress wounds and for the -treatment of fevers." - -"It seems to me that these trees furnish almost everything you need," -said Mr. Hume. - -"If you include the birds who nest in them and the animals who climb in -the branches," replied his brother-in-law, "I fancy the Blacks did not -need to look beyond the eucalyptus for a living. The wood built their -huts, and the bark thatched them. From the fibre they made mats for -their floors and hats to keep off the sun, and clothes, which consisted -of waist cloth and sandals. The leaves gave them medicine for the fever -and salve for their wounds. The cockatoos nesting in the branches -furnished them delicious food, while of the feathers the gins[2] made -boas for their necks and wonderful Easter bonnets. It really would seem -as if the gum trees were all they really needed. They have another use -not to be slighted, for they take up the moisture rapidly and dry the -soil in rainy seasons, thus reducing the malaria always found in such -climates as these." - -"They are certainly useful," said Mrs. Hume. "Is this the station to -which we are going?" as they drove through a fine gateway. - -"Yes," said Mrs. McDonald. "Wuurna-wee-weetch is quite up to date in -every way. The house cost L30,000 to build and the ranch has every -modern improvement. The grazing land hereabouts is perfectly adapted to -sheep raising. It is so rich that you may dig ten feet down and still -find rich black dirt. The owner of this ranch has been most successful. -He has recently put in new wool sheds, sheep pens, washing ponds, and -the like, and you may, if you wish, see the whole process of sheep -raising, shearing, pressing, packing and transporting the wool. You will -see it at our station on a smaller scale." They drove for an hour about -the magnificent place, and over all the estate was an air of wealth and -prosperity. - -The gardens were blooming with gay, tropical flowers, and the songs of -the birds were in the air, as they flitted hither and yon through the -branches of the magnificent trees. - -"What is that noise, Aunt Mildred?" asked Jean as they drove through a -beautiful grove of pines which scented the air deliciously. "It sounds -like a far away church bell." - -"It is the bell bird, dear, one of the curiosities of Australia," -replied her Aunt. "Long, long before there was a church bell of any -kind in Australia, this little, lonely bird made its curious bell-like -note. There are some pretty verses by one of our poets about it." - -"Can you say them to us, Aunty?" - -"I will try,--they are really beautiful," she said. - - "'Tis the bell bird sweetly singing, - The sad, strange, small-voiced bird, - His low sweet carol ringing, - While scarce a sound is heard, - Save topmost sprays aflutter, - And withered leaflets fall, - And the wistful oaks that utter - Their eerie, drearie, call. - - "What may be the bell bird saying, - In that silvery, tuneful note? - Like a holy hermit's praying - His devotions seem to float - From a cavern dark and lonely, - Where, apart from worldly men, - He repeats one dear word only, - Fondly o'er and o'er again." - -"Is not that pretty?" said Mrs. Hume, as her sister's musical voice -ceased. "I did not know you had such poets in Australia." - -"Indeed we have a literature of our own," said Mrs. McDonald, "and very -beautiful things are written by Australians. You have much to learn -about this great island continent of ours." - -"Now we must turn toward home," said Mr. McDonald, and his wife said, -"Drive back past Tarnpin, it is so beautiful about there. Tarnpin, or -Flowing Water, is a favourite spot hereabouts. The Blacks have a quaint -story about its origin, and I will tell it to you as old Tepal, a black -chief, told it to me. - -"It was the day time, and all the animals died of thirst. So many died -that the Magpie, the Lark, and the Crane talked together, and tried to -find water to drink. - -"'It is very strange,' said the Magpie, 'that the Turkey Buzzard is -never hungry.' - -"'He must, then, have water to drink,' said the wise Crane. - -"'He flies away every morning, very early,' said the Lark. - -"'Let us rise before the sun and watch him,' said the Magpie, and they -agreed. - -"Next morning the Turkey Buzzard rose early and crept from his -wuurie.[3] He looked this way and that and saw no one. Then he flew -away. He knew not that two bright eyes peeped at him through the leaves -of the great gum tree. He did not hear the 'peep, peep' with which the -Lark awoke his friends. The Lark, the Magpie and the Crane flew high to -the sky. They flew so high that they looked as specks on the sun. The -Turkey Buzzard saw them but thought they were small, dark clouds. He -flew to a flat stone and lifted it up. And the water gushed from a -spring in the rock and he drank and was satisfied. Then he put back the -stone and flew away. - -"The three friends laughed and were glad. Quickly they flew to the -stone, singing, 'We have caught him!' and drank of the fresh water. -They bathed in the pool and flapped their wings until the waters rose -and became a lake of clear water. Then they spread their wings and flew -over the earth, and the waters dropped from their wings and fell to the -thirsty earth. They made there water holes, and ever since there have -been drinking places all over the land." - -"My but that's a jolly story," said Fergus, the irrepressible. "Did you -really know the Blacks, Aunt Mildred? Are there any around here?" - -"None very near," said his aunt. "Indeed, they are mostly dying out. -People who have lived here a long time used to know them and say they -were a kindly people. They were very fond of children and I do not think -they were cruel or quarrelsome unless roused to anger. They have nearly -all buried themselves in the Bush, but you will be likely to see some of -them at our station. There used to be a number around the 'run,' and -when we first came out we had some rather curious experiences with -them. We do not see many now, their experiences with white people were -not always pleasant, I am sorry to say." - -"I hope we shall see some of them," said Fergus. - -"I like black people," said little Jean. - -"What does she know of Blacks?" asked her aunt, smiling, and her mother -replied, - -"Some people from the States came to our farm one fall for the shooting -and they had a black nurse for the baby. Jean took a great fancy to her, -and we simply couldn't keep her from toddling after Dinah. She was a -faithful soul, so good and kind." - -"Those who have lived here for many years say that if you once make a -friend of a Black he will do anything for you," said Mr. McDonald. "I -never had any trouble with them around my station, though other -squatters did." - -"I think it's all in the way you treat them," said his wife. "Of course -the Blacks near the 'run' are not the wild Blacks from the interior, the -man-eating kind, but a gentler race." - -"Well, I hope we shall see some of them," said Fergus. "But I shouldn't -care for cannibals." - -FOOTNOTES: - -[2] Black women. - -[3] Hut. - - - - -CHAPTER IV - -ON THE WAY TO THE "RUN" - - -IT was a bright morning when they left Sydney to go to the station, -taking the train early in the day, for there was a railway ride of -several hours before them, as well as a long drive. - -"Now you are going to see something of Australian life," said Mr. -McDonald. "Life in Sydney or Melbourne is very little different from -that in Liverpool or Glasgow. On the big stations it is much the same as -on the country places at home, but my station is typical of Australia." - -"Is it in the Bush, Uncle?" asked Fergus. - -"Hear the laddie talking like an old squatter," laughed Mr. McDonald. -"Yes and no. You see the Australians who live in the cities consider all -the rest of the continent the Bush, but to those who live in the -grazing and farming districts the country inland is the Bush or the -'Back Country.' Our run is beautifully situated just on the edge of the -Dividing Range, and we are lucky enough to have a river running through -one side, so that the run is seldom dry." - -"What is the Dividing Range?" asked Fergus, who was determined to -understand everything he heard. If he did not, it was not because he did -not ask questions enough about it. - -"The Dividing Range is the high land which separates the east and west -of the continent and runs from north to south along the coast. It is -sometimes called the Australian Alps, and some of the peaks are 7,000 -feet high. The eastern part of Australia runs in a long strip of fertile -ground along the coast. West of this are the mountains and beyond them -is a high plateau which slopes down to the plains of Central Australia. -This central portion is an almost unknown country. There are no great -rivers and little rain. The land is terribly dry and very hot. Many who -have gone to explore it have never returned and no one knows their fate. -Perhaps they have died of thirst, perhaps they have been killed by the -Blacks. This part of the country is called 'Never, Never Land.'" - -"Uncle Angus," asked Fergus, as his uncle paused. "When you came to your -station were you a squatter?" - -His uncle's hearty laugh rang out. "No, my boy, but I bought my run from -a squatter," he answered. "The days of squatters were about over when I -came out. What do you know about squatters?" - -"I don't know anything," answered Fergus. "Only I have heard the name -and thought maybe you would tell us about them." - -"In the old times, before Australia had started in the trade, the wool -from the sheep on the runs was very important to her," said Mr. -McDonald. "Men would come out to the country, and, not having very much -money, they could perhaps buy a small homestead and stock it, but little -more. They would have to have large tracts of land to pasture their -sheep, but had not money enough to buy the land. They therefore settled -down and took what they needed without permission, and so were called -'squatters.' The Government did not interfere with them, because the -wool from their sheep was needed and because the country was so big -there seemed land enough for everyone. In time the matter was arranged -by the Government's dividing the back country into grazing districts, -which all the squatters might use by paying a yearly rent." - -"How did the squatters keep their sheep from other people?" Fergus -inquired. - -"Every flock had its shepherd, who led it wherever food and water were -to be found," was the answer. "The life of a shepherd was a lonely one. -He had to watch the sheep and lambs and see that the dingoes[4] did not -get at them. The shepherd never saw any other people except the man who -brought his supplies from the station. His dogs were his only friends, -and often these shepherd dogs are marvels of intelligence and loyalty. -For a time the squatters prospered and some of them grew immensely -wealthy. These were called 'Wool Kings' and lived on their stations -extravagantly, building houses such as you saw at Wuurna-wee-weetch. - -"But sheep raising is not all plain sailing in Australia. Rabbits were -brought into the country, and these proved to be a regular plague, -destroying the grass, so that the Government passed a law that squatters -must help to exterminate them, which put them to a great expense. - -"When I came here twenty years ago, I got my station from a squatter who -had worked it for years and had made enough to sell out and go to -Sydney, where it had always been his ambition to live. I have worked -hard and been successful. When you see our station I think you will want -to stay in this country instead of trying to find gold in 'Never, Never -Land,'" he said to his brother-in-law. - -"Perhaps I shall, but I have no money to buy a station and I can't be a -squatter now," said Mr. Hume. - -Their way lay through a beautiful semi-tropical country. The train moved -through fertile valleys, fine woodland and green vales, and bridged cool -mountain streams. When their stopping place was reached and they -alighted from the train to find a comfortable cart and good horses -awaiting them, Fergus exclaimed, "It doesn't seem to me that travelling -in Australia is very hard work." - -"Wait till you get to the Bush," said his uncle. "And have to tramp it -with your swag[5] upon your back, make your own supper over a twig -fire, stir your tea in a billy[6] with a eucalyptus twig, and roll up in -a blanket to sleep, waking up to find a dukite snake taking a nap on -your breast,--that's real Australia for you." - -"I like your kind better," said Jean with a shudder, but Fergus said -boastingly, - -"Well, I'm not afraid of the Bush." - -"Wait and see," said his father as they drove through the gate which led -into Mr. McDonald's run. - -It was a beautiful station and well suited for the sheep farming from -which the owner had made his money. The land lay in a triangle, on two -sides of which was a considerable stream while the main road formed the -third boundary. The land was fenced with stout rail fences while the -paddocks were fenced with wire. - -The house was built of stone, of one story, with a broad veranda running -around all four sides, shaded in vines and looking on a garden in which -gorgeous-hued flowers bloomed in brilliant beauty. There was an air of -great comfort about the place. Hammocks were slung in the porches and -easy chairs were placed invitingly about. - -Long windows clear to the floor opened into the living rooms and a wide -hallway ran through the middle of the house. On one side was a drawing -room, at the other, dining room and living room. The guests caught -glimpses of books and music as they were ushered into their cool -bedrooms. These opened on to the veranda and were cool and pleasant, -with gay chintz and white hangings. What a delightful visit the children -had at the run! It was perhaps pleasanter for them than for the grown -folk, for Sandy, Mr. and Mrs. McDonald's only child, a boy of ten, was a -perfect imp of mischief, and he led his two cousins into everything that -he could think of. Fergus was not far behind, and Jean trudged after -the boys, growing strong and rosy in the Australian sunshine. - -"Australia is making the greatest change in Jean," said her mother to -Mrs. McDonald one day, as they sat upon the veranda. "At home she was so -shy she would scarcely look at any one. She seemed delicate and I was -worried for fear she would never learn to take care of herself in this -world." - -"She will grow up into the most self-reliant kind of a girl in the -Bush," said her sister. "She is a dear little girl and I think there is -plenty of strength of character under her shy little ways." - -"I wonder what the three are doing now," said Jean's mother. "It has -been some time since we heard a shriek of any kind--oh--what is that?" -for as she spoke there came a scream so loud and piercing from the -shrubbery that both women sprang to their feet and rushed across the -lawn. - -Midway between the house and the garden they met the three children, -both boys holding Jean's hands and helping her to run to the house, -while the little girl, her face covered with blood and tears, was trying -not to cry. - -"Jean's hurt," cried Sandy. - -"So I should judge," said his mother, trying to keep calm, while both -boys began to talk at once, so that no one could understand a word they -said. - -Mrs. Hume gathered Jean in her arms and carried her quickly to the -house, where she washed the little, tear-stained face. The child's lip -was terribly cut and she was badly frightened, but not seriously hurt, -and as she cuddled down in her mother's arms she sighed, - -"Nice mother! I don't mind being hurt when you are here to fix me up." - -"Tell me what happened, dear," said her mother, as she stroked the fair -hair. - -"We were playing," Jean said. "The boys had sticks and we heard a queer -rustle in the bushes. Sandy said it was a snake and beat the bushes to -drive him out. It ran out just in front of Fergus and I thought it would -bite him, and I didn't want anything to happen to my brother so I ran up -behind him just as he swung his stick over his shoulder to hit the -snake. He hit me in the mouth, but of course he didn't mean to, Mother. -I screamed because it hurt me so, and then I tried not to cry because I -knew it would worry you. It doesn't hurt so badly now, Mother." - -"I'm sorry it hurts at all, darling," her mother held her close. "You -were a good child and brave not to cry. Crawl up in the hammock now and -take a nap, and you will feel better when you wake up." - -"I hope Fergus and Sandy won't do anything very interesting while I am -asleep," the little girl murmured drowsily, as she dropped off to -sleep. - -Fergus and Sandy undoubtedly would. They were very kind to Jean, but -there was no doubt that they found the little girl a clog upon their -movements. Fergus was used to taking care of her, but Sandy had no -sisters and he sometimes wished the little cousin would not tag quite so -much. - -"You can't really do anything much when a girl is tagging around," he -said to his mother, but that long-suffering woman proved strangely -unsympathetic. - -"I think I shall keep Jean always if her being here keeps you out of -mischief," she said with a smile, and Sandy answered, - -"Well, keep Fergus too, then." - -No sooner was Jean asleep than the boys decided the time had come for -them to carry out a plan long since formed, but laid aside for a -convenient season. At one side of the run was a little lake, formed -where one of the boundary streams was dammed. A windmill carried water -from this to a platform and upon this were iron tanks from which pipes -carried water through the house. The boys had decided to climb to the -top of the reservoir and slide down the pipes, which seemed to them -would be an exciting performance. The climbing up was not difficult and -Sandy took the first slide. - -"It's great fun," he shouted. "Let me have another!" as he clambered up -again. - -"It's my turn," cried Fergus, astride of the pipe. - -"Let me. You wait," said Sandy, who was used to playing alone and not to -having any-one dispute with him. - -"I tell you it's my turn!" Fergus' temper rose. "You don't play fair." - -There was a scramble and a cry, both boys lost their balance and fell, -and the sound of breaking glass crashed through the air. - -Both mothers rushed to the scene to find two pairs of arms and legs -waving wildly from the hot-bed, while broken glass was scattered hither -and yon. - -"You dreadful boys, you have fallen right into the flower beds and -broken the glass! Are you badly hurt?" cried Mrs. McDonald, as each -mother dragged out a son. - -Very crestfallen were the boys as they stood up, their faces covered -with scratches and Sandy's hand badly cut. - -"What were you doing?" asked both mothers sternly. - -"Sliding down the water pipe," said Sandy. - -"Quarrelling," said Fergus. - -"Nice way to spend the morning," said Mr. McDonald, who appeared at that -moment from the stables. "Go and get washed up and we'll see if you have -any broken glass in your cuts." - -When the damages were repaired neither boy was found to be much hurt, -but Jean begged so hard that they should not be punished, that the two -were let off for that time. - -"The next piece of mischief you get into you'll be sent to bed for a day -to rest up and think it over," said Sandy's father, and the boys assured -him that they would never, never do anything again as long as they -lived. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[4] Wild dogs. - -[5] Name given to the pack carried on the back. - -[6] Bucket for water, carried by Australians. - - - - -CHAPTER V - -LIFE AT DJERINALLUM - - -WHILE the children played happily together the grown folk had many an -anxious consultation as to ways and means. - -"I wish I could persuade you to stay with us, Elsie," said her sister. -"Let your husband go by himself, on his wild goose chase after gold." - -"Oh, I can't do that," said Mrs. Hume. "I can rough it, and it will do -Fergus good, but I am afraid of it for Jeanie." - -"Let me keep her," said Mrs. McDonald eagerly. "Oh, do, Elsie! I have -always wanted a little girl to pet and take care of and Jean will be -ever so much safer with me than travelling through the wild country you -are going into on your way to the Gold Fields." - -"It might be best," Mrs. Hume said thoughtfully. "I will talk it over -with Fergus and leave Jean in your care, going with him, if he agrees." - -Mr. Hume, however, had very decided ideas as to what was best to be -done. - -"Since your sister and her husband are so anxious to keep you, my dear, -I am sure it will be best for you and Jean to stay here at the run. My -trip to the Gold Fields is only an experiment. It will be a long, hard -journey and an expensive one, and I may not find anything worth doing -when I get there, and in that case will return and take up stock -farming. McDonald offers me a chance now, but I feel as though I ought -to make the trial before accepting help. - -"I will take Fergus with me. The trip will not hurt him and he would -drive you distracted if left here with Sandy. I shall do better work -feeling that you and the lassie are safe and well cared for here." - -"I hate to have you go without me, but I must do as you think best," -said his wife. So it was arranged, and with a heavy heart Jean saw her -father and brother drive away from the run, starting on their long trip -to the Gold Fields. - -"Why does father have to go away?" she asked her uncle, who had taken -her before him for a ride on his big, black horse, "The Bruce." - -"He has gone to hunt for gold, lassie, so you can have fine clothes to -wear," he answered. - -"I'd rather have father here and not have fine clothes," she said, her -lip quivering. "How do they get gold in fields, Uncle? I didn't know it -grew like flowers and grass." - -"It doesn't, lassie," he answered. "They just call the place they find -it the Gold Fields. It is dug out of the earth, where it is found mixed -with sand and stone." - -"Well, where are the Gold Fields and who found there was gold there?" -asked Jean. She liked her burly uncle, who was always ready to talk to -her and who explained everything about the run so pleasantly. - -"The Gold Fields extend all over Western Australia," said Mr. McDonald. -"Gold was first discovered here in 1823 and people have gone mad with -gold fever ever since. The precious metal has been found in Victoria, -New South Wales and Queensland, but recently it has been discovered in -Western Australia. The miners often strike a good lead and grow very -rich, but it is a hard life and especially so in the districts where -there is little water. In the old days men often died of thirst, but now -they have ways of storing the rain which falls in the wet season so that -they do not suffer much. - -"There are many interesting things about the gold regions if the life -there is hard. Trains of camels carry the swag of the miners across the -sandy deserts. These beasts were imported especially for this work, -since they can go longer without water than any other animals, and -often it is a long ways from one good water hole to another. The miners -'peg out' their claims in the new places and set to work sifting the -sands in which are found the grains of gold, sometimes as large as nuts. -Soon there is a camp started. Little canvas huts dot the country. Then -if the camp proves successful, houses are built and finally a city will -grow up, almost as if by magic. One city, that of Ballarat, has grown in -twenty-five years to be one of the handsomest in Australia. It has broad -streets, fine houses, and a beautiful park. The swamp land near by has -been made into a lake surrounded by velvet-turfed pleasure grounds, -planted with wonderful trees and flowers. Kalgoorlie, in only ten years, -is almost a golden city, to which water is brought two hundred miles in -pipes, to drive the engines which extract the gold from the quartz." - -"Thank you, Uncle, for telling me all about it," said Jeanie. "I hope -father will find a good mine and then sell it out quickly and come back -to buy a run near you. That is what I should like best of anything." - -"So should I, child," her uncle smiled at her. "Here we are at the -stables. Jump down and run and call Sandy for me and I'll take you both -with me while I go over the sheds." - -"I've always wanted to know about these queer looking sheds," said Jean -as she and Sandy trudged after her uncle. - -"This long building is the wool shed," he said. "Now it is empty and -quiet, but when it is shearing time there is noise enough. At this end -is the wool press, and the shearing board runs along the sides of the -shed. Sheep used to be sheared by hand, but Lord Wesley's brother -invented a machine for shearing which is a wonderful thing. Would you -two youngsters like to ride around the run with me? I have to go over to -the paddocks to-day." - -"Oh, Uncle, may I ride?" exclaimed Jean. "I had a little Shetland pony -at home and I have missed him so much." - -"You may ride Sandy's pony, and he will take Wallace, while I will ride -'The Bruce,'" said Mr. McDonald, and both the children fairly jumped -with delight. They rode around the run, the master looking everything -over carefully. - -"Every paddock has its own flock," he explained to Jean. "In one the -ewes are kept, in another the wethers, and then there is a paddock for -the horses and another for the cows." - -"How do you get so many animals fed," asked Jean. - -"They graze on the grass, and those great fields of alfalfa over there -are grown to use as food. It has to be irrigated and is quite a little -trouble, but it pays in the end. That house is where the manager lives, -with his family and the jackaroos." - -"What is a jackaroo? Some kind of a bird?" asked Jean. Sandy shouted -with laughter and his uncle smiled as he answered, - -"No, child, jackaroo is the name given to the young fellows who are new -at the station and just learning Australian customs. All kinds of jokes -are played on them by the old hands and they have a hard time at first. -A story is told of some Englishmen who had just come out and were going -hunting. They hadn't found any game and so they asked some station hands -if they had seen any. 'There's a jackaroo down near the water hole,' -said the cook, wickedly, so the two men hurried away to shoot the -strange animal, and lo! it was a young man like themselves." - -"What do jackaroos do, Uncle?" asked Jean. - -"Well, they have to learn to do all the work there is to do at a -station, so that some day they may get to be managers or even run -stations of their own. They have to ride the boundary every day to see -that there are not holes in the fences, and that the water holes are -full. Only one man is needed to look after 7,500 sheep, so he is kept -pretty busy." - -"There are so many buildings somebody must have to look after them. Do -the jackaroos do that?" asked Jean. - -"No, all the repair work on the station is given to a set of men who dig -water holes, build fences, and do any necessary carpenter work. These -draw their groceries, meat, and so forth from the stores, but do not eat -at our tables. I don't believe Wu Ling would stand it if he had to cook -for them." - -"Isn't he funny?" said Jean, laughing. "He lets me come in the kitchen -and watch him bake brownie, but he won't allow Fergus or Sandy there at -all. Do all stations have Chinese cooks?" - -"Not all, but a great many do. The Chinese are the best cooks we can -get. A great many people hate the yellow-skinned Celestials and raise a -hue and cry about a 'White Australia,' but I don't know what we of the -far stations would do without them." - -"Wu Ling cooks very good things," said Sandy. "But he got very angry -when Fergus called him 'pig tail.'" - -"That wasn't nice of Fergus," said Jean. "What beautiful thistles and -sweet briar, Uncle." - -"Not beautiful in our eyes," said her uncle, as they rode by a -magnificent clump of sweet briar, the pink blossoms making a lovely spot -of colour against the purple of the thistles. "Some patriotic Scot -brought the first thistles to Australia, and an English family the -roses, and many's the day I have wished they never came. The soil here -is so rich that everything grows fast, and the thorny plants have spread -all over the land, in some places growing so thick that they have -ruined whole tracts of grazing land. They are nearly as bad as the -foxes. These were brought to destroy the rabbits which ate up the crops, -but Mr. Reynard likes chicken far better than hare, and he has increased -so rapidly that it is almost impossible to get rid of him, though -rewards are offered for his scalp and in one year over thirty thousand -skins were brought in." - -"Do they scalp rabbits, too?" asked Jean. - -"Trapping rabbits is a regular Australian business," said her uncle. "A -good trapper can make L4 a week catching them, and the fur is used to -make felt hats." - -"There are lots and lots of interesting things in your country," said -Jean brightly. - -"But shearing time will be the fun," said Sandy. - -"Oh, I'd like to see them shear. May I, Uncle?" cried Jean. - -"Yes, indeed, you may see anything you like. We'll make a regular -station-hand of you before you are done," he laughed. - -"I'm only a little jackaroo now," she said. "What is that queer noise? -It seemed to come from under those trees." - -[Illustration: "'THAT IS THE LYRE BIRD, ISN'T HE A HANDSOME FELLOW?'"] - -"That is the lyre bird, isn't he a handsome fellow? See, there he is -beneath that bottle tree. We have a pair of them and never allow them to -be touched, as they are quite rare in this part of the country, though -found quite frequently in the scrub. - -"The tail of the male is just like an old-fashioned lyre, and it is one -of the most interesting of our birds." - -"Did you say that was a bottle tree?" asked Jean. - -"Yes. Don't you see it is shaped just like a huge bottle, the branches -growing out of the mouth? The stems have water in them, and if you are -ever lost in the Bush and thirsty, find a bottle tree and get a drink. -The Blacks eat the roots, which are full of a kind of gum." - -"I never heard of such a place as this," said Jean. "It seems as if -everything in Australia was useful. Everything but little girls," she -added. - -"Little girls are very useful in making other people happy," said her -uncle kindly. - -"But I'd like to be really useful and learn to do something," said Jean. - -"You will when you are bigger," he answered. "You must get well and -strong before you can do very much, lassie. But you will be useful -enough as you grow older." - -"I don't see why you are in such a hurry to go to work," said Sandy. "I -think you have a pretty fine time!" - - - - -CHAPTER VI - -"LOST!" - - -LIFE at the run proved pleasant to Jean and full of interesting -happenings. She missed her father and Fergus, but she and Sandy soon -grew to be great friends, and many were the thrilling bits of mischief -into which he dragged her, sure that he would escape punishment if Jean -were only to say, "Don't punish Sandy, Uncle Angus, I did it too." - -The little girl loved her Aunt Mildred, but more than any one at the -station her uncle had won her heart. She grew to be his little shadow, -driving and riding with him, sun-tanned and rosy, growing strong and -healthy in the free Australian life. - -"You are getting as fat as a Chinaman's horse, lassie," said her uncle -as they rode to the river one day. - -"Why do you say that?" she asked. - -"The Chinese are always very kind to their horses and keep them fat and -slick, so that has grown to be a proverb, though some people say as 'fat -as a larrikin's dog,' instead." - -"What is a larrikin?" Jean was growing as full of questions as Fergus. - -"Larrikin is a slang term applied to the idlers who lounge about the -cities, a dog at their heels, like the 'Enery 'Awkins of London or -Glasgow. There are many of them in Australia and they have formed a kind -of secret society among themselves, which is not a very good thing. Here -is a fine bit for a canter, Jeanie. I'll beat you to the big -eucalyptus." - -"No, you won't." Jean chirruped to her pony and was off like a shot -through the open paddock, jumping a fence as if on wings. She loved to -gallop when the air was filled with the fragrance of the wattle and the -gum, and she had grown to ride like a little centaur. - -"Well done," cried her uncle as she drew up at the gate, laughing and -breathless, her horse half a head in advance of his. "We are so near to -'Mason's run,' I think we'll have time to stop there. I want to see him -about several things, so we'll ride on." - -"Very well, Uncle. Is it a sheep run?" - -"No, cattle. You have not seen one yet, so keep your eyes open and learn -all you can. Mason breeds the long horns, sullen beasts, but good -stock." - -"I shall be glad to see them," she said, and they cantered up to the -homestead, which was very unlike her uncle's station. - -Built of wood, with a galvanized-iron roof, the house stood on piles, -but between each pile and the house was a tin plate to keep the white -ants from climbing into the rooms. Several gins[7] came out to see who -the strangers were, the first that Jean had seen, and she looked at -them curiously. Not more so, however, than they looked at her, for they -stared at her and whispered together. - -"They don't know what to make of you, 'Lassie with the lint white -locks,'" her uncle laughed. "The young gin wants to know if you are -Great Baiame's golden child. It's your fair hair, I suppose." - -Jean's hair was light golden and floated all about her face like a halo. - -"Great Baiame is their god, good spirit, and they think you are a -goddess. That gin wants to touch your hair. Better let her, she won't -hurt you." - -Jean smilingly bent her head and let the black woman run her fingers -over her shining tresses. The gin smiled and, seized by a sudden -impulse, Jean said, - -"She may have a curl if she wants it, Uncle. I have plenty and mother -won't care." He handed her his knife and she snipped off a silken -strand, which the gin took with many expressions of delight. - -"You have certainly made a hit among the Blacks," said her uncle -teasingly. "She will wear that as a charm and be the envy of all the -tribe. Your hair is pretty. - - "'The world to me knows no fairer sight - Than your long hair veiling your shoulders white, - As I tangle my hand in your hair my pet.'" - -he quoted as he stroked the shining mane. - -"Uncle, I don't think cattle runs are as nice as sheep runs. There -aren't any wool sheds, but just open yards." - -"These are the stock and branding yards. You see the cattle roam the -hills, some of the runs being as large as five thousand square miles, on -which the cattle find their own food and water." - -"If they wander over all that distance, how do the owners ever tell -their own cattle?" asked Jean. - -"Every beast is branded, that is, he has his owner's mark burnt into his -hide," said her uncle. "So it is easy to draft out of the mobs the -cattle which belong to other ranchmen. The young oxen are sent to the -coast to be fattened for market, while the old cattle are sent to the -rendering works, where they are made into tallow and beef extract. The -stockman's life is harder than that of the shepherd, and dangerous -because of the bullocks' stampedes, when they break loose and often run -down horses and men in their frantic rush for freedom." - -"I like the sheep run much better," said Jean. "See that flying -squirrel, Uncle! I think they are the cunningest little things. Who do -you suppose is hiding behind that tree? I heard some one laughing." - -"Look and see," her uncle smiled. Jean jumped down from her horse and -peered behind the tree. There she saw a little bird perched on one leg -which sang a pretty little song, always breaking off with "H-ah-ha! -Hoo-hoo-hoo!" - -"That's a laughing jackass, Jeanie," said her uncle. "He's a funny -little fellow, isn't he?" - -"He isn't a bit pretty," said Jean. - -[Illustration: "'THAT WAS A PLATYPUS, OR WATER MOLE,' SAID MR. -McDONALD."] - -"No, but he's very useful, for he eats snakes and lizards and all kinds -of things, and there is a law forbidding any one to kill him." - -"You have so many queer things in Australia," said Jean. "Down by the -river Sandy and I found the queerest thing. It looked part animal and -part bird. It had a big flat bill like a duck and fur on its body like a -rat, and it had webbed feet and a long bushy tail. Sandy said it was a -beastie and was called a water mole, but we found its nest in a kind of -tunnel running from the water's edge under ground, and in the nest were -eggs." - -"That was a platypus, or water mole," said Mr. McDonald. "He is an -animal but lays eggs like the birds. There is another animal in -Australia which does too, the spiny ant-eater. He looks like a hedgehog -but has a queer, long bill with a long tongue covered with sticky stuff -with which he licks up the ants off the ground. He hasn't a nest, but -carries his eggs around in a kind of a pocket until they are hatched." - -"It certainly is a queer place, with trees that shed their bark every -year, pears that have hard wooden rinds, cherries with the stones -outside, trees with flowers and seeds growing in the leaves and animals -that lay eggs," said Jean. - -"And little girls that chatter and ride like monkeys," cried Sandy's -teasing voice, as he rode up behind them. "I can pass you!" - -"No, you can't!" cried Jean, and she galloped off, her cousin after her, -though he did not catch up with her till she rode up to the veranda and -jumped off her pony, laughing heartily. - -Some weeks later all was hurry and bustle at the station. Shearing was -to begin the next day and there was a great deal to be done to make -ready for the great event. Shearers were coming in, some riding, some -trudging along on foot, carrying their swags. There were huts for them -to sleep in, and tents were being spread in the open. Mr. McDonald left -all the details of this work to his manager, a young Australian who had -been born and raised on a sheep run. - -At first Jean was much interested in seeing the shearing and stood in -the shed watching, as the engine whistled to begin. The pens were full -of sheep who did not at all know what they were there for, but who did -know that they did not like it. They baa-ed and bawled, and with the -noise of the machinery it was deafening in the sheds. As the machine -starts every shearer grabs a sheep from the pen, choosing the one that -looks the easiest to shear, he throws it with his knee and rapidly -guides the little knife-like cutters of the machine over the fleece, -which falls from the animal in one huge piece. The sheep is then -released to run, pink and shivering, to the yard again. The "picker up" -catches up the fleece and takes it to the wool bin, while the shearer -turns to the pen to catch another victim. He has to be quick because the -sharp eye of the overseer is upon him. He walks up and down, watching -every one. The "penners-up" must not let a single pen be empty, "the -pickers-up" must keep the floor clean, the shearers must shear evenly as -well as closely. If they cut a ragged fleece the wool will grow badly -the next year and some of it will be wasted. - -The shearers are paid by the number of sheep they shear, and they work -very fast, every man trying to see if he cannot be the "ringer," as they -call the man who has sheared the greatest number of sheep at the close -of the shearing. - -The shearers earn five dollars for every hundred sheep sheared, and an -ordinarily good workman will shear a hundred sheep in a day, while -extra good ones have sheared three hundred in a day. As the shearers -have no expenses, their food and lodging being given them, they can make -a good deal of money during the season. - -The picker-up takes the fleece to the wool roller, who trims it and -rolls it up to be inspected by the classer. He decides as to its quality -and puts it in the proper bin. It is then baled, marked with the quality -and the owner's brand, and taken by wagon to the nearest shipping -station. - -The sheep are counted, branded and dipped to prevent their being covered -with wood ticks, which bite so fiercely, and then are returned to their -paddocks. There is no more attractive sight in the world than an immense -flock of the long-wooled Australian sheep, and none more forlorn than -the shivering droves of freshly-sheared animals. - -Jean watched until she was tired. The smell of the wool, the noise, the -heat, the cries of the tormented sheep, all turned her sick, and she -fled to the house. There things were little better. Everybody was busy. -Aunt Mildred had no time to notice a little girl. Sandy was away, no one -knew where, and, worst of all, her mother was laid low with one of her -terrible headaches. Jean knew these of old, and that it was no use to -expect to even speak to her mother before night. She felt forlorn and -lonely and decided to take a ride. - -No one was at the stable to saddle Dandy, but she had learned to ride as -well without a saddle as with, so she got on the pony's back and rode -toward the river. - -Away from the noise of the shearing shed, how quiet and lovely it all -seemed. The wind swayed gently the branches of the great she-oaks as a -mopoke's mournful note came from the gum trees. Flying foxes flapped -their wings and she came upon the playground of a satin-bower[8] bird, -the first she had ever seen, although her uncle had told her about them. -She rode farther into the wood than she intended and, feeling tired, she -got off Dandy and, throwing the reins over a bush, sat down under a tree -to rest. - -"I'm so tired," she said to herself, "I think I will take a little nap. -This looks just the place for a fairy ring and perhaps the elves will -come to dance while I am asleep." - -She lay down under the huge tree about which ferns grew so thickly as to -form a green curtain. Dandy browsed in the grass near by, every now and -then pricking up his dainty ears and working his velvety nose as if -something he did not like was near. Then his reins pulled loose from the -bush and he wandered away to nibble at a tempting bit of turf a little -distance away. Another tempted him and he was soon out of sight, hidden -by the great ferns which grew up above his pretty head. - -As he disappeared there was a little rustle in the bushes and two eyes -peered at the sleeping child. Then a hand reached out and warily touched -a fold of her little blue gingham frock. Jean stirred in her sleep and -smiled. She was dreaming that her father had come back and that he took -her in his strong arms and carried her away, away, and she never wanted -him to put her down. The scent of the wild blooms was in her nostrils, -and she did not wake when two arms cautiously raised her from the ground -and holding her lightly yet carefully, so that no branch might brush -against her, carried her far into the deep and lonely wood. It was -perhaps an hour that the man carried her and she did not wake. Then she -opened her eyes to find herself in the arms of a big Black. She screamed -in fright, but he spoke gently to her. - -"Missa not 'fraid. Me not bad Black. Take Missa home." - -"Where is my pony. I would rather ride him," she cried, struggling, and -the Black put her down. - -"Pony all gone," he said. "Missa very tired, me show Missa my gin. She -very sick, want to see white baby, with gold for hair. Hear all about -her from other gin. Then carry home. Black very much like Missa." He -smiled again and his face looked kind. "Let me carry Missa or we not get -there soon," he said coaxingly, and not knowing what else to do Jean -allowed him to pick her up and carry her again. He walked fast, but she -did not see the river or the house and she began to grow frightened. It -grew dark and the air was full of flying things, so large as to seem -like birds and so small as to seem like baby mice with wings. The bird -songs were stilled; only the soft chirping of the tree insects were -heard. Then those ceased and all was still and dark, and the silent -forest so terrified the child that she began to cry. - -"No good for Missa to cry, Missa must go see gin," said the Black, and -as he spoke they came in sight of a little group of native huts, -bark-thatched and dimly seen through the darkness. Into the smallest of -these the Black stumbled and set his burden before a couch on which lay -a black woman wasted with fever. - -"Brought you white child," he said. The hut was full of Blacks, but Jean -was too frightened and tired to think of any of them, and she covered -her face with her hands and sobbed as if her heart would break. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[7] Black women. - -[8] This bird makes a play-ground before the tree in which it builds its -nest. It has a floor of sticks, and over this is built a little bower -into which are woven bright feathers, white shells, etc. - - - - -CHAPTER VII - -JEAN FINDS A FRIEND - - -JEAN stopped crying, for she found that it did no good. She curled up in -the corner of the dark hut and waited to see what would happen. The -Blacks talked and jabbered around her, but she could not at all -understand what they said, and she was too little to understand that she -was in any danger. She only wished with all her heart that she might see -her mother. The Blacks talked together, and Jean at last was so tired -that she curled up on the floor and went to sleep. When she awoke and -opened her eyes she was surprised to find that the sun was shining. - -She was lying on the ground under a huge gum tree. A fire of the dry -twigs of the gum tree burned brightly, as a young black boy whom she -had seen the night before fanned it with a huge fern leaf. - -"Little Missa hungry," he said, smiling kindly down at her. "Kadok make -eat. Be good little girl and lie still." - -He took a hatchet which hung on the belt around his waist and quickly -cut off a piece of bark from the gum tree, then took some flour from a -bag and piled it on the bark. Water from the water-hole he dipped up -with a leaf cup and mixed with the flour, baking it on the bark over the -fire. Kadok then dipped fresh water from the water-hole, around which -ferns grew as high as Jean's head, and turned over the ashes of the fire -to roast in them a turkey's egg which he had found in the bracken. - -"Now Missa eat," he said, giving Jean a piece of damper[9] and the egg, -with a cup of water. "Little Missa not be afraid. Kadok take her to see -Mother." - -The boy's face was kind and Jean tried to smile at him in return, -finding courage to say, - -"Are you Kadok? How did I get here?" - -"I am Kadok, _yoia_.[10] Black man found little Missa asleep by the -corral. Want to show her to his woman who had no girl, all die. He take -little Missa and mean to bring her back. Then white police ride and -hunt. Black man scared, hide Missa, hide selves. Some black men say kill -little Missa. Kadok say 'No.' His father chief, and chief say, 'Take -back white Missa to mother.' So Kadok will take." - -"Thank you, Kadok," said Jean simply, accepting all that he said. "How -soon will I see my mother?" - -"Don't know. Missa come long way on man's back. Must go back on two -feet. Take days and nights. Not cry," he said as her face clouded. -"Kadok take one good care of little Missa. Eat plenty meal, then we -start walk." - -Jean was a quiet child. Fergus had always been the talker and she had -been content to listen to the big brother whom she thought the most -wonderful boy in the world. So she did not say much in reply to Kadok, -but obediently ate her queer breakfast, which tasted very good to the -hungry little girl. When she had finished she said timidly to Kadok, - -"May I wash my hands and face at the water-hole?" - -"Come with me. I go see," said Kadok. She followed him to the water, -always a precious thing in Australia, where the dry season makes it -scarce. "Step right behind Kadok, maybe snakes," said the black boy, and -she followed him close. - -Trees had been cut down and many lay about in the scrub, which grew -thick and higher than Jean's head, so that Kadok had to hold it aside in -many places for her to pass. The water-hole was clogged with weeds and -leaves, but Kadok dug about under the ferns until he found a clean -pool, then filled his flask with water, saying, - -"Little Missa wash quick." Jean dipped up the cool water in her hands, -splashing it on her face. As she dried herself as best she could with -her handkerchief, Kadok cried, - -"Jump back, Missa, quick! into the scrub!" She obeyed without stopping -to ask why and stood trembling, as Kadok came hurriedly after her. - -"Missa one good little girl," he said. "Mind what Kadok say always so -quick, then Missa get safe home. See there!" pointing as he spoke to -something on the other side of the water-hole where Jean had just been -washing. "What Missa see?" - -"I see a big black log," answered Jean. - -"What Missa see now," said Kadok, throwing a stick at the log. To the -child's astonishment and horror the log rolled on its side, turned over -and opened a huge pair of jaws, closing them again with a cruel snap. - -"_Yamin_,"[11] said Kadok briefly. He seldom wasted words. "Eat little -Missa if she not jumped. Now we start take you home. Little Missa mind -Kadok and she go long home all right. You not afraid?" - -"I will mind," said Jean, "and I am not very much afraid." - -"We go," said the boy, and he flung over his shoulder a bag in which he -had put his water bottle and provisions and started through the scrub. -"Come after me and tell Kadok when you too tired to walk," he said to -the child, and she followed him obediently. - -She did not know why, but she was not at all afraid of Kadok. She felt -he was telling her the truth when he said he would take her home if she -was a good girl, and she put her whole mind upon following the difficult -trail. The way at first led through a tangle of tropical vegetation, -then the two struck into a forest of huge gum trees. Overhead the limbs -made a lattice-work of interlacing boughs which gave no shade, as the -leaves were vertical instead of horizontal. - -The sun grew hot and beat down upon Jean's bare head, for she had lost -her hat. Her fair hair caught on the long festoons of gray moss which -hung from the trees, the flying golden fleece stuck to the rough bark, -which was red with gum and very sticky. Her tangled matted curls, which -had been her mother's joy, hung about her face and into her eyes so that -she could scarcely see where she was going. The spinifex prickles stuck -her ankles and legs, and at last she stumbled over a hidden tree root -and fell in a heap upon the ground. At her cry Kadok turned quickly, - -"Missa hurt," he said, coming back and helping her to her feet. "Not -cry." - -"I won't," she said, choking back her sobs. "Please let me rest awhile." - -"Must go fast to get to water-hole for dinner," said Kadok. "Missa rest -a little and then try go again." - -She lay down on the grass and shut her eyes. Some parrots chattered and -screamed in the trees above her, but the sun was hot and most of the -forest birds were still, except for little twitterings among the -branches. Kadok sat silent beside her. Much was passing in the black -boy's mind. He knew too well the need for haste. The trip was dangerous -for him as well as for his little white friend; he understood the danger -and she did not. She felt only the danger of the forest, reptiles, -hunger, cold and thirst. But Kadok had to fear both Blacks and Whites. -Should the two fugitives run into unfriendly Blacks they would be -captured, and if the little girl was not killed by them she would be -taken far inland, where as yet white people did not rule, and all hope -of restoring her to her people would be at an end. On the other hand, -were they to fall in with any of the mounted police or squatters, Kadok -knew that his story would never be believed, and that he would be -punished for stealing a white child. All this he knew, that Jean could -not understand, but he felt that he must make her see the need for -hurrying if possible. - -"Kadok," she spoke first. "How many miles is it to my mother?" - -"It is many hours," answered Kadok. "We must go fast." - -"I will go now," she said, getting up. "I can walk." - -"Why you hurry?" asked Kadok, surprised. - -"I want my mother," she answered. "She will be afraid for me. My father -has gone away to find gold and she will be frightened for me." She spoke -like a little old woman and the black boy's eyes shone. He saw that he -had the way to manage her without frightening her with the dangers he -dreaded. - -"We must go fast so little Missa's mother not get sick without her," he -said, and the two started on again. - -By noon, slow as the little steps were, they had covered considerable -ground, and they sat down near a tiny water-hole to eat and rest. - -"Missa wash feet and rest while I make eat," said Kadok, and Jean bathed -her bruised feet, wrapping them in wet leaves, which Kadok told her -would take out the pain. "Little Missa sit very still while I find eat," -he said. "I not go away." She was terribly frightened when he -disappeared between the trees, but in a few minutes she heard the sound -of chopping near by, and in a few moments more, Kadok returned carrying -a dead bandicoot. - -"Me chop him out of hole in foot of tree," he said, grinning broadly. -"Him make fine eat." - -He quickly made a fire, and cutting up the meat in pieces, put some of -them on sharpened twigs, and held them over the fire to roast. - -"Eat plenty much," he said to Jean as he handed her several pieces. "We -not know when we find another." - -She ate and found the meat very good. Some of it Kadok had rubbed with a -little salt which he took from his provision bag, and a few bits he held -over the smoke to dry. All this he wrapped in green leaves and put -carefully with his provisions, getting Jean water in a leaf cup and -making ready to start again. - -"You good little _wirawi_,"[12] he said approvingly. "We soon bring to -Mother her good luck." - -The afternoon's walk was not quite so bad as the morning's had been. -Kadok struck into a track which led through the Bush to the main road. -Walking here was not so troublesome and Jean managed fairly well, though -her feet hurt her cruelly and toward the last Kadok had to help her -along. - -"Little more walk, Missa," he said encouragingly. "We find good camp for -night. To-morrow we get long way to home." - -But Jean was almost past thinking of the morrow, almost past thinking of -home. Her poor little body ached in every muscle, her face and hands -were scratched and bleeding, and she was faint with hunger and fatigue. -She stumbled on, Kadok holding her arm, until at last she could go no -longer and would have fallen, had not the black boy picked her up and -carried her. Laden as he was with his heavy swag, it was no easy task to -carry a heavy child of eight, but he was a strong, muscular fellow, used -to Bush life, and not tired as was his white charge. He carried her -along the track some twenty rods, then paused and looked closely into -the forest. It seemed a great wall to shut them off, but the keen eye of -the Black caught an almost imperceptible opening amongst the leaves and -he left the path once more to tread the mazes of the wood. Only a -little distance and he came to a ruined hut overgrown with moss and -creeping plants. It had once been a shepherd's hut and was a poor place, -but at any rate it would serve as a shelter from the night and Kadok -carried Jean within and laid her down on the floor. - -"Little Missa tired out," he said, pitying the child's white face, which -looked unearthly in the light of the sunset which streamed through the -open doorway. Jean was too tired to speak. She looked at him wearily for -a moment and then closed her eyes. "Missa must eat. Not good to sleep -too quick," he said. - -He made a fire at the door of the hut, partly for warmth, for with the -sun's going down came the cool night dews, and partly to drive away -mosquitoes, as well as to cook their supper. He then brought water from -the trough, and made damper and forced bits of it between the child's -teeth and gave her a drink of water. Little pieces of roasted meat he -added to her meal, and at last she sat up and smiled her thanks at him. - -"Good Kadok," she said, "eat some yourself. You are tired too." - -"Not tired like little Missa," he said, showing his even white teeth in -a smile. "Now must rub feet with wet leaves so they not be sore -to-morrow." - -Jean bathed her feet and bound them up in cool green leaves, tying them -on with long grasses which Kadok brought her. Then she wrapped herself -in the blanket the black boy took from the swag and, lying down, was -soon sound asleep. Kadok sat for some time at the door of the hut, -feeding the fire, then he too rolled up in a blanket, and lying across -the doorway, so that no one could come in without his knowledge, he too -fell asleep. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[9] Kind of native bread made of flour and water. - -[10] Yes. - -[11] Crocodile. - -[12] Woman. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - -IN THE BUSH - - -THE sun was high in the heavens when Jean awoke and at first she did not -know where she was. Then she sat and looked about her, calling "Kadok!" -but there was no answer. She went to the door of the hut and looked -about. The fire was still burning, but there was no sign of the black -boy. Before she had time to be frightened, however, Kadok's black face -peered from between the trees, across the little clearing which lay in -front of the hut. He smiled when he caught sight of her. - -"Little Missa sleep good, feel good this morning," he said. -"_Bujeri_,[13] Kadok make breakfast." - -"What have you for breakfast," she asked, hungry as she had never been -at home. - -"Fine fruit, got it top of tree," he said, handing her a large purple, -plum-like fruit which she ate and thought delicious. Kadok then roasted -in the ashes some scrub turkey eggs he had found, and these too tasted -good, and there was damper and cool water. - -"Missa must hurry start now," said Kadok. "We long way to go to-day to -get to Mother." - -"First I must try to fix my hair," she said. "It catches in the branches -so that it hurts." - -"Kadok help," he said briefly. He caught the golden mass in his hand and -screwed it up in bunches on either side of her head, pinning it tight -with some long thorns. Then he tied about her head a bright handkerchief -which he had worn knotted around the open neck of his shirt, and rolling -up the blankets and packing up the ration bag, he shouldered his swag, -gave her a hand, and they were off for the day. - -As they walked Jean noticed that Kadok looked always to the right and -left and that whenever they came near a hill or a hummock, he would go -ahead before telling her to follow him. - -"Why do you always look around, Kadok," she asked curiously. - -"'Fraid Debil-debil get little Missa or _Buba_ or maybe _Yo-wi_ or -_Ya-wi_," he answered briefly. - -"Who are they?" she asked. - -"Debil-debil bad god, enemy of _Baiame_,"[14] he said. "_Buba_ big -kangaroo, very bad father of kangaroos, _Yo-wi_ is fever god, and -_Ya-wi_ is snake god. All very bad for little Missa," and he shook his -black head. He did not tell her there were others more to be feared than -these monsters of the Blacks' demonology, but he was worried by tracks -he saw in the sand, tracks of both Blacks and Whites. "Mounted police, -been here," he muttered to himself. "Look for little Missa. See horse's -tracks plain. Here black man's tracks. Think bad Blacks," and he knit -his brows. - -Kadok was at a loss to know what to do. He did not want to take Jean -into the Bush again, fearing that hard walking such as they had had the -day before would make her too sick to go on, yet he was afraid to keep -on the beaten track. They kept on till noon, however, and he drew her -aside into the woods to rest and eat her dinner. - -He gave her damper, of which she began to be tired, bits of smoked meat, -and some of the white larvae to be found in quantities on the tree -roots, and which she thought delicious. She was hungry, but Kadok gave -her some roots to chew as they walked, saying, "We eat 'gain before -long, must walk some now. 'Fraid we have big storm," and he looked -anxiously at the sky, over which heavy clouds were passing. - -Obediently she followed him again, and he walked quickly, peering -through the bushes as if looking for something. The wind was so fierce -that they made slow progress. It blew so that Jean was terribly -frightened and at last Kadok stopped in his quick walk and took her -hand. - -"Missa 'fraid Storm debil," he said. "I find place to hide from him. -Come!" and he pulled her into the bushes which covered a high hill. -Skirting round the hill, he pushed through a thicket which seemed almost -like a wall, dragging Jean along as the storm broke with a sudden crash -of thunder which frightened the child terribly. - -"Quick!" Kadok cried to her, "We find cave now!" and he pushed aside -some close growing tree branches and showed her the entrance of a little -cave hollowed out of the rock. "Here we be safe till storm go over," he -said, and Jean gladly crouched in the shelter, watching with frightened -eyes the play of the lightning. Kadok gave her more roots to chew and -talked kindly to her to soothe her fears. - -"This not much storm," he said. "See many worse than this. Soon over and -we go on. Think Missa see Mother to-morrow. Not many hours far now." - -"Kadok," said Jean, "why are you so good to me?" - -"What you mean?" asked Kadok. - -"Why do you take me home?" she asked. - -"Black boy not forget friend," he said. "Not forget enemy. Do mean to -Kadok, Kadok do mean to you, if he has to wait five, ten years. Do Kadok -good, he do good to you when he make chance." - -"But I never did you any good," said Jean, puzzled. - -"No, little Missa not. Missa McDonald do me heap good.[15] There was bad -man at Station. He no like Blacks near his cattle camp. Blacks not bad, -not hurt white man. White man very bad. He make feast and tell Blacks to -eat. Black men all eat. Next day all black men dead, all but Kadok and -his father, great Chief. They very sick, but they not had eat much of -white man's pudding. Chief tell Missa McDonald they very sick -here,"--putting his hand on his stomach--"She look very sorry and give -them hot drink. It make them very sick and all white man's pudding come -up. Think very strange that Kadok and Chief only ones not die, but like -Missa McDonald very well for hot drink. Chief father say to me, 'Some -day do kind to Missa McDonald,' and I say 'Yes.' When little Missa taken -by bad Blacks, Chief say to me, 'Now time to pay Missa McDonald, take -little Missa home!' I go, take," and the boy nodded his head. - -Jean did not understand all of his story, but she could take in enough -to know that her Aunt Mildred had saved the life of Kadok and his -father, and she felt that the boy would do all he could for her. - -The storm had ceased and the rain lay in sparkling drops upon bush and -leaf. - -"Very wet," said Kadok as he peered out. "Missa sit here very still -while Kadok go and see. Maybe we go on, maybe not." Jean did not want to -stay alone in the cave. "Let me go with you," she said pleadingly, but -Kadok shook his head. - -"Not good for Missa. Big snakes come out of holes. Too many. Kadok not -go far away. Missa not come out of cave till Kadok come back. Missa -'fraid, say prayers to white people's _Baiame_." - -[Illustration: "THE LEAVES PARTED AND A BLACK FACE PEERED THROUGH THE -BUSHES."] - -Jean thought his advice good and said her prayers, sitting quietly for a -time, looking through the cave door, though she could see but little, -the screen of vines and bushes was so thick. She grew tired of sitting -still, and moved about the little cave, finding little to interest her, -however. It was hollowed out like a tunnel deep into the cliff, but was -so dark, except right at the mouth, that she was afraid to explore it. -She took off her shoes, washed her aching feet, and reaching to the -bushes around the cave, pulled leaves to bind on them as Kadok had -taught her to do. Then she took off the handkerchief he had tied about -her head, let down her long hair and tried to smooth out the tangles -with her fingers. It was no easy task, for the hair was long, fine and -curly, and it was terribly matted down and snarled. She took a long -thorn and tried to use it for a comb, and after working a long time had -the locks smoothed out into a fluffy mass of gold on either side her -face. She had been so interested in her work that she had not noticed -how late it was getting until suddenly it seemed to be growing dark. She -looked out of the cave and saw the gleams of the golden sunset through -the leaves. She felt hungry. "Where can Kadok be?" she thought to -herself. "He has been gone a long, long time. Oh, supposing something -has happened to him! What shall I do?" But there was nothing for her to -do but wait, and she sat at the door of the cave, too frightened to cry, -fearing a thousand dangers the worse because they were imaginary. Then -she heard a crackling of the branches near the cave and sprang to her -feet joyfully, expecting to see Kadok's black face through the bushes. - -"Kadok!" she cried eagerly. The leaves parted and a black face peered -through the bushes, fierce black eyes gazed at the child, as she stood -speechless with astonishment, gazing at a perfectly strange Black. She -did not speak, she was too frightened to scream, and the Black too was -silent. With her floating, golden hair, her wide blue eyes, her fair -cheek turned to gold by the rays of the setting sun, which shone full -upon her, the rest of her body concealed by the branches with which -Kadok had filled the mouth of the cave, she looked like a creature of -air rather than earth, and so the Black thought her. With a wild cry of -"_Kurru! Kurru!_"[16] he let go his hold of the branches, and Jean could -hear him crashing through the bushes in mad haste to get away. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[13] Expression of satisfaction. - -[14] Baiame is the chief god of the Blacks. - -[15] This story of the poisoning of nearly a whole tribe of Blacks at a -Christmas feast is vouched for on good authority. - -[16] Kurru-kurru is the Dew Dropper or Mist Gatherer, Goddess of the -Blacks and wife of Munuala, the water god. - - - - -CHAPTER IX - -HOUSEKEEPING IN A CAVE - - -SHE heard Kadok's voice and called to him excitedly, "Oh, Kadok, come -quick! I am so frightened!" - -"What matter, little Missa?" asked Kadok as he parted the bushes and -looked at her with anxious face. - -"Oh, a strange Black looked at me and ran away!" she said, bursting into -tears. - -"Little Missa not cry," said Kadok. "Brought little Missa meat for -supper. What did black man say?" - -"A strange word something like curry curry," she said. "He looked -frightened too." - -"That good," said Kadok. "He think little Missa not real child. Golden -child. Think him not come again. Kadok glad, for we must stay here one, -two days." - -"Oh, Kadok, why? Can't we go to Mother to-morrow?" her voice was full of -tears and the boy's face clouded. - -"Kadok very sorry for little Missa," he said. "But no can help. Kadok -got bad hurt on foot. No can walk one, two days. Little Missa help Kadok -get well?" - -"Oh, Kadok, how did you hurt yourself?" she asked, as she saw that his -foot was covered with blood. - -"Hurt in the scrub," said Kadok, who did not want to tell her the truth, -that he had met a Black who had thrown his _nulla-nulla_[17] and struck -him on the foot, though the boy had managed to get away from him. - -"Let me tie it up for you," said Jean. "I've often seen mother dress -Fergus' wounds, for he was always doing things to himself. He always had -at least one finger tied up in a rag." - -"Little Missa good," said Kadok as he sat wearily down beside her. He -was worn out and even his brave spirit sank at this new trouble. It -would be several days before he could walk well, he knew, and if the -Black who had wounded him had discovered Jean he would certainly come -back. Would they be safe even for a few hours, he wondered? His chief -hope lay in the fact that if the Black had thought her a vision, he -would fear to return. - -Jean scooped up water which stood in a pool at the door of the cave, -washed her pocket-handkerchief and tore it into strips, then bathed -Kadok's foot and tied it up as she had seen her mother do. - -"Thank little Missa," said Kadok. "Feel better, make eat now." - -"No, I shall make supper to-night," said Jean. "It is time I tried to do -something for you." - -She gathered up sticks and bits of bark and laid the fire, which Kadok -carefully lighted, taking one from a box of matches which he had in his -swag, and which he kept tied up in the skin of an animal to keep them -from getting damp. He had brought back a _yopolo_[18] from his hunt in -the forest, and wild bee's honey, and he said to Jean, - -"Better not make damper to-night. Save meal for some day we have not -meat." - -"I am tired of damper anyway," said Jean. "How shall I cook the meat?" - -"Put leaves over hot stones, set yopolo on, all in his skin, cover him -over with earth and he cook very tender," said Kadok, and she followed -his receipt. There was only a little water left in the water-hole, and -that not fresh. - -"Where do you get water, Kadok?" asked Jean. - -"From the spring," he answered. "Not far, just ten steps in the bushes, -straight ahead from cave, but not safe for little Missa go." - -"Why not? We are both so thirsty," she pleaded. - -"Little Missa's shoes make tracks. Bad Black come long, see tracks, know -white child here, steal little Missa away." - -"Oh, if that's the trouble I can take my shoes off," she said, laughing, -as she pulled off shoes and stockings. "I will be right back. I can find -it, for you said it was only ten steps away," and she picked up the -billy and hurried out of the cave in spite of Kadok's "Little Missa not -go. Debil-debil get her!" - -She was back before Kadok thought she could have found the spring, -saying brightly, - -"Now we have fresh water for our supper, afterwards I can tie up your -foot again." - -"Kadok found cup for little Missa," he said, pulling from his belt a -battered tin cup. "Think white man drop it, little Missa can have -honey-water to drink." He cut a piece of the honeycomb and put it in the -cup of water. Jean drank the sweet drink and almost smacked her lips. - -"It is ever so nice, Kadok," she said. "It tastes like the sugar-water -the American children's black mammy used to give us." - -"Who was that?" he asked curiously. - -"There were three children of America came to stay at my uncle's place, -oh, a long time ago before we came to Australia. They had a nurse, a -black woman. She was ever so black, not brown like you, Kadok, and so -good and nice. I used to like her very much. That was the reason I was -not afraid, when the black man told me to come and see the gin who was -sick. I thought he would be good like Dinah and bring me right back." - -"Black people very much like white people," said Kadok. "Some black face -white heart, some black all way through. Some white face very black -heart," and the boy shook his head. - -"Think yopolo cooked. Him smell fine," he said, sniffing the scent -which came from the fire. - -The yopolo was indeed done and delicious. It was very tender and tasted -like spring chicken. It was a queer supper for the little Scotch girl, -seated cross-legged on the floor of the cave, as she drank honey-water -and cut off bits of meat for herself and Kadok. - -The little housekeeper enjoyed her supper thoroughly. Having finished, -she put fresh green wood on the fire that the smoke might keep off the -mosquitos, and wrapped the rest of the meat in leaves to keep for -breakfast. She bathed Kadok's foot, which was swollen and painful, and -tied it up, and then, under the boy's directions, cut down some leafy -branches and moss to make herself a bed, and wrapped herself in her -blanket to sleep. - -When morning came it seemed as if the mother's desire that the little -girl should have experiences to make her less childish was to be -fulfilled, for Kadok's foot was so painful that he could not even drag -himself about the cave and Jean had to wait on him as well as to care -for herself. She made breakfast and gathered fresh leaves and branches -and brought water enough to last all day. Then she made fresh damper and -cut strips of the yopolo meat, drying it in the sun and smoke under -Kadok's directions. There were provisions enough to last a day or two -and she tried not to worry about things, but she wished she had -something else to do. - -Kadok saw she was growing restless and tried to talk to her, afraid that -she would cry. "Little Missa not see cave before, not have at home. Tell -about home." - -"Oh, it's not at all like this," she said. "It's very cold, and the -mountains are high and beautiful and there are no snakes nor wild -things. It's all farms and sheep and not wild like Australia. And in the -winter the snow is lovely." - -"What is snow?" asked Kadok. - -"Don't you know what snow is?" she laughed. "I hardly know how to tell -you. It looks like soft, white feathers and it floats down from the sky -when it's very cold and covers up the ground like a white blanket. Then -it is lovely, but when the sun comes out and melts it, it's not nice. -Didn't you ever see snow?" - -"Never did," said Kadok. - -"Oh, Kadok, what's that?" exclaimed Jean, as a mournful sound came -through the forest. - -"That messenger of Muuruup, _Debill-debill_," said Kadok with a frown. -"Muuruup lives under the ground. He make evil. He makes lightning and -spoils trees and kills people. No like hear owl bird. Bring bad storm or -bad luck." - -"Oh, I hope he won't bring a storm," said Jean. "We had storm enough -yesterday to last for awhile. How does _Debil-debil_ make lightning?" - -"Don't know," said Kadok. "Old chief say he not make. Say Great Baiame -make. He want to smoke big pipe up in sky, strike match to light pipe, -throw match down to earth, while smoke--match make lightning." - -"If we are going to have another storm I am going to bring water from -the spring while I can go out of the cave." She was getting very tired -of sitting still. - -"Kadok not like little Missa to run round by herself," said Kadok, but -Jean said wilfully, - -"I must go by myself if there is no one to go with me, mustn't I? We've -got to have water," and she picked up the billy and started for the -spring. - -It was cool and pleasant in the woods. She filled her billy and stopped -to gather a handful of leaves which grew near-by and looked shiny and -pretty, then went back to Kadok. - -"You see nothing happens to me," she said. - -"You go once too often. You not good little Missa. You not mind Kadok," -he grumbled. - -"I will be good, but really I can't sit still all day," she said. "See -what pretty leaves." - -"Very good leaves," said Kadok. "When little Missa have no water, chew -these, not be thirsty. White men call them hibiscus." - -"I'll remember that," said Jean. "Kadok, tell me a story about when you -were a little boy. What did you used to do at home?" - -"Not do very much in wuuries,"[19] he said with a broad grin. "Blacks -not have much home like white people. Like woods better than wuuries. -Like hunt. Make many fine hunt, sometimes hunt animals, sometimes hunt -other Blacks. Very good eat, before white man comes," he hastened to add -as he saw Jean's expression of terror. "Not eat people now." - -"I should hope not," cried the child. - -"Little Missa keep quiet," said Kadok, raising himself on his elbow, -grasping a stick he had and peering through the bushes. "Something -coming. Think not black man. Don't move!" They sat so quiet it seemed to -Jean that she could hear her heart beat, but heard nothing more. Just as -she was about to speak, Kadok raised his stick quickly and brought it -down with great force and Jean saw something black whirl and twist at -the opening of the cave. - -"Missa help quick. This hard to hold," cried Kadok. "Take stick, hold -very tight here," and he gave her the handle of the forked stick which, -to her horror, she saw held down by its neck a large snake. She shut her -eyes tight, but held the stick bearing down with all her might while -Kadok struck the snake over and over with his stick. - -"Good Missa, let go stick, snake very dead now," and she looked with a -shudder at the dead body of the serpent. - -"Him tree-python," said Kadok, calmly. "Him make very good supper for -Missa." - -"Oh, I couldn't eat snake, really, I couldn't," she said, but Kadok -laughed. - -"Make very good eat for black boy, save yopolo for Missa," he said. -"Think dinner time now, Missa eat meat, Kadok eat snake." - -It made Jean feel very queer to see him cut off a piece of the tail, -roast it and eat with great enjoyment, but before night she was to look -upon the snake as her greatest friend. - -She dropped asleep after eating and did not waken until almost time for -supper, when she found that Kadok had been sleeping too. - -"Foot very much better, think we go find Mother to-morrow," he said, as -she sat up and rubbed her eyes. "Little Missa not cry, be good Missa. We -be all right. Time to eat again." - -"I'm not very hungry," she said, "but I want some fresh water to drink." - -"Little Missa not go to the spring. Kadok not like," he said so -earnestly that she said, - -"Well, never mind, I can drink the old water and chew some hibiscus -leaves." - -"Think I can go for Missa," said Kadok as he rose and tried his foot. -"Not very bad." - -"Oh, never mind," she said, but he took the billy and his stick and -limped through the bushes. He was gone only a moment or two when she -felt a strange feeling as of some one looking at her, and she raised her -head to see, staring through the bushes, the same savage eyes which had -frightened her the day before. - -"Kadok!" she screamed, but the Black reached forth a long arm and tried -to catch her. She drew back into the cave and screamed again. She had no -weapon, but she grasped the dead snake by the tail and with all the -strength she could muster threw it straight into the Black's face. The -man gave a loud "Wouf!" as the reptile struck his face, and darted back -just as Kadok came up behind and struck him on the head with his waddy. -Attacked before and behind, the black man thought his enemies were many -and he fled through the bushes as fast as he could go. Fear lent him -wings and he did not stop until far from the scene of his terror. Kadok -limped into the cave. - -"Little Missa hurt?" he asked anxiously. - -"No, but I was dreadfully frightened. It was the same Black I saw -yesterday." - -"What little Missa do?" asked the boy. - -"I hadn't anything else, so I hit him with your snake and he ran away," -she said simply. The boy looked at her in astonishment and then laughed -loud and long. - -"Baiame teach little Missa to be good Bush girl," he said. "One thing -very much scare Black is snake in the face. Missa do just right thing." - -"I didn't know just what to do, but I had to do something," she said. -"What shall we do now, Kadok?" - -"Not know," he said, frowning. "Think best eat, rest to-night. Go long -early in morning before Black come back. Missa make eat, then sleep. Not -be afraid. Kadok watch." - -FOOTNOTES: - -[17] Big stick, like a shillalah. - -[18] Small animal. - -[19] Huts. - - - - -CHAPTER X - -DANDY SAVES THE DAY - - -IT was early in the morning when the two set out and the stars were -still shining. - -"I never saw so many stars in all my life," said Jean. "It seems to me -there are more in Australia than I ever saw in Scotland." - -"Think great plenty, maybe eighty-eight,"[20] said Kadok. - -Their way lay through a less beautiful part of the country than any Jean -had seen before. It was a wild and lonely land, close to the edge of the -scrub, beyond them only sand and spinifex. A fire had swept over the -wood and left the trees gaunt and bare. They waved and tossed their -gray branches like demons, and Jean shuddered, as on every side the -ghostly trees seemed to hem her in. - -They came to a clearing where the trees had been cut down, and these, -bleached and white, lay on the ground in a thousand gnarled and twisted -shapes, their interlacing branches seeming like writhing serpents. Many -of the gum trees had been killed, for the cuts in the bark had been made -too deep, and the bark hung down in long strips. - -No friendly animals or piping forest songsters chirruped a cheerful -welcome to this scene of desolation. Only the solitary "widow bird" -hopped about hunting for insects and piping her mournful little note. -Then the sound of a curlew, like the gasp of a dying child, came to them -through the dawn, as the sun rose, red and pitiless, over the sands. -Beyond these were the mountains, rising straight up against the sky. -Huge gray boulders made a wall at the base of the ridge and the whole -place seemed so strange and eerie that Jean cried out, - -"Oh, Kadok, we don't have to cross these sands, do we? I'm afraid." - -"No, Missa," said Kadok wearily. His foot was hurting him cruelly and he -felt discouraged. "We go another way, all through the wood. Missa not -feel 'fraid. Where Missa's Baiame? Take care of black boy, not take care -of white child?" - -"Yes, indeed He will," said Jean, feeling ashamed that the black boy -should preach to her. "But I can't help being afraid. It seems as if we -would never get to mother." - -"Little Missa get there some day, but Kadok not know how soon. Think -best way now to hunt for road and Missa go long quick for herself. Kadok -foot not let him go very fast." - -"Well, I think I won't," said Jean indignantly. "Do you suppose I'd do -that when you have been so good to me? We'll go as slowly as you have -to and I'll take care of your foot. I'm terribly hungry, Kadok, can we -eat now?" - -"Not eat here," said Kadok, who liked the place as little as she did. -"Walk little more round edge of sand, there find water-hole in the woods -and eat." - -So they trudged on in silence for another hour, gradually leaving behind -them the sandy scrub and coming to a pleasant wood where a carpet of -maiden-hair and coral fern reached knee-deep in tenderest green. -Velvet-brown tree ferns rose in the air, wearing a feathery coronet of -fronds, and above them grew the sassafras and the myrtle. A thousand -sweet scents were wafted through the air and a bubbling stream surprised -them by gushing forth from a clump of bushes. - -"Little Missa rest and eat here," said Kadok. "Plenty water," as he -explored the banks. - -"Oh, Kadok, how lovely it looks," she cried. "I'd like to bathe in that -water, it's so clear and nice." - -"Very good thing," said the boy. "Kadok make eat, Little Missa go to the -bushes let water run all over self. Keep her from being thirsty all day -while we walk." - -So Jean splashed in the cool water and enjoyed her bath like a little -nymph behind the thick screen of bushes. She smoothed up her hair and -came forth refreshed and rested to find Kadok had made fresh damper and -toasted some bits of meat, gathering also some of the sassafras leaves, -making a kind of tea which was very good. She ate and rested while Kadok -bathed his foot and filled his water bottle, and then they started off -again, tramping this time over a hilly country. They had to take a long -rest in the middle of the day while the sun was hot and both were very -tired. There was nothing to eat but damper and some roots Kadok had -found, and the delay and the scanty meal did not make Jean feel any more -cheerful. The day seemed the longest she had ever spent and when -twilight fell and they found no shelter, no friendly cave nor deserted -hut, the little girl felt more forlorn than she had ever felt in her -life. She tried hard not to show Kadok for she saw that the boy was -suffering far worse than he would admit. - -"What are we going to have for supper?" she asked. - -"Not much eat," said he. "Damper all gone, no more flour. No meat." - -"There's plenty of water, anyway," said Jean, for they had followed the -course of the stream all day and now camped beside its silvery ripples. -As she spoke, a stir in the water caught her eye. - -"Oh, Kadok," she exclaimed, "why can't we have fish?" - -"No can catch," said the boy wearily. "Too bad foot to go hunt." - -"Watch me catch a fish," said Jean sturdily. "I used to catch trout at -home. Let me see, what can I use for a line?" She thought a minute, -then clapped her hands. "I know, you just rest, Kadok, and see what a -good fisherman I am!" - -She took a pin from her belt, bent it and tied to it a strip of cotton -torn from her skirt. This line she tied to a branch from which she -stripped the leaves; on them she found some fuzzy caterpillars, one of -which she used for bait. Then she threw her line and sat down where the -stream turned at right angles and made a deep, quiet pool. She waited a -long time. Three or four times she had a bite and failed to land her -fish, but just as she was growing discouraged there was a jerk, then a -long, steady pull at her line. - -"Come help me land him," she called to Kadok, and the boy hastened to -her aid. Between them they pulled in their fish, a fine, speckled fellow -which Kadok cleaned and roasted on a flat stone heated red hot. The fish -was delicious, and there was plenty for both of them, so that they felt -far more cheerful as they rolled up their blankets to sleep. - -It was Jean's first trial of sleeping in the open, and it was long -before she could rest. She lay and watched the stars, of only a few of -which she knew the names, though Orion seemed like an old friend and the -cloudy path of the Milky Way a broad road to Heaven. - -"Little Missa not sleep," said Kadok. "Her 'fraid Debill-debill?" - -"No, Kadok, I'm not afraid," she answered. - -"Peruna heeal very good spirit, he big man spirit, lives 'bove clouds. -He not let Debil-debil loose to-night. Too many twinkle lights. -Debil-debil likes darkness. Missa try sleep." - -Toward morning Jean was awakened by a crackling in the bushes. "Kadok," -she whispered. "Wake up." - -"Kadok not asleep, little Missa," he whispered in return. - -"I hear something in the bushes," she said. "Is it one of those bad -Blacks like I saw at the cave?" - -"Too far away for bad Black, think ghost, maybe," said the black boy, -who, with all his courage, had the Black's fear of ghosts. - -"I don't think there are such things as ghosts," said Jean steadily. - -"Plenty ghosts," said Kadok. "One man of my tribe go to near tribe and -he saw wuurie left alone with no life in it. Over door was crooked stick -pointing to where family had gone. On ground were pieces of bark covered -with white clay, so he knew some one dead. He follow tracks and found -dead body in tree. It was bound with knees to chest, tied with cord made -from acacia bark and was wrapped in rug of opossum skins. He turn back -rug and saw face of friend. Then he wept and went away. He walked from -place of death and heard a great chattering of magpies. He turned to see -what made magpies make so much noise--saw ghost of dead friend. It had -followed him from the tree. So I know there are ghosts, little Missa." - -"This ghost sounds to me as if it went on four feet," said Jean. "And as -I don't hear it any more I'm going to sleep." - -She listened for awhile, but heard no more. - -In the early morning she was awakened by feeling something cool on her -face. She sprang up with a cry of terror which promptly turned to one of -delight. - -"Dandy, my own Dandy!" she cried, throwing her arms around the pony's -neck. - -"Oh, Kadok, here is my pony. He has wandered away and we must be not far -from Djerinallum!" - -The little pony seemed as pleased as she, and Kadok's face lighted up, - -"Little Missa take road with pony and ride safe now. Say good-bye to -Kadok and run 'long home." - -Jean stamped her foot she was so angry. - -"You make me angry, Kadok," she cried. "Here you've taken care of me all -these days and now you want me to run off and leave you! I don't think -you're nice at all. You shall come with me to the run. You can ride when -your foot is tired and I'll ride part of the time. It can't be far now. -You go catch a fish and we'll have breakfast, then we'll start." - -Kadok looked astonished as the little fury scolded, but he obeyed, and -soon a fine fish sizzled on the fire stone. - -They started off for the main road, which Kadok said was not far away -through the bushes, Jean riding her pony and feeling bright and -cheerful. When they reached the road after several hours riding, she saw -that Kadok was limping painfully. She jumped off the pony and said, - -"You must ride now. I know your foot hurts and I'm tired of riding and -want to walk awhile. Get on and I will walk along and hold Dandy's -rein." - -[Illustration: "THE BLACK BOY ON A PONY LED BY A WHITE CHILD."] - -"Little Missa get very boss. Time Missa get back to white folks," he -grumbled, as he climbed slowly on the horse's back. "Gin never say 'do' -to Kadok," but Jean only laughed at him and trudged along. - -It was an odd picture on which the Australian sun shone, the black boy -on a pony led by a white child in tattered gingham, and two travellers -scanned the couple curiously as they urged their horses along. Catching -up with the children they would have passed, but Jean suddenly cried, - -"Father! Fergus!" - -"Jeanie! What on earth!" but the rest of her father's sentence was lost -as he clasped the child in his arms and Jean knew that her troubles were -over. - - * * * * * - -"There was a terrible hue and cry, lassie, when it was discovered that -Dandy and you were lost," said her uncle that night as she lay, tired -but happy, her mother beside her, in a corner of the big couch in the -morning room at Djerinallum. "Scouts were sent everywhere, but you -seemed to have dropped off the earth. Parties have been searching ever -since, but no one has been successful in finding even a trail. We traced -you to the place in the woods where you got off your pony, but beyond -that there were no tracks. Kadok says that the Black who took you did -not mean any harm. His gin was nearly crazy over the death of her child, -a little girl younger than you, and he wanted to take you to her to see. -They had heard of you from the gin to whom you gave a curl. The Blacks -think that when a Black dies he returns to the earth as a white, and he -wanted his gin to see you, thinking that you might be his own child come -back." - -"Poor child, you have had a dreadful time," said her Aunt Mildred. - -"Oh, no, except that I was worried about Mother, because I knew she'd -think I was killed," she said. Her mother held her close. "I would have -been if it hadn't been for Kadok." - -"Good Kadok," said Mr. Hume. "His foot is being taken care of now and he -shall have a good home for the rest of his life on our run--" - -"Oh Father, are you going to have a sheep run! I'm so glad!" cried Jean. - -"Yes, we got back from the Gold Country just in time to meet you. I made -some money, but I am never going back there. Fergus has no end of -adventures to tell you, but it is no place to take you and your mother, -and I don't want to leave you again." - -"Oh, I'm so glad, we'll be near Uncle and Aunt Mildred," said Jean. - -"Not me?" asked Sandy mischievously. - -"Oh, you, of course," said Jean. "We are going to be Australians -ourselves, now, and of course we won't forget our Little Australian -Cousin." - - -THE END. - -FOOTNOTE: - -[20] The Blacks can count only as high as their ten fingers. Anything -above this they call always "eighty-eight," though no one knows why. - - - - -THE LITTLE COLONEL BOOKS - -(Trade Mark) - -_By ANNIE FELLOWS JOHNSTON_ - - _Each 1 vol., large 12mo, cloth, illustrated, per vol._ $1.50 - - - =THE LITTLE COLONEL STORIES= - (Trade Mark) - -Being three "Little Colonel" stories in the Cosy Corner Series, "The -Little Colonel," "Two Little Knights of Kentucky," and "The Giant -Scissors," put into a single volume. - - - =THE LITTLE COLONEL'S HOUSE PARTY= - (Trade Mark) - - - =THE LITTLE COLONEL'S HOLIDAYS= - (Trade Mark) - - - =THE LITTLE COLONEL'S HERO= - (Trade Mark) - - - =THE LITTLE COLONEL AT BOARDING SCHOOL= - (Trade Mark) - - - =THE LITTLE COLONEL IN ARIZONA= - (Trade Mark) - - - =THE LITTLE COLONEL'S CHRISTMAS VACATION= - (Trade Mark) - - - =THE LITTLE COLONEL, MAID OF HONOUR= - (Trade Mark) - - - =THE LITTLE COLONEL'S KNIGHT COMES RIDING= - (Trade Mark) - - - =MARY WARE: THE LITTLE COLONEL'S CHUM= - (Trade Mark) - - _These ten volumes, boxed as a ten-volume set_ $15.00 - - - =THE LITTLE COLONEL= - (Trade Mark) - - - =TWO LITTLE KNIGHTS OF KENTUCKY= - - - =THE GIANT SCISSORS= - - - =BIG BROTHER= - - -Special Holiday Editions - - Each one volume, cloth decorative, small quarto, $1.25 - -New plates, handsomely illustrated with eight full-page drawings in -color, and many marginal sketches. - - -=IN THE DESERT OF WAITING=: THE LEGEND OF CAMELBACK MOUNTAIN. - - -=THE THREE WEAVERS=: A FAIRY TALE FOR FATHERS AND MOTHERS AS WELL AS FOR -THEIR DAUGHTERS. - - -=KEEPING TRYST= - - -=THE LEGEND OF THE BLEEDING HEART= - - -=THE RESCUE OF PRINCESS WINSOME=: A FAIRY PLAY FOR OLD AND YOUNG. - - -=THE JESTER'S SWORD= - - Each one volume, tall 16mo, cloth decorative $0.50 - Paper boards .35 - -There has been a constant demand for publication in separate form of -these six stories, which were originally included in six of the "Little -Colonel" books. - - -=JOEL: A BOY OF GALILEE=: By ANNIE FELLOWS JOHNSTON. Illustrated by L. -J. Bridgman. - - New illustrated edition, uniform with the Little Colonel - Books, 1 vol., large 12mo, cloth decorative $1.50 - -A story of the time of Christ, which is one of the author's best-known -books. - - -=THE LITTLE COLONEL GOOD TIMES BOOK= - - Uniform in size with the Little Colonel Series $1.50 - Bound in white kid (morocco) and gold 3.00 - -Cover design and decorations by Amy Carol Rand. - -The publishers have had many inquiries from readers of the Little -Colonel books as to where they could obtain a "Good Times Book" such as -Betty kept. Mrs. Johnston, who has for years kept such a book herself, -has gone enthusiastically into the matter of the material and format for -a similar book for her young readers. Every girl will want to possess a -"Good Times Book." - - -=ASA HOLMES=: OR, AT THE CROSS-ROADS. A sketch of Country Life and -Country Humor. By ANNIE FELLOWS JOHNSTON. - -With a frontispiece by Ernest Fosbery. - - Large 16mo, cloth, gilt top $1.00 - -"'Asa Holmes; or, At the Cross-Roads' is the most delightful, most -sympathetic and wholesome book that has been published in a long -while."--_Boston Times._ - - -=THE RIVAL CAMPERS=: OR, THE ADVENTURES OF HENRY BURNS. By RUEL PERLEY -SMITH. - - Square 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated $1.50 - -A story of a party of typical American lads, courageous, alert, and -athletic, who spend a summer camping on an island off the Maine coast. - - -=THE RIVAL CAMPERS AFLOAT=: OR, THE PRIZE YACHT VIKING. By RUEL PERLEY -SMITH. - - Square 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated $1.50 - -This book is a continuation of the adventures of "The Rival Campers" on -their prize yacht _Viking_. - - -=THE RIVAL CAMPERS ASHORE= - -By RUEL PERLEY SMITH. - - Square 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated $1.50 - -"As interesting ashore as when afloat."--_The Interior._ - - -=JACK HARVEY'S ADVENTURES=: OR, THE RIVAL CAMPERS AMONG THE OYSTER -PIRATES. By RUEL PERLEY SMITH. - - Illustrated $1.50 - -"Just the type of book which is most popular with lads who are in their -early teens."--_The Philadelphia Item._ - - -=PRISONERS OF FORTUNE=: A TALE OF THE MASSACHUSETTS BAY COLONY. By RUEL -PERLEY SMITH. - - Cloth decorative, with a colored frontispiece $1.50 - -"There is an atmosphere of old New England in the book, the humor of the -born raconteur about the hero, who tells his story with the gravity of a -preacher, but with a solemn humor that is irresistible."--_Courier-Journal._ - - -=FAMOUS CAVALRY LEADERS.= By CHARLES H. L. JOHNSTON. - - Large 12mo. With 24 illustrations $1.50 - -Biographical sketches, with interesting anecdotes and reminiscences of -the heroes of history who were leaders of cavalry. - -"More of such books should be written, books that acquaint young readers -with historical personages in a pleasant informal way."--_N. Y. Sun._ - - -=FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.= By CHARLES H. L. JOHNSTON. - - Large 12mo, illustrated $1.50 - -In this book Mr. Johnston gives interesting sketches of the Indian -braves who have figured with prominence in the history of our own land, -including Powhatan, the Indian Caesar; Massasoit, the friend of the -Puritans; Pontiac, the red Napoleon; Tecumseh, the famous war chief of -the Shawnees; Sitting Bull, the famous war chief of the Sioux; Geronimo, -the renowned Apache Chief, etc., etc. - - -=BILLY'S PRINCESS.= By HELEN EGGLESTON HASKELL. - - Cloth decorative, illustrated by Helen McCormick - Kennedy $1.25 - -Billy Lewis was a small boy of energy and ambition, so when he was left -alone and unprotected, he simply started out to take care of himself. - - -=TENANTS OF THE TREES.= By CLARENCE HAWKES. - - Cloth decorative, illustrated in colors $1.50 - -"A book which will appeal to all who care for the hearty, healthy, -outdoor life of the country. The illustrations are particularly -attractive."--_Boston Herald._ - - -=BEAUTIFUL JOE'S PARADISE=: OR, THE ISLAND OF BROTHERLY LOVE. A sequel -to "Beautiful Joe." By MARSHALL SAUNDERS, author of "Beautiful Joe." - - One vol., library 12mo, cloth, illustrated $1.50 - -"This book revives the spirit of 'Beautiful Joe' capitally. It is fairly -riotous with fun, and is about as unusual as anything in the animal book -line that has seen the light."--_Philadelphia Item._ - - -='TILDA JANE.= By MARSHALL SAUNDERS. - - One vol., 12mo, fully illustrated, cloth decorative, $1.50 - -"I cannot think of any better book for children than this. I commend it -unreservedly."--_Cyrus Townsend Brady._ - - -='TILDA JANE'S ORPHANS.= A sequel to 'Tilda Jane. By MARSHALL SAUNDERS. - - One vol., 12mo, fully illustrated, cloth decorative, $1.50 - -'Tilda Jane is the same original, delightful girl, and as fond of her -animal pets as ever. - - -=THE STORY OF THE GRAVELEYS.= By MARSHALL SAUNDERS, author of "Beautiful -Joe's Paradise," "'Tilda Jane," etc. - - Library 12mo, cloth decorative. Illustrated by E. B. - Barry $1.50 - -Here we have the haps and mishaps, the trials and triumphs, of a -delightful New England family, of whose devotion and sturdiness it will -do the reader good to hear. - - -=BORN TO THE BLUE.= By FLORENCE KIMBALL RUSSEL. - - 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated $1.25 - -The atmosphere of army life on the plains breathes on every page of this -delightful tale. The boy is the son of a captain of U. S. cavalry -stationed at a frontier post in the days when our regulars earned the -gratitude of a nation. - - -=IN WEST POINT GRAY= - -By FLORENCE KIMBALL RUSSEL. - - 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated $1.50 - -"Singularly enough one of the best books of the year for boys is written -by a woman and deals with life at West Point. The presentment of life in -the famous military academy whence so many heroes have graduated is -realistic and enjoyable."--_New York Sun._ - - -=FROM CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER STRAPS= - -By FLORENCE KIMBALL RUSSEL. - - 12mo, cloth, illustrated, decorative $1.50 - -West Point again forms the background of a new volume in this popular -series, and relates the experience of Jack Stirling during his junior -and senior years. - - -=THE SANDMAN: HIS FARM STORIES= - -By WILLIAM J. HOPKINS. With fifty illustrations by Ada Clendenin -Williamson. - - Large 12mo, decorative cover $1.50 - -"An amusing, original book, written for the benefit of very small -children. It should be one of the most popular of the year's books for -reading to small children."--_Buffalo Express._ - - -=THE SANDMAN: MORE FARM STORIES= - -By WILLIAM J. HOPKINS. - - Large 12mo, decorative cover, fully illustrated $1.50 - -Mr. Hopkins's first essay at bedtime stories met with such approval that -this second book of "Sandman" tales was issued for scores of eager -children. Life on the farm, and out-of-doors, is portrayed in his -inimitable manner. - - -=THE SANDMAN: HIS SHIP STORIES= - -By WILLIAM J. HOPKINS, author of "The Sandman: His Farm Stories," etc. - - Large 12mo, decorative cover, fully illustrated $1.50 - -"Children call for these stories over and over again."--_Chicago Evening -Post._ - - -=THE SANDMAN, HIS SEA STORIES= - -By WILLIAM J. HOPKINS. - - Large 12mo, decorative cover, fully illustrated $1.50 - -Each year adds to the popularity of this unique series of stories to be -read to the little ones at bed time and at other times. - - -=THE DOCTOR'S LITTLE GIRL= - -By MARION AMES TAGGART, author of "Pussy-Cat Town," etc. - - One vol., library 12mo, illustrated $1.50 - -A thoroughly enjoyable tale of a little girl and her comrade father, -written in a delightful vein of sympathetic comprehension of the child's -point of view. - - -=SWEET NANCY= - -THE FURTHER ADVENTURES OF THE DOCTOR'S LITTLE GIRL. By MARION AMES -TAGGART. - - One vol., library, 12mo, illustrated $1.50 - -In the new book, the author tells how Nancy becomes in fact "the -doctor's assistant," and continues to shed happiness around her. - - -=THE CHRISTMAS-MAKERS' CLUB= - -By EDITH A. SAWYER. - - 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated $1.50 - -A delightful story for girls, full of the real spirit of Christmas. It -abounds in merrymaking and the right kind of fun. - - -=CARLOTA= - -A STORY OF THE SAN GABRIEL MISSION. By FRANCES MARGARET FOX. - - Square 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated and decorated - in colors by Ethelind Ridgway $1.00 - -"It is a pleasure to recommend this little story as an entertaining -contribution to juvenile literature."--_The New York Sun._ - - -=THE SEVEN CHRISTMAS CANDLES= - -By FRANCES MARGARET FOX. - - Square 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated and decorated - in colors by Ethelind Ridgway $1.00 - -Miss Fox's new book deals with the fortunes of the delightful Mulvaney -children. - - -=PUSSY-CAT TOWN= - -By MARION AMES TAGGART. - - Small quarto, cloth decorative, illustrated and decorated - in colors $1.00 - -"Anything more interesting than the doings of the cats in this story, -their humor, their wisdom, their patriotism, would be hard to -imagine."--_Chicago Post._ - - -=THE ROSES OF SAINT ELIZABETH= - -By JANE SCOTT WOODRUFF. - - Small quarto, cloth decorative, illustrated and decorated - in colors by Adelaide Everhart $1.00 - -This is a charming little story of a child whose father was caretaker of -the great castle of the Wartburg, where Saint Elizabeth once had her -home. - - -=GABRIEL AND THE HOUR BOOK= - -By EVALEEN STEIN. - - Small quarto, cloth decorative, illustrated and decorated - in colors by Adelaide Everhart $1.00 - -Gabriel was a loving, patient, little French lad, who assisted the monks -in the long ago days, when all the books were written and illuminated by -hand, in the monasteries. - - -=THE ENCHANTED AUTOMOBILE= - -Translated from the French by MARY J. SAFFORD - - Small quarto, cloth decorative, illustrated and decorated - in colors by Edna M. Sawyer $1.00 - -"An up-to-date French fairy-tale which fairly radiates the spirit of the -hour,--unceasing diligence."--_Chicago Record-Herald._ - - -=O-HEART-SAN= - -THE STORY OF A JAPANESE GIRL. By HELEN EGGLESTON HASKELL. - - Small quarto, cloth decorative, illustrated and decorated - in colors by Frank P. Fairbanks $1.00 - -"The story comes straight from the heart of Japan. The shadow of -Fujiyama lies across it and from every page breathes the fragrance of -tea leaves, cherry blossoms and chrysanthemums."--_The Chicago -Inter-Ocean._ - - -=THE YOUNG SECTION-HAND=: OR, THE ADVENTURES OF ALLAN WEST. By BURTON E. -STEVENSON. - - Square 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated $1.50 - -Mr. Stevenson's hero is a manly lad of sixteen, who is given a chance as -a section-hand on a big Western railroad, and whose experiences are as -real as they are thrilling. - - -=THE YOUNG TRAIN DISPATCHER.= By BURTON E. STEVENSON. - - Square 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated $1.50 - -"A better book for boys has never left an American press."--_Springfield -Union._ - - -=THE YOUNG TRAIN MASTER.= By BURTON E. STEVENSON. - - Square 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated $1.50 - -"Nothing better in the way of a book of adventure for boys in which the -actualities of life are set forth in a practical way could be devised or -written."--_Boston Herald._ - - -=CAPTAIN JACK LORIMER.= By WINN STANDISH. - - Square 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated $1.50 - -Jack is a fine example of the all-around American high-school boy. - - -=JACK LORIMER'S CHAMPIONS=: OR, SPORTS ON LAND AND LAKE. By WINN -STANDISH. - - Square 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated $1.50 - -"It is exactly the sort of book to give a boy interested in athletics, -for it shows him what it means to always 'play fair.'"--_Chicago -Tribune._ - - -=JACK LORIMER'S HOLIDAYS=: OR, MILLVALE HIGH IN CAMP. By WINN STANDISH. - - Illustrated $1.50 - -Full of just the kind of fun, sports and adventure to excite the healthy -minded youngster to emulation. - - -=JACK LORIMER'S SUBSTITUTE=: OR, THE ACTING CAPTAIN OF THE TEAM. By WINN -STANDISH. - - Illustrated $1.50 - -On the sporting side, this book takes up football, wrestling, -tobogganing, but it is more of a _school_ story perhaps than any of its -predecessors. - - -=CAPTAIN JINKS=: THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A SHETLAND PONY. By FRANCES HODGES -WHITE. - - Cloth decorative, illustrated $1.50 - -The story of Captain Jinks and his faithful dog friend Billy, their -quaint conversations and their exciting adventures, will be eagerly read -by thousands of boys and girls. The story is beautifully written and -will take its place alongside of "Black Beauty" and "Beautiful Joe." - - -=THE RED FEATHERS.= By THEODORE ROBERTS. - - Cloth decorative, illustrated $1.50 - -"The Red Feathers" tells of the remarkable adventures of an Indian boy -who lived in the Stone Age, many years ago, when the world was young. - - -=FLYING PLOVER.= By THEODORE ROBERTS. - - Cloth decorative. Illustrated by Charles Livingston - Bull $1.00 - -Squat-By-The-Fire is a very old and wise Indian who lives alone with her -grandson, "Flying Plover," to whom she tells the stories each evening. - - -=THE WRECK OF THE OCEAN QUEEN.= By JAMES OTIS, author of "Larry Hudson's -Ambition," etc. - - Cloth decorative, illustrated $1.50 - -"A stirring story of wreck and mutiny, which boys will find especially -absorbing. The many young admirers of James Otis will not let this book -escape them, for it fully equals its many predecessors in excitement and -sustained interest."--_Chicago Evening Post._ - - -=LITTLE WHITE INDIANS.= By FANNIE E. OSTRANDER. - - Cloth decorative, illustrated $1.25 - -"A bright, interesting story which will appeal strongly to the -'make-believe' instinct in children, and will give them a healthy, -active interest in 'the simple life.'" - - -=MARCHING WITH MORGAN.= HOW DONALD LOVELL BECAME A SOLDIER OF THE -REVOLUTION. By JOHN L. VEASY. - - Cloth decorative, illustrated $1.50 - -This is a splendid boy's story of the expedition of Montgomery and -Arnold against Quebec. - - - - - -COSY CORNER SERIES - - -It is the intention of the publishers that this series shall contain -only the very highest and purest literature,--stories that shall not -only appeal to the children themselves, but be appreciated by all those -who feel with them in their joys and sorrows. - - The numerous illustrations in each book are by - well-known artists, and each volume has a separate - attractive cover design. - - Each 1 vol., 16mo, cloth $0.50 - - -_By ANNIE FELLOWS JOHNSTON_ - - -=THE LITTLE COLONEL= (Trade Mark.) - -The scene of this story is laid in Kentucky. Its heroine is a small -girl, who is known as the Little Colonel, on account of her fancied -resemblance to an old-school Southern gentleman, whose fine estate and -old family are famous in the region. - - -=THE GIANT SCISSORS= - -This is the story of Joyce and of her adventures in France. Joyce is a -great friend of the Little Colonel, and in later volumes shares with her -the delightful experiences of the "House Party" and the "Holidays." - - -=TWO LITTLE KNIGHTS OF KENTUCKY= - -WHO WERE THE LITTLE COLONEL'S NEIGHBORS. - -In this volume the Little Colonel returns to us like an old friend, but -with added grace and charm. She is not, however, the central figure of -the story, that place being taken by the "two little knights." - - -=MILDRED'S INHERITANCE= - -A delightful little story of a lonely English girl who comes to America -and is befriended by a sympathetic American family who are attracted by -her beautiful speaking voice. By means of this one gift she is enabled -to help a school-girl who has temporarily lost the use of her eyes, and -thus finally her life becomes a busy, happy one. - - -=CICELY AND OTHER STORIES FOR GIRLS= - -The readers of Mrs. Johnston's charming juveniles will be glad to learn -of the issue of this volume for young people. - - -=AUNT 'LIZA'S HERO AND OTHER STORIES= - -A collection of six bright little stories, which will appeal to all boys -and most girls. - - -=BIG BROTHER= - -A story of two boys. The devotion and care of Stephen, himself a small -boy, for his baby brother, is the theme of the simple tale. - - -=OLE MAMMY'S TORMENT= - -"Ole Mammy's Torment" has been fitly called "a classic of Southern -life." It relates the haps and mishaps of a small negro lad, and tells -how he was led by love and kindness to a knowledge of the right. - - -=THE STORY OF DAGO= - -In this story Mrs. Johnston relates the story of Dago, a pet monkey, -owned jointly by two brothers. Dago tells his own story, and the account -of his haps and mishaps is both interesting and amusing. - - -=THE QUILT THAT JACK BUILT= - -A pleasant little story of a boy's labor of love, and how it changed the -course of his life many years after it was accomplished. - - -=FLIP'S ISLANDS OF PROVIDENCE= - -A story of a boy's life battle, his early defeat, and his final triumph, -well worth the reading. - - -_By EDITH ROBINSON_ - - -=A LITTLE PURITAN'S FIRST CHRISTMAS= - -A story of Colonial times in Boston, telling how Christmas was invented -by Betty Sewall, a typical child of the Puritans, aided by her brother -Sam. - - -=A LITTLE DAUGHTER OF LIBERTY= - -The author introduces this story as follows: - -"One ride is memorable in the early history of the American Revolution, -the well-known ride of Paul Revere. Equally deserving of commendation is -another ride,--the ride of Anthony Severn,--which was no less historic -in its action or memorable in its consequences." - - -=A LOYAL LITTLE MAID= - -A delightful and interesting story of Revolutionary days, in which the -child heroine, Betsey Schuyler, renders important services to George -Washington. - - -=A LITTLE PURITAN REBEL= - -This is an historical tale of a real girl, during the time when the -gallant Sir Harry Vane was governor of Massachusetts. - - -=A LITTLE PURITAN PIONEER= - -The scene of this story is laid in the Puritan settlement at -Charlestown. - - -=A LITTLE PURITAN BOUND GIRL= - -A story of Boston in Puritan days, which is of great interest to -youthful readers. - - -=A LITTLE PURITAN CAVALIER= - -The story of a "Little Puritan Cavalier" who tried with all his boyish -enthusiasm to emulate the spirit and ideals of the dead Crusaders. - - -=A PURITAN KNIGHT ERRANT= - -The story tells of a young lad in Colonial times who endeavored to carry -out the high ideals of the knights of olden days. - - -_By OUIDA (Louise de la Ramee)_ - - -=A DOG OF FLANDERS= - -A CHRISTMAS STORY - -Too well and favorably known to require description. - - -=THE NURNBERG STOVE= - -This beautiful story has never before been published at a popular price. - - -_By FRANCES MARGARET FOX_ - - -=THE LITTLE GIANT'S NEIGHBOURS= - -A charming nature story of a "little giant" whose neighbors were the -creatures of the field and garden. - - -=FARMER BROWN AND THE BIRDS= - -A little story which teaches children that the birds are man's best -friends. - - -=BETTY OF OLD MACKINAW= - -A charming story of child life. - - -=BROTHER BILLY= - -The story of Betty's brother, and some further adventures of Betty -herself. - - -=MOTHER NATURE'S LITTLE ONES= - -Curious little sketches describing the early lifetime, or "childhood," -of the little creatures out-of-doors. - - -=HOW CHRISTMAS CAME TO THE MULVANEYS= - -A bright, lifelike little story of a family of poor children with an -unlimited capacity for fun and mischief. - - -=THE COUNTRY CHRISTMAS= - -Miss Fox has vividly described the happy surprises that made the -occasion so memorable to the Mulvaneys, and the funny things the -children did in their new environment. - - -_By MISS MULOCK_ - - -=THE LITTLE LAME PRINCE= - -A delightful story of a little boy who has many adventures by means of -the magic gifts of his fairy godmother. - - -=ADVENTURES OF A BROWNIE= - -The story of a household elf who torments the cook and gardener, but is -a constant joy and delight to the children who love and trust him. - - -=HIS LITTLE MOTHER= - -Miss Mulock's short stories for children are a constant source of -delight to them, and "His Little Mother," in this new and attractive -dress, will be welcomed by hosts of youthful readers. - - -=LITTLE SUNSHINE'S HOLIDAY= - -An attractive story of a summer outing. "Little Sunshine" is another of -those beautiful child-characters for which Miss Mulock is so justly -famous. - - -_By MARSHALL SAUNDERS_ - - -=FOR HIS COUNTRY= - -A sweet and graceful story of a little boy who loved his country; -written with that charm which has endeared Miss Saunders to hosts of -readers. - - -=NITA, THE STORY OF AN IRISH SETTER= - -In this touching little book, Miss Saunders shows how dear to her heart -are all of God's dumb creatures. - - -=ALPATOK, THE STORY OF AN ESKIMO DOG= - -Alpatok, an Eskimo dog from the far north, was stolen from his master -and left to starve in a strange city, but was befriended and cared for, -until he was able to return to his owner. - - -_By WILL ALLEN DROMGOOLE_ - - -=THE FARRIER'S DOG AND HIS FELLOW= - -This story, written by the gifted young Southern woman, will appeal to -all that is best in the natures of the many admirers of her graceful and -piquant style. - - -=THE FORTUNES OF THE FELLOW= - -Those who read and enjoyed the pathos and charm of "The Farrier's Dog -and His Fellow" will welcome the further account of the adventures of -Baydaw and the Fellow at the home of the kindly smith. - - -=THE BEST OF FRIENDS= - -This continues the experiences of the Farrier's dog and his Fellow, -written in Mr. Dromgoole's well-known charming style. - - -=DOWN IN DIXIE= - -A fascinating story for boys and girls, of a family of Alabama children -who move to Florida and grow up in the South. - - -_By MARIAN W. WILDMAN_ - - -=LOYALTY ISLAND= - -An account of the adventures of four children and their pet dog on an -island, and how they cleared their brother from the suspicion of -dishonesty. - - -=THEODORE AND THEODORA= - -This is a story of the exploits and mishaps of two mischievous twins, -and continues the adventures of the interesting group of children in -"Loyalty Island." - - * * * * * - -Transcriber's Notes: - -Obvious punctuation repaired. - -Advertising page 15, "Ramee" changed to "Ramee" (Louise de la Ramee) - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Jean, Our Little Australian Cousin, by -Mary F. 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