shy. I got time to thump some sense into you ’fore we make a start. What way did they gene’ly get you goin’ in the war, Scott? Or was you runnin’ down to Capetown all the time?”
Somebody sniggered. Then Steve laughed, and the queer eager look went out of Lou’s eyes.
“Arrah! what’s the matter wid it, then?” cried Tod, jerking a match up his trouser-leg. “Jabberin’ here won’t mend the hours for us. An’ sure if the day’s long we’ll git home the sooner. An’ where will ye be puttin’ me at all, Ted, me boyo?”
Ted Douglas carried the whole map of Mains in his head, and no man need get his sheep into an impassable pocket or be blocked by a ten-foot gut if he laid his course by Ted’s words. He struck into the half-defiant silence with the decision of one who understands and handles men in all moods; gave place and position to each, ordered a squad out to load the packs on the saddles, and thereafter swept them over the raupo-rimmed creek with their lunches rammed in their side-pockets, and a half-hundred dogs of sorts at their heels.
Right, left, and straight forward, the rough spurs of the Brothers received them, and baffled them as they set their faces ever to the North and to the long harsh hours that waited. Down on the dead camp Buck took a last hole
