brand burned into the hoof. See it! That's Winnear's. It ain't got the Government mark, the Q and arrow. Kinnear's is the only mare branded on the hoof up here except the Police."
So we felt tolerably sure that Kinnear and Wonacott had taken the long route and that Paddy must have beaten them to Buchanan barring mischance. We rode along happily and made his camp at Mount Madden about half past two. We put away our stores in the bough-shed, lighted a fire and barely had the billy boiling before we heard a "cooee." Climbing up the bank of the creek was Paddy's horse with Paddy on its bank roaring with laughter.
"Hullo, Paddy," I cried, "how did you get on?"
"Had the toime of me loife, son."
"Did you peg out?"
"Did I peg out! I did, son. I did that. Sure I got to Buchanan just as day was breaking, paced out the ground, cut me pegs and druv 'em in and all you've got to do now is to put in your application with the Warden."
"Did you see any one, Paddy,"
"Wait while I tell ye, son." Paddy jumped off the horse, cast loose the saddle and gave the horse a spank which sent it down to the creek for a drink. Then, while we ate, he told us all that had happened.
It seemed that after pegging out, Paddy saddled up and was jogging along quietly to camp when suddenly he came face to face with Kinnear and Wonnacott. The two men drew rein and stared blankly at Paddy. According to Paddy they were so surprised that he himself opened up first:
"'The top of the mornin,' says Oi."
"Where the hell have you come from?' says Kinnear."
"'Buchanan,' says Oi."
"'Buchanan!' says both of 'em together."
"'Yes, says Oi."
