CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE.
NIC TAKES THE HELM.
"Bad news," said the doctor, about a couple of months' shepherding andtrack riding later, as he held a letter out to his wife before coming towhere a couple of men were carefully rubbing down the heated horses theyhad hitched up to the fence kept for the purpose.
"Come in, my lads," he said. "I'll have your horses seen to. They musthave a couple of hours' rest. There'll be a meal ready for youdirectly."
"What is it, mother?" said Janet and Hilda; and Nic looked at hereagerly.
"It is bad news indeed," said Mrs Braydon. "The letter is from LadyO'Hara, who is in the deepest distress about Sir John. She says he isdying, and that there is only one man in the colony she believes able tocure him."
"Father!" cried Hilda, flushing.
"Yes, my dear; and she begs that he will come to her in her greatdistress. Here he is."
For the doctor, after showing the men round to the stable, where theypreferred to attend to their horses themselves, re-entered the room.
"Well, my dear, what do you think? Lady O'Hara forgets that I have notpractised for so long."
"Lady O'Hara knows that she has spoken the truth," said Mrs Braydonproudly.
"Then you wish me to go?"
"No," said Mrs Braydon sadly; "but it is a duty you must fulfil."
"It means going and leaving you all in a couple of hours' time," saidthe doctor.
"Yes, you must go at once," sighed Mrs Braydon.
"Yes, I must go," said the doctor. "Perhaps I can save him." Thencheerfully, "Now, Nic, my boy, you must step into my shoes and play theman. I leave the Bluff and all that is dear in your charge. You manageold Samson and Brookes better than I do, and as for Leatherhead he hasbecome twice the man he was since you have been here."
Nic flushed a little, for the secret pricked him.
"And I am glad to see, my lad, that you keep him in his place with atight rein. I was afraid at first, and Brookes dropped a few unpleasanthints about the way he said that you were making friends with him. I amglad to see, however, that all this is at an end."
"But, father--" began Nic, whose conscience was uneasy.
"No, no: I don't want to hear any explanation. You will do your best, Iknow. Now help me to pack my saddle-bags, all of you. See to the gunand ammunition, Nic; hobbles for the horse, and what is necessary.Hilda, my dear, haul the meal bags in, and see that we have plenty offlour, tea, and sugar for our ride, What's the matter, mamma dear?"
"I--I was thinking about the blacks," said Mrs Braydon nervously; andthen, in an apologetic tone; "You made me speak, dear."
"Yes, and I'm glad you have. The blacks for miles and miles arefriendly to us, for we have done them no harm. There is not thesmallest likelihood of any evil-disposed tribe coming near. If one did,you have a brave son and trusty men to defend you till one of our ownfellows went over to Mr Dillon's for help. Now are you satisfied?"
"Yes, my dear, quite."
"And Janet and Hilda, both of them to fight for their mother, if thereis need."
"Of course," said Hilda merrily.
"Janet had better use the poker," said the doctor, taking his cue fromhis younger daughter, and laughing too, so as to hide the pang he feltat the near-at-hand parting.
"You know I can fire a gun, father," said Janet.
"To be sure: yes," said the doctor. "But, Hilda, my dear," hecontinued, "if you have to shoot at a blackfellow, be sure and rememberthat it is the wooden stock you hold to your shoulder, not the muzzle ofthe gun."
"Oh, father, what a shame!" cried Hilda. "Did I point the stock at thatbig hawk I shot for coming and stealing my beautiful little chickens?"
"No: I remember now. But bustle! those men want a good tea meal."
Two hours had not elapsed when, with the two government messengers wellrefreshed, and their horses dry and ready for a long afternoon's work,saddle-bags and blankets strapped on, guns and ammunition ready, thedoctor sprang upon his horse, and Nic moved toward Sorrel, whose reinwas thrown over a post, the boy meaning to ride a few miles of the way.
But the doctor took his hand.
"No," he said; "your place is here. Keep about the station, except whenyou take your daily rides round to see to the stock. I leave you incharge, my boy, so take care. I'll be back at the earliest moment Ican."
The next minute he had embraced Mrs Braydon, touched his horse's sides,and cantered off after the men, turning twice to wave his hat to thewatchers by the door.