Page:The romance of Runnibede (IA romanceofrunnibe00rudd).pdf/38

his gray-granite eyes flashing, his arms stiffened and fists clenched, stood up to the dull-eyed, weakhearted, hulking giant, "we've had enough of your mad squabbling, and for two pins I’d rouse the men out of their huts to drag you to the bank of the creek and rope you to a tree for the dingoes to feed on you, or the blacks to get you."

Then to hear Harry begging mercy and promising on oath and word of honour never to offend again, Oh, my! Never was there anything so contemptuous, yet it was comedy, for I know that Ted and I could always look back upon it with outbreaks of mirth.

"No! I don’t see why they shouldn't — and strip every stitch of clothes off you," the Governor was thundering, when the "missus" jumped to her feet, and, only that he ducked in time, would have thrown her lean arms about his neck. Strong and weighty the Governor was, and he just shoved the ‘"missus" from him with one hand like brushing away a fly.

"Don't let them touch him, master-—don’t." and she made another grab at his neck. ‘"Eustace would do anything to hurt Harry. He’s got a grouch against him, "Don’t let them take him, master! He didn’t want to kill me... he didn’t at all... and he’s English, too, like you, master."

Never did anyone look more disgusted than the old Governor. He eyed her in silence for a moment or two, then; "Pshaw! The pair of you ought to be dealt with."

"But won't y’ hang Harry, father?" Ted piped out disappointedly. And gee, how old Harry Jumped round to see where the voice came from.