Page:The romance of Runnibede (IA romanceofrunnibe00rudd).pdf/57

going to the lagoon for water, his second trip that day. We yelled like Red Indians for his benefit, and startled Tommy, the dray-horse. Then we reined up in a few short props on either side the water-cart, and checked old Harry; asked him why he didn’t grease the cart-wheels, and advised him to get down and walk to take the fat off himself.

"Now both y' ect on away from here, wherever you be goin'," Harry roared angrily, "or I'll get down and lift both of you off they ponies.””

Then out of the fullness of our joy we jeered him, and Ted, riding close to Tommy and reaching for his head, said, "I'm goin' to pull the winkers off him and let him go."

Old Harry roared "whoa!" and stopped the dray. Then he called Ted and me "a pair of young imps," and started to get off the dray.

"When you catch us, Harry," we yelled. And putting spurs to the ponies, we raced on again, standing in the stirrups to give Harry a full view of our backs and increase his wrath by our impudence.

So at full speed we arrived at Curlew lagoon: and not a sign was there of the travelling mob, nor was the Governor anywhere about. Riding round to the edge of the granite wall overlooking the lagoon and affording a view of the vast valley through which the dry creek bed lay in curves and bends, we sat up in the saddles and cooeed. No one answered. But a flight of wild ducks rose from the water and what a swarm there was! And great pelicans with their long bills floated gracefully out