Part 91 (2/2)

”Let ht, Mas' Don I ht ha' offered to toss for first go”

”Call ht, Mas' Don,” said Jeinary watch, winding it up, and then looking at its face

”Five and twenty past seven, Mas' Don, but I'm afraid I'm a little slow

These here baths don't do one's watch any good”

”You'll keep a good look out, Je I calls you up What ti water, sir? Boots or shoes this , ”I'h”

And he lay back and dropped off to sleep directly, Ngati's eyes having already closed

”Too tired to laugh,” said Je lion Think of our coain, and if we do, shall I be a cripple in this arrumble, but bear it all like a man; and,” he added reverently, ”please God save us and bring us back, if it's only for my poor Sally's sake, for I said I'd love her and cherish her, and keep her; and here am I one side o' the world, and she's t'other; and such is life”

CHAPTER FORTY SIX

AN UNTIRING ENEMY

Je on his spear He was very weary, and could not help feeling envious of those ere sleeping so well But he heard no sound of pursuit, and after a tilen in which they had halted, with its rushi+ng waters and green lacing ferns, had so coan to take an interest in the flowers that hung here and there, while the song of a finch sounded pleasant and homelike

Then the delicious melody of the bell-bird fell upon his ear; and while he was listening to this, he became interested in a beautiful blackbird, which cahed, for his visitor had soested an idea to him as the bird bobbed and bowed and chattered

”Well,” he said, ”if I was na birds, I should call you the parson, for you look like one, with that white thing about your neck”

The bird looked at hily, and flitted away Directly after, as he turned his eyes in the direction where the uneaten fruit was lying, he saw that they had a visitor in the shape of one of the curious rails

The bird was already investigating the fruit, and after satisfying itself that the berries were of the kind that it could find for itself in the bush, it ca up at hihtened away, it pecked at the butt and then caar,” said Je the bird's back with the end of the spear ”I should just like to have you at hoar-barrels I'd--Hah!”

He turned round sharply, and levelled his spear at a great Maori, whose shadow had been cast across hi out of the bush

”Why, I thought it was one o' they cannibals,” said Je the spear ”Good job it wasn't dark, old chap, or I should have given you a dig What d'yer want?”

”Sleep,” said Ngati laconically, and, taking Je

”Me? What, already? Lie down?”

”Sleep,” said Ngati again; and he patted Jeo Didn't think I'd been watching so long” He nodded and walked away ”Wish he wouldn't pat me on the back that way

It makes me feel suspicious It's just as if he wanted to feel if I was getting fat enough”