Part 26 (1/2)

'Fust thing in theall over his face 'Won't they be jolly well sold when they rides up and plants by the yard, same as they did last time, when they took dick'

'Which ones was they?' asks father, fillin' his pipe quite business-like, just as if he'd got days to spare

'Theot his hair cut short, just like dick's My word, I thought he'd been waggin' it from some o' them Gov'ment institoosh'ns I did raly, dick, oldfriend,' says Starlight, walking over 'I rather like you You have a keen sense of humour, evidently; but can't you say how you found out that the men were her Majesty's police officers in pursuit of us?'

'You're Cap'n Starlight, I suppose,' says the youngster, looking straight and square at hi; thirty mile inside of three hours, I'll be bound

I heard theht that all the ti to look for so me'

'Had they their uniforht we didn't tu up outside, both shod all round; bits and irons bright

Stabled horses, too, I could swear Then the youngest chap--him with the old felt hat--walked like this'

Here he squared his shoulders, put his hands by his side, andfor all the world like one of theo

'There's no hiding the ht

'That felloas a recruit, and had been drilled lately'

'I d'no Mother got 'ean to talk quite innocent-like of the bad characters there was in the country Ha! ha! It was as good as a play Then they began to talk al been away on a wrong scent, and hoild he was, and hoould be after Starlight's ht, and some p'leece was to meet him near Rocky Flat They didn't say they was the p'leece; that was about four o'clock, and getting dark'

'How did you get the horse?' says Jim 'He's not one of yours, is he?'

'Not he,' says the boy; 'I wish I had his to old Driver I was just workin' it how I'd get out and catch our old rarph, when mother says to me--

'”Have you fetched in the black cow?”

'We ain't got no black cow, but I knohat she meant I says--

'”No, I couldn't find her”

'”You catch old Johnny Smoker and look for her till you do find her, if it's ten o'clock to-night,” says ive you a fine larrupin' if he cooes and ht for here

When I cale of his outside paddock and collars this little 'oss, and lets old Johnny go in hobbles My word, this cove can scratch!'

'So it seester

Keep your ears and eyes open; you'll always find that good inforood price I'd advise you to keep away from Mr Marston, sen, and people of his sort, and stick to your work, if I thought there was the least earthly chance of your doing so; but I see plainly that you're not cut out for the industrious, steady-going line'

'Not if I know it,' said the boy; 'I want to see life before I die