on our selection-第18章

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d　out　and　a　pint　of　tea　in　his　handas　far　as　the　door　on　its　back；　and　there　scraped　him　off　and　spilled　tea　over　him。　　Dad　spoke。　　He　said；　〃Damn　the　dogs！〃　　Then　he　rose　and　looked　out　the　window。　　We　all　roseall　except　Joe。　　Joe　reached　for　the　last　scone。

A　horseman　dismounted　at　the　slip…rails。

〃Some　stranger；〃　Dad　muttered；　turning　to　re…seat　himself。

〃Why；　it'sit's　the　minister！〃　Sal　cried〃the　minister　that　married　Kate！〃

Dad　nearly　fell　over。　　〃Good　God！〃　was　all　he　said；　and　stared　hopelessly　at　Mother。　　The　ministerfor　sure　enough　it　was　the　Rev。　Daniel　Macphersonwas　coming　in。　　There　was　commotion。　　Dave　finished　his　tea　at　a　gulp；　put　on　his　hat；　and　left　by　the　back…door。　　Dad　would　have　followed；　but　hesitated；　and　so　was　lost。　　Mother　was　restless〃on　pins　and　needles。〃

〃And　there　ain't　a　bite　to　offer　him；〃　she　cried；　dancing　hysterically　about　the　table〃not　a　bite；　nor　a　plate；　nor　a　knife；　nor　a　fork　to　eat　it　with！〃　　There　was　humour　in　Mother　at　times。　　It　came　from　the　father's　side。　　He　was　a　dentist。

Only　Joe　was　unconcerned。　　He　was　employed　on　the　last　scone。　　He　commenced　it　slowly。　　He　wished　it　to　last　till　night。　　His　mouth　opened　and　received　it　fondly。　　He　buried　his　teeth　in　it　and　lingered　lovingly　over　it。　Mother's　eyes　happened　to　rest　on　him。　　Her　face　brightened。　　She　flew　at　Joe　and　cried：

〃Give　me　that　scone！put　it　back　on　the　table　this　minute！〃

Joe　became　concerned。　　He　was　about　to　protest。　　Mother　seized　him　by　the　hair　（which　had　n't　been　cut　since　Dan　went　shearing）　and　hissed：

〃Putitbacksir！〃　Joe　put　it　back。

The　minister　came　in。　　Dad　said　he　was　pleased　to　see　himpoor　Dad！and　enquired　if　he　had　had　dinner。　　The　parson　had　not；　but　said　he　did　n't　want　any；　and　implored　Mother　not　to　put　herself　about　on　his　account。　He　only　required　a　cup　of　teanothing　else　whatever。　　Mother　was　delighted；　and　got　the　tea　gladly。　　Still　she　was　not　satisfied。　　She　would　be　hospitable。　　She　said：

〃Won't　you　try　a　scone　with　it；　Mr。　Macpherson？〃　And　the　parson　said　he　would〃just　one。〃

Mother　passed　the　rescued　scone　along；　and　awkwardly　apologised　for　the　absence　of　plates。　　She　explained　that　the　Andersons　were　threshing　their　wheat；　and　had　borrowed　all　our　crockery　and　cutleryeverybody's；　in　fact；　in　the　neighbourhoodfor　the　use　of　the　men。　　Such　was　the　custom　round　our　way。　　But　the　minister　did　n't　mind。　　On　the　contrary；　he　commended　everybody　for　fellowship　and　good…feeling；　and　felt　sure　that　the　district　would　be　rewarded。

It　took　the　Rev。　Macpherson　no　time　to　polish　off　the　scone。　　When　the　last　of　it　was　disappearing　Mother　became　uneasy　again。　　So　did　Dad。　　He　stared　through　the　window　at　the　parson's　sleepy…looking　horse；　fastened　to　the　fence。　　Dad　wished　to　heaven　it　would　break　away；　or　drop　dead；　or　do　anything　to　provide　him　with　an　excuse　to　run　out。　　But　it　was　a　faithful　steed。　　It　stood　there　leaning　on　its　forehead　against　a　post。　There　was　a　brief　silence。

Then　the　minister　joked　about　his　appetiteat　which　only　Joe　could　afford　to　smileand　asked；　〃May　I　trouble　you　for　just　another　scone？〃

Mother　muttered　something　like　〃Yes；　of　course；〃　and　went　out　to　the　kitchen　just　as　if　there　had　been　some　there。　　Dad　was　very　uncomfortable。　He　patted　the　floor　with　the　flat　of　his　foot　and　wondered　what　would　happen　next。　　Nothing　happened　for　a　good　while。　　The　minister　sipped　and　sipped　his　tea　till　none　was　left。。。

Dad　said：　　〃I'll　see　what's　keeping　her；〃　and　roseglad　if　ever　man　was　gladto　get　away。　　He　found　Mother　seated　on　the　ironbark　table　in　the　kitchen。　　They　did　n't　speak。　　They　looked　at　each　other　sympathisingly。

〃Well？〃　Dad　whispered　at　last；　〃what　are　you　going　to　do？〃　　Mother　shook　her　head。　　She　did　n't　know。

〃Tell　him　straight　there　ain't　any；　an'　be　done　with　it；〃　was　Dad's　cheerful　advice。　　Mother　several　times　approached　the　door；　but　hesitated　and　returned　again。

〃What　are　you　afraid　of？〃　Dad　would　ask；　〃he　won't　eat　y'。〃　Finally　she　went　in。

Then　Dad　tiptoed　to　the　door　and　listened。　　He　was　listening　eagerly　when　a　lump　of　eartha　piece　of　the　cultivation　paddockfell　dangerously　near　his　feet。　　It　broke　and　scattered　round　him；　and　rattled　inside　against　the　papered　wall。　　Dad　jumped　round。　　A　row　of　jackasses　on　a　tree　near　by　laughed　merrily。　　Dad　looked　up。　　They　stopped。　　Another　one　laughed　clearly　from　the　edge　of　the　tall　corn。　　Dad　turned　his　head。　　It　was　Dave。　　Dad　joined　him；　and　they　watched　the　parson　mount　his　horse　and　ride　away。

Dad　drew　a　deep　and　grateful　breath。　　〃Thank　God！〃　he　said。




CHAPTER　XXII。



Callaghan's　Colt。


It　was　the　year　we　put　the　bottom　paddock　under　potatoes。　　Dad　was　standing　contemplating　the　tops；　which　were　withering　for　want　of　rain。　He　shifted　his　gaze　to　the　ten　acres　sown　with　corn。　　A　dozen　stalks　or　so　were　looking　well；　a　few　more；　ten　or　twelve　inches　high；　were　coming　in　cob；　the　rest　had　n't　made　an　appearance。

Dad　sighed　and　turned　away　from　the　awful　prospect。　　He　went　and　looked　into　the　water…cask。　　Two　butterflies；　a　frog　or　two；　and　some　charcoal　were　at　the　bottom。　　No　water。　　He　sighed　again；　took　the　yoke　and　two　kerosene…tins；　and　went　off　to　the　springs。

About　an　hour　and　a　half　after　he　returned　with　two　half…tins　of　muddy；　milky…looking　waterthe　balance　had　been　splashed　out　as　he　got　through　the　fencesand　said　to　Mother　（wiping　the　sweat　off　his　face　with　his　shirt…sleeve）

〃Don't　know；　I'm　SURE；　what　things　are　going　t'　come　t'；。。。no　use　doing　anything。。。there's　no　rain。。。no　si〃　he　lifted　his　foot　and　with　cool　exactness　took　a　place…kick　at　the　dog；　which　was　trying　to　fall　into　one　of　the　　kerosene…tins；　head　first；　and　sent　it　and　the　water　flying。　〃Oh　you　！〃　The　rest　is　omitted　in　the　interests　of　Poetry。

Day　after。　　Fearful　heat；　not　a　breath　of　air；　fowl　and　beast　sought　the　shade；　everything　silent；　the　great　Bush　slept。　　In　the　west　a　stray　cloud　or　two　that　had　been　hanging　about　gathered；　thickened；　darkened。

The　air　changed。　　Fowl　and　beast　left　the　shade；　tree…tops　began　to　stirto　bendto　sway　violently。　　Small　branches　flew　down　and　rolled　before　the　wind。　　Presently　it　thundered　afar　off。　　Mother　and　Sal　ran　out　and　gathered　the　clothes；　and　fixed　the　spout；　and　looked　cheerfully　up　at　the　sky。

Joe　sat　in　the　chimney…corner　thumping　the　ribs　of　a　cattle…pup；　and　pinching　its　ears　to　make　it　savage。　　He　had　been　training　the　pup　ever　since　its　arrival　that　morning。

The　plough…horses；　yoked　to　the　plough；　stood　in　the　middle　of　the　paddock；　beating　the　flies　off　with　their　tails　and　leaning　against　each　other。

Dad　stood　at　the　stock…yardhis　brown　arms　and　bearded　chin　resting　on　a　middle…railpassively　watching　Dave　and　Paddy　Maloney　breaking…in　a　colt　for　Callaghana　weedy；　wild；　herring…gutted　brute　that　might　have　been　worth　fifteen　shillings。　　Dave　was　to　have　him　to　hack　about　for　six　months　in　return　for　the　breaking…in。　　Dave　was　acquiring　a　local　reputation　for　his　skill　in　handling　colts。

They　had　been　at　〃Callaghan〃as　they　christened　the　coltsince　daylight；　pretty　well；　and　had　crippled　old　Moll　and　lamed　Maloney's　Dandy；　and　knocked　up　two　they　borrowed　from　Andersonyarding　the　rubbish；　and　there　was　n't　a　fence　within　miles　of　the　place　that　he　had　n't　tumbled　over　and　smashed。　　But；　when　they　did　get　him　in；　they　lost　no　time　commencing　to　quieten　him。　　They　cursed　eloquently；　and　threw　the　bridle　at　him；　and　used　up　all　the　missiles　and　bits　of　hard　mud　and　sticks　about　the　yard；　pelting　him　because　he　would　n't　stand。

Dave　essayed　to　rope　him　〃the　first　shot；〃　and　nearly　poked　his　eye　out　with　the　pole；　and　Paddy　Maloney；　in　attempting　to　persuade　the　affrighted　beast　to　come　out　of　the　cow…bail；　knocked　the　cap　of　its　hip　down　with　the　milking…block。　　They　caught　him　then　and　put　the　saddle　on。　　Callaghan　trembled。　　When　the　girths　were　tightened　they　put　the　reins　under　the　leathers；　and　threw　their　hats　at　him；　and　shouted；　and　〃hooshed〃　him　round　the　yard；　expecting　he　would　buck　with　the　saddle。　　But　Callaghan　only　trotted　into　a　corner　and　snorted。　　Usually；　a　horse　that　won't　buck　with　a　saddle　is　a　〃snag。〃　　Dave　knew　it。　　The　chestnut　he　tackled　for　Brown　did　nothing　with　the　saddle。　　HE　was　a　snag。　　Dave　remembered　him　and　reflected。　　Callaghan　walked　boldly　up　to　Dave；　with　his　head　high　in　the　air；　and　snorted　at　him。　　He　was　a　sorry…looking　animalcuts　and　scars　all　over　him；　hip　down；　patches　and　streaks　of　skin　and　hair　missing　from　his　head。　　〃No　buck　in　him！〃　unctuously　observed　Dad；　without　lifting　his　chin　off　the　rail。　　〃Ain't　there？〃　said　Paddy　Maloney；　grinning　cynically。　　〃Just　you　wait！〃

It　seemed　to　take　the　heart　out　of　Dave；　but　he　said　nothing。　　He　hitched　his　pants　and　made　a　brave　effort　to　spitseveral　efforts。　　And　he　turned　pale。

Paddy　was　now　holding　Callaghan's　head　at　arms'…length　by　the　bridle　and　one　ear；　for　Dave　to　mount。

A　sharp　crack　of　thunder　went　off　right　overhead。　　Dave　did　n't　hear　it。

〃Hello！〃　Dad　said；　〃We're　going　to　have　ithurry　up！〃

Dave　did　n't　hear　him。　　He　approached　the　horse's　side　and　nervously　tried　the　surcinglea　greenhide　one　of　Dad's　workmanship。　　〃Think　that'll　hold？〃　he　mumbled　meekly。

〃Pshaw！〃　Dad　blurted　through　the　rails〃　Hold！　　Of　course　it'll　holdhold　a　team　o'　bullocks；　boy。〃

〃'S　all　right；　Dave；　's　all　rightgit　on！〃　From　Paddy　Maloney；　impatiently。

Paddy；　an　out…and…out　cur　amongst　horses　himself；　was　anxious　to　be　relieved　of　the　colt's　head。　　Young　horses　sometimes　knock　down　the　man　who　is　holding　them。　　Paddy　was　aware　of　it。

Dave　took　the　reins　carefully；　and　was　about　to　place　his　foot　in　the　stirrup　when　his　restless　eye　settled　on　a　wire…splice　　in　the　crupperalso　Dad's　handiwork。　　He　hesitated　and　commenced　a　remark。　　But　Dad　was　restless；　Paddy　Maloney　anxious　（as　regarded　himself）；　besides；　the　storm　was　coming。

Dad　said：　　〃Damn　it；　what　are　y'　'FRAID　o'；　boy？　THAT'll　holdjump　on。〃

Paddy　said：　　〃NOW；　Dave；　while　I've　'is　'ead　round。〃

Joe　（just　arrived　with　the　cattle…pup）　chipped　in。

He　said：　　〃Wot；　is　he　fuf…fuf…fuf…f…rikent　of　him；　Dad？〃

Dave　heard　them。　　A　tear　like　a　hailstone　dropped　out　of　his　eye。

〃It's　all　damn　well　t'　TALK；〃　he　fired　off；　〃come　in　and　RIDE　th'horse　then；　if　y'　s'GAME！〃

A　dead　silence。

The　cattle…pup　broke　away　from　Joe　and　strolled　into　the　yard。　　It　barked　feebly　at　Callaghan；　then　proceeded　to　worry　his　heels。　　It　seemed　to　take　Callaghan　for　a　calf。　　Callaghan　kicked　it　up　against　the　rails。　　It　must　have　taken　him　for　a　cow　then。

Dave's　blood　was　up。　　He　was　desperate。　　He　grabbed　the　reins　roughly；　put　his　foot　in　the　stirrup；　gripped　the　side　of　the　pommel；　and　was　on　before　you　could　say　〃Woolloongabba。〃

With　equal　alacrity；　Paddy　let　the　colt's　head　go　and　made　tracks；　chuckling。　　The　turn　things　had　taken　delighted　him。　　Excitement　（and　pumpkin）　was　all　that　kept　Paddy　alive。　　But　Callaghan　did　n't　budgeat　least　not　until　Dave　dug　both　heels　into　him。　　Then　he　made　a　blind　rush　and　knocked　out　a　panel　of　the　yardand　got　away　with　Dave。　　Off　he　went；　plunging；　galloping；　pig…jumping；　breaking　loose　limbs　and　bark　off　trees　with　Dave's　legs。　　A　wire…fence　was　in　his　way。　　It　parted　like　the　Red　Sea　when　he　came　to　it