When Edgar made known to Ben Brody his intention of leaving Yanda for a time in search of adventures, the manager evinced no surprise.
‘I didn’t expect you would be here long,’ he said. ‘Young ‘uns like to roam, and I don’t blame you. I’ve had enough wandering about to last me a lifetime, and I’m settled for good here, so long as they will have me. I shall be sorry to lose you, and I wish you had chosen to remain. You have picked a good guide in Yacka. What that black chap knows is beyond credit. He’s never said where he came from, but if I’m a judge it is somewhere in the region of the MacDonnell Ranges. There are some powerful savage1 tribes over there, and I’d advise you to steer2 clear of them, that is, if you get so far; but you are a precious long way from there, you bet.’
‘I do not know where we are going,’ said Edgar; ‘but Yacka has made great promises, and if he fulfils them there will be something to talk about when we return.’
Yacka, with some show of reluctance3, agreed to Will Brown accompanying them. He yielded when Edgar said he would not go without Will, for the black was determined4 Edgar should undertake the journey.
The night before their departure they had a great ‘send off,’ all hands coming into the homestead for the occasion.
The general opinion seemed to be that Edgar and Will were about to follow Yacka purely5 for the sake of adventure, and the good fellows thought all the better of them for their pluck and spirit.
Ben Brody had given each of them a good horse, and they had the pick of the best guns on the station. Will Henton gave them a revolver each, expressing the hope that they would clear the country of a few blacks.
‘I hope we shall not have to use them for any such purpose,’ said Edgar; ‘but if it comes to a fight we shall be all there.’
‘You are going on a fool’s errand,’ said Harry6 Noke; ‘much better remain where you are. I would not trust Yacka, or any other blackfellow. It’s like enough he’ll lead you into danger out of pure devilment.’
‘You are wrong,’ said Jim Lee; ‘Yacka’s square.’
‘Jim’s right,’ said Brody. ‘You’re riled, Harry, because you have not pluck enough to go with them. As it is the last night, we must have Yacka in and give him a drink.’
Ben Brody went into the veranda7 and gave a peculiar8 whistle, which sounded shrilly9 on the still night air. In a few minutes Yacka appeared.
‘That’s fetched him,’ said Will Henton; ‘Brody’s a wonder at all sorts of signals. I believe he’s a different call for every man on the place.’
‘Have a drink, Yacka,’ said Ben Brody. ‘What’s it to be, rum or beer?’
Yacka smacked10 his lips, and said, ‘Beer.’
‘That’s better,’ said Jim Lee; ‘rum’s a curse.’
Yacka drank the beer with evident relish11.
‘Like a square meal?’ said Brody.
The black nodded, and Brody helped him plentifully12 to the remains13 of the feast.
‘Where are you going to take these youngsters?’ said Ben Brody.
‘Long way,’ replied Yacka. ‘Bring them safe back.’
‘I hope so,’ said Brody. ‘Going in search of the lost tribes?’
Yacka grinned, showing his gleaming teeth.
‘All tribes lost since the white men came,’ he replied.
‘Guess you’re about right there,’ said Brody. ‘Black and white cannot live side by side; one of them’s bound to go, and it’s the black. Now, if they were all like you, Yacka, we could get on well together. Bless me if I don’t believe you are half a white man!’
A peculiar look came into Yacka’s eyes.
‘Think so?’ he said. ‘Black skin, white man’s heart.’
‘Bravo!’ shouted Brody. ‘You shall have another glass for that. Fill up, lads! Here’s to our mates, and a safe journey along with Yacka!’
All hands were becoming hilarious14, and began to sing ‘For they are jolly good fellows.’
When the noise subsided15, Brody said:
Do you want a horse, Yacka?’
The black shook his head, and slapped his legs.
‘Yes, I know,’ said Brody; ‘your legs will carry you quite as far as any of our station nags16. You’ll accept a gun, eh?’
The black sprang to his feet, and said:
‘A gun for my own! Very good, Master Brody; I like a gun.’
‘Then you shall have one,’ said Ben. ‘I know you can shoot.’
Yacka went through a performance of shooting an imaginary object in such a realistic manner that everybody laughed.
It was a merry night, and all slept soundly. In the morning Edgar and Will made a start from Yanda with Yacka, who was on foot, and the black looked the picture of a trained athlete.
Yacka had discarded his ordinary loin-cloth, and wore instead a peculiar arrangement in which he could stow away a variety of articles. He declined to wear any other clothing, and his body shone in the sunlight, and the muscles stood out on his arms, chest, and lower limbs. His curly hair was sufficient protection to his head from the burning sun, and it was in much better condition than the shaggy locks of the blacks who were looking on. Yacka had evidently told the blacks he was leaving Yanda, and they looked as disconsolate17 as their expressionless faces would permit.
As for Edgar and Will Brown, they were in high spirits, and, mounted on two very fair horses, thoroughly18 equipped for a journey, they looked a fine pair of young fellows.
‘You’ll strike a station about sundown, I reckon,’ said Ben Brody. ‘They’ll be glad to see you if you say where you hail from, although it makes very little difference about that round here. Take care of yourselves, my lads, and I hope Yacka will bring you back to Yanda soon.’
After hearty19 handshakes all round, the trio set off amidst cheers and the loud, peculiar cries of the blacks. Ben Brody watched them for a long time, and waved his hat in response to the salutes21 of Edgar and Will.
‘Lads of
Join or Log In!
You need to log in to continue reading
(Left Keyword <-) Previous:
CHAPTER XI. YACKA THE BLACK.
Back
Next:
CHAPTER XIII. BY THE LAGOON.
(Right Keyword:->)