knows about this place; so take care and don't act foolishly,
or you'll lose a plant that may save your life, as well as keep you in cash
for many a year to come. That brand belongs to Starlight,
and he was the only man left alive of the men that first found it and used it
to put away stock in. He wanted help, and told me five years ago.
He took in a half-caste chap, too, against my will. He helped him
with that last lot of cattle that you noticed.'

`But where did those horses come from?' Jim said. `I never hardly saw
such a lot before. All got the JJ brand on, too, and nothing else;
all about three year old.'

`They were brought here as foals,' says father, `following their mothers.
Some of them was foaled here; and, of course, as they've only the one brand on
they never can be claimed or sworn to. They're from some of Mr. Maxwell's
best thoroughbred mares, and their sire was Earl of Atheling, imported.
He was here for a year.'

`Well, they might look the real thing,' said Jim, his eyes brightening
as he gazed at them. `I'd like to have that dark bay colt with the star.
My word, what a forehand he's got; and what quarters, too. If he can't gallop
I'll never say I know a horse from a poley cow.'

`You shall have him, or as good, never fear, if you stick to your work,'
says father. `You mustn't cross Starlight, for he's a born devil
when he's taken the wrong way, though he talks so soft. The half-caste
is an out-and-out chap with cattle, and the horse doesn't stand on four legs
that he can't ride -- and make follow him, for the matter of that.
But he's worth watching. I don't believe in him myself.
And now ye have the lot.'