fire," said the bush-wife to the dark man.

"Thank you, missus," he said, as he moved to a bench by the table,
"but it's plenty warm enough here. Come on, Jack."

Jack, under the influence of another tot, was in a fit state to sit
down to a table something like a Christian, instead of coming to his
food like a beaten dog.

The hum of bush common-places went on. One of the boys fell across
the bed and into deep slumber; the other watched on awhile, but must
have dozed.

When he was next aware, he saw, through the cracks, the taller man
putting on his dried coat by the fire; then he went to a rough "sofa"
at the side of the kitchen, where the young man was sleeping--with his
head and shoulders curled in to the wall and his arm over his face,
like a possum hiding from the light--and touched him on the shoulder.

"Come on, Jack," he said, "wake up."

Jack sprang to his feet with a blundering rush, grappled with his
mate, and made a break for the door.

"It's all right, Jack," said the other, gently yet firmly, holding
and shaking him. "Go in with the boss and get into your own
clothes--we've got to make a start. "The other came to himself and
went inside quietly with the settler. The dark man stretched himself,
crossed the kitchen and looked down at the sleeping child; he returned
to the fire without comment. The wildness had left his eyes. The