It came in handy to pack the chain
away in while the dog was enjoying itself, for within twenty-four hours
we were camped at the Bitter Springs, and two weeks passed before the
homestead saw us again.
After our experience of "getting hold of Johnny," Dan called it
foolishness to wait for an expert, and the Dandy being away for the
remainder of the stores, and the Quiet Stockman having his hands full to
overflowing, the Maluka and Dan with that adaptability peculiar to
bushmen, set to work themselves at the yard, with fifteen or twenty boys
as apprentices.
As most of the boys had their lubras with them, it was an immense camp,
but exceedingly pretty. One small tent "fly" for a dressing-room for the
missus, and the remainder of the accommodation - open-air and shady bough
gundies; tiny, fresh, cool, green shade-houses here, there, and
everywhere for the blacks; one set apart from the camp for a larder, and
an immense one - all green waving boughs - for the missus to rest in during
the heat of the day. "The Cottage," Dan called it.
Of course, Sool'em and Brown were with us, Little Tiddle'ums being in at
the homestead on the sick list with a broken leg; and in addition to
Sool'em and Brown an innumerable band of nigger dogs, Billy Muck being
the adoring possessor of fourteen, including pups, which fanned out
behind him as he moved hither and thither like the tail of a comet.
