Page 110 - A Little Bush Maid

"T’m afraid not," said the Hermit hastily. "As T was explaining to Miss
Norah, T’m a solitary animal. But T hope to see you all again."

The boys said "good-bye" and mounted. The Hermit held Bobs while

Norah swung herself up--the pony was impatient to be gone.

"Good-bye," he said.

Norah looked at him pitifully.

"T won’t say good-bye," she said. "T’m coming back--some day. So it’s--’so
long!’"

"So long," the old man echoed, rather drearily, holding her hand. Then

something queer came into his eyes, for suddenly Norah bent from the
saddle and kissed his cheek.

He stood long, watching the ponies and the little young figures scurrying
across the plain. When they vanished he turned wearily and, with slow

steps, went back into the scrub.

They forded the creek carefully, for the water was high, and it was dark in

the shadows of the trees on the banks. Jim knew the way well, and so did
Norah, and they led, followed by the other boys. When they had crossed, it
was necessary to go steadily in the dim light. The track was only wide

enough for them to ride in Tndian file, which is not a method of locomotion
which assists conversation, and they rode almost in silence.

Tt was queer, down there in the bush, with only cries of far-off birds to
break the quiet. Owls and mopokes hooted dismally, and once a great

flapping thing flew into Harry’s face, and he uttered a startled yell before he
realised that it was only one of the night birds--whereat mirth ensued at the

expense of Harry. Then to scare away the hooters they put silence to flight
with choruses, and the old bush echoed to "Way Down Upon the Swanee