Page 14 - A Little Bush Maid

vagrants emboldened to insolence by seeing no men about the kitchen when
all hands were out mustering or busy on the run. When Puck bit, it was with

no uncertain tooth. He was suspected of a desire to taste the blood of every
one who went near Norah, though his cannibalistic propensities were

curbed by stern discipline.

Only once had he had anything like a free hand--or a free tooth.

Norah was out riding, a good way from the homestead, when a particularly

unpleasant-looking fellow accosted her, and asked for money. Norah stared.

"T haven’t got any," she said. "Anyhow, father doesn’t let us give away

money to travellers--only tucker."

"Oh, doesn’t he?" the fellow said unpleasantly. "Well, T want money, not
grub." He laid a compelling hand on Bobs’ bridle as Norah tried to pass
him. "Come," he said--"that bracelet’ll do!"

Tt was a pretty little gold watch set in a leather bangle--father’s birthday

present, only a few weeks old. Norah simply laughed--she scarcely
comprehended so amazing a thing as that this man should really intend to
rob her.

"Get out of my way," she said--"you can’t have that!"

"Can’t T !" He caught her wrist. "Give it quietly now, or T’ll--"

The sentence was not completed. A yellow streak hurled itself though the
air, as Puck, who had been investigating a tussock for lizards, awoke to the

situation. Something like a vice gripped the swagman by the leg, and he
dropped Norah’s wrist and bridle and roared like any bull. The "something"
hung on fiercely, silently, and the victim hopped and raved and begged for

mercy.

Norah had ridden a little way on. She called softly to Puck.