Page 26 - A Little Bush Maid

out of the race had he not dodged quickly. He shouted something in his
own language, which was evidently of no complimentary nature, and

hurled himself like a yellow tornado upon the angry Scotsman. They struck
out at each other with all possible ill-will, but their science was much

impeded by the fact that the cat and cockatoo were fighting fiercely
amongst their legs. Finally Lee Wing tripped over Tim, and sat down
abruptly, receiving as he did so an impassioned peck from Caesar which

elicited from him a loud yell of anguish. Hogg, attempting to follow up his
advantage, was checked suddenly by Jim, who left his parrot to its own

devices, and arrived on the scene at full gallop.

"You are a blessed pair of duffers!" said Jim wrathfully. "Look here, if

father catches you fighting there’ll be the most awful row--and T’ll be in it
too, what’s worse. Clear out, for goodness’ sake, before he comes along, and

don’t get in each others’ road again!" and each nursing bitterness in his
heart, the rival gardeners returned to their respective beds of roses and
onions.

Left to their own devices, the yellow cat and the cockatoo departed also, in

a turmoil of wrath, with fur and feathers flying in equal proportions.
Eventually Tim found discretion the better part of valour and scurried away
to the safe shelter of the kitchen, pursued by Caesar with loud shrieks of

defiance and victory--sounds of joyful triumph which lasted long after he
had regained his perch and been securely fastened by the leg with his hated

chain.

Black Billy, meanwhile, had paid strict attention to business. The vagaries

of wallabies and kangaroo, of cat and parrot and cockatoo, had no attraction
for the dusky leader of the big black Orpington rooster.

The Orpington--Jonah, Norah called him--was not inclined to race. He had
tugged furiously at his leg rope, with much outcry and indignation, until

Billy, finding himself alone, owing to the eccentric behaviour of the other
starters, had resorted to different tactics by no means devoid of native

cunning. Slackening the line, he suddenly produced from his pocket a few
grains of wheat, and spread them temptingly before Jonah.