Jean, Our Little Australian Cousin

e could not at all understand what they said, and she was too little to understand that she was in any danger. She only wished with all her heart that she might see her mother. The Black

dry twigs of the gum tree burned brightly, as a young black boy w

ng kindly down at her. "Kadok make ea

bark. Water from the water-hole he dipped up with a leaf cup and mixed with the flour, baking it on the bark over the fire. Kadok then dipped fresh water from the

amper[9] and the egg, with a cup of water. "Little

ean tried to smile at him in

ok? How did

take little Missa and mean to bring her back. Then white police ride and hunt. Black man scared, hide Missa, hide selves. Some blac

mply, accepting all that he said

t. Take days and nights. Not cry," he said as her face clouded. "Kadok

m she thought the most wonderful boy in the world. So she did not say much in reply to Kadok, but obediently ate he

ands and face at

precious thing in Australia, where the dry season makes it scarce. "Step rig

at Kadok had to hold it aside in many places for her to pass. The water-hole was clogged with weeds and leav

in her hands, splashing it on her face. As she dried hers

e obeyed without stopping to ask why and stoo

hen Missa get safe home. See there!" pointing as he spoke to something on the

black log," a

child's astonishment and horror the log rolled on its side, turned ove

ttle Missa if she not jumped. Now we start take you home. Little

Jean, "and I am no

ater bottle and provisions and started through the scrub. "Come after me and tell Kad

rl, and she put her whole mind upon following the difficult trail. The way at first led through a tangle of tropical vegetation, then the two struck into a

uck to the rough bark, which was red with gum and very sticky. Her tangled matted curls, which had been her mother's joy, hung about her face and into her eyes so that she could scarcely se

oming back and helping h

king back her sobs. "Ple

for dinner," said Kadok. "Missa r

tle white friend; he understood the danger and she did not. She felt only the danger of the forest, reptiles, hunger, cold and thirst. But Kadok had to fear both Blacks and Whites. Should the two fugitives run into unfriendly Blacks they would be captured, and if the little girl was not killed by them she would be taken far inland, where as yet white people did not rule, and

irst. "How many mile

" answered Kadok.

she said, getting

y?" asked Kad

and she will be frightened for me." She spoke like a little old woman and the black boy's eyes sh

mother not get sick without her," h

had covered considerable ground, and they sat

d take out the pain. "Little Missa sit very still while I find eat," he said. "I not go away." She was terribly frightened when he disappeared be

ot of tree," he said, grinning

eat in pieces, put some of them on sharpened

as he handed her several pieces.

his provision bag, and a few bits he held over the smoke to dry. All this he wrapped in green leaves a

he said approvingly. "We soon

which led through the Bush to the main road. Walking here was not so troublesome and Jean manag

ouragingly. "We find good camp for nig

en as he was with his heavy swag, it was no easy task to carry a heavy child of eight, but he was a strong, muscular fellow, used to Bush life, and not tired as was his white charge. He carried her along the track some twenty rods, then paused and looked closely into the forest. It seemed a great wall to shut them off, but the keen eye of the Black caught an almost im

of the sunset which streamed through the open doorway. Jean was too tired to speak. She looked at him

osquitoes, as well as to cook their supper. He then brought water from the trough, and made damper and forced bits of it between the child's

d, "eat some yourself

is even white teeth in a smile. "Now must rub fee

n the blanket the black boy took from the swag and, lying down, was soon sound asleep. Kadok sat for some time at the door of the hut, feeding t

TNO

ve bread made of

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Croco

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