But that was an ordinary matter in the spring, and it was a point of honour with Patsy and all his breed not to let the elements beat them in carrying out the mail contract, which they tendered for every year, and in which no outsider would have dared to compete.
At last Hugh's vigil was rewarded by the appearance of a small and wild-looking boy, mounted on a large and wild-looking horse.

The boy was about twelve years of age, and had just ridden a half-broken horse a forty-mile journey--for of such is the youth of Australia.

Patsy was wet and dirty, and the big leather mail-bag that he handed over had evidently been under water.
"We had to swim, Mr.Hugh," the boy said triumphantly, "and this great, clumsy cow" (the child referred to his horse), "he reared over on me in the water, twyst, but I stuck to him.

My oath!" Hugh laughed.

"I expect Kiley's River will get you yet, Patsy," he said.
"Go in now to the kitchen and get dry by the fire.