It seems a pity what he did was no use to him, as it turned out; for he was a man, was old dad, every inch of him.
'Now, boys,' he said, quite brisk and almost good-natured for him, 'look alive and we'll start the cattle; we've been long enough here; let 'em head up that gully, and I'll show you something you've never seen before for as long as you've known Broken Creek Ranges.' 'But where are you going to take 'em to ?' I said.

'They're all Mr.
Hunter's and Mr.Falkland's; the brands are plain enough.' 'Are the calves branded, you blasted fool ?' he said, while the black look came over his face that had so often frightened me when I was a child.

'You do what I tell you if you've any pluck and gumption about you; or else you and your brother can ride over to Dargo Police Station and "give me away" if you like; only don't come home again, I warn you, sons or no sons.' If I had done what I had two minds to do--for I wasn't afraid of him then, savage as he looked--told him to do his own duffing and ridden away with Jim there and then--poor Jim, who sat on his horse staring at both of us, and saying nothing--how much better it would have been for all of us, the old man as well as ourselves; but it seemed as if it wasn't to be.

Partly from use, and partly from a love of danger and something new, which is at the bottom of half the crime in the bush districts, I turned my horse's head after the cattle, which were now beginning to straggle.

Jim did the same on his side.