I think I might just skin ye, an' I think maybe I might get ye ten years to Yarraman Goal, but I'm no sure.' Dick had to go down several steps to the floor of the dairy, and when the door was shut his face was on a level with the grating that let air into the place.

He passed the first few minutes of his imprisonment making offers of friendship to the dog that sprawled out side, opening its capacious mouth at him and curling its long tongue as if anxious to amuse.

The boy had no fears as to his fate; he felt he could safely leave that to Miss Chris; and, meanwhile, the dog was entertaining.

The animal was new to Dick: had he known of its existence, his descent upon the orchard would have been differently ordered.

In time Maori came to be intimately known to every boy in Waddy as the most kindly and affable dog in the world, but afflicted with a singularly morbid devotion to duty.