CHAPTER THIRTEEN.
NIC'S MISSION.
"Father! do you think they have ?" said Nic, breathlessly.
The doctor turned upon his son sharply.

"Did I speak aloud ?" he said.
Nic nodded.
"I don't know.

I cannot tell, my boy.

I pray not." By this time they were all armed, and the doctor whistled sharply, when there was a whinnying answer, and the two horses came up as fast as their hobbled fore feet would allow.
"Call in the bullocks," said the doctor to Brookes, who uttered a loud yell somewhat like the _yodel_ of the Swiss peasants to their cattle on the mountain side.
The great sleek beasts responded directly, and came from where they were grazing, bellowing loudly, right up to the waggon, as if expecting to be yoked.
"To keep them from being speared," said the doctor to Nic.

Then to the men: "Yoke up, and drive the waggon right out into the open.