"I know how to load a waggon; but who's to do it with a fellow like that and a nigger?
One's got no muscle, and t'other's like a black-pudd'n." "Get down--quick!" cried the doctor.
"I'm a-comin'," growled the man; and he descended slowly, placed a shoulder under the end of the chest, and it was turned over on to its side.
"Jump in, Leather, and work it into its place." "Oh, I can do that," grumbled the elder man; but his companion sprang up lightly, hoisted one end of the case, and walked it bit by bit to where it was to stand, before leaping down again.
"Is this our waggon, then ?" asked Nic.
"Yes, boy.

We take the load back with us.

I think we shall just get all up in one load." "Are the roads good ?" asked Nic, as he gazed at the heavy packing-cases; and the elder man grinned, while the labourer addressed as Leather, (a name which accorded well with his tanned skin), glared at the speaker once with a frown, and then told the black to help him with the next case.
"Neither good nor bad," said the doctor, smiling.
"But I mean for the horses to draw the load ?" "There are no roads, my boy, and there will be no horses to draw the load.

We have only a rough track through the bush, and our men use draught-oxen in yoke." This was the first hint to Nic of the place being very wild.

He said no more for some time, but readily set to work trying to help where he could, his father nodding approval as he noted his eagerness.
Under the master's eye and in accordance with his suggestions the loading went on better now, though from time to time little matters kept showing that the elder man lost no opportunity for finding fault with the younger, who was either weak, stupid, unwilling, or clumsy in the other's eyes.