But the man worked steadily and well, and Nic began to feel annoyed and ready to tell the elder servant that if he would only work as well as his fellow the waggon would be laden much sooner.
"I dare say father will give it to him soon, though," said Nic to himself; "I've no right to interfere." The intended short visit to the waggon lasted three hours before the doctor was satisfied to leave his men to rope everything on securely.
"And it will not be done, Nic," he said, as they walked away.

"That's where I want you, my boy, to grow up into a sort of lieutenant--to act as my second pair of eyes, and see that the men do not shirk things.
I'm sorry to say that they will do it if I am not looking on.

Now then, I'm going to show you the horses that draw our waggon." He led the way to a fenced-in pen, where a dozen fine, healthy-looking bullocks were grazing; and upon Nic looking up wonderingly, his father laughed.
"Yes," he said, "those are our draught animals.

They are terribly slow, but very sure.

By the way, though, Nic--I never thought of that--can you ride ?" "Not bullocks, father," said the lad proudly.