Mackay looked at the speaker with a troubled countenance.
"It's been my fault, Bob. When I copied the figures into my own book I didna think it necessary to put the qualification down."
"I wants to say here," interjected Emu Bill, "that in my humble opinion Bob can steer a course wi' any man, an' my ole carcase is here to prove it. A hundred an' eighty miles he's took us across the miserablest country on God's earth, an' nary time has I heard him grumble."
"I goes nap on Bob every time," concurred Never Never.
A light of real happiness overspread Mackay's bronzed features.
"What more can you ask, Bob?" he said earnestly, "than the testimony o' the pioneer, wha' lends his life to your guidance."
"Hurrah for Fortunate Spring!" shouted Jack, unable to contain himself longer.
"Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah!" roared the answering chorus.