They turned their heads, to see four grinning men behind them on the track.
“Hold on, Carny; step behind the bushes, an’ give the couple a chanst. Boys will be boys. Can’t you see the young feller was about to enjoy a kiss?”
“Take her orf the horse, mate,” said another of the men. “Go for a walk with her—we’ll mind the horses. We won’t take no notice.”
Flushing with anger, Amiria drew herself up.
“You’d better go,” said Scarlett. “I’ll attend to these men.”
Without another word the Maori girl turned her horse’s head for home, walked him quietly past Dolphin and his gang, without taking the least notice of any of them, and then cantered away.
As she did so the four men burst into hoarse laughter and obscene remarks.
Scarlett walked menacingly towards Garstang, who had been the chief offender.
“You filthy brute,” he said, “what do you mean?”
“Filthy, eh?” retorted Garstang. “D’you ’ear that, Dolly? An’ I suppose my mates is filthy too, eh, mister?”