And a volley of further and far more trenchant abuse was discharged by Superintendent Cairns, of the New South Wales Police. But Kilbride was already in the saddle; a covert outward kick with his spurred heel, and the third horse went cantering riderless into the trees.
"He won't go far," sang the Sub-Inspector, "and he'll take you safe back to barracks if you give him his head. It's easy to get bushed in this country—for new chums from penal settlements!"
As the Victorian galloped into the darkness, and the New South Welshman dashed wildly after the third horse, the laughing jackass in the invisible middle-distance gave his last grotesque guffaw at departed day. And the laughing jackass is a Victorian bird.
The Honor of the Road
Sergeant Cameron was undressing for bed when he first heard the voices through the weather-board walls; in less than a minute there was a knock at his door.
"Here's Mr. Hardcastle from Rosanna, sir. He says he must see you at once."
"The deuce he does! What about?"
"He says he'll only tell you; but he's ridden over in three hours, and he looks like the dead."
"Give him some whiskey, Tyler, and tell him I'll be down in two ticks."