“It is an error of judgment on the boy’s part. When we were his age we thought we knew better than our elders; but we know better now. Look here, Dominic, my boy. You are in the wrong. This man, your father’s assigned servant, was tried by a jury of his fellow-countrymen, found guilty, and sentenced to transportation. Well, my boy, we are all under the law, which protects us, and we require its protection very much in a new colony of such an exceptional kind as this.”
“But the law was unjust to him, Sir John, and cruel.”
“I think not, my boy. Certainly mistakes have been made. But here, you see, the law was not so cruel, but said to this man, ‘You have served a certain amount of time; now go and prove your sorrow for your crime by making yourself a faithful servant, and in good time you shall go free, with an opportunity for commencing a new career.’”
“Yes, Sir John; and Leather—his name’s Frank Mayne—has been a good servant. Hasn’t he, father?”
“Yes, he has worked very well.”
“And so he did, father, while you were away, till that man drove him to desperation.”
“I cannot argue about all this, Dominic,” said Sir John. “I have to judge this matter, and I am afraid, my boy, that you have been imposed upon, for matters look very black against this man.”
Nic shook his head.
“Well, my boy, they do to me. But look here, Dominic. Now, more than ever, do we all need to join hand in hand—boys as well as men—for our mutual protection. Even during the past few weeks has a desperate gang of scoundrels broken away and taken to the bush, where our warder-guard and the soldiery have been unable to hunt them down. These men must be taken, and your friend too. Now, listen to me, boy. For your sake, as the son of my best friend, I promise you this: if you will enable us to capture this man, he shall have a fair examination before me, and I will carefully balance all evidence, and the good in him against the evil. You will trust me, Dominic?”
“Yes, Sir John; but I can’t betray the man who has made me believe in him, and whom I look upon as a friend.”