“But he has gone bong,” cried Rifle.
“Yohi. Gone bong. Marmi Tim mumkull big boomer. Now, come along, mine fine back big white Mary.”
“Yes: let’s start,” cried Norman; but with a pang at his heart as he wondered whether they would ever reach home again, home which seemed now the most lovely place on earth.
Tam refused to mount when they started.
“Mine want see close along,” he said; and after a few casts here and there, to the astonishment of all, they saw him suddenly point down, and they all ran to his side.
“Why, there’s nothing there,” cried Tim.
“Yohi. Horse fellow tick um toe along.”
“Yes; there is a faint mark of a hoof,” said Norman in delight; and with rising spirits they went on again, to sight the Wallaby Range and strike Dingo Station just at dusk on the following night, after missing the track again and again on the previous day; while on this, the last of their return journey, Shanter marked down hills and mountains which were familiar, so that they made extra speed, and it was necessary, for they reached home nearly starved.
It is needless to tell of the joy at the wanderers’ return, save that Mrs Bedford’s face showed the agony she must have suffered, while Aunt Georgie had a severe scolding in store.
But all that was soon over. Shanter had gone off to a favourite nook of his to digest damper, and the boys had about wearied themselves out telling of their adventures, and of how wonderfully Shanter had recovered during the last few days.