“And it’s oh, Artemus!” said the old lady. “For I do wish you boys would not be so fond of nicknames.”
“All right, aunt.”
The incident passed off and so did Shanter, for he disappeared altogether for a couple of days, and was a good deal missed.
“Never mind,” said Norman, “he’ll come back loaded with grubs, or bring honey or ’possums.”
“I believe he is too much offended to come back,” said Tim. “No fellow, whatever his colour may be, likes to be called a thief.”
“No,” said Rifle; “and I believe aunt used her flour in her sleep.”
“Here, boys,” cried the captain just then; “take the horses and go round and fetch up that lot of bullocks from the plain. I fancy they have gone right away some distance, or the dingoes have scared them; it will be a good ride for you.”
“And no Shanter here,” said Norman, as they went off to catch and saddle their horses.
“I wonder father hasn’t made a bother about it. He doesn’t seem to have missed him.”
“Too busy over getting down that big gum over yonder,” observed Rifle. “My word, what a time it seems to take!”