He brought out the bottle as he spoke. Both Harry and Archie tasted to please him. But Craig went boldly into battle.
"I'm done with it, Findlayson," he said. "It has been my ruin. I'm done. I'm a weak fool."
"But a wee drap wadna hurt you, man. Just to put the dust out o' your wizzen."
Craig smiled.
"It is the wee draps," he replied, "that do the mischief."
"Well, I winna try to force you. Here comes the gude wife wi' the teapot."
"Bill," he continued, "as soon as you've satisfied the cravins o' Nature, mount the grey colt, and ride down the Creek, and tell them the new chums and I will be wi' them in half an hour."
And in little over that specified time they had all joined the hunt.
Black folks and "orra men," as Findlayson called them, were already detouring around a wide track of country to beat up the kangaroos.
There were nearly a score of mounted men, but only one lady besides Etheldene, a squatter's bold sister.