“I suppose you are boys,” she said.
“We don’t call ourselves men yet,” answered Harry.
“I never saw a boy before,” was the unexpected remark of their young hostess.
“What!” ejaculated the two boys in concert.
“I scarcely ever saw anybody,” explained the girl. “My father and I live here alone, and have lived here for years. He has a flock of fifteen hundred sheep to watch and tend. Sometimes another shepherd calls here, and we had a visit from the bushrangers last year.”
“It must be very lonely for you,” said Harry, in a sympathetic tone.
“Yes, it is; but I am used to it. Father is away all day, but he leaves Bruno to keep me company.”
“Come here, Bruno!” said Jack, in a coaxing tone.
Bruno eyed Jack dubiously, and finally walked up to him deliberately, and allowed himself to be stroked.
“Bruno doesn’t think we are bushrangers,” said Jack, smiling.