She shook her head.
"Perhaps the big noise frightened them. If they do not find we took the boats, they will not come after us. They were afraid of you, Smith, many of them. Because, in spite of what Big Jack's father said, we did not believe there were any other white men in the world. And they said you were jumped up after being dead."
The Baker laughed.
"You didn't, Kitty?"
"Not after you kissed me," said Kitty.
"Oh," said Smith, "indeed. That's it, is it?"
But the Baker took his paddle again. They worked hard for another hour.
"Thank the Lord this river isn't like the Lachlan," said Smith, "all curls, and whirls, and meanderings. It does seem to go straight. Kitty, can you get anything to eat here?"
"I could get a 'possum, perhaps," said Kitty, "but we shall not be hungry till to-morrow. And there are plenty of white grubs under the dead bark."
At which the Baker visibly squirmed. That his wild lady-love should eat grubs seemed rather too much.