‘He would be good enough to win one of those big handicaps we saw advertised in the Sydney paper before we left Yanda. How much was the prize money?’
‘About six hundred pounds, I think,’ said Will; ‘I wish we had Ouwana there.’
‘So do I,’ said Edgar; ‘it would be rare fun to see the black fellow “down” the cracks.’
The days passed quickly, and Edgar and Will had no thought of time. They did not even know what month it was, and were dead out of their reckoning as regards the days of the week.
What surprised them most was the fertile nature of the country. They had passed across a vast sandy plain, and taken some days to do it, but ever since they left it behind they had been tramping over what Edgar knew would not only be excellent sheep country, but would also carry cattle. Grass was plentiful—not brown, dry grass, but green and juicy—proving there had either been recent rain, or there was plenty of moisture in the earth.
It was not a flat, dull, and uninteresting country, for there were hills and valleys, and trees and shrubs, and beautiful wild flowers and blossoming trees were found in many places. Wild berries and fruits they found, and running streams of water, which seemed to find their source in the many caves with which the mountains were honeycombed. In some of these streams, which at times were sufficiently large to be called rivers, crocodiles were found, both large and small. The larger crocodile was voracious, and it was not safe to bathe when any of them showed their ugly heads, but the smaller species was harmless, and never ventured to attack them.
The Enooma blacks were fond of the water, and often risked their lives bathing and swimming where crocodiles were to be seen.
Ouwana was especially venturesome, and often speared a crocodile in the water.
Yacka said he had seen Ouwana fight a crocodile, with a shortened spear like a dagger, for the mere excitement of the sport.
Edgar managed to further earn the goodwill of the blacks by saving Ouwana’s life.