A Lad of Mettle

by Nat Gould

‘The Enooma,’ said Yacka. ‘We are the favoured tribe of the great White Spirit.’

‘And you are the son of Enooma,’ said Edgar. ‘Then we are safe with you.’

‘No one will harm the friends of the son of Enooma,’ said Yacka.

‘Why did you leave your own country?’ asked Edgar.

‘To wander far and learn much. It was the wish of Enooma, and she must be obeyed. I have been in big cities—Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Brisbane, and have learned many things and seen much evil,’ said Yacka.

‘And how did you get on to Yanda Station?’ said Edgar.

‘From Queensland. I went to Adelaide first, and then walked to the other big cities. From Brisbane I went on until I came to Yanda, and there I camped.’

Yacka went on ahead, and Edgar said to Will:

‘It will be worth all our travels if we can clear up this mystery about Yacka’s birth. He must have been taught by white people, or he would not speak as he does. It is getting more and more interesting. Who would have thought when we were at Redbank we should in so short a time be tramping over the wilds of Australia with only a black for our companion?’

‘I wonder what they are up to at Redbank now?’ said Will.