'Lose no time about it, find him as quickly as possible,' said Sal; 'and, mind, not a word to Willie about it.'
'He'd better know. That lad's useful. He's as good as a man, bless yer heart.'
'Tell him, then. Do as you think best,' said Sal.
Willie had been riding Neptune in an early morning spin, and when he returned Silas said to him,—
'I know you'll not be frightened, Willie, at what I'm going to tell you. One of the blacks from Barker's Creek's here, and she tells Sal there's to be ructions around Wanabeen.'
'When?' said Willie, quietly.
'While the boss is away, sure,' said Silas.
'What'll we do?'
'I'm going for Doonan. If he is here they'll get pepper,' said Silas.
'I'll go with you.'