‘Certainly it is,’ said Hamilton. ‘Our cattle are fresher than they were a week since.’
‘My idea is to box the cattle into larger mobs, which will give us more men to handle if we fight. We can draft them by their brands when we get to the open country. The driving will be much the same and the men less scattered about.’
‘A good proposal,’ said Argyll. ‘It will be more sociable, and, as you say, safer in case of a surprise. But are you certain of an attack? Will all these precautions be necessary?’
‘I know more of the Myall blacks of this country than most men,’ said Warleigh gravely. ‘You see, we are going among strong tribes, with any amount of fighting men. Big, well-fed fellows too, and fiercer the farther you go south.’
‘How do you account for that?’
‘The cold climate does it and the living. Fish and game no end. It’s a rich country and no mistake. When you see it, you won’t wonder at their standing a brush to keep it.’
‘What infernal nonsense!’ said Argyll. ‘Just as if the brutes wouldn’t be benefited by our occupation.’
‘They won’t look at it in that light, I’m afraid,’ said Fred Churbett. ‘History tells us that all hill-tribes have exhibited a want of amiability to the civilised lowland races. In Scotland, I believe, to this day, the descendants of a rude sub-variety of man pride themselves upon dissimilarity of dress and manners.’
‘What!’ shouted Argyll, ‘do you compare my noble Highland ancestors with these savages, or the lowland plebeians who usurped our rights? As well compare the Norman noble with the grocer of Cheapside. Why——’
‘May not we leave the settlement of this question till we are more settled ourselves?’ said Wilfred. ‘Our present duty is to be prepared for our Australian Highlanders, who, as Warleigh knows, have a pretty taste for ambuscades and surprises.’