"I can't see how it can be done in less than ten days, old fellow," said Emson thoughtfully; "and if the old Boer is away, it may take a fortnight." "All right; I won't mind," said Dyke with a sigh. "I'll take care of the place, and I'm going to try some new plans. There shan't be a single bird die. I say, oughtn't those young birds to be out by now?" "I've been expecting them every day for a week," said Emson, rather dolefully. "But, look here, little un: if you took Jack with you, do you think you could manage the journey yourself?" Dyke turned on his horse and looked quite startled. "There's the driving." "Jack would drive," said Emson hastily. "And the inspanning and outspanning." "Which he could see to." "And camping out in the wagon alone." "Yes: you'd want good fires every night; but I can't help it, old fellow. Only one could go, and you'd be happier with the work and excitement than you would be moping at the house, all alone, and watching for me to come back." "But that would be just as bad for you, Joe; and you'd be thinking that the lions had got me." "No, I shouldn't; but I should be trembling for the oxen, my boy. There, I've made up my mind to send you, and you'll go." "Oh, I'll go," said Dyke sturdily; "but why not go to Oom Schlagen? it's twenty miles nearer. He has a much better lot of things and is more civil than Morgenstern." "Yes, I know all that, little un," said Emson; "but Morgenstern is honest. He charges well for his corn and meal, but he'll give you just measure, and will deal with you as fairly as he would with me. Old Uncle Schlagen would, as soon as he saw you--a boy--coming alone, set to work to see if he couldn't rob you of a span of oxen, saying they were his, and trick you over the stores in every way he could." "Then I'll go to old Morningstar's." "You won't mind going?" "Oh yes, I shall, because it will be so lonely; but I'll go." "I don't like sending you, little un; and there's another difficulty." "Oh, never mind that; it's all difficulties out here." "True; but some are bigger than others." "Well, what's the big one now?" said Dyke contemptuously, as if he had grown so hardened that he could face anything. "Jack," said Emson laconically. "What! Jack? Yes, he'd better be," cried Dyke. "If he gives me any of his nonsense, he'll have a rap over the head with the barrel of my gun." "How much of that is honest pluck, old chap, and how much bunkum?" said Emson, speaking very seriously. "I don't know," cried Dyke, colouring; "I don't think there's any bounce in it, Joe. I meant it honestly." "But he is a man, and you are a boy." "Oh yes, he's a man, and he bullies and threatens Tanta Sal, and makes believe that he is going to spear her, and directly she rushes at him, he runs. I don't think I should be afraid of Jack."