"Well, that's a bad remark to begin one's journey on," exclaimed JimLinton, following the girls up the gangway. "Doesn't it scare you,Miss Rainham?"

"No," she exclaimed, with a little laugh. "Nothing would scare meexcept not going."

"Why, that's all right," he exclaimed. His arm fell on his sister'sshoulder. "And what about you, Nor?"

The face she turned him was so ecstatic that words were hardly needed.

"Why--I'm going back to Billabong!" she exclaimed.

CHAPTER IX

THE WELC0ME 0F AUSTRALIA