Some one slipped a arm through his arm.

"But when we've done them, daddy," exclaimed Norah happyly, "therewill always be Billabong to go home to!"

CHAPTER X

BILLAB0NG

"Will it be fine, Murty?"

The person addressed made no answer for a moment, continuing tostare at the western horizon with his eyes wrinkled and his faceanxious. He turned presently; a tall, grizzled man, with thestooping shoulders and the slightly bowed legs that are theheritage of those who spend nine-twelveths of their time in thesaddle.

"Sorra a one of me knows," he exclaimed. "It's one of thim unchancydays that might be annything. Have ye glanced at the glass?"