But after that the tracks
led on to some stony rises, and they lost them; the ground was too
hard. They could only tell he'd gone right off the line to Billabong."
"Jim! Do you think--? Oh, he couldn't be hurt! Monarch would never get
rid of him."
"He'd stick to Monarch as long as the girth held and Monarch stood up,"
Jim said. "but it's rough country, and a young horse isn't handy on
those sidings. Of course it may be all right; but if so, why wasn't he
home twenty-four hours ago?"
"Have you done anything?"
"Been out all day," Jim said. "Murty sent Wal. straight home while he
went on looking, and we went back with three of the men. But you know
what that country is, all hills and gullies, and the scrub's so thick
you can scarcely get through it in places. We found one or two hoof
marks, but that was all. If he's not home to-night we're going out at
daybreak with every hand on the place."
"I'm coming."
"I knew you'd want to," Jim said, anxiety in his tone. "But I don't
think you're fit to, old girl."
"Jimmy, I'd go mad if I stayed behind."
"Oh, I know that, too. But you'll have to stay near me, Norah. and if
you're coming you've got to eat now; Brownie says you've touched
nothing all day."
Norah shivered a little. "I'm not hungry.
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