24 A NATURALIST IN CANNIBAL LAND 



Overlander. The man in charge has seen the mob 

 quietly settled down, and with two of the stockmen 

 has turned in for sleep. One is left to take the first 

 watch; his duty will be to see that the horses of the 

 others are ready for quick saddling and an instant 

 start, and to ride round and round the camping 

 cattle until at midnight he can wake up the relief 

 sentry. 



As night deepens the man on watch is conscious of 

 a strange sultriness. The cattle notice it too, and 

 the mob stirs uneasily. Here and there comes a 

 faint low. The Overlander is at once all alert. He 

 takes a glance at the tethered horses to see that they 

 are all right; then he rides round the herd, singing 

 or whistling as he does. The human voice seems to 

 bring some quiet to the uneasy beasts whose animal 

 sense has told them that a storm approaches. 



A green-black cloud shows on the horizon, blotting 

 out the stars as it creeps higher and higher into the 

 sky. Low rumblings sound and the faint flashes of 

 distant lightning show behind the cloud. There is 

 a swelling of wind. Many of the cattle are now 

 on their feet, sniffing towards the coming storm, 

 stamping on the ground with their hoofs. From one 

 beast comes a bellow of fright. 



The Overlander knows now that he must act. 

 His mates are aroused ; within three minutes they are 

 in the saddle, circling around the mob. One sings 

 " The Wild Colonial Boy," another " Wrap me up 



