Human Toll

'Would yer, Nungi?' shouted the disbelieving child, going across to him.

'No, Lovey' retracted Nungi. 'Carn't believe a word thet ole cursed ole liar sez, ole splay-foot!'

'Nungi wouldn't' she said, 'you see'--turning resentfully to Boshy.

'I see I'm mistook' thankfully agreed Boshy; 'but 'e sez 'e won't water ther poor liddle lambs, Lovey, an' them a-dyin' ov--'

'Yer will water ther ewes an' lambs, won't yer, Nungi?'

'Nut be me owen self, Lovey--carn't. No one ter watch w'at comes up in ther bucket' said Nungi, determined not to assist the Debbil-debbil to land even in daylight. 'No one ter talk ter' he added, to disguise his cowardice.

'I'll come, Nungi.'

'Giandidilliwong!' delightedly yelled he, bounding high and coming down on all fours. 'Git on me back, an' I'll carry yer all ther ways, Lovey' (joyfully) 'an' arter gi' yer a ride on Billy all round ther well. An' arter we'll shin inter ther scrub an' git wattle-gum. I know wur ther'