Fortunately for my reputation, only the Dandy knew that we considered
open doors easier to get out of than closed ones, and that my revolver
was to be fired to call him from the Quarters if anything alarming
occurred.
"You'll have to live up to your reputation now," the Dandy said, and,
brave in the knowledge that he was within cooee, I ordered the old men
about most unmercifully, leaving little doubt in their minds that "missus
was big mob cheeky fellow."
They were most deferential all day, and at sundown I completed my revenge
by offering these rulers of a nation the insult of a woman's protection.
"If you are still afraid of the wild blacks, you may sleep near me
to-night," I said, and apologised for not having made the offer for the
night before.
"You've got 'em on toast," the Dandy chuckled as the offer was refused
with a certain amount of dignity.
The lubras secretly enjoyed the discomfiture of their lords and masters,
and taking me into their confidence, made it very plain that a lubra's
life at times is anything but a happy one; particularly if "me boy all
day krowl (growl).
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