But the Quiet Stockman seemed perplexed at the answer. "I thought
reading 'ud learn you most things," he said, hesitating beside his own
net; and before we could speak, the corner of Dan's net was lifted and
his head reappeared. "I've learned a deal of things in my time," he
chuckled, "but READING never taught me none of 'em." Then his head once
more disappeared, and we tried to explain matters to the Quiet Stockman.
The time was not yet ready for the offer of a helping hand.
At four in the morning we were roused by a new camp reveille of
Star-light. "Nothing like getting off early when mustering's the game,"
Dan announced. By sun-up the musterers were away, and by sundown we were
coming in to Bitter Springs, driving a splendid mob of cattle before us.
The Maluka and I had had nothing to do with the actual gathering in of
the mob, for the missus had not "shaped" too well at her first muster and
preferred travelling with the pack teams when active mustering was in
hand. Ignominious perhaps, but safe, and safety counts for something in
this world; anyway, for the poor craven souls.
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