They Found a Cave Read Online Free

Nigel could be seen cutting lucerne with a billhook. They mooched towards him, absorbed as usual in discussing the goats.
    Suddenly from the opposite direction came Nippy running full pelt, both hands clasped on the seat of his brief trousers.
    â€˜What is the matter?’ Jandie cried, stopping him.
    â€˜Sat on nan NANT ’ S NEST !’ he yelled. ‘Ow! Ooh! Ow! I’m not crying, though—am I, Cherry?—Ow!’
    Cherry examined him carefully; wet drops forced their way down his red cheeks. ‘Well…’ she hesitated, ‘I don’t know, Nippy, but I’m afraid you are. ’
    â€˜I’m not! I’m not !’ he screamed. ‘How can I help what my eyes do? I ’ m not crying, I say!’
    He would have rushed off again, but Jandie held him. ‘Good lad, you’ll do,’ she said. ‘Were they bull ants or black jacks? Quick, someone! Fetch a bracken root. The juice will take away the pain.’
    Near the back door was a sandy patch where a few of the original bracken ferns still clung to life. Both Cherry and Brick, who had followed his brother, raced for them as Jandie took Nippy inside. They passed Mrs. Pinner’s great bulk blocking the storehouse door, and heard her muttering to herself as she watched them.
    â€˜Lot o’ fuss! What’s an ant sting, anyways? Should hev looked first where he sat down, the little fool. Do ’im good…’
    Brick overheard her words as he searched for his pocket knife to cut the fern.
    â€˜Oh?’ he called back, his grey eyes gleaming with temper. ‘It was a lot of fuss, wasn’t it, when that bee stung you the other day.’
    â€˜Ssh!’ Cherry whispered, pulling at his sleeve, ‘don’t get her going! Jandie’s going away and we’ll be alone with her next week.’
    â€˜I don’t care!’ He lifted his voice again and cried, ‘I only hope you get a dozen bee stings on your nose.’
    â€˜Oh, Brick! She’s furious now,’ gasped Cherry. ‘Listen to her!’
    â€˜â€¦so I’ll not tell your aunt how rude you speak to me this time,’ Mrs. Pinner was calling, evidently in the hope that her employer would overhear; and then she added in a nasty low undertone for Brick’s especial benefit, ‘But just you wait, you young larry! I’ll take it out of your hide—after next week.’
    â€˜There Brick! What did I tell you?’
    â€˜Oh—let her try,’ said Brick stoutly, as he dashed away with the fern for Nippy’s sting.

3
Tas Leads an Expedition
    There had been rain in the night and then, clean washed and fresh, the earth steamed gently in the morning’s sunshine. It was a day to make anyone glad; but they were not glad as they watched the old car lurch down the track with Jandie in it. Something flapped at the side like a handkerchief, probably a torn piece of the hood, for they knew it was not Jandie’s way to look back or wave good-byes. A group of blue gums at the corner soon swallowed car and all from sight.
    â€˜Well,’ enquired Nippy at last, since nobody seemed inclined to move or speak, ‘shall we play “kangas”?’
    No one bothered to answer him. At last Tas spoke with a shake of his head, ‘Wonder when we’ll see her again?’
    â€˜Oh,’ Cherry replied with some importance, ‘I know, I had a talk with Jandie about her plans. Of course she might not be back next week, but I think she will.’
    â€˜Wot’s she going for?’
    â€˜Oh, business and that. And to fix up about beastly schools.’
    â€˜Huh! That’s wot she give you. She didn’t tell my Ma that.’
    â€˜Oh?’ They all stared at Tas, disturbed by his tone. ‘What did she say, then?’
    â€˜Oh, well…I’m not sure. I dunno…I reckon,’ he glanced uneasily at anxious faces turned towards him, ‘it’s jest I heard