Wilderness Trek (1988) Read Online Free

short rest the cavalcade proceeded onward across the rippling sea of colored grass. Herons were not new to Sterl, 'but white ibis, spoonbills, egrets, jabiru, and other wading fowl afforded him lasting wonder and appreciation. The storks particularly caught his eye. Their number seemed incredible. They were mostly gray in color, huge cranelike birds, tall as a man; they had red on their heads, and huge bills. Sterl exchanged places with Red, and drowsy from excessive looking, went to sleep.
    He was awakened by yells. Sitting up he found Red waving wildly.
    "Ostriches!... Black ostriches!" yelled Red, beside himself..."Whoever'd thunk it?... Dog-gone my pictures!... Sterl, wake up. You're missin' somethin'."
    Sterl did not need Red's extended arm to sight a line of huge black bird creatures, long-necked and long-legged, racing across the road.
    "Emu," said the teamster, laconically. "You run over them outback."
    "As I'm a born sinner heah comes a bunch of hosses!" exclaimed Red, pointing. On the range Red had been noted, even among hawk-eyed riders and vanqueros, for his keen sight.
    "Brumbies," declared Tones.
    "What?--What you say?" shouted Red. "If they're not wild horses. I'll eat 'em."
    "Wild, surely. But they're brumbies," said the Australian.
    Red emitted a disgusted snort. "Brumbies! Who in the hell ever heahed of callin' wild hosses such an orful name?"
    "Red, it is a silly name," responded Jones, with his rare grin. "I suggest we have an interchange and understanding of names, so you won't have to lick me."
    "Wal, I reckon I couldn't lick you, at thet," retorted Red, quick as a flash to meet friendliness. "You're an orful big chap, Rol, an' could probably beat hell out of me pronto. So I'll take you up."
    "What does pronto mean?"
    "Quick. Right now... I heahed you say 'pad.' In my country a pad is what you put under a saddle. What is it heah?"
    "A pad is a path through the bush. A narrow single track."
    "Ahuh. But thet's a trail, Rol. Say, you're gonna have fun ediccatin' us. Sterl heah had a mother who was a schoolteacher, an' he's one smart hombre."
    The sun slanted toward the far horizon, the brightness changed to gold and rose. It was some time short of twilight when Jones hauled up at the edge of the bush, which had beckoned for so many hours. A bare spot on the bank of a narrow slow-moving stream attested to many campfires.
    "Look!" interposed Sterl, pointing at forms across the stream. They were natives, of course, but a first actual sight was disconcerting.
    "Black man, with gin and lubra, and some kids," said Jones.
    "Holy Mackeli!" ejaculated Red. "They look human--but--"
    Sterl's comrade, with his usual perspicuity, had hit it. The group of natives stood just at the edge of the bush. Sterl saw six figures out in the open, but he had a glimpse of others. The man was exceedingly tall, thin, black as coal, almost naked. He held a spear, upright, and it stood far above his shaggy head. A scant beard fuzzed the lower part of his face. His big, bold, somber eyes glared a moment, then with a long stride he went back into the bush. The women lingered curiously. The older, the "gin," was hideous to behold. The lubra, a young girl, appeared sturdy and voluptuous. Both were naked except for short grass skirts. The children were wholly nude. A harsh voice sent them scurrying into the bush.
    "Gosh! I'd hate to meet thet long-laiged hombre in the dark." said Red.
    "Hope some of them come around our campfire," added Sterl, with zest.
    He had his wish. After supper, about dusk, the black man appeared, a towering unreal figure. He did not have the long spear. The cook gave him something to eat; and the native, making quick despatch of that, accosted Jones in a low voice.
    "Him sit down alonga fire," replied Jones, pointing to Sterl.
    The black man slowly approached the fire, then stood motionless on the edge of the circle of light. Presently he came up to Sterl.
    "Tobac?" he asked, in a low deep voice.
    "Yes," replied