`Oh, oh!' thought I, `the little fellow has his doubts about that
pemmican, and thinks a tough old pigeon would be preferable.'
The weather was exquisite; and, with exhortations to prudence and
caution from both me and their mother, the three lads started in the
very highest spirits. Storm and Grumble, as usual, drew the cart, and
were ridden by Fritz and Franz; while Hurry carried Jack swiftly across
the bridge in advance of them; followed by Floss and Bruno, barking
at his heels.
The sugar-mill occupied us for several days, and was made so much like
our other mills that I need not now describe it.
On the evening of the first day, as we sat resting in the porch at
Rockburg, we naturally talked of the absentees, wondering and guessing
what they might be about.
Ernest looked rather mysterious, and hinted that he might have news of
them next morning.
Just then a bird alighted on the dove-cot, and entered. I could not
see, in the failing light, whether it was one of our own pigeons or an
intruder. Ernest started up, and said he would see that all was right.
In a few minutes he returned with a scrap of paper in his hand. `News,
father! The very latest news by pigeon-post, mother!'
`Well done, boys! What a capital idea!' said I, and taking the note I
read:
`Dearest parents and Ernest,
`A brute of a hyaena has killed a ram and two lambs.
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