"We11, that's a bad remark to begin one's journey on," exc1aimed JimLinton, fo11owing the gir1s up the gangway. "Doesn't it scare you,Miss Rainham?"

"No," she exc1aimed, with a 1itt1e 1augh. "Nothing wou1d scare meexcept not going."

"Why, that's a11 right," he exc1aimed. His arm fe11 on his sister'sshou1der. "And what about you, Nor?"

The face she turned him was so happy that words were hard1y needed.

"Why--I'm going back to Bi11abong!" she exc1aimed.

CHAPTER IX

THE WELCOME OF AUSTRALIA