He first examined the axe and
cleaned it well, carefully burning a few of Baldy's grey hairs which
he found on it. Then he searched the floor for drops of blood, which
he carefully scraped with a knife, and washed until no red spot was
visible. Then he walked to Baldy's and pretended to himself that he
was surprised to find it empty. What had happened the previous night
was only a dream, an ugly dream. He met an acquaintance and told him
that Baldy was neither in his hut nor with his sheep.
The two men called at old Sharp's hut to make enquiries. The latter
said, "I seen Baldy's sheep yesterday going about in mobs, and nobody
to look after them." Then the three men went to the deserted hut.
Everything in it seemed undisturbed. The dog was watching at the
door, and they told him to seek Baldy. He pricked up his ears,
wagged his tail, and looked wistfully in the direction of Nosey's
hut, evidently expecting his master to come in sight that way.
The men went to the nearest magistrate and informed him that the
shepherd was missing. A messenger went to the head station.
Enquiries were made at the township, and it was found that Baldy had
been to Nyalong the previous day, and had left in the evening
carrying two bottles of gin. This circumstance seemed to account for
his absence; he had taken too much of the liquor, was lying asleep
somewhere, and would reappear in the course of the day.
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