Toby took several mouthfuls and wiped the back of his hand across his mouth. ‘He must have come this way. Let’s scout about a bit and see if we can pick up his spoor between the boulders.’ He handed the canteen back to Paddy.

‘Toby?’

‘Yeah?’

Paddy pointed at the Lovell in his brother’s hand. ‘If we corner the bugger, do you think I could take the shot?’

Toby shook his head. ‘You know how Pa feels about you using the Lovell. I wasn’t allowed to touch it until I turned sixteen.’

‘I’ll be sixteen in a couple of months,’ Paddy shot back. ‘It’s time I started learning how to shoot.’

‘More like eight months. If Pa found out he’d skin us alive. It’s one of his strictest rules.’

Paddy looked down at the ground, pouting. ‘You’ve been using the gun for three years now and all I get is a spear. It’s not fair.’

‘But you’re good with a spear, Paddy. Better than I ever was. We have to find the dingo before anyone gets to have a go at him anyway – with spear or gun.’

‘Fine,’ Paddy said. He shouldered his spear and moved away between the boulders.

Toby watched him go and shook his head, then turned to explore the ground in the opposite direction. He hadn’t gone more than five paces before a low whistle stopped him. Turning, he doubled back and found his brother crouched between two rocks.

‘This is the mongrel.’ Paddy pointed at several paw prints in the dust between the boulders. Then he lifted a white feather from the ground and waved it under Toby’s nose.

‘He still has the chook in his mouth. I think you’re right about his lair, Pad. Better let me take the lead.’ Toby pulled the musket’s hammer to full cock and moved off.

The tracks followed a well-worn path between the boulders, heading high along the ridge. They disappeared on rocky ground near the top, but Toby crossed the stony patch and found another print on the far side of the ridge. Here, the dingo had changed direction, traversing the high ground to their right.

Without ever really knowing how, Toby felt they were close to their quarry. He turned and held a finger to his lips. Paddy gave a curt nod and Toby started forward again, travelling more slowly, mindful of where he put his feet.