gum trees and odd scattered herds of wild emu. These wandered on the road oblivious of being in the way, making the girls have tostop and wait. Such funny creatures, their huge eyes stared for ages without blinking, but when they did, the eyelashes were to die for. Treasure blew the horn to make them hurry out of the way, but they still took their time.
Having topped up with petrol and water, they should get to their journeyâs end a few hours before sunset.
âYes about Granny, Ella, she was a sort of enigma to all of us. She kept herself busy as a nurse, wife, and mother. But once her daughters left the valley, they only returned on rare occasions. I was taken twice that I remember. And although both of my grandparents were nice to me, I was never spoilt. Perhaps Iâll learn more when I get to see her personal belongings, and photos, and â.â
âSTOP! Oh mercy me, STOP! Please stop the car, Treasure. Treasure slammed on the brakes â.
âI think I see a dog at the side of those trees. Ella, pointed northward. âDo you see it? Treasure. Treasureâs heart was still pounding like stampeding elephants in her chest.
âYou gave me such a fright!â with her hand to her chest, she narrowed her eyes, looking for what, so disturbed her friend. It took a while to focus, and then she saw it. A scrap bundle of fur, raising it head to lookin their direction? It tried to rise up, but fell down in a heap again, apparently too weak or just plumb exhausted. Treasure was unsure of which.
âDo you think itâs a dingo, or a dog? Ella wanted to get out and take a better look at the poor specimen.
Treasure wasnât sure if it was a good idea, but neither did she consider it kind to drive off, and leave the wretched thing to die.
âGive me half of one of those sandwiches Ella, if it tries to bite Iâll throw it to the side and we can both make a run for it.â Deciding on this maneuver they both slowly approached where the bag of bones lay. For on closer observation thatâs about all it looked. Picking off a piece of sandwich, Treasure threw it near the dogâs mouth. Sniffing with caution, it ate slowly, ever watching amid suspicion.
âOh the poor darling,â cried Ella, âhe is starving, oh Treasure, what can we do!â Treasure being the logical of the two, wondered how long the dog had been there and suspected it was probably more thirsty than even hungry. âElla, back up slowly to the car and bring our water bottle here and one of our tin cups, I feel he needs to drink.â And right she wasâ, that poor dog lapped up a cup of water in no time flat. It would have drunk more, but Treasure remembered that you couldnât give food or fluid in abundance, when something had been without nourishment for too long. It could make them extremely ill.
âWell, it looks like we have ourselves an orphan. What do you think Ella? Should we take him home with us?â
Ella grinned she didnât need to think of an answer, she knew that neither of them would leave it behind now that they found it. Bringing their travel rug from the car and leaving the back door open ready to place their new friend on the seat, the girlâs prepared to lift the dog onto the rug and carry him back. He was medium sized and reasonably heavy, but settling him on the backseat was accomplished with minimal effort. He didnât take much notice of his surroundings after a few sniffs at the leather. Treasure gave him another small offering of food, before starting on their way again.
âWeâll have to give him a grand name you know,â Ella said smiling. âAunty would have loved to meet him, remember how she once brought home a stray kitten.â
Ella turned in her seat every few miles to look at their passenger and see what he was doing. There was no evidence of wanting to vomit so after a few more miles, Treasure stopped the car again, and Ella