General Gordon principles aren't workable with our Blacks. Kindness
doesn't do. The early pioneers soon found that out.'

Lady Bridget had stopped suddenly in her talk with Colin, and was
listening, her eyes glowering at her companion.

'Why didn't kindness do?' she asked sharply.

'Yes; Mr McKeith, tell us why the early pioneers abandoned the gentle
method,' said the Governor.

McKeith's face changed: it became dark and a dangerous fire blazed in
his blue eyes.

'Because they found that the Blacks repaid kindness with ingratitude--
treachery--foul murder--' He pulled himself up as though afraid of
losing command of himself if he pursued the subject: his voice thrilled
with some deep-seated feeling. Mrs Gildea, who understood the personal
application, broke in across the table with an apposite remark about
her own early experiences of the Blacks. Lady Bridget impatiently
addressed McKeith.

'Go on. What do the Blacks do now to you people to make you treat them
unkindly?'

'What do they do now--to us squatters you mean?' Colin had recovered
himself. 'Why they begin by spearing our cattle and then they take to
spearing ourselves.'

'Did they ever spear you?' she asked.