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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/37559-8.txt b/37559-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..fb33bd3 --- /dev/null +++ b/37559-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,7003 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Fern Vale (Volume 3), by Colin Munro + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Fern Vale (Volume 3) + or the Queensland Squatter + +Author: Colin Munro + +Release Date: September 28, 2011 [EBook #37559] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FERN VALE (VOLUME 3) *** + + + + +Produced by Nick Wall, Matthew Wheaton and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This +book was produced from scanned images of public domain +material from the Google Print project.) + + + + + + + + + + FERN VALE + + OR THE + + QUEENSLAND SQUATTER. + + + A NOVEL. + + BY COLIN MUNRO. + + IN THREE VOLUMES. + VOL III. + + LONDON: + T. C. NEWBY, + 30 WELBECK STREET, CAVENDISH SQUARE. + MDCCCLXII. + + + EDINBURGH: + + PRINTED BY THE CALEDONIAN PRESS, + + "The National Institution for Promoting the Employment of Women + in the Art of Printing." + + SOUTH SAINT DAVID STREET. + + + + +FERN VALE. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + "What sport shall we devise, here in this garden, + To drive away the heavy thought of care?" + + RICHARD II., _Act 3, Sc. 4_. + + +Three days after that to which we brought down our narrative in the last +chapter the morning broke calmly and serenely over the wooded wastes of +the bush; and while the pleasant zephyr of the morning tempered the rays +of the sun, as he sped his course to the zenith, a happy party of +equestrians might have been seen cantering by the bridle path between +Strawberry Hill and Brompton. That party consisted of our friends, +Mrs., Miss, and Tom Rainsfield, and the Fergusons, accompanied by their +black boy Joey. The van was led by the first named lady, accompanied by +William Ferguson, while the others followed riding two abreast, having +paired off in a manner most congenial to themselves. The rear was +brought up by Joey and William's dogs, who coursed through the bush in +seeming delight at the prospect of wearing off a little of the rust that +had grown on them from their late inertness. + +They had ridden for nearly four hours when they slackened their speed a +little as the noon-day sun became more powerful; while, at that moment, +they came to a beautiful little spot where a grassy slope terminated in +a lagoon, whose waters appeared to the travellers clear and refreshingly +cool. Here Mrs. Rainsfield drew up her horse, and proposed a halt for +tiffin; which being generally assented to, the party dismounted. The +bridles of their horses being each fastened round a tree, some +refreshments were produced by Tom from his valise; and the friends sat +down in a shady spot on the green sward, and partook with that hearty +zest that can only be appreciated by those who have been similarly +situated. + +When perfectly refreshed they proceeded on their way, and arrived at +Brompton before the close of the evening. There they were hospitably +received by Mr. and Mrs. Smithers, and very graciously by Bob, who was +all urbanity for the occasion. They found several of the guests had also +arrived, those, who like themselves had arrived from a long distance; +and the house then was as much a scene of gaiety as if it had been the +grand reunion itself. The evening passed pleasantly enough; but, our +object being more particularly to picture to the reader the _fêtes_ of +the following day, we will draw a veil over the company for the night, +and introduce them again on the morning. + +The morning in due time came; and was simply a repetition of those +common to a Queensland summer. A cloudless sky spanned the horizon, in +which the sun had a tropical brilliancy, without the scorching power +incidental to most sunny climes. The air was genial and salubrious, and +the balmy breeze bore on its placid wings the aroma of the surrounding +acacia and mimosa. It was such a day as poets love to picture, but +which, to the incredulous matter of fact denizens of "foggy England," a +description only generates a confirmed and unqualified pyrrhonism. With +all the exercise, however, of the scepticism of our friends in the "old +country," it, nevertheless, does not diminish the lustre of such +glorious sunshine as, we again repeat, is to be found nowhere in such +tolerant perfection as in Queensland, and which marked the morning to +which we allude. Perhaps the weather was a little warmer than usual, and +the atmosphere drier; rather more so, in fact, than the settlers +desired, for their rivers and creeks were getting low, and many were +desiring rain to refresh their grass, and refill their water-holes and +courses. However, such desideratum had no consideration with the party +assembled at Brompton, whose sport at the time they seemed determined +nothing should mar. + +The great _fête_ of the day was to be the races; and it was then that +the agrarian beauties of Brompton showed to advantage. It may be +remembered in an early chapter of our story we gave a cursory sketch of +the station, but in the event of its topography having escaped the +memory of the reader, we will again partially repeat the description. +For some considerable distance down the bank of the Gibson river the +land was almost perfectly level, and unusually free from timber. It was +fenced off into paddocks of considerable size. Towards the centre of one +of these was a swamp, from which the surrounding ground had just +sufficient rise to constitute it the reservoir for the drainage of the +land; while towards the river, and immediately on the bank, the land +rose in a little knoll. Here then was a naturally formed race course; +and, by the erection of a few posts, a course was marked out that for +amenity, level, turf, and convenience of sight, it would be difficult to +surpass. + +Towards eleven o'clock nearly all the expected guests having arrived, +and the ground became a lively scene as the gay and well-mounted +equestrians cantered in laughing and merry groups backwards and +forwards; some few, more exhilarated or pedantic than the rest, trying +the course and the mettle of their steeds. The guests of the Smitherses +were not the only ones who had congregated to witness the sport. Other +visitors of a more plebeian character, and self-invited, were there; all +those within a circuit of some thirty miles, who by any possibility +could obtain release from their work, had camped themselves in the +neighbourhood to be spectators. The company had ridden over the ground, +and had dispersed in all directions; when the horses "entered to run," +decorated with their party-coloured rosettes, and led by their +respective riders carrying their saddles, were descried coming on to +the course; and speedily the scattered parties converged to the knoll we +have mentioned, and which now served for a grand stand. + +The horses approached the post; and the necessary preliminaries having +been gone through, they assumed their places; when the few of the +spectative portion of the company, who still remained in the way, +speedily retired, responsive to the call of "clear the course;" and, +after the usual amount of "false starts," the signal was given that was +unanimously acted upon, and away went the horses. + +Horse-racing is the same all the world over, at least in all parts of +the globe where the Anglo-Saxon race holds sway. Therefore we need not +tire our readers by giving a prolix account of this one in particular. +We will merely say that the usual excitement prevailed at the start, +when the horses and their riders received respectively their due amount +of praise from their various admirers, whose bets were interchanged on +the result of the struggle. That the exciting anxiousness in watching +the progress round the course was there equally apparent That the +various hopes and fears of the betters as they witnessed the pulling up +or the falling away of their respective favourites; the intensity of +excitement; the uttered remarks; and the increasing watchfulness, as +some slight rise on the plain or piece of heavy ground tried the mettle +of the high-blooded animals, were all to be seen and heard there; and +that the other excitements of such a scene were equally noticeable. That +breathless interest as the horses approach the straight run to the +winning-post; the last exciting struggle of man and beast, when the +impatience of the former is administered to the latter in whip and spur; +the shouts of the jockeys mingled with the snorting of the steed, when +both are blended in the thunder of the latter's hoofs, which shakes the +very turf; while the straining animals pass the post with the seeming +velocity of steam. + +As the panting and foam-covered horses, and exhausted-looking riders, +returned to the scales, the tongues of the assemblage were loosened; the +groups reunited; and, in the interval between that and the next race, +cantered about; while some of the younger equestrians emulated among +themselves the previous competitors. A small tent had been erected on +the bank of the river for the dispensation of refreshments, and for a +shady retreat for the ladies; and thither many resorted. + +At this period of the amusements our friends had formed themselves into +a group with Mr. and Mrs. Smithers; but without Bob, who had been a +rider, and was the winner of the late race. They had leisurely ridden +round the course, and had returned to the stand, when Eleanor expressed +to John Ferguson (in whose company she had been riding) a desire to +dismount, and take a seat in the tent. He was instantly out of his +saddle assisting her to the ground, and (after giving their horses in +charge of a black boy) handed her to a seat in the shade. Bob Smithers, +who had divested himself of his riding costume for his ordinary +habiliments, then entered; and rudely brushing past John, advanced to +the girl and took her hand, while he exclaimed: + +"Come along with me, Eleanor, I want you." + +The abrupt manner of his entrance, his forcible abduction of the lady, +and his uncouth behaviour to himself, rather annoyed John. But the look +of patient endurance, mingled with entreaty, which Eleanor cast upon her +rough protector, struck our hero as containing more melancholy and +suffering than was to be expected in a young affianced bride, whose +nuptials were speedily approaching. It more than convinced him that his +friend Tom was right when he said that Eleanor Rainsfield could never be +happy with Bob Smithers. With a mind strangely agitated between fears +and hopes John emerged from the tent to see the being he loved leaning +on the arm of his rival, and going through the ceremony of several +introductions. + +She freely entered into conversation with her new-made friends; but the +party being augmented by some others, to whom we presume Bob Smithers +did not condescend to introduce her, he led her away; and they walked +arm in arm to another part of the ground, apparently in earnest +discourse. She was laying her hand upon his arm, while she looked in his +face, and seemed anxious to impress something upon him; while he +appeared to listen attentively to her remarks, though he ever and anon +burst out into a loud laugh and ejaculated a few monosyllables, which on +each occasion created a faint smile on the features of his lovely +companion. + +John Ferguson witnessed all this, and his heart sank within him. Never, +thought he, would woman hang on and talk thus with man, if she did not +love him. "Ah!" he mentally exclaimed, "she loves him devotedly; fool +that I was not to believe this before. Strange infatuation that led me +on to hope, when she herself told me as plainly as she could there was +no hope. I am doomed to disappointment I see; she never can be mine, for +she loves Bob Smithers." And with that melancholy solace John left the +spot of his soliloquy. + +What was the nature of the conversation that so disturbed his peace of +mind we do not deem it necessary to reveal, but we are disposed to think +that our love-sick friend came to a too hasty conclusion upon the nature +of the communicant's symptoms. John Ferguson was not sufficiently versed +in women's little natures to be able to construe aright their motives in +their actions, or the impulses that actuate them in their deportment. +His dejection was, consequently, the more acute from the construction he +had put upon Eleanor's conduct. It was true she was engaged to the man +with whom he saw her converse, but he never dreamt to ask himself the +question, if that circumstance was not, in a great measure, owing to +his own dilatoriness; not to classify his supineness under a more +sheepish head. + +He was sauntering away in his usual despondent mood when Tom Rainsfield +approached him from behind, administering, as he did so, a smart slap on +the shoulder, with the exclamation: "Why, John, what is the matter with +you? have you been visited by a myth? for you are as white as a sheet. +Come along with me, and I will give you some fun; William and I have +been looking for you all over the ground;" and, without waiting for an +answer or an objection, he led him off to where a party of gentlemen had +assembled to witness the next race. Amongst them were Dr. Graham, Mr. +Brown, and some others, which it is needless for us in our history to +trouble the reader by bringing forward. + +When the race was finished they speedily made their arrangements for the +proposed sport Tom had alluded to, which was none other than a Kangaroo +hunt. Mounting their horses, accompanied by some powerful kangaroo dogs +(of which William's figured not the least conspicuously), and, with as +many guns as could be mustered on the station, they started into the +bush in a direction where they anticipated finding game. + +These dogs, of which we have made mention, we may be forgiven for a +short digression to describe. They are a breed of the gaze-hound +species, though in many respects they are peculiar to themselves. The +stock was originally obtained from a cross of the Scotch staghound and +the English greyhound, and has made a race which combine in their +character the strength and courage of the former with the fleetness of +the latter, of whom, in colour and form, they have the greatest +resemblance. At the same time they are possessed of a muscular +developement which is essential to enable them to endure the severe +conflicts to which they are frequently subjected. + +The party had not ridden far before they descried a herd of kangaroos, +though not within range of shot; the guns, therefore, were instantly +slung, and the dogs and riders gave chase. + +The kangaroo as, doubtless, our readers are perfectly aware, is anything +but a graceful animal in its movements. Its fore legs are very short, +and, one would think, of little use, either for ambulation or defence; +but the paws are armed with strong and sharp claws, and in the +diminutive limb to which they are are attached, are possessed of +considerable strength, and can be used defensively with immense effect. +In their propulsion, however, these crural appendages are perfectly +unavailable; for the animals propel their unwieldy looking bodies by +long bounding leaps on their hind legs (which are long and powerful), +springing not from their feet, but by an impulsion from the whole leg, +from the hock joint to the toe, the whole of which length meets the +ground at every leap. In this motion, unsightly as it appears, they are +very fleet, frequently distancing the hardest rider, and only being +brought to bay by the dogs after a tedious chase. + +The kangaroos were no sooner sighted by our party than they were away, +the dogs with the lead, down hills across gullies, and up slopes; +through thick underwood, where the exercise of the greatest care was +necessary for the rider to preserve his seat; over fallen logs, and +under pendent branches; dangers frequently occuring simultaneously, +overhead and under foot, and requiring the firmest seat, and the +quickest eye, to avert. All these, which would make the heart of many a +bold steeplechaser quail, but which are incidental to a kangaroo hunt, +were successively gone through by each member of the present party; and +after an hour's hard riding, the foremost horseman, who had with +difficulty kept the dogs within sight, halted when they came to a stand; +and the whole of the sportsmen collected to witness the fight. + +An "old man" kangaroo sat on his haunches in a swamp, with his back to +a tree, dealing blows right and left with his epitomized limbs to those +of his assailants who ventured within his reach. The kangaroo had got +into water of sufficient depth to enable him to sit up in it, and guard +himself in the manner we have mentioned, while the dogs were raised off +their feet, and had to attack him at considerable disadvantage. They, +however, were in point of number superior to the game, and the entire +pack (six in number) boldly rushed to the charge. Though they were +successfully beaten off on each attack, and nearly all receiving wounds +that would, probably, produce scars of no mean magnitude, they as +frequently rallied, and returned to the fight. + +After looking on for some time, and perceiving that the "old man" was +too knowing for the dogs, one of the party despatched him with a shot, +when he was dragged from his entrenchments, his body deprived of its +tail (which was carried off as a trophy), and left for the dogs to do +the work of further demolition. The hunting party then returned to the +station, but, not being so hasty in their homeward progress as they were +in their outward, it was late in the afternoon before they reached the +scene of festivities. The company at the time was breaking up from the +race-course to return to the house to dine, which important business of +the day having been got over, the guests amused themselves in various +ways until the hour of the _coup de main_, the grand finale--the ball. + +We have already explained that a short distance from the house stood the +wool-shed of the station; and at the time of which we write was +comparatively empty, so much so that the bales of wool waiting for +transmission down the country occupied only a small space in the +building, to which we will, with the kind permission of our readers, in +imagination, transport them. The external appearance of "the shed" was +not such as to give the beholder any very exalted idea of internal +splendour; consequently, upon an entrance the eye was instantly struck +with the taste and skill displayed in the ornate arrangements. The +bareness of the slab walls was relieved, if not entirely concealed, by +the tasteful manipulations of the foliate decorator. At the head of the +room, in the midst of a collection of variously tinted green foliage of +numerous forms and leaf, were displayed in letters, some with the yellow +blossoms of the acacia, the magic word "love," under which was entwined, +with the wild vine and the flower of the sarsaparilla, that emblem of +mutual affection, a true lover's knot. Above it was a star of palm +leaves and fern, radiating from a centre, which was concealed by an +immense stag's horn fungus. The side walls were similarly, though not so +elaborately, decorated, and on them shone forth "mirth," and "concord," +accompanied by various other devices; while at the head of the room, at +the feet of love, stood a piano, which had been removed from the house, +to provide the "spirit of the ball." + +The room was illuminated by a bunch of lights, hanging from a rafter in +the centre. Though simply an extemporized chandelier from the hand of a +bush carpenter, it had its material so tastefully hid, by the same +genius that had decorated the walls, that it answered the purpose +admirably for which it was intended. If it did not surpass in effect the +most brilliant crystals, it was at least pretty and unique, and, with +the emerald tints in its reflection, imparted a pleasing and subdued +light, which favourably contrasted its sombre illumination with the +trying glare of the sumptuous city ball-room. The seats were arranged +round the sides of the room, and had their rough nature concealed in the +bush fashion, by being overspread with scarlet blankets, which gave them +the appearance of comfortable ottomans, and afforded a pleasing relief, +both visual and corporeal. The opposite end of the building was +partitioned off by a suspended carpet, which, by being gathered up a +little in one corner, afforded a means of entrance to what appeared to +be the sanctum, but which, in fact, contained the supper and +refreshment tables, duly caparisoned and loaded with the good things of +this life. + +The guests congregated in the ball-room at an hour that would have +shocked the sensibilities of English ladies of _haut-ton_. But ceremony +was a thing not worth studying by the lady-guests at Brompton; they had +no occasion to retire to their boudoir and spend hours in getting +themselves up for the evening, or, when their personal adornments had +been completed, to sit waiting until the arrival of a genteel hour, in +an agony of mind lest they should mar the perfection of their +soubrettes' art. Enjoyment was the order of the day at Brompton, and +when it was proposed, shortly after coffee was handed round in the +drawing-room, that the company should adjourn to the ball-room, the +guests made the necessary transition; and in a few minutes the house was +entirely vacated. + +The ladies of the company were for the most part married; hence we may +not be accused of partiality in declaring that our two friends, Eleanor +and Kate, far surpassed in beauty all their compeers, and shared between +them the adulation of the sterner animals. It could not be +satisfactorily determined which was the belle of the evening; for the +admiration of the gentlemen was about equally apportioned, and it was +difficult to decide between two such blooming beauties. + +We think we hear some of our readers enquire, "how were the ladies +dressed?" On that point, fair mesdames, we would crave your especial +indulgence. We know that is a theme on which you love to dilate; but we +(though delighted to gaze upon your charming forms, graced by the +alluring symmetry of your well-fitting and becoming attire) confess +ourselves as ignorant as babes in the technicalities of habilimentary +detail. However, thus much our observations befriended us. We can affirm +that the chief characteristics of the costumes of the gentler sex were +becoming neatness and chaste simplicity, without that unblushing display +which we have so frequently noticed in gay circles; and which, we must +confess, does not accord with our exalted idea of female modesty, +innocence, and virtue. The manner of _our_ heroines was frank, candid, +and gay; without frivolity, affectedness, or coquetry; and their +costumes neat and ladylike. + +The hand of Eleanor Rainsfield was so much desired in the mazy dance +that John sought in vain for an opportunity of soliciting a +participation with her in the pleasures of the evening, or even of +entering into conversation with her, until she had danced with nearly +all the gentlemen in the room. Then, she having been led to a seat near +where our despondent hero sat, he seized the occasion to ask her to +dance, which she promised to do after obtaining a short rest. During the +interval they fell into a sort of desultory conversation; but they were +not destined long to enjoy even this intercourse; for Bob Smithers +espying the occupation of his "lady-love," hastened to remove her from +an influence he in no way relished. + +"Eleanor," said he, "I want you to dance with me." + +"I am engaged for the next dance, Robert," she replied. + +"To whom?" he asked. + +"To Mr. Ferguson," she answered. + +"Oh, never mind, you'll dance with me," said her lord. "Your engagement +with me always ranks in precedence of others; and I am sure Mr. Ferguson +will not mind looking for another partner." + +"Mr. Ferguson has been waiting until I was disengaged, Robert," said +Eleanor, "on purpose to dance with me; so I must keep myself engaged to +him for the next dance, but will devote the following one to you." + +"Well, as you like," exclaimed Bob Smithers, in none of the most amiable +moods; "if you want to dance with Mr. Ferguson you can, but I wanted to +dance with you myself;" and, casting a look of intense malignity on the +object of his detestation, and one of equal rancour on his affianced, he +strode to another part of the room. + +Neither look had been lost on the parties to whom they had been +directed; in John they caused emotions of no pleasurable nature, whereas +Eleanor treated the truculence of Smithers with a calm benignity. The +moistened dewdrop, however, that gathered in the corner of her eye, +discovered to the anxious and watchful perception of John Ferguson the +hidden sorrow that rankled in her breast, and which she strove to +smother, dreading its discovery to the world. + +As might be imagined, under such circumstances, the dance was gone +through with mere mechanical action, and with an undisturbed silence; +for the thoughts of both parties were too much occupied on matters +having no immediate connexion with the operation of dancing to indulge +in much conversational intercourse. Besides which they both, or at +least John, was conscious of the jealous eye of Smithers following them +in every movement; and therefore felt the more uncomfortable. It was a +relief to both when the music ceased, and John led his partner (who +expressed fatigue) to a seat; but she had hardly relinquished his arm +before she was pounced upon by Bob, who, as he carried her off, scowled +fiercely on his unfortunate rival. + +John Ferguson was of an easy temper, but no man likes being grossly +insulted, and supplanted in the service of the one he loves, therefore +he felt the contumely to which he was subjected; and to calm his ruffled +temper, and to seek refreshment to his aching head, and an emollient to +his fevered brain, he walked out into the cool of the evening +atmosphere. He continued to wander, with his gaze fixed in a thoughtful +abstraction on the star-lit firmament, contemplating apparently the +argentuous brilliancy of the lunar orb travelling its ethereal course, +when his meditations were unceremoniously interrupted by the approach +of Smithers, who hastily confronted him with the following expression: + +"I would like to have a few words with you, sir, and if you'll step into +the bush, out of hearing of our visitors, I will speak." + +John replied, if he desired to say anything to him, he might have no +hesitation in saying it where he was; but that if he particularly wished +him to step a little on one side, he had no objection to do so. + +Upon gaining a retreat from the possibility of being overheard Bob +Smithers began: "I have to request one thing of you, sir, and that is +that you discontinue your attentions to the lady to whom I am engaged. +On a previous occasion I made a similar request, as also did Mr. +Rainsfield; but both you seem to disregard; therefore, I have to make it +to you again, and to accompany it with a peremptory order that it be +complied with." + +"I can't see, Mr. Smithers," said John, "that because I am called upon +by Mr. Rainsfield and yourself to break off my friendship with the +lady, that I am of a necessity compelled to comply; so long as I am +honoured by the friendship of Miss Rainsfield I shall make all your +demands subservient to the dictates of my own heart. While she holds out +the hand of cordiality to me I consider the privilege and pleasure +accruing too great to refuse to grasp it; but if Miss Rainsfield desires +our intercourse to cease, then, of course (however painful such an +estrangement would be), my courtesies would be discontinued." + +"Well, sir," said Smithers, "I have only to repeat that they shall be +discontinued at once, or I will take steps to prevent their recurrence. +The lady is engaged to be married to me, and I have a right to dictate +whom she shall recognize as her friends." + +"When you are married to the lady I shall not dispute your right," said +John; "though even then, if your wife should so far honour me as to rank +me among her list of friends, all your monitory language and manner +would not induce me to behave cavalierly to her whenever we should +chance to meet. But at present I heed not your request, unless it be +reiterated by the lady herself." + +"That, sir," said Smithers, "you shall not have the satisfaction of +hearing, and you will instantly renounce all pretensions to the lady's +favours or leave the station." + +"The first portion of your request I have already informed you I cannot +comply with; and the other, notwithstanding your gross insolence to me, +I could not offer such an affront to your worthy brother and his +inestimable lady, as to obey it." + +"Then, by heavens! you shall fight me," exclaimed the exasperated +Smithers. "I'll be on this spot with pistols in ten minutes; so you may +make the most of your time, and obtain a friend." + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + "Are honour, virtue, conscience, all exiled; + Is there no pity, no relenting Ruth?" + + BURNS. + + "But I remember now + I'm in this earthly world; where to do harm + Is often laudable." + + MACBETH, _Act_ 4, _Sc._ 2. + + +The suddenness and hostile nature of Smithers' challenge so took John +Ferguson by surprise that for some few minutes he could not utter a +sound; and, when he had sufficiently recovered himself to speak, his +adversary was out of hearing, on his mission to prepare the instruments +of death. Left to a calm consideration of his position all its +unpleasantnesses in a moment flashed across his mind. Here he was +involved in a broil the result of which might prove fatal if persevered +in, and with the brother of his kind entertainer. The successful suitor +of the girl he adored, he was called upon to meet in deadly strife. John +felt he could not leave the place to compromise his honour, and insult +his host; at the same time he looked upon a hostile meeting with Bob +Smithers with great repugnance. Much as he had been contemned by Bob, +and many as were the indignities offered to him, John bore him no +animosity; and he could not reconcile to his conscience the idea of +steeping his hands in the blood of a fellow mortal; even in the act of +self-defence, when that defence became culpable by his voluntary +exposure. Yet he feared not death; no, he could stare the grim tyrant in +the face, and unflinchingly meet his shafts. He even felt he could court +his embrace now that he was to lose the only being he deemed life worth +living for. + +"Oh! Eleanor! Eleanor!" he exclaimed. "Oh! that I had not known thee! +cruel fate, that I should be drawn into the vortex of thy charms only to +be suffered to estimate thy worth, and then have my hopes crushed on the +rocks of despair. With thee life would be an Elysium; without thee 'tis +a perpetual blank; a dismal future looms in the distance like the shades +of stygian darkness. Oh, cruel fates! would that thou had'st bereft me +of life while yet I breathed in the delicious dream. But yet a door of +hope is left me to escape this bondage. I will meet the fire of your +favourite, and let him, if he so desires it, release my wearied spirit." +Thus John soliloquized as he walked back to the ball-room in a state of +mind bordering on insanity, and reduced to the lowest depths of +love-sick despair. But a "still, small voice" faintly prompted reason, +as his agitated feelings somewhat subsided, and he ceased to +apostrophize his idol, as he approached the building. + +He entered the room, and casually casting his eyes round the company +rested them on his brother; whom, upon his obtaining an opportunity, he +called out unobserved by the mass of the guests, and in a few words +explained to him the incident we have just described. + +"But, surely, John, you do not intend to accept the challenge?" said +William. + +"I have already done so," replied his brother. + +"Why, you must be demented! my dear John," exclaimed the other. "Because +a coarse, blustering fellow like that chooses to insult you, and then +call upon you to present your body as a mark for him to shoot at, surely +you are not going to forget all respect for yourself, and commit an open +violation of the laws both of God and man." + +"With regard to dyeing my hands in his blood you need have no fear, +William," said John. + +"Then why sacrifice your own life?" asked his brother. + +"I could with very few regrets submit now to that dissolution which +sooner or later must take place; but I am convinced Bob Smithers is too +much a coward to attempt my life. The laws of his country will stare him +in the face, and will prevent him pulling the trigger of a weapon with +its muzzle directed to my body. His object is simply to frighten me away +from the station, or induce me to act a coldness towards Eleanor; +neither of which desires I intend to gratify, so will stand his fire." + +"But, dear John," exclaimed his brother, "only consider, if he should be +malicious enough to attempt your life, or even to wound you, what a +dreadful misfortune it would be; and what would be the anguish of our +dear parents. Believe me, John, it is wiser to avoid the possibility of +any such catastrophe; no dishonour can be attached to you for a refusal +to comply with a barbarous custom. Pray allow yourself to be dissuaded +from this meeting." + +"No, Will, I have no fear of the consequences. Bob Smithers will never +have the courage to fire at me; and I will shame him by showing my +contempt for his threats." + +"Well, I am grieved at your obduracy, John, for my heart has misgivings +on the result." + +"Don't be agitated, William, but be convinced there is nothing to +apprehend; and now come I have been absent some time, and he appointed +ten minutes from the time of the challenge for the meeting." + +William, perceiving it was useless to attempt dissuading his brother +from his purpose, accompanied him in silence to the spot where Bob +Smithers and two friends already waited. Upon the approach of the +Fergusons one of the opposite party stepped forward to John, and offered +to enter into the arrangement of preliminaries with his brother, whom he +presumed would act as his second. + +Upon John stating his brother was on the ground in that capacity William +allowed himself to be led away by his co-adjutor, and followed him +mechanically through his various manoeuvres; acquiescing in the +arrangements, the nature of which he hardly contemplated. His mind was +intent upon the iniquity of the proceedings, and he was cogitating on a +scheme whereby he could obviate the necessity of having his brother's +life placed in jeopardy. With this thought uppermost in his imagination +he addressed himself to his companion: + +"It occurs to me, Mr. Brown (for it was he), that this meeting is +perfectly unnecessary. My brother has consented to it without having +offered any provocation to Mr. Smithers. I think the challenge was given +in a moment when that gentleman was heated by his controversy, while I +have no doubt he would far prefer letting the matter drop, if no stigma +would be attached to him on account of retraction. If so I can answer +for both my brother and myself that the affair will not travel beyond +our two selves." + +"I fear, my dear sir," replied Brown, "it is useless making any such +proposition to my principal, for he considers himself aggrieved by the +pertinacity of your brother in his aspiring to the hand of Miss +Rainsfield after he has repeatedly informed him that that young lady was +affianced to himself. He is so considerably offended and chagrined at +your brother's contumacious conduct, and his decided refusal to accede +to any of the terms my principal has proposed, that he will not be +disposed now to accept any other mode of satisfaction than this. If your +brother thought of any amicable settlement he should have done so +before; now there is only this course open." + +"Pray don't imagine that I am making any overture with the concurrence +of my brother," said William. "He, I am sorry to say, is as determined +upon this course as your principal can be; but it is that very +obstinacy I lament, for I look upon the whole of this affair not only +as extremely heathenish and barbarous, but incompatible with the +character of gentlemen." + +"Your language," replied Brown, "is calculated to cast opprobrium on all +those gentlemen engaged in this little matter, and requires some +explanation and apology; for which, I will be glad to have a few words +with you after the termination of this meeting." + +"Now then," shouted the unoccupied colleague of Mr. Brown, "it surely +does not require all that time and talk for you two to pace out the +ground. I could have settled a dozen pairs in the time you are taking +there in arranging the preliminaries of one." + +"All right, Graham," said Brown, "we have settled it now;" and turning +to William he continued: "We will draw for positions and you can place +your man, while I do mine. Dr. Graham attends professionally in the +event of either party falling; now then, sir, draw if you please. Oh! +blank; your man takes the right:" saying which he hastened to put +Smithers in position, while he left William standing seemingly rooted to +the ground. + +John, seeing his brother's indecision, came up to him, and led him away, +saying, "I suppose as Smithers has taken up that position, I am to take +this. They are particularly obliging; his second has arranged me so that +I shall have the moon directly in my face. Very kind of him, though he +does it with a mistaken object. It will enable his principal to see to +miss me; for that is what he will most desire." + +"Pray, John, do not let yourself be deceived," exclaimed his brother; +"they mean death I am convinced, and it is not too late to come to an +amicable settlement." + +"Nonsense, William, exhibit some degree of fortitude," said John. "I +tell you again Smithers is too much a poltroon to meditate my death; +though I believe if he could effect it without making himself amenable +to the laws he is not wanting in the disposition." + +"Then, even if he does not," said William, "think how the matter will be +talked about. The reports of the pistols are sure to be heard, and the +occurrence will be known almost instantly; think also how it will wound +Eleanor's feelings." + +"Tell her, William! that I was irrevocably drawn into it by Smithers +contrary to my own wishes, and that I met his fire without returning +it." + +"That is poor satisfaction for either you or her," said William "(her +especially), if you come off scatheless as you anticipate, and as I hope +and trust you may, having her name bandied about all over the country on +the evil tongue of scandal." + +"There, Will! there's a good fellow! leave me now," said John, "you see +they are impatient; his second is waiting for you to bring me my weapon. +I had almost forgotten that, and they did not seem disposed to refresh +my memory." + +William slowly walked across the ground, and took a pistol from the +hands of Mr. Brown; and placing it within those of his brother retired +to his position to await the issue of the firing. + +Upon the enquiry being asked if both were ready, and an affirmative +being returned, the signal was given, and a report of a double discharge +reverberated in the stillness of the bush. William instantly rushed to +his brother, and found him standing with his right arm still extended in +the air, in the position in which he had fired, while his left hand +covered his eyes and features which were suffused in the purple dye. + +"Merciful heaven!" cried William, "my dear brother, where are you hit?" + +His question to John was answered in a burst of boisterous merriment +from the opponents, and he hastily turned upon them to enquire the +cause of their unseemly hilarity; while Smithers advanced towards his +late antagonist, and replied: "See to him, he must be severely hit, for +he bleeds apparently profusely." + +"There is a trick in this, William," said his brother. "'Tis true I am +hit, but not with lead; I am blinded with what appears to me to be red +currant jam." + +Another roar of laughter from Smithers and his friends succeeded this +confession, and the perpetrators of the practical joke indulged their +risibilities to the full; evidently congratulating themselves upon the +success of their plans. Their self-complacency, however (at least of one +of them), was brought to an abrupt termination; for as the truth of the +plot flashed across the mind of William, as the instigator of the +proceedings approached to witness the effects of his scurrile trick, the +high-spirited youth sprang towards him, and avenged his brother's +ignominy by felling the coward to the ground. + +Graham and Brown instantly rushed to the spot, and interposed; the +former seizing William, while the latter confronted him, and stated that +if there was any cause of quarrel, it could be settled in a manner +befitting gentlemen; "and unless," said he, "I am mistaken in Mr. +Smithers he will instantly require satisfaction for your outrageous +assault." + +"Unhand me, sir," said William, as he shook himself from the iron grasp +of the pugnacious doctor, and turning to Brown he exclaimed: "You speak, +forsooth, of requiring the satisfaction of a gentleman; you and your +compeers, who debase yourselves by not only countenancing an insult from +your friend and patron to my brother, but by making yourselves parties +to a trick which no gentleman would be guilty of. As for your prototype +he has not only proved himself a blackguard by having recourse to the +subterfuge of a plea of wounded honour to perform a despicable action; +but a coward in taking a mean advantage of a gentleman under the +hospitable roof of his brother. See, the viper actually slinks away! The +derogation he intended for another reflects opprobrium on his own +infamous character; and the consciousness of his venality deprives him +even of the power of defence." Excited as William was, and inflammatory +as was his language, they failed to stir the blood of Smithers, whose +baseness was exemplified in his cowardice; for he actually left the spot +(as William's remarks would infer) in the midst of the young man's +vituperations. + +John Ferguson took his brother's arm, and led him also away from the +scene, saying as he did so: "Calm yourself, William, and never mind me, +I am not hurt, though still almost blind by that stuff in my eyes. The +disgrace of this proceeding will reflect more to his dishonour than to +mine. The report of our pistols has given alarm for I see people coming +this way, so I will get my horse saddled and take my departure." + +"Do not depart yet, John," said his brother. Remain till morning at any +rate, and take leave of Mr. and Mrs. Smithers; they will think very +strangely of your sudden departure. + +"They are sure to hear of the affair," replied John, "and my departure +will save the unpleasantness of a meeting. I will leave it to you to +make what explanation you like to them; as also to account to Eleanor +for it in what way you think best. She will no doubt have a version of +the matter from Bob Smithers; but I have a better opinion of her than to +imagine she will credit the exaggerated pseudology of malicious +gossips." + +For John to wash himself, change his attire, segregate Joey from the +dependent's festivities, get his horse in and saddle him, was the work +only of about half an hour; and the whole of it was performed without +notice from any one belonging to the establishment. John Ferguson and +Joey then started, and as the retreating sound of their horses feet were +lost in the stillness of the night, William retraced his steps to the +scene of gaiety; not to join again in the mirth, but to take an +opportunity of detailing the particulars of the late proceedings to Tom +Rainsfield; judging that he would be the best channel through whom they +could reach the ears of Eleanor. With that intention he sought out his +friend, and was astonished to find that Bob Smithers had already +communicated the fun, as he called it, to some of his choice companions; +though he had studiously avoided any mention of his rencontre with +himself. + +It was at an hour close on the heels of morn that the guests broke up +the ball; and consequently it was far advanced in the forenoon before +the assemblage in the breakfast-parlour was by any means numerous. It is +true some of the bachelors had taken their departure; but those in the +bondage of matrimony, and swains who were to act as convoys to the +ladies, of course had to wait the time and pleasure of the fair ones; +and, we must confess it, many were not loath to be detained by their +tender charges. + +Our friends were about the first to leave, as having a longer journey to +perform than most of the guests, and neither of them desiring to prolong +a stay where the occurrences had been so painful to one of their party, +they bade a kind adieu to their entertainers; and took the road at a +sharp trot, which they kept up for some hours, notwithstanding their +fatigues of the previous day and night. + +We think we informed the reader, in an early chapter of our history, +that Eleanor was (unlike most native girls) not a good horse-woman; and +that it was therefore an exercise she did not frequently indulge in. It +will not be wondered at then that the long ride to Brompton, and the +constant exercise there, had fatigued her. Her horse showing symptoms of +restlessness at starting it was proposed by William that he should affix +a leading rein to the bit ring of her horse's bridle, and ride by her +side with it in his hand. The idea was commended by the party, and was +adopted. They started, William and Eleanor leading the way, Mrs. +Rainsfield following, and Tom and Kate bringing up the rear, and +continued, as we have said, at a brisk pace for some hours. + +They had accomplished about half the distance to Strawberry Hill when +they approached rather an abrupt turn in the bush; which, in its +acuteness, prevented them from seeing, until they came immediately upon +it, a large tree which stood right in the centre of the road; or rather +a path had been beaten on either side of it. The main track led by the +right side of the trunk, and William guided his own horse and that of +his companion to take it; but Eleanor's animal became suddenly +refractory, and made a sudden deviation to pass the tree on the other +side. This movement was so unexpected that neither equestrian was +prepared for it; and the two horses, each taking opposite sides of the +tree, were brought to a check in their rapid course by the leading rein +we have mentioned. At the time William had got it firmly fixed round his +left wrist, and could not (when he saw the accident that would +inevitably occur) disengage it; for so instantaneously did it happen +that he had hardly time for meditation before the shock took place, and +both riders were hurled from their saddles with considerable force. +William, though prostrate, still kept his hold of his own bridle and the +rein of Eleanor's horse; and rose with considerable pain, though (with +the exception of numerous bruises) uninjured, to lead the horses free of +the tree. + +With Eleanor, however, the accident had resulted far differently. When +the check was felt by her horse the leading rein made him wheel his head +suddenly against the trunk; and, his fore feet tripping him as he did +so, he fell forward to the ground. Eleanor was thrown from her saddle; +and, but for one of those inauspicious events which so frequently occur +to mar our well-being, would have come off more lightly than her +companion. As it was, in her precipitation, her habit in some way became +entangled in her horse's caparisons; and, instead of being thrown clear +of danger, she was hurled with some force to the ground at the animal's +feet The horse also fell; and with the whole weight of his body across +her legs. + +It was the work of a moment for the rest of the party to pull up their +steeds, and for Kate to leap from her saddle to the side of her friend; +and another for Tom and William to extricate her from her dangerous +position. + +"Oh, dearest Eleanor," passionately exclaimed Kate, "tell me that you +are not seriously hurt. Oh, that horrid, horrid horse!" + +"I fear I am, Kate dear," replied the poor girl, "I am very much +bruised, and my leg now I try to move it gives me great pain: I am +afraid it is broken." + +"Oh, gracious goodness! what shall we do?" cried Kate; "lean on me, +Eleanor love, and see if you can rise." + +The poor girl did so; but the pain was more than even her wonted heroism +could endure. With a faint cry of agony she sank fainting into the arms +of Tom, who was standing at her side ready to support her in case of +need, and there unfortunately proved to be need; for Eleanor, as she +herself had anticipated, had broken her leg. + +The unconscious form of the suffering creature was carried into the +adjoining shade, and gently placed on the turf in a reclining position; +while the ladies speedily had recourse to those gentle restoratives, +with which they are happily at all times so ready, in cases where the +sympathies of their kindly natures are brought into play. + +We masculine mortals plume ourselves on our knowledge of the female +character; which we profess to read as the astrologers of old did "the +gems that deck eve's lustrous mantle;" and to divine their secret +wishes, fancies, and inclinations, as the professors of clairvoyance do +their susceptible pupils. But we are inclined to think woman's heart is +the true arcana of life; at least of this fact we are certain, woman's +troubles can only be appreciated by woman; and woman in sorrow can only +be soothed, or woman in pain can only be alleviated by those whose +anodynes are the effects of intuitive impulsions, arising from the +reciprocal communings of kindred spirits. Oh, woman! bless'd woman! +Favoured daughters of Eve! thou never shinest in such perfection as when +thy ministering hand assuages the pain of a sick couch. Happy is the +man, with all his flaunted superiority, who, in the time of +indisposition, when his spirit wavers indecisively between this life and +the other, is blessed with the possession of thy tender solicitude, to +smooth the passage to the mysterious bourne, or nourish the reviving +spirit with thy calm, patient, and may be, vigil-dimm'd orbs, ever +watching for returning convalescence. But we are digressing; our +feelings of gratitude to the sex are carrying us away from the subject +of our narrative, and we must apologize to our fair readers for our +abstractedness. + +Through the tender care of her friends Eleanor speedily recovered her +consciousness, though only to be made aware, by contemplation, of the +dreadfulness of her situation. She was suffering the most excruciating +agony, and was more than twenty miles from any assistance. The thought +would have subdued the stout heart of many a man, but with her evoked +not a murmur. She bore her sufferings, both bodily and mental, with her +characteristic heroism,--a heroism that admitted of no complaint,--a +perfect subjugation of the feelings, passively enduring pain with an +annihilation of all querulousness,--one that in a man would have +distinguished the bold spirit; but in a woman denoted the sublimity of +that nature, which, in its gentle texture, shines out in bold relief and +claims the laurels for an endurance which extinguishes, in its +sublimated lustre, the baser material of the stern "lords of the +creation." + +A hasty council was now formed in debate as to the best means that could +be adopted to procure assistance for their wounded friend. It was +proposed first that she should attempt to get back to Brompton; then +that one of the gentleman should ride back at once, and procure some +conveyance; then that the ladies should return to Brompton, and obtain +the requisite assistance, while the gentlemen constructed a litter and +carried the invalid as far on the road as they could, or until they were +met by assistance. To all of these propositions Eleanor, however, gave +her emphatic veto, and declared that she would not consent to return; +but affirmed her willingness and ability to proceed to Strawberry Hill. + +This desire again was energetically combatted by her friends, who argued +that such a course would endanger, not only her limb, but possibly her +life; and that it would be far better for her to waive her scruples, +and consent to return to the Smithers'. But to all entreaties on that +head she turned a deaf ear. "I will mount my horse," she said, "with +your assistance, and by going quietly I will be perfectly able to reach +home. So do not, my dear friends, make yourselves uneasy on my account." + +At this juncture when all was indecision, Kate started up and exclaimed: +"Now I'll tell you what to do. Dear Eleanor says she will not return to +Brompton, and that she would prefer going home; a thought has just come +into my head and I will act upon it. There was a doctor at the party +yesterday, and I heard Mr. Robert Smithers ask him to stop until this +afternoon; so I will ride back, and catch him before he leaves, and +bring him on here; but, in the meantime, you must assist Eleanor into +her saddle, and while William leads the horse, Mr. Rainsfield ought to +walk at her side and protect her from falling; and, if Mrs. Rainsfield +would only ride on before and send out the spring cart to meet you, the +arrangements would be complete." + +The boldness of the scheme so astonished her friends that Kate was on +her legs and ready to mount before they could think of objecting to it. +Eleanor was the first and most earnest in dissuading her from so rash a +step; but all opposition was cut short by the spirited girl herself, who +said she would not be dissuaded; and addressing her brother said: "Come, +Will, assist me into the saddle and don't detain me; for I will go, and +there is no use of either of you accompanying me; your assistance will +be required by dear Eleanor. Do as I propose, and you will find I will +be at Strawberry Hill with the doctor very shortly after you." + + + + +CHAPTER III + + "Gallop apace, you fiery footed steeds, + Towards Phoebus' mansion." + + ROMEO AND JULIET, _Act_ 3. + + +Great was the astonishment at Brompton when Kate Ferguson made her +appearance, galloping up to the station, and drew up before the house. +At the same time she gathered up the folds of her habit; and, leaving +her panting steed to the care of some of the assembled attendants, +disdaining any assistance, she leaped to the ground and ran into the +house. + +At the door of the parlour she was met by Mrs. Smithers who exclaimed, +with apprehension depicted in her countenance: "For mercy's sake! tell +me, dear Kate, what has happened to cause your return alone?" + +"Eleanor has met with an accident," she hurriedly replied, "and I want +the doctor; is he here?" + +"Unfortunately he went only about a quarter of an hour since," said Mrs. +Smithers. "I will send after him though; but tell me what was the nature +of poor Eleanor's accident." + +"She was thrown from her horse, and has broken her leg," exclaimed Kate; +"but do let me urge you to send after the doctor at once; or if you +direct me to the road he took, I will follow him myself." + +"I could not hear of such a thing," replied the lady of the place, "as +to permit you, my dear, to go. Sit down for a moment, or go to my room +and put off your habit, while I despatch a messenger." + +Mrs. Smithers left the room on her mission, and shortly returned and +informed her impatient visitor, that a man had been sent after the +doctor, with injunctions to lose no time in bringing him back. "Doctor +Graham has ceased to practise," she said, "but under such circumstances +he can have no objection to lend us his professional skill; and as +Robert is with him, and will consequently urge him to speed, we may +confidently expect him here in a very short time. Come now, my dear, put +off your things, and tell me how the unfortunate occurrence took place." + +The whole circumstances of the accident were then related, after which +an animated discussion was carried on between the ladies; the married +one contending that it was impossible for the younger one to return home +before the following morning, while Kate stoutly declared her intention +to proceed at once, when the doctor arrived. + +"Such a course, my dear Kate," urged her friend, "would be unnecessarily +exposing yourself to a fatigue which I am convinced you could not +endure. You had far better remain with me until the morning, and then +Mr. Smithers will either drive you over in his gig, or accompany you on +horseback. The doctor and Robert shall be sent off immediately they +arrive, but as to you travelling the road by night is a thing quite out +of the question." + +Still all arguments were unavailing; Kate persisted in returning at once +to be in attendance on her friend; affirming that she did not fear the +journey, nor anticipate any fatigue. So, Mrs. Smithers finding it +useless to attempt persuading the determined girl, proposed that, so as +to ease her journey as much as possible, Mr. Smithers should still drive +her over, and lead her own horse behind the vehicle. Mr. Smithers was +then sought for, and the melancholy intelligence was communicated to him +by his spouse; who desired him to place himself and his vehicle at the +disposal of Miss Ferguson. + +He regretted the sad event most feelingly; at the same time he expressed +himself only too happy to be of service to Kate, and would hear of no +objection from her; saying, "Why! if you could stand the journey +yourself, Miss Ferguson, your horse could not carry you." So that the +little messenger was perforce obliged to relinquish her opposition to +the proffered assistance. + +It was late in the afternoon before the sound of approaching horsemen +heralded the arrival of Bob Smithers and his friend, the brusque and +generally not over-courteous son of Æsculapius. They were not long +permitted to remain inactive, for the impatient anxiety of Kate for the +safety of her friend stimulated them to use despatch; and very soon +after their arrival they were tearing away again in the direction of +Strawberry Hill, in concert with Mr. Alfred Smithers and his charge. The +horsemen took the lead, and were followed closely by the vehicle; which, +by the speed that they maintained, required a skillful hand to guide +through the mazy difficulties of the bush track. The night, however, was +beautiful, and the moon bright and clear distinctly illumined their +path; so that the occasional diminution of the speed was not owing so +much to impediments and difficulties of a vehicular nature, as to a +desire on the part of the horsemen to take it easier. But these little +delays, insignificant as they were, did not accord with Kate's ideas of +the urgency of the case; and the flagging equestrians were constantly +prompted by her to an acceleration of their pace. + +Towards the latter part of the journey the bush was more dense, and the +travelling of the gig consequently became more difficult. The frequent, +though only momentary detentions, so harassed Kate that she exchanged +her seat in the gig for the back of her own jaded horse; and she led the +way at a rate that gave her less fatigued followers something to do to +keep even within sight of her. All their remonstrances against the +velocity of her pace had no further effect than a raillery from Kate at +their complaining of a speed that she was enabled to keep up; and she +told them that if they were tired out she would go on and report their +approach. However much they disliked the toil of such riding they were, +for their own credit, obliged to keep pace with her, as neither of them +relished the idea of being outstripped by a girl; and that girl one who +had ridden a far greater distance in the previous twelve hours than +they. + +In the meantime Mrs. Rainsfield had acted upon Kate's suggestion, and +had ridden home with all speed. She prepared a couch, and had it placed +in a light cart; which was then despatched to meet the invalid, with +strict injunctions to the driver to go as fast as he could, until he met +the party. Neither had Tom and William been idle, for they had placed +poor Eleanor on her saddle, where Tom held her while William led the +horse. But the pain, which the motion caused to her wounded limb, was +such that she could not with all her fortitude endure it. The young men, +therefore, constructed a sort of impromptu sedan, in which they carried +her for some distance; in fact, until they were met by the conveyance +despatched from Strawberry Hill. They then transferred their burden to +the vehicle, and continued the journey more easily for the poor girl; +though their rate of travelling was necessarily very slow. It was +midnight ere they delivered their charge into the hands of Mrs. +Rainsfield, and barely an hour afterwards Kate and her companions +galloped up to the house. + +The doctor was instantly shown into the invalid's room, when the broken +leg was soon set, and the patient placed in as easy a position as +possible; when, after giving directions to her cousin for her further +treatment, he left the room to partake of some refreshment with his +friends before they parted for the night. Tom and William waited for the +report of Kate, who was assiduously attending on Eleanor, and would not +hear of rest for herself until she had first satisfied her mind of the +safety of her friend. + +The following day the invalid was considered by her medical attendant to +be sufficiently out of danger, and progressing so favourably as to +warrant his departure. He therefore left, accompanied by his boon +companion, Bob Smithers, who preferred his society to that of the +residents of Strawberry Hill, and was followed by Mr. Alfred Smithers in +the gig. + +We have so frequently, and we think so fully, dwelt upon the character +of Eleanor Rainsfield that we are convinced she is by this time +perfectly understood by our readers. We need therefore only say that it +was quite possible for her to suffer the deepest mental agony without +the slightest semblance of its being discernible in any display in her +facial muscles. We say that it was quite possible that the existence of +sorrow could have been working deleteriously at the heart's core of the +invalid, and not be visible by any outward signs; and it was more than +probable, after the events that had lately occurred, that some such +sorrow did exist. We have already said that Eleanor was habitually of a +taciturn and uncomplaining nature; and, whatever were her griefs, she +rarely allowed their utterance to pass her lips; so it was not to be +deemed strange that her friends were unacquainted with her state of +mind. What that was we dare not violate our trust by divulging, beyond +the fact that there _was_ something that preyed upon her mind which +caused her to remain feverish and restless on her sick couch, and which +retarded her return to convalescence. She progressed but slowly; and it +was nearly two months before she was enabled to leave her room, and +expose her emaciated frame to the summer breeze in a seat in a shady +part of the verandah. + +During all this lengthened illness, her friends at Fern Vale had been +constant in their attentions, and hardly a day passed without some +enquiries being made or some intelligence being conveyed. Visits of +William and Kate were interchanged with Tom, who had delayed his journey +to town until Eleanor was what he considered sufficiently recovered to +spare him. When that time had arrived, and he saw his cousin at last +enabled to move about, he took his departure; not, however, without +making a special purpose of visiting Fern Vale to bid adieu to his +friends there. + +Why such particular consideration as this was required prior to his +departure on a journey that would not occupy more than a month, or why +it was necessary to take such a formal leave of friends he was in the +habit of seeing so frequently, and whom he could and did inform of his +intended departure upon the last occasion on which they met, we are at a +loss to conjecture. We do not, however, consider ourselves justified in +making any surmises, but intend simply to content ourselves by +chronicling the event; deeming in so doing we perform our duty, and +avoid the probability of misleading our readers, by indulging in +speculations that might lead to erroneous assumptions respecting the +motives of our friend. Therefore it is only known to Tom himself, or +rather was best known to him, what took him to Fern Vale, and what kept +him for hours in company with Kate Ferguson. But there he remained +looking over her sketches, and turning over her music, as he listened +rapturously; while her pliable fingers fluttered over the keys of her +piano, and exorcised the very spirit of the muse in the exquisite +diapason that she produced to enchant him. If it was simply to bid adieu +to the young lady he might have done that, we should have thought, in a +much shorter time, and taken his departure. It could not have been to +visit her brother, for as yet he had not seen him, and neither made any +effort nor expressed any desire to do so. He had, in fact, arrived at +Fern Vale early in the forenoon, and finding Kate alone in the +sitting-room, his gallantry (or rather his inclination) suggested that +he should endeavour to relieve the _ennui_ of the young lady. Thus he +had occupied, for nearly the whole of the morning, her and his own time, +in which occupation he seemed perfectly contented; so much so that we +strongly suspect that he--But we were about doing what we repudiated our +intention of, viz., speculating on Tom's motives. So, dear reader! with +your kind permission, so far as we are concerned, we will leave him to +enjoy uninterruptedly the pleasure of Kate's society. + +We must now beg the courteous reader to follow us over a period of about +a fortnight, during which time Eleanor had improved very little in her +health; when Kate and William one morning left Fern Vale to ride over to +see her. The weather had continued very dry for months past, and a large +portion of the bush had been slightly fired, so as just to burn off the +long dry withered grass, and leave on the ground a thick coating of +soot. Through this our friends were riding at a pretty sharp canter (as, +being like most of their birth and character, no less speed satisfying +them), when Kate's horse tripped and came down, precipitating his rider +over his head, and sending her sprawling amongst the ashes. + +Her brother alighted to assist her to rise; but she was in no way hurt, +and regained her feet with little difficulty or hesitation. But she had +no sooner faced William than he lost all control over his gravity, and +burst into an immoderate fit of laughter; while to his sister's enquiry +as to the cause of his merriment, he replied only by laughing the +louder; and she became annoyed at what she called his silly behaviour. + +"Tell me," said she, "what are you laughing at; is my face dirty?" + +"Oh, dear no!" replied he, "it is not dirty." + +Now in this reply of William's we would endeavour to exonerate him from +any duplicity or pseudology. If he meant to use the words ironically, or +to imply that his sister's face was not dirty, on the principle we have +sophistically heard enunciated that soot is clean dirt, not dirtying +where it comes in contact, but merely soiling; then it must be admitted +he spoke the truth. But we suspect rather that he meant to say her face +was not only dirty, but a shade worse; for it was absolutely black. And +much as we respect etiquette, and would be loath to commit such an +impropriety as to laugh at a lady, we question very much our ability, +had we looked on Kate's face on this occasion, to have preserved a +stoical equanimity of countenance. + +"No but, Will, dear," persisted Kate, "do tell me; is my face really +dirty? I am sure it must be or you wouldn't laugh so. It is unkind of +you to tease me;" and the little orbs in the darkened firmament, and the +little mouth that had escaped disfigurement in the sudden metamorphosis, +exhibited symptoms of a lachrymose tendency. + +Nothing so soon softens the obdurate heart of a man as seeing a woman in +tears; especially when she is a handsome young girl, and is beloved by +her masculine tormentor. Therefore we may safely surmise, that +William's laughing soon ceased; for he instantly changed his manner to +his sister, and said: + +"Yes, Kitty, darling; your face is as black as a crow; and would enable +you to make a splendid personation of an Ethiopian vocalist, if that +sable people ever exhibit their ladies. But forgive me, poppet, for +laughing at you; I would defy the goddess of grief herself to refrain +from smiling if she had perchance cast her eyes upon you as you rose +from the ground." + +"Oh, dear me! what shall I do?" said Kate, in a most piteous way. "What +shall I do? You know, Will, I can't go on in this figure, we must go +back." + +"Nonsense, my dear," said William, "you can go on very well. A slight +application of water at Strawberry Hill will very soon remove all traces +of your cloudiness." + +"But, Will," replied his sister, "all the people will be laughing at me +if I go on as I am, presenting such an odd appearance." + +"Not in the least, my pet," said William; "besides if you turned back +home our people would laugh at you quite as much, not for the soot on +your face, but for your foolishness in returning. At Strawberry Hill, +however, no one will laugh at you, for they will have too much good +breeding; and if you put your veil down over your face it will be +invisible; while at the same time you can present yourself to Eleanor, +and test her affection by seeing if she will kiss you in that plight. +I'll engage she'll laugh, for she'll think it is a little stratagem of +yours to take her by surprise and excite her merriment. She will +therefore think herself called upon to reward you with a smile." + +"I don't like to go in this figure, Will," said Kate; "do you think we +shall be able to find any water-hole on the road where I could wash my +face?" + +"Not one, Kitty," said William, "nor a drop of water nearer than +Strawberry Hill, unless you like to go to the river; and it would be +quite unnecessary, for if you went there you wouldn't be able to +thoroughly remove the black. The washing would only make you appear +worse, inasmuch as, instead of being black, you would be dirty. But +come, my little queen of Artimesia! let me put you on your horse, and +we'll go ahead. I have often heard of a sable beauty, and declare you +are one in perfection; if you were not my sister I would do the romantic +and fall in love with you. There now! up you get, and let us be off; for +the sooner you get to 'the Hill' the sooner you'll have your visage +restored to its natural colour. But before you touch your face, Kitty, +just have a look at yourself in the glass; though I need not have told +you to do that, for I know it is the first thing you are sure to do." + +"Don't be cruel, Will! and tease me so," said Kate, "or I'll go back +home." + +"Very well, my dear," said William, "I'll grant a truce, and spare +you." + +The brother and sister then turned their conversation into some other +channel, and rode on until they came within sight of Strawberry Hill; +when Kate pulled down her veil to conceal her darkened countenance from +the gaze of the curious. As they approached the station, and got +sufficiently near to distinguish the people about the place, Kate was +startled to see some gentleman on the verandah, whom she knew (by his +appearance) was not Mr. Rainsfield, and she remarked to her brother: +"Oh, William! I can't go up to the house in this figure. See, who is +that on the verandah? he is a stranger I know and I shall never be able +to meet his gaze. Can't you take me somewhere, where I can get my face +clean before I show myself?" + +"Don't be frightened Kitty," said William, "no one will be able to +distinguish the colour of your face through your veil; and, if I mistake +not, the individual you see, and whose appearance seems to cause you +such uneasiness, is none other than Bob Smithers, who will make himself +scarce when he sees me. Put on a bold face under your blackness, and try +a _coup de main_, though it is not likely under your present eclipse to +be a _coup de soleil_. If Eleanor is on the verandah when you alight run +into the house and carry her off at once; and if any of the family +should see you in your flight I will make some explanation for you." + +This seemed partially to satisfy Kate, and they rode together up to the +house. As William had conjectured the party they saw was Bob Smithers; +who, as soon as he had been able to distinguish who were the approaching +visitors, had left the spot where he had been seen by them, while +Eleanor, who had been sitting just inside one of the French lights, came +out to greet her friends as they made their appearance. William assisted +Kate off her saddle, when she ran up to the girl who stood with open +arms to embrace her. But instead of falling into that loving lock, +which was intended to unite the beatings of their young hearts, and +which she was generally so ready, with her usual ardour, to reciprocate, +she partially lifted her veil and discovered to her astonished friend +her beaming countenance. Instead of being radiant with glowing smiles it +was of course more gloomy than thunder; but her merry laugh rang as a +silvery note from the shades of Hades, while her bright eyes and pearly +teeth, in such deep contrast, shone with a more marked resplendence. + +Eleanor for some moments gazed at Kate with silent wonder, and then +asked in the faint voice of a valetudinarian: "Why, dearest Kate, what +have you been doing with yourself?" + +"I will answer for her," replied William. "You see our little Hebe has +gone into mourning; and, considering that the mere outward habilimentary +display was an empty conventionality, she chose to mark her grief in her +countenance; so that she might indulge uninterruptedly to any extent of +sorrow. As to her motive I am inclined to think she has done it to court +notice, and notoriety; for I am convinced she never looked so handsome +before." + +"That is a poor compliment William pays you, Kate," said Eleanor; "but I +appeal to you for a correct version of the phenomenon, for I am afraid +to question your brother, as I see he is in a facetious mood. Come to my +room, my dear, and we can have a talk to ourselves." + +"That is the very thing I desire, Eleanor dear," said Kate, "for I am +quite anxious to see what a fright I am, and wash off all the dreadful +smut. I saw Mr. Smithers here as I came up, and I would not for the +world that he should have seen me thus." + +"He was here a few minutes ago," said Eleanor, "but has disappeared +somewhere." + +"Well, Will," said Kate, "why are you still standing staring at us? why +don't you take the horses away?" + +"Oh, I am really very sorry for keeping him," said Eleanor, "it quite +escaped my memory; you go to my room, Kate dear, and I'll send some one +to see to the horses." + +"Not for worlds, Miss Eleanor, would I permit you to do such a thing," +exclaimed William. "I can myself take the horses to the stable; but I +was waiting to take a last fond look of Kate. I am, in fact, enchained +to the spot; if ever she was a beauty she is one now, and a shining one +that would be a fortune to a London advertising blacking manufacturer." + +"Be off, you impudent fellow!" replied his sister, "and don't show +_your_ face here until you can cease to be offensive;" saying which, she +turned into the house with Eleanor, while William took the horses to the +stable to remain for such time as he stopped at Strawberry Hill. This +business he accomplished; and, knowing that the girls would be sometime +engaged together with their own little secrets, and having no desire to +come into contact with Bob Smithers, he thought he would fill up half an +hour by paying a visit to Mr. Billing, and enjoying the refreshment of +that little individual's conversation. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + "The wondering stranger round him gazed, + All spoke neglect and disrepair." + + SIR WALTER SCOTT. + + +William sought the capricious storekeeper in the proper sphere of his +labour, viz. the store-room, and, as he had anticipated, found him +deeply engaged in some imaginarily abstruse piece of figurative +collocation, from the study of which he relieved his brain and raised +his eyes at the sound of intrusive steps. William advanced with +outstretched hand, which was humbly and respectfully taken by Mr. +Billing; who, as he removed his spectacles from his nose, and shifted, +we will not say rose from his desk, answered to his visitor's sanitary +enquiry in his blandest manner: "I thank you, Mr. Ferguson; it affords +me great satisfaction to say I am in the enjoyment of excellent health, +and trust, my dear sir, a similar blessing is dispensed to yourself." + +"Well, thank you, Mr. Billing," replied William, "I am pretty well. But +don't let me disturb you if you are busy, I have just called in to see +and have a chat with you; but if you are engaged I will not interrupt +you; for I thoroughly agree to the principle that business must be +attended to." + +"I assure you, sir," said Mr. Billing, "I appreciate your kindness in +thinking me worthy of your consideration. I feel favoured, sir, beyond +measure; and if you will still further honour me by gracing our humble +dwelling, I can say, sir, with confidence Mrs. Billing will be equally +as delighted as myself." + +"But I hope, Mr. Billing, I am not taking you away from your business," +said William. + +"By no means, my dear sir," exclaimed that urbane individual, "however +engrossed I might be in my mental or corporeal occupations, the respite, +sir, from those labours, when it is occasioned by the honour of a visit +from a young gentleman of your talent and abilities, is of too valuable +a nature, sir, not to be gratefully seized by your humble servant. Pray +accept my best thanks, sir, for your attention, and permit me to invite +you, sir, to our unpretending abode; for lowly it is, and not of those +pretensions I could desire, sir, nor of such as it has been my lot at a +former period of my life to possess, yet, sir, to it I can offer an +Englishman's adjunct, a hearty welcome." + +"I am very much obliged to you, Mr. Billing," replied William, "and will +be happy to accept of your hospitality." + +"This way then, Mr. Ferguson," said Mr. Billing. "Allow me to close the +door of the store. I always lock it in my absence to prevent, sir, any +unpleasant affairs, such as have occurred here, you know. If you will +be good enough to step this way, sir? I must apologize beforehand, for +the litter which I expect you will find, sir, in our domicile by +explaining that Mrs. Billing does not anticipate the pleasure of +visitors." + +Considering the sight that greeted the eyes of William as he entered the +cottage, such an apology was certainly necessary, or rather unnecessary, +to prepare him for what he was to witness. We said necessary, to excuse +the lady of the house for the chaotic arrangements of her household, +seeing that one couldn't enter the dwelling without being painfully +aware that slovenliness and disorder reigned supreme. Therefore we +corrected ourselves in the expression, and stated the absence of such +necessity; as no one could be so blind as to imagine that the litter +which Mr. Billing alluded to was merely the result of an occasion; for +it was too palpably evident that the spirit of disorganization was the +presiding genius of the Billing mansion, and, moreover, the visitor +would be strengthened in the conviction the very moment he cast his +eyes upon the wife of Mr. Billing's bosom. We will repeat then that Mr. +Billing made numerous apologies for the disorder to which he was about +to usher William Ferguson; and we may safely conjecture that William was +not a little surprised when all the internal arrangements of the home +burst upon his vision. + +"Let me show you to my domicile, Mr. Ferguson," said the little man in +rather a pompous way; "as usual, sir, the house is turned topsey-turvey, +Mrs. Billing is such a woman for cleanliness. You have no doubt, Mr. +Ferguson (though you have not yet become entangled in the meshes of +matrimony), heard of the nuisance of a musical wife; let me equally warn +you, sir, against choosing the partner of your connubial bliss, from +those of too cleanly a predilection. My spouse, sir, for instance, has +periodical fits for cleansing (and I regret to say, sir, they are of too +frequent occurrence for my especial comfort); then nothing but dust, +soap and water, and disquietude pervades the house for a full twelve or +twenty-four hours. You are aware, sir, 'at home' (I mean of course in +Old England) we paterfamiliases are taught, sir, to look upon +washing-days as the very superlative of domestic misery; but my wife +always had a propensity for having something like a washing-day very +nearly six times a week, sir; and she has brought her customs and +prejudices with her to this barbarous country. But come in, my dear sir, +and take a seat, while I inform Mrs. Billing of your presence; and if I +may be so bold, sir, as to add, I will entreat you to make yourself +quite at home." + +This introductory prologue of Mr. Billing's was delivered as he stood +with the door slightly ajar, and holding it by the handle while he +addressed William, no doubt to fully prepare him to a proper +appreciation of the merits of the lady to whom he was about to be +introduced. When we say introduced we do not mean that formal ceremony +in which strangers are brought to a mutual acquaintance (for William had +frequently before met Mrs. Billing), but the mere act of being ushered +to her presence in a house into which he, as yet, had never entered. Mr. +Billing had stood, door in hand, while he uttered about half of his last +sentence, when William saw, or fancied he saw, a female hand suddenly +draw back the cover of a muslin blind that screened the lower part of a +window situated in close proximity to the door at which he stood. +Instantly thereafter a female head was substituted in its place, but as +instantly withdrawn; while the noise of some falling object was +distinctly heard, and was as speedily followed by that of a hastily +closed door; all of them unmistakeable signs of a surprisal and retreat. + +At this moment Mr. Billing pushed open the door and entered the +evacuated room, in which he concluded his lugubrious notice of his +lesser half's peculiarities, and desired his visitor to take a seat; +which his visitor, picking up a chair that lay prostrate on the floor, +accordingly did; and Mr. Billing went in search of his lady. Judging +from the seeming confidence with which he walked into an apartment +entering from the one which William sat in, forming the only other one +in the front of the cottage, the operation was one of more certitude +than the verb he made use off would imply; and also judging from the +subdued whispers that William could overhear through the thin wooden +partition that constituted the wall of the room, the search was also +attended with wonderful success. But during Mr. Billing's absence to +look for his spouse, let us join our young friend in his general +inspection of the furnishing and upholstery department of the +establishment. + +In the first place we must say, distinctly and candidly, that the room +was furnished badly. Not that there was any paucity in the collection; +but the articles, though numerous, taken in the abstract, with the +greatest regard to symmetry, contrast, and beauty, and the best possible +display of talent in their collocation, any one with the slightest +pretensions to comfort, we are certain would eliminate the entire mass; +and any appraiser, if such an individual existed, within the boundaries +of New South Wales, if called in to take an inventory, would elevate +both his nose and his shoulders. + +But we will, with the reader's kind permission, give a short +description, for the benefit of young couples about to furnish; and out +of respect for the feelings and the patience of those of our readers, +who have no desire or necessity for such detail, we will epitomize the +catalogue as much as possible. + +First then we must state that there was no semblance of order in the +arrangements. Far from it; in fact, quite the reverse. All things seemed +to have been placed with a predetermination on the part of some one to +create as much confusion as possible, and to put each individual +article into as awkward a position as imaginable. It is true William had +rescued a chair from a lowly position, and had placed it on an +unoccupied spot on the floor, and used it for the purpose for which in +its construction it was intended. But it was well our young friend was +not of an erratic disposition, for if he had been bent upon voyages of +discovery, other than could be effected by his eyes, he would have found +himself in as great a labyrinth as ever impeded the progress of the +polar explorers. The fact was William was perfectly hemmed in; so that, +with the exception of a small spot that was partially occupied by his +chair, there was no room to stir, or at least very little; and he did +not consider it wise, or politic, to risk his knees and shins in an +attempt to penetrate into the thickly timbered recesses of the +apartment. As he sat in the midst of this mass, which seemed to have +been collected as the entire furniture of a dwelling, deposited in a +room for the convenience of the van that officiates at flittings, he +almost looked like an anxious emigrant keeping guard over his effects +when landed in a strange country, or as "Caius Marius mourning over the +ruins of Carthage." + +But we have wandered from our task, our self-imposed descriptive task, +which we confess ourselves at a loss to perform with satisfaction; for +having no cabinet-making knowledge, and never having before been called +upon to take an inventory of such chattels, we feel ourselves, to make +use of a vulgar idiom, "all abroad." We fear we have assumed the title +and privileges of the author without considering whether or not we are +possessed of the attributes pertaining to one; and, in our insensate +conceit, we are afraid we have forgotten the absence of that recondite +perspicuity and facile elucidation which are imperatively essential to +the character we have arrogated. But we fancy we hear some of our +impatient readers exclaim, "We wish you would tell us, without 'beating +about the bush,' what the room contains; it is all nonsense your making +excuses now, you should have thought of your incapacity before you +commenced your history, and must go on with it; all we can do is to pity +and smile at your ignorance;" and we exclaim, "A thousand thanks, kind +readers! That is the very lenience we wished to evoke; we now can +proceed with confidence, if not in our powers of depiction, at least in +your charity and forbearance." + +Well then, in the centre of the room stood a table, which we venture to +say had not been displaced in the general disorganization, +notwithstanding that its satellites had. There was nothing extraordinary +about this table, and yet there was a something which inspired awe, or +at least curiosity, and that would lead to the enquiry, Whence came it? +and this was precisely William's thought. Ah! that was a rare old table, +and struck William with a desire to know its history; but unfortunately +it had not the power to satisfy his enquiring mind; and he, having no +one at the time with him from whom he could glean the information, was +not likely to be the wiser. With the reader, however, we will not be so +harsh or uncommunicative, but will make use of our knowledge, and impart +the secret of its life; at least from the time whence it boasted of Mr. +Billing as its owner. First, however, we will give a sketch of its +general appearance. + +When we called it a table, we should have in greater justice said two +tables, for, though one, it was also two. This seeming paradox may be +explained by stating that, as it stood, it was one, but in its integral +parts it could be spoken of in the plural number; in fact, to descend to +the common vernacular mode of expression, we will say they were two side +leaf-tables that had graced the parlour windows of the little box at +Brixton. The leaves were, and had been for many years (in fact, rarely +otherwise), quiescent, and were each made to hide its diminished head in +a close contiguity to the object's crural appendages. The two tables, +thus reduced to their natural bounds, were arranged with an +affectionate concomitance so as to act the part of a table of family +pretensions. It was of mahogany; and we will assume the postulation, +that it was of solid mahogany, to which assumption we are led from its +antique appearance, presuming that in the good old days of our +ancestors, that refined species of humbug and deception, yclept +veneering, was not in vogue, as our forefathers, so we are told, could +not tolerate anything but what was substantial. But how sadly have we +degenerated in these latter days! We now no longer perpetuate their +creed, or retain any of their material predilections, except those for +beef, beer, "bacca," and bills. + +But to return to the table. We said it was mahogany, but we must correct +ourselves; we mean it was so originally, when it stood in the parlour at +Brixton, but now no longer could it be said to be of that wood. If it +but spoke, what "tales it could unfold" of voyages, journeys, mishaps, +and accidents, that would put the whole fraternity of aristocratic loos +far into the shade. Mr. Billing was wont to say he loved that old table +as much as hundreds of individuals are in the habit of affirming a +similar affection for a certain "old arm chair." He would also inform +his friends, when in a communicative mood, that that table had belonged +to his friend Lord Tom Noddy, whom he knew very well; but, unfortunately +for our poor little friend's aristocratic reputation, on one occasion +when he was a little "farther gone" than was usually his habit to go, +the truth of _in vino veritas_ was exemplified. On that occasion he +innocently informed his friends, that, of course, the Lord Tom Noddy did +not know him; that he, Mr. B., had bought the table at a sale of that +nobleman's effects, when the inconvenient demands of low tradespeople +rendered a sojourn in London exceedingly annoying to his lordship, and +induced him to fancy his health demanded attention and his person +relaxation and continental air. But still Mr. Billing could boast of +what very few, if any, men in Australia could, that is, that he was +possessed of a table that had belonged to a real, live lord; and many +were those who were made aware of the fact. + +We fear we are not confining ourselves to a succinct account of minutiæ, +but are again running too much into detail of no moment; and we will, +therefore, continue more briefly the history and description of this +wonderful piece of furniture. It had been considered too great a +treasure to be sacrificed in the break-up of the Brixton "box;" +consequently it was carried off to gladden the eyes and astonish the +nerves of the natives of Australia. As we have already said, many were +the misfortunes it had gone through in its various peregrinations, and +vast the trouble it had been to its present owner, who, notwithstanding, +through all his vicissitudes, stuck to it as long as it stuck to him. +Lord Tom Noddy's table was in much the same predicament as Jack's knife, +which had had five new blades and three new handles; for his lordship's +table had had innumerable splicings, nailings, screwings, patchings, and +new leggings, composed of a variety of fibrous material, and of numerous +colours and artistic designs. Yet there it stood, with its legs of an +unequal longitude, some with castors and some without (the latter being +supplied with a stone or a piece of wood, to preserve as nearly as +possible the equilibrium); and, with more than one bandage to conceal a +fractured limb, this relic of the past, this trophy of Mr. Billing's +palmy days, and proof of his intercourse with aristocracy, preserved a +dignified composure, like a veteran surveying the scene of a triumph. We +said that the table stood in the centre of the room, and bore no +evidences of having been moved in the general disorder; of this we were +morally certain, for, judging by its paralytic appearance, it threatened +a speedy dissolution if touched. + +The other members of this conglomerate fraternity were some dozen +chairs, more or less, also in various stages of dilapidation, and of +them we can say much in a few words. They were American, machine-made, +cane-bottomed, painted, and patent varnished ladies' and gent's body +supporters, and bore the same relation to civilized furniture as Dutch +clocks used to do to the old-cased patriarchs, that in our halls marked +the phases of fleeting time. + +They were "machine-made," we say, that is, the legs, bars, etc., were +cut and turned by machinery; they were possessed of cane bottoms, +whether also arranged by machinery or not, we can't say, though they +were painted and varnished by its aid. But why such ordinary articles of +domestic use should be patent we are at a loss to comprehend, unless it +were for the design, or in the operation of painting the decorating +portion, which consisted of an application of gilt varnish on the front +of each leg and prominent part of the seat, and the representation on +the back, in high colours and gilt, of some flowers and fruit, which it +would be difficult to match with originals, from all the varieties that +have been produced, from the Eden apple downwards. + +The next article was a sort of chiffonnier, a piece of furniture that +made a great display; with crystal and china arranged with precision on +the top, and a protecting covering of chintz, no doubt the uninitiated +would imagine, to keep the polish from sustaining any injury. But must +we discover the truth? Oh! deceitfulness of man, and, we may add, of +woman too. This elegant and costly piece of furniture was nothing but a +large deal box placed up on end, with rough shelves fixed into it to add +to its utility, and with a gaudy cover put over it to hide its +nakedness. There was another article of a similar construction, a +luxuriant-looking ottoman, and a sofa which had originally, no doubt, +been of polished cedar (of which wood, we may remark, all the best +colonial furniture is made, and found to equal, if not excel, Honduras +mahogany), and with horse-hair cushions, etc. But now it presented a +doleful appearance of weather-beaten features and limbs, and where a +horse-hair covering had existed, now only canvas was visible. A mirror +of the dull and heavy school rested on the mantel-piece, along with +sundry portraits, no doubt of a family importance, executed in an art of +stern profile blackness, which art, we believe, is extinct, and happily +so. The floor had no covering, neither had the walls, which showed the +wood in its crude state, or rather in the serrated condition in which it +had left the sawyer's pit. A few children's stockings and shoes +scattered about; a woman's dress, mantle, and bonnet lying on the table, +with some calico in the process of conversion to an article of apparel; +a piano of ancient make which, we must say though, belonged to Mrs. +Rainsfield, and was placed there for the use of the children while under +the tuition of Mrs. Billing, completed the furniture; and, with other +scraps, such as towels, dusters, and odds and ends, all heaped +together, as we have said before, in interminable confusion, the reader +has an idea of what William was surveying. + +We have already confessed our lack of the author's talent of succinct +expression; and what we might have been able, had we been possessed of +such a gift, to have detailed in a few pithy words, and what was noticed +by William in a few minutes, it has taken us so long to describe. We +must therefore beg to assure the reader that Mr. Billing was not so rude +as to leave his guest waiting alone so long as we have kept him, but +shortly re-entered the sitting-room and informed William that Mrs. +Billing was that moment engaged with the children, but if he would +excuse her for a few minutes she would be obliged to him. + +Now it happened that William had heard certain sounds that indicated +arrangements of no possible connexion with children's attiring and +ornature; such as the washing of an adult's hands, the operation of +adjusting that corporeal appertinence, which is made to enclose the +forms and symmetrize the figures of Eve's fair daughters of the present +age, the rustling of silk, and other prognostics of a personal +embellishment. But still conveniently deaf as a visitor should be to +such sounds he begged that Mrs. Billing would not allow herself to be +drawn from her attention to the children on his account, for he would be +sorry to inconvenience her by his call. + +Mr. Billing thanked him for his politeness and consideration, and +entreated him not to mention anything about inconvenience; and at that +very moment Mrs. Billing sailed into the room, or at least as much of it +as she could get into; and, while shaking hands with William, said: "I +am delighted beyond measure, Mr. Ferguson, at your kindness in calling +upon us. It is so affable of you, and I can only express my regrets that +you should have happened to have chosen a day when you see we are all +topsy-turvey. You must know, Mr. Ferguson, I always like to keep my +house clean and in order, although Mr. Billing will persist in grumbling +at what he calls unnecessary cleanliness; but still I am glad you have +honoured us with a visit." "Go away, Johnny, and Bobby! Mary, don't be +rude!" + +These latter expressions were addressed to various olive branches of the +Billing tree, who showed their heads at the door whence had emerged the +parent stem, and to which, we presume, the juveniles had come to satisfy +their curiosity as to the nature of the intrusion on their domestic +privacy. But they did not seem disposed to obey the injunctions of their +maternal parent; who therefore rose and put them inside the room and +shut the door, while they continued to amuse themselves by keeping up a +perpetual kicking. + +Possibly the reader may desire to know something about Mrs. Billing, her +genealogy, etc. If so, we will endeavour to prevent disappointment by +giving a brief sketch of her. She was a lady, "a perfect lady," as her +husband used to say, and we should imagine, nearly twenty years the +junior of her lord. She was not absolutely plain; she might once have +been good-looking. In fact, Mr. Billing used to assure his friends, when +first he married her she was a beauty, one, he affirmed, of the Grecian +mould. We will not flatter her, however, by saying she was handsome; +though we will state that her looks were capable of great improvement by +the study of a little judicious display and effective costuming. But +these virtues or follies, as our readers may consider them, obtained +very little regard from Mrs. Billing; notwithstanding that on sundry +occasions, such as the present, she made an effort to appear as in +former years. + +She had taken some little pains, we say little pains because of the +insignificance of the result, to present a genteel appearance to our +friend William, and had made a hasty toilet. If it had effected any +improvement in her appearance it argued badly for her presentableness +before the operations of ablution and ornature had taken place. Her +hair, in keeping with her eyes, was black, and parted not scrupulously +in the centre; a stray lock on the forehead segregated from its rightful +position was brought immediately across the line of demarcation and +incorporated in the opposition. However, its lamination was lost in the +plastering the whole had undergone in the toilet operations; and, as +Mrs. Billing was not a vain woman, such a mishap was not deemed worthy +of notice, or at least the trouble of rectification. Her features, if +not good, were certainly far from bad. There was a vivacity and +expression in them, but there was also an unctuousness that was a +necessary concomitant on her perpetual bustle, which incessantly +displayed itself in her pale face. She wore a black silk dress, that +made a rustling like dry leaves in winter, and was modelled in a fashion +so as to confine both the wrists and the throat of the wearer; at which +points it terminated without the muslin adjuncts we usually look for. +As for the dress itself nothing need be said, except that it might have, +and had been a good one, but was then rather seedy. It gave us, however, +the idea that it was worn in much the same manner, and for much the same +purpose, as the closely buttoned up frock-coat of the "shabby genteel +gentleman," who is unable to make any display of spotless linen. But we +will make no ambiguous allusion to a lady's under garments, though we +cannot shut our eyes to noticeable facts. Neither could William, for he +perceived that her boots, though they had once been of a fashionable +make, were not what they had been, for their glory had long since +departed. He also noticed that her hands and facial contour were of a +different shade to her neck and throat. It might have been an optical +illusion, the effect of a deceptive light, the contrast of complexion, +or the exposure to sun; but he thought that where the tints blended the +contrast was too perceptible to be natural, and therefore concluded that +the phenomenon arose from the dirt not being thoroughly removed, or the +omission of an ablutionary application to the dark tinted part. + +William also noticed,--but we must again crave the indulgence of our +fair readers, whose pardon we implore for adverting to such a +subject,--when Mrs. Billing turned herself to eject and inject the +juvenile representatives of the Billing family; he saw her back! yes, +reader! her back! Now no lady should turn her back on a gentleman any +more than a gentleman should perform so derogatory an act upon a lady, +either literally or figuratively. More especially if that lady be not a +good figure, or if her dress does not fit immaculately. We do not +insinuate that Mrs. Billing had not a good figure, she was _once_ +graceful; but it was to be presumed, that considering the ample proofs +she had given of a proclivity to gestation, the symmetry of that figure +had to some extent been impaired. Be that as it may, the dress of Mrs. +Billing did not meet behind by some three or four hooks; and the +consequence was that a sight was revealed to the bashful gaze of our +young friend which caused him to blush; while the remembrance of the +cleanly characteristics, enunciated by her lord as pertaining to her, +made him wonder. For there! immediately underneath the habilimentary +cuticle, William saw garments of so suspicious a colour as to make it +questionable whether they had attained their peculiar hues by the +process of dyeing, or by their contact with this world's filth. + +But there is one thing that we must explain before we leave Mrs. +Billing. We have already told the reader that cleanliness was Mrs. +Billing's peculiar and predominant idiosyncrasy, and we must reconcile +this statement to our portraiture of unbecoming slovenliness. It is +easily said in a few words. Mrs. Billing was one of those women who are +always in a fuss about their domestic affairs; who are for ever +fidgeting about the dirt in the house; and always attempting to remove, +or remedy it, though in the attempt they only succeed in adding to the +filth. Making "confusion worse confounded;" leaving things worse than +they were before; adding to the discomfort of their husbands, their +children, and themselves; whom they keep in a perpetual state of +slovenliness and untidiness. Such was Mrs. Billing's failing; and if her +husband was blessed with perspicuity sufficient to notice it, for his +own peace of mind, he abstained from any dictation that might have +embroiled him in family dissensions; and he was right: for on the whole +she was undeniably a good wife to him notwithstanding her little +peculiarities. + +Mrs. Billing had managed to squeeze herself into a seat, as her husband +had previously done, without necessitating any extraordinarily +unpleasant contiguity to her visitor; though any extension of +prerogative on the part of the upper or nether limbs of either of the +party would have been detrimental to the visages, or shins, of the +others. So they were all perforce compelled to adhere to a strict +propriety of deportment. + +The lady was particularly charmed, or at least she continued to say so, +at what she designated the condescension of Mr. Ferguson in visiting her +humble abode. + +"I am truly delighted to see you," she said again, for at least the +twentieth time; "and only regret I can offer you no inducement to +prolong your visit. I suppose there would be no use in my asking you to +stay and take pot-luck with us in the friendly way, Mr. Ferguson? Not +that it would be any change of fare to you, for we are necessarily +humble people now; and, if we even desired it, we could not have +anything out of the common. It is not here like 'at home,' where you +can, even with the most moderate means, procure anything nice. In this +horrid country neither love nor money can buy tasty things. One has to +be contented with what we can get, and we live so incessantly upon +mutton that I wonder we're not all ashamed to look a sheep in the face. +But, as I was saying, can we persuade you to stop and take pot-luck with +us, Mr. Ferguson?" + +"I really thank you, Mrs. Billing," said William; "but my friends will +expect me to make my appearance at the house shortly. I have brought my +sister over to see Miss Eleanor, and have just dropped in to see you as +I passed." + +"Yes! it is very kind of you," said Mrs. Billing; "and of course Mrs. +Rainsfield will be expecting you. However, if at any time you shall be +disposed to honour us with a visit, let us have the pleasure of your +company sufficiently long to enable us fully to enjoy it. Devote some +evening to us, and we will endeavour to amuse you. We would be most +happy to see your sister too, if she would condescend to honour our roof +by her presence; she is a gentle, amiable young lady. I need not ask if +she is well as that I am sure of?" + +"Thank you," said William, "she is quite well, and I have no doubt will +be happy to join me in paying you a visit; especially when I tell her of +your kind enquiries." + +"Will you try a little spirits, Mr. Ferguson?" asked the master of the +mansion. "I am sorry I have no wine to offer you, and neither any choice +of spirits; but I shall be delighted if you will join me in a glass of +rum." + +"I am obliged to you; not any," replied William. + +The conversation continued for some short time longer, chiefly though on +the part of the Billing couple; who took upon themselves the initiatory +to enlighten their visitor upon all their family affairs and departed +greatness. William soon began to feel a distaste for this kind of +conversation and society, and had made one or two attempts to break the +spell. But as the pair kept up an alternate and incessant dialogue he +could not find an opportunity of taking his leave; and neither did he +effect his retreat until he had risen from his seat, stood hat in hand +for nearly ten minutes, and repeated more than once that he feared his +sister would be wondering what had become of him. + +He at last succeeded in escaping, and cordially shaking hands with the +quondum commercial man and his lady, he took his departure and walked +back to the house. Mr. Billing returned to, and was speedily lost in the +abstruse calculation from which his attention had been diverted by +William's visit; while Mrs. Billing retired to the precincts of her +sanctum, to divest herself of her outer covering for one of more humble +pretensions, in which she had been habited at the time of her +surprisal. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + "Your words have took such pains, as if they labour'd + To bring manslaughter into form, and set quarrelling + Upon the head of valour." + + TIMON OF ATHENS, _Act 3, Sc. 5._ + + +When William made his appearance at the house he found Eleanor, Mrs. +Rainsfield, and his sister together in the sitting-room; and, after +receiving a severe rating for his cruelty in teasing Kate about her +accident, he was asked by Mrs. Rainsfield what had detained him so long +at the stables. Upon his replying that he had visited the Billings +nothing would satisfy the girls but that he had an object in making such +a visit, and they insisted upon having a detailed account of all his +proceedings, and what he saw and heard at the storekeeper's cottage. +During his narration of the circumstance we will leave him for a few +minutes while we glance at another part of the station. + +Over the rails of the stockyard fence leaned a man, we might have said a +gentleman, smoking a short pipe, and carrying or rather holding in his +hand a heavy riding-whip, which we wish the reader particularly to +notice for the reason which shall shortly be seen. At his side leant +another gentleman with his back to the fence, and his eyes bent on the +ground. The first was Bob Smithers, and the other, Mr. Rainsfield; and, +at the moment of our discovering them, they were, or had been, in close +conclave. Before we proceed to listen to the conversation we will +premise by stating one fact, which we have no doubt the reader has +conjectured, viz., that the marriage between Bob Smithers and Eleanor +had been postponed _sine die_, or until such time as her health should +be thoroughly restored. + +"Yes, I say again, it is a confounded nuisance that the girl is so slow +in getting well; she might have broken half a dozen legs, and got right +again by this time. I want to get her away from that infernal fellow +Ferguson, and all his set; and I shall never do that until I have +married Eleanor. Then, by G--! if any of them cross my path, they may +expect to meet a tiger." So spoke the puissant Bob Smithers, that had +grossly insulted the senior brother of "the set," and submitted ignobly +to a blow from the younger; from whom he slunk away like an intimidated +cur who had rushed yelping at some wayfarer, and received a warm +reception. + +"I don't think you need make yourself at all uneasy, Bob," said his +companion. "Though John Ferguson has made overtures to Eleanor, which +you know were rejected, it is not very probable that his brother or +sister will at all interfere; in fact, I hardly think the young girl, +his sister, knows anything about her brother's feelings on that point. +Eleanor is exceedingly attached to them, and well she might be, for +their behaviour to her has been kind and affectionate in the extreme." + +"Well, that may be," said Smithers; "but still I hate them, especially +that young cub that is here now. He had the audacity to strike me on the +night when we paid out his brother; and, but for the intervention of +some of the people, I would have killed the young wretch on the spot." + +"As to striking you," said Mr. Rainsfield, "I am not at all surprised at +that. I wouldn't have thought much of the young fellow if he had stood +passively by, and seen a practical joke perpetrated on his brother. But +why didn't you retaliate, or wait for him till after the ball, and then +have given him a good sound horse-whipping?" + +"I couldn't get an opportunity of being at him then," said Smithers, +"but I'm d----d if I don't carry out your suggestion now. I'll get an +opportunity before he goes away." + +"If you do I only hope you'll manage it so as not to implicate me," said +Mr. Rainsfield. "I don't wish to interfere with your private quarrels; +but I would not like the young fellow attacked in my house or in my +presence. Though I have quarrelled with his brother I haven't done so +with him; and I must say he has been so attentive to Eleanor during her +illness that I would consider any countenanced outrage on him would be +the offering of an insult to her. Nevertheless, if you have any little +settlement to make with him, let it be out of my sight and hearing, and +I won't interfere with you." + +"All right, old fellow," Smithers replied, "you need not fear me, I'll +manage it comfortably enough you'll see. I'll get him quietly away from +the house, and let him feel the weight of this." Saying which he laid +his whip about some imaginary object with a force that made the missile +whiz in the air, and with a determination that plainly portrayed the +satisfaction with which he would operate upon his victim. + +"Very well," said Rainsfield, "do as you like. Only, as I said before, +don't implicate me, and though I rather like the young man I shall have +no objection to hear of the whole matter after it's done." + +These two worthies then separated, Bob Smithers to seek the opportunity +of which he spoke, and the other either to go about some business of the +station, or to keep as much out of the way of the coming event as +possible. The reader will no doubt wonder how a man of Mr. Rainsfield's +generally reputed integrity could reconcile his conscience to such +behaviour; and also that he should willingly, and, we may add, +collusively aid the suit of a man, of whose mental and moral turpitude +he could have had no doubt, in preference to the honourable addresses of +a gentleman in every way a more eligible match for his cousin. "But +thereby hangs a tale," and it is our painful task in the office in which +we stand, to see that that tale be not suppressed. + +At an early date after Eleanor's settled sojourn with Mr. Rainsfield he +became aware of the existence of an engagement between her and Bob +Smithers, from whom we may safely conjecture the knowledge was obtained. +When Rainsfield, feeling for the dependent and forlorn condition of his +relative, took her to the bosom of his family he did so out of pure +sympathy and kindliness towards her, and had no wish or desire to +interfere in the disposal of her affections. Consequently he paid very +little attention to the matter. But Smithers made a proposal to him +which, if it did not excite his cupidity, induced him to think more of +the affair as one in which he as a relative, and a protecting relative, +had an interest. It had the effect of suborning his countenance to the +match, and enlisting his strenuous exertions, to induce Eleanor to +accede to the wishes of the Smithers family, and plight herself anew to +the man who had already received her youthful acquiescence. + +The offer that Smithers had made to Rainsfield was this. That they +should enter into partnership, and throw their respective properties +into one concern, and work together on equal terms. Smithers was to +embark all the country he was then possessed of, or the proceeds arising +from the sale of any portion, and what capital he could command; and the +other was to bring in the stock and station of Strawberry Hill. In +making this offer Smithers conceived that he would be benefited by such +an arrangement, in so far as he would be able to more effectually stock +the immense tracts of country he had taken up. He considered this more +advantageous than disposing of the runs; as, he argued by lightly +stocking them in the first place, and allowing them to become by +gradation fully stocked, through augmentation and the natural increase, +he would eventually be possessed of larger property than if he with his +own means only stocked an integral part of his holdings. On the other +hand Rainsfield considered the offer as equally worthy of attention to +himself, possibly looking at it in the same light. However, he had +agreed to it; and this was the _douceur_ that had made him a warm +partizan of the Smithers' cause; and that had influenced the collusion +that worked for the consummation of Bob's, or we might say Mrs. +Smithers', matrimonial scheme. + +With regard to Eleanor, her feelings, we fear, were little dreamt of in +the matter. Rainsfield deemed Smithers a good match for her, and +possibly believing that she entertained at least some respect for the +man, he never imagined for a moment that she could have had any +objection. While she, on the other hand, from the continual promptings +of her cousin, in the absence in her mind of any other imaginative cause +for her cousin's warmth, attributed it to the desire on his part to be +relieved of an irksome burden; and she had given her consent. + +We must admit that women are as equally (it is even affirmed they are +more) susceptible than men to the warm affections of the heart; and that +as they are inspired by love so are they influenced by aversion. And as +a man, we mean of course with honour and conscience, would go to any +extremity rather than ally himself to a woman whom he contemned, so +would a woman feel as great a repugnance in accepting a man for whom she +could not entertain any respect. We do not say that Eleanor actually +abhorred Bob Smithers; but we can affirm that she felt no enjoyment in +his society, but rather the reverse; and though she had accepted him to +avoid the unpleasantness of her situation, the match was positively +distasteful to her. Smithers' nature was diametrically opposed to hers. +They had no one feeling in common; his tastes were not as her tastes; +nor hers as his. Besides, she had an exalted, and perhaps romantic, idea +of matrimony. She didn't think it proper to marry for convenience, but +imagined it was a compact that was only justly and favourably formed on +true love. Not that at the time of her engagement with Smithers she had +experienced the sentiment; but she was aware she had entertained the +proposal of a man in the absence of it, and therefore had sacrificed a +moral principle. But her trial was to come. + +She then met John Ferguson; and their mutual companionship, if it had +had its effects on John, had surely had no less so on her. It is true +she had thought no more of him, at first, than as a friend, a kind +attentive friend. But then she admired him, his precepts, his manners, +his conversation, and his general ingenuousness; she liked him, and +found pleasure in his society. Did she think she loved him? It may be +she never gave herself a thought on the subject. She was content to live +in the pleasing delusion, that John Ferguson was nothing more to her +than a friend; but there was her danger. She might have mistaken his +manner; misconstrued his feelings; and been blind to the more than +ordinary warmth of his greeting. But the pleasure in his company, the +delight at his approach, the longing for his presence between the +intervals of his visits; and the heart's palpitations, as she felt the +welcome touch of his hand in the grasp of friendship, must and did have +their own warning voices, to which Eleanor could not shut the ears of +her understanding. She suspected he loved her; she read it in his eyes; +but she feared to ask herself the question, Was the feeling +reciprocated? + +Next came the explanation. He declared the existence of that lasting +affection which never dies. But could she give him hope? could she +encourage him in his love? No! she felt she could not. She had +voluntarily given herself to another, yet felt she had by her manner +incited this one; had probably by her demeanour given him cause to hope, +while she was not justified in holding out any. She might have, nay, she +even feared she had, destroyed his peace of mind, and all through her +own selfishness. Why had she not warned him in time? why not forsworn +the pleasure to which she had no claim? These were questions she asked +herself, but could give no reply, except the sigh her heart chose to +offer. Her relationship to Smithers reverted to her mind. That she did +not love him, nor he her, she was convinced; then why not accept the +love of John Ferguson? She meditated; but in that meditation her +principle got the better of her inclinations, and she sacrificed her +interest, her happiness, and her comfort, for the inviolable +preservation of truth. + +These scruples were known to Mrs. Rainsfield and Tom, who, we have seen, +considered them unnecessarily severe, and combated against them +unceasingly, though without making any impression on the mind of +Eleanor. They deprecated what they considered her folly, and attempted +by all the arts of persuasion to move her from her purpose; but she had +been inculcated with a perception of high morality, and an appreciation +of strict integrity. Truth had been always represented to her mind as +the fundamental basis of all virtue. Her desires and her passions had +been regulated to a subserviency to the Christian character, and her +nature had been moulded in a religious education. Consequently, upon the +dictates of her conscience she acted, and felt she would be guilty of an +unpardonable moral offence to refuse her hand where her word had been +pledged. + +In this light, then, the parties stood to one another. Rainsfield was +anxious to get his cousin married to Smithers, who was equally uneasy to +have the event consummated, as he had serious misgivings on the eventual +possession of his prize. Eleanor, though she was by no means anxious to +hasten the marriage, had no desire to unnecessarily postpone an +occurrence which she could not prevent, but of which latterly, more than +ever, she had had cause to dread. However, she knew regrets were vain, +and therefore attempted to attune her thoughts and feelings to a strict +sense of duty, to forget her own personal likings, and to enter calmly +upon the obligations expected of her. Notwithstanding all her fortitude +poor Eleanor was but mortal, and she could not sustain the gigantic +contest she had undertaken. She strove long and bravely, but her love +would at times overcome her, and leave her the constant prey of her +feelings, and to a melancholy contemplation of the sacrifice she was +making; hence her protracted illness and tardy recovery. + +But we must return to our narrative. We left William and the ladies in +the parlour at Strawberry Hill house, and Bob Smithers walking from the +stockyard in that direction, breathing heavy threats of vengeance +against the gentleman who had so grievously offended him, and who had +escaped his just punishment upon the occasion when the offence was +committed. It is needless for us to comment on Bob's version of his +affray with William Ferguson, as the correct one is already known to +the reader; but the tale he told Rainsfield was the one related by him +wherever the circumstance of the blow became known. + +William, as we have said, was sitting in company with the ladies, and +was submitting with the greatest docility to be made use of, by lending +his hands for the extension of a skein of silk while it was being wound +off by Eleanor, when a little boy bearing the Billing impress on his +features appeared at the open window, and said he had something to say +to Mr. Ferguson. + +"Say it out, my boy," said William, who imagined it might be some formal +invitation from the Billing paterfamilias. + +"Please, sir, father told me to tell you a gentleman was waiting down at +our house to see you," said the boy. + +"And who is the gentleman, my lad?" asked William. + +"Please, sir, I don't know," he replied; "father only told me a +gentleman wanted to speak with you directly." + +"Is Mr. Rainsfield down at your father's house?" asked William. + +"No, sir," was the reply. + +"Very well; tell the gentleman, or your father, that I will be down +there in a few minutes," said William; "and that if the gentleman is in +any very particular hurry, it would have been a great saving of his time +if he had come up here." + +Now, the circumstance struck all present (though no one said so) as +being rather remarkable, that Smithers, for they knew it could be no +other than he, should desire to meet William Ferguson alone, and away +from the house. William knowing or suspecting the nature of the coming +interview, fearing that his friends would have a similar suspicion, and +having no desire to excite their fears, tried to show his coolness and +indifference by whistling an air as he left the room. But this +oft-repeated stratagem had not the desired effect of allaying the fears +of one, at least, who was cognizant of the quarrel at Brompton and the +whole attendant circumstances. This was Eleanor, and she was convinced, +from the manner of Smithers, that he meditated some action which he was +ashamed to perform within sight of the house. She therefore hastily put +on her hat, and prepared to follow William, and being joined by Kate, +she stepped out through the window to the green sward in front. + +Hardly a dozen steps were necessary, to bring them clear of the angle of +some outhouses that intercepted the view of the stables and Billing's +premises; and as she cleared that angle, it was to this point Eleanor +directed her gaze. The sight that she then witnessed showed that she was +only too correct in her surmise as to the intentions of Smithers; for +there she saw him in high altercation with William, who stood perfectly +at ease taking the matter as coolly as possible. His arms were folded +across his breast, and a pleasant smile played on his features, while +his antagonist had worked his wrath up to the culminating point, ready +for a mighty explosion; and raved about the ground while he brandished +his whip. + +We will not trouble our readers, or shock their ears or senses, by a +recapitulation of the dialogue; suffice it to say, that if warm it was +short. So that when Eleanor discovered the disputants she witnessed the +exacerbation of Smithers' ire, and the descent of his whip across +William's shoulders. The fate of Smithers on this occasion might have +been similar to what it was on a former one had not the attention of +William been drawn off from his purpose by hearing a loud shriek at his +rear. He turned to see whence it came, while his castigator, taking no +further heed of the circumstance than to look round to see from whom it +emanated, continued to belabour at his victim with redoubled energy. + +It was Eleanor who had uttered the shriek when she saw the blow struck +by Smithers; and instantly flying between the belligerents, throwing +her arms around the neck of her intended husband, she exclaimed: +"Robert! Robert! for mercy's sake, what are you--" But she was not +permitted to finish the sentence for the ruffian whom she had clasped in +an embrace that should have melted a heart of stone shouted in her ear, +coupled with an expression not fit to be repeated: "What business have +you here?" while he flung her from him with a force that hurled her +insensibly to the ground, where she lay without a murmur. This was more +than the honour and chivalry of William could bear. To be attacked +himself he cared little as he was well able to defend himself, and also +to retaliate when he thought fit; but to see a brute, without one spark +of manly feeling, not only lift his hand to a lady, and that lady a +gentle amiable girl who was about to bless him with more earthly +happiness than was meet for him to enjoy, but to prostrate her with such +force as to momentarily deprive her of vitality, was more than his +spirit could placidly endure. The lion was roused in his nature; and, +while Kate attended to her fallen friend, he sprung like an infuriated +animal on the cowardly villain; wrenched his whip from his hand and let +him feel not only the weight of _it_, but also of the avenger's athletic +arm, in such a way as would cause him to remember it for many a day. + +When William had thrashed the wretch until he had driven him to seek +shelter in the stables, he returned to where still lay the form of +Eleanor, who showed no signs of returning consciousness. Feeling alarmed +at the lengthened duration of the swoon Kate and her brother thought +they had best remove her to the house at once; with which intention +William took her in his arms, and carried her in to Mrs. Rainsfield. + +The good lady was quite alarmed at the appearance of poor Eleanor's +features, when her still inanimate form was brought to her. An ashy +paleness pervaded her face; her eyes were closed; and, with the +exception of an occasional faint sigh, no signs of life were visible. We +say, Mrs. Rainsfield was justly frightened at the appearance of the poor +girl, and she asked in an agitated manner: "What is this? what is the +matter? Eleanor swooned? Good gracious! what does it mean?" + +"My dear Mrs. Rainsfield," said William, "if you will allow me to tender +my advice I would suggest that you instantly put Miss Eleanor to bed. I +sadly fear her injuries are severe, and that it is more than a mere +swoon under which she is now labouring. Pray, don't delay, but remove +her at once; and Kate can tell you all the circumstances. If you will +lead the way I will carry her into her room." + +"Poor Eleanor! and is this too the work of that viper, Smithers?" said +Mrs. Rainsfield. + +"It is, indeed!" replied Kate. + +"Oh, the vile wretch!" exclaimed the lady. "It is as I thought, he +cares not a straw for her life. A man that would treat a tender, loving +girl in this way, would be guilty of any enormity; and yet she is so +infatuated as to court her own misery by persisting in accepting this +monster. Oh! what would I not give to see her safe out of his clutches? +But he surely can't have the effrontery to look her in the face after +this; nor she so silly as to receive him if he does. Certainly not, if I +can dissuade her, and I think I have some good ground to work upon now." + +By this time William had deposited his burden on the little snow-white +bed of the motionless girl, and left the room and the patient to the +guardianship of Mrs. Rainsfield and his sister; while he strolled out +for a few minutes to calm his agitation, and weigh the circumstances in +his mind. He had walked backwards and forwards for about a quarter of an +hour when he turned again into the house just as his sister was looking +for him. + +"Oh, Will!" she said, "Eleanor is in a dreadful state. She is fearfully +ill, and we think it is a fever. Mrs. Rainsfield says there is a doctor +who has lately settled at Alma, and she was going to send one of the men +over for him; but I thought it would be better, to prevent the +possibility of any mistake, for you to go. Will you go, and at once, +Will?" + +The answer William gave to his sister's question was to dart off to the +stables for his horse; and in a few minutes afterwards he might have +been seen galloping through the bush to procure the services of the son +of Galen located at the nearest township. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + "Oh! wretch without a tear--without a thought, + Save joy above the ruin thou hast wrought-- + The time shalt come, nor long remote, when thou + Shalt feel far more than thou inflictest now." + + BYRON. + + +When Smithers had partially recovered from the wholesome chastisement +administered by William Ferguson, and had witnessed, from his +concealment, the hasty departure of his foe, the nature of his journey, +and the cause of his precipitance, flashed instantly across his mind; +and, we would fain believe, his conscience was visited by compunctions +for his unpardonable brutality. He cogitated for some time on the +course he was to pursue, and thought of how he could explain away the +circumstances; for even to her whom he knew would forgive much he hardly +dared venturing an explanation; knowing too well that his conduct was +not to any extent defensible. He, however, determined to make the +attempt to see Eleanor, and endeavour to remove from her mind any +impression that might be injurious to his cause; and with that idea he +approached the house. + +Oh, Smithers, you ignorant inflated fool! How little you know the nature +of woman, and how less you can estimate their worth, and appreciate the +value of such an one as her who has surrendered her heart to thy +keeping! Thinkest thou that it is woman's only province to forgive? That +thy perpetual contumely should be continually pardoned, and thou, +without any innate goodness or recommendatory virtue, should ever claim +the devotion of a spirit the personification of purity, while thy +conduct is such as would make that spirit, were not its adjuncts truth +and compassion, shrink with loathing from the vile contamination of your +very breath, and a fear of the consequences of your truculence and +inhumanity! It is true, some women blinded by the infatuation of love, +would sacrifice their happiness, peace, and liberty, even life, on the +unworthy object of their ardent affection; but if thou believest this, +buoy not thyself up with the idea that all thy sins will be forgiven +thee! Eleanor has had much to deprecate in thee! many have been the +wounds thy churlishness has inflicted on her gentle nature, and though +she was willing to sacrifice all her earthly happiness to maintain +intact her truth and honour, yet remember she is not actuated by love, +but by an exalted sense of duty. Let her once be convinced that she is +exonerated from a performance of that, and thy bird has flown. Duty has +a strong tractive influence on a mind attuned to a high appreciation of +integrity; but love is a still more powerful incentive, and dost thou +know thou art not the happy possessor of that love? Yes, thou not only +knowest that no such sentiment is felt for you by that being whose +purity thou contemnest, but thou fearest, nay, even art certain, that +the object of that being's love is another; and that other he whom thou +hast striven to make thine enemy! Yet, knowing all this, thinkest thou +that woman, frail confiding woman, could trust thee as her mundane +protector? Because Eleanor has forgiven much, thou thinkest thyself +secure; but if this last is not the _coup de grâce_ in thy catalogue of +contumacious infamies we shall be inclined to deprecate Eleanor's +leniency. But to return. + +One of Bob Smithers' characteristics was a conceited self-complacency +that distended his very soul with its blinding virus; and, speaking in +the figurative of a popular apothegm, he estimated his commendable +qualities as equivalent to no insignificant quantity of that mean +maltine beverage which we thirsty members of the great Anglo-Saxon +family call small-beer. He therefore thought he had but to go to his +betrothed with a penitential cast of countenance, and claim as a right, +and receive as a matter of course, that forgiveness which he was +entitled to expect. + +"I was only", (he said apologetically to himself), "in a bit of 'a scot' +at the time, and when she came in my way I pushed her off when she fell. +It was her own fault, and she must know I did nothing to her but what +any other man similarly situated would have done." + +At the conclusion of his meditations he stepped on to the verandah of +the house, and seeing a servant passing out of the sitting-room, into +which he had entered by the window, he called her and asked, "Where was +her mistress, or Miss Eleanor?" + +"Miss Eleanor is ill, and missus is with her," replied the girl who +looked awkward and rather sheepish at her questioner. + +"Is Miss Eleanor very bad, Mary?" asked Smithers. + +"I think she is, sir," replied she. + +"Mary! Mary!" called a voice that was almost instantly followed by the +utterer, Kate, who ran into the room, saying: "Do run out, and try and +find Mr. Rainsfield." But she had hardly got the words out of her mouth, +as she stood in the doorway of the room, than, catching sight of +Smithers, she uttered a faint scream, and fled hastily from his +presence. She was instantly followed by the girl, who had partly heard +the cause of her young mistress' illness, and was desirous to escape the +questioning of one whose character she could also despise. + +Smithers stood musing for some minutes, not altogether pleased with +these evidences of repulsion on the part of Eleanor's friends; but his +fears of their influence over her mind were only momentary. He must see +her, he said to himself; have an interview with her, and the little +difficulty will soon be arranged. Then he would hurry his marriage, he +thought, and take Eleanor away from the hated influence. "Those +Fergusons," he continued in his soliloquy, "are a pragmatic, hateful +lot, and I can't understand why Rainsfield does not keep them away from +his place." Smithers firmly believed they had been created for the +express purpose of causing him annoyance; and their present especial +object in settling in that district was to frustrate his marriage, and +rob him of his bride elect. "But he would defeat them," he said to +himself, "or he'd be--;" but here his mental reservations were +interrupted by Mrs. Rainsfield, who exclaimed as she entered the room: +"So, sir! you dare to show yourself again in my house after the vile +atrocity you have been guilty of. As to your infamy I do not wonder at +it, for it is only the fructification of a nature equally depraved, +brutal, and worthless. But after your insulting attack upon a guest of +mine, and your cruelty to a gentle and amiable girl that you should +have ventured within the precincts of this house I am truly astonished. +I know you to be too great a coward to do so did you think there was any +possibility of your meeting with the one who so lately gave you your +deserts; and I can only attribute your presence now as a further proof +of your arrogance, and to an endeavour to insult the female inmates of +this dwelling." + +"I don't know what you mean, Mrs. Rainsfield," replied the object of +that lady's invectives; "I never offered any insult to you or any other +lady in this house; so your strictures on me are quite uncalled for." + +"What, sir! can you stand before me with such barefaced effrontery, and +tell me such an unequivocal falsehood?" cried the lady. "Have you not +insulted me by cajoling from my presence a gentleman, who is my friend +and visitor, to basely assault him? and then what do you say of your +dastardly behaviour to that girl who was contemplating her own misery +and destruction by throwing herself away on such a wretch as you?" + +"I decline to answer you, madam," said Smithers, "for your language is +most offensive." + +"Then even you are susceptible on the point of feeling," replied Mrs. +Rainsfield, "and yet you think I can't feel an insult. I tell you, sir, +that if you had subjected me to the treatment that you did Eleanor I +should have considered it an offence of the most unpardonable nature. +But I love Eleanor even better than I do myself, and you may therefore +expect no mercy at my hands. For your offence to myself I shall expect +an expiation by your totally absenting yourself from this house; and if +I have any influence over the mind of that ill-used girl (which I hope +and trust I have), you may rest assured it will be exercised to your +disadvantage. So, sir, without any further parley, I have to request +that you instantly leave the house." + +"I shall do nothing of the sort, madam," replied Smithers, "your +husband I presume is the master of this house?" + +"Well, sir, I expect him here every moment," exclaimed the lady, "and if +you do not obey my injunctions you shall be forcibly expelled from the +premises." + +"And situated as I am," continued Smithers not heeding the last threat +of his irate companion, "with regard to Eleanor, I think I am entitled +to see her." + +"You shall not be admitted to her presence, sir," replied the lady. + +"I wish to see her," said Smithers, "to explain the circumstances under +which the accident occurred." + +"Accident indeed!" exclaimed Mrs. Rainsfield. "It requires no +explanation, sir, it speaks for itself. I have already had your +brutality recounted by an eyewitness." + +"By her friend I presume and one that is therefore not mine," sneered +Smithers, "the sister of that villain who first poisoned Eleanor's mind +towards me." + +"Cease, sir! your invectives against one with whom you are not worthy to +be mentioned in the same breath," cried Mrs. Rainsfield. "It was Miss +Ferguson who related to me the unmanly and ruffianly manner in which you +hurled Eleanor to the ground. She now lies with her life in imminent +peril, and yet you have the audacity to stand before me and call it an +accident which you will be able to explain." + +"Yes, madam! I am confident I shall be able to satisfy Eleanor that it +was not intentional on my part. I am exceedingly grieved that she should +be so extremely ill, but believe me, Mrs. Rainsfield, this once, that if +you will permit me to see her only for a few minutes I will be quite +contented, and will certainly relieve her mind from any impression of my +having wilfully harmed her." + +"No, sir! it is useless your attempting to alter my determination. I +tell you emphatically, that you shall not see her. She is now in a +raging fever, and the sight of you at this moment might extinguish the +flickering flame of her existence. To save me from any painful +necessity, I trust, sir, you will see the expediency of ceasing your +importunities and at once taking your departure." + +"I much regret that you will not permit me to see Eleanor," exclaimed +Smithers, "because I am sure you are acting under a misapprehension of +my motives and actions. If you would but permit me to explain, I--" + +"It is useless, sir." + +"But I am confident you must have been misinformed of the circumstances. +Your informant is no friend of mine, and would have consequently given +the affair a colouring detrimental to my interests." + +Mrs. Rainsfield could stand no more of this colloquy, and with +difficulty suppressed her rage. It had twice or thrice been just on the +point of overflowing; but now it was beyond her power to restrain it. To +have her young friend Kate branded as a liar by the infamous viper +before her struck her dumb with indignation; and it was some moments +before she regained the power of utterance, when she exclaimed: + +"You mean grovelling, despicable villain! You must of necessity add to +your opprobriousness by including Miss Ferguson among those whom you +choose to insult, and attack her with your scurrility. Because you +generate lies yourself do you think she is capable of uttering +falsehoods? I will endure you no longer. Instantly leave this house, +sir, do you hear me? or I'll--" + +"Pray, what is the matter, my dear?" enquired Mr. Rainsfield, who +entered at this moment. + +"Oh, John! cause that man to leave the house, and I'll tell you," +replied his wife. + +"My dear Rainsfield," commenced Smithers, but was cut short by the +infuriated lady, who exclaimed: + +"Not a word in my presence, sir. I have already ordered you to leave the +house; do you intend to obey me?" Then, turning to her husband, Mrs. +Rainsfield said in a voice almost choking with passion: "John, will you +not assist and support me? I have been grossly insulted by that man, who +persists in defying me. Is he to continue doing so?" and she sank into a +chair, and gave vent to her excited feelings in a flood of tears. + +Rainsfield was not one of those unfortunates, belonging to that class of +marital bipeds known as "hen-pecked husbands," though he was certainly +of an uxorious disposition. It cannot therefore be supposed that he +could have calmly witnessed the distress of mind his spouse evidently +appeared to be in without feeling some sympathy; and she being in that +state in which philosophers tell us woman soonest touches the heart of +inexorable man, viz., in tears, that sympathy was heightened. +Rainsfield's connubial heart was softened at the evidence of his wife's +woes; he therefore turned to Smithers, and said: "Leave us together just +now, Bob; I'll see you before you go." + +It must be distinctly understood that though Rainsfield, as he was in +duty bound, sided with his wife on this occasion, he had no desire to +quarrel with Smithers, even if his wife had; far from it. It is true he +had heard something of the little fracas of flogging and fainting; but +that was nothing to him. If the young men chose to quarrel, he +considered, let them do so! and if his cousin chose to interfere, and +get hard knocks for so doing, he could not help it. If the girl had +fainted it was a pity, but what influence had he over her syncope? Women +always made a great deal, he thought, about those things, but generally +cool down after a while and forget such little grievances. So when he +communicated to Smithers his wish that he should leave the house, he did +so with an expression in his look that plainly said: "Never mind, old +fellow, you will lose nothing by leaving your case in my hands." The +delinquent, we have no doubt, fully understood it, for he instantly +obeyed the behest. Let it be said, however, to the credit of Mr. +Rainsfield, that as he took this view of the case he was only aware that +Eleanor had fainted and was ill; but had no idea that William Ferguson +had gone off to Alma for a doctor, and that Eleanor's case was so +dangerous. He therefore imagined that his wife had magnified her danger, +and the heinousness of Smithers' crime; and consequently thought more +lightly of the whole affair than did his partner. But he was shortly to +be undeceived. + +As Smithers left the room Rainsfield took a seat beside his wife and +said: "Well, my dear, what is the cause of all this? you seem agitated. +I have heard something of what has happened, but surely that is not +sufficient cause for your angry altercation with Bob Smithers, and +making yourself miserable." + +"Do you not think so, John?" she replied; "first to have Eleanor nearly +brought to death's door (for she is in such a raging fever that I have +been compelled to get William Ferguson to go to Alma for a doctor), and +then to be insulted and openly defied in my own house by the villain who +is the cause of it all; do you not think that is sufficient to make me +agitated?" + +"Certainly, my dear," replied her husband, "the matter appears to me in +a new light. I was not aware it was of so serious a nature; pray tell me +all about it." + +Mrs. Rainsfield was not long in replying to this mandate, and speedily +gave her husband a detailed account of the horrors of Smithers' +proceedings, permitting them in nowise to lose in her narrative any of +their force and piquancy. She then wound up her recapitulation of +atrocities by demanding to know if her husband could think of permitting +so vile a man to darken his door again. "Understand me, John," she said, +"I shall expect you to protect me against him and his insults: and that +can't be done while his presence here is tolerated. If ever he enters +this house I shall most assuredly consider that you are conniving at +his insolence, and shall certainly confine myself to my own room during +his stay." + +We have seen that Mr. Rainsfield was mindful of his wife's wishes, but +at the same time had no desire to make a breach with Smithers; +consequently he found himself in a dilemma, from which he saw no +extrication without giving offence to one or other of the parties. He +therefore made no promise to his wife. + +"You don't answer me, John," said she, "what am I to consider you think +of his conduct?" + +"Well, my dear," replied her husband, "I really can't tell. It is +certainly reprehensible, but there is no use quarrelling with Smithers. +If it is any satisfaction to you that he should not visit us I dare say +he will not trouble you; but for my own part I can't see how you can +expect him to forego his right to see Eleanor." + +"Eleanor herself, when she recovers, if she ever does, will relieve him +from that obligation," replied Mrs. Rainsfield. + +"How can you say that?" said her husband. "She has expressed no +intention of doing so." + +"No, certainly; the poor girl is not in a state to express any +determination," replied the wife; "but do you think she will suffer +herself to be led to the altar by a brute like him, a man who has shown +himself on more than one occasion quite unworthy of her? If she has got +the spirit I think she has she will treat him with that contempt which +he deserves." + +"I see how it is," exclaimed Rainsfield, "you are prejudiced against +Smithers." + +"Prejudiced against Smithers, John?" replied his wife; "yes, I may be, +but not in the sense you mean. You fancy I dislike the man because I +would prefer Eleanor to accept another but you are mistaken. Hitherto I +never disliked Smithers as a man, but as a suitor of Eleanor I certainly +abhor him; and for this reason that I saw her inevitable fate would be +misery and wretchedness if she were ever mated to him. Now though I have +more than ever cause not only to detest him for his insolence to me but +to fear him for Eleanor's life." + +"You are infatuated against him," replied the husband. "And for this +quarrel of yours you would wish to destroy his happiness irrespective of +the feelings of Eleanor herself. You say she is really ill and cannot be +spoken to on the subject; then at present let the matter rest until her +recovery." + +"On one condition only," replied Mrs. Rainsfield, "and that is that +Smithers in the interval be banished from the house. If you agree to +that I am content to leave his further expatriation to her good +judgment." + +"So let it be," replied her husband. "I'll see Bob, and try to persuade +him to let the settlement of the affair remain in _statu quo_." + +With that the couple parted, the wife to return to the sick room, and +the husband to seek Smithers. We will not trace their steps on their +respective missions but merely state that Mrs. Rainsfield and Kate +passed an anxious night with their invalid. At an early hour on the +following morning, hearing a horseman's step passing the house, while +they were anxiously expecting the doctor, Mrs. Rainsfield looked from +the window of the room where she was keeping her vigils and detected the +retreating outline of Bob Smithers' form as he departed for his home. +Her husband she had not seen since their interview in the parlour, but +as she had not since that time left Eleanor's bedside it gave her no +concern; or at least she never thought of an absence of which she was +not cognizant. However he had been absent all night, and while the +doctor, who had arrived with William shortly after the departure of +Smithers, was administering his febrifuges to poor Eleanor he was +enacting the scene which we will detail to the reader. + +Rainsfield had had a long conversation with Smithers on the subject +that had been communicated to him by his wife; and had, after a good +deal of persuasion, induced him to agree to absent himself from +Strawberry Hill until Eleanor's recovery. + +Smithers, when he found his companion disposed to favour him, was the +louder in his asseverations of guiltlessness; demanding an instant +opportunity of explanation, and vowing vengeance against everybody +concerned, and John Rainsfield in particular, for not being master in +his own house. However Rainsfield, though he was inclined to forget his +dignity by stooping to entreaty with him, was nevertheless firm to his +purpose, and not to be intimidated by his blustering; and at last +succeeded in inducing him to promise to take his departure by daylight +the following morning, so as to avoid the possibility of any further +unpleasantness. With that he left him to his own meditations, and walked +away. + +Mr. Rainsfield had not taken many steps beyond the out-buildings +belonging to the house before he heard his own name called in a cautious +manner from behind a tree; and, glancing his eye in the direction whence +came the voice, he was startled to see the stalwart figure of a black, +half concealed behind the trunk, beckoning him with his finger. The +suddenness of the apparition for some moments unnerved him, and deprived +him of the power of utterance. He, however, mastered his fears; and, as +his self-control returned, he demanded to know what the black wanted +with him. + +"You know me, Mr. Rainsfield?" replied the black, "I'm Jemmy Davies." + +"Oh, yes, I know you," replied Mr. Rainsfield, "but I thought you and +the whole of your tribe had left the country." + +"So we did, sir, but we've all come back again, and a great many more of +the tribe too, and they are determined to kill you. Barwang and all +Dugingi's friends will kill you, and I can't prevent them though I've +tried; for they are too strong for me. So I've come to give you +warning." + +"They intend to kill me, do they? then, by G--! they shall repent their +rash resolve. But how am I to believe this?" asked Mr. Rainsfield of the +black. "You! you wretch, have you got some vile scheme in your head. +Think yourself fortunate that I've no gun with me or I'd shoot you on +the spot." + +"You wouldn't shoot me," replied Jemmy Davies; "didn't Mr. Tom tell you +that I'm always a good friend to you, how I tried to stop Dugingi from +stealing your rations when you killed so many of our tribe; and now I +come to tell you that they want to kill you and you think me no good. +But what for do you think, Mr. Rainsfield, I want to do you harm? If I +want to see you die I wouldn't tell you of this; but let the black +fellows kill you. If you will not believe me I can't help it; but if you +like to come down to the crossing-place to-night at dark I'll meet you +and show you our camp in the scrub; when you will see if I tell you a +lie. I will stop Barwang and his friends as long as I can, but I can't +prevent them altogether from coming to you; so you had better look out +and be ready." + +This warning sounded as an avenging declaration in the ear of +Rainsfield. He had for sometime flattered himself on his security and +tranquillity; and hoped, nay even believed, that he had effectually +ridden himself of a hitherto incessant annoyance. But now that the +surviving friends of his foes had returned, with the avowed object of +seeking vengeance, he was troubled in his mind. He, however, determined +to further question his informant, and, rousing himself from a reverie +into which he had fallen, perceived that the black had departed. Mr. +Rainsfield dragged through the remainder of the day with a heavy heart, +and never more than then regretted the absence of his brother. Should he +accept the black's invitation? he asked himself. It would be a +satisfaction to know in what force they were collected; but then (he +thought) the messenger might mean treachery. However, he would go; he +could detect it if it existed, and if it was attempted he could shoot +the wretch before he had time or opportunity to betray him. Yes (he +thought) he would arm himself well, and meet Jemmy Davies at the time +and place he appointed. + +"I'm glad you've come, Mr. Rainsfield," exclaimed the black, emerging +from the obscurity of the bush, as the squatter rode down to the bank of +the river some few hours after the last interview. + +"Yes I've come," said Rainsfield, "and at your bidding; but see I am +well armed," as he pointed to a brace of revolvers in his belt, "and, if +you are attempting to play me false, the first shot I'll fire shall be +through your body." + +"Never fear me, Mr. Rainsfield," replied Jemmy Davies, "I'm not going to +betray you. My greatest fear is not from your pistols but from the +tomahawks of my tribe; for if they find me with you they will be sure to +kill me." + +"Very well," said Rainsfield, "I'll follow you, lead the way;" and the +two crossed the stream in silence. + +"You had better leave your horse here, sir," said the guide, "in case he +should be heard by the tribe." + +Rainsfield acted on this hint and dismounted; and fastening the animal +to a tree, he said to the black: "Now you can go on, but remember if +this is a trap for me you had better think twice before you proceed; for +I shall keep my hand ready to lodge a ball in your heart the moment I +perceive any treachery." + +"Never be afraid, sir," replied the black, who continued to thread the +scrub in silence with his companion close to his heels. When they had +proceeded thus for some little time Rainsfield perceived by the +appearance of lights, and the noise of the blacks' voices, that they +were nearing "the camp." Jemmy Davies desired him to keep close to him, +and make no noise, as they were nearer the camp than appeared through +the thick scrub, and then led him a few steps further forward, when the +whole tribe became plainly discernible. They then dropt on their hands +and knees and crept close up to what we may call the circumvallation of +the gunyahs; and the crouching white man surveyed intently the scene +before him. Then would have been the time to have profited by his +position if treachery had been meditated; but not a leaf stirred around +them, while Rainsfield was lost in a reverie none of the most pleasant. +He was, however, aroused from this by Jemmy Davies, who pointed to a +group apart from the body of the tribe consisting of about fifteen men, +who were all armed with their spears, nullanullas, and boomerangs, and +were painted for a corroboree. One black, taller than the rest, was +haranguing them at the moment, and his hearers were apparently +acquiescing in his directions, from the yells and other marks of +approbation with which they from time to time greeted his diatribe. + +"That's Barwang and his friends," whispered Jemmy as he drew away his +companion from the spot. "They will have a great corroboree to-morrow, +and then you look out. To-morrow night they will come up to the station +to watch, very likely they will be somewhere about where you saw me this +morning; so if you keep some one on the look-out, and fire some shots +into the bush, they will think you see them and keep away. They won't do +anything to-morrow night, but watch. When they come up to kill you there +will come a great many, so keep looking out." + +Rainsfield and his companion returned to the crossing-place, when the +former mounted his horse and passed through the river, while the latter +returned to his tribe. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + "Till taught by pain, + Men really know not what good water's worth." + + BYRON. + + +The reader will remember Tom Rainsfield's journey to town had been +delayed for some time beyond when he had originally intended to start +owing to the precarious state of Eleanor's health; consequently, when he +took his departure, it was necessary for him to use speed in his +travelling. + +The summer had by that time considerably advanced, and the country had +suffered much from the continued drought that had prevailed for months. +Rain was anxiously and hopingly looked for, and a pluvial visitation +would have been hailed by the entire population with satisfaction. Tom, +as he journeyed, saw this desideratum more plainly than before leaving +home; for, as he mounted on to the extensive plains contiguous to the +source of the Gibson river, the parched bare soil became perfectly +uncomfortable to travel on. + +These plains were of fine black alluvial soil, so thinly timbered as to +have hardly a tree visible within range of the eye. They were covered +with grass, which, when the earth contained any moisture, flourished +luxuriantly, and would at times stand waving like an agrarian picture of +cereal plenty, so abundant as to impede the progress of the equestrian +traveller. But now a "change had come o'er the spirit of the dream," and +the herbous mass lay scorched and dry on the arid ground, offering no +nutriment to the browsing kine, and only requiring a single spark to +generate a grand combustion. + +Much has been said and written of the burning prairies of America, and +of the bush-fires of Australia; and we may remark, it is in such places +as these plains where they originate. Though not so extensive and +destructive in their course of devastation as those fearful +conflagrations in the western hemisphere, the bush-fires are still +frequently of sufficient magnitude to be perfectly irresistible; and +occurring as they usually do in the heart of a settled country, they are +rendered more dangerous to human life and property. How they originate +often remains a mystery. Of course carelessness frequently gives rise to +them; though at the same time they have been known to occur in parts +where neither whites nor blacks ever tread; and too often, when the +destroying element rages over and sweeps away a homestead or a farm, the +work is attributed to the incendiarism of some inoffensive blacks, who +are made to suffer at the hands of the whites. + +Tom Rainsfield journeyed on his course over these plains that looked +like a vast neglected hay-field; except in parts where water had lodged +and formed temporary ponds or "water-holes." There it presented an area +of black mud, baked hard by the power of the sun, and had absorbed so +much of its heat as to render it even painful for a horse to stand upon. +Tom rode under vertical rays, keeping as much as possible on the +withered grass (as being more comfortable than the sun-absorbing and +reflecting road), without the companionship of a fellow traveller to +relieve the monotony and solitude of the way; and not daring to indulge +in the consolation of a pipe, lest a stray spark should ignite the +inflammable material at his feet. Miles and miles of this weary and +trying travelling were passed, and Tom was not sorry when the track +entered a country less open, and he once more rode through bush land. + +Here, too, the ground, though partially sheltered from the sun's rays, +was equally devoid of feed and moisture. Not a blade of grass was to be +seen, nor a drop of water in the creeks and water-holes. For himself, +notwithstanding that his thirst was insatiable, Tom cared little; he +could manage to do without a drink until he reached the end of his day's +stage; but it was for the faithful animal that carried him that he +anxiously scrutinized every spot likely to contain the smallest +reservoir of the much coveted liquid. But his researches were all +unavailing; as yet no water could he find; until at one point on the +road, when he had almost given up the search as hopeless, he spied a +large swamp filled with reeds, in which a herd of cattle lay almost +concealed, apparently cooling themselves in the water. Here then he had +no doubt he should find what he and his horse had so much desired; and +hastening on to the black adamantine margin of what had formerly been a +large lagoon, he witnessed a sight that struck him with dismay. Not one +drop of water was visible in the extensive basin, and the cattle which +he had imagined were luxuriating in a natural refrigerator, were dead +and immovable. + +Such scenes are common under similar circumstances; and at times, while +the country is suffering from the effects of a drought, to see cattle +"bogged" in a water-hole is only thought of as a necessary consequence +fully expected, and therefore hardly to be deplored. Still when +witnessed by one who may be seeking that which is essential to life, to +allay a thirst which may be consuming, it is enough to make the heart of +such sink within him; and, though Tom was hardly in so reduced a +predicament, yet he could not gaze on the unfortunate animals without +some unpleasant admixture of perturbation and concern. + +In the swamp as many as fifty cattle had sought shelter from the heat +and moisture for their thirsty tongues. But having waded through the +mud, into which they had sank to their middles, they had possibly +satisfied themselves for the moment with a concoction of glutinous soil +and vapid lukewarm water; but, from their exhausted strength, had not +been able to extricate themselves from their miry bondage, and had +consequently died in their captivity. The mud at the time of Tom's visit +had perfectly hardened, and he traversed the whole bed of the swamp, in +the vain hope of finding some friendly hole in which a few welcome drops +might be found for his worn-out steed. But his search was fruitless, and +he was at last reluctantly compelled to relinquish it, from the attacks +of myriads of flies, who were disturbed at their bovine repast. He at +length continued his journey with a worn-out horse and a fagged and +jaded spirit, and was not a little grateful, as evening gathered its +shades around, to espy the glimmer of a light from the station which was +his night's destination. + +Tom's further progress was equally tedious and trying. The whole country +seemed parched up, and it was with the greatest difficulty he could push +on at all; and as the fatigue to himself and his horse necessitated him +to make his day's stages much shorter than he desired, it was the sixth +day from his leaving Strawberry Hill that he entered the village of +Waverley on the Brisbane river. + +When we call this a village it is only out of courtesy that we are +guilty of such a misnomer. For though, by the government plan of the +township, it looks a well-arranged and thriving place, we must state, +notwithstanding that building allotments had from time to time been put +up at auction by the government, and we may add found purchasers, and +that the existence of a public-house, rejoicing in the high-sounding +title of the Royal Hotel, lent an imposing air to the place,--the +gracefully tinted Queen Street, Albert Street, Prince of Wales Street, +etc. etc., of the elaborate survey office map, only existed in the mind +of the surveyor, and the imagination of the land-jobber. The said +thriving thoroughfares remained in a state of primeval grandeur; having +their boundaries marked, for the convenience of inquisitive seekers +after information, by small pegs driven into the ground, and whose sole +object seemed to be to lie concealed and bewilder those who might desire +to find them. + +By the foresaid plan this town or village (or, as the Americans would +say, this city) of Waverley was laid out with considerable taste. The +streets were all broad and at right angles; with a market reserve; +grants for church sites to various denominations of Christians; and a +broad quay facing the river, either for commercial purposes or for a +promenade for the inhabitants. But in reality the whole of the +architecture of the place was comprised in the sole habitation, the +Royal Hotel; which was built near the bank of the river, with a rough +fence enclosing three sides of a piece of ground that ran down to the +water's edge. This constituted the paddock for the horses of weary +travellers; and, judging from the dilapidated and generally insecure +state of the fence, argued the rare occurrence of a quadrupedal +occupancy. However, the sight of these little imperfections gave Tom no +concern, as he was confident his animal would not attempt, in the state +of fatigue to which he was reduced, to go roaming; and what gladdened +his heart more than anything was the sight of what he had long been +unacquainted with, fresh water. It was therefore with a considerable +amount of mental relief that he rode up to the unpretending hostlery. He +alighted at a door before which stood a post suspending a nondescript +lamp of antideluvian construction, and bearing from its appearance +questionable evidence of its ever having been submitted to the ordeal of +beaconing the path of the weary traveller. On the same post was affixed +a board on which the sign of the house was very plainly executed in +Roman character; informing, and we think very necessarily so, the +occasional visitor there was to be had accommodation for man and beast. + +The road leading to the Royal Hotel was not the one usually taken by +travellers from the interior to Brisbane. But Tom had chosen it to +avoid the more frequented track; knowing that in the present state of +the country travelling on the latter would be much more difficult and +troublesome. Therefore he had come by this secluded spot; intending to +cross the river, and travel down by the northern bank to Brisbane, while +the usual route was through the thriving and populous town of Ipswich, +and down the southern side of the Brisbane river. + +Tom Rainsfield entered the inn; and having his horse taken round by the +landlord to a bark shed designated a stable, where he preferred tending +the animal himself, rather than leaving him to the tender mercies of a +stranger, he gave him a drink of water and a feed of corn; and then +placing some bush hay at his disposal, left him to practise his +mastication, and make the most of his time. Having thus arranged for the +comforts of his steed Tom next thought of himself; so strolling into +the house, while something was preparing to satisfy the cravings of his +inward man, he walked into "the bar," to indulge in a pipe with +something cheering, and amuse himself by a little conversation with the +landlord. He entered the precincts of that _quarterre_ devoted to the +worship of the rosy god, and where the ministering spirit presided, +stationed behind a primitive sort of counter or bench, and at whose back +stood two kegs with taps and sundry bottles arranged on a shelf. These +(whatever their contents) appeared to be the stock-in-trade of the +establishment; excepting a large cask which stood in a corner, and which +by its appearance indicated spirituous contents, from whose bulk +probably the smaller kegs were from time to time replenished. Into this +sanctum then walked our friend Tom Rainsfield, and after calling for a +drink, and desiring the landlord in bush fashion to join him, he lit his +pipe; and taking his seat on the counter entered into the following +dialogue. + +"I shouldn't think you did much business here?" + +"Oh, pretty fair, sir." + +"Why, there doesn't appear to be many who frequent this room. I should +have thought it would have hardly been worth your while to have kept a +house in this place." + +"Nor more it would if I lived by gents a-stopping at my house; for I +don't get one of 'em a month. But you see them as pays me is the +sawyers; there are lots of 'em about these parts, cutting timber on the +hills and in the scrubs; and when they get their logs down into the +river they mostly stop here a while drinking before they raft the timber +over the flats on their way down to the mills. Then when they come back +they generally stop a while on the spree before they go to work. So, you +see, I makes a pretty good thing out of 'em; besides you see I keeps +rations here as well as grog, and sell them to the fellers when they run +short and ain't got no money." + +"But don't you often lose your money? I suppose they have none when they +go to town with their rafts, and very little when they come back; that +is even if they ever do come back; then I suppose you lose your score." + +"Oh, I manage to get it; precious few ever 'bilk' me, for I know my +marks pretty well, and them as I fancy won't come back I get to pay me +in timber; and I brand the logs with my own brand, and give some of the +fellers I can trust so much a hundred feet to raft them down for me. But +mostly the chaps come back before they have spree'd away all their +money. So I gets my share, as they pay me then what they owe me, and +have another go in until they 'knock down their pile.'" + +"And how much do their 'piles' consist of?" + +"Well, I couldn't say anything regular. I have had as much as a hundred +pounds 'knocked down' by one man at a time." And as the man said this he +smiled and heaved a sigh that seemed to say those were prosperous times +for him. True enough it was that he had had as large a sum of money paid +to him by one man; but as to the amount being actually spent, or an +equivalent even in liquor supplied, is extremely doubtful; but to follow +them in their conversation, Tom remarked: + +"And then they return to their work, I suppose, quite penniless?" + +"Oh, yes, it is very few of them ever have any money when they get back +to the scrubs; they have no use for it there, so they spend it like +men." + +"Like fools you mean." + +"No I don't. What is the use of the poor man saving his money? he can't +do anything with it; he can't buy any land to settle on; and he doesn't +care to save up his money to be robbed of it or lose it; he works hard +enough to get it, and so likes to spend it himself." + +"That is certainly one idea why working men should spend their hard-got +earnings. I should have imagined that men who had laboured hard, and +were living in the bush and scrubs in all sorts of discomfort, would +have had some desire to better their condition, and would have +accumulated means accordingly." + +"Not a bit of it, sir! they couldn't do anything with their money when +they got it." + +"Could they not buy a piece of land and commence farming? Here, for +instance, the land seems excellently adapted for agricultural purposes." + +"They can't get none, sir. The government folks won't sell any to the +poor man, leastwise the poor man can't buy none, and if he wants any he +is forced to buy it off the 'jobbers,' who generally screw him so much +that it doesn't pay. So the fellers prefer keeping to the scrubs cutting +timber; 'cos then they are not bound to work for sharpers, and can just +please themselves." + +It was evident the landlord of the Royal Hotel did not classify himself +in the category of those astute blades whom he designated by so cutting +an epithet; though Tom's opinion on that head somewhat differed from +"mine host's." He considered him a swindler of no ordinary magnitude, +though merely a type of his class. He was one of those locusts who +fattened on the hard working and reckless classes of colonial labourers; +who when they are plundering their victims, even under the guise of +friendship, dissuade them from frugality; expatiating on the numerous +sources of fraud (excepting of course their own) to which "the poor men" +would be exposed; and by their vile persuasions and chicanery too often +succeeding in eliminating from the minds of those with whom they come in +contact all notions of providence; and confirming them in their reckless +and dissipated lives. These bush publicans are the cause of immense +misery and depravity, and cannot be too harshly stigmatized for the +enormity of their infamies. + +Tom being informed that the edibles prepared for him were awaiting his +operations discontinued his dialogue, and adjourned to his epicurean +repast; at which satisfactory occupation we may leave him uninterrupted. +As his next day's stage would only be some five and twenty miles he +determined to delay his departure until the afternoon so as to give his +weary horse some additional rest; and it was therefore past noon on the +following day when he mounted his nag and left the village of Waverley. + +In leaving the inn he traversed the bank of the river for some few +hundred yards on his way to the flats where he was to cross when he +overtook a man that apparently had preceded him from the inn, and they +both went on together. The flats at this time were almost dry; for the +water in the river had long ceased to run, and at the particular spot to +which we allude, which was in ordinary times used as a ford, it could +have been crossed dry-shod, while above and below it the river remained +simply currentless pools. As Tom rode down to the bed of the river he +was struck with the immense number of logs that laid scattered about, +some on the banks, some in the river above, and some below, where a +small boat was moored, and a party of sawyers and raftmen camped. To +this party Tom's companion evidently belonged, and had apparently been +despatched to the public-house by his mates, as he was returning with +two suspicious-looking protuberances on each side of his bosom. These, +to outward appearance, very much resembled the outlines of bottles that +had been thrust into the ample folds of his blue shirt for convenience +and security of carriage. While trudging on the road alongside of Tom +Rainsfield the fellow gave evidence of a loquacious turn of mind by +commencing a conversation and inquiring if Tom was travelling to +Brisbane. Upon being informed by our friend that that was his +destination, and that he had come by way of Waverley to avoid the main +road on account of its desolate, dry, and feedless state, he remarked +with a whimsical smile: "I suppose you think that 'ere Waverley a fine +town?" + +"It seems a very good site for a township," replied Tom. "There is good +land in the vicinity, and abundance of water. I daresay in the course of +a few years it will be a flourishing place." + +"Not a bit of it, sir," said the man; "it never will be nothing. That +'ere house of Tom Brown's, 'The Royal,' as he calls it, will be the only +house in it for many a day, unless there be another public. Lor' bless +you, sir, that place of his even wouldn't be nothing if it wasn't for us +sawyers; we keeps old Brown alive, and he knows it." + +"Well, my good friend," asked Tom, "what is to prevent others settling +in the town besides Tom Brown?" + +"Why, what would be the good of it?" asked the other; "there would be +nothing for them to live upon. All the trade that's done is with us +sawyers, and there isn't more than Old Brown can do himself. Besides, +you see, most of the land that has been sold in the village has been +bought by the swells, who keep it to make money of it when some one +should want to buy." + +"I have no doubt," said Tom, "the land in the vicinity will eventually +be sold for farming, and then the growth of the village arising from the +trade that will ensue will be rapid." + +"Ah! there it is, sir. You see the squatters have got all the land now +for their sheep to feed on, and a poor man as has got a pound or two, +and wants a few acres, can't get 'em no how." + +"But the government is continually putting up land for sale," said Tom; +"and if any man desired to avail himself of the opportunity surely he +could attend the sales and effect a purchase." + +"No, sir, they couldn't," said the man; "for, you see, suppose I'm +working here in the bush and want to buy a bit of ground, how am I to +know when there is any for sale? They will perhaps mark out a few farms +near Brisbane, or Ipswich, and put 'em for sale, and they are sold off, +or leastwise the best of 'em, before I or any of my mates know anything +about it; or if so be as how I should get to hear of it and go to the +sale, there's so many people wanting 'em, perhaps gents who maybe live +in town, and want paddocks for their horses, that they will give better +prices than I can give; so, you see, I don't get half a chance. If I +want a bit of land to farm I think I ought to be able to get it anywhere +I like just as easy as the squatter can get his country. Axing your +pardon, sir, I suppose you're a squatter?" + +"That's true, my good man," replied Tom; "but I think myself that the +restrictions on the land are vastly injurious to the country, though I +doubt, even if every facility was given to the working man to procure +land if he would avail himself of the opportunity; and, instead of being +of benefit to him in the way intended, I question if the land would not +fall into the hands of 'jobbers.' Such a state of things is equally, if +not more, to be deprecated than the present system of permitting it to +remain in the possession of the squatters; for now it is made available +for pasturage; whereas then it would be allowed to lie unproductive +until such a time as the speculator could see an opportunity of a +profitable realization." + +"There would be plenty of us would buy lands and settle on them," said +the man, "if we only had the chance. Now if you like, sir, I'll just +tell you a case." + +Tom, though he knew all the man said was perfectly true, offered no +objection to the narrative, being desirous of eliciting from him his +notions on the subject, which was a much vexed one in the whole colony, +and purposely encouraged him to launch as deeply into it as he thought +fit. + +"It is about my brother, sir," said the man, "so I know it is quite +true, and you may believe it. We both came to this country together +about seven years ago, and took to cutting timber and rafting because it +paid well those times; and we made plenty of money, though we spent it +as fast as we got it. But somehow my brother didn't join much with the +other fellows, for he always was a steady chap, but took to saving his +money, and 'you may believe me,' it wasn't long before he had got 'a +pile,' of more than two hundred pounds. Now, sir, you see, when Bill +(that was his name) had saved all that money nothing would do him but he +must have a bit of ground and commence farming. There was a talk then of +some land being marked out somewhere near this 'ere town of Waverley; so +Bill thought he would like to have a few acres hereabouts better than +anywhere else. He asked some one who knew all about that sort of thing +how he should go about it to buy some, and the chap told him that he +ought to go to Brisbane and ask of the surveyors. So off he went to what +they call the survey office, and told the big-wig there that he wanted +to buy some land. Now this card showed him a lot of plans of where, he +said, they had land for sale; and Bill looks at 'em and took directions, +and went into the bush to have a look at 'em. But he found 'em to be no +good; they was only lots that had been left at the government sales, +when all the best pieces had been sold, and the ironbark ranges and +quartzy or barren gravelly country left; so he wouldn't buy any of 'em, +and told the chap in the office that he wanted some at Waverley; but he +told him he couldn't have none there as it wasn't surveyed. + +"Now the party Bill stopped with put him up to a wrinkle how he would +get the land he wanted to be surveyed 'cos he knew how to manage it. He +got up a requisition, or made an application, to have some lands on the +Brisbane river at Waverley surveyed and put up for sale, and sent it to +the government, as he said that was the sure way to get it. But it was +no go; the survey chaps told him that all the land thereabouts was +leased to squatters, and they couldn't touch it; but, says they, if you +want a nice piece of country there is some out here on the river, about +five miles away, that we are going to measure off into farms directly, +and they will just suit you; so, says they to my brother, just you go +out and have a look at them. Well, Bill went to look at 'em, and, sure +enough, they was first-rate land, so he said to himself I'll have a farm +there, and that's settled. But he was all wrong; for he didn't get a +farm there an' nowhere else as I shall tell you. + +"When he came back, after having see'd the land, he went to the office +and told the people that that place would just suit him, and he would +take a farm and buy it right off. But they laughed at him, and told him +that he couldn't buy it before it was surveyed, but that in a short +time, a week or so at most, they would have it all right and ready for +sale; so Bill thought he might make the best of it and wait. A couple +of weeks passed and he went to them, but it was not done; so he waited +another week or two, and went back again, when they told him that they +had had no time to see to it, but were going to do so very shortly. So +he waited another month, and then enquired, when they had the cheek to +tell him that they were obliged to put it off for they could not attend +to it at all, having so much work to do at other places; but that if he +would come back to town in about three months it would be all ready for +sale. + +"Now Bill was bent upon having one of them farms, so, instead of letting +the surveyor chaps, and the farms too, go to--where-ever they liked for +their humbugging, he came back to the bush to work for the three months, +and then went to town again to look after the land. But when he went to +the office even then the fellers hadn't surveyed it; and instead of +telling him like men that they were only humbugging him, and never +intended to do it at all, they commenced their little games again, and +told him that the surveyors were then at work on a particular job, but +that as soon as they were done there they would go to the land he was +waiting for. Well, sir, it's no good my telling you all the ins and outs +of it; but the long and the short of it is they kept Bill in a string +for six months, and then they didn't do the work, and I don't know if it +is done now; so, you see, that's how us poor men can't get any land." + +"I believe what you complain of is perfectly true," said Tom. "The +system is much to be deplored, but I hope it will shortly be improved. +Unless a man is on the spot, and can wait for an opportunity, such as +when a sale occurs, there is certainly very little chance for him; and +men that are employed in the bush very rarely if ever have that chance." + +"Just so, sir," said the man. + +"And what did your brother do with his money after having so much of it +and his time wasted in looking after this land?" + +"Ah, sir! there is what makes me curse the land, and the surveyors, and +all the lot, for it killed Bill, and there never was a better feller +breathing. I'll tell you how it was, sir. I told you Bill was a steady +chap; he never used to drink, anyhow not to spree, you know; but, you'll +guess, no man could stop at a public-house for six months doing nothing +without getting on the spree. Bill used to walk up and down on the +verandah at the public where he stopped, and smoke his pipe, while he +thought how them fellers at the survey office were a-treating of him, +and he got miserable like in his spirits. So when fellows got to know +him, and used to come into the house, they'd ask him to take a nobbler +with them; and somehow, you see, though he didn't do nothing of the sort +at first, he was soon glad to get some one to join him in a drink, and +being at it all day, you know, he used to get very drunk at times; so he +went on until at last he was always drunk. Now Bill all this time had +been keeping his money by him, so that he would be ready, when he +wanted it, to buy his farm. So, what with always having plenty of money +'to shout' for other fellers (for you know, sir, he was a stunning +feller to shout when he got a little bit screwed), and the lots of +fellers as always stuck to him when they knew he got 'tin,' he very soon +got 'cleared out;' and one day, after a tremendous spree, when he had +been drunk for more than a week, he got 'the horrors,' and started to +come home to the scrub. I never saw him after that, sir; for he got +drowned in one of the creeks on the road, and was found by some shingle +splitters soon afterwards without a shilling in his pocket; so that's +what he got, poor fellow, for trying to turn farmer. Now you see, sir, +we don't see the good of doing like that; so we never trouble ourselves +about saving any money, and we are a deal better off, and a happier, +than them as do." + +Tom did not attempt to refute the sophistry of this argument as he was +aware that it would be useless. He knew that the case of this man's +brother was by no means a solitary one; for not only had the suicidal +policy of the colonial government with regard to the disposal of the +waste lands been instrumental in the destruction of numerous victims +similar to this unsophisticated sawyer; but it was absolutely driving +that entire class of men into reckless extravagance and dissipation. +Whereas a liberal land policy would not only have engendered a spirit of +providence, but have offered an inducement, and have proved a stimulus, +to the country's settlement by a thriving rural population. + +But the ministerial Solons of the country could not be induced to view +the subject in that light; hence this deplorable state of morality and +improvidence, which unfortunately pervades the great bulk of the country +population. In urban localities the evil is not so severely felt, as a +steady and industrious mechanic, with his accumulated savings, is +enabled to purchase a town allotment (which allotments are just +frequently enough thrust into the market by the government as to keep +the demand in excess of the supply), and to build on it a house, which +he erects by degrees, as his means admit. Thereby, in course of a short +time, he gathers round him in the land of his adoption a comfortable +little freehold property. Thus it is, nearly all the town workmen who +are possessed of any savings convert them into something substantial; +but for the bushmen no such opportunity exists; and hence it follows, +that the towns-people are generally industrious, steady, and frugal, +while those of the bush are too frequently the reverse. + +"That certainly was a melancholy end for your brother," said Tom to his +companion, resuming the conversation that had lapsed for a few minutes. + +"Yes, sir, it was; and if Bill, poor fellow, had just been content to +stick to the scrub like us he would most likely have been 'still to the +fore.' You see, sir, we live a jolly life; are quite contented, and +spend our money while we've got it. Now those fellows over there," +continued the man as he pointed to the sawyer's camp, in sight of which +they had just arrived, "not one of 'em would give up his life to go and +work in town if you paid him ever so high wages." + +"I've no doubt their mode of life is fascinating; but still I should +think the heavy drinking in which they indulge sometimes impairs their +health and constitution." + +"Not a bit, sir! We never feel anything the worse for a spree, nor in +anyways sick; 'cos you see we work hard, and most always live in the +bush; so we are always healthy." + +"I've no doubt that will preserve you in a great measure; but still you +must be perfectly aware that, even if you never experience any +deleterious effects, you continually leave yourself destitute; and if +anything in the way of sickness should happen to you, so as to +incapacitate you for work, you would not only starve, but die from +neglect and want of proper treatment. + +"Don't you believe it, sir! There would be no fear of my wanting +anything. Do you think if one of my mates was sick now that I wouldn't +share with him what money I'd got, or that I wouldn't look after him as +if he was my brother? In course I would, and if I got sick my mates +would do the same for me." + +By this time Tom and his companion had half crossed the bed of the +river; and noticing the plans the men had adopted to get their timber +over the flats, Tom commenced a fresh interrogation to elicit from his +travelling concomitant some information on the usual mode of procedure. +As the subject may have some degree of interest to a few of our readers +we will give in our own words the substance of the dialogue, craving +permission to premise it by a remark or two on the general life and +movements of sawyers. + +They are a class of men who exist during the greater portion of the year +in the bush and scrubs bordering on the rivers and creeks, where they +unceasingly and uninterruptedly practise their vocations. They generally +work in gangs, either on equal shares or on wages to one of their +number, who may be more thoughtful than the rest; and one who, +notwithstanding a fair share of dissipation, may have accumulated, +possibly through the influence of a thrifty wife, some considerable +means. The classes of timber most in demand, and therefore most sought +for by these men, are cedar and pine; which are procured separately, in +certain localities, in great abundance. This local segregation of the +woods is a characteristic of the Australian bush, and more than anything +else tends to create that monotony which is everywhere perceptible. It +causes the eye of the traveller to weary as he looks continually on the +leafless bare-looking trunks of the blue gum (which without intermission +meets his gaze for miles and miles on the lonely road) or the +sombre-looking ironbark that with equal pertinacity monopolizes the +ranges. Rarely, if ever, will an admixture of timbers be found to any +extent; and, consequently, those sawyers who cut pine leave the cedar +scrubs to be visited by the others; and _vice versa_. + +The timber is usually cut in the dry season; and the trees after being +cleared of their limbs and foliate appendages, and denuded of their +bark, are drawn by the means of a bullock team to the nearest creek or +river, where they are deposited until such time as the rains +sufficiently swell the streams to float them from their resting-places. +With an iron brand in the shape of a punch, and a hammer, each cutter on +the end of every log indelibly marks his own property; and as the logs +are removed from their beds by the rising current, a staple is driven +into each. Through this a chain is passed, when the whole are collected +into one raft, and securely moored to wait, in their transit down the +stream, the pleasure of the proprietor. The time usually chosen to raft +the timber is when the rivers are moderately high after rains; or, in +the parlance of the upper part of the country, when there is "a flood," +and in the lower, when there is "a fresh" in the river. They are then +started in their downward course either by the directing aid of a small +boat (if the ascent of the stream is practicable for it) or under the +guidance of some of the party; who make a firm footing for themselves on +their floating platform, by sheets of bark and foliage. They then trust +themselves to the current, while they guide the course of the raft with +poles until they come to flats. When the rivers are to any extent +swollen, or (as it is said in the country) "running," the rafts usually +pass over without difficulty; but if the water is low, and the flats +barely covered, the passage is necessarily not so easily effected, and +frequently impossible. Such then was the case at the Waverley flats at +the time of which we write. And it was with the water almost at the +lowest ebb that the party Tom saw had been endeavouring to float over +their raft; the process for which they had adopted we now propose to +explain. + +It is necessary at some point to have a boat to assist the raftmen in +their guidance of the unwieldy mass, and one is usually kept by them for +that purpose at the highest point to which it can be conveniently +brought. After escaping all impediments the boat takes the raft in tow; +and, as it progresses on the stream and comes within the action of +tides, on the occasion of each flowing, the party have to draw their +raft into the bank, and camp until the return of the ebb. In their +journey to the mills rarely more than three or four of the party, +including the proprietor if not a joint stock affair, accompany the +timber; while the remainder pursue their occupation of cutting. + +The party that was camped at the Waverley flats consisted of five +individuals in all. They had been working in shares for some months +collecting the raft they then had with them, and were all accompanying +it to the mills to sell it and have the proceeds equally distributed. +But the season having been an unusually dry one they had here met with +an effectual check, and had no alternative but to wait for rain. + +When they first reached the flats the water was just running over them, +but not sufficiently deep to admit of the passage of their property; so +the fellows had recourse to the expedient of forming "a race" to effect +their purpose, and this they had accomplished in the following way: A +few of the logs were drawn up and arranged longitudinally from either +bank of the river in an oblique direction to a focus in the centre of +the flat; from this point the logs were arranged parallel to one another +right across the bank to the deep water below. They were then all firmly +staked into the soil, and the interstices between and below them were +packed so as to perfect a dam or barrier to the water. The result of +this plan as is evident was that the water flowing over the flat was +confined to the narrow channel between the parallel logs, and thereby +attained a higher elevation and a swifter current. To the mouth of this +impromptu canal, then, the sawyers brought the logs one by one, and they +were made, with very little guiding, to shoot through the passage with +speed and precision. After getting nearly a hundred of the logs in this +manner over the impediment, the water continuing to fall, eventually +left them with not even sufficient to make their sluice available; so, +with fully half their raft fixed above the flat, the men were compelled +to be idle until they had sufficient water to float the remainder over. + +Tom had expressed surprise to his companion that he and his mates did +not proceed with the timber that had passed the flat, and leave some of +their companions behind to watch for the flood in the river, and secure +the others as they should descend. He pointed out that by that means +they would, in all probability, have got their first raft down to the +mills, and had time to return before the rains came on. But this, his +companion told him, the sawyers were afraid to risk, because, he said, +if the river rose rapidly, which they fully expected, they would want +all their number on the spot, otherwise they might lose half the timber. +Besides, in the absence of their boat, it would be an impossibility to +secure any of the logs if they should be washed over. "And then," he +continued, "we have been expecting the rain to commence every day for +weeks past." So it was deemed advisable by the whole party to await the +rising of the river; and, even watchful as they were, they fully +expected that if the flood came upon them at all suddenly, they would +lose a considerable number of the logs. + +After crossing the river (or rather the bed of it), and leaving the +sawyers' party, Tom Rainsfield leisurely pursued his journey; and, after +riding for about twenty miles or so, he could perceive, by the nature of +the country and the occasional appearance of "improvements," that he was +approaching the town of Brisbane. Towards dark the road led him through +lines of fences, and past a few cottages and cultivated fields, and +thence by detached buildings, until he finally entered the town and put +up at his hotel not at all dissatisfied at the completion of his +journey. The country, even to town, had equally suffered by the drought. +Hardly a vestige of herbage was to be seen on the whole surface of the +ground, and the mortality amongst the beasts was fearful, and painfully +perceptible from the fulsome malaria in the atmosphere. Tom's horse was +reduced to a perfect shadow, and was so weak that when he reached the +inn he could hardly drag one foot after another, and certainly could not +have existed another day with a continuation of his privations. Hence +Tom was additionally delighted when he drew rein at the Crown Hotel, and +permitted his weary and faithful animal to be led away to the stables, +while he proceeded to refresh himself in a manner most pleasant after +his own fatigues. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + "Ye glittering towns, with wealth and splendour crown'd, + Ye fields, where summer spreads profusion round, + Ye lakes, whose vessels catch the busy gale, + Ye bending swains, that dress the flow'ry vale." + + GOLDSMITH. + + +When Tom Rainsfield arrived in Brisbane he found it entirely absorbed in +politics, and the public attention so engaged in the all-important +question of separation that even the deplorable state in which the +country then was in was for the time forgotten. Business for the nonce was +entirely relinquished, and the good citizens were in a perfect ferment +of exultation, consequent on the receipt of joyous news. As a few +remarks respecting the topography of the place, and the nature of the +people's agitation, may not be here amiss we will endeavour to describe +and trace their progress through their various phases to the date of our +narrative. + +The town of Brisbane is pleasantly situated on a picturesque and +meandering river of the same name, about twenty miles from the point +where it disembogues into Moreton Bay. Passing its first establishment +it was not until the year 1840 that it was resorted to for the purposes +of trade. In that year drays first crossed "the range" by Cunningham's +Gap; and the squatters, who were then pushing on in the settlement of +the interior, discovered that this place could be made a convenient port +for the shipment of their produce to Sydney. The place, however, being +only a convict settlement free settlers were prohibited from approaching +it; and it was only by a special application to the government that on +the following year the land on the south bank of the river was surveyed +and laid out for a township, and a residence for the purposes of trade +permitted. The following year the convicts were wholly withdrawn from +the district, and the land that had been blighted by their occupancy was +thrown open to the public. From this period then, viz., 1842, is to be +dated the settlement of Moreton Bay, when the whole free population of +the district might have been numbered by dozens, and when the first +regular communication with Sydney was established. + +The town of Brisbane at that time, and even for years afterwards, +consisted only of a few wooden huts; and, with the exception of the +government buildings which had been erected during the penal era for the +housing and confinement of the convicts stationed there, not a decent or +substantial edifice existed. A few acres of ground had been cleared by +the prisoners for cultivation immediately round the settlement, and at +two places situated on the river below the town, respectively two and +seven miles distant; but otherwise the wilderness remained in its +primeval condition. + +The town on the northern bank of the river, which was much better +situated (both in a commercial and residentiary point of view) than that +on the southern, rapidly attracted the attention of speculators and +settlers. It was situated in a spacious pocket, caused by a bend in the +river, and flanked by gently undulating ridges. It was judiciously laid +out; with wide rectangular streets, commodious reserves for public +purposes, and was possessed of almost unbounded water frontage, which +could afford accommodation for a large commercial intercourse. One of +the boons left to the public upon the withdrawal of the convicts and +military, besides the court-house, hospital, and barracks, was a +botanical garden. It had been constructed for the especial pleasure and +accommodation of the officers and other officials of the settlement, and +became after their departure a very acceptable legacy to the people. + +The young settlement prospered amazingly as it became more peopled by +the streams of immigration from the southern parts of the colony. The +squatters who had advanced with their flocks and herds from the occupied +districts in the southern interior speedily formed stations in actual +contiguity to the township; which was daily increasing its trade, as its +intercourse with the interior became more settled and developed. The +architectural appearance of the town for years showed no improvement; +and the comfort of the inhabitants was little thought of in its +commercial prosperity. Large sums were annually gathered into the +government coffers from the sale of the lands in the township, but +nothing was ever done by the ruling powers to improve its condition; and +it was allowed to remain in that state in which it had left the hands of +the surveyors. The lines of the streets were certainly marked, but no +levels were fixed; and the idea of drainage never entered the minds of +the people's rulers. In fact, though the government, as we have said, +continued from year to year to derive large revenues from the sale of +these town lands, they never deemed it necessary to expend a fraction in +even the formation of the streets; and hence, after twelve years from +its occupation by a free population, it was, like all other bush towns +in the country, in a wretched and deplorable condition. After rains the +so-called streets became perfectly impassable, even to foot passengers; +and the principal thoroughfare was frequently the course of a swollen +torrent, that had in successive years worn for itself a bed, +interspersed with deep holes, which rendered it absolutely dangerous to +venture amongst its snares after dark. The extorting policy of the +government had always been to sacrifice the interests of the distant +settlers for a centralized aggrandizement; or, in other words, the +revenues derived from this or any other country district were applied, +not solely to the defraying of the expense of legislative machinery, +but to the improvement and embellishment of Sydney, and other works that +had no local importance to the out-lying districts. This was one of the +main grievances that induced the settlers in later years to petition for +separation from the parent colony. But we are anticipating. + +The advance of the district after its settlement continued with rapid +strides; and the labour requirements of the settlers kept continually in +advance of the supply. So that much inconvenience was felt by the +employers at the paucity of industrial bone and muscle procurable in the +district. For years the squatters were compelled to draw their supply of +labour from the Sydney market, an exceedingly expensive and by no means +satisfactory expedient, until the year 1848, when the influx of direct +immigration commenced. From this date ships at repeated intervals have +discharged their living freight on the shores of Moreton Bay, where they +have speedily met engagements at high rates of wages, and become +absorbed in the increasing population. + +The first labourers introduced into the district were by private +intervention, and though extraneous to our tale, we may be pardoned for +mentioning it here. The prime mover of this scheme was the Rev. Dr. +Lang, who was at the time a member of the Colonial legislature, and than +whom no greater benefactor to the colonies, and no sterner advocate for +the rights and privileges of the colonists existed or exists. He was +foremost in all works of reform and public utility. He seemed to be +gifted with a prescience of the colonist's requirements, and was +indefatigable in his exertions for their advancement and amelioration. +He is the antipodean agitator, and the acknowledged benefactor of his +fellow colonists in their land of adoption. Many of the privileges of +the Australian constitution owe their existence to Dr. Lang's +indomitable perseverance and skill, and many of the most sapient +enactments bear the impress of his mental perspicuity. He is the father +of Australia, and his name will long remain to the people "as familiar +as household words." + +Perceiving the great want of labour in the new settlement he was the +first who took any active part in the procuration of the desideratum. In +pursuit of this object in the year 1846 or 1847 he introduced a bill +into the legislature of New South Wales, having for its object the +introduction of an industrial class of immigrants into Moreton Bay. His +proposed plan was to induce the government to offer a small grant of +land to every immigrant arriving in the colony at his own expense, +equivalent to the amount of money actually paid for the passage. But the +project met with some opposition from the ministry of the day, and not +until after considerable perseverance did he receive assurances of their +assent. Being suddenly called to England on private affairs Dr. Lang +left his pet scheme in the hands of a colleague to procure for it the +formal sanction of the country; and he commenced to act upon the +assurance given him in the colonies by organizing a system of emigration +during his stay in England. This was in the years 1847 and 1848, when, +after continually drawing the attention of the middle classes of Great +Britain to the eligibility of Moreton Bay as a place for emigration, and +holding out the inducement of remission of the passage-money emigrants +would pay in an equivalent grant of land in the colonies, he succeeded +in the latter year in despatching three ships freighted with intending +settlers. Their arrival in the colony, though of considerable benefit to +the community there established, was fraught with many inconveniences +and privations to themselves. The Colonial government ignored their +title to grants of land; and the newly arrived immigrants found +themselves, upon landing in the country, disappointed in their +expectations, many of them destitute, and all in a place hardly +reclaimed from the wilderness of the bush, where no preparation had +been made for their reception. They were, therefore, disgusted with what +they considered the fraud that had been practised upon them, and were +loud in their declamation of those who had enticed them from their +comfortable homes to be subjected to the misery and discomforts they had +then to endure. Under these circumstances piteous were the +communications made to friends in the "fatherland," and dreadful the +detail of their distress in the far distant land of promise. + +Their case, however, attracted some little notice from the local +authorities, and a piece of land adjoining the town was allotted them, +on which to erect dwellings. On this they settled, calling it Fortitude +Valley, from the name of one of the vessels that had conveyed them +thither; and when they got over their mortification, and gave their +minds to industry, they speedily transformed the almost impenetrable +bush into a scene of life and animation. The first privations of +settlement very soon succumbed to comfort and independence, and "the +valley" shortly became a populous suburb of the town of Brisbane, and, +at the period of our story, closely approximated to, if not equalled it, +in population. The settlers themselves, introduced under so unfavourable +auspices, were not long in immensely improving their condition, and many +of them, in the course of a few years, rose to positions of comfort, +eminence, and opulence; and if they ever reverted to the period of their +immigration, must have done so with feelings of thankfulness and +satisfaction. + +From this period the influx of population continued, and the condition +in which the district flourished may be gathered from the following +tables:-- + +The entire district-- + + In 1846, contained 2,257 souls + 1851, " 10,296 " + 1856, " 22,232 " + + And was estimated, + + In 1861, to contain 30,000 souls. + + The town of Brisbane, of which we wish + more particularly to allude, + + In 1846, contained about 500 souls + 1851, the population was 2,500 " + 1856, 4,400 " + + And in 1861 was calculated + to contain 8,000 " + +Brisbane presents now a far different aspect to what it did some few +years back. As we have said, it is pleasantly and, both in a sanitary +and commercial point of view, admirably situated. From an obscure +settlement in the bush it has become a thriving town, with some good +streets, substantial stone and brick houses, stores, warehouses, and +wharves, and with shops that would not disgrace many a fashionable +thoroughfare in the British metropolis. It is possessed of spacious and +commodious government buildings, a gaol, mechanics' school of arts, an +hospital, several banking establishments, and fully a dozen churches +and other places of worship. The surrounding country, that was only a +few years before a wild waste, has mostly been cleared and put under +cultivation; and the banks of the river far above, and considerably +below the town, are studded with farms and gentlemen's seats, some +elegantly and tastefully constructed with a view both to comfort and the +exigencies of the climate. The town is further possessed of two steam +saw-mills; one daily, and another bi-weekly newspaper; weekly steam and +continual sailing communication with Sydney, and a dawning direct trade +with England. Five steamers ply on the river, and a daily coach runs by +land to Ipswich, and an export trade is done to the extent of +considerably over half a million sterling annually. The climate is +salubrious--the heat ranging, in the shade, between the means of 80° in +summer, and 50° in winter; and the soil of the neighbourhood has been +proved to be productive of a greater variety of plants than any other +country in the world. Coupled with wheat, oats, barley, potatoes, peas, +and a variety of other English edibles, its products comprise many of a +tropical nature, the practicability of the growth of which has been +fully demonstrated. Bananas, pine-apples, pumpkins, melons, figs, +grapes, peaches, maize, and sweet potatoes, are common articles of +culture; while indigo, arrow-root, sugar-cane, and cotton, flourish as +in their native climes. + +Of the latter product we would fain say a few words _en passant_, as its +production of late has been a question that has been much agitated in +Great Britain, and received some attention in the colonies. We believe +the experiment of its growth was first tried upon the joint suggestion +of an influential settler of New South Wales, Mr. T. S. Mort of Sydney, +and the Rev. Dr. Lang. The former gentleman procured a supply of the +best sea-island American seed, and also an instrument called "a gin" for +cleaning the seed from the cotton, and placed them at the disposal of +the settlers of Moreton Bay. The seeds were planted, germinated, and +yielded cotton of the first description; but difficulties arose which +cultivators were unable to surmount. The first was the impracticable +nature of the instrument they were possessed of for cleaning. It was +found to be useless, and all similar apparatuses that were subsequently +introduced, and constructed on ideas suggested to the minds of local +mechanical geniuses, equally failed to perform the requisite work with +cleanliness and precision. Though this was in itself almost +insurmountable, the greatest drawback to the culture of the cotton was +the rainy weather, which usually set in just as the cotton was ripening; +destroying the crop, and inflicting serious loss on the cultivator. It +was, however, discovered that in the Moreton Bay climate the plant +became a perennial; and that, after the first year's growth, the pods +ripened considerably earlier and avoided the wet weather; while the +staple of the cotton improved with the age of the plant. Satisfactory +as was this discovery, the first failure militated against its general +cultivation; for most of the farmers in the district, being dependent +for their subsistence on their yearly crops, could not afford to +experimentalize, notwithstanding that they were certain of an ultimately +remunerative crop. A subsequent attempt to cultivate the cotton was +tried with no better success. Though the staple was produced none of the +cleaning machines to be had were efficacious; and no means being +procurable to extract the seed from the cotton, it was sent to England +in its raw state to be separated there. The cotton was cleaned by +hand-labour in some of the penitentiaries of the "old country;" and when +submitted to judges of the article, was pronounced to be the finest +specimen ever introduced into the country. But these repeated failures +damped the cotton-growing ardour of the people; and, being able +otherwise more profitably to employ their labour and capital, they +permitted its culture to be abandoned. + +That cotton will eventually become a large export from this district we +have no hesitation in affirming, and we believe that the time is not far +distant when capitalists in England, interested in the cotton trade, +will take up the matter and embark in it. It is an undertaking which we +are confident, from the reasons we have expressed, would be found +remunerative even with the application of free European labour, and be +of considerable benefit to the manufacturers and consumers of the +staple. It has been frequently argued in the colony where it was grown +that the expense of labour would eat up the whole proceeds of the +cotton. But this we are disposed to dispute for many cogent reasons. In +the first place, notwithstanding the many assertions to the contrary, +Europeans can work at all times in the open air, even under the +scorching rays of a mid-summer sun; while the value of the cotton +produced, by the peculiar adaptation of the soil, has been found to be +of a superior character to even the finest American or Egyptian +productions; and, from the fact of the necessity of annual planting +being avoided, the expense of production after the first year is reduced +by more than one half. These facts at once disarm of its force the +statement that cotton cultivators in Queensland could not compete with +slave-grown produce without the aid of cheap coolie or lascar labour. + +The postulation that without Asiatic skill and economy the cotton +cultivation is a chimera, has been assumed by a few interested parties +in the colonies, and reverberated by them from mouth to mouth among +their own party, without a solitary echo from the mass of the people. It +has been advanced in ignorance, and persevered in in dogmatical +obstinacy, to the entire subversion of reason and the results of +experience. The theory has arisen in a desire of personal aggrandizement +by its advocates, who have never dreamt of the consequences that would +accrue from an influx of heathenism and depravity, or the detraction +from the honour of the colony, and the degradation of our labouring +fellow-countrymen and colonists. It is happily only a party cry, and +that only of so meagre a nature, that it is almost an inaudible squeak. +But though insignificant as it is in the country where it originated, by +its propagation and circulation in the press, its virus has been made to +travel through the entire arterial system of the commonwealth; which is +thus made to believe in the moral gangrene of this distant member of the +empire. But to return. + +Before we allowed ourselves to be led into the foregoing digression we +spoke of the land and water communication to the town of Ipswich; which +reminds us of the existence of that important town; and of which we also +crave permission, while on our topographical subject, to say a few +words. + +Ipswich, or as it was originally called, Limestone, from the quantity of +that mineral which pervaded the neighbourhood, is situated on the +Bremer river, which falls into the Brisbane. It is distant from the town +of Brisbane about twenty-five miles by land, and sixty by water, and is +stationed at the highest navigable point on either stream. It was +formerly used by the government as a station for the sheep and cattle of +the settlement during the penal times; and, upon the withdrawal of the +prisoners, it was, like its sister settlement, declared a township, +surveyed, and thrown open to the public. The first land in it was sold +in Brisbane in the year 1843; but for three years afterwards the town +made little progress. With the exception of a brick cottage that had +been erected for the overseer in charge of the military and prisoners +stationed there while it was a government establishment, and which, +after the break up, was converted into a public-house to afford +accommodation and allay the thirst of wayfarers to and fro between +Brisbane and the interior, few buildings, even of the most makeshift +description, were erected. The place had as then attracted little or no +attention; for the traffic passed it on its way without any further +stoppage than what a bush public-house is expected to effect among the +bullock-drivers and draymen, while the drays came right down to Brisbane +without any interruption to their loads. + +During the time of its attachment to the penal settlement at Brisbane +the communication between the two places had been maintained by the +means of boats and punts, in which the supplies of the station were +brought up, and live stock for consumption, and lime requisite for the +works at the township, returned. No doubt, acting on this knowledge, the +idea occurred to an enterprising settler of the district that the +traffic could be diverted from the road to the river, and would be +advantageous in the saving of time and trouble consequent on the +primitive style of land carriage in vogue. He therefore started a small +steamer in the year last mentioned, viz., 1846, to ply between the two +places; and though not successful in his project, so far as his own +pocket was concerned, the soundness of his conjectures was patent in the +benefits that resulted. The advancement of Ipswich may be dated from +that period, since which its progress has been extraordinarily rapid, +and even bids fair to maintain the race with the sister town with some +degree of success. + +Though Ipswich is admirably situated for the purposes of trade with the +interior, it is by no means so eligible a site for a town, nor so well +planned out as Brisbane. Its streets are narrow, and have been lined by +the surveyors without any regard to levels or the "lay" of the country. +It is situated in a hollow, so that the drainage falls into the centre +of the town, while the surrounding hills preclude the possibility of +approach of any of those breezes which are so deliciously refreshing +during sultry summer weather. The buildings, on the whole, are +creditable, and even fine for so young a place, though by no means +equal to those of Brisbane; and its peculiar characteristics are, +bullock-drays, dirty streets, and public-houses. It is, however, a busy, +thriving town; and if in the selection of its site a little more +judicious forethought had been exercised, and more consideration for +comfort, health, and amenity displayed in its surveying, it might have +been made, with its beautiful surrounding scenery, as pretty a spot as +could have been desired. But in this, as in every other case in the +colonies since their foundation, the only thing that has been exhibited +is the cupidity of the government, whose only desire has ever been to +realise as much as possible from the sales of land, with as little +outlay as practicable. Hence the inhabitants are doomed to live in a +place that, upon the minutest visitation of rain, becomes a perfect +"slough of despond;" and from its concave situation, when under a +vertical sun, is at least ten degrees warmer than any other place in the +district. + +This, then, is the point to which all the traffic now converges in its +passage to Brisbane, and diverges in its transit to the interior--the +highway between the two points being the river, while the road is merely +used for the lighter traffic of a few equestrians and light vehicles. +Such is the alteration, and we may of course add improvement, in the +appearance of the country by the influence of civilisation consequent on +the settlement of the district; and so rapidly has it taken place that +if any of the old official residents, who only knew it in its infancy of +freedom, were again to visit it, we have no hesitation in saying they +would not credit their senses. We are aware that in all new colonies, +where capital, industry, and perseverance are brought to bear upon the +barren wastes, the speedy transition to a smiling scene of plenty is the +inevitable result. But in most there is an air of freshness about +everything, which proclaims it a new place; while in those towns of +Moreton Bay the case is very different. They seem almost to have sprung +into maturity at once; and, especially in Brisbane, there is a +something about it so thoroughly English, that were it not for the +luxuriant growth of exotics, the heavy timber on the adjacent hills, and +the tropical appearance in the architecture of some of the suburban +dwellings which instantly strike the eye, a stranger could hardly bring +himself to believe this was the last formed of Britain's colonies; while +we can affirm it is already far from the meanest. + +Before taking leave of this local subject we beg permission here to +introduce a little episode that is characteristic of the relationship +that existed between the two towns, or rather the settlement and the +station, before the advent that proclaimed the country open to free +settlers. Towards the latter end of the penal, or military, +administration, the district was visited by a fearful flood that swept +over the face of the country and rendered all travelling, either by land +or water, perfectly impracticable. The intercourse, therefore, between +Brisbane and Limestone was entirely severed, and for weeks no +communication could be attempted. At the station, during this stoppage, +the supplies began to run short (it never having been deemed necessary +to anticipate such an emergency), and the residents were soon suffering +serious privations from the want of their necessary rations. No boats or +horses were at the station at the time, so that they were unable to +intimate to the authorities below the state in which they were situated. +The officials at Limestone waited from day to day in the vain hope of +seeing the waters recede, and the means of communication re-established, +but they were disappointed. The flood continued at its height, and +starvation was almost staring them in the face. In this emergency the +officer in charge of the prisoners offered a free pardon to any who +would accomplish the voyage to the settlement, and report there the +distress the people at Limestone were suffering. + +The passage was undertaken by two of the men, who knew that success was +freedom, and that failure's concomitant was death. One took the track +through the bush and perished, possibly by being washed away while +attempting the crossing of some swollen creek, but the other was more +successful, and succeeded in reaching the township in safety, where he +communicated the intelligence of the destitution at Limestone, and had +the gratification of relieving his former companions, and securing his +freedom. Supplies were immediately forwarded to the famished station on +pack-horses, which, only after surmounting considerable difficulties and +dangers, succeeded in reaching their destination. This passage was one +of the boldest and most extraordinary feats on colonial record, and, +considering the manner in which it was effected, freedom was certainly +not too great a reward. It was accomplished by the man tracing the +course of the river, travelling by land where such was practicable, and +taking to the river and swimming where it was not. When it is remembered +that all the low and flat parts of the country were under water, and +that it was computed half the distance of the journey, or nearly thirty +miles, was traversed in the swollen stream, with a flying current and +eddying pools, and amidst trees and other _debris_, swarming with +reptiles and insects brought down from the mountains and clustered on +the floating masses, some conception may be formed of what the intrepid +courier had gone through. But to return again to our narrative. + +The period of which we write is the summer of 1857, when the cry of +"separation" resounded through the country. Some time previous to this +the colonists had received intimation of the intention of her Majesty's +government to erect Moreton Bay into a separate state amongst the group +of Australian colonies. But at this period, as we have already stated, +fresh despatches had been received, in which the boundaries and a sketch +of its constitution were defined, and the inhabitants were deep in the +contemplation of these topics. We fear that this disquisition on +history and politics may be considered an interpolation foreign to the +nature of our work, and uninteresting to the majority of our readers; +but we must excuse ourselves for an encroachment upon the prerogative of +the historian, on the ground that we wish the indulgent public to have a +correct idea of the historical, as well as the physical and social, +nature of Queensland. We would, therefore, throw ourselves again on the +leniency of our readers, while we trace, as succinctly as possible, the +origin and growth of the separation movement. + +For some years previous to the year 1851 the colonists of Port Philip +had agitated the question of separation from the colony of New South +Wales, and in that year their efforts were crowned with success, their +district being, by imperial decree, erected into a separate colony under +the name of Victoria. The instigator and prime mover in this matter had +been the Rev. Dr. Lang; and at the commencement of the same year he +organized an agitation for a similar dismemberment of the Moreton Bay or +northern districts. + +The inhabitants of those districts, groaning under the habitual neglect +of a distantly removed and selfish government, were not slow to respond +to the call of the agitator. The first meeting to consider the subject, +which was held in January 1851, resulted in the despatch of petitions to +the throne, praying for an immediate separation from New South Wales, +and an establishment as an independent state. They enumerated among the +general grievances, the remoteness of the district from the seat of +government, the inadequate representation in the legislature, the +confirmed neglect and inattention of their rulers to their requirements, +the total absorption of their revenues for the improvement of the +capital, and the impossibility to procure the outlay of any money on +absolutely necessary works; in fact the total subversion of the rights +of the inhabitants, and the general inconvenience experienced by a +connexion with New South Wales. + +Much as the consummation was desiderated by all parties in the district +the people were divided into two bodies in the views which they took of +the subject; and each party drew up its own petition, and forwarded it +to England. One faction, and by far the most numerous and intelligent, +demanded a "free" separation, with the untrammelled administration of +their own affairs; while the other, principally composed of the +squatters in the interior, were contented with petitioning for +separation, with a reversion to the old penal system. Their object being +to have convicts sent to the new colony, and to procure their labour by +the old iniquitous "assigning" system. + +The struggle continued apace between the contending factions on the one +hand, and with the governments of Great Britain and New South Wales on +the other. The pro-convict party, who had established a weekly +newspaper to advocate their cause, gradually diminished, until +eventually their zeal expired, and they succumbed to popular feeling, +leaving the body of free separationists united and energetic. Petition +after petition continued to be poured at the feet of Her most gracious +Majesty, who at last condescended to listen to the prayer of her loyal +though distant subjects. In the year 1855, by an act passed in the +Imperial Parliament, entitled, "The Constitution Act of New South +Wales," right was reserved to her Majesty to separate from that colony +any portion of its northern territory she, by her ministers, might deem +expedient. It was then made manifest to the colonists that some hope +existed of the desired event taking place, and their importunities +consequently increased. In July 1856, the then Secretary of State for +the Colonies (Mr. Labouchere) intimated, in a despatch to the Governor +of New South Wales, that her Majesty's ministers considered that the +time had arrived when the dismemberment should be effected, and +suggested that the 30th parallel of south latitude should be fixed upon +as the boundary of the two colonies. About this parallel a natural line +of demarcation exists in the form of a mountain range, and at no other +part of the coast could so eligible a division be made. + +The magnates in Sydney perceiving that, notwithstanding all their +strenuous opposition, separation was determined upon considered it +useless to further attempt its prevention; but they were, nevertheless, +sanguine of their ability to mar the fair prospects of the new colony. +The thought of losing the revenue of so large a district rankled in +their bosoms, and the idea of procuring an alteration in the boundary +line, by a removal farther away from them, suggested itself to their +minds. Confident in their success and the time for an execution of their +machinations, that would be afforded them by the usual circumlocutions +of government, they forthwith entered upon their work. + +One of the districts embraced in the proposed new colony was the +Clarence river, which was only second in importance to that of Moreton +Bay itself, and which comprised a coast-line of upwards of 120 miles, +and a country that extended nearly double that distance inland. This, +then, they set to work to retain; and, though the inhabitants themselves +of the debateable ground were strongly averse to a continued connexion +with the parent colony, and desired annexation to the new one, a +petition was presented to the legislature, purporting to be from the +residents of that district, and praying for the maintenance of their +existing relationship with New South Wales. The opprobrium attached to +the concoction of this petition is due to the then member of the +legislature for the New England district; for through his chicanery the +signatures were obtained and the people deceived. It was represented to +them as for a local assize court, and their signatures obtained on blank +sheets of paper, which were afterwards attached to the genuine +anti-separation petition and laid before the government of the colony, +by whom it was forwarded to the British secretary. + +This fraud was shortly afterwards detected by the parties cajoled, who +exposed the deception practised upon them, and eventually petitioned the +crown with a similar view. But, too late: the first had reached the home +government as a genuine document, and the result may be imagined; for, +combining such a strong demonstration of public feeling as the petition +appeared to do with the biassed representations of the Sydney +government, the crown had no other alternative but to alter the boundary +originally intended Mr. Labouchere (dated just one year after his former +despatch) then informed the Governor of New South Wales that her +Majesty's ministers had determined to separate the northern colony at +the 28th (instead of the 30th) parallel of south latitude. There the +matter rested until the year 1860, when the proclamation calling into +existence the colony of Queensland was read in the capital city of +Brisbane by the first governor, Sir George Ferguson Bowen. + +We would not have pursued this theme had it not been to explain the +ferment in which Tom Rainsfield found the good people of Brisbane when +he visited their town, as we have said, in the summer of 1857; and, +amidst the agitation of the public mind which absorbed all thought and +attention, we will leave him for the present to pursue his business. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + "Hark! there be murmurs heard in Lara's hall, + A sound--a voice--a shriek--a fearful call! + A long loud shriek--and silence--did they hear + That frantic echo burst the sleeping ear?" + + BYRON. + + +At a certain spot on the Darling Downs approaching towards their +northern extremity, and where the country divides the eastern from the +western water-sheds, a party was encamped for the night round their +fire; on which preparations were being made by a civilized black for the +evening meal of white men, who lay stretched on the ground in the full +enjoyment of their "doodeens." The culinary operator was Joey, and the +recumbent beings were his master and the shepherds, who had progressed +thus far with a flock of sheep, on their way from New England to Fern +Vale. + +The weather that had spread devastation over the face of the country, +was equally fatal in its effects to the flock of our hero. He had +attempted to force their march so as to reach his destination before +their entire destruction, but was at last constrained to halt in a +state, both to man and beast, of perfect exhaustion. He had been the +more anxious to reach his own station as he was aware that, after the +long and severe drought the district had been visited with, a flood +might be expected as the inevitable consequence; and that if he were +caught in it the strong probability was that he would lose the remaining +half of his flock. Further progression, however, for his exhausted +sheep, he saw was, at least for a time, perfectly hopeless; and he felt +his only alternative was to wait for the rain, which from the +portensions of the sky, was not far distant. Therefore a rude hut, or +arborous shelter of boughs and saplings, was erected to shield him and +his companions from the rays of the sun, and they waited with what +patience they could assume for the pluvial blessing so much prayed for +all over the country. + +Here then the party was located, anxiously waiting for the advent of the +propitious event that would admit of their progression; and, on the +evening we have discovered them to the reader, they were dragging out in +listless idleness the remainder of an intolerably hot day, too much +enervated to indulge in any exertion or conversation. While John +Ferguson, who was possibly even more taciturn than his companions, was +absorbed in his own gloomy thoughts, occasioned by the inauspicious +result of his journey, he with his colleagues was suddenly aroused from +his lethargy by a most unearthly sound in the close proximity of their +camp. He instantly started to his feet, and was greeted with a burst of +demoniacal laughter that made his very blood curdle in his veins. + +Before him stood a being evidently human, but no more like his first +prototype than Gabriel to Lucifer; a man wild and dishevelled in +appearance; his eyes like balls of fire; and his face and other parts of +his body, perceptible from his all but state of nudity, cut and +bleeding. In the fitful light of the camp fire he had more the +appearance of one of the eliminated shades of Hades than an habitant of +this world. The startled and affrighted quartette, who had been +interrupted by his unexpected appearance, gazed on the object with +wonder, commiseration, and alarm; for his condition was speedily made +palpable by his wild gesticulations and incoherent utterance. He was +mad, and in that most to be deplored state of madness--delirium +tremens. + +John Ferguson advanced a few steps towards the man with the object of +leading him to their temporary abode; but the maniac warned him off by +a wave of the hand, and darted off again into the settling obscurity +with the fleetness of an arrow. No human creature in such a condition +could be permitted thus to rush to inevitable death by observers with +any spark of Christian charity. John Ferguson and his companions felt +this, and notwithstanding the darkness of the night, and the +interminable nature of the bush around them, they instantly pursued the +fugitive, being guided in his track by his fearful cries and yells. + +The chase was tedious, and but for an accident might have been +fruitless. The unnatural stimulus of madness lends powerful aid to the +cartilaginous anatomy of its victims; so that, notwithstanding the +evident fatigue that this wretched inebriate had sustained, his crural +muscles performed their functions with even more force and facility than +those of his athletic pursuers; and he continued to keep considerably in +advance of them. But his course was providentially checked by a fall, +that not only stopped him in his headlong career of destruction, but +extinguished the treacherous spark that had stimulated his system, and +then left him prostrate and perfectly paralysed. When his pursuers came +up, and by the light of a "firestick" gazed upon him, they found him +writhing in agony on the ground, foaming at the mouth, gnashing his +teeth, and actually biting the very dust in the intensity of his +suffering. Nature could not long stand so fearful a tax as this without +speedily succumbing. Reason had already been hurled from her throne by +the arrogated sway of the incensed devils of debauch, and strength and +consciousness had been expatriated by the usurpation; while life was all +but extinguished. In this state he was borne by his rescuers back to +their camp, and tended with every care they could devise; but when he +awoke to consciousness, it was only to add the horrors of a raging fever +to those of dementation; the more fearful on account of the inability +of his attendants to afford him any assistance. + +To truthfully describe his appearance, or his sufferings, as he lay +rending the air with his fearful and impious imprecations, would not +only be beyond our powers of portrayal, but would have none other effect +than to sicken and disgust our readers. Nevertheless we feel +constrained, fain as we would draw a veil over the scene, to continue +our description for the furtherance of temperance and morality. The man +remained for fully twenty-four hours in the state we have mentioned; +when the exacerbation of his malady threatened to terminate his +existence. No hope of relief could be entertained, for none was +procurable in such a situation; even had the exhausted travellers been +capable of seeking it. So that the wretched being's doom seemed +inevitably sealed. + +At this moment the Fern Vale party were startled by the sudden +appearance of two others, who came seeking their comrade, and bore in +their countenances almost as indelible a stamp of dissipation as that on +the visage of the dying madman. From these new comers John learnt that +the three had been travelling in company of a bullock dray, and being +unable to proceed on their journey, through the loss of the greater +portion of the team, they had all been engaged in a social wassail on +some grog they had had in charge; and for a considerable period had all +been more or less drunk. Their companion had been in a fit of delirium +tremens for days; and while in a state of madness had suddenly gone, +they knew not, nor at the time cared not, whither. But finding he did +not return as they had anticipated even their besotted natures began to +take alarm for his safety, and had induced them to go in search of him. + +The two men now stood by the prostrate and paralysed form of their late +robust companion, on whom, blunted and debased as were their own +feelings, they could not gaze without emotions; and as they witnessed +the glaring blood-shot eyes, rotating in their sunken and discoloured +sockets, the pendent jaw which left the parched tongue protruding from +the open mouth, the colourless emaciated cheeks which contrasted +fearfully with the sore and livid lips, the generally wasted frame, the +shaking though powerless hands imploring with the looks of distracted +vision, and the ineffectual attempts to articulate the cravings for that +very poison which was fast hastening a commingling of his putrid carcass +with its native dust, their hearts sickened within them. They, however, +knew the purport of his signs; and subdued as they were by the presence +of the destroying angel, and chastened by the momentary visitations of +compunction, their devotion to their idol, and their belief in its +efficacies were such, that, even in the face of death, they exorcised +their destroying spirit. Before their motion could be anticipated, or +prevented by John Ferguson, one of the dying man's companions drew a +bottle from his bosom, and applied it to the lips of the sufferer. + +The taste of the exhilarating poison effected a transitory release of +the bonds of death's victim. His hands clasped with a convulsive grasp +the endeared destroyer of his life; and as the spirit flowed into the +celiac channel of his wasted system, its consuming fire mantled his +cheek with an unnatural erubescence, shot from his lustrous eyes, and +imparted vigour to his inert frame. If the men's action had been noticed +in time John would have no doubt prevented the drink being given, though +it would have signified little; for no power on earth could have saved +the victim, while possibly the draught of spirits which he had taken +ameliorated his departing agonies. Be that as it may he had hardly +swallowed it than fresh strength seemed to have been imparted to his +frame. He then started to his feet, waved the bottle above his head with +a fiendish laugh, and fell to the ground a corpse. + +Can mortals ever be rescued from the fearful infatuation of drink? Can +rational and sentient beings ever be brought to an abhorrence of that +vile and bestial vice that equally destroys the intellect and degrades +the body? or will reason ever inculcate in the mind of man the virtue of +temperance, so as to use without abusing the gifts of a bountiful +providence? Let an incorrigible drunkard stand before such a scene as we +have attempted to describe, and for five minutes witness the agonies and +death of a fellow inebriate; let his soul commune with the tortured +spirit of the wretched victim of intemperance; let him witness the +horrors of delirium tremens, that tear to pieces both body and life, and +consigns them to the lowest depths of perdition; let him not only +witness but feel the hell that burns up the very soul of the blind +votaries of Bacchus; and let him witness the last struggle, the tortuous +departure of the spirit, accompanied with the blasphemous ribaldry of +the vile worm that, while insinuating its eliminated spirit before the +judgment-seat of its Maker, dares to utter its arrogant defiance to the +august and omnipotent Creator. Let him see this; tell him this is the +consequence of intemperance possibly only indulged in moderately at an +early stage, but growing by degrees as evil does grow, like the +gathering avalanche accumulating in its downward progress until it +reaches its final descent amidst universal destruction. Tell him also +that a similar fate awaits every drunkard, and tell him, if he turns not +away from his course of vileness, such will be his; then, if his +conscience does not lead him to penitence through such a lesson, no +human effort can save him. + +The state of the weather, the mortification of the body, and its +consequent immediate decomposition, made it imperative that no time +should be lost in the interment of the corpse. The funeral obsequies +were speedily performed, with little more ceremony than what would +attend the burying of an animal, while nothing marked the spot where +lay the bones that would in all probability be soon forgotten. The two +men then took their departure, and we doubt not would soon return to +their carouse; such is the quickness with which man forgets the +visitations of the warning hand of God. + +A few days after the event we have just narrated the rain that had been +so long threatening at last appeared with one of those terrific +thunder-storms which the colonies are in the summer visited with; and +speedily the whole surface of the country became deluged. The arid and +thirsty soil drank in the moisture, and almost spontaneously shot forth +its herbage. The flock was then enabled to luxuriate on the tender +grasses and, notwithstanding the deluging rains, to pursue its journey +with more comfort than it had experienced for some considerable time +previously. + +For a week the rain continued with unabating violence when John Ferguson +and his flock struck the course of the Gibson river near Brompton. The +river was "bank high" at the time, rolling its swollen volume on in +sullen impetuosity; while the ground around was so saturated and swampy +that the travelling of the sheep was exceedingly tedious; and their +owner began to feel anxious lest their course should be altogether +impeded. He, however, managed to push on past Brompton, when the weather +happily moderated; and though still overcast, and rainy-looking, the +actual fall of water ceased. The respite was made good use of by John +Ferguson, who pushed on as rapidly as he could, and he arrived at the +Wombi without any interruption; but there he met with a check he had +little anticipated. He fully expected the bridge would be level with the +water or even covered, and thought that he might have to wait for the +river to fall; but the volume of water had considerably subsided and +left no trace of the structure he and his neighbours had erected. It had +in fact been washed away by the flood, and he was made painfully aware +that the only course open to him was to wait until the swollen current +became sufficiently reduced to make it practicable to swim over his +sheep. With that object he camped his party and flock on the bank of the +Wombi. + +For some days they waited in this position; but the river, +notwithstanding that the rain had ceased, fell very slowly; while the +surrounding gloominess plainly indicated an additional visitation of wet +as not far distant. In conjunction with this the sheep began to show +signs of foot-rot; and John, becoming anxious to get them home, +considered it better under the circumstances to attempt a passage of the +river at once. Acting on this decision he removed the flock to the old +crossing-place and attempted the transit. + +Two of his men had, by the aid of a horse, swam the river, and a large +number of the sheep had either crossed or were struggling in the +current, when a noise was heard that struck our hero with dismay. The +distant roll of thunder, combined with the roar of battle, would convey +but an imperfect idea of its nature. Distinct and more distinctly came +the sound and, while the darkened atmosphere lent its gloom to the +mighty convulsion that seemed to rend the earth, the cause of the noise +seemed to approach nearer and nearer. Though John had never seen the +sudden rising of a river he had heard of such phenomena, and guessed +that the sound that he then heard was the harbinger of such an event. He +therefore used all his exertions, with those of Joey and the white man +that had remained with him on the upper bank of the Wombi, to prevent +the remainder of the sheep from following their fellows into the water. +They were with difficulty diverted from the stream; and those that had +already crossed, being driven by the men as far as possible from the +influence of the tide, John waited with an intense anxiety to watch the +fate of those that would of a certainty be overtaken by the current. + +The flood was in the Gibson river, and its cause can be easily explained +in a few words. Towards its source the rain had been continuous, and the +water-holes and surcharged swamps being filled to repletion, had burst +their bounds and added their immense volumes to the already swollen +stream. This imparted a force and impetuosity even greater than the +current had previously possessed, and forced the water in one immense +body down its course. On and on it swept like the monstrous rolling +surge of the ocean, carrying to inevitable ruin everything that it +overtook in its passage. John stood on an elevation sufficiently high to +enable him to watch the progress of the destructive fluid; and, with his +gaze alternately directed to it and his sheep still swimming in the +stream at his feet, he calculated their chances of reaching the bank in +safety. For this, however, he had little time, for the progress of the +flood was quicker than that of his thoughts; and the sudden rise in the +Gibson, as the deluge approached, caused a similar one in the Wombi. As +the main body in the river swept past, it flooded the minor stream with +its back current, sending the reversed tide, seething and swelling, up +its narrow channel, and carrying with it some hundreds of the swimming +sheep, most of which were drowned in their vain struggles with the +element. + +Unfortunate as this was John gave vent to no vain regrets, but at once +decided how he would act. He knew that the brunt of the flood was over, +and that the water would speedily fall in the river. He therefore +determined to camp where he was for the night, and in the morning to +send on the portion of his flock on the opposite side of the river, +while he waited with the remainder until the flood should have so far +receded as to permit his crossing them with safety. He communicated his +plans to both sections of his party, while Joey lit a fire and prepared +a camp. + +Towards midnight, when everything was hushed in the nocturnal stillness, +Joey came softly to his master, who was stretched in his blanket before +the fire on the damp ground, and awoke him from his sleep. John, when he +was aroused, instantly started up in the full expectation of some fresh +misfortune, and hastily demanded of Joey what was the matter. + +"You no hear, massa?" replied Joey; "you listen. The black fellows come +back again and make great noise." + +John listened attentively for some moments, and unmistakably +distinguished the sounds of blacks' voices, though what was the purport +of the noise he could not conjecture. It was evident to him they had +returned to the neighbourhood and, from the sounds he heard, in +considerable numbers. But where could they be camped? he asked himself; +surely not at their old ground in the scrub, he thought; for the noise +plainly indicated a closer proximity. In fact, it sounded to him as if +it emanated from somewhere about Strawberry Hill, if not from that very +place. Then John's thoughts led him to make the enquiry what could bring +them across the Gibson; if they had any object in visiting Strawberry +Hill; and if so, what that object could be? His thoughts, once led into +such a channel, were not long in picturing a gloomy catalogue of +probable causes. A remembrance of Rainsfield's cruelties was too +indelibly impressed upon his mind to be forgotten, and the scene he had +witnessed at the blacks' camp on the night previous to their departure +was instantly conjured up in all its horrors. Though the disappearance +of the blacks for months had momentarily dimmed his memory to the pangs +he then witnessed and felt, they were instantly remembered when his mind +reverted to the subject; and he vividly recollected the ebullition of +evil passions that had been kindled in the breasts of some of the +survivors and relatives of the victims. In his fancy he heard anew the +threat of revenge that was uttered against Rainsfield; and he began to +entertain the belief that the blacks were at the station of Strawberry +Hill, and had come there for the purpose of wreaking vengeance on their +destroyer and his family at a time when they would imagine their +visitation least expected. + +At the same time, however, he could not bring his mind to imagine that +the blacks would be bold enough to attack the whole station, being +confident the knowledge of the superior prowess of the whites would +deter them, besides their dread of fire-arms, which, they would know at +least all the men on the station would possess. He had no doubt, either, +but that Rainsfield, having incurred the enmity of the aborigines, would +take every precaution against surprisal, and believed that he could, +with the assistance of one or two of his men, preserve himself against +the assaults of a hundred of the blacks. But still John Ferguson could +not divest his mind of some degree of apprehension, which +(notwithstanding his endeavours to calm the perturbation his train of +thoughts had led him to experience) still lingered there, and dark +forebodings disturbed his brain. + +"Where are they, do you think, Joey?" he enquired, as if he wanted +corroboration of his own senses. + +"Strawberry Hill, I believe, massa," was the reply. + +"I am afraid so, too," said John; "and I fear they are up to no good. If +they were only going to rob the store they would never make so much +noise over it." + +"No, massa, they not go to rob the store," said Joey; "they be frighted +to do that again, I believe; taltoe (food) kill too many black fellow +that time when they steal 'em ration; they be going to kill now, I +believe." + +"That's what I've been thinking too, Joey," replied his master; "but +they wouldn't have any chance if the white fellows had guns." + +"I don't know, massa," replied the black boy; "p'rhaps no, p'rhaps +yes--black fellows be very frightened of guns; but the Nungar black +fellows, you pidner (know), very wild and budgery belonging to fight +(good at fighting), and bael they lik'em (hate) Mr. Rainsfield; so I +believe they will try very hard to kill him." + +"I've no doubt they will," replied his master, "if they can get a mark +at him; but if he keeps himself and his men within the house they will +be able to fire away at the blacks without giving them a chance at +themselves." + +"White fellows all sit down liket huts," said Joey, by which he meant to +imply that the men in all probability would be in their own huts, +removed from the house of the station; "and," he continued, "bael Misser +Rainsfield fight 'em all round big fellow humpie; and black fellow, when +he find 'em bael come out, he gett'um firestick, and mak'em humpie one +fellow-corbon fire;" which may be rendered into our vernacular by +saying, that Rainsfield would be unable of himself to protect all parts +of the dwelling; while the blacks would unhouse him by setting on fire +the building, which it must be remembered was of wood. + +John mused a few minutes in a reverie, in which his feelings sustained a +violent convulsion. That love preserved a prominent position we have no +doubt; and, also, that apprehension for the safety of the object of that +love maintained a lively agitation in his mind. We fear we must not +attribute his sympathy and anxiety for the family to a general +friendship alone, but to the additional stimulus of a more inspiring +feeling. However, we will not arrogate to ourselves the censorship of +his motives, but simply confine ourselves to a recordance of events. + +"Joey, get my horse and saddle him," said John, turning to the boy, who +was standing with his body bent in an attitude to catch the floating +sound of the blacks' voices. + +Joey turned his eyes, looking surprised at his master; and though he did +not actually ask him the nature of the work he intended to require of +his horse, his manner and hesitation made that inquiry; and his master +devising its meaning voluntarily made the explanation. + +"I will go over at once to Strawberry Hill, Joey," he said, "and see +what the blacks are doing; for I cannot bear this suspense, and I fear +the morrow will disclose some fearful work." + +"Bael you cross the river, masser," cried the boy; "too much water sit +down. Bael you swim, masser? More liket be drowned." + +"Don't make yourself uneasy, Joey," replied his master, "my horse has +taken me over worse floods than that; it is only back water from the +Gibson, and there is very little current." + +"But oh! massa, bael you go! supposing you cross river, and supposing +black fellows fight with Misser Rainsfield, what you can do? bael you +got 'um gun or pistol, and black fellow have plenty spear; so you do +nothing, and black fellow only kill you." + +"No fear, Joey," said John. "The blacks would have no object in killing +me; and if they are congregated at Strawberry Hill, to commit some +outrage as I suspect, I may be enabled to effect some good by inducing +them to abandon their scheme; or, at least, I can afford some assistance +to the family they are attacking." + +"Oh no, massa! I tell you no," exclaimed the poor faithful attendant. +"These black fellows kill any white fellow now; bael they care for you +now; they come to kill Misser Rainsfield; and Misser Rainsfield's +friends liket help him they kill them too. Bael you go! Budgery massa!" +exclaimed the attached creature, as he threw himself down on the ground +before his master, and clung to his feet. + +The expression and evidence of so much attachment in the poor boy +sensibly affected the kind nature of John Ferguson; and he was moved to +see so much genuine warmth and affection in one of a race which was +looked upon as incapable of such emotions--a race which is deemed by +professed judges of their nature to be destitute of all human virtue; to +be the lowest in the social scale; incapable of the inculcation of +civilisation, morality, and religion; to be only a stage above the brute +creation, and to be segregated by an insuperable barrier from all +sentient creatures. Could you, oh, self-sufficient philosopher (who +enunciate these doctrines), only present yourself before these two, and +penetrate with a visual percipiency the heart that beats in the breast +of that poor, prostrate black, thou wouldst surely be brought to +acknowledge the existence of that germ that was implanted in our first +parents by the omnipotent Creator. Thou wouldst also be brought to +acknowledge, unless prejudice blinded thine intellect, that, degraded as +that race which thou contemnest undoubtedly is, much of the weight of +that degradation has been the burdening of thine own countrymen. Say not +that, by the immutable decrees of Providence, the black races are +destined to disappear before the white, and to succumb their savage +natures and existence to advancing civilisation. Such may, or may not, +be so; but in either case how can you relieve yourself of the obligation +imposed upon you by the Supreme Being to ameliorate the condition of +that unfortunate people of whom you first rob their inheritance and then +sweep from the face of the earth, by instilling into their +unsophisticated natures all the vices incidental to yours; without +attempting their regeneration, or even an ethic inculcation. + +John looked upon his faithful attendant as he implored him not to +venture either near the blacks or across the swollen river before him; +and he felt a pleasurable sensation, akin to gratitude, towards the poor +creature. It is true he had himself almost reared the poor boy, who had +been always near him; but the idea of so much attachment being in the +nature of the black had never occurred to him; and its discovery +therefore caused him astonishment. + +"I must go, Joey," he said, "I have no fear for danger to myself; and if +anything should happen this night to the family at Strawberry Hill, and +I remained here, I shall ever accuse myself as being, by my selfish +neglect, accessary to their fate." + +"Will massa let me go with him?" enquired the boy. + +"No, Joey," replied his master; "I wish you to stop here with the +shepherd and sheep, until the water falls sufficiently to enable you to +cross with them; but get me my horse, I must lose no time;" saying which +he turned away to seek the shepherd, who was watching the flock, to give +him directions, while Joey performed the necessary services for the +horse. + +The black boy went down with his master to the edge of the river, in +vain entreating to be permitted to accompany him, and stood on the +brink of the water as John plunged his horse into the dark rolling +stream. The night was black and cloudy and the opposite bank was hardly +discernible in the gloom; while the opaque waters rolled their disturbed +body in their sullen course. As John had said the river was not swift, +but it was deep and treacherous. Its tide, though swollen by the immense +volume in the Gibson, ran only slowly; but it was filled with eddies +caused by the stoppage of its own natural current. Its passage was +therefore more dangerous than perhaps it would have been had it been +running with the velocity of its parent stream. + +As John entered the water the noble animal that carried him, guessing +the nature of the work that was expected of him, courageously breasted +the current, and swam for the opposite bank. For some minutes he could +have been seen speeding his course, with precision for his desired goal; +when anon he would be drawn into the vortex of one of those whirlpools +in which the stream then abounded, and from which his persevering beast +would extricate himself, and again struggle on his course. The horse and +rider had nearly reached the other side, and were almost lost to Joey's +sight in the obscurity, when suddenly both man and beast were entirely +submerged; and the next instant the animal's feet were plainly +discernible above water, in a state of violent agitation. + +With one bound the black boy sprang into the water, and swam vigorously +for the spot where his master had disappeared; but his anxieties were +relieved by John's reappearance, and seeing him strike out for the bank +in company with his horse. Joey did not return when he perceived that +his master was safe, but pursued his course. Long and arduous was his +struggle, and he had enough to do to preserve himself from the eddies +and floating masses that were rotating in the pools, or that were +descending the stream. But he succeeded in crossing it without any +mishap, and he presented himself to his master as the latter was about +to mount his horse after his own dangerous passage. + +"What, Joey!" exclaimed John as he witnessed the boy before him, "what +on earth has possessed you to risk your life in crossing the river by +yourself, and after my telling you I wanted you to stay with the sheep?" + +"Oh! massa," replied the boy, "me thinkum you be drowned, when me been +seeum you capsized; bael me help coming after you to see you all right." + +"Well, I suppose I must not be angry with you Joey," said his master. + +"Oh no, massa!" replied the black, "but that very ugly capsize, how 'em +happen?" + +"A log that was floating in one of the pools," said John, "turned the +horse over and me with him; but I kept hold of the bridle and reached +the shore safe enough, with only the addition of a little extra wetting. +But I can't stop now, Joey, I must not lose any more time, and you will +have to get back again as soon as you can; for that man you have left +on the other side will not be able to watch and 'shepherd' the sheep all +by himself. You can get your own horse that the two fellows crossed with +yesterday to take you back." + +"But, massa, you let me come now with you? and I be over the river all +right liket morning." + +"Well, come if you will," said his master, "you can follow me;" and he +dashed spurs into his horse and rode off. + +Joey thus obtaining the permission he sought wasn't long in getting his +horse saddled, and he galloping after his master whom he overtook on the +road; as, notwithstanding his impatient haste, John was unable, owing to +the fatigue his horse had already endured in the water, to keep in +advance of the fresher steed of his black boy. + +The two horsemen for some minutes rode rapidly side by side; and, as +they approached Strawberry Hill, they every moment became more +conscious, not only of the proximity of the blacks, but of their either +meditating, or actually perpetrating some diabolical work. These kept up +a chorus of voices which formed a perfect Babel of discord, resounding +through the still night, and reverberating among the vaulted and +umbrageous canopy of the bush like the conclaves of assembled +pandemonium. Anon this was succeeded by frantic yells that curdled the +very blood in John Ferguson's veins; and then shriek after shriek +pierced the air, telling too plainly the nature of the savages' work. + +What further stimulus could John have had for his fears? Here was a +realization of his most direful dread. The very echo of the woods +proclaimed the fate of his friends; and possibly that being whom he +loved most on earth was by that wail numbered among the dead; her lovely +features defaced by the brutality of fiendish savages; and her fair form +mutilated and possibly dishonoured. The thought was too harrowing; it +deprived him of all consideration for his own person; the idea of his +own saftey never entered his mind, and unarmed and defenceless as he +was, he dashed the spurs again and again into the side of his steed, and +galloped madly until he reached the scene of horror. He sprang from his +horse, as the panting animal halted before the house, which was now +still and apparently desolate; while the retreating forms of the blacks +might have been seen by other eyes than John Ferguson's. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + + "Wisdom! to leave his wife, to leave his babes, + His mansion, and his titles in a place + From whence himself does fly?" + + MACBETH, _Act 4, Sc. 2_. + + +When Rainsfield parted from Jemmy Davies he retraced his steps to his +own house, which he reached as the first rays of the morning sun +irradiated the eastern sky; and, flinging himself upon a sofa in the +sitting-room, he sought a few hours' rest. Sleep we cannot call it for +it was more of the nature of a waking dream than refreshing slumbers; +and, after enduring two or three hours of increasing restlessness, he +sprang from his couch, and, while it was yet early morn, strolled forth +to refresh his fevered brain. + +His reflections were of no enviable kind. That the object the blacks had +in returning to the neighbourhood was, as Jemmy Davies had warned him, +he had no doubt; for, however much he was disinclined to credit the +disinterestedness of Jemmy, and his good feeling towards himself, he +could not imagine any motive that could influence the black in +acquainting him of a plot if no plot existed. Rainsfield had no faith in +one of their colour, believing sincerity a virtue incompatible with +their nature; but at the same time he fully credited the information of +Jemmy, especially after the evidently hostile preparations he had +witnessed. He was also perfectly aware that he might expect the +animosity of the blacks while they remained in the neighbourhood; and +though he had flattered himself upon their former disappearance that he +had been for ever relieved from the annoyance of their proximity, he now +found he had exorcised the demon which threatened his destruction. + +What their mode of procedure would be he could hardly conjecture, +though he had doubted not, from what he had witnessed at the camp, that +they had not only concerted measures, but that their plans would be on +somewhat an extensive scale. Their primary object, he believed, would be +his life; but personally he had a supreme contempt for the whole race, +and flattered himself that, with a little caution, he was a match, +numerically speaking, against extreme odds. He believed, as in fact +experience had demonstrated, their cowardice was one of their inherent +characteristics, and that, with decision on his part, and a chastisement +by a few examples, he would avert the threatened danger. He imagined +that their tactics would be a perpetual ambuscade, never dreaming that +they would so far venture on the offensive as to assume the aggressive +overtly, but would rather attempt a surprisal; in which case he +determined, as soon as his opponents showed themselves, to take upon +himself the offensive. As the harass, however, of a perpetual watch +would not only inconvenience him, but weaken his already too small +force, he bethought him to acquaint his neighbours of his position, and +beg their assistance. His first care, then, was to apprise all his men +on the station of the intention of the blacks, and to provide them with +fire-arms, so far as his stock admitted, charging them to use every +vigilance to prevent the approach of any of the aborigines, and to shoot +them if they came within range of their guns. + +On the evening of that day, acting under the advice of Jemmy Davies, Mr. +Rainsfield posted himself, and two of his men, in the bush near the +house, where he expected the blacks would be lurking if they visited the +station at all; and not long after night-fall he became sensible of the +stealthy approach of some of the natives. Rainsfield and his men had +secreted themselves so as to elude even the keen vision of the +aborigines, at the same time that they themselves could discern, as +plainly as was practicable in the darkness, the crouching forms of the +reconnoiterers. The party in espionage watched their victims until they +approached sufficiently near to enable them to distinguish their dusky +outlines, and then they simultaneously discharged the contents of their +three pieces into their very midst. + +The report was instantly followed by more than one yell, and at least +one body was heard to fall heavily to the ground, when the next moment a +shower of spears rattled amongst the trees and bushes where the party +lay concealed. Rainsfield and his men remained perfectly motionless, not +daring to venture another shot; for they knew well that every native had +already shielded himself behind some tree, and was watching for a +repetition of the fire to guide them whence to aim their own missiles. +By remaining in his quiescence Rainsfield was aware he was safe; for he +knew the blacks would not trust themselves to a closer investigation of +the quarter from whence emanated their destruction. Of the two watching +parties the blacks were the first to withdraw, after discharging +another random volley of spears, and taking with them their dead or +wounded. When Rainsfield was convinced of their departure he came out +from his hiding-place, and returned to the station much pleased with his +adventure, and, arguing from the nature of the reception the blacks had +met with, that they would considerably cool in their ardour for any +further visitation of his premises. + +The other inmates of Strawberry Hill were too much occupied with their +attention to Eleanor, and too much engrossed by their anxieties for her +welfare to be conscious of the occurrence we have lately described; for +when the doctor arrived with William from Alma she was in an exceedingly +dangerous state, and it was not until the day following the encounter +that the son of Galen considered himself warranted in taking his +departure, and leaving his patient to the care of her own friends. +Eleanor's state was still precarious, and though the fever was +sufficiently subdued to relieve her friends of alarm, her nervous +system had received a tremendous shock. Added to her corporeal +sufferings she had to endure mental agonies of a far more acute +description, which kept her prostrate, dispirited, and almost +unconscious, while her friends ministered with affectionate hands to her +every want. Days thus passed over with only shadows of improvement; and +William, who at first returned home leaving his sister at Strawberry +Hill, came back and brought her away from the bedside of her friend. + +As Mr. Rainsfield had anticipated, the blacks entered no further +appearance after their first night of reconnoitering; and, though the +watchfulness of himself and his men was unabated, he began to entertain +less fears of their carrying out or even attempting their premeditated +design. All the men on the station were now well armed, and were quite +capable, acting in unison, of repelling the attack of a whole host of +natives should they make the attempt. At least so thought Rainsfield +and his _employés_; for their first success, and the subsequent +respectful distance that the blacks had maintained, engendered a sense +of security in their minds. + +How many has this very feeling ruined, and will continue to ruin for +succeeding ages, who can tell? "A sea of troubles" is incidental to our +existence, and the dark prognostic that rises on our mental horizon, +heralding the approach of some destructive blast, is too often unheeded +by us until it has swept over our devoted heads. While the necessary +precautions to avert the coming danger have been either neglected or +postponed under the impression of false security we have fallen victims +to our own procrastination; and as the withering blast howls in its fury +as it settles its incubus form upon our spirits, we mourn our own +inertness, when timely exertion would have saved us from the calamity. +We will not say this was exactly the case with Mr. Rainsfield, though +after a few days of unceasing watchfulness without any other +molestation taking place, he began to relax in his vigilance, and was +imitated by his servants. He already looked upon the blacks as cowed and +vanquished, and entertained very little apprehension of another +visitation, though at the same time he was not altogether at ease +considering that they still remained in his vicinity with the avowed +purpose of attacking the station. + +The idea had struck him that he could report to the authorities the +attack already made by construing what might have been an intention into +an act itself, as also the determination of the blacks to renew it, and +their location in his neighbourhood in a hostile and warlike spirit. He +would then be enabled to claim the protection of the police; but, what +would be more to his purpose, he would be enabled to obtain a warrant +for the apprehension of the ringleaders of the perpetrated and intended +breach of the peace. Armed with such a document he could make use of it +to visit their camp; while he was aware, from his knowledge of the +blacks, that the only result of the farce would be a rupture with them, +but by its means he would gain the opportunity he desired, viz., of +driving them from the country. + +That such a farce as the administration of justice, or rather the +enforcement of the law, in one proscribed form on the savage should be +permitted to exist is deeply to be deplored. To punish the ignorant +aboriginal for the sins we have either taught or compelled him to +commit, without his having any knowledge of their nature, is +sufficiently iniquitous to require no comment; and to expect him to +conform to laws of which he has no conception, and which are contrary to +his natural instincts, is equally absurd and unjust. But such is the +case: the aboriginal is supposed to be a British subject in all but the +privileges pertaining to those favoured individuals; and if he commits +any act contrary to the code of our justiciary he is made amenable to +our laws and judged accordingly. Mr. Rainsfield was as well aware of +this as any one, but it mattered not to him. All he desired was to +possess some recognised authority for his molestation of the natives, +while he was nominally in the performance of a duty, though in reality +shielding himself under the protection of the law in the committal of an +unjustifiable aggression. That he would receive an order to obtain the +assistance of the native police he had no doubt, though he did have +misgivings as to their services being forthcoming. He little cared, +however, if they were so; in fact, it would suit his views better than +if they accompanied him, as he would prefer not to be annoyed with the +supervision of police, even though troopers, and they only blacks. He +could obtain sympathy, he thought, from his friends, and collect a small +body of volunteers that would aid him in his operations far more +effectually than police. Thus he hatched a scheme that had for its +object a trap in which to catch the unwary blacks; so that, by some +show of resistance, he would be warranted in taking the law into his own +hands in self-defence for himself and his friends and to enter upon +their crusade of extermination. Such was the offspring of Rainsfield's +mind: a laudable undertaking worthy of the cool-blooded monsters of +antiquity. + +The rains, of which we spoke in the last chapter, had by this time set +in, and Rainsfield watched the rising of the Gibson river with some +degree of satisfaction. Knowing the blacks to be encamped on the other +side, he looked upon a flood as an insuperable barrier to their advance, +and an impregnable circumvallation to his own station; therefore he had +no fears of an attack while the water maintained its height, and he +determined to choose that opportunity for carrying out the preliminaries +of his plot. + +He explained so much of his plans as he thought necessary to his wife, +including, of course, his object in leaving her, and attempted to allay +her fears, if she had had any, by assuring her that it was impossible +for the blacks to cross the river in its then state, while long before +the flood settled he would collect such assistance as would not only +protect them from any attack but enable him to drive their annoyance to +a safe distance. Mrs. Rainsfield, however, entertained no fears, +notwithstanding the monitory aspect of affairs around her. She had long +accustomed herself to look upon her husband's operations against the +unfortunate natives as not only harsh but cruel and unjust; and she +lamented his proneness to seize upon every opportunity of treating them +with severity. Believing them to be ill-used, and at the same time +inoffensive, she saw no cause for fear, and therefore did not +participate in her husband's alarm and felt no uneasiness in his +meditated absence. + +Mr. Rainsfield, though he thought very little, if any, danger was to be +apprehended, deemed it expedient for his wife and family's safety to use +some precaution, and therefore for their protection requested Mr. +Billing to take up his abode in the house. He gave him strict +injunctions to keep the place well secured against the possibility of +any ingress, and himself always in possession of a relay of arms, which +he was to use without any hesitation if a black presented himself within +range of his fire. Giving similar instruction to the remainder of his +men he took his departure. + +His first step was to proceed to Alma and make a declaration before a +bench of magistrates to the effect that the blacks had already made an +attack upon his premises, and were still in considerable force in his +neighbourhood, to the imminent peril of his life and property; and that +the said party was headed by a half-civilized black named Barwang. Upon +making this affidavit he at once obtained what he desired, viz., a +warrant for the apprehension of the ringleader, Barwang, and all others +who might either commit or incite other of Her Majesty's subjects to +commit a breach of the peace. He also procured the promise of +assistance from what portion of the native police could be collected, +who would be stationed at Strawberry Hill for his protection, until such +time as the blacks should be quieted. Succeeding thus far he then +proceeded to Brompton to enlist the services of Bob Smithers, knowing +well that few arguments would suffice to induce him to engage in a work +which was exactly to his tastes. He found him at home, and, after the +ordinary greetings had been passed, and Bob's asking him what brought +him from home, he entered upon the subject of his mission by replying: +"I want your aid, Smithers, to chastise those infernal blacks, for they +are at me again. I have beaten them off once, but I believe they are +only now prevented from attacking me in full force by their inability to +cross the Gibson from their camp. See here I have got a warrant for the +apprehension of their chief, so that will be sufficient authority for us +to carry out our own plans." + +"All right, old boy," exclaimed Bob, as he gave his friend a proof of +his exuberance and readiness to join him by administering a playful poke +in the ribs; "I'm your man. I am fully convinced we shall never live in +peace until those d--d blacks are exterminated. Nothing would give me +greater pleasure than to shoot every mother's son of the dogs; so, by +Jove! you may depend upon my lending you a hand." + +"I do not believe, either," said Rainsfield, "that we shall ever enjoy +any degree of quietude until we have suppressed the wretches. It is no +use our looking to government for protection; we must take the +administration of the law into our own hands and punish them ourselves. +But to effect this we ought to make it a common cause, and all work in +unison for our mutual protection." + +"Just so!" said Smithers; "I perfectly agree with you." + +"I've long thought of the plan," continued Rainsfield, "to form +ourselves into a confederation for that purpose; but owing to the +absence of the blacks for some months past I have allowed it to escape +my memory. Now, however, I think, is a time that some such measure +should be adopted, for if these depredations are not speedily checked +the blacks may be going to such extremes that our position in the +country will become untenable." + +"I am quite of your way of thinking," said Smithers, "and so I know are +many others. I am confident Graham would assist you in a minute, and so +would Brown, and many others round us. I'll tell you what; if you like +I'll just go round to a few of them and bring them over to your place, +so that if you return home now, and keep the black scoundrels in check +for a day or two, until I get my forces collected, we will give them a +lesson which they will not forget in a hurry; that is, if any of them +survive to have any recollection." + +Diabolical as was the intention implied in this threat it fully +accorded with Rainsfield's own desire and determination, and he readily +fell into the views of his colleague, who at once started on his +recruiting expedition, while Rainsfield, in high fettle, the following +morning took his ride home. On this journey we will leave him for the +present while we glance at the events in progress at another scene of +our narrative. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + "Friend of the brave! in peril's darkest hour, + Intrepid virtue looks to thee for power." + + CAMPBELL. + + "She only left of all the harmless train, + The sad historian of the pensive plain." + + GOLDSMITH. + + +Everything went smoothly at Strawberry Hill for two days after the +departure of Mr. Rainsfield; but the night of the third was that which +was destined to bring with it a scene of horror, which happily has never +had its equal in the Australian colonies since the first settler +penetrated into its unknown wilds. The blacks had now remained some time +dormant; for since their first visit, owing to the warm reception they +had then met with, they had not ventured to repeat it. Towards the +evening in question, however, they might have been seen swimming, one by +one, the swollen current of the Gibson, until a considerable body had +congregated on the bank opposite to their camp. + +We will not presume to judge their motives, or profess conversance with +the impulses that influenced their movements. Possibly their instincts +might have taught them that the time for a most successful attack was +when the difficulties of approach rendered their coming least expected; +or it might have been that they were possessed of the knowledge of their +enemy's absence from home, and were determined to wreak their vengeance +on those belonging to him when they had not to fear his presence. That +Rainsfield was feared by them there was no doubt; his very name struck +terror into their souls, and none but the very boldest of them would +confront him, even in the consciousness of vastly superior force. It +was therefore quite possible they were acquainted with his absence, and +intended to take advantage of the occurrence to pay their premeditated +visit to the station; or their choice of this period might have been the +result of a fortuitous circumstance. Nevertheless be either as it may +the flooded river did not prove the barrier Rainsfield had calculated it +would, for the blacks crossed it with apparent ease and, as we have +said, collected themselves on the bank on the Strawberry Hill side. +Their evident intention being to proceed direct to the station when they +thought the inmates would have retired to rest. + +A little before midnight the murderous crew spread themselves over the +station; and simultaneously commenced their work of destruction by +entering the huts, and butchering all they could surprise in their +sleep. The first of their victims was a woman, the wife of a shepherd. +Hearing the unusual barking of the dogs she incautiously rose to +ascertain the cause without disturbing her husband, whose period of +sleep she considered valuable. The poor woman appeared at the door of +her hut with a child in her arms, too good a mark for the spears of the +savages; for in their thirst for blood they had no respect for either +sex or age but buried more than one of their weapons in the poor +creature's bosom. She fell across the threshold pierced to the heart and +in the agonies of death, with merely a sufficiency of the vital spark +remaining to utter a faint cry and clasp instinctively her babe to her +breast. As the infant's eyes turned in wonder on the ruthless savages +one of them seized the little innocent by the legs, tore it from its +mother's embrace and dashed out its brains; while his compeers rushed +into the interior of the hut, and, almost before the sleeping man could +sufficiently collect his senses to comprehend the nature of his +position, his spirit had joined those of his wife and child. The other +huts were in likewise visited, and those of the inmates who were not +successful in effecting an escape were similarly massacred. + +These proceedings had been gone about by no means noiselessly, so that +the family at the house had become aware of the presence of the savages, +though they could not conjecture the extent or the nature of the +outrages they had committed. Those of the men who had escaped from the +murderous hands of the aborigines deemed it safer to seek shelter in the +bush than to venture to the house, or even remain near the station. So +that, beyond the painful evidence of her ears, Mrs. Rainsfield could +ascertain no knowledge of what was going on. When she first heard the +noise that had heralded the visitation she hastily threw on some +clothing and emerged from her room; and, speedily becoming alive to the +imminence of the danger, she for the first time deplored the absence of +her husband. Mrs. Billing had removed with her youngest child to be near +her better half while he remained at the house, but the rest of her +family she had left at her own cottage; and having also been disturbed +by the uproar she wrought herself into a perfect fever of anxiety for +their safety. She fancied she heard every moment their dying screams as +they were being seized by the ruthless hand of some infernal savage; and +in her agony she fancied she could distinguish above the noise of the +now unrestrained articulation of the blacks their little voices calling +upon her for help, and she entreated to be allowed to rush at once to +their rescue. + +Her husband, however, was more rational, and pointed out to her that +that would, in all probability, only incur instant death to herself and +afford no relief to her children. He suggested that they should wait, +and see what the blacks proposed doing next; and as in all probability +it would be to attack the house, he remarked that their suspense would +be of short duration. He then bethought him of his fire-arms, which he +got in readiness for instant use, while he provided pistols to the +females. His next care was to barricade all the apertures through which +the blacks could effect an entrance, while Mrs. Rainsfield crept softly +to the bedside of Eleanor to ascertain if she had been disturbed by the +noise. By the time these arrangements were completed, and the family +assembled in conclave in the sitting-room, the blacks had collected +before the house and became clamorous for admittance. + +Mr. Billing, though not blessed with too great a share of physical +courage, had, nevertheless, in the moment of danger, a sufficient +perception of the line of conduct necessary for the defence of himself +and those under his protection. Notwithstanding that the gun he then +held in his hand was in all probability the first that he ever had in +his possession with the intent of putting it to use, he handled it as if +it were an old and friendly companion, and proposed that he and his two +female colleagues should fire simultaneously on the savages, so as to +give them the idea that the house was well defended. His suggestion, +however, was overruled by Mrs. Rainsfield, who at once expressed her +disapprobation of such a course; being convinced, as she said, that the +blacks could not force the building, and even if they did that they +would have no cause to commit any violence to any of the inmates. While +if they found that they could not gain admittance they would depart at +most, perhaps, with robbing the store. This belief was far from +according with Mr. Billing's opinion, but he was constrained to assent +to the will of the lady; and they all, with a breathless silence, +continued to watch the movements of their assailants. + +The blacks finding they were unmolested, and seeing no opposition +offered to them, and no signs of life about the house, became bolder and +attempted to force some of the doors and windows; while the affrighted +party sat in a state of fearful anxiety, and, though unseen themselves, +they could plainly distinguish the forms of the aborigines trying the +window of the room in which they were. Mr. Billing at this moment +placed the muzzle of his gun close to the glass of the window, that was +left visible through a crevice in the barricade, and had he fired would +have assuredly sent one savage to his account in the other world. Would +that he had; for in all probability it would have driven the blacks to a +distance from the house, and possibly saved us from the task of +narrating this fearful tragedy. But his eagerness to fire was restrained +by Mrs. Rainsfield, and the moment was lost; for the blacks, finding +their efforts to gain an ingress unavailing, gave up the fruitless +attempt, and withdrew to some short distance to hold converse on their +proceedings. + +Mrs. Rainsfield at once began to congratulate herself and her friends +that they had retired as she had anticipated, leaving them nothing more +to fear; and at that moment hearing the faint voice of Eleanor calling +to her she hastened to account for the disturbance about the house and +appease her alarm. Eleanor was in a state of considerable agitation, +having been aroused from her fitful slumbers by the noise of the blacks, +and being still very low in strength and spirits, and excessively +nervous, her alarm and agitation threatened to bring on fever again. It +was only with considerable difficulty that Mrs. Rainsfield could +persuade her she had no cause to fear. She told her that the blacks had +already taken their departure from the house, and would in all +probability by that time have left the station; and she entreated her +not to give herself any uneasiness, but to be still for a few minutes, +and then she would return to her bedside and sit with her for the +remainder of the night. + +With these assurances, Eleanor was constrained to be pacified, and so +Mrs. Rainsfield returned to the sitting-room, where she found Mrs. +Billing wringing her hands and crying in an agony of grief. Mr. Billing +was more calm, but not less apprehensive of danger or death. He drew the +lady of the house to the crevice of the window to gaze upon the scene +without, while she uttered a cry of surprise and terror, as her startled +vision took in the tableau there displayed. Before the house stood a +group of the assailants in all the hideousness of barbarity, paint, and +savage nudity. They had possessed themselves of "fire sticks," which +acted as torches, at the same time that they served to exhibit their +bodies in all their diabolical repulsiveness; and their intentions were +too plainly indicated in their jestures. To say that they looked like a +band of incarnate fiends would be to convey but a poor impression of the +horrors of their appearance, as the fitful light reflected their hideous +forms; exhibiting them in, if possible, a more fearful aspect than their +stern realities; and giving them the appearance as the beholders thought +(and as was, alas! but too true) of being besmeared with blood. It is +not to be wondered at that at such a sight the hearts of two frail +women, and even that of a man, should have quailed; and if not before +despair certainly did then seize upon the spirits of those present. + +The object of the villains had by this time become perfectly apparent, +and though neither of the trio dared to breathe their individual +suspicions they were unanimous in the one belief that the lighted +torches were intended to fire the premises; and thus either drive them +from their shelter or bury them in the ruins. They therefore saw that +only two courses were open to them; either to arm themselves and defend +the house until the last, or to throw it open to the savages and try and +pacify them with any _douceur_ the wretches might covet. That there was +extreme danger in thus throwing themselves upon the mercy of fiends they +were perfectly aware; and any one better acquainted with the black's +character would have considered it absolute madness and voluntarily +seeking for a death more horrible than that which would await them in a +defensive perseverance. But the exercise of calm judgment and reason +could hardly be expected from two agitated and terrified women, and one +man whose nature was made of very little sterner stuff than theirs. + +Mrs. Rainsfield was the first that broke the painful silence that +ensued, and addressing Mr. Billing, said: "I think we had better open +the door at once, or they will set fire to the house, and we will be +burnt alive. If they determine to kill us we can but meet our death with +firmness; while there is a possibility of their sparing us if we satisfy +their cupidity by allowing them to plunder the place. Will you open the +door, Mr. Billing, and attempt the work of conciliation?" + +Mr. Billing silently obeyed this behest, and addressed himself to the +blacks, who were at this time standing immediately before the house +preparing to apply the fire. They instantly desisted from their +incendiary work when they saw signs of capitulation, and directed their +gaze to the doorway. By the light of their own "fire sticks" they could +distinguish Mr. Billing, who stood there with the women at his back +perfectly unarmed; having left his gun by Mrs. Rainsfield's desire in +the room they had vacated so as to give the savages, as she imagined, no +cause for offence by appearing to offer any resistance. When the blacks +satisfied themselves that they had nothing to fear they burst out into a +loud laugh of derision, and crowded towards the defenceless garrison in +a menacing and mocking attitude. What were the feelings of the trio at +this moment it would be difficult even to conjecture. With Mrs. Billing, +however, those of the mother overcame all personal and selfish +considerations, and she darted from the house to ascertain the fate of +her children. That action may be said to have decided the doom of the +whole party; for though possibly even under other circumstances the +blacks might not have spared those whom they had got into their power, +and the strong probability is that they would not, yet the sudden +movement of Mrs. Billing cost her her life, and gave the savages the +stimulus to commence the further shedding of blood. + +Mrs. Billing had not proceeded many steps before she uttered a loud +shriek and fell prostrate to the earth with a spear piercing her back +and protruding its point from her breast. Her husband witnessing the +deed, eliminated from his bosom all feelings save those of devotion and +sympathy for his wife, rushed to clasp her in his arms and met a similar +fate. The climax of this fearful tragedy was nearly attained. Mrs. +Rainsfield fled from the open doorway, where she had been the spectator +of this connubial sacrifice, and sought momentary refuge with her +children in her room. Just as the blacks entered the house the servants, +who had by this time been aroused to a sense of their danger, opened a +door which led from the kitchen into the hall. But perceiving the +murderous assailants pouring in they left the door wide open as they had +flung it and made a hasty exit by another passage into the obscurity of +the night, and beat a precipitate retreat to the bush. In their flight +they were followed by a few of the savages who had perceived them; but +who shortly tired of a chase in which fear lent wings to the pursued. +They returned to aid their colleagues in forcing an entrance into the +room of Mrs. Rainsfield and commenced their work there of insatiable +cruelty with hideous and diabolical evidences of satisfaction. + +The atrocities of these fiends were more like the evil machinations of +devils than the actions of human beings. But to enumerate all the +horrors, and to paint the scene with sufficiently forcible life-like +delineation, would be beyond the capabilities of our pen, and would only +sicken our readers by the perusal. Therefore we will merely say that +they first murdered the children before the eyes of their mother, while +they sported with the agonising despair of their victim, and then +despatched the lady; brutally mangling her body in their inordinate lust +for blood. + +Eleanor had remained spell-bound during the perpetration of those +horrors, which she had animation sufficient to discern were being +enacted in the house; but without either enough strength to move, or +power of utterance to give vent to the fearful sensations that preyed +upon her mind. Alarm we cannot call it: such a feeling sinks into +insignificance compared with the mental anguish she then endured; being +conscious, from the heart-rending cries that struck her ear, that her +dearest earthly friends were meeting with a death too horrible to +contemplate, and not knowing how speedily a similar fate awaited +herself. She lay thus in a sort of trance, or tremulous expectancy, for +some considerable time, while she could hear the work of destruction +going on all around; to which work the savages had taken when they had +completed their murders. But still they had not visited her, and she +continued to lie, the prey to the most fearful mental agonies. + +Sounds of rapidly approaching horsemen were then heard, and the blacks +began to leave the scene of their bloody desolation for fear of the +retribution which they expected from the approaching rescue. To Eleanor, +though she was nigher to death than a sublinary existence, the sound was +joyous; and she began to entertain hope that the relief would prove +opportune for the saving of her friends, as she felt it already was for +the rescue of herself. But oh! how unaccountable are the decrees of +Providence. At the very moment when she imagined the house was vacated +by the murderers the door of her room opened, and a hideous black +monster literally besmeared with blood burst in, and with uplifted arm +and bloody weapon, rushed to extinguish in her soul the flickering spark +of life. The black was followed by another, also with a hand elevated +and grasping a tomahawk. But the sight was more than Eleanor's shattered +nerves could bear; and starting into a sitting posture on her bed, her +tongue was loosened; she gave one piercing shriek, and sank back +senseless half leaning over the edge of her couch. The fate, however, +she had expected she did not meet with; for, instead of the glancing +steel of the second black being imbrued with her blood, it was buried in +the brain of the first, who sank to the floor a corpse. + +The cause of Eleanor's escape we may here explain to the reader. The +frame of the door to her room was placed in immediate contiguity to that +of the one which opened into the kitchen; and by some strange design of +the builder this latter was made to open out into the hall. Thus when +the servants opened it, and left it so, the fortuitous circumstance of +its irregularity proved Eleanor's preservation; for when thrown back it +entirely concealed the entrance to her room, and eluded almost +completely the vigilance of the murderers. It was, as we have seen, just +as they were retreating from the place that one of the stragglers +accidentally discovered it; and, thinking that the spot had not been +visited by either himself or his compeers, he entered to satisfy his +curiosity by a hasty visit; which would assuredly have terminated the +existence of Eleanor but for the timely blow dealt him by his fellow. + +This extraordinary internecine action may also require some elucidation; +and we will dispel the mystery by an explanation. Barwang and his party +upon their first visit to Strawberry Hill, when they met with their +repulse, became convinced that their movements had been betrayed by one +of their tribe, and they doubted not but that the betrayal emanated from +Jemmy Davies. They therefore kept a watch upon him lest he should again +carry information to Mr. Rainsfield, and preserved their own councils +from his knowledge; so that, until they had actually started on their +expedition, he was quite ignorant of their plans. When an opportunity +offered, however, he followed them on their track up to the house; and, +though he did not venture into the building, he kept hovering about in +the hope that he might be able to render some assistance to the family. +But not until the approaching sounds of horses' feet drew off the masses +of the tribe did he deem it safe for his own security to enter. He did +so; and, as he passed into the hall, he saw one of his countrymen +opening the door of a room and stand for a moment in the aperture gazing +fixedly in one direction. The glance of this savage's eye, as his own +keen vision caught the momentary flash, told Jemmy Davies that vengeance +gleamed from the other's orb, and in an instant he sprang after him, and +saved an innocent life by the sacrifice of one worse than worthless and +infamous. When he was convinced the house was empty of his countrymen, +and being aware that if he were caught in the place by any white man the +colour of his skin would be the warrant for his instant death, he took a +hasty survey of the fearful scene of blood that was visible even in the +partial darkness, and left the house by the back as two horsemen, +riding rapidly up to the front, leapt from their saddles and rushed in. +These two, as may be conjectured, were John Ferguson and Joey. + +Fearful as John had been of the nature of events he believed were +transpiring the sight that met his gaze as he entered the dwelling +struck him dumb with horror, and perfectly sick at heart, and paralysed +at the bloody disclosure. The whole floor of the house was slippery with +the gore of the murdered victims as it had been carried about by the +feet of the murderers. He hastily struck a light from the materials he +had about him; and, with the pulsations of his heart almost audible, +made a survey of the habitation. The first things that he noticed were +the bodies of Mr. and Mrs. Billing, which had been dragged by the +savages into the hall, possibly with the intention of consuming the +whole in flames after they had finished their work; and then in the +sitting-room he saw the signs of the barricade that had been hastily +thrown up before the window. From that he hastened to the one which had +in life been occupied by the amiable lady that had been mistress of the +place, and there he witnessed the mangled remains of herself and her +family. As he gazed upon the hardly to be recognised features of that +friend who had so often greeted him with the cordial grasp of friendship +he could not restrain the tears that in a flood coursed their way down +his cheeks. Continuing his melancholy search he next entered the room of +Eleanor, and almost stumbled over the carcass of the black who lay in +the middle of the floor weltering in his blood. This sight caused him no +little surprise; especially, when with a sad foreboding he approached +the couch of that being he adored above all mundane objects, to find her +pendent form though insensible was scathless. But it was not a moment to +indulge in conjectures; he had discovered his idol in the midst of death +still living. So placing the unconscious creature on the bed, and +enveloping her in the clothes, he snatched her in his arms; and +pressing her to his breast bore off the precious load. + +With the assistance of his attendant he mounted his horse; and +despatching Joey instantly with injunctions to fly, if possible, to Alma +for the doctor and bring him to Fern Vale, he turned his own horse's +head homewards, and proceeded as fast as the animal with his additional +burden could travel. + +Bright and beautiful the morning dawned as he rode towards his home; but +serene as were the sublimities of nature their contemplation had no +place in his mind. All his thoughts were centred in the inaminate form +encircled by his arms. Thus he rode unconscious to all around, and would +have so ridden to the end of his journey had not a faint sigh struck his +ear; and he instantly stopped his horse to enable him to enjoy the sight +of returning vitality to his much loved Eleanor. He gently removed the +covering that he had placed over her face, when her melancholy eyes for +a moment rested upon his. It was only for a moment, however, for they +were instantly secluded from the light by the closing lids; and, +considering it better not to agitate her with conversation, and +satisfied for the time with the assurance of his hearing and vision, he +impressed one rapturous kiss on her fair forehead, again covered her +face from the morning air, and proceeded on his way. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + + "All those rivers + That fed her veins with warm and crimson streams + Frozen and dried up; if these be signs of death, + Then is she dead.... But I will be true + E'en to her dust and ashes." + + DECKER. + + +Mr. Rainsfield pursued his way homewards little anticipating the sight +that awaited him on his arrival; but, owing to the heavy state of the +roads from the saturation of the ground, he was only enabled to travel +slowly. Consequently he perceived the flood coming down the Gibson long +before he reached the crossing-place of the Wombi; and, knowing that +there would be no use attempting a passage there, since the bridge had +been swept away, he at once struck off for the Dingo Plains to get over +by the upper crossing-place. By making this detour it was near morning +before he approached the station. + +Upon his reaching home he at once went to the stable and attended to his +horse, the first consideration of a bushman, and then bent his steps to +the house, feeling an unaccountable sensation of awe, which the +pervading solitude and death-like stillness inspired him with. This +feeling he was ashamed to indulge in, and tried to banish it from his +mind and deceive his conscience by attempting to whistle a lively air, +while he submitted his right boot to a playful castigation with his +riding-whip. All these stratagems, however, proved futile: a gloom had +settled upon him which he could not shake off, and he hastened his steps +to his dwelling with his heart in a perturbation that gave place to the +most fearful apprehensions as he perceived the house open to free +ingress. The truth at once burst upon him with overwhelming force, and +he rushed like one demented into the room where he had expected to meet +the embrace of his wife, but only to witness her mutilated remains +surrounded by those of her children. He gazed upon their forms for some +minutes in the uncertain light with a sad, though calm and almost +stoical cast of countenance; and then, kneeling by the side of his +wife's body, he parted her clotted hair from off her brow, which he +stooped down and kissed, and, while dashing a scalding tear from his +eye, thus apostrophised the fane of the departed spirit: + +"And was it for this I left you, my darling Mary, to seek for you +protection, and obtain assistance to drive the disturbers of our +happiness from the land? Oh! that I could but have foreseen this, to +have either preserved you and our poor little innocents, or perished +while I shielded your heart with my breast. Curses on my cruel fate, and +the blinding fancies of security which led me away from your side. Oh, +Mary, Mary! more dear to me than life, to have lost you thus, butchered! +by a set of ruthless savages, consumes my very heart. But you shall be +revenged. By heaven! you shall." And, springing to his feet with +clenched fists, and gazing into space as the whole expression of his +countenance changed, he continued: + +"What is life to me now, deprived of all the ties that bound me to this +earth? It shall be devoted to the cause of vengeance; and here, Mary! in +the presence of your spirit, and in the sight of my Maker, I swear to be +revenged upon all the blacks in this country; never shall one cross my +path alive. I'll spare neither their old nor their young. I'll hunt them +from their dens, like the vermin that they are. They shall be made to +bite the dust. Their bodies shall rot, and their bones bleach in the +sun. Never shall they rest until they are wholly exterminated, or my +strength and life fail me; and I swear that so long as one black remains +of all their race my vengeance shall not be satisfied. Hear me, Mary! +while I pray to God for the strength of Hercules, and the age of +Methuselah, that I may be a terror to their species, and they may learn +to curse the day when first they tasted the blood of mine. And oh, Mary! +if thou seest me from the portals of that abode where the eternal dwell, +look down upon me and commend my work, help my weak arm; encourage my +drooping spirit; be a light to beacon my path in the remainder of my +gloomy passage through this world; and let not the cup of vengeance be +removed from the lips of thy foul murderers until they have tasted of +the very dregs. So now, my angel wife! my once fond and loving but now +lost wife! sacrificed through thy husband's folly and neglect, if +vengeance is sweet to thee thy spirit shall be appeased; for henceforth +my name shall be one to strike dismay into the souls of blacks +throughout the land. So help me God!" + +Having uttered this fearful oath, and calling down the aid of his Maker +to assist him in its performance, Rainsfield left the room and the house +a broken-hearted man; re-saddled his horse, which he mounted, and went +he knew not whither. His state was truly piteous; his better and softer +nature was in perpetual warfare with his fiendish feelings, which +prompted nothing but a thirst for vengeance. The memory of his wife, and +the sudden shock occasioned by her loss and fearful death, had at first +subdued the evil passions of the mortal; and he had gazed upon the +placid features of the corpse with a calm and settled grief. But as he +awoke to a plainer perception of the horrors of the event, and what must +have been the sufferings of his defenceless family, with the brutality +of their hellish assailants, all softer feelings evanished before the +sterner one revenge; which in the one moment of decision he determined +should be the sole object of his future life. In this frame of mind he +left his home, that had so lately been smiling and happy but now +gloomy, bloody, and to be shunned; for he felt to dwell under that roof +again was impossible. His home for the future would be under the canopy +of heaven, and his life that of the avenger. Thus he left the house, +misfortune having so overcome his reason that he had no idea of further +inspection of the building, possibly believing that all had met with the +same fate, not even to glance into the room of Eleanor; and he wandered +forth absorbed in grief, without any definite notion of where he was to +go, or how he was to dispose of the bodies. + +Towards noon of the following day he entered the township of Alma, and +his horse stopping instinctively before the door of the "Woolpack" inn, +he alighted; and allowed the animal to be taken from him while he +mechanically entered the house. The news of the massacre had already +spread through the country, while the thousand tongues of mercurial +gossip had imparted to the original tragedy as many phases of horror as +imagination could possibly invent. The fearful occurrence had arrested +the attention, and absorbed all the interest of the residents of Alma; +and they were in several knots in deep and earnest conclave, discussing +the bloody event, as they saw the chief sufferer approaching their town. + +The loudest declamation, and the deepest uttered anathemas against the +natives, were in an instant checked. The earnestly asseverated opinion, +that the lives of the settlers would be perpetually in danger, unless +the blacks were speedily exterminated,--the noisy declaration of some +bold patriot, as he expressed his determination to declare eternal +warfare against the savages, and even to enter upon the crusade +single-handed if no one would lend him aid; with the faint voice of some +more philanthropic polemic, who attempted to check the stream of +exuberant passion, by palliating without defending (on the plea of +retribution) the horrible murder,--were all hushed, and gave place to a +heartfelt though silent sympathy as Mr. Rainsfield rode into the town. +And even after he was lost to their vision, by ensconsure in the +"Woolpack," their conversations were resumed in a lower cadence, lest +(even at a distance at which their most stentorian utterances could +hardly have been distinguishable) the nature of their conversation +should strike his ear and recall the subject of his grief. + +The news had reached them that morning by Joey when he arrived +post-haste for the doctor. He had been fortunate in finding the resident +son of Galen at home; and, obeying the injunctions of his master, had +delivered his message, and returned with him immediately. Short as had +been his stay it was quite long enough to enable the inhabitants to +elicit from him the facts of which the reader is acquainted. They learnt +with some degree of satisfaction that one of the family still retained +life, and would possibly be able, at some time, to recount the +circumstances of the massacre. Thus, in the presence of so much to +engender the feeling of compassion, a morbid curiosity to learn all the +details of horror seized upon the minds of the good people of Alma. But +such is the nature of man; selfishness reigns supreme, and shines forth +in all his motions and actions. + +When Joey returned with the doctor he deviated from the beaten track, to +cross the Wombi by the upper fords; thinking that his companion might +object to the more dangerous one of the lower. Rainsfield, on the +contrary, in his journey, never dreaming of dangers or difficulties, had +taken the lower; hence the parties had missed one another. This caused +the gossips of Alma to wonder greatly what had brought him away from his +house; especially as they had heard that he had been absent at the time +of the outrage, and must have since visited the scene, and met the +doctor and messenger on the road. But they were unacquainted with the +circumstance that had prevented the meeting, and they were destined, at +least at that time, to remain in ignorance; for the landlord of the inn +to whom they had recourse, rough and unfeeling as he appeared, had too +much respect for the grief of his visitor to attempt obtaining any +information from him. + +The landlord, without enquiring from him if he would take any meal, +prepared the table for a repast, and placed on it some edibles, with a +bottle of brandy and some water. Then, without uttering a syllable, he +left the room and the sorrow-stricken man to an uninterrupted solitude. +Rainsfield sat for some time gazing fixedly on the viands before him +without attempting or desiring to partake of them; retaining an +unaltered position on each occasion that he was surveyed by the +sympathising host through the key-hole of the door. In this state he +might have remained, until exhausted nature had induced a return to +consciousness, had not his attention been attracted by the arrival of an +extensive cavalcade at the door of the inn. Glancing his eye languidly +over the features of the riders as they were dismounting he instantly +recognised amongst the group the person and voice of Bob Smithers; and +the object of the party was at once made apparent. + +New life was at once infused into his veins; the blood once more mantled +his cheek, and fire was imparted to his eye, as he, with compressed lip +and determined visage, leapt from his seat and strode to the doorway. + +"Show those gentlemen in here, landlord," he said, addressing that +individual, as he was ushering the newly-arrived travellers into a +separate room. + +"I thought, sir, you would prefer to be alone," replied the landlord, +"so I was going to let you have the parlour to yourself." + +"Never mind, let them come in here," replied Rainsfield. + +The party by this time had entered the room they were shown to, so the +landlord turned to them, and said: + +"If you would like to step into the other room, gents, you will find it +more comfortable; there is only one other gent there, perhaps you know +him," he continued in an under tone, "it is Mr. Rainsfield." + +A low murmur ran through the party at the mention of the name, though it +was unheard by Rainsfield himself, he having turned again into the +parlour. The name of Rainsfield was repeated by them all in a tone of +voice that unmistakeably indicated a sorrowful compassion. They were all +squatters in the district and friends of Smithers, who had collected +them to go to the assistance of their neighbour for his protection +against the aborigines. They had heard as they came along the fearful +news of the massacre, and had accelerated their speed to arrive on the +scene of action as soon as possible, in the hope of finding some of the +family living, or being in time to afford some assistance, either in the +preservation of their lives, the protection of their property, or the +chastisement of their murderers. + +Smithers instantly proposed to join Mr. Rainsfield, and at once +adjourned to the other room, followed by his companions; and, as he +entered and advanced with extended hand, but without venturing to speak, +Rainsfield grasped the proffered token of friendship, while he said: +"Too late, Smithers! too late! except for revenge, and that is all I +hope to live for." + +"And in which we can now only serve you," replied his companion. "But we +will organize some plan of operation; we count fifteen now, and are +sufficient to be irresistible to the whole tribe of blacks. In the +meantime let the landlord prepare dinner, and then we will discuss +matters quietly. I think you know all our friends here?" + +The form of introduction being gone through where the parties were not +acquainted, and the shaking of hands where they were, the necessary +instructions were given to the landlord to prepare something for the +company, and they fell into a desultory conversation previous to +entering upon their plans. It is not our intention to weary the reader +with a verbose report of the initiatory proceedings of the party, and +will therefore merely state that they formed themselves into a mutual +protection society, with the professed object of combining to repel the +encroachments of the blacks, though in reality to hunt them down like +dogs. For the furtherance of this scheme they bound themselves by +stringent oaths to let none escape them, but to kill all they should +come across. Each individual swore to take active part in the process of +destruction so as to make all equally implicated. They vowed, by the +most solemn obligations, never to make any disclosure that would +criminate any of the society; while, before any neophyte could be +admitted within the periphery of their mysterious bonds, it was +determined he should be subjected to an ordeal that would protect the +members from the possibility of any disclosure that would cause their +amenability to the law. + +In the course of conversation with the landlord Smithers learnt that one +of the family (which his informant could not tell him) was still living, +and that a messenger, supposed from Fern Vale, had come over that +morning for the doctor. Smithers communicated this to Rainsfield, who +then remembered for the first time that he had not visited the room of +Eleanor, and therefore inferred that it must be she, he having had too +clear a demonstration of the total absence of life in the bodies of his +wife and children. This he mentioned to Smithers, and they both agreed +that Eleanor must have been discovered by some of the Fergusons, who had +removed her to their own house, and sent for the doctor. They therefore +determined to adhere to their original plan of starting early on the +following morning, after taking a night's rest where they were, it being +needed by most of the party as well as by their horses. + +On the following morning they were early on the road, so that few saw +them leave the township. But though nothing had been said by any of the +Society respecting the object of their journey it was pretty shrewdly +guessed at, if not positively known, by most of the inhabitants; and it +was evident to them no body of men, armed with rifles and revolvers, +could be travelling to the scene of a murderous outrage with any +peaceable intent. The sympathies, however, of most went with them; and +even though some of their number had been disposed in simple argument to +feel for the blacks, none dared to incur public opprobrium by making any +representations of the supposed hostilities to official quarters. The +Society itself proceeded on its way very quietly, its members being +mostly absorbed in sketching out, mentally, plans of the campaign on +which they were entering, so that the journey was almost entirely +performed in silence. + +When they reached the station its appearance was quite desolate; no +signs of life were perceptible, and the stillness of death spread +around its influence, which was sensibly felt by all. The house was +closed to all ingress, and on the door was nailed a card bearing the +words: "Let Mr. Rainsfield proceed to Fern Vale the instant on his +arrival." Rainsfield read the sentence, and at once guessed the import; +he perceived that when the murder had been discovered by the Fergusons +they had removed the bodies thither, if possible, to await his arrival +before interment; and he determined to go on at once, though, before +departing, he desired once more to gaze upon the rooms through which the +steps of his wife and the merry voices of his children had so lately +resounded, but which were now tenantless, desolate, and bloody. An +entrance was effected by a back window, and the party admitted; when +great was the surprise of Mr. Rainsfield to find no sign or vestige of +the fearful crime that had there so lately been committed. He read in +all this the kind hand of his neighbours, and his heart smote him in the +midst of his grief for the manner in which he had behaved to young +Ferguson. To his friends he pointed out with a melancholy precision the +spots where he had found the various bodies, described their position +and their mutilated condition, and then wandered through the rooms with +an abstracted air conjuring in his imagination the scenes that were +passed, never more to return, and peopling them in his fancy with those +loved forms whose spirits had fled to the source from whence they +sprang. + +His friends did not attempt to interrupt the gratification of this +melancholy pleasure, but allowed him to be the first to propose a +retreat, which, when he did, they were ready to agree to. The whole +party then left the house to proceed to Fern Vale; and while they are on +the road we will precede them and take a momentary glance at the doings +there, both at the exact period of our narrative and also +retrospectively for a few hours. + +John Ferguson, when he bore the all but lifeless body of Eleanor into +his own house, arrested the volatile reception of his sister with an +expression of countenance that betokened deep sorrow. To the poor girl +the look was unaccountable; she had only risen the instant her brother +had arrived, and had heard nothing of his approach; consequently she was +a little surprised at his presence. But when she was about to rush into +his embrace his manner appalled her, while she was equally surprised at +the singular burden he carried in his arms, for in the manner in which +he had enveloped the body of Eleanor the form was undefinable. John, +however, saved his sister the necessity of any questioning, by saying: + +"Don't ask me any questions at present that will require any explanation +of the cause of my unexpected appearance with this almost lifeless form. +Lead the way to your room, Kate, for I must place it under your charge; +and I can assure you it requires your tenderest care. I have already +sent for a doctor, and expect him here in the course of the day." + +The astonished girl preceded her brother to her room, and, as John laid +his burden gently on his sister's bed, he uncovered the face and +disclosed to the vision of Kate the pallid features of the unconscious +Eleanor. + +"Oh, John! dear John! tell me what is the meaning of this! what fearful +thing has happened?" Kate passionately exclaimed. + +"A dreadful event, Kate, as you may imagine," replied her brother, "by +my bearing that dear creature in such a state, and bringing her here to +be ministered to by you. She is now destitute of friends; but I cannot +tell you more at present, your nerves could not sustain the recital of +the horrors of the tale. I know that I need not ask you to bestow upon +Eleanor your utmost attention and most affectionate sympathy; but I must +caution you, should she return to consciousness, to make no allusion to +the circumstances of her misfortune; nor do you attempt to elicit +anything from her; rather try to soothe and calm her troubled spirit." + +"Oh, poor dear Eleanor! what cruel fate has put you in this awful +predicament?" cried Kate, when she burst into tears and buried her face +in the clothes by the side of her friend. + +In the meantime John left the room, and, proceeding to the kitchen, he +requested their female servant to go to the assistance of her mistress. +Here he found the servants who had escaped from the massacre at +Strawberry Hill relating to the astonished and horrified listeners as +much of the fearful outrage as they had witnessed, and what they +imagined to be the conclusion. But their narrative, though dreadful, was +not a tithe of the reality. He next sought his brother, to whom he +related the sad events, and commissioned him to break the tale to Kate +in as mild a way as possible. Then he informed him that he had left the +sheep at the Wombi and suggested that he and some of the men should go +over and assist the fellows that were with them, as they would +necessarily be short-handed, especially for the portion of the flock +that had not crossed the river. He then hastily partook of some +refreshment, and taking a few of his own men, and the servants and those +who had escaped from Strawberry Hill, he returned to that station to +remove, if possible, the signs of the outrage, and bring the bodies of +the victims to his own place; so that if Rainsfield should have heard of +the circumstance before his arrival he would not be maddened by a sight +of the murderous destruction. + +The house was speedily cleansed of all vestiges of blood. Similar stains +were removed from the corpses. The house was arranged in order, and +closed up, and the party left it as John affixed to the door the card we +have already noticed. The cavalcade moved slowly from the deserted +mansion, and, as it proceeded on its way with its load of inert +mortality, it was overtaken by the doctor and Joey from Alma. To the +latter, in a few words, he gave directions, and left him to follow with +the bodies, while he and the doctor pushed on. + +In the meantime Eleanor had at frequent intervals opened her eyes and +gazed vacantly on all the objects around her, including even the face of +her friend, whom she never for an instant appeared to recognise. To +Kate's tender soothing attempts she took no heed; but on each occasion, +with a faint sigh and shudder, relapsed into her former torpor. This +state continued until the arrival of the doctor, who, though he did not +express his fears, entertained serious apprehensions for her life; and +afterwards communicated to John his alarm, that, though her corporeal +system might recover, the shock to her nerves had been so great that he +feared her mind might give way and either become impaired or totally +demented. He recommended her room to be kept dark, and as cool and as +quiet as possible; and during her waking intervals, her mind to be as +much diverted as could be. He then prescribed certain medicines, amongst +them powerful soporifics, and Joey was instantly despatched, upon his +arrival, to Alma to get them compounded, while the doctor remained by +the patient to watch her malady. + +On the following day Rainsfield presented himself at Fern Vale. Smithers +could not be persuaded to approach the house; therefore he and his +friends encamped themselves on the creek to wait until their companion's +return. As Rainsfield approached the house he was met at the door by +John Ferguson; and, as he felt the warm pressure of the young man's +hand, it was only with an effort he prevented the tears from oozing from +his eyes. John led him to the room where lay his family; and, leaving +him for a few moments to his own silent meditations over their lifeless +forms, walked out on the verandah, from whence he saw the party that had +accompanied the bereaved man. He was for a minute wondering who they +could be, and why they did not come up to the house, when he felt the +touch of Mr. Rainsfield on his arm, who said to him: + +"How much I owe you for this kindness my heart is too full to explain +even if my words could utter it. But believe me so long as I live it +shall be gratefully remembered. I had seen them a few hours before in +all the horrors of their death. It was a sight to dry up the fountains +of a kindly nature in any heart, and made me swear to live a life of +perpetual vengeance." + +"Ah, my dear sir," exclaimed John, "it is ever difficult to meet with +resignation the chastisements of an all-wise Providence; but we should +learn to look upon all His dispensations as tending to a beneficial +end." + +"I'll not pretend to argue with you," replied the other; "but my nature +and feelings will not admit the embrace of such an immaculate creed. I +must be avenged!" + +John, in the then state of his companion's mind, did not attempt to +impress the precept as he believed the thirst for vengeance would +slacken as the poignancy of his grief wore off. + +"And Eleanor," said Rainsfield; "what is her fate?" + +A shade came over John's brow as he replied: "It is not yet decided. She +is in a most dangerous state, and the doctor is now here attending her. +He considers her case so precarious that he is remaining for some days +to be constantly near in his watch for the turning-point which shall +decide between life and death. I will ascertain if she can be seen;" and +John left the spot. + +Upon his return he led the way to her room; and, as Rainsfield followed +him, he asked, "Why didn't you bring your friends up with you to the +house?" + +"They preferred stopping at a distance and awaiting my return," he +replied. + +"But you are not going to leave us immediately," exclaimed John; +"and they cannot think of camping out there while we can make some sort +of a shake-down here." + +"I fear the presence of some of them at least would be objectionable to +you," replied Rainsfield; "and I have no doubt they would prefer to +remain where they are." + +"Nonsense," cried John; "I could not think of permitting such a thing. +May I ask who are those who would not accept of what hospitality I can +offer them?" + +"Smithers, Graham, and Brown," replied Rainsfield. + +John ushered Rainsfield into the room where Eleanor lay still and +motionless in a bed, at the side of which sat her watchful friend and +nurse, who rose and left her seat as Rainsfield approached. He stood +silently looking on the placid features of his cousin, which, but for +the gentle heaving of the snowy linen that covered her breast, would +have appeared as if inexorable death had already left the impress of his +hand. + +In the meantime John walked down to where the party of gentlemen lay +stretched on the ground; and, addressing those whom he knew in a manner +as if nothing had ever happened to mar the good feeling and fellowship +that should have existed between them, invited the party up to the +house. He prevented any refusal from Smithers (who could not dissemble +his shame and mortification) by taking him cordially by the hand, and +requesting that he would not give him the pain of a refusal, and of +seeing him encamped with his friends within sight of his windows. He +stated the accommodation he could afford them was not very commodious, +but he would consider it unsocial if they did not accept it. The +consequence of this appeal was that within a few minutes their horses +were running in an adjoining paddock and they were all walking up +together to the Fergusons' domicile. + +The next day was devoted to the interment of the earthly remains of the +victims of the Strawberry Hill massacre; and, as that beautifully +sublime and solemn ritual of the Anglican Church was read by one of the +party over the bodies they were lowering respectively in their rough and +hastily-constructed encasements into that lodgment where the grim tyrant +retains his grasp until the last trumpet shall summon the dead from the +caverns of the earth; and, as the heavy clod resounded with a hollow +dullness on the lids of the coffins, more than one eye was moistened, +and more than one tear rolled its course down the cheek of some of the +strongest minded of the manly group. The grave was speedily filled in, +and the party returned to the house to partake of a repast; after which +they took their departure. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + + "O! pardon me thou bleeding piece of Earth + That I am meek and gentle with these butchers." + + JULIUS CÆSAR, _Act 3, Sc. 1_. + + +When "the Society" left Fern Vale they jaunted leisurely on for a short +distance, when they were overtaken by Sawyer and his son-in-law, the +notable Captain Jones, who made up to Mr. Rainsfield and told him they +had come out to join his party against the blacks. Though these +volunteers were not exactly the sort of men "the Society" would have +desired to enroll they were determined looking characters, and had the +appearance of those, who, if they could be trusted, could be made +serviceable in any desperate act. Therefore their aid was accepted, and +they were forthwith admitted into the confidence of the brethren. Such +is the influence of either perpetrated or contemplated crime that it +breaks down all social demarcation and collects in the bonds of unity +and friendship the most heterogeneous natures of man. + +The cavalcade had proceeded about half-way towards Strawberry Hill when +some distance in advance of them a bullock crossed the road followed by +a black on horseback at a hard gallop. Both animals Rainsfield at once +recognised as his own; and, dashing spurs into his horse, he joined in +the chase, followed by the remainder of the party, with the intention of +sending one of his family's destroyers to a last account. The bullock +ran with his head carried low and his tail erect at a speed which for +some time kept him considerably in advance of his pursuer; but after a +while his pace relaxed and the superior mettle of the horse soon brought +him alongside the bovine fugitive. As the animals ran side by side the +rider seized the uplifted tail of the bullock in a firm grasp, while he +stimulated his horse to additional exertion, and with the application of +very little force he tilted the beast over its own head, and it fell +with its own velocity, breaking its neck. + +The black was quite conscious all this time that he was the object of +pursuit; so giving a glance at his fallen prey to ascertain if his work +had been effectual, and another behind him to see if his pursuers were +in an unpleasant proximity, he continued his career through the bush +until he arrived at the banks of the river Gibson. Into it he plunged +without hesitation, and slipping from his saddle, as the horse entered +the water, he held on by the bridle and stirrup, and swam by the +animal's side. The black kept his eye upon the bank he had just left +until he saw approaching through the bush a number of horsemen; who, as +they reached the edge of river, presented their guns and fired. The +next moment the horse rolled over in the stream, dyeing the water with +his blood, and floated lifeless down the current. + +Nothing was visible, however, of the black. He had sunk ere their pieces +were discharged; and the party knowing that he was untouched for some +minutes watched vigilantly for his reappearance, but in vain. Barwang +(for they had discovered it was he) did not show himself above the +surface of the water; and they thinking that he was floating down +concealed in some way with the carcass of the horse, followed it to +watch. It at the same time occurred to them that he might have dived and +was swimming for the other bank, assisting himself in eluding them by +first floating some distance down the river. They had thus gone down the +bank some two or three hundred yards, when they heard a loud hoarse +laugh from behind them; and, turning to the direction whence the sound +proceeded, they saw on the opposite side, some distance above where they +stood, him for whose reappearance they were watching. Barwang had +escaped them by swimming against the current and not with it as they had +anticipated he would; and once safely on the margin of the stream he +felt he was secure, and stood pointing at his pursuers in derision and +defiance. A dozen pieces were instantly pointed at him by the +disappointed party; but he with another loud laugh darted into the scrub +and, before the report of their guns was heard, was evanescent. + +The chagrined company then proceeded to Strawberry Hill, where +Rainsfield proposed to lodge them; and where they would fix upon their +future plans of action. + +That night the Society sat in grave debate, and various were the schemes +proposed to effect visitation on the blacks of an exterminating +retribution. The members at length became weary of making propositions +that met with no support from the body, and were beginning to be silent +when Dr. Graham renewed the energies of the meeting by remarking: + +"I'll tell you what it is all you fellows! you'd better 'keep your eyes +on the picture.'" + +All the eyes of the assemblage if not kept on the imaginary picture that +haunted the brain of this disciple of Æsculapius were at least kept +attentively fixed on the features of the speaker, who continued. "See +here! what is the good of the whole of us sitting here and looking at +one another? There won't be a black in that scrub to-morrow; so if we +don't go at them at once, they'll escape us as that scoundrel did +to-day. They will be sure to know what we are here for, and will make +themselves scarce at once; and if we once let them slip us we need never +expect to get at them again for they are sure to take up their abode +among the hills, gullies, or scrubs, where we could not follow them." + +"But is the river crossable?" asked one. + +"Rainsfield will tell you," replied the Doctor. + +"I have not been at the ford for some time," said Rainsfield, "and do +not remember the usual depth of water. But the river has now gone down +considerably, and I have no doubt it can be crossed; at any rate it +shall soon be ascertained for I will do it myself this night in your +presence so that you can judge by my success or failure." + +"Right," said Graham. "Then we all try it together, and that too as you +say this very night. At once! say I. I go; so let who likes follow me:" +and he started from his seat. + +The movement then became general, and in a short time the whole +cavalcade were again on the move in the direction of the crossing-place +near which Barwang had escaped them. About an hour afterwards the party +were mustering in a state of saturation upon the edge of the scrub, +after having passed through the still swollen stream, which they had had +to swim. They noiselessly dismounted from their horses, arranged +themselves on the bank of the river, fastened their steeds to adjacent +trees, and then threaded the scrub under the guidance of Rainsfield, to +the camp of the blacks; which they speedily distinguished by the glare +of the fires. The party then halted and arranged to divide themselves +into two companies, one to advance from the spot where they then stood, +while the other made a detour so as to encompass the camp. Then upon a +given signal, they were to fire alternately into the midst of the +blacks, and so long as any of the unfortunate wretches remained +stationary to continue reloading and firing; but to close in upon them +with revolvers if the victims showed any disposition to break through +the compass of their rifles. + +They then advanced, and as quickly as possible encircled the unconscious +aborigines, who lay, some in their gunyahs, and some stretched round the +fires. All were in a deep sleep, into which they appeared to have fallen +in a state of inert satiety, as was evident from the scattered remains +of roasted meat that strewed the ground around them. Not a sound was to +be heard in the whole camp except the sonorous breathing of the supine +gorgers; for even those watchful monitors, the dogs, had benefited by +this rare occasion, by indulging in a glut that inoculated them with the +same somnolent ineptitude. + +In a few moments after the Society had spread itself in the array of +attack a low whistle was heard; when, almost simultaneously, eight +flashes describing a semicircle on one side of the camp momentarily lit +the dark avenues of the bush. They were instantly followed by a report, +whose echoes mingled with the shrieks and dying groans of the wounded, +and in an instant the unscathed portion of the prostrate forms stood +erect; while the gunyahs disgorged their living inmates, called forth in +their consternation and half unconscious lethargy, to offer marks for +their concealed executioners. Other eight shots then told their +murdering effects upon the huddled mass of the blacks, who remained in a +perfect state of bewilderment hardly knowing which way to turn. Many +rushed in the direction opposite to that whence the last fire had +emanated, but only to fall by the shots of the first division of the +Society, who, having thrown themselves down to avoid the chance of their +colleagues' fire, had reloaded, and were ready for action. Again and +again was this manoeuvre repeated, and discharge followed discharge. +The carnage had commenced, and many of the blacks sought a temporary +shelter in their gunyahs, while the majority, not knowing what to do, +remained in the open area, to be shot down by the rifles of the whites; +who, when they tired of reloading their pieces, closed in upon the camp, +and setting fire to their bark gunyahs drove the poor wretches from +their retreat, and butchered them indiscriminately with their revolvers. + +One of the assailants, however, while dealing destruction around him, +was active in searching for one above all others of the blacks he prayed +to find. That searcher was Rainsfield, and the object of his concern we +need hardly say, was Barwang. Rainsfield had scanned the features of +every black, as he buried a ball in each victim's heart; but without +recognising the monster for whose blood he thirsted, and without which +he would never be appeased. He searched long, but in vain. The fiendish +leader of the tribe he could not discover; and he began to entertain +fears that the wretch's cunning had enabled him to elude his grasp. +Almost worn out with his work of death he was about relinquishing the +search in despair when he spied a dark form creeping from a heap of +bodies, and crawling away in the direction of the adjacent scrub. The +fitful glare of a fire fell upon the features of the crouching form and +disclosed the furtive glance of Barwang to the eyes of him who longed in +his very soul for the meeting. + +The recognition was instantaneous on both sides, and at the same moment +that Rainsfield sprang forward and fired at the black the other leaped +from the ground and in an instant, poising a spear in his hand, buried +it in the body of his antagonist. Rainsfield tore the weapon from his +breast, and seeing that the black was not killed by the shot he had +fired at him, and it being the last he had, without time to reload, he +drew his knife and sprang upon his enemy. The struggle was fierce, +though short, for both the athletes were powerful men, and were +determined upon each other's death, even if they perished themselves +while effecting it. The black caught the right arm of his opponent as it +descended with the weapon that was intended to terminate his existence, +and with the other hand he seized the throat of Rainsfield, into which +he buried his fingers like the talons of an eagle. + +Rainsfield taxed his strength to the utmost to disengage the hand from +his throat, and save himself from strangulation while he effected the +death of the black. Each strained and struggled as they, locked in each +other's grasp, panted to eliminate the spirit from each other's bodies. +After some time they stopped to gain breath, while they for a few +moments silently eyed one another with looks of vengeance and rage. The +conflict, however, was speedily renewed with fearful energy. Every nerve +was strained to the utmost tension in both frames; when, in a moment, +the black made several rapid lunges, battering with his hard cranium the +breast of his foe; at the same time that Rainsfield managed to bury the +knife up to its handle in the neck of Barwang. The loss of blood arising +from the previous wounds, and these excessive strainings and shocks, +soon produced their effects. Exhaustion speedily ensued; and the two +belligerents, still firmly knitted in a death grasp, sank to the ground +never again to rise in life. + +In the meantime the work of destruction progressed all around with +unabated activity until no living black remained on whom to wreak a +vengeance. Nearly the whole tribe had been sacrificed, for few escaped +into the bush among the general slaughter. When the members of the +Society contemplated the result of their labours they felt perfectly +satisfied with the extent of their reparation, and surveyed the scene +with a complacency ill befitting the work. How little did they remember +that a work similar to this in result had been the cause of the reprisal +that had brought desolation to the Rainsfield family! and less did they +consider that they were incurring the displeasure of an indignant Maker. +No! they thought not of the judgments of Divine wrath: the victims, in +their imaginations, were only blacks, whose extermination was an +ordination of Providence, and an advantage to civilisation. Besides +which they looked upon the slaughter they had been engaged in as a just +punishment to the savages for their perfidious treachery in the murder +which they, the Society, were unable to prevent, but which they could, +and did avenge. By this sort of reasoning they quieted their +consciences, if any had been disturbed, and attempted to justify +themselves in the eyes of their God. + +The forensic vision was that which most troubled them, for they knew, in +the eye of the law of their country, they were guilty of an act which, +if discovered, would cost them an atonement by the surrender of their +lives. But they were aware that, with the exception of their own +members, none could criminate them; while the probability of such an +event occurring was very remote, for all were equally implicated. While, +at the same time, the distance they were removed from the seat of +government, and the ineffectual means supplied for the protection of the +settlers in the border districts, would partly justify them in being +armed in the present affray; and the magistrates of the territory being +all of their own body, and consequently sympathising with their +movements, they experienced very little apprehension of danger. + +We may here remark that this is not the only case in the land where +similar influences have actuated the settlers to take summary vengeance +on the blacks, for reprisals and peccadillos in themselves +insignificant. Hundreds, ah! we may say thousands, have been shot with +perfect impunity; and we hesitate not to say thousands more will +continue to meet the same sad fate, until the last of the race shall +have vanished from this terrestrial sphere. Yet we firmly believe their +blood will sink into the soil, and at a future age, when the people have +long since become extinct, will it cry aloud for vengeance; and woe to +the land if the great Governor of the universe should listen to that +cry. + +The party when about to leave the ground suddenly missed their companion +Rainsfield, and, thinking that he might still be engaged on some +operations of retribution in another part of the camp, called him aloud +by name; but without meeting with any response. They waited impatiently +for his return but after a time finding he did not return they commenced +a search in the neighbourhood of the camp, at the same time that they +made the bush resound with their cooeys to attract him if he had +strayed. Still to no purpose were their calls, for no responsive cry +echoed to them; and not until they returned to the camp weary and +dispirited as the first coruscations from the solar rays darted their +luminous salutations over the eastern horizon did they discover his body +with that of his last antagonist. His position, and the spear wound in +his body, sufficiently explained his fate; and silently and sorrowfully +he was removed, and carried by them to where their horses were secured. +They then recrossed the river on their way back to Strawberry Hill, +which had now become destitute of an owner. + +Shortly after their passage of the stream the cavalcade was met by John +Ferguson, who had heard the firing, and guessing its import had ridden +over for the purpose of inspecting the scene and satisfying himself upon +the nature and extent of the slaughter he knew must have taken place. +But when he saw the returning party he rode up to them and addressing +himself to Doctor Graham, who happened to be riding a little in advance, +he said: + +"May I be permitted to enquire the nature of the firing which was +carried on in the scrub last night?" + +"Oh, certainly, sir," replied the Doctor, "you are permitted to ask +whatever you like, for this is a free country. If you want to know the +cause of the reports you heard last night I may inform you for your +satisfaction that our friend Rainsfield had a warrant for the +apprehension of Barwang, and that he attempted to put it in force, while +we volunteered to assist and protect him. As might have been imagined we +were attacked by the villains, and had to fire upon them for our own +defence. In the affray we lost our friend Rainsfield, for he was killed +by the wretch he was attempting to secure, and who at the same time met +with his deserts." + +"Rainsfield is dead, did you say?" enquired John in hurried tones; "is +life perfectly extinct?" + +"Yes, dead!" replied the other, "as any herring. Go look at him +yourself;" and he pointed behind him to where followed a horse with the +body thrown across the saddle. "You can see there for yourself, where +you may keep your eye on the picture." + +John silently surveyed the pale, discoloured, and distorted features +which he had seen only a few hours before in life and perfect health, +and with a deep drawn sigh, as he turned away, he muttered: "Poor +fellow! such a terrible doom." + +The company then proceeded to the house of the Fergusons, when the +melancholy obsequies of the previous day were repeated; after which the +Society broke up, having ensured themselves against further +interruptions from the blacks by the success of their first onslaught; +and, although they arranged to be ready upon any emergency, they had no +anticipation of any future necessity. + +We must now in the course of our narrative precipitate our readers over +a period of some six months after the events we have just related, which +interval was passed with the occurrence of few circumstances worth +detailing. Tom Rainsfield had been hastily recalled from town, but had +not arrived until after the final scene of the tragedy had been enacted. +The horrors of the events came upon him with such a shock, and so +subdued his spirit, that it was some time before he could school himself +to comprehend their full extent; and not until some weeks had elapsed +could he bring his mind to the level of mundane matters, and then only +with a melancholy feeling did he set to work to put the station in +order. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + + "In smoothest terms his speech he wove, + Of endless friendship, faith, and love; + She listened with a blush and sigh, + His suit was warm, his hopes were high." + + SIR WALTER SCOTT. + + +On a beautifully mild afternoon in that loveliest of Australian seasons, +the transition between winter and summer, there reclined in an easy +chair, on the verandah of the Fern Vale cottage, a young girl whose pale +though handsome features seemed to be invested with an angelic air as +they were contrasted with the deep mourning in which she was attired. We +need hardly explain to the reader that this was Eleanor Rainsfield. At +one side of her sat our hero, attempting to relieve the weary hours of +the invalid by some light and amusing reading, and on the other side sat +his sister, who, while she was listening to her brother, was engaged in +some of that description of work which constitutes at the same time +young ladies' toil and amusement. + +During Eleanor's gradual return to convalescence John Ferguson had been +assiduous in his endeavours to keep her mind diverted from the +contemplation of her grief; and, forgetful of all his past resolutions +to think of her only as a seraph exalted above his possession, their +constant contiguity, if possible, more than ever made havoc in his +heart, immersed him more than ever deeper in the sea of love, and made +him yield a willing sacrifice to the ecstatic delirium of his dream. + +The attention of the trio, at the moment we have visited them, was +suddenly attracted by the sounds of an approaching horseman, and looking +up they perceived Bob Smithers riding wildly towards the house. Eleanor +instantly rose from her chair; and, leaning upon Kate, entered the +sitting-room, while she said to John: "I expect the object of Mr. +Smithers' visit is an interview with me, and if he desires it I will see +him." Then addressing her friend, she said: "Leave me, dearest Kate, for +the few minutes he is here. I don't expect he will stay long." + +In another instant Smithers pulled up before the house; and, throwing +his bridle over the fence, he strode up to John, who was waiting for him +with a welcome and an extended hand. + +"How do you do, Mr. Smithers?" he said. "It is some time since you +honoured us with a visit. I hope you're well." + +"I wish to see Miss Rainsfield," replied Smithers, without heeding the +proffered hand or the inquiry after his health. + +John felt rather chagrined at the want of civility on the part of his +guest; and, pointing to the half-opened window of the room in which +Smithers could find the lady he desired to see, he turned upon his heel +and walked out of hearing. + +What was the nature of John's thoughts that this visit of Smithers gave +rise to we will not attempt to divine, though we may safely assume they +were of no pleasing nature from the cloud that came over his countenance +as he left the house. And yet a gleam of hope would at intervals attempt +to break through the gloom. As he stood leaning over the fence in front +of the house, thus ruminating over the circumstance and its +contingencies, he was startled by the precipitate approach of Smithers, +who, clenching his fist and shaking it at him in a menacing attitude, +exclaimed: "This is your work; but, by G--, you shall repent of ever +having interfered in my private affairs." After the delivery of this +minatory declaration the infuriated individual mounted his horse and +galloped from the station. + +John remained for a few minutes musing upon the strange address he had +just heard until a faint appreciation of the cause flashed across his +mind, and, his heart beating with salient palpitations, he entered the +house to solve the mystery. With this intent he walked into the +sitting-room, but found it empty. Eleanor had retired, and he was about +to leave it again in search of his sister when his eye rested on an open +note lying on the floor. The superscription, he perceived, was--"To Mr. +Robert Smithers;" and in its caligraphy he at once detected the tracing +of Eleanor's hand, and saw a solution of the mystery even before he +glanced at the epistle's contents. If his heart beat quickly with +pleasing apprehensions before his curiosity prompted him to pick up and +read the note its proper functions were almost destroyed by the violent +palpitations as his eyes devoured the following lines:-- + + DEAR SIR,--I hardly know how to break to you the subject on + which I wish to address you. When I say it is with regard to + our engagement you will understand what I mean, more especially + when I tell you that I think, for both of our sakes, it were + wise to annul it. To recount to you all the causes that have + actuated me in the establishment of this desire would only be + to reiterate all your various acts of contumely to myself and + friends, and to relate all my daily sufferings. I will not say + that I never loved you. When I was induced to consent to become + your wife I would have endeavoured to have placed my whole + heart at your disposal; but your conduct has not only been such + as to estrange from you the most forgiving nature, but towards + me it has been absolutely cruel. + + I say this not to stigmatize you for your ill-treatment of me, + but to endeavour to show you that you can entertain no regard + for me; and, in the absence of all mutual affection, such an + union as ours would only entail misery on both of us. You will + therefore perceive that it will be better for us to forget the + relationship that has existed, and remain independent of one + another. + + I bear you no ill-will, and desire to maintain a friendship + for yourself and your kind relatives; but beyond the light of a + friend I never can consent to regard you. So there will be no + use of your attempting to alter my determination; it is already + fixed.--Yours truly, + + ELEANOR RAINSFIELD. + +John's astonishment when he read this was only equalled by his raptures; +and it was not until he had twice re-read the note that he could +withdraw his eyes from feasting on the blissful lines. "She has then +discarded Smithers," he said to himself, "and there is hope for me." If +there needed but one rivet to clench the fetters that bound the captive +heart of our hero it was now fastened. He gave himself up like a +voluptuary to the indulgence of his greatest earthly pleasure, the +dissipation of love's charm, and the realization of his fondest hopes +and wildest dreams; and, in the delirium of delight, his spirit ascended +in imagination into the seventh heaven. He was, however, speedily +brought to a recollection of his existence in this terraqueous globe by +his sister shaking his arm while she exclaimed: + +"Why, what is making you so absent, John? I have spoken to you four +times, and you have taken no notice of me." + +"Have you, Kate?" replied John. "Well, I did not hear you, for I was +thinking when you addressed me." + +"That was evident," replied the girl. "But tell me, John, what could +have brought that man Smithers here? He has terribly upset poor Eleanor, +and she has been obliged to go and lie down. I quite hate that horrid +fellow, and wish he would never show his face here again." + +"I don't think it is very probable he ever will again, Kate," replied +her brother. + +"Well, I hope not. But what letter is that you have got in your hand?" +said the girl as she glanced over the epistle that hung listlessly in +the hand of her musing brother, who had attempted to conceal it, but +not before Kate had spied the address. "Oh, show me the letter, John, +dear John!" she continued. "I see it is addressed to that man, and from +Eleanor I am sure; so it will explain all about it. Do show it to me." + +Her brother put it into her hands, and she read it with unqualified +delight. Then looking up into his face, she exclaimed: "I am so +delighted, John;" and, throwing her arms around her brother's neck, she +kissed him in the exuberance of her joy, after which she bounded from +the room, retaining possession of the cherished note. + +For the remainder of that day Eleanor confined herself to her room, but +on the following forenoon she came out, with her pale, marble features, +looking in John's eyes more lovely than ever. They were presently seated +together, as was their wont, in the shade of the verandah; but somehow, +on this occasion, the reading was not prosecuted with such spirit as +usual, nor listened to with the accustomed interest, while the +conversation was equally vapid. Eleanor and John thus sat for some time +alone, Kate being absent on her household duties, and William out on the +station, without hardly uttering a word, until John, mustering +sufficient courage to enter upon the subject that wholly engrossed his +mind, without any preface, said: + +"I picked up a letter of yours in the room yesterday, Eleanor, after Mr. +Smithers' departure." + +A deep crimson mantled the cheek of his pale companion as she replied: +"I know it John; Kate has told me all." + +John gazed upon the features of the dear girl at his side, and met her +eyes as they were raised from her lap to rest upon his face. He +rapturously exclaimed: "Dear Eleanor if I could but tell you how dearly +I love you I--" But he proceeded no further; a glance from the lustrous +orbs of his companion had penetrated his heart, and he was silenced. Was +it in fear? No! he had understood the glance, and comprehended its +hidden secret. He was silenced, but it was to impress a virgin kiss +upon the lips of his fair enslaver; and there for a little let us leave +them in the full enjoyment of inamoratos' bliss. + +We have said that John interpreted by a look the secret of Eleanor's +heart; and let not loves' sceptics think such is only a figure of our +imagination. Such glances have been read from the earliest eras of the +world, and will continue to be so to the latest. Lovers' eyes are to +each other like telegraph-dials, and reflect in their own mysterious +characters the messages from the heart as the electric needle indicates +the wishes of some unforeseen communicant. Their flashes are +instantaneous, and they impress upon the hearts' tablets of their +correspondents, with unmistakeable accuracy, the sentiments of the +inosculated spirits. Theirs is a language secret and unknown but to the +souls communicating, and unmeaning and unnoticeable to mortals, until +made neophytes to the creed of Cupid. + +John and Eleanor for some time enjoyed uninterruptedly the commune of +their plighted hearts, each discovering in the other a reciprocity which +heightened the ardour and enhanced the raptures of their own loves. +Their tongues were no longer tied. John was all volubility and +animation; while the colour that the excitement of her affection called +forth irradiated the cheeks of Eleanor, and imparted to her features a +loveliness that John gazed upon with ecstacy. Their privacy, however, +was at length broken in upon by William, who bounded into their presence +in a state of high glee, while he exclaimed: + +"I've got some news to astonish you. Our friend Captain Jones has +bolted, and has swindled his much-respected father-in-law to the tune of +about five hundred pounds." + +"Bolted, has he!" exclaimed John; "what is that for?" + +"Simply because it has pleased the gentleman on two previous occasions +to enter the matrimonial state, and that both better halves, and sundry +little pledges, are all living to attest to his identity. One of his +former helpmates," continued William, "traced him to his late retreat, +and claimed him as her lawful spouse; and he, thinking, I suppose, a +_dénoûment_ would be rather unpleasant, has deemed it expedient to +abscond." + +"And will the poor girl he last married have no redress?" asked Eleanor. + +"Very little, I fear," replied John. + +"I expect from what I have heard," continued William, "that old Sawyer +intends to keep it as dark as possible. From Jones' bigamy the quondam +Mrs. Jones becomes again Miss Mary Ann Sawyer, and he purposes looking +out for another match for her." + +"But she surely," said Eleanor, "would not lend herself to so base a +deception and gross impropriety." + +"I am not so sure of that," said William. + +"I suppose," remarked John, "if they can't punish the _soi disant_ +Captain Jones they think the wisest thing they can do is to make the +best of it by keeping it as quiet as possible; and I have no doubt they +will find many a swain who will not scruple to offer the lady a name." + +"Well that is dreadful!" exclaimed Eleanor. + +"So it is," replied John, "but it is partly their own fault. They were +so blinded by the notion of getting a gentleman to marry their daughter +that they took no trouble to investigate the man's character, or even to +ascertain anything about him; consequently they fell into the trap of a +base scoundrel." + + + + +CONCLUSION. + + "I have done: pray be not angry + That shall I wish you well: may heaven divert, + All harms that threaten you; full blessings crown + Your marriage." + + SHIRLEY. + + +We must again hurry our readers over another period of some three +months, and request them to accompany us for a few minutes up the bank +of the creek flowing through Fern Vale. At a pretty little secluded spot +overhung by the bright acacia two grassy mounds, encompassed by a neat +white fence and adorned with two white slabs of wood, pointed themselves +out as the graves of the sufferers in the Strawberry Hill massacre. + +Leaning over the railing of one of these enclosures was a young man, who +might have been recognised as Tom Rainsfield, and at his side, encircled +by his arm, our friend Kate Ferguson. After some few moments of silence +Tom pressed to his heart the willing form of the lovely girl that graced +his side, and said: + +"Dearest Kate, why not let us be married at the same time as John and +Eleanor? Strawberry Hill is all ready for a mistress, and I am sure the +very trees about the place are impatient to have domesticated amongst +them the sweet successor of that good and amiable creature who lies +beneath that sod. We could not have a better opportunity than John's +marriage, for we could all go to New England together, and the double +ceremony could be performed at the same time." + +"But that is so soon, Tom," replied Kate. + +"It cannot be too soon, my dear," exclaimed the advocate for despatch; +"why postpone our happiness?" + +"Poor Will will be so lonely with John and Eleanor going away," said +Kate, "if I leave him too. We ought to delay it until they return." + +"What for twelve months, Kate!" cried Tom. "It would drive me wild. I +could not wait more than one at the very outside, and if you say another +word of opposition I will run away with you. So now, dearest, let it be +settled; we must be married next month altogether." + +No further objection was urged by the fair polemic, and a mutual +inosculation sealed the compact. + +About a month from this date a traveller approaching Acacia creek might, +from the joyous appearance of every face he saw, have been sensible of +the existence of some happy occasion; and, if he had but stepped into +the house and seen those who sat around the breakfast table, he would +have been aware that the festivities were occasioned by a matrimonial +ceremony; and, upon the slightest scrutiny, he would have discovered +that two young couples had been bound by the Gordian knot. + +The first move that was made after the despatch of the formal meal was +the departure of John Ferguson and his now blooming bride. He led her to +the arms of his mother; and, as the good lady embraced her sweet +daughter-in-law, tears of joy coursed down her benign and matronly +cheeks, and, imprinting another kiss on the lips of her son's choice, +she bestowed her parting blessing. The rest of the leave-taking was soon +effected and the young couple mounted their horses and rode away. + +We may remark for the information of our readers that it was John's +intention to proceed to Brisbane and Sydney, there to spend the +honeymoon, and afterwards to take a trip "home;" by which term he knew +old England though he had never seen it, nor had any ties of +consanguinity to bind him to it. They were to return to the colony in +about twelve months; after which Tom Rainsfield had promised a similar +journey to Kate. In the meantime, however, Tom and his wife intended to +take up their abode at Strawberry Hill, and thither they started almost +immediately after John and Eleanor. As they left the paternal roof of +the Fergusons a similar commingling of tears was effected between Kate +and her mother as was witnessed upon the previous departure. Mr. +Ferguson warmly grasped the hand of his son-in-law, while Mr. Wigton +informed Tom that he had made up his mind to spend a short time with his +friend William, to relieve his solitude and endeavour to persuade him to +follow the example of his brother, and afford him, Mr. Wigton, the +pleasure of tying another knot in the family. He would also, he said, +while he was in the neighbourhood, avail himself of the opportunity of +visiting his friends at Strawberry Hill. + +William promised to confer the happiness on Mr. Wigton of being fettered +by his medium whenever it was his determination to be so foolish as to +enter the married state: but affirmed for the present he had no +intention of following in the steps of his brother and friend, and had +not the most remote idea of assuming a marital character. + +Tom laughed at William's little sally, and gave him one of those jocose +applications of the extended thumb to his ribs which in concomitant +natures are thought so amiably vivacious and funny; and then turning to +Mr. Wigton, expressed the delight he would feel at his making Strawberry +Hill his home. Amidst the congratulations of his friends, Tom now led +his bride to the door, and safely depositing her in her saddle, waved +the last adieu as they cantered off. + + +THE END. + + +EDINBURGH: PRINTED BY THE CALEDONIAN PRESS. + + + * * * * * + + +MR. NEWBY'S + +NEW PUBLICATIONS + +In 2 vols., demy 8vo, price 30s. cloth, + + +THE TURKISH EMPIRE: in its Relations with Christianity and Civilisation. +By R. R. MADDEN, F.R.C.S., and M.R.I.A., Author of "Travels in Turkey, +Egypt, and Syria," "The Life of Savonarola," "Memoirs of the Countess of +Blessington," etc. + + "Dr. Madden's work is the result of two processes seldom + conjoined in a history of this kind--namely, the most complete + reading and research, and the most vigilant personal + observation, accomplished by years of residence in Turkey at + different periods, from 1824 up to the present time. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Fern Vale (Volume 3) + or the Queensland Squatter + +Author: Colin Munro + +Release Date: September 28, 2011 [EBook #37559] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FERN VALE (VOLUME 3) *** + + + + +Produced by Nick Wall, Matthew Wheaton and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This +book was produced from scanned images of public domain +material from the Google Print project.) + + + + + + +</pre> + +<div> + +<h1 id="booktitle">FERN VALE</h1> + +<p class="h4">OR THE</p> + +<p class="h1">QUEENSLAND SQUATTER.</p> + +<p class="h2">A NOVEL.<br> +<br> +BY COLIN MUNRO.</p> + +<p class="h3">IN THREE VOLUMES.<br> +VOL III.<br> +<br> +LONDON:<br> +T. C. NEWBY,<br> +30 WELBECK STREET, CAVENDISH SQUARE.<br> +MDCCCLXII.</p> + +<p class="spacer"> </p> + +<p class="h5">EDINBURGH:<br> +PRINTED BY THE CALEDONIAN PRESS,<br> +"The National Institution for Promoting the Employment of Women in the +Art of Printing."<br> +SOUTH SAINT DAVID STREET.</p> + +<p class="spacer"> </p> + +<div class="inset12"> +<p class="h3">Table of Contents</p> +<p> +<a href="#CHAPTER_I"><b>CHAPTER I.</b></a><br> +<a href="#CHAPTER_II"><b>CHAPTER II.</b></a><br> +<a href="#CHAPTER_III"><b>CHAPTER III</b></a><br> +<a href="#CHAPTER_IV"><b>CHAPTER IV.</b></a><br> +<a href="#CHAPTER_V"><b>CHAPTER V.</b></a><br> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VI"><b>CHAPTER VI.</b></a><br> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VII"><b>CHAPTER VII.</b></a><br> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VIII"><b>CHAPTER VIII.</b></a><br> +<a href="#CHAPTER_IX"><b>CHAPTER IX.</b></a><br> +<a href="#CHAPTER_X"><b>CHAPTER X.</b></a><br> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XI"><b>CHAPTER XI.</b></a><br> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XII"><b>CHAPTER XII.</b></a><br> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XIII"><b>CHAPTER XIII.</b></a><br> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XIV"><b>CHAPTER XIV.</b></a><br> +<a href="#CONCLUSION"><b>CONCLUSION.</b></a><br> +</p> +</div> + +<hr class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[1]</span></p> + +<p class="h2">FERN VALE.</p> + +<hr class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I.</h2> + +<div class="inset20"> +<p> +"What sport shall we devise, here in this garden,<br> +To drive away the heavy thought of care?"<br> +<br> +<span class="right"><span class="smcap">Richard II.</span>, <i>Act 3, Sc. 4</i>.</span> +</p> +<br> +</div> + +<p>Three days after that to which we brought +down our narrative in the last chapter the +morning broke calmly and serenely over the +wooded wastes of the bush; and while the +pleasant zephyr of the morning tempered the +rays of the sun, as he sped his course to the +zenith, a happy party of equestrians might +have been seen cantering by the bridle path +between Strawberry Hill and Brompton. That<span class="pagenum">[2]</span> +party consisted of our friends, Mrs., Miss, and +Tom Rainsfield, and the Fergusons, accompanied +by their black boy Joey. The van was +led by the first named lady, accompanied by +William Ferguson, while the others followed +riding two abreast, having paired off in a +manner most congenial to themselves. The +rear was brought up by Joey and William's +dogs, who coursed through the bush in seeming +delight at the prospect of wearing off a +little of the rust that had grown on them from +their late inertness.</p> + +<p>They had ridden for nearly four hours when +they slackened their speed a little as the noon-day +sun became more powerful; while, at that +moment, they came to a beautiful little spot +where a grassy slope terminated in a lagoon, +whose waters appeared to the travellers clear +and refreshingly cool. Here Mrs. Rainsfield +drew up her horse, and proposed a halt for +tiffin; which being generally assented to, the +party dismounted. The bridles of their horses +being each fastened round a tree, some refreshments<span class="pagenum">[3]</span> +were produced by Tom from his valise; +and the friends sat down in a shady spot on +the green sward, and partook with that hearty +zest that can only be appreciated by those +who have been similarly situated.</p> + +<p>When perfectly refreshed they proceeded on +their way, and arrived at Brompton before the +close of the evening. There they were hospitably +received by Mr. and Mrs. Smithers, +and very graciously by Bob, who was all urbanity +for the occasion. They found several +of the guests had also arrived, those, who like +themselves had arrived from a long distance; +and the house then was as much a scene of +gaiety as if it had been the grand reunion itself. +The evening passed pleasantly enough; but, +our object being more particularly to picture +to the reader the <i>fêtes</i> of the following day, we +will draw a veil over the company for the night, +and introduce them again on the morning.</p> + +<p>The morning in due time came; and was +simply a repetition of those common to a +Queensland summer. A cloudless sky spanned<span class="pagenum">[4]</span> +the horizon, in which the sun had a tropical +brilliancy, without the scorching power incidental +to most sunny climes. The air was +genial and salubrious, and the balmy breeze +bore on its placid wings the aroma of the +surrounding acacia and mimosa. It was such +a day as poets love to picture, but which, to +the incredulous matter of fact denizens of +"foggy England," a description only generates a +confirmed and unqualified pyrrhonism. With +all the exercise, however, of the scepticism of +our friends in the "old country," it, nevertheless, +does not diminish the lustre of such +glorious sunshine as, we again repeat, is to be +found nowhere in such tolerant perfection as +in Queensland, and which marked the morning +to which we allude. Perhaps the weather +was a little warmer than usual, and the atmosphere +drier; rather more so, in fact, than the +settlers desired, for their rivers and creeks +were getting low, and many were desiring +rain to refresh their grass, and refill their +water-holes and courses. However, such desideratum<span class="pagenum">[5]</span> +had no consideration with the party +assembled at Brompton, whose sport at the time +they seemed determined nothing should mar.</p> + +<p>The great <i>fête</i> of the day was to be the +races; and it was then that the agrarian +beauties of Brompton showed to advantage. +It may be remembered in an early chapter of +our story we gave a cursory sketch of the +station, but in the event of its topography having +escaped the memory of the reader, we will +again partially repeat the description. For +some considerable distance down the bank of +the Gibson river the land was almost perfectly +level, and unusually free from timber. It +was fenced off into paddocks of considerable +size. Towards the centre of one of these was +a swamp, from which the surrounding ground +had just sufficient rise to constitute it the +reservoir for the drainage of the land; while +towards the river, and immediately on the +bank, the land rose in a little knoll. Here +then was a naturally formed race course; and, +by the erection of a few posts, a course was<span class="pagenum">[6]</span> +marked out that for amenity, level, turf, and +convenience of sight, it would be difficult to +surpass.</p> + +<p>Towards eleven o'clock nearly all the expected +guests having arrived, and the ground +became a lively scene as the gay and well-mounted +equestrians cantered in laughing and +merry groups backwards and forwards; some +few, more exhilarated or pedantic than the +rest, trying the course and the mettle of their +steeds. The guests of the Smitherses were +not the only ones who had congregated to +witness the sport. Other visitors of a more +plebeian character, and self-invited, were there; +all those within a circuit of some thirty miles, +who by any possibility could obtain release +from their work, had camped themselves in +the neighbourhood to be spectators. The +company had ridden over the ground, and had +dispersed in all directions; when the horses +"entered to run," decorated with their party-coloured +rosettes, and led by their respective +riders carrying their saddles, were descried<span class="pagenum">[7]</span> +coming on to the course; and speedily the +scattered parties converged to the knoll we +have mentioned, and which now served for a +grand stand.</p> + +<p>The horses approached the post; and the +necessary preliminaries having been gone +through, they assumed their places; when the +few of the spectative portion of the company, +who still remained in the way, speedily retired, +responsive to the call of "clear the course;" +and, after the usual amount of "false starts," +the signal was given that was unanimously +acted upon, and away went the horses.</p> + +<p>Horse-racing is the same all the world +over, at least in all parts of the globe where +the Anglo-Saxon race holds sway. Therefore +we need not tire our readers by giving a +prolix account of this one in particular. We +will merely say that the usual excitement +prevailed at the start, when the horses and +their riders received respectively their due +amount of praise from their various admirers, +whose bets were interchanged on the result of<span class="pagenum">[8]</span> +the struggle. That the exciting anxiousness +in watching the progress round the course was +there equally apparent That the various hopes +and fears of the betters as they witnessed the +pulling up or the falling away of their respective +favourites; the intensity of excitement; +the uttered remarks; and the increasing watchfulness, +as some slight rise on the plain or piece +of heavy ground tried the mettle of the high-blooded +animals, were all to be seen and heard +there; and that the other excitements of such +a scene were equally noticeable. That breathless +interest as the horses approach the straight +run to the winning-post; the last exciting +struggle of man and beast, when the impatience +of the former is administered to the +latter in whip and spur; the shouts of the +jockeys mingled with the snorting of the +steed, when both are blended in the thunder +of the latter's hoofs, which shakes the very +turf; while the straining animals pass the +post with the seeming velocity of steam.</p> + +<p>As the panting and foam-covered horses,<span class="pagenum">[9]</span> +and exhausted-looking riders, returned to the +scales, the tongues of the assemblage were +loosened; the groups reunited; and, in the +interval between that and the next race, cantered +about; while some of the younger +equestrians emulated among themselves the +previous competitors. A small tent had been +erected on the bank of the river for the dispensation +of refreshments, and for a shady +retreat for the ladies; and thither many +resorted.</p> + +<p>At this period of the amusements our +friends had formed themselves into a group +with Mr. and Mrs. Smithers; but without +Bob, who had been a rider, and was the +winner of the late race. They had leisurely +ridden round the course, and had returned to +the stand, when Eleanor expressed to John +Ferguson (in whose company she had been +riding) a desire to dismount, and take a seat +in the tent. He was instantly out of his +saddle assisting her to the ground, and (after +giving their horses in charge of a black boy)<span class="pagenum">[10]</span> +handed her to a seat in the shade. Bob +Smithers, who had divested himself of his +riding costume for his ordinary habiliments, +then entered; and rudely brushing past John, +advanced to the girl and took her hand, while +he exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"Come along with me, Eleanor, I want +you."</p> + +<p>The abrupt manner of his entrance, his +forcible abduction of the lady, and his uncouth +behaviour to himself, rather annoyed John. +But the look of patient endurance, mingled +with entreaty, which Eleanor cast upon her +rough protector, struck our hero as containing +more melancholy and suffering than was to +be expected in a young affianced bride, whose +nuptials were speedily approaching. It more +than convinced him that his friend Tom was +right when he said that Eleanor Rainsfield +could never be happy with Bob Smithers. +With a mind strangely agitated between fears +and hopes John emerged from the tent to see +the being he loved leaning on the arm of his<span class="pagenum">[11]</span> +rival, and going through the ceremony of +several introductions.</p> + +<p>She freely entered into conversation with +her new-made friends; but the party being +augmented by some others, to whom we +presume Bob Smithers did not condescend to +introduce her, he led her away; and they +walked arm in arm to another part of the +ground, apparently in earnest discourse. She +was laying her hand upon his arm, while she +looked in his face, and seemed anxious to +impress something upon him; while he appeared +to listen attentively to her remarks, +though he ever and anon burst out into a +loud laugh and ejaculated a few monosyllables, +which on each occasion created a faint smile +on the features of his lovely companion.</p> + +<p>John Ferguson witnessed all this, and his +heart sank within him. Never, thought he, +would woman hang on and talk thus with +man, if she did not love him. "Ah!" he mentally +exclaimed, "she loves him devotedly; fool +that I was not to believe this before. Strange<span class="pagenum">[12]</span> +infatuation that led me on to hope, when +she herself told me as plainly as she could +there was no hope. I am doomed to disappointment +I see; she never can be mine, +for she loves Bob Smithers." And with that +melancholy solace John left the spot of his +soliloquy.</p> + +<p>What was the nature of the conversation +that so disturbed his peace of mind we do +not deem it necessary to reveal, but we are +disposed to think that our love-sick friend +came to a too hasty conclusion upon the +nature of the communicant's symptoms. John +Ferguson was not sufficiently versed in +women's little natures to be able to construe +aright their motives in their actions, or the +impulses that actuate them in their deportment. +His dejection was, consequently, the +more acute from the construction he had put +upon Eleanor's conduct. It was true she was +engaged to the man with whom he saw her +converse, but he never dreamt to ask himself +the question, if that circumstance was not, in<span class="pagenum">[13]</span> +a great measure, owing to his own dilatoriness; +not to classify his supineness under a more +sheepish head.</p> + +<p>He was sauntering away in his usual +despondent mood when Tom Rainsfield approached +him from behind, administering, as +he did so, a smart slap on the shoulder, with +the exclamation: "Why, John, what is the +matter with you? have you been visited by a +myth? for you are as white as a sheet. Come +along with me, and I will give you some fun; +William and I have been looking for you all +over the ground;" and, without waiting for an +answer or an objection, he led him off to +where a party of gentlemen had assembled to +witness the next race. Amongst them were +Dr. Graham, Mr. Brown, and some others, +which it is needless for us in our history to +trouble the reader by bringing forward.</p> + +<p>When the race was finished they speedily +made their arrangements for the proposed +sport Tom had alluded to, which was none +other than a Kangaroo hunt. Mounting their<span class="pagenum">[14]</span> +horses, accompanied by some powerful kangaroo +dogs (of which William's figured not the +least conspicuously), and, with as many guns +as could be mustered on the station, they +started into the bush in a direction where +they anticipated finding game.</p> + +<p>These dogs, of which we have made mention, +we may be forgiven for a short digression +to describe. They are a breed of the gaze-hound +species, though in many respects they +are peculiar to themselves. The stock was +originally obtained from a cross of the Scotch +staghound and the English greyhound, and +has made a race which combine in their +character the strength and courage of the +former with the fleetness of the latter, of +whom, in colour and form, they have the +greatest resemblance. At the same time they +are possessed of a muscular developement +which is essential to enable them to endure +the severe conflicts to which they are frequently +subjected.</p> + +<p>The party had not ridden far before they<span class="pagenum">[15]</span> +descried a herd of kangaroos, though not +within range of shot; the guns, therefore, +were instantly slung, and the dogs and riders +gave chase.</p> + +<p>The kangaroo as, doubtless, our readers are +perfectly aware, is anything but a graceful +animal in its movements. Its fore legs are +very short, and, one would think, of little use, +either for ambulation or defence; but the +paws are armed with strong and sharp claws, +and in the diminutive limb to which they +are attached, are possessed of considerable +strength, and can be used defensively with +immense effect. In their propulsion, however, +these crural appendages are perfectly unavailable; +for the animals propel their unwieldy +looking bodies by long bounding leaps on their +hind legs (which are long and powerful), +springing not from their feet, but by an impulsion +from the whole leg, from the hock +joint to the toe, the whole of which length +meets the ground at every leap. In this +motion, unsightly as it appears, they are very<span class="pagenum">[16]</span> +fleet, frequently distancing the hardest rider, +and only being brought to bay by the dogs +after a tedious chase.</p> + +<p>The kangaroos were no sooner sighted by +our party than they were away, the dogs with +the lead, down hills across gullies, and up slopes; +through thick underwood, where the exercise +of the greatest care was necessary for the rider +to preserve his seat; over fallen logs, and under +pendent branches; dangers frequently occuring +simultaneously, overhead and under foot, +and requiring the firmest seat, and the quickest +eye, to avert. All these, which would make +the heart of many a bold steeplechaser quail, +but which are incidental to a kangaroo hunt, +were successively gone through by each member +of the present party; and after an hour's +hard riding, the foremost horseman, who had +with difficulty kept the dogs within sight, +halted when they came to a stand; and the +whole of the sportsmen collected to witness +the fight.</p> + +<p>An "old man" kangaroo sat on his haunches<span class="pagenum">[17]</span> +in a swamp, with his back to a tree, dealing +blows right and left with his epitomized +limbs to those of his assailants who ventured +within his reach. The kangaroo had got into +water of sufficient depth to enable him to sit +up in it, and guard himself in the manner we +have mentioned, while the dogs were raised +off their feet, and had to attack him at considerable +disadvantage. They, however, were +in point of number superior to the game, and +the entire pack (six in number) boldly rushed +to the charge. Though they were successfully +beaten off on each attack, and nearly all receiving +wounds that would, probably, produce +scars of no mean magnitude, they as frequently +rallied, and returned to the fight.</p> + +<p>After looking on for some time, and perceiving +that the "old man" was too knowing +for the dogs, one of the party despatched him +with a shot, when he was dragged from his +entrenchments, his body deprived of its tail +(which was carried off as a trophy), and left +for the dogs to do the work of further demolition.<span class="pagenum">[18]</span> +The hunting party then returned to +the station, but, not being so hasty in their +homeward progress as they were in their outward, +it was late in the afternoon before they +reached the scene of festivities. The company +at the time was breaking up from the +race-course to return to the house to dine, +which important business of the day having +been got over, the guests amused themselves +in various ways until the hour of the <i>coup de +main</i>, the grand finale—the ball.</p> + +<p>We have already explained that a short distance +from the house stood the wool-shed of +the station; and at the time of which we +write was comparatively empty, so much so +that the bales of wool waiting for transmission +down the country occupied only a small space +in the building, to which we will, with the +kind permission of our readers, in imagination, +transport them. The external appearance of +"the shed" was not such as to give the beholder +any very exalted idea of internal splendour; +consequently, upon an entrance the eye<span class="pagenum">[19]</span> +was instantly struck with the taste and skill +displayed in the ornate arrangements. The +bareness of the slab walls was relieved, if not +entirely concealed, by the tasteful manipulations +of the foliate decorator. At the head of +the room, in the midst of a collection of variously +tinted green foliage of numerous forms +and leaf, were displayed in letters, some with +the yellow blossoms of the acacia, the magic +word "love," under which was entwined, with +the wild vine and the flower of the sarsaparilla, +that emblem of mutual affection, a +true lover's knot. Above it was a star of +palm leaves and fern, radiating from a centre, +which was concealed by an immense stag's +horn fungus. The side walls were similarly, +though not so elaborately, decorated, and on +them shone forth "mirth," and "concord," +accompanied by various other devices; while +at the head of the room, at the feet of love, +stood a piano, which had been removed from +the house, to provide the "spirit of the ball."</p> + +<p>The room was illuminated by a bunch of<span class="pagenum">[20]</span> +lights, hanging from a rafter in the centre. +Though simply an extemporized chandelier +from the hand of a bush carpenter, it had its +material so tastefully hid, by the same genius +that had decorated the walls, that it answered +the purpose admirably for which it was intended. +If it did not surpass in effect the most +brilliant crystals, it was at least pretty and +unique, and, with the emerald tints in its +reflection, imparted a pleasing and subdued +light, which favourably contrasted its sombre +illumination with the trying glare of the +sumptuous city ball-room. The seats were +arranged round the sides of the room, and +had their rough nature concealed in the bush +fashion, by being overspread with scarlet +blankets, which gave them the appearance of +comfortable ottomans, and afforded a pleasing +relief, both visual and corporeal. The opposite +end of the building was partitioned off +by a suspended carpet, which, by being +gathered up a little in one corner, afforded +a means of entrance to what appeared to be<span class="pagenum">[21]</span> +the sanctum, but which, in fact, contained +the supper and refreshment tables, duly caparisoned +and loaded with the good things of +this life.</p> + +<p>The guests congregated in the ball-room at +an hour that would have shocked the sensibilities +of English ladies of <i>haut-ton</i>. But +ceremony was a thing not worth studying by +the lady-guests at Brompton; they had no +occasion to retire to their boudoir and spend +hours in getting themselves up for the +evening, or, when their personal adornments +had been completed, to sit waiting until the +arrival of a genteel hour, in an agony of mind +lest they should mar the perfection of their +soubrettes' art. Enjoyment was the order of +the day at Brompton, and when it was proposed, +shortly after coffee was handed round +in the drawing-room, that the company +should adjourn to the ball-room, the guests +made the necessary transition; and in a few +minutes the house was entirely vacated.</p> + +<p>The ladies of the company were for the<span class="pagenum">[22]</span> +most part married; hence we may not be +accused of partiality in declaring that our +two friends, Eleanor and Kate, far surpassed +in beauty all their compeers, and shared between +them the adulation of the sterner +animals. It could not be satisfactorily +determined which was the belle of the evening; +for the admiration of the gentlemen was +about equally apportioned, and it was difficult +to decide between two such blooming beauties.</p> + +<p>We think we hear some of our readers +enquire, "how were the ladies dressed?" On +that point, fair mesdames, we would crave +your especial indulgence. We know that is +a theme on which you love to dilate; but +we (though delighted to gaze upon your +charming forms, graced by the alluring +symmetry of your well-fitting and becoming +attire) confess ourselves as ignorant as babes +in the technicalities of habilimentary detail. +However, thus much our observations befriended +us. We can affirm that the chief +characteristics of the costumes of the gentler<span class="pagenum">[23]</span> +sex were becoming neatness and chaste simplicity, +without that unblushing display which +we have so frequently noticed in gay circles; +and which, we must confess, does not accord +with our exalted idea of female modesty, +innocence, and virtue. The manner of <i>our</i> +heroines was frank, candid, and gay; without +frivolity, affectedness, or coquetry; and their +costumes neat and ladylike.</p> + +<p>The hand of Eleanor Rainsfield was so +much desired in the mazy dance that John +sought in vain for an opportunity of soliciting +a participation with her in the pleasures of +the evening, or even of entering into conversation +with her, until she had danced with +nearly all the gentlemen in the room. Then, +she having been led to a seat near where our +despondent hero sat, he seized the occasion to +ask her to dance, which she promised to do +after obtaining a short rest. During the interval +they fell into a sort of desultory +conversation; but they were not destined +long to enjoy even this intercourse; for Bob<span class="pagenum">[24]</span> +Smithers espying the occupation of his "lady-love," +hastened to remove her from an influence +he in no way relished.</p> + +<p>"Eleanor," said he, "I want you to dance +with me."</p> + +<p>"I am engaged for the next dance, Robert," +she replied.</p> + +<p>"To whom?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"To Mr. Ferguson," she answered.</p> + +<p>"Oh, never mind, you'll dance with me," +said her lord. "Your engagement with me +always ranks in precedence of others; and I +am sure Mr. Ferguson will not mind looking +for another partner."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Ferguson has been waiting until I +was disengaged, Robert," said Eleanor, "on +purpose to dance with me; so I must keep +myself engaged to him for the next dance, +but will devote the following one to you."</p> + +<p>"Well, as you like," exclaimed Bob Smithers, +in none of the most amiable moods; "if you +want to dance with Mr. Ferguson you can, +but I wanted to dance with you myself;" and,<span class="pagenum">[25]</span> +casting a look of intense malignity on the +object of his detestation, and one of equal +rancour on his affianced, he strode to another +part of the room.</p> + +<p>Neither look had been lost on the parties +to whom they had been directed; in John they +caused emotions of no pleasurable nature, +whereas Eleanor treated the truculence of +Smithers with a calm benignity. The moistened +dewdrop, however, that gathered in the +corner of her eye, discovered to the anxious +and watchful perception of John Ferguson +the hidden sorrow that rankled in her breast, +and which she strove to smother, dreading its +discovery to the world.</p> + +<p>As might be imagined, under such circumstances, +the dance was gone through with +mere mechanical action, and with an undisturbed +silence; for the thoughts of both +parties were too much occupied on matters +having no immediate connexion with the +operation of dancing to indulge in much conversational +intercourse. Besides which they<span class="pagenum">[26]</span> +both, or at least John, was conscious of the +jealous eye of Smithers following them in +every movement; and therefore felt the more +uncomfortable. It was a relief to both when +the music ceased, and John led his partner +(who expressed fatigue) to a seat; but she +had hardly relinquished his arm before she +was pounced upon by Bob, who, as he carried +her off, scowled fiercely on his unfortunate +rival.</p> + +<p>John Ferguson was of an easy temper, but +no man likes being grossly insulted, and +supplanted in the service of the one he loves, +therefore he felt the contumely to which he +was subjected; and to calm his ruffled +temper, and to seek refreshment to his aching +head, and an emollient to his fevered brain, +he walked out into the cool of the evening +atmosphere. He continued to wander, with +his gaze fixed in a thoughtful abstraction on +the star-lit firmament, contemplating apparently +the argentuous brilliancy of the lunar +orb travelling its ethereal course, when his<span class="pagenum">[27]</span> +meditations were unceremoniously interrupted +by the approach of Smithers, who hastily +confronted him with the following expression:</p> + +<p>"I would like to have a few words with +you, sir, and if you'll step into the bush, out +of hearing of our visitors, I will speak."</p> + +<p>John replied, if he desired to say anything +to him, he might have no hesitation in saying +it where he was; but that if he particularly +wished him to step a little on one side, he +had no objection to do so.</p> + +<p>Upon gaining a retreat from the possibility +of being overheard Bob Smithers began: "I +have to request one thing of you, sir, and that +is that you discontinue your attentions to the +lady to whom I am engaged. On a previous +occasion I made a similar request, as also did +Mr. Rainsfield; but both you seem to disregard; +therefore, I have to make it to you +again, and to accompany it with a peremptory +order that it be complied with."</p> + +<p>"I can't see, Mr. Smithers," said John, "that +because I am called upon by Mr. Rainsfield<span class="pagenum">[28]</span> +and yourself to break off my friendship with +the lady, that I am of a necessity compelled +to comply; so long as I am honoured by the +friendship of Miss Rainsfield I shall make all +your demands subservient to the dictates of +my own heart. While she holds out the hand +of cordiality to me I consider the privilege +and pleasure accruing too great to refuse to +grasp it; but if Miss Rainsfield desires our +intercourse to cease, then, of course (however +painful such an estrangement would be), my +courtesies would be discontinued."</p> + +<p>"Well, sir," said Smithers, "I have only to +repeat that they shall be discontinued at once, +or I will take steps to prevent their recurrence. +The lady is engaged to be married to me, and +I have a right to dictate whom she shall recognize +as her friends."</p> + +<p>"When you are married to the lady I shall +not dispute your right," said John; "though +even then, if your wife should so far honour +me as to rank me among her list of friends, +all your monitory language and manner<span class="pagenum">[29]</span> +would not induce me to behave cavalierly to +her whenever we should chance to meet. But +at present I heed not your request, unless it +be reiterated by the lady herself."</p> + +<p>"That, sir," said Smithers, "you shall not +have the satisfaction of hearing, and you will +instantly renounce all pretensions to the lady's +favours or leave the station."</p> + +<p>"The first portion of your request I have +already informed you I cannot comply with; +and the other, notwithstanding your gross insolence +to me, I could not offer such an affront +to your worthy brother and his inestimable +lady, as to obey it."</p> + +<p>"Then, by heavens! you shall fight me," +exclaimed the exasperated Smithers. "I'll be +on this spot with pistols in ten minutes; so +you may make the most of your time, and +obtain a friend."<span class="pagenum">[30]</span></p> + +<hr class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II.</h2> + +<div class="inset18"> +<p> +"Are honour, virtue, conscience, all exiled;<br> +Is there no pity, no relenting Ruth?"<br> +<br> +<span class="smcap right">Burns</span>.<br> +</p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 4em;">"But I remember now</span><br> +I'm in this earthly world; where to do harm<br> +Is often laudable."<br> +<br> +<span class="right"><span class="smcap">Macbeth</span>, <i>Act</i> 4, <i>Sc.</i> 2.<br></span> +</p> +<br> +</div> + +<p>The suddenness and hostile nature of +Smithers' challenge so took John Ferguson +by surprise that for some few minutes he +could not utter a sound; and, when he had +sufficiently recovered himself to speak, his +adversary was out of hearing, on his mission +to prepare the instruments of death. Left to +a calm consideration of his position all its<span class="pagenum">[31]</span> +unpleasantnesses in a moment flashed across +his mind. Here he was involved in a broil +the result of which might prove fatal if persevered +in, and with the brother of his kind +entertainer. The successful suitor of the girl +he adored, he was called upon to meet in +deadly strife. John felt he could not leave +the place to compromise his honour, and insult +his host; at the same time he looked upon a +hostile meeting with Bob Smithers with great +repugnance. Much as he had been contemned +by Bob, and many as were the indignities offered +to him, John bore him no animosity; and he +could not reconcile to his conscience the idea +of steeping his hands in the blood of a fellow +mortal; even in the act of self-defence, when +that defence became culpable by his voluntary +exposure. Yet he feared not death; no, he +could stare the grim tyrant in the face, and +unflinchingly meet his shafts. He even felt +he could court his embrace now that he was +to lose the only being he deemed life worth +living for.<span class="pagenum">[32]</span></p> + +<p>"Oh! Eleanor! Eleanor!" he exclaimed. +"Oh! that I had not known thee! cruel fate, +that I should be drawn into the vortex of thy +charms only to be suffered to estimate thy +worth, and then have my hopes crushed on +the rocks of despair. With thee life would +be an Elysium; without thee 'tis a perpetual +blank; a dismal future looms in the distance +like the shades of stygian darkness. Oh, +cruel fates! would that thou had'st bereft me +of life while yet I breathed in the delicious +dream. But yet a door of hope is left me to +escape this bondage. I will meet the fire of +your favourite, and let him, if he so desires +it, release my wearied spirit." Thus John +soliloquized as he walked back to the ball-room +in a state of mind bordering on insanity, +and reduced to the lowest depths of love-sick +despair. But a "still, small voice" faintly +prompted reason, as his agitated feelings +somewhat subsided, and he ceased to apostrophize +his idol, as he approached the +building.<span class="pagenum">[33]</span></p> + +<p>He entered the room, and casually casting +his eyes round the company rested them on +his brother; whom, upon his obtaining an +opportunity, he called out unobserved by the +mass of the guests, and in a few words +explained to him the incident we have just +described.</p> + +<p>"But, surely, John, you do not intend to +accept the challenge?" said William.</p> + +<p>"I have already done so," replied his +brother.</p> + +<p>"Why, you must be demented! my dear +John," exclaimed the other. "Because a +coarse, blustering fellow like that chooses to +insult you, and then call upon you to present +your body as a mark for him to shoot at, +surely you are not going to forget all respect +for yourself, and commit an open violation of +the laws both of God and man."</p> + +<p>"With regard to dyeing my hands in his +blood you need have no fear, William," said +John.<span class="pagenum">[34]</span></p> + +<p>"Then why sacrifice your own life?" asked +his brother.</p> + +<p>"I could with very few regrets submit now +to that dissolution which sooner or later must +take place; but I am convinced Bob Smithers +is too much a coward to attempt my life. +The laws of his country will stare him in the +face, and will prevent him pulling the trigger +of a weapon with its muzzle directed to my +body. His object is simply to frighten me +away from the station, or induce me to act a +coldness towards Eleanor; neither of which +desires I intend to gratify, so will stand his +fire."</p> + +<p>"But, dear John," exclaimed his brother, +"only consider, if he should be malicious +enough to attempt your life, or even to wound +you, what a dreadful misfortune it would be; +and what would be the anguish of our dear +parents. Believe me, John, it is wiser to +avoid the possibility of any such catastrophe; +no dishonour can be attached to you for a +refusal to comply with a barbarous custom.<span class="pagenum">[35]</span> +Pray allow yourself to be dissuaded from this +meeting."</p> + +<p>"No, Will, I have no fear of the consequences. +Bob Smithers will never have the +courage to fire at me; and I will shame him +by showing my contempt for his threats."</p> + +<p>"Well, I am grieved at your obduracy, +John, for my heart has misgivings on the +result."</p> + +<p>"Don't be agitated, William, but be convinced +there is nothing to apprehend; and +now come I have been absent some time, and +he appointed ten minutes from the time of +the challenge for the meeting."</p> + +<p>William, perceiving it was useless to attempt +dissuading his brother from his purpose, +accompanied him in silence to the spot where +Bob Smithers and two friends already waited. +Upon the approach of the Fergusons one of +the opposite party stepped forward to John, +and offered to enter into the arrangement of +preliminaries with his brother, whom he presumed +would act as his second.<span class="pagenum">[36]</span></p> + +<p>Upon John stating his brother was on the +ground in that capacity William allowed +himself to be led away by his co-adjutor, and +followed him mechanically through his various +manœuvres; acquiescing in the arrangements, +the nature of which he hardly contemplated. +His mind was intent upon the iniquity of the +proceedings, and he was cogitating on a +scheme whereby he could obviate the necessity +of having his brother's life placed in +jeopardy. With this thought uppermost in +his imagination he addressed himself to his +companion:</p> + +<p>"It occurs to me, Mr. Brown (for it was +he), that this meeting is perfectly unnecessary. +My brother has consented to it without having +offered any provocation to Mr. Smithers. I +think the challenge was given in a moment +when that gentleman was heated by his +controversy, while I have no doubt he would +far prefer letting the matter drop, if no stigma +would be attached to him on account of retraction. +If so I can answer for both my<span class="pagenum">[37]</span> +brother and myself that the affair will not +travel beyond our two selves."</p> + +<p>"I fear, my dear sir," replied Brown, "it is +useless making any such proposition to my +principal, for he considers himself aggrieved +by the pertinacity of your brother in his +aspiring to the hand of Miss Rainsfield after +he has repeatedly informed him that that +young lady was affianced to himself. He is +so considerably offended and chagrined at +your brother's contumacious conduct, and his +decided refusal to accede to any of the terms +my principal has proposed, that he will not +be disposed now to accept any other mode +of satisfaction than this. If your brother +thought of any amicable settlement he should +have done so before; now there is only this +course open."</p> + +<p>"Pray don't imagine that I am making +any overture with the concurrence of my +brother," said William. "He, I am sorry to +say, is as determined upon this course as your +principal can be; but it is that very obstinacy<span class="pagenum">[38]</span> +I lament, for I look upon the whole of this +affair not only as extremely heathenish and +barbarous, but incompatible with the character +of gentlemen."</p> + +<p>"Your language," replied Brown, "is calculated +to cast opprobrium on all those gentlemen +engaged in this little matter, and requires +some explanation and apology; for which, I +will be glad to have a few words with you +after the termination of this meeting."</p> + +<p>"Now then," shouted the unoccupied colleague +of Mr. Brown, "it surely does not +require all that time and talk for you two +to pace out the ground. I could have +settled a dozen pairs in the time you are +taking there in arranging the preliminaries +of one."</p> + +<p>"All right, Graham," said Brown, "we have +settled it now;" and turning to William he +continued: "We will draw for positions and +you can place your man, while I do mine. +Dr. Graham attends professionally in the +event of either party falling; now then,<span class="pagenum">[39]</span> +sir, draw if you please. Oh! blank; your +man takes the right:" saying which he +hastened to put Smithers in position, while +he left William standing seemingly rooted +to the ground.</p> + +<p>John, seeing his brother's indecision, came +up to him, and led him away, saying, "I +suppose as Smithers has taken up that position, +I am to take this. They are particularly +obliging; his second has arranged me so that +I shall have the moon directly in my face. +Very kind of him, though he does it with a +mistaken object. It will enable his principal +to see to miss me; for that is what he will +most desire."</p> + +<p>"Pray, John, do not let yourself be deceived," +exclaimed his brother; "they mean +death I am convinced, and it is not too late +to come to an amicable settlement."</p> + +<p>"Nonsense, William, exhibit some degree +of fortitude," said John. "I tell you again +Smithers is too much a poltroon to meditate +my death; though I believe if he could<span class="pagenum">[40]</span> +effect it without making himself amenable +to the laws he is not wanting in the disposition."</p> + +<p>"Then, even if he does not," said William, +"think how the matter will be talked about. +The reports of the pistols are sure to be heard, +and the occurrence will be known almost +instantly; think also how it will wound +Eleanor's feelings."</p> + +<p>"Tell her, William! that I was irrevocably +drawn into it by Smithers contrary to my +own wishes, and that I met his fire without +returning it."</p> + +<p>"That is poor satisfaction for either you or +her," said William "(her especially), if you +come off scatheless as you anticipate, and as I +hope and trust you may, having her name +bandied about all over the country on the evil +tongue of scandal."</p> + +<p>"There, Will! there's a good fellow! leave +me now," said John, "you see they are impatient; +his second is waiting for you to +bring me my weapon. I had almost forgotten<span class="pagenum">[41]</span> +that, and they did not seem disposed +to refresh my memory."</p> + +<p>William slowly walked across the ground, +and took a pistol from the hands of Mr. +Brown; and placing it within those of his +brother retired to his position to await the +issue of the firing.</p> + +<p>Upon the enquiry being asked if both were +ready, and an affirmative being returned, the +signal was given, and a report of a double +discharge reverberated in the stillness of the +bush. William instantly rushed to his +brother, and found him standing with his +right arm still extended in the air, in the +position in which he had fired, while his left +hand covered his eyes and features which +were suffused in the purple dye.</p> + +<p>"Merciful heaven!" cried William, "my +dear brother, where are you hit?"</p> + +<p>His question to John was answered in a +burst of boisterous merriment from the +opponents, and he hastily turned upon them +<span class="pagenum">[42]</span>to enquire the cause of their unseemly hilarity; +while Smithers advanced towards his +late antagonist, and replied: "See to him, he +must be severely hit, for he bleeds apparently +profusely."</p> + +<p>"There is a trick in this, William," said his +brother. "'Tis true I am hit, but not with +lead; I am blinded with what appears to me +to be red currant jam."</p> + +<p>Another roar of laughter from Smithers +and his friends succeeded this confession, and +the perpetrators of the practical joke indulged +their risibilities to the full; evidently congratulating +themselves upon the success of +their plans. Their self-complacency, however +(at least of one of them), was brought to an +abrupt termination; for as the truth of the +plot flashed across the mind of William, as +the instigator of the proceedings approached +to witness the effects of his scurrile trick, the +high-spirited youth sprang towards him, and +avenged his brother's ignominy by felling the +coward to the ground.</p> + +<p>Graham and Brown instantly rushed to<span class="pagenum">[43]</span> +the spot, and interposed; the former seizing +William, while the latter confronted him, and +stated that if there was any cause of quarrel, +it could be settled in a manner befitting +gentlemen; "and unless," said he, "I am +mistaken in Mr. Smithers he will instantly +require satisfaction for your outrageous +assault."</p> + +<p>"Unhand me, sir," said William, as he shook +himself from the iron grasp of the pugnacious +doctor, and turning to Brown he exclaimed: +"You speak, forsooth, of requiring the satisfaction +of a gentleman; you and your +compeers, who debase yourselves by not only +countenancing an insult from your friend and +patron to my brother, but by making yourselves +parties to a trick which no gentleman +would be guilty of. As for your prototype +he has not only proved himself a blackguard +by having recourse to the subterfuge of a plea +of wounded honour to perform a despicable +action; but a coward in taking a mean +<span class="pagenum">[44]</span>advantage of a gentleman under the hospitable +roof of his brother. See, the viper +actually slinks away! The derogation he +intended for another reflects opprobrium on +his own infamous character; and the consciousness +of his venality deprives him even +of the power of defence." Excited as William +was, and inflammatory as was his language, +they failed to stir the blood of Smithers, +whose baseness was exemplified in his cowardice; +for he actually left the spot (as William's +remarks would infer) in the midst of the +young man's vituperations.</p> + +<p>John Ferguson took his brother's arm, and +led him also away from the scene, saying as +he did so: "Calm yourself, William, and never +mind me, I am not hurt, though still almost +blind by that stuff in my eyes. The disgrace +of this proceeding will reflect more to his +dishonour than to mine. The report of our +pistols has given alarm for I see people +coming this way, so I will get my horse +saddled and take my departure."</p> + +<p>"Do not depart yet, John," said his brother.<span class="pagenum">[45]</span> +Remain till morning at any rate, and take +leave of Mr. and Mrs. Smithers; they will +think very strangely of your sudden departure.</p> + +<p>"They are sure to hear of the affair," +replied John, "and my departure will save +the unpleasantness of a meeting. I will leave +it to you to make what explanation you like +to them; as also to account to Eleanor for +it in what way you think best. She will +no doubt have a version of the matter from +Bob Smithers; but I have a better opinion of +her than to imagine she will credit the exaggerated +pseudology of malicious gossips."</p> + +<p>For John to wash himself, change his attire, +segregate Joey from the dependent's festivities, +get his horse in and saddle him, was the +work only of about half an hour; and the +whole of it was performed without notice +from any one belonging to the establishment. +John Ferguson and Joey then started, and as +the retreating sound of their horses feet were +lost in the stillness of the night, William<span class="pagenum">[46]</span> +retraced his steps to the scene of gaiety; not +to join again in the mirth, but to take an +opportunity of detailing the particulars of the +late proceedings to Tom Rainsfield; judging +that he would be the best channel through +whom they could reach the ears of Eleanor. +With that intention he sought out his +friend, and was astonished to find that Bob +Smithers had already communicated the fun, +as he called it, to some of his choice companions; +though he had studiously avoided +any mention of his rencontre with himself.</p> + +<p>It was at an hour close on the heels of +morn that the guests broke up the ball; +and consequently it was far advanced in +the forenoon before the assemblage in the +breakfast-parlour was by any means numerous. +It is true some of the bachelors had taken +their departure; but those in the bondage of +matrimony, and swains who were to act as +convoys to the ladies, of course had to wait +the time and pleasure of the fair ones; and,<span class="pagenum">[47]</span> +we must confess it, many were not loath to +be detained by their tender charges.</p> + +<p>Our friends were about the first to leave, +as having a longer journey to perform than +most of the guests, and neither of them +desiring to prolong a stay where the occurrences +had been so painful to one of their +party, they bade a kind adieu to their +entertainers; and took the road at a sharp +trot, which they kept up for some hours, +notwithstanding their fatigues of the previous +day and night.</p> + +<p>We think we informed the reader, in an +early chapter of our history, that Eleanor was +(unlike most native girls) not a good horse-woman; +and that it was therefore an exercise +she did not frequently indulge in. It will +not be wondered at then that the long ride +to Brompton, and the constant exercise there, +had fatigued her. Her horse showing symptoms +of restlessness at starting it was +proposed by William that he should affix a +leading rein to the bit ring of her horse's<span class="pagenum">[48]</span> +bridle, and ride by her side with it in his +hand. The idea was commended by the +party, and was adopted. They started, +William and Eleanor leading the way, Mrs. +Rainsfield following, and Tom and Kate +bringing up the rear, and continued, as we +have said, at a brisk pace for some hours.</p> + +<p>They had accomplished about half the +distance to Strawberry Hill when they approached +rather an abrupt turn in the bush; +which, in its acuteness, prevented them from +seeing, until they came immediately upon it, +a large tree which stood right in the centre of +the road; or rather a path had been beaten +on either side of it. The main track led by +the right side of the trunk, and William +guided his own horse and that of his companion +to take it; but Eleanor's animal +became suddenly refractory, and made a +sudden deviation to pass the tree on the other +side. This movement was so unexpected +that neither equestrian was prepared for it; +and the two horses, each taking opposite<span class="pagenum">[49]</span> +sides of the tree, were brought to a check in +their rapid course by the leading rein we +have mentioned. At the time William had +got it firmly fixed round his left wrist, and +could not (when he saw the accident that +would inevitably occur) disengage it; for so +instantaneously did it happen that he had +hardly time for meditation before the shock +took place, and both riders were hurled from +their saddles with considerable force. William, +though prostrate, still kept his hold of his +own bridle and the rein of Eleanor's horse; +and rose with considerable pain, though (with +the exception of numerous bruises) uninjured, +to lead the horses free of the tree.</p> + +<p>With Eleanor, however, the accident had +resulted far differently. When the check was +felt by her horse the leading rein made him +wheel his head suddenly against the trunk; +and, his fore feet tripping him as he did so, +he fell forward to the ground. Eleanor was +thrown from her saddle; and, but for one of +those inauspicious events which so frequently<span class="pagenum">[50]</span> +occur to mar our well-being, would have come +off more lightly than her companion. As it +was, in her precipitation, her habit in some +way became entangled in her horse's caparisons; +and, instead of being thrown clear of +danger, she was hurled with some force to the +ground at the animal's feet The horse also +fell; and with the whole weight of his body +across her legs.</p> + +<p>It was the work of a moment for the rest +of the party to pull up their steeds, and for +Kate to leap from her saddle to the side of +her friend; and another for Tom and William +to extricate her from her dangerous position.</p> + +<p>"Oh, dearest Eleanor," passionately exclaimed +Kate, "tell me that you are not +seriously hurt. Oh, that horrid, horrid +horse!"</p> + +<p>"I fear I am, Kate dear," replied the poor +girl, "I am very much bruised, and my leg +now I try to move it gives me great pain: I +am afraid it is broken."</p> + +<p>"Oh, gracious goodness! what shall we<span class="pagenum">[51]</span> +do?" cried Kate; "lean on me, Eleanor love, +and see if you can rise."</p> + +<p>The poor girl did so; but the pain was +more than even her wonted heroism could +endure. With a faint cry of agony she sank +fainting into the arms of Tom, who was +standing at her side ready to support her in +case of need, and there unfortunately proved +to be need; for Eleanor, as she herself had +anticipated, had broken her leg.</p> + +<p>The unconscious form of the suffering +creature was carried into the adjoining shade, +and gently placed on the turf in a reclining +position; while the ladies speedily had recourse +to those gentle restoratives, with which +they are happily at all times so ready, in +cases where the sympathies of their kindly +natures are brought into play.</p> + +<p>We masculine mortals plume ourselves on +our knowledge of the female character; which +we profess to read as the astrologers of old +did "the gems that deck eve's lustrous +mantle;" and to divine their secret wishes,<span class="pagenum">[52]</span> +fancies, and inclinations, as the professors of +clairvoyance do their susceptible pupils. But +we are inclined to think woman's heart is the +true arcana of life; at least of this fact we +are certain, woman's troubles can only be +appreciated by woman; and woman in sorrow +can only be soothed, or woman in pain can +only be alleviated by those whose anodynes +are the effects of intuitive impulsions, arising +from the reciprocal communings of kindred +spirits. Oh, woman! bless'd woman! Favoured +daughters of Eve! thou never shinest +in such perfection as when thy ministering +hand assuages the pain of a sick couch. +Happy is the man, with all his flaunted +superiority, who, in the time of indisposition, +when his spirit wavers indecisively between +this life and the other, is blessed with the +possession of thy tender solicitude, to smooth +the passage to the mysterious bourne, or +nourish the reviving spirit with thy calm, +patient, and may be, vigil-dimm'd orbs, ever +watching for returning convalescence. But<span class="pagenum">[53]</span> +we are digressing; our feelings of gratitude +to the sex are carrying us away from the +subject of our narrative, and we must apologize +to our fair readers for our abstractedness.</p> + +<p>Through the tender care of her friends +Eleanor speedily recovered her consciousness, +though only to be made aware, by contemplation, +of the dreadfulness of her situation. She +was suffering the most excruciating agony, +and was more than twenty miles from any assistance. +The thought would have subdued +the stout heart of many a man, but with her +evoked not a murmur. She bore her sufferings, +both bodily and mental, with her characteristic +heroism,—a heroism that admitted of no complaint,—a +perfect subjugation of the feelings, +passively enduring pain with an annihilation +of all querulousness,—one that in a man +would have distinguished the bold spirit; +but in a woman denoted the sublimity of that +nature, which, in its gentle texture, shines out +in bold relief and claims the laurels for an +endurance which extinguishes, in its sublimated<span class="pagenum">[54]</span> +lustre, the baser material of the stern +"lords of the creation."</p> + +<p>A hasty council was now formed in debate +as to the best means that could be adopted +to procure assistance for their wounded friend. +It was proposed first that she should attempt +to get back to Brompton; then that one of +the gentleman should ride back at once, and +procure some conveyance; then that the ladies +should return to Brompton, and obtain the +requisite assistance, while the gentlemen constructed +a litter and carried the invalid as +far on the road as they could, or until they +were met by assistance. To all of these propositions +Eleanor, however, gave her emphatic +veto, and declared that she would not consent +to return; but affirmed her willingness and +ability to proceed to Strawberry Hill.</p> + +<p>This desire again was energetically combatted +by her friends, who argued that such a +course would endanger, not only her limb, +but possibly her life; and that it would be +far better for her to waive her scruples, and<span class="pagenum">[55]</span> +consent to return to the Smithers'. But to +all entreaties on that head she turned a deaf +ear. "I will mount my horse," she said, +"with your assistance, and by going quietly +I will be perfectly able to reach home. So +do not, my dear friends, make yourselves uneasy +on my account."</p> + +<p>At this juncture when all was indecision, +Kate started up and exclaimed: "Now I'll tell +you what to do. Dear Eleanor says she will +not return to Brompton, and that she would +prefer going home; a thought has just come +into my head and I will act upon it. There +was a doctor at the party yesterday, and I +heard Mr. Robert Smithers ask him to stop +until this afternoon; so I will ride back, and +catch him before he leaves, and bring him on +here; but, in the meantime, you must assist +Eleanor into her saddle, and while William +leads the horse, Mr. Rainsfield ought to walk +at her side and protect her from falling; and, +if Mrs. Rainsfield would only ride on before<span class="pagenum">[56]</span> +and send out the spring cart to meet you, the +arrangements would be complete."</p> + +<p>The boldness of the scheme so astonished +her friends that Kate was on her legs and +ready to mount before they could think of +objecting to it. Eleanor was the first and +most earnest in dissuading her from so rash a +step; but all opposition was cut short by the +spirited girl herself, who said she would not +be dissuaded; and addressing her brother +said: "Come, Will, assist me into the saddle +and don't detain me; for I will go, and there +is no use of either of you accompanying me; +your assistance will be required by dear +Eleanor. Do as I propose, and you will find +I will be at Strawberry Hill with the doctor +very shortly after you."<span class="pagenum">[57]</span></p> + +<hr class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III</h2> + +<div class="inset16"> +<p> +"Gallop apace, you fiery footed steeds,<br> +Towards Phœbus' mansion."<br> +<br> +<span class="right"><span class="smcap">Romeo and Juliet</span>, <i>Act</i> 3.<br></span> +</p> +<br> +</div> + +<p>Great was the astonishment at Brompton +when Kate Ferguson made her appearance, +galloping up to the station, and drew up before +the house. At the same time she gathered +up the folds of her habit; and, leaving her +panting steed to the care of some of the assembled +attendants, disdaining any assistance, she +leaped to the ground and ran into the house.</p> + +<p>At the door of the parlour she was met by +Mrs. Smithers who exclaimed, with apprehension +depicted in her countenance: "For mercy's<span class="pagenum">[58]</span> +sake! tell me, dear Kate, what has happened +to cause your return alone?"</p> + +<p>"Eleanor has met with an accident," she +hurriedly replied, "and I want the doctor; is +he here?"</p> + +<p>"Unfortunately he went only about a quarter +of an hour since," said Mrs. Smithers. "I will +send after him though; but tell me what was +the nature of poor Eleanor's accident."</p> + +<p>"She was thrown from her horse, and has +broken her leg," exclaimed Kate; "but do let +me urge you to send after the doctor at once; +or if you direct me to the road he took, I will +follow him myself."</p> + +<p>"I could not hear of such a thing," replied +the lady of the place, "as to permit you, my +dear, to go. Sit down for a moment, or go +to my room and put off your habit, while I +despatch a messenger."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Smithers left the room on her mission, +and shortly returned and informed her impatient +visitor, that a man had been sent after +the doctor, with injunctions to lose no time in<span class="pagenum">[59]</span> +bringing him back. "Doctor Graham has ceased +to practise," she said, "but under such circumstances +he can have no objection to lend us +his professional skill; and as Robert is with +him, and will consequently urge him to speed, +we may confidently expect him here in a very +short time. Come now, my dear, put off your +things, and tell me how the unfortunate occurrence +took place."</p> + +<p>The whole circumstances of the accident +were then related, after which an animated +discussion was carried on between the ladies; +the married one contending that it was impossible +for the younger one to return home before +the following morning, while Kate stoutly +declared her intention to proceed at once, +when the doctor arrived.</p> + +<p>"Such a course, my dear Kate," urged her +friend, "would be unnecessarily exposing yourself +to a fatigue which I am convinced you +could not endure. You had far better remain +with me until the morning, and then Mr. +Smithers will either drive you over in his gig,<span class="pagenum">[60]</span> +or accompany you on horseback. The doctor +and Robert shall be sent off immediately they +arrive, but as to you travelling the road by +night is a thing quite out of the question."</p> + +<p>Still all arguments were unavailing; Kate +persisted in returning at once to be in attendance +on her friend; affirming that she did +not fear the journey, nor anticipate any +fatigue. So, Mrs. Smithers finding it useless +to attempt persuading the determined girl, +proposed that, so as to ease her journey as +much as possible, Mr. Smithers should still +drive her over, and lead her own horse behind +the vehicle. Mr. Smithers was then sought +for, and the melancholy intelligence was communicated +to him by his spouse; who desired +him to place himself and his vehicle at the +disposal of Miss Ferguson.</p> + +<p>He regretted the sad event most feelingly; +at the same time he expressed himself only +too happy to be of service to Kate, and would +hear of no objection from her; saying, "Why! +if you could stand the journey yourself, Miss<span class="pagenum">[61]</span> +Ferguson, your horse could not carry you." +So that the little messenger was perforce +obliged to relinquish her opposition to the +proffered assistance.</p> + +<p>It was late in the afternoon before the +sound of approaching horsemen heralded the +arrival of Bob Smithers and his friend, the +brusque and generally not over-courteous son +of Æsculapius. They were not long permitted +to remain inactive, for the impatient anxiety +of Kate for the safety of her friend stimulated +them to use despatch; and very soon after +their arrival they were tearing away again in +the direction of Strawberry Hill, in concert +with Mr. Alfred Smithers and his charge. +The horsemen took the lead, and were followed +closely by the vehicle; which, by the +speed that they maintained, required a skillful +hand to guide through the mazy difficulties +of the bush track. The night, however, was +beautiful, and the moon bright and clear distinctly +illumined their path; so that the occasional +diminution of the speed was not owing<span class="pagenum">[62]</span> +so much to impediments and difficulties of a +vehicular nature, as to a desire on the part +of the horsemen to take it easier. But these +little delays, insignificant as they were, did +not accord with Kate's ideas of the urgency +of the case; and the flagging equestrians were +constantly prompted by her to an acceleration +of their pace.</p> + +<p>Towards the latter part of the journey the +bush was more dense, and the travelling of +the gig consequently became more difficult. +The frequent, though only momentary detentions, +so harassed Kate that she exchanged +her seat in the gig for the back of her own +jaded horse; and she led the way at a rate +that gave her less fatigued followers something +to do to keep even within sight of her. +All their remonstrances against the velocity +of her pace had no further effect than a +raillery from Kate at their complaining of a +speed that she was enabled to keep up; and +she told them that if they were tired out she +would go on and report their approach.<span class="pagenum">[63]</span> +However much they disliked the toil of such +riding they were, for their own credit, obliged +to keep pace with her, as neither of them +relished the idea of being outstripped by a +girl; and that girl one who had ridden a far +greater distance in the previous twelve hours +than they.</p> + +<p>In the meantime Mrs. Rainsfield had acted +upon Kate's suggestion, and had ridden home +with all speed. She prepared a couch, and +had it placed in a light cart; which was then +despatched to meet the invalid, with strict +injunctions to the driver to go as fast as he +could, until he met the party. Neither had +Tom and William been idle, for they had +placed poor Eleanor on her saddle, where +Tom held her while William led the horse. +But the pain, which the motion caused to her +wounded limb, was such that she could not +with all her fortitude endure it. The young +men, therefore, constructed a sort of impromptu +sedan, in which they carried her for +some distance; in fact, until they were met<span class="pagenum">[64]</span> +by the conveyance despatched from Strawberry +Hill. They then transferred their burden +to the vehicle, and continued the journey +more easily for the poor girl; though their +rate of travelling was necessarily very slow. +It was midnight ere they delivered their +charge into the hands of Mrs. Rainsfield, and +barely an hour afterwards Kate and her companions +galloped up to the house.</p> + +<p>The doctor was instantly shown into the +invalid's room, when the broken leg was soon +set, and the patient placed in as easy a position +as possible; when, after giving directions +to her cousin for her further treatment, he left +the room to partake of some refreshment with +his friends before they parted for the night. +Tom and William waited for the report of +Kate, who was assiduously attending on +Eleanor, and would not hear of rest for herself +until she had first satisfied her mind of +the safety of her friend.</p> + +<p>The following day the invalid was considered +by her medical attendant to be sufficiently<span class="pagenum">[65]</span> +out of danger, and progressing so +favourably as to warrant his departure. He +therefore left, accompanied by his boon companion, +Bob Smithers, who preferred his +society to that of the residents of Strawberry +Hill, and was followed by Mr. Alfred Smithers +in the gig.</p> + +<p>We have so frequently, and we think so +fully, dwelt upon the character of Eleanor +Rainsfield that we are convinced she is by +this time perfectly understood by our readers. +We need therefore only say that it was quite +possible for her to suffer the deepest mental +agony without the slightest semblance of its +being discernible in any display in her facial +muscles. We say that it was quite possible +that the existence of sorrow could have been +working deleteriously at the heart's core of +the invalid, and not be visible by any outward +signs; and it was more than probable, +after the events that had lately occurred, that +some such sorrow did exist. We have already +said that Eleanor was habitually of a taciturn<span class="pagenum">[66]</span> +and uncomplaining nature; and, whatever +were her griefs, she rarely allowed their utterance +to pass her lips; so it was not to be +deemed strange that her friends were unacquainted +with her state of mind. What that +was we dare not violate our trust by divulging, +beyond the fact that there <i>was</i> something +that preyed upon her mind which caused +her to remain feverish and restless on her sick +couch, and which retarded her return to convalescence. +She progressed but slowly; and +it was nearly two months before she was +enabled to leave her room, and expose her +emaciated frame to the summer breeze in a +seat in a shady part of the verandah.</p> + +<p>During all this lengthened illness, her +friends at Fern Vale had been constant in +their attentions, and hardly a day passed +without some enquiries being made or some +intelligence being conveyed. Visits of William +and Kate were interchanged with Tom, who +had delayed his journey to town until Eleanor +was what he considered sufficiently recovered<span class="pagenum">[67]</span> +to spare him. When that time had arrived, +and he saw his cousin at last enabled to move +about, he took his departure; not, however, +without making a special purpose of visiting +Fern Vale to bid adieu to his friends +there.</p> + +<p>Why such particular consideration as this +was required prior to his departure on a +journey that would not occupy more than a +month, or why it was necessary to take such +a formal leave of friends he was in the habit +of seeing so frequently, and whom he could +and did inform of his intended departure upon +the last occasion on which they met, we are +at a loss to conjecture. We do not, however, +consider ourselves justified in making any +surmises, but intend simply to content ourselves +by chronicling the event; deeming in +so doing we perform our duty, and avoid the +probability of misleading our readers, by indulging +in speculations that might lead to +erroneous assumptions respecting the motives +of our friend. Therefore it is only known to<span class="pagenum">[68]</span> +Tom himself, or rather was best known to +him, what took him to Fern Vale, and what +kept him for hours in company with Kate +Ferguson. But there he remained looking +over her sketches, and turning over her +music, as he listened rapturously; while her +pliable fingers fluttered over the keys of her +piano, and exorcised the very spirit of the +muse in the exquisite diapason that she produced +to enchant him. If it was simply to +bid adieu to the young lady he might have +done that, we should have thought, in a much +shorter time, and taken his departure. It +could not have been to visit her brother, for +as yet he had not seen him, and neither made +any effort nor expressed any desire to do so. +He had, in fact, arrived at Fern Vale early in +the forenoon, and finding Kate alone in the +sitting-room, his gallantry (or rather his inclination) +suggested that he should endeavour +to relieve the <i>ennui</i> of the young lady. Thus +he had occupied, for nearly the whole of the +morning, her and his own time, in which<span class="pagenum">[69]</span> +occupation he seemed perfectly contented; so +much so that we strongly suspect that he—But +we were about doing what we repudiated +our intention of, viz., speculating on Tom's +motives. So, dear reader! with your kind +permission, so far as we are concerned, we +will leave him to enjoy uninterruptedly the +pleasure of Kate's society.</p> + +<p>We must now beg the courteous reader to +follow us over a period of about a fortnight, +during which time Eleanor had improved +very little in her health; when Kate and +William one morning left Fern Vale to ride +over to see her. The weather had continued +very dry for months past, and a large portion +of the bush had been slightly fired, so as just +to burn off the long dry withered grass, and +leave on the ground a thick coating of soot. +Through this our friends were riding at a +pretty sharp canter (as, being like most of +their birth and character, no less speed satisfying +them), when Kate's horse tripped and +came down, precipitating his rider over his<span class="pagenum">[70]</span> +head, and sending her sprawling amongst the +ashes.</p> + +<p>Her brother alighted to assist her to rise; +but she was in no way hurt, and regained her +feet with little difficulty or hesitation. But +she had no sooner faced William than he lost +all control over his gravity, and burst into +an immoderate fit of laughter; while to his +sister's enquiry as to the cause of his merriment, +he replied only by laughing the louder; +and she became annoyed at what she called +his silly behaviour.</p> + +<p>"Tell me," said she, "what are you laughing +at; is my face dirty?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear no!" replied he, "it is not +dirty."</p> + +<p>Now in this reply of William's we would +endeavour to exonerate him from any duplicity +or pseudology. If he meant to use the +words ironically, or to imply that his sister's +face was not dirty, on the principle we have +sophistically heard enunciated that soot is +clean dirt, not dirtying where it comes in<span class="pagenum">[71]</span> +contact, but merely soiling; then it must be +admitted he spoke the truth. But we suspect +rather that he meant to say her face was not +only dirty, but a shade worse; for it was +absolutely black. And much as we respect +etiquette, and would be loath to commit such +an impropriety as to laugh at a lady, we +question very much our ability, had we looked +on Kate's face on this occasion, to have preserved +a stoical equanimity of countenance.</p> + +<p>"No but, Will, dear," persisted Kate, "do +tell me; is my face really dirty? I am sure +it must be or you wouldn't laugh so. It is +unkind of you to tease me;" and the little +orbs in the darkened firmament, and the little +mouth that had escaped disfigurement in the +sudden metamorphosis, exhibited symptoms +of a lachrymose tendency.</p> + +<p>Nothing so soon softens the obdurate heart +of a man as seeing a woman in tears; especially +when she is a handsome young girl, +and is beloved by her masculine tormentor. +Therefore we may safely surmise, that<span class="pagenum">[72]</span> +William's laughing soon ceased; for he instantly +changed his manner to his sister, +and said:</p> + +<p>"Yes, Kitty, darling; your face is as black +as a crow; and would enable you to make a +splendid personation of an Ethiopian vocalist, +if that sable people ever exhibit their ladies. +But forgive me, poppet, for laughing at you; +I would defy the goddess of grief herself to +refrain from smiling if she had perchance +cast her eyes upon you as you rose from the +ground."</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear me! what shall I do?" said +Kate, in a most piteous way. "What shall I +do? You know, Will, I can't go on in this +figure, we must go back."</p> + +<p>"Nonsense, my dear," said William, "you +can go on very well. A slight application of +water at Strawberry Hill will very soon remove +all traces of your cloudiness."</p> + +<p>"But, Will," replied his sister, "all the +people will be laughing at me if I go on as I +am, presenting such an odd appearance."<span class="pagenum">[73]</span></p> + +<p>"Not in the least, my pet," said William; +"besides if you turned back home our people +would laugh at you quite as much, not for +the soot on your face, but for your foolishness +in returning. At Strawberry Hill, however, +no one will laugh at you, for they will have +too much good breeding; and if you put +your veil down over your face it will be +invisible; while at the same time you can +present yourself to Eleanor, and test her +affection by seeing if she will kiss you in +that plight. I'll engage she'll laugh, for she'll +think it is a little stratagem of yours to take +her by surprise and excite her merriment. +She will therefore think herself called upon to +reward you with a smile."</p> + +<p>"I don't like to go in this figure, Will," +said Kate; "do you think we shall be able to +find any water-hole on the road where I could +wash my face?"</p> + +<p>"Not one, Kitty," said William, "nor a +drop of water nearer than Strawberry Hill, +unless you like to go to the river; and it<span class="pagenum">[74]</span> +would be quite unnecessary, for if you went +there you wouldn't be able to thoroughly +remove the black. The washing would only +make you appear worse, inasmuch as, instead +of being black, you would be dirty. But +come, my little queen of Artimesia! let me +put you on your horse, and we'll go ahead. +I have often heard of a sable beauty, and +declare you are one in perfection; if you +were not my sister I would do the romantic +and fall in love with you. There now! up +you get, and let us be off; for the sooner +you get to 'the Hill' the sooner you'll +have your visage restored to its natural colour. +But before you touch your face, Kitty, +just have a look at yourself in the glass; +though I need not have told you to do that, +for I know it is the first thing you are sure +to do."</p> + +<p>"Don't be cruel, Will! and tease me so," +said Kate, "or I'll go back home."</p> + +<p>"Very well, my dear," said William, "I'll +grant a truce, and spare you."<span class="pagenum">[75]</span></p> + +<p>The brother and sister then turned their +conversation into some other channel, and +rode on until they came within sight of +Strawberry Hill; when Kate pulled down +her veil to conceal her darkened countenance +from the gaze of the curious. As they +approached the station, and got sufficiently +near to distinguish the people about the +place, Kate was startled to see some gentleman +on the verandah, whom she knew (by +his appearance) was not Mr. Rainsfield, and +she remarked to her brother: "Oh, William! +I can't go up to the house in this figure. +See, who is that on the verandah? he is +a stranger I know and I shall never be able +to meet his gaze. Can't you take me somewhere, +where I can get my face clean before +I show myself?"</p> + +<p>"Don't be frightened Kitty," said William, +"no one will be able to distinguish the colour +of your face through your veil; and, if I +mistake not, the individual you see, and +whose appearance seems to cause you such<span class="pagenum">[76]</span> +uneasiness, is none other than Bob Smithers, +who will make himself scarce when he sees +me. Put on a bold face under your blackness, +and try a <i>coup de main</i>, though it is not +likely under your present eclipse to be a <i>coup +de soleil</i>. If Eleanor is on the verandah when +you alight run into the house and carry her +off at once; and if any of the family should +see you in your flight I will make some explanation +for you."</p> + +<p>This seemed partially to satisfy Kate, and +they rode together up to the house. As +William had conjectured the party they saw +was Bob Smithers; who, as soon as he had +been able to distinguish who were the approaching +visitors, had left the spot where +he had been seen by them, while Eleanor, +who had been sitting just inside one of the +French lights, came out to greet her friends as +they made their appearance. William assisted +Kate off her saddle, when she ran up to the +girl who stood with open arms to embrace her. +But instead of falling into that loving lock,<span class="pagenum">[77]</span> +which was intended to unite the beatings +of their young hearts, and which she was +generally so ready, with her usual ardour, +to reciprocate, she partially lifted her veil +and discovered to her astonished friend her +beaming countenance. Instead of being +radiant with glowing smiles it was of course +more gloomy than thunder; but her merry +laugh rang as a silvery note from the shades +of Hades, while her bright eyes and pearly +teeth, in such deep contrast, shone with a +more marked resplendence.</p> + +<p>Eleanor for some moments gazed at Kate +with silent wonder, and then asked in the +faint voice of a valetudinarian: "Why, dearest +Kate, what have you been doing with yourself?"</p> + +<p>"I will answer for her," replied William. +"You see our little Hebe has gone into mourning; +and, considering that the mere outward +habilimentary display was an empty conventionality, +she chose to mark her grief in her +countenance; so that she might indulge<span class="pagenum">[78]</span> +uninterruptedly to any extent of sorrow. As +to her motive I am inclined to think she has +done it to court notice, and notoriety; for I +am convinced she never looked so handsome +before."</p> + +<p>"That is a poor compliment William pays +you, Kate," said Eleanor; "but I appeal to +you for a correct version of the phenomenon, +for I am afraid to question your brother, as +I see he is in a facetious mood. Come to my +room, my dear, and we can have a talk to +ourselves."</p> + +<p>"That is the very thing I desire, Eleanor +dear," said Kate, "for I am quite anxious to +see what a fright I am, and wash off all the +dreadful smut. I saw Mr. Smithers here as I +came up, and I would not for the world that +he should have seen me thus."</p> + +<p>"He was here a few minutes ago," said +Eleanor, "but has disappeared somewhere."</p> + +<p>"Well, Will," said Kate, "why are you still +standing staring at us? why don't you take +the horses away?"<span class="pagenum">[79]</span></p> + +<p>"Oh, I am really very sorry for keeping +him," said Eleanor, "it quite escaped my +memory; you go to my room, Kate dear, +and I'll send some one to see to the +horses."</p> + +<p>"Not for worlds, Miss Eleanor, would I +permit you to do such a thing," exclaimed +William. "I can myself take the horses to +the stable; but I was waiting to take a last +fond look of Kate. I am, in fact, enchained +to the spot; if ever she was a beauty she is +one now, and a shining one that would be +a fortune to a London advertising blacking +manufacturer."</p> + +<p>"Be off, you impudent fellow!" replied his +sister, "and don't show <i>your</i> face here until +you can cease to be offensive;" saying which, +she turned into the house with Eleanor, while +William took the horses to the stable to +remain for such time as he stopped at Strawberry +Hill. This business he accomplished; +and, knowing that the girls would be sometime<span class="pagenum">[80]</span> +engaged together with their own little +secrets, and having no desire to come into +contact with Bob Smithers, he thought he +would fill up half an hour by paying a visit +to Mr. Billing, and enjoying the refreshment +of that little individual's conversation.<span class="pagenum">[81]</span></p> + +<hr class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h2> + +<div class="inset18"> +<p> +"The wondering stranger round him gazed,<br> +All spoke neglect and disrepair."<br> +<br> +<span class="smcap right">Sir Walter Scott.</span><br> +</p> +<br> +</div> + +<p>William sought the capricious storekeeper +in the proper sphere of his labour, viz. the +store-room, and, as he had anticipated, found +him deeply engaged in some imaginarily abstruse +piece of figurative collocation, from the +study of which he relieved his brain and +raised his eyes at the sound of intrusive steps. +William advanced with outstretched hand, +which was humbly and respectfully taken by +Mr. Billing; who, as he removed his spectacles +from his nose, and shifted, we will not say<span class="pagenum">[82]</span> +rose from his desk, answered to his visitor's +sanitary enquiry in his blandest manner: +"I thank you, Mr. Ferguson; it affords me +great satisfaction to say I am in the enjoyment +of excellent health, and trust, my dear +sir, a similar blessing is dispensed to yourself."</p> + +<p>"Well, thank you, Mr. Billing," replied +William, "I am pretty well. But don't let +me disturb you if you are busy, I have just +called in to see and have a chat with you; +but if you are engaged I will not interrupt +you; for I thoroughly agree to the principle +that business must be attended to."</p> + +<p>"I assure you, sir," said Mr. Billing, "I +appreciate your kindness in thinking me +worthy of your consideration. I feel favoured, +sir, beyond measure; and if you will still +further honour me by gracing our humble +dwelling, I can say, sir, with confidence Mrs. +Billing will be equally as delighted as myself."</p> + +<p>"But I hope, Mr. Billing, I am not taking +you away from your business," said William.<span class="pagenum">[83]</span></p> + +<p>"By no means, my dear sir," exclaimed that +urbane individual, "however engrossed I might +be in my mental or corporeal occupations, the +respite, sir, from those labours, when it is occasioned +by the honour of a visit from a young +gentleman of your talent and abilities, is of +too valuable a nature, sir, not to be gratefully +seized by your humble servant. Pray accept +my best thanks, sir, for your attention, and +permit me to invite you, sir, to our unpretending +abode; for lowly it is, and not of those +pretensions I could desire, sir, nor of such as +it has been my lot at a former period of my +life to possess, yet, sir, to it I can offer an +Englishman's adjunct, a hearty welcome."</p> + +<p>"I am very much obliged to you, Mr. +Billing," replied William, "and will be happy +to accept of your hospitality."</p> + +<p>"This way then, Mr. Ferguson," said Mr. +Billing. "Allow me to close the door of the +store. I always lock it in my absence to +prevent, sir, any unpleasant affairs, such as +have occurred here, you know. If you will be<span class="pagenum">[84]</span> +good enough to step this way, sir? I must +apologize beforehand, for the litter which I +expect you will find, sir, in our domicile by +explaining that Mrs. Billing does not anticipate +the pleasure of visitors."</p> + +<p>Considering the sight that greeted the eyes +of William as he entered the cottage, such an +apology was certainly necessary, or rather +unnecessary, to prepare him for what he was +to witness. We said necessary, to excuse the +lady of the house for the chaotic arrangements +of her household, seeing that one couldn't +enter the dwelling without being painfully +aware that slovenliness and disorder reigned +supreme. Therefore we corrected ourselves +in the expression, and stated the absence of +such necessity; as no one could be so blind +as to imagine that the litter which Mr. +Billing alluded to was merely the result of an +occasion; for it was too palpably evident +that the spirit of disorganization was the presiding +genius of the Billing mansion, and, +moreover, the visitor would be strengthened<span class="pagenum">[85]</span> +in the conviction the very moment he cast +his eyes upon the wife of Mr. Billing's bosom. +We will repeat then that Mr. Billing made +numerous apologies for the disorder to which +he was about to usher William Ferguson; +and we may safely conjecture that William +was not a little surprised when all the internal +arrangements of the home burst upon +his vision.</p> + +<p>"Let me show you to my domicile, Mr. +Ferguson," said the little man in rather a +pompous way; "as usual, sir, the house is +turned topsey-turvey, Mrs. Billing is such a +woman for cleanliness. You have no doubt, +Mr. Ferguson (though you have not yet +become entangled in the meshes of matrimony), +heard of the nuisance of a musical +wife; let me equally warn you, sir, against +choosing the partner of your connubial bliss, +from those of too cleanly a predilection. My +spouse, sir, for instance, has periodical fits for +cleansing (and I regret to say, sir, they are of +too frequent occurrence for my especial comfort);<span class="pagenum">[86]</span> +then nothing but dust, soap and water, +and disquietude pervades the house for a full +twelve or twenty-four hours. You are aware, +sir, 'at home' (I mean of course in Old +England) we paterfamiliases are taught, sir, +to look upon washing-days as the very +superlative of domestic misery; but my wife +always had a propensity for having something +like a washing-day very nearly six +times a week, sir; and she has brought her +customs and prejudices with her to this barbarous +country. But come in, my dear sir, +and take a seat, while I inform Mrs. Billing +of your presence; and if I may be so bold, +sir, as to add, I will entreat you to make +yourself quite at home."</p> + +<p>This introductory prologue of Mr. Billing's +was delivered as he stood with the door +slightly ajar, and holding it by the handle +while he addressed William, no doubt to fully +prepare him to a proper appreciation of the +merits of the lady to whom he was about to +be introduced. When we say introduced we<span class="pagenum">[87]</span> +do not mean that formal ceremony in which +strangers are brought to a mutual acquaintance +(for William had frequently before met +Mrs. Billing), but the mere act of being +ushered to her presence in a house into which +he, as yet, had never entered. Mr. Billing +had stood, door in hand, while he uttered +about half of his last sentence, when William +saw, or fancied he saw, a female hand suddenly +draw back the cover of a muslin blind that +screened the lower part of a window situated +in close proximity to the door at which he +stood. Instantly thereafter a female head +was substituted in its place, but as instantly +withdrawn; while the noise of some falling +object was distinctly heard, and was as +speedily followed by that of a hastily closed +door; all of them unmistakeable signs of a +surprisal and retreat.</p> + +<p>At this moment Mr. Billing pushed open +the door and entered the evacuated room, in +which he concluded his lugubrious notice of +his lesser half's peculiarities, and desired his<span class="pagenum">[88]</span> +visitor to take a seat; which his visitor, +picking up a chair that lay prostrate on the +floor, accordingly did; and Mr. Billing went +in search of his lady. Judging from the +seeming confidence with which he walked +into an apartment entering from the one +which William sat in, forming the only other +one in the front of the cottage, the operation +was one of more certitude than the verb he +made use off would imply; and also judging +from the subdued whispers that William +could overhear through the thin wooden +partition that constituted the wall of the +room, the search was also attended with +wonderful success. But during Mr. Billing's +absence to look for his spouse, let us join our +young friend in his general inspection of the +furnishing and upholstery department of the +establishment.</p> + +<p>In the first place we must say, distinctly +and candidly, that the room was furnished +badly. Not that there was any paucity in the +collection; but the articles, though numerous,<span class="pagenum">[89]</span> +taken in the abstract, with the greatest regard +to symmetry, contrast, and beauty, and the +best possible display of talent in their collocation, +any one with the slightest pretensions to +comfort, we are certain would eliminate the +entire mass; and any appraiser, if such an +individual existed, within the boundaries of +New South Wales, if called in to take an inventory, +would elevate both his nose and his +shoulders.</p> + +<p>But we will, with the reader's kind permission, +give a short description, for the benefit +of young couples about to furnish; and out +of respect for the feelings and the patience of +those of our readers, who have no desire or +necessity for such detail, we will epitomize the +catalogue as much as possible.</p> + +<p>First then we must state that there was no +semblance of order in the arrangements. Far +from it; in fact, quite the reverse. All things +seemed to have been placed with a predetermination +on the part of some one to create +as much confusion as possible, and to put each<span class="pagenum">[90]</span> +individual article into as awkward a position +as imaginable. It is true William had rescued +a chair from a lowly position, and had placed +it on an unoccupied spot on the floor, and used +it for the purpose for which in its construction +it was intended. But it was well our +young friend was not of an erratic disposition, +for if he had been bent upon voyages of discovery, +other than could be effected by his +eyes, he would have found himself in as great +a labyrinth as ever impeded the progress of +the polar explorers. The fact was William +was perfectly hemmed in; so that, with the +exception of a small spot that was partially +occupied by his chair, there was no room to +stir, or at least very little; and he did not +consider it wise, or politic, to risk his knees +and shins in an attempt to penetrate into the +thickly timbered recesses of the apartment. +As he sat in the midst of this mass, which +seemed to have been collected as the entire +furniture of a dwelling, deposited in a room +for the convenience of the van that officiates<span class="pagenum">[91]</span> +at flittings, he almost looked like an anxious +emigrant keeping guard over his effects when +landed in a strange country, or as "Caius +Marius mourning over the ruins of Carthage."</p> + +<p>But we have wandered from our task, our +self-imposed descriptive task, which we confess +ourselves at a loss to perform with satisfaction; +for having no cabinet-making knowledge, +and never having before been called +upon to take an inventory of such chattels, +we feel ourselves, to make use of a vulgar +idiom, "all abroad." We fear we have assumed +the title and privileges of the author +without considering whether or not we are +possessed of the attributes pertaining to one; +and, in our insensate conceit, we are afraid we +have forgotten the absence of that recondite +perspicuity and facile elucidation which are +imperatively essential to the character we have +arrogated. But we fancy we hear some of our +impatient readers exclaim, "We wish you +would tell us, without 'beating about the +bush,' what the room contains; it is all nonsense<span class="pagenum">[92]</span> +your making excuses now, you should +have thought of your incapacity before you +commenced your history, and must go on with +it; all we can do is to pity and smile at your +ignorance;" and we exclaim, "A thousand +thanks, kind readers! That is the very +lenience we wished to evoke; we now can +proceed with confidence, if not in our powers +of depiction, at least in your charity and forbearance."</p> + +<p>Well then, in the centre of the room stood +a table, which we venture to say had not been +displaced in the general disorganization, notwithstanding +that its satellites had. There +was nothing extraordinary about this table, +and yet there was a something which inspired +awe, or at least curiosity, and that would lead +to the enquiry, Whence came it? and this +was precisely William's thought. Ah! that +was a rare old table, and struck William with +a desire to know its history; but unfortunately +it had not the power to satisfy his enquiring +mind; and he, having no one at the time with<span class="pagenum">[93]</span> +him from whom he could glean the information, +was not likely to be the wiser. With +the reader, however, we will not be so harsh +or uncommunicative, but will make use of our +knowledge, and impart the secret of its life; +at least from the time whence it boasted of +Mr. Billing as its owner. First, however, we +will give a sketch of its general appearance.</p> + +<p>When we called it a table, we should have +in greater justice said two tables, for, though +one, it was also two. This seeming paradox +may be explained by stating that, as it stood, +it was one, but in its integral parts it could +be spoken of in the plural number; in fact, to +descend to the common vernacular mode of +expression, we will say they were two side +leaf-tables that had graced the parlour windows +of the little box at Brixton. The leaves +were, and had been for many years (in fact, +rarely otherwise), quiescent, and were each +made to hide its diminished head in a close +contiguity to the object's crural appendages. +The two tables, thus reduced to their natural<span class="pagenum">[94]</span> +bounds, were arranged with an affectionate +concomitance so as to act the part of a table +of family pretensions. It was of mahogany; +and we will assume the postulation, that it +was of solid mahogany, to which assumption +we are led from its antique appearance, presuming +that in the good old days of our ancestors, +that refined species of humbug and +deception, yclept veneering, was not in vogue, +as our forefathers, so we are told, could not +tolerate anything but what was substantial. +But how sadly have we degenerated in these +latter days! We now no longer perpetuate +their creed, or retain any of their material +predilections, except those for beef, beer, +"bacca," and bills.</p> + +<p>But to return to the table. We said it was +mahogany, but we must correct ourselves; +we mean it was so originally, when it stood +in the parlour at Brixton, but now no longer +could it be said to be of that wood. If it but +spoke, what "tales it could unfold" of voyages, +journeys, mishaps, and accidents, that would<span class="pagenum">[95]</span> +put the whole fraternity of aristocratic loos +far into the shade. Mr. Billing was wont to +say he loved that old table as much as hundreds +of individuals are in the habit of affirming +a similar affection for a certain "old arm +chair." He would also inform his friends, +when in a communicative mood, that that +table had belonged to his friend Lord Tom +Noddy, whom he knew very well; but, unfortunately +for our poor little friend's aristocratic +reputation, on one occasion when he was a +little "farther gone" than was usually his +habit to go, the truth of <i>in vino veritas</i> was +exemplified. On that occasion he innocently +informed his friends, that, of course, the Lord +Tom Noddy did not know him; that he, Mr. +B., had bought the table at a sale of that +nobleman's effects, when the inconvenient +demands of low tradespeople rendered a sojourn +in London exceedingly annoying to his +lordship, and induced him to fancy his health +demanded attention and his person relaxation +and continental air. But still Mr. Billing<span class="pagenum">[96]</span> +could boast of what very few, if any, men in +Australia could, that is, that he was possessed +of a table that had belonged to a real, live +lord; and many were those who were made +aware of the fact.</p> + +<p>We fear we are not confining ourselves to +a succinct account of minutiæ, but are again +running too much into detail of no moment; +and we will, therefore, continue more briefly +the history and description of this wonderful +piece of furniture. It had been considered +too great a treasure to be sacrificed in the +break-up of the Brixton "box;" consequently +it was carried off to gladden the eyes and +astonish the nerves of the natives of Australia. +As we have already said, many were the misfortunes +it had gone through in its various +peregrinations, and vast the trouble it had +been to its present owner, who, notwithstanding, +through all his vicissitudes, stuck to it as +long as it stuck to him. Lord Tom Noddy's +table was in much the same predicament as +Jack's knife, which had had five new blades<span class="pagenum">[97]</span> +and three new handles; for his lordship's +table had had innumerable splicings, nailings, +screwings, patchings, and new leggings, composed +of a variety of fibrous material, and +of numerous colours and artistic designs. Yet +there it stood, with its legs of an unequal +longitude, some with castors and some without +(the latter being supplied with a stone +or a piece of wood, to preserve as nearly as +possible the equilibrium); and, with more than +one bandage to conceal a fractured limb, this +relic of the past, this trophy of Mr. Billing's +palmy days, and proof of his intercourse with +aristocracy, preserved a dignified composure, +like a veteran surveying the scene of a triumph. +We said that the table stood in the +centre of the room, and bore no evidences of +having been moved in the general disorder; +of this we were morally certain, for, judging +by its paralytic appearance, it threatened a +speedy dissolution if touched.</p> + +<p>The other members of this conglomerate +fraternity were some dozen chairs, more or<span class="pagenum">[98]</span> +less, also in various stages of dilapidation, and +of them we can say much in a few words. +They were American, machine-made, cane-bottomed, +painted, and patent varnished +ladies' and gent's body supporters, and bore +the same relation to civilized furniture as +Dutch clocks used to do to the old-cased +patriarchs, that in our halls marked the +phases of fleeting time.</p> + +<p>They were "machine-made," we say, that +is, the legs, bars, etc., were cut and turned +by machinery; they were possessed of cane +bottoms, whether also arranged by machinery +or not, we can't say, though they were +painted and varnished by its aid. But why +such ordinary articles of domestic use should +be patent we are at a loss to comprehend, +unless it were for the design, or in the operation +of painting the decorating portion, +which consisted of an application of gilt varnish +on the front of each leg and prominent +part of the seat, and the representation on the +back, in high colours and gilt, of some flowers<span class="pagenum">[99]</span> +and fruit, which it would be difficult to +match with originals, from all the varieties +that have been produced, from the Eden +apple downwards.</p> + +<p>The next article was a sort of chiffonnier, +a piece of furniture that made a great display; +with crystal and china arranged with +precision on the top, and a protecting covering +of chintz, no doubt the uninitiated would +imagine, to keep the polish from sustaining +any injury. But must we discover the truth? +Oh! deceitfulness of man, and, we may add, +of woman too. This elegant and costly piece +of furniture was nothing but a large deal +box placed up on end, with rough shelves +fixed into it to add to its utility, and with a +gaudy cover put over it to hide its nakedness. +There was another article of a similar +construction, a luxuriant-looking ottoman, and +a sofa which had originally, no doubt, been +of polished cedar (of which wood, we may +remark, all the best colonial furniture is made, +and found to equal, if not excel, Honduras<span class="pagenum">[100]</span> +mahogany), and with horse-hair cushions, etc. +But now it presented a doleful appearance of +weather-beaten features and limbs, and where +a horse-hair covering had existed, now only +canvas was visible. A mirror of the dull +and heavy school rested on the mantel-piece, +along with sundry portraits, no doubt of +a family importance, executed in an art of +stern profile blackness, which art, we believe, +is extinct, and happily so. The floor had no +covering, neither had the walls, which showed +the wood in its crude state, or rather in the +serrated condition in which it had left the +sawyer's pit. A few children's stockings and +shoes scattered about; a woman's dress, +mantle, and bonnet lying on the table, with +some calico in the process of conversion to +an article of apparel; a piano of ancient +make which, we must say though, belonged +to Mrs. Rainsfield, and was placed there for +the use of the children while under the +tuition of Mrs. Billing, completed the furniture; +and, with other scraps, such as towels,<span class="pagenum">[101]</span> +dusters, and odds and ends, all heaped together, +as we have said before, in interminable +confusion, the reader has an idea of what +William was surveying.</p> + +<p>We have already confessed our lack of the +author's talent of succinct expression; and +what we might have been able, had we been +possessed of such a gift, to have detailed in a +few pithy words, and what was noticed by +William in a few minutes, it has taken us so +long to describe. We must therefore beg to +assure the reader that Mr. Billing was not so +rude as to leave his guest waiting alone so +long as we have kept him, but shortly re-entered +the sitting-room and informed William +that Mrs. Billing was that moment engaged +with the children, but if he would excuse her +for a few minutes she would be obliged to +him.</p> + +<p>Now it happened that William had heard +certain sounds that indicated arrangements of +no possible connexion with children's attiring +and ornature; such as the washing of an adult's<span class="pagenum">[102]</span> +hands, the operation of adjusting that corporeal +appertinence, which is made to enclose +the forms and symmetrize the figures of Eve's +fair daughters of the present age, the rustling +of silk, and other prognostics of a personal +embellishment. But still conveniently deaf +as a visitor should be to such sounds he +begged that Mrs. Billing would not allow herself +to be drawn from her attention to the +children on his account, for he would be sorry +to inconvenience her by his call.</p> + +<p>Mr. Billing thanked him for his politeness +and consideration, and entreated him not to +mention anything about inconvenience; and +at that very moment Mrs. Billing sailed into +the room, or at least as much of it as she +could get into; and, while shaking hands with +William, said: "I am delighted beyond measure, +Mr. Ferguson, at your kindness in calling +upon us. It is so affable of you, and I can +only express my regrets that you should have +happened to have chosen a day when you see +we are all topsy-turvey. You must know, Mr.<span class="pagenum">[103]</span> +Ferguson, I always like to keep my house +clean and in order, although Mr. Billing will +persist in grumbling at what he calls unnecessary +cleanliness; but still I am glad you have +honoured us with a visit." "Go away, Johnny, +and Bobby! Mary, don't be rude!"</p> + +<p>These latter expressions were addressed to +various olive branches of the Billing tree, who +showed their heads at the door whence had +emerged the parent stem, and to which, we +presume, the juveniles had come to satisfy +their curiosity as to the nature of the intrusion +on their domestic privacy. But they did +not seem disposed to obey the injunctions of +their maternal parent; who therefore rose and +put them inside the room and shut the door, +while they continued to amuse themselves by +keeping up a perpetual kicking.</p> + +<p>Possibly the reader may desire to know +something about Mrs. Billing, her genealogy, +etc. If so, we will endeavour to prevent disappointment +by giving a brief sketch of her. +She was a lady, "a perfect lady," as her husband<span class="pagenum">[104]</span> +used to say, and we should imagine, +nearly twenty years the junior of her lord. +She was not absolutely plain; she might once +have been good-looking. In fact, Mr. Billing +used to assure his friends, when first he married +her she was a beauty, one, he affirmed, +of the Grecian mould. We will not flatter +her, however, by saying she was handsome; +though we will state that her looks were capable +of great improvement by the study of a +little judicious display and effective costuming. +But these virtues or follies, as our +readers may consider them, obtained very +little regard from Mrs. Billing; notwithstanding +that on sundry occasions, such as the +present, she made an effort to appear as in +former years.</p> + +<p>She had taken some little pains, we say +little pains because of the insignificance of the +result, to present a genteel appearance to our +friend William, and had made a hasty toilet. +If it had effected any improvement in her +appearance it argued badly for her presentableness<span class="pagenum">[105]</span> +before the operations of ablution and +ornature had taken place. Her hair, in keeping +with her eyes, was black, and parted not +scrupulously in the centre; a stray lock on +the forehead segregated from its rightful position +was brought immediately across the line +of demarcation and incorporated in the opposition. +However, its lamination was lost in the +plastering the whole had undergone in the +toilet operations; and, as Mrs. Billing was not +a vain woman, such a mishap was not deemed +worthy of notice, or at least the trouble of +rectification. Her features, if not good, were +certainly far from bad. There was a vivacity +and expression in them, but there was also an +unctuousness that was a necessary concomitant +on her perpetual bustle, which incessantly +displayed itself in her pale face. She wore a +black silk dress, that made a rustling like dry +leaves in winter, and was modelled in a fashion +so as to confine both the wrists and the throat +of the wearer; at which points it terminated +without the muslin adjuncts we usually look<span class="pagenum">[106]</span> +for. As for the dress itself nothing need be +said, except that it might have, and had been a +good one, but was then rather seedy. It gave +us, however, the idea that it was worn in much +the same manner, and for much the same purpose, +as the closely buttoned up frock-coat of +the "shabby genteel gentleman," who is unable +to make any display of spotless linen. +But we will make no ambiguous allusion to a +lady's under garments, though we cannot shut +our eyes to noticeable facts. Neither could +William, for he perceived that her boots, +though they had once been of a fashionable +make, were not what they had been, for their +glory had long since departed. He also +noticed that her hands and facial contour +were of a different shade to her neck and +throat. It might have been an optical illusion, +the effect of a deceptive light, the contrast +of complexion, or the exposure to sun; +but he thought that where the tints blended +the contrast was too perceptible to be natural, +and therefore concluded that the phenomenon<span class="pagenum">[107]</span> +arose from the dirt not being thoroughly removed, +or the omission of an ablutionary +application to the dark tinted part.</p> + +<p>William also noticed,—but we must again +crave the indulgence of our fair readers, whose +pardon we implore for adverting to such a +subject,—when Mrs. Billing turned herself to +eject and inject the juvenile representatives +of the Billing family; he saw her back! yes, +reader! her back! Now no lady should turn +her back on a gentleman any more than a +gentleman should perform so derogatory an +act upon a lady, either literally or figuratively. +More especially if that lady be not a good +figure, or if her dress does not fit immaculately. +We do not insinuate that Mrs. Billing had not +a good figure, she was <i>once</i> graceful; but it +was to be presumed, that considering the ample +proofs she had given of a proclivity to gestation, +the symmetry of that figure had to some +extent been impaired. Be that as it may, the +dress of Mrs. Billing did not meet behind by +some three or four hooks; and the consequence<span class="pagenum">[108]</span> +was that a sight was revealed to the +bashful gaze of our young friend which +caused him to blush; while the remembrance +of the cleanly characteristics, enunciated by +her lord as pertaining to her, made him +wonder. For there! immediately underneath +the habilimentary cuticle, William saw garments +of so suspicious a colour as to make it +questionable whether they had attained their +peculiar hues by the process of dyeing, or by +their contact with this world's filth.</p> + +<p>But there is one thing that we must explain +before we leave Mrs. Billing. We have +already told the reader that cleanliness was +Mrs. Billing's peculiar and predominant +idiosyncrasy, and we must reconcile this +statement to our portraiture of unbecoming +slovenliness. It is easily said in a few words. +Mrs. Billing was one of those women who +are always in a fuss about their domestic +affairs; who are for ever fidgeting about the +dirt in the house; and always attempting to +remove, or remedy it, though in the attempt<span class="pagenum">[109]</span> +they only succeed in adding to the filth. +Making "confusion worse confounded;" leaving +things worse than they were before; +adding to the discomfort of their husbands, +their children, and themselves; whom they +keep in a perpetual state of slovenliness and +untidiness. Such was Mrs. Billing's failing; +and if her husband was blessed with perspicuity +sufficient to notice it, for his own +peace of mind, he abstained from any dictation +that might have embroiled him in family +dissensions; and he was right: for on the +whole she was undeniably a good wife to him +notwithstanding her little peculiarities.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Billing had managed to squeeze +herself into a seat, as her husband had +previously done, without necessitating any +extraordinarily unpleasant contiguity to her +visitor; though any extension of prerogative +on the part of the upper or nether +limbs of either of the party would have +been detrimental to the visages, or shins, +of the others. So they were all perforce<span class="pagenum">[110]</span> +compelled to adhere to a strict propriety of +deportment.</p> + +<p>The lady was particularly charmed, or at +least she continued to say so, at what she +designated the condescension of Mr. Ferguson +in visiting her humble abode.</p> + +<p>"I am truly delighted to see you," she said +again, for at least the twentieth time; "and +only regret I can offer you no inducement +to prolong your visit. I suppose there would +be no use in my asking you to stay and take +pot-luck with us in the friendly way, Mr. +Ferguson? Not that it would be any change +of fare to you, for we are necessarily humble +people now; and, if we even desired it, we +could not have anything out of the common. +It is not here like 'at home,' where you can, +even with the most moderate means, procure +anything nice. In this horrid country neither +love nor money can buy tasty things. One +has to be contented with what we can get, +and we live so incessantly upon mutton that +I wonder we're not all ashamed to look a<span class="pagenum">[111]</span> +sheep in the face. But, as I was saying, can +we persuade you to stop and take pot-luck +with us, Mr. Ferguson?"</p> + +<p>"I really thank you, Mrs. Billing," said +William; "but my friends will expect me +to make my appearance at the house shortly. +I have brought my sister over to see Miss +Eleanor, and have just dropped in to see you +as I passed."</p> + +<p>"Yes! it is very kind of you," said Mrs. +Billing; "and of course Mrs. Rainsfield will be +expecting you. However, if at any time you +shall be disposed to honour us with a visit, +let us have the pleasure of your company +sufficiently long to enable us fully to enjoy +it. Devote some evening to us, and we will +endeavour to amuse you. We would be most +happy to see your sister too, if she would +condescend to honour our roof by her presence; +she is a gentle, amiable young lady. +I need not ask if she is well as that I am +sure of?"</p> + +<p>"Thank you," said William, "she is quite<span class="pagenum">[112]</span> +well, and I have no doubt will be happy to +join me in paying you a visit; especially +when I tell her of your kind enquiries."</p> + +<p>"Will you try a little spirits, Mr. Ferguson?" +asked the master of the mansion. "I +am sorry I have no wine to offer you, and +neither any choice of spirits; but I shall be +delighted if you will join me in a glass of +rum."</p> + +<p>"I am obliged to you; not any," replied +William.</p> + +<p>The conversation continued for some short +time longer, chiefly though on the part of the +Billing couple; who took upon themselves +the initiatory to enlighten their visitor upon +all their family affairs and departed greatness. +William soon began to feel a distaste for this +kind of conversation and society, and had +made one or two attempts to break the spell. +But as the pair kept up an alternate and incessant +dialogue he could not find an opportunity +of taking his leave; and neither did he effect +his retreat until he had risen from his seat,<span class="pagenum">[113]</span> +stood hat in hand for nearly ten minutes, and +repeated more than once that he feared his +sister would be wondering what had become +of him.</p> + +<p>He at last succeeded in escaping, and +cordially shaking hands with the quondum +commercial man and his lady, he took his departure +and walked back to the house. Mr. +Billing returned to, and was speedily lost in +the abstruse calculation from which his attention +had been diverted by William's visit; +while Mrs. Billing retired to the precincts of +her sanctum, to divest herself of her outer +covering for one of more humble pretensions, +in which she had been habited at the time of +her surprisal.<span class="pagenum">[114]</span></p> + +<hr class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V.</h2> + +<div class="inset22"> +<p> +"Your words have took such pains, as if they labour'd<br> +To bring manslaughter into form, and set quarrelling<br> +Upon the head of valour."<br> +<br> +<span class="right"><span class="smcap">Timon of Athens</span>, <i>Act 3, Sc. 5.</i><br></span> +</p> +<br> +</div> + +<p>When William made his appearance at the +house he found Eleanor, Mrs. Rainsfield, and +his sister together in the sitting-room; and, +after receiving a severe rating for his cruelty +in teasing Kate about her accident, he was +asked by Mrs. Rainsfield what had detained +him so long at the stables. Upon his replying +that he had visited the Billings +nothing would satisfy the girls but that he +had an object in making such a visit, and<span class="pagenum">[115]</span> +they insisted upon having a detailed account +of all his proceedings, and what he saw and +heard at the storekeeper's cottage. During his +narration of the circumstance we will leave +him for a few minutes while we glance at +another part of the station.</p> + +<p>Over the rails of the stockyard fence +leaned a man, we might have said a gentleman, +smoking a short pipe, and carrying or +rather holding in his hand a heavy riding-whip, +which we wish the reader particularly +to notice for the reason which shall shortly +be seen. At his side leant another gentleman +with his back to the fence, and his eyes bent +on the ground. The first was Bob Smithers, +and the other, Mr. Rainsfield; and, at the +moment of our discovering them, they were, +or had been, in close conclave. Before we +proceed to listen to the conversation we will +premise by stating one fact, which we have +no doubt the reader has conjectured, viz., +that the marriage between Bob Smithers and +Eleanor had been postponed <i>sine die</i>, or until<span class="pagenum">[116]</span> +such time as her health should be thoroughly +restored.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I say again, it is a confounded +nuisance that the girl is so slow in getting +well; she might have broken half a dozen +legs, and got right again by this time. I +want to get her away from that infernal +fellow Ferguson, and all his set; and I shall +never do that until I have married Eleanor. +Then, by G—! if any of them cross my +path, they may expect to meet a tiger." +So spoke the puissant Bob Smithers, that +had grossly insulted the senior brother of +"the set," and submitted ignobly to a blow +from the younger; from whom he slunk away +like an intimidated cur who had rushed yelping +at some wayfarer, and received a warm +reception.</p> + +<p>"I don't think you need make yourself +at all uneasy, Bob," said his companion. +"Though John Ferguson has made overtures +to Eleanor, which you know were rejected, +it is not very probable that his brother or<span class="pagenum">[117]</span> +sister will at all interfere; in fact, I hardly +think the young girl, his sister, knows anything +about her brother's feelings on that +point. Eleanor is exceedingly attached to +them, and well she might be, for their behaviour +to her has been kind and affectionate in +the extreme."</p> + +<p>"Well, that may be," said Smithers; "but +still I hate them, especially that young cub +that is here now. He had the audacity to +strike me on the night when we paid out +his brother; and, but for the intervention of +some of the people, I would have killed the +young wretch on the spot."</p> + +<p>"As to striking you," said Mr. Rainsfield, +"I am not at all surprised at that. I wouldn't +have thought much of the young fellow if he +had stood passively by, and seen a practical +joke perpetrated on his brother. But why +didn't you retaliate, or wait for him till after +the ball, and then have given him a good +sound horse-whipping?"</p> + +<p>"I couldn't get an opportunity of being at<span class="pagenum">[118]</span> +him then," said Smithers, "but I'm d——d if I +don't carry out your suggestion now. I'll get +an opportunity before he goes away."</p> + +<p>"If you do I only hope you'll manage it +so as not to implicate me," said Mr. Rainsfield. +"I don't wish to interfere with your private +quarrels; but I would not like the young +fellow attacked in my house or in my +presence. Though I have quarrelled with his +brother I haven't done so with him; and I +must say he has been so attentive to Eleanor +during her illness that I would consider any +countenanced outrage on him would be the +offering of an insult to her. Nevertheless, if +you have any little settlement to make with +him, let it be out of my sight and hearing, +and I won't interfere with you."</p> + +<p>"All right, old fellow," Smithers replied, +"you need not fear me, I'll manage it comfortably +enough you'll see. I'll get him +quietly away from the house, and let him feel +the weight of this." Saying which he laid +his whip about some imaginary object with a<span class="pagenum">[119]</span> +force that made the missile whiz in the air, +and with a determination that plainly portrayed +the satisfaction with which he would +operate upon his victim.</p> + +<p>"Very well," said Rainsfield, "do as you +like. Only, as I said before, don't implicate +me, and though I rather like the young man +I shall have no objection to hear of the whole +matter after it's done."</p> + +<p>These two worthies then separated, Bob +Smithers to seek the opportunity of which he +spoke, and the other either to go about some +business of the station, or to keep as much +out of the way of the coming event as possible. +The reader will no doubt wonder how a man +of Mr. Rainsfield's generally reputed integrity +could reconcile his conscience to such behaviour; +and also that he should willingly, +and, we may add, collusively aid the suit of a +man, of whose mental and moral turpitude +he could have had no doubt, in preference +to the honourable addresses of a gentleman +in every way a more eligible match for his<span class="pagenum">[120]</span> +cousin. "But thereby hangs a tale," and it +is our painful task in the office in which we +stand, to see that that tale be not suppressed.</p> + +<p>At an early date after Eleanor's settled +sojourn with Mr. Rainsfield he became aware +of the existence of an engagement between +her and Bob Smithers, from whom we may +safely conjecture the knowledge was obtained. +When Rainsfield, feeling for the dependent +and forlorn condition of his relative, took her +to the bosom of his family he did so out of +pure sympathy and kindliness towards her, +and had no wish or desire to interfere in the +disposal of her affections. Consequently he +paid very little attention to the matter. But +Smithers made a proposal to him which, if it +did not excite his cupidity, induced him to +think more of the affair as one in which he +as a relative, and a protecting relative, had +an interest. It had the effect of suborning +his countenance to the match, and enlisting +his strenuous exertions, to induce Eleanor to +accede to the wishes of the Smithers family,<span class="pagenum">[121]</span> +and plight herself anew to the man who had +already received her youthful acquiescence.</p> + +<p>The offer that Smithers had made to Rainsfield +was this. That they should enter into +partnership, and throw their respective properties +into one concern, and work together +on equal terms. Smithers was to embark all +the country he was then possessed of, or the +proceeds arising from the sale of any portion, +and what capital he could command; and +the other was to bring in the stock and station +of Strawberry Hill. In making this +offer Smithers conceived that he would be +benefited by such an arrangement, in so far +as he would be able to more effectually stock +the immense tracts of country he had taken +up. He considered this more advantageous +than disposing of the runs; as, he argued by +lightly stocking them in the first place, and +allowing them to become by gradation fully +stocked, through augmentation and the natural +increase, he would eventually be possessed +of larger property than if he with his<span class="pagenum">[122]</span> +own means only stocked an integral part of +his holdings. On the other hand Rainsfield +considered the offer as equally worthy of +attention to himself, possibly looking at it in +the same light. However, he had agreed to +it; and this was the <i>douceur</i> that had made +him a warm partizan of the Smithers' cause; +and that had influenced the collusion that +worked for the consummation of Bob's, or we +might say Mrs. Smithers', matrimonial scheme.</p> + +<p>With regard to Eleanor, her feelings, we +fear, were little dreamt of in the matter. +Rainsfield deemed Smithers a good match for +her, and possibly believing that she entertained +at least some respect for the man, he +never imagined for a moment that she could +have had any objection. While she, on the +other hand, from the continual promptings of +her cousin, in the absence in her mind of any +other imaginative cause for her cousin's +warmth, attributed it to the desire on his part +to be relieved of an irksome burden; and she +had given her consent.<span class="pagenum">[123]</span></p> + +<p>We must admit that women are as equally +(it is even affirmed they are more) susceptible +than men to the warm affections of the heart; +and that as they are inspired by love so are +they influenced by aversion. And as a man, +we mean of course with honour and conscience, +would go to any extremity rather than ally +himself to a woman whom he contemned, so +would a woman feel as great a repugnance in +accepting a man for whom she could not +entertain any respect. We do not say that +Eleanor actually abhorred Bob Smithers; but +we can affirm that she felt no enjoyment in +his society, but rather the reverse; and though +she had accepted him to avoid the unpleasantness +of her situation, the match was positively +distasteful to her. Smithers' nature was +diametrically opposed to hers. They had no +one feeling in common; his tastes were not +as her tastes; nor hers as his. Besides, she +had an exalted, and perhaps romantic, idea of +matrimony. She didn't think it proper to +marry for convenience, but imagined it was a<span class="pagenum">[124]</span> +compact that was only justly and favourably +formed on true love. Not that at the time of +her engagement with Smithers she had experienced +the sentiment; but she was aware she +had entertained the proposal of a man in the +absence of it, and therefore had sacrificed a +moral principle. But her trial was to come.</p> + +<p>She then met John Ferguson; and their +mutual companionship, if it had had its effects +on John, had surely had no less so on her. +It is true she had thought no more of him, at +first, than as a friend, a kind attentive friend. +But then she admired him, his precepts, his +manners, his conversation, and his general +ingenuousness; she liked him, and found +pleasure in his society. Did she think she +loved him? It may be she never gave herself +a thought on the subject. She was +content to live in the pleasing delusion, that +John Ferguson was nothing more to her than +a friend; but there was her danger. She +might have mistaken his manner; misconstrued +his feelings; and been blind to the<span class="pagenum">[125]</span> +more than ordinary warmth of his greeting. +But the pleasure in his company, the delight +at his approach, the longing for his presence +between the intervals of his visits; and the +heart's palpitations, as she felt the welcome +touch of his hand in the grasp of friendship, +must and did have their own warning voices, +to which Eleanor could not shut the ears of +her understanding. She suspected he loved +her; she read it in his eyes; but she feared +to ask herself the question, Was the feeling +reciprocated?</p> + +<p>Next came the explanation. He declared +the existence of that lasting affection which +never dies. But could she give him hope? +could she encourage him in his love? No! +she felt she could not. She had voluntarily +given herself to another, yet felt she had by +her manner incited this one; had probably +by her demeanour given him cause to hope, +while she was not justified in holding out +any. She might have, nay, she even feared +she had, destroyed his peace of mind, and all<span class="pagenum">[126]</span> +through her own selfishness. Why had she not +warned him in time? why not forsworn the +pleasure to which she had no claim? These +were questions she asked herself, but could +give no reply, except the sigh her heart chose +to offer. Her relationship to Smithers reverted +to her mind. That she did not love +him, nor he her, she was convinced; then +why not accept the love of John Ferguson? +She meditated; but in that meditation her +principle got the better of her inclinations, +and she sacrificed her interest, her happiness, +and her comfort, for the inviolable preservation +of truth.</p> + +<p>These scruples were known to Mrs. Rainsfield +and Tom, who, we have seen, considered +them unnecessarily severe, and combated +against them unceasingly, though without +making any impression on the mind of +Eleanor. They deprecated what they considered +her folly, and attempted by all the +arts of persuasion to move her from her purpose; +but she had been inculcated with a<span class="pagenum">[127]</span> +perception of high morality, and an appreciation +of strict integrity. Truth had been +always represented to her mind as the fundamental +basis of all virtue. Her desires and +her passions had been regulated to a subserviency +to the Christian character, and her +nature had been moulded in a religious education. +Consequently, upon the dictates of +her conscience she acted, and felt she would +be guilty of an unpardonable moral offence +to refuse her hand where her word had been +pledged.</p> + +<p>In this light, then, the parties stood to one +another. Rainsfield was anxious to get his +cousin married to Smithers, who was equally +uneasy to have the event consummated, as +he had serious misgivings on the eventual +possession of his prize. Eleanor, though she +was by no means anxious to hasten the marriage, +had no desire to unnecessarily postpone +an occurrence which she could not prevent, +but of which latterly, more than ever, she +had had cause to dread. However, she knew<span class="pagenum">[128]</span> +regrets were vain, and therefore attempted to +attune her thoughts and feelings to a strict +sense of duty, to forget her own personal +likings, and to enter calmly upon the obligations +expected of her. Notwithstanding all +her fortitude poor Eleanor was but mortal, +and she could not sustain the gigantic contest +she had undertaken. She strove long and +bravely, but her love would at times overcome +her, and leave her the constant prey +of her feelings, and to a melancholy contemplation +of the sacrifice she was making; hence +her protracted illness and tardy recovery.</p> + +<p>But we must return to our narrative. We +left William and the ladies in the parlour at +Strawberry Hill house, and Bob Smithers +walking from the stockyard in that direction, +breathing heavy threats of vengeance against +the gentleman who had so grievously offended +him, and who had escaped his just punishment +upon the occasion when the offence was +committed. It is needless for us to comment +on Bob's version of his affray with William<span class="pagenum">[129]</span> +Ferguson, as the correct one is already known +to the reader; but the tale he told Rainsfield +was the one related by him wherever the +circumstance of the blow became known.</p> + +<p>William, as we have said, was sitting in +company with the ladies, and was submitting +with the greatest docility to be made use of, +by lending his hands for the extension of a +skein of silk while it was being wound off by +Eleanor, when a little boy bearing the Billing +impress on his features appeared at the open +window, and said he had something to say to +Mr. Ferguson.</p> + +<p>"Say it out, my boy," said William, who +imagined it might be some formal invitation +from the Billing paterfamilias.</p> + +<p>"Please, sir, father told me to tell you a +gentleman was waiting down at our house to +see you," said the boy.</p> + +<p>"And who is the gentleman, my lad?" +asked William.</p> + +<p>"Please, sir, I don't know," he replied;<span class="pagenum">[130]</span> +"father only told me a gentleman wanted to +speak with you directly."</p> + +<p>"Is Mr. Rainsfield down at your father's +house?" asked William.</p> + +<p>"No, sir," was the reply.</p> + +<p>"Very well; tell the gentleman, or your +father, that I will be down there in a few +minutes," said William; "and that if the +gentleman is in any very particular hurry, +it would have been a great saving of his +time if he had come up here."</p> + +<p>Now, the circumstance struck all present +(though no one said so) as being rather remarkable, +that Smithers, for they knew it +could be no other than he, should desire to +meet William Ferguson alone, and away from +the house. William knowing or suspecting +the nature of the coming interview, fearing +that his friends would have a similar suspicion, +and having no desire to excite their +fears, tried to show his coolness and indifference +by whistling an air as he left the room. +But this oft-repeated stratagem had not the<span class="pagenum">[131]</span> +desired effect of allaying the fears of one, at +least, who was cognizant of the quarrel at +Brompton and the whole attendant circumstances. +This was Eleanor, and she was convinced, +from the manner of Smithers, that +he meditated some action which he was +ashamed to perform within sight of the house. +She therefore hastily put on her hat, and +prepared to follow William, and being joined +by Kate, she stepped out through the window +to the green sward in front.</p> + +<p>Hardly a dozen steps were necessary, to +bring them clear of the angle of some outhouses +that intercepted the view of the +stables and Billing's premises; and as she +cleared that angle, it was to this point Eleanor +directed her gaze. The sight that she then +witnessed showed that she was only too correct +in her surmise as to the intentions of +Smithers; for there she saw him in high +altercation with William, who stood perfectly +at ease taking the matter as coolly as possible. +His arms were folded across his breast, and a<span class="pagenum">[132]</span> +pleasant smile played on his features, while +his antagonist had worked his wrath up to +the culminating point, ready for a mighty +explosion; and raved about the ground while +he brandished his whip.</p> + +<p>We will not trouble our readers, or shock +their ears or senses, by a recapitulation of the +dialogue; suffice it to say, that if warm it +was short. So that when Eleanor discovered +the disputants she witnessed the exacerbation +of Smithers' ire, and the descent of his whip +across William's shoulders. The fate of +Smithers on this occasion might have been +similar to what it was on a former one had +not the attention of William been drawn off +from his purpose by hearing a loud shriek at +his rear. He turned to see whence it came, +while his castigator, taking no further heed of +the circumstance than to look round to see +from whom it emanated, continued to belabour +at his victim with redoubled energy.</p> + +<p>It was Eleanor who had uttered the shriek +when she saw the blow struck by Smithers;<span class="pagenum">[133]</span> +and instantly flying between the belligerents, +throwing her arms around the neck of her +intended husband, she exclaimed: "Robert! +Robert! for mercy's sake, what are you—" +But she was not permitted to finish the sentence +for the ruffian whom she had clasped in +an embrace that should have melted a heart +of stone shouted in her ear, coupled with an +expression not fit to be repeated: "What +business have you here?" while he flung her +from him with a force that hurled her insensibly +to the ground, where she lay without a +murmur. This was more than the honour +and chivalry of William could bear. To be +attacked himself he cared little as he was +well able to defend himself, and also to retaliate +when he thought fit; but to see a brute, +without one spark of manly feeling, not only +lift his hand to a lady, and that lady a gentle +amiable girl who was about to bless him with +more earthly happiness than was meet for +him to enjoy, but to prostrate her with such +force as to momentarily deprive her of vitality,<span class="pagenum">[134]</span> +was more than his spirit could placidly endure. +The lion was roused in his nature; and, +while Kate attended to her fallen friend, +he sprung like an infuriated animal on the +cowardly villain; wrenched his whip from +his hand and let him feel not only the weight +of <i>it</i>, but also of the avenger's athletic arm, +in such a way as would cause him to remember +it for many a day.</p> + +<p>When William had thrashed the wretch +until he had driven him to seek shelter in the +stables, he returned to where still lay the +form of Eleanor, who showed no signs of +returning consciousness. Feeling alarmed at +the lengthened duration of the swoon Kate +and her brother thought they had best remove +her to the house at once; with which +intention William took her in his arms, and +carried her in to Mrs. Rainsfield.</p> + +<p>The good lady was quite alarmed at the +appearance of poor Eleanor's features, when +her still inanimate form was brought to her. +An ashy paleness pervaded her face; her eyes<span class="pagenum">[135]</span> +were closed; and, with the exception of an +occasional faint sigh, no signs of life were +visible. We say, Mrs. Rainsfield was justly +frightened at the appearance of the poor +girl, and she asked in an agitated manner: +"What is this? what is the matter? Eleanor +swooned? Good gracious! what does +it mean?"</p> + +<p>"My dear Mrs. Rainsfield," said William, +"if you will allow me to tender my advice I +would suggest that you instantly put Miss +Eleanor to bed. I sadly fear her injuries are +severe, and that it is more than a mere swoon +under which she is now labouring. Pray, +don't delay, but remove her at once; and +Kate can tell you all the circumstances. If +you will lead the way I will carry her into +her room."</p> + +<p>"Poor Eleanor! and is this too the work +of that viper, Smithers?" said Mrs. Rainsfield.</p> + +<p>"It is, indeed!" replied Kate.</p> + +<p>"Oh, the vile wretch!" exclaimed the lady.<span class="pagenum">[136]</span> +"It is as I thought, he cares not a straw for +her life. A man that would treat a tender, +loving girl in this way, would be guilty of +any enormity; and yet she is so infatuated +as to court her own misery by persisting in +accepting this monster. Oh! what would I +not give to see her safe out of his clutches? +But he surely can't have the effrontery to look +her in the face after this; nor she so silly as +to receive him if he does. Certainly not, if I +can dissuade her, and I think I have some +good ground to work upon now."</p> + +<p>By this time William had deposited his +burden on the little snow-white bed of the +motionless girl, and left the room and the +patient to the guardianship of Mrs. Rainsfield +and his sister; while he strolled out for a few +minutes to calm his agitation, and weigh the +circumstances in his mind. He had walked +backwards and forwards for about a quarter +of an hour when he turned again into the +house just as his sister was looking for him.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Will!" she said, "Eleanor is in a<span class="pagenum">[137]</span> +dreadful state. She is fearfully ill, and we +think it is a fever. Mrs. Rainsfield says there +is a doctor who has lately settled at Alma, +and she was going to send one of the men +over for him; but I thought it would be +better, to prevent the possibility of any mistake, +for you to go. Will you go, and at +once, Will?"</p> + +<p>The answer William gave to his sister's +question was to dart off to the stables for his +horse; and in a few minutes afterwards he +might have been seen galloping through the +bush to procure the services of the son of +Galen located at the nearest township.<span class="pagenum">[138]</span></p> + +<hr class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h2> + +<div class="inset20"> +<p> +"Oh! wretch without a tear—without a thought,<br> +Save joy above the ruin thou hast wrought—<br> +The time shalt come, nor long remote, when thou<br> +Shalt feel far more than thou inflictest now."<br> +<br> +<span class="smcap right">Byron.</span><br> +</p> +<br> +</div> + +<p>When Smithers had partially recovered +from the wholesome chastisement administered +by William Ferguson, and had witnessed, +from his concealment, the hasty departure +of his foe, the nature of his journey, +and the cause of his precipitance, flashed +instantly across his mind; and, we would +fain believe, his conscience was visited by +compunctions for his unpardonable brutality.<span class="pagenum">[139]</span> +He cogitated for some time on the course he +was to pursue, and thought of how he could +explain away the circumstances; for even +to her whom he knew would forgive much +he hardly dared venturing an explanation; +knowing too well that his conduct was not to +any extent defensible. He, however, determined +to make the attempt to see Eleanor, +and endeavour to remove from her mind any +impression that might be injurious to his +cause; and with that idea he approached the +house.</p> + +<p>Oh, Smithers, you ignorant inflated fool! +How little you know the nature of woman, +and how less you can estimate their worth, +and appreciate the value of such an one +as her who has surrendered her heart to +thy keeping! Thinkest thou that it is +woman's only province to forgive? That thy +perpetual contumely should be continually +pardoned, and thou, without any innate goodness +or recommendatory virtue, should ever +claim the devotion of a spirit the personification<span class="pagenum">[140]</span> +of purity, while thy conduct is such +as would make that spirit, were not its +adjuncts truth and compassion, shrink with +loathing from the vile contamination of your +very breath, and a fear of the consequences of +your truculence and inhumanity! It is true, +some women blinded by the infatuation of +love, would sacrifice their happiness, peace, +and liberty, even life, on the unworthy object +of their ardent affection; but if thou believest +this, buoy not thyself up with the idea that +all thy sins will be forgiven thee! Eleanor +has had much to deprecate in thee! many +have been the wounds thy churlishness has +inflicted on her gentle nature, and though she +was willing to sacrifice all her earthly happiness +to maintain intact her truth and honour, +yet remember she is not actuated by love, but +by an exalted sense of duty. Let her once +be convinced that she is exonerated from a +performance of that, and thy bird has flown. +Duty has a strong tractive influence on a +mind attuned to a high appreciation of<span class="pagenum">[141]</span> +integrity; but love is a still more powerful +incentive, and dost thou know thou art not +the happy possessor of that love? Yes, thou +not only knowest that no such sentiment is +felt for you by that being whose purity thou +contemnest, but thou fearest, nay, even art +certain, that the object of that being's love is +another; and that other he whom thou hast +striven to make thine enemy! Yet, knowing +all this, thinkest thou that woman, frail confiding +woman, could trust thee as her mundane +protector? Because Eleanor has forgiven +much, thou thinkest thyself secure; but if +this last is not the <i>coup de grâce</i> in thy +catalogue of contumacious infamies we shall +be inclined to deprecate Eleanor's leniency. +But to return.</p> + +<p>One of Bob Smithers' characteristics was +a conceited self-complacency that distended +his very soul with its blinding virus; and, +speaking in the figurative of a popular apothegm, +he estimated his commendable qualities +as equivalent to no insignificant quantity of<span class="pagenum">[142]</span> +that mean maltine beverage which we thirsty +members of the great Anglo-Saxon family +call small-beer. He therefore thought he had +but to go to his betrothed with a penitential +cast of countenance, and claim as a right, and +receive as a matter of course, that forgiveness +which he was entitled to expect.</p> + +<p>"I was only", (he said apologetically to +himself), "in a bit of 'a scot' at the time, and +when she came in my way I pushed her off +when she fell. It was her own fault, and she +must know I did nothing to her but what +any other man similarly situated would have +done."</p> + +<p>At the conclusion of his meditations he +stepped on to the verandah of the house, and +seeing a servant passing out of the sitting-room, +into which he had entered by the +window, he called her and asked, "Where +was her mistress, or Miss Eleanor?"</p> + +<p>"Miss Eleanor is ill, and missus is with +her," replied the girl who looked awkward +and rather sheepish at her questioner.<span class="pagenum">[143]</span></p> + +<p>"Is Miss Eleanor very bad, Mary?" asked +Smithers.</p> + +<p>"I think she is, sir," replied she.</p> + +<p>"Mary! Mary!" called a voice that was almost +instantly followed by the utterer, Kate, +who ran into the room, saying: "Do run out, +and try and find Mr. Rainsfield." But she +had hardly got the words out of her mouth, +as she stood in the doorway of the room, than, +catching sight of Smithers, she uttered a faint +scream, and fled hastily from his presence. +She was instantly followed by the girl, who +had partly heard the cause of her young mistress' +illness, and was desirous to escape the +questioning of one whose character she could +also despise.</p> + +<p>Smithers stood musing for some minutes, +not altogether pleased with these evidences of +repulsion on the part of Eleanor's friends; +but his fears of their influence over her mind +were only momentary. He must see her, +he said to himself; have an interview with +her, and the little difficulty will soon be<span class="pagenum">[144]</span> +arranged. Then he would hurry his marriage, +he thought, and take Eleanor away from the +hated influence. "Those Fergusons," he continued +in his soliloquy, "are a pragmatic, hateful +lot, and I can't understand why Rainsfield +does not keep them away from his place." +Smithers firmly believed they had been created +for the express purpose of causing him annoyance; +and their present especial object in +settling in that district was to frustrate his +marriage, and rob him of his bride elect. +"But he would defeat them," he said to himself, +"or he'd be—;" but here his mental +reservations were interrupted by Mrs. Rainsfield, +who exclaimed as she entered the room: +"So, sir! you dare to show yourself again in +my house after the vile atrocity you have +been guilty of. As to your infamy I do not +wonder at it, for it is only the fructification +of a nature equally depraved, brutal, and +worthless. But after your insulting attack +upon a guest of mine, and your cruelty to a +gentle and amiable girl that you should have<span class="pagenum">[145]</span> +ventured within the precincts of this house I +am truly astonished. I know you to be too +great a coward to do so did you think there +was any possibility of your meeting with the +one who so lately gave you your deserts; +and I can only attribute your presence now +as a further proof of your arrogance, and to +an endeavour to insult the female inmates of +this dwelling."</p> + +<p>"I don't know what you mean, Mrs. +Rainsfield," replied the object of that lady's +invectives; "I never offered any insult to you +or any other lady in this house; so your +strictures on me are quite uncalled for."</p> + +<p>"What, sir! can you stand before me with +such barefaced effrontery, and tell me such +an unequivocal falsehood?" cried the lady. +"Have you not insulted me by cajoling from +my presence a gentleman, who is my friend +and visitor, to basely assault him? and then +what do you say of your dastardly behaviour +to that girl who was contemplating her own<span class="pagenum">[146]</span> +misery and destruction by throwing herself +away on such a wretch as you?"</p> + +<p>"I decline to answer you, madam," said +Smithers, "for your language is most offensive."</p> + +<p>"Then even you are susceptible on the +point of feeling," replied Mrs. Rainsfield, "and +yet you think I can't feel an insult. I tell +you, sir, that if you had subjected me to the +treatment that you did Eleanor I should have +considered it an offence of the most unpardonable +nature. But I love Eleanor even better +than I do myself, and you may therefore +expect no mercy at my hands. For your +offence to myself I shall expect an expiation +by your totally absenting yourself from this +house; and if I have any influence over the +mind of that ill-used girl (which I hope and +trust I have), you may rest assured it will +be exercised to your disadvantage. So, sir, +without any further parley, I have to request +that you instantly leave the house."</p> + +<p>"I shall do nothing of the sort, madam,"<span class="pagenum">[147]</span> +replied Smithers, "your husband I presume is +the master of this house?"</p> + +<p>"Well, sir, I expect him here every moment," +exclaimed the lady, "and if you do not obey +my injunctions you shall be forcibly expelled +from the premises."</p> + +<p>"And situated as I am," continued Smithers +not heeding the last threat of his irate companion, +"with regard to Eleanor, I think I +am entitled to see her."</p> + +<p>"You shall not be admitted to her presence, +sir," replied the lady.</p> + +<p>"I wish to see her," said Smithers, "to +explain the circumstances under which the +accident occurred."</p> + +<p>"Accident indeed!" exclaimed Mrs. Rainsfield. +"It requires no explanation, sir, it +speaks for itself. I have already had your +brutality recounted by an eyewitness."</p> + +<p>"By her friend I presume and one that is +therefore not mine," sneered Smithers, "the +sister of that villain who first poisoned +Eleanor's mind towards me."<span class="pagenum">[148]</span></p> + +<p>"Cease, sir! your invectives against one +with whom you are not worthy to be mentioned +in the same breath," cried Mrs. Rainsfield. +"It was Miss Ferguson who related to +me the unmanly and ruffianly manner in +which you hurled Eleanor to the ground. +She now lies with her life in imminent peril, +and yet you have the audacity to stand before +me and call it an accident which you will be +able to explain."</p> + +<p>"Yes, madam! I am confident I shall be +able to satisfy Eleanor that it was not intentional +on my part. I am exceedingly grieved +that she should be so extremely ill, but believe +me, Mrs. Rainsfield, this once, that if +you will permit me to see her only for a few +minutes I will be quite contented, and will +certainly relieve her mind from any impression +of my having wilfully harmed her."</p> + +<p>"No, sir! it is useless your attempting to +alter my determination. I tell you emphatically, +that you shall not see her. She is now +in a raging fever, and the sight of you at this<span class="pagenum">[149]</span> +moment might extinguish the flickering flame +of her existence. To save me from any painful +necessity, I trust, sir, you will see the +expediency of ceasing your importunities and +at once taking your departure."</p> + +<p>"I much regret that you will not permit +me to see Eleanor," exclaimed Smithers, "because +I am sure you are acting under a +misapprehension of my motives and actions. +If you would but permit me to explain, I—"</p> + +<p>"It is useless, sir."</p> + +<p>"But I am confident you must have been +misinformed of the circumstances. Your informant +is no friend of mine, and would have +consequently given the affair a colouring +detrimental to my interests."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Rainsfield could stand no more of this +colloquy, and with difficulty suppressed her +rage. It had twice or thrice been just on +the point of overflowing; but now it was +beyond her power to restrain it. To have +her young friend Kate branded as a liar by +the infamous viper before her struck her<span class="pagenum">[150]</span> +dumb with indignation; and it was some +moments before she regained the power of +utterance, when she exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"You mean grovelling, despicable villain! +You must of necessity add to your opprobriousness +by including Miss Ferguson among +those whom you choose to insult, and attack +her with your scurrility. Because you generate +lies yourself do you think she is capable +of uttering falsehoods? I will endure you +no longer. Instantly leave this house, sir, +do you hear me? or I'll—"</p> + +<p>"Pray, what is the matter, my dear?" enquired +Mr. Rainsfield, who entered at this +moment.</p> + +<p>"Oh, John! cause that man to leave the +house, and I'll tell you," replied his wife.</p> + +<p>"My dear Rainsfield," commenced Smithers, +but was cut short by the infuriated lady, who +exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"Not a word in my presence, sir. I have +already ordered you to leave the house; do +you intend to obey me?" Then, turning to<span class="pagenum">[151]</span> +her husband, Mrs. Rainsfield said in a voice +almost choking with passion: "John, will +you not assist and support me? I have been +grossly insulted by that man, who persists in +defying me. Is he to continue doing so?" +and she sank into a chair, and gave vent to +her excited feelings in a flood of tears.</p> + +<p>Rainsfield was not one of those unfortunates, +belonging to that class of marital +bipeds known as "hen-pecked husbands," +though he was certainly of an uxorious disposition. +It cannot therefore be supposed +that he could have calmly witnessed the distress +of mind his spouse evidently appeared +to be in without feeling some sympathy; and +she being in that state in which philosophers +tell us woman soonest touches the heart of +inexorable man, viz., in tears, that sympathy +was heightened. Rainsfield's connubial heart +was softened at the evidence of his wife's +woes; he therefore turned to Smithers, and +said: "Leave us together just now, Bob; I'll +see you before you go."<span class="pagenum">[152]</span></p> + +<p>It must be distinctly understood that +though Rainsfield, as he was in duty bound, +sided with his wife on this occasion, he had +no desire to quarrel with Smithers, even if +his wife had; far from it. It is true he had +heard something of the little fracas of flogging +and fainting; but that was nothing to him. +If the young men chose to quarrel, he considered, +let them do so! and if his cousin +chose to interfere, and get hard knocks for +so doing, he could not help it. If the girl +had fainted it was a pity, but what influence +had he over her syncope? Women always +made a great deal, he thought, about those +things, but generally cool down after a while +and forget such little grievances. So when +he communicated to Smithers his wish that +he should leave the house, he did so with +an expression in his look that plainly said: +"Never mind, old fellow, you will lose nothing +by leaving your case in my hands." The +delinquent, we have no doubt, fully understood +it, for he instantly obeyed the behest.<span class="pagenum">[153]</span> +Let it be said, however, to the credit of +Mr. Rainsfield, that as he took this view of +the case he was only aware that Eleanor had +fainted and was ill; but had no idea that +William Ferguson had gone off to Alma for a +doctor, and that Eleanor's case was so dangerous. +He therefore imagined that his wife +had magnified her danger, and the heinousness +of Smithers' crime; and consequently +thought more lightly of the whole affair than +did his partner. But he was shortly to be +undeceived.</p> + +<p>As Smithers left the room Rainsfield took +a seat beside his wife and said: "Well, my +dear, what is the cause of all this? you seem +agitated. I have heard something of what +has happened, but surely that is not sufficient +cause for your angry altercation with Bob +Smithers, and making yourself miserable."</p> + +<p>"Do you not think so, John?" she replied; +"first to have Eleanor nearly brought to +death's door (for she is in such a raging fever +that I have been compelled to get William<span class="pagenum">[154]</span> +Ferguson to go to Alma for a doctor), and +then to be insulted and openly defied in my +own house by the villain who is the cause of +it all; do you not think that is sufficient to +make me agitated?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly, my dear," replied her husband, +"the matter appears to me in a new light. I +was not aware it was of so serious a nature; +pray tell me all about it."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Rainsfield was not long in replying to +this mandate, and speedily gave her husband +a detailed account of the horrors of Smithers' +proceedings, permitting them in nowise to +lose in her narrative any of their force and +piquancy. She then wound up her recapitulation +of atrocities by demanding to know if +her husband could think of permitting so vile +a man to darken his door again. "Understand +me, John," she said, "I shall expect you +to protect me against him and his insults: +and that can't be done while his presence +here is tolerated. If ever he enters this +house I shall most assuredly consider that<span class="pagenum">[155]</span> +you are conniving at his insolence, and shall +certainly confine myself to my own room +during his stay."</p> + +<p>We have seen that Mr. Rainsfield was +mindful of his wife's wishes, but at the same +time had no desire to make a breach with +Smithers; consequently he found himself in +a dilemma, from which he saw no extrication +without giving offence to one or other of the +parties. He therefore made no promise to +his wife.</p> + +<p>"You don't answer me, John," said she, +"what am I to consider you think of his conduct?"</p> + +<p>"Well, my dear," replied her husband, "I +really can't tell. It is certainly reprehensible, +but there is no use quarrelling with Smithers. +If it is any satisfaction to you that he should +not visit us I dare say he will not trouble +you; but for my own part I can't see how +you can expect him to forego his right to +see Eleanor."</p> + +<p>"Eleanor herself, when she recovers, if she<span class="pagenum">[156]</span> +ever does, will relieve him from that obligation," +replied Mrs. Rainsfield.</p> + +<p>"How can you say that?" said her husband. +"She has expressed no intention of +doing so."</p> + +<p>"No, certainly; the poor girl is not in a +state to express any determination," replied +the wife; "but do you think she will suffer +herself to be led to the altar by a brute like +him, a man who has shown himself on more +than one occasion quite unworthy of her? If +she has got the spirit I think she has she +will treat him with that contempt which he +deserves."</p> + +<p>"I see how it is," exclaimed Rainsfield, +"you are prejudiced against Smithers."</p> + +<p>"Prejudiced against Smithers, John?" replied +his wife; "yes, I may be, but not in +the sense you mean. You fancy I dislike the +man because I would prefer Eleanor to accept +another but you are mistaken. Hitherto I +never disliked Smithers as a man, but as a +suitor of Eleanor I certainly abhor him; and<span class="pagenum">[157]</span> +for this reason that I saw her inevitable fate +would be misery and wretchedness if she +were ever mated to him. Now though I have +more than ever cause not only to detest him +for his insolence to me but to fear him for +Eleanor's life."</p> + +<p>"You are infatuated against him," replied +the husband. "And for this quarrel of yours +you would wish to destroy his happiness +irrespective of the feelings of Eleanor herself. +You say she is really ill and cannot be spoken +to on the subject; then at present let the +matter rest until her recovery."</p> + +<p>"On one condition only," replied Mrs. +Rainsfield, "and that is that Smithers in +the interval be banished from the house. If +you agree to that I am content to leave his +further expatriation to her good judgment."</p> + +<p>"So let it be," replied her husband. "I'll +see Bob, and try to persuade him to let the +settlement of the affair remain in <i>statu quo</i>."</p> + +<p>With that the couple parted, the wife to +return to the sick room, and the husband to<span class="pagenum">[158]</span> +seek Smithers. We will not trace their steps +on their respective missions but merely state +that Mrs. Rainsfield and Kate passed an +anxious night with their invalid. At an early +hour on the following morning, hearing a +horseman's step passing the house, while they +were anxiously expecting the doctor, Mrs. +Rainsfield looked from the window of the +room where she was keeping her vigils and +detected the retreating outline of Bob Smithers' +form as he departed for his home. Her +husband she had not seen since their interview +in the parlour, but as she had not since that +time left Eleanor's bedside it gave her no +concern; or at least she never thought of an +absence of which she was not cognizant. +However he had been absent all night, and +while the doctor, who had arrived with +William shortly after the departure of +Smithers, was administering his febrifuges to +poor Eleanor he was enacting the scene +which we will detail to the reader.</p> + +<p>Rainsfield had had a long conversation<span class="pagenum">[159]</span> +with Smithers on the subject that had been +communicated to him by his wife; and had, +after a good deal of persuasion, induced him +to agree to absent himself from Strawberry +Hill until Eleanor's recovery.</p> + +<p>Smithers, when he found his companion +disposed to favour him, was the louder in his +asseverations of guiltlessness; demanding an +instant opportunity of explanation, and vowing +vengeance against everybody concerned, +and John Rainsfield in particular, for not +being master in his own house. However +Rainsfield, though he was inclined to forget +his dignity by stooping to entreaty with him, +was nevertheless firm to his purpose, and not +to be intimidated by his blustering; and at +last succeeded in inducing him to promise to +take his departure by daylight the following +morning, so as to avoid the possibility of any +further unpleasantness. With that he left +him to his own meditations, and walked +away.</p> + +<p>Mr. Rainsfield had not taken many steps<span class="pagenum">[160]</span> +beyond the out-buildings belonging to the +house before he heard his own name called in +a cautious manner from behind a tree; and, +glancing his eye in the direction whence came +the voice, he was startled to see the stalwart +figure of a black, half concealed behind the +trunk, beckoning him with his finger. The +suddenness of the apparition for some moments +unnerved him, and deprived him of +the power of utterance. He, however, mastered +his fears; and, as his self-control returned, +he demanded to know what the black +wanted with him.</p> + +<p>"You know me, Mr. Rainsfield?" replied +the black, "I'm Jemmy Davies."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, I know you," replied Mr. Rainsfield, +"but I thought you and the whole of +your tribe had left the country."</p> + +<p>"So we did, sir, but we've all come back +again, and a great many more of the tribe too, +and they are determined to kill you. Barwang +and all Dugingi's friends will kill you, and +I can't prevent them though I've tried; for<span class="pagenum">[161]</span> +they are too strong for me. So I've come to +give you warning."</p> + +<p>"They intend to kill me, do they? then, +by G—! they shall repent their rash resolve. +But how am I to believe this?" asked Mr. +Rainsfield of the black. "You! you wretch, +have you got some vile scheme in your head. +Think yourself fortunate that I've no gun +with me or I'd shoot you on the spot."</p> + +<p>"You wouldn't shoot me," replied Jemmy +Davies; "didn't Mr. Tom tell you that I'm +always a good friend to you, how I tried to +stop Dugingi from stealing your rations when +you killed so many of our tribe; and now I +come to tell you that they want to kill you +and you think me no good. But what for do +you think, Mr. Rainsfield, I want to do you +harm? If I want to see you die I wouldn't +tell you of this; but let the black fellows kill +you. If you will not believe me I can't help +it; but if you like to come down to the +crossing-place to-night at dark I'll meet you +and show you our camp in the scrub; when<span class="pagenum">[162]</span> +you will see if I tell you a lie. I will stop +Barwang and his friends as long as I can, but +I can't prevent them altogether from coming +to you; so you had better look out and be +ready."</p> + +<p>This warning sounded as an avenging declaration +in the ear of Rainsfield. He had +for sometime flattered himself on his security +and tranquillity; and hoped, nay even believed, +that he had effectually ridden himself +of a hitherto incessant annoyance. But now +that the surviving friends of his foes had +returned, with the avowed object of seeking +vengeance, he was troubled in his mind. He, +however, determined to further question his +informant, and, rousing himself from a reverie +into which he had fallen, perceived that the +black had departed. Mr. Rainsfield dragged +through the remainder of the day with a +heavy heart, and never more than then regretted +the absence of his brother. Should +he accept the black's invitation? he asked +himself. It would be a satisfaction to know<span class="pagenum">[163]</span> +in what force they were collected; but then +(he thought) the messenger might mean +treachery. However, he would go; he could +detect it if it existed, and if it was attempted +he could shoot the wretch before he had time +or opportunity to betray him. Yes (he +thought) he would arm himself well, and +meet Jemmy Davies at the time and place +he appointed.</p> + +<p>"I'm glad you've come, Mr. Rainsfield," +exclaimed the black, emerging from the obscurity +of the bush, as the squatter rode down +to the bank of the river some few hours after +the last interview.</p> + +<p>"Yes I've come," said Rainsfield, "and at +your bidding; but see I am well armed," as +he pointed to a brace of revolvers in his belt, +"and, if you are attempting to play me false, +the first shot I'll fire shall be through your +body."</p> + +<p>"Never fear me, Mr. Rainsfield," replied +Jemmy Davies, "I'm not going to betray you. +My greatest fear is not from your pistols but<span class="pagenum">[164]</span> +from the tomahawks of my tribe; for if they +find me with you they will be sure to kill +me."</p> + +<p>"Very well," said Rainsfield, "I'll follow +you, lead the way;" and the two crossed the +stream in silence.</p> + +<p>"You had better leave your horse here, sir," +said the guide, "in case he should be heard +by the tribe."</p> + +<p>Rainsfield acted on this hint and dismounted; +and fastening the animal to a tree, +he said to the black: "Now you can go on, +but remember if this is a trap for me you +had better think twice before you proceed; +for I shall keep my hand ready to lodge a +ball in your heart the moment I perceive any +treachery."</p> + +<p>"Never be afraid, sir," replied the black, +who continued to thread the scrub in silence +with his companion close to his heels. When +they had proceeded thus for some little time +Rainsfield perceived by the appearance of +lights, and the noise of the blacks' voices,<span class="pagenum">[165]</span> +that they were nearing "the camp." Jemmy +Davies desired him to keep close to him, and +make no noise, as they were nearer the camp +than appeared through the thick scrub, and +then led him a few steps further forward, +when the whole tribe became plainly discernible. +They then dropt on their hands +and knees and crept close up to what we may +call the circumvallation of the gunyahs; and +the crouching white man surveyed intently +the scene before him. Then would have been +the time to have profited by his position if +treachery had been meditated; but not a leaf +stirred around them, while Rainsfield was lost +in a reverie none of the most pleasant. He +was, however, aroused from this by Jemmy +Davies, who pointed to a group apart from +the body of the tribe consisting of about +fifteen men, who were all armed with their +spears, nullanullas, and boomerangs, and were +painted for a corroboree. One black, taller +than the rest, was haranguing them at the +moment, and his hearers were apparently<span class="pagenum">[166]</span> +acquiescing in his directions, from the yells +and other marks of approbation with which +they from time to time greeted his diatribe.</p> + +<p>"That's Barwang and his friends," whispered +Jemmy as he drew away his companion from +the spot. "They will have a great corroboree +to-morrow, and then you look out. To-morrow +night they will come up to the station to +watch, very likely they will be somewhere +about where you saw me this morning; so if +you keep some one on the look-out, and fire +some shots into the bush, they will think you +see them and keep away. They won't do +anything to-morrow night, but watch. When +they come up to kill you there will come a +great many, so keep looking out."</p> + +<p>Rainsfield and his companion returned to +the crossing-place, when the former mounted +his horse and passed through the river, while +the latter returned to his tribe.<span class="pagenum">[167]</span></p> + +<hr class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h2> + +<div class="inset20"> +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 3em;">"Till taught by pain,</span><br> +Men really know not what good water's worth."<br> +<br> +<span class="smcap right">Byron.</span><br> +</p> +<br> +</div> + +<p>The reader will remember Tom Rainsfield's +journey to town had been delayed for some +time beyond when he had originally intended +to start owing to the precarious state of +Eleanor's health; consequently, when he took +his departure, it was necessary for him to use +speed in his travelling.</p> + +<p>The summer had by that time considerably +advanced, and the country had suffered much +from the continued drought that had prevailed +for months. Rain was anxiously and<span class="pagenum">[168]</span> +hopingly looked for, and a pluvial visitation +would have been hailed by the entire population +with satisfaction. Tom, as he journeyed, +saw this desideratum more plainly than before +leaving home; for, as he mounted on to the +extensive plains contiguous to the source of +the Gibson river, the parched bare soil became +perfectly uncomfortable to travel on.</p> + +<p>These plains were of fine black alluvial soil, +so thinly timbered as to have hardly a tree +visible within range of the eye. They were +covered with grass, which, when the earth +contained any moisture, flourished luxuriantly, +and would at times stand waving like an +agrarian picture of cereal plenty, so abundant +as to impede the progress of the equestrian +traveller. But now a "change had come o'er +the spirit of the dream," and the herbous mass +lay scorched and dry on the arid ground, +offering no nutriment to the browsing kine, +and only requiring a single spark to generate +a grand combustion.</p> + +<p>Much has been said and written of the<span class="pagenum">[169]</span> +burning prairies of America, and of the bush-fires +of Australia; and we may remark, it is +in such places as these plains where they +originate. Though not so extensive and destructive +in their course of devastation as +those fearful conflagrations in the western +hemisphere, the bush-fires are still frequently +of sufficient magnitude to be perfectly irresistible; +and occurring as they usually do +in the heart of a settled country, they are +rendered more dangerous to human life and +property. How they originate often remains +a mystery. Of course carelessness frequently +gives rise to them; though at the same time +they have been known to occur in parts where +neither whites nor blacks ever tread; and too +often, when the destroying element rages over +and sweeps away a homestead or a farm, the +work is attributed to the incendiarism of some +inoffensive blacks, who are made to suffer at +the hands of the whites.</p> + +<p>Tom Rainsfield journeyed on his course +over these plains that looked like a vast<span class="pagenum">[170]</span> +neglected hay-field; except in parts where +water had lodged and formed temporary ponds +or "water-holes." There it presented an area +of black mud, baked hard by the power of +the sun, and had absorbed so much of its +heat as to render it even painful for a horse +to stand upon. Tom rode under vertical +rays, keeping as much as possible on the +withered grass (as being more comfortable +than the sun-absorbing and reflecting road), +without the companionship of a fellow traveller +to relieve the monotony and solitude of +the way; and not daring to indulge in the +consolation of a pipe, lest a stray spark should +ignite the inflammable material at his feet. +Miles and miles of this weary and trying +travelling were passed, and Tom was not +sorry when the track entered a country less +open, and he once more rode through bush +land.</p> + +<p>Here, too, the ground, though partially +sheltered from the sun's rays, was equally +devoid of feed and moisture. Not a blade of<span class="pagenum">[171]</span> +grass was to be seen, nor a drop of water in +the creeks and water-holes. For himself, notwithstanding +that his thirst was insatiable, +Tom cared little; he could manage to do +without a drink until he reached the end of +his day's stage; but it was for the faithful +animal that carried him that he anxiously +scrutinized every spot likely to contain the +smallest reservoir of the much coveted liquid. +But his researches were all unavailing; as yet +no water could he find; until at one point on +the road, when he had almost given up the +search as hopeless, he spied a large swamp +filled with reeds, in which a herd of cattle +lay almost concealed, apparently cooling +themselves in the water. Here then he had +no doubt he should find what he and his +horse had so much desired; and hastening on +to the black adamantine margin of what had +formerly been a large lagoon, he witnessed a +sight that struck him with dismay. Not one +drop of water was visible in the extensive +basin, and the cattle which he had imagined<span class="pagenum">[172]</span> +were luxuriating in a natural refrigerator, +were dead and immovable.</p> + +<p>Such scenes are common under similar +circumstances; and at times, while the country +is suffering from the effects of a drought, to +see cattle "bogged" in a water-hole is only +thought of as a necessary consequence fully +expected, and therefore hardly to be deplored. +Still when witnessed by one who may be +seeking that which is essential to life, to allay +a thirst which may be consuming, it is +enough to make the heart of such sink within +him; and, though Tom was hardly in so +reduced a predicament, yet he could not gaze +on the unfortunate animals without some +unpleasant admixture of perturbation and +concern.</p> + +<p>In the swamp as many as fifty cattle had +sought shelter from the heat and moisture for +their thirsty tongues. But having waded +through the mud, into which they had sank +to their middles, they had possibly satisfied +themselves for the moment with a concoction<span class="pagenum">[173]</span> +of glutinous soil and vapid lukewarm water; +but, from their exhausted strength, had not +been able to extricate themselves from their +miry bondage, and had consequently died in +their captivity. The mud at the time of +Tom's visit had perfectly hardened, and he +traversed the whole bed of the swamp, in the +vain hope of finding some friendly hole in +which a few welcome drops might be found +for his worn-out steed. But his search was +fruitless, and he was at last reluctantly compelled +to relinquish it, from the attacks of +myriads of flies, who were disturbed at their +bovine repast. He at length continued his +journey with a worn-out horse and a fagged +and jaded spirit, and was not a little grateful, +as evening gathered its shades around, to +espy the glimmer of a light from the station +which was his night's destination.</p> + +<p>Tom's further progress was equally tedious +and trying. The whole country seemed +parched up, and it was with the greatest +difficulty he could push on at all; and as the<span class="pagenum">[174]</span> +fatigue to himself and his horse necessitated +him to make his day's stages much shorter than +he desired, it was the sixth day from his +leaving Strawberry Hill that he entered the +village of Waverley on the Brisbane river.</p> + +<p>When we call this a village it is only out +of courtesy that we are guilty of such a misnomer. +For though, by the government plan +of the township, it looks a well-arranged and +thriving place, we must state, notwithstanding +that building allotments had from time to +time been put up at auction by the government, +and we may add found purchasers, and +that the existence of a public-house, rejoicing +in the high-sounding title of the Royal +Hotel, lent an imposing air to the place,—the +gracefully tinted Queen Street, Albert +Street, Prince of Wales Street, etc. etc., of +the elaborate survey office map, only existed +in the mind of the surveyor, and the imagination +of the land-jobber. The said thriving +thoroughfares remained in a state of primeval +grandeur; having their boundaries marked,<span class="pagenum">[175]</span> +for the convenience of inquisitive seekers +after information, by small pegs driven into +the ground, and whose sole object seemed to +be to lie concealed and bewilder those who +might desire to find them.</p> + +<p>By the foresaid plan this town or village +(or, as the Americans would say, this city) of +Waverley was laid out with considerable taste. +The streets were all broad and at right angles; +with a market reserve; grants for church sites +to various denominations of Christians; and a +broad quay facing the river, either for commercial +purposes or for a promenade for the +inhabitants. But in reality the whole of the +architecture of the place was comprised in the +sole habitation, the Royal Hotel; which was +built near the bank of the river, with a rough +fence enclosing three sides of a piece of ground +that ran down to the water's edge. This constituted +the paddock for the horses of weary +travellers; and, judging from the dilapidated +and generally insecure state of the fence, +argued the rare occurrence of a quadrupedal<span class="pagenum">[176]</span> +occupancy. However, the sight of these little +imperfections gave Tom no concern, as he was +confident his animal would not attempt, in +the state of fatigue to which he was reduced, +to go roaming; and what gladdened his heart +more than anything was the sight of what +he had long been unacquainted with, fresh +water. It was therefore with a considerable +amount of mental relief that he rode up to +the unpretending hostlery. He alighted at a +door before which stood a post suspending a +nondescript lamp of antideluvian construction, +and bearing from its appearance questionable +evidence of its ever having been submitted to +the ordeal of beaconing the path of the weary +traveller. On the same post was affixed a +board on which the sign of the house was +very plainly executed in Roman character; +informing, and we think very necessarily so, +the occasional visitor there was to be had +accommodation for man and beast.</p> + +<p>The road leading to the Royal Hotel was +not the one usually taken by travellers from<span class="pagenum">[177]</span> +the interior to Brisbane. But Tom had +chosen it to avoid the more frequented +track; knowing that in the present state of +the country travelling on the latter would be +much more difficult and troublesome. Therefore +he had come by this secluded spot; +intending to cross the river, and travel down +by the northern bank to Brisbane, while the +usual route was through the thriving and +populous town of Ipswich, and down the +southern side of the Brisbane river.</p> + +<p>Tom Rainsfield entered the inn; and +having his horse taken round by the landlord +to a bark shed designated a stable, where he +preferred tending the animal himself, rather +than leaving him to the tender mercies of a +stranger, he gave him a drink of water and a +feed of corn; and then placing some bush +hay at his disposal, left him to practise his +mastication, and make the most of his time. +Having thus arranged for the comforts of his +steed Tom next thought of himself; so strolling<span class="pagenum">[178]</span> +into the house, while something was preparing +to satisfy the cravings of his inward man, he +walked into "the bar," to indulge in a pipe +with something cheering, and amuse himself +by a little conversation with the landlord. He +entered the precincts of that <i>quarterre</i> devoted +to the worship of the rosy god, and where the +ministering spirit presided, stationed behind +a primitive sort of counter or bench, and at +whose back stood two kegs with taps and +sundry bottles arranged on a shelf. These +(whatever their contents) appeared to be the +stock-in-trade of the establishment; excepting +a large cask which stood in a corner, and +which by its appearance indicated spirituous +contents, from whose bulk probably the +smaller kegs were from time to time replenished. +Into this sanctum then walked +our friend Tom Rainsfield, and after calling +for a drink, and desiring the landlord in +bush fashion to join him, he lit his pipe; +and taking his seat on the counter entered +into the following dialogue.<span class="pagenum">[179]</span></p> + +<p>"I shouldn't think you did much business +here?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, pretty fair, sir."</p> + +<p>"Why, there doesn't appear to be many +who frequent this room. I should have +thought it would have hardly been worth your +while to have kept a house in this place."</p> + +<p>"Nor more it would if I lived by gents a-stopping +at my house; for I don't get one of +'em a month. But you see them as pays me +is the sawyers; there are lots of 'em about +these parts, cutting timber on the hills and +in the scrubs; and when they get their logs +down into the river they mostly stop here +a while drinking before they raft the timber +over the flats on their way down to the mills. +Then when they come back they generally +stop a while on the spree before they go to +work. So, you see, I makes a pretty good +thing out of 'em; besides you see I keeps +rations here as well as grog, and sell them to +the fellers when they run short and ain't got +no money."<span class="pagenum">[180]</span></p> + +<p>"But don't you often lose your money? I +suppose they have none when they go to +town with their rafts, and very little when +they come back; that is even if they ever do +come back; then I suppose you lose your +score."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I manage to get it; precious few +ever 'bilk' me, for I know my marks pretty +well, and them as I fancy won't come back I +get to pay me in timber; and I brand the +logs with my own brand, and give some of +the fellers I can trust so much a hundred +feet to raft them down for me. But mostly +the chaps come back before they have spree'd +away all their money. So I gets my share, as +they pay me then what they owe me, and +have another go in until they 'knock down +their pile.'"</p> + +<p>"And how much do their 'piles' consist of?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I couldn't say anything regular. I +have had as much as a hundred pounds +'knocked down' by one man at a time." +And as the man said this he smiled and<span class="pagenum">[181]</span> +heaved a sigh that seemed to say those were +prosperous times for him. True enough it +was that he had had as large a sum of money +paid to him by one man; but as to the +amount being actually spent, or an equivalent +even in liquor supplied, is extremely doubtful; +but to follow them in their conversation, Tom +remarked:</p> + +<p>"And then they return to their work, I +suppose, quite penniless?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, it is very few of them ever have +any money when they get back to the scrubs; +they have no use for it there, so they spend +it like men."</p> + +<p>"Like fools you mean."</p> + +<p>"No I don't. What is the use of the poor +man saving his money? he can't do anything +with it; he can't buy any land to settle on; +and he doesn't care to save up his money to +be robbed of it or lose it; he works hard +enough to get it, and so likes to spend it +himself."</p> + +<p>"That is certainly one idea why working<span class="pagenum">[182]</span> +men should spend their hard-got earnings. +I should have imagined that men who had +laboured hard, and were living in the bush +and scrubs in all sorts of discomfort, would +have had some desire to better their condition, +and would have accumulated means accordingly."</p> + +<p>"Not a bit of it, sir! they couldn't do anything +with their money when they got it."</p> + +<p>"Could they not buy a piece of land and +commence farming? Here, for instance, the +land seems excellently adapted for agricultural +purposes."</p> + +<p>"They can't get none, sir. The government +folks won't sell any to the poor man, +leastwise the poor man can't buy none, and +if he wants any he is forced to buy it off the +'jobbers,' who generally screw him so much +that it doesn't pay. So the fellers prefer +keeping to the scrubs cutting timber; 'cos +then they are not bound to work for sharpers, +and can just please themselves."</p> + +<p>It was evident the landlord of the Royal<span class="pagenum">[183]</span> +Hotel did not classify himself in the category +of those astute blades whom he designated +by so cutting an epithet; though Tom's +opinion on that head somewhat differed from +"mine host's." He considered him a swindler +of no ordinary magnitude, though merely a +type of his class. He was one of those +locusts who fattened on the hard working and +reckless classes of colonial labourers; who +when they are plundering their victims, even +under the guise of friendship, dissuade them +from frugality; expatiating on the numerous +sources of fraud (excepting of course their +own) to which "the poor men" would be exposed; +and by their vile persuasions and +chicanery too often succeeding in eliminating +from the minds of those with whom they +come in contact all notions of providence; +and confirming them in their reckless and +dissipated lives. These bush publicans are +the cause of immense misery and depravity, +and cannot be too harshly stigmatized for the +enormity of their infamies.<span class="pagenum">[184]</span></p> + +<p>Tom being informed that the edibles prepared +for him were awaiting his operations +discontinued his dialogue, and adjourned to +his epicurean repast; at which satisfactory +occupation we may leave him uninterrupted. +As his next day's stage would only be some +five and twenty miles he determined to delay +his departure until the afternoon so as to +give his weary horse some additional rest; +and it was therefore past noon on the following +day when he mounted his nag and +left the village of Waverley.</p> + +<p>In leaving the inn he traversed the bank +of the river for some few hundred yards on +his way to the flats where he was to cross +when he overtook a man that apparently had +preceded him from the inn, and they both +went on together. The flats at this time were +almost dry; for the water in the river had +long ceased to run, and at the particular spot +to which we allude, which was in ordinary +times used as a ford, it could have been crossed +dry-shod, while above and below it the river<span class="pagenum">[185]</span> +remained simply currentless pools. As Tom +rode down to the bed of the river he was +struck with the immense number of logs that +laid scattered about, some on the banks, some +in the river above, and some below, where a +small boat was moored, and a party of sawyers +and raftmen camped. To this party Tom's +companion evidently belonged, and had apparently +been despatched to the public-house by +his mates, as he was returning with two suspicious-looking +protuberances on each side of +his bosom. These, to outward appearance, very +much resembled the outlines of bottles that +had been thrust into the ample folds of his +blue shirt for convenience and security of +carriage. While trudging on the road alongside +of Tom Rainsfield the fellow gave evidence +of a loquacious turn of mind by commencing +a conversation and inquiring if Tom +was travelling to Brisbane. Upon being informed +by our friend that that was his destination, +and that he had come by way of +Waverley to avoid the main road on account<span class="pagenum">[186]</span> +of its desolate, dry, and feedless state, he +remarked with a whimsical smile: "I suppose +you think that 'ere Waverley a fine town?"</p> + +<p>"It seems a very good site for a township," +replied Tom. "There is good land in the +vicinity, and abundance of water. I daresay +in the course of a few years it will be a +flourishing place."</p> + +<p>"Not a bit of it, sir," said the man; "it +never will be nothing. That 'ere house of +Tom Brown's, 'The Royal,' as he calls it, will +be the only house in it for many a day, unless +there be another public. Lor' bless you, sir, +that place of his even wouldn't be nothing if +it wasn't for us sawyers; we keeps old Brown +alive, and he knows it."</p> + +<p>"Well, my good friend," asked Tom, "what +is to prevent others settling in the town besides +Tom Brown?"</p> + +<p>"Why, what would be the good of it?" +asked the other; "there would be nothing for +them to live upon. All the trade that's done +is with us sawyers, and there isn't more than<span class="pagenum">[187]</span> +Old Brown can do himself. Besides, you see, +most of the land that has been sold in the +village has been bought by the swells, who +keep it to make money of it when some one +should want to buy."</p> + +<p>"I have no doubt," said Tom, "the land in +the vicinity will eventually be sold for farming, +and then the growth of the village arising from +the trade that will ensue will be rapid."</p> + +<p>"Ah! there it is, sir. You see the squatters +have got all the land now for their sheep to +feed on, and a poor man as has got a pound +or two, and wants a few acres, can't get 'em +no how."</p> + +<p>"But the government is continually putting +up land for sale," said Tom; "and if any man +desired to avail himself of the opportunity +surely he could attend the sales and effect a +purchase."</p> + +<p>"No, sir, they couldn't," said the man; "for, +you see, suppose I'm working here in the bush +and want to buy a bit of ground, how am I +to know when there is any for sale? They will<span class="pagenum">[188]</span> +perhaps mark out a few farms near Brisbane, +or Ipswich, and put 'em for sale, and they are +sold off, or leastwise the best of 'em, before I +or any of my mates know anything about it; +or if so be as how I should get to hear of it +and go to the sale, there's so many people +wanting 'em, perhaps gents who maybe live +in town, and want paddocks for their horses, +that they will give better prices than I can +give; so, you see, I don't get half a chance. +If I want a bit of land to farm I think I ought +to be able to get it anywhere I like just as +easy as the squatter can get his country. +Axing your pardon, sir, I suppose you're a +squatter?"</p> + +<p>"That's true, my good man," replied Tom; +"but I think myself that the restrictions on +the land are vastly injurious to the country, +though I doubt, even if every facility was +given to the working man to procure land if +he would avail himself of the opportunity; +and, instead of being of benefit to him in the +way intended, I question if the land would<span class="pagenum">[189]</span> +not fall into the hands of 'jobbers.' Such a +state of things is equally, if not more, to be +deprecated than the present system of permitting +it to remain in the possession of the +squatters; for now it is made available for +pasturage; whereas then it would be allowed +to lie unproductive until such a time as the +speculator could see an opportunity of a profitable +realization."</p> + +<p>"There would be plenty of us would buy +lands and settle on them," said the man, "if +we only had the chance. Now if you like, +sir, I'll just tell you a case."</p> + +<p>Tom, though he knew all the man said was +perfectly true, offered no objection to the +narrative, being desirous of eliciting from him +his notions on the subject, which was a much +vexed one in the whole colony, and purposely +encouraged him to launch as deeply into it as +he thought fit.</p> + +<p>"It is about my brother, sir," said the man, +"so I know it is quite true, and you may +believe it. We both came to this country<span class="pagenum">[190]</span> +together about seven years ago, and took to +cutting timber and rafting because it paid +well those times; and we made plenty of +money, though we spent it as fast as we got +it. But somehow my brother didn't join +much with the other fellows, for he always +was a steady chap, but took to saving his +money, and 'you may believe me,' it wasn't +long before he had got 'a pile,' of more than +two hundred pounds. Now, sir, you see, when +Bill (that was his name) had saved all that +money nothing would do him but he must +have a bit of ground and commence farming. +There was a talk then of some land being +marked out somewhere near this 'ere town +of Waverley; so Bill thought he would like +to have a few acres hereabouts better than +anywhere else. He asked some one who +knew all about that sort of thing how he +should go about it to buy some, and the chap +told him that he ought to go to Brisbane +and ask of the surveyors. So off he went to +what they call the survey office, and told the<span class="pagenum">[191]</span> +big-wig there that he wanted to buy some +land. Now this card showed him a lot of +plans of where, he said, they had land for +sale; and Bill looks at 'em and took directions, +and went into the bush to have a look +at 'em. But he found 'em to be no good; they +was only lots that had been left at the government +sales, when all the best pieces had been +sold, and the ironbark ranges and quartzy or +barren gravelly country left; so he wouldn't +buy any of 'em, and told the chap in the office +that he wanted some at Waverley; but he told +him he couldn't have none there as it wasn't +surveyed.</p> + +<p>"Now the party Bill stopped with put him +up to a wrinkle how he would get the land +he wanted to be surveyed 'cos he knew how +to manage it. He got up a requisition, or +made an application, to have some lands on +the Brisbane river at Waverley surveyed and +put up for sale, and sent it to the government, +as he said that was the sure way to get +it. But it was no go; the survey chaps told<span class="pagenum">[192]</span> +him that all the land thereabouts was leased +to squatters, and they couldn't touch it; but, +says they, if you want a nice piece of country +there is some out here on the river, about five +miles away, that we are going to measure off +into farms directly, and they will just suit +you; so, says they to my brother, just you +go out and have a look at them. Well, Bill +went to look at 'em, and, sure enough, they +was first-rate land, so he said to himself I'll +have a farm there, and that's settled. But he +was all wrong; for he didn't get a farm there +an' nowhere else as I shall tell you.</p> + +<p>"When he came back, after having see'd +the land, he went to the office and told the +people that that place would just suit him, +and he would take a farm and buy it right +off. But they laughed at him, and told him +that he couldn't buy it before it was surveyed, +but that in a short time, a week or so +at most, they would have it all right and +ready for sale; so Bill thought he might +make the best of it and wait. A couple of<span class="pagenum">[193]</span> +weeks passed and he went to them, but it +was not done; so he waited another week or +two, and went back again, when they told +him that they had had no time to see to it, +but were going to do so very shortly. So he +waited another month, and then enquired, +when they had the cheek to tell him that +they were obliged to put it off for they could +not attend to it at all, having so much work +to do at other places; but that if he would +come back to town in about three months it +would be all ready for sale.</p> + +<p>"Now Bill was bent upon having one of +them farms, so, instead of letting the surveyor +chaps, and the farms too, go to—where-ever +they liked for their humbugging, he +came back to the bush to work for the three +months, and then went to town again to look +after the land. But when he went to the +office even then the fellers hadn't surveyed +it; and instead of telling him like men that +they were only humbugging him, and never +intended to do it at all, they commenced<span class="pagenum">[194]</span> +their little games again, and told him that the +surveyors were then at work on a particular +job, but that as soon as they were done there +they would go to the land he was waiting for. +Well, sir, it's no good my telling you all the +ins and outs of it; but the long and the short +of it is they kept Bill in a string for six +months, and then they didn't do the work, and +I don't know if it is done now; so, you see, +that's how us poor men can't get any land."</p> + +<p>"I believe what you complain of is perfectly +true," said Tom. "The system is much +to be deplored, but I hope it will shortly be +improved. Unless a man is on the spot, and +can wait for an opportunity, such as when a +sale occurs, there is certainly very little chance +for him; and men that are employed in the +bush very rarely if ever have that chance."</p> + +<p>"Just so, sir," said the man.</p> + +<p>"And what did your brother do with his +money after having so much of it and his +time wasted in looking after this land?"</p> + +<p>"Ah, sir! there is what makes me curse<span class="pagenum">[195]</span> +the land, and the surveyors, and all the lot, +for it killed Bill, and there never was a better +feller breathing. I'll tell you how it was, sir. +I told you Bill was a steady chap; he never +used to drink, anyhow not to spree, you +know; but, you'll guess, no man could stop +at a public-house for six months doing nothing +without getting on the spree. Bill used +to walk up and down on the verandah at the +public where he stopped, and smoke his pipe, +while he thought how them fellers at the +survey office were a-treating of him, and he +got miserable like in his spirits. So when +fellows got to know him, and used to come +into the house, they'd ask him to take a nobbler +with them; and somehow, you see, though +he didn't do nothing of the sort at first, he +was soon glad to get some one to join him in +a drink, and being at it all day, you know, he +used to get very drunk at times; so he went +on until at last he was always drunk. Now +Bill all this time had been keeping his money +by him, so that he would be ready, when he<span class="pagenum">[196]</span> +wanted it, to buy his farm. So, what with +always having plenty of money 'to shout' for +other fellers (for you know, sir, he was a +stunning feller to shout when he got a little +bit screwed), and the lots of fellers as always +stuck to him when they knew he got 'tin,' +he very soon got 'cleared out;' and one day, +after a tremendous spree, when he had been +drunk for more than a week, he got 'the +horrors,' and started to come home to the +scrub. I never saw him after that, sir; for he +got drowned in one of the creeks on the road, +and was found by some shingle splitters soon +afterwards without a shilling in his pocket; +so that's what he got, poor fellow, for trying +to turn farmer. Now you see, sir, we don't +see the good of doing like that; so we never +trouble ourselves about saving any money, +and we are a deal better off, and a happier, +than them as do."</p> + +<p>Tom did not attempt to refute the sophistry +of this argument as he was aware that it +would be useless. He knew that the case of<span class="pagenum">[197]</span> +this man's brother was by no means a solitary +one; for not only had the suicidal policy of +the colonial government with regard to the +disposal of the waste lands been instrumental +in the destruction of numerous victims similar +to this unsophisticated sawyer; but it was +absolutely driving that entire class of men +into reckless extravagance and dissipation. +Whereas a liberal land policy would not only +have engendered a spirit of providence, but +have offered an inducement, and have proved +a stimulus, to the country's settlement by a +thriving rural population.</p> + +<p>But the ministerial Solons of the country +could not be induced to view the subject in +that light; hence this deplorable state of +morality and improvidence, which unfortunately +pervades the great bulk of the country +population. In urban localities the evil is +not so severely felt, as a steady and industrious +mechanic, with his accumulated savings, +is enabled to purchase a town allotment +(which allotments are just frequently enough<span class="pagenum">[198]</span> +thrust into the market by the government +as to keep the demand in excess of the +supply), and to build on it a house, which +he erects by degrees, as his means admit. +Thereby, in course of a short time, he gathers +round him in the land of his adoption a +comfortable little freehold property. Thus +it is, nearly all the town workmen who are +possessed of any savings convert them into +something substantial; but for the bushmen +no such opportunity exists; and hence it +follows, that the towns-people are generally +industrious, steady, and frugal, while those of +the bush are too frequently the reverse.</p> + +<p>"That certainly was a melancholy end for +your brother," said Tom to his companion, +resuming the conversation that had lapsed for +a few minutes.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir, it was; and if Bill, poor fellow, +had just been content to stick to the scrub +like us he would most likely have been 'still +to the fore.' You see, sir, we live a jolly life; +are quite contented, and spend our money<span class="pagenum">[199]</span> +while we've got it. Now those fellows over +there," continued the man as he pointed to +the sawyer's camp, in sight of which they +had just arrived, "not one of 'em would give +up his life to go and work in town if you +paid him ever so high wages."</p> + +<p>"I've no doubt their mode of life is fascinating; +but still I should think the heavy +drinking in which they indulge sometimes +impairs their health and constitution."</p> + +<p>"Not a bit, sir! We never feel anything +the worse for a spree, nor in anyways sick; +'cos you see we work hard, and most always +live in the bush; so we are always healthy."</p> + +<p>"I've no doubt that will preserve you in a +great measure; but still you must be perfectly +aware that, even if you never experience any +deleterious effects, you continually leave yourself +destitute; and if anything in the way of +sickness should happen to you, so as to +incapacitate you for work, you would not +only starve, but die from neglect and want of +proper treatment.<span class="pagenum">[200]</span></p> + +<p>"Don't you believe it, sir! There would +be no fear of my wanting anything. Do you +think if one of my mates was sick now that +I wouldn't share with him what money I'd +got, or that I wouldn't look after him as if +he was my brother? In course I would, +and if I got sick my mates would do the +same for me."</p> + +<p>By this time Tom and his companion had +half crossed the bed of the river; and noticing +the plans the men had adopted to get +their timber over the flats, Tom commenced +a fresh interrogation to elicit from his +travelling concomitant some information on +the usual mode of procedure. As the +subject may have some degree of interest +to a few of our readers we will give in +our own words the substance of the dialogue, +craving permission to premise it by a remark +or two on the general life and movements +of sawyers.</p> + +<p>They are a class of men who exist during +the greater portion of the year in the bush<span class="pagenum">[201]</span> +and scrubs bordering on the rivers and creeks, +where they unceasingly and uninterruptedly +practise their vocations. They generally work +in gangs, either on equal shares or on wages +to one of their number, who may be more +thoughtful than the rest; and one who, notwithstanding +a fair share of dissipation, may +have accumulated, possibly through the influence +of a thrifty wife, some considerable +means. The classes of timber most in demand, +and therefore most sought for by these men, +are cedar and pine; which are procured +separately, in certain localities, in great abundance. +This local segregation of the woods +is a characteristic of the Australian bush, and +more than anything else tends to create that +monotony which is everywhere perceptible. +It causes the eye of the traveller to weary as +he looks continually on the leafless bare-looking +trunks of the blue gum (which without +intermission meets his gaze for miles +and miles on the lonely road) or the sombre-looking +ironbark that with equal pertinacity<span class="pagenum">[202]</span> +monopolizes the ranges. Rarely, if ever, will +an admixture of timbers be found to any +extent; and, consequently, those sawyers who +cut pine leave the cedar scrubs to be visited +by the others; and <i>vice versa</i>.</p> + +<p>The timber is usually cut in the dry season; +and the trees after being cleared of their limbs +and foliate appendages, and denuded of their +bark, are drawn by the means of a bullock +team to the nearest creek or river, where they +are deposited until such time as the rains +sufficiently swell the streams to float them +from their resting-places. With an iron +brand in the shape of a punch, and a hammer, +each cutter on the end of every log indelibly +marks his own property; and as the logs are +removed from their beds by the rising current, +a staple is driven into each. Through this a +chain is passed, when the whole are collected +into one raft, and securely moored to wait, in +their transit down the stream, the pleasure of +the proprietor. The time usually chosen to +raft the timber is when the rivers are moderately<span class="pagenum">[203]</span> +high after rains; or, in the parlance of +the upper part of the country, when there is +"a flood," and in the lower, when there is +"a fresh" in the river. They are then started +in their downward course either by the +directing aid of a small boat (if the ascent of +the stream is practicable for it) or under the +guidance of some of the party; who make a +firm footing for themselves on their floating +platform, by sheets of bark and foliage. They +then trust themselves to the current, while +they guide the course of the raft with poles +until they come to flats. When the rivers +are to any extent swollen, or (as it is said in +the country) "running," the rafts usually pass +over without difficulty; but if the water is +low, and the flats barely covered, the passage +is necessarily not so easily effected, and frequently +impossible. Such then was the case +at the Waverley flats at the time of which +we write. And it was with the water almost +at the lowest ebb that the party Tom saw +had been endeavouring to float over their<span class="pagenum">[204]</span> +raft; the process for which they had adopted +we now propose to explain.</p> + +<p>It is necessary at some point to have a boat +to assist the raftmen in their guidance of the +unwieldy mass, and one is usually kept by +them for that purpose at the highest point to +which it can be conveniently brought. After +escaping all impediments the boat takes the +raft in tow; and, as it progresses on the +stream and comes within the action of tides, +on the occasion of each flowing, the party +have to draw their raft into the bank, and +camp until the return of the ebb. In their +journey to the mills rarely more than three +or four of the party, including the proprietor +if not a joint stock affair, accompany the +timber; while the remainder pursue their +occupation of cutting.</p> + +<p>The party that was camped at the Waverley +flats consisted of five individuals in all. They +had been working in shares for some months +collecting the raft they then had with them, +and were all accompanying it to the mills to<span class="pagenum">[205]</span> +sell it and have the proceeds equally distributed. +But the season having been an unusually +dry one they had here met with an +effectual check, and had no alternative but to +wait for rain.</p> + +<p>When they first reached the flats the water +was just running over them, but not sufficiently +deep to admit of the passage of their +property; so the fellows had recourse to the +expedient of forming "a race" to effect their +purpose, and this they had accomplished in the +following way: A few of the logs were drawn +up and arranged longitudinally from either +bank of the river in an oblique direction to +a focus in the centre of the flat; from this +point the logs were arranged parallel to one +another right across the bank to the deep water +below. They were then all firmly staked into +the soil, and the interstices between and below +them were packed so as to perfect a dam or +barrier to the water. The result of this plan +as is evident was that the water flowing over +the flat was confined to the narrow channel<span class="pagenum">[206]</span> +between the parallel logs, and thereby attained +a higher elevation and a swifter current. To +the mouth of this impromptu canal, then, the +sawyers brought the logs one by one, and they +were made, with very little guiding, to shoot +through the passage with speed and precision. +After getting nearly a hundred of the logs in +this manner over the impediment, the water +continuing to fall, eventually left them with +not even sufficient to make their sluice available; +so, with fully half their raft fixed above +the flat, the men were compelled to be idle +until they had sufficient water to float the +remainder over.</p> + +<p>Tom had expressed surprise to his companion +that he and his mates did not proceed +with the timber that had passed the flat, and +leave some of their companions behind to +watch for the flood in the river, and secure +the others as they should descend. He pointed +out that by that means they would, in all probability, +have got their first raft down to the +mills, and had time to return before the rains<span class="pagenum">[207]</span> +came on. But this, his companion told him, +the sawyers were afraid to risk, because, he +said, if the river rose rapidly, which they fully +expected, they would want all their number +on the spot, otherwise they might lose half +the timber. Besides, in the absence of their +boat, it would be an impossibility to secure +any of the logs if they should be washed over. +"And then," he continued, "we have been +expecting the rain to commence every day for +weeks past." So it was deemed advisable by +the whole party to await the rising of the river; +and, even watchful as they were, they fully +expected that if the flood came upon them at +all suddenly, they would lose a considerable +number of the logs.</p> + +<p>After crossing the river (or rather the bed +of it), and leaving the sawyers' party, Tom +Rainsfield leisurely pursued his journey; and, +after riding for about twenty miles or so, he +could perceive, by the nature of the country +and the occasional appearance of "improvements," +that he was approaching the town of<span class="pagenum">[208]</span> +Brisbane. Towards dark the road led him +through lines of fences, and past a few cottages +and cultivated fields, and thence by detached +buildings, until he finally entered the +town and put up at his hotel not at all dissatisfied +at the completion of his journey. +The country, even to town, had equally suffered +by the drought. Hardly a vestige of +herbage was to be seen on the whole surface +of the ground, and the mortality amongst the +beasts was fearful, and painfully perceptible +from the fulsome malaria in the atmosphere. +Tom's horse was reduced to a perfect shadow, +and was so weak that when he reached the +inn he could hardly drag one foot after another, +and certainly could not have existed +another day with a continuation of his privations. +Hence Tom was additionally delighted +when he drew rein at the Crown Hotel, and +permitted his weary and faithful animal to be +led away to the stables, while he proceeded +to refresh himself in a manner most pleasant +after his own fatigues.<span class="pagenum">[209]</span></p> + +<hr class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> + +<div class="inset24"> +<p> +"Ye glittering towns, with wealth and splendour crown'd,<br> +Ye fields, where summer spreads profusion round,<br> +Ye lakes, whose vessels catch the busy gale,<br> +Ye bending swains, that dress the flow'ry vale."<br> +<br> +<span class="smcap right">Goldsmith.</span><br> +</p> +<br> +</div> + +<p>When Tom Rainsfield arrived in Brisbane +he found it entirely absorbed in politics, and +the public attention so engaged in the all-important +question of separation that even +the deplorable state in which the country +then was in was for the time forgotten. Business +for the nonce was entirely relinquished, +and the good citizens were in a perfect +ferment of exultation, consequent on the +receipt of joyous news. As a few remarks<span class="pagenum">[210]</span> +respecting the topography of the place, and +the nature of the people's agitation, may not +be here amiss we will endeavour to describe +and trace their progress through their various +phases to the date of our narrative.</p> + +<p>The town of Brisbane is pleasantly situated +on a picturesque and meandering river of the +same name, about twenty miles from the +point where it disembogues into Moreton Bay. +Passing its first establishment it was not +until the year 1840 that it was resorted to +for the purposes of trade. In that year drays +first crossed "the range" by Cunningham's +Gap; and the squatters, who were then +pushing on in the settlement of the interior, +discovered that this place could be made a +convenient port for the shipment of their +produce to Sydney. The place, however, being +only a convict settlement free settlers were +prohibited from approaching it; and it was +only by a special application to the government +that on the following year the land on +the south bank of the river was surveyed and<span class="pagenum">[211]</span> +laid out for a township, and a residence for +the purposes of trade permitted. The following +year the convicts were wholly withdrawn +from the district, and the land that had been +blighted by their occupancy was thrown open +to the public. From this period then, viz., +1842, is to be dated the settlement of Moreton +Bay, when the whole free population of the +district might have been numbered by dozens, +and when the first regular communication +with Sydney was established.</p> + +<p>The town of Brisbane at that time, and +even for years afterwards, consisted only of a +few wooden huts; and, with the exception of +the government buildings which had been +erected during the penal era for the housing +and confinement of the convicts stationed +there, not a decent or substantial edifice +existed. A few acres of ground had been +cleared by the prisoners for cultivation immediately +round the settlement, and at two +places situated on the river below the town, +respectively two and seven miles distant; but<span class="pagenum">[212]</span> +otherwise the wilderness remained in its +primeval condition.</p> + +<p>The town on the northern bank of the river, +which was much better situated (both in a +commercial and residentiary point of view) +than that on the southern, rapidly attracted +the attention of speculators and settlers. It +was situated in a spacious pocket, caused by +a bend in the river, and flanked by gently +undulating ridges. It was judiciously laid +out; with wide rectangular streets, commodious +reserves for public purposes, and +was possessed of almost unbounded water +frontage, which could afford accommodation +for a large commercial intercourse. One of +the boons left to the public upon the withdrawal +of the convicts and military, besides +the court-house, hospital, and barracks, was +a botanical garden. It had been constructed +for the especial pleasure and accommodation +of the officers and other officials of the settlement, +and became after their departure a +very acceptable legacy to the people.<span class="pagenum">[213]</span></p> + +<p>The young settlement prospered amazingly +as it became more peopled by the streams of +immigration from the southern parts of the +colony. The squatters who had advanced +with their flocks and herds from the occupied +districts in the southern interior speedily +formed stations in actual contiguity to the +township; which was daily increasing its +trade, as its intercourse with the interior +became more settled and developed. The +architectural appearance of the town for +years showed no improvement; and the comfort +of the inhabitants was little thought of +in its commercial prosperity. Large sums +were annually gathered into the government +coffers from the sale of the lands in the +township, but nothing was ever done by the +ruling powers to improve its condition; and +it was allowed to remain in that state in +which it had left the hands of the surveyors. +The lines of the streets were certainly marked, +but no levels were fixed; and the idea of +drainage never entered the minds of the<span class="pagenum">[214]</span> +people's rulers. In fact, though the government, +as we have said, continued from year +to year to derive large revenues from the sale +of these town lands, they never deemed it +necessary to expend a fraction in even the +formation of the streets; and hence, after +twelve years from its occupation by a free +population, it was, like all other bush towns +in the country, in a wretched and deplorable +condition. After rains the so-called streets +became perfectly impassable, even to foot +passengers; and the principal thoroughfare +was frequently the course of a swollen torrent, +that had in successive years worn for itself +a bed, interspersed with deep holes, which +rendered it absolutely dangerous to venture +amongst its snares after dark. The extorting +policy of the government had always been to +sacrifice the interests of the distant settlers +for a centralized aggrandizement; or, in other +words, the revenues derived from this or +any other country district were applied, not +solely to the defraying of the expense of<span class="pagenum">[215]</span> +legislative machinery, but to the improvement +and embellishment of Sydney, and other +works that had no local importance to the +out-lying districts. This was one of the +main grievances that induced the settlers in +later years to petition for separation from the +parent colony. But we are anticipating.</p> + +<p>The advance of the district after its settlement +continued with rapid strides; and the +labour requirements of the settlers kept continually +in advance of the supply. So that +much inconvenience was felt by the employers +at the paucity of industrial bone and muscle +procurable in the district. For years the +squatters were compelled to draw their supply +of labour from the Sydney market, an +exceedingly expensive and by no means +satisfactory expedient, until the year 1848, +when the influx of direct immigration commenced. +From this date ships at repeated +intervals have discharged their living freight +on the shores of Moreton Bay, where they +have speedily met engagements at high rates<span class="pagenum">[216]</span> +of wages, and become absorbed in the increasing +population.</p> + +<p>The first labourers introduced into the district +were by private intervention, and though +extraneous to our tale, we may be pardoned +for mentioning it here. The prime mover of +this scheme was the Rev. Dr. Lang, who was +at the time a member of the Colonial legislature, +and than whom no greater benefactor +to the colonies, and no sterner advocate for +the rights and privileges of the colonists existed +or exists. He was foremost in all works +of reform and public utility. He seemed to +be gifted with a prescience of the colonist's +requirements, and was indefatigable in his +exertions for their advancement and amelioration. +He is the antipodean agitator, and the +acknowledged benefactor of his fellow colonists +in their land of adoption. Many of the +privileges of the Australian constitution owe +their existence to Dr. Lang's indomitable perseverance +and skill, and many of the most +sapient enactments bear the impress of his<span class="pagenum">[217]</span> +mental perspicuity. He is the father of +Australia, and his name will long remain +to the people "as familiar as household +words."</p> + +<p>Perceiving the great want of labour in the +new settlement he was the first who took +any active part in the procuration of the +desideratum. In pursuit of this object in +the year 1846 or 1847 he introduced a bill +into the legislature of New South Wales, +having for its object the introduction of an +industrial class of immigrants into Moreton +Bay. His proposed plan was to induce the +government to offer a small grant of land to +every immigrant arriving in the colony at his +own expense, equivalent to the amount of +money actually paid for the passage. But the +project met with some opposition from the +ministry of the day, and not until after considerable +perseverance did he receive assurances +of their assent. Being suddenly called +to England on private affairs Dr. Lang left +his pet scheme in the hands of a colleague<span class="pagenum">[218]</span> +to procure for it the formal sanction of the +country; and he commenced to act upon +the assurance given him in the colonies by +organizing a system of emigration during his +stay in England. This was in the years 1847 +and 1848, when, after continually drawing +the attention of the middle classes of Great +Britain to the eligibility of Moreton Bay as a +place for emigration, and holding out the inducement +of remission of the passage-money +emigrants would pay in an equivalent grant +of land in the colonies, he succeeded in the +latter year in despatching three ships freighted +with intending settlers. Their arrival in the +colony, though of considerable benefit to the +community there established, was fraught +with many inconveniences and privations to +themselves. The Colonial government ignored +their title to grants of land; and the +newly arrived immigrants found themselves, +upon landing in the country, disappointed in +their expectations, many of them destitute, +and all in a place hardly reclaimed from the<span class="pagenum">[219]</span> +wilderness of the bush, where no preparation +had been made for their reception. They +were, therefore, disgusted with what they +considered the fraud that had been practised +upon them, and were loud in their declamation +of those who had enticed them from +their comfortable homes to be subjected to +the misery and discomforts they had then to +endure. Under these circumstances piteous +were the communications made to friends in +the "fatherland," and dreadful the detail of +their distress in the far distant land of promise.</p> + +<p>Their case, however, attracted some little +notice from the local authorities, and a piece +of land adjoining the town was allotted +them, on which to erect dwellings. On this +they settled, calling it Fortitude Valley, from +the name of one of the vessels that had conveyed +them thither; and when they got over +their mortification, and gave their minds to +industry, they speedily transformed the almost +impenetrable bush into a scene of life<span class="pagenum">[220]</span> +and animation. The first privations of settlement +very soon succumbed to comfort and +independence, and "the valley" shortly became +a populous suburb of the town of Brisbane, +and, at the period of our story, closely +approximated to, if not equalled it, in population. +The settlers themselves, introduced +under so unfavourable auspices, were not long +in immensely improving their condition, and +many of them, in the course of a few years, +rose to positions of comfort, eminence, and +opulence; and if they ever reverted to the +period of their immigration, must have done +so with feelings of thankfulness and satisfaction.</p> + +<p>From this period the influx of population +continued, and the condition in which the +district flourished may be gathered from the +following tables:—</p> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> + <tr> + <td class="tdl">The entire district</td> + <td class="tdc"> </td> + <td class="tdr"> </td> + <td class="tdc"> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl">In 1846,</td> + <td class="tdc">contained</td> + <td class="tdr">2,257</td> + <td class="tdc">souls</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl"> 1851,</td> + <td class="tdc">"</td> + <td class="tdr">10,296</td> + <td class="tdc">"</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl"> 1856</td> + <td class="tdc">"</td> + <td class="tdr">22,232</td> + <td class="tdc">"</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl">And was estimated,<span class="pagenum">[221]</span></td> + <td class="tdc"> </td> + <td class="tdr"> </td> + <td class="tdc"> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl">In 1861,</td> + <td class="tdc">to contain</td> + <td class="tdr">30,000</td> + <td class="tdc">souls.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl" colspan="4">The town of Brisbane, of which we wish more particularly to allude,</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl">In 1846,</td> + <td class="tdc">contained about</td> + <td class="tdr">500</td> + <td class="tdc">souls</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl"> 1851,</td> + <td class="tdc">the population was</td> + <td class="tdr">2,500</td> + <td class="tdc">"</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl"> 1856,</td> + <td class="tdc">" " "</td> + <td class="tdr">4,400</td> + <td class="tdc">"</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl">And in 1861</td> + <td class="tdc">was calculated to contain</td> + <td class="tdr">8,000</td> + <td class="tdc">"</td> + </tr> +</table> + +<p>Brisbane presents now a far different aspect +to what it did some few years back. As we +have said, it is pleasantly and, both in a sanitary +and commercial point of view, admirably +situated. From an obscure settlement in the +bush it has become a thriving town, with +some good streets, substantial stone and brick +houses, stores, warehouses, and wharves, and +with shops that would not disgrace many a +fashionable thoroughfare in the British metropolis. +It is possessed of spacious and commodious +government buildings, a gaol, mechanics' +school of arts, an hospital, several<span class="pagenum">[222]</span> +banking establishments, and fully a dozen +churches and other places of worship. The +surrounding country, that was only a few years +before a wild waste, has mostly been cleared +and put under cultivation; and the banks of +the river far above, and considerably below +the town, are studded with farms and gentlemen's +seats, some elegantly and tastefully constructed +with a view both to comfort and the +exigencies of the climate. The town is further +possessed of two steam saw-mills; one daily, +and another bi-weekly newspaper; weekly +steam and continual sailing communication +with Sydney, and a dawning direct trade with +England. Five steamers ply on the river, and +a daily coach runs by land to Ipswich, and an +export trade is done to the extent of considerably +over half a million sterling annually. +The climate is salubrious—the heat ranging, +in the shade, between the means of 80° in +summer, and 50° in winter; and the soil of +the neighbourhood has been proved to be productive +of a greater variety of plants than any<span class="pagenum">[223]</span> +other country in the world. Coupled with +wheat, oats, barley, potatoes, peas, and a variety +of other English edibles, its products +comprise many of a tropical nature, the practicability +of the growth of which has been +fully demonstrated. Bananas, pine-apples, +pumpkins, melons, figs, grapes, peaches, maize, +and sweet potatoes, are common articles of +culture; while indigo, arrow-root, sugar-cane, +and cotton, flourish as in their native climes.</p> + +<p>Of the latter product we would fain say a +few words <i>en passant</i>, as its production of late +has been a question that has been much +agitated in Great Britain, and received some +attention in the colonies. We believe the +experiment of its growth was first tried upon +the joint suggestion of an influential settler of +New South Wales, Mr. T. S. Mort of Sydney, +and the Rev. Dr. Lang. The former gentleman +procured a supply of the best sea-island +American seed, and also an instrument called +"a gin" for cleaning the seed from the cotton, +and placed them at the disposal of the settlers<span class="pagenum">[224]</span> +of Moreton Bay. The seeds were planted, +germinated, and yielded cotton of the first +description; but difficulties arose which +cultivators were unable to surmount. The +first was the impracticable nature of the +instrument they were possessed of for cleaning. +It was found to be useless, and all +similar apparatuses that were subsequently +introduced, and constructed on ideas suggested +to the minds of local mechanical +geniuses, equally failed to perform the requisite +work with cleanliness and precision. +Though this was in itself almost insurmountable, +the greatest drawback to the +culture of the cotton was the rainy weather, +which usually set in just as the cotton was +ripening; destroying the crop, and inflicting +serious loss on the cultivator. It was, however, +discovered that in the Moreton Bay +climate the plant became a perennial; and +that, after the first year's growth, the pods +ripened considerably earlier and avoided the +wet weather; while the staple of the cotton<span class="pagenum">[225]</span> +improved with the age of the plant. Satisfactory +as was this discovery, the first failure +militated against its general cultivation; for +most of the farmers in the district, being dependent +for their subsistence on their yearly +crops, could not afford to experimentalize, +notwithstanding that they were certain of an +ultimately remunerative crop. A subsequent +attempt to cultivate the cotton was tried +with no better success. Though the staple +was produced none of the cleaning machines +to be had were efficacious; and no means +being procurable to extract the seed from the +cotton, it was sent to England in its raw +state to be separated there. The cotton was +cleaned by hand-labour in some of the penitentiaries +of the "old country;" and when +submitted to judges of the article, was pronounced +to be the finest specimen ever introduced +into the country. But these repeated +failures damped the cotton-growing ardour of +the people; and, being able otherwise more<span class="pagenum">[226]</span> +profitably to employ their labour and capital, +they permitted its culture to be abandoned.</p> + +<p>That cotton will eventually become a large +export from this district we have no hesitation +in affirming, and we believe that the time is +not far distant when capitalists in England, +interested in the cotton trade, will take up +the matter and embark in it. It is an undertaking +which we are confident, from the reasons +we have expressed, would be found +remunerative even with the application of +free European labour, and be of considerable +benefit to the manufacturers and consumers +of the staple. It has been frequently argued +in the colony where it was grown that the +expense of labour would eat up the whole +proceeds of the cotton. But this we are disposed +to dispute for many cogent reasons. +In the first place, notwithstanding the many +assertions to the contrary, Europeans can work +at all times in the open air, even under the +scorching rays of a mid-summer sun; while the +value of the cotton produced, by the peculiar<span class="pagenum">[227]</span> +adaptation of the soil, has been found to be of +a superior character to even the finest American +or Egyptian productions; and, from the fact of +the necessity of annual planting being avoided, +the expense of production after the first year +is reduced by more than one half. These facts +at once disarm of its force the statement that +cotton cultivators in Queensland could not +compete with slave-grown produce without +the aid of cheap coolie or lascar labour.</p> + +<p>The postulation that without Asiatic skill +and economy the cotton cultivation is a +chimera, has been assumed by a few interested +parties in the colonies, and reverberated by +them from mouth to mouth among their +own party, without a solitary echo from the +mass of the people. It has been advanced in +ignorance, and persevered in in dogmatical +obstinacy, to the entire subversion of reason +and the results of experience. The theory has +arisen in a desire of personal aggrandizement +by its advocates, who have never dreamt of +the consequences that would accrue from an<span class="pagenum">[228]</span> +influx of heathenism and depravity, or the +detraction from the honour of the colony, +and the degradation of our labouring fellow-countrymen +and colonists. It is happily only +a party cry, and that only of so meagre a +nature, that it is almost an inaudible squeak. +But though insignificant as it is in the country +where it originated, by its propagation and +circulation in the press, its virus has been +made to travel through the entire arterial +system of the commonwealth; which is thus +made to believe in the moral gangrene of this +distant member of the empire. But to return.</p> + +<p>Before we allowed ourselves to be led into +the foregoing digression we spoke of the land +and water communication to the town of +Ipswich; which reminds us of the existence +of that important town; and of which we +also crave permission, while on our topographical +subject, to say a few words.</p> + +<p>Ipswich, or as it was originally called, +Limestone, from the quantity of that mineral +which pervaded the neighbourhood, is situated<span class="pagenum">[229]</span> +on the Bremer river, which falls into the +Brisbane. It is distant from the town of +Brisbane about twenty-five miles by land, +and sixty by water, and is stationed at the +highest navigable point on either stream. It +was formerly used by the government as a +station for the sheep and cattle of the settlement +during the penal times; and, upon the +withdrawal of the prisoners, it was, like its +sister settlement, declared a township, surveyed, +and thrown open to the public. The +first land in it was sold in Brisbane in the +year 1843; but for three years afterwards the +town made little progress. With the exception +of a brick cottage that had been erected +for the overseer in charge of the military and +prisoners stationed there while it was a government +establishment, and which, after the break +up, was converted into a public-house to afford +accommodation and allay the thirst of wayfarers +to and fro between Brisbane and the +interior, few buildings, even of the most makeshift +description, were erected. The place had<span class="pagenum">[230]</span> +as then attracted little or no attention; for +the traffic passed it on its way without any +further stoppage than what a bush public-house +is expected to effect among the bullock-drivers +and draymen, while the drays came +right down to Brisbane without any interruption +to their loads.</p> + +<p>During the time of its attachment to the +penal settlement at Brisbane the communication +between the two places had been maintained +by the means of boats and punts, in +which the supplies of the station were brought +up, and live stock for consumption, and lime +requisite for the works at the township, returned. +No doubt, acting on this knowledge, +the idea occurred to an enterprising settler of +the district that the traffic could be diverted +from the road to the river, and would be advantageous +in the saving of time and trouble +consequent on the primitive style of land +carriage in vogue. He therefore started a +small steamer in the year last mentioned, +viz., 1846, to ply between the two places;<span class="pagenum">[231]</span> +and though not successful in his project, so far +as his own pocket was concerned, the soundness +of his conjectures was patent in the +benefits that resulted. The advancement of +Ipswich may be dated from that period, since +which its progress has been extraordinarily +rapid, and even bids fair to maintain the race +with the sister town with some degree of +success.</p> + +<p>Though Ipswich is admirably situated for +the purposes of trade with the interior, it is +by no means so eligible a site for a town, nor +so well planned out as Brisbane. Its streets +are narrow, and have been lined by the surveyors +without any regard to levels or the +"lay" of the country. It is situated in a +hollow, so that the drainage falls into the +centre of the town, while the surrounding +hills preclude the possibility of approach of +any of those breezes which are so deliciously +refreshing during sultry summer weather. +The buildings, on the whole, are creditable, +and even fine for so young a place, though by<span class="pagenum">[232]</span> +no means equal to those of Brisbane; and its +peculiar characteristics are, bullock-drays, dirty +streets, and public-houses. It is, however, a +busy, thriving town; and if in the selection +of its site a little more judicious forethought +had been exercised, and more consideration +for comfort, health, and amenity displayed in +its surveying, it might have been made, with +its beautiful surrounding scenery, as pretty a +spot as could have been desired. But in this, +as in every other case in the colonies since their +foundation, the only thing that has been exhibited +is the cupidity of the government, +whose only desire has ever been to realise as +much as possible from the sales of land, with +as little outlay as practicable. Hence the +inhabitants are doomed to live in a place +that, upon the minutest visitation of rain, +becomes a perfect "slough of despond;" and +from its concave situation, when under a vertical +sun, is at least ten degrees warmer than +any other place in the district.</p> + +<p>This, then, is the point to which all the<span class="pagenum">[233]</span> +traffic now converges in its passage to Brisbane, +and diverges in its transit to the interior—the +highway between the two points +being the river, while the road is merely used +for the lighter traffic of a few equestrians and +light vehicles. Such is the alteration, and we +may of course add improvement, in the appearance +of the country by the influence of +civilisation consequent on the settlement of +the district; and so rapidly has it taken place +that if any of the old official residents, who +only knew it in its infancy of freedom, were +again to visit it, we have no hesitation in saying +they would not credit their senses. We are +aware that in all new colonies, where capital, +industry, and perseverance are brought to +bear upon the barren wastes, the speedy transition +to a smiling scene of plenty is the inevitable +result. But in most there is an air of +freshness about everything, which proclaims it +a new place; while in those towns of Moreton +Bay the case is very different. They seem almost +to have sprung into maturity at once; and,<span class="pagenum">[234]</span> +especially in Brisbane, there is a something +about it so thoroughly English, that were it +not for the luxuriant growth of exotics, the +heavy timber on the adjacent hills, and the +tropical appearance in the architecture of some +of the suburban dwellings which instantly +strike the eye, a stranger could hardly bring +himself to believe this was the last formed of +Britain's colonies; while we can affirm it is +already far from the meanest.</p> + +<p>Before taking leave of this local subject we +beg permission here to introduce a little episode +that is characteristic of the relationship +that existed between the two towns, or rather +the settlement and the station, before the advent +that proclaimed the country open to free +settlers. Towards the latter end of the penal, +or military, administration, the district was +visited by a fearful flood that swept over the +face of the country and rendered all travelling, +either by land or water, perfectly impracticable. +The intercourse, therefore, between +Brisbane and Limestone was entirely<span class="pagenum">[235]</span> +severed, and for weeks no communication +could be attempted. At the station, during +this stoppage, the supplies began to run short +(it never having been deemed necessary to +anticipate such an emergency), and the residents +were soon suffering serious privations +from the want of their necessary rations. No +boats or horses were at the station at the +time, so that they were unable to intimate +to the authorities below the state in which +they were situated. The officials at Limestone +waited from day to day in the vain +hope of seeing the waters recede, and the +means of communication re-established, but +they were disappointed. The flood continued +at its height, and starvation was almost staring +them in the face. In this emergency the +officer in charge of the prisoners offered a free +pardon to any who would accomplish the voyage +to the settlement, and report there the +distress the people at Limestone were suffering.</p> + +<p>The passage was undertaken by two of the +men, who knew that success was freedom,<span class="pagenum">[236]</span> +and that failure's concomitant was death. +One took the track through the bush and +perished, possibly by being washed away +while attempting the crossing of some swollen +creek, but the other was more successful, +and succeeded in reaching the township in +safety, where he communicated the intelligence +of the destitution at Limestone, and +had the gratification of relieving his former +companions, and securing his freedom. Supplies +were immediately forwarded to the +famished station on pack-horses, which, only +after surmounting considerable difficulties and +dangers, succeeded in reaching their destination. +This passage was one of the boldest +and most extraordinary feats on colonial +record, and, considering the manner in which +it was effected, freedom was certainly not too +great a reward. It was accomplished by the +man tracing the course of the river, travelling +by land where such was practicable, and taking +to the river and swimming where it was +not. When it is remembered that all the<span class="pagenum">[237]</span> +low and flat parts of the country were under +water, and that it was computed half the +distance of the journey, or nearly thirty miles, +was traversed in the swollen stream, with a +flying current and eddying pools, and amidst +trees and other <i>debris</i>, swarming with reptiles +and insects brought down from the mountains +and clustered on the floating masses, +some conception may be formed of what the +intrepid courier had gone through. But to +return again to our narrative.</p> + +<p>The period of which we write is the summer +of 1857, when the cry of "separation" +resounded through the country. Some time +previous to this the colonists had received +intimation of the intention of her Majesty's +government to erect Moreton Bay into a +separate state amongst the group of Australian +colonies. But at this period, as we have +already stated, fresh despatches had been received, +in which the boundaries and a sketch +of its constitution were defined, and the inhabitants +were deep in the contemplation of<span class="pagenum">[238]</span> +these topics. We fear that this disquisition +on history and politics may be considered an +interpolation foreign to the nature of our +work, and uninteresting to the majority of +our readers; but we must excuse ourselves +for an encroachment upon the prerogative of +the historian, on the ground that we wish +the indulgent public to have a correct idea +of the historical, as well as the physical and +social, nature of Queensland. We would, +therefore, throw ourselves again on the leniency +of our readers, while we trace, as succinctly +as possible, the origin and growth of +the separation movement.</p> + +<p>For some years previous to the year 1851 +the colonists of Port Philip had agitated the +question of separation from the colony of +New South Wales, and in that year their +efforts were crowned with success, their district +being, by imperial decree, erected into +a separate colony under the name of Victoria. +The instigator and prime mover in this matter +had been the Rev. Dr. Lang; and at the<span class="pagenum">[239]</span> +commencement of the same year he organized +an agitation for a similar dismemberment of +the Moreton Bay or northern districts.</p> + +<p>The inhabitants of those districts, groaning +under the habitual neglect of a distantly +removed and selfish government, were not +slow to respond to the call of the agitator. +The first meeting to consider the subject, +which was held in January 1851, resulted +in the despatch of petitions to the throne, +praying for an immediate separation from +New South Wales, and an establishment as +an independent state. They enumerated +among the general grievances, the remoteness +of the district from the seat of government, +the inadequate representation in the legislature, +the confirmed neglect and inattention +of their rulers to their requirements, the total +absorption of their revenues for the improvement +of the capital, and the impossibility to +procure the outlay of any money on absolutely +necessary works; in fact the total subversion +of the rights of the inhabitants, and the<span class="pagenum">[240]</span> +general inconvenience experienced by a connexion +with New South Wales.</p> + +<p>Much as the consummation was desiderated +by all parties in the district the people were +divided into two bodies in the views which +they took of the subject; and each party +drew up its own petition, and forwarded it to +England. One faction, and by far the most +numerous and intelligent, demanded a "free" +separation, with the untrammelled administration +of their own affairs; while the other, +principally composed of the squatters in the +interior, were contented with petitioning for +separation, with a reversion to the old penal +system. Their object being to have convicts +sent to the new colony, and to procure their +labour by the old iniquitous "assigning" +system.</p> + +<p>The struggle continued apace between the +contending factions on the one hand, and with +the governments of Great Britain and New +South Wales on the other. The pro-convict +party, who had established a weekly newspaper<span class="pagenum">[241]</span> +to advocate their cause, gradually diminished, +until eventually their zeal expired, and +they succumbed to popular feeling, leaving +the body of free separationists united and +energetic. Petition after petition continued +to be poured at the feet of Her most gracious +Majesty, who at last condescended to listen +to the prayer of her loyal though distant subjects. +In the year 1855, by an act passed in +the Imperial Parliament, entitled, "The Constitution +Act of New South Wales," right was +reserved to her Majesty to separate from that +colony any portion of its northern territory +she, by her ministers, might deem expedient. +It was then made manifest to the colonists +that some hope existed of the desired event +taking place, and their importunities consequently +increased. In July 1856, the then +Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. Labouchere) +intimated, in a despatch to the Governor +of New South Wales, that her Majesty's ministers +considered that the time had arrived +when the dismemberment should be effected,<span class="pagenum">[242]</span> +and suggested that the 30th parallel of south +latitude should be fixed upon as the boundary +of the two colonies. About this parallel a +natural line of demarcation exists in the form +of a mountain range, and at no other part +of the coast could so eligible a division be +made.</p> + +<p>The magnates in Sydney perceiving that, +notwithstanding all their strenuous opposition, +separation was determined upon considered +it useless to further attempt its prevention; +but they were, nevertheless, sanguine of their +ability to mar the fair prospects of the new +colony. The thought of losing the revenue +of so large a district rankled in their bosoms, +and the idea of procuring an alteration in the +boundary line, by a removal farther away from +them, suggested itself to their minds. Confident +in their success and the time for an +execution of their machinations, that would +be afforded them by the usual circumlocutions +of government, they forthwith entered upon +their work.<span class="pagenum">[243]</span></p> + +<p>One of the districts embraced in the proposed +new colony was the Clarence river, which +was only second in importance to that of Moreton +Bay itself, and which comprised a coast-line +of upwards of 120 miles, and a country that +extended nearly double that distance inland. +This, then, they set to work to retain; and, +though the inhabitants themselves of the +debateable ground were strongly averse to a +continued connexion with the parent colony, +and desired annexation to the new one, a +petition was presented to the legislature, purporting +to be from the residents of that district, +and praying for the maintenance of their +existing relationship with New South Wales. +The opprobrium attached to the concoction of +this petition is due to the then member of the +legislature for the New England district; for +through his chicanery the signatures were obtained +and the people deceived. It was represented +to them as for a local assize court, and +their signatures obtained on blank sheets of +paper, which were afterwards attached to the<span class="pagenum">[244]</span> +genuine anti-separation petition and laid before +the government of the colony, by whom it was +forwarded to the British secretary.</p> + +<p>This fraud was shortly afterwards detected +by the parties cajoled, who exposed the deception +practised upon them, and eventually petitioned +the crown with a similar view. But, +too late: the first had reached the home +government as a genuine document, and the +result may be imagined; for, combining such +a strong demonstration of public feeling as the +petition appeared to do with the biassed representations +of the Sydney government, the +crown had no other alternative but to alter +the boundary originally intended Mr. Labouchere +(dated just one year after his former despatch) +then informed the Governor of New +South Wales that her Majesty's ministers had +determined to separate the northern colony +at the 28th (instead of the 30th) parallel +of south latitude. There the matter rested +until the year 1860, when the proclamation +calling into existence the colony of<span class="pagenum">[245]</span> +Queensland was read in the capital city of +Brisbane by the first governor, Sir George +Ferguson Bowen.</p> + +<p>We would not have pursued this theme +had it not been to explain the ferment in +which Tom Rainsfield found the good people +of Brisbane when he visited their town, as +we have said, in the summer of 1857; and, +amidst the agitation of the public mind +which absorbed all thought and attention, +we will leave him for the present to pursue +his business.<span class="pagenum">[246]</span></p> + +<hr class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX.</h2> + +<div class="inset20"> +<p> +"Hark! there be murmurs heard in Lara's hall,<br> +A sound—a voice—a shriek—a fearful call!<br> +A long loud shriek—and silence—did they hear<br> +That frantic echo burst the sleeping ear?"<br> +<br> +<span class="smcap right">Byron.</span><br> +</p> +<br> +</div> + +<p>At a certain spot on the Darling Downs +approaching towards their northern extremity, +and where the country divides the eastern +from the western water-sheds, a party was +encamped for the night round their fire; on +which preparations were being made by a +civilized black for the evening meal of white +men, who lay stretched on the ground in +the full enjoyment of their "doodeens." The<span class="pagenum">[247]</span> +culinary operator was Joey, and the recumbent +beings were his master and the shepherds, +who had progressed thus far with a +flock of sheep, on their way from New +England to Fern Vale.</p> + +<p>The weather that had spread devastation +over the face of the country, was equally +fatal in its effects to the flock of our hero. +He had attempted to force their march so as +to reach his destination before their entire +destruction, but was at last constrained to +halt in a state, both to man and beast, of +perfect exhaustion. He had been the more +anxious to reach his own station as he was +aware that, after the long and severe drought +the district had been visited with, a flood +might be expected as the inevitable consequence; +and that if he were caught in it the +strong probability was that he would lose the +remaining half of his flock. Further progression, +however, for his exhausted sheep, he +saw was, at least for a time, perfectly hopeless; +and he felt his only alternative was to<span class="pagenum">[248]</span> +wait for the rain, which from the portensions +of the sky, was not far distant. Therefore a +rude hut, or arborous shelter of boughs and +saplings, was erected to shield him and his +companions from the rays of the sun, and +they waited with what patience they could +assume for the pluvial blessing so much +prayed for all over the country.</p> + +<p>Here then the party was located, anxiously +waiting for the advent of the propitious event +that would admit of their progression; and, +on the evening we have discovered them to +the reader, they were dragging out in listless +idleness the remainder of an intolerably hot +day, too much enervated to indulge in any +exertion or conversation. While John Ferguson, +who was possibly even more taciturn +than his companions, was absorbed in his +own gloomy thoughts, occasioned by the inauspicious +result of his journey, he with his +colleagues was suddenly aroused from his +lethargy by a most unearthly sound in the +close proximity of their camp. He instantly<span class="pagenum">[249]</span> +started to his feet, and was greeted with a +burst of demoniacal laughter that made his +very blood curdle in his veins.</p> + +<p>Before him stood a being evidently human, +but no more like his first prototype than +Gabriel to Lucifer; a man wild and dishevelled +in appearance; his eyes like balls of +fire; and his face and other parts of his body, +perceptible from his all but state of nudity, +cut and bleeding. In the fitful light of the +camp fire he had more the appearance of one +of the eliminated shades of Hades than an +habitant of this world. The startled and +affrighted quartette, who had been interrupted +by his unexpected appearance, gazed +on the object with wonder, commiseration, +and alarm; for his condition was speedily +made palpable by his wild gesticulations and +incoherent utterance. He was mad, and in +that most to be deplored state of madness—delirium +tremens.</p> + +<p>John Ferguson advanced a few steps towards +the man with the object of leading<span class="pagenum">[250]</span> +him to their temporary abode; but the +maniac warned him off by a wave of the +hand, and darted off again into the settling +obscurity with the fleetness of an arrow. No +human creature in such a condition could be +permitted thus to rush to inevitable death by +observers with any spark of Christian charity. +John Ferguson and his companions felt this, +and notwithstanding the darkness of the +night, and the interminable nature of the +bush around them, they instantly pursued +the fugitive, being guided in his track by +his fearful cries and yells.</p> + +<p>The chase was tedious, and but for an +accident might have been fruitless. The unnatural +stimulus of madness lends powerful +aid to the cartilaginous anatomy of its +victims; so that, notwithstanding the evident +fatigue that this wretched inebriate had sustained, +his crural muscles performed their +functions with even more force and facility +than those of his athletic pursuers; and he +continued to keep considerably in advance<span class="pagenum">[251]</span> +of them. But his course was providentially +checked by a fall, that not only stopped him +in his headlong career of destruction, but extinguished +the treacherous spark that had +stimulated his system, and then left him +prostrate and perfectly paralysed. When his +pursuers came up, and by the light of a "firestick" +gazed upon him, they found him writhing +in agony on the ground, foaming at the +mouth, gnashing his teeth, and actually biting +the very dust in the intensity of his suffering. +Nature could not long stand so fearful a tax +as this without speedily succumbing. Reason +had already been hurled from her throne by +the arrogated sway of the incensed devils of +debauch, and strength and consciousness had +been expatriated by the usurpation; while +life was all but extinguished. In this state +he was borne by his rescuers back to their +camp, and tended with every care they could +devise; but when he awoke to consciousness, +it was only to add the horrors of a raging +fever to those of dementation; the more<span class="pagenum">[252]</span> +fearful on account of the inability of his +attendants to afford him any assistance.</p> + +<p>To truthfully describe his appearance, or +his sufferings, as he lay rending the air with +his fearful and impious imprecations, would +not only be beyond our powers of portrayal, +but would have none other effect than to +sicken and disgust our readers. Nevertheless +we feel constrained, fain as we would draw a +veil over the scene, to continue our description +for the furtherance of temperance and +morality. The man remained for fully +twenty-four hours in the state we have mentioned; +when the exacerbation of his malady +threatened to terminate his existence. No +hope of relief could be entertained, for none +was procurable in such a situation; even had +the exhausted travellers been capable of seeking +it. So that the wretched being's doom +seemed inevitably sealed.</p> + +<p>At this moment the Fern Vale party were +startled by the sudden appearance of two +others, who came seeking their comrade, and<span class="pagenum">[253]</span> +bore in their countenances almost as indelible +a stamp of dissipation as that on the +visage of the dying madman. From these +new comers John learnt that the three had +been travelling in company of a bullock dray, +and being unable to proceed on their journey, +through the loss of the greater portion of the +team, they had all been engaged in a social +wassail on some grog they had had in charge; +and for a considerable period had all been +more or less drunk. Their companion had +been in a fit of delirium tremens for days; +and while in a state of madness had suddenly +gone, they knew not, nor at the time cared +not, whither. But finding he did not return +as they had anticipated even their besotted +natures began to take alarm for his safety, +and had induced them to go in search of +him.</p> + +<p>The two men now stood by the prostrate +and paralysed form of their late robust companion, +on whom, blunted and debased as +were their own feelings, they could not gaze<span class="pagenum">[254]</span> +without emotions; and as they witnessed +the glaring blood-shot eyes, rotating in their +sunken and discoloured sockets, the pendent +jaw which left the parched tongue protruding +from the open mouth, the colourless emaciated +cheeks which contrasted fearfully with the +sore and livid lips, the generally wasted frame, +the shaking though powerless hands imploring +with the looks of distracted vision, +and the ineffectual attempts to articulate the +cravings for that very poison which was fast +hastening a commingling of his putrid carcass +with its native dust, their hearts sickened +within them. They, however, knew the purport +of his signs; and subdued as they were by +the presence of the destroying angel, and +chastened by the momentary visitations of +compunction, their devotion to their idol, and +their belief in its efficacies were such, that, +even in the face of death, they exorcised their +destroying spirit. Before their motion could +be anticipated, or prevented by John Ferguson, +one of the dying man's companions drew a<span class="pagenum">[255]</span> +bottle from his bosom, and applied it to the +lips of the sufferer.</p> + +<p>The taste of the exhilarating poison effected +a transitory release of the bonds of death's +victim. His hands clasped with a convulsive +grasp the endeared destroyer of his life; and +as the spirit flowed into the celiac channel of +his wasted system, its consuming fire mantled +his cheek with an unnatural erubescence, shot +from his lustrous eyes, and imparted vigour +to his inert frame. If the men's action had +been noticed in time John would have no +doubt prevented the drink being given, though +it would have signified little; for no power +on earth could have saved the victim, while +possibly the draught of spirits which he had +taken ameliorated his departing agonies. Be +that as it may he had hardly swallowed it +than fresh strength seemed to have been imparted +to his frame. He then started to his +feet, waved the bottle above his head with +a fiendish laugh, and fell to the ground a +corpse.<span class="pagenum">[256]</span></p> + +<p>Can mortals ever be rescued from the fearful +infatuation of drink? Can rational and +sentient beings ever be brought to an abhorrence +of that vile and bestial vice that equally +destroys the intellect and degrades the body? +or will reason ever inculcate in the mind of +man the virtue of temperance, so as to use +without abusing the gifts of a bountiful providence? +Let an incorrigible drunkard stand +before such a scene as we have attempted to +describe, and for five minutes witness the +agonies and death of a fellow inebriate; let +his soul commune with the tortured spirit of +the wretched victim of intemperance; let +him witness the horrors of delirium tremens, +that tear to pieces both body and life, and +consigns them to the lowest depths of perdition; +let him not only witness but feel +the hell that burns up the very soul of the +blind votaries of Bacchus; and let him witness +the last struggle, the tortuous departure +of the spirit, accompanied with the blasphemous +ribaldry of the vile worm that, while<span class="pagenum">[257]</span> +insinuating its eliminated spirit before the +judgment-seat of its Maker, dares to utter +its arrogant defiance to the august and omnipotent +Creator. Let him see this; tell him +this is the consequence of intemperance +possibly only indulged in moderately at an +early stage, but growing by degrees as evil +does grow, like the gathering avalanche accumulating +in its downward progress until it +reaches its final descent amidst universal destruction. +Tell him also that a similar fate +awaits every drunkard, and tell him, if he +turns not away from his course of vileness, +such will be his; then, if his conscience does +not lead him to penitence through such a +lesson, no human effort can save him.</p> + +<p>The state of the weather, the mortification +of the body, and its consequent immediate +decomposition, made it imperative that no +time should be lost in the interment of the +corpse. The funeral obsequies were speedily +performed, with little more ceremony than +what would attend the burying of an animal,<span class="pagenum">[258]</span> +while nothing marked the spot where lay the +bones that would in all probability be soon +forgotten. The two men then took their +departure, and we doubt not would soon +return to their carouse; such is the quickness +with which man forgets the visitations of the +warning hand of God.</p> + +<p>A few days after the event we have just +narrated the rain that had been so long threatening +at last appeared with one of those +terrific thunder-storms which the colonies are +in the summer visited with; and speedily the +whole surface of the country became deluged. +The arid and thirsty soil drank in the moisture, +and almost spontaneously shot forth its +herbage. The flock was then enabled to +luxuriate on the tender grasses and, notwithstanding +the deluging rains, to pursue its +journey with more comfort than it had +experienced for some considerable time previously.</p> + +<p>For a week the rain continued with unabating +violence when John Ferguson and<span class="pagenum">[259]</span> +his flock struck the course of the Gibson +river near Brompton. The river was "bank +high" at the time, rolling its swollen volume +on in sullen impetuosity; while the ground +around was so saturated and swampy that +the travelling of the sheep was exceedingly +tedious; and their owner began to feel +anxious lest their course should be altogether +impeded. He, however, managed to push on +past Brompton, when the weather happily +moderated; and though still overcast, and +rainy-looking, the actual fall of water ceased. +The respite was made good use of by John +Ferguson, who pushed on as rapidly as he +could, and he arrived at the Wombi without +any interruption; but there he met with a +check he had little anticipated. He fully +expected the bridge would be level with the +water or even covered, and thought that he +might have to wait for the river to fall; but +the volume of water had considerably subsided +and left no trace of the structure he +and his neighbours had erected. It had in<span class="pagenum">[260]</span> +fact been washed away by the flood, and he +was made painfully aware that the only +course open to him was to wait until the +swollen current became sufficiently reduced +to make it practicable to swim over his +sheep. With that object he camped his +party and flock on the bank of the Wombi.</p> + +<p>For some days they waited in this position; +but the river, notwithstanding that the rain +had ceased, fell very slowly; while the surrounding +gloominess plainly indicated an additional +visitation of wet as not far distant. In +conjunction with this the sheep began to show +signs of foot-rot; and John, becoming anxious +to get them home, considered it better under +the circumstances to attempt a passage of the +river at once. Acting on this decision he +removed the flock to the old crossing-place +and attempted the transit.</p> + +<p>Two of his men had, by the aid of a horse, +swam the river, and a large number of the +sheep had either crossed or were struggling in +the current, when a noise was heard that<span class="pagenum">[261]</span> +struck our hero with dismay. The distant +roll of thunder, combined with the roar of +battle, would convey but an imperfect idea of +its nature. Distinct and more distinctly came +the sound and, while the darkened atmosphere +lent its gloom to the mighty convulsion that +seemed to rend the earth, the cause of the +noise seemed to approach nearer and nearer. +Though John had never seen the sudden +rising of a river he had heard of such +phenomena, and guessed that the sound that +he then heard was the harbinger of such an +event. He therefore used all his exertions, +with those of Joey and the white man that +had remained with him on the upper bank of +the Wombi, to prevent the remainder of the +sheep from following their fellows into the +water. They were with difficulty diverted +from the stream; and those that had already +crossed, being driven by the men as far as +possible from the influence of the tide, John +waited with an intense anxiety to watch the<span class="pagenum">[262]</span> +fate of those that would of a certainty be +overtaken by the current.</p> + +<p>The flood was in the Gibson river, and its +cause can be easily explained in a few words. +Towards its source the rain had been continuous, +and the water-holes and surcharged +swamps being filled to repletion, had burst +their bounds and added their immense volumes +to the already swollen stream. This +imparted a force and impetuosity even greater +than the current had previously possessed, +and forced the water in one immense body +down its course. On and on it swept like +the monstrous rolling surge of the ocean, +carrying to inevitable ruin everything that +it overtook in its passage. John stood on +an elevation sufficiently high to enable him +to watch the progress of the destructive fluid; +and, with his gaze alternately directed to it +and his sheep still swimming in the stream +at his feet, he calculated their chances of +reaching the bank in safety. For this,<span class="pagenum">[263]</span> +however, he had little time, for the progress +of the flood was quicker than that of his +thoughts; and the sudden rise in the Gibson, +as the deluge approached, caused a similar +one in the Wombi. As the main body in +the river swept past, it flooded the minor +stream with its back current, sending the +reversed tide, seething and swelling, up its +narrow channel, and carrying with it some +hundreds of the swimming sheep, most of +which were drowned in their vain struggles +with the element.</p> + +<p>Unfortunate as this was John gave vent +to no vain regrets, but at once decided how +he would act. He knew that the brunt of +the flood was over, and that the water would +speedily fall in the river. He therefore determined +to camp where he was for the night, +and in the morning to send on the portion +of his flock on the opposite side of the river, +while he waited with the remainder until the +flood should have so far receded as to permit +his crossing them with safety. He communicated<span class="pagenum">[264]</span> +his plans to both sections of his party, +while Joey lit a fire and prepared a camp.</p> + +<p>Towards midnight, when everything was +hushed in the nocturnal stillness, Joey came +softly to his master, who was stretched in his +blanket before the fire on the damp ground, +and awoke him from his sleep. John, when +he was aroused, instantly started up in the +full expectation of some fresh misfortune, +and hastily demanded of Joey what was the +matter.</p> + +<p>"You no hear, massa?" replied Joey; "you +listen. The black fellows come back again +and make great noise."</p> + +<p>John listened attentively for some moments, +and unmistakably distinguished the sounds of +blacks' voices, though what was the purport +of the noise he could not conjecture. It was +evident to him they had returned to the +neighbourhood and, from the sounds he heard, +in considerable numbers. But where could +they be camped? he asked himself; surely +not at their old ground in the scrub, he<span class="pagenum">[265]</span> +thought; for the noise plainly indicated a +closer proximity. In fact, it sounded to him +as if it emanated from somewhere about +Strawberry Hill, if not from that very place. +Then John's thoughts led him to make the +enquiry what could bring them across the +Gibson; if they had any object in visiting +Strawberry Hill; and if so, what that object +could be? His thoughts, once led into +such a channel, were not long in picturing a +gloomy catalogue of probable causes. A remembrance +of Rainsfield's cruelties was too +indelibly impressed upon his mind to be forgotten, +and the scene he had witnessed at the +blacks' camp on the night previous to their +departure was instantly conjured up in all +its horrors. Though the disappearance of the +blacks for months had momentarily dimmed +his memory to the pangs he then witnessed +and felt, they were instantly remembered +when his mind reverted to the subject; and +he vividly recollected the ebullition of evil +passions that had been kindled in the breasts<span class="pagenum">[266]</span> +of some of the survivors and relatives of the +victims. In his fancy he heard anew the +threat of revenge that was uttered against +Rainsfield; and he began to entertain the +belief that the blacks were at the station of +Strawberry Hill, and had come there for the +purpose of wreaking vengeance on their destroyer +and his family at a time when they +would imagine their visitation least expected.</p> + +<p>At the same time, however, he could not +bring his mind to imagine that the blacks +would be bold enough to attack the whole +station, being confident the knowledge of the +superior prowess of the whites would deter +them, besides their dread of fire-arms, which, +they would know at least all the men on the +station would possess. He had no doubt, +either, but that Rainsfield, having incurred +the enmity of the aborigines, would take +every precaution against surprisal, and believed +that he could, with the assistance of +one or two of his men, preserve himself +against the assaults of a hundred of the<span class="pagenum">[267]</span> +blacks. But still John Ferguson could not +divest his mind of some degree of apprehension, +which (notwithstanding his endeavours +to calm the perturbation his train of thoughts +had led him to experience) still lingered +there, and dark forebodings disturbed his +brain.</p> + +<p>"Where are they, do you think, Joey?" +he enquired, as if he wanted corroboration of +his own senses.</p> + +<p>"Strawberry Hill, I believe, massa," was +the reply.</p> + +<p>"I am afraid so, too," said John; "and I +fear they are up to no good. If they were +only going to rob the store they would never +make so much noise over it."</p> + +<p>"No, massa, they not go to rob the store," +said Joey; "they be frighted to do that again, +I believe; taltoe (food) kill too many black +fellow that time when they steal 'em ration; +they be going to kill now, I believe."</p> + +<p>"That's what I've been thinking too, +Joey," replied his master; "but they wouldn't<span class="pagenum">[268]</span> +have any chance if the white fellows had +guns."</p> + +<p>"I don't know, massa," replied the black +boy; "p'rhaps no, p'rhaps yes—black fellows +be very frightened of guns; but the Nungar +black fellows, you pidner (know), very wild +and budgery belonging to fight (good at +fighting), and bael they lik'em (hate) Mr. +Rainsfield; so I believe they will try very +hard to kill him."</p> + +<p>"I've no doubt they will," replied his master, +"if they can get a mark at him; but if he +keeps himself and his men within the house +they will be able to fire away at the blacks +without giving them a chance at themselves."</p> + +<p>"White fellows all sit down liket huts," +said Joey, by which he meant to imply that +the men in all probability would be in their +own huts, removed from the house of the station; +"and," he continued, "bael Misser Rainsfield +fight 'em all round big fellow humpie; +and black fellow, when he find 'em bael come +out, he gett'um firestick, and mak'em humpie<span class="pagenum">[269]</span> +one fellow-corbon fire;" which may be rendered +into our vernacular by saying, that Rainsfield +would be unable of himself to protect all +parts of the dwelling; while the blacks would +unhouse him by setting on fire the building, +which it must be remembered was of wood.</p> + +<p>John mused a few minutes in a reverie, in +which his feelings sustained a violent convulsion. +That love preserved a prominent position +we have no doubt; and, also, that apprehension +for the safety of the object of that +love maintained a lively agitation in his mind. +We fear we must not attribute his sympathy +and anxiety for the family to a general friendship +alone, but to the additional stimulus of +a more inspiring feeling. However, we will +not arrogate to ourselves the censorship of +his motives, but simply confine ourselves to +a recordance of events.</p> + +<p>"Joey, get my horse and saddle him," said +John, turning to the boy, who was standing +with his body bent in an attitude to catch the +floating sound of the blacks' voices.<span class="pagenum">[270]</span></p> + +<p>Joey turned his eyes, looking surprised at +his master; and though he did not actually +ask him the nature of the work he intended +to require of his horse, his manner and hesitation +made that inquiry; and his master +devising its meaning voluntarily made the +explanation.</p> + +<p>"I will go over at once to Strawberry Hill, +Joey," he said, "and see what the blacks are +doing; for I cannot bear this suspense, and +I fear the morrow will disclose some fearful +work."</p> + +<p>"Bael you cross the river, masser," cried the +boy; "too much water sit down. Bael you +swim, masser? More liket be drowned."</p> + +<p>"Don't make yourself uneasy, Joey," replied +his master, "my horse has taken me over +worse floods than that; it is only back water +from the Gibson, and there is very little +current."</p> + +<p>"But oh! massa, bael you go! supposing +you cross river, and supposing black fellows +fight with Misser Rainsfield, what you can<span class="pagenum">[271]</span> +do? bael you got 'um gun or pistol, and +black fellow have plenty spear; so you do +nothing, and black fellow only kill you."</p> + +<p>"No fear, Joey," said John. "The blacks +would have no object in killing me; and if +they are congregated at Strawberry Hill, to +commit some outrage as I suspect, I may be +enabled to effect some good by inducing +them to abandon their scheme; or, at least, +I can afford some assistance to the family +they are attacking."</p> + +<p>"Oh no, massa! I tell you no," exclaimed +the poor faithful attendant. "These black +fellows kill any white fellow now; bael they +care for you now; they come to kill Misser +Rainsfield; and Misser Rainsfield's friends +liket help him they kill them too. Bael +you go! Budgery massa!" exclaimed the +attached creature, as he threw himself down +on the ground before his master, and clung +to his feet.</p> + +<p>The expression and evidence of so much +attachment in the poor boy sensibly affected<span class="pagenum">[272]</span> +the kind nature of John Ferguson; and he +was moved to see so much genuine warmth +and affection in one of a race which was +looked upon as incapable of such emotions—a +race which is deemed by professed judges +of their nature to be destitute of all human +virtue; to be the lowest in the social scale; +incapable of the inculcation of civilisation, +morality, and religion; to be only a stage +above the brute creation, and to be segregated +by an insuperable barrier from all sentient +creatures. Could you, oh, self-sufficient philosopher +(who enunciate these doctrines), only +present yourself before these two, and penetrate +with a visual percipiency the heart +that beats in the breast of that poor, prostrate +black, thou wouldst surely be brought +to acknowledge the existence of that germ +that was implanted in our first parents by +the omnipotent Creator. Thou wouldst also +be brought to acknowledge, unless prejudice +blinded thine intellect, that, degraded as that +race which thou contemnest undoubtedly is,<span class="pagenum">[273]</span> +much of the weight of that degradation has +been the burdening of thine own countrymen. +Say not that, by the immutable decrees of +Providence, the black races are destined to +disappear before the white, and to succumb +their savage natures and existence to advancing +civilisation. Such may, or may not, +be so; but in either case how can you relieve +yourself of the obligation imposed upon you +by the Supreme Being to ameliorate the condition +of that unfortunate people of whom +you first rob their inheritance and then sweep +from the face of the earth, by instilling into +their unsophisticated natures all the vices +incidental to yours; without attempting their +regeneration, or even an ethic inculcation.</p> + +<p>John looked upon his faithful attendant as +he implored him not to venture either near +the blacks or across the swollen river before +him; and he felt a pleasurable sensation, akin +to gratitude, towards the poor creature. It is +true he had himself almost reared the poor +boy, who had been always near him; but the<span class="pagenum">[274]</span> +idea of so much attachment being in the +nature of the black had never occurred to +him; and its discovery therefore caused him +astonishment.</p> + +<p>"I must go, Joey," he said, "I have no fear +for danger to myself; and if anything should +happen this night to the family at Strawberry +Hill, and I remained here, I shall ever accuse +myself as being, by my selfish neglect, accessary +to their fate."</p> + +<p>"Will massa let me go with him?" enquired +the boy.</p> + +<p>"No, Joey," replied his master; "I wish you +to stop here with the shepherd and sheep, +until the water falls sufficiently to enable you +to cross with them; but get me my horse, I +must lose no time;" saying which he turned +away to seek the shepherd, who was watching +the flock, to give him directions, while Joey +performed the necessary services for the horse.</p> + +<p>The black boy went down with his master +to the edge of the river, in vain entreating to +be permitted to accompany him, and stood on<span class="pagenum">[275]</span> +the brink of the water as John plunged his +horse into the dark rolling stream. The night +was black and cloudy and the opposite bank +was hardly discernible in the gloom; while +the opaque waters rolled their disturbed body +in their sullen course. As John had said the +river was not swift, but it was deep and +treacherous. Its tide, though swollen by the +immense volume in the Gibson, ran only +slowly; but it was filled with eddies caused +by the stoppage of its own natural current. +Its passage was therefore more dangerous +than perhaps it would have been had it been +running with the velocity of its parent +stream.</p> + +<p>As John entered the water the noble +animal that carried him, guessing the nature +of the work that was expected of him, +courageously breasted the current, and swam +for the opposite bank. For some minutes he +could have been seen speeding his course, +with precision for his desired goal; when +anon he would be drawn into the vortex of<span class="pagenum">[276]</span> +one of those whirlpools in which the stream +then abounded, and from which his persevering +beast would extricate himself, and again +struggle on his course. The horse and rider +had nearly reached the other side, and were +almost lost to Joey's sight in the obscurity, +when suddenly both man and beast were +entirely submerged; and the next instant the +animal's feet were plainly discernible above +water, in a state of violent agitation.</p> + +<p>With one bound the black boy sprang into +the water, and swam vigorously for the spot +where his master had disappeared; but his +anxieties were relieved by John's reappearance, +and seeing him strike out for the bank in +company with his horse. Joey did not return +when he perceived that his master was +safe, but pursued his course. Long and +arduous was his struggle, and he had enough +to do to preserve himself from the eddies and +floating masses that were rotating in the +pools, or that were descending the stream. +But he succeeded in crossing it without any<span class="pagenum">[277]</span> +mishap, and he presented himself to his master +as the latter was about to mount his horse +after his own dangerous passage.</p> + +<p>"What, Joey!" exclaimed John as he witnessed +the boy before him, "what on earth +has possessed you to risk your life in crossing +the river by yourself, and after my telling you +I wanted you to stay with the sheep?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! massa," replied the boy, "me thinkum +you be drowned, when me been seeum +you capsized; bael me help coming after you +to see you all right."</p> + +<p>"Well, I suppose I must not be angry with +you Joey," said his master.</p> + +<p>"Oh no, massa!" replied the black, "but +that very ugly capsize, how 'em happen?"</p> + +<p>"A log that was floating in one of the +pools," said John, "turned the horse over and +me with him; but I kept hold of the bridle +and reached the shore safe enough, with only +the addition of a little extra wetting. But I +can't stop now, Joey, I must not lose any +more time, and you will have to get back<span class="pagenum">[278]</span> +again as soon as you can; for that man you +have left on the other side will not be able to +watch and 'shepherd' the sheep all by himself. +You can get your own horse that the two +fellows crossed with yesterday to take you +back."</p> + +<p>"But, massa, you let me come now with +you? and I be over the river all right liket +morning."</p> + +<p>"Well, come if you will," said his master, +"you can follow me;" and he dashed spurs +into his horse and rode off.</p> + +<p>Joey thus obtaining the permission he +sought wasn't long in getting his horse +saddled, and he galloping after his master +whom he overtook on the road; as, notwithstanding +his impatient haste, John was unable, +owing to the fatigue his horse had already +endured in the water, to keep in advance of +the fresher steed of his black boy.</p> + +<p>The two horsemen for some minutes rode +rapidly side by side; and, as they approached +Strawberry Hill, they every moment became<span class="pagenum">[279]</span> +more conscious, not only of the proximity of +the blacks, but of their either meditating, or +actually perpetrating some diabolical work. +These kept up a chorus of voices which formed +a perfect Babel of discord, resounding through +the still night, and reverberating among the +vaulted and umbrageous canopy of the bush +like the conclaves of assembled pandemonium. +Anon this was succeeded by frantic yells that +curdled the very blood in John Ferguson's +veins; and then shriek after shriek pierced +the air, telling too plainly the nature of the +savages' work.</p> + +<p>What further stimulus could John have +had for his fears? Here was a realization of +his most direful dread. The very echo of the +woods proclaimed the fate of his friends; +and possibly that being whom he loved most +on earth was by that wail numbered among +the dead; her lovely features defaced by the +brutality of fiendish savages; and her fair +form mutilated and possibly dishonoured. The +thought was too harrowing; it deprived him<span class="pagenum">[280]</span> +of all consideration for his own person; the +idea of his own saftey never entered his mind, +and unarmed and defenceless as he was, he +dashed the spurs again and again into the side +of his steed, and galloped madly until he +reached the scene of horror. He sprang from +his horse, as the panting animal halted before +the house, which was now still and apparently +desolate; while the retreating forms of the +blacks might have been seen by other eyes +than John Ferguson's.<span class="pagenum">[281]</span></p> + +<hr class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X.</h2> + +<div class="inset20"> +<p> +"Wisdom! to leave his wife, to leave his babes,<br> +His mansion, and his titles in a place<br> +From whence himself does fly?"<br> +<br> +<span class="right"><span class="smcap">Macbeth</span>, <i>Act 4, Sc. 2</i>.<br></span> +</p> +<br> +</div> + +<p>When Rainsfield parted from Jemmy Davies +he retraced his steps to his own house, which +he reached as the first rays of the morning +sun irradiated the eastern sky; and, flinging +himself upon a sofa in the sitting-room, he +sought a few hours' rest. Sleep we cannot +call it for it was more of the nature of a +waking dream than refreshing slumbers; and, +after enduring two or three hours of increasing +restlessness, he sprang from his couch, and, +while it was yet early morn, strolled forth to +refresh his fevered brain.<span class="pagenum">[282]</span></p> + +<p>His reflections were of no enviable kind. +That the object the blacks had in returning +to the neighbourhood was, as Jemmy Davies +had warned him, he had no doubt; for, however +much he was disinclined to credit the +disinterestedness of Jemmy, and his good feeling +towards himself, he could not imagine any +motive that could influence the black in acquainting +him of a plot if no plot existed. +Rainsfield had no faith in one of their colour, +believing sincerity a virtue incompatible with +their nature; but at the same time he fully +credited the information of Jemmy, especially +after the evidently hostile preparations he had +witnessed. He was also perfectly aware that +he might expect the animosity of the blacks +while they remained in the neighbourhood; +and though he had flattered himself upon their +former disappearance that he had been for +ever relieved from the annoyance of their +proximity, he now found he had exorcised the +demon which threatened his destruction.</p> + +<p>What their mode of procedure would be he<span class="pagenum">[283]</span> +could hardly conjecture, though he had doubted +not, from what he had witnessed at the camp, +that they had not only concerted measures, +but that their plans would be on somewhat +an extensive scale. Their primary object, he +believed, would be his life; but personally he +had a supreme contempt for the whole race, +and flattered himself that, with a little caution, +he was a match, numerically speaking, +against extreme odds. He believed, as in fact +experience had demonstrated, their cowardice +was one of their inherent characteristics, and +that, with decision on his part, and a chastisement +by a few examples, he would avert the +threatened danger. He imagined that their +tactics would be a perpetual ambuscade, never +dreaming that they would so far venture on +the offensive as to assume the aggressive +overtly, but would rather attempt a surprisal; +in which case he determined, as soon as his +opponents showed themselves, to take upon +himself the offensive. As the harass, however, +of a perpetual watch would not only<span class="pagenum">[284]</span> +inconvenience him, but weaken his already +too small force, he bethought him to acquaint +his neighbours of his position, and beg their +assistance. His first care, then, was to apprise +all his men on the station of the intention of +the blacks, and to provide them with fire-arms, +so far as his stock admitted, charging +them to use every vigilance to prevent the +approach of any of the aborigines, and to +shoot them if they came within range of their +guns.</p> + +<p>On the evening of that day, acting under the +advice of Jemmy Davies, Mr. Rainsfield posted +himself, and two of his men, in the bush near +the house, where he expected the blacks would +be lurking if they visited the station at all; and +not long after night-fall he became sensible of +the stealthy approach of some of the natives. +Rainsfield and his men had secreted themselves +so as to elude even the keen vision of the +aborigines, at the same time that they themselves +could discern, as plainly as was practicable +in the darkness, the crouching forms<span class="pagenum">[285]</span> +of the reconnoiterers. The party in espionage +watched their victims until they approached +sufficiently near to enable them to distinguish +their dusky outlines, and then they simultaneously +discharged the contents of their three +pieces into their very midst.</p> + +<p>The report was instantly followed by more +than one yell, and at least one body was +heard to fall heavily to the ground, when the +next moment a shower of spears rattled +amongst the trees and bushes where the +party lay concealed. Rainsfield and his men +remained perfectly motionless, not daring to +venture another shot; for they knew well that +every native had already shielded himself +behind some tree, and was watching for a +repetition of the fire to guide them whence +to aim their own missiles. By remaining in +his quiescence Rainsfield was aware he was +safe; for he knew the blacks would not trust +themselves to a closer investigation of the +quarter from whence emanated their destruction. +Of the two watching parties the blacks<span class="pagenum">[286]</span> +were the first to withdraw, after discharging +another random volley of spears, and taking +with them their dead or wounded. When +Rainsfield was convinced of their departure +he came out from his hiding-place, and returned +to the station much pleased with his +adventure, and, arguing from the nature of +the reception the blacks had met with, that +they would considerably cool in their ardour +for any further visitation of his premises.</p> + +<p>The other inmates of Strawberry Hill were +too much occupied with their attention to +Eleanor, and too much engrossed by their +anxieties for her welfare to be conscious of +the occurrence we have lately described; for +when the doctor arrived with William from +Alma she was in an exceedingly dangerous +state, and it was not until the day following +the encounter that the son of Galen considered +himself warranted in taking his departure, +and leaving his patient to the care +of her own friends. Eleanor's state was still +precarious, and though the fever was sufficiently<span class="pagenum">[287]</span> +subdued to relieve her friends of +alarm, her nervous system had received a +tremendous shock. Added to her corporeal +sufferings she had to endure mental agonies +of a far more acute description, which kept +her prostrate, dispirited, and almost unconscious, +while her friends ministered with affectionate +hands to her every want. Days thus +passed over with only shadows of improvement; +and William, who at first returned +home leaving his sister at Strawberry Hill, +came back and brought her away from the +bedside of her friend.</p> + +<p>As Mr. Rainsfield had anticipated, the blacks +entered no further appearance after their +first night of reconnoitering; and, though the +watchfulness of himself and his men was +unabated, he began to entertain less fears of +their carrying out or even attempting their +premeditated design. All the men on the +station were now well armed, and were quite +capable, acting in unison, of repelling the +attack of a whole host of natives should they<span class="pagenum">[288]</span> +make the attempt. At least so thought Rainsfield +and his <i>employés</i>; for their first success, +and the subsequent respectful distance +that the blacks had maintained, engendered a +sense of security in their minds.</p> + +<p>How many has this very feeling ruined, +and will continue to ruin for succeeding ages, +who can tell? "A sea of troubles" is incidental +to our existence, and the dark prognostic +that rises on our mental horizon, heralding +the approach of some destructive blast, is +too often unheeded by us until it has swept +over our devoted heads. While the necessary +precautions to avert the coming danger have +been either neglected or postponed under the +impression of false security we have fallen +victims to our own procrastination; and as +the withering blast howls in its fury as it +settles its incubus form upon our spirits, we +mourn our own inertness, when timely exertion +would have saved us from the calamity. +We will not say this was exactly the case with +Mr. Rainsfield, though after a few days of<span class="pagenum">[289]</span> +unceasing watchfulness without any other +molestation taking place, he began to relax +in his vigilance, and was imitated by his servants. +He already looked upon the blacks +as cowed and vanquished, and entertained +very little apprehension of another visitation, +though at the same time he was not altogether +at ease considering that they still remained +in his vicinity with the avowed purpose of +attacking the station.</p> + +<p>The idea had struck him that he could +report to the authorities the attack already +made by construing what might have been +an intention into an act itself, as also the +determination of the blacks to renew it, and +their location in his neighbourhood in a hostile +and warlike spirit. He would then be enabled +to claim the protection of the police; but, +what would be more to his purpose, he would +be enabled to obtain a warrant for the apprehension +of the ringleaders of the perpetrated +and intended breach of the peace. Armed +with such a document he could make use of<span class="pagenum">[290]</span> +it to visit their camp; while he was aware, +from his knowledge of the blacks, that the +only result of the farce would be a rupture +with them, but by its means he would gain +the opportunity he desired, viz., of driving +them from the country.</p> + +<p>That such a farce as the administration of +justice, or rather the enforcement of the law, +in one proscribed form on the savage should +be permitted to exist is deeply to be deplored. +To punish the ignorant aboriginal for the sins +we have either taught or compelled him to +commit, without his having any knowledge of +their nature, is sufficiently iniquitous to require +no comment; and to expect him to conform +to laws of which he has no conception, and +which are contrary to his natural instincts, is +equally absurd and unjust. But such is the +case: the aboriginal is supposed to be a British +subject in all but the privileges pertaining +to those favoured individuals; and if he +commits any act contrary to the code of our +justiciary he is made amenable to our laws<span class="pagenum">[291]</span> +and judged accordingly. Mr. Rainsfield was +as well aware of this as any one, but it mattered +not to him. All he desired was to possess +some recognised authority for his molestation +of the natives, while he was nominally +in the performance of a duty, though in reality +shielding himself under the protection of the +law in the committal of an unjustifiable aggression. +That he would receive an order to +obtain the assistance of the native police he +had no doubt, though he did have misgivings +as to their services being forthcoming. He +little cared, however, if they were so; in fact, +it would suit his views better than if they +accompanied him, as he would prefer not to be +annoyed with the supervision of police, even +though troopers, and they only blacks. He +could obtain sympathy, he thought, from his +friends, and collect a small body of volunteers +that would aid him in his operations far more +effectually than police. Thus he hatched a +scheme that had for its object a trap in which +to catch the unwary blacks; so that, by some<span class="pagenum">[292]</span> +show of resistance, he would be warranted in +taking the law into his own hands in self-defence +for himself and his friends and to +enter upon their crusade of extermination. +Such was the offspring of Rainsfield's mind: +a laudable undertaking worthy of the cool-blooded +monsters of antiquity.</p> + +<p>The rains, of which we spoke in the last +chapter, had by this time set in, and Rainsfield +watched the rising of the Gibson river +with some degree of satisfaction. Knowing +the blacks to be encamped on the other side, +he looked upon a flood as an insuperable +barrier to their advance, and an impregnable +circumvallation to his own station; therefore +he had no fears of an attack while the water +maintained its height, and he determined to +choose that opportunity for carrying out the +preliminaries of his plot.</p> + +<p>He explained so much of his plans as he +thought necessary to his wife, including, of +course, his object in leaving her, and attempted +to allay her fears, if she had had<span class="pagenum">[293]</span> +any, by assuring her that it was impossible +for the blacks to cross the river in its then +state, while long before the flood settled he +would collect such assistance as would not +only protect them from any attack but enable +him to drive their annoyance to a safe +distance. Mrs. Rainsfield, however, entertained +no fears, notwithstanding the monitory +aspect of affairs around her. She had long +accustomed herself to look upon her husband's +operations against the unfortunate natives as +not only harsh but cruel and unjust; and she +lamented his proneness to seize upon every +opportunity of treating them with severity. +Believing them to be ill-used, and at the same +time inoffensive, she saw no cause for fear, +and therefore did not participate in her husband's +alarm and felt no uneasiness in his +meditated absence.</p> + +<p>Mr. Rainsfield, though he thought very +little, if any, danger was to be apprehended, +deemed it expedient for his wife and family's +safety to use some precaution, and therefore<span class="pagenum">[294]</span> +for their protection requested Mr. Billing to +take up his abode in the house. He gave +him strict injunctions to keep the place well +secured against the possibility of any ingress, +and himself always in possession of a relay of +arms, which he was to use without any hesitation +if a black presented himself within range +of his fire. Giving similar instruction to the +remainder of his men he took his departure.</p> + +<p>His first step was to proceed to Alma and +make a declaration before a bench of magistrates +to the effect that the blacks had +already made an attack upon his premises, +and were still in considerable force in his +neighbourhood, to the imminent peril of his +life and property; and that the said party +was headed by a half-civilized black named +Barwang. Upon making this affidavit he at +once obtained what he desired, viz., a warrant +for the apprehension of the ringleader, +Barwang, and all others who might either +commit or incite other of Her Majesty's subjects +to commit a breach of the peace. He<span class="pagenum">[295]</span> +also procured the promise of assistance from +what portion of the native police could be +collected, who would be stationed at Strawberry +Hill for his protection, until such time +as the blacks should be quieted. Succeeding +thus far he then proceeded to Brompton to +enlist the services of Bob Smithers, knowing +well that few arguments would suffice to induce +him to engage in a work which was +exactly to his tastes. He found him at home, +and, after the ordinary greetings had been +passed, and Bob's asking him what brought +him from home, he entered upon the subject +of his mission by replying: "I want your aid, +Smithers, to chastise those infernal blacks, for +they are at me again. I have beaten them +off once, but I believe they are only now prevented +from attacking me in full force by +their inability to cross the Gibson from their +camp. See here I have got a warrant for +the apprehension of their chief, so that will +be sufficient authority for us to carry out our +own plans."<span class="pagenum">[296]</span></p> + +<p>"All right, old boy," exclaimed Bob, as he +gave his friend a proof of his exuberance and +readiness to join him by administering a +playful poke in the ribs; "I'm your man. I +am fully convinced we shall never live in +peace until those d—d blacks are exterminated. +Nothing would give me greater pleasure +than to shoot every mother's son of the +dogs; so, by Jove! you may depend upon my +lending you a hand."</p> + +<p>"I do not believe, either," said Rainsfield, +"that we shall ever enjoy any degree of +quietude until we have suppressed the wretches. +It is no use our looking to government for +protection; we must take the administration +of the law into our own hands and punish +them ourselves. But to effect this we ought +to make it a common cause, and all work in +unison for our mutual protection."</p> + +<p>"Just so!" said Smithers; "I perfectly +agree with you."</p> + +<p>"I've long thought of the plan," continued +Rainsfield, "to form ourselves into a confederation<span class="pagenum">[297]</span> +for that purpose; but owing to the +absence of the blacks for some months past +I have allowed it to escape my memory. +Now, however, I think, is a time that some +such measure should be adopted, for if these +depredations are not speedily checked the +blacks may be going to such extremes that +our position in the country will become untenable."</p> + +<p>"I am quite of your way of thinking," said +Smithers, "and so I know are many others. +I am confident Graham would assist you in +a minute, and so would Brown, and many +others round us. I'll tell you what; if you +like I'll just go round to a few of them and +bring them over to your place, so that if you +return home now, and keep the black scoundrels +in check for a day or two, until I get +my forces collected, we will give them a lesson +which they will not forget in a hurry; +that is, if any of them survive to have any +recollection."</p> + +<p>Diabolical as was the intention implied in<span class="pagenum">[298]</span> +this threat it fully accorded with Rainsfield's +own desire and determination, and he readily +fell into the views of his colleague, who at +once started on his recruiting expedition, +while Rainsfield, in high fettle, the following +morning took his ride home. On this journey +we will leave him for the present while +we glance at the events in progress at another +scene of our narrative.<span class="pagenum">[299]</span></p> + +<hr class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI.</h2> + +<div class="inset18"> +<p> +"Friend of the brave! in peril's darkest hour,<br> +Intrepid virtue looks to thee for power."<br> +<br> +<span class="smcap right">Campbell.</span><br> +<br> +"She only left of all the harmless train,<br> +The sad historian of the pensive plain."<br> +<br> +<span class="smcap right">Goldsmith.</span><br> +</p> +<br> +</div> + +<p>Everything went smoothly at Strawberry +Hill for two days after the departure of Mr. +Rainsfield; but the night of the third was +that which was destined to bring with it a +scene of horror, which happily has never had +its equal in the Australian colonies since the +first settler penetrated into its unknown wilds. +The blacks had now remained some time dormant; +for since their first visit, owing to the<span class="pagenum">[300]</span> +warm reception they had then met with, they +had not ventured to repeat it. Towards the +evening in question, however, they might +have been seen swimming, one by one, the +swollen current of the Gibson, until a considerable +body had congregated on the bank +opposite to their camp.</p> + +<p>We will not presume to judge their motives, +or profess conversance with the impulses that +influenced their movements. Possibly their +instincts might have taught them that the +time for a most successful attack was when +the difficulties of approach rendered their +coming least expected; or it might have been +that they were possessed of the knowledge of +their enemy's absence from home, and were +determined to wreak their vengeance on those +belonging to him when they had not to fear +his presence. That Rainsfield was feared by +them there was no doubt; his very name +struck terror into their souls, and none but the +very boldest of them would confront him, even +in the consciousness of vastly superior force.<span class="pagenum">[301]</span> +It was therefore quite possible they were +acquainted with his absence, and intended to +take advantage of the occurrence to pay their +premeditated visit to the station; or their +choice of this period might have been the +result of a fortuitous circumstance. Nevertheless +be either as it may the flooded river +did not prove the barrier Rainsfield had calculated +it would, for the blacks crossed it with +apparent ease and, as we have said, collected +themselves on the bank on the Strawberry +Hill side. Their evident intention being to +proceed direct to the station when they +thought the inmates would have retired to +rest.</p> + +<p>A little before midnight the murderous +crew spread themselves over the station; and +simultaneously commenced their work of +destruction by entering the huts, and butchering +all they could surprise in their sleep. +The first of their victims was a woman, the +wife of a shepherd. Hearing the unusual +barking of the dogs she incautiously rose to<span class="pagenum">[302]</span> +ascertain the cause without disturbing her +husband, whose period of sleep she considered +valuable. The poor woman appeared at the +door of her hut with a child in her arms, too +good a mark for the spears of the savages; for +in their thirst for blood they had no respect +for either sex or age but buried more than +one of their weapons in the poor creature's +bosom. She fell across the threshold pierced +to the heart and in the agonies of death, +with merely a sufficiency of the vital spark +remaining to utter a faint cry and clasp instinctively +her babe to her breast. As the +infant's eyes turned in wonder on the ruthless +savages one of them seized the little innocent +by the legs, tore it from its mother's embrace +and dashed out its brains; while his compeers +rushed into the interior of the hut, and, almost +before the sleeping man could sufficiently +collect his senses to comprehend the nature +of his position, his spirit had joined those of +his wife and child. The other huts were in +likewise visited, and those of the inmates who<span class="pagenum">[303]</span> +were not successful in effecting an escape +were similarly massacred.</p> + +<p>These proceedings had been gone about by +no means noiselessly, so that the family at the +house had become aware of the presence of +the savages, though they could not conjecture +the extent or the nature of the outrages they +had committed. Those of the men who had +escaped from the murderous hands of the +aborigines deemed it safer to seek shelter in +the bush than to venture to the house, or even +remain near the station. So that, beyond the +painful evidence of her ears, Mrs. Rainsfield +could ascertain no knowledge of what was +going on. When she first heard the noise that +had heralded the visitation she hastily threw +on some clothing and emerged from her room; +and, speedily becoming alive to the imminence +of the danger, she for the first time deplored +the absence of her husband. Mrs. Billing had +removed with her youngest child to be near +her better half while he remained at the house, +but the rest of her family she had left at her<span class="pagenum">[304]</span> +own cottage; and having also been disturbed +by the uproar she wrought herself into a +perfect fever of anxiety for their safety. She +fancied she heard every moment their dying +screams as they were being seized by the +ruthless hand of some infernal savage; and +in her agony she fancied she could distinguish +above the noise of the now unrestrained articulation +of the blacks their little voices calling +upon her for help, and she entreated to be +allowed to rush at once to their rescue.</p> + +<p>Her husband, however, was more rational, +and pointed out to her that that would, in all +probability, only incur instant death to herself +and afford no relief to her children. He suggested +that they should wait, and see what +the blacks proposed doing next; and as in all +probability it would be to attack the house, +he remarked that their suspense would be of +short duration. He then bethought him of +his fire-arms, which he got in readiness for +instant use, while he provided pistols to the +females. His next care was to barricade all<span class="pagenum">[305]</span> +the apertures through which the blacks could +effect an entrance, while Mrs. Rainsfield crept +softly to the bedside of Eleanor to ascertain +if she had been disturbed by the noise. By +the time these arrangements were completed, +and the family assembled in conclave in the +sitting-room, the blacks had collected before +the house and became clamorous for admittance.</p> + +<p>Mr. Billing, though not blessed with too +great a share of physical courage, had, nevertheless, +in the moment of danger, a sufficient +perception of the line of conduct necessary for +the defence of himself and those under his protection. +Notwithstanding that the gun he then +held in his hand was in all probability the first +that he ever had in his possession with the intent +of putting it to use, he handled it as if it +were an old and friendly companion, and proposed +that he and his two female colleagues +should fire simultaneously on the savages, so +as to give them the idea that the house was +well defended. His suggestion, however, was<span class="pagenum">[306]</span> +overruled by Mrs. Rainsfield, who at once expressed +her disapprobation of such a course; +being convinced, as she said, that the blacks +could not force the building, and even if they +did that they would have no cause to commit +any violence to any of the inmates. While if +they found that they could not gain admittance +they would depart at most, perhaps, +with robbing the store. This belief was far +from according with Mr. Billing's opinion, but +he was constrained to assent to the will of the +lady; and they all, with a breathless silence, +continued to watch the movements of their +assailants.</p> + +<p>The blacks finding they were unmolested, +and seeing no opposition offered to them, and +no signs of life about the house, became +bolder and attempted to force some of the +doors and windows; while the affrighted +party sat in a state of fearful anxiety, and, +though unseen themselves, they could plainly +distinguish the forms of the aborigines trying +the window of the room in which they were.<span class="pagenum">[307]</span> +Mr. Billing at this moment placed the muzzle +of his gun close to the glass of the window, +that was left visible through a crevice in +the barricade, and had he fired would have +assuredly sent one savage to his account in +the other world. Would that he had; for in +all probability it would have driven the blacks +to a distance from the house, and possibly +saved us from the task of narrating this fearful +tragedy. But his eagerness to fire was +restrained by Mrs. Rainsfield, and the moment +was lost; for the blacks, finding their +efforts to gain an ingress unavailing, gave up +the fruitless attempt, and withdrew to some +short distance to hold converse on their proceedings.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Rainsfield at once began to congratulate +herself and her friends that they had +retired as she had anticipated, leaving them +nothing more to fear; and at that moment +hearing the faint voice of Eleanor calling to +her she hastened to account for the disturbance +about the house and appease her alarm.<span class="pagenum">[308]</span> +Eleanor was in a state of considerable agitation, +having been aroused from her fitful +slumbers by the noise of the blacks, and +being still very low in strength and spirits, +and excessively nervous, her alarm and agitation +threatened to bring on fever again. It +was only with considerable difficulty that +Mrs. Rainsfield could persuade her she had +no cause to fear. She told her that the +blacks had already taken their departure from +the house, and would in all probability by +that time have left the station; and she entreated +her not to give herself any uneasiness, +but to be still for a few minutes, and then +she would return to her bedside and sit with +her for the remainder of the night.</p> + +<p>With these assurances, Eleanor was constrained +to be pacified, and so Mrs. Rainsfield +returned to the sitting-room, where she found +Mrs. Billing wringing her hands and crying +in an agony of grief. Mr. Billing was more +calm, but not less apprehensive of danger or +death. He drew the lady of the house to the<span class="pagenum">[309]</span> +crevice of the window to gaze upon the scene +without, while she uttered a cry of surprise +and terror, as her startled vision took in the +tableau there displayed. Before the house +stood a group of the assailants in all the +hideousness of barbarity, paint, and savage +nudity. They had possessed themselves of "fire +sticks," which acted as torches, at the same +time that they served to exhibit their bodies +in all their diabolical repulsiveness; and their +intentions were too plainly indicated in their +jestures. To say that they looked like a band +of incarnate fiends would be to convey but +a poor impression of the horrors of their +appearance, as the fitful light reflected their +hideous forms; exhibiting them in, if possible, +a more fearful aspect than their stern +realities; and giving them the appearance as +the beholders thought (and as was, alas! but +too true) of being besmeared with blood. It +is not to be wondered at that at such a sight +the hearts of two frail women, and even that +of a man, should have quailed; and if not<span class="pagenum">[310]</span> +before despair certainly did then seize upon +the spirits of those present.</p> + +<p>The object of the villains had by this time +become perfectly apparent, and though neither +of the trio dared to breathe their individual +suspicions they were unanimous in the one +belief that the lighted torches were intended +to fire the premises; and thus either drive +them from their shelter or bury them in the +ruins. They therefore saw that only two +courses were open to them; either to arm +themselves and defend the house until the +last, or to throw it open to the savages and +try and pacify them with any <i>douceur</i> the +wretches might covet. That there was extreme +danger in thus throwing themselves +upon the mercy of fiends they were perfectly +aware; and any one better acquainted with +the black's character would have considered +it absolute madness and voluntarily seeking +for a death more horrible than that which +would await them in a defensive perseverance. +But the exercise of calm judgment and reason<span class="pagenum">[311]</span> +could hardly be expected from two agitated +and terrified women, and one man whose +nature was made of very little sterner stuff +than theirs.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Rainsfield was the first that broke the +painful silence that ensued, and addressing +Mr. Billing, said: "I think we had better open +the door at once, or they will set fire to the +house, and we will be burnt alive. If they +determine to kill us we can but meet our +death with firmness; while there is a possibility +of their sparing us if we satisfy their +cupidity by allowing them to plunder the +place. Will you open the door, Mr. Billing, +and attempt the work of conciliation?"</p> + +<p>Mr. Billing silently obeyed this behest, and +addressed himself to the blacks, who were at +this time standing immediately before the +house preparing to apply the fire. They +instantly desisted from their incendiary work +when they saw signs of capitulation, and +directed their gaze to the doorway. By the +light of their own "fire sticks" they could distinguish<span class="pagenum">[312]</span> +Mr. Billing, who stood there with +the women at his back perfectly unarmed; +having left his gun by Mrs. Rainsfield's desire +in the room they had vacated so as to give the +savages, as she imagined, no cause for offence +by appearing to offer any resistance. When +the blacks satisfied themselves that they had +nothing to fear they burst out into a loud +laugh of derision, and crowded towards the +defenceless garrison in a menacing and mocking +attitude. What were the feelings of the +trio at this moment it would be difficult even +to conjecture. With Mrs. Billing, however, +those of the mother overcame all personal +and selfish considerations, and she darted +from the house to ascertain the fate of her +children. That action may be said to have +decided the doom of the whole party; for +though possibly even under other circumstances +the blacks might not have spared +those whom they had got into their power, +and the strong probability is that they would +not, yet the sudden movement of Mrs. Billing<span class="pagenum">[313]</span> +cost her her life, and gave the savages the +stimulus to commence the further shedding of +blood.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Billing had not proceeded many steps +before she uttered a loud shriek and fell prostrate +to the earth with a spear piercing her +back and protruding its point from her breast. +Her husband witnessing the deed, eliminated +from his bosom all feelings save those of +devotion and sympathy for his wife, rushed +to clasp her in his arms and met a similar +fate. The climax of this fearful tragedy was +nearly attained. Mrs. Rainsfield fled from +the open doorway, where she had been the +spectator of this connubial sacrifice, and +sought momentary refuge with her children +in her room. Just as the blacks entered the +house the servants, who had by this time been +aroused to a sense of their danger, opened a +door which led from the kitchen into the hall. +But perceiving the murderous assailants pouring +in they left the door wide open as they +had flung it and made a hasty exit by another<span class="pagenum">[314]</span> +passage into the obscurity of the night, and +beat a precipitate retreat to the bush. In +their flight they were followed by a few of +the savages who had perceived them; but +who shortly tired of a chase in which fear lent +wings to the pursued. They returned to aid +their colleagues in forcing an entrance into the +room of Mrs. Rainsfield and commenced their +work there of insatiable cruelty with hideous +and diabolical evidences of satisfaction.</p> + +<p>The atrocities of these fiends were more +like the evil machinations of devils than the +actions of human beings. But to enumerate all +the horrors, and to paint the scene with sufficiently +forcible life-like delineation, would be +beyond the capabilities of our pen, and would +only sicken our readers by the perusal. Therefore +we will merely say that they first murdered +the children before the eyes of their +mother, while they sported with the agonising +despair of their victim, and then despatched +the lady; brutally mangling her body in their +inordinate lust for blood.<span class="pagenum">[315]</span></p> + +<p>Eleanor had remained spell-bound during +the perpetration of those horrors, which she +had animation sufficient to discern were being +enacted in the house; but without either enough +strength to move, or power of utterance to give +vent to the fearful sensations that preyed upon +her mind. Alarm we cannot call it: such a +feeling sinks into insignificance compared +with the mental anguish she then endured; +being conscious, from the heart-rending cries +that struck her ear, that her dearest earthly +friends were meeting with a death too horrible +to contemplate, and not knowing how +speedily a similar fate awaited herself. She +lay thus in a sort of trance, or tremulous expectancy, +for some considerable time, while +she could hear the work of destruction going +on all around; to which work the savages had +taken when they had completed their murders. +But still they had not visited her, and she +continued to lie, the prey to the most fearful +mental agonies.</p> + +<p>Sounds of rapidly approaching horsemen<span class="pagenum">[316]</span> +were then heard, and the blacks began to +leave the scene of their bloody desolation for +fear of the retribution which they expected +from the approaching rescue. To Eleanor, +though she was nigher to death than a sublinary +existence, the sound was joyous; and +she began to entertain hope that the relief +would prove opportune for the saving of her +friends, as she felt it already was for the +rescue of herself. But oh! how unaccountable +are the decrees of Providence. At the +very moment when she imagined the house +was vacated by the murderers the door of +her room opened, and a hideous black monster +literally besmeared with blood burst in, and +with uplifted arm and bloody weapon, rushed +to extinguish in her soul the flickering spark +of life. The black was followed by another, +also with a hand elevated and grasping a +tomahawk. But the sight was more than +Eleanor's shattered nerves could bear; and +starting into a sitting posture on her bed, her +tongue was loosened; she gave one piercing<span class="pagenum">[317]</span> +shriek, and sank back senseless half leaning +over the edge of her couch. The fate, however, +she had expected she did not meet +with; for, instead of the glancing steel of the +second black being imbrued with her blood, it +was buried in the brain of the first, who sank +to the floor a corpse.</p> + +<p>The cause of Eleanor's escape we may here +explain to the reader. The frame of the door +to her room was placed in immediate contiguity +to that of the one which opened into +the kitchen; and by some strange design of +the builder this latter was made to open out +into the hall. Thus when the servants opened +it, and left it so, the fortuitous circumstance +of its irregularity proved Eleanor's preservation; +for when thrown back it entirely +concealed the entrance to her room, and +eluded almost completely the vigilance of the +murderers. It was, as we have seen, just as +they were retreating from the place that one +of the stragglers accidentally discovered it; +and, thinking that the spot had not been<span class="pagenum">[318]</span> +visited by either himself or his compeers, he +entered to satisfy his curiosity by a hasty +visit; which would assuredly have terminated +the existence of Eleanor but for the +timely blow dealt him by his fellow.</p> + +<p>This extraordinary internecine action may +also require some elucidation; and we will +dispel the mystery by an explanation. Barwang +and his party upon their first visit to +Strawberry Hill, when they met with their +repulse, became convinced that their movements +had been betrayed by one of their tribe, +and they doubted not but that the betrayal +emanated from Jemmy Davies. They therefore +kept a watch upon him lest he should +again carry information to Mr. Rainsfield, and +preserved their own councils from his knowledge; +so that, until they had actually started +on their expedition, he was quite ignorant of +their plans. When an opportunity offered, +however, he followed them on their track up +to the house; and, though he did not venture +into the building, he kept hovering about in<span class="pagenum">[319]</span> +the hope that he might be able to render some +assistance to the family. But not until the +approaching sounds of horses' feet drew off the +masses of the tribe did he deem it safe for +his own security to enter. He did so; and, +as he passed into the hall, he saw one of his +countrymen opening the door of a room and +stand for a moment in the aperture gazing +fixedly in one direction. The glance of this +savage's eye, as his own keen vision caught +the momentary flash, told Jemmy Davies that +vengeance gleamed from the other's orb, and +in an instant he sprang after him, and saved +an innocent life by the sacrifice of one worse +than worthless and infamous. When he was +convinced the house was empty of his countrymen, +and being aware that if he were +caught in the place by any white man the +colour of his skin would be the warrant for +his instant death, he took a hasty survey of +the fearful scene of blood that was visible +even in the partial darkness, and left the +house by the back as two horsemen, riding<span class="pagenum">[320]</span> +rapidly up to the front, leapt from their +saddles and rushed in. These two, as may be +conjectured, were John Ferguson and Joey.</p> + +<p>Fearful as John had been of the nature of +events he believed were transpiring the sight +that met his gaze as he entered the dwelling +struck him dumb with horror, and perfectly +sick at heart, and paralysed at the bloody +disclosure. The whole floor of the house was +slippery with the gore of the murdered +victims as it had been carried about by the +feet of the murderers. He hastily struck a +light from the materials he had about him; +and, with the pulsations of his heart almost +audible, made a survey of the habitation. +The first things that he noticed were the +bodies of Mr. and Mrs. Billing, which had +been dragged by the savages into the hall, +possibly with the intention of consuming the +whole in flames after they had finished their +work; and then in the sitting-room he saw +the signs of the barricade that had been +hastily thrown up before the window. From<span class="pagenum">[321]</span> +that he hastened to the one which had in +life been occupied by the amiable lady that +had been mistress of the place, and there he +witnessed the mangled remains of herself and +her family. As he gazed upon the hardly to +be recognised features of that friend who had +so often greeted him with the cordial grasp of +friendship he could not restrain the tears that +in a flood coursed their way down his cheeks. +Continuing his melancholy search he next +entered the room of Eleanor, and almost +stumbled over the carcass of the black who +lay in the middle of the floor weltering in +his blood. This sight caused him no little +surprise; especially, when with a sad foreboding +he approached the couch of that being +he adored above all mundane objects, to +find her pendent form though insensible was +scathless. But it was not a moment to indulge +in conjectures; he had discovered his +idol in the midst of death still living. So +placing the unconscious creature on the bed, +and enveloping her in the clothes, he snatched<span class="pagenum">[322]</span> +her in his arms; and pressing her to his +breast bore off the precious load.</p> + +<p>With the assistance of his attendant he +mounted his horse; and despatching Joey +instantly with injunctions to fly, if possible, +to Alma for the doctor and bring him to +Fern Vale, he turned his own horse's head +homewards, and proceeded as fast as the animal +with his additional burden could travel.</p> + +<p>Bright and beautiful the morning dawned as +he rode towards his home; but serene as were +the sublimities of nature their contemplation +had no place in his mind. All his thoughts +were centred in the inaminate form encircled +by his arms. Thus he rode unconscious to +all around, and would have so ridden to the +end of his journey had not a faint sigh struck +his ear; and he instantly stopped his horse +to enable him to enjoy the sight of returning +vitality to his much loved Eleanor. He +gently removed the covering that he had +placed over her face, when her melancholy +eyes for a moment rested upon his. It was<span class="pagenum">[323]</span> +only for a moment, however, for they were +instantly secluded from the light by the closing +lids; and, considering it better not to +agitate her with conversation, and satisfied +for the time with the assurance of his hearing +and vision, he impressed one rapturous kiss +on her fair forehead, again covered her face +from the morning air, and proceeded on his +way.<span class="pagenum">[324]</span></p> + +<hr class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII.</h2> + +<div class="inset22"> +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 7em;">"All those rivers</span><br> +That fed her veins with warm and crimson streams<br> +Frozen and dried up; if these be signs of death,<br> +Then is she dead.... But I will be true<br> +E'en to her dust and ashes."<br> +<br> +<span class="smcap right">Decker.</span><br> +</p> +<br> +</div> + +<p>Mr. Rainsfield pursued his way homewards +little anticipating the sight that awaited him +on his arrival; but, owing to the heavy state +of the roads from the saturation of the ground, +he was only enabled to travel slowly. Consequently +he perceived the flood coming down +the Gibson long before he reached the crossing-place +of the Wombi; and, knowing that +there would be no use attempting a passage<span class="pagenum">[325]</span> +there, since the bridge had been swept away, +he at once struck off for the Dingo Plains +to get over by the upper crossing-place. By +making this detour it was near morning before +he approached the station.</p> + +<p>Upon his reaching home he at once went +to the stable and attended to his horse, the +first consideration of a bushman, and then +bent his steps to the house, feeling an unaccountable +sensation of awe, which the pervading +solitude and death-like stillness inspired +him with. This feeling he was ashamed +to indulge in, and tried to banish it from his +mind and deceive his conscience by attempting +to whistle a lively air, while he submitted +his right boot to a playful castigation with +his riding-whip. All these stratagems, however, +proved futile: a gloom had settled upon +him which he could not shake off, and he +hastened his steps to his dwelling with his +heart in a perturbation that gave place to +the most fearful apprehensions as he perceived +the house open to free ingress. The<span class="pagenum">[326]</span> +truth at once burst upon him with overwhelming +force, and he rushed like one demented +into the room where he had expected +to meet the embrace of his wife, but only to +witness her mutilated remains surrounded by +those of her children. He gazed upon their +forms for some minutes in the uncertain light +with a sad, though calm and almost stoical +cast of countenance; and then, kneeling by +the side of his wife's body, he parted her +clotted hair from off her brow, which he +stooped down and kissed, and, while dashing +a scalding tear from his eye, thus apostrophised +the fane of the departed spirit:</p> + +<p>"And was it for this I left you, my darling +Mary, to seek for you protection, and obtain +assistance to drive the disturbers of our happiness +from the land? Oh! that I could but +have foreseen this, to have either preserved +you and our poor little innocents, or perished +while I shielded your heart with my breast. +Curses on my cruel fate, and the blinding +fancies of security which led me away from<span class="pagenum">[327]</span> +your side. Oh, Mary, Mary! more dear to +me than life, to have lost you thus, butchered! +by a set of ruthless savages, consumes my very +heart. But you shall be revenged. By heaven! +you shall." And, springing to his feet with +clenched fists, and gazing into space as the +whole expression of his countenance changed, +he continued:</p> + +<p>"What is life to me now, deprived of all +the ties that bound me to this earth? It +shall be devoted to the cause of vengeance; +and here, Mary! in the presence of your spirit, +and in the sight of my Maker, I swear to be +revenged upon all the blacks in this country; +never shall one cross my path alive. I'll +spare neither their old nor their young. I'll +hunt them from their dens, like the vermin +that they are. They shall be made to bite +the dust. Their bodies shall rot, and their +bones bleach in the sun. Never shall they +rest until they are wholly exterminated, or +my strength and life fail me; and I swear +that so long as one black remains of all their<span class="pagenum">[328]</span> +race my vengeance shall not be satisfied. +Hear me, Mary! while I pray to God for the +strength of Hercules, and the age of Methuselah, +that I may be a terror to their species, +and they may learn to curse the day when +first they tasted the blood of mine. And oh, +Mary! if thou seest me from the portals of +that abode where the eternal dwell, look down +upon me and commend my work, help my +weak arm; encourage my drooping spirit; be +a light to beacon my path in the remainder +of my gloomy passage through this world; +and let not the cup of vengeance be removed +from the lips of thy foul murderers until they +have tasted of the very dregs. So now, my +angel wife! my once fond and loving but now +lost wife! sacrificed through thy husband's +folly and neglect, if vengeance is sweet to +thee thy spirit shall be appeased; for henceforth +my name shall be one to strike dismay +into the souls of blacks throughout the land. +So help me God!"</p> + +<p>Having uttered this fearful oath, and calling<span class="pagenum">[329]</span> +down the aid of his Maker to assist him in its +performance, Rainsfield left the room and the +house a broken-hearted man; re-saddled his +horse, which he mounted, and went he knew +not whither. His state was truly piteous; +his better and softer nature was in perpetual +warfare with his fiendish feelings, which +prompted nothing but a thirst for vengeance. +The memory of his wife, and the sudden shock +occasioned by her loss and fearful death, had +at first subdued the evil passions of the mortal; +and he had gazed upon the placid features of +the corpse with a calm and settled grief. But +as he awoke to a plainer perception of the +horrors of the event, and what must have +been the sufferings of his defenceless family, +with the brutality of their hellish assailants, +all softer feelings evanished before the sterner +one revenge; which in the one moment of +decision he determined should be the sole +object of his future life. In this frame of +mind he left his home, that had so lately +been smiling and happy but now gloomy,<span class="pagenum">[330]</span> +bloody, and to be shunned; for he felt to +dwell under that roof again was impossible. +His home for the future would be under the +canopy of heaven, and his life that of the +avenger. Thus he left the house, misfortune +having so overcome his reason that he had +no idea of further inspection of the building, +possibly believing that all had met with the +same fate, not even to glance into the room of +Eleanor; and he wandered forth absorbed in +grief, without any definite notion of where he +was to go, or how he was to dispose of the +bodies.</p> + +<p>Towards noon of the following day he +entered the township of Alma, and his horse +stopping instinctively before the door of the +"Woolpack" inn, he alighted; and allowed +the animal to be taken from him while he +mechanically entered the house. The news +of the massacre had already spread through +the country, while the thousand tongues of +mercurial gossip had imparted to the original +tragedy as many phases of horror as imagination<span class="pagenum">[331]</span> +could possibly invent. The fearful +occurrence had arrested the attention, and +absorbed all the interest of the residents of +Alma; and they were in several knots in +deep and earnest conclave, discussing the +bloody event, as they saw the chief sufferer +approaching their town.</p> + +<p>The loudest declamation, and the deepest +uttered anathemas against the natives, were +in an instant checked. The earnestly asseverated +opinion, that the lives of the settlers +would be perpetually in danger, unless the +blacks were speedily exterminated,—the noisy +declaration of some bold patriot, as he expressed +his determination to declare eternal +warfare against the savages, and even to +enter upon the crusade single-handed if no +one would lend him aid; with the faint voice +of some more philanthropic polemic, who +attempted to check the stream of exuberant +passion, by palliating without defending (on +the plea of retribution) the horrible murder,—were +all hushed, and gave place to a heartfelt<span class="pagenum">[332]</span> +though silent sympathy as Mr. Rainsfield +rode into the town. And even after he was +lost to their vision, by ensconsure in the +"Woolpack," their conversations were resumed +in a lower cadence, lest (even at a distance at +which their most stentorian utterances could +hardly have been distinguishable) the nature +of their conversation should strike his ear +and recall the subject of his grief.</p> + +<p>The news had reached them that morning +by Joey when he arrived post-haste for the +doctor. He had been fortunate in finding the +resident son of Galen at home; and, obeying +the injunctions of his master, had delivered his +message, and returned with him immediately. +Short as had been his stay it was quite long +enough to enable the inhabitants to elicit +from him the facts of which the reader is +acquainted. They learnt with some degree +of satisfaction that one of the family still +retained life, and would possibly be able, at +some time, to recount the circumstances of +the massacre. Thus, in the presence of so<span class="pagenum">[333]</span> +much to engender the feeling of compassion, a +morbid curiosity to learn all the details of +horror seized upon the minds of the good +people of Alma. But such is the nature of +man; selfishness reigns supreme, and shines +forth in all his motions and actions.</p> + +<p>When Joey returned with the doctor he +deviated from the beaten track, to cross the +Wombi by the upper fords; thinking that +his companion might object to the more +dangerous one of the lower. Rainsfield, on +the contrary, in his journey, never dreaming +of dangers or difficulties, had taken the lower; +hence the parties had missed one another. +This caused the gossips of Alma to wonder +greatly what had brought him away from his +house; especially as they had heard that he +had been absent at the time of the outrage, +and must have since visited the scene, and +met the doctor and messenger on the road. +But they were unacquainted with the circumstance +that had prevented the meeting, and +they were destined, at least at that time, to<span class="pagenum">[334]</span> +remain in ignorance; for the landlord of the +inn to whom they had recourse, rough and +unfeeling as he appeared, had too much respect +for the grief of his visitor to attempt +obtaining any information from him.</p> + +<p>The landlord, without enquiring from him +if he would take any meal, prepared the table +for a repast, and placed on it some edibles, +with a bottle of brandy and some water. +Then, without uttering a syllable, he left the +room and the sorrow-stricken man to an uninterrupted +solitude. Rainsfield sat for some +time gazing fixedly on the viands before him +without attempting or desiring to partake of +them; retaining an unaltered position on each +occasion that he was surveyed by the sympathising +host through the key-hole of the +door. In this state he might have remained, +until exhausted nature had induced a return +to consciousness, had not his attention been +attracted by the arrival of an extensive cavalcade +at the door of the inn. Glancing his +eye languidly over the features of the riders<span class="pagenum">[335]</span> +as they were dismounting he instantly recognised +amongst the group the person and +voice of Bob Smithers; and the object of the +party was at once made apparent.</p> + +<p>New life was at once infused into his veins; +the blood once more mantled his cheek, and +fire was imparted to his eye, as he, with +compressed lip and determined visage, leapt +from his seat and strode to the doorway.</p> + +<p>"Show those gentlemen in here, landlord," +he said, addressing that individual, as he was +ushering the newly-arrived travellers into a +separate room.</p> + +<p>"I thought, sir, you would prefer to be +alone," replied the landlord, "so I was going +to let you have the parlour to yourself."</p> + +<p>"Never mind, let them come in here," replied +Rainsfield.</p> + +<p>The party by this time had entered the +room they were shown to, so the landlord +turned to them, and said:</p> + +<p>"If you would like to step into the other +room, gents, you will find it more comfortable;<span class="pagenum">[336]</span> +there is only one other gent there, +perhaps you know him," he continued in an +under tone, "it is Mr. Rainsfield."</p> + +<p>A low murmur ran through the party at +the mention of the name, though it was unheard +by Rainsfield himself, he having turned +again into the parlour. The name of Rainsfield +was repeated by them all in a tone of +voice that unmistakeably indicated a sorrowful +compassion. They were all squatters in the +district and friends of Smithers, who had +collected them to go to the assistance of their +neighbour for his protection against the aborigines. +They had heard as they came along +the fearful news of the massacre, and had +accelerated their speed to arrive on the scene +of action as soon as possible, in the hope of +finding some of the family living, or being in +time to afford some assistance, either in the +preservation of their lives, the protection of +their property, or the chastisement of their +murderers.</p> + +<p>Smithers instantly proposed to join Mr.<span class="pagenum">[337]</span> +Rainsfield, and at once adjourned to the +other room, followed by his companions; and, +as he entered and advanced with extended +hand, but without venturing to speak, Rainsfield +grasped the proffered token of friendship, +while he said: "Too late, Smithers! +too late! except for revenge, and that is all +I hope to live for."</p> + +<p>"And in which we can now only serve +you," replied his companion. "But we will +organize some plan of operation; we count +fifteen now, and are sufficient to be irresistible +to the whole tribe of blacks. In the +meantime let the landlord prepare dinner, +and then we will discuss matters quietly. I +think you know all our friends here?"</p> + +<p>The form of introduction being gone +through where the parties were not acquainted, +and the shaking of hands where +they were, the necessary instructions were +given to the landlord to prepare something +for the company, and they fell into a desultory +conversation previous to entering upon<span class="pagenum">[338]</span> +their plans. It is not our intention to weary +the reader with a verbose report of the initiatory +proceedings of the party, and will +therefore merely state that they formed +themselves into a mutual protection society, +with the professed object of combining to +repel the encroachments of the blacks, though +in reality to hunt them down like dogs. +For the furtherance of this scheme they +bound themselves by stringent oaths to let +none escape them, but to kill all they should +come across. Each individual swore to take +active part in the process of destruction so as +to make all equally implicated. They vowed, +by the most solemn obligations, never to make +any disclosure that would criminate any of +the society; while, before any neophyte could +be admitted within the periphery of their +mysterious bonds, it was determined he should +be subjected to an ordeal that would protect +the members from the possibility of any disclosure +that would cause their amenability to +the law.<span class="pagenum">[339]</span></p> + +<p>In the course of conversation with the landlord +Smithers learnt that one of the family +(which his informant could not tell him) was +still living, and that a messenger, supposed +from Fern Vale, had come over that morning +for the doctor. Smithers communicated this +to Rainsfield, who then remembered for the +first time that he had not visited the room of +Eleanor, and therefore inferred that it must be +she, he having had too clear a demonstration +of the total absence of life in the bodies of +his wife and children. This he mentioned to +Smithers, and they both agreed that Eleanor +must have been discovered by some of the +Fergusons, who had removed her to their own +house, and sent for the doctor. They therefore +determined to adhere to their original +plan of starting early on the following morning, +after taking a night's rest where they +were, it being needed by most of the party +as well as by their horses.</p> + +<p>On the following morning they were early +on the road, so that few saw them leave the<span class="pagenum">[340]</span> +township. But though nothing had been said +by any of the Society respecting the object of +their journey it was pretty shrewdly guessed +at, if not positively known, by most of the +inhabitants; and it was evident to them no +body of men, armed with rifles and revolvers, +could be travelling to the scene of a murderous +outrage with any peaceable intent. The +sympathies, however, of most went with them; +and even though some of their number had +been disposed in simple argument to feel +for the blacks, none dared to incur public +opprobrium by making any representations +of the supposed hostilities to official quarters. +The Society itself proceeded on its way very +quietly, its members being mostly absorbed +in sketching out, mentally, plans of the campaign +on which they were entering, so that +the journey was almost entirely performed in +silence.</p> + +<p>When they reached the station its appearance +was quite desolate; no signs of life +were perceptible, and the stillness of death<span class="pagenum">[341]</span> +spread around its influence, which was sensibly +felt by all. The house was closed to +all ingress, and on the door was nailed a +card bearing the words: "Let Mr. Rainsfield +proceed to Fern Vale the instant on his +arrival." Rainsfield read the sentence, and +at once guessed the import; he perceived that +when the murder had been discovered by +the Fergusons they had removed the bodies +thither, if possible, to await his arrival before +interment; and he determined to go on at +once, though, before departing, he desired +once more to gaze upon the rooms through +which the steps of his wife and the merry +voices of his children had so lately resounded, +but which were now tenantless, desolate, +and bloody. An entrance was effected by a +back window, and the party admitted; when +great was the surprise of Mr. Rainsfield to +find no sign or vestige of the fearful crime +that had there so lately been committed. He +read in all this the kind hand of his neighbours, +and his heart smote him in the midst<span class="pagenum">[342]</span> +of his grief for the manner in which he had +behaved to young Ferguson. To his friends +he pointed out with a melancholy precision +the spots where he had found the various +bodies, described their position and their mutilated +condition, and then wandered through +the rooms with an abstracted air conjuring +in his imagination the scenes that were +passed, never more to return, and peopling +them in his fancy with those loved forms +whose spirits had fled to the source from +whence they sprang.</p> + +<p>His friends did not attempt to interrupt +the gratification of this melancholy pleasure, +but allowed him to be the first to propose a +retreat, which, when he did, they were ready +to agree to. The whole party then left the +house to proceed to Fern Vale; and while +they are on the road we will precede them +and take a momentary glance at the doings +there, both at the exact period of our +narrative and also retrospectively for a few +hours.<span class="pagenum">[343]</span></p> + +<p>John Ferguson, when he bore the all but +lifeless body of Eleanor into his own house, +arrested the volatile reception of his sister +with an expression of countenance that betokened +deep sorrow. To the poor girl the +look was unaccountable; she had only risen +the instant her brother had arrived, and had +heard nothing of his approach; consequently +she was a little surprised at his presence. +But when she was about to rush into his +embrace his manner appalled her, while she +was equally surprised at the singular burden +he carried in his arms, for in the manner in +which he had enveloped the body of Eleanor +the form was undefinable. John, however, +saved his sister the necessity of any questioning, +by saying:</p> + +<p>"Don't ask me any questions at present +that will require any explanation of the +cause of my unexpected appearance with +this almost lifeless form. Lead the way to +your room, Kate, for I must place it under +your charge; and I can assure you it requires<span class="pagenum">[344]</span> +your tenderest care. I have already +sent for a doctor, and expect him here in the +course of the day."</p> + +<p>The astonished girl preceded her brother +to her room, and, as John laid his burden +gently on his sister's bed, he uncovered the +face and disclosed to the vision of Kate the +pallid features of the unconscious Eleanor.</p> + +<p>"Oh, John! dear John! tell me what is +the meaning of this! what fearful thing has +happened?" Kate passionately exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"A dreadful event, Kate, as you may imagine," +replied her brother, "by my bearing +that dear creature in such a state, and bringing +her here to be ministered to by you. +She is now destitute of friends; but I cannot +tell you more at present, your nerves could +not sustain the recital of the horrors of the +tale. I know that I need not ask you to +bestow upon Eleanor your utmost attention +and most affectionate sympathy; but I must +caution you, should she return to consciousness, +to make no allusion to the circumstances<span class="pagenum">[345]</span> +of her misfortune; nor do you attempt +to elicit anything from her; rather try to +soothe and calm her troubled spirit."</p> + +<p>"Oh, poor dear Eleanor! what cruel fate +has put you in this awful predicament?" +cried Kate, when she burst into tears and +buried her face in the clothes by the side of +her friend.</p> + +<p>In the meantime John left the room, and, +proceeding to the kitchen, he requested their +female servant to go to the assistance of her +mistress. Here he found the servants who +had escaped from the massacre at Strawberry +Hill relating to the astonished and horrified +listeners as much of the fearful outrage as they +had witnessed, and what they imagined to be +the conclusion. But their narrative, though +dreadful, was not a tithe of the reality. He +next sought his brother, to whom he related +the sad events, and commissioned him to +break the tale to Kate in as mild a way as +possible. Then he informed him that he had +left the sheep at the Wombi and suggested<span class="pagenum">[346]</span> +that he and some of the men should go over +and assist the fellows that were with them, +as they would necessarily be short-handed, +especially for the portion of the flock that +had not crossed the river. He then hastily +partook of some refreshment, and taking a +few of his own men, and the servants and +those who had escaped from Strawberry Hill, +he returned to that station to remove, if possible, +the signs of the outrage, and bring the +bodies of the victims to his own place; so +that if Rainsfield should have heard of the +circumstance before his arrival he would not +be maddened by a sight of the murderous +destruction.</p> + +<p>The house was speedily cleansed of all vestiges +of blood. Similar stains were removed +from the corpses. The house was arranged +in order, and closed up, and the party left +it as John affixed to the door the card we +have already noticed. The cavalcade moved +slowly from the deserted mansion, and, as +it proceeded on its way with its load of inert<span class="pagenum">[347]</span> +mortality, it was overtaken by the doctor +and Joey from Alma. To the latter, in a +few words, he gave directions, and left him +to follow with the bodies, while he and the +doctor pushed on.</p> + +<p>In the meantime Eleanor had at frequent +intervals opened her eyes and gazed vacantly +on all the objects around her, including even +the face of her friend, whom she never for +an instant appeared to recognise. To Kate's +tender soothing attempts she took no heed; +but on each occasion, with a faint sigh and +shudder, relapsed into her former torpor. +This state continued until the arrival of the +doctor, who, though he did not express his +fears, entertained serious apprehensions for +her life; and afterwards communicated to +John his alarm, that, though her corporeal +system might recover, the shock to her nerves +had been so great that he feared her mind +might give way and either become impaired +or totally demented. He recommended her +room to be kept dark, and as cool and as<span class="pagenum">[348]</span> +quiet as possible; and during her waking intervals, +her mind to be as much diverted as +could be. He then prescribed certain medicines, +amongst them powerful soporifics, and +Joey was instantly despatched, upon his arrival, +to Alma to get them compounded, while +the doctor remained by the patient to watch +her malady.</p> + +<p>On the following day Rainsfield presented +himself at Fern Vale. Smithers could not be +persuaded to approach the house; therefore +he and his friends encamped themselves on the +creek to wait until their companion's return. +As Rainsfield approached the house he was +met at the door by John Ferguson; and, as +he felt the warm pressure of the young man's +hand, it was only with an effort he prevented +the tears from oozing from his eyes. John led +him to the room where lay his family; and, +leaving him for a few moments to his own +silent meditations over their lifeless forms, +walked out on the verandah, from whence +he saw the party that had accompanied the<span class="pagenum">[349]</span> +bereaved man. He was for a minute wondering +who they could be, and why they did +not come up to the house, when he felt the +touch of Mr. Rainsfield on his arm, who said +to him:</p> + +<p>"How much I owe you for this kindness +my heart is too full to explain even if my +words could utter it. But believe me so long +as I live it shall be gratefully remembered. +I had seen them a few hours before in all the +horrors of their death. It was a sight to dry +up the fountains of a kindly nature in any +heart, and made me swear to live a life of +perpetual vengeance."</p> + +<p>"Ah, my dear sir," exclaimed John, "it is +ever difficult to meet with resignation the +chastisements of an all-wise Providence; but +we should learn to look upon all His dispensations +as tending to a beneficial end."</p> + +<p>"I'll not pretend to argue with you," replied +the other; "but my nature and feelings will +not admit the embrace of such an immaculate +creed. I must be avenged!"<span class="pagenum">[350]</span></p> + +<p>John, in the then state of his companion's +mind, did not attempt to impress the precept +as he believed the thirst for vengeance would +slacken as the poignancy of his grief wore off.</p> + +<p>"And Eleanor," said Rainsfield; "what is +her fate?"</p> + +<p>A shade came over John's brow as he +replied: "It is not yet decided. She is in +a most dangerous state, and the doctor is +now here attending her. He considers her +case so precarious that he is remaining for +some days to be constantly near in his watch +for the turning-point which shall decide between +life and death. I will ascertain if +she can be seen;" and John left the spot.</p> + +<p>Upon his return he led the way to her +room; and, as Rainsfield followed him, he +asked, "Why didn't you bring your friends +up with you to the house?"</p> + +<p>"They preferred stopping at a distance and +awaiting my return," he replied.</p> + +<p>"But you are not going to leave us +immediately," exclaimed John; "and they<span class="pagenum">[351]</span> +cannot think of camping out there while we +can make some sort of a shake-down here."</p> + +<p>"I fear the presence of some of them at +least would be objectionable to you," replied +Rainsfield; "and I have no doubt they would +prefer to remain where they are."</p> + +<p>"Nonsense," cried John; "I could not think +of permitting such a thing. May I ask who +are those who would not accept of what hospitality +I can offer them?"</p> + +<p>"Smithers, Graham, and Brown," replied +Rainsfield.</p> + +<p>John ushered Rainsfield into the room where +Eleanor lay still and motionless in a bed, at +the side of which sat her watchful friend and +nurse, who rose and left her seat as Rainsfield +approached. He stood silently looking on the +placid features of his cousin, which, but for +the gentle heaving of the snowy linen that +covered her breast, would have appeared as if +inexorable death had already left the impress +of his hand.</p> + +<p>In the meantime John walked down to<span class="pagenum">[352]</span> +where the party of gentlemen lay stretched on +the ground; and, addressing those whom he +knew in a manner as if nothing had ever happened +to mar the good feeling and fellowship +that should have existed between them, invited +the party up to the house. He prevented +any refusal from Smithers (who could not dissemble +his shame and mortification) by taking +him cordially by the hand, and requesting +that he would not give him the pain of a +refusal, and of seeing him encamped with his +friends within sight of his windows. He +stated the accommodation he could afford +them was not very commodious, but he would +consider it unsocial if they did not accept it. +The consequence of this appeal was that +within a few minutes their horses were running +in an adjoining paddock and they were +all walking up together to the Fergusons' +domicile.</p> + +<p>The next day was devoted to the interment +of the earthly remains of the victims of the +Strawberry Hill massacre; and, as that beautifully<span class="pagenum">[353]</span> +sublime and solemn ritual of the Anglican +Church was read by one of the party over the +bodies they were lowering respectively in their +rough and hastily-constructed encasements into +that lodgment where the grim tyrant retains +his grasp until the last trumpet shall summon +the dead from the caverns of the earth; and, +as the heavy clod resounded with a hollow +dullness on the lids of the coffins, more than +one eye was moistened, and more than one +tear rolled its course down the cheek of some +of the strongest minded of the manly group. +The grave was speedily filled in, and the party +returned to the house to partake of a repast; +after which they took their departure.<span class="pagenum">[354]</span></p> + +<hr class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII.</h2> + +<div class="inset20"> +<p> +"O! pardon me thou bleeding piece of Earth<br> +That I am meek and gentle with these butchers."<br> +<br> +<span class="right"><span style="margin-left: 3em;"><span class="smcap">Julius Cæsar</span>, <i>Act 3, Sc. 1</i>.</span></span><br> +</p> +<br> +</div> + +<p>When "the Society" left Fern Vale they +jaunted leisurely on for a short distance, when +they were overtaken by Sawyer and his son-in-law, +the notable Captain Jones, who made +up to Mr. Rainsfield and told him they had +come out to join his party against the blacks. +Though these volunteers were not exactly +the sort of men "the Society" would have +desired to enroll they were determined looking +characters, and had the appearance of +those, who, if they could be trusted, could be<span class="pagenum">[355]</span> +made serviceable in any desperate act. Therefore +their aid was accepted, and they were +forthwith admitted into the confidence of the +brethren. Such is the influence of either perpetrated +or contemplated crime that it breaks +down all social demarcation and collects in +the bonds of unity and friendship the most +heterogeneous natures of man.</p> + +<p>The cavalcade had proceeded about half-way +towards Strawberry Hill when some distance in +advance of them a bullock crossed the road +followed by a black on horseback at a hard +gallop. Both animals Rainsfield at once recognised +as his own; and, dashing spurs into +his horse, he joined in the chase, followed by +the remainder of the party, with the intention +of sending one of his family's destroyers to a +last account. The bullock ran with his head +carried low and his tail erect at a speed +which for some time kept him considerably +in advance of his pursuer; but after a while +his pace relaxed and the superior mettle of +the horse soon brought him alongside the<span class="pagenum">[356]</span> +bovine fugitive. As the animals ran side by +side the rider seized the uplifted tail of the +bullock in a firm grasp, while he stimulated +his horse to additional exertion, and with the +application of very little force he tilted the +beast over its own head, and it fell with its +own velocity, breaking its neck.</p> + +<p>The black was quite conscious all this time +that he was the object of pursuit; so giving +a glance at his fallen prey to ascertain if his +work had been effectual, and another behind +him to see if his pursuers were in an unpleasant +proximity, he continued his career +through the bush until he arrived at the +banks of the river Gibson. Into it he +plunged without hesitation, and slipping from +his saddle, as the horse entered the water, he +held on by the bridle and stirrup, and swam +by the animal's side. The black kept his eye +upon the bank he had just left until he saw +approaching through the bush a number of +horsemen; who, as they reached the edge of +river, presented their guns and fired. The next<span class="pagenum">[357]</span> +moment the horse rolled over in the stream, +dyeing the water with his blood, and floated +lifeless down the current.</p> + +<p>Nothing was visible, however, of the black. +He had sunk ere their pieces were discharged; +and the party knowing that he was untouched +for some minutes watched vigilantly for his +reappearance, but in vain. Barwang (for they +had discovered it was he) did not show himself +above the surface of the water; and they +thinking that he was floating down concealed +in some way with the carcass of the horse, followed +it to watch. It at the same time occurred +to them that he might have dived and was +swimming for the other bank, assisting himself +in eluding them by first floating some +distance down the river. They had thus gone +down the bank some two or three hundred +yards, when they heard a loud hoarse laugh +from behind them; and, turning to the direction +whence the sound proceeded, they saw +on the opposite side, some distance above +where they stood, him for whose reappearance<span class="pagenum">[358]</span> +they were watching. Barwang had escaped +them by swimming against the current and +not with it as they had anticipated he would; +and once safely on the margin of the stream +he felt he was secure, and stood pointing at +his pursuers in derision and defiance. A dozen +pieces were instantly pointed at him by the +disappointed party; but he with another loud +laugh darted into the scrub and, before the report +of their guns was heard, was evanescent.</p> + +<p>The chagrined company then proceeded to +Strawberry Hill, where Rainsfield proposed to +lodge them; and where they would fix upon +their future plans of action.</p> + +<p>That night the Society sat in grave debate, +and various were the schemes proposed to +effect visitation on the blacks of an exterminating +retribution. The members at length +became weary of making propositions that +met with no support from the body, and +were beginning to be silent when Dr. Graham +renewed the energies of the meeting by remarking:<span class="pagenum">[359]</span></p> + +<p>"I'll tell you what it is all you fellows! +you'd better 'keep your eyes on the picture.'"</p> + +<p>All the eyes of the assemblage if not kept +on the imaginary picture that haunted the +brain of this disciple of Æsculapius were at +least kept attentively fixed on the features of +the speaker, who continued. "See here! what +is the good of the whole of us sitting here +and looking at one another? There won't be +a black in that scrub to-morrow; so if we +don't go at them at once, they'll escape us as +that scoundrel did to-day. They will be sure +to know what we are here for, and will make +themselves scarce at once; and if we once let +them slip us we need never expect to get at +them again for they are sure to take up their +abode among the hills, gullies, or scrubs, where +we could not follow them."</p> + +<p>"But is the river crossable?" asked one.</p> + +<p>"Rainsfield will tell you," replied the +Doctor.</p> + +<p>"I have not been at the ford for some +time," said Rainsfield, "and do not remember<span class="pagenum">[360]</span> +the usual depth of water. But the river has +now gone down considerably, and I have no +doubt it can be crossed; at any rate it shall +soon be ascertained for I will do it myself +this night in your presence so that you can +judge by my success or failure."</p> + +<p>"Right," said Graham. "Then we all try +it together, and that too as you say this very +night. At once! say I. I go; so let who likes +follow me:" and he started from his seat.</p> + +<p>The movement then became general, and +in a short time the whole cavalcade were +again on the move in the direction of the +crossing-place near which Barwang had +escaped them. About an hour afterwards the +party were mustering in a state of saturation +upon the edge of the scrub, after having +passed through the still swollen stream, which +they had had to swim. They noiselessly dismounted +from their horses, arranged themselves +on the bank of the river, fastened their +steeds to adjacent trees, and then threaded +the scrub under the guidance of Rainsfield, to<span class="pagenum">[361]</span> +the camp of the blacks; which they speedily +distinguished by the glare of the fires. The +party then halted and arranged to divide +themselves into two companies, one to advance +from the spot where they then stood, while +the other made a detour so as to encompass +the camp. Then upon a given signal, they +were to fire alternately into the midst of the +blacks, and so long as any of the unfortunate +wretches remained stationary to continue +reloading and firing; but to close in upon +them with revolvers if the victims showed +any disposition to break through the compass +of their rifles.</p> + +<p>They then advanced, and as quickly as +possible encircled the unconscious aborigines, +who lay, some in their gunyahs, and some +stretched round the fires. All were in a deep +sleep, into which they appeared to have fallen +in a state of inert satiety, as was evident +from the scattered remains of roasted meat +that strewed the ground around them. Not +a sound was to be heard in the whole camp<span class="pagenum">[362]</span> +except the sonorous breathing of the supine +gorgers; for even those watchful monitors, +the dogs, had benefited by this rare occasion, +by indulging in a glut that inoculated them +with the same somnolent ineptitude.</p> + +<p>In a few moments after the Society had +spread itself in the array of attack a low +whistle was heard; when, almost simultaneously, +eight flashes describing a semicircle +on one side of the camp momentarily lit +the dark avenues of the bush. They were +instantly followed by a report, whose echoes +mingled with the shrieks and dying groans of +the wounded, and in an instant the unscathed +portion of the prostrate forms stood erect; +while the gunyahs disgorged their living +inmates, called forth in their consternation +and half unconscious lethargy, to offer marks +for their concealed executioners. Other eight +shots then told their murdering effects upon +the huddled mass of the blacks, who remained +in a perfect state of bewilderment hardly +knowing which way to turn. Many rushed<span class="pagenum">[363]</span> +in the direction opposite to that whence the +last fire had emanated, but only to fall by the +shots of the first division of the Society, who, +having thrown themselves down to avoid the +chance of their colleagues' fire, had reloaded, +and were ready for action. Again and again +was this manœuvre repeated, and discharge +followed discharge. The carnage had commenced, +and many of the blacks sought a +temporary shelter in their gunyahs, while the +majority, not knowing what to do, remained +in the open area, to be shot down by the +rifles of the whites; who, when they tired of +reloading their pieces, closed in upon the +camp, and setting fire to their bark gunyahs +drove the poor wretches from their retreat, +and butchered them indiscriminately with +their revolvers.</p> + +<p>One of the assailants, however, while dealing +destruction around him, was active in +searching for one above all others of the +blacks he prayed to find. That searcher was +Rainsfield, and the object of his concern we<span class="pagenum">[364]</span> +need hardly say, was Barwang. Rainsfield +had scanned the features of every black, as he +buried a ball in each victim's heart; but without +recognising the monster for whose blood +he thirsted, and without which he would +never be appeased. He searched long, but in +vain. The fiendish leader of the tribe he +could not discover; and he began to entertain +fears that the wretch's cunning had enabled +him to elude his grasp. Almost worn out +with his work of death he was about relinquishing +the search in despair when he spied +a dark form creeping from a heap of bodies, +and crawling away in the direction of the +adjacent scrub. The fitful glare of a fire fell +upon the features of the crouching form and +disclosed the furtive glance of Barwang to +the eyes of him who longed in his very soul +for the meeting.</p> + +<p>The recognition was instantaneous on both +sides, and at the same moment that Rainsfield +sprang forward and fired at the black the +other leaped from the ground and in an<span class="pagenum">[365]</span> +instant, poising a spear in his hand, buried it +in the body of his antagonist. Rainsfield tore +the weapon from his breast, and seeing that +the black was not killed by the shot he had +fired at him, and it being the last he had, +without time to reload, he drew his knife and +sprang upon his enemy. The struggle was +fierce, though short, for both the athletes +were powerful men, and were determined +upon each other's death, even if they perished +themselves while effecting it. The black +caught the right arm of his opponent as it +descended with the weapon that was intended +to terminate his existence, and with the other +hand he seized the throat of Rainsfield, into +which he buried his fingers like the talons of +an eagle.</p> + +<p>Rainsfield taxed his strength to the utmost +to disengage the hand from his throat, and +save himself from strangulation while he +effected the death of the black. Each +strained and struggled as they, locked in each +other's grasp, panted to eliminate the spirit<span class="pagenum">[366]</span> +from each other's bodies. After some time +they stopped to gain breath, while they for a +few moments silently eyed one another with +looks of vengeance and rage. The conflict, +however, was speedily renewed with fearful +energy. Every nerve was strained to the +utmost tension in both frames; when, in a +moment, the black made several rapid lunges, +battering with his hard cranium the breast of +his foe; at the same time that Rainsfield +managed to bury the knife up to its handle +in the neck of Barwang. The loss of blood +arising from the previous wounds, and these +excessive strainings and shocks, soon produced +their effects. Exhaustion speedily ensued; +and the two belligerents, still firmly knitted +in a death grasp, sank to the ground never +again to rise in life.</p> + +<p>In the meantime the work of destruction +progressed all around with unabated activity +until no living black remained on whom to +wreak a vengeance. Nearly the whole tribe +had been sacrificed, for few escaped into the<span class="pagenum">[367]</span> +bush among the general slaughter. When +the members of the Society contemplated the +result of their labours they felt perfectly +satisfied with the extent of their reparation, +and surveyed the scene with a complacency +ill befitting the work. How little did they +remember that a work similar to this in result +had been the cause of the reprisal that had +brought desolation to the Rainsfield family! +and less did they consider that they were incurring +the displeasure of an indignant Maker. +No! they thought not of the judgments of +Divine wrath: the victims, in their imaginations, +were only blacks, whose extermination +was an ordination of Providence, and an advantage +to civilisation. Besides which they +looked upon the slaughter they had been +engaged in as a just punishment to the +savages for their perfidious treachery in the +murder which they, the Society, were unable +to prevent, but which they could, and did +avenge. By this sort of reasoning they quieted +their consciences, if any had been disturbed,<span class="pagenum">[368]</span> +and attempted to justify themselves in the +eyes of their God.</p> + +<p>The forensic vision was that which most +troubled them, for they knew, in the eye of +the law of their country, they were guilty of +an act which, if discovered, would cost them +an atonement by the surrender of their lives. +But they were aware that, with the exception +of their own members, none could criminate +them; while the probability of such an event +occurring was very remote, for all were equally +implicated. While, at the same time, the +distance they were removed from the seat of +government, and the ineffectual means supplied +for the protection of the settlers in the +border districts, would partly justify them in +being armed in the present affray; and the +magistrates of the territory being all of their +own body, and consequently sympathising +with their movements, they experienced very +little apprehension of danger.</p> + +<p>We may here remark that this is not the +only case in the land where similar influences<span class="pagenum">[369]</span> +have actuated the settlers to take summary +vengeance on the blacks, for reprisals and +peccadillos in themselves insignificant. Hundreds, +ah! we may say thousands, have been +shot with perfect impunity; and we hesitate +not to say thousands more will continue to +meet the same sad fate, until the last of the +race shall have vanished from this terrestrial +sphere. Yet we firmly believe their blood +will sink into the soil, and at a future age, +when the people have long since become extinct, +will it cry aloud for vengeance; and +woe to the land if the great Governor of the +universe should listen to that cry.</p> + +<p>The party when about to leave the ground +suddenly missed their companion Rainsfield, +and, thinking that he might still be engaged +on some operations of retribution in another +part of the camp, called him aloud by name; +but without meeting with any response. They +waited impatiently for his return but after a +time finding he did not return they commenced +a search in the neighbourhood of the<span class="pagenum">[370]</span> +camp, at the same time that they made the +bush resound with their cooeys to attract him +if he had strayed. Still to no purpose were +their calls, for no responsive cry echoed to +them; and not until they returned to the +camp weary and dispirited as the first coruscations +from the solar rays darted their +luminous salutations over the eastern horizon +did they discover his body with that of his +last antagonist. His position, and the spear +wound in his body, sufficiently explained his +fate; and silently and sorrowfully he was +removed, and carried by them to where their +horses were secured. They then recrossed +the river on their way back to Strawberry +Hill, which had now become destitute of an +owner.</p> + +<p>Shortly after their passage of the stream +the cavalcade was met by John Ferguson, +who had heard the firing, and guessing its +import had ridden over for the purpose of +inspecting the scene and satisfying himself +upon the nature and extent of the slaughter<span class="pagenum">[371]</span> +he knew must have taken place. But when +he saw the returning party he rode up to +them and addressing himself to Doctor +Graham, who happened to be riding a little +in advance, he said:</p> + +<p>"May I be permitted to enquire the nature +of the firing which was carried on in the +scrub last night?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, certainly, sir," replied the Doctor, +"you are permitted to ask whatever you like, +for this is a free country. If you want to +know the cause of the reports you heard last +night I may inform you for your satisfaction +that our friend Rainsfield had a warrant for +the apprehension of Barwang, and that he +attempted to put it in force, while we volunteered +to assist and protect him. As might +have been imagined we were attacked by the +villains, and had to fire upon them for our +own defence. In the affray we lost our friend +Rainsfield, for he was killed by the wretch he +was attempting to secure, and who at the +same time met with his deserts."<span class="pagenum">[372]</span></p> + +<p>"Rainsfield is dead, did you say?" enquired +John in hurried tones; "is life perfectly extinct?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, dead!" replied the other, "as any +herring. Go look at him yourself;" and he +pointed behind him to where followed a +horse with the body thrown across the saddle. +"You can see there for yourself, where you +may keep your eye on the picture."</p> + +<p>John silently surveyed the pale, discoloured, +and distorted features which he had seen +only a few hours before in life and perfect +health, and with a deep drawn sigh, as he +turned away, he muttered: "Poor fellow! +such a terrible doom."</p> + +<p>The company then proceeded to the house +of the Fergusons, when the melancholy obsequies +of the previous day were repeated; +after which the Society broke up, having +ensured themselves against further interruptions +from the blacks by the success of their +first onslaught; and, although they arranged<span class="pagenum">[373]</span> +to be ready upon any emergency, they had +no anticipation of any future necessity.</p> + +<p>We must now in the course of our narrative +precipitate our readers over a period of +some six months after the events we have just +related, which interval was passed with the +occurrence of few circumstances worth detailing. +Tom Rainsfield had been hastily recalled +from town, but had not arrived until after the +final scene of the tragedy had been enacted. +The horrors of the events came upon him with +such a shock, and so subdued his spirit, that +it was some time before he could school himself +to comprehend their full extent; and not +until some weeks had elapsed could he bring +his mind to the level of mundane matters, and +then only with a melancholy feeling did he +set to work to put the station in order.<span class="pagenum">[374]</span></p> + +<hr class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV.</h2> + +<div class="inset18"> +<p> +"In smoothest terms his speech he wove,<br> +Of endless friendship, faith, and love;<br> +She listened with a blush and sigh,<br> +His suit was warm, his hopes were high."<br> +<br> +<span class="smcap right">Sir Walter Scott.</span><br> +</p> +<br> +</div> + +<p>On a beautifully mild afternoon in that +loveliest of Australian seasons, the transition +between winter and summer, there reclined in +an easy chair, on the verandah of the Fern +Vale cottage, a young girl whose pale though +handsome features seemed to be invested with +an angelic air as they were contrasted with +the deep mourning in which she was attired. +We need hardly explain to the reader that +this was Eleanor Rainsfield. At one side of<span class="pagenum">[375]</span> +her sat our hero, attempting to relieve the +weary hours of the invalid by some light and +amusing reading, and on the other side sat +his sister, who, while she was listening to her +brother, was engaged in some of that description +of work which constitutes at the same +time young ladies' toil and amusement.</p> + +<p>During Eleanor's gradual return to convalescence +John Ferguson had been assiduous +in his endeavours to keep her mind diverted +from the contemplation of her grief; and, forgetful +of all his past resolutions to think of +her only as a seraph exalted above his possession, +their constant contiguity, if possible, +more than ever made havoc in his heart, immersed +him more than ever deeper in the sea +of love, and made him yield a willing sacrifice +to the ecstatic delirium of his dream.</p> + +<p>The attention of the trio, at the moment +we have visited them, was suddenly attracted +by the sounds of an approaching horseman, +and looking up they perceived Bob Smithers +riding wildly towards the house. Eleanor instantly<span class="pagenum">[376]</span> +rose from her chair; and, leaning upon +Kate, entered the sitting-room, while she said +to John: "I expect the object of Mr. Smithers' +visit is an interview with me, and if he desires +it I will see him." Then addressing her friend, +she said: "Leave me, dearest Kate, for the +few minutes he is here. I don't expect he +will stay long."</p> + +<p>In another instant Smithers pulled up before +the house; and, throwing his bridle over the +fence, he strode up to John, who was waiting +for him with a welcome and an extended +hand.</p> + +<p>"How do you do, Mr. Smithers?" he said. +"It is some time since you honoured us with +a visit. I hope you're well."</p> + +<p>"I wish to see Miss Rainsfield," replied +Smithers, without heeding the proffered hand +or the inquiry after his health.</p> + +<p>John felt rather chagrined at the want of +civility on the part of his guest; and, pointing +to the half-opened window of the room in +which Smithers could find the lady he desired<span class="pagenum">[377]</span> +to see, he turned upon his heel and walked +out of hearing.</p> + +<p>What was the nature of John's thoughts +that this visit of Smithers gave rise to we +will not attempt to divine, though we may +safely assume they were of no pleasing nature +from the cloud that came over his countenance +as he left the house. And yet a gleam of hope +would at intervals attempt to break through +the gloom. As he stood leaning over the +fence in front of the house, thus ruminating +over the circumstance and its contingencies, +he was startled by the precipitate approach of +Smithers, who, clenching his fist and shaking +it at him in a menacing attitude, exclaimed: +"This is your work; but, by G—, you shall +repent of ever having interfered in my private +affairs." After the delivery of this minatory +declaration the infuriated individual mounted +his horse and galloped from the station.</p> + +<p>John remained for a few minutes musing +upon the strange address he had just heard +until a faint appreciation of the cause flashed<span class="pagenum">[378]</span> +across his mind, and, his heart beating with +salient palpitations, he entered the house to +solve the mystery. With this intent he walked +into the sitting-room, but found it empty. +Eleanor had retired, and he was about to leave +it again in search of his sister when his eye +rested on an open note lying on the floor. +The superscription, he perceived, was—"To +Mr. Robert Smithers;" and in its caligraphy +he at once detected the tracing of Eleanor's +hand, and saw a solution of the mystery even +before he glanced at the epistle's contents. +If his heart beat quickly with pleasing apprehensions +before his curiosity prompted him +to pick up and read the note its proper functions +were almost destroyed by the violent +palpitations as his eyes devoured the following +lines:—</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Dear Sir</span>,—I hardly know how to break +to you the subject on which I wish to address +you. When I say it is with regard to our engagement +you will understand what I mean, +more especially when I tell you that I think,<span class="pagenum">[379]</span> +for both of our sakes, it were wise to annul it. +To recount to you all the causes that have +actuated me in the establishment of this +desire would only be to reiterate all your +various acts of contumely to myself and +friends, and to relate all my daily sufferings. +I will not say that I never loved you. When +I was induced to consent to become your +wife I would have endeavoured to have +placed my whole heart at your disposal; +but your conduct has not only been such +as to estrange from you the most forgiving +nature, but towards me it has been absolutely +cruel.</p> + +<p>I say this not to stigmatize you for your +ill-treatment of me, but to endeavour to show +you that you can entertain no regard for me; +and, in the absence of all mutual affection, +such an union as ours would only entail +misery on both of us. You will therefore +perceive that it will be better for us to +forget the relationship that has existed, and +remain independent of one another.<span class="pagenum">[380]</span></p> + +<p>I bear you no ill-will, and desire to maintain +a friendship for yourself and your kind +relatives; but beyond the light of a friend +I never can consent to regard you. So there +will be no use of your attempting to alter +my determination; it is already fixed.—Yours +truly,</p> + +<p> +<span class="smcap">Eleanor Rainsfield</span>.<br> +</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>John's astonishment when he read this was +only equalled by his raptures; and it was not +until he had twice re-read the note that he +could withdraw his eyes from feasting on +the blissful lines. "She has then discarded +Smithers," he said to himself, "and there is +hope for me." If there needed but one rivet +to clench the fetters that bound the captive +heart of our hero it was now fastened. He +gave himself up like a voluptuary to the +indulgence of his greatest earthly pleasure, +the dissipation of love's charm, and the realization +of his fondest hopes and wildest +dreams; and, in the delirium of delight, his +spirit ascended in imagination into the +seventh heaven. He was, however, speedily<span class="pagenum">[381]</span> +brought to a recollection of his existence in +this terraqueous globe by his sister shaking +his arm while she exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"Why, what is making you so absent, +John? I have spoken to you four times, and +you have taken no notice of me."</p> + +<p>"Have you, Kate?" replied John. "Well, +I did not hear you, for I was thinking when +you addressed me."</p> + +<p>"That was evident," replied the girl. "But +tell me, John, what could have brought that +man Smithers here? He has terribly upset +poor Eleanor, and she has been obliged to go +and lie down. I quite hate that horrid fellow, +and wish he would never show his face +here again."</p> + +<p>"I don't think it is very probable he ever +will again, Kate," replied her brother.</p> + +<p>"Well, I hope not. But what letter is +that you have got in your hand?" said the +girl as she glanced over the epistle that hung +listlessly in the hand of her musing brother, +who had attempted to conceal it, but not<span class="pagenum">[382]</span> +before Kate had spied the address. "Oh, +show me the letter, John, dear John!" she +continued. "I see it is addressed to that +man, and from Eleanor I am sure; so it will +explain all about it. Do show it to me."</p> + +<p>Her brother put it into her hands, and she +read it with unqualified delight. Then looking +up into his face, she exclaimed: "I am +so delighted, John;" and, throwing her arms +around her brother's neck, she kissed him +in the exuberance of her joy, after which she +bounded from the room, retaining possession +of the cherished note.</p> + +<p>For the remainder of that day Eleanor +confined herself to her room, but on the following +forenoon she came out, with her pale, +marble features, looking in John's eyes more +lovely than ever. They were presently seated +together, as was their wont, in the shade of +the verandah; but somehow, on this occasion, +the reading was not prosecuted with such spirit +as usual, nor listened to with the accustomed +interest, while the conversation was equally<span class="pagenum">[383]</span> +vapid. Eleanor and John thus sat for some +time alone, Kate being absent on her household +duties, and William out on the station, +without hardly uttering a word, until John, +mustering sufficient courage to enter upon the +subject that wholly engrossed his mind, without +any preface, said:</p> + +<p>"I picked up a letter of yours in the room +yesterday, Eleanor, after Mr. Smithers' departure."</p> + +<p>A deep crimson mantled the cheek of his +pale companion as she replied: "I know it +John; Kate has told me all."</p> + +<p>John gazed upon the features of the dear +girl at his side, and met her eyes as they +were raised from her lap to rest upon his face. +He rapturously exclaimed: "Dear Eleanor if I +could but tell you how dearly I love you I—" +But he proceeded no further; a glance from +the lustrous orbs of his companion had penetrated +his heart, and he was silenced. Was +it in fear? No! he had understood the glance, +and comprehended its hidden secret. He was<span class="pagenum">[384]</span> +silenced, but it was to impress a virgin kiss +upon the lips of his fair enslaver; and there +for a little let us leave them in the full +enjoyment of inamoratos' bliss.</p> + +<p>We have said that John interpreted by a +look the secret of Eleanor's heart; and let +not loves' sceptics think such is only a figure +of our imagination. Such glances have been +read from the earliest eras of the world, and +will continue to be so to the latest. Lovers' +eyes are to each other like telegraph-dials, +and reflect in their own mysterious characters +the messages from the heart as the electric +needle indicates the wishes of some unforeseen +communicant. Their flashes are instantaneous, +and they impress upon the hearts' +tablets of their correspondents, with unmistakeable +accuracy, the sentiments of the inosculated +spirits. Theirs is a language secret +and unknown but to the souls communicating, +and unmeaning and unnoticeable to mortals, +until made neophytes to the creed of Cupid.</p> + +<p>John and Eleanor for some time enjoyed<span class="pagenum">[385]</span> +uninterruptedly the commune of their plighted +hearts, each discovering in the other a reciprocity +which heightened the ardour and enhanced +the raptures of their own loves. Their +tongues were no longer tied. John was all +volubility and animation; while the colour +that the excitement of her affection called +forth irradiated the cheeks of Eleanor, and +imparted to her features a loveliness that John +gazed upon with ecstacy. Their privacy, however, +was at length broken in upon by William, +who bounded into their presence in a state of +high glee, while he exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"I've got some news to astonish you. Our +friend Captain Jones has bolted, and has +swindled his much-respected father-in-law to +the tune of about five hundred pounds."</p> + +<p>"Bolted, has he!" exclaimed John; "what +is that for?"</p> + +<p>"Simply because it has pleased the gentleman +on two previous occasions to enter the +matrimonial state, and that both better halves, +and sundry little pledges, are all living to<span class="pagenum">[386]</span> +attest to his identity. One of his former +helpmates," continued William, "traced him +to his late retreat, and claimed him as her +lawful spouse; and he, thinking, I suppose, +a <i>dénoûment</i> would be rather unpleasant, has +deemed it expedient to abscond."</p> + +<p>"And will the poor girl he last married +have no redress?" asked Eleanor.</p> + +<p>"Very little, I fear," replied John.</p> + +<p>"I expect from what I have heard," continued +William, "that old Sawyer intends to +keep it as dark as possible. From Jones' +bigamy the quondam Mrs. Jones becomes +again Miss Mary Ann Sawyer, and he purposes +looking out for another match for her."</p> + +<p>"But she surely," said Eleanor, "would not +lend herself to so base a deception and gross +impropriety."</p> + +<p>"I am not so sure of that," said William.</p> + +<p>"I suppose," remarked John, "if they can't +punish the <i>soi disant</i> Captain Jones they +think the wisest thing they can do is to +make the best of it by keeping it as quiet as<span class="pagenum">[387]</span> +possible; and I have no doubt they will find +many a swain who will not scruple to offer +the lady a name."</p> + +<p>"Well that is dreadful!" exclaimed Eleanor.</p> + +<p>"So it is," replied John, "but it is partly +their own fault. They were so blinded by +the notion of getting a gentleman to marry +their daughter that they took no trouble to +investigate the man's character, or even to +ascertain anything about him; consequently +they fell into the trap of a base scoundrel."<span class="pagenum">[388]</span></p> + +<hr class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="CONCLUSION" id="CONCLUSION"></a>CONCLUSION.</h2> + +<div class="inset20"> +<p> +"I have done: pray be not angry<br> +That shall I wish you well: may heaven divert,<br> +All harms that threaten you; full blessings crown<br> +Your marriage."<br> +<br> +<span class="smcap right">Shirley.</span><br> +</p> +<br> +</div> + +<p>We must again hurry our readers over +another period of some three months, and request +them to accompany us for a few minutes +up the bank of the creek flowing through +Fern Vale. At a pretty little secluded spot +overhung by the bright acacia two grassy +mounds, encompassed by a neat white fence +and adorned with two white slabs of wood, +pointed themselves out as the graves of the +sufferers in the Strawberry Hill massacre.<span class="pagenum">[389]</span></p> + +<p>Leaning over the railing of one of these +enclosures was a young man, who might have +been recognised as Tom Rainsfield, and at his +side, encircled by his arm, our friend Kate +Ferguson. After some few moments of silence +Tom pressed to his heart the willing form of +the lovely girl that graced his side, and said:</p> + +<p>"Dearest Kate, why not let us be married +at the same time as John and Eleanor? +Strawberry Hill is all ready for a mistress, +and I am sure the very trees about the place +are impatient to have domesticated amongst +them the sweet successor of that good and +amiable creature who lies beneath that sod. +We could not have a better opportunity than +John's marriage, for we could all go to New +England together, and the double ceremony +could be performed at the same time."</p> + +<p>"But that is so soon, Tom," replied Kate.</p> + +<p>"It cannot be too soon, my dear," exclaimed +the advocate for despatch; "why postpone +our happiness?"</p> + +<p>"Poor Will will be so lonely with John<span class="pagenum">[390]</span> +and Eleanor going away," said Kate, "if I +leave him too. We ought to delay it until +they return."</p> + +<p>"What for twelve months, Kate!" cried +Tom. "It would drive me wild. I could not +wait more than one at the very outside, and +if you say another word of opposition I will +run away with you. So now, dearest, let it +be settled; we must be married next month +altogether."</p> + +<p>No further objection was urged by the fair +polemic, and a mutual inosculation sealed +the compact.</p> + +<p>About a month from this date a traveller +approaching Acacia creek might, from the +joyous appearance of every face he saw, have +been sensible of the existence of some happy +occasion; and, if he had but stepped into the +house and seen those who sat around the +breakfast table, he would have been aware +that the festivities were occasioned by a matrimonial +ceremony; and, upon the slightest +scrutiny, he would have discovered that two<span class="pagenum">[391]</span> +young couples had been bound by the Gordian +knot.</p> + +<p>The first move that was made after the +despatch of the formal meal was the departure +of John Ferguson and his now blooming +bride. He led her to the arms of his mother; +and, as the good lady embraced her sweet +daughter-in-law, tears of joy coursed down +her benign and matronly cheeks, and, imprinting +another kiss on the lips of her son's +choice, she bestowed her parting blessing. +The rest of the leave-taking was soon effected +and the young couple mounted their horses +and rode away.</p> + +<p>We may remark for the information of our +readers that it was John's intention to proceed +to Brisbane and Sydney, there to spend the +honeymoon, and afterwards to take a trip +"home;" by which term he knew old England +though he had never seen it, nor had any +ties of consanguinity to bind him to it. They +were to return to the colony in about twelve +months; after which Tom Rainsfield had promised<span class="pagenum">[392]</span> +a similar journey to Kate. In the +meantime, however, Tom and his wife intended +to take up their abode at Strawberry +Hill, and thither they started almost immediately +after John and Eleanor. As they left +the paternal roof of the Fergusons a similar +commingling of tears was effected between +Kate and her mother as was witnessed upon +the previous departure. Mr. Ferguson warmly +grasped the hand of his son-in-law, while Mr. +Wigton informed Tom that he had made up +his mind to spend a short time with his friend +William, to relieve his solitude and endeavour +to persuade him to follow the example of his +brother, and afford him, Mr. Wigton, the +pleasure of tying another knot in the family. +He would also, he said, while he was in the +neighbourhood, avail himself of the opportunity +of visiting his friends at Strawberry +Hill.</p> + +<p>William promised to confer the happiness +on Mr. Wigton of being fettered by his medium +whenever it was his determination to be<span class="pagenum">[393]</span> +so foolish as to enter the married state: but +affirmed for the present he had no intention +of following in the steps of his brother and +friend, and had not the most remote idea of +assuming a marital character.</p> + +<p>Tom laughed at William's little sally, and +gave him one of those jocose applications of +the extended thumb to his ribs which in +concomitant natures are thought so amiably +vivacious and funny; and then turning to +Mr. Wigton, expressed the delight he would +feel at his making Strawberry Hill his home. +Amidst the congratulations of his friends, +Tom now led his bride to the door, and safely +depositing her in her saddle, waved the last +adieu as they cantered off.</p> + +<p class="h4">THE END.</p> + +<p class="spacer"> </p> + +<p class="h6">EDINBURGH: PRINTED BY THE CALEDONIAN PRESS.</p> + +<hr class="chapter"> + +<p class="h2">MR. NEWBY'S<br> +<br> +NEW PUBLICATIONS</p> + +<p>In 2 vols., demy 8vo, price 30s. cloth,</p> + +<p>THE TURKISH EMPIRE: in its Relations +with Christianity and Civilisation. By <span class="smcap">R. R. Madden</span>, +F.R.C.S., and M.R.I.A., Author of "Travels in Turkey, Egypt, +and Syria," "The Life of Savonarola," "Memoirs of the +Countess of Blessington," etc.</p> + +<blockquote><p>"Dr. Madden's work is the result of two processes seldom conjoined +in a history of this kind—namely, the most complete reading and research, +and the most vigilant personal observation, accomplished by +years of residence in Turkey at different periods, from 1824 up to the +present time. Altogether his work is a most admirable one; and for +accuracy of fact, lucid arrangement, and agreeable style of narration, +will prove alike acceptable to the student and to the general reader."—<i>Dublin +Evening Post, March 18th.</i></p> + +<p>"A most invaluable book. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Fern Vale (Volume 3) + or the Queensland Squatter + +Author: Colin Munro + +Release Date: September 28, 2011 [EBook #37559] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FERN VALE (VOLUME 3) *** + + + + +Produced by Nick Wall, Matthew Wheaton and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This +book was produced from scanned images of public domain +material from the Google Print project.) + + + + + + + + + + FERN VALE + + OR THE + + QUEENSLAND SQUATTER. + + + A NOVEL. + + BY COLIN MUNRO. + + IN THREE VOLUMES. + VOL III. + + LONDON: + T. C. NEWBY, + 30 WELBECK STREET, CAVENDISH SQUARE. + MDCCCLXII. + + + EDINBURGH: + + PRINTED BY THE CALEDONIAN PRESS, + + "The National Institution for Promoting the Employment of Women + in the Art of Printing." + + SOUTH SAINT DAVID STREET. + + + + +FERN VALE. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + "What sport shall we devise, here in this garden, + To drive away the heavy thought of care?" + + RICHARD II., _Act 3, Sc. 4_. + + +Three days after that to which we brought down our narrative in the last +chapter the morning broke calmly and serenely over the wooded wastes of +the bush; and while the pleasant zephyr of the morning tempered the rays +of the sun, as he sped his course to the zenith, a happy party of +equestrians might have been seen cantering by the bridle path between +Strawberry Hill and Brompton. That party consisted of our friends, +Mrs., Miss, and Tom Rainsfield, and the Fergusons, accompanied by their +black boy Joey. The van was led by the first named lady, accompanied by +William Ferguson, while the others followed riding two abreast, having +paired off in a manner most congenial to themselves. The rear was +brought up by Joey and William's dogs, who coursed through the bush in +seeming delight at the prospect of wearing off a little of the rust that +had grown on them from their late inertness. + +They had ridden for nearly four hours when they slackened their speed a +little as the noon-day sun became more powerful; while, at that moment, +they came to a beautiful little spot where a grassy slope terminated in +a lagoon, whose waters appeared to the travellers clear and refreshingly +cool. Here Mrs. Rainsfield drew up her horse, and proposed a halt for +tiffin; which being generally assented to, the party dismounted. The +bridles of their horses being each fastened round a tree, some +refreshments were produced by Tom from his valise; and the friends sat +down in a shady spot on the green sward, and partook with that hearty +zest that can only be appreciated by those who have been similarly +situated. + +When perfectly refreshed they proceeded on their way, and arrived at +Brompton before the close of the evening. There they were hospitably +received by Mr. and Mrs. Smithers, and very graciously by Bob, who was +all urbanity for the occasion. They found several of the guests had also +arrived, those, who like themselves had arrived from a long distance; +and the house then was as much a scene of gaiety as if it had been the +grand reunion itself. The evening passed pleasantly enough; but, our +object being more particularly to picture to the reader the _fetes_ of +the following day, we will draw a veil over the company for the night, +and introduce them again on the morning. + +The morning in due time came; and was simply a repetition of those +common to a Queensland summer. A cloudless sky spanned the horizon, in +which the sun had a tropical brilliancy, without the scorching power +incidental to most sunny climes. The air was genial and salubrious, and +the balmy breeze bore on its placid wings the aroma of the surrounding +acacia and mimosa. It was such a day as poets love to picture, but +which, to the incredulous matter of fact denizens of "foggy England," a +description only generates a confirmed and unqualified pyrrhonism. With +all the exercise, however, of the scepticism of our friends in the "old +country," it, nevertheless, does not diminish the lustre of such +glorious sunshine as, we again repeat, is to be found nowhere in such +tolerant perfection as in Queensland, and which marked the morning to +which we allude. Perhaps the weather was a little warmer than usual, and +the atmosphere drier; rather more so, in fact, than the settlers +desired, for their rivers and creeks were getting low, and many were +desiring rain to refresh their grass, and refill their water-holes and +courses. However, such desideratum had no consideration with the party +assembled at Brompton, whose sport at the time they seemed determined +nothing should mar. + +The great _fete_ of the day was to be the races; and it was then that +the agrarian beauties of Brompton showed to advantage. It may be +remembered in an early chapter of our story we gave a cursory sketch of +the station, but in the event of its topography having escaped the +memory of the reader, we will again partially repeat the description. +For some considerable distance down the bank of the Gibson river the +land was almost perfectly level, and unusually free from timber. It was +fenced off into paddocks of considerable size. Towards the centre of one +of these was a swamp, from which the surrounding ground had just +sufficient rise to constitute it the reservoir for the drainage of the +land; while towards the river, and immediately on the bank, the land +rose in a little knoll. Here then was a naturally formed race course; +and, by the erection of a few posts, a course was marked out that for +amenity, level, turf, and convenience of sight, it would be difficult to +surpass. + +Towards eleven o'clock nearly all the expected guests having arrived, +and the ground became a lively scene as the gay and well-mounted +equestrians cantered in laughing and merry groups backwards and +forwards; some few, more exhilarated or pedantic than the rest, trying +the course and the mettle of their steeds. The guests of the Smitherses +were not the only ones who had congregated to witness the sport. Other +visitors of a more plebeian character, and self-invited, were there; all +those within a circuit of some thirty miles, who by any possibility +could obtain release from their work, had camped themselves in the +neighbourhood to be spectators. The company had ridden over the ground, +and had dispersed in all directions; when the horses "entered to run," +decorated with their party-coloured rosettes, and led by their +respective riders carrying their saddles, were descried coming on to +the course; and speedily the scattered parties converged to the knoll we +have mentioned, and which now served for a grand stand. + +The horses approached the post; and the necessary preliminaries having +been gone through, they assumed their places; when the few of the +spectative portion of the company, who still remained in the way, +speedily retired, responsive to the call of "clear the course;" and, +after the usual amount of "false starts," the signal was given that was +unanimously acted upon, and away went the horses. + +Horse-racing is the same all the world over, at least in all parts of +the globe where the Anglo-Saxon race holds sway. Therefore we need not +tire our readers by giving a prolix account of this one in particular. +We will merely say that the usual excitement prevailed at the start, +when the horses and their riders received respectively their due amount +of praise from their various admirers, whose bets were interchanged on +the result of the struggle. That the exciting anxiousness in watching +the progress round the course was there equally apparent That the +various hopes and fears of the betters as they witnessed the pulling up +or the falling away of their respective favourites; the intensity of +excitement; the uttered remarks; and the increasing watchfulness, as +some slight rise on the plain or piece of heavy ground tried the mettle +of the high-blooded animals, were all to be seen and heard there; and +that the other excitements of such a scene were equally noticeable. That +breathless interest as the horses approach the straight run to the +winning-post; the last exciting struggle of man and beast, when the +impatience of the former is administered to the latter in whip and spur; +the shouts of the jockeys mingled with the snorting of the steed, when +both are blended in the thunder of the latter's hoofs, which shakes the +very turf; while the straining animals pass the post with the seeming +velocity of steam. + +As the panting and foam-covered horses, and exhausted-looking riders, +returned to the scales, the tongues of the assemblage were loosened; the +groups reunited; and, in the interval between that and the next race, +cantered about; while some of the younger equestrians emulated among +themselves the previous competitors. A small tent had been erected on +the bank of the river for the dispensation of refreshments, and for a +shady retreat for the ladies; and thither many resorted. + +At this period of the amusements our friends had formed themselves into +a group with Mr. and Mrs. Smithers; but without Bob, who had been a +rider, and was the winner of the late race. They had leisurely ridden +round the course, and had returned to the stand, when Eleanor expressed +to John Ferguson (in whose company she had been riding) a desire to +dismount, and take a seat in the tent. He was instantly out of his +saddle assisting her to the ground, and (after giving their horses in +charge of a black boy) handed her to a seat in the shade. Bob Smithers, +who had divested himself of his riding costume for his ordinary +habiliments, then entered; and rudely brushing past John, advanced to +the girl and took her hand, while he exclaimed: + +"Come along with me, Eleanor, I want you." + +The abrupt manner of his entrance, his forcible abduction of the lady, +and his uncouth behaviour to himself, rather annoyed John. But the look +of patient endurance, mingled with entreaty, which Eleanor cast upon her +rough protector, struck our hero as containing more melancholy and +suffering than was to be expected in a young affianced bride, whose +nuptials were speedily approaching. It more than convinced him that his +friend Tom was right when he said that Eleanor Rainsfield could never be +happy with Bob Smithers. With a mind strangely agitated between fears +and hopes John emerged from the tent to see the being he loved leaning +on the arm of his rival, and going through the ceremony of several +introductions. + +She freely entered into conversation with her new-made friends; but the +party being augmented by some others, to whom we presume Bob Smithers +did not condescend to introduce her, he led her away; and they walked +arm in arm to another part of the ground, apparently in earnest +discourse. She was laying her hand upon his arm, while she looked in his +face, and seemed anxious to impress something upon him; while he +appeared to listen attentively to her remarks, though he ever and anon +burst out into a loud laugh and ejaculated a few monosyllables, which on +each occasion created a faint smile on the features of his lovely +companion. + +John Ferguson witnessed all this, and his heart sank within him. Never, +thought he, would woman hang on and talk thus with man, if she did not +love him. "Ah!" he mentally exclaimed, "she loves him devotedly; fool +that I was not to believe this before. Strange infatuation that led me +on to hope, when she herself told me as plainly as she could there was +no hope. I am doomed to disappointment I see; she never can be mine, for +she loves Bob Smithers." And with that melancholy solace John left the +spot of his soliloquy. + +What was the nature of the conversation that so disturbed his peace of +mind we do not deem it necessary to reveal, but we are disposed to think +that our love-sick friend came to a too hasty conclusion upon the nature +of the communicant's symptoms. John Ferguson was not sufficiently versed +in women's little natures to be able to construe aright their motives in +their actions, or the impulses that actuate them in their deportment. +His dejection was, consequently, the more acute from the construction he +had put upon Eleanor's conduct. It was true she was engaged to the man +with whom he saw her converse, but he never dreamt to ask himself the +question, if that circumstance was not, in a great measure, owing to +his own dilatoriness; not to classify his supineness under a more +sheepish head. + +He was sauntering away in his usual despondent mood when Tom Rainsfield +approached him from behind, administering, as he did so, a smart slap on +the shoulder, with the exclamation: "Why, John, what is the matter with +you? have you been visited by a myth? for you are as white as a sheet. +Come along with me, and I will give you some fun; William and I have +been looking for you all over the ground;" and, without waiting for an +answer or an objection, he led him off to where a party of gentlemen had +assembled to witness the next race. Amongst them were Dr. Graham, Mr. +Brown, and some others, which it is needless for us in our history to +trouble the reader by bringing forward. + +When the race was finished they speedily made their arrangements for the +proposed sport Tom had alluded to, which was none other than a Kangaroo +hunt. Mounting their horses, accompanied by some powerful kangaroo dogs +(of which William's figured not the least conspicuously), and, with as +many guns as could be mustered on the station, they started into the +bush in a direction where they anticipated finding game. + +These dogs, of which we have made mention, we may be forgiven for a +short digression to describe. They are a breed of the gaze-hound +species, though in many respects they are peculiar to themselves. The +stock was originally obtained from a cross of the Scotch staghound and +the English greyhound, and has made a race which combine in their +character the strength and courage of the former with the fleetness of +the latter, of whom, in colour and form, they have the greatest +resemblance. At the same time they are possessed of a muscular +developement which is essential to enable them to endure the severe +conflicts to which they are frequently subjected. + +The party had not ridden far before they descried a herd of kangaroos, +though not within range of shot; the guns, therefore, were instantly +slung, and the dogs and riders gave chase. + +The kangaroo as, doubtless, our readers are perfectly aware, is anything +but a graceful animal in its movements. Its fore legs are very short, +and, one would think, of little use, either for ambulation or defence; +but the paws are armed with strong and sharp claws, and in the +diminutive limb to which they are are attached, are possessed of +considerable strength, and can be used defensively with immense effect. +In their propulsion, however, these crural appendages are perfectly +unavailable; for the animals propel their unwieldy looking bodies by +long bounding leaps on their hind legs (which are long and powerful), +springing not from their feet, but by an impulsion from the whole leg, +from the hock joint to the toe, the whole of which length meets the +ground at every leap. In this motion, unsightly as it appears, they are +very fleet, frequently distancing the hardest rider, and only being +brought to bay by the dogs after a tedious chase. + +The kangaroos were no sooner sighted by our party than they were away, +the dogs with the lead, down hills across gullies, and up slopes; +through thick underwood, where the exercise of the greatest care was +necessary for the rider to preserve his seat; over fallen logs, and +under pendent branches; dangers frequently occuring simultaneously, +overhead and under foot, and requiring the firmest seat, and the +quickest eye, to avert. All these, which would make the heart of many a +bold steeplechaser quail, but which are incidental to a kangaroo hunt, +were successively gone through by each member of the present party; and +after an hour's hard riding, the foremost horseman, who had with +difficulty kept the dogs within sight, halted when they came to a stand; +and the whole of the sportsmen collected to witness the fight. + +An "old man" kangaroo sat on his haunches in a swamp, with his back to +a tree, dealing blows right and left with his epitomized limbs to those +of his assailants who ventured within his reach. The kangaroo had got +into water of sufficient depth to enable him to sit up in it, and guard +himself in the manner we have mentioned, while the dogs were raised off +their feet, and had to attack him at considerable disadvantage. They, +however, were in point of number superior to the game, and the entire +pack (six in number) boldly rushed to the charge. Though they were +successfully beaten off on each attack, and nearly all receiving wounds +that would, probably, produce scars of no mean magnitude, they as +frequently rallied, and returned to the fight. + +After looking on for some time, and perceiving that the "old man" was +too knowing for the dogs, one of the party despatched him with a shot, +when he was dragged from his entrenchments, his body deprived of its +tail (which was carried off as a trophy), and left for the dogs to do +the work of further demolition. The hunting party then returned to the +station, but, not being so hasty in their homeward progress as they were +in their outward, it was late in the afternoon before they reached the +scene of festivities. The company at the time was breaking up from the +race-course to return to the house to dine, which important business of +the day having been got over, the guests amused themselves in various +ways until the hour of the _coup de main_, the grand finale--the ball. + +We have already explained that a short distance from the house stood the +wool-shed of the station; and at the time of which we write was +comparatively empty, so much so that the bales of wool waiting for +transmission down the country occupied only a small space in the +building, to which we will, with the kind permission of our readers, in +imagination, transport them. The external appearance of "the shed" was +not such as to give the beholder any very exalted idea of internal +splendour; consequently, upon an entrance the eye was instantly struck +with the taste and skill displayed in the ornate arrangements. The +bareness of the slab walls was relieved, if not entirely concealed, by +the tasteful manipulations of the foliate decorator. At the head of the +room, in the midst of a collection of variously tinted green foliage of +numerous forms and leaf, were displayed in letters, some with the yellow +blossoms of the acacia, the magic word "love," under which was entwined, +with the wild vine and the flower of the sarsaparilla, that emblem of +mutual affection, a true lover's knot. Above it was a star of palm +leaves and fern, radiating from a centre, which was concealed by an +immense stag's horn fungus. The side walls were similarly, though not so +elaborately, decorated, and on them shone forth "mirth," and "concord," +accompanied by various other devices; while at the head of the room, at +the feet of love, stood a piano, which had been removed from the house, +to provide the "spirit of the ball." + +The room was illuminated by a bunch of lights, hanging from a rafter in +the centre. Though simply an extemporized chandelier from the hand of a +bush carpenter, it had its material so tastefully hid, by the same +genius that had decorated the walls, that it answered the purpose +admirably for which it was intended. If it did not surpass in effect the +most brilliant crystals, it was at least pretty and unique, and, with +the emerald tints in its reflection, imparted a pleasing and subdued +light, which favourably contrasted its sombre illumination with the +trying glare of the sumptuous city ball-room. The seats were arranged +round the sides of the room, and had their rough nature concealed in the +bush fashion, by being overspread with scarlet blankets, which gave them +the appearance of comfortable ottomans, and afforded a pleasing relief, +both visual and corporeal. The opposite end of the building was +partitioned off by a suspended carpet, which, by being gathered up a +little in one corner, afforded a means of entrance to what appeared to +be the sanctum, but which, in fact, contained the supper and +refreshment tables, duly caparisoned and loaded with the good things of +this life. + +The guests congregated in the ball-room at an hour that would have +shocked the sensibilities of English ladies of _haut-ton_. But ceremony +was a thing not worth studying by the lady-guests at Brompton; they had +no occasion to retire to their boudoir and spend hours in getting +themselves up for the evening, or, when their personal adornments had +been completed, to sit waiting until the arrival of a genteel hour, in +an agony of mind lest they should mar the perfection of their +soubrettes' art. Enjoyment was the order of the day at Brompton, and +when it was proposed, shortly after coffee was handed round in the +drawing-room, that the company should adjourn to the ball-room, the +guests made the necessary transition; and in a few minutes the house was +entirely vacated. + +The ladies of the company were for the most part married; hence we may +not be accused of partiality in declaring that our two friends, Eleanor +and Kate, far surpassed in beauty all their compeers, and shared between +them the adulation of the sterner animals. It could not be +satisfactorily determined which was the belle of the evening; for the +admiration of the gentlemen was about equally apportioned, and it was +difficult to decide between two such blooming beauties. + +We think we hear some of our readers enquire, "how were the ladies +dressed?" On that point, fair mesdames, we would crave your especial +indulgence. We know that is a theme on which you love to dilate; but we +(though delighted to gaze upon your charming forms, graced by the +alluring symmetry of your well-fitting and becoming attire) confess +ourselves as ignorant as babes in the technicalities of habilimentary +detail. However, thus much our observations befriended us. We can affirm +that the chief characteristics of the costumes of the gentler sex were +becoming neatness and chaste simplicity, without that unblushing display +which we have so frequently noticed in gay circles; and which, we must +confess, does not accord with our exalted idea of female modesty, +innocence, and virtue. The manner of _our_ heroines was frank, candid, +and gay; without frivolity, affectedness, or coquetry; and their +costumes neat and ladylike. + +The hand of Eleanor Rainsfield was so much desired in the mazy dance +that John sought in vain for an opportunity of soliciting a +participation with her in the pleasures of the evening, or even of +entering into conversation with her, until she had danced with nearly +all the gentlemen in the room. Then, she having been led to a seat near +where our despondent hero sat, he seized the occasion to ask her to +dance, which she promised to do after obtaining a short rest. During the +interval they fell into a sort of desultory conversation; but they were +not destined long to enjoy even this intercourse; for Bob Smithers +espying the occupation of his "lady-love," hastened to remove her from +an influence he in no way relished. + +"Eleanor," said he, "I want you to dance with me." + +"I am engaged for the next dance, Robert," she replied. + +"To whom?" he asked. + +"To Mr. Ferguson," she answered. + +"Oh, never mind, you'll dance with me," said her lord. "Your engagement +with me always ranks in precedence of others; and I am sure Mr. Ferguson +will not mind looking for another partner." + +"Mr. Ferguson has been waiting until I was disengaged, Robert," said +Eleanor, "on purpose to dance with me; so I must keep myself engaged to +him for the next dance, but will devote the following one to you." + +"Well, as you like," exclaimed Bob Smithers, in none of the most amiable +moods; "if you want to dance with Mr. Ferguson you can, but I wanted to +dance with you myself;" and, casting a look of intense malignity on the +object of his detestation, and one of equal rancour on his affianced, he +strode to another part of the room. + +Neither look had been lost on the parties to whom they had been +directed; in John they caused emotions of no pleasurable nature, whereas +Eleanor treated the truculence of Smithers with a calm benignity. The +moistened dewdrop, however, that gathered in the corner of her eye, +discovered to the anxious and watchful perception of John Ferguson the +hidden sorrow that rankled in her breast, and which she strove to +smother, dreading its discovery to the world. + +As might be imagined, under such circumstances, the dance was gone +through with mere mechanical action, and with an undisturbed silence; +for the thoughts of both parties were too much occupied on matters +having no immediate connexion with the operation of dancing to indulge +in much conversational intercourse. Besides which they both, or at +least John, was conscious of the jealous eye of Smithers following them +in every movement; and therefore felt the more uncomfortable. It was a +relief to both when the music ceased, and John led his partner (who +expressed fatigue) to a seat; but she had hardly relinquished his arm +before she was pounced upon by Bob, who, as he carried her off, scowled +fiercely on his unfortunate rival. + +John Ferguson was of an easy temper, but no man likes being grossly +insulted, and supplanted in the service of the one he loves, therefore +he felt the contumely to which he was subjected; and to calm his ruffled +temper, and to seek refreshment to his aching head, and an emollient to +his fevered brain, he walked out into the cool of the evening +atmosphere. He continued to wander, with his gaze fixed in a thoughtful +abstraction on the star-lit firmament, contemplating apparently the +argentuous brilliancy of the lunar orb travelling its ethereal course, +when his meditations were unceremoniously interrupted by the approach +of Smithers, who hastily confronted him with the following expression: + +"I would like to have a few words with you, sir, and if you'll step into +the bush, out of hearing of our visitors, I will speak." + +John replied, if he desired to say anything to him, he might have no +hesitation in saying it where he was; but that if he particularly wished +him to step a little on one side, he had no objection to do so. + +Upon gaining a retreat from the possibility of being overheard Bob +Smithers began: "I have to request one thing of you, sir, and that is +that you discontinue your attentions to the lady to whom I am engaged. +On a previous occasion I made a similar request, as also did Mr. +Rainsfield; but both you seem to disregard; therefore, I have to make it +to you again, and to accompany it with a peremptory order that it be +complied with." + +"I can't see, Mr. Smithers," said John, "that because I am called upon +by Mr. Rainsfield and yourself to break off my friendship with the +lady, that I am of a necessity compelled to comply; so long as I am +honoured by the friendship of Miss Rainsfield I shall make all your +demands subservient to the dictates of my own heart. While she holds out +the hand of cordiality to me I consider the privilege and pleasure +accruing too great to refuse to grasp it; but if Miss Rainsfield desires +our intercourse to cease, then, of course (however painful such an +estrangement would be), my courtesies would be discontinued." + +"Well, sir," said Smithers, "I have only to repeat that they shall be +discontinued at once, or I will take steps to prevent their recurrence. +The lady is engaged to be married to me, and I have a right to dictate +whom she shall recognize as her friends." + +"When you are married to the lady I shall not dispute your right," said +John; "though even then, if your wife should so far honour me as to rank +me among her list of friends, all your monitory language and manner +would not induce me to behave cavalierly to her whenever we should +chance to meet. But at present I heed not your request, unless it be +reiterated by the lady herself." + +"That, sir," said Smithers, "you shall not have the satisfaction of +hearing, and you will instantly renounce all pretensions to the lady's +favours or leave the station." + +"The first portion of your request I have already informed you I cannot +comply with; and the other, notwithstanding your gross insolence to me, +I could not offer such an affront to your worthy brother and his +inestimable lady, as to obey it." + +"Then, by heavens! you shall fight me," exclaimed the exasperated +Smithers. "I'll be on this spot with pistols in ten minutes; so you may +make the most of your time, and obtain a friend." + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + "Are honour, virtue, conscience, all exiled; + Is there no pity, no relenting Ruth?" + + BURNS. + + "But I remember now + I'm in this earthly world; where to do harm + Is often laudable." + + MACBETH, _Act_ 4, _Sc._ 2. + + +The suddenness and hostile nature of Smithers' challenge so took John +Ferguson by surprise that for some few minutes he could not utter a +sound; and, when he had sufficiently recovered himself to speak, his +adversary was out of hearing, on his mission to prepare the instruments +of death. Left to a calm consideration of his position all its +unpleasantnesses in a moment flashed across his mind. Here he was +involved in a broil the result of which might prove fatal if persevered +in, and with the brother of his kind entertainer. The successful suitor +of the girl he adored, he was called upon to meet in deadly strife. John +felt he could not leave the place to compromise his honour, and insult +his host; at the same time he looked upon a hostile meeting with Bob +Smithers with great repugnance. Much as he had been contemned by Bob, +and many as were the indignities offered to him, John bore him no +animosity; and he could not reconcile to his conscience the idea of +steeping his hands in the blood of a fellow mortal; even in the act of +self-defence, when that defence became culpable by his voluntary +exposure. Yet he feared not death; no, he could stare the grim tyrant in +the face, and unflinchingly meet his shafts. He even felt he could court +his embrace now that he was to lose the only being he deemed life worth +living for. + +"Oh! Eleanor! Eleanor!" he exclaimed. "Oh! that I had not known thee! +cruel fate, that I should be drawn into the vortex of thy charms only to +be suffered to estimate thy worth, and then have my hopes crushed on the +rocks of despair. With thee life would be an Elysium; without thee 'tis +a perpetual blank; a dismal future looms in the distance like the shades +of stygian darkness. Oh, cruel fates! would that thou had'st bereft me +of life while yet I breathed in the delicious dream. But yet a door of +hope is left me to escape this bondage. I will meet the fire of your +favourite, and let him, if he so desires it, release my wearied spirit." +Thus John soliloquized as he walked back to the ball-room in a state of +mind bordering on insanity, and reduced to the lowest depths of +love-sick despair. But a "still, small voice" faintly prompted reason, +as his agitated feelings somewhat subsided, and he ceased to +apostrophize his idol, as he approached the building. + +He entered the room, and casually casting his eyes round the company +rested them on his brother; whom, upon his obtaining an opportunity, he +called out unobserved by the mass of the guests, and in a few words +explained to him the incident we have just described. + +"But, surely, John, you do not intend to accept the challenge?" said +William. + +"I have already done so," replied his brother. + +"Why, you must be demented! my dear John," exclaimed the other. "Because +a coarse, blustering fellow like that chooses to insult you, and then +call upon you to present your body as a mark for him to shoot at, surely +you are not going to forget all respect for yourself, and commit an open +violation of the laws both of God and man." + +"With regard to dyeing my hands in his blood you need have no fear, +William," said John. + +"Then why sacrifice your own life?" asked his brother. + +"I could with very few regrets submit now to that dissolution which +sooner or later must take place; but I am convinced Bob Smithers is too +much a coward to attempt my life. The laws of his country will stare him +in the face, and will prevent him pulling the trigger of a weapon with +its muzzle directed to my body. His object is simply to frighten me away +from the station, or induce me to act a coldness towards Eleanor; +neither of which desires I intend to gratify, so will stand his fire." + +"But, dear John," exclaimed his brother, "only consider, if he should be +malicious enough to attempt your life, or even to wound you, what a +dreadful misfortune it would be; and what would be the anguish of our +dear parents. Believe me, John, it is wiser to avoid the possibility of +any such catastrophe; no dishonour can be attached to you for a refusal +to comply with a barbarous custom. Pray allow yourself to be dissuaded +from this meeting." + +"No, Will, I have no fear of the consequences. Bob Smithers will never +have the courage to fire at me; and I will shame him by showing my +contempt for his threats." + +"Well, I am grieved at your obduracy, John, for my heart has misgivings +on the result." + +"Don't be agitated, William, but be convinced there is nothing to +apprehend; and now come I have been absent some time, and he appointed +ten minutes from the time of the challenge for the meeting." + +William, perceiving it was useless to attempt dissuading his brother +from his purpose, accompanied him in silence to the spot where Bob +Smithers and two friends already waited. Upon the approach of the +Fergusons one of the opposite party stepped forward to John, and offered +to enter into the arrangement of preliminaries with his brother, whom he +presumed would act as his second. + +Upon John stating his brother was on the ground in that capacity William +allowed himself to be led away by his co-adjutor, and followed him +mechanically through his various manoeuvres; acquiescing in the +arrangements, the nature of which he hardly contemplated. His mind was +intent upon the iniquity of the proceedings, and he was cogitating on a +scheme whereby he could obviate the necessity of having his brother's +life placed in jeopardy. With this thought uppermost in his imagination +he addressed himself to his companion: + +"It occurs to me, Mr. Brown (for it was he), that this meeting is +perfectly unnecessary. My brother has consented to it without having +offered any provocation to Mr. Smithers. I think the challenge was given +in a moment when that gentleman was heated by his controversy, while I +have no doubt he would far prefer letting the matter drop, if no stigma +would be attached to him on account of retraction. If so I can answer +for both my brother and myself that the affair will not travel beyond +our two selves." + +"I fear, my dear sir," replied Brown, "it is useless making any such +proposition to my principal, for he considers himself aggrieved by the +pertinacity of your brother in his aspiring to the hand of Miss +Rainsfield after he has repeatedly informed him that that young lady was +affianced to himself. He is so considerably offended and chagrined at +your brother's contumacious conduct, and his decided refusal to accede +to any of the terms my principal has proposed, that he will not be +disposed now to accept any other mode of satisfaction than this. If your +brother thought of any amicable settlement he should have done so +before; now there is only this course open." + +"Pray don't imagine that I am making any overture with the concurrence +of my brother," said William. "He, I am sorry to say, is as determined +upon this course as your principal can be; but it is that very +obstinacy I lament, for I look upon the whole of this affair not only +as extremely heathenish and barbarous, but incompatible with the +character of gentlemen." + +"Your language," replied Brown, "is calculated to cast opprobrium on all +those gentlemen engaged in this little matter, and requires some +explanation and apology; for which, I will be glad to have a few words +with you after the termination of this meeting." + +"Now then," shouted the unoccupied colleague of Mr. Brown, "it surely +does not require all that time and talk for you two to pace out the +ground. I could have settled a dozen pairs in the time you are taking +there in arranging the preliminaries of one." + +"All right, Graham," said Brown, "we have settled it now;" and turning +to William he continued: "We will draw for positions and you can place +your man, while I do mine. Dr. Graham attends professionally in the +event of either party falling; now then, sir, draw if you please. Oh! +blank; your man takes the right:" saying which he hastened to put +Smithers in position, while he left William standing seemingly rooted to +the ground. + +John, seeing his brother's indecision, came up to him, and led him away, +saying, "I suppose as Smithers has taken up that position, I am to take +this. They are particularly obliging; his second has arranged me so that +I shall have the moon directly in my face. Very kind of him, though he +does it with a mistaken object. It will enable his principal to see to +miss me; for that is what he will most desire." + +"Pray, John, do not let yourself be deceived," exclaimed his brother; +"they mean death I am convinced, and it is not too late to come to an +amicable settlement." + +"Nonsense, William, exhibit some degree of fortitude," said John. "I +tell you again Smithers is too much a poltroon to meditate my death; +though I believe if he could effect it without making himself amenable +to the laws he is not wanting in the disposition." + +"Then, even if he does not," said William, "think how the matter will be +talked about. The reports of the pistols are sure to be heard, and the +occurrence will be known almost instantly; think also how it will wound +Eleanor's feelings." + +"Tell her, William! that I was irrevocably drawn into it by Smithers +contrary to my own wishes, and that I met his fire without returning +it." + +"That is poor satisfaction for either you or her," said William "(her +especially), if you come off scatheless as you anticipate, and as I hope +and trust you may, having her name bandied about all over the country on +the evil tongue of scandal." + +"There, Will! there's a good fellow! leave me now," said John, "you see +they are impatient; his second is waiting for you to bring me my weapon. +I had almost forgotten that, and they did not seem disposed to refresh +my memory." + +William slowly walked across the ground, and took a pistol from the +hands of Mr. Brown; and placing it within those of his brother retired +to his position to await the issue of the firing. + +Upon the enquiry being asked if both were ready, and an affirmative +being returned, the signal was given, and a report of a double discharge +reverberated in the stillness of the bush. William instantly rushed to +his brother, and found him standing with his right arm still extended in +the air, in the position in which he had fired, while his left hand +covered his eyes and features which were suffused in the purple dye. + +"Merciful heaven!" cried William, "my dear brother, where are you hit?" + +His question to John was answered in a burst of boisterous merriment +from the opponents, and he hastily turned upon them to enquire the +cause of their unseemly hilarity; while Smithers advanced towards his +late antagonist, and replied: "See to him, he must be severely hit, for +he bleeds apparently profusely." + +"There is a trick in this, William," said his brother. "'Tis true I am +hit, but not with lead; I am blinded with what appears to me to be red +currant jam." + +Another roar of laughter from Smithers and his friends succeeded this +confession, and the perpetrators of the practical joke indulged their +risibilities to the full; evidently congratulating themselves upon the +success of their plans. Their self-complacency, however (at least of one +of them), was brought to an abrupt termination; for as the truth of the +plot flashed across the mind of William, as the instigator of the +proceedings approached to witness the effects of his scurrile trick, the +high-spirited youth sprang towards him, and avenged his brother's +ignominy by felling the coward to the ground. + +Graham and Brown instantly rushed to the spot, and interposed; the +former seizing William, while the latter confronted him, and stated that +if there was any cause of quarrel, it could be settled in a manner +befitting gentlemen; "and unless," said he, "I am mistaken in Mr. +Smithers he will instantly require satisfaction for your outrageous +assault." + +"Unhand me, sir," said William, as he shook himself from the iron grasp +of the pugnacious doctor, and turning to Brown he exclaimed: "You speak, +forsooth, of requiring the satisfaction of a gentleman; you and your +compeers, who debase yourselves by not only countenancing an insult from +your friend and patron to my brother, but by making yourselves parties +to a trick which no gentleman would be guilty of. As for your prototype +he has not only proved himself a blackguard by having recourse to the +subterfuge of a plea of wounded honour to perform a despicable action; +but a coward in taking a mean advantage of a gentleman under the +hospitable roof of his brother. See, the viper actually slinks away! The +derogation he intended for another reflects opprobrium on his own +infamous character; and the consciousness of his venality deprives him +even of the power of defence." Excited as William was, and inflammatory +as was his language, they failed to stir the blood of Smithers, whose +baseness was exemplified in his cowardice; for he actually left the spot +(as William's remarks would infer) in the midst of the young man's +vituperations. + +John Ferguson took his brother's arm, and led him also away from the +scene, saying as he did so: "Calm yourself, William, and never mind me, +I am not hurt, though still almost blind by that stuff in my eyes. The +disgrace of this proceeding will reflect more to his dishonour than to +mine. The report of our pistols has given alarm for I see people coming +this way, so I will get my horse saddled and take my departure." + +"Do not depart yet, John," said his brother. Remain till morning at any +rate, and take leave of Mr. and Mrs. Smithers; they will think very +strangely of your sudden departure. + +"They are sure to hear of the affair," replied John, "and my departure +will save the unpleasantness of a meeting. I will leave it to you to +make what explanation you like to them; as also to account to Eleanor +for it in what way you think best. She will no doubt have a version of +the matter from Bob Smithers; but I have a better opinion of her than to +imagine she will credit the exaggerated pseudology of malicious +gossips." + +For John to wash himself, change his attire, segregate Joey from the +dependent's festivities, get his horse in and saddle him, was the work +only of about half an hour; and the whole of it was performed without +notice from any one belonging to the establishment. John Ferguson and +Joey then started, and as the retreating sound of their horses feet were +lost in the stillness of the night, William retraced his steps to the +scene of gaiety; not to join again in the mirth, but to take an +opportunity of detailing the particulars of the late proceedings to Tom +Rainsfield; judging that he would be the best channel through whom they +could reach the ears of Eleanor. With that intention he sought out his +friend, and was astonished to find that Bob Smithers had already +communicated the fun, as he called it, to some of his choice companions; +though he had studiously avoided any mention of his rencontre with +himself. + +It was at an hour close on the heels of morn that the guests broke up +the ball; and consequently it was far advanced in the forenoon before +the assemblage in the breakfast-parlour was by any means numerous. It is +true some of the bachelors had taken their departure; but those in the +bondage of matrimony, and swains who were to act as convoys to the +ladies, of course had to wait the time and pleasure of the fair ones; +and, we must confess it, many were not loath to be detained by their +tender charges. + +Our friends were about the first to leave, as having a longer journey to +perform than most of the guests, and neither of them desiring to prolong +a stay where the occurrences had been so painful to one of their party, +they bade a kind adieu to their entertainers; and took the road at a +sharp trot, which they kept up for some hours, notwithstanding their +fatigues of the previous day and night. + +We think we informed the reader, in an early chapter of our history, +that Eleanor was (unlike most native girls) not a good horse-woman; and +that it was therefore an exercise she did not frequently indulge in. It +will not be wondered at then that the long ride to Brompton, and the +constant exercise there, had fatigued her. Her horse showing symptoms of +restlessness at starting it was proposed by William that he should affix +a leading rein to the bit ring of her horse's bridle, and ride by her +side with it in his hand. The idea was commended by the party, and was +adopted. They started, William and Eleanor leading the way, Mrs. +Rainsfield following, and Tom and Kate bringing up the rear, and +continued, as we have said, at a brisk pace for some hours. + +They had accomplished about half the distance to Strawberry Hill when +they approached rather an abrupt turn in the bush; which, in its +acuteness, prevented them from seeing, until they came immediately upon +it, a large tree which stood right in the centre of the road; or rather +a path had been beaten on either side of it. The main track led by the +right side of the trunk, and William guided his own horse and that of +his companion to take it; but Eleanor's animal became suddenly +refractory, and made a sudden deviation to pass the tree on the other +side. This movement was so unexpected that neither equestrian was +prepared for it; and the two horses, each taking opposite sides of the +tree, were brought to a check in their rapid course by the leading rein +we have mentioned. At the time William had got it firmly fixed round his +left wrist, and could not (when he saw the accident that would +inevitably occur) disengage it; for so instantaneously did it happen +that he had hardly time for meditation before the shock took place, and +both riders were hurled from their saddles with considerable force. +William, though prostrate, still kept his hold of his own bridle and the +rein of Eleanor's horse; and rose with considerable pain, though (with +the exception of numerous bruises) uninjured, to lead the horses free of +the tree. + +With Eleanor, however, the accident had resulted far differently. When +the check was felt by her horse the leading rein made him wheel his head +suddenly against the trunk; and, his fore feet tripping him as he did +so, he fell forward to the ground. Eleanor was thrown from her saddle; +and, but for one of those inauspicious events which so frequently occur +to mar our well-being, would have come off more lightly than her +companion. As it was, in her precipitation, her habit in some way became +entangled in her horse's caparisons; and, instead of being thrown clear +of danger, she was hurled with some force to the ground at the animal's +feet The horse also fell; and with the whole weight of his body across +her legs. + +It was the work of a moment for the rest of the party to pull up their +steeds, and for Kate to leap from her saddle to the side of her friend; +and another for Tom and William to extricate her from her dangerous +position. + +"Oh, dearest Eleanor," passionately exclaimed Kate, "tell me that you +are not seriously hurt. Oh, that horrid, horrid horse!" + +"I fear I am, Kate dear," replied the poor girl, "I am very much +bruised, and my leg now I try to move it gives me great pain: I am +afraid it is broken." + +"Oh, gracious goodness! what shall we do?" cried Kate; "lean on me, +Eleanor love, and see if you can rise." + +The poor girl did so; but the pain was more than even her wonted heroism +could endure. With a faint cry of agony she sank fainting into the arms +of Tom, who was standing at her side ready to support her in case of +need, and there unfortunately proved to be need; for Eleanor, as she +herself had anticipated, had broken her leg. + +The unconscious form of the suffering creature was carried into the +adjoining shade, and gently placed on the turf in a reclining position; +while the ladies speedily had recourse to those gentle restoratives, +with which they are happily at all times so ready, in cases where the +sympathies of their kindly natures are brought into play. + +We masculine mortals plume ourselves on our knowledge of the female +character; which we profess to read as the astrologers of old did "the +gems that deck eve's lustrous mantle;" and to divine their secret +wishes, fancies, and inclinations, as the professors of clairvoyance do +their susceptible pupils. But we are inclined to think woman's heart is +the true arcana of life; at least of this fact we are certain, woman's +troubles can only be appreciated by woman; and woman in sorrow can only +be soothed, or woman in pain can only be alleviated by those whose +anodynes are the effects of intuitive impulsions, arising from the +reciprocal communings of kindred spirits. Oh, woman! bless'd woman! +Favoured daughters of Eve! thou never shinest in such perfection as when +thy ministering hand assuages the pain of a sick couch. Happy is the +man, with all his flaunted superiority, who, in the time of +indisposition, when his spirit wavers indecisively between this life and +the other, is blessed with the possession of thy tender solicitude, to +smooth the passage to the mysterious bourne, or nourish the reviving +spirit with thy calm, patient, and may be, vigil-dimm'd orbs, ever +watching for returning convalescence. But we are digressing; our +feelings of gratitude to the sex are carrying us away from the subject +of our narrative, and we must apologize to our fair readers for our +abstractedness. + +Through the tender care of her friends Eleanor speedily recovered her +consciousness, though only to be made aware, by contemplation, of the +dreadfulness of her situation. She was suffering the most excruciating +agony, and was more than twenty miles from any assistance. The thought +would have subdued the stout heart of many a man, but with her evoked +not a murmur. She bore her sufferings, both bodily and mental, with her +characteristic heroism,--a heroism that admitted of no complaint,--a +perfect subjugation of the feelings, passively enduring pain with an +annihilation of all querulousness,--one that in a man would have +distinguished the bold spirit; but in a woman denoted the sublimity of +that nature, which, in its gentle texture, shines out in bold relief and +claims the laurels for an endurance which extinguishes, in its +sublimated lustre, the baser material of the stern "lords of the +creation." + +A hasty council was now formed in debate as to the best means that could +be adopted to procure assistance for their wounded friend. It was +proposed first that she should attempt to get back to Brompton; then +that one of the gentleman should ride back at once, and procure some +conveyance; then that the ladies should return to Brompton, and obtain +the requisite assistance, while the gentlemen constructed a litter and +carried the invalid as far on the road as they could, or until they were +met by assistance. To all of these propositions Eleanor, however, gave +her emphatic veto, and declared that she would not consent to return; +but affirmed her willingness and ability to proceed to Strawberry Hill. + +This desire again was energetically combatted by her friends, who argued +that such a course would endanger, not only her limb, but possibly her +life; and that it would be far better for her to waive her scruples, +and consent to return to the Smithers'. But to all entreaties on that +head she turned a deaf ear. "I will mount my horse," she said, "with +your assistance, and by going quietly I will be perfectly able to reach +home. So do not, my dear friends, make yourselves uneasy on my account." + +At this juncture when all was indecision, Kate started up and exclaimed: +"Now I'll tell you what to do. Dear Eleanor says she will not return to +Brompton, and that she would prefer going home; a thought has just come +into my head and I will act upon it. There was a doctor at the party +yesterday, and I heard Mr. Robert Smithers ask him to stop until this +afternoon; so I will ride back, and catch him before he leaves, and +bring him on here; but, in the meantime, you must assist Eleanor into +her saddle, and while William leads the horse, Mr. Rainsfield ought to +walk at her side and protect her from falling; and, if Mrs. Rainsfield +would only ride on before and send out the spring cart to meet you, the +arrangements would be complete." + +The boldness of the scheme so astonished her friends that Kate was on +her legs and ready to mount before they could think of objecting to it. +Eleanor was the first and most earnest in dissuading her from so rash a +step; but all opposition was cut short by the spirited girl herself, who +said she would not be dissuaded; and addressing her brother said: "Come, +Will, assist me into the saddle and don't detain me; for I will go, and +there is no use of either of you accompanying me; your assistance will +be required by dear Eleanor. Do as I propose, and you will find I will +be at Strawberry Hill with the doctor very shortly after you." + + + + +CHAPTER III + + "Gallop apace, you fiery footed steeds, + Towards Phoebus' mansion." + + ROMEO AND JULIET, _Act_ 3. + + +Great was the astonishment at Brompton when Kate Ferguson made her +appearance, galloping up to the station, and drew up before the house. +At the same time she gathered up the folds of her habit; and, leaving +her panting steed to the care of some of the assembled attendants, +disdaining any assistance, she leaped to the ground and ran into the +house. + +At the door of the parlour she was met by Mrs. Smithers who exclaimed, +with apprehension depicted in her countenance: "For mercy's sake! tell +me, dear Kate, what has happened to cause your return alone?" + +"Eleanor has met with an accident," she hurriedly replied, "and I want +the doctor; is he here?" + +"Unfortunately he went only about a quarter of an hour since," said Mrs. +Smithers. "I will send after him though; but tell me what was the nature +of poor Eleanor's accident." + +"She was thrown from her horse, and has broken her leg," exclaimed Kate; +"but do let me urge you to send after the doctor at once; or if you +direct me to the road he took, I will follow him myself." + +"I could not hear of such a thing," replied the lady of the place, "as +to permit you, my dear, to go. Sit down for a moment, or go to my room +and put off your habit, while I despatch a messenger." + +Mrs. Smithers left the room on her mission, and shortly returned and +informed her impatient visitor, that a man had been sent after the +doctor, with injunctions to lose no time in bringing him back. "Doctor +Graham has ceased to practise," she said, "but under such circumstances +he can have no objection to lend us his professional skill; and as +Robert is with him, and will consequently urge him to speed, we may +confidently expect him here in a very short time. Come now, my dear, put +off your things, and tell me how the unfortunate occurrence took place." + +The whole circumstances of the accident were then related, after which +an animated discussion was carried on between the ladies; the married +one contending that it was impossible for the younger one to return home +before the following morning, while Kate stoutly declared her intention +to proceed at once, when the doctor arrived. + +"Such a course, my dear Kate," urged her friend, "would be unnecessarily +exposing yourself to a fatigue which I am convinced you could not +endure. You had far better remain with me until the morning, and then +Mr. Smithers will either drive you over in his gig, or accompany you on +horseback. The doctor and Robert shall be sent off immediately they +arrive, but as to you travelling the road by night is a thing quite out +of the question." + +Still all arguments were unavailing; Kate persisted in returning at once +to be in attendance on her friend; affirming that she did not fear the +journey, nor anticipate any fatigue. So, Mrs. Smithers finding it +useless to attempt persuading the determined girl, proposed that, so as +to ease her journey as much as possible, Mr. Smithers should still drive +her over, and lead her own horse behind the vehicle. Mr. Smithers was +then sought for, and the melancholy intelligence was communicated to him +by his spouse; who desired him to place himself and his vehicle at the +disposal of Miss Ferguson. + +He regretted the sad event most feelingly; at the same time he expressed +himself only too happy to be of service to Kate, and would hear of no +objection from her; saying, "Why! if you could stand the journey +yourself, Miss Ferguson, your horse could not carry you." So that the +little messenger was perforce obliged to relinquish her opposition to +the proffered assistance. + +It was late in the afternoon before the sound of approaching horsemen +heralded the arrival of Bob Smithers and his friend, the brusque and +generally not over-courteous son of AEsculapius. They were not long +permitted to remain inactive, for the impatient anxiety of Kate for the +safety of her friend stimulated them to use despatch; and very soon +after their arrival they were tearing away again in the direction of +Strawberry Hill, in concert with Mr. Alfred Smithers and his charge. The +horsemen took the lead, and were followed closely by the vehicle; which, +by the speed that they maintained, required a skillful hand to guide +through the mazy difficulties of the bush track. The night, however, was +beautiful, and the moon bright and clear distinctly illumined their +path; so that the occasional diminution of the speed was not owing so +much to impediments and difficulties of a vehicular nature, as to a +desire on the part of the horsemen to take it easier. But these little +delays, insignificant as they were, did not accord with Kate's ideas of +the urgency of the case; and the flagging equestrians were constantly +prompted by her to an acceleration of their pace. + +Towards the latter part of the journey the bush was more dense, and the +travelling of the gig consequently became more difficult. The frequent, +though only momentary detentions, so harassed Kate that she exchanged +her seat in the gig for the back of her own jaded horse; and she led the +way at a rate that gave her less fatigued followers something to do to +keep even within sight of her. All their remonstrances against the +velocity of her pace had no further effect than a raillery from Kate at +their complaining of a speed that she was enabled to keep up; and she +told them that if they were tired out she would go on and report their +approach. However much they disliked the toil of such riding they were, +for their own credit, obliged to keep pace with her, as neither of them +relished the idea of being outstripped by a girl; and that girl one who +had ridden a far greater distance in the previous twelve hours than +they. + +In the meantime Mrs. Rainsfield had acted upon Kate's suggestion, and +had ridden home with all speed. She prepared a couch, and had it placed +in a light cart; which was then despatched to meet the invalid, with +strict injunctions to the driver to go as fast as he could, until he met +the party. Neither had Tom and William been idle, for they had placed +poor Eleanor on her saddle, where Tom held her while William led the +horse. But the pain, which the motion caused to her wounded limb, was +such that she could not with all her fortitude endure it. The young men, +therefore, constructed a sort of impromptu sedan, in which they carried +her for some distance; in fact, until they were met by the conveyance +despatched from Strawberry Hill. They then transferred their burden to +the vehicle, and continued the journey more easily for the poor girl; +though their rate of travelling was necessarily very slow. It was +midnight ere they delivered their charge into the hands of Mrs. +Rainsfield, and barely an hour afterwards Kate and her companions +galloped up to the house. + +The doctor was instantly shown into the invalid's room, when the broken +leg was soon set, and the patient placed in as easy a position as +possible; when, after giving directions to her cousin for her further +treatment, he left the room to partake of some refreshment with his +friends before they parted for the night. Tom and William waited for the +report of Kate, who was assiduously attending on Eleanor, and would not +hear of rest for herself until she had first satisfied her mind of the +safety of her friend. + +The following day the invalid was considered by her medical attendant to +be sufficiently out of danger, and progressing so favourably as to +warrant his departure. He therefore left, accompanied by his boon +companion, Bob Smithers, who preferred his society to that of the +residents of Strawberry Hill, and was followed by Mr. Alfred Smithers in +the gig. + +We have so frequently, and we think so fully, dwelt upon the character +of Eleanor Rainsfield that we are convinced she is by this time +perfectly understood by our readers. We need therefore only say that it +was quite possible for her to suffer the deepest mental agony without +the slightest semblance of its being discernible in any display in her +facial muscles. We say that it was quite possible that the existence of +sorrow could have been working deleteriously at the heart's core of the +invalid, and not be visible by any outward signs; and it was more than +probable, after the events that had lately occurred, that some such +sorrow did exist. We have already said that Eleanor was habitually of a +taciturn and uncomplaining nature; and, whatever were her griefs, she +rarely allowed their utterance to pass her lips; so it was not to be +deemed strange that her friends were unacquainted with her state of +mind. What that was we dare not violate our trust by divulging, beyond +the fact that there _was_ something that preyed upon her mind which +caused her to remain feverish and restless on her sick couch, and which +retarded her return to convalescence. She progressed but slowly; and it +was nearly two months before she was enabled to leave her room, and +expose her emaciated frame to the summer breeze in a seat in a shady +part of the verandah. + +During all this lengthened illness, her friends at Fern Vale had been +constant in their attentions, and hardly a day passed without some +enquiries being made or some intelligence being conveyed. Visits of +William and Kate were interchanged with Tom, who had delayed his journey +to town until Eleanor was what he considered sufficiently recovered to +spare him. When that time had arrived, and he saw his cousin at last +enabled to move about, he took his departure; not, however, without +making a special purpose of visiting Fern Vale to bid adieu to his +friends there. + +Why such particular consideration as this was required prior to his +departure on a journey that would not occupy more than a month, or why +it was necessary to take such a formal leave of friends he was in the +habit of seeing so frequently, and whom he could and did inform of his +intended departure upon the last occasion on which they met, we are at a +loss to conjecture. We do not, however, consider ourselves justified in +making any surmises, but intend simply to content ourselves by +chronicling the event; deeming in so doing we perform our duty, and +avoid the probability of misleading our readers, by indulging in +speculations that might lead to erroneous assumptions respecting the +motives of our friend. Therefore it is only known to Tom himself, or +rather was best known to him, what took him to Fern Vale, and what kept +him for hours in company with Kate Ferguson. But there he remained +looking over her sketches, and turning over her music, as he listened +rapturously; while her pliable fingers fluttered over the keys of her +piano, and exorcised the very spirit of the muse in the exquisite +diapason that she produced to enchant him. If it was simply to bid adieu +to the young lady he might have done that, we should have thought, in a +much shorter time, and taken his departure. It could not have been to +visit her brother, for as yet he had not seen him, and neither made any +effort nor expressed any desire to do so. He had, in fact, arrived at +Fern Vale early in the forenoon, and finding Kate alone in the +sitting-room, his gallantry (or rather his inclination) suggested that +he should endeavour to relieve the _ennui_ of the young lady. Thus he +had occupied, for nearly the whole of the morning, her and his own time, +in which occupation he seemed perfectly contented; so much so that we +strongly suspect that he--But we were about doing what we repudiated our +intention of, viz., speculating on Tom's motives. So, dear reader! with +your kind permission, so far as we are concerned, we will leave him to +enjoy uninterruptedly the pleasure of Kate's society. + +We must now beg the courteous reader to follow us over a period of about +a fortnight, during which time Eleanor had improved very little in her +health; when Kate and William one morning left Fern Vale to ride over to +see her. The weather had continued very dry for months past, and a large +portion of the bush had been slightly fired, so as just to burn off the +long dry withered grass, and leave on the ground a thick coating of +soot. Through this our friends were riding at a pretty sharp canter (as, +being like most of their birth and character, no less speed satisfying +them), when Kate's horse tripped and came down, precipitating his rider +over his head, and sending her sprawling amongst the ashes. + +Her brother alighted to assist her to rise; but she was in no way hurt, +and regained her feet with little difficulty or hesitation. But she had +no sooner faced William than he lost all control over his gravity, and +burst into an immoderate fit of laughter; while to his sister's enquiry +as to the cause of his merriment, he replied only by laughing the +louder; and she became annoyed at what she called his silly behaviour. + +"Tell me," said she, "what are you laughing at; is my face dirty?" + +"Oh, dear no!" replied he, "it is not dirty." + +Now in this reply of William's we would endeavour to exonerate him from +any duplicity or pseudology. If he meant to use the words ironically, or +to imply that his sister's face was not dirty, on the principle we have +sophistically heard enunciated that soot is clean dirt, not dirtying +where it comes in contact, but merely soiling; then it must be admitted +he spoke the truth. But we suspect rather that he meant to say her face +was not only dirty, but a shade worse; for it was absolutely black. And +much as we respect etiquette, and would be loath to commit such an +impropriety as to laugh at a lady, we question very much our ability, +had we looked on Kate's face on this occasion, to have preserved a +stoical equanimity of countenance. + +"No but, Will, dear," persisted Kate, "do tell me; is my face really +dirty? I am sure it must be or you wouldn't laugh so. It is unkind of +you to tease me;" and the little orbs in the darkened firmament, and the +little mouth that had escaped disfigurement in the sudden metamorphosis, +exhibited symptoms of a lachrymose tendency. + +Nothing so soon softens the obdurate heart of a man as seeing a woman in +tears; especially when she is a handsome young girl, and is beloved by +her masculine tormentor. Therefore we may safely surmise, that +William's laughing soon ceased; for he instantly changed his manner to +his sister, and said: + +"Yes, Kitty, darling; your face is as black as a crow; and would enable +you to make a splendid personation of an Ethiopian vocalist, if that +sable people ever exhibit their ladies. But forgive me, poppet, for +laughing at you; I would defy the goddess of grief herself to refrain +from smiling if she had perchance cast her eyes upon you as you rose +from the ground." + +"Oh, dear me! what shall I do?" said Kate, in a most piteous way. "What +shall I do? You know, Will, I can't go on in this figure, we must go +back." + +"Nonsense, my dear," said William, "you can go on very well. A slight +application of water at Strawberry Hill will very soon remove all traces +of your cloudiness." + +"But, Will," replied his sister, "all the people will be laughing at me +if I go on as I am, presenting such an odd appearance." + +"Not in the least, my pet," said William; "besides if you turned back +home our people would laugh at you quite as much, not for the soot on +your face, but for your foolishness in returning. At Strawberry Hill, +however, no one will laugh at you, for they will have too much good +breeding; and if you put your veil down over your face it will be +invisible; while at the same time you can present yourself to Eleanor, +and test her affection by seeing if she will kiss you in that plight. +I'll engage she'll laugh, for she'll think it is a little stratagem of +yours to take her by surprise and excite her merriment. She will +therefore think herself called upon to reward you with a smile." + +"I don't like to go in this figure, Will," said Kate; "do you think we +shall be able to find any water-hole on the road where I could wash my +face?" + +"Not one, Kitty," said William, "nor a drop of water nearer than +Strawberry Hill, unless you like to go to the river; and it would be +quite unnecessary, for if you went there you wouldn't be able to +thoroughly remove the black. The washing would only make you appear +worse, inasmuch as, instead of being black, you would be dirty. But +come, my little queen of Artimesia! let me put you on your horse, and +we'll go ahead. I have often heard of a sable beauty, and declare you +are one in perfection; if you were not my sister I would do the romantic +and fall in love with you. There now! up you get, and let us be off; for +the sooner you get to 'the Hill' the sooner you'll have your visage +restored to its natural colour. But before you touch your face, Kitty, +just have a look at yourself in the glass; though I need not have told +you to do that, for I know it is the first thing you are sure to do." + +"Don't be cruel, Will! and tease me so," said Kate, "or I'll go back +home." + +"Very well, my dear," said William, "I'll grant a truce, and spare +you." + +The brother and sister then turned their conversation into some other +channel, and rode on until they came within sight of Strawberry Hill; +when Kate pulled down her veil to conceal her darkened countenance from +the gaze of the curious. As they approached the station, and got +sufficiently near to distinguish the people about the place, Kate was +startled to see some gentleman on the verandah, whom she knew (by his +appearance) was not Mr. Rainsfield, and she remarked to her brother: +"Oh, William! I can't go up to the house in this figure. See, who is +that on the verandah? he is a stranger I know and I shall never be able +to meet his gaze. Can't you take me somewhere, where I can get my face +clean before I show myself?" + +"Don't be frightened Kitty," said William, "no one will be able to +distinguish the colour of your face through your veil; and, if I mistake +not, the individual you see, and whose appearance seems to cause you +such uneasiness, is none other than Bob Smithers, who will make himself +scarce when he sees me. Put on a bold face under your blackness, and try +a _coup de main_, though it is not likely under your present eclipse to +be a _coup de soleil_. If Eleanor is on the verandah when you alight run +into the house and carry her off at once; and if any of the family +should see you in your flight I will make some explanation for you." + +This seemed partially to satisfy Kate, and they rode together up to the +house. As William had conjectured the party they saw was Bob Smithers; +who, as soon as he had been able to distinguish who were the approaching +visitors, had left the spot where he had been seen by them, while +Eleanor, who had been sitting just inside one of the French lights, came +out to greet her friends as they made their appearance. William assisted +Kate off her saddle, when she ran up to the girl who stood with open +arms to embrace her. But instead of falling into that loving lock, +which was intended to unite the beatings of their young hearts, and +which she was generally so ready, with her usual ardour, to reciprocate, +she partially lifted her veil and discovered to her astonished friend +her beaming countenance. Instead of being radiant with glowing smiles it +was of course more gloomy than thunder; but her merry laugh rang as a +silvery note from the shades of Hades, while her bright eyes and pearly +teeth, in such deep contrast, shone with a more marked resplendence. + +Eleanor for some moments gazed at Kate with silent wonder, and then +asked in the faint voice of a valetudinarian: "Why, dearest Kate, what +have you been doing with yourself?" + +"I will answer for her," replied William. "You see our little Hebe has +gone into mourning; and, considering that the mere outward habilimentary +display was an empty conventionality, she chose to mark her grief in her +countenance; so that she might indulge uninterruptedly to any extent of +sorrow. As to her motive I am inclined to think she has done it to court +notice, and notoriety; for I am convinced she never looked so handsome +before." + +"That is a poor compliment William pays you, Kate," said Eleanor; "but I +appeal to you for a correct version of the phenomenon, for I am afraid +to question your brother, as I see he is in a facetious mood. Come to my +room, my dear, and we can have a talk to ourselves." + +"That is the very thing I desire, Eleanor dear," said Kate, "for I am +quite anxious to see what a fright I am, and wash off all the dreadful +smut. I saw Mr. Smithers here as I came up, and I would not for the +world that he should have seen me thus." + +"He was here a few minutes ago," said Eleanor, "but has disappeared +somewhere." + +"Well, Will," said Kate, "why are you still standing staring at us? why +don't you take the horses away?" + +"Oh, I am really very sorry for keeping him," said Eleanor, "it quite +escaped my memory; you go to my room, Kate dear, and I'll send some one +to see to the horses." + +"Not for worlds, Miss Eleanor, would I permit you to do such a thing," +exclaimed William. "I can myself take the horses to the stable; but I +was waiting to take a last fond look of Kate. I am, in fact, enchained +to the spot; if ever she was a beauty she is one now, and a shining one +that would be a fortune to a London advertising blacking manufacturer." + +"Be off, you impudent fellow!" replied his sister, "and don't show +_your_ face here until you can cease to be offensive;" saying which, she +turned into the house with Eleanor, while William took the horses to the +stable to remain for such time as he stopped at Strawberry Hill. This +business he accomplished; and, knowing that the girls would be sometime +engaged together with their own little secrets, and having no desire to +come into contact with Bob Smithers, he thought he would fill up half an +hour by paying a visit to Mr. Billing, and enjoying the refreshment of +that little individual's conversation. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + "The wondering stranger round him gazed, + All spoke neglect and disrepair." + + SIR WALTER SCOTT. + + +William sought the capricious storekeeper in the proper sphere of his +labour, viz. the store-room, and, as he had anticipated, found him +deeply engaged in some imaginarily abstruse piece of figurative +collocation, from the study of which he relieved his brain and raised +his eyes at the sound of intrusive steps. William advanced with +outstretched hand, which was humbly and respectfully taken by Mr. +Billing; who, as he removed his spectacles from his nose, and shifted, +we will not say rose from his desk, answered to his visitor's sanitary +enquiry in his blandest manner: "I thank you, Mr. Ferguson; it affords +me great satisfaction to say I am in the enjoyment of excellent health, +and trust, my dear sir, a similar blessing is dispensed to yourself." + +"Well, thank you, Mr. Billing," replied William, "I am pretty well. But +don't let me disturb you if you are busy, I have just called in to see +and have a chat with you; but if you are engaged I will not interrupt +you; for I thoroughly agree to the principle that business must be +attended to." + +"I assure you, sir," said Mr. Billing, "I appreciate your kindness in +thinking me worthy of your consideration. I feel favoured, sir, beyond +measure; and if you will still further honour me by gracing our humble +dwelling, I can say, sir, with confidence Mrs. Billing will be equally +as delighted as myself." + +"But I hope, Mr. Billing, I am not taking you away from your business," +said William. + +"By no means, my dear sir," exclaimed that urbane individual, "however +engrossed I might be in my mental or corporeal occupations, the respite, +sir, from those labours, when it is occasioned by the honour of a visit +from a young gentleman of your talent and abilities, is of too valuable +a nature, sir, not to be gratefully seized by your humble servant. Pray +accept my best thanks, sir, for your attention, and permit me to invite +you, sir, to our unpretending abode; for lowly it is, and not of those +pretensions I could desire, sir, nor of such as it has been my lot at a +former period of my life to possess, yet, sir, to it I can offer an +Englishman's adjunct, a hearty welcome." + +"I am very much obliged to you, Mr. Billing," replied William, "and will +be happy to accept of your hospitality." + +"This way then, Mr. Ferguson," said Mr. Billing. "Allow me to close the +door of the store. I always lock it in my absence to prevent, sir, any +unpleasant affairs, such as have occurred here, you know. If you will +be good enough to step this way, sir? I must apologize beforehand, for +the litter which I expect you will find, sir, in our domicile by +explaining that Mrs. Billing does not anticipate the pleasure of +visitors." + +Considering the sight that greeted the eyes of William as he entered the +cottage, such an apology was certainly necessary, or rather unnecessary, +to prepare him for what he was to witness. We said necessary, to excuse +the lady of the house for the chaotic arrangements of her household, +seeing that one couldn't enter the dwelling without being painfully +aware that slovenliness and disorder reigned supreme. Therefore we +corrected ourselves in the expression, and stated the absence of such +necessity; as no one could be so blind as to imagine that the litter +which Mr. Billing alluded to was merely the result of an occasion; for +it was too palpably evident that the spirit of disorganization was the +presiding genius of the Billing mansion, and, moreover, the visitor +would be strengthened in the conviction the very moment he cast his +eyes upon the wife of Mr. Billing's bosom. We will repeat then that Mr. +Billing made numerous apologies for the disorder to which he was about +to usher William Ferguson; and we may safely conjecture that William was +not a little surprised when all the internal arrangements of the home +burst upon his vision. + +"Let me show you to my domicile, Mr. Ferguson," said the little man in +rather a pompous way; "as usual, sir, the house is turned topsey-turvey, +Mrs. Billing is such a woman for cleanliness. You have no doubt, Mr. +Ferguson (though you have not yet become entangled in the meshes of +matrimony), heard of the nuisance of a musical wife; let me equally warn +you, sir, against choosing the partner of your connubial bliss, from +those of too cleanly a predilection. My spouse, sir, for instance, has +periodical fits for cleansing (and I regret to say, sir, they are of too +frequent occurrence for my especial comfort); then nothing but dust, +soap and water, and disquietude pervades the house for a full twelve or +twenty-four hours. You are aware, sir, 'at home' (I mean of course in +Old England) we paterfamiliases are taught, sir, to look upon +washing-days as the very superlative of domestic misery; but my wife +always had a propensity for having something like a washing-day very +nearly six times a week, sir; and she has brought her customs and +prejudices with her to this barbarous country. But come in, my dear sir, +and take a seat, while I inform Mrs. Billing of your presence; and if I +may be so bold, sir, as to add, I will entreat you to make yourself +quite at home." + +This introductory prologue of Mr. Billing's was delivered as he stood +with the door slightly ajar, and holding it by the handle while he +addressed William, no doubt to fully prepare him to a proper +appreciation of the merits of the lady to whom he was about to be +introduced. When we say introduced we do not mean that formal ceremony +in which strangers are brought to a mutual acquaintance (for William had +frequently before met Mrs. Billing), but the mere act of being ushered +to her presence in a house into which he, as yet, had never entered. Mr. +Billing had stood, door in hand, while he uttered about half of his last +sentence, when William saw, or fancied he saw, a female hand suddenly +draw back the cover of a muslin blind that screened the lower part of a +window situated in close proximity to the door at which he stood. +Instantly thereafter a female head was substituted in its place, but as +instantly withdrawn; while the noise of some falling object was +distinctly heard, and was as speedily followed by that of a hastily +closed door; all of them unmistakeable signs of a surprisal and retreat. + +At this moment Mr. Billing pushed open the door and entered the +evacuated room, in which he concluded his lugubrious notice of his +lesser half's peculiarities, and desired his visitor to take a seat; +which his visitor, picking up a chair that lay prostrate on the floor, +accordingly did; and Mr. Billing went in search of his lady. Judging +from the seeming confidence with which he walked into an apartment +entering from the one which William sat in, forming the only other one +in the front of the cottage, the operation was one of more certitude +than the verb he made use off would imply; and also judging from the +subdued whispers that William could overhear through the thin wooden +partition that constituted the wall of the room, the search was also +attended with wonderful success. But during Mr. Billing's absence to +look for his spouse, let us join our young friend in his general +inspection of the furnishing and upholstery department of the +establishment. + +In the first place we must say, distinctly and candidly, that the room +was furnished badly. Not that there was any paucity in the collection; +but the articles, though numerous, taken in the abstract, with the +greatest regard to symmetry, contrast, and beauty, and the best possible +display of talent in their collocation, any one with the slightest +pretensions to comfort, we are certain would eliminate the entire mass; +and any appraiser, if such an individual existed, within the boundaries +of New South Wales, if called in to take an inventory, would elevate +both his nose and his shoulders. + +But we will, with the reader's kind permission, give a short +description, for the benefit of young couples about to furnish; and out +of respect for the feelings and the patience of those of our readers, +who have no desire or necessity for such detail, we will epitomize the +catalogue as much as possible. + +First then we must state that there was no semblance of order in the +arrangements. Far from it; in fact, quite the reverse. All things seemed +to have been placed with a predetermination on the part of some one to +create as much confusion as possible, and to put each individual +article into as awkward a position as imaginable. It is true William had +rescued a chair from a lowly position, and had placed it on an +unoccupied spot on the floor, and used it for the purpose for which in +its construction it was intended. But it was well our young friend was +not of an erratic disposition, for if he had been bent upon voyages of +discovery, other than could be effected by his eyes, he would have found +himself in as great a labyrinth as ever impeded the progress of the +polar explorers. The fact was William was perfectly hemmed in; so that, +with the exception of a small spot that was partially occupied by his +chair, there was no room to stir, or at least very little; and he did +not consider it wise, or politic, to risk his knees and shins in an +attempt to penetrate into the thickly timbered recesses of the +apartment. As he sat in the midst of this mass, which seemed to have +been collected as the entire furniture of a dwelling, deposited in a +room for the convenience of the van that officiates at flittings, he +almost looked like an anxious emigrant keeping guard over his effects +when landed in a strange country, or as "Caius Marius mourning over the +ruins of Carthage." + +But we have wandered from our task, our self-imposed descriptive task, +which we confess ourselves at a loss to perform with satisfaction; for +having no cabinet-making knowledge, and never having before been called +upon to take an inventory of such chattels, we feel ourselves, to make +use of a vulgar idiom, "all abroad." We fear we have assumed the title +and privileges of the author without considering whether or not we are +possessed of the attributes pertaining to one; and, in our insensate +conceit, we are afraid we have forgotten the absence of that recondite +perspicuity and facile elucidation which are imperatively essential to +the character we have arrogated. But we fancy we hear some of our +impatient readers exclaim, "We wish you would tell us, without 'beating +about the bush,' what the room contains; it is all nonsense your making +excuses now, you should have thought of your incapacity before you +commenced your history, and must go on with it; all we can do is to pity +and smile at your ignorance;" and we exclaim, "A thousand thanks, kind +readers! That is the very lenience we wished to evoke; we now can +proceed with confidence, if not in our powers of depiction, at least in +your charity and forbearance." + +Well then, in the centre of the room stood a table, which we venture to +say had not been displaced in the general disorganization, +notwithstanding that its satellites had. There was nothing extraordinary +about this table, and yet there was a something which inspired awe, or +at least curiosity, and that would lead to the enquiry, Whence came it? +and this was precisely William's thought. Ah! that was a rare old table, +and struck William with a desire to know its history; but unfortunately +it had not the power to satisfy his enquiring mind; and he, having no +one at the time with him from whom he could glean the information, was +not likely to be the wiser. With the reader, however, we will not be so +harsh or uncommunicative, but will make use of our knowledge, and impart +the secret of its life; at least from the time whence it boasted of Mr. +Billing as its owner. First, however, we will give a sketch of its +general appearance. + +When we called it a table, we should have in greater justice said two +tables, for, though one, it was also two. This seeming paradox may be +explained by stating that, as it stood, it was one, but in its integral +parts it could be spoken of in the plural number; in fact, to descend to +the common vernacular mode of expression, we will say they were two side +leaf-tables that had graced the parlour windows of the little box at +Brixton. The leaves were, and had been for many years (in fact, rarely +otherwise), quiescent, and were each made to hide its diminished head in +a close contiguity to the object's crural appendages. The two tables, +thus reduced to their natural bounds, were arranged with an +affectionate concomitance so as to act the part of a table of family +pretensions. It was of mahogany; and we will assume the postulation, +that it was of solid mahogany, to which assumption we are led from its +antique appearance, presuming that in the good old days of our +ancestors, that refined species of humbug and deception, yclept +veneering, was not in vogue, as our forefathers, so we are told, could +not tolerate anything but what was substantial. But how sadly have we +degenerated in these latter days! We now no longer perpetuate their +creed, or retain any of their material predilections, except those for +beef, beer, "bacca," and bills. + +But to return to the table. We said it was mahogany, but we must correct +ourselves; we mean it was so originally, when it stood in the parlour at +Brixton, but now no longer could it be said to be of that wood. If it +but spoke, what "tales it could unfold" of voyages, journeys, mishaps, +and accidents, that would put the whole fraternity of aristocratic loos +far into the shade. Mr. Billing was wont to say he loved that old table +as much as hundreds of individuals are in the habit of affirming a +similar affection for a certain "old arm chair." He would also inform +his friends, when in a communicative mood, that that table had belonged +to his friend Lord Tom Noddy, whom he knew very well; but, unfortunately +for our poor little friend's aristocratic reputation, on one occasion +when he was a little "farther gone" than was usually his habit to go, +the truth of _in vino veritas_ was exemplified. On that occasion he +innocently informed his friends, that, of course, the Lord Tom Noddy did +not know him; that he, Mr. B., had bought the table at a sale of that +nobleman's effects, when the inconvenient demands of low tradespeople +rendered a sojourn in London exceedingly annoying to his lordship, and +induced him to fancy his health demanded attention and his person +relaxation and continental air. But still Mr. Billing could boast of +what very few, if any, men in Australia could, that is, that he was +possessed of a table that had belonged to a real, live lord; and many +were those who were made aware of the fact. + +We fear we are not confining ourselves to a succinct account of minutiae, +but are again running too much into detail of no moment; and we will, +therefore, continue more briefly the history and description of this +wonderful piece of furniture. It had been considered too great a +treasure to be sacrificed in the break-up of the Brixton "box;" +consequently it was carried off to gladden the eyes and astonish the +nerves of the natives of Australia. As we have already said, many were +the misfortunes it had gone through in its various peregrinations, and +vast the trouble it had been to its present owner, who, notwithstanding, +through all his vicissitudes, stuck to it as long as it stuck to him. +Lord Tom Noddy's table was in much the same predicament as Jack's knife, +which had had five new blades and three new handles; for his lordship's +table had had innumerable splicings, nailings, screwings, patchings, and +new leggings, composed of a variety of fibrous material, and of numerous +colours and artistic designs. Yet there it stood, with its legs of an +unequal longitude, some with castors and some without (the latter being +supplied with a stone or a piece of wood, to preserve as nearly as +possible the equilibrium); and, with more than one bandage to conceal a +fractured limb, this relic of the past, this trophy of Mr. Billing's +palmy days, and proof of his intercourse with aristocracy, preserved a +dignified composure, like a veteran surveying the scene of a triumph. We +said that the table stood in the centre of the room, and bore no +evidences of having been moved in the general disorder; of this we were +morally certain, for, judging by its paralytic appearance, it threatened +a speedy dissolution if touched. + +The other members of this conglomerate fraternity were some dozen +chairs, more or less, also in various stages of dilapidation, and of +them we can say much in a few words. They were American, machine-made, +cane-bottomed, painted, and patent varnished ladies' and gent's body +supporters, and bore the same relation to civilized furniture as Dutch +clocks used to do to the old-cased patriarchs, that in our halls marked +the phases of fleeting time. + +They were "machine-made," we say, that is, the legs, bars, etc., were +cut and turned by machinery; they were possessed of cane bottoms, +whether also arranged by machinery or not, we can't say, though they +were painted and varnished by its aid. But why such ordinary articles of +domestic use should be patent we are at a loss to comprehend, unless it +were for the design, or in the operation of painting the decorating +portion, which consisted of an application of gilt varnish on the front +of each leg and prominent part of the seat, and the representation on +the back, in high colours and gilt, of some flowers and fruit, which it +would be difficult to match with originals, from all the varieties that +have been produced, from the Eden apple downwards. + +The next article was a sort of chiffonnier, a piece of furniture that +made a great display; with crystal and china arranged with precision on +the top, and a protecting covering of chintz, no doubt the uninitiated +would imagine, to keep the polish from sustaining any injury. But must +we discover the truth? Oh! deceitfulness of man, and, we may add, of +woman too. This elegant and costly piece of furniture was nothing but a +large deal box placed up on end, with rough shelves fixed into it to add +to its utility, and with a gaudy cover put over it to hide its +nakedness. There was another article of a similar construction, a +luxuriant-looking ottoman, and a sofa which had originally, no doubt, +been of polished cedar (of which wood, we may remark, all the best +colonial furniture is made, and found to equal, if not excel, Honduras +mahogany), and with horse-hair cushions, etc. But now it presented a +doleful appearance of weather-beaten features and limbs, and where a +horse-hair covering had existed, now only canvas was visible. A mirror +of the dull and heavy school rested on the mantel-piece, along with +sundry portraits, no doubt of a family importance, executed in an art of +stern profile blackness, which art, we believe, is extinct, and happily +so. The floor had no covering, neither had the walls, which showed the +wood in its crude state, or rather in the serrated condition in which it +had left the sawyer's pit. A few children's stockings and shoes +scattered about; a woman's dress, mantle, and bonnet lying on the table, +with some calico in the process of conversion to an article of apparel; +a piano of ancient make which, we must say though, belonged to Mrs. +Rainsfield, and was placed there for the use of the children while under +the tuition of Mrs. Billing, completed the furniture; and, with other +scraps, such as towels, dusters, and odds and ends, all heaped +together, as we have said before, in interminable confusion, the reader +has an idea of what William was surveying. + +We have already confessed our lack of the author's talent of succinct +expression; and what we might have been able, had we been possessed of +such a gift, to have detailed in a few pithy words, and what was noticed +by William in a few minutes, it has taken us so long to describe. We +must therefore beg to assure the reader that Mr. Billing was not so rude +as to leave his guest waiting alone so long as we have kept him, but +shortly re-entered the sitting-room and informed William that Mrs. +Billing was that moment engaged with the children, but if he would +excuse her for a few minutes she would be obliged to him. + +Now it happened that William had heard certain sounds that indicated +arrangements of no possible connexion with children's attiring and +ornature; such as the washing of an adult's hands, the operation of +adjusting that corporeal appertinence, which is made to enclose the +forms and symmetrize the figures of Eve's fair daughters of the present +age, the rustling of silk, and other prognostics of a personal +embellishment. But still conveniently deaf as a visitor should be to +such sounds he begged that Mrs. Billing would not allow herself to be +drawn from her attention to the children on his account, for he would be +sorry to inconvenience her by his call. + +Mr. Billing thanked him for his politeness and consideration, and +entreated him not to mention anything about inconvenience; and at that +very moment Mrs. Billing sailed into the room, or at least as much of it +as she could get into; and, while shaking hands with William, said: "I +am delighted beyond measure, Mr. Ferguson, at your kindness in calling +upon us. It is so affable of you, and I can only express my regrets that +you should have happened to have chosen a day when you see we are all +topsy-turvey. You must know, Mr. Ferguson, I always like to keep my +house clean and in order, although Mr. Billing will persist in grumbling +at what he calls unnecessary cleanliness; but still I am glad you have +honoured us with a visit." "Go away, Johnny, and Bobby! Mary, don't be +rude!" + +These latter expressions were addressed to various olive branches of the +Billing tree, who showed their heads at the door whence had emerged the +parent stem, and to which, we presume, the juveniles had come to satisfy +their curiosity as to the nature of the intrusion on their domestic +privacy. But they did not seem disposed to obey the injunctions of their +maternal parent; who therefore rose and put them inside the room and +shut the door, while they continued to amuse themselves by keeping up a +perpetual kicking. + +Possibly the reader may desire to know something about Mrs. Billing, her +genealogy, etc. If so, we will endeavour to prevent disappointment by +giving a brief sketch of her. She was a lady, "a perfect lady," as her +husband used to say, and we should imagine, nearly twenty years the +junior of her lord. She was not absolutely plain; she might once have +been good-looking. In fact, Mr. Billing used to assure his friends, when +first he married her she was a beauty, one, he affirmed, of the Grecian +mould. We will not flatter her, however, by saying she was handsome; +though we will state that her looks were capable of great improvement by +the study of a little judicious display and effective costuming. But +these virtues or follies, as our readers may consider them, obtained +very little regard from Mrs. Billing; notwithstanding that on sundry +occasions, such as the present, she made an effort to appear as in +former years. + +She had taken some little pains, we say little pains because of the +insignificance of the result, to present a genteel appearance to our +friend William, and had made a hasty toilet. If it had effected any +improvement in her appearance it argued badly for her presentableness +before the operations of ablution and ornature had taken place. Her +hair, in keeping with her eyes, was black, and parted not scrupulously +in the centre; a stray lock on the forehead segregated from its rightful +position was brought immediately across the line of demarcation and +incorporated in the opposition. However, its lamination was lost in the +plastering the whole had undergone in the toilet operations; and, as +Mrs. Billing was not a vain woman, such a mishap was not deemed worthy +of notice, or at least the trouble of rectification. Her features, if +not good, were certainly far from bad. There was a vivacity and +expression in them, but there was also an unctuousness that was a +necessary concomitant on her perpetual bustle, which incessantly +displayed itself in her pale face. She wore a black silk dress, that +made a rustling like dry leaves in winter, and was modelled in a fashion +so as to confine both the wrists and the throat of the wearer; at which +points it terminated without the muslin adjuncts we usually look for. +As for the dress itself nothing need be said, except that it might have, +and had been a good one, but was then rather seedy. It gave us, however, +the idea that it was worn in much the same manner, and for much the same +purpose, as the closely buttoned up frock-coat of the "shabby genteel +gentleman," who is unable to make any display of spotless linen. But we +will make no ambiguous allusion to a lady's under garments, though we +cannot shut our eyes to noticeable facts. Neither could William, for he +perceived that her boots, though they had once been of a fashionable +make, were not what they had been, for their glory had long since +departed. He also noticed that her hands and facial contour were of a +different shade to her neck and throat. It might have been an optical +illusion, the effect of a deceptive light, the contrast of complexion, +or the exposure to sun; but he thought that where the tints blended the +contrast was too perceptible to be natural, and therefore concluded that +the phenomenon arose from the dirt not being thoroughly removed, or the +omission of an ablutionary application to the dark tinted part. + +William also noticed,--but we must again crave the indulgence of our +fair readers, whose pardon we implore for adverting to such a +subject,--when Mrs. Billing turned herself to eject and inject the +juvenile representatives of the Billing family; he saw her back! yes, +reader! her back! Now no lady should turn her back on a gentleman any +more than a gentleman should perform so derogatory an act upon a lady, +either literally or figuratively. More especially if that lady be not a +good figure, or if her dress does not fit immaculately. We do not +insinuate that Mrs. Billing had not a good figure, she was _once_ +graceful; but it was to be presumed, that considering the ample proofs +she had given of a proclivity to gestation, the symmetry of that figure +had to some extent been impaired. Be that as it may, the dress of Mrs. +Billing did not meet behind by some three or four hooks; and the +consequence was that a sight was revealed to the bashful gaze of our +young friend which caused him to blush; while the remembrance of the +cleanly characteristics, enunciated by her lord as pertaining to her, +made him wonder. For there! immediately underneath the habilimentary +cuticle, William saw garments of so suspicious a colour as to make it +questionable whether they had attained their peculiar hues by the +process of dyeing, or by their contact with this world's filth. + +But there is one thing that we must explain before we leave Mrs. +Billing. We have already told the reader that cleanliness was Mrs. +Billing's peculiar and predominant idiosyncrasy, and we must reconcile +this statement to our portraiture of unbecoming slovenliness. It is +easily said in a few words. Mrs. Billing was one of those women who are +always in a fuss about their domestic affairs; who are for ever +fidgeting about the dirt in the house; and always attempting to remove, +or remedy it, though in the attempt they only succeed in adding to the +filth. Making "confusion worse confounded;" leaving things worse than +they were before; adding to the discomfort of their husbands, their +children, and themselves; whom they keep in a perpetual state of +slovenliness and untidiness. Such was Mrs. Billing's failing; and if her +husband was blessed with perspicuity sufficient to notice it, for his +own peace of mind, he abstained from any dictation that might have +embroiled him in family dissensions; and he was right: for on the whole +she was undeniably a good wife to him notwithstanding her little +peculiarities. + +Mrs. Billing had managed to squeeze herself into a seat, as her husband +had previously done, without necessitating any extraordinarily +unpleasant contiguity to her visitor; though any extension of +prerogative on the part of the upper or nether limbs of either of the +party would have been detrimental to the visages, or shins, of the +others. So they were all perforce compelled to adhere to a strict +propriety of deportment. + +The lady was particularly charmed, or at least she continued to say so, +at what she designated the condescension of Mr. Ferguson in visiting her +humble abode. + +"I am truly delighted to see you," she said again, for at least the +twentieth time; "and only regret I can offer you no inducement to +prolong your visit. I suppose there would be no use in my asking you to +stay and take pot-luck with us in the friendly way, Mr. Ferguson? Not +that it would be any change of fare to you, for we are necessarily +humble people now; and, if we even desired it, we could not have +anything out of the common. It is not here like 'at home,' where you +can, even with the most moderate means, procure anything nice. In this +horrid country neither love nor money can buy tasty things. One has to +be contented with what we can get, and we live so incessantly upon +mutton that I wonder we're not all ashamed to look a sheep in the face. +But, as I was saying, can we persuade you to stop and take pot-luck with +us, Mr. Ferguson?" + +"I really thank you, Mrs. Billing," said William; "but my friends will +expect me to make my appearance at the house shortly. I have brought my +sister over to see Miss Eleanor, and have just dropped in to see you as +I passed." + +"Yes! it is very kind of you," said Mrs. Billing; "and of course Mrs. +Rainsfield will be expecting you. However, if at any time you shall be +disposed to honour us with a visit, let us have the pleasure of your +company sufficiently long to enable us fully to enjoy it. Devote some +evening to us, and we will endeavour to amuse you. We would be most +happy to see your sister too, if she would condescend to honour our roof +by her presence; she is a gentle, amiable young lady. I need not ask if +she is well as that I am sure of?" + +"Thank you," said William, "she is quite well, and I have no doubt will +be happy to join me in paying you a visit; especially when I tell her of +your kind enquiries." + +"Will you try a little spirits, Mr. Ferguson?" asked the master of the +mansion. "I am sorry I have no wine to offer you, and neither any choice +of spirits; but I shall be delighted if you will join me in a glass of +rum." + +"I am obliged to you; not any," replied William. + +The conversation continued for some short time longer, chiefly though on +the part of the Billing couple; who took upon themselves the initiatory +to enlighten their visitor upon all their family affairs and departed +greatness. William soon began to feel a distaste for this kind of +conversation and society, and had made one or two attempts to break the +spell. But as the pair kept up an alternate and incessant dialogue he +could not find an opportunity of taking his leave; and neither did he +effect his retreat until he had risen from his seat, stood hat in hand +for nearly ten minutes, and repeated more than once that he feared his +sister would be wondering what had become of him. + +He at last succeeded in escaping, and cordially shaking hands with the +quondum commercial man and his lady, he took his departure and walked +back to the house. Mr. Billing returned to, and was speedily lost in the +abstruse calculation from which his attention had been diverted by +William's visit; while Mrs. Billing retired to the precincts of her +sanctum, to divest herself of her outer covering for one of more humble +pretensions, in which she had been habited at the time of her +surprisal. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + "Your words have took such pains, as if they labour'd + To bring manslaughter into form, and set quarrelling + Upon the head of valour." + + TIMON OF ATHENS, _Act 3, Sc. 5._ + + +When William made his appearance at the house he found Eleanor, Mrs. +Rainsfield, and his sister together in the sitting-room; and, after +receiving a severe rating for his cruelty in teasing Kate about her +accident, he was asked by Mrs. Rainsfield what had detained him so long +at the stables. Upon his replying that he had visited the Billings +nothing would satisfy the girls but that he had an object in making such +a visit, and they insisted upon having a detailed account of all his +proceedings, and what he saw and heard at the storekeeper's cottage. +During his narration of the circumstance we will leave him for a few +minutes while we glance at another part of the station. + +Over the rails of the stockyard fence leaned a man, we might have said a +gentleman, smoking a short pipe, and carrying or rather holding in his +hand a heavy riding-whip, which we wish the reader particularly to +notice for the reason which shall shortly be seen. At his side leant +another gentleman with his back to the fence, and his eyes bent on the +ground. The first was Bob Smithers, and the other, Mr. Rainsfield; and, +at the moment of our discovering them, they were, or had been, in close +conclave. Before we proceed to listen to the conversation we will +premise by stating one fact, which we have no doubt the reader has +conjectured, viz., that the marriage between Bob Smithers and Eleanor +had been postponed _sine die_, or until such time as her health should +be thoroughly restored. + +"Yes, I say again, it is a confounded nuisance that the girl is so slow +in getting well; she might have broken half a dozen legs, and got right +again by this time. I want to get her away from that infernal fellow +Ferguson, and all his set; and I shall never do that until I have +married Eleanor. Then, by G--! if any of them cross my path, they may +expect to meet a tiger." So spoke the puissant Bob Smithers, that had +grossly insulted the senior brother of "the set," and submitted ignobly +to a blow from the younger; from whom he slunk away like an intimidated +cur who had rushed yelping at some wayfarer, and received a warm +reception. + +"I don't think you need make yourself at all uneasy, Bob," said his +companion. "Though John Ferguson has made overtures to Eleanor, which +you know were rejected, it is not very probable that his brother or +sister will at all interfere; in fact, I hardly think the young girl, +his sister, knows anything about her brother's feelings on that point. +Eleanor is exceedingly attached to them, and well she might be, for +their behaviour to her has been kind and affectionate in the extreme." + +"Well, that may be," said Smithers; "but still I hate them, especially +that young cub that is here now. He had the audacity to strike me on the +night when we paid out his brother; and, but for the intervention of +some of the people, I would have killed the young wretch on the spot." + +"As to striking you," said Mr. Rainsfield, "I am not at all surprised at +that. I wouldn't have thought much of the young fellow if he had stood +passively by, and seen a practical joke perpetrated on his brother. But +why didn't you retaliate, or wait for him till after the ball, and then +have given him a good sound horse-whipping?" + +"I couldn't get an opportunity of being at him then," said Smithers, +"but I'm d----d if I don't carry out your suggestion now. I'll get an +opportunity before he goes away." + +"If you do I only hope you'll manage it so as not to implicate me," said +Mr. Rainsfield. "I don't wish to interfere with your private quarrels; +but I would not like the young fellow attacked in my house or in my +presence. Though I have quarrelled with his brother I haven't done so +with him; and I must say he has been so attentive to Eleanor during her +illness that I would consider any countenanced outrage on him would be +the offering of an insult to her. Nevertheless, if you have any little +settlement to make with him, let it be out of my sight and hearing, and +I won't interfere with you." + +"All right, old fellow," Smithers replied, "you need not fear me, I'll +manage it comfortably enough you'll see. I'll get him quietly away from +the house, and let him feel the weight of this." Saying which he laid +his whip about some imaginary object with a force that made the missile +whiz in the air, and with a determination that plainly portrayed the +satisfaction with which he would operate upon his victim. + +"Very well," said Rainsfield, "do as you like. Only, as I said before, +don't implicate me, and though I rather like the young man I shall have +no objection to hear of the whole matter after it's done." + +These two worthies then separated, Bob Smithers to seek the opportunity +of which he spoke, and the other either to go about some business of the +station, or to keep as much out of the way of the coming event as +possible. The reader will no doubt wonder how a man of Mr. Rainsfield's +generally reputed integrity could reconcile his conscience to such +behaviour; and also that he should willingly, and, we may add, +collusively aid the suit of a man, of whose mental and moral turpitude +he could have had no doubt, in preference to the honourable addresses of +a gentleman in every way a more eligible match for his cousin. "But +thereby hangs a tale," and it is our painful task in the office in which +we stand, to see that that tale be not suppressed. + +At an early date after Eleanor's settled sojourn with Mr. Rainsfield he +became aware of the existence of an engagement between her and Bob +Smithers, from whom we may safely conjecture the knowledge was obtained. +When Rainsfield, feeling for the dependent and forlorn condition of his +relative, took her to the bosom of his family he did so out of pure +sympathy and kindliness towards her, and had no wish or desire to +interfere in the disposal of her affections. Consequently he paid very +little attention to the matter. But Smithers made a proposal to him +which, if it did not excite his cupidity, induced him to think more of +the affair as one in which he as a relative, and a protecting relative, +had an interest. It had the effect of suborning his countenance to the +match, and enlisting his strenuous exertions, to induce Eleanor to +accede to the wishes of the Smithers family, and plight herself anew to +the man who had already received her youthful acquiescence. + +The offer that Smithers had made to Rainsfield was this. That they +should enter into partnership, and throw their respective properties +into one concern, and work together on equal terms. Smithers was to +embark all the country he was then possessed of, or the proceeds arising +from the sale of any portion, and what capital he could command; and the +other was to bring in the stock and station of Strawberry Hill. In +making this offer Smithers conceived that he would be benefited by such +an arrangement, in so far as he would be able to more effectually stock +the immense tracts of country he had taken up. He considered this more +advantageous than disposing of the runs; as, he argued by lightly +stocking them in the first place, and allowing them to become by +gradation fully stocked, through augmentation and the natural increase, +he would eventually be possessed of larger property than if he with his +own means only stocked an integral part of his holdings. On the other +hand Rainsfield considered the offer as equally worthy of attention to +himself, possibly looking at it in the same light. However, he had +agreed to it; and this was the _douceur_ that had made him a warm +partizan of the Smithers' cause; and that had influenced the collusion +that worked for the consummation of Bob's, or we might say Mrs. +Smithers', matrimonial scheme. + +With regard to Eleanor, her feelings, we fear, were little dreamt of in +the matter. Rainsfield deemed Smithers a good match for her, and +possibly believing that she entertained at least some respect for the +man, he never imagined for a moment that she could have had any +objection. While she, on the other hand, from the continual promptings +of her cousin, in the absence in her mind of any other imaginative cause +for her cousin's warmth, attributed it to the desire on his part to be +relieved of an irksome burden; and she had given her consent. + +We must admit that women are as equally (it is even affirmed they are +more) susceptible than men to the warm affections of the heart; and that +as they are inspired by love so are they influenced by aversion. And as +a man, we mean of course with honour and conscience, would go to any +extremity rather than ally himself to a woman whom he contemned, so +would a woman feel as great a repugnance in accepting a man for whom she +could not entertain any respect. We do not say that Eleanor actually +abhorred Bob Smithers; but we can affirm that she felt no enjoyment in +his society, but rather the reverse; and though she had accepted him to +avoid the unpleasantness of her situation, the match was positively +distasteful to her. Smithers' nature was diametrically opposed to hers. +They had no one feeling in common; his tastes were not as her tastes; +nor hers as his. Besides, she had an exalted, and perhaps romantic, idea +of matrimony. She didn't think it proper to marry for convenience, but +imagined it was a compact that was only justly and favourably formed on +true love. Not that at the time of her engagement with Smithers she had +experienced the sentiment; but she was aware she had entertained the +proposal of a man in the absence of it, and therefore had sacrificed a +moral principle. But her trial was to come. + +She then met John Ferguson; and their mutual companionship, if it had +had its effects on John, had surely had no less so on her. It is true +she had thought no more of him, at first, than as a friend, a kind +attentive friend. But then she admired him, his precepts, his manners, +his conversation, and his general ingenuousness; she liked him, and +found pleasure in his society. Did she think she loved him? It may be +she never gave herself a thought on the subject. She was content to live +in the pleasing delusion, that John Ferguson was nothing more to her +than a friend; but there was her danger. She might have mistaken his +manner; misconstrued his feelings; and been blind to the more than +ordinary warmth of his greeting. But the pleasure in his company, the +delight at his approach, the longing for his presence between the +intervals of his visits; and the heart's palpitations, as she felt the +welcome touch of his hand in the grasp of friendship, must and did have +their own warning voices, to which Eleanor could not shut the ears of +her understanding. She suspected he loved her; she read it in his eyes; +but she feared to ask herself the question, Was the feeling +reciprocated? + +Next came the explanation. He declared the existence of that lasting +affection which never dies. But could she give him hope? could she +encourage him in his love? No! she felt she could not. She had +voluntarily given herself to another, yet felt she had by her manner +incited this one; had probably by her demeanour given him cause to hope, +while she was not justified in holding out any. She might have, nay, she +even feared she had, destroyed his peace of mind, and all through her +own selfishness. Why had she not warned him in time? why not forsworn +the pleasure to which she had no claim? These were questions she asked +herself, but could give no reply, except the sigh her heart chose to +offer. Her relationship to Smithers reverted to her mind. That she did +not love him, nor he her, she was convinced; then why not accept the +love of John Ferguson? She meditated; but in that meditation her +principle got the better of her inclinations, and she sacrificed her +interest, her happiness, and her comfort, for the inviolable +preservation of truth. + +These scruples were known to Mrs. Rainsfield and Tom, who, we have seen, +considered them unnecessarily severe, and combated against them +unceasingly, though without making any impression on the mind of +Eleanor. They deprecated what they considered her folly, and attempted +by all the arts of persuasion to move her from her purpose; but she had +been inculcated with a perception of high morality, and an appreciation +of strict integrity. Truth had been always represented to her mind as +the fundamental basis of all virtue. Her desires and her passions had +been regulated to a subserviency to the Christian character, and her +nature had been moulded in a religious education. Consequently, upon the +dictates of her conscience she acted, and felt she would be guilty of an +unpardonable moral offence to refuse her hand where her word had been +pledged. + +In this light, then, the parties stood to one another. Rainsfield was +anxious to get his cousin married to Smithers, who was equally uneasy to +have the event consummated, as he had serious misgivings on the eventual +possession of his prize. Eleanor, though she was by no means anxious to +hasten the marriage, had no desire to unnecessarily postpone an +occurrence which she could not prevent, but of which latterly, more than +ever, she had had cause to dread. However, she knew regrets were vain, +and therefore attempted to attune her thoughts and feelings to a strict +sense of duty, to forget her own personal likings, and to enter calmly +upon the obligations expected of her. Notwithstanding all her fortitude +poor Eleanor was but mortal, and she could not sustain the gigantic +contest she had undertaken. She strove long and bravely, but her love +would at times overcome her, and leave her the constant prey of her +feelings, and to a melancholy contemplation of the sacrifice she was +making; hence her protracted illness and tardy recovery. + +But we must return to our narrative. We left William and the ladies in +the parlour at Strawberry Hill house, and Bob Smithers walking from the +stockyard in that direction, breathing heavy threats of vengeance +against the gentleman who had so grievously offended him, and who had +escaped his just punishment upon the occasion when the offence was +committed. It is needless for us to comment on Bob's version of his +affray with William Ferguson, as the correct one is already known to +the reader; but the tale he told Rainsfield was the one related by him +wherever the circumstance of the blow became known. + +William, as we have said, was sitting in company with the ladies, and +was submitting with the greatest docility to be made use of, by lending +his hands for the extension of a skein of silk while it was being wound +off by Eleanor, when a little boy bearing the Billing impress on his +features appeared at the open window, and said he had something to say +to Mr. Ferguson. + +"Say it out, my boy," said William, who imagined it might be some formal +invitation from the Billing paterfamilias. + +"Please, sir, father told me to tell you a gentleman was waiting down at +our house to see you," said the boy. + +"And who is the gentleman, my lad?" asked William. + +"Please, sir, I don't know," he replied; "father only told me a +gentleman wanted to speak with you directly." + +"Is Mr. Rainsfield down at your father's house?" asked William. + +"No, sir," was the reply. + +"Very well; tell the gentleman, or your father, that I will be down +there in a few minutes," said William; "and that if the gentleman is in +any very particular hurry, it would have been a great saving of his time +if he had come up here." + +Now, the circumstance struck all present (though no one said so) as +being rather remarkable, that Smithers, for they knew it could be no +other than he, should desire to meet William Ferguson alone, and away +from the house. William knowing or suspecting the nature of the coming +interview, fearing that his friends would have a similar suspicion, and +having no desire to excite their fears, tried to show his coolness and +indifference by whistling an air as he left the room. But this +oft-repeated stratagem had not the desired effect of allaying the fears +of one, at least, who was cognizant of the quarrel at Brompton and the +whole attendant circumstances. This was Eleanor, and she was convinced, +from the manner of Smithers, that he meditated some action which he was +ashamed to perform within sight of the house. She therefore hastily put +on her hat, and prepared to follow William, and being joined by Kate, +she stepped out through the window to the green sward in front. + +Hardly a dozen steps were necessary, to bring them clear of the angle of +some outhouses that intercepted the view of the stables and Billing's +premises; and as she cleared that angle, it was to this point Eleanor +directed her gaze. The sight that she then witnessed showed that she was +only too correct in her surmise as to the intentions of Smithers; for +there she saw him in high altercation with William, who stood perfectly +at ease taking the matter as coolly as possible. His arms were folded +across his breast, and a pleasant smile played on his features, while +his antagonist had worked his wrath up to the culminating point, ready +for a mighty explosion; and raved about the ground while he brandished +his whip. + +We will not trouble our readers, or shock their ears or senses, by a +recapitulation of the dialogue; suffice it to say, that if warm it was +short. So that when Eleanor discovered the disputants she witnessed the +exacerbation of Smithers' ire, and the descent of his whip across +William's shoulders. The fate of Smithers on this occasion might have +been similar to what it was on a former one had not the attention of +William been drawn off from his purpose by hearing a loud shriek at his +rear. He turned to see whence it came, while his castigator, taking no +further heed of the circumstance than to look round to see from whom it +emanated, continued to belabour at his victim with redoubled energy. + +It was Eleanor who had uttered the shriek when she saw the blow struck +by Smithers; and instantly flying between the belligerents, throwing +her arms around the neck of her intended husband, she exclaimed: +"Robert! Robert! for mercy's sake, what are you--" But she was not +permitted to finish the sentence for the ruffian whom she had clasped in +an embrace that should have melted a heart of stone shouted in her ear, +coupled with an expression not fit to be repeated: "What business have +you here?" while he flung her from him with a force that hurled her +insensibly to the ground, where she lay without a murmur. This was more +than the honour and chivalry of William could bear. To be attacked +himself he cared little as he was well able to defend himself, and also +to retaliate when he thought fit; but to see a brute, without one spark +of manly feeling, not only lift his hand to a lady, and that lady a +gentle amiable girl who was about to bless him with more earthly +happiness than was meet for him to enjoy, but to prostrate her with such +force as to momentarily deprive her of vitality, was more than his +spirit could placidly endure. The lion was roused in his nature; and, +while Kate attended to her fallen friend, he sprung like an infuriated +animal on the cowardly villain; wrenched his whip from his hand and let +him feel not only the weight of _it_, but also of the avenger's athletic +arm, in such a way as would cause him to remember it for many a day. + +When William had thrashed the wretch until he had driven him to seek +shelter in the stables, he returned to where still lay the form of +Eleanor, who showed no signs of returning consciousness. Feeling alarmed +at the lengthened duration of the swoon Kate and her brother thought +they had best remove her to the house at once; with which intention +William took her in his arms, and carried her in to Mrs. Rainsfield. + +The good lady was quite alarmed at the appearance of poor Eleanor's +features, when her still inanimate form was brought to her. An ashy +paleness pervaded her face; her eyes were closed; and, with the +exception of an occasional faint sigh, no signs of life were visible. We +say, Mrs. Rainsfield was justly frightened at the appearance of the poor +girl, and she asked in an agitated manner: "What is this? what is the +matter? Eleanor swooned? Good gracious! what does it mean?" + +"My dear Mrs. Rainsfield," said William, "if you will allow me to tender +my advice I would suggest that you instantly put Miss Eleanor to bed. I +sadly fear her injuries are severe, and that it is more than a mere +swoon under which she is now labouring. Pray, don't delay, but remove +her at once; and Kate can tell you all the circumstances. If you will +lead the way I will carry her into her room." + +"Poor Eleanor! and is this too the work of that viper, Smithers?" said +Mrs. Rainsfield. + +"It is, indeed!" replied Kate. + +"Oh, the vile wretch!" exclaimed the lady. "It is as I thought, he +cares not a straw for her life. A man that would treat a tender, loving +girl in this way, would be guilty of any enormity; and yet she is so +infatuated as to court her own misery by persisting in accepting this +monster. Oh! what would I not give to see her safe out of his clutches? +But he surely can't have the effrontery to look her in the face after +this; nor she so silly as to receive him if he does. Certainly not, if I +can dissuade her, and I think I have some good ground to work upon now." + +By this time William had deposited his burden on the little snow-white +bed of the motionless girl, and left the room and the patient to the +guardianship of Mrs. Rainsfield and his sister; while he strolled out +for a few minutes to calm his agitation, and weigh the circumstances in +his mind. He had walked backwards and forwards for about a quarter of an +hour when he turned again into the house just as his sister was looking +for him. + +"Oh, Will!" she said, "Eleanor is in a dreadful state. She is fearfully +ill, and we think it is a fever. Mrs. Rainsfield says there is a doctor +who has lately settled at Alma, and she was going to send one of the men +over for him; but I thought it would be better, to prevent the +possibility of any mistake, for you to go. Will you go, and at once, +Will?" + +The answer William gave to his sister's question was to dart off to the +stables for his horse; and in a few minutes afterwards he might have +been seen galloping through the bush to procure the services of the son +of Galen located at the nearest township. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + "Oh! wretch without a tear--without a thought, + Save joy above the ruin thou hast wrought-- + The time shalt come, nor long remote, when thou + Shalt feel far more than thou inflictest now." + + BYRON. + + +When Smithers had partially recovered from the wholesome chastisement +administered by William Ferguson, and had witnessed, from his +concealment, the hasty departure of his foe, the nature of his journey, +and the cause of his precipitance, flashed instantly across his mind; +and, we would fain believe, his conscience was visited by compunctions +for his unpardonable brutality. He cogitated for some time on the +course he was to pursue, and thought of how he could explain away the +circumstances; for even to her whom he knew would forgive much he hardly +dared venturing an explanation; knowing too well that his conduct was +not to any extent defensible. He, however, determined to make the +attempt to see Eleanor, and endeavour to remove from her mind any +impression that might be injurious to his cause; and with that idea he +approached the house. + +Oh, Smithers, you ignorant inflated fool! How little you know the nature +of woman, and how less you can estimate their worth, and appreciate the +value of such an one as her who has surrendered her heart to thy +keeping! Thinkest thou that it is woman's only province to forgive? That +thy perpetual contumely should be continually pardoned, and thou, +without any innate goodness or recommendatory virtue, should ever claim +the devotion of a spirit the personification of purity, while thy +conduct is such as would make that spirit, were not its adjuncts truth +and compassion, shrink with loathing from the vile contamination of your +very breath, and a fear of the consequences of your truculence and +inhumanity! It is true, some women blinded by the infatuation of love, +would sacrifice their happiness, peace, and liberty, even life, on the +unworthy object of their ardent affection; but if thou believest this, +buoy not thyself up with the idea that all thy sins will be forgiven +thee! Eleanor has had much to deprecate in thee! many have been the +wounds thy churlishness has inflicted on her gentle nature, and though +she was willing to sacrifice all her earthly happiness to maintain +intact her truth and honour, yet remember she is not actuated by love, +but by an exalted sense of duty. Let her once be convinced that she is +exonerated from a performance of that, and thy bird has flown. Duty has +a strong tractive influence on a mind attuned to a high appreciation of +integrity; but love is a still more powerful incentive, and dost thou +know thou art not the happy possessor of that love? Yes, thou not only +knowest that no such sentiment is felt for you by that being whose +purity thou contemnest, but thou fearest, nay, even art certain, that +the object of that being's love is another; and that other he whom thou +hast striven to make thine enemy! Yet, knowing all this, thinkest thou +that woman, frail confiding woman, could trust thee as her mundane +protector? Because Eleanor has forgiven much, thou thinkest thyself +secure; but if this last is not the _coup de grace_ in thy catalogue of +contumacious infamies we shall be inclined to deprecate Eleanor's +leniency. But to return. + +One of Bob Smithers' characteristics was a conceited self-complacency +that distended his very soul with its blinding virus; and, speaking in +the figurative of a popular apothegm, he estimated his commendable +qualities as equivalent to no insignificant quantity of that mean +maltine beverage which we thirsty members of the great Anglo-Saxon +family call small-beer. He therefore thought he had but to go to his +betrothed with a penitential cast of countenance, and claim as a right, +and receive as a matter of course, that forgiveness which he was +entitled to expect. + +"I was only", (he said apologetically to himself), "in a bit of 'a scot' +at the time, and when she came in my way I pushed her off when she fell. +It was her own fault, and she must know I did nothing to her but what +any other man similarly situated would have done." + +At the conclusion of his meditations he stepped on to the verandah of +the house, and seeing a servant passing out of the sitting-room, into +which he had entered by the window, he called her and asked, "Where was +her mistress, or Miss Eleanor?" + +"Miss Eleanor is ill, and missus is with her," replied the girl who +looked awkward and rather sheepish at her questioner. + +"Is Miss Eleanor very bad, Mary?" asked Smithers. + +"I think she is, sir," replied she. + +"Mary! Mary!" called a voice that was almost instantly followed by the +utterer, Kate, who ran into the room, saying: "Do run out, and try and +find Mr. Rainsfield." But she had hardly got the words out of her mouth, +as she stood in the doorway of the room, than, catching sight of +Smithers, she uttered a faint scream, and fled hastily from his +presence. She was instantly followed by the girl, who had partly heard +the cause of her young mistress' illness, and was desirous to escape the +questioning of one whose character she could also despise. + +Smithers stood musing for some minutes, not altogether pleased with +these evidences of repulsion on the part of Eleanor's friends; but his +fears of their influence over her mind were only momentary. He must see +her, he said to himself; have an interview with her, and the little +difficulty will soon be arranged. Then he would hurry his marriage, he +thought, and take Eleanor away from the hated influence. "Those +Fergusons," he continued in his soliloquy, "are a pragmatic, hateful +lot, and I can't understand why Rainsfield does not keep them away from +his place." Smithers firmly believed they had been created for the +express purpose of causing him annoyance; and their present especial +object in settling in that district was to frustrate his marriage, and +rob him of his bride elect. "But he would defeat them," he said to +himself, "or he'd be--;" but here his mental reservations were +interrupted by Mrs. Rainsfield, who exclaimed as she entered the room: +"So, sir! you dare to show yourself again in my house after the vile +atrocity you have been guilty of. As to your infamy I do not wonder at +it, for it is only the fructification of a nature equally depraved, +brutal, and worthless. But after your insulting attack upon a guest of +mine, and your cruelty to a gentle and amiable girl that you should +have ventured within the precincts of this house I am truly astonished. +I know you to be too great a coward to do so did you think there was any +possibility of your meeting with the one who so lately gave you your +deserts; and I can only attribute your presence now as a further proof +of your arrogance, and to an endeavour to insult the female inmates of +this dwelling." + +"I don't know what you mean, Mrs. Rainsfield," replied the object of +that lady's invectives; "I never offered any insult to you or any other +lady in this house; so your strictures on me are quite uncalled for." + +"What, sir! can you stand before me with such barefaced effrontery, and +tell me such an unequivocal falsehood?" cried the lady. "Have you not +insulted me by cajoling from my presence a gentleman, who is my friend +and visitor, to basely assault him? and then what do you say of your +dastardly behaviour to that girl who was contemplating her own misery +and destruction by throwing herself away on such a wretch as you?" + +"I decline to answer you, madam," said Smithers, "for your language is +most offensive." + +"Then even you are susceptible on the point of feeling," replied Mrs. +Rainsfield, "and yet you think I can't feel an insult. I tell you, sir, +that if you had subjected me to the treatment that you did Eleanor I +should have considered it an offence of the most unpardonable nature. +But I love Eleanor even better than I do myself, and you may therefore +expect no mercy at my hands. For your offence to myself I shall expect +an expiation by your totally absenting yourself from this house; and if +I have any influence over the mind of that ill-used girl (which I hope +and trust I have), you may rest assured it will be exercised to your +disadvantage. So, sir, without any further parley, I have to request +that you instantly leave the house." + +"I shall do nothing of the sort, madam," replied Smithers, "your +husband I presume is the master of this house?" + +"Well, sir, I expect him here every moment," exclaimed the lady, "and if +you do not obey my injunctions you shall be forcibly expelled from the +premises." + +"And situated as I am," continued Smithers not heeding the last threat +of his irate companion, "with regard to Eleanor, I think I am entitled +to see her." + +"You shall not be admitted to her presence, sir," replied the lady. + +"I wish to see her," said Smithers, "to explain the circumstances under +which the accident occurred." + +"Accident indeed!" exclaimed Mrs. Rainsfield. "It requires no +explanation, sir, it speaks for itself. I have already had your +brutality recounted by an eyewitness." + +"By her friend I presume and one that is therefore not mine," sneered +Smithers, "the sister of that villain who first poisoned Eleanor's mind +towards me." + +"Cease, sir! your invectives against one with whom you are not worthy to +be mentioned in the same breath," cried Mrs. Rainsfield. "It was Miss +Ferguson who related to me the unmanly and ruffianly manner in which you +hurled Eleanor to the ground. She now lies with her life in imminent +peril, and yet you have the audacity to stand before me and call it an +accident which you will be able to explain." + +"Yes, madam! I am confident I shall be able to satisfy Eleanor that it +was not intentional on my part. I am exceedingly grieved that she should +be so extremely ill, but believe me, Mrs. Rainsfield, this once, that if +you will permit me to see her only for a few minutes I will be quite +contented, and will certainly relieve her mind from any impression of my +having wilfully harmed her." + +"No, sir! it is useless your attempting to alter my determination. I +tell you emphatically, that you shall not see her. She is now in a +raging fever, and the sight of you at this moment might extinguish the +flickering flame of her existence. To save me from any painful +necessity, I trust, sir, you will see the expediency of ceasing your +importunities and at once taking your departure." + +"I much regret that you will not permit me to see Eleanor," exclaimed +Smithers, "because I am sure you are acting under a misapprehension of +my motives and actions. If you would but permit me to explain, I--" + +"It is useless, sir." + +"But I am confident you must have been misinformed of the circumstances. +Your informant is no friend of mine, and would have consequently given +the affair a colouring detrimental to my interests." + +Mrs. Rainsfield could stand no more of this colloquy, and with +difficulty suppressed her rage. It had twice or thrice been just on the +point of overflowing; but now it was beyond her power to restrain it. To +have her young friend Kate branded as a liar by the infamous viper +before her struck her dumb with indignation; and it was some moments +before she regained the power of utterance, when she exclaimed: + +"You mean grovelling, despicable villain! You must of necessity add to +your opprobriousness by including Miss Ferguson among those whom you +choose to insult, and attack her with your scurrility. Because you +generate lies yourself do you think she is capable of uttering +falsehoods? I will endure you no longer. Instantly leave this house, +sir, do you hear me? or I'll--" + +"Pray, what is the matter, my dear?" enquired Mr. Rainsfield, who +entered at this moment. + +"Oh, John! cause that man to leave the house, and I'll tell you," +replied his wife. + +"My dear Rainsfield," commenced Smithers, but was cut short by the +infuriated lady, who exclaimed: + +"Not a word in my presence, sir. I have already ordered you to leave the +house; do you intend to obey me?" Then, turning to her husband, Mrs. +Rainsfield said in a voice almost choking with passion: "John, will you +not assist and support me? I have been grossly insulted by that man, who +persists in defying me. Is he to continue doing so?" and she sank into a +chair, and gave vent to her excited feelings in a flood of tears. + +Rainsfield was not one of those unfortunates, belonging to that class of +marital bipeds known as "hen-pecked husbands," though he was certainly +of an uxorious disposition. It cannot therefore be supposed that he +could have calmly witnessed the distress of mind his spouse evidently +appeared to be in without feeling some sympathy; and she being in that +state in which philosophers tell us woman soonest touches the heart of +inexorable man, viz., in tears, that sympathy was heightened. +Rainsfield's connubial heart was softened at the evidence of his wife's +woes; he therefore turned to Smithers, and said: "Leave us together just +now, Bob; I'll see you before you go." + +It must be distinctly understood that though Rainsfield, as he was in +duty bound, sided with his wife on this occasion, he had no desire to +quarrel with Smithers, even if his wife had; far from it. It is true he +had heard something of the little fracas of flogging and fainting; but +that was nothing to him. If the young men chose to quarrel, he +considered, let them do so! and if his cousin chose to interfere, and +get hard knocks for so doing, he could not help it. If the girl had +fainted it was a pity, but what influence had he over her syncope? Women +always made a great deal, he thought, about those things, but generally +cool down after a while and forget such little grievances. So when he +communicated to Smithers his wish that he should leave the house, he did +so with an expression in his look that plainly said: "Never mind, old +fellow, you will lose nothing by leaving your case in my hands." The +delinquent, we have no doubt, fully understood it, for he instantly +obeyed the behest. Let it be said, however, to the credit of Mr. +Rainsfield, that as he took this view of the case he was only aware that +Eleanor had fainted and was ill; but had no idea that William Ferguson +had gone off to Alma for a doctor, and that Eleanor's case was so +dangerous. He therefore imagined that his wife had magnified her danger, +and the heinousness of Smithers' crime; and consequently thought more +lightly of the whole affair than did his partner. But he was shortly to +be undeceived. + +As Smithers left the room Rainsfield took a seat beside his wife and +said: "Well, my dear, what is the cause of all this? you seem agitated. +I have heard something of what has happened, but surely that is not +sufficient cause for your angry altercation with Bob Smithers, and +making yourself miserable." + +"Do you not think so, John?" she replied; "first to have Eleanor nearly +brought to death's door (for she is in such a raging fever that I have +been compelled to get William Ferguson to go to Alma for a doctor), and +then to be insulted and openly defied in my own house by the villain who +is the cause of it all; do you not think that is sufficient to make me +agitated?" + +"Certainly, my dear," replied her husband, "the matter appears to me in +a new light. I was not aware it was of so serious a nature; pray tell me +all about it." + +Mrs. Rainsfield was not long in replying to this mandate, and speedily +gave her husband a detailed account of the horrors of Smithers' +proceedings, permitting them in nowise to lose in her narrative any of +their force and piquancy. She then wound up her recapitulation of +atrocities by demanding to know if her husband could think of permitting +so vile a man to darken his door again. "Understand me, John," she said, +"I shall expect you to protect me against him and his insults: and that +can't be done while his presence here is tolerated. If ever he enters +this house I shall most assuredly consider that you are conniving at +his insolence, and shall certainly confine myself to my own room during +his stay." + +We have seen that Mr. Rainsfield was mindful of his wife's wishes, but +at the same time had no desire to make a breach with Smithers; +consequently he found himself in a dilemma, from which he saw no +extrication without giving offence to one or other of the parties. He +therefore made no promise to his wife. + +"You don't answer me, John," said she, "what am I to consider you think +of his conduct?" + +"Well, my dear," replied her husband, "I really can't tell. It is +certainly reprehensible, but there is no use quarrelling with Smithers. +If it is any satisfaction to you that he should not visit us I dare say +he will not trouble you; but for my own part I can't see how you can +expect him to forego his right to see Eleanor." + +"Eleanor herself, when she recovers, if she ever does, will relieve him +from that obligation," replied Mrs. Rainsfield. + +"How can you say that?" said her husband. "She has expressed no +intention of doing so." + +"No, certainly; the poor girl is not in a state to express any +determination," replied the wife; "but do you think she will suffer +herself to be led to the altar by a brute like him, a man who has shown +himself on more than one occasion quite unworthy of her? If she has got +the spirit I think she has she will treat him with that contempt which +he deserves." + +"I see how it is," exclaimed Rainsfield, "you are prejudiced against +Smithers." + +"Prejudiced against Smithers, John?" replied his wife; "yes, I may be, +but not in the sense you mean. You fancy I dislike the man because I +would prefer Eleanor to accept another but you are mistaken. Hitherto I +never disliked Smithers as a man, but as a suitor of Eleanor I certainly +abhor him; and for this reason that I saw her inevitable fate would be +misery and wretchedness if she were ever mated to him. Now though I have +more than ever cause not only to detest him for his insolence to me but +to fear him for Eleanor's life." + +"You are infatuated against him," replied the husband. "And for this +quarrel of yours you would wish to destroy his happiness irrespective of +the feelings of Eleanor herself. You say she is really ill and cannot be +spoken to on the subject; then at present let the matter rest until her +recovery." + +"On one condition only," replied Mrs. Rainsfield, "and that is that +Smithers in the interval be banished from the house. If you agree to +that I am content to leave his further expatriation to her good +judgment." + +"So let it be," replied her husband. "I'll see Bob, and try to persuade +him to let the settlement of the affair remain in _statu quo_." + +With that the couple parted, the wife to return to the sick room, and +the husband to seek Smithers. We will not trace their steps on their +respective missions but merely state that Mrs. Rainsfield and Kate +passed an anxious night with their invalid. At an early hour on the +following morning, hearing a horseman's step passing the house, while +they were anxiously expecting the doctor, Mrs. Rainsfield looked from +the window of the room where she was keeping her vigils and detected the +retreating outline of Bob Smithers' form as he departed for his home. +Her husband she had not seen since their interview in the parlour, but +as she had not since that time left Eleanor's bedside it gave her no +concern; or at least she never thought of an absence of which she was +not cognizant. However he had been absent all night, and while the +doctor, who had arrived with William shortly after the departure of +Smithers, was administering his febrifuges to poor Eleanor he was +enacting the scene which we will detail to the reader. + +Rainsfield had had a long conversation with Smithers on the subject +that had been communicated to him by his wife; and had, after a good +deal of persuasion, induced him to agree to absent himself from +Strawberry Hill until Eleanor's recovery. + +Smithers, when he found his companion disposed to favour him, was the +louder in his asseverations of guiltlessness; demanding an instant +opportunity of explanation, and vowing vengeance against everybody +concerned, and John Rainsfield in particular, for not being master in +his own house. However Rainsfield, though he was inclined to forget his +dignity by stooping to entreaty with him, was nevertheless firm to his +purpose, and not to be intimidated by his blustering; and at last +succeeded in inducing him to promise to take his departure by daylight +the following morning, so as to avoid the possibility of any further +unpleasantness. With that he left him to his own meditations, and walked +away. + +Mr. Rainsfield had not taken many steps beyond the out-buildings +belonging to the house before he heard his own name called in a cautious +manner from behind a tree; and, glancing his eye in the direction whence +came the voice, he was startled to see the stalwart figure of a black, +half concealed behind the trunk, beckoning him with his finger. The +suddenness of the apparition for some moments unnerved him, and deprived +him of the power of utterance. He, however, mastered his fears; and, as +his self-control returned, he demanded to know what the black wanted +with him. + +"You know me, Mr. Rainsfield?" replied the black, "I'm Jemmy Davies." + +"Oh, yes, I know you," replied Mr. Rainsfield, "but I thought you and +the whole of your tribe had left the country." + +"So we did, sir, but we've all come back again, and a great many more of +the tribe too, and they are determined to kill you. Barwang and all +Dugingi's friends will kill you, and I can't prevent them though I've +tried; for they are too strong for me. So I've come to give you +warning." + +"They intend to kill me, do they? then, by G--! they shall repent their +rash resolve. But how am I to believe this?" asked Mr. Rainsfield of the +black. "You! you wretch, have you got some vile scheme in your head. +Think yourself fortunate that I've no gun with me or I'd shoot you on +the spot." + +"You wouldn't shoot me," replied Jemmy Davies; "didn't Mr. Tom tell you +that I'm always a good friend to you, how I tried to stop Dugingi from +stealing your rations when you killed so many of our tribe; and now I +come to tell you that they want to kill you and you think me no good. +But what for do you think, Mr. Rainsfield, I want to do you harm? If I +want to see you die I wouldn't tell you of this; but let the black +fellows kill you. If you will not believe me I can't help it; but if you +like to come down to the crossing-place to-night at dark I'll meet you +and show you our camp in the scrub; when you will see if I tell you a +lie. I will stop Barwang and his friends as long as I can, but I can't +prevent them altogether from coming to you; so you had better look out +and be ready." + +This warning sounded as an avenging declaration in the ear of +Rainsfield. He had for sometime flattered himself on his security and +tranquillity; and hoped, nay even believed, that he had effectually +ridden himself of a hitherto incessant annoyance. But now that the +surviving friends of his foes had returned, with the avowed object of +seeking vengeance, he was troubled in his mind. He, however, determined +to further question his informant, and, rousing himself from a reverie +into which he had fallen, perceived that the black had departed. Mr. +Rainsfield dragged through the remainder of the day with a heavy heart, +and never more than then regretted the absence of his brother. Should he +accept the black's invitation? he asked himself. It would be a +satisfaction to know in what force they were collected; but then (he +thought) the messenger might mean treachery. However, he would go; he +could detect it if it existed, and if it was attempted he could shoot +the wretch before he had time or opportunity to betray him. Yes (he +thought) he would arm himself well, and meet Jemmy Davies at the time +and place he appointed. + +"I'm glad you've come, Mr. Rainsfield," exclaimed the black, emerging +from the obscurity of the bush, as the squatter rode down to the bank of +the river some few hours after the last interview. + +"Yes I've come," said Rainsfield, "and at your bidding; but see I am +well armed," as he pointed to a brace of revolvers in his belt, "and, if +you are attempting to play me false, the first shot I'll fire shall be +through your body." + +"Never fear me, Mr. Rainsfield," replied Jemmy Davies, "I'm not going to +betray you. My greatest fear is not from your pistols but from the +tomahawks of my tribe; for if they find me with you they will be sure to +kill me." + +"Very well," said Rainsfield, "I'll follow you, lead the way;" and the +two crossed the stream in silence. + +"You had better leave your horse here, sir," said the guide, "in case he +should be heard by the tribe." + +Rainsfield acted on this hint and dismounted; and fastening the animal +to a tree, he said to the black: "Now you can go on, but remember if +this is a trap for me you had better think twice before you proceed; for +I shall keep my hand ready to lodge a ball in your heart the moment I +perceive any treachery." + +"Never be afraid, sir," replied the black, who continued to thread the +scrub in silence with his companion close to his heels. When they had +proceeded thus for some little time Rainsfield perceived by the +appearance of lights, and the noise of the blacks' voices, that they +were nearing "the camp." Jemmy Davies desired him to keep close to him, +and make no noise, as they were nearer the camp than appeared through +the thick scrub, and then led him a few steps further forward, when the +whole tribe became plainly discernible. They then dropt on their hands +and knees and crept close up to what we may call the circumvallation of +the gunyahs; and the crouching white man surveyed intently the scene +before him. Then would have been the time to have profited by his +position if treachery had been meditated; but not a leaf stirred around +them, while Rainsfield was lost in a reverie none of the most pleasant. +He was, however, aroused from this by Jemmy Davies, who pointed to a +group apart from the body of the tribe consisting of about fifteen men, +who were all armed with their spears, nullanullas, and boomerangs, and +were painted for a corroboree. One black, taller than the rest, was +haranguing them at the moment, and his hearers were apparently +acquiescing in his directions, from the yells and other marks of +approbation with which they from time to time greeted his diatribe. + +"That's Barwang and his friends," whispered Jemmy as he drew away his +companion from the spot. "They will have a great corroboree to-morrow, +and then you look out. To-morrow night they will come up to the station +to watch, very likely they will be somewhere about where you saw me this +morning; so if you keep some one on the look-out, and fire some shots +into the bush, they will think you see them and keep away. They won't do +anything to-morrow night, but watch. When they come up to kill you there +will come a great many, so keep looking out." + +Rainsfield and his companion returned to the crossing-place, when the +former mounted his horse and passed through the river, while the latter +returned to his tribe. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + "Till taught by pain, + Men really know not what good water's worth." + + BYRON. + + +The reader will remember Tom Rainsfield's journey to town had been +delayed for some time beyond when he had originally intended to start +owing to the precarious state of Eleanor's health; consequently, when he +took his departure, it was necessary for him to use speed in his +travelling. + +The summer had by that time considerably advanced, and the country had +suffered much from the continued drought that had prevailed for months. +Rain was anxiously and hopingly looked for, and a pluvial visitation +would have been hailed by the entire population with satisfaction. Tom, +as he journeyed, saw this desideratum more plainly than before leaving +home; for, as he mounted on to the extensive plains contiguous to the +source of the Gibson river, the parched bare soil became perfectly +uncomfortable to travel on. + +These plains were of fine black alluvial soil, so thinly timbered as to +have hardly a tree visible within range of the eye. They were covered +with grass, which, when the earth contained any moisture, flourished +luxuriantly, and would at times stand waving like an agrarian picture of +cereal plenty, so abundant as to impede the progress of the equestrian +traveller. But now a "change had come o'er the spirit of the dream," and +the herbous mass lay scorched and dry on the arid ground, offering no +nutriment to the browsing kine, and only requiring a single spark to +generate a grand combustion. + +Much has been said and written of the burning prairies of America, and +of the bush-fires of Australia; and we may remark, it is in such places +as these plains where they originate. Though not so extensive and +destructive in their course of devastation as those fearful +conflagrations in the western hemisphere, the bush-fires are still +frequently of sufficient magnitude to be perfectly irresistible; and +occurring as they usually do in the heart of a settled country, they are +rendered more dangerous to human life and property. How they originate +often remains a mystery. Of course carelessness frequently gives rise to +them; though at the same time they have been known to occur in parts +where neither whites nor blacks ever tread; and too often, when the +destroying element rages over and sweeps away a homestead or a farm, the +work is attributed to the incendiarism of some inoffensive blacks, who +are made to suffer at the hands of the whites. + +Tom Rainsfield journeyed on his course over these plains that looked +like a vast neglected hay-field; except in parts where water had lodged +and formed temporary ponds or "water-holes." There it presented an area +of black mud, baked hard by the power of the sun, and had absorbed so +much of its heat as to render it even painful for a horse to stand upon. +Tom rode under vertical rays, keeping as much as possible on the +withered grass (as being more comfortable than the sun-absorbing and +reflecting road), without the companionship of a fellow traveller to +relieve the monotony and solitude of the way; and not daring to indulge +in the consolation of a pipe, lest a stray spark should ignite the +inflammable material at his feet. Miles and miles of this weary and +trying travelling were passed, and Tom was not sorry when the track +entered a country less open, and he once more rode through bush land. + +Here, too, the ground, though partially sheltered from the sun's rays, +was equally devoid of feed and moisture. Not a blade of grass was to be +seen, nor a drop of water in the creeks and water-holes. For himself, +notwithstanding that his thirst was insatiable, Tom cared little; he +could manage to do without a drink until he reached the end of his day's +stage; but it was for the faithful animal that carried him that he +anxiously scrutinized every spot likely to contain the smallest +reservoir of the much coveted liquid. But his researches were all +unavailing; as yet no water could he find; until at one point on the +road, when he had almost given up the search as hopeless, he spied a +large swamp filled with reeds, in which a herd of cattle lay almost +concealed, apparently cooling themselves in the water. Here then he had +no doubt he should find what he and his horse had so much desired; and +hastening on to the black adamantine margin of what had formerly been a +large lagoon, he witnessed a sight that struck him with dismay. Not one +drop of water was visible in the extensive basin, and the cattle which +he had imagined were luxuriating in a natural refrigerator, were dead +and immovable. + +Such scenes are common under similar circumstances; and at times, while +the country is suffering from the effects of a drought, to see cattle +"bogged" in a water-hole is only thought of as a necessary consequence +fully expected, and therefore hardly to be deplored. Still when +witnessed by one who may be seeking that which is essential to life, to +allay a thirst which may be consuming, it is enough to make the heart of +such sink within him; and, though Tom was hardly in so reduced a +predicament, yet he could not gaze on the unfortunate animals without +some unpleasant admixture of perturbation and concern. + +In the swamp as many as fifty cattle had sought shelter from the heat +and moisture for their thirsty tongues. But having waded through the +mud, into which they had sank to their middles, they had possibly +satisfied themselves for the moment with a concoction of glutinous soil +and vapid lukewarm water; but, from their exhausted strength, had not +been able to extricate themselves from their miry bondage, and had +consequently died in their captivity. The mud at the time of Tom's visit +had perfectly hardened, and he traversed the whole bed of the swamp, in +the vain hope of finding some friendly hole in which a few welcome drops +might be found for his worn-out steed. But his search was fruitless, and +he was at last reluctantly compelled to relinquish it, from the attacks +of myriads of flies, who were disturbed at their bovine repast. He at +length continued his journey with a worn-out horse and a fagged and +jaded spirit, and was not a little grateful, as evening gathered its +shades around, to espy the glimmer of a light from the station which was +his night's destination. + +Tom's further progress was equally tedious and trying. The whole country +seemed parched up, and it was with the greatest difficulty he could push +on at all; and as the fatigue to himself and his horse necessitated him +to make his day's stages much shorter than he desired, it was the sixth +day from his leaving Strawberry Hill that he entered the village of +Waverley on the Brisbane river. + +When we call this a village it is only out of courtesy that we are +guilty of such a misnomer. For though, by the government plan of the +township, it looks a well-arranged and thriving place, we must state, +notwithstanding that building allotments had from time to time been put +up at auction by the government, and we may add found purchasers, and +that the existence of a public-house, rejoicing in the high-sounding +title of the Royal Hotel, lent an imposing air to the place,--the +gracefully tinted Queen Street, Albert Street, Prince of Wales Street, +etc. etc., of the elaborate survey office map, only existed in the mind +of the surveyor, and the imagination of the land-jobber. The said +thriving thoroughfares remained in a state of primeval grandeur; having +their boundaries marked, for the convenience of inquisitive seekers +after information, by small pegs driven into the ground, and whose sole +object seemed to be to lie concealed and bewilder those who might desire +to find them. + +By the foresaid plan this town or village (or, as the Americans would +say, this city) of Waverley was laid out with considerable taste. The +streets were all broad and at right angles; with a market reserve; +grants for church sites to various denominations of Christians; and a +broad quay facing the river, either for commercial purposes or for a +promenade for the inhabitants. But in reality the whole of the +architecture of the place was comprised in the sole habitation, the +Royal Hotel; which was built near the bank of the river, with a rough +fence enclosing three sides of a piece of ground that ran down to the +water's edge. This constituted the paddock for the horses of weary +travellers; and, judging from the dilapidated and generally insecure +state of the fence, argued the rare occurrence of a quadrupedal +occupancy. However, the sight of these little imperfections gave Tom no +concern, as he was confident his animal would not attempt, in the state +of fatigue to which he was reduced, to go roaming; and what gladdened +his heart more than anything was the sight of what he had long been +unacquainted with, fresh water. It was therefore with a considerable +amount of mental relief that he rode up to the unpretending hostlery. He +alighted at a door before which stood a post suspending a nondescript +lamp of antideluvian construction, and bearing from its appearance +questionable evidence of its ever having been submitted to the ordeal of +beaconing the path of the weary traveller. On the same post was affixed +a board on which the sign of the house was very plainly executed in +Roman character; informing, and we think very necessarily so, the +occasional visitor there was to be had accommodation for man and beast. + +The road leading to the Royal Hotel was not the one usually taken by +travellers from the interior to Brisbane. But Tom had chosen it to +avoid the more frequented track; knowing that in the present state of +the country travelling on the latter would be much more difficult and +troublesome. Therefore he had come by this secluded spot; intending to +cross the river, and travel down by the northern bank to Brisbane, while +the usual route was through the thriving and populous town of Ipswich, +and down the southern side of the Brisbane river. + +Tom Rainsfield entered the inn; and having his horse taken round by the +landlord to a bark shed designated a stable, where he preferred tending +the animal himself, rather than leaving him to the tender mercies of a +stranger, he gave him a drink of water and a feed of corn; and then +placing some bush hay at his disposal, left him to practise his +mastication, and make the most of his time. Having thus arranged for the +comforts of his steed Tom next thought of himself; so strolling into +the house, while something was preparing to satisfy the cravings of his +inward man, he walked into "the bar," to indulge in a pipe with +something cheering, and amuse himself by a little conversation with the +landlord. He entered the precincts of that _quarterre_ devoted to the +worship of the rosy god, and where the ministering spirit presided, +stationed behind a primitive sort of counter or bench, and at whose back +stood two kegs with taps and sundry bottles arranged on a shelf. These +(whatever their contents) appeared to be the stock-in-trade of the +establishment; excepting a large cask which stood in a corner, and which +by its appearance indicated spirituous contents, from whose bulk +probably the smaller kegs were from time to time replenished. Into this +sanctum then walked our friend Tom Rainsfield, and after calling for a +drink, and desiring the landlord in bush fashion to join him, he lit his +pipe; and taking his seat on the counter entered into the following +dialogue. + +"I shouldn't think you did much business here?" + +"Oh, pretty fair, sir." + +"Why, there doesn't appear to be many who frequent this room. I should +have thought it would have hardly been worth your while to have kept a +house in this place." + +"Nor more it would if I lived by gents a-stopping at my house; for I +don't get one of 'em a month. But you see them as pays me is the +sawyers; there are lots of 'em about these parts, cutting timber on the +hills and in the scrubs; and when they get their logs down into the +river they mostly stop here a while drinking before they raft the timber +over the flats on their way down to the mills. Then when they come back +they generally stop a while on the spree before they go to work. So, you +see, I makes a pretty good thing out of 'em; besides you see I keeps +rations here as well as grog, and sell them to the fellers when they run +short and ain't got no money." + +"But don't you often lose your money? I suppose they have none when they +go to town with their rafts, and very little when they come back; that +is even if they ever do come back; then I suppose you lose your score." + +"Oh, I manage to get it; precious few ever 'bilk' me, for I know my +marks pretty well, and them as I fancy won't come back I get to pay me +in timber; and I brand the logs with my own brand, and give some of the +fellers I can trust so much a hundred feet to raft them down for me. But +mostly the chaps come back before they have spree'd away all their +money. So I gets my share, as they pay me then what they owe me, and +have another go in until they 'knock down their pile.'" + +"And how much do their 'piles' consist of?" + +"Well, I couldn't say anything regular. I have had as much as a hundred +pounds 'knocked down' by one man at a time." And as the man said this he +smiled and heaved a sigh that seemed to say those were prosperous times +for him. True enough it was that he had had as large a sum of money paid +to him by one man; but as to the amount being actually spent, or an +equivalent even in liquor supplied, is extremely doubtful; but to follow +them in their conversation, Tom remarked: + +"And then they return to their work, I suppose, quite penniless?" + +"Oh, yes, it is very few of them ever have any money when they get back +to the scrubs; they have no use for it there, so they spend it like +men." + +"Like fools you mean." + +"No I don't. What is the use of the poor man saving his money? he can't +do anything with it; he can't buy any land to settle on; and he doesn't +care to save up his money to be robbed of it or lose it; he works hard +enough to get it, and so likes to spend it himself." + +"That is certainly one idea why working men should spend their hard-got +earnings. I should have imagined that men who had laboured hard, and +were living in the bush and scrubs in all sorts of discomfort, would +have had some desire to better their condition, and would have +accumulated means accordingly." + +"Not a bit of it, sir! they couldn't do anything with their money when +they got it." + +"Could they not buy a piece of land and commence farming? Here, for +instance, the land seems excellently adapted for agricultural purposes." + +"They can't get none, sir. The government folks won't sell any to the +poor man, leastwise the poor man can't buy none, and if he wants any he +is forced to buy it off the 'jobbers,' who generally screw him so much +that it doesn't pay. So the fellers prefer keeping to the scrubs cutting +timber; 'cos then they are not bound to work for sharpers, and can just +please themselves." + +It was evident the landlord of the Royal Hotel did not classify himself +in the category of those astute blades whom he designated by so cutting +an epithet; though Tom's opinion on that head somewhat differed from +"mine host's." He considered him a swindler of no ordinary magnitude, +though merely a type of his class. He was one of those locusts who +fattened on the hard working and reckless classes of colonial labourers; +who when they are plundering their victims, even under the guise of +friendship, dissuade them from frugality; expatiating on the numerous +sources of fraud (excepting of course their own) to which "the poor men" +would be exposed; and by their vile persuasions and chicanery too often +succeeding in eliminating from the minds of those with whom they come in +contact all notions of providence; and confirming them in their reckless +and dissipated lives. These bush publicans are the cause of immense +misery and depravity, and cannot be too harshly stigmatized for the +enormity of their infamies. + +Tom being informed that the edibles prepared for him were awaiting his +operations discontinued his dialogue, and adjourned to his epicurean +repast; at which satisfactory occupation we may leave him uninterrupted. +As his next day's stage would only be some five and twenty miles he +determined to delay his departure until the afternoon so as to give his +weary horse some additional rest; and it was therefore past noon on the +following day when he mounted his nag and left the village of Waverley. + +In leaving the inn he traversed the bank of the river for some few +hundred yards on his way to the flats where he was to cross when he +overtook a man that apparently had preceded him from the inn, and they +both went on together. The flats at this time were almost dry; for the +water in the river had long ceased to run, and at the particular spot to +which we allude, which was in ordinary times used as a ford, it could +have been crossed dry-shod, while above and below it the river remained +simply currentless pools. As Tom rode down to the bed of the river he +was struck with the immense number of logs that laid scattered about, +some on the banks, some in the river above, and some below, where a +small boat was moored, and a party of sawyers and raftmen camped. To +this party Tom's companion evidently belonged, and had apparently been +despatched to the public-house by his mates, as he was returning with +two suspicious-looking protuberances on each side of his bosom. These, +to outward appearance, very much resembled the outlines of bottles that +had been thrust into the ample folds of his blue shirt for convenience +and security of carriage. While trudging on the road alongside of Tom +Rainsfield the fellow gave evidence of a loquacious turn of mind by +commencing a conversation and inquiring if Tom was travelling to +Brisbane. Upon being informed by our friend that that was his +destination, and that he had come by way of Waverley to avoid the main +road on account of its desolate, dry, and feedless state, he remarked +with a whimsical smile: "I suppose you think that 'ere Waverley a fine +town?" + +"It seems a very good site for a township," replied Tom. "There is good +land in the vicinity, and abundance of water. I daresay in the course of +a few years it will be a flourishing place." + +"Not a bit of it, sir," said the man; "it never will be nothing. That +'ere house of Tom Brown's, 'The Royal,' as he calls it, will be the only +house in it for many a day, unless there be another public. Lor' bless +you, sir, that place of his even wouldn't be nothing if it wasn't for us +sawyers; we keeps old Brown alive, and he knows it." + +"Well, my good friend," asked Tom, "what is to prevent others settling +in the town besides Tom Brown?" + +"Why, what would be the good of it?" asked the other; "there would be +nothing for them to live upon. All the trade that's done is with us +sawyers, and there isn't more than Old Brown can do himself. Besides, +you see, most of the land that has been sold in the village has been +bought by the swells, who keep it to make money of it when some one +should want to buy." + +"I have no doubt," said Tom, "the land in the vicinity will eventually +be sold for farming, and then the growth of the village arising from the +trade that will ensue will be rapid." + +"Ah! there it is, sir. You see the squatters have got all the land now +for their sheep to feed on, and a poor man as has got a pound or two, +and wants a few acres, can't get 'em no how." + +"But the government is continually putting up land for sale," said Tom; +"and if any man desired to avail himself of the opportunity surely he +could attend the sales and effect a purchase." + +"No, sir, they couldn't," said the man; "for, you see, suppose I'm +working here in the bush and want to buy a bit of ground, how am I to +know when there is any for sale? They will perhaps mark out a few farms +near Brisbane, or Ipswich, and put 'em for sale, and they are sold off, +or leastwise the best of 'em, before I or any of my mates know anything +about it; or if so be as how I should get to hear of it and go to the +sale, there's so many people wanting 'em, perhaps gents who maybe live +in town, and want paddocks for their horses, that they will give better +prices than I can give; so, you see, I don't get half a chance. If I +want a bit of land to farm I think I ought to be able to get it anywhere +I like just as easy as the squatter can get his country. Axing your +pardon, sir, I suppose you're a squatter?" + +"That's true, my good man," replied Tom; "but I think myself that the +restrictions on the land are vastly injurious to the country, though I +doubt, even if every facility was given to the working man to procure +land if he would avail himself of the opportunity; and, instead of being +of benefit to him in the way intended, I question if the land would not +fall into the hands of 'jobbers.' Such a state of things is equally, if +not more, to be deprecated than the present system of permitting it to +remain in the possession of the squatters; for now it is made available +for pasturage; whereas then it would be allowed to lie unproductive +until such a time as the speculator could see an opportunity of a +profitable realization." + +"There would be plenty of us would buy lands and settle on them," said +the man, "if we only had the chance. Now if you like, sir, I'll just +tell you a case." + +Tom, though he knew all the man said was perfectly true, offered no +objection to the narrative, being desirous of eliciting from him his +notions on the subject, which was a much vexed one in the whole colony, +and purposely encouraged him to launch as deeply into it as he thought +fit. + +"It is about my brother, sir," said the man, "so I know it is quite +true, and you may believe it. We both came to this country together +about seven years ago, and took to cutting timber and rafting because it +paid well those times; and we made plenty of money, though we spent it +as fast as we got it. But somehow my brother didn't join much with the +other fellows, for he always was a steady chap, but took to saving his +money, and 'you may believe me,' it wasn't long before he had got 'a +pile,' of more than two hundred pounds. Now, sir, you see, when Bill +(that was his name) had saved all that money nothing would do him but he +must have a bit of ground and commence farming. There was a talk then of +some land being marked out somewhere near this 'ere town of Waverley; so +Bill thought he would like to have a few acres hereabouts better than +anywhere else. He asked some one who knew all about that sort of thing +how he should go about it to buy some, and the chap told him that he +ought to go to Brisbane and ask of the surveyors. So off he went to what +they call the survey office, and told the big-wig there that he wanted +to buy some land. Now this card showed him a lot of plans of where, he +said, they had land for sale; and Bill looks at 'em and took directions, +and went into the bush to have a look at 'em. But he found 'em to be no +good; they was only lots that had been left at the government sales, +when all the best pieces had been sold, and the ironbark ranges and +quartzy or barren gravelly country left; so he wouldn't buy any of 'em, +and told the chap in the office that he wanted some at Waverley; but he +told him he couldn't have none there as it wasn't surveyed. + +"Now the party Bill stopped with put him up to a wrinkle how he would +get the land he wanted to be surveyed 'cos he knew how to manage it. He +got up a requisition, or made an application, to have some lands on the +Brisbane river at Waverley surveyed and put up for sale, and sent it to +the government, as he said that was the sure way to get it. But it was +no go; the survey chaps told him that all the land thereabouts was +leased to squatters, and they couldn't touch it; but, says they, if you +want a nice piece of country there is some out here on the river, about +five miles away, that we are going to measure off into farms directly, +and they will just suit you; so, says they to my brother, just you go +out and have a look at them. Well, Bill went to look at 'em, and, sure +enough, they was first-rate land, so he said to himself I'll have a farm +there, and that's settled. But he was all wrong; for he didn't get a +farm there an' nowhere else as I shall tell you. + +"When he came back, after having see'd the land, he went to the office +and told the people that that place would just suit him, and he would +take a farm and buy it right off. But they laughed at him, and told him +that he couldn't buy it before it was surveyed, but that in a short +time, a week or so at most, they would have it all right and ready for +sale; so Bill thought he might make the best of it and wait. A couple +of weeks passed and he went to them, but it was not done; so he waited +another week or two, and went back again, when they told him that they +had had no time to see to it, but were going to do so very shortly. So +he waited another month, and then enquired, when they had the cheek to +tell him that they were obliged to put it off for they could not attend +to it at all, having so much work to do at other places; but that if he +would come back to town in about three months it would be all ready for +sale. + +"Now Bill was bent upon having one of them farms, so, instead of letting +the surveyor chaps, and the farms too, go to--where-ever they liked for +their humbugging, he came back to the bush to work for the three months, +and then went to town again to look after the land. But when he went to +the office even then the fellers hadn't surveyed it; and instead of +telling him like men that they were only humbugging him, and never +intended to do it at all, they commenced their little games again, and +told him that the surveyors were then at work on a particular job, but +that as soon as they were done there they would go to the land he was +waiting for. Well, sir, it's no good my telling you all the ins and outs +of it; but the long and the short of it is they kept Bill in a string +for six months, and then they didn't do the work, and I don't know if it +is done now; so, you see, that's how us poor men can't get any land." + +"I believe what you complain of is perfectly true," said Tom. "The +system is much to be deplored, but I hope it will shortly be improved. +Unless a man is on the spot, and can wait for an opportunity, such as +when a sale occurs, there is certainly very little chance for him; and +men that are employed in the bush very rarely if ever have that chance." + +"Just so, sir," said the man. + +"And what did your brother do with his money after having so much of it +and his time wasted in looking after this land?" + +"Ah, sir! there is what makes me curse the land, and the surveyors, and +all the lot, for it killed Bill, and there never was a better feller +breathing. I'll tell you how it was, sir. I told you Bill was a steady +chap; he never used to drink, anyhow not to spree, you know; but, you'll +guess, no man could stop at a public-house for six months doing nothing +without getting on the spree. Bill used to walk up and down on the +verandah at the public where he stopped, and smoke his pipe, while he +thought how them fellers at the survey office were a-treating of him, +and he got miserable like in his spirits. So when fellows got to know +him, and used to come into the house, they'd ask him to take a nobbler +with them; and somehow, you see, though he didn't do nothing of the sort +at first, he was soon glad to get some one to join him in a drink, and +being at it all day, you know, he used to get very drunk at times; so he +went on until at last he was always drunk. Now Bill all this time had +been keeping his money by him, so that he would be ready, when he +wanted it, to buy his farm. So, what with always having plenty of money +'to shout' for other fellers (for you know, sir, he was a stunning +feller to shout when he got a little bit screwed), and the lots of +fellers as always stuck to him when they knew he got 'tin,' he very soon +got 'cleared out;' and one day, after a tremendous spree, when he had +been drunk for more than a week, he got 'the horrors,' and started to +come home to the scrub. I never saw him after that, sir; for he got +drowned in one of the creeks on the road, and was found by some shingle +splitters soon afterwards without a shilling in his pocket; so that's +what he got, poor fellow, for trying to turn farmer. Now you see, sir, +we don't see the good of doing like that; so we never trouble ourselves +about saving any money, and we are a deal better off, and a happier, +than them as do." + +Tom did not attempt to refute the sophistry of this argument as he was +aware that it would be useless. He knew that the case of this man's +brother was by no means a solitary one; for not only had the suicidal +policy of the colonial government with regard to the disposal of the +waste lands been instrumental in the destruction of numerous victims +similar to this unsophisticated sawyer; but it was absolutely driving +that entire class of men into reckless extravagance and dissipation. +Whereas a liberal land policy would not only have engendered a spirit of +providence, but have offered an inducement, and have proved a stimulus, +to the country's settlement by a thriving rural population. + +But the ministerial Solons of the country could not be induced to view +the subject in that light; hence this deplorable state of morality and +improvidence, which unfortunately pervades the great bulk of the country +population. In urban localities the evil is not so severely felt, as a +steady and industrious mechanic, with his accumulated savings, is +enabled to purchase a town allotment (which allotments are just +frequently enough thrust into the market by the government as to keep +the demand in excess of the supply), and to build on it a house, which +he erects by degrees, as his means admit. Thereby, in course of a short +time, he gathers round him in the land of his adoption a comfortable +little freehold property. Thus it is, nearly all the town workmen who +are possessed of any savings convert them into something substantial; +but for the bushmen no such opportunity exists; and hence it follows, +that the towns-people are generally industrious, steady, and frugal, +while those of the bush are too frequently the reverse. + +"That certainly was a melancholy end for your brother," said Tom to his +companion, resuming the conversation that had lapsed for a few minutes. + +"Yes, sir, it was; and if Bill, poor fellow, had just been content to +stick to the scrub like us he would most likely have been 'still to the +fore.' You see, sir, we live a jolly life; are quite contented, and +spend our money while we've got it. Now those fellows over there," +continued the man as he pointed to the sawyer's camp, in sight of which +they had just arrived, "not one of 'em would give up his life to go and +work in town if you paid him ever so high wages." + +"I've no doubt their mode of life is fascinating; but still I should +think the heavy drinking in which they indulge sometimes impairs their +health and constitution." + +"Not a bit, sir! We never feel anything the worse for a spree, nor in +anyways sick; 'cos you see we work hard, and most always live in the +bush; so we are always healthy." + +"I've no doubt that will preserve you in a great measure; but still you +must be perfectly aware that, even if you never experience any +deleterious effects, you continually leave yourself destitute; and if +anything in the way of sickness should happen to you, so as to +incapacitate you for work, you would not only starve, but die from +neglect and want of proper treatment. + +"Don't you believe it, sir! There would be no fear of my wanting +anything. Do you think if one of my mates was sick now that I wouldn't +share with him what money I'd got, or that I wouldn't look after him as +if he was my brother? In course I would, and if I got sick my mates +would do the same for me." + +By this time Tom and his companion had half crossed the bed of the +river; and noticing the plans the men had adopted to get their timber +over the flats, Tom commenced a fresh interrogation to elicit from his +travelling concomitant some information on the usual mode of procedure. +As the subject may have some degree of interest to a few of our readers +we will give in our own words the substance of the dialogue, craving +permission to premise it by a remark or two on the general life and +movements of sawyers. + +They are a class of men who exist during the greater portion of the year +in the bush and scrubs bordering on the rivers and creeks, where they +unceasingly and uninterruptedly practise their vocations. They generally +work in gangs, either on equal shares or on wages to one of their +number, who may be more thoughtful than the rest; and one who, +notwithstanding a fair share of dissipation, may have accumulated, +possibly through the influence of a thrifty wife, some considerable +means. The classes of timber most in demand, and therefore most sought +for by these men, are cedar and pine; which are procured separately, in +certain localities, in great abundance. This local segregation of the +woods is a characteristic of the Australian bush, and more than anything +else tends to create that monotony which is everywhere perceptible. It +causes the eye of the traveller to weary as he looks continually on the +leafless bare-looking trunks of the blue gum (which without intermission +meets his gaze for miles and miles on the lonely road) or the +sombre-looking ironbark that with equal pertinacity monopolizes the +ranges. Rarely, if ever, will an admixture of timbers be found to any +extent; and, consequently, those sawyers who cut pine leave the cedar +scrubs to be visited by the others; and _vice versa_. + +The timber is usually cut in the dry season; and the trees after being +cleared of their limbs and foliate appendages, and denuded of their +bark, are drawn by the means of a bullock team to the nearest creek or +river, where they are deposited until such time as the rains +sufficiently swell the streams to float them from their resting-places. +With an iron brand in the shape of a punch, and a hammer, each cutter on +the end of every log indelibly marks his own property; and as the logs +are removed from their beds by the rising current, a staple is driven +into each. Through this a chain is passed, when the whole are collected +into one raft, and securely moored to wait, in their transit down the +stream, the pleasure of the proprietor. The time usually chosen to raft +the timber is when the rivers are moderately high after rains; or, in +the parlance of the upper part of the country, when there is "a flood," +and in the lower, when there is "a fresh" in the river. They are then +started in their downward course either by the directing aid of a small +boat (if the ascent of the stream is practicable for it) or under the +guidance of some of the party; who make a firm footing for themselves on +their floating platform, by sheets of bark and foliage. They then trust +themselves to the current, while they guide the course of the raft with +poles until they come to flats. When the rivers are to any extent +swollen, or (as it is said in the country) "running," the rafts usually +pass over without difficulty; but if the water is low, and the flats +barely covered, the passage is necessarily not so easily effected, and +frequently impossible. Such then was the case at the Waverley flats at +the time of which we write. And it was with the water almost at the +lowest ebb that the party Tom saw had been endeavouring to float over +their raft; the process for which they had adopted we now propose to +explain. + +It is necessary at some point to have a boat to assist the raftmen in +their guidance of the unwieldy mass, and one is usually kept by them for +that purpose at the highest point to which it can be conveniently +brought. After escaping all impediments the boat takes the raft in tow; +and, as it progresses on the stream and comes within the action of +tides, on the occasion of each flowing, the party have to draw their +raft into the bank, and camp until the return of the ebb. In their +journey to the mills rarely more than three or four of the party, +including the proprietor if not a joint stock affair, accompany the +timber; while the remainder pursue their occupation of cutting. + +The party that was camped at the Waverley flats consisted of five +individuals in all. They had been working in shares for some months +collecting the raft they then had with them, and were all accompanying +it to the mills to sell it and have the proceeds equally distributed. +But the season having been an unusually dry one they had here met with +an effectual check, and had no alternative but to wait for rain. + +When they first reached the flats the water was just running over them, +but not sufficiently deep to admit of the passage of their property; so +the fellows had recourse to the expedient of forming "a race" to effect +their purpose, and this they had accomplished in the following way: A +few of the logs were drawn up and arranged longitudinally from either +bank of the river in an oblique direction to a focus in the centre of +the flat; from this point the logs were arranged parallel to one another +right across the bank to the deep water below. They were then all firmly +staked into the soil, and the interstices between and below them were +packed so as to perfect a dam or barrier to the water. The result of +this plan as is evident was that the water flowing over the flat was +confined to the narrow channel between the parallel logs, and thereby +attained a higher elevation and a swifter current. To the mouth of this +impromptu canal, then, the sawyers brought the logs one by one, and they +were made, with very little guiding, to shoot through the passage with +speed and precision. After getting nearly a hundred of the logs in this +manner over the impediment, the water continuing to fall, eventually +left them with not even sufficient to make their sluice available; so, +with fully half their raft fixed above the flat, the men were compelled +to be idle until they had sufficient water to float the remainder over. + +Tom had expressed surprise to his companion that he and his mates did +not proceed with the timber that had passed the flat, and leave some of +their companions behind to watch for the flood in the river, and secure +the others as they should descend. He pointed out that by that means +they would, in all probability, have got their first raft down to the +mills, and had time to return before the rains came on. But this, his +companion told him, the sawyers were afraid to risk, because, he said, +if the river rose rapidly, which they fully expected, they would want +all their number on the spot, otherwise they might lose half the timber. +Besides, in the absence of their boat, it would be an impossibility to +secure any of the logs if they should be washed over. "And then," he +continued, "we have been expecting the rain to commence every day for +weeks past." So it was deemed advisable by the whole party to await the +rising of the river; and, even watchful as they were, they fully +expected that if the flood came upon them at all suddenly, they would +lose a considerable number of the logs. + +After crossing the river (or rather the bed of it), and leaving the +sawyers' party, Tom Rainsfield leisurely pursued his journey; and, after +riding for about twenty miles or so, he could perceive, by the nature of +the country and the occasional appearance of "improvements," that he was +approaching the town of Brisbane. Towards dark the road led him through +lines of fences, and past a few cottages and cultivated fields, and +thence by detached buildings, until he finally entered the town and put +up at his hotel not at all dissatisfied at the completion of his +journey. The country, even to town, had equally suffered by the drought. +Hardly a vestige of herbage was to be seen on the whole surface of the +ground, and the mortality amongst the beasts was fearful, and painfully +perceptible from the fulsome malaria in the atmosphere. Tom's horse was +reduced to a perfect shadow, and was so weak that when he reached the +inn he could hardly drag one foot after another, and certainly could not +have existed another day with a continuation of his privations. Hence +Tom was additionally delighted when he drew rein at the Crown Hotel, and +permitted his weary and faithful animal to be led away to the stables, +while he proceeded to refresh himself in a manner most pleasant after +his own fatigues. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + "Ye glittering towns, with wealth and splendour crown'd, + Ye fields, where summer spreads profusion round, + Ye lakes, whose vessels catch the busy gale, + Ye bending swains, that dress the flow'ry vale." + + GOLDSMITH. + + +When Tom Rainsfield arrived in Brisbane he found it entirely absorbed in +politics, and the public attention so engaged in the all-important +question of separation that even the deplorable state in which the +country then was in was for the time forgotten. Business for the nonce was +entirely relinquished, and the good citizens were in a perfect ferment +of exultation, consequent on the receipt of joyous news. As a few +remarks respecting the topography of the place, and the nature of the +people's agitation, may not be here amiss we will endeavour to describe +and trace their progress through their various phases to the date of our +narrative. + +The town of Brisbane is pleasantly situated on a picturesque and +meandering river of the same name, about twenty miles from the point +where it disembogues into Moreton Bay. Passing its first establishment +it was not until the year 1840 that it was resorted to for the purposes +of trade. In that year drays first crossed "the range" by Cunningham's +Gap; and the squatters, who were then pushing on in the settlement of +the interior, discovered that this place could be made a convenient port +for the shipment of their produce to Sydney. The place, however, being +only a convict settlement free settlers were prohibited from approaching +it; and it was only by a special application to the government that on +the following year the land on the south bank of the river was surveyed +and laid out for a township, and a residence for the purposes of trade +permitted. The following year the convicts were wholly withdrawn from +the district, and the land that had been blighted by their occupancy was +thrown open to the public. From this period then, viz., 1842, is to be +dated the settlement of Moreton Bay, when the whole free population of +the district might have been numbered by dozens, and when the first +regular communication with Sydney was established. + +The town of Brisbane at that time, and even for years afterwards, +consisted only of a few wooden huts; and, with the exception of the +government buildings which had been erected during the penal era for the +housing and confinement of the convicts stationed there, not a decent or +substantial edifice existed. A few acres of ground had been cleared by +the prisoners for cultivation immediately round the settlement, and at +two places situated on the river below the town, respectively two and +seven miles distant; but otherwise the wilderness remained in its +primeval condition. + +The town on the northern bank of the river, which was much better +situated (both in a commercial and residentiary point of view) than that +on the southern, rapidly attracted the attention of speculators and +settlers. It was situated in a spacious pocket, caused by a bend in the +river, and flanked by gently undulating ridges. It was judiciously laid +out; with wide rectangular streets, commodious reserves for public +purposes, and was possessed of almost unbounded water frontage, which +could afford accommodation for a large commercial intercourse. One of +the boons left to the public upon the withdrawal of the convicts and +military, besides the court-house, hospital, and barracks, was a +botanical garden. It had been constructed for the especial pleasure and +accommodation of the officers and other officials of the settlement, and +became after their departure a very acceptable legacy to the people. + +The young settlement prospered amazingly as it became more peopled by +the streams of immigration from the southern parts of the colony. The +squatters who had advanced with their flocks and herds from the occupied +districts in the southern interior speedily formed stations in actual +contiguity to the township; which was daily increasing its trade, as its +intercourse with the interior became more settled and developed. The +architectural appearance of the town for years showed no improvement; +and the comfort of the inhabitants was little thought of in its +commercial prosperity. Large sums were annually gathered into the +government coffers from the sale of the lands in the township, but +nothing was ever done by the ruling powers to improve its condition; and +it was allowed to remain in that state in which it had left the hands of +the surveyors. The lines of the streets were certainly marked, but no +levels were fixed; and the idea of drainage never entered the minds of +the people's rulers. In fact, though the government, as we have said, +continued from year to year to derive large revenues from the sale of +these town lands, they never deemed it necessary to expend a fraction in +even the formation of the streets; and hence, after twelve years from +its occupation by a free population, it was, like all other bush towns +in the country, in a wretched and deplorable condition. After rains the +so-called streets became perfectly impassable, even to foot passengers; +and the principal thoroughfare was frequently the course of a swollen +torrent, that had in successive years worn for itself a bed, +interspersed with deep holes, which rendered it absolutely dangerous to +venture amongst its snares after dark. The extorting policy of the +government had always been to sacrifice the interests of the distant +settlers for a centralized aggrandizement; or, in other words, the +revenues derived from this or any other country district were applied, +not solely to the defraying of the expense of legislative machinery, +but to the improvement and embellishment of Sydney, and other works that +had no local importance to the out-lying districts. This was one of the +main grievances that induced the settlers in later years to petition for +separation from the parent colony. But we are anticipating. + +The advance of the district after its settlement continued with rapid +strides; and the labour requirements of the settlers kept continually in +advance of the supply. So that much inconvenience was felt by the +employers at the paucity of industrial bone and muscle procurable in the +district. For years the squatters were compelled to draw their supply of +labour from the Sydney market, an exceedingly expensive and by no means +satisfactory expedient, until the year 1848, when the influx of direct +immigration commenced. From this date ships at repeated intervals have +discharged their living freight on the shores of Moreton Bay, where they +have speedily met engagements at high rates of wages, and become +absorbed in the increasing population. + +The first labourers introduced into the district were by private +intervention, and though extraneous to our tale, we may be pardoned for +mentioning it here. The prime mover of this scheme was the Rev. Dr. +Lang, who was at the time a member of the Colonial legislature, and than +whom no greater benefactor to the colonies, and no sterner advocate for +the rights and privileges of the colonists existed or exists. He was +foremost in all works of reform and public utility. He seemed to be +gifted with a prescience of the colonist's requirements, and was +indefatigable in his exertions for their advancement and amelioration. +He is the antipodean agitator, and the acknowledged benefactor of his +fellow colonists in their land of adoption. Many of the privileges of +the Australian constitution owe their existence to Dr. Lang's +indomitable perseverance and skill, and many of the most sapient +enactments bear the impress of his mental perspicuity. He is the father +of Australia, and his name will long remain to the people "as familiar +as household words." + +Perceiving the great want of labour in the new settlement he was the +first who took any active part in the procuration of the desideratum. In +pursuit of this object in the year 1846 or 1847 he introduced a bill +into the legislature of New South Wales, having for its object the +introduction of an industrial class of immigrants into Moreton Bay. His +proposed plan was to induce the government to offer a small grant of +land to every immigrant arriving in the colony at his own expense, +equivalent to the amount of money actually paid for the passage. But the +project met with some opposition from the ministry of the day, and not +until after considerable perseverance did he receive assurances of their +assent. Being suddenly called to England on private affairs Dr. Lang +left his pet scheme in the hands of a colleague to procure for it the +formal sanction of the country; and he commenced to act upon the +assurance given him in the colonies by organizing a system of emigration +during his stay in England. This was in the years 1847 and 1848, when, +after continually drawing the attention of the middle classes of Great +Britain to the eligibility of Moreton Bay as a place for emigration, and +holding out the inducement of remission of the passage-money emigrants +would pay in an equivalent grant of land in the colonies, he succeeded +in the latter year in despatching three ships freighted with intending +settlers. Their arrival in the colony, though of considerable benefit to +the community there established, was fraught with many inconveniences +and privations to themselves. The Colonial government ignored their +title to grants of land; and the newly arrived immigrants found +themselves, upon landing in the country, disappointed in their +expectations, many of them destitute, and all in a place hardly +reclaimed from the wilderness of the bush, where no preparation had +been made for their reception. They were, therefore, disgusted with what +they considered the fraud that had been practised upon them, and were +loud in their declamation of those who had enticed them from their +comfortable homes to be subjected to the misery and discomforts they had +then to endure. Under these circumstances piteous were the +communications made to friends in the "fatherland," and dreadful the +detail of their distress in the far distant land of promise. + +Their case, however, attracted some little notice from the local +authorities, and a piece of land adjoining the town was allotted them, +on which to erect dwellings. On this they settled, calling it Fortitude +Valley, from the name of one of the vessels that had conveyed them +thither; and when they got over their mortification, and gave their +minds to industry, they speedily transformed the almost impenetrable +bush into a scene of life and animation. The first privations of +settlement very soon succumbed to comfort and independence, and "the +valley" shortly became a populous suburb of the town of Brisbane, and, +at the period of our story, closely approximated to, if not equalled it, +in population. The settlers themselves, introduced under so unfavourable +auspices, were not long in immensely improving their condition, and many +of them, in the course of a few years, rose to positions of comfort, +eminence, and opulence; and if they ever reverted to the period of their +immigration, must have done so with feelings of thankfulness and +satisfaction. + +From this period the influx of population continued, and the condition +in which the district flourished may be gathered from the following +tables:-- + +The entire district-- + + In 1846, contained 2,257 souls + 1851, " 10,296 " + 1856, " 22,232 " + + And was estimated, + + In 1861, to contain 30,000 souls. + + The town of Brisbane, of which we wish + more particularly to allude, + + In 1846, contained about 500 souls + 1851, the population was 2,500 " + 1856, 4,400 " + + And in 1861 was calculated + to contain 8,000 " + +Brisbane presents now a far different aspect to what it did some few +years back. As we have said, it is pleasantly and, both in a sanitary +and commercial point of view, admirably situated. From an obscure +settlement in the bush it has become a thriving town, with some good +streets, substantial stone and brick houses, stores, warehouses, and +wharves, and with shops that would not disgrace many a fashionable +thoroughfare in the British metropolis. It is possessed of spacious and +commodious government buildings, a gaol, mechanics' school of arts, an +hospital, several banking establishments, and fully a dozen churches +and other places of worship. The surrounding country, that was only a +few years before a wild waste, has mostly been cleared and put under +cultivation; and the banks of the river far above, and considerably +below the town, are studded with farms and gentlemen's seats, some +elegantly and tastefully constructed with a view both to comfort and the +exigencies of the climate. The town is further possessed of two steam +saw-mills; one daily, and another bi-weekly newspaper; weekly steam and +continual sailing communication with Sydney, and a dawning direct trade +with England. Five steamers ply on the river, and a daily coach runs by +land to Ipswich, and an export trade is done to the extent of +considerably over half a million sterling annually. The climate is +salubrious--the heat ranging, in the shade, between the means of 80 deg. in +summer, and 50 deg. in winter; and the soil of the neighbourhood has been +proved to be productive of a greater variety of plants than any other +country in the world. Coupled with wheat, oats, barley, potatoes, peas, +and a variety of other English edibles, its products comprise many of a +tropical nature, the practicability of the growth of which has been +fully demonstrated. Bananas, pine-apples, pumpkins, melons, figs, +grapes, peaches, maize, and sweet potatoes, are common articles of +culture; while indigo, arrow-root, sugar-cane, and cotton, flourish as +in their native climes. + +Of the latter product we would fain say a few words _en passant_, as its +production of late has been a question that has been much agitated in +Great Britain, and received some attention in the colonies. We believe +the experiment of its growth was first tried upon the joint suggestion +of an influential settler of New South Wales, Mr. T. S. Mort of Sydney, +and the Rev. Dr. Lang. The former gentleman procured a supply of the +best sea-island American seed, and also an instrument called "a gin" for +cleaning the seed from the cotton, and placed them at the disposal of +the settlers of Moreton Bay. The seeds were planted, germinated, and +yielded cotton of the first description; but difficulties arose which +cultivators were unable to surmount. The first was the impracticable +nature of the instrument they were possessed of for cleaning. It was +found to be useless, and all similar apparatuses that were subsequently +introduced, and constructed on ideas suggested to the minds of local +mechanical geniuses, equally failed to perform the requisite work with +cleanliness and precision. Though this was in itself almost +insurmountable, the greatest drawback to the culture of the cotton was +the rainy weather, which usually set in just as the cotton was ripening; +destroying the crop, and inflicting serious loss on the cultivator. It +was, however, discovered that in the Moreton Bay climate the plant +became a perennial; and that, after the first year's growth, the pods +ripened considerably earlier and avoided the wet weather; while the +staple of the cotton improved with the age of the plant. Satisfactory +as was this discovery, the first failure militated against its general +cultivation; for most of the farmers in the district, being dependent +for their subsistence on their yearly crops, could not afford to +experimentalize, notwithstanding that they were certain of an ultimately +remunerative crop. A subsequent attempt to cultivate the cotton was +tried with no better success. Though the staple was produced none of the +cleaning machines to be had were efficacious; and no means being +procurable to extract the seed from the cotton, it was sent to England +in its raw state to be separated there. The cotton was cleaned by +hand-labour in some of the penitentiaries of the "old country;" and when +submitted to judges of the article, was pronounced to be the finest +specimen ever introduced into the country. But these repeated failures +damped the cotton-growing ardour of the people; and, being able +otherwise more profitably to employ their labour and capital, they +permitted its culture to be abandoned. + +That cotton will eventually become a large export from this district we +have no hesitation in affirming, and we believe that the time is not far +distant when capitalists in England, interested in the cotton trade, +will take up the matter and embark in it. It is an undertaking which we +are confident, from the reasons we have expressed, would be found +remunerative even with the application of free European labour, and be +of considerable benefit to the manufacturers and consumers of the +staple. It has been frequently argued in the colony where it was grown +that the expense of labour would eat up the whole proceeds of the +cotton. But this we are disposed to dispute for many cogent reasons. In +the first place, notwithstanding the many assertions to the contrary, +Europeans can work at all times in the open air, even under the +scorching rays of a mid-summer sun; while the value of the cotton +produced, by the peculiar adaptation of the soil, has been found to be +of a superior character to even the finest American or Egyptian +productions; and, from the fact of the necessity of annual planting +being avoided, the expense of production after the first year is reduced +by more than one half. These facts at once disarm of its force the +statement that cotton cultivators in Queensland could not compete with +slave-grown produce without the aid of cheap coolie or lascar labour. + +The postulation that without Asiatic skill and economy the cotton +cultivation is a chimera, has been assumed by a few interested parties +in the colonies, and reverberated by them from mouth to mouth among +their own party, without a solitary echo from the mass of the people. It +has been advanced in ignorance, and persevered in in dogmatical +obstinacy, to the entire subversion of reason and the results of +experience. The theory has arisen in a desire of personal aggrandizement +by its advocates, who have never dreamt of the consequences that would +accrue from an influx of heathenism and depravity, or the detraction +from the honour of the colony, and the degradation of our labouring +fellow-countrymen and colonists. It is happily only a party cry, and +that only of so meagre a nature, that it is almost an inaudible squeak. +But though insignificant as it is in the country where it originated, by +its propagation and circulation in the press, its virus has been made to +travel through the entire arterial system of the commonwealth; which is +thus made to believe in the moral gangrene of this distant member of the +empire. But to return. + +Before we allowed ourselves to be led into the foregoing digression we +spoke of the land and water communication to the town of Ipswich; which +reminds us of the existence of that important town; and of which we also +crave permission, while on our topographical subject, to say a few +words. + +Ipswich, or as it was originally called, Limestone, from the quantity of +that mineral which pervaded the neighbourhood, is situated on the +Bremer river, which falls into the Brisbane. It is distant from the town +of Brisbane about twenty-five miles by land, and sixty by water, and is +stationed at the highest navigable point on either stream. It was +formerly used by the government as a station for the sheep and cattle of +the settlement during the penal times; and, upon the withdrawal of the +prisoners, it was, like its sister settlement, declared a township, +surveyed, and thrown open to the public. The first land in it was sold +in Brisbane in the year 1843; but for three years afterwards the town +made little progress. With the exception of a brick cottage that had +been erected for the overseer in charge of the military and prisoners +stationed there while it was a government establishment, and which, +after the break up, was converted into a public-house to afford +accommodation and allay the thirst of wayfarers to and fro between +Brisbane and the interior, few buildings, even of the most makeshift +description, were erected. The place had as then attracted little or no +attention; for the traffic passed it on its way without any further +stoppage than what a bush public-house is expected to effect among the +bullock-drivers and draymen, while the drays came right down to Brisbane +without any interruption to their loads. + +During the time of its attachment to the penal settlement at Brisbane +the communication between the two places had been maintained by the +means of boats and punts, in which the supplies of the station were +brought up, and live stock for consumption, and lime requisite for the +works at the township, returned. No doubt, acting on this knowledge, the +idea occurred to an enterprising settler of the district that the +traffic could be diverted from the road to the river, and would be +advantageous in the saving of time and trouble consequent on the +primitive style of land carriage in vogue. He therefore started a small +steamer in the year last mentioned, viz., 1846, to ply between the two +places; and though not successful in his project, so far as his own +pocket was concerned, the soundness of his conjectures was patent in the +benefits that resulted. The advancement of Ipswich may be dated from +that period, since which its progress has been extraordinarily rapid, +and even bids fair to maintain the race with the sister town with some +degree of success. + +Though Ipswich is admirably situated for the purposes of trade with the +interior, it is by no means so eligible a site for a town, nor so well +planned out as Brisbane. Its streets are narrow, and have been lined by +the surveyors without any regard to levels or the "lay" of the country. +It is situated in a hollow, so that the drainage falls into the centre +of the town, while the surrounding hills preclude the possibility of +approach of any of those breezes which are so deliciously refreshing +during sultry summer weather. The buildings, on the whole, are +creditable, and even fine for so young a place, though by no means +equal to those of Brisbane; and its peculiar characteristics are, +bullock-drays, dirty streets, and public-houses. It is, however, a busy, +thriving town; and if in the selection of its site a little more +judicious forethought had been exercised, and more consideration for +comfort, health, and amenity displayed in its surveying, it might have +been made, with its beautiful surrounding scenery, as pretty a spot as +could have been desired. But in this, as in every other case in the +colonies since their foundation, the only thing that has been exhibited +is the cupidity of the government, whose only desire has ever been to +realise as much as possible from the sales of land, with as little +outlay as practicable. Hence the inhabitants are doomed to live in a +place that, upon the minutest visitation of rain, becomes a perfect +"slough of despond;" and from its concave situation, when under a +vertical sun, is at least ten degrees warmer than any other place in the +district. + +This, then, is the point to which all the traffic now converges in its +passage to Brisbane, and diverges in its transit to the interior--the +highway between the two points being the river, while the road is merely +used for the lighter traffic of a few equestrians and light vehicles. +Such is the alteration, and we may of course add improvement, in the +appearance of the country by the influence of civilisation consequent on +the settlement of the district; and so rapidly has it taken place that +if any of the old official residents, who only knew it in its infancy of +freedom, were again to visit it, we have no hesitation in saying they +would not credit their senses. We are aware that in all new colonies, +where capital, industry, and perseverance are brought to bear upon the +barren wastes, the speedy transition to a smiling scene of plenty is the +inevitable result. But in most there is an air of freshness about +everything, which proclaims it a new place; while in those towns of +Moreton Bay the case is very different. They seem almost to have sprung +into maturity at once; and, especially in Brisbane, there is a +something about it so thoroughly English, that were it not for the +luxuriant growth of exotics, the heavy timber on the adjacent hills, and +the tropical appearance in the architecture of some of the suburban +dwellings which instantly strike the eye, a stranger could hardly bring +himself to believe this was the last formed of Britain's colonies; while +we can affirm it is already far from the meanest. + +Before taking leave of this local subject we beg permission here to +introduce a little episode that is characteristic of the relationship +that existed between the two towns, or rather the settlement and the +station, before the advent that proclaimed the country open to free +settlers. Towards the latter end of the penal, or military, +administration, the district was visited by a fearful flood that swept +over the face of the country and rendered all travelling, either by land +or water, perfectly impracticable. The intercourse, therefore, between +Brisbane and Limestone was entirely severed, and for weeks no +communication could be attempted. At the station, during this stoppage, +the supplies began to run short (it never having been deemed necessary +to anticipate such an emergency), and the residents were soon suffering +serious privations from the want of their necessary rations. No boats or +horses were at the station at the time, so that they were unable to +intimate to the authorities below the state in which they were situated. +The officials at Limestone waited from day to day in the vain hope of +seeing the waters recede, and the means of communication re-established, +but they were disappointed. The flood continued at its height, and +starvation was almost staring them in the face. In this emergency the +officer in charge of the prisoners offered a free pardon to any who +would accomplish the voyage to the settlement, and report there the +distress the people at Limestone were suffering. + +The passage was undertaken by two of the men, who knew that success was +freedom, and that failure's concomitant was death. One took the track +through the bush and perished, possibly by being washed away while +attempting the crossing of some swollen creek, but the other was more +successful, and succeeded in reaching the township in safety, where he +communicated the intelligence of the destitution at Limestone, and had +the gratification of relieving his former companions, and securing his +freedom. Supplies were immediately forwarded to the famished station on +pack-horses, which, only after surmounting considerable difficulties and +dangers, succeeded in reaching their destination. This passage was one +of the boldest and most extraordinary feats on colonial record, and, +considering the manner in which it was effected, freedom was certainly +not too great a reward. It was accomplished by the man tracing the +course of the river, travelling by land where such was practicable, and +taking to the river and swimming where it was not. When it is remembered +that all the low and flat parts of the country were under water, and +that it was computed half the distance of the journey, or nearly thirty +miles, was traversed in the swollen stream, with a flying current and +eddying pools, and amidst trees and other _debris_, swarming with +reptiles and insects brought down from the mountains and clustered on +the floating masses, some conception may be formed of what the intrepid +courier had gone through. But to return again to our narrative. + +The period of which we write is the summer of 1857, when the cry of +"separation" resounded through the country. Some time previous to this +the colonists had received intimation of the intention of her Majesty's +government to erect Moreton Bay into a separate state amongst the group +of Australian colonies. But at this period, as we have already stated, +fresh despatches had been received, in which the boundaries and a sketch +of its constitution were defined, and the inhabitants were deep in the +contemplation of these topics. We fear that this disquisition on +history and politics may be considered an interpolation foreign to the +nature of our work, and uninteresting to the majority of our readers; +but we must excuse ourselves for an encroachment upon the prerogative of +the historian, on the ground that we wish the indulgent public to have a +correct idea of the historical, as well as the physical and social, +nature of Queensland. We would, therefore, throw ourselves again on the +leniency of our readers, while we trace, as succinctly as possible, the +origin and growth of the separation movement. + +For some years previous to the year 1851 the colonists of Port Philip +had agitated the question of separation from the colony of New South +Wales, and in that year their efforts were crowned with success, their +district being, by imperial decree, erected into a separate colony under +the name of Victoria. The instigator and prime mover in this matter had +been the Rev. Dr. Lang; and at the commencement of the same year he +organized an agitation for a similar dismemberment of the Moreton Bay or +northern districts. + +The inhabitants of those districts, groaning under the habitual neglect +of a distantly removed and selfish government, were not slow to respond +to the call of the agitator. The first meeting to consider the subject, +which was held in January 1851, resulted in the despatch of petitions to +the throne, praying for an immediate separation from New South Wales, +and an establishment as an independent state. They enumerated among the +general grievances, the remoteness of the district from the seat of +government, the inadequate representation in the legislature, the +confirmed neglect and inattention of their rulers to their requirements, +the total absorption of their revenues for the improvement of the +capital, and the impossibility to procure the outlay of any money on +absolutely necessary works; in fact the total subversion of the rights +of the inhabitants, and the general inconvenience experienced by a +connexion with New South Wales. + +Much as the consummation was desiderated by all parties in the district +the people were divided into two bodies in the views which they took of +the subject; and each party drew up its own petition, and forwarded it +to England. One faction, and by far the most numerous and intelligent, +demanded a "free" separation, with the untrammelled administration of +their own affairs; while the other, principally composed of the +squatters in the interior, were contented with petitioning for +separation, with a reversion to the old penal system. Their object being +to have convicts sent to the new colony, and to procure their labour by +the old iniquitous "assigning" system. + +The struggle continued apace between the contending factions on the one +hand, and with the governments of Great Britain and New South Wales on +the other. The pro-convict party, who had established a weekly +newspaper to advocate their cause, gradually diminished, until +eventually their zeal expired, and they succumbed to popular feeling, +leaving the body of free separationists united and energetic. Petition +after petition continued to be poured at the feet of Her most gracious +Majesty, who at last condescended to listen to the prayer of her loyal +though distant subjects. In the year 1855, by an act passed in the +Imperial Parliament, entitled, "The Constitution Act of New South +Wales," right was reserved to her Majesty to separate from that colony +any portion of its northern territory she, by her ministers, might deem +expedient. It was then made manifest to the colonists that some hope +existed of the desired event taking place, and their importunities +consequently increased. In July 1856, the then Secretary of State for +the Colonies (Mr. Labouchere) intimated, in a despatch to the Governor +of New South Wales, that her Majesty's ministers considered that the +time had arrived when the dismemberment should be effected, and +suggested that the 30th parallel of south latitude should be fixed upon +as the boundary of the two colonies. About this parallel a natural line +of demarcation exists in the form of a mountain range, and at no other +part of the coast could so eligible a division be made. + +The magnates in Sydney perceiving that, notwithstanding all their +strenuous opposition, separation was determined upon considered it +useless to further attempt its prevention; but they were, nevertheless, +sanguine of their ability to mar the fair prospects of the new colony. +The thought of losing the revenue of so large a district rankled in +their bosoms, and the idea of procuring an alteration in the boundary +line, by a removal farther away from them, suggested itself to their +minds. Confident in their success and the time for an execution of their +machinations, that would be afforded them by the usual circumlocutions +of government, they forthwith entered upon their work. + +One of the districts embraced in the proposed new colony was the +Clarence river, which was only second in importance to that of Moreton +Bay itself, and which comprised a coast-line of upwards of 120 miles, +and a country that extended nearly double that distance inland. This, +then, they set to work to retain; and, though the inhabitants themselves +of the debateable ground were strongly averse to a continued connexion +with the parent colony, and desired annexation to the new one, a +petition was presented to the legislature, purporting to be from the +residents of that district, and praying for the maintenance of their +existing relationship with New South Wales. The opprobrium attached to +the concoction of this petition is due to the then member of the +legislature for the New England district; for through his chicanery the +signatures were obtained and the people deceived. It was represented to +them as for a local assize court, and their signatures obtained on blank +sheets of paper, which were afterwards attached to the genuine +anti-separation petition and laid before the government of the colony, +by whom it was forwarded to the British secretary. + +This fraud was shortly afterwards detected by the parties cajoled, who +exposed the deception practised upon them, and eventually petitioned the +crown with a similar view. But, too late: the first had reached the home +government as a genuine document, and the result may be imagined; for, +combining such a strong demonstration of public feeling as the petition +appeared to do with the biassed representations of the Sydney +government, the crown had no other alternative but to alter the boundary +originally intended Mr. Labouchere (dated just one year after his former +despatch) then informed the Governor of New South Wales that her +Majesty's ministers had determined to separate the northern colony at +the 28th (instead of the 30th) parallel of south latitude. There the +matter rested until the year 1860, when the proclamation calling into +existence the colony of Queensland was read in the capital city of +Brisbane by the first governor, Sir George Ferguson Bowen. + +We would not have pursued this theme had it not been to explain the +ferment in which Tom Rainsfield found the good people of Brisbane when +he visited their town, as we have said, in the summer of 1857; and, +amidst the agitation of the public mind which absorbed all thought and +attention, we will leave him for the present to pursue his business. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + "Hark! there be murmurs heard in Lara's hall, + A sound--a voice--a shriek--a fearful call! + A long loud shriek--and silence--did they hear + That frantic echo burst the sleeping ear?" + + BYRON. + + +At a certain spot on the Darling Downs approaching towards their +northern extremity, and where the country divides the eastern from the +western water-sheds, a party was encamped for the night round their +fire; on which preparations were being made by a civilized black for the +evening meal of white men, who lay stretched on the ground in the full +enjoyment of their "doodeens." The culinary operator was Joey, and the +recumbent beings were his master and the shepherds, who had progressed +thus far with a flock of sheep, on their way from New England to Fern +Vale. + +The weather that had spread devastation over the face of the country, +was equally fatal in its effects to the flock of our hero. He had +attempted to force their march so as to reach his destination before +their entire destruction, but was at last constrained to halt in a +state, both to man and beast, of perfect exhaustion. He had been the +more anxious to reach his own station as he was aware that, after the +long and severe drought the district had been visited with, a flood +might be expected as the inevitable consequence; and that if he were +caught in it the strong probability was that he would lose the remaining +half of his flock. Further progression, however, for his exhausted +sheep, he saw was, at least for a time, perfectly hopeless; and he felt +his only alternative was to wait for the rain, which from the +portensions of the sky, was not far distant. Therefore a rude hut, or +arborous shelter of boughs and saplings, was erected to shield him and +his companions from the rays of the sun, and they waited with what +patience they could assume for the pluvial blessing so much prayed for +all over the country. + +Here then the party was located, anxiously waiting for the advent of the +propitious event that would admit of their progression; and, on the +evening we have discovered them to the reader, they were dragging out in +listless idleness the remainder of an intolerably hot day, too much +enervated to indulge in any exertion or conversation. While John +Ferguson, who was possibly even more taciturn than his companions, was +absorbed in his own gloomy thoughts, occasioned by the inauspicious +result of his journey, he with his colleagues was suddenly aroused from +his lethargy by a most unearthly sound in the close proximity of their +camp. He instantly started to his feet, and was greeted with a burst of +demoniacal laughter that made his very blood curdle in his veins. + +Before him stood a being evidently human, but no more like his first +prototype than Gabriel to Lucifer; a man wild and dishevelled in +appearance; his eyes like balls of fire; and his face and other parts of +his body, perceptible from his all but state of nudity, cut and +bleeding. In the fitful light of the camp fire he had more the +appearance of one of the eliminated shades of Hades than an habitant of +this world. The startled and affrighted quartette, who had been +interrupted by his unexpected appearance, gazed on the object with +wonder, commiseration, and alarm; for his condition was speedily made +palpable by his wild gesticulations and incoherent utterance. He was +mad, and in that most to be deplored state of madness--delirium +tremens. + +John Ferguson advanced a few steps towards the man with the object of +leading him to their temporary abode; but the maniac warned him off by +a wave of the hand, and darted off again into the settling obscurity +with the fleetness of an arrow. No human creature in such a condition +could be permitted thus to rush to inevitable death by observers with +any spark of Christian charity. John Ferguson and his companions felt +this, and notwithstanding the darkness of the night, and the +interminable nature of the bush around them, they instantly pursued the +fugitive, being guided in his track by his fearful cries and yells. + +The chase was tedious, and but for an accident might have been +fruitless. The unnatural stimulus of madness lends powerful aid to the +cartilaginous anatomy of its victims; so that, notwithstanding the +evident fatigue that this wretched inebriate had sustained, his crural +muscles performed their functions with even more force and facility than +those of his athletic pursuers; and he continued to keep considerably in +advance of them. But his course was providentially checked by a fall, +that not only stopped him in his headlong career of destruction, but +extinguished the treacherous spark that had stimulated his system, and +then left him prostrate and perfectly paralysed. When his pursuers came +up, and by the light of a "firestick" gazed upon him, they found him +writhing in agony on the ground, foaming at the mouth, gnashing his +teeth, and actually biting the very dust in the intensity of his +suffering. Nature could not long stand so fearful a tax as this without +speedily succumbing. Reason had already been hurled from her throne by +the arrogated sway of the incensed devils of debauch, and strength and +consciousness had been expatriated by the usurpation; while life was all +but extinguished. In this state he was borne by his rescuers back to +their camp, and tended with every care they could devise; but when he +awoke to consciousness, it was only to add the horrors of a raging fever +to those of dementation; the more fearful on account of the inability +of his attendants to afford him any assistance. + +To truthfully describe his appearance, or his sufferings, as he lay +rending the air with his fearful and impious imprecations, would not +only be beyond our powers of portrayal, but would have none other effect +than to sicken and disgust our readers. Nevertheless we feel +constrained, fain as we would draw a veil over the scene, to continue +our description for the furtherance of temperance and morality. The man +remained for fully twenty-four hours in the state we have mentioned; +when the exacerbation of his malady threatened to terminate his +existence. No hope of relief could be entertained, for none was +procurable in such a situation; even had the exhausted travellers been +capable of seeking it. So that the wretched being's doom seemed +inevitably sealed. + +At this moment the Fern Vale party were startled by the sudden +appearance of two others, who came seeking their comrade, and bore in +their countenances almost as indelible a stamp of dissipation as that on +the visage of the dying madman. From these new comers John learnt that +the three had been travelling in company of a bullock dray, and being +unable to proceed on their journey, through the loss of the greater +portion of the team, they had all been engaged in a social wassail on +some grog they had had in charge; and for a considerable period had all +been more or less drunk. Their companion had been in a fit of delirium +tremens for days; and while in a state of madness had suddenly gone, +they knew not, nor at the time cared not, whither. But finding he did +not return as they had anticipated even their besotted natures began to +take alarm for his safety, and had induced them to go in search of him. + +The two men now stood by the prostrate and paralysed form of their late +robust companion, on whom, blunted and debased as were their own +feelings, they could not gaze without emotions; and as they witnessed +the glaring blood-shot eyes, rotating in their sunken and discoloured +sockets, the pendent jaw which left the parched tongue protruding from +the open mouth, the colourless emaciated cheeks which contrasted +fearfully with the sore and livid lips, the generally wasted frame, the +shaking though powerless hands imploring with the looks of distracted +vision, and the ineffectual attempts to articulate the cravings for that +very poison which was fast hastening a commingling of his putrid carcass +with its native dust, their hearts sickened within them. They, however, +knew the purport of his signs; and subdued as they were by the presence +of the destroying angel, and chastened by the momentary visitations of +compunction, their devotion to their idol, and their belief in its +efficacies were such, that, even in the face of death, they exorcised +their destroying spirit. Before their motion could be anticipated, or +prevented by John Ferguson, one of the dying man's companions drew a +bottle from his bosom, and applied it to the lips of the sufferer. + +The taste of the exhilarating poison effected a transitory release of +the bonds of death's victim. His hands clasped with a convulsive grasp +the endeared destroyer of his life; and as the spirit flowed into the +celiac channel of his wasted system, its consuming fire mantled his +cheek with an unnatural erubescence, shot from his lustrous eyes, and +imparted vigour to his inert frame. If the men's action had been noticed +in time John would have no doubt prevented the drink being given, though +it would have signified little; for no power on earth could have saved +the victim, while possibly the draught of spirits which he had taken +ameliorated his departing agonies. Be that as it may he had hardly +swallowed it than fresh strength seemed to have been imparted to his +frame. He then started to his feet, waved the bottle above his head with +a fiendish laugh, and fell to the ground a corpse. + +Can mortals ever be rescued from the fearful infatuation of drink? Can +rational and sentient beings ever be brought to an abhorrence of that +vile and bestial vice that equally destroys the intellect and degrades +the body? or will reason ever inculcate in the mind of man the virtue of +temperance, so as to use without abusing the gifts of a bountiful +providence? Let an incorrigible drunkard stand before such a scene as we +have attempted to describe, and for five minutes witness the agonies and +death of a fellow inebriate; let his soul commune with the tortured +spirit of the wretched victim of intemperance; let him witness the +horrors of delirium tremens, that tear to pieces both body and life, and +consigns them to the lowest depths of perdition; let him not only +witness but feel the hell that burns up the very soul of the blind +votaries of Bacchus; and let him witness the last struggle, the tortuous +departure of the spirit, accompanied with the blasphemous ribaldry of +the vile worm that, while insinuating its eliminated spirit before the +judgment-seat of its Maker, dares to utter its arrogant defiance to the +august and omnipotent Creator. Let him see this; tell him this is the +consequence of intemperance possibly only indulged in moderately at an +early stage, but growing by degrees as evil does grow, like the +gathering avalanche accumulating in its downward progress until it +reaches its final descent amidst universal destruction. Tell him also +that a similar fate awaits every drunkard, and tell him, if he turns not +away from his course of vileness, such will be his; then, if his +conscience does not lead him to penitence through such a lesson, no +human effort can save him. + +The state of the weather, the mortification of the body, and its +consequent immediate decomposition, made it imperative that no time +should be lost in the interment of the corpse. The funeral obsequies +were speedily performed, with little more ceremony than what would +attend the burying of an animal, while nothing marked the spot where +lay the bones that would in all probability be soon forgotten. The two +men then took their departure, and we doubt not would soon return to +their carouse; such is the quickness with which man forgets the +visitations of the warning hand of God. + +A few days after the event we have just narrated the rain that had been +so long threatening at last appeared with one of those terrific +thunder-storms which the colonies are in the summer visited with; and +speedily the whole surface of the country became deluged. The arid and +thirsty soil drank in the moisture, and almost spontaneously shot forth +its herbage. The flock was then enabled to luxuriate on the tender +grasses and, notwithstanding the deluging rains, to pursue its journey +with more comfort than it had experienced for some considerable time +previously. + +For a week the rain continued with unabating violence when John Ferguson +and his flock struck the course of the Gibson river near Brompton. The +river was "bank high" at the time, rolling its swollen volume on in +sullen impetuosity; while the ground around was so saturated and swampy +that the travelling of the sheep was exceedingly tedious; and their +owner began to feel anxious lest their course should be altogether +impeded. He, however, managed to push on past Brompton, when the weather +happily moderated; and though still overcast, and rainy-looking, the +actual fall of water ceased. The respite was made good use of by John +Ferguson, who pushed on as rapidly as he could, and he arrived at the +Wombi without any interruption; but there he met with a check he had +little anticipated. He fully expected the bridge would be level with the +water or even covered, and thought that he might have to wait for the +river to fall; but the volume of water had considerably subsided and +left no trace of the structure he and his neighbours had erected. It had +in fact been washed away by the flood, and he was made painfully aware +that the only course open to him was to wait until the swollen current +became sufficiently reduced to make it practicable to swim over his +sheep. With that object he camped his party and flock on the bank of the +Wombi. + +For some days they waited in this position; but the river, +notwithstanding that the rain had ceased, fell very slowly; while the +surrounding gloominess plainly indicated an additional visitation of wet +as not far distant. In conjunction with this the sheep began to show +signs of foot-rot; and John, becoming anxious to get them home, +considered it better under the circumstances to attempt a passage of the +river at once. Acting on this decision he removed the flock to the old +crossing-place and attempted the transit. + +Two of his men had, by the aid of a horse, swam the river, and a large +number of the sheep had either crossed or were struggling in the +current, when a noise was heard that struck our hero with dismay. The +distant roll of thunder, combined with the roar of battle, would convey +but an imperfect idea of its nature. Distinct and more distinctly came +the sound and, while the darkened atmosphere lent its gloom to the +mighty convulsion that seemed to rend the earth, the cause of the noise +seemed to approach nearer and nearer. Though John had never seen the +sudden rising of a river he had heard of such phenomena, and guessed +that the sound that he then heard was the harbinger of such an event. He +therefore used all his exertions, with those of Joey and the white man +that had remained with him on the upper bank of the Wombi, to prevent +the remainder of the sheep from following their fellows into the water. +They were with difficulty diverted from the stream; and those that had +already crossed, being driven by the men as far as possible from the +influence of the tide, John waited with an intense anxiety to watch the +fate of those that would of a certainty be overtaken by the current. + +The flood was in the Gibson river, and its cause can be easily explained +in a few words. Towards its source the rain had been continuous, and the +water-holes and surcharged swamps being filled to repletion, had burst +their bounds and added their immense volumes to the already swollen +stream. This imparted a force and impetuosity even greater than the +current had previously possessed, and forced the water in one immense +body down its course. On and on it swept like the monstrous rolling +surge of the ocean, carrying to inevitable ruin everything that it +overtook in its passage. John stood on an elevation sufficiently high to +enable him to watch the progress of the destructive fluid; and, with his +gaze alternately directed to it and his sheep still swimming in the +stream at his feet, he calculated their chances of reaching the bank in +safety. For this, however, he had little time, for the progress of the +flood was quicker than that of his thoughts; and the sudden rise in the +Gibson, as the deluge approached, caused a similar one in the Wombi. As +the main body in the river swept past, it flooded the minor stream with +its back current, sending the reversed tide, seething and swelling, up +its narrow channel, and carrying with it some hundreds of the swimming +sheep, most of which were drowned in their vain struggles with the +element. + +Unfortunate as this was John gave vent to no vain regrets, but at once +decided how he would act. He knew that the brunt of the flood was over, +and that the water would speedily fall in the river. He therefore +determined to camp where he was for the night, and in the morning to +send on the portion of his flock on the opposite side of the river, +while he waited with the remainder until the flood should have so far +receded as to permit his crossing them with safety. He communicated his +plans to both sections of his party, while Joey lit a fire and prepared +a camp. + +Towards midnight, when everything was hushed in the nocturnal stillness, +Joey came softly to his master, who was stretched in his blanket before +the fire on the damp ground, and awoke him from his sleep. John, when he +was aroused, instantly started up in the full expectation of some fresh +misfortune, and hastily demanded of Joey what was the matter. + +"You no hear, massa?" replied Joey; "you listen. The black fellows come +back again and make great noise." + +John listened attentively for some moments, and unmistakably +distinguished the sounds of blacks' voices, though what was the purport +of the noise he could not conjecture. It was evident to him they had +returned to the neighbourhood and, from the sounds he heard, in +considerable numbers. But where could they be camped? he asked himself; +surely not at their old ground in the scrub, he thought; for the noise +plainly indicated a closer proximity. In fact, it sounded to him as if +it emanated from somewhere about Strawberry Hill, if not from that very +place. Then John's thoughts led him to make the enquiry what could bring +them across the Gibson; if they had any object in visiting Strawberry +Hill; and if so, what that object could be? His thoughts, once led into +such a channel, were not long in picturing a gloomy catalogue of +probable causes. A remembrance of Rainsfield's cruelties was too +indelibly impressed upon his mind to be forgotten, and the scene he had +witnessed at the blacks' camp on the night previous to their departure +was instantly conjured up in all its horrors. Though the disappearance +of the blacks for months had momentarily dimmed his memory to the pangs +he then witnessed and felt, they were instantly remembered when his mind +reverted to the subject; and he vividly recollected the ebullition of +evil passions that had been kindled in the breasts of some of the +survivors and relatives of the victims. In his fancy he heard anew the +threat of revenge that was uttered against Rainsfield; and he began to +entertain the belief that the blacks were at the station of Strawberry +Hill, and had come there for the purpose of wreaking vengeance on their +destroyer and his family at a time when they would imagine their +visitation least expected. + +At the same time, however, he could not bring his mind to imagine that +the blacks would be bold enough to attack the whole station, being +confident the knowledge of the superior prowess of the whites would +deter them, besides their dread of fire-arms, which, they would know at +least all the men on the station would possess. He had no doubt, either, +but that Rainsfield, having incurred the enmity of the aborigines, would +take every precaution against surprisal, and believed that he could, +with the assistance of one or two of his men, preserve himself against +the assaults of a hundred of the blacks. But still John Ferguson could +not divest his mind of some degree of apprehension, which +(notwithstanding his endeavours to calm the perturbation his train of +thoughts had led him to experience) still lingered there, and dark +forebodings disturbed his brain. + +"Where are they, do you think, Joey?" he enquired, as if he wanted +corroboration of his own senses. + +"Strawberry Hill, I believe, massa," was the reply. + +"I am afraid so, too," said John; "and I fear they are up to no good. If +they were only going to rob the store they would never make so much +noise over it." + +"No, massa, they not go to rob the store," said Joey; "they be frighted +to do that again, I believe; taltoe (food) kill too many black fellow +that time when they steal 'em ration; they be going to kill now, I +believe." + +"That's what I've been thinking too, Joey," replied his master; "but +they wouldn't have any chance if the white fellows had guns." + +"I don't know, massa," replied the black boy; "p'rhaps no, p'rhaps +yes--black fellows be very frightened of guns; but the Nungar black +fellows, you pidner (know), very wild and budgery belonging to fight +(good at fighting), and bael they lik'em (hate) Mr. Rainsfield; so I +believe they will try very hard to kill him." + +"I've no doubt they will," replied his master, "if they can get a mark +at him; but if he keeps himself and his men within the house they will +be able to fire away at the blacks without giving them a chance at +themselves." + +"White fellows all sit down liket huts," said Joey, by which he meant to +imply that the men in all probability would be in their own huts, +removed from the house of the station; "and," he continued, "bael Misser +Rainsfield fight 'em all round big fellow humpie; and black fellow, when +he find 'em bael come out, he gett'um firestick, and mak'em humpie one +fellow-corbon fire;" which may be rendered into our vernacular by +saying, that Rainsfield would be unable of himself to protect all parts +of the dwelling; while the blacks would unhouse him by setting on fire +the building, which it must be remembered was of wood. + +John mused a few minutes in a reverie, in which his feelings sustained a +violent convulsion. That love preserved a prominent position we have no +doubt; and, also, that apprehension for the safety of the object of that +love maintained a lively agitation in his mind. We fear we must not +attribute his sympathy and anxiety for the family to a general +friendship alone, but to the additional stimulus of a more inspiring +feeling. However, we will not arrogate to ourselves the censorship of +his motives, but simply confine ourselves to a recordance of events. + +"Joey, get my horse and saddle him," said John, turning to the boy, who +was standing with his body bent in an attitude to catch the floating +sound of the blacks' voices. + +Joey turned his eyes, looking surprised at his master; and though he did +not actually ask him the nature of the work he intended to require of +his horse, his manner and hesitation made that inquiry; and his master +devising its meaning voluntarily made the explanation. + +"I will go over at once to Strawberry Hill, Joey," he said, "and see +what the blacks are doing; for I cannot bear this suspense, and I fear +the morrow will disclose some fearful work." + +"Bael you cross the river, masser," cried the boy; "too much water sit +down. Bael you swim, masser? More liket be drowned." + +"Don't make yourself uneasy, Joey," replied his master, "my horse has +taken me over worse floods than that; it is only back water from the +Gibson, and there is very little current." + +"But oh! massa, bael you go! supposing you cross river, and supposing +black fellows fight with Misser Rainsfield, what you can do? bael you +got 'um gun or pistol, and black fellow have plenty spear; so you do +nothing, and black fellow only kill you." + +"No fear, Joey," said John. "The blacks would have no object in killing +me; and if they are congregated at Strawberry Hill, to commit some +outrage as I suspect, I may be enabled to effect some good by inducing +them to abandon their scheme; or, at least, I can afford some assistance +to the family they are attacking." + +"Oh no, massa! I tell you no," exclaimed the poor faithful attendant. +"These black fellows kill any white fellow now; bael they care for you +now; they come to kill Misser Rainsfield; and Misser Rainsfield's +friends liket help him they kill them too. Bael you go! Budgery massa!" +exclaimed the attached creature, as he threw himself down on the ground +before his master, and clung to his feet. + +The expression and evidence of so much attachment in the poor boy +sensibly affected the kind nature of John Ferguson; and he was moved to +see so much genuine warmth and affection in one of a race which was +looked upon as incapable of such emotions--a race which is deemed by +professed judges of their nature to be destitute of all human virtue; to +be the lowest in the social scale; incapable of the inculcation of +civilisation, morality, and religion; to be only a stage above the brute +creation, and to be segregated by an insuperable barrier from all +sentient creatures. Could you, oh, self-sufficient philosopher (who +enunciate these doctrines), only present yourself before these two, and +penetrate with a visual percipiency the heart that beats in the breast +of that poor, prostrate black, thou wouldst surely be brought to +acknowledge the existence of that germ that was implanted in our first +parents by the omnipotent Creator. Thou wouldst also be brought to +acknowledge, unless prejudice blinded thine intellect, that, degraded as +that race which thou contemnest undoubtedly is, much of the weight of +that degradation has been the burdening of thine own countrymen. Say not +that, by the immutable decrees of Providence, the black races are +destined to disappear before the white, and to succumb their savage +natures and existence to advancing civilisation. Such may, or may not, +be so; but in either case how can you relieve yourself of the obligation +imposed upon you by the Supreme Being to ameliorate the condition of +that unfortunate people of whom you first rob their inheritance and then +sweep from the face of the earth, by instilling into their +unsophisticated natures all the vices incidental to yours; without +attempting their regeneration, or even an ethic inculcation. + +John looked upon his faithful attendant as he implored him not to +venture either near the blacks or across the swollen river before him; +and he felt a pleasurable sensation, akin to gratitude, towards the poor +creature. It is true he had himself almost reared the poor boy, who had +been always near him; but the idea of so much attachment being in the +nature of the black had never occurred to him; and its discovery +therefore caused him astonishment. + +"I must go, Joey," he said, "I have no fear for danger to myself; and if +anything should happen this night to the family at Strawberry Hill, and +I remained here, I shall ever accuse myself as being, by my selfish +neglect, accessary to their fate." + +"Will massa let me go with him?" enquired the boy. + +"No, Joey," replied his master; "I wish you to stop here with the +shepherd and sheep, until the water falls sufficiently to enable you to +cross with them; but get me my horse, I must lose no time;" saying which +he turned away to seek the shepherd, who was watching the flock, to give +him directions, while Joey performed the necessary services for the +horse. + +The black boy went down with his master to the edge of the river, in +vain entreating to be permitted to accompany him, and stood on the +brink of the water as John plunged his horse into the dark rolling +stream. The night was black and cloudy and the opposite bank was hardly +discernible in the gloom; while the opaque waters rolled their disturbed +body in their sullen course. As John had said the river was not swift, +but it was deep and treacherous. Its tide, though swollen by the immense +volume in the Gibson, ran only slowly; but it was filled with eddies +caused by the stoppage of its own natural current. Its passage was +therefore more dangerous than perhaps it would have been had it been +running with the velocity of its parent stream. + +As John entered the water the noble animal that carried him, guessing +the nature of the work that was expected of him, courageously breasted +the current, and swam for the opposite bank. For some minutes he could +have been seen speeding his course, with precision for his desired goal; +when anon he would be drawn into the vortex of one of those whirlpools +in which the stream then abounded, and from which his persevering beast +would extricate himself, and again struggle on his course. The horse and +rider had nearly reached the other side, and were almost lost to Joey's +sight in the obscurity, when suddenly both man and beast were entirely +submerged; and the next instant the animal's feet were plainly +discernible above water, in a state of violent agitation. + +With one bound the black boy sprang into the water, and swam vigorously +for the spot where his master had disappeared; but his anxieties were +relieved by John's reappearance, and seeing him strike out for the bank +in company with his horse. Joey did not return when he perceived that +his master was safe, but pursued his course. Long and arduous was his +struggle, and he had enough to do to preserve himself from the eddies +and floating masses that were rotating in the pools, or that were +descending the stream. But he succeeded in crossing it without any +mishap, and he presented himself to his master as the latter was about +to mount his horse after his own dangerous passage. + +"What, Joey!" exclaimed John as he witnessed the boy before him, "what +on earth has possessed you to risk your life in crossing the river by +yourself, and after my telling you I wanted you to stay with the sheep?" + +"Oh! massa," replied the boy, "me thinkum you be drowned, when me been +seeum you capsized; bael me help coming after you to see you all right." + +"Well, I suppose I must not be angry with you Joey," said his master. + +"Oh no, massa!" replied the black, "but that very ugly capsize, how 'em +happen?" + +"A log that was floating in one of the pools," said John, "turned the +horse over and me with him; but I kept hold of the bridle and reached +the shore safe enough, with only the addition of a little extra wetting. +But I can't stop now, Joey, I must not lose any more time, and you will +have to get back again as soon as you can; for that man you have left +on the other side will not be able to watch and 'shepherd' the sheep all +by himself. You can get your own horse that the two fellows crossed with +yesterday to take you back." + +"But, massa, you let me come now with you? and I be over the river all +right liket morning." + +"Well, come if you will," said his master, "you can follow me;" and he +dashed spurs into his horse and rode off. + +Joey thus obtaining the permission he sought wasn't long in getting his +horse saddled, and he galloping after his master whom he overtook on the +road; as, notwithstanding his impatient haste, John was unable, owing to +the fatigue his horse had already endured in the water, to keep in +advance of the fresher steed of his black boy. + +The two horsemen for some minutes rode rapidly side by side; and, as +they approached Strawberry Hill, they every moment became more +conscious, not only of the proximity of the blacks, but of their either +meditating, or actually perpetrating some diabolical work. These kept up +a chorus of voices which formed a perfect Babel of discord, resounding +through the still night, and reverberating among the vaulted and +umbrageous canopy of the bush like the conclaves of assembled +pandemonium. Anon this was succeeded by frantic yells that curdled the +very blood in John Ferguson's veins; and then shriek after shriek +pierced the air, telling too plainly the nature of the savages' work. + +What further stimulus could John have had for his fears? Here was a +realization of his most direful dread. The very echo of the woods +proclaimed the fate of his friends; and possibly that being whom he +loved most on earth was by that wail numbered among the dead; her lovely +features defaced by the brutality of fiendish savages; and her fair form +mutilated and possibly dishonoured. The thought was too harrowing; it +deprived him of all consideration for his own person; the idea of his +own saftey never entered his mind, and unarmed and defenceless as he +was, he dashed the spurs again and again into the side of his steed, and +galloped madly until he reached the scene of horror. He sprang from his +horse, as the panting animal halted before the house, which was now +still and apparently desolate; while the retreating forms of the blacks +might have been seen by other eyes than John Ferguson's. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + + "Wisdom! to leave his wife, to leave his babes, + His mansion, and his titles in a place + From whence himself does fly?" + + MACBETH, _Act 4, Sc. 2_. + + +When Rainsfield parted from Jemmy Davies he retraced his steps to his +own house, which he reached as the first rays of the morning sun +irradiated the eastern sky; and, flinging himself upon a sofa in the +sitting-room, he sought a few hours' rest. Sleep we cannot call it for +it was more of the nature of a waking dream than refreshing slumbers; +and, after enduring two or three hours of increasing restlessness, he +sprang from his couch, and, while it was yet early morn, strolled forth +to refresh his fevered brain. + +His reflections were of no enviable kind. That the object the blacks had +in returning to the neighbourhood was, as Jemmy Davies had warned him, +he had no doubt; for, however much he was disinclined to credit the +disinterestedness of Jemmy, and his good feeling towards himself, he +could not imagine any motive that could influence the black in +acquainting him of a plot if no plot existed. Rainsfield had no faith in +one of their colour, believing sincerity a virtue incompatible with +their nature; but at the same time he fully credited the information of +Jemmy, especially after the evidently hostile preparations he had +witnessed. He was also perfectly aware that he might expect the +animosity of the blacks while they remained in the neighbourhood; and +though he had flattered himself upon their former disappearance that he +had been for ever relieved from the annoyance of their proximity, he now +found he had exorcised the demon which threatened his destruction. + +What their mode of procedure would be he could hardly conjecture, +though he had doubted not, from what he had witnessed at the camp, that +they had not only concerted measures, but that their plans would be on +somewhat an extensive scale. Their primary object, he believed, would be +his life; but personally he had a supreme contempt for the whole race, +and flattered himself that, with a little caution, he was a match, +numerically speaking, against extreme odds. He believed, as in fact +experience had demonstrated, their cowardice was one of their inherent +characteristics, and that, with decision on his part, and a chastisement +by a few examples, he would avert the threatened danger. He imagined +that their tactics would be a perpetual ambuscade, never dreaming that +they would so far venture on the offensive as to assume the aggressive +overtly, but would rather attempt a surprisal; in which case he +determined, as soon as his opponents showed themselves, to take upon +himself the offensive. As the harass, however, of a perpetual watch +would not only inconvenience him, but weaken his already too small +force, he bethought him to acquaint his neighbours of his position, and +beg their assistance. His first care, then, was to apprise all his men +on the station of the intention of the blacks, and to provide them with +fire-arms, so far as his stock admitted, charging them to use every +vigilance to prevent the approach of any of the aborigines, and to shoot +them if they came within range of their guns. + +On the evening of that day, acting under the advice of Jemmy Davies, Mr. +Rainsfield posted himself, and two of his men, in the bush near the +house, where he expected the blacks would be lurking if they visited the +station at all; and not long after night-fall he became sensible of the +stealthy approach of some of the natives. Rainsfield and his men had +secreted themselves so as to elude even the keen vision of the +aborigines, at the same time that they themselves could discern, as +plainly as was practicable in the darkness, the crouching forms of the +reconnoiterers. The party in espionage watched their victims until they +approached sufficiently near to enable them to distinguish their dusky +outlines, and then they simultaneously discharged the contents of their +three pieces into their very midst. + +The report was instantly followed by more than one yell, and at least +one body was heard to fall heavily to the ground, when the next moment a +shower of spears rattled amongst the trees and bushes where the party +lay concealed. Rainsfield and his men remained perfectly motionless, not +daring to venture another shot; for they knew well that every native had +already shielded himself behind some tree, and was watching for a +repetition of the fire to guide them whence to aim their own missiles. +By remaining in his quiescence Rainsfield was aware he was safe; for he +knew the blacks would not trust themselves to a closer investigation of +the quarter from whence emanated their destruction. Of the two watching +parties the blacks were the first to withdraw, after discharging +another random volley of spears, and taking with them their dead or +wounded. When Rainsfield was convinced of their departure he came out +from his hiding-place, and returned to the station much pleased with his +adventure, and, arguing from the nature of the reception the blacks had +met with, that they would considerably cool in their ardour for any +further visitation of his premises. + +The other inmates of Strawberry Hill were too much occupied with their +attention to Eleanor, and too much engrossed by their anxieties for her +welfare to be conscious of the occurrence we have lately described; for +when the doctor arrived with William from Alma she was in an exceedingly +dangerous state, and it was not until the day following the encounter +that the son of Galen considered himself warranted in taking his +departure, and leaving his patient to the care of her own friends. +Eleanor's state was still precarious, and though the fever was +sufficiently subdued to relieve her friends of alarm, her nervous +system had received a tremendous shock. Added to her corporeal +sufferings she had to endure mental agonies of a far more acute +description, which kept her prostrate, dispirited, and almost +unconscious, while her friends ministered with affectionate hands to her +every want. Days thus passed over with only shadows of improvement; and +William, who at first returned home leaving his sister at Strawberry +Hill, came back and brought her away from the bedside of her friend. + +As Mr. Rainsfield had anticipated, the blacks entered no further +appearance after their first night of reconnoitering; and, though the +watchfulness of himself and his men was unabated, he began to entertain +less fears of their carrying out or even attempting their premeditated +design. All the men on the station were now well armed, and were quite +capable, acting in unison, of repelling the attack of a whole host of +natives should they make the attempt. At least so thought Rainsfield +and his _employes_; for their first success, and the subsequent +respectful distance that the blacks had maintained, engendered a sense +of security in their minds. + +How many has this very feeling ruined, and will continue to ruin for +succeeding ages, who can tell? "A sea of troubles" is incidental to our +existence, and the dark prognostic that rises on our mental horizon, +heralding the approach of some destructive blast, is too often unheeded +by us until it has swept over our devoted heads. While the necessary +precautions to avert the coming danger have been either neglected or +postponed under the impression of false security we have fallen victims +to our own procrastination; and as the withering blast howls in its fury +as it settles its incubus form upon our spirits, we mourn our own +inertness, when timely exertion would have saved us from the calamity. +We will not say this was exactly the case with Mr. Rainsfield, though +after a few days of unceasing watchfulness without any other +molestation taking place, he began to relax in his vigilance, and was +imitated by his servants. He already looked upon the blacks as cowed and +vanquished, and entertained very little apprehension of another +visitation, though at the same time he was not altogether at ease +considering that they still remained in his vicinity with the avowed +purpose of attacking the station. + +The idea had struck him that he could report to the authorities the +attack already made by construing what might have been an intention into +an act itself, as also the determination of the blacks to renew it, and +their location in his neighbourhood in a hostile and warlike spirit. He +would then be enabled to claim the protection of the police; but, what +would be more to his purpose, he would be enabled to obtain a warrant +for the apprehension of the ringleaders of the perpetrated and intended +breach of the peace. Armed with such a document he could make use of it +to visit their camp; while he was aware, from his knowledge of the +blacks, that the only result of the farce would be a rupture with them, +but by its means he would gain the opportunity he desired, viz., of +driving them from the country. + +That such a farce as the administration of justice, or rather the +enforcement of the law, in one proscribed form on the savage should be +permitted to exist is deeply to be deplored. To punish the ignorant +aboriginal for the sins we have either taught or compelled him to +commit, without his having any knowledge of their nature, is +sufficiently iniquitous to require no comment; and to expect him to +conform to laws of which he has no conception, and which are contrary to +his natural instincts, is equally absurd and unjust. But such is the +case: the aboriginal is supposed to be a British subject in all but the +privileges pertaining to those favoured individuals; and if he commits +any act contrary to the code of our justiciary he is made amenable to +our laws and judged accordingly. Mr. Rainsfield was as well aware of +this as any one, but it mattered not to him. All he desired was to +possess some recognised authority for his molestation of the natives, +while he was nominally in the performance of a duty, though in reality +shielding himself under the protection of the law in the committal of an +unjustifiable aggression. That he would receive an order to obtain the +assistance of the native police he had no doubt, though he did have +misgivings as to their services being forthcoming. He little cared, +however, if they were so; in fact, it would suit his views better than +if they accompanied him, as he would prefer not to be annoyed with the +supervision of police, even though troopers, and they only blacks. He +could obtain sympathy, he thought, from his friends, and collect a small +body of volunteers that would aid him in his operations far more +effectually than police. Thus he hatched a scheme that had for its +object a trap in which to catch the unwary blacks; so that, by some +show of resistance, he would be warranted in taking the law into his own +hands in self-defence for himself and his friends and to enter upon +their crusade of extermination. Such was the offspring of Rainsfield's +mind: a laudable undertaking worthy of the cool-blooded monsters of +antiquity. + +The rains, of which we spoke in the last chapter, had by this time set +in, and Rainsfield watched the rising of the Gibson river with some +degree of satisfaction. Knowing the blacks to be encamped on the other +side, he looked upon a flood as an insuperable barrier to their advance, +and an impregnable circumvallation to his own station; therefore he had +no fears of an attack while the water maintained its height, and he +determined to choose that opportunity for carrying out the preliminaries +of his plot. + +He explained so much of his plans as he thought necessary to his wife, +including, of course, his object in leaving her, and attempted to allay +her fears, if she had had any, by assuring her that it was impossible +for the blacks to cross the river in its then state, while long before +the flood settled he would collect such assistance as would not only +protect them from any attack but enable him to drive their annoyance to +a safe distance. Mrs. Rainsfield, however, entertained no fears, +notwithstanding the monitory aspect of affairs around her. She had long +accustomed herself to look upon her husband's operations against the +unfortunate natives as not only harsh but cruel and unjust; and she +lamented his proneness to seize upon every opportunity of treating them +with severity. Believing them to be ill-used, and at the same time +inoffensive, she saw no cause for fear, and therefore did not +participate in her husband's alarm and felt no uneasiness in his +meditated absence. + +Mr. Rainsfield, though he thought very little, if any, danger was to be +apprehended, deemed it expedient for his wife and family's safety to use +some precaution, and therefore for their protection requested Mr. +Billing to take up his abode in the house. He gave him strict +injunctions to keep the place well secured against the possibility of +any ingress, and himself always in possession of a relay of arms, which +he was to use without any hesitation if a black presented himself within +range of his fire. Giving similar instruction to the remainder of his +men he took his departure. + +His first step was to proceed to Alma and make a declaration before a +bench of magistrates to the effect that the blacks had already made an +attack upon his premises, and were still in considerable force in his +neighbourhood, to the imminent peril of his life and property; and that +the said party was headed by a half-civilized black named Barwang. Upon +making this affidavit he at once obtained what he desired, viz., a +warrant for the apprehension of the ringleader, Barwang, and all others +who might either commit or incite other of Her Majesty's subjects to +commit a breach of the peace. He also procured the promise of +assistance from what portion of the native police could be collected, +who would be stationed at Strawberry Hill for his protection, until such +time as the blacks should be quieted. Succeeding thus far he then +proceeded to Brompton to enlist the services of Bob Smithers, knowing +well that few arguments would suffice to induce him to engage in a work +which was exactly to his tastes. He found him at home, and, after the +ordinary greetings had been passed, and Bob's asking him what brought +him from home, he entered upon the subject of his mission by replying: +"I want your aid, Smithers, to chastise those infernal blacks, for they +are at me again. I have beaten them off once, but I believe they are +only now prevented from attacking me in full force by their inability to +cross the Gibson from their camp. See here I have got a warrant for the +apprehension of their chief, so that will be sufficient authority for us +to carry out our own plans." + +"All right, old boy," exclaimed Bob, as he gave his friend a proof of +his exuberance and readiness to join him by administering a playful poke +in the ribs; "I'm your man. I am fully convinced we shall never live in +peace until those d--d blacks are exterminated. Nothing would give me +greater pleasure than to shoot every mother's son of the dogs; so, by +Jove! you may depend upon my lending you a hand." + +"I do not believe, either," said Rainsfield, "that we shall ever enjoy +any degree of quietude until we have suppressed the wretches. It is no +use our looking to government for protection; we must take the +administration of the law into our own hands and punish them ourselves. +But to effect this we ought to make it a common cause, and all work in +unison for our mutual protection." + +"Just so!" said Smithers; "I perfectly agree with you." + +"I've long thought of the plan," continued Rainsfield, "to form +ourselves into a confederation for that purpose; but owing to the +absence of the blacks for some months past I have allowed it to escape +my memory. Now, however, I think, is a time that some such measure +should be adopted, for if these depredations are not speedily checked +the blacks may be going to such extremes that our position in the +country will become untenable." + +"I am quite of your way of thinking," said Smithers, "and so I know are +many others. I am confident Graham would assist you in a minute, and so +would Brown, and many others round us. I'll tell you what; if you like +I'll just go round to a few of them and bring them over to your place, +so that if you return home now, and keep the black scoundrels in check +for a day or two, until I get my forces collected, we will give them a +lesson which they will not forget in a hurry; that is, if any of them +survive to have any recollection." + +Diabolical as was the intention implied in this threat it fully +accorded with Rainsfield's own desire and determination, and he readily +fell into the views of his colleague, who at once started on his +recruiting expedition, while Rainsfield, in high fettle, the following +morning took his ride home. On this journey we will leave him for the +present while we glance at the events in progress at another scene of +our narrative. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + "Friend of the brave! in peril's darkest hour, + Intrepid virtue looks to thee for power." + + CAMPBELL. + + "She only left of all the harmless train, + The sad historian of the pensive plain." + + GOLDSMITH. + + +Everything went smoothly at Strawberry Hill for two days after the +departure of Mr. Rainsfield; but the night of the third was that which +was destined to bring with it a scene of horror, which happily has never +had its equal in the Australian colonies since the first settler +penetrated into its unknown wilds. The blacks had now remained some time +dormant; for since their first visit, owing to the warm reception they +had then met with, they had not ventured to repeat it. Towards the +evening in question, however, they might have been seen swimming, one by +one, the swollen current of the Gibson, until a considerable body had +congregated on the bank opposite to their camp. + +We will not presume to judge their motives, or profess conversance with +the impulses that influenced their movements. Possibly their instincts +might have taught them that the time for a most successful attack was +when the difficulties of approach rendered their coming least expected; +or it might have been that they were possessed of the knowledge of their +enemy's absence from home, and were determined to wreak their vengeance +on those belonging to him when they had not to fear his presence. That +Rainsfield was feared by them there was no doubt; his very name struck +terror into their souls, and none but the very boldest of them would +confront him, even in the consciousness of vastly superior force. It +was therefore quite possible they were acquainted with his absence, and +intended to take advantage of the occurrence to pay their premeditated +visit to the station; or their choice of this period might have been the +result of a fortuitous circumstance. Nevertheless be either as it may +the flooded river did not prove the barrier Rainsfield had calculated it +would, for the blacks crossed it with apparent ease and, as we have +said, collected themselves on the bank on the Strawberry Hill side. +Their evident intention being to proceed direct to the station when they +thought the inmates would have retired to rest. + +A little before midnight the murderous crew spread themselves over the +station; and simultaneously commenced their work of destruction by +entering the huts, and butchering all they could surprise in their +sleep. The first of their victims was a woman, the wife of a shepherd. +Hearing the unusual barking of the dogs she incautiously rose to +ascertain the cause without disturbing her husband, whose period of +sleep she considered valuable. The poor woman appeared at the door of +her hut with a child in her arms, too good a mark for the spears of the +savages; for in their thirst for blood they had no respect for either +sex or age but buried more than one of their weapons in the poor +creature's bosom. She fell across the threshold pierced to the heart and +in the agonies of death, with merely a sufficiency of the vital spark +remaining to utter a faint cry and clasp instinctively her babe to her +breast. As the infant's eyes turned in wonder on the ruthless savages +one of them seized the little innocent by the legs, tore it from its +mother's embrace and dashed out its brains; while his compeers rushed +into the interior of the hut, and, almost before the sleeping man could +sufficiently collect his senses to comprehend the nature of his +position, his spirit had joined those of his wife and child. The other +huts were in likewise visited, and those of the inmates who were not +successful in effecting an escape were similarly massacred. + +These proceedings had been gone about by no means noiselessly, so that +the family at the house had become aware of the presence of the savages, +though they could not conjecture the extent or the nature of the +outrages they had committed. Those of the men who had escaped from the +murderous hands of the aborigines deemed it safer to seek shelter in the +bush than to venture to the house, or even remain near the station. So +that, beyond the painful evidence of her ears, Mrs. Rainsfield could +ascertain no knowledge of what was going on. When she first heard the +noise that had heralded the visitation she hastily threw on some +clothing and emerged from her room; and, speedily becoming alive to the +imminence of the danger, she for the first time deplored the absence of +her husband. Mrs. Billing had removed with her youngest child to be near +her better half while he remained at the house, but the rest of her +family she had left at her own cottage; and having also been disturbed +by the uproar she wrought herself into a perfect fever of anxiety for +their safety. She fancied she heard every moment their dying screams as +they were being seized by the ruthless hand of some infernal savage; and +in her agony she fancied she could distinguish above the noise of the +now unrestrained articulation of the blacks their little voices calling +upon her for help, and she entreated to be allowed to rush at once to +their rescue. + +Her husband, however, was more rational, and pointed out to her that +that would, in all probability, only incur instant death to herself and +afford no relief to her children. He suggested that they should wait, +and see what the blacks proposed doing next; and as in all probability +it would be to attack the house, he remarked that their suspense would +be of short duration. He then bethought him of his fire-arms, which he +got in readiness for instant use, while he provided pistols to the +females. His next care was to barricade all the apertures through which +the blacks could effect an entrance, while Mrs. Rainsfield crept softly +to the bedside of Eleanor to ascertain if she had been disturbed by the +noise. By the time these arrangements were completed, and the family +assembled in conclave in the sitting-room, the blacks had collected +before the house and became clamorous for admittance. + +Mr. Billing, though not blessed with too great a share of physical +courage, had, nevertheless, in the moment of danger, a sufficient +perception of the line of conduct necessary for the defence of himself +and those under his protection. Notwithstanding that the gun he then +held in his hand was in all probability the first that he ever had in +his possession with the intent of putting it to use, he handled it as if +it were an old and friendly companion, and proposed that he and his two +female colleagues should fire simultaneously on the savages, so as to +give them the idea that the house was well defended. His suggestion, +however, was overruled by Mrs. Rainsfield, who at once expressed her +disapprobation of such a course; being convinced, as she said, that the +blacks could not force the building, and even if they did that they +would have no cause to commit any violence to any of the inmates. While +if they found that they could not gain admittance they would depart at +most, perhaps, with robbing the store. This belief was far from +according with Mr. Billing's opinion, but he was constrained to assent +to the will of the lady; and they all, with a breathless silence, +continued to watch the movements of their assailants. + +The blacks finding they were unmolested, and seeing no opposition +offered to them, and no signs of life about the house, became bolder and +attempted to force some of the doors and windows; while the affrighted +party sat in a state of fearful anxiety, and, though unseen themselves, +they could plainly distinguish the forms of the aborigines trying the +window of the room in which they were. Mr. Billing at this moment +placed the muzzle of his gun close to the glass of the window, that was +left visible through a crevice in the barricade, and had he fired would +have assuredly sent one savage to his account in the other world. Would +that he had; for in all probability it would have driven the blacks to a +distance from the house, and possibly saved us from the task of +narrating this fearful tragedy. But his eagerness to fire was restrained +by Mrs. Rainsfield, and the moment was lost; for the blacks, finding +their efforts to gain an ingress unavailing, gave up the fruitless +attempt, and withdrew to some short distance to hold converse on their +proceedings. + +Mrs. Rainsfield at once began to congratulate herself and her friends +that they had retired as she had anticipated, leaving them nothing more +to fear; and at that moment hearing the faint voice of Eleanor calling +to her she hastened to account for the disturbance about the house and +appease her alarm. Eleanor was in a state of considerable agitation, +having been aroused from her fitful slumbers by the noise of the blacks, +and being still very low in strength and spirits, and excessively +nervous, her alarm and agitation threatened to bring on fever again. It +was only with considerable difficulty that Mrs. Rainsfield could +persuade her she had no cause to fear. She told her that the blacks had +already taken their departure from the house, and would in all +probability by that time have left the station; and she entreated her +not to give herself any uneasiness, but to be still for a few minutes, +and then she would return to her bedside and sit with her for the +remainder of the night. + +With these assurances, Eleanor was constrained to be pacified, and so +Mrs. Rainsfield returned to the sitting-room, where she found Mrs. +Billing wringing her hands and crying in an agony of grief. Mr. Billing +was more calm, but not less apprehensive of danger or death. He drew the +lady of the house to the crevice of the window to gaze upon the scene +without, while she uttered a cry of surprise and terror, as her startled +vision took in the tableau there displayed. Before the house stood a +group of the assailants in all the hideousness of barbarity, paint, and +savage nudity. They had possessed themselves of "fire sticks," which +acted as torches, at the same time that they served to exhibit their +bodies in all their diabolical repulsiveness; and their intentions were +too plainly indicated in their jestures. To say that they looked like a +band of incarnate fiends would be to convey but a poor impression of the +horrors of their appearance, as the fitful light reflected their hideous +forms; exhibiting them in, if possible, a more fearful aspect than their +stern realities; and giving them the appearance as the beholders thought +(and as was, alas! but too true) of being besmeared with blood. It is +not to be wondered at that at such a sight the hearts of two frail +women, and even that of a man, should have quailed; and if not before +despair certainly did then seize upon the spirits of those present. + +The object of the villains had by this time become perfectly apparent, +and though neither of the trio dared to breathe their individual +suspicions they were unanimous in the one belief that the lighted +torches were intended to fire the premises; and thus either drive them +from their shelter or bury them in the ruins. They therefore saw that +only two courses were open to them; either to arm themselves and defend +the house until the last, or to throw it open to the savages and try and +pacify them with any _douceur_ the wretches might covet. That there was +extreme danger in thus throwing themselves upon the mercy of fiends they +were perfectly aware; and any one better acquainted with the black's +character would have considered it absolute madness and voluntarily +seeking for a death more horrible than that which would await them in a +defensive perseverance. But the exercise of calm judgment and reason +could hardly be expected from two agitated and terrified women, and one +man whose nature was made of very little sterner stuff than theirs. + +Mrs. Rainsfield was the first that broke the painful silence that +ensued, and addressing Mr. Billing, said: "I think we had better open +the door at once, or they will set fire to the house, and we will be +burnt alive. If they determine to kill us we can but meet our death with +firmness; while there is a possibility of their sparing us if we satisfy +their cupidity by allowing them to plunder the place. Will you open the +door, Mr. Billing, and attempt the work of conciliation?" + +Mr. Billing silently obeyed this behest, and addressed himself to the +blacks, who were at this time standing immediately before the house +preparing to apply the fire. They instantly desisted from their +incendiary work when they saw signs of capitulation, and directed their +gaze to the doorway. By the light of their own "fire sticks" they could +distinguish Mr. Billing, who stood there with the women at his back +perfectly unarmed; having left his gun by Mrs. Rainsfield's desire in +the room they had vacated so as to give the savages, as she imagined, no +cause for offence by appearing to offer any resistance. When the blacks +satisfied themselves that they had nothing to fear they burst out into a +loud laugh of derision, and crowded towards the defenceless garrison in +a menacing and mocking attitude. What were the feelings of the trio at +this moment it would be difficult even to conjecture. With Mrs. Billing, +however, those of the mother overcame all personal and selfish +considerations, and she darted from the house to ascertain the fate of +her children. That action may be said to have decided the doom of the +whole party; for though possibly even under other circumstances the +blacks might not have spared those whom they had got into their power, +and the strong probability is that they would not, yet the sudden +movement of Mrs. Billing cost her her life, and gave the savages the +stimulus to commence the further shedding of blood. + +Mrs. Billing had not proceeded many steps before she uttered a loud +shriek and fell prostrate to the earth with a spear piercing her back +and protruding its point from her breast. Her husband witnessing the +deed, eliminated from his bosom all feelings save those of devotion and +sympathy for his wife, rushed to clasp her in his arms and met a similar +fate. The climax of this fearful tragedy was nearly attained. Mrs. +Rainsfield fled from the open doorway, where she had been the spectator +of this connubial sacrifice, and sought momentary refuge with her +children in her room. Just as the blacks entered the house the servants, +who had by this time been aroused to a sense of their danger, opened a +door which led from the kitchen into the hall. But perceiving the +murderous assailants pouring in they left the door wide open as they had +flung it and made a hasty exit by another passage into the obscurity of +the night, and beat a precipitate retreat to the bush. In their flight +they were followed by a few of the savages who had perceived them; but +who shortly tired of a chase in which fear lent wings to the pursued. +They returned to aid their colleagues in forcing an entrance into the +room of Mrs. Rainsfield and commenced their work there of insatiable +cruelty with hideous and diabolical evidences of satisfaction. + +The atrocities of these fiends were more like the evil machinations of +devils than the actions of human beings. But to enumerate all the +horrors, and to paint the scene with sufficiently forcible life-like +delineation, would be beyond the capabilities of our pen, and would only +sicken our readers by the perusal. Therefore we will merely say that +they first murdered the children before the eyes of their mother, while +they sported with the agonising despair of their victim, and then +despatched the lady; brutally mangling her body in their inordinate lust +for blood. + +Eleanor had remained spell-bound during the perpetration of those +horrors, which she had animation sufficient to discern were being +enacted in the house; but without either enough strength to move, or +power of utterance to give vent to the fearful sensations that preyed +upon her mind. Alarm we cannot call it: such a feeling sinks into +insignificance compared with the mental anguish she then endured; being +conscious, from the heart-rending cries that struck her ear, that her +dearest earthly friends were meeting with a death too horrible to +contemplate, and not knowing how speedily a similar fate awaited +herself. She lay thus in a sort of trance, or tremulous expectancy, for +some considerable time, while she could hear the work of destruction +going on all around; to which work the savages had taken when they had +completed their murders. But still they had not visited her, and she +continued to lie, the prey to the most fearful mental agonies. + +Sounds of rapidly approaching horsemen were then heard, and the blacks +began to leave the scene of their bloody desolation for fear of the +retribution which they expected from the approaching rescue. To Eleanor, +though she was nigher to death than a sublinary existence, the sound was +joyous; and she began to entertain hope that the relief would prove +opportune for the saving of her friends, as she felt it already was for +the rescue of herself. But oh! how unaccountable are the decrees of +Providence. At the very moment when she imagined the house was vacated +by the murderers the door of her room opened, and a hideous black +monster literally besmeared with blood burst in, and with uplifted arm +and bloody weapon, rushed to extinguish in her soul the flickering spark +of life. The black was followed by another, also with a hand elevated +and grasping a tomahawk. But the sight was more than Eleanor's shattered +nerves could bear; and starting into a sitting posture on her bed, her +tongue was loosened; she gave one piercing shriek, and sank back +senseless half leaning over the edge of her couch. The fate, however, +she had expected she did not meet with; for, instead of the glancing +steel of the second black being imbrued with her blood, it was buried in +the brain of the first, who sank to the floor a corpse. + +The cause of Eleanor's escape we may here explain to the reader. The +frame of the door to her room was placed in immediate contiguity to that +of the one which opened into the kitchen; and by some strange design of +the builder this latter was made to open out into the hall. Thus when +the servants opened it, and left it so, the fortuitous circumstance of +its irregularity proved Eleanor's preservation; for when thrown back it +entirely concealed the entrance to her room, and eluded almost +completely the vigilance of the murderers. It was, as we have seen, just +as they were retreating from the place that one of the stragglers +accidentally discovered it; and, thinking that the spot had not been +visited by either himself or his compeers, he entered to satisfy his +curiosity by a hasty visit; which would assuredly have terminated the +existence of Eleanor but for the timely blow dealt him by his fellow. + +This extraordinary internecine action may also require some elucidation; +and we will dispel the mystery by an explanation. Barwang and his party +upon their first visit to Strawberry Hill, when they met with their +repulse, became convinced that their movements had been betrayed by one +of their tribe, and they doubted not but that the betrayal emanated from +Jemmy Davies. They therefore kept a watch upon him lest he should again +carry information to Mr. Rainsfield, and preserved their own councils +from his knowledge; so that, until they had actually started on their +expedition, he was quite ignorant of their plans. When an opportunity +offered, however, he followed them on their track up to the house; and, +though he did not venture into the building, he kept hovering about in +the hope that he might be able to render some assistance to the family. +But not until the approaching sounds of horses' feet drew off the masses +of the tribe did he deem it safe for his own security to enter. He did +so; and, as he passed into the hall, he saw one of his countrymen +opening the door of a room and stand for a moment in the aperture gazing +fixedly in one direction. The glance of this savage's eye, as his own +keen vision caught the momentary flash, told Jemmy Davies that vengeance +gleamed from the other's orb, and in an instant he sprang after him, and +saved an innocent life by the sacrifice of one worse than worthless and +infamous. When he was convinced the house was empty of his countrymen, +and being aware that if he were caught in the place by any white man the +colour of his skin would be the warrant for his instant death, he took a +hasty survey of the fearful scene of blood that was visible even in the +partial darkness, and left the house by the back as two horsemen, +riding rapidly up to the front, leapt from their saddles and rushed in. +These two, as may be conjectured, were John Ferguson and Joey. + +Fearful as John had been of the nature of events he believed were +transpiring the sight that met his gaze as he entered the dwelling +struck him dumb with horror, and perfectly sick at heart, and paralysed +at the bloody disclosure. The whole floor of the house was slippery with +the gore of the murdered victims as it had been carried about by the +feet of the murderers. He hastily struck a light from the materials he +had about him; and, with the pulsations of his heart almost audible, +made a survey of the habitation. The first things that he noticed were +the bodies of Mr. and Mrs. Billing, which had been dragged by the +savages into the hall, possibly with the intention of consuming the +whole in flames after they had finished their work; and then in the +sitting-room he saw the signs of the barricade that had been hastily +thrown up before the window. From that he hastened to the one which had +in life been occupied by the amiable lady that had been mistress of the +place, and there he witnessed the mangled remains of herself and her +family. As he gazed upon the hardly to be recognised features of that +friend who had so often greeted him with the cordial grasp of friendship +he could not restrain the tears that in a flood coursed their way down +his cheeks. Continuing his melancholy search he next entered the room of +Eleanor, and almost stumbled over the carcass of the black who lay in +the middle of the floor weltering in his blood. This sight caused him no +little surprise; especially, when with a sad foreboding he approached +the couch of that being he adored above all mundane objects, to find her +pendent form though insensible was scathless. But it was not a moment to +indulge in conjectures; he had discovered his idol in the midst of death +still living. So placing the unconscious creature on the bed, and +enveloping her in the clothes, he snatched her in his arms; and +pressing her to his breast bore off the precious load. + +With the assistance of his attendant he mounted his horse; and +despatching Joey instantly with injunctions to fly, if possible, to Alma +for the doctor and bring him to Fern Vale, he turned his own horse's +head homewards, and proceeded as fast as the animal with his additional +burden could travel. + +Bright and beautiful the morning dawned as he rode towards his home; but +serene as were the sublimities of nature their contemplation had no +place in his mind. All his thoughts were centred in the inaminate form +encircled by his arms. Thus he rode unconscious to all around, and would +have so ridden to the end of his journey had not a faint sigh struck his +ear; and he instantly stopped his horse to enable him to enjoy the sight +of returning vitality to his much loved Eleanor. He gently removed the +covering that he had placed over her face, when her melancholy eyes for +a moment rested upon his. It was only for a moment, however, for they +were instantly secluded from the light by the closing lids; and, +considering it better not to agitate her with conversation, and +satisfied for the time with the assurance of his hearing and vision, he +impressed one rapturous kiss on her fair forehead, again covered her +face from the morning air, and proceeded on his way. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + + "All those rivers + That fed her veins with warm and crimson streams + Frozen and dried up; if these be signs of death, + Then is she dead.... But I will be true + E'en to her dust and ashes." + + DECKER. + + +Mr. Rainsfield pursued his way homewards little anticipating the sight +that awaited him on his arrival; but, owing to the heavy state of the +roads from the saturation of the ground, he was only enabled to travel +slowly. Consequently he perceived the flood coming down the Gibson long +before he reached the crossing-place of the Wombi; and, knowing that +there would be no use attempting a passage there, since the bridge had +been swept away, he at once struck off for the Dingo Plains to get over +by the upper crossing-place. By making this detour it was near morning +before he approached the station. + +Upon his reaching home he at once went to the stable and attended to his +horse, the first consideration of a bushman, and then bent his steps to +the house, feeling an unaccountable sensation of awe, which the +pervading solitude and death-like stillness inspired him with. This +feeling he was ashamed to indulge in, and tried to banish it from his +mind and deceive his conscience by attempting to whistle a lively air, +while he submitted his right boot to a playful castigation with his +riding-whip. All these stratagems, however, proved futile: a gloom had +settled upon him which he could not shake off, and he hastened his steps +to his dwelling with his heart in a perturbation that gave place to the +most fearful apprehensions as he perceived the house open to free +ingress. The truth at once burst upon him with overwhelming force, and +he rushed like one demented into the room where he had expected to meet +the embrace of his wife, but only to witness her mutilated remains +surrounded by those of her children. He gazed upon their forms for some +minutes in the uncertain light with a sad, though calm and almost +stoical cast of countenance; and then, kneeling by the side of his +wife's body, he parted her clotted hair from off her brow, which he +stooped down and kissed, and, while dashing a scalding tear from his +eye, thus apostrophised the fane of the departed spirit: + +"And was it for this I left you, my darling Mary, to seek for you +protection, and obtain assistance to drive the disturbers of our +happiness from the land? Oh! that I could but have foreseen this, to +have either preserved you and our poor little innocents, or perished +while I shielded your heart with my breast. Curses on my cruel fate, and +the blinding fancies of security which led me away from your side. Oh, +Mary, Mary! more dear to me than life, to have lost you thus, butchered! +by a set of ruthless savages, consumes my very heart. But you shall be +revenged. By heaven! you shall." And, springing to his feet with +clenched fists, and gazing into space as the whole expression of his +countenance changed, he continued: + +"What is life to me now, deprived of all the ties that bound me to this +earth? It shall be devoted to the cause of vengeance; and here, Mary! in +the presence of your spirit, and in the sight of my Maker, I swear to be +revenged upon all the blacks in this country; never shall one cross my +path alive. I'll spare neither their old nor their young. I'll hunt them +from their dens, like the vermin that they are. They shall be made to +bite the dust. Their bodies shall rot, and their bones bleach in the +sun. Never shall they rest until they are wholly exterminated, or my +strength and life fail me; and I swear that so long as one black remains +of all their race my vengeance shall not be satisfied. Hear me, Mary! +while I pray to God for the strength of Hercules, and the age of +Methuselah, that I may be a terror to their species, and they may learn +to curse the day when first they tasted the blood of mine. And oh, Mary! +if thou seest me from the portals of that abode where the eternal dwell, +look down upon me and commend my work, help my weak arm; encourage my +drooping spirit; be a light to beacon my path in the remainder of my +gloomy passage through this world; and let not the cup of vengeance be +removed from the lips of thy foul murderers until they have tasted of +the very dregs. So now, my angel wife! my once fond and loving but now +lost wife! sacrificed through thy husband's folly and neglect, if +vengeance is sweet to thee thy spirit shall be appeased; for henceforth +my name shall be one to strike dismay into the souls of blacks +throughout the land. So help me God!" + +Having uttered this fearful oath, and calling down the aid of his Maker +to assist him in its performance, Rainsfield left the room and the house +a broken-hearted man; re-saddled his horse, which he mounted, and went +he knew not whither. His state was truly piteous; his better and softer +nature was in perpetual warfare with his fiendish feelings, which +prompted nothing but a thirst for vengeance. The memory of his wife, and +the sudden shock occasioned by her loss and fearful death, had at first +subdued the evil passions of the mortal; and he had gazed upon the +placid features of the corpse with a calm and settled grief. But as he +awoke to a plainer perception of the horrors of the event, and what must +have been the sufferings of his defenceless family, with the brutality +of their hellish assailants, all softer feelings evanished before the +sterner one revenge; which in the one moment of decision he determined +should be the sole object of his future life. In this frame of mind he +left his home, that had so lately been smiling and happy but now +gloomy, bloody, and to be shunned; for he felt to dwell under that roof +again was impossible. His home for the future would be under the canopy +of heaven, and his life that of the avenger. Thus he left the house, +misfortune having so overcome his reason that he had no idea of further +inspection of the building, possibly believing that all had met with the +same fate, not even to glance into the room of Eleanor; and he wandered +forth absorbed in grief, without any definite notion of where he was to +go, or how he was to dispose of the bodies. + +Towards noon of the following day he entered the township of Alma, and +his horse stopping instinctively before the door of the "Woolpack" inn, +he alighted; and allowed the animal to be taken from him while he +mechanically entered the house. The news of the massacre had already +spread through the country, while the thousand tongues of mercurial +gossip had imparted to the original tragedy as many phases of horror as +imagination could possibly invent. The fearful occurrence had arrested +the attention, and absorbed all the interest of the residents of Alma; +and they were in several knots in deep and earnest conclave, discussing +the bloody event, as they saw the chief sufferer approaching their town. + +The loudest declamation, and the deepest uttered anathemas against the +natives, were in an instant checked. The earnestly asseverated opinion, +that the lives of the settlers would be perpetually in danger, unless +the blacks were speedily exterminated,--the noisy declaration of some +bold patriot, as he expressed his determination to declare eternal +warfare against the savages, and even to enter upon the crusade +single-handed if no one would lend him aid; with the faint voice of some +more philanthropic polemic, who attempted to check the stream of +exuberant passion, by palliating without defending (on the plea of +retribution) the horrible murder,--were all hushed, and gave place to a +heartfelt though silent sympathy as Mr. Rainsfield rode into the town. +And even after he was lost to their vision, by ensconsure in the +"Woolpack," their conversations were resumed in a lower cadence, lest +(even at a distance at which their most stentorian utterances could +hardly have been distinguishable) the nature of their conversation +should strike his ear and recall the subject of his grief. + +The news had reached them that morning by Joey when he arrived +post-haste for the doctor. He had been fortunate in finding the resident +son of Galen at home; and, obeying the injunctions of his master, had +delivered his message, and returned with him immediately. Short as had +been his stay it was quite long enough to enable the inhabitants to +elicit from him the facts of which the reader is acquainted. They learnt +with some degree of satisfaction that one of the family still retained +life, and would possibly be able, at some time, to recount the +circumstances of the massacre. Thus, in the presence of so much to +engender the feeling of compassion, a morbid curiosity to learn all the +details of horror seized upon the minds of the good people of Alma. But +such is the nature of man; selfishness reigns supreme, and shines forth +in all his motions and actions. + +When Joey returned with the doctor he deviated from the beaten track, to +cross the Wombi by the upper fords; thinking that his companion might +object to the more dangerous one of the lower. Rainsfield, on the +contrary, in his journey, never dreaming of dangers or difficulties, had +taken the lower; hence the parties had missed one another. This caused +the gossips of Alma to wonder greatly what had brought him away from his +house; especially as they had heard that he had been absent at the time +of the outrage, and must have since visited the scene, and met the +doctor and messenger on the road. But they were unacquainted with the +circumstance that had prevented the meeting, and they were destined, at +least at that time, to remain in ignorance; for the landlord of the inn +to whom they had recourse, rough and unfeeling as he appeared, had too +much respect for the grief of his visitor to attempt obtaining any +information from him. + +The landlord, without enquiring from him if he would take any meal, +prepared the table for a repast, and placed on it some edibles, with a +bottle of brandy and some water. Then, without uttering a syllable, he +left the room and the sorrow-stricken man to an uninterrupted solitude. +Rainsfield sat for some time gazing fixedly on the viands before him +without attempting or desiring to partake of them; retaining an +unaltered position on each occasion that he was surveyed by the +sympathising host through the key-hole of the door. In this state he +might have remained, until exhausted nature had induced a return to +consciousness, had not his attention been attracted by the arrival of an +extensive cavalcade at the door of the inn. Glancing his eye languidly +over the features of the riders as they were dismounting he instantly +recognised amongst the group the person and voice of Bob Smithers; and +the object of the party was at once made apparent. + +New life was at once infused into his veins; the blood once more mantled +his cheek, and fire was imparted to his eye, as he, with compressed lip +and determined visage, leapt from his seat and strode to the doorway. + +"Show those gentlemen in here, landlord," he said, addressing that +individual, as he was ushering the newly-arrived travellers into a +separate room. + +"I thought, sir, you would prefer to be alone," replied the landlord, +"so I was going to let you have the parlour to yourself." + +"Never mind, let them come in here," replied Rainsfield. + +The party by this time had entered the room they were shown to, so the +landlord turned to them, and said: + +"If you would like to step into the other room, gents, you will find it +more comfortable; there is only one other gent there, perhaps you know +him," he continued in an under tone, "it is Mr. Rainsfield." + +A low murmur ran through the party at the mention of the name, though it +was unheard by Rainsfield himself, he having turned again into the +parlour. The name of Rainsfield was repeated by them all in a tone of +voice that unmistakeably indicated a sorrowful compassion. They were all +squatters in the district and friends of Smithers, who had collected +them to go to the assistance of their neighbour for his protection +against the aborigines. They had heard as they came along the fearful +news of the massacre, and had accelerated their speed to arrive on the +scene of action as soon as possible, in the hope of finding some of the +family living, or being in time to afford some assistance, either in the +preservation of their lives, the protection of their property, or the +chastisement of their murderers. + +Smithers instantly proposed to join Mr. Rainsfield, and at once +adjourned to the other room, followed by his companions; and, as he +entered and advanced with extended hand, but without venturing to speak, +Rainsfield grasped the proffered token of friendship, while he said: +"Too late, Smithers! too late! except for revenge, and that is all I +hope to live for." + +"And in which we can now only serve you," replied his companion. "But we +will organize some plan of operation; we count fifteen now, and are +sufficient to be irresistible to the whole tribe of blacks. In the +meantime let the landlord prepare dinner, and then we will discuss +matters quietly. I think you know all our friends here?" + +The form of introduction being gone through where the parties were not +acquainted, and the shaking of hands where they were, the necessary +instructions were given to the landlord to prepare something for the +company, and they fell into a desultory conversation previous to +entering upon their plans. It is not our intention to weary the reader +with a verbose report of the initiatory proceedings of the party, and +will therefore merely state that they formed themselves into a mutual +protection society, with the professed object of combining to repel the +encroachments of the blacks, though in reality to hunt them down like +dogs. For the furtherance of this scheme they bound themselves by +stringent oaths to let none escape them, but to kill all they should +come across. Each individual swore to take active part in the process of +destruction so as to make all equally implicated. They vowed, by the +most solemn obligations, never to make any disclosure that would +criminate any of the society; while, before any neophyte could be +admitted within the periphery of their mysterious bonds, it was +determined he should be subjected to an ordeal that would protect the +members from the possibility of any disclosure that would cause their +amenability to the law. + +In the course of conversation with the landlord Smithers learnt that one +of the family (which his informant could not tell him) was still living, +and that a messenger, supposed from Fern Vale, had come over that +morning for the doctor. Smithers communicated this to Rainsfield, who +then remembered for the first time that he had not visited the room of +Eleanor, and therefore inferred that it must be she, he having had too +clear a demonstration of the total absence of life in the bodies of his +wife and children. This he mentioned to Smithers, and they both agreed +that Eleanor must have been discovered by some of the Fergusons, who had +removed her to their own house, and sent for the doctor. They therefore +determined to adhere to their original plan of starting early on the +following morning, after taking a night's rest where they were, it being +needed by most of the party as well as by their horses. + +On the following morning they were early on the road, so that few saw +them leave the township. But though nothing had been said by any of the +Society respecting the object of their journey it was pretty shrewdly +guessed at, if not positively known, by most of the inhabitants; and it +was evident to them no body of men, armed with rifles and revolvers, +could be travelling to the scene of a murderous outrage with any +peaceable intent. The sympathies, however, of most went with them; and +even though some of their number had been disposed in simple argument to +feel for the blacks, none dared to incur public opprobrium by making any +representations of the supposed hostilities to official quarters. The +Society itself proceeded on its way very quietly, its members being +mostly absorbed in sketching out, mentally, plans of the campaign on +which they were entering, so that the journey was almost entirely +performed in silence. + +When they reached the station its appearance was quite desolate; no +signs of life were perceptible, and the stillness of death spread +around its influence, which was sensibly felt by all. The house was +closed to all ingress, and on the door was nailed a card bearing the +words: "Let Mr. Rainsfield proceed to Fern Vale the instant on his +arrival." Rainsfield read the sentence, and at once guessed the import; +he perceived that when the murder had been discovered by the Fergusons +they had removed the bodies thither, if possible, to await his arrival +before interment; and he determined to go on at once, though, before +departing, he desired once more to gaze upon the rooms through which the +steps of his wife and the merry voices of his children had so lately +resounded, but which were now tenantless, desolate, and bloody. An +entrance was effected by a back window, and the party admitted; when +great was the surprise of Mr. Rainsfield to find no sign or vestige of +the fearful crime that had there so lately been committed. He read in +all this the kind hand of his neighbours, and his heart smote him in the +midst of his grief for the manner in which he had behaved to young +Ferguson. To his friends he pointed out with a melancholy precision the +spots where he had found the various bodies, described their position +and their mutilated condition, and then wandered through the rooms with +an abstracted air conjuring in his imagination the scenes that were +passed, never more to return, and peopling them in his fancy with those +loved forms whose spirits had fled to the source from whence they +sprang. + +His friends did not attempt to interrupt the gratification of this +melancholy pleasure, but allowed him to be the first to propose a +retreat, which, when he did, they were ready to agree to. The whole +party then left the house to proceed to Fern Vale; and while they are on +the road we will precede them and take a momentary glance at the doings +there, both at the exact period of our narrative and also +retrospectively for a few hours. + +John Ferguson, when he bore the all but lifeless body of Eleanor into +his own house, arrested the volatile reception of his sister with an +expression of countenance that betokened deep sorrow. To the poor girl +the look was unaccountable; she had only risen the instant her brother +had arrived, and had heard nothing of his approach; consequently she was +a little surprised at his presence. But when she was about to rush into +his embrace his manner appalled her, while she was equally surprised at +the singular burden he carried in his arms, for in the manner in which +he had enveloped the body of Eleanor the form was undefinable. John, +however, saved his sister the necessity of any questioning, by saying: + +"Don't ask me any questions at present that will require any explanation +of the cause of my unexpected appearance with this almost lifeless form. +Lead the way to your room, Kate, for I must place it under your charge; +and I can assure you it requires your tenderest care. I have already +sent for a doctor, and expect him here in the course of the day." + +The astonished girl preceded her brother to her room, and, as John laid +his burden gently on his sister's bed, he uncovered the face and +disclosed to the vision of Kate the pallid features of the unconscious +Eleanor. + +"Oh, John! dear John! tell me what is the meaning of this! what fearful +thing has happened?" Kate passionately exclaimed. + +"A dreadful event, Kate, as you may imagine," replied her brother, "by +my bearing that dear creature in such a state, and bringing her here to +be ministered to by you. She is now destitute of friends; but I cannot +tell you more at present, your nerves could not sustain the recital of +the horrors of the tale. I know that I need not ask you to bestow upon +Eleanor your utmost attention and most affectionate sympathy; but I must +caution you, should she return to consciousness, to make no allusion to +the circumstances of her misfortune; nor do you attempt to elicit +anything from her; rather try to soothe and calm her troubled spirit." + +"Oh, poor dear Eleanor! what cruel fate has put you in this awful +predicament?" cried Kate, when she burst into tears and buried her face +in the clothes by the side of her friend. + +In the meantime John left the room, and, proceeding to the kitchen, he +requested their female servant to go to the assistance of her mistress. +Here he found the servants who had escaped from the massacre at +Strawberry Hill relating to the astonished and horrified listeners as +much of the fearful outrage as they had witnessed, and what they +imagined to be the conclusion. But their narrative, though dreadful, was +not a tithe of the reality. He next sought his brother, to whom he +related the sad events, and commissioned him to break the tale to Kate +in as mild a way as possible. Then he informed him that he had left the +sheep at the Wombi and suggested that he and some of the men should go +over and assist the fellows that were with them, as they would +necessarily be short-handed, especially for the portion of the flock +that had not crossed the river. He then hastily partook of some +refreshment, and taking a few of his own men, and the servants and those +who had escaped from Strawberry Hill, he returned to that station to +remove, if possible, the signs of the outrage, and bring the bodies of +the victims to his own place; so that if Rainsfield should have heard of +the circumstance before his arrival he would not be maddened by a sight +of the murderous destruction. + +The house was speedily cleansed of all vestiges of blood. Similar stains +were removed from the corpses. The house was arranged in order, and +closed up, and the party left it as John affixed to the door the card we +have already noticed. The cavalcade moved slowly from the deserted +mansion, and, as it proceeded on its way with its load of inert +mortality, it was overtaken by the doctor and Joey from Alma. To the +latter, in a few words, he gave directions, and left him to follow with +the bodies, while he and the doctor pushed on. + +In the meantime Eleanor had at frequent intervals opened her eyes and +gazed vacantly on all the objects around her, including even the face of +her friend, whom she never for an instant appeared to recognise. To +Kate's tender soothing attempts she took no heed; but on each occasion, +with a faint sigh and shudder, relapsed into her former torpor. This +state continued until the arrival of the doctor, who, though he did not +express his fears, entertained serious apprehensions for her life; and +afterwards communicated to John his alarm, that, though her corporeal +system might recover, the shock to her nerves had been so great that he +feared her mind might give way and either become impaired or totally +demented. He recommended her room to be kept dark, and as cool and as +quiet as possible; and during her waking intervals, her mind to be as +much diverted as could be. He then prescribed certain medicines, amongst +them powerful soporifics, and Joey was instantly despatched, upon his +arrival, to Alma to get them compounded, while the doctor remained by +the patient to watch her malady. + +On the following day Rainsfield presented himself at Fern Vale. Smithers +could not be persuaded to approach the house; therefore he and his +friends encamped themselves on the creek to wait until their companion's +return. As Rainsfield approached the house he was met at the door by +John Ferguson; and, as he felt the warm pressure of the young man's +hand, it was only with an effort he prevented the tears from oozing from +his eyes. John led him to the room where lay his family; and, leaving +him for a few moments to his own silent meditations over their lifeless +forms, walked out on the verandah, from whence he saw the party that had +accompanied the bereaved man. He was for a minute wondering who they +could be, and why they did not come up to the house, when he felt the +touch of Mr. Rainsfield on his arm, who said to him: + +"How much I owe you for this kindness my heart is too full to explain +even if my words could utter it. But believe me so long as I live it +shall be gratefully remembered. I had seen them a few hours before in +all the horrors of their death. It was a sight to dry up the fountains +of a kindly nature in any heart, and made me swear to live a life of +perpetual vengeance." + +"Ah, my dear sir," exclaimed John, "it is ever difficult to meet with +resignation the chastisements of an all-wise Providence; but we should +learn to look upon all His dispensations as tending to a beneficial +end." + +"I'll not pretend to argue with you," replied the other; "but my nature +and feelings will not admit the embrace of such an immaculate creed. I +must be avenged!" + +John, in the then state of his companion's mind, did not attempt to +impress the precept as he believed the thirst for vengeance would +slacken as the poignancy of his grief wore off. + +"And Eleanor," said Rainsfield; "what is her fate?" + +A shade came over John's brow as he replied: "It is not yet decided. She +is in a most dangerous state, and the doctor is now here attending her. +He considers her case so precarious that he is remaining for some days +to be constantly near in his watch for the turning-point which shall +decide between life and death. I will ascertain if she can be seen;" and +John left the spot. + +Upon his return he led the way to her room; and, as Rainsfield followed +him, he asked, "Why didn't you bring your friends up with you to the +house?" + +"They preferred stopping at a distance and awaiting my return," he +replied. + +"But you are not going to leave us immediately," exclaimed John; +"and they cannot think of camping out there while we can make some sort +of a shake-down here." + +"I fear the presence of some of them at least would be objectionable to +you," replied Rainsfield; "and I have no doubt they would prefer to +remain where they are." + +"Nonsense," cried John; "I could not think of permitting such a thing. +May I ask who are those who would not accept of what hospitality I can +offer them?" + +"Smithers, Graham, and Brown," replied Rainsfield. + +John ushered Rainsfield into the room where Eleanor lay still and +motionless in a bed, at the side of which sat her watchful friend and +nurse, who rose and left her seat as Rainsfield approached. He stood +silently looking on the placid features of his cousin, which, but for +the gentle heaving of the snowy linen that covered her breast, would +have appeared as if inexorable death had already left the impress of his +hand. + +In the meantime John walked down to where the party of gentlemen lay +stretched on the ground; and, addressing those whom he knew in a manner +as if nothing had ever happened to mar the good feeling and fellowship +that should have existed between them, invited the party up to the +house. He prevented any refusal from Smithers (who could not dissemble +his shame and mortification) by taking him cordially by the hand, and +requesting that he would not give him the pain of a refusal, and of +seeing him encamped with his friends within sight of his windows. He +stated the accommodation he could afford them was not very commodious, +but he would consider it unsocial if they did not accept it. The +consequence of this appeal was that within a few minutes their horses +were running in an adjoining paddock and they were all walking up +together to the Fergusons' domicile. + +The next day was devoted to the interment of the earthly remains of the +victims of the Strawberry Hill massacre; and, as that beautifully +sublime and solemn ritual of the Anglican Church was read by one of the +party over the bodies they were lowering respectively in their rough and +hastily-constructed encasements into that lodgment where the grim tyrant +retains his grasp until the last trumpet shall summon the dead from the +caverns of the earth; and, as the heavy clod resounded with a hollow +dullness on the lids of the coffins, more than one eye was moistened, +and more than one tear rolled its course down the cheek of some of the +strongest minded of the manly group. The grave was speedily filled in, +and the party returned to the house to partake of a repast; after which +they took their departure. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + + "O! pardon me thou bleeding piece of Earth + That I am meek and gentle with these butchers." + + JULIUS CAESAR, _Act 3, Sc. 1_. + + +When "the Society" left Fern Vale they jaunted leisurely on for a short +distance, when they were overtaken by Sawyer and his son-in-law, the +notable Captain Jones, who made up to Mr. Rainsfield and told him they +had come out to join his party against the blacks. Though these +volunteers were not exactly the sort of men "the Society" would have +desired to enroll they were determined looking characters, and had the +appearance of those, who, if they could be trusted, could be made +serviceable in any desperate act. Therefore their aid was accepted, and +they were forthwith admitted into the confidence of the brethren. Such +is the influence of either perpetrated or contemplated crime that it +breaks down all social demarcation and collects in the bonds of unity +and friendship the most heterogeneous natures of man. + +The cavalcade had proceeded about half-way towards Strawberry Hill when +some distance in advance of them a bullock crossed the road followed by +a black on horseback at a hard gallop. Both animals Rainsfield at once +recognised as his own; and, dashing spurs into his horse, he joined in +the chase, followed by the remainder of the party, with the intention of +sending one of his family's destroyers to a last account. The bullock +ran with his head carried low and his tail erect at a speed which for +some time kept him considerably in advance of his pursuer; but after a +while his pace relaxed and the superior mettle of the horse soon brought +him alongside the bovine fugitive. As the animals ran side by side the +rider seized the uplifted tail of the bullock in a firm grasp, while he +stimulated his horse to additional exertion, and with the application of +very little force he tilted the beast over its own head, and it fell +with its own velocity, breaking its neck. + +The black was quite conscious all this time that he was the object of +pursuit; so giving a glance at his fallen prey to ascertain if his work +had been effectual, and another behind him to see if his pursuers were +in an unpleasant proximity, he continued his career through the bush +until he arrived at the banks of the river Gibson. Into it he plunged +without hesitation, and slipping from his saddle, as the horse entered +the water, he held on by the bridle and stirrup, and swam by the +animal's side. The black kept his eye upon the bank he had just left +until he saw approaching through the bush a number of horsemen; who, as +they reached the edge of river, presented their guns and fired. The +next moment the horse rolled over in the stream, dyeing the water with +his blood, and floated lifeless down the current. + +Nothing was visible, however, of the black. He had sunk ere their pieces +were discharged; and the party knowing that he was untouched for some +minutes watched vigilantly for his reappearance, but in vain. Barwang +(for they had discovered it was he) did not show himself above the +surface of the water; and they thinking that he was floating down +concealed in some way with the carcass of the horse, followed it to +watch. It at the same time occurred to them that he might have dived and +was swimming for the other bank, assisting himself in eluding them by +first floating some distance down the river. They had thus gone down the +bank some two or three hundred yards, when they heard a loud hoarse +laugh from behind them; and, turning to the direction whence the sound +proceeded, they saw on the opposite side, some distance above where they +stood, him for whose reappearance they were watching. Barwang had +escaped them by swimming against the current and not with it as they had +anticipated he would; and once safely on the margin of the stream he +felt he was secure, and stood pointing at his pursuers in derision and +defiance. A dozen pieces were instantly pointed at him by the +disappointed party; but he with another loud laugh darted into the scrub +and, before the report of their guns was heard, was evanescent. + +The chagrined company then proceeded to Strawberry Hill, where +Rainsfield proposed to lodge them; and where they would fix upon their +future plans of action. + +That night the Society sat in grave debate, and various were the schemes +proposed to effect visitation on the blacks of an exterminating +retribution. The members at length became weary of making propositions +that met with no support from the body, and were beginning to be silent +when Dr. Graham renewed the energies of the meeting by remarking: + +"I'll tell you what it is all you fellows! you'd better 'keep your eyes +on the picture.'" + +All the eyes of the assemblage if not kept on the imaginary picture that +haunted the brain of this disciple of AEsculapius were at least kept +attentively fixed on the features of the speaker, who continued. "See +here! what is the good of the whole of us sitting here and looking at +one another? There won't be a black in that scrub to-morrow; so if we +don't go at them at once, they'll escape us as that scoundrel did +to-day. They will be sure to know what we are here for, and will make +themselves scarce at once; and if we once let them slip us we need never +expect to get at them again for they are sure to take up their abode +among the hills, gullies, or scrubs, where we could not follow them." + +"But is the river crossable?" asked one. + +"Rainsfield will tell you," replied the Doctor. + +"I have not been at the ford for some time," said Rainsfield, "and do +not remember the usual depth of water. But the river has now gone down +considerably, and I have no doubt it can be crossed; at any rate it +shall soon be ascertained for I will do it myself this night in your +presence so that you can judge by my success or failure." + +"Right," said Graham. "Then we all try it together, and that too as you +say this very night. At once! say I. I go; so let who likes follow me:" +and he started from his seat. + +The movement then became general, and in a short time the whole +cavalcade were again on the move in the direction of the crossing-place +near which Barwang had escaped them. About an hour afterwards the party +were mustering in a state of saturation upon the edge of the scrub, +after having passed through the still swollen stream, which they had had +to swim. They noiselessly dismounted from their horses, arranged +themselves on the bank of the river, fastened their steeds to adjacent +trees, and then threaded the scrub under the guidance of Rainsfield, to +the camp of the blacks; which they speedily distinguished by the glare +of the fires. The party then halted and arranged to divide themselves +into two companies, one to advance from the spot where they then stood, +while the other made a detour so as to encompass the camp. Then upon a +given signal, they were to fire alternately into the midst of the +blacks, and so long as any of the unfortunate wretches remained +stationary to continue reloading and firing; but to close in upon them +with revolvers if the victims showed any disposition to break through +the compass of their rifles. + +They then advanced, and as quickly as possible encircled the unconscious +aborigines, who lay, some in their gunyahs, and some stretched round the +fires. All were in a deep sleep, into which they appeared to have fallen +in a state of inert satiety, as was evident from the scattered remains +of roasted meat that strewed the ground around them. Not a sound was to +be heard in the whole camp except the sonorous breathing of the supine +gorgers; for even those watchful monitors, the dogs, had benefited by +this rare occasion, by indulging in a glut that inoculated them with the +same somnolent ineptitude. + +In a few moments after the Society had spread itself in the array of +attack a low whistle was heard; when, almost simultaneously, eight +flashes describing a semicircle on one side of the camp momentarily lit +the dark avenues of the bush. They were instantly followed by a report, +whose echoes mingled with the shrieks and dying groans of the wounded, +and in an instant the unscathed portion of the prostrate forms stood +erect; while the gunyahs disgorged their living inmates, called forth in +their consternation and half unconscious lethargy, to offer marks for +their concealed executioners. Other eight shots then told their +murdering effects upon the huddled mass of the blacks, who remained in a +perfect state of bewilderment hardly knowing which way to turn. Many +rushed in the direction opposite to that whence the last fire had +emanated, but only to fall by the shots of the first division of the +Society, who, having thrown themselves down to avoid the chance of their +colleagues' fire, had reloaded, and were ready for action. Again and +again was this manoeuvre repeated, and discharge followed discharge. +The carnage had commenced, and many of the blacks sought a temporary +shelter in their gunyahs, while the majority, not knowing what to do, +remained in the open area, to be shot down by the rifles of the whites; +who, when they tired of reloading their pieces, closed in upon the camp, +and setting fire to their bark gunyahs drove the poor wretches from +their retreat, and butchered them indiscriminately with their revolvers. + +One of the assailants, however, while dealing destruction around him, +was active in searching for one above all others of the blacks he prayed +to find. That searcher was Rainsfield, and the object of his concern we +need hardly say, was Barwang. Rainsfield had scanned the features of +every black, as he buried a ball in each victim's heart; but without +recognising the monster for whose blood he thirsted, and without which +he would never be appeased. He searched long, but in vain. The fiendish +leader of the tribe he could not discover; and he began to entertain +fears that the wretch's cunning had enabled him to elude his grasp. +Almost worn out with his work of death he was about relinquishing the +search in despair when he spied a dark form creeping from a heap of +bodies, and crawling away in the direction of the adjacent scrub. The +fitful glare of a fire fell upon the features of the crouching form and +disclosed the furtive glance of Barwang to the eyes of him who longed in +his very soul for the meeting. + +The recognition was instantaneous on both sides, and at the same moment +that Rainsfield sprang forward and fired at the black the other leaped +from the ground and in an instant, poising a spear in his hand, buried +it in the body of his antagonist. Rainsfield tore the weapon from his +breast, and seeing that the black was not killed by the shot he had +fired at him, and it being the last he had, without time to reload, he +drew his knife and sprang upon his enemy. The struggle was fierce, +though short, for both the athletes were powerful men, and were +determined upon each other's death, even if they perished themselves +while effecting it. The black caught the right arm of his opponent as it +descended with the weapon that was intended to terminate his existence, +and with the other hand he seized the throat of Rainsfield, into which +he buried his fingers like the talons of an eagle. + +Rainsfield taxed his strength to the utmost to disengage the hand from +his throat, and save himself from strangulation while he effected the +death of the black. Each strained and struggled as they, locked in each +other's grasp, panted to eliminate the spirit from each other's bodies. +After some time they stopped to gain breath, while they for a few +moments silently eyed one another with looks of vengeance and rage. The +conflict, however, was speedily renewed with fearful energy. Every nerve +was strained to the utmost tension in both frames; when, in a moment, +the black made several rapid lunges, battering with his hard cranium the +breast of his foe; at the same time that Rainsfield managed to bury the +knife up to its handle in the neck of Barwang. The loss of blood arising +from the previous wounds, and these excessive strainings and shocks, +soon produced their effects. Exhaustion speedily ensued; and the two +belligerents, still firmly knitted in a death grasp, sank to the ground +never again to rise in life. + +In the meantime the work of destruction progressed all around with +unabated activity until no living black remained on whom to wreak a +vengeance. Nearly the whole tribe had been sacrificed, for few escaped +into the bush among the general slaughter. When the members of the +Society contemplated the result of their labours they felt perfectly +satisfied with the extent of their reparation, and surveyed the scene +with a complacency ill befitting the work. How little did they remember +that a work similar to this in result had been the cause of the reprisal +that had brought desolation to the Rainsfield family! and less did they +consider that they were incurring the displeasure of an indignant Maker. +No! they thought not of the judgments of Divine wrath: the victims, in +their imaginations, were only blacks, whose extermination was an +ordination of Providence, and an advantage to civilisation. Besides +which they looked upon the slaughter they had been engaged in as a just +punishment to the savages for their perfidious treachery in the murder +which they, the Society, were unable to prevent, but which they could, +and did avenge. By this sort of reasoning they quieted their +consciences, if any had been disturbed, and attempted to justify +themselves in the eyes of their God. + +The forensic vision was that which most troubled them, for they knew, in +the eye of the law of their country, they were guilty of an act which, +if discovered, would cost them an atonement by the surrender of their +lives. But they were aware that, with the exception of their own +members, none could criminate them; while the probability of such an +event occurring was very remote, for all were equally implicated. While, +at the same time, the distance they were removed from the seat of +government, and the ineffectual means supplied for the protection of the +settlers in the border districts, would partly justify them in being +armed in the present affray; and the magistrates of the territory being +all of their own body, and consequently sympathising with their +movements, they experienced very little apprehension of danger. + +We may here remark that this is not the only case in the land where +similar influences have actuated the settlers to take summary vengeance +on the blacks, for reprisals and peccadillos in themselves +insignificant. Hundreds, ah! we may say thousands, have been shot with +perfect impunity; and we hesitate not to say thousands more will +continue to meet the same sad fate, until the last of the race shall +have vanished from this terrestrial sphere. Yet we firmly believe their +blood will sink into the soil, and at a future age, when the people have +long since become extinct, will it cry aloud for vengeance; and woe to +the land if the great Governor of the universe should listen to that +cry. + +The party when about to leave the ground suddenly missed their companion +Rainsfield, and, thinking that he might still be engaged on some +operations of retribution in another part of the camp, called him aloud +by name; but without meeting with any response. They waited impatiently +for his return but after a time finding he did not return they commenced +a search in the neighbourhood of the camp, at the same time that they +made the bush resound with their cooeys to attract him if he had +strayed. Still to no purpose were their calls, for no responsive cry +echoed to them; and not until they returned to the camp weary and +dispirited as the first coruscations from the solar rays darted their +luminous salutations over the eastern horizon did they discover his body +with that of his last antagonist. His position, and the spear wound in +his body, sufficiently explained his fate; and silently and sorrowfully +he was removed, and carried by them to where their horses were secured. +They then recrossed the river on their way back to Strawberry Hill, +which had now become destitute of an owner. + +Shortly after their passage of the stream the cavalcade was met by John +Ferguson, who had heard the firing, and guessing its import had ridden +over for the purpose of inspecting the scene and satisfying himself upon +the nature and extent of the slaughter he knew must have taken place. +But when he saw the returning party he rode up to them and addressing +himself to Doctor Graham, who happened to be riding a little in advance, +he said: + +"May I be permitted to enquire the nature of the firing which was +carried on in the scrub last night?" + +"Oh, certainly, sir," replied the Doctor, "you are permitted to ask +whatever you like, for this is a free country. If you want to know the +cause of the reports you heard last night I may inform you for your +satisfaction that our friend Rainsfield had a warrant for the +apprehension of Barwang, and that he attempted to put it in force, while +we volunteered to assist and protect him. As might have been imagined we +were attacked by the villains, and had to fire upon them for our own +defence. In the affray we lost our friend Rainsfield, for he was killed +by the wretch he was attempting to secure, and who at the same time met +with his deserts." + +"Rainsfield is dead, did you say?" enquired John in hurried tones; "is +life perfectly extinct?" + +"Yes, dead!" replied the other, "as any herring. Go look at him +yourself;" and he pointed behind him to where followed a horse with the +body thrown across the saddle. "You can see there for yourself, where +you may keep your eye on the picture." + +John silently surveyed the pale, discoloured, and distorted features +which he had seen only a few hours before in life and perfect health, +and with a deep drawn sigh, as he turned away, he muttered: "Poor +fellow! such a terrible doom." + +The company then proceeded to the house of the Fergusons, when the +melancholy obsequies of the previous day were repeated; after which the +Society broke up, having ensured themselves against further +interruptions from the blacks by the success of their first onslaught; +and, although they arranged to be ready upon any emergency, they had no +anticipation of any future necessity. + +We must now in the course of our narrative precipitate our readers over +a period of some six months after the events we have just related, which +interval was passed with the occurrence of few circumstances worth +detailing. Tom Rainsfield had been hastily recalled from town, but had +not arrived until after the final scene of the tragedy had been enacted. +The horrors of the events came upon him with such a shock, and so +subdued his spirit, that it was some time before he could school himself +to comprehend their full extent; and not until some weeks had elapsed +could he bring his mind to the level of mundane matters, and then only +with a melancholy feeling did he set to work to put the station in +order. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + + "In smoothest terms his speech he wove, + Of endless friendship, faith, and love; + She listened with a blush and sigh, + His suit was warm, his hopes were high." + + SIR WALTER SCOTT. + + +On a beautifully mild afternoon in that loveliest of Australian seasons, +the transition between winter and summer, there reclined in an easy +chair, on the verandah of the Fern Vale cottage, a young girl whose pale +though handsome features seemed to be invested with an angelic air as +they were contrasted with the deep mourning in which she was attired. We +need hardly explain to the reader that this was Eleanor Rainsfield. At +one side of her sat our hero, attempting to relieve the weary hours of +the invalid by some light and amusing reading, and on the other side sat +his sister, who, while she was listening to her brother, was engaged in +some of that description of work which constitutes at the same time +young ladies' toil and amusement. + +During Eleanor's gradual return to convalescence John Ferguson had been +assiduous in his endeavours to keep her mind diverted from the +contemplation of her grief; and, forgetful of all his past resolutions +to think of her only as a seraph exalted above his possession, their +constant contiguity, if possible, more than ever made havoc in his +heart, immersed him more than ever deeper in the sea of love, and made +him yield a willing sacrifice to the ecstatic delirium of his dream. + +The attention of the trio, at the moment we have visited them, was +suddenly attracted by the sounds of an approaching horseman, and looking +up they perceived Bob Smithers riding wildly towards the house. Eleanor +instantly rose from her chair; and, leaning upon Kate, entered the +sitting-room, while she said to John: "I expect the object of Mr. +Smithers' visit is an interview with me, and if he desires it I will see +him." Then addressing her friend, she said: "Leave me, dearest Kate, for +the few minutes he is here. I don't expect he will stay long." + +In another instant Smithers pulled up before the house; and, throwing +his bridle over the fence, he strode up to John, who was waiting for him +with a welcome and an extended hand. + +"How do you do, Mr. Smithers?" he said. "It is some time since you +honoured us with a visit. I hope you're well." + +"I wish to see Miss Rainsfield," replied Smithers, without heeding the +proffered hand or the inquiry after his health. + +John felt rather chagrined at the want of civility on the part of his +guest; and, pointing to the half-opened window of the room in which +Smithers could find the lady he desired to see, he turned upon his heel +and walked out of hearing. + +What was the nature of John's thoughts that this visit of Smithers gave +rise to we will not attempt to divine, though we may safely assume they +were of no pleasing nature from the cloud that came over his countenance +as he left the house. And yet a gleam of hope would at intervals attempt +to break through the gloom. As he stood leaning over the fence in front +of the house, thus ruminating over the circumstance and its +contingencies, he was startled by the precipitate approach of Smithers, +who, clenching his fist and shaking it at him in a menacing attitude, +exclaimed: "This is your work; but, by G--, you shall repent of ever +having interfered in my private affairs." After the delivery of this +minatory declaration the infuriated individual mounted his horse and +galloped from the station. + +John remained for a few minutes musing upon the strange address he had +just heard until a faint appreciation of the cause flashed across his +mind, and, his heart beating with salient palpitations, he entered the +house to solve the mystery. With this intent he walked into the +sitting-room, but found it empty. Eleanor had retired, and he was about +to leave it again in search of his sister when his eye rested on an open +note lying on the floor. The superscription, he perceived, was--"To Mr. +Robert Smithers;" and in its caligraphy he at once detected the tracing +of Eleanor's hand, and saw a solution of the mystery even before he +glanced at the epistle's contents. If his heart beat quickly with +pleasing apprehensions before his curiosity prompted him to pick up and +read the note its proper functions were almost destroyed by the violent +palpitations as his eyes devoured the following lines:-- + + DEAR SIR,--I hardly know how to break to you the subject on + which I wish to address you. When I say it is with regard to + our engagement you will understand what I mean, more especially + when I tell you that I think, for both of our sakes, it were + wise to annul it. To recount to you all the causes that have + actuated me in the establishment of this desire would only be + to reiterate all your various acts of contumely to myself and + friends, and to relate all my daily sufferings. I will not say + that I never loved you. When I was induced to consent to become + your wife I would have endeavoured to have placed my whole + heart at your disposal; but your conduct has not only been such + as to estrange from you the most forgiving nature, but towards + me it has been absolutely cruel. + + I say this not to stigmatize you for your ill-treatment of me, + but to endeavour to show you that you can entertain no regard + for me; and, in the absence of all mutual affection, such an + union as ours would only entail misery on both of us. You will + therefore perceive that it will be better for us to forget the + relationship that has existed, and remain independent of one + another. + + I bear you no ill-will, and desire to maintain a friendship + for yourself and your kind relatives; but beyond the light of a + friend I never can consent to regard you. So there will be no + use of your attempting to alter my determination; it is already + fixed.--Yours truly, + + ELEANOR RAINSFIELD. + +John's astonishment when he read this was only equalled by his raptures; +and it was not until he had twice re-read the note that he could +withdraw his eyes from feasting on the blissful lines. "She has then +discarded Smithers," he said to himself, "and there is hope for me." If +there needed but one rivet to clench the fetters that bound the captive +heart of our hero it was now fastened. He gave himself up like a +voluptuary to the indulgence of his greatest earthly pleasure, the +dissipation of love's charm, and the realization of his fondest hopes +and wildest dreams; and, in the delirium of delight, his spirit ascended +in imagination into the seventh heaven. He was, however, speedily +brought to a recollection of his existence in this terraqueous globe by +his sister shaking his arm while she exclaimed: + +"Why, what is making you so absent, John? I have spoken to you four +times, and you have taken no notice of me." + +"Have you, Kate?" replied John. "Well, I did not hear you, for I was +thinking when you addressed me." + +"That was evident," replied the girl. "But tell me, John, what could +have brought that man Smithers here? He has terribly upset poor Eleanor, +and she has been obliged to go and lie down. I quite hate that horrid +fellow, and wish he would never show his face here again." + +"I don't think it is very probable he ever will again, Kate," replied +her brother. + +"Well, I hope not. But what letter is that you have got in your hand?" +said the girl as she glanced over the epistle that hung listlessly in +the hand of her musing brother, who had attempted to conceal it, but +not before Kate had spied the address. "Oh, show me the letter, John, +dear John!" she continued. "I see it is addressed to that man, and from +Eleanor I am sure; so it will explain all about it. Do show it to me." + +Her brother put it into her hands, and she read it with unqualified +delight. Then looking up into his face, she exclaimed: "I am so +delighted, John;" and, throwing her arms around her brother's neck, she +kissed him in the exuberance of her joy, after which she bounded from +the room, retaining possession of the cherished note. + +For the remainder of that day Eleanor confined herself to her room, but +on the following forenoon she came out, with her pale, marble features, +looking in John's eyes more lovely than ever. They were presently seated +together, as was their wont, in the shade of the verandah; but somehow, +on this occasion, the reading was not prosecuted with such spirit as +usual, nor listened to with the accustomed interest, while the +conversation was equally vapid. Eleanor and John thus sat for some time +alone, Kate being absent on her household duties, and William out on the +station, without hardly uttering a word, until John, mustering +sufficient courage to enter upon the subject that wholly engrossed his +mind, without any preface, said: + +"I picked up a letter of yours in the room yesterday, Eleanor, after Mr. +Smithers' departure." + +A deep crimson mantled the cheek of his pale companion as she replied: +"I know it John; Kate has told me all." + +John gazed upon the features of the dear girl at his side, and met her +eyes as they were raised from her lap to rest upon his face. He +rapturously exclaimed: "Dear Eleanor if I could but tell you how dearly +I love you I--" But he proceeded no further; a glance from the lustrous +orbs of his companion had penetrated his heart, and he was silenced. Was +it in fear? No! he had understood the glance, and comprehended its +hidden secret. He was silenced, but it was to impress a virgin kiss +upon the lips of his fair enslaver; and there for a little let us leave +them in the full enjoyment of inamoratos' bliss. + +We have said that John interpreted by a look the secret of Eleanor's +heart; and let not loves' sceptics think such is only a figure of our +imagination. Such glances have been read from the earliest eras of the +world, and will continue to be so to the latest. Lovers' eyes are to +each other like telegraph-dials, and reflect in their own mysterious +characters the messages from the heart as the electric needle indicates +the wishes of some unforeseen communicant. Their flashes are +instantaneous, and they impress upon the hearts' tablets of their +correspondents, with unmistakeable accuracy, the sentiments of the +inosculated spirits. Theirs is a language secret and unknown but to the +souls communicating, and unmeaning and unnoticeable to mortals, until +made neophytes to the creed of Cupid. + +John and Eleanor for some time enjoyed uninterruptedly the commune of +their plighted hearts, each discovering in the other a reciprocity which +heightened the ardour and enhanced the raptures of their own loves. +Their tongues were no longer tied. John was all volubility and +animation; while the colour that the excitement of her affection called +forth irradiated the cheeks of Eleanor, and imparted to her features a +loveliness that John gazed upon with ecstacy. Their privacy, however, +was at length broken in upon by William, who bounded into their presence +in a state of high glee, while he exclaimed: + +"I've got some news to astonish you. Our friend Captain Jones has +bolted, and has swindled his much-respected father-in-law to the tune of +about five hundred pounds." + +"Bolted, has he!" exclaimed John; "what is that for?" + +"Simply because it has pleased the gentleman on two previous occasions +to enter the matrimonial state, and that both better halves, and sundry +little pledges, are all living to attest to his identity. One of his +former helpmates," continued William, "traced him to his late retreat, +and claimed him as her lawful spouse; and he, thinking, I suppose, a +_denoument_ would be rather unpleasant, has deemed it expedient to +abscond." + +"And will the poor girl he last married have no redress?" asked Eleanor. + +"Very little, I fear," replied John. + +"I expect from what I have heard," continued William, "that old Sawyer +intends to keep it as dark as possible. From Jones' bigamy the quondam +Mrs. Jones becomes again Miss Mary Ann Sawyer, and he purposes looking +out for another match for her." + +"But she surely," said Eleanor, "would not lend herself to so base a +deception and gross impropriety." + +"I am not so sure of that," said William. + +"I suppose," remarked John, "if they can't punish the _soi disant_ +Captain Jones they think the wisest thing they can do is to make the +best of it by keeping it as quiet as possible; and I have no doubt they +will find many a swain who will not scruple to offer the lady a name." + +"Well that is dreadful!" exclaimed Eleanor. + +"So it is," replied John, "but it is partly their own fault. They were +so blinded by the notion of getting a gentleman to marry their daughter +that they took no trouble to investigate the man's character, or even to +ascertain anything about him; consequently they fell into the trap of a +base scoundrel." + + + + +CONCLUSION. + + "I have done: pray be not angry + That shall I wish you well: may heaven divert, + All harms that threaten you; full blessings crown + Your marriage." + + SHIRLEY. + + +We must again hurry our readers over another period of some three +months, and request them to accompany us for a few minutes up the bank +of the creek flowing through Fern Vale. At a pretty little secluded spot +overhung by the bright acacia two grassy mounds, encompassed by a neat +white fence and adorned with two white slabs of wood, pointed themselves +out as the graves of the sufferers in the Strawberry Hill massacre. + +Leaning over the railing of one of these enclosures was a young man, who +might have been recognised as Tom Rainsfield, and at his side, encircled +by his arm, our friend Kate Ferguson. After some few moments of silence +Tom pressed to his heart the willing form of the lovely girl that graced +his side, and said: + +"Dearest Kate, why not let us be married at the same time as John and +Eleanor? Strawberry Hill is all ready for a mistress, and I am sure the +very trees about the place are impatient to have domesticated amongst +them the sweet successor of that good and amiable creature who lies +beneath that sod. We could not have a better opportunity than John's +marriage, for we could all go to New England together, and the double +ceremony could be performed at the same time." + +"But that is so soon, Tom," replied Kate. + +"It cannot be too soon, my dear," exclaimed the advocate for despatch; +"why postpone our happiness?" + +"Poor Will will be so lonely with John and Eleanor going away," said +Kate, "if I leave him too. We ought to delay it until they return." + +"What for twelve months, Kate!" cried Tom. "It would drive me wild. I +could not wait more than one at the very outside, and if you say another +word of opposition I will run away with you. So now, dearest, let it be +settled; we must be married next month altogether." + +No further objection was urged by the fair polemic, and a mutual +inosculation sealed the compact. + +About a month from this date a traveller approaching Acacia creek might, +from the joyous appearance of every face he saw, have been sensible of +the existence of some happy occasion; and, if he had but stepped into +the house and seen those who sat around the breakfast table, he would +have been aware that the festivities were occasioned by a matrimonial +ceremony; and, upon the slightest scrutiny, he would have discovered +that two young couples had been bound by the Gordian knot. + +The first move that was made after the despatch of the formal meal was +the departure of John Ferguson and his now blooming bride. He led her to +the arms of his mother; and, as the good lady embraced her sweet +daughter-in-law, tears of joy coursed down her benign and matronly +cheeks, and, imprinting another kiss on the lips of her son's choice, +she bestowed her parting blessing. The rest of the leave-taking was soon +effected and the young couple mounted their horses and rode away. + +We may remark for the information of our readers that it was John's +intention to proceed to Brisbane and Sydney, there to spend the +honeymoon, and afterwards to take a trip "home;" by which term he knew +old England though he had never seen it, nor had any ties of +consanguinity to bind him to it. They were to return to the colony in +about twelve months; after which Tom Rainsfield had promised a similar +journey to Kate. In the meantime, however, Tom and his wife intended to +take up their abode at Strawberry Hill, and thither they started almost +immediately after John and Eleanor. As they left the paternal roof of +the Fergusons a similar commingling of tears was effected between Kate +and her mother as was witnessed upon the previous departure. Mr. +Ferguson warmly grasped the hand of his son-in-law, while Mr. Wigton +informed Tom that he had made up his mind to spend a short time with his +friend William, to relieve his solitude and endeavour to persuade him to +follow the example of his brother, and afford him, Mr. Wigton, the +pleasure of tying another knot in the family. He would also, he said, +while he was in the neighbourhood, avail himself of the opportunity of +visiting his friends at Strawberry Hill. + +William promised to confer the happiness on Mr. Wigton of being fettered +by his medium whenever it was his determination to be so foolish as to +enter the married state: but affirmed for the present he had no +intention of following in the steps of his brother and friend, and had +not the most remote idea of assuming a marital character. + +Tom laughed at William's little sally, and gave him one of those jocose +applications of the extended thumb to his ribs which in concomitant +natures are thought so amiably vivacious and funny; and then turning to +Mr. Wigton, expressed the delight he would feel at his making Strawberry +Hill his home. Amidst the congratulations of his friends, Tom now led +his bride to the door, and safely depositing her in her saddle, waved +the last adieu as they cantered off. + + +THE END. + + +EDINBURGH: PRINTED BY THE CALEDONIAN PRESS. + + + * * * * * + + +MR. NEWBY'S + +NEW PUBLICATIONS + +In 2 vols., demy 8vo, price 30s. cloth, + + +THE TURKISH EMPIRE: in its Relations with Christianity and Civilisation. +By R. R. MADDEN, F.R.C.S., and M.R.I.A., Author of "Travels in Turkey, +Egypt, and Syria," "The Life of Savonarola," "Memoirs of the Countess of +Blessington," etc. + + "Dr. Madden's work is the result of two processes seldom + conjoined in a history of this kind--namely, the most complete + reading and research, and the most vigilant personal + observation, accomplished by years of residence in Turkey at + different periods, from 1824 up to the present time. Altogether + his work is a most admirable one; and for accuracy of fact, + lucid arrangement, and agreeable style of narration, will prove + alike acceptable to the student and to the general + reader."--_Dublin Evening Post, March 18th._ + + "A most invaluable book. With the history of the Ottoman Empire + no English writer is better acquainted than Dr. Madden, whose + thorough mastery of the subject has been gained by a residence + in the East at three different periods."--_Liverpool Albion._ + + +In 3 vols., + +YORKE HOUSE. By W. PLATT, Esq., Author of "Betty Westminster," etc. + + "Like 'The Woman in White' and 'A Strange Story,' 'Yorke House' + is what is termed a sensation novel, and a prodigious sensation + it will make. How Mr. Platt has contrived to produce a work so + immensely superior to any of his previous tales we cannot + imagine. This book, however, will stand in able rivalry with + the fictions of the best novelists of the day."--_Express._ + +MARRYING FOR MONEY. 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