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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes index 6833f05..d7b82bc 100644 --- a/.gitattributes +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -1,3 +1,4 @@ -* text=auto -*.txt text -*.md text +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf @@ -1,60 +1,49 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook, Harry Heathcote of Gangoil, by Anthony -Trollope +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 5642 *** -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: Harry Heathcote of Gangoil - A Tale of Australian Bush-Life - - -Author: Anthony Trollope - +HARRY HEATHCOTE OF GANGOIL -Release Date: August 3, 2002 [eBook #5642] -[Last updated: December 7, 2020] +A Tale of Australian Bush-Life. -Language: English +By ANTHONY TROLLOPE, -Character set encoding: UTF-8 +Author of +“The Warden”, “Barchester Towers,” “Orley Farm,” “The Small House at +Arlington”, “The Eustace Diamonds,” &c., &c. +Illustrated. -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HARRY HEATHCOTE OF GANGOIL*** -E-text prepared by Nicole Apostola, Charles Franks, and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team +CONTENTS +CHAPTER -HARRY HEATHCOTE OF GANGOIL + I. GANGOIL. -A Tale of Australian Bush-Life. + II. A NIGHT’S RIDE. -by + III. MEDLICOT’S MILL. -ANTHONY TROLLOPE, + IV. HARRY HEATHCOTE’S APPEAL. -Author of -"The Warden", "Barchester Towers," "Orley Farm," "The Small House at -Arlington", "The Eustace Diamonds," &c., &c. + V. BOSCOBEL. -Illustrated. + VI. THE BROWNBIES OF BOOLABONG. + VII. “I WISH YOU’D LIKE ME.” + VIII. “I DO WISH HE WOULD COME!” + IX. THE BUSH FIGHT. + X. HARRY HEATHCOTE RETURNS IN TRIUMPH. + XI. SERGEANT FORREST. -HARRY HEATHCOTE + XII. CONCLUSION. @@ -65,28 +54,28 @@ GANGOIL. Just a fortnight before Christmas, 1871, a young man, twenty-four -years of age, returned home to his dinner about eight o'clock in the -evening. He was married, and with him and his wife lived his wife's +years of age, returned home to his dinner about eight o’clock in the +evening. He was married, and with him and his wife lived his wife’s sister. At that somewhat late hour he walked in among the two young women, and another much older woman who was preparing the table for -dinner. The wife and the wife's sister each had a child in her lap, +dinner. The wife and the wife’s sister each had a child in her lap, the elder having seen some fifteen months of its existence, and the -younger three months. "He has been out since seven, and I don't think -he's had a mouthful," the wife had just said. "Oh, Harry, you must be -half starved," she exclaimed, jumping up to greet him, and throwing +younger three months. “He has been out since seven, and I don’t think +he’s had a mouthful,” the wife had just said. “Oh, Harry, you must be +half starved,” she exclaimed, jumping up to greet him, and throwing her arm round his bare neck. -"I'm about whole melted," he said, as he kissed her. "In the name of +“I’m about whole melted,” he said, as he kissed her. “In the name of charity give me a nobbler. I did get a bit of damper and a pannikin -of tea up at the German's hut; but I never was so hot or so thirsty -in my life. We're going to have it in earnest this time. Old Bates +of tea up at the German’s hut; but I never was so hot or so thirsty +in my life. We’re going to have it in earnest this time. Old Bates says that when the gum leaves crackle, as they do now, before -Christmas, there won't be a blade of grass by the end of February." +Christmas, there won’t be a blade of grass by the end of February.” -"I hate Old Bates," said the wife. "He always prophesies evil, and -complains about his rations." +“I hate Old Bates,” said the wife. “He always prophesies evil, and +complains about his rations.” -"He knows more about sheep than any man this side of the Mary," said +“He knows more about sheep than any man this side of the Mary,” said her husband. From all this I trust the reader will understand that the Christmas to which he is introduced is not the Christmas with which he is intimate on this side of the equator--a Christmas of @@ -138,7 +127,7 @@ He was a tall, well-made young fellow, with fair hair and a good-humored smile, but ever carrying in his countenance marks of what his enemies called pig-headedness, his acquaintances obstinacy, and those who loved him firmness. His acquaintances were, perhaps, right, -for he certainly was obstinate. He would take no man's advice, he +for he certainly was obstinate. He would take no man’s advice, he would submit himself to no man, and in the conduct of his own business preferred to trust to his own insight than to the experience of others. It would sometimes occur that he had to pay heavily for his @@ -178,53 +167,53 @@ establishment as that at Gangoil. When he had washed his hands and face, and had swallowed the very copious but weak allowance of brandy-and-water which his wife mixed -for him, he took the eldest boy on his lap and fondled him. "By -George!" he said, "old fellow, you sha'n't be a squatter." +for him, he took the eldest boy on his lap and fondled him. “By +George!” he said, “old fellow, you sha’n’t be a squatter.” -"Why not, Harry?" asked his wife. +“Why not, Harry?” asked his wife. -"Because I don't want him to break his heart every day of his life." +“Because I don’t want him to break his heart every day of his life.” -"Are you always breaking yours? I thought your heart was pretty well -hardened now." +“Are you always breaking yours? I thought your heart was pretty well +hardened now.” -"When a man talks of his heart, you and Kate are thinking of loves -and doves, of course." +“When a man talks of his heart, you and Kate are thinking of loves +and doves, of course.” -"I wasn't thinking of loves and doves, Harry," said Kate. "I was +“I wasn’t thinking of loves and doves, Harry,” said Kate. “I was thinking how very hot it must have been to-day. We could only bear it -in the veranda by keeping the blinds always wet. I don't wonder that -you were troubled." +in the veranda by keeping the blinds always wet. I don’t wonder that +you were troubled.” -"That comes from heaven or Providence, or from something that one +“That comes from heaven or Providence, or from something that one knows to be unassailable, and therefore one can put up with it. Even if one gets a sun-stroke one does not complain. The sun has a right -to be there, and is no interloper, like a free-selector. I can't +to be there, and is no interloper, like a free-selector. I can’t understand why free-selectors and mosquitoes should have been -introduced into the arrangements of the world." +introduced into the arrangements of the world.” -"I s'pose the poor must live somewheres, and 'squiters too," said +“I s’pose the poor must live somewheres, and ’squiters too,” said Mrs. Growler, the old maid-servant, as she put a boiled leg of mutton -on the table. "Now, Mr. Harry, if you're hungered, there's something -for you to eat in spite of the free-selectors." +on the table. “Now, Mr. Harry, if you’re hungered, there’s something +for you to eat in spite of the free-selectors.” -"Mrs. Growler," said the master, "excuse me for saying that you jump -to conclusions." +“Mrs. Growler,” said the master, “excuse me for saying that you jump +to conclusions.” -"My jumping is pretty well-nigh done," said the old woman. +“My jumping is pretty well-nigh done,” said the old woman. -"By no means. I find that old people can jump quite as briskly as +“By no means. I find that old people can jump quite as briskly as young. You have rebuked me under the impression that I was grudging something to the poor. Let me explain to you that a free-selector may be, and very often is, a rich man. He whom I had in my mind is not a -poor man, though I won't swear but what he will be before a year is -over." +poor man, though I won’t swear but what he will be before a year is +over.” -"I know who you mean, Mr. Harry; you mean the Medlicots. A very nice +“I know who you mean, Mr. Harry; you mean the Medlicots. A very nice gentleman is Mr. Medlicot, and a very nice old lady is Mrs. Medlicot. -And a deal of good they're going to do, by all accounts." +And a deal of good they’re going to do, by all accounts.” -"Now, Mrs. Growler, that will do," said the wife. +“Now, Mrs. Growler, that will do,” said the wife. The dinner consisted of a boiled leg of mutton, a large piece of roast beef, potatoes, onions, and an immense pot of tea. No glasses @@ -233,31 +222,31 @@ and were bright and pretty as they would have been in a country house at home; but Harry Heathcote had sat down just as he had entered the room. -"I know you are tired to death," said his wife, "when I see you eat -your dinner like that." +“I know you are tired to death,” said his wife, “when I see you eat +your dinner like that.” -"It isn't being tired, Mary; I'm not particularly tired. But I must -be off again in about an hour." +“It isn’t being tired, Mary; I’m not particularly tired. But I must +be off again in about an hour.” -"Out again to-night?" +“Out again to-night?” -"Yes, indeed." +“Yes, indeed.” -"On horseback?" +“On horseback?” -"How else? Old Bates and Mickey are in their saddles still. I don't -want to have my fences burned as soon as they're put up. It's a +“How else? Old Bates and Mickey are in their saddles still. I don’t +want to have my fences burned as soon as they’re put up. It’s a ticklish thing to think that a spark of fire any where about the place might ruin me, and to know at the same time that every man about the run and every swagsman that passes along have matches in -their pocket. There isn't a pipe lighted on Gangoil this time of the -year that mightn't make a beggar of you and me. That's another reason -why I wouldn't have the young un a squatter." +their pocket. There isn’t a pipe lighted on Gangoil this time of the +year that mightn’t make a beggar of you and me. That’s another reason +why I wouldn’t have the young un a squatter.” -"--I declare I think that squatters have more trouble than any people -in the world," said Kate Daly. +“--I declare I think that squatters have more trouble than any people +in the world,” said Kate Daly. -"--Free-selectors have their own troubles too, Kate," said he. +“--Free-selectors have their own troubles too, Kate,” said he. It must be explained as we go on that Heathcote felt that he had received a great and peculiar grievance from the hands of one @@ -269,34 +258,34 @@ did to imply that Kate had better consider the matter well before she allowed her opinion of the stranger to become dangerously favorable; for in truth she had said no more than her sister. -"The Medlicots' troubles will never trouble me, Harry," she said. +“The Medlicots’ troubles will never trouble me, Harry,” she said. -"I hope not, Kate; nor mine either more than we can help." +“I hope not, Kate; nor mine either more than we can help.” -"But they do," said Mary. "They trouble me, and her too, very much." +“But they do,” said Mary. “They trouble me, and her too, very much.” -"A man's back should be broad enough to bear all that for himself," -said Harry. "I get ashamed of myself when I grumble, and yet one -seems to be surly if one doesn't say what one's thinking." +“A man’s back should be broad enough to bear all that for himself,” +said Harry. “I get ashamed of myself when I grumble, and yet one +seems to be surly if one doesn’t say what one’s thinking.” -"I hope you'll always tell me what you're thinking, dear." +“I hope you’ll always tell me what you’re thinking, dear.” -"Well, I suppose I shall--till this fellow is old enough to be talked -to, and to be made to bear the burden of his father's care." +“Well, I suppose I shall--till this fellow is old enough to be talked +to, and to be made to bear the burden of his father’s care.” -"By that time, Harry, you will have got rich, and we shall all be in -England, sha'n't we?" +“By that time, Harry, you will have got rich, and we shall all be in +England, sha’n’t we?” -"I don't know about being rich, but we shall have been free-selected -off Gangoil.--Now, Mrs. Growler, we've done dinner, and I'll have a +“I don’t know about being rich, but we shall have been free-selected +off Gangoil.--Now, Mrs. Growler, we’ve done dinner, and I’ll have a pipe before I make another start. Is Jacko in the kitchen? Send him -through to me on to the veranda." +through to me on to the veranda.” Gangoil was decidedly in the bush--according to common Australian parlance, all sheep stations are in the bush, even though there should not be a tree or shrub within sight. They who live away from -the towns live a "bush life." Small towns, as they grow up, are -called bush towns, as we talk of country towns. The "bush," indeed, +the towns live a “bush life.” Small towns, as they grow up, are +called bush towns, as we talk of country towns. The “bush,” indeed, is the country generally. But the Heathcotes lived absolutely and actually in the bush. There are Australian pastures which consist of plains on which not a tree is to be seen for miles; but others are @@ -314,7 +303,7 @@ find their feed. Immediately round the house, or station, as it was called, about one hundred acres had been cleared, or nearly cleared, with a few trees left here and there for ornament or shade. Further afield, but still round the home quarters, the trees had been -destroyed, the run of the sap having been stopped by "ringing" the +destroyed, the run of the sap having been stopped by “ringing” the bark; but they still stood like troops of skeletons, and would stand, very ugly to look at, till they fell, in the course of nature, by reason of their own rottenness. There was a man always at work about @@ -351,14 +340,14 @@ passed their time; and this was the veranda which ran along the front and two ends of the house. It was twelve feet broad, and, of course, of great length. Here was clustered the rocking-chairs, and sofas, and work-tables, and very often the cradle of the family. Here stood -Mrs. Heathcote's sewing-machine, and here the master would sprawl at -his length, while his wife, or his wife's sister, read to him. It was +Mrs. Heathcote’s sewing-machine, and here the master would sprawl at +his length, while his wife, or his wife’s sister, read to him. It was here, in fact, that they lived, having a parlor simply for their meals. Behind the main edifice there stood, each apart, various buildings, forming an irregular quadrangle. The kitchen came first, with a small adjacent chamber in which slept the Chinese man-cook, Sing Sing, as he had come to be called; then the cottage, consisting -also of three rooms and a small veranda, in which lived Harry's +also of three rooms and a small veranda, in which lived Harry’s superintendent, commonly known as Old Bates, a man who had been a squatter once himself, and having lost his all in bad times, now worked for a small salary. In the cottage two of the rooms were @@ -371,7 +360,7 @@ was supposed, according to an obsolete rule, to be open for custom for half a day twice a week. The exigencies of the station did not allow of this regularity; but after some fashion the shop was maintained. Tea was to be bought there, and sugar, tobacco, and -pickles, jam, nails, boots, hats, flannel shirrs, and mole-skin +pickles, jam, nails, boots, hats, flannel shirts, and mole-skin trowsers. Any body who came might buy, but the intention was to provide the station hands, who would otherwise have had to go or send thirty miles for the supply of their wants. Very little money was @@ -386,7 +375,7 @@ luxuries as jam and tobacco the men paid themselves. On the fourth side of the quadrangle was a rough coach-house, and rougher stables. The carriage part of the establishment consisted of -two "buggies"--so called always in the bush--open carriages on four +two “buggies”--so called always in the bush--open carriages on four wheels, one of which was intended to hold two and the other four sitters. A Londoner looking at them would have declared them to be hopeless ruins; but Harry Heathcote still made wonderful journeys in @@ -400,11 +389,11 @@ which to catch the others; but this horse, for handiness, was generally hitched to a post outside the kitchen door. Harry was proud of his horses, and was sometimes heard to say that few men in England had a lot of thirty at hand as he had, out of which so many would be -able to carry a man eighty miles in eight hours at a moment's notice. +able to carry a man eighty miles in eight hours at a moment’s notice. But his stable arrangements would not have commanded respect in the -"Shires." The animals were never groomed, never fed, and many of them -never shod. They lived upon grass, and, Harry always said, "cut their -own bread-and-butter for themselves." +“Shires.” The animals were never groomed, never fed, and many of them +never shod. They lived upon grass, and, Harry always said, “cut their +own bread-and-butter for themselves.” Gangoil was certainly very pretty. The veranda was covered in with striped blinds, so that when the sun shone hot, or when the rains @@ -437,51 +426,51 @@ his master, but unwashed, uncombed, and with that wild look which falls upon those who wander about the Australian plains, living a nomad life. This was Jacko--so called, and no one knew him by any other name--a lad whom Heathcote had picked up about six months -since, and who had become a favorite. "The old woman says as you was -wanting me?" suggested Jacko. "Going to be fine to-night, Jacko?" +since, and who had become a favorite. “The old woman says as you was +wanting me?” suggested Jacko. “Going to be fine to-night, Jacko?” -Jacko went to the edge of the veranda and looked up to the sky. "My -word! little squall a-coming," he said. +Jacko went to the edge of the veranda and looked up to the sky. “My +word! little squall a-coming,” he said. -"I wish it would come from ten thousand buckets," said the master. +“I wish it would come from ten thousand buckets,” said the master. -"No buckets at all," said Jacko. "Want the horses, master?" +“No buckets at all,” said Jacko. “Want the horses, master?” -"Of course. I want the horses, and I want you to come with me. There -are two horses saddled there; I'll ride Hamlet." +“Of course. I want the horses, and I want you to come with me. There +are two horses saddled there; I’ll ride Hamlet.” CHAPTER II. -A NIGHT'S RIDE. +A NIGHT’S RIDE. -Harry jumped from the ground, kissed his wife, called her "old girl," +Harry jumped from the ground, kissed his wife, called her “old girl,” and told her to be happy, and got on his horse at the garden gate. -Both the ladies came off the veranda to see him start. "It's as dark -as pitch," said Kate Daly. +Both the ladies came off the veranda to see him start. “It’s as dark +as pitch,” said Kate Daly. -"That's because you have just come out of the light." +“That’s because you have just come out of the light.” -"But it is dark--quite dark. You won't be late, will you?" said the +“But it is dark--quite dark. You won’t be late, will you?” said the wife. -"I can't be very early, as it's near ten now. I shall be back about -twelve." So saying, he broke at once into a gallop, and vanished into +“I can’t be very early, as it’s near ten now. I shall be back about +twelve.” So saying, he broke at once into a gallop, and vanished into the night, his young groom scampering after him. -"Why should he go out now?" Kate said to her sister. +“Why should he go out now?” Kate said to her sister. -"He is afraid of fire." +“He is afraid of fire.” -"But he can't prevent the fires by riding about in the dark. I -suppose the fires come from the heat." +“But he can’t prevent the fires by riding about in the dark. I +suppose the fires come from the heat.” -"He thinks they come from enemies, and he has heard something. One +“He thinks they come from enemies, and he has heard something. One wretched man may do so much when every thing is dried to tinder. I do -so wish it would rain." +so wish it would rain.” The night, in truth, was very dark. It was now midsummer, at which time with us the days are so long that the coming of the one almost @@ -492,21 +481,21 @@ among the trees without moving them. As they crossed the little home inclosure and the horse paddock, the track was just visible, the trees being dead and the spaces open. About half a mile from the house, while they were still in the horse paddock, Harry turned from -the track, and Jacko, of course, turned with him. "You can sit your -horse jumping, Jacko?" he asked. +the track, and Jacko, of course, turned with him. “You can sit your +horse jumping, Jacko?” he asked. -"My word! jump like glory," answered Jacko. He was soon tried. Harry +“My word! jump like glory,” answered Jacko. He was soon tried. Harry rode at the bush fence--which was not, indeed, much of a fence, made of logs lengthways and crossways, about three feet and a half high--and went over it. Jacko followed him, rushing his horse at the -leap, losing his seat and almost falling over the animal's shoulders -as he came to the ground. "My word!" said Jacko, just saving himself -by a scramble; "who ever saw the like of that?" +leap, losing his seat and almost falling over the animal’s shoulders +as he came to the ground. “My word!” said Jacko, just saving himself +by a scramble; “who ever saw the like of that?” -"Why don't you sit in your saddle, you stupid young duffer?" +“Why don’t you sit in your saddle, you stupid young duffer?” -"Sit in my saddle! Why don't he jump proper? Well, you go on. I don't -know that I'm a duffer. Duffer, indeed! My word!" Heathcote had +“Sit in my saddle! Why don’t he jump proper? Well, you go on. I don’t +know that I’m a duffer. Duffer, indeed! My word!” Heathcote had turned to the left, leaving the track, which was, indeed, the main road toward the nearest town and the coast, and was now pushing on through the forest with no pathway at all to guide him. To ordinary @@ -519,33 +508,33 @@ Harry, too, was near his own home, and went forward through the thick gloom without a doubt, Jacko following him faithfully. In about half an hour they came to another fence, but now it was too absolutely dark for jumping. Harry had not seen it till he was close to it, and -then he pulled up his horse. "My word! why don't you jump away, Mr. -Harry? Who's a duffer now?" +then he pulled up his horse. “My word! why don’t you jump away, Mr. +Harry? Who’s a duffer now?” -"Hold your tongue, or I'll put my whip across your back. Get down and -help me pull a log away. The horses couldn't see where to put their -feet." Jacko did as he was bid, and worked hard, but still grumbled +“Hold your tongue, or I’ll put my whip across your back. Get down and +help me pull a log away. The horses couldn’t see where to put their +feet.” Jacko did as he was bid, and worked hard, but still grumbled at having been called a duffer. The animals were quickly led over, the logs were replaced, and the two were again galloping through the forest. -"I thought you were making for the wool-shed," said Jacko. +“I thought you were making for the wool-shed,” said Jacko. -"We're eight miles beyond the wool-shed," said Harry. They had now +“We’re eight miles beyond the wool-shed,” said Harry. They had now crossed another paddock, and had come to the extreme fence on the run. The Gangoil pastures extended much further, but in that direction had not as yet been inclosed. Here they both got off their horses and walked along the fence till they came to an opening, with -a slip panel, or movable bars, which had been Heathcote's intended -destination. "Hold the horses, Jacko, till I come back," he said. +a slip panel, or movable bars, which had been Heathcote’s intended +destination. “Hold the horses, Jacko, till I come back,” he said. Jacko, when alone, nothing daunted by the darkness or solitude, seated himself on the top rail, took out a pipe, and struck a match. When the tobacco was ignited he dropped the match on the dry grass at his feet, and a little flame instantly sprang up. The boy waited a few seconds till the flames began to run, and then putting his feet -together on the ground stamped out the incipient fire. "My word!" -said Jacko to himself, "it's easy done, anyway." +together on the ground stamped out the incipient fire. “My word!” +said Jacko to himself, “it’s easy done, anyway.” Harry went on to the left for about half a mile, and then stood leaning against the fence. It was very dark, but he was now looking @@ -559,7 +548,7 @@ government--for the loss of which he had received and was entitled to receive no compensation. And the matter was made worse for him by the fact that the interloper had come between him and the river. But he was not standing here near midnight merely to exercise his wrath by -straining his eyes through the darkness at his neighbor's crops. He +straining his eyes through the darkness at his neighbor’s crops. He put his finger into his mouth to wet it, and then held it up that he might discover which way the light breath of wind was coming. There was still the low moan to be heard continually through the forest, @@ -568,92 +557,92 @@ caught a sound, and put his ear down to the ground. He distinctly heard a footstep, and rising up, walked quickly toward the spot whence the noise came. -"Who's that?" he said, as he saw the figure of a man standing on his +“Who’s that?” he said, as he saw the figure of a man standing on his side of the fence, and leaning against it, with a pipe in his month. -"Who are you?" replied the man on the fence. "My name is Medlicot." +“Who are you?” replied the man on the fence. “My name is Medlicot.” -"Oh, Mr. Medlicot, is it?" +“Oh, Mr. Medlicot, is it?” -"Is that Mr. Heathcote? Good-night, Mr. Heathcote. You are going -about at a late hour of the night." +“Is that Mr. Heathcote? Good-night, Mr. Heathcote. You are going +about at a late hour of the night.” -"I have to go about early and late; but I ain't later than you." +“I have to go about early and late; but I ain’t later than you.” -"I'm close at home," said Medlicot. +“I’m close at home,” said Medlicot. -"I am, at any rate, on my own run," said Harry. +“I am, at any rate, on my own run,” said Harry. -"You mean to say that I am trespassing?" said the other; "because I -can very soon jump back over the fence." +“You mean to say that I am trespassing?” said the other; “because I +can very soon jump back over the fence.” -"I didn't mean that at all, Mr. Medlicot; any body is welcome on my -run, night or day, who knows how to behave himself." +“I didn’t mean that at all, Mr. Medlicot; any body is welcome on my +run, night or day, who knows how to behave himself.” -"I hope I'm included in that list." +“I hope I’m included in that list.” -"Just so; of course. Considering the state that every thing is in, +“Just so; of course. Considering the state that every thing is in, and all the damage that a fire would do, I rather wish that people -would be a little more careful about smoking." +would be a little more careful about smoking.” -"My canes, Mr. Heathcote, would burn quite as quickly as your grass." +“My canes, Mr. Heathcote, would burn quite as quickly as your grass.” -"It is not only the grass. I've a hundred miles of fencing on the +“It is not only the grass. I’ve a hundred miles of fencing on the run which is as dry as tinder, not to talk of the station and the -wool-shed." +wool-shed.” -"They sha'n't suffer from my neglect, Mr. Heathcote." +“They sha’n’t suffer from my neglect, Mr. Heathcote.” -"You have men about who mayn't be so careful. The wind, such as it +“You have men about who mayn’t be so careful. The wind, such as it is, is coming right across from your place. If there were light enough, I could show you three or four patches where there has been fire within half a mile of this spot. There was a log burning there for two or three days, not long ago, which was lighted by one of our -men." +men.” -"That was a fortnight since. There was no heat then, and the men were -boiling their kettle. I spoke about it." +“That was a fortnight since. There was no heat then, and the men were +boiling their kettle. I spoke about it.” -"A log like that, Mr. Medlicot, will burn for weeks sometimes. I'll -tell you fairly what I'm afraid of. There's a man with you whom I +“A log like that, Mr. Medlicot, will burn for weeks sometimes. I’ll +tell you fairly what I’m afraid of. There’s a man with you whom I turned out of the shed last shearing, and I think he might put a -match down--not by accident." +match down--not by accident.” -"You mean Nokes. As far as I know, he's a decent man. You wouldn't -have me not employ a man just because you had dismissed him?" +“You mean Nokes. As far as I know, he’s a decent man. You wouldn’t +have me not employ a man just because you had dismissed him?” -"Certainly not; that is, I shouldn't think of dictating to you about -such a thing." +“Certainly not; that is, I shouldn’t think of dictating to you about +such a thing.” -"Well, no, Mr. Heathcote, I suppose not. Nokes has got to earn his -bread, though you did dismiss him. I don't know that he's not as -honest a man as you or I." +“Well, no, Mr. Heathcote, I suppose not. Nokes has got to earn his +bread, though you did dismiss him. I don’t know that he’s not as +honest a man as you or I.” -"If so, there's three of us very bad; that's all, Mr. Medlicot. -Good-night; and if you'll trouble yourself to look after the ash of -your tobacco it might be the saving of me and all I have." So +“If so, there’s three of us very bad; that’s all, Mr. Medlicot. +Good-night; and if you’ll trouble yourself to look after the ash of +your tobacco it might be the saving of me and all I have.” So saying, he turned round, and made his way back to the horses. Medlicot had placed himself on the fence during the interview, and he still kept his seat. Of course he was now thinking of the man who had just left him, whom he declared to himself to be an ignorant, -prejudiced, ill-constituted cur. "I believe in his heart he thinks -that I'm going to set fire to his run," he said, almost aloud. "And +prejudiced, ill-constituted cur. “I believe in his heart he thinks +that I’m going to set fire to his run,” he said, almost aloud. “And because he grows wool he thinks himself above every body in the colony. He occupies thousands of acres, and employs three or four men. I till about two hundred, and maintain thirty families. But he -is such a pig that he can't understand all that; and he thinks that I -must be something low because I've bought with my own money a bit of -land which never belonged to him, and which he couldn't use." Such -was the nature of Giles Medlicot's soliloquy as he sat swinging his +is such a pig that he can’t understand all that; and he thinks that I +must be something low because I’ve bought with my own money a bit of +land which never belonged to him, and which he couldn’t use.” Such +was the nature of Giles Medlicot’s soliloquy as he sat swinging his legs, and still smoking his pipe, on the fence which divided his -sugar-cane from the other young man's run. +sugar-cane from the other young man’s run. -And Harry Heathcote uttered his soliloquy also. "I wouldn't swear -that he wouldn't do it himself, after all;" meaning that he almost +And Harry Heathcote uttered his soliloquy also. “I wouldn’t swear +that he wouldn’t do it himself, after all;” meaning that he almost suspected that Medlicot himself would be an incendiary. To him, in his way of thinking, a man who would take advantage of the law to buy -a bit of another man's land--or become a free-selector, as the term +a bit of another man’s land--or become a free-selector, as the term goes--was a public enemy, and might be presumed capable of any iniquity. It was all very well for the girls--meaning his wife and sister-in-law--to tell him that Medlicot had the manners of a @@ -663,10 +652,10 @@ coat. This Medlicot went about dressed like a man in the towns, exhibiting, as Harry thought, a contemptible, unmanly finery. Of what use was it to tell him that Medlicot was a gentleman? What Harry knew was that since Medlicot had come he had lost his sheep, that the -heads of three or four had been found buried on Medlicot's side of -his run, and that if he dismissed "a hand," Medlicot employed him--a -proceeding which, in Harry Heathcote's aristocratic and patriarchal -views of life, was altogether ungentleman-like. How were the "hands" +heads of three or four had been found buried on Medlicot’s side of +his run, and that if he dismissed “a hand,” Medlicot employed him--a +proceeding which, in Harry Heathcote’s aristocratic and patriarchal +views of life, was altogether ungentleman-like. How were the “hands” to be kept in their place if one employer of labor did not back up another? @@ -678,47 +667,47 @@ German, at whose hut he had been in the morning, Karl Bender by name, and a servant of his own, had told him that there would be fire about before long. -"Why should any one want to ruin me?" Harry had asked. "Did I ever -wrong a man of a shilling?" +“Why should any one want to ruin me?” Harry had asked. “Did I ever +wrong a man of a shilling?” The German had learned to know his young master, had made his way -through the crust of his master's character, and was prepared to be +through the crust of his master’s character, and was prepared to be faithful at all points--though he too could have quarreled and have avenged himself had it not chanced that he had come to the point of loving instead of hating his employer. -"You like too much to be governor over all," said the German, as he +“You like too much to be governor over all,” said the German, as he stooped over the fire in his own hut in his anxiety to boil the water -for Heathcote's tea. +for Heathcote’s tea. -"Somebody must be governor, or every thing would go to the devil," +“Somebody must be governor, or every thing would go to the devil,” said Harry. -"Dat's true--only fellows don't like be made feel it," said the -German, "Nokes, he was made feel it when you put him over de gate." +“Dat’s true--only fellows don’t like be made feel it,” said the +German, “Nokes, he was made feel it when you put him over de gate.” But neither would Bates nor the German express absolute suspicion of -any man. That Medlicot's "hands" at the sugar-mill were stealing his +any man. That Medlicot’s “hands” at the sugar-mill were stealing his sheep Harry thought that he knew; but that was comparatively a small affair, and he would not have pressed it, as he was without absolute evidence. And even he had a feeling that it would be unwise to increase the anger felt against himself--at any rate, during the present heats. -Jacko had his pipe still alight when Heathcote returned. "You young -monkey," said he, "have you been using matches?" +Jacko had his pipe still alight when Heathcote returned. “You young +monkey,” said he, “have you been using matches?” -"Why not, Mr. Harry? Don't the grass burn ready, Mr. Harry? My word!" +“Why not, Mr. Harry? Don’t the grass burn ready, Mr. Harry? My word!” Then Jacko stooped down, lit another match, and showed Heathcote the burned patch. -"Was it so when we came?" Harry asked, with emotion. Jacko, still +“Was it so when we came?” Harry asked, with emotion. Jacko, still kneeling on the ground, and holding the lighted match in his hand, shook his head and tapped his breast, indicating that he had burned -the grass. "You dropped the match by accident?" +the grass. “You dropped the match by accident?” -"My word! no. Did it o' purpose to see. It's all just one as -gunpowder, Mr. Harry." +“My word! no. Did it o’ purpose to see. It’s all just one as +gunpowder, Mr. Harry.” Harry got on his horse without a word, and rode away through the forest, taking a direction different from that by which he had come, @@ -743,28 +732,28 @@ heavens above them and the forest around were illumined by a flash of lightning so near them that it made each of them start in his saddle, and made the horses shudder in every limb. Then came the roll of thunder immediately over their heads, and with the thunder rain so -thick and fast that Harry's "ten thousand buckets" seemed to be +thick and fast that Harry’s “ten thousand buckets” seemed to be emptied directly over their heads. -"God A'mighty has put out the fires now," said Jacko. +“God A’mighty has put out the fires now,” said Jacko. Harry paused for a moment, feeling the rain through to his bones--for -he had nothing on over his shirt--and rejoicing in it. "Yes," he -said; "we may go to bed for a week, and let the grass grow, and the +he had nothing on over his shirt--and rejoicing in it. “Yes,” he +said; “we may go to bed for a week, and let the grass grow, and the creeks fill, and the earth cool. Half an hour like this over the -whole run, and there won't be a dry stick on it." +whole run, and there won’t be a dry stick on it.” As they went on, the horses splashed through the water. It seemed as though a deluge were falling, and that already the ground beneath their feet were becoming a lake. -"We might have too much of this, Jacko." +“We might have too much of this, Jacko.” -"My word! yes." +“My word! yes.” -"I don't want to have the Mary flooded again." +“I don’t want to have the Mary flooded again.” -"My word! no." +“My word! no.” But by the time they reached the wool-shed it was over. From the first drop to the last, there had hardly been a space of twenty @@ -783,9 +772,9 @@ divided into pens of various sizes, partitioned off for various purposes. If Harry Heathcote was sure of any thing, he was sure that his wool-shed was the best that had ever been built in this district. -"By Jimini! what's that?" said Jacko. +“By Jimini! what’s that?” said Jacko. -"Did you hear any thing?" +“Did you hear any thing?” Jacko pointed with his finger down the centre walk of the shed, and Harry, striking another match as he went, rushed forward. But the @@ -800,38 +789,38 @@ Harry called to him, but of course received no answer. Had he pursued him, he would have been obliged to cross sundry rails, which would have so delayed him as to give him no chance of success. -"I knew there was a fellow about," he said; "one of our own men would -not have run like that." +“I knew there was a fellow about,” he said; “one of our own men would +not have run like that.” Jacko shook his head, but did not speak. -"He has got in here for shelter out of the rain, but he was doing no -good about the place." +“He has got in here for shelter out of the rain, but he was doing no +good about the place.” Jacko again shook his head. -"I wonder who he was?" +“I wonder who he was?” -Jacko came up and whispered in his ear, "Bill Nokes." +Jacko came up and whispered in his ear, “Bill Nokes.” -"You couldn't see him." +“You couldn’t see him.” -"Seed the drag of his leg." Now it was well known that the man Nokes +“Seed the drag of his leg.” Now it was well known that the man Nokes had injured some of his muscles, and habitually dragged one foot after another. -"I don't think you could have been sure of him by such a glimpse as -that." +“I don’t think you could have been sure of him by such a glimpse as +that.” -"Maybe not," said the boy, "only I'm sure as sure." +“Maybe not,” said the boy, “only I’m sure as sure.” Harry Heathcote said not another word, but getting again upon his horse, galloped home. It was past one when he reached the station, but the two girls were waiting up for him, and at once began to -condole with him because he was wet. "Wet!" said Harry; "if you could +condole with him because he was wet. “Wet!” said Harry; “if you could only know how much I prefer things being wet to dry just at present! But give Jacko some supper. I must keep that young fellow in good -humor if I can." +humor if I can.” So Jacko had half a loaf of bread, and a small pot of jam, and a large jug of cold tea provided for him, in the enjoyment of which @@ -844,7 +833,7 @@ nobbler--being only the second in the day--and then went to bed. CHAPTER III. -MEDLICOT'S MILL. +MEDLICOT’S MILL. As Harry said, they might all now lie in bed for a day or two. The @@ -867,7 +856,7 @@ fallen only for a space of minutes. On the following morning the thirsty earth had apparently swallowed all the flood. The water in the creek beneath the house stood two feet higher than it had done, and Harry, when he visited the dams round the run, found that they -were fall to overflowing, and the grasses were already springing, so +were full to overflowing, and the grasses were already springing, so quick is the all but tropical growth of the country. They might be safe, perhaps, for eight-and-forty hours. Fire would run only when the ground was absolutely dry, and when every twig or leaf was a @@ -875,39 +864,39 @@ combustible. But during those eight-and-forty hours there might be comparative ease at Gangoil. On the day following the night of the ride Mrs. Heathcote suggested -to her husband that she and Kate should ride over to Medlicot's Mill, -as the place was already named, and call on Mrs. Medlicot. "It isn't -Christian," she said, "for people living out in the bush as we are to -quarrel with their neighbors just because they are neighbors." +to her husband that she and Kate should ride over to Medlicot’s Mill, +as the place was already named, and call on Mrs. Medlicot. “It isn’t +Christian,” she said, “for people living out in the bush as we are to +quarrel with their neighbors just because they are neighbors.” -"Neighbors!" said Harry; "I don't know any word that there's so +“Neighbors!” said Harry; “I don’t know any word that there’s so much humbug about. The Samaritan was the best neighbor I ever heard -of, and he lived a long way off, I take it. Anyway, he wasn't a -free-selector." +of, and he lived a long way off, I take it. Anyway, he wasn’t a +free-selector.” -"Harry, that's profane." +“Harry, that’s profane.” -"Every thing I say is wicked. You can go, of course, if you like it. -I don't want to quarrel with any body." +“Every thing I say is wicked. You can go, of course, if you like it. +I don’t want to quarrel with any body.” -"Quarreling is so uncomfortable," said his wife. +“Quarreling is so uncomfortable,” said his wife. -"That's a matter of taste. There are people whom I find it very -comfortable to quarrel with. I shouldn't at all like not to quarrel -with the Brownbies, and I'm not at all sure it mayn't come to be the -same with Mr. Giles Medlicot." +“That’s a matter of taste. There are people whom I find it very +comfortable to quarrel with. I shouldn’t at all like not to quarrel +with the Brownbies, and I’m not at all sure it mayn’t come to be the +same with Mr. Giles Medlicot.” -"The Brownbies live by sheep-stealing and horse-stealing." +“The Brownbies live by sheep-stealing and horse-stealing.” -"And Medlicot means to live by employing sheep-stealers and -horse-stealers. You can go if you like it. You won't want me to go -with you. Will you have the baggy?" +“And Medlicot means to live by employing sheep-stealers and +horse-stealers. You can go if you like it. You won’t want me to go +with you. Will you have the buggy?” But the ladies said that they would ride. The air was cooler now than it had been, and they would like the exercise. They would take Jacko with them to open the slip-rails, and they would be back by seven for dinner. So they started, taking the track by the wool-shed. The -wool-shed was about two miles from the station, and Medlicot's Mill +wool-shed was about two miles from the station, and Medlicot’s Mill was seven miles farther, on the bank of the river. Mr. Giles Medlicot, though at Gangoil he was still spoken of as a @@ -941,7 +930,7 @@ enterprise he had hoped to make this man his friend, not comprehending at first how great a cause for hostility was created by the very purchase of the land. He had been a new-comer from the old country, and, being alone, had desired friendship. He was Harry -Heathcote's equal in education, intelligence, and fortune, if not in +Heathcote’s equal in education, intelligence, and fortune, if not in birth--which surely, in the Australian bush, need not count for much. He had assumed, when first meeting the squatter, that good-fellowship between them, on equal terms, would be acceptable to both; but his @@ -950,19 +939,19 @@ up, had declared that Heathcote was an ignorant ass, and had unconsciously made up his mind to commence hostilities. It was in this spirit that he had taken Nokes into his mill, of whose character, had he inquired about it, he would certainly have heard no -good. He had now brought his mother to Medlicot's Mill. She and the +good. He had now brought his mother to Medlicot’s Mill. She and the Gangoil ladies had met each other on neutral ground, and it was almost necessary that they should either be friends or absolute enemies. Mrs. Heathcote had been aware of this, and had declared that enmity was horrible. -"Upon my word," said Harry, "I sometimes think that friendship is -more so. I suppose I'm fitted for bush life, for I want to see no one -from year's end to year's end but my own family and my own people." +“Upon my word,” said Harry, “I sometimes think that friendship is +more so. I suppose I’m fitted for bush life, for I want to see no one +from year’s end to year’s end but my own family and my own people.” And yet this young patriarch in the wilderness was only twenty-four years old, and had been educated at an English school! -Medlicot's cottage was about a hundred and fifty yards from the mill, +Medlicot’s cottage was about a hundred and fifty yards from the mill, looking down upon the Mary, the banks of which at this spot were almost precipitous. The site for the plantation had been chosen because the river afforded the means of carriage down to the sea, and @@ -973,29 +962,29 @@ veranda. She was a handsome old woman, with gray hair, seventy years of age, with wrinkled face, and a toothless mouth, but with bright eyes, and with no signs of the infirmity of age. -"This is gay kind of you to run so far to see an auld woman," she +“This is gay kind of you to run so far to see an auld woman,” she said. Mrs. Heathcote declared that they were used to the heat, and that after the rain the air was pleasant. -"You're two bright lassies, and you're hearty," she said. "I'm auld, -and just out of Cumberland, and I find it's hot enough--and I'm no -guid at horseback at all. I dinna know how I'm to get aboot." +“You’re two bright lassies, and you’re hearty,” she said. “I’m auld, +and just out of Cumberland, and I find it’s hot enough--and I’m no +guid at horseback at all. I dinna know how I’m to get aboot.” Then Mrs. Heathcote explained that there was an excellent track for a buggy all the way to Gangoil. -"Giles is aye telling me that I'm to gang aboot in a bouggey, but I -dinna feel sure of thae bouggeys." +“Giles is aye telling me that I’m to gang aboot in a bouggey, but I +dinna feel sure of thae bouggeys.” Mrs. Heathcote, of course, praised the country carriages, and the country roads, and the country generally. Tea was brought in, and the old lady was delighted with her guests. Since she had been at the -mill, week had followed week, and she had seen no woman's face but -that of the uncouth girl who waited upon her. "Did ye ever see rain -like that!" she said, putting up her hands. "I thought the Lord was -sending his clouds down upon us in a lump like." Then she told them +mill, week had followed week, and she had seen no woman’s face but +that of the uncouth girl who waited upon her. “Did ye ever see rain +like that!” she said, putting up her hands. “I thought the Lord was +sending his clouds down upon us in a lump like.” Then she told them that some of the men had declared that if it went on like that for two hours the Mary would rise and take the cottage away. Giles, however, had declared that to be trash, as the cottage was twenty @@ -1014,8 +1003,8 @@ innovations in the bush as cloth coats and tweed trowsers and neck-hand-kerchiefs. Medlicot had been full of wrath against his neighbor all the morning. -There had been a tone in Heathcote's voice when he gave his parting -warning as to the fire in Medlicot's pipe which the sugar grower had +There had been a tone in Heathcote’s voice when he gave his parting +warning as to the fire in Medlicot’s pipe which the sugar grower had felt to be intentionally insolent. Nothing had been said which could be openly resented, but offense had surely been intended; and then he had remembered that his mother had been already some months at the @@ -1027,45 +1016,45 @@ himself. He was, therefore, astonished to find the two young ladies sitting with his mother on the very day after such an interview as that of the preceding night. -"The leddies from Gangoil, Giles, have been guid enough to ride over -and see me," said his mother. +“The leddies from Gangoil, Giles, have been guid enough to ride over +and see me,” said his mother. Medlicot, of course, shook hands with them, and expressed his sense of their kindness, but he did it awkwardly. He soon, however, declared his purpose of riding part of the way back with them. -"Mr. Heathcote must have been very wet last night," he said, when -they were on horse-back, addressing himself to Kate Daly rather than +“Mr. Heathcote must have been very wet last night,” he said, when +they were on horseback, addressing himself to Kate Daly rather than to her sister. -"Indeed he was--wet to the skin. Were you not?" +“Indeed he was--wet to the skin. Were you not?” -"I saw him at about eleven, before the rain began. I was close home, +“I saw him at about eleven, before the rain began. I was close home, and just escaped. He must have been under it all. Does he often go -about the run in that way at night?" +about the run in that way at night?” -"Only when he's afraid of fires," said Kate. +“Only when he’s afraid of fires,” said Kate. -"Is there much to be afraid of? I don't suppose that any body can be -so wicked as to wish to burn the grass." Then the ladies took upon -themselves to explain. "The fires might be caused from negligence or +“Is there much to be afraid of? I don’t suppose that any body can be +so wicked as to wish to burn the grass.” Then the ladies took upon +themselves to explain. “The fires might be caused from negligence or trifling accidents, or might possibly come from the unaided heat of -the sun; or there might be enemies." +the sun; or there might be enemies.” -"My word! yes; enemies, rather!" said Jacko, who was riding close +“My word! yes; enemies, rather!” said Jacko, who was riding close behind, and who had no idea of being kept out of the conversation merely because he was a servant. Medlicot, turning round, looked at the lad, and asked who were the enemies. -"Free-selectors," said Jacko. +“Free-selectors,” said Jacko. -"I'm a free-selector," said Medlicot. +“I’m a free-selector,” said Medlicot. -"Did not jist mean you," said Jacko. +“Did not jist mean you,” said Jacko. -"Jacko, you'd better hold your tongue," said Mrs. Heathcote. +“Jacko, you’d better hold your tongue,” said Mrs. Heathcote. -"Hold my tongue! My word! Well, you go on." +“Hold my tongue! My word! Well, you go on.” Medlicot came as far as the wool-shed, and then said that he would return. He had thoroughly enjoyed his ride. Kate Daly was bright and @@ -1079,52 +1068,52 @@ pig-headed ass, the ladies were very nice, and he thought that the pig-headed ass in choosing one of them for himself had by no means taken the nicest. -"You'll never find your way back," said Kate, "if you've not been -here before." +“You’ll never find your way back,” said Kate, “if you’ve not been +here before.” -"I never was here before, and I suppose I must find my way back." +“I never was here before, and I suppose I must find my way back.” Then he was urged to come on and dine at Gangoil, with a promise that Jacko should return with him in the evening. But this he would not do. Heathcote was a pig-headed ass, who possibly regarded him as an incendiary simply because he had bought some land. This boy of -Heathcote's, whose services had been offered to him, had not scrupled +Heathcote’s, whose services had been offered to him, had not scrupled to tell him to his face that he was to be regarded as an enemy. Much as he liked the company of Kate Daly, he could not go to the house of -that stupid, arrogant, pig-headed young squatter. "I'm not such a bad -bushman but what I can find my way to the river," he said. +that stupid, arrogant, pig-headed young squatter. “I’m not such a bad +bushman but what I can find my way to the river,” he said. -"Find it blindful," said Jacko, who did not relish the idea of going -back to Medlicot's Mill as guide to another man. There was a weakness +“Find it blindful,” said Jacko, who did not relish the idea of going +back to Medlicot’s Mill as guide to another man. There was a weakness in the idea that such aid could be necessary, which was revolting to -Jacko's sense of bush independence. +Jacko’s sense of bush independence. They were standing on their horses at the entrance to the wool-shed as they discussed the point, when suddenly Harry himself appeared out of the building. He came up and shook hands with Medlicot, with sufficient courtesy, but hardly with cordiality, and then asked his -wife as to her ride. "We have been very jolly, haven't we, Kate? Of +wife as to her ride. “We have been very jolly, haven’t we, Kate? Of course it has been hot, but every thing is not so frightfully parched as it was before the rain. As Mr. Medlicot has come back so far with -us, we want him to come on and dine." +us, we want him to come on and dine.” -"Pray do, Mr. Medlicot," said Harry. But again the tone of his voice +“Pray do, Mr. Medlicot,” said Harry. But again the tone of his voice was not sufficiently hearty to satisfy the man who was invited. -"Thanks, no: I think I'll hardly do that.--Good-night, Mrs. -Heathcote; good-night. Miss Daly;" and the two ladies immediately +“Thanks, no: I think I’ll hardly do that.--Good-night, Mrs. +Heathcote; good-night. Miss Daly;” and the two ladies immediately perceived that his voice, which had hitherto been pleasant in their ears, had ceased to be cordial. -"I am very glad he has gone back," said Heathcote. +“I am very glad he has gone back,” said Heathcote. -"Why do you say so, Harry? You are not given to be inhospitable, and +“Why do you say so, Harry? You are not given to be inhospitable, and why should you grudge me and Kate the rare pleasure of seeing a -strange face?" +strange face?” -"I'll tell you why. It's not about him at this moment; but I've been -disturbed.--Jacko, go on to the station, and say we're coming. Do you -hear me? Go on at once." Then Jacko, somewhat unwillingly, galloped -off toward the house. "Get off your horses, and come in." +“I’ll tell you why. It’s not about him at this moment; but I’ve been +disturbed.--Jacko, go on to the station, and say we’re coming. Do you +hear me? Go on at once.” Then Jacko, somewhat unwillingly, galloped +off toward the house. “Get off your horses, and come in.” He helped the two ladies from their saddles, and they all went into the wool-shed, Harry leading the way. In one of the side pens, @@ -1133,78 +1122,78 @@ outside portion of which was at present damp, for the rain had beaten in upon it, but which had been as dry as tinder when collected; and there was a row or ridge of mixed brush-wood and leaves so constructed as to form a line from the grass outside on to the heap. -"The fellow who did that was an ass," said Harry; "a greater ass than +“The fellow who did that was an ass,” said Harry; “a greater ass than I should have taken him to be, not to have known that if he could have gotten the grass to burn outside, the wool-shed must have gone -without all that preparation. But there isn't much difficulty now in -seeing what the fellow has intended." +without all that preparation. But there isn’t much difficulty now in +seeing what the fellow has intended.” -"Was it for a fire?" asked Kate. +“Was it for a fire?” asked Kate. -"Of course it was. He wouldn't have been contented with the grass and -fences, but wanted to make sure of the shed also. He'd have come to +“Of course it was. He wouldn’t have been contented with the grass and +fences, but wanted to make sure of the shed also. He’d have come to the house and burned us in our beds, only a fellow like that is too -much of a coward to run the risk of being seen." +much of a coward to run the risk of being seen.” -"But, Harry, why didn't he light it when he'd done it?" said Mrs. +“But, Harry, why didn’t he light it when he’d done it?” said Mrs. Heathcote. -"Because the Almighty sent the rain at the very moment," said Harry, -striking the top rail of one of the pens with his fist. "I'm not much -given to talk about Providence, but this looks like it, does it not?" +“Because the Almighty sent the rain at the very moment,” said Harry, +striking the top rail of one of the pens with his fist. “I’m not much +given to talk about Providence, but this looks like it, does it not?” -"He might have put a match in at the moment?" +“He might have put a match in at the moment?” -"Rain or no rain? Yes, he might. But he was interrupted by more than +“Rain or no rain? Yes, he might. But he was interrupted by more than the rain. I got into the shed myself just at the moment--I and Jacko. It was last night, when the rain was pouring. I heard the man, and -dark as was the night, I saw his figure as he fled away." +dark as was the night, I saw his figure as he fled away.” -"You didn't know him?" said Miss Daly. +“You didn’t know him?” said Miss Daly. -"But that boy, who has the eyes of a cat, he knew him." +“But that boy, who has the eyes of a cat, he knew him.” -"Jacko?" +“Jacko?” -"Jacko knew him by his gait. I should have hardly wanted any one to +“Jacko knew him by his gait. I should have hardly wanted any one to tell me who it was. I could have named the man at once, but for the -fear of doing an injustice." +fear of doing an injustice.” -"And who was it?" +“And who was it?” -"Our friend Medlicot's prime favorite and new factotum, Mr. William +“Our friend Medlicot’s prime favorite and new factotum, Mr. William Nokes. Mr. William Nokes is the gentleman who intends to burn us all out of house and home, and Mr. Medlicot is the gentleman whose -pleasure it is to keep Mr. Nokes in the neighborhood." +pleasure it is to keep Mr. Nokes in the neighborhood.” The two women stood awe-struck for a moment, but a sense of justice -prevailed upon the wife to speak. "That may be all true," she said. -"Perhaps it is as you say about that man. But you would not therefore -think that Mr. Medlicot knows any thing about it?" +prevailed upon the wife to speak. “That may be all true,” she said. +“Perhaps it is as you say about that man. But you would not therefore +think that Mr. Medlicot knows any thing about it?” -"It would be impossible," said Kate. +“It would be impossible,” said Kate. -"I have not accused him," said Harry; "but he knows that the man was +“I have not accused him,” said Harry; “but he knows that the man was dismissed, and yet keeps him about the place. Of course he is -responsible." +responsible.” CHAPTER IV. -HARRY HEATHCOTE'S APPEAL. +HARRY HEATHCOTE’S APPEAL. For the first mile between the wool-shed and the house Heathcote and the two ladies rode without saying a word. There was something so terrible in the reality of the danger which encompassed them that -they hardly felt inclined to discuss it. Harry's dislike to Medlicot +they hardly felt inclined to discuss it. Harry’s dislike to Medlicot was quite a thing apart. That some one had intended to burn down the wool-shed, and had made preparation for doing so, was as apparent to the women as to him. And the man who had been balked by a shower of rain in his first attempt might soon find an opportunity for a -second. Harry was well aware that even Jacko's assertion could not be +second. Harry was well aware that even Jacko’s assertion could not be taken as evidence against the man whom he suspected. In all probability no further attempt would be made upon the wool-shed; but a fire on some distant part of the run would be much more injurious @@ -1221,19 +1210,19 @@ security. There need be no preparation of leaves. A match thrown loosely on the ground would do it. And in regard to a match so thrown, it would be impossible to prove a guilty intention. -"Ought we not to have dispersed the heap?" said Mrs. Heathcote at +“Ought we not to have dispersed the heap?” said Mrs. Heathcote at last. The minds of all of them were full of the matter, but these were the first words spoken. -"I'll leave it as it is," said Harry, giving no reason for his +“I’ll leave it as it is,” said Harry, giving no reason for his decision. He was too full of thought, too heavily laden with anxiety, -to speak much. "Come, let's get on; you'll want your dinner, and it's -getting dark." So they cantered on, and got off their horses at the +to speak much. “Come, let’s get on; you’ll want your dinner, and it’s +getting dark.” So they cantered on, and got off their horses at the gate, without another word. And not another word was spoken on the subject that night. Harry was very silent, walking up and down the veranda with his pipe in his mouth--not lying on the ground in idle enjoyment--and there was no reading. The two sisters looked at him -from time to time with wistful, anxious-eyes, half afraid to disturb +from time to time with wistful, anxious eyes, half afraid to disturb him by speech. As for him, he felt that the weight was all on his own shoulders. He @@ -1256,19 +1245,19 @@ bring him to such a condition that the merchants would demand to have their money repaid. He understood it all, and knew well that it was after this fashion that many a squatter before him had been ruined. -"Speak a word to me about it," his wife said to him, imploringly, +“Speak a word to me about it,” his wife said to him, imploringly, when they were alone together that night. -"My darling, if there were a word to say, I would say it. I must be +“My darling, if there were a word to say, I would say it. I must be on the watch, and do the best I can. At present the earth is too damp -for mischief." +for mischief.” -"Oh that it would rain again!" +“Oh that it would rain again!” -"There will be heat enough before the summer is over; we need not +“There will be heat enough before the summer is over; we need not doubt that. But I will tell you of every thing as we go on. I will endeavor to have the man watched. God bless you! Go to sleep, and try -to get it out of your thoughts." +to get it out of your thoughts.” On the following morning he breakfasted early, and mounted his horse without saying a word as to the purport of his journey. This was in @@ -1284,7 +1273,7 @@ then started at a gallop toward the wool-shed. He did not stop a moment at the shed, not even entering it to see whether the heap of leaves had been displaced during the night, but -went on straight to Medlicot's Mill. He rode the nine miles in an +went on straight to Medlicot’s Mill. He rode the nine miles in an hour, and at once entered the building in which the canes were crushed. The first man he met was Nokes, who acted as overseer, having a gang of Polynesian laborers under him--sleek, swarthy @@ -1292,8 +1281,8 @@ fellows from the South Sea Islands, with linen trowsers on and nothing else--who crept silently among the vats and machinery, shifting the sugar as it was made. -"Well, Nokes," said Harry, "how are you getting on? Is Mr. Medlicot -here?" +“Well, Nokes,” said Harry, “how are you getting on? Is Mr. Medlicot +here?” Nokes was a big fellow, with a broad, solid face, which would not have condemned him among physiognomists but for a bad eye, which @@ -1304,44 +1293,44 @@ the place refused to do for him. During the discussion Harry had come in. The man had been drinking, and was still insolent, and Harry had ejected him violently, thrusting him over a gate. The man had returned the next morning, and had then been sent about his business. -He had been employed at Medlicot's Mill, but from the day of his +He had been employed at Medlicot’s Mill, but from the day of his dismissal to this he and Harry had never met each other face to face. -"I'm pretty well, thank ye, Mr. Heathcote. I hope you're the same, -and the ladies. The master's about somewhere, I take it.--Picky, go -and find the master." Picky was one of the Polynesians, who at once +“I’m pretty well, thank ye, Mr. Heathcote. I hope you’re the same, +and the ladies. The master’s about somewhere, I take it.--Picky, go +and find the master.” Picky was one of the Polynesians, who at once started on his errand. -"Have you been over to Gangoil since you left it?" said Harry, +“Have you been over to Gangoil since you left it?” said Harry, looking the man full in the face. -"Not I, Mr. Heathcote. I never go where I've had words. And, to tell -you the truth, sugar is better than sheep. I'm very comfortable here, -and I never liked your work." +“Not I, Mr. Heathcote. I never go where I’ve had words. And, to tell +you the truth, sugar is better than sheep. I’m very comfortable here, +and I never liked your work.” -"You haven't been at the wool-shed?" +“You haven’t been at the wool-shed?” -"What, the Gangoil shed! What the blazes 'd I go there for? It's a -matter of ten miles from here." +“What, the Gangoil shed! What the blazes ’d I go there for? It’s a +matter of ten miles from here.” -"Seven, Nokes." +“Seven, Nokes.” -"Seven, is it? It is a longish seven miles, Mr. Heathcote. How could -I get that distance? I ain't so good at walking as I was before I was +“Seven, is it? It is a longish seven miles, Mr. Heathcote. How could +I get that distance? I ain’t so good at walking as I was before I was hurt. You should have remembered that, Mr. Heathcote, when you laid -hands on me the other day." +hands on me the other day.” -"You're not much the worse for what I did; nor yet for the accident, -I take it. At any rate, you've not been at Gangoil wool-shed?" +“You’re not much the worse for what I did; nor yet for the accident, +I take it. At any rate, you’ve not been at Gangoil wool-shed?” -"No, I've not," said the man, roughly. "What the mischief should I be -doing at your shed at night-time?" +“No, I’ve not,” said the man, roughly. “What the mischief should I be +doing at your shed at night-time?” -"I said nothing about night-time." +“I said nothing about night-time.” -"I'm here all day, ain't I? If you're going to palm off any story -against me, Mr. Heathcote, you'll find yourself in the wrong box. -What I does I does on the square." +“I’m here all day, ain’t I? If you’re going to palm off any story +against me, Mr. Heathcote, you’ll find yourself in the wrong box. +What I does I does on the square.” Heathcote was now quite sure that Jacko had been right. He had not doubted much before, but now he did not doubt at all but that the man @@ -1349,36 +1338,36 @@ with whom he was speaking was the wretch who was endeavoring to ruin him. And he felt certain, also, that Jacko was true to him. He knew, too, that he had plainly declared his suspicion to the man himself. But he had resolved upon doing this. He could in no way assist -himself in circumventing the man's villainy by keeping his suspense +himself in circumventing the man’s villainy by keeping his suspense to himself. The man might be frightened, and in spite of all that had passed between him and Medlicot, he still thought it possible that he might induce the sugar grower to co-operate with him in driving Nokes from the neighborhood. He had spent the night in thinking over it all, and this was the resolution to which he had come. -"There's the master," said Nokes. "If you've got any thing to say -about any thing, you'd better say it to him." +“There’s the master,” said Nokes. “If you’ve got any thing to say +about any thing, you’d better say it to him.” -Harry had never before set his foot upon Medlicot's land since it had +Harry had never before set his foot upon Medlicot’s land since it had been bought away from his own run, and had felt that he would almost demean himself by doing so. He had often looked at the canes from over his own fence, as he had done on the night of the rain; but he had stood always on his own land. Now he was in the sugar-mill, never -before having seen such a building. "You've a deal of machinery here, -Mr. Medlicot," he said. +before having seen such a building. “You’ve a deal of machinery here, +Mr. Medlicot,” he said. -"It's a small affair, after all," said the other. "I hope to get a -good plant before I've done." +“It’s a small affair, after all,” said the other. “I hope to get a +good plant before I’ve done.” -"Can I speak a word with you?" +“Can I speak a word with you?” -"Certainly. Will you come into the office, or will you go across to -the house?" +“Certainly. Will you come into the office, or will you go across to +the house?” Harry said that the office would do, and followed Medlicot into a little box-like inclosure which contained a desk and two stools. -"Not much of an office, is it? What can I do for you, Mr. Heathcote?" +“Not much of an office, is it? What can I do for you, Mr. Heathcote?” Then Harry began his story, which he told at considerable length. He apologized for troubling his neighbor at all on the subject, and @@ -1389,106 +1378,106 @@ On this matter he said much, which, had he been a better tactician, he might probably have left unspoken. He then went on to the story of his own quarrel with Nokes, who had, in truth, been grossly impudent to the women about the house, but who had been punished by instant -and violent dismissal from his employment. It was evidently Harry's +and violent dismissal from his employment. It was evidently Harry’s idea that a man who had so sinned against his master should be allowed to find no other master--at any rate in that district; an idea with which the other man, who had lately come out from the old country, did not at all sympathize. -"Do you want me to dismiss him?" said Medlicot, in a tone which +“Do you want me to dismiss him?” said Medlicot, in a tone which implied that that would be the last thing he would think of doing. -"You haven't heard me yet." Then Harry went on and told of the fires +“You haven’t heard me yet.” Then Harry went on and told of the fires in the heat of summer, and of their terrible effects--of the easy manner of revenge which they supplied to angry, unscrupulous men, and of his own fears at the present moment. -"I can believe it all," said Medlicot, "and am very sorry that it +“I can believe it all,” said Medlicot, “and am very sorry that it should be so. But I can not see the justice of punishing a man on the merest, vaguest suspicion. Your only ground for imputing this crime -to him is that your own conduct to him may have given him a motive." +to him is that your own conduct to him may have given him a motive.” Harry had schooled himself vigorously during the ride as to his own -demeanor, and had resolved that he would be cool. "I was going on to -tell you," he said, "what occurred that night after I saw you up by -the fence." Then he described how he and his boy had entered the +demeanor, and had resolved that he would be cool. “I was going on to +tell you,” he said, “what occurred that night after I saw you up by +the fence.” Then he described how he and his boy had entered the shed, and had both seen and heard a man as he escaped from it; how the boy had at once declared that the man was Nokes; how the following day he had discovered the leaves, which Nokes no doubt had deposited there just before the rain, intending to burn the place at -once; and how Nokes's manner to him within the last half hour had +once; and how Nokes’s manner to him within the last half hour had corroborated his suspicions. -"Is he the boy you call Jacko?" +“Is he the boy you call Jacko?” -"That's the name he goes by." +“That’s the name he goes by.” -"You don't know his real name?" +“You don’t know his real name?” -"I have never heard any other name." +“I have never heard any other name.” -"Nor any thing about him?" Harry owned, in answer to half a dozen +“Nor any thing about him?” Harry owned, in answer to half a dozen such questions, that Jacko had come to Gangoil about six months -ago--he did not know whence--had been kept for a week's job, and had +ago--he did not know whence--had been kept for a week’s job, and had then been allowed to remain about the place without any regular -wages. "You admit it was quite dark," continued Medlicot. +wages. “You admit it was quite dark,” continued Medlicot. Harry did not at all like the cross-examination, and his resolution -to be cool was quickly fading. "I told you that I saw myself the -figure of a man." +to be cool was quickly fading. “I told you that I saw myself the +figure of a man.” -"But that you barely saw a figure. You did not form any opinion of -your own as to the man's identity." +“But that you barely saw a figure. You did not form any opinion of +your own as to the man’s identity.” Harry Heathcote was as honest as the sun. Much as he disliked being cross-examined, he found himself compelled not only to say the exact -truth, but the whole truth. "Certainly not. I barely saw a glimpse of +truth, but the whole truth. “Certainly not. I barely saw a glimpse of a figure, and, till I spoke to Nokes just now, I almost doubted whether the lad could have distinguished him. I am sure he was right -now." +now.” -"Really, Mr. Heathcote, I can't go along with you. You are accusing a +“Really, Mr. Heathcote, I can’t go along with you. You are accusing a man of committing an offense, which I believe is capital, on the evidence of a boy of whom you know nothing, who may have his own reasons for spiting the man, and whom you yourself did not believe till you had looked this man in the face. I think you allow yourself -to be guided too much by your own power of intuition." +to be guided too much by your own power of intuition.” -"No, I don't," said Harry, who hated his neighbor's methodical +“No, I don’t,” said Harry, who hated his neighbor’s methodical argument. -"At any rate, I can't consent to take a man's bread out of his mouth, +“At any rate, I can’t consent to take a man’s bread out of his mouth, and to send him away tainted as he would be with this suspicion, either because Jacko thought that he saw him in the dark, or -because--" +because--” -"I have never asked you to send him away." +“I have never asked you to send him away.” -"What is it you want, then?" +“What is it you want, then?” -"I want to have him watched, so that he may feel that if he attempts -to destroy my property his guilt will be detected." +“I want to have him watched, so that he may feel that if he attempts +to destroy my property his guilt will be detected.” -"Who is to watch him?" +“Who is to watch him?” -"He is in your employment." +“He is in your employment.” -"He lives in the hut down beyond the gate. Am I to keep a sentry -there all night, and every night?" +“He lives in the hut down beyond the gate. Am I to keep a sentry +there all night, and every night?” -"I will pay for it." +“I will pay for it.” -"No, Mr. Heathcote. I don't pretend to know this country yet, but -I'll encourage no such espionage as that. At any rate, it is not +“No, Mr. Heathcote. I don’t pretend to know this country yet, but +I’ll encourage no such espionage as that. At any rate, it is not English. I dare say the man misbehaved himself in your employment. You say he was drunk. I do not doubt it. But he is not a drunkard, for he never drinks here. A man is not to starve forever because he once got drunk and was impertinent. Nor is he to have a spy at his heels because a boy whom nobody knows chooses to denounce him. I am sorry that you should be in trouble, but I do not know that I can -help you." +help you.” -Harry's passion was now very high, and his resolution to be cool was +Harry’s passion was now very high, and his resolution to be cool was almost thrown to the winds. Medlicot had said many things which were odious to him. In the first place, there had been a tone of insufferable superiority, so Harry thought, and that, too, when he @@ -1498,7 +1487,7 @@ neighbor. And then this new-fangled sugar grower had told him that he was not English, and had said grand words, and had altogether made himself objectionable. What did this man know of the Australian bush, that he should dare to talk of this or that as being wrong because it -was un-English! In England there were police to guard men's property. +was un-English! In England there were police to guard men’s property. Here, out in the Australian forests, a man must guard his own, or lose it. But perhaps it was the indifference to the ruin of the women belonging to him that Harry Heathcote felt the strongest. The @@ -1508,7 +1497,7 @@ vast devastating fire, but could be indignant in his mock philanthropy because it was proposed to watch the doings of a scoundrel! -"Good-morning," said Harry, turning round and leaving the office +“Good-morning,” said Harry, turning round and leaving the office brusquely. Medlicot followed him, but Harry went so quickly that not another word was spoken. To him the idea of a neighbor in the bush refusing such assistance as he had asked was as terrible as to us is @@ -1518,7 +1507,7 @@ animal would carry him. Medlicot, when he was left alone, took two or three turns about the mill, as though inspecting the work, but at every turn fixed his eyes -for a few moments on Noke's face. The man was standing under a huge +for a few moments on Noke’s face. The man was standing under a huge caldron regulating the escape of the boiling juice into the different vats by raising and lowering a trap, and giving directions to the Polynesians as he did so. He was evidently conscious that he was @@ -1534,44 +1523,44 @@ intelligence. He knew that Heathcote had gone away in great dudgeon, and he almost feared that he had been harsh and unneighborly. After a while he stood opposite Nokes and addressed him. -"Do the squatters suffer much from fires?" he said. +“Do the squatters suffer much from fires?” he said. -"Heathcote has been talking to you about that," said the man. +“Heathcote has been talking to you about that,” said the man. -"Can't you say Mr. Heathcote when you speak of a gentleman whose -bread you have eaten?" +“Can’t you say Mr. Heathcote when you speak of a gentleman whose +bread you have eaten?” -"Mr. Heathcote, if you like it. We ain't particular to a shade out +“Mr. Heathcote, if you like it. We ain’t particular to a shade out here as you are at home. He has been telling you about fires, has -he?" +he?” -"Well, he has." +“Well, he has.” -"And talking of me, I suppose?" +“And talking of me, I suppose?” -"You were talking of having a turn at mining some day. How would it -be with you if you were to be off to Gympie?" +“You were talking of having a turn at mining some day. How would it +be with you if you were to be off to Gympie?” -"You mean to say I'm to go, Mr. Medlicot?" +“You mean to say I’m to go, Mr. Medlicot?” -"I don't say that at all." +“I don’t say that at all.” -"Look here, Mr. Medlicot. My going or staying won't make any -difference to Heathcote. There's a lot of 'em about here hates him +“Look here, Mr. Medlicot. My going or staying won’t make any +difference to Heathcote. There’s a lot of ’em about here hates him that much that he is never to be allowed to rest in peace. I tell you -that fairly. It ain't any thing as I shall do. Them's not my ways, -Mr. Medlicot. But he has enemies here as'll never let him rest." +that fairly. It ain’t any thing as I shall do. Them’s not my ways, +Mr. Medlicot. But he has enemies here as’ll never let him rest.” -"Who are they?" +“Who are they?” -"Pretty nigh every body round. He has carried himself that high they -won't stand him. Who's Heathcote?" +“Pretty nigh every body round. He has carried himself that high they +won’t stand him. Who’s Heathcote?” -"Name some who are his enemies." +“Name some who are his enemies.” -"There's the Brownbies." +“There’s the Brownbies.” -"Oh, the Brownbies. Well, it's a bad thing to have enemies." After +“Oh, the Brownbies. Well, it’s a bad thing to have enemies.” After that he left the sugar-house and went across to the cottage. @@ -1595,32 +1584,32 @@ would come home to breakfast about seven in the morning, very tired, but never owning that he was tired, and then sleep heavily for an hour or two in a chair. After that he would go out again on the run, would sleep perhaps for another hour after dinner, and then would -start for his night's patrol. During this week he saw nothing of +start for his night’s patrol. During this week he saw nothing of Medlicot, and never mentioned his name but once. On that occasion his wife told him that during his absence Medlicot had been at the station. -"What brought him here?" Harry asked, fiercely. +“What brought him here?” Harry asked, fiercely. Mrs. Heathcote explained that he had called in a friendly way, and had said that if there were any fear of fire he would be happy himself to lend assistance. -Then the young squatter forgot himself in his wrath. "Confound his -hypocrisy!" said Harry, aloud. "I don't think he's a hypocrite," said +Then the young squatter forgot himself in his wrath. “Confound his +hypocrisy!” said Harry, aloud. “I don’t think he’s a hypocrite,” said the wife. -"I'm sure he's not," said Kate Daly. +“I’m sure he’s not,” said Kate Daly. Not a word more was spoken, and Harry immediately left the house. The two women did not as usual go to the gate to see him mount his horse, not refraining from doing so in any anger, or as wishing to exhibit -displeasure at Harry's violence, but because they were afraid of him. +displeasure at Harry’s violence, but because they were afraid of him. They had found themselves compelled to differ from him, but were oppressed at finding themselves in opposition to him. The feeling that his wife should in any way take part against him -added greatly to Heathcote's trouble. It produced in his mind a +added greatly to Heathcote’s trouble. It produced in his mind a terrible feeling of loneliness in his sorrow. He bore a brave outside to all his men, and to any stranger whom in these days he met about the run--to his wife and sister also, and to the old woman at home. @@ -1636,7 +1625,7 @@ that he trusted no one. He suspected no one with a positive suspicion, except Nokes, and Medlicot as the supporter of Nokes. But he had no one with whom he could converse freely--none whom he had not been accustomed to treat as the mere ministers of his will--except -his wife and his wife's sister; and now he was disjoined from them +his wife and his wife’s sister; and now he was disjoined from them by their sympathy with Medlicot! He had chosen to manage every thing himself without contradiction and almost without counsel; but, like other such imperious masters, he now found that when trouble @@ -1664,10 +1653,10 @@ tell Karl Bender, the German, that if his fences were destroyed neither his means nor his credit would be sufficient to put them up again, and that if the scanty herbage were burned off any large proportion of his run, he must sell his flocks at a great sacrifice. -Nor could he explain to Mickey O'Dowd, the Irishman, that his peace +Nor could he explain to Mickey O’Dowd, the Irishman, that his peace of mind was destroyed by his fear of one man. He had to bear it all alone. And there was heavy on him also the great misery of feeling -that every thing might depend on own exertions, and that yet he did +that every thing might depend on his own exertions, and that yet he did not know how or where to exert himself. When he had ridden about all night and discovered nothing, he might just as well have been in bed. And he was continually riding about all night and discovering @@ -1675,72 +1664,72 @@ nothing. After leaving the station on the evening of the day on which he had expressed himself to the women so vehemently respecting Medlicot, he -met Bates coming home from his day's work. It was then past eight -o'clock, and the old man was sitting wearily on his horse, with his +met Bates coming home from his day’s work. It was then past eight +o’clock, and the old man was sitting wearily on his horse, with his head low down between his shoulders, and the reins hardly held within his grasp. -"You're late, Mr. Bates," said Harry; "you take too much out of -yourself this hot weather." +“You’re late, Mr. Bates,” said Harry; “you take too much out of +yourself this hot weather.” -"I've got to move slower, Mr. Heathcote, as I grow older. That's -about it. And the beast I'm on is not much good." Now Mr. Bates was +“I’ve got to move slower, Mr. Heathcote, as I grow older. That’s +about it. And the beast I’m on is not much good.” Now Mr. Bates was always complaining of his horse, and yet was allowed to choose any on the run for his own use. -"If you don't like him, why don't you take another?" +“If you don’t like him, why don’t you take another?” -"There ain't much difference in 'em, Mr. Heathcote. Better the devil -you know than the devil you don't. It's getting uncommon close -shaving for them wethers in the new paddock. They're down upon the -roots pretty well already." +“There ain’t much difference in ’em, Mr. Heathcote. Better the devil +you know than the devil you don’t. It’s getting uncommon close +shaving for them wethers in the new paddock. They’re down upon the +roots pretty well already.” -"There's grass along the bush on the north side." +“There’s grass along the bush on the north side.” -"They won't go there; it's rank and sour. They won't feed up there as +“They won’t go there; it’s rank and sour. They won’t feed up there as long as they can live lower down and nearer the water. Weather like -this, they'd sooner die near the water than travel to fill their -bellies. It's about the hottest day we've had, and the nights a'most -hotter. Are you going to be out, Mr. Heathcote?" +this, they’d sooner die near the water than travel to fill their +bellies. It’s about the hottest day we’ve had, and the nights a’most +hotter. Are you going to be out, Mr. Heathcote?” -"I think so." +“I think so.” -"What's the good of it, Mr. Heathcote? There is no use in it. Lord -love you, what can yon do? You can't be every side at once." +“What’s the good of it, Mr. Heathcote? There is no use in it. Lord +love you, what can yon do? You can’t be every side at once.” -"Fire can only travel with the wind, Mr. Bates." +“Fire can only travel with the wind, Mr. Bates.” -"And there isn't any wind, and so there can't be any fire. I never -did think, and I don't think now, there ever was any use in a man -fashing himself as you fash yourself. You can't alter things, Mr. -Heathcote." +“And there isn’t any wind, and so there can’t be any fire. I never +did think, and I don’t think now, there ever was any use in a man +fashing himself as you fash yourself. You can’t alter things, Mr. +Heathcote.” -"But that's just what I can do--what a man has to do. If a match were -thrown there at your feet, and the grass was aflame, couldn't you +“But that’s just what I can do--what a man has to do. If a match were +thrown there at your feet, and the grass was aflame, couldn’t you alter that by putting your foot on it? If you find a ewe on her back, -can't you alter that by putting her on her legs?" +can’t you alter that by putting her on her legs?” -"Yes, I can do that, I suppose." +“Yes, I can do that, I suppose.” -"What does a man live for except to alter things? When a man clears -the forest and sows corn, does he not alter things?" +“What does a man live for except to alter things? When a man clears +the forest and sows corn, does he not alter things?” -"That's not your line, Mr. Heathcote," said the cunning old man. +“That’s not your line, Mr. Heathcote,” said the cunning old man. -"If I send wool to market, I alter things." +“If I send wool to market, I alter things.” -"You'll excuse me, Mr. Heathcote. Of course I'm old, but I just give -you my experience." +“You’ll excuse me, Mr. Heathcote. Of course I’m old, but I just give +you my experience.” -"I'm much obliged to you; though we can't always agree, you know. +“I’m much obliged to you; though we can’t always agree, you know. Good-night. Go in and say a word to my wife, and tell them you saw me -all right." +all right.” -"I'll have a crack with 'em, Mr. Heathcote, before I turn in." +“I’ll have a crack with ’em, Mr. Heathcote, before I turn in.” -"And tell Mary I sent my love." +“And tell Mary I sent my love.” -"I will, Mr. Heathcote; I will." +“I will, Mr. Heathcote; I will.” He was thinking always of his wife during his solitary rides, and of her fear and deep anxiety. It was for her sake and for the children @@ -1771,49 +1760,49 @@ the man called Boscobel still at work. Now there were, as he thought, very good reasons why Boscobel at the present moment should not be so employed. Boscobel was receiving wages for work of another kind. -"Bos," said the squatter, riding up, and addressing the man by the -customary abbreviation of his nickname, "I thought you were watching -at Brownbie's boundary?" Boscobel lowered his axe, and stood for a -while contemplating the proposition made to him. "You are drawing -three shillings a night for watching; isn't that so?" +“Bos,” said the squatter, riding up, and addressing the man by the +customary abbreviation of his nickname, “I thought you were watching +at Brownbie’s boundary?” Boscobel lowered his axe, and stood for a +while contemplating the proposition made to him. “You are drawing +three shillings a night for watching; isn’t that so?” -"Yes, that's so. Anyways, I shall draw it." +“Yes, that’s so. Anyways, I shall draw it.” -"Then why ain't you watching?" +“Then why ain’t you watching?” -"There's nothing to watch that I knows on--not just now." +“There’s nothing to watch that I knows on--not just now.” -"Then why should I pay you for it? I'm to pay you for ringing these -trees, ain't I?" +“Then why should I pay you for it? I’m to pay you for ringing these +trees, ain’t I?” -"Certainly, Mr. Heathcote." +“Certainly, Mr. Heathcote.” -"Then you're to make double use of your time, and sell it twice over, -are you? Don't try to look like a fool, as though you didn't -understand. You know that what you're doing isn't honest." +“Then you’re to make double use of your time, and sell it twice over, +are you? Don’t try to look like a fool, as though you didn’t +understand. You know that what you’re doing isn’t honest.” -"Nobody ever said as I wasn't honest before." +“Nobody ever said as I wasn’t honest before.” -"I tell you so now. You're robbing me of the time you've sold to me, -and for which I'm to pay you." +“I tell you so now. You’re robbing me of the time you’ve sold to me, +and for which I’m to pay you.” -"There ain't nothing to watch while the wind's as it is now, and that -chap ain't any where about to-night." +“There ain’t nothing to watch while the wind’s as it is now, and that +chap ain’t any where about to-night.” -"What chap?" +“What chap?” -"Oh, I know. I'm all right. What's the use of dawdling about up there -in the broad moonlight, and the wind like this?" +“Oh, I know. I’m all right. What’s the use of dawdling about up there +in the broad moonlight, and the wind like this?” -"That's for me to judge. If you engage to do my work and take my -money, you're swindling me when you go about another job as you are -now. You needn't scratch your head. You understand it all as well as -I do." +“That’s for me to judge. If you engage to do my work and take my +money, you’re swindling me when you go about another job as you are +now. You needn’t scratch your head. You understand it all as well as +I do.” -"I never was told I swindled before, and I ain't a-going to put up +“I never was told I swindled before, and I ain’t a-going to put up with it. You may ring your own trees, and watch your own fences, and -the whole place may be burned for me. I ain't a-going to do another -turn in Gangoil. Swindle, indeed!" So Boscobel shouldered his axe, +the whole place may be burned for me. I ain’t a-going to do another +turn in Gangoil. Swindle, indeed!” So Boscobel shouldered his axe, and marched off through the forest, visible in the moonlight till the trees hid him. @@ -1835,7 +1824,7 @@ Heathcote; and it was clear to him, also, that when he detected fraud he was bound to expose it. Had the man acknowledged his fault and been submissive, there would have been an end of the matter. Heathcote would have said no word about it to any one, and would not -have stopped a farthing from the week's unearned wages. That he had +have stopped a farthing from the week’s unearned wages. That he had to encounter a certain amount of ill usage from the rough men about him, and to forgive it, he could understand; but it could not be his duty, either as a man or a master, to pass over dishonesty without @@ -1847,7 +1836,7 @@ matters because he was afraid of them, or that dishonesty on their part was indifferent to him. But now he had made another enemy--an enemy of a man who had declared -to him that he knew the movements of "that chap," meaning Nokes! How +to him that he knew the movements of “that chap,” meaning Nokes! How hard the world was! It seemed that all around were trouble to him. He turned his horse back, and made again for the spot which was his original destination. As he cantered on among the trees, twisting @@ -1858,8 +1847,8 @@ do to him. This idea was so strong upon him that at one spot he made his horse stop till he had thought it all out. No one encouraged him in his work. Every one about the place, friend or foe, Bates, his wife, Medlicot, and this Boscobel, spoke to him as though he were -fussy and fidgety in his anxiety. "If fires must come, they will -come; and if they are not to come, you are simply losing your labor." +fussy and fidgety in his anxiety. “If fires must come, they will +come; and if they are not to come, you are simply losing your labor.” This was the upshot of all they said to him. Why should he be wiser than they? If the ruin came, let it come. Old Bates had been ruined, but still had enough to eat and drink, and clothes to wear, and did @@ -1870,7 +1859,7 @@ almost broke his heart. Then there came across his mind the dim remembrance of certain old school words, and he touched his horse with his spur and hurried -onward: "Let there be no steps backward." A thought as to the +onward: “Let there be no steps backward.” A thought as to the manliness of persevering, of the want of manliness in yielding to depression, came to his rescue. Let him, at any rate, have the comfort of thinking that he had done his best according to his @@ -1878,73 +1867,73 @@ lights. After some dim fashion, he did come to recognize it as a fact that nothing could really support him but self-approbation. Though he fell from his horse in utter weariness, he would persevere. -As the night wore on he came to the German's hut, and finding it +As the night wore on he came to the German’s hut, and finding it empty, as he expected, rode on to the outside fence of his run. When he reached this he got off his horse, and taking a key out of his pocket, whistled upon it loudly. A few minutes afterward the German came up to him. -"There's been no one about, I suppose?" he asked. +“There’s been no one about, I suppose?” he asked. -"Not a one," said the man. +“Not a one,” said the man. -"You've been across on Brownbie's run?" +“You’ve been across on Brownbie’s run?” -"We're on it now, Mr. 'Eathcote." They were both on the side of the +“We’re on it now, Mr. ’Eathcote.” They were both on the side of the fence away from Gangoil station. -"I don't know how that is, Karl. I think Gangoil goes a quarter of a +“I don’t know how that is, Karl. I think Gangoil goes a quarter of a mile beyond this. But we did not quite strike the boundary when we -put up the fence." +put up the fence.” -"Brownbie's cattle is allays here, Mr. 'Eathcote, and is knocking -down the fence every day. Brownbie is a rascal, and 'is cattle as bad -as 'isself." +“Brownbie’s cattle is allays here, Mr. ’Eathcote, and is knocking +down the fence every day. Brownbie is a rascal, and ’is cattle as bad +as ’isself.” -"Never mind that, Karl, now. When we've got through the heats, we'll -put a mile or two of better fencing along here. You know Boscobel?" +“Never mind that, Karl, now. When we’ve got through the heats, we’ll +put a mile or two of better fencing along here. You know Boscobel?” -"In course I know Bos." +“In course I know Bos.” -"What sort of a fellow is he?" Then Harry told his German dependent +“What sort of a fellow is he?” Then Harry told his German dependent exactly what had taken place between him and the other man. -"He's in and in wid all them young Brownbies," said Karl. +“He’s in and in wid all them young Brownbies,” said Karl. -"The Brownbies are a bad lot, but I don't think they'd do any thing -of this kind," said Harry, whose mind was still dwelling on the +“The Brownbies are a bad lot, but I don’t think they’d do any thing +of this kind,” said Harry, whose mind was still dwelling on the dangers of fire. -"They likes muttons, Mr. 'Eathcote." +“They likes muttons, Mr. ’Eathcote.” -"I suppose they do take a sheep or two now and then. They wouldn't do -worse than that, would they?" +“I suppose they do take a sheep or two now and then. They wouldn’t do +worse than that, would they?” -"Not'ing too 'ot for 'em; not'ing too 'eavy," said Karl, smoking his -pipe. "The vind, vat there is, comes just here, Mr. 'Eathcote." And +“Not’ing too ’ot for ’em; not’ing too ’eavy,” said Karl, smoking his +pipe. “The vind, vat there is, comes just here, Mr. ’Eathcote.” And the man lifted up his arm, and pointed across in the direction of -Brownbie's run. +Brownbie’s run. -"And you don't think much of Boscobel?" +“And you don’t think much of Boscobel?” Karl Bender shook his head. -"He was always well treated here," said Harry, "and has had plenty of +“He was always well treated here,” said Harry, “and has had plenty of work, and earned large wages. The man will be a fool to quarrel with -me." +me.” Karl again shook his head. With Karl Bender, Harry was quite sure of his man, but not on that account need he be quite sure of the -correctness of the man's opinion. +correctness of the man’s opinion. -Thence he went on till he met his other lieutenant, O'Dowd, and so, +Thence he went on till he met his other lieutenant, O’Dowd, and so, having completed his work, he made his way home, reaching the station at sunrise. -"Did Bates tell you he'd met me?" he asked his wife. +“Did Bates tell you he’d met me?” he asked his wife. -"Yes, Harry; kiss me, Harry. I was so glad you sent a word. Promise -me, Harry, not to think that I don't agree with you in every thing." +“Yes, Harry; kiss me, Harry. I was so glad you sent a word. Promise +me, Harry, not to think that I don’t agree with you in every thing.” @@ -1960,7 +1949,7 @@ belonged. He had begun his life in the colonies a little under a cloud, having been sent out from home after the perpetration of some peccadillo of which the law had disapproved. -In colonial phrase, he was a "lag"--having been transported; but this +In colonial phrase, he was a “lag”--having been transported; but this was many years ago, when he was quite young; and he had now been a free man for more than thirty years. It must be owned on his behalf that he had worked hard, had endeavored to rise, and had risen. But @@ -1971,7 +1960,7 @@ hardly have escaped altogether from the thralldom of his degradation. He had been a butcher, a drover, part owner of stock, and had at last become possessed of a share of a cattle-run, and then of the entire property, such as it was. He had four or five sons, uneducated, -ill-conditioned, drunken fellows, who had all their father's faults +ill-conditioned, drunken fellows, who had all their father’s faults without his energy, some of whom had been in prison, and all of whom were known as pests to the colony. Their place was called Boolabong, and was a cattle-run, as distinguished from a sheep-run; but it was a @@ -2096,119 +2085,119 @@ trowsers and an old shirt. Only that the mosquitoes would have flayed him, he would have dispensed probably with these. He had been quarreling with his father respecting a certain horse which he had sold, of the price of which the father demanded a share. Jerry had -unblushingly declared that he himself had "shaken" the horse--Anglice, +unblushingly declared that he himself had “shaken” the horse--Anglice, had stolen him--twelve months since on Darnley Downs, and was therefore clearly entitled to the entire plunder. The father -had rejoined with animation that unless "half a quid"--or ten +had rejoined with animation that unless “half a quid”--or ten shillings--were given him as his contribution to the keep of the animal, he would inform against his son to the squatter on the Darnley Downs, and had shown him that he knew the very run from which the horse had been taken. Then the sons within had interfered from their -beds, swearing that their father was the noisiest old "cuss" unhung, +beds, swearing that their father was the noisiest old “cuss” unhung, they having had their necessary slumbers disturbed. At this moment the debate was interrupted by the appearance of a man -outside the veranda. "Well, Mr. Jerry, how goes it?" asked the -stranger. "What, Bos, is that you? What brings you up to Boolabong? I -thought you was ringing trees for that young scut at Gangoil? I'll be +outside the veranda. “Well, Mr. Jerry, how goes it?” asked the +stranger. “What, Bos, is that you? What brings you up to Boolabong? I +thought you was ringing trees for that young scut at Gangoil? I’ll be even with him some of these days! He had the impudence to send a man -of his up here last week looking for sheep-skins." +of his up here last week looking for sheep-skins.” -"He wasn't that soft, Mr. Jerry, was he? Well, I've dropped working +“He wasn’t that soft, Mr. Jerry, was he? Well, I’ve dropped working for him.--How are you, Mr. Brownbie? I hope I see you finely, Sir. -It's stiffish sort of weather, Mr. Brownbie, ain't it, Sir?" +It’s stiffish sort of weather, Mr. Brownbie, ain’t it, Sir?” The old man grunted out some reply, and then asked Boscobel what he wanted. -"I'll just hang about for the day, Mr. Brownbie, and get a little -grub. You never begrudged a working-man that yet." +“I’ll just hang about for the day, Mr. Brownbie, and get a little +grub. You never begrudged a working-man that yet.” Old Brownbie again grunted, but said no word of welcome. That, however, was to be taken for granted, without much expression of opinion. -"No, Mr. Jerry," continued Boscobel, "I've done with that fellow." +“No, Mr. Jerry,” continued Boscobel, “I’ve done with that fellow.” -"And so has Nokes done with him." +“And so has Nokes done with him.” -"Nokes is at work on Medlicot's Mill. That sugar business wouldn't -suit me." +“Nokes is at work on Medlicot’s Mill. That sugar business wouldn’t +suit me.” -"An axe in your hand is what you're fit for, Bos." +“An axe in your hand is what you’re fit for, Bos.” -"There's a many things I can turn my hand to, Mr. Jerry. You couldn't -give a fellow such a thing as a nobbler, Mr. Jerry, could you? I'd -offer money for it, only I know it would be taken amiss. It's that -hot that a fellow's very in'ards get parched up." +“There’s a many things I can turn my hand to, Mr. Jerry. You couldn’t +give a fellow such a thing as a nobbler, Mr. Jerry, could you? I’d +offer money for it, only I know it would be taken amiss. It’s that +hot that a fellow’s very in’ards get parched up.” Upon this Jerry slowly rose, and going to a cupboard, brought forth a modicum of spirits, which he called Battle-Axe, but which was supposed to be brandy. This Boscobel swallowed at a gulp, and then washed it down with a little water. -"Come, Jerry," said the old man, somewhat relenting in his wrath, -"you might as well give us a drop, as it's going about." The two +“Come, Jerry,” said the old man, somewhat relenting in his wrath, +“you might as well give us a drop, as it’s going about.” The two brothers, who had now been thoroughly aroused from their sleep, and who had heard the enticing sound of the spirit bottle, joined the party, and so they drank all round. -"Heathcote's in an awful state about them fires, ain't he?" asked +“Heathcote’s in an awful state about them fires, ain’t he?” asked Jerry. Boscobel, who had squatted down on the veranda, and was now lighting his pipe, bobbed his head. -"I wish he was clean burned out--over head and ears," said Jerry. +“I wish he was clean burned out--over head and ears,” said Jerry. Boscobel bobbed his head again, sucking with great energy at the closely staffed pipe. -"If he treated me like he does you fellows," continued Jerry, "he -shouldn't have a yard of fencing or a blade of grass left--nor a ewe, +“If he treated me like he does you fellows,” continued Jerry, “he +shouldn’t have a yard of fencing or a blade of grass left--nor a ewe, nor a lamb, nor a hogget. I do hate fellows who come here and want to -be better than any one about 'em--young chaps especially. Sending up +be better than any one about ’em--young chaps especially. Sending up here to look for sheep-skins, cuss his impudence! I sent that German -fellow of his away with a flea in his ear." +fellow of his away with a flea in his ear.” -"Karl Bender?" +“Karl Bender?” -"It's some such name as that." +“It’s some such name as that.” -"He's all in all with the young squire," said Boscobel. "And there's -a chap there called Jacko--he's another. He gets 'em down there to -Gangoil, and the ladies talks to 'em, and then they'd go through fire -and water for him. There's Mickey--he's another, jist the same way. I -don't like them ways, myself." +“He’s all in all with the young squire,” said Boscobel. “And there’s +a chap there called Jacko--he’s another. He gets ’em down there to +Gangoil, and the ladies talks to ’em, and then they’d go through fire +and water for him. There’s Mickey--he’s another, jist the same way. I +don’t like them ways, myself.” -"Too much of master and man about it, ain't there, Bos?" +“Too much of master and man about it, ain’t there, Bos?” -"Just that, Mr. Jerry. That ain't my idea of a free country. I can -work as well as another, but I ain't going to be told that I'm a -swindler because I'm making the most of my time." +“Just that, Mr. Jerry. That ain’t my idea of a free country. I can +work as well as another, but I ain’t going to be told that I’m a +swindler because I’m making the most of my time.” -"He turned Nokes out by the scruff of his neck?" said Jerry. Boscobel -again bobbed his head. "I didn't think Nokes was the sort of fellow -to stand that." +“He turned Nokes out by the scruff of his neck?” said Jerry. Boscobel +again bobbed his head. “I didn’t think Nokes was the sort of fellow +to stand that.” -"No more he ain't," said Boscobel. +“No more he ain’t,” said Boscobel. -"Heathcote's a good plucked un all the same," said Joe. +“Heathcote’s a good plucked un all the same,” said Joe. -"It's like you to speak up for such a fellow is that," said Jerry. +“It’s like you to speak up for such a fellow is that,” said Jerry. -"I say he's a good plucked un. I'm not standing up for him. Nokes is +“I say he’s a good plucked un. I’m not standing up for him. Nokes is half a stone heavier than him, and ought to have knocked him over. -That's what you'd've done, wouldn't you, Bos? I know I would." +That’s what you’d’ve done, wouldn’t you, Bos? I know I would.” -"He'd 've had my axe at his head," said Boscobel. +“He’d ’ve had my axe at his head,” said Boscobel. -"We all know Joe's game to the backbone," said Jerry. +“We all know Joe’s game to the backbone,” said Jerry. -"I'm game enough for you, anyway," said the brother. "And you can try -it out any time you like." +“I’m game enough for you, anyway,” said the brother. “And you can try +it out any time you like.” -"That's right; fight like dogs, do," said the old man. +“That’s right; fight like dogs, do,” said the old man. The quarrel at this point was interrupted by the arrival of another man, who crept up round the corner on to the veranda exactly as @@ -2223,7 +2212,7 @@ to stay there and get his food. He too gave some account of himself, which was supposed to suffice, but which they all knew to be false. It was Sunday, and they were off work at the sugar-mill. He had come across Gangoil run, intending to take back with him things of his own -which he had left as Bender's hut, and having come so far, had +which he had left as Bender’s hut, and having come so far, had thought that he would come on and get his dinner at Boolabong. As this was being told, a good deal was said of Harry Heathcote. Nokes declared that he had come right across Gangoil, and explained that he @@ -2233,18 +2222,18 @@ was backed by a lot of his own hands; but a good time was coming, perhaps. Then Nokes gave it to be understood very plainly that it was the settled practice of his life to give Harry Heathcote a thrashing. During all this there was an immense amount of bad language, and a -large portion of the art which in the colony is called "blowing." +large portion of the art which in the colony is called “blowing.” Jerry, Boscobel, and Nokes all boasted, each that on the first occasion he would give Harry Heathcote such a beating that a whole -bone should hardly be left in the man's skin. +bone should hardly be left in the man’s skin. -"There isn't one of you man enough to touch him," said Joe, who was +“There isn’t one of you man enough to touch him,” said Joe, who was known as the freest fighter of the Brownbie family. -"And you'd eat him, I suppose," said Jerry. +“And you’d eat him, I suppose,” said Jerry. -"He's not likely to come in my way," said Joe; "but if he does, he'll -get as good as he brings. That's all." +“He’s not likely to come in my way,” said Joe; “but if he does, he’ll +get as good as he brings. That’s all.” This was unpleasant to the visitors, who, of course, felt themselves to be snubbed. Boscobel affected to hear the slight put upon his @@ -2252,13 +2241,13 @@ courage with good humor, but Nokes laid himself down in a corner and sulked. They were soon all asleep, and remained dozing, snoring, changing their uncomfortable positions, and cursing the mosquitoes, till about four in the afternoon, when Boscobel got up, shook -himself, and made some observation about "grub." The meal of the day +himself, and made some observation about “grub.” The meal of the day was then prepared. A certain quantity of flour and raw meat, ample for their immediate wants, was given to the two strangers, with which they retired into the outer kitchen, prepared it for themselves, and there ate their dinner, and each of the brothers did the same for himself in the big room--Joe, the fighting brother, providing for his -father's wants as well as his own. One of them had half a leg of cold +father’s wants as well as his own. One of them had half a leg of cold mutton, so that he was saved the trouble of cooking, but he did not offer to share this comfort with the others. An enormous kettle of tea was made, and that was common among them. While this was being @@ -2270,14 +2259,14 @@ was the welcome which was always accorded to strangers in Boolabong. After their meal the men came back on to the veranda, and there were more smoking and sleeping, more boasting and snarling. Different allusions were made to the spirit jar, especially by the old man; but -they were made in vain. The "Battle-Axe" was Jerry's own property, +they were made in vain. The “Battle-Axe” was Jerry’s own property, and he felt that he had already been almost foolishly liberal. But he had an object in view. He was quite sure that Boscobel and Nokes had not come to Boolabong on the same Sunday by any chance coincidence. The men had something to propose, and in their own way they would make the proposition before they left, and would make it probably to him. Boscobel intended to sleep at Boolabong, but Nokes had explained -that it was his purpose to return that night to Medlicot's Mill. The +that it was his purpose to return that night to Medlicot’s Mill. The proposition no doubt would be made soon--a little after seven, when the day was preparing to give way suddenly to night. Nokes first walked off, sloping out from the veranda in a half-shy, half-cunning @@ -2288,55 +2277,55 @@ through the big room to the yard at the back, and from the yard to a shed that was used as a shambles. Here he found the other two men, and no doubt the proposition was made. -"There's something up," said the old man, as soon as Jerry was gone. +“There’s something up,” said the old man, as soon as Jerry was gone. -"Of course there's something up," said Joe. "Those fellows didn't -come all the way to Boolabong for nothing." +“Of course there’s something up,” said Joe. “Those fellows didn’t +come all the way to Boolabong for nothing.” -"It's something about young Heathcote," suggested the father. +“It’s something about young Heathcote,” suggested the father. -"If it is," said Jack, "what's that to you?" +“If it is,” said Jack, “what’s that to you?” -"They'll get themselves hanged, that's all about it." +“They’ll get themselves hanged, that’s all about it.” -"That be blowed," said Jack; "you go easy and hold your tongue. If -you know nothing, nobody can hurt you." +“That be blowed,” said Jack; “you go easy and hold your tongue. If +you know nothing, nobody can hurt you.” -"I know nothing," said Joe, "and don't mean. If I had scores to quit +“I know nothing,” said Joe, “and don’t mean. If I had scores to quit with a fellow like Harry Heathcote, I should do it after my own -fashion. I shouldn't get Boscobel to help me, nor yet such a fellow -as Nokes. But it's no business of mine. Heathcote's made the place -too hot to hold him. That's all about it." There was no more said, -and in an hour's time Jerry returned, to the family. Neither the +fashion. I shouldn’t get Boscobel to help me, nor yet such a fellow +as Nokes. But it’s no business of mine. Heathcote’s made the place +too hot to hold him. That’s all about it.” There was no more said, +and in an hour’s time Jerry returned to the family. Neither the father nor brother asked him any questions, nor did he volunteer any information. -Boolabong was about fourteen miles from Medlicot's Mill. Nokes +Boolabong was about fourteen miles from Medlicot’s Mill. Nokes had walked this distance in the morning, and now retraced it at night--not going right across Gangoil, as he had falsely boasted of doing early in the day, but skirting it, and keeping on the outside of the fence nearly the whole distance. At about two in the morning he reached his cottage outside the mill on the river-bank; but he was unable to skulk in unheard. Some dogs made a noise, and presently he -heard a voice calling him from the house. "Is that you, Nokes, at -this time of night?" asked Mr. Medlicot. Nokes grunted out some +heard a voice calling him from the house. “Is that you, Nokes, at +this time of night?” asked Mr. Medlicot. Nokes grunted out some reply, intending to avoid any further question. But his master came up to the hut door and asked him where he had been. -"Just amusing myself," said Nokes. +“Just amusing myself,” said Nokes. -"It's very late." +“It’s very late.” -"It's not later for me than for you, Mr. Medlicot." +“It’s not later for me than for you, Mr. Medlicot.” -"That's true. I've just ridden home from +“That’s true. I’ve just ridden home from Gangoil.” -"From Gangoil? I didn't know you were so friendly there, Mr. -Medlicot." +“From Gangoil? I didn’t know you were so friendly there, Mr. +Medlicot.” -"And where have you been?" +“And where have you been?” -"Not to Gangoil, anyway. Good-night, Mr. Medlicot." Then the man took +“Not to Gangoil, anyway. Good-night, Mr. Medlicot.” Then the man took himself into his hut, and was safe from further questioning that night. @@ -2345,7 +2334,7 @@ night. CHAPTER VII. -"I WISH YOU'D LIKE ME." +“I WISH YOU’D LIKE ME.” All the Saturday night Heathcote had been on the run, and he did not @@ -2366,77 +2355,77 @@ was watching her brother-in-law. The trouble of his spirits and the work that he felt himself bound to do touched them with a strong feeling, and taught them to regard him for the time as a young hero. -"How quietly he sleeps!" Kate said. "The fatigue of the last week -must have been terrible." +“How quietly he sleeps!” Kate said. “The fatigue of the last week +must have been terrible.” -"He is quite, quite knocked up," said the wife. +“He is quite, quite knocked up,” said the wife. -"I ain't knocked up a bit," said Harry, jumping up from his chair. -"What should knock me up? I wasn't asleep, was I?" +“I ain’t knocked up a bit,” said Harry, jumping up from his chair. +“What should knock me up? I wasn’t asleep, was I?” -"Just dozing, dear." +“Just dozing, dear.” -"Ah, well; there isn't any thing to do, and it's too hot to get out. -I wonder Old Bates didn't come in for prayers." +“Ah, well; there isn’t any thing to do, and it’s too hot to get out. +I wonder Old Bates didn’t come in for prayers.” -"I don't think he cares much for prayers," said Mrs. Heathcote. +“I don’t think he cares much for prayers,” said Mrs. Heathcote. -"But he likes an excuse for a nobbler as well as any one. Did I tell -you that they had fires over at Jackson's yesterday--at Goolaroo?" +“But he likes an excuse for a nobbler as well as any one. Did I tell +you that they had fires over at Jackson’s yesterday--at Goolaroo?” -"Was there any harm done?" +“Was there any harm done?” -"A deal of grass burned, and they had to drive the sheep, which won't -serve them this kind of weather. I don't know which I fear most--the -grass, the fences, or the sheep. As for the buildings, I don't think -they'll try that again." +“A deal of grass burned, and they had to drive the sheep, which won’t +serve them this kind of weather. I don’t know which I fear most--the +grass, the fences, or the sheep. As for the buildings, I don’t think +they’ll try that again.” -"Why not, Harry?" +“Why not, Harry?” -"The risk of being seen is too great. I can hardly understand that a -man like Nokes should have been such a fool as he was." +“The risk of being seen is too great. I can hardly understand that a +man like Nokes should have been such a fool as he was.” -"You think it was Nokes?" +“You think it was Nokes?” -"Oh yes, certainly. In the first place, Jacko is as true as steel. I -don't mean to swear by the boy, though I think he is a good boy. But -I'm sure he's true in this. And then the man's manner to myself was -conclusive. I can not understand a man in Medlicot's position +“Oh yes, certainly. In the first place, Jacko is as true as steel. I +don’t mean to swear by the boy, though I think he is a good boy. But +I’m sure he’s true in this. And then the man’s manner to myself was +conclusive. I can not understand a man in Medlicot’s position supporting a fellow like that. By Heavens! it nearly drives me mad to think of it. Thousands and thousands of pounds are at stake. All that a man has in the world is exposed to the malice of a scoundrel like Nokes! And then a man who calls himself a gentleman will talk about -it being un-English to look after him. He's a 'new chum;' I suppose -that's his excuse." +it being un-English to look after him. He’s a ‘new chum;’ I suppose +that’s his excuse.” -"If it's a sufficient excuse, you should excuse him," said Kate, with +“If it’s a sufficient excuse, you should excuse him,” said Kate, with good feminine logic. -"That's just like you all over. He's good-looking, and therefore it's +“That’s just like you all over. He’s good-looking, and therefore it’s all right. He ought to have learned better. He ought, at any rate, to believe that men who have been here much longer than he has must know -the ways of the country a great deal better." +the ways of the country a great deal better.” -"It's Christmas-time, Harry," said his wife, "and you should endeavor -to forgive your neighbors." +“It’s Christmas-time, Harry,” said his wife, “and you should endeavor +to forgive your neighbors.” -"What sort of a Christmas will it be if you and I, and these young -fellows here, and Kate, are all burned out of Gangoil? Here's -Bates.--Well, Mr. Bates, how goes it?" +“What sort of a Christmas will it be if you and I, and these young +fellows here, and Kate, are all burned out of Gangoil? Here’s +Bates.--Well, Mr. Bates, how goes it?” -"Tremendous hot, Sir." +“Tremendous hot, Sir.” -"We've found that out already. You haven't heard where that fellow -Boscobel has gone?" +“We’ve found that out already. You haven’t heard where that fellow +Boscobel has gone?” -"No; I haven't heard. But he'll be over with some of those Brownbie -lads. They say Georgie Brownbie's about the country somewhere. If so, -there'll be a row among 'em." +“No; I haven’t heard. But he’ll be over with some of those Brownbie +lads. They say Georgie Brownbie’s about the country somewhere. If so, +there’ll be a row among ’em.” -"When thieves fall out, Mr. Bates, honest men come by their own." +“When thieves fall out, Mr. Bates, honest men come by their own.” -"So they say, Mr. Heathcote. All the same, I shouldn't care how far -Georgie was away from any place I had to do with." Then the young +“So they say, Mr. Heathcote. All the same, I shouldn’t care how far +Georgie was away from any place I had to do with.” Then the young master and his old superintendent sauntered out to his back premises to talk about sheep and fires, and plans for putting out fires. And no doubt Mr. Bates had the glass of brandy-and-water which he had @@ -2446,7 +2435,7 @@ on, keeping always in the shade, sitting down here to smoke, and standing up there to discuss the pedigree of some particular ram, till it was past six. -"You may as well come in and dine with us, Mr. Bates," Harry +“You may as well come in and dine with us, Mr. Bates,” Harry suggested, as they returned toward the station. Mr. Bates said that he thought that he would. As the same invitation @@ -2455,8 +2444,8 @@ invariably answered in the same way, there was not much excitement in this. But Mr. Bates would not have dreamed of going in to dinner without being asked. -"That's Medlicot's trap," said Mr. Bates, as they entered the yard. -"I heard wheels when they were in the horse paddock." +“That’s Medlicot’s trap,” said Mr. Bates, as they entered the yard. +“I heard wheels when they were in the horse paddock.” Harry looked at the trap, and then went quickly into the house. @@ -2471,26 +2460,26 @@ though he had assumed the bush mode of dressing, still retained the manners of a high-bred gentleman in his intercourse with women. Then, turning sharply round, he gave his hand to Mr. Medlicot. -"I am glad to see you at Gangoil," he said; "I was not fortunate +“I am glad to see you at Gangoil,” he said; “I was not fortunate enough to be at home when you called the other day. Mrs. Medlicot -must have found the drive very hot, I fear." +must have found the drive very hot, I fear.” His wife was still looking into his face, and was reading there, as in a book, the mingled pride and disdain with which her husband -exercising civility to his enemy. Harry's countenance wore a look not +was exercising civility to his enemy. Harry’s countenance wore a look not difficult of perusal, and Medlicot could read the lines almost as -distinctly as Harry's wife. +distinctly as Harry’s wife. -"I have asked Mrs. Medlicot to stay and dine with us," she said, "so -that she may have it cool for the drive back." +“I have asked Mrs. Medlicot to stay and dine with us,” she said, “so +that she may have it cool for the drive back.” -"I am almost afraid of the bush at night," said the old woman. +“I am almost afraid of the bush at night,” said the old woman. -"You'll have a full moon," said Harry; "it will be as light as day." +“You’ll have a full moon,” said Harry; “it will be as light as day.” So that was settled. Heathcote thought it odd that the man whom he regarded as his enemy, whom he had left at their last meeting in positive hostility, should consent to accept a dinner under his roof; -but that was Medlicot's affair, not his. +but that was Medlicot’s affair, not his. They dined at seven, and after dinner strolled out into the horse paddock, and down to the creek. As they started, the three men went @@ -2498,230 +2487,230 @@ first, and the ladies followed them; but Bates soon dropped behind. It was his rest day, and he had already moved quite as much as was usual with him on a Sunday. -"I think I was a little hard with you the other day," said Medlicot, +“I think I was a little hard with you the other day,” said Medlicot, when they were alone together. -"I suppose we hardly understand each other's ideas," said Harry. He +“I suppose we hardly understand each other’s ideas,” said Harry. He spoke with a constrained voice, and with an almost savage manner, engendered by a determination to hold his own. He would forgive any offense for which an apology was made, but no apology had been made as yet; and, to tell the truth, he was a little afraid that if they got into an argument on the matter Medlicot would have the best of -it. And there was, too, almost a claim to superiority in Medlicot's -use of the word "hard." When one man says that he has been hard to +it. And there was, too, almost a claim to superiority in Medlicot’s +use of the word “hard.” When one man says that he has been hard to another, he almost boasts that, on that occasion, he got the better of him. -"That's just it," said Medlicot; "we do not quite understand each +“That’s just it,” said Medlicot; “we do not quite understand each other. But we might believe in each other all the same, and then the -understanding would come. But it isn't just that which I want to say; -such talking rarely does any good." +understanding would come. But it isn’t just that which I want to say; +such talking rarely does any good.” -"What is it, then?" +“What is it, then?” -"You may perhaps be right about that man Nokes." +“You may perhaps be right about that man Nokes.” -"No doubt I may. I know I'm right. When I asked him whether he'd -been at my shed, what made him say that he hadn't been there at +“No doubt I may. I know I’m right. When I asked him whether he’d +been at my shed, what made him say that he hadn’t been there at night-time? I said nothing about night-time. But the man was there -at night-time, or he wouldn't have used the word." - -"I'm not sure that that is evidence." - -"Perhaps not in England, Mr. Medlicot, but it's good enough evidence -for the bush. And what made him pretend he didn't know the distances? -And why can't he look a man in the face? And why should the boy have -said it was he if it wasn't? Of course, if you think well of him -you're right to keep him. But you may take it as a rule out here that -when a man has been dismissed it hasn't been done for nothing. Men -treated that way should travel out of the country. It's better for -all parties. It isn't here as it is at home, where people live so +at night-time, or he wouldn’t have used the word.” + +“I’m not sure that that is evidence.” + +“Perhaps not in England, Mr. Medlicot, but it’s good enough evidence +for the bush. And what made him pretend he didn’t know the distances? +And why can’t he look a man in the face? And why should the boy have +said it was he if it wasn’t? Of course, if you think well of him +you’re right to keep him. But you may take it as a rule out here that +when a man has been dismissed it hasn’t been done for nothing. Men +treated that way should travel out of the country. It’s better for +all parties. It isn’t here as it is at home, where people live so thick together that nothing is thought of a man being dismissed. I -was obliged to discharge him, and now he's my enemy." +was obliged to discharge him, and now he’s my enemy.” -"A man may be your enemy without being a felon." +“A man may be your enemy without being a felon.” -"Of course he may. I'm his enemy in a way, but I wouldn't hurt a hair +“Of course he may. I’m his enemy in a way, but I wouldn’t hurt a hair of his head unjustly. When I see the attempts made to burn me out, of -course I know that an enemy has been at work." +course I know that an enemy has been at work.” -"Is there no one else has got a grudge against you?" +“Is there no one else has got a grudge against you?” Harry was silent for a moment. What right had this man to cross-examine him about his enmities--the man whose own position in the place had been one of hostility to him, whom he had almost suspected of harboring Nokes at the mill simply because Nokes had been dismissed from Gangoil? That suspicion was, indeed, fading away. -There was something in Medlicot's voice and manner which made it +There was something in Medlicot’s voice and manner which made it impossible to attribute such motives to him. Nevertheless the man was a free-selector, and had taken a bit of the Gangoil run after a fashion which to Heathcote was objectionable politically, morally, and socially. Let Medlicot in regard to character be what he might, -he was a free-selector, and a squatter's enemy, and had clinched his +he was a free-selector, and a squatter’s enemy, and had clinched his hostility by employing a servant dismissed from the very run out of -which he had bought his land. "It is hard to say," he replied at -length, "who have grudges, as against whom, or why. I suppose I have +which he had bought his land. “It is hard to say,” he replied at +length, “who have grudges, as against whom, or why. I suppose I have a great grudge against you, if the truth is to be known; but I -sha'n't burn down your mill." +sha’n’t burn down your mill.” -"I'm sure you won't." +“I’m sure you won’t.” -"Nor yet say worse of you behind your back than I will to your face." +“Nor yet say worse of you behind your back than I will to your face.” -"I don't want you to think that you have occasion to speak ill of me, -either one way or the other. What I mean is this--I don't quite think +“I don’t want you to think that you have occasion to speak ill of me, +either one way or the other. What I mean is this--I don’t quite think that the evidence against Nokes is strong enough to justify me in -sending him away; but I'll keep an eye on him as well as I can. It +sending him away; but I’ll keep an eye on him as well as I can. It seems that he left our place early this morning; but the men are not supposed to be there on Sundays, and of course he does as he pleases -with himself." +with himself.” The conversation then dropped, and in a little time Harry made some excuse for leaving them, and returned to the house alone, promising, -however, that he would not start for his night's ride till after the -party had come back to the station. "There is no hurry at all," he -said; "I shan't stir for two hours yet, but Mickey will be waiting -there for stores for himself and the German." +however, that he would not start for his night’s ride till after the +party had come back to the station. “There is no hurry at all,” he +said; “I shan’t stir for two hours yet, but Mickey will be waiting +there for stores for himself and the German.” -"That means a nobbler for Mickey," said Kate. "Either of those men +“That means a nobbler for Mickey,” said Kate. “Either of those men would think it a treat to ride ten miles in and ten miles back, with a horse-load of sugar and tea and flour, for the sake of a glass of -brandy-and-water." +brandy-and-water.” -"And so would you," said Harry, "if you lived in a hut by yourself -for a fortnight, with nothing to drink but tea without milk." +“And so would you,” said Harry, “if you lived in a hut by yourself +for a fortnight, with nothing to drink but tea without milk.” The old lady and Mrs. Heathcote were soon seated on the grass, while Medlicot and Kate Daly roamed on together. Kate was a pretty, modest girl, timid withal and shy, unused to society, and therefore awkward, but with the natural instincts and aptitudes of her sex. What the -glass of brandy-and-water was to Mickey O'Dowd after a fortnight's +glass of brandy-and-water was to Mickey O’Dowd after a fortnight’s solitude in a bush hut, with tea, dampers, and lumps of mutton, a young man in the guise of a gentleman was to poor Kate Daly. A brother-in-law, let him be ever so good, is after all no better than -tea without milk. No doubt Mickey O'Dowd often thought about a +tea without milk. No doubt Mickey O’Dowd often thought about a nobbler in his thirsty solitude, and so did Kate speculate on what might possibly be the attractions of a lover. Medlicot probably indulged in no such speculations; but the nobbler, when brought close to his lips, was grateful to him as to others. That Kate Daly was very pretty no man could doubt. -"Isn't it sad that he should have to ride about all night like that?" +“Isn’t it sad that he should have to ride about all night like that?” said Kate, to whom, as was proper, Harry Heathcote at the present moment was of more importance than any other human being. -"I suppose he likes it." +“I suppose he likes it.” -"Oh no, Mr. Medlicot; how can he like it? It is not the hard work he -minds, but the constant dread of coming evil." +“Oh no, Mr. Medlicot; how can he like it? It is not the hard work he +minds, but the constant dread of coming evil.” -"The excitement keeps him alive." +“The excitement keeps him alive.” -"There's plenty on a station to keep a man alive in that way at all -times." +“There’s plenty on a station to keep a man alive in that way at all +times.” -"And plenty to keep ladies alive too?" +“And plenty to keep ladies alive too?” -"Oh, ladies! I don't know that ladies have any business in the bush. -Harry's trouble is all about my sister and the children and me. He -wouldn't care a straw for himself." +“Oh, ladies! I don’t know that ladies have any business in the bush. +Harry’s trouble is all about my sister and the children and me. He +wouldn’t care a straw for himself.” -"Do you think he'd be better without a wife?" +“Do you think he’d be better without a wife?” -Kate hesitated for a moment. "Well, no. I suppose it would be very -rough without Mary; and he'd be so lonely when he came in." +Kate hesitated for a moment. “Well, no. I suppose it would be very +rough without Mary; and he’d be so lonely when he came in.” -"And nobody to make his tea." +“And nobody to make his tea.” -"Or to look after his things," said Kate, earnestly. "I know it was +“Or to look after his things,” said Kate, earnestly. “I know it was very rough before we came here. He says that himself. There were no -regular meals, but just food in a cupboard when he chose to get it." +regular meals, but just food in a cupboard when he chose to get it.” -"That is not comfortable, certainly." +“That is not comfortable, certainly.” -"Horrid, I should think. I suppose it is better for him to be -married. You've got your mother, Mr. Medlicot." +“Horrid, I should think. I suppose it is better for him to be +married. You’ve got your mother, Mr. Medlicot.” -"Yes: I've got my mother." +“Yes: I’ve got my mother.” -"That makes a difference, does it not?" +“That makes a difference, does it not?” -"A very great difference. She'll save me from having to go to a -cupboard for my bread and meat." +“A very great difference. She’ll save me from having to go to a +cupboard for my bread and meat.” -"I suppose having a woman about is better for a man. They haven't got -any thing else to do, and therefore they can look to things." +“I suppose having a woman about is better for a man. They haven’t got +any thing else to do, and therefore they can look to things.” -"Do you help to look to things?" +“Do you help to look to things?” -"I suppose I do something. I often feel ashamed to think how very -little it is. As for that, I'm not wanted at all." +“I suppose I do something. I often feel ashamed to think how very +little it is. As for that, I’m not wanted at all.” -"So that you're free to go elsewhere?" +“So that you’re free to go elsewhere?” -"I didn't mean that, Mr. Medlicot; only I know I'm not of much use." +“I didn’t mean that, Mr. Medlicot; only I know I’m not of much use.” -"But if you had a house of your own?" +“But if you had a house of your own?” -"Gangoil is my home just as much as it is Mary's; and I sometimes -feel that Harry is just as good to me as he is to Mary." +“Gangoil is my home just as much as it is Mary’s; and I sometimes +feel that Harry is just as good to me as he is to Mary.” -"Your sister will never leave Gangoil." +“Your sister will never leave Gangoil.” -"Not unless Harry gets another station." +“Not unless Harry gets another station.” -"But you will have to be transplanted some day." +“But you will have to be transplanted some day.” Kate merely chucked up her head and pouted her lips, as though to show that the proposition was one which did not deserve an answer. -"You'll marry a squatter, of course, Miss Daly?" +“You’ll marry a squatter, of course, Miss Daly?” -"I don't suppose I shall ever marry any body, Mr. Medlicot." +“I don’t suppose I shall ever marry any body, Mr. Medlicot.” -"You wouldn't marry any one but a squatter? I can quite understand +“You wouldn’t marry any one but a squatter? I can quite understand that. The squatters here are what the lords and the country -gentlemen are at home." +gentlemen are at home.” -"I can't even picture to myself what sort of life people live at -home." Both Medlicot and Kate Daly meant England when they spoke of +“I can’t even picture to myself what sort of life people live at +home.” Both Medlicot and Kate Daly meant England when they spoke of home. -"There isn't so much difference as people think. Classes hang -together just in the same way; only I think there's a little more -exclusiveness here than there was there." +“There isn’t so much difference as people think. Classes hang +together just in the same way; only I think there’s a little more +exclusiveness here than there was there.” In answer to this, Kate asserted with innocent eagerness that she was -not at all exclusive, and that if ever she married any one she'd +not at all exclusive, and that if ever she married any one she’d marry the man she liked. -"I wish you'd like me," said Medlicot. +“I wish you’d like me,” said Medlicot. -"That's nonsense," said Kate, in a low, timid whisper, hurrying away +“That’s nonsense,” said Kate, in a low, timid whisper, hurrying away to rejoin the other ladies. She could speculate on the delights of -the beverage as would Mickey O'Dowd in his hut; but when it was first +the beverage as would Mickey O’Dowd in his hut; but when it was first brought to her lips she could only fly away from it. In this respect -Mickey O'Dowd was the more sensible of the two. No other word was +Mickey O’Dowd was the more sensible of the two. No other word was spoken that night between them, but Kate lay awake till morning thinking of the one word that had been spoken. But the secret was kept sacredly within her own bosom. Before the Medlicots started that night the old lady made a proposition that the Heathcotes and Miss Daly should eat the -Christmas dinner at Medlicot's Mill. Mrs. Heathcote, thinking perhaps +Christmas dinner at Medlicot’s Mill. Mrs. Heathcote, thinking perhaps of her sister, thoroughly liking what she herself had seen of the -Medlicots, looked anxiously into Harry's face. If he would consent to +Medlicots, looked anxiously into Harry’s face. If he would consent to this, an intimacy would follow, and probably a real friendship be made. -"It's out of the question," he said. The very firmness, however, with -which he spoke gave a certain cordiality even to his refusal. "I must +“It’s out of the question,” he said. The very firmness, however, with +which he spoke gave a certain cordiality even to his refusal. “I must be at home, so that the men may know where to find me till I go out -for the night." Then, after a pause, he continued, "As we can't go to -you, why should you not come to us?" +for the night.” Then, after a pause, he continued, “As we can’t go to +you, why should you not come to us?” -So it was at last decided, much to Harry's own astonishment, much to -his wife's delight. Kate, therefore, when she lay awake, thinking of +So it was at last decided, much to Harry’s own astonishment, much to +his wife’s delight. Kate, therefore, when she lay awake, thinking of the one word that had been spoken, knew that there would be an opportunity for another word. @@ -2734,32 +2723,32 @@ has been told at the close of the last chapter. CHAPTER VIII. -"I DO WISH HE WOULD COME!" +“I DO WISH HE WOULD COME!” On the Monday morning Harry came home as usual, and, as usual, went -to bed after his breakfast. "I wouldn't care about the heat if it -were not for the wind," he said to his wife, as he threw himself +to bed after his breakfast. “I wouldn’t care about the heat if it +were not for the wind,” he said to his wife, as he threw himself down. -"The wind carries it so, I suppose." +“The wind carries it so, I suppose.” -"Yes; and it comes from just the wrong side--from the northwest. -There have been half a dozen fires about to-day." +“Yes; and it comes from just the wrong side--from the northwest. +There have been half a dozen fires about to-day.” -"During the night, you mean." +“During the night, you mean.” -"No; yesterday--Sunday. I can not make out whether they come by -themselves. They certainly are not all made by incendiaries." +“No; yesterday--Sunday. I can not make out whether they come by +themselves. They certainly are not all made by incendiaries.” -"Accidents, perhaps." +“Accidents, perhaps.” -"Well, yes. Somebody drops a match, and the sun ignites it. But the +“Well, yes. Somebody drops a match, and the sun ignites it. But the chances are much against a fire like that spreading. Care is wanted to make it spread. As far as I can learn, the worst fires have not been just after midday, when, of course, the heat is greater, but in the early night, before the dews have come. All the same, I feel that -I know nothing about it--nothing at all. Don't let me sleep long." +I know nothing about it--nothing at all. Don’t let me sleep long.” In spite of this injunction, Mrs. Heathcote determined that he should sleep all day if he would. Even the nights were fearfully hot and @@ -2774,59 +2763,59 @@ impart his information to the mistress. The poor wife, anxious as she was that her husband should sleep, did not dare in these perilous times to ignore Jacko and his information, and therefore gently woke the sleeper. In a few minutes Jacko was standing by the young -squatter's bedside, and Harry Heathcote, quite awake, was sitting up -and listening. "George Brownbie's at Boolabong." That at first was -the gravamen of Jacko's news. +squatter’s bedside, and Harry Heathcote, quite awake, was sitting up +and listening. “George Brownbie’s at Boolabong.” That at first was +the gravamen of Jacko’s news. -"I know that already, Jacko." +“I know that already, Jacko.” -"My word!" exclaimed Jacko. In those parts Georgie Brownbie was +“My word!” exclaimed Jacko. In those parts Georgie Brownbie was regarded almost as the Evil One himself, and Jacko, knowing what mischief was, as it were, in the word, thought that he was entitled to bread and jam, if not to a nobbler itself, in bringing such tidings to Gangoil. -"Is that all?" asked Heathcote. +“Is that all?” asked Heathcote. -"And Bos is at Boolabong, and Bill Nokes was there all Sunday, and -Jerry Brownbie's been out with Bos and Georgie." +“And Bos is at Boolabong, and Bill Nokes was there all Sunday, and +Jerry Brownbie’s been out with Bos and Georgie.” -"The old man wouldn't say any thing of that kind, Jacko." +“The old man wouldn’t do any thing of that kind, Jacko.” -"The old man! He knows nothing about it. My word! they don't tell him -about nothing." +“The old man! He knows nothing about it. My word! they don’t tell him +about nothing.” -"Or Tom?" +“Or Tom?” -"Tom's away in prison. They always cotches the best when they want to -send 'em to prison. If they'd lock up Jerry and Georgie and Jack! My -word! yes." +“Tom’s away in prison. They always cotches the best when they want to +send ’em to prison. If they’d lock up Jerry and Georgie and Jack! My +word! yes.” -"You think they're arranging it all at Boolabong?" +“You think they’re arranging it all at Boolabong?” -"In course they are." +“In course they are.” -"I don't see why Boscobel shouldn't be at Boolabong without intending -me any harm. Of course he'd go there when he left Gangoil. That's -where they all go." +“I don’t see why Boscobel shouldn’t be at Boolabong without intending +me any harm. Of course he’d go there when he left Gangoil. That’s +where they all go.” -"And Bill Nokes, Mr. Harry?" +“And Bill Nokes, Mr. Harry?” -"And Bill Nokes too. Though why he should travel so far from his work -this weather I can't say." +“And Bill Nokes too. Though why he should travel so far from his work +this weather I can’t say.” -"My word! no, Mr. Harry." +“My word! no, Mr. Harry.” -"Did you see any fires about your way last night?" +“Did you see any fires about your way last night?” Jacko shook his head. -"You go into the kitchen and get something to eat, and wait for me. I -shall be out before long now." +“You go into the kitchen and get something to eat, and wait for me. I +shall be out before long now.” Though Heathcote had made light of the assemblage of evil spirits at Boolabong which had seemed so important to Jacko, he by no means did -regard the news as unessential. Of Nokes's villany he was convinced. +regard the news as unessential. Of Nokes’s villany he was convinced. Of Boscobel he had imprudently made a second enemy at a most inauspicious time. Georgie Brownbie had long been his bitter foe. He had prosecuted and, perhaps, persecuted Georgie for various offenses; @@ -2839,18 +2828,18 @@ conspirators. Soon after noon Harry was on horseback and Jacko was at his heels. The heat was more intense than ever. Mrs. Heathcote had twisted round -Harry's hat a long white scarf, called a puggeree, though we are by +Harry’s hat a long white scarf, called a puggeree, though we are by no means sure of our spelling. Jacko had spread a very dirty fragment of an old white handkerchief on his head, and wore his hat over it. Mrs. Heathcote had begged Harry to take a large cotton parasol, and he had nearly consented, being unable at last to reconcile himself to -the idea of riding with such an accoutrement even in the bush. "The -heat's a bore," he said, "but I'm not a bit afraid of it as long as I -keep moving. Yes, I'll be back to dinner, though I won't say when, -and I won't say for how long. It will be the same thing all day -to-morrow. I wish with all my heart those people were not coming." +the idea of riding with such an accoutrement even in the bush. “The +heat’s a bore,” he said, “but I’m not a bit afraid of it as long as I +keep moving. Yes, I’ll be back to dinner, though I won’t say when, +and I won’t say for how long. It will be the same thing all day +to-morrow. I wish with all my heart those people were not coming.” -He rode straight away to the German's hut, which was on the +He rode straight away to the German’s hut, which was on the northwestern extremity of his further paddock in that direction. From thence the western fence ran in a southerly direction, nearly straight to the river. Beyond the fence was a strip of land, in some @@ -2863,7 +2852,7 @@ driven the cattle back, and had exercised the ownership of a Crown tenant in such fashion as the nature of his occupation allowed. Beyond this strip was Boolabong; the house at Boolabong being not above three miles distant from the fence, and not above four miles -from the German's hut. So that the Brownbies were in truth much +from the German’s hut. So that the Brownbies were in truth much nearer neighbors to the German than was Heathcote and his family. But between the German and the Brownbies there raged an internecine feud. No doubt Harry Heathcote, in his heart, liked the German all the @@ -2876,9 +2865,9 @@ jail of the colony at Brisbane. He probably knew nothing of law or justice in the abstract, but he greatly valued law when exercised against those he hated. The western fence of which mention has been made ran down to the Mary River, hitting it about four miles west of -Medlicot's Mill; so that there was a considerable portion of the +Medlicot’s Mill; so that there was a considerable portion of the Gangoil run having a frontage to the water. As has been before said, -Medlicot's plantation was about fourteen miles distant from the house +Medlicot’s plantation was about fourteen miles distant from the house at Boolabong, and the distance from the Gangoil house to that of the Brownbies was about the same. @@ -2896,8 +2885,8 @@ would care nothing for burning a patch of their own grass. Their stock, if they had any at the present moment, were much too few in number to be affected by such a loss. The Brownbies had not a yard of fencing to be burned; and a fire, if once it got a hold on the edge -of their run, would pass on away from them, right across Harry's -pastures and Harry's fences. If such were the case, he would have +of their run, would pass on away from them, right across Harry’s +pastures and Harry’s fences. If such were the case, he would have quite enough to do to drive his sheep from the fire, and it might be that many of them also would perish in the flames. The catastrophe might even be so bad, so frightful, that the shed and station and all @@ -2906,22 +2895,22 @@ heard, he could remember none that had spread with fatality such as that. He found Karl Bender in his hut asleep. The man was soon up, -apologizing for his somnolence, and preparing tea for his master's -entertainment. "It is not Christmas like at home at all; is it, Mr. -'Eathcote? Dear, no! Them red divils is there ready to give us a -Christmas roasting." Then he told how he had boldly ridden up to +apologizing for his somnolence, and preparing tea for his master’s +entertainment. “It is not Christmas like at home at all; is it, Mr. +’Eathcote? Dear, no! Them red divils is there ready to give us a +Christmas roasting.” Then he told how he had boldly ridden up to Boolabong that morning, and had seen Georgie and Boscobel with his own eyes. When asked what they had said to him, he replied that he did not wait till any thing had been said, but had hurried away as fast as his horse could carry him. -"I'll go up to Boolabong myself," said Harry. +“I’ll go up to Boolabong myself,” said Harry. -"My word! They'll just about knock your head off," suggested Jacko. +“My word! They’ll just about knock your head off,” suggested Jacko. Karl Bender also thought that the making of such a visit would be a source of danger. But Heathcote explained that any personal attack -was not to be apprehended from these men. "That's not their game," he +was not to be apprehended from these men. “That’s not their game,” he said, arguing that men who premeditated a secret outrage would not probably be tempted into personal violence. The horror of the position lay in this--that though a fire should rise up almost under @@ -2954,62 +2943,62 @@ movable over a wide space of time. But on this occasion the women expected him to come early, as it was his intention to be out again as soon as it should be dark. Mrs. Growler was asked to have the dinner ready at six. During the day Mrs. Heathcote was backward and -forward in the kitchen. Then was something wrong she knew, but could +forward in the kitchen. There was something wrong she knew, but could not quite discern the evil. Sing Sing, the cook, was more than ordinarily alert; but Sing Sing, the cook, was not much trusted. Mrs. -Growler was "as good as the Bank," as far as that went, having lived +Growler was “as good as the Bank,” as far as that went, having lived with old Mr. Daly when he was prosperous; but she was apt to be downhearted, and on the present occasion was more than usually low in -spirits. Whenever Mrs. Heathcote spoke, she wept. At six o'clock she +spirits. Whenever Mrs. Heathcote spoke, she wept. At six o’clock she came into the parlor with a budget of news. Sing Sing, the cook, had been gone for the last half hour, leaving the leg of mutton at the fire. It soon became clear to them that he had altogether absconded. -"Them rats always does leave a falling house," said Mrs. Growler. +“Them rats always does leave a falling house,” said Mrs. Growler. -At seven o'clock the sun was down, though the gloom of the tropical +At seven o’clock the sun was down, though the gloom of the tropical evening had not yet come. The two ladies went out to the gate, which was but a few yards from the veranda, and there stood listening for -the sound of Harry's horse. The low moaning of the wind through the +the sound of Harry’s horse. The low moaning of the wind through the trees could be heard, but it was so gentle, continuous, and unaltered that it seemed to be no more than a vehicle for other sounds, and was as death-like as silence itself. The gate of the horse paddock through which Heathcote must pass on his way home was nearly a mile distant; but the road there was hard, and they knew that they could -hear from there the fall of his horse's feet. There they stood from +hear from there the fall of his horse’s feet. There they stood from seven to nearly eight, whispering a word now and then to each other, listening always, but in vain. Looking away to the west every now and then, they fancied that they could see the sky glow with flames, and then they would tell each other that it was fancy. The evening grew darker and still darker, but no sound was heard through the moaning wind. From time to time Mrs. Growler came out to them, declaring her -fears in no measured terms. "Well, marm, I do declare I think we'd -better go away out of this." +fears in no measured terms. “Well, marm, I do declare I think we’d +better go away out of this.” -"Go away, Mrs. Growler! What nonsense! Where can we go to?" +“Go away, Mrs. Growler! What nonsense! Where can we go to?” -"The mill would be nearest, ma'am, and we should be safe there. I'm -sure Mrs. Medlicot would take us in." +“The mill would be nearest, ma’am, and we should be safe there. I’m +sure Mrs. Medlicot would take us in.” -"Why should you not be safe here?" said Kate. +“Why should you not be safe here?” said Kate. -"That wretched Chinese hasn't gone and left us for nothing, miss, and +“That wretched Chinese hasn’t gone and left us for nothing, miss, and what would we three lone women do here if all them Brownbies came -down upon us? Why don't master come back? He ought to come back; -oughtn't he, ma'am? He never do think what lone women are." +down upon us? Why don’t master come back? He ought to come back; +oughtn’t he, ma’am? He never do think what lone women are.” -Mrs. Heathcote took her husband's part very strongly, and gave Mrs. +Mrs. Heathcote took her husband’s part very strongly, and gave Mrs. Growler as hard a scolding as she knew how to pronounce. But her own -courage was giving way much as Mrs. Growler's had done. "We are bound -to stay here," she said; "and if the worst comes, we must bear it as -others have done before us." Then Mrs. Growler was very sulky, and, -retreating to the kitchen, sobbed there in solitude. "Oh, Kate, I do -wish he would come," said the elder sister. +courage was giving way much as Mrs. Growler’s had done. “We are bound +to stay here,” she said; “and if the worst comes, we must bear it as +others have done before us.” Then Mrs. Growler was very sulky, and, +retreating to the kitchen, sobbed there in solitude. “Oh, Kate, I do +wish he would come,” said the elder sister. -"Are you afraid?" +“Are you afraid?” -"It is so desolate, and he may be so far off, and we couldn't get to -him if any thing happened, and we shouldn't know." +“It is so desolate, and he may be so far off, and we couldn’t get to +him if any thing happened, and we shouldn’t know.” Then they were again silent, and remained without exchanging more than a word or two for nearly half an hour. They took hold of each @@ -3017,12 +3006,12 @@ other, and every now and then went to the kitchen door that the old woman might be comforted by their presence, but they had no consolation to offer each other. The silence of the bush, and the feeling of great distances, and the dread of calamity almost crushed -them. At last there was a distant sound of horse's feet. "I hear -him," said Mrs. Heathcote, rushing forward toward the outer gate of +them. At last there was a distant sound of horse’s feet. “I hear +him,” said Mrs. Heathcote, rushing forward toward the outer gate of the horse paddock, followed by her sister. Her ears were true, but she was doomed to disappointment. The -horseman was only a messenger from her husband--Mickey O'Dowd, the +horseman was only a messenger from her husband--Mickey O’Dowd, the Irish boundary rider. He had great tidings to tell, and was so long telling them that we @@ -3031,8 +3020,8 @@ story was as follows: Harry had been to Boolabong House, but had found there no one but the old man. Returning home thence toward his own fence, he had smelled the smoke of fire, and had found within a furlong of his path a long ridge of burning grass. According to -Mickey's account, it could not have been lighted above a few minutes -before Heathcote's presence on the spot. As it was, it had got too +Mickey’s account, it could not have been lighted above a few minutes +before Heathcote’s presence on the spot. As it was, it had got too much ahead for him to put it out single-handed; a few yards he might have managed, but--so Mickey said, probably exaggerating the matter--there was half a quarter of a mile of flame. He had therefore @@ -3052,21 +3041,21 @@ that it was clearly intelligible to them. The evil had been met in the proper way, and the remedy had been effective. But why did not Harry come home? -Mickey O'Dowd, after his fashion, explained that too. The ladies were +Mickey O’Dowd, after his fashion, explained that too. The ladies were not to wait dinner. The master felt himself obliged to remain out at -night, and had gotten food at the German's hut. He, Mickey, was +night, and had gotten food at the German’s hut. He, Mickey, was commissioned to return with a flask full of brandy, as it would be necessary that Harry, with all the men whom he could trust, should be -"on the rampage" all night. This small body was to consist of Harry +“on the rampage” all night. This small body was to consist of Harry himself, of the German, of Jacko, and, according to the story as at -present told, especially of Mickey O'Dowd. Much as she would have +present told, especially of Mickey O’Dowd. Much as she would have wished to have kept the man at the station for protection, she did -not think of disobeying her husband's orders. So Mickey was fed, and +not think of disobeying her husband’s orders. So Mickey was fed, and then sent back with the flask--with tidings also as to the desertion of that wretched cook, Sing Sing. -"I shall sit here all night," said Mrs. Heathcote to her sister. "As -things are, I shall not think of going to bed." +“I shall sit here all night,” said Mrs. Heathcote to her sister. “As +things are, I shall not think of going to bed.” Kate declared that she would also sit in the veranda all night; and, as a matter of course, they were joined by Mrs. Growler. They had @@ -3101,7 +3090,7 @@ despair. His condition seemed to be hopeless. What could he do against such a band of enemies, knowing as he did that, had he been backed even by a score of trusty followers, one foe might still suffice to ruin him? At the present moment he was very hot with the -work he had done, as were also Jacko and the German. O'Dowd had also +work he had done, as were also Jacko and the German. O’Dowd had also come up as they were completing their work. Their mode of extinguishing the flames had been to beat them down with branches of gum-tree loaded with leaves. By sweeping these along the burning @@ -3117,8 +3106,8 @@ very probably being made at this moment. The two men whom he could trust and Jacko were now with him. They were wiping their brows with their arms and panting with their work. -He first resolved on sending Mickey O'Dowd to the house. The distance -was great, and the man's assistance might be essential. But he could +He first resolved on sending Mickey O’Dowd to the house. The distance +was great, and the man’s assistance might be essential. But he could not bear to leave his wife without news from him. Then, after considering a while, he made up his mind to go back toward his own fence, making his way as he went southerly down toward the river. @@ -3127,8 +3116,8 @@ their attempt in that direction. He hardly said a word to his two followers, but rode at a foot-pace to the spot at his fence which he had selected as the site of his bivouac for the night. -"It won't be very cheery, Bender," he said to the German; "but we -shall have to make a night of it till they disturb us again." +“It won’t be very cheery, Bender,” he said to the German; “but we +shall have to make a night of it till they disturb us again.” The German made a motion with his arms intended to signify his utter indifference. One place was the same as another to him. Jacko uttered @@ -3137,15 +3126,15 @@ fence, threw himself on his back upon the grass. No doubt they all slept, but they slept as watchers sleep, with one eye open. It was Harry who first saw the light which a few minutes -later made itself visible to the ladies at the home station. "Karl," -he exclaimed, jumping up, "they're at it again--look there." +later made itself visible to the ladies at the home station. “Karl,” +he exclaimed, jumping up, “they’re at it again--look there.” In less than half a minute, and without speaking another word, they were all on their horses and riding in the direction of the light. It came from a part of the Boolabong run somewhat nearer to the river than the place at which they had stationed themselves, where the -strip of ground between Harry's fence and the acknowledged boundary -of Brownbie's run was the narrowest. As they approached the fire, +strip of ground between Harry’s fence and the acknowledged boundary +of Brownbie’s run was the narrowest. As they approached the fire, they became aware that it had been lighted on Boolabong. On this occasion Harry did not ride on up to the flames, knowing that the use or loss of a few minutes might save or destroy his property. He @@ -3153,7 +3142,7 @@ hardly spoke a word as he proceeded on his business, feeling that they upon whom he had to depend were sufficiently instructed, if only they would be sufficiently energetic. -"Keep it well under, but let it run," was all he said, as, lighting a +“Keep it well under, but let it run,” was all he said, as, lighting a dried bush with a match, he ran the fire along the ground in front of the coming flames. @@ -3172,12 +3161,12 @@ circumvent. The German and Jacko worked like heroes, probably with intense enjoyment of the excitement, and, after a while, found a fourth figure among the flames, for Mickey had now returned. -"You saw them," Harry said, panting with his work. +“You saw them,” Harry said, panting with his work. -"They's all right," said Mickey, flopping away with a great bough; -"but that tarnation Chinese has gone off." +“They’s all right,” said Mickey, flopping away with a great bough; +“but that tarnation Chinese has gone off.” -"My word! Sing Sing. Find him at Boolabong," said Jacko. +“My word! Sing Sing. Find him at Boolabong,” said Jacko. The German, whose gum-tree bough was a very big one, and whose every thought was intent on letting the fire run while he still held it in @@ -3186,7 +3175,7 @@ hand, had not breath for a syllable. But the back fire was extending itself, so as to get round them. Every now and then Harry extended his own line, moving always forward toward Gangoil as he did so, though he and his men were always on -Brownbie's territory. He had no doubt but that where he could succeed +Brownbie’s territory. He had no doubt but that where he could succeed in destroying the grass for a breadth of forty or fifty yards he would starve out the inimical flames. The trees and bushes without the herbage would not enable it to travel a yard. Wherever the grass @@ -3212,24 +3201,24 @@ be necessary to find out who was his friend, but, as they drew nearer, he knew the man. It was the sugar planter from the mill and with him his foreman. -"We've been doing our best," said Medlicot, "but we've been terribly -afraid that the fire would slip away from us." +“We’ve been doing our best,” said Medlicot, “but we’ve been terribly +afraid that the fire would slip away from us.” -"It's the only thing," said Harry, too much excited at the moment to -ask questions as to the cause of Medlicot's presence so far from his -home at that time of the evening. "It's getting round us, I'm afraid, -all the same." +“It’s the only thing,” said Harry, too much excited at the moment to +ask questions as to the cause of Medlicot’s presence so far from his +home at that time of the evening. “It’s getting round us, I’m afraid, +all the same.” -"I don't know but it is. It's almost impossible to distinguish. How -hot the fire makes it!" +“I don’t know but it is. It’s almost impossible to distinguish. How +hot the fire makes it!” -"Hot, indeed!" said Harry. "It's killing work for men, and then all +“Hot, indeed!” said Harry. “It’s killing work for men, and then all for no good! To think that men, creatures that call themselves men, -should do such a thing as this! It breaks one's heart." He had paused +should do such a thing as this! It breaks one’s heart.” He had paused as he spoke, leaning on the great battered bough which he held, but -in an instant was at work with it again. "Do you stay here, Mr. -Medlicot, with the men, and I'll go on beyond where you began. If I -find the fire growing down, I'll shout, and they can come to me." So +in an instant was at work with it again. “Do you stay here, Mr. +Medlicot, with the men, and I’ll go on beyond where you began. If I +find the fire growing down, I’ll shout, and they can come to me.” So saying, he rushed on with a lighted bush torch in his band. Suddenly he found himself confronted in the bush by a man on @@ -3237,42 +3226,42 @@ horseback, whom he at once recognized as Georgie Brownbie. He forgot for a moment where he was and began to question the reprobate as to his presence at that spot. -"That's like your impudence," said Georgie. "You're not only -trespassing, but you're destroying our property willfully, and you -ask me what business I have here. You're a nice sort of young man." +“That’s like your impudence,” said Georgie. “You’re not only +trespassing, but you’re destroying our property willfully, and you +ask me what business I have here. You’re a nice sort of young man.” Harry, checked for a moment by the remembrance that he was in truth upon Boolabong run, did not at once answer. -"Put that bush down, and don't burn our grass," continued Georgie, -"or you shall have to answer for it. What right have you to fire our -grass?" +“Put that bush down, and don’t burn our grass,” continued Georgie, +“or you shall have to answer for it. What right have you to fire our +grass?” -"Who fired it first?" +“Who fired it first?” -"It lighted itself. That's no rule why you should light it more. You -give over, or I punch your head for you." +“It lighted itself. That’s no rule why you should light it more. You +give over, or I punch your head for you.” -Harry's men and Medlicot were advancing toward him, trampling out +Harry’s men and Medlicot were advancing toward him, trampling out their own embers as they came; and Georgie Brownbie, who was alone, when he saw that there were four or five men against him, turned round and rode back. -"Did you ever see impudence like that?" said Harry. "He's probably +“Did you ever see impudence like that?” said Harry. “He’s probably the very man who set the match, and yet he comes and brazens it out -with me." +with me.” -"I don't think he's the man who set the match," said Medlicot, -quietly; "at any rate there was another." +“I don’t think he’s the man who set the match,” said Medlicot, +quietly; “at any rate there was another.” -"Who was it?" +“Who was it?” -"My man, Nokes. I saw him with the torch in his hand." +“My man, Nokes. I saw him with the torch in his hand.” -"Heaven and earth!" +“Heaven and earth!” -"Yes, Mr. Heathcote. I saw him put it down. You were about right, you -see, and I was about wrong." +“Yes, Mr. Heathcote. I saw him put it down. You were about right, you +see, and I was about wrong.” Harry had not a word to say, unless it were tell the man that he loved him for the frankness of his confession. But the moment was @@ -3280,7 +3269,7 @@ hardly auspicious for such a declaration. There was no excuse for them to pause in their work, for the fire was still crackling at their back, and they did no more than pause. -"Ah!" said Harry, "there it goes; we shall be done at last." For he +“Ah!” said Harry, “there it goes; we shall be done at last.” For he saw that he was being outflanked by the advancing flames. But still they worked, drawing lines of fire here and there, and still they hoped that there might be ground for hope. Nokes had been seen; but, @@ -3289,7 +3278,7 @@ to talk. Questions could not be asked and answered without stopping in their toil. There were questions which Harry longed to ask. Could Medlicot swear to the man? Did the man know that he had been seen? If he knew that he had been watched while he lit the grass, he would -soon be far away from Medlicot's Mill and Gangoil. Harry felt that it +soon be far away from Medlicot’s Mill and Gangoil. Harry felt that it would be a consolation to him in his trouble if he could get hold of this man, and keep him, and prosecute him--and have him hung. Even in the tumult of the moment he was able to reflect about it, and to @@ -3299,7 +3288,7 @@ whom he had dealings. He had not stinted their food, or cut them short in their wages, or been hard in exacting work from them. And this was his return! Ideas as to the excellence of absolute dominion and power flitted across his brain--such power as Abraham, no doubt, -exercised. In Abraham's time the people were submissive, and the +exercised. In Abraham’s time the people were submissive, and the world was happy. Harry Heathcote, at least, had never heard that it was not happy. But as he thought of all this he worked away with his bush and his matches, extinguishing the flames here and lighting them @@ -3310,7 +3299,7 @@ work like this! He and his men were in a line covering something above a quarter of a mile of ground, of which line he was himself the nearest to the river, and Medlicot and his foreman the farthest from it. The German -and O'Dowd were in the middle, and Jacko was working with his master. +and O’Dowd were in the middle, and Jacko was working with his master. If Harry had just cause for anger and sorrow in regard to Nokes and Boscobel, he certainly had equal cause to be proud of the stanchness of his remaining satellites. The men worked with a will, as though @@ -3320,10 +3309,10 @@ before they had quarreled with their master. It is a small and narrow point that turns the rushing train to the right or to the left. The rushing man is often turned off by a point as small and narrow. -"My word!" said Jacko, on a sudden, "here they are, all o' -horseback!" And as he spoke, there was the sound of half a dozen -horsemen galloping up to them through the bush. "Why, there's Bos, -his own self," said Jacko. +“My word!” said Jacko, on a sudden, “here they are, all o’ +horseback!” And as he spoke, there was the sound of half a dozen +horsemen galloping up to them through the bush. “Why, there’s Bos, +his own self,” said Jacko. The two leading men were Joe and Jerry Brownbie, who, for this night only, had composed their quarrels, and close to them was Boscobel. @@ -3351,37 +3340,37 @@ Harry necessarily stayed his work, and stood still to bear the brunt of the coming attack; but Jacko went on with his employment faster than ever, as though a troop of men in the dark were nothing to him. -Jerry Brownbie was the first to speak. "What's this you're up to, -Heathcote? Firing our grass? It's arson. You shall swing for this." +Jerry Brownbie was the first to speak. “What’s this you’re up to, +Heathcote? Firing our grass? It’s arson. You shall swing for this.” -"I'll take my chance of that," said Harry, turning to his work again. +“I’ll take my chance of that,” said Harry, turning to his work again. -"No, I'm blessed if you do. Ride over him, Bos, while I stop these -other fellows." +“No, I’m blessed if you do. Ride over him, Bos, while I stop these +other fellows.” -The Brownbies had been aware that Harry's two boundary riders were +The Brownbies had been aware that Harry’s two boundary riders were with him, but had not heard of the arrival of Medlicot and the other man. Nokes was aware that some one on horseback had been near him when he was firing the grass, but had thought that it was one of the party from Gangoil. By the time that Jerry Brownbie had reached the German, Medlicot was there also. -"Who the deuce are you?" asked Jerry. +“Who the deuce are you?” asked Jerry. -"What business is that of yours?" said Medlicot. +“What business is that of yours?” said Medlicot. -"No business of mine, and you firing our grass! I'll let you know my -business pretty quickly." +“No business of mine, and you firing our grass! I’ll let you know my +business pretty quickly.” -"It's that fellow, Medlicot, from the sugar-mill," said Joe; "the man -that Nokes is with." +“It’s that fellow, Medlicot, from the sugar-mill,” said Joe; “the man +that Nokes is with.” -"I thought you was a horse of another color," continued Jerry, who -had been given to understand that Medlicot was Heathcote's enemy. -"Anyway, I won't have my grass fired. If God A'mighty chooses to send -fires, we can't help it. But I'm not going to have incendiaries here -as well. You're a new chum, and don't understand what you're about, -but you must stop this." +“I thought you was a horse of another color,” continued Jerry, who +had been given to understand that Medlicot was Heathcote’s enemy. +“Anyway, I won’t have my grass fired. If God A’mighty chooses to send +fires, we can’t help it. But I’m not going to have incendiaries here +as well. You’re a new chum, and don’t understand what you’re about, +but you must stop this.” As Medlicot still went on putting out the fire, Jerry attempted to ride him down. Medlicot caught the horse by the rein, and violently @@ -3411,20 +3400,20 @@ and was quite ready to retreat when he came to himself. Nokes during the whole time did not show himself, alleging as a reason afterward the presence of his employer Medlicot. -"I'm blessed if your cowardice sha'n't hang you," said Joe Brownbie -to him on their way home. "Do you think we're going to fight the -battles of a fellow like you, who hasn't pluck to come forward -himself?" +“I’m blessed if your cowardice sha’n’t hang you,” said Joe Brownbie +to him on their way home. “Do you think we’re going to fight the +battles of a fellow like you, who hasn’t pluck to come forward +himself?” -"I've as much pluck as you," answered Nokes, "and am ready to fight -you any day. But I know when a man is to come forward and when he's -not. Hang me! I'm not so near hanging as some folks at Boolabong." We +“I’ve as much pluck as you,” answered Nokes, “and am ready to fight +you any day. But I know when a man is to come forward and when he’s +not. Hang me! I’m not so near hanging as some folks at Boolabong.” We may imagine, therefore, that the night was not spent pleasantly among the Brownbies after these adventures. There were, of course, very much cursing and swearing, and very many threats, before the party from Boolabong did retreat. Their great -point was, of coarse, this--that Heathcote was willfully firing the +point was, of course, this--that Heathcote was willfully firing the grass, and was, therefore, no better than an incendiary. Of course they stoutly denied that the original fire had been intentional, and denied as stoutly that the original fire could be stopped by fires. @@ -3433,13 +3422,13 @@ battle-field. Jerry was taken away in a sad condition; and, in subsequent accounts of the transaction given from Boolabong, his fall was put forward as the reason of their flight, he having been the general on the occasion. And Boscobel had certainly lost all stomach -for immediate fighting. Immediately behind the battle-field they come +for immediate fighting. Immediately behind the battle-field they came across Nokes, and Sing Sing, the runaway cook from Gangoil. The poor Chinaman had made the mistake of joining the party which was not successful. But Harry, though the victory was with him, was hardly in a mood for -triumph. He soon found that Medlicot's collar-bone was broken, and it +triumph. He soon found that Medlicot’s collar-bone was broken, and it would be necessary, therefore, that he should return with the wounded man to the station. And the flames, as he feared, had altogether got ahead of him during the fight. As far as they had gone, they had @@ -3458,9 +3447,9 @@ mill. Perhaps he thought that Kate Daly might be a better nurse than his mother, or that the quiet of the sheep station might be better for him than the clatter of his own mill-wheels. It was midnight, and they had a ride of fourteen miles, which was hard enough upon a man -with a broken collarbone. The whole party also was thoroughly +with a broken collar-bone. The whole party also was thoroughly fatigued. The work they had been doing was about as hard as could -fall to a man's lot, and they had now been many hours without food. +fall to a man’s lot, and they had now been many hours without food. Before they started Mickey produced his flask, the contents of which were divided equally among them all, including Jacko. @@ -3472,10 +3461,10 @@ somewhat earlier than usual, saying that, as the following day was Christmas, he should not come to the mill. From that time Medlicot and his foreman had watched him. -"Yes," said he, in answer to a question from Heathcote, "I can swear +“Yes,” said he, in answer to a question from Heathcote, “I can swear that I saw him with the lighted torch in his hand, and that he placed it among the grass. There were two others from Boolabong with him, -and they must have seen him too." +and they must have seen him too.” @@ -3485,118 +3474,118 @@ CHAPTER X. HARRY HEATHCOTE RETURNS IN TRIUMPH. -When the fight was quite over, and Heathcote's party had returned to +When the fight was quite over, and Heathcote’s party had returned to their horses, Medlicot for a few minutes was faint and sick, but he revived after a while, and declared himself able to sit on his horse. There was a difficulty in getting him up, but when there he made no -further complaint. "This," said he, as he settled himself in his -saddle, "is my first Christmas-day in Australia. I landed early in -January, and last year I was on my way home to fetch my mother." +further complaint. “This,” said he, as he settled himself in his +saddle, “is my first Christmas-day in Australia. I landed early in +January, and last year I was on my way home to fetch my mother.” -"It's not much like an English Christmas," said Harry. +“It’s not much like an English Christmas,” said Harry. -"Nor yet as in Hanover," said the German. +“Nor yet as in Hanover,” said the German. -"It's Cork you should go to, or Galway, bedad, if you want to see -Christmas kep' after the ould fashion," said Mickey. +“It’s Cork you should go to, or Galway, bedad, if you want to see +Christmas kep’ after the ould fashion,” said Mickey. -"I think we used to do it pretty well in Cumberland," said Medlicot. -"There are things which can't be transplanted. They may have roast +“I think we used to do it pretty well in Cumberland,” said Medlicot. +“There are things which can’t be transplanted. They may have roast beef, and all that, but you should have cold weather to make you feel -that it is Christmas indeed." +that it is Christmas indeed.” -"We do it as well as we can," Harry pleaded. "I've seen a great +“We do it as well as we can,” Harry pleaded. “I’ve seen a great pudding come into the room all afire--just to remind one of the old country--when it has been so hot that one could hardly bear a shirt -on one's shoulders. But yet there's something in it. One likes to +on one’s shoulders. But yet there’s something in it. One likes to think of the old place, though one is so far away. How do you feel now? Does the jolting hurt you much? If your horse is rough, change -with me. This fellow goes as smooth as a lady." Medlicot declared -that the pain did not trouble him much. "They'd have ridden over us, -only for you," continued Harry. - -"My word! wouldn't they?" said Jacko, who was very proud of his own -part in the battle. "I say, Mr. Medlicot, did you see Bos and his -horse part company? You did, Mr. Harry. Didn't he fly like a bird, -all in among the bushes! I owed Bos one; I did, my word! And now I've -paid him." - -"I saw it," said Harry. "He was riding at me as hard as he could -come. I can't understand Boscobel. Nokes is a sly, bad, slinking -follow, whom I never liked. But I was always good to Bos; and when he +with me. This fellow goes as smooth as a lady.” Medlicot declared +that the pain did not trouble him much. “They’d have ridden over us, +only for you,” continued Harry. + +“My word! wouldn’t they?” said Jacko, who was very proud of his own +part in the battle. “I say, Mr. Medlicot, did you see Bos and his +horse part company? You did, Mr. Harry. Didn’t he fly like a bird, +all in among the bushes! I owed Bos one; I did, my word! And now I’ve +paid him.” + +“I saw it,” said Harry. “He was riding at me as hard as he could +come. I can’t understand Boscobel. Nokes is a sly, bad, slinking +fellow, whom I never liked. But I was always good to Bos; and when he cheated me, as he did, about his time, I never even threatened to -stop his money." +stop his money.” -"You told him of it too plain," said the German. +“You told him of it too plain,” said the German. -"I did tell him--of course--as I should you. It has come to that now, +“I did tell him--of course--as I should you. It has come to that now, that if a man robs you--your own man--you are not to dare to tell him of it! What would you think of me, Karl, if I were to find you out, and was to be afraid of speaking to you, lest you should turn against -me and burn my fences?" Karl Bender shrugged his shoulders, holding -his reins up to his eyes. "I know what you ought to think! And I wish +me and burn my fences?” Karl Bender shrugged his shoulders, holding +his reins up to his eyes. “I know what you ought to think! And I wish that every man about Gangoil should be sure that I will always say -what I think right. I don't know that I ever was hard upon any man. I -try not to be." +what I think right. I don’t know that I ever was hard upon any man. I +try not to be.” -"Thrue for you, Mr. Harry," said the Irishman. +“Thrue for you, Mr. Harry,” said the Irishman. -"I'm not going to pick my words because men like Nokes and Boscobel -have the power of injuring me. I'm not going to truckle to rascals -because I'm afraid of them. I'd sooner be burned out of house and -home, and go and work on the wharves in Brisbane, than that." +“I’m not going to pick my words because men like Nokes and Boscobel +have the power of injuring me. I’m not going to truckle to rascals +because I’m afraid of them. I’d sooner be burned out of house and +home, and go and work on the wharves in Brisbane, than that.” -"My word! yes," said Jacko, "and I too." +“My word! yes,” said Jacko, “and I too.” -"If the devil is to get ahead, he must, but I won't hold a candle to +“If the devil is to get ahead, he must, but I won’t hold a candle to him. You fellows may tell every man about the place what I say. As -long as I'm master of Gangoil I'll be master; and when I come across -a swindle I'll tell the man who does it he's a swindler. I told Bos -to his face; but I didn't tell any body else, and I shouldn't if he'd -taken it right and mended his ways." +long as I’m master of Gangoil I’ll be master; and when I come across +a swindle I’ll tell the man who does it he’s a swindler. I told Bos +to his face; but I didn’t tell any body else, and I shouldn’t if he’d +taken it right and mended his ways.” They all understood him very well--the German, the Irishman, -Medlicot's foreman, Medlicot himself, and even Jacko; and though, no +Medlicot’s foreman, Medlicot himself, and even Jacko; and though, no doubt, there was a feeling within the hearts of the men that Harry Heathcote was imperious, still they respected him, and they believed him. -"The masther should be the masther, no doubt," said the Irishman. +“The masther should be the masther, no doubt,” said the Irishman. -"A man that is a man vill not sell hisself body and soul," said the +“A man that is a man vill not sell hisself body and soul,” said the German, slowly. -"Do I want dominion over your soul, Karl Bender?" asked the squatter, -with energy. "You know I don't, nor over your body, except so far as +“Do I want dominion over your soul, Karl Bender?” asked the squatter, +with energy. “You know I don’t, nor over your body, except so far as it suits you to sell your services. What you sell you part with -readily--like a man; and it's not likely that you and I shall -quarrel. But all this row about nothing can't be very pleasant to a -man with a broken shoulder." +readily--like a man; and it’s not likely that you and I shall +quarrel. But all this row about nothing can’t be very pleasant to a +man with a broken shoulder.” -"I like to hear you," said Medlicot. "I'm always a good listener when -men have something really to say." +“I like to hear you,” said Medlicot. “I’m always a good listener when +men have something really to say.” -"Well, then, I've something to say," cried Harry. "There never was a -man came to my house whom I'd sooner see as a Christmas guest than -yourself." +“Well, then, I’ve something to say,” cried Harry. “There never was a +man came to my house whom I’d sooner see as a Christmas guest than +yourself.” -"Thankee, Sir." +“Thankee, Sir.” -"It's more than I could have said yesterday with truth." +“It’s more than I could have said yesterday with truth.” -"It's more than you did say." +“It’s more than you did say.” -"Yes, by George! But you've beat me now. When you're hard pressed for -hands down yonder, you send for me, and see if I won't turn the mill -for you, or hoe canes either." +“Yes, by George! But you’ve beat me now. When you’re hard pressed for +hands down yonder, you send for me, and see if I won’t turn the mill +for you, or hoe canes either.” -"So 'll I; my word! yes. Just for my rations." +“So ’ll I; my word! yes. Just for my rations.” -They had by this time reacted the Gangoil fence, having taken the +They had by this time reached the Gangoil fence, having taken the directest route for the house. But Harry, in doing this, had not been unmindful of the fire. Had Medlicot not been wounded, he would have taken the party somewhat out of the way, down southward, following -the flames; but Medlicot's condition had made him feel that he would +the flames; but Medlicot’s condition had made him feel that he would not be justified in doing so. Now, however, it occurred to him that he might as well ride a mile or two down the fence, and see what injury had been done. The escort of the men would be sufficient to @@ -3608,19 +3597,19 @@ than three or four miles of fencing, and the grass off a corner of his run. Nevertheless, tired as he was, he could not bear the idea of going home without knowing the whole story. So he made his proposal. Medlicot, of course, made no objection. Each of the men offered to go -with him, but he declined their services. "There is nothing to do," -said he, "and nobody to catch; and if the fire is burning, it must -burn." So he went alone. +with him, but he declined their services. “There is nothing to do,” +said he, “and nobody to catch; and if the fire is burning, it must +burn.” So he went alone. The words that he had uttered among his men had not been lightly spoken. He had begun to perceive that life would be very hard to him in his present position, or perhaps altogether impossible, as long as he was at enmity with all those around him. Old squatters whom he knew, respectable men who had been in the colony before he was born, -had advised him to be on good terms with the Brownbies. "You needn't +had advised him to be on good terms with the Brownbies. “You needn’t ask them to your house, or go to them, but just soft-sawder them when -yon meet," an old gentleman had said to him. He certainly hadn't -taken the old gentleman's advice, thinking that to "soft-sawder" so +yon meet,” an old gentleman had said to him. He certainly hadn’t +taken the old gentleman’s advice, thinking that to “soft-sawder” so great a reprobate as Jerry Brownbie would be holding a candle to the devil. But his own plan had hardly answered. Well, he was sure, at any rate, of this--that he could do no good now by endeavoring to be @@ -3658,7 +3647,7 @@ entered the yard before him. The sugar planter was so weak that he could hardly get off his horse. The two ladies were still watching when the cavalcade arrived, though -it was then between three and four in the morning. It was Harry's +it was then between three and four in the morning. It was Harry’s custom on such occasions to ride up to the little gate close to the veranda, and there to hang his bridle till some one should take his horse away; but on this occasion he and the others rode into the @@ -3672,20 +3661,20 @@ might fall asleep on his horse, and continue his slumbers on the ground. Mickey and the German both offered; but the men were so beaten by their work that Heathcote did not dare to take their offer. -"I'll tell you what it is, Mary," he said to his wife, "there is -nothing for it but for me to go for Jackson." Jackson was the doctor. -"And I can see the police at the same time." +“I’ll tell you what it is, Mary,” he said to his wife, “there is +nothing for it but for me to go for Jackson.” Jackson was the doctor. +“And I can see the police at the same time.” -"You sha'n't go, Harry. Yon are so tired already you can hardly stand -this moment." +“You sha’n’t go, Harry. You are so tired already you can hardly stand +this moment.” -"Get me some strong coffee--at once. You don't know what that man has -done for us. I'll tell you all another time. I owe him more than a -ride into Maryborough. I'll make the men get Yorkie up"--Yorkie was a -favorite horse he had--"while you make the coffee; and I'll lead -Colonel"--Colonel was another horse, well esteemed at Gangoil. -"Jackson will come quicker on him than on any animal he can get at -Maryborough." And so it was arranged, in spite of the wife's tears +“Get me some strong coffee--at once. You don’t know what that man has +done for us. I’ll tell you all another time. I owe him more than a +ride into Maryborough. I’ll make the men get Yorkie up”--Yorkie was a +favorite horse he had--“while you make the coffee; and I’ll lead +Colonel”--Colonel was another horse, well esteemed at Gangoil. +“Jackson will come quicker on him than on any animal he can get at +Maryborough.” And so it was arranged, in spite of the wife’s tears and entreaties. Harry had his coffee and some food, and started, with his two horses, for the doctor. @@ -3694,8 +3683,8 @@ might have dispensed with art. In the bush, where doctors can not be had, bones will set themselves; and when doctors do come, but come slowly, the broken bones suit themselves to such tardiness. Medlicot was brought in and put to bed. Let the reader not be shocked to hear -that Kate Daly's room was given up to him, as being best suited for a -sick man's comfort, and the two ladies took it in turn to watch him. +that Kate Daly’s room was given up to him, as being best suited for a +sick man’s comfort, and the two ladies took it in turn to watch him. Mrs. Heathcote was, of course, the first, and remained with him till dawn. Then Kate crept to the door and asked whether she should relieve her sister. Medlicot was asleep, and it was agreed that Kate @@ -3703,39 +3692,39 @@ should remain in the veranda, and look in from time to time to see whether the wounded man required aught at her hands. She looked in very often, and then, at last, he was awake. -"Miss Daly," he said, "I feel so ashamed of the trouble I'm giving." +“Miss Daly,” he said, “I feel so ashamed of the trouble I’m giving.” -"Don't speak of it. It is nothing. In the bush every body, of course, -does any thing for every body." When the words were spoken she felt -that they were not as complimentary as she would have wished. "You -were to have come to-day, you know, but we did not think you'd come -like this, did we?" +“Don’t speak of it. It is nothing. In the bush every body, of course, +does any thing for every body.” When the words were spoken she felt +that they were not as complimentary as she would have wished. “You +were to have come to-day, you know, but we did not think you’d come +like this, did we?” -"I don't know why I didn't go home instead of coming here." +“I don’t know why I didn’t go home instead of coming here.” -"The doctor will reach Gangoil sooner than he could the mill. You are +“The doctor will reach Gangoil sooner than he could the mill. You are better here, and we will send for Mrs. Medlicot as soon as the men have had a rest. How was it all, Mr. Medlicot? Harry says that there was a fight, and that you came in just at the nick of time, and that -but for you all the run would have been burned." +but for you all the run would have been burned.” -"Not that at all." +“Not that at all.” -"He said so; only he went off so quickly, and was so busy with +“He said so; only he went off so quickly, and was so busy with things, that we hardly understood him. Is it not dreadful that there should be such fighting? And then these horrid fires! You were in the -middle of the fire, were you not?" It suited Kate's feelings that +middle of the fire, were you not?” It suited Kate’s feelings that Medlicot should be the hero of this occasion. -"We were lighting them in front to put them out behind." +“We were lighting them in front to put them out behind.” -"And then, while you were at work, these men from Boolabong came upon +“And then, while you were at work, these men from Boolabong came upon you. Oh, Mr. Medlicot, we shall be so very, very wretched if you are -much hurt. My sister is so unhappy about it." +much hurt. My sister is so unhappy about it.” -"It's only my collar-bone, Miss Daly." +“It’s only my collar-bone, Miss Daly.” -"But that is so dreadful." She was still thinking of the one word he +“But that is so dreadful.” She was still thinking of the one word he had spoken when he had--well, not asked her for her love, but said that which between a young man and a young woman ought to mean the same thing. Perhaps it had meant nothing! She had heard that young @@ -3747,57 +3736,57 @@ bone. While her sister had watched, she had retired--to rest, as Mary had said, but in truth to think of the chance which had brought her in this guise into familiar contact with the man she loved. And then, when she had crept up to take her place in watching him, she had -almost felt that shame should restrain her. But was her duty; and, of +almost felt that shame should restrain her. But it was her duty; and, of course, a man with a collar-bone broken would not speak of love. -"It will make your Christmas so sad for you," he said. +“It will make your Christmas so sad for you,” he said. -"Oh, as for that, we mind nothing about it--for ourselves. We are -never very gay here." +“Oh, as for that, we mind nothing about it--for ourselves. We are +never very gay here.” -"But you are happy?" +“But you are happy?” -"Oh yes, quite happy, except when Harry is disturbed by these -troubles. I don't think any body has so many troubles as a squatter. -It sometimes seems that all the world is against him." +“Oh yes, quite happy, except when Harry is disturbed by these +troubles. I don’t think any body has so many troubles as a squatter. +It sometimes seems that all the world is against him.” -"We shall be allies now, at any rate." +“We shall be allies now, at any rate.” -"Oh, I do so hope we shall," said Kate, putting her hands together in +“Oh, I do so hope we shall,” said Kate, putting her hands together in her energy, and then retreating from her energy with sad awkwardness -when she remembered the personal application of her wish. "That is, I -mean you and Harry," she added, in a whisper. +when she remembered the personal application of her wish. “That is, I +mean you and Harry,” she added, in a whisper. -"Why not I and others besides Harry?" +“Why not I and others besides Harry?” -"It is so much to him to have a real friend. Things concern us, of +“It is so much to him to have a real friend. Things concern us, of course, only just as they concern him. Women are never of very much account, I think. Harry has to do every thing, and every thing ought -to be done for him." +to be done for him.” -"I think you spoil Harry among you." +“I think you spoil Harry among you.” -"Don't you say so to Mary, or she will be fierce." +“Don’t you say so to Mary, or she will be fierce.” -"I wonder whether I shall ever have a wife to stand up for me in that -way?" +“I wonder whether I shall ever have a wife to stand up for me in that +way?” Kate had no answer to make, but she thought that it would be his own fault if he did not have a wife to stand up for him thoroughly. -"He has been very lucky in his wife." +“He has been very lucky in his wife.” -"I think he has, Mr. Medlicot; but you are moving about, and you -ought to lie still. There! I hear the horses; that's the doctor. I do -so hope he won't say that any thing very bad is the matter." +“I think he has, Mr. Medlicot; but you are moving about, and you +ought to lie still. There! I hear the horses; that’s the doctor. I do +so hope he won’t say that any thing very bad is the matter.” She jumped up from her chair, which was close to his bed, and as she did so just touched his hand with hers. It was involuntary on her part, having come of instinct rather than will, and she withdrew herself instantly. The hand she had touched belonged to the arm that was not hurt, and he put it out after her, and caught her by the -sleeve as she was retreating. "Oh, Mr. Medlicot, you must not do -that; you will hurt yourself if you move in that way." +sleeve as she was retreating. “Oh, Mr. Medlicot, you must not do +that; you will hurt yourself if you move in that way.” And so she escaped, and left the room, and did not see him again till the doctor had gone from Gangoil. @@ -3809,33 +3798,33 @@ concurred with the doctor in asserting that no proposition could be more absurd. He had intended to eat his Christmas dinner at Gangoil, and he must now pass his entire Christmas there. -"The sugar can go on very well for ten days," Harry had said. "I'll -go over myself and see about the men, and I'll fetch your mother -over." +“The sugar can go on very well for ten days,” Harry had said. “I’ll +go over myself and see about the men, and I’ll fetch your mother +over.” -To this, however, Mrs. Heathcote had demurred successfully. "You'll -kill yourself, Harry, if you go on like this," she said. +To this, however, Mrs. Heathcote had demurred successfully. “You’ll +kill yourself, Harry, if you go on like this,” she said. Bender, therefore, was sent in the buggy for the old lady, and at last Harry Heathcote consented to go to bed. -"My belief is, I shall sleep for a week," he said, as he turned in. -But he didn't begin his sleep quite at once. "I am very glad I went -into Maryborough," he said to his wife, rising up from his pillow. -"I've sworn an information against Nokes and two of the Brownbies, -and the police will be after them this afternoon. They won't catch -Nokes, and they can't convict the other fellows. But it will be +“My belief is, I shall sleep for a week,” he said, as he turned in. +But he didn’t begin his sleep quite at once. “I am very glad I went +into Maryborough,” he said to his wife, rising up from his pillow. +“I’ve sworn an information against Nokes and two of the Brownbies, +and the police will be after them this afternoon. They won’t catch +Nokes, and they can’t convict the other fellows. But it will be something to clear the country of such a fellow, and something also -to let them know that detection is possible." +to let them know that detection is possible.” -"Do sleep now, dear." she said. +“Do sleep now, dear.” she said. -"Yes, I will; I mean to. But look here, Mary; if any of the police +“Yes, I will; I mean to. But look here, Mary; if any of the police should come here, mind you wake me at once. And, Mary, look here; do -you know I shouldn't be a bit surprised if that fellow was to be -making up to Kate." +you know I shouldn’t be a bit surprised if that fellow was to be +making up to Kate.” -Mrs. Heathcote, with some little inward chuckle at her husband's +Mrs. Heathcote, with some little inward chuckle at her husband’s assumed quickness of apprehension, reminded herself that the same idea had occurred to her some time ago. Mrs. Heathcote gave her husband full credit for more than ordinary intelligence in reference @@ -3851,33 +3840,33 @@ children. All that a girl had a right to want was a good husband. She was quite satisfied with her own lot in that respect, but she was anxious enough on behalf of Kate. And when a young man did come, who might make matters so pleasant for them, Harry quarreled with him -because he was a free-selector. "A free fiddle-stick!" she had once +because he was a free-selector. “A free fiddle-stick!” she had once said to Kate--not, however, communicating to her innocent sister the -ambition which was already filling her own bosom. "Harry does take -things up so--as though people weren't to live, some in one way and +ambition which was already filling her own bosom. “Harry does take +things up so--as though people weren’t to live, some in one way and some in another! As far as I can see, Mr. Medlicot is a very nice -fellow." Kate had remarked that he was "all very well," and nothing +fellow.” Kate had remarked that he was “all very well,” and nothing more had been said. -But Mrs. Heathcote, in spite of Harry's aversion, had formed her +But Mrs. Heathcote, in spite of Harry’s aversion, had formed her little project--a project which, if then declared, would have filled Harry with dismay. And now the young aristocrat, as he turned himself in his bed, made the suggestion to his wife as though it were all his own! -"I never like to think much of these things beforehand," she said, +“I never like to think much of these things beforehand,” she said, innocently. -"I don't know about thinking," said Harry; "but a girl might do -worse. If it should come up, don't set yourself against it." +“I don’t know about thinking,” said Harry; “but a girl might do +worse. If it should come up, don’t set yourself against it.” -"Kate, of course, will please herself," said Mrs. Heathcote. "Now do -lie down and rest yourself." +“Kate, of course, will please herself,” said Mrs. Heathcote. “Now do +lie down and rest yourself.” His rest, however, was not of long duration. As he had himself suggested, two policemen reached Gangoil at about three in the afternoon, on their way from Maryborough to Boolabong, in order -that they might take Mr. Medlicot's deposition. After Heathcote's +that they might take Mr. Medlicot’s deposition. After Heathcote’s departure it had occurred to Sergeant Forrest of the police--and the suggestion, having been transferred from the sergeant to the stipendiary magistrate, was now produced with magisterial @@ -3886,23 +3875,23 @@ Brownbies. They had simply interfered to prevent the burning of the grass on their own run, and who could say that they had committed any crime by doing so? If Medlicot had seen Nokes with a lighted branch in his hand, the matter might be different with him; and therefore -Medlicot's deposition was taken. He had sworn that he had seen Nokes +Medlicot’s deposition was taken. He had sworn that he had seen Nokes drag his lighted torch along the ground; he had also seen other horsemen--two or three, as he thought--but could not identify them. -Jacko's deposition was also taken as to the man who had been heard and +Jacko’s deposition was also taken as to the man who had been heard and seen in the wool-shed at night. Jacko was ready to swear point-blank that the man was Nokes. The policemen suggested that, as the night was dark, Jacko might as well allow a shade of doubt to appear, thinking that the shade of doubt would add strength to the evidence. But Jacko was not going to be taught what sort of oath he should swear. -"My word!" he said. "Didn't I see his leg move? You go away." +“My word!” he said. “Didn’t I see his leg move? You go away.” Armed with these depositions, the two constables went on to Boolabong in search of Nokes, and of Nokes only, much to the chagrin of Harry, who declared that the police would never really bestir themselves in -a squatter's cause. "As for Nokes, he'll be out of Queensland by this -time to-morrow." +a squatter’s cause. “As for Nokes, he’ll be out of Queensland by this +time to-morrow.” @@ -3915,32 +3904,32 @@ SERGEANT FORREST. The Brownbie party returned, after their midnight raid, in great discomfiture to Boolabong. Their leader, Jerry, was burned about his hands and face in a disagreeable and unsightly manner. Joe had hardly -made good that character for "fighting it out to the end" for which +made good that character for “fighting it out to the end” for which he was apt to claim credit. Boscobel was altogether disconcerted by his fall. And Nokes, who had certainly shown no aptitude for the fray, was abused by them all as having caused their retreat by his cowardice; while Sing Sing, the runaway cook, who knew that he had forfeited his wages at Gangoil, was forced to turn over in his -heathenish mind the ill effects of joining the losing side. "You big -fool, Bos," he said more than once to his friend the woodsman, who -had lured him away from the comforts of Gangoil. "I'll punch your -head, John, if you don't hold your row," Boscobel would reply. But +heathenish mind the ill effects of joining the losing side. “You big +fool, Bos,” he said more than once to his friend the woodsman, who +had lured him away from the comforts of Gangoil. “I’ll punch your +head, John, if you don’t hold your row,” Boscobel would reply. But Sing Sing went on with his reproaches, and, before they had reached -Boolabong, Boscobel had punched the Chinaman's head. +Boolabong, Boscobel had punched the Chinaman’s head. -"You're not coming in here," Jerry said to Nokes, when they reached +“You’re not coming in here,” Jerry said to Nokes, when they reached the yard gate. -"Who wants to come in? I suppose you're not going to send a fellow on -without a bit of grub after such a night's work?" +“Who wants to come in? I suppose you’re not going to send a fellow on +without a bit of grub after such a night’s work?” -"Give him some bread and meat, Jack, and let him go on. There'll be -somebody here after him before long. He can't hurt us; but I don't -want people to think that we are so fond of him that we can't do -without harboring him here. Georgie, you'll go too, if you take my +“Give him some bread and meat, Jack, and let him go on. There’ll be +somebody here after him before long. He can’t hurt us; but I don’t +want people to think that we are so fond of him that we can’t do +without harboring him here. Georgie, you’ll go too, if you take my advice. That young cur will send the police here as sure as my name -is Brownbie, and, if they once get hold of you, they'll have a great -many things to talk to you about." +is Brownbie, and, if they once get hold of you, they’ll have a great +many things to talk to you about.” Georgie grumbled when he heard this, but he knew that the advice given him was good, and he did not attempt to enter the house. So @@ -3958,17 +3947,17 @@ much more picturesque. They leisurely tied their horses up, as though they had been in the habit of making weekly visits to the place, and walked round to the veranda. -"Well, Mr. Brownbie, and how are you?" said the sergeant to the old +“Well, Mr. Brownbie, and how are you?” said the sergeant to the old man. The head of the family was gracious, and declared himself to be pretty well, considering all things. He called the sergeant by his -name, and asked the men whether they'd take a bit of something to +name, and asked the men whether they’d take a bit of something to eat. Joe also was courteous, and, after a little delay in getting a key from his brother, brought out the jar of spirits, which, in the bush, is regarded as the best sign known of thorough good-breeding. -The sergeant said that he didn't mind if he did; and the other man, -of course, followed his officer's example. +The sergeant said that he didn’t mind if he did; and the other man, +of course, followed his officer’s example. So far every thing was comfortable, and the constables seemed in no hurry to allude to disagreeable subjects. They condescended to eat a @@ -3976,31 +3965,31 @@ bit of cold meat before they proceeded to business. And at last the matter to be discussed was first introduced by one of the Brownbie family. -"I suppose you've heard that there was a scrimmage here last night," +“I suppose you’ve heard that there was a scrimmage here last night,” said Joe. The Brownbie party present consisted of the old man, Joe and Jack Brownbie, and Boscobel, Jerry keeping himself in the background because of his disfigurement. The sergeant, as he swallowed his food, acknowledged that he had heard something about -it. "And that's what brings you here," continued Joe. +it. “And that’s what brings you here,” continued Joe. -"There ain't nothing wrong here," said old Brownbie. +“There ain’t nothing wrong here,” said old Brownbie. -"I hope not, Mr. Brownbie," said the sergeant. "I hope not. We -haven't got any thing against you, at any rate." Sergeant Forrest was +“I hope not, Mr. Brownbie,” said the sergeant. “I hope not. We +haven’t got any thing against you, at any rate.” Sergeant Forrest was a graduate of Oxford, the son of an English clergyman, who, having his way to make in the world, had thought that an early fortune would be found in the colonies. He had come out, had failed, had suffered some very hard things, and now, at the age of thirty-five, enjoyed life thoroughly as a sergeant of the colonial police. -"You haven't got any thing against anybody here, I should think?" +“You haven’t got any thing against anybody here, I should think?” said Joe. -"If you want to get them as begun it," said Jack, "and them as ought -to be took up, you'll go to Gangoil." +“If you want to get them as begun it,” said Jack, “and them as ought +to be took up, you’ll go to Gangoil.” -"Hold your tongue, Jack," said his brother. "Sergeant Forrest knows -where to go better than you can tell him." +“Hold your tongue, Jack,” said his brother. “Sergeant Forrest knows +where to go better than you can tell him.” Then the sergeant asked a string of questions as to the nature of the fight; who had been hurt; and how badly had any body been hurt; and @@ -4012,82 +4001,82 @@ have been expected that they should have been explicit as to such a detail as that. Nor did they mention the names of either their brother George or Nokes. -"And who was there in the matter?" asked the sergeant. +“And who was there in the matter?” asked the sergeant. -"There was young Heathcote, and a boy he has got there, and the two +“There was young Heathcote, and a boy he has got there, and the two chaps as he calls boundary rulers, and Medlicot, the sugar fellow -from the mill, and a chap of Medlicot's I never set eyes on before. +from the mill, and a chap of Medlicot’s I never set eyes on before. They must have expected something to be up, or Heathcote would not -have been going about at night with a tribe of men like that." +have been going about at night with a tribe of men like that.” -"And who were your party?" +“And who were your party?” -"Well, there were just ourselves, four of us, for Georgie was here, -and this fellow Boscobel. Georgie never stays long, and he wouldn't -be welcome if he did. He turned up just by chance like, and now he's -off again." +“Well, there were just ourselves, four of us, for Georgie was here, +and this fellow Boscobel. Georgie never stays long, and he wouldn’t +be welcome if he did. He turned up just by chance like, and now he’s +off again.” -"That was all, eh?" +“That was all, eh?” Of course they all knew that the sergeant knew that Nokes had been -with them. "Well, then, that wasn't all," said old Brownbie. "Bill +with them. “Well, then, that wasn’t all,” said old Brownbie. “Bill Nokes was here, whom Heathcote dismissed ever so long ago, and that Chinese cook of his. He dismissed him too, I suppose. And he -dismissed Boscobel here." +dismissed Boscobel here.” -"No one can live at Gangoil any time," said Jack. "Every body knows -that. He wants to be lord a'mighty over every thing. But he ain't -going to be lord a'mighty at Boolabong." +“No one can live at Gangoil any time,” said Jack. “Every body knows +that. He wants to be lord a’mighty over every thing. But he ain’t +going to be lord a’mighty at Boolabong.” -"And he ain't going to burn our grass either," said Joe. "It's like -his impudence coming on to our ran and burning every thing before -him. He calls hisself a magistrate, but he's not to do just as he -pleases because he's a magistrate. I suppose we can swear against him -for lighting our grass, sergeant? There isn't one of us that didn't -see him do it." +“And he ain’t going to burn our grass either,” said Joe. “It’s like +his impudence coming on to our run and burning every thing before +him. He calls hisself a magistrate, but he’s not to do just as he +pleases because he’s a magistrate. I suppose we can swear against him +for lighting our grass, sergeant? There isn’t one of us that didn’t +see him do it.” -"And where is Nokes?" asked the sergeant, paying no attention to the +“And where is Nokes?” asked the sergeant, paying no attention to the application made by Mr. Brownbie, junior, for redress to himself. -"Well," said Joe, "Nokes isn't any where about Boolabong." +“Well,” said Joe, “Nokes isn’t any where about Boolabong.” -"He's away with your brother George?" +“He’s away with your brother George?” -"I shouldn't wonder," said Joe. +“I shouldn’t wonder,” said Joe. -"It's a serious matter lighting a fire, you know," said the sergeant. -"A man would have to swing for it." +“It’s a serious matter lighting a fire, you know,” said the sergeant. +“A man would have to swing for it.” -"Then why isn't young Heathcote to swing?" demanded Jack. +“Then why isn’t young Heathcote to swing?” demanded Jack. -"There is such a thing as intent, you know. When Heathcote lighted -the fire, where would the fire have gone if he hadn't kept putting it +“There is such a thing as intent, you know. When Heathcote lighted +the fire, where would the fire have gone if he hadn’t kept putting it out as fast as he kept lighting it? On to his own run, not to yours. And where would the other fire have gone which somebody lit, and -which nobody put out, if he hadn't been there to stop it? The less -you say against Heathcote the better. So Nokes is off, is he?" +which nobody put out, if he hadn’t been there to stop it? The less +you say against Heathcote the better. So Nokes is off, is he?” -"He ain't here, anyways," said Joe. "When the row was over, we -wouldn't let him in. We didn't want him about here." +“He ain’t here, anyways,” said Joe. “When the row was over, we +wouldn’t let him in. We didn’t want him about here.” -"I dare say not," said the sergeant. "Now let me go and see the spot -where the fight was." So the two policemen, with the two young +“I dare say not,” said the sergeant. “Now let me go and see the spot +where the fight was.” So the two policemen, with the two young Brownbies, rode away, leaving Boscobel with the old man. -"He knows every thing about it," said old Brownbie. +“He knows every thing about it,” said old Brownbie. -"If he do," said Boscobel, "it ain't no odds." +“If he do,” said Boscobel, “it ain’t no odds.” -"Not a ha'porth of odds," said Jerry, coming out of his hiding-place. -"Who cares what he knows? A man may do what he pleases on his own -run, I suppose." +“Not a ha’porth of odds,” said Jerry, coming out of his hiding-place. +“Who cares what he knows? A man may do what he pleases on his own +run, I suppose.” -"He mayn't light a fire as 'll spread," said the old man. +“He mayn’t light a fire as ’ll spread,” said the old man. -"Bother! Who's to prove what's in a man's mind? If I'd been Nokes, -I'd have staid and seen it out. I'd never be driven about the colony +“Bother! Who’s to prove what’s in a man’s mind? If I’d been Nokes, +I’d have staid and seen it out. I’d never be driven about the colony by such a fellow as Heathcote, with all the police in the world to -back him." +back him.” Sergeant Forrest inspected the ground on which the fire had raged, and the spot on which the men had met; but nothing came of his @@ -4096,50 +4085,50 @@ He could see exactly where the fire had commenced, and could trace the efforts that had been made to stop it. He did not in the least doubt the way in which it had been lit. But he did very much doubt whether a jury could find Nokes guilty, even if he could catch Nokes. -Jacko's evidence was worth nothing, and Mr. Medlicot might be easily +Jacko’s evidence was worth nothing, and Mr. Medlicot might be easily mistaken as to what he had seen at a distance in the middle of the night. -All this happened on Christmas-day. At about nine o'clock the same +All this happened on Christmas-day. At about nine o’clock the same evening the two constables re-appeared at Gangoil, and asked for hospitality for the night. This was a matter of course, and also the reproduction of the Christmas dinner. Mrs. Medlicot was now there, and her son, with his collar-bone set, had been allowed to come out on to the veranda. The house had already been supposed to be full, but room, as a matter of course, was made for Sergeant Forrest and -his man. "It's a queer sort of Christmas we've all been having, Mr. -Heathcote," said the sergeant, as the remnant of a real English +his man. “It’s a queer sort of Christmas we’ve all been having, Mr. +Heathcote,” said the sergeant, as the remnant of a real English plum-pudding was put between him and his man by Mrs. Growler. -"A little hotter than it is at home, eh?" +“A little hotter than it is at home, eh?” -"Indeed it is. You must have had it hot last night, Sir." +“Indeed it is. You must have had it hot last night, Sir.” -"Very hot, sergeant. We had to work uncommonly hard to do it as well -as we did." +“Very hot, sergeant. We had to work uncommonly hard to do it as well +as we did.” -"It was not a nice Christmas game, Sir, was it?" +“It was not a nice Christmas game, Sir, was it?” -"Eh, me!" said Mrs. Medlicot. "There's nae Christmas games or ony +“Eh, me!” said Mrs. Medlicot. “There’s nae Christmas games or ony games here at all, except just worrying and harrying, like sae many -dogs at each other's throats." +dogs at each other’s throats.” -"And you think nothing more can be done?" Harry asked. +“And you think nothing more can be done?” Harry asked. -"I don't think we shall catch the men. When they get out backward, -it's very hard to trace them. He's got a horse of his own with him, -and he'll be beyond reach of the police by this time to-morrow. -Indeed, he's beyond their reach now. However, you'll have got rid of -him." +“I don’t think we shall catch the men. When they get out backward, +it’s very hard to trace them. He’s got a horse of his own with him, +and he’ll be beyond reach of the police by this time to-morrow. +Indeed, he’s beyond their reach now. However, you’ll have got rid of +him.” -"But there are others as bad as he left behind. I wouldn't trust that -fellow Boscobel a yard." +“But there are others as bad as he left behind. I wouldn’t trust that +fellow Boscobel a yard.” -"He won't stir, Sir. He belongs to this country, and does not want to +“He won’t stir, Sir. He belongs to this country, and does not want to leave it. And when a thing has been tried like that and has failed, -the fellows don't try it again. They are cowed like by their own -failure. I don't think you need fear fire from the Boolabong side -again this summer." +the fellows don’t try it again. They are cowed like by their own +failure. I don’t think you need fear fire from the Boolabong side +again this summer.” After this the sergeant and his man discreetly allowed themselves to be put to bed in the back cottage; for in truth, when they arrived, @@ -4212,9 +4201,9 @@ the thing is very different. It may be that there is no young man available within fifty miles--no possible lover or future husband, unless Heaven should interfere almost with a miracle. To those to whom lovers are as plentiful as blackberries it may seem indelicate -to surmise that the thought of such a want should ever enter a girl's +to surmise that the thought of such a want should ever enter a girl’s head. I doubt whether the defined idea of any want had ever entered -poor Kate's head. But now that the possible lover was there--not only +poor Kate’s head. But now that the possible lover was there--not only possible, but very probable--and so eligible in many respects, living so close, with a house over his head and a good business; and then so handsome, and, as Kate thought, so complete a gentleman! Of course @@ -4230,111 +4219,111 @@ Late on in the day, when the doctor had gone, and Medlicot was, according to instructions, sitting out on the veranda in an armchair, and his mother was with him, and while Harry was sleeping as though he never meant to be awake again, Kate managed to say a few words to -her sister. It will be understood that the ladies' hands were by no +her sister. It will be understood that the ladies’ hands were by no means empty. The Christmas dinner was in course of preparation, and Sing Sing, that villainous Chinese cook, had absconded. Mrs. Growler, no doubt, did her best; but Mrs. Growler was old and slow, and the house was full of guests. It was by no means an idle time; but still Kate found an opportunity to say a word to her sister in the kitchen. -"What do you think of him, Mary?" +“What do you think of him, Mary?” -To the married sister "him" would naturally mean Harry Heathcote, of +To the married sister “him” would naturally mean Harry Heathcote, of whom, as he lay asleep, the young wife thought that he was the very perfection of patriarchal pastoral manliness; but she knew enough of -human nature to be aware that the "him" of the moment to her sister -was no longer her own husband. "I think he has got his arm broken +human nature to be aware that the “him” of the moment to her sister +was no longer her own husband. “I think he has got his arm broken fighting for Harry, and that we are bound to do the best we can for -him." +him.” -"Oh yes; that's of course. I'm sure Harry will feel that. He used, +“Oh yes; that’s of course. I’m sure Harry will feel that. He used, you know, to--to--that is, not just to like him, because he is a -free-selector." +free-selector.” -"They'll drop all that now. Of course they could not be expected to -know each other at the first starting. I shouldn't wonder if they -became regular friends." +“They’ll drop all that now. Of course they could not be expected to +know each other at the first starting. I shouldn’t wonder if they +became regular friends.” -"That would be nice! After all, though you may be so happy at home, -it is better to have something like a neighbor. Don't you think so?" +“That would be nice! After all, though you may be so happy at home, +it is better to have something like a neighbor. Don’t you think so?” -"It depends on who the neighbors are. I don't care much for the -Brownbies." +“It depends on who the neighbors are. I don’t care much for the +Brownbies.” -"They are quite different, Mary." +“They are quite different, Mary.” -"I like the Medlicots very much." +“I like the Medlicots very much.” -"I consider he's quite a gentleman," said Kate. +“I consider he’s quite a gentleman,” said Kate. -"Of course he's a gentleman. Look here, Kate--I shall be ready to +“Of course he’s a gentleman. Look here, Kate--I shall be ready to welcome Mr. Medlicot as a brother-in-law, if things should turn out -that way." +that way.” -"I didn't mean that, Mary." +“I didn’t mean that, Mary.” -"Did you not? Well, you can mean it if you please, as far as I am -concerned. Has he said any thing to you, dear?" +“Did you not? Well, you can mean it if you please, as far as I am +concerned. Has he said any thing to you, dear?” -"No." +“No.” -"Not a word?" +“Not a word?” -"I don't know what you call a word; not a word of that kind." +“I don’t know what you call a word; not a word of that kind.” -"I thought, perhaps--" +“I thought, perhaps--” -"I think he meant it once--this morning." +“I think he meant it once--this morning.” -"I dare say he meant it. And if he meant it this morning, he won't -have forgotten his meaning to-morrow." +“I dare say he meant it. And if he meant it this morning, he won’t +have forgotten his meaning to-morrow.” -"There's no reason why he should mean it, you know." +“There’s no reason why he should mean it, you know.” -"None in the least, Kate; is there?" +“None in the least, Kate; is there?” -"Now you're laughing at me, Mary. I never used to laugh at you when -Harry was coming. I was so glad, and I did every thing I could." +“Now you’re laughing at me, Mary. I never used to laugh at you when +Harry was coming. I was so glad, and I did every thing I could.” -"Yes, you went away and left us in the Botanical Gardens. I remember. +“Yes, you went away and left us in the Botanical Gardens. I remember. But, you see, there are no Botanical Gardens here; and the poor man -couldn't walk about if there were." +couldn’t walk about if there were.” -"I wonder what Harry would say if it were to be so." +“I wonder what Harry would say if it were to be so.” -"Of course he'd be glad--for your sake." +“Of course he’d be glad--for your sake.” -"But he does so despise free-selectors! And then he used to think -that Mr. Medlicot was quite as bad as the Brownbies. I wouldn't marry -any one to be despised by you and Harry." +“But he does so despise free-selectors! And then he used to think +that Mr. Medlicot was quite as bad as the Brownbies. I wouldn’t marry +any one to be despised by you and Harry.” -"That's all gone by, my dear," said the wife, feeling that she had to -apologize for her husband's prejudices. "Of course one has to find -out what people are before one takes them to one's bosom. Mr. +“That’s all gone by, my dear,” said the wife, feeling that she had to +apologize for her husband’s prejudices. “Of course one has to find +out what people are before one takes them to one’s bosom. Mr. Medlicot has acted in the most friendly way about these fires, and -I'm sure Harry will never despise him any more." +I’m sure Harry will never despise him any more.” -"He couldn't have done more for a real brother than have his arm -broken." +“He couldn’t have done more for a real brother than have his arm +broken.” -"But you must remember one thing, Kate, Mr. Medlicot is very nice, +“But you must remember one thing, Kate, Mr. Medlicot is very nice, and like a gentleman, and all that. Bat you never can be quite -certain about any man till he speaks out plainly. Don't set your -heart upon him till you are quite sure that he has set his upon you." +certain about any man till he speaks out plainly. Don’t set your +heart upon him till you are quite sure that he has set his upon you.” -"Oh no," said Kate, giving her maidenly assurance when it was so much +“Oh no,” said Kate, giving her maidenly assurance when it was so much too late! Just at this moment Mrs. Growler came into the kitchen, and -Kate's promises and her sister's cautions were for the moment +Kate’s promises and her sister’s cautions were for the moment silenced. -"How we're to manage to get the dinner on the table, I for one don't -know at all," said Mrs. Growler. "There's Mr. Bates'll be here; that -will be six of 'em; and that Mr. Medlicot will want somebody to do -every thing for him, because he's been and got hisself smashed. And -there's the old lady has just come out from home, and is as +“How we’re to manage to get the dinner on the table, I for one don’t +know at all,” said Mrs. Growler. “There’s Mr. Bates’ll be here; that +will be six of ’em; and that Mr. Medlicot will want somebody to do +every thing for him, because he’s been and got hisself smashed. And +there’s the old lady has just come out from home, and is as particular as any thing. And Mr. Harry himself never thinks of things -at all. One pair of hands, and them very old, can't do every thing -for every body." All of which was very well understood to mean +at all. One pair of hands, and them very old, can’t do every thing +for every body.” All of which was very well understood to mean nothing at all. Household deficiencies--and, indeed, all deficiencies--are @@ -4349,7 +4338,7 @@ crime. But the same guests shall be merry as the evening is long with a leg of mutton and whisky toddy, and will change their own plates, and clear their own table, and think nothing wrong, if from the beginning such has been the intention of the giver of the feast. In -spite of Mrs. Growler's prognostications, though the cook had +spite of Mrs. Growler’s prognostications, though the cook had absconded, and the chief guest of the occasion could not cut up his own meat, that Christmas dinner at Gangoil was eaten with great satisfaction. @@ -4359,14 +4348,14 @@ intended to ruin him, he had beaten off his enemies on their own ground, and he was no longer oppressed by that sense of desolation which had almost overpowered him. -"We'll give one toast, Mrs. Medlicot," he said, when Mrs. Growler and -Kate between them had taken away the relics of the plum-pudding. "Our -friends at home!" +“We’ll give one toast, Mrs. Medlicot,” he said, when Mrs. Growler and +Kate between them had taken away the relics of the plum-pudding. “Our +friends at home!” -The poor lady drank the toast with a sob. "That's vera weel for you, -Mr. Heathcote. You're young, and will win your way hame, and see auld -friends again, nae doubt; but I'll never see ane of them mair, except -those I have here." Nevertheless, the old lady ate her dinner and +The poor lady drank the toast with a sob. “That’s vera weel for you, +Mr. Heathcote. You’re young, and will win your way hame, and see auld +friends again, nae doubt; but I’ll never see ane of them mair, except +those I have here.” Nevertheless, the old lady ate her dinner and drank her toddy, and made much of the occasion, going in and out to her son upon the veranda. @@ -4377,8 +4366,8 @@ youngest boy in her lap, sat talking to Mrs. Medlicot in the parlor. Such was not her custom in weather such as this. Kate had been sent out on to the veranda, with special commands to attend to the wants of the sufferer, and Mrs. Heathcote would have followed her had she -not remembered her sister's appeal, "I did every thing I could for -you." +not remembered her sister’s appeal, “I did every thing I could for +you.” In those happy days Kate had been very good, and certainly deserved requital for her services. And therefore, when the men had gone out, @@ -4400,45 +4389,45 @@ altogether than feel the stain of such a suggestion on her own conscience. She put the glass of wine down on the little table by his side, and then attempted to withdraw. -"Stay a moment with me," he said. "Where are they all?" +“Stay a moment with me,” he said. “Where are they all?” -"Mary and your mother are inside. Harry and Mr. Bates have gone -across to look at the horses." +“Mary and your mother are inside. Harry and Mr. Bates have gone +across to look at the horses.” -"I almost feel as though I could walk, too." +“I almost feel as though I could walk, too.” -"You must not think of it yet, Mr. Medlicot. It seems almost a wonder -that you shouldn't have to be in bed, and you with your collar-bone -broken only last night! I don't know how you can bear it as you do." +“You must not think of it yet, Mr. Medlicot. It seems almost a wonder +that you shouldn’t have to be in bed, and you with your collar-bone +broken only last night! I don’t know how you can bear it as you do.” -"I shall be so glad I broke it, if one thing will come about." +“I shall be so glad I broke it, if one thing will come about.” -"What thing?" asked Kate, blushing. +“What thing?” asked Kate, blushing. -"Kate--may I call you Kate?" +“Kate--may I call you Kate?” -"I don't know," she said. +“I don’t know,” she said. -"You know I love you, do you not? You must know it. Dearest Kate, can -you love me and be my wife?" His left arm was bound up, and was in a +“You know I love you, do you not? You must know it. Dearest Kate, can +you love me and be my wife?” His left arm was bound up, and was in a sling, but he put out his right hand to take hers, if she would give it to him. Kate Daly had never had a lover before, and felt the occasion to be trying. She had no doubt about the matter. If it were only proper for her to declare herself, she could swear with a safe conscience that she loved him better than all the world. -"Put your hand here, Kate," he said. +“Put your hand here, Kate,” he said. As the request was not exactly for the gift of her hand, she placed it in his. -"May I keep it now?" +“May I keep it now?” She could only whisper something which was quite inaudible, even to him. -"I shall keep it, and think that you are all my own. Stoop down, -Kate, and kiss me, if you love me." +“I shall keep it, and think that you are all my own. Stoop down, +Kate, and kiss me, if you love me.” She hesitated for a moment, trying to collect her thoughts. She did love him, and was his own; still, to stoop and kiss a man who, if @@ -4451,7 +4440,7 @@ but yet half resisting as she bent, when, all suddenly, Harry Heathcote was on the veranda, followed by the two policemen, who had just returned from Boolabong. She was sure that Harry had seen her, and was by no means sure that she had been quick enough in escaping -from her lover's hand to have been unnoticed by the policemen also. +from her lover’s hand to have been unnoticed by the policemen also. She fled away as though guilty, and could hardly recover herself sufficiently to assist Mrs. Growler in producing the additional dinner which was required. @@ -4467,417 +4456,59 @@ wife was sitting over him. Then Giles Medlicot, who was not quite contented with the present condition of affairs, made a little speech. -"Mrs. Heathcote," he said, "I have asked your sister to marry me." +“Mrs. Heathcote,” he said, “I have asked your sister to marry me.” -"Dearie me, Giles," said Mrs. Medlicot. +“Dearie me, Giles,” said Mrs. Medlicot. Kate remained no longer half in and half out of the parlor, but retreated altogether and hid herself. Harry turned himself over on the rug, and looked up at his wife, claiming infinite credit in that he had foreseen that such a thing might happen. -"And what answer has she given you?" said Mrs. Heathcote. +“And what answer has she given you?” said Mrs. Heathcote. -"She hasn't given me any answer yet. I wonder what you and Heathcote -would say about it?" +“She hasn’t given me any answer yet. I wonder what you and Heathcote +would say about it?” -"What Kate has to say is much more important," replied the discreet +“What Kate has to say is much more important,” replied the discreet sister. -"I should like it of all things," said Harry, jumping up. "It's +“I should like it of all things,” said Harry, jumping up. “It’s always best to be open about these things. When you first came here, -I didn't like you. You took a bit of my river frontage--not that it +I didn’t like you. You took a bit of my river frontage--not that it does me any great harm--and then I was angry about that scoundrel -Nokes." +Nokes.” -"I was wrong about Nokes," said Medlicot, "and have, therefore, had -my collar-bone broken. As to the land, you'll forgive my having it if -Kate will come and live there?" +“I was wrong about Nokes,” said Medlicot, “and have, therefore, had +my collar-bone broken. As to the land, you’ll forgive my having it if +Kate will come and live there?” -"By George! I should think so.--Kate, why don't you come out? Come +“By George! I should think so.--Kate, why don’t you come out? Come along, my girl. Medlicot has spoken out openly, and you should answer -him in the same fashion." So saying, he dragged her forth, and I fear +him in the same fashion.” So saying, he dragged her forth, and I fear that, as far as she was concerned, something of the sweetness of her courtship was lost by the publicity with which she was forced to -confess her love. "Will you go, Kate, and make sugar down at the +confess her love. “Will you go, Kate, and make sugar down at the mill? I have often thought how bad it would be for Mary and me when -you were taken away; but we sha'n't mind it so much if we knew that -you are to be near us." +you were taken away; but we sha’n’t mind it so much if we knew that +you are to be near us.” -"Speak to him, Kate," said Mrs. Heathcote, with her arm round her -sister's waist. +“Speak to him, Kate,” said Mrs. Heathcote, with her arm round her +sister’s waist. -"I think she's minded to have him," said Mrs. Medlicot. +“I think she’s minded to have him,” said Mrs. Medlicot. -"Tell me, Kate--shall it be so?" pleaded the lover. +“Tell me, Kate--shall it be so?” pleaded the lover. She came up to him and leaned over him, and whispered one word which nobody else heard. But they all knew what the word was. And before they separated for the night she was left alone with him, and he got the kiss for which he was asking when the policemen interrupted them. -"That's what I call a happy Christmas," said Harry, as the party +“That’s what I call a happy Christmas,” said Harry, as the party finally parted for the night. -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HARRY HEATHCOTE OF GANGOIL*** - - -******* This file should be named 5642-0.txt or 5642-0.zip ******* - - -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/5/6/4/5642 - - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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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: Harry Heathcote of Gangoil - A Tale of Australian Bush-Life - - -Author: Anthony Trollope - - - -Release Date: August 3, 2002 [eBook #5642] -[Last updated: December 7, 2020] - - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - - -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HARRY HEATHCOTE OF GANGOIL*** +<div style='text-align:center'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 5642 ***</div> + <div class="chapter"> + <h1> + HARRY HEATHCOTE OF GANGOIL<br> + <span>A Tale of Australian Bush-Life.</span> + </h1> -E-text prepared by Nicole Apostola, Charles Franks, and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team + <p class="p140 center"> + By ANTHONY TROLLOPE, + </p> + <p class="center"> + Author of “The Warden”, “Barchester Towers,” “Orley Farm,” + “The Small House at Arlington”, “The Eustace Diamonds,” &c., &c. + </p> + </div> -HTML file produced by David Widger + <div class="chapter"> + <hr class="x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + <h2>CONTENTS</h2> + <table> + <tr> + <th class="tdr">CHAPTER</th> + <th class="tdl"></th> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">I.</td> + <td class="tdl"><a href="#link2HCH0001">GANGOIL.</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">II.</td> + <td class="tdl"><a href="#link2HCH0002">A NIGHT’S RIDE.</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">III.</td> + <td class="tdl"><a href="#link2HCH0003">MEDLICOT’S MILL.</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">IV.</td> + <td class="tdl"><a href="#link2HCH0004">HARRY HEATHCOTE’S APPEAL.</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">V.</td> + <td class="tdl"><a href="#link2HCH0005">BOSCOBEL.</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">VI.</td> + <td class="tdl"><a href="#link2HCH0006">THE BROWNBIES OF BOOLABONG.</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">VII.</td> + <td class="tdl"><a href="#link2HCH0007">“I WISH YOU’D LIKE ME.”</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">VIII.</td> + <td class="tdl"><a href="#link2HCH0008">“I DO WISH HE WOULD COME!”</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">IX.</td> + <td class="tdl"><a href="#link2HCH0009">THE BUSH FIGHT.</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">X.</td> + <td class="tdl"><a href="#link2HCH0010">HARRY HEATHCOTE RETURNS IN + TRIUMPH.</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">XI.</td> + <td class="tdl"><a href="#link2HCH0011">SERGEANT FORREST.</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">XII.</td> + <td class="tdl"><a href="#link2HCH0012">CONCLUSION.</a></td> + </tr> + </table> + </div> + <div class="chapter"> + <hr class="x-ebookmaker-drop" /> -</pre> - <div style="height: 8em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h1> - HARRY HEATHCOTE OF GANGOIA - </h1> - <h3> - Tale of Australian Bush-Life - </h3> - <h2> - By Anthony Trollope - </h2> - <p> - <br /> <br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <br /> <br /> - </p> - <p> - <b>CONTENTS</b> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2H_4_0001"> <b>HARRY HEATHCOTE</b> </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I. — GANGOIL. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II. — A NIGHT’S RIDE. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER III. — MEDLICOT’S MILL. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV. — HARRY HEATHCOTE’S - APPEAL. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V. — BOSCOBEL. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0006"> CHAPTER VI. — THE BROWNBIES OF BOOLABONG. - </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0007"> CHAPTER VII. — “I WISH YOU’D - LIKE ME.” </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER VIII. — “I DO WISH HE WOULD - COME!” </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0009"> CHAPTER IX. — THE BUSH FIGHT. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0010"> CHAPTER X. — HARRY HEATHCOTE RETURNS IN - TRIUMPH. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0011"> CHAPTER XI. — SERGEANT FORREST. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0012"> CHAPTER XII. — CONCLUSION. </a> - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h1> - HARRY HEATHCOTE - </h1> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER I. — GANGOIL. + <h2 id="link2HCH0001"> + CHAPTER I.<br> <span>GANGOIL.</span> </h2> + </div> <p> Just a fortnight before Christmas, 1871, a young man, twenty-four years of - age, returned home to his dinner about eight o’clock in the evening. - He was married, and with him and his wife lived his wife’s sister. + age, returned home to his dinner about eight o’clock in the evening. + He was married, and with him and his wife lived his wife’s sister. At that somewhat late hour he walked in among the two young women, and another much older woman who was preparing the table for dinner. The wife - and the wife’s sister each had a child in her lap, the elder having + and the wife’s sister each had a child in her lap, the elder having seen some fifteen months of its existence, and the younger three months. - “He has been out since seven, and I don’t think he’s had - a mouthful,” the wife had just said. “Oh, Harry, you must be - half starved,” she exclaimed, jumping up to greet him, and throwing + “He has been out since seven, and I don’t think he’s had + a mouthful,” the wife had just said. “Oh, Harry, you must be + half starved,” she exclaimed, jumping up to greet him, and throwing her arm round his bare neck. </p> <p> - “I’m about whole melted,” he said, as he kissed her. - “In the name of charity give me a nobbler. I did get a bit of damper - and a pannikin of tea up at the German’s hut; but I never was so hot - or so thirsty in my life. We’re going to have it in earnest this + “I’m about whole melted,” he said, as he kissed her. + “In the name of charity give me a nobbler. I did get a bit of damper + and a pannikin of tea up at the German’s hut; but I never was so hot + or so thirsty in my life. We’re going to have it in earnest this time. Old Bates says that when the gum leaves crackle, as they do now, - before Christmas, there won’t be a blade of grass by the end of - February.” + before Christmas, there won’t be a blade of grass by the end of + February.” </p> <p> - “I hate Old Bates,” said the wife. “He always prophesies - evil, and complains about his rations.” + “I hate Old Bates,” said the wife. “He always prophesies + evil, and complains about his rations.” </p> <p> - “He knows more about sheep than any man this side of the Mary,” + “He knows more about sheep than any man this side of the Mary,” said her husband. From all this I trust the reader will understand that the Christmas to which he is introduced is not the Christmas with which he - is intimate on this side of the equator—a Christmas of blazing fires - in-doors, and of sleet amid snow and frost outside—but the Christmas + is intimate on this side of the equator—a Christmas of blazing fires + in-doors, and of sleet amid snow and frost outside—but the Christmas of Australia, in which happy land the Christmas fires are apt to be - lighted—or to light themselves—when they are by no means + lighted—or to light themselves—when they are by no means needed. </p> <p> @@ -246,7 +199,7 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger Gangoil could do all that. Men said of him that he was too imperious, too masterful, too much inclined to think that all things should be made to go as he would have them. Young as he was, he had been altogether his own - master since he was of age—and not only his own master, but the + master since he was of age—and not only his own master, but the master also of all with whom he was brought into contact from day to day. In his life he conversed but seldom with any but those who were dependent on him, nor had he done so for the last three years. At an age at which @@ -271,7 +224,7 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger smile, but ever carrying in his countenance marks of what his enemies called pig-headedness, his acquaintances obstinacy, and those who loved him firmness. His acquaintances were, perhaps, right, for he certainly was - obstinate. He would take no man’s advice, he would submit himself to + obstinate. He would take no man’s advice, he would submit himself to no man, and in the conduct of his own business preferred to trust to his own insight than to the experience of others. It would sometimes occur that he had to pay heavily for his obstinacy. But, on the other hand, the @@ -282,8 +235,8 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger house was near the river Mary, and beyond the river his domain did not extend; but around him on his own side of the river he could ride for ten miles in each direction without getting off his own pastures. He was - master, as far as his mastership went, of 120,000 acres—almost an - English county—and it was the pride of his heart to put his foot off + master, as far as his mastership went, of 120,000 acres—almost an + English county—and it was the pride of his heart to put his foot off his own territory as seldom as possible. He sent his wool annually down to Brisbane, and received his stores, tea and sugar, flour and brandy, boots, clothes, tobacco, etc., once or twice a year from thence. But the traffic @@ -300,7 +253,7 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger He had married a fair girl, the orphan daughter of a bankrupt squatter whom he had met in Sydney, and had brought her and her sister into the Queensland bush with him. His wife idolized him. His sister-in-law, Kate - Daly, loved him dearly—as she had cause to do, for he had proved + Daly, loved him dearly—as she had cause to do, for he had proved himself to be a very brother to her; but she feared him also somewhat. The people about the Mary said that she was fairer and sweeter to look at even than the elder sister. Mrs. Heathcote was the taller of the two, and the @@ -310,66 +263,66 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger <p> When he had washed his hands and face, and had swallowed the very copious but weak allowance of brandy-and-water which his wife mixed for him, he - took the eldest boy on his lap and fondled him. “By George!” - he said, “old fellow, you sha’n’t be a squatter.” + took the eldest boy on his lap and fondled him. “By George!” + he said, “old fellow, you sha’n’t be a squatter.” </p> <p> - “Why not, Harry?” asked his wife. + “Why not, Harry?” asked his wife. </p> <p> - “Because I don’t want him to break his heart every day of his - life.” + “Because I don’t want him to break his heart every day of his + life.” </p> <p> - “Are you always breaking yours? I thought your heart was pretty well - hardened now.” + “Are you always breaking yours? I thought your heart was pretty well + hardened now.” </p> <p> - “When a man talks of his heart, you and Kate are thinking of loves - and doves, of course.” + “When a man talks of his heart, you and Kate are thinking of loves + and doves, of course.” </p> <p> - “I wasn’t thinking of loves and doves, Harry,” said - Kate. “I was thinking how very hot it must have been to-day. We - could only bear it in the veranda by keeping the blinds always wet. I don’t - wonder that you were troubled.” + “I wasn’t thinking of loves and doves, Harry,” said + Kate. “I was thinking how very hot it must have been to-day. We + could only bear it in the veranda by keeping the blinds always wet. I don’t + wonder that you were troubled.” </p> <p> - “That comes from heaven or Providence, or from something that one + “That comes from heaven or Providence, or from something that one knows to be unassailable, and therefore one can put up with it. Even if one gets a sun-stroke one does not complain. The sun has a right to be - there, and is no interloper, like a free-selector. I can’t + there, and is no interloper, like a free-selector. I can’t understand why free-selectors and mosquitoes should have been introduced - into the arrangements of the world.” + into the arrangements of the world.” </p> <p> - “I s’pose the poor must live somewheres, and ‘squiters - too,” said Mrs. Growler, the old maid-servant, as she put a boiled - leg of mutton on the table. “Now, Mr. Harry, if you’re - hungered, there’s something for you to eat in spite of the - free-selectors.” + “I s’pose the poor must live somewheres, and ’squiters + too,” said Mrs. Growler, the old maid-servant, as she put a boiled + leg of mutton on the table. “Now, Mr. Harry, if you’re + hungered, there’s something for you to eat in spite of the + free-selectors.” </p> <p> - “Mrs. Growler,” said the master, “excuse me for saying - that you jump to conclusions.” + “Mrs. Growler,” said the master, “excuse me for saying + that you jump to conclusions.” </p> <p> - “My jumping is pretty well-nigh done,” said the old woman. + “My jumping is pretty well-nigh done,” said the old woman. </p> <p> - “By no means. I find that old people can jump quite as briskly as + “By no means. I find that old people can jump quite as briskly as young. You have rebuked me under the impression that I was grudging something to the poor. Let me explain to you that a free-selector may be, and very often is, a rich man. He whom I had in my mind is not a poor man, - though I won’t swear but what he will be before a year is over.” + though I won’t swear but what he will be before a year is over.” </p> <p> - “I know who you mean, Mr. Harry; you mean the Medlicots. A very nice + “I know who you mean, Mr. Harry; you mean the Medlicots. A very nice gentleman is Mr. Medlicot, and a very nice old lady is Mrs. Medlicot. And - a deal of good they’re going to do, by all accounts.” + a deal of good they’re going to do, by all accounts.” </p> <p> - “Now, Mrs. Growler, that will do,” said the wife. + “Now, Mrs. Growler, that will do,” said the wife. </p> <p> The dinner consisted of a boiled leg of mutton, a large piece of roast @@ -379,38 +332,38 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger Heathcote had sat down just as he had entered the room. </p> <p> - “I know you are tired to death,” said his wife, “when I - see you eat your dinner like that.” + “I know you are tired to death,” said his wife, “when I + see you eat your dinner like that.” </p> <p> - “It isn’t being tired, Mary; I’m not particularly tired. - But I must be off again in about an hour.” + “It isn’t being tired, Mary; I’m not particularly tired. + But I must be off again in about an hour.” </p> <p> - “Out again to-night?” + “Out again to-night?” </p> <p> - “Yes, indeed.” + “Yes, indeed.” </p> <p> - “On horseback?” + “On horseback?” </p> <p> - “How else? Old Bates and Mickey are in their saddles still. I don’t - want to have my fences burned as soon as they’re put up. It’s + “How else? Old Bates and Mickey are in their saddles still. I don’t + want to have my fences burned as soon as they’re put up. It’s a ticklish thing to think that a spark of fire any where about the place might ruin me, and to know at the same time that every man about the run and every swagsman that passes along have matches in their pocket. There - isn’t a pipe lighted on Gangoil this time of the year that mightn’t - make a beggar of you and me. That’s another reason why I wouldn’t - have the young un a squatter.” + isn’t a pipe lighted on Gangoil this time of the year that mightn’t + make a beggar of you and me. That’s another reason why I wouldn’t + have the young un a squatter.” </p> <p> - “—I declare I think that squatters have more trouble than any - people in the world,” said Kate Daly. + “—I declare I think that squatters have more trouble than any + people in the world,” said Kate Daly. </p> <p> - “—Free-selectors have their own troubles too, Kate,” + “—Free-selectors have their own troubles too, Kate,” said he. </p> <p> @@ -424,46 +377,46 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger dangerously favorable; for in truth she had said no more than her sister. </p> <p> - “The Medlicots’ troubles will never trouble me, Harry,” + “The Medlicots’ troubles will never trouble me, Harry,” she said. </p> <p> - “I hope not, Kate; nor mine either more than we can help.” + “I hope not, Kate; nor mine either more than we can help.” </p> <p> - “But they do,” said Mary. “They trouble me, and her too, - very much.” + “But they do,” said Mary. “They trouble me, and her too, + very much.” </p> <p> - “A man’s back should be broad enough to bear all that for - himself,” said Harry. “I get ashamed of myself when I grumble, - and yet one seems to be surly if one doesn’t say what one’s - thinking.” + “A man’s back should be broad enough to bear all that for + himself,” said Harry. “I get ashamed of myself when I grumble, + and yet one seems to be surly if one doesn’t say what one’s + thinking.” </p> <p> - “I hope you’ll always tell me what you’re thinking, - dear.” + “I hope you’ll always tell me what you’re thinking, + dear.” </p> <p> - “Well, I suppose I shall—till this fellow is old enough to be - talked to, and to be made to bear the burden of his father’s care.” + “Well, I suppose I shall—till this fellow is old enough to be + talked to, and to be made to bear the burden of his father’s care.” </p> <p> - “By that time, Harry, you will have got rich, and we shall all be in - England, sha’n’t we?” + “By that time, Harry, you will have got rich, and we shall all be in + England, sha’n’t we?” </p> <p> - “I don’t know about being rich, but we shall have been - free-selected off Gangoil.—Now, Mrs. Growler, we’ve done - dinner, and I’ll have a pipe before I make another start. Is Jacko - in the kitchen? Send him through to me on to the veranda.” + “I don’t know about being rich, but we shall have been + free-selected off Gangoil.—Now, Mrs. Growler, we’ve done + dinner, and I’ll have a pipe before I make another start. Is Jacko + in the kitchen? Send him through to me on to the veranda.” </p> <p> - Gangoil was decidedly in the bush—according to common Australian + Gangoil was decidedly in the bush—according to common Australian parlance, all sheep stations are in the bush, even though there should not be a tree or shrub within sight. They who live away from the towns live a - “bush life.” Small towns, as they grow up, are called bush - towns, as we talk of country towns. The “bush,” indeed, is the + “bush life.” Small towns, as they grow up, are called bush + towns, as we talk of country towns. The “bush,” indeed, is the country generally. But the Heathcotes lived absolutely and actually in the bush. There are Australian pastures which consist of plains on which not a tree is to be seen for miles; but others are forests, so far extending @@ -474,17 +427,17 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger portions were open, without any under-wood, between which the sheep could wander at their will, and men could ride, with a sparse surface of coarse grass, which after rain would be luxuriant, but in hot weather would be - scorched down to the ground. At such times—and those times were by - far the more common—a stranger would wonder where the sheep would + scorched down to the ground. At such times—and those times were by + far the more common—a stranger would wonder where the sheep would find their feed. Immediately round the house, or station, as it was called, about one hundred acres had been cleared, or nearly cleared, with a few trees left here and there for ornament or shade. Further afield, but still round the home quarters, the trees had been destroyed, the run of - the sap having been stopped by “ringing” the bark; but they + the sap having been stopped by “ringing” the bark; but they still stood like troops of skeletons, and would stand, very ugly to look at, till they fell, in the course of nature, by reason of their own - rottenness. There was a man always at work about the place—Boscobel - he was called—whose sole business was to destroy the timber after + rottenness. There was a man always at work about the place—Boscobel + he was called—whose sole business was to destroy the timber after this fashion, so that the air might get through to the grasses, and that the soil might be relieved from the burden of nurturing the forest trees. </p> @@ -516,14 +469,14 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger veranda which ran along the front and two ends of the house. It was twelve feet broad, and, of course, of great length. Here was clustered the rocking-chairs, and sofas, and work-tables, and very often the cradle of - the family. Here stood Mrs. Heathcote’s sewing-machine, and here the - master would sprawl at his length, while his wife, or his wife’s + the family. Here stood Mrs. Heathcote’s sewing-machine, and here the + master would sprawl at his length, while his wife, or his wife’s sister, read to him. It was here, in fact, that they lived, having a parlor simply for their meals. Behind the main edifice there stood, each apart, various buildings, forming an irregular quadrangle. The kitchen came first, with a small adjacent chamber in which slept the Chinese man-cook, Sing Sing, as he had come to be called; then the cottage, - consisting also of three rooms and a small veranda, in which lived Harry’s + consisting also of three rooms and a small veranda, in which lived Harry’s superintendent, commonly known as Old Bates, a man who had been a squatter once himself, and having lost his all in bad times, now worked for a small salary. In the cottage two of the rooms were devoted to hospitality when, @@ -535,22 +488,22 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger custom for half a day twice a week. The exigencies of the station did not allow of this regularity; but after some fashion the shop was maintained. Tea was to be bought there, and sugar, tobacco, and pickles, jam, nails, - boots, hats, flannel shirrs, and mole-skin trowsers. Any body who came + boots, hats, flannel shirts, and mole-skin trowsers. Any body who came might buy, but the intention was to provide the station hands, who would otherwise have had to go or send thirty miles for the supply of their wants. Very little money was taken here, generally none. But the quantity of pickles, jam, and tobacco sold was great. The men would consume large quantities of these bush delicacies, and the cost would be deducted from their wages. The tea and sugar, and flour also, were given out weekly, as - rations—so much a week—and meat was supplied to them after the + rations—so much a week—and meat was supplied to them after the same fashion. For it was the duty of this young autocratic patriarch to find provisions for all who were employed around him. For such luxuries as jam and tobacco the men paid themselves. </p> <p> On the fourth side of the quadrangle was a rough coach-house, and rougher - stables. The carriage part of the establishment consisted of two “buggies”—so - called always in the bush—open carriages on four wheels, one of + stables. The carriage part of the establishment consisted of two “buggies”—so + called always in the bush—open carriages on four wheels, one of which was intended to hold two and the other four sitters. A Londoner looking at them would have declared them to be hopeless ruins; but Harry Heathcote still made wonderful journeys in them, taking care generally @@ -563,11 +516,11 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger handiness, was generally hitched to a post outside the kitchen door. Harry was proud of his horses, and was sometimes heard to say that few men in England had a lot of thirty at hand as he had, out of which so many would - be able to carry a man eighty miles in eight hours at a moment’s + be able to carry a man eighty miles in eight hours at a moment’s notice. But his stable arrangements would not have commanded respect in - the “Shires.” The animals were never groomed, never fed, and + the “Shires.” The animals were never groomed, never fed, and many of them never shod. They lived upon grass, and, Harry always said, - “cut their own bread-and-butter for themselves.” + “cut their own bread-and-butter for themselves.” </p> <p> Gangoil was certainly very pretty. The veranda was covered in with striped @@ -576,7 +529,7 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger something of the protection of an inclosed room. Up all the posts there were flowering creepers, which covered the front with greenery even when the flowers were wanting. From the front of the house down to the creek - there was a pleasant failing garden—heart-breaking, indeed, in + there was a pleasant failing garden—heart-breaking, indeed, in regard to vegetables, for the opossums always came first, and they who followed the opossums got but little. But the garden gave a pleasant home-like look to the place, and was very dear to Harry, who was, perhaps, @@ -598,73 +551,67 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger While he was speaking, a rough-looking lad, about sixteen years of age, came through the parlor to the veranda, dressed very much like his master, but unwashed, uncombed, and with that wild look which falls upon those who - wander about the Australian plains, living a nomad life. This was Jacko—so - called, and no one knew him by any other name—a lad whom Heathcote + wander about the Australian plains, living a nomad life. This was Jacko—so + called, and no one knew him by any other name—a lad whom Heathcote had picked up about six months since, and who had become a favorite. - “The old woman says as you was wanting me?” suggested Jacko. - “Going to be fine to-night, Jacko?” + “The old woman says as you was wanting me?” suggested Jacko. + “Going to be fine to-night, Jacko?” </p> <p> - Jacko went to the edge of the veranda and looked up to the sky. “My - word! little squall a-coming,” he said. + Jacko went to the edge of the veranda and looked up to the sky. “My + word! little squall a-coming,” he said. </p> <p> - “I wish it would come from ten thousand buckets,” said the + “I wish it would come from ten thousand buckets,” said the master. </p> <p> - “No buckets at all,” said Jacko. “Want the horses, - master?” - </p> - <p> - “Of course. I want the horses, and I want you to come with me. There - are two horses saddled there; I’ll ride Hamlet.” + “No buckets at all,” said Jacko. “Want the horses, + master?” </p> <p> - <br /><br /> + “Of course. I want the horses, and I want you to come with me. There + are two horses saddled there; I’ll ride Hamlet.” </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER II. — A NIGHT’S RIDE. + + <div class="chapter"> + <hr class="x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + <h2 id="link2HCH0002"> + CHAPTER II.<br> <span>A NIGHT’S RIDE.</span> </h2> + </div> <p> - Harry jumped from the ground, kissed his wife, called her “old girl,” + Harry jumped from the ground, kissed his wife, called her “old girl,” and told her to be happy, and got on his horse at the garden gate. Both - the ladies came off the veranda to see him start. “It’s as - dark as pitch,” said Kate Daly. + the ladies came off the veranda to see him start. “It’s as + dark as pitch,” said Kate Daly. </p> <p> - “That’s because you have just come out of the light.” + “That’s because you have just come out of the light.” </p> <p> - “But it is dark—quite dark. You won’t be late, will you?” + “But it is dark—quite dark. You won’t be late, will you?” said the wife. </p> <p> - “I can’t be very early, as it’s near ten now. I shall be - back about twelve.” So saying, he broke at once into a gallop, and + “I can’t be very early, as it’s near ten now. I shall be + back about twelve.” So saying, he broke at once into a gallop, and vanished into the night, his young groom scampering after him. </p> <p> - “Why should he go out now?” Kate said to her sister. + “Why should he go out now?” Kate said to her sister. </p> <p> - “He is afraid of fire.” + “He is afraid of fire.” </p> <p> - “But he can’t prevent the fires by riding about in the dark. I - suppose the fires come from the heat.” + “But he can’t prevent the fires by riding about in the dark. I + suppose the fires come from the heat.” </p> <p> - “He thinks they come from enemies, and he has heard something. One + “He thinks they come from enemies, and he has heard something. One wretched man may do so much when every thing is dried to tinder. I do so - wish it would rain.” + wish it would rain.” </p> <p> The night, in truth, was very dark. It was now midsummer, at which time @@ -676,23 +623,23 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger track was just visible, the trees being dead and the spaces open. About half a mile from the house, while they were still in the horse paddock, Harry turned from the track, and Jacko, of course, turned with him. - “You can sit your horse jumping, Jacko?” he asked. + “You can sit your horse jumping, Jacko?” he asked. </p> <p> - “My word! jump like glory,” answered Jacko. He was soon tried. - Harry rode at the bush fence—which was not, indeed, much of a fence, - made of logs lengthways and crossways, about three feet and a half high—and + “My word! jump like glory,” answered Jacko. He was soon tried. + Harry rode at the bush fence—which was not, indeed, much of a fence, + made of logs lengthways and crossways, about three feet and a half high—and went over it. Jacko followed him, rushing his horse at the leap, losing - his seat and almost falling over the animal’s shoulders as he came - to the ground. “My word!” said Jacko, just saving himself by a - scramble; “who ever saw the like of that?” + his seat and almost falling over the animal’s shoulders as he came + to the ground. “My word!” said Jacko, just saving himself by a + scramble; “who ever saw the like of that?” </p> <p> - “Why don’t you sit in your saddle, you stupid young duffer?” + “Why don’t you sit in your saddle, you stupid young duffer?” </p> <p> - “Sit in my saddle! Why don’t he jump proper? Well, you go on. - I don’t know that I’m a duffer. Duffer, indeed! My word!” + “Sit in my saddle! Why don’t he jump proper? Well, you go on. + I don’t know that I’m a duffer. Duffer, indeed! My word!” Heathcote had turned to the left, leaving the track, which was, indeed, the main road toward the nearest town and the coast, and was now pushing on through the forest with no pathway at all to guide him. To ordinary @@ -704,28 +651,28 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger home, and went forward through the thick gloom without a doubt, Jacko following him faithfully. In about half an hour they came to another fence, but now it was too absolutely dark for jumping. Harry had not seen - it till he was close to it, and then he pulled up his horse. “My - word! why don’t you jump away, Mr. Harry? Who’s a duffer now?” + it till he was close to it, and then he pulled up his horse. “My + word! why don’t you jump away, Mr. Harry? Who’s a duffer now?” </p> <p> - “Hold your tongue, or I’ll put my whip across your back. Get - down and help me pull a log away. The horses couldn’t see where to - put their feet.” Jacko did as he was bid, and worked hard, but still + “Hold your tongue, or I’ll put my whip across your back. Get + down and help me pull a log away. The horses couldn’t see where to + put their feet.” Jacko did as he was bid, and worked hard, but still grumbled at having been called a duffer. The animals were quickly led over, the logs were replaced, and the two were again galloping through the forest. </p> <p> - “I thought you were making for the wool-shed,” said Jacko. + “I thought you were making for the wool-shed,” said Jacko. </p> <p> - “We’re eight miles beyond the wool-shed,” said Harry. + “We’re eight miles beyond the wool-shed,” said Harry. They had now crossed another paddock, and had come to the extreme fence on the run. The Gangoil pastures extended much further, but in that direction had not as yet been inclosed. Here they both got off their horses and walked along the fence till they came to an opening, with a slip panel, or - movable bars, which had been Heathcote’s intended destination. - “Hold the horses, Jacko, till I come back,” he said. + movable bars, which had been Heathcote’s intended destination. + “Hold the horses, Jacko, till I come back,” he said. </p> <p> Jacko, when alone, nothing daunted by the darkness or solitude, seated @@ -733,8 +680,8 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger tobacco was ignited he dropped the match on the dry grass at his feet, and a little flame instantly sprang up. The boy waited a few seconds till the flames began to run, and then putting his feet together on the ground - stamped out the incipient fire. “My word!” said Jacko to - himself, “it’s easy done, anyway.” + stamped out the incipient fire. “My word!” said Jacko to + himself, “it’s easy done, anyway.” </p> <p> Harry went on to the left for about half a mile, and then stood leaning @@ -743,13 +690,13 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger knew well, had been cultivated and was covered with sugar-canes. Where he stood he was not distant above a quarter of a mile from the river, and the field before him ran down to the banks. This was the selected land of - Giles Medlicot—two years since a portion of his own run, which had - now been purchased from the government—for the loss of which he had + Giles Medlicot—two years since a portion of his own run, which had + now been purchased from the government—for the loss of which he had received and was entitled to receive no compensation. And the matter was made worse for him by the fact that the interloper had come between him and the river. But he was not standing here near midnight merely to exercise his wrath by straining his eyes through the darkness at his - neighbor’s crops. He put his finger into his mouth to wet it, and + neighbor’s crops. He put his finger into his mouth to wet it, and then held it up that he might discover which way the light breath of wind was coming. There was still the low moan to be heard continually through the forest, and yet not a leaf seemed to be moved. After a while he @@ -758,130 +705,130 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger whence the noise came. </p> <p> - “Who’s that?” he said, as he saw the figure of a man + “Who’s that?” he said, as he saw the figure of a man standing on his side of the fence, and leaning against it, with a pipe in his month. </p> <p> - “Who are you?” replied the man on the fence. “My name is - Medlicot.” + “Who are you?” replied the man on the fence. “My name is + Medlicot.” </p> <p> - “Oh, Mr. Medlicot, is it?” + “Oh, Mr. Medlicot, is it?” </p> <p> - “Is that Mr. Heathcote? Good-night, Mr. Heathcote. You are going - about at a late hour of the night.” + “Is that Mr. Heathcote? Good-night, Mr. Heathcote. You are going + about at a late hour of the night.” </p> <p> - “I have to go about early and late; but I ain’t later than - you.” + “I have to go about early and late; but I ain’t later than + you.” </p> <p> - “I’m close at home,” said Medlicot. + “I’m close at home,” said Medlicot. </p> <p> - “I am, at any rate, on my own run,” said Harry. + “I am, at any rate, on my own run,” said Harry. </p> <p> - “You mean to say that I am trespassing?” said the other; - “because I can very soon jump back over the fence.” + “You mean to say that I am trespassing?” said the other; + “because I can very soon jump back over the fence.” </p> <p> - “I didn’t mean that at all, Mr. Medlicot; any body is welcome - on my run, night or day, who knows how to behave himself.” + “I didn’t mean that at all, Mr. Medlicot; any body is welcome + on my run, night or day, who knows how to behave himself.” </p> <p> - “I hope I’m included in that list.” + “I hope I’m included in that list.” </p> <p> - “Just so; of course. Considering the state that every thing is in, + “Just so; of course. Considering the state that every thing is in, and all the damage that a fire would do, I rather wish that people would - be a little more careful about smoking.” + be a little more careful about smoking.” </p> <p> - “My canes, Mr. Heathcote, would burn quite as quickly as your grass.” + “My canes, Mr. Heathcote, would burn quite as quickly as your grass.” </p> <p> - “It is not only the grass. I’ve a hundred miles of fencing on + “It is not only the grass. I’ve a hundred miles of fencing on the run which is as dry as tinder, not to talk of the station and the - wool-shed.” + wool-shed.” </p> <p> - “They sha’n’t suffer from my neglect, Mr. Heathcote.” + “They sha’n’t suffer from my neglect, Mr. Heathcote.” </p> <p> - “You have men about who mayn’t be so careful. The wind, such + “You have men about who mayn’t be so careful. The wind, such as it is, is coming right across from your place. If there were light enough, I could show you three or four patches where there has been fire within half a mile of this spot. There was a log burning there for two or - three days, not long ago, which was lighted by one of our men.” + three days, not long ago, which was lighted by one of our men.” </p> <p> - “That was a fortnight since. There was no heat then, and the men - were boiling their kettle. I spoke about it.” + “That was a fortnight since. There was no heat then, and the men + were boiling their kettle. I spoke about it.” </p> <p> - “A log like that, Mr. Medlicot, will burn for weeks sometimes. I’ll - tell you fairly what I’m afraid of. There’s a man with you + “A log like that, Mr. Medlicot, will burn for weeks sometimes. I’ll + tell you fairly what I’m afraid of. There’s a man with you whom I turned out of the shed last shearing, and I think he might put a - match down—not by accident.” + match down—not by accident.” </p> <p> - “You mean Nokes. As far as I know, he’s a decent man. You - wouldn’t have me not employ a man just because you had dismissed - him?” + “You mean Nokes. As far as I know, he’s a decent man. You + wouldn’t have me not employ a man just because you had dismissed + him?” </p> <p> - “Certainly not; that is, I shouldn’t think of dictating to you - about such a thing.” + “Certainly not; that is, I shouldn’t think of dictating to you + about such a thing.” </p> <p> - “Well, no, Mr. Heathcote, I suppose not. Nokes has got to earn his - bread, though you did dismiss him. I don’t know that he’s not - as honest a man as you or I.” + “Well, no, Mr. Heathcote, I suppose not. Nokes has got to earn his + bread, though you did dismiss him. I don’t know that he’s not + as honest a man as you or I.” </p> <p> - “If so, there’s three of us very bad; that’s all, Mr. - Medlicot. Good-night; and if you’ll trouble yourself to look after - the ash of your tobacco it might be the saving of me and all I have.” + “If so, there’s three of us very bad; that’s all, Mr. + Medlicot. Good-night; and if you’ll trouble yourself to look after + the ash of your tobacco it might be the saving of me and all I have.” So saying, he turned round, and made his way back to the horses. </p> <p> Medlicot had placed himself on the fence during the interview, and he still kept his seat. Of course he was now thinking of the man who had just left him, whom he declared to himself to be an ignorant, prejudiced, - ill-constituted cur. “I believe in his heart he thinks that I’m - going to set fire to his run,” he said, almost aloud. “And + ill-constituted cur. “I believe in his heart he thinks that I’m + going to set fire to his run,” he said, almost aloud. “And because he grows wool he thinks himself above every body in the colony. He occupies thousands of acres, and employs three or four men. I till about two hundred, and maintain thirty families. But he is such a pig that he - can’t understand all that; and he thinks that I must be something - low because I’ve bought with my own money a bit of land which never - belonged to him, and which he couldn’t use.” Such was the - nature of Giles Medlicot’s soliloquy as he sat swinging his legs, + can’t understand all that; and he thinks that I must be something + low because I’ve bought with my own money a bit of land which never + belonged to him, and which he couldn’t use.” Such was the + nature of Giles Medlicot’s soliloquy as he sat swinging his legs, and still smoking his pipe, on the fence which divided his sugar-cane from - the other young man’s run. + the other young man’s run. </p> <p> - And Harry Heathcote uttered his soliloquy also. “I wouldn’t - swear that he wouldn’t do it himself, after all;” meaning that + And Harry Heathcote uttered his soliloquy also. “I wouldn’t + swear that he wouldn’t do it himself, after all;” meaning that he almost suspected that Medlicot himself would be an incendiary. To him, in his way of thinking, a man who would take advantage of the law to buy a - bit of another man’s land—or become a free-selector, as the - term goes—was a public enemy, and might be presumed capable of any - iniquity. It was all very well for the girls—meaning his wife and - sister-in-law—to tell him that Medlicot had the manners of a + bit of another man’s land—or become a free-selector, as the + term goes—was a public enemy, and might be presumed capable of any + iniquity. It was all very well for the girls—meaning his wife and + sister-in-law—to tell him that Medlicot had the manners of a gentleman and had come of decent people. Women were always soft enough to be taken by soft hands, a good-looking face, and a decent coat. This Medlicot went about dressed like a man in the towns, exhibiting, as Harry thought, a contemptible, unmanly finery. Of what use was it to tell him that Medlicot was a gentleman? What Harry knew was that since Medlicot had come he had lost his sheep, that the heads of three or four had been found - buried on Medlicot’s side of his run, and that if he dismissed - “a hand,” Medlicot employed him—a proceeding which, in - Harry Heathcote’s aristocratic and patriarchal views of life, was - altogether ungentleman-like. How were the “hands” to be kept + buried on Medlicot’s side of his run, and that if he dismissed + “a hand,” Medlicot employed him—a proceeding which, in + Harry Heathcote’s aristocratic and patriarchal views of life, was + altogether ungentleman-like. How were the “hands” to be kept in their place if one employer of labor did not back up another? </p> <p> @@ -893,57 +840,57 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger had told him that there would be fire about before long. </p> <p> - “Why should any one want to ruin me?” Harry had asked. “Did - I ever wrong a man of a shilling?” + “Why should any one want to ruin me?” Harry had asked. “Did + I ever wrong a man of a shilling?” </p> <p> The German had learned to know his young master, had made his way through - the crust of his master’s character, and was prepared to be faithful - at all points—though he too could have quarreled and have avenged + the crust of his master’s character, and was prepared to be faithful + at all points—though he too could have quarreled and have avenged himself had it not chanced that he had come to the point of loving instead of hating his employer. </p> <p> - “You like too much to be governor over all,” said the German, + “You like too much to be governor over all,” said the German, as he stooped over the fire in his own hut in his anxiety to boil the - water for Heathcote’s tea. + water for Heathcote’s tea. </p> <p> - “Somebody must be governor, or every thing would go to the devil,” + “Somebody must be governor, or every thing would go to the devil,” said Harry. </p> <p> - “Dat’s true—only fellows don’t like be made feel - it,” said the German, “Nokes, he was made feel it when you put - him over de gate.” + “Dat’s true—only fellows don’t like be made feel + it,” said the German, “Nokes, he was made feel it when you put + him over de gate.” </p> <p> But neither would Bates nor the German express absolute suspicion of any - man. That Medlicot’s “hands” at the sugar-mill were + man. That Medlicot’s “hands” at the sugar-mill were stealing his sheep Harry thought that he knew; but that was comparatively a small affair, and he would not have pressed it, as he was without absolute evidence. And even he had a feeling that it would be unwise to - increase the anger felt against himself—at any rate, during the + increase the anger felt against himself—at any rate, during the present heats. </p> <p> - Jacko had his pipe still alight when Heathcote returned. “You young - monkey,” said he, “have you been using matches?” + Jacko had his pipe still alight when Heathcote returned. “You young + monkey,” said he, “have you been using matches?” </p> <p> - “Why not, Mr. Harry? Don’t the grass burn ready, Mr. Harry? My - word!” Then Jacko stooped down, lit another match, and showed + “Why not, Mr. Harry? Don’t the grass burn ready, Mr. Harry? My + word!” Then Jacko stooped down, lit another match, and showed Heathcote the burned patch. </p> <p> - “Was it so when we came?” Harry asked, with emotion. Jacko, + “Was it so when we came?” Harry asked, with emotion. Jacko, still kneeling on the ground, and holding the lighted match in his hand, shook his head and tapped his breast, indicating that he had burned the - grass. “You dropped the match by accident?” + grass. “You dropped the match by accident?” </p> <p> - “My word! no. Did it o’ purpose to see. It’s all just - one as gunpowder, Mr. Harry.” + “My word! no. Did it o’ purpose to see. It’s all just + one as gunpowder, Mr. Harry.” </p> <p> Harry got on his horse without a word, and rode away through the forest, @@ -968,18 +915,18 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger illumined by a flash of lightning so near them that it made each of them start in his saddle, and made the horses shudder in every limb. Then came the roll of thunder immediately over their heads, and with the thunder - rain so thick and fast that Harry’s “ten thousand buckets” + rain so thick and fast that Harry’s “ten thousand buckets” seemed to be emptied directly over their heads. </p> <p> - “God A’mighty has put out the fires now,” said Jacko. + “God A’mighty has put out the fires now,” said Jacko. </p> <p> - Harry paused for a moment, feeling the rain through to his bones—for - he had nothing on over his shirt—and rejoicing in it. “Yes,” - he said; “we may go to bed for a week, and let the grass grow, and + Harry paused for a moment, feeling the rain through to his bones—for + he had nothing on over his shirt—and rejoicing in it. “Yes,” + he said; “we may go to bed for a week, and let the grass grow, and the creeks fill, and the earth cool. Half an hour like this over the whole - run, and there won’t be a dry stick on it.” + run, and there won’t be a dry stick on it.” </p> <p> As they went on, the horses splashed through the water. It seemed as @@ -987,16 +934,16 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger feet were becoming a lake. </p> <p> - “We might have too much of this, Jacko.” + “We might have too much of this, Jacko.” </p> <p> - “My word! yes.” + “My word! yes.” </p> <p> - “I don’t want to have the Mary flooded again.” + “I don’t want to have the Mary flooded again.” </p> <p> - “My word! no.” + “My word! no.” </p> <p> But by the time they reached the wool-shed it was over. From the first @@ -1016,10 +963,10 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger that his wool-shed was the best that had ever been built in this district. </p> <p> - “By Jimini! what’s that?” said Jacko. + “By Jimini! what’s that?” said Jacko. </p> <p> - “Did you hear any thing?” + “Did you hear any thing?” </p> <p> Jacko pointed with his finger down the centre walk of the shed, and Harry, @@ -1035,69 +982,63 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger have so delayed him as to give him no chance of success. </p> <p> - “I knew there was a fellow about,” he said; “one of our - own men would not have run like that.” + “I knew there was a fellow about,” he said; “one of our + own men would not have run like that.” </p> <p> Jacko shook his head, but did not speak. </p> <p> - “He has got in here for shelter out of the rain, but he was doing no - good about the place.” + “He has got in here for shelter out of the rain, but he was doing no + good about the place.” </p> <p> Jacko again shook his head. </p> <p> - “I wonder who he was?” + “I wonder who he was?” </p> <p> - Jacko came up and whispered in his ear, “Bill Nokes.” + Jacko came up and whispered in his ear, “Bill Nokes.” </p> <p> - “You couldn’t see him.” + “You couldn’t see him.” </p> <p> - “Seed the drag of his leg.” Now it was well known that the man + “Seed the drag of his leg.” Now it was well known that the man Nokes had injured some of his muscles, and habitually dragged one foot after another. </p> <p> - “I don’t think you could have been sure of him by such a - glimpse as that.” + “I don’t think you could have been sure of him by such a + glimpse as that.” </p> <p> - “Maybe not,” said the boy, “only I’m sure as sure.” + “Maybe not,” said the boy, “only I’m sure as sure.” </p> <p> Harry Heathcote said not another word, but getting again upon his horse, galloped home. It was past one when he reached the station, but the two girls were waiting up for him, and at once began to condole with him - because he was wet. “Wet!” said Harry; “if you could + because he was wet. “Wet!” said Harry; “if you could only know how much I prefer things being wet to dry just at present! But give Jacko some supper. I must keep that young fellow in good humor if I - can.” + can.” </p> <p> So Jacko had half a loaf of bread, and a small pot of jam, and a large jug of cold tea provided for him, in the enjoyment of which luxuries he did not seem to be in the least impeded by the fact that he was wet through to - the skin. Harry Heathcote had another nobbler—being only the second - in the day—and then went to bed. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> + the skin. Harry Heathcote had another nobbler—being only the second + in the day—and then went to bed. </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER III. — MEDLICOT’S MILL. + + <div class="chapter"> + <hr class="x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + <h2 id="link2HCH0003"> + CHAPTER III.<br> <span>MEDLICOT’S MILL.</span> </h2> + </div> <p> As Harry said, they might all now lie in bed for a day or two. The rain had set aside for the time the necessity for that urgent watchfulness @@ -1108,7 +1049,7 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger January, did not leave more than sufficient intervals for looking after the water-dams, making and mending fences, procuring stores, and attending to the ailments of the flocks. No man worked harder than the young - squatter. But now there had suddenly come a day or two of rest—rest + squatter. But now there had suddenly come a day or two of rest—rest from work which was not of itself productive, but only remedial, and which, therefore, was not begrudged. </p> @@ -1118,7 +1059,7 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger space of minutes. On the following morning the thirsty earth had apparently swallowed all the flood. The water in the creek beneath the house stood two feet higher than it had done, and Harry, when he visited - the dams round the run, found that they were fall to overflowing, and the + the dams round the run, found that they were full to overflowing, and the grasses were already springing, so quick is the all but tropical growth of the country. They might be safe, perhaps, for eight-and-forty hours. Fire would run only when the ground was absolutely dry, and when every twig or @@ -1127,47 +1068,47 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger </p> <p> On the day following the night of the ride Mrs. Heathcote suggested to her - husband that she and Kate should ride over to Medlicot’s Mill, as - the place was already named, and call on Mrs. Medlicot. “It isn’t - Christian,” she said, “for people living out in the bush as we - are to quarrel with their neighbors just because they are neighbors.” + husband that she and Kate should ride over to Medlicot’s Mill, as + the place was already named, and call on Mrs. Medlicot. “It isn’t + Christian,” she said, “for people living out in the bush as we + are to quarrel with their neighbors just because they are neighbors.” </p> <p> - “Neighbors!” said Harry; “I don’t know any word - that there’s so much humbug about. The Samaritan was the best + “Neighbors!” said Harry; “I don’t know any word + that there’s so much humbug about. The Samaritan was the best neighbor I ever heard of, and he lived a long way off, I take it. Anyway, - he wasn’t a free-selector.” + he wasn’t a free-selector.” </p> <p> - “Harry, that’s profane.” + “Harry, that’s profane.” </p> <p> - “Every thing I say is wicked. You can go, of course, if you like it. - I don’t want to quarrel with any body.” + “Every thing I say is wicked. You can go, of course, if you like it. + I don’t want to quarrel with any body.” </p> <p> - “Quarreling is so uncomfortable,” said his wife. + “Quarreling is so uncomfortable,” said his wife. </p> <p> - “That’s a matter of taste. There are people whom I find it - very comfortable to quarrel with. I shouldn’t at all like not to - quarrel with the Brownbies, and I’m not at all sure it mayn’t - come to be the same with Mr. Giles Medlicot.” + “That’s a matter of taste. There are people whom I find it + very comfortable to quarrel with. I shouldn’t at all like not to + quarrel with the Brownbies, and I’m not at all sure it mayn’t + come to be the same with Mr. Giles Medlicot.” </p> <p> - “The Brownbies live by sheep-stealing and horse-stealing.” + “The Brownbies live by sheep-stealing and horse-stealing.” </p> <p> - “And Medlicot means to live by employing sheep-stealers and - horse-stealers. You can go if you like it. You won’t want me to go - with you. Will you have the baggy?” + “And Medlicot means to live by employing sheep-stealers and + horse-stealers. You can go if you like it. You won’t want me to go + with you. Will you have the buggy?” </p> <p> But the ladies said that they would ride. The air was cooler now than it had been, and they would like the exercise. They would take Jacko with them to open the slip-rails, and they would be back by seven for dinner. So they started, taking the track by the wool-shed. The wool-shed was - about two miles from the station, and Medlicot’s Mill was seven + about two miles from the station, and Medlicot’s Mill was seven miles farther, on the bank of the river. </p> <p> @@ -1186,9 +1127,9 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger his mother to live with him. Hitherto he had hardly made himself popular. He was not either fish or fowl. The squatters regarded him as an interloper, and as a man holding opinions directly averse to their own - interests—in which they were right. And the small free-selectors, - who lived on the labor of their own hands—or, as was said of many of - them, by stealing sheep and cattle—knew well that he was not of + interests—in which they were right. And the small free-selectors, + who lived on the labor of their own hands—or, as was said of many of + them, by stealing sheep and cattle—knew well that he was not of their class. But Medlicot had gone his way steadfastly, if not happily, and complained aloud to no one in the midst of his difficulties. He had not, perhaps, found the Paradise which he had expected in Queensland, but @@ -1201,8 +1142,8 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger enterprise he had hoped to make this man his friend, not comprehending at first how great a cause for hostility was created by the very purchase of the land. He had been a new-comer from the old country, and, being alone, - had desired friendship. He was Harry Heathcote’s equal in education, - intelligence, and fortune, if not in birth—which surely, in the + had desired friendship. He was Harry Heathcote’s equal in education, + intelligence, and fortune, if not in birth—which surely, in the Australian bush, need not count for much. He had assumed, when first meeting the squatter, that good-fellowship between them, on equal terms, would be acceptable to both; but his overtures had been coldly received. @@ -1210,22 +1151,22 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger ignorant ass, and had unconsciously made up his mind to commence hostilities. It was in this spirit that he had taken Nokes into his mill, of whose character, had he inquired about it, he would certainly have - heard no good. He had now brought his mother to Medlicot’s Mill. She + heard no good. He had now brought his mother to Medlicot’s Mill. She and the Gangoil ladies had met each other on neutral ground, and it was almost necessary that they should either be friends or absolute enemies. Mrs. Heathcote had been aware of this, and had declared that enmity was horrible. </p> <p> - “Upon my word,” said Harry, “I sometimes think that - friendship is more so. I suppose I’m fitted for bush life, for I - want to see no one from year’s end to year’s end but my own - family and my own people.” And yet this young patriarch in the + “Upon my word,” said Harry, “I sometimes think that + friendship is more so. I suppose I’m fitted for bush life, for I + want to see no one from year’s end to year’s end but my own + family and my own people.” And yet this young patriarch in the wilderness was only twenty-four years old, and had been educated at an English school! </p> <p> - Medlicot’s cottage was about a hundred and fifty yards from the + Medlicot’s cottage was about a hundred and fifty yards from the mill, looking down upon the Mary, the banks of which at this spot were almost precipitous. The site for the plantation had been chosen because the river afforded the means of carriage down to the sea, and the mill had @@ -1237,7 +1178,7 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger the infirmity of age. </p> <p> - “This is gay kind of you to run so far to see an auld woman,” + “This is gay kind of you to run so far to see an auld woman,” she said. </p> <p> @@ -1245,27 +1186,27 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger the rain the air was pleasant. </p> <p> - “You’re two bright lassies, and you’re hearty,” - she said. “I’m auld, and just out of Cumberland, and I find it’s - hot enough—and I’m no guid at horseback at all. I dinna know - how I’m to get aboot.” + “You’re two bright lassies, and you’re hearty,” + she said. “I’m auld, and just out of Cumberland, and I find it’s + hot enough—and I’m no guid at horseback at all. I dinna know + how I’m to get aboot.” </p> <p> Then Mrs. Heathcote explained that there was an excellent track for a buggy all the way to Gangoil. </p> <p> - “Giles is aye telling me that I’m to gang aboot in a bouggey, - but I dinna feel sure of thae bouggeys.” + “Giles is aye telling me that I’m to gang aboot in a bouggey, + but I dinna feel sure of thae bouggeys.” </p> <p> Mrs. Heathcote, of course, praised the country carriages, and the country roads, and the country generally. Tea was brought in, and the old lady was delighted with her guests. Since she had been at the mill, week had - followed week, and she had seen no woman’s face but that of the - uncouth girl who waited upon her. “Did ye ever see rain like that!” - she said, putting up her hands. “I thought the Lord was sending his - clouds down upon us in a lump like.” Then she told them that some of + followed week, and she had seen no woman’s face but that of the + uncouth girl who waited upon her. “Did ye ever see rain like that!” + she said, putting up her hands. “I thought the Lord was sending his + clouds down upon us in a lump like.” Then she told them that some of the men had declared that if it went on like that for two hours the Mary would rise and take the cottage away. Giles, however, had declared that to be trash, as the cottage was twenty feet above the ordinary course of the @@ -1275,7 +1216,7 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger They were just rising to take their leave, when Giles Medlicot himself came in out of the mill. He was a man of good presence, dark, and tall like Heathcote, but stoutly made, with a strongly marked face, given to - frowning much when he was eager; bright-eyed, with a broad forehead—certainly + frowning much when he was eager; bright-eyed, with a broad forehead—certainly a man to be observed as far as his appearance was concerned. He was dressed much as a gentleman dresses in the country at home, and was therefore accounted to be a fop by Harry Heathcote, who was rarely seen @@ -1285,8 +1226,8 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger </p> <p> Medlicot had been full of wrath against his neighbor all the morning. - There had been a tone in Heathcote’s voice when he gave his parting - warning as to the fire in Medlicot’s pipe which the sugar grower had + There had been a tone in Heathcote’s voice when he gave his parting + warning as to the fire in Medlicot’s pipe which the sugar grower had felt to be intentionally insolent. Nothing had been said which could be openly resented, but offense had surely been intended; and then he had remembered that his mother had been already some months at the mill, and @@ -1298,8 +1239,8 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger on the very day after such an interview as that of the preceding night. </p> <p> - “The leddies from Gangoil, Giles, have been guid enough to ride over - and see me,” said his mother. + “The leddies from Gangoil, Giles, have been guid enough to ride over + and see me,” said his mother. </p> <p> Medlicot, of course, shook hands with them, and expressed his sense of @@ -1307,49 +1248,49 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger purpose of riding part of the way back with them. </p> <p> - “Mr. Heathcote must have been very wet last night,” he said, - when they were on horse-back, addressing himself to Kate Daly rather than + “Mr. Heathcote must have been very wet last night,” he said, + when they were on horseback, addressing himself to Kate Daly rather than to her sister. </p> <p> - “Indeed he was—wet to the skin. Were you not?” + “Indeed he was—wet to the skin. Were you not?” </p> <p> - “I saw him at about eleven, before the rain began. I was close home, + “I saw him at about eleven, before the rain began. I was close home, and just escaped. He must have been under it all. Does he often go about - the run in that way at night?” + the run in that way at night?” </p> <p> - “Only when he’s afraid of fires,” said Kate. + “Only when he’s afraid of fires,” said Kate. </p> <p> - “Is there much to be afraid of? I don’t suppose that any body - can be so wicked as to wish to burn the grass.” Then the ladies took - upon themselves to explain. “The fires might be caused from + “Is there much to be afraid of? I don’t suppose that any body + can be so wicked as to wish to burn the grass.” Then the ladies took + upon themselves to explain. “The fires might be caused from negligence or trifling accidents, or might possibly come from the unaided - heat of the sun; or there might be enemies.” + heat of the sun; or there might be enemies.” </p> <p> - “My word! yes; enemies, rather!” said Jacko, who was riding + “My word! yes; enemies, rather!” said Jacko, who was riding close behind, and who had no idea of being kept out of the conversation merely because he was a servant. Medlicot, turning round, looked at the lad, and asked who were the enemies. </p> <p> - “Free-selectors,” said Jacko. + “Free-selectors,” said Jacko. </p> <p> - “I’m a free-selector,” said Medlicot. + “I’m a free-selector,” said Medlicot. </p> <p> - “Did not jist mean you,” said Jacko. + “Did not jist mean you,” said Jacko. </p> <p> - “Jacko, you’d better hold your tongue,” said Mrs. + “Jacko, you’d better hold your tongue,” said Mrs. Heathcote. </p> <p> - “Hold my tongue! My word! Well, you go on.” + “Hold my tongue! My word! Well, you go on.” </p> <p> Medlicot came as far as the wool-shed, and then said that he would return. @@ -1364,61 +1305,61 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger himself had by no means taken the nicest. </p> <p> - “You’ll never find your way back,” said Kate, “if - you’ve not been here before.” + “You’ll never find your way back,” said Kate, “if + you’ve not been here before.” </p> <p> - “I never was here before, and I suppose I must find my way back.” + “I never was here before, and I suppose I must find my way back.” Then he was urged to come on and dine at Gangoil, with a promise that Jacko should return with him in the evening. But this he would not do. Heathcote was a pig-headed ass, who possibly regarded him as an incendiary - simply because he had bought some land. This boy of Heathcote’s, + simply because he had bought some land. This boy of Heathcote’s, whose services had been offered to him, had not scrupled to tell him to his face that he was to be regarded as an enemy. Much as he liked the company of Kate Daly, he could not go to the house of that stupid, - arrogant, pig-headed young squatter. “I’m not such a bad - bushman but what I can find my way to the river,” he said. + arrogant, pig-headed young squatter. “I’m not such a bad + bushman but what I can find my way to the river,” he said. </p> <p> - “Find it blindful,” said Jacko, who did not relish the idea of - going back to Medlicot’s Mill as guide to another man. There was a + “Find it blindful,” said Jacko, who did not relish the idea of + going back to Medlicot’s Mill as guide to another man. There was a weakness in the idea that such aid could be necessary, which was revolting - to Jacko’s sense of bush independence. + to Jacko’s sense of bush independence. </p> <p> They were standing on their horses at the entrance to the wool-shed as they discussed the point, when suddenly Harry himself appeared out of the building. He came up and shook hands with Medlicot, with sufficient courtesy, but hardly with cordiality, and then asked his wife as to her - ride. “We have been very jolly, haven’t we, Kate? Of course it + ride. “We have been very jolly, haven’t we, Kate? Of course it has been hot, but every thing is not so frightfully parched as it was before the rain. As Mr. Medlicot has come back so far with us, we want him - to come on and dine.” + to come on and dine.” </p> <p> - “Pray do, Mr. Medlicot,” said Harry. But again the tone of his + “Pray do, Mr. Medlicot,” said Harry. But again the tone of his voice was not sufficiently hearty to satisfy the man who was invited. </p> <p> - “Thanks, no: I think I’ll hardly do that.—Good-night, - Mrs. Heathcote; good-night. Miss Daly;” and the two ladies + “Thanks, no: I think I’ll hardly do that.—Good-night, + Mrs. Heathcote; good-night. Miss Daly;” and the two ladies immediately perceived that his voice, which had hitherto been pleasant in their ears, had ceased to be cordial. </p> <p> - “I am very glad he has gone back,” said Heathcote. + “I am very glad he has gone back,” said Heathcote. </p> <p> - “Why do you say so, Harry? You are not given to be inhospitable, and + “Why do you say so, Harry? You are not given to be inhospitable, and why should you grudge me and Kate the rare pleasure of seeing a strange - face?” + face?” </p> <p> - “I’ll tell you why. It’s not about him at this moment; - but I’ve been disturbed.—Jacko, go on to the station, and say - we’re coming. Do you hear me? Go on at once.” Then Jacko, - somewhat unwillingly, galloped off toward the house. “Get off your - horses, and come in.” + “I’ll tell you why. It’s not about him at this moment; + but I’ve been disturbed.—Jacko, go on to the station, and say + we’re coming. Do you hear me? Go on at once.” Then Jacko, + somewhat unwillingly, galloped off toward the house. “Get off your + horses, and come in.” </p> <p> He helped the two ladies from their saddles, and they all went into the @@ -1427,100 +1368,95 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger which was at present damp, for the rain had beaten in upon it, but which had been as dry as tinder when collected; and there was a row or ridge of mixed brush-wood and leaves so constructed as to form a line from the - grass outside on to the heap. “The fellow who did that was an ass,” - said Harry; “a greater ass than I should have taken him to be, not + grass outside on to the heap. “The fellow who did that was an ass,” + said Harry; “a greater ass than I should have taken him to be, not to have known that if he could have gotten the grass to burn outside, the - wool-shed must have gone without all that preparation. But there isn’t - much difficulty now in seeing what the fellow has intended.” + wool-shed must have gone without all that preparation. But there isn’t + much difficulty now in seeing what the fellow has intended.” </p> <p> - “Was it for a fire?” asked Kate. + “Was it for a fire?” asked Kate. </p> <p> - “Of course it was. He wouldn’t have been contented with the - grass and fences, but wanted to make sure of the shed also. He’d + “Of course it was. He wouldn’t have been contented with the + grass and fences, but wanted to make sure of the shed also. He’d have come to the house and burned us in our beds, only a fellow like that - is too much of a coward to run the risk of being seen.” + is too much of a coward to run the risk of being seen.” </p> <p> - “But, Harry, why didn’t he light it when he’d done it?” + “But, Harry, why didn’t he light it when he’d done it?” said Mrs. Heathcote. </p> <p> - “Because the Almighty sent the rain at the very moment,” said - Harry, striking the top rail of one of the pens with his fist. “I’m + “Because the Almighty sent the rain at the very moment,” said + Harry, striking the top rail of one of the pens with his fist. “I’m not much given to talk about Providence, but this looks like it, does it - not?” + not?” </p> <p> - “He might have put a match in at the moment?” + “He might have put a match in at the moment?” </p> <p> - “Rain or no rain? Yes, he might. But he was interrupted by more than - the rain. I got into the shed myself just at the moment—I and Jacko. + “Rain or no rain? Yes, he might. But he was interrupted by more than + the rain. I got into the shed myself just at the moment—I and Jacko. It was last night, when the rain was pouring. I heard the man, and dark as - was the night, I saw his figure as he fled away.” + was the night, I saw his figure as he fled away.” </p> <p> - “You didn’t know him?” said Miss Daly. + “You didn’t know him?” said Miss Daly. </p> <p> - “But that boy, who has the eyes of a cat, he knew him.” + “But that boy, who has the eyes of a cat, he knew him.” </p> <p> - “Jacko?” + “Jacko?” </p> <p> - “Jacko knew him by his gait. I should have hardly wanted any one to + “Jacko knew him by his gait. I should have hardly wanted any one to tell me who it was. I could have named the man at once, but for the fear - of doing an injustice.” + of doing an injustice.” </p> <p> - “And who was it?” + “And who was it?” </p> <p> - “Our friend Medlicot’s prime favorite and new factotum, Mr. + “Our friend Medlicot’s prime favorite and new factotum, Mr. William Nokes. Mr. William Nokes is the gentleman who intends to burn us all out of house and home, and Mr. Medlicot is the gentleman whose - pleasure it is to keep Mr. Nokes in the neighborhood.” + pleasure it is to keep Mr. Nokes in the neighborhood.” </p> <p> The two women stood awe-struck for a moment, but a sense of justice - prevailed upon the wife to speak. “That may be all true,” she - said. “Perhaps it is as you say about that man. But you would not - therefore think that Mr. Medlicot knows any thing about it?” + prevailed upon the wife to speak. “That may be all true,” she + said. “Perhaps it is as you say about that man. But you would not + therefore think that Mr. Medlicot knows any thing about it?” </p> <p> - “It would be impossible,” said Kate. + “It would be impossible,” said Kate. </p> <p> - “I have not accused him,” said Harry; “but he knows that + “I have not accused him,” said Harry; “but he knows that the man was dismissed, and yet keeps him about the place. Of course he is - responsible.” - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> + responsible.” </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER IV. — HARRY HEATHCOTE’S APPEAL. + + + <div class="chapter"> + <hr class="x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + <h2 id="link2HCH0004"> + CHAPTER IV.<br> <span>HARRY HEATHCOTE’S APPEAL.</span> </h2> + </div> <p> For the first mile between the wool-shed and the house Heathcote and the two ladies rode without saying a word. There was something so terrible in the reality of the danger which encompassed them that they hardly felt - inclined to discuss it. Harry’s dislike to Medlicot was quite a + inclined to discuss it. Harry’s dislike to Medlicot was quite a thing apart. That some one had intended to burn down the wool-shed, and had made preparation for doing so, was as apparent to the women as to him. And the man who had been balked by a shower of rain in his first attempt might soon find an opportunity for a second. Harry was well aware that - even Jacko’s assertion could not be taken as evidence against the + even Jacko’s assertion could not be taken as evidence against the man whom he suspected. In all probability no further attempt would be made upon the wool-shed; but a fire on some distant part of the run would be much more injurious to him than the mere burning of a building. The fire @@ -1537,20 +1473,20 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger guilty intention. </p> <p> - “Ought we not to have dispersed the heap?” said Mrs. Heathcote + “Ought we not to have dispersed the heap?” said Mrs. Heathcote at last. The minds of all of them were full of the matter, but these were the first words spoken. </p> <p> - “I’ll leave it as it is,” said Harry, giving no reason + “I’ll leave it as it is,” said Harry, giving no reason for his decision. He was too full of thought, too heavily laden with - anxiety, to speak much. “Come, let’s get on; you’ll want - your dinner, and it’s getting dark.” So they cantered on, and + anxiety, to speak much. “Come, let’s get on; you’ll want + your dinner, and it’s getting dark.” So they cantered on, and got off their horses at the gate, without another word. And not another word was spoken on the subject that night. Harry was very silent, walking - up and down the veranda with his pipe in his mouth—not lying on the - ground in idle enjoyment—and there was no reading. The two sisters - looked at him from time to time with wistful, anxious-eyes, half afraid to + up and down the veranda with his pipe in his mouth—not lying on the + ground in idle enjoyment—and there was no reading. The two sisters + looked at him from time to time with wistful, anxious eyes, half afraid to disturb him by speech. </p> <p> @@ -1559,11 +1495,11 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger much about money, but he thought very much of success. And he was by nature anxious, sanguine, and impulsive. There might be before him, within the next week, such desolation as would break his heart. He knew men who - had been ruined, and had borne their ruin almost without a wail—who + had been ruined, and had borne their ruin almost without a wail—who had seemed contented to descend to security and mere absence from want. There was his own superintendent, Old Bates, who, though he grumbled at every thing else, never bewailed his own fate. But he knew of himself that - any such blow would nearly kill him—such a blow, that is, as might + any such blow would nearly kill him—such a blow, that is, as might drive him from Gangoil, and force him to be the servant instead of the master of men. Not to be master of all around him seemed to him to be misery. The merchants at Brisbane who took his wool and supplied him with @@ -1574,22 +1510,22 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger after this fashion that many a squatter before him had been ruined. </p> <p> - “Speak a word to me about it,” his wife said to him, + “Speak a word to me about it,” his wife said to him, imploringly, when they were alone together that night. </p> <p> - “My darling, if there were a word to say, I would say it. I must be + “My darling, if there were a word to say, I would say it. I must be on the watch, and do the best I can. At present the earth is too damp for - mischief.” + mischief.” </p> <p> - “Oh that it would rain again!” + “Oh that it would rain again!” </p> <p> - “There will be heat enough before the summer is over; we need not + “There will be heat enough before the summer is over; we need not doubt that. But I will tell you of every thing as we go on. I will endeavor to have the man watched. God bless you! Go to sleep, and try to - get it out of your thoughts.” + get it out of your thoughts.” </p> <p> On the following morning he breakfasted early, and mounted his horse @@ -1606,16 +1542,16 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger <p> He did not stop a moment at the shed, not even entering it to see whether the heap of leaves had been displaced during the night, but went on - straight to Medlicot’s Mill. He rode the nine miles in an hour, and + straight to Medlicot’s Mill. He rode the nine miles in an hour, and at once entered the building in which the canes were crushed. The first man he met was Nokes, who acted as overseer, having a gang of Polynesian - laborers under him—sleek, swarthy fellows from the South Sea - Islands, with linen trowsers on and nothing else—who crept silently + laborers under him—sleek, swarthy fellows from the South Sea + Islands, with linen trowsers on and nothing else—who crept silently among the vats and machinery, shifting the sugar as it was made. </p> <p> - “Well, Nokes,” said Harry, “how are you getting on? Is - Mr. Medlicot here?” + “Well, Nokes,” said Harry, “how are you getting on? Is + Mr. Medlicot here?” </p> <p> Nokes was a big fellow, with a broad, solid face, which would not have @@ -1626,57 +1562,57 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger him. During the discussion Harry had come in. The man had been drinking, and was still insolent, and Harry had ejected him violently, thrusting him over a gate. The man had returned the next morning, and had then been sent - about his business. He had been employed at Medlicot’s Mill, but + about his business. He had been employed at Medlicot’s Mill, but from the day of his dismissal to this he and Harry had never met each other face to face. </p> <p> - “I’m pretty well, thank ye, Mr. Heathcote. I hope you’re - the same, and the ladies. The master’s about somewhere, I take it.—Picky, - go and find the master.” Picky was one of the Polynesians, who at + “I’m pretty well, thank ye, Mr. Heathcote. I hope you’re + the same, and the ladies. The master’s about somewhere, I take it.—Picky, + go and find the master.” Picky was one of the Polynesians, who at once started on his errand. </p> <p> - “Have you been over to Gangoil since you left it?” said Harry, + “Have you been over to Gangoil since you left it?” said Harry, looking the man full in the face. </p> <p> - “Not I, Mr. Heathcote. I never go where I’ve had words. And, - to tell you the truth, sugar is better than sheep. I’m very - comfortable here, and I never liked your work.” + “Not I, Mr. Heathcote. I never go where I’ve had words. And, + to tell you the truth, sugar is better than sheep. I’m very + comfortable here, and I never liked your work.” </p> <p> - “You haven’t been at the wool-shed?” + “You haven’t been at the wool-shed?” </p> <p> - “What, the Gangoil shed! What the blazes ‘d I go there for? It’s - a matter of ten miles from here.” + “What, the Gangoil shed! What the blazes ’d I go there for? It’s + a matter of ten miles from here.” </p> <p> - “Seven, Nokes.” + “Seven, Nokes.” </p> <p> - “Seven, is it? It is a longish seven miles, Mr. Heathcote. How could - I get that distance? I ain’t so good at walking as I was before I + “Seven, is it? It is a longish seven miles, Mr. Heathcote. How could + I get that distance? I ain’t so good at walking as I was before I was hurt. You should have remembered that, Mr. Heathcote, when you laid - hands on me the other day.” + hands on me the other day.” </p> <p> - “You’re not much the worse for what I did; nor yet for the - accident, I take it. At any rate, you’ve not been at Gangoil - wool-shed?” + “You’re not much the worse for what I did; nor yet for the + accident, I take it. At any rate, you’ve not been at Gangoil + wool-shed?” </p> <p> - “No, I’ve not,” said the man, roughly. “What the - mischief should I be doing at your shed at night-time?” + “No, I’ve not,” said the man, roughly. “What the + mischief should I be doing at your shed at night-time?” </p> <p> - “I said nothing about night-time.” + “I said nothing about night-time.” </p> <p> - “I’m here all day, ain’t I? If you’re going to - palm off any story against me, Mr. Heathcote, you’ll find yourself - in the wrong box. What I does I does on the square.” + “I’m here all day, ain’t I? If you’re going to + palm off any story against me, Mr. Heathcote, you’ll find yourself + in the wrong box. What I does I does on the square.” </p> <p> Heathcote was now quite sure that Jacko had been right. He had not doubted @@ -1685,7 +1621,7 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger certain, also, that Jacko was true to him. He knew, too, that he had plainly declared his suspicion to the man himself. But he had resolved upon doing this. He could in no way assist himself in circumventing the - man’s villainy by keeping his suspense to himself. The man might be + man’s villainy by keeping his suspense to himself. The man might be frightened, and in spite of all that had passed between him and Medlicot, he still thought it possible that he might induce the sugar grower to co-operate with him in driving Nokes from the neighborhood. He had spent @@ -1693,35 +1629,35 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger had come. </p> <p> - “There’s the master,” said Nokes. “If you’ve - got any thing to say about any thing, you’d better say it to him.” + “There’s the master,” said Nokes. “If you’ve + got any thing to say about any thing, you’d better say it to him.” </p> <p> - Harry had never before set his foot upon Medlicot’s land since it + Harry had never before set his foot upon Medlicot’s land since it had been bought away from his own run, and had felt that he would almost demean himself by doing so. He had often looked at the canes from over his own fence, as he had done on the night of the rain; but he had stood always on his own land. Now he was in the sugar-mill, never before having - seen such a building. “You’ve a deal of machinery here, Mr. - Medlicot,” he said. + seen such a building. “You’ve a deal of machinery here, Mr. + Medlicot,” he said. </p> <p> - “It’s a small affair, after all,” said the other. - “I hope to get a good plant before I’ve done.” + “It’s a small affair, after all,” said the other. + “I hope to get a good plant before I’ve done.” </p> <p> - “Can I speak a word with you?” + “Can I speak a word with you?” </p> <p> - “Certainly. Will you come into the office, or will you go across to - the house?” + “Certainly. Will you come into the office, or will you go across to + the house?” </p> <p> Harry said that the office would do, and followed Medlicot into a little box-like inclosure which contained a desk and two stools. </p> <p> - “Not much of an office, is it? What can I do for you, Mr. Heathcote?” + “Not much of an office, is it? What can I do for you, Mr. Heathcote?” </p> <p> Then Harry began his story, which he told at considerable length. He @@ -1733,127 +1669,127 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger probably have left unspoken. He then went on to the story of his own quarrel with Nokes, who had, in truth, been grossly impudent to the women about the house, but who had been punished by instant and violent - dismissal from his employment. It was evidently Harry’s idea that a + dismissal from his employment. It was evidently Harry’s idea that a man who had so sinned against his master should be allowed to find no - other master—at any rate in that district; an idea with which the + other master—at any rate in that district; an idea with which the other man, who had lately come out from the old country, did not at all sympathize. </p> <p> - “Do you want me to dismiss him?” said Medlicot, in a tone + “Do you want me to dismiss him?” said Medlicot, in a tone which implied that that would be the last thing he would think of doing. </p> <p> - “You haven’t heard me yet.” Then Harry went on and told - of the fires in the heat of summer, and of their terrible effects—of + “You haven’t heard me yet.” Then Harry went on and told + of the fires in the heat of summer, and of their terrible effects—of the easy manner of revenge which they supplied to angry, unscrupulous men, and of his own fears at the present moment. </p> <p> - “I can believe it all,” said Medlicot, “and am very + “I can believe it all,” said Medlicot, “and am very sorry that it should be so. But I can not see the justice of punishing a man on the merest, vaguest suspicion. Your only ground for imputing this - crime to him is that your own conduct to him may have given him a motive.” + crime to him is that your own conduct to him may have given him a motive.” </p> <p> Harry had schooled himself vigorously during the ride as to his own - demeanor, and had resolved that he would be cool. “I was going on to - tell you,” he said, “what occurred that night after I saw you - up by the fence.” Then he described how he and his boy had entered + demeanor, and had resolved that he would be cool. “I was going on to + tell you,” he said, “what occurred that night after I saw you + up by the fence.” Then he described how he and his boy had entered the shed, and had both seen and heard a man as he escaped from it; how the boy had at once declared that the man was Nokes; how the following day he had discovered the leaves, which Nokes no doubt had deposited there just - before the rain, intending to burn the place at once; and how Nokes’s + before the rain, intending to burn the place at once; and how Nokes’s manner to him within the last half hour had corroborated his suspicions. </p> <p> - “Is he the boy you call Jacko?” + “Is he the boy you call Jacko?” </p> <p> - “That’s the name he goes by.” + “That’s the name he goes by.” </p> <p> - “You don’t know his real name?” + “You don’t know his real name?” </p> <p> - “I have never heard any other name.” + “I have never heard any other name.” </p> <p> - “Nor any thing about him?” Harry owned, in answer to half a - dozen such questions, that Jacko had come to Gangoil about six months ago—he - did not know whence—had been kept for a week’s job, and had + “Nor any thing about him?” Harry owned, in answer to half a + dozen such questions, that Jacko had come to Gangoil about six months ago—he + did not know whence—had been kept for a week’s job, and had then been allowed to remain about the place without any regular wages. - “You admit it was quite dark,” continued Medlicot. + “You admit it was quite dark,” continued Medlicot. </p> <p> Harry did not at all like the cross-examination, and his resolution to be - cool was quickly fading. “I told you that I saw myself the figure of - a man.” + cool was quickly fading. “I told you that I saw myself the figure of + a man.” </p> <p> - “But that you barely saw a figure. You did not form any opinion of - your own as to the man’s identity.” + “But that you barely saw a figure. You did not form any opinion of + your own as to the man’s identity.” </p> <p> Harry Heathcote was as honest as the sun. Much as he disliked being cross-examined, he found himself compelled not only to say the exact - truth, but the whole truth. “Certainly not. I barely saw a glimpse + truth, but the whole truth. “Certainly not. I barely saw a glimpse of a figure, and, till I spoke to Nokes just now, I almost doubted whether - the lad could have distinguished him. I am sure he was right now.” + the lad could have distinguished him. I am sure he was right now.” </p> <p> - “Really, Mr. Heathcote, I can’t go along with you. You are + “Really, Mr. Heathcote, I can’t go along with you. You are accusing a man of committing an offense, which I believe is capital, on the evidence of a boy of whom you know nothing, who may have his own reasons for spiting the man, and whom you yourself did not believe till you had looked this man in the face. I think you allow yourself to be - guided too much by your own power of intuition.” + guided too much by your own power of intuition.” </p> <p> - “No, I don’t,” said Harry, who hated his neighbor’s + “No, I don’t,” said Harry, who hated his neighbor’s methodical argument. </p> <p> - “At any rate, I can’t consent to take a man’s bread out + “At any rate, I can’t consent to take a man’s bread out of his mouth, and to send him away tainted as he would be with this suspicion, either because Jacko thought that he saw him in the dark, or - because—” + because—” </p> <p> - “I have never asked you to send him away.” + “I have never asked you to send him away.” </p> <p> - “What is it you want, then?” + “What is it you want, then?” </p> <p> - “I want to have him watched, so that he may feel that if he attempts - to destroy my property his guilt will be detected.” + “I want to have him watched, so that he may feel that if he attempts + to destroy my property his guilt will be detected.” </p> <p> - “Who is to watch him?” + “Who is to watch him?” </p> <p> - “He is in your employment.” + “He is in your employment.” </p> <p> - “He lives in the hut down beyond the gate. Am I to keep a sentry - there all night, and every night?” + “He lives in the hut down beyond the gate. Am I to keep a sentry + there all night, and every night?” </p> <p> - “I will pay for it.” + “I will pay for it.” </p> <p> - “No, Mr. Heathcote. I don’t pretend to know this country yet, - but I’ll encourage no such espionage as that. At any rate, it is not + “No, Mr. Heathcote. I don’t pretend to know this country yet, + but I’ll encourage no such espionage as that. At any rate, it is not English. I dare say the man misbehaved himself in your employment. You say he was drunk. I do not doubt it. But he is not a drunkard, for he never drinks here. A man is not to starve forever because he once got drunk and was impertinent. Nor is he to have a spy at his heels because a boy whom nobody knows chooses to denounce him. I am sorry that you should be in - trouble, but I do not know that I can help you.” + trouble, but I do not know that I can help you.” </p> <p> - Harry’s passion was now very high, and his resolution to be cool was + Harry’s passion was now very high, and his resolution to be cool was almost thrown to the winds. Medlicot had said many things which were odious to him. In the first place, there had been a tone of insufferable superiority, so Harry thought, and that, too, when he himself had divested @@ -1863,7 +1799,7 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger words, and had altogether made himself objectionable. What did this man know of the Australian bush, that he should dare to talk of this or that as being wrong because it was un-English! In England there were police to - guard men’s property. Here, out in the Australian forests, a man + guard men’s property. Here, out in the Australian forests, a man must guard his own, or lose it. But perhaps it was the indifference to the ruin of the women belonging to him that Harry Heathcote felt the strongest. The stranger cared nothing for the utter desolation which one @@ -1872,7 +1808,7 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger it was proposed to watch the doings of a scoundrel! </p> <p> - “Good-morning,” said Harry, turning round and leaving the + “Good-morning,” said Harry, turning round and leaving the office brusquely. Medlicot followed him, but Harry went so quickly that not another word was spoken. To him the idea of a neighbor in the bush refusing such assistance as he had asked was as terrible as to us is the @@ -1883,7 +1819,7 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger <p> Medlicot, when he was left alone, took two or three turns about the mill, as though inspecting the work, but at every turn fixed his eyes for a few - moments on Noke’s face. The man was standing under a huge caldron + moments on Noke’s face. The man was standing under a huge caldron regulating the escape of the boiling juice into the different vats by raising and lowering a trap, and giving directions to the Polynesians as he did so. He was evidently conscious that he was being regarded, and, as @@ -1899,73 +1835,68 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger After a while he stood opposite Nokes and addressed him. </p> <p> - “Do the squatters suffer much from fires?” he said. + “Do the squatters suffer much from fires?” he said. </p> <p> - “Heathcote has been talking to you about that,” said the man. + “Heathcote has been talking to you about that,” said the man. </p> <p> - “Can’t you say Mr. Heathcote when you speak of a gentleman - whose bread you have eaten?” + “Can’t you say Mr. Heathcote when you speak of a gentleman + whose bread you have eaten?” </p> <p> - “Mr. Heathcote, if you like it. We ain’t particular to a shade - out here as you are at home. He has been telling you about fires, has he?” + “Mr. Heathcote, if you like it. We ain’t particular to a shade + out here as you are at home. He has been telling you about fires, has he?” </p> <p> - “Well, he has.” + “Well, he has.” </p> <p> - “And talking of me, I suppose?” + “And talking of me, I suppose?” </p> <p> - “You were talking of having a turn at mining some day. How would it - be with you if you were to be off to Gympie?” + “You were talking of having a turn at mining some day. How would it + be with you if you were to be off to Gympie?” </p> <p> - “You mean to say I’m to go, Mr. Medlicot?” + “You mean to say I’m to go, Mr. Medlicot?” </p> <p> - “I don’t say that at all.” + “I don’t say that at all.” </p> <p> - “Look here, Mr. Medlicot. My going or staying won’t make any - difference to Heathcote. There’s a lot of ’em about here hates + “Look here, Mr. Medlicot. My going or staying won’t make any + difference to Heathcote. There’s a lot of ’em about here hates him that much that he is never to be allowed to rest in peace. I tell you - that fairly. It ain’t any thing as I shall do. Them’s not my - ways, Mr. Medlicot. But he has enemies here as’ll never let him - rest.” + that fairly. It ain’t any thing as I shall do. Them’s not my + ways, Mr. Medlicot. But he has enemies here as’ll never let him + rest.” </p> <p> - “Who are they?” + “Who are they?” </p> <p> - “Pretty nigh every body round. He has carried himself that high they - won’t stand him. Who’s Heathcote?” + “Pretty nigh every body round. He has carried himself that high they + won’t stand him. Who’s Heathcote?” </p> <p> - “Name some who are his enemies.” + “Name some who are his enemies.” </p> <p> - “There’s the Brownbies.” + “There’s the Brownbies.” </p> <p> - “Oh, the Brownbies. Well, it’s a bad thing to have enemies.” + “Oh, the Brownbies. Well, it’s a bad thing to have enemies.” After that he left the sugar-house and went across to the cottage. </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER V. — BOSCOBEL. + + + <div class="chapter"> + <hr class="x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + <h2 id="link2HCH0005"> + CHAPTER V.<br> <span>BOSCOBEL.</span> </h2> + </div> <p> Two days and two nights passed without fear of fire, and then Harry Heathcote was again on the alert. The earth was parched as though no drop @@ -1979,13 +1910,13 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger the morning, very tired, but never owning that he was tired, and then sleep heavily for an hour or two in a chair. After that he would go out again on the run, would sleep perhaps for another hour after dinner, and - then would start for his night’s patrol. During this week he saw + then would start for his night’s patrol. During this week he saw nothing of Medlicot, and never mentioned his name but once. On that occasion his wife told him that during his absence Medlicot had been at the station. </p> <p> - “What brought him here?” Harry asked, fiercely. + “What brought him here?” Harry asked, fiercely. </p> <p> Mrs. Heathcote explained that he had called in a friendly way, and had @@ -1993,28 +1924,28 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger assistance. </p> <p> - Then the young squatter forgot himself in his wrath. “Confound his - hypocrisy!” said Harry, aloud. “I don’t think he’s - a hypocrite,” said the wife. + Then the young squatter forgot himself in his wrath. “Confound his + hypocrisy!” said Harry, aloud. “I don’t think he’s + a hypocrite,” said the wife. </p> <p> - “I’m sure he’s not,” said Kate Daly. + “I’m sure he’s not,” said Kate Daly. </p> <p> Not a word more was spoken, and Harry immediately left the house. The two women did not as usual go to the gate to see him mount his horse, not refraining from doing so in any anger, or as wishing to exhibit - displeasure at Harry’s violence, but because they were afraid of + displeasure at Harry’s violence, but because they were afraid of him. They had found themselves compelled to differ from him, but were oppressed at finding themselves in opposition to him. </p> <p> The feeling that his wife should in any way take part against him added - greatly to Heathcote’s trouble. It produced in his mind a terrible + greatly to Heathcote’s trouble. It produced in his mind a terrible feeling of loneliness in his sorrow. He bore a brave outside to all his - men, and to any stranger whom in these days he met about the run—to + men, and to any stranger whom in these days he met about the run—to his wife and sister also, and to the old woman at home. He forced upon - them all an idea that he was not only autocratic, but self-sufficient also—that + them all an idea that he was not only autocratic, but self-sufficient also—that he wanted neither help nor sympathy. He never cried out in his pain, being heartily ashamed even of the appeal which he had made to Medlicot. He spoke aloud and laughed with the men, and never acknowledged that his @@ -2023,9 +1954,9 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger fain get off his horse, and lie upon the ground and weep till he slept. It was not that he trusted no one. He suspected no one with a positive suspicion, except Nokes, and Medlicot as the supporter of Nokes. But he - had no one with whom he could converse freely—none whom he had not - been accustomed to treat as the mere ministers of his will—except - his wife and his wife’s sister; and now he was disjoined from them + had no one with whom he could converse freely—none whom he had not + been accustomed to treat as the mere ministers of his will—except + his wife and his wife’s sister; and now he was disjoined from them by their sympathy with Medlicot! He had chosen to manage every thing himself without contradiction and almost without counsel; but, like other such imperious masters, he now found that when trouble came the privilege @@ -2044,17 +1975,17 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger in his ways as to employ men of that denomination. He had fenced his run, and dispensed with shepherds and shepherding as old-fashioned and unprofitable. He had two mounted men, whom he called boundary riders, one - an Irishman and the other a German—and them he trusted fully, the + an Irishman and the other a German—and them he trusted fully, the German altogether, and the Irishman equally as regarded his honesty. But he could not explain to them the thoughts that loaded his brain. He could instigate them to eagerness; but he could not condescend to tell Karl Bender, the German, that if his fences were destroyed neither his means nor his credit would be sufficient to put them up again, and that if the scanty herbage were burned off any large proportion of his run, he must - sell his flocks at a great sacrifice. Nor could he explain to Mickey O’Dowd, + sell his flocks at a great sacrifice. Nor could he explain to Mickey O’Dowd, the Irishman, that his peace of mind was destroyed by his fear of one man. He had to bear it all alone. And there was heavy on him also the great - misery of feeling that every thing might depend on own exertions, and that + misery of feeling that every thing might depend on his own exertions, and that yet he did not know how or where to exert himself. When he had ridden about all night and discovered nothing, he might just as well have been in bed. And he was continually riding about all night and discovering @@ -2063,93 +1994,93 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger <p> After leaving the station on the evening of the day on which he had expressed himself to the women so vehemently respecting Medlicot, he met - Bates coming home from his day’s work. It was then past eight o’clock, + Bates coming home from his day’s work. It was then past eight o’clock, and the old man was sitting wearily on his horse, with his head low down between his shoulders, and the reins hardly held within his grasp. </p> <p> - “You’re late, Mr. Bates,” said Harry; “you take - too much out of yourself this hot weather.” + “You’re late, Mr. Bates,” said Harry; “you take + too much out of yourself this hot weather.” </p> <p> - “I’ve got to move slower, Mr. Heathcote, as I grow older. That’s - about it. And the beast I’m on is not much good.” Now Mr. + “I’ve got to move slower, Mr. Heathcote, as I grow older. That’s + about it. And the beast I’m on is not much good.” Now Mr. Bates was always complaining of his horse, and yet was allowed to choose any on the run for his own use. </p> <p> - “If you don’t like him, why don’t you take another?” + “If you don’t like him, why don’t you take another?” </p> <p> - “There ain’t much difference in ’em, Mr. Heathcote. - Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t. It’s - getting uncommon close shaving for them wethers in the new paddock. They’re - down upon the roots pretty well already.” + “There ain’t much difference in ’em, Mr. Heathcote. + Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t. It’s + getting uncommon close shaving for them wethers in the new paddock. They’re + down upon the roots pretty well already.” </p> <p> - “There’s grass along the bush on the north side.” + “There’s grass along the bush on the north side.” </p> <p> - “They won’t go there; it’s rank and sour. They won’t + “They won’t go there; it’s rank and sour. They won’t feed up there as long as they can live lower down and nearer the water. - Weather like this, they’d sooner die near the water than travel to - fill their bellies. It’s about the hottest day we’ve had, and - the nights a’most hotter. Are you going to be out, Mr. Heathcote?” + Weather like this, they’d sooner die near the water than travel to + fill their bellies. It’s about the hottest day we’ve had, and + the nights a’most hotter. Are you going to be out, Mr. Heathcote?” </p> <p> - “I think so.” + “I think so.” </p> <p> - “What’s the good of it, Mr. Heathcote? There is no use in it. - Lord love you, what can yon do? You can’t be every side at once.” + “What’s the good of it, Mr. Heathcote? There is no use in it. + Lord love you, what can yon do? You can’t be every side at once.” </p> <p> - “Fire can only travel with the wind, Mr. Bates.” + “Fire can only travel with the wind, Mr. Bates.” </p> <p> - “And there isn’t any wind, and so there can’t be any - fire. I never did think, and I don’t think now, there ever was any - use in a man fashing himself as you fash yourself. You can’t alter - things, Mr. Heathcote.” + “And there isn’t any wind, and so there can’t be any + fire. I never did think, and I don’t think now, there ever was any + use in a man fashing himself as you fash yourself. You can’t alter + things, Mr. Heathcote.” </p> <p> - “But that’s just what I can do—what a man has to do. If - a match were thrown there at your feet, and the grass was aflame, couldn’t + “But that’s just what I can do—what a man has to do. If + a match were thrown there at your feet, and the grass was aflame, couldn’t you alter that by putting your foot on it? If you find a ewe on her back, - can’t you alter that by putting her on her legs?” + can’t you alter that by putting her on her legs?” </p> <p> - “Yes, I can do that, I suppose.” + “Yes, I can do that, I suppose.” </p> <p> - “What does a man live for except to alter things? When a man clears - the forest and sows corn, does he not alter things?” + “What does a man live for except to alter things? When a man clears + the forest and sows corn, does he not alter things?” </p> <p> - “That’s not your line, Mr. Heathcote,” said the cunning + “That’s not your line, Mr. Heathcote,” said the cunning old man. </p> <p> - “If I send wool to market, I alter things.” + “If I send wool to market, I alter things.” </p> <p> - “You’ll excuse me, Mr. Heathcote. Of course I’m old, but - I just give you my experience.” + “You’ll excuse me, Mr. Heathcote. Of course I’m old, but + I just give you my experience.” </p> <p> - “I’m much obliged to you; though we can’t always agree, + “I’m much obliged to you; though we can’t always agree, you know. Good-night. Go in and say a word to my wife, and tell them you - saw me all right.” + saw me all right.” </p> <p> - “I’ll have a crack with ’em, Mr. Heathcote, before I - turn in.” + “I’ll have a crack with ’em, Mr. Heathcote, before I + turn in.” </p> <p> - “And tell Mary I sent my love.” + “And tell Mary I sent my love.” </p> <p> - “I will, Mr. Heathcote; I will.” + “I will, Mr. Heathcote; I will.” </p> <p> He was thinking always of his wife during his solitary rides, and of her @@ -2174,70 +2105,70 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger horse, he could see the form of the woodman, who was still at work ringing the trees. This was a job which the man did by contract, receiving so much an acre for the depopulation of the timber. It was now bright moonlight, - almost as clear as day—a very different night, indeed, from that on - which the rain had come—and Harry could see at a glance that it was + almost as clear as day—a very different night, indeed, from that on + which the rain had come—and Harry could see at a glance that it was the man called Boscobel still at work. Now there were, as he thought, very good reasons why Boscobel at the present moment should not be so employed. Boscobel was receiving wages for work of another kind. </p> <p> - “Bos,” said the squatter, riding up, and addressing the man by - the customary abbreviation of his nickname, “I thought you were - watching at Brownbie’s boundary?” Boscobel lowered his axe, - and stood for a while contemplating the proposition made to him. “You - are drawing three shillings a night for watching; isn’t that so?” + “Bos,” said the squatter, riding up, and addressing the man by + the customary abbreviation of his nickname, “I thought you were + watching at Brownbie’s boundary?” Boscobel lowered his axe, + and stood for a while contemplating the proposition made to him. “You + are drawing three shillings a night for watching; isn’t that so?” </p> <p> - “Yes, that’s so. Anyways, I shall draw it.” + “Yes, that’s so. Anyways, I shall draw it.” </p> <p> - “Then why ain’t you watching?” + “Then why ain’t you watching?” </p> <p> - “There’s nothing to watch that I knows on—not just now.” + “There’s nothing to watch that I knows on—not just now.” </p> <p> - “Then why should I pay you for it? I’m to pay you for ringing - these trees, ain’t I?” + “Then why should I pay you for it? I’m to pay you for ringing + these trees, ain’t I?” </p> <p> - “Certainly, Mr. Heathcote.” + “Certainly, Mr. Heathcote.” </p> <p> - “Then you’re to make double use of your time, and sell it - twice over, are you? Don’t try to look like a fool, as though you - didn’t understand. You know that what you’re doing isn’t - honest.” + “Then you’re to make double use of your time, and sell it + twice over, are you? Don’t try to look like a fool, as though you + didn’t understand. You know that what you’re doing isn’t + honest.” </p> <p> - “Nobody ever said as I wasn’t honest before.” + “Nobody ever said as I wasn’t honest before.” </p> <p> - “I tell you so now. You’re robbing me of the time you’ve - sold to me, and for which I’m to pay you.” + “I tell you so now. You’re robbing me of the time you’ve + sold to me, and for which I’m to pay you.” </p> <p> - “There ain’t nothing to watch while the wind’s as it is - now, and that chap ain’t any where about to-night.” + “There ain’t nothing to watch while the wind’s as it is + now, and that chap ain’t any where about to-night.” </p> <p> - “What chap?” + “What chap?” </p> <p> - “Oh, I know. I’m all right. What’s the use of dawdling - about up there in the broad moonlight, and the wind like this?” + “Oh, I know. I’m all right. What’s the use of dawdling + about up there in the broad moonlight, and the wind like this?” </p> <p> - “That’s for me to judge. If you engage to do my work and take - my money, you’re swindling me when you go about another job as you - are now. You needn’t scratch your head. You understand it all as - well as I do.” + “That’s for me to judge. If you engage to do my work and take + my money, you’re swindling me when you go about another job as you + are now. You needn’t scratch your head. You understand it all as + well as I do.” </p> <p> - “I never was told I swindled before, and I ain’t a-going to + “I never was told I swindled before, and I ain’t a-going to put up with it. You may ring your own trees, and watch your own fences, - and the whole place may be burned for me. I ain’t a-going to do - another turn in Gangoil. Swindle, indeed!” So Boscobel shouldered + and the whole place may be burned for me. I ain’t a-going to do + another turn in Gangoil. Swindle, indeed!” So Boscobel shouldered his axe, and marched off through the forest, visible in the moonlight till the trees hid him. </p> @@ -2246,9 +2177,9 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger but had been glad to have him about the place as being thoroughly efficient in his own business. It was only during the last ten days that he had agreed to pay him for night-watching, leaving the man to do as much - additional day-work as he pleased—for which, of course, he would be + additional day-work as he pleased—for which, of course, he would be paid at the regular contract price. There was a double purpose intended in - this watching—as was well understood by all the hands employed: + this watching—as was well understood by all the hands employed: first, that of preventing incendiary fire by the mere presence of the watchers; and secondly, that of being at hand to extinguish fire in case of need. Now a man ringing trees five or six miles away from the beat on @@ -2259,7 +2190,7 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger fraud he was bound to expose it. Had the man acknowledged his fault and been submissive, there would have been an end of the matter. Heathcote would have said no word about it to any one, and would not have stopped a - farthing from the week’s unearned wages. That he had to encounter a + farthing from the week’s unearned wages. That he had to encounter a certain amount of ill usage from the rough men about him, and to forgive it, he could understand; but it could not be his duty, either as a man or a master, to pass over dishonesty without noticing it. No; that he would @@ -2270,8 +2201,8 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger dishonesty on their part was indifferent to him. </p> <p> - But now he had made another enemy—an enemy of a man who had declared - to him that he knew the movements of “that chap,” meaning + But now he had made another enemy—an enemy of a man who had declared + to him that he knew the movements of “that chap,” meaning Nokes! How hard the world was! It seemed that all around were trouble to him. He turned his horse back, and made again for the spot which was his original destination. As he cantered on among the trees, twisting here and @@ -2281,9 +2212,9 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger was so strong upon him that at one spot he made his horse stop till he had thought it all out. No one encouraged him in his work. Every one about the place, friend or foe, Bates, his wife, Medlicot, and this Boscobel, spoke - to him as though he were fussy and fidgety in his anxiety. “If fires + to him as though he were fussy and fidgety in his anxiety. “If fires must come, they will come; and if they are not to come, you are simply - losing your labor.” This was the upshot of all they said to him. Why + losing your labor.” This was the upshot of all they said to him. Why should he be wiser than they? If the ruin came, let it come. Old Bates had been ruined, but still had enough to eat and drink, and clothes to wear, and did not work half as hard as his employer. He thought that if he could @@ -2293,8 +2224,8 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger </p> <p> Then there came across his mind the dim remembrance of certain old school - words, and he touched his horse with his spur and hurried onward: “Let - there be no steps backward.” A thought as to the manliness of + words, and he touched his horse with his spur and hurried onward: “Let + there be no steps backward.” A thought as to the manliness of persevering, of the want of manliness in yielding to depression, came to his rescue. Let him, at any rate, have the comfort of thinking that he had done his best according to his lights. After some dim fashion, he did come @@ -2303,110 +2234,104 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger would persevere. </p> <p> - As the night wore on he came to the German’s hut, and finding it + As the night wore on he came to the German’s hut, and finding it empty, as he expected, rode on to the outside fence of his run. When he reached this he got off his horse, and taking a key out of his pocket, whistled upon it loudly. A few minutes afterward the German came up to him. </p> <p> - “There’s been no one about, I suppose?” he asked. + “There’s been no one about, I suppose?” he asked. </p> <p> - “Not a one,” said the man. + “Not a one,” said the man. </p> <p> - “You’ve been across on Brownbie’s run?” + “You’ve been across on Brownbie’s run?” </p> <p> - “We’re on it now, Mr. ‘Eathcote.” They were both + “We’re on it now, Mr. ’Eathcote.” They were both on the side of the fence away from Gangoil station. </p> <p> - “I don’t know how that is, Karl. I think Gangoil goes a + “I don’t know how that is, Karl. I think Gangoil goes a quarter of a mile beyond this. But we did not quite strike the boundary - when we put up the fence.” + when we put up the fence.” </p> <p> - “Brownbie’s cattle is allays here, Mr. ‘Eathcote, and is - knocking down the fence every day. Brownbie is a rascal, and ‘is - cattle as bad as ‘isself.” + “Brownbie’s cattle is allays here, Mr. ’Eathcote, and is + knocking down the fence every day. Brownbie is a rascal, and ’is + cattle as bad as ’isself.” </p> <p> - “Never mind that, Karl, now. When we’ve got through the heats, - we’ll put a mile or two of better fencing along here. You know - Boscobel?” + “Never mind that, Karl, now. When we’ve got through the heats, + we’ll put a mile or two of better fencing along here. You know + Boscobel?” </p> <p> - “In course I know Bos.” + “In course I know Bos.” </p> <p> - “What sort of a fellow is he?” Then Harry told his German + “What sort of a fellow is he?” Then Harry told his German dependent exactly what had taken place between him and the other man. </p> <p> - “He’s in and in wid all them young Brownbies,” said + “He’s in and in wid all them young Brownbies,” said Karl. </p> <p> - “The Brownbies are a bad lot, but I don’t think they’d - do any thing of this kind,” said Harry, whose mind was still + “The Brownbies are a bad lot, but I don’t think they’d + do any thing of this kind,” said Harry, whose mind was still dwelling on the dangers of fire. </p> <p> - “They likes muttons, Mr. ‘Eathcote.” + “They likes muttons, Mr. ’Eathcote.” </p> <p> - “I suppose they do take a sheep or two now and then. They wouldn’t - do worse than that, would they?” + “I suppose they do take a sheep or two now and then. They wouldn’t + do worse than that, would they?” </p> <p> - “Not’ing too ‘ot for ’em; not’ing too - ‘eavy,” said Karl, smoking his pipe. “The vind, vat - there is, comes just here, Mr. ‘Eathcote.” And the man lifted - up his arm, and pointed across in the direction of Brownbie’s run. + “Not’ing too ’ot for ’em; not’ing too + ’eavy,” said Karl, smoking his pipe. “The vind, vat + there is, comes just here, Mr. ’Eathcote.” And the man lifted + up his arm, and pointed across in the direction of Brownbie’s run. </p> <p> - “And you don’t think much of Boscobel?” + “And you don’t think much of Boscobel?” </p> <p> Karl Bender shook his head. </p> <p> - “He was always well treated here,” said Harry, “and has + “He was always well treated here,” said Harry, “and has had plenty of work, and earned large wages. The man will be a fool to - quarrel with me.” + quarrel with me.” </p> <p> Karl again shook his head. With Karl Bender, Harry was quite sure of his man, but not on that account need he be quite sure of the correctness of - the man’s opinion. + the man’s opinion. </p> <p> - Thence he went on till he met his other lieutenant, O’Dowd, and so, + Thence he went on till he met his other lieutenant, O’Dowd, and so, having completed his work, he made his way home, reaching the station at sunrise. </p> <p> - “Did Bates tell you he’d met me?” he asked his wife. - </p> - <p> - “Yes, Harry; kiss me, Harry. I was so glad you sent a word. Promise - me, Harry, not to think that I don’t agree with you in every thing.” - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> + “Did Bates tell you he’d met me?” he asked his wife. </p> - <hr /> <p> - <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> </a> + “Yes, Harry; kiss me, Harry. I was so glad you sent a word. Promise + me, Harry, not to think that I don’t agree with you in every thing.” </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER VI. — THE BROWNBIES OF BOOLABONG. + + <div class="chapter"> + <hr class="x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + <h2 id="link2HCH0006"> + CHAPTER VI.<br> <span>THE BROWNBIES OF BOOLABONG.</span> </h2> + </div> <p> Old Brownbie, as he was usually called, was a squatter also, but a squatter of a class very different from that to which Heathcote belonged. @@ -2415,18 +2340,18 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger law had disapproved. </p> <p> - In colonial phrase, he was a “lag”—having been + In colonial phrase, he was a “lag”—having been transported; but this was many years ago, when he was quite young; and he had now been a free man for more than thirty years. It must be owned on his behalf that he had worked hard, had endeavored to rise, and had risen. But there still stuck to him the savor of his old life. Every one knew - that he had been a convict; and even had he become a man of high principle—a - condition which he certainly never achieved—he could hardly have + that he had been a convict; and even had he become a man of high principle—a + condition which he certainly never achieved—he could hardly have escaped altogether from the thralldom of his degradation. He had been a butcher, a drover, part owner of stock, and had at last become possessed of a share of a cattle-run, and then of the entire property, such as it was. He had four or five sons, uneducated, ill-conditioned, drunken - fellows, who had all their father’s faults without his energy, some + fellows, who had all their father’s faults without his energy, some of whom had been in prison, and all of whom were known as pests to the colony. Their place was called Boolabong, and was a cattle-run, as distinguished from a sheep-run; but it was a poor place, was sometimes @@ -2452,8 +2377,8 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger <p> It may be imagined how such a family would be hated by the respectable squatters on whom they preyed. Still there were men, old stagers, who had - know Moreton Bay before it was a colony—in the old days when - convicts were common—who almost regarded the Brownbies as a part of + know Moreton Bay before it was a colony—in the old days when + convicts were common—who almost regarded the Brownbies as a part of the common order of things, and who were indisposed to persecute them. Men must live; and what were a few sheep? Of some such it might be said, that though they were above the arts by which the Brownbies lived, they were @@ -2472,7 +2397,7 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger <p> And the Brownbies knew well the estimation in which their neighbour held them. Harry had made himself altogether disagreeable to them. They were - squatters as well as he—or at least so they termed themselves; and + squatters as well as he—or at least so they termed themselves; and though they would not have expected to be admitted to home intimacies, they thought that when they were met out-of-doors or in public places, they should be treated with some respect. On such occasions Harry treated @@ -2493,7 +2418,7 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger subject to his orders, and he would have had a bad life among them were it not that they quarreled among themselves, and that in such quarrels he could belong to one party or to the other. The house itself was a wretched - place—out of order, with doors and windows and floors shattered, + place—out of order, with doors and windows and floors shattered, broken, and decayed. There were none of womankind belonging to the family, and in such a house a decent woman-servant would have been out of her place. Sometimes there was one hag there and sometimes another, and @@ -2504,7 +2429,7 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger demanding food. Of the whole lot Georgie Brownbie, the vagabond, was the worst. The eldest son was at this time in prison at Brisbane, having on some late occasion been less successful than usual in regard to some - acquired bullocks. The three youngest were at home—Jerry, Jack, and + acquired bullocks. The three youngest were at home—Jerry, Jack, and Joe. Tom, who was in prison, was the only stanch friend to the father, who consequently at this time was in a more than usually depressed condition. </p> @@ -2515,11 +2440,11 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger the old man was seated on a stuffy, worn-out sofa with three legs, which was propped against the wall of the house, and had not been moved for years. Old Brownbie was a man of gigantic frame, and had possessed immense - personal power—a man, too, of will and energy; but he was now worn + personal power—a man, too, of will and energy; but he was now worn out and dropsical, and could not move beyond the confines of the home station. The veranda was attached to a big room which ran nearly the whole length of the house, and which was now used for all purposes. There was an - exterior kitchen, in which certain processes were carried on—such as + exterior kitchen, in which certain processes were carried on—such as salting stolen mutton and boiling huge masses of meat, when such work was needed. But the cookery was generally done in the big room. And here also two or three of the sons slept on beds made upon stretchers along the @@ -2529,7 +2454,7 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger place; and yet, such as it was, it was frequented by many guests. The vagabondism of the colonies is proverbial. Vagabonds are taken in almost every where throughout the bush. But the welcome given to them varies. - Sometimes they are made to work before they are fed—to their + Sometimes they are made to work before they are fed—to their infinite disgust. But no such cruelty was exercised at Boolabong. Boolabong was a very Paradise for vagabonds. There was always flour and meat to be had, generally tobacco, and sometimes even the luxury of a @@ -2550,62 +2475,62 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger dispensed probably with these. He had been quarreling with his father respecting a certain horse which he had sold, of the price of which the father demanded a share. Jerry had unblushingly declared that he himself - had “shaken” the horse—Anglice, had stolen him—twelve + had “shaken” the horse—Anglice, had stolen him—twelve months since on Darnley Downs, and was therefore clearly entitled to the - entire plunder. The father had rejoined with animation that unless “half - a quid”—or ten shillings—were given him as his + entire plunder. The father had rejoined with animation that unless “half + a quid”—or ten shillings—were given him as his contribution to the keep of the animal, he would inform against his son to the squatter on the Darnley Downs, and had shown him that he knew the very run from which the horse had been taken. Then the sons within had interfered from their beds, swearing that their father was the noisiest - old “cuss” unhung, they having had their necessary slumbers + old “cuss” unhung, they having had their necessary slumbers disturbed. </p> <p> At this moment the debate was interrupted by the appearance of a man - outside the veranda. “Well, Mr. Jerry, how goes it?” asked the - stranger. “What, Bos, is that you? What brings you up to Boolabong? - I thought you was ringing trees for that young scut at Gangoil? I’ll + outside the veranda. “Well, Mr. Jerry, how goes it?” asked the + stranger. “What, Bos, is that you? What brings you up to Boolabong? + I thought you was ringing trees for that young scut at Gangoil? I’ll be even with him some of these days! He had the impudence to send a man of - his up here last week looking for sheep-skins.” + his up here last week looking for sheep-skins.” </p> <p> - “He wasn’t that soft, Mr. Jerry, was he? Well, I’ve - dropped working for him.—How are you, Mr. Brownbie? I hope I see you - finely, Sir. It’s stiffish sort of weather, Mr. Brownbie, ain’t - it, Sir?” + “He wasn’t that soft, Mr. Jerry, was he? Well, I’ve + dropped working for him.—How are you, Mr. Brownbie? I hope I see you + finely, Sir. It’s stiffish sort of weather, Mr. Brownbie, ain’t + it, Sir?” </p> <p> The old man grunted out some reply, and then asked Boscobel what he wanted. </p> <p> - “I’ll just hang about for the day, Mr. Brownbie, and get a - little grub. You never begrudged a working-man that yet.” + “I’ll just hang about for the day, Mr. Brownbie, and get a + little grub. You never begrudged a working-man that yet.” </p> <p> Old Brownbie again grunted, but said no word of welcome. That, however, was to be taken for granted, without much expression of opinion. </p> <p> - “No, Mr. Jerry,” continued Boscobel, “I’ve done - with that fellow.” + “No, Mr. Jerry,” continued Boscobel, “I’ve done + with that fellow.” </p> <p> - “And so has Nokes done with him.” + “And so has Nokes done with him.” </p> <p> - “Nokes is at work on Medlicot’s Mill. That sugar business - wouldn’t suit me.” + “Nokes is at work on Medlicot’s Mill. That sugar business + wouldn’t suit me.” </p> <p> - “An axe in your hand is what you’re fit for, Bos.” + “An axe in your hand is what you’re fit for, Bos.” </p> <p> - “There’s a many things I can turn my hand to, Mr. Jerry. You - couldn’t give a fellow such a thing as a nobbler, Mr. Jerry, could - you? I’d offer money for it, only I know it would be taken amiss. It’s - that hot that a fellow’s very in’ards get parched up.” + “There’s a many things I can turn my hand to, Mr. Jerry. You + couldn’t give a fellow such a thing as a nobbler, Mr. Jerry, could + you? I’d offer money for it, only I know it would be taken amiss. It’s + that hot that a fellow’s very in’ards get parched up.” </p> <p> Upon this Jerry slowly rose, and going to a cupboard, brought forth a @@ -2614,22 +2539,22 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger a little water. </p> <p> - “Come, Jerry,” said the old man, somewhat relenting in his - wrath, “you might as well give us a drop, as it’s going about.” + “Come, Jerry,” said the old man, somewhat relenting in his + wrath, “you might as well give us a drop, as it’s going about.” The two brothers, who had now been thoroughly aroused from their sleep, and who had heard the enticing sound of the spirit bottle, joined the party, and so they drank all round. </p> <p> - “Heathcote’s in an awful state about them fires, ain’t - he?” asked Jerry. + “Heathcote’s in an awful state about them fires, ain’t + he?” asked Jerry. </p> <p> Boscobel, who had squatted down on the veranda, and was now lighting his pipe, bobbed his head. </p> <p> - “I wish he was clean burned out—over head and ears,” + “I wish he was clean burned out—over head and ears,” said Jerry. </p> <p> @@ -2637,68 +2562,68 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger staffed pipe. </p> <p> - “If he treated me like he does you fellows,” continued Jerry, - “he shouldn’t have a yard of fencing or a blade of grass left—nor + “If he treated me like he does you fellows,” continued Jerry, + “he shouldn’t have a yard of fencing or a blade of grass left—nor a ewe, nor a lamb, nor a hogget. I do hate fellows who come here and want - to be better than any one about ’em—young chaps especially. + to be better than any one about ’em—young chaps especially. Sending up here to look for sheep-skins, cuss his impudence! I sent that - German fellow of his away with a flea in his ear.” + German fellow of his away with a flea in his ear.” </p> <p> - “Karl Bender?” + “Karl Bender?” </p> <p> - “It’s some such name as that.” + “It’s some such name as that.” </p> <p> - “He’s all in all with the young squire,” said Boscobel. - “And there’s a chap there called Jacko—he’s - another. He gets ’em down there to Gangoil, and the ladies talks to - ’em, and then they’d go through fire and water for him. There’s - Mickey—he’s another, jist the same way. I don’t like - them ways, myself.” + “He’s all in all with the young squire,” said Boscobel. + “And there’s a chap there called Jacko—he’s + another. He gets ’em down there to Gangoil, and the ladies talks to + ’em, and then they’d go through fire and water for him. There’s + Mickey—he’s another, jist the same way. I don’t like + them ways, myself.” </p> <p> - “Too much of master and man about it, ain’t there, Bos?” + “Too much of master and man about it, ain’t there, Bos?” </p> <p> - “Just that, Mr. Jerry. That ain’t my idea of a free country. I - can work as well as another, but I ain’t going to be told that I’m - a swindler because I’m making the most of my time.” + “Just that, Mr. Jerry. That ain’t my idea of a free country. I + can work as well as another, but I ain’t going to be told that I’m + a swindler because I’m making the most of my time.” </p> <p> - “He turned Nokes out by the scruff of his neck?” said Jerry. - Boscobel again bobbed his head. “I didn’t think Nokes was the - sort of fellow to stand that.” + “He turned Nokes out by the scruff of his neck?” said Jerry. + Boscobel again bobbed his head. “I didn’t think Nokes was the + sort of fellow to stand that.” </p> <p> - “No more he ain’t,” said Boscobel. + “No more he ain’t,” said Boscobel. </p> <p> - “Heathcote’s a good plucked un all the same,” said Joe. + “Heathcote’s a good plucked un all the same,” said Joe. </p> <p> - “It’s like you to speak up for such a fellow is that,” + “It’s like you to speak up for such a fellow is that,” said Jerry. </p> <p> - “I say he’s a good plucked un. I’m not standing up for + “I say he’s a good plucked un. I’m not standing up for him. Nokes is half a stone heavier than him, and ought to have knocked him - over. That’s what you’d’ve done, wouldn’t you, - Bos? I know I would.” + over. That’s what you’d’ve done, wouldn’t you, + Bos? I know I would.” </p> <p> - “He’d ‘ve had my axe at his head,” said Boscobel. + “He’d ’ve had my axe at his head,” said Boscobel. </p> <p> - “We all know Joe’s game to the backbone,” said Jerry. + “We all know Joe’s game to the backbone,” said Jerry. </p> <p> - “I’m game enough for you, anyway,” said the brother. - “And you can try it out any time you like.” + “I’m game enough for you, anyway,” said the brother. + “And you can try it out any time you like.” </p> <p> - “That’s right; fight like dogs, do,” said the old man. + “That’s right; fight like dogs, do,” said the old man. </p> <p> The quarrel at this point was interrupted by the arrival of another man, @@ -2713,7 +2638,7 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger gave some account of himself, which was supposed to suffice, but which they all knew to be false. It was Sunday, and they were off work at the sugar-mill. He had come across Gangoil run, intending to take back with - him things of his own which he had left as Bender’s hut, and having + him things of his own which he had left as Bender’s hut, and having come so far, had thought that he would come on and get his dinner at Boolabong. As this was being told, a good deal was said of Harry Heathcote. Nokes declared that he had come right across Gangoil, and @@ -2723,21 +2648,21 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger coming, perhaps. Then Nokes gave it to be understood very plainly that it was the settled practice of his life to give Harry Heathcote a thrashing. During all this there was an immense amount of bad language, and a large - portion of the art which in the colony is called “blowing.” + portion of the art which in the colony is called “blowing.” Jerry, Boscobel, and Nokes all boasted, each that on the first occasion he would give Harry Heathcote such a beating that a whole bone should hardly - be left in the man’s skin. + be left in the man’s skin. </p> <p> - “There isn’t one of you man enough to touch him,” said + “There isn’t one of you man enough to touch him,” said Joe, who was known as the freest fighter of the Brownbie family. </p> <p> - “And you’d eat him, I suppose,” said Jerry. + “And you’d eat him, I suppose,” said Jerry. </p> <p> - “He’s not likely to come in my way,” said Joe; “but - if he does, he’ll get as good as he brings. That’s all.” + “He’s not likely to come in my way,” said Joe; “but + if he does, he’ll get as good as he brings. That’s all.” </p> <p> This was unpleasant to the visitors, who, of course, felt themselves to be @@ -2746,12 +2671,12 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger soon all asleep, and remained dozing, snoring, changing their uncomfortable positions, and cursing the mosquitoes, till about four in the afternoon, when Boscobel got up, shook himself, and made some - observation about “grub.” The meal of the day was then + observation about “grub.” The meal of the day was then prepared. A certain quantity of flour and raw meat, ample for their immediate wants, was given to the two strangers, with which they retired into the outer kitchen, prepared it for themselves, and there ate their - dinner, and each of the brothers did the same for himself in the big room—Joe, - the fighting brother, providing for his father’s wants as well as + dinner, and each of the brothers did the same for himself in the big room—Joe, + the fighting brother, providing for his father’s wants as well as his own. One of them had half a leg of cold mutton, so that he was saved the trouble of cooking, but he did not offer to share this comfort with the others. An enormous kettle of tea was made, and that was common among @@ -2765,15 +2690,15 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger After their meal the men came back on to the veranda, and there were more smoking and sleeping, more boasting and snarling. Different allusions were made to the spirit jar, especially by the old man; but they were made in - vain. The “Battle-Axe” was Jerry’s own property, and he + vain. The “Battle-Axe” was Jerry’s own property, and he felt that he had already been almost foolishly liberal. But he had an object in view. He was quite sure that Boscobel and Nokes had not come to Boolabong on the same Sunday by any chance coincidence. The men had something to propose, and in their own way they would make the proposition before they left, and would make it probably to him. Boscobel intended to sleep at Boolabong, but Nokes had explained that it was his purpose to - return that night to Medlicot’s Mill. The proposition no doubt would - be made soon—a little after seven, when the day was preparing to + return that night to Medlicot’s Mill. The proposition no doubt would + be made soon—a little after seven, when the day was preparing to give way suddenly to night. Nokes first walked off, sloping out from the veranda in a half-shy, half-cunning manner, looking nowhither, and saying a word to no one. Quickly after him Boscobel jumped up suddenly, hitched @@ -2783,87 +2708,82 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger two men, and no doubt the proposition was made. </p> <p> - “There’s something up,” said the old man, as soon as + “There’s something up,” said the old man, as soon as Jerry was gone. </p> <p> - “Of course there’s something up,” said Joe. “Those - fellows didn’t come all the way to Boolabong for nothing.” + “Of course there’s something up,” said Joe. “Those + fellows didn’t come all the way to Boolabong for nothing.” </p> <p> - “It’s something about young Heathcote,” suggested the + “It’s something about young Heathcote,” suggested the father. </p> <p> - “If it is,” said Jack, “what’s that to you?” + “If it is,” said Jack, “what’s that to you?” </p> <p> - “They’ll get themselves hanged, that’s all about it.” + “They’ll get themselves hanged, that’s all about it.” </p> <p> - “That be blowed,” said Jack; “you go easy and hold your - tongue. If you know nothing, nobody can hurt you.” + “That be blowed,” said Jack; “you go easy and hold your + tongue. If you know nothing, nobody can hurt you.” </p> <p> - “I know nothing,” said Joe, “and don’t mean. If I + “I know nothing,” said Joe, “and don’t mean. If I had scores to quit with a fellow like Harry Heathcote, I should do it - after my own fashion. I shouldn’t get Boscobel to help me, nor yet - such a fellow as Nokes. But it’s no business of mine. Heathcote’s - made the place too hot to hold him. That’s all about it.” - There was no more said, and in an hour’s time Jerry returned, to the + after my own fashion. I shouldn’t get Boscobel to help me, nor yet + such a fellow as Nokes. But it’s no business of mine. Heathcote’s + made the place too hot to hold him. That’s all about it.” + There was no more said, and in an hour’s time Jerry returned to the family. Neither the father nor brother asked him any questions, nor did he volunteer any information. </p> <p> - Boolabong was about fourteen miles from Medlicot’s Mill. Nokes had - walked this distance in the morning, and now retraced it at night—not + Boolabong was about fourteen miles from Medlicot’s Mill. Nokes had + walked this distance in the morning, and now retraced it at night—not going right across Gangoil, as he had falsely boasted of doing early in the day, but skirting it, and keeping on the outside of the fence nearly the whole distance. At about two in the morning he reached his cottage outside the mill on the river-bank; but he was unable to skulk in unheard. Some dogs made a noise, and presently he heard a voice calling him from - the house. “Is that you, Nokes, at this time of night?” asked + the house. “Is that you, Nokes, at this time of night?” asked Mr. Medlicot. Nokes grunted out some reply, intending to avoid any further question. But his master came up to the hut door and asked him where he had been. </p> <p> - “Just amusing myself,” said Nokes. + “Just amusing myself,” said Nokes. </p> <p> - “It’s very late.” + “It’s very late.” </p> <p> - “It’s not later for me than for you, Mr. Medlicot.” + “It’s not later for me than for you, Mr. Medlicot.” </p> <p> - “That’s true. I’ve just ridden home from + “That’s true. I’ve just ridden home from Gangoil.” </p> <p> - “From Gangoil? I didn’t know you were so friendly there, Mr. - Medlicot.” + “From Gangoil? I didn’t know you were so friendly there, Mr. + Medlicot.” </p> <p> - “And where have you been?” + “And where have you been?” </p> <p> - “Not to Gangoil, anyway. Good-night, Mr. Medlicot.” Then the + “Not to Gangoil, anyway. Good-night, Mr. Medlicot.” Then the man took himself into his hut, and was safe from further questioning that night. </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER VII. — “I WISH YOU’D LIKE ME.” + + + <div class="chapter"> + <hr class="x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + <h2 id="link2HCH0007"> + CHAPTER VII.<br> <span>“I WISH YOU’D LIKE ME.”</span> </h2> + </div> <p> All the Saturday night Heathcote had been on the run, and he did not return home to bed till nearly dawn on the Sunday morning. At about noon @@ -2883,100 +2803,100 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger and taught them to regard him for the time as a young hero. </p> <p> - “How quietly he sleeps!” Kate said. “The fatigue of the - last week must have been terrible.” + “How quietly he sleeps!” Kate said. “The fatigue of the + last week must have been terrible.” </p> <p> - “He is quite, quite knocked up,” said the wife. + “He is quite, quite knocked up,” said the wife. </p> <p> - “I ain’t knocked up a bit,” said Harry, jumping up from - his chair. “What should knock me up? I wasn’t asleep, was I?” + “I ain’t knocked up a bit,” said Harry, jumping up from + his chair. “What should knock me up? I wasn’t asleep, was I?” </p> <p> - “Just dozing, dear.” + “Just dozing, dear.” </p> <p> - “Ah, well; there isn’t any thing to do, and it’s too hot - to get out. I wonder Old Bates didn’t come in for prayers.” + “Ah, well; there isn’t any thing to do, and it’s too hot + to get out. I wonder Old Bates didn’t come in for prayers.” </p> <p> - “I don’t think he cares much for prayers,” said Mrs. + “I don’t think he cares much for prayers,” said Mrs. Heathcote. </p> <p> - “But he likes an excuse for a nobbler as well as any one. Did I tell - you that they had fires over at Jackson’s yesterday—at - Goolaroo?” + “But he likes an excuse for a nobbler as well as any one. Did I tell + you that they had fires over at Jackson’s yesterday—at + Goolaroo?” </p> <p> - “Was there any harm done?” + “Was there any harm done?” </p> <p> - “A deal of grass burned, and they had to drive the sheep, which won’t - serve them this kind of weather. I don’t know which I fear most—the - grass, the fences, or the sheep. As for the buildings, I don’t think - they’ll try that again.” + “A deal of grass burned, and they had to drive the sheep, which won’t + serve them this kind of weather. I don’t know which I fear most—the + grass, the fences, or the sheep. As for the buildings, I don’t think + they’ll try that again.” </p> <p> - “Why not, Harry?” + “Why not, Harry?” </p> <p> - “The risk of being seen is too great. I can hardly understand that a - man like Nokes should have been such a fool as he was.” + “The risk of being seen is too great. I can hardly understand that a + man like Nokes should have been such a fool as he was.” </p> <p> - “You think it was Nokes?” + “You think it was Nokes?” </p> <p> - “Oh yes, certainly. In the first place, Jacko is as true as steel. I - don’t mean to swear by the boy, though I think he is a good boy. But - I’m sure he’s true in this. And then the man’s manner to - myself was conclusive. I can not understand a man in Medlicot’s + “Oh yes, certainly. In the first place, Jacko is as true as steel. I + don’t mean to swear by the boy, though I think he is a good boy. But + I’m sure he’s true in this. And then the man’s manner to + myself was conclusive. I can not understand a man in Medlicot’s position supporting a fellow like that. By Heavens! it nearly drives me mad to think of it. Thousands and thousands of pounds are at stake. All that a man has in the world is exposed to the malice of a scoundrel like Nokes! And then a man who calls himself a gentleman will talk about it - being un-English to look after him. He’s a ‘new chum;’ I - suppose that’s his excuse.” + being un-English to look after him. He’s a ‘new chum;’ I + suppose that’s his excuse.” </p> <p> - “If it’s a sufficient excuse, you should excuse him,” + “If it’s a sufficient excuse, you should excuse him,” said Kate, with good feminine logic. </p> <p> - “That’s just like you all over. He’s good-looking, and - therefore it’s all right. He ought to have learned better. He ought, + “That’s just like you all over. He’s good-looking, and + therefore it’s all right. He ought to have learned better. He ought, at any rate, to believe that men who have been here much longer than he - has must know the ways of the country a great deal better.” + has must know the ways of the country a great deal better.” </p> <p> - “It’s Christmas-time, Harry,” said his wife, “and - you should endeavor to forgive your neighbors.” + “It’s Christmas-time, Harry,” said his wife, “and + you should endeavor to forgive your neighbors.” </p> <p> - “What sort of a Christmas will it be if you and I, and these young - fellows here, and Kate, are all burned out of Gangoil? Here’s Bates.—Well, - Mr. Bates, how goes it?” + “What sort of a Christmas will it be if you and I, and these young + fellows here, and Kate, are all burned out of Gangoil? Here’s Bates.—Well, + Mr. Bates, how goes it?” </p> <p> - “Tremendous hot, Sir.” + “Tremendous hot, Sir.” </p> <p> - “We’ve found that out already. You haven’t heard where - that fellow Boscobel has gone?” + “We’ve found that out already. You haven’t heard where + that fellow Boscobel has gone?” </p> <p> - “No; I haven’t heard. But he’ll be over with some of - those Brownbie lads. They say Georgie Brownbie’s about the country - somewhere. If so, there’ll be a row among ’em.” + “No; I haven’t heard. But he’ll be over with some of + those Brownbie lads. They say Georgie Brownbie’s about the country + somewhere. If so, there’ll be a row among ’em.” </p> <p> - “When thieves fall out, Mr. Bates, honest men come by their own.” + “When thieves fall out, Mr. Bates, honest men come by their own.” </p> <p> - “So they say, Mr. Heathcote. All the same, I shouldn’t care - how far Georgie was away from any place I had to do with.” Then the + “So they say, Mr. Heathcote. All the same, I shouldn’t care + how far Georgie was away from any place I had to do with.” Then the young master and his old superintendent sauntered out to his back premises to talk about sheep and fires, and plans for putting out fires. And no doubt Mr. Bates had the glass of brandy-and-water which he had come to @@ -2986,7 +2906,7 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger discuss the pedigree of some particular ram, till it was past six. </p> <p> - “You may as well come in and dine with us, Mr. Bates,” Harry + “You may as well come in and dine with us, Mr. Bates,” Harry suggested, as they returned toward the station. </p> <p> @@ -2996,9 +2916,9 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger Bates would not have dreamed of going in to dinner without being asked. </p> <p> - “That’s Medlicot’s trap,” said Mr. Bates, as they - entered the yard. “I heard wheels when they were in the horse - paddock.” + “That’s Medlicot’s trap,” said Mr. Bates, as they + entered the yard. “I heard wheels when they were in the horse + paddock.” </p> <p> Harry looked at the trap, and then went quickly into the house. @@ -3016,30 +2936,30 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger Mr. Medlicot. </p> <p> - “I am glad to see you at Gangoil,” he said; “I was not + “I am glad to see you at Gangoil,” he said; “I was not fortunate enough to be at home when you called the other day. Mrs. - Medlicot must have found the drive very hot, I fear.” + Medlicot must have found the drive very hot, I fear.” </p> <p> His wife was still looking into his face, and was reading there, as in a - book, the mingled pride and disdain with which her husband exercising - civility to his enemy. Harry’s countenance wore a look not difficult + book, the mingled pride and disdain with which her husband was exercising + civility to his enemy. Harry’s countenance wore a look not difficult of perusal, and Medlicot could read the lines almost as distinctly as - Harry’s wife. + Harry’s wife. </p> <p> - “I have asked Mrs. Medlicot to stay and dine with us,” she - said, “so that she may have it cool for the drive back.” + “I have asked Mrs. Medlicot to stay and dine with us,” she + said, “so that she may have it cool for the drive back.” </p> <p> - “I am almost afraid of the bush at night,” said the old woman. + “I am almost afraid of the bush at night,” said the old woman. </p> <p> - “You’ll have a full moon,” said Harry; “it will be - as light as day.” So that was settled. Heathcote thought it odd that + “You’ll have a full moon,” said Harry; “it will be + as light as day.” So that was settled. Heathcote thought it odd that the man whom he regarded as his enemy, whom he had left at their last meeting in positive hostility, should consent to accept a dinner under his - roof; but that was Medlicot’s affair, not his. + roof; but that was Medlicot’s affair, not his. </p> <p> They dined at seven, and after dinner strolled out into the horse paddock, @@ -3048,125 +2968,125 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger and he had already moved quite as much as was usual with him on a Sunday. </p> <p> - “I think I was a little hard with you the other day,” said + “I think I was a little hard with you the other day,” said Medlicot, when they were alone together. </p> <p> - “I suppose we hardly understand each other’s ideas,” + “I suppose we hardly understand each other’s ideas,” said Harry. He spoke with a constrained voice, and with an almost savage manner, engendered by a determination to hold his own. He would forgive any offense for which an apology was made, but no apology had been made as yet; and, to tell the truth, he was a little afraid that if they got into an argument on the matter Medlicot would have the best of it. And there - was, too, almost a claim to superiority in Medlicot’s use of the - word “hard.” When one man says that he has been hard to + was, too, almost a claim to superiority in Medlicot’s use of the + word “hard.” When one man says that he has been hard to another, he almost boasts that, on that occasion, he got the better of him. </p> <p> - “That’s just it,” said Medlicot; “we do not quite + “That’s just it,” said Medlicot; “we do not quite understand each other. But we might believe in each other all the same, - and then the understanding would come. But it isn’t just that which - I want to say; such talking rarely does any good.” + and then the understanding would come. But it isn’t just that which + I want to say; such talking rarely does any good.” </p> <p> - “What is it, then?” + “What is it, then?” </p> <p> - “You may perhaps be right about that man Nokes.” + “You may perhaps be right about that man Nokes.” </p> <p> - “No doubt I may. I know I’m right. When I asked him whether he’d - been at my shed, what made him say that he hadn’t been there at + “No doubt I may. I know I’m right. When I asked him whether he’d + been at my shed, what made him say that he hadn’t been there at night-time? I said nothing about night-time. But the man was there at - night-time, or he wouldn’t have used the word.” + night-time, or he wouldn’t have used the word.” </p> <p> - “I’m not sure that that is evidence.” + “I’m not sure that that is evidence.” </p> <p> - “Perhaps not in England, Mr. Medlicot, but it’s good enough - evidence for the bush. And what made him pretend he didn’t know the - distances? And why can’t he look a man in the face? And why should - the boy have said it was he if it wasn’t? Of course, if you think - well of him you’re right to keep him. But you may take it as a rule - out here that when a man has been dismissed it hasn’t been done for - nothing. Men treated that way should travel out of the country. It’s - better for all parties. It isn’t here as it is at home, where people + “Perhaps not in England, Mr. Medlicot, but it’s good enough + evidence for the bush. And what made him pretend he didn’t know the + distances? And why can’t he look a man in the face? And why should + the boy have said it was he if it wasn’t? Of course, if you think + well of him you’re right to keep him. But you may take it as a rule + out here that when a man has been dismissed it hasn’t been done for + nothing. Men treated that way should travel out of the country. It’s + better for all parties. It isn’t here as it is at home, where people live so thick together that nothing is thought of a man being dismissed. I - was obliged to discharge him, and now he’s my enemy.” + was obliged to discharge him, and now he’s my enemy.” </p> <p> - “A man may be your enemy without being a felon.” + “A man may be your enemy without being a felon.” </p> <p> - “Of course he may. I’m his enemy in a way, but I wouldn’t + “Of course he may. I’m his enemy in a way, but I wouldn’t hurt a hair of his head unjustly. When I see the attempts made to burn me - out, of course I know that an enemy has been at work.” + out, of course I know that an enemy has been at work.” </p> <p> - “Is there no one else has got a grudge against you?” + “Is there no one else has got a grudge against you?” </p> <p> Harry was silent for a moment. What right had this man to cross-examine - him about his enmities—the man whose own position in the place had + him about his enmities—the man whose own position in the place had been one of hostility to him, whom he had almost suspected of harboring Nokes at the mill simply because Nokes had been dismissed from Gangoil? - That suspicion was, indeed, fading away. There was something in Medlicot’s + That suspicion was, indeed, fading away. There was something in Medlicot’s voice and manner which made it impossible to attribute such motives to him. Nevertheless the man was a free-selector, and had taken a bit of the Gangoil run after a fashion which to Heathcote was objectionable politically, morally, and socially. Let Medlicot in regard to character be - what he might, he was a free-selector, and a squatter’s enemy, and + what he might, he was a free-selector, and a squatter’s enemy, and had clinched his hostility by employing a servant dismissed from the very - run out of which he had bought his land. “It is hard to say,” - he replied at length, “who have grudges, as against whom, or why. I + run out of which he had bought his land. “It is hard to say,” + he replied at length, “who have grudges, as against whom, or why. I suppose I have a great grudge against you, if the truth is to be known; - but I sha’n’t burn down your mill.” + but I sha’n’t burn down your mill.” </p> <p> - “I’m sure you won’t.” + “I’m sure you won’t.” </p> <p> - “Nor yet say worse of you behind your back than I will to your face.” + “Nor yet say worse of you behind your back than I will to your face.” </p> <p> - “I don’t want you to think that you have occasion to speak ill - of me, either one way or the other. What I mean is this—I don’t + “I don’t want you to think that you have occasion to speak ill + of me, either one way or the other. What I mean is this—I don’t quite think that the evidence against Nokes is strong enough to justify me - in sending him away; but I’ll keep an eye on him as well as I can. + in sending him away; but I’ll keep an eye on him as well as I can. It seems that he left our place early this morning; but the men are not supposed to be there on Sundays, and of course he does as he pleases with - himself.” + himself.” </p> <p> The conversation then dropped, and in a little time Harry made some excuse for leaving them, and returned to the house alone, promising, however, - that he would not start for his night’s ride till after the party - had come back to the station. “There is no hurry at all,” he - said; “I shan’t stir for two hours yet, but Mickey will be - waiting there for stores for himself and the German.” + that he would not start for his night’s ride till after the party + had come back to the station. “There is no hurry at all,” he + said; “I shan’t stir for two hours yet, but Mickey will be + waiting there for stores for himself and the German.” </p> <p> - “That means a nobbler for Mickey,” said Kate. “Either of + “That means a nobbler for Mickey,” said Kate. “Either of those men would think it a treat to ride ten miles in and ten miles back, with a horse-load of sugar and tea and flour, for the sake of a glass of - brandy-and-water.” + brandy-and-water.” </p> <p> - “And so would you,” said Harry, “if you lived in a hut - by yourself for a fortnight, with nothing to drink but tea without milk.” + “And so would you,” said Harry, “if you lived in a hut + by yourself for a fortnight, with nothing to drink but tea without milk.” </p> <p> The old lady and Mrs. Heathcote were soon seated on the grass, while Medlicot and Kate Daly roamed on together. Kate was a pretty, modest girl, timid withal and shy, unused to society, and therefore awkward, but with the natural instincts and aptitudes of her sex. What the glass of - brandy-and-water was to Mickey O’Dowd after a fortnight’s + brandy-and-water was to Mickey O’Dowd after a fortnight’s solitude in a bush hut, with tea, dampers, and lumps of mutton, a young man in the guise of a gentleman was to poor Kate Daly. A brother-in-law, let him be ever so good, is after all no better than tea without milk. No - doubt Mickey O’Dowd often thought about a nobbler in his thirsty + doubt Mickey O’Dowd often thought about a nobbler in his thirsty solitude, and so did Kate speculate on what might possibly be the attractions of a lover. Medlicot probably indulged in no such speculations; but the nobbler, when brought close to his lips, was @@ -3174,138 +3094,138 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger doubt. </p> <p> - “Isn’t it sad that he should have to ride about all night like - that?” said Kate, to whom, as was proper, Harry Heathcote at the + “Isn’t it sad that he should have to ride about all night like + that?” said Kate, to whom, as was proper, Harry Heathcote at the present moment was of more importance than any other human being. </p> <p> - “I suppose he likes it.” + “I suppose he likes it.” </p> <p> - “Oh no, Mr. Medlicot; how can he like it? It is not the hard work he - minds, but the constant dread of coming evil.” + “Oh no, Mr. Medlicot; how can he like it? It is not the hard work he + minds, but the constant dread of coming evil.” </p> <p> - “The excitement keeps him alive.” + “The excitement keeps him alive.” </p> <p> - “There’s plenty on a station to keep a man alive in that way - at all times.” + “There’s plenty on a station to keep a man alive in that way + at all times.” </p> <p> - “And plenty to keep ladies alive too?” + “And plenty to keep ladies alive too?” </p> <p> - “Oh, ladies! I don’t know that ladies have any business in the - bush. Harry’s trouble is all about my sister and the children and - me. He wouldn’t care a straw for himself.” + “Oh, ladies! I don’t know that ladies have any business in the + bush. Harry’s trouble is all about my sister and the children and + me. He wouldn’t care a straw for himself.” </p> <p> - “Do you think he’d be better without a wife?” + “Do you think he’d be better without a wife?” </p> <p> - Kate hesitated for a moment. “Well, no. I suppose it would be very - rough without Mary; and he’d be so lonely when he came in.” + Kate hesitated for a moment. “Well, no. I suppose it would be very + rough without Mary; and he’d be so lonely when he came in.” </p> <p> - “And nobody to make his tea.” + “And nobody to make his tea.” </p> <p> - “Or to look after his things,” said Kate, earnestly. “I + “Or to look after his things,” said Kate, earnestly. “I know it was very rough before we came here. He says that himself. There were no regular meals, but just food in a cupboard when he chose to get - it.” + it.” </p> <p> - “That is not comfortable, certainly.” + “That is not comfortable, certainly.” </p> <p> - “Horrid, I should think. I suppose it is better for him to be - married. You’ve got your mother, Mr. Medlicot.” + “Horrid, I should think. I suppose it is better for him to be + married. You’ve got your mother, Mr. Medlicot.” </p> <p> - “Yes: I’ve got my mother.” + “Yes: I’ve got my mother.” </p> <p> - “That makes a difference, does it not?” + “That makes a difference, does it not?” </p> <p> - “A very great difference. She’ll save me from having to go to - a cupboard for my bread and meat.” + “A very great difference. She’ll save me from having to go to + a cupboard for my bread and meat.” </p> <p> - “I suppose having a woman about is better for a man. They haven’t - got any thing else to do, and therefore they can look to things.” + “I suppose having a woman about is better for a man. They haven’t + got any thing else to do, and therefore they can look to things.” </p> <p> - “Do you help to look to things?” + “Do you help to look to things?” </p> <p> - “I suppose I do something. I often feel ashamed to think how very - little it is. As for that, I’m not wanted at all.” + “I suppose I do something. I often feel ashamed to think how very + little it is. As for that, I’m not wanted at all.” </p> <p> - “So that you’re free to go elsewhere?” + “So that you’re free to go elsewhere?” </p> <p> - “I didn’t mean that, Mr. Medlicot; only I know I’m not - of much use.” + “I didn’t mean that, Mr. Medlicot; only I know I’m not + of much use.” </p> <p> - “But if you had a house of your own?” + “But if you had a house of your own?” </p> <p> - “Gangoil is my home just as much as it is Mary’s; and I - sometimes feel that Harry is just as good to me as he is to Mary.” + “Gangoil is my home just as much as it is Mary’s; and I + sometimes feel that Harry is just as good to me as he is to Mary.” </p> <p> - “Your sister will never leave Gangoil.” + “Your sister will never leave Gangoil.” </p> <p> - “Not unless Harry gets another station.” + “Not unless Harry gets another station.” </p> <p> - “But you will have to be transplanted some day.” + “But you will have to be transplanted some day.” </p> <p> Kate merely chucked up her head and pouted her lips, as though to show that the proposition was one which did not deserve an answer. </p> <p> - “You’ll marry a squatter, of course, Miss Daly?” + “You’ll marry a squatter, of course, Miss Daly?” </p> <p> - “I don’t suppose I shall ever marry any body, Mr. Medlicot.” + “I don’t suppose I shall ever marry any body, Mr. Medlicot.” </p> <p> - “You wouldn’t marry any one but a squatter? I can quite + “You wouldn’t marry any one but a squatter? I can quite understand that. The squatters here are what the lords and the country - gentlemen are at home.” + gentlemen are at home.” </p> <p> - “I can’t even picture to myself what sort of life people live - at home.” Both Medlicot and Kate Daly meant England when they spoke + “I can’t even picture to myself what sort of life people live + at home.” Both Medlicot and Kate Daly meant England when they spoke of home. </p> <p> - “There isn’t so much difference as people think. Classes hang - together just in the same way; only I think there’s a little more - exclusiveness here than there was there.” + “There isn’t so much difference as people think. Classes hang + together just in the same way; only I think there’s a little more + exclusiveness here than there was there.” </p> <p> In answer to this, Kate asserted with innocent eagerness that she was not - at all exclusive, and that if ever she married any one she’d marry + at all exclusive, and that if ever she married any one she’d marry the man she liked. </p> <p> - “I wish you’d like me,” said Medlicot. + “I wish you’d like me,” said Medlicot. </p> <p> - “That’s nonsense,” said Kate, in a low, timid whisper, + “That’s nonsense,” said Kate, in a low, timid whisper, hurrying away to rejoin the other ladies. She could speculate on the - delights of the beverage as would Mickey O’Dowd in his hut; but when + delights of the beverage as would Mickey O’Dowd in his hut; but when it was first brought to her lips she could only fly away from it. In this - respect Mickey O’Dowd was the more sensible of the two. No other + respect Mickey O’Dowd was the more sensible of the two. No other word was spoken that night between them, but Kate lay awake till morning thinking of the one word that had been spoken. But the secret was kept sacredly within her own bosom. @@ -3313,21 +3233,21 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger <p> Before the Medlicots started that night the old lady made a proposition that the Heathcotes and Miss Daly should eat the Christmas dinner at - Medlicot’s Mill. Mrs. Heathcote, thinking perhaps of her sister, + Medlicot’s Mill. Mrs. Heathcote, thinking perhaps of her sister, thoroughly liking what she herself had seen of the Medlicots, looked - anxiously into Harry’s face. If he would consent to this, an + anxiously into Harry’s face. If he would consent to this, an intimacy would follow, and probably a real friendship be made. </p> <p> - “It’s out of the question,” he said. The very firmness, + “It’s out of the question,” he said. The very firmness, however, with which he spoke gave a certain cordiality even to his - refusal. “I must be at home, so that the men may know where to find - me till I go out for the night.” Then, after a pause, he continued, - “As we can’t go to you, why should you not come to us?” + refusal. “I must be at home, so that the men may know where to find + me till I go out for the night.” Then, after a pause, he continued, + “As we can’t go to you, why should you not come to us?” </p> <p> - So it was at last decided, much to Harry’s own astonishment, much to - his wife’s delight. Kate, therefore, when she lay awake, thinking of + So it was at last decided, much to Harry’s own astonishment, much to + his wife’s delight. Kate, therefore, when she lay awake, thinking of the one word that had been spoken, knew that there would be an opportunity for another word. </p> @@ -3336,49 +3256,44 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger the house, encountered Nokes on his return from Boolabong, as has been told at the close of the last chapter. </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER VIII. — “I DO WISH HE WOULD COME!” + + + <div class="chapter"> + <hr class="x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + <h2 id="link2HCH0008"> + CHAPTER VIII.<br> <span>“I DO WISH HE WOULD COME!”</span> </h2> + </div> <p> On the Monday morning Harry came home as usual, and, as usual, went to bed - after his breakfast. “I wouldn’t care about the heat if it - were not for the wind,” he said to his wife, as he threw himself + after his breakfast. “I wouldn’t care about the heat if it + were not for the wind,” he said to his wife, as he threw himself down. </p> <p> - “The wind carries it so, I suppose.” + “The wind carries it so, I suppose.” </p> <p> - “Yes; and it comes from just the wrong side—from the - northwest. There have been half a dozen fires about to-day.” + “Yes; and it comes from just the wrong side—from the + northwest. There have been half a dozen fires about to-day.” </p> <p> - “During the night, you mean.” + “During the night, you mean.” </p> <p> - “No; yesterday—Sunday. I can not make out whether they come by - themselves. They certainly are not all made by incendiaries.” + “No; yesterday—Sunday. I can not make out whether they come by + themselves. They certainly are not all made by incendiaries.” </p> <p> - “Accidents, perhaps.” + “Accidents, perhaps.” </p> <p> - “Well, yes. Somebody drops a match, and the sun ignites it. But the + “Well, yes. Somebody drops a match, and the sun ignites it. But the chances are much against a fire like that spreading. Care is wanted to make it spread. As far as I can learn, the worst fires have not been just after midday, when, of course, the heat is greater, but in the early night, before the dews have come. All the same, I feel that I know nothing - about it—nothing at all. Don’t let me sleep long.” + about it—nothing at all. Don’t let me sleep long.” </p> <p> In spite of this injunction, Mrs. Heathcote determined that he should @@ -3393,77 +3308,77 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger wife, anxious as she was that her husband should sleep, did not dare in these perilous times to ignore Jacko and his information, and therefore gently woke the sleeper. In a few minutes Jacko was standing by the young - squatter’s bedside, and Harry Heathcote, quite awake, was sitting up - and listening. “George Brownbie’s at Boolabong.” That at - first was the gravamen of Jacko’s news. + squatter’s bedside, and Harry Heathcote, quite awake, was sitting up + and listening. “George Brownbie’s at Boolabong.” That at + first was the gravamen of Jacko’s news. </p> <p> - “I know that already, Jacko.” + “I know that already, Jacko.” </p> <p> - “My word!” exclaimed Jacko. In those parts Georgie Brownbie + “My word!” exclaimed Jacko. In those parts Georgie Brownbie was regarded almost as the Evil One himself, and Jacko, knowing what mischief was, as it were, in the word, thought that he was entitled to bread and jam, if not to a nobbler itself, in bringing such tidings to Gangoil. </p> <p> - “Is that all?” asked Heathcote. + “Is that all?” asked Heathcote. </p> <p> - “And Bos is at Boolabong, and Bill Nokes was there all Sunday, and - Jerry Brownbie’s been out with Bos and Georgie.” + “And Bos is at Boolabong, and Bill Nokes was there all Sunday, and + Jerry Brownbie’s been out with Bos and Georgie.” </p> <p> - “The old man wouldn’t say any thing of that kind, Jacko.” + “The old man wouldn’t do any thing of that kind, Jacko.” </p> <p> - “The old man! He knows nothing about it. My word! they don’t - tell him about nothing.” + “The old man! He knows nothing about it. My word! they don’t + tell him about nothing.” </p> <p> - “Or Tom?” + “Or Tom?” </p> <p> - “Tom’s away in prison. They always cotches the best when they - want to send ’em to prison. If they’d lock up Jerry and - Georgie and Jack! My word! yes.” + “Tom’s away in prison. They always cotches the best when they + want to send ’em to prison. If they’d lock up Jerry and + Georgie and Jack! My word! yes.” </p> <p> - “You think they’re arranging it all at Boolabong?” + “You think they’re arranging it all at Boolabong?” </p> <p> - “In course they are.” + “In course they are.” </p> <p> - “I don’t see why Boscobel shouldn’t be at Boolabong - without intending me any harm. Of course he’d go there when he left - Gangoil. That’s where they all go.” + “I don’t see why Boscobel shouldn’t be at Boolabong + without intending me any harm. Of course he’d go there when he left + Gangoil. That’s where they all go.” </p> <p> - “And Bill Nokes, Mr. Harry?” + “And Bill Nokes, Mr. Harry?” </p> <p> - “And Bill Nokes too. Though why he should travel so far from his - work this weather I can’t say.” + “And Bill Nokes too. Though why he should travel so far from his + work this weather I can’t say.” </p> <p> - “My word! no, Mr. Harry.” + “My word! no, Mr. Harry.” </p> <p> - “Did you see any fires about your way last night?” + “Did you see any fires about your way last night?” </p> <p> Jacko shook his head. </p> <p> - “You go into the kitchen and get something to eat, and wait for me. - I shall be out before long now.” + “You go into the kitchen and get something to eat, and wait for me. + I shall be out before long now.” </p> <p> Though Heathcote had made light of the assemblage of evil spirits at Boolabong which had seemed so important to Jacko, he by no means did - regard the news as unessential. Of Nokes’s villany he was convinced. + regard the news as unessential. Of Nokes’s villany he was convinced. Of Boscobel he had imprudently made a second enemy at a most inauspicious time. Georgie Brownbie had long been his bitter foe. He had prosecuted and, perhaps, persecuted Georgie for various offenses; but as Georgie was @@ -3475,20 +3390,20 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger </p> <p> Soon after noon Harry was on horseback and Jacko was at his heels. The - heat was more intense than ever. Mrs. Heathcote had twisted round Harry’s + heat was more intense than ever. Mrs. Heathcote had twisted round Harry’s hat a long white scarf, called a puggeree, though we are by no means sure of our spelling. Jacko had spread a very dirty fragment of an old white handkerchief on his head, and wore his hat over it. Mrs. Heathcote had begged Harry to take a large cotton parasol, and he had nearly consented, being unable at last to reconcile himself to the idea of riding with such - an accoutrement even in the bush. “The heat’s a bore,” - he said, “but I’m not a bit afraid of it as long as I keep - moving. Yes, I’ll be back to dinner, though I won’t say when, - and I won’t say for how long. It will be the same thing all day - to-morrow. I wish with all my heart those people were not coming.” + an accoutrement even in the bush. “The heat’s a bore,” + he said, “but I’m not a bit afraid of it as long as I keep + moving. Yes, I’ll be back to dinner, though I won’t say when, + and I won’t say for how long. It will be the same thing all day + to-morrow. I wish with all my heart those people were not coming.” </p> <p> - He rode straight away to the German’s hut, which was on the + He rode straight away to the German’s hut, which was on the northwestern extremity of his further paddock in that direction. From thence the western fence ran in a southerly direction, nearly straight to the river. Beyond the fence was a strip of land, in some parts over a mile @@ -3500,7 +3415,7 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger ownership of a Crown tenant in such fashion as the nature of his occupation allowed. Beyond this strip was Boolabong; the house at Boolabong being not above three miles distant from the fence, and not - above four miles from the German’s hut. So that the Brownbies were + above four miles from the German’s hut. So that the Brownbies were in truth much nearer neighbors to the German than was Heathcote and his family. But between the German and the Brownbies there raged an internecine feud. No doubt Harry Heathcote, in his heart, liked the German @@ -3512,9 +3427,9 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger colony at Brisbane. He probably knew nothing of law or justice in the abstract, but he greatly valued law when exercised against those he hated. The western fence of which mention has been made ran down to the Mary - River, hitting it about four miles west of Medlicot’s Mill; so that + River, hitting it about four miles west of Medlicot’s Mill; so that there was a considerable portion of the Gangoil run having a frontage to - the water. As has been before said, Medlicot’s plantation was about + the water. As has been before said, Medlicot’s plantation was about fourteen miles distant from the house at Boolabong, and the distance from the Gangoil house to that of the Brownbies was about the same. </p> @@ -3532,8 +3447,8 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger their own grass. Their stock, if they had any at the present moment, were much too few in number to be affected by such a loss. The Brownbies had not a yard of fencing to be burned; and a fire, if once it got a hold on - the edge of their run, would pass on away from them, right across Harry’s - pastures and Harry’s fences. If such were the case, he would have + the edge of their run, would pass on away from them, right across Harry’s + pastures and Harry’s fences. If such were the case, he would have quite enough to do to drive his sheep from the fire, and it might be that many of them also would perish in the flames. The catastrophe might even be so bad, so frightful, that the shed and station and all should go; @@ -3542,29 +3457,29 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger </p> <p> He found Karl Bender in his hut asleep. The man was soon up, apologizing - for his somnolence, and preparing tea for his master’s - entertainment. “It is not Christmas like at home at all; is it, Mr. - ‘Eathcote? Dear, no! Them red divils is there ready to give us a Christmas - roasting.” Then he told how he had boldly ridden up to Boolabong + for his somnolence, and preparing tea for his master’s + entertainment. “It is not Christmas like at home at all; is it, Mr. + ’Eathcote? Dear, no! Them red divils is there ready to give us a Christmas + roasting.” Then he told how he had boldly ridden up to Boolabong that morning, and had seen Georgie and Boscobel with his own eyes. When asked what they had said to him, he replied that he did not wait till any thing had been said, but had hurried away as fast as his horse could carry him. </p> <p> - “I’ll go up to Boolabong myself,” said Harry. + “I’ll go up to Boolabong myself,” said Harry. </p> <p> - “My word! They’ll just about knock your head off,” + “My word! They’ll just about knock your head off,” suggested Jacko. </p> <p> Karl Bender also thought that the making of such a visit would be a source of danger. But Heathcote explained that any personal attack was not to be - apprehended from these men. “That’s not their game,” he + apprehended from these men. “That’s not their game,” he said, arguing that men who premeditated a secret outrage would not probably be tempted into personal violence. The horror of the position lay - in this—that though a fire should rise up almost under the feet of + in this—that though a fire should rise up almost under the feet of men who were known to be hostile to him, and whose characters were acknowledged to be bad, still would there be no evidence against them. It was known to all men that, at periods of heat such as that which was now @@ -3588,77 +3503,77 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger should he call them. </p> <p> - He had left the house about noon, saying that he would be home to dinner—which, + He had left the house about noon, saying that he would be home to dinner—which, however, on such occasions, was held to be a feast movable over a wide space of time. But on this occasion the women expected him to come early, as it was his intention to be out again as soon as it should be dark. Mrs. Growler was asked to have the dinner ready at six. During the day Mrs. - Heathcote was backward and forward in the kitchen. Then was something + Heathcote was backward and forward in the kitchen. There was something wrong she knew, but could not quite discern the evil. Sing Sing, the cook, was more than ordinarily alert; but Sing Sing, the cook, was not much - trusted. Mrs. Growler was “as good as the Bank,” as far as + trusted. Mrs. Growler was “as good as the Bank,” as far as that went, having lived with old Mr. Daly when he was prosperous; but she was apt to be downhearted, and on the present occasion was more than - usually low in spirits. Whenever Mrs. Heathcote spoke, she wept. At six o’clock + usually low in spirits. Whenever Mrs. Heathcote spoke, she wept. At six o’clock she came into the parlor with a budget of news. Sing Sing, the cook, had been gone for the last half hour, leaving the leg of mutton at the fire. It soon became clear to them that he had altogether absconded. </p> <p> - “Them rats always does leave a falling house,” said Mrs. + “Them rats always does leave a falling house,” said Mrs. Growler. </p> <p> - At seven o’clock the sun was down, though the gloom of the tropical + At seven o’clock the sun was down, though the gloom of the tropical evening had not yet come. The two ladies went out to the gate, which was but a few yards from the veranda, and there stood listening for the sound - of Harry’s horse. The low moaning of the wind through the trees + of Harry’s horse. The low moaning of the wind through the trees could be heard, but it was so gentle, continuous, and unaltered that it seemed to be no more than a vehicle for other sounds, and was as death-like as silence itself. The gate of the horse paddock through which Heathcote must pass on his way home was nearly a mile distant; but the road there was hard, and they knew that they could hear from there the - fall of his horse’s feet. There they stood from seven to nearly + fall of his horse’s feet. There they stood from seven to nearly eight, whispering a word now and then to each other, listening always, but in vain. Looking away to the west every now and then, they fancied that they could see the sky glow with flames, and then they would tell each other that it was fancy. The evening grew darker and still darker, but no sound was heard through the moaning wind. From time to time Mrs. Growler - came out to them, declaring her fears in no measured terms. “Well, - marm, I do declare I think we’d better go away out of this.” + came out to them, declaring her fears in no measured terms. “Well, + marm, I do declare I think we’d better go away out of this.” </p> <p> - “Go away, Mrs. Growler! What nonsense! Where can we go to?” + “Go away, Mrs. Growler! What nonsense! Where can we go to?” </p> <p> - “The mill would be nearest, ma’am, and we should be safe - there. I’m sure Mrs. Medlicot would take us in.” + “The mill would be nearest, ma’am, and we should be safe + there. I’m sure Mrs. Medlicot would take us in.” </p> <p> - “Why should you not be safe here?” said Kate. + “Why should you not be safe here?” said Kate. </p> <p> - “That wretched Chinese hasn’t gone and left us for nothing, + “That wretched Chinese hasn’t gone and left us for nothing, miss, and what would we three lone women do here if all them Brownbies - came down upon us? Why don’t master come back? He ought to come - back; oughtn’t he, ma’am? He never do think what lone women - are.” + came down upon us? Why don’t master come back? He ought to come + back; oughtn’t he, ma’am? He never do think what lone women + are.” </p> <p> - Mrs. Heathcote took her husband’s part very strongly, and gave Mrs. + Mrs. Heathcote took her husband’s part very strongly, and gave Mrs. Growler as hard a scolding as she knew how to pronounce. But her own - courage was giving way much as Mrs. Growler’s had done. “We - are bound to stay here,” she said; “and if the worst comes, we - must bear it as others have done before us.” Then Mrs. Growler was + courage was giving way much as Mrs. Growler’s had done. “We + are bound to stay here,” she said; “and if the worst comes, we + must bear it as others have done before us.” Then Mrs. Growler was very sulky, and, retreating to the kitchen, sobbed there in solitude. - “Oh, Kate, I do wish he would come,” said the elder sister. + “Oh, Kate, I do wish he would come,” said the elder sister. </p> <p> - “Are you afraid?” + “Are you afraid?” </p> <p> - “It is so desolate, and he may be so far off, and we couldn’t - get to him if any thing happened, and we shouldn’t know.” + “It is so desolate, and he may be so far off, and we couldn’t + get to him if any thing happened, and we shouldn’t know.” </p> <p> Then they were again silent, and remained without exchanging more than a @@ -3667,13 +3582,13 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger comforted by their presence, but they had no consolation to offer each other. The silence of the bush, and the feeling of great distances, and the dread of calamity almost crushed them. At last there was a distant - sound of horse’s feet. “I hear him,” said Mrs. + sound of horse’s feet. “I hear him,” said Mrs. Heathcote, rushing forward toward the outer gate of the horse paddock, followed by her sister. </p> <p> Her ears were true, but she was doomed to disappointment. The horseman was - only a messenger from her husband—Mickey O’Dowd, the Irish + only a messenger from her husband—Mickey O’Dowd, the Irish boundary rider. </p> <p> @@ -3682,11 +3597,11 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger follows: Harry had been to Boolabong House, but had found there no one but the old man. Returning home thence toward his own fence, he had smelled the smoke of fire, and had found within a furlong of his path a long ridge - of burning grass. According to Mickey’s account, it could not have - been lighted above a few minutes before Heathcote’s presence on the + of burning grass. According to Mickey’s account, it could not have + been lighted above a few minutes before Heathcote’s presence on the spot. As it was, it had got too much ahead for him to put it out - single-handed; a few yards he might have managed, but—so Mickey - said, probably exaggerating the matter—there was half a quarter of a + single-handed; a few yards he might have managed, but—so Mickey + said, probably exaggerating the matter—there was half a quarter of a mile of flame. He had therefore ridden on before the fire, had called his own two men to him, and had at once lighted the grass himself some two hundred yards in front, making a second fire, but so keeping it down that @@ -3704,22 +3619,22 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger the remedy had been effective. But why did not Harry come home? </p> <p> - Mickey O’Dowd, after his fashion, explained that too. The ladies + Mickey O’Dowd, after his fashion, explained that too. The ladies were not to wait dinner. The master felt himself obliged to remain out at - night, and had gotten food at the German’s hut. He, Mickey, was + night, and had gotten food at the German’s hut. He, Mickey, was commissioned to return with a flask full of brandy, as it would be necessary that Harry, with all the men whom he could trust, should be - “on the rampage” all night. This small body was to consist of + “on the rampage” all night. This small body was to consist of Harry himself, of the German, of Jacko, and, according to the story as at - present told, especially of Mickey O’Dowd. Much as she would have + present told, especially of Mickey O’Dowd. Much as she would have wished to have kept the man at the station for protection, she did not - think of disobeying her husband’s orders. So Mickey was fed, and - then sent back with the flask—with tidings also as to the desertion + think of disobeying her husband’s orders. So Mickey was fed, and + then sent back with the flask—with tidings also as to the desertion of that wretched cook, Sing Sing. </p> <p> - “I shall sit here all night,” said Mrs. Heathcote to her - sister. “As things are, I shall not think of going to bed.” + “I shall sit here all night,” said Mrs. Heathcote to her + sister. “As things are, I shall not think of going to bed.” </p> <p> Kate declared that she would also sit in the veranda all night; and, as a @@ -3728,19 +3643,13 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger fire. The two young women jumped up, flew to the gate, and found that the whole western horizon was lurid with a dark red light. </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER IX. — THE BUSH FIGHT. + + <div class="chapter"> + <hr class="x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + <h2 id="link2HCH0009"> + CHAPTER IX.<br> <span>THE BUSH FIGHT.</span> </h2> + </div> <p> Harry Heathcote had on this occasion entertained no doubt whatever that the fire had been intentional and premeditated. A lighted torch must have @@ -3762,7 +3671,7 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger of enemies, knowing as he did that, had he been backed even by a score of trusty followers, one foe might still suffice to ruin him? At the present moment he was very hot with the work he had done, as were also Jacko and - the German. O’Dowd had also come up as they were completing their + the German. O’Dowd had also come up as they were completing their work. Their mode of extinguishing the flames had been to beat them down with branches of gum-tree loaded with leaves. By sweeping these along the burning ground the low flames would be scattered and expelled. But the @@ -3773,14 +3682,14 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger <p> The work had been so far done, but it might be begun again at any moment, either near or at a distance. No doubt the attempt would be made elsewhere - along the boundary between Gangoil and Boolabong—was very probably + along the boundary between Gangoil and Boolabong—was very probably being made at this moment. The two men whom he could trust and Jacko were now with him. They were wiping their brows with their arms and panting with their work. </p> <p> - He first resolved on sending Mickey O’Dowd to the house. The - distance was great, and the man’s assistance might be essential. But + He first resolved on sending Mickey O’Dowd to the house. The + distance was great, and the man’s assistance might be essential. But he could not bear to leave his wife without news from him. Then, after considering a while, he made up his mind to go back toward his own fence, making his way as he went southerly down toward the river. They who were @@ -3790,9 +3699,9 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger his bivouac for the night. </p> <p> - “It won’t be very cheery, Bender,” he said to the - German; “but we shall have to make a night of it till they disturb - us again.” + “It won’t be very cheery, Bender,” he said to the + German; “but we shall have to make a night of it till they disturb + us again.” </p> <p> The German made a motion with his arms intended to signify his utter @@ -3803,15 +3712,15 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger <p> No doubt they all slept, but they slept as watchers sleep, with one eye open. It was Harry who first saw the light which a few minutes later made - itself visible to the ladies at the home station. “Karl,” he - exclaimed, jumping up, “they’re at it again—look there.” + itself visible to the ladies at the home station. “Karl,” he + exclaimed, jumping up, “they’re at it again—look there.” </p> <p> In less than half a minute, and without speaking another word, they were all on their horses and riding in the direction of the light. It came from a part of the Boolabong run somewhat nearer to the river than the place at which they had stationed themselves, where the strip of ground between - Harry’s fence and the acknowledged boundary of Brownbie’s run + Harry’s fence and the acknowledged boundary of Brownbie’s run was the narrowest. As they approached the fire, they became aware that it had been lighted on Boolabong. On this occasion Harry did not ride on up to the flames, knowing that the use or loss of a few minutes might save or @@ -3820,7 +3729,7 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger instructed, if only they would be sufficiently energetic. </p> <p> - “Keep it well under, but let it run,” was all he said, as, + “Keep it well under, but let it run,” was all he said, as, lighting a dried bush with a match, he ran the fire along the ground in front of the coming flames. </p> @@ -3840,14 +3749,14 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger figure among the flames, for Mickey had now returned. </p> <p> - “You saw them,” Harry said, panting with his work. + “You saw them,” Harry said, panting with his work. </p> <p> - “They’s all right,” said Mickey, flopping away with a - great bough; “but that tarnation Chinese has gone off.” + “They’s all right,” said Mickey, flopping away with a + great bough; “but that tarnation Chinese has gone off.” </p> <p> - “My word! Sing Sing. Find him at Boolabong,” said Jacko. + “My word! Sing Sing. Find him at Boolabong,” said Jacko. </p> <p> The German, whose gum-tree bough was a very big one, and whose every @@ -3857,7 +3766,7 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger <p> But the back fire was extending itself, so as to get round them. Every now and then Harry extended his own line, moving always forward toward Gangoil - as he did so, though he and his men were always on Brownbie’s + as he did so, though he and his men were always on Brownbie’s territory. He had no doubt but that where he could succeed in destroying the grass for a breadth of forty or fifty yards he would starve out the inimical flames. The trees and bushes without the herbage would not enable @@ -3883,28 +3792,28 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger and with him his foreman. </p> <p> - “We’ve been doing our best,” said Medlicot, “but - we’ve been terribly afraid that the fire would slip away from us.” + “We’ve been doing our best,” said Medlicot, “but + we’ve been terribly afraid that the fire would slip away from us.” </p> <p> - “It’s the only thing,” said Harry, too much excited at - the moment to ask questions as to the cause of Medlicot’s presence - so far from his home at that time of the evening. “It’s - getting round us, I’m afraid, all the same.” + “It’s the only thing,” said Harry, too much excited at + the moment to ask questions as to the cause of Medlicot’s presence + so far from his home at that time of the evening. “It’s + getting round us, I’m afraid, all the same.” </p> <p> - “I don’t know but it is. It’s almost impossible to - distinguish. How hot the fire makes it!” + “I don’t know but it is. It’s almost impossible to + distinguish. How hot the fire makes it!” </p> <p> - “Hot, indeed!” said Harry. “It’s killing work for + “Hot, indeed!” said Harry. “It’s killing work for men, and then all for no good! To think that men, creatures that call - themselves men, should do such a thing as this! It breaks one’s - heart.” He had paused as he spoke, leaning on the great battered - bough which he held, but in an instant was at work with it again. “Do - you stay here, Mr. Medlicot, with the men, and I’ll go on beyond - where you began. If I find the fire growing down, I’ll shout, and - they can come to me.” So saying, he rushed on with a lighted bush + themselves men, should do such a thing as this! It breaks one’s + heart.” He had paused as he spoke, leaning on the great battered + bough which he held, but in an instant was at work with it again. “Do + you stay here, Mr. Medlicot, with the men, and I’ll go on beyond + where you began. If I find the fire growing down, I’ll shout, and + they can come to me.” So saying, he rushed on with a lighted bush torch in his band. </p> <p> @@ -3914,54 +3823,54 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger that spot. </p> <p> - “That’s like your impudence,” said Georgie. “You’re - not only trespassing, but you’re destroying our property willfully, - and you ask me what business I have here. You’re a nice sort of - young man.” + “That’s like your impudence,” said Georgie. “You’re + not only trespassing, but you’re destroying our property willfully, + and you ask me what business I have here. You’re a nice sort of + young man.” </p> <p> Harry, checked for a moment by the remembrance that he was in truth upon Boolabong run, did not at once answer. </p> <p> - “Put that bush down, and don’t burn our grass,” - continued Georgie, “or you shall have to answer for it. What right - have you to fire our grass?” + “Put that bush down, and don’t burn our grass,” + continued Georgie, “or you shall have to answer for it. What right + have you to fire our grass?” </p> <p> - “Who fired it first?” + “Who fired it first?” </p> <p> - “It lighted itself. That’s no rule why you should light it - more. You give over, or I punch your head for you.” + “It lighted itself. That’s no rule why you should light it + more. You give over, or I punch your head for you.” </p> <p> - Harry’s men and Medlicot were advancing toward him, trampling out + Harry’s men and Medlicot were advancing toward him, trampling out their own embers as they came; and Georgie Brownbie, who was alone, when he saw that there were four or five men against him, turned round and rode back. </p> <p> - “Did you ever see impudence like that?” said Harry. “He’s + “Did you ever see impudence like that?” said Harry. “He’s probably the very man who set the match, and yet he comes and brazens it - out with me.” + out with me.” </p> <p> - “I don’t think he’s the man who set the match,” - said Medlicot, quietly; “at any rate there was another.” + “I don’t think he’s the man who set the match,” + said Medlicot, quietly; “at any rate there was another.” </p> <p> - “Who was it?” + “Who was it?” </p> <p> - “My man, Nokes. I saw him with the torch in his hand.” + “My man, Nokes. I saw him with the torch in his hand.” </p> <p> - “Heaven and earth!” + “Heaven and earth!” </p> <p> - “Yes, Mr. Heathcote. I saw him put it down. You were about right, - you see, and I was about wrong.” + “Yes, Mr. Heathcote. I saw him put it down. You were about right, + you see, and I was about wrong.” </p> <p> Harry had not a word to say, unless it were tell the man that he loved him @@ -3971,8 +3880,8 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger than pause. </p> <p> - “Ah!” said Harry, “there it goes; we shall be done at - last.” For he saw that he was being outflanked by the advancing + “Ah!” said Harry, “there it goes; we shall be done at + last.” For he saw that he was being outflanked by the advancing flames. But still they worked, drawing lines of fire here and there, and still they hoped that there might be ground for hope. Nokes had been seen; but, pregnant as the theme might be with words, it was almost impossible @@ -3980,16 +3889,16 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger their toil. There were questions which Harry longed to ask. Could Medlicot swear to the man? Did the man know that he had been seen? If he knew that he had been watched while he lit the grass, he would soon be far away from - Medlicot’s Mill and Gangoil. Harry felt that it would be a + Medlicot’s Mill and Gangoil. Harry felt that it would be a consolation to him in his trouble if he could get hold of this man, and - keep him, and prosecute him—and have him hung. Even in the tumult of + keep him, and prosecute him—and have him hung. Even in the tumult of the moment he was able to reflect about it, and to think that he remembered that the crime of arson was capital in the colony of Queensland. He had endeavored to be good to the men with whom he had dealings. He had not stinted their food, or cut them short in their wages, or been hard in exacting work from them. And this was his return! Ideas as - to the excellence of absolute dominion and power flitted across his brain—such - power as Abraham, no doubt, exercised. In Abraham’s time the people + to the excellence of absolute dominion and power flitted across his brain—such + power as Abraham, no doubt, exercised. In Abraham’s time the people were submissive, and the world was happy. Harry Heathcote, at least, had never heard that it was not happy. But as he thought of all this he worked away with his bush and his matches, extinguishing the flames here and @@ -4000,7 +3909,7 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger <p> He and his men were in a line covering something above a quarter of a mile of ground, of which line he was himself the nearest to the river, and - Medlicot and his foreman the farthest from it. The German and O’Dowd + Medlicot and his foreman the farthest from it. The German and O’Dowd were in the middle, and Jacko was working with his master. If Harry had just cause for anger and sorrow in regard to Nokes and Boscobel, he certainly had equal cause to be proud of the stanchness of his remaining @@ -4012,15 +3921,15 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger small and narrow. </p> <p> - “My word!” said Jacko, on a sudden, “here they are, all - o’ horseback!” And as he spoke, there was the sound of half a - dozen horsemen galloping up to them through the bush. “Why, there’s - Bos, his own self,” said Jacko. + “My word!” said Jacko, on a sudden, “here they are, all + o’ horseback!” And as he spoke, there was the sound of half a + dozen horsemen galloping up to them through the bush. “Why, there’s + Bos, his own self,” said Jacko. </p> <p> The two leading men were Joe and Jerry Brownbie, who, for this night only, had composed their quarrels, and close to them was Boscobel. There were - others behind, also mounted—Jack Brownbie and Georgie, and Nokes + others behind, also mounted—Jack Brownbie and Georgie, and Nokes himself; but they, though their figures were seen, could not be distinguished in the gloom of the night. Nor, indeed, did Harry at first discern of how many the party consisted. It seemed that there was a whole @@ -4046,20 +3955,20 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger of men in the dark were nothing to him. </p> <p> - Jerry Brownbie was the first to speak. “What’s this you’re - up to, Heathcote? Firing our grass? It’s arson. You shall swing for - this.” + Jerry Brownbie was the first to speak. “What’s this you’re + up to, Heathcote? Firing our grass? It’s arson. You shall swing for + this.” </p> <p> - “I’ll take my chance of that,” said Harry, turning to + “I’ll take my chance of that,” said Harry, turning to his work again. </p> <p> - “No, I’m blessed if you do. Ride over him, Bos, while I stop - these other fellows.” + “No, I’m blessed if you do. Ride over him, Bos, while I stop + these other fellows.” </p> <p> - The Brownbies had been aware that Harry’s two boundary riders were + The Brownbies had been aware that Harry’s two boundary riders were with him, but had not heard of the arrival of Medlicot and the other man. Nokes was aware that some one on horseback had been near him when he was firing the grass, but had thought that it was one of the party from @@ -4067,26 +3976,26 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger was there also. </p> <p> - “Who the deuce are you?” asked Jerry. + “Who the deuce are you?” asked Jerry. </p> <p> - “What business is that of yours?” said Medlicot. + “What business is that of yours?” said Medlicot. </p> <p> - “No business of mine, and you firing our grass! I’ll let you - know my business pretty quickly.” + “No business of mine, and you firing our grass! I’ll let you + know my business pretty quickly.” </p> <p> - “It’s that fellow, Medlicot, from the sugar-mill,” said - Joe; “the man that Nokes is with.” + “It’s that fellow, Medlicot, from the sugar-mill,” said + Joe; “the man that Nokes is with.” </p> <p> - “I thought you was a horse of another color,” continued Jerry, - who had been given to understand that Medlicot was Heathcote’s - enemy. “Anyway, I won’t have my grass fired. If God A’mighty - chooses to send fires, we can’t help it. But I’m not going to - have incendiaries here as well. You’re a new chum, and don’t - understand what you’re about, but you must stop this.” + “I thought you was a horse of another color,” continued Jerry, + who had been given to understand that Medlicot was Heathcote’s + enemy. “Anyway, I won’t have my grass fired. If God A’mighty + chooses to send fires, we can’t help it. But I’m not going to + have incendiaries here as well. You’re a new chum, and don’t + understand what you’re about, but you must stop this.” </p> <p> As Medlicot still went on putting out the fire, Jerry attempted to ride @@ -4118,22 +4027,22 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger employer Medlicot. </p> <p> - “I’m blessed if your cowardice sha’n’t hang you,” - said Joe Brownbie to him on their way home. “Do you think we’re - going to fight the battles of a fellow like you, who hasn’t pluck to - come forward himself?” + “I’m blessed if your cowardice sha’n’t hang you,” + said Joe Brownbie to him on their way home. “Do you think we’re + going to fight the battles of a fellow like you, who hasn’t pluck to + come forward himself?” </p> <p> - “I’ve as much pluck as you,” answered Nokes, “and + “I’ve as much pluck as you,” answered Nokes, “and am ready to fight you any day. But I know when a man is to come forward - and when he’s not. Hang me! I’m not so near hanging as some - folks at Boolabong.” We may imagine, therefore, that the night was + and when he’s not. Hang me! I’m not so near hanging as some + folks at Boolabong.” We may imagine, therefore, that the night was not spent pleasantly among the Brownbies after these adventures. </p> <p> There were, of course, very much cursing and swearing, and very many threats, before the party from Boolabong did retreat. Their great point - was, of coarse, this—that Heathcote was willfully firing the grass, + was, of course, this—that Heathcote was willfully firing the grass, and was, therefore, no better than an incendiary. Of course they stoutly denied that the original fire had been intentional, and denied as stoutly that the original fire could be stopped by fires. But at last they went, @@ -4142,13 +4051,13 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger transaction given from Boolabong, his fall was put forward as the reason of their flight, he having been the general on the occasion. And Boscobel had certainly lost all stomach for immediate fighting. Immediately behind - the battle-field they come across Nokes, and Sing Sing, the runaway cook + the battle-field they came across Nokes, and Sing Sing, the runaway cook from Gangoil. The poor Chinaman had made the mistake of joining the party which was not successful. </p> <p> But Harry, though the victory was with him, was hardly in a mood for - triumph. He soon found that Medlicot’s collar-bone was broken, and + triumph. He soon found that Medlicot’s collar-bone was broken, and it would be necessary, therefore, that he should return with the wounded man to the station. And the flames, as he feared, had altogether got ahead of him during the fight. As far as they had gone, they had stopped the @@ -4166,9 +4075,9 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger Perhaps he thought that Kate Daly might be a better nurse than his mother, or that the quiet of the sheep station might be better for him than the clatter of his own mill-wheels. It was midnight, and they had a ride of - fourteen miles, which was hard enough upon a man with a broken collarbone. + fourteen miles, which was hard enough upon a man with a broken collar-bone. The whole party also was thoroughly fatigued. The work they had been doing - was about as hard as could fall to a man’s lot, and they had now + was about as hard as could fall to a man’s lot, and they had now been many hours without food. Before they started Mickey produced his flask, the contents of which were divided equally among them all, including Jacko. @@ -4182,162 +4091,157 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger mill. From that time Medlicot and his foreman had watched him. </p> <p> - “Yes,” said he, in answer to a question from Heathcote, - “I can swear that I saw him with the lighted torch in his hand, and + “Yes,” said he, in answer to a question from Heathcote, + “I can swear that I saw him with the lighted torch in his hand, and that he placed it among the grass. There were two others from Boolabong - with him, and they must have seen him too.” - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> + with him, and they must have seen him too.” </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER X. — HARRY HEATHCOTE RETURNS IN TRIUMPH. + + + <div class="chapter"> + <hr class="x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + <h2 id="link2HCH0010"> + CHAPTER X.<br> <span>HARRY HEATHCOTE RETURNS IN TRIUMPH.</span> </h2> + </div> <p> - When the fight was quite over, and Heathcote’s party had returned to + When the fight was quite over, and Heathcote’s party had returned to their horses, Medlicot for a few minutes was faint and sick, but he revived after a while, and declared himself able to sit on his horse. There was a difficulty in getting him up, but when there he made no - further complaint. “This,” said he, as he settled himself in - his saddle, “is my first Christmas-day in Australia. I landed early - in January, and last year I was on my way home to fetch my mother.” + further complaint. “This,” said he, as he settled himself in + his saddle, “is my first Christmas-day in Australia. I landed early + in January, and last year I was on my way home to fetch my mother.” </p> <p> - “It’s not much like an English Christmas,” said Harry. + “It’s not much like an English Christmas,” said Harry. </p> <p> - “Nor yet as in Hanover,” said the German. + “Nor yet as in Hanover,” said the German. </p> <p> - “It’s Cork you should go to, or Galway, bedad, if you want to - see Christmas kep’ after the ould fashion,” said Mickey. + “It’s Cork you should go to, or Galway, bedad, if you want to + see Christmas kep’ after the ould fashion,” said Mickey. </p> <p> - “I think we used to do it pretty well in Cumberland,” said - Medlicot. “There are things which can’t be transplanted. They + “I think we used to do it pretty well in Cumberland,” said + Medlicot. “There are things which can’t be transplanted. They may have roast beef, and all that, but you should have cold weather to - make you feel that it is Christmas indeed.” + make you feel that it is Christmas indeed.” </p> <p> - “We do it as well as we can,” Harry pleaded. “I’ve - seen a great pudding come into the room all afire—just to remind one - of the old country—when it has been so hot that one could hardly - bear a shirt on one’s shoulders. But yet there’s something in + “We do it as well as we can,” Harry pleaded. “I’ve + seen a great pudding come into the room all afire—just to remind one + of the old country—when it has been so hot that one could hardly + bear a shirt on one’s shoulders. But yet there’s something in it. One likes to think of the old place, though one is so far away. How do you feel now? Does the jolting hurt you much? If your horse is rough, - change with me. This fellow goes as smooth as a lady.” Medlicot - declared that the pain did not trouble him much. “They’d have - ridden over us, only for you,” continued Harry. + change with me. This fellow goes as smooth as a lady.” Medlicot + declared that the pain did not trouble him much. “They’d have + ridden over us, only for you,” continued Harry. </p> <p> - “My word! wouldn’t they?” said Jacko, who was very proud - of his own part in the battle. “I say, Mr. Medlicot, did you see Bos - and his horse part company? You did, Mr. Harry. Didn’t he fly like a - bird, all in among the bushes! I owed Bos one; I did, my word! And now I’ve - paid him.” + “My word! wouldn’t they?” said Jacko, who was very proud + of his own part in the battle. “I say, Mr. Medlicot, did you see Bos + and his horse part company? You did, Mr. Harry. Didn’t he fly like a + bird, all in among the bushes! I owed Bos one; I did, my word! And now I’ve + paid him.” </p> <p> - “I saw it,” said Harry. “He was riding at me as hard as - he could come. I can’t understand Boscobel. Nokes is a sly, bad, - slinking follow, whom I never liked. But I was always good to Bos; and + “I saw it,” said Harry. “He was riding at me as hard as + he could come. I can’t understand Boscobel. Nokes is a sly, bad, + slinking fellow, whom I never liked. But I was always good to Bos; and when he cheated me, as he did, about his time, I never even threatened to - stop his money.” + stop his money.” </p> <p> - “You told him of it too plain,” said the German. + “You told him of it too plain,” said the German. </p> <p> - “I did tell him—of course—as I should you. It has come - to that now, that if a man robs you—your own man—you are not + “I did tell him—of course—as I should you. It has come + to that now, that if a man robs you—your own man—you are not to dare to tell him of it! What would you think of me, Karl, if I were to find you out, and was to be afraid of speaking to you, lest you should - turn against me and burn my fences?” Karl Bender shrugged his - shoulders, holding his reins up to his eyes. “I know what you ought + turn against me and burn my fences?” Karl Bender shrugged his + shoulders, holding his reins up to his eyes. “I know what you ought to think! And I wish that every man about Gangoil should be sure that I - will always say what I think right. I don’t know that I ever was - hard upon any man. I try not to be.” + will always say what I think right. I don’t know that I ever was + hard upon any man. I try not to be.” </p> <p> - “Thrue for you, Mr. Harry,” said the Irishman. + “Thrue for you, Mr. Harry,” said the Irishman. </p> <p> - “I’m not going to pick my words because men like Nokes and - Boscobel have the power of injuring me. I’m not going to truckle to - rascals because I’m afraid of them. I’d sooner be burned out - of house and home, and go and work on the wharves in Brisbane, than that.” + “I’m not going to pick my words because men like Nokes and + Boscobel have the power of injuring me. I’m not going to truckle to + rascals because I’m afraid of them. I’d sooner be burned out + of house and home, and go and work on the wharves in Brisbane, than that.” </p> <p> - “My word! yes,” said Jacko, “and I too.” + “My word! yes,” said Jacko, “and I too.” </p> <p> - “If the devil is to get ahead, he must, but I won’t hold a + “If the devil is to get ahead, he must, but I won’t hold a candle to him. You fellows may tell every man about the place what I say. - As long as I’m master of Gangoil I’ll be master; and when I - come across a swindle I’ll tell the man who does it he’s a - swindler. I told Bos to his face; but I didn’t tell any body else, - and I shouldn’t if he’d taken it right and mended his ways.” + As long as I’m master of Gangoil I’ll be master; and when I + come across a swindle I’ll tell the man who does it he’s a + swindler. I told Bos to his face; but I didn’t tell any body else, + and I shouldn’t if he’d taken it right and mended his ways.” </p> <p> - They all understood him very well—the German, the Irishman, Medlicot’s + They all understood him very well—the German, the Irishman, Medlicot’s foreman, Medlicot himself, and even Jacko; and though, no doubt, there was a feeling within the hearts of the men that Harry Heathcote was imperious, still they respected him, and they believed him. </p> <p> - “The masther should be the masther, no doubt,” said the + “The masther should be the masther, no doubt,” said the Irishman. </p> <p> - “A man that is a man vill not sell hisself body and soul,” + “A man that is a man vill not sell hisself body and soul,” said the German, slowly. </p> <p> - “Do I want dominion over your soul, Karl Bender?” asked the - squatter, with energy. “You know I don’t, nor over your body, + “Do I want dominion over your soul, Karl Bender?” asked the + squatter, with energy. “You know I don’t, nor over your body, except so far as it suits you to sell your services. What you sell you - part with readily—like a man; and it’s not likely that you and - I shall quarrel. But all this row about nothing can’t be very - pleasant to a man with a broken shoulder.” + part with readily—like a man; and it’s not likely that you and + I shall quarrel. But all this row about nothing can’t be very + pleasant to a man with a broken shoulder.” </p> <p> - “I like to hear you,” said Medlicot. “I’m always a - good listener when men have something really to say.” + “I like to hear you,” said Medlicot. “I’m always a + good listener when men have something really to say.” </p> <p> - “Well, then, I’ve something to say,” cried Harry. - “There never was a man came to my house whom I’d sooner see as - a Christmas guest than yourself.” + “Well, then, I’ve something to say,” cried Harry. + “There never was a man came to my house whom I’d sooner see as + a Christmas guest than yourself.” </p> <p> - “Thankee, Sir.” + “Thankee, Sir.” </p> <p> - “It’s more than I could have said yesterday with truth.” + “It’s more than I could have said yesterday with truth.” </p> <p> - “It’s more than you did say.” + “It’s more than you did say.” </p> <p> - “Yes, by George! But you’ve beat me now. When you’re - hard pressed for hands down yonder, you send for me, and see if I won’t - turn the mill for you, or hoe canes either.” + “Yes, by George! But you’ve beat me now. When you’re + hard pressed for hands down yonder, you send for me, and see if I won’t + turn the mill for you, or hoe canes either.” </p> <p> - “So ‘ll I; my word! yes. Just for my rations.” + “So ’ll I; my word! yes. Just for my rations.” </p> <p> - They had by this time reacted the Gangoil fence, having taken the + They had by this time reached the Gangoil fence, having taken the directest route for the house. But Harry, in doing this, had not been unmindful of the fire. Had Medlicot not been wounded, he would have taken the party somewhat out of the way, down southward, following the flames; - but Medlicot’s condition had made him feel that he would not be + but Medlicot’s condition had made him feel that he would not be justified in doing so. Now, however, it occurred to him that he might as well ride a mile or two down the fence, and see what injury had been done. The escort of the men would be sufficient to take Medlicot to the station, @@ -4348,9 +4252,9 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger grass off a corner of his run. Nevertheless, tired as he was, he could not bear the idea of going home without knowing the whole story. So he made his proposal. Medlicot, of course, made no objection. Each of the men - offered to go with him, but he declined their services. “There is - nothing to do,” said he, “and nobody to catch; and if the fire - is burning, it must burn.” So he went alone. + offered to go with him, but he declined their services. “There is + nothing to do,” said he, “and nobody to catch; and if the fire + is burning, it must burn.” So he went alone. </p> <p> The words that he had uttered among his men had not been lightly spoken. @@ -4358,18 +4262,18 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger present position, or perhaps altogether impossible, as long as he was at enmity with all those around him. Old squatters whom he knew, respectable men who had been in the colony before he was born, had advised him to be - on good terms with the Brownbies. “You needn’t ask them to - your house, or go to them, but just soft-sawder them when yon meet,” - an old gentleman had said to him. He certainly hadn’t taken the old - gentleman’s advice, thinking that to “soft-sawder” so + on good terms with the Brownbies. “You needn’t ask them to + your house, or go to them, but just soft-sawder them when yon meet,” + an old gentleman had said to him. He certainly hadn’t taken the old + gentleman’s advice, thinking that to “soft-sawder” so great a reprobate as Jerry Brownbie would be holding a candle to the devil. But his own plan had hardly answered. Well, he was sure, at any - rate, of this—that he could do no good now by endeavoring to be + rate, of this—that he could do no good now by endeavoring to be civil to the Brownbies. He soon came to the place where the fire had reached his fence, and found that it had burned its way through, and that the flames were still continuing their onward course. The fence to the - north, or rather to the northwestward—the point whence the wind was - coming—stood firm at the spot at which the fire had struck it. Dry + north, or rather to the northwestward—the point whence the wind was + coming—stood firm at the spot at which the fire had struck it. Dry as the wood was, the flames had not traveled upward against the wind. But to the south the fire was traveling down the fence. To stop this he rode half a mile along the burning barrier till he had headed the flames, and @@ -4381,7 +4285,7 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger a mighty blaze, and he knew that the dew of the night was acting as his protector. The harm that had been as yet done was trifling, if only he could protect himself from further harm. After leaving the fire, he had - still a ride of seven or eight miles through the gloom of the forest—all + still a ride of seven or eight miles through the gloom of the forest—all alone. Not only was he weary, but his horse was so tired that he could hardly get him to canter for a furlong. He regretted that he had not brought the boy with him, knowing well the service of companionship to a @@ -4398,7 +4302,7 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger </p> <p> The two ladies were still watching when the cavalcade arrived, though it - was then between three and four in the morning. It was Harry’s + was then between three and four in the morning. It was Harry’s custom on such occasions to ride up to the little gate close to the veranda, and there to hang his bridle till some one should take his horse away; but on this occasion he and the others rode into the yard. Seeing @@ -4413,22 +4317,22 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger offer. </p> <p> - “I’ll tell you what it is, Mary,” he said to his wife, - “there is nothing for it but for me to go for Jackson.” - Jackson was the doctor. “And I can see the police at the same time.” + “I’ll tell you what it is, Mary,” he said to his wife, + “there is nothing for it but for me to go for Jackson.” + Jackson was the doctor. “And I can see the police at the same time.” </p> <p> - “You sha’n’t go, Harry. Yon are so tired already you can - hardly stand this moment.” + “You sha’n’t go, Harry. You are so tired already you can + hardly stand this moment.” </p> <p> - “Get me some strong coffee—at once. You don’t know what - that man has done for us. I’ll tell you all another time. I owe him - more than a ride into Maryborough. I’ll make the men get Yorkie up”—Yorkie - was a favorite horse he had—“while you make the coffee; and I’ll - lead Colonel”—Colonel was another horse, well esteemed at - Gangoil. “Jackson will come quicker on him than on any animal he can - get at Maryborough.” And so it was arranged, in spite of the wife’s + “Get me some strong coffee—at once. You don’t know what + that man has done for us. I’ll tell you all another time. I owe him + more than a ride into Maryborough. I’ll make the men get Yorkie up”—Yorkie + was a favorite horse he had—“while you make the coffee; and I’ll + lead Colonel”—Colonel was another horse, well esteemed at + Gangoil. “Jackson will come quicker on him than on any animal he can + get at Maryborough.” And so it was arranged, in spite of the wife’s tears and entreaties. Harry had his coffee and some food, and started, with his two horses, for the doctor. </p> @@ -4437,8 +4341,8 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger have dispensed with art. In the bush, where doctors can not be had, bones will set themselves; and when doctors do come, but come slowly, the broken bones suit themselves to such tardiness. Medlicot was brought in and put - to bed. Let the reader not be shocked to hear that Kate Daly’s room - was given up to him, as being best suited for a sick man’s comfort, + to bed. Let the reader not be shocked to hear that Kate Daly’s room + was given up to him, as being best suited for a sick man’s comfort, and the two ladies took it in turn to watch him. Mrs. Heathcote was, of course, the first, and remained with him till dawn. Then Kate crept to the door and asked whether she should relieve her sister. Medlicot was asleep, @@ -4447,127 +4351,127 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger She looked in very often, and then, at last, he was awake. </p> <p> - “Miss Daly,” he said, “I feel so ashamed of the trouble - I’m giving.” + “Miss Daly,” he said, “I feel so ashamed of the trouble + I’m giving.” </p> <p> - “Don’t speak of it. It is nothing. In the bush every body, of - course, does any thing for every body.” When the words were spoken + “Don’t speak of it. It is nothing. In the bush every body, of + course, does any thing for every body.” When the words were spoken she felt that they were not as complimentary as she would have wished. - “You were to have come to-day, you know, but we did not think you’d - come like this, did we?” + “You were to have come to-day, you know, but we did not think you’d + come like this, did we?” </p> <p> - “I don’t know why I didn’t go home instead of coming - here.” + “I don’t know why I didn’t go home instead of coming + here.” </p> <p> - “The doctor will reach Gangoil sooner than he could the mill. You + “The doctor will reach Gangoil sooner than he could the mill. You are better here, and we will send for Mrs. Medlicot as soon as the men have had a rest. How was it all, Mr. Medlicot? Harry says that there was a fight, and that you came in just at the nick of time, and that but for you - all the run would have been burned.” + all the run would have been burned.” </p> <p> - “Not that at all.” + “Not that at all.” </p> <p> - “He said so; only he went off so quickly, and was so busy with + “He said so; only he went off so quickly, and was so busy with things, that we hardly understood him. Is it not dreadful that there should be such fighting? And then these horrid fires! You were in the - middle of the fire, were you not?” It suited Kate’s feelings + middle of the fire, were you not?” It suited Kate’s feelings that Medlicot should be the hero of this occasion. </p> <p> - “We were lighting them in front to put them out behind.” + “We were lighting them in front to put them out behind.” </p> <p> - “And then, while you were at work, these men from Boolabong came + “And then, while you were at work, these men from Boolabong came upon you. Oh, Mr. Medlicot, we shall be so very, very wretched if you are - much hurt. My sister is so unhappy about it.” + much hurt. My sister is so unhappy about it.” </p> <p> - “It’s only my collar-bone, Miss Daly.” + “It’s only my collar-bone, Miss Daly.” </p> <p> - “But that is so dreadful.” She was still thinking of the one - word he had spoken when he had—well, not asked her for her love, but + “But that is so dreadful.” She was still thinking of the one + word he had spoken when he had—well, not asked her for her love, but said that which between a young man and a young woman ought to mean the same thing. Perhaps it had meant nothing! She had heard that young men do say things which mean nothing. But to her, living in the solitude of Gangoil, the one word had been so much! Her heart had melted with absolute acknowledged love when the man had been brought through into the house with all the added attraction of a broken bone. While her sister had - watched, she had retired—to rest, as Mary had said, but in truth to + watched, she had retired—to rest, as Mary had said, but in truth to think of the chance which had brought her in this guise into familiar contact with the man she loved. And then, when she had crept up to take her place in watching him, she had almost felt that shame should restrain - her. But was her duty; and, of course, a man with a collar-bone broken + her. But it was her duty; and, of course, a man with a collar-bone broken would not speak of love. </p> <p> - “It will make your Christmas so sad for you,” he said. + “It will make your Christmas so sad for you,” he said. </p> <p> - “Oh, as for that, we mind nothing about it—for ourselves. We - are never very gay here.” + “Oh, as for that, we mind nothing about it—for ourselves. We + are never very gay here.” </p> <p> - “But you are happy?” + “But you are happy?” </p> <p> - “Oh yes, quite happy, except when Harry is disturbed by these - troubles. I don’t think any body has so many troubles as a squatter. - It sometimes seems that all the world is against him.” + “Oh yes, quite happy, except when Harry is disturbed by these + troubles. I don’t think any body has so many troubles as a squatter. + It sometimes seems that all the world is against him.” </p> <p> - “We shall be allies now, at any rate.” + “We shall be allies now, at any rate.” </p> <p> - “Oh, I do so hope we shall,” said Kate, putting her hands + “Oh, I do so hope we shall,” said Kate, putting her hands together in her energy, and then retreating from her energy with sad awkwardness when she remembered the personal application of her wish. - “That is, I mean you and Harry,” she added, in a whisper. + “That is, I mean you and Harry,” she added, in a whisper. </p> <p> - “Why not I and others besides Harry?” + “Why not I and others besides Harry?” </p> <p> - “It is so much to him to have a real friend. Things concern us, of + “It is so much to him to have a real friend. Things concern us, of course, only just as they concern him. Women are never of very much account, I think. Harry has to do every thing, and every thing ought to be - done for him.” + done for him.” </p> <p> - “I think you spoil Harry among you.” + “I think you spoil Harry among you.” </p> <p> - “Don’t you say so to Mary, or she will be fierce.” + “Don’t you say so to Mary, or she will be fierce.” </p> <p> - “I wonder whether I shall ever have a wife to stand up for me in - that way?” + “I wonder whether I shall ever have a wife to stand up for me in + that way?” </p> <p> Kate had no answer to make, but she thought that it would be his own fault if he did not have a wife to stand up for him thoroughly. </p> <p> - “He has been very lucky in his wife.” + “He has been very lucky in his wife.” </p> <p> - “I think he has, Mr. Medlicot; but you are moving about, and you - ought to lie still. There! I hear the horses; that’s the doctor. I - do so hope he won’t say that any thing very bad is the matter.” + “I think he has, Mr. Medlicot; but you are moving about, and you + ought to lie still. There! I hear the horses; that’s the doctor. I + do so hope he won’t say that any thing very bad is the matter.” </p> <p> She jumped up from her chair, which was close to his bed, and as she did so just touched his hand with hers. It was involuntary on her part, having come of instinct rather than will, and she withdrew herself instantly. The hand she had touched belonged to the arm that was not hurt, and he put it - out after her, and caught her by the sleeve as she was retreating. “Oh, + out after her, and caught her by the sleeve as she was retreating. “Oh, Mr. Medlicot, you must not do that; you will hurt yourself if you move in - that way.” + that way.” </p> <p> And so she escaped, and left the room, and did not see him again till the @@ -4582,39 +4486,39 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger entire Christmas there. </p> <p> - “The sugar can go on very well for ten days,” Harry had said. - “I’ll go over myself and see about the men, and I’ll - fetch your mother over.” + “The sugar can go on very well for ten days,” Harry had said. + “I’ll go over myself and see about the men, and I’ll + fetch your mother over.” </p> <p> - To this, however, Mrs. Heathcote had demurred successfully. “You’ll - kill yourself, Harry, if you go on like this,” she said. + To this, however, Mrs. Heathcote had demurred successfully. “You’ll + kill yourself, Harry, if you go on like this,” she said. </p> <p> Bender, therefore, was sent in the buggy for the old lady, and at last Harry Heathcote consented to go to bed. </p> <p> - “My belief is, I shall sleep for a week,” he said, as he - turned in. But he didn’t begin his sleep quite at once. “I am - very glad I went into Maryborough,” he said to his wife, rising up - from his pillow. “I’ve sworn an information against Nokes and + “My belief is, I shall sleep for a week,” he said, as he + turned in. But he didn’t begin his sleep quite at once. “I am + very glad I went into Maryborough,” he said to his wife, rising up + from his pillow. “I’ve sworn an information against Nokes and two of the Brownbies, and the police will be after them this afternoon. - They won’t catch Nokes, and they can’t convict the other + They won’t catch Nokes, and they can’t convict the other fellows. But it will be something to clear the country of such a fellow, - and something also to let them know that detection is possible.” + and something also to let them know that detection is possible.” </p> <p> - “Do sleep now, dear.” she said. + “Do sleep now, dear.” she said. </p> <p> - “Yes, I will; I mean to. But look here, Mary; if any of the police + “Yes, I will; I mean to. But look here, Mary; if any of the police should come here, mind you wake me at once. And, Mary, look here; do you - know I shouldn’t be a bit surprised if that fellow was to be making - up to Kate.” + know I shouldn’t be a bit surprised if that fellow was to be making + up to Kate.” </p> <p> - Mrs. Heathcote, with some little inward chuckle at her husband’s + Mrs. Heathcote, with some little inward chuckle at her husband’s assumed quickness of apprehension, reminded herself that the same idea had occurred to her some time ago. Mrs. Heathcote gave her husband full credit for more than ordinary intelligence in reference to affairs appertaining @@ -4629,49 +4533,49 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger quite satisfied with her own lot in that respect, but she was anxious enough on behalf of Kate. And when a young man did come, who might make matters so pleasant for them, Harry quarreled with him because he was a - free-selector. “A free fiddle-stick!” she had once said to - Kate—not, however, communicating to her innocent sister the ambition - which was already filling her own bosom. “Harry does take things up - so—as though people weren’t to live, some in one way and some - in another! As far as I can see, Mr. Medlicot is a very nice fellow.” - Kate had remarked that he was “all very well,” and nothing + free-selector. “A free fiddle-stick!” she had once said to + Kate—not, however, communicating to her innocent sister the ambition + which was already filling her own bosom. “Harry does take things up + so—as though people weren’t to live, some in one way and some + in another! As far as I can see, Mr. Medlicot is a very nice fellow.” + Kate had remarked that he was “all very well,” and nothing more had been said. </p> <p> - But Mrs. Heathcote, in spite of Harry’s aversion, had formed her - little project—a project which, if then declared, would have filled + But Mrs. Heathcote, in spite of Harry’s aversion, had formed her + little project—a project which, if then declared, would have filled Harry with dismay. And now the young aristocrat, as he turned himself in his bed, made the suggestion to his wife as though it were all his own! </p> <p> - “I never like to think much of these things beforehand,” she + “I never like to think much of these things beforehand,” she said, innocently. </p> <p> - “I don’t know about thinking,” said Harry; “but a - girl might do worse. If it should come up, don’t set yourself - against it.” + “I don’t know about thinking,” said Harry; “but a + girl might do worse. If it should come up, don’t set yourself + against it.” </p> <p> - “Kate, of course, will please herself,” said Mrs. Heathcote. - “Now do lie down and rest yourself.” + “Kate, of course, will please herself,” said Mrs. Heathcote. + “Now do lie down and rest yourself.” </p> <p> His rest, however, was not of long duration. As he had himself suggested, two policemen reached Gangoil at about three in the afternoon, on their way from Maryborough to Boolabong, in order that they might take Mr. - Medlicot’s deposition. After Heathcote’s departure it had - occurred to Sergeant Forrest of the police—and the suggestion, + Medlicot’s deposition. After Heathcote’s departure it had + occurred to Sergeant Forrest of the police—and the suggestion, having been transferred from the sergeant to the stipendiary magistrate, - was now produced with magisterial sanction—that, after all, there + was now produced with magisterial sanction—that, after all, there was no evidence against the Brownbies. They had simply interfered to prevent the burning of the grass on their own run, and who could say that they had committed any crime by doing so? If Medlicot had seen Nokes with a lighted branch in his hand, the matter might be different with him; and - therefore Medlicot’s deposition was taken. He had sworn that he had + therefore Medlicot’s deposition was taken. He had sworn that he had seen Nokes drag his lighted torch along the ground; he had also seen other - horsemen—two or three, as he thought—but could not identify - them. Jacko’s deposition was also taken as to the man who had been + horsemen—two or three, as he thought—but could not identify + them. Jacko’s deposition was also taken as to the man who had been heard and seen in the wool-shed at night. Jacko was ready to swear point-blank that the man was Nokes. The policemen suggested that, as the night was dark, Jacko might as well allow a shade of doubt to appear, @@ -4679,67 +4583,62 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger Jacko was not going to be taught what sort of oath he should swear. </p> <p> - “My word!” he said. “Didn’t I see his leg move? - You go away.” + “My word!” he said. “Didn’t I see his leg move? + You go away.” </p> <p> Armed with these depositions, the two constables went on to Boolabong in search of Nokes, and of Nokes only, much to the chagrin of Harry, who declared that the police would never really bestir themselves in a - squatter’s cause. “As for Nokes, he’ll be out of - Queensland by this time to-morrow.” - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> </a> + squatter’s cause. “As for Nokes, he’ll be out of + Queensland by this time to-morrow.” </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XI. — SERGEANT FORREST. + + + <div class="chapter"> + <hr class="x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + <h2 id="link2HCH0011"> + CHAPTER XI.<br> <span>SERGEANT FORREST.</span> </h2> + </div> <p> The Brownbie party returned, after their midnight raid, in great discomfiture to Boolabong. Their leader, Jerry, was burned about his hands and face in a disagreeable and unsightly manner. Joe had hardly made good - that character for “fighting it out to the end” for which he + that character for “fighting it out to the end” for which he was apt to claim credit. Boscobel was altogether disconcerted by his fall. And Nokes, who had certainly shown no aptitude for the fray, was abused by them all as having caused their retreat by his cowardice; while Sing Sing, the runaway cook, who knew that he had forfeited his wages at Gangoil, was forced to turn over in his heathenish mind the ill effects of joining the - losing side. “You big fool, Bos,” he said more than once to + losing side. “You big fool, Bos,” he said more than once to his friend the woodsman, who had lured him away from the comforts of - Gangoil. “I’ll punch your head, John, if you don’t hold - your row,” Boscobel would reply. But Sing Sing went on with his + Gangoil. “I’ll punch your head, John, if you don’t hold + your row,” Boscobel would reply. But Sing Sing went on with his reproaches, and, before they had reached Boolabong, Boscobel had punched - the Chinaman’s head. + the Chinaman’s head. </p> <p> - “You’re not coming in here,” Jerry said to Nokes, when + “You’re not coming in here,” Jerry said to Nokes, when they reached the yard gate. </p> <p> - “Who wants to come in? I suppose you’re not going to send a - fellow on without a bit of grub after such a night’s work?” + “Who wants to come in? I suppose you’re not going to send a + fellow on without a bit of grub after such a night’s work?” </p> <p> - “Give him some bread and meat, Jack, and let him go on. There’ll - be somebody here after him before long. He can’t hurt us; but I don’t - want people to think that we are so fond of him that we can’t do - without harboring him here. Georgie, you’ll go too, if you take my + “Give him some bread and meat, Jack, and let him go on. There’ll + be somebody here after him before long. He can’t hurt us; but I don’t + want people to think that we are so fond of him that we can’t do + without harboring him here. Georgie, you’ll go too, if you take my advice. That young cur will send the police here as sure as my name is - Brownbie, and, if they once get hold of you, they’ll have a great - many things to talk to you about.” + Brownbie, and, if they once get hold of you, they’ll have a great + many things to talk to you about.” </p> <p> Georgie grumbled when he heard this, but he knew that the advice given him was good, and he did not attempt to enter the house. So Nokes and he - vanished, away into the bush together—as such men do vanish—wandering + vanished, away into the bush together—as such men do vanish—wandering forth to live as the wild beasts live. It was still a dark night when they went, and the remainder of the party took themselves to their beds. </p> @@ -4748,24 +4647,24 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger sleeping, and sometimes waking up to smoke, when the two policemen, who had already been at Gangoil, appeared in the yard. These men were dressed in flat caps, with short blue jackets, hunting breeches, and long black - boots—very unlike any policemen in the old country, and much more + boots—very unlike any policemen in the old country, and much more picturesque. They leisurely tied their horses up, as though they had been in the habit of making weekly visits to the place, and walked round to the veranda. </p> <p> - “Well, Mr. Brownbie, and how are you?” said the sergeant to + “Well, Mr. Brownbie, and how are you?” said the sergeant to the old man. </p> <p> The head of the family was gracious, and declared himself to be pretty well, considering all things. He called the sergeant by his name, and - asked the men whether they’d take a bit of something to eat. Joe + asked the men whether they’d take a bit of something to eat. Joe also was courteous, and, after a little delay in getting a key from his brother, brought out the jar of spirits, which, in the bush, is regarded as the best sign known of thorough good-breeding. The sergeant said that - he didn’t mind if he did; and the other man, of course, followed his - officer’s example. + he didn’t mind if he did; and the other man, of course, followed his + officer’s example. </p> <p> So far every thing was comfortable, and the constables seemed in no hurry @@ -4774,19 +4673,19 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger discussed was first introduced by one of the Brownbie family. </p> <p> - “I suppose you’ve heard that there was a scrimmage here last - night,” said Joe. The Brownbie party present consisted of the old + “I suppose you’ve heard that there was a scrimmage here last + night,” said Joe. The Brownbie party present consisted of the old man, Joe and Jack Brownbie, and Boscobel, Jerry keeping himself in the background because of his disfigurement. The sergeant, as he swallowed his - food, acknowledged that he had heard something about it. “And that’s - what brings you here,” continued Joe. + food, acknowledged that he had heard something about it. “And that’s + what brings you here,” continued Joe. </p> <p> - “There ain’t nothing wrong here,” said old Brownbie. + “There ain’t nothing wrong here,” said old Brownbie. </p> <p> - “I hope not, Mr. Brownbie,” said the sergeant. “I hope - not. We haven’t got any thing against you, at any rate.” + “I hope not, Mr. Brownbie,” said the sergeant. “I hope + not. We haven’t got any thing against you, at any rate.” Sergeant Forrest was a graduate of Oxford, the son of an English clergyman, who, having his way to make in the world, had thought that an early fortune would be found in the colonies. He had come out, had failed, @@ -4794,16 +4693,16 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger enjoyed life thoroughly as a sergeant of the colonial police. </p> <p> - “You haven’t got any thing against anybody here, I should - think?” said Joe. + “You haven’t got any thing against anybody here, I should + think?” said Joe. </p> <p> - “If you want to get them as begun it,” said Jack, “and - them as ought to be took up, you’ll go to Gangoil.” + “If you want to get them as begun it,” said Jack, “and + them as ought to be took up, you’ll go to Gangoil.” </p> <p> - “Hold your tongue, Jack,” said his brother. “Sergeant - Forrest knows where to go better than you can tell him.” + “Hold your tongue, Jack,” said his brother. “Sergeant + Forrest knows where to go better than you can tell him.” </p> <p> Then the sergeant asked a string of questions as to the nature of the @@ -4816,107 +4715,107 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger names of either their brother George or Nokes. </p> <p> - “And who was there in the matter?” asked the sergeant. + “And who was there in the matter?” asked the sergeant. </p> <p> - “There was young Heathcote, and a boy he has got there, and the two + “There was young Heathcote, and a boy he has got there, and the two chaps as he calls boundary rulers, and Medlicot, the sugar fellow from the - mill, and a chap of Medlicot’s I never set eyes on before. They must + mill, and a chap of Medlicot’s I never set eyes on before. They must have expected something to be up, or Heathcote would not have been going - about at night with a tribe of men like that.” + about at night with a tribe of men like that.” </p> <p> - “And who were your party?” + “And who were your party?” </p> <p> - “Well, there were just ourselves, four of us, for Georgie was here, - and this fellow Boscobel. Georgie never stays long, and he wouldn’t - be welcome if he did. He turned up just by chance like, and now he’s - off again.” + “Well, there were just ourselves, four of us, for Georgie was here, + and this fellow Boscobel. Georgie never stays long, and he wouldn’t + be welcome if he did. He turned up just by chance like, and now he’s + off again.” </p> <p> - “That was all, eh?” + “That was all, eh?” </p> <p> Of course they all knew that the sergeant knew that Nokes had been with - them. “Well, then, that wasn’t all,” said old Brownbie. - “Bill Nokes was here, whom Heathcote dismissed ever so long ago, and + them. “Well, then, that wasn’t all,” said old Brownbie. + “Bill Nokes was here, whom Heathcote dismissed ever so long ago, and that Chinese cook of his. He dismissed him too, I suppose. And he - dismissed Boscobel here.” + dismissed Boscobel here.” </p> <p> - “No one can live at Gangoil any time,” said Jack. “Every - body knows that. He wants to be lord a’mighty over every thing. But - he ain’t going to be lord a’mighty at Boolabong.” + “No one can live at Gangoil any time,” said Jack. “Every + body knows that. He wants to be lord a’mighty over every thing. But + he ain’t going to be lord a’mighty at Boolabong.” </p> <p> - “And he ain’t going to burn our grass either,” said Joe. - “It’s like his impudence coming on to our ran and burning - every thing before him. He calls hisself a magistrate, but he’s not - to do just as he pleases because he’s a magistrate. I suppose we can - swear against him for lighting our grass, sergeant? There isn’t one - of us that didn’t see him do it.” + “And he ain’t going to burn our grass either,” said Joe. + “It’s like his impudence coming on to our run and burning + every thing before him. He calls hisself a magistrate, but he’s not + to do just as he pleases because he’s a magistrate. I suppose we can + swear against him for lighting our grass, sergeant? There isn’t one + of us that didn’t see him do it.” </p> <p> - “And where is Nokes?” asked the sergeant, paying no attention + “And where is Nokes?” asked the sergeant, paying no attention to the application made by Mr. Brownbie, junior, for redress to himself. </p> <p> - “Well,” said Joe, “Nokes isn’t any where about - Boolabong.” + “Well,” said Joe, “Nokes isn’t any where about + Boolabong.” </p> <p> - “He’s away with your brother George?” + “He’s away with your brother George?” </p> <p> - “I shouldn’t wonder,” said Joe. + “I shouldn’t wonder,” said Joe. </p> <p> - “It’s a serious matter lighting a fire, you know,” said - the sergeant. “A man would have to swing for it.” + “It’s a serious matter lighting a fire, you know,” said + the sergeant. “A man would have to swing for it.” </p> <p> - “Then why isn’t young Heathcote to swing?” demanded + “Then why isn’t young Heathcote to swing?” demanded Jack. </p> <p> - “There is such a thing as intent, you know. When Heathcote lighted - the fire, where would the fire have gone if he hadn’t kept putting + “There is such a thing as intent, you know. When Heathcote lighted + the fire, where would the fire have gone if he hadn’t kept putting it out as fast as he kept lighting it? On to his own run, not to yours. And where would the other fire have gone which somebody lit, and which - nobody put out, if he hadn’t been there to stop it? The less you say - against Heathcote the better. So Nokes is off, is he?” + nobody put out, if he hadn’t been there to stop it? The less you say + against Heathcote the better. So Nokes is off, is he?” </p> <p> - “He ain’t here, anyways,” said Joe. “When the row - was over, we wouldn’t let him in. We didn’t want him about - here.” + “He ain’t here, anyways,” said Joe. “When the row + was over, we wouldn’t let him in. We didn’t want him about + here.” </p> <p> - “I dare say not,” said the sergeant. “Now let me go and - see the spot where the fight was.” So the two policemen, with the + “I dare say not,” said the sergeant. “Now let me go and + see the spot where the fight was.” So the two policemen, with the two young Brownbies, rode away, leaving Boscobel with the old man. </p> <p> - “He knows every thing about it,” said old Brownbie. + “He knows every thing about it,” said old Brownbie. </p> <p> - “If he do,” said Boscobel, “it ain’t no odds.” + “If he do,” said Boscobel, “it ain’t no odds.” </p> <p> - “Not a ha’porth of odds,” said Jerry, coming out of his - hiding-place. “Who cares what he knows? A man may do what he pleases - on his own run, I suppose.” + “Not a ha’porth of odds,” said Jerry, coming out of his + hiding-place. “Who cares what he knows? A man may do what he pleases + on his own run, I suppose.” </p> <p> - “He mayn’t light a fire as ‘ll spread,” said the + “He mayn’t light a fire as ’ll spread,” said the old man. </p> <p> - “Bother! Who’s to prove what’s in a man’s mind? If - I’d been Nokes, I’d have staid and seen it out. I’d + “Bother! Who’s to prove what’s in a man’s mind? If + I’d been Nokes, I’d have staid and seen it out. I’d never be driven about the colony by such a fellow as Heathcote, with all - the police in the world to back him.” + the police in the world to back him.” </p> <p> Sergeant Forrest inspected the ground on which the fire had raged, and the @@ -4925,60 +4824,60 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger where the fire had commenced, and could trace the efforts that had been made to stop it. He did not in the least doubt the way in which it had been lit. But he did very much doubt whether a jury could find Nokes - guilty, even if he could catch Nokes. Jacko’s evidence was worth + guilty, even if he could catch Nokes. Jacko’s evidence was worth nothing, and Mr. Medlicot might be easily mistaken as to what he had seen at a distance in the middle of the night. </p> <p> - All this happened on Christmas-day. At about nine o’clock the same + All this happened on Christmas-day. At about nine o’clock the same evening the two constables re-appeared at Gangoil, and asked for hospitality for the night. This was a matter of course, and also the reproduction of the Christmas dinner. Mrs. Medlicot was now there, and her son, with his collar-bone set, had been allowed to come out on to the veranda. The house had already been supposed to be full, but room, as a - matter of course, was made for Sergeant Forrest and his man. “It’s - a queer sort of Christmas we’ve all been having, Mr. Heathcote,” + matter of course, was made for Sergeant Forrest and his man. “It’s + a queer sort of Christmas we’ve all been having, Mr. Heathcote,” said the sergeant, as the remnant of a real English plum-pudding was put between him and his man by Mrs. Growler. </p> <p> - “A little hotter than it is at home, eh?” + “A little hotter than it is at home, eh?” </p> <p> - “Indeed it is. You must have had it hot last night, Sir.” + “Indeed it is. You must have had it hot last night, Sir.” </p> <p> - “Very hot, sergeant. We had to work uncommonly hard to do it as well - as we did.” + “Very hot, sergeant. We had to work uncommonly hard to do it as well + as we did.” </p> <p> - “It was not a nice Christmas game, Sir, was it?” + “It was not a nice Christmas game, Sir, was it?” </p> <p> - “Eh, me!” said Mrs. Medlicot. “There’s nae + “Eh, me!” said Mrs. Medlicot. “There’s nae Christmas games or ony games here at all, except just worrying and - harrying, like sae many dogs at each other’s throats.” + harrying, like sae many dogs at each other’s throats.” </p> <p> - “And you think nothing more can be done?” Harry asked. + “And you think nothing more can be done?” Harry asked. </p> <p> - “I don’t think we shall catch the men. When they get out - backward, it’s very hard to trace them. He’s got a horse of - his own with him, and he’ll be beyond reach of the police by this - time to-morrow. Indeed, he’s beyond their reach now. However, you’ll - have got rid of him.” + “I don’t think we shall catch the men. When they get out + backward, it’s very hard to trace them. He’s got a horse of + his own with him, and he’ll be beyond reach of the police by this + time to-morrow. Indeed, he’s beyond their reach now. However, you’ll + have got rid of him.” </p> <p> - “But there are others as bad as he left behind. I wouldn’t - trust that fellow Boscobel a yard.” + “But there are others as bad as he left behind. I wouldn’t + trust that fellow Boscobel a yard.” </p> <p> - “He won’t stir, Sir. He belongs to this country, and does not + “He won’t stir, Sir. He belongs to this country, and does not want to leave it. And when a thing has been tried like that and has - failed, the fellows don’t try it again. They are cowed like by their - own failure. I don’t think you need fear fire from the Boolabong - side again this summer.” + failed, the fellows don’t try it again. They are cowed like by their + own failure. I don’t think you need fear fire from the Boolabong + side again this summer.” </p> <p> After this the sergeant and his man discreetly allowed themselves to be @@ -4999,19 +4898,14 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger bush, creeping, we may suppose, into hidden nooks, as the beasts do when the hour of death comes on them. </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XII. — CONCLUSION. + + + <div class="chapter"> + <hr class="x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + <h2 id="link2HCH0012"> + CHAPTER XII.<br> <span>CONCLUSION.</span> </h2> + </div> <p> The constables had started from Gangoil, on their way to Boolabong, a little after four, and from that time till he was made to get out of bed @@ -5042,7 +4936,7 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger </p> <p> Kate Daly during this time was much disturbed in mind. The reader may - remember—Kate, at any rate, remembered well—that, just as the + remember—Kate, at any rate, remembered well—that, just as the doctor had arrived to set his broken bone, Mr. Medlicot, disabled as he was, had attempted to take her by the arm. He had certainly chosen an odd time for a declaration of love, just the moment in which he ought to have @@ -5055,20 +4949,20 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger another will. And there have probably been men coming and going in some sort since the girl left her school-room and became a young lady. But in the bush the thing is very different. It may be that there is no young man - available within fifty miles—no possible lover or future husband, + available within fifty miles—no possible lover or future husband, unless Heaven should interfere almost with a miracle. To those to whom lovers are as plentiful as blackberries it may seem indelicate to surmise - that the thought of such a want should ever enter a girl’s head. I - doubt whether the defined idea of any want had ever entered poor Kate’s - head. But now that the possible lover was there—not only possible, - but very probable—and so eligible in many respects, living so close, + that the thought of such a want should ever enter a girl’s head. I + doubt whether the defined idea of any want had ever entered poor Kate’s + head. But now that the possible lover was there—not only possible, + but very probable—and so eligible in many respects, living so close, with a house over his head and a good business; and then so handsome, and, as Kate thought, so complete a gentleman! Of course she turned it much in her mind. She was very happy with Harry Heathcote. There never was a brother-in-law so good! But, after all, what is a brother-in-law, though he be the very best? Kate had already begun to fancy that a house of her own and a husband of her own would be essential to her happiness. But then - a man can not be expected to make an offer with a broken collar-bone—certainly + a man can not be expected to make an offer with a broken collar-bone—certainly can not do so just when the doctor has arrived to set the bone. </p> <p> @@ -5076,7 +4970,7 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger to instructions, sitting out on the veranda in an armchair, and his mother was with him, and while Harry was sleeping as though he never meant to be awake again, Kate managed to say a few words to her sister. It will be - understood that the ladies’ hands were by no means empty. The + understood that the ladies’ hands were by no means empty. The Christmas dinner was in course of preparation, and Sing Sing, that villainous Chinese cook, had absconded. Mrs. Growler, no doubt, did her best; but Mrs. Growler was old and slow, and the house was full of guests. @@ -5084,137 +4978,137 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger say a word to her sister in the kitchen. </p> <p> - “What do you think of him, Mary?” + “What do you think of him, Mary?” </p> <p> - To the married sister “him” would naturally mean Harry + To the married sister “him” would naturally mean Harry Heathcote, of whom, as he lay asleep, the young wife thought that he was the very perfection of patriarchal pastoral manliness; but she knew enough - of human nature to be aware that the “him” of the moment to - her sister was no longer her own husband. “I think he has got his + of human nature to be aware that the “him” of the moment to + her sister was no longer her own husband. “I think he has got his arm broken fighting for Harry, and that we are bound to do the best we can - for him.” + for him.” </p> <p> - “Oh yes; that’s of course. I’m sure Harry will feel - that. He used, you know, to—to—that is, not just to like him, - because he is a free-selector.” + “Oh yes; that’s of course. I’m sure Harry will feel + that. He used, you know, to—to—that is, not just to like him, + because he is a free-selector.” </p> <p> - “They’ll drop all that now. Of course they could not be - expected to know each other at the first starting. I shouldn’t - wonder if they became regular friends.” + “They’ll drop all that now. Of course they could not be + expected to know each other at the first starting. I shouldn’t + wonder if they became regular friends.” </p> <p> - “That would be nice! After all, though you may be so happy at home, - it is better to have something like a neighbor. Don’t you think so?” + “That would be nice! After all, though you may be so happy at home, + it is better to have something like a neighbor. Don’t you think so?” </p> <p> - “It depends on who the neighbors are. I don’t care much for - the Brownbies.” + “It depends on who the neighbors are. I don’t care much for + the Brownbies.” </p> <p> - “They are quite different, Mary.” + “They are quite different, Mary.” </p> <p> - “I like the Medlicots very much.” + “I like the Medlicots very much.” </p> <p> - “I consider he’s quite a gentleman,” said Kate. + “I consider he’s quite a gentleman,” said Kate. </p> <p> - “Of course he’s a gentleman. Look here, Kate—I shall be + “Of course he’s a gentleman. Look here, Kate—I shall be ready to welcome Mr. Medlicot as a brother-in-law, if things should turn - out that way.” + out that way.” </p> <p> - “I didn’t mean that, Mary.” + “I didn’t mean that, Mary.” </p> <p> - “Did you not? Well, you can mean it if you please, as far as I am - concerned. Has he said any thing to you, dear?” + “Did you not? Well, you can mean it if you please, as far as I am + concerned. Has he said any thing to you, dear?” </p> <p> - “No.” + “No.” </p> <p> - “Not a word?” + “Not a word?” </p> <p> - “I don’t know what you call a word; not a word of that kind.” + “I don’t know what you call a word; not a word of that kind.” </p> <p> - “I thought, perhaps—” + “I thought, perhaps—” </p> <p> - “I think he meant it once—this morning.” + “I think he meant it once—this morning.” </p> <p> - “I dare say he meant it. And if he meant it this morning, he won’t - have forgotten his meaning to-morrow.” + “I dare say he meant it. And if he meant it this morning, he won’t + have forgotten his meaning to-morrow.” </p> <p> - “There’s no reason why he should mean it, you know.” + “There’s no reason why he should mean it, you know.” </p> <p> - “None in the least, Kate; is there?” + “None in the least, Kate; is there?” </p> <p> - “Now you’re laughing at me, Mary. I never used to laugh at you - when Harry was coming. I was so glad, and I did every thing I could.” + “Now you’re laughing at me, Mary. I never used to laugh at you + when Harry was coming. I was so glad, and I did every thing I could.” </p> <p> - “Yes, you went away and left us in the Botanical Gardens. I + “Yes, you went away and left us in the Botanical Gardens. I remember. But, you see, there are no Botanical Gardens here; and the poor - man couldn’t walk about if there were.” + man couldn’t walk about if there were.” </p> <p> - “I wonder what Harry would say if it were to be so.” + “I wonder what Harry would say if it were to be so.” </p> <p> - “Of course he’d be glad—for your sake.” + “Of course he’d be glad—for your sake.” </p> <p> - “But he does so despise free-selectors! And then he used to think - that Mr. Medlicot was quite as bad as the Brownbies. I wouldn’t - marry any one to be despised by you and Harry.” + “But he does so despise free-selectors! And then he used to think + that Mr. Medlicot was quite as bad as the Brownbies. I wouldn’t + marry any one to be despised by you and Harry.” </p> <p> - “That’s all gone by, my dear,” said the wife, feeling - that she had to apologize for her husband’s prejudices. “Of - course one has to find out what people are before one takes them to one’s + “That’s all gone by, my dear,” said the wife, feeling + that she had to apologize for her husband’s prejudices. “Of + course one has to find out what people are before one takes them to one’s bosom. Mr. Medlicot has acted in the most friendly way about these fires, - and I’m sure Harry will never despise him any more.” + and I’m sure Harry will never despise him any more.” </p> <p> - “He couldn’t have done more for a real brother than have his - arm broken.” + “He couldn’t have done more for a real brother than have his + arm broken.” </p> <p> - “But you must remember one thing, Kate, Mr. Medlicot is very nice, + “But you must remember one thing, Kate, Mr. Medlicot is very nice, and like a gentleman, and all that. Bat you never can be quite certain - about any man till he speaks out plainly. Don’t set your heart upon - him till you are quite sure that he has set his upon you.” + about any man till he speaks out plainly. Don’t set your heart upon + him till you are quite sure that he has set his upon you.” </p> <p> - “Oh no,” said Kate, giving her maidenly assurance when it was + “Oh no,” said Kate, giving her maidenly assurance when it was so much too late! Just at this moment Mrs. Growler came into the kitchen, - and Kate’s promises and her sister’s cautions were for the + and Kate’s promises and her sister’s cautions were for the moment silenced. </p> <p> - “How we’re to manage to get the dinner on the table, I for one - don’t know at all,” said Mrs. Growler. “There’s - Mr. Bates’ll be here; that will be six of ’em; and that Mr. - Medlicot will want somebody to do every thing for him, because he’s - been and got hisself smashed. And there’s the old lady has just come + “How we’re to manage to get the dinner on the table, I for one + don’t know at all,” said Mrs. Growler. “There’s + Mr. Bates’ll be here; that will be six of ’em; and that Mr. + Medlicot will want somebody to do every thing for him, because he’s + been and got hisself smashed. And there’s the old lady has just come out from home, and is as particular as any thing. And Mr. Harry himself - never thinks of things at all. One pair of hands, and them very old, can’t - do every thing for every body.” All of which was very well + never thinks of things at all. One pair of hands, and them very old, can’t + do every thing for every body.” All of which was very well understood to mean nothing at all. </p> <p> - Household deficiencies—and, indeed, all deficiencies—are + Household deficiencies—and, indeed, all deficiencies—are considerable or insignificant in accordance with the aspirations of those concerned. When a man has a regiment of servants in his dining-room, with beautifully cut glass, a forest of flowers, and an iceberg in the middle @@ -5225,7 +5119,7 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger the evening is long with a leg of mutton and whisky toddy, and will change their own plates, and clear their own table, and think nothing wrong, if from the beginning such has been the intention of the giver of the feast. - In spite of Mrs. Growler’s prognostications, though the cook had + In spite of Mrs. Growler’s prognostications, though the cook had absconded, and the chief guest of the occasion could not cut up his own meat, that Christmas dinner at Gangoil was eaten with great satisfaction. </p> @@ -5236,15 +5130,15 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger almost overpowered him. </p> <p> - “We’ll give one toast, Mrs. Medlicot,” he said, when + “We’ll give one toast, Mrs. Medlicot,” he said, when Mrs. Growler and Kate between them had taken away the relics of the - plum-pudding. “Our friends at home!” + plum-pudding. “Our friends at home!” </p> <p> - The poor lady drank the toast with a sob. “That’s vera weel - for you, Mr. Heathcote. You’re young, and will win your way hame, - and see auld friends again, nae doubt; but I’ll never see ane of - them mair, except those I have here.” Nevertheless, the old lady ate + The poor lady drank the toast with a sob. “That’s vera weel + for you, Mr. Heathcote. You’re young, and will win your way hame, + and see auld friends again, nae doubt; but I’ll never see ane of + them mair, except those I have here.” Nevertheless, the old lady ate her dinner and drank her toddy, and made much of the occasion, going in and out to her son upon the veranda. </p> @@ -5255,8 +5149,8 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger lap, sat talking to Mrs. Medlicot in the parlor. Such was not her custom in weather such as this. Kate had been sent out on to the veranda, with special commands to attend to the wants of the sufferer, and Mrs. - Heathcote would have followed her had she not remembered her sister’s - appeal, “I did every thing I could for you.” + Heathcote would have followed her had she not remembered her sister’s + appeal, “I did every thing I could for you.” </p> <p> In those happy days Kate had been very good, and certainly deserved @@ -5270,7 +5164,7 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger When told to take him out his glass of wine, and when conscious that no one followed her, she felt herself to have been guilty of some great sin, and was almost tempted to escape. She had asked her sister for help; and - this was the help that was forth-coming—help so palpable, so + this was the help that was forth-coming—help so palpable, so manifest, as to be almost indelicate! Would he think that plans were being made to catch him, now that he was a captive and impotent? The thought that it was possible that such an idea might occur to him was terrible to @@ -5279,36 +5173,36 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger little table by his side, and then attempted to withdraw. </p> <p> - “Stay a moment with me,” he said. “Where are they all?” + “Stay a moment with me,” he said. “Where are they all?” </p> <p> - “Mary and your mother are inside. Harry and Mr. Bates have gone - across to look at the horses.” + “Mary and your mother are inside. Harry and Mr. Bates have gone + across to look at the horses.” </p> <p> - “I almost feel as though I could walk, too.” + “I almost feel as though I could walk, too.” </p> <p> - “You must not think of it yet, Mr. Medlicot. It seems almost a - wonder that you shouldn’t have to be in bed, and you with your - collar-bone broken only last night! I don’t know how you can bear it - as you do.” + “You must not think of it yet, Mr. Medlicot. It seems almost a + wonder that you shouldn’t have to be in bed, and you with your + collar-bone broken only last night! I don’t know how you can bear it + as you do.” </p> <p> - “I shall be so glad I broke it, if one thing will come about.” + “I shall be so glad I broke it, if one thing will come about.” </p> <p> - “What thing?” asked Kate, blushing. + “What thing?” asked Kate, blushing. </p> <p> - “Kate—may I call you Kate?” + “Kate—may I call you Kate?” </p> <p> - “I don’t know,” she said. + “I don’t know,” she said. </p> <p> - “You know I love you, do you not? You must know it. Dearest Kate, - can you love me and be my wife?” His left arm was bound up, and was + “You know I love you, do you not? You must know it. Dearest Kate, + can you love me and be my wife?” His left arm was bound up, and was in a sling, but he put out his right hand to take hers, if she would give it to him. Kate Daly had never had a lover before, and felt the occasion to be trying. She had no doubt about the matter. If it were only proper @@ -5316,21 +5210,21 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger she loved him better than all the world. </p> <p> - “Put your hand here, Kate,” he said. + “Put your hand here, Kate,” he said. </p> <p> As the request was not exactly for the gift of her hand, she placed it in his. </p> <p> - “May I keep it now?” + “May I keep it now?” </p> <p> She could only whisper something which was quite inaudible, even to him. </p> <p> - “I shall keep it, and think that you are all my own. Stoop down, - Kate, and kiss me, if you love me.” + “I shall keep it, and think that you are all my own. Stoop down, + Kate, and kiss me, if you love me.” </p> <p> She hesitated for a moment, trying to collect her thoughts. She did love @@ -5343,7 +5237,7 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger when, all suddenly, Harry Heathcote was on the veranda, followed by the two policemen, who had just returned from Boolabong. She was sure that Harry had seen her, and was by no means sure that she had been quick - enough in escaping from her lover’s hand to have been unnoticed by + enough in escaping from her lover’s hand to have been unnoticed by the policemen also. She fled away as though guilty, and could hardly recover herself sufficiently to assist Mrs. Growler in producing the additional dinner which was required. @@ -5360,11 +5254,11 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger affairs, made a little speech. </p> <p> - “Mrs. Heathcote,” he said, “I have asked your sister to - marry me.” + “Mrs. Heathcote,” he said, “I have asked your sister to + marry me.” </p> <p> - “Dearie me, Giles,” said Mrs. Medlicot. + “Dearie me, Giles,” said Mrs. Medlicot. </p> <p> Kate remained no longer half in and half out of the parlor, but retreated @@ -5373,48 +5267,48 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger that such a thing might happen. </p> <p> - “And what answer has she given you?” said Mrs. Heathcote. + “And what answer has she given you?” said Mrs. Heathcote. </p> <p> - “She hasn’t given me any answer yet. I wonder what you and - Heathcote would say about it?” + “She hasn’t given me any answer yet. I wonder what you and + Heathcote would say about it?” </p> <p> - “What Kate has to say is much more important,” replied the + “What Kate has to say is much more important,” replied the discreet sister. </p> <p> - “I should like it of all things,” said Harry, jumping up. - “It’s always best to be open about these things. When you - first came here, I didn’t like you. You took a bit of my river - frontage—not that it does me any great harm—and then I was - angry about that scoundrel Nokes.” + “I should like it of all things,” said Harry, jumping up. + “It’s always best to be open about these things. When you + first came here, I didn’t like you. You took a bit of my river + frontage—not that it does me any great harm—and then I was + angry about that scoundrel Nokes.” </p> <p> - “I was wrong about Nokes,” said Medlicot, “and have, - therefore, had my collar-bone broken. As to the land, you’ll forgive - my having it if Kate will come and live there?” + “I was wrong about Nokes,” said Medlicot, “and have, + therefore, had my collar-bone broken. As to the land, you’ll forgive + my having it if Kate will come and live there?” </p> <p> - “By George! I should think so.—Kate, why don’t you come + “By George! I should think so.—Kate, why don’t you come out? Come along, my girl. Medlicot has spoken out openly, and you should - answer him in the same fashion.” So saying, he dragged her forth, + answer him in the same fashion.” So saying, he dragged her forth, and I fear that, as far as she was concerned, something of the sweetness of her courtship was lost by the publicity with which she was forced to - confess her love. “Will you go, Kate, and make sugar down at the + confess her love. “Will you go, Kate, and make sugar down at the mill? I have often thought how bad it would be for Mary and me when you - were taken away; but we sha’n’t mind it so much if we knew - that you are to be near us.” + were taken away; but we sha’n’t mind it so much if we knew + that you are to be near us.” </p> <p> - “Speak to him, Kate,” said Mrs. Heathcote, with her arm round - her sister’s waist. + “Speak to him, Kate,” said Mrs. Heathcote, with her arm round + her sister’s waist. </p> <p> - “I think she’s minded to have him,” said Mrs. Medlicot. + “I think she’s minded to have him,” said Mrs. Medlicot. </p> <p> - “Tell me, Kate—shall it be so?” pleaded the lover. + “Tell me, Kate—shall it be so?” pleaded the lover. </p> <p> She came up to him and leaned over him, and whispered one word which @@ -5423,378 +5317,14 @@ HTML file produced by David Widger for which he was asking when the policemen interrupted them. </p> <p> - “That’s what I call a happy Christmas,” said Harry, as + “That’s what I call a happy Christmas,” said Harry, as the party finally parted for the night. </p> <div style="height: 6em;"> <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> </div> -<pre xml:space="preserve"> - - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HARRY HEATHCOTE OF GANGOIL*** - - -******* This file should be named 5642-h.htm or 5642-h.zip ******* - - -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/5/6/4/5642 - - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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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: Harry Heathcote of Gangoil - A Tale of Australian Bush-Life - - -Author: Anthony Trollope - - - -Release Date: August 3, 2002 [eBook #5642] -[Last updated: December 7, 2020] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) - - -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HARRY HEATHCOTE OF GANGOIL*** - - -E-text prepared by Nicole Apostola, Charles Franks, and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -HARRY HEATHCOTE OF GANGOIL - -A Tale of Australian Bush-Life. - -by - -ANTHONY TROLLOPE, - -Author of -"The Warden", "Barchester Towers," "Orley Farm," "The Small House at -Arlington", "The Eustace Diamonds," &c., &c. - -Illustrated. - - - - - - -HARRY HEATHCOTE - - - - -CHAPTER I. - -GANGOIL. - - -Just a fortnight before Christmas, 1871, a young man, twenty-four -years of age, returned home to his dinner about eight o'clock in the -evening. He was married, and with him and his wife lived his wife's -sister. At that somewhat late hour he walked in among the two young -women, and another much older woman who was preparing the table for -dinner. The wife and the wife's sister each had a child in her lap, -the elder having seen some fifteen months of its existence, and the -younger three months. "He has been out since seven, and I don't think -he's had a mouthful," the wife had just said. "Oh, Harry, you must be -half starved," she exclaimed, jumping up to greet him, and throwing -her arm round his bare neck. - -"I'm about whole melted," he said, as he kissed her. "In the name of -charity give me a nobbler. I did get a bit of damper and a pannikin -of tea up at the German's hut; but I never was so hot or so thirsty -in my life. We're going to have it in earnest this time. Old Bates -says that when the gum leaves crackle, as they do now, before -Christmas, there won't be a blade of grass by the end of February." - -"I hate Old Bates," said the wife. "He always prophesies evil, and -complains about his rations." - -"He knows more about sheep than any man this side of the Mary," said -her husband. From all this I trust the reader will understand that -the Christmas to which he is introduced is not the Christmas with -which he is intimate on this side of the equator--a Christmas of -blazing fires in-doors, and of sleet amid snow and frost outside--but -the Christmas of Australia, in which happy land the Christmas fires -are apt to be lighted--or to light themselves--when they are by no -means needed. - -The young man who had just returned home had on a flannel shirt, a -pair of mole-skin trowsers, and an old straw hat, battered nearly out -of all shape. He had no coat, no waistcoat, no braces, and nothing -round his neck. Round his waist there was a strap or belt, from the -front of which hung a small pouch, and, behind, a knife in a case. -And stuck into a loop in the belt, made for the purpose, there was a -small brier-wood pipe. As he dashed his hat off, wiped his brow, and -threw himself into a rocking-chair, he certainly was rough to look -at, but by all who understood Australian life he would have been -taken to be a gentleman. He was a young squatter, well known west of -the Mary River, in Queensland. Harry Heathcote of Gangoil, who owned -30,000 sheep of his own, was a magistrate in those parts, and able to -hold his own among his neighbors, whether rough or gentle; and some -neighbors he had, very rough, who made it almost necessary that a man -should be able to be rough also, on occasions, if he desired to live -among them without injury. Heathcote of Gangoil could do all that. -Men said of him that he was too imperious, too masterful, too much -inclined to think that all things should be made to go as he would -have them. Young as he was, he had been altogether his own master -since he was of age--and not only his own master, but the master also -of all with whom he was brought into contact from day to day. In his -life he conversed but seldom with any but those who were dependent on -him, nor had he done so for the last three years. At an age at which -young men at home are still subject to pastors and masters, he had -sprung at once into patriarchal power, and, being a man determined to -thrive, had become laborious and thoughtful beyond his years. - -Harry Heathcote had been left an orphan, with a small fortune in -money, when he was fourteen. For two years after that he had -consented to remain quietly at school, but at sixteen he declared his -purpose of emigrating. Boys less than himself in stature got above -him at school, and he had not liked it. For a twelvemonth he was -opposed by his guardian; but at the end of the year he was fitted -forth for the colony. The guardian was not sorry to be quit of him, -but prophesied that he would be home again before a year was over. -The lad had not returned, and it was now a settled conviction among -all who knew him that he would make or mar his fortune in the new -land that he had chosen. - -He was a tall, well-made young fellow, with fair hair and a -good-humored smile, but ever carrying in his countenance marks of what -his enemies called pig-headedness, his acquaintances obstinacy, and -those who loved him firmness. His acquaintances were, perhaps, right, -for he certainly was obstinate. He would take no man's advice, he -would submit himself to no man, and in the conduct of his own business -preferred to trust to his own insight than to the experience of -others. It would sometimes occur that he had to pay heavily for his -obstinacy. But, on the other hand, the lessons which he learned he -learned thoroughly. And he was kept right in his trade by his own -indefatigable industry. That trade was the growth of wool. He was a -breeder of sheep on a Queensland sheep-run, and his flocks ran far -afield over a vast territory of which he was the only lord. His house -was near the river Mary, and beyond the river his domain did not -extend; but around him on his own side of the river he could ride for -ten miles in each direction without getting off his own pastures. He -was master, as far as his mastership went, of 120,000 acres--almost -an English county--and it was the pride of his heart to put his foot -off his own territory as seldom as possible. He sent his wool -annually down to Brisbane, and received his stores, tea and sugar, -flour and brandy, boots, clothes, tobacco, etc., once or twice a year -from thence. But the traffic did not require his own presence at the -city. So self-contained was the working of the establishment that he -was never called away by his business, unless he went to see some lot -of highly bred sheep which he might feel disposed to buy; and as for -pleasure, it had come to be altogether beyond the purpose of his life -to go in quest of that. When the work of the day was over, he would -lie at his length upon rugs in the veranda, with a pipe in his mouth, -while his wife sat over him reading a play of Shakspeare or the last -novel that had come to them from England. - -He had married a fair girl, the orphan daughter of a bankrupt -squatter whom he had met in Sydney, and had brought her and her -sister into the Queensland bush with him. His wife idolized him. His -sister-in-law, Kate Daly, loved him dearly--as she had cause to do, -for he had proved himself to be a very brother to her; but she feared -him also somewhat. The people about the Mary said that she was fairer -and sweeter to look at even than the elder sister. Mrs. Heathcote was -the taller of the two, and the larger-featured. She certainly was the -higher in intellect, and the fittest to be the mistress of such an -establishment as that at Gangoil. - -When he had washed his hands and face, and had swallowed the very -copious but weak allowance of brandy-and-water which his wife mixed -for him, he took the eldest boy on his lap and fondled him. "By -George!" he said, "old fellow, you sha'n't be a squatter." - -"Why not, Harry?" asked his wife. - -"Because I don't want him to break his heart every day of his life." - -"Are you always breaking yours? I thought your heart was pretty well -hardened now." - -"When a man talks of his heart, you and Kate are thinking of loves -and doves, of course." - -"I wasn't thinking of loves and doves, Harry," said Kate. "I was -thinking how very hot it must have been to-day. We could only bear it -in the veranda by keeping the blinds always wet. I don't wonder that -you were troubled." - -"That comes from heaven or Providence, or from something that one -knows to be unassailable, and therefore one can put up with it. Even -if one gets a sun-stroke one does not complain. The sun has a right -to be there, and is no interloper, like a free-selector. I can't -understand why free-selectors and mosquitoes should have been -introduced into the arrangements of the world." - -"I s'pose the poor must live somewheres, and 'squiters too," said -Mrs. Growler, the old maid-servant, as she put a boiled leg of mutton -on the table. "Now, Mr. Harry, if you're hungered, there's something -for you to eat in spite of the free-selectors." - -"Mrs. Growler," said the master, "excuse me for saying that you jump -to conclusions." - -"My jumping is pretty well-nigh done," said the old woman. - -"By no means. I find that old people can jump quite as briskly as -young. You have rebuked me under the impression that I was grudging -something to the poor. Let me explain to you that a free-selector may -be, and very often is, a rich man. He whom I had in my mind is not a -poor man, though I won't swear but what he will be before a year is -over." - -"I know who you mean, Mr. Harry; you mean the Medlicots. A very nice -gentleman is Mr. Medlicot, and a very nice old lady is Mrs. Medlicot. -And a deal of good they're going to do, by all accounts." - -"Now, Mrs. Growler, that will do," said the wife. - -The dinner consisted of a boiled leg of mutton, a large piece of -roast beef, potatoes, onions, and an immense pot of tea. No glasses -were even put upon the table. The two ladies had dressed for dinner, -and were bright and pretty as they would have been in a country house -at home; but Harry Heathcote had sat down just as he had entered the -room. - -"I know you are tired to death," said his wife, "when I see you eat -your dinner like that." - -"It isn't being tired, Mary; I'm not particularly tired. But I must -be off again in about an hour." - -"Out again to-night?" - -"Yes, indeed." - -"On horseback?" - -"How else? Old Bates and Mickey are in their saddles still. I don't -want to have my fences burned as soon as they're put up. It's a -ticklish thing to think that a spark of fire any where about the -place might ruin me, and to know at the same time that every man -about the run and every swagsman that passes along have matches in -their pocket. There isn't a pipe lighted on Gangoil this time of the -year that mightn't make a beggar of you and me. That's another reason -why I wouldn't have the young un a squatter." - -"--I declare I think that squatters have more trouble than any people -in the world," said Kate Daly. - -"--Free-selectors have their own troubles too, Kate," said he. - -It must be explained as we go on that Heathcote felt that he had -received a great and peculiar grievance from the hands of one -Medlicot, a stranger who had lately settled near him, and that this -last remark referred to a somewhat favorable opinion which had been -expressed about this stranger by the two ladies. It was a little -unfair, as having been addressed specially to Kate, intending as it -did to imply that Kate had better consider the matter well before she -allowed her opinion of the stranger to become dangerously favorable; -for in truth she had said no more than her sister. - -"The Medlicots' troubles will never trouble me, Harry," she said. - -"I hope not, Kate; nor mine either more than we can help." - -"But they do," said Mary. "They trouble me, and her too, very much." - -"A man's back should be broad enough to bear all that for himself," -said Harry. "I get ashamed of myself when I grumble, and yet one -seems to be surly if one doesn't say what one's thinking." - -"I hope you'll always tell me what you're thinking, dear." - -"Well, I suppose I shall--till this fellow is old enough to be talked -to, and to be made to bear the burden of his father's care." - -"By that time, Harry, you will have got rich, and we shall all be in -England, sha'n't we?" - -"I don't know about being rich, but we shall have been free-selected -off Gangoil.--Now, Mrs. Growler, we've done dinner, and I'll have a -pipe before I make another start. Is Jacko in the kitchen? Send him -through to me on to the veranda." - -Gangoil was decidedly in the bush--according to common Australian -parlance, all sheep stations are in the bush, even though there -should not be a tree or shrub within sight. They who live away from -the towns live a "bush life." Small towns, as they grow up, are -called bush towns, as we talk of country towns. The "bush," indeed, -is the country generally. But the Heathcotes lived absolutely and -actually in the bush. There are Australian pastures which consist of -plains on which not a tree is to be seen for miles; but others are -forests, so far extending that their limits are almost unknown. -Gangoil was surrounded by forest, in some places so close as to be -impervious to men and almost to animals in which the undergrowth was -thick and tortuous and almost platted, through which no path could be -made without an axe, but of which the greater portions were open, -without any under-wood, between which the sheep could wander at their -will, and men could ride, with a sparse surface of coarse grass, -which after rain would be luxuriant, but in hot weather would be -scorched down to the ground. At such times--and those times were by -far the more common--a stranger would wonder where the sheep would -find their feed. Immediately round the house, or station, as it was -called, about one hundred acres had been cleared, or nearly cleared, -with a few trees left here and there for ornament or shade. Further -afield, but still round the home quarters, the trees had been -destroyed, the run of the sap having been stopped by "ringing" the -bark; but they still stood like troops of skeletons, and would stand, -very ugly to look at, till they fell, in the course of nature, by -reason of their own rottenness. There was a man always at work about -the place--Boscobel he was called--whose sole business was to destroy -the timber after this fashion, so that the air might get through to -the grasses, and that the soil might be relieved from the burden of -nurturing the forest trees. - -For miles around the domain was divided into paddocks, as they were -there called; but these were so large that a stranger might wander in -one of them for a day and never discover that he was inclosed. There -were five or six paddocks on the Gangoil run, each of which comprised -over ten thousand acres, and as all the land was undulating, and as -the timber was around you every where, one paddock was exactly like -another. The scenery in itself was fine, for the trees were often -large, and here and there rocky knolls would crop up, and there were -broken crevices in the ground; but it was all alike. A stranger would -wonder that any one straying from the house should find his way back -to it. There were sundry bush houses here and there, and the so-called -road to the coast from the wide pastoral districts further west passed -across the run; but these roads and tracks would travel hither and -thither, new tracks being opened from time to time by the heavy wool -drays and store wagons, as in wet weather the ruts on the old tracks -would become insurmountable. - -The station itself was certainly very pretty. It consisted of a -cluster of cottages, each of which possessed a ground-floor only. No -such luxury as stairs was known at Gangoil. It stood about half a -mile from the Mary River, on the edge of a creek which ran into it. -The principal edifice, that in which the Heathcotes lived, contained -only one sitting-room, and a bedroom on each side of it; but in truth -there was another room, very spacious, in which the family really -passed their time; and this was the veranda which ran along the front -and two ends of the house. It was twelve feet broad, and, of course, -of great length. Here was clustered the rocking-chairs, and sofas, -and work-tables, and very often the cradle of the family. Here stood -Mrs. Heathcote's sewing-machine, and here the master would sprawl at -his length, while his wife, or his wife's sister, read to him. It was -here, in fact, that they lived, having a parlor simply for their -meals. Behind the main edifice there stood, each apart, various -buildings, forming an irregular quadrangle. The kitchen came first, -with a small adjacent chamber in which slept the Chinese man-cook, -Sing Sing, as he had come to be called; then the cottage, consisting -also of three rooms and a small veranda, in which lived Harry's -superintendent, commonly known as Old Bates, a man who had been a -squatter once himself, and having lost his all in bad times, now -worked for a small salary. In the cottage two of the rooms were -devoted to hospitality when, as was not unusual, guests, known or -unknown, came that way; and here Harry himself would sleep, if the -entertainment of other ladies crowded the best apartments. Then at -the back of the quadrangle was the store, perhaps of all the -buildings the most important. In here was kept a kind of shop, which -was supposed, according to an obsolete rule, to be open for custom -for half a day twice a week. The exigencies of the station did not -allow of this regularity; but after some fashion the shop was -maintained. Tea was to be bought there, and sugar, tobacco, and -pickles, jam, nails, boots, hats, flannel shirrs, and mole-skin -trowsers. Any body who came might buy, but the intention was to -provide the station hands, who would otherwise have had to go or send -thirty miles for the supply of their wants. Very little money was -taken here, generally none. But the quantity of pickles, jam, and -tobacco sold was great. The men would consume large quantities of -these bush delicacies, and the cost would be deducted from their -wages. The tea and sugar, and flour also, were given out weekly, as -rations--so much a week--and meat was supplied to them after the same -fashion. For it was the duty of this young autocratic patriarch to -find provisions for all who were employed around him. For such -luxuries as jam and tobacco the men paid themselves. - -On the fourth side of the quadrangle was a rough coach-house, and -rougher stables. The carriage part of the establishment consisted of -two "buggies"--so called always in the bush--open carriages on four -wheels, one of which was intended to hold two and the other four -sitters. A Londoner looking at them would have declared them to be -hopeless ruins; but Harry Heathcote still made wonderful journeys in -them, taking care generally that the wheels were sound, and using -ropes for the repair of dilapidations. The stables were almost -unnecessary, as the horses, of which the supply at Gangoil was very -large, roamed in the horse paddock, a comparatively small inclosure -containing not above three or four hundred acres, and were driven up -as they were wanted. One horse was always kept close at home with -which to catch the others; but this horse, for handiness, was -generally hitched to a post outside the kitchen door. Harry was proud -of his horses, and was sometimes heard to say that few men in England -had a lot of thirty at hand as he had, out of which so many would be -able to carry a man eighty miles in eight hours at a moment's notice. -But his stable arrangements would not have commanded respect in the -"Shires." The animals were never groomed, never fed, and many of them -never shod. They lived upon grass, and, Harry always said, "cut their -own bread-and-butter for themselves." - -Gangoil was certainly very pretty. The veranda was covered in with -striped blinds, so that when the sun shone hot, or when the rains -fell heavily, or when the mosquitoes were more than usually -troublesome, there might be something of the protection of an -inclosed room. Up all the posts there were flowering creepers, which -covered the front with greenery even when the flowers were wanting. -From the front of the house down to the creek there was a pleasant -failing garden--heart-breaking, indeed, in regard to vegetables, for -the opossums always came first, and they who followed the opossums -got but little. But the garden gave a pleasant home-like look to the -place, and was very dear to Harry, who was, perhaps, indifferent in -regard to pease and tomatoes. Harry Heathcote was very proud of the -place, for he had made it all himself, having pulled down a wretched -barrack that he had found there. But he was far prouder of his -wool-shed, which he had also built, and which he regarded as first -and foremost among wool-sheds in those parts. By-and-by we shall be -called on to visit the wool-shed. Though Heathcote had done all this -for Gangoil, it must be understood that the vast extent of territory -over which his sheep ran was by no means his own property. He was -simply the tenant of the Crown, paying a rent computed at so much a -sheep. He had, indeed, purchased the ground on which his house stood, -but this he had done simply to guard himself against other -purchasers. These other purchasers were the bane of his existence, -the one great sorrow which, as he said, broke his heart. - -While he was speaking, a rough-looking lad, about sixteen years of -age, came through the parlor to the veranda, dressed very much like -his master, but unwashed, uncombed, and with that wild look which -falls upon those who wander about the Australian plains, living a -nomad life. This was Jacko--so called, and no one knew him by any -other name--a lad whom Heathcote had picked up about six months -since, and who had become a favorite. "The old woman says as you was -wanting me?" suggested Jacko. "Going to be fine to-night, Jacko?" - -Jacko went to the edge of the veranda and looked up to the sky. "My -word! little squall a-coming," he said. - -"I wish it would come from ten thousand buckets," said the master. - -"No buckets at all," said Jacko. "Want the horses, master?" - -"Of course. I want the horses, and I want you to come with me. There -are two horses saddled there; I'll ride Hamlet." - - - - -CHAPTER II. - -A NIGHT'S RIDE. - - -Harry jumped from the ground, kissed his wife, called her "old girl," -and told her to be happy, and got on his horse at the garden gate. -Both the ladies came off the veranda to see him start. "It's as dark -as pitch," said Kate Daly. - -"That's because you have just come out of the light." - -"But it is dark--quite dark. You won't be late, will you?" said the -wife. - -"I can't be very early, as it's near ten now. I shall be back about -twelve." So saying, he broke at once into a gallop, and vanished into -the night, his young groom scampering after him. - -"Why should he go out now?" Kate said to her sister. - -"He is afraid of fire." - -"But he can't prevent the fires by riding about in the dark. I -suppose the fires come from the heat." - -"He thinks they come from enemies, and he has heard something. One -wretched man may do so much when every thing is dried to tinder. I do -so wish it would rain." - -The night, in truth, was very dark. It was now midsummer, at which -time with us the days are so long that the coming of the one almost -catches the departure of its predecessor. But Gangoil was not far -outside the tropics, and there were no long summer nights. The heat -was intense; but there was a low soughing wind which seemed to moan -among the trees without moving them. As they crossed the little home -inclosure and the horse paddock, the track was just visible, the -trees being dead and the spaces open. About half a mile from the -house, while they were still in the horse paddock, Harry turned from -the track, and Jacko, of course, turned with him. "You can sit your -horse jumping, Jacko?" he asked. - -"My word! jump like glory," answered Jacko. He was soon tried. Harry -rode at the bush fence--which was not, indeed, much of a fence, made -of logs lengthways and crossways, about three feet and a half -high--and went over it. Jacko followed him, rushing his horse at the -leap, losing his seat and almost falling over the animal's shoulders -as he came to the ground. "My word!" said Jacko, just saving himself -by a scramble; "who ever saw the like of that?" - -"Why don't you sit in your saddle, you stupid young duffer?" - -"Sit in my saddle! Why don't he jump proper? Well, you go on. I don't -know that I'm a duffer. Duffer, indeed! My word!" Heathcote had -turned to the left, leaving the track, which was, indeed, the main -road toward the nearest town and the coast, and was now pushing on -through the forest with no pathway at all to guide him. To ordinary -eyes the attempt to steer any course would have been hopeless. But an -Australian squatter, if he have any well-grounded claim to the -character of a bushman, has eyes which are not ordinary, and he has, -probably, nurtured within himself, unconsciously, topographical -instincts which are unintelligible to the inhabitants of cities. -Harry, too, was near his own home, and went forward through the thick -gloom without a doubt, Jacko following him faithfully. In about half -an hour they came to another fence, but now it was too absolutely -dark for jumping. Harry had not seen it till he was close to it, and -then he pulled up his horse. "My word! why don't you jump away, Mr. -Harry? Who's a duffer now?" - -"Hold your tongue, or I'll put my whip across your back. Get down and -help me pull a log away. The horses couldn't see where to put their -feet." Jacko did as he was bid, and worked hard, but still grumbled -at having been called a duffer. The animals were quickly led over, -the logs were replaced, and the two were again galloping through the -forest. - -"I thought you were making for the wool-shed," said Jacko. - -"We're eight miles beyond the wool-shed," said Harry. They had now -crossed another paddock, and had come to the extreme fence on the -run. The Gangoil pastures extended much further, but in that -direction had not as yet been inclosed. Here they both got off their -horses and walked along the fence till they came to an opening, with -a slip panel, or movable bars, which had been Heathcote's intended -destination. "Hold the horses, Jacko, till I come back," he said. - -Jacko, when alone, nothing daunted by the darkness or solitude, -seated himself on the top rail, took out a pipe, and struck a match. -When the tobacco was ignited he dropped the match on the dry grass at -his feet, and a little flame instantly sprang up. The boy waited a -few seconds till the flames began to run, and then putting his feet -together on the ground stamped out the incipient fire. "My word!" -said Jacko to himself, "it's easy done, anyway." - -Harry went on to the left for about half a mile, and then stood -leaning against the fence. It was very dark, but he was now looking -over into an inclosure which had been altogether cleared of trees, -and which, as he knew well, had been cultivated and was covered with -sugar-canes. Where he stood he was not distant above a quarter of a -mile from the river, and the field before him ran down to the banks. -This was the selected land of Giles Medlicot--two years since a -portion of his own run, which had now been purchased from the -government--for the loss of which he had received and was entitled to -receive no compensation. And the matter was made worse for him by the -fact that the interloper had come between him and the river. But he -was not standing here near midnight merely to exercise his wrath by -straining his eyes through the darkness at his neighbor's crops. He -put his finger into his mouth to wet it, and then held it up that he -might discover which way the light breath of wind was coming. There -was still the low moan to be heard continually through the forest, -and yet not a leaf seemed to be moved. After a while he thought he -caught a sound, and put his ear down to the ground. He distinctly -heard a footstep, and rising up, walked quickly toward the spot -whence the noise came. - -"Who's that?" he said, as he saw the figure of a man standing on his -side of the fence, and leaning against it, with a pipe in his month. - -"Who are you?" replied the man on the fence. "My name is Medlicot." - -"Oh, Mr. Medlicot, is it?" - -"Is that Mr. Heathcote? Good-night, Mr. Heathcote. You are going -about at a late hour of the night." - -"I have to go about early and late; but I ain't later than you." - -"I'm close at home," said Medlicot. - -"I am, at any rate, on my own run," said Harry. - -"You mean to say that I am trespassing?" said the other; "because I -can very soon jump back over the fence." - -"I didn't mean that at all, Mr. Medlicot; any body is welcome on my -run, night or day, who knows how to behave himself." - -"I hope I'm included in that list." - -"Just so; of course. Considering the state that every thing is in, -and all the damage that a fire would do, I rather wish that people -would be a little more careful about smoking." - -"My canes, Mr. Heathcote, would burn quite as quickly as your grass." - -"It is not only the grass. I've a hundred miles of fencing on the -run which is as dry as tinder, not to talk of the station and the -wool-shed." - -"They sha'n't suffer from my neglect, Mr. Heathcote." - -"You have men about who mayn't be so careful. The wind, such as it -is, is coming right across from your place. If there were light -enough, I could show you three or four patches where there has been -fire within half a mile of this spot. There was a log burning there -for two or three days, not long ago, which was lighted by one of our -men." - -"That was a fortnight since. There was no heat then, and the men were -boiling their kettle. I spoke about it." - -"A log like that, Mr. Medlicot, will burn for weeks sometimes. I'll -tell you fairly what I'm afraid of. There's a man with you whom I -turned out of the shed last shearing, and I think he might put a -match down--not by accident." - -"You mean Nokes. As far as I know, he's a decent man. You wouldn't -have me not employ a man just because you had dismissed him?" - -"Certainly not; that is, I shouldn't think of dictating to you about -such a thing." - -"Well, no, Mr. Heathcote, I suppose not. Nokes has got to earn his -bread, though you did dismiss him. I don't know that he's not as -honest a man as you or I." - -"If so, there's three of us very bad; that's all, Mr. Medlicot. -Good-night; and if you'll trouble yourself to look after the ash of -your tobacco it might be the saving of me and all I have." So -saying, he turned round, and made his way back to the horses. - -Medlicot had placed himself on the fence during the interview, and he -still kept his seat. Of course he was now thinking of the man who had -just left him, whom he declared to himself to be an ignorant, -prejudiced, ill-constituted cur. "I believe in his heart he thinks -that I'm going to set fire to his run," he said, almost aloud. "And -because he grows wool he thinks himself above every body in the -colony. He occupies thousands of acres, and employs three or four -men. I till about two hundred, and maintain thirty families. But he -is such a pig that he can't understand all that; and he thinks that I -must be something low because I've bought with my own money a bit of -land which never belonged to him, and which he couldn't use." Such -was the nature of Giles Medlicot's soliloquy as he sat swinging his -legs, and still smoking his pipe, on the fence which divided his -sugar-cane from the other young man's run. - -And Harry Heathcote uttered his soliloquy also. "I wouldn't swear -that he wouldn't do it himself, after all;" meaning that he almost -suspected that Medlicot himself would be an incendiary. To him, in -his way of thinking, a man who would take advantage of the law to buy -a bit of another man's land--or become a free-selector, as the term -goes--was a public enemy, and might be presumed capable of any -iniquity. It was all very well for the girls--meaning his wife and -sister-in-law--to tell him that Medlicot had the manners of a -gentleman and had come of decent people. Women were always soft -enough to be taken by soft hands, a good-looking face, and a decent -coat. This Medlicot went about dressed like a man in the towns, -exhibiting, as Harry thought, a contemptible, unmanly finery. Of what -use was it to tell him that Medlicot was a gentleman? What Harry knew -was that since Medlicot had come he had lost his sheep, that the -heads of three or four had been found buried on Medlicot's side of -his run, and that if he dismissed "a hand," Medlicot employed him--a -proceeding which, in Harry Heathcote's aristocratic and patriarchal -views of life, was altogether ungentleman-like. How were the "hands" -to be kept in their place if one employer of labor did not back up -another? - -He had been warned to be on his guard against fire. The warnings had -hardly been implicit, but yet had come in a shape which made him -unable to ignore them. Old Bates, whom he trusted implicitly, and who -was a man of very few words, had told him to be on his guard. The -German, at whose hut he had been in the morning, Karl Bender by name, -and a servant of his own, had told him that there would be fire about -before long. - -"Why should any one want to ruin me?" Harry had asked. "Did I ever -wrong a man of a shilling?" - -The German had learned to know his young master, had made his way -through the crust of his master's character, and was prepared to be -faithful at all points--though he too could have quarreled and have -avenged himself had it not chanced that he had come to the point of -loving instead of hating his employer. - -"You like too much to be governor over all," said the German, as he -stooped over the fire in his own hut in his anxiety to boil the water -for Heathcote's tea. - -"Somebody must be governor, or every thing would go to the devil," -said Harry. - -"Dat's true--only fellows don't like be made feel it," said the -German, "Nokes, he was made feel it when you put him over de gate." - -But neither would Bates nor the German express absolute suspicion of -any man. That Medlicot's "hands" at the sugar-mill were stealing his -sheep Harry thought that he knew; but that was comparatively a small -affair, and he would not have pressed it, as he was without absolute -evidence. And even he had a feeling that it would be unwise to -increase the anger felt against himself--at any rate, during the -present heats. - -Jacko had his pipe still alight when Heathcote returned. "You young -monkey," said he, "have you been using matches?" - -"Why not, Mr. Harry? Don't the grass burn ready, Mr. Harry? My word!" -Then Jacko stooped down, lit another match, and showed Heathcote the -burned patch. - -"Was it so when we came?" Harry asked, with emotion. Jacko, still -kneeling on the ground, and holding the lighted match in his hand, -shook his head and tapped his breast, indicating that he had burned -the grass. "You dropped the match by accident?" - -"My word! no. Did it o' purpose to see. It's all just one as -gunpowder, Mr. Harry." - -Harry got on his horse without a word, and rode away through the -forest, taking a direction different from that by which he had come, -and the boy followed him. He was by no means certain that this young -fellow might not turn against him; but it had been a part of his -theory to make no difference to any man because of such fears. If he -could make the men around him respect him, then they would treat him -well; but they could never be brought to respect him by flattery. He -was very nearly right in his views of men, and would have been right -altogether could he have seen accurately what justice demanded for -others as well as for himself. As far as the intention went, he was -minded to be just to every man. - -It seemed, as they were riding, that the heat grew fiercer and -fiercer. Though there was still the same moaning sound, there was not -a breath of air. They had now got upon a track very well known to -Heathcote, which led up from the river to the wool-shed, and so on to -the station, and they had turned homeward. When they were near the -wool-shed, suddenly there fell a heavy drop or two of rain. Harry -stopped and turned his face upward, when, in a moment, the whole -heavens above them and the forest around were illumined by a flash of -lightning so near them that it made each of them start in his saddle, -and made the horses shudder in every limb. Then came the roll of -thunder immediately over their heads, and with the thunder rain so -thick and fast that Harry's "ten thousand buckets" seemed to be -emptied directly over their heads. - -"God A'mighty has put out the fires now," said Jacko. - -Harry paused for a moment, feeling the rain through to his bones--for -he had nothing on over his shirt--and rejoicing in it. "Yes," he -said; "we may go to bed for a week, and let the grass grow, and the -creeks fill, and the earth cool. Half an hour like this over the -whole run, and there won't be a dry stick on it." - -As they went on, the horses splashed through the water. It seemed as -though a deluge were falling, and that already the ground beneath -their feet were becoming a lake. - -"We might have too much of this, Jacko." - -"My word! yes." - -"I don't want to have the Mary flooded again." - -"My word! no." - -But by the time they reached the wool-shed it was over. From the -first drop to the last, there had hardly been a space of twenty -minutes. But there was a noise of waters as the little streams washed -hither and thither to their destined courses and still the horses -splashed, and still there was the feeling of an incipient deluge. -When they reached the wool-shed, Harry again got off his horse, and -Jacko, dismounting also, hitched the two animals to the post and -followed his master into the building. Harry struck a wax match, and -holding it up, strove to look round the building by the feeble light -which it shed. It was a remarkable edifice, built in the shape of a -great T, open at the sides, with a sharp-pitched timber roof covered -with felt, which came down within four feet of the ground. It was -calculated to hold about four hundred sheep at a time, and was -divided into pens of various sizes, partitioned off for various -purposes. If Harry Heathcote was sure of any thing, he was sure that -his wool-shed was the best that had ever been built in this district. - -"By Jimini! what's that?" said Jacko. - -"Did you hear any thing?" - -Jacko pointed with his finger down the centre walk of the shed, and -Harry, striking another match as he went, rushed forward. But the -match was out as soon as ignited, and gave no glimmer of light. -Nevertheless he saw, or thought that he saw, the figure of a man -escaping out of the open end of the shed. The place itself was black -as midnight, but the space beyond was clear of trees, and the -darkness outside being a few shades lighter than within the building, -allowed something of the outline of a figure to be visible. And as -the man escaped, the sounds of his footsteps were audible enough. -Harry called to him, but of course received no answer. Had he pursued -him, he would have been obliged to cross sundry rails, which would -have so delayed him as to give him no chance of success. - -"I knew there was a fellow about," he said; "one of our own men would -not have run like that." - -Jacko shook his head, but did not speak. - -"He has got in here for shelter out of the rain, but he was doing no -good about the place." - -Jacko again shook his head. - -"I wonder who he was?" - -Jacko came up and whispered in his ear, "Bill Nokes." - -"You couldn't see him." - -"Seed the drag of his leg." Now it was well known that the man Nokes -had injured some of his muscles, and habitually dragged one foot -after another. - -"I don't think you could have been sure of him by such a glimpse as -that." - -"Maybe not," said the boy, "only I'm sure as sure." - -Harry Heathcote said not another word, but getting again upon his -horse, galloped home. It was past one when he reached the station, -but the two girls were waiting up for him, and at once began to -condole with him because he was wet. "Wet!" said Harry; "if you could -only know how much I prefer things being wet to dry just at present! -But give Jacko some supper. I must keep that young fellow in good -humor if I can." - -So Jacko had half a loaf of bread, and a small pot of jam, and a -large jug of cold tea provided for him, in the enjoyment of which -luxuries he did not seem to be in the least impeded by the fact -that he was wet through to the skin. Harry Heathcote had another -nobbler--being only the second in the day--and then went to bed. - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -MEDLICOT'S MILL. - - -As Harry said, they might all now lie in bed for a day or two. The -rain had set aside for the time the necessity for that urgent -watchfulness which kept all hands on the station hard at work during -the great heat. There was not, generally, much rest during the year -at Gangoil. Lambing in April and May, washing and shearing in -September, October, and November, with the fear of fires and the -necessary precautions in December and January, did not leave more -than sufficient intervals for looking after the water-dams, making -and mending fences, procuring stores, and attending to the ailments -of the flocks. No man worked harder than the young squatter. But now -there had suddenly come a day or two of rest--rest from work which -was not of itself productive, but only remedial, and which, -therefore, was not begrudged. - -But it soon was apparent that the rest could be only for a day or -two. The rain had fallen as from ten thousand buckets, but it had -fallen only for a space of minutes. On the following morning the -thirsty earth had apparently swallowed all the flood. The water in -the creek beneath the house stood two feet higher than it had done, -and Harry, when he visited the dams round the run, found that they -were fall to overflowing, and the grasses were already springing, so -quick is the all but tropical growth of the country. They might be -safe, perhaps, for eight-and-forty hours. Fire would run only when -the ground was absolutely dry, and when every twig or leaf was a -combustible. But during those eight-and-forty hours there might be -comparative ease at Gangoil. - -On the day following the night of the ride Mrs. Heathcote suggested -to her husband that she and Kate should ride over to Medlicot's Mill, -as the place was already named, and call on Mrs. Medlicot. "It isn't -Christian," she said, "for people living out in the bush as we are to -quarrel with their neighbors just because they are neighbors." - -"Neighbors!" said Harry; "I don't know any word that there's so -much humbug about. The Samaritan was the best neighbor I ever heard -of, and he lived a long way off, I take it. Anyway, he wasn't a -free-selector." - -"Harry, that's profane." - -"Every thing I say is wicked. You can go, of course, if you like it. -I don't want to quarrel with any body." - -"Quarreling is so uncomfortable," said his wife. - -"That's a matter of taste. There are people whom I find it very -comfortable to quarrel with. I shouldn't at all like not to quarrel -with the Brownbies, and I'm not at all sure it mayn't come to be the -same with Mr. Giles Medlicot." - -"The Brownbies live by sheep-stealing and horse-stealing." - -"And Medlicot means to live by employing sheep-stealers and -horse-stealers. You can go if you like it. You won't want me to go -with you. Will you have the baggy?" - -But the ladies said that they would ride. The air was cooler now than -it had been, and they would like the exercise. They would take Jacko -with them to open the slip-rails, and they would be back by seven for -dinner. So they started, taking the track by the wool-shed. The -wool-shed was about two miles from the station, and Medlicot's Mill -was seven miles farther, on the bank of the river. - -Mr. Giles Medlicot, though at Gangoil he was still spoken of as a -new-comer, had already been located for nearly two years on the land -which he had purchased immediately on his coming to the colony. He -had come out direct from England with the intention of growing sugar, -and, whether successful or not in making money, had certainly -succeeded in growing crops of sugar-canes and in erecting a mill for -crushing them. It probably takes more than two years for a man -himself to discover whether he can achieve ultimate success in such -an enterprise; and Medlicot was certainly not a man likely to talk -much to others of his private concerns. The mill had just been built, -and he had lived there himself as soon as a water-tight room had been -constructed. It was only within the last three months that he had -completed a small cottage residence, and had brought his mother to -live with him. Hitherto he had hardly made himself popular. He -was not either fish or fowl. The squatters regarded him as an -interloper, and as a man holding opinions directly averse to their -own interests--in which they were right. And the small free-selectors, -who lived on the labor of their own hands--or, as was said of many of -them, by stealing sheep and cattle--knew well that he was not of their -class. But Medlicot had gone his way steadfastly, if not happily, and -complained aloud to no one in the midst of his difficulties. He had -not, perhaps, found the Paradise which he had expected in Queensland, -but he had found that he could grow sugar; and having begun the work, -he was determined to go on with it. - -Heathcote was his nearest neighbor, and the only man in his own rank -of life who lived within twenty miles of him. When he had started his -enterprise he had hoped to make this man his friend, not -comprehending at first how great a cause for hostility was created by -the very purchase of the land. He had been a new-comer from the old -country, and, being alone, had desired friendship. He was Harry -Heathcote's equal in education, intelligence, and fortune, if not in -birth--which surely, in the Australian bush, need not count for much. -He had assumed, when first meeting the squatter, that good-fellowship -between them, on equal terms, would be acceptable to both; but his -overtures had been coldly received. Then he, too, had drawn himself -up, had declared that Heathcote was an ignorant ass, and had -unconsciously made up his mind to commence hostilities. It was in -this spirit that he had taken Nokes into his mill, of whose -character, had he inquired about it, he would certainly have heard no -good. He had now brought his mother to Medlicot's Mill. She and the -Gangoil ladies had met each other on neutral ground, and it was -almost necessary that they should either be friends or absolute -enemies. Mrs. Heathcote had been aware of this, and had declared that -enmity was horrible. - -"Upon my word," said Harry, "I sometimes think that friendship is -more so. I suppose I'm fitted for bush life, for I want to see no one -from year's end to year's end but my own family and my own people." -And yet this young patriarch in the wilderness was only twenty-four -years old, and had been educated at an English school! - -Medlicot's cottage was about a hundred and fifty yards from the mill, -looking down upon the Mary, the banks of which at this spot were -almost precipitous. The site for the plantation had been chosen -because the river afforded the means of carriage down to the sea, and -the mill had been so constructed that the sugar hogsheads could be -lowered from the buildings into the river boats. Here Mrs. Heathcote -and Kate Daly found the old lady sitting at work, all alone, in the -veranda. She was a handsome old woman, with gray hair, seventy years -of age, with wrinkled face, and a toothless mouth, but with bright -eyes, and with no signs of the infirmity of age. - -"This is gey kind of you to run so far to see an auld woman," she -said. - -Mrs. Heathcote declared that they were used to the heat, and that -after the rain the air was pleasant. - -"You're two bright lassies, and you're hearty," she said. "I'm auld, -and just out of Cumberland, and I find it's hot enough--and I'm no -guid at horseback at all. I dinna know how I'm to get aboot." - -Then Mrs. Heathcote explained that there was an excellent track for a -buggy all the way to Gangoil. - -"Giles is aye telling me that I'm to gang aboot in a bouggey, but I -dinna feel sure of thae bouggeys." - -Mrs. Heathcote, of course, praised the country carriages, and the -country roads, and the country generally. Tea was brought in, and the -old lady was delighted with her guests. Since she had been at the -mill, week had followed week, and she had seen no woman's face but -that of the uncouth girl who waited upon her. "Did ye ever see rain -like that!" she said, putting up her hands. "I thought the Lord was -sending his clouds down upon us in a lump like." Then she told them -that some of the men had declared that if it went on like that for -two hours the Mary would rise and take the cottage away. Giles, -however, had declared that to be trash, as the cottage was twenty -feet above the ordinary course of the river. - -They were just rising to take their leave, when Giles Medlicot -himself came in out of the mill. He was a man of good presence, dark, -and tall like Heathcote, but stoutly made, with a strongly marked -face, given to frowning much when he was eager; bright-eyed, with a -broad forehead--certainly a man to be observed as far as his -appearance was concerned. He was dressed much as a gentleman dresses -in the country at home, and was therefore accounted to be a fop by -Harry Heathcote, who was rarely seen abroad in other garb than that -which has been described. Harry was an aristocrat, and hated such -innovations in the bush as cloth coats and tweed trowsers and -neck-hand-kerchiefs. - -Medlicot had been full of wrath against his neighbor all the morning. -There had been a tone in Heathcote's voice when he gave his parting -warning as to the fire in Medlicot's pipe which the sugar grower had -felt to be intentionally insolent. Nothing had been said which could -be openly resented, but offense had surely been intended; and then he -had remembered that his mother had been already some months at the -mill, and that no mark of neighborly courtesy had been shown to her. -The Heathcotes had, he thought, chosen to assume themselves to be -superior to him and his, and to treat him as though he had been some -laboring man who had saved money enough to purchase a bit of land for -himself. He was, therefore, astonished to find the two young ladies -sitting with his mother on the very day after such an interview as -that of the preceding night. - -"The leddies from Gangoil, Giles, have been guid enough to ride over -and see me," said his mother. - -Medlicot, of course, shook hands with them, and expressed his sense -of their kindness, but he did it awkwardly. He soon, however, -declared his purpose of riding part of the way back with them. - -"Mr. Heathcote must have been very wet last night," he said, when -they were on horse-back, addressing himself to Kate Daly rather than -to her sister. - -"Indeed he was--wet to the skin. Were you not?" - -"I saw him at about eleven, before the rain began. I was close home, -and just escaped. He must have been under it all. Does he often go -about the run in that way at night?" - -"Only when he's afraid of fires," said Kate. - -"Is there much to be afraid of? I don't suppose that any body can be -so wicked as to wish to burn the grass." Then the ladies took upon -themselves to explain. "The fires might be caused from negligence or -trifling accidents, or might possibly come from the unaided heat of -the sun; or there might be enemies." - -"My word! yes; enemies, rather!" said Jacko, who was riding close -behind, and who had no idea of being kept out of the conversation -merely because he was a servant. Medlicot, turning round, looked at -the lad, and asked who were the enemies. - -"Free-selectors," said Jacko. - -"I'm a free-selector," said Medlicot. - -"Did not jist mean you," said Jacko. - -"Jacko, you'd better hold your tongue," said Mrs. Heathcote. - -"Hold my tongue! My word! Well, you go on." - -Medlicot came as far as the wool-shed, and then said that he would -return. He had thoroughly enjoyed his ride. Kate Daly was bright and -pretty and winning; and in the bush, when a man has not seen a lady -perhaps for months, brightness and prettiness and winning ways have a -double charm. To ride with fair women over turf, through a forest, -with a woman who may perhaps some day be wooed, can be a matter of -indifference only to a very lethargic man. Giles Medlicot was by no -means lethargic. He owned to himself that though Heathcote was a -pig-headed ass, the ladies were very nice, and he thought that the -pig-headed ass in choosing one of them for himself had by no means -taken the nicest. - -"You'll never find your way back," said Kate, "if you've not been -here before." - -"I never was here before, and I suppose I must find my way back." -Then he was urged to come on and dine at Gangoil, with a promise that -Jacko should return with him in the evening. But this he would not -do. Heathcote was a pig-headed ass, who possibly regarded him as an -incendiary simply because he had bought some land. This boy of -Heathcote's, whose services had been offered to him, had not scrupled -to tell him to his face that he was to be regarded as an enemy. Much -as he liked the company of Kate Daly, he could not go to the house of -that stupid, arrogant, pig-headed young squatter. "I'm not such a bad -bushman but what I can find my way to the river," he said. - -"Find it blindful," said Jacko, who did not relish the idea of going -back to Medlicot's Mill as guide to another man. There was a weakness -in the idea that such aid could be necessary, which was revolting to -Jacko's sense of bush independence. - -They were standing on their horses at the entrance to the wool-shed -as they discussed the point, when suddenly Harry himself appeared out -of the building. He came up and shook hands with Medlicot, with -sufficient courtesy, but hardly with cordiality, and then asked his -wife as to her ride. "We have been very jolly, haven't we, Kate? Of -course it has been hot, but every thing is not so frightfully parched -as it was before the rain. As Mr. Medlicot has come back so far with -us, we want him to come on and dine." - -"Pray do, Mr. Medlicot," said Harry. But again the tone of his voice -was not sufficiently hearty to satisfy the man who was invited. - -"Thanks, no: I think I'll hardly do that.--Good-night, Mrs. -Heathcote; good-night. Miss Daly;" and the two ladies immediately -perceived that his voice, which had hitherto been pleasant in their -ears, had ceased to be cordial. - -"I am very glad he has gone back," said Heathcote. - -"Why do you say so, Harry? You are not given to be inhospitable, and -why should you grudge me and Kate the rare pleasure of seeing a -strange face?" - -"I'll tell you why. It's not about him at this moment; but I've been -disturbed.--Jacko, go on to the station, and say we're coming. Do you -hear me? Go on at once." Then Jacko, somewhat unwillingly, galloped -off toward the house. "Get off your horses, and come in." - -He helped the two ladies from their saddles, and they all went into -the wool-shed, Harry leading the way. In one of the side pens, -immediately under the roof, there was a large heap of leaves, the -outside portion of which was at present damp, for the rain had beaten -in upon it, but which had been as dry as tinder when collected; and -there was a row or ridge of mixed brush-wood and leaves so -constructed as to form a line from the grass outside on to the heap. -"The fellow who did that was an ass," said Harry; "a greater ass than -I should have taken him to be, not to have known that if he could -have gotten the grass to burn outside, the wool-shed must have gone -without all that preparation. But there isn't much difficulty now in -seeing what the fellow has intended." - -"Was it for a fire?" asked Kate. - -"Of course it was. He wouldn't have been contented with the grass and -fences, but wanted to make sure of the shed also. He'd have come to -the house and burned us in our beds, only a fellow like that is too -much of a coward to run the risk of being seen." - -"But, Harry, why didn't he light it when he'd done it?" said Mrs. -Heathcote. - -"Because the Almighty sent the rain at the very moment," said Harry, -striking the top rail of one of the pens with his fist. "I'm not much -given to talk about Providence, but this looks like it, does it not?" - -"He might have put a match in at the moment?" - -"Rain or no rain? Yes, he might. But he was interrupted by more than -the rain. I got into the shed myself just at the moment--I and Jacko. -It was last night, when the rain was pouring. I heard the man, and -dark as was the night, I saw his figure as he fled away." - -"You didn't know him?" said Miss Daly. - -"But that boy, who has the eyes of a cat, he knew him." - -"Jacko?" - -"Jacko knew him by his gait. I should have hardly wanted any one to -tell me who it was. I could have named the man at once, but for the -fear of doing an injustice." - -"And who was it?" - -"Our friend Medlicot's prime favorite and new factotum, Mr. William -Nokes. Mr. William Nokes is the gentleman who intends to burn us all -out of house and home, and Mr. Medlicot is the gentleman whose -pleasure it is to keep Mr. Nokes in the neighborhood." - -The two women stood awe-struck for a moment, but a sense of justice -prevailed upon the wife to speak. "That may be all true," she said. -"Perhaps it is as you say about that man. But you would not therefore -think that Mr. Medlicot knows any thing about it?" - -"It would be impossible," said Kate. - -"I have not accused him," said Harry; "but he knows that the man was -dismissed, and yet keeps him about the place. Of course he is -responsible." - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - -HARRY HEATHCOTE'S APPEAL. - - -For the first mile between the wool-shed and the house Heathcote and -the two ladies rode without saying a word. There was something so -terrible in the reality of the danger which encompassed them that -they hardly felt inclined to discuss it. Harry's dislike to Medlicot -was quite a thing apart. That some one had intended to burn down the -wool-shed, and had made preparation for doing so, was as apparent to -the women as to him. And the man who had been balked by a shower of -rain in his first attempt might soon find an opportunity for a -second. Harry was well aware that even Jacko's assertion could not be -taken as evidence against the man whom he suspected. In all -probability no further attempt would be made upon the wool-shed; but -a fire on some distant part of the run would be much more injurious -to him than the mere burning of a building. The fire that might ruin -him would be one which should get ahead before it was seen, and scour -across the ground, consuming the grass down to the very roots over -thousands of acres, and destroying fencing over many miles. Such -fires pass on, leaving the standing trees unscathed, avoiding even -the scrub, which is too moist with the sap of life for consumption, -but licking up with fearful rapidity every thing that the sun has -dried. He could watch the wool-shed and house, but with no possible -care could he so watch the whole run as to justify him in feeling -security. There need be no preparation of leaves. A match thrown -loosely on the ground would do it. And in regard to a match so -thrown, it would be impossible to prove a guilty intention. - -"Ought we not to have dispersed the heap?" said Mrs. Heathcote at -last. The minds of all of them were full of the matter, but these -were the first words spoken. - -"I'll leave it as it is," said Harry, giving no reason for his -decision. He was too full of thought, too heavily laden with anxiety, -to speak much. "Come, let's get on; you'll want your dinner, and it's -getting dark." So they cantered on, and got off their horses at the -gate, without another word. And not another word was spoken on the -subject that night. Harry was very silent, walking up and down the -veranda with his pipe in his mouth--not lying on the ground in idle -enjoyment--and there was no reading. The two sisters looked at him -from time to time with wistful, anxious-eyes, half afraid to disturb -him by speech. - -As for him, he felt that the weight was all on his own shoulders. He -had worked hard, and was on the way to be rich. I do not know that he -thought much about money, but he thought very much of success. And he -was by nature anxious, sanguine, and impulsive. There might be before -him, within the next week, such desolation as would break his heart. -He knew men who had been ruined, and had borne their ruin almost -without a wail--who had seemed contented to descend to security and -mere absence from want. There was his own superintendent, Old Bates, -who, though he grumbled at every thing else, never bewailed his own -fate. But he knew of himself that any such blow would nearly kill -him--such a blow, that is, as might drive him from Gangoil, and force -him to be the servant instead of the master of men. Not to be master -of all around him seemed to him to be misery. The merchants at -Brisbane who took his wool and supplied him with stores had advanced -money when he first bought his run, and he still owed them some -thousands of pounds. The injury which a great fire would do him would -bring him to such a condition that the merchants would demand to have -their money repaid. He understood it all, and knew well that it was -after this fashion that many a squatter before him had been ruined. - -"Speak a word to me about it," his wife said to him, imploringly, -when they were alone together that night. - -"My darling, if there were a word to say, I would say it. I must be -on the watch, and do the best I can. At present the earth is too damp -for mischief." - -"Oh that it would rain again!" - -"There will be heat enough before the summer is over; we need not -doubt that. But I will tell you of every thing as we go on. I will -endeavor to have the man watched. God bless you! Go to sleep, and try -to get it out of your thoughts." - -On the following morning he breakfasted early, and mounted his horse -without saying a word as to the purport of his journey. This was in -accordance with the habit of his life, and would not excite -observation; but there was something in his manner which made both -the ladies feel that he was intent on some special object. When he -intended simply to ride round his fences or to visit the hut of some -distant servant, a few minutes signified nothing. He would stand -under the veranda and talk, and the women would endeavor to keep him -from the saddle. But now there was no loitering, and but little -talking. He said a word to Jacko, who brought the horse for him, and -then started at a gallop toward the wool-shed. - -He did not stop a moment at the shed, not even entering it to see -whether the heap of leaves had been displaced during the night, but -went on straight to Medlicot's Mill. He rode the nine miles in an -hour, and at once entered the building in which the canes were -crushed. The first man he met was Nokes, who acted as overseer, -having a gang of Polynesian laborers under him--sleek, swarthy -fellows from the South Sea Islands, with linen trowsers on and -nothing else--who crept silently among the vats and machinery, -shifting the sugar as it was made. - -"Well, Nokes," said Harry, "how are you getting on? Is Mr. Medlicot -here?" - -Nokes was a big fellow, with a broad, solid face, which would not -have condemned him among physiognomists but for a bad eye, which -could not look you in the face. He had been a boundary rider for -Heathcote, and on an occasion had been impertinent, refusing to leave -the yard behind the house unless something was done which those about -the place refused to do for him. During the discussion Harry had come -in. The man had been drinking, and was still insolent, and Harry had -ejected him violently, thrusting him over a gate. The man had -returned the next morning, and had then been sent about his business. -He had been employed at Medlicot's Mill, but from the day of his -dismissal to this he and Harry had never met each other face to face. - -"I'm pretty well, thank ye, Mr. Heathcote. I hope you're the same, -and the ladies. The master's about somewhere, I take it.--Picky, go -and find the master." Picky was one of the Polynesians, who at once -started on his errand. - -"Have you been over to Gangoil since you left it?" said Harry, -looking the man full in the face. - -"Not I, Mr. Heathcote. I never go where I've had words. And, to tell -you the truth, sugar is better than sheep. I'm very comfortable here, -and I never liked your work." - -"You haven't been at the wool-shed?" - -"What, the Gangoil shed! What the blazes 'd I go there for? It's a -matter of ten miles from here." - -"Seven, Nokes." - -"Seven, is it? It is a longish seven miles, Mr. Heathcote. How could -I get that distance? I ain't so good at walking as I was before I was -hurt. You should have remembered that, Mr. Heathcote, when you laid -hands on me the other day." - -"You're not much the worse for what I did; nor yet for the accident, -I take it. At any rate, you've not been at Gangoil wool-shed?" - -"No, I've not," said the man, roughly. "What the mischief should I be -doing at your shed at night-time?" - -"I said nothing about night-time." - -"I'm here all day, ain't I? If you're going to palm off any story -against me, Mr. Heathcote, you'll find yourself in the wrong box. -What I does I does on the square." - -Heathcote was now quite sure that Jacko had been right. He had not -doubted much before, but now he did not doubt at all but that the man -with whom he was speaking was the wretch who was endeavoring to ruin -him. And he felt certain, also, that Jacko was true to him. He knew, -too, that he had plainly declared his suspicion to the man himself. -But he had resolved upon doing this. He could in no way assist -himself in circumventing the man's villainy by keeping his suspense -to himself. The man might be frightened, and in spite of all that had -passed between him and Medlicot, he still thought it possible that he -might induce the sugar grower to co-operate with him in driving Nokes -from the neighborhood. He had spent the night in thinking over it -all, and this was the resolution to which he had come. - -"There's the master," said Nokes. "If you've got any thing to say -about any thing, you'd better say it to him." - -Harry had never before set his foot upon Medlicot's land since it had -been bought away from his own run, and had felt that he would almost -demean himself by doing so. He had often looked at the canes from -over his own fence, as he had done on the night of the rain; but he -had stood always on his own land. Now he was in the sugar-mill, never -before having seen such a building. "You've a deal of machinery here, -Mr. Medlicot," he said. - -"It's a small affair, after all," said the other. "I hope to get a -good plant before I've done." - -"Can I speak a word with you?" - -"Certainly. Will you come into the office, or will you go across to -the house?" - -Harry said that the office would do, and followed Medlicot into a -little box-like inclosure which contained a desk and two stools. - -"Not much of an office, is it? What can I do for you, Mr. Heathcote?" - -Then Harry began his story, which he told at considerable length. He -apologized for troubling his neighbor at all on the subject, and -endeavored to explain, somewhat awkwardly, that as Mr. Medlicot was a -new-comer, he probably might not understand the kind of treatment to -which employers in the bush were occasionally subject from their men. -On this matter he said much, which, had he been a better tactician, -he might probably have left unspoken. He then went on to the story of -his own quarrel with Nokes, who had, in truth, been grossly impudent -to the women about the house, but who had been punished by instant -and violent dismissal from his employment. It was evidently Harry's -idea that a man who had so sinned against his master should be -allowed to find no other master--at any rate in that district; an -idea with which the other man, who had lately come out from the old -country, did not at all sympathize. - -"Do you want me to dismiss him?" said Medlicot, in a tone which -implied that that would be the last thing he would think of doing. - -"You haven't heard me yet." Then Harry went on and told of the fires -in the heat of summer, and of their terrible effects--of the easy -manner of revenge which they supplied to angry, unscrupulous men, and -of his own fears at the present moment. - -"I can believe it all," said Medlicot, "and am very sorry that it -should be so. But I can not see the justice of punishing a man on the -merest, vaguest suspicion. Your only ground for imputing this crime -to him is that your own conduct to him may have given him a motive." - -Harry had schooled himself vigorously during the ride as to his own -demeanor, and had resolved that he would be cool. "I was going on to -tell you," he said, "what occurred that night after I saw you up by -the fence." Then he described how he and his boy had entered the -shed, and had both seen and heard a man as he escaped from it; how -the boy had at once declared that the man was Nokes; how the -following day he had discovered the leaves, which Nokes no doubt had -deposited there just before the rain, intending to burn the place at -once; and how Nokes's manner to him within the last half hour had -corroborated his suspicions. - -"Is he the boy you call Jacko?" - -"That's the name he goes by." - -"You don't know his real name?" - -"I have never heard any other name." - -"Nor any thing about him?" Harry owned, in answer to half a dozen -such questions, that Jacko had come to Gangoil about six months -ago--he did not know whence--had been kept for a week's job, and had -then been allowed to remain about the place without any regular -wages. "You admit it was quite dark," continued Medlicot. - -Harry did not at all like the cross-examination, and his resolution -to be cool was quickly fading. "I told you that I saw myself the -figure of a man." - -"But that you barely saw a figure. You did not form any opinion of -your own as to the man's identity." - -Harry Heathcote was as honest as the sun. Much as he disliked being -cross-examined, he found himself compelled not only to say the exact -truth, but the whole truth. "Certainly not. I barely saw a glimpse of -a figure, and, till I spoke to Nokes just now, I almost doubted -whether the lad could have distinguished him. I am sure he was right -now." - -"Really, Mr. Heathcote, I can't go along with you. You are accusing a -man of committing an offense, which I believe is capital, on the -evidence of a boy of whom you know nothing, who may have his own -reasons for spiting the man, and whom you yourself did not believe -till you had looked this man in the face. I think you allow yourself -to be guided too much by your own power of intuition." - -"No, I don't," said Harry, who hated his neighbor's methodical -argument. - -"At any rate, I can't consent to take a man's bread out of his mouth, -and to send him away tainted as he would be with this suspicion, -either because Jacko thought that he saw him in the dark, or -because--" - -"I have never asked you to send him away." - -"What is it you want, then?" - -"I want to have him watched, so that he may feel that if he attempts -to destroy my property his guilt will be detected." - -"Who is to watch him?" - -"He is in your employment." - -"He lives in the hut down beyond the gate. Am I to keep a sentry -there all night, and every night?" - -"I will pay for it." - -"No, Mr. Heathcote. I don't pretend to know this country yet, but -I'll encourage no such espionage as that. At any rate, it is not -English. I dare say the man misbehaved himself in your employment. -You say he was drunk. I do not doubt it. But he is not a drunkard, -for he never drinks here. A man is not to starve forever because he -once got drunk and was impertinent. Nor is he to have a spy at his -heels because a boy whom nobody knows chooses to denounce him. I am -sorry that you should be in trouble, but I do not know that I can -help you." - -Harry's passion was now very high, and his resolution to be cool was -almost thrown to the winds. Medlicot had said many things which were -odious to him. In the first place, there had been a tone of -insufferable superiority, so Harry thought, and that, too, when he -himself had divested himself of all the superiority naturally -attached to his position, and had frankly appealed to Medlicot as a -neighbor. And then this new-fangled sugar grower had told him that he -was not English, and had said grand words, and had altogether made -himself objectionable. What did this man know of the Australian bush, -that he should dare to talk of this or that as being wrong because it -was un-English! In England there were police to guard men's property. -Here, out in the Australian forests, a man must guard his own, or -lose it. But perhaps it was the indifference to the ruin of the women -belonging to him that Harry Heathcote felt the strongest. The -stranger cared nothing for the utter desolation which one -unscrupulous ruffian might produce, felt no horror at the idea of a -vast devastating fire, but could be indignant in his mock -philanthropy because it was proposed to watch the doings of a -scoundrel! - -"Good-morning," said Harry, turning round and leaving the office -brusquely. Medlicot followed him, but Harry went so quickly that not -another word was spoken. To him the idea of a neighbor in the bush -refusing such assistance as he had asked was as terrible as to us is -the thought of a ship at sea leaving another ship in distress. He -unhitched his horse from the fence, and galloped home as fast as the -animal would carry him. - -Medlicot, when he was left alone, took two or three turns about the -mill, as though inspecting the work, but at every turn fixed his eyes -for a few moments on Noke's face. The man was standing under a huge -caldron regulating the escape of the boiling juice into the different -vats by raising and lowering a trap, and giving directions to the -Polynesians as he did so. He was evidently conscious that he was -being regarded, and, as is usual in such a condition, manifestly -failed in his struggle to appear unconscious. Medlicot acknowledged -to himself that the man could not look even him in the face. Was it -possible that he had been wrong, and that Heathcote, though he had -expressed himself badly, was entitled to some sympathy in his fear of -what might be done to him by an enemy? Medlicot also desired to be -just, being more rational, more logical, and less impulsive than the -other, being also somewhat too conscious of his own superior -intelligence. He knew that Heathcote had gone away in great dudgeon, -and he almost feared that he had been harsh and unneighborly. After a -while he stood opposite Nokes and addressed him. - -"Do the squatters suffer much from fires?" he said. - -"Heathcote has been talking to you about that," said the man. - -"Can't you say Mr. Heathcote when you speak of a gentleman whose -bread you have eaten?" - -"Mr. Heathcote, if you like it. We ain't particular to a shade out -here as you are at home. He has been telling you about fires, has -he?" - -"Well, he has." - -"And talking of me, I suppose?" - -"You were talking of having a turn at mining some day. How would it -be with you if you were to be off to Gympie?" - -"You mean to say I'm to go, Mr. Medlicot?" - -"I don't say that at all." - -"Look here, Mr. Medlicot. My going or staying won't make any -difference to Heathcote. There's a lot of 'em about here hates him -that much that he is never to be allowed to rest in peace. I tell you -that fairly. It ain't any thing as I shall do. Them's not my ways, -Mr. Medlicot. But he has enemies here as'll never let him rest." - -"Who are they?" - -"Pretty nigh every body round. He has carried himself that high they -won't stand him. Who's Heathcote?" - -"Name some who are his enemies." - -"There's the Brownbies." - -"Oh, the Brownbies. Well, it's a bad thing to have enemies." After -that he left the sugar-house and went across to the cottage. - - - - -CHAPTER V. - -BOSCOBEL. - - -Two days and two nights passed without fear of fire, and then Harry -Heathcote was again on the alert. The earth was parched as though no -drop of rain had fallen. The fences were dry as tinder, and the -ground was strewed with broken atoms of timber from the trees, each -of which a spark would ignite. Two nights Harry slept in his bed, but -on the third he was on horseback about the run, watching, thinking, -endeavoring to make provision, directing others, and hoping to make -it believed that his eyes were every where. In this way an entire -week was passed, and now it wanted but four days to Christmas. He -would come home to breakfast about seven in the morning, very tired, -but never owning that he was tired, and then sleep heavily for an -hour or two in a chair. After that he would go out again on the run, -would sleep perhaps for another hour after dinner, and then would -start for his night's patrol. During this week he saw nothing of -Medlicot, and never mentioned his name but once. On that occasion his -wife told him that during his absence Medlicot had been at the -station. - -"What brought him here?" Harry asked, fiercely. - -Mrs. Heathcote explained that he had called in a friendly way, and -had said that if there were any fear of fire he would be happy -himself to lend assistance. - -Then the young squatter forgot himself in his wrath. "Confound his -hypocrisy!" said Harry, aloud. "I don't think he's a hypocrite," said -the wife. - -"I'm sure he's not," said Kate Daly. - -Not a word more was spoken, and Harry immediately left the house. The -two women did not as usual go to the gate to see him mount his horse, -not refraining from doing so in any anger, or as wishing to exhibit -displeasure at Harry's violence, but because they were afraid of him. -They had found themselves compelled to differ from him, but were -oppressed at finding themselves in opposition to him. - -The feeling that his wife should in any way take part against him -added greatly to Heathcote's trouble. It produced in his mind a -terrible feeling of loneliness in his sorrow. He bore a brave outside -to all his men, and to any stranger whom in these days he met about -the run--to his wife and sister also, and to the old woman at home. -He forced upon them all an idea that he was not only autocratic, but -self-sufficient also--that he wanted neither help nor sympathy. He -never cried out in his pain, being heartily ashamed even of the -appeal which he had made to Medlicot. He spoke aloud and laughed with -the men, and never acknowledged that his trials were almost too much -for him. But he was painfully conscious of his own weakness. He -sometimes felt, when alone in the bush, that he would fain get off -his horse, and lie upon the ground and weep till he slept. It was not -that he trusted no one. He suspected no one with a positive -suspicion, except Nokes, and Medlicot as the supporter of Nokes. But -he had no one with whom he could converse freely--none whom he had -not been accustomed to treat as the mere ministers of his will--except -his wife and his wife's sister; and now he was disjoined from them -by their sympathy with Medlicot! He had chosen to manage every -thing himself without contradiction and almost without counsel; but, -like other such imperious masters, he now found that when trouble -came the privilege of dictatorship brought with it an almost -unsupportable burden. - -Old Bates was an excellent man, of whose fidelity the young squatter -was quite assured. No one understood foot-rot better than Old Bates, -or was less sparing of himself in curing it. He was a second mother -to all the lambs, and when shearing came watched with the eyes of -Argus to see that the sheep were not wounded by the shearers, or the -wool left on their backs. But he had no conversation, none of that -imagination which in such a time as this might have assisted in -devising safeguards, and but little enthusiasm. Shepherds, so called, -Harry kept none upon the run; and would have felt himself insulted -had any one suggested that he was so backward in his ways as to -employ men of that denomination. He had fenced his run, and dispensed -with shepherds and shepherding as old-fashioned and unprofitable. He -had two mounted men, whom he called boundary riders, one an Irishman -and the other a German--and them he trusted fully, the German -altogether, and the Irishman equally as regarded his honesty. But he -could not explain to them the thoughts that loaded his brain. He -could instigate them to eagerness; but he could not condescend to -tell Karl Bender, the German, that if his fences were destroyed -neither his means nor his credit would be sufficient to put them up -again, and that if the scanty herbage were burned off any large -proportion of his run, he must sell his flocks at a great sacrifice. -Nor could he explain to Mickey O'Dowd, the Irishman, that his peace -of mind was destroyed by his fear of one man. He had to bear it all -alone. And there was heavy on him also the great misery of feeling -that every thing might depend on own exertions, and that yet he did -not know how or where to exert himself. When he had ridden about all -night and discovered nothing, he might just as well have been in bed. -And he was continually riding about all night and discovering -nothing. - -After leaving the station on the evening of the day on which he had -expressed himself to the women so vehemently respecting Medlicot, he -met Bates coming home from his day's work. It was then past eight -o'clock, and the old man was sitting wearily on his horse, with his -head low down between his shoulders, and the reins hardly held within -his grasp. - -"You're late, Mr. Bates," said Harry; "you take too much out of -yourself this hot weather." - -"I've got to move slower, Mr. Heathcote, as I grow older. That's -about it. And the beast I'm on is not much good." Now Mr. Bates was -always complaining of his horse, and yet was allowed to choose any on -the run for his own use. - -"If you don't like him, why don't you take another?" - -"There ain't much difference in 'em, Mr. Heathcote. Better the devil -you know than the devil you don't. It's getting uncommon close -shaving for them wethers in the new paddock. They're down upon the -roots pretty well already." - -"There's grass along the bush on the north side." - -"They won't go there; it's rank and sour. They won't feed up there as -long as they can live lower down and nearer the water. Weather like -this, they'd sooner die near the water than travel to fill their -bellies. It's about the hottest day we've had, and the nights a'most -hotter. Are you going to be out, Mr. Heathcote?" - -"I think so." - -"What's the good of it, Mr. Heathcote? There is no use in it. Lord -love you, what can yon do? You can't be every side at once." - -"Fire can only travel with the wind, Mr. Bates." - -"And there isn't any wind, and so there can't be any fire. I never -did think, and I don't think now, there ever was any use in a man -fashing himself as you fash yourself. You can't alter things, Mr. -Heathcote." - -"But that's just what I can do--what a man has to do. If a match were -thrown there at your feet, and the grass was aflame, couldn't you -alter that by putting your foot on it? If you find a ewe on her back, -can't you alter that by putting her on her legs?" - -"Yes, I can do that, I suppose." - -"What does a man live for except to alter things? When a man clears -the forest and sows corn, does he not alter things?" - -"That's not your line, Mr. Heathcote," said the cunning old man. - -"If I send wool to market, I alter things." - -"You'll excuse me, Mr. Heathcote. Of course I'm old, but I just give -you my experience." - -"I'm much obliged to you; though we can't always agree, you know. -Good-night. Go in and say a word to my wife, and tell them you saw me -all right." - -"I'll have a crack with 'em, Mr. Heathcote, before I turn in." - -"And tell Mary I sent my love." - -"I will, Mr. Heathcote; I will." - -He was thinking always of his wife during his solitary rides, and of -her fear and deep anxiety. It was for her sake and for the children -that he was so care-worn, not for his own. Had he been alone in the -world he would not have fretted himself in this fashion because of -the malice of any man. But how would it be with her should he be -forced to move her from Gangoil? And yet, with all his love, they had -parted almost in anger. Surely she would understand the tenderness of -the message he had just sent her. - -Of a sudden, as he was riding, he stopped his horse and listened -attentively. From a great distance there fell upon his accustomed ear -a sound which he recognized, though he was aware that the place from -whence it came was at least two miles distant. It was the thud of an -axe against a tree. He listened still, and was sure that it was so, -and turned at once toward the sound, though in doing so he left his -course at a right angle. He had been going directly away from the -river, with his back to the wool-shed; but now he changed his -course, riding in the direction of the spot at which Jacko had nearly -fallen in jumping over the fence. As he continued on, the sounds -became plainer, till at last, reining in his horse, he could see the -form of the woodman, who was still at work ringing the trees. This -was a job which the man did by contract, receiving so much an acre -for the depopulation of the timber. It was now bright moonlight, -almost as clear as day--a very different night, indeed, from that on -which the rain had come--and Harry could see at a glance that it was -the man called Boscobel still at work. Now there were, as he thought, -very good reasons why Boscobel at the present moment should not be so -employed. Boscobel was receiving wages for work of another kind. - -"Bos," said the squatter, riding up, and addressing the man by the -customary abbreviation of his nickname, "I thought you were watching -at Brownbie's boundary?" Boscobel lowered his axe, and stood for a -while contemplating the proposition made to him. "You are drawing -three shillings a night for watching; isn't that so?" - -"Yes, that's so. Anyways, I shall draw it." - -"Then why ain't you watching?" - -"There's nothing to watch that I knows on--not just now." - -"Then why should I pay you for it? I'm to pay you for ringing these -trees, ain't I?" - -"Certainly, Mr. Heathcote." - -"Then you're to make double use of your time, and sell it twice over, -are you? Don't try to look like a fool, as though you didn't -understand. You know that what you're doing isn't honest." - -"Nobody ever said as I wasn't honest before." - -"I tell you so now. You're robbing me of the time you've sold to me, -and for which I'm to pay you." - -"There ain't nothing to watch while the wind's as it is now, and that -chap ain't any where about to-night." - -"What chap?" - -"Oh, I know. I'm all right. What's the use of dawdling about up there -in the broad moonlight, and the wind like this?" - -"That's for me to judge. If you engage to do my work and take my -money, you're swindling me when you go about another job as you are -now. You needn't scratch your head. You understand it all as well as -I do." - -"I never was told I swindled before, and I ain't a-going to put up -with it. You may ring your own trees, and watch your own fences, and -the whole place may be burned for me. I ain't a-going to do another -turn in Gangoil. Swindle, indeed!" So Boscobel shouldered his axe, -and marched off through the forest, visible in the moonlight till the -trees hid him. - -There was another enemy made! He had never felt quite sure of this -man, but had been glad to have him about the place as being -thoroughly efficient in his own business. It was only during the last -ten days that he had agreed to pay him for night-watching, leaving -the man to do as much additional day-work as he pleased--for which, -of course, he would be paid at the regular contract price. There was -a double purpose intended in this watching--as was well understood by -all the hands employed: first, that of preventing incendiary fire by -the mere presence of the watchers; and secondly, that of being at -hand to extinguish fire in case of need. Now a man ringing trees five -or six miles away from the beat on which he was stationed could not -serve either of these purposes. Boscobel therefore had been -fraudulently at work for his own dishonest purposes, and knew well -that his employment was of that nature. All this was quite clear to -Heathcote; and it was clear to him, also, that when he detected fraud -he was bound to expose it. Had the man acknowledged his fault and -been submissive, there would have been an end of the matter. -Heathcote would have said no word about it to any one, and would not -have stopped a farthing from the week's unearned wages. That he had -to encounter a certain amount of ill usage from the rough men about -him, and to forgive it, he could understand; but it could not be his -duty, either as a man or a master, to pass over dishonesty without -noticing it. No; that he would not do, though Gangoil should burn -from end to end. He did not much mind being robbed. He knew that to a -certain extent he must endure to be cheated. He would endure it. But -he would never teach his men to think that he passed over such -matters because he was afraid of them, or that dishonesty on their -part was indifferent to him. - -But now he had made another enemy--an enemy of a man who had declared -to him that he knew the movements of "that chap," meaning Nokes! How -hard the world was! It seemed that all around were trouble to him. He -turned his horse back, and made again for the spot which was his -original destination. As he cantered on among the trees, twisting -here and there, and regulating his way by the stars, he asked himself -whether it would not be better for him to go home and lay himself -down by his wife and sleep, and await the worst that these men could -do to him. This idea was so strong upon him that at one spot he made -his horse stop till he had thought it all out. No one encouraged him -in his work. Every one about the place, friend or foe, Bates, his -wife, Medlicot, and this Boscobel, spoke to him as though he were -fussy and fidgety in his anxiety. "If fires must come, they will -come; and if they are not to come, you are simply losing your labor." -This was the upshot of all they said to him. Why should he be wiser -than they? If the ruin came, let it come. Old Bates had been ruined, -but still had enough to eat and drink, and clothes to wear, and did -not work half as hard as his employer. He thought that if he could -only find some one person who would sympathize with him and support -him, he would not mind. But the mental loneliness of his position -almost broke his heart. - -Then there came across his mind the dim remembrance of certain old -school words, and he touched his horse with his spur and hurried -onward: "Let there be no steps backward." A thought as to the -manliness of persevering, of the want of manliness in yielding to -depression, came to his rescue. Let him, at any rate, have the -comfort of thinking that he had done his best according to his -lights. After some dim fashion, he did come to recognize it as a fact -that nothing could really support him but self-approbation. Though he -fell from his horse in utter weariness, he would persevere. - -As the night wore on he came to the German's hut, and finding it -empty, as he expected, rode on to the outside fence of his run. When -he reached this he got off his horse, and taking a key out of his -pocket, whistled upon it loudly. A few minutes afterward the German -came up to him. - -"There's been no one about, I suppose?" he asked. - -"Not a one," said the man. - -"You've been across on Brownbie's run?" - -"We're on it now, Mr. 'Eathcote." They were both on the side of the -fence away from Gangoil station. - -"I don't know how that is, Karl. I think Gangoil goes a quarter of a -mile beyond this. But we did not quite strike the boundary when we -put up the fence." - -"Brownbie's cattle is allays here, Mr. 'Eathcote, and is knocking -down the fence every day. Brownbie is a rascal, and 'is cattle as bad -as 'isself." - -"Never mind that, Karl, now. When we've got through the heats, we'll -put a mile or two of better fencing along here. You know Boscobel?" - -"In course I know Bos." - -"What sort of a fellow is he?" Then Harry told his German dependent -exactly what had taken place between him and the other man. - -"He's in and in wid all them young Brownbies," said Karl. - -"The Brownbies are a bad lot, but I don't think they'd do any thing -of this kind," said Harry, whose mind was still dwelling on the -dangers of fire. - -"They likes muttons, Mr. 'Eathcote." - -"I suppose they do take a sheep or two now and then. They wouldn't do -worse than that, would they?" - -"Not'ing too 'ot for 'em; not'ing too 'eavy," said Karl, smoking his -pipe. "The vind, vat there is, comes just here, Mr. 'Eathcote." And -the man lifted up his arm, and pointed across in the direction of -Brownbie's run. - -"And you don't think much of Boscobel?" - -Karl Bender shook his head. - -"He was always well treated here," said Harry, "and has had plenty of -work, and earned large wages. The man will be a fool to quarrel with -me." - -Karl again shook his head. With Karl Bender, Harry was quite sure of -his man, but not on that account need he be quite sure of the -correctness of the man's opinion. - -Thence he went on till he met his other lieutenant, O'Dowd, and so, -having completed his work, he made his way home, reaching the station -at sunrise. - -"Did Bates tell you he'd met me?" he asked his wife. - -"Yes, Harry; kiss me, Harry. I was so glad you sent a word. Promise -me, Harry, not to think that I don't agree with you in every thing." - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - -THE BROWNBIES OF BOOLABONG. - - -Old Brownbie, as he was usually called, was a squatter also, but a -squatter of a class very different from that to which Heathcote -belonged. He had begun his life in the colonies a little under a -cloud, having been sent out from home after the perpetration of some -peccadillo of which the law had disapproved. - -In colonial phrase, he was a "lag"--having been transported; but this -was many years ago, when he was quite young; and he had now been a -free man for more than thirty years. It must be owned on his behalf -that he had worked hard, had endeavored to rise, and had risen. But -there still stuck to him the savor of his old life. Every one knew -that he had been a convict; and even had he become a man of high -principle--a condition which he certainly never achieved--he could -hardly have escaped altogether from the thralldom of his degradation. -He had been a butcher, a drover, part owner of stock, and had at last -become possessed of a share of a cattle-run, and then of the entire -property, such as it was. He had four or five sons, uneducated, -ill-conditioned, drunken fellows, who had all their father's faults -without his energy, some of whom had been in prison, and all of whom -were known as pests to the colony. Their place was called Boolabong, -and was a cattle-run, as distinguished from a sheep-run; but it was a -poor place, was sometimes altogether unstocked, and was supposed to -be not unfrequently used as a receptable for stolen cattle. - -The tricks which the Brownbies played with cattle were notorious -throughout Queensland and New South Wales, and by a certain class of -men were much admired. They would drive a few head of cattle, perhaps -forty or fifty, for miles around the country, across one station and -another, traveling many hundreds of miles, and here and there, as -they passed along, they would sweep into their own herd the bullocks -of the victims whose lands they passed. If detected on the spot, they -gave up their prey. They were in the right in moving their own -cattle, and were not responsible for the erratic tendencies of other -animals. If successful, they either sold their stolen beasts to -butchers on the road, or got them home to Boolabong. There were -dangers, of course, and occasional penalties. But there was much -success. It was supposed, also, that though they did not own sheep, -they preferred mutton for their daily uses, and that they supplied -themselves at a very cheap rate. - -It may be imagined how such a family would be hated by the -respectable squatters on whom they preyed. Still there were men, old -stagers, who had know Moreton Bay before it was a colony--in the old -days when convicts were common--who almost regarded the Brownbies as -a part of the common order of things, and who were indisposed to -persecute them. Men must live; and what were a few sheep? Of some -such it might be said, that though they were above the arts by which -the Brownbies lived, they were not very scrupulous themselves; and it -perhaps served them to have within their ken neighbours whose -morality was lower even than their own. But to such a one as Harry -Heathcote the Brownbies were utterly abominable. He was for the law -and justice at any cost. To his thinking, the Colonial Government was -grossly at fault, because it did not weed out and extirpate not only -the identical Brownbies, but all Brownbieism wherever it might be -found. A dishonest workman was a great evil, but, to his thinking, a -dishonest man in the position of master was the incarnation of evil. -As to the difficulties of evidence, and obstacles of that nature, -Harry Heathcote knew nothing. The Brownbies were rascals, and should -therefore be exterminated. - -And the Brownbies knew well the estimation in which their neighbour -held them. Harry had made himself altogether disagreeable to them. -They were squatters as well as he--or at least so they termed -themselves; and though they would not have expected to be admitted to -home intimacies, they thought that when they were met out-of-doors or -in public places, they should be treated with some respect. On such -occasions Harry treated them as though they were dirt beneath his -feet. The Brownbies would be found, whenever a little money came -among them, at the public billiard-rooms and race-courses within one -hundred and fifty miles of Boolabong. At such places Harry Heathcote -was never seen. It would have been as easy to seduce the Bishop of -Brisbane into a bet as Harry Heathcote. He had never even drank a -nobbler with one of the Brownbies. To their thinking, he was a proud, -stuck-up, unsocial young cub, whom to rob was a pleasure, and to ruin -would be a delight. - -The old man at Boolabong was now almost obsolete. Property, that he -could keep in his grasp, there was in truth none. He was the tenant -of the run under the Crown, and his sons would not turn him out of -the house. The cattle, when there were cattle, belonged to them. They -were in no respect subject to his orders, and he would have had a bad -life among them were it not that they quarreled among themselves, and -that in such quarrels he could belong to one party or to the other. -The house itself was a wretched place--out of order, with doors and -windows and floors shattered, broken, and decayed. There were none of -womankind belonging to the family, and in such a house a decent -woman-servant would have been out of her place. Sometimes there was -one hag there and sometimes another, and sometimes feminine aid less -respectable than that of the hags. There had been six sons. One had -disappeared utterly, so that nothing was known of him. One had been -absolutely expelled by the brethren, and was now a vagabond in the -country, turning up now and then at Boolabong and demanding food. Of -the whole lot Georgie Brownbie, the vagabond, was the worst. The -eldest son was at this time in prison at Brisbane, having on some -late occasion been less successful than usual in regard to some -acquired bullocks. The three youngest were at home--Jerry, Jack, and -Joe. Tom, who was in prison, was the only stanch friend to the -father, who consequently at this time was in a more than usually -depressed condition. - -Christmas-day would fall on a Tuesday, and on the Monday before it -Jerry Brownbie, the eldest of those now at home, was sitting, with a -pipe in his mouth, on a broken-down stool on the broken-down veranda -of the house, and the old man was seated on a stuffy, worn-out sofa -with three legs, which was propped against the wall of the house, and -had not been moved for years. Old Brownbie was a man of gigantic -frame, and had possessed immense personal power--a man, too, of will -and energy; but he was now worn out and dropsical, and could not move -beyond the confines of the home station. The veranda was attached to -a big room which ran nearly the whole length of the house, and which -was now used for all purposes. There was an exterior kitchen, in -which certain processes were carried on--such as salting stolen -mutton and boiling huge masses of meat, when such work was needed. -But the cookery was generally done in the big room. And here also two -or three of the sons slept on beds made upon stretchers along the -wall. They were not probably very particular as to which owned each -bed, enjoying a fraternal communism in that respect. At the end of -this chamber the old man had a room of his own. Boolabong was -certainly a miserable place; and yet, such as it was, it was -frequented by many guests. The vagabondism of the colonies is -proverbial. Vagabonds are taken in almost every where throughout the -bush. But the welcome given to them varies. Sometimes they are made -to work before they are fed--to their infinite disgust. But no such -cruelty was exercised at Boolabong. Boolabong was a very Paradise for -vagabonds. There was always flour and meat to be had, generally -tobacco, and sometimes even the luxury of a nobbler. The Brownbies -were wise enough to have learned that it was necessary for their very -existence that they should have friends in the land. On the Sunday -the father and Jerry Brownbie were sitting out in the veranda at -about noon, and the other two sons, Jack and Joe, were lying asleep -on the beds within. - -The heat of the day was intense. There was a wind blowing, but it was -that which is called there the hot wind, which comes dry, scorching, -sometimes almost intolerable, over the burning central plain of the -country. No one can understand without feeling it how much a wind can -add to the sufferings inflicted by heat. The old man had on a dirty, -wretched remnant of a dressing-gown, but Jerry was clothed simply in -trowsers and an old shirt. Only that the mosquitoes would have flayed -him, he would have dispensed probably with these. He had been -quarreling with his father respecting a certain horse which he had -sold, of the price of which the father demanded a share. Jerry had -unblushingly declared that he himself had "shaken" the horse--Anglice, -had stolen him--twelve months since on Darnley Downs, and was -therefore clearly entitled to the entire plunder. The father -had rejoined with animation that unless "half a quid"--or ten -shillings--were given him as his contribution to the keep of the -animal, he would inform against his son to the squatter on the Darnley -Downs, and had shown him that he knew the very run from which the -horse had been taken. Then the sons within had interfered from their -beds, swearing that their father was the noisiest old "cuss" unhung, -they having had their necessary slumbers disturbed. - -At this moment the debate was interrupted by the appearance of a man -outside the veranda. "Well, Mr. Jerry, how goes it?" asked the -stranger. "What, Bos, is that you? What brings you up to Boolabong? I -thought you was ringing trees for that young scut at Gangoil? I'll be -even with him some of these days! He had the impudence to send a man -of his up here last week looking for sheep-skins." - -"He wasn't that soft, Mr. Jerry, was he? Well, I've dropped working -for him.--How are you, Mr. Brownbie? I hope I see you finely, Sir. -It's stiffish sort of weather, Mr. Brownbie, ain't it, Sir?" - -The old man grunted out some reply, and then asked Boscobel what he -wanted. - -"I'll just hang about for the day, Mr. Brownbie, and get a little -grub. You never begrudged a working-man that yet." - -Old Brownbie again grunted, but said no word of welcome. That, -however, was to be taken for granted, without much expression of -opinion. - -"No, Mr. Jerry," continued Boscobel, "I've done with that fellow." - -"And so has Nokes done with him." - -"Nokes is at work on Medlicot's Mill. That sugar business wouldn't -suit me." - -"An axe in your hand is what you're fit for, Bos." - -"There's a many things I can turn my hand to, Mr. Jerry. You couldn't -give a fellow such a thing as a nobbler, Mr. Jerry, could you? I'd -offer money for it, only I know it would be taken amiss. It's that -hot that a fellow's very in'ards get parched up." - -Upon this Jerry slowly rose, and going to a cupboard, brought forth a -modicum of spirits, which he called Battle-Axe, but which was -supposed to be brandy. This Boscobel swallowed at a gulp, and then -washed it down with a little water. - -"Come, Jerry," said the old man, somewhat relenting in his wrath, -"you might as well give us a drop, as it's going about." The two -brothers, who had now been thoroughly aroused from their sleep, and -who had heard the enticing sound of the spirit bottle, joined the -party, and so they drank all round. - -"Heathcote's in an awful state about them fires, ain't he?" asked -Jerry. - -Boscobel, who had squatted down on the veranda, and was now lighting -his pipe, bobbed his head. - -"I wish he was clean burned out--over head and ears," said Jerry. - -Boscobel bobbed his head again, sucking with great energy at the -closely staffed pipe. - -"If he treated me like he does you fellows," continued Jerry, "he -shouldn't have a yard of fencing or a blade of grass left--nor a ewe, -nor a lamb, nor a hogget. I do hate fellows who come here and want to -be better than any one about 'em--young chaps especially. Sending up -here to look for sheep-skins, cuss his impudence! I sent that German -fellow of his away with a flea in his ear." - -"Karl Bender?" - -"It's some such name as that." - -"He's all in all with the young squire," said Boscobel. "And there's -a chap there called Jacko--he's another. He gets 'em down there to -Gangoil, and the ladies talks to 'em, and then they'd go through fire -and water for him. There's Mickey--he's another, jist the same way. I -don't like them ways, myself." - -"Too much of master and man about it, ain't there, Bos?" - -"Just that, Mr. Jerry. That ain't my idea of a free country. I can -work as well as another, but I ain't going to be told that I'm a -swindler because I'm making the most of my time." - -"He turned Nokes out by the scruff of his neck?" said Jerry. Boscobel -again bobbed his head. "I didn't think Nokes was the sort of fellow -to stand that." - -"No more he ain't," said Boscobel. - -"Heathcote's a good plucked un all the same," said Joe. - -"It's like you to speak up for such a fellow is that," said Jerry. - -"I say he's a good plucked un. I'm not standing up for him. Nokes is -half a stone heavier than him, and ought to have knocked him over. -That's what you'd've done, wouldn't you, Bos? I know I would." - -"He'd 've had my axe at his head," said Boscobel. - -"We all know Joe's game to the backbone," said Jerry. - -"I'm game enough for you, anyway," said the brother. "And you can try -it out any time you like." - -"That's right; fight like dogs, do," said the old man. - -The quarrel at this point was interrupted by the arrival of another -man, who crept up round the corner on to the veranda exactly as -Boscobel had done. This was Nokes, of whom they had that moment been -speaking. There was silence for a few moments among them, as though -they feared that he might have heard them, and Nokes stood hanging -his head as though half ashamed of himself. Then they gave him the -same kind of greeting as the other men had received. Nobody told him -that he was welcome, but the spirit jar was again brought into use, -Jerry measuring out the liquor, and it was understood that Nokes was -to stay there and get his food. He too gave some account of himself, -which was supposed to suffice, but which they all knew to be false. -It was Sunday, and they were off work at the sugar-mill. He had come -across Gangoil run, intending to take back with him things of his own -which he had left as Bender's hut, and having come so far, had -thought that he would come on and get his dinner at Boolabong. As -this was being told, a good deal was said of Harry Heathcote. Nokes -declared that he had come right across Gangoil, and explained that he -would not have been at all sorry to meet Master Heathcote in the -bush. Master Heathcote had had his own way up at the station when he -was backed by a lot of his own hands; but a good time was coming, -perhaps. Then Nokes gave it to be understood very plainly that it was -the settled practice of his life to give Harry Heathcote a thrashing. -During all this there was an immense amount of bad language, and a -large portion of the art which in the colony is called "blowing." -Jerry, Boscobel, and Nokes all boasted, each that on the first -occasion he would give Harry Heathcote such a beating that a whole -bone should hardly be left in the man's skin. - -"There isn't one of you man enough to touch him," said Joe, who was -known as the freest fighter of the Brownbie family. - -"And you'd eat him, I suppose," said Jerry. - -"He's not likely to come in my way," said Joe; "but if he does, he'll -get as good as he brings. That's all." - -This was unpleasant to the visitors, who, of course, felt themselves -to be snubbed. Boscobel affected to hear the slight put upon his -courage with good humor, but Nokes laid himself down in a corner and -sulked. They were soon all asleep, and remained dozing, snoring, -changing their uncomfortable positions, and cursing the mosquitoes, -till about four in the afternoon, when Boscobel got up, shook -himself, and made some observation about "grub." The meal of the day -was then prepared. A certain quantity of flour and raw meat, ample -for their immediate wants, was given to the two strangers, with which -they retired into the outer kitchen, prepared it for themselves, and -there ate their dinner, and each of the brothers did the same for -himself in the big room--Joe, the fighting brother, providing for his -father's wants as well as his own. One of them had half a leg of cold -mutton, so that he was saved the trouble of cooking, but he did not -offer to share this comfort with the others. An enormous kettle of -tea was made, and that was common among them. While this was being -consumed, Boscobel put his head into the room, and suggested that he -and his mate wanted a drink. Whereupon Jerry, without a word, pointed -to the kettle, and Boscobel was allowed to fill two pannikins. Such -was the welcome which was always accorded to strangers in Boolabong. - -After their meal the men came back on to the veranda, and there were -more smoking and sleeping, more boasting and snarling. Different -allusions were made to the spirit jar, especially by the old man; but -they were made in vain. The "Battle-Axe" was Jerry's own property, -and he felt that he had already been almost foolishly liberal. But he -had an object in view. He was quite sure that Boscobel and Nokes had -not come to Boolabong on the same Sunday by any chance coincidence. -The men had something to propose, and in their own way they would -make the proposition before they left, and would make it probably to -him. Boscobel intended to sleep at Boolabong, but Nokes had explained -that it was his purpose to return that night to Medlicot's Mill. The -proposition no doubt would be made soon--a little after seven, when -the day was preparing to give way suddenly to night. Nokes first -walked off, sloping out from the veranda in a half-shy, half-cunning -manner, looking nowhither, and saying a word to no one. Quickly after -him Boscobel jumped up suddenly, hitched up his trowsers, and -followed the first man. At about a similar interval Jerry passed out -through the big room to the yard at the back, and from the yard to a -shed that was used as a shambles. Here he found the other two men, -and no doubt the proposition was made. - -"There's something up," said the old man, as soon as Jerry was gone. - -"Of course there's something up," said Joe. "Those fellows didn't -come all the way to Boolabong for nothing." - -"It's something about young Heathcote," suggested the father. - -"If it is," said Jack, "what's that to you?" - -"They'll get themselves hanged, that's all about it." - -"That be blowed," said Jack; "you go easy and hold your tongue. If -you know nothing, nobody can hurt you." - -"I know nothing," said Joe, "and don't mean. If I had scores to quit -with a fellow like Harry Heathcote, I should do it after my own -fashion. I shouldn't get Boscobel to help me, nor yet such a fellow -as Nokes. But it's no business of mine. Heathcote's made the place -too hot to hold him. That's all about it." There was no more said, -and in an hour's time Jerry returned, to the family. Neither the -father nor brother asked him any questions, nor did he volunteer any -information. - -Boolabong was about fourteen miles from Medlicot's Mill. Nokes -had walked this distance in the morning, and now retraced it at -night--not going right across Gangoil, as he had falsely boasted of -doing early in the day, but skirting it, and keeping on the outside -of the fence nearly the whole distance. At about two in the morning -he reached his cottage outside the mill on the river-bank; but he was -unable to skulk in unheard. Some dogs made a noise, and presently he -heard a voice calling him from the house. "Is that you, Nokes, at -this time of night?" asked Mr. Medlicot. Nokes grunted out some -reply, intending to avoid any further question. But his master came -up to the hut door and asked him where he had been. - -"Just amusing myself," said Nokes. - -"It's very late." - -"It's not later for me than for you, Mr. Medlicot." - -"That's true. I've just ridden home from - -"From Gangoil? I didn't know you were so friendly there, Mr. -Medlicot." - -"And where have you been?" - -"Not to Gangoil, anyway. Good-night, Mr. Medlicot." Then the man took -himself into his hut, and was safe from further questioning that -night. - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - -"I WISH YOU'D LIKE ME." - - -All the Saturday night Heathcote had been on the run, and he did not -return home to bed till nearly dawn on the Sunday morning. At about -noon prayers were read out on the veranda, the congregation -consisting of Mrs. Heathcote and her sister, Mrs. Growler, and Jacko. -Harry himself was rather averse to this performance, intimating that -Mrs. Growler, if she were so minded, could read the prayers for -herself in the kitchen, and that, as regarded Jacko, they would be -altogether thrown away. But his wife had made a point of maintaining -the practice, and he had of course yielded. The service was not long, -and when it was over Harry got into a chair and was soon asleep. He -had been in the saddle during sixteen hours of the previous day and -night, and was entitled to be fatigued. His wife sat beside him, -every now and again protecting him from the flies, while Kate Daly -sat by with her Bible in her hand. But she, too, from time to time, -was watching her brother-in-law. The trouble of his spirits and the -work that he felt himself bound to do touched them with a strong -feeling, and taught them to regard him for the time as a young hero. - -"How quietly he sleeps!" Kate said. "The fatigue of the last week -must have been terrible." - -"He is quite, quite knocked up," said the wife. - -"I ain't knocked up a bit," said Harry, jumping up from his chair. -"What should knock me up? I wasn't asleep, was I?" - -"Just dozing, dear." - -"Ah, well; there isn't any thing to do, and it's too hot to get out. -I wonder Old Bates didn't come in for prayers." - -"I don't think he cares much for prayers," said Mrs. Heathcote. - -"But he likes an excuse for a nobbler as well as any one. Did I tell -you that they had fires over at Jackson's yesterday--at Goolaroo?" - -"Was there any harm done?" - -"A deal of grass burned, and they had to drive the sheep, which won't -serve them this kind of weather. I don't know which I fear most--the -grass, the fences, or the sheep. As for the buildings, I don't think -they'll try that again." - -"Why not, Harry?" - -"The risk of being seen is too great. I can hardly understand that a -man like Nokes should have been such a fool as he was." - -"You think it was Nokes?" - -"Oh yes, certainly. In the first place, Jacko is as true as steel. I -don't mean to swear by the boy, though I think he is a good boy. But -I'm sure he's true in this. And then the man's manner to myself was -conclusive. I can not understand a man in Medlicot's position -supporting a fellow like that. By Heavens! it nearly drives me mad to -think of it. Thousands and thousands of pounds are at stake. All that -a man has in the world is exposed to the malice of a scoundrel like -Nokes! And then a man who calls himself a gentleman will talk about -it being un-English to look after him. He's a 'new chum;' I suppose -that's his excuse." - -"If it's a sufficient excuse, you should excuse him," said Kate, with -good feminine logic. - -"That's just like you all over. He's good-looking, and therefore it's -all right. He ought to have learned better. He ought, at any rate, to -believe that men who have been here much longer than he has must know -the ways of the country a great deal better." - -"It's Christmas-time, Harry," said his wife, "and you should endeavor -to forgive your neighbors." - -"What sort of a Christmas will it be if you and I, and these young -fellows here, and Kate, are all burned out of Gangoil? Here's -Bates.--Well, Mr. Bates, how goes it?" - -"Tremendous hot, Sir." - -"We've found that out already. You haven't heard where that fellow -Boscobel has gone?" - -"No; I haven't heard. But he'll be over with some of those Brownbie -lads. They say Georgie Brownbie's about the country somewhere. If so, -there'll be a row among 'em." - -"When thieves fall out, Mr. Bates, honest men come by their own." - -"So they say, Mr. Heathcote. All the same, I shouldn't care how far -Georgie was away from any place I had to do with." Then the young -master and his old superintendent sauntered out to his back premises -to talk about sheep and fires, and plans for putting out fires. And -no doubt Mr. Bates had the glass of brandy-and-water which he had -come to regard as one of his Sunday luxuries. From the back premises -they went down to the creek to gauge the water. Then they sauntered -on, keeping always in the shade, sitting down here to smoke, and -standing up there to discuss the pedigree of some particular ram, -till it was past six. - -"You may as well come in and dine with us, Mr. Bates," Harry -suggested, as they returned toward the station. - -Mr. Bates said that he thought that he would. As the same invitation -was given on almost every Sunday throughout the year, and was -invariably answered in the same way, there was not much excitement in -this. But Mr. Bates would not have dreamed of going in to dinner -without being asked. - -"That's Medlicot's trap," said Mr. Bates, as they entered the yard. -"I heard wheels when they were in the horse paddock." - -Harry looked at the trap, and then went quickly into the house. - -He walked with a rapid step onto the veranda, and there he found the -sugar grower and his mother. Mrs. Heathcote looked at her husband -almost timidly. She knew from the very sound of his feet that he was -perturbed in spirit. Under his own roof-tree he would certainly be -courteous; but there is a constrained courtesy very hard to be borne, -of which she knew him to be capable. He first went up to the old -lady, and to her his greeting was pleasant enough. Harry Heathcote, -though he had assumed the bush mode of dressing, still retained the -manners of a high-bred gentleman in his intercourse with women. Then, -turning sharply round, he gave his hand to Mr. Medlicot. - -"I am glad to see you at Gangoil," he said; "I was not fortunate -enough to be at home when you called the other day. Mrs. Medlicot -must have found the drive very hot, I fear." - -His wife was still looking into his face, and was reading there, as -in a book, the mingled pride and disdain with which her husband -exercising civility to his enemy. Harry's countenance wore a look not -difficult of perusal, and Medlicot could read the lines almost as -distinctly as Harry's wife. - -"I have asked Mrs. Medlicot to stay and dine with us," she said, "so -that she may have it cool for the drive back." - -"I am almost afraid of the bush at night," said the old woman. - -"You'll have a full moon," said Harry; "it will be as light as day." -So that was settled. Heathcote thought it odd that the man whom he -regarded as his enemy, whom he had left at their last meeting in -positive hostility, should consent to accept a dinner under his roof; -but that was Medlicot's affair, not his. - -They dined at seven, and after dinner strolled out into the horse -paddock, and down to the creek. As they started, the three men went -first, and the ladies followed them; but Bates soon dropped behind. -It was his rest day, and he had already moved quite as much as was -usual with him on a Sunday. - -"I think I was a little hard with you the other day," said Medlicot, -when they were alone together. - -"I suppose we hardly understand each other's ideas," said Harry. He -spoke with a constrained voice, and with an almost savage manner, -engendered by a determination to hold his own. He would forgive any -offense for which an apology was made, but no apology had been made -as yet; and, to tell the truth, he was a little afraid that if they -got into an argument on the matter Medlicot would have the best of -it. And there was, too, almost a claim to superiority in Medlicot's -use of the word "hard." When one man says that he has been hard to -another, he almost boasts that, on that occasion, he got the better -of him. - -"That's just it," said Medlicot; "we do not quite understand each -other. But we might believe in each other all the same, and then the -understanding would come. But it isn't just that which I want to say; -such talking rarely does any good." - -"What is it, then?" - -"You may perhaps be right about that man Nokes." - -"No doubt I may. I know I'm right. When I asked him whether he'd -been at my shed, what made him say that he hadn't been there at -night-time? I said nothing about night-time. But the man was there -at night-time, or he wouldn't have used the word." - -"I'm not sure that that is evidence." - -"Perhaps not in England, Mr. Medlicot, but it's good enough evidence -for the bush. And what made him pretend he didn't know the distances? -And why can't he look a man in the face? And why should the boy have -said it was he if it wasn't? Of course, if you think well of him -you're right to keep him. But you may take it as a rule out here that -when a man has been dismissed it hasn't been done for nothing. Men -treated that way should travel out of the country. It's better for -all parties. It isn't here as it is at home, where people live so -thick together that nothing is thought of a man being dismissed. I -was obliged to discharge him, and now he's my enemy." - -"A man may be your enemy without being a felon." - -"Of course he may. I'm his enemy in a way, but I wouldn't hurt a hair -of his head unjustly. When I see the attempts made to burn me out, of -course I know that an enemy has been at work." - -"Is there no one else has got a grudge against you?" - -Harry was silent for a moment. What right had this man to -cross-examine him about his enmities--the man whose own position in -the place had been one of hostility to him, whom he had almost -suspected of harboring Nokes at the mill simply because Nokes had -been dismissed from Gangoil? That suspicion was, indeed, fading away. -There was something in Medlicot's voice and manner which made it -impossible to attribute such motives to him. Nevertheless the man was -a free-selector, and had taken a bit of the Gangoil run after a -fashion which to Heathcote was objectionable politically, morally, -and socially. Let Medlicot in regard to character be what he might, -he was a free-selector, and a squatter's enemy, and had clinched his -hostility by employing a servant dismissed from the very run out of -which he had bought his land. "It is hard to say," he replied at -length, "who have grudges, as against whom, or why. I suppose I have -a great grudge against you, if the truth is to be known; but I -sha'n't burn down your mill." - -"I'm sure you won't." - -"Nor yet say worse of you behind your back than I will to your face." - -"I don't want you to think that you have occasion to speak ill of me, -either one way or the other. What I mean is this--I don't quite think -that the evidence against Nokes is strong enough to justify me in -sending him away; but I'll keep an eye on him as well as I can. It -seems that he left our place early this morning; but the men are not -supposed to be there on Sundays, and of course he does as he pleases -with himself." - -The conversation then dropped, and in a little time Harry made some -excuse for leaving them, and returned to the house alone, promising, -however, that he would not start for his night's ride till after the -party had come back to the station. "There is no hurry at all," he -said; "I shan't stir for two hours yet, but Mickey will be waiting -there for stores for himself and the German." - -"That means a nobbler for Mickey," said Kate. "Either of those men -would think it a treat to ride ten miles in and ten miles back, with -a horse-load of sugar and tea and flour, for the sake of a glass of -brandy-and-water." - -"And so would you," said Harry, "if you lived in a hut by yourself -for a fortnight, with nothing to drink but tea without milk." - -The old lady and Mrs. Heathcote were soon seated on the grass, while -Medlicot and Kate Daly roamed on together. Kate was a pretty, modest -girl, timid withal and shy, unused to society, and therefore awkward, -but with the natural instincts and aptitudes of her sex. What the -glass of brandy-and-water was to Mickey O'Dowd after a fortnight's -solitude in a bush hut, with tea, dampers, and lumps of mutton, a -young man in the guise of a gentleman was to poor Kate Daly. A -brother-in-law, let him be ever so good, is after all no better than -tea without milk. No doubt Mickey O'Dowd often thought about a -nobbler in his thirsty solitude, and so did Kate speculate on what -might possibly be the attractions of a lover. Medlicot probably -indulged in no such speculations; but the nobbler, when brought close -to his lips, was grateful to him as to others. That Kate Daly was -very pretty no man could doubt. - -"Isn't it sad that he should have to ride about all night like that?" -said Kate, to whom, as was proper, Harry Heathcote at the present -moment was of more importance than any other human being. - -"I suppose he likes it." - -"Oh no, Mr. Medlicot; how can he like it? It is not the hard work he -minds, but the constant dread of coming evil." - -"The excitement keeps him alive." - -"There's plenty on a station to keep a man alive in that way at all -times." - -"And plenty to keep ladies alive too?" - -"Oh, ladies! I don't know that ladies have any business in the bush. -Harry's trouble is all about my sister and the children and me. He -wouldn't care a straw for himself." - -"Do you think he'd be better without a wife?" - -Kate hesitated for a moment. "Well, no. I suppose it would be very -rough without Mary; and he'd be so lonely when he came in." - -"And nobody to make his tea." - -"Or to look after his things," said Kate, earnestly. "I know it was -very rough before we came here. He says that himself. There were no -regular meals, but just food in a cupboard when he chose to get it." - -"That is not comfortable, certainly." - -"Horrid, I should think. I suppose it is better for him to be -married. You've got your mother, Mr. Medlicot." - -"Yes: I've got my mother." - -"That makes a difference, does it not?" - -"A very great difference. She'll save me from having to go to a -cupboard for my bread and meat." - -"I suppose having a woman about is better for a man. They haven't got -any thing else to do, and therefore they can look to things." - -"Do you help to look to things?" - -"I suppose I do something. I often feel ashamed to think how very -little it is. As for that, I'm not wanted at all." - -"So that you're free to go elsewhere?" - -"I didn't mean that, Mr. Medlicot; only I know I'm not of much use." - -"But if you had a house of your own?" - -"Gangoil is my home just as much as it is Mary's; and I sometimes -feel that Harry is just as good to me as he is to Mary." - -"Your sister will never leave Gangoil." - -"Not unless Harry gets another station." - -"But you will have to be transplanted some day." - -Kate merely chucked up her head and pouted her lips, as though to -show that the proposition was one which did not deserve an answer. - -"You'll marry a squatter, of course, Miss Daly?" - -"I don't suppose I shall ever marry any body, Mr. Medlicot." - -"You wouldn't marry any one but a squatter? I can quite understand -that. The squatters here are what the lords and the country -gentlemen are at home." - -"I can't even picture to myself what sort of life people live at -home." Both Medlicot and Kate Daly meant England when they spoke of -home. - -"There isn't so much difference as people think. Classes hang -together just in the same way; only I think there's a little more -exclusiveness here than there was there." - -In answer to this, Kate asserted with innocent eagerness that she was -not at all exclusive, and that if ever she married any one she'd -marry the man she liked. - -"I wish you'd like me," said Medlicot. - -"That's nonsense," said Kate, in a low, timid whisper, hurrying away -to rejoin the other ladies. She could speculate on the delights of -the beverage as would Mickey O'Dowd in his hut; but when it was first -brought to her lips she could only fly away from it. In this respect -Mickey O'Dowd was the more sensible of the two. No other word was -spoken that night between them, but Kate lay awake till morning -thinking of the one word that had been spoken. But the secret was -kept sacredly within her own bosom. - -Before the Medlicots started that night the old lady made a -proposition that the Heathcotes and Miss Daly should eat the -Christmas dinner at Medlicot's Mill. Mrs. Heathcote, thinking perhaps -of her sister, thoroughly liking what she herself had seen of the -Medlicots, looked anxiously into Harry's face. If he would consent to -this, an intimacy would follow, and probably a real friendship be -made. - -"It's out of the question," he said. The very firmness, however, with -which he spoke gave a certain cordiality even to his refusal. "I must -be at home, so that the men may know where to find me till I go out -for the night." Then, after a pause, he continued, "As we can't go to -you, why should you not come to us?" - -So it was at last decided, much to Harry's own astonishment, much to -his wife's delight. Kate, therefore, when she lay awake, thinking of -the one word that had been spoken, knew that there would be an -opportunity for another word. - -Medlicot drove his mother home safely, and, after he had taken her -into the house, encountered Nokes on his return from Boolabong, as -has been told at the close of the last chapter. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - -"I DO WISH HE WOULD COME!" - - -On the Monday morning Harry came home as usual, and, as usual, went -to bed after his breakfast. "I wouldn't care about the heat if it -were not for the wind," he said to his wife, as he threw himself -down. - -"The wind carries it so, I suppose." - -"Yes; and it comes from just the wrong side--from the northwest. -There have been half a dozen fires about to-day." - -"During the night, you mean." - -"No; yesterday--Sunday. I can not make out whether they come by -themselves. They certainly are not all made by incendiaries." - -"Accidents, perhaps." - -"Well, yes. Somebody drops a match, and the sun ignites it. But the -chances are much against a fire like that spreading. Care is wanted -to make it spread. As far as I can learn, the worst fires have not -been just after midday, when, of course, the heat is greater, but in -the early night, before the dews have come. All the same, I feel that -I know nothing about it--nothing at all. Don't let me sleep long." - -In spite of this injunction, Mrs. Heathcote determined that he should -sleep all day if he would. Even the nights were fearfully hot and -sultry, and on this Monday morning he had come home much fatigued. He -would be out again at sunset, and now he should have what rest nature -would allow him. But in this resolve she was opposed by Jacko, who -came in at eleven, and requested to see the master. Jacko had been -over with the German; and, as he explained to Mrs. Heathcote, they -two had been in and out, sometimes sleeping and sometimes watching. -But now he wanted to see the master, and under no persuasion would -impart his information to the mistress. The poor wife, anxious as she -was that her husband should sleep, did not dare in these perilous -times to ignore Jacko and his information, and therefore gently woke -the sleeper. In a few minutes Jacko was standing by the young -squatter's bedside, and Harry Heathcote, quite awake, was sitting up -and listening. "George Brownbie's at Boolabong." That at first was -the gravamen of Jacko's news. - -"I know that already, Jacko." - -"My word!" exclaimed Jacko. In those parts Georgie Brownbie was -regarded almost as the Evil One himself, and Jacko, knowing what -mischief was, as it were, in the word, thought that he was entitled -to bread and jam, if not to a nobbler itself, in bringing such -tidings to Gangoil. - -"Is that all?" asked Heathcote. - -"And Bos is at Boolabong, and Bill Nokes was there all Sunday, and -Jerry Brownbie's been out with Bos and Georgie." - -"The old man wouldn't say any thing of that kind, Jacko." - -"The old man! He knows nothing about it. My word! they don't tell him -about nothing." - -"Or Tom?" - -"Tom's away in prison. They always cotches the best when they want to -send 'em to prison. If they'd lock up Jerry and Georgie and Jack! My -word! yes." - -"You think they're arranging it all at Boolabong?" - -"In course they are." - -"I don't see why Boscobel shouldn't be at Boolabong without intending -me any harm. Of course he'd go there when he left Gangoil. That's -where they all go." - -"And Bill Nokes, Mr. Harry?" - -"And Bill Nokes too. Though why he should travel so far from his work -this weather I can't say." - -"My word! no, Mr. Harry." - -"Did you see any fires about your way last night?" - -Jacko shook his head. - -"You go into the kitchen and get something to eat, and wait for me. I -shall be out before long now." - -Though Heathcote had made light of the assemblage of evil spirits at -Boolabong which had seemed so important to Jacko, he by no means did -regard the news as unessential. Of Nokes's villany he was convinced. -Of Boscobel he had imprudently made a second enemy at a most -inauspicious time. Georgie Brownbie had long been his bitter foe. He -had prosecuted and, perhaps, persecuted Georgie for various offenses; -but as Georgie was supposed to be as much at war with his own -brethren as with the rest of the world at large, Heathcote had not -thought much of that miscreant in the present emergency. But if the -miscreant were in truth at Boolabong, and if evil things were being -plotted against Gangoil, Georgie would certainly be among the -conspirators. - -Soon after noon Harry was on horseback and Jacko was at his heels. -The heat was more intense than ever. Mrs. Heathcote had twisted round -Harry's hat a long white scarf, called a puggeree, though we are by -no means sure of our spelling. Jacko had spread a very dirty fragment -of an old white handkerchief on his head, and wore his hat over it. -Mrs. Heathcote had begged Harry to take a large cotton parasol, and -he had nearly consented, being unable at last to reconcile himself to -the idea of riding with such an accoutrement even in the bush. "The -heat's a bore," he said, "but I'm not a bit afraid of it as long as I -keep moving. Yes, I'll be back to dinner, though I won't say when, -and I won't say for how long. It will be the same thing all day -to-morrow. I wish with all my heart those people were not coming." - -He rode straight away to the German's hut, which was on the -northwestern extremity of his further paddock in that direction. From -thence the western fence ran in a southerly direction, nearly -straight to the river. Beyond the fence was a strip of land, in some -parts over a mile broad, in others not much over a quarter of a mile, -which he claimed as belonging to Gangoil, but over which the -Brownbies had driven their cattle since the fence had been made, -under the pretense that the fence marked the boundary of two runs. -Against this assumption Heathcote had remonstrated frequently, had -driven the cattle back, and had exercised the ownership of a Crown -tenant in such fashion as the nature of his occupation allowed. -Beyond this strip was Boolabong; the house at Boolabong being not -above three miles distant from the fence, and not above four miles -from the German's hut. So that the Brownbies were in truth much -nearer neighbors to the German than was Heathcote and his family. But -between the German and the Brownbies there raged an internecine feud. -No doubt Harry Heathcote, in his heart, liked the German all the -better on this account; but it behooved him both as a master and a -magistrate to regard reports against Boolabong coming from the German -with something of suspicion. Now Jacko had been introduced to Gangoil -under German auspices, and had soon come to a decision that it would -be a good thing and a just to lock up all the Brownbies in the great -jail of the colony at Brisbane. He probably knew nothing of law or -justice in the abstract, but he greatly valued law when exercised -against those he hated. The western fence of which mention has been -made ran down to the Mary River, hitting it about four miles west of -Medlicot's Mill; so that there was a considerable portion of the -Gangoil run having a frontage to the water. As has been before said, -Medlicot's plantation was about fourteen miles distant from the house -at Boolabong, and the distance from the Gangoil house to that of the -Brownbies was about the same. - -The oppressiveness of the day was owing more to the hot wind than to -the sun itself. This wind, coming from the arid plains of the -interior, brought with it a dry, suffocating heat. On this occasion -it was odious to Harry Heathcote, not so much on account of its own -intrinsic abominations, as because it might cause a fire to sweep -across his run from its western boundary. Just beyond the boundary -there lay Boolabong, and there were collected his enemies. A fire -that should have passed for a mile or so across the pastures outside -and beyond his own farm would be altogether unextinguishable by the -time that it had reached his paddock. The Brownbies, as he knew well, -would care nothing for burning a patch of their own grass. Their -stock, if they had any at the present moment, were much too few in -number to be affected by such a loss. The Brownbies had not a yard of -fencing to be burned; and a fire, if once it got a hold on the edge -of their run, would pass on away from them, right across Harry's -pastures and Harry's fences. If such were the case, he would have -quite enough to do to drive his sheep from the fire, and it might be -that many of them also would perish in the flames. The catastrophe -might even be so bad, so frightful, that the shed and station and all -should go; though, in thinking of all the fires of which he had -heard, he could remember none that had spread with fatality such as -that. - -He found Karl Bender in his hut asleep. The man was soon up, -apologizing for his somnolence, and preparing tea for his master's -entertainment. "It is not Christmas like at home at all; is it, Mr. -'Eathcote? Dear, no! Them red divils is there ready to give us a -Christmas roasting." Then he told how he had boldly ridden up to -Boolabong that morning, and had seen Georgie and Boscobel with his -own eyes. When asked what they had said to him, he replied that he -did not wait till any thing had been said, but had hurried away as -fast as his horse could carry him. - -"I'll go up to Boolabong myself," said Harry. - -"My word! They'll just about knock your head off," suggested Jacko. - -Karl Bender also thought that the making of such a visit would be a -source of danger. But Heathcote explained that any personal attack -was not to be apprehended from these men. "That's not their game," he -said, arguing that men who premeditated a secret outrage would not -probably be tempted into personal violence. The horror of the -position lay in this--that though a fire should rise up almost under -the feet of men who were known to be hostile to him, and whose -characters were acknowledged to be bad, still would there be no -evidence against them. It was known to all men that, at periods of -heat such as that which was now raging, fires were common. Every day -the pastures were in flames, here, there, and every where. It was -said, indeed, that there existed no evidence of fires in the bush -till men had come with their flocks. But then there had been no -smoking, no boiling of pots, no camping out, till men had come, and -no matches. Every one around might be sure that some particular fire -had been the work of an incendiary, might be able to name the culprit -who had done the deed; and yet no jury could convict the miscreant. -Watchfulness was the best security, watchfulness day and night till -rain should come; and Heathcote calculated that it would be better -for him that his enemies should know that he was watchful. He would -go up among them and show them that he was not ashamed to speak to -them of his anxiety. They could hear nothing by his coming which they -did not already know. They were well aware that he was on the watch, -and it might be well that they should know also how close his watch -was kept. He took the German and Jacko with him, but left them with -their horses about a mile on the Boolabong side of his own fence, -nigh to the extreme boundary of the Debatable Land. They knew his -whistle, and were to ride to him at once should he call them. - -He had left the house about noon, saying that he would be home to -dinner--which, however, on such occasions, was held to be a feast -movable over a wide space of time. But on this occasion the women -expected him to come early, as it was his intention to be out again -as soon as it should be dark. Mrs. Growler was asked to have the -dinner ready at six. During the day Mrs. Heathcote was backward and -forward in the kitchen. Then was something wrong she knew, but could -not quite discern the evil. Sing Sing, the cook, was more than -ordinarily alert; but Sing Sing, the cook, was not much trusted. Mrs. -Growler was "as good as the Bank," as far as that went, having lived -with old Mr. Daly when he was prosperous; but she was apt to be -downhearted, and on the present occasion was more than usually low in -spirits. Whenever Mrs. Heathcote spoke, she wept. At six o'clock she -came into the parlor with a budget of news. Sing Sing, the cook, had -been gone for the last half hour, leaving the leg of mutton at the -fire. It soon became clear to them that he had altogether absconded. - -"Them rats always does leave a falling house," said Mrs. Growler. - -At seven o'clock the sun was down, though the gloom of the tropical -evening had not yet come. The two ladies went out to the gate, which -was but a few yards from the veranda, and there stood listening for -the sound of Harry's horse. The low moaning of the wind through the -trees could be heard, but it was so gentle, continuous, and unaltered -that it seemed to be no more than a vehicle for other sounds, and was -as death-like as silence itself. The gate of the horse paddock -through which Heathcote must pass on his way home was nearly a mile -distant; but the road there was hard, and they knew that they could -hear from there the fall of his horse's feet. There they stood from -seven to nearly eight, whispering a word now and then to each other, -listening always, but in vain. Looking away to the west every now and -then, they fancied that they could see the sky glow with flames, and -then they would tell each other that it was fancy. The evening grew -darker and still darker, but no sound was heard through the moaning -wind. From time to time Mrs. Growler came out to them, declaring her -fears in no measured terms. "Well, marm, I do declare I think we'd -better go away out of this." - -"Go away, Mrs. Growler! What nonsense! Where can we go to?" - -"The mill would be nearest, ma'am, and we should be safe there. I'm -sure Mrs. Medlicot would take us in." - -"Why should you not be safe here?" said Kate. - -"That wretched Chinese hasn't gone and left us for nothing, miss, and -what would we three lone women do here if all them Brownbies came -down upon us? Why don't master come back? He ought to come back; -oughtn't he, ma'am? He never do think what lone women are." - -Mrs. Heathcote took her husband's part very strongly, and gave Mrs. -Growler as hard a scolding as she knew how to pronounce. But her own -courage was giving way much as Mrs. Growler's had done. "We are bound -to stay here," she said; "and if the worst comes, we must bear it as -others have done before us." Then Mrs. Growler was very sulky, and, -retreating to the kitchen, sobbed there in solitude. "Oh, Kate, I do -wish he would come," said the elder sister. - -"Are you afraid?" - -"It is so desolate, and he may be so far off, and we couldn't get to -him if any thing happened, and we shouldn't know." - -Then they were again silent, and remained without exchanging more -than a word or two for nearly half an hour. They took hold of each -other, and every now and then went to the kitchen door that the old -woman might be comforted by their presence, but they had no -consolation to offer each other. The silence of the bush, and the -feeling of great distances, and the dread of calamity almost crushed -them. At last there was a distant sound of horse's feet. "I hear -him," said Mrs. Heathcote, rushing forward toward the outer gate of -the horse paddock, followed by her sister. - -Her ears were true, but she was doomed to disappointment. The -horseman was only a messenger from her husband--Mickey O'Dowd, the -Irish boundary rider. - -He had great tidings to tell, and was so long telling them that we -will not attempt to give them in his own words. The purport of his -story was as follows: Harry had been to Boolabong House, but had -found there no one but the old man. Returning home thence toward his -own fence, he had smelled the smoke of fire, and had found within a -furlong of his path a long ridge of burning grass. According to -Mickey's account, it could not have been lighted above a few minutes -before Heathcote's presence on the spot. As it was, it had got too -much ahead for him to put it out single-handed; a few yards he might -have managed, but--so Mickey said, probably exaggerating the -matter--there was half a quarter of a mile of flame. He had therefore -ridden on before the fire, had called his own two men to him, and had -at once lighted the grass himself some two hundred yards in front, -making a second fire, but so keeping it down that it should be always -under control. Before the hinder flames had caught him, Bender and -Jacko had been with him, and they had thus managed to consume the -fuel which, had it remained there, would have fed the fire which was -too strong to be mastered. By watching the extremities of the line of -fire, they overpowered it, and so the damage was for the moment at an -end. - -The method of dealing with the enemy was so well known in the bush, -and had been so often canvassed in the hearing of the two sisters, -that it was clearly intelligible to them. The evil had been met in -the proper way, and the remedy had been effective. But why did not -Harry come home? - -Mickey O'Dowd, after his fashion, explained that too. The ladies were -not to wait dinner. The master felt himself obliged to remain out at -night, and had gotten food at the German's hut. He, Mickey, was -commissioned to return with a flask full of brandy, as it would be -necessary that Harry, with all the men whom he could trust, should be -"on the rampage" all night. This small body was to consist of Harry -himself, of the German, of Jacko, and, according to the story as at -present told, especially of Mickey O'Dowd. Much as she would have -wished to have kept the man at the station for protection, she did -not think of disobeying her husband's orders. So Mickey was fed, and -then sent back with the flask--with tidings also as to the desertion -of that wretched cook, Sing Sing. - -"I shall sit here all night," said Mrs. Heathcote to her sister. "As -things are, I shall not think of going to bed." - -Kate declared that she would also sit in the veranda all night; and, -as a matter of course, they were joined by Mrs. Growler. They had -been so seated about an hour when Kate Daly declared that the heavens -were on fire. The two young women jumped up, flew to the gate, and -found that the whole western horizon was lurid with a dark red light. - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - -THE BUSH FIGHT. - - -Harry Heathcote had on this occasion entertained no doubt whatever -that the fire had been intentional and premeditated. A lighted torch -must have been dragged along the grass, so as to ignite a line many -yards long all at the same time. He had been luckily near enough to -the spot to see almost the commencement of the burning, and was -therefore aware of its form and circumstances. He almost wondered -that he had not seen the figure of the man who had drawn the torch, -or at any rate heard his steps. Pursuit would have been out of the -question, as his work was wanted at the moment to extinguish the -flames. The miscreant probably had remembered this, and had known -that he might escape stealthily without the noise of a rapid retreat. - -When the work was over, when he had put out the fire he had himself -lighted, and had exterminated the lingering remnants of that which -had been intended to destroy him, he stood still a while almost in -despair. His condition seemed to be hopeless. What could he do -against such a band of enemies, knowing as he did that, had he been -backed even by a score of trusty followers, one foe might still -suffice to ruin him? At the present moment he was very hot with the -work he had done, as were also Jacko and the German. O'Dowd had also -come up as they were completing their work. Their mode of -extinguishing the flames had been to beat them down with branches of -gum-tree loaded with leaves. By sweeping these along the burning -ground the low flames would be scattered and expelled. But the work -was very hard and hot. The boughs they used were heavy, and the air -around them, sultry enough from its own properties, was made almost -unbearable by the added heat of the fires. - -The work had been so far done, but it might be begun again at any -moment, either near or at a distance. No doubt the attempt would be -made elsewhere along the boundary between Gangoil and Boolabong--was -very probably being made at this moment. The two men whom he could -trust and Jacko were now with him. They were wiping their brows with -their arms and panting with their work. - -He first resolved on sending Mickey O'Dowd to the house. The distance -was great, and the man's assistance might be essential. But he could -not bear to leave his wife without news from him. Then, after -considering a while, he made up his mind to go back toward his own -fence, making his way as he went southerly down toward the river. -They who were determined to injure him would, he thought, repeat -their attempt in that direction. He hardly said a word to his two -followers, but rode at a foot-pace to the spot at his fence which he -had selected as the site of his bivouac for the night. - -"It won't be very cheery, Bender," he said to the German; "but we -shall have to make a night of it till they disturb us again." - -The German made a motion with his arms intended to signify his utter -indifference. One place was the same as another to him. Jacko uttered -his usual ejaculation, and then, having hitched his horse to the -fence, threw himself on his back upon the grass. - -No doubt they all slept, but they slept as watchers sleep, with one -eye open. It was Harry who first saw the light which a few minutes -later made itself visible to the ladies at the home station. "Karl," -he exclaimed, jumping up, "they're at it again--look there." - -In less than half a minute, and without speaking another word, they -were all on their horses and riding in the direction of the light. It -came from a part of the Boolabong run somewhat nearer to the river -than the place at which they had stationed themselves, where the -strip of ground between Harry's fence and the acknowledged boundary -of Brownbie's run was the narrowest. As they approached the fire, -they became aware that it had been lighted on Boolabong. On this -occasion Harry did not ride on up to the flames, knowing that the use -or loss of a few minutes might save or destroy his property. He -hardly spoke a word as he proceeded on his business, feeling that -they upon whom he had to depend were sufficiently instructed, if only -they would be sufficiently energetic. - -"Keep it well under, but let it run," was all he said, as, lighting a -dried bush with a match, he ran the fire along the ground in front of -the coming flames. - -A stranger seeing it all would have felt sure that the remedy would -have been as bad as the disease, for the fire which Harry himself -made every now and again seemed to get the better of those who were -endeavoring to control it. There might perhaps be a quarter of a mile -between the front of the advancing fire and the line at which Harry -had commenced to destroy the food which would have fed the coming -flames. He himself, as quickly as he lighted the grass, which in -itself was the work but of a moment, would strain himself to the -utmost at the much harder task of controlling his own fire, so that -it should not run away from him, and get, as it were, out of his -hands, and be as bad to him as that which he was thus seeking to -circumvent. The German and Jacko worked like heroes, probably with -intense enjoyment of the excitement, and, after a while, found a -fourth figure among the flames, for Mickey had now returned. - -"You saw them," Harry said, panting with his work. - -"They's all right," said Mickey, flopping away with a great bough; -"but that tarnation Chinese has gone off." - -"My word! Sing Sing. Find him at Boolabong," said Jacko. - -The German, whose gum-tree bough was a very big one, and whose every -thought was intent on letting the fire run while he still held it in -hand, had not breath for a syllable. - -But the back fire was extending itself, so as to get round them. -Every now and then Harry extended his own line, moving always forward -toward Gangoil as he did so, though he and his men were always on -Brownbie's territory. He had no doubt but that where he could succeed -in destroying the grass for a breadth of forty or fifty yards he -would starve out the inimical flames. The trees and bushes without -the herbage would not enable it to travel a yard. Wherever the grass -was burned down black to the soil, the fire would stop. But should -they, who were at work, once allow themselves to be outflanked, their -exertions would be all in vain. And then those wretches might light a -dozen fires. The work was so hard, so hot, and often so hopeless, -that the unhappy young squatter was more than once tempted to bid his -men desist and to return to his homestead. The flames would not -follow him there. He could, at any rate, make that safe. And then, -when he had repudiated this feeling as unworthy of him, he began to -consider within himself whether he would not do better for his -property by taking his men with him on to his run, and endeavoring to -drive his sheep out of danger. But as he thought of all this, he -still worked, still fired the grass, and still controlled the flames. -Presently he became aware of what seemed to him at first to be a -third fire. Through the trees, in the direction of the river, he -could see the glimmering of low flames and the figures of men. But it -was soon apparent to him that these men were working in his cause, -and that they, too, were burning the grass that would have fed the -advancing flames. At first he could not spare the minute which would -be necessary to find out who was his friend, but, as they drew -nearer, he knew the man. It was the sugar planter from the mill and -with him his foreman. - -"We've been doing our best," said Medlicot, "but we've been terribly -afraid that the fire would slip away from us." - -"It's the only thing," said Harry, too much excited at the moment to -ask questions as to the cause of Medlicot's presence so far from his -home at that time of the evening. "It's getting round us, I'm afraid, -all the same." - -"I don't know but it is. It's almost impossible to distinguish. How -hot the fire makes it!" - -"Hot, indeed!" said Harry. "It's killing work for men, and then all -for no good! To think that men, creatures that call themselves men, -should do such a thing as this! It breaks one's heart." He had paused -as he spoke, leaning on the great battered bough which he held, but -in an instant was at work with it again. "Do you stay here, Mr. -Medlicot, with the men, and I'll go on beyond where you began. If I -find the fire growing down, I'll shout, and they can come to me." So -saying, he rushed on with a lighted bush torch in his band. - -Suddenly he found himself confronted in the bush by a man on -horseback, whom he at once recognized as Georgie Brownbie. He forgot -for a moment where he was and began to question the reprobate as to -his presence at that spot. - -"That's like your impudence," said Georgie. "You're not only -trespassing, but you're destroying our property willfully, and you -ask me what business I have here. You're a nice sort of young man." - -Harry, checked for a moment by the remembrance that he was in truth -upon Boolabong run, did not at once answer. - -"Put that bush down, and don't burn our grass," continued Georgie, -"or you shall have to answer for it. What right have you to fire our -grass?" - -"Who fired it first?" - -"It lighted itself. That's no rule why you should light it more. You -give over, or I punch your head for you." - -Harry's men and Medlicot were advancing toward him, trampling out -their own embers as they came; and Georgie Brownbie, who was alone, -when he saw that there were four or five men against him, turned -round and rode back. - -"Did you ever see impudence like that?" said Harry. "He's probably -the very man who set the match, and yet he comes and brazens it out -with me." - -"I don't think he's the man who set the match," said Medlicot, -quietly; "at any rate there was another." - -"Who was it?" - -"My man, Nokes. I saw him with the torch in his hand." - -"Heaven and earth!" - -"Yes, Mr. Heathcote. I saw him put it down. You were about right, you -see, and I was about wrong." - -Harry had not a word to say, unless it were tell the man that he -loved him for the frankness of his confession. But the moment was -hardly auspicious for such a declaration. There was no excuse for -them to pause in their work, for the fire was still crackling at -their back, and they did no more than pause. - -"Ah!" said Harry, "there it goes; we shall be done at last." For he -saw that he was being outflanked by the advancing flames. But still -they worked, drawing lines of fire here and there, and still they -hoped that there might be ground for hope. Nokes had been seen; but, -pregnant as the theme might be with words, it was almost impossible -to talk. Questions could not be asked and answered without stopping -in their toil. There were questions which Harry longed to ask. Could -Medlicot swear to the man? Did the man know that he had been seen? If -he knew that he had been watched while he lit the grass, he would -soon be far away from Medlicot's Mill and Gangoil. Harry felt that it -would be a consolation to him in his trouble if he could get hold of -this man, and keep him, and prosecute him--and have him hung. Even in -the tumult of the moment he was able to reflect about it, and to -think that he remembered that the crime of arson was capital in the -colony of Queensland. He had endeavored to be good to the men with -whom he had dealings. He had not stinted their food, or cut them -short in their wages, or been hard in exacting work from them. And -this was his return! Ideas as to the excellence of absolute dominion -and power flitted across his brain--such power as Abraham, no doubt, -exercised. In Abraham's time the people were submissive, and the -world was happy. Harry Heathcote, at least, had never heard that it -was not happy. But as he thought of all this he worked away with his -bush and his matches, extinguishing the flames here and lighting them -there, striving to make a cordon of black bare ground between -Boolabong and Gangoil. Surely Abraham had never been called on to -work like this! - -He and his men were in a line covering something above a quarter of a -mile of ground, of which line he was himself the nearest to the -river, and Medlicot and his foreman the farthest from it. The German -and O'Dowd were in the middle, and Jacko was working with his master. -If Harry had just cause for anger and sorrow in regard to Nokes and -Boscobel, he certainly had equal cause to be proud of the stanchness -of his remaining satellites. The men worked with a will, as though -the whole run had been the personal property of each of them. Nokes -and Boscobel would probably have done the same had the fires come -before they had quarreled with their master. It is a small and narrow -point that turns the rushing train to the right or to the left. The -rushing man is often turned off by a point as small and narrow. - -"My word!" said Jacko, on a sudden, "here they are, all o' -horseback!" And as he spoke, there was the sound of half a dozen -horsemen galloping up to them through the bush. "Why, there's Bos, -his own self," said Jacko. - -The two leading men were Joe and Jerry Brownbie, who, for this night -only, had composed their quarrels, and close to them was Boscobel. -There were others behind, also mounted--Jack Brownbie and Georgie, -and Nokes himself; but they, though their figures were seen, could -not be distinguished in the gloom of the night. Nor, indeed, did -Harry at first discern of how many the party consisted. It seemed -that there was a whole troop of horsemen, whose purpose it was to -interrupt him in his work, so that the flames should certainly go -ahead. And it was evident that the men thought that they could do so -without subjecting themselves to legal penalties. As far as Harry -Heathcote could see, they were correct in their view. He could have -no right to burn the grass on Boolabong. He had no claim even to be -there. It was true that he could plead that he was stopping the fire -which they had purposely made; but they could prove his handiwork, -whereas it would be almost impossible that he should prove theirs. - -The whole forest was not red, but lurid, with the fires, and the air -was laden with both the smell and the heat of the conflagration. The -horsemen were dressed, as was Harry himself, in trowsers and shirts, -with old slouch hats, and each of them had a cudgel in his hand. As -they came galloping up through the trees they were as uncanny and -unwelcome a set of visitors as any man was ever called on to receive. -Harry necessarily stayed his work, and stood still to bear the brunt -of the coming attack; but Jacko went on with his employment faster -than ever, as though a troop of men in the dark were nothing to him. - -Jerry Brownbie was the first to speak. "What's this you're up to, -Heathcote? Firing our grass? It's arson. You shall swing for this." - -"I'll take my chance of that," said Harry, turning to his work again. - -"No, I'm blessed if you do. Ride over him, Bos, while I stop these -other fellows." - -The Brownbies had been aware that Harry's two boundary riders were -with him, but had not heard of the arrival of Medlicot and the other -man. Nokes was aware that some one on horseback had been near him -when he was firing the grass, but had thought that it was one of the -party from Gangoil. By the time that Jerry Brownbie had reached the -German, Medlicot was there also. - -"Who the deuce are you?" asked Jerry. - -"What business is that of yours?" said Medlicot. - -"No business of mine, and you firing our grass! I'll let you know my -business pretty quickly." - -"It's that fellow, Medlicot, from the sugar-mill," said Joe; "the man -that Nokes is with." - -"I thought you was a horse of another color," continued Jerry, who -had been given to understand that Medlicot was Heathcote's enemy. -"Anyway, I won't have my grass fired. If God A'mighty chooses to send -fires, we can't help it. But I'm not going to have incendiaries here -as well. You're a new chum, and don't understand what you're about, -but you must stop this." - -As Medlicot still went on putting out the fire, Jerry attempted to -ride him down. Medlicot caught the horse by the rein, and violently -backed the brute in among the embers. The animal plunged and reared, -getting his head loose, and at last came down, he and his rider -together. In the mean time Joe Brownbie, seeing this, rode up behind -the sugar planter, and struck him violently with his cudgel over the -shoulder. Medlicot sank nearly to the ground, but at once recovered -himself. He knew that some bone on the left side of his body was -broken; but he could still fight with his right hand, and he did -fight. - -Boscobel and Georgie Brownbie both attempted to ride over Harry -together, and might have succeeded had not Jacko ingeniously inserted -the burning branch of gum-tree with which he had been working under -the belly of the horse on which Boscobel was riding. The animal -jumped immediately from the ground, bucking into the air, and -Boscobel was thrown far over his head. Georgie Brownbie then turned -upon Jacko, but Jacko was far too nimble to be caught, and escaped -among the trees. - -For a few minutes the fight was general, but the footmen had the best -of it, in spite of the injury done to Medlicot. Jerry was bruised and -burned about the face by his fall among the ashes, and did not much -relish the work afterward. Boscobel was stunned for a few moments, -and was quite ready to retreat when he came to himself. Nokes during -the whole time did not show himself, alleging as a reason afterward -the presence of his employer Medlicot. - -"I'm blessed if your cowardice sha'n't hang you," said Joe Brownbie -to him on their way home. "Do you think we're going to fight the -battles of a fellow like you, who hasn't pluck to come forward -himself?" - -"I've as much pluck as you," answered Nokes, "and am ready to fight -you any day. But I know when a man is to come forward and when he's -not. Hang me! I'm not so near hanging as some folks at Boolabong." We -may imagine, therefore, that the night was not spent pleasantly among -the Brownbies after these adventures. - -There were, of course, very much cursing and swearing, and very many -threats, before the party from Boolabong did retreat. Their great -point was, of coarse, this--that Heathcote was willfully firing the -grass, and was, therefore, no better than an incendiary. Of course -they stoutly denied that the original fire had been intentional, and -denied as stoutly that the original fire could be stopped by fires. -But at last they went, leaving Heathcote and his party masters of the -battle-field. Jerry was taken away in a sad condition; and, in -subsequent accounts of the transaction given from Boolabong, his fall -was put forward as the reason of their flight, he having been the -general on the occasion. And Boscobel had certainly lost all stomach -for immediate fighting. Immediately behind the battle-field they come -across Nokes, and Sing Sing, the runaway cook from Gangoil. The poor -Chinaman had made the mistake of joining the party which was not -successful. - -But Harry, though the victory was with him, was hardly in a mood for -triumph. He soon found that Medlicot's collar-bone was broken, and it -would be necessary, therefore, that he should return with the wounded -man to the station. And the flames, as he feared, had altogether got -ahead of him during the fight. As far as they had gone, they had -stopped the fire, having made a black wilderness a mile and a half in -length, which, during the whole distance, ceased suddenly at the line -at which the subsidiary fire had been extinguished. But while the -attack was being made upon them the flames had crept on to the -southward, and had now got beyond their reach. It had seemed, -however, that the mass of fire which had got away from them was -small, and already the damp of the night was on the grass; and Harry -felt himself justified in hoping not that there might be no loss, but -that the loss might not be ruinous. - -Medlicot consented to be taken back to Gangoil instead of to the -mill. Perhaps he thought that Kate Daly might be a better nurse than -his mother, or that the quiet of the sheep station might be better -for him than the clatter of his own mill-wheels. It was midnight, and -they had a ride of fourteen miles, which was hard enough upon a man -with a broken collarbone. The whole party also was thoroughly -fatigued. The work they had been doing was about as hard as could -fall to a man's lot, and they had now been many hours without food. -Before they started Mickey produced his flask, the contents of which -were divided equally among them all, including Jacko. - -As they were preparing to start home Medlicot explained that it had -struck him by degrees that Heathcote might be right in regard to -Nokes, and that he had determined to watch the man himself whenever -he should leave the mill. On that Monday he had given up work -somewhat earlier than usual, saying that, as the following day was -Christmas, he should not come to the mill. From that time Medlicot -and his foreman had watched him. - -"Yes," said he, in answer to a question from Heathcote, "I can swear -that I saw him with the lighted torch in his hand, and that he placed -it among the grass. There were two others from Boolabong with him, -and they must have seen him too." - - - - -CHAPTER X. - -HARRY HEATHCOTE RETURNS IN TRIUMPH. - - -When the fight was quite over, and Heathcote's party had returned to -their horses, Medlicot for a few minutes was faint and sick, but he -revived after a while, and declared himself able to sit on his horse. -There was a difficulty in getting him up, but when there he made no -further complaint. "This," said he, as he settled himself in his -saddle, "is my first Christmas-day in Australia. I landed early in -January, and last year I was on my way home to fetch my mother." - -"It's not much like an English Christmas," said Harry. - -"Nor yet as in Hanover," said the German. - -"It's Cork you should go to, or Galway, bedad, if you want to see -Christmas kep' after the ould fashion," said Mickey. - -"I think we used to do it pretty well in Cumberland," said Medlicot. -"There are things which can't be transplanted. They may have roast -beef, and all that, but you should have cold weather to make you feel -that it is Christmas indeed." - -"We do it as well as we can," Harry pleaded. "I've seen a great -pudding come into the room all afire--just to remind one of the old -country--when it has been so hot that one could hardly bear a shirt -on one's shoulders. But yet there's something in it. One likes to -think of the old place, though one is so far away. How do you feel -now? Does the jolting hurt you much? If your horse is rough, change -with me. This fellow goes as smooth as a lady." Medlicot declared -that the pain did not trouble him much. "They'd have ridden over us, -only for you," continued Harry. - -"My word! wouldn't they?" said Jacko, who was very proud of his own -part in the battle. "I say, Mr. Medlicot, did you see Bos and his -horse part company? You did, Mr. Harry. Didn't he fly like a bird, -all in among the bushes! I owed Bos one; I did, my word! And now I've -paid him." - -"I saw it," said Harry. "He was riding at me as hard as he could -come. I can't understand Boscobel. Nokes is a sly, bad, slinking -follow, whom I never liked. But I was always good to Bos; and when he -cheated me, as he did, about his time, I never even threatened to -stop his money." - -"You told him of it too plain," said the German. - -"I did tell him--of course--as I should you. It has come to that now, -that if a man robs you--your own man--you are not to dare to tell him -of it! What would you think of me, Karl, if I were to find you out, -and was to be afraid of speaking to you, lest you should turn against -me and burn my fences?" Karl Bender shrugged his shoulders, holding -his reins up to his eyes. "I know what you ought to think! And I wish -that every man about Gangoil should be sure that I will always say -what I think right. I don't know that I ever was hard upon any man. I -try not to be." - -"Thrue for you, Mr. Harry," said the Irishman. - -"I'm not going to pick my words because men like Nokes and Boscobel -have the power of injuring me. I'm not going to truckle to rascals -because I'm afraid of them. I'd sooner be burned out of house and -home, and go and work on the wharves in Brisbane, than that." - -"My word! yes," said Jacko, "and I too." - -"If the devil is to get ahead, he must, but I won't hold a candle to -him. You fellows may tell every man about the place what I say. As -long as I'm master of Gangoil I'll be master; and when I come across -a swindle I'll tell the man who does it he's a swindler. I told Bos -to his face; but I didn't tell any body else, and I shouldn't if he'd -taken it right and mended his ways." - -They all understood him very well--the German, the Irishman, -Medlicot's foreman, Medlicot himself, and even Jacko; and though, no -doubt, there was a feeling within the hearts of the men that Harry -Heathcote was imperious, still they respected him, and they believed -him. - -"The masther should be the masther, no doubt," said the Irishman. - -"A man that is a man vill not sell hisself body and soul," said the -German, slowly. - -"Do I want dominion over your soul, Karl Bender?" asked the squatter, -with energy. "You know I don't, nor over your body, except so far as -it suits you to sell your services. What you sell you part with -readily--like a man; and it's not likely that you and I shall -quarrel. But all this row about nothing can't be very pleasant to a -man with a broken shoulder." - -"I like to hear you," said Medlicot. "I'm always a good listener when -men have something really to say." - -"Well, then, I've something to say," cried Harry. "There never was a -man came to my house whom I'd sooner see as a Christmas guest than -yourself." - -"Thankee, Sir." - -"It's more than I could have said yesterday with truth." - -"It's more than you did say." - -"Yes, by George! But you've beat me now. When you're hard pressed for -hands down yonder, you send for me, and see if I won't turn the mill -for you, or hoe canes either." - -"So 'll I; my word! yes. Just for my rations." - -They had by this time reacted the Gangoil fence, having taken the -directest route for the house. But Harry, in doing this, had not been -unmindful of the fire. Had Medlicot not been wounded, he would have -taken the party somewhat out of the way, down southward, following -the flames; but Medlicot's condition had made him feel that he would -not be justified in doing so. Now, however, it occurred to him that -he might as well ride a mile or two down the fence, and see what -injury had been done. The escort of the men would be sufficient to -take Medlicot to the station, and he would reach the place as soon as -they. If the flames were still running ahead, he knew that he could -not now stop then, but he could at least learn how the matter stood -with him. If the worst came to the worst, he would not now lose more -than three or four miles of fencing, and the grass off a corner of -his run. Nevertheless, tired as he was, he could not bear the idea of -going home without knowing the whole story. So he made his proposal. -Medlicot, of course, made no objection. Each of the men offered to go -with him, but he declined their services. "There is nothing to do," -said he, "and nobody to catch; and if the fire is burning, it must -burn." So he went alone. - -The words that he had uttered among his men had not been lightly -spoken. He had begun to perceive that life would be very hard to him -in his present position, or perhaps altogether impossible, as long as -he was at enmity with all those around him. Old squatters whom he -knew, respectable men who had been in the colony before he was born, -had advised him to be on good terms with the Brownbies. "You needn't -ask them to your house, or go to them, but just soft-sawder them when -yon meet," an old gentleman had said to him. He certainly hadn't -taken the old gentleman's advice, thinking that to "soft-sawder" so -great a reprobate as Jerry Brownbie would be holding a candle to the -devil. But his own plan had hardly answered. Well, he was sure, at -any rate, of this--that he could do no good now by endeavoring to be -civil to the Brownbies. He soon came to the place where the fire had -reached his fence, and found that it had burned its way through, and -that the flames were still continuing their onward course. The fence -to the north, or rather to the northwestward--the point whence the -wind was coming--stood firm at the spot at which the fire had struck -it. Dry as the wood was, the flames had not traveled upward against -the wind. But to the south the fire was traveling down the fence. To -stop this he rode half a mile along the burning barrier till he had -headed the flames, and then he pulled the bushes down and rolled away -the logs, so as to stop the destruction. As regarded his fence, there -was less than a mile of it destroyed, and that he could now leave in -security, as the wind was blowing away from it. As for his grass, -that must now take its chance. He could see the dark light of the low -running fire; but there was no longer a mighty blaze, and he knew -that the dew of the night was acting as his protector. The harm that -had been as yet done was trifling, if only he could protect himself -from further harm. After leaving the fire, he had still a ride of -seven or eight miles through the gloom of the forest--all alone. Not -only was he weary, but his horse was so tired that he could hardly -get him to canter for a furlong. He regretted that he had not brought -the boy with him, knowing well the service of companionship to a -tired beast. He was used to such troubles, and could always tell -himself that his back was broad enough to bear them; but his -desolation among enemies oppressed him. Medlicot, however, was no -longer an enemy. Then there came across his mind for the first time -an idea that Medlicot might marry his sister-in-law, and become his -fast friend. If he could have but one true friend, he thought that he -could bear the enmity of all the Brownbies. Hitherto he had been -entirely alone in his anxiety. It was between three and four when he -reached Gangoil, and he found that the party of horsemen had just -entered the yard before him. The sugar planter was so weak that he -could hardly get off his horse. - -The two ladies were still watching when the cavalcade arrived, though -it was then between three and four in the morning. It was Harry's -custom on such occasions to ride up to the little gate close to the -veranda, and there to hang his bridle till some one should take his -horse away; but on this occasion he and the others rode into the -yard. Seeing this, Mrs. Heathcote and her sister went through the -house, and soon learned how things were. Mr. Medlicot, from the mill, -had come with a bone broken, and it was their duty to nurse him till -a doctor could be procured from Maryborough. Now Maryborough was -thirty miles distant. Some one must be dispatched at once. Jacko -volunteered, but in such a service Jacko was hardly to be trusted. He -might fall asleep on his horse, and continue his slumbers on the -ground. Mickey and the German both offered; but the men were so -beaten by their work that Heathcote did not dare to take their offer. - -"I'll tell you what it is, Mary," he said to his wife, "there is -nothing for it but for me to go for Jackson." Jackson was the doctor. -"And I can see the police at the same time." - -"You sha'n't go, Harry. Yon are so tired already you can hardly stand -this moment." - -"Get me some strong coffee--at once. You don't know what that man has -done for us. I'll tell you all another time. I owe him more than a -ride into Maryborough. I'll make the men get Yorkie up"--Yorkie was a -favorite horse he had--"while you make the coffee; and I'll lead -Colonel"--Colonel was another horse, well esteemed at Gangoil. -"Jackson will come quicker on him than on any animal he can get at -Maryborough." And so it was arranged, in spite of the wife's tears -and entreaties. Harry had his coffee and some food, and started, with -his two horses, for the doctor. - -Nature is so good to us that we are sometimes disposed to think we -might have dispensed with art. In the bush, where doctors can not be -had, bones will set themselves; and when doctors do come, but come -slowly, the broken bones suit themselves to such tardiness. Medlicot -was brought in and put to bed. Let the reader not be shocked to hear -that Kate Daly's room was given up to him, as being best suited for a -sick man's comfort, and the two ladies took it in turn to watch him. -Mrs. Heathcote was, of course, the first, and remained with him till -dawn. Then Kate crept to the door and asked whether she should -relieve her sister. Medlicot was asleep, and it was agreed that Kate -should remain in the veranda, and look in from time to time to see -whether the wounded man required aught at her hands. She looked in -very often, and then, at last, he was awake. - -"Miss Daly," he said, "I feel so ashamed of the trouble I'm giving." - -"Don't speak of it. It is nothing. In the bush every body, of course, -does any thing for every body." When the words were spoken she felt -that they were not as complimentary as she would have wished. "You -were to have come to-day, you know, but we did not think you'd come -like this, did we?" - -"I don't know why I didn't go home instead of coming here." - -"The doctor will reach Gangoil sooner than he could the mill. You are -better here, and we will send for Mrs. Medlicot as soon as the men -have had a rest. How was it all, Mr. Medlicot? Harry says that there -was a fight, and that you came in just at the nick of time, and that -but for you all the run would have been burned." - -"Not that at all." - -"He said so; only he went off so quickly, and was so busy with -things, that we hardly understood him. Is it not dreadful that there -should be such fighting? And then these horrid fires! You were in the -middle of the fire, were you not?" It suited Kate's feelings that -Medlicot should be the hero of this occasion. - -"We were lighting them in front to put them out behind." - -"And then, while you were at work, these men from Boolabong came upon -you. Oh, Mr. Medlicot, we shall be so very, very wretched if you are -much hurt. My sister is so unhappy about it." - -"It's only my collar-bone, Miss Daly." - -"But that is so dreadful." She was still thinking of the one word he -had spoken when he had--well, not asked her for her love, but said -that which between a young man and a young woman ought to mean the -same thing. Perhaps it had meant nothing! She had heard that young -men do say things which mean nothing. But to her, living in the -solitude of Gangoil, the one word had been so much! Her heart had -melted with absolute acknowledged love when the man had been brought -through into the house with all the added attraction of a broken -bone. While her sister had watched, she had retired--to rest, as Mary -had said, but in truth to think of the chance which had brought her -in this guise into familiar contact with the man she loved. And then, -when she had crept up to take her place in watching him, she had -almost felt that shame should restrain her. But was her duty; and, of -course, a man with a collar-bone broken would not speak of love. - -"It will make your Christmas so sad for you," he said. - -"Oh, as for that, we mind nothing about it--for ourselves. We are -never very gay here." - -"But you are happy?" - -"Oh yes, quite happy, except when Harry is disturbed by these -troubles. I don't think any body has so many troubles as a squatter. -It sometimes seems that all the world is against him." - -"We shall be allies now, at any rate." - -"Oh, I do so hope we shall," said Kate, putting her hands together in -her energy, and then retreating from her energy with sad awkwardness -when she remembered the personal application of her wish. "That is, I -mean you and Harry," she added, in a whisper. - -"Why not I and others besides Harry?" - -"It is so much to him to have a real friend. Things concern us, of -course, only just as they concern him. Women are never of very much -account, I think. Harry has to do every thing, and every thing ought -to be done for him." - -"I think you spoil Harry among you." - -"Don't you say so to Mary, or she will be fierce." - -"I wonder whether I shall ever have a wife to stand up for me in that -way?" - -Kate had no answer to make, but she thought that it would be his own -fault if he did not have a wife to stand up for him thoroughly. - -"He has been very lucky in his wife." - -"I think he has, Mr. Medlicot; but you are moving about, and you -ought to lie still. There! I hear the horses; that's the doctor. I do -so hope he won't say that any thing very bad is the matter." - -She jumped up from her chair, which was close to his bed, and as she -did so just touched his hand with hers. It was involuntary on her -part, having come of instinct rather than will, and she withdrew -herself instantly. The hand she had touched belonged to the arm that -was not hurt, and he put it out after her, and caught her by the -sleeve as she was retreating. "Oh, Mr. Medlicot, you must not do -that; you will hurt yourself if you move in that way." - -And so she escaped, and left the room, and did not see him again till -the doctor had gone from Gangoil. - -The bone had been broken simply as other bones are broken; it was now -set, and the sufferer was, of course, told that he must rest. He had -suggested that he should be taken home, and the Heathcotes had -concurred with the doctor in asserting that no proposition could be -more absurd. He had intended to eat his Christmas dinner at Gangoil, -and he must now pass his entire Christmas there. - -"The sugar can go on very well for ten days," Harry had said. "I'll -go over myself and see about the men, and I'll fetch your mother -over." - -To this, however, Mrs. Heathcote had demurred successfully. "You'll -kill yourself, Harry, if you go on like this," she said. - -Bender, therefore, was sent in the buggy for the old lady, and at -last Harry Heathcote consented to go to bed. - -"My belief is, I shall sleep for a week," he said, as he turned in. -But he didn't begin his sleep quite at once. "I am very glad I went -into Maryborough," he said to his wife, rising up from his pillow. -"I've sworn an information against Nokes and two of the Brownbies, -and the police will be after them this afternoon. They won't catch -Nokes, and they can't convict the other fellows. But it will be -something to clear the country of such a fellow, and something also -to let them know that detection is possible." - -"Do sleep now, dear." she said. - -"Yes, I will; I mean to. But look here, Mary; if any of the police -should come here, mind you wake me at once. And, Mary, look here; do -you know I shouldn't be a bit surprised if that fellow was to be -making up to Kate." - -Mrs. Heathcote, with some little inward chuckle at her husband's -assumed quickness of apprehension, reminded herself that the same -idea had occurred to her some time ago. Mrs. Heathcote gave her -husband full credit for more than ordinary intelligence in reference -to affairs appertaining to the breeding of sheep and the growing of -wool, but she did not think highly of his discernment in such an -affair as this. She herself had been much quicker. When she first saw -Mr. Medlicot, she had felt it a godsend that such a man, with the -look of a gentleman, and unmarried, should come into the -neighborhood; and, in so feeling, her heart had been entirely with -her sister. For herself it mattered nothing who came or did not come, -or whether a man were a bachelor, or possessed of a wife and a dozen -children. All that a girl had a right to want was a good husband. She -was quite satisfied with her own lot in that respect, but she was -anxious enough on behalf of Kate. And when a young man did come, who -might make matters so pleasant for them, Harry quarreled with him -because he was a free-selector. "A free fiddle-stick!" she had once -said to Kate--not, however, communicating to her innocent sister the -ambition which was already filling her own bosom. "Harry does take -things up so--as though people weren't to live, some in one way and -some in another! As far as I can see, Mr. Medlicot is a very nice -fellow." Kate had remarked that he was "all very well," and nothing -more had been said. - -But Mrs. Heathcote, in spite of Harry's aversion, had formed her -little project--a project which, if then declared, would have filled -Harry with dismay. And now the young aristocrat, as he turned himself -in his bed, made the suggestion to his wife as though it were all his -own! - -"I never like to think much of these things beforehand," she said, -innocently. - -"I don't know about thinking," said Harry; "but a girl might do -worse. If it should come up, don't set yourself against it." - -"Kate, of course, will please herself," said Mrs. Heathcote. "Now do -lie down and rest yourself." - -His rest, however, was not of long duration. As he had himself -suggested, two policemen reached Gangoil at about three in the -afternoon, on their way from Maryborough to Boolabong, in order -that they might take Mr. Medlicot's deposition. After Heathcote's -departure it had occurred to Sergeant Forrest of the police--and -the suggestion, having been transferred from the sergeant to the -stipendiary magistrate, was now produced with magisterial -sanction--that, after all, there was no evidence against the -Brownbies. They had simply interfered to prevent the burning of the -grass on their own run, and who could say that they had committed any -crime by doing so? If Medlicot had seen Nokes with a lighted branch -in his hand, the matter might be different with him; and therefore -Medlicot's deposition was taken. He had sworn that he had seen Nokes -drag his lighted torch along the ground; he had also seen other -horsemen--two or three, as he thought--but could not identify them. -Jacko's deposition was also taken as to the man who had been heard and -seen in the wool-shed at night. Jacko was ready to swear point-blank -that the man was Nokes. The policemen suggested that, as the night was -dark, Jacko might as well allow a shade of doubt to appear, thinking -that the shade of doubt would add strength to the evidence. But Jacko -was not going to be taught what sort of oath he should swear. - -"My word!" he said. "Didn't I see his leg move? You go away." - -Armed with these depositions, the two constables went on to Boolabong -in search of Nokes, and of Nokes only, much to the chagrin of Harry, -who declared that the police would never really bestir themselves in -a squatter's cause. "As for Nokes, he'll be out of Queensland by this -time to-morrow." - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - -SERGEANT FORREST. - - -The Brownbie party returned, after their midnight raid, in great -discomfiture to Boolabong. Their leader, Jerry, was burned about his -hands and face in a disagreeable and unsightly manner. Joe had hardly -made good that character for "fighting it out to the end" for which -he was apt to claim credit. Boscobel was altogether disconcerted by -his fall. And Nokes, who had certainly shown no aptitude for the -fray, was abused by them all as having caused their retreat by his -cowardice; while Sing Sing, the runaway cook, who knew that he had -forfeited his wages at Gangoil, was forced to turn over in his -heathenish mind the ill effects of joining the losing side. "You big -fool, Bos," he said more than once to his friend the woodsman, who -had lured him away from the comforts of Gangoil. "I'll punch your -head, John, if you don't hold your row," Boscobel would reply. But -Sing Sing went on with his reproaches, and, before they had reached -Boolabong, Boscobel had punched the Chinaman's head. - -"You're not coming in here," Jerry said to Nokes, when they reached -the yard gate. - -"Who wants to come in? I suppose you're not going to send a fellow on -without a bit of grub after such a night's work?" - -"Give him some bread and meat, Jack, and let him go on. There'll be -somebody here after him before long. He can't hurt us; but I don't -want people to think that we are so fond of him that we can't do -without harboring him here. Georgie, you'll go too, if you take my -advice. That young cur will send the police here as sure as my name -is Brownbie, and, if they once get hold of you, they'll have a great -many things to talk to you about." - -Georgie grumbled when he heard this, but he knew that the advice -given him was good, and he did not attempt to enter the house. So -Nokes and he vanished, away into the bush together--as such men do -vanish--wandering forth to live as the wild beasts live. It was still -a dark night when they went, and the remainder of the party took -themselves to their beds. - -On the following afternoon they were lying about the house, sometimes -sleeping, and sometimes waking up to smoke, when the two policemen, -who had already been at Gangoil, appeared in the yard. These men were -dressed in flat caps, with short blue jackets, hunting breeches, and -long black boots--very unlike any policemen in the old country, and -much more picturesque. They leisurely tied their horses up, as though -they had been in the habit of making weekly visits to the place, and -walked round to the veranda. - -"Well, Mr. Brownbie, and how are you?" said the sergeant to the old -man. - -The head of the family was gracious, and declared himself to be -pretty well, considering all things. He called the sergeant by his -name, and asked the men whether they'd take a bit of something to -eat. Joe also was courteous, and, after a little delay in getting a -key from his brother, brought out the jar of spirits, which, in the -bush, is regarded as the best sign known of thorough good-breeding. -The sergeant said that he didn't mind if he did; and the other man, -of course, followed his officer's example. - -So far every thing was comfortable, and the constables seemed in no -hurry to allude to disagreeable subjects. They condescended to eat a -bit of cold meat before they proceeded to business. And at last the -matter to be discussed was first introduced by one of the Brownbie -family. - -"I suppose you've heard that there was a scrimmage here last night," -said Joe. The Brownbie party present consisted of the old man, Joe -and Jack Brownbie, and Boscobel, Jerry keeping himself in the -background because of his disfigurement. The sergeant, as he -swallowed his food, acknowledged that he had heard something about -it. "And that's what brings you here," continued Joe. - -"There ain't nothing wrong here," said old Brownbie. - -"I hope not, Mr. Brownbie," said the sergeant. "I hope not. We -haven't got any thing against you, at any rate." Sergeant Forrest was -a graduate of Oxford, the son of an English clergyman, who, having -his way to make in the world, had thought that an early fortune would -be found in the colonies. He had come out, had failed, had suffered -some very hard things, and now, at the age of thirty-five, enjoyed -life thoroughly as a sergeant of the colonial police. - -"You haven't got any thing against anybody here, I should think?" -said Joe. - -"If you want to get them as begun it," said Jack, "and them as ought -to be took up, you'll go to Gangoil." - -"Hold your tongue, Jack," said his brother. "Sergeant Forrest knows -where to go better than you can tell him." - -Then the sergeant asked a string of questions as to the nature of the -fight; who had been hurt; and how badly had any body been hurt; and -what other harm had been done. The answers to all these questions -were given with a fair amount of truth, except that the little -circumstance of the origin of the fire was not explained. Both -Boscobel and Joe had seen the torch put down, but it could hardly -have been expected that they should have been explicit as to such a -detail as that. Nor did they mention the names of either their -brother George or Nokes. - -"And who was there in the matter?" asked the sergeant. - -"There was young Heathcote, and a boy he has got there, and the two -chaps as he calls boundary rulers, and Medlicot, the sugar fellow -from the mill, and a chap of Medlicot's I never set eyes on before. -They must have expected something to be up, or Heathcote would not -have been going about at night with a tribe of men like that." - -"And who were your party?" - -"Well, there were just ourselves, four of us, for Georgie was here, -and this fellow Boscobel. Georgie never stays long, and he wouldn't -be welcome if he did. He turned up just by chance like, and now he's -off again." - -"That was all, eh?" - -Of course they all knew that the sergeant knew that Nokes had been -with them. "Well, then, that wasn't all," said old Brownbie. "Bill -Nokes was here, whom Heathcote dismissed ever so long ago, and that -Chinese cook of his. He dismissed him too, I suppose. And he -dismissed Boscobel here." - -"No one can live at Gangoil any time," said Jack. "Every body knows -that. He wants to be lord a'mighty over every thing. But he ain't -going to be lord a'mighty at Boolabong." - -"And he ain't going to burn our grass either," said Joe. "It's like -his impudence coming on to our ran and burning every thing before -him. He calls hisself a magistrate, but he's not to do just as he -pleases because he's a magistrate. I suppose we can swear against him -for lighting our grass, sergeant? There isn't one of us that didn't -see him do it." - -"And where is Nokes?" asked the sergeant, paying no attention to the -application made by Mr. Brownbie, junior, for redress to himself. - -"Well," said Joe, "Nokes isn't any where about Boolabong." - -"He's away with your brother George?" - -"I shouldn't wonder," said Joe. - -"It's a serious matter lighting a fire, you know," said the sergeant. -"A man would have to swing for it." - -"Then why isn't young Heathcote to swing?" demanded Jack. - -"There is such a thing as intent, you know. When Heathcote lighted -the fire, where would the fire have gone if he hadn't kept putting it -out as fast as he kept lighting it? On to his own run, not to yours. -And where would the other fire have gone which somebody lit, and -which nobody put out, if he hadn't been there to stop it? The less -you say against Heathcote the better. So Nokes is off, is he?" - -"He ain't here, anyways," said Joe. "When the row was over, we -wouldn't let him in. We didn't want him about here." - -"I dare say not," said the sergeant. "Now let me go and see the spot -where the fight was." So the two policemen, with the two young -Brownbies, rode away, leaving Boscobel with the old man. - -"He knows every thing about it," said old Brownbie. - -"If he do," said Boscobel, "it ain't no odds." - -"Not a ha'porth of odds," said Jerry, coming out of his hiding-place. -"Who cares what he knows? A man may do what he pleases on his own -run, I suppose." - -"He mayn't light a fire as 'll spread," said the old man. - -"Bother! Who's to prove what's in a man's mind? If I'd been Nokes, -I'd have staid and seen it out. I'd never be driven about the colony -by such a fellow as Heathcote, with all the police in the world to -back him." - -Sergeant Forrest inspected the ground on which the fire had raged, -and the spot on which the men had met; but nothing came of his -inspection, and he had not expected that any thing would come of it. -He could see exactly where the fire had commenced, and could trace -the efforts that had been made to stop it. He did not in the least -doubt the way in which it had been lit. But he did very much doubt -whether a jury could find Nokes guilty, even if he could catch Nokes. -Jacko's evidence was worth nothing, and Mr. Medlicot might be easily -mistaken as to what he had seen at a distance in the middle of the -night. - -All this happened on Christmas-day. At about nine o'clock the same -evening the two constables re-appeared at Gangoil, and asked for -hospitality for the night. This was a matter of course, and also the -reproduction of the Christmas dinner. Mrs. Medlicot was now there, -and her son, with his collar-bone set, had been allowed to come out -on to the veranda. The house had already been supposed to be full, -but room, as a matter of course, was made for Sergeant Forrest and -his man. "It's a queer sort of Christmas we've all been having, Mr. -Heathcote," said the sergeant, as the remnant of a real English -plum-pudding was put between him and his man by Mrs. Growler. - -"A little hotter than it is at home, eh?" - -"Indeed it is. You must have had it hot last night, Sir." - -"Very hot, sergeant. We had to work uncommonly hard to do it as well -as we did." - -"It was not a nice Christmas game, Sir, was it?" - -"Eh, me!" said Mrs. Medlicot. "There's nae Christmas games or ony -games here at all, except just worrying and harrying, like sae many -dogs at each other's throats." - -"And you think nothing more can be done?" Harry asked. - -"I don't think we shall catch the men. When they get out backward, -it's very hard to trace them. He's got a horse of his own with him, -and he'll be beyond reach of the police by this time to-morrow. -Indeed, he's beyond their reach now. However, you'll have got rid of -him." - -"But there are others as bad as he left behind. I wouldn't trust that -fellow Boscobel a yard." - -"He won't stir, Sir. He belongs to this country, and does not want to -leave it. And when a thing has been tried like that and has failed, -the fellows don't try it again. They are cowed like by their own -failure. I don't think you need fear fire from the Boolabong side -again this summer." - -After this the sergeant and his man discreetly allowed themselves to -be put to bed in the back cottage; for in truth, when they arrived, -things had come to such a pass at Gangoil that the two additional -visitors were hardly welcome. But hospitality in the bush can be -stayed by no such considerations as that. Let their employments or -enjoyments on hand be what they may, every thing must yield to the -entertainment of strangers. The two constables were in want of their -Christmas dinner, and it was given to them with no grudging hand. - -As to Nokes, we may say that he has never since appeared in the -neighborhood of Gangoil, and that none thereabouts ever knew what was -his fate. Men such as he wander away from one colony into the next, -passing from one station to another, or sleeping on the ground, till -they become as desolate and savage as solitary animals. And at last -they die in the bush, creeping, we may suppose, into hidden nooks, as -the beasts do when the hour of death comes on them. - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - -CONCLUSION. - - -The constables had started from Gangoil, on their way to Boolabong, a -little after four, and from that time till he was made to get out of -bed for his dinner Harry Heathcote was allowed to sleep. He had -richly earned his rest by his work, and he lay motionless, without a -sound, in the broad daylight, with his arm under his head, dreaming, -no doubt, of some happy squatting land, in which there were no -free-selectors, no fires, no rebellious servants, no floods, no -droughts, no wild dogs to worry the lambs, no grass seeds to get -into the fleeces, and in which the price of wool stood steady at two -shillings and sixpence a pound. His wife from time to time came into -the room, shading the light from his eyes, protecting him from the -flies, and administering in her soft way to what she thought might be -his comforts. His sleep was of the kind which no light, nor even -flies, can interrupt. Once or twice she stooped down and kissed his -brow, but he was altogether unconscious of her caress. - -During this time old Mrs. Medlicot arrived; but her coming did not -awake the sleeper, though it was by no means made in silence. The old -woman sobbed and cried over her son, at the same time expressing her -thankfulness that he should have turned up in the forest so exactly -at the proper moment, evidently taking part in the conviction that -her Giles had saved Gangoil and all its sheep. And then there were -all the necessary arrangements to be made for the night, in -accordance with which almost every body had to give up his or her bed -and sleep somewhere else. But nothing disturbed Harry. For the -present he was allowed to occupy his own room, and he enjoyed the -privilege. - -Kate Daly during this time was much disturbed in mind. The reader may -remember--Kate, at any rate, remembered well--that, just as the -doctor had arrived to set his broken bone, Mr. Medlicot, disabled as -he was, had attempted to take her by the arm. He had certainly chosen -an odd time for a declaration of love, just the moment in which he -ought to have been preparing himself for the manipulation of his -fractured limb; but, unless he had meant a declaration of love, -surely he would not have seized her by the arm. It was a matter to -her of great moment. Oh, of what vital importance! The English girl -living in a town, or even in what we call the country, has no need to -think of any special man till some special man thinks of her. Men are -fairly plentiful, and if one man does not come, another will. And -there have probably been men coming and going in some sort since the -girl left her school-room and became a young lady. But in the bush -the thing is very different. It may be that there is no young man -available within fifty miles--no possible lover or future husband, -unless Heaven should interfere almost with a miracle. To those to -whom lovers are as plentiful as blackberries it may seem indelicate -to surmise that the thought of such a want should ever enter a girl's -head. I doubt whether the defined idea of any want had ever entered -poor Kate's head. But now that the possible lover was there--not only -possible, but very probable--and so eligible in many respects, living -so close, with a house over his head and a good business; and then so -handsome, and, as Kate thought, so complete a gentleman! Of course -she turned it much in her mind. She was very happy with Harry -Heathcote. There never was a brother-in-law so good! But, after all, -what is a brother-in-law, though he be the very best? Kate had -already begun to fancy that a house of her own and a husband of her -own would be essential to her happiness. But then a man can not be -expected to make an offer with a broken collar-bone--certainly can -not do so just when the doctor has arrived to set the bone. - -Late on in the day, when the doctor had gone, and Medlicot was, -according to instructions, sitting out on the veranda in an armchair, -and his mother was with him, and while Harry was sleeping as though -he never meant to be awake again, Kate managed to say a few words to -her sister. It will be understood that the ladies' hands were by no -means empty. The Christmas dinner was in course of preparation, and -Sing Sing, that villainous Chinese cook, had absconded. Mrs. Growler, -no doubt, did her best; but Mrs. Growler was old and slow, and the -house was full of guests. It was by no means an idle time; but still -Kate found an opportunity to say a word to her sister in the kitchen. - -"What do you think of him, Mary?" - -To the married sister "him" would naturally mean Harry Heathcote, of -whom, as he lay asleep, the young wife thought that he was the very -perfection of patriarchal pastoral manliness; but she knew enough of -human nature to be aware that the "him" of the moment to her sister -was no longer her own husband. "I think he has got his arm broken -fighting for Harry, and that we are bound to do the best we can for -him." - -"Oh yes; that's of course. I'm sure Harry will feel that. He used, -you know, to--to--that is, not just to like him, because he is a -free-selector." - -"They'll drop all that now. Of course they could not be expected to -know each other at the first starting. I shouldn't wonder if they -became regular friends." - -"That would be nice! After all, though you may be so happy at home, -it is better to have something like a neighbor. Don't you think so?" - -"It depends on who the neighbors are. I don't care much for the -Brownbies." - -"They are quite different, Mary." - -"I like the Medlicots very much." - -"I consider he's quite a gentleman," said Kate. - -"Of course he's a gentleman. Look here, Kate--I shall be ready to -welcome Mr. Medlicot as a brother-in-law, if things should turn out -that way." - -"I didn't mean that, Mary." - -"Did you not? Well, you can mean it if you please, as far as I am -concerned. Has he said any thing to you, dear?" - -"No." - -"Not a word?" - -"I don't know what you call a word; not a word of that kind." - -"I thought, perhaps--" - -"I think he meant it once--this morning." - -"I dare say he meant it. And if he meant it this morning, he won't -have forgotten his meaning to-morrow." - -"There's no reason why he should mean it, you know." - -"None in the least, Kate; is there?" - -"Now you're laughing at me, Mary. I never used to laugh at you when -Harry was coming. I was so glad, and I did every thing I could." - -"Yes, you went away and left us in the Botanical Gardens. I remember. -But, you see, there are no Botanical Gardens here; and the poor man -couldn't walk about if there were." - -"I wonder what Harry would say if it were to be so." - -"Of course he'd be glad--for your sake." - -"But he does so despise free-selectors! And then he used to think -that Mr. Medlicot was quite as bad as the Brownbies. I wouldn't marry -any one to be despised by you and Harry." - -"That's all gone by, my dear," said the wife, feeling that she had to -apologize for her husband's prejudices. "Of course one has to find -out what people are before one takes them to one's bosom. Mr. -Medlicot has acted in the most friendly way about these fires, and -I'm sure Harry will never despise him any more." - -"He couldn't have done more for a real brother than have his arm -broken." - -"But you must remember one thing, Kate, Mr. Medlicot is very nice, -and like a gentleman, and all that. Bat you never can be quite -certain about any man till he speaks out plainly. Don't set your -heart upon him till you are quite sure that he has set his upon you." - -"Oh no," said Kate, giving her maidenly assurance when it was so much -too late! Just at this moment Mrs. Growler came into the kitchen, and -Kate's promises and her sister's cautions were for the moment -silenced. - -"How we're to manage to get the dinner on the table, I for one don't -know at all," said Mrs. Growler. "There's Mr. Bates'll be here; that -will be six of 'em; and that Mr. Medlicot will want somebody to do -every thing for him, because he's been and got hisself smashed. And -there's the old lady has just come out from home, and is as -particular as any thing. And Mr. Harry himself never thinks of things -at all. One pair of hands, and them very old, can't do every thing -for every body." All of which was very well understood to mean -nothing at all. - -Household deficiencies--and, indeed, all deficiencies--are -considerable or insignificant in accordance with the aspirations -of those concerned. When a man has a regiment of servants in his -dining-room, with beautifully cut glass, a forest of flowers, and an -iceberg in the middle of his table if the weather be hot, his guests -will think themselves ill used and badly fed if aught in the banquet -be astray. There must not be a rose leaf ruffled; a failure in the -attendance, a falling off in a dish, or a fault in the wine is a -crime. But the same guests shall be merry as the evening is long with -a leg of mutton and whisky toddy, and will change their own plates, -and clear their own table, and think nothing wrong, if from the -beginning such has been the intention of the giver of the feast. In -spite of Mrs. Growler's prognostications, though the cook had -absconded, and the chief guest of the occasion could not cut up his -own meat, that Christmas dinner at Gangoil was eaten with great -satisfaction. - -Harry had been so far triumphant. He had stopped the fire that was -intended to ruin him, he had beaten off his enemies on their own -ground, and he was no longer oppressed by that sense of desolation -which had almost overpowered him. - -"We'll give one toast, Mrs. Medlicot," he said, when Mrs. Growler and -Kate between them had taken away the relics of the plum-pudding. "Our -friends at home!" - -The poor lady drank the toast with a sob. "That's vera weel for you, -Mr. Heathcote. You're young, and will win your way hame, and see auld -friends again, nae doubt; but I'll never see ane of them mair, except -those I have here." Nevertheless, the old lady ate her dinner and -drank her toddy, and made much of the occasion, going in and out to -her son upon the veranda. - -Soon after dinner Heathcote, as was his wont, strayed out with his -prime minister Bates to consult on the dangers which might be -supposed still to threaten his kingdom, and Mrs. Heathcote, with her -youngest boy in her lap, sat talking to Mrs. Medlicot in the parlor. -Such was not her custom in weather such as this. Kate had been sent -out on to the veranda, with special commands to attend to the wants -of the sufferer, and Mrs. Heathcote would have followed her had she -not remembered her sister's appeal, "I did every thing I could for -you." - -In those happy days Kate had been very good, and certainly deserved -requital for her services. And therefore, when the men had gone out, -Mrs. Heathcote, with her guest, remained in the warm room, and went -so far as to suggest that at that period of the day the room was -preferable to the veranda. Poor Mrs. Medlicot was new to the ways of -the bush, and fell into the trap; thus Kate Daly was left alone with -her wounded hero. - -When told to take him out his glass of wine, and when conscious that -no one followed her, she felt herself to have been guilty of some -great sin, and was almost tempted to escape. She had asked her sister -for help; and this was the help that was forth-coming--help so -palpable, so manifest, as to be almost indelicate! Would he think -that plans were being made to catch him, now that he was a captive -and impotent? The thought that it was possible that such an idea -might occur to him was terrible to her. She would rather lose him -altogether than feel the stain of such a suggestion on her own -conscience. She put the glass of wine down on the little table by his -side, and then attempted to withdraw. - -"Stay a moment with me," he said. "Where are they all?" - -"Mary and your mother are inside. Harry and Mr. Bates have gone -across to look at the horses." - -"I almost feel as though I could walk, too." - -"You must not think of it yet, Mr. Medlicot. It seems almost a wonder -that you shouldn't have to be in bed, and you with your collar-bone -broken only last night! I don't know how you can bear it as you do." - -"I shall be so glad I broke it, if one thing will come about." - -"What thing?" asked Kate, blushing. - -"Kate--may I call you Kate?" - -"I don't know," she said. - -"You know I love you, do you not? You must know it. Dearest Kate, can -you love me and be my wife?" His left arm was bound up, and was in a -sling, but he put out his right hand to take hers, if she would give -it to him. Kate Daly had never had a lover before, and felt the -occasion to be trying. She had no doubt about the matter. If it were -only proper for her to declare herself, she could swear with a safe -conscience that she loved him better than all the world. - -"Put your hand here, Kate," he said. - -As the request was not exactly for the gift of her hand, she placed -it in his. - -"May I keep it now?" - -She could only whisper something which was quite inaudible, even to -him. - -"I shall keep it, and think that you are all my own. Stoop down, -Kate, and kiss me, if you love me." - -She hesitated for a moment, trying to collect her thoughts. She did -love him, and was his own; still, to stoop and kiss a man who, if -such a thing were to be allowed at all, ought certainly to kiss her! -She did not think she could do that. But then she was bound to -protect him, wounded and broken as he was, from his own imprudence; -and if she did not stoop to him, he would rise to her. She was still -in doubt, still standing with her hand in his, half bending over him, -but yet half resisting as she bent, when, all suddenly, Harry -Heathcote was on the veranda, followed by the two policemen, who had -just returned from Boolabong. She was sure that Harry had seen her, -and was by no means sure that she had been quick enough in escaping -from her lover's hand to have been unnoticed by the policemen also. -She fled away as though guilty, and could hardly recover herself -sufficiently to assist Mrs. Growler in producing the additional -dinner which was required. - -The two men were quickly sent to their rest, as has been told before; -and Harry, who had in truth seen how close to his friend his -sister-in-law had been standing, would, had it been possible, have -restored the lovers to their old positions; but they were all now on -the veranda, and it was impossible. Kate hung back, half in and half -out of the sitting-room, and old Mrs. Medlicot had seated herself -close to her son. Harry was lying at full length on a rug, and his -wife was sitting over him. Then Giles Medlicot, who was not quite -contented with the present condition of affairs, made a little -speech. - -"Mrs. Heathcote," he said, "I have asked your sister to marry me." - -"Dearie me, Giles," said Mrs. Medlicot. - -Kate remained no longer half in and half out of the parlor, but -retreated altogether and hid herself. Harry turned himself over on -the rug, and looked up at his wife, claiming infinite credit in that -he had foreseen that such a thing might happen. - -"And what answer has she given you?" said Mrs. Heathcote. - -"She hasn't given me any answer yet. I wonder what you and Heathcote -would say about it?" - -"What Kate has to say is much more important," replied the discreet -sister. - -"I should like it of all things," said Harry, jumping up. "It's -always best to be open about these things. When you first came here, -I didn't like you. You took a bit of my river frontage--not that it -does me any great harm--and then I was angry about that scoundrel -Nokes." - -"I was wrong about Nokes," said Medlicot, "and have, therefore, had -my collar-bone broken. As to the land, you'll forgive my having it if -Kate will come and live there?" - -"By George! I should think so.--Kate, why don't you come out? Come -along, my girl. Medlicot has spoken out openly, and you should answer -him in the same fashion." So saying, he dragged her forth, and I fear -that, as far as she was concerned, something of the sweetness of her -courtship was lost by the publicity with which she was forced to -confess her love. "Will you go, Kate, and make sugar down at the -mill? I have often thought how bad it would be for Mary and me when -you were taken away; but we sha'n't mind it so much if we knew that -you are to be near us." - -"Speak to him, Kate," said Mrs. Heathcote, with her arm round her -sister's waist. - -"I think she's minded to have him," said Mrs. Medlicot. - -"Tell me, Kate--shall it be so?" pleaded the lover. - -She came up to him and leaned over him, and whispered one word which -nobody else heard. But they all knew what the word was. And before -they separated for the night she was left alone with him, and he got -the kiss for which he was asking when the policemen interrupted them. - -"That's what I call a happy Christmas," said Harry, as the party -finally parted for the night. - - - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HARRY HEATHCOTE OF GANGOIL*** - - -******* This file should be named 5642.txt or 5642.zip ******* - - -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/5/6/4/5642 - - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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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: Harry Heathcote of Gangoil - A Tale of Australian Bush-Life - - -Author: Anthony Trollope - - - -Release Date: August 3, 2002 [eBook #5642] -[Last updated: December 7, 2020] - - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - - -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HARRY HEATHCOTE OF GANGOIL*** - - -E-text prepared by Nicole Apostola, Charles Franks, and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team - -HTML file produced by David Widger - - - - -</pre> - <div style="height: 8em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h1> - HARRY HEATHCOTE OF GANGOIA - </h1> - <h3> - Tale of Australian Bush-Life - </h3> - <h2> - By Anthony Trollope - </h2> - <p> - <br /> <br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <br /> <br /> - </p> - <p> - <b>CONTENTS</b> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2H_4_0001"> <b>HARRY HEATHCOTE</b> </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I. — GANGOIL. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II. — A NIGHT’S RIDE. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER III. — MEDLICOT’S MILL. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV. — HARRY HEATHCOTE’S - APPEAL. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V. — BOSCOBEL. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0006"> CHAPTER VI. — THE BROWNBIES OF BOOLABONG. - </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0007"> CHAPTER VII. — “I WISH YOU’D - LIKE ME.” </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER VIII. — “I DO WISH HE WOULD - COME!” </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0009"> CHAPTER IX. — THE BUSH FIGHT. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0010"> CHAPTER X. — HARRY HEATHCOTE RETURNS IN - TRIUMPH. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0011"> CHAPTER XI. — SERGEANT FORREST. </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0012"> CHAPTER XII. — CONCLUSION. </a> - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h1> - HARRY HEATHCOTE - </h1> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER I. — GANGOIL. - </h2> - <p> - Just a fortnight before Christmas, 1871, a young man, twenty-four years of - age, returned home to his dinner about eight o’clock in the evening. - He was married, and with him and his wife lived his wife’s sister. - At that somewhat late hour he walked in among the two young women, and - another much older woman who was preparing the table for dinner. The wife - and the wife’s sister each had a child in her lap, the elder having - seen some fifteen months of its existence, and the younger three months. - “He has been out since seven, and I don’t think he’s had - a mouthful,” the wife had just said. “Oh, Harry, you must be - half starved,” she exclaimed, jumping up to greet him, and throwing - her arm round his bare neck. - </p> - <p> - “I’m about whole melted,” he said, as he kissed her. - “In the name of charity give me a nobbler. I did get a bit of damper - and a pannikin of tea up at the German’s hut; but I never was so hot - or so thirsty in my life. We’re going to have it in earnest this - time. Old Bates says that when the gum leaves crackle, as they do now, - before Christmas, there won’t be a blade of grass by the end of - February.” - </p> - <p> - “I hate Old Bates,” said the wife. “He always prophesies - evil, and complains about his rations.” - </p> - <p> - “He knows more about sheep than any man this side of the Mary,” - said her husband. From all this I trust the reader will understand that - the Christmas to which he is introduced is not the Christmas with which he - is intimate on this side of the equator—a Christmas of blazing fires - in-doors, and of sleet amid snow and frost outside—but the Christmas - of Australia, in which happy land the Christmas fires are apt to be - lighted—or to light themselves—when they are by no means - needed. - </p> - <p> - The young man who had just returned home had on a flannel shirt, a pair of - mole-skin trowsers, and an old straw hat, battered nearly out of all - shape. He had no coat, no waistcoat, no braces, and nothing round his - neck. Round his waist there was a strap or belt, from the front of which - hung a small pouch, and, behind, a knife in a case. And stuck into a loop - in the belt, made for the purpose, there was a small brier-wood pipe. As - he dashed his hat off, wiped his brow, and threw himself into a - rocking-chair, he certainly was rough to look at, but by all who - understood Australian life he would have been taken to be a gentleman. He - was a young squatter, well known west of the Mary River, in Queensland. - Harry Heathcote of Gangoil, who owned 30,000 sheep of his own, was a - magistrate in those parts, and able to hold his own among his neighbors, - whether rough or gentle; and some neighbors he had, very rough, who made - it almost necessary that a man should be able to be rough also, on - occasions, if he desired to live among them without injury. Heathcote of - Gangoil could do all that. Men said of him that he was too imperious, too - masterful, too much inclined to think that all things should be made to go - as he would have them. Young as he was, he had been altogether his own - master since he was of age—and not only his own master, but the - master also of all with whom he was brought into contact from day to day. - In his life he conversed but seldom with any but those who were dependent - on him, nor had he done so for the last three years. At an age at which - young men at home are still subject to pastors and masters, he had sprung - at once into patriarchal power, and, being a man determined to thrive, had - become laborious and thoughtful beyond his years. - </p> - <p> - Harry Heathcote had been left an orphan, with a small fortune in money, - when he was fourteen. For two years after that he had consented to remain - quietly at school, but at sixteen he declared his purpose of emigrating. - Boys less than himself in stature got above him at school, and he had not - liked it. For a twelvemonth he was opposed by his guardian; but at the end - of the year he was fitted forth for the colony. The guardian was not sorry - to be quit of him, but prophesied that he would be home again before a - year was over. The lad had not returned, and it was now a settled - conviction among all who knew him that he would make or mar his fortune in - the new land that he had chosen. - </p> - <p> - He was a tall, well-made young fellow, with fair hair and a good-humored - smile, but ever carrying in his countenance marks of what his enemies - called pig-headedness, his acquaintances obstinacy, and those who loved - him firmness. His acquaintances were, perhaps, right, for he certainly was - obstinate. He would take no man’s advice, he would submit himself to - no man, and in the conduct of his own business preferred to trust to his - own insight than to the experience of others. It would sometimes occur - that he had to pay heavily for his obstinacy. But, on the other hand, the - lessons which he learned he learned thoroughly. And he was kept right in - his trade by his own indefatigable industry. That trade was the growth of - wool. He was a breeder of sheep on a Queensland sheep-run, and his flocks - ran far afield over a vast territory of which he was the only lord. His - house was near the river Mary, and beyond the river his domain did not - extend; but around him on his own side of the river he could ride for ten - miles in each direction without getting off his own pastures. He was - master, as far as his mastership went, of 120,000 acres—almost an - English county—and it was the pride of his heart to put his foot off - his own territory as seldom as possible. He sent his wool annually down to - Brisbane, and received his stores, tea and sugar, flour and brandy, boots, - clothes, tobacco, etc., once or twice a year from thence. But the traffic - did not require his own presence at the city. So self-contained was the - working of the establishment that he was never called away by his - business, unless he went to see some lot of highly bred sheep which he - might feel disposed to buy; and as for pleasure, it had come to be - altogether beyond the purpose of his life to go in quest of that. When the - work of the day was over, he would lie at his length upon rugs in the - veranda, with a pipe in his mouth, while his wife sat over him reading a - play of Shakspeare or the last novel that had come to them from England. - </p> - <p> - He had married a fair girl, the orphan daughter of a bankrupt squatter - whom he had met in Sydney, and had brought her and her sister into the - Queensland bush with him. His wife idolized him. His sister-in-law, Kate - Daly, loved him dearly—as she had cause to do, for he had proved - himself to be a very brother to her; but she feared him also somewhat. The - people about the Mary said that she was fairer and sweeter to look at even - than the elder sister. Mrs. Heathcote was the taller of the two, and the - larger-featured. She certainly was the higher in intellect, and the - fittest to be the mistress of such an establishment as that at Gangoil. - </p> - <p> - When he had washed his hands and face, and had swallowed the very copious - but weak allowance of brandy-and-water which his wife mixed for him, he - took the eldest boy on his lap and fondled him. “By George!” - he said, “old fellow, you sha’n’t be a squatter.” - </p> - <p> - “Why not, Harry?” asked his wife. - </p> - <p> - “Because I don’t want him to break his heart every day of his - life.” - </p> - <p> - “Are you always breaking yours? I thought your heart was pretty well - hardened now.” - </p> - <p> - “When a man talks of his heart, you and Kate are thinking of loves - and doves, of course.” - </p> - <p> - “I wasn’t thinking of loves and doves, Harry,” said - Kate. “I was thinking how very hot it must have been to-day. We - could only bear it in the veranda by keeping the blinds always wet. I don’t - wonder that you were troubled.” - </p> - <p> - “That comes from heaven or Providence, or from something that one - knows to be unassailable, and therefore one can put up with it. Even if - one gets a sun-stroke one does not complain. The sun has a right to be - there, and is no interloper, like a free-selector. I can’t - understand why free-selectors and mosquitoes should have been introduced - into the arrangements of the world.” - </p> - <p> - “I s’pose the poor must live somewheres, and ‘squiters - too,” said Mrs. Growler, the old maid-servant, as she put a boiled - leg of mutton on the table. “Now, Mr. Harry, if you’re - hungered, there’s something for you to eat in spite of the - free-selectors.” - </p> - <p> - “Mrs. Growler,” said the master, “excuse me for saying - that you jump to conclusions.” - </p> - <p> - “My jumping is pretty well-nigh done,” said the old woman. - </p> - <p> - “By no means. I find that old people can jump quite as briskly as - young. You have rebuked me under the impression that I was grudging - something to the poor. Let me explain to you that a free-selector may be, - and very often is, a rich man. He whom I had in my mind is not a poor man, - though I won’t swear but what he will be before a year is over.” - </p> - <p> - “I know who you mean, Mr. Harry; you mean the Medlicots. A very nice - gentleman is Mr. Medlicot, and a very nice old lady is Mrs. Medlicot. And - a deal of good they’re going to do, by all accounts.” - </p> - <p> - “Now, Mrs. Growler, that will do,” said the wife. - </p> - <p> - The dinner consisted of a boiled leg of mutton, a large piece of roast - beef, potatoes, onions, and an immense pot of tea. No glasses were even - put upon the table. The two ladies had dressed for dinner, and were bright - and pretty as they would have been in a country house at home; but Harry - Heathcote had sat down just as he had entered the room. - </p> - <p> - “I know you are tired to death,” said his wife, “when I - see you eat your dinner like that.” - </p> - <p> - “It isn’t being tired, Mary; I’m not particularly tired. - But I must be off again in about an hour.” - </p> - <p> - “Out again to-night?” - </p> - <p> - “Yes, indeed.” - </p> - <p> - “On horseback?” - </p> - <p> - “How else? Old Bates and Mickey are in their saddles still. I don’t - want to have my fences burned as soon as they’re put up. It’s - a ticklish thing to think that a spark of fire any where about the place - might ruin me, and to know at the same time that every man about the run - and every swagsman that passes along have matches in their pocket. There - isn’t a pipe lighted on Gangoil this time of the year that mightn’t - make a beggar of you and me. That’s another reason why I wouldn’t - have the young un a squatter.” - </p> - <p> - “—I declare I think that squatters have more trouble than any - people in the world,” said Kate Daly. - </p> - <p> - “—Free-selectors have their own troubles too, Kate,” - said he. - </p> - <p> - It must be explained as we go on that Heathcote felt that he had received - a great and peculiar grievance from the hands of one Medlicot, a stranger - who had lately settled near him, and that this last remark referred to a - somewhat favorable opinion which had been expressed about this stranger by - the two ladies. It was a little unfair, as having been addressed specially - to Kate, intending as it did to imply that Kate had better consider the - matter well before she allowed her opinion of the stranger to become - dangerously favorable; for in truth she had said no more than her sister. - </p> - <p> - “The Medlicots’ troubles will never trouble me, Harry,” - she said. - </p> - <p> - “I hope not, Kate; nor mine either more than we can help.” - </p> - <p> - “But they do,” said Mary. “They trouble me, and her too, - very much.” - </p> - <p> - “A man’s back should be broad enough to bear all that for - himself,” said Harry. “I get ashamed of myself when I grumble, - and yet one seems to be surly if one doesn’t say what one’s - thinking.” - </p> - <p> - “I hope you’ll always tell me what you’re thinking, - dear.” - </p> - <p> - “Well, I suppose I shall—till this fellow is old enough to be - talked to, and to be made to bear the burden of his father’s care.” - </p> - <p> - “By that time, Harry, you will have got rich, and we shall all be in - England, sha’n’t we?” - </p> - <p> - “I don’t know about being rich, but we shall have been - free-selected off Gangoil.—Now, Mrs. Growler, we’ve done - dinner, and I’ll have a pipe before I make another start. Is Jacko - in the kitchen? Send him through to me on to the veranda.” - </p> - <p> - Gangoil was decidedly in the bush—according to common Australian - parlance, all sheep stations are in the bush, even though there should not - be a tree or shrub within sight. They who live away from the towns live a - “bush life.” Small towns, as they grow up, are called bush - towns, as we talk of country towns. The “bush,” indeed, is the - country generally. But the Heathcotes lived absolutely and actually in the - bush. There are Australian pastures which consist of plains on which not a - tree is to be seen for miles; but others are forests, so far extending - that their limits are almost unknown. Gangoil was surrounded by forest, in - some places so close as to be impervious to men and almost to animals in - which the undergrowth was thick and tortuous and almost platted, through - which no path could be made without an axe, but of which the greater - portions were open, without any under-wood, between which the sheep could - wander at their will, and men could ride, with a sparse surface of coarse - grass, which after rain would be luxuriant, but in hot weather would be - scorched down to the ground. At such times—and those times were by - far the more common—a stranger would wonder where the sheep would - find their feed. Immediately round the house, or station, as it was - called, about one hundred acres had been cleared, or nearly cleared, with - a few trees left here and there for ornament or shade. Further afield, but - still round the home quarters, the trees had been destroyed, the run of - the sap having been stopped by “ringing” the bark; but they - still stood like troops of skeletons, and would stand, very ugly to look - at, till they fell, in the course of nature, by reason of their own - rottenness. There was a man always at work about the place—Boscobel - he was called—whose sole business was to destroy the timber after - this fashion, so that the air might get through to the grasses, and that - the soil might be relieved from the burden of nurturing the forest trees. - </p> - <p> - For miles around the domain was divided into paddocks, as they were there - called; but these were so large that a stranger might wander in one of - them for a day and never discover that he was inclosed. There were five or - six paddocks on the Gangoil run, each of which comprised over ten thousand - acres, and as all the land was undulating, and as the timber was around - you every where, one paddock was exactly like another. The scenery in - itself was fine, for the trees were often large, and here and there rocky - knolls would crop up, and there were broken crevices in the ground; but it - was all alike. A stranger would wonder that any one straying from the - house should find his way back to it. There were sundry bush houses here - and there, and the so-called road to the coast from the wide pastoral - districts further west passed across the run; but these roads and tracks - would travel hither and thither, new tracks being opened from time to time - by the heavy wool drays and store wagons, as in wet weather the ruts on - the old tracks would become insurmountable. - </p> - <p> - The station itself was certainly very pretty. It consisted of a cluster of - cottages, each of which possessed a ground-floor only. No such luxury as - stairs was known at Gangoil. It stood about half a mile from the Mary - River, on the edge of a creek which ran into it. The principal edifice, - that in which the Heathcotes lived, contained only one sitting-room, and a - bedroom on each side of it; but in truth there was another room, very - spacious, in which the family really passed their time; and this was the - veranda which ran along the front and two ends of the house. It was twelve - feet broad, and, of course, of great length. Here was clustered the - rocking-chairs, and sofas, and work-tables, and very often the cradle of - the family. Here stood Mrs. Heathcote’s sewing-machine, and here the - master would sprawl at his length, while his wife, or his wife’s - sister, read to him. It was here, in fact, that they lived, having a - parlor simply for their meals. Behind the main edifice there stood, each - apart, various buildings, forming an irregular quadrangle. The kitchen - came first, with a small adjacent chamber in which slept the Chinese - man-cook, Sing Sing, as he had come to be called; then the cottage, - consisting also of three rooms and a small veranda, in which lived Harry’s - superintendent, commonly known as Old Bates, a man who had been a squatter - once himself, and having lost his all in bad times, now worked for a small - salary. In the cottage two of the rooms were devoted to hospitality when, - as was not unusual, guests, known or unknown, came that way; and here - Harry himself would sleep, if the entertainment of other ladies crowded - the best apartments. Then at the back of the quadrangle was the store, - perhaps of all the buildings the most important. In here was kept a kind - of shop, which was supposed, according to an obsolete rule, to be open for - custom for half a day twice a week. The exigencies of the station did not - allow of this regularity; but after some fashion the shop was maintained. - Tea was to be bought there, and sugar, tobacco, and pickles, jam, nails, - boots, hats, flannel shirrs, and mole-skin trowsers. Any body who came - might buy, but the intention was to provide the station hands, who would - otherwise have had to go or send thirty miles for the supply of their - wants. Very little money was taken here, generally none. But the quantity - of pickles, jam, and tobacco sold was great. The men would consume large - quantities of these bush delicacies, and the cost would be deducted from - their wages. The tea and sugar, and flour also, were given out weekly, as - rations—so much a week—and meat was supplied to them after the - same fashion. For it was the duty of this young autocratic patriarch to - find provisions for all who were employed around him. For such luxuries as - jam and tobacco the men paid themselves. - </p> - <p> - On the fourth side of the quadrangle was a rough coach-house, and rougher - stables. The carriage part of the establishment consisted of two “buggies”—so - called always in the bush—open carriages on four wheels, one of - which was intended to hold two and the other four sitters. A Londoner - looking at them would have declared them to be hopeless ruins; but Harry - Heathcote still made wonderful journeys in them, taking care generally - that the wheels were sound, and using ropes for the repair of - dilapidations. The stables were almost unnecessary, as the horses, of - which the supply at Gangoil was very large, roamed in the horse paddock, a - comparatively small inclosure containing not above three or four hundred - acres, and were driven up as they were wanted. One horse was always kept - close at home with which to catch the others; but this horse, for - handiness, was generally hitched to a post outside the kitchen door. Harry - was proud of his horses, and was sometimes heard to say that few men in - England had a lot of thirty at hand as he had, out of which so many would - be able to carry a man eighty miles in eight hours at a moment’s - notice. But his stable arrangements would not have commanded respect in - the “Shires.” The animals were never groomed, never fed, and - many of them never shod. They lived upon grass, and, Harry always said, - “cut their own bread-and-butter for themselves.” - </p> - <p> - Gangoil was certainly very pretty. The veranda was covered in with striped - blinds, so that when the sun shone hot, or when the rains fell heavily, or - when the mosquitoes were more than usually troublesome, there might be - something of the protection of an inclosed room. Up all the posts there - were flowering creepers, which covered the front with greenery even when - the flowers were wanting. From the front of the house down to the creek - there was a pleasant failing garden—heart-breaking, indeed, in - regard to vegetables, for the opossums always came first, and they who - followed the opossums got but little. But the garden gave a pleasant - home-like look to the place, and was very dear to Harry, who was, perhaps, - indifferent in regard to pease and tomatoes. Harry Heathcote was very - proud of the place, for he had made it all himself, having pulled down a - wretched barrack that he had found there. But he was far prouder of his - wool-shed, which he had also built, and which he regarded as first and - foremost among wool-sheds in those parts. By-and-by we shall be called on - to visit the wool-shed. Though Heathcote had done all this for Gangoil, it - must be understood that the vast extent of territory over which his sheep - ran was by no means his own property. He was simply the tenant of the - Crown, paying a rent computed at so much a sheep. He had, indeed, - purchased the ground on which his house stood, but this he had done simply - to guard himself against other purchasers. These other purchasers were the - bane of his existence, the one great sorrow which, as he said, broke his - heart. - </p> - <p> - While he was speaking, a rough-looking lad, about sixteen years of age, - came through the parlor to the veranda, dressed very much like his master, - but unwashed, uncombed, and with that wild look which falls upon those who - wander about the Australian plains, living a nomad life. This was Jacko—so - called, and no one knew him by any other name—a lad whom Heathcote - had picked up about six months since, and who had become a favorite. - “The old woman says as you was wanting me?” suggested Jacko. - “Going to be fine to-night, Jacko?” - </p> - <p> - Jacko went to the edge of the veranda and looked up to the sky. “My - word! little squall a-coming,” he said. - </p> - <p> - “I wish it would come from ten thousand buckets,” said the - master. - </p> - <p> - “No buckets at all,” said Jacko. “Want the horses, - master?” - </p> - <p> - “Of course. I want the horses, and I want you to come with me. There - are two horses saddled there; I’ll ride Hamlet.” - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER II. — A NIGHT’S RIDE. - </h2> - <p> - Harry jumped from the ground, kissed his wife, called her “old girl,” - and told her to be happy, and got on his horse at the garden gate. Both - the ladies came off the veranda to see him start. “It’s as - dark as pitch,” said Kate Daly. - </p> - <p> - “That’s because you have just come out of the light.” - </p> - <p> - “But it is dark—quite dark. You won’t be late, will you?” - said the wife. - </p> - <p> - “I can’t be very early, as it’s near ten now. I shall be - back about twelve.” So saying, he broke at once into a gallop, and - vanished into the night, his young groom scampering after him. - </p> - <p> - “Why should he go out now?” Kate said to her sister. - </p> - <p> - “He is afraid of fire.” - </p> - <p> - “But he can’t prevent the fires by riding about in the dark. I - suppose the fires come from the heat.” - </p> - <p> - “He thinks they come from enemies, and he has heard something. One - wretched man may do so much when every thing is dried to tinder. I do so - wish it would rain.” - </p> - <p> - The night, in truth, was very dark. It was now midsummer, at which time - with us the days are so long that the coming of the one almost catches the - departure of its predecessor. But Gangoil was not far outside the tropics, - and there were no long summer nights. The heat was intense; but there was - a low soughing wind which seemed to moan among the trees without moving - them. As they crossed the little home inclosure and the horse paddock, the - track was just visible, the trees being dead and the spaces open. About - half a mile from the house, while they were still in the horse paddock, - Harry turned from the track, and Jacko, of course, turned with him. - “You can sit your horse jumping, Jacko?” he asked. - </p> - <p> - “My word! jump like glory,” answered Jacko. He was soon tried. - Harry rode at the bush fence—which was not, indeed, much of a fence, - made of logs lengthways and crossways, about three feet and a half high—and - went over it. Jacko followed him, rushing his horse at the leap, losing - his seat and almost falling over the animal’s shoulders as he came - to the ground. “My word!” said Jacko, just saving himself by a - scramble; “who ever saw the like of that?” - </p> - <p> - “Why don’t you sit in your saddle, you stupid young duffer?” - </p> - <p> - “Sit in my saddle! Why don’t he jump proper? Well, you go on. - I don’t know that I’m a duffer. Duffer, indeed! My word!” - Heathcote had turned to the left, leaving the track, which was, indeed, - the main road toward the nearest town and the coast, and was now pushing - on through the forest with no pathway at all to guide him. To ordinary - eyes the attempt to steer any course would have been hopeless. But an - Australian squatter, if he have any well-grounded claim to the character - of a bushman, has eyes which are not ordinary, and he has, probably, - nurtured within himself, unconsciously, topographical instincts which are - unintelligible to the inhabitants of cities. Harry, too, was near his own - home, and went forward through the thick gloom without a doubt, Jacko - following him faithfully. In about half an hour they came to another - fence, but now it was too absolutely dark for jumping. Harry had not seen - it till he was close to it, and then he pulled up his horse. “My - word! why don’t you jump away, Mr. Harry? Who’s a duffer now?” - </p> - <p> - “Hold your tongue, or I’ll put my whip across your back. Get - down and help me pull a log away. The horses couldn’t see where to - put their feet.” Jacko did as he was bid, and worked hard, but still - grumbled at having been called a duffer. The animals were quickly led - over, the logs were replaced, and the two were again galloping through the - forest. - </p> - <p> - “I thought you were making for the wool-shed,” said Jacko. - </p> - <p> - “We’re eight miles beyond the wool-shed,” said Harry. - They had now crossed another paddock, and had come to the extreme fence on - the run. The Gangoil pastures extended much further, but in that direction - had not as yet been inclosed. Here they both got off their horses and - walked along the fence till they came to an opening, with a slip panel, or - movable bars, which had been Heathcote’s intended destination. - “Hold the horses, Jacko, till I come back,” he said. - </p> - <p> - Jacko, when alone, nothing daunted by the darkness or solitude, seated - himself on the top rail, took out a pipe, and struck a match. When the - tobacco was ignited he dropped the match on the dry grass at his feet, and - a little flame instantly sprang up. The boy waited a few seconds till the - flames began to run, and then putting his feet together on the ground - stamped out the incipient fire. “My word!” said Jacko to - himself, “it’s easy done, anyway.” - </p> - <p> - Harry went on to the left for about half a mile, and then stood leaning - against the fence. It was very dark, but he was now looking over into an - inclosure which had been altogether cleared of trees, and which, as he - knew well, had been cultivated and was covered with sugar-canes. Where he - stood he was not distant above a quarter of a mile from the river, and the - field before him ran down to the banks. This was the selected land of - Giles Medlicot—two years since a portion of his own run, which had - now been purchased from the government—for the loss of which he had - received and was entitled to receive no compensation. And the matter was - made worse for him by the fact that the interloper had come between him - and the river. But he was not standing here near midnight merely to - exercise his wrath by straining his eyes through the darkness at his - neighbor’s crops. He put his finger into his mouth to wet it, and - then held it up that he might discover which way the light breath of wind - was coming. There was still the low moan to be heard continually through - the forest, and yet not a leaf seemed to be moved. After a while he - thought he caught a sound, and put his ear down to the ground. He - distinctly heard a footstep, and rising up, walked quickly toward the spot - whence the noise came. - </p> - <p> - “Who’s that?” he said, as he saw the figure of a man - standing on his side of the fence, and leaning against it, with a pipe in - his month. - </p> - <p> - “Who are you?” replied the man on the fence. “My name is - Medlicot.” - </p> - <p> - “Oh, Mr. Medlicot, is it?” - </p> - <p> - “Is that Mr. Heathcote? Good-night, Mr. Heathcote. You are going - about at a late hour of the night.” - </p> - <p> - “I have to go about early and late; but I ain’t later than - you.” - </p> - <p> - “I’m close at home,” said Medlicot. - </p> - <p> - “I am, at any rate, on my own run,” said Harry. - </p> - <p> - “You mean to say that I am trespassing?” said the other; - “because I can very soon jump back over the fence.” - </p> - <p> - “I didn’t mean that at all, Mr. Medlicot; any body is welcome - on my run, night or day, who knows how to behave himself.” - </p> - <p> - “I hope I’m included in that list.” - </p> - <p> - “Just so; of course. Considering the state that every thing is in, - and all the damage that a fire would do, I rather wish that people would - be a little more careful about smoking.” - </p> - <p> - “My canes, Mr. Heathcote, would burn quite as quickly as your grass.” - </p> - <p> - “It is not only the grass. I’ve a hundred miles of fencing on - the run which is as dry as tinder, not to talk of the station and the - wool-shed.” - </p> - <p> - “They sha’n’t suffer from my neglect, Mr. Heathcote.” - </p> - <p> - “You have men about who mayn’t be so careful. The wind, such - as it is, is coming right across from your place. If there were light - enough, I could show you three or four patches where there has been fire - within half a mile of this spot. There was a log burning there for two or - three days, not long ago, which was lighted by one of our men.” - </p> - <p> - “That was a fortnight since. There was no heat then, and the men - were boiling their kettle. I spoke about it.” - </p> - <p> - “A log like that, Mr. Medlicot, will burn for weeks sometimes. I’ll - tell you fairly what I’m afraid of. There’s a man with you - whom I turned out of the shed last shearing, and I think he might put a - match down—not by accident.” - </p> - <p> - “You mean Nokes. As far as I know, he’s a decent man. You - wouldn’t have me not employ a man just because you had dismissed - him?” - </p> - <p> - “Certainly not; that is, I shouldn’t think of dictating to you - about such a thing.” - </p> - <p> - “Well, no, Mr. Heathcote, I suppose not. Nokes has got to earn his - bread, though you did dismiss him. I don’t know that he’s not - as honest a man as you or I.” - </p> - <p> - “If so, there’s three of us very bad; that’s all, Mr. - Medlicot. Good-night; and if you’ll trouble yourself to look after - the ash of your tobacco it might be the saving of me and all I have.” - So saying, he turned round, and made his way back to the horses. - </p> - <p> - Medlicot had placed himself on the fence during the interview, and he - still kept his seat. Of course he was now thinking of the man who had just - left him, whom he declared to himself to be an ignorant, prejudiced, - ill-constituted cur. “I believe in his heart he thinks that I’m - going to set fire to his run,” he said, almost aloud. “And - because he grows wool he thinks himself above every body in the colony. He - occupies thousands of acres, and employs three or four men. I till about - two hundred, and maintain thirty families. But he is such a pig that he - can’t understand all that; and he thinks that I must be something - low because I’ve bought with my own money a bit of land which never - belonged to him, and which he couldn’t use.” Such was the - nature of Giles Medlicot’s soliloquy as he sat swinging his legs, - and still smoking his pipe, on the fence which divided his sugar-cane from - the other young man’s run. - </p> - <p> - And Harry Heathcote uttered his soliloquy also. “I wouldn’t - swear that he wouldn’t do it himself, after all;” meaning that - he almost suspected that Medlicot himself would be an incendiary. To him, - in his way of thinking, a man who would take advantage of the law to buy a - bit of another man’s land—or become a free-selector, as the - term goes—was a public enemy, and might be presumed capable of any - iniquity. It was all very well for the girls—meaning his wife and - sister-in-law—to tell him that Medlicot had the manners of a - gentleman and had come of decent people. Women were always soft enough to - be taken by soft hands, a good-looking face, and a decent coat. This - Medlicot went about dressed like a man in the towns, exhibiting, as Harry - thought, a contemptible, unmanly finery. Of what use was it to tell him - that Medlicot was a gentleman? What Harry knew was that since Medlicot had - come he had lost his sheep, that the heads of three or four had been found - buried on Medlicot’s side of his run, and that if he dismissed - “a hand,” Medlicot employed him—a proceeding which, in - Harry Heathcote’s aristocratic and patriarchal views of life, was - altogether ungentleman-like. How were the “hands” to be kept - in their place if one employer of labor did not back up another? - </p> - <p> - He had been warned to be on his guard against fire. The warnings had - hardly been implicit, but yet had come in a shape which made him unable to - ignore them. Old Bates, whom he trusted implicitly, and who was a man of - very few words, had told him to be on his guard. The German, at whose hut - he had been in the morning, Karl Bender by name, and a servant of his own, - had told him that there would be fire about before long. - </p> - <p> - “Why should any one want to ruin me?” Harry had asked. “Did - I ever wrong a man of a shilling?” - </p> - <p> - The German had learned to know his young master, had made his way through - the crust of his master’s character, and was prepared to be faithful - at all points—though he too could have quarreled and have avenged - himself had it not chanced that he had come to the point of loving instead - of hating his employer. - </p> - <p> - “You like too much to be governor over all,” said the German, - as he stooped over the fire in his own hut in his anxiety to boil the - water for Heathcote’s tea. - </p> - <p> - “Somebody must be governor, or every thing would go to the devil,” - said Harry. - </p> - <p> - “Dat’s true—only fellows don’t like be made feel - it,” said the German, “Nokes, he was made feel it when you put - him over de gate.” - </p> - <p> - But neither would Bates nor the German express absolute suspicion of any - man. That Medlicot’s “hands” at the sugar-mill were - stealing his sheep Harry thought that he knew; but that was comparatively - a small affair, and he would not have pressed it, as he was without - absolute evidence. And even he had a feeling that it would be unwise to - increase the anger felt against himself—at any rate, during the - present heats. - </p> - <p> - Jacko had his pipe still alight when Heathcote returned. “You young - monkey,” said he, “have you been using matches?” - </p> - <p> - “Why not, Mr. Harry? Don’t the grass burn ready, Mr. Harry? My - word!” Then Jacko stooped down, lit another match, and showed - Heathcote the burned patch. - </p> - <p> - “Was it so when we came?” Harry asked, with emotion. Jacko, - still kneeling on the ground, and holding the lighted match in his hand, - shook his head and tapped his breast, indicating that he had burned the - grass. “You dropped the match by accident?” - </p> - <p> - “My word! no. Did it o’ purpose to see. It’s all just - one as gunpowder, Mr. Harry.” - </p> - <p> - Harry got on his horse without a word, and rode away through the forest, - taking a direction different from that by which he had come, and the boy - followed him. He was by no means certain that this young fellow might not - turn against him; but it had been a part of his theory to make no - difference to any man because of such fears. If he could make the men - around him respect him, then they would treat him well; but they could - never be brought to respect him by flattery. He was very nearly right in - his views of men, and would have been right altogether could he have seen - accurately what justice demanded for others as well as for himself. As far - as the intention went, he was minded to be just to every man. - </p> - <p> - It seemed, as they were riding, that the heat grew fiercer and fiercer. - Though there was still the same moaning sound, there was not a breath of - air. They had now got upon a track very well known to Heathcote, which led - up from the river to the wool-shed, and so on to the station, and they had - turned homeward. When they were near the wool-shed, suddenly there fell a - heavy drop or two of rain. Harry stopped and turned his face upward, when, - in a moment, the whole heavens above them and the forest around were - illumined by a flash of lightning so near them that it made each of them - start in his saddle, and made the horses shudder in every limb. Then came - the roll of thunder immediately over their heads, and with the thunder - rain so thick and fast that Harry’s “ten thousand buckets” - seemed to be emptied directly over their heads. - </p> - <p> - “God A’mighty has put out the fires now,” said Jacko. - </p> - <p> - Harry paused for a moment, feeling the rain through to his bones—for - he had nothing on over his shirt—and rejoicing in it. “Yes,” - he said; “we may go to bed for a week, and let the grass grow, and - the creeks fill, and the earth cool. Half an hour like this over the whole - run, and there won’t be a dry stick on it.” - </p> - <p> - As they went on, the horses splashed through the water. It seemed as - though a deluge were falling, and that already the ground beneath their - feet were becoming a lake. - </p> - <p> - “We might have too much of this, Jacko.” - </p> - <p> - “My word! yes.” - </p> - <p> - “I don’t want to have the Mary flooded again.” - </p> - <p> - “My word! no.” - </p> - <p> - But by the time they reached the wool-shed it was over. From the first - drop to the last, there had hardly been a space of twenty minutes. But - there was a noise of waters as the little streams washed hither and - thither to their destined courses and still the horses splashed, and still - there was the feeling of an incipient deluge. When they reached the - wool-shed, Harry again got off his horse, and Jacko, dismounting also, - hitched the two animals to the post and followed his master into the - building. Harry struck a wax match, and holding it up, strove to look - round the building by the feeble light which it shed. It was a remarkable - edifice, built in the shape of a great T, open at the sides, with a - sharp-pitched timber roof covered with felt, which came down within four - feet of the ground. It was calculated to hold about four hundred sheep at - a time, and was divided into pens of various sizes, partitioned off for - various purposes. If Harry Heathcote was sure of any thing, he was sure - that his wool-shed was the best that had ever been built in this district. - </p> - <p> - “By Jimini! what’s that?” said Jacko. - </p> - <p> - “Did you hear any thing?” - </p> - <p> - Jacko pointed with his finger down the centre walk of the shed, and Harry, - striking another match as he went, rushed forward. But the match was out - as soon as ignited, and gave no glimmer of light. Nevertheless he saw, or - thought that he saw, the figure of a man escaping out of the open end of - the shed. The place itself was black as midnight, but the space beyond was - clear of trees, and the darkness outside being a few shades lighter than - within the building, allowed something of the outline of a figure to be - visible. And as the man escaped, the sounds of his footsteps were audible - enough. Harry called to him, but of course received no answer. Had he - pursued him, he would have been obliged to cross sundry rails, which would - have so delayed him as to give him no chance of success. - </p> - <p> - “I knew there was a fellow about,” he said; “one of our - own men would not have run like that.” - </p> - <p> - Jacko shook his head, but did not speak. - </p> - <p> - “He has got in here for shelter out of the rain, but he was doing no - good about the place.” - </p> - <p> - Jacko again shook his head. - </p> - <p> - “I wonder who he was?” - </p> - <p> - Jacko came up and whispered in his ear, “Bill Nokes.” - </p> - <p> - “You couldn’t see him.” - </p> - <p> - “Seed the drag of his leg.” Now it was well known that the man - Nokes had injured some of his muscles, and habitually dragged one foot - after another. - </p> - <p> - “I don’t think you could have been sure of him by such a - glimpse as that.” - </p> - <p> - “Maybe not,” said the boy, “only I’m sure as sure.” - </p> - <p> - Harry Heathcote said not another word, but getting again upon his horse, - galloped home. It was past one when he reached the station, but the two - girls were waiting up for him, and at once began to condole with him - because he was wet. “Wet!” said Harry; “if you could - only know how much I prefer things being wet to dry just at present! But - give Jacko some supper. I must keep that young fellow in good humor if I - can.” - </p> - <p> - So Jacko had half a loaf of bread, and a small pot of jam, and a large jug - of cold tea provided for him, in the enjoyment of which luxuries he did - not seem to be in the least impeded by the fact that he was wet through to - the skin. Harry Heathcote had another nobbler—being only the second - in the day—and then went to bed. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER III. — MEDLICOT’S MILL. - </h2> - <p> - As Harry said, they might all now lie in bed for a day or two. The rain - had set aside for the time the necessity for that urgent watchfulness - which kept all hands on the station hard at work during the great heat. - There was not, generally, much rest during the year at Gangoil. Lambing in - April and May, washing and shearing in September, October, and November, - with the fear of fires and the necessary precautions in December and - January, did not leave more than sufficient intervals for looking after - the water-dams, making and mending fences, procuring stores, and attending - to the ailments of the flocks. No man worked harder than the young - squatter. But now there had suddenly come a day or two of rest—rest - from work which was not of itself productive, but only remedial, and - which, therefore, was not begrudged. - </p> - <p> - But it soon was apparent that the rest could be only for a day or two. The - rain had fallen as from ten thousand buckets, but it had fallen only for a - space of minutes. On the following morning the thirsty earth had - apparently swallowed all the flood. The water in the creek beneath the - house stood two feet higher than it had done, and Harry, when he visited - the dams round the run, found that they were fall to overflowing, and the - grasses were already springing, so quick is the all but tropical growth of - the country. They might be safe, perhaps, for eight-and-forty hours. Fire - would run only when the ground was absolutely dry, and when every twig or - leaf was a combustible. But during those eight-and-forty hours there might - be comparative ease at Gangoil. - </p> - <p> - On the day following the night of the ride Mrs. Heathcote suggested to her - husband that she and Kate should ride over to Medlicot’s Mill, as - the place was already named, and call on Mrs. Medlicot. “It isn’t - Christian,” she said, “for people living out in the bush as we - are to quarrel with their neighbors just because they are neighbors.” - </p> - <p> - “Neighbors!” said Harry; “I don’t know any word - that there’s so much humbug about. The Samaritan was the best - neighbor I ever heard of, and he lived a long way off, I take it. Anyway, - he wasn’t a free-selector.” - </p> - <p> - “Harry, that’s profane.” - </p> - <p> - “Every thing I say is wicked. You can go, of course, if you like it. - I don’t want to quarrel with any body.” - </p> - <p> - “Quarreling is so uncomfortable,” said his wife. - </p> - <p> - “That’s a matter of taste. There are people whom I find it - very comfortable to quarrel with. I shouldn’t at all like not to - quarrel with the Brownbies, and I’m not at all sure it mayn’t - come to be the same with Mr. Giles Medlicot.” - </p> - <p> - “The Brownbies live by sheep-stealing and horse-stealing.” - </p> - <p> - “And Medlicot means to live by employing sheep-stealers and - horse-stealers. You can go if you like it. You won’t want me to go - with you. Will you have the baggy?” - </p> - <p> - But the ladies said that they would ride. The air was cooler now than it - had been, and they would like the exercise. They would take Jacko with - them to open the slip-rails, and they would be back by seven for dinner. - So they started, taking the track by the wool-shed. The wool-shed was - about two miles from the station, and Medlicot’s Mill was seven - miles farther, on the bank of the river. - </p> - <p> - Mr. Giles Medlicot, though at Gangoil he was still spoken of as a - new-comer, had already been located for nearly two years on the land which - he had purchased immediately on his coming to the colony. He had come out - direct from England with the intention of growing sugar, and, whether - successful or not in making money, had certainly succeeded in growing - crops of sugar-canes and in erecting a mill for crushing them. It probably - takes more than two years for a man himself to discover whether he can - achieve ultimate success in such an enterprise; and Medlicot was certainly - not a man likely to talk much to others of his private concerns. The mill - had just been built, and he had lived there himself as soon as a - water-tight room had been constructed. It was only within the last three - months that he had completed a small cottage residence, and had brought - his mother to live with him. Hitherto he had hardly made himself popular. - He was not either fish or fowl. The squatters regarded him as an - interloper, and as a man holding opinions directly averse to their own - interests—in which they were right. And the small free-selectors, - who lived on the labor of their own hands—or, as was said of many of - them, by stealing sheep and cattle—knew well that he was not of - their class. But Medlicot had gone his way steadfastly, if not happily, - and complained aloud to no one in the midst of his difficulties. He had - not, perhaps, found the Paradise which he had expected in Queensland, but - he had found that he could grow sugar; and having begun the work, he was - determined to go on with it. - </p> - <p> - Heathcote was his nearest neighbor, and the only man in his own rank of - life who lived within twenty miles of him. When he had started his - enterprise he had hoped to make this man his friend, not comprehending at - first how great a cause for hostility was created by the very purchase of - the land. He had been a new-comer from the old country, and, being alone, - had desired friendship. He was Harry Heathcote’s equal in education, - intelligence, and fortune, if not in birth—which surely, in the - Australian bush, need not count for much. He had assumed, when first - meeting the squatter, that good-fellowship between them, on equal terms, - would be acceptable to both; but his overtures had been coldly received. - Then he, too, had drawn himself up, had declared that Heathcote was an - ignorant ass, and had unconsciously made up his mind to commence - hostilities. It was in this spirit that he had taken Nokes into his mill, - of whose character, had he inquired about it, he would certainly have - heard no good. He had now brought his mother to Medlicot’s Mill. She - and the Gangoil ladies had met each other on neutral ground, and it was - almost necessary that they should either be friends or absolute enemies. - Mrs. Heathcote had been aware of this, and had declared that enmity was - horrible. - </p> - <p> - “Upon my word,” said Harry, “I sometimes think that - friendship is more so. I suppose I’m fitted for bush life, for I - want to see no one from year’s end to year’s end but my own - family and my own people.” And yet this young patriarch in the - wilderness was only twenty-four years old, and had been educated at an - English school! - </p> - <p> - Medlicot’s cottage was about a hundred and fifty yards from the - mill, looking down upon the Mary, the banks of which at this spot were - almost precipitous. The site for the plantation had been chosen because - the river afforded the means of carriage down to the sea, and the mill had - been so constructed that the sugar hogsheads could be lowered from the - buildings into the river boats. Here Mrs. Heathcote and Kate Daly found - the old lady sitting at work, all alone, in the veranda. She was a - handsome old woman, with gray hair, seventy years of age, with wrinkled - face, and a toothless mouth, but with bright eyes, and with no signs of - the infirmity of age. - </p> - <p> - “This is gay kind of you to run so far to see an auld woman,” - she said. - </p> - <p> - Mrs. Heathcote declared that they were used to the heat, and that after - the rain the air was pleasant. - </p> - <p> - “You’re two bright lassies, and you’re hearty,” - she said. “I’m auld, and just out of Cumberland, and I find it’s - hot enough—and I’m no guid at horseback at all. I dinna know - how I’m to get aboot.” - </p> - <p> - Then Mrs. Heathcote explained that there was an excellent track for a - buggy all the way to Gangoil. - </p> - <p> - “Giles is aye telling me that I’m to gang aboot in a bouggey, - but I dinna feel sure of thae bouggeys.” - </p> - <p> - Mrs. Heathcote, of course, praised the country carriages, and the country - roads, and the country generally. Tea was brought in, and the old lady was - delighted with her guests. Since she had been at the mill, week had - followed week, and she had seen no woman’s face but that of the - uncouth girl who waited upon her. “Did ye ever see rain like that!” - she said, putting up her hands. “I thought the Lord was sending his - clouds down upon us in a lump like.” Then she told them that some of - the men had declared that if it went on like that for two hours the Mary - would rise and take the cottage away. Giles, however, had declared that to - be trash, as the cottage was twenty feet above the ordinary course of the - river. - </p> - <p> - They were just rising to take their leave, when Giles Medlicot himself - came in out of the mill. He was a man of good presence, dark, and tall - like Heathcote, but stoutly made, with a strongly marked face, given to - frowning much when he was eager; bright-eyed, with a broad forehead—certainly - a man to be observed as far as his appearance was concerned. He was - dressed much as a gentleman dresses in the country at home, and was - therefore accounted to be a fop by Harry Heathcote, who was rarely seen - abroad in other garb than that which has been described. Harry was an - aristocrat, and hated such innovations in the bush as cloth coats and - tweed trowsers and neck-hand-kerchiefs. - </p> - <p> - Medlicot had been full of wrath against his neighbor all the morning. - There had been a tone in Heathcote’s voice when he gave his parting - warning as to the fire in Medlicot’s pipe which the sugar grower had - felt to be intentionally insolent. Nothing had been said which could be - openly resented, but offense had surely been intended; and then he had - remembered that his mother had been already some months at the mill, and - that no mark of neighborly courtesy had been shown to her. The Heathcotes - had, he thought, chosen to assume themselves to be superior to him and - his, and to treat him as though he had been some laboring man who had - saved money enough to purchase a bit of land for himself. He was, - therefore, astonished to find the two young ladies sitting with his mother - on the very day after such an interview as that of the preceding night. - </p> - <p> - “The leddies from Gangoil, Giles, have been guid enough to ride over - and see me,” said his mother. - </p> - <p> - Medlicot, of course, shook hands with them, and expressed his sense of - their kindness, but he did it awkwardly. He soon, however, declared his - purpose of riding part of the way back with them. - </p> - <p> - “Mr. Heathcote must have been very wet last night,” he said, - when they were on horse-back, addressing himself to Kate Daly rather than - to her sister. - </p> - <p> - “Indeed he was—wet to the skin. Were you not?” - </p> - <p> - “I saw him at about eleven, before the rain began. I was close home, - and just escaped. He must have been under it all. Does he often go about - the run in that way at night?” - </p> - <p> - “Only when he’s afraid of fires,” said Kate. - </p> - <p> - “Is there much to be afraid of? I don’t suppose that any body - can be so wicked as to wish to burn the grass.” Then the ladies took - upon themselves to explain. “The fires might be caused from - negligence or trifling accidents, or might possibly come from the unaided - heat of the sun; or there might be enemies.” - </p> - <p> - “My word! yes; enemies, rather!” said Jacko, who was riding - close behind, and who had no idea of being kept out of the conversation - merely because he was a servant. Medlicot, turning round, looked at the - lad, and asked who were the enemies. - </p> - <p> - “Free-selectors,” said Jacko. - </p> - <p> - “I’m a free-selector,” said Medlicot. - </p> - <p> - “Did not jist mean you,” said Jacko. - </p> - <p> - “Jacko, you’d better hold your tongue,” said Mrs. - Heathcote. - </p> - <p> - “Hold my tongue! My word! Well, you go on.” - </p> - <p> - Medlicot came as far as the wool-shed, and then said that he would return. - He had thoroughly enjoyed his ride. Kate Daly was bright and pretty and - winning; and in the bush, when a man has not seen a lady perhaps for - months, brightness and prettiness and winning ways have a double charm. To - ride with fair women over turf, through a forest, with a woman who may - perhaps some day be wooed, can be a matter of indifference only to a very - lethargic man. Giles Medlicot was by no means lethargic. He owned to - himself that though Heathcote was a pig-headed ass, the ladies were very - nice, and he thought that the pig-headed ass in choosing one of them for - himself had by no means taken the nicest. - </p> - <p> - “You’ll never find your way back,” said Kate, “if - you’ve not been here before.” - </p> - <p> - “I never was here before, and I suppose I must find my way back.” - Then he was urged to come on and dine at Gangoil, with a promise that - Jacko should return with him in the evening. But this he would not do. - Heathcote was a pig-headed ass, who possibly regarded him as an incendiary - simply because he had bought some land. This boy of Heathcote’s, - whose services had been offered to him, had not scrupled to tell him to - his face that he was to be regarded as an enemy. Much as he liked the - company of Kate Daly, he could not go to the house of that stupid, - arrogant, pig-headed young squatter. “I’m not such a bad - bushman but what I can find my way to the river,” he said. - </p> - <p> - “Find it blindful,” said Jacko, who did not relish the idea of - going back to Medlicot’s Mill as guide to another man. There was a - weakness in the idea that such aid could be necessary, which was revolting - to Jacko’s sense of bush independence. - </p> - <p> - They were standing on their horses at the entrance to the wool-shed as - they discussed the point, when suddenly Harry himself appeared out of the - building. He came up and shook hands with Medlicot, with sufficient - courtesy, but hardly with cordiality, and then asked his wife as to her - ride. “We have been very jolly, haven’t we, Kate? Of course it - has been hot, but every thing is not so frightfully parched as it was - before the rain. As Mr. Medlicot has come back so far with us, we want him - to come on and dine.” - </p> - <p> - “Pray do, Mr. Medlicot,” said Harry. But again the tone of his - voice was not sufficiently hearty to satisfy the man who was invited. - </p> - <p> - “Thanks, no: I think I’ll hardly do that.—Good-night, - Mrs. Heathcote; good-night. Miss Daly;” and the two ladies - immediately perceived that his voice, which had hitherto been pleasant in - their ears, had ceased to be cordial. - </p> - <p> - “I am very glad he has gone back,” said Heathcote. - </p> - <p> - “Why do you say so, Harry? You are not given to be inhospitable, and - why should you grudge me and Kate the rare pleasure of seeing a strange - face?” - </p> - <p> - “I’ll tell you why. It’s not about him at this moment; - but I’ve been disturbed.—Jacko, go on to the station, and say - we’re coming. Do you hear me? Go on at once.” Then Jacko, - somewhat unwillingly, galloped off toward the house. “Get off your - horses, and come in.” - </p> - <p> - He helped the two ladies from their saddles, and they all went into the - wool-shed, Harry leading the way. In one of the side pens, immediately - under the roof, there was a large heap of leaves, the outside portion of - which was at present damp, for the rain had beaten in upon it, but which - had been as dry as tinder when collected; and there was a row or ridge of - mixed brush-wood and leaves so constructed as to form a line from the - grass outside on to the heap. “The fellow who did that was an ass,” - said Harry; “a greater ass than I should have taken him to be, not - to have known that if he could have gotten the grass to burn outside, the - wool-shed must have gone without all that preparation. But there isn’t - much difficulty now in seeing what the fellow has intended.” - </p> - <p> - “Was it for a fire?” asked Kate. - </p> - <p> - “Of course it was. He wouldn’t have been contented with the - grass and fences, but wanted to make sure of the shed also. He’d - have come to the house and burned us in our beds, only a fellow like that - is too much of a coward to run the risk of being seen.” - </p> - <p> - “But, Harry, why didn’t he light it when he’d done it?” - said Mrs. Heathcote. - </p> - <p> - “Because the Almighty sent the rain at the very moment,” said - Harry, striking the top rail of one of the pens with his fist. “I’m - not much given to talk about Providence, but this looks like it, does it - not?” - </p> - <p> - “He might have put a match in at the moment?” - </p> - <p> - “Rain or no rain? Yes, he might. But he was interrupted by more than - the rain. I got into the shed myself just at the moment—I and Jacko. - It was last night, when the rain was pouring. I heard the man, and dark as - was the night, I saw his figure as he fled away.” - </p> - <p> - “You didn’t know him?” said Miss Daly. - </p> - <p> - “But that boy, who has the eyes of a cat, he knew him.” - </p> - <p> - “Jacko?” - </p> - <p> - “Jacko knew him by his gait. I should have hardly wanted any one to - tell me who it was. I could have named the man at once, but for the fear - of doing an injustice.” - </p> - <p> - “And who was it?” - </p> - <p> - “Our friend Medlicot’s prime favorite and new factotum, Mr. - William Nokes. Mr. William Nokes is the gentleman who intends to burn us - all out of house and home, and Mr. Medlicot is the gentleman whose - pleasure it is to keep Mr. Nokes in the neighborhood.” - </p> - <p> - The two women stood awe-struck for a moment, but a sense of justice - prevailed upon the wife to speak. “That may be all true,” she - said. “Perhaps it is as you say about that man. But you would not - therefore think that Mr. Medlicot knows any thing about it?” - </p> - <p> - “It would be impossible,” said Kate. - </p> - <p> - “I have not accused him,” said Harry; “but he knows that - the man was dismissed, and yet keeps him about the place. Of course he is - responsible.” - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER IV. — HARRY HEATHCOTE’S APPEAL. - </h2> - <p> - For the first mile between the wool-shed and the house Heathcote and the - two ladies rode without saying a word. There was something so terrible in - the reality of the danger which encompassed them that they hardly felt - inclined to discuss it. Harry’s dislike to Medlicot was quite a - thing apart. That some one had intended to burn down the wool-shed, and - had made preparation for doing so, was as apparent to the women as to him. - And the man who had been balked by a shower of rain in his first attempt - might soon find an opportunity for a second. Harry was well aware that - even Jacko’s assertion could not be taken as evidence against the - man whom he suspected. In all probability no further attempt would be made - upon the wool-shed; but a fire on some distant part of the run would be - much more injurious to him than the mere burning of a building. The fire - that might ruin him would be one which should get ahead before it was - seen, and scour across the ground, consuming the grass down to the very - roots over thousands of acres, and destroying fencing over many miles. - Such fires pass on, leaving the standing trees unscathed, avoiding even - the scrub, which is too moist with the sap of life for consumption, but - licking up with fearful rapidity every thing that the sun has dried. He - could watch the wool-shed and house, but with no possible care could he so - watch the whole run as to justify him in feeling security. There need be - no preparation of leaves. A match thrown loosely on the ground would do - it. And in regard to a match so thrown, it would be impossible to prove a - guilty intention. - </p> - <p> - “Ought we not to have dispersed the heap?” said Mrs. Heathcote - at last. The minds of all of them were full of the matter, but these were - the first words spoken. - </p> - <p> - “I’ll leave it as it is,” said Harry, giving no reason - for his decision. He was too full of thought, too heavily laden with - anxiety, to speak much. “Come, let’s get on; you’ll want - your dinner, and it’s getting dark.” So they cantered on, and - got off their horses at the gate, without another word. And not another - word was spoken on the subject that night. Harry was very silent, walking - up and down the veranda with his pipe in his mouth—not lying on the - ground in idle enjoyment—and there was no reading. The two sisters - looked at him from time to time with wistful, anxious-eyes, half afraid to - disturb him by speech. - </p> - <p> - As for him, he felt that the weight was all on his own shoulders. He had - worked hard, and was on the way to be rich. I do not know that he thought - much about money, but he thought very much of success. And he was by - nature anxious, sanguine, and impulsive. There might be before him, within - the next week, such desolation as would break his heart. He knew men who - had been ruined, and had borne their ruin almost without a wail—who - had seemed contented to descend to security and mere absence from want. - There was his own superintendent, Old Bates, who, though he grumbled at - every thing else, never bewailed his own fate. But he knew of himself that - any such blow would nearly kill him—such a blow, that is, as might - drive him from Gangoil, and force him to be the servant instead of the - master of men. Not to be master of all around him seemed to him to be - misery. The merchants at Brisbane who took his wool and supplied him with - stores had advanced money when he first bought his run, and he still owed - them some thousands of pounds. The injury which a great fire would do him - would bring him to such a condition that the merchants would demand to - have their money repaid. He understood it all, and knew well that it was - after this fashion that many a squatter before him had been ruined. - </p> - <p> - “Speak a word to me about it,” his wife said to him, - imploringly, when they were alone together that night. - </p> - <p> - “My darling, if there were a word to say, I would say it. I must be - on the watch, and do the best I can. At present the earth is too damp for - mischief.” - </p> - <p> - “Oh that it would rain again!” - </p> - <p> - “There will be heat enough before the summer is over; we need not - doubt that. But I will tell you of every thing as we go on. I will - endeavor to have the man watched. God bless you! Go to sleep, and try to - get it out of your thoughts.” - </p> - <p> - On the following morning he breakfasted early, and mounted his horse - without saying a word as to the purport of his journey. This was in - accordance with the habit of his life, and would not excite observation; - but there was something in his manner which made both the ladies feel that - he was intent on some special object. When he intended simply to ride - round his fences or to visit the hut of some distant servant, a few - minutes signified nothing. He would stand under the veranda and talk, and - the women would endeavor to keep him from the saddle. But now there was no - loitering, and but little talking. He said a word to Jacko, who brought - the horse for him, and then started at a gallop toward the wool-shed. - </p> - <p> - He did not stop a moment at the shed, not even entering it to see whether - the heap of leaves had been displaced during the night, but went on - straight to Medlicot’s Mill. He rode the nine miles in an hour, and - at once entered the building in which the canes were crushed. The first - man he met was Nokes, who acted as overseer, having a gang of Polynesian - laborers under him—sleek, swarthy fellows from the South Sea - Islands, with linen trowsers on and nothing else—who crept silently - among the vats and machinery, shifting the sugar as it was made. - </p> - <p> - “Well, Nokes,” said Harry, “how are you getting on? Is - Mr. Medlicot here?” - </p> - <p> - Nokes was a big fellow, with a broad, solid face, which would not have - condemned him among physiognomists but for a bad eye, which could not look - you in the face. He had been a boundary rider for Heathcote, and on an - occasion had been impertinent, refusing to leave the yard behind the house - unless something was done which those about the place refused to do for - him. During the discussion Harry had come in. The man had been drinking, - and was still insolent, and Harry had ejected him violently, thrusting him - over a gate. The man had returned the next morning, and had then been sent - about his business. He had been employed at Medlicot’s Mill, but - from the day of his dismissal to this he and Harry had never met each - other face to face. - </p> - <p> - “I’m pretty well, thank ye, Mr. Heathcote. I hope you’re - the same, and the ladies. The master’s about somewhere, I take it.—Picky, - go and find the master.” Picky was one of the Polynesians, who at - once started on his errand. - </p> - <p> - “Have you been over to Gangoil since you left it?” said Harry, - looking the man full in the face. - </p> - <p> - “Not I, Mr. Heathcote. I never go where I’ve had words. And, - to tell you the truth, sugar is better than sheep. I’m very - comfortable here, and I never liked your work.” - </p> - <p> - “You haven’t been at the wool-shed?” - </p> - <p> - “What, the Gangoil shed! What the blazes ‘d I go there for? It’s - a matter of ten miles from here.” - </p> - <p> - “Seven, Nokes.” - </p> - <p> - “Seven, is it? It is a longish seven miles, Mr. Heathcote. How could - I get that distance? I ain’t so good at walking as I was before I - was hurt. You should have remembered that, Mr. Heathcote, when you laid - hands on me the other day.” - </p> - <p> - “You’re not much the worse for what I did; nor yet for the - accident, I take it. At any rate, you’ve not been at Gangoil - wool-shed?” - </p> - <p> - “No, I’ve not,” said the man, roughly. “What the - mischief should I be doing at your shed at night-time?” - </p> - <p> - “I said nothing about night-time.” - </p> - <p> - “I’m here all day, ain’t I? If you’re going to - palm off any story against me, Mr. Heathcote, you’ll find yourself - in the wrong box. What I does I does on the square.” - </p> - <p> - Heathcote was now quite sure that Jacko had been right. He had not doubted - much before, but now he did not doubt at all but that the man with whom he - was speaking was the wretch who was endeavoring to ruin him. And he felt - certain, also, that Jacko was true to him. He knew, too, that he had - plainly declared his suspicion to the man himself. But he had resolved - upon doing this. He could in no way assist himself in circumventing the - man’s villainy by keeping his suspense to himself. The man might be - frightened, and in spite of all that had passed between him and Medlicot, - he still thought it possible that he might induce the sugar grower to - co-operate with him in driving Nokes from the neighborhood. He had spent - the night in thinking over it all, and this was the resolution to which he - had come. - </p> - <p> - “There’s the master,” said Nokes. “If you’ve - got any thing to say about any thing, you’d better say it to him.” - </p> - <p> - Harry had never before set his foot upon Medlicot’s land since it - had been bought away from his own run, and had felt that he would almost - demean himself by doing so. He had often looked at the canes from over his - own fence, as he had done on the night of the rain; but he had stood - always on his own land. Now he was in the sugar-mill, never before having - seen such a building. “You’ve a deal of machinery here, Mr. - Medlicot,” he said. - </p> - <p> - “It’s a small affair, after all,” said the other. - “I hope to get a good plant before I’ve done.” - </p> - <p> - “Can I speak a word with you?” - </p> - <p> - “Certainly. Will you come into the office, or will you go across to - the house?” - </p> - <p> - Harry said that the office would do, and followed Medlicot into a little - box-like inclosure which contained a desk and two stools. - </p> - <p> - “Not much of an office, is it? What can I do for you, Mr. Heathcote?” - </p> - <p> - Then Harry began his story, which he told at considerable length. He - apologized for troubling his neighbor at all on the subject, and - endeavored to explain, somewhat awkwardly, that as Mr. Medlicot was a - new-comer, he probably might not understand the kind of treatment to which - employers in the bush were occasionally subject from their men. On this - matter he said much, which, had he been a better tactician, he might - probably have left unspoken. He then went on to the story of his own - quarrel with Nokes, who had, in truth, been grossly impudent to the women - about the house, but who had been punished by instant and violent - dismissal from his employment. It was evidently Harry’s idea that a - man who had so sinned against his master should be allowed to find no - other master—at any rate in that district; an idea with which the - other man, who had lately come out from the old country, did not at all - sympathize. - </p> - <p> - “Do you want me to dismiss him?” said Medlicot, in a tone - which implied that that would be the last thing he would think of doing. - </p> - <p> - “You haven’t heard me yet.” Then Harry went on and told - of the fires in the heat of summer, and of their terrible effects—of - the easy manner of revenge which they supplied to angry, unscrupulous men, - and of his own fears at the present moment. - </p> - <p> - “I can believe it all,” said Medlicot, “and am very - sorry that it should be so. But I can not see the justice of punishing a - man on the merest, vaguest suspicion. Your only ground for imputing this - crime to him is that your own conduct to him may have given him a motive.” - </p> - <p> - Harry had schooled himself vigorously during the ride as to his own - demeanor, and had resolved that he would be cool. “I was going on to - tell you,” he said, “what occurred that night after I saw you - up by the fence.” Then he described how he and his boy had entered - the shed, and had both seen and heard a man as he escaped from it; how the - boy had at once declared that the man was Nokes; how the following day he - had discovered the leaves, which Nokes no doubt had deposited there just - before the rain, intending to burn the place at once; and how Nokes’s - manner to him within the last half hour had corroborated his suspicions. - </p> - <p> - “Is he the boy you call Jacko?” - </p> - <p> - “That’s the name he goes by.” - </p> - <p> - “You don’t know his real name?” - </p> - <p> - “I have never heard any other name.” - </p> - <p> - “Nor any thing about him?” Harry owned, in answer to half a - dozen such questions, that Jacko had come to Gangoil about six months ago—he - did not know whence—had been kept for a week’s job, and had - then been allowed to remain about the place without any regular wages. - “You admit it was quite dark,” continued Medlicot. - </p> - <p> - Harry did not at all like the cross-examination, and his resolution to be - cool was quickly fading. “I told you that I saw myself the figure of - a man.” - </p> - <p> - “But that you barely saw a figure. You did not form any opinion of - your own as to the man’s identity.” - </p> - <p> - Harry Heathcote was as honest as the sun. Much as he disliked being - cross-examined, he found himself compelled not only to say the exact - truth, but the whole truth. “Certainly not. I barely saw a glimpse - of a figure, and, till I spoke to Nokes just now, I almost doubted whether - the lad could have distinguished him. I am sure he was right now.” - </p> - <p> - “Really, Mr. Heathcote, I can’t go along with you. You are - accusing a man of committing an offense, which I believe is capital, on - the evidence of a boy of whom you know nothing, who may have his own - reasons for spiting the man, and whom you yourself did not believe till - you had looked this man in the face. I think you allow yourself to be - guided too much by your own power of intuition.” - </p> - <p> - “No, I don’t,” said Harry, who hated his neighbor’s - methodical argument. - </p> - <p> - “At any rate, I can’t consent to take a man’s bread out - of his mouth, and to send him away tainted as he would be with this - suspicion, either because Jacko thought that he saw him in the dark, or - because—” - </p> - <p> - “I have never asked you to send him away.” - </p> - <p> - “What is it you want, then?” - </p> - <p> - “I want to have him watched, so that he may feel that if he attempts - to destroy my property his guilt will be detected.” - </p> - <p> - “Who is to watch him?” - </p> - <p> - “He is in your employment.” - </p> - <p> - “He lives in the hut down beyond the gate. Am I to keep a sentry - there all night, and every night?” - </p> - <p> - “I will pay for it.” - </p> - <p> - “No, Mr. Heathcote. I don’t pretend to know this country yet, - but I’ll encourage no such espionage as that. At any rate, it is not - English. I dare say the man misbehaved himself in your employment. You say - he was drunk. I do not doubt it. But he is not a drunkard, for he never - drinks here. A man is not to starve forever because he once got drunk and - was impertinent. Nor is he to have a spy at his heels because a boy whom - nobody knows chooses to denounce him. I am sorry that you should be in - trouble, but I do not know that I can help you.” - </p> - <p> - Harry’s passion was now very high, and his resolution to be cool was - almost thrown to the winds. Medlicot had said many things which were - odious to him. In the first place, there had been a tone of insufferable - superiority, so Harry thought, and that, too, when he himself had divested - himself of all the superiority naturally attached to his position, and had - frankly appealed to Medlicot as a neighbor. And then this new-fangled - sugar grower had told him that he was not English, and had said grand - words, and had altogether made himself objectionable. What did this man - know of the Australian bush, that he should dare to talk of this or that - as being wrong because it was un-English! In England there were police to - guard men’s property. Here, out in the Australian forests, a man - must guard his own, or lose it. But perhaps it was the indifference to the - ruin of the women belonging to him that Harry Heathcote felt the - strongest. The stranger cared nothing for the utter desolation which one - unscrupulous ruffian might produce, felt no horror at the idea of a vast - devastating fire, but could be indignant in his mock philanthropy because - it was proposed to watch the doings of a scoundrel! - </p> - <p> - “Good-morning,” said Harry, turning round and leaving the - office brusquely. Medlicot followed him, but Harry went so quickly that - not another word was spoken. To him the idea of a neighbor in the bush - refusing such assistance as he had asked was as terrible as to us is the - thought of a ship at sea leaving another ship in distress. He unhitched - his horse from the fence, and galloped home as fast as the animal would - carry him. - </p> - <p> - Medlicot, when he was left alone, took two or three turns about the mill, - as though inspecting the work, but at every turn fixed his eyes for a few - moments on Noke’s face. The man was standing under a huge caldron - regulating the escape of the boiling juice into the different vats by - raising and lowering a trap, and giving directions to the Polynesians as - he did so. He was evidently conscious that he was being regarded, and, as - is usual in such a condition, manifestly failed in his struggle to appear - unconscious. Medlicot acknowledged to himself that the man could not look - even him in the face. Was it possible that he had been wrong, and that - Heathcote, though he had expressed himself badly, was entitled to some - sympathy in his fear of what might be done to him by an enemy? Medlicot - also desired to be just, being more rational, more logical, and less - impulsive than the other, being also somewhat too conscious of his own - superior intelligence. He knew that Heathcote had gone away in great - dudgeon, and he almost feared that he had been harsh and unneighborly. - After a while he stood opposite Nokes and addressed him. - </p> - <p> - “Do the squatters suffer much from fires?” he said. - </p> - <p> - “Heathcote has been talking to you about that,” said the man. - </p> - <p> - “Can’t you say Mr. Heathcote when you speak of a gentleman - whose bread you have eaten?” - </p> - <p> - “Mr. Heathcote, if you like it. We ain’t particular to a shade - out here as you are at home. He has been telling you about fires, has he?” - </p> - <p> - “Well, he has.” - </p> - <p> - “And talking of me, I suppose?” - </p> - <p> - “You were talking of having a turn at mining some day. How would it - be with you if you were to be off to Gympie?” - </p> - <p> - “You mean to say I’m to go, Mr. Medlicot?” - </p> - <p> - “I don’t say that at all.” - </p> - <p> - “Look here, Mr. Medlicot. My going or staying won’t make any - difference to Heathcote. There’s a lot of ’em about here hates - him that much that he is never to be allowed to rest in peace. I tell you - that fairly. It ain’t any thing as I shall do. Them’s not my - ways, Mr. Medlicot. But he has enemies here as’ll never let him - rest.” - </p> - <p> - “Who are they?” - </p> - <p> - “Pretty nigh every body round. He has carried himself that high they - won’t stand him. Who’s Heathcote?” - </p> - <p> - “Name some who are his enemies.” - </p> - <p> - “There’s the Brownbies.” - </p> - <p> - “Oh, the Brownbies. Well, it’s a bad thing to have enemies.” - After that he left the sugar-house and went across to the cottage. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER V. — BOSCOBEL. - </h2> - <p> - Two days and two nights passed without fear of fire, and then Harry - Heathcote was again on the alert. The earth was parched as though no drop - of rain had fallen. The fences were dry as tinder, and the ground was - strewed with broken atoms of timber from the trees, each of which a spark - would ignite. Two nights Harry slept in his bed, but on the third he was - on horseback about the run, watching, thinking, endeavoring to make - provision, directing others, and hoping to make it believed that his eyes - were every where. In this way an entire week was passed, and now it wanted - but four days to Christmas. He would come home to breakfast about seven in - the morning, very tired, but never owning that he was tired, and then - sleep heavily for an hour or two in a chair. After that he would go out - again on the run, would sleep perhaps for another hour after dinner, and - then would start for his night’s patrol. During this week he saw - nothing of Medlicot, and never mentioned his name but once. On that - occasion his wife told him that during his absence Medlicot had been at - the station. - </p> - <p> - “What brought him here?” Harry asked, fiercely. - </p> - <p> - Mrs. Heathcote explained that he had called in a friendly way, and had - said that if there were any fear of fire he would be happy himself to lend - assistance. - </p> - <p> - Then the young squatter forgot himself in his wrath. “Confound his - hypocrisy!” said Harry, aloud. “I don’t think he’s - a hypocrite,” said the wife. - </p> - <p> - “I’m sure he’s not,” said Kate Daly. - </p> - <p> - Not a word more was spoken, and Harry immediately left the house. The two - women did not as usual go to the gate to see him mount his horse, not - refraining from doing so in any anger, or as wishing to exhibit - displeasure at Harry’s violence, but because they were afraid of - him. They had found themselves compelled to differ from him, but were - oppressed at finding themselves in opposition to him. - </p> - <p> - The feeling that his wife should in any way take part against him added - greatly to Heathcote’s trouble. It produced in his mind a terrible - feeling of loneliness in his sorrow. He bore a brave outside to all his - men, and to any stranger whom in these days he met about the run—to - his wife and sister also, and to the old woman at home. He forced upon - them all an idea that he was not only autocratic, but self-sufficient also—that - he wanted neither help nor sympathy. He never cried out in his pain, being - heartily ashamed even of the appeal which he had made to Medlicot. He - spoke aloud and laughed with the men, and never acknowledged that his - trials were almost too much for him. But he was painfully conscious of his - own weakness. He sometimes felt, when alone in the bush, that he would - fain get off his horse, and lie upon the ground and weep till he slept. It - was not that he trusted no one. He suspected no one with a positive - suspicion, except Nokes, and Medlicot as the supporter of Nokes. But he - had no one with whom he could converse freely—none whom he had not - been accustomed to treat as the mere ministers of his will—except - his wife and his wife’s sister; and now he was disjoined from them - by their sympathy with Medlicot! He had chosen to manage every thing - himself without contradiction and almost without counsel; but, like other - such imperious masters, he now found that when trouble came the privilege - of dictatorship brought with it an almost unsupportable burden. - </p> - <p> - Old Bates was an excellent man, of whose fidelity the young squatter was - quite assured. No one understood foot-rot better than Old Bates, or was - less sparing of himself in curing it. He was a second mother to all the - lambs, and when shearing came watched with the eyes of Argus to see that - the sheep were not wounded by the shearers, or the wool left on their - backs. But he had no conversation, none of that imagination which in such - a time as this might have assisted in devising safeguards, and but little - enthusiasm. Shepherds, so called, Harry kept none upon the run; and would - have felt himself insulted had any one suggested that he was so backward - in his ways as to employ men of that denomination. He had fenced his run, - and dispensed with shepherds and shepherding as old-fashioned and - unprofitable. He had two mounted men, whom he called boundary riders, one - an Irishman and the other a German—and them he trusted fully, the - German altogether, and the Irishman equally as regarded his honesty. But - he could not explain to them the thoughts that loaded his brain. He could - instigate them to eagerness; but he could not condescend to tell Karl - Bender, the German, that if his fences were destroyed neither his means - nor his credit would be sufficient to put them up again, and that if the - scanty herbage were burned off any large proportion of his run, he must - sell his flocks at a great sacrifice. Nor could he explain to Mickey O’Dowd, - the Irishman, that his peace of mind was destroyed by his fear of one man. - He had to bear it all alone. And there was heavy on him also the great - misery of feeling that every thing might depend on own exertions, and that - yet he did not know how or where to exert himself. When he had ridden - about all night and discovered nothing, he might just as well have been in - bed. And he was continually riding about all night and discovering - nothing. - </p> - <p> - After leaving the station on the evening of the day on which he had - expressed himself to the women so vehemently respecting Medlicot, he met - Bates coming home from his day’s work. It was then past eight o’clock, - and the old man was sitting wearily on his horse, with his head low down - between his shoulders, and the reins hardly held within his grasp. - </p> - <p> - “You’re late, Mr. Bates,” said Harry; “you take - too much out of yourself this hot weather.” - </p> - <p> - “I’ve got to move slower, Mr. Heathcote, as I grow older. That’s - about it. And the beast I’m on is not much good.” Now Mr. - Bates was always complaining of his horse, and yet was allowed to choose - any on the run for his own use. - </p> - <p> - “If you don’t like him, why don’t you take another?” - </p> - <p> - “There ain’t much difference in ’em, Mr. Heathcote. - Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t. It’s - getting uncommon close shaving for them wethers in the new paddock. They’re - down upon the roots pretty well already.” - </p> - <p> - “There’s grass along the bush on the north side.” - </p> - <p> - “They won’t go there; it’s rank and sour. They won’t - feed up there as long as they can live lower down and nearer the water. - Weather like this, they’d sooner die near the water than travel to - fill their bellies. It’s about the hottest day we’ve had, and - the nights a’most hotter. Are you going to be out, Mr. Heathcote?” - </p> - <p> - “I think so.” - </p> - <p> - “What’s the good of it, Mr. Heathcote? There is no use in it. - Lord love you, what can yon do? You can’t be every side at once.” - </p> - <p> - “Fire can only travel with the wind, Mr. Bates.” - </p> - <p> - “And there isn’t any wind, and so there can’t be any - fire. I never did think, and I don’t think now, there ever was any - use in a man fashing himself as you fash yourself. You can’t alter - things, Mr. Heathcote.” - </p> - <p> - “But that’s just what I can do—what a man has to do. If - a match were thrown there at your feet, and the grass was aflame, couldn’t - you alter that by putting your foot on it? If you find a ewe on her back, - can’t you alter that by putting her on her legs?” - </p> - <p> - “Yes, I can do that, I suppose.” - </p> - <p> - “What does a man live for except to alter things? When a man clears - the forest and sows corn, does he not alter things?” - </p> - <p> - “That’s not your line, Mr. Heathcote,” said the cunning - old man. - </p> - <p> - “If I send wool to market, I alter things.” - </p> - <p> - “You’ll excuse me, Mr. Heathcote. Of course I’m old, but - I just give you my experience.” - </p> - <p> - “I’m much obliged to you; though we can’t always agree, - you know. Good-night. Go in and say a word to my wife, and tell them you - saw me all right.” - </p> - <p> - “I’ll have a crack with ’em, Mr. Heathcote, before I - turn in.” - </p> - <p> - “And tell Mary I sent my love.” - </p> - <p> - “I will, Mr. Heathcote; I will.” - </p> - <p> - He was thinking always of his wife during his solitary rides, and of her - fear and deep anxiety. It was for her sake and for the children that he - was so care-worn, not for his own. Had he been alone in the world he would - not have fretted himself in this fashion because of the malice of any man. - But how would it be with her should he be forced to move her from Gangoil? - And yet, with all his love, they had parted almost in anger. Surely she - would understand the tenderness of the message he had just sent her. - </p> - <p> - Of a sudden, as he was riding, he stopped his horse and listened - attentively. From a great distance there fell upon his accustomed ear a - sound which he recognized, though he was aware that the place from whence - it came was at least two miles distant. It was the thud of an axe against - a tree. He listened still, and was sure that it was so, and turned at once - toward the sound, though in doing so he left his course at a right angle. - He had been going directly away from the river, with his back to the - wool-shed; but now he changed his course, riding in the direction of the - spot at which Jacko had nearly fallen in jumping over the fence. As he - continued on, the sounds became plainer, till at last, reining in his - horse, he could see the form of the woodman, who was still at work ringing - the trees. This was a job which the man did by contract, receiving so much - an acre for the depopulation of the timber. It was now bright moonlight, - almost as clear as day—a very different night, indeed, from that on - which the rain had come—and Harry could see at a glance that it was - the man called Boscobel still at work. Now there were, as he thought, very - good reasons why Boscobel at the present moment should not be so employed. - Boscobel was receiving wages for work of another kind. - </p> - <p> - “Bos,” said the squatter, riding up, and addressing the man by - the customary abbreviation of his nickname, “I thought you were - watching at Brownbie’s boundary?” Boscobel lowered his axe, - and stood for a while contemplating the proposition made to him. “You - are drawing three shillings a night for watching; isn’t that so?” - </p> - <p> - “Yes, that’s so. Anyways, I shall draw it.” - </p> - <p> - “Then why ain’t you watching?” - </p> - <p> - “There’s nothing to watch that I knows on—not just now.” - </p> - <p> - “Then why should I pay you for it? I’m to pay you for ringing - these trees, ain’t I?” - </p> - <p> - “Certainly, Mr. Heathcote.” - </p> - <p> - “Then you’re to make double use of your time, and sell it - twice over, are you? Don’t try to look like a fool, as though you - didn’t understand. You know that what you’re doing isn’t - honest.” - </p> - <p> - “Nobody ever said as I wasn’t honest before.” - </p> - <p> - “I tell you so now. You’re robbing me of the time you’ve - sold to me, and for which I’m to pay you.” - </p> - <p> - “There ain’t nothing to watch while the wind’s as it is - now, and that chap ain’t any where about to-night.” - </p> - <p> - “What chap?” - </p> - <p> - “Oh, I know. I’m all right. What’s the use of dawdling - about up there in the broad moonlight, and the wind like this?” - </p> - <p> - “That’s for me to judge. If you engage to do my work and take - my money, you’re swindling me when you go about another job as you - are now. You needn’t scratch your head. You understand it all as - well as I do.” - </p> - <p> - “I never was told I swindled before, and I ain’t a-going to - put up with it. You may ring your own trees, and watch your own fences, - and the whole place may be burned for me. I ain’t a-going to do - another turn in Gangoil. Swindle, indeed!” So Boscobel shouldered - his axe, and marched off through the forest, visible in the moonlight till - the trees hid him. - </p> - <p> - There was another enemy made! He had never felt quite sure of this man, - but had been glad to have him about the place as being thoroughly - efficient in his own business. It was only during the last ten days that - he had agreed to pay him for night-watching, leaving the man to do as much - additional day-work as he pleased—for which, of course, he would be - paid at the regular contract price. There was a double purpose intended in - this watching—as was well understood by all the hands employed: - first, that of preventing incendiary fire by the mere presence of the - watchers; and secondly, that of being at hand to extinguish fire in case - of need. Now a man ringing trees five or six miles away from the beat on - which he was stationed could not serve either of these purposes. Boscobel - therefore had been fraudulently at work for his own dishonest purposes, - and knew well that his employment was of that nature. All this was quite - clear to Heathcote; and it was clear to him, also, that when he detected - fraud he was bound to expose it. Had the man acknowledged his fault and - been submissive, there would have been an end of the matter. Heathcote - would have said no word about it to any one, and would not have stopped a - farthing from the week’s unearned wages. That he had to encounter a - certain amount of ill usage from the rough men about him, and to forgive - it, he could understand; but it could not be his duty, either as a man or - a master, to pass over dishonesty without noticing it. No; that he would - not do, though Gangoil should burn from end to end. He did not much mind - being robbed. He knew that to a certain extent he must endure to be - cheated. He would endure it. But he would never teach his men to think - that he passed over such matters because he was afraid of them, or that - dishonesty on their part was indifferent to him. - </p> - <p> - But now he had made another enemy—an enemy of a man who had declared - to him that he knew the movements of “that chap,” meaning - Nokes! How hard the world was! It seemed that all around were trouble to - him. He turned his horse back, and made again for the spot which was his - original destination. As he cantered on among the trees, twisting here and - there, and regulating his way by the stars, he asked himself whether it - would not be better for him to go home and lay himself down by his wife - and sleep, and await the worst that these men could do to him. This idea - was so strong upon him that at one spot he made his horse stop till he had - thought it all out. No one encouraged him in his work. Every one about the - place, friend or foe, Bates, his wife, Medlicot, and this Boscobel, spoke - to him as though he were fussy and fidgety in his anxiety. “If fires - must come, they will come; and if they are not to come, you are simply - losing your labor.” This was the upshot of all they said to him. Why - should he be wiser than they? If the ruin came, let it come. Old Bates had - been ruined, but still had enough to eat and drink, and clothes to wear, - and did not work half as hard as his employer. He thought that if he could - only find some one person who would sympathize with him and support him, - he would not mind. But the mental loneliness of his position almost broke - his heart. - </p> - <p> - Then there came across his mind the dim remembrance of certain old school - words, and he touched his horse with his spur and hurried onward: “Let - there be no steps backward.” A thought as to the manliness of - persevering, of the want of manliness in yielding to depression, came to - his rescue. Let him, at any rate, have the comfort of thinking that he had - done his best according to his lights. After some dim fashion, he did come - to recognize it as a fact that nothing could really support him but - self-approbation. Though he fell from his horse in utter weariness, he - would persevere. - </p> - <p> - As the night wore on he came to the German’s hut, and finding it - empty, as he expected, rode on to the outside fence of his run. When he - reached this he got off his horse, and taking a key out of his pocket, - whistled upon it loudly. A few minutes afterward the German came up to - him. - </p> - <p> - “There’s been no one about, I suppose?” he asked. - </p> - <p> - “Not a one,” said the man. - </p> - <p> - “You’ve been across on Brownbie’s run?” - </p> - <p> - “We’re on it now, Mr. ‘Eathcote.” They were both - on the side of the fence away from Gangoil station. - </p> - <p> - “I don’t know how that is, Karl. I think Gangoil goes a - quarter of a mile beyond this. But we did not quite strike the boundary - when we put up the fence.” - </p> - <p> - “Brownbie’s cattle is allays here, Mr. ‘Eathcote, and is - knocking down the fence every day. Brownbie is a rascal, and ‘is - cattle as bad as ‘isself.” - </p> - <p> - “Never mind that, Karl, now. When we’ve got through the heats, - we’ll put a mile or two of better fencing along here. You know - Boscobel?” - </p> - <p> - “In course I know Bos.” - </p> - <p> - “What sort of a fellow is he?” Then Harry told his German - dependent exactly what had taken place between him and the other man. - </p> - <p> - “He’s in and in wid all them young Brownbies,” said - Karl. - </p> - <p> - “The Brownbies are a bad lot, but I don’t think they’d - do any thing of this kind,” said Harry, whose mind was still - dwelling on the dangers of fire. - </p> - <p> - “They likes muttons, Mr. ‘Eathcote.” - </p> - <p> - “I suppose they do take a sheep or two now and then. They wouldn’t - do worse than that, would they?” - </p> - <p> - “Not’ing too ‘ot for ’em; not’ing too - ‘eavy,” said Karl, smoking his pipe. “The vind, vat - there is, comes just here, Mr. ‘Eathcote.” And the man lifted - up his arm, and pointed across in the direction of Brownbie’s run. - </p> - <p> - “And you don’t think much of Boscobel?” - </p> - <p> - Karl Bender shook his head. - </p> - <p> - “He was always well treated here,” said Harry, “and has - had plenty of work, and earned large wages. The man will be a fool to - quarrel with me.” - </p> - <p> - Karl again shook his head. With Karl Bender, Harry was quite sure of his - man, but not on that account need he be quite sure of the correctness of - the man’s opinion. - </p> - <p> - Thence he went on till he met his other lieutenant, O’Dowd, and so, - having completed his work, he made his way home, reaching the station at - sunrise. - </p> - <p> - “Did Bates tell you he’d met me?” he asked his wife. - </p> - <p> - “Yes, Harry; kiss me, Harry. I was so glad you sent a word. Promise - me, Harry, not to think that I don’t agree with you in every thing.” - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER VI. — THE BROWNBIES OF BOOLABONG. - </h2> - <p> - Old Brownbie, as he was usually called, was a squatter also, but a - squatter of a class very different from that to which Heathcote belonged. - He had begun his life in the colonies a little under a cloud, having been - sent out from home after the perpetration of some peccadillo of which the - law had disapproved. - </p> - <p> - In colonial phrase, he was a “lag”—having been - transported; but this was many years ago, when he was quite young; and he - had now been a free man for more than thirty years. It must be owned on - his behalf that he had worked hard, had endeavored to rise, and had risen. - But there still stuck to him the savor of his old life. Every one knew - that he had been a convict; and even had he become a man of high principle—a - condition which he certainly never achieved—he could hardly have - escaped altogether from the thralldom of his degradation. He had been a - butcher, a drover, part owner of stock, and had at last become possessed - of a share of a cattle-run, and then of the entire property, such as it - was. He had four or five sons, uneducated, ill-conditioned, drunken - fellows, who had all their father’s faults without his energy, some - of whom had been in prison, and all of whom were known as pests to the - colony. Their place was called Boolabong, and was a cattle-run, as - distinguished from a sheep-run; but it was a poor place, was sometimes - altogether unstocked, and was supposed to be not unfrequently used as a - receptable for stolen cattle. - </p> - <p> - The tricks which the Brownbies played with cattle were notorious - throughout Queensland and New South Wales, and by a certain class of men - were much admired. They would drive a few head of cattle, perhaps forty or - fifty, for miles around the country, across one station and another, - traveling many hundreds of miles, and here and there, as they passed - along, they would sweep into their own herd the bullocks of the victims - whose lands they passed. If detected on the spot, they gave up their prey. - They were in the right in moving their own cattle, and were not - responsible for the erratic tendencies of other animals. If successful, - they either sold their stolen beasts to butchers on the road, or got them - home to Boolabong. There were dangers, of course, and occasional - penalties. But there was much success. It was supposed, also, that though - they did not own sheep, they preferred mutton for their daily uses, and - that they supplied themselves at a very cheap rate. - </p> - <p> - It may be imagined how such a family would be hated by the respectable - squatters on whom they preyed. Still there were men, old stagers, who had - know Moreton Bay before it was a colony—in the old days when - convicts were common—who almost regarded the Brownbies as a part of - the common order of things, and who were indisposed to persecute them. Men - must live; and what were a few sheep? Of some such it might be said, that - though they were above the arts by which the Brownbies lived, they were - not very scrupulous themselves; and it perhaps served them to have within - their ken neighbours whose morality was lower even than their own. But to - such a one as Harry Heathcote the Brownbies were utterly abominable. He - was for the law and justice at any cost. To his thinking, the Colonial - Government was grossly at fault, because it did not weed out and extirpate - not only the identical Brownbies, but all Brownbieism wherever it might be - found. A dishonest workman was a great evil, but, to his thinking, a - dishonest man in the position of master was the incarnation of evil. As to - the difficulties of evidence, and obstacles of that nature, Harry - Heathcote knew nothing. The Brownbies were rascals, and should therefore - be exterminated. - </p> - <p> - And the Brownbies knew well the estimation in which their neighbour held - them. Harry had made himself altogether disagreeable to them. They were - squatters as well as he—or at least so they termed themselves; and - though they would not have expected to be admitted to home intimacies, - they thought that when they were met out-of-doors or in public places, - they should be treated with some respect. On such occasions Harry treated - them as though they were dirt beneath his feet. The Brownbies would be - found, whenever a little money came among them, at the public - billiard-rooms and race-courses within one hundred and fifty miles of - Boolabong. At such places Harry Heathcote was never seen. It would have - been as easy to seduce the Bishop of Brisbane into a bet as Harry - Heathcote. He had never even drank a nobbler with one of the Brownbies. To - their thinking, he was a proud, stuck-up, unsocial young cub, whom to rob - was a pleasure, and to ruin would be a delight. - </p> - <p> - The old man at Boolabong was now almost obsolete. Property, that he could - keep in his grasp, there was in truth none. He was the tenant of the run - under the Crown, and his sons would not turn him out of the house. The - cattle, when there were cattle, belonged to them. They were in no respect - subject to his orders, and he would have had a bad life among them were it - not that they quarreled among themselves, and that in such quarrels he - could belong to one party or to the other. The house itself was a wretched - place—out of order, with doors and windows and floors shattered, - broken, and decayed. There were none of womankind belonging to the family, - and in such a house a decent woman-servant would have been out of her - place. Sometimes there was one hag there and sometimes another, and - sometimes feminine aid less respectable than that of the hags. There had - been six sons. One had disappeared utterly, so that nothing was known of - him. One had been absolutely expelled by the brethren, and was now a - vagabond in the country, turning up now and then at Boolabong and - demanding food. Of the whole lot Georgie Brownbie, the vagabond, was the - worst. The eldest son was at this time in prison at Brisbane, having on - some late occasion been less successful than usual in regard to some - acquired bullocks. The three youngest were at home—Jerry, Jack, and - Joe. Tom, who was in prison, was the only stanch friend to the father, who - consequently at this time was in a more than usually depressed condition. - </p> - <p> - Christmas-day would fall on a Tuesday, and on the Monday before it Jerry - Brownbie, the eldest of those now at home, was sitting, with a pipe in his - mouth, on a broken-down stool on the broken-down veranda of the house, and - the old man was seated on a stuffy, worn-out sofa with three legs, which - was propped against the wall of the house, and had not been moved for - years. Old Brownbie was a man of gigantic frame, and had possessed immense - personal power—a man, too, of will and energy; but he was now worn - out and dropsical, and could not move beyond the confines of the home - station. The veranda was attached to a big room which ran nearly the whole - length of the house, and which was now used for all purposes. There was an - exterior kitchen, in which certain processes were carried on—such as - salting stolen mutton and boiling huge masses of meat, when such work was - needed. But the cookery was generally done in the big room. And here also - two or three of the sons slept on beds made upon stretchers along the - wall. They were not probably very particular as to which owned each bed, - enjoying a fraternal communism in that respect. At the end of this chamber - the old man had a room of his own. Boolabong was certainly a miserable - place; and yet, such as it was, it was frequented by many guests. The - vagabondism of the colonies is proverbial. Vagabonds are taken in almost - every where throughout the bush. But the welcome given to them varies. - Sometimes they are made to work before they are fed—to their - infinite disgust. But no such cruelty was exercised at Boolabong. - Boolabong was a very Paradise for vagabonds. There was always flour and - meat to be had, generally tobacco, and sometimes even the luxury of a - nobbler. The Brownbies were wise enough to have learned that it was - necessary for their very existence that they should have friends in the - land. On the Sunday the father and Jerry Brownbie were sitting out in the - veranda at about noon, and the other two sons, Jack and Joe, were lying - asleep on the beds within. - </p> - <p> - The heat of the day was intense. There was a wind blowing, but it was that - which is called there the hot wind, which comes dry, scorching, sometimes - almost intolerable, over the burning central plain of the country. No one - can understand without feeling it how much a wind can add to the - sufferings inflicted by heat. The old man had on a dirty, wretched remnant - of a dressing-gown, but Jerry was clothed simply in trowsers and an old - shirt. Only that the mosquitoes would have flayed him, he would have - dispensed probably with these. He had been quarreling with his father - respecting a certain horse which he had sold, of the price of which the - father demanded a share. Jerry had unblushingly declared that he himself - had “shaken” the horse—Anglice, had stolen him—twelve - months since on Darnley Downs, and was therefore clearly entitled to the - entire plunder. The father had rejoined with animation that unless “half - a quid”—or ten shillings—were given him as his - contribution to the keep of the animal, he would inform against his son to - the squatter on the Darnley Downs, and had shown him that he knew the very - run from which the horse had been taken. Then the sons within had - interfered from their beds, swearing that their father was the noisiest - old “cuss” unhung, they having had their necessary slumbers - disturbed. - </p> - <p> - At this moment the debate was interrupted by the appearance of a man - outside the veranda. “Well, Mr. Jerry, how goes it?” asked the - stranger. “What, Bos, is that you? What brings you up to Boolabong? - I thought you was ringing trees for that young scut at Gangoil? I’ll - be even with him some of these days! He had the impudence to send a man of - his up here last week looking for sheep-skins.” - </p> - <p> - “He wasn’t that soft, Mr. Jerry, was he? Well, I’ve - dropped working for him.—How are you, Mr. Brownbie? I hope I see you - finely, Sir. It’s stiffish sort of weather, Mr. Brownbie, ain’t - it, Sir?” - </p> - <p> - The old man grunted out some reply, and then asked Boscobel what he - wanted. - </p> - <p> - “I’ll just hang about for the day, Mr. Brownbie, and get a - little grub. You never begrudged a working-man that yet.” - </p> - <p> - Old Brownbie again grunted, but said no word of welcome. That, however, - was to be taken for granted, without much expression of opinion. - </p> - <p> - “No, Mr. Jerry,” continued Boscobel, “I’ve done - with that fellow.” - </p> - <p> - “And so has Nokes done with him.” - </p> - <p> - “Nokes is at work on Medlicot’s Mill. That sugar business - wouldn’t suit me.” - </p> - <p> - “An axe in your hand is what you’re fit for, Bos.” - </p> - <p> - “There’s a many things I can turn my hand to, Mr. Jerry. You - couldn’t give a fellow such a thing as a nobbler, Mr. Jerry, could - you? I’d offer money for it, only I know it would be taken amiss. It’s - that hot that a fellow’s very in’ards get parched up.” - </p> - <p> - Upon this Jerry slowly rose, and going to a cupboard, brought forth a - modicum of spirits, which he called Battle-Axe, but which was supposed to - be brandy. This Boscobel swallowed at a gulp, and then washed it down with - a little water. - </p> - <p> - “Come, Jerry,” said the old man, somewhat relenting in his - wrath, “you might as well give us a drop, as it’s going about.” - The two brothers, who had now been thoroughly aroused from their sleep, - and who had heard the enticing sound of the spirit bottle, joined the - party, and so they drank all round. - </p> - <p> - “Heathcote’s in an awful state about them fires, ain’t - he?” asked Jerry. - </p> - <p> - Boscobel, who had squatted down on the veranda, and was now lighting his - pipe, bobbed his head. - </p> - <p> - “I wish he was clean burned out—over head and ears,” - said Jerry. - </p> - <p> - Boscobel bobbed his head again, sucking with great energy at the closely - staffed pipe. - </p> - <p> - “If he treated me like he does you fellows,” continued Jerry, - “he shouldn’t have a yard of fencing or a blade of grass left—nor - a ewe, nor a lamb, nor a hogget. I do hate fellows who come here and want - to be better than any one about ’em—young chaps especially. - Sending up here to look for sheep-skins, cuss his impudence! I sent that - German fellow of his away with a flea in his ear.” - </p> - <p> - “Karl Bender?” - </p> - <p> - “It’s some such name as that.” - </p> - <p> - “He’s all in all with the young squire,” said Boscobel. - “And there’s a chap there called Jacko—he’s - another. He gets ’em down there to Gangoil, and the ladies talks to - ’em, and then they’d go through fire and water for him. There’s - Mickey—he’s another, jist the same way. I don’t like - them ways, myself.” - </p> - <p> - “Too much of master and man about it, ain’t there, Bos?” - </p> - <p> - “Just that, Mr. Jerry. That ain’t my idea of a free country. I - can work as well as another, but I ain’t going to be told that I’m - a swindler because I’m making the most of my time.” - </p> - <p> - “He turned Nokes out by the scruff of his neck?” said Jerry. - Boscobel again bobbed his head. “I didn’t think Nokes was the - sort of fellow to stand that.” - </p> - <p> - “No more he ain’t,” said Boscobel. - </p> - <p> - “Heathcote’s a good plucked un all the same,” said Joe. - </p> - <p> - “It’s like you to speak up for such a fellow is that,” - said Jerry. - </p> - <p> - “I say he’s a good plucked un. I’m not standing up for - him. Nokes is half a stone heavier than him, and ought to have knocked him - over. That’s what you’d’ve done, wouldn’t you, - Bos? I know I would.” - </p> - <p> - “He’d ‘ve had my axe at his head,” said Boscobel. - </p> - <p> - “We all know Joe’s game to the backbone,” said Jerry. - </p> - <p> - “I’m game enough for you, anyway,” said the brother. - “And you can try it out any time you like.” - </p> - <p> - “That’s right; fight like dogs, do,” said the old man. - </p> - <p> - The quarrel at this point was interrupted by the arrival of another man, - who crept up round the corner on to the veranda exactly as Boscobel had - done. This was Nokes, of whom they had that moment been speaking. There - was silence for a few moments among them, as though they feared that he - might have heard them, and Nokes stood hanging his head as though half - ashamed of himself. Then they gave him the same kind of greeting as the - other men had received. Nobody told him that he was welcome, but the - spirit jar was again brought into use, Jerry measuring out the liquor, and - it was understood that Nokes was to stay there and get his food. He too - gave some account of himself, which was supposed to suffice, but which - they all knew to be false. It was Sunday, and they were off work at the - sugar-mill. He had come across Gangoil run, intending to take back with - him things of his own which he had left as Bender’s hut, and having - come so far, had thought that he would come on and get his dinner at - Boolabong. As this was being told, a good deal was said of Harry - Heathcote. Nokes declared that he had come right across Gangoil, and - explained that he would not have been at all sorry to meet Master - Heathcote in the bush. Master Heathcote had had his own way up at the - station when he was backed by a lot of his own hands; but a good time was - coming, perhaps. Then Nokes gave it to be understood very plainly that it - was the settled practice of his life to give Harry Heathcote a thrashing. - During all this there was an immense amount of bad language, and a large - portion of the art which in the colony is called “blowing.” - Jerry, Boscobel, and Nokes all boasted, each that on the first occasion he - would give Harry Heathcote such a beating that a whole bone should hardly - be left in the man’s skin. - </p> - <p> - “There isn’t one of you man enough to touch him,” said - Joe, who was known as the freest fighter of the Brownbie family. - </p> - <p> - “And you’d eat him, I suppose,” said Jerry. - </p> - <p> - “He’s not likely to come in my way,” said Joe; “but - if he does, he’ll get as good as he brings. That’s all.” - </p> - <p> - This was unpleasant to the visitors, who, of course, felt themselves to be - snubbed. Boscobel affected to hear the slight put upon his courage with - good humor, but Nokes laid himself down in a corner and sulked. They were - soon all asleep, and remained dozing, snoring, changing their - uncomfortable positions, and cursing the mosquitoes, till about four in - the afternoon, when Boscobel got up, shook himself, and made some - observation about “grub.” The meal of the day was then - prepared. A certain quantity of flour and raw meat, ample for their - immediate wants, was given to the two strangers, with which they retired - into the outer kitchen, prepared it for themselves, and there ate their - dinner, and each of the brothers did the same for himself in the big room—Joe, - the fighting brother, providing for his father’s wants as well as - his own. One of them had half a leg of cold mutton, so that he was saved - the trouble of cooking, but he did not offer to share this comfort with - the others. An enormous kettle of tea was made, and that was common among - them. While this was being consumed, Boscobel put his head into the room, - and suggested that he and his mate wanted a drink. Whereupon Jerry, - without a word, pointed to the kettle, and Boscobel was allowed to fill - two pannikins. Such was the welcome which was always accorded to strangers - in Boolabong. - </p> - <p> - After their meal the men came back on to the veranda, and there were more - smoking and sleeping, more boasting and snarling. Different allusions were - made to the spirit jar, especially by the old man; but they were made in - vain. The “Battle-Axe” was Jerry’s own property, and he - felt that he had already been almost foolishly liberal. But he had an - object in view. He was quite sure that Boscobel and Nokes had not come to - Boolabong on the same Sunday by any chance coincidence. The men had - something to propose, and in their own way they would make the proposition - before they left, and would make it probably to him. Boscobel intended to - sleep at Boolabong, but Nokes had explained that it was his purpose to - return that night to Medlicot’s Mill. The proposition no doubt would - be made soon—a little after seven, when the day was preparing to - give way suddenly to night. Nokes first walked off, sloping out from the - veranda in a half-shy, half-cunning manner, looking nowhither, and saying - a word to no one. Quickly after him Boscobel jumped up suddenly, hitched - up his trowsers, and followed the first man. At about a similar interval - Jerry passed out through the big room to the yard at the back, and from - the yard to a shed that was used as a shambles. Here he found the other - two men, and no doubt the proposition was made. - </p> - <p> - “There’s something up,” said the old man, as soon as - Jerry was gone. - </p> - <p> - “Of course there’s something up,” said Joe. “Those - fellows didn’t come all the way to Boolabong for nothing.” - </p> - <p> - “It’s something about young Heathcote,” suggested the - father. - </p> - <p> - “If it is,” said Jack, “what’s that to you?” - </p> - <p> - “They’ll get themselves hanged, that’s all about it.” - </p> - <p> - “That be blowed,” said Jack; “you go easy and hold your - tongue. If you know nothing, nobody can hurt you.” - </p> - <p> - “I know nothing,” said Joe, “and don’t mean. If I - had scores to quit with a fellow like Harry Heathcote, I should do it - after my own fashion. I shouldn’t get Boscobel to help me, nor yet - such a fellow as Nokes. But it’s no business of mine. Heathcote’s - made the place too hot to hold him. That’s all about it.” - There was no more said, and in an hour’s time Jerry returned, to the - family. Neither the father nor brother asked him any questions, nor did he - volunteer any information. - </p> - <p> - Boolabong was about fourteen miles from Medlicot’s Mill. Nokes had - walked this distance in the morning, and now retraced it at night—not - going right across Gangoil, as he had falsely boasted of doing early in - the day, but skirting it, and keeping on the outside of the fence nearly - the whole distance. At about two in the morning he reached his cottage - outside the mill on the river-bank; but he was unable to skulk in unheard. - Some dogs made a noise, and presently he heard a voice calling him from - the house. “Is that you, Nokes, at this time of night?” asked - Mr. Medlicot. Nokes grunted out some reply, intending to avoid any further - question. But his master came up to the hut door and asked him where he - had been. - </p> - <p> - “Just amusing myself,” said Nokes. - </p> - <p> - “It’s very late.” - </p> - <p> - “It’s not later for me than for you, Mr. Medlicot.” - </p> - <p> - “That’s true. I’ve just ridden home from - </p> - <p> - “From Gangoil? I didn’t know you were so friendly there, Mr. - Medlicot.” - </p> - <p> - “And where have you been?” - </p> - <p> - “Not to Gangoil, anyway. Good-night, Mr. Medlicot.” Then the - man took himself into his hut, and was safe from further questioning that - night. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER VII. — “I WISH YOU’D LIKE ME.” - </h2> - <p> - All the Saturday night Heathcote had been on the run, and he did not - return home to bed till nearly dawn on the Sunday morning. At about noon - prayers were read out on the veranda, the congregation consisting of Mrs. - Heathcote and her sister, Mrs. Growler, and Jacko. Harry himself was - rather averse to this performance, intimating that Mrs. Growler, if she - were so minded, could read the prayers for herself in the kitchen, and - that, as regarded Jacko, they would be altogether thrown away. But his - wife had made a point of maintaining the practice, and he had of course - yielded. The service was not long, and when it was over Harry got into a - chair and was soon asleep. He had been in the saddle during sixteen hours - of the previous day and night, and was entitled to be fatigued. His wife - sat beside him, every now and again protecting him from the flies, while - Kate Daly sat by with her Bible in her hand. But she, too, from time to - time, was watching her brother-in-law. The trouble of his spirits and the - work that he felt himself bound to do touched them with a strong feeling, - and taught them to regard him for the time as a young hero. - </p> - <p> - “How quietly he sleeps!” Kate said. “The fatigue of the - last week must have been terrible.” - </p> - <p> - “He is quite, quite knocked up,” said the wife. - </p> - <p> - “I ain’t knocked up a bit,” said Harry, jumping up from - his chair. “What should knock me up? I wasn’t asleep, was I?” - </p> - <p> - “Just dozing, dear.” - </p> - <p> - “Ah, well; there isn’t any thing to do, and it’s too hot - to get out. I wonder Old Bates didn’t come in for prayers.” - </p> - <p> - “I don’t think he cares much for prayers,” said Mrs. - Heathcote. - </p> - <p> - “But he likes an excuse for a nobbler as well as any one. Did I tell - you that they had fires over at Jackson’s yesterday—at - Goolaroo?” - </p> - <p> - “Was there any harm done?” - </p> - <p> - “A deal of grass burned, and they had to drive the sheep, which won’t - serve them this kind of weather. I don’t know which I fear most—the - grass, the fences, or the sheep. As for the buildings, I don’t think - they’ll try that again.” - </p> - <p> - “Why not, Harry?” - </p> - <p> - “The risk of being seen is too great. I can hardly understand that a - man like Nokes should have been such a fool as he was.” - </p> - <p> - “You think it was Nokes?” - </p> - <p> - “Oh yes, certainly. In the first place, Jacko is as true as steel. I - don’t mean to swear by the boy, though I think he is a good boy. But - I’m sure he’s true in this. And then the man’s manner to - myself was conclusive. I can not understand a man in Medlicot’s - position supporting a fellow like that. By Heavens! it nearly drives me - mad to think of it. Thousands and thousands of pounds are at stake. All - that a man has in the world is exposed to the malice of a scoundrel like - Nokes! And then a man who calls himself a gentleman will talk about it - being un-English to look after him. He’s a ‘new chum;’ I - suppose that’s his excuse.” - </p> - <p> - “If it’s a sufficient excuse, you should excuse him,” - said Kate, with good feminine logic. - </p> - <p> - “That’s just like you all over. He’s good-looking, and - therefore it’s all right. He ought to have learned better. He ought, - at any rate, to believe that men who have been here much longer than he - has must know the ways of the country a great deal better.” - </p> - <p> - “It’s Christmas-time, Harry,” said his wife, “and - you should endeavor to forgive your neighbors.” - </p> - <p> - “What sort of a Christmas will it be if you and I, and these young - fellows here, and Kate, are all burned out of Gangoil? Here’s Bates.—Well, - Mr. Bates, how goes it?” - </p> - <p> - “Tremendous hot, Sir.” - </p> - <p> - “We’ve found that out already. You haven’t heard where - that fellow Boscobel has gone?” - </p> - <p> - “No; I haven’t heard. But he’ll be over with some of - those Brownbie lads. They say Georgie Brownbie’s about the country - somewhere. If so, there’ll be a row among ’em.” - </p> - <p> - “When thieves fall out, Mr. Bates, honest men come by their own.” - </p> - <p> - “So they say, Mr. Heathcote. All the same, I shouldn’t care - how far Georgie was away from any place I had to do with.” Then the - young master and his old superintendent sauntered out to his back premises - to talk about sheep and fires, and plans for putting out fires. And no - doubt Mr. Bates had the glass of brandy-and-water which he had come to - regard as one of his Sunday luxuries. From the back premises they went - down to the creek to gauge the water. Then they sauntered on, keeping - always in the shade, sitting down here to smoke, and standing up there to - discuss the pedigree of some particular ram, till it was past six. - </p> - <p> - “You may as well come in and dine with us, Mr. Bates,” Harry - suggested, as they returned toward the station. - </p> - <p> - Mr. Bates said that he thought that he would. As the same invitation was - given on almost every Sunday throughout the year, and was invariably - answered in the same way, there was not much excitement in this. But Mr. - Bates would not have dreamed of going in to dinner without being asked. - </p> - <p> - “That’s Medlicot’s trap,” said Mr. Bates, as they - entered the yard. “I heard wheels when they were in the horse - paddock.” - </p> - <p> - Harry looked at the trap, and then went quickly into the house. - </p> - <p> - He walked with a rapid step onto the veranda, and there he found the sugar - grower and his mother. Mrs. Heathcote looked at her husband almost - timidly. She knew from the very sound of his feet that he was perturbed in - spirit. Under his own roof-tree he would certainly be courteous; but there - is a constrained courtesy very hard to be borne, of which she knew him to - be capable. He first went up to the old lady, and to her his greeting was - pleasant enough. Harry Heathcote, though he had assumed the bush mode of - dressing, still retained the manners of a high-bred gentleman in his - intercourse with women. Then, turning sharply round, he gave his hand to - Mr. Medlicot. - </p> - <p> - “I am glad to see you at Gangoil,” he said; “I was not - fortunate enough to be at home when you called the other day. Mrs. - Medlicot must have found the drive very hot, I fear.” - </p> - <p> - His wife was still looking into his face, and was reading there, as in a - book, the mingled pride and disdain with which her husband exercising - civility to his enemy. Harry’s countenance wore a look not difficult - of perusal, and Medlicot could read the lines almost as distinctly as - Harry’s wife. - </p> - <p> - “I have asked Mrs. Medlicot to stay and dine with us,” she - said, “so that she may have it cool for the drive back.” - </p> - <p> - “I am almost afraid of the bush at night,” said the old woman. - </p> - <p> - “You’ll have a full moon,” said Harry; “it will be - as light as day.” So that was settled. Heathcote thought it odd that - the man whom he regarded as his enemy, whom he had left at their last - meeting in positive hostility, should consent to accept a dinner under his - roof; but that was Medlicot’s affair, not his. - </p> - <p> - They dined at seven, and after dinner strolled out into the horse paddock, - and down to the creek. As they started, the three men went first, and the - ladies followed them; but Bates soon dropped behind. It was his rest day, - and he had already moved quite as much as was usual with him on a Sunday. - </p> - <p> - “I think I was a little hard with you the other day,” said - Medlicot, when they were alone together. - </p> - <p> - “I suppose we hardly understand each other’s ideas,” - said Harry. He spoke with a constrained voice, and with an almost savage - manner, engendered by a determination to hold his own. He would forgive - any offense for which an apology was made, but no apology had been made as - yet; and, to tell the truth, he was a little afraid that if they got into - an argument on the matter Medlicot would have the best of it. And there - was, too, almost a claim to superiority in Medlicot’s use of the - word “hard.” When one man says that he has been hard to - another, he almost boasts that, on that occasion, he got the better of - him. - </p> - <p> - “That’s just it,” said Medlicot; “we do not quite - understand each other. But we might believe in each other all the same, - and then the understanding would come. But it isn’t just that which - I want to say; such talking rarely does any good.” - </p> - <p> - “What is it, then?” - </p> - <p> - “You may perhaps be right about that man Nokes.” - </p> - <p> - “No doubt I may. I know I’m right. When I asked him whether he’d - been at my shed, what made him say that he hadn’t been there at - night-time? I said nothing about night-time. But the man was there at - night-time, or he wouldn’t have used the word.” - </p> - <p> - “I’m not sure that that is evidence.” - </p> - <p> - “Perhaps not in England, Mr. Medlicot, but it’s good enough - evidence for the bush. And what made him pretend he didn’t know the - distances? And why can’t he look a man in the face? And why should - the boy have said it was he if it wasn’t? Of course, if you think - well of him you’re right to keep him. But you may take it as a rule - out here that when a man has been dismissed it hasn’t been done for - nothing. Men treated that way should travel out of the country. It’s - better for all parties. It isn’t here as it is at home, where people - live so thick together that nothing is thought of a man being dismissed. I - was obliged to discharge him, and now he’s my enemy.” - </p> - <p> - “A man may be your enemy without being a felon.” - </p> - <p> - “Of course he may. I’m his enemy in a way, but I wouldn’t - hurt a hair of his head unjustly. When I see the attempts made to burn me - out, of course I know that an enemy has been at work.” - </p> - <p> - “Is there no one else has got a grudge against you?” - </p> - <p> - Harry was silent for a moment. What right had this man to cross-examine - him about his enmities—the man whose own position in the place had - been one of hostility to him, whom he had almost suspected of harboring - Nokes at the mill simply because Nokes had been dismissed from Gangoil? - That suspicion was, indeed, fading away. There was something in Medlicot’s - voice and manner which made it impossible to attribute such motives to - him. Nevertheless the man was a free-selector, and had taken a bit of the - Gangoil run after a fashion which to Heathcote was objectionable - politically, morally, and socially. Let Medlicot in regard to character be - what he might, he was a free-selector, and a squatter’s enemy, and - had clinched his hostility by employing a servant dismissed from the very - run out of which he had bought his land. “It is hard to say,” - he replied at length, “who have grudges, as against whom, or why. I - suppose I have a great grudge against you, if the truth is to be known; - but I sha’n’t burn down your mill.” - </p> - <p> - “I’m sure you won’t.” - </p> - <p> - “Nor yet say worse of you behind your back than I will to your face.” - </p> - <p> - “I don’t want you to think that you have occasion to speak ill - of me, either one way or the other. What I mean is this—I don’t - quite think that the evidence against Nokes is strong enough to justify me - in sending him away; but I’ll keep an eye on him as well as I can. - It seems that he left our place early this morning; but the men are not - supposed to be there on Sundays, and of course he does as he pleases with - himself.” - </p> - <p> - The conversation then dropped, and in a little time Harry made some excuse - for leaving them, and returned to the house alone, promising, however, - that he would not start for his night’s ride till after the party - had come back to the station. “There is no hurry at all,” he - said; “I shan’t stir for two hours yet, but Mickey will be - waiting there for stores for himself and the German.” - </p> - <p> - “That means a nobbler for Mickey,” said Kate. “Either of - those men would think it a treat to ride ten miles in and ten miles back, - with a horse-load of sugar and tea and flour, for the sake of a glass of - brandy-and-water.” - </p> - <p> - “And so would you,” said Harry, “if you lived in a hut - by yourself for a fortnight, with nothing to drink but tea without milk.” - </p> - <p> - The old lady and Mrs. Heathcote were soon seated on the grass, while - Medlicot and Kate Daly roamed on together. Kate was a pretty, modest girl, - timid withal and shy, unused to society, and therefore awkward, but with - the natural instincts and aptitudes of her sex. What the glass of - brandy-and-water was to Mickey O’Dowd after a fortnight’s - solitude in a bush hut, with tea, dampers, and lumps of mutton, a young - man in the guise of a gentleman was to poor Kate Daly. A brother-in-law, - let him be ever so good, is after all no better than tea without milk. No - doubt Mickey O’Dowd often thought about a nobbler in his thirsty - solitude, and so did Kate speculate on what might possibly be the - attractions of a lover. Medlicot probably indulged in no such - speculations; but the nobbler, when brought close to his lips, was - grateful to him as to others. That Kate Daly was very pretty no man could - doubt. - </p> - <p> - “Isn’t it sad that he should have to ride about all night like - that?” said Kate, to whom, as was proper, Harry Heathcote at the - present moment was of more importance than any other human being. - </p> - <p> - “I suppose he likes it.” - </p> - <p> - “Oh no, Mr. Medlicot; how can he like it? It is not the hard work he - minds, but the constant dread of coming evil.” - </p> - <p> - “The excitement keeps him alive.” - </p> - <p> - “There’s plenty on a station to keep a man alive in that way - at all times.” - </p> - <p> - “And plenty to keep ladies alive too?” - </p> - <p> - “Oh, ladies! I don’t know that ladies have any business in the - bush. Harry’s trouble is all about my sister and the children and - me. He wouldn’t care a straw for himself.” - </p> - <p> - “Do you think he’d be better without a wife?” - </p> - <p> - Kate hesitated for a moment. “Well, no. I suppose it would be very - rough without Mary; and he’d be so lonely when he came in.” - </p> - <p> - “And nobody to make his tea.” - </p> - <p> - “Or to look after his things,” said Kate, earnestly. “I - know it was very rough before we came here. He says that himself. There - were no regular meals, but just food in a cupboard when he chose to get - it.” - </p> - <p> - “That is not comfortable, certainly.” - </p> - <p> - “Horrid, I should think. I suppose it is better for him to be - married. You’ve got your mother, Mr. Medlicot.” - </p> - <p> - “Yes: I’ve got my mother.” - </p> - <p> - “That makes a difference, does it not?” - </p> - <p> - “A very great difference. She’ll save me from having to go to - a cupboard for my bread and meat.” - </p> - <p> - “I suppose having a woman about is better for a man. They haven’t - got any thing else to do, and therefore they can look to things.” - </p> - <p> - “Do you help to look to things?” - </p> - <p> - “I suppose I do something. I often feel ashamed to think how very - little it is. As for that, I’m not wanted at all.” - </p> - <p> - “So that you’re free to go elsewhere?” - </p> - <p> - “I didn’t mean that, Mr. Medlicot; only I know I’m not - of much use.” - </p> - <p> - “But if you had a house of your own?” - </p> - <p> - “Gangoil is my home just as much as it is Mary’s; and I - sometimes feel that Harry is just as good to me as he is to Mary.” - </p> - <p> - “Your sister will never leave Gangoil.” - </p> - <p> - “Not unless Harry gets another station.” - </p> - <p> - “But you will have to be transplanted some day.” - </p> - <p> - Kate merely chucked up her head and pouted her lips, as though to show - that the proposition was one which did not deserve an answer. - </p> - <p> - “You’ll marry a squatter, of course, Miss Daly?” - </p> - <p> - “I don’t suppose I shall ever marry any body, Mr. Medlicot.” - </p> - <p> - “You wouldn’t marry any one but a squatter? I can quite - understand that. The squatters here are what the lords and the country - gentlemen are at home.” - </p> - <p> - “I can’t even picture to myself what sort of life people live - at home.” Both Medlicot and Kate Daly meant England when they spoke - of home. - </p> - <p> - “There isn’t so much difference as people think. Classes hang - together just in the same way; only I think there’s a little more - exclusiveness here than there was there.” - </p> - <p> - In answer to this, Kate asserted with innocent eagerness that she was not - at all exclusive, and that if ever she married any one she’d marry - the man she liked. - </p> - <p> - “I wish you’d like me,” said Medlicot. - </p> - <p> - “That’s nonsense,” said Kate, in a low, timid whisper, - hurrying away to rejoin the other ladies. She could speculate on the - delights of the beverage as would Mickey O’Dowd in his hut; but when - it was first brought to her lips she could only fly away from it. In this - respect Mickey O’Dowd was the more sensible of the two. No other - word was spoken that night between them, but Kate lay awake till morning - thinking of the one word that had been spoken. But the secret was kept - sacredly within her own bosom. - </p> - <p> - Before the Medlicots started that night the old lady made a proposition - that the Heathcotes and Miss Daly should eat the Christmas dinner at - Medlicot’s Mill. Mrs. Heathcote, thinking perhaps of her sister, - thoroughly liking what she herself had seen of the Medlicots, looked - anxiously into Harry’s face. If he would consent to this, an - intimacy would follow, and probably a real friendship be made. - </p> - <p> - “It’s out of the question,” he said. The very firmness, - however, with which he spoke gave a certain cordiality even to his - refusal. “I must be at home, so that the men may know where to find - me till I go out for the night.” Then, after a pause, he continued, - “As we can’t go to you, why should you not come to us?” - </p> - <p> - So it was at last decided, much to Harry’s own astonishment, much to - his wife’s delight. Kate, therefore, when she lay awake, thinking of - the one word that had been spoken, knew that there would be an opportunity - for another word. - </p> - <p> - Medlicot drove his mother home safely, and, after he had taken her into - the house, encountered Nokes on his return from Boolabong, as has been - told at the close of the last chapter. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER VIII. — “I DO WISH HE WOULD COME!” - </h2> - <p> - On the Monday morning Harry came home as usual, and, as usual, went to bed - after his breakfast. “I wouldn’t care about the heat if it - were not for the wind,” he said to his wife, as he threw himself - down. - </p> - <p> - “The wind carries it so, I suppose.” - </p> - <p> - “Yes; and it comes from just the wrong side—from the - northwest. There have been half a dozen fires about to-day.” - </p> - <p> - “During the night, you mean.” - </p> - <p> - “No; yesterday—Sunday. I can not make out whether they come by - themselves. They certainly are not all made by incendiaries.” - </p> - <p> - “Accidents, perhaps.” - </p> - <p> - “Well, yes. Somebody drops a match, and the sun ignites it. But the - chances are much against a fire like that spreading. Care is wanted to - make it spread. As far as I can learn, the worst fires have not been just - after midday, when, of course, the heat is greater, but in the early - night, before the dews have come. All the same, I feel that I know nothing - about it—nothing at all. Don’t let me sleep long.” - </p> - <p> - In spite of this injunction, Mrs. Heathcote determined that he should - sleep all day if he would. Even the nights were fearfully hot and sultry, - and on this Monday morning he had come home much fatigued. He would be out - again at sunset, and now he should have what rest nature would allow him. - But in this resolve she was opposed by Jacko, who came in at eleven, and - requested to see the master. Jacko had been over with the German; and, as - he explained to Mrs. Heathcote, they two had been in and out, sometimes - sleeping and sometimes watching. But now he wanted to see the master, and - under no persuasion would impart his information to the mistress. The poor - wife, anxious as she was that her husband should sleep, did not dare in - these perilous times to ignore Jacko and his information, and therefore - gently woke the sleeper. In a few minutes Jacko was standing by the young - squatter’s bedside, and Harry Heathcote, quite awake, was sitting up - and listening. “George Brownbie’s at Boolabong.” That at - first was the gravamen of Jacko’s news. - </p> - <p> - “I know that already, Jacko.” - </p> - <p> - “My word!” exclaimed Jacko. In those parts Georgie Brownbie - was regarded almost as the Evil One himself, and Jacko, knowing what - mischief was, as it were, in the word, thought that he was entitled to - bread and jam, if not to a nobbler itself, in bringing such tidings to - Gangoil. - </p> - <p> - “Is that all?” asked Heathcote. - </p> - <p> - “And Bos is at Boolabong, and Bill Nokes was there all Sunday, and - Jerry Brownbie’s been out with Bos and Georgie.” - </p> - <p> - “The old man wouldn’t say any thing of that kind, Jacko.” - </p> - <p> - “The old man! He knows nothing about it. My word! they don’t - tell him about nothing.” - </p> - <p> - “Or Tom?” - </p> - <p> - “Tom’s away in prison. They always cotches the best when they - want to send ’em to prison. If they’d lock up Jerry and - Georgie and Jack! My word! yes.” - </p> - <p> - “You think they’re arranging it all at Boolabong?” - </p> - <p> - “In course they are.” - </p> - <p> - “I don’t see why Boscobel shouldn’t be at Boolabong - without intending me any harm. Of course he’d go there when he left - Gangoil. That’s where they all go.” - </p> - <p> - “And Bill Nokes, Mr. Harry?” - </p> - <p> - “And Bill Nokes too. Though why he should travel so far from his - work this weather I can’t say.” - </p> - <p> - “My word! no, Mr. Harry.” - </p> - <p> - “Did you see any fires about your way last night?” - </p> - <p> - Jacko shook his head. - </p> - <p> - “You go into the kitchen and get something to eat, and wait for me. - I shall be out before long now.” - </p> - <p> - Though Heathcote had made light of the assemblage of evil spirits at - Boolabong which had seemed so important to Jacko, he by no means did - regard the news as unessential. Of Nokes’s villany he was convinced. - Of Boscobel he had imprudently made a second enemy at a most inauspicious - time. Georgie Brownbie had long been his bitter foe. He had prosecuted - and, perhaps, persecuted Georgie for various offenses; but as Georgie was - supposed to be as much at war with his own brethren as with the rest of - the world at large, Heathcote had not thought much of that miscreant in - the present emergency. But if the miscreant were in truth at Boolabong, - and if evil things were being plotted against Gangoil, Georgie would - certainly be among the conspirators. - </p> - <p> - Soon after noon Harry was on horseback and Jacko was at his heels. The - heat was more intense than ever. Mrs. Heathcote had twisted round Harry’s - hat a long white scarf, called a puggeree, though we are by no means sure - of our spelling. Jacko had spread a very dirty fragment of an old white - handkerchief on his head, and wore his hat over it. Mrs. Heathcote had - begged Harry to take a large cotton parasol, and he had nearly consented, - being unable at last to reconcile himself to the idea of riding with such - an accoutrement even in the bush. “The heat’s a bore,” - he said, “but I’m not a bit afraid of it as long as I keep - moving. Yes, I’ll be back to dinner, though I won’t say when, - and I won’t say for how long. It will be the same thing all day - to-morrow. I wish with all my heart those people were not coming.” - </p> - <p> - He rode straight away to the German’s hut, which was on the - northwestern extremity of his further paddock in that direction. From - thence the western fence ran in a southerly direction, nearly straight to - the river. Beyond the fence was a strip of land, in some parts over a mile - broad, in others not much over a quarter of a mile, which he claimed as - belonging to Gangoil, but over which the Brownbies had driven their cattle - since the fence had been made, under the pretense that the fence marked - the boundary of two runs. Against this assumption Heathcote had - remonstrated frequently, had driven the cattle back, and had exercised the - ownership of a Crown tenant in such fashion as the nature of his - occupation allowed. Beyond this strip was Boolabong; the house at - Boolabong being not above three miles distant from the fence, and not - above four miles from the German’s hut. So that the Brownbies were - in truth much nearer neighbors to the German than was Heathcote and his - family. But between the German and the Brownbies there raged an - internecine feud. No doubt Harry Heathcote, in his heart, liked the German - all the better on this account; but it behooved him both as a master and a - magistrate to regard reports against Boolabong coming from the German with - something of suspicion. Now Jacko had been introduced to Gangoil under - German auspices, and had soon come to a decision that it would be a good - thing and a just to lock up all the Brownbies in the great jail of the - colony at Brisbane. He probably knew nothing of law or justice in the - abstract, but he greatly valued law when exercised against those he hated. - The western fence of which mention has been made ran down to the Mary - River, hitting it about four miles west of Medlicot’s Mill; so that - there was a considerable portion of the Gangoil run having a frontage to - the water. As has been before said, Medlicot’s plantation was about - fourteen miles distant from the house at Boolabong, and the distance from - the Gangoil house to that of the Brownbies was about the same. - </p> - <p> - The oppressiveness of the day was owing more to the hot wind than to the - sun itself. This wind, coming from the arid plains of the interior, - brought with it a dry, suffocating heat. On this occasion it was odious to - Harry Heathcote, not so much on account of its own intrinsic abominations, - as because it might cause a fire to sweep across his run from its western - boundary. Just beyond the boundary there lay Boolabong, and there were - collected his enemies. A fire that should have passed for a mile or so - across the pastures outside and beyond his own farm would be altogether - unextinguishable by the time that it had reached his paddock. The - Brownbies, as he knew well, would care nothing for burning a patch of - their own grass. Their stock, if they had any at the present moment, were - much too few in number to be affected by such a loss. The Brownbies had - not a yard of fencing to be burned; and a fire, if once it got a hold on - the edge of their run, would pass on away from them, right across Harry’s - pastures and Harry’s fences. If such were the case, he would have - quite enough to do to drive his sheep from the fire, and it might be that - many of them also would perish in the flames. The catastrophe might even - be so bad, so frightful, that the shed and station and all should go; - though, in thinking of all the fires of which he had heard, he could - remember none that had spread with fatality such as that. - </p> - <p> - He found Karl Bender in his hut asleep. The man was soon up, apologizing - for his somnolence, and preparing tea for his master’s - entertainment. “It is not Christmas like at home at all; is it, Mr. - ‘Eathcote? Dear, no! Them red divils is there ready to give us a Christmas - roasting.” Then he told how he had boldly ridden up to Boolabong - that morning, and had seen Georgie and Boscobel with his own eyes. When - asked what they had said to him, he replied that he did not wait till any - thing had been said, but had hurried away as fast as his horse could carry - him. - </p> - <p> - “I’ll go up to Boolabong myself,” said Harry. - </p> - <p> - “My word! They’ll just about knock your head off,” - suggested Jacko. - </p> - <p> - Karl Bender also thought that the making of such a visit would be a source - of danger. But Heathcote explained that any personal attack was not to be - apprehended from these men. “That’s not their game,” he - said, arguing that men who premeditated a secret outrage would not - probably be tempted into personal violence. The horror of the position lay - in this—that though a fire should rise up almost under the feet of - men who were known to be hostile to him, and whose characters were - acknowledged to be bad, still would there be no evidence against them. It - was known to all men that, at periods of heat such as that which was now - raging, fires were common. Every day the pastures were in flames, here, - there, and every where. It was said, indeed, that there existed no - evidence of fires in the bush till men had come with their flocks. But - then there had been no smoking, no boiling of pots, no camping out, till - men had come, and no matches. Every one around might be sure that some - particular fire had been the work of an incendiary, might be able to name - the culprit who had done the deed; and yet no jury could convict the - miscreant. Watchfulness was the best security, watchfulness day and night - till rain should come; and Heathcote calculated that it would be better - for him that his enemies should know that he was watchful. He would go up - among them and show them that he was not ashamed to speak to them of his - anxiety. They could hear nothing by his coming which they did not already - know. They were well aware that he was on the watch, and it might be well - that they should know also how close his watch was kept. He took the - German and Jacko with him, but left them with their horses about a mile on - the Boolabong side of his own fence, nigh to the extreme boundary of the - Debatable Land. They knew his whistle, and were to ride to him at once - should he call them. - </p> - <p> - He had left the house about noon, saying that he would be home to dinner—which, - however, on such occasions, was held to be a feast movable over a wide - space of time. But on this occasion the women expected him to come early, - as it was his intention to be out again as soon as it should be dark. Mrs. - Growler was asked to have the dinner ready at six. During the day Mrs. - Heathcote was backward and forward in the kitchen. Then was something - wrong she knew, but could not quite discern the evil. Sing Sing, the cook, - was more than ordinarily alert; but Sing Sing, the cook, was not much - trusted. Mrs. Growler was “as good as the Bank,” as far as - that went, having lived with old Mr. Daly when he was prosperous; but she - was apt to be downhearted, and on the present occasion was more than - usually low in spirits. Whenever Mrs. Heathcote spoke, she wept. At six o’clock - she came into the parlor with a budget of news. Sing Sing, the cook, had - been gone for the last half hour, leaving the leg of mutton at the fire. - It soon became clear to them that he had altogether absconded. - </p> - <p> - “Them rats always does leave a falling house,” said Mrs. - Growler. - </p> - <p> - At seven o’clock the sun was down, though the gloom of the tropical - evening had not yet come. The two ladies went out to the gate, which was - but a few yards from the veranda, and there stood listening for the sound - of Harry’s horse. The low moaning of the wind through the trees - could be heard, but it was so gentle, continuous, and unaltered that it - seemed to be no more than a vehicle for other sounds, and was as - death-like as silence itself. The gate of the horse paddock through which - Heathcote must pass on his way home was nearly a mile distant; but the - road there was hard, and they knew that they could hear from there the - fall of his horse’s feet. There they stood from seven to nearly - eight, whispering a word now and then to each other, listening always, but - in vain. Looking away to the west every now and then, they fancied that - they could see the sky glow with flames, and then they would tell each - other that it was fancy. The evening grew darker and still darker, but no - sound was heard through the moaning wind. From time to time Mrs. Growler - came out to them, declaring her fears in no measured terms. “Well, - marm, I do declare I think we’d better go away out of this.” - </p> - <p> - “Go away, Mrs. Growler! What nonsense! Where can we go to?” - </p> - <p> - “The mill would be nearest, ma’am, and we should be safe - there. I’m sure Mrs. Medlicot would take us in.” - </p> - <p> - “Why should you not be safe here?” said Kate. - </p> - <p> - “That wretched Chinese hasn’t gone and left us for nothing, - miss, and what would we three lone women do here if all them Brownbies - came down upon us? Why don’t master come back? He ought to come - back; oughtn’t he, ma’am? He never do think what lone women - are.” - </p> - <p> - Mrs. Heathcote took her husband’s part very strongly, and gave Mrs. - Growler as hard a scolding as she knew how to pronounce. But her own - courage was giving way much as Mrs. Growler’s had done. “We - are bound to stay here,” she said; “and if the worst comes, we - must bear it as others have done before us.” Then Mrs. Growler was - very sulky, and, retreating to the kitchen, sobbed there in solitude. - “Oh, Kate, I do wish he would come,” said the elder sister. - </p> - <p> - “Are you afraid?” - </p> - <p> - “It is so desolate, and he may be so far off, and we couldn’t - get to him if any thing happened, and we shouldn’t know.” - </p> - <p> - Then they were again silent, and remained without exchanging more than a - word or two for nearly half an hour. They took hold of each other, and - every now and then went to the kitchen door that the old woman might be - comforted by their presence, but they had no consolation to offer each - other. The silence of the bush, and the feeling of great distances, and - the dread of calamity almost crushed them. At last there was a distant - sound of horse’s feet. “I hear him,” said Mrs. - Heathcote, rushing forward toward the outer gate of the horse paddock, - followed by her sister. - </p> - <p> - Her ears were true, but she was doomed to disappointment. The horseman was - only a messenger from her husband—Mickey O’Dowd, the Irish - boundary rider. - </p> - <p> - He had great tidings to tell, and was so long telling them that we will - not attempt to give them in his own words. The purport of his story was as - follows: Harry had been to Boolabong House, but had found there no one but - the old man. Returning home thence toward his own fence, he had smelled - the smoke of fire, and had found within a furlong of his path a long ridge - of burning grass. According to Mickey’s account, it could not have - been lighted above a few minutes before Heathcote’s presence on the - spot. As it was, it had got too much ahead for him to put it out - single-handed; a few yards he might have managed, but—so Mickey - said, probably exaggerating the matter—there was half a quarter of a - mile of flame. He had therefore ridden on before the fire, had called his - own two men to him, and had at once lighted the grass himself some two - hundred yards in front, making a second fire, but so keeping it down that - it should be always under control. Before the hinder flames had caught - him, Bender and Jacko had been with him, and they had thus managed to - consume the fuel which, had it remained there, would have fed the fire - which was too strong to be mastered. By watching the extremities of the - line of fire, they overpowered it, and so the damage was for the moment at - an end. - </p> - <p> - The method of dealing with the enemy was so well known in the bush, and - had been so often canvassed in the hearing of the two sisters, that it was - clearly intelligible to them. The evil had been met in the proper way, and - the remedy had been effective. But why did not Harry come home? - </p> - <p> - Mickey O’Dowd, after his fashion, explained that too. The ladies - were not to wait dinner. The master felt himself obliged to remain out at - night, and had gotten food at the German’s hut. He, Mickey, was - commissioned to return with a flask full of brandy, as it would be - necessary that Harry, with all the men whom he could trust, should be - “on the rampage” all night. This small body was to consist of - Harry himself, of the German, of Jacko, and, according to the story as at - present told, especially of Mickey O’Dowd. Much as she would have - wished to have kept the man at the station for protection, she did not - think of disobeying her husband’s orders. So Mickey was fed, and - then sent back with the flask—with tidings also as to the desertion - of that wretched cook, Sing Sing. - </p> - <p> - “I shall sit here all night,” said Mrs. Heathcote to her - sister. “As things are, I shall not think of going to bed.” - </p> - <p> - Kate declared that she would also sit in the veranda all night; and, as a - matter of course, they were joined by Mrs. Growler. They had been so - seated about an hour when Kate Daly declared that the heavens were on - fire. The two young women jumped up, flew to the gate, and found that the - whole western horizon was lurid with a dark red light. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER IX. — THE BUSH FIGHT. - </h2> - <p> - Harry Heathcote had on this occasion entertained no doubt whatever that - the fire had been intentional and premeditated. A lighted torch must have - been dragged along the grass, so as to ignite a line many yards long all - at the same time. He had been luckily near enough to the spot to see - almost the commencement of the burning, and was therefore aware of its - form and circumstances. He almost wondered that he had not seen the figure - of the man who had drawn the torch, or at any rate heard his steps. - Pursuit would have been out of the question, as his work was wanted at the - moment to extinguish the flames. The miscreant probably had remembered - this, and had known that he might escape stealthily without the noise of a - rapid retreat. - </p> - <p> - When the work was over, when he had put out the fire he had himself - lighted, and had exterminated the lingering remnants of that which had - been intended to destroy him, he stood still a while almost in despair. - His condition seemed to be hopeless. What could he do against such a band - of enemies, knowing as he did that, had he been backed even by a score of - trusty followers, one foe might still suffice to ruin him? At the present - moment he was very hot with the work he had done, as were also Jacko and - the German. O’Dowd had also come up as they were completing their - work. Their mode of extinguishing the flames had been to beat them down - with branches of gum-tree loaded with leaves. By sweeping these along the - burning ground the low flames would be scattered and expelled. But the - work was very hard and hot. The boughs they used were heavy, and the air - around them, sultry enough from its own properties, was made almost - unbearable by the added heat of the fires. - </p> - <p> - The work had been so far done, but it might be begun again at any moment, - either near or at a distance. No doubt the attempt would be made elsewhere - along the boundary between Gangoil and Boolabong—was very probably - being made at this moment. The two men whom he could trust and Jacko were - now with him. They were wiping their brows with their arms and panting - with their work. - </p> - <p> - He first resolved on sending Mickey O’Dowd to the house. The - distance was great, and the man’s assistance might be essential. But - he could not bear to leave his wife without news from him. Then, after - considering a while, he made up his mind to go back toward his own fence, - making his way as he went southerly down toward the river. They who were - determined to injure him would, he thought, repeat their attempt in that - direction. He hardly said a word to his two followers, but rode at a - foot-pace to the spot at his fence which he had selected as the site of - his bivouac for the night. - </p> - <p> - “It won’t be very cheery, Bender,” he said to the - German; “but we shall have to make a night of it till they disturb - us again.” - </p> - <p> - The German made a motion with his arms intended to signify his utter - indifference. One place was the same as another to him. Jacko uttered his - usual ejaculation, and then, having hitched his horse to the fence, threw - himself on his back upon the grass. - </p> - <p> - No doubt they all slept, but they slept as watchers sleep, with one eye - open. It was Harry who first saw the light which a few minutes later made - itself visible to the ladies at the home station. “Karl,” he - exclaimed, jumping up, “they’re at it again—look there.” - </p> - <p> - In less than half a minute, and without speaking another word, they were - all on their horses and riding in the direction of the light. It came from - a part of the Boolabong run somewhat nearer to the river than the place at - which they had stationed themselves, where the strip of ground between - Harry’s fence and the acknowledged boundary of Brownbie’s run - was the narrowest. As they approached the fire, they became aware that it - had been lighted on Boolabong. On this occasion Harry did not ride on up - to the flames, knowing that the use or loss of a few minutes might save or - destroy his property. He hardly spoke a word as he proceeded on his - business, feeling that they upon whom he had to depend were sufficiently - instructed, if only they would be sufficiently energetic. - </p> - <p> - “Keep it well under, but let it run,” was all he said, as, - lighting a dried bush with a match, he ran the fire along the ground in - front of the coming flames. - </p> - <p> - A stranger seeing it all would have felt sure that the remedy would have - been as bad as the disease, for the fire which Harry himself made every - now and again seemed to get the better of those who were endeavoring to - control it. There might perhaps be a quarter of a mile between the front - of the advancing fire and the line at which Harry had commenced to destroy - the food which would have fed the coming flames. He himself, as quickly as - he lighted the grass, which in itself was the work but of a moment, would - strain himself to the utmost at the much harder task of controlling his - own fire, so that it should not run away from him, and get, as it were, - out of his hands, and be as bad to him as that which he was thus seeking - to circumvent. The German and Jacko worked like heroes, probably with - intense enjoyment of the excitement, and, after a while, found a fourth - figure among the flames, for Mickey had now returned. - </p> - <p> - “You saw them,” Harry said, panting with his work. - </p> - <p> - “They’s all right,” said Mickey, flopping away with a - great bough; “but that tarnation Chinese has gone off.” - </p> - <p> - “My word! Sing Sing. Find him at Boolabong,” said Jacko. - </p> - <p> - The German, whose gum-tree bough was a very big one, and whose every - thought was intent on letting the fire run while he still held it in hand, - had not breath for a syllable. - </p> - <p> - But the back fire was extending itself, so as to get round them. Every now - and then Harry extended his own line, moving always forward toward Gangoil - as he did so, though he and his men were always on Brownbie’s - territory. He had no doubt but that where he could succeed in destroying - the grass for a breadth of forty or fifty yards he would starve out the - inimical flames. The trees and bushes without the herbage would not enable - it to travel a yard. Wherever the grass was burned down black to the soil, - the fire would stop. But should they, who were at work, once allow - themselves to be outflanked, their exertions would be all in vain. And - then those wretches might light a dozen fires. The work was so hard, so - hot, and often so hopeless, that the unhappy young squatter was more than - once tempted to bid his men desist and to return to his homestead. The - flames would not follow him there. He could, at any rate, make that safe. - And then, when he had repudiated this feeling as unworthy of him, he began - to consider within himself whether he would not do better for his property - by taking his men with him on to his run, and endeavoring to drive his - sheep out of danger. But as he thought of all this, he still worked, still - fired the grass, and still controlled the flames. Presently he became - aware of what seemed to him at first to be a third fire. Through the - trees, in the direction of the river, he could see the glimmering of low - flames and the figures of men. But it was soon apparent to him that these - men were working in his cause, and that they, too, were burning the grass - that would have fed the advancing flames. At first he could not spare the - minute which would be necessary to find out who was his friend, but, as - they drew nearer, he knew the man. It was the sugar planter from the mill - and with him his foreman. - </p> - <p> - “We’ve been doing our best,” said Medlicot, “but - we’ve been terribly afraid that the fire would slip away from us.” - </p> - <p> - “It’s the only thing,” said Harry, too much excited at - the moment to ask questions as to the cause of Medlicot’s presence - so far from his home at that time of the evening. “It’s - getting round us, I’m afraid, all the same.” - </p> - <p> - “I don’t know but it is. It’s almost impossible to - distinguish. How hot the fire makes it!” - </p> - <p> - “Hot, indeed!” said Harry. “It’s killing work for - men, and then all for no good! To think that men, creatures that call - themselves men, should do such a thing as this! It breaks one’s - heart.” He had paused as he spoke, leaning on the great battered - bough which he held, but in an instant was at work with it again. “Do - you stay here, Mr. Medlicot, with the men, and I’ll go on beyond - where you began. If I find the fire growing down, I’ll shout, and - they can come to me.” So saying, he rushed on with a lighted bush - torch in his band. - </p> - <p> - Suddenly he found himself confronted in the bush by a man on horseback, - whom he at once recognized as Georgie Brownbie. He forgot for a moment - where he was and began to question the reprobate as to his presence at - that spot. - </p> - <p> - “That’s like your impudence,” said Georgie. “You’re - not only trespassing, but you’re destroying our property willfully, - and you ask me what business I have here. You’re a nice sort of - young man.” - </p> - <p> - Harry, checked for a moment by the remembrance that he was in truth upon - Boolabong run, did not at once answer. - </p> - <p> - “Put that bush down, and don’t burn our grass,” - continued Georgie, “or you shall have to answer for it. What right - have you to fire our grass?” - </p> - <p> - “Who fired it first?” - </p> - <p> - “It lighted itself. That’s no rule why you should light it - more. You give over, or I punch your head for you.” - </p> - <p> - Harry’s men and Medlicot were advancing toward him, trampling out - their own embers as they came; and Georgie Brownbie, who was alone, when - he saw that there were four or five men against him, turned round and rode - back. - </p> - <p> - “Did you ever see impudence like that?” said Harry. “He’s - probably the very man who set the match, and yet he comes and brazens it - out with me.” - </p> - <p> - “I don’t think he’s the man who set the match,” - said Medlicot, quietly; “at any rate there was another.” - </p> - <p> - “Who was it?” - </p> - <p> - “My man, Nokes. I saw him with the torch in his hand.” - </p> - <p> - “Heaven and earth!” - </p> - <p> - “Yes, Mr. Heathcote. I saw him put it down. You were about right, - you see, and I was about wrong.” - </p> - <p> - Harry had not a word to say, unless it were tell the man that he loved him - for the frankness of his confession. But the moment was hardly auspicious - for such a declaration. There was no excuse for them to pause in their - work, for the fire was still crackling at their back, and they did no more - than pause. - </p> - <p> - “Ah!” said Harry, “there it goes; we shall be done at - last.” For he saw that he was being outflanked by the advancing - flames. But still they worked, drawing lines of fire here and there, and - still they hoped that there might be ground for hope. Nokes had been seen; - but, pregnant as the theme might be with words, it was almost impossible - to talk. Questions could not be asked and answered without stopping in - their toil. There were questions which Harry longed to ask. Could Medlicot - swear to the man? Did the man know that he had been seen? If he knew that - he had been watched while he lit the grass, he would soon be far away from - Medlicot’s Mill and Gangoil. Harry felt that it would be a - consolation to him in his trouble if he could get hold of this man, and - keep him, and prosecute him—and have him hung. Even in the tumult of - the moment he was able to reflect about it, and to think that he - remembered that the crime of arson was capital in the colony of - Queensland. He had endeavored to be good to the men with whom he had - dealings. He had not stinted their food, or cut them short in their wages, - or been hard in exacting work from them. And this was his return! Ideas as - to the excellence of absolute dominion and power flitted across his brain—such - power as Abraham, no doubt, exercised. In Abraham’s time the people - were submissive, and the world was happy. Harry Heathcote, at least, had - never heard that it was not happy. But as he thought of all this he worked - away with his bush and his matches, extinguishing the flames here and - lighting them there, striving to make a cordon of black bare ground - between Boolabong and Gangoil. Surely Abraham had never been called on to - work like this! - </p> - <p> - He and his men were in a line covering something above a quarter of a mile - of ground, of which line he was himself the nearest to the river, and - Medlicot and his foreman the farthest from it. The German and O’Dowd - were in the middle, and Jacko was working with his master. If Harry had - just cause for anger and sorrow in regard to Nokes and Boscobel, he - certainly had equal cause to be proud of the stanchness of his remaining - satellites. The men worked with a will, as though the whole run had been - the personal property of each of them. Nokes and Boscobel would probably - have done the same had the fires come before they had quarreled with their - master. It is a small and narrow point that turns the rushing train to the - right or to the left. The rushing man is often turned off by a point as - small and narrow. - </p> - <p> - “My word!” said Jacko, on a sudden, “here they are, all - o’ horseback!” And as he spoke, there was the sound of half a - dozen horsemen galloping up to them through the bush. “Why, there’s - Bos, his own self,” said Jacko. - </p> - <p> - The two leading men were Joe and Jerry Brownbie, who, for this night only, - had composed their quarrels, and close to them was Boscobel. There were - others behind, also mounted—Jack Brownbie and Georgie, and Nokes - himself; but they, though their figures were seen, could not be - distinguished in the gloom of the night. Nor, indeed, did Harry at first - discern of how many the party consisted. It seemed that there was a whole - troop of horsemen, whose purpose it was to interrupt him in his work, so - that the flames should certainly go ahead. And it was evident that the men - thought that they could do so without subjecting themselves to legal - penalties. As far as Harry Heathcote could see, they were correct in their - view. He could have no right to burn the grass on Boolabong. He had no - claim even to be there. It was true that he could plead that he was - stopping the fire which they had purposely made; but they could prove his - handiwork, whereas it would be almost impossible that he should prove - theirs. - </p> - <p> - The whole forest was not red, but lurid, with the fires, and the air was - laden with both the smell and the heat of the conflagration. The horsemen - were dressed, as was Harry himself, in trowsers and shirts, with old - slouch hats, and each of them had a cudgel in his hand. As they came - galloping up through the trees they were as uncanny and unwelcome a set of - visitors as any man was ever called on to receive. Harry necessarily - stayed his work, and stood still to bear the brunt of the coming attack; - but Jacko went on with his employment faster than ever, as though a troop - of men in the dark were nothing to him. - </p> - <p> - Jerry Brownbie was the first to speak. “What’s this you’re - up to, Heathcote? Firing our grass? It’s arson. You shall swing for - this.” - </p> - <p> - “I’ll take my chance of that,” said Harry, turning to - his work again. - </p> - <p> - “No, I’m blessed if you do. Ride over him, Bos, while I stop - these other fellows.” - </p> - <p> - The Brownbies had been aware that Harry’s two boundary riders were - with him, but had not heard of the arrival of Medlicot and the other man. - Nokes was aware that some one on horseback had been near him when he was - firing the grass, but had thought that it was one of the party from - Gangoil. By the time that Jerry Brownbie had reached the German, Medlicot - was there also. - </p> - <p> - “Who the deuce are you?” asked Jerry. - </p> - <p> - “What business is that of yours?” said Medlicot. - </p> - <p> - “No business of mine, and you firing our grass! I’ll let you - know my business pretty quickly.” - </p> - <p> - “It’s that fellow, Medlicot, from the sugar-mill,” said - Joe; “the man that Nokes is with.” - </p> - <p> - “I thought you was a horse of another color,” continued Jerry, - who had been given to understand that Medlicot was Heathcote’s - enemy. “Anyway, I won’t have my grass fired. If God A’mighty - chooses to send fires, we can’t help it. But I’m not going to - have incendiaries here as well. You’re a new chum, and don’t - understand what you’re about, but you must stop this.” - </p> - <p> - As Medlicot still went on putting out the fire, Jerry attempted to ride - him down. Medlicot caught the horse by the rein, and violently backed the - brute in among the embers. The animal plunged and reared, getting his head - loose, and at last came down, he and his rider together. In the mean time - Joe Brownbie, seeing this, rode up behind the sugar planter, and struck - him violently with his cudgel over the shoulder. Medlicot sank nearly to - the ground, but at once recovered himself. He knew that some bone on the - left side of his body was broken; but he could still fight with his right - hand, and he did fight. - </p> - <p> - Boscobel and Georgie Brownbie both attempted to ride over Harry together, - and might have succeeded had not Jacko ingeniously inserted the burning - branch of gum-tree with which he had been working under the belly of the - horse on which Boscobel was riding. The animal jumped immediately from the - ground, bucking into the air, and Boscobel was thrown far over his head. - Georgie Brownbie then turned upon Jacko, but Jacko was far too nimble to - be caught, and escaped among the trees. - </p> - <p> - For a few minutes the fight was general, but the footmen had the best of - it, in spite of the injury done to Medlicot. Jerry was bruised and burned - about the face by his fall among the ashes, and did not much relish the - work afterward. Boscobel was stunned for a few moments, and was quite - ready to retreat when he came to himself. Nokes during the whole time did - not show himself, alleging as a reason afterward the presence of his - employer Medlicot. - </p> - <p> - “I’m blessed if your cowardice sha’n’t hang you,” - said Joe Brownbie to him on their way home. “Do you think we’re - going to fight the battles of a fellow like you, who hasn’t pluck to - come forward himself?” - </p> - <p> - “I’ve as much pluck as you,” answered Nokes, “and - am ready to fight you any day. But I know when a man is to come forward - and when he’s not. Hang me! I’m not so near hanging as some - folks at Boolabong.” We may imagine, therefore, that the night was - not spent pleasantly among the Brownbies after these adventures. - </p> - <p> - There were, of course, very much cursing and swearing, and very many - threats, before the party from Boolabong did retreat. Their great point - was, of coarse, this—that Heathcote was willfully firing the grass, - and was, therefore, no better than an incendiary. Of course they stoutly - denied that the original fire had been intentional, and denied as stoutly - that the original fire could be stopped by fires. But at last they went, - leaving Heathcote and his party masters of the battle-field. Jerry was - taken away in a sad condition; and, in subsequent accounts of the - transaction given from Boolabong, his fall was put forward as the reason - of their flight, he having been the general on the occasion. And Boscobel - had certainly lost all stomach for immediate fighting. Immediately behind - the battle-field they come across Nokes, and Sing Sing, the runaway cook - from Gangoil. The poor Chinaman had made the mistake of joining the party - which was not successful. - </p> - <p> - But Harry, though the victory was with him, was hardly in a mood for - triumph. He soon found that Medlicot’s collar-bone was broken, and - it would be necessary, therefore, that he should return with the wounded - man to the station. And the flames, as he feared, had altogether got ahead - of him during the fight. As far as they had gone, they had stopped the - fire, having made a black wilderness a mile and a half in length, which, - during the whole distance, ceased suddenly at the line at which the - subsidiary fire had been extinguished. But while the attack was being made - upon them the flames had crept on to the southward, and had now got beyond - their reach. It had seemed, however, that the mass of fire which had got - away from them was small, and already the damp of the night was on the - grass; and Harry felt himself justified in hoping not that there might be - no loss, but that the loss might not be ruinous. - </p> - <p> - Medlicot consented to be taken back to Gangoil instead of to the mill. - Perhaps he thought that Kate Daly might be a better nurse than his mother, - or that the quiet of the sheep station might be better for him than the - clatter of his own mill-wheels. It was midnight, and they had a ride of - fourteen miles, which was hard enough upon a man with a broken collarbone. - The whole party also was thoroughly fatigued. The work they had been doing - was about as hard as could fall to a man’s lot, and they had now - been many hours without food. Before they started Mickey produced his - flask, the contents of which were divided equally among them all, - including Jacko. - </p> - <p> - As they were preparing to start home Medlicot explained that it had struck - him by degrees that Heathcote might be right in regard to Nokes, and that - he had determined to watch the man himself whenever he should leave the - mill. On that Monday he had given up work somewhat earlier than usual, - saying that, as the following day was Christmas, he should not come to the - mill. From that time Medlicot and his foreman had watched him. - </p> - <p> - “Yes,” said he, in answer to a question from Heathcote, - “I can swear that I saw him with the lighted torch in his hand, and - that he placed it among the grass. There were two others from Boolabong - with him, and they must have seen him too.” - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER X. — HARRY HEATHCOTE RETURNS IN TRIUMPH. - </h2> - <p> - When the fight was quite over, and Heathcote’s party had returned to - their horses, Medlicot for a few minutes was faint and sick, but he - revived after a while, and declared himself able to sit on his horse. - There was a difficulty in getting him up, but when there he made no - further complaint. “This,” said he, as he settled himself in - his saddle, “is my first Christmas-day in Australia. I landed early - in January, and last year I was on my way home to fetch my mother.” - </p> - <p> - “It’s not much like an English Christmas,” said Harry. - </p> - <p> - “Nor yet as in Hanover,” said the German. - </p> - <p> - “It’s Cork you should go to, or Galway, bedad, if you want to - see Christmas kep’ after the ould fashion,” said Mickey. - </p> - <p> - “I think we used to do it pretty well in Cumberland,” said - Medlicot. “There are things which can’t be transplanted. They - may have roast beef, and all that, but you should have cold weather to - make you feel that it is Christmas indeed.” - </p> - <p> - “We do it as well as we can,” Harry pleaded. “I’ve - seen a great pudding come into the room all afire—just to remind one - of the old country—when it has been so hot that one could hardly - bear a shirt on one’s shoulders. But yet there’s something in - it. One likes to think of the old place, though one is so far away. How do - you feel now? Does the jolting hurt you much? If your horse is rough, - change with me. This fellow goes as smooth as a lady.” Medlicot - declared that the pain did not trouble him much. “They’d have - ridden over us, only for you,” continued Harry. - </p> - <p> - “My word! wouldn’t they?” said Jacko, who was very proud - of his own part in the battle. “I say, Mr. Medlicot, did you see Bos - and his horse part company? You did, Mr. Harry. Didn’t he fly like a - bird, all in among the bushes! I owed Bos one; I did, my word! And now I’ve - paid him.” - </p> - <p> - “I saw it,” said Harry. “He was riding at me as hard as - he could come. I can’t understand Boscobel. Nokes is a sly, bad, - slinking follow, whom I never liked. But I was always good to Bos; and - when he cheated me, as he did, about his time, I never even threatened to - stop his money.” - </p> - <p> - “You told him of it too plain,” said the German. - </p> - <p> - “I did tell him—of course—as I should you. It has come - to that now, that if a man robs you—your own man—you are not - to dare to tell him of it! What would you think of me, Karl, if I were to - find you out, and was to be afraid of speaking to you, lest you should - turn against me and burn my fences?” Karl Bender shrugged his - shoulders, holding his reins up to his eyes. “I know what you ought - to think! And I wish that every man about Gangoil should be sure that I - will always say what I think right. I don’t know that I ever was - hard upon any man. I try not to be.” - </p> - <p> - “Thrue for you, Mr. Harry,” said the Irishman. - </p> - <p> - “I’m not going to pick my words because men like Nokes and - Boscobel have the power of injuring me. I’m not going to truckle to - rascals because I’m afraid of them. I’d sooner be burned out - of house and home, and go and work on the wharves in Brisbane, than that.” - </p> - <p> - “My word! yes,” said Jacko, “and I too.” - </p> - <p> - “If the devil is to get ahead, he must, but I won’t hold a - candle to him. You fellows may tell every man about the place what I say. - As long as I’m master of Gangoil I’ll be master; and when I - come across a swindle I’ll tell the man who does it he’s a - swindler. I told Bos to his face; but I didn’t tell any body else, - and I shouldn’t if he’d taken it right and mended his ways.” - </p> - <p> - They all understood him very well—the German, the Irishman, Medlicot’s - foreman, Medlicot himself, and even Jacko; and though, no doubt, there was - a feeling within the hearts of the men that Harry Heathcote was imperious, - still they respected him, and they believed him. - </p> - <p> - “The masther should be the masther, no doubt,” said the - Irishman. - </p> - <p> - “A man that is a man vill not sell hisself body and soul,” - said the German, slowly. - </p> - <p> - “Do I want dominion over your soul, Karl Bender?” asked the - squatter, with energy. “You know I don’t, nor over your body, - except so far as it suits you to sell your services. What you sell you - part with readily—like a man; and it’s not likely that you and - I shall quarrel. But all this row about nothing can’t be very - pleasant to a man with a broken shoulder.” - </p> - <p> - “I like to hear you,” said Medlicot. “I’m always a - good listener when men have something really to say.” - </p> - <p> - “Well, then, I’ve something to say,” cried Harry. - “There never was a man came to my house whom I’d sooner see as - a Christmas guest than yourself.” - </p> - <p> - “Thankee, Sir.” - </p> - <p> - “It’s more than I could have said yesterday with truth.” - </p> - <p> - “It’s more than you did say.” - </p> - <p> - “Yes, by George! But you’ve beat me now. When you’re - hard pressed for hands down yonder, you send for me, and see if I won’t - turn the mill for you, or hoe canes either.” - </p> - <p> - “So ‘ll I; my word! yes. Just for my rations.” - </p> - <p> - They had by this time reacted the Gangoil fence, having taken the - directest route for the house. But Harry, in doing this, had not been - unmindful of the fire. Had Medlicot not been wounded, he would have taken - the party somewhat out of the way, down southward, following the flames; - but Medlicot’s condition had made him feel that he would not be - justified in doing so. Now, however, it occurred to him that he might as - well ride a mile or two down the fence, and see what injury had been done. - The escort of the men would be sufficient to take Medlicot to the station, - and he would reach the place as soon as they. If the flames were still - running ahead, he knew that he could not now stop then, but he could at - least learn how the matter stood with him. If the worst came to the worst, - he would not now lose more than three or four miles of fencing, and the - grass off a corner of his run. Nevertheless, tired as he was, he could not - bear the idea of going home without knowing the whole story. So he made - his proposal. Medlicot, of course, made no objection. Each of the men - offered to go with him, but he declined their services. “There is - nothing to do,” said he, “and nobody to catch; and if the fire - is burning, it must burn.” So he went alone. - </p> - <p> - The words that he had uttered among his men had not been lightly spoken. - He had begun to perceive that life would be very hard to him in his - present position, or perhaps altogether impossible, as long as he was at - enmity with all those around him. Old squatters whom he knew, respectable - men who had been in the colony before he was born, had advised him to be - on good terms with the Brownbies. “You needn’t ask them to - your house, or go to them, but just soft-sawder them when yon meet,” - an old gentleman had said to him. He certainly hadn’t taken the old - gentleman’s advice, thinking that to “soft-sawder” so - great a reprobate as Jerry Brownbie would be holding a candle to the - devil. But his own plan had hardly answered. Well, he was sure, at any - rate, of this—that he could do no good now by endeavoring to be - civil to the Brownbies. He soon came to the place where the fire had - reached his fence, and found that it had burned its way through, and that - the flames were still continuing their onward course. The fence to the - north, or rather to the northwestward—the point whence the wind was - coming—stood firm at the spot at which the fire had struck it. Dry - as the wood was, the flames had not traveled upward against the wind. But - to the south the fire was traveling down the fence. To stop this he rode - half a mile along the burning barrier till he had headed the flames, and - then he pulled the bushes down and rolled away the logs, so as to stop the - destruction. As regarded his fence, there was less than a mile of it - destroyed, and that he could now leave in security, as the wind was - blowing away from it. As for his grass, that must now take its chance. He - could see the dark light of the low running fire; but there was no longer - a mighty blaze, and he knew that the dew of the night was acting as his - protector. The harm that had been as yet done was trifling, if only he - could protect himself from further harm. After leaving the fire, he had - still a ride of seven or eight miles through the gloom of the forest—all - alone. Not only was he weary, but his horse was so tired that he could - hardly get him to canter for a furlong. He regretted that he had not - brought the boy with him, knowing well the service of companionship to a - tired beast. He was used to such troubles, and could always tell himself - that his back was broad enough to bear them; but his desolation among - enemies oppressed him. Medlicot, however, was no longer an enemy. Then - there came across his mind for the first time an idea that Medlicot might - marry his sister-in-law, and become his fast friend. If he could have but - one true friend, he thought that he could bear the enmity of all the - Brownbies. Hitherto he had been entirely alone in his anxiety. It was - between three and four when he reached Gangoil, and he found that the - party of horsemen had just entered the yard before him. The sugar planter - was so weak that he could hardly get off his horse. - </p> - <p> - The two ladies were still watching when the cavalcade arrived, though it - was then between three and four in the morning. It was Harry’s - custom on such occasions to ride up to the little gate close to the - veranda, and there to hang his bridle till some one should take his horse - away; but on this occasion he and the others rode into the yard. Seeing - this, Mrs. Heathcote and her sister went through the house, and soon - learned how things were. Mr. Medlicot, from the mill, had come with a bone - broken, and it was their duty to nurse him till a doctor could be procured - from Maryborough. Now Maryborough was thirty miles distant. Some one must - be dispatched at once. Jacko volunteered, but in such a service Jacko was - hardly to be trusted. He might fall asleep on his horse, and continue his - slumbers on the ground. Mickey and the German both offered; but the men - were so beaten by their work that Heathcote did not dare to take their - offer. - </p> - <p> - “I’ll tell you what it is, Mary,” he said to his wife, - “there is nothing for it but for me to go for Jackson.” - Jackson was the doctor. “And I can see the police at the same time.” - </p> - <p> - “You sha’n’t go, Harry. Yon are so tired already you can - hardly stand this moment.” - </p> - <p> - “Get me some strong coffee—at once. You don’t know what - that man has done for us. I’ll tell you all another time. I owe him - more than a ride into Maryborough. I’ll make the men get Yorkie up”—Yorkie - was a favorite horse he had—“while you make the coffee; and I’ll - lead Colonel”—Colonel was another horse, well esteemed at - Gangoil. “Jackson will come quicker on him than on any animal he can - get at Maryborough.” And so it was arranged, in spite of the wife’s - tears and entreaties. Harry had his coffee and some food, and started, - with his two horses, for the doctor. - </p> - <p> - Nature is so good to us that we are sometimes disposed to think we might - have dispensed with art. In the bush, where doctors can not be had, bones - will set themselves; and when doctors do come, but come slowly, the broken - bones suit themselves to such tardiness. Medlicot was brought in and put - to bed. Let the reader not be shocked to hear that Kate Daly’s room - was given up to him, as being best suited for a sick man’s comfort, - and the two ladies took it in turn to watch him. Mrs. Heathcote was, of - course, the first, and remained with him till dawn. Then Kate crept to the - door and asked whether she should relieve her sister. Medlicot was asleep, - and it was agreed that Kate should remain in the veranda, and look in from - time to time to see whether the wounded man required aught at her hands. - She looked in very often, and then, at last, he was awake. - </p> - <p> - “Miss Daly,” he said, “I feel so ashamed of the trouble - I’m giving.” - </p> - <p> - “Don’t speak of it. It is nothing. In the bush every body, of - course, does any thing for every body.” When the words were spoken - she felt that they were not as complimentary as she would have wished. - “You were to have come to-day, you know, but we did not think you’d - come like this, did we?” - </p> - <p> - “I don’t know why I didn’t go home instead of coming - here.” - </p> - <p> - “The doctor will reach Gangoil sooner than he could the mill. You - are better here, and we will send for Mrs. Medlicot as soon as the men - have had a rest. How was it all, Mr. Medlicot? Harry says that there was a - fight, and that you came in just at the nick of time, and that but for you - all the run would have been burned.” - </p> - <p> - “Not that at all.” - </p> - <p> - “He said so; only he went off so quickly, and was so busy with - things, that we hardly understood him. Is it not dreadful that there - should be such fighting? And then these horrid fires! You were in the - middle of the fire, were you not?” It suited Kate’s feelings - that Medlicot should be the hero of this occasion. - </p> - <p> - “We were lighting them in front to put them out behind.” - </p> - <p> - “And then, while you were at work, these men from Boolabong came - upon you. Oh, Mr. Medlicot, we shall be so very, very wretched if you are - much hurt. My sister is so unhappy about it.” - </p> - <p> - “It’s only my collar-bone, Miss Daly.” - </p> - <p> - “But that is so dreadful.” She was still thinking of the one - word he had spoken when he had—well, not asked her for her love, but - said that which between a young man and a young woman ought to mean the - same thing. Perhaps it had meant nothing! She had heard that young men do - say things which mean nothing. But to her, living in the solitude of - Gangoil, the one word had been so much! Her heart had melted with absolute - acknowledged love when the man had been brought through into the house - with all the added attraction of a broken bone. While her sister had - watched, she had retired—to rest, as Mary had said, but in truth to - think of the chance which had brought her in this guise into familiar - contact with the man she loved. And then, when she had crept up to take - her place in watching him, she had almost felt that shame should restrain - her. But was her duty; and, of course, a man with a collar-bone broken - would not speak of love. - </p> - <p> - “It will make your Christmas so sad for you,” he said. - </p> - <p> - “Oh, as for that, we mind nothing about it—for ourselves. We - are never very gay here.” - </p> - <p> - “But you are happy?” - </p> - <p> - “Oh yes, quite happy, except when Harry is disturbed by these - troubles. I don’t think any body has so many troubles as a squatter. - It sometimes seems that all the world is against him.” - </p> - <p> - “We shall be allies now, at any rate.” - </p> - <p> - “Oh, I do so hope we shall,” said Kate, putting her hands - together in her energy, and then retreating from her energy with sad - awkwardness when she remembered the personal application of her wish. - “That is, I mean you and Harry,” she added, in a whisper. - </p> - <p> - “Why not I and others besides Harry?” - </p> - <p> - “It is so much to him to have a real friend. Things concern us, of - course, only just as they concern him. Women are never of very much - account, I think. Harry has to do every thing, and every thing ought to be - done for him.” - </p> - <p> - “I think you spoil Harry among you.” - </p> - <p> - “Don’t you say so to Mary, or she will be fierce.” - </p> - <p> - “I wonder whether I shall ever have a wife to stand up for me in - that way?” - </p> - <p> - Kate had no answer to make, but she thought that it would be his own fault - if he did not have a wife to stand up for him thoroughly. - </p> - <p> - “He has been very lucky in his wife.” - </p> - <p> - “I think he has, Mr. Medlicot; but you are moving about, and you - ought to lie still. There! I hear the horses; that’s the doctor. I - do so hope he won’t say that any thing very bad is the matter.” - </p> - <p> - She jumped up from her chair, which was close to his bed, and as she did - so just touched his hand with hers. It was involuntary on her part, having - come of instinct rather than will, and she withdrew herself instantly. The - hand she had touched belonged to the arm that was not hurt, and he put it - out after her, and caught her by the sleeve as she was retreating. “Oh, - Mr. Medlicot, you must not do that; you will hurt yourself if you move in - that way.” - </p> - <p> - And so she escaped, and left the room, and did not see him again till the - doctor had gone from Gangoil. - </p> - <p> - The bone had been broken simply as other bones are broken; it was now set, - and the sufferer was, of course, told that he must rest. He had suggested - that he should be taken home, and the Heathcotes had concurred with the - doctor in asserting that no proposition could be more absurd. He had - intended to eat his Christmas dinner at Gangoil, and he must now pass his - entire Christmas there. - </p> - <p> - “The sugar can go on very well for ten days,” Harry had said. - “I’ll go over myself and see about the men, and I’ll - fetch your mother over.” - </p> - <p> - To this, however, Mrs. Heathcote had demurred successfully. “You’ll - kill yourself, Harry, if you go on like this,” she said. - </p> - <p> - Bender, therefore, was sent in the buggy for the old lady, and at last - Harry Heathcote consented to go to bed. - </p> - <p> - “My belief is, I shall sleep for a week,” he said, as he - turned in. But he didn’t begin his sleep quite at once. “I am - very glad I went into Maryborough,” he said to his wife, rising up - from his pillow. “I’ve sworn an information against Nokes and - two of the Brownbies, and the police will be after them this afternoon. - They won’t catch Nokes, and they can’t convict the other - fellows. But it will be something to clear the country of such a fellow, - and something also to let them know that detection is possible.” - </p> - <p> - “Do sleep now, dear.” she said. - </p> - <p> - “Yes, I will; I mean to. But look here, Mary; if any of the police - should come here, mind you wake me at once. And, Mary, look here; do you - know I shouldn’t be a bit surprised if that fellow was to be making - up to Kate.” - </p> - <p> - Mrs. Heathcote, with some little inward chuckle at her husband’s - assumed quickness of apprehension, reminded herself that the same idea had - occurred to her some time ago. Mrs. Heathcote gave her husband full credit - for more than ordinary intelligence in reference to affairs appertaining - to the breeding of sheep and the growing of wool, but she did not think - highly of his discernment in such an affair as this. She herself had been - much quicker. When she first saw Mr. Medlicot, she had felt it a godsend - that such a man, with the look of a gentleman, and unmarried, should come - into the neighborhood; and, in so feeling, her heart had been entirely - with her sister. For herself it mattered nothing who came or did not come, - or whether a man were a bachelor, or possessed of a wife and a dozen - children. All that a girl had a right to want was a good husband. She was - quite satisfied with her own lot in that respect, but she was anxious - enough on behalf of Kate. And when a young man did come, who might make - matters so pleasant for them, Harry quarreled with him because he was a - free-selector. “A free fiddle-stick!” she had once said to - Kate—not, however, communicating to her innocent sister the ambition - which was already filling her own bosom. “Harry does take things up - so—as though people weren’t to live, some in one way and some - in another! As far as I can see, Mr. Medlicot is a very nice fellow.” - Kate had remarked that he was “all very well,” and nothing - more had been said. - </p> - <p> - But Mrs. Heathcote, in spite of Harry’s aversion, had formed her - little project—a project which, if then declared, would have filled - Harry with dismay. And now the young aristocrat, as he turned himself in - his bed, made the suggestion to his wife as though it were all his own! - </p> - <p> - “I never like to think much of these things beforehand,” she - said, innocently. - </p> - <p> - “I don’t know about thinking,” said Harry; “but a - girl might do worse. If it should come up, don’t set yourself - against it.” - </p> - <p> - “Kate, of course, will please herself,” said Mrs. Heathcote. - “Now do lie down and rest yourself.” - </p> - <p> - His rest, however, was not of long duration. As he had himself suggested, - two policemen reached Gangoil at about three in the afternoon, on their - way from Maryborough to Boolabong, in order that they might take Mr. - Medlicot’s deposition. After Heathcote’s departure it had - occurred to Sergeant Forrest of the police—and the suggestion, - having been transferred from the sergeant to the stipendiary magistrate, - was now produced with magisterial sanction—that, after all, there - was no evidence against the Brownbies. They had simply interfered to - prevent the burning of the grass on their own run, and who could say that - they had committed any crime by doing so? If Medlicot had seen Nokes with - a lighted branch in his hand, the matter might be different with him; and - therefore Medlicot’s deposition was taken. He had sworn that he had - seen Nokes drag his lighted torch along the ground; he had also seen other - horsemen—two or three, as he thought—but could not identify - them. Jacko’s deposition was also taken as to the man who had been - heard and seen in the wool-shed at night. Jacko was ready to swear - point-blank that the man was Nokes. The policemen suggested that, as the - night was dark, Jacko might as well allow a shade of doubt to appear, - thinking that the shade of doubt would add strength to the evidence. But - Jacko was not going to be taught what sort of oath he should swear. - </p> - <p> - “My word!” he said. “Didn’t I see his leg move? - You go away.” - </p> - <p> - Armed with these depositions, the two constables went on to Boolabong in - search of Nokes, and of Nokes only, much to the chagrin of Harry, who - declared that the police would never really bestir themselves in a - squatter’s cause. “As for Nokes, he’ll be out of - Queensland by this time to-morrow.” - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XI. — SERGEANT FORREST. - </h2> - <p> - The Brownbie party returned, after their midnight raid, in great - discomfiture to Boolabong. Their leader, Jerry, was burned about his hands - and face in a disagreeable and unsightly manner. Joe had hardly made good - that character for “fighting it out to the end” for which he - was apt to claim credit. Boscobel was altogether disconcerted by his fall. - And Nokes, who had certainly shown no aptitude for the fray, was abused by - them all as having caused their retreat by his cowardice; while Sing Sing, - the runaway cook, who knew that he had forfeited his wages at Gangoil, was - forced to turn over in his heathenish mind the ill effects of joining the - losing side. “You big fool, Bos,” he said more than once to - his friend the woodsman, who had lured him away from the comforts of - Gangoil. “I’ll punch your head, John, if you don’t hold - your row,” Boscobel would reply. But Sing Sing went on with his - reproaches, and, before they had reached Boolabong, Boscobel had punched - the Chinaman’s head. - </p> - <p> - “You’re not coming in here,” Jerry said to Nokes, when - they reached the yard gate. - </p> - <p> - “Who wants to come in? I suppose you’re not going to send a - fellow on without a bit of grub after such a night’s work?” - </p> - <p> - “Give him some bread and meat, Jack, and let him go on. There’ll - be somebody here after him before long. He can’t hurt us; but I don’t - want people to think that we are so fond of him that we can’t do - without harboring him here. Georgie, you’ll go too, if you take my - advice. That young cur will send the police here as sure as my name is - Brownbie, and, if they once get hold of you, they’ll have a great - many things to talk to you about.” - </p> - <p> - Georgie grumbled when he heard this, but he knew that the advice given him - was good, and he did not attempt to enter the house. So Nokes and he - vanished, away into the bush together—as such men do vanish—wandering - forth to live as the wild beasts live. It was still a dark night when they - went, and the remainder of the party took themselves to their beds. - </p> - <p> - On the following afternoon they were lying about the house, sometimes - sleeping, and sometimes waking up to smoke, when the two policemen, who - had already been at Gangoil, appeared in the yard. These men were dressed - in flat caps, with short blue jackets, hunting breeches, and long black - boots—very unlike any policemen in the old country, and much more - picturesque. They leisurely tied their horses up, as though they had been - in the habit of making weekly visits to the place, and walked round to the - veranda. - </p> - <p> - “Well, Mr. Brownbie, and how are you?” said the sergeant to - the old man. - </p> - <p> - The head of the family was gracious, and declared himself to be pretty - well, considering all things. He called the sergeant by his name, and - asked the men whether they’d take a bit of something to eat. Joe - also was courteous, and, after a little delay in getting a key from his - brother, brought out the jar of spirits, which, in the bush, is regarded - as the best sign known of thorough good-breeding. The sergeant said that - he didn’t mind if he did; and the other man, of course, followed his - officer’s example. - </p> - <p> - So far every thing was comfortable, and the constables seemed in no hurry - to allude to disagreeable subjects. They condescended to eat a bit of cold - meat before they proceeded to business. And at last the matter to be - discussed was first introduced by one of the Brownbie family. - </p> - <p> - “I suppose you’ve heard that there was a scrimmage here last - night,” said Joe. The Brownbie party present consisted of the old - man, Joe and Jack Brownbie, and Boscobel, Jerry keeping himself in the - background because of his disfigurement. The sergeant, as he swallowed his - food, acknowledged that he had heard something about it. “And that’s - what brings you here,” continued Joe. - </p> - <p> - “There ain’t nothing wrong here,” said old Brownbie. - </p> - <p> - “I hope not, Mr. Brownbie,” said the sergeant. “I hope - not. We haven’t got any thing against you, at any rate.” - Sergeant Forrest was a graduate of Oxford, the son of an English - clergyman, who, having his way to make in the world, had thought that an - early fortune would be found in the colonies. He had come out, had failed, - had suffered some very hard things, and now, at the age of thirty-five, - enjoyed life thoroughly as a sergeant of the colonial police. - </p> - <p> - “You haven’t got any thing against anybody here, I should - think?” said Joe. - </p> - <p> - “If you want to get them as begun it,” said Jack, “and - them as ought to be took up, you’ll go to Gangoil.” - </p> - <p> - “Hold your tongue, Jack,” said his brother. “Sergeant - Forrest knows where to go better than you can tell him.” - </p> - <p> - Then the sergeant asked a string of questions as to the nature of the - fight; who had been hurt; and how badly had any body been hurt; and what - other harm had been done. The answers to all these questions were given - with a fair amount of truth, except that the little circumstance of the - origin of the fire was not explained. Both Boscobel and Joe had seen the - torch put down, but it could hardly have been expected that they should - have been explicit as to such a detail as that. Nor did they mention the - names of either their brother George or Nokes. - </p> - <p> - “And who was there in the matter?” asked the sergeant. - </p> - <p> - “There was young Heathcote, and a boy he has got there, and the two - chaps as he calls boundary rulers, and Medlicot, the sugar fellow from the - mill, and a chap of Medlicot’s I never set eyes on before. They must - have expected something to be up, or Heathcote would not have been going - about at night with a tribe of men like that.” - </p> - <p> - “And who were your party?” - </p> - <p> - “Well, there were just ourselves, four of us, for Georgie was here, - and this fellow Boscobel. Georgie never stays long, and he wouldn’t - be welcome if he did. He turned up just by chance like, and now he’s - off again.” - </p> - <p> - “That was all, eh?” - </p> - <p> - Of course they all knew that the sergeant knew that Nokes had been with - them. “Well, then, that wasn’t all,” said old Brownbie. - “Bill Nokes was here, whom Heathcote dismissed ever so long ago, and - that Chinese cook of his. He dismissed him too, I suppose. And he - dismissed Boscobel here.” - </p> - <p> - “No one can live at Gangoil any time,” said Jack. “Every - body knows that. He wants to be lord a’mighty over every thing. But - he ain’t going to be lord a’mighty at Boolabong.” - </p> - <p> - “And he ain’t going to burn our grass either,” said Joe. - “It’s like his impudence coming on to our ran and burning - every thing before him. He calls hisself a magistrate, but he’s not - to do just as he pleases because he’s a magistrate. I suppose we can - swear against him for lighting our grass, sergeant? There isn’t one - of us that didn’t see him do it.” - </p> - <p> - “And where is Nokes?” asked the sergeant, paying no attention - to the application made by Mr. Brownbie, junior, for redress to himself. - </p> - <p> - “Well,” said Joe, “Nokes isn’t any where about - Boolabong.” - </p> - <p> - “He’s away with your brother George?” - </p> - <p> - “I shouldn’t wonder,” said Joe. - </p> - <p> - “It’s a serious matter lighting a fire, you know,” said - the sergeant. “A man would have to swing for it.” - </p> - <p> - “Then why isn’t young Heathcote to swing?” demanded - Jack. - </p> - <p> - “There is such a thing as intent, you know. When Heathcote lighted - the fire, where would the fire have gone if he hadn’t kept putting - it out as fast as he kept lighting it? On to his own run, not to yours. - And where would the other fire have gone which somebody lit, and which - nobody put out, if he hadn’t been there to stop it? The less you say - against Heathcote the better. So Nokes is off, is he?” - </p> - <p> - “He ain’t here, anyways,” said Joe. “When the row - was over, we wouldn’t let him in. We didn’t want him about - here.” - </p> - <p> - “I dare say not,” said the sergeant. “Now let me go and - see the spot where the fight was.” So the two policemen, with the - two young Brownbies, rode away, leaving Boscobel with the old man. - </p> - <p> - “He knows every thing about it,” said old Brownbie. - </p> - <p> - “If he do,” said Boscobel, “it ain’t no odds.” - </p> - <p> - “Not a ha’porth of odds,” said Jerry, coming out of his - hiding-place. “Who cares what he knows? A man may do what he pleases - on his own run, I suppose.” - </p> - <p> - “He mayn’t light a fire as ‘ll spread,” said the - old man. - </p> - <p> - “Bother! Who’s to prove what’s in a man’s mind? If - I’d been Nokes, I’d have staid and seen it out. I’d - never be driven about the colony by such a fellow as Heathcote, with all - the police in the world to back him.” - </p> - <p> - Sergeant Forrest inspected the ground on which the fire had raged, and the - spot on which the men had met; but nothing came of his inspection, and he - had not expected that any thing would come of it. He could see exactly - where the fire had commenced, and could trace the efforts that had been - made to stop it. He did not in the least doubt the way in which it had - been lit. But he did very much doubt whether a jury could find Nokes - guilty, even if he could catch Nokes. Jacko’s evidence was worth - nothing, and Mr. Medlicot might be easily mistaken as to what he had seen - at a distance in the middle of the night. - </p> - <p> - All this happened on Christmas-day. At about nine o’clock the same - evening the two constables re-appeared at Gangoil, and asked for - hospitality for the night. This was a matter of course, and also the - reproduction of the Christmas dinner. Mrs. Medlicot was now there, and her - son, with his collar-bone set, had been allowed to come out on to the - veranda. The house had already been supposed to be full, but room, as a - matter of course, was made for Sergeant Forrest and his man. “It’s - a queer sort of Christmas we’ve all been having, Mr. Heathcote,” - said the sergeant, as the remnant of a real English plum-pudding was put - between him and his man by Mrs. Growler. - </p> - <p> - “A little hotter than it is at home, eh?” - </p> - <p> - “Indeed it is. You must have had it hot last night, Sir.” - </p> - <p> - “Very hot, sergeant. We had to work uncommonly hard to do it as well - as we did.” - </p> - <p> - “It was not a nice Christmas game, Sir, was it?” - </p> - <p> - “Eh, me!” said Mrs. Medlicot. “There’s nae - Christmas games or ony games here at all, except just worrying and - harrying, like sae many dogs at each other’s throats.” - </p> - <p> - “And you think nothing more can be done?” Harry asked. - </p> - <p> - “I don’t think we shall catch the men. When they get out - backward, it’s very hard to trace them. He’s got a horse of - his own with him, and he’ll be beyond reach of the police by this - time to-morrow. Indeed, he’s beyond their reach now. However, you’ll - have got rid of him.” - </p> - <p> - “But there are others as bad as he left behind. I wouldn’t - trust that fellow Boscobel a yard.” - </p> - <p> - “He won’t stir, Sir. He belongs to this country, and does not - want to leave it. And when a thing has been tried like that and has - failed, the fellows don’t try it again. They are cowed like by their - own failure. I don’t think you need fear fire from the Boolabong - side again this summer.” - </p> - <p> - After this the sergeant and his man discreetly allowed themselves to be - put to bed in the back cottage; for in truth, when they arrived, things - had come to such a pass at Gangoil that the two additional visitors were - hardly welcome. But hospitality in the bush can be stayed by no such - considerations as that. Let their employments or enjoyments on hand be - what they may, every thing must yield to the entertainment of strangers. - The two constables were in want of their Christmas dinner, and it was - given to them with no grudging hand. - </p> - <p> - As to Nokes, we may say that he has never since appeared in the - neighborhood of Gangoil, and that none thereabouts ever knew what was his - fate. Men such as he wander away from one colony into the next, passing - from one station to another, or sleeping on the ground, till they become - as desolate and savage as solitary animals. And at last they die in the - bush, creeping, we may suppose, into hidden nooks, as the beasts do when - the hour of death comes on them. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XII. — CONCLUSION. - </h2> - <p> - The constables had started from Gangoil, on their way to Boolabong, a - little after four, and from that time till he was made to get out of bed - for his dinner Harry Heathcote was allowed to sleep. He had richly earned - his rest by his work, and he lay motionless, without a sound, in the broad - daylight, with his arm under his head, dreaming, no doubt, of some happy - squatting land, in which there were no free-selectors, no fires, no - rebellious servants, no floods, no droughts, no wild dogs to worry the - lambs, no grass seeds to get into the fleeces, and in which the price of - wool stood steady at two shillings and sixpence a pound. His wife from - time to time came into the room, shading the light from his eyes, - protecting him from the flies, and administering in her soft way to what - she thought might be his comforts. His sleep was of the kind which no - light, nor even flies, can interrupt. Once or twice she stooped down and - kissed his brow, but he was altogether unconscious of her caress. - </p> - <p> - During this time old Mrs. Medlicot arrived; but her coming did not awake - the sleeper, though it was by no means made in silence. The old woman - sobbed and cried over her son, at the same time expressing her - thankfulness that he should have turned up in the forest so exactly at the - proper moment, evidently taking part in the conviction that her Giles had - saved Gangoil and all its sheep. And then there were all the necessary - arrangements to be made for the night, in accordance with which almost - every body had to give up his or her bed and sleep somewhere else. But - nothing disturbed Harry. For the present he was allowed to occupy his own - room, and he enjoyed the privilege. - </p> - <p> - Kate Daly during this time was much disturbed in mind. The reader may - remember—Kate, at any rate, remembered well—that, just as the - doctor had arrived to set his broken bone, Mr. Medlicot, disabled as he - was, had attempted to take her by the arm. He had certainly chosen an odd - time for a declaration of love, just the moment in which he ought to have - been preparing himself for the manipulation of his fractured limb; but, - unless he had meant a declaration of love, surely he would not have seized - her by the arm. It was a matter to her of great moment. Oh, of what vital - importance! The English girl living in a town, or even in what we call the - country, has no need to think of any special man till some special man - thinks of her. Men are fairly plentiful, and if one man does not come, - another will. And there have probably been men coming and going in some - sort since the girl left her school-room and became a young lady. But in - the bush the thing is very different. It may be that there is no young man - available within fifty miles—no possible lover or future husband, - unless Heaven should interfere almost with a miracle. To those to whom - lovers are as plentiful as blackberries it may seem indelicate to surmise - that the thought of such a want should ever enter a girl’s head. I - doubt whether the defined idea of any want had ever entered poor Kate’s - head. But now that the possible lover was there—not only possible, - but very probable—and so eligible in many respects, living so close, - with a house over his head and a good business; and then so handsome, and, - as Kate thought, so complete a gentleman! Of course she turned it much in - her mind. She was very happy with Harry Heathcote. There never was a - brother-in-law so good! But, after all, what is a brother-in-law, though - he be the very best? Kate had already begun to fancy that a house of her - own and a husband of her own would be essential to her happiness. But then - a man can not be expected to make an offer with a broken collar-bone—certainly - can not do so just when the doctor has arrived to set the bone. - </p> - <p> - Late on in the day, when the doctor had gone, and Medlicot was, according - to instructions, sitting out on the veranda in an armchair, and his mother - was with him, and while Harry was sleeping as though he never meant to be - awake again, Kate managed to say a few words to her sister. It will be - understood that the ladies’ hands were by no means empty. The - Christmas dinner was in course of preparation, and Sing Sing, that - villainous Chinese cook, had absconded. Mrs. Growler, no doubt, did her - best; but Mrs. Growler was old and slow, and the house was full of guests. - It was by no means an idle time; but still Kate found an opportunity to - say a word to her sister in the kitchen. - </p> - <p> - “What do you think of him, Mary?” - </p> - <p> - To the married sister “him” would naturally mean Harry - Heathcote, of whom, as he lay asleep, the young wife thought that he was - the very perfection of patriarchal pastoral manliness; but she knew enough - of human nature to be aware that the “him” of the moment to - her sister was no longer her own husband. “I think he has got his - arm broken fighting for Harry, and that we are bound to do the best we can - for him.” - </p> - <p> - “Oh yes; that’s of course. I’m sure Harry will feel - that. He used, you know, to—to—that is, not just to like him, - because he is a free-selector.” - </p> - <p> - “They’ll drop all that now. Of course they could not be - expected to know each other at the first starting. I shouldn’t - wonder if they became regular friends.” - </p> - <p> - “That would be nice! After all, though you may be so happy at home, - it is better to have something like a neighbor. Don’t you think so?” - </p> - <p> - “It depends on who the neighbors are. I don’t care much for - the Brownbies.” - </p> - <p> - “They are quite different, Mary.” - </p> - <p> - “I like the Medlicots very much.” - </p> - <p> - “I consider he’s quite a gentleman,” said Kate. - </p> - <p> - “Of course he’s a gentleman. Look here, Kate—I shall be - ready to welcome Mr. Medlicot as a brother-in-law, if things should turn - out that way.” - </p> - <p> - “I didn’t mean that, Mary.” - </p> - <p> - “Did you not? Well, you can mean it if you please, as far as I am - concerned. Has he said any thing to you, dear?” - </p> - <p> - “No.” - </p> - <p> - “Not a word?” - </p> - <p> - “I don’t know what you call a word; not a word of that kind.” - </p> - <p> - “I thought, perhaps—” - </p> - <p> - “I think he meant it once—this morning.” - </p> - <p> - “I dare say he meant it. And if he meant it this morning, he won’t - have forgotten his meaning to-morrow.” - </p> - <p> - “There’s no reason why he should mean it, you know.” - </p> - <p> - “None in the least, Kate; is there?” - </p> - <p> - “Now you’re laughing at me, Mary. I never used to laugh at you - when Harry was coming. I was so glad, and I did every thing I could.” - </p> - <p> - “Yes, you went away and left us in the Botanical Gardens. I - remember. But, you see, there are no Botanical Gardens here; and the poor - man couldn’t walk about if there were.” - </p> - <p> - “I wonder what Harry would say if it were to be so.” - </p> - <p> - “Of course he’d be glad—for your sake.” - </p> - <p> - “But he does so despise free-selectors! And then he used to think - that Mr. Medlicot was quite as bad as the Brownbies. I wouldn’t - marry any one to be despised by you and Harry.” - </p> - <p> - “That’s all gone by, my dear,” said the wife, feeling - that she had to apologize for her husband’s prejudices. “Of - course one has to find out what people are before one takes them to one’s - bosom. Mr. Medlicot has acted in the most friendly way about these fires, - and I’m sure Harry will never despise him any more.” - </p> - <p> - “He couldn’t have done more for a real brother than have his - arm broken.” - </p> - <p> - “But you must remember one thing, Kate, Mr. Medlicot is very nice, - and like a gentleman, and all that. Bat you never can be quite certain - about any man till he speaks out plainly. Don’t set your heart upon - him till you are quite sure that he has set his upon you.” - </p> - <p> - “Oh no,” said Kate, giving her maidenly assurance when it was - so much too late! Just at this moment Mrs. Growler came into the kitchen, - and Kate’s promises and her sister’s cautions were for the - moment silenced. - </p> - <p> - “How we’re to manage to get the dinner on the table, I for one - don’t know at all,” said Mrs. Growler. “There’s - Mr. Bates’ll be here; that will be six of ’em; and that Mr. - Medlicot will want somebody to do every thing for him, because he’s - been and got hisself smashed. And there’s the old lady has just come - out from home, and is as particular as any thing. And Mr. Harry himself - never thinks of things at all. One pair of hands, and them very old, can’t - do every thing for every body.” All of which was very well - understood to mean nothing at all. - </p> - <p> - Household deficiencies—and, indeed, all deficiencies—are - considerable or insignificant in accordance with the aspirations of those - concerned. When a man has a regiment of servants in his dining-room, with - beautifully cut glass, a forest of flowers, and an iceberg in the middle - of his table if the weather be hot, his guests will think themselves ill - used and badly fed if aught in the banquet be astray. There must not be a - rose leaf ruffled; a failure in the attendance, a falling off in a dish, - or a fault in the wine is a crime. But the same guests shall be merry as - the evening is long with a leg of mutton and whisky toddy, and will change - their own plates, and clear their own table, and think nothing wrong, if - from the beginning such has been the intention of the giver of the feast. - In spite of Mrs. Growler’s prognostications, though the cook had - absconded, and the chief guest of the occasion could not cut up his own - meat, that Christmas dinner at Gangoil was eaten with great satisfaction. - </p> - <p> - Harry had been so far triumphant. He had stopped the fire that was - intended to ruin him, he had beaten off his enemies on their own ground, - and he was no longer oppressed by that sense of desolation which had - almost overpowered him. - </p> - <p> - “We’ll give one toast, Mrs. Medlicot,” he said, when - Mrs. Growler and Kate between them had taken away the relics of the - plum-pudding. “Our friends at home!” - </p> - <p> - The poor lady drank the toast with a sob. “That’s vera weel - for you, Mr. Heathcote. You’re young, and will win your way hame, - and see auld friends again, nae doubt; but I’ll never see ane of - them mair, except those I have here.” Nevertheless, the old lady ate - her dinner and drank her toddy, and made much of the occasion, going in - and out to her son upon the veranda. - </p> - <p> - Soon after dinner Heathcote, as was his wont, strayed out with his prime - minister Bates to consult on the dangers which might be supposed still to - threaten his kingdom, and Mrs. Heathcote, with her youngest boy in her - lap, sat talking to Mrs. Medlicot in the parlor. Such was not her custom - in weather such as this. Kate had been sent out on to the veranda, with - special commands to attend to the wants of the sufferer, and Mrs. - Heathcote would have followed her had she not remembered her sister’s - appeal, “I did every thing I could for you.” - </p> - <p> - In those happy days Kate had been very good, and certainly deserved - requital for her services. And therefore, when the men had gone out, Mrs. - Heathcote, with her guest, remained in the warm room, and went so far as - to suggest that at that period of the day the room was preferable to the - veranda. Poor Mrs. Medlicot was new to the ways of the bush, and fell into - the trap; thus Kate Daly was left alone with her wounded hero. - </p> - <p> - When told to take him out his glass of wine, and when conscious that no - one followed her, she felt herself to have been guilty of some great sin, - and was almost tempted to escape. She had asked her sister for help; and - this was the help that was forth-coming—help so palpable, so - manifest, as to be almost indelicate! Would he think that plans were being - made to catch him, now that he was a captive and impotent? The thought - that it was possible that such an idea might occur to him was terrible to - her. She would rather lose him altogether than feel the stain of such a - suggestion on her own conscience. She put the glass of wine down on the - little table by his side, and then attempted to withdraw. - </p> - <p> - “Stay a moment with me,” he said. “Where are they all?” - </p> - <p> - “Mary and your mother are inside. Harry and Mr. Bates have gone - across to look at the horses.” - </p> - <p> - “I almost feel as though I could walk, too.” - </p> - <p> - “You must not think of it yet, Mr. Medlicot. It seems almost a - wonder that you shouldn’t have to be in bed, and you with your - collar-bone broken only last night! I don’t know how you can bear it - as you do.” - </p> - <p> - “I shall be so glad I broke it, if one thing will come about.” - </p> - <p> - “What thing?” asked Kate, blushing. - </p> - <p> - “Kate—may I call you Kate?” - </p> - <p> - “I don’t know,” she said. - </p> - <p> - “You know I love you, do you not? You must know it. Dearest Kate, - can you love me and be my wife?” His left arm was bound up, and was - in a sling, but he put out his right hand to take hers, if she would give - it to him. Kate Daly had never had a lover before, and felt the occasion - to be trying. She had no doubt about the matter. If it were only proper - for her to declare herself, she could swear with a safe conscience that - she loved him better than all the world. - </p> - <p> - “Put your hand here, Kate,” he said. - </p> - <p> - As the request was not exactly for the gift of her hand, she placed it in - his. - </p> - <p> - “May I keep it now?” - </p> - <p> - She could only whisper something which was quite inaudible, even to him. - </p> - <p> - “I shall keep it, and think that you are all my own. Stoop down, - Kate, and kiss me, if you love me.” - </p> - <p> - She hesitated for a moment, trying to collect her thoughts. She did love - him, and was his own; still, to stoop and kiss a man who, if such a thing - were to be allowed at all, ought certainly to kiss her! She did not think - she could do that. But then she was bound to protect him, wounded and - broken as he was, from his own imprudence; and if she did not stoop to - him, he would rise to her. She was still in doubt, still standing with her - hand in his, half bending over him, but yet half resisting as she bent, - when, all suddenly, Harry Heathcote was on the veranda, followed by the - two policemen, who had just returned from Boolabong. She was sure that - Harry had seen her, and was by no means sure that she had been quick - enough in escaping from her lover’s hand to have been unnoticed by - the policemen also. She fled away as though guilty, and could hardly - recover herself sufficiently to assist Mrs. Growler in producing the - additional dinner which was required. - </p> - <p> - The two men were quickly sent to their rest, as has been told before; and - Harry, who had in truth seen how close to his friend his sister-in-law had - been standing, would, had it been possible, have restored the lovers to - their old positions; but they were all now on the veranda, and it was - impossible. Kate hung back, half in and half out of the sitting-room, and - old Mrs. Medlicot had seated herself close to her son. Harry was lying at - full length on a rug, and his wife was sitting over him. Then Giles - Medlicot, who was not quite contented with the present condition of - affairs, made a little speech. - </p> - <p> - “Mrs. Heathcote,” he said, “I have asked your sister to - marry me.” - </p> - <p> - “Dearie me, Giles,” said Mrs. Medlicot. - </p> - <p> - Kate remained no longer half in and half out of the parlor, but retreated - altogether and hid herself. Harry turned himself over on the rug, and - looked up at his wife, claiming infinite credit in that he had foreseen - that such a thing might happen. - </p> - <p> - “And what answer has she given you?” said Mrs. Heathcote. - </p> - <p> - “She hasn’t given me any answer yet. I wonder what you and - Heathcote would say about it?” - </p> - <p> - “What Kate has to say is much more important,” replied the - discreet sister. - </p> - <p> - “I should like it of all things,” said Harry, jumping up. - “It’s always best to be open about these things. When you - first came here, I didn’t like you. You took a bit of my river - frontage—not that it does me any great harm—and then I was - angry about that scoundrel Nokes.” - </p> - <p> - “I was wrong about Nokes,” said Medlicot, “and have, - therefore, had my collar-bone broken. As to the land, you’ll forgive - my having it if Kate will come and live there?” - </p> - <p> - “By George! I should think so.—Kate, why don’t you come - out? Come along, my girl. Medlicot has spoken out openly, and you should - answer him in the same fashion.” So saying, he dragged her forth, - and I fear that, as far as she was concerned, something of the sweetness - of her courtship was lost by the publicity with which she was forced to - confess her love. “Will you go, Kate, and make sugar down at the - mill? I have often thought how bad it would be for Mary and me when you - were taken away; but we sha’n’t mind it so much if we knew - that you are to be near us.” - </p> - <p> - “Speak to him, Kate,” said Mrs. Heathcote, with her arm round - her sister’s waist. - </p> - <p> - “I think she’s minded to have him,” said Mrs. Medlicot. - </p> - <p> - “Tell me, Kate—shall it be so?” pleaded the lover. - </p> - <p> - She came up to him and leaned over him, and whispered one word which - nobody else heard. But they all knew what the word was. And before they - separated for the night she was left alone with him, and he got the kiss - for which he was asking when the policemen interrupted them. - </p> - <p> - “That’s what I call a happy Christmas,” said Harry, as - the party finally parted for the night. - </p> - <div style="height: 6em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> -<pre xml:space="preserve"> - - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HARRY HEATHCOTE OF GANGOIL*** - - -******* This file should be named 5642-h.htm or 5642-h.zip ******* - - -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/5/6/4/5642 - - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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Be sure to check the -copyright laws for your country before downloading or redistributing -this or any other Project Gutenberg eBook. - -This header should be the first thing seen when viewing this Project -Gutenberg file. Please do not remove it. Do not change or edit the -header without written permission. - -Please read the "legal small print," and other information about the -eBook and Project Gutenberg at the bottom of this file. Included is -important information about your specific rights and restrictions in -how the file may be used. You can also find out about how to make a -donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. - - -**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** - -**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** - -*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!***** - - -Title: Harry Heathcote of Gangoil - -Author: Anthony Trollope - -Release Date: May, 2004 [EBook #5642] -[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] -[This file was first posted on August 3, 2002] - -Edition: 10 - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, HARRY HEATHCOTE OF GANGOIL *** - - - - -This eBook was produced by Nicole Apostola, Charles Franks and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team. - - - -HARRY HEATHCOTE OF GANGOIL - -A Tale of Australian Bush-Life. - - -BY ANTHONY TROLLOPE, - - -AUTHOR OF - -"THE WARDEN", "BARCHESTER TOWERS," "ORLEY FARM," "THE SMALL HOUSE AT -ARLINGTON", "THE EUSTACE DIAMONDS," &c., &c - - -ILLUSTRATED. - - - - -HARRY HEATHCOTE - - - - -CHAPTER I - -GANGOIL. - - -Just a fortnight before Christmas, 1871, a young man, twenty-four -years of age, returned home to his dinner about eight o'clock in the -evening. He was married, and with him and his wife lived his wife's -sister. At that somewhat late hour he walked in among the two young -women, and another much older woman who was preparing the table for -dinner. The wife and the wife's sister each had a child in her lap, -the elder having seen some fifteen months of its existence, and the -younger three months. "He has been out since seven, and I don't think -he's had a mouthful," the wife had just said. "Oh, Harry, you must be -half starved," she exclaimed, jumping up to greet him, and throwing -her arm round his bare neck. - -"I'm about whole melted," he said, as he kissed her. "In the name of -charity give me a nobbler. I did get a bit of damper and a pannikin -of tea up at the German's hut; but I never was so hot or so thirsty -in my life. We're going to have it in earnest this time. Old Bates -says that when the gum leaves crackle, as they do now, before -Christmas, there won't be a blade of grass by the end of February." - -"I hate Old Bates," said the wife. "He always prophesies evil, and -complains about his rations." - -"He knows more about sheep than any man this side of the Mary," said -her husband. From all this I trust the reader will understand that -the Christmas to which he is introduced is not the Christmas with -which he is intimate on this side of the equator--a Christmas of -blazing fires in-doors, and of sleet arid snow and frost outside--but -the Christmas of Australia, in which happy land the Christmas fires -are apt to be lighted--or to light themselves--when they are by no -means needed. - -The young man who had just returned home had on a flannel shirt, a -pair of mole-skin trowsers, and an old straw hat, battered nearly out -of all shape. He had no coat, no waistcoat, no braces, and nothing -round his neck. Round his waist there was a strap or belt, from the -front of which hung a small pouch, and, behind, a knife in a case. -And stuck into a loop in the belt, made for the purpose, there was a -small brier-wood pipe. As he dashed his hat off, wiped his brow, and -threw himself into a rocking-chair, he certainly was rough to look -at, but by all who understood Australian life he would have been -taken to be a gentleman. He was a young squatter, well known west of -the Mary River, in Queensland. Harry Heathcote of Gangoil, who owned -30,000 sheep of his own, was a magistrate in those parts, and able to -hold his own among his neighbors, whether rough or gentle; and some -neighbors he had, very rough, who made it almost necessary that a man -should be able to be rough also, on occasions, if he desired to live -among them without injury. Heathcote of Gangoil could do all that. -Men said of him that he was too imperious, too masterful, too much -inclined to think that all things should be made to go as he would -have them. Young as he was, he had been altogether his own master -since he was of age--and not only his own master, but the master also -of all with whom he was brought into contact from day to day. In his -life he conversed but seldom with any but those who were dependent on -him, nor had he done so for the last three years. At an age at which -young men at home are still subject to pastors and masters, he had -sprung at once into patriarchal power, and, being a man determined to -thrive, had become laborious and thoughtful beyond his years. - -Harry Heathcote had been left an orphan, with a small fortune in -money, when he was fourteen. For two years after that he had -consented to remain quietly at school, but at sixteen he declared his -purpose of emigrating. Boys less than himself in stature got above -him at school, and he had not liked it. For a twelvemonth he was -opposed by his guardian; but at the end of the year he was fitted -forth for the colony. The guardian was not sorry to be quit of him, -but prophesied that he would be home again before a year was over. -The lad had not returned, and it was now a settled conviction among -all who knew him that he would make or mar his fortune in the new -land that he had chosen. - -He was a tall, well-made young fellow, with fair hair and a good- -humored smile, but ever carrying in his countenance marks of what his -enemies called pig-headedness, his acquaintances obstinacy, and those -who loved him firmness. His acquaintances were, perhaps, right, for -he certainly was obstinate. He would take no man's advice, he would -submit himself to no man, and in the conduct of his own business -preferred to trust to his own insight than to the experience of -others. It would sometimes occur that he had to pay heavily for his -obstinacy. But, on the other hand, the lessons which he learned he -learned thoroughly. And he was kept right in his trade by his own -indefatigable industry. That trade was the growth of wool. He was a -breeder of sheep on a Queensland sheep-run, and his flocks ran far -afield over a vast territory of which he was the only lord. His house -was near the river Mary, and beyond the river his domain did not -extend; but around him on his own side of the river he could ride for -ten miles in each direction without getting off his own pastures. He -was master, as far as his mastership went, of 120,000 acres--almost -an English county--and it was the pride of his heart to put his foot -off his own territory as seldom as possible. He sent his wool -annually down to Brisbane, and received his stores, tea and sugar, -flour and brandy, boots, clothes, tobacco, etc., once or twice a year -from thence. But the traffic did not require his own presence at the -city. So self-contained was the working of the establishment that he -was never called away by his business, unless he went to see some lot -of highly bred sheep which he might feel disposed to buy; and as for -pleasure, it had come to be altogether beyond the purpose of his life -to go in quest of that. When the work of the day was over, he would -lie at his length upon rugs in the veranda, with a pipe in his mouth, -while his wife sat over him reading a play of Shakspeare or the last -novel that had come to them from England. - -He had married a fair girl, the orphan daughter of a bankrupt -squatter whom be had met in Sydney, and had brought her and her -sister into the Queensland bush with him. His wife idolized him. His -sister-in-law, Kate Daly, loved him dearly--as she had cause to do, -for he had proved himself to be a very brother to her; but she feared -him also somewhat. The people about the Mary said that she was fairer -and sweeter to look at even than the elder sister. Mrs. Heathcote was -the taller of the two, and the larger-featured. She certainly was the -higher in intellect, and the fittest to be the mistress of such an -establishment as that at Gangoil. - -When he had washed his hands and face, and had swallowed the very -copious but weak allowance of brandy-and-water which his wife mixed -for him, he took the eldest boy on his lap and fondled him. "By -George!" he said, "old fellow, you sha'n't be a squatter." - -"Why not, Harry?" asked his wife. - -"Because I don't want him to break his heart every day of his life." - -"Are you always breaking yours? I thought your heart was pretty well -hardened now." - -"When a man talks of his heart, you and Kate are thinking of loves -and doves, of course." - -"I wasn't thinking of loves and doves, Harry," said Kate." I was -thinking how very hot it must have been to-day. We could only bear it -in the veranda by keeping the blinds always wet. I don't wonder that -you were troubled." - -"That comes from heaven or Providence, or from something that one -knows to be unassailable, and therefore one can put up with it. Even -if one gets a sun-stroke one does not complain. The sun has a right -to be there, and is no interloper, like a free-selector. I can't -understand why free-selectors and mosquitoes should have been -introduced into the arrangements of the world." - -"I s'pose the poor must live somewheres, and 'squiters too," said -Mrs. Growler, the old maid-servant, as she put a boiled leg of mutton -on the table. "Now, Mr. Harry, if you're hungered, there's something -for you to eat in spite of the free-selectors." - -"Mrs. Growler," said the master, "excuse me for saying that you jump -to conclusions." - -"My jumping is pretty well-nigh done," said the old woman. - -"By no means. I find that old people can jump quite as briskly as -young. You have rebuked me under the impression that I was grudging -something to the poor. Let me explain to you that a free-selector may -be, and very often is, a rich man. He whom I had in my mind is not a -poor man. though I won't swear but what he will be before a year is -over." - -"I know who you mean, Mr. Harry; you mean the Medlicots. A very nice -gentleman is Mr. Medlicot, and a very nice old lady is Mrs. Medlicot. -And a deal of good they're going to do, by all accounts." - -"Now, Mrs. Growler, that will do," said the wife. - -The dinner consisted of a boiled leg of mutton, a large piece of -roast beef, potatoes, onions, and an immense pot of tea. No glasses -were even put upon the table. The two ladies had dressed for dinner, -and were bright and pretty as they would have been in a country house -at home; but Harry Heathcote had sat down just as he had entered the -room. - -"I know you are tired to death," said his wife, "when I see you eat -your dinner like that." - -"It isn't being tired, Mary; I'm not particularly tired. But I must -be off again in about an hour." - -"Out again to-night?" - -"Yes, indeed." - -"On horseback?" - -"How else? Old Bates and Mickey are in their saddles still. I don't -want to have my fences burned as soon as they're put up. It's a -ticklish thing to think that a spark of fire any where about the -place might ruin me, and to know at the same time that every man -about the run and every swagsman that passes along have matches in -their pocket. There isn't a pipe lighted on Gangoil this time of the -year that mightn't make a beggar of you and me. That's another reason -why I wouldn't have the young un a squatter." - -"--I declare I think that squatters have more trouble than any people -in the world," said Kate Daly. - -"--Free-selectors have their own troubles too, Kate," said he. - -It must be explained as we go on that Heathcote felt that he had -received a great and peculiar grievance from the hands of one -Medlicot, a stranger who had lately settled near him, and that this -last remark referred to a somewhat favorable opinion which had been -expressed about this stranger by the two ladies. It was a little -unfair, as having been addressed specially to Kate, intending as it -did to imply that Kate had better consider the matter well before she -allowed her opinion of the stranger to become dangerously favorable; -for in truth she had said no more than her sister. - -"The Medlicots' troubles will never trouble me, Harry," she said. - -"I hope not, Kate; nor mine either more than we can help." - -"But they do," said Mary. "They trouble me, and her too, very much." - -"A man's back should be broad enough to bear all that for himself," -said Harry. "I get ashamed of myself when I grumble, and yet one -seems to be surly if one doesn't say what one's thinking." - -"I hope you'll always tell me what you're thinking, dear." - -"Well, I suppose I shall--till this fellow is old enough to be talked -to, and to be made to bear the burden of his father's care." - -"By that time, Harry, you will have got rich, and we shall all be in -England, sha'n't we?" - -"I don't know about being rich, but we shall have been free-selected -off Gangoil.--Now, Mrs. Growler, we've done dinner, and I'll have a -pipe before I make another start. Is Jacko in the kitchen? Send him -through to me on to the veranda." - -Gangoil was decidedly in the bush--according to common Australian -parlance, all sheep stations are in the bush, even though there -should not be a tree or shrub within sight. They who live away from -the towns live a "bush life." Small towns, as they grow up, are -called bush towns, as we talk of country towns. The "bush," indeed, -is the country generally. But the Heathcotes lived absolutely and -actually in the bush. There are Australian pastures which consist of -plains on which not a tree is to be seen for miles; but others are -forests, so far extending that their limits are almost unknown. -Gangoil was surrounded by forest, in some places so close as to be -impervious to men and almost to animals in which the undergrowth was -thick and tortuous and almost platted, through which no path could be -made without an axe, but of which the greater portions were open, -without any under-wood, between which the sheep could wander at their -will, and men could ride, with a sparse surface of coarse grass, -which after rain would be luxuriant, but in hot weather would be -scorched down to the ground. At such times--and those times were by -far the more common--a stranger would wonder where the sheep would -find their feed. Immediately round the house, or station, as it was -called, about one hundred acres had been cleared, or nearly cleared, -with a few trees left here and there for ornament or shade. Further -afield, but still round the home quarters, the trees had been -destroyed, the run of the sap having been stopped by "ringing" the -bark; but they still stood like troops of skeletons, and would stand, -very ugly to look at, till they fell, in the course of nature, by -reason of their own rottenness. There was a man always at work about -the place--Boscobel he was called--whose sole business was to destroy -the timber after this fashion, so that the air might get through to -the grasses, and that the soil might be relieved from the burden of -nurturing the forest trees. - -For miles around the domain was divided into paddocks, as they were -there called; but these were so large that a stranger might wander in -one of them for a day and never discover that he was inclosed. There -were five or six paddocks on the Gangoil run, each of which comprised -over ten thousand acres, and as all the land was undulating, and as -the timber was around you every where, one paddock was exactly like -another. The scenery in itself was fine, for the trees were often -large, and here and there rocky knolls would crop up, and there were -broken crevices in the ground; but it was all alike. A stranger would -wonder that any one straying from the house should find his way back -to it. There were sundry bush houses here and there, and the so- -called road to the coast from the wide pastoral districts further -west passed across the run; but these roads and tracks would travel -hither and thither, new tracks being opened from time to time by the -heavy wool drays and store wagons, as in wet weather the ruts on the -old tracks would become insurmountable. - -The station itself was certainly very pretty. It consisted of a -cluster of cottages, each of which possessed a ground-floor only. No -such luxury as stairs was known at Gangoil. It stood about half a -mile from the Mary River, on the edge of a creek which ran into it. -The principal edifice, that in which the Heathcotes lived, contained -only one sitting-room, and a bedroom on each side of it; but in truth -there was another room, very spacious, in which the family really -passed their time; and this was the veranda which ran along the front -and two ends of the house. It was twelve feet broad, and, of course, -of great length. Here was clustered the rocking-chairs, and sofas, -and work-tables, and very often the cradle of the family. Here stood -Mrs. Heathcote's sewing-machine, and here the master would sprawl at -his length, while his wife, or his wife's sister, read to him. It was -here, in fact, that they lived, having a parlor simply for their -meals. Behind the main edifice there stood, each apart, various -buildings, forming an irregular quadrangle. The kitchen came first, -with a small adjacent chamber in which slept the Chinese man-cook, -Sing Sing, as he had come to be called; then the cottage, consisting -also of three rooms and a small veranda, in which lived Harry's -superintendent, commonly known as Old Bates, a man who had been a -squatter once himself, and having lost his all in bad times, now -worked for a small salary. In the cottage two of the rooms were -devoted to hospitality when, as was not unusual, guests, known or -unknown, came that way; and here Harry himself would sleep, if the -entertainment of other ladies crowded the best apartments. Then at -the back of the quadrangle was the store, perhaps of all the -buildings the most important. In here was kept a kind of shop, which -was supposed, according to an obsolete rule, to be open for custom -for half a day twice a week. The exigencies of the station did not -allow of this regularity; but after some fashion the shop was -maintained. Tea was to be bought there, and sugar, tobacco, and -pickles, jam, nails, boots, hats, flannel shirrs, and mole-skin -trowsers. Any body who came might buy, but the intention was to -provide the station hands, who would otherwise have had to go or send -thirty miles for the supply of their wants. Very little money was -taken here, generally none. But the quantity of pickles, jam, and -tobacco sold was great. The men would consume large quantities of -these bush delicacies, and the cost would be deducted from their -wages. The tea and sugar, and flour also, were given out weekly, as -rations--so much a week--and meat was supplied to them after the same -fashion. For it was the duty of this young autocratic patriarch to -find provisions for all who were employed around him. For such -luxuries as jam and tobacco the men paid themselves. - -On the fourth side of the quadrangle was a rough coach-house, and -rougher stables. The carriage part of the establishment consisted of -two "buggies"--so called always in the bush--open carriages on four -wheels, one of which was intended to hold two and the other four -sitters. A Londoner looking at them would have declared them to be -hopeless ruins; but Harry Heathcote still made wonderful journeys in -them, taking care generally that the wheels were sound, and using -ropes for the repair of dilapidations. The stables were almost -unnecessary, as the horses, of which the supply at Gangoil was very -large, roamed in the horse paddock, a comparatively small inclosure -containing not above three or four hundred acres, and were driven up -as they were wanted. One horse was always kept close at home with -which to catch the others; but this horse, for handiness, was -generally hitched to a post outside the kitchen door. Harry was proud -of his horses, and was sometimes heard to say that few men in England -had a lot of thirty at hand as he had, out of which so many would be -able to carry a man eighty miles in eight hours at a moment's notice. -But his stable arrangements would not have commanded respect in the -"Shires." The animals were never groomed, never fed, and many of them -never shod. They lived upon grass, and, Harry always said, "cut their -own bread-and-butter for themselves." - -Gangoil was certainly very pretty. The veranda was covered in with -striped blinds, so that when the sun shone hot, or when the rains -fell heavily, or when the mosquitoes were more than usually -troublesome, there might be something of the protection of an -inclosed room. Up all the posts there were flowering creepers, which -covered the front with greenery even when the flowers were wanting. -From the front of the house down to the creek there was a pleasant -failing garden--heart-breaking, indeed, in regard to vegetables, for -the opossums always came first, and they who followed the opossums -got but little. But the garden gave a pleasant home-like look to the -place, and was very dear to Harry, who was, perhaps, indifferent in -regard to pease and tomatoes. Harry Heathcote was very proud of the -place, for he had made it all himself, having pulled down a wretched -barrack that he had found there. But he was far prouder of his wool- -shed, which he had also built, and which he regarded as first and -foremost among wool-sheds in those parts. By-and-by we shall be -called on to visit the wool-shed. Though Heathcote had done all this -for Gangoil, it must be understood that the vast extent of territory -over which his sheep ran was by no means his own property. He was -simply the tenant of the Crown, paying a rent computed at so much a -sheep. He had, indeed, purchased the ground on which his house stood, -but this he had done simply to guard himself against other -purchasers. These other purchasers were the bane of his existence, -the one great sorrow which, as he said, broke his heart. - -While he was speaking, a rough-looking lad, about sixteen years of -age, came through the parlor to the veranda, dressed very much like -his master, but unwashed, uncombed, and with that wild look which -falls upon those who wander about the Australian plains, living a -nomad life. This was Jacko--so called, and no one knew him by any -other name--a lad whom Heathcote had picked up about six months -since, and who had become a favorite. "The old woman says as you was -wanting me?" suggested Jacko. "Going to be fine to-night, Jacko?" - -Jacko went to the edge of the veranda and looked up to the sky. "My -word! little squall a-coming," he said. - -"I wish it would come from ten thousand buckets," said the master. - -"No buckets at all," said Jacko. "Want the horses, master?" - -"Of course. I want the horses, and I want you to come with me. There -are two horses saddled there; I'll ride Hamlet." - - - - -CHAPTER II. - -A NIGHT'S RIDE. - - -Harry jumped from the ground, kissed his wife, called her "old girl," -and told her to be happy, and got on his horse at the garden gate. -Both the ladies came off the veranda to see him start. "It's as dark -as pitch," said Kate Daly. - -"That's because you have just come out of the light." - -"But it is dark--quite dark. You won't be late, will you?" said the -wife. - -"I can't be very early, as it's near ten now. I shall be back about -twelve." So saying, he broke at once into a gallop, and vanished into -the night, his young groom scampering after him. - -"Why should he go out now?" Kate said to her sister. - -"He is afraid of fire." - -"But he can't prevent the fires by riding about in the dark. I -suppose the fires come from the heat." - -"He thinks they come from enemies, and he has heard something. One -wretched man may do so much when every thing is dried to tinder. I do -so wish it would rain." - -The night, in truth, was very dark. It was now midsummer, at which -time with us the days are so long that the coming of the one almost -catches the departure of its predecessor. But Gangoil was not far -outside the tropics, and there were no long summer nights. The heat -was intense; but there was a low soughing wind which seemed to moan -among the trees without moving them. As they crossed the little home -inclosure and the horse paddock, the track was just visible, the -trees being dead and the spaces open. About half a mile from the -house, while they were still in the horse paddock, Harry turned from -the track, and Jacko, of course, turned with him. "You can sit your -horse jumping, Jacko?" he asked. - -"My word! jump like glory," answered Jacko. He was soon tried. Harry -rode at the bush fence--which was not, indeed, much of a fence, made -of logs lengthways and crossways, about three feet and a half high-- -and went over it. Jacko followed him, rushing his horse at the leap, -losing his seat and almost falling over the animal's shoulders as he -came to the ground. "My word!" said Jacko, just saving himself by a -scramble; "who ever saw the like of that?" - -"Why don't you sit in your saddle, you stupid young duffer?" - -"Sit in my saddle! Why don't he jump proper? Well, you go on. I don't -know that I'm a duffer. Duffer, indeed! My word!" Heathcote had -turned to the left, leaving the track, which was, indeed, the main -road toward the nearest town and the coast, and was now pushing on -through the forest with no pathway at all to guide him. To ordinary -eyes the attempt to steer any course would have been hopeless. But an -Australian squatter, if he have any well-grounded claim to the -character of a bushman, has eyes which are not ordinary, and he has, -probably, nurtured within himself, unconsciously, topographical -instincts which are unintelligible to the inhabitants of cities. -Harry, too, was near his own home, and went forward through the thick -gloom without a doubt, Jacko following him faithfully. In about half -an hour they came to another fence, but now it was too absolutely -dark for jumping. Harry had not seen it till he was close to it, and -then he pulled up his horse. "My word! why don't you jump away, Mr. -Harry? Who's a duffer now?" - -"Hold your tongue, or I'll put my whip across your back. Get down and -help me pull a log away. The horses couldn't see where to put their -feet." Jacko did as he was bid, and worked hard, but still grumbled -at having been called a duffer. The animals were quickly led over, -the logs were replaced, and the two were again galloping through the -forest. - -"I thought you were making for the wool-shed," said Jacko. - -"We're eight miles beyond the wool-shed," said Harry. They had now -crossed another paddock, and had come to the extreme fence on the -run. The Gangoil pastures extended much further, but in that -direction had not as yet been inclosed. Here they both got off their -horses and walked along the fence till they came to an opening, with -a slip panel, or movable bars, which had been Heathcote's intended -destination. "Hold the horses, Jacko, till I come back," he said. - -Jacko, when alone, nothing daunted by the darkness or solitude, -seated himself on the top rail, took out a pipe, and struck a match. -When the tobacco was ignited he dropped the match on the dry grass at -his feet, and a little flame instantly sprang up. The boy waited a -few seconds till the flames began to run, and then putting his feet -together on the ground stamped out the incipient fire. "My word!" -said Jacko to himself, "it's easy done, anyway." - -Harry went on to the left for about half a mile, and then stood -leaning against the fence. It was very dark, but he was now looking -over into an inclosure which had been altogether cleared of trees, -and which, as he knew well, had been cultivated and was covered with -sugar-canes. Where he stood he was not distant above a quarter of a -mile from the river, and the field before him ran down to the banks. -This was the selected land of Giles Medlicot--two years since a -portion of his own run, which had now been purchased from the -government--for the loss of which he had received and was entitled to -receive no compensation. And the matter was made worse for him by the -fact that the interloper had come between him and the river. But he -was not standing here near midnight merely to exercise his wrath by -straining his eyes through the darkness at his neighbor's crops. He -put his finger into his mouth to wet it, and then held it up that he -might discover which way the light breath of wind was coming. There -was still the low moan to be heard continually through the forest, -and yet not a leaf seemed to be moved. After a while he thought he -caught a sound, and put his ear down to the ground. He distinctly -heard a footstep, and rising up, walked quickly toward the spot -whence the noise came. - -"Who's that?" he said, as he saw the figure of a man standing on his -side of the fence, and leaning against it, with a pipe in his month. - -"Who are you?" replied the man on the fence. "My name is Medlicot." - -"Oh, Mr. Medlicot, is it?" - -"Is that Mr. Heathcote? Good-night, Mr. Heathcote. You are going -about at a late hour of the night." - -"I have to go about early and late; but I ain't later than you." - -"I'm close at home," said Medlicot. - -"I am, at any rate, on my own run," said Harry. - -"You mean to say that I am trespassing?" said the other; "because I -can very soon jump back over the fence." - -"I didn't mean that at all, Mr. Medlicot; any body is welcome on my -run, night or day, who knows how to behave himself." - -"I hope I'm included in that list." - -"Just so; of course. Considering the state that every thing is in, -and all the damage that a fire would do, I rather wish that people -would be a little more careful about smoking." - -"My canes, Mr. Heathcote, would burn quite as quickly as your grass." - -"It is not only the grass. I've a hundred miles of fencing on the run -which is as dry as tinder, not to talk of the station and the wool- -shed." - -"They sha'n't suffer from my neglect, Mr. Heathcote." - -"You have men about who mayn't be so careful. The wind, such as it -is, is coming right across from your place. If there were light -enough, I could show you three or four patches where there has been -fire within half a mile of this spot. There was a log burning there -for two or three days, not long ago, which was lighted by one of our -men." - -"That was a fortnight since. There was no heat then, and the men were -boiling their kettle. I spoke about it." - -"A log like that, Mr. Medlicot, will burn for weeks sometimes. I'll -tell you fairly what I'm afraid of. There's a man with you whom I -turned out of the shed last shearing, and I think he might put a -match down--not by accident." - -"You mean Nokes. As far as I know, he's a decent man. You wouldn't -have me not employ a man just because you had dismissed him?" - -"Certainly not; that is, I shouldn't think of dictating to you about -such a thing." - -"Well, no, Mr. Heathcote, I suppose not. Nokes has got to earn his -bread, though you did dismiss him. I don't know that he's not as -honest a man as you or I." - -"If so, there's three of us very bad; that's all, Mr. Medlicot. Good- -night; and if you'll trouble yourself to look after the ash of your -tobacco it might be the saving of me and all I have." So saying, he -turned round, and made his way back to the horses. - -Medlicot had placed himself on the fence during the interview, and he -still kept his seat. Of course he was now thinking of the man who had -just left him, whom he declared to himself to be an ignorant, -prejudiced, ill-constituted cur. "I believe in his heart he thinks -that I'm going to set fire to his run," he said, almost aloud. "And -because he grows wool he thinks himself above every body in the -colony. He occupies thousands of acres, and employs three or four -men. I till about two hundred, and maintain thirty families. But he -is such a pig that he can't understand all that; and he thinks that I -must be something low because I've bought with my own money a bit of -land which never belonged to him, and which he couldn't use." Such -was the nature of Giles Medlicot's soliloquy as he sat swinging his -legs, and still smoking his pipe, on the fence which divided his -sugar-cane from the other young man's run. - -And Harry Heathcote uttered his soliloquy also. "I wouldn't swear -that he wouldn't do it himself, after all;" meaning that he almost -suspected that Medlicot himself would be an incendiary. To him, in -his way of thinking, a man who would take advantage of the law to buy -a bit of another man's land--or become a free-selector, as the term -goes--was a public enemy, and might be presumed capable of any -iniquity. It was all very well for the girls--meaning his wife and -sister-in-law--to tell him that Medlicot had the manners of a -gentleman and had come of decent people. Women were always soft -enough to be taken by soft hands, a good-looking face, and a decent -coat. This Medlicot went about dressed like a man in the towns, -exhibiting, as Harry thought, a contemptible, unmanly finery. Of what -use was it to tell him that Medlicot was a gentleman? What Harry knew -was that since Medlicot had come he had lost his sheep, that the -heads of three or four had been found buried on Medlicot's side of -his run, and that if he dismissed "a hand," Medlicot employed him--a -proceeding which, in Harry Heathcote's aristocratic and patriarchal -views of life, was altogether ungentleman-like. How were the "hands" -to be kept in their place if one employer of labor did not back up -another? - -He had been warned to be on his guard against fire. The warnings had -hardly been implicit, but yet had come in a shape which made him -unable to ignore them. Old Bates, whom he trusted implicitly, and who -was a man of very few words, had told him to be on his guard. The -German, at whose hut he had been in the morning, Karl Bender by name, -and a servant of his own, had told him that there would be fire about -before long. - -"Why should any one want to ruin me?" Harry had asked. "Did I ever -wrong a man of a shilling?" - -The German had learned to know his young master, had made his way -through the crust of his master's character, and was prepared to be -faithful at all points--though he too could have quarreled and have -avenged himself had it not chanced that he had come to the point of -loving instead of hating his employer. - -"You like too much to be governor over all," said the German, as he -stooped over the fire in his own hut in his anxiety to boil the water -for Heathcote's tea. - -"Somebody must be governor, or every thing would go to the devil," -said Harry. - -"Dat's true--only fellows don't like be made feel it," said the -German, "Nokes, he was made feel it when you put him over de gate." - -But neither would Bates nor the German express absolute suspicion of -any man. That Medlicot's "hands" at the sugar-mill were stealing his -sheep Harry thought that he knew; but that was comparatively a small -affair, and he would not have pressed it, as he was without absolute -evidence. And even he had a feeling that it would be unwise to -increase the anger felt against himself--at any rate, during the -present heats. - -Jacko had his pipe still alight when Heathcote returned. "You young -monkey," said he, "have you been using matches?" - -"Why not, Mr. Harry? Don't the grass burn ready, Mr. Harry? My word!" -Then Jacko stooped down, lit another match, and showed Heathcote the -burned patch. - -"Was it so when we came?" Harry asked, with emotion. Jacko, still -kneeling on the ground, and holding the lighted match in his hand, -shook his head and tapped his breast, indicating that he had burned -the grass. "You dropped the match by accident?" - -"My word! no. Did it o' purpose to see. It's all just one as -gunpowder, Mr. Harry." - -Harry got on his horse without a word, and rode away through the -forest, taking a direction different from that by which he had come, -and the boy followed him. He was by no means certain that this young -fellow might not turn against him; but it had been a part of his -theory to make no difference to any man because of such fears. If he -could make the men around him respect him, then they would treat him -well; but they could never be brought to respect him by flattery. He -was very nearly right in his views of men, and would have been right -altogether could he have seen accurately what justice demanded for -others as well as for himself. As far as the intention went, he was -minded to be just to every man. - -It seemed, as they were riding, that the heat grew fiercer and -fiercer. Though there was still the same moaning sound, there was not -a breath of air. They had now got upon a track very well known to -Heathcote, which led up from the river to the wool-shed, and so on to -the station, and they had turned homeward. When they were near the -wool-shed, suddenly there fell a heavy drop or two of rain. Harry -stopped and turned his face upward, when, in a moment, the whole -heavens above them and the forest around were illumined by a flash of -lightning so near them that it made each of them start in his saddle, -and made the horses shudder in every limb. Then came the roll of -thunder immediately over their heads, and with the thunder rain so -thick and fast that Harry's "ten thousand buckets" seemed to be -emptied directly over their heads. - -"God A'mighty has put out the fires now," said Jacko. - -Harry paused for a moment, feeling the rain through to his bones--for -he had nothing on over his shirt--and rejoicing in it. "Yes," he -said; "we may go to bed for a week, and let the grass grow, and the -creeks fill, and the earth cool. Half an hour like this over the -whole run, and there won't be a dry stick on it." - -As they went on, the horses splashed through the water. It seemed as -though a deluge were falling, and that already the ground beneath -their feet were becoming a lake. - -"We might have too much of this, Jacko." - -"My word! yes." - -"I don't want to have the Mary flooded again." - -"My word! no." - -But by the time they reached the wool-shed it was over. From the -first drop to the last, there had hardly been a space of twenty -minutes. But there was a noise of waters as the little streams washed -hither and thither to their destined courses and still the horses -splashed, and still there was the feeling of an incipient deluge. -When they reached the wool-shed, Harry again got off his horse, and -Jacko, dismounting also, hitched the two animals to the post and -followed his master into the building. Harry struck a wax match, and -holding it up, strove to look round the building by the feeble light -which it shed. It was a remarkable edifice, built in the shape of a -great T, open at the sides, with a sharp-pitched timber roof covered -with felt, which came down within four feet of the ground. It was -calculated to hold about four hundred sheep at a time, and was -divided into pens of various sizes, partitioned off for various -purposes. If Harry Heathcote was sure of any thing, he was sure that -his wool-shed was the best that had ever been built in this district. - -"By Jimini! what's that?" said Jacko. - -"Did you hear any thing?" - -Jacko pointed with his finger down the centre walk of the shed, and -Harry, striking another match as he went, rushed forward. But the -match was out as soon as ignited, and gave no glimmer of light. -Nevertheless he saw, or thought that he saw, the figure of a man -escaping out of the open end of the shed. The place itself was black -as midnight, but the space beyond was clear of trees, and the -darkness outside being a few shades lighter than within the building, -allowed something of the outline of a figure to be visible. And as -the man escaped, the sounds of his footsteps were audible enough. -Harry called to him, but of course received no answer. Had he pursued -him, he would have been obliged to cross sundry rails, which would -have so delayed him as to give him no chance of success. - -"I knew there was a fellow about," he said; "one of our own men would -not have run like that." - -Jacko shook his head, but did not speak. - -"He has got in here for shelter out of the rain, but he was doing no -good about the place." - -Jacko again shook his head. - -"I wonder who he was?" - -Jacko came up and whispered in his ear, "Bill Nokes." - -"You couldn't see him." - -"Seed the drag of his leg." Now it was well known that the man Nokes -had injured some of his muscles, and habitually dragged one foot -after another. - -"I don't think you could have been sure of him by such a glimpse as -that." - -"Maybe not," said the boy, "only I'm sure as sure." - -Harry Heathcote said not another word, but getting again upon his -horse, galloped home. It was past one when he reached the station, -but the two girls were waiting up for him, and at once began to -condole with him because he was wet. "Wet!" said Harry; "if you could -only know how much I prefer things being wet to dry just at present! -But give Jacko some supper. I must keep that young fellow in good -humor if I can." - -So Jacko had half a loaf of bread, and a small pot of jam, and a -large jug of cold tea provided for him, in the enjoyment of which -luxuries he did not seem to be in the least impeded by the fact that -he was wet through to the skin. Harry Heathcote had another nobbler-- -being only the second in the day--and then went to bed. - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -MEDLICOT'S MILL. - - -As Harry said, they might all now lie in bed for a day or two. The -rain had set aside for the time the necessity for that urgent -watchfulness which kept all hands on the station hard at work during -the great heat. There was not, generally, much rest during the year -at Gangoil. Lambing in April and May, washing and shearing in -September, October, and November, with the fear of fires and the -necessary precautions in December and January, did not leave more -than sufficient intervals for looking after the water-dams, making -and mending fences, procuring stores, and attending to the ailments -of the flocks. No man worked harder than the young squatter. But now -there had suddenly come a day or two of rest--rest from work which -was not of itself productive, but only remedial, and which, -therefore, was not begrudged. - -But it soon was apparent that the rest could be only for a day or -two. The rain had fallen as from ten thousand buckets, but it had -fallen only for a space of minutes. On the following morning the -thirsty earth had apparently swallowed all the flood. The water in -the creek beneath the house stood two feet higher than it had done, -and Harry, when he visited the dams round the run, found that they -were fall to overflowing, and the grasses were already springing, so -quick is the all but tropical growth of the country. They might be -safe, perhaps, for eight-and-forty hours. Fire would run only when -the ground was absolutely dry, and when every twig or leaf was a -combustible. But during those eight-and-forty hours there might be -comparative ease at Gangoil. - -On the day following the night of the ride Mrs. Heathcote suggested -to her husband that she and Kate should ride over to Medlicot's Mill, -as the place was already named, and call on Mrs. Medlicot. "It isn't -Christian," she said, "for people living out in the bush as we are to -quarrel with their neighbors just because they are neighbors." - -"Neighbors!" said Harry; "I don't know any word that there's so much -humbug about. The Samaritan was the best neighbor I ever heard of, -and he lived a long way off, I take it. Anyway, he wasn't a free- -selector." - -"Harry, that's profane." - -"Every thing I say is wicked. You can go, of course, if you like it. -I don't want to quarrel with any body." - -"Quarreling is so uncomfortable," said his wife. - -"That's a matter of taste. There are people whom I find it very -comfortable to quarrel with. I shouldn't at all like not to quarrel -with the Brownbies, and I'm not at all sure it mayn't come to be the -same with Mr. Giles Medlicot." - -"The Brownbies live by sheep-stealing and horse-stealing." - -"And Medlicot means to live by employing sheep-stealers and horse- -stealers. You can go if you like it. You won't want me to go with -you. Will you have the baggy?" - -But the ladies said that they would ride. The air was cooler now than -it had been, and they would like the exercise. They would take Jacko -with them to open the slip-rails, and they would be back by seven for -dinner. So they started, taking the track by the wool-shed. The wool- -shed was about two miles from the station, and Medlicot's Mill was -seven miles farther, on the bank of the river. - -Mr. Giles Medlicot, though at Gangoil he was still spoken of as a -new-comer, had already been located for nearly two years on the land -which he had purchased immediately on his coming to the colony. He -had come out direct from England with the intention of growing sugar, -and, whether successful or not in making money, had certainly -succeeded in growing crops of sugar-canes and in erecting a mill for -crushing them. It probably takes more than two years for a man -himself to discover whether he can achieve ultimate success in such -an enterprise; and Medlicot was certainly not a man likely to talk -much to others of his private concerns. The mill had just been built, -and he had lived there himself as soon as a water-tight room had been -constructed. It was only within the last three months that he had -completed a small cottage residence, and had brought his mother to -live with him. Hitherto he had hardly made himself popular. He was -not either fish or fowl. The squatters regarded him as an interloper, -and as a man holding opinions directly averse to their own interests- --in which they were right. And the small free-selectors, who lived on -the labor of their own hands--or, as was said of many of them, by -stealing sheep and cattle--knew well that he was not of their class. -But Medlicot had gone his way steadfastly, if not happily, and -complained aloud to no one in the midst of his difficulties. He had -not, perhaps, found the Paradise which he had expected in Queensland, -but he had found that he could grow sugar; and having begun the work, -he was determined to go on with it. - -Heathcote was his nearest neighbor, and the only man in his own rank -of life who lived within twenty miles of him. When he had started his -enterprise he had hoped to make this man his friend, not -comprehending at first how great a cause for hostility was created by -the very purchase of the land. He had been a new-comer from the old -country, and, being alone, had desired friendship. He was Harry -Heathcote's equal in education, intelligence, and fortune, if not in -birth--which surely, in the Australian bush, need not count for much. -He had assumed, when first meeting the squatter, that good-fellowship -between them, on equal terms, would be acceptable to both; but his -overtures had been coldly received. Then he, too, had drawn himself -up, had declared that Heathcote was an ignorant ass, and had -unconsciously made up his mind to commence hostilities. It was in -this spirit that he had taken Nokes into his mill, of whose -character, had he inquired about it, he would certainly have heard no -good. He had now brought his mother to Medlicot's Mill. She and the -Gangoil ladies had met each other on neutral ground, and it was -almost necessary that they should either be friends or absolute -enemies. Mrs. Heathcote had been aware of this, and bad declared that -enmity was horrible. - -"Upon my word," said Harry, "I sometimes think that friendship is -more so. I suppose I'm fitted for bush life, for I want to see no one -from year's end to year's end but my own family and my own people." -And yet this young patriarch in the wilderness was only twenty-four -years old, and had been educated at an English school! - -Medlicot's cottage was about a hundred and fifty yards from the mill, -looking down upon the Mary, the banks of which at this spot were -almost precipitous. The site for the plantation had been chosen -because the river afforded the means of carriage down to the sea, and -the mill had been so constructed that the sugar hogsheads could be -lowered from the buildings into the river boats. Here Mrs. Heathcote -and Kate Daly found the old lady sitting at work, all alone, in the -veranda. She was a handsome old woman, with gray hair, seventy years -of age, with wrinkled face, and a toothless mouth, but with bright -eyes, and with no signs of the infirmity of age. - -"This is gey kind of you to run so far to see an auld woman," she -said. - -Mrs. Heathcote declared that they were used to the heat, and that -after the rain the air was pleasant. - -"You're two bright lassies, and you're hearty," she said. "I'm auld, -and just out of Cumberland, and I find it's hot enough--and I'm no -guid at horseback at all. I dinna know how I'm to get aboot." - -Then Mrs. Heathcote explained that there was an excellent track for a -buggy all the way to Gangoil. - -"Giles is aye telling me that I'm to gang aboot in a bouggey, but I -dinna feel sure of thae bouggeys." - -Mrs. Heathcote, of course, praised the country carriages, and the -country roads, and the country generally. Tea was brought in, and the -old lady was delighted with her guests. Since she had been at the -mill, week had followed week, and she had seen no woman's face but -that of the uncouth girl who waited upon her. "Did ye ever see rain -like that!" she said, putting up her hands. "I thought the Lord was -sending his clouds down upon us in a lump like." Then she told them -that some of the men had declared that if it went on like that for -two hours the Mary would rise and take the cottage away. Giles, -however, had declared that to be trash, as the cottage was twenty -feet above the ordinary course of the river. - -They were just rising to take their leave, when Giles Medlicot -himself came in out of the mill. He was a man of good presence, dark, -and tall like Heathcote, but stoutly made, with a strongly marked -face, given to frowning much when he was eager; bright-eyed, with a -broad forehead--certainly a man to be observed as far as his -appearance was concerned. He was dressed much as a gentleman dresses -in the country at home, and was therefore accounted to be a fop by -Harry Heathcote, who was rarely seen abroad in other garb than that -which has been described. Harry was an aristocrat, and hated such -innovations in the bush as cloth coats and tweed trowsers and neck- -hand-kerchiefs. - -Medlicot had been full of wrath against his neighbor all the morning. -There had been a tone in Heathcote's voice when he gave his parting -warning as to the fire in Medlicot's pipe which the sugar grower had -felt to be intentionally insolent. Nothing had been said which could -be openly resented, but offense had surely been intended; and then he -had remembered that his mother had been already some months at the -mill, and that no mark of neighborly courtesy had been shown to her. -The Heathcotes had, he thought, chosen to assume themselves to be -superior to him and his, and to treat him as though he had been some -laboring man who had saved money enough to purchase a bit of land for -himself. He was, therefore, astonished to find the two young ladies -sitting with his mother on the very day after such an interview as -that of the preceding night. - -"The leddies from Gangoil, Giles, have been guid enough to ride over -and see me," said his mother. - -Medlicot, of course, shook hands with them, and expressed his sense -of their kindness, but he did it awkwardly. He soon, however, -declared his purpose of riding part of the way back with them. - -"Mr. Heathcote must have been very wet last night," he said, when -they were on horse-back, addressing himself to Kate Daly rather than -to her sister. - -"Indeed he was--wet to the skin. Were you not?" - -"I saw him at about eleven, before the rain began. I was close home, -and just escaped. He must have been under it all. Does he often go -about the run in that way at night?" - -"Only when he's afraid of fires," said Kate. - -"Is there much to be afraid of? I don't suppose that any body can be -so wicked as to wish to burn the grass." Then the ladies took upon -themselves to explain. "The fires might be caused from negligence or -trifling accidents, or might possibly come from the unaided heat of -the sun; or there might be enemies." - -"My word! yes; enemies, rather!" said Jacko, who was riding close -behind, and who had no idea of being kept out of the conversation -merely because he was a servant. Medlicot, turning round, looked at -the lad, and asked who were the enemies. - -"Free-selectors," said Jacko. - -"I'm a free-selector," said Medlicot. - -"Did not jist mean you," said Jacko. - -"Jacko, you'd better hold your tongue," said Mrs. Heathcote. - -"Hold my tongue! My word! Well, you go on." - -Medlicot came as far as the wool-shed, and then said that he would -return. He had thoroughly enjoyed his ride. Kate Daly was bright and -pretty and winning; and in the bush, when a man has not seen a lady -perhaps for months, brightness and prettiness and winning ways have a -double charm. To ride with fair women over turf, through a forest, -with a woman who may perhaps some day be wooed, can be a matter of -indifference only to a very lethargic man. Giles Medlicot was by no -means lethargic. He owned to himself that though Heathcote was a pig- -headed ass, the ladies were very nice, and he thought that the pig- -headed ass in choosing one of them for himself had by no means taken -the nicest. - -"You'll never find your way back," said Kate, "if you've not been -here before." - -"I never was here before, and I suppose I must find my way back." -Then he was urged to come on and dine at Gangoil, with a promise that -Jacko should return with him in the evening. But this he would not -do. Heathcote was a pig-headed ass, who possibly regarded him as an -incendiary simply because he had bought some land. This boy of -Heathcote's, whose services had been offered to him, had not scrupled -to tell him to his face that he was to be regarded as an enemy. Much -as he liked the company of Kate Daly, he could not go to the house of -that stupid, arrogant, pig-headed young squatter. "I'm not such a bad -bushman but what I can find my way to the river," he said. - -"Find it blindful," said Jacko, who did not relish the idea of going -back to Medlicot's Mill as guide to another man. There was a weakness -in the idea that such aid could be necessary, which was revolting to -Jacko's sense of bush independence. - -They were standing on their horses at the entrance to the wool-shed -as they discussed the point, when suddenly Harry himself appeared out -of the building. He came up and shook hands with Medlicot, with -sufficient courtesy, but hardly with cordiality, and then asked his -wife as to her ride. "We have been very jolly, haven't we, Kate? Of -course it has been hot, but every thing is not so frightfully parched -as it was before the rain. As Mr. Medlicot has come back so far with -us, we want him to come on and dine." - -"Pray do, Mr. Medlicot," said Harry. But again the tone of his voice -was not sufficiently hearty to satisfy the man who was invited. - -"Thanks, no: I think I'll hardly do that.--Good-night, Mrs. -Heathcote; good-night. Miss Daly;" and the two ladies immediately -perceived that his voice, which had hitherto been pleasant in their -ears, had ceased to be cordial. - -"I am very glad he has gone back," said Heathcote. - -"Why do you say so, Harry? You are not given to be inhospitable, and -why should you grudge me and Kate the rare pleasure of seeing a -strange face?" - -"I'll tell you why. It's not about him at this moment; but I've been -disturbed.--Jacko, go on to the station, and say we're coming. Do you -hear me? Go on at once." Then Jacko, somewhat unwillingly, galloped -off toward the house. "Get off your horses, and come in." - -He helped the two ladies from their saddles, and they all went into -the wool-shed, Harry leading the way. In one of the side pens, -immediately under the roof, there was a large heap of leaves, the -outside portion of which was at present damp, for the rain had beaten -in upon it, but which had been as dry as tinder when collected; and -there was a row or ridge of mixed brush-wood and leaves so -constructed as to form a line from the grass outside on to the heap. -"The fellow who did that was an ass," said Harry; "a greater ass than -I should have taken him to be, not to have known that if he could -have gotten the grass to burn outside, the wool-shed must have gone -without all that preparation. But there isn't much difficulty now in -seeing what the fellow has intended." - -"Was it for a fire?" asked Kate. - -"Of course it was. He wouldn't have been contented with the grass and -fences, but wanted to make sure of the shed also. He'd have come to -the house and burned us in our beds, only a fellow like that is too -much of a coward to run the risk of being seen." - -"But, Harry, why didn't he light it when he'd done it?" said Mrs. -Heathcote. - -"Because the Almighty sent the rain at the very moment," said Harry, -striking the top rail of one of the pens with his fist. "I'm not much -given to talk about Providence, but this looks like it, does it not?" - -"He might have put a match in at the moment?" - -"Rain or no rain? Yes, he might. But he was interrupted by more than -the rain. I got into the shed myself just at the moment--I and Jacko. -It was last night, when the rain was pouring. I heard the man, and -dark as was the night, I saw his figure as he fled away." - -"You didn't know him?" said Miss Daly. - -"But that boy, who has the eyes of a cat, he knew him." - -"Jacko?" - -"Jacko knew him by his gait. I should have hardly wanted any one to -tell me who it was. I could have named the man at once, but for the -fear of doing an injustice." - -"And who was it?" - -"Our friend Medlicot's prime favorite and new factotum, Mr. William -Nokes. Mr. William Stokes is the gentleman who intends to burn us all -out of house and home, and Mr. Medlicot is the gentleman whose -pleasure it is to keep Mr. Nokes in the neighborhood." - -The two women stood awe-struck for a moment, but a sense of justice -prevailed upon the wife to speak. "That may be all true," she said. -"Perhaps it is as you say about that man. But you would not therefore -think that Mr. Medlicot knows any thing about it?" - -"It would be impossible," said Kate. - -"I have not accused him," said Harry; "but he knows that the man was -dismissed, and yet keeps him about the place. Of course he is -responsible." - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - -HARRY HEATHCOTE'S APPEAL. - - -For the first mile between the wool-shed and the house Heathcote and -the two ladies rode without saying a word. There was something so -terrible in the reality of the danger which encompassed them that -they hardly felt inclined to discuss it. Harry's dislike to Medlicot -was quite a thing apart. That some one had intended to burn down the -wool-shed, and had made preparation for doing so, was as apparent to -the women as to him. And the man who had been balked by a shower of -rain in his first attempt might soon find an opportunity for a -second. Harry was well aware that even Jacko's assertion could not be -taken as evidence against the man whom he suspected. In all -probability no further attempt would be made upon the wool-shed; but -a fire on some distant part of the run would be much more injurious -to him than the mere burning of a building. The fire that might ruin -him would be one which should get ahead before it was seen, and scour -across the ground, consuming the grass down to the very roots over -thousands of acres, and destroying fencing over many miles. Such -fires pass on, leaving the standing trees unscathed, avoiding even -the scrub, which is too moist with the sap of life for consumption, -but licking up with fearful rapidity every thing that the sun has -dried. He could watch the wool-shed and house, but with no possible -care could he so watch the whole run as to justify him in feeling -security. There need be no preparation of leaves. A match thrown -loosely on the ground would do it. And in regard to a match so -thrown, it would be impossible to prove a guilty intention. - -"Ought we not to have dispersed the heap?" said Mrs. Heathcote at -last. The minds of all of them were full of the matter, but these -were the first words spoken. - -"I'll leave it as it is," said Harry, giving no reason for his -decision. He was too full of thought, too heavily laden with anxiety, -to speak much. "Come, let's get on; you'll want your dinner, and it's -getting dark." So they cantered on, and got off their horses at the -gate, without another word. And not another word was spoken on the -subject that night. Harry was very silent, walking up and down the -veranda with his pipe in his mouth--not lying on the ground in idle -enjoyment--and there was no reading. The two sisters looked at him -from time to time with wistful, anxious-eyes, half afraid to disturb -him by speech. - -As for him, he felt that the weight was all on his own shoulders. He -had worked hard, and was on the way to be rich. I do not know that he -thought much about money, but he thought very much of success. And he -was by nature anxious, sanguine, and impulsive. There might be before -him, within the next week, such desolation as would break his heart. -He knew men who had been ruined, and had borne their ruin almost -without a wail--who had seemed contented to descend to security and -mere absence from want. There was his own superintendent, Old Bates, -who, though he grumbled at every thing else, never bewailed his own -fate. But he knew of himself that any such blow would nearly kill -him--such a blow, that is, as might drive him from Gangoil, and force -him to be the servant instead of the master of men. Not to be master -of all around him seemed to him to be misery. The merchants at -Brisbane who took his wool and supplied him with stores had advanced -money when he first bought his run, and he still owed them some -thousands of pounds. The injury which a great fire would do him would -bring him to such a condition that the merchants would demand to have -their money repaid. He understood it all, and knew well that it was -after this fashion that many a squatter before him had been ruined. - -"Speak a word to me about it," his wife said to him, imploringly, -when they were alone together that night. - -"My darling, if there were a word to say, I would say it. I must be -on the watch, and do the best I can. At present the earth is too damp -for mischief." - -"Oh that it would rain again!" - -"There will be heat enough before the summer is over; we need not -doubt that. But I will tell you of every thing as we go on. I will -endeavor to have the man watched. God bless you! Go to sleep, and try -to get it out of your thoughts." - -On the following morning he breakfasted early, and mounted his horse -without saying a word as to the purport of his journey. This was in -accordance with the habit of his life, and would not excite -observation; but there was something in his manner which made both -the ladies feel that he was intent on some special object. When he -intended simply to ride round his fences or to visit the hut of some -distant servant, a few minutes signified nothing. He would stand -under the veranda and talk, and the women would endeavor to keep him -from the saddle. But now there was no loitering, and but little -talking. He said a word to Jacko, who brought the horse for him, and -then started at a gallop toward the wool-shed. - -He did not stop a moment at the shed, not even entering it to see -whether the heap of leaves had been displaced during the night, but -went on straight to Medlicot's Mill. He rode the nine miles in an -hour, and at once entered the building in which the canes were -crushed. The first man he met was Nokes, who acted as overseer, -having a gang of Polynesian laborers under him--sleek, swarthy -fellows from the South Sea Islands, with linen trowsers on and -nothing else--who crept silently among the vats and machinery, -shifting the sugar as it was made. - -"Well, Nokes," said Harry, "how are you getting on? Is Mr. Medlicot -here?" - -Nokes was a big fellow, with a broad, solid face, which would not -have condemned him among physiognomists but for a bad eye, which -could not look you in the face. He had been a boundary rider for -Heathcote, and on an occasion had been impertinent, refusing to leave -the yard behind the house unless something was done which those about -the place refused to do for him. During the discussion Harry had come -in. The man had been drinking, and was still insolent, and Harry had -ejected him violently, thrusting him over a gate. The man had -returned the next morning, and had then been sent about his business. -He had been employed at Medlicot's Mill, but from the day of his -dismissal to this he and Harry had never met each other face to face. - -"I'm pretty well, thank ye, Mr. Heathcote. I hope you're the same, -and the ladies. The master's about somewhere, I take it.--Picky, go -and find the master." Picky was one of the Polynesians, who at once -started on his errand. - -"Have you been over to Gangoil since you left it?" said Harry, -looking the man full in the face. - -"Not I, Mr. Heathcote. I never go where I've had words. And, to tell -you the truth, sugar is better than sheep. I'm very comfortable here, -and I never liked your work." - -"You haven't been at the wool-shed?" - -"What, the Gangoil shed! What the blazes 'd I go there for? It's a -matter of ten miles from here." - -"Seven, Nokes." - -"Seven, is it? It is a longish seven miles, Mr. Heathcote. How could -I get that distance? I ain't so good at walking as I was before I was -hurt. You should have remembered that, Mr. Heathcote, when you laid -hands on me the other day." - -"You're not much the worse for what I did; nor yet for the accident, -I take it. At any rate, you've not been at Gangoil wool-shed?" - -"No, I've not," said the man, roughly. "What the mischief should I be -doing at your shed at night-time?" - -"I said nothing about night-time." - -"I'm here all day, ain't I? If you're going to palm off any story -against me, Mr. Heathcote, you'll find yourself in the wrong box. -What I does I does on the square." - -Heathcote was now quite sure that Jacko had been right. He had not -doubted much before, but now he did not doubt at all but that the man -with whom he was speaking was the wretch who was endeavoring to ruin -him. And he felt certain, also, that Jacko was true to him. He knew, -too, that he had plainly declared his suspicion to the man himself. -But he had resolved upon doing this. He could in no way assist -himself in circumventing the man's villainy by keeping his suspense -to himself. The man might be frightened, and in spite of all that had -passed between him and Medlicot, he still thought it possible that he -might induce the sugar grower to co-operate with him in driving Nokes -from the neighborhood. He had spent the night in thinking over it -all, and this was the resolution to which he had come. - -"There's the master," said Nokes. "If you've got any thing to say -about any thing, you'd better say it to him." - -Harry had never before set his foot upon Medlicot's land since it had -been bought away from his own run, and had felt that he would almost -demean himself by doing so. He had often looked at the canes from -over his own fence, as he had done on the night of the rain; but he -had stood always on his own land. Now he was in the sugar-mill, never -before having seen such a building. "You've a deal of machinery here, -Mr. Medlicot," he said. - -"It's a small affair, after all," said the other. "I hope to get a -good plant before I've done." - -"Can I speak a word with you?" - -"Certainly. Will you come into the office, or will you go across to -the house?" - -Harry said that the office would do, and followed Medlicot into a -little box-like inclosure which contained a desk and two stools. - -"Not much of an office, is it? What can I do for you, Mr. Heathcote?" - -Then Harry began his story, which he told at considerable length. He -apologized for troubling his neighbor at all on the subject, and -endeavored to explain, somewhat awkwardly, that as Mr. Medlicot was a -new-comer, he probably might not understand the kind of treatment to -which employers in the bush were occasionally subject from their men. -On this matter he said much, which, had he been a better tactician, -he might probably have left unspoken. He then went on to the story of -his own quarrel with Nokes, who had, in truth, been grossly impudent -to the women about the house, but who had been punished by instant -and violent dismissal from his employment. It was evidently Harry's -idea that a man who had so sinned against his master should be -allowed to find no other master--at any rate in that district; an -idea with which the other man, who had lately come out from the old -country, did not at all sympathize. - -"Do you want me to dismiss him?" said Medlicot, in a tone which -implied that that would be the last thing he would think of doing. - -"You haven't heard me yet." Then Harry went on and told of the fires -in the heat of summer, and of their terrible effects--of the easy -manner of revenge which they supplied to angry, unscrupulous men, and -of his own fears at the present moment. - -"I can believe it all," said Medlicot, "and am very sorry that it -should be so. But I can not see the justice of punishing a man on the -merest, vaguest suspicion. Your only ground for imputing this crime -to him is that your own conduct to him may have given him a motive." - -Harry had schooled himself vigorously during the ride as to his own -demeanor, and had resolved that he would be cool. "I was going on to -tell you," he said, "what occurred that night after I saw you up by -the fence." Then he described how he and his boy had entered the -shed, and had both seen and heard a man as he escaped from it; how -the boy had at once declared that the man was Nokes; how the -following day he had discovered the leaves, which Nokes no doubt had -deposited there just before the rain, intending to burn the place at -once; and how Nokes's manner to him within the last half hour had -corroborated his suspicions. - -"Is he the boy you call Jacko?" - -"That's the name he goes by." - -"You don't know his real name?" - -"I have never heard any other name." - -"Nor any thing about him?" Harry owned, in answer to half a dozen -such questions, that Jacko had come to Gangoil about six months ago-- -he did not know whence--had been kept for a week's job, and had then -been allowed to remain about the place without any regular wages. -"You admit it was quite dark," continued Medlicot. - -Harry did not at all like the cross-examination, and his resolution -to be cool was quickly fading. "I told you that I saw myself the -figure of a man." - -"But that you barely saw a figure. You did not form any opinion of -your own as to the man's identity." - -Harry Heathcote was as honest as the sun. Much as he disliked being -cross-examined, he found himself compelled not only to say the exact -truth, but the whole truth. "Certainly not. I barely saw a glimpse of -a figure, and, till I spoke to Nokes just now, I almost doubted -whether the lad could have distinguished him. I am sure he was right -now." - -"Really, Mr. Heathcote, I can't go along with you. You are accusing a -man of committing an offense, which I believe is capital, on the -evidence of a boy of whom you know nothing, who may have his own -reasons for spiting the man, and whom you yourself did not believe -till you had looked this man in the face. I think you allow yourself -to be guided too much by your own power of intuition." - -"No, I don't," said Harry, who hated his neighbor's methodical -argument. - -"At any rate, I can't consent to take a man's bread out of his mouth, -and to send him away tainted as he would be with this suspicion, -either because Jacko thought that he saw him in the dark, or because- --" - -"I have never asked you to send him away." - -"What is it you want, then?" - -"I want to have him watched, so that he may feel that if he attempts -to destroy my property his guilt will be detected." - -"Who is to watch him?" - -"He is in your employment." - -"He lives in the hut down beyond the gate. Am I to keep a sentry -there all night, and every night?" - -"I will pay for it." - -"No, Mr. Heathcote. I don't pretend to know this country yet, but -I'll encourage no such espionage as that. At any rate, it is not -English. I dare say the man misbehaved himself in your employment. -You say he was drunk. I do not doubt it. But he is not a drunkard, -for he never drinks here. A man is not to starve forever because he -once got drunk and was impertinent. Nor is he to have a spy at his -heels because a boy whom nobody knows chooses to denounce him. I am -sorry that you should be in trouble, but I do not know that I can -help you." - -Harry's passion was now very high, and his resolution to be cool was -almost thrown to the winds. Medlicot had said many things which were -odious to him. In the first place, there had been a tone of -insufferable superiority, so Harry thought, and that, too, when he -himself had divested himself of all the superiority naturally -attached to his position, and had frankly appealed to Medlicot as a -neighbor. And then this new-fangled sugar grower had told him that he -was not English, and had said grand words, and had altogether made -himself objectionable. What did this man know of the Australian bush, -that he should dare to talk of this or that as being wrong because it -was un-English! In England there were police to guard men's property. -Here, out in the Australian forests, a man must guard his own, or -lose it. But perhaps it was the indifference to the ruin of the women -belonging to him that Harry Heathcote felt the strongest. The -stranger cared nothing for the utter desolation which one -unscrupulous ruffian might produce, felt no horror at the idea of a -vast devastating fire, but could be indignant in his mock -philanthropy because it was proposed to watch the doings of a -scoundrel! - -"Good-morning," said Harry, turning round and leaving the office -brusquely. Medlicot followed him, but Harry went so quickly that not -another word was spoken. To him the idea of a neighbor in the bush -refusing such assistance as he had asked was as terrible as to us is -the thought of a ship at sea leaving another ship in distress. He -unhitched his horse from the fence, and galloped home as fast as the -animal would carry him. - -Medlicot, when he was left alone, took two or three turns about the -mill, as though inspecting the work, but at every turn fixed his eyes -for a few moments on Noke's face. The man was standing under a huge -caldron regulating the escape of the boiling juice into the different -vats by raising and lowering a trap, and giving directions to the -Polynesians as he did so. He was evidently conscious that he was -being regarded, and, as is usual in such a condition, manifestly -failed in his struggle to appear unconscious. Medlicot acknowledged -to himself that the man could not look even him in the face. Was it -possible that he had been wrong, and that Heathcote, though he had -expressed himself badly, was entitled to some sympathy in his fear of -what might be done to him by an enemy? Medlicot also desired to be -just, being more rational, more logical, and less impulsive than the -other, being also somewhat too conscious of his own superior -intelligence. He knew that Heathcote had gone away in great dudgeon, -and he almost feared that he had been harsh and unneighborly. After a -while he stood opposite Nokes and addressed him. - -"Do the squatters suffer much from fires?" he said. - -"Heathcote has been talking to you about that," said the man. - -"Can't you say Mr. Heathcote when you speak of a gentleman whose -bread you have eaten?" - -"Mr. Heathcote, if you like it. We ain't particular to a shade out -here as you are at home. He has been telling you about fires, has -he?" - -"Well, he has." - -"And talking of me, I suppose?" - -"You were talking of having a turn at mining some day. How would it -be with you if you were to be off to Gympie?" - -"You mean to say I'm to go, Mr. Medlicot?" - -"I don't say that at all." - -"Look here, Mr. Medlicot. My going or staying won't make any -difference to Heathcote. There's a lot of 'em about here hates him -that much that he is never to be allowed to rest in peace. I tell you -that fairly. It ain't any thing as I shall do. Them's not my ways, -Mr. Medlicot. But he has enemies here as'll never let him rest." - -"Who are they?" - -"Pretty nigh every body round. He has carried himself that high they -won't stand him. Who's Heathcote?" - -"Name some who are his enemies." - -"There's the Brownbies." - -"Oh, the Brownbies. Well, it's a bad thing to have enemies." After -that he left the sugar-house and went across to the cottage. - - - - -CHAPTER V. - -BOSCOBEL. - - -Two days and two nights passed without fear of fire, and then Harry -Heathcote was again on the alert. The earth was parched as though no -drop of rain had fallen. The fences were dry as tinder, and the -ground was strewed with broken atoms of timber from the trees, each -of which a spark would ignite. Two nights Harry slept in his bed, but -on the third he was on horseback about the run, watching, thinking, -endeavoring to make provision, directing others, and hoping to make -it believed that his eyes were every where. In this way an entire -week was passed, and now it wanted but four days to Christmas. He -would come home to breakfast about seven in the morning, very tired, -but never owning that he was tired, and then sleep heavily for an -hour or two in a chair. After that he would go out again on the run, -would sleep perhaps for another hour after dinner, and then would -start for his night's patrol. During this week he saw nothing of -Medlicot, and never mentioned his name but once. On that occasion his -wife told him that during his absence Medlicot had been at the -station. - -"What brought him here?" Harry asked, fiercely. - -Mrs. Heathcote explained that he had called in a friendly way, and -had said that if there were any fear of fire he would be happy -himself to lend assistance. - -Then the young squatter forgot himself in his wrath. "Confound his -hypocrisy!" said Harry, aloud. "I don't think he's a hypocrite," said -the wife. - -"I'm sure he's not," said Kate Daly. - -Not a word more was spoken, and Harry immediately left the house. The -two women did not as usual go to the gate to see him mount his horse, -not refraining from doing so in any anger, or as wishing to exhibit -displeasure at Harry's violence, but because they were afraid of him. -They had found themselves compelled to differ from him, but were -oppressed at finding themselves in opposition to him. - -The feeling that his wife should in any way take part against him -added greatly to Heathcote's trouble. It produced in his mind a -terrible feeling of loneliness in his sorrow. He bore a brave outside -to all his men, and to any stranger whom in these days he met about -the run--to his wife and sister also, and to the old woman at home. -He forced upon them all an idea that he was not only autocratic, but -self-sufficient also--that he wanted neither help nor sympathy. He -never cried out in his pain, being heartily ashamed even of the -appeal which he had made to Medlicot. He spoke aloud and laughed with -the men, and never acknowledged that his trials were almost too much -for him. But he was painfully conscious of his own weakness. He -sometimes felt, when alone in the bush, that he would fain get off -his horse, and lie upon the ground and weep till he slept. It was not -that he trusted no one. He suspected no one with a positive -suspicion, except Nokes, and Medlicot as the supporter of Nokes. But -he had no one with whom he could converse freely--none whom he had -not been accustomed to treat as the mere ministers of his will-- -except his wife and his wife's sister; and now he was disjoined from -them by their sympathy with Medlicot! He had chosen to manage every -thing himself without contradiction and almost without counsel; but, -like other such imperious masters, he now found that when trouble -came the privilege of dictatorship brought with it an almost -unsupportable burden. - -Old Bates was an excellent man, of whose fidelity the young squatter -was quite assured. No one understood foot-rot better than Old Bates, -or was less sparing of himself in curing it. He was a second mother -to all the lambs, and when shearing came watched with the eyes of -Argus to see that the sheep were not wounded by the shearers, or the -wool left on their backs. But he had no conversation, none of that -imagination which in such a time as this might have assisted in -devising safeguards, and but little enthusiasm. Shepherds, so called, -Harry kept none upon the run; and would have felt himself insulted -had any one suggested that he was so backward in his ways as to -employ men of that denomination. He had fenced his run, and dispensed -with shepherds and shepherding as old-fashioned and unprofitable. He -had two mounted men, whom he called boundary riders, one an Irishman -and the other a German--and them he trusted fully, the German -altogether, and the Irishman equally as regarded his honesty. But he -could not explain to them the thoughts that loaded his brain. He -could instigate them to eagerness; but he could not condescend to -tell Karl Bender, the German, that if his fences were destroyed -neither his means nor his credit would be sufficient to put them up -again, and that if the scanty herbage were burned off any large -proportion of his run, he must sell his flocks at a great sacrifice. -Nor could he explain to Mickey O'Dowd, the Irishman, that his peace -of mind was destroyed by his fear of one man. He had to bear it all -alone. And there was heavy on him also the great misery of feeling -that every thing might depend on own exertions, and that yet he did -not know how or where to exert himself. When he had ridden about all -night and discovered nothing, he might just as well have been in bed. -And he was continually riding about all night and discovering -nothing. - -After leaving the station on the evening of the day on which he had -expressed himself to the women so vehemently respecting Medlicot, he -met Bates coming home from his day's work. It was then past eight -o'clock, and the old man was sitting wearily on his horse, with his -head low down between his shoulders, and the reins hardly held within -his grasp. - -"You're late, Mr. Bates," said Harry; "you take too much out of -yourself this hot weather." - -"I've got to move slower, Mr. Heathcote, as I grow older. That's -about it. And the beast I'm on is not much good." Now Mr. Bates was -always complaining of his horse, and yet was allowed to choose any on -the run for his own use. - -"If you don't like him, why don't you take another?" - -"There ain't much difference in 'em, Mr. Heathcote. Better the devil -you know than the devil you don't. It's getting uncommon close -shaving for them wethers in the new paddock. They're down upon the -roots pretty well already." - -"There's grass along the bush on the north side." - -"They won't go there; it's rank and sour. They won't feed up there as -long as they can live lower down and nearer the water. Weather like -this, they'd sooner die near the water than travel to fill their -bellies. It's about the hottest day we've had, and the nights a'most -hotter. Are you going to be out, Mr. Heathcote?" - -"I think so." - -"What's the good of it, Mr. Heathcote? There is no use in it. Lord -love you, what can yon do? You can't be every side at once." - -"Fire can only travel with the wind, Mr. Bates." - -"And there isn't any wind, and so there can't be any fire. I never -did think, and I don't think now, there ever was any use in a man -fashing himself as you fash yourself. You can't alter things, Mr. -Heathcote." - -"But that's just what I can do--what a man has to do. If a match were -thrown there at your feet, and the grass was aflame, couldn't you -alter that by putting your foot on it? If you find a ewe on her back, -can't you alter that by putting her on her legs?" - -"Yes, I can do that, I suppose." - -"What does a man live for except to alter things? When a man clears -the forest and sows corn, does he not alter things?" - -"That's not your line, Mr. Heathcote," said the cunning old man. - -"If I send wool to market, I alter things." - -"You'll excuse me, Mr. Heathcote. Of course I'm old, but I just give -you my experience." - -"I'm much obliged to you; though we can't always agree, you know. -Good-night. Go in and say a word to my wife, and tell them you saw me -all right." - -"I'll have a crack with 'em, Mr. Heathcote, before I turn in." - -"And tell Mary I sent my love." - -"I will, Mr. Heathcote; I will." - -He was thinking always of his wife during his solitary rides, and of -her fear and deep anxiety. It was for her sake and for the children -that he was so care-worn, not for his own. Had he been alone in the -world he would not have fretted himself in this fashion because of -the malice of any man. But how would it be with her should he be -forced to move her from Gangoil? And yet, with all his love, they had -parted almost in anger. Surely she would understand the tenderness of -the message he had just sent her. - -Of a sudden, as he was riding, he stopped his horse and listened -attentively. From a great distance there fell upon his accustomed ear -a sound which he recognized, though he was aware that the place from -whence it came was at least two miles distant. It was the thud of an -axe against a tree. He listened still, and was sure that it was so, -and turned at once toward the sound, though in doing so he left his -course at a right angle. He had been going directly away from the -river, with his back to the wool-shed; but now he changed his -course, riding in the direction of the spot at which Jacko had nearly -fallen in jumping over the fence. As he continued on, the sounds -became plainer, till at last, reining in his horse, he could see the -form of the woodman, who was still at work ringing the trees. This -was a job which the man did by contract, receiving so much an acre -for the depopulation of the timber. It was now bright moonlight, -almost as clear as day--a very different night, indeed, from that on -which the rain had come--and Harry could see at a glance that it was -the man called Boscobel still at work. Now there were, as he thought, -very good reasons why Boscobel at the present moment should not be so -employed. Boscobel was receiving wages for work of another kind. - -"Bos," said the squatter, riding up, and addressing the man by the -customary abbreviation of his nickname, "I thought you were watching -at Brownbie's boundary?" Boscobel lowered his axe, and stood for a -while contemplating the proposition made to him. "You are drawing -three shillings a night for watching; isn't that so?" - -"Yes, that's so. Anyways, I shall draw it." - -"Then why ain't you watching?" - -"There's nothing to watch that I knows on--not just now." - -"Then why should I pay you for it? I'm to pay you for ringing these -trees, ain't I?" - -"Certainly, Mr. Heathcote." - -"Then you're to make double use of your time, and sell it twice over, -are you? Don't try to look like a fool, as though you didn't -understand. You know that what you're doing isn't honest." - -"Nobody ever said as I wasn't honest before." - -"I tell you so now. You're robbing me of the time you've sold to me, -and for which I'm to pay you." - -"There ain't nothing to watch while the wind's as it is now, and that -chap ain't any where about to-night." - -"What chap?" - -"Oh, I know. I'm all right. What's the use of dawdling about up there -in the broad moonlight, and the wind like this?" - -"That's for me to judge. If you engage to do my work and take my -money, you're swindling me when you go about another job as you are -now. You needn't scratch your head. You understand it all as well as -I do." - -"I never was told I swindled before, and I ain't a-going to put up -with it. You may ring your own trees, and watch your own fences, and -the whole place may be burned for me. I ain't a-going to do another -turn in Gangoil. Swindle, indeed!" So Boscobel shouldered his axe, -and marched off through the forest, visible in the moonlight till the -trees hid him. - -There was another enemy made! He had never felt quite sure of this -man, but had been glad to have him about the place as being -thoroughly efficient in his own business. It was only during the last -ten days that he had agreed to pay him for night-watching, leaving -the man to do as much additional day-work as he pleased--for which, -of course, he would be paid at the regular contract price. There was -a double purpose intended in this watching--as was well understood by -all the hands employed: first, that of preventing incendiary fire by -the mere presence of the watchers; and secondly, that of being at -hand to extinguish fire in case of need. Now a man ringing trees five -or six miles away from the beat on which he was stationed could not -serve either of these purposes. Boscobel therefore had been -fraudulently at work for his own dishonest purposes, and knew well -that his employment was of that nature. All this was quite clear to -Heathcote; and it was clear to him, also, that when he detected fraud -he was bound to expose it. Had the man acknowledged his fault and -been submissive, there would have been an end of the matter. -Heathcote would have said no word about it to any one, and would not -have stopped a farthing from the week's unearned wages. That he had -to encounter a certain amount of ill usage from the rough men about -him, and to forgive it, he could understand; but it could not be his -duty, either as a man or a master, to pass over dishonesty without -noticing it. No; that he would not do, though Gangoil should burn -from end to end. He did not much mind being robbed. He knew that to a -certain extent he must endure to be cheated. He would endure it. But -he would never teach his men to think that he passed over such -matters because he was afraid of them, or that dishonesty on their -part was indifferent to him. - -But now he had made another enemy--an enemy of a man who had declared -to him that he knew the movements of "that chap," meaning Nokes! How -hard the world was! It seemed that all around were trouble to him. He -turned his horse back, and made again for the spot which was his -original destination. As he cantered on among the trees, twisting -here and there, and regulating his way by the stars, he asked himself -whether it would not be better for him to go home and lay himself -down by his wife and sleep, and await the worst that these men could -do to him. This idea was so strong upon him that at one spot he made -his horse stop till he had thought it all out. No one encouraged him -in his work. Every one about the place, friend or foe, Bates, his -wife, Medlicot, and this Boscobel, spoke to him as though he were -fussy and fidgety in his anxiety. "If fires must come, they will -come; and if they are not to come, you are simply losing your labor." -This was the upshot of all they said to him. Why should he be wiser -than they? If the ruin came, let it come. Old Bates had been ruined, -but still had enough to eat and drink, and clothes to wear, and did -not work half as hard as his employer. He thought that if he could -only find some one person who would sympathize with him and support -him, he would not mind. But the mental loneliness of his position -almost broke his heart. - -Then there came across his mind the dim remembrance of certain old -school words, and he touched his horse with his spur and hurried -onward: "Let there be no steps backward." A thought as to the -manliness of persevering, of the want of manliness in yielding to -depression, came to his rescue. Let him, at any rate, have the -comfort of thinking that he had done his best according to his -lights. After some dim fashion, he did come to recognize it as a fact -that nothing could really support him but self-approbation. Though he -fell from his horse in utter weariness, he would persevere. - -As the night wore on he came to the German's hut, and finding it -empty, as he expected, rode on to the outside fence of his run. When -he reached this he got off his horse, and taking a key out of his -pocket, whistled upon it loudly. A few minutes afterward the German -came up to him. - -"There's been no one about, I suppose?" he asked. - -"Not a one," said the man. - -"You've been across on Brownbie's run?" - -"We're on it now, Mr. 'Eathcote." They were both on the side of the -fence away from Gangoil station. - -"I don't know how that is, Karl. I think Gangoil goes a quarter of a -mile beyond this. But we did not quite strike the boundary when we -put up the fence." - -"Brownbie's cattle is allays here, Mr. 'Eathcote, and is knocking -down the fence every day. Brownbie is a rascal, and 'is cattle as bad -as 'isself." - -"Never mind that, Karl, now. When we've got through the heats, we'll -put a mile or two of better fencing along here. You know Boscobel?" - -"In course I know Bos." - -"What sort of a fellow is he?" Then Harry told his German dependent -exactly what had taken place between him and the other man. - -"He's in and in wid all them young Brownbies," said Karl. - -"The Brownbies are a bad lot, but I don't think they'd do any thing -of this kind," said Harry, whose mind was still dwelling on the -dangers of fire. - -"They likes muttons, Mr. 'Eathcote." - -"I suppose they do take a sheep or two now and then. They wouldn't do -worse than that, would they?" - -"Not'ing too 'ot for 'em; not'ing too 'eavy," said Karl, smoking his -pipe. "The vind, vat there is, comes just here, Mr. 'Eathcote." And -the man lifted up his arm, and pointed across in the direction of -Brownbie's run. - -"And you don't think much of Boscobel?" - -Karl Bender shook his head. - -"He was always well treated here," said Harry, "and has had plenty of -work, and earned large wages. The man will be a fool to quarrel with -me." - -Karl again shook his head. With Karl Bender, Harry was quite sure of -his man, but not on that account need he be quite sure of the -correctness of the man's opinion. - -Thence he went on till he met his other lieutenant, O'Dowd, and so, -having completed his work, he made his way home, reaching the station -at sunrise. - -"Did Bates tell you he'd met me?" he asked his wife. - -"Yes, Harry; kiss me, Harry. I was so glad you sent a word. Promise -me, Harry, not to think that I don't agree with you in every thing." - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - -THE BROWNBIES OF BOOLABONG. - - -Old Brownbie, as he was usually called, was a squatter also, but a -squatter of a class very different from that to which Heathcote -belonged. He had begun his life in the colonies a little under a -cloud, having been sent out from home after the perpetration of some -peccadillo of which the law had disapproved. - -In colonial phrase, he was a "lag"--having been transported; but this -was many years ago, when he was quite young; and he had now been a -free man for more than thirty years. It must be owned on his behalf -that he had worked hard, had endeavored to rise, and had risen. But -there still stuck to him the savor of his old life. Every one knew -that he had been a convict; and even had he become a man of high -principle--a condition which he certainly never achieved--he could -hardly have escaped altogether from the thralldom of his degradation. -He had been a butcher, a drover, part owner of stock, and had at last -become possessed of a share of a cattle-run, and then of the entire -property, such as it was. He had four or five sons, uneducated, ill- -conditioned, drunken fellows, who had all their father's faults -without his energy, some of whom had been in prison, and all of whom -were known as pests to the colony. Their place was called Boolabong, -and was a cattle-run, as distinguished from a sheep-run; but it was a -poor place, was sometimes altogether unstocked, and was supposed to -be not unfrequently used as a receptable for stolen cattle. - -The tricks which the Brownbies played with cattle were notorious -throughout Queensland and New South Wales, and by a certain class of -men were much admired. They would drive a few head of cattle, perhaps -forty or fifty, for miles around the country, across one station and -another, traveling many hundreds of miles, and here and there, as -they passed along, they would sweep into their own herd the bullocks -of the victims whose lands they passed. If detected on the spot, they -gave up their prey. They were in the right in moving their own -cattle, and were not responsible for the erratic tendencies of other -animals. If successful, they either sold their stolen beasts to -butchers on the road, or got them home to Boolabong. There were -dangers, of course, and occasional penalties. But there was much -success. It was supposed, also, that though they did not own sheep, -they preferred mutton for their daily uses, and that they supplied -themselves at a very cheap rate. - -It may be imagined how such a family would be hated by the -respectable squatters on whom they preyed. Still there were men, old -stagers, who had know Moreton Bay before it was a colony--in the old -days when convicts were common--who almost regarded the Brownbies as -a part of the common order of things, and who were indisposed to -persecute them. Men must live; and what were a few sheep? Of some -such it might be said, that though they were above the arts by which -the Brownbies lived, they were not very scrupulous themselves; and it -perhaps served them to have within their ken neighbours whose -morality was lower even than their own. But to such a one as Harry -Heathcote the Brownbies were utterly abominable. He was for the law -and justice at any cost. To his thinking, the Colonial Government was -grossly at fault, because it did not weed out and extirpate not only -the identical Brownbies, but all Brownbieism wherever it might be -found. A dishonest workman was a great evil, but, to his thinking, a -dishonest man in the position of master was the incarnation of evil. -As to the difficulties of evidence, and obstacles of that nature, -Harry Heathcote knew nothing. The Brownbies were rascals, and should -therefore be exterminated. - -And the Brownbies knew well the estimation in which their neighbour -held them. Harry had made himself altogether disagreeable to them. -They were squatters as well as he--or at least so they termed -themselves; and though they would not have expected to be admitted to -home intimacies, they thought that when they were met out-of-doors or -in public places, they should be treated with some respect. On such -occasions Harry treated them as though they were dirt beneath his -feet. The Brownbies would be found, whenever a little money came -among them, at the public billiard-rooms and race-courses within one -hundred and fifty miles of Boolabong. At such places Harry Heathcote -was never seen. It would have been as easy to seduce the Bishop of -Brisbane into a bet as Harry Heathcote. He had never even drank a -nobbler with one of the Brownbies. To their thinking, he was a proud, -stuck-up, unsocial young cub, whom to rob was a pleasure, and to ruin -would be a delight. - -The old man at Boolabong was now almost obsolete. Property, that he -could keep in his grasp, there was in truth none. He was the tenant -of the run under the Crown, and his sons would not turn him out of -the house. The cattle, when there were cattle, belonged to them. They -were in no respect subject to his orders, and he would have had a bad -life among them were it not that they quarreled among themselves, and -that in such quarrels he could belong to one party or to the other. -The house itself was a wretched place--out of order, with doors and -windows and floors shattered, broken, and decayed. There were none of -womankind belonging to the family, and in such a house a decent -woman-servant would have been out of her place. Sometimes there was -one hag there and sometimes another, and sometimes feminine aid less -respectable than that of the hags. There had been six sons. One had -disappeared utterly, so that nothing was known of him. One had been -absolutely expelled by the brethren, and was now a vagabond in the -country, turning up now and then at Boolabong and demanding food. Of -the whole lot Georgie Brownbie, the vagabond, was the worst. The -eldest son was at this time in prison at Brisbane, having on some -late occasion been less successful than usual in regard to some -acquired bullocks. The three youngest were at home--Jerry, Jack, and -Joe. Tom, who was in prison, was the only stanch friend to the -father, who consequently at this time was in a more than usually -depressed condition. - -Christmas-day would fall on a Tuesday, and on the Monday before it -Jerry Brownbie, the eldest of those now at home, was sitting, with a -pipe in his mouth, on a broken-down stool on the broken-down veranda -of the house, and the old man was seated on a stuffy, worn-out sofa -with three legs, which was propped against the wall of the house, and -had not been moved for years. Old Brownbie was a man of gigantic -frame, and had possessed immense personal power--a man, too, of will -and energy; but he was now worn out and dropsical, and could not move -beyond the confines of the home station. The veranda was attached to -a big room which ran nearly the whole length of the house, and which -was now used for all purposes. There was an exterior kitchen, in -which certain processes were carried on--such as salting stolen -mutton and boiling huge masses of meat, when such work was needed. -But the cookery was generally done in the big room. And here also two -or three of the sons slept on beds made upon stretchers along the -wall. They were not probably very particular as to which owned each -bed, enjoying a fraternal communism in that respect. At the end of -this chamber the old man had a room of his own. Boolabong was -certainly a miserable place; and yet, such as it was, it was -frequented by many guests. The vagabondism of the colonies is -proverbial. Vagabonds are taken in almost every where throughout the -bush. But the welcome given to them varies. Sometimes they are made -to work before they are fed--to their infinite disgust. But no such -cruelty was exercised at Boolabong. Boolabong was a very Paradise for -vagabonds. There was always flour and meat to be had, generally -tobacco, and sometimes even the luxury of a nobbler. The Brownbies -were wise enough to have learned that it was necessary for their very -existence that they should have friends in the land. On the Sunday -the father and Jerry Brownbie were sitting out in the veranda at -about noon, and the other two sons, Jack and Joe, were lying asleep -on the beds within. - -The heat of the day was intense. There was a wind blowing, but it was -that which is called there the hot wind, which comes dry, scorching, -sometimes almost intolerable, over the burning central plain of the -country. No one can understand without feeling it how much a wind can -add to the sufferings inflicted by heat. The old man had on a dirty, -wretched remnant of a dressing-gown, but Jerry was clothed simply in -trowsers and an old shirt. Only that the mosquitoes would have flayed -him, he would have dispensed probably with these. He had been -quarreling with his father respecting a certain horse which he had -sold, of the price of which the father demanded a share. Jerry had -unblushingly declared that he himself had "shaken" the horse-- -Anglice, had stolen him--twelve months since on Darnley Downs, and -was therefore clearly entitled to the entire plunder. The father had -rejoined with animation that unless "half a quid"--or ten shillings-- -were given him as his contribution to the keep of the animal, he -would inform against his son to the squatter on the Darnley Downs, -and had shown him that he knew the very run from which the horse had -been taken. Then the sons within had interfered from their beds, -swearing that their father was the noisiest old "cuss" unhung, they -having had their necessary slumbers disturbed. - -At this moment the debate was interrupted by the appearance of a man -outside the veranda. "Well, Mr. Jerry, how goes it?" asked the -stranger. "What, Bos, is that you? What brings you up to Boolabong? I -thought you was ringing trees for that young scut at Gangoil? I'll be -even with him some of these days! He had the impudence to send a man -of his up here last week looking for sheep-skins." - -"He wasn't that soft, Mr. Jerry, was he? Well, I've dropped working -for him.--How are you, Mr. Brownbie? I hope I see you finely, Sir. -It's stiffish sort of weather, Mr. Brownbie, ain't it, Sir?" - -The old man grunted out some reply, and then asked Boscobel what he -wanted. - -"I'll just hang about for the day, Mr. Brownbie, and get a little -grub. You never begrudged a working-man that yet." - -Old Brownbie again grunted, but said no word of welcome. That, -however, was to be taken for granted, without much expression of -opinion. - -"No, Mr. Jerry," continued Boscobel, "I've done with that fellow." - -"And so has Nokes done with him." - -"Nokes is at work on Medlicot's Mill. That sugar business wouldn't -suit me." - -"An axe in your hand is what you're fit for, Bos." - -"There's a many things I can turn my hand to, Mr. Jerry. You couldn't -give a fellow such a thing as a nobbler, Mr. Jerry, could you? I'd -offer money for it, only I know it would be taken amiss. It's that -hot that a fellow's very in'ards get parched up." - -Upon this Jerry slowly rose, and going to a cupboard, brought forth a -modicum of spirits, which he called Battle-Axe, but which was -supposed to be brandy. This Boscobel swallowed at a gulp, and then -washed it down with a little water. - -"Come, Jerry," said the old man, somewhat relenting in his wrath, -"you might as well give us a drop, as it's going about." The two -brothers, who had now been thoroughly aroused from their sleep, and -who had heard the enticing sound of the spirit bottle, joined the -party, and so they drank all round. - -"Heathcote's in an awful state about them fires, ain't he?" asked -Jerry. - -Boscobel, who had squatted down on the veranda, and was now lighting -his pipe, bobbed his head. - -"I wish he was clean burned out--over head and ears," said Jerry. - -Boscobel bobbed his head again, sucking with great energy at the -closely staffed pipe. - -"If he treated me like he does you fellows," continued Jerry, "he -shouldn't have a yard of fencing or a blade of grass left--nor a ewe, -nor a lamb, nor a hogget. I do hate fellows who come here and want to -be better than any one about 'em--young chaps especially. Sending up -here to look for sheep-skins, cuss his impudence! I sent that German -fellow of his away with a flea in his ear." - -"Karl Bender?" - -"It's some such name as that." - -"He's all in all with the young squire," said Boscobel. "And there's -a chap there called Jacko--he's another. He gets 'em down there to -Gangoil, and the ladies talks to 'em, and then they'd go through fire -and water for him. There's Mickey--he's another, jist the same way. I -don't like them ways, myself." - -"Too much of master and man about it, ain't there, Bos?" - -"Just that, Mr. Jerry. That ain't my idea of a free country. I can -work as well as another, but I ain't going to be told that I'm a -swindler because I'm making the most of my time." - -"He turned Nokes out by the scruff of his neck?" said Jerry. Boscobel -again bobbed his head. "I didn't think Nokes was the sort of fellow -to stand that." - -"No more he ain't," said Boscobel. - -"Heathcote's a good plucked un all the same," said Joe. - -"It's like you to speak up for such a fellow is that," said Jerry. - -"I say he's a good plucked un. I'm not standing up for him. Nokes is -half a stone heavier than him, and ought to have knocked him over. -That's what you'd've done, wouldn't you, Bos? I know I would." - -"He'd 've had my axe at his head," said Boscobel. - -"We all know Joe's game to the backbone," said Jerry. - -"I'm game enough for you, anyway," said the brother. "And you can try -it out any time you like." - -"That's right; fight like dogs, do," said the old man. - -The quarrel at this point was interrupted by the arrival of another -man, who crept up round the corner on to the veranda exactly as -Boscobel had done. This was Nokes, of whom they had that moment been -speaking. There was silence for a few moments among them, as though -they feared that he might have heard them, and Nokes stood hanging -his head as though half ashamed of himself. Then they gave him the -same kind of greeting as the other men had received. Nobody told him -that he was welcome, but the spirit jar was again brought into use, -Jerry measuring out the liquor, and it was understood that Nokes was -to stay there and get his food. He too gave some account of himself, -which was supposed to suffice, but which they all knew to be false. -It was Sunday, and they were off work at the sugar-mill. He had come -across Gangoil run, intending to take back with him things of his own -which he had left as Bender's hut, and having come so far, had -thought that he would come on and get his dinner at Boolabong. As -this was being told, a good deal was said of Harry Heathcote. Nokes -declared that he had come right across Gangoil, and explained that he -would not have been at all sorry to meet Master Heathcote in the -bush. Master Heathcote had had his own way up at the station when he -was backed by a lot of his own hands; but a good time was coming, -perhaps. Then Nokes gave it to be understood very plainly that it was -the settled practice of his life to give Harry Heathcote a thrashing. -During all this there was an immense amount of bad language, and a -large portion of the art which in the colony is called "blowing." -Jerry, Boscobel, and Nokes all boasted, each that on the first -occasion he would give Harry Heathcote such a beating that a whole -bone should hardly be left in the man's skin. - -"There isn't one of you man enough to touch him," said Joe, who was -known as the freest fighter of the Brownbie family. - -"And you'd eat him, I suppose," said Jerry. - -"He's not likely to come in my way," said Joe; "but if he does, he'll -get as good as he brings. That's all." - -This was unpleasant to the visitors, who, of course, felt themselves -to be snubbed. Boscobel affected to hear the slight put upon his -courage with good humor, but Nokes laid himself down in a corner and -sulked. They were soon all asleep, and remained dozing, snoring, -changing their uncomfortable positions, and cursing the mosquitoes, -till about four in the afternoon, when Boscobel got up, shook -himself, and made some observation about "grub." The meal of the day -was then prepared. A certain quantity of flour and raw meat, ample -for their immediate wants, was given to the two strangers, with which -they retired into the outer kitchen, prepared it for themselves, and -there ate their dinner, and each of the brothers did the same for -himself in the big room--Joe, the fighting brother, providing for his -father's wants as well as his own. One of them had half a leg of cold -mutton, so that he was saved the trouble of cooking, but he did not -offer to share this comfort with the others. An enormous kettle of -tea was made, and that was common among them. While this was being -consumed, Boscobel put his head into the room, and suggested that he -and his mate wanted a drink. Whereupon Jerry, without a word, pointed -to the kettle, and Boscobel was allowed to fill two pannikins. Such -was the welcome which was always accorded to strangers in Boolabong. - -After their meal the men came back on to the veranda, and there were -more smoking and sleeping, more boasting and snarling. Different -allusions were made to the spirit jar, especially by the old man; but -they were made in vain. The "Battle-Axe" was Jerry's own property, -and he felt that he had already been almost foolishly liberal. But he -had an object in view. He was quite sure that Boscobel and Nokes had -not come to Boolabong on the same Sunday by any chance coincidence. -The men had something to propose, and in their own way they would -make the proposition before they left, and would make it probably to -him. Boscobel intended to sleep at Boolabong, but Nokes had explained -that it was his purpose to return that night to Medlicot's Mill. The -proposition no doubt would be made soon--a little after seven, when -the day was preparing to give way suddenly to night. Nokes first -walked off, sloping out from the veranda in a half-shy, half-cunning -manner, looking nowhither, and saying a word to no one. Quickly after -him Boscobel jumped up suddenly, hitched up his trowsers, and -followed the first man. At about a similar interval Jerry passed out -through the big room to the yard at the back, and from the yard to a -shed that was used as a shambles. Here he found the other two men, -and no doubt the proposition was made. - -"There's something up," said the old man, as soon as Jerry was gone. - -"Of course there's something up," said Joe. "Those fellows didn't -come all the way to Boolabong for nothing." - -"It's something about young Heathcote," suggested the father. - -"If it is," said Jack, "what's that to you?" - -"They'll get themselves hanged, that's all about it." - -"That be blowed," said Jack; "you go easy and hold your tongue. If -you know nothing, nobody can hurt you." - -"I know nothing," said Joe, "and don't mean. If I had scores to quit -with a fellow like Harry Heathcote, I should do it after my own -fashion. I shouldn't get Boscobel to help me, nor yet such a fellow -as Nokes. But it's no business of mine. Heathcote's made the place -too hot to hold him. That's all about it." There was no more said, -and in an hour's time Jerry returned, to the family. Neither the -father nor brother asked him any questions, nor did he volunteer any -information. - -Boolabong was about fourteen miles from Medlicot's Mill. Nokes had -walked this distance in the morning, and now retraced it at night-- -not going right across Gangoil, as he had falsely boasted of doing -early in the day, but skirting it, and keeping on the outside of the -fence nearly the whole distance. At about two in the morning he -reached his cottage outside the mill on the river-bank; but he was -unable to skulk in unheard. Some dogs made a noise, and presently he -heard a voice calling him from the house. "Is that you, Nokes, at -this time of night?" asked Mr. Medlicot. Nokes grunted out some -reply, intending to avoid any further question. But his master came -up to the hut door and asked him where he had been. - -"Just amusing myself," said Nokes. - -"It's very late." - -"It's not later for me than for you, Mr. Medlicot." - -"That's true. I've just ridden home from - -"From Gangoil? I didn't know you were so friendly there, Mr. -Medlicot." - -"And where have you been?" - -"Not to Gangoil, anyway. Good-night, Mr. Medlicot." Then the man took -himself into his hut, and was safe from further questioning that -night. - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - -"I WISH YOU'D LIKE ME." - - -All the Saturday night Heathcote had been on the run, and he did not -return home to bed till nearly dawn on the Sunday morning. At about -noon prayers were read out on the veranda, the congregation -consisting of Mrs. Heathcote and her sister, Mrs. Growler, and Jacko. -Harry himself was rather averse to this performance, intimating that -Mrs. Growler, if she were so minded, could read the prayers for -herself in the kitchen, and that, as regarded Jacko, they would be -altogether thrown away. But his wife had made a point of maintaining -the practice, and he had of course yielded. The service was not long, -and when it was over Harry got into a chair and was soon asleep. He -had been in the saddle during sixteen hours of the previous day and -night, and was entitled to be fatigued. His wife sat beside him, -every now and again protecting him from the flies, while Kate Daly -sat by with her Bible in her hand. But she, too, from time to time, -was watching her brother-in-law. The trouble of his spirits and the -work that he felt himself bound to do touched them with a strong -feeling, and taught them to regard him for the time as a young hero. - -"How quietly he sleeps!" Kate said. "The fatigue of the last week -must have been terrible." - -"He is quite, quite knocked up," said the wife. - -"I ain't knocked up a bit," said Harry, jumping up from his chair. -"What should knock me up? I wasn't asleep, was I?" - -"Just dozing, dear." - -"Ah, well; there isn't any thing to do, and it's too hot to get out. -I wonder Old Bates didn't come in for prayers." - -"I don't think he cares much for prayers," said Mrs. Heathcote. - -"But he likes an excuse for a nobbler as well as any one. Did I tell -you that they had fires over at Jackson's yesterday--at Goolaroo?" - -"Was there any harm done?" - -"A deal of grass burned, and they had to drive the sheep, which won't -serve them this kind of weather. I don't know which I fear most--the -grass, the fences, or the sheep. As for the buildings, I don't think -they'll try that again." - -"Why not, Harry?" - -"The risk of being seen is too great. I can hardly understand that a -man like Nokes should have been such a fool as he was." - -"You think it was Nokes?" - -"Oh yes, certainly. In the first place, Jacko is as true as steel. I -don't mean to swear by the boy, though I think he is a good boy. But -I'm sure he's true in this. And then the man's manner to myself was -conclusive. I can not understand a man in Medlicot's position -supporting a fellow like that. By Heavens! it nearly drives me mad to -think of it. Thousands and thousands of pounds are at stake. All that -a man has in the world is exposed to the malice of a scoundrel like -Nokes! And then a man who calls himself a gentleman will talk about -it being un-English to look after him. He's a 'new chum;' I suppose -that's his excuse." - -"If it's a sufficient excuse, you should excuse him," said Kate, with -good feminine logic. - -"That's just like you all over. He's good-looking, and therefore it's -all right. He ought to have learned better. He ought, at any rate, to -believe that men who have been here much longer than he has must know -the ways of the country a great deal better." - -"It's Christmas-time, Harry," said his wife, "and you should endeavor -to forgive your neighbors." - -"What sort of a Christmas will it be if you and I, and these young -fellows here, and Kate, are all burned out of Gangoil? Here's Bates.- --Well, Mr. Bates, how goes it? - -"Tremendous hot, Sir." - -"We've found that out already. You haven't heard where that fellow -Boscobel has gone?" - -"No; I haven't heard. But he'll be over with some of those Brownbie -lads. They say Georgie Brownbie's about the country somewhere. If so, -there'll be a row among 'em." - -"When thieves fall out, Mr. Bates, honest men come by their own." - -"So they say, Mr. Heathcote. All the same, I shouldn't care how far -Georgie was away from any place I had to do with." Then the young -master and his old superintendent sauntered out to his back premises -to talk about sheep and fires, and plans for putting out fires. And -no doubt Mr. Bates had the glass of brandy-and-water which he had -come to regard as one of his Sunday luxuries. From the back premises -they went down to the creek to gauge the water. Then they sauntered -on, keeping always in the shade, sitting down here to smoke, and -standing up there to discuss the pedigree of some particular ram, -till it was past six. - -"You may as well come in and dine with us, Mr. Bates," Harry -suggested, as they returned toward the station. - -Mr. Bates said that he thought that he would. As the same invitation -was given on almost every Sunday throughout the year, and was -invariably answered in the same way, there was not much excitement in -this. But Mr. Bates would not have dreamed of going in to dinner -without being asked. - -"That's Medlicot's trap," said Mr. Bates, as they entered the yard. -"I heard wheels when they were in the horse paddock." - -Harry looked at the trap, and then went quickly into the house. - -He walked with a rapid step onto the veranda, and there he found the -sugar grower and his mother. Mrs. Heathcote looked at her husband -almost timidly. She knew from the very sound of his feet that he was -perturbed in spirit. Under his own roof-tree he would certainly be -courteous; but there is a constrained courtesy very hard to be borne, -of which she knew him to be capable. He first went up to the old -lady, and to her his greeting was pleasant enough. Harry Heathcote, -though he had assumed the bush mode of dressing, still retained the -manners of a high-bred gentleman in his intercourse with women. Then, -turning sharply round, he gave his hand to Mr. Medlicot. - -"I am glad to see you at Gangoil," he said; "I was not fortunate -enough to be at home when you called the other day. Mrs. Medlicot -must have found the drive very hot, I fear." - -His wife was still looking into his face, and was reading there, as -in a book, the mingled pride and disdain with which her husband -exercising civility to his enemy. Harry's countenance wore a look not -difficult of perusal, and Medlicot could read the lines almost as -distinctly as Harry's wife. - -"I have asked Mrs. Medlicot to stay and dine with us," she said, "so -that she may have it cool for the drive back." - -"I am almost afraid of the bush at night," said the old woman. - -"You'll have a full moon," said Harry; "it will be as light as day." -So that was settled. Heathcote thought it odd that the man whom he -regarded as his enemy, whom he had left at their last meeting in -positive hostility, should consent to accept a dinner under his roof; -but that was Medlicot's affair, not his. - -They dined at seven, and after dinner strolled out into the horse -paddock, and down to the creek. As they started, the three men went -first, and the ladies followed them; but Bates soon dropped behind. -It was his rest day, and he had already moved quite as much as was -usual with him on a Sunday. - -"I think I was a little hard with you the other day," said Medlicot, -when they were alone together. - -"I suppose we hardly understand each other's ideas," said Harry. He -spoke with a constrained voice, and with an almost savage manner, -engendered by a determination to hold his own. He would forgive any -offense for which an apology was made, but no apology had been made -as yet; and, to tell the truth, he was a little afraid that if they -got into an argument on the matter Medlicot would have the best of -it. And there was, too, almost a claim to superiority in Medlicot's -use of the word "hard." When one man says that he has been hard to -another, he almost boasts that, on that occasion, he got the better -of him. - -"That's just it," said Medlicot; "we do not quite understand each -other. But we might believe in each other all the same, and then the -understanding would come. But it isn't just that which I want to say; -such talking rarely does any good." - -"What is it, then?" - -"You may perhaps be right about that man Nokes." - -"No doubt I may. I know I'm right. When I asked him whether he'd been -at my shed, what made him say that he hadn't been there at night- -time? I said nothing about night-time. But the man was there at -night-time, or he wouldn't have used the word." - -"I'm not sure that that is evidence." - -"Perhaps not in England, Mr. Medlicot, but it's good enough evidence -for the bush. And what made him pretend he didn't know the distances? -And why can't he look a man in the face? And why should the boy have -said it was he if it wasn't? Of course, if you think well of him -you're right to keep him. But you may take it as a rule out here that -when a man has been dismissed it hasn't been done for nothing. Men -treated that way should travel out of the country. It's better for -all parties. It isn't here as it is at home, where people live so -thick together that nothing is thought of a man being dismissed. I -was obliged to discharge him, and now he's my enemy." - -"A man may be your enemy without being a felon." - -"Of course he may. I'm his enemy in a way, but I wouldn't hurt a hair -of his head unjustly. When I see the attempts made to burn me out, of -course I know that an enemy has been at work." - -"Is there no one else has got a grudge against you?" - -Harry was silent for a moment. What right had this man to cross- -examine him about his enmities--the man whose own position in the -place had been one of hostility to him, whom he had almost suspected -of harboring Nokes at the mill simply because Nokes had been -dismissed from Gangoil? That suspicion was, indeed, fading away. -There was something in Medlicot's voice and manner which made it -impossible to attribute such motives to him. Nevertheless the man was -a free-selector, and had taken a bit of the Gangoil run after a -fashion which to Heathcote was objectionable politically, morally, -and socially. Let Medlicot in regard to character be what he might, -he was a free-selector, and a squatter's enemy, and had clinched his -hostility by employing a servant dismissed from the very run out of -which he had bought his land. "It is hard to say," he replied at -length, "who have grudges, as against whom, or why. I suppose I have -a great grudge against you, if the truth is to be known; but I -sha'n't burn down your mill." - -"I'm sure you won't." - -"Nor yet say worse of you behind your back than I will to your face." - -"I don't want you to think that you have occasion to speak ill of me, -either one way or the other. What I mean is this--I don't quite think -that the evidence against Nokes is strong enough to justify me in -sending him away; but I'll keep an eye on him as well as I can. It -seems that he left our place early this morning; but the men are not -supposed to be there on Sundays, and of course he does as he pleases -with himself." - -The conversation then dropped, and in a little time Harry made some -excuse for leaving them, and returned to the house alone, promising, -however, that he would not start for his night's ride till after the -party had come back to the station. "There is no hurry at all," he -said; "I shan't stir for two hours yet, but Mickey will be waiting -there for stores for himself and the German." - -"That means a nobbler for Mickey," said Kate. "Either of those men -would think it a treat to ride ten miles in and ten miles back, with -a horse-load of sugar and tea and flour, for the sake of a glass of -brandy-and-water." - -"And so would you," said Harry, "if you lived in a hut by yourself -for a fortnight, with nothing to drink but tea without milk." - -The old lady and Mrs. Heathcote were soon seated on the grass, while -Medlicot and Kate Daly roamed on together. Kate was a pretty, modest -girl, timid withal and shy, unused to society, and therefore awkward, -but with the natural instincts and aptitudes of her sex. What the -glass of brandy-and-water was to Mickey O'Dowd after a fortnight's -solitude in a bush hut, with tea, dampers, and lumps of mutton, a -young man in the guise of a gentleman was to poor Kate Daly. A -brother-in-law, let him be ever so good, is after all no better than -tea without milk. No doubt Mickey O'Dowd often thought about a -nobbler in his thirsty solitude, and so did Kate speculate on what -might possibly be the attractions of a lover. Medlicot probably -indulged in no such speculations; but the nobbler, when brought close -to his lips, was grateful to him as to others. That Kate Daly was -very pretty no man could doubt. - -"Isn't it sad that he should have to ride about all night like that?" -said Kate, to whom, as was proper, Harry Heathcote at the present -moment was of more importance than any other human being. - -"I suppose he likes it." - -"Oh no, Mr. Medlicot; how can he like it? It is not the hard work he -minds, but the constant dread of coming evil." - -"The excitement keeps him alive." - -"There's plenty on a station to keep a man alive in that way at all -times." - -"And plenty to keep ladies alive too?" - -"Oh, ladies! I don't know that ladies have any business in the bush. -Harry's trouble is all about my sister and the children and me. He -wouldn't care a straw for himself." - -"Do you think he'd be better without a wife?" - -Kate hesitated for a moment. "Well, no. I suppose it would be very -rough without Mary; and he'd be so lonely when he came in." - -"And nobody to make his tea." - -"Or to look after his things," said Kate, earnestly. "I know it was -very rough before we came here. He says that himself. There were no -regular meals, but just food in a cupboard when he chose to get it." - -"That is not comfortable, certainly." - -"Horrid, I should think. I suppose it is better for him to be -married. You've got your mother, Mr. Medlicot." - -"Yes: I've got my mother." - -"That makes a difference, does it not?" - -"A very great difference. She'll save me from having to go to a -cupboard for my bread and meat." - -"I suppose having a woman about is better for a man. They haven't got -any thing else to do, and therefore they can look to things." - -"Do you help to look to things?" - -"I suppose I do something. I often feel ashamed to think how very -little it is. As for that, I'm not wanted at all." - -"So that you're free to go elsewhere?" - -"I didn't mean that, Mr. Medlicot; only I know I'm not of much use." - -"But if you had a house of your own?" - -"Gangoil is my home just as much as it is Mary's; and I sometimes -feel that Harry is just as good to me as he is to Mary." - -"Your sister will never leave Gangoil." - -"Not unless Harry gets another station." - -"But you will have to be transplanted some day." - -Kate merely chucked up her head and pouted her lips, as though to -show that the proposition was one which did not deserve an answer. - -"You'll marry a squatter, of course, Miss Daly?" - -"I don't suppose I shall ever marry any body, Mr. Medlicot." - -"You wouldn't marry any one but a squatter? I can quite understand -that. The squatters here are what the lords and the country -gentlement are at home." - -"I can't even picture to myself what sort of life people live at -home." Both Medlicot and Kate Daly meant England when they spoke of -home. - -"There isn't so much difference as people think. Classes hang -together just in the same way; only I think there's a little more -exclusiveness here than there was there." - -In answer to this, Kate asserted with innocent eagerness that she was -not at all exclusive, and that if ever she married any one she'd -marry the man she liked. - -"I wish you'd like me," said Medlicot. - -"That's nonsense," said Kate, in a low, timid whisper, hurrying away -to rejoin the other ladies. She could speculate on the delights of -the beverage as would Mickey O'Dowd in his hut; but when it was first -brought to her lips she could only fly away from it. In this respect -Mickey O'Dowd was the more sensible of the two. No other word was -spoken that night between them, but Kate lay awake till morning -thinking of the one word that had been spoken. But the secret was -kept sacredly within her own bosom. - -Before the Medlicots started that night the old lady made a -proposition that the Heathcotes and Miss Daly should eat the -Christmas dinner at Medlicot's Mill. Mrs. Heathcote, thinking perhaps -of her sister, thoroughly liking what she herself had seen of the -Medlicots, looked anxiously into Harry's face. If he would consent to -this, an intimacy would follow, and probably a real friendship be -made. - -"It's out of the question," he said. The very firmness, however, with -which he spoke gave a certain cordiality even to his refusal. "I must -be at home, so that the men may know where to find me till I go out -for the night." Then, after a pause, he continued, "As we can't go to -you, why should you not come to us?" - -So it was at last decided, much to Harry's own astonishment, much to -his wife's delight. Kate, therefore, when she lay awake, thinking of -the one word that had been spoken, knew that there would be an -opportunity for another word. - -Medlicot drove his mother home safely, and, after he had taken her -into the house, encountered Nokes on his return from Boolabong, as -has been told at the close of the last chapter. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - -"I DO WISH HE WOULD COME!" - - -On the Monday morning Harry came home as usual, and, as usual, went -to bed after his breakfast. "I wouldn't care about the heat if it -were not for the wind," he said to his wife, as he threw himself -down. - -"The wind carries it so, I suppose." - -"Yes; and it comes from just the wrong side--from the northwest. -There have been half a dozen fires about to-day." - -"During the night, you mean." - -"No; yesterday--Sunday. I can not make out whether they come by -themselves. They certainly are not all made by incendiaries." - -"Accidents, perhaps." - -"Well, yes. Somebody drops a match, and the sun ignites it. But the -chances are much against a fire like that spreading. Care is wanted -to make it spread. As far as I can learn, the worst fires have not -been just after midday, when, of course, the heat is greater, but in -the early night, before the dews have come. All the same, I feel that -I know nothing about it--nothing at all. Don't let me sleep long." - -In spite of this injunction, Mrs. Heathcote determined that he should -sleep all day if he would. Even the nights were fearfully hot and -sultry, and on this Monday morning he had come home much fatigued. He -would be out again at sunset, and now he should have what rest nature -would allow him. But in this resolve she was opposed by Jacko, who -came in at eleven, and requested to see the master. Jacko had been -over with the German; and, as he explained to Mrs. Heathcote, they -two had been in and out, sometimes sleeping and sometimes watching. -But now he wanted to see the master, and under no persuasion would -impart his information to the mistress. The poor wife, anxious as she -was that her husband should sleep, did not dare in these perilous -times to ignore Jacko and his information, and therefore gently woke -the sleeper. In a few minutes Jacko was standing by the young -squatter's bedside, and Harry Heathcote, quite awake, was sitting up -and listening. "George Brownbie's at Boolabong." That at first was -the gravamen of Jacko's news. - -"I know that already, Jacko." - -"My word!" exclaimed Jacko. In those parts Georgie Brownbie was -regarded almost as the Evil One himself, and Jacko, knowing what -mischief was, as it were, in the word, thought that he was entitled -to bread and jam, if not to a nobbler itself, in bringing such -tidings to Gangoil. - -"Is that all?" asked Heathcote. - -"And Bos is at Boolabong, and Bill Nokes was there all Sunday, and -Jerry Brownbie's been out with Bos and Georgie." - -"The old man wouldn't say any thing of that kind, Jacko." - -"The old man! He knows nothing about it. My word! they don't tell him -about nothing." - -"Or Tom?" - -"Tom's away in prison. They always cotches the best when they want to -send 'em to prison. If they'd lock up Jerry and Georgie and Jack! My -word! yes." - -"You think they're arranging it all at Boolabong?" - -"In course they are." - -"I don't see why Boscobel shouldn't be at Boolabong without intending -me any harm. Of course he'd go there when he left Gangoil. That's -where they all go." - -"And Bill Nokes, Mr. Harry?" - -"And Bill Nokes too. Though why he should travel so far from his work -this weather I can't say." - -"My word! no, Mr. Harry." - -"Did you see any fires about your way last night?" - -Jacko shook his head. - -"You go into the kitchen and get something to eat, and wait for me. I -shall be out before long now." - -Though Heathcote had made light of the assemblage of evil spirits at -Boolabong which had seemed so important to Jacko, he by no means did -regard the news as unessential. Of Nokes's villany he was convinced. -Of Boscobel he had imprudently made a second enemy at a most -inauspicious time. Georgie Brownbie had long been his bitter foe. He -had prosecuted and, perhaps, persecuted Georgie for various offenses; -but as Georgie was supposed to be as much at war with his own -brethren as with the rest of the world at large, Heathcote had not -thought much of that miscreant in the present emergency. But if the -miscreant were in truth at Boolabong, and if evil things were being -plotted against Gangoil, Georgie would certainly be among the -conspirators. - -Soon after noon Harry was on horseback and Jacko was at his heels. -The heat was more intense than ever. Mrs. Heathcote had twisted round -Harry's hat a long white scarf, called a puggeree, though we are by -no means sure of our spelling. Jacko had spread a very dirty fragment -of an old white handkerchief on his head, and wore his hat over it. -Mrs. Heathcote had begged Harry to take a large cotton parasol, and -he had nearly consented, being unable at last to reconcile himself to -the idea of riding with such an accoutrement even in the bush. "The -heat's a bore," he said, "but I'm not a bit afraid of it as long as I -keep moving. Yes, I'll be back to dinner, though I won't say when, -and I won't say for how long. It will be the same thing all day to- -morrow. I wish with all my heart those people were not coming." - -He rode straight away to the German's hut, which was on the -northwestern extremity of his further paddock in that direction. From -thence the western fence ran in a southerly direction, nearly -straight to the river. Beyond the fence was a strip of land, in some -parts over a mile broad, in others not much over a quarter of a mile, -which he claimed as belonging to Gangoil, but over which the -Brownbies had driven their cattle since the fence had been made, -under the pretense that the fence marked the boundary of two runs. -Against this assumption Heathcote had remonstrated frequently, had -driven the cattle back, and had exercised the ownership of a Crown -tenant in such fashion as the nature of his occupation allowed. -Beyond this strip was Boolabong; the house at Boolabong being not -above three miles distant from the fence, and not above four miles -from the German's hut. So that the Brownbies were in truth much -nearer neighbors to the German than was Heathcote and his family. But -between the German and the Brownbies there raged an internecine feud. -No doubt Harry Heathcote, in his heart, liked the German all the -better on this account; but it behooved him both as a master and a -magistrate to regard reports against Boolabong coming from the German -with something of suspicion. Now Jacko had been introduced to Gangoil -under German auspices, and had soon come to a decision that it would -be a good thing and a just to lock up all the Brownbies in the great -jail of the colony at Brisbane. He probably knew nothing of law or -justice in the abstract, but he greatly valued law when exercised -against those he hated. The western fence of which mention has been -made ran down to the Mary River, hitting it about four miles west of -Medlicot's Mill; so that there was a considerable portion of the -Gangoil run having a frontage to the water. As has been before said, -Medlicot's plantation was about fourteen miles distant from the house -at Boolabong, and the distance from the Gangoil house to that of the -Brownbies was about the same. - -The oppressiveness of the day was owing more to the hot wind than to -the sun itself. This wind, coming from the arid plains of the -interior, brought with it a dry, suffocating heat. On this occasion -it was odious to Harry Heathcote, not so much on account of its own -intrinsic abominations, as because it might cause a fire to sweep -across his run from its western boundary. Just beyond the boundary -there lay Boolabong, and there were collected his enemies. A fire -that should have passed for a mile or so across the pastures outside -and beyond his own farm would be altogether unextinguishable by the -time that it had reached his paddock. The Brownbies, as he knew well, -would care nothing for burning a patch of their own grass. Their -stock, if they had any at the present moment, were much too few in -number to be affected by such a loss. The Brownbies had not a yard of -fencing to be burned; and a fire, if once it got a hold on the edge -of their run, would pass on away from them, right across Harry's -pastures and Harry's fences. If such were the case, he would have -quite enough to do to drive his sheep from the fire, and it might be -that many of them also would perish in the flames. The catastrophe -might even be so bad, so frightful, that the shed and station and all -should go; though, in thinking of all the fires of which he had -heard, he could remember none that had spread with fatality such as -that. - -He found Karl Bender in his hut asleep. The man was soon up, -apologizing for his somnolence, and preparing tea for his master's -entertainment. "It is not Christmas like at home at all; is it, Mr. -'Eathcote? Dear, no! Them red divils is there ready to give us a -Christmas roasting." Then he told how he had boldly ridden up to -Boolabong that morning, and had seen Georgie and Boscobel with his -own eyes. When asked what they had said to him, he replied that he -did not wait till any thing had been said, but had hurried away as -fast as his horse could carry him. - -"I'll go up to Boolabong myself," said Harry. - -"My word! They'll just about knock your head off," suggested Jacko. - -Karl Bender also thought that the making of such a visit would be a -source of danger. But Heathcote explained that any personal attack -was not to be apprehended from these men. "That's not their game," he -said, arguing that men who premeditated a secret outrage would not -probably be tempted into personal violence. The horror of the -position lay in this--that though a fire should rise up almost under -the feet of men who were known to be hostile to him, and whose -characters were acknowledged to be bad, still would there be no -evidence against them. It was known to all men that, at periods of -heat such as that which was now raging, fires were common. Every day -the pastures were in flames, here, there, and every where. It was -said, indeed, that there existed no evidence of fires in the bush -till men had come with their flocks. But then there had been no -smoking, no boiling of pots, no camping out, till men had come, and -no matches. Every one around might be sure that some particular fire -had been the work of an incendiary, might be able to name the culprit -who had done the deed; and yet no jury could convict the miscreant. -Watchfulness was the best security, watchfulness day and night till -rain should come; and Heathcote calculated that it would be better -for him that his enemies should know that he was watchful. He would -go up among them and show them that he was not ashamed to speak to -them of his anxiety. They could hear nothing by his coming which they -did not already know. They were well aware that he was on the watch, -and it might be well that they should know also how close his watch -was kept. He took the German and Jacko with him, but left them with -their horses about a mile on the Boolabong side of his own fence, -nigh to the extreme boundary of the Debatable Land. They knew his -whistle, and were to ride to him at once should he call them. - -He had left the house about noon, saying that he would be home to -dinner--which, however, on such occasions, was held to be a feast -movable over a wide space of time. But on this occasion the women -expected him to come early, as it was his intention to be out again -as soon as it should be dark. Mrs. Growler was asked to have the -dinner ready at six. During the day Mrs. Heathcote was backward and -forward in the kitchen. Then was something wrong she knew, but could -not quite discern the evil. Sing Sing, the cook, was more than -ordinarily alert; but Sing Sing, the cook, was not much trusted. Mrs. -Growler was "as good as the Bank," as far as that went, having lived -with old Mr. Daly when he was prosperous; but she was apt to be -downhearted, and on the present occasion was more than usually low in -spirits. Whenever Mrs. Heathcote spoke, she wept. At six o'clock she -came into the parlor with a budget of news. Sing Sing, the cook, had -been gone for the last half hour, leaving the leg of mutton at the -fire. It soon became clear to them that he had altogether absconded. - -"Them rats always does leave a falling house," said Mrs. Growler. - -At seven o'clock the sun was down, though the gloom of the tropical -evening had not yet come. The two ladies went out to the gate, which -was but a few yards from the veranda, and there stood listening for -the sound of Harry's horse. The low moaning of the wind through the -trees could be heard, but it was so gentle, continuous, and unaltered -that it seemed to be no more than a vehicle for other sounds, and was -as death-like as silence itself. The gate of the horse paddock -through which Heathcote must pass on his way home was nearly a mile -distant; but the road there was hard, and they knew that they could -hear from there the fall of his horse's feet. There they stood from -seven to nearly eight, whispering a word now and then to each other, -listening always, but in vain. Looking away to the west every now and -then, they fancied that they could see the sky glow with flames, and -then they would tell each other that it was fancy. The evening grew -darker and still darker, but no sound was heard through the moaning -wind. From time to time Mrs. Growler came out to them, declaring her -fears in no measured terms. "Well, marm, I do declare I think we'd -better go away out of this." - -"Go away, Mrs. Growler! What nonsense! Where can we go to?" - -"The mill would be nearest, ma'am, and we should be safe there. I'm -sure Mrs. Medlicot would take us in." - -"Why should you not be safe here?" said Kate. - -"That wretched Chinese hasn't gone and left us for nothing, miss, and -what would we three lone women do here if all them Brownbies came -down upon us? Why don't master come back? He ought to come back; -oughtn't he, ma'am? He never do think what lone women are." - -Mrs. Heathcote took her husband's part very strongly, and gave Mrs. -Growler as hard a scolding as she knew how to pronounce. But her own -courage was giving way much as Mrs. Growler's had done. "We are bound -to stay here," she said; "and if the worst comes, we must bear it as -others have done before us." Then Mrs. Growler was very sulky, and, -retreating to the kitchen, sobbed there in solitude. "Oh, Kate, I do -wish he would come," said the elder sister. - -"Are you afraid?" - -"It is so desolate, and he may be so far off, and we couldn't get to -him if any thing happened, and we shouldn't know." - -Then they were again silent, and remained without exchanging more -than a word or two for nearly half an hour. They took hold of each -other, and every now and then went to the kitchen door that the old -woman might be comforted by their presence, but they had no -consolation to offer each other. The silence of the bush, and the -feeling of great distances, and the dread of calamity almost crushed -them. At last there was a distant sound of horse's feet. "I hear -him," said Mrs. Heathcote, rushing forward toward the outer gate of -the horse paddock, followed by her sister. - -Her ears were true, but she was doomed to disappointment. The -horseman was only a messenger from her husband--Mickey O'Dowd, the -Irish boundary rider. - -He had great tidings to tell, and was so long telling them that we -will not attempt to give them in his own words. The purport of his -story was as follows: Harry had been to Boolabong House, but had -found there no one but the old man. Returning home thence toward his -own fence, he had smelled the smoke of fire, and had found within a -furlong of his path a long ridge of burning grass. According to -Mickey's account, it could not have been lighted above a few minutes -before Heathcote's presence on the spot. As it was, it had got too -much ahead for him to put it out single-handed; a few yards he might -have managed, but--so Mickey said, probably exaggerating the matter-- -there was half a quarter of a mile of flame. He had therefore ridden -on before the fire, had called his own two men to him, and had at -once lighted the grass himself some two hundred yards in front, -making a second fire, but so keeping it down that it should be always -under control. Before the hinder flames had caught him, Bender and -Jacko had been with him, and they had thus managed to consume the -fuel which, had it remained there, would have fed the fire which was -too strong to be mastered. By watching the extremities of the line of -fire, they overpowered it, and so the damage was for the moment at an -end. - -The method of dealing with the enemy was so well known in the bush, -and had been so often canvassed in the hearing of the two sisters, -that it was clearly intelligible to them. The evil had been met in -the proper way, and the remedy had been effective. But why did not -Harry come home? - -Mickey O'Dowd, after his fashion, explained that too. The ladies were -not to wait dinner. The master felt himself obliged to remain out at -night, and had gotten food at the German's hut. He, Mickey, was -commissioned to return with a flask full of brandy, as it would be -necessary that Harry, with all the men whom he could trust, should be -"on the rampage" all night. This small body was to consist of Harry -himself, of the German, of Jacko, and, according to the story as at -present told, especially of Mickey O'Dowd. Much as she would have -wished to have kept the man at the station for protection, she did -not think of disobeying her husband's orders. So Mickey was fed, and -then sent back with the flask--with tidings also as to the desertion -of that wretched cook, Sing Sing. - -"I shall sit here all night," said Mrs. Heathcote to her sister. "As -things are, I shall not think of going to bed." - -Kate declared that she would also sit in the veranda all night; and, -as a matter of course, they were joined by Mrs. Growler. They had -been so seated about an hour when Kate Daly declared that the heavens -were on fire. The two young women jumped up, flew to the gate, and -found that the whole western horizon was lurid with a dark red light. - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - -THE BUSH FIGHT. - - -Harry Heathcote had on this occasion entertained no doubt whatever -that the fire had been intentional and premeditated. A lighted torch -must have been dragged along the grass, so as to ignite a line many -yards long all at the same time. He had been luckily near enough to -the spot to see almost the commencement of the burning, and was -therefore aware of its form and circumstances. He almost wondered -that he had not seen the figure of the man who had drawn the torch, -or at any rate heard his steps. Pursuit would have been out of the -question, as his work was wanted at the moment to extinguish the -flames. The miscreant probably had remembered this, and had known -that he might escape stealthily without the noise of a rapid retreat. - -When the work was over, when he had put out the fire he had himself -lighted, and had exterminated the lingering remnants of that which -had been intended to destroy him, he stood still a while almost in -despair. His condition seemed to be hopeless. What could he do -against such a band of enemies, knowing as he did that, had he been -backed even by a score of trusty followers, one foe might still -suffice to ruin him? At the present moment he was very hot with the -work he had done, as were also Jacko and the German. O'Dowd had also -come up as they were completing their work. Their mode of -extinguishing the flames had been to beat them down with branches of -gum-tree loaded with leaves. By sweeping these along the burning -ground the low flames would be scattered and expelled. But the work -was very hard and hot. The boughs they used were heavy, and the air -around them, sultry enough from its own properties, was made almost -unbearable by the added heat of the fires. - -The work had been so far done, but it might be begun again at any -moment, either near or at a distance. No doubt the attempt would be -made elsewhere along the boundary between Gangoil and Boolabong--was -very probably being made at this moment. The two men whom he could -trust and Jacko were now with him. They were wiping their brows with -their arms and panting with their work. - -He first resolved on sending Mickey O'Dowd to the house. The distance -was great, and the man's assistance might be essential. But he could -not bear to leave his wife without news from him. Then, after -considering a while, he made up his mind to go back toward his own -fence, making his way as he went southerly down toward the river. -They who were determined to injure him would, he thought, repeat -their attempt in that direction. He hardly said a word to his two -followers, but rode at a foot-pace to the spot at his fence which he -had selected as the site of his bivouac for the night. - -"It won't be very cheery, Bender," he said to the German; "but we -shall have to make a night of it till they disturb us again." - -The German made a motion with his arms intended to signify his utter -indifference. One place was the same as another to him. Jacko uttered -his usual ejaculation, and then, having hitched his horse to the -fence, threw himself on his back upon the grass. - -No doubt they all slept, but they slept as watchers sleep, with one -eye open. It was Harry who first saw the light which a few minutes -later made itself visible to the ladies at the home station. "Karl," -he exclaimed, jumping up, "they're at it again--look there." - -In less than half a minute, and without speaking another word, they -were all on their horses and riding in the direction of the light. It -came from a part of the Boolabong run somewhat nearer to the river -than the place at which they had stationed themselves, where the -strip of ground between Harry's fence and the acknowledged boundary -of Brownbie's run was the narrowest. As they approached the fire, -they became aware that it had been lighted on Boolabong. On this -occasion Harry did not ride on up to the flames, knowing that the use -or loss of a few minutes might save or destroy his property. He -hardly spoke a word as he proceeded on his business, feeling that -they upon whom he had to depend were sufficiently instructed, if only -they would be sufficiently energetic. - -"Keep it well under, but let it run," was all he said, as, lighting a -dried bush with a match, he ran the fire along the ground in front of -the coming flames. - -A stranger seeing it all would have felt sure that the remedy would -have been as bad as the disease, for the fire which Harry himself -made every now and again seemed to get the better of those who were -endeavoring to control it. There might perhaps be a quarter of a mile -between the front of the advancing fire and the line at which Harry -had commenced to destroy the food which would have fed the coming -flames. He himself, as quickly as he lighted the grass, which in -itself was the work but of a moment, would strain himself to the -utmost at the much harder task of controlling his own fire, so that -it should not run away from him, and get, as it were, out of his -hands, and be as bad to him as that which he was thus seeking to -circumvent. The German and Jacko worked like heroes, probably with -intense enjoyment of the excitement, and, after a while, found a -fourth figure among the flames, for Mickey had now returned. - -"You saw them," Harry said, panting with his work. - -"They's all right," said Mickey, flopping away with a great bough; -"but that tarnation Chinese has gone off." - -"My word! Sing Sing. Find him at Boolabong," said Jacko. - -The German, whose gum-tree bough was a very big one, and whose every -thought was intent on letting the fire run while he still held it in -hand, had not breath for a syllable. - -But the back fire was extending itself, so as to get round them. -Every now and then Harry extended his own line, moving always forward -toward Gangoil as he did so, though he and his men were always on -Brownbie's territory. He had no doubt but that where he could succeed -in destroying the grass for a breadth of forty or fifty yards he -would starve out the inimical flames. The trees and bushes without -the herbage would not enable it to travel a yard. Wherever the grass -was burned down black to the soil, the fire would stop. But should -they, who were at work, once allow themselves to be outflanked, their -exertions would be all in vain. And then those wretches might light a -dozen fires. The work was so hard, so hot, and often so hopeless, -that the unhappy young squatter was more than once tempted to bid his -men desist and to return to his homestead. The flames would not -follow him there. He could, at any rate, make that safe. And then, -when he had repudiated this feeling as unworthy of him, he began to -consider within himself whether he would not do better for his -property by taking his men with him on to his run, and endeavoring to -drive his sheep out of danger. But as he thought of all this, he -still worked, still fired the grass, and still controlled the flames. -Presently he became aware of what seemed to him at first to be a -third fire. Through the trees, in the direction of the river, he -could see the glimmering of low flames and the figures of men. But it -was soon apparent to him that these men were working in his cause, -and that they, too, were burning the grass that would have fed the -advancing flames. At first he could not spare the minute which would -be necessary to find out who was his friend, but, as they drew -nearer, he knew the man. It was the sugar planter from the mill and -with him his foreman. - -"We've been doing our best," said Medlicot, "but we've been terribly -afraid that the fire would slip away from us." - -"It's the only thing," said Harry, too much excited at the moment to -ask questions as to the cause of Medlicot's presence so far from his -home at that time of the evening. "It's getting round us, I'm afraid, -all the same." - -"I don't know but it is. It's almost impossible to distinguish. How -hot the fire makes it!" - -"Hot, indeed!" said Harry. "It's killing work for men, and then all -for no good! To think that men, creatures that call themselves men, -should do such a thing as this! It breaks one's heart." He had paused -as he spoke, leaning on the great battered bough which he held, but -in an instant was at work with it again. "Do you stay here, Mr. -Medlicot, with the men, and I'll go on beyond where you began. If I -find the fire growing down, I'll shout, and they can come to me." So -saying, he rushed on with a lighted bush torch in his band. - -Suddenly he found himself confronted in the bush by a man on -horseback, whom he at once recognized as Georgie Brownbie. He forgot -for a moment where he was. and began to question the reprobate as to -his presence at that spot. - -"That's like your impudence," said Georgie. "You're not only -trespassing, but you're destroying our property willfully, and you -ask me what business I have here. You're a nice sort of young man." - -Harry, checked for a moment by the remembrance that he was in truth -upon Boolabong run, did not at once answer. - -"Put that bush down, and don't burn our grass," continued Georgie, -"or you shall have to answer for it. What right have you to fire our -grass?" - -"Who fired it first?" - -"It lighted itself. That's no rule why you should light it more. You -give over, or I punch your head for you." - -Harry's men and Medlicot were advancing toward him, trampling out -their own embers as they came; and Georgie Brownbie, who was alone, -when he saw that there were four or five men against him, turned -round and rode back. - -"Did you ever see impudence like that?" said Harry. "He's probably -the very man who set the match, and yet he comes and brazens it out -with me." - -"I don't think he's the man who set the match," said Medlicot, -quietly; "at any rate there was another." - -"Who was it?" - -"My man, Nokes. I saw him with the torch in his hand." - -"Heaven and earth!" - -"Yes, Mr. Heathcote. I saw him put it down. You were about right, you -see, and I was about wrong." - -Harry had not a word to say, unless it were tell the man that he -loved him for the frankness of his confession. But the moment was -hardly auspicious for such a declaration. There was no excuse for -them to pause in their work, for the fire was still crackling at -their back, and they did no more than pause. - -"Ah!" said Harry, "there it goes; we shall be done at last." For he -saw that he was being outflanked by the advancing flames. But still -they worked, drawing lines of fire here and there, and still they -hoped that there might be ground for hope. Nokes had been seen; but, -pregnant as the theme might be with words, it was almost impossible -to talk. Questions could not be asked and answered without stopping -in their toil. There were questions which Harry longed to ask. Could -Medlicot swear to the man? Did the man know that he had been seen? If -he knew that he had been watched while he lit the grass, he would -soon be far away from Medlicot's Mill and Gangoil. Harry felt that it -would be a consolation to him in his trouble if he could get hold of -this man, and keep him, and prosecute him--and have him hung. Even in -the tumult of the moment he was able to reflect about it, and to -think that be remembered that the crime of arson was capital in the -colony of Queensland. He had endeavored to be good to the men with -whom he had dealings. He had not stinted their food, or cut them -short in their wages, or been hard in exacting work from them. And -this was his return! Ideas as to the excellence of absolute dominion -and power flitted across his brain--such power as Abraham, no doubt, -exercised. In Abraham's time the people were submissive, and the -world was happy. Harry Heathcote, at least, had never heard that it -was not happy. But as he thought of all this he worked away with his -bush and his matches, extinguishing the flames here and lighting them -there, striving to make a cordon of black bare ground between -Boolabong and Gangoil. Surely Abraham had never been called on to -work like this! - -He and his men were in a line covering something above a quarter of a -mile of ground, of which line he was himself the nearest to the -river, and Medlicot and his foreman the farthest from it. The German -and O'Dowd were in the middle, and Jacko was working with his master. -If Harry had just cause for anger and sorrow in regard to Nokes and -Boscobel, he certainly had equal cause to be proud of the stanchness -of his remaining satellites. The men worked with a will, as though -the whole run had been the personal property of each of them. Nokes -and Boscobel would probably have done the same had the fires come -before they had quarreled with their master. It is a small and narrow -point that turns the rushing train to the right or to the left. The -rushing man is often turned off by a point as small and narrow. - -"My word!" said Jacko, on a sudden, "here they are, all o' -horseback!" And as he spoke, there was the sound of half a dozen -horsemen galloping up to them through the bush. "Why, there's Bos, -his own self," said Jacko. - -The two leading men were Joe and Jerry Brownbie, who, for this night -only, had composed their quarrels, and close to them was Boscobel. -There were others behind, also mounted--Jack Brownbie and Georgie, -and Nokes himself; but they, though their figures were seen, could -not be distinguished in the gloom of the night. Nor, indeed, did -Harry at first discern of how many the party consisted. It seemed -that there was a whole troop of horsemen, whose purpose it was to -interrupt him in his work, so that the flames should certainly go -ahead. And it was evident that the men thought that they could do so -without subjecting themselves to legal penalties. As far as Harry -Heathcote could see, they were correct in their view. He could have -no right to burn the grass on Boolabong. He had no claim even to be -there. It was true that he could plead that he was stopping the fire -which they had purposely made; but they could prove his handiwork, -whereas it would be almost impossible that he should prove theirs. - -The whole forest was not red, but lurid, with the fires, and the air -was laden with both the smell and the heat of the conflagration. The -horsemen were dressed, as was Harry himself, in trowsers and shirts, -with old slouch hats, and each of them had a cudgel in his hand. As -they came galloping up through the trees they were as uncanny and -unwelcome a set of visitors as any man was ever called on to receive. -Harry necessarily stayed his work, and stood still to bear the brunt -of the coming attack; but Jacko went on with his employment faster -than ever, as though a troop of men in the dark were nothing to him. - -Jerry Brownbie was the first to speak. "What's this you're up to, -Heathcote? Firing our grass? It's arson. You shall swing for this." - -"I'll take my chance of that," said Harry, turning to his work again. - -"No, I'm blessed if you do. Ride over him, Bos, while I stop these -other fellows." - -The Brownbies had been aware that Harry's two boundary riders were -with him, but had not heard of the arrival of Medlicot and the other -man. Nokes was aware that some one on horseback had been near him -when he was firing the grass, but had thought that it was one of the -party from Gangoil. By the time that Jerry Brownbie had reached the -German, Medlicot was there also. - -"Who the deuce are you?" asked Jerry. - -"What business is that of yours?" said Medlicot. - -"No business of mine, and you firing our grass! I'll let you know my -business pretty quickly." - -"It's that fellow, Medlicot, from the sugar-mill," said Joe; "the man -that Nokes is with." - -"I thought you was a horse of another color," continued Jerry, who -had been given to understand that Medlicot was Heathcote's enemy. -"Anyway, I won't have my grass fired. If God A'mighty chooses to send -fires, we can't help it. But I'm not going to have incendiaries here -as well. You're a new chum, and don't understand what you're about, -but you must stop this." - -As Medlicot still went on putting out the fire, Jerry attempted to -ride him down. Medlicot caught the horse by the rein, and violently -backed the brute in among the embers. The animal plunged and reared, -getting his head loose, and at last came down, he and his rider -together. In the mean time Joe Brownbie, seeing this, rode up behind -the sugar planter, and struck him violently with his cudgel over the -shoulder. Medlicot sank nearly to the ground, but at once recovered -himself. He knew that some bone on the left side of his body was -broken; but he could still fight with his right hand, and he did -fight. - -Boscobel and Georgie Brownbie both attempted to ride over Harry -together, and might have succeeded had not Jacko ingeniously inserted -the burning branch of gum-tree with which he had been working under -the belly of the horse on which Boscobel was riding. The animal -jumped immediately from the ground, bucking into the air, and -Boscobel was thrown far over his head. Georgie Brownbie then turned -upon Jacko, but Jacko was far too nimble to be caught, and escaped -among the trees. - -For a few minutes the fight was general, but the footmen had the best -of it, in spite of the injury done to Medlicot. Jerry was bruised and -burned about the face by his fall among the ashes, and did not much -relish the work afterward. Boscobel was stunned for a few moments, -and was quite ready to retreat when he came to himself. Nokes during -the whole time did not show himself, alleging as a reason afterward -the presence of his employer Medlicot. - -"I'm blessed if your cowardice sha'n't hang you," said Joe Brownbie -to him on their way home. "Do you think we're going to fight the -battles of a fellow like you, who hasn't pluck to come forward -himself?" - -"I've as much pluck as you," answered Nokes, "and am ready to fight -you any day. But I know when a man is to come forward and when he's -not. Hang me! I'm not so near hanging as some folks at Boolabong." We -may imagine, therefore, that the night was not spent pleasantly among -the Brownbies after these adventures. - -There were, of course, very much cursing and swearing, and very many -threats, before the party from Boolabong did retreat. Their great -point was, of coarse, this--that Heathcote was willfully firing the -grass, and was, therefore, no better than an incendiary. Of course -they stoutly denied that the original fire had been intentional, and -denied as stoutly that the original fire could be stopped by fires. -But at last they went, leaving Heathcote and his party masters of the -battle-field. Jerry was taken away in a sad condition; and, in -subsequent accounts of the transaction given from Boolabong, his fall -was put forward as the reason of their flight, he having been the -general on the occasion. And Boscobel had certainly lost all stomach -for immediate fighting. Immediately behind the battle-field they come -across Nokes, and Sing Sing, the runaway cook from Gangoil. The poor -Chinaman had made the mistake of joining the party which was not -successful. - -But Harry, though the victory was with him, was hardly in a mood for -triumph. He soon found that Medlicot's collar-bone was broken, and it -would be necessary, therefore, that he should return with the wounded -man to the station. And the flames, as he feared, had altogether got -ahead of him during the fight. As far as they had gone, they had -stopped the fire, having made a black wilderness a mile and a half in -length, which, during the whole distance, ceased suddenly at the line -at which the subsidiary fire had been extinguished. But while the -attack was being made upon them the flames had crept on to the -southward, and had now got beyond their reach. It had seemed, -however, that the mass of fire which had got away from them was -small, and already the damp of the night was on the grass; and Harry -felt himself justified in hoping not that there might be no loss, but -that the loss might not be ruinous. - -Medlicot consented to be taken back to Gangoil instead of to the -mill. Perhaps he thought that Kate Daly might be a better nurse than -his mother, or that the quiet of the sheep station might be better -for him than the clatter of his own mill-wheels. It was midnight, and -they had a ride of fourteen miles, which was hard enough upon a man -with a broken collarbone. The whole party also was thoroughly -fatigued. The work they had been doing was about as hard as could -fall to a man's lot, and they had now been many hours without food. -Before they started Mickey produced his flask, the contents of which -were divided equally among them all, including Jacko. - -As they were preparing to start home Medlicot explained that it had -struck him by degrees that Heathcote might be right in regard to -Nokes, and that he had determined to watch the man himself whenever -he should leave the mill. On that Monday he had given up work -somewhat earlier than usual, saying that, as the following day was -Christmas, he should not come to the mill. From that time Medlicot -and his foreman had watched him. - -"Yes," said he, in answer to a question from Heathcote, "I can swear -that I saw him with the lighted torch in his hand, and that he placed -it among the grass. There were two others from Boolabong with him, -and they must have seen him too." - - - - -CHAPTER X. - -HARRY HEATHCOTE RETURNS IN TRIUMPH. - - -When the fight was quite over, and Heathcote's party had returned to -their horses, Medlicot for a few minutes was faint and sick, but he -revived after a while, and declared himself able to sit on his horse. -There was a difficulty in getting him up, but when there he made no -further complaint. "This," said he, as he settled himself in his -saddle, "is my first Christmas-day in Australia. I landed early in -January, and last year I was on my way home to fetch my mother." - -"It's not much like an English Christmas," said Harry. - -"Nor yet as in Hanover," said the German. - -"It's Cork you should go to, or Galway, bedad, if you want to see -Christmas kep' after the ould fashion," said Mickey. - -"I think we used to do it pretty well in Cumberland," said Medlicot. -"There are things which can't be transplanted. They may have roast -beef, and all that, but you should have cold weather to make you feel -that it is Christmas indeed." - -"We do it as well as we can," Harry pleaded. "I've seen a great -pudding come into the room all afire--just to remind one of the old -country--when it has been so hot that one could hardly bear a shirt -on one's shoulders. But yet there's something in it. One likes to -think of the old place, though one is so far away. How do you feel -now? Does the jolting hurt you much? If your horse is rough, change -with me. This fellow goes as smooth as a lady." Medlicot declared -that the pain did not trouble him much. "They'd have ridden over us, -only for you," continued Harry. - -"My word! wouldn't they?" said Jacko, who was very proud of his own -part in the battle. "I say, Mr. Medlicot, did you see Bos and his -horse part company? You did, Mr. Harry. Didn't he fly like a bird, -all in among the bushes! I owed Bos one; I did, my word! And now I've -paid him." - -"I saw it," said Harry. "He was riding at me as hard as he could -come. I can't understand Boscobel. Nokes is a sly, bad, slinking -follow, whom I never liked. But I was always good to Bos; and when he -cheated me, as he did, about his time, I never even threatened to -stop his money." - -"You told him of it too plain," said the German. - -"I did tell him--of course--as I should you. It has come to that now, -that if a man robs you--your own man--you are not to dare to tell him -of it! What would you think of me, Karl, if I were to find you out, -and was to be afraid of speaking to you, lest you should turn against -me and burn my fences?" Karl Bender shrugged his shoulders, holding -his reins up to his eyes. "I know what you ought to think! And I wish -that every man about Gangoil should be sure that I will always say -what I think right. I don't know that I ever was hard upon any man. I -try not to be." - -"Thrue for you, Mr. Harry," said the Irishman. - -"I'm not going to pick my words because men like Nokes and Boscobel -have the power of injuring me. I'm not going to truckle to rascals -because I'm afraid of them. I'd sooner be burned out of house and -home, and go and work on the wharves in Brisbane, than that." - -"My word! yes," said Jacko, "and I too." - -"If the devil is to get ahead, he must, but I won't hold a candle to -him. You fellows may tell every man about the place what I say. As -long as I'm master of Gangoil I'll be master; and when I come across -a swindle I'll tell the man who does it he's a swindler. I told Bos -to his face; but I didn't tell any body else, and I shouldn't if he'd -taken it right and mended his ways." - -They all understood him very well--the German, the Irishman, -Medlicot's foreman, Medlicot himself, and even Jacko; and though, no -doubt, there was a feeling within the hearts of the men that Harry -Heathcote was imperious, still they respected him, and they believed -him. - -"The masther should be the masther, no doubt," said the Irishman. - -"A man that is a man vill not sell hisself body and soul," said the -German, slowly. - -"Do I want dominion over your soul, Karl Bender?" asked the squatter, -with energy. "You know I don't, nor over your body, except so far as -it suits you to sell your services. What you sell you part with -readily--like a man; and it's not likely that you and I shall -quarrel. But all this row about nothing can't be very pleasant to a -man with a broken shoulder." - -"I like to hear you," said Medlicot. "I'm always a good listener when -men have something really to say." - -"Well, then, I've something to say," cried Harry. "There never was a -man came to my house whom I'd sooner see as a Christmas guest than -yourself." - -"Thankee, Sir." - -"It's more than I could have said yesterday with truth." - -"It's more than you did say." - -"Yes, by George! But you've beat me now. When you're hard pressed for -hands down yonder, you send for me, and see if I won't turn the mill -for you, or hoe canes either." - -"So 'll I; my word! yes. Just for my rations." - -They had by this time reacted the Gangoil fence, having taken the -directest route for the house. But Harry, in doing this, had not been -unmindful of the fire. Had Medlicot not been wounded, he would have -taken the party somewhat out of the way, down southward, following -the flames; but Medlicot's condition had made him feel that he would -not be justified in doing so. Now, however, it occurred to him that -he might as well ride a mile or two down the fence, and see what -injury had been done. The escort of the men would be sufficient to -take Medlicot to the station, and he would reach the place as soon as -they. If the flames were still running ahead, he knew that he could -not now stop then, but he could at least learn how the matter stood -with him. If the worst came to the worst, he would not now lose more -than three or four miles of fencing, and the grass off a corner of -his run. Nevertheless, tired as he was, he could not bear the idea of -going home without knowing the whole story. So he made his proposal. -Medlicot, of course, made no objection. Each of the men offered to go -with him, but he declined their services. "There is nothing to do," -said he, "and nobody to catch; and if the fire is burning, it must -burn." So he went alone. - -The words that he had uttered among his men had not been lightly -spoken. He had begun to perceive that life would be very hard to him -in his present position, or perhaps altogether impossible, as long as -he was at enmity with all those around him. Old squatters whom he -knew, respectable men who had been in the colony before he was born, -had advised him to be on good terms with the Brownbies. "You needn't -ask them to your house, or go to them, but just soft-sawder them when -yon meet," an old gentleman had said to him. He certainly hadn't -taken the old gentleman's advice, thinking that to "soft-sawder" so -great a reprobate as Jerry Brownbie would be holding a candle to the -devil. But his own plan had hardly answered. Well, he was sure, at -any rate, of this--that he could do no good now by endeavoring to be -civil to the Brownbies. He soon came to the place where the fire had -reached his fence, and found that it had burned its way through, and -that the flames were still continuing their onward course. The fence -to the north, or rather to the northwestward--the point whence the -wind was coming--stood firm at the spot at which the fire had struck -it. Dry as the wood was, the flames had not traveled upward against -the wind. But to the south the fire was traveling down the fence. To -stop this he rode half a mile along the burning barrier till he had -headed the flames, and then he pulled the bushes down and rolled away -the logs, so as to stop the destruction. As regarded his fence, there -was less than a mile of it destroyed, and that he could now leave in -security, as the wind was blowing away from it. As for his grass, -that must now take its chance. He could see the dark light of the low -running fire; but there was no longer a mighty blaze, and he knew -that the dew of the night was acting as his protector. The harm that -had been as yet done was trifling, if only he could protect himself -from further harm. After leaving the fire, he had still a ride of -seven or eight miles through the gloom of the forest--all alone. Not -only was he weary, but his horse was so tired that he could hardly -get him to canter for a furlong. He regretted that he had not brought -the boy with him, knowing well the service of companionship to a -tired beast. He was used to such troubles, and could always tell -himself that his back was broad enough to bear them; but his -desolation among enemies oppressed him. Medlicot, however, was no -longer an enemy. Then there came across his mind for the first time -an idea that Medlicot might marry his sister-in-law, and become his -fast friend. If he could have but one true friend, he thought that he -could bear the enmity of all the Brownbies. Hitherto he had been -entirely alone in his anxiety. It was between three and four when he -reached Gangoil, and he found that the party of horsemen had just -entered the yard before him. The sugar planter was so weak that he -could hardly get off his horse. - -The two ladies were still watching when the cavalcade arrived, though -it was then between three and four in the morning. It was Harry's -custom on such occasions to ride up to the little gate close to the -veranda, and there to hang his bridle till some one should take his -horse away; but on this occasion he and the others rode into the -yard. Seeing this, Mrs. Heathcote and her sister went through the -house, and soon learned how things were. Mr. Medlicot, from the mill, -had come with a bone broken, and it was their duty to nurse him till -a doctor could be procured from Maryborough. Now Maryborough was -thirty miles distant. Some one must be dispatched at once. Jacko -volunteered, but in such a service Jacko was hardly to be trusted. He -might fall asleep on his horse, and continue his slumbers on the -ground. Mickey and the German both offered; but the men were so -beaten by their work that Heathcote did not dare to take their offer. - -"I'll tell you what it is, Mary," he said to his wife, "there is -nothing for it but for me to go for Jackson." Jackson was the doctor. -"And I can see the police at the same time." - -"You sha'n't go, Harry. Yon are so tired already you can hardly stand -this moment." - -"Get me some strong coffee--at once. You don't know what that man has -done for us. I'll tell you all another time. I owe him more than a -ride into Maryborough. I'll make the men get Yorkie up"--Yorkie was a -favorite horse he had--"while you make the coffee; and I'll lead -Colonel"--Colonel was another horse, well esteemed at Gangoil. -"Jackson will come quicker on him than on any animal he can get at -Maryborough." And so it was arranged, in spite of the wife's tears -and entreaties. Harry had his coffee and some food, and started, with -his two horses, for the doctor. - -Nature is so good to us that we are sometimes disposed to think we -might have dispensed with art. In the bush, where doctors can not be -had, bones will set themselves; and when doctors do come, but come -slowly, the broken bones suit themselves to such tardiness. Medlicot -was brought in and put to bed. Let the reader not be shocked to hear -that Kate Daly's room was given up to him, as being best suited for a -sick man's comfort, and the two ladies took it in turn to watch him. -Mrs. Heathcote was, of course, the first, and remained with him till -dawn. Then Kate crept to the door and asked whether she should -relieve her sister. Medlicot was asleep, and it was agreed that Kate -should remain in the veranda, and look in from time to time to see -whether the wounded man required aught at her hands. She looked in -very often, and then, at last, he was awake. - -"Miss Daly," he said, "I feel so ashamed of the trouble I'm giving." - -"Don't speak of it. It is nothing. In the bush every body, of course, -does any thing for every body." When the words were spoken she felt -that they were not as complimentary as she would have wished. "You -were to have come to-day, you know, but we did not think you'd come -like this, did we?" - -"I don't know why I didn't go home instead of coming here." - -"The doctor will reach Gangoil sooner than he could the mill. You are -better here, and we will send for Mrs. Medlicot as soon as the men -have had a rest. How was it all, Mr. Medlicot? Harry says that there -was a fight, and that you came in just at the nick of time, and that -but for you all the run would have been burned." - -"Not that at all." - -"He said so; only he went off so quickly, and was so busy with -things, that we hardly understood him. Is it not dreadful that there -should be such fighting? And then these horrid fires! You were in the -middle of the fire, were you not?" It suited Kate's feelings that -Medlicot should be the hero of this occasion. - -"We were lighting them in front to put them out behind." - -"And then, while you were at work, these men from Boolabong came upon -you. Oh, Mr. Medlicot, we shall be so very, very wretched if you are -much hurt. My sister is so unhappy about it." - -"It's only my collar-bone, Miss Daly." - -"But that is so dreadful." She was still thinking of the one word he -had spoken when he had--well, not asked her for her love, but said -that which between a young man and a young woman ought to mean the -same thing. Perhaps it had meant nothing! She had heard that young -men do say things which mean nothing. But to her, living in the -solitude of Gangoil, the one word had been so much! Her heart had -melted with absolute acknowledged love when the man had been brought -through into the house with all the added attraction of a broken -bone. While her sister had watched, she had retired--to rest, as Mary -had said, but in truth to think of the chance which had brought her -in this guise into familiar contact with the man she loved. And then, -when she had crept up to take her place in watching him, she had -almost felt that shame should restrain her. But was her duty; and, of -course, a man with a collar-bone broken would not speak of love. - -"It will make your Christmas so sad for you," he said. - -"Oh, as for that, we mind nothing about it--for ourselves. We are -never very gay here." - -"But you are happy?" - -"Oh yes, quite happy, except when Harry is disturbed by these -troubles. I don't think any body has so many troubles as a squatter. -It sometimes seems that all the world is against him." - -"We shall be allies now, at any rate." - -"Oh, I do so hope we shall," said Kate, putting her hands together in -her energy, and then retreating from her energy with sad awkwardness -when she remembered the personal application of her wish. "That is, I -mean you and Harry," she added, in a whisper. - -"Why not I and others besides Harry?" - -"It is so much to him to have a real friend. Things concern us, of -course, only just as they concern him. Women are never of very much -account, I think. Harry has to do every thing, and every thing ought -to be done for him." - -"I think you spoil Harry among you." - -"Don't you say so to Mary, or she will be fierce." - -"I wonder whether I shall ever have a wife to stand up for me in that -way?" - -Kate had no answer to make, but she thought that it would be his own -fault if he did not have a wife to stand up for him thoroughly. - -"He has been very lucky in his wife." - -"I think he has, Mr. Medlicot; but you are moving about, and you -ought to lie still. There! I hear the horses; that's the doctor. I do -so hope he won't say that any thing very bad is the matter." - -She jumped up from her chair, which was close to his bed, and as she -did so just touched his hand with hers. It was involuntary on her -part, having come of instinct rather than will, and she withdrew -herself instantly. The hand she had touched belonged to the arm that -was not hurt, and he put it out after her, and caught her by the -sleeve as she was retreating. "Oh, Mr. Medlicot, you must not do -that; you will hurt yourself if you move in that way." - -And so she escaped, and left the room, and did not see him again till -the doctor had gone from Gangoil. - -The bone had been broken simply as other bones are broken; it was now -set, and the sufferer was, of course, told that he must rest. He had -suggested that he should be taken home, and the Heathcotes had -concurred with the doctor in asserting that no proposition could be -more absurd. He had intended to eat his Christmas dinner at Gangoil, -and he must now pass his entire Christmas there. - -"The sugar can go on very well for ten days," Harry had said. "I'll -go over myself and see about the men, and I'll fetch your mother -over." - -To this, however, Mrs. Heathcote had demurred successfully. "You'll -kill yourself, Harry, if you go on like this," she said. - -Bender, therefore, was sent in the buggy for the old lady, and at -last Harry Heathcote consented to go to bed. - -"My belief is, I shall sleep for a week," he said, as he turned in. -But he didn't begin his sleep quite at once. "I am very glad I went -into Maryborough," he said to his wife, rising up from his pillow. -"I've sworn an information against Nokes and two of the Brownbies, -and the police will be after them this afternoon. They won't catch -Nokes, and they can't convict the other fellows. But it will be -something to clear the country of such a fellow, and something also -to let them know that detection is possible." - -"Do sleep now, dear." she said. - -"Yes, I will; I mean to. But look here, Mary; if any of the police -should come here, mind you wake me at once. And, Mary, look here; do -you know I shouldn't be a bit surprised if that fellow was to be -making up to Kate." - -Mrs. Heathcote, with some little inward chuckle at her husband's -assumed quickness of apprehension, reminded herself that the same -idea had occurred to her some time ago. Mrs. Heathcote gave her -husband full credit for more than ordinary intelligence in reference -to affairs appertaining to the breeding of sheep and the growing of -wool, but she did not think highly of his discernment in such an -affair as this. She herself had been much quicker. When she first saw -Mr. Medlicot, she had felt it a godsend that such a man, with the -look of a gentleman, and unmarried, should come into the -neighborhood; and, in so feeling, her heart had been entirely with -her sister. For herself it mattered nothing who came or did not come, -or whether a man were a bachelor, or possessed of a wife and a dozen -children. All that a girl had a right to want was a good husband. She -was quite satisfied with her own lot in that respect, but she was -anxious enough on behalf of Kate. And when a young man did come, who -might make matters so pleasant for them, Harry quarreled with him -because he was a free-selector. "A free fiddle-stick!" she had once -said to Kate--not, however, communicating to her innocent sister the -ambition which was already filling her own bosom. "Harry does take -things up so--as though people weren't to live, some in one way and -some in another! As far as I can see, Mr. Medlicot is a very nice -fellow." Kate had remarked that he was "all very well," and nothing -more had been said. - -But Mrs. Heathcote, in spite of Harry's aversion, had formed her -little project--a project which, if then declared, would have filled -Harry with dismay. And now the young aristocrat, as he turned himself -in his bed, made the suggestion to his wife as though it were all his -own! - -"I never like to think much of these things beforehand," she said, -innocently. - -"I don't know about thinking," said Harry; "but a girl might do -worse. If it should come up, don't set yourself against it." - -"Kate, of course, will please herself," said Mrs. Heathcote. "Now do -lie down and rest yourself." - -His rest, however, was not of long duration. As he had himself -suggested, two policemen reached Gangoil at about three in the -afternoon, on their way from Maryborough to Boolabong, in order that -they might take Mr. Medlicot's deposition. After Heathcote's -departure it had occurred to Sergeant Forrest of the police--and the -suggestion, having been transferred from the sergeant to the -stipendiary magistrate, was now produced with magisterial sanction-- -that, after all, there was no evidence against the Brownbies. They -had simply interfered to prevent the burning of the grass on their -own run, and who could say that they had committed any crime by doing -so? If Medlicot had seen Nokes with a lighted branch in his hand, the -matter might be different with him; and therefore Medlicot's -deposition was taken. He had sworn that he had seen Nokes drag his -lighted torch along the ground; he had also seen other horsemen--two -or three, as he thought--but could not identify them. Jacko's -deposition was also taken as to the man who had been heard and seen -in the wool-shed at night. Jacko was ready to swear point-blank that -the man was Nokes. The policemen suggested that, as the night was -dark, Jacko might as well allow a shade of doubt to appear, thinking -that the shade of doubt would add strength to the evidence. But Jacko -was not going to be taught what sort of oath he should swear. - -"My word!" he said. "Didn't I see his leg move? You go away." - -Armed with these depositions, the two constables went on to Boolabong -in search of Nokes, and of Nokes only, much to the chagrin of Harry, -who declared that the police would never really bestir themselves in -a squatter's cause. "As for Nokes, he'll be out of Queensland by this -time to-morrow." - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - -SERGEANT FORREST. - - -The Brownbie party returned, after their midnight raid, in great -discomfiture to Boolabong. Their leader, Jerry, was burned about his -hands and face in a disagreeable and unsightly manner. Joe had hardly -made good that character for "fighting it out to the end" for which -he was apt to claim credit. Boscobel was altogether disconcerted by -his fall. And Nokes, who had certainly shown no aptitude for the -fray, was abused by them all as having caused their retreat by his -cowardice; while Sing Sing, the runaway cook, who knew that he had -forfeited his wages at Gangoil, was forced to turn over in his -heathenish mind the ill effects of joining the losing side. "You big -fool, Bos," he said more than once to his friend the woodsman, who -had lured him away from the comforts of Gangoil. "I'll punch your -head, John, if you don't hold your row," Boscobel would reply. But -Sing Sing went on with his reproaches, and, before they had reached -Boolabong, Boscobel had punched the Chinaman's head. - -"You're not coming in here," Jerry said to Nokes, when they reached -the yard gate. - -"Who wants to come in? I suppose you're not going to send a fellow on -without a bit of grub after such a night's work?" - -"Give him some bread and meat, Jack, and let him go on. There'll be -somebody here after him before long. He can't hurt us; but I don't -want people to think that we are so fond of him that we can't do -without harboring him here. Georgie, you'll go too, if you take my -advice. That young cur will send the police here as sure as my name -is Brownbie, and, if they once get hold of you, they'll have a great -many things to talk to you about." - -Georgie grumbled when he heard this, but he knew that the advice -given him was good, and he did not attempt to enter the house. So -Nokes and he vanished, away into the bush together--as such men do -vanish--wandering forth to live as the wild beasts live. It was still -a dark night when they went, and the remainder of the party took -themselves to their beds. - -On the following afternoon they were lying about the house, sometimes -sleeping, and sometimes waking up to smoke, when the two policemen, -who had already been at Gangoil, appeared in the yard. These men were -dressed in flat caps, with short blue jackets, hunting breeches, and -long black boots--very unlike any policemen in the old country, and -much more picturesque. They leisurely tied their horses up, as though -they had been in the habit of making weekly visits to the place, and -walked round to the veranda. - -"Well, Mr. Brownbie, and how are you?" said the sergeant to the old -man. - -The head of the family was gracious, and declared himself to be -pretty well, considering all things. He called the sergeant by his -name, and asked the men whether they'd take a bit of something to -eat. Joe also was courteous, and, after a little delay in getting a -key from his brother, brought out the jar of spirits, which, in the -bush, is regarded as the best sign known of thorough good-breeding. -The sergeant said that he didn't mind if he did; and the other man, -of course, followed his officer's example. - -So far every thing was comfortable, and the constables seemed in no -hurry to allude to disagreeable subjects. They condescended to eat a -bit of cold meat before they proceeded to business. And at last the -matter to be discussed was first introduced by one of the Brownbie -family. - -"I suppose you've heard that there was a scrimmage here last night," -said Joe. The Brownbie party present consisted of the old man, Joe -and Jack Brownbie, and Boscobel, Jerry keeping himself in the -background because of his disfigurement. The sergeant, as he -swallowed his food, acknowledged that he had heard something about -it. "And that's what brings you here," continued Joe. - -"There ain't nothing wrong here," said old Brownbie. - -"I hope not, Mr. Brownbie," said the sergeant. "I hope not. We -haven't got any thing against you, at any rate." Sergeant Forrest was -a graduate of Oxford, the son of an English clergyman, who, having -his way to make in the world, had thought that an early fortune would -be found in the colonies. He had come out, had failed, had suffered -some very hard things, and now, at the age of thirty-five, enjoyed -life thoroughly as a sergeant of the colonial police. - -"You haven't got any thing against anybody here, I should think?" -said Joe. - -"If you want to get them as begun it," said Jack, "and them as ought -to be took up, you'll go to Gangoil." - -"Hold your tongue, Jack," said his brother. "Sergeant Forrest knows -where to go better than you can tell him." - -Then the sergeant asked a string of questions as to the nature of the -fight; who had been hurt; and how badly had any body been hurt; and -what other harm had been done. The answers to all these questions -were given with a fair amount of truth, except that the little -circumstance of the origin of the fire was not explained. Both -Boscobel and Joe had seen the torch put down, but it could hardly -have been expected that they should have been explicit as to such a -detail as that. Nor did they mention the names of either their -brother George or Nokes. - -"And who was there in the matter?" asked the sergeant. - -"There was young Heathcote, and a boy he has got there, and the two -chaps as he calls boundary rulers, and Medlicot, the sugar fellow -from the mill, and a chap of Medlicot's I never set eyes on before. -They must have expected something to be up, or Heathcote would not -have been going about at night with a tribe of men like that." - -"And who were your party?" - -"Well, there were just ourselves, four of us, for Georgie was here, -and this fellow Boscobel. Georgie never stays long, and he wouldn't -be welcome if he did. He turned up just by chance like, and now he's -off again." - -"That was all, eh?" - -Of course they all knew that the sergeant knew that Nokes had been -with them. "Well, then, that wasn't all," said old Brownbie. "Bill -Nokes was here, whom Heathcote dismissed ever so long ago, and that -Chinese cook of his. He dismissed him too, I suppose. And he -dismissed Boscobel here." - -"No one can live at Gangoil any time," said Jack. "Every body knows -that. He wants to be lord a'mighty over every thing. But he ain't -going to be lord a'mighty at Boolabong." - -"And he ain't going to burn our grass either," said Joe. "It's like -his impudence coming on to our ran and burning every thing before -him. He calls hisself a magistrate, but he's not to do just as he -pleases because he's a magistrate. I suppose we can swear against him -for lighting our grass, sergeant? There isn't one of us that didn't -see him do it." - -"And where is Nokes?" asked the sergeant, paying no attention to the -application made by Mr. Brownbie, junior, for redress to himself. - -"Well," said Joe, "Nokes isn't any where about Boolabong." - -"He's away with your brother George?" - -"I shouldn't wonder," said Joe. - -"It's a serious matter lighting a fire, you know," said the sergeant. -"A man would have to swing for it." - -"Then why isn't young Heathcote to swing?" demanded Jack. - -"There is such a thing as intent, you know. When Heathcote lighted -the fire, where would the fire have gone if he hadn't kept putting it -out as fast as he kept lighting it? On to his own run, not to yours. -And where would the other fire have gone which somebody lit, and -which nobody put out, if he hadn't been there to stop it? The less -you say against Heathcote the better. So Nokes is off, is he?" - -"He ain't here, anyways," said Joe. "When the row was over, we -wouldn't let him in. We didn't want him about here." - -"I dare say not," said the sergeant. "Now let me go and see the spot -where the fight was." So the two policemen, with the two young -Brownbies, rode away, leaving Boscobel with the old man. - -"He knows every thing about it," said old Brownbie. - -"If he do," said Boscobel, "it ain't no odds." - -"Not a ha'porth of odds," said Jerry, coming out of his hiding-place. -"Who cares what he knows? A man may do what he pleases on his own -run, I suppose." - -"He mayn't light a fire as 'll spread," said the old man. - -"Bother! Who's to prove what's in a man's mind? If I'd been Nokes, -I'd have staid and seen it out. I'd never be driven about the colony -by such a fellow as Heathcote, with all the police in the world to -back him." - -Sergeant Forrest inspected the ground on which the fire had raged, -and the spot on which the men had met; but nothing came of his -inspection, and he had not expected that any thing would come of it. -He could see exactly where the fire had commenced, and could trace -the efforts that had been made to stop it. He did not in the least -doubt the way in which it had been lit. But he did very much doubt -whether a jury could find Nokes guilty, even if he could catch Nokes. -Jacko's evidence was worth nothing, and Mr. Medlicot might be easily -mistaken as to what he had seen at a distance in the middle of the -night. - -All this happened on Christmas-day. At about nine o'clock the same -evening the two constables re-appeared at Gangoil, and asked for -hospitality for the night. This was a matter of course, and also the -reproduction of the Christmas dinner. Mrs. Medlicot was now there, -and her son, with his collar-bone set, had been allowed to come out -on to the veranda. The house had already been supposed to be full, -but room, as a matter of course, was made for Sergeant Forrest and -his man. "It's a queer sort of Christmas we've all been having, Mr. -Heathcote," said the sergeant, as the remnant of a real English plum- -pudding was put between him and his man by Mrs. Growler. - -"A little hotter than it is at home, eh?" - -"Indeed it is. You must have had it hot last night, Sir." - -"Very hot, sergeant. We had to work uncommonly hard to do it as well -as we did." - -"It was not a nice Christmas game, Sir, was it?" - -"Eh, me!" said Mrs. Medlicot. "There's nae Christmas games or ony -games here at all, except just worrying and harrying, like sae many -dogs at each other's throats." - -"And you think nothing more can be done?" Harry asked. - -"I don't think we shall catch the men. When they get out backward, -it's very hard to trace them. He's got a horse of his own with him, -and he'll be beyond reach of the police by this time to-morrow. -Indeed, he's beyond their reach now. However, you'll have got rid of -him." - -"But there are others as bad as he left behind. I wouldn't trust that -fellow Boscobel a yard." - -"He won't stir, Sir. He belongs to this country, and does not want to -leave it. And when a thing has been tried like that and has failed, -the fellows don't try it again. They are cowed like by their own -failure. I don't think you need fear fire from the Boolabong side -again this summer." - -After this the sergeant and his man discreetly allowed themselves to -be put to bed in the back cottage; for in truth, when they arrived, -things had come to such a pass at Gangoil that the two additional -visitors were hardly welcome. But hospitality in the bush can be -stayed by no such considerations as that. Let their employments or -enjoyments on hand be what they may, every thing must yield to the -entertainment of strangers. The two constables were in want of their -Christmas dinner, and it was given to them with no grudging hand. - -As to Nokes, we may say that he has never since appeared in the -neighborhood of Gangoil, and that none thereabouts ever knew what was -his fate. Men such as he wander away from one colony into the next, -passing from one station to another, or sleeping on the ground, till -they become as desolate and savage as solitary animals. And at last -they die in the bush, creeping, we may suppose, into hidden nooks, as -the beasts do when the hour of death comes on them. - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - -CONCLUSION. - - -The constables had started from Gangoil, on their way to Boolabong, a -little after four, and from that time till he was made to get out of -bed for his dinner Harry Heathcote was allowed to sleep. He had -richly earned his rest by his work, and he lay motionless, without a -sound, in the broad daylight, with his arm under his head, dreaming, -no doubt, of some happy squatting land, in which there were no free- -selectors, no fires, no rebellious servants, no floods, no droughts, -no wild dogs to worry the lambs, no grass seeds to get into the -fleeces, and in which the price of wool stood steady at two shillings -and sixpence a pound. His wife from time to time came into the room, -shading the light from his eyes, protecting him from the flies, and -administering in her soft way to what she thought might be his -comforts. His sleep was of the kind which no light, nor even flies, -can interrupt. Once or twice she stooped down and kissed his brow, -but he was altogether unconscious of her caress. - -During this time old Mrs. Medlicot arrived; but her coming did not -awake the sleeper, though it was by no means made in silence. The old -woman sobbed and cried over her son, at the same time expressing her -thankfulness that he should have turned up in the forest so exactly -at the proper moment, evidently taking part in the conviction that -her Giles had saved Gangoil and all its sheep. And then there were -all the necessary arrangements to be made for the night, in -accordance with which almost every body had to give up his or her bed -and sleep somewhere else. But nothing disturbed Harry. For the -present he was allowed to occupy his own room, and he enjoyed the -privilege. - -Kate Daly during this time was much disturbed in mind. The reader may -remember--Kate, at any rate, remembered well--that, just as the -doctor had arrived to set his broken bone, Mr. Medlicot, disabled as -he was, had attempted to take her by the arm. He had certainly chosen -an odd time for a declaration of love, just the moment in which he -ought to have been preparing himself for the manipulation of his -fractured limb; but, unless he had meant a declaration of love, -surely he would not have seized her by the arm. It was a matter to -her of great moment. Oh, of what vital importance! The English girl -living in a town, or even in what we call the country, has no need to -think of any special man till some special man thinks of her. Men are -fairly plentiful, and if one man does not come, another will. And -there have probably been men coming and going in some sort since the -girl left her school-room and became a young lady. But in the bush -the thing is very different. It may be that there is no young man -available within fifty miles--no possible lover or future husband, -unless Heaven should interfere almost with a miracle. To those to -whom lovers are as plentiful as blackberries it may seem indelicate -to surmise that the thought of such a want should ever enter a girl's -head. I doubt whether the defined idea of any want had ever entered -poor Kate's head. But now that the possible lover was there--not only -possible, but very probable--and so eligible in many respects, living -so close, with a house over his head and a good business; and then so -handsome, and, as Kate thought, so complete a gentleman! Of course -she turned it much in her mind. She was very happy with Harry -Heathcote. There never was a brother-in-law so good! But, after all, -what is a brother-in-law, though he be the very best? Kate had -already begun to fancy that a house of her own and a husband of her -own would be essential to her happiness. But then a man can not be -expected to make an offer with a broken collar-bone--certainly can -not do so just when the doctor has arrived to set the bone. - -Late on in the day, when the doctor had gone, and Medlicot was, -according to instructions, sitting out on the veranda in an armchair, -and his mother was with him, and while Harry was sleeping as though -he never meant to be awake again, Kate managed to say a few words to -her sister. It will be understood that the ladies' hands were by no -means empty. The Christmas dinner was in course of preparation, and -Sing Sing, that villainous Chinese cook, had absconded. Mrs. Growler, -no doubt, did her best; but Mrs. Growler was old and slow, and the -house was full of guests. It was by no means an idle time; but still -Kate found an opportunity to say a word to her sister in the kitchen. - -"What do you think of him, Mary?" - -To the married sister "him" would naturally mean Harry Heathcote, of -whom, as he lay asleep, the young wife thought that he was the very -perfection of patriarchal pastoral manliness; but she knew enough of -human nature to be aware that the "him" of the moment to her sister -was no longer her own husband. "I think he has got his arm broken -fighting for Harry, and that we are bound to do the best we can for -him." - -"Oh yes; that's of course. I'm sure Harry will feel that. He used, -you know, to--to--that is, not just to like him, because he is a -free-selector." - -"They'll drop all that now. Of course they could not be expected to -know each other at the first starting. I shouldn't wonder if they -became regular friends." - -"That would be nice! After all, though you may be so happy at home, -it is better to have something like a neighbor. Don't you think so?" - -"It depends on who the neighbors are. I don't care much for the -Brownbies." - -"They are quite different, Mary." - -"I like the Medlicots very much." - -"I consider he's quite a gentleman," said Kate. - -"Of course he's a gentleman. Look here, Kate--I shall be ready to -welcome Mr. Medlicot as a brother-in-law, if things should turn out -that way." - -"I didn't mean that, Mary." - -"Did you not? Well, you can mean it if you please, as far as I am -concerned. Has he said any thing to you, dear?" - -"No." - -"Not a word?" - -"I don't know what you call a word; not a word of that kind." - -"I thought, perhaps--" - -"I think he meant it once--this morning." - -"I dare say he meant it. And if he meant it this morning, he won't -have forgotten his meaning to-morrow." - -"There's no reason why he should mean it, you know." - -"None in the least, Kate; is there?" - -"Now you're laughing at me, Mary. I never used to laugh at you when -Harry was coming. I was so glad, and I did every thing I could." - -"Yes, you went away and left us in the Botanical Gardens. I remember. -But, you see, there are no Botanical Gardens here; and the poor man -couldn't walk about if there were." - -"I wonder what Harry would say if it were to be so." - -"Of course he'd be glad--for your sake." - -"But he does so despise free-selectors! And then he used to think -that Mr. Medlicot was quite as bad as the Brownbies. I wouldn't marry -any one to be despised by you and Harry." - -"That's all gone by, my dear," said the wife, feeling that she had to -apologize for her husband's prejudices. "Of course one has to find -out what people are before one takes them to one's bosom. Mr. -Medlicot has acted in the most friendly way about these fires, and -I'm sure Harry will never despise him any more." - -"He couldn't have done more for a real brother than have his arm -broken." - -"But you must remember one thing, Kate, Mr. Medlicot is very nice, -and like a gentleman, and all that. Bat you never can be quite -certain about any man till he speaks out plainly. Don't set your -heart upon him till you are quite sure that he has set his upon you." - -"Oh no," said Kate, giving her maidenly assurance when it was so much -too late! Just at this moment Mrs. Growler came into the kitchen, and -Kate's promises and her sister's cautions were for the moment -silenced. - -"How we're to manage to get the dinner on the table, I for one don't -know at all," said Mrs. Growler. "There's Mr. Bates'll be here; that -will be six of 'em; and that Mr. Medlicot will want somebody to do -every thing for him, because he's been and got hisself smashed. And -there's the old lady has just come out from home, and is as -particular as any thing. And Mr. Harry himself never thinks of things -at all. One pair of hands, and them very old, can't do every thing -for every body." All of which was very well understood to mean -nothing at all. - -Household deficiencies--and, indeed, all deficiencies--are -considerable or insignificant in accordance with the aspirations of -those concerned. When a man has a regiment of servants in his dining- -room, with beautifully cut glass, a forest of flowers, and an iceberg -in the middle of his table if the weather be hot, his guests will -think themselves ill used and badly fed if aught in the banquet be -astray. There must not be a rose leaf ruffled; a failure in the -attendance, a falling off in a dish, or a fault in the wine is a -crime. But the same guests shall be merry as the evening is long with -a leg of mutton and whisky toddy, and will change their own plates, -and clear their own table, and think nothing wrong, if from the -beginning such has been the intention of the giver of the feast. In -spite of Mrs. Growler's prognostications, though the cook had -absconded, and the chief guest of the occasion could not cut up his -own meat, that Christmas dinner at Gangoil was eaten with great -satisfaction. - -Harry had been so far triumphant. He had stopped the fire that was -intended to ruin him, he had beaten off his enemies on their own -ground, and he was no longer oppressed by that sense of desolation -which had almost overpowered him. - -"We'll give one toast, Mrs. Medlicot," he said, when Mrs. Growler and -Kate between them had taken away the relics of the plum-pudding. "Our -friends at home!" - -The poor lady drank the toast with a sob. "That's vera weel for you, -Mr. Heathcote. You're young, and will win your way hame, and see auld -friends again, nae doubt; but I'll never see ane of them mair, except -those I have here." Nevertheless, the old lady ate her dinner and -drank her toddy, and made much of the occasion, going in and out to -her son upon the veranda. - -Soon after dinner Heathcote, as was his wont, strayed out with his -prime minister Bates to consult on the dangers which might be -supposed still to threaten his kingdom, and Mrs. Heathcote, with her -youngest boy in her lap, sat talking to Mrs. Medlicot in the parlor. -Such was not her custom in weather such as this. Kate had been sent -out on to the veranda, with special commands to attend to the wants -of the sufferer, and Mrs. Heathcote would have followed her had she -not remembered her sister's appeal, "I did every thing I could for -you." - -In those happy days Kate had been very good, and certainly deserved -requital for her services. And therefore, when the men had gone out, -Mrs. Heathcote, with her guest, remained in the warm room, and went -so far as to suggest that at that period of the day the room was -preferable to the veranda. Poor Mrs. Medlicot was new to the ways of -the bush, and fell into the trap; thus Kate Daly was left alone with -her wounded hero. - -When told to take him out his glass of wine, and when conscious that -no one followed her, she felt herself to have been guilty of some -great sin, and was almost tempted to escape. She had asked her sister -for help; and this was the help that was forth-coming--help so -palpable, so manifest, as to be almost indelicate! Would he think -that plans were being made to catch him, now that he was a captive -and impotent? The thought that it was possible that such an idea -might occur to him was terrible to her. She would rather lose him -altogether than feel the stain of such a suggestion on her own -conscience. She put the glass of wine down on the little table by his -side, and then attempted to withdraw. - -"Stay a moment with me," he said. "Where are they all?" - -"Mary and your mother are inside. Harry and Mr. Bates have gone -across to look at the horses." - -"I almost feel as though I could walk, too." - -"You must not think of it yet, Mr. Medlicot. It seems almost a wonder -that you shouldn't have to be in bed, and you with your collar-bone -broken only last night! I don't know how you can bear it as you do." - -"I shall be so glad I broke it, if one thing will come about." - -"What thing?" asked Kate, blushing. - -"Kate--may I call you Kate?" - -"I don't know," she said. - -"You know I love you, do you not? You must know it. Dearest Kate, can -you love me and be my wife?" His left arm was bound up, and was in a -sling, but he put out his right hand to take hers, if she would give -it to him. Kate Daly had never had a lover before, and felt the -occasion to be trying. She had no doubt about the matter. If it were -only proper for her to declare herself, she could swear with a safe -conscience that she loved him better than all the world. - -"Put your hand here, Kate," he said. - -As the request was not exactly for the gift of her hand, she placed -it in his. - -"May I keep it now?" - -She could only whisper something which was quite inaudible, even to -him. - -"I shall keep it, and think that you are all my own. Stoop down, -Kate, and kiss me, if you love me." - -She hesitated for a moment, trying to collect her thoughts. She did -love him, and was his own; still, to stoop and kiss a man who, if -such a thing were to be allowed at all, ought certainly to kiss her! -She did not think she could do that. But then she was bound to -protect him, wounded and broken as he was, from his own imprudence; -and if she did not stoop to him, he would rise to her. She was still -in doubt, still standing with her hand in his, half bending over him, -but yet half resisting as she bent, when, all suddenly, Harry -Heathcote was on the veranda, followed by the two policemen, who had -just returned from Boolabong. She was sure that Harry had seen her, -and was by no means sure that she had been quick enough in escaping -from her lover's hand to have been unnoticed by the policemen also. -She fled away as though guilty, and could hardly recover herself -sufficiently to assist Mrs. Growler in producing the additional -dinner which was required. - -The two men were quickly sent to their rest, as has been told before; -and Harry, who had in truth seen how close to his friend his sister- -in-law had been standing, would, had it been possible, have restored -the lovers to their old positions; but they were all now on the -veranda, and it was impossible. Kate hung back, half in and half out -of the sitting-room, and old Mrs. Medlicot had seated herself close -to her son. Harry was lying at full length on a rug, and his wife was -sitting over him. Then Giles Medlicot, who was not quite contented -with the present condition of affairs, made a little speech. - -"Mrs. Heathcote," he said, "I have asked your sister to marry me." - -"Dearie me, Giles," said Mrs. Medlicot. - -Kate remained no longer half in and half out of the parlor, but -retreated altogether and hid herself. Harry turned himself over on -the rug, and looked up at his wife, claiming infinite credit in that -be had foreseen that such a thing might happen. - -"And what answer has she given you?" said Mrs. Heathcote. - -"She hasn't given me any answer yet. I wonder what you and Heathcote -would say about it?" - -"What Kate has to say is much more important," replied the discreet -sister. - -"I should like it of all things," said Harry, jumping up. "It's -always best to be open about these things. When you first came here, -I didn't like you. You took a bit of my river frontage--not that it -does me any great harm--and then I was angry about that scoundrel -Nokes." - -"I was wrong about Nokes," said Medlicot, "and have, therefore, had -my collar-bone broken. As to the land, you'll forgive my having it if -Kate will come and live there?" - -"By George! I should think so.--Kate, why don't you come out? Come -along, my girl. Medlicot has spoken out openly, and you should answer -him in the same fashion." So saying, he dragged her forth, and I fear -that, as far as she was concerned, something of the sweetness of her -courtship was lost by the publicity with which she was forced to -confess her love. "Will you go, Kate, and make sugar down at the -mill? I have often thought how bad it would be for Mary and me when -you were taken away; but we sha'n't mind it so much if we knew that -you are to be near us." - -"Speak to him, Kate," said Mrs. Heathcote, with her arm round her -sister's waist. - -"I think she's minded to have him," said Mrs. Medlicot. - -"Tell me, Kate--shall it be so?" pleaded the lover. - -She came up to him and leaned over him, and whispered one word which -nobody else heard. But they all knew what the word was. And before -they separated for the night she was left alone with him, and he got -the kiss for which he was asking when the policemen interrupted them. - -"That's what I call a happy Christmas," said Harry, as the party -finally parted for the night. - -THE END. - - - - - - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, HARRY HEATHCOTE OF GANGOIL *** - -This file should be named hhgan10.txt or hhgan10.zip -Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks get a new NUMBER, hhgan11.txt -VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, hhgan10a.txt - -Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US -unless a copyright notice is included. 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