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| author | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-01-27 22:53:40 -0800 |
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| committer | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-01-27 22:53:40 -0800 |
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} - #chieftans .poetry {width: 18.75em; margin: 0 20.7%; } - #adverts {display: block; visibility: visible; } - div.coladverts, div.leftcol, div.rightcol {border: 0; } - div.leftcol, div.rightcol { - display: block; - margin: 0 25%; - } - div.newnovel { - display: inline-block; - page-break-inside: avoid; - } - #frontcover {max-width: 100%; } - #macmillan {max-width: 100%; } -} - /* XML end ]]>*/ - -</style> -</head> -<body> - - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Last Chance, by Rolf Boldrewood - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world 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. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: The Last Chance - A tale of the Golden West - -Author: Rolf Boldrewood - -Release Date: February 12, 2020 [EBook #61385] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LAST CHANCE *** - - - - -Produced by MWS, David Wilson and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - - - - - - -</pre> - - - - - -<hr class="ww" /> - -<div class="frontcover"> -<img id="frontcover" src="images/i_cover.jpg" - alt="[Front cover: The Last Chance—Rolf Boldrewood]" /> -</div> - -<div class="halftitle"> -<a name="png.001" id="png.001" href="#png.001"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>i<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a> - - -<p><big>THE LAST CHANCE</big></p> - -<p>A TALE OF THE GOLDEN WEST</p> - -</div> - -<div class="colophon"> -<a name="png.002" id="png.002" href="#png.002"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>ii<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a><img id="macmillan" src="images/macmillan.jpg" - alt="[Publisher’s Device: MM & Co]" /> -</div> - - -<div class="titlepage"> -<h1 title="The Last Chance"><a name="png.003" id="png.003" href="#png.003"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>iii<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a><big>THE LAST CHANCE</big><br - /><small><small>A Tale of the Golden West</small></small></h1> - -<p class="author"><small>BY</small><br - /><big>ROLF BOLDREWOOD</big><br - /><small class="allsc"><small class="tight">AUTHOR OF<br - />‘ROBBERY UNDER ARMS,’ ‘THE MINER’S RIGHT,’ ‘THE SQUATTER’S DREAM.’<br - />‘A COLONIAL REFORMER,’ ETC.</small></small></p> - -<p class="publ"><span class="oldenglish">London</span><br - />MACMILLAN AND CO., <span class="smc">Limited</span><br - /><small><small class="allsc">NEW YORK : THE MACMILLAN COMPANY</small></small><br - /><span class="oldstyle">1905</span></p> - -<p><small><small><i>All rights reserved</i></small></small></p> -</div> - - -<div class="copyrt"> -<p><a name="png.004" id="png.004" href="#png.004"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>iv<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a><small><small><i>Copyright in the United States of America.</i></small></small></p> -</div> - - -<div class="chap"> -<h2 title="Chapter I"><a name="png.005" id="png.005" href="#png.005"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>1<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>CHAPTER I</h2> - - -<p><span class="smc">As</span> a Commissioner of Goldfields, and Police -Magistrate, in New South Wales, it is hardly -necessary to say that Arnold Banneret’s pay was -not conspicuously in advance of the necessaries of -life. Necessaries which may be thus catalogued: -a couple of decent ride-and-drive horses, a light, -much-enduring buggy, clothes and books, boots -and shoes, bread and butter, for half-a-dozen -growing boys and girls—with an occasional -trip to the seaside, and a regularly recurring -doctor’s bill; while the Rev. Mr. Wilson’s -quarterly accounts for the eldest boy’s board and -tuition had also a knack of turning up inconveniently -soon, as it appeared to paterfamilias, -after his departure to school.</p> - -<p>He was leaning against the corner of the police -barrack, having just returned from a long official -ride with Inspector Falcon, revolving the question -of ways and means, or else the conflicting evidence -in a knotty, complicated mining case, upon which -he had reserved his decision. He had invested all -the money he could spare (this was before the -<a name="png.006" id="png.006" href="#png.006"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>2<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>latest mining Act) in a promising claim, which -had turned out worthless. His tradespeople, -usually forbearing, had suddenly disclosed monetary -pressure—requiring to be relieved by cash payment. -Altogether, the outlook was overclouded—there -was even a presage of storm and -stress.</p> - -<p>The Inspector had departed to dress for dinner, -invited thereto by a wandering globe-trotter, -known to his family in England. The Commissioner’s -clerk, newly married, had gone home -to his wife the moment the clock struck four—indeed, -a few minutes earlier.</p> - -<p>It was growing late; the minor officials had -retired to their several quarters. His horse was -finishing the corn which had been graciously -ordered for him by the Inspector, and, strange to -say, though in the centre of a populous goldfield, -a feeling of loneliness and silence, almost oppressive, -commenced to manifest itself.</p> - -<p>He was about to bridle his horse, and depart for -his home, a few miles distant from the goldfields -‘township’ of Barrawong, where ten thousand -miners with their families, tradespeople, officials, -and camp-followers generally, had made provisional -homes, when his eye was attracted by a man at some -distance, walking slowly towards him. A footsore -tramp, evidently—‘remote, unfriended, melancholy, -slow.’ As he approached, Banneret’s experienced -eye told him that the man before him had been ill—probably -short of food—had broken down on -the road, and was now straining every nerve to get -to town, probably to be admitted into the Public -<a name="png.007" id="png.007" href="#png.007"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>3<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>Hospital, so often a haven of rest and refreshment -to the invalid wayfarer. When the ‘traveller,’ -as a nomadic labourer is termed in Australia, came -up to the barrack, the Commissioner was shocked -at his emaciated appearance and deathlike pallor. -His hollow cheeks and bloodshot eyes proclaimed -a struggle with weakness, dangerously protracted. -His patched and threadbare garments told a tale -of want and absolute poverty, rare in this land of -careless plenty and comparative extravagance. It -appeared as if the succour might even now come -too late, as to sailors stricken with that mysterious -malady of the sea, which decimates long-exiled -crews, landing them only to die, with the scent in -their nostrils of the freshly turned loam. As he -came within a few paces of the Commissioner, he -staggered and almost fell. That official sprang -forward and caught him by the arm. ‘Why, -Jack Waters!’ he said—‘I should hardly have -known you. What have you been doing to yourself?’</p> - -<p>‘It’s what’s left of me,’ said the exhausted -man, hardly able to speak, it would seem, and -trying as he did so to manage a sickly smile—a -most melancholy attempt. ‘Where I’ve been -and what I’ve gone through’s a long story; -you might be in it towards the end, so we’d -better come into the “Reefer’s Arms” (old Bill -Barker’s alive yet, I suppose) and talk it over a -bit. You know me, Mr. Banneret, this years -and years, and you always found me straight, -didn’t you?’</p> - -<p>‘Certainly I have; I never thought anything -<a name="png.008" id="png.008" href="#png.008"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>4<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>to the contrary. But what’s this great affair you -want me to hear about? Won’t it do to-morrow? -Stay at Barker’s to-night; I’ll shout your night’s -lodging, you know.’</p> - -<p>‘To-morrow mightn’t do, sir; and if you’ll -take a fool’s advice, you’ll get his back room to -sit in, where we can yarn without people hearin’ all -we say, and do a bit o’ business, comfortable like. -And it <em>is</em> business, my word! You don’t hear the -like every day.’</p> - -<p>The Commissioner, as became his office, was -not in the habit of hobnobbing with miners promiscuously. -He was reserved of manner, more -affable indeed to the ordinary miners than to his -equals, whom he treated with scant courtesy—particularly -if his temper was ruffled.</p> - -<p>But this man was an exceptional inhabitant of -the gold region. Having known him for many -years, he was in a position to prove against all -comers that he was one of the most energetic, -honest, capable workers that he had ever known -upon this or other goldfields.</p> - -<p>When about to be sold up, through no fault -of his own, having gone security for a friend, -the Commissioner came forward and provided -a guarantee. This prevented the forced sale, -after which Jack had a stroke of luck, and repaid -every farthing. Since this occurrence he had -been what the Commissioner called ‘ridiculously -grateful.’</p> - -<p>Departing from his ordinary custom, and walking -into the ‘Reefer’s Arms,’ he asked the landlord, -a burly ex-miner, popularly known as Bill the -<a name="png.009" id="png.009" href="#png.009"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>5<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>Puddler, ‘if there was any one in the inner -parlour?’</p> - -<p>‘The shareholders in the “Blue Lookout” -had it all the morning—a-settling after their last -wash-up—but they’ve just cleared, and you can -set there, quiet and comfortable, Commissioner. -<em>Why</em>, what’s the matter with <em>you</em>, Jack?’ he continued, -looking with sudden interest at the worn -limbs and sunken features of the digger.</p> - -<p>‘Had the fever at Ding Dong. Want the -Commissioner to get me into the hospital—going -to make my will first. Send us in a bottle o’ -beer, and a bite o’ bread and cheese, and don’t -yabber.’</p> - -<p>As he spoke, the exhausted man reeled rather -than walked along the passage leading to an inner -apartment, and opening the door with a show of -familiarity, threw himself upon the well-worn sofa, -which, with a few chairs of various patterns, and a -serviceable table, made up the furniture of the -room. Then he closed his eyes as if about to -faint.</p> - -<p>Mr. Banneret walked quickly towards him, but -he put up his hand warningly, and murmured, ‘All -right directly. Wake up when Bill’s a-coming; -that’s what’s the matter.’</p> - -<p>Although the wayfarer closed his eyes and lay -as if insensible, he raised himself when the host -appeared a few minutes later, and assumed an air -of comparative alertness.</p> - -<p>That it was a miserable assumption Mr. Barker -appeared to divine, as he drew the cork, and poured -out two glasses of the bitter beer, departing without -<a name="png.010" id="png.010" href="#png.010"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>6<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>further comment, and casting as he went a searching -glance at the miner who was so ‘infernally -down on his luck,’ as he would have phrased it. -His footsteps had no sooner ceased to be audible, -after reaching the end of the corridor, than the -miner drained his glass, with a sigh of deepest -satisfaction, saying, ‘Here’s luck this time. -Would you mind lockin’ the door careful, sir? -It’ll save my bones a bit, and they won’t stand -much. You’ll see my dart directly.’</p> - -<p>This precaution being duly carried out, he proceeded -to unbutton a tattered woollen shirt. Below -this was another in rather more careful preservation. -Placing his hand in the region of his belt he -produced a long canvas package, which had been -secured to it, and which fitted closely round his -body above the hips.</p> - -<p>‘Blest if I didn’t think it was goin’ to cut me -in two this last week,’ he said, throwing it on the -table; ‘it rubbed me awful, and I dursn’t take it off -and give any one a show to collar it. There was -rough coves where it come from, you bet, as would -have had a man’s life for half the stuff that’s there. -Please to open it, sir. Take your knife to the -stitchin’; it ain’t been touched since I put it -in.’</p> - -<p>The end being ripped open, and part of the -side of the twine-stitched casing, the quartz -specimens thus released rolled out on the table. -They were rich indeed—almost fabulously so.</p> - -<p>The Commissioner’s experienced eye gleamed, -and even the sunken orbs of the miner showed a -fresh, though faint glimmer, as the pale stones -<a name="png.011" id="png.011" href="#png.011"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>7<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>‘strung together with gold,’ in miner’s parlance, -lay heaped together.</p> - -<p>‘And do you mean to say, with five hundred -pounds worth of specimens and nuggets in your -pocket’—here he took up a small lump of pure -gold—‘a five-ounce bit, if it’s anything—you -nearly starved yourself to death—nearly died on -the road? Hang it, man! you’ve run it too fine -altogether.’</p> - -<p>‘Couldn’t help it, Commissioner. What was -I to do? You know what a new rush is like. -Wouldn’t they have tracked me up, and pegged -over the ground, if they’d known I’d gold about -me? I’d have lost my year’s work—hard work, -and lonely—starving myself all the while; perhaps -had a crack on the head as well. And then where’d -we been? For I’m going to give you a half share, -Commissioner, if you’ll see me through, so’s I can -go back, and take up the lease proper and shipshape. -I hadn’t a shillin’ when I come away from -the find, nor an ounce of flour, nor a bit of sugar; -meat I hadn’t seen for a month; I was afraid to -go for it. So I gammoned sick when I come in. -It didn’t take any painting to do that. Said I’d -been doin’ a “perish” in the ranges (wrong direction, -of course), and was all broke up. Begged -most of the way back—many a long mile, too—and -here I am!’</p> - -<p>‘Take another glass of beer,’ said the Commissioner, -‘and finish the bread and cheese. I’m -going to dine. And now what do you want me -to do?’</p> - -<p>‘You’ll find me five hundred pound, -<a name="png.012" id="png.012" href="#png.012"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>8<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>Commissioner; less won’t do. It’s a long way to travel, -but that says nothin’. That’ll about fix up the -lease deposits—the rations, cart and horses—and -what’s wanted for me and a mate. That’s all I’ll -take <em>if</em> I can get a good one that can work and -hold his tongue. I’ll transfer half my share in the -lease to you, and a better day’s work you never -done in your life. You see this—it’s nothing to -what’s below. I covered the reef up. Sixteen -foot wide, good walls, thick with gold, reg’lar -jeweller’s shop.’</p> - -<p>‘Well, of course, you know, I’ve heard all this -before. Heard it all, and more too. Seen specimens -as good as these, and better; and what did -it all come to? Duffered out inside of three -months, and never paid for candles.’</p> - -<p>‘I’ve been diggin’ nigh hard thirty year—been -a “forty-niner,” and so help me, God Almighty! -I never dropped across a show like this afore—or -within miles of it—for the real, solid stuff.’</p> - -<p>‘Well, but five hundred pounds is a large sum. -I’m not a rich man, you all know. It gives me -enough to do to pay the butcher and baker. I -should have to give security over everything I -possess to raise it. Mr. Bright, the banker, would -not advance it without security, to save my life, -I had almost said. He dared not do it, for one -thing.’</p> - -<p>‘Now, look here, Commissioner! did you ever -know me tell a lie? I drink a bit, sometimes, -but’—and here the wasted form was straightened -with an effort, and the hollow eyes gazed into the -magistrate’s face with an intensity almost appalling—‘no -<a name="png.013" id="png.013" href="#png.013"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>9<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>living man can say that Jack Waters told a -lie, or hid the truth. When I say I <em>saw</em> and -<em>touched</em>, by the Lord Almighty! what ’ud make -you and me, and a dozen more, rich for life, won’t -you believe me?’ and here, as if exhausted by the -temporary excitement, the old man sank upon his -knees, and raising his hands, as if in prayer, cried -aloud, ‘For God’s sake, Commissioner! for the -sake of your wife and children, go into this thing -with me, or you’ll repent it to the last day of -your life.’</p> - -<p>Arnold Banneret gazed at the kneeling figure, -stood for one minute in earnest thought, and -then said: ‘All right, I’ll risk it. We’d better -call it “The Last Chance,” for if it fails, I’m a -ruined man.’</p> - -<p>‘You’ll never be ruined this side of the grave, -sir,’ said the miner, as he slowly rose to his feet. -‘If you mortgage the shirt on your back, and the -shoes off your feet, it’s the best day’s work you -ever did. I’ve seen a man write a cheque for a -half share in the No. 1 British Hill, as was offered -him on the ground floor. He jibbed on it, and -tore up the cheque. He knows <em>now</em> that he tore -up a fortune that day. But you’ll be right, Commissioner. -There’s no go-back in you, I know -from old times.’</p> - -<p>‘True enough, Jack; I don’t change my line. -Well, we must get to business. I’ll have an -agreement drawn up, in case of accidents, as well -as a transfer of the half share in the claim—I’ll -find the five hundred pounds. By the bye, there’s -another thing—how about the grog?’</p> - -<p><a name="png.014" id="png.014" href="#png.014"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>10<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>‘From the day I leave here, sir, I don’t touch -a drop, if it was to save my life, till the first -crushing’s out. Then you’ll have enough to pay -managers and wages men, enough to run a town—you -can do without poor old Jack Waters, even -if he does break out, and something tells me he -won’t—till the biggest part of the thing’s through. -What’s more, I’ll make my will, and leave you the -whole boiling, so if anything should happen to me, -you’ll have the lot.’</p> - -<p>‘That’s unnecessary. I couldn’t take your -share, in any case, on any account. Your relations -ought to come first, you know.’</p> - -<p>‘Relations?’ echoed the old man, with a -strange laugh. ‘When I ran away from home in -Cornwall, I had only two people as cared to own -me—my poor mother, the fellow that married her, -and killed her with ill usage. She’s dead years -ago, and he’s in—well, I won’t say where—he -might have repented, you know. There’s no -living soul claimed kin with me when I was poor, -and I’m not going to give ’em a chance when I’m -rich. No, you shall have the lot, to do what you -like with, when poor old Jack takes up his last -claim in the alluvial. And now I’ll have a bath, -a square meal, and a good sleep till to-morrow, -while you take charge of these specimens, and -work the Bank business—Mr. Bright is a good -sort, and he’ll spring a bit if he sees his way.’</p> - -<div class="tb"><b>. . . . . . . . .</b></div> - -<p>The Commissioner proceeded to his office, -where he carefully locked up the precious stones—precious -in every sense of the word—in the -<a name="png.015" id="png.015" href="#png.015"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>11<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>Government safe. He made a second inspection, -after which his brow cleared, and the usual confident -expression returned to his features. Before -leaving for his home he had a private interview -with his banker, who was fully acquainted with -his pecuniary position.</p> - -<p>‘How do, Banneret? pleased to see you; your -quarter’s pay has just come in. That’s all right -as far as it goes—so you want five hundred pounds -for a mining venture? Rather a speculation, of -course. But we’re all in that line here, worse -luck. I dropped a hundred over that rascally -“Blue Lookout”—blue enough it turned out—and -there’s “Flash in the Pan” that I nearly -bought into, paying a whacking dividend, and -getting better as it goes down. You’ll give -security, of course? What is it?’</p> - -<p>‘Every mortal thing I’ve got—cows and horses, -buggy and harness, furniture, saddles and bridles. -Everything but the wife and children. You may -put the whole lot into a Bill of Sale, and sell me up -if the thing goes wrong.’</p> - -<p>‘Hum! ha! We’ll see about that. But of -course the directors look at the security, and slang -me if I give you an over-draft without it. I’ll -have it ready to-morrow. The show’s extra good, -I suppose?’</p> - -<p>‘Out and out; never saw anything like it.’</p> - -<p>‘Yes—of course, I know, and as safe as houses. -They all are. Well, good-bye; I wish you luck. -You won’t stay and dine with me?’</p> - -<p>‘Thanks very much. I must go home’; and -they parted—the banker to dine at the hotel -<a name="png.016" id="png.016" href="#png.016"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>12<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>ordinary, and forget his business worries over a -game of billiards afterwards; the Commissioner to -ride home in the dark, revolving in his mind the -pros and cons of the most risky speculation in -which he had embarked for a while—after indeed -resolving that <em>never again</em> would he risk a penny -in those infernal gambling, deceitful, fascinating -gold shares which, like the Sirens of old, lured the -unwary to destruction, sooner or later.</p> - -</div> - - -<div class="chap"> -<h2 title="Chapter II"><a name="png.017" id="png.017" href="#png.017"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>13<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>CHAPTER II</h2> - - -<p>‘<span class="smc">What’s</span> been bothering you, my dear?’ queried -the partner of his joys and sorrows—of which, -indeed, she had borne more than her share during -the latter years of their married life. ‘Those -Antimony Lead people been having a deputation -again? Or the “Western Watchdog” been -barking at you? Never mind them, now. Come -and look at Baby—she’s fast asleep, and looks so -sweet and good—you can tackle those dreadful -people after breakfast to-morrow—the proper -time, as you always say.’</p> - -<p>‘The Antimony Lead has relieved me, by -“duffering out,” at No. 14—“No gold, no litigation,” -is a safe rule in mining—and the -“Watchdog’s” bark is stilled for a time. But -you are right. I have something on my mind, -connected with mining’—and here he seated -himself in an arm-chair, and with his wife’s hand -in his, opened his heart, by a full disclosure of -facts, to that faithful helpmate and capable -adviser.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Banneret was a woman of exceptional -courage, and capacity in business matters—such -as few men are privileged to win and wear in -<a name="png.018" id="png.018" href="#png.018"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>14<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>the alliance matrimonial. Without binding himself -to be guided by her advice in the battles -of life, her husband made a point of hearing her -views—if time permitted—before engaging in -action. Cool, sensible, and, withal, courageous -to dare, as well as to suffer, his plans were -often modified, if not changed, after hearing her -opinion.</p> - -<p>In this particular skirmish with fortune, he -had, however, been compelled to act promptly on -his own responsibility. He knew mines and -miners,—that strange earth table, where lay such -wondrous prizes; the game on which the cards -meant want or wealth, and of which the counters -were men’s lives. The opportunity—one of those -which come rarely, if more than once in life—was -too precious to let slip. Weak and low, after his -hardships—if he had refused to accede to the old -man’s proposals—he might, in despair, have -adopted the fatal remedy, lost his gold, or transferred -the greater part of his interest to one of -the astute speculators always so numerous upon -goldfields.</p> - -<p>He had made the plunge. He had put fame -and fortune on the cards—more or less—and must -stand the hazard of the dip. Not, of course, that -an officer of his character and experience would -have lost his position by being sold up, and -rendered temporarily homeless, as long as nothing -worse could be laid to his charge than imprudence -in speculation.</p> - -<p>There were very few residents in any class, -caste, or occupation in Barrawong who had not -<a name="png.019" id="png.019" href="#png.019"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>15<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>had a throw for a prize in the game of ‘golden -hazard.’ But none the less, if it came out a -blank, it would involve serious loss, bitter mortification, -and more or less privation to be shared -by every member of the household.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Banneret listened gravely to the narrative, -after the first few sentences, which contained the -key to the situation. She said nothing until the -story was ended, and then proceeded to a cross-examination -very much to the point, as her -husband had had previous occasion to note. She -commenced cheerfully. So does the <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">rusé</i> barrister, -affecting an air of light raillery, as he reassures -the witness, out of whose heart he resolves to -tear the truth before he has done—regardless of -laceration, how cruel soever, to that organ, in -the process.</p> - -<p>But this advocate had no such feeling. She -was not an advanced woman. Gifted with intelligence -sufficiently clear to perceive the differing -treatment of the sexes at the hands of society, she -was yet fixed in the opinion that, by marriage -and motherhood, a woman’s individuality has -deeply, irrevocably merged in the welfare of the -household. Thenceforth, her sphere was circumscribed. -It was her duty, her privilege, to administer -the limited monarchy of that small but -vitally important kingdom. If for insufficient -cause she wandered from it—if for vain -pleasures, or intellectual pride, she neglected her -realm—she deserved reprobation as an enemy -of the State—deserved to forfeit the crown of -her womanhood. So it was with a heart touched -<a name="png.020" id="png.020" href="#png.020"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>16<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>with wifely sympathy, as well as anxiety for -the safety of the family ark, that she began her -inquiry.</p> - -<p>‘Well, my dear, you seem to have “put on -the pot,” as your friend Captain Maurice says—I -daresay you have good reason—but we must look -out to have something left <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">pour tout potage</i> besides. -You put full faith in old Jack Waters; I have -heard you speak of him.’</p> - -<p>‘With hardly an exception—gentle or simple—I -do not know a man whose word I would more -absolutely trust, and I have known him for ten -years or more.’</p> - -<p>‘You think the specimens beyond all doubt -the richest you have ever seen? Remember those -in the “Coming Event.”’</p> - -<p>‘Yes, they were good—though nothing to these. -I’m almost sorry I didn’t bring them home with -me. I left them in the office safe, to be quite -sure.’</p> - -<p>‘You are to have a half share also, and the old -man wills the whole to you, in case of accidents? -That looks well.’</p> - -<p>‘I’m sure if you saw him, and them, you would -think more of the affair.’</p> - -<p>‘Very likely—(thoughtfully). Now, suppose -you drive in to-morrow, instead of riding, and -take me to lunch with Mrs. Herbert? I can see -old Waters and drop into the Bank besides. Then -I’ll say what I propose. I’d like to think it over—and -now, it’s nearly bedtime—I suppose you -want to smoke?’</p> - -<p>Mr. Banneret was a reasonable, though not an -<a name="png.021" id="png.021" href="#png.021"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>17<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>inveterate smoker. He told himself that if ever a -man needed the great sedative and composer of -thought, this was one of the periods specially -suggested by Fate. So he sat for nearly an hour -before the fire in the dining-room, and meditatively -smoked a couple of pipes of ‘rough cut,’ after -which, his habitation being within a few miles of -a populous goldfield, and not in a highly civilised -and police-guarded city, he went to bed without -locking a door or securing a window.</p> - -<p>‘They know there’s nothing worth taking in -the house of a Police Magistrate—why should -they run the risk of a bullet or a gaol?’ he -was wont to reply, when taxed by his wife with -leaving the front door or the dining-room window -open; and as no one ever essayed to break -through and steal during their ten years’ sojourn -in Barrawong, his argument apparently had force.</p> - -<p>Since dawn he had been in Court or office for -eight or nine hours—had ridden ten miles and -walked five, so that when eleven o’clock came, he -had done a fair day’s work. As a consequence, -he slept soundly until cockcrow, when he arose -with a clear head and renewed faculties, ready for -whatever duties might be cast upon him.</p> - -<p>The family breakfast concluded, the boys had -been despatched to school, the girls to the daily -ministrations of the governess, and the infantry -division duly provided for, when Mr. and Mrs. Banneret departed for Barrawong, in the buggy of -the period, behind a pair of extremely useful nags, -moderate as to condition, to which the grass of -the field had chiefly contributed, but exceptional -<a name="png.022" id="png.022" href="#png.022"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>18<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>as to pace and courage. They were equally good -in single or double harness, in saddle also, the -near-side horse carrying Mrs. Banneret, who was a -daring rider, with ease and distinction, while no -pair within a hundred miles could, as to road -action, ‘see the way they went.’ So the groom -phrased it. They were, in fact, the Commissioner’s -chief treasures and possessions. It was -idle to lock up the house while these invaluable -animals were left in an open paddock. Years -since, when robbed by bushrangers, he had -shivered in his shoes, <em>not</em> from personal apprehension, -but for fear that the marauders should -take a fancy to Hector, or Paris, and felt quite -grateful when they only relieved him of a couple of -gold watches, which he happened to have about -him.</p> - -<p>When, therefore, as the clock struck nine, -Mr. and Mrs. Banneret rattled out of the front -gate, at the rate of twelve miles an hour, old -Hector holding up his head, and sending out his -forelegs, as if he wanted to do the two hundred -miles to the metropolis in forty-eight hours—the -spirits of the ‘leading lady’ and the hero, in what -might be a successful melodrama or a tragedy, as -the Fates should decree, visibly rose.</p> - -<p>‘Feels like old times, doesn’t it? This turnout -was new when we were married. How we -used to rattle about! Now we’re a dozen years -older, and still “going strong,” thank God! -Steady, Hector! what an old Turk you are to -pull!’</p> - -<p>‘Yes, my dear,’ said the lady, looking softly in -<a name="png.023" id="png.023" href="#png.023"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>19<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>his face, with an added lustre in her dark eyes—‘we -have not done so badly, considering we lost -every penny in the world not long after that -interesting event. We have known hard times, -but as long as you and the children are well, and -we can give them a decent education, I care for -nothing. But we are going to risk nearly everything -<em>again</em>, it seems to me—poor Hector and -Paris too! It’s a plunge, isn’t it?’</p> - -<p>‘Oh, I can get a friend to buy them in, and we -must live on bread and cheese, till times improve, -if the shot misses. But you come in, and see -Waters and his quartz before you form an opinion. -Then we’ll talk it out.’</p> - -<p>It was a quarter to ten o’clock when they -entered the yard of the inn, where the horses and -trap were put up. Throwing the reins to the -groom, and telling him to give the horses no water -for half an hour, Mr. Banneret and his wife -entered the hotel—in the parlour of which, reading -the <cite>Western Watchman</cite>, that morning issued, sat -Jack Waters with a serene and satisfied air. Refreshed -by sleep it was wonderful what rest and -refreshment had done for him. Though painfully -emaciated, his eye was brighter, his colour improved—his -very voice altered, as he respectfully saluted -Mrs. Banneret.</p> - -<p>‘I’m afraid you’ve had a hard time of it, Jack, -since you left last year?’ she said; ‘you’re -terribly fallen away, I can see.’</p> - -<p>‘It was “a close call,” as the Yankee diggers -say, ma’am! I thought I was goin’ under, many -a mile from here—but I never gave in, and what -<a name="png.024" id="png.024" href="#png.024"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>20<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>with the water getting better, and the weather -cooler, I pulled through. Yes, Mrs. Banneret! -and it was a good day for you and the children, -and the Commissioner here, as I did. If poor old -Jack had dropped, in that fifty-mile dry stage—I -won’t say where—it mightn’t have mattered much -to him. It was all in the day’s work—one more -fool of a digger rubbed out. But to <em>you</em>, ma’am, -that has always had a kind word and a bit of help -for every one, and your boys and girls that’s been -brought up to do the same—it <em>will</em> matter to the -last day of your lives. You believe me, it’s God’s -truth, as I’m a living man this day.’</p> - -<p>And here the miner stood up and gazed with a -far-off, dreamy look, as if beyond the place in -which he stood—beyond other lands and seas—as -he named a desert region as yet scarce heard of, -from which even the reckless prospector often -turned away, the haunt of the thirst demon and the -fever fiend.</p> - -<p>‘Westhampton!’ said the pair simultaneously. -‘Why, you don’t mean to say you’ve been <em>there</em>! -Whatever made you think of it? Why, it’s -thousands of miles from here.’</p> - -<p>‘I <em>was</em> there, anyhow—and now I’m back here. -There was a voyage to take—I had money enough -for that, and I saved as much as would take me -back. I had to walk over a hundred mile to get -there, and double as much to come back. What I -went through, no one will ever know. But I got -back to the ship. Then I started to walk from -the coast, and here I am; but there wasn’t much to -spare, was there, Commissioner?’</p> - -<p><a name="png.025" id="png.025" href="#png.025"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>21<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>‘My time’s up,’ he replied, looking at his -watch. ‘Court morning, and there’s always some -one waiting to see me. I must go now, but you -tell Mrs. Banneret all about it. She’ll be in the -claim too, you know’; and the man of many -duties and responsibilities walked forth to receive -a report from the police of a mining accident, -with loss of life; to fix the date for hearing an -exhaustive action for trespass; to issue warrants—sign -summonses and Miners’ Rights; to report -upon complaints made against himself to the -Secretary for Mines; to sit in a bankruptcy meeting—as -also to act as general adviser, father confessor, -and guardian of minors in pressing cases -of the most delicate social and financial nature.</p> - -<p>The lady’s colloquy with the miner was short, -but material to the issue. ‘I have come in to-day,’ -she said, ‘on purpose to see you about this speculation. -Mr. Banneret believes in you, as a straight, -reliable man! So do I, from what I have seen -and heard. But this is a neck or nothing venture. -We have little to spare as it is, and if we lose this -five hundred pounds we shall be ruined—and you -know that the oldest miners are deceived sometimes. -It is a long way off, too.’</p> - -<p>‘If it wasn’t a long way off, it wouldn’t be what -it is, ma’am. I’ve been mining these thirty -year, and never see a reef like it afore. Of course -it’s not too late to go back on it, though I’d rather -you had it than any one else I know—you helped -me afore, you see, when I had my tent burnt, and -I’d like to do you good.’</p> - -<p>‘How did you come to know of it?’</p> - -<p><a name="png.026" id="png.026" href="#png.026"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>22<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>‘Well, it was this way. You know, ma’am, us -diggers often write and lay one another on to -good things. An old mate of mine had been -campin’ out and prospectin’ round there, for more’n -a year, livin’ hard, eatin’ lizards, pigface, what not—nigh -perished for want of water, until he come -across this here reef. Well, he goes back to -Southern Cross, where he gets laid up with -rheumatic fever, and close up dies—ain’t right yet. -Well, he wires and lays me on, and I’m to give -him an eighth share, when it’s floated—as floated -it will be—and for a price that’ll astonish some -people. I can’t say more, ma’am, now, and every -word of it’s God’s truth.’</p> - -<p>‘I think you’ve said enough,’ said the lady, -bending her gaze upon him with a searching -glance, which he returned steadfastly and half wistfully. -‘Whatever Mr. Banneret has promised, of -course he will perform. You may trust my -husband to carry it out, and I feel more satisfied -now I have heard you explain matters.’</p> - -<p>‘If we can’t trust the Commissioner, ma’am, -we can’t trust nobody—that’s what all of us -miners says; there’s not a man on the field that -don’t say the same. So I’ll wish you good-bye, -ma’am, and my sarvice to you.’</p> - -<p>‘Good-bye, and I hope it will bring good -fortune to all of us.’</p> - -<p>That afternoon, about half-past four o’clock, the -Commissioner closed his office earlier than usual. -As they were speeding along the homeward road, -winding between yawning shafts and over the -insecure bridges spanning the water-races, which -<a name="png.027" id="png.027" href="#png.027"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>23<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>gurgled and bubbled beneath the horses’ feet, -Mrs. Banneret thus addressed her husband:</p> - -<p>‘Had a good day, my dear?’</p> - -<p>‘Very fair, all things considered. Long Small -Debts Court. Big police case. Inquest on poor -fellow killed in Happy Valley. Deputation from -the “Great Intended”—want the base line swung. -Report urgently required in the last jumping case. -Got through them all except the last—they can -wait a week. I must go on the ground.’</p> - -<p>‘Not a bad day’s work either, for an overpaid, -under-worked Civil servant, as the Radical papers -call you; and now I’ll bring in <em>my</em> report, which -is urgent—immediate, and can’t “wait a week,” -whatever else can.’</p> - -<p>‘Go ahead, my dear!’ said her husband, lighting -his pipe, and steadying the impatient horses to a -ten-mile trot. ‘I’m all attention.’</p> - -<p>‘In the first place, I had a short talk with old -Waters which impressed me. He thoroughly believes -in the find, and I believe in <em>him</em>. So do you. -If his tale is true, our fortune is made; and though -the risk is great, the speculation is no more -imprudent than some we know of that ended -triumphantly.’</p> - -<p>‘Of course, there was Lindsay, district Surveyor, -just as hard worked and no better paid than I am, -took early shares in Rocky Hill, went home with -£200,000 or more! Desmond went in with the -“first robbers” in Valley Gorge—came out with -over £100,000. Very cautious men both of -them, too. Nearly not going in. Higgleson -declined—swears now, when he thinks of it.’</p> - -<p><a name="png.028" id="png.028" href="#png.028"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>24<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>‘Well, my dear, these are truths—stranger than -fiction, as the eminent person says. Shows that -all mining ventures are not swindles; and now for -my proposal. You haven’t had leave of absence -lately?’</p> - -<p>‘Not for four years. Leave obtainable, but no -visible means, if I had gone.’</p> - -<p>‘Quite so—couldn’t be better put. But now -the case is different. You have the five hundred -pounds to come and go on—Oh! I may say here -that I called at the Bank and asked Mr. Bright to -show me the specimens. They made my mouth -water. What necklaces and rings—pearls and -diamonds I saw in the future—<em>if</em> the reef “went -down,” as old Waters said. How the shares would -go up! That wasn’t the only thing I saw. I saw -schools and colleges—travel, society for the -children, a house in town—a carriage (which my -soul loveth),—all these I saw in those pretty white -and fawn-coloured stones with their threads and -veins of gold—pure gold running through and -through them. Mr. Bright thinks well of the -affair too, I can see.’</p> - -<p>‘Yes, he does—and he ought to be a judge. -How many a ton of that same quartz, more or -less auriferous, has he handled in his time! Many -a pound has he lost over it too.’</p> - -<p>‘Well, we can’t all win, of course; but I’m -with you in this, my dear, heart and soul—and -if it breaks down, and we have to live on dry -bread for a couple of years, you shall never hear a -whimper from me.’</p> - -<p>‘I know that, my dear. Pluck enough for -<a name="png.029" id="png.029" href="#png.029"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>25<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>half-a-dozen men—let alone women. What about -this leave? Do you mean——?’</p> - -<p>‘Of course I do; apply <em>at once</em> for three -months’ leave. Pressure of work, and so on. -I’ve noticed you <em>do</em> look rather fagged now and -then—though I never said so. Urgent private -affairs also. Then <em>go with him</em>. You’ll have the -spending of the cash. He can’t object to that. -I’m surprised you didn’t see it yourself. He -might drink, or be drugged, and lose it all. -Where should we be then? Depend upon it, -that’s the thing to do. It makes all safe, once for -all.’</p> - -<p>‘I see your point. I might have thought of it, -as you say; but they’ll have to send a man in my -place. Every one wouldn’t do. However, there’s -sure to be some goldfields official knocking about -who’d like the change. In for a penny, etc. I’ll -write to-night. But how will <em>you</em> get on?’</p> - -<p>‘Have your pay put into my private account -while you’re away. I’ll manage somehow. The -five hundred pounds ought to frank you there, -and do all the taking up and so on—with care.’</p> - -<p>‘Yes, and careful enough we shall have to be; -there’ll be no more when that’s gone. It’s the -“last chance” in every sense of the word.’</p> - -<p>‘I shall be lonely enough while you’re away, my -dear; but we have had to do without each other -before—and must again. You’ll write regularly—a -letter will always cheer me up. I shan’t suffer -for want of employment, that’s one thing.’</p> - -<p>The Commissioner got his leave of absence on -the ground of ‘urgent private affairs’—which was -<a name="png.030" id="png.030" href="#png.030"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>26<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>only just, as he had been hard at it for several -years, without change or respite, in one of the most -difficult, anxious, wearing occupations in the Civil -Service: that of Warden, and Police Magistrate, -on a large alluvial goldfield. To rule over an -excitable population, varying from ten to twenty -thousand; to hear and decide the interminable -mining lawsuits arising from the production of -tons of gold—literally <em>tons</em>, won, held, and distributed -under a code of mining laws, of a -sufficiently complicated nature, and appearing to -the unlearned a mass of confused, contradictory -regulations, was no sinecure. The amounts, too, in -question were often incredibly large, so that a mistake -in law, or an error in judgment, magnified by -the local press, assumed gigantic proportions in the -eye of the public. In the police department of -jurisdiction, murders and robberies, though not -alarmingly frequent, were occasionally matters of -by no means a <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">quantité négligeable</i>. Excitable -public meetings were common, and, as an outlet -for smouldering popular feeling, answered a good -purpose.</p> - -<p>But, on the whole, Barrawong was an appointment -which a gentleman with prejudices in favour -of a quiet life would have found singularly -unsuitable.</p> - -<p>As for Jack, he fell in with the proposition -warmly and loyally from its first mention. Distrustful, -from past experience, of his will-power -in the way of resistance in the grip of terrible -drink temptation, to which, in the past, he had -succumbed full many a time and oft, he was not -<a name="png.031" id="png.031" href="#png.031"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>27<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>sorry to have the custody of the joint capital -placed in safe hands. And yet nothing is a more -astonishing psychical phenomenon than the unbroken -abstention from alcohol which the intermittent -drunkard will and can practise. Having -so resolved, the whilom victim will sit with -roystering comrades, whose full glasses pass before -his face—lodge in hotels, where he sees (and -smells) the soul-destroying liquid from morning -to night, and under the fire of this temptation—over -the grave of so many broken vows and -tearful resolutions—he will remain as unshaken as -a teetotaller in a coffee-house.</p> - -<p>What a miracle it seems! What a superhuman -effort must the first days of sobriety -require! How does it put to shame the better -born, the better instructed, whose every-day -resolutions they are often so powerless to abide -by!</p> - -<p>But it is a time-bargain with the fiend, alas! -in so many—in by far the majority of instances. -In ‘an hour that he knoweth not,’ the Enemy of -man asserts his power, and the victim falls—to be -cast into the outer darkness of despair—of hopeless -surrender—to a ruined life, an unhonoured death.</p> - -<p>A fortnight’s rest and good living set up the -returned prospector to such an extent that his -former comrades hardly recognised him in the neatly -dressed, alert personage, who gave out that he was -open to invest in a ‘show,’ but wasn’t up to any -more prospecting for a while. ‘Not good enough,’ -and so on. Thought he’d take a trip to Melbourne -to see a friend. This resolve he carried out rather -<a name="png.032" id="png.032" href="#png.032"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>28<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>suddenly, it having been so arranged, the partners -not holding it expedient that they should leave in -company, or that it should be matter for general -information that they were bound upon a joint -mining speculation. As to the tempting local -ventures, then common among all classes on a -large goldfield, Mr. Banneret had always studiously -abstained from the slightest connection with them.</p> - -<p>‘No!’ was his uniform answer to applications -of a persuasive nature—‘I am here to decide upon -questions of immense importance to these people -over whom I am placed as a judge and a ruler. -To inspire confidence in the impartiality of my -decisions, I cannot be financially associated with -any mining property on <em>this</em> goldfield. Say that -my partner, or partners, do not come before me in -any judicial matter. Such are the ramifications of -mining association, that the partners, and friends -of <em>their</em> partners, are certain at some time or other -to be suitors in my Court. I should not then -stand in the same relation to them as to perfectly -unknown or detached parties to a suit. Thus I -fully resolved, from my first acceptance of this -office, to hold myself free from the slightest -ground of suspicion.’</p> - -<p>‘As for this affair,’ he told his wife, talking -over the matter before his departure, ‘it is entirely -different; the locality is in another colony, under -different laws and another government. If it -comes off, I shall be indifferent to all mining law, -except as it affects our particular lease—which I -shall take up directly I get there.’</p> - -<p><a name="png.033" id="png.033" href="#png.033"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>29<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>The last farewell was said, the last embrace -given. With a brave and tearless face, but an -aching heart, the loyal wife bade adieu to the one -man that the world held for her—stood looking -after the fast-receding vehicle which was to meet -the coach at the country town—waving her -handkerchief till the turning-point of the road -was reached, then, with falling tears, walked slowly -back to the cottage, and busied herself with the -never-ending needlework—over which the tears -flowed so fast at times that a pause in the stitching -was necessary. In her chamber she poured out her -heart in fervent supplication, that he whom she -loved and trusted above all other created beings -might return to her, safe as to health and successful -in his enterprise, if so God willed, but if otherwise, -in His good Providence, let him only be spared -to return in health to glad his wife’s and children’s -eyes, and her soul would be satisfied—‘Thy will, -not mine be done, O Lord!’ were the closing -words of the heartfelt, simple petition. Rising -with an expression of renewed confidence and -trusting faith, she smoothed her hair, bathed her -face, and with a composed and steadfast countenance -betook herself to the ever-recurring duties of the -household.</p> - -<div class="tb"><b>. . . . . . . . .</b></div> - -<p>The wrench of parting with wife and children -was over. Mr. Banneret, like most strong men of -an observant turn of mind, enjoyed change. A -born traveller, he was equally at home on sea and -land, hill or dale, plain or forest—hot or cold, wet -or dry—it made no difference to him. There -<a name="png.034" id="png.034" href="#png.034"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>30<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>was always some one, or something, to see and -be interested in. His was a chiefly sympathetic -constitution of mind, which could, in all literal -truth, be described as irrepressible and universal.</p> - -<p>Such being the case, he had no sooner looked -up Waters, whom he found well and hearty, at the -hostelry agreed upon, in Melbourne, and taken -passage in the first steamer bound for far Westralia, -than Hope, the day star, which had illumined so -many darksome passages of his life, arose, and amid -the twilight of the uncertain adventure, commenced -to glow with a mild but steady irradiation. The -next afternoon found them on the wave, units of -a crowd, bound for the newest Eldorado.</p> - -<p>Under instructions, an agent had arranged for -the purchase of a strong, but light-running -waggonette, and three horses, together with the -ordinary necessaries for an overland journey -through new, untried country. Reduced to their -smallest weight and compass, there was still a -sufficient load for the team, probably condemned -to indifferent fare on the road. The selection had -been careful—no one is a better judge of travel -requisites than that man of many makeshifts and -dire experiences, the mining prospector. The -outfit needed but to be paid for, and shipped, and -the first act of the melodrama began.</p> - -<p>Voyages are much alike. They differ occasionally -in length, safety, comfort, and convenience. -But these are details. The chief matters are -departure, and arrival in port. When the second -part of the contract is unfulfilled, the performance -borders on a tragedy. In this case the contract -<a name="png.035" id="png.035" href="#png.035"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>31<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>was carried out—after a week’s voyage, they duly -arrived at their distant stage.</p> - -<p>‘So this is another colony,’ said Mr. Banneret, -looking around on the small old-fashioned town—so -long settled—so sparsely populated—so meagre -in tokens of civilisation, in contrast with the coast -cities of the East. They were not, of course, over-fastidious. -There were decent hotels—even a -Club for people with introductions. To the Commissioner -unstinted hospitality was tendered. He -considered it, however, expedient to pitch the tent -and pack their movables in the waggon: to begin -to camp in earnest, as indeed they would be compelled -to do during the remainder of the journey. -This would be the more economical method of -travelling, and the safety of their property, including -the horses, would be assured.</p> - -<p>On the morrow Waters proceeded to explain -his plan of action.</p> - -<p>They had, first of all, to travel for a week in a -nor’-westerly direction, at the end of which they -would reach a mining camp or township.</p> - -<p>The track after that was fairly well marked; -but the feed was bad, or none at all—water scarce -and precarious. There were all sorts of disadvantages. -‘It was the worst country in Australia,’ -Jack said, averring that he had seen everything -bad in his time. It would take them more than -a month, even if they had luck. They would -have to carry everything with them; even forage -for the horses. But at the end, however long and -wearisome, there was a claim—a reef, the like of -which he, John Waters, had never seen before. -<a name="png.036" id="png.036" href="#png.036"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>32<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>‘Then the sooner we’re off the better,’ said Mr. Banneret. ‘We can get everything ready to-morrow, -and make a short journey at any rate. -The great thing is the <em>start</em>. It’s mostly plain -sailing afterwards.’</p> - -<p>So the next day everything was done, fitted, and -made ready for a three months’ journey, as indeed -it needed to be. Waiting and working at the -claim would not be very dissimilar from the -wayfaring—except that they would be stationary. -As for the hard work, with fare to match, Mr. Banneret had had similar experiences in his youth, -and believed that he could do what any other man -could do, of whatever age, class, or condition.</p> - -<p>By this time his ‘mate’—a ‘dividing mate,’ -in the eye of the law, socially and otherwise—had, -as he himself expressed it, ‘picked up surprisin’’—after -the first week or two on the road, he -would be (he stated) in hard condition again, fit -to go for a man’s life. Originally of the flawless -constitution peculiarly the heritage of the Anglo-Saxon, -and, as such, contemptuous of hardship by -land or sea, nothing but his own folly had power -to harm it. The wonderful recuperative power -common to the race had reasserted itself—conjointly -with a regular system of food and rest. -The typical miner’s boundless optimism and -sanguine expectation bore him up as upon wings—and, -as they drove along in the clear atmosphere, -under a cloudless sky, the Commissioner’s face -lost its troubled expression.</p> - -<p>The ‘township,’ when they got there, was such -a one as the Commissioner had never before seen -<a name="png.037" id="png.037" href="#png.037"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>33<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>in all his varied experiences; never in his dreams -had he imagined such a mining camp. A person -of restricted imagination, or feeble sympathies, -might even have described the landscape as -‘unspeakably desolate, and ghastly.’ A certain -appearance of grass, even if trodden down, and -fed off by horses and bullocks, had always been -visible on goldfields where he had borne rule -formerly.</p> - -<p>Here there was none, absolutely <em>none</em>. Dust -of a red hue, subtly pervading all nature, was the -chief elemental feature. Water was more or less -available for sluicing, puddling, cradling, or other -purposes connected with mining operations,—here -there was <em>none</em> to be seen except in the small -quantities required for partial lavation and for -engine work. This last was of course procurable, -but being generally salt or brackish, required to be -subjected to the condenser, lest damage to the -engine should ensue. In the hotels it was dearer -than wine or beer in the coast cities—was always, -indeed, <em>charged for separately</em> in the bars when -supplied with alcohol!</p> - -<p>‘What a desert!’ thought the Commissioner. -‘Have we reached Arabia by any magical -process? And here come the camels proper to -the scene.’ As he spoke, a long string of those -Eastern-seeming animals came nearer, and the -Afghan drivers, turbaned and with flowing garb, -heightened the resemblance.</p> - -<p>‘This is a queer shop, sir,’ said Waters, as he -observed his companion’s looks of amazement and -curiosity. ‘Barrawong wasn’t over-pleasant, as you -<a name="png.038" id="png.038" href="#png.038"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>34<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>might say, on a hot day, with the north wind -blowin’ the dust in your eyes—but it was a king to -this; and then the river—you could allers have a -swim; and nothing freshens a man up like a good -header into cool, deep water after his day’s work.’</p> - -<p>‘It certainly is not a place a man would pick -to spend his honeymoon—though I suppose some -adventurous couples have done that; but, of course, -the main thing is the gold. Men didn’t come out -here to hunt for scenery, or farm-lands. Are they -on good gold? If they are, all the rest will -follow.’</p> - -<p>‘Well, sir, this is the richest goldfield in -Australia, just now, and likely to be the biggest. -<em>You</em> know, if that keeps on, they’ll get everything -else they want, and more too, directly; but we -shan’t stop here long enough to think about it, -hot or cold,’ said Waters. ‘I’ll watch the horses -to-night, for there’s a lot of cross coves about, -who’d steal the teeth out of your head if you -slept sound enough. We’d better load up all we’ll -want for a month or two, and get away afore -sundown to-morrer. You might write out a list -of things we’ll want. I’ll mind the camp till you -come back.’ This being arranged, Banneret went -into town after a frugal lunch, and walked down -the main street, which, with a few others crossing -it at right angles, constituted the nucleus of the -infant city. A few large and fairly well kept -hotels, with ornamental bars and spacious billiard -and dining rooms, accommodated the floating -population, of whom the greater number took -their meals there, in preference to undergoing -<a name="png.039" id="png.039" href="#png.039"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>35<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>the doubtful experiment of housekeeping. The -expense was considerable; but those who had -shares in dividend-paying mines could well afford -war prices, while to those making short visits to -this and other ‘fields’—partly on business, and -partly for curiosity—a few pounds could make but -slight difference. Of course, the township bore a -family likeness to all other mining centres,—one -long main street, with others branching off at right -angles, the frontage to which was filled with cabins, -huts, cottages, tents, of every size, shape, and colour. -The roofs were chiefly of corrugated iron, which, -unsightly as a building material, yet enabled the -possessor to collect rain-water. When the walls, -or rather sides, were not of the same material they -were of hessian—of slabs, or weatherboard. Some -indeed were of bark—the climate being consistently -hot and dry. The nights, however, were cool, as -the goldfield stood fairly high above sea-level. -When it did rain, it came down with tropical force -and volume, as was seen by the depth of the -ravines. But this state of matters occurred too -rarely to occasion serious thought. Here and -there tiny gardens, wherein grew a few carefully -tended vegetables and flowers, showed that the -soil was not wholly barren. The pepper tree -(<cite>Schinus molle</cite>), friend of the pioneer horticulturist, -had already made a lodgment, as well as the -Kurrajong or Cooramin (<cite>Sterculia</cite>), the slow growth -of which, however, few of the present population -would remain to witness.</p> - -<p>All purchases made, the team fed and rested, -the loading arranged as only the experienced -<a name="png.040" id="png.040" href="#png.040"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>36<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>overlander knows how, and supper over, a start -was made by the light of a rising moon.</p> - -<p>‘We take this track, sir,’ said Waters. ‘It’s the -main road to the “twenty-mile soak,” and give out -as we’re goin’ to Kurnalpi. There’s whips o’ tracks -for ten or twelve mile; and then we strike due -west. If any of ’em follers us up, we can say -we’re makin’ for Kimberley—that’ll choke ’em off, -if anything will.’</p> - -<p>‘I suppose there are men on these fields that -will track up prospectors if they believe they’ve -made a find?’</p> - -<p>‘In course there are, sir. Chaps as like pickin’ -up the fruits of other men’s work, and ain’t game -to tackle the hardships theirselves.’</p> - -<p>So the strangely constituted companions journeyed -on, by the faint wavering light of the struggling -moon, sometimes obscured, but generally -available, as the track, so far, was across open plains -or downs, sandy, gravelly, or rock-strewn by turns, -but offering no serious obstacle to the passage of -horse or man. What timber there was consisted -chiefly of scrub and brushwood, mulga or mallee. -Some of it was available for camel food; but, in a -general way, it appeared to the Commissioner as a -land accursed of God and man—unfitted for providing -sustenance for man or beast.</p> - -<p>As the night dragged through, he could not -but consider the contrast between his present -position and that which he had abandoned in -order to follow what might be a delusive phantom, -a ‘Will-o’-the-wisp’—an ‘ignis fatuus,’ -specially provided for leading astray wayfarers, -<a name="png.041" id="png.041" href="#png.041"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>37<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>blinded by the ‘auri sacra fames.’ Suppose he -lost his way, broke down in health or eyesight—the -most vulnerable point in the explorer’s armoury? -Waters was old, and though apparently strong, -and inured to hardship, could not go on for ever, -or if he missed his way to the Waterloo Spring?—they -were far apart and the aboriginal natives were -indifferent or hostile—in any case, averse, from -their standpoint, to point out or conduct the party -to the inestimable water-store. What might be -his fate? And what—still more harrowing -thought—the condition of his wife and family, -deprived of his protecting care, and having exhausted -his slender store of earnings—the fruit of -many an hour of toil and self-denial? He had -reached the point of almost intolerable doubt and -distress of mind when a cheery shout from his -companion, who held the reins, dislodged the -nightmare which he had conjured up.</p> - -<p>‘Yes, Captain, yonder’s the Black Peak! I -was pretty near told out when I struck it, and that -done when I got there that I never expected to -see home again. I’d been walking half the night, -and all day—my water-bag was empty—I’d had -nothing to eat to speak of for a week past, just a -morsel of biscuit now and then. My boots was -wore through, my feet bleedin’, and that sore I -could hardly drag myself along. By George! if -a digger wants to have the heart of a lion, as -people say, what must a prospector? Heat and -cold, hunger and thirst—blacks to fight, off and -on—whites if he’s got a bit of gold, nigh hand as -bad, perhaps worse, as they’re more cunning. -<a name="png.042" id="png.042" href="#png.042"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>38<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>How many a heap of bones lies bleaching in the -sun, between here and Kurnalpi! Sometimes -they’re found, and there’s papers on ’em that tells -where the only son, or the favourite youngest one, -laid down to die, and never come home, all the -years they was expecting of him to open the door -of the old place and say, “Here I am, with a brown -face and a bag of nuggets”—as the story-writers -tell us. Well, well! I’m ramblin’ away, just like -a chap I <em>did</em> hear once, as I come on just in -time to give him a bite and a sup, and save his -precious life. How he was a-talkin’ and goin’ -on! I heard him a matter of half a mile afore I -got to him. He talked and talked—thought he -saw his people again, and they wouldn’t let him in. -Then he’d scream and yell, and curse frightful, -and say the devil was coming for him—just for -all the world like a man with the jim-jams—the -D.T.s, or whatever doctors call it. There ain’t so -much difference between what men and women say -when once they’re off their head. We’re all queer -animals—larned or unlarned—and that’s a fact.</p> - -<p>‘And now, sir, as I’ve talked enough rot for a -while, only I thought you was lookin’ rather down -on it, and it might liven you up a bit, I see we’re -on a bit of good saltbush where we can stop and -give the horses a feed. I’ll fry a bit of the mutton -for a relish, and make a pot of tea. There’s a -plenty of the damper left as I baked a while back. -We can take it easy while you have a “bange.” -I’ll watch the nags, in case any one comes along. -We can push on afterwards. Anyhow the horses -will be all the better for a spell.’</p> - -<p><a name="png.043" id="png.043" href="#png.043"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>39<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>Waters bustled about, unharnessing and hobbling -the horses, which immediately began to nibble -the saline bushes that seemed to have found a -patch of congenial soil. Walking down a small -gully or shallow ravine, he was fortunate enough -to discover a tiny ‘soak’ under a rock, being -directed thereto by a brace of the beautiful bronzewing -pigeons. These birds will fly great distances -to a spring or water-hole of any sort, but -are difficult to shoot, as their habit is to drink -rapidly, and fly back to their haunts so suddenly -that it is a case of snap-shot, or too late.</p> - -<p>The soak proved sufficient to give the team -a drink, and also to fill up the ten-gallon keg, -which was kept as a reserve in case of need.</p> - -<p>After this halt Mr. Banneret felt easier in his -mind, and more sanguine as to the results of the -expedition.</p> - -<p>The sky was cloudless, of course. The desert -sun had shone its fiercest for the last two hours. -The pocket thermometer and aneroid registered -90 degrees. Before the close of day it would -probably reach 105 or 110.</p> - -<p>‘We’ll not start till after sundown, sir,’ said -the practical partner. ‘I want to blind our trail -a bit, so as we shan’t be follered up just yet. By -gum! if this ain’t the very identical mob o’ horses -come a purpose, like as if it was ordered. See -them camels?’</p> - -<p>‘Yes! what a string of them, with Afghan -drivers. What have they to do with us?’</p> - -<p>‘You’ll find out, sir, soon’s they come a bit -closer.’</p> - -<p><a name="png.044" id="png.044" href="#png.044"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>40<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>It may not be generally known that horses -have an insuperable dread of camels when first -seen. It is on record that, on the first progress -of an explorer’s expedition down the Darling -River, the station horses with one accord fled from -the river frontage, stampeding towards the ‘back -blocks,’ and were recovered with difficulty days -and weeks afterwards.</p> - -<p>On this occasion, there happened to be an overland -mob (drove) of horses on their way to the -Southern Cross goldfield—coming in a different -direction from that of the travellers. Directly they -caught sight of the camel train, they swung across -the road, and headed apparently for Coongarrie, -in spite of the utmost efforts of the drivers, who -by cries, yells, and stockwhip cracks, strove to -stop or wheel them. ‘That’s all right for us, sir,’ -said Waters, who, after several perfunctory efforts -to assist the men in charge, was content to let -them go their own way. ‘We’ll be off as soon -as we can harness up, sir, and drive along the way -they’ve gone. They’ve made tracks enough to -cover ours ten times over. Next day we’ll hit out -due north, where the ground’s that bloomin’ hard -and rocky as it won’t hold a track—unless they -had a nigger with them, which it’s not likely—not -hereabouts, anyway.’<!-- TN: closing quote invisible --></p> - -<p>As they drove quietly along in the line of the -flying squadron, it really appeared as if circumstance -had aided them in an unforeseen but perfectly -effectual manner. Some miles farther on -they met the runaway mob, considerably steadied -by their escapade, being driven quietly back, with -<a name="png.045" id="png.045" href="#png.045"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>41<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>a man in front of them, who was keeping closely -to their track, as in the outward run.</p> - -<p>‘That makes it just right for us, sir,’ said the -old man; ‘they’ll knock out the track of our -wheels, for good and all, so that no man can tell -where we left the main trail—and they’ve twisted, -and twisted so, as any feller that’s trackin’ us up -won’t have any show of hittin’ our dart, any more’n -a mob of kangaroos.’</p> - -<p>Both partners knew enough of the working of -claims on new goldfields to judge how essential it -was to their success that they should be able to -take possession, undisturbed by the tumult and -confusion of a rush on new ground, known or -reported to be rich. Wild exaggerations, and -rumours of Aladdin’s caves, would pass from camp -to camp, with every fresh arrival of miners. The -Commissioner had seen before the lonely creek flat, -or fern-fringed gully, converted within forty-eight -hours into a populous township, with main street, -shops, hotels, billiard-rooms, more or less effective -for their needs; while every acre for miles around -the reef or alluvial deposit was pegged out and -jealously guarded by armed men, whom it needed -but little imagination to believe capable of shedding -blood in defence of their legal or fancied rights.</p> - -<p>He now began to comprehend that their present -action was decided by an experienced and capable -coadjutor, and resolved to continue in the position -of sleeping partner until circumstances demanded -a change.</p> - -<p>Many days and nights were passed in desert -travelling, in more or less monotonous fashion. -<a name="png.046" id="png.046" href="#png.046"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>42<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>The days were hot—almost intolerably so; the sand -and gravel of the soil, unrelieved by pasture, even -of the humblest description, seemed to burn the -very soles of their boots. What then would -happen if they were attacked by the dreaded -ophthalmia, the ‘sandy blight’ of the colonists, he -shuddered to think of. He had known of terrible -experiences when the sufferers were far from -medical aid, so of course had brought the accepted -tinctures with them, had invested in ‘solar -topees’ and sunshades—that is to say, <em>he</em> had; -but his companion, with the reckless indifference -of the average miner to every kind of danger, -trusted to chance and a hitherto unbroken constitution. -‘That fever pretty nigh knocked me -out, sir—I <em>was</em> bad when you seen me in -Barrawong. But it was the starvation and it -together that near settled me. I won’t cut it -so fine again, believe me.’ This statement was -made at the close of the day—when the final -journey was commenced. The nights, Banneret was -glad to remark, were fairly cool, and free from -the mosquito pest, the elevation above the sea -being greater than would be at first conjectured.</p> - -<p>‘We strike an old camel track,’ said his -companion, after they were fairly started; ‘it was -made just after the Kurnalpi field broke out. -They don’t take that line now, and just as well. -It’s wonderful how they missed our “bonanza,” -but that’s what you’ll notice on every field—they’ll -go washin’ and cradlin’ in every gully <em>but</em> -the right ’un, and almost break their shins over -the real thing without ever knowin’ it.’</p> - -<p><a name="png.047" id="png.047" href="#png.047"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>43<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>The dawn was painting the pale east with gold -streaks and crimson patches as they broke camp -and headed for a peak, of which the irregular -outline stood in sharp relief against the glowing -sky. They had quitted the camel-track, obscured -in places by the blown sand and occasional -storm showers, and now struck boldly across the -limitless plain. Their landmark was distinct, and -encouraging, as relieving them from anxiety about -the route. As the Commissioner gazed upon -the bold outline of the fantastic peak, one -thought possessed his mind, dominating all others. -Here was the goal of his ambition: the secret -hope which had during long years of struggle and -self-denial kept alive the prospect of eventual -prosperity, such as should comprehend peace of -mind, in a well-ordered country home near the -metropolis, education of the children, social -privileges, with a modest allowance of travel and -art culture, and generally unrestricted rational -enjoyment. Would this mysterious mountain -lead them to a veritable Sinbad’s valley of -diamonds, or would the fairy gold, by virtue of -the magical transmutation which seems connected -with rich deposits of the precious metals, be for -them rendered illusionary and disappointing? -Would they find the sacred spot already captured -and despoiled; desecrated by alien pegs, and filled -with defiant claimants? He knew the keenness -with which a prospector’s track could be followed -up—by men versed in the lore of the wilderness—the -outcome of those who, like his guide and -partner, ‘had done a perish,’ in goldfields argot, -<a name="png.048" id="png.048" href="#png.048"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>44<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>not less hazardous than he; their safety, their very -existence, dependent upon such a hazard—a mere -cast of the die, as might be this. It grew, this -dark surmise, raged and traversed his brain, -increasing in force and virulence, until he almost -imagined that he saw in the dim distance the outline -of a tent, the form of a man, the thin thread of -smoke which goes up from a tiny desert fire, -such as, God in Heaven! he remembered noting -so well of old. It was a trick of the imagination -doubtless. Was he indeed becoming lightheaded? -Was distemper of the brain setting in? He was -wont to regard himself as a level-headed person, -cool in emergency, steadfast to bear untoward -circumstance. He would wait, and divert his -thoughts for a while. He would drive out one -frame of mind by compelling another—several -other imagined states of mind to take its place. -He thought then, at first resolutely—then as the -picture became more clear and vivid, of the happy -day of his arrival—by coach, of course: they had -quitted the train at midnight, and taken their seats, -secured by telegram, in the well-horsed, well-lighted, -punctual conveyance of Cobb and Co., -which has earned so many a blessing from home-returning -travellers. The long night was past; -the dawn discovered the well-known goldfields -road, from which in half an hour—ye gods! but -half an hour!—the main street of the old familiar -township, with its improvised banks, stores, shops, -and hotels, would burst upon the view. Ha! -well—I have been dreaming to some purpose. -The vision fades. Let us hope that the hill will -<a name="png.049" id="png.049" href="#png.049"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>45<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>not suffer the fate of ‘Poor Susan’s,’ in those -exquisite lines of the poet. Yes! it stands there, -clear, neutral-tinted—nude—frowning, as doubtless -it has done for centuries, æons, if you will—since -the central fires lifted it from the womb of -Dame Hertha. The day is older, but the unclouded -sky and the atmosphere are of such clearness -that distant objects can be discerned with -almost perfect certainty; he is awake and alert -now, if ever—his senses have <em>not</em> played him false—there -<em>is</em> a tent, at no very great distance, and -sitting by it, on a box, is a man smoking, while -another appears to be putting together articles of -camp furniture.</p> - -</div> - - -<div class="chap"> -<h2 title="Chapter III"><a name="png.050" id="png.050" href="#png.050"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>46<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>CHAPTER III</h2> - - -<p><span class="smc">Apparently</span> at the same moment the guide, who -is walking ahead as usual, has made up his mind -as to the apparition, for he halts and walks back -to the cart.</p> - -<p>‘What the deuce is that? Who do you think -they are?’</p> - -<p>‘Well, sir, they’re a couple of “travellers,” on -the same lay as ourselves—far as I can make out. -They’ve no horse, nor cart—so they’ve been goin’ -slow, naturally. They’ve not found our show, or -they’d ’a stopped on it—or be makin’ back to raise -an outfit. I can’t quite make out whether they’re -goin’ on to the hill, or just on the turn-back for -want of grub. We’d better act cautious with them -after seein’ who they are.’</p> - -<p>‘We ought to go over to them?’</p> - -<p>‘That’s my idee, sir. If we head for the -mountain, they’ll be sure to foller us up, thinkin’ -we’ve reasons for it. It’s too late to pretend to go -back. They’ve seen we <em>were</em> headin’ for the hill, -anyway, and it won’t bluff ’em if we turn round, -besides losin’ time.’</p> - -<p>‘I agree with you,’ said the Commissioner. -<a name="png.051" id="png.051" href="#png.051"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>47<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>‘Put the saddle on the leader; I’ll ride over and -talk to them.’</p> - -<p>‘All right, sir; if they’re men to be trusted -we can take ’em in as mates. We can’t hold a -Reward Claim, or leastways work it, with only our -two selves. There’s enough for all, if we can only -get to work.’</p> - -<p>The leading horse was saddled. On riding over -to the camp of the wayfarers, the Commissioner was -at once struck by its peculiar appearance. The -articles scattered about the door of the bell tent -were certainly not those of the ordinary miner. -The towels were of better than usual quality; -the bath sponges, arranged for drying, were larger -than usual—other articles of the toilet similarly -distinctive.</p> - -<p>‘Pleased to see you, sir!’ said one of the young -men, with a clear British accent. ‘’Fraid we can’t -offer you much in the way of refreshment. Point -of fact we’ve had nothing to eat for the last forty-eight -hours but dried apples—they’re not so bad -when they’ve been well soaked.’</p> - -<p>‘Don’t exaggerate, Denzil!’ said his companion. -‘They’re just a trifle better than stewed boots, if -you ask me. But we’re alive, which is something—though -how long we shall last out is a very, -very doubtful question.’</p> - -<p>‘Permit me to introduce myself as Arnold -Banneret. My mate and I are travelling due -north, unless we strike something attractive.’</p> - -<p>‘Just our case,’ said the elder of the two young -men—they were neither of them far from the -legal standard of manhood—‘except that we’re -<a name="png.052" id="png.052" href="#png.052"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>48<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>travelling due south—isn’t it south, Denzil? -I’m not much of a geographical chap, but we’re -going back to Coolgardie—if we can get there. -Sorry we can’t join forces—awfully so; give you -my word.’</p> - -<p>The Commissioner gazed searchingly at the -strangers. Accustomed to reading faces—and in -circumstances where a mistake might have cost -him dear, he had often been forced to act upon -a hasty summing-up of presumed character. -He did so in this instance. ‘Swells out of luck,’ -was his unspoken verdict. ‘Temporarily, of -course. The dark one has the face, the bold and -steady look, of a born explorer. He’ll go far -yet. The other boy is the well-bred youth of -the day, with little experience but that of Oxford -or Cambridge. Athletics are chiefly in his line. -But they are men as well as gentlemen, I’m -convinced.’</p> - -<p>‘Our acquaintance has been short,’ he said, -‘but may develop later on. As I have a proposal -to make, may I ask whom I have the pleasure of -addressing?’</p> - -<p>‘My friend’s name is Southwater. My own -name Newstead,’ said the ‘traveller.’ ‘As you -say, we haven’t seen each other before, but are -quite ready to consider any offer that it suits you -to make.’ His friend nodded assent. ‘From -present appearances the advantage seems likely to -be entirely on our side.’</p> - -<p>‘We shall see,’ said the Commissioner; ‘probably -it may be mutual. In the meanwhile, will you -come over and take breakfast with me? I’ll go -<a name="png.053" id="png.053" href="#png.053"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>49<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>on ahead and speak to my mate.’ And he -cantered off.</p> - -<p>The young men lost no time in collecting -their property, and arranging it into the ‘swags’ -of the period, with a celerity to be acquired only -by experience.</p> - -<p>‘This <em>is</em> a throw-in!’ said the younger man to -his friend. ‘I wonder who our distinguished -stranger is? There was a note of authority in -his manner, though nothing could be more -courteous than his bearing. Looks like an army -man—though we can’t be certain. But I’ll swear -he’s held a command somewhere. At any rate we -are sure of getting something to eat. People -with a waggonette always have a stock of provisions -which we poor swagmen can’t rival.’</p> - -<p>‘Swagmen, indeed!’ laughed his friend. ‘I -wonder what the girls at Brancepeth or Aunt -Eleanora would think if they saw us now?’</p> - -<p>‘Why, of course, that they always knew it -would come to this. Probably turn bushrangers -before we’d done. At any rate we’re not likely -to be robbed. <i lang="la" xml:lang="la">Cantabit vacuus</i>—eh?’</p> - -<p>On reaching the waggonette they found the -regulation meal laid out upon a board supported -by tressels, a portable affair such as surveyors -carry. People living much in tents are ingenious -in contrivances for comfort. There were also -camp-stools, equally light and effective. Corned -beef and damper, with tin plates, were set out, -while the inevitable ‘billy’ was boiling near a -small but hot fire.</p> - -<p>‘This is John Waters, my partner, gentlemen,’ -<a name="png.054" id="png.054" href="#png.054"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>50<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>said their entertainer; ‘as a miner of experience -I guarantee him.’ Here old Jack shook hands -solemnly with the new arrivals, while regarding -them with fixed and scrutinising eye. ‘You will -find him a “white man” in the best sense of the -word. After lunch I shall be happy to talk -business. Allow me to help you to this excellent -corned beef.’</p> - -<p>‘Thanks awfully; we shan’t be long, I assure -you—we’ve not had a square meal since we -left Coolgardie. You mustn’t mind if we seem -greedy. As for me, I’m ravenous, but still -capable of self-restraint.’</p> - -<p>‘Fellows grumble at a tough steak at home,’ -said Southwater; ‘talk about having no appetite -till 8 <span class="allsc">P.M.</span> I wonder what they would say to -camp fare in Australian deserts? Lucky we -didn’t fall across any blacks, or roast picaninny -would have suggested itself.’</p> - -<p>The meal concluded, at which the strangers -did not, in spite of their confession, exhibit extraordinary -eagerness, their entertainer lit his pipe -and commenced the conference. ‘I was doubtful -lest our interests might be antagonistic,’ said he, -‘but we meet now on a different footing.’</p> - -<p>‘We should have started back to Coolgardie -in half an hour,’ said Mr. Newstead. ‘Denzil and -I were played out, and had resolved on turning -back in preference to leaving our bones to -bleach by the wayside. Your appearance decided -us to reconsider. I take it you have a “show” -farther on?’</p> - -<p>‘That is the precise state of the case. Here is -<a name="png.055" id="png.055" href="#png.055"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>51<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>the prospector who discovered our bonanza, and -will explain.’</p> - -<p>‘Best reef I ever seen,’ interposed the grizzled -veteran—‘and I’m a “forty-niner.” So that says -somethin’. If no one’s dropped across my cache -(as the trappers say) there’s enough to make all -our fortunes twice over. We can be t’other side -of that there hill inside of twelve hours.’</p> - -<p>‘Shortly. You understand enough of mining -law, I presume, to see that though we can take -up a Reward Claim, we can’t work it with two -men. I see by your hands—excuse me—that the -manual part of mining is not unknown to you. -We <em>must</em> take in some one. I prefer, and so does -Jack, to work with gentlemen, so I’m prepared -to offer you such shares as may be further agreed -between us when the allocation takes place.’</p> - -<p>‘It sounds too good to be true,’ said Newstead. -‘You are not going to lure us into a -cavern and slay us for our property, are you? -But one can’t help regarding oneself as the -modernest Aladdin. In any case, I say, done -with you, magician or no! and so does Denzil, if -I know him. Allow me to help pack, and follow, -as Dick Burton used to write to his wife—the pay -portion of the injunction must await developments.’</p> - -<div class="tb"><b>. . . . . . . . .</b></div> - -<p>The journey was resumed, the saddle was -removed from the leader’s back, and placed in -the waggonette, as were also the effects of the -new associates. Apparently willing workers, they -proved themselves cheery and entertaining companions.</p> - -<p><a name="png.056" id="png.056" href="#png.056"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>52<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>Unaffected in manner and simple of speech, -it was yet apparent, though they conversed on -perfectly equal terms with old Jack as with the -Commissioner, that they had moved in the <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">haute -volée</i> of English society.</p> - -<p>They made no statement to that effect, but it -was indirectly plain to the Commissioner, himself -an aristocrat by birth and social surroundings, -that such was the case. It was many a year since -he had been ‘home,’ yet, nevertheless, the merry -chatter of these youngsters, which, though careless, -was redolent of the best English ‘form,’ was refreshing -in the life of a man who, though long -absent from the old country, was yet in full -sympathy with her ideas and traditions. So they -fared on for the long remaining hours of the day, -until they reached the spinifex flat, immediately -adjacent to the base of the hill which had been -so long within sight, but without reaching the -gradually ascending ‘rise’ which led to a plateau -slightly above the level of the plain. Here they -halted—to feed the horses and await the rising -of the moon—after which the journey would -recommence.</p> - -<p>‘We can’t afford to take no risks,’ said the old -man; ‘we might have another party comin’ along -from “the Cross” way. And if they got there -first—some men’s that smart, you’d a’most swear -as they could smell the gold—there’d be a barney -over it; and law, likely as not, which you never -know how it might turn out. So I’m thinkin’ it’s -best to go on, and collar right away—that’ll put -an end to all bother in one act.’</p> - -<p><a name="png.057" id="png.057" href="#png.057"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>53<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>As the other members of the party were, more -or less, excited and ardent with the thought that -the tedious journey was nearly at an end, with -fame and fortune almost within their grasp (for -when is fortune achieved without fame following -dutifully behind the triumphal car?)—the Commissioner, -with the far-off cottage ready to be -illumined with the glad tidings, and the children’s -shouts almost in his ears; the young men, fired -with the idea of a return to England with a record -rivalling that of the hero who ‘broke the bank at -Monte Carlo,’—no objection was raised. And -when the moon, nearly at her full, rose slowly -over the horizon, commencing to flood the wide -bare solitudes, the plain, the hill crags, the mighty -sweep of waterless silent landscape, and deserted -save for themselves, it seemed a weird mockery to -expect anything of the nature of wealth won from -a region so far removed from the benevolence of -Nature or of man.</p> - -<p>Leaving one of the ‘jackeroos’ (as the old -man called them, apologising, however, and explaining -the term) to take charge of the waggonette, -the others followed the prospector for a few -hundred yards until, as they came to a spot where -a few stones had been carelessly thrown together, -he stopped, and pointed to a stake. ‘There it is!’ -he gasped; ‘no one’s been next or anigh it. I’ll -go round, sir, with you and see the other ones. -If Mr. Southwater’ll go back to the cart, and feed -the horses, and start a fire to boil the billy, we’ll -make sure that nothing’s been touched since I left -here months ago. It’s not far from daylight, and -<a name="png.058" id="png.058" href="#png.058"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>54<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>after a bit of breakfast we can open up the reef, -and you’ll see what sort of a show it is.’</p> - -<div class="tb"><b>. . . . . . . . .</b></div> - -<p>‘Well, this is something what we went into the -wilderness to see—not to be profane—but isn’t it -exactly what one would have thought in the old, -old days? This <em>is</em> a wilderness, and no mistake. -I used to wonder what one was like when I was at -school. Now I know.’</p> - -<p>‘Wild and bare, and open to the air,’ continued -Mr. Newstead. ‘It takes a lot of imagination to -think of villages, towns, cities, and so on—“in this -neglected spot,” as Gray’s <cite>Elegy</cite> hath it. But -<em>gold</em> rules the court, the camp, the grove, rather -more strongly than t’other imperial power. -Everything else follows in its train, so they tell -me—Denzil and I are too young to lay down the -law on these great subjects. We’ll live and learn, -I surmise, as our American friend said.’</p> - -<div class="tb"><b>. . . . . . . . .</b></div> - -<p>The stakes had been duly cut, sharpened, and -driven in, as far as the rocky nature of the hill -permitted. There was no path or track to the -wondrous spot itself. The faint footsteps of a -weak, overwrought, famished man left no imprint -upon rock or sand.</p> - -<p>An aboriginal tracker on the man-hunt for foe -or felon might have read, from a displaced pebble, -a bent or broken twig, a deeper indent from a -stumbling boot, that a white man had passed that -way, but no senses less keen than those of the desert -roamer could have followed the tokens of travel.</p> - -<p>‘I’d been in an’ out them upper gulches,’ said -<a name="png.059" id="png.059" href="#png.059"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>55<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>Jack, reminiscent of Californian digger talk, ‘and -what with bein’ tol’ble used up when I come, -and dead beat afterwards, was just about stumblin’ -downhill again when I spots this here openin’. -It’s the last chance, thinks I, but I’d better -prospect the lot afore I give in. And this is what -I come on afore I’d been ten minutes at work. -Reg’lar jeweller’s shop, and no mistake.’ While -he was talking, his hands were not idle: he had -brought a pick and shovel from the waggonette, -and after shovelling back the rock and earth from -the tiny shaft, commenced to break down the ‘cap’ -of the reef. This was almost incredibly rich. -The rock appeared to be (as the Commissioner -said) half gold—indeed, in some of the specimens -there was more gold than quartz.</p> - -<p>Strings of the precious metal hung down, -which, indeed, seemed to loosely unite fragments -of the dull, cloud-coloured quartz—so dear to the -miner’s soul—while here and there were ‘nuggets’—actual -lumps of the gold. ‘This one’s not -short of fifty ounces,’ said he, lifting one of four -or five pounds’ weight. ‘And there’s bigger ones -to come, I’ll go bail.’</p> - -<p>‘I’ve always doubted,’ said Newstead, ‘whether -my relations believed my statements about rich -finds in Australia. Certainly my banking account -was not such as to inspire credence. But I shall -pour contempt on their incredulity after this -display.’</p> - -<p>‘I should think so,’ said Mr. Banneret. ‘And -now we must have a council of war. What do -you say about the next move, Jack?’</p> - -<p><a name="png.060" id="png.060" href="#png.060"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>56<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>‘I vote we dolly all the gold as we can get -out of the picked stone. Then, in course, the -mine’ll have to be registered, and a company -floated on the strength of these here specimens. It -won’t take long to do that once they get to Melbourne. -The Commissioner and Mr. Newstead -can go back to Coolgardie with the team and -waggonette, leaving us enough to go on with. -There’s a “soak” not far off, and we can fill the -ten-gallon keg afore they leave. A team can be -sent up with all the things we want. Mr. Southwater -and I’ll work on the “stope,” if he’s agreeable—feeling -along the reef as we go, like. And -now I’m beginning to think about summat to eat.’</p> - -<p>The adjournment was carried <i lang="la" xml:lang="la">nem. con.</i> When -they reached the camp Mr. Southwater had got -everything in fine order. He was pleased with -the idea of having to stop behind, as old Jack had -told him that he was a born bushman, and would -make a first-class prospector some day. Mr. Banneret said little, but, looking at the bold -expression and steady eye of the young Englishman, -was fully of opinion that he was destined to -be a leader of men.</p> - -<p>Next week the Commissioner and Newstead -started back on the homeward track, taking with -them five thousand ounces of gold and specimens. -There was a good deal of business to be done, as -he reflected, when they reached civilisation. A -Report in terms provided for by the Goldfields -Act and Regulations had to be made to the Commissioner -of the district, as well as a Lease to be -applied for; a deposit in cash paid to the Mining -<a name="png.061" id="png.061" href="#png.061"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>57<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>Registrar; a Prospecting Area had been pegged -out, and must be registered, and the whole -auriferous area would be floated as a company, -with a hundred thousand shares of 20s. each. -Machinery for a quartz mill with fifty stamps and -all the newest improvements, Diehl process, etc., -had to be purchased and forwarded by team at once, -and provisions, tools, extra tents, bedding, books, -cooking utensils—in fact, everything necessary for a -large staff; with engineer, manager, metallurgist, -wages men, shift-bosses, and others—the numbers -in such case amounting to hardly less than fifty -men to begin with. The unpretending vehicle -carried a considerable amount of treasure, tempting -enough to outlaws sure to be included in every -goldfields rush. But both men were well armed, -and not likely to surrender without a desperate -struggle; the chances of an ambush were small—the -open, waterless nature of the country being against -such a mode of attack. Many thousand ounces of -gold were indeed carried on horseback, or in the -unpretending buggy of the period, without much -knowledge of the same being noised abroad. -Their journey to Coolgardie, and afterwards to -Perth, was, in this instance, wholly devoid of incident, -and Mr. Banneret had the satisfaction of -banking his precious cargo without any but the -officials of the institution being aware of the nature -of the transaction.</p> - -<p>The only incident of note which bordered upon -risk occurred during an enforced stoppage at a -stage a few miles distant from Perth. Here a -large detachment of navvies had just been set down, -<a name="png.062" id="png.062" href="#png.062"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>58<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>and apparently they had managed to possess themselves -of more beer than was good for them. They -were consequently in a state of humorous, if not -aggressive excitement. This displayed itself in -curious inquiry as to the contents of the portmanteau -over which such jealous guard was kept. -Both men were dressed in ordinary miner’s costume, -and therefore lacked the prestige which in Australia -ensures respect for all men presumably of the rank -of ‘gentleman.’ However, a miner who had been -at Barrawong just before the ‘breaking out’ of the -West Australian goldfields, happened to arrive in -a waggonette. He and his mate were ‘going east,’ -in order to float a company for the working of a -mine, which they had discovered, and declared to -be of great promise. The man from Barrawong -was affected almost to tears by the sight of the -Commissioner, that dread and august potentate, -in working man’s garb. He looked as if he -wished to fall down and worship him. But, -introducing his mate, he said, with a choking -voice:</p> - -<p>‘Bill, this here’s our Commissioner, same as I -told yer of, when I was on Barrawong; he’s struck -it rich, he tells me, and as we’re on the road to -Perth, he’ll be obliged to us for a lift in our -waggonette if you’re agreeable.’</p> - -<p>‘I’ve heard of Commissioner Banneret,’ said -the mate, making what he imagined to be a bow -suitable to the occasion, ‘and he should have my -seat if I had to walk every bloomin’ step of the -road to the coast.’</p> - -<p>‘There isn’t a man as was on the field when I -<a name="png.063" id="png.063" href="#png.063"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>59<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>left,’ responded the mate, ‘that wouldn’t do the -same; but there’s no call for any of us to walk—the -horses are in good fettle, considerin’ the price -of feed, and they’ll take the four on us—not leavin’ -the portmanter behind—into Perth, flyin’.’</p> - -<p>This settled the matter. The portmanteau, so -curiously regarded, was promptly lifted into the -waggonette, and, as well as the Commissioner, was -driven briskly along the road to the city, Mr. Newstead being left with the baggage of the -expedition to follow at his leisure, and rejoin his -chief at the township. That gentleman lost no -time after being dropped at the Bank of Barataria. -The mineral collection was produced.</p> - -<p>‘What name shall I enter?’ said the young -banker at the counter. ‘Gold and specimens, how -many ounces?’</p> - -<p>‘Seven thousand four hundred and twenty-three, -seventeen pennyweights, and ten grains.’</p> - -<p>‘Oh!’ said the bank clerk, with an instant -change of manner. ‘You’re Mr. Banneret! Very -glad to see you, sir! The Bank had advice of -your expected arrival. I’ll take the weights, and -give you a receipt directly. Won’t keep you -waiting.’</p> - -<p>‘Well, good-bye, Captain!’ said the miner -from Barrawong. ‘You’re all right now. Anything -more we can do for you—drive you anywheres? -Say the word.’</p> - -<p>‘No; thanks very much! As it’s early yet, -I’ll take a stroll round the town until Mr. Newstead -comes up. It’s a little different from New -South Wales, eh?’</p> - -<p><a name="png.064" id="png.064" href="#png.064"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>60<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>‘It is that, sir. I suppose you couldn’t lay us -on to the spot where that show come from?’</p> - -<p>‘Hum! it won’t be long before we’re tracked -up, I daresay. I don’t see why you shouldn’t have -a chance as well as another. What is the leading -hotel here, Mr. Carter?’—this to the bank clerk.</p> - -<p>‘Oh, “The Palace.” It’s that two-storeyed -place at the corner of the street. Clean, and the -cookery fair. The Mining Registrar’s office is -next door.’</p> - -</div> - - -<div class="chap"> -<h2 title="Chapter IV"><a name="png.065" id="png.065" href="#png.065"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>61<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>CHAPTER IV</h2> - - -<p>‘<span class="smc">Thanks</span> very much. Perhaps you’ll dine with -me to-night. One of my partners is coming -along, who will be pleased to make your acquaintance. -We’ll drive over, Con. Now then,’ he -continued, after they had trotted a short distance -along the dusty street, ‘The “Last Chance,” -as you have seen, is one of the richest claims in -Australia. All the vacant ground within miles of -it will be rushed in a week. Would you and your -mate like to register four men’s ground on No. 1, -north of the Reward Claim—on half shares? -There’s plenty for all.’</p> - -<p>‘All right, sir. We’ve got our Miners’ Rights -all square and regular—and glad of the offer. I -know a couple more chaps here—old mates that’ll -go in with us, so as to make up the claim. You -know Murphy, and Crowley, don’t you, sir? -They’ll come, quick and lively. Good men to -work, too.’ The next step was taken without -delay. It was legally necessary to register the -Prospecting Area—to take out Miners’ Rights—to -apply for a lease. They were entitled under -Regulation No. 15 of the Goldfields Act of 189– -to twelve acres, in the shape of a rectangular -<a name="png.066" id="png.066" href="#png.066"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>62<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>parallelogram. These matters rendered it necessary to -remain for the day at Swantown, so Mr. Banneret -surrendered himself to the inevitable without much -uneasiness. He took rooms for himself and partner -at the hotel called ‘Palace’—large and fairly commodious, -though by no means so much so as in -the stage to which the city was destined to develop. -He expected Newstead to arrive about lunch-time, -and philosophically set off on a tour of -inspection.</p> - -<p>That this was destined to be the centre of the -largest, richest goldfield in Australia, his experience -enabled him to decide. From all directions prospecting -parties were converging—immediately -importing themselves at the Bank. There was -but one, at present. The shops and stores were -much the same as those on every promising -goldfield, perhaps more comprehensive and -high-priced. The surroundings were, however, -distinctly suggestive of a dry country in a dry -season.</p> - -<p>For rain <em>does</em> come to these ‘habitations in -sicco,’ though chiefly with reluctance and economy. -The animals for team and burden were half-starved, -sometimes emaciated to a degree. The strings of -camels, with their turbaned Afghan drivers, were -strangely foreign to his unaccustomed eyes. They -stood patient, and uncomplaining, before the larger -stores, or arrived laden with wool from the more -distant stations, which, owing to the dry season, -were unable to forward their fleeces, or obtain -supplies without the aid of the ‘ship of the desert.’ -There he stood, huge, ungainly, unpopular with -<a name="png.067" id="png.067" href="#png.067"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>63<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>the teamsters, terrifying to their horses—and all -others.</p> - -<p>Sullenly regarded by the white labourers as -alien to their country and their trade, it yet could -not be denied that here, at least, was the right -burden-bearer in the right place—in spite of his -queer temper, his general unpleasantness, and his -incongruous appearance in this twentieth-century -Australia, utterly, manifestly indispensable, as he -had been in the long-past ages when ‘the famine -was sore in the land.’</p> - -<p>Mr. Banneret having a taste for exploring, and -being also a practised pedestrian, took a longish -walk around the outskirts of the town, before -returning to the hotel and taking his seat at the -dinner-table. This was a long, substantial piece -of furniture, amply supplied with materials for -a meal of the same character. All sorts and -conditions of men were there represented: aristocratic -tourists, on the look-out for mining -investments—directors, or managers of syndicates, -companies, exploring parties, mercantile -partnerships, what not. All were animated by -the common attraction, most successful of all -baits with which to ensnare the soul of man, -from the dawn of history. Recruits for the great -army of industry, from all lands, of all colours, -castes, and conditions—the coach-driver, the -teamster, the newly arrived emigrant, the army -deserter, the runaway sailor, the stock-rider, -the navvy, the shepherd,—all men were free -and equal at the Palace Hotel, so long as they -could pay for bed and board. Nor was there -<a name="png.068" id="png.068" href="#png.068"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>64<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>observable any objectionable roughness of tone or -manner, in a company formed of such heterogeneous -elements.</p> - -<p>It is surprising to the ‘observer of human -nature’ how the higher tone seems instinctively -adopted by the mass, when leavened with gentlefolk, -though they may have been wholly unused -to its rules and limitations in earlier life.</p> - -<p>To Arnold Banneret this was nothing new. -Accustomed in his official journeyings to mix -occasionally, though not, of course, habitually, -with all classes of Australian workers, he knew—no -man better—that, given a courteous and unpretending -manner, no gentleman, in the true -sense of the word, need fear annoyance or disrespect -in the remote ‘back block’ region, or the -recent goldfield ‘rush.’ It had leaked out that -he had ‘come in’ from a find of more than -ordinary value, the locality of which was deeply -interesting to everybody. But the unwritten code -of mining etiquette prevented direct questioning. -They knew, these keen-eyed prospectors and -workers on so many a field, that the necessary -information would soon disclose itself, so to speak, -and that the last who followed the tracks of the -earlier searchers would have as good a chance of -success as the first.</p> - -<p>Having satisfied his appetite, a fairly keen one, -he betook himself to his bedroom, and wrote at -length to his wife, detailing all progress since his -last letter, and finishing up with this exceptional -statement: ‘This journey has, of course, not -been without a certain share of inconvenience, -<a name="png.069" id="png.069" href="#png.069"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>65<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>and what some people might call hardship. But -you know that such wayfaring is in the nature -of holiday-making for me. It was, of course, a -hazardous adventure, inasmuch as all our small -reserve of capital was embarked. A miscalculation -would have been wreck, and almost total -loss: would have taken years of painful saving -and rigid self-denial to have made up the deficit. -But now success, phenomenal, assured, has more -than justified the risk, the apparent imprudence, -everything. Our fortune is made! as the phrase -goes; think of that! When the company is -floated, the shares allotted, the machinery on the -road to Perth, a hundred thousand pounds will -be the lowest valuation at which our half share -in the “Last Chance” can be calculated. A -hundred thousand pounds! Think of that! Of -what it means for you, for me, for the children. -For everybody concerned. And a good many -people will be concerned beneficially in the venture -as soon as the money is paid to my account in -the Bank of New Holland.</p> - -<p>‘I don’t intend that there shall be any risk or -uncertainty in the future—apart from those apparently -accidental occurrences from which, under -God’s providence, no man is free. But I will -invest fifty thousand pounds in debentures, well -secured; so that, come what will, a comfortable -home, a sufficing income, will always be assured -to you and the children. Of course I shall resign -my appointment as soon as I return, giving the -Government all proper notice. Our future home -will be in Sydney or Melbourne, on whichever we -<a name="png.070" id="png.070" href="#png.070"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>66<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>may decide. The children are just at the age -when higher educational facilities are required. -They have not done badly so far. But they are -growing up fast, and upon what they assimilate, -intellectually, for the next few years will their -social success largely depend.</p> - -<p>‘It is needless to dilate upon the endless -pleasures and the general advantages of the -possession of ample means, now, for the first -time in our lives, enjoyed, or about to be provided -for us, <em>before</em> the fruition is accomplished. -I have always been averse to a too sanguine appropriation -of the probable treasure. Alnaschar’s -basket is still to be met with. And I must -cross both desert sand, and ocean wave, before -I can pour into your ear the tale of my strange -adventures and their marvellous ending. For -the present, I conclude, full of thankfulness, but, -I trust, not unduly elated. “People I have met” -will furnish many an hour’s talk, not the least -of whom are my two mates and partners—one -of whom is now delving away at the claim with -old Jack Waters, as if to the manner born; and -the other, whom I expect will rejoin me before -sunset, is unromantically driving the light waggon -containing all our goods and chattels. These -“labouring men” are of a type unlikely to be -found in any land less contradictory to all preconceived -ideas than Australia. They are, in fact and -truth, genuine English aristocrats—one being -Lord Newstead, the other the Honourable Denzil, -son of the Earl of Southwater. They are quite -young, hardly past their majority, in fact; but -<a name="png.071" id="png.071" href="#png.071"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>67<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>full of pluck, hungering for adventure, and -resolving to see it out before they turn their -backs on this Eldorado of the West. Particularly -the Honourable Denzil, who is a born explorer -and pathfinder. He will make his mark, if I -mistake not, before he is many years older.</p> - -<p>‘It is a great pleasure to me, as you may -believe, to work with men of this sort. No -doubt we are mutually helpful—their high spirits, -and sanguine anticipations, tend to raise mine, -which my experience (not to mention that of old -Jack) moderates. We have been, since we forgathered, -as Scotch people say, a cheerful and -congenial party, destined, I think, to become firm -friends and attached comrades in the future.’</p> - -<p>The afternoon was well advanced when -Newstead made his appearance, having come -quietly along, sparing his horses, as he had -already learned to do since his arrival in -Australia. Mr. Banneret had finished his letter -and his walk; was therefore not disinclined to -have a companion with whom to discuss the -situation. He was pleased to find that a share -of the only available bedroom had been engaged -for him, and deposited his personal property -therein with unconcealed satisfaction.</p> - -<p>‘One can’t help being childishly pleased with -the certainty of a real bed, and a dinner to match, -again,’ he said. ‘Denzil and I have roughed it as -thoroughly as any two “new chums” (which is -Australian for English here), and it’s done us no -end of good. But there’s a time for all things, -and after six months’ hard graft, with a trifle of -<a name="png.072" id="png.072" href="#png.072"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>68<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>hunger and thirst thrown in, it’s awfully jolly to -come to a land of chops and steaks, sheets and -blankets, with a prospect of yet higher life in the near -future. But on that we must not dwell yet a while. -I suppose you made it all right with the Bank?’</p> - -<p>‘Yes; the nuggets are safe for the present, and -I can draw against them to any reasonable amount. -That’s consoling. Our next move will be to fix -up about the lease, and so on. I’ve just bought -the W.A. Act and Regulations, which I needn’t -tell you it is vitally necessary to be well up in, on -a goldfield. Any big show is sure to be well -scrutinised by the “jumper” fraternity, and any -joint in the armour pierced, if possible. Litigation, -too, always means delay, if not loss and anxiety.’</p> - -<p>‘How long do we stay here?’</p> - -<p>‘Only as long as it will take us to complete -arrangements. Then you return to the claim, -“Waters’ Reward.” We must call it after old -Jack, who has certainly the best title to it, after -doing such a “perish,” as he would say, in its -discovery. You’ll see it all in the paper to-morrow -morning, for, of course, I’ve been attacked by the -ferocious reporter of the “Dry, dry desolate Land” -(with apologies to Mr. Kipling).’</p> - -<p>‘And you told him all about it?’</p> - -<p>‘Of course—he has a quasi-legal right to the -information, now that the Mining Registrar is in -possession of the facts. Payable gold, as you are -aware, must be declared within so many days. -And as any miner, for a small fee, is entitled to -search the Registration Book, there is no object to -be gained by secrecy.’</p> - -<p><a name="png.073" id="png.073" href="#png.073"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>69<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>‘What a rush there’ll be, directly it gets wind! -No doubt about that. When does the <cite>Miner’s -Friend</cite> come out?’</p> - -<p>‘At breakfast time to-morrow. We had better -stable the horses to-night, and keep a good lock -on the door, for there’ll be many a nag missing by -the morning light.’</p> - -<p>His conjecture was correct. The news had -leaked out accidentally through the office. Told -to a few comrades at first, the group had widened. -Then like the trickling rill from the faulty -reservoir, the rivulet gained width and force, until -the volume of sound and objurgation swelled, -echoing amid the encampment of huts, tents, and -shelter contrivances. The tramp of a thousand -men, the galloping of horses, the strange cries of -Afghan camel-drivers, formed no inadequate presentment -of, in all but the discipline, an army -brigade on the march.</p> - -<div class="tb"><b>. . . . . . . . .</b></div> - -<p>A few hours of the night were devoted to a -carefully-thought-out list, and programme of -future proceedings, as well as the formation of -a list of requisites for Newstead to take back to -the claim. A couple of wages men were also -engaged, it being thought expedient to strengthen -the man-power of the expedition, in view of the -crowd of probable fellow-travellers which would -be heading for Pilot Mount on the morrow—indeed -on that very night. Mr. Banneret was -fortunate in picking up a couple of ex-residents on -his old field.</p> - -<p>They had not been successful, so far, and so -<a name="png.074" id="png.074" href="#png.074"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>70<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>were only too ready to embark under the auspices -of the Commissioner, in whom, like all his former -subjects (so to speak), they had unbounded faith. -‘These men,’ he said, ‘have been known to me for -years, and two better men than Pat Halloran and -Mickey Doyle never handled pick and shovel. -They are perfectly straight, plucky, and experienced. -In anything like danger I would -trust my life to them. We were lucky to have -fallen in with them. They have travelled, too, in -their day, and know New Zealand, from the Thames -to Hohitika—as well as Ballarat and Bendigo.’</p> - -<p>‘So far, so good,’ said Mr. Newstead. ‘We -shall want a lot of stores—machinery too. All -sorts of eatables and wearables. No end of -sundries, which will “foot up” to a total of some -importance. Where shall we get them in your -absence? Everything seems to be at war prices.’</p> - -<p>‘I’ve fallen on my feet in that matter also. -That you can get everything on a goldfield, has -always been a contention of mine. It’s a sort of -Universal Provider shop, once it’s been established -sufficiently long to attract the regulation army of -Adullamites. A goldfield is created for them, and -they for a goldfield. We’ve got two first-class -wages men, and I’ve found the ideal storekeeper -and general agent.’</p> - -<p>‘What’s he like?—has been a gentleman, Lord -help him! I can’t say I care for that brand.’</p> - -<p>‘Wait till you see him, that’s all. He’s an old -schoolfellow of mine, and his wife’s a lady, if ever -there was one, as I think you’ll admit. I guarantee -him.’</p> - -<p><a name="png.075" id="png.075" href="#png.075"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>71<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>‘Well, if you do that, it’s all right, of course.’</p> - -<p>‘I vouch for him absolutely. We can depend -on not paying a shilling more than the current -market price, and on getting everything good of -its kind.’</p> - -<div class="tb"><b>. . . . . . . . .</b></div> - -<p>The return journey and voyage were so little -eventful that they require no mention in detail. -The local papers were full of highly coloured -references to the phenomenal find at Waters’ -Reward, for which a lease had been granted to -Messrs. Banneret and Waters.</p> - -<p>‘The actual prospector was Mr. John Waters, a -pioneer miner, experience in California, Australia, -New Zealand, and South America. His name was -sufficient among the mining community to account -for any fortunate discovery in the world of metals. -It was not the first, by a dozen or more. That -he had not profited permanently by his well-known -rich finds in former days and other climes, must -be attributed to the spirit of restless change and -hunger for adventure, so characteristic of the -miner’s life. He had “struck it rich,” in mining -parlance, again and again. But the “riches had -been of the winged description,” had flown far and -wide—were, for practical purposes, non-existent. -There may have been a certain degree of imprudence, -but what golden-hole miner hasn’t done -the same? The fortunate rover lends and spends, -ever lavish of hospitality and friendly aid, as if the -deposit was inexhaustible. “Plenty more where -that came from,” is the miner’s motto.</p> - -<p>‘Doubtless there is, but delays occur, protracted -<a name="png.076" id="png.076" href="#png.076"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>72<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>not infrequently within our experience, until the -prodigal, like his prototype, is reduced to dire -distress and unbefitting occupation. In our -respected comrade’s case the fickle goddess has -again smiled on his enterprise. Let us trust that -he will learn from the past to be independent of -her moods for the future. The senior shareholder, -well known and respected as a Goldfields -Warden in another State, has gone east to arrange -for the necessary machinery, and the thousand-and-one -requisites for a quartz-crushing plant of fifty -stamps, with everything, up to the latest date, in -the way of metallurgical reduction. No time will -be lost in getting it on the ground, and the results -will be, it may be confidently stated by this journal, -such as will startle the mining world, and give -fresh impetus to all industrial occupation in our -midst.’</p> - -<div class="tb"><b>. . . . . . . . .</b></div> - -<p>At home once more. What a blessed sound! -comprehensive, endearing, filled with the domestic -joys which wife and children supply—a joy such -as no other earthly pleasure can simulate. The -Commissioner was ‘once more on his native -heath,’ so to speak; and as he walked into his -well-remembered office, earlier than usual, in order -to take a leisurely survey of the great mass of -papers, private and official, which awaited his -return, and noted the gathering crowd which had -already formed around the Court House door, -a certain feeling of regret arose in his mind at -the idea that his ministerial and judicial functions -were about to cease and determine within so short -<a name="png.077" id="png.077" href="#png.077"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>73<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>a time. True, at times his position had been one -of great, even painful responsibility.</p> - -<p>It could hardly have been otherwise, when the -hundreds, even thousands, of disputes, inevitable -on a rich and extensive alluvial goldfield, had, as -a Court of First Instance, to be decided by the -Commissioner hearing evidence ‘on the ground’—the -centre of an excited crowd; or in the district -Court House, with counsel for and against, and -all legal accessories, but chiefly with the Commissioner -as sole adjudicator and all but final -referee. To be sure, there was an appeal to the -District Court, attending quarterly; beyond that, -if doubt existed, and the claim was sufficiently rich -to fee counsel and support the great expense of a -Supreme Court trial. A thousand-pounds brief -had been handed to the leader of the Bar, in his -experience, before now in an important claim. -But, so far, his decisions had been chiefly unchallenged. -In fewer instances still, had they -been reversed. Long years of goldfields wars -and rumours of wars had given him such thorough -knowledge of the intricacies of that abstruse and -(apparently) complicated subject, mineral law, that -he was seldom technically doubtful, while his -staunch adherence to equity, with an unflinching -love of abstract justice, were universally recognised. -So, on the whole, as ‘a judge, and a ruler in -Israel,’ his reign had been satisfactory.</p> - -<p>And now he was about to relinquish the -trappings of office—the prestige—the social weight -and authority—which he had held and, in a sense, -appreciated for the last decade. True, the -<a name="png.078" id="png.078" href="#png.078"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>74<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>accompanying distinctions were purely honorary. -The salary was barely equal to the family needs, -for education, apparel, travelling, and other expenses. -But it had sufficed in time past. He -was admittedly the leading personage in his provincial -circle; the universal referee in art, letters, -sport, and magisterial sway. And the declension -to the status of a private individual is after such -prominence not unfelt.</p> - -<p>On the other hand, what glories, even triumphs, -lay in the future, if this marvellous Reward Claim -‘kept up,’ or ‘went down’ equally rich! -Travel—books—pictures—education—society—all -on the higher scale,—money being no object in -the coming Arabian Nights existence. Aladdin’s -lamp would speedily be brought into requisition. -Sydney or Melbourne would be their headquarters -for the next few years. Of course they would -‘go home’ as the children grew up. Harrow -or Eton—Oxford or Cambridge for the boys. -Continental tours—lessons in languages—Henley, -in the green English spring. The Derby, the -Grand National—Kennington Oval (had they not -a cousin a renowned Australian cricketer, who -had made the record score in a world-renowned -match!). It was too fairy-like—too ecstatic! -They would never live to go through the programme. -Fate would interfere after her old -malign, mysterious fashion, to withhold such superhuman -happiness.</p> - -<p>But more matter-of-fact mundane considerations -had to be considered, and primarily dealt with. -Three months’ further leave had to be applied for -<a name="png.079" id="png.079" href="#png.079"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>75<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>‘upon urgent private affairs,’ at the conclusion of -which period the applicant proposed to retire from -the New South Wales Civil Service. This was -tolerably certain to be granted. The appointment -was a fairly good one, as such billets go. There -are always aspiring suitors for promotion, or -officials of equal rank and qualifications, who, from -family or other reasons, desire removal.</p> - -<p>Of course the truth leaked out after a few -days. The departure of the Commissioner and -the old prospector had not been unnoticed. No -joint enterprise could have been possible in his -own district; such a partnership would have been -illegal. Even if veiled, it must inevitably have -led to complications between private and official -relations. Against all such enterprises, however -alluring, he had set his face resolutely. So the -public came to the conclusion even before the first -copies of the <cite>Western Watchman</cite> came to hand, -that the ‘show’ must be in another colony; -and so would result only in the loss of their -Commissioner and Police Magistrate—in addition -to the usual exodus of that section of the population -which invariably follows the newest ‘rush,’ -whether to Carpentaria or Klondyke. Then -waifs and wasters could be well spared, while the -steady workers would be useful in sending back -reliable information to their mates and friends. -Con Heffernan had started, Patroclus the Greek, -Karl Richter, and the two Morgans; they would -write quick enough after they got there, and if -the find was half as good as was talked about, -every man in Barrawong who wasn’t married, or -<a name="png.080" id="png.080" href="#png.080"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>76<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>had cash enough to take him there, would be on -the road within forty-eight hours.</p> - -<p>Of course they would be sorry to lose the -Commissioner; they wouldn’t get another in a -hurry who was as smart, straight, and decided. -He was fair, between man and man, and didn’t -care a hang what creed, country, or caste a man -belonged to when he was trying a case. All he -wanted was to do justice, and he didn’t mind -making the law himself sometimes, so as he could -give the claim to the right man. Didn’t he fight -the great No. 4 Black Creek Block case for Pat -Farrell and party against the Dawson crowd, and -them having a lot of money behind them—after -it was adjourned, and remanded and sent to the -Full Court in Sydney—fresh magistrates being got -to sit on the bench; and, after all, old Pat Farrell -got it, with heavy costs against the jumpers? -And Mrs. Banneret—wasn’t she the kind woman -to the diggers’ wives and kids?—though she had a -young family of her own, and little enough time or -money to spare from them. Well, good luck go -with them, and the poor man’s blessing, wherever -they went, far or near! They’d be remembered in -Barrawong for many a year to come, anyhow—as -long as there was a shaft or a windlass left on -the field.</p> - -<p>What thoughts and emotions struggled for -precedence in Arnold Banneret’s breast when he -reached the country town near his home, and saw -the familiar faces of the provincial inhabitants, -mildly interested in the arrival of the daily coach, -bringing as usual novelties, human and otherwise—last -<a name="png.081" id="png.081" href="#png.081"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>77<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>from the sea-port, and by that medium -from the world at large. Casting his eyes around, -after a few hurried but warm greetings, they fell -on the well-worn buggy and the favourite pair of -horses. His eldest son, a boy of fourteen, held -the reins, which he transferred to his father, after -replying in the affirmative to the important inquiry, -‘All well at home?’</p> - -<p>As he gave the accustomed touch, the horses, -needing no other hint, started along the metalled -high road at a ten-mile-an-hour trot, which they -showed no disposition to relax until they came -to the turn-off track leading to the home -paddock.</p> - -<p>‘Well, father,’ said the youngster, ‘you’ve had -a fine time of it, I suppose? I’d have given all -the world to have gone with you. I suppose you -couldn’t take me when you go back?’</p> - -<p>‘No, my man! You’ve got your education -to attend to, and to see mother and the children -settled in Sydney first. I can’t afford to stay -long. So you’ll have to be mother’s right-hand -man while I’m away.’</p> - -<p>‘I suppose I’m to go to school when we get to -Sydney?’—in a slightly aggrieved tone.</p> - -<p>‘Of course you are—and to the University -afterwards, unless you are not able to pass the -Matric.—which I should be sorry to think for a -moment you couldn’t manage.’</p> - -<p>‘Oh dear! I suppose it will be years and years -of Latin and Greek, and history and geometry, -before I can make a start in life for myself. If -I’m to be a squatter—and I’m not going to be -<a name="png.082" id="png.082" href="#png.082"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>78<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>anything else—what is the use of losing all this -time?’</p> - -<p>‘My dear boy, you are to have the education -of a gentleman. Whether you decide for a bush -life or a profession, a mining investor’s or a -soldier’s, it will be equally useful—I may say, indispensable—to -you. But there is ever so much -time before us in which to settle such a very -important question. How well the country is -looking! I haven’t seen so much grass and water -since I left home.’</p> - -<p>‘It ought to look well—we nearly had a flood -in the river last week. The flats were covered, -feet deep, but it soon went off again. It won’t -do any harm, they say; but we thought it would -come into the house one evening, and mother sat -up half the night. It began to fall next day.’</p> - -<p>‘That was fortunate. Everything looks -flourishing now. Oh, here are the children, all -come out to meet Dad, who is a man from a far -country. Pull up, Reggie! and I’ll get out. -Steady, Hector!’</p> - -<p>Hector, the impatient, didn’t see the use of -stopping so near home: indeed, gave two or three -tugs and rushes before Mr. Banneret got clear of -the buggy. Then there was great kissing and -hugging, to be sure, from the half-dozen children, -who hung round Daddy’s neck and kissed impartially, -taking any part of him that came handy. -There were four girls and three boys of differing -ages and sizes, from Reggie, aged fourteen, and -Eric, ten, to Jack and Jill, aged five, and a -rose-faced pet of three, who demanded to be taken -<a name="png.083" id="png.083" href="#png.083"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>79<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>into the buggy forthwith. So did the entire troop. -But a compromise was effected by the girls getting -in, and the boys electing to walk home. The load -made no appreciable difference—eleven, including -five adults and six children, had been carted -eight miles on their first introduction to the -district, in the same trap, the redoubtable Hector -being quite as hard to hold then as now.</p> - -<div class="tb"><b>. . . . . . . . .</b></div> - -<p>Such a paradise as home (blessed place and -blessed word) appeared to the far-travelled father -and husband! We pass over the mutual greetings -of wife and husband—matters too sacred for -descriptive analysis—‘with whose joy the stranger -intermeddleth not.’ That they ‘kissed again with -tears,’ on one side at any rate, may be conceded. -All had gone well during the house-father’s -absence. Hector had been lame for a week—which -had led to anxiety. No cause could be -assigned; but the shoeing smith was suspected of -a tap with his hammer, as a hint to stand still. -He declined to confess, but relieved his mind by -abusing Hector as the most impatient, troublesome -old wretch whose leg he had ever lifted. Anyhow, -he was quite well again, and ‘flasher than ever’—this -was the second son’s contribution to the -case.</p> - -<p>Next morning, in the pre-breakfast stroll, -the springing crops—the wide alluvial flats—the -lucerne fields—the dairy herd—the stud of -well-bred horses—all appealed to the wanderer’s -tastes and early associations; the delightful -country attributes of a long-held fertile -<a name="png.084" id="png.084" href="#png.084"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>80<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>estate—inherited by the present proprietor. The -Commissioner was indeed but a tenant, dwelling -in the ‘barton,’ so to speak, in old -English term—the manor was the Squire’s by -inheritance and occupation since he had come of -age. A new house had been built soon after the -auspicious occasion of his marriage; while, on -the Commissioner’s arrival in the district, the -roomy, old-fashioned cottage, with large rambling -garden and aged orchard, had been gladly rented -by him. For a man in his position, no more -suitable place could have been found. The -families became fast friends, and, what is more to -the purpose, remained so for the whole decade -during which the Commissioner’s official duties -attached him to the district. The green fields -and pastures were as much his as their owner’s, in -the sense that a woodland scene belongs to him -who can appreciate the lovely, verdant landscape. -In earliest spring—in the bracing, but never -severe winter of the South land—amid evergreen -forests and running streams, even in the torrid -summer, when the fresh, dry air has no enervating -tendency—in the still dreamy autumn, ere yet the -first hint of frost has shown itself in the yellowing -oaks and elms—children they of the far north -home-land—how good was the outlook! The -Commissioner loved these demarcations of the -changing year. In the river, which divided the -great meadows from the estate of a neighbouring -potentate, his boys learned to swim, and, both in -the early summer morn and lingering eve, were -eager to plunge into its cool depths, or unwilling -<a name="png.085" id="png.085" href="#png.085"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>81<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>to return in time for the evening meal, to race and -splash over the pebbly shallows. There were -well-grassed paddocks for their ponies as well as -for Hector and Paris, and their father’s hackney. -They established also, it may be easily surmised, -trial races and contests with the sons of the house, -and by degrees developed the equine association, -which helped them notably in the aftertime of -polo, hunting, and four-in-hand driving—when -such pastimes and practice became suitable to their -age and position.</p> - -<p>It was a happy time then, with occasional -exceptions, for the years of early youth that the -children spent at Carjagong; for the parents also, -though work was constant, and the just soul of -Proconsul Paterfamilias was often vexed by malign -editors and Radical demagogues, who stirred -up strife in his kingdom, but he was supported -by the more thoughtful of the mining population, -as well as by the gentry of the district, with whom -the family were always on good terms. A yearly -or biennial visit to the cities of the coast gave all -hands a taste of social life, and, with a breath of -the sea breezes, a sight of the ocean wave and the -world-famed harbour. So the family grew up: -the girls into vigorous, independent maidens, -riding and driving, reading and dancing alternately—with -equal enthusiasm, as is the wont of -the country-reared damsel, whether in Britain or -Australia, Galway or Goulburn. There is, it must -be allowed, in both hemispheres a note of freshness, -vigour, and vitality observable in the country -cousins, to which the town denizens, <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">blasées</i> with -<a name="png.086" id="png.086" href="#png.086"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>82<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>unnumbered dissipations, rarely attain. Added to -the ordinary accomplishments, in which they were -fairly proficient, they had from time to time -personal experience of the household duties, which -the dearth of female domestics—then as now a -grave matter of concern on the part of matrons—rendered -necessary. Thus it must be allowed -that for the position of chatelaine, to which, in -due course of time, they might reasonably aspire, -they were fairly equipped.</p> - -<p>And the sons of the house, destined in days to -come to work in distant States, or ‘outside’ -regions, calling for leaders in the various industries -of a great, almost boundless continent, would be -found not unequal in brain or muscle to the duties -imposed on them. Sons and grandsons of pioneers, -they inherited the thirst for adventure which had -brought the founder of the family, sea-borne in his -own galley, like a Viking of old, so far across the -restless main, to the new world under the Southern -Cross. And now the abiding-place of the Bannerets -was again to be changed. Leaving on former -occasions their established residences in or near the -principal cities of the coast, where flower-gardens -bloomed, and orchards bore their annual store of -tropical or British fruits, they had voyaged, or -journeyed, to new, unpeopled regions. The same -experience had been repeated—the building, the -planting, the rearing of stock, the turning of waste -land into fields and gardens, vineyards and olive-yards—sometimes -for the benefit of the exiled -family, more often for the use and reward of others -when the route was given once again.</p> - -<p><a name="png.087" id="png.087" href="#png.087"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>83<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>There had been sadness and heartburnings on -all these occasions of uprooting ties and friendships -which more than once had struck deep into a -kindly soil; but the inherited pioneer instinct had -triumphed over all regrets. Sometimes the exodus -had been from a country life to that of cities; -then the regret was softened by the anticipation of -metropolitan privileges—the meeting with friends -and relatives, the enchantments of novelty and -romance. Still, again, the departure from these -new delights to a distant, untried region, a strange -environment, an unknown society, was proportionately -distasteful.</p> - -<p>But the Bannerets were an adaptable race: -they soon familiarised themselves with new surroundings. -Hot or cold, plain or forest, ‘out -back’ or near town, it seemed alike to them. -They discovered kindred spirits in the strangers -amongst whom, for the first time, they were -thrown. They were sociable to the point of -tolerating those whom they could not admire; -being civil and friendly to all sorts and conditions -of men, ready to do a kindness whenever such -opportunity came in their way, while preserving, -as far as in them lay, that standard of conduct and -manners which had been habitual from childhood. -Small wonder, then, that they never left one of -the country towns, to which the exigencies of -official or pastoral life guided their steps, without -public regrets being expressed. A presentation in -every case accompanied the address, which, in the -shape of coin of the realm, was not unwelcome. -Their residence in this, a fertile as well as -<a name="png.088" id="png.088" href="#png.088"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>84<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>gold-bearing district, had exceeded the usual term, and -the manifestations of public sympathy were therefore -more general and pronounced.</p> - -<p>To be sure, on the following morning after the -Commissioner’s arrival, when it was announced that -he had decided to ask for three months’ leave of -absence, and to retire at the end of that time from -the Government service, there was a certain excitement, -almost a commotion.</p> - -<p>Many of the inhabitants, who had accepted the -rule of the Commissioner without any particular -enthusiasm, were always willing to admit that -he was a man ready to work in season or out of -season, whenever there was public duty to be performed—considerate -and impartial—treating the -Christian or the Chinaman according to the Act -and Regulations in such cases made and provided, -and to no other code, moral or otherwise; an -official almost ceaselessly employed during the -waking hours—often before sunrise, or after dark, -by the journeys which his duties of inspection -rendered indispensable; rarely known to be tired, -ill, or discourteous; ready alike to hear as patiently -the case of the humblest miner as that of the most -powerful syndicate;—such was his record for the -ten long years that he had lived among them in -almost daily intercourse. A judge and a ruler, -moreover, whose decisions, in the words of an -influential local journal, ‘had been rarely appealed -against, and still more rarely reversed.’</p> - -<p>As in many other possessions and privileges, -the benefits of which are not sufficiently valued -until in danger of being lost, great was the outcry, -<a name="png.089" id="png.089" href="#png.089"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>85<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>many the professions of regret, when the news of -resignation was confirmed. Where were they to -get another man versed in their mining laws?</p> - -<p>Then the family, that was another important -consideration. From the lady of the house -downward, they were favourites in the district. -Friendly and sympathetic with all classes, there -was no case of sorrow or distress where they were -not helpful in aid, as far as their means allowed. -Fond of amusement in a rational way, they joined -in all the social and public entertainments with a -cordiality which notably tended towards their success—pecuniary -or otherwise. At bazaars for charitable -purposes, hospital balls, race meetings, and other -enterprises, they were well to the fore—entering -into the spirit of the entertainments and giving -unstinted personal service. And now, the Commissioner -and this exceptional family were about -to leave them and be replaced, possibly, by a -formal, ceremonious personage, who disliked the -mining duties of his appointment, and was concerned -chiefly with the magisterial routine of -Court, and Petty Sessions duty, which he would -(erroneously) consider more dignified and aristocratic -than riding hither and thither in all kinds of -weather, early and late, inspecting shafts, and, -indeed, descending occasionally into the bowels of -the earth, where a feeling of insecurity was painfully -present. On the other hand, this gloomy -probability might not be realised. There were -popular Commissioners and able Police Magistrates -yet to be found in the land. Many of them had -wives and daughters capable of irradiating the -<a name="png.090" id="png.090" href="#png.090"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>86<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>social atmosphere and helping in all good works. -They must keep a good heart, and hope for the -best; and if they could not keep their proconsul, -so to speak, for the term of his natural life—which -would be unjust on the face of it, inasmuch as he -had dropped on a veritable ‘golden hole,’—they -must wish him luck, and give him a good ‘send -off.’ And to that end, the best plan now was to -hold a public meeting, appoint a strong committee, -and show what the miners of the great -alluvial field of Barrawong could do to show their -appreciation of ‘a man and a gentleman,’ a friend -of every miner, rich or poor, and a magistrate -whom every man on the field respected, even -when he decided against him. This, of course, -took time, but everybody worked with a will, and -the committee, composed of leading miners, storekeepers, -bankers, and magistrates of the district, -made great progress. Dinners were given in his -honour, speeches were made, even a ball was -‘tendered to him and his amiable family’—such -were the words of the invitation in which reference -was made to all the good qualities which could be -packed into any given official, and freely attributed -to him. The ball was a great success; the room -was handsomely decorated with the great fronds -of the tree fern, the mimosa, and other botanical -favourites, intermixed with flags of all nations, -which, indeed, the festive company represented. -The Mayor in the opening quadrille danced with -Mrs. Banneret, the Commissioner with the -Mayoress, and according to their degree, as in -more aristocratic circles, the other sets were -<a name="png.091" id="png.091" href="#png.091"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>87<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>arranged. That ball was a pronounced success. -It was referred to, at intervals, for years afterwards, -as the Commissioner’s farewell ball. Not only -were the <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">élite</i> of the mining community present, -but the families of the leading residents of the -district for many miles round, who had travelled -long distances in order to attend. Mrs. Banneret -was driven home at a comparatively early period -in the evening, but the Commissioner, who had -been devoted to dancing in his youth, and was not -now beyond the age when that charming exercise -can be enjoyed, remained until the ‘wee short -hour ayont the twal’,’ when finding that the gate -of the stable-yard was locked, and the groom -asleep, he felt himself almost in a quandary. -However, being a man of resource, as from his -varied occupations he needed to be, he saddled his -well-known cob, and leading that well-trained -hackney through the back door of the hotel parlour, -and across the floor, he made a safe exit by the -front, and reached home without let or hindrance.</p> - -<div class="tb"><b>. . . . . . . . .</b></div> - -<p>After years of settled official work—not hard -or distasteful, but still compulsory and exacting—there -is always an exhilarating feeling, resulting -from the knowledge that henceforth the trammels -of regulated occupation are loosed for ever. Like -the freed bird darting into the blithe sunshine, the -wide world seems opened, as in our boyhood, to -an exhaustless series of wonders and privileges -impossible in the earlier stages of life for -lack of time, opportunity, money—if you will. -Travelling, the very salt of life, has been sparely, -<a name="png.092" id="png.092" href="#png.092"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>88<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>if at all, enjoyed. There are cities to visit—art -treasures in which to revel—every kind and degree -of rational enjoyment open to him and those dear -ones whose welfare had always been his highest -aim and consideration.</p> - -<p>It is a matter generally of chastened, peaceful -enjoyment to the released official of any degree, -when, as dear ‘Elia’ phrases it, he can ‘go home -for good’—with an income sufficient to provide -suitably for the declining years of life. But what -must be his feelings when such a man is suddenly -translated into a position of affluence—to wealth -beyond his wildest dreams? Hardly that, perhaps, -as every one connected with a goldfield can dream, -and generally does, of the lease so slow ‘in beating -the water,’ the reef so unwilling to ‘jump’ from -pennyweights to ounces, floating him out to -measureless wealth, celebrity, and world-wide -fame. Now, however, for the Commissioner all -the anxieties, uncertainties, and regrets of daily -life had suddenly come to an end. The ‘Last -Chance’ was a proved, triumphant success—seven -to ten ounces to the ton, the great reef doing -better and better as it went down—the richest -claim in the richest and, for the future, the largest -goldfield in Australia—the end of doubt, debt, and -difficulty had come. “His fortune was made!”<!-- TN: original has single closing quote --> -The well-worn phrase in commonest use among all -classes and conditions, trite and terse, even vulgarly -so, but how comprehensive! The open sesame to -how many doors, gates, and treasure-caves of -delights innumerable, jealously guarded in the past. -What a heaven in anticipation seemed opening -<a name="png.093" id="png.093" href="#png.093"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>89<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>before him! But even then a half-regretful feeling -arose—a sigh escaped for the old, fully -occupied life of ‘pleasure and pain,’ when ‘the -hardest day was never then too hard.’ Certainly -there had been doubts, wearying anxieties, troubles, -burdens of debt, disappointments; but, as a set-off, -the family had enjoyed, on the whole, excellent -health, high spirits, and reasonable comfort.</p> - -<p>He himself had never had, with one exception -(an intrusive fever), a day’s illness, or absence -from work on that account. Would this Arcadian -state of matters be continuous in the future? He -did not know—who can tell what a day may bring -forth? He would be separated from his family -for months at a time. This was inevitable. The -goldfield was distant, and at the most dangerous -period of occupation,—scourged with typhoid -fever, pneumonia, influenza, dysentery, what not? -Afflicting fatally the young and brave, the old and -feeble, the hardy miner and the immature tourist, -how would his family fare? Of course he would not -take his wife and children there—the thought was -impossible. Heat and dust, bad water, bad food, -flies in myriads, no domestic servants, or merely -the outlaws of the industrial army—the thought -was too distasteful! So, even at this stage, the -prosperity was not unalloyed; what condition of -human existence is, when we come to think? -Dangers thicken at every step in the battle of life, -but better they a hundredfold than the cankers, -the ‘moth and rust’ of inglorious peace. ‘However,’ -thought Banneret, as he roused himself -from this introspective reverie, ‘here is a state of -<a name="png.094" id="png.094" href="#png.094"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>90<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>so-called prosperity, for which I have been longing, -consciously or otherwise, all my life; and now that -it <em>has</em> come, why am I indulging in useless regrets -and imaginary, unreal drawbacks? Surely, as I -have fought against trouble and discouragement -in the past, I ought not to waver at the ideal fairyland -in the future.’</p> - -<div class="tb"><b>. . . . . . . . .</b></div> - -<p>The final arrangements which heralded the -departure of the Banneret family from Carjagong, -where they had led a tranquil and, on the whole, -happy existence, were carried out successfully. -The address and testimonial were presented in -due form. In the address the departing official -was credited with all the virtues; and the testimonial, -which took the form of coin of the realm, -was a liquid asset which had been decidedly useful -in former flittings of exceptional expensiveness.</p> - -<p>They reached Sydney, by coach and train, without -mishap or difficulty. The children were joyous, -and unceasing in their wonder and admiration of -wayside novelties, including snow, to a fall of -which they were, for the first time in their lives, -introduced.</p> - -<p>The day on which they re-entered Sydney will -always be marked with a white stone in the annals -of the family. It was the opening month of the -southern spring, and no more brilliant specimen -of that gladsome season could have been presented -to the eyes of the travellers. They had left a -region where, though the climate was comparatively -mild, the lingering winter months were austere. -Hence the semi-tropical warmth of the air, the -<a name="png.095" id="png.095" href="#png.095"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>91<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>blue, cloudless sky of the metropolis, were grateful -as novelties to the wayfarers from the interior. -The younger olive-branches had of course in their -ten years’ sojourn rarely seen the sea; the elder -ones had but dim remembrance of it; and when -the first sight of the historic harbour burst upon -their gaze from the balcony of their hotel, a cry -of wonder and amazement could not be suppressed, -in spite of the nurse’s remonstrance.</p> - -<p>‘Not quite so much noise, my dears!’ said the -watchful mother. ‘You must learn not to shout -and cry out at everything you see, or else people -will think you are wild bush children, that have -never been taught anything. You will see so -many new things every day.’</p> - -<p>‘Yes, we know, mother,’ said the eldest girl. -‘But there is only <em>one</em> harbour! Doesn’t it look -bright and beautiful to-day? It is almost calm, -like a great lake. How the little white-sailed -boats go skimming over it, like sea-birds! There -is a beautiful ship being towed in by a little tug -steamer. And, oh, here comes the mail-boat; how -quiet and dignified she is! She wants no tug, -does she? That’s the best of a steamer: she can -get along, fair weather or foul.’</p> - -<p>‘Sometimes, when a great storm catches her, -even she has to “slow down,” as sailors say; but -generally, of course, she is independent of wind -and weather. And now it is nearly lunch time, -so we must all go and get ready.’</p> - -<p>‘I went out in a sailing-boat,’ said Reggie, with -an air of experience, ‘last summer when I was -down. Didn’t she lean over, too? But, oh, how -<a name="png.096" id="png.096" href="#png.096"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>92<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>she did cut through the water! It was grand. -And another day Mr. Northam took out me and -the Merton boys in his steam-yacht to Middle -Harbour. I liked that almost better. We had -such a jolly lunch, and went on shore afterwards. -It was ever so hot, so we bathed, and ate rock -oysters, and had no end of fun. The country’s -all very well, but give me the sea at Christmas -time.’</p> - -<p>‘You’ll be at the King’s School next week,’ -said his mother, with quiet emphasis, ‘so I advise -you to make the most of your time for a few days. -I can’t have you idling about town, and losing -precious opportunities.’</p> - -<p>Reggie’s face fell just the least bit at this -announcement, but soon recovered its uniformly -cheerful expression.</p> - -<p>‘Can’t we stay till we go into the new house; -that won’t be long, I suppose?’</p> - -<p>‘Not a day longer than I can help, my boy. -School is your most important affair for the next -three or four years, and your father expects you -to distinguish yourselves—that is, you and Eric; -Jack must stay with Miss Charters for another -year. Just fancy what a fine time you’ll have! -Ever so many playfellows—cricket and football, -hare and hounds, steeplechases, all kinds of games. -You’ll be so happy after the first week that you -won’t want to come home.’</p> - -<p>‘I shall never feel like <em>that</em>, mother!’ said the -boy feelingly. ‘Don’t make any mistake.’</p> - -<div class="tb"><b>. . . . . . . . .</b></div> - -<p>The eventful step was fully carried out; a -<a name="png.097" id="png.097" href="#png.097"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>93<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>comfortable house in one of the picturesque -suburbs of Sydney was rented and furnished; the -father’s farewells were made—those adieus sometimes -temporary, but which the heart is prone to -suggest may be eternal; and as the mail-boat -majestically moved on her course through the -great sandstone gates of the landlocked haven, the -tears fell fast from the eyes of more than one of -the little party as her smoke faded from view -behind the lofty headland.</p> - -<div class="tb"><b>. . . . . . . . .</b></div> - -<p>Again the week-long voyage—the sighting of -the far western ports—the hasty landing—the -railway crowding—the short stay at Perth—the -uneventful, uninteresting overland journey through -country which nothing but the possession of goldfields -could render interesting, though occasionally -touching upon patches more or less agricultural or -pastoral. The motley crowd of pilgrims to the -Mecca of Mammon was indeed a medley, as are -all goldfields crusades. Runaway sailors, deserting -soldiers, shepherds, stockriders, navvies, nobodies, -gentlemen ‘formerly in the army,’ Cambridge -and Oxford graduates, ex-Queensland squatters—some -with two horses, some with a packhorse -only, but by far the greater number depending -entirely upon the all-sufficing ‘bluey’ (or blue -blanket) carried on the shoulders, and containing -the owner’s food, wardrobe, cooking utensils, and -worldly possessions generally. Southern Cross, a -year-old town, was not materially different in -architecture, dust, flies, banks, and blasphemy, -from ‘rushes’ with which the Commissioner had -<a name="png.098" id="png.098" href="#png.098"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>94<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>been familiar, only ‘more so,’ perhaps—every -discomfort and departure from civilised life being -strongly accentuated. A much-begrudged hour -or two was spent, or rather wasted here, and -through the clear, starlit night the expedition -pushed silently onward. Taking counsel of past -experience, the leader had left little to the chances -of the journey. He had provided a substantial -waggonette, heavier than the first vehicle in which -he and old Waters had travelled to the Pilot -Mount; a forty-gallon cask for water—a good-sized -condenser, in case they ran short of the -indispensable element—chaff and oats sufficient -for their four horses, with tinned meat and fish to -ensure a variety of ‘cuisine’; rifles, repeaters, -and double-barrels, with revolvers in good order, -and plenty of ammunition; also a fair-sized tent, -with folding-table and seats, as a lengthened stay -at the claim, which was now a certainty, would -need these accessories for reasonable comfort, -now that there was no doubt of the reef -being permanent, rich, wide, and going down -equally so—indeed better the deeper it went down. -After leaving Southern Cross the desert journey -recommenced, but now there was no difficulty in -finding the road. Every kind of track was printed -in large type upon the broad sheet of the Waste. -Carts and waggons, horses and bullock teams, had -been there. The camels, following one behind the -other, had left their soft, narrow paths through -sand-hill and spinifex plain, salt lake and clay -pan. This they could note as they went through -mulga and low acacia scrub until Pilot Hill, as -<a name="png.099" id="png.099" href="#png.099"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>95<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>the eminence had been named, was sighted. Some -of the ‘soaks’ emptied by the horses and camel -trains had not refilled, but their reserve of cask -water stood well to them in temporary need. And -after a journey neither protracted nor arduous, -they greeted old Jack and Southwater, who had -managed to put up a comfortable shanty, and -pointed proudly to a ‘township’ of tents, and -hessian edifices, occupying a considerable stretch of -country.</p> - -<p>Great congratulations greeted them from the -resident partners, and much curiosity was expressed -as to the nature of the supplies which they had -brought with them, as well as of those which were -to follow on, with the machinery, and all the component -parts of the up-to-date plant, which were -even now on the road. As the prospectors and -shareholders in the Reward Claim, they were objects -of respectful admiration, and praised in the local -newspapers for endurance, high intelligence, -courage, all sorts of heroic qualities—the whole -finished off with the golden crown of success, -which never fails to irradiate the wearer and his -surroundings.</p> - -<p>Awaking from his humble but not uncomfortable -couch in the tent, which had been pitched -without loss of time, Arnold Banneret gazed -around the wide expanse with grateful and, indeed, -enviable feelings. Here was, if not the goal of his -ambition, a near approach to it. He had neared -the winning-post, and though the trophy had not -as yet been placed in his hands, there was no -moral doubt that he would shortly be in possession -<a name="png.100" id="png.100" href="#png.100"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>96<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>of the coveted prize—and what a prize it would -be! Well worth the toil, the risk, the anxiety -which he had gone through, the years of hard -work—sometimes indeed pressing closely upon his -powers of mind and body. With but a moderate -income, he had cheerfully faced the task of providing -for the wants of a large family. They had -been fed and clothed, educated and prepared for -their station in life as gentlefolk. At times there -had been but the narrowest margin—at times -painful doubt, depressing anxiety.</p> - -<p>But the parents had never despaired. A gleam -of hope—a ray of sunshine even when skies were -darkest—had never failed to illumine the path. -One of the partners in the social-personal-national -enterprise (it is unnecessary to inquire which) had -never faltered or swerved from the solemn contract; -and now, after years of doubt and struggle, -the goal was won. Success was assured—it was -almost a moral certainty,—a life-long provision -for him and his, an assured position, a name and -fame, even distinction, for all their future life. -As he stood before his tent door and watched the -red-gold sun invade the unclouded firmament, -when the morning mists, unlike the heavier masses -of more favoured climes, made haste to disperse -and disappear, he could have fancied himself an -Arab sheikh. There were no Bedouins within -sight, a fact on which he congratulated himself. -But a long line of camels with their turbaned -drivers, coming ‘up from the under world,’ supplied -proof that the desert conditions were not wholly, -absolutely non-existent.</p> - -<p><a name="png.101" id="png.101" href="#png.101"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>97<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>How differently indeed the point of view adds -to or subtracts from the treatment of any given -situation. To the famished explorer with beaten -horses or starving camels, how drear and terrible -the outlook over the ‘sun-scorched desert, wild -and bare’—the stunted shrubs, the stony surface, -the arid waste! Weak and low, faint with -hunger, or frantic with thirst, he can barely -summon sufficient energy to make one last effort -for the hidden spring and—life.</p> - -<p>Here, before the Commissioner, lay the same -landscape—but for the scattered huts and tents, as -carelessly distributed over the forlorn levels as if -they had been rained down from the sky in some -abnormal storm-burst. Yet the man in front of -the tent saw so much besides the dusky levels—the -stunted, colourless copses, with their distorted, -dwarfish acacia trees—the restless team and saddle -horses crowding around the drays as if imploring -provender, too sensible of the sterility of the land -to waste time in wandering on a vain search for -pasture. The risen sun, which so many a fainting -straggler cursed, as the red globe rose higher -through the pitiless firmament, was to him the -symbol of honour and happiness to come. The -far distance, in which a pale mist shrouded the -naked rocks and scarred cliffs of a barrier range, -was grandly mysterious in his eyes, as concealing -treasure untold. The bells which now commenced -to mingle and blend as the teams came in, or were -driven towards the Pilot Mount, clanged and -jangled not without a certain rude melody. An -occasional flight of waterfowl on their way to the -<a name="png.102" id="png.102" href="#png.102"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>98<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>coast, or a far inland lake, passed in swaying files -high overhead—guided, who shall say by what -course of reasoning or memory, to river, mere, or -lake? And like the historic mariner, his heart -went out to the birds, and ‘he blessed them -unawares.’ His heart, full of joy and thankfulness, -was softened by the relief from care which had -been granted to him, and he wished well to all -living things. The day which began with the -sun’s blessing on him and his, so to speak, -continued and ended with the same—in strict -consonance with the feelings of the principal shareholder -in the ‘Last Chance,’ now far heralded as a -treasure claim. As the sun rose high and yet -higher at mid-day, and lingeringly dwelt up crag -and hollow, sand waste and scrub, until the utmost -limit of his course, it was more or less oppressive -to the crowd of toilers, who had worked since -dawn. But what of that? The air was dry, fresh, -and, to the unworn constitutions of the greater -number of the workers on ‘the field,’ invigorating. -There was no hint of enervating moisture in the -heated air which the north wind sent along, in -steady waves, from the innermost deserts. Clothing -was of the lightest possible texture, and as -little of it as conventions would allow—though -here, as in all Australian congregations, when -leisure and recreation cried truce to the excitement -of toil, the canons of British taste were observed. -And in favour of the climate, which had no -tropical disabilities or defects, the nights—inestimable -blessing—were cool.</p> - -<p>The breakfast hour permitted a free and full -<a name="png.103" id="png.103" href="#png.103"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>99<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>discussion of ways and means—men and machinery—past -and present—with sketch notes of the -general rise and progress of the partnership during -his absence.</p> - -<p>Nothing could have been more satisfactory. -‘The men had all worked first-rate,’ old Jack said—‘the -swell as hard as any of ’em—perhaps -harder.’ Mr. Southwater was a terror for hard -graft, and would have a claim of his own some -day. He was a born bushman, could work dead -reckoning, and would make a smart sailor-man, if -ever he got the chance. He’d come to something, -no fear! Con Heffernan was as good a chap as -ever handled a pick—a ‘rale white man.’ Everything -had gone on first-rate—no rows, and all as -smooth as a greased hide rope.</p> - -<p>Mr. Newstead said he thought he would go -home, now he could raise the passage money -on his shares; but he’d leave a good man in his -place. To which determination he promptly gave -effect. All was now plain sailing. Of course -there was hard unremitting work. From daylight -to dark, no rest for head and hand; but then there -was much to show for it. The arrivals of men -and merchandise were large and exciting. Carpenters, -machinists, ‘wages men’—as ordinary mine -labourers were called—arrived in hundreds.</p> - -<p>Claims were taken up for miles around the Pilot -Mount, in every direction: claims for alluvial; -reef claims, wherever there was a lump of quartz -as big as a cricket ball; water claims, wherever<!-- TN: original has linebreak, hyphenated as "where-ever" --> -the drainage from a ‘soak’ would fill a bucket -in a day; ‘dry-blowing claims,’ wherever a -<a name="png.104" id="png.104" href="#png.104"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>100<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>speck of gold could be extracted by one of the -most primitive of all processes. All this various -assemblage contributed doubtless to the name and -fame of the far-bruited ‘Last Chance,’ of which -the shares rose in value until the original holders -looked on themselves as prospective, if not indeed, -actual millionaires. But there was another side -to the shield, which commenced to make itself -clearly apparent through the somewhat blurred -and distorted social atmosphere.</p> - -<p>Among the miscellaneous crowd of adventurers -and tourists who had dared the privations of -desert travel, was a contingent of lady nurses. -These meritorious women, not less daring than -the reckless miners who had faced death in so -many shapes, in so many lands, had joined -the army of hope at the earliest stage that -transit could be guaranteed. <em>They</em> knew, none -better, how soon the fever scourge of crowded -camps, civil or military, would ‘take up a claim,’ -ever widening and expansive, sheltered by the -dark wing of Azrael. How many a day, how -many a night, in burning heat or freezing cold, had -each volunteer for the ‘forlorn hope’ of Christian -charity watched by the delirious, fever-stricken -patient, whose fate it was to sink lower and lower, -until he gasped out his life, holding the hand of -his truest friend in need, or, faintly rallying, lived -to greet the ‘opening paradise’ of ‘the common -air, the fields, the skies,’ and to know himself once -more a man among men!</p> - -<p>At first, in the inevitable turmoil, the rush -and hurry of a big and daily-growing field, but -<a name="png.105" id="png.105" href="#png.105"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>101<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>scant attention was bestowed upon the dread -disease, or the ‘cases’ which began to multiply. -The report that Jack Wilson was ‘down with the -fever,’ or Pat Murphy had ‘got it bad, and -mightn’t recover,’ was little heeded, but when -poor Pat died, and was followed to the grave by -an imposing array of miners, public interest was -aroused. A committee of miners and citizens was -elected, a hospital site was determined upon, and -on the following day (Monday) a building of -hessian and poles was commenced, and notable -progress made before nightfall. Subscriptions -poured in: the big mine gave twenty guineas, -other firms and claims in proportion, but all -liberally, not to say generously, and, within a -week, a building not particularly ornate, but -weather-tight, and suitably provided with beds and -subdivisions, with the all-sufficing corrugated iron -roof, was ‘inaugurated,’ as the local journal -proudly described the opening ceremony, by a -large and influential gathering of citizens. It may -be mentioned that the mining arrangement of -eight-hour ‘shifts’ was resorted to, the urgency -of the occasion justifying this departure from -routine and trade habitudes.</p> - -<p>The ex-Commissioner had always, at his several -commands and headquarters, taken an interest -in the hospital question, having in his official life -been brought into contact with the dreadful -accidents and deadly epidemics from which no -mining communities are free. So he made it -his business to call in due form upon the nurses, -who formed the vanguard of the Nightingale -<a name="png.106" id="png.106" href="#png.106"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>102<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>battalion, and assure them of his sympathetic aid -if such should be needed. He ordered improvements -to be made in the buildings, and guaranteed -the expense incurred. He also arranged a ‘little -dinner’ in their honour at the principal (and -only) hotel, to which, besides his partner, Mr. Southwater, he invited the Warden of the district, -as well as other persons in authority, and a few -leading citizens with their wives. The entertainment -passed off extremely well, and was appreciated -by the mining contingent, as recognising the lady -nurses’ position and, as such, giving them social -standing.</p> - -<p>It was just as well that Mr. Banneret made -himself acquainted with the hospital and the -<i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">personnel</i> of its guardian angels—a term used by -himself in the aftertime—as, within a month after -the official opening, he was himself an inmate of -the institution referred to.</p> - -<p>Yes! there was no immunity, no safeguarding -by means of careful sanitation at the claim, -temperate living, box baths (though these were -in the nature of luxuries), an elevated situation—precautions -which, under other circumstances, and -in other places, had baffled the fever fiend. First -a queer feeling, half-cold and shivering, half-hot -and feverish; then a racking headache, vainly -endured, and struggled against in hope of relief—worse -on the next day; then the ordinary -symptoms: a sleepless night, a half-conscious -feeling of ‘lightheadedness.’ On the morrow, -word went through the camp that Mr. Banneret, -of the great Reward Claim at Pilot Mount, was -<a name="png.107" id="png.107" href="#png.107"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>103<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>in the hospital, ‘down with typhoid.’ The -building had been full for days, but one bed had -been vacated, at the instance of Head Physician -Death, and into the empty cot the ‘respected chief -shareholder in the well-known Reward Claim’ -(see the <cite>Miner’s Mentor</cite> of the day, ‘Personal -Column’) and ex-Commissioner of Barrawong was -deposited. On the morning which followed, the -patient was in a high fever, raving in delirium, -temperature 105 degrees. The doctor pronounced -it a definite case of typhoid. On the first day of -the seizure—how sudden and cruel it was!—he had -written to his wife that he had dropped in for a -‘feverish attack,’ but not to be alarmed—would -probably pass off in a day or two—she knew he -had felt that way before; but had thought it -wiser, considering the heat of the climate, to go -to bed for a day or two. The hospital was really -most comfortable, and well managed; in Mrs. Lilburne he had, she would be glad to hear, a -most capable and attentive nurse. She was on -no account to be alarmed, or to <em>dream</em> of coming -over—which would only be an expensive and disagreeable -journey for her. Mrs. Lilburne would -write and tell her how he was getting on. It was -a great nuisance—indeed, most disappointing—that -this sort of thing should have happened, and -that he had more than once been tempted to -wish himself back at poor old Barrawong; though, -of course, they had gone through the same epidemic -there, when poor young Danvers, the curate at -the township, and Mr. Thornton, who was past -middle age, with ever so many other people, had -<a name="png.108" id="png.108" href="#png.108"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>104<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>died, and it seemed to be in the nature of a lottery -who should catch it and who should escape, who -should live and who should die. He was glad to -hear that Reggie was getting on so well at school, -and that the other children were thriving. He -had got little Winnie’s letter, and would answer -it to-morrow, etc. When the morrow came, as -before stated, he was not in a condition to write -or read letters, or indeed to perform any of the -literary duties which had previously occupied much -of his time. The doctor and the nurse were -engaged in anxious consultation—the one taking -his temperature, which the nurse registered very -carefully; both faces wearing a very serious, -indeed anxious expression.</p> - -<p>‘You think it will go hard with him, doctor?’ -queried she.</p> - -<p>‘Can’t say at this stage,’ said the medico, with -a professional air of immobility; ‘must run its -course. A great deal will depend on his constitution -and the nursing. I am glad it was <em>your</em> turn, -Mrs. Lilburne.’</p> - -<p>‘He shan’t fail for that, doctor, if I keep going,’ -said the pale, refined-looking woman.</p> - -<p>‘I know, I know,’ replied the man of life and -death. ‘But don’t <em>you</em> get laid up, or I don’t -know what we shall do. Good morning!’ And -the hard-worked physician walked out, and drove -off along the dusty track at a pace much above -the regulation rate.</p> - -<p>‘That Mrs. Lilburne, as she called herself,’ -thought he—‘I don’t know whether it’s her right -name, or, indeed, whether any of their names are -<a name="png.109" id="png.109" href="#png.109"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>105<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a><em>really</em> their own—a lot of mystery about nurses in -back block hospitals, I’ve always found—but this -one is different from the rank and file. I wonder -what her history is—must have some sort of <em>past</em>, -as the new slang is: husband cleared out from -her, or she from him; married before, and forgot -to mention it. Talk about lawyers having secrets! -we doctors could beat them hollow if we only -chose to let them out—which we don’t. We are -the real father confessors, if the world only knew. -Anyhow, this poor chap is lucky to have Madonna -Lilburne to look after him. I’m afraid it’s a poor -look-out for him; hard lines, too, when he’s the -richest man on the field. Fortune of war, I -suppose; can’t be helped.’</p> - -<p>The patient had written a comforting letter, as -he thought, to his wife. It had, however, quite a -different effect. Mrs. Banneret knew her husband -of old, and could gauge his every thought and -action.</p> - -<p>A man averse to speaking of minor ailments, -he was always worse than he appeared to be, in -consequence of this habit of reticence. He -despised the habit of complaint with which men -that he knew were in the habit of disturbing the -household and their wives. Consequently he fell -into the other extreme: delaying the notice which -would have procured aid or arrested illness. He -had repeated the imprudence, she could plainly -perceive. Fever probably had set in. He might -be even now in the dangerous stage. How -dangerous, how short the interval between it -and the last journalistic reference: ‘We regret to -<a name="png.110" id="png.110" href="#png.110"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>106<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>have to announce,’ etc., she knew well. Had she -not seen from the West Australian papers, which -she scanned so eagerly, the portentous death-roll, -in which she prayed to God—how earnestly who -can tell—that her husband’s name might never be -found? There was no time to be lost; join him -of course she would; was he to die, alone and -untended except by unknown, perhaps incapable -women, who had been lured to the goldfield by -exaggerated reports of easily found fortune—adventuresses, -or worse? It was agony to think of -his being left in such hands. She read and re-read -his letter—perhaps the last he would ever write. -Of course he had made the best of it; he always -did. But there was much to be done, much to -be thought out. The mail steamer sailed to-morrow. -She would—she <em>must</em> go to him. The -time was short—too short. The Adelaide express -would be in time? No! she would get on board—the -railway might meet with an accident—a -strike was threatened by the employees if wages -or privileges were reduced. Heartless wretches! -What did they care for sickness and death—the -grief of the widow, the orphans left fatherless? -It must be admitted that in this hour of misery, -almost of despair, her righteous indignation was -fervid, glowing, and would have burnt up the -Trades Hall delegates like so many priests of Baal -had she had the prophetic power.</p> - -<p>With but a short interval granted to natural -sorrow, action was quickly taken. The children -were too young to be left unguarded. But in the -city where she, where her mother, indeed, had -<a name="png.111" id="png.111" href="#png.111"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>107<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>been born, she had many relatives—not a few -staunch family friends. They came forward in -her hour of need. A cousin, capable and sympathetic, -volunteered to supervise the household in -her absence. Needful preparation was quickly -made. Far into the night she sat and wrote, -leaving minute instructions—even farewells, in -case she took infection. And at noon on the -following day, amid the crowd of passengers on -board the <cite>Kashmir</cite>, bound for Europe <i>via</i> Western -Australia, stood Marcia, the wife of Arnold Banneret, -lately the Commissioner of Barrawong town -and district, but now the largest shareholder in the -well-known Reward Claim and—a patient in the -fever ward of Pilot Mount local hospital.</p> - -<p>Shipwreck rarely occurs among first-class liners -like the <cite>Kashmir</cite>, P. & O., but there <em>is</em> such a -thing as a broken shaft. As a rule it is calculable -within a few hours when such a marine miracle of -speed, comfort, and ordered energy arrives at her -destination. Such was the case when the <cite>Kashmir</cite> -arrived at Adelaide.</p> - -<p>She was met at the landing by a friend of the -family, who handed her a <span class="nw">telegram:—</span></p> - -<blockquote> -<p>On board P. & O. steamer <cite>Kashmir</cite>.—Mr. Banneret -better. Dr. Horton considers crisis past. No need for haste.</p> -</blockquote> - -<p>But the sick man’s wife was of a different way of -thinking. ‘I shall be for ever grateful to you for -your kindness,’ she said, ‘but I can only rest when I -am where my husband lies sick. Pray God it may -not be unto death, and that I am not too late.’</p> - -<p>‘I can assure you,’ said the kindly matron, -<a name="png.112" id="png.112" href="#png.112"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>108<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>‘that you may trust Dr. Horton implicitly. He -objects to messages that disguise the truth. He -would not have permitted this to be sent if not -strictly reliable.’</p> - -<p>‘Thank God! thank God! if it be so. And -now when does the train start?’</p> - -<p>‘You won’t think of leaving to-night, surely? -We counted upon your staying with us till to-morrow.’</p> - -<p>‘I am sorry to seem uncourteous, but I cannot -lose an hour that may be used in bringing me -nearer to him. I ordered my luggage to be sent -to the railway station. The Captain assured me -that it should be done.’</p> - -<p>‘You are very determined,’ said Mrs. Hampton, -smiling, ‘but I will not press you further, if -you will stay with us on your return?’</p> - -<p>‘Most willingly, and will do anything you like -to ask me. If my husband is well, and returning -with me, as I trust he will, you will find me quite -a different woman.’</p> - -<p>‘Then we’ll have a cup of tea, and I’ll drive -you to the station. There is sure to be some one -we know going on, and I can assure you of a guide, -and perhaps a companion.’</p> - -<p>Thus reassured, the wifely anxiety became somewhat -lessened, and she consented to a hasty meal -before being driven to the railway station. Here -she found that an engaged carriage had been -thoughtfully secured for her, and that her lighter -luggage had been placed therein, while the attentive -guard placed the checks in her hand for the -trunks.</p> - -<p><a name="png.113" id="png.113" href="#png.113"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>109<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>With hearty thanks, and a cordial handclasp, -she said adieu to the friend in need. Just before -the train started, a well-dressed, ladylike woman -was introduced as Mrs. Wharton, and took her -seat beside her. ‘Nearly lost my passage,’ she -said, ‘but you know how one is rushed at the last -moment. However, here I am, and as I live near -Kalgoorlie, I shall be glad to give you any information -that may be useful. This is your first visit, I -hear.’</p> - -<p>‘Yes, indeed! and but for my husband’s illness -I should not have thought of making it now.’</p> - -<p>The strange lady’s face changed to an expression -of sympathy and regret, as she said, ‘Not too -serious, I hope?’</p> - -<p>‘He is in the hospital, ill with typhoid fever. -I have had a telegram from the doctor attending -him. He thinks the crisis past, and that he is -mending.’</p> - -<p>‘What was the doctor’s name?’</p> - -<p>‘Horton. Mrs. Hampton said he was strictly -reliable.’</p> - -<p>‘So he is. He always thinks it better that -people should be told the truth—you may depend -upon his report absolutely.’</p> - -<p>‘Thank you so much! I feel encouraged to -think that the worst is over. You have been -living at Kalgoorlie, I think you said?’</p> - -<p>‘Oh yes! for several years; but I have only -just returned from England, where my young -people are at school. They are all well, I am -thankful to say, and I am returning to live with -my husband for another two or three years, after -<a name="png.114" id="png.114" href="#png.114"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>110<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>which, as our mine, the “Golden Helmet,” is paying -well, I trust we may go to England for good.’</p> - -<p>‘And do you like living here?’</p> - -<p>‘Oh! I have to like it, or be separated from my -husband, which I could not endure. After all, the -life up here is not unendurable. The winter is -pleasant enough. And in the hottest part of the -summer we get away to the coast for a month or -two. It’s not so bad as one would think. We -visit about among ourselves. There are a few -nice families, and the young people have polo, -racing, and an occasional ball. We see many -English people of good family from time to time—more -perhaps than in the older communities—and -manage to exist very tolerably.’</p> - -<div class="tb"><b>. . . . . . . . .</b></div> - -<p>So the day and the long night in the train -passed not uncomfortably. At the stopping stages -refreshments were procurable.</p> - -<p>The wearied women slept soundly at intervals, -and as the morning broke, and found them still -speeding across the interminable waste, the cool -breeze, after they had dressed and breakfasted, -refreshed them considerably. Mrs. Banneret began -to lose the haggard air as of one expectant of evil—of -nameless dread, and responded to her companion’s -efforts to induce a more cheerful frame of mind.</p> - -<div class="tb"><b>. . . . . . . . .</b></div> - -<p>Pilot Hill was descried at last—the township -reached; and then a journey had to be taken -by coach, for of course the mail service had been -contracted for by an American firm. Fast coaches, -with well-fed horses, had succeeded to the slow -<a name="png.115" id="png.115" href="#png.115"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>111<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>and toilsome waggonette-travelling. Short stages -were alone thought of, and with only a minimum -of discomfort Mrs. Banneret found herself at the -Royal Palace Hotel, where a note written with a -very shaky hand awaited <span class="nw">her:—</span></p> - -<blockquote> -<p><span class="smc">My darling Wife</span>—I tried my best to prevent your -taking this unnecessary journey—you will own—but, as -usual, you would have your own way. A week ago it -looked as if you would arrive just in time to see my grave—in -the cemetery, which is filling all too quickly. Now, -thanks to Mrs. Lilburne and Dr. Horton, you will discover -what is left of me. I must leave off, and lie down -to gather strength to welcome you.—Always your fond -husband, - -<span class="signature">Arnold Banneret.</span></p> -</blockquote> - -<p>The woman knelt down in the queer little bedroom, -where she and her luggage—dust-covered -and travel-stained—had been deposited, and poured -forth her thanks to that Great Being who had once -again listened to her prayer, and restored him for -whose love and companionship she chiefly lived. -Only allowing the shortest interval for adjustment -of dress and removal of dust, Marcia Banneret -hardly waited for a guide to the hospital. That -reached, she walked quietly into the convalescent -ward, and kneeling by the bed which held a wasted, -pallid, altered man, whom she hardly at first recognised -as her husband, she flung herself on her -knees, and sobbed out her love for him and gratitude -to the Most High—almost in the same breath.</p> - -<p>How changed from the strong man whom she -last saw at their old home!—a man whom travel, -toil, privation of any ordinary kind, in whatever -weather it might be—winter storm or summer -<a name="png.116" id="png.116" href="#png.116"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>112<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>heat—seemed but to refresh and invigorate. And -now, how shrunken, nerveless, emaciated!—every -trace of colour fled from his bronzed cheek, and -supplanted by the saffron hue which confinement -of any kind conjoined with disease brings even to -the most robust.</p> - -<p>Was this indeed Arnold Banneret? When he -saw himself in the glass he hardly recognised his -own features.</p> - -<p>‘I am afraid I must interrupt the interview, -Mrs. Banneret,’ said a low, carefully modulated -voice, as, after premonitory tapping, the slender, -graceful form of Nurse Lilburne entered the -room; ‘but, with apologies to you, Dr. Horton -cautioned me against the danger of over-fatigue -or excitement at meeting you. I feel certain you -will pardon me. We have to be so careful against -the chance of a relapse.’</p> - -<p>‘I will pardon everything, and only wish to -thank you from the bottom of my heart for the -care you have taken, and the saving of my husband’s -life. I shall never forget it, believe me. We -shall both cherish you as a valued friend to the -end of our days. And now, I will say good-bye. -I suppose I may come again in the evening?’</p> - -<p>‘Oh, certainly!—I can depute some of my -duties to you with safety, at this stage.’</p> - -<div class="tb"><b>. . . . . . . . .</b></div> - -<p>From that day it may easily be understood -that the patient’s convalescence steadily advanced, -that his progress in health was comparatively rapid. -His strength, indeed, took longer to build up than -he imagined would be the case. After leaving his -<a name="png.117" id="png.117" href="#png.117"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>113<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>bed for the first time he could not walk without -support, and even dressing had to be effected by -easy stages. However, if the progress of gaining -strength was slow, it was sure, and before the -month was out he was, to use the common phrase, -‘a new man.’</p> - -<p>Then he was able to be driven round the field -by his wife—to observe, and, in a sense, to enjoy -the unfamiliar points of this most extraordinary -region—surely one of the most amazing storehouses -of the Golden Lure ever unearthed by -civilised man. Though the soil was barren and -rock-strewn, the rainfall scanty and uncertain, the -heat of midsummer terrific, the miners had already -made pathetic, not wholly unsuccessful efforts to -establish gardens—a few vegetables, and the -commoner sort of flowers, carefully watered, -repaid their pains. Even the desert shrubs and -wild flowers were heedfully transplanted, and in -many instances embellished the humble homes, -temporary though they might be, which sprang -up in the wilderness. In some instances, where -the ground was apparently all rock, holes and -excavations had been blasted out and filled with -alluvial, wherein the bulbs and roots put forth their -shoots.</p> - -<p>Nor was the goldfield, now so populous, and -with a reputation which had been bruited over the -Anglo-Saxon world, deficient in what was known -as ‘society people.’ Not to mention the Honourable -Mr. This and Lord John That, who had -taken up their abode there—there were dozens of -scions of well-known families from the eastern -<a name="png.118" id="png.118" href="#png.118"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>114<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>colonies, who had not only come to take a hand -in the game of Golden Hazard, here played for -such alarming stakes—but who had brought their -wives.</p> - -<p>These ladies, who had heard of Mrs. Banneret, -and sympathised with her in her husband’s -dangerous illness, ‘called upon her,’ as the conventional -phrase runs, which visits had, of course, -to be returned. So that she found herself soon -provided with a large and congenial visiting-list.</p> - -<p>‘Really, I quite begin to like this place,’ she -said to her husband one day, when they were -driving home in the cool of the evening from a -centre a few miles distant from Pilot Mount, -where they had heard of the presence of an old -friend; ‘and what a nice pony this is—quite a -pleasure to drive her. The roads are so good -too. Very different country from poor old -Barrawong, with its box forests, and our good, -clean, dear bungalow, with the old, old garden, -and the dear river. Fancy a river here! The -young people get to like it, I suppose—though -this cemetery has a list of young—ah! such -young inmates, I can’t bear to think of it. Sons -and brothers, wives and husbands who will never -go back! It is too dreadful.’</p> - -<p>‘You must endeavour <em>not</em> to think of it, dear,’ -he said softly. ‘You will be able to take <em>me</em> -back, that is one comfort. And as the mine is -doing so well—better than well—phenomenally, I -think—mind you—only think—we may be able to -go east, as they say here, by the mail steamer after -the next. And if the “Last Chance” keeps up its -<a name="png.119" id="png.119" href="#png.119"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>115<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>present, or probable output—we shall not return, -but leave the working of it, and all business that -hangs thereby, to our partners and the other shareholders.’</p> - -<p>‘Oh, what a joy that will be!’ she exclaimed, -clasping her hands—which, as she held the whip in -one of them, caused the pony mare to make a -rush. For a hundred yards or so the pony refused -to be stopped, but there were neither trees nor -stumps on the road, so the hotel was safely -reached. The mail letters had just come in, and -from these it was learned that the children were -well and matters generally all that could be wished. -Things being in this blissful and satisfactory state, -Mr. Banneret and his wife quitted Pilot Mount, -the latter in a very different state of mind from -that in which she had reached it. As for her -stay at the field—she thought she should look back -to it (after, of course, her husband’s recovery was -assured) as really a most interesting and pleasant -experience. Everything was so fresh and new, -even to her who had been so many years a resident -on goldfields. The people were, many of them, -lately from Britain, America, or the Continent of -Europe: all sorts of young men unattached, who -had never seen Australia before, many of them -of good, even aristocratic families, not occupied -in any profession, eager and anxious to have their -share of the treasure which Dame Nature was -distributing with lavish hand; men from old -colonial families, who brought their wives with -them, or sent for them after they had secured an -investment likely to be permanent. These were -<a name="png.120" id="png.120" href="#png.120"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>116<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>the most solid and influential components of the -hastily gathered and yet firmly welded framework -of society.</p> - -<p>They decided who among the women were to -be ‘called on’—or to be left out of the visiting -circle. They acquired all necessary information -on that head, inspected credentials, advised young -men for their good—and generally constituted the -higher public opinion which governed, with more -or less authority, the manners and morals of their -little state. They gave ‘teas’ at the Polo Club -and race meetings, inviting desirable persons and -excluding such as had given social offence. No -hard and fast rule was openly promulgated, but in -an unobtrusive way the combined influence made -itself felt, and those who were hardy enough to -withstand it found in the long run that they had -taken up a wrong position.</p> - -<p>Of course, among the heterogeneous community -there were individuals and groups whose antecedents -were shrouded in mystery.</p> - -<p>All that was known of them or could be -divined about their former professions or occupations, -adventures, characters, or relations was that -they had arrived by the mail boat of a certain -date, and had been working in this alluvial claim -or that reef—for the last year. They were -certainly ‘human warriors,’ as Dickens’s taxidermist -was wont to express it. Mr. and Mrs. Winstanley, admittedly good-looking, well-mannered, -presentable—were suspected of not being -legally married.</p> - -<p>There was no proof, either one way or the -<a name="png.121" id="png.121" href="#png.121"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>117<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>other—if the rumour was not well founded, -injustice was done to an innocent woman. If -otherwise, those families who had permitted intercourse -with wives and daughters repented in -sackcloth and ashes when the truth came out. -For it must not for one moment be assumed that -the colonial social canons are one whit less rigid -on such subjects than in the mother-land. If -anything, Mrs. Grundy is a potentate whose -power is greater and whose punishments are more -terrible than in the ancestral home.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Banneret had necessarily been drawn into -closer association with Nurse Lilburne than with -any other assistant in the hospital. She it was -who had tended her husband through the most -serious stages—the most dangerous crisis in the -course of his deadly seizure. With his life actually -trembling in the balance, she it was who had -bathed the burning brow, had measured so carefully -and administered so punctually the healing -draught; had been in very truth the ministering -angel of the poet’s fancy. No other woman, save -and excepting his own wife, could have been so -capable, so delicately deft, so conscientious—so -devoted, even to the danger of her own health. -She had brought him through the valley of the -shadow, Dr. Horton said, and he did not believe -another woman in Australia—let alone in Pilot -Mount—would have done it. It may be imagined -what gratitude was felt by Mrs. Banneret when she -saw her husband by her side, fully recovered and -looking, except for a certain pallor, which some -people thought became him, better than ever. Now -<a name="png.122" id="png.122" href="#png.122"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>118<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>that they were able to drive about together—which -the doctor had strongly recommended, as a daily -recreation, favourable to perfect recovery—various -novelties and unexpected discoveries in their new -world of Arabian Nights treasure-land displayed -themselves before her. Restricted to the routine -of domesticity hitherto—an exacting though not -unwelcome round of duties—her imagination, -always daring and impatient of control, luxuriated -in excursions around and amidst ‘the burghers -of this desert city.’ What mysteries lay hidden -in the past lives of the women, the men, who -daily worked or strolled <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">en flâneur</i> on the highways -and byways!</p> - -<p>That quietly dressed, not quite elderly, not -quite young visitor from the old country, who -was he? He had a military air, and the stamp -which ‘formerly in the army’ invariably impresses -on the individual so privileged. The -‘horsey man,’ the abscondu, the aristocratic -tourist, on for a hasty inspection, with a view to -chance a thousand or two on the Big Bonanza, -or the Golden Horn,—they were there. It -<em>might</em> turn up trumps—like Great Wolder, which -had paid a million and a half in dividends and was -going strong still. Others again, who played -deeply, and were chiefly undesirable.</p> - -<p>As the field increased in population and -prestige, the stream of holiday or home-going -capitalists made Perth their headquarters. Once -there, the ‘Weld,’ an exclusive and fashionable -club, naturally attracted notice, and afforded a -more or less luxurious home for those who desired -<a name="png.123" id="png.123" href="#png.123"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>119<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>to enjoy their sojourn by the waters of the Swan -River, and to feel the ocean breezes on a sun-tanned -cheek. As an honorary or permanent -member, the candidate required to be proposed -and seconded by leading members of the club, -who were held responsible for his conduct and -character, so that it may be imagined that both -were subjected to close supervision. It was not, -therefore, probable that the black sheep of other -lands, much less of colonial families, would find -pasture, even in that Terra Incognita, a West -Australian goldfield.</p> - -</div> - - -<div class="chap"> -<h2 title="Chapter V"><a name="png.124" id="png.124" href="#png.124"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>120<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>CHAPTER V</h2> - - -<p><span class="smc">There</span> was still, however, one haunting mystery, -one problem unsolved, in the solution of which -Mrs. Banneret felt more interest than in all the -other uncertainties and sensational historiettes put -together. Who and what was Mrs. Lilburne? -Handsome, strikingly so, indeed—refined—cultured—aristocratic -<i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">au bout des ongles</i>; what -strange movement of the hour hand of fate had -brought her to the often distasteful work, the -dire climatic hardships of a hospital nurse on a -West Australian goldfield? Who could doubt -her stainless purity who gazed on the banded -hair—the calm, brave countenance, equally free -from doubt or fear—the sweet, sad eyes which so -rarely gave token of the spirit-light which illumined -them, at rarest moments, ‘like melancholy stars,’ -of which Mrs. Banneret said they always reminded -her. Had she lost, by death, by desertion, by -treachery, her soul’s idol, to whom she had been -vowed in happy, radiant girlhood’s day? What -a ‘phantom of delight’ must she then have -appeared to her social world—at that entrancing -age, when ‘standing with reluctant feet, where -<a name="png.125" id="png.125" href="#png.125"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>121<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>the brook and river meet,’ she had so fully -realised the poet’s dream!—the dream of all -poets that ever strove to paint the delicious -embodiment of soul and sense, the flower season -of happy, innocent, loveliest girlhood.</p> - -<p>However, it was distinctly patent to all the -inquiring or admiring minds of Pilot Mount that -the oracle, in the case of Nurse Lilburne’s antecedents, -was at present dumb, nor could cries -or lamentations extract an answer. To Mrs. Banneret once, indeed, she relented so far as to -say, ‘Some day you will know, if to any one -I may show gratitude for true friendship and -womanly sympathy. In the meantime think of -me only as Nurse Lilburne. For your husband I -have only done what I would have done for the -humblest miner. And may God grant that some -day I may be counted worthy to receive payment -in kind!’</p> - -<p>So they parted on the last day of the Bannerets’ -sojourn on the great ‘Last Chance’ goldfield, as it -was now called,—famed throughout all Australia -as the wonderland of that Far South land which -had given so many wonders and surprises to the -old world, and to the country which had founded -it; which a hundred years from its birth, in peril -from starvation, from conquest, from criminal -surroundings and ignorant misrepresentation, had -established an export trade of many millions, -and borne sons who fought shoulder to shoulder -with Britain’s best troops in defence of the Empire.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Banneret was not the only person on the -goldfields who was interested in the story of -<a name="png.126" id="png.126" href="#png.126"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>122<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>Nurse Lilburne’s life. So attractive, so exceptional -a personage could not long remain in such a -community, where the men outnumbered the -women in the ratio of at least a hundred to -one, without being admired, flattered, besieged, -indeed, by importunate suitors who were only too -willing to condone her past—whatever it might -have been. But to all such approaches she was -adamant. She quietly put them by, not coldly -or haughtily, but with a nun-like aloofness, as if -all matters unconnected with her duties were not -only impossible of acceptance, but even of consideration. -Even the most ordinary civilities, -such as a seat in a buggy or pony cart to the -Polo Club matches, or the races connected with -the club formed for the encouragement of that -fashionable game, were quietly declined, even -though proffered by the president, a married man, -whose wife had always been most friendly and -sympathetic. Jim Allerton, whose tandem was -the admiration of all beholders, implored her to -honour him by accepting a seat to the ground—the -day being brilliant, with a cool breeze—the -occasion certain to be historical in years to come; -such an opportunity would perhaps never occur -again: the Governor of West Australia, with his -wife and daughter, were to be present. She smiled -graciously, and confessed that she could not have -refused such an offer—once upon a time—but now—he -must excuse her. Jim retired heartbroken, -so he said.</p> - -<p>He was not the only admirer—the Adonis of -the field, Eachin Durward, a tall, handsome, -<a name="png.127" id="png.127" href="#png.127"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>123<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>grand-looking Highlander, was known to be devoted to -her,—was well-off too,—would have left for -Europe <i>via</i> Cairo, and the East generally, if only -she would deign to express a wish—a preference -for any particular route. But she was dumb as -the Sphinx.</p> - -<p>As deaf also, to all entreaties of men, as she -who sits by the Pyramids—sad, silent, awful in -lonely sorrow—in wisdom unspeakable, in experience -vast—in knowledge coeval with the æons, -whose memorial—save of her, and the eternal -pyramidal monuments—hath perished.</p> - -<div class="tb"><b>. . . . . . . . .</b></div> - -<p>Eastward ho! Home again,—blessed word, -thrice blessed reality. The hot desert blast—the -dust—the heat—the swarming flies—the glaring sun -at noon—the scarce less tyrannous heat at even,—all -things that bore so hard on frail humanity—all -left behind for a season! What a paradise of -hope and joy seemed opening before the ‘happy -pair,’ in truest re-adjusted sense of the word. -And the calm, peaceful savour of all the best joys -of life was heightened by the recurring thought -that under all things there was the solid foundation -of success—success undoubted—ungrudged—won -by enterprise and work, a wide-spread treasure-house -in which so many of the most honest toilers -of earth were permitted, nay, invited to share.</p> - -<p>With health assured—indeed benefited by -recovery from the dread fever-grip—so rarely -relaxed—it seemed apparent that he, Arnold -Banneret, ‘never looked better,’ as his friends -assured him, than on his return from the Golden -<a name="png.128" id="png.128" href="#png.128"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>124<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>West—that fateful Eldorado which numbered so -many of the best and noblest of Australia’s—Britain’s—sons -among the ‘unreturning brave.’</p> - -<p>The voyage completed—the harbour—the -haven par excellence of all fair havens, regained, -the meeting on the wharf—of the entire family—wild -with joy, and shouting all kinds of differing -information, in one breath—all rosy with health -and frantic with delight, may be left to be imagined -by those home-returning parents of similar experiences. -Nothing had gone wrong. The household -had been discreetly, lovingly, capably managed -in the absence of the high-contracting parties of -the little state,—that state, when multiplied by -thousands and ten thousands, which makes so -much in valour, virtue, and stability, in the -onward march of Empire.</p> - -<p>Again established in their most comfortable -house, on one of the heights which overlooked -the harbour on the winding highway to the South -Head—a dream of beauty by day or starlit night, -by sweet moonrise or palest dawn—unequalled, -unapproachable beneath the Southern Cross—how -pure, how peaceful, how unspeakable was their -happiness! What avenues of enjoyment opening -out daily, stretching in the future to illimitable -distance, filled the perspective!</p> - -<p>The New Holland Club, of which Mr. Banneret -had for many years been a member, again opened -its arms to receive the absent member, whom -they thought never again to behold. Reports had -reached them that he was dead—not expected to -survive, what not? It is not a wholly unpleasant -<a name="png.129" id="png.129" href="#png.129"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>125<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>sensation to personally contradict the report of -one’s decease,—that report, ‘upon the best -authority,’ quoted from the morning papers, that -one has been cut off in the flower of one’s youth, -or the zenith of one’s fame, as the case may be. -Even there the candid friend is not wholly at a -disadvantage. ‘No idea that I was such a fine -fellow,’ says Horatio, returning, let us say, from -Philippi, where he was reported slain. ‘Really,’ -drawls the inevitable ‘friend,’ ‘but, you know, -dear boy, people exaggerate so fearfully on such -occasions!’</p> - -<p>It is good to be rich, for some, for many -reasons. It is good even to be thought rich, if -one is not thereby tempted to spend extravagantly. -As mankind are constituted, whether the money -is inherited, gained by accident, by the hardly -reputable means of gambling, so long as it is known -to be there, a certain kind of respect and deference -goes along with its possession. Perhaps in Arnold -Banneret’s case, whose exploration of an inhospitable -desert where men’s lives were but as counters in -the game, and had been expended as recklessly, it -disposed the critics of the clubs and swagger hotels -to regard him as having achieved true distinction. -Younger sons and others, who had gone out with -hazy ideas of digging a fortune out of the dreary -wastes, of which they had heard, and had returned -to the city without one, comprehended the preliminary -hardships which he must have undergone. -They enlarged upon these, in all good faith, -until the readers of newspapers and the public -generally were disposed to look upon him as -<a name="png.130" id="png.130" href="#png.130"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>126<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>a general of Division and a scientific millionaire -combined.</p> - -<p>‘Heard of him before,’ men would say in the -smoking room. ‘Been at the front all his life. -Squatter in old days—took up outside country—rows -with blacks—bushrangers, that sort of man. -Dropped his money when stock went down. -Took to the Civil Service later on. Wife and -children—so on. Makes up his mind to be Goldfields -Warden—tired of that—believed in another -cast of the dice—goes to W.A.—and before he’s -been there a month, hits on the discovery of the -age—the biggest of the century—regular Mount -Morgan, y’know.’</p> - -<p>‘Mayn’t be quite as big a quarry as that,’ -interposes another man—a pastoralist, whose -grizzled beard and bronzed countenance has -‘Waste Lands of the Crown’ writ large thereon—‘but -told by men, been there and seen, half a -dozen fortunes in it,’ and so on, and so on. Thus -the hero-worship progressed.</p> - -<p>Rich—beyond any of <em>his</em> dreams of avarice—so -far, he saw himself so high on the ladder of prosperity -that he began to consider how he might -benefit those friends and relations (perhaps) whom -he had so often pitied, lamenting at the same time -his inability to aid them. It was one of the -anomalies of life, he had reflected, that people in -possession of superfluous means seldom showed -much disposition to use them in this way; while -those who, like himself, would have taken pleasure -in dispensing timely aid seldom had the wherewithal -to gratify benevolent intentions. However, -<a name="png.131" id="png.131" href="#png.131"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>127<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>if the future yields of the ‘Last Chance’ kept up -its present rate, there would be enough, and to -spare, for years to come. He could enact the -Uncle from India—they are always rich (or used to -be)—for the benefit of deserving relations who -would be touchingly grateful to the end of their -lives. How he could assist all benevolent institutions—repay -those who had been kind to him in -the early struggles of his life! He had a good -memory for such positions and people. Then, -after a few years, which he could spend comfortably, -not to say luxuriously, in Sydney—he would -take the family to England. The boys would be -of an age to benefit by public-school training, -preparatory to being entered at Oxford or Cambridge. -He would buy an estate—not too large, -but sufficiently so, to give them the pleasures of -English country life, without the drawbacks of -having to attend to the responsibilities and details -of a large estate. He might even go into parliament—that -was to be managed more easily in the -old country than in the new one, where the low -suffrage, combined with the intense jealousy which -wealth and a cultured intellect aroused in the -lower-class voters, made it difficult, if not impossible, -for their possessor to enter parliament. -However, these hopes and enterprises were for the -future to justify and develop in action. For the -present here was he, Arnold Banneret, back again -in Sydney—safe and sound, fully recovered from -the fever scourge of outside habitations—wife and -children well—heartily enjoying his recovered freedom -from anxiety, the society of his friends, and -<a name="png.132" id="png.132" href="#png.132"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>128<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>in a moderate way the prestige which had accrued -to him as a favourite of fortune, and a successful, -energetic, worthy recipient of her gifts.</p> - -<p>Of the good things now so lavishly bestowed -upon them his wife had her full share. Always -ready to indulge her with such pleasures as he could -afford, and knowing well that in the matter of -expenditure she was far more prudent, as well as -practical, than himself—he had relinquished to her -willingly in his official days the power to draw -on a separate bank account, into which his pay as -it came in was deposited. From this she was expected -to provide for household expenses—dress—schooling—all -things needful for their station in life. -He contracted to discharge his private personal -expenses,—having subsidiary grants, such as -coroners’ and other fees, travelling allowances for -the long rides and drives he was obliged to take -in connection with mining matters, the settlement -of disputes about claims, or reports on the sale of -auriferous lands: in fact, upon the thousand and one -matters only to be settled satisfactorily by the -presence and judicial action of the resident magistrate.</p> - -<p>Now, of course, Mrs. Banneret’s bank account -was increased—enlarged upon a scale commensurate -with the imposing amounts which regularly -arrived from the goldfield of Balgowrie in the -district of Sturt, in the colony of West Australia. -Like most married women, the spending of money -gratified her, more especially when she had no -doubt of the solvency of the bank account, and -the propriety of the manner in which it was -<a name="png.133" id="png.133" href="#png.133"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>129<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>disbursed. That the children should be well and -handsomely dressed, as became their station in life, -was to her a matter not only of right and justice, -but of keen enjoyment. That they were enabled -to join in such entertainments as were suited to -their age, and station in life, was also a part of -her satisfaction. They had often, in former days, -been denied these innocent pleasures—to her secret -mortification. Now and henceforth this disability -was abrogated for all future time.</p> - -<p>How very delightful it all was! What a -glorious thing was life! (Of course there were -drawbacks—but they must be expected.) Here -Arnold Banneret’s mind reverted to that little -hospital at Pilot Mount, to the delirious patient in -one bed—suspected in lucid intervals to be himself—to -Nurse Lilburne’s grave, compassionate -face—to the dead miner but two beds away—to -the empty couch, which had been occupied last -night!</p> - -<p>Thinking of such things, a wave of deep and -earnest gratitude to the Lord and Giver of Life -for a while took possession of all his faculties, to -the exclusion of all merely pleasurable sensations. -While sitting in the broad, flower-wreathed -verandah, as the evening shadows deepened into -those of night, and looking over the waveless -water-plain of the harbour, lit up from time to -time by the lights of passing steamers—the silence -broken but by their warning bells—the deep blue -heavens, star fretted, and but faintly luminous in -the southern midnight—the hands of the husband -and wife stole together; for they were lovers still, -<a name="png.134" id="png.134" href="#png.134"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>130<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>though so long wedded. ‘Oh, Arnold!’ said the -wife, ‘is not this a fragment of Paradise, after -what we have gone through, and do you think it -will—it <em>can</em> last? I feel almost too happy. God -has indeed answered our prayers—in many an -eventide it has been light, but this is the crown—the -glory of all our life!’</p> - -<p>‘That we have fought our fight fairly—through -good and evil hap—I think we are entitled to say, -though humbly; and thankfully do I acknowledge -God’s mercy and goodness in the troubled times of -our married life. But it really looks now as if -peace was declared, and the war was over. Let -us trust so, and hope that in time to come, as in -the past, a hand may be stretched out to save in -time of need. May our children who have their -lives before them, with all their trials and dangers, -be not less happy, less fortunate than we have been!’</p> - -<div class="tb"><b>. . . . . . . . .</b></div> - -<p>Years passed on. The family of Banneret had -become accustomed to living at the rate of four or -five thousand a year—not by any means so difficult -a task as declining from that desirable income to -as many hundreds. They were accredited members -of the ‘Upper Ten,’ as translated into Australian -Society terms.</p> - -<p>Their parents having belonged to well-known -colonial families, the young people found themselves -invited to all the gaieties going. They -had many old friends and relatives—some in influential -positions—who stood loyally by them, so -that in all the more desirable festivities, from a -Government House ball or garden party, to the -<a name="png.135" id="png.135" href="#png.135"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>131<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>annual regatta in the harbour, the available -members of the family were always in the front -rank. Races, hunt clubs, tennis matches—golf—water -parties—theatricals—church and hospital -bazaars,—they enjoyed them all: in moderation, -be it spoken, always. There was no reckless -abandonment to pleasure, no love of excitement -for that reason only. But their temperaments -held a strong infusion of <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">la joie de vivre</i>, which, -along with energy and intelligence above the -average, rendered it possible for them to combine -much healthy recreation with a reasonable outlook -on the great issues of life. The mild but firm -parental rule was always available to restrain -enthusiasm, to check impulsive imprudence. -Thus all things progressed satisfactorily, in an -apparently well-balanced mean between comfort -and extravagance.</p> - -<p>All reasonable indulgence in the pleasures of -youth for the young people, with the calm satisfactions -of middle age for the seniors, seemed assured. -Not only for the present, but for years in advance, -their position was unassailable by fate. Mrs. Banneret, to be sure, could not help suggesting -from time to time, in a mild, tentative way, that -they were <em>too</em> happy, the sky was too bright, the -outlook too fair to last—something adverse <em>must</em> -happen—it was unnatural that this fairyland, lotos-eating -state of matters should remain unchanged!</p> - -<p>‘My dear,’ he would make answer, ‘surely you -are not going to take the part of the—a—what’s-his-name—at -the feast. Must I hire a slave to repeat -at intervals, “Arnold Banneret, thou art mortal”? -<a name="png.136" id="png.136" href="#png.136"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>132<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>I have never been unthankful for the blessings -which in God’s great mercy have been showered -upon us. My whole being is permeated with -thankfulness. In our small way we have done -good according to our lights, in the way of charity -and benevolence, to our fellow-creatures. But I -decline to be apprehensive, in advance of disaster—for -which I may state that I shall not be wholly -unprepared. If it comes, we can stand up to it, as -we have done before—more than once—without -repining or presumption. In the meantime let us -enjoy ourselves while we may.’</p> - -<p>It was strange—passing strange—as the members -of this family had occasion to reflect full many a -time and oft, in the aftertime—that immediately -after this conversation the great banking disaster -which smote cities, towns, villages, throughout -Australia, broke like a tidal wave over the land. -Ancient mercantile institutions—time-honoured -banks—mortgage and agency companies—loan and -building companies felt the blow.<!-- TN: period invisible --> Banks on -deposit, offering high rates of interest, while chiefly -unsound, swept thousands of the lesser investors -into a whirlpool of ruin. Fine old crusted banks, -whose solvency had never been questioned, were -whelmed in one common cataclysm.</p> - -<p>A panic set in. After the first few banks and -loan agencies fell, other banks and institutions -hitherto unquestioned thought it good policy to -go down before the blast in good company, and so -profit by the general overthrow to reconstruct. -This latter process consisted in writing off as great -a volume of inconvenient liabilities as the -<a name="png.137" id="png.137" href="#png.137"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>133<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>shareholding public would permit, without too great -an outcry, and starting on a new, unencumbered -career—free from vexatious hindrance or liability. -They were much in the position of the deeply -laden bark that in stormy weather, amid mountainous -seas, jettisons the cargo, the weight of which -may disturb buoyancy at a critical moment. It is -not asserted that all interest due on deposits or -debentures was sacrificed. It went into a reserve -fund of deferred payments, which, after a decent -interval, were eventually paid up. But many of -the humbler depositors lost the savings of years, -and this was the hardest part of all—being no longer -able to pay the calls which were necessary for the -financial existence of the institution in question. -Perhaps this unsparing treatment, though apparently -harsh to individuals, was the safer policy. -And at this eventful period, when long-trusted -financial houses in Britain tottered to their fall, -the Premier of the oldest Australian colony, himself -a native-born Australian, took the strong, -perhaps unprecedented step of declaring bank-notes -to be a legal tender. To the ordinary citizen, -much more to the rural depositor, a bank-note had -always represented ready cash.</p> - -<p>The movement was well timed. It inspired -confidence and calmed the apprehension of general -as well as individual wreck and ruin. In a sister -colony the Government of the day, with paternally -indulgent policy, directed all banks to close for -three days—presumably to permit time for declaration -of a policy. All the banks availed themselves -of this, with the exception of <em>four</em>, who refused to -<a name="png.138" id="png.138" href="#png.138"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>134<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>comply with the quasi-royal edict. Three of them -were old and long-established—coeval almost with -the birth of the colony and the infancy of the commercial -system. The fourth was comparatively -new and unknown. Yet it rode out the gale -as gallantly as its more dignified compeers. -The news was communicated to Mr. Banneret -with startling suddenness by one of his school-boy -sons, who, returning from town at lunch -time, it being the holiday season, greeted him -with the question, ‘Father, have you heard the -news?’</p> - -<p>‘No; what is it?’</p> - -<p>‘The Bank of New Holland has stopped payment.’</p> - -<p>‘What? The Bank—<em>that</em> Bank! Impossible! -Are you sure?’</p> - -<p>‘Well, Jack Burton’s brother is accountant. -He told me; some of the other fellows knew -about it. And the door’s shut. I went to -look. Burton says lots of other ones will -stop. They are refusing bank-notes at the -railway.’</p> - -<p>Mr. Banneret groaned. ‘And is this the end -of my life’s work?’ he thought—‘a bolt from the -blue, and so on. Well, it’s lucky I put that thirty -thousand into the British “Reduced Counsels,” as -Mr. Weller, senr., called them. Rum time to -fall back on Dickens, isn’t it? Might find a worse -author, though. We shall have to adopt “Reduced -Counsels” literally, it appears. Tell your -mother I want her.’</p> - -<p>His countenance informed that good wife and -<a name="png.139" id="png.139" href="#png.139"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>135<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>trusty mother that <em>something</em> had happened out of -the common track of surprises.</p> - -<p>‘What is it? Anything the matter with Reggie -and Rosamond?’ They were on their way to -England by the P. & O. boat <cite>Ispahan</cite>.</p> - -<p>‘Well, nothing very serious; but there’s a -difficulty about money.’</p> - -<p>‘Is that all? How did it come about? No -imprudence, I hope?’</p> - -<p>‘Not on Reggie’s part. Read his cable—short -and strong: “<em>Credit stopped. Please arrange.</em>”’</p> - -<p>‘How did it happen? I feel so relieved. -Money’s nothing, compared with health, or accident. -I thought Reggie might be ill, or hurt. -But tell me.’</p> - -<p>‘The main facts are, that all the banks in Sydney, -beginning with the Eastern, have stopped payment, -provisionally at present, pending reconstruction, -liquidation, or some other delayed arrangement, -the immediate effect of which is, that nobody can -get any money just at present.’</p> - -<p>‘What—none at all? Whatever shall we -do?’</p> - -<p>‘I daresay I can manage a small advance. I -put thirty thousand pounds into British Consols, as -a stand-by in case of accidents. So we can pay -the butcher and baker, at any rate.’</p> - -<p>‘But the mine hasn’t stopped?’</p> - -<p>‘No, thank God! It’s a pity I banked the last -month’s dividend, though. It’s going better than -ever. So, when next month’s comes in, I can put -it into a trust account. Meanwhile I have wired -a draft for £500 to Reggie.’</p> - -<p><a name="png.140" id="png.140" href="#png.140"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>136<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>‘Poor things! It must have given them a -cruel shock.’</p> - -<p>‘Yes, indeed; but some of their fellow-passengers -must have had a worse one. Hard -lines to have to come back when they were half-way -home, like the Thompsons and Franklins. -Poor Mrs. Franklin! She was only telling me -last week what a round of the Continent she and -the girls proposed.’</p> - -<div class="tb"><b>. . . . . . . . .</b></div> - -<p>This cyclonic disturbance abated in time; -matters moved on again in their accustomed order. -But there were wrecks left behind—mercantile, -moral, and political—which no future prosperity -could re-establish. Long was it indeed before the -fatal year of 18— was even partially restored, -much less forgotten. But, as Mrs. Banneret truly -said, ‘Money counts as nothing in family history -compared with health.’ And this was only a -temporary inconvenience, as the Bank of New -Holland paid up all liabilities eventually, with -interest up to date. Paterfamilias betook himself -to one of the banks which had weathered the -storm, and found that with the promise of removing -the account of the ‘Last Chance’ Gold Mining -Company to their long-established corporation, he -could have practically all the money he needed. -Which was certainly satisfactory. So the Banneret -family went on their way rejoicing, and denied -themselves, as ‘before the war,’ nothing in reason. -The younger boys and girls went to high-class -schools, as before; learned all the extras and -accomplishments; played football, tennis, hockey, -<a name="png.141" id="png.141" href="#png.141"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>137<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>and cricket; rowed and yachted in the harbour; -took the whole round of exercises in mind and -body for which no people in the British Empire -are more eager than the youthful Australian.</p> - -<p>It was now nearly five years since Arnold Banneret -had seen the mine—the centre and source of the -family fortunes. He had been kept fully posted -up in its progress and development, in the size -and splendour of the city which had arisen around -Pilot Mount, the grand scheme of water supply -which had been successfully completed, the electric -lighting of public and private buildings, streets, -etc., but he thought it advisable to have personal -evidence as to all these wonders and miracles. -Besides, he was getting rather tired of the almost -too easy and prosperous routine of his daily life. -Travel had always been the very breath of his -nostrils, the very salt and savour of his life. He -would try the tonic again.</p> - -<div class="tb"><b>. . . . . . . . .</b></div> - -<p>How different were all things from the rude -discomfort of his first visit!—the earlier stages -and stopping-places grown from camps to villages, -from villages to towns, from towns to cities having -mayors and aldermen; telegraph and post offices, -court-houses and churches, in almost, as the newly -arrived traveller considered, unnecessary profusion. -However, the gold returns had kept up—that was -the main, the chief consideration. This month’s -return from the field had been the largest yet. -Other centres of gold production had been discovered, -and were advancing along the road to -riches and recognition. There had been cases of -<a name="png.142" id="png.142" href="#png.142"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>138<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>excessive capitalisation, of course; but nothing -that had in any way trenched upon the reputation -or resources of the parent mine.</p> - -<p>Arnold Banneret arrived late, and preferred to -dine and sleep at the Palace Hotel—as, of course, -the leading caravanserai at the city was named.</p> - -<p>Here, though partly prepared for a series of -surprises, he was genuinely amazed at the luxurious -details of the apartments and the comparative -excellence of the cuisine: fresh fish brought daily -by train from the coast, packed in ice; fruit forwarded -in the same way; the duly-kept saddle -of mutton—the sirloin,—all good of their kind. -Though the tariff savoured rather of a recent -war, the retiring traveller was not disposed to find -fault. The service generally was good, the attendance -most creditable. Having slept the sleep of -the just (and the tired-out), and arranged for an -early breakfast, he left for Pilot Mount in a -hired buggy, behind a pair of fresh, well-groomed -horses.</p> - -<p>A hot climate has its days of tyranny and -oppression, but there are compensating advantages—even -in summer. By leaving shortly after sunrise, -you secure a sample of climate which is little -short of perfection,—especially, as in this particular -experience, where there is no wind. The -sun appeared to be slowly, almost imperceptibly, -disengaging his golden sphere from the mists and -vapours of the lower world, and as he rose regally -from his couch, all nature appeared to welcome -the life-giving presence of the fire-worshipping -god. Far as eye could see, over the mighty sweep -<a name="png.143" id="png.143" href="#png.143"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>139<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>of plain that stretched to the horizon, were the -evidences of recent occupation, more or less connected -with the great industry which had lured -the army of toilers, that Mr. Banneret saw before -him, into the gold-seekers’ ranks—some destined to -fortune, some to poverty, sickness, and death. In -his own case, how nearly had his career come to an -untimely end! His heart swelled with thankfulness -as he remembered the hospital experiences—the -lonely boding days, the faithful watchers by -his couch, the unspeakable relief of convalescence.</p> - -<p>As he neared the monolith which had been the -pillar of hope and guidance in his journey through -the wilderness, he was conscious of a certain feeling -of disappointment in noting the comparatively -small size of the encampment round the mine. -He had expected a township of larger proportions, -and had not reckoned on the attraction of the -Great Aqueduct, recently completed, which will -always stand as a monument to the courage and -foresight of the Minister who planned and carried -it through to successful fulfilment. May he live -to crown his life-work with the completion of -that other great undertaking with which his name -will be always indissolubly connected! Worthily -and suitably should the name be venerated, as -of one who, himself a son of the soil, had, as an -explorer, dared the perils of that waterless desert -region.</p> - -<p>Not being tied to time on this occasion, and -having the satisfaction of seeing all things going -well with the mine, Mr. Banneret permitted himself -a season of leisure and recreation, so to speak, -<a name="png.144" id="png.144" href="#png.144"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>140<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>which suited his personal tastes. He carefully -inspected the machinery and general working of the -‘Reward Claim,’ as among the mining community -it was generally known; the hundred head of -stamps, the Diehl process of extraction, which -inexorably dragged the last grain of the precious -metal from the crushed rock. The wages men, -the shift, and underground ‘boss,’ respectively -and individually, were carefully noted and interviewed -by him. Practised in the art of eliciting -information and making acquaintance with the -various and heterogeneous population of a goldfield, -he from time to time noted, quietly and -unobtrusively, many of the leaders and men of -mark in the community. The results of this -inquiry, he deemed, might be of value to him in -time to come.</p> - -<p>In his peregrinations he met with many individuals -whom he had known or heard of under -different circumstances. The majority of these -were unaffectedly pleased to see him—even, rather -to his surprise, some of those to whom he had -been compelled officially to award pains and -penalties. This seemed to make no difference in -the cordiality of their recognition. Offenders -under such circumstances rarely bear malice, as -long as they believe in the justice and impartiality -of the decision. The criminal classes, as a body, -do not harbour revengeful feelings against administrators -of justice. Their common expression is: -‘It’s the law, and it’s his business to carry it out. -It’s all in the day’s work.’ True, they do not -approve of the official ‘going out of his way’ to -<a name="png.145" id="png.145" href="#png.145"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>141<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>arrest a convict. To any ordinary advantage, -taken in pursuit or capture, they do not object. -‘It’s his business to run us in, and ours to get -away,’ they admit. ‘But he ought to play the -game.’ If he fails in this particular, they conspire -to be revenged. And as colonial history -tells us, they are prone to inflict terrible vengeance -in such cases.</p> - -<p>It was strangely interesting in its way for the -retired magistrate—so unobtrusive of dress and -manner, as he rambled from camp to camp in the -early mornings or late afternoons, when the wind -had ceased and the sun had lost his fiercer rays—to -come across the men or women whom he had -known under such different conditions of life and -occupation in the long-dead days of his earlier -life. Some had risen curiously high, while others -had fallen unspeakably low.</p> - -<p>It was pathetic to mark the sudden gleam of -recognition, impossible to suppress, that lit up the -eyes, and for an instant transformed the features -of the ‘old hand,’ well known—<em>too</em> well known, in -fact—to the police of more than one colony; the -half-humble, half-defiant change of manner, as -if to say, ‘I am free now, and unless I get into -fresh “trouble” neither you nor any living man -can touch me.’</p> - -<p>To such he made a point of speaking a few -words, such as, ‘Doing well, Connor? Fine field -this? Anything fresh turned up?’ Whatever -the answer, it would merely mean that he, the -Commissioner, the man of dread and awful powers -in days gone by, had simply recognised him: that -<a name="png.146" id="png.146" href="#png.146"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>142<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>it depended wholly upon his future conduct -whether that fact would tend to his injury. More -than one of such former acquaintances sought him -out at his hotel, and trusted that he would not -‘put the police’ on him. He was earning an honest -living, and sending money to his wife and family in -Melbourne, Sydney, or Hobart, as the case might -be. ‘My good fellow,’ Mr. Banneret would reply, -‘as long as you behave yourself, I would much -rather that you did well than not. You are -getting another chance here, far away from people -that know you and what you have been. It is no -business of mine to inform the police, or any one -else. Don’t drink; work hard—I know you can -do <em>that</em>—and see that your people in Melbourne are -not starving while you’re living comfortably here.’</p> - -<p>‘No fear, sir! I sent ’em twenty pound last -mail.’ So the man of a chequered career went -back to his tent with his heart lightened, and a -renewed resolve to go straight and reform—if -indeed such a changing of spots of the proverbial -member of the carnivora were possible. Sometimes -he did, sometimes he didn’t. In any case -his heart was softened, and the impulse to a better -life, faint though it might have been, was distinct.</p> - -<p>One day he came upon a claim of four men’s -ground at which the shareholders had evidently -been working hard, judging by the size of their -‘tip.’ The men on top were, apparently, new -arrivals, judging by their fresh complexions and -ruddy faces.</p> - -<p>‘Now, Sailor Bill!’ said the taller man, ‘what -are you a-thinkin’ of?—the clapper’s gone twice—to -<a name="png.147" id="png.147" href="#png.147"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>143<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>haul up. Dick Andrews ’ll know you’re -wool-gathering agin, same as you was when you -lowered the bucket yesterday, without puttin’ the -“sprag” in, and nearly finished him.’</p> - -<p>‘Hang Dick, and you too! I was a-thinkin’ if -it was true as I seen in the paper—as the p’leece -was agoin’ to make a raid, as they call it, upon -the runaway sailors on the field here. There’s -a goodish lot, you know. They won’t get me. -Afore I’d go home in that old tub as I come out -in, with that devil of a skipper and his mate as is -worse, I’d chuck myself down the deepest hole in -the field, and make an end of it.’</p> - -<p>‘Better show them cornstalk fellers, as they -call theirselves, that an Englishman can do any -work as they can, and handle any tools. It don’t -do to let ’em have the laugh at us, Bill.’</p> - -<p>‘Well, I’ll give my mind a bit closer to it after -this, but the chaps work like navvies—and it’s not -the only trade they’ve larnt, I can see. Wonder -what they’ve been at afore they come here?—there’s -summat queer about ’em, I’ll swear.’</p> - -<p>‘Don’t know and don’t care. They’re hard-workin’ -smart hands at mining work—and that’s -all we care about. There goes the double clapper—it’s -dinner time.’</p> - -<p>Up came the bucket to the brace, with the -man referred to as ‘Dick’ therein—a tall man, -fully six feet in height, or perhaps an inch over. -He was well made, though he carried but little -flesh, and had the air of being fully acquainted -with mining and pastoral matters. He wore a -beard, with a full moustache hiding his mouth -<a name="png.148" id="png.148" href="#png.148"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>144<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>and withholding the expression of his face from -the casual observer.</p> - -<p>He spoke with the drawling intonation peculiar -to the natives of New South Wales, more especially -those reared in the country towns of the interior. -His features were regular, his eyes grey and -apparently unobservant, though, like those of other -races remote from cities and the haunts of men, -there were few objects, or incidents, which were -not quickly and comprehensively revealed to their -vision. The countenance was impassive, as of a -man who was not desirous of imparting his -thoughts to chance comrades, and at the same -time too little interested in the minor matters of -life to furnish conversation about them. His hair -and beard, of a fair or light brown hue, were -streaked with grey. Verging upon middle age, -he was probably a few years older, though the -activity which he showed when roused to exertion -forbade the idea. Indifferent and careless as to -surroundings as he appeared to the ordinary -observer, there was a hint of calm watchfulness -about his air and lounging pose which, as of a -hunter in ‘Injun country,’ conveyed the idea -that it would be difficult to take him by surprise.</p> - -<p>The Commissioner looked fixedly at him. The -man returned his gaze with a quiet steadiness, at -once remote from fear or defiance, yet as one -ready for the next movement, whether hostile or -pacific.</p> - -<p>‘I see you know me, sir,’ said the man; ‘it’s a -good few years since we met last. You won’t -give me away?’—and here the expression changed -<a name="png.149" id="png.149" href="#png.149"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>145<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>to that of a hunted creature, which, driven into -the last stronghold, has yet the defiant courage of -the wolf quarry amid the baying hounds.</p> - -<p>‘My good fellow, you don’t suppose I bother -myself about likenesses for all the people I’ve met -during the last twenty years. I may have seen you, -or some one like you, before; but I’m a mine-owner -now, and I don’t know that I could swear -to you positively. But <em>if</em> you’ve done anything -in another colony, under another name, that has -brought you into trouble with the police, don’t -get into any scrapes here; and if ever you’re -arrested again, it won’t be through me, mind that.’</p> - -<p>‘God bless you, sir!’ said the man. ‘You’ve -not changed. If I’m “copped” again, it won’t -matter, for I’ll be a dead man.’</p> - -<p>Mr. Banneret walked away—rather hastily, as -though he could not trust himself to say more. ‘Poor -devil!’ he said to himself—almost audibly—‘I -wonder how he will end? The odds are a hundred -to one against him; that’s a good paying claim, I -hear, and he may—only <em>may</em>—save up his share. -He’s afraid to drink for fear of letting out secrets—there’s -a price on his head too—a big reward—which -some of his own “friends” wouldn’t mind -handling. Well, there’s the last of the lawless -lot. “’Tis pity of him too,” as the Douglas said.’ -It was rather past the hour of the mid-day meal -when he regained Pilot Mount, and his face still -wore an expression of doubt, almost of anxiety, as -he entered the tent, where Mr. Newstead’s lively -chatter, and Southwater’s more serious observations -about business matters, and the probable -<a name="png.150" id="png.150" href="#png.150"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>146<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>month’s ‘clean up,’ chased the cloud from his -brow.</p> - -<p>Not only smoothly, but on the crest of the -wave of prosperity, with fair wind, and every sail -set, sped on the ‘Last Chance’—that argosy in -special favour with gods and men.</p> - -</div> - - -<div class="chap"> -<h2 title="Chapter VI"><a name="png.151" id="png.151" href="#png.151"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>147<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>CHAPTER VI</h2> - - -<p><span class="smc">An</span> unusually large ‘clean up’ was expected for -the Christmas month; bets had been made that no -yield in Australia would rival it. It was to go -down by private escort, that is, by the waggonette -belonging to the lease, which would be driven by -one of the men employed in the mine, who was a -relation of the chief shareholder, and had turned -up a few months since. He had been out of luck -lately, but being a remarkably good all-round -man, a noted bushman, and ‘as hard as nails,’ preferred -work as an ordinary hand on the mine to -doing nothing, and was earning his £3 or £4 a -week by manual labour. Among his accomplishments—and -he had many—were the arts of riding -and driving. Everything belonging to the use -and education of ‘the noble animal’ had been -familiar to him since childhood. It was therefore -arranged that he should take charge of a -four-in-hand team with the precious cargo from -Pilot Mount to the nearest railway station; and, -with Newstead, who would embrace that opportunity -of ‘going home,’ be responsible for the -gold until delivered to the Master of the Mint. -<a name="png.152" id="png.152" href="#png.152"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>148<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>All necessary arrangements were made—the solid, -iron-clamped boxes, heavy to lift, mysterious and -secret of appearance, were duly weighed, counted, -and placed ready to go into the body of the strong -though light-running vehicle.</p> - -<p>In the early days of the vast goldfields, where -now a city stands, with ten thousand inhabitants, -having shops and buildings, water supply, electric -power and light, the value of each consignment of -gold to the ‘port’ was accurately known. There -were people who considered this to be imprudent, -inasmuch as the fact of there being from thirty to -fifty thousand pounds’ worth of gold on any given -vehicle, with only four or six men as a defence -force, would operate as a powerful temptation to -a class of criminals well represented on any rich -goldfield. But nothing in the way of violent -spoliation had taken place so far. The waterless -character of the country had been against highway -robbery, rendering such enterprises less difficult -to interrupt or follow up. Still, experienced police -officers held the opinion that it might not always -be so. Miners and companies had grown careless, -by reason of the offences at present being confined -to trifling sums and localities in the city. It was -well known that criminals of the class of ‘Long -Jack,’ ‘The Nugget,’ and ‘The Gipsy’ were on -the field—daring, not to say desperate men—with -a long list of convictions behind them; ready to -stick at nothing when a robbery of the first class, -such as they would term ‘a big touch,’ might be -brought off. A clever disguise, with a ticket for -the mail steamer, would land the actors far away -<a name="png.153" id="png.153" href="#png.153"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>149<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>from all chance of arrest. There were good -police and sharp detectives around Pilot Mount, -but up to this stage of the field their energies had -been comparatively wasted.</p> - -<p>Compared with the more important tragedies -from time to time enacted in New South Wales -and Queensland, the ‘Golden Belt,’ as the auriferous -district had been named, was wonderfully free -from the higher developments of criminal activity. -This, however, in the opinion of the Chief Commissioner -of the police department, could not be -expected to continue. As the output of gold, increasing -in value and volume, swelled the monthly -reports, while as yet no adequate scheme of -defence had been organised, the more satisfied was -he that a novel and original raid on the treasure -claim might at any moment be looked for. Perhaps -even now one might be maturing.</p> - -<p>In the meantime, the start for the coast could -not come off for several days, which were devoted -to preparing for the important journey. The -waggonette was carefully examined: wheels, axles, -and springs tested—in some cases strengthened, -as a breakdown on the road would be a serious -affair, and repairs difficult, if not impossible, to -effect. Nearly a week was devoted to this needful -precautionary work. In the meanwhile, the -English mail steamer had arrived at Fremantle, and -among the letters forwarded to Arnold Banneret, -Pilot Mount, ‘Last Chance Mine,’ was an offer from -an influential Syndicate, with more than one noble, -world-renowned name upon the Committee, to purchase -the right, title, and interest of the adjoining -<a name="png.154" id="png.154" href="#png.154"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>150<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>leases, including the Reward Claim of that name. -The Prospectus was elaborate, setting forth that -the large yields of the past foreshadowed an even -more stupendous income in the future. It pointed -out that the management might be simplified, and -working expenses reduced, by association with a -group of well-known dividend-paying mines, -already owned, or controlled, by the Syndicate, -while the profits would be proportionately increased, -and the dividends accruing to shareholders -might be confidently stated to be such as no -modern mine, with the exception of Mount -Morgan, in Queensland, had ever touched. Of -course it would be necessary to issue a largely -increased number of shares, the capital value of -which would run into millions, but the guarantee -of ‘The Southern World Associated Gold Mines -Companies’ would, while assuring shareholders -of unusual dividends, make the shares negotiable -at their face value all over the English-speaking -world. The present shareholders would receive -500,000 shares—present value £500,000—with -£100,000 in cash,—estimated to represent one-half -of the value of the mine. If the present -monthly output remained stationary, the dividends -would be exceptional. But if, as was almost -certain, they were increased proportionately to -the improved machinery and up-to-date management -proposed to be inaugurated without delay, -there would not be an investment in Australia -or South Africa which would bear comparison -with it.</p> - -<p>This proposal, when all mining property was -<a name="png.155" id="png.155" href="#png.155"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>151<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>going up by leaps and bounds, met with the -fullest support from all the local, and indeed the -colonial press generally. It seemed from the -eulogistic notices which poured in from all sides, -British, foreign, and provincial, as if any man or -woman, with a capital exceeding a ten-pound note, -must be wanting in ordinary intelligence, criminally -indifferent to the interests of his family, of the -colony in which he dwelt, or the Empire to which -he owed fealty, if he or she did not immediately -take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to -enrich himself and his family, his friends and his -countrymen.</p> - -<p>This proposal, however, did not find favour in -the eyes of the principal shareholder. He had -seen the decline and fall of so many magnificent -projects—over-capitalised, and ‘boomed’ up to -highly speculative if not fictitious values, with -flattering reports and favourable surveys, dwelling -more upon the visions of the future than the facts -of the present. They had soared to an aerial -height, only to waver, and finally, after irregular -gyrations, fell to rise no more, involving all connected -with the enterprise in ruinous loss, besides -damaging the reputation of solid, legitimate mining -properties. He preferred to accept the honestly -earned profits of the mine, carefully worked and -safely managed; issuing monthly reports, regularly -supplied to the press, and open to all men for -general information. He placed his views so -strongly before the shareholders and partners in -the ‘Last Chance Proprietary Mine, Limited,’ at -a special meeting summoned to decide upon the -<a name="png.156" id="png.156" href="#png.156"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>152<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>offer of the Syndicate referred to, that it was -respectfully declined.</p> - -<div class="tb"><b>. . . . . . . . .</b></div> - -<p>Meanwhile the city, which had grown and -flourished around the once bare, solitary Pilot -Mount, had reached a stature—a transformation, -indeed, resembling one of the dream-cities of -the Eastern story-teller,—broad streets, bright -with electric lamps, and gardens watered by -an aqueduct fed from a reservoir miles distant. -Thronged, too, with every kind of vehicle, -every kind of beast of burden; every kind of -horse, from the Clydesdale to the thoroughbred, -from the dog-cart trotter to the polo pony; -bullock teams and camel trains jostled one another; -while well-horsed coaches daily, hourly indeed, -brought mails and passengers from distant goldfields -and lately discovered ‘rushes.’ These last -were often founded upon ‘Great Expectations,’ -which too often proved unsubstantial, if not illusory. -Nevertheless, progress <em>was</em> made notwithstanding; -and the monthly output remains to -testify to the stability of the Great Industry, energy -of the population, and the increasing richness of -the auriferous area. Wonderful hotels, livery -stables containing saddle-horses sufficient to remount -a squadron, arose on every side, with race-courses -and polo grounds where the young bloods -of the ‘field’ disported themselves—where, indeed, -such prizes as the Golden Belt Handicap, value -one thousand pounds—second horse, two hundred, -were competed for. All these, and other wonders -and marvels, had been produced—had arisen -<a name="png.157" id="png.157" href="#png.157"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>153<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>literally <em>out of the earth</em>—the auriferous earth—so -miraculously productive, by methods compared -with which the ancient processes of the sower and -the reaper were contemptibly ineffective. Think -of a month’s output such as this!</p> - -<div class="tb"><b>. . . . . . . . .</b></div> - -<p>It was the evening before the great event. -Every one in the camp had been working at high -pressure since daylight. All things had been -arranged—all hindrances foreseen and provided -for. The horses, well fed and well groomed, were -tried, staunch, and equal to long stages at a high -rate of speed. In addition to Arnold Banneret, -Newstead, and the acting coachman, another personage -had been granted a seat after consultation -with old Jack. This was the miner Dick Andrews, -who had urgent private reasons for getting to -Perth, and made petition to Mr. Banneret to that -end. Having, as he told that gentleman in a conversation -a few days previously, fallen upon a -stroke of luck, he was anxious to leave West -Australia, and, taking his wife and children with -him, to settle in the Argentine, where, among -people who had neither seen nor heard of him -before, he might lead a new life, and cut himself -clear of old ties and associations.</p> - -<p>‘I’ve nigh on five hundred ounces in this bag, -sir,’ he said, ‘and if you’ll have it put up with -your lot you can hold it as security, like, till you’re -banking your own. It’s been weighed all right, -and there’s Mr. Stewart’s handwriting along with -it in the wash-leather bag. I don’t read, nor -write either, as you know—more’s the pity—but -<a name="png.158" id="png.158" href="#png.158"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>154<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>I seen him take it from the scales, and write on it, -and seal it up all reg’lar. Life’s uncertain (as the -parson says), and our lot’s not the sort to make -old bones. I’d trust you, Commissioner, with my -life. It’s no great odds off that now, I reckon. -And you’ll stand by me now, won’t you? I’ve -been a bad chap, but I’ve not had much of a -chance. A little thing would have turned me on -the right track—and that little I didn’t get. You -never knowed me do anything crooked, sir? and -the shootin’ racket was straightforrard between -man and man.’</p> - -<p>‘I don’t know that I’m doing right, Dick, in -helping you off the field this way, but I saw your -wife and the boy and girl at Southern Cross. I’ll -chance it for their sakes—I’ve heard you were -always good to them.’</p> - -<p>The man called ‘Dick’ did not speak—perhaps -the words would not come—but as he turned his -head away with an indistinct murmur, a keen -observer might have seen in those eyes, which had -looked so often upon danger, and fronted Death -unfalteringly, an unfamiliar moisture—scarcely to -be distinguished from a tear.</p> - -<p>The day closed murkily, and with a faint -pretence of storm and shower, such as, on a -hundred former occasions, had resulted in the -usual disappointment to the dwellers in that sun-scorched -land. Wind probably, thought the -Camp generally, or perhaps a ‘Darling River -shower’—four drops upon five acres! Meanwhile -the sky grew black, the air became heavy, -the sultry heat oppressive—appearances such as in -<a name="png.159" id="png.159" href="#png.159"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>155<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>any other land would have immediately preceded a -thunderstorm, with a fall of rain: an unspoken -call to the elements to clear the air and relieve the -o’erburdened senses; but none answered. Gradually -the clouds dispersed, the sun receded below -the dim, distant horizon, and, save the occasional -flicker of sheet-lightning, nothing remained as -result of the portentous threatening which so -lately seemed to disturb the illimitable waste, -hardly less solitary, save for this ephemeral gathering, -than the unbounded sea.</p> - -<p>The evening meal had been long concluded. -The different groups sat smoking, or conversing -in low tones. The skies were again clear, and -the heavenly host lit up the dark-blue firmament, -throwing a kindly mantle over the homelier -features of the desolate levels upon which the -Pilot Mount looked down.</p> - -<p>Mr. Newstead was calmly smoking, and playing -with his pet fox-terrier, a well-bred animal, -boasting a pedigree from distinguished English -prize-winners. ‘Yes, Minniekins,’ said he, ‘I’m -going home, and you’re going too, first cabin. -Isn’t it a lark? don’t think I ever saw a dog of -your age show so much class. You’ll scoop all -the prizes in our County Show next year—if you -don’t get sea-sick and ruin your constitution, -as some passengers do. Won’t we have a jolly -time when we see Old England, eh, Minniekins? -You’ve never seen grass yet, y’know, nor rain -either. That sounds droll, doesn’t it? You’re -only two years old, and it rains once in five years -here, don’t y’know? Droll country—no rain, no -<a name="png.160" id="png.160" href="#png.160"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>156<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>grass, no grain; grows nothing but gold. That’s -good enough, though. Won’t we talk to them -when we get to the little village, eh? Now what -are <em>you</em> thinking of, Minniekins—smelling a -nigger, or a dingo? No camels in sight. What is -it? I can see you’re nervous—what an excitable -little woman it is! You mustn’t bite the butcher -again, or we’ll be brought before the beak for -keeping a ferocious dog, don’t y’know?’</p> - -<p>The terrier raised herself quietly, and stood -looking out into the starlit night. She was a -remarkably intelligent animal, much attached to -her master, who had given a fancy price for her, -and often stated that a plainer dog in England, -of her class, had cost him £50. She stretched -her neck, as if looking for something, and gave -vent to a low, querulous whine. Still uneasy, -she continued to exhibit the same anxious air of -disapproval, though, as yet, not committing herself -to the arrival of an enemy, possibly only a -suspicious stranger. Once before, when camped -out near a lonely ‘soak’ with Denzil Southwater, -he had been warned by her long before the -approach of a thievish aboriginal, and had therefore -time for preparation, which enabled them to -rout the ‘Injun’ with loss. Since then the -character of Minniekins had stood deservedly -high in the camp, where she took rank as a -general favourite, to be petted, and bragged -about by every man on the pay-sheet of the -‘Last Chance Proprietary, Limited.’</p> - -<p>Minniekins growled in a low, menacing -manner. Then suddenly dashing forward, she -<a name="png.161" id="png.161" href="#png.161"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>157<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>barked furiously, and rushed at a man who was -advancing rapidly on the camp. A smothered -oath, and a savage kick which sent the poor -little thing yards away, with a broken leg, told -of a frontal attack by the enemy. At the same -moment, as it appeared, the man, and a dozen -others, mysteriously emerging from the shadows -at different points, made a rush for the room in -which the gold-boxes had been stacked, firing -their revolvers as they came on. The unarmed -inmates of the camp—two shift bosses and Mr. Newstead, with three or four wages men—were -taken completely by surprise.</p> - -<p>Denzil Southwater was in his tent writing a -home letter. For a moment it seemed, as the -compact body of strangers moved up perilously -near to the treasure-room, that the fort would be -carried by assault.</p> - -<p>But two of the garrison were neither unarmed -nor unprepared: these were the man called -‘Dick,’ and old Jack. The latter was dressed -for a walk to the township, a ceremonious visit -which included a revolver in his hip-pocket -loaded in every chamber. ‘Nothin’ like bein’ -“heeled,” as we used ter say in the States,’ he -would answer to any remark made on this as a -superfluous precaution. ‘It’s come in handy -mor’n once or twice either, since then; yer -never know what’ll turn up on a goldfield.’ -His habit was justified on this occasion. The -tall robber had fired point blank at Mr. Newstead, -who, struck on the point of the shoulder, fell as -if badly wounded, when Dick Andrews sprang -<a name="png.162" id="png.162" href="#png.162"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>158<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>forward, firing two shots with lightning quickness.</p> - -<p>The tall man dropped on his face, and lay -still, while a shorter ruffian, apparently bent on -reaching the camp, staggered wildly, then fell -backwards, discharging his revolver in the act. -A younger man had been badly hit by old Jack, -while another had been captured by Denzil Southwater, -who, dashing at him, unarmed, knocked up -his revolver, and catching him a half-arm blow -on the ‘point,’ held him, dazed, with a broken -jaw, till the mine hands came up, and tied his -hands behind him. The other men, seeing that -the game was up, took to their heels, and lost -themselves in the crowd which was pouring with -increasing volume up the slopes of the Pilot -Mount. The tableau was imposing—Minniekins -on three legs, still barking furiously; the tall -man, easily identified as ‘Long Jack,’ a criminal -of many aliases, lying on his face, stone dead! -while Mr. Southwater’s prisoner, bound and -blasphemous, stood in the centre of an excited -crowd apparently anxious to lynch him then and -there. However, Inspector Furnival, arriving -with a strong body of police soon after, carried -him off in the name of the Law, much to the -disappointment of the public, who openly expressed -their regret that Judge Lynch was not -afforded an opportunity of proving the superiority -of prompt trial and decisive action to the tardy -verdict of an Assize Court. In the camp the -casualties were: Arnold Banneret, bullet graze -on temple; Newstead, wound in left shoulder; -<a name="png.163" id="png.163" href="#png.163"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>159<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>Minniekins, broken fore-leg; while the man -called ‘Dick,’ shot through the lungs, was in a -serious, if not dangerous condition.</p> - -<p>What a change from the gay hopes of the -morning, when all had risen with the prospect of -welcome travel—a respite from the monotonous -toil of goldfield life; and, in the case of the escort -party, returning to the luxuries of city life—to -the society of friends and relatives, with the -prestige of successful adventurers!</p> - -<p>How narrowly, thought Arnold Banneret, -had he himself escaped the fate of the robber, -slain in his last fight against society; a shade -nearer to the vital centre, and he would have lain -ready for his coffin, even as the outcast criminal -who, indeed, had paid the last penalty of a life of -crime, in which even murder had been familiar. -What a termination to the joyous imaginations -with which he and his wife had regarded the -speculation which promised so fairly! Fancy the -headlines of the local <span class="nw">papers:—</span></p> - -<blockquote> -<p class="ctr">‘The Last Chance Mine.’<br - />Attempt to carry off the Escort Gold!<br - />Five-and-twenty thousand ounces!<br - />Desperate encounter. Two men killed:<br - />Mr. Banneret and ‘Long Jack.’<br - />Several of the Escort wounded.<br - />Immense excitement on the Field.</p> - -<hr class="fiftypct" /> - -<p class="ctr">Special Evening Edition of<br - />The <cite>Clarion</cite>.</p> - -<p class="ctr">Our Contemporary misinformed:<br - />Mr. Banneret not killed.<br - /><a name="png.164" id="png.164" href="#png.164"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>160<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>He and Dick Andrews, the well-known Miner,<br - />dangerously wounded—the latter, while<br - />defending the Escort heroically, shot through<br - />the body. ‘The Gipsy’ captured by the Honourable<br - />Denzil Southwater, a Shareholder, who was unarmed.<br - />Lord Newstead suffering from a broken arm.<br - />Full particulars in our morning issue.</p> -</blockquote> - -<p>The effect of this and similar announcements -may be imagined. Public feeling was stirred to -its inmost depths. The police force, as usual, -was denounced for incapacity and indolence, and -the Government of the day arraigned for want of -foresight, unreadiness, and general ignorance of its -duties. As to the administration of law and order -on this, the richest, the most extensive goldfield in -Australia—the only parallel case commensurate -with its abnormal inefficiency was that of the -British War Office. But the West Australian -Cabinet might yet earn the notoriety of having -sacrificed a colony if this sort of thing was allowed -to go on unchecked—and so on, and so on. The -opposition journal of course discounted ‘the -habitual exaggeration of a contemporary, the -editor of which could not allude to an attempt -at the looting of a rich treasure-cargo—an -attempt which had signally failed, moreover—without -dragging in absurd parallels equally out -of date and out of reason. Omniscient as he -claimed to be, he had not become acquainted with -the fact, now for the first time divulged to their -reporter, a gentleman of wide experience in -Australian and American mines, that “Dick -Andrews,” a working miner, and shareholder in -<a name="png.165" id="png.165" href="#png.165"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>161<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>the Reward Claim, who shot dead the well-known -desperado “Long Jack” and wounded -“The Nugget”—formerly of Port Arthur—was -no other than the notorious Richard Lawless, the -brother of Ned and Kate, concerned in the killing -of Inspector Francis Dayrell, in pursuance of a -vendetta cherished for years by the Lawless family. -They eventually accomplished his death. Lured -into an ambush, thus fell one of the most daring -and energetic officers of the Police Force of Victoria. -They had evaded the warrants issued for their -apprehension, disappearing in the “Never-Never” -regions of Queensland, chiefly populated, if all -tales be true, by refugees of their class and -character. From this “land of lost souls” Kate -Lawless returned to die by her own hand on the -grave of her child at Running Creek on Monaro; -while her brother Richard, a marvellous bushman -and all-round worker, as are many of his compatriots, -has been employed under the very noses of the -police as “Dick Andrews,” remarkable only for his -steady, hardworking habits and inoffensive general -demeanour. Tall, spare, and sinewy, wearing the -ordinary beard of the dweller in the Waste, he was -in no way distinguishable from the thousands of -Australians whom the magnet of the “Golden -Belt” has drawn with resistless force to our -colony. There is no intention, we hear, of -putting the law in force against him; for he will -be arraigned before a Higher Court, a more august -Judge, than Australia can furnish. His wounds -are mortal. His hours are numbered. And -before to-morrow’s sun leaves Pilot Mount in -<a name="png.166" id="png.166" href="#png.166"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>162<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>darkness, the soul of the erring, but not wholly -lost homicide, whom men knew as Dick Lawless, -will have quitted its earthly tenement for the final -audit.’</p> - -<p>The editorial dictum was prophetic. Mr. Banneret and Denzil Southwater, watching by the -dying man’s couch, listened to his last words -while the labouring breath grew faint—then failed -for ever. One bullet had pierced his left lung; -another had lodged in the spine. Both injuries -were mortal. It was a question of hours—of few -of them indeed.</p> - -<p>‘I stopped “Long Jack,” Commissioner!’ he -said, while a slow smile of satisfaction lit up the -calm features, ‘afore he got in another pot at you. -He’d not have missed twice. I’m goin’ out, and -except for the wife and kids I don’t know as it’s -much odds; there’s enough to keep them when -she gets back to Tumut, where her people live. -Land’s easy got there; a bit of corn-flat with a few -cows ’ll keep her easy and comfortable. The boy -and girl ’ll get schoolin’ till they’re out in the -world, and their mother won’t tell ’em too much -about me—their poor father, as died in his right -place—a-standin’ off them as tried to collar the gold -he’d worked hard for. You write it out, Mr. Southwater—all as I’ve said, and just put Richard -Lawless his mark at the foot. The Commissioner -might witness it—if he’ll be so good—and -you too, sir.’</p> - -<p>They complied with the sufferer’s request. -Great drops of blood welled up from the shattered -lung, as between gasps he laboriously formed the -<a name="png.167" id="png.167" href="#png.167"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>163<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>cross which validated his will, made for the benefit -of the woman who had followed him from the -green, fertile valley, where the sparkling river -comes leaping down from the snow-crowned alp. -With her he had been ever mild and patient—a -tireless worker when work was to be had—often -away for months at a time, but reserved as to his -occupation. Brokenly, and with hesitation, he -said: ‘Commissioner! I’ll die easier like if you’ll -shake hands afore I go. It’s a suspension o’ -labour in a manner of speakin’.’ And with a -quiet smile on his lips at an old goldfields jest, -the soul of ‘Dick Andrews,’ otherwise Richard -Lawless, fled away from its earthly tenement, leaving -the hand of Arnold Banneret, ex-Commissioner -of Barrawong, New South Wales, still enclosed in -a dead man’s rigid grasp.</p> - -<p>‘Poor Dick! poor chap!’ said Banneret; ‘there -goes a man’s life made for better things. I suppose -he <em>did</em> save mine—barring accident. That long -ruffian wouldn’t have missed twice. With the -exception of the vendetta business with Dayrell—and -there are two versions of that story—I -never heard of his doing anything mean or dishonest—that -is “crooked”’—he added reflectively—having -regard to the prevailing tone of Monaro -morality.</p> - -<div class="tb"><b>. . . . . . . . .</b></div> - -<p>The fervour of the editors of all the journals, -printed within a thousand miles or so, having -exhausted itself and the public interest, matters -returned to their normal state and condition. -The escort waggonette, artistically tooled by Gore -<a name="png.168" id="png.168" href="#png.168"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>164<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>Chesterfield, cleared out for Perth at sunrise one -fine morning, ‘laden’ (as the local mining organ -put it) ‘with gold, ammunition, firearms, and decayed -gentlefolk.’ On the box-seat, between Mr. Banneret and the charioteer, sat an aristocratic -society dame of ducal connections, who, originally -voyaging to Fremantle with maternal solicitude, -had remained to take a hand in the mining adventure -of the period. Having been down the -deepest mine of the ‘field,’ and across the desert -on a camel as far as the famous ‘Leonora’ and -‘Mount Idalia,’ in both of which ‘shows’ she had -invested sensationally, she was not to be daunted -by the off-chance of a bullet wound on the present -journey. The perils of this passage through the -wilderness were, however, minimised by the -attendance of a doubled police escort and half a -hundred volunteer guards, who (shares in the -popular investment of the day, the ‘Rotherwood’ -mine, being at a premium and rising fast) resolved -to combine the performance of a patriotic -duty with the excitement of a ‘jamberoo’ in -Perth, and ‘a whiff of the briny’ long looked -forward to, and, before this happy conjunction of -profit and pleasure, almost despaired of. When it -is considered that most of the men who composed -this advanced guard were young, or youthful-seeming—that -the prospects of the majority were -like the climate, sunny in the extreme—that -fortune had lately showered favours upon nearly -all,—it may be imagined what a joyous cavalcade, -dashing at reckless speed through plain and thicket—waking -the long-silent, solitary champaign with -<a name="png.169" id="png.169" href="#png.169"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>165<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>song and shout—the ‘Last Chance’ escort must have -appeared to the ordinary wayfarer.</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div>O Death in Life, the days that are no more.</div> -</div> -</div> -</div> - -<p>The treasure was duly deposited in the banks of -the period; certain favourites of fortune, among -them the lady of the box-seat, took passage by the -outgoing mail-steamer. Lord Newstead was -bound for ‘England, home, and beauty,’ whence -his return was problematical; Arnold Banneret -for Sydney; while Messrs. Chesterfield and Southwater -would return to the vicinity of Pilot Mount, -not having as yet acquired the ‘pile’ which was to -crown the pyramid of a life’s endeavour. Arnold -Banneret made a final adieu to the ‘Reward Claim,’ -having by wire received a declaration from his wife -that, ‘no matter how many ounces to the ton the -“Last Chance” produced, never again would she -consent to his putting foot on that goldfield; even -if his presence was indispensable to prevent Pilot -Mount from being turned into a volcano in full -working order, her resolve remained unalterable. -What she had suffered when she heard the news -(false as it turned out to be) of his death, could -never be endured twice. So now, he knew.’ When -Mrs. Banneret concluded an argument with these -words the ‘incident was closed.’ Her sympathetic -partner ‘for better for worse’ resigned himself -to a future existence hampered only by the -necessity of finding use for a capital of a hundred -thousand pounds or two, ‘with all the woes it -brings.’</p> - -<p>He promised himself the satisfaction, however, -<a name="png.170" id="png.170" href="#png.170"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>166<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>of revisiting Tumut, and personally assuring the -future of Mrs. Richard Lawless and her children, -which, as he had always loved and admired the -place and people, he regarded as a sacred duty, and -a delightful holiday not to be neglected. Thus, -filled with anticipations of home-returning joys, as -he trod once more the deck of the P. & O. -liner <cite>Baghdad</cite>, marked once more the Oriental -garb, and heard the familiar-sounding voices of the -Lascar crew, his heart swelled within him, as in -‘the dear, dead days beyond recall.’</p> - -<div class="tb"><b>. . . . . . . . .</b></div> - -<p>The return voyage in the <cite>Baghdad</cite> was pure -unmixed delight. Very rarely is it otherwise in -the ‘floating clubs’ of the P. & O. ‘The liner -she’s a lady,’ in every sense of the word. In the -eyes of the outward-bound passengers for England -Arnold Banneret and Lord Newstead were heroes -and ‘conquistadores,’ rivalling the comrades of -Pizarro returning from Peru laden with the treasure -of the Incas. Lord Newstead secured the larger -share of admiration—young and handsome, heir to -an historic name, wounded in the fight, what -modern gallant could hope to rival him in the -good graces of the lady passengers? His right -arm still supported by a sling, and his disabled -condition, called forth many proffers of active -sympathy.</p> - -<p>Mr. Banneret, on account of his age and -patriarchal rank, was not so much an object of -interest and admiration; nevertheless, the ‘scar on -his brown cheek revealed’ if not ‘a token true of -Bosworth Field,’ a genuine record of a ‘close call,’ -<a name="png.171" id="png.171" href="#png.171"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>167<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>as an American ‘shift boss,’ travelling east from -‘Great Holder,’ entitled the incident.</p> - -<p>Their gold, now safe under hatches, was variously -estimated at from fifty to a hundred thousand ounces, -according to the experience or imagination of the -narrator. The winds and waves were kind; the -Great Bight was so smooth that ‘you’d hardly -know it,’ as a fair voyager of experience in the -South Pacific characterised it. And shortly after -the dawnlight—clearer grown, and faintly roseate-hued—opened -to view the sandstone portals of the -harbour lake of the South, the <cite>Baghdad’s</cite> passengers, -in cabs, carriages, trams, and omnibuses, distributed -themselves throughout the Sydney clubs and hotels, -with an economy of time and trouble unattainable -in any but the mother State.</p> - -<div class="tb"><b>. . . . . . . . .</b></div> - -<p>Home again! Everything had gone well in -his absence. For the twentieth time Arnold -Banneret vowed that never again would he leave -the domestic Eden for the outer world, how fair -soever might be the lure held out by inconstant -fortune. The girls were growing up; his boys, -like every other man’s boys, needed the occasional -parental warning—the guiding hand. His wife’s -cheek paled as she traced the still visible track of -the robber’s bullet. ‘What was sufficient repayment, -what compensation adequate, for such -risks? And if——’ but she would not suffer -him to proceed with the conjectures of what <em>might</em> -have happened. The ‘if’ had remained undeveloped, -so there was no use speculating on -grisly possibilities.</p> - -<p><a name="png.172" id="png.172" href="#png.172"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>168<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>Sydney was more beauteous than ever, with -glorious gardens, and the daily ocean breeze. Say -that the noonday heat was at times oppressive, -what was it in comparison with the terrible sun-rays -of the West—a tent only between the dweller -therein and the cloudless, relentless sky? The -glorious semi-tropical foliage of the sea-girt city, -the lawns so freshly verdurous, the stately pines, -the flowering shrubs, the rose thickets, the carefully -tended, if somewhat narrow roads, which, winding -around the harbour cliffs, open out such enchanting -views of sea and shore, earth and sky—specially -arranged for the delectation of strangers and -pilgrims! The swift-winged yachts and pleasure-boats -still floated like sea-gulls above the translucent -wave. All these delights and refreshments smote -the senses of the home-returning wayfarer almost -as freshly as if tasted for the first time.</p> - -<p>Then the delicious awakening in the fair, sweet -dawn of the early summer, with the certainty that -there was now no need for doubt or anxiety touching -the family fortunes. A competence, nay, more -than a sufficiency for all their needs, was assured. -Their luck had turned. No more was it necessary -to go stolidly on with the daily work which gained -the daily bread. There was not, could not be -again, the necessity for calculation as to what -liability required to be arranged for—what pressing -account to be paid in full, or if not, compromised -by payment on account. Such things had been in -the past—in that shadowy region now so dim and -distant-seeming. No, thank God! and a wave of -gratitude passed through his every sense and faculty -<a name="png.173" id="png.173" href="#png.173"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>169<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>as he realised that those days and their accompanying -sacrifices had passed away for ever. Were -they happier now? In his musings by the seashore, -at eve or moonrise, he sometimes asked -himself the question. The reply was not always -in the affirmative. They had been happy—truly, -consciously happy, then. If there were difficulties, -they had overcome them. If there had been debts -and doubts, anxiety never far distant, succour unexpected -had come in time of need. The responsibilities -of official position had been great—at times -almost overpowering, but their very magnitude -had stimulated his energies—he had never faltered; -strong in the resolve to deal justly, impartially, with -the high questions committed to his judgment, he -had fought through opposition, misrepresentation, -and discouragement, to emerge at last, with the -approval of his conscience and the confidence of -the heterogeneous workers whom he had ruled -for a quarter of a century.</p> - -<p>And now, having passed through the <i lang="de" xml:lang="de">Sturm -und Drang</i> of early manhood, he had reached a -period of life when youth had flown—when strength -and activity could no longer be looked for—when -whatever changes took place must necessarily be, -in some respects, for the worse. What would the -future be? In what direction would the rising -generation of the family, nay, of Australia, be -impelled?</p> - -</div> - - -<div class="chap"> -<h2 title="Chapter VII"><a name="png.174" id="png.174" href="#png.174"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>170<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>CHAPTER VII</h2> - - -<p><span class="smc">What</span> would be the character, the fate of this -infant British nation, so strangely inaugurated, so -wondrously, providentially, even, cast forth upon -the shore of an almost unknown continent?</p> - -<p>The exiles came to strive with hostile natives -and an unfamiliar climate. They found, day by -day, birds and beasts, plants and seasons, alike -foreign to all previous experience. Yet, so far, -how amazingly has prospered the daring experiment -in colonisation!</p> - -<p>This founding of empires was undertaken with -the splendid British contempt for obstacles and -dangers, which, if often giving encouragement to -apparently imprudent enterprises, has always ennobled -the race. Not only was it such, but -initiated almost in the throes of a conflict which -imperilled Britain’s national existence,—a war, -under the ablest generals, directed by the subtlest -organising intellect in the then known world, aiming -not so much at European conquest as the -subjugation of the Mistress of the Seas!</p> - -<p>But the haughty Spaniard—in the sixteenth -century—who had planned to humble, to discrown, -<a name="png.175" id="png.175" href="#png.175"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>171<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>was doomed, like the world-absorbing Corsican, to -ruin and defeat—his ‘invincible Armada,’ tempest-driven -on the rocks of a hostile coast, his grandest -towering ‘tall Amiral,’ shot-shattered, burned, sunk, -and destroyed by the unconquered naval heroes of -‘the spacious times of Great Elizabeth.’ What -men the times bred!—captains by land and sea: -soldiers, whether privates or officers, who, trained -to obey to the death, stood unflinching or advanced -resistless; sailors who walked above the blood-stained -decks, cool as on a carpet, or swarmed -over the enemy’s battleship to the maddening -sound of ‘Boarders away,’ where every third man -fell dead or wounded.</p> - -<p>Have we such sailors, such soldiers still?</p> - -<p>Yes! a thousand times, yes! and from this -very land of the distant South. Was it not -abundantly proved in the South African War, -when the half-disciplined or wholly untrained -colonial troops, whether Canadians, Australians, -New Zealanders, or Tasmanians, excited the -wonder and admiration of all competent critics?—their -initiative, their endurance, their intelligence -proved on many a hard-fought field; not less also -the stubborn valour which gloried in scorning to -surrender, while the last man and the last horse -lay dying, side by side!</p> - -<p>From the weird, carelessly culled British crowd, -flung as exiles on the shores of the far unknown -South land, labourers and lawgivers, criminals and -clerks—what a people has been evolved! The -Briton has justified his constant boast, that, given -the nucleus of a British community, with free soil, -<a name="png.176" id="png.176" href="#png.176"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>172<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>free law, and his inherent right to appeal to it for -relief against wrong and injustice, the community -will develop the race-characteristics of the ancestral -isle. From the oppressed band of Puritans, -content to face the rock-bound coast, the storm-tossed -ocean, the crafty, ruthless savage, if only -they might enjoy religious freedom—from the -men and women of their own creed and colour, -crowded in unwholesome vessels—sold, yes, sold -into slavery on arrival—from every kind of -absconder and Adullamite, a newer, greater -Britain confronts the world: in arms, a fearless -rival; in peace or war, the strongest, the best -educated, the most successful nation, this day, -beneath the sun. Leavened by the virtue, the -intellect, the heroism of the Pilgrim Band, the -colossal American republic stands to-day, ready -to face the universe in honourable contest: in -contest for commercial success—for the triumphs -of Art—for intellectual pre-eminence—for scientific -progress.</p> - -<p>What other human hive throws off such swarms -as Britain the Unconquered—collectors from -generation to generation of all things rich and -precious in the eyes of men? Strong to defend -also the treasure-cells; to punish, with fierce and -deadly sting, the spoiler and the freebooter,—in -material success rivalling, if not surpassing, the -ancestral Briton.</p> - -<p>The vast, impressive Dominion of Canada, -about to take rank as the world’s granary, has -shown her devoted loyalty to the British Empire -in the recent war, and but for the mistaken policy -<a name="png.177" id="png.177" href="#png.177"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>173<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>of the British Government—in the days of Lord -North—the Great Republic of the United States -might have been as firmly joined to the Mother -Isle as the daughter States of Australia and New -Zealand—forming a colossal bulwark against -anarchy, socialism, and unnecessary interference -with the world’s peace. That the rupture between -Britain and her greatest oversea possession was -suffered to take place, owing to the obstinacy of a -mistaken King and a feeble Cabinet, was deplored -by contemporary intellects of distinction. It has -been even more deeply regretted by all thoughtful -Britons, whether colonists or home-born, even -unto this present day.</p> - -<div class="tb"><b>. . . . . . . . .</b></div> - -<p>On a certain Saturday morning the mail -steamer arrived from the east, bearing such -passengers for Fremantle and Perth as desired to -behold the world-famed goldfields of which they -had heard so much.</p> - -<p>Newspapers from Europe and America were -then attainable. What long, luxurious Sunday -morning lounges for the happy possessors of the -latest news did these precious ‘home papers’ and -letters represent! The younger son, roughly -garbed, toil-worn, it may well be ragged even, -smiled in his abundant beard as the post-mark of -the village near the ancestral hall met his eager -eyes. What tidings would the closely guarded -sheets furnish? The death of the ailing sister—of -the fond mother, the aged father, to whom he -had vowed, with the careless confidence of youth, -to return laden with gold, or bearing in other -<a name="png.178" id="png.178" href="#png.178"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>174<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>form the imprint of success and distinction. How -he rejoiced audibly to find that all was well! -The Squire, hearty and hale, as of old—looking -forward to the hunting season, or the annual -‘shoot’ over his preserves, with unabated confidence; -the younger brother had taken his -degree at Oxford, or Cambridge, and was safe for -a curacy—there was a living in the family.</p> - -<p>‘Thank God! Nothing wrong this time. -Perhaps this time next year I may see my way.’ -Then comes the sigh of hope deferred. Besides -newspapers came people. Not so many as in the -earlier days of the rich yields and the big ‘rushes.’ -Mining, of course, not so sensational. Up-to-date -appliances, improved machinery, with a steadier -monthly output, and so on.</p> - -<p>A close watch was, however, kept on the -passenger list, as there was no knowing who might -not turn up, or from whence. The men working -now in the big mines as metallurgists, ‘shift -bosses,’ or mine managers, chiefly well-born, often -highly cultured and gently nurtured, had travelled -far amid the older lands and cities,—historically -famous,—as well as amid these newly found desert -wastes: this arid, solitary, trackless wilderness so -recently exploited by civilised man, with his absorbing -needs. When, therefore, Gore Chesterfield -threw down the paper containing the passenger list -of the P. & O. liner <cite>Aden</cite>, with an exclamation -denoting surprise and satisfaction, the deduction -was easy that a comrade of earlier years had -arrived, with whom it would be a relief and a -luxury to exchange confidences. ‘By Jove!’ -<a name="png.179" id="png.179" href="#png.179"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>175<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>he exclaimed, ‘this is a rum start!—who would -ever have thought of Lytton Carteret of Guy’s, of -all people in the world, turning up here? Why, -he was with me in that expedition of Herman -Paul’s on the pre-Phœnician “placers,”<!-- TN: original has single quotes --> worrying -through the ruins left by these rum chaps. Did -they find gold? Yes, and plenty of it, judging -by what we saw. But they went about it in a -scientific manner—not like our burrowings and -scratchings, living under canvas, and roasting our -souls and bodies under canvas—like lunatics, as -Eastern people consider all Englishmen to be.’</p> - -<p>‘Well, what did they do that gave them such a -“break” over us?’ inquired his Australian-born -mate, belonging to a pioneer family founded by a -retired military officer who had fought under -Wellington through the long blood-stained Peninsular -War from Ciudad Rodrigo to Waterloo, and -who had turned his sword into a ploughshare after -marrying one of the daughters of the land.</p> - -<p>‘Do? What we don’t seem to manage so well -in these latter days of civilisation about which -we brag so unnecessarily. Built walled cities, or -something near akin; put pressure on the Kaffirs -and Zulus, tribesmen of the day (of course not -these very fellows); but they made them work, -whoever they were. First of all, built stone forts, -inside which they could defy the heathen artillery -of the period, cross-bows and arrows, with lances, -maces, javelins, and so forth, for close fighting. -They had pots and crucibles, smelted ore, and the -rest of it. Oh! they were pretty well up to date, -I can tell you.’</p> - -<p><a name="png.180" id="png.180" href="#png.180"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>176<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>‘Sounds well,’ said his comrade, who was -scientific as well as practical—had taken two firsts, -and two second scholarships at an Australian -University for Civil Engineering. ‘Why did you -and he come away from such a jolly interesting -place?’</p> - -<p>‘H—m! the death-rate was high, water bad, -climate awful, steamy and airless; besides, to tell -the truth, I suspected the working director of looking -upon us much as Bismarck did the rank and -file of the Prussian army—not perhaps exactly -as “Kanonenfutter,” but to be expended (“gastados,” -as the Spanish idiom is) primarily in the -cause of science, chiefly for the glorification and -renown of Sigismund Paulsen, botanist, member -of the Society of Explorers, etc. etc.; you can’t -beat a German leader for that. He is everything -and everybody; the rest are nothing and nobody. -So Carteret and I cleared.’</p> - -<p>‘Where did he go?’</p> - -<p>‘Restless and dissatisfied as usual—capital -operations not sufficiently numerous to compensate -for loss of time—thought he’d try the South Sea -Islands.’</p> - -<p>‘Any gold there?’</p> - -<p>‘None so far; but human life little regarded—obscure -diseases, and a possible discovery, his absorbing -life-long quest for a cure of <em>the</em> most terrible, -insidious, so-called incurable disease, Leprosy!’</p> - -<p>‘Horrible to think of! Why did he pick the -most hopeless evil in the whole world—the most -loathsome?’</p> - -<p>‘Just because it <em>was</em> so. He had lost a friend -<a name="png.181" id="png.181" href="#png.181"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>177<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>by it, or rather, he had seen him deported to -Molokai, the leper island, where Father Damien -lived and died—himself a martyr-victim. The -South Sea law is, that when the incipient symptom -shows itself—the white circular mark never known -to indicate falsely—the patient is carried off, and -landed on the Island of the Lost, whence he or -she can never return to civilisation.’</p> - -<p>‘And do you mean to tell me that a man’s -wife, or his child, can be legally torn from him -and cast into hell—as such an accursed spot must -be—compelled to live out the remainder of life -there? What a fate—what a mockery of civilisation!’</p> - -<p>‘This law, like others, was made for the preservation -of society in the mass; better that the -few should suffer than that the many be infected. -So Carteret was compelled to see his friend torn -from his wife, to witness his despair. They had -only been married a few months. None knew, of -course, how the infection was taken, nor did it -matter. He was landed on that awful strand—is -there now—where at a certain time in the evening -the cries and groans of the patients in the more -advanced stages can be plainly heard. Carteret is -hardly sane on the subject, and from that hour -resolved to devote his life to the discovery of a -cure. To this end he made an exhaustive study -of the disease in all its manifestations and stages -of development. Worn with study, lowered in -health and spirits, he turned to the as yet practically -untrodden fields of research in the east of -Asia, resolved to test the boundless, half-mythical -<a name="png.182" id="png.182" href="#png.182"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>178<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>solitudes on the northern frontier of India. These -he traversed, cheerfully risking health, freedom, -life itself, if but the end could be obtained—the -salvation of his friend, the happiness of Lilburne’s -peerless wife. She was his cousin, and they had -been boy and girl lovers.’</p> - -<p>‘And has no cure ever been found for the -disease?’ asked Leslie Bournefield. ‘So many -physical evils have been attacked successfully of -late years—X-rays, and what’s that other boon to -mankind—Radium?’</p> - -<p>‘Reports of cures, of course, but rarely authenticated,’ -replied Chesterfield. ‘One feels doubtful, -but nothing will discourage Carteret. He will go -on searching till he dies, or Mrs. Lilburne does. -Then, unless he elects to serve humanity in general -for her sake—“in memoriam”—I fear his interest -in the question will cease. His last remaining -hope was in a nostrum said to be the property of -the monks of Vatopede.’</p> - -<p>‘Where in the world is that?’</p> - -<p>‘It is the largest of the monasteries of Mount -Athos, in the Levant. The richest, too, they say—built -by the Emperor Constantine the Great. -That worthy monarch, like Naaman the Syrian, -was afflicted with leprosy. He thereupon ordered -a number of children to be killed, a bath of -innocent blood being the favourite remedy of the -day! While they were selecting them, it was -revealed to him in a vision that if he became a -baptized Christian the leprosy would depart from -him. He did so; he was immediately restored to -health, and the children were set free. The legend is -<a name="png.183" id="png.183" href="#png.183"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>179<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>related by Moses Chorensis, whose veracity is -undoubted. One miraculous cure having occurred -in their monastery, the good monks were not -minded to let the fame thereof die out.’</p> - -<p>‘What did they do to that end?’</p> - -<p>‘It must be remembered that all monasteries of -importance numbered among the brethren some who -specially devoted themselves to the study and practice -of medicine. To heal the sick was a part, an important -part of the charity to which all members of monastic -orders were vowed. As in the case of the nuns -of certain convents, these institutions held specifics -warranted to alleviate the more virulent diseases. -Pilgrims from all parts of the civilised world resorted -to the more famous monasteries. Many -reached their homes professing to be cured. If -not wholly restored to health, the undoubting -religious faith of the mediæval period completed -the process. Even in this age of analysis and -positivism, do not the professors of the Christian -Science cult work nearly on similar lines? And -what quasi-miracles do they not allege? It must -be remembered also that the monastic student, -undisturbed by the distractions of a later age, safe -within the massive convent walls, had enviable -opportunities for perfecting his empirical remedies. -Small wonder, then, that in course of time the -priceless potion distilled from herbs grown only in -the garden of Vatopede, mysteriously connected -with the cure of Constantine the Great, came to be -accepted as the sovereign remedy for the disease, -alike terrible and insidious, which, since the dawn -of history, had smitten with fatal power the -<a name="png.184" id="png.184" href="#png.184"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>180<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>peasant in his cabin, the noble in his castle, the -king upon his throne.’</p> - -<p>‘All this is very instructive, of course,’ said -Bournefield, ‘but I can’t say I’ve taken much -interest in the medical aspect of this curse of -mankind; without meaning to be frivolous, I -always thought it principally concerned the people -of old Biblical times, and that it was practically -unknown in these modern days.’</p> - -<p>‘But you’ve heard of the Little Bay Leper -Hospital in Sydney?’</p> - -<p>‘I’ve seen reference from time to time in the -papers. Half-a-dozen Chinamen there, are there -not?’</p> - -<p>‘Double the number, at least. But would you -be surprised to hear that within the last few years -two European ladies—rich, cultured, travelled, -possessed of everything necessary for comfort and -happiness—had been confined there?’</p> - -<p>‘Surely not! Impossible! Is your information -trustworthy?’</p> - -<p>‘I was told of it by a Government official—an -old family friend, a man of the highest reputation -for truth and probity, with access to all such -institutions by right of position.’</p> - -<p>‘I suppose he told you more. How, in -Heaven’s name, did it come to pass?’</p> - -<p>‘It seems that these ladies were, in a literary -sense, exploiting the South Sea Islands world, with -which earthly paradise, as it appeared to them, -they were charmed—one may even say intoxicated, -as were many before them. The younger -one (they were aunt and niece) took photographs -<a name="png.185" id="png.185" href="#png.185"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>181<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>and kept a diary—she purposed to write a book -when they reached “home.” Poor girl! how -little she thought where that home was to be!’</p> - -<p>‘And so?’</p> - -<p>‘Yes, indeed!—gruesome, mysterious, hardly -credible; but true, or it would not be life. -They left Honolulu for Sydney in the San -Francisco boat after touching at Ponapé. For a -week all went well. Then they kept their cabins. -The stewardess, the doctor, when appealed to, -would say nothing beyond that the lady passengers -were ill—very ill; fever perhaps; people often -got it in these latitudes. But by and by dark -rumours began to emanate from the forecastle—the -crew knew what sort of <em>fever</em> was occasionally -spoken of with bated breath by island passengers. -Captain and mate knew <em>nothing</em>—bluffed off all -inquiry. But the Health Officer came on board -directly the Heads were passed. It was early -morning. The doctor was interviewed, and a -very strict examination made of passengers and -crew. After which the two lady passengers, muffled -up to the eyes, were carried off in the doctor’s own -boat. They were transferred without loss of time -to the Little Bay Hospital. <em>Leprosy</em>, of course! -Poor things! it was never known how they contracted -it, but the fact was indisputable.’</p> - -<p>‘Was it known before they came on board?’</p> - -<p>‘Not suspected for an instant. But within a -week after leaving they began (the stewardess -said) to suffer from great depression and strange, -unaccountable sensations. Dull pains, accompanied -by semi-delirious conditions, supervened, gradually -<a name="png.186" id="png.186" href="#png.186"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>182<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>becoming more acute and distressing. The doctor -prescribed medicines which gave temporary relief, -but did not explain his suspicions, and advised -confinement to their cabins; occasionally, as the -boat neared Sydney, sobs and wailing cries were -heard by the attendants. As little as possible was -said, and the facts of the case did not find their -way into the papers.’</p> - -<p>‘I never heard of anything so dreadful in my -life,’ said the listener; ‘I feel like a man in a -dream. But what became of them?’</p> - -<p>‘The elder lady died, mercifully, within the -year, after which the younger became insane, and -was taken to an asylum, where she may be lingering -yet for all I know. Better dead, perhaps.’</p> - -<p>‘Of course the seizures are one in a thousand -compared with the ratio of people killed by typhoid -fever or smallpox—but what an awful possibility! -One shudders at the thought not only of pain unceasing—almost -unendurable, but of becoming -loathsome to one’s fellow-creatures, even to one’s -nearest and dearest. Why such a sacrifice of all -things held dear to humanity should be permitted, -shakes one’s belief in the Divine interposition in -mundane affairs.’</p> - -<p>‘Which leads into the domain of the unknowable, -where the paths are dubious. Thank -Heaven at least for the power of action! <em>That</em> -at least is left to us. “So to bed,” as the late -Mr. Pepys hath it.’</p> - -<p>Carteret left for the coast on the following day. -His next letter was from Honolulu, whence he had -formulated a plan, and taken the first steps towards -<a name="png.187" id="png.187" href="#png.187"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>183<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>the fulfilment of a long-devised scheme of relief. -The ‘hour had come,’ he wrote, and, what was of -more importance, ‘the man.’</p> - -<p>Plentiful, and easy to be secured for adequate -pay, as were the sailors of fortune on or around the -beaches of Ponapé and Ocean Island, there were -difficulties in the way.</p> - -<p>They were bold sea-rovers, brave to recklessness, -seasoned to all manner of tragedies—mutinies, -wrecks, ‘cuttings out’ by savage islanders, what -not. But they were short of the wherewithal -with which to begin a campaign. They had -neither cash nor credit,—proverbially without the -first requisite, while the second indispensable was -absolutely nil.</p> - -<p>Throughout the wide ocean world of the South -Pacific there was, however, one master mariner, -owning the far-famed brig <cite>Leonora</cite>, and a name -to conjure with from New Zealand to the Line -Islands. This was the celebrated, perhaps more -correctly termed notorious, William Henry Hayston, -the dreaded captain of the <cite>Leonora</cite>—the -smartest vessel of that strange fleet which -the South Sea traffic bred and maintained. -Half-traders, half-slavers, or wholly privateers, -on occasion equally ready to play either part -at a pinch, and wholly indifferent to flag, or -maritime law, if the pay or prize-money were but -adequate to the risk. It was freely asserted that -there was <em>no adventure</em> which this ‘pirate king’—so -to speak—would not undertake on adequate -remuneration. Lawless, dangerous, even desperate -he might be, but he had rarely been known to fail -<a name="png.188" id="png.188" href="#png.188"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>184<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>when perfect seamanship, dauntless courage, and -contempt of all ordinary, even extraordinary, risks -were indispensable. And whatever contract he -elected to accept, he always commanded a crew -fully prepared to stand by him to the death.</p> - -<p>Captain William Henry Hayston, formerly of -the United States Navy, but now unattached, -owner and commander of the brig <cite>Leonora</cite>, may -have had misunderstandings, more or less serious, -with Her Britannic Majesty’s and other Governments -in an earlier day, but if so, no one apparently -cared to remind him of such trifles. As -he walked up the principal thoroughfare with his -supercargo, and first mate, a half-caste, well known -(and feared also) throughout the island world, he -did not give people the idea of a man to be lightly -interfered with. Not that there was anything -suggestive of unlawful callings or piratical ferocity -about his manner or appearance. Perfectly dressed -and appointed after the naval fashion of the day, -his air was serene, his accent affable and courteous. -Friends and acquaintances, official and otherwise, -were greeted with the free speech and ready smile -which had served him so well in many a close -encounter with the myrmidons of the law.</p> - -<p>Marching up to the Consulate of France, he -presented himself to that dread official, and transacted -a short interview with easy assurance and -consummate policy; sympathised with the official -view of some later native troubles; and after -mentioning Callao as the port he thought would -be probably his destination, gracefully made -adieu, leaving his interlocutor utterly in the -<a name="png.189" id="png.189" href="#png.189"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>185<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>dark as to his movements, his business, or his -intentions.</p> - -<div class="tb"><b>. . . . . . . . .</b></div> - -<p>With a well-found steamer, hope in his heart, -and joy irradiating his every sense, Carteret on -board the <cite>Morana</cite> is now nearing Honolulu—which, -if the breeze holds fair, will be reached -to-morrow night. Here he is to meet Captain -Hayston, of the <cite>Leonora</cite>, with whom he has -already arranged terms and conditions, and who -has signified his willingness to land a crew at -Molokai, prepared to carry off the arch-fiend himself, -or the Governor of the Straits Settlements, -always provided that the sum mentioned between -them should be ‘planked down,’ and that the -cost of any prosecution on behalf of the Crown -be repaid within a specified time.</p> - -<p>An unobtrusive entrance by the <cite>Leonora</cite> had -been made late at night, and in the morning it was -announced that Captain Hayston had once more -honoured their waters with his presence. The -famous schooner had slipped in and taken up her -anchorage without aid from pilot or other functionary, -but she was no sooner discovered at -dawnlight, placidly reposing like a strange waterfowl -in a pond among the ducks and geese of a -farmyard, amid the ships of all nations, than a -distinct feeling of unrest, not unaccompanied by -apprehension, began to manifest itself.</p> - -<p>‘Some darned villainy afloat, I guess,’ said a -grizzled American whaleman, ‘when William H. Hayston, master mariner, drops his anchor. -Sometimes it’s contraband o’ war—blackbirdin’—or -<a name="png.190" id="png.190" href="#png.190"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>186<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>smuggled opium—but thar was always some -game on hand afore he quit—which he did sudden-like.’</p> - -<p>‘Why, I thought they couldn’t bring anything -agen him now?’ said one of the <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">habitués</i> of the -bar and beach—‘anyhow he spends his money free -and pleasant—nothin’ mean ’bout <em>that</em>!’</p> - -<p>‘Maybe yes! maybe no!’ quoth the man -from ‘Martha’s Vineyard.’ ‘Anyhow, folks had -better keep their eyes skinned, I reckon, as hev’ -anythin’ to lose, if it’s only an extry wife. He’s -tarnation deep, and so all-fired lucky, that old -Nick himself’ll hev’ to mind his eye when he -passes in his checks.’</p> - -<p>‘Pleased to meet you again, Captain Hayston,’ -said Carteret. ‘I thought you were likely to -be punctual when a business appointment like -mine was on the cards. My name is Lytton -Carteret.’</p> - -<p>‘Sir, I duly received your letter with accompanying -directions—trust we shall do business in -terms of your offer’; and here the light glowed in -his blue eyes like the sparkle in a fire opal.</p> - -<p>‘Much obliged, Captain! We have met -before. I saw you in the Bay of Islands in 18—. -You were there when the crew of the <cite>Jonathan -Stubbs</cite> mutinied, and threw the captain overboard.’</p> - -<p>‘That is so, and we helped to arrest the darned -villains, and send them to Sydney for trial, where -they were hanged in due form.’</p> - -<p>‘Captain Hayston,’ said Carteret, ‘suppose we -get to business. I’ve heard many things about -<a name="png.191" id="png.191" href="#png.191"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>187<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>you, but I’m aware that you’re a man of your word.’ -Hayston nodded. ‘I place the fullest confidence in -your discretion. The affair, which I depend on -your help to carry out, is, I am aware, of delicate, -not to say dangerous nature. I wish to get away -a friend of mine who is detained at Molokai.’</p> - -<p>‘It’s against island law—means fine and imprisonment -on conviction. The damned place is -closely watched. But it means yanking a soul -out of hell, and I’ll risk it, if we agree.’</p> - -<p>‘And now, as to the terms?’</p> - -<p>‘I must have a thousand pounds. Five hundred -down, and the balance when I land your friend at -Norfolk Island. He can get a ship to any port -in Australia after that.’</p> - -<p>‘Agreed! You shall have a draft on my -Sydney agents, Towns and Co., to-night; I can -find an endorser here, before we leave, for the -second payment, which I shall have great pleasure -in making.’</p> - -<p>‘That’s the way I like to do business,’ said -Hayston, ‘but if you’ll give me the pleasure of -your company to dinner this evening, on board -the <cite>Leonora</cite>, we can talk everything fully over, -and fix up the best way to carry this matter -out.’</p> - -<p>‘The arrangement will suit me very well. We -shall be quite private, I know; and there is much -to be said and settled before the start.’</p> - -<p>After making the round of the chief places of -business in the town, and posting letters of more or -less importance, Carteret walked down to the -beach with Hayston, and was pulled out to the -<a name="png.192" id="png.192" href="#png.192"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>188<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a><cite>Leonora</cite>, graceful craft that she was! They were -received at the gangway in true man-o’-war -fashion, and as the Captain glanced round, with -the quick, trained eye of the seaman born to -command, Carteret noted that every man was at -his place, and the vessel, generally, in exquisite -order. The crew, with few exceptions, were -islanders, some were half-castes, a few negroes, -but all a muscular, daring, resolute lot—the -discipline had evidently been strict and unrelaxing.</p> - -<p>Going below, the stewards—one a light mulatto, -the other a Japanese dressed in his native costume—were -apparently just preparing to bring in the -dinner. Carteret and the Captain entered a smaller -cabin, under a heavy gold-embroidered curtain. -This cabin was used as a smoke-room and private -audience-chamber. The ornaments and curios -suggested many climes and not less desperate adventures. -Pistols with silver hilts—Malay krises—swords -and daggers—evil-looking spears—South -Sea dresses were in evidence, in number almost -sufficient to cover the sides of the cabin.</p> - -<p>‘I suppose,’ said Carteret, ‘there are stories -about some of these weapons, Captain Hayston?’</p> - -<p>‘Well! Yes! indeed—about nearly all of -them,’ replied Hayston. ‘That krise was nearly -making an end of me. I was looking at another -man, when the devil of a Malay got close up in -the <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">mêlée</i>—it was a pirate junk affair—I was in the -Navy of the United States then—(here he sighed). -The Malay had just killed a midshipman, poor boy! -and was fighting like ten devils, as all Malays do -<a name="png.193" id="png.193" href="#png.193"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>189<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>when they’re “amok,” when a quartermaster cut -him down, and the krise grazed my side.</p> - -<p>‘That old silver casket with two handles was full -of Spanish doubloons when I first came across it. -It belonged to the captain of a slaver—a fellow -that had eluded us and the smartest frigates of -the British Navy. I was a youngster at the time, -and thought the affair great fun. The slaver -captain was a Spaniard, accused of enormous -cruelties—throwing sick men overboard and all -kinds of devilry. We found prisoners chained in -the hold, officers and passengers from a merchant -ship.’</p> - -</div> - - -<div class="chap"> -<h2 title="Chapter VIII"><a name="png.194" id="png.194" href="#png.194"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>190<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>CHAPTER VIII</h2> - - -<p>‘<span class="smc">Their</span> last prize,’ continued Hayston, ‘was a -dreadful sight! Pah! I can hardly bear to -think of it now.’ As he spoke, his face darkened, -and a look of rage, concentrated, lurid, -pitiless, passed over his features, transforming -their whole expression into that of a demon—an -avenging Azrael; his whole countenance suddenly -passed from a state of smiling, even fascinating -courtesy, to that of murderous wrath—deadly, -implacable, consuming.</p> - -<p>‘They paid the penalty?’ said Carteret.</p> - -<p>‘Yes! They were triced up to the yard-arm—two -and two—a trial was dispensed with—Uncle -Sam having passed a special ordinance with regard -to such cases. The sharks had gathered around -after the first corpses were dropped. It was a -calm: they were torn in pieces almost as soon -as the breath was out of their bodies. That -the sea which had been crimsoned many a time -with the blood of their innocent victims, should -now be stained with their own, was only just -retribution. Too merciful, of course; but we -can’t go back to the methods of the Middle Ages—more’s -<a name="png.195" id="png.195" href="#png.195"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>191<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>the pity! And now let us change the -subject. “Land ho!” as an old captain of mine -in the West Indies used to say when he heard the -dinner bell.’</p> - -<p>The melodious sound of a silver temple-gong -announced the service of a meal as perfect in its -way as anything arranged on salt water can be.</p> - -<p>The wines, of the choicest French and Spanish -vintages, were such as few ‘Amphitryons où l’on -dîne’ have the privilege of presenting to a guest. -The turtle soup would have tempted an alderman -to change his religion. But once previously had -Carteret tasted such Madeira as followed it. The -fish, the prawn curry, the beautiful crested -pigeons of the islands, guinea-fowls in size, -pheasants in delicacy of flavour—without pursuing -the detail, it may be assumed from Carteret’s -testimony, then and afterwards, that a jury of -<i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">gourmets</i> would have been hard set to decide in -favour of any naval competing function of the day. -The dry champagne which followed the hock was -of a known, accredited <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">crû</i>, but did not tempt -Carteret to do more than reasonable justice to it. -He had no intention of measuring strength of -brain against his entertainer; more particularly -with a vitally important stake on the cards. At a -comparatively early hour he discussed with Hayston -the more binding terms of the agreement, and argued -them out, clause by clause, before they parted for -the night. Not wholly satisfied with the propriety -of concluding the affair after dinner, moderate -as had been his potations, Carteret deferred the -signing and sealing of the final instrument till -<a name="png.196" id="png.196" href="#png.196"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>192<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>noon on the following day. Which was at once -agreed to.</p> - -<p>Captain Hayston, indeed, expressed his intention -of sailing for foreign parts on the morrow. -Thus, if all preliminaries were completed at mid-day, -he would be free to lift anchor, and taking -advantage of the breeze off the land would -initiate action. Doubtless he had intelligence -agents on whom he could rely—agents ‘steady -of heart, and stout of hand’ as ever served king -or minister, and who dared not play him false. -When, therefore, the <cite>Leonora</cite> shook out her -topsails and stood off the land, a point or two to -the south of west, shaping a course for the crimson -afterglow of the fading sunset, there were ten -thousand of Carteret’s dollars in the double-handled -casket of the slaver Leon Gonzales, late master of -the <cite>Pedro Torero</cite>—also in the private escritoire -an order for five hundred pounds, payable on demand -by the firm of Robert Towns and Co., Fort -Street, Sydney, endorsed by Oppenheimer Brothers, -of Suva, Fiji.</p> - -<p>If the course was altered at midnight, and -shaped to one which would bring them close to -Molokai, where the eventful dash and relief -expedition would be carried out, who was to be the -wiser?</p> - -<div class="tb"><b>. . . . . . . . .</b></div> - -<p>The night, for which they had watched for -nearly a week, was almost a calm—but overclouded, -and dark as a wolf’s throat. The proverbial -hand, when held before the face, was -invisible.</p> - -<p><a name="png.197" id="png.197" href="#png.197"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>193<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>The <cite>Leonora</cite>, miles away at nightfall, had -glided closer to the land and lay off and on. The -dropping of an anchor near the forbidden shore -would, of course, have aroused suspicion. The -crew, with Bill Hicks at the steer oar, had been -carefully chosen. The whale-boat, which, for -reasons of his own, the Captain of the <cite>Leonora</cite> -always had on board, was reliable on any sea, and -against any of the winds of heaven. The crew -was composed of Rotumah islanders, perhaps the -best men—except those of Norfolk Island—in -rough water or wild gale that the South Pacific -breeds. They may have had a general idea of the -nature of the service in which they were engaged, -but were merely told that they were to pull -quietly to the beach near a rocky point, where a -post stood in the sand, with a small lantern -attached to it. There they would see a man, -wrapped in a cloak. As soon as the boat -grounded, he would walk towards them. They -were to run to meet him, lifting him carefully -into the boat, as he had been ill. Then to pull -their d—dest. Bill Hicks would see to that; -and the quicker they got back to the brig the -surer they would be of a tot of rum all round, -and a pound of tobacco. But, if they valued -their skins, they were not to come back without -their passenger. It is not improbable that they -were aware of the object and circumstances of the -secret service. <span class="nw">But—</span></p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div>Their’s not to make reply,</div> -<div>Their’s but to do and die.</div> -</div> -</div> -</div> - -<p>The crew of the <cite>Leonora</cite> had, before now, been -<a name="png.198" id="png.198" href="#png.198"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>194<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>in affairs where certain shipmates had lost the -‘number of their mess.’ Such experience was -nothing new to them. ‘It was all in the day’s -work’—one man came back safe and sound, the -other ‘went to Davy Jones.’</p> - -<div class="tb"><b>. . . . . . . . .</b></div> - -<p>Nothing could have been more propitious: -the silent, moonless night; the sleeping ocean, -dark, waveless—unillumined save by the phosphorescence -caused by a leaping fish—the sombre -surface in Stygian repose. The <cite>Leonora</cite> had -approached the dread island long after dark, -gradually getting closer by long ‘boards.’ For a -while the low rhythmic murmur of the unresting -surge was the only sound which broke the strange -silence, almost oppressive in its completeness. -Then, as the boat left the ship’s side noiselessly, -and, rowed with muffled oars, approached the -shallows of the beach, a weird confused lament, as -of wails, moans, and cries of pain, rose through -the murky air. Such was the outcome of periodical -seizures, with torturing, lancinating pains, which, -towards the later hours of the night, occur with -dreadful regularity in advanced or hopeless cases. -As they increased in distinctness one might have -observed a movement as of shuddering fear among -the crew, who peered eagerly through the gloom, -beyond which lay the dim white beach, with a -fringe of plumy palms beyond. Straining his -eyes, the quartermaster in the bow observed dark -forms wandering, as it appeared to him, along the -seashore. Their gait was slow and faltering; -with weak, tremulous steps they seemed as though -<a name="png.199" id="png.199" href="#png.199"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>195<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>doubtful of their ability to reach the point from -which to survey the ocean—to look, if better was -not to be had, upon the highway to freedom, and -that outer world, from which they had been severed -once and for ever. They might well have passed -for a company of gibbering ghosts on the bank of -that dark Lethean stream where earthly joys and -sorrows cease.</p> - -<p>As the strange band neared the shore, the -cries, the moaning, unintelligible chorus seemed -to deepen in intensity, and once a scream as of -agony unendurable rent the air.</p> - -<p>‘Hell’s gate open now, I guess,’ said Hicks; -‘and these are Old Nick’s beach-combers sent to -say, “How’d yer like to come to this afore yer -time’s up?”’ Here his voice altered at once. ‘Look -out, you Maori Jack! here’s our passenger.’</p> - -<p>As he spoke, a tall man in a cloak dashed into -the sea, and rushed towards the boat, wading -above the waist, and holding up his arms beseechingly, -while at the same time several of the others -made as though to prevent him leaving their -party. With a hoarse cry the Maori seized him, -and almost lifting him up, dragged him into the -boat, while the bow oar descended on the skull of -the leading pursuer, who fell back, recovering himself -with difficulty. There was no further attempt -at capture. ‘Give way, men!’ shouted Hicks; -‘pull for the brig as if she was an eighty-barrel -whale.’</p> - -<p>The strange passenger sank down as if exhausted, -and made no remark or gesture. As -the boat foamed up to the <cite>Leonora’s</cite> side, a -<a name="png.200" id="png.200" href="#png.200"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>196<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>rope-ladder was let down, up which he—helped by the -Maori’s strong grasp—climbed in safety. Once -on the deck, he seemed to revive, and commenced -to thank the Captain effusively. But he declined -converse. ‘You will find refreshment in your -cabin, señor! The steward will direct you. It -will be better to defer explanations until the morning. -Manuel’ (this to the mulatto), ‘see that this -gentleman has all that he requires for the night. -Adios!’</p> - -<p>‘Adios, indeed!’ thought the passenger, who -had seen strange things in strange countries, and -had picked up Spanish in his wanderings. ‘I feel -bewildered for the present; I must clear my -brain with sleep, if possible; I have had little -enough for the last fortnight.’</p> - -<p>The breeze off the land by this time had -slightly freshened. Sail was made ‘alow and -aloft,’ and as the wavelets commenced to strike -and fall off from her bows with increasing volume, -the graceful <cite>Leonora</cite> swept smoothly yet rapidly -on her course, at a rate of speed which, if there -had been pursuit, gave little chance of her being -overhauled.</p> - -<p>What an awakening it was for Alister Lilburne -when, after a night of soundest sleep, he realised -that he was many a league from that Isle of the -Lost!—was again free, safe, unhampered by rules -and hateful regulations such as are found necessary -for semi-penal communities.</p> - -<p>The morning breeze, the roseate dawnlight, -the lapping wave which kissed his cabin-side, the -sea-birds’ cry,—all these were separate and distinct -<a name="png.201" id="png.201" href="#png.201"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>197<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>joys and sensations which he recognised with a -thankfulness too deep for words. When the -Japanese steward shortly afterwards, bowing with -Oriental humility, proposed to conduct him to a -bath-room, and, at the same time, displayed a complete -Spanish military uniform, he began to feel -once more a resemblance to the man that he used -to be, as also a newborn desire to learn how and -by whom this change in his affairs had been -brought about. Change? Yes! the change -from a living grave—a hopeless, despairing existence—doomed -to vegetate on the accursed isle till -death released him from a state of mental torture -all but unendurable. Weekly to witness the long-hoped-for, -prayed-for opening of the prison gate -for a fellow-victim. But only by the warder Death, -or through a merciful alternative—the utter dethronement -of reason.</p> - -<p>The purifying process complete, and the costume -of the hidalgo donned, from which not even -the sombrero, with sweeping feather, was absent, -his island garments were made into a bundle, -loaded with a ringbolt, and cast into the deep. -His attendant then informed him that the Captain -hoped to have the pleasure of meeting Don -Carlos Alvarez at breakfast, at his convenience. -Feeling partly like an actor in private theatricals, -partly like a man in a dream, he followed Manuel -to the smaller cuddy, where fruit and coffee, with -a most appetising breakfast, were already set -forth.</p> - -<p>‘I have the honour to salute Don Carlos -Alvarez, who has joined my vessel at Santa Cruz -<a name="png.202" id="png.202" href="#png.202"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>198<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>and desires a passage to Norfolk Island. Is it -not so?’ said the Captain, speaking in Spanish, -with formal and impressive courtesy.</p> - -<p>‘A vuestro disposición<!-- TN: accent missing in original -->, Señor Capitan!’ -answered the passenger in the same language. -And, indeed, as he surveyed himself in one of the -mirrors which, in massive silver frames, ornamented -the apartment, he found it difficult to -believe that he was not the haughty hidalgo with -whom the tales of the Spanish main had made all -students familiar.</p> - -<p>‘I have to thank you,’ he continued, still -speaking in more or less pure Castilian, ‘for my -life—for the recovery of my liberty, and all things -that men hold most dear. Believe me, I await -only the time when I may translate my feelings -into deeds, to prove them true. But I would -further beg you to add to my obligation, heavy as -it is, the reasons for your thus interesting yourself -in the affairs of a stranger.’</p> - -<p>‘That we have not met before, I am aware,’ -answered Hayston. ‘My action is not wholly disinterested, -you may probably guess; still, a man’s -friends may intervene in his affairs—and to some -purpose.’</p> - -<p>‘Friends!’ said the stranger. ‘How many is -an outcast likely to have—outcast of God and -man—may He pardon me for the thought!—in -that Gehenna from which your skill and courage -have rescued me? And if there be, by a miracle, -so much as one left to him, who once had many, -what power can he have had?’</p> - -<p>‘The power of the golden key,’ said the -<a name="png.203" id="png.203" href="#png.203"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>199<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>sea-rover, looking around, as he spoke, upon wave -and sky, as the freshening breeze sent the gay -bark on her course with increased speed. ‘With -a magic force in the background, weather like -this, and such a water-witch as the <cite>Leonora</cite> -under his foot, why should you, should any man, -despair? Exile, sickness, wounds—losses, shipwreck, -imprisonment,—everything but the rope or -the axe, which ends all things, have fallen to my -lot. But I never lowered my flag, and see where -it flaunts in the breeze now! Bah! the Spaniard’s -solace is the guitar; I must send for mine, and sing -you one of my favourites,’ and here he trolled out -the opening verse of ‘Yo soy contrabandista!’ -‘Gad! how the muleteers and smugglers of the -Pyrenees used to dance and yell to the music! -The very thought makes me young again.’ Here -he sprang forward, raising his lofty head with a -gesture of defiance, as if claiming to be the master -of his own destiny, and daring a world in arms to -subdue his will or shape his course in life. His -eyes glowed with the light of battle—his upper lip -curved in scorn—his vast frame seemed to grow -in form and stature, as he stood there, towering -above his companion, and presenting the contrast -of a mediæval mail-clad knight alike to squire -and pages as to the leathern-jerkined yeomen of -the ranks.</p> - -<p>The passenger looked on him with eyes of -admiration, as he stood, grand in the possession of -unmatched strength—flushed with the triumph of -successful enterprise, and glorying in his daring—the -daring which had, so many a time and oft, -<a name="png.204" id="png.204" href="#png.204"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>200<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>carried him through perils and desperate encounters, -to which this last one was but child’s -play.</p> - -<p>‘And now,’ said Hayston, taking the passenger’s -arm, ‘let us walk the deck, while I tell -you how I became possessed of your history, and -was persuaded to mix myself up in your affairs. -Can you call to memory the name of a friend who -would be likely to be reckless of money and time -spent in effecting your release?’</p> - -<p>‘Of course—there is Lytton Carteret—my wife’s -cousin—sincerely attached to her, and an early -friend of mine—but I have not heard of him for -years. He was said to have been travelling in the -East.’</p> - -<p>‘That is so. He informed me that he had -nearly reached Lhassa, but had been turned back -by a guard of Thibetan soldiers.’</p> - -<p>‘Then he has returned? And where is he -now?’</p> - -<p>‘He is awaiting the return of the brig <cite>Leonora</cite> -at Apia harbour, where he hopes to meet Don -Alvarez—now on his travels in the South Pacific.’</p> - -<p>‘Then he knows of my having left——?’</p> - -<p>‘Nukuheva, let us say—rather a fashionable -resort just now—Lord Pembroke and a friend -were staying there for some months lately.’</p> - -<p>‘A light breaks in on me. Of course I could -hear nothing in that inferno, out of the world and -the world’s life. Do I guess aright that it was he -that——?’</p> - -<p>‘Yes! Señor Alvarez; it was he that engineered -this little <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">coup</i> of ours. He had made -<a name="png.205" id="png.205" href="#png.205"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>201<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>a <i lang="es" xml:lang="es">pasear</i> to Easter Island, where he happened -on William H. Hayston, master mariner—whom -he met once at the Hokianga, New Zealand—and -it came into his head that he might take a -hand in this deal. Dollars, of course, were necessary, -and he planked down handsomely. Made -money in some place in West Australia, I think.’</p> - -<p>‘But, Captain Hayston, it is my <em>right</em> to pay -everything which this affair has cost. I shall -have funds when I arrive in England. My credit, -indeed, is good at this moment in Lombard Street—I -insist——’</p> - -<p>‘In this charter party, I only know Lytton -Carteret, and must decline to mix up business with -Señor Carlos Alvarez, or any friend or relative. -It can be settled with him only after I fulfil my -contract; but, until then, I must decline—much -as it grieves me—to consider you in any other -capacity than as my <em>passenger</em>. From that time -forward we shall be friends, I trust?’</p> - -<p>‘Have it your own way, Captain Hayston,’ -said Lilburne, inwardly smiling at the idea of the -buccaneer, as he was often held to be, being scrupulous -about extra payment for service rendered. -‘In all other respects I shall always regard you as -a friend in need, to be trusted in fair weather or -foul, to my life’s end.’ Here he grasped the -Captain’s sinewy hand, and shook it with a fervour -commensurate with the importance of the occasion.</p> - -<p>‘Buon amigo—malo adversario,’ replied Hayston. -‘We shall be unlikely to meet again; -though, but for hard luck, and the mystery of -fate, you and I, and your friend—a man whom I -<a name="png.206" id="png.206" href="#png.206"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>202<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>honour and respect from the bottom of my heart—might -have been comrades to our lives’ end.’</p> - -<p>‘And why not now? Surely it is not too late—why -not change your career? Why not uproot -the ties and habits of early youth—atone for -the mistakes—crimes, if you will—of a reckless -manhood?—retrace the downward path—repent -in sackcloth and ashes—a white sheet, if you like.’</p> - -<p>‘Fancy “Bully” Hayston in a white sheet!’ -The absurdity of the situation seemed to strike -him, and he laughed till the tears came into his -eyes. ‘No,’ and a sad, stern look came over his -changeful brow—‘what says Byron, whom I used -to read in my youth?</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="i1"><span class="ns"> </span>‘In fierce extremes—in good and ill.</div> -<div>But still we love even in our rage,</div> -<div>And haunted to our very age</div> -<div>With the vain shadow of the past,</div> -<div>As is Mazeppa to the last!’</div> -</div> -</div> -</div> - -<div class="tb"><b>. . . . . . . . .</b></div> - -<p>Once more the course was changed—another -forty-eight hours would bring the <cite>Leonora</cite> to Apia -harbour. Here the erstwhile Spanish Don would -be landed. The identification of Alister Lilburne -with the Spanish-speaking, Spanish-garmented -Alvarez would be difficult, if not impossible.</p> - -<p>All that the crew—discreet of their kind—knew, -or could testify to, was, that a Spanish-speaking -individual had been on board their vessel for a few -weeks, and had left them at Norfolk Island. They -had heard that he had come from Sydney, and was -going back as soon as he could get a ship. Had -he come from Molokai? They did not know. -<a name="png.207" id="png.207" href="#png.207"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>203<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>In fact, the four Rotumah men had been carefully -prevented from showing themselves on shore, and -the rest of the crew had been <em>advised</em> by Bill Hicks -to recognise no one, and to notice nothing outside -of the ordinary cruise of their voyage. They had -shipped a cargo of copra at Ponapé, and declined -to answer any questions save such as related to -island produce.</p> - -<div class="tb"><b>. . . . . . . . .</b></div> - -<p>Carteret was always reticent as to the route by -which he and Lilburne made their way to West -Australia—landing at Albany from a German -cargo-boat, and parting at Perth. It was discovered -after Lilburne had been on board the -<cite>Leonora</cite>, that the white mark, more or less circular, -on account of which he might so easily have lost -his life, as well as his liberty, had no more to do -with leprosy than with scarlet fever. It was simply -the remains of a cicatrice, resulting from an Arab -spear-wound received in one of his desert wanderings -in early life. The skin had contracted, after -the healing process was complete, and, as often -happens, had lost its original colour and shape. -Hayston himself—who had taken a medical -course in his University days, and was no mean -practitioner in the department of wounds, and -surgical matters generally—after a minute examination -pronounced it to be free from the remotest -likeness to the earlier stages of the disease. Not -satisfied with this, he called a quartermaster, who -had lived on every island in the South Pacific, and -had acquired a reputation as a successful medicine-man -among the sailors and beach-combers.</p> - -<p><a name="png.208" id="png.208" href="#png.208"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>204<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>‘Take a look at Don Carlos Alvarez here, -Ben!’ said Hayston. ‘What d’ye make of it? -Any Molokai business about it?’</p> - -<p>‘No more than there is about this, Captain!’—pointing -to a scar upon his brawny chest, right -in the centre of a tattooed mermaid’s bosom, that -marine enchantress being represented as smiling -seductively upon a shipwrecked mariner. ‘That -was a touch I got at the Navigators, when the -natives nearly cut us off—a close thing it was, -Captain. But it healed up wonderful—and there -it is—white enough too. I suppose those cranks -at Tahiti would have boxed me up with the other -poor devils if I hadn’t taken French leave—in a -native canoe. But I gave ’em leg-bail for it, and -here I am to-day, as sound as a roach, and as good -an A.B. as there is in the fleet.’</p> - -<p>‘That will do, Ben, I am satisfied; you have -been two years in the <cite>Leonora</cite>, so your case is -proved, at any rate. The fact is, señor, that there -was such a scare about the disease when first the -native Councils at Honolulu began to legislate, -that they went to the other extreme in suspected -cases; thinking it better that a few should be -wrongfully imprisoned than that infection should -run riot over the whole island. To this day, -however, medical men are not agreed on the -subject of contagion.’</p> - -<p>Of course Mrs. Lilburne had been advised by -letter from time to time of the possibility of her -husband’s release. What such hope and expectation -meant to these hardly entreated lovers may -be imagined. In her case, she was supported by -<a name="png.209" id="png.209" href="#png.209"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>205<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>an unshaken faith in the goodness of God. The -belief in which she had been reared had for years -furnished her with support and consolation, even in -a state of exile, loneliness, and comparative poverty. -Was it for her to doubt that He would make a -way for her to escape from that lamentable position, -when it pleased Him to put a period to her misery? -If she was wretched, lonely, forsaken, placed by -fate among the sick and the dying, was it for her -to repine—to despair? Day by day she saw the -strong perish before her eyes—the young and fair—the -hopeful and the indifferent. The terrible -fever of camps and crowds spared neither age nor -sex. Who was she, that she should be specially -protected? Rather ought she to be thankful that -she was in a position to help the helpless, to -succour the dying, to cheer the terrified soul, on -the verge of ‘the undiscovered country,’ with the -vision of a serene and glorified hereafter.</p> - -<p>So she possessed her soul in patience, finding in -unrelaxing, even more zealous devotion to her duties -that relief from painful thought which ever accompanies -conscientious adherence to duty. In vain -her friends adjured her not to neglect her own -health. She persisted in ‘working herself to -death,’ as they averred, to the last day—when she -went off, carrying the blessings and prayers of the -whole community with her. The German boat -would be at Perth on an appointed day, when she -trusted to coach and train service to enable her to -meet her long-lost, despaired-of husband. Over -his transports, her tears and sobs of joy when she -rushed into the arms of the lover of her youth, the -<a name="png.210" id="png.210" href="#png.210"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>206<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>husband of her choice—raised, as she felt, from the -dead—saved, too, from a death of lingering agony, -of gradual, yes! loathsome, offensive decay, we -may not dwell.</p> - -<p>Of their feelings, on an occasion so rare, -so unique, in fact, as their reunion under uncommon, -even improbable circumstances, only -those who have experienced partings—absences—even -remotely resembling them, may faintly conceive: -the almost incredible change from the dark -despair, which invaded every waking moment, -which robbed sleep of its healing power—all -existence of its zest and flavour, while only the -faintest glimmer of hope appeared in life’s dungeon -to warn off the man from suicide, the woman -from that negative existence which would have -invited the fell disease among the victims of which -she ministered daily, nightly. How many instances -had she witnessed among the early workers of the -goldfields! Some were unsuccessful at the first -onset. Fortune eluded them. Hope deserted the -unstable worker—the impoverished wife: the next -stage was a pallet in the crowded hospital, all -too soon to be followed by the requiem dirge and -the funeral train. The environment was depressing, -but, encircled by sickness, oft-times alone with -death at the midnight hour, no terrors ever caused -Elinor Lilburne to swerve for one moment from -the undoubting faith of her youth, or to shake -her trust in God. ‘Though He slay me, yet will -I trust in Him,’ had been a light to her path. -And now the Supreme Ruler of events had -manifested His loving mercy, in redeeming both -<a name="png.211" id="png.211" href="#png.211"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>207<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>body and soul, and preserving husband and wife -for a newer Eden, and the enjoyment of their -immortal love.</p> - -<p>At the first discussion of ways and means, -Lilburne was in favour of at once returning to -England, of taking up their old life among friends -and relatives. Somewhat to his surprise his wife -gently, but no less firmly, dissented from the plan.</p> - -<p>‘No, Alister,’ she said; ‘it would be ungrateful, -ungenerous even, to quit hurriedly a spot where I -have been sheltered, welcomed, and provided for; -where I have found friends in the hour of need, -nobly sympathetic in their treatment of a stranger. -Nowhere could I have met with greater kindness, -or assistance more delicately offered.’</p> - -<p>‘But surely a mining camp, as I understand -this Pilot Mount, or whatever it is called, must -necessarily be a rude, uncivilised place.’</p> - -<p>‘You must not say that, Alister, unless you -wish to hurt my feelings. In the first place, it is -now a city, with a population of sixty thousand -people, employed in mines which have paid a -million and a half sterling in dividends within the -last few years—besides having as inhabitants a -larger proportion of high-minded, accomplished, -and, in a sense, distinguished people, than many -places in the old country, of greater size and -apparent importance.’</p> - -<p>Her husband took her hand, and smiled -indulgently. ‘Indeed!’ he answered, ‘I was not -aware that I was on delicate ground. I ought to -have made allowance for colonial experience. Isn’t -that what they call it? And they must have been -<a name="png.212" id="png.212" href="#png.212"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>208<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>people of superior merit, to have appreciated my -darling during the years of exile. I feel impatient -to make their acquaintance.’</p> - -<p>‘It will not be difficult to do that; only you -mustn’t run away with the idea that the inhabitants -are all alike, and have no degrees of social rank. -However, you will see when we arrive. I should -not be surprised if you found goldfields life less -disagreeable than you expected.’</p> - -<p>‘But you don’t ask me to stay there?’</p> - -<p>‘You shall do exactly as you wish. Have I not -always been an obedient wife? But I wish to -make you acquainted with a strange and unfamiliar -phase of colonisation, closely bearing on the well-being -of the Empire, about which I know you are -an enthusiast.’</p> - -<p>‘It is an order—as they say in India. When -shall we start?’</p> - -<p>‘Not before next week. I am not going to -hurry you off. I have a fortnight’s leave of -absence, which we must spend at Perth Water. -Then I return to my post, to leave everything in -order, and say good-bye to my patients. Dear -souls! what should I have done without them—or -some of them without <em>me</em>—I am proud to say.’</p> - -<div class="tb"><b>. . . . . . . . .</b></div> - -<p>When it was bruited abroad throughout Pilot -Mount, and to the West Australian world at large, -that Nurse Lilburne had gone to Perth to meet -her husband—<em>had</em> indeed met him on the incoming -<cite>Carl Schiller</cite>, and was returning to resume her -position at the Pilot Mount hospital,—also, after -putting everything straight, to give up her -<a name="png.213" id="png.213" href="#png.213"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>209<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>appointment, and probably ‘go home,’ great was the -excitement, general the regrets, sincere indeed -the sorrow which was openly displayed by her -more intimate friends and fellow-workers. Never -would they get such another Matron—so wise, so -tender, yet so firm, and clever too as an organiser. -She had redeemed their hospital from comparative -confusion and chaos; now it was as well managed -as any of the metropolitan ones. The Health -Officer, the Inspector General, the great doctor -M‘Diarmid, <em>every one</em>, had said so. And now, -when it was the pride and joy of ‘the field,’ here -was her husband turning up from nobody knew -where, and, of course, to take her away with him. -It was most discouraging.</p> - -<p>As for the local press—a journalistic flood of -wonder and admiration, congratulation and grief, -poured over the bars and lodging-houses, the -hotel parlours, the stores—the churches even, and -flowed and surged, and eddied, throughout the -wide regions of ‘the field’ and its dependencies. -The name and fame of Nurse Lilburne, the modern -revival of the ‘lady with the lamp,’ had spread far -and wide. The fever-stricken miner, the inexperienced -tourist, the youthful governess, the -toil-encumbered matron, all owned to deep debts -of gratitude, all joined in a chorus of congratulation -and heartfelt thanksgiving. ‘Heaven -had had mercy,’ said the devout. ‘It is the Lord’s -doing.’ ‘First man ever I knowed to come back -from where <em>he’s</em> been,’ said South Sea Jack.</p> - -<p>It had not generally transpired, nor had it been -thought necessary to advertise the fact of his -<a name="png.214" id="png.214" href="#png.214"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>210<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>detention at so evil-reputed a locality. It was generally -supposed that pecuniary losses had resulted in his -trying to redeem his fortunes in South America, -whence he had now returned, having at length -fallen upon a ‘bonanza’ in silver. The environments -of the country not being favourable to the -habitudes of a refined Englishwoman, it had been -decided that she should make a home in Western -Australia.</p> - -<p>She had formerly elected to take the work -temporarily, as the member of a nursing sisterhood; -and coming to Pilot Mount in the worst period -of an epidemic of typhoid and pneumonia, she had -accepted the position of Matron in the newly -organised hospital, partly from motives of Christian -charity, but chiefly as a means of allaying the -torturing anxiety which afflicted every waking hour, -and, at times, denied her even necessary sleep.</p> - -<p>When it was known, indeed promulgated by -the press, that Nurse Lilburne, the devoted, the -beloved, the Angel of the Lord (as the Cornish -Wesleyans called her), had in the dark hours -of fever watched by the bedside of so many a -‘Cousin Jack,’ and (as was believed) had restored -the father or husband to the weeping wife and -babes, the enthusiasm thus aroused seemed boundless, -uncontrollable.</p> - -<p>That she should permanently leave ‘the field’ -was too sorrowful for words—a public calamity, -a disaster. Still, if man and wife had come -together after years of separation, who would be -mean enough to put their loss in the scale against -the crowning joy of her happiness?</p> - -<p><a name="png.215" id="png.215" href="#png.215"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>211<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>The situation was not new to them. Many -a miner’s family, in humbler life, had gone through -the same experience. How often had they clubbed -together to help to build and furnish the modest -cottage, in which the long-separated man and wife -could again set up the altar of domestic life, and -reinstate the household gods! But in this case it -appeared to the leaders—the representative men of -the city and the mining community—that an effort -should be made to render the recognition of the -benefits derived from Mrs. Lilburne’s devoted, -unselfish labours, worthy of the great principle -which she represented: of the invaluable services -which she had rendered to all the classes of the -community, ‘without fear, favour, or affection,’ -making no distinction between rich and poor—the -lowly and those of exalted station.</p> - -</div> - - -<div class="chap"> -<h2 title="Chapter IX"><a name="png.216" id="png.216" href="#png.216"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>212<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>CHAPTER IX</h2> - - -<p><span class="smc">The</span> probable day of their arrival had been -telegraphed from Perth, duly noted and published -by the local press. Furthermore, later intelligence -from the last stopping-place had been supplied, -so that, when, at mid-day, the Perth express -steamed into the Pilot Mount platform, there was -the largest crowd collected there since the official -turning-on of the main of the Great Aqueduct by -the Premier of West Australia.</p> - -<p>‘This seems a busy place,’ said Alister Lilburne, -as he marked the crowded platform, -the equipages great and small, mounted and foot -police, ordinary miners in hundreds, besides others -who walked in procession, and carried flags—not -to mention a camel train, with turbaned Afghan -drivers, standing patiently on the outer edge of -the assemblage. ‘Is this an everyday gathering, -or is there any person of distinction expected? -What a number of nurses, in uniform too! Ha! -a light breaks in on me. Is it—surely not to -greet you on your return?’</p> - -<p>‘I am afraid that all this fuss is about your -wife, and no one else, my dear Alister,’ she -<a name="png.217" id="png.217" href="#png.217"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>213<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>answered, not without perturbation. ‘I expected -some kind of greeting, but nothing on so large a -scale. Yes! it must be so. Here comes my -good friend the Mayor—with the Councillors in -their robes too. I suppose we must face it. -Gore Chesterfield too, Mr. Southwater, old -Jack. I see my friends have “rolled up,” -as we say here. I am afraid I shall break -down.’</p> - -<p>‘My future rank and position are now irrevocably -decided,’ said he; ‘I shall go down to -posterity as Mrs. Lilburne’s husband. Very -proud of the title, I assure you. Wish for -nothing better—only, if only <em>they</em>—well! it -can’t be helped.’</p> - -<p>‘Do you miss any one, Alister?’ she asked, -looking anxiously in his face.</p> - -<p>‘Only two faces, darling! If only Carteret -and Hayston were present, what a tone it would -have given to the whole thing!’</p> - -<p>‘Poor Lytton, how he would have revelled in -it! As for the bold sea-rover, I shall always -pray for him. But perhaps he is safer (and others -too) on board that dear <cite>Leonora</cite>. Now for the -serious business of the day. Mind you recognise -it as such!’<!-- TN: original has closing double quote --></p> - -<p>The band struck up the National Air as the -Mayor in his robes advanced with dignity, and, -bowing respectfully, shook hands with Mrs. Lilburne and congratulated her warmly, greeting -also her husband, who was introduced formally -to them. His Worship then stood up, and -begged to express briefly the pleasure which it -<a name="png.218" id="png.218" href="#png.218"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>214<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>afforded him, and the members of the Pilot -Mount Municipal Council, to welcome back a -lady to whom, speaking in their name, and as -representing the miners of the field, the citizens, -and the inhabitants generally, they felt they owed -so deep a debt of gratitude (here he paused for -a moment, to afford opportunity for a burst of -cheering—loud, hearty, and protracted), for her -services—valuable—he might say, invaluable, -such as they would never forget as long as there -was an ounce of gold left in the field, or in West -Australia! Here the cheering was long—so -protracted that the Mayor held up his hand, and, -motioning for silence, concluded his remarks by -inviting Mr. and Mrs. Lilburne to a banquet at -the Town Hall.</p> - -<p>A carriage with four greys was in attendance, -into which, in company with the Mayor and -Mayoress, the distinguished visitors were handed, -and driven to the Town Hall. Arrived at this -imposing structure, they were ushered into the -Great Hall, where tables had been laid for -apparently about a thousand people. On the -right hand of the Mayor sat the guest of the -day, with the Warden of the Goldfield—a dread -and awful potentate, having power of life and -death (financially)—beside her; the Lady -Mayoress on the left hand of her lord and master -(ancient figure of speech now chiefly obsolete). -Next to her sat a lately elected Councillor, who -was a representative citizen in several departments -of industrial and social development, and might be -trusted to find her ladyship in light and airy -<a name="png.219" id="png.219" href="#png.219"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>215<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>converse. On either side, as well as at the end -of the long table, sat leading mine managers, -‘golden hole men,’ and mercantile representatives, -with, of course, their wives and daughters. In -prominent positions were distinguished visitors -and tourists, such as General Sir Walter and -Lady Cameron, the Honourable Denzil Southwater, -Sir John and Lady Woods, and other -notables of rank and fashion. With the exception -of the memorable gathering when the Great Aqueduct -discharged its first bounteous, providential -flow, no such gathering had ever been witnessed at -Pilot Mount. Full justice having been done to -the repast, and the healths of the King and Queen -heartily and loyally, if briefly, responded to, the -Mayor called upon all present to charge their -glasses, as he was about to propose the health -of the guest of the day—he might say, the heroine -of the hour—Mrs. Lilburne. If he gave her -the title of Nurse Lilburne, by which she had -been known so favourably to the population of -the city, and the goldfields generally, perhaps he -would be better understood. That burst of -cheering, straight from the heart, showed how -miners and workers of all classes recognised their -true friends, of whatever class or occupation. He -had taken the liberty of describing that lady -as a heroine. There had been heroines in the -history of our Motherland, who had stood upon -the battlefield, ministering to the wants of the -wounded and the dying, unmoved by feelings of -personal danger; heroines who had dared the -risks of plague, pestilence, and famine, with -<a name="png.220" id="png.220" href="#png.220"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>216<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>unshaken courage and faith in an all-seeing -Providence; heroines who had donned armour; -heroines who had dared hurricanes or shipwreck, -calmly pursuing their ministrations until the -‘whelming wave’ ended the tragedy; but none -of these exemplars of womanhood, whether -ancient or modern, exceeded in lustre the self-devoted -attendant upon the feeble, the stricken, -the sick, and the dying, who patiently—at all -hours, in all seasons—fought the dread epidemic -which had ravaged their city in its earlier days. -It had slain a large proportion of the pioneers. -Young and old, gentle and simple, tenderly or -rudely reared, there had been but little difference -in the death-roll. Thank God! the plague had -been stayed. Their city was now as free from -it and other diseases as the leading metropolitan -towns. But they owed it not alone to their excellent -medical staff, not to improved sanitation, but, -under Heaven, to the nursing staff—among whom -the earliest, the most capable, the most unwearied, -the most successful in wresting patients from the -very jaws of death, was their distinguished—he -might say, their illustrious guest, to honour whom -they were met that day. He gave them the -health of Mrs. Alister Lilburne, more widely -known, perhaps more loved and honoured, as -‘Nurse Lilburne.’</p> - -<p>Long, loud, protracted indeed were the responses -of the guests. Heterogeneous as was the -assembly, but one feeling—that of deepest gratitude, -of heartfelt respect—seemed to actuate the -great gathering. When at length Mrs. Lilburne -<a name="png.221" id="png.221" href="#png.221"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>217<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>stood up in her place, and the Mayor requested -silence, it was wonderful how suddenly all sound -and motion ceased.</p> - -<p>She wore her simple nurse’s uniform. ‘This,’ -she told her husband, ‘is the dress in which I -worked, the dress in which I earned the gratitude -of these people—out of respect to them, and the -sisterhood who worked with me so loyally, I -prefer to wear it to the end of the ceremony.’</p> - -<p>As she stood there, outwardly calm and collected—although -naturally roused to an unwonted -state of exaltation by the electrical atmosphere of -the assemblage—she spoke the first few words -in a comparatively low tone, vibrating though -they were with deep feeling and suppressed -emotion; but as she became more fully pervaded -by the unusual nature of the situation, and -the exceptional circumstances under which the -acquaintance—the friendship even, with so many -now present had arisen, the colour came to her -cheek, the dark eyes glowed with a fire none had -recollected to have seen before, and with head erect, -and fearless mien, she appeared to the excited crowd -not only a beautiful woman—as she had always -been considered—but as an inspired prophetess, -dealing with questions not only of the life here, -but of that beyond the grave. Adverting to the -formation of the Pilot Mount hospital, and its -humble inception by the committee of energetic, -liberal-minded men—nearly all of whom she was -glad to see here to-day—she congratulated the -ladies and gentlemen present on the generous -response made to the first appeal for subscriptions. -<a name="png.222" id="png.222" href="#png.222"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>218<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>Money flowed in, not only from the city, but -from distant camps and ‘rushes.’ Rude though -the first building was, and humble the couches and -pallets, the essentials of careful nursing and skilled -medical aid were there. Crowds of patients taxed -all their energy, but they were helped and -encouraged by the medical staff, then and now -self-denying, and generous, she might say munificent, -in personal outlay—in giving freely of their -time and skill. Every one helped, from his -Worship, the Mayor, to the humblest tradesman. -Progress was made—a large proportion of cures -was effected. Gradually, medicines, scientific -appliances and inventions were provided. And -now what did they see? A noble building with -an efficient staff, a decreasing death-rate—an -institution comparing favourably with those of -the metropolis, of her connection with which -she would be proud to the last day of her life. -With a parting word she would say farewell to -Pilot Mount and the friends she had made there—friends -of all classes—some of whom she had -been privileged to help in the hour of need. Not -only for this magnificent recognition of her humble -work, but for the unaffected respect and sympathy -which had been accorded to her since her first arrival -as a stranger in the field, was she deeply, sincerely -grateful. It would be among her most cherished -memories, and would remain with her to the last -day of her life. She could not conclude without -a reference to not the least important feature of -hospital duties and experiences, in which she had -been enabled by reason of her opportunities to say -<a name="png.223" id="png.223" href="#png.223"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>219<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>a word in season of a wholly unsectarian nature -to those to whose bodily health it was her duty to -minister. In the hour of death, almost within view -of the Day of Judgment, surely it was appropriate -to suggest repentance, to enjoin prayer! She -respected the creeds under which all had been -reared. No minister of religion had disapproved -of her action, and she would now adjure those -who, like herself, had felt the dread presence of -the Shadow of Death, to recall the resolutions, the -vows they had then made, and to act up to them -for the rest of their lives. She would be here -for a few weeks more; after her departure -they would most probably not set eyes upon her -in this world again; but she would never forget -her friends of Pilot Mount, and would trust that -her memory would always be associated with -words and deeds worthy of their mutual esteem.</p> - -<p>The Warden of Goldfields, ‘rising in his place,’ -begged leave of his Worship the Mayor to speak -briefly to the toast they had lately honoured. -From his necessarily extensive official knowledge -of the miners on this field, he could assert that -many of them believed that their lives had been -saved by Mrs. Lilburne’s skill and devotion to -duty. The Chief Commissioner of Police was -convinced that her advice and personal influence -had prevented one serious riot, and had exercised -more weight on the side of law and order than -half the force under his command.</p> - -<div class="tb"><b>. . . . . . . . .</b></div> - -<p>‘Now, my dear Alister,’ said Elinor Lilburne, -when, the function being concluded, they had been -<a name="png.224" id="png.224" href="#png.224"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>220<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>deposited safely at their hotel, after a spirited -progress through an excited crowd, which might -well have confused a less experienced driver, -‘how about the “necessarily rough, uncivilised -inhabitants of a mining camp”?’</p> - -<p>‘I apologise humbly for my presumption in -offering an opinion founded upon ignorance the -most dense, combined with prejudice the most -childish. I shall submit all future statements to -my “guide, philosopher, and friend.” For the -attainment of sound, practical common-sense—combined -with perfect manners—I shall always -recommend (as I once did hear an English squire -of my own county do seriously to a friend’s son -and daughter) a year’s travel in Australia.’</p> - -<p>‘Now, you are <em>too</em> penitent; I don’t want that; -but you will acknowledge that you have learned a -lesson!’</p> - -<p>‘Lesson! I have gained an experience which -I trust to profit by to my life’s end. And now, -when are we to have this drive to the real Pilot -Mount, which I heard you arranging with that -good-looking young fellow? May I venture to -risk the assertion that <em>he</em> is English?’</p> - -<p>‘You are right there, or nearly so—he is a Scot—the -Honourable Denzil Southwater—youngest -son of the Earl of Southwater—and a very fine -fellow he is. He is thinking of leading an -exploring expedition across the desert—where -he may find gold, or the other thing.’</p> - -<p>‘What other thing?’ asked Lilburne.</p> - -<p>‘A death in the Waste,’ replied his wife sadly. -‘It is a gamble with the King of Terrors. <em>He</em> -<a name="png.225" id="png.225" href="#png.225"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>221<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>won in a late encounter. Two brothers—sons of -the soil—trained bushmen too, left their bones on -the same track last year.’</p> - -<p>‘Killed by the blacks, I suppose?’</p> - -<p>‘No! They went off the recognised trail, -believing that they would find water, but were -deceived. They left a letter written just before -delirium set in—with farewells to their kin. -Their bones were found by the next exploring -party.’</p> - -<p>‘There are blanks, it appears, as well as prizes—though, -after your banquet, it is hard to believe -in anything but general prosperity. Fortune of -war, of course, and so on.’</p> - -<div class="tb"><b>. . . . . . . . .</b></div> - -<p>Five o’clock in the afternoon was the hour -named, and, faithful to his engagement, Mr. Southwater drove up to the door of the Palace -Hotel, with a pair of well-groomed, efficient-looking -horses and a double-seated American buggy. -This, it may be mentioned, is the accepted -vehicle for business, or pleasure, on all goldfields, -pastoral stations, and, indeed, throughout -Australia generally—when fashionable metropolitan -form is not imperative. If the load be -heavy, the American waggonette is employed—which -combines the lightness and toughness -of the buggy with a weight-carrying capacity -unknown to any ordinary vehicle of British -origin. The practical advantages of this carriage -were enhanced by the addition of a collapsible -hood of white canvas, a protection equally from -sun, wind, or rain; thus combining lightness, -<a name="png.226" id="png.226" href="#png.226"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>222<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>and a cool appearance, with efficiency. Mr. Southwater had been asked to bring a lady with -him, to make the party even, as well as to provide -agreeable society for Mr. Lilburne, while his -wife sat in the front seat, and conversed with him -as driver.</p> - -<p>‘Whom would you like, Mrs. Lilburne?’</p> - -<p>‘Oh, I leave that to your taste and discretion. -You know everybody in Pilot Mount, as well as -in Perth, I believe.’</p> - -<p>‘If Mrs. Wharton has returned from Perth, -she would be the ideal fourth. If not, one of the -Harley girls, or Jean White.’</p> - -<p>‘You accept the responsibility, mind; I won’t -interfere.’</p> - -<p>As it turned out, Mrs. Wharton was still in -Perth, and the Harleys had gone to Adelaide. -So when they drove up to a house in the suburbs, -surrounded by an unusually well-kept garden, and -half-covered with a purple flowering tacsonia, a -tall and beautiful girl, very well dressed, walked -forth, and was introduced as Miss Jean White. -Mrs. Lilburne’s face became expressive.</p> - -<p>‘Oh, I see! No one else but the “Fair Maid -of Perth” to be found—what a search you must -have made. However, I trust you will be as -successful in another quest one of these fine days. -You have my best wishes, at any rate.’</p> - -<p>‘I feel sure of that, Mrs. Lilburne, or I -shouldn’t be here now, should I?’</p> - -<p>‘I suppose you mean that trifling affair after -the skirmish of Pilot Mount.’</p> - -<p>‘Not at all. Much more serious—the fever I -<a name="png.227" id="png.227" href="#png.227"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>223<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>brought with me from Salt Lake. I don’t easily -give up, yet I really thought I was gone then. -But I see your husband and Miss Jean are getting -on quite nicely, and old Hotspur is beginning -to paw the ground preparatory to rearing. We -had better start.’</p> - -<p>One touch—a mere hint from the rein, and -away go the fast, impatient pair. The road is -smooth, sandy, and just sufficiently firm to make -the going perfect; no trees to speak of, a dead -level for many a mile, with a faint blue range of -hills on the farthest horizon. There had been a -shower or two—the dust was minimised.</p> - -<p>The low sun brought with it the promise of a -graduated coolness, operating until midnight. The -conditions of travel were perfect. As the light -vehicle, behind the pick of the city harness pairs, -swept smoothly on, the sensation was, in its way, -pleasurably exciting; the feeling of vast, almost -illimitable space—the dry, warm air—the absence -of sound or movement other than the slight disturbance -caused by the quick hoof-beats and faint -whirring of their own wheels, which seemed like a -rash intrusion into a vast, hostile, formless region. -For a short time conversation had ceased—simultaneously. -Miss White was gazing dreamily into -the ultimate west, where the cloud scheme had -resolved itself into a vast sheet of crimson and -gold, deepening at the edges to orange, with -gradually intruding blends of lake, pale green and -violet.</p> - -<p>‘A penny for your thoughts, Jean,’ said Mrs. Lilburne. ‘And suppose we make it binding on -<a name="png.228" id="png.228" href="#png.228"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>224<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>all four of us. We seem to have been suddenly -stricken dumb. I wonder what the occult influence -could have been? Miss White is to speak first.’</p> - -<p>‘I was thinking,’ said the girl, ‘of the strangeness -of life here. Civilisation on one hand, with -books, music, London fashions, art novelties, -scarcely a month old—all the great world’s great -events published at breakfast time from day to -day. On the other hand, to quote dear Sir -Walter, “a sun-scorched desert, brown and bare”—and -here come the camels to fill in the picture!’ -As she spoke, a long train wound round the edge -of a line of hillocks—their leader, with turbaned -attendants, adding the Eastern tone and flavour to -the apparition from the underworld.</p> - -<p>‘Thanks very much,’ said Mrs. Lilburne. -‘You are evidently destined to make a name in -literature, when you elect to traverse that thorny -path. What is to be the title?—for a book it must -be within the year! Write while the “impulse” -is fresh and unquestioned. Now for a title—<cite>The -Yellow Slave</cite>, or <cite>Western Whispers</cite>, by -“Winifred.”’</p> - -<p>‘You are making me blush,’ said the girl. -‘Who said I ever wrote? If it were any other -person I should call it unkind.’</p> - -<p>‘My dearest Jean, you are convicting yourself -out of your own mouth. I did not say that you -<em>had</em> written, but that with your poetic tastes and -strong turn for idealising our everyday life, you -would be certain to write in the future. Not that -I should care for your becoming a “writing -woman.”’</p> - -<p><a name="png.229" id="png.229" href="#png.229"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>225<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>‘Now you are disrespectful to authors. Why -should I not write? I might give the English -cousins a clearer insight into our lives, about which, -it seems to me, they are so strangely ignorant.’</p> - -<p>‘All in good time, my dear! You were intended -by Nature for something much better than -to write books for idle people to read. What do -you think, Mr. Southwater?’</p> - -<p>‘Quite agree with Mrs. Lilburne,’ said the -young man, looking upon the lovely <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">ingénue</i> -with such manifest admiration that she turned to -Lilburne, and playfully besought his aid against her -opponents.</p> - -<p>‘Miss White is perfectly within her rights in -extracting intellectual pleasure from the scant -materials which lie around her. She is making -the world at large her debtor by doing so. On -the other hand, is the game worth the candle? -Think of the careworn expression, the harassed -nerves, the premature departure of youth—that -divine if ephemeral gift. And all for what? -For the sake of a book which half the world don’t -understand, and the other half dislike.’</p> - -<p>‘But think of the pleasure of being successful—really -successful! What a glorious privilege! -And such a joy while one is writing! I think I -should die with ecstasy over a real triumph.’</p> - -<p>‘Trust me—believe me, my dear Miss White, -I have known writers, successful ones, too, of -both sexes, and they were mostly disillusioned, if -not disappointed. No, my dear young lady, the -kind gods have blessed you with the chief treasures -of this mortal life—health, youth, warm friends, -<a name="png.230" id="png.230" href="#png.230"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>226<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>and, I might say, the highest endowment of all. -Tempt not the jealous goddess.’</p> - -<p>‘All this is very fine, and, no doubt, elevating,’ -interposed Mrs. Lilburne; ‘but suppose we revert -to the practical. Here we are at Pilot Hill, a -place where romance has been acted—not merely -written about, as Mr. Southwater, quite among -friends, might tell us if he would.’</p> - -<p>‘Nothing much to tell,’ said that young man, -who, like all men of true heroic mould, hated -talking about his deeds of valour. ‘Only a quick -thing, soon over. Casualties few. Enemy routed -with loss.’</p> - -<p>‘What a shabby account of a real affair of -outposts. Here’s Jean dying to hear about it. -You <em>were</em> wounded, you know, or was it Lord -Newstead? We can’t let you off. Support me, -Jean, love! Look at her, Mr. Southwater.’</p> - -<p>The girl, who had been gazing at Southwater -with a world of interest, admiration, and pained -sympathy in her beautiful eyes, dropped them at -this appeal, and could only murmur pleadingly, -‘Please do.’</p> - -<p>The young fellow was but a man. Thus -adjured he would have been more than mortal if -he had resisted such an appeal.</p> - -<p>‘Now, Mrs. Lilburne, this is hardly fair. But -I’m not a public character, and I know I can rely -on you not to give me away. So here goes, while -we walk the horses up the hill:—</p> - -<p>‘The night was hot and steamy. I was sitting -in my tent writing home, and Newstead was talking -to Minniekins—really half the credit belongs -<a name="png.231" id="png.231" href="#png.231"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>227<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>to her, for she gave us warning, you know. We -were enjoying the quiet loaf, when suddenly she -began to growl—not a bark, but a low, suspicious, -disapproving note, hinting at undesirables. It -was too dark to see more than a few yards; but -Minniekins rarely made a false point.</p> - -<p>‘We had finished a big clean up, and were -mostly tired—perhaps a trifle sleepy. I stopped -writing and watched. Minniekins kept on growling. -On a sudden she burst into a fierce bark. -Then I heard an oath, and a sharp yell of pain, -after which she went on barking worse than ever. -Then the scoundrels made their rush—it was a -“put-up thing,” I mean planned beforehand—and -the scrimmage began.</p> - -<p>‘A fellow jammed a revolver into my face, -which I instinctively knocked up, knocking him -down with a left-hander at the same time.</p> - -<p>‘His “gun,” as Americans call it, fell wide of -him, and I grabbed it before he got on his legs -again. I heard shots while this little bit of business -was going on, and Mr. Banneret got a scratch—a -close shave all the same. My man was soon -made safe, and I was just in time to see Newstead -laid out with a bullet through his left shoulder, -not so far from the heart. A police detachment -came in on the top of the shindy; but the battle -was over. A tall man lay dead not far from the -gold-room—poor Dick Andrews was down, and -played out; but he had saved Banneret’s life by -dropping “Long Jack” as the tall scoundrel—a -noted criminal from another colony—was taking a -second shot.</p> - -<p><a name="png.232" id="png.232" href="#png.232"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>228<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>‘Old Jack, who was just going to the township, -and, being in full fig, had of course got his six-shooter, -had fired right and left with good effect, -so that when the Inspector lined up with the -flower of the police force, fully armed, there -was nothing to do but to carry off the wounded -and bury the casualties. That was our Waterloo—short, -sharp, and decisive; if it hadn’t been -for Minniekins, we should have been taken, -wholly unprepared—like the War Office in the -Boer War. I think she ought to be decorated -for it.’</p> - -<p>‘And Lord Newstead—I suppose he recovered?’</p> - -<p>‘I can answer for that,’ said Mrs. Lilburne, ‘as -I had him under my care for a month, and a very -refractory patient he was. He went home by the -next P. & O.’</p> - -<p>‘Of course he did,’ said Southwater, in an -aggrieved tone, ‘and swelled about with his arm -in a sling, giving himself the airs and graces of -the wounded warrior, and letting the girls wait -upon him all the way to Marseilles, under the -impression that “his heart was weak,” and all -sorts of humbug, while Chesterfield and I had to -come back here and—er—take up the weary round -of toil and what’s-its-name.’</p> - -<p>‘Well, it seems to agree with you, Mr. Southwater,’ -said the girl, smiling in so bewitching a -fashion that a man might have been nerved to -even greater exertion than such as was demanded -from the shareholders in a mine which had reached -the dividend-paying stage, and <em>such</em> dividends too, -<a name="png.233" id="png.233" href="#png.233"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>229<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>as the ‘Last Chance, Limited,’ was even now -disbursing.</p> - -<p>‘“All’s well that ends well,” is a comfortable -proverb. I feel pretty well, thank you, Miss -White, and am gratified for the compliment. -But here is old Jack coming forward to welcome -this honourable party, and to do the honours in -proper goldfield style.’</p> - -<p>That venerable ancient now arrived on the scene, -his bronzed and gnarled countenance wrinkled -into an expression of welcome, which seemed with -difficulty to adapt itself to his rugged face. The -intention, however, was unmistakable.</p> - -<p>‘Proud to see you, Mrs. Lilburne—and Miss -Jean. Lord love her, hasn’t she growed into the -beauty of the world! How you’ve shot up, to -be sure! It’s many a long year since your father -and I met on the other side. Well, he was always -lucky—in more ways than one—that I’ll say and -stand to. Glad to see you, sir! Like to see the -mine? Saw the big silver mine at Los Angelos, -did you? I was there many a year ago. Didn’t -ought to have come away neither. But I was -a “forty-niner.” Couldn’t help following the -rush to ’Frisco—what a time it was! There’ll -never be anything like it again while the world -lasts.’</p> - -<p>‘My husband would like to see the machinery,’ -said Mrs. Lilburne. ‘What a grand view you’ve -got!’</p> - -<p>‘That’s what I thought when I first seen it, -ma’am. I was pretty well told out when I got -here first—thought I’d turn round and get back -<a name="png.234" id="png.234" href="#png.234"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>230<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>while I’d a little strength left. But I couldn’t -help standin’ still to look at the view. The sun -was just a-settin’, and there was a kind of gold -and red look over that far plain country. So, -thinks I, it looks mean to cut away back without -proving one or two of these “gulches”—that’s -what we called them in San Francisco. So I stayed -and camped—and next day if I didn’t fall plum -centre on the—the——’</p> - -<p>‘The Great Pilot Mount Reef, going twenty -ounces to the ton,’ said Mr. Southwater, ‘which -you’re going to show these ladies and Mr. Lilburne—not -forgetting a five-ounce nugget for -Miss White.’</p> - -<p>‘We’ve been breaking down the south end of -the reef to-day, and got some pretty coarse gold, -so the ladies has come at a good time, sir. Please -to follow me, and we’ll see what we can do. It -ain’t every day we see a young lady like Miss Jean. -Lord bless and prosper her!’</p> - -<p>So the party was introduced to the ‘shift boss,’ -with other leading officials and men in authority; -afterwards to be lowered down in the ‘cage’ to -where men were working two hundred yards from -the surface, in narrow alleys with gleaming white -or pink walls of quartz, in which were golden -streaks. Narrow bands of dull red or yellow -metal, almost unrecognisable as the root of all -evil, and the lure for which men—ay, and women—bartered -soul and body, and were content to work -in hunger, dirt, rags, and wretchedness, if only -they could gain a sufficiency of the dross, so -called, which people profess to despise, but which -<a name="png.235" id="png.235" href="#png.235"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>231<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>all men covet and hanker for to their lives’ -end.</p> - -<p>The atmosphere was hot and humid; the men -at work in these lower levels might have passed -for Red Sea stokers, as they laboured with tense -muscle and sinew.</p> - -<p>To what purpose this labour was expended—so -far from the light of the sun or the fresh air of -heaven—a visit to the treasure-chamber, in one side -of the great gallery, was recommended. There the -person in charge of the gold pointed out some of -the specimens which had recently been sent in. -Besides these there was the retorted gold.</p> - -<p>After the gold was extracted from the innocent-looking -matrix, it was poured into shapes, one -of which, looking like the half of that anchor -of British loyalty and instinctive reverence to the -Empire, the British plum-pudding, the guardian -had more than once offered to an adventurous -damsel ‘on tour’—if she could <em>carry it away</em>: -a challenge sometimes accepted; but in all cases -the weight proved too great for the fair arms -which so lovingly enfolded the bullion. However, -fragments of the pure, precious metal were -extracted from the glittering heap and handed -to Mrs. Lilburne and the fair Jean, with apologies, -even entreaties that they would deign to accept -them, and so bring good luck to the mine, and all -who laboured in it.</p> - -<p>‘I must say,’ said Lilburne, after marking with -experienced eye the various indications on this and -other ‘drives’ (galleries), and workings generally, -‘that this country of yours appears to me more -<a name="png.236" id="png.236" href="#png.236"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>232<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>wonderful every hour I spend in it. Think of a -solitary traveller, “remote, unfriended, melancholy, -slow,” dropping upon a property like this, and, -what is more noteworthy, being able to keep -possession of it.’</p> - -</div> - - -<div class="chap"> -<h2 title="Chapter X"><a name="png.237" id="png.237" href="#png.237"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>233<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>CHAPTER X</h2> - - -<p>‘<span class="smc">All</span> this is very nice,’ said the fair damsel, who -had refused to accept another pennyweight of gold, -‘but the sun is going down, and I <em>must</em> see the -exact spot where the battle was fought, where Mr. Newstead lay, and where the tall robber fell dead; -also where old Jack stood when he “opened business -on his own account”—I should like to have been -there, I confess.’</p> - -<p>‘Next time, Miss Jean, we will let you know,’ -replied Southwater; ‘but come with me, and I -will show you all the points of the attack, and -where our camp stood.’</p> - -<p>Scrambling up the narrow path, the young -people reached the conical flat-topped boulder near -the summit, where the ‘frontal attack’ of the gold-robbers -had been made. Exclaiming that ‘she was -out of breath,’ the girl seated herself upon the -historic stone—to be famous henceforth in the -legends which are so apt to grow and develop -with age.</p> - -<p>‘What a curious sensation it must be to be shot -at!’ she said, gazing dreamily over the trackless -Waste, where the red sunset spread a wondrous -<a name="png.238" id="png.238" href="#png.238"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>234<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>blazonry, weirdly gorgeous in the pageant of the -fading eve. ‘How did you feel, Mr. Southwater?’</p> - -<p>‘There’s no time to feel anything unless you’re -hit. Newstead said it was like a crack with a -stone—hardly realised till you drop; then, of -course, you are all the time wanting to get at the -other fellow. At least that’s my experience. It -was all so sudden: I had only just written home -to my friends, saying it was absurd to think of a -goldfield as rude and lawless—that, in fact, it was -<em>much</em> safer than London at midnight. A minute -or two afterwards, we were fighting for our lives -and hard-earned gold; more surprising still—but—perhaps——’</p> - -<p>‘Oh! go on, pray,’ pleaded Miss Jean, whose -interest was now fully aroused, as was evidenced -by her sparkling eyes and changing colour—‘what -<em>could</em> be more surprising?’</p> - -<p>‘I only meant that it was queer, though folks -at home wouldn’t realise it, that our best and -boldest defender, poor Dick Andrews, who really -won the fight for us, turns out to have been a -notorious criminal, known in connection with the -death of an Inspector of police in another colony.’</p> - -<p>‘Poor fellow! perhaps he had suffered injustice—one -never knows. What became of him?’</p> - -<p>‘He was mortally wounded in the engagement, -and made an edifying end next day, happy in the -thought that his wife and children were provided -for.’</p> - -<p>The girl was silent for a little space, and then -said in a changed voice, ‘Can you tell me, Mr. Southwater, can any one explain, why what are -<a name="png.239" id="png.239" href="#png.239"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>235<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>called bad men are so much more interesting than -ordinary well-behaved people? They should not -be, but that they are there’s no denying.’</p> - -<p>‘Hard to say—must be a natural sympathy -for what Marcus Clarke calls “the thoroughbred -upstanding criminal.” Sort of glamour—particularly -affecting women, strange to say. Men -understand the breed better. And yet any one -more unlike the received notion of the hardened -outlaw than poor Dick couldn’t be.’</p> - -<p>‘Now, what was he like?’</p> - -<p>‘The regular Sydney-side native. Tall, spare, -muscular, or, rather, sinewy of frame, with regular -features, chiefly unrelaxed, but wearing a pleasant -expression at times. Low-voiced, and unpretending -in demeanour, though wonderfully good at -all manner of bush work. Reserved, for reason -good, as may be imagined, yet respected “on the -field,” and held to be liberal in all that concerned -his fellow-workers. A perfect horseman, as a -matter of course.’</p> - -<p>‘I shall begin to cry if we go on much longer,’ -said the fair Jean, ‘and Mrs. Lilburne will be -mildly reproachful, dear soul! if we are late for -dinner.’</p> - -<p>So these young people lost no time in joining -their friends, and the buggy pulled up at the -Palace Hotel in something like ‘record time’ -between ‘the Mount’ and the city, which, indeed, -had been carefully noted, and was publicly known -to all who had pretensions to sporting accuracy.</p> - -<p>The next morning saw the departure of Alister -Lilburne and his wife from the Gold City, which -<a name="png.240" id="png.240" href="#png.240"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>236<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>had been to her a refuge, nay, a home—a retreat -from the pressure of care, the uncertainty of -position, for all these days; departure from the -people whom she had learned to love, and who had -loved her with the deep, abiding conviction based -upon gratitude and respect, which outlives ephemeral -popularity—becoming welded into a cult or, as in -Eastern lands, into a Faith. Whatever might have -been the feelings with which the ordinary population -of Pilot Mount regarded their late Hospital -Superintendent, a handsome and indeed munificent -endowment, to be devoted to the building -and fitting up of a new wing, testified to Elinor -Lilburne’s enduring interest in the welfare of the -institution to which she had devoted some of the -best years of her life.</p> - -<div class="tb"><b>. . . . . . . . .</b></div> - -<p>Arnold Banneret’s financial status had now -developed by such ‘leaps and bounds,’ to use the -handy parliamentary phrase, that he found himself -placed in an entirely novel position—one, indeed, -of which he had never had previous experience; -nor had he, in any mood of day-dreaming, been -confronted with such. Yet, now, a decision must -be made—a momentous question settled definitely. -His income, large even for a golden claimholder, -was annually increasing. Money was no object, -to speak familiarly, yet it was the question before -the House—the Legislative Council represented by -himself, personally; and indeed he had been an -M.L.C. for some years, in right of which, and a -talisman worn on his watch chain, he was entitled -to free railway passage throughout the length and -<a name="png.241" id="png.241" href="#png.241"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>237<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>breadth of New South Wales. It was a pity that -it did not apply to all British dominions, some of -his fellow-legislators thought; but that privilege -could not be arranged just yet. Still, in that day, -when the United States of Australasia, with a -population of a hundred millions, dominating the -South Pacific, from New Guinea to Victoria Land -within the Antarctic Circle, in alliance, too, with -the United States and the Dominion of Canada, -form a Pan-Anglican Power, prompt and efficient -to regulate the world’s war and peace, who shall -say them nay?</p> - -<p>The voyage home! Of this momentous ‘trip,’ -as it was called in light, almost sportive reference, -the now successful, honoured, and wealthy -Australian proprietor had often thought. But -neither the means nor the opportunity for such a -decisive movement had as yet been forthcoming. -The children had been too young, the financial outlook -too restricted, in his earlier married life. Not -that he or his wife had any ardent desire to make -the change. They were attached to their native -land; the climate agreed with them—they were not -sure that the rigorous seasons of the ancestral isle -would suit the immature brood, in which were -centred the hopes and fears, the joys and sorrows, -of their daily life. It had been relegated by consent -to the region of by and by, where so many -of the fairy legends of childhood were to come -true; and now, slowly, imperceptibly, yet not less -surely, the years had flown. Those years which -divide early manhood and womanhood from -middle age had departed never to return.</p> - -<p><a name="png.242" id="png.242" href="#png.242"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>238<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>The future—the ‘by and by’—which had -loomed so far and mist-coloured in their early life, -had been overtaken. It had become the present, -to be felt and reckoned with. The children had -grown up. Of the boys, one was at Cambridge, -the other working hard to pass exams., and panting -for the happy day when he should see his -name gazetted for a commission in an Imperial -cavalry regiment. Of the girls, younger by -several years, Hermione, almost ready to ‘come -out,’ as the Society phrase is; the others, school-girls, -receiving daily tuition from governesses, -music masters, teachers of drawing, singing, -languages,—all the varied education which goes to -equip the modern maiden for her place in the -ranks of womanhood.</p> - -<p>Now these young people had a natural ambition -to ‘see the world.’ They had read widely, -if not deeply, and were impatient to have tangible -evidence of the historic glories of older lands. -Of paintings and statuary their knowledge had -been necessarily limited, although far from ordinary -collections had been accessible in the galleries -and museums of the metropolis in which they -resided, and others which they had visited. Their -artistic tastes, though not wholly unformed, were -capable of higher development. They yearned -for closer acquaintance with the capitals of the -world—the ancient world. They ardently desired -to behold Rome, Venice, Greece, Paris, Cairo. -Reading was delightful. They could never be -sufficiently grateful to their parents who had indulged -their legitimate enthusiasm to the fullest -<a name="png.243" id="png.243" href="#png.243"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>239<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>amount possible to their opportunities. But, of -course, it was not, could never be the same. They -longed to stand upon the Bridge of Sighs, ‘a -palace and a prison on each hand’; to watch -‘Old Tiber through a marble wilderness rise with -her yellow waves’; to visit the Coliseum by moonlight; -to stand on Mars Hill, and ‘yon tower-capped -Acropolis, which seems the very clouds to -kiss,’—in short, to view all sorts of instructive, -entrancing places. After such experiences they -did not care what happened. They would have -seen everything worth seeing. They could no -longer be classed as ‘mere colonials’—they would -be citizens of the world—akin to the most enviable -sections of English society. Mrs. Banneret, -though with less enthusiasm, agreed in the main -with her daughters. Time and circumstance -were propitious. Who could tell whether so -favourable a combination would remain unaltered?</p> - -<p>Besides, she was anxious to see her sons once -more. It was nearly three years since they had -left their native land. Her husband secretly -sympathised, though for a different class of -reasons. He had not, could not have, the instinctive, -passionate yearning with which the tender -maternal heart agonises, so to speak, for the -embrace of the sons whom she has brought into -the world; for the sight of their dear faces; to -feel once more the touch of cheek, of lips, of -handclasp; to hear the joyous exultation of -greeting after long absence; to mark anew the -likeness to either parent, which the advancing -<a name="png.244" id="png.244" href="#png.244"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>240<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>years may have imprinted yet more distinctly on -face or form.</p> - -<p>In a measure, of course, Arnold Banneret -shared these sacred sensations. He was proud of -his boys, of their good looks and athletic development; -fond of them also, although with less -intensity than the mother that bore them—holiest -and most ancient tie. He had watched over their -education up to the University stage, and now, -having, as he told himself, done his duty by them, -awaited with some anxiety, though with reasonable -confidence, the choice of a profession which it -behoved them to make. For himself, he looked -forward, of course, with pleasurable anticipation -to revisiting the scenes, so fondly remembered, of -the halcyon time of early manhood, when, fresh -from college, he had roamed over the Continent with -a comrade of congenial culture. Together they -had followed the course of the majestic, solemn -Rhine—mused over the ruined towers of Sternfels -and Liebenstein—gazed at Rolandseck, at once -the pride and beauty of the noble river. Rome, -Athens, Florence, Paris—how the rapture of -travel, the joy of companionship, the careless -wanderings over hill and dale, city and plain, -came freshly back! Could but one’s youth -return!</p> - -<p>Alas! how few of the comrades of that joyous -time are left, even in middle age. Hope is fled; -the anticipation of a perhaps romantic future no -longer cheers the sober monotony of life. We -know the best that <em>can</em> happen. We fear lest the -worst should come suddenly into our life, like some -<a name="png.245" id="png.245" href="#png.245"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>241<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>monster of the wood, unseen, unsuspected before. -Such are, such may be, the brooding imaginings of -the later life.</p> - -<p>The Honourable Arnold Banneret, as for years -he had been styled, was able to combat them by -reflecting that, at any rate, he had played a man’s -part in life, at first with moderate, then with exceptional -success. He had sons wherewith to meet -his enemies in the gate. There was little doubt—he -thanked God—of their courage and intelligence. -Why then this dark hour, these depressing -doubts?</p> - -<p>As a corrective, he proceeded at once to the -office of the P. & O. Company, and took his -passage for London. After securing the requisite -number of comfortable cabins in the <cite>Lhassa</cite>—the -latest addition to the fleet of noble liners which, -since their introduction by the great Association of -ship-owners, has enabled Australian colonists to -travel with speed and economy, with comfort, even -luxury—he returned to lunch at Redgrove, with -spirits considerably improved, and in a frame of -mind more nearly akin to that in which he was -accustomed to prepare for a long overland journey -in the days of ‘long ago.’ ‘How strange it is,’ -he told himself, ‘that on the eve of an important -voyage, or undertaking, a feeling of doubt and -depression should so often manifest itself. One -involuntarily recalls the presentiments which came -true—of shipwreck, of hurricane, fire, or mutiny, -following the gloom and almost despairing prevision -of disaster. Of the numberless successful -undertakings and fortunate voyages no record is -<a name="png.246" id="png.246" href="#png.246"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>242<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>kept. “Fears of the brave and follies of the -wise” are not far to seek in the connection.’</p> - -<p>Sir Walter Scott, in success most modest, in -adversity truly undaunted, even he owns to an unreasonable -cloud of doubt and irresolution, including -a ghostly murmur, ‘Do not go, Walter,’ which -he solemnly affirms to, and that nearly led him to -give up an expedition which afterwards turned out -to be most beneficial, fortunate, and even marked -by distinguished adventures.</p> - -<div class="tb"><b>. . . . . . . . .</b></div> - -<p>The eventful day, fortunately fine, came at last. -It was in the opening week of March—the first -month of the southern autumn, mild with clear -skies, cool bracing nights and mornings. The -winds in that halcyon time were still: the north -wind no longer swept across the plains of the inmost -desert, bringing burning heat, dust-storms, -and wrathful cyclones in its track to the cities of -the coast.</p> - -<p>All nature, before the advent of winter, appeared -to be entering upon a dreamless slumber. The -winter, dread season of the austere North, was but -relatively severe—cool, rather than cold, with the -exception of the mountain heights, where snow -fell in early autumn and lay until spring was fairly -advanced.</p> - -<p>Packing and preparing for the momentous -family event was therefore divested of its less -agreeable features, while the inevitable process of -leave-taking, with farewells to friends and relatives, -was transacted under the most favourable circumstances—a -bright sun and fair wind, not too -<a name="png.247" id="png.247" href="#png.247"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>243<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>pronounced. At the appointed hour the bell rang, -the shoreward division was politely requested to -hasten their departure, and the huge liner moved -gracefully from the wharf, and with calm, resistless -force was soon breasting the wavelets between those -frowning rock-portals, the Sydney Heads.</p> - -<p>On that auspicious, long-remembered day, -everything went well. The young people, for the -first time in their lives on ‘blue water,’ walked -the decks until the time for preparing for dinner -arrived.</p> - -<p>At this important function they were placed in -the seat of honour at the captain’s table, and near -that august, autocratic ruler—Mrs. Banneret, indeed, -on the commander’s right hand, and other -members of the family in close proximity. The -whole service was admirable in their eyes; the -menu varied, and excellently cooked. Military -and naval officers, with Indian passengers getting -off at Colombo, gave a pleasant, half-foreign tone -to the company. By the time coffee was introduced, -and the adjournment to the row of deck-chairs and -lounges made, Hermione and Vanda were convinced -that a ‘voyage home’ was a fairy-tale experience, -merely the overture to a dramatic performance of -dazzling variety and enjoyment.</p> - -<p>‘What a new life this is, compared to our -existence in Sydney!’ exclaimed Hermione to her -mother, as together they paced the deck, leaving -their father to sit between Vanda and the younger -girls, answering their endless questions.</p> - -<p>‘Oh, I am so delighted that you persuaded -father to make the plunge, and take us home! -<a name="png.248" id="png.248" href="#png.248"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>244<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>I was afraid that he might suddenly get bad news -from Pilot Mount, or a bank, or something, and -say it was impossible to go; you never can be -sure, until you are actually on board, and off—really -off. Even then the Bardsleys actually came -back from Colombo, for some trumpery reason—the -climate did not agree with their aunt, or some -one. I believe the elder girls went on by themselves. -I couldn’t have done that, could I, -mother? but you must own it was heartbreaking.’</p> - -<p>‘It is like many things that have to be endured -in this life, my darling!’ said the fond mother, -tenderly parting the bright hair of the girl, now in -the first flush of youthful beauty; for they were a -handsome family, the Bannerets—vigorous in -mind and body; devotedly attached to each other -and to their parents; clever in their way, though -perhaps not of the highest order of intellectual -development, but highly intelligent, and sympathetic -to all the higher ideals. What was wanting in early -and thorough training was compensated by energy, -courage, and the fervent desire to approve themselves -fitted for the front ranks in all departments -of human effort.</p> - -<div class="tb"><b>. . . . . . . . .</b></div> - -<p>The voyage came to an end, much like other -voyages to the home-land, the Mecca of Australian-born -colonists, the ancestral isle—the sacred soil, -hallowed by a thousand traditions with which all -are chiefly familiar from early childhood, but on -which not all are privileged to tread. To those -who, from narrow circumstances, increasing age, -<a name="png.249" id="png.249" href="#png.249"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>245<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>or other reasons, the priceless privilege has been -denied (and there have been cases of highly cultured, -indeed eminent personages, who, with a curiously -accurate knowledge of London town and suburb, -have yet never <em>seen</em> either), the omission has caused -a regret which only ended with life; while those -who can talk of British country houses, and the -green lanes of ‘merrie England,’ bear themselves -ever afterward with a sense of superiority over -their less fortunate friends and relatives. Unvexed -by storms, the good ship <cite>Lhassa</cite> pursued her course -to Colombo the paradisial, where first the glories of -a possible Eden—with flower and fruit, primæval -forest and mystic mountain summit, the whole set -like a many-coloured jewel within the girdling -wave and glowing tropic sky—were revealed to -their enraptured gaze. They left this charmed -region after a survey all too brief, registering a vow, -separately and collectively, to revisit the magic isle, -the splendour of which they would recall in their -dreams. However, the next best thing would be -the sights and sounds of the city of the Caliph -Haroun-al-Raschid, the dream-palaces of Zobeide -and Amina—the one-eyed Calendars<!-- TN: probably misspelling of "Qalandar" -->, transformed -princes, and Grand Viziers. Here they were -promised a fortnight’s stay, in which they could -revel in the ‘havoc and glory of the East’ to their -hearts’ content.</p> - -<p>This, too, came in due course. Not alone -were the immortal memories of the <cite>Arabian -Nights</cite> recalled before their wondering eyes, with -water-carriers, black slaves, veiled women, pacha -and dragoman, camels and Arab horses, with gems -<a name="png.250" id="png.250" href="#png.250"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>246<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>of Easternrie like the sands of the sea for multitude; -but more modern delights, perhaps, on the -whole, not less alluring to the immature feminine -mind—the grandeur and magnificence of the Savoy -Hotel, with the dresses and jewels of the fair -visitors who made Cairo a winter resort. Whatever -sins of omission the Banneret family had -to charge themselves with in after years, the complete -and thorough exploration of Grand Cairo -and its environs was not among them. They -‘did’ the historic place conscientiously and -thoroughly. The Sphinx, the Pyramids, the -Museum at Boulak; the Nile, up to the first -cataract; the citadel, the Mosque, the Palace of -Sweet Waters,—all the regular, and some of the -irregular sights. Nothing was neglected. The -girls, indeed the whole party, rode well. Mrs. Banneret had been a daring horsewoman in her -youth, and though motherhood had necessarily -abated her enterprise, the courage which neither -poverty, sickness, fatigue, nor mortal pain had -power to tame, was still unshaken, and enabled her -to bear her part in the expeditions in which the -family revelled. Her willowy figure, but little -altered from the days of girlhood, was admirably -suited for equestrian exercise. She, like the rest -of the family, delighted in the glowing atmosphere -of the desert, and, now that circumstances -had conspired to free her from the trammels of -housekeeping, she surrendered herself unreservedly -to the enchantment of the hour.</p> - -<p>‘What a glorious experience this is for the -children—for all of us, indeed!’ she exclaimed -<a name="png.251" id="png.251" href="#png.251"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>247<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>more than once. ‘I think you and I, Arnold, -enjoy the whole thing nearly as much as they do—the -foreign surroundings, the verification of old -history and legend, the aloofness of all things -from the rawness, if I may use the word, of their -native land.’</p> - -<p>‘Yes,’ he replied; ‘one seems to absorb everything -in a deep, unuttered spirit of thankfulness; -and while contented with our lot in life, we have -one feeling in common with some of our fellow-visitors -at the hotel: a conviction—I speak of Lord -Westerham and that South African millionaire who -came to the Savoy last week—that our financial -position is assured, impossible for anything to -alter. We are, however, in a higher position than -the millionaire. With him brain work and anxiety -have told a tale. His health is impaired. They -say he suffers terribly from insomnia, than which -I can imagine nothing more agonising. A man -whom I knew, otherwise enviably placed, finding -that change of air combined with a sea voyage had -no effect, hired a cab one day, went out for a -short drive, and shot himself.’</p> - -<p>‘What a dreadful thing to do! He must -have been insane.’</p> - -<p>‘Not necessarily. The mental torment, unrelieved -by “sleep that knits up the ravelled -sleave of care,” had reached the stage when it -became unendurable. People are not necessarily -mad when they elect to face the problem of the -Great Hereafter.’</p> - -<p>‘I cannot but think that they <em>are</em>,’ said she, ‘or -they would remain to confront the ills of life, rather -<a name="png.252" id="png.252" href="#png.252"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>248<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>than be false to every duty and callous to the suffering -of those whom they leave behind. But the idea -is hateful to me. I cannot bear to discuss it.’</p> - -<p>The days of dreamy delight in the land of the -Pharaohs came all too swiftly to an end. The -season had advanced. If they wished to see the -glorious greenery of England in the spring, they -could not afford to linger among the ruins of the -past, however stupendous or awe-striking. It was -determined to make one halt, and one only. As -there were three women of the party, what doubt -could there be of the decision? They were to -visit Paris! A short sojourn in Malta produced -a cry of delight from the girls as they walked from -Nix Mangiare stairs to the Strada Reale. A drive -to St. Paul’s Bay, a fleeting vision of the drawbridges -and fortifications, of narrow streets and -lofty houses; mule-carts, mantillas, and water-carriers; -priests with sombre robes and broad-leafed -hats. There was so much to see, and but -little time in which to do it. The Governor’s -Palace was visited, reminiscent of Grand Masters; -L’Isle Adam, and doubtless de Beaumanoir, so -hard and unrelenting, in the case of the noble and -unhappy Rebecca; the ramparts where, guarded -by iron railings, were fosses of awful depth, besides -old-world towers and batteries, which the Moors -in past centuries had good cause to dread. -Another day was granted in favour of a visit to -the Church of St. John.</p> - -<p>‘Oh, we should be disgraced,’ said Hermione—‘have -to hide our heads in shame—if we dared to -say that we had spent a day in Malta and had not -<a name="png.253" id="png.253" href="#png.253"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>249<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>been inside that most lovely church! Think of -the Knights of Malta! Why, we are standing on -their marble tombstones! De Rohan—think of -the motto: “Ni prince, ni roi, Rohan je suis.” -Isn’t that it? Perhaps Bois-Guilbert lies not -far off—no, he can’t be; he was a Templar, -Far from respectable, I daresay; but one can’t help -loving him—can you now? Rebecca preferred -Wilfred, probably because he was fair and she was -dark. I’ve noticed that contrasts in complexion -tend that way.’</p> - -<p>‘If such nonsense is the outcome of your visit -to Malta, we need not have lost a day,’ said Mrs. Banneret. ‘Pray bring your thoughts more into -harmony with the surroundings. Listen to that -wonderful music—the organ is heavenly, and that -soaring soprano might be the voice of an angel. -I wonder at you, my dear!’</p> - -<p>‘Oh, mother dear, forgive me!’ pleaded the -penitent; ‘I did not intend to be irreverent; but -whether it is the lovely air, or the intoxication of -travel, I can’t say, for one’s tongue seems to run -along of itself. I won’t offend again.’ And here -tears dimmed the bright eyes of the sensitive -maiden, as mother and child embraced over one of -the few differences which ever ruffled the calm of -their deep mutual love.</p> - -<p>Mr. Banneret making his appearance with the -two younger girls, explanations were deferred, and -the party made their way homeward.</p> - -<p>Only a short stay, limited to the time necessary -for the purchase of <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">articles de Paris</i> and the indispensable -shoes and gloves, was made in Paris, -<a name="png.254" id="png.254" href="#png.254"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>250<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>the all-important dress question being left to a -more convenient season, when it and the leisurely -Continental tour could be thoroughly enjoyed. -At present the parents, although indulgent to the -border-line of prudence, were actuated by motives -unconnected with the enjoyment of picture galleries, -gardens of Armida, or military reviews, where the -striking uniforms of Zouaves and Spahis delighted -the girls. Mrs. Banneret yearned with all the -intensity of the maternal heart to see her boys -again.</p> - -<p>The head of the family had not said much on -the subject, and, save the sharer of his joys and -sorrows, none had heard him open his heart upon -a matter which nevertheless lay very near it—had -indeed caused him more anxiety than he cared to -express. ‘How are these boys of mine likely to -turn out?’ was a query which arose in his mind -at early dawn, when he always awoke; sometimes, -although not often, in the watches of the night; -occasionally during the day with insistent pertinacity. -He had seen so many cases where early -moral training, a good example, a liberal education, -good society, and good advice had been all -too powerless to stem the downward current of -indolence, extravagance, and dissipation. The -fatal knowledge that for them, at least, there was -no necessity for industry, self-denial, or economy, -overbore all old-fashioned arguments, as they considered -them to be.</p> - -<p>‘The governor,’ thus referred to in latter-day -speech, ‘had made “pots of money”—it had been -all right for <em>him</em> to work and slave in the queer -<a name="png.255" id="png.255" href="#png.255"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>251<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>early times that old buffers yarned about. He was -bound to do it, of course, or go under. But they -were <em>not</em>—that made all the difference. They -were sorry to disagree with him—he wasn’t half -bad, the old governor—in fact, a dashed good -sort. But he wasn’t up to date! He had no -idea of how a chap had to chuck the coin about, -to keep in the front rank, nowadays. He <em>must</em> -have the necessaries of life. Think of what polo -costs! You couldn’t get a decent pony under -fifty or sixty quid; then you must have a boy—a -smart one too; two ponies were little enough—safer -to have four, in case of accidents. Fellah -must be decently dressed if he goes out at all—and -tailors, if they were any good, charged such -infernal prices! He’d a fairish allowance, but last -Cup Day made a hole in it’—and so on—and -so on.</p> - -<p>This was the way the sons of his old friends -talked; this was the way they acted—sad to relate. -He heard them at the clubs—where they came -down late for breakfast, looking as if they required -a ‘strongish nip’ to steady their nerves. They -confessed with cheerful confidence that ‘supper -after the theatre had not been conducive to -appetite. They really intended to take a pull -some day—perhaps get married. But, really, -Sydney and Melbourne had become such infernally -dull holes that there was nothing to keep -a fellow from goin’ to sleep except bridge and -billiards—which didn’t always pay.’</p> - -<p>Would it not be worth while to try politics -for a little excitement? was suggested. There -<a name="png.256" id="png.256" href="#png.256"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>252<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>was the landed interest to develop legitimately—or -indeed to defend. A wave of socialism had -arisen, was indeed likely to become a tidal wave -if no effort was made to arrest the doctrine of -which among the earliest expositors was the late -lamented John Cade.</p> - -<p>‘What!’ cries ‘the heir of all the ages’—‘mug -up Goldwin Smith, Herbert Spencer, and -those other Johnnies—to rub shoulders with a lot -of fellows that drop their <i>h</i>’s all over the shop? -Shouldn’t get in, for one thing—and, if I did, -why there’s hardly a gentleman in the whole -caboodle!’</p> - -<p>‘Whose fault is that?’ queried the senior. -‘Have you ever tried?—or have any young men -of your class, except Wharton and Conyers, and -what are they among so many?’</p> - -<p>‘Don’t know that I have—not built that way. -Some fellahs like that sort of thing—I don’t.’</p> - -<p>‘Of course it doesn’t matter. It might interfere -with your amusements. Then you don’t -mind that the laws are being made by the people -you despise and won’t associate with—laws to bind -your children—and their children after you—if -you ever have any: you’ve lost the chance of -modifying them—or blocking the suicidal and -destructive ones. Laws made by men without -capital in land or business—chiefly without culture, -often without character; laws made to bind that -part of the population who are handicapped by -the possession of qualifications anciently held to -be titles to respect—now held to place them below -the swagman, the loafer, the drunkard, and the -<a name="png.257" id="png.257" href="#png.257"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>253<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>pauper, as guarantee for place and power! How -does that strike you?’</p> - -<p>‘Well, it does look mean—rather a crowd of -“rotters” to belong to—I must think it over—I’m -popular round about old Banda-widgeree—I -think I’ll have a shy for the district next election -if it’s not too late. I’m almost afraid it is. -They’re talking of nationalising the goldfields—the -land—the railways. Hang it!—they’ll want -to nationalise a fellah’s bank-balance next.’</p> - -<p>‘They’ll do that by a side wind, and if they -have the voting power on their side—as they have -pretty well now, what with adult and female -suffrage: ten thousand female voters in a metropolitan -constituency against <em>nine</em> thousand male -voters—whose fault is that?’</p> - -<p>‘I’m afraid our crowd had most to do with it -by letting things drift—and I’m as bad as anybody. -Good-bye—thanks—I do see things a trifle more -clearly. Perhaps I’ll stand after all.’</p> - -<p>Arnold Banneret had listened to, indeed joined -in, a conversation much resembling it one day. -It deepened the lines on his brow, which were -beginning to be more pronounced than the -advance of time warranted.</p> - -</div> - - -<div class="chap"> -<h2 title="Chapter XI"><a name="png.258" id="png.258" href="#png.258"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>254<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>CHAPTER XI</h2> - - -<p>‘<span class="smc">Suppose</span> Reggie and Eric turned out like that -young fellow!’ he told himself. ‘What good -would my life do me? Next to marrying one of -the daughters of Heth (the real, original millstone -round a man’s neck), what hope, satisfaction, or -comfort should I have in life? Is all my work, -thought, self-denial, and drudgery to go for -nothing? Shall I see as my male heirs and -successors a couple of well-dressed, good-looking -“moneyed loungers,” loafing through life -with no more interest in the great drama of -existence than the supernumerary at a fashion -play? Less useful, indeed, than the disregarded -“super,” for he works for his humble wage; -and these <i lang="la" xml:lang="la">nati consumere fruges</i> don’t even do -that.’</p> - -<p>These reflections gave so gloomy a tinge to his -view of life that he felt inclined to pronounce the -whole scheme of human life a joke—a bad one at -that. ‘Why, a man might work his powers of -mind and body to the extremity of endurance, to -reach a well-defined goal, where happiness sat -enthroned, and then—when he got there—his -<a name="png.259" id="png.259" href="#png.259"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>255<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>powers of enjoyment might desert him, or malign -occurrences dash the cup from his lips, and the -apples of the garden of the Hesperides turn to -ashes in his mouth! Why then should mortal -man seek to raise himself above the beasts that -perish? “Let us eat and drink, for to-morrow -we die.”’ <i lang="la" xml:lang="la">Vanitas vanitatum</i> was the verdict -with which he concluded this series of enlivening -reflections, when a voice which always had -power to charm away the demons of despondency -fell on his ears.</p> - -<p>‘Well, my dear Arnold, what are you looking -so serious about? Have you remembered that -we are to meet the Liddesdales at luncheon and -go with them to Aintree? We have settled to -see the great race run, and perhaps the boys will -be able to get away and meet us on the course. -The girls are so excited about it that their appetites -will suffer. There’s an Australian horse in it, or -a New Zealander, or something—at any rate an -Antipodean, more properly still an Australasian. -So we must all back him for the sake of our -national honour. What a splendid thing it will -be if he wins!’</p> - -<p>‘Afraid he hasn’t much chance, my dear! -The jumps are not high enough—or stiff enough—for -a horse used to three-railed fences. Didn’t -some one describe the Grand National as a flat -race with a good many low fences in it? Four -miles and a half, a trifle over, they say. It wants -a fast horse, a thoroughbred and a good stayer. -I’ve always held that we—I speak of the South -generally—should win it and the Derby some day. -<a name="png.260" id="png.260" href="#png.260"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>256<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>And so we shall, but there’s a difficulty about the -age that complicates the latter race. However, -that can be got over, I suppose, in time; but I -don’t feel in racing trim, somehow.’</p> - -<p>‘Oh, nonsense, my dear! you mustn’t get into -low spirits now we’ve got everything we ever -wished for, and more besides. It looks like the -pilot that weathered the storm breaking up after -the ship is safe in harbour. Come along and see -the girls’ new dresses. They’re in such good -taste, and yet “quite excellent” as to fashion and -fit.’</p> - -<p>The London season! How often had the -words fallen on the ears of the Australian family! -What a world of meaning it conveyed to the -juvenile section! Vast, mysterious, splendid—the -acme of enjoyment—the <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">ne plus ultra</i> of fashion. -The pinnacle of perfection in all things desirable, -with boundless riches as a substratum, solid, unquestioned, -supreme among the nations, what -power was like England? And here they were, -actually living and breathing in her metropolis—the -world’s metropolis, as they had often heard -it called. After London there was nothing more -to see—nothing more to learn. There were -orders of nobility on the continent of Europe—Counts -and Princes, Barons and Grafs, in profusion—but -what were they to the nobility of -England, where only the eldest son was heir to -the ancestral title? Not cheapened, as abroad, by -the law which gave the rank to every child of the -house and to every child of <em>their</em> children—thus -multiplying titles, which having little or no means -<a name="png.261" id="png.261" href="#png.261"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>257<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>upon which to support the dignity, brought contempt -upon the order and the race. Day by day -as they rode or strolled in the parks they saw -magnificent equipages, unsurpassed for beauty and -uniformity—such as no other capital could supply—such -horses, such carriages!—such equipages -generally—as struck them with surprise and admiration. -And the number and quality of them! -As the sands of the sea—innumerable. They -never seemed to come to an end. The private -carriages were overpowering enough in all conscience, -but by the Four-in-Hand Club—the -Coaching Club—on the days of the annual processions, -were they wonder-stricken, speechless! Such -teams, with such action—in such condition! such -coachmen—such footmen—beyond all conception -of matching, all imagination of fashion and completeness!</p> - -<p>Of course they had not been long in town -before they were taken to the theatres and opera -houses, where certain performances were in full -vogue and acceptation. Here they were entranced -by the perfection of the impersonations, the -splendour of the staging, the pathos and the -majesty of the finest vocal talent of the world, -supported by the grandest instrumental harmony. -Of this last consummation an Australian compatriot, -born and reared to womanhood in a -southern metropolis, was a <i lang="it" xml:lang="it">prima donna assoluta</i> -during that memorable season.</p> - -<p>Heroes too, naval and military, passed in review, -in park or street, before these young people. -They were evidently desirous to store their minds -<a name="png.262" id="png.262" href="#png.262"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>258<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>with the exact presentment of the demigods of the -race, ‘in their habit’ as they lived, for retrospective -meditation. Kitchener was in the Soudan -again, but they had sight and heard speech of -Lord Roberts—Roberts of Kandahar!</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="ineg">‘Then we put the lances down,</div> -<div>Then the bugles blew, as we rode to Kandahar,</div> -<div>Marching two and two,’</div> -</div> -</div> -</div> - -<p class="noindent">quoted Vanda. He was mounted, looking a horseman -and a soldier, every inch of him, from plume -to spur—carried by a lovely charger, but <em>not</em> on -the historical Arab. Much they grieved that -Volonel the beauteous, the high-born, the beloved, -had passed away to the land of the ‘Great Dead.’</p> - -<p>‘Do you believe,’ queried Vanda, ‘that the -dear horses we have all known, and loved and -mourned, are denied a future life, when so many -of our rubbishy fellow-creatures, idle, criminal and -despicable in every sense, are to be pardoned and -promoted? I hardly can. It seems inconsistent -with the scheme of eternal justice.’</p> - -<p>‘It is a large question,’ replied Reggie, ‘and -besides, my dear Vanda, you are not old enough -to argue on debatable points of doctrine. It is -hardly edifying at your age.’</p> - -<p>Of course there had been a great meeting with -‘the boys,’ by which endearing term the Cambridge -students were known in the family. They -did not lose much time, it may be believed, before -presenting themselves at the Hotel Cecil, in which -palace a telegram from Paris notified that the -family had taken apartments. They were received -<a name="png.263" id="png.263" href="#png.263"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>259<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>with acclamation, and their growth in ‘wisdom -and stature’ was favourably remarked upon by -Hermione and Vanda. Certainly they were good -specimens of the Anglo-Saxon youth of the day, -whether reared in Great or Greater Britain. Tall, -well proportioned, athletic, well dressed, and showing -‘good form,’ which means so many indefinable -qualities and habitudes, it may be imagined with -what pride and joy their parents gazed on them, -and how, from very joy and thankfulness, their -mother’s eyes overflowed as her loving arms embraced -her first-born and his brother. Their -father’s short but fervent greeting was not effusive, -after the manner of Englishmen, but none the -less heartfelt and secretly joyful. As such, fully -understood by the sons of the house.</p> - -<p>Then followed, of course, unlimited talk, with -explanations, reminiscences, expectations, descriptions, -sketches of functions impending or otherwise, -with interjections by the girls—occasionally -repressed but indulgently allowed, even when not -strictly in order, on account of the exuberant -happiness, even transports of the present meeting. -None could deny that. They were a pair of -youngsters of whom any family might have been -proud. Their looks were in their favour certainly. -Reginald, the elder, with dark brown hair -and eyes, regular features, and a figure which -united grace and symmetry in equal proportions, -was generally held to be handsome—and supposed -to be clever. An ardent and successful student, -he had distinguished himself at his college; in -the Union he was looked upon as a promising, even -<a name="png.264" id="png.264" href="#png.264"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>260<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>brilliant debater. Already he was attracted by -the prospect of a legislative career, and while connecting -himself for the present with the Liberals, -was conscious of a leaning to Conservative principles, -and a belief that with age, experience, and -ripened judgment he might be found in the ranks -of that great party which, while recognising and, -in proper time and place, advocating reasonable -progress, regarded as above all things the honour, -the safety, the durability of the Empire.</p> - -<p>The brothers, as happens usually in families, -differed in a marked degree from each other, not -less in physical than in mental attributes, while -both were well up to the standard of strength and -activity demanded of well-born, well-educated -Englishmen in their college days.</p> - -<p>Eric, the younger, less studious than his senior, -had taken a leading part in the open-air contests -of strength and skill which absorb so large a portion -of the leisure of British University men. At -cricket, football, ‘the gloves,’ he was—if not -<i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">facile princeps</i>—always among the half-dozen -from whom were picked the champions of their -respective colleges, in the annual or occasional -contests. Each had, of course, staunch backers -and enthusiastic supporters, who battled desperately -for their inclusion in the team for international or -county cricket; or, higher honour still, in the -annual boat-race at Putney. Here the younger -brother had scored, as he was three in the Cambridge -Eight, and with another Australian was -prepared to die at his oar, to uphold the men of -his country and college. As this classic contest, -<a name="png.265" id="png.265" href="#png.265"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>261<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>which was to be decided before Good Friday, was -now only a few days distant, and arrangements -had been already made, and invitations accepted, for -places in a house-boat, it may be imagined what -feelings animated the breasts of the entire family -as the day of the absorbing fixture drew nigh.</p> - -<p>On one never-to-be-forgotten day the girls -and their mother were taken by the young men, -proud of the privilege of escorting their handsome -sisters and the stately mother, over the precincts of -Cambridge. The day was fine, for a wonder—a -soft sky—a gentle breeze—a day when walking -was a pleasure, and the fresh, pure air a delight. -‘There used to be an old stone bridge over the -Cam about here,’ said Reggie, ‘beside which the -great Benedictine Monastery of the Fern had -probably something to do with the foundation of -the University.’</p> - -<p>‘Where did the students live?’ asked Hermione; -‘in the Monastery?’</p> - -<p>‘They were lodged at first in the houses of the -townspeople. The long street, hereabouts, begins -with Trumpington Road, but it ends in a narrow -lane, fronting Sepulchre Church. Here are, you -see, the more important Colleges. The students -were possibly a more or less unruly lot. At any -rate, in 1231, Henry III., we are told, issued -warrants “for the Regulation of Cambridge -Clerks.” Troublous times ensued, for in Wat -Tyler’s time the rabble (I beg their pardon), the -labour party of the period, sacked the Colleges, -but were attacked and repulsed by the young -Bishop of Norwich.’</p> - -<p><a name="png.266" id="png.266" href="#png.266"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>262<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>‘So bishops used to fight in those days?’</p> - -<p>‘Yes, under stress of circumstances—there were -several instances—Bishop Odo was another priest -militant. The rebellion did not last long, fortunately; -but Jack Cade only foreshadowed the -utterances of some of our latter-day legislators -when he swore that his horse should be put to -grass in Cheapside.’</p> - -<p>‘We should not like George and Pitt Streets -to revert to kangaroo grass again,’ said Vanda, -who was highly conservative, ‘but worse things -have happened when the people got the upper -hand.’</p> - -<p>‘Let us hope that reasonable counsels will -prevail,’ said Mrs. Banneret; ‘in the meanwhile, -suppose we explore this beautiful building. What -is it called?’</p> - -<p>‘This is the famous Fitzwilliam Museum,’ -answered Reggie, ‘to which the Earl of that name -bequeathed a picture gallery, a valuable library, -with 120 volumes of engravings, and a hundred -thousand pounds.’</p> - -<p>‘A princely gift. Is this the Sculpture Gallery? -How superb these marbles are, and what lovely -Greek vases!’</p> - -<p>‘The building seems worthy of its contents,’ -said Hermione. ‘What a glorious façade! The -portico and colonnades are worth a day’s study. -If we lived near I should spend hours and hours -here.’</p> - -<p>‘We haven’t half time enough for it to-day,’ -said Eric; ‘there are still the Ellison Pictures, the -Botanic Gardens, and the Mesmer Collection to -<a name="png.267" id="png.267" href="#png.267"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>263<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>see. It will take us till lunch time to look over -the Colleges.’</p> - -<p>‘Are there many?’ asked Vanda.</p> - -<p>‘Ever so many. Here is Trinity to lead off -with; the largest collegiate foundation in Europe, -learned people say. The Masters’ Court was -built at the expense of Doctor Whewell. You -can see his cipher, the “W.W.”’</p> - -<p>‘“How reverend is the face of this tall pile,”’ -quoted Hermione; ‘it quite awes one. The grand -architecture—the wondrous antiquity. No one -can sneer at these halls of learning.’</p> - -<p>‘St. John’s College,’ said Eric ruthlessly, -passing on, ‘is the second largest. Has splendid -restorations, I beg to observe. We needn’t wait -longer than to verify the armorial bearings of the -foundress of this and Christ’s College on that -massive gateway.’</p> - -<p>‘Let me look,’ said Vanda; ‘who was she?’</p> - -<p>‘Margaret, Countess of Richmond, and mother -of Henry VII. King’s College was endowed and -founded by Henry VI. in connection with Eton.’</p> - -<p>‘I recollect,’ continued Vanda—‘“her Henry’s -holy shade.”’</p> - -<p>‘The Chapel,’ said Reggie, ‘is said to be an unequalled -example of the Perpendicular order of -Gothic architecture, whatever that may be. This -fretted roof is not supported by a single pillar. It -is vaulted in twelve divisions. Each keystone -weighs more than a ton.’</p> - -<p>Before the day finished they had a modest -lunch, where the famous Trumpington ale was -partaken of by the whole party as <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">de rigueur</i> and -<a name="png.268" id="png.268" href="#png.268"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>264<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>a part of the performance. They saw the Roman -ruins at Grandchester, and mused over Byron’s -pool. The visit to Girton College was reserved for -another day. At Stourbridge, the girls shuddered -at the sight of a disused chapel of an ancient -edifice said to have been an hospital for lepers.</p> - -<p>‘Lepers here!’ exclaimed Vanda; ‘I didn’t -know that there ever were lepers in England.’</p> - -<p>‘They were common enough, not only in Britain -but throughout the continent of Europe in the -Middle Ages,’ explained Reggie; ‘they had to carry -bells and give warning as they walked, were forbidden -to enter towns and villages, and so on.’</p> - -<p>‘How dreadful! What a comfort that we -don’t live among such horrors. That was what -Nurse Lilburne’s husband was supposed to have -been torn away from her and shut up, on that -dreadful island, for—only on suspicion too! -Where are we now, Eric?’</p> - -<p>‘This is Madingley, where the King, as Prince -of Wales, lived when he was at Cambridge. Gray’s -“Elegy” was written there, it is supposed.’</p> - -<p>‘Oh, how delightful! I wonder if they made -his Royal Highness learn it by heart, like all of us.</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div>‘The lowing herd winds slowly o’er the lea, etc.</div> -</div> -</div> -</div> - -<p>“Lea” means “meadow” in English, doesn’t -it? “River flat” in early Australian, like “mob” -for “drove,” “paddock” for “field,” “rise” for -“hill,” and so on.</p> - -<p>All necessary arrangements had been carefully -made long before the great day—the Carnival -of the Thames. What hopes and expectations -<a name="png.269" id="png.269" href="#png.269"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>265<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>had been careering through the minds of -the young people during the preceding period! -Visions of a lovely spring day, when the riverside -region would be glorified with budding willow, -oak and elm, lime and chestnut; where the -nightingales at eve would sing a pæan for the -victors—Cambridge, of course; for were there not -two Australians in their boat—the Banneret boat? -a circumstance unique in the University river-history. -Then, again, depression, deepening to -despair, as the weather prophets and the cloudy -skies foretold evil,—a drizzle, if not a downpour. -In such case what was to become of the -lovely boating suits, the hats, the dresses, the -parasols, bewitching, irresistible?—soaked, muddied, -limp. The girls dismal and unattractive; the boys—the -men—wretched and cross—or worse, reckless -and disgusted. The picture was intolerable.</p> - -<p>‘I shall drown myself,’ said Vanda—when for -the twentieth time the subject was discussed at -breakfast—‘I know I shall, if our boat doesn’t -win, and be fished up from the oozy Thames by -some “waterside character,” or jump overboard in -the intoxication of victory. Either way I shall -hardly survive the event—I——’</p> - -<p>‘Here comes mother!’ interposed Hermione, -who, naturally, as became the elder sister, was less -impulsive and demonstrative; ‘perhaps she will -think it better that you should stay at home, rather -than display the <cite>Bride from the Bush</cite> characteristics -before an English audience.’</p> - -<p>‘Oh, that hateful novel! Thanks, sister dear! -You have hit upon the true corrective. I promise -<a name="png.270" id="png.270" href="#png.270"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>266<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>to be “splendidly, icily null,” rather than give -myself away to the sneering English of the period. -Oh, mother, <em>do</em> you think it will rain? Whatever -shall we do?’</p> - -<p>‘Who was talking about suicide, just now? I -thought I caught a word or two of nonsensical -threats, as I was nearing the door. If I thought -daughters of mine——’</p> - -<p>‘Oh, darling mother, don’t go on! I know -what you are going to say,’ entreated the penitent -girl; ‘it was only my nonsense. Why, Eric said -the other day that two of the men in the Oxford -crew had resolved in the case of defeat to study -for the Church and go in for slum curacies.’</p> - -<p>‘I never doubted that young men as well as -young women could talk nonsense,’ conceded Mrs. Arnold, with benevolent candour; ‘but in the -meantime suppose we wait a little longer before -we go into heroics about the weather, which we -cannot alter or defy.’</p> - -<p>‘I second the motion,’ said Mr. Banneret, who -at that moment entered the room with the <cite>Times</cite> -in his hand. ‘I don’t like to hear the question of -the weather discussed flippantly. It is too serious -a subject. I have known more than one case -where a poor fellow committed suicide because it -<em>didn’t rain</em>. It meant ruin to him: the loss of -twenty years’ work and self-denial. So there was -some sort of excuse. But complaints and cheap -wit about so grave a subject are out of place. I -believe that the day will be fine after all. We -shall see.’</p> - -<p>‘Then I will promise and vow to be good for a -<a name="png.271" id="png.271" href="#png.271"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>267<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>month,’ said Hermione. ‘Vanda will not compare -old and new countries in mixed society; Reggie -will not wear his superior English manner; and -Eric will read steadily for his degree, even if he -has to be an Australian squatter.’</p> - -<p>‘I suppose I ought to take one for the credit -of my native land,’ said Eric, ‘but I am going to -be a colonist whatever happens. I’ve no notion -of loafing about in England. There are too many -of that sort here already. There’s a trying season -coming, unless I mistake the signs of the times—industrial -warfare as well as the other thing. And -I mean to be in the thick of it.’</p> - -<p>‘And so will I,’ said Reggie, ‘as soon as I get -my double first. I’m going in for Australian -politics.’</p> - -<p>‘What good will it be to you out there?’ -said Eric.</p> - -<p>‘That’s my business, but I can’t think that an -all-round University training can unfit a man for -any career, at home or abroad. There may be a -temporary prejudice; but if a man shapes his -course sensibly, he is bound to be of more weight, -even in a democratic assembly, with such an addition -to his intelligence, than without. Look at -William Charles Wentworth—Dalley—John Lang, -and others. The two first were the darlings of the -people (Dalley an Imperial Privy Councillor), and -always exercised immense political power. Lang -was acknowledged to be a brilliant linguist and -successful barrister in India. Sir James Martin, -too, though without University training, was a -man of such phenomenal and comprehensive -<a name="png.272" id="png.272" href="#png.272"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>268<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>intellect, that he was independent of it. He filled -the highest political and legal positions with unexampled -success. His last act as Chief Justice of -New South Wales proved, strange to say, posthumously -successful. An important and complicated -mining case was heard before the Full Court, -composed of Sir James and two Judges, during -his last illness. It was given in favour of the -complainants by a majority of the Justices, Sir -James dissenting. He left his reasons, stated in -writing. The defendants appealed to the Privy -Council. Some delay occurred. In the meantime -Sir James, who had been for some time ailing, -died. The decision of the Privy Council came -out shortly after. It was in favour of the appellants, -thus upholding, even from the grave, the -soundness of the dead Judge’s opinion and legal -knowledge.’</p> - -<p>The day before the great boat-race of the year -was doubtful. <em>The</em> day was, however, altogether -charming and delicious. The wind of yesterday -had died down. The few soft, fleecy clouds that -flecked the sky, the fair blue firmament of the last -week in March, had almost, of course not wholly, -disappeared, as they would have done in Australia. -Still it was a delicious day. Even Vanda admitted -this, though prone to disparage the old land in -comparison with the new. They were all suitably -attired and ready to start directly after an early -breakfast. The girls’ boating costumes, as each -had promised to accept a passage in a club-boat, -rowed by an ardent admirer, left nothing to be -desired. Such hats, such skirts, such parasols, and, -<a name="png.273" id="png.273" href="#png.273"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>269<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>of course, the Cambridge colours! They had had -some practice in a four-oar in Sydney Harbour -since they had come to live on the shores of that -peerless waterway. So they considered themselves -judges of the art and science of rowing, and were -disposed to be critical and competent spectators. -Their patriotic feelings were deeply stirred, for were -there not two, really two, colonials in the Cambridge -crew—a circumstance almost unparalleled in -the annals of University racing. Of course they -knew that the Diamond Sculls had been won by -Mr. Ronaldson, of Western Victoria, and twenty-five -years after by his son, of the South African -Mounted Infantry, both Australian born. This -they knew, for he was a neighbour of theirs, and -they had seen the sculls in the library at ‘The -Peak.’ They knew, too, that for years past there -had been no ’Varsity boat-race without an Australian -in one or other, generally in both, of the -contesting boats. Still, ‘You never can tell till the -colours are up,’ is a racing adage as well on water -as on land. They knew how true, in the great -races they had watched at Randwick and Flemington, -and their gentle bosoms fluttered each -time when the heartshaking thought would intrude -that it <em>might</em> be their hard lot to see the shadow of -Barnes Bridge fleet over the Oxford boat a few -seconds before it crossed that of Cambridge. -They had experienced such disappointments in -their lives—had seen Tarcoola, a Lower Darling -outsider, win the Melbourne Cup, when the family -money—not very much, for Mr. Banneret discouraged -gambling in all forms, but what Vanda -<a name="png.274" id="png.274" href="#png.274"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>270<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>called ‘their hard-earned savings,’ put together in -shillings, sixpences, and even threepenny bits—was -on Toreador.</p> - -<p>This malign stroke of fortune they had borne -and survived. But the personal element was so -intermingled with <em>this</em> event that if it did not come -off, the future was dark indeed.</p> - -<p>They kept their race-glasses fixed on the boats -as the men were getting in. How handsome Eric -looked, and how proud they were of him! An -inch or two over six feet in height, yet not looking -it from the perfect symmetry of his figure, -effectively displayed by the boating costume, many -a girl’s heart went out to him besides those of his -adoring sisters, and many a fervent wish, not to -say prayer, ascended as the Cambridge boat, wildly -cheered, tore out and took her place by Putney -Bridge. Then Oxford followed, amidst shouts that -shook the air, rowing, for her, a quicker stroke -than usual. If she can keep it up, what price -Cambridge? The thought was maddening, and -the girls’ faces began to look gravely anxious.</p> - -<p>On the river’s banks a human hive seems -to have settled. Black are the bridges, the -lawns, the balconies, and the windows. The -crowded steamers must be dangerously o’erladen; -and surely the protagonists, in this grand trial of -skill, strength, and endurance, will task every -sinew, muscle, limb, and heart-valve to win the -laurel crown of the year. The English crews -fight for their College, their Alma Mater; but the -Australians are for their respective Colonies, <em>their</em> -native land: to show, as they have done in other -<a name="png.275" id="png.275" href="#png.275"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>271<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>historic rivalry, that the sons of Greater Britain -are on a level in this as in other respects with -their relatives from the wondrous isles from which -their fathers came. ‘I ride for my county,’ quoth -Valentine Maher. In much the same sense as the -West of Ireland member of ‘The Blazers’ rode, -the colonial champions in the Cambridge boat may -each have vowed, as they stretched each manly -thew and sinew, to do a man’s best for the good -land for which their fathers had toiled and striven -and fought in the long-past years; with droughts -and fires, blacks, bushrangers, and other foes of -the pioneer—resulting, alas! not seldom, in total -wreck and financial ruin after the work of a life’s -best years.</p> - -<p>However, these are not holiday thoughts. The -present is sunlit and joyous; let us enjoy it while -we may. There is a temporary cessation of the -murmurous, confused, unintelligible growl of the -crowds. The course is clear. The boats are off—<em>off</em>! -The race has begun. So has the true -excitement, the desperate struggle of the swarming -crowds on the swaying steamers and the towing -path.</p> - -<p>‘Oh! which is in front?’ cries Vanda. ‘Don’t -say it is Oxford, or I can never survive this -day.’</p> - -<p>‘Don’t be a goose,’ says Reggie magisterially. -‘Watch Hammersmith Bridge. There—I thought -as much—Cambridge is ahead.’</p> - -<p>‘Hurrah!’ called out Hermione, who up to -this point had been discreet and decorous. ‘Oh, -I beg pardon! but the strain was too great. Look -<a name="png.276" id="png.276" href="#png.276"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>272<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>at that girl, with the Oxford colours and a pink -parasol—how she is waving it about. They hadn’t -parasols, I suppose, in those days, or I’m sure -Rowena would have waved hers at Ashby-de-la-Zouche, -when Ivanhoe’s lance sent the Templar -rolling in the lists. That was an exciting affair, if -you like. How I should have liked to have been -there!’</p> - -<p>‘Hermione,’ said her mother, ‘we shall have -to leave you at home next time if you cannot control -your feelings; you are doing your country an -injustice by your want of <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">retenue</i>.’</p> - -<p>‘Look out for Barnes,’ said Reggie, in low, -vibrating tones, as of one who had no time for -trifling. ‘By Jove! Cambridge has put up a -spurt and drawn level. How they’re shouting on -the bridge. Cambridge! Cambridge! The light -blue for ever! Cambridge wins!’</p> - -<p>It is even so. Cambridge leaves rowing, and -one—two—three—four seconds pass before Oxford -finishes. The great race is over for the year. -Eric and his crew are on the wharf before the -Ship Inn, at Mortlake. Happy heroes—‘o’er a’ -the ills o’ life victorious.’ Victors in a world-famed -contest. The news flashed within a few -minutes to all the centres of the old world and -the new. It is not, ‘What will they say in England?’ -although that is of as much or more engrossing -interest to the colonist as to the home-born -Briton; but also, ‘What will they say in Sydney -and Melbourne, Adelaide and Hobart, Brisbane -and Perth—ay, in distant Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie?’ -In everyone of these aggregations of -<a name="png.277" id="png.277" href="#png.277"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>273<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>people and commerce, where divers nations are -represented and various tongues are spoken, there -will be a knot of watchers at the telegraph offices -to know if the news of the great race has ‘come -through,’ and many a wager will be won and lost -as each man of sporting tastes and traditions has -backed his fancy, whether with the dark blue or -the light. There will be healths drunk in far-off -lands to-night, and to-night recollections of the -Trumpington ale, of walks along ‘the Backs,’ -where the Cam ‘wanders through frequent arches, -with groves and gardens of unique beauty,’ will -recur to grizzled graduates of Cambridge and -Oxford.</p> - -<p>This great and crowning mercy having been -vouchsafed to them, by which the Bannerets, young -and old, would for evermore hold themselves to be -indissolubly linked with the Cambridge victory, the -family had leisure to consider what should be their -next inroad into sport amid fashionable surroundings. -Hermione and Vanda had enjoyed the -ecstatic pleasure of being rowed on the broad -expanse of Father Thames; had also been congratulated -by the men of their brothers’ college on -Eric’s noble performance, which (they said) had -materially aided in the glorious victory. These -Austral maidens had thereupon come to the conclusion -that nothing in the world came<!-- TN: inferred; original partially obscured --> up to -the accessories and environments amid which the -nobler sports were transacted in England. They -wondered what would be the next open-air entertainment -at which they would be likely to assist, -and as the weather, for a wonder, was becoming -<a name="png.278" id="png.278" href="#png.278"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>274<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>finer every day, <em>almost</em> rivalling the glorious sunshine -of their native land, some one threw out a -suggestion about the Liverpool Grand National -Steeplechase, to come off on the 25th—next week, -indeed—at Aintree.</p> - -</div> - - -<div class="chap"> -<h2 title="Chapter XII"><a name="png.279" id="png.279" href="#png.279"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>275<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>CHAPTER XII</h2> - - -<p>‘<span class="smc">I see</span> that the Liverpool Grand National -Steeplechase is to come off at Aintree on the 25th -of March,’ Mrs. Banneret had said, at breakfast, -one morning. ‘Your father has decided to take -us to that great race, which I feel certain we shall -all enjoy. Even I must renew my youth, and -recall the days when I used to ride—actually <em>ride</em> -to the country race-meeting held at Appin, near -Barham Court, our old home in New South -Wales. My eldest brother always rode in the -principal steeplechase. And what tremendous -excitement there was when he won!’</p> - -<p>‘How delightful!’ said Vanda. ‘What was -the name of the dear horse?’</p> - -<p>‘I remember it well,’ said the matron, her eye -kindling and her clear cheek flushing with the -memories of a bygone day. ‘It was Slasher; -he was bred in the family, and trained by my -brother himself. The Governor’s wife walked up -to the Judge’s box, and patted his neck. She -congratulated Val—who had just received a commission -in the 50th Regiment, known to be under -orders for India.</p> - -<p>‘“You have my best wishes, Mr. Bournefield, -<a name="png.280" id="png.280" href="#png.280"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>276<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>and I feel confident that you will always be in -the forefront of the battle, as you have been -to-day—I wish you every success in life!” Val -bowed low, and said he hoped to do honour to -her ladyship’s good opinion. So he did, poor -fellow! That is his portrait which hangs in -my bedroom.’</p> - -<p>‘What! the one with all the medals and -clasps—such a handsome, soldierly-looking man. -Why, his hair is grey!’</p> - -<p>‘Yes, he was Colonel Bournefield when he -was killed, shot through the heart, waving his -sword, and leading his men on in the Sikh -War. He was only twenty when he won that -race.’</p> - -<p>‘Was he handsome, mother?’</p> - -<p>‘It was thought so. A very nice-looking boy, -with blue eyes and curly fair hair—full of mischief, -and afraid of nothing in the world. Poor -Val! How he would have enjoyed coming with -us to-day!’</p> - -<p>‘Isn’t it fortunate that there is an Australasian -horse in the race?’ said Hermione. ‘I wonder -if he has a chance of winning—I must back -him in gloves, if nothing else. What is his -name?’</p> - -<p>‘Moifaa, a New Zealand name; he comes -from there, and has won steeplechases in his own -island. What did Eric and Reggie say about -him?’</p> - -<p>‘They went to see him in his stable, and liked -him ever so much—a fine horse, nearly or quite -thorough-bred, with immense power, and a fair -<a name="png.281" id="png.281" href="#png.281"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>277<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>amount of speed. They were going to back him -for a moderate amount.’</p> - -<p>‘Then I vote we do likewise,’ said Hermione, -‘always supposing father approves. It will give -us so much more interest in the race. Delightful, -won’t it be, if we can pay our expenses, and -have all the fun and excitement to the good?’</p> - -<p>‘Do you agree, mother?’</p> - -<p>‘We must see what your father says—I daresay -he and Eric will look him well over. Then -we may invest with confidence.’</p> - -<p>‘Really,’ said Vanda, ‘one would think that -all these charming “fixtures” had been arranged -specially for our benefit. I never heard of so -many, more or less mixed up with Australians. -It’s quite flattering to our vanity, of which we -are supposed to have our share!’</p> - -<p>‘Not more than English people,’ said Hermione; -‘the difference is, that we talk more when -we win anything, because it is a pleasant surprise, -having been brought up to believe that the -British article is in every department superior. -The Englishman disdains to dwell upon the -fact, because his unquestioned excellence in art, -science, sport, and fashion must be (he supposes) -admitted by the whole civilised world!’</p> - -<p>‘That’s what makes him hated abroad, I -suppose?’</p> - -<p>‘Often unjustly, I have thought,’ interposed -Mrs. Banneret. ‘His quiet manner is translated -into supercilious pride, as also his distrust of -casual acquaintances, who may be, and indeed -often are, undesirable. Our Australian habit is -<a name="png.282" id="png.282" href="#png.282"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>278<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>quite the reverse, and, as I have more than once -warned you, my dear girls, not always free from -disagreeable developments.’</p> - -<p>‘Yes, indeed!’ said Vanda; ‘you remember -that delightful Sicilian Count, who turned out to -be a cardsharper, or something worse?’</p> - -<p>The day of the great steeplechase at length -arrived. It did not rain, though it was cold and -bleak. It was snowing in Lancashire—so they -heard, but Aintree was dry. However, the -Australians were more curious than alarmed -about such a phenomenon. Besides, it gave -the girls an excuse for wearing their furs, which -were of the first quality. The next obvious duty -was to scrutinise the competing horses as they -came out in procession. ‘Here is the King’s -horse, Ambush II.; he has been made first -favourite,’ said Eric. ‘He won this race in 1900. -Isn’t he a grand animal, and in the very pink of -condition—goes out at 7 to 1. Now, girls, look! -Here’s the King himself! come on purpose for -us Cornstalks to see him. Ambush II. is being -saddled. His Majesty pats his neck, and shakes -hands with his jock, the well-known Anthony—wishes -him good luck, of course. Isn’t that worth -coming all the way from Australia to see?’</p> - -<p>‘Very nearly!’ said Vanda, who was eagerly -taking in every detail of this truly astonishing -performance. ‘Do you think he will win?’</p> - -<p>‘There’s no saying,’ replied her brother -guardedly; ‘he did win this race, and so did -Manifesto. But they say the stewards have -raised the leaps, or made them stiffer, this year. -<a name="png.283" id="png.283" href="#png.283"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>279<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>There is a bit of a row about it. That gives the -Maori horse a better chance.’</p> - -<p>‘Why?’</p> - -<p>‘Because the jumps in Australia and New -Zealand are notoriously the biggest and stiffest in -the racing world. So the horse that can “negotiate -them with ease to himself and satisfaction to the -lookers-on,” need not fear Aintree, or any course -under the sky.’</p> - -<p>‘But didn’t some gentleman say he considered -the course absolutely unfair?’</p> - -<p>‘Very likely; but others who had ridden and -trained horses at Aintree saw nothing to complain -of.’</p> - -<p>‘How many starters are there?’</p> - -<p>‘Twenty-six. What a splendid-looking lot -they are!’</p> - -<p>‘Oh! here comes Reggie! Who is that with -him, Eric? He looks nice.’</p> - -<p>‘He’s a Cambridge chum—same college, and -a wonderfully good chap. A great hunting man -in his own county. He’s always wanting us to -go and stay with him at Castle Blake, where -there’s no end of shooting and fishing. We’re -going some day, when we can get away. -They’re coming now, and Reggie will introduce -him.’</p> - -<p>At this moment the two young men came up. -The stranger was a handsome young fellow with -blue eyes of a daring and romantic character, and -that expression of <em>abandon</em> so characteristic of -every man of every class hailing from the Green -Isle—when out for a holiday.</p> - -<p><a name="png.284" id="png.284" href="#png.284"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>280<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>‘Permit me to present my friend and college -chum, Mr. Manus Beresford Blake, of Castle Blake, -in the historic county of Galway. He’s making -believe to study for the Church, though whether -he follows up the profession after he’s taken his -degree, I make bold to doubt. In the meantime, -he’s coming to lunch with us, and will explain all -about this race, as I believe he knows every racehorse -and steeplechaser in Ireland.’</p> - -<p>‘So much the better for us, my dear Reggie,’ -said Mrs. Banneret, ‘for we know scarcely anything, -and I feel sure the girls are dying to get -reliable information.’</p> - -<p>‘Here’s the very man! Manus, my boy! behold -two young ladies whose minds you can -store with every kind of useful knowledge about -the noble animal. Only don’t be led into thinking -that they are wholly ignorant of horse- and -hound-lore, though they do come from a far -country.’</p> - -<p>‘I shall wait until our further acquaintance -before I presume to add to the Miss Bannerets’ -library of useful knowledge. I presume that they -are accustomed to your vein of humour. Any -hints which my acquaintance with so many honest -horses, <em>not</em> quite so honest owners, enables me to -give, I shall be proud to offer.’</p> - -<p>‘You and Eric have been round the horses, -Mr. Blake, I gather,’ said Hermione. ‘What -do you think of our champion, the New Zealander?’</p> - -<p>‘Moorfowl, is it? for that’s what I heard a -bookmaker call him. A fine horse, there’s no -<a name="png.285" id="png.285" href="#png.285"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>281<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>denying it, but I hardly think—I doubt, that is, -whether he’s thorough-bred.’</p> - -<p>‘Oh, of course,’ broke in Vanda, ‘he’s a -colonial horse, and therefore <em>can’t</em> be good enough -to win against an English field! Poor Moifaa! -You’ll see directly’; and the girl’s eyes sparkled, -the colour came to her cheek, as she raised her -head defiantly, as if to dare the world in arms to -disparage the steeds of the South.</p> - -<p>‘I didn’t gather that my friend’s family came -from Ireland,’ replied Mr. Blake, with a smile half -of challenge, half of admiration, as he gazed at the -eager damsel, whose ardent championship heightened -her beauty so dangerously. ‘But I seem to -be accused of British prejudice before I have had -time to assert an opinion of any kind or description. -I merely indicated a doubt, and got no -farther, when Miss Vanda swept me away from -my position, before I had time to take one. That’s -a truly Irish statement, isn’t it?’</p> - -<p>Here all the young people laughed, and Mrs. Banneret gently reproved the too fervent advocacy -of her younger daughter, hoping Mr. Blake would -excuse her on the score of her recent arrival from -a far country.</p> - -<p>That young lady, however, declined to be excused -on the ground of being a savage (so to speak), -though she owned that she could not tamely suffer -Moifaa to be depreciated, as it seemed to her, -solely on the ground of his being born outside -their sacred England. However, she apologised, -and hoped Mr. Blake would overlook it, on the -ground of her youth and inexperience.</p> - -<p><a name="png.286" id="png.286" href="#png.286"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>282<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>‘My dear young lady, I’ll overlook <em>anything</em> -you are pleased to say! I take it as the highest -compliment to contradict me, any time you feel in -want of a new sensation. And now, shall I say -what I think of this fine upstanding horse from the -South?’</p> - -<p>‘Oh, by all means!’</p> - -<p>‘Then, remember, we start fair. He’s a grand-looking -horse—would be just the sort to carry my -father, who’s sixteen stone, over the Galway stone -walls—but I’m doubtful—no, I’ll say, apprehensive—that -he’s “too big to get the course,” -as they say here. Seventeen hands is a big horse, -though his make and shape are almost perfect, -I’ll allow, and finer shoulders I never saw. And -so we’ll know more after the race—I’ll have -something to say then.’</p> - -<p>‘Oh, here comes my father! He was detained -in London about matters of business.’</p> - -<p>Mr. Banneret had met Mr. Blake at his son’s -rooms at Cambridge, so there was no need of an -introduction. He had excellent news from Pilot -Mount, which enabled him to join the family -party with even higher expectations of enjoyment -than he had anticipated.</p> - -<p>He brought with him a New Zealand friend, -whose successes in land investment had placed him -in a position to indulge himself with what he called -a ‘run home’ every three or four years. Mr. Allan Maclean was a typical Highlander of the -dark-haired, swarthy type, middle-sized, but broad-shouldered, -and sinewy of frame, giving promise -of exceptional strength. He had emigrated to the -<a name="png.287" id="png.287" href="#png.287"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>283<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>land of the Moa and the Maori when a mere boy, -had worked hard, and formed so shrewd an outlook -as to the progress of the young colony, that he -was now not only independent, but likely to be, -within a few years, one of the richest men in the -South Island.</p> - -<p>‘I suppose this is an interesting race to you, -Maclean?’</p> - -<p>‘Decidedly so—in fact I came home a month -earlier chiefly to see it run. Glendon Spencer is a -great friend of mine, and I knew not only Moifaa, -but his dam, Denbigh—a magnificent animal, -and a winner of steeplechases in her day—not unimportant -ones either.’</p> - -<p>‘I heard that you backed him heavily.’</p> - -<p>‘Well, fairly so. I took thirty to one, in -hundreds, from Joe Johnson. Being early in the -market, I got a shade more of the odds. I am -not a betting man, generally; but in this case I -felt confident, and stood to lose a trifle, or win -enough to pay my travelling expenses, and something -over.’</p> - -<p>‘You colonists are a demoralising lot, it must -be admitted. Fancy the example to me dear -friend Reggie Banneret, and his brother—poor -innocent Eric! Think of it now! rushing over -the South Pacific to see a race run, and within a -few months clearing back again, with £3000 in -your pocket.’</p> - -<p>‘If the old horse stands up. It’s rather a big -“<em>if</em>,” isn’t it? But I’ll trust my luck this time. -It’s not the first time I’ve backed him. I saw him -win the Great Northern Steeplechase in Auckland, -<a name="png.288" id="png.288" href="#png.288"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>284<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>three miles and a half, with eleven stone twelve -up, as well as the Hawkes Bay Hurdle Race, -carrying twelve stone. He was taken to England, -with the idea of winning this race; and I believe -he <em>will</em> win it. Isn’t that the bell? What a -string, to be sure! Twenty-six coloured for the -race. What horses—what people—what a sight! -Old England for ever! God save the King! -Here comes His Majesty’s Ambush II. looking -his very best, and Anthony, no less, the proudest -jock in Britain this day.’</p> - -<p>Here they all start for the preliminary canter—what -a cheer from the assembled thousands! Now -they are paraded. No time lost at the start. -They are off—off! A deep, wordless hum succeeds, -like the surge voice of a lately aroused ocean, still -reminiscent of storm and tempest, though now the -wave and wind be still. ‘Look! Pride of Maberton, -Loch Lomond, and Inquisitor are away, -followed by Railoff, who falls at the first fence. -Ambush II. is down at the next.’ Alas! The -girls are so sorry—not that they wished him to -win, but to have been among the gallant few that -fought it out to the end. Deerslayer goes on from -The Gunner, and Loch Lomond, and half a dozen -others, amongst whom, going steadily, are Moifaa, -Detail, and Manifesto.</p> - -<p>Deerslayer continues to lead over Valentine’s -Brook, the next to come down is May King, after -which Honeymoon and Old Town fail to clear the -dry ditch. Now the excitement becomes intense!</p> - -<p>‘Oh, look!’ cries Vanda, ‘at Moifaa. How he -is coming up! Well done the Maori! -<a name="png.289" id="png.289" href="#png.289"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>285<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>Aké—Aké—Aké! He has passed Deerslayer—The -Gunner and Kirkland are next, with Nahilla, and -a lot of others behind. Look at that gallant old -Manifesto! How easily he takes his jumps!’</p> - -<p>‘Becker’s Brook—doesn’t Nimrod mention it -somewhere?’ said Hermione. ‘Oh, poor Deerslayer -is down!—the slayer among the slain. -Fortune of war.’</p> - -<p>‘Now, Moifaa,’ shouts Allan Maclean, ‘it’s time -for you to test your “mana.” Death or glory! -He’s going strong; Kirkland and The Gunner also. -Ambush II., enjoying himself without a rider, keeps -well up, but cannoning into Detail—turns him -into “another detail” (<i lang="la" xml:lang="la">pace</i> Mr. Kipling). There -is a fall in the dry ditch. Benvenir breaks down. -Loch Lomond breaks his neck. Moifaa draws -clear of Kirkland and The Gunner on the flat, -and, striding along, beats Mr. Bibby’s Kirkland -by <em>eight</em> lengths; The Gunner a neck behind -<em>him</em>.’</p> - -<p>‘Who was fourth horse?’</p> - -<p>‘Shaun Aboo—Robin Hood fifth. Poor dear -old Manifesto last!’ concluded Vanda. ‘<!-- TN: opening single quote invisible -->“And -that’s how the favourite was beat,” as Gordon -sings.’</p> - -<div class="tb"><b>. . . . . . . . .</b></div> - -<p>The great race is over. Nothing more until -next year. The winners retire to count up their -gains, the losers to calculate how they may liquidate. -This last is a more serious affair. As Moifaa was -led in towards the weighing-stand, a burst of -applause greeted horse and rider. There were -very few of the cheering company who had not -<a name="png.290" id="png.290" href="#png.290"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>286<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>lost upon him, but a British crowd is chiefly -just, and upholds a fair field and no favour.</p> - -<p>With regard to the performance, to quote an -eminent sporting authority, ‘no finer exhibition of -jumping ability has ever been seen at Aintree than -that afforded by the New Zealand horse. He -seemed to go half a foot higher than anything else -in the field, and to land in the most collected -manner. For the last mile it looked like a match -between Moifaa, Kirkland, and The Gunner. But -when once on the race-course, any one could see -that Moifaa was a certain winner if he stood -up.’</p> - -<p>The muster of colonials was alarming. Was -there going to be another Boer War? Indeed, had -occasion arisen, a formidable contingent could have -been recruited there and then. North and south, -and east and west—the bronzed, desert-worn, -weather-beaten Sons of Empire turned up in the -paddock, never so crowded before. Men were -shaking hands enthusiastically who had last met -in Sydney or Melbourne—Perth or Brisbane—Calcutta, -Peshawur, Nigeria, or New South Wales—the -back blocks of Queensland or the northern -territory of West Australia, where the pearling -luggers with their Malay crews make high festival -when the ‘shell takes’ are good.</p> - -<p>How far, how widely, the roving Englishman -wandered in his quest for fame or fortune, was -abundantly demonstrated by the number and -quality of the ‘Legion that never was listed,’ on -that auspicious day. Such companies and troops—rank -upon rank, as they closed round the -<a name="png.291" id="png.291" href="#png.291"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>287<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>champion of the day—the first Australasian horse -that had ever won against Britain’s best ‘chasers,’ -in the classic race of world-wide fame that had no -fellow in the contests of horse and man since the -world began.</p> - -</div> - - -<div class="chap"> -<h2 title="Chapter XIII"><a name="png.292" id="png.292" href="#png.292"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>288<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>CHAPTER XIII</h2> - - -<p><span class="smc">Mrs. Banneret</span>, recalling her Flemington experiences -on Cup Day, had arranged for a symposium -on a novel and comprehensive scale—to -take place after the great event of the day. Notwithstanding -the widely differing conditions of the -respective race-courses, she determined, with the -co-operation of her husband and sons, to have -something like a representative Australian function, -worthy of her country’s hospitable customs and of -this truly memorable occasion.</p> - -<p>Having persuaded several of their most intimate -friends to have their carriages standing fairly close -to each other, a sort of ‘corral’ was arranged, -within which a clear space was left free.</p> - -<p>This gave room for tressels, upon which were -placed temporary tables, rather long and narrow, -but capable of holding such meats, wines, and -other refreshments as are usually dispensed at -races. Of course some diplomatic management was -necessary to carry through an innovation foreign -to the traditionary, time-honoured habitudes of -English race-goers. With the help of a few extra -police (the Inspector had been in Australia) and a -<a name="png.293" id="png.293" href="#png.293"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>289<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>small army of waiters, supplied by the caterer, a -reasonable compromise was arrived at. A calculation -was made, by which it could be demonstrated -that if even a third more than the number of -expected guests arrived, they could be supplied -with seats and a liberal supply of the delicacies of -the season, together with a few glasses of ‘Dry -Monopole,’ or, having regard to the lower temperature -of Britain, with a ‘touch of the real Mackay.’</p> - -<p>It was well that the calculation did not fail on -the elastic side; for when it leaked out that -Arnold Banneret, sometime of Carjagong, New -South Wales, and more recently of Pilot Mount, -West Australia, was entertaining his friends, had -won largely, indeed, on the victory of Moifaa, it -was wonderful what a number of colonists turned -up. Among them were Lord Newstead and his -lovely wife, the latter in her priceless Russian -sables, and otherwise appropriately adorned. She -was so glad to meet her husband’s kind, good -friends, whose chance meeting with Percy and poor -dear Southwater had been so fortunate for both. -She hoped that Mr. and Mrs. Banneret and the -girls would pay her a visit at Newstead. As for -Mr. Reginald and Mr. Eric, if they could spare -the time, they would know—young men being so -scarce just now—how welcome they would be at -her country house, or, indeed, any other. She -believed she would really take a run over to that -delightful Golden West some day—where, apparently, -the precious metal was lying about in -heaps, waiting to be picked up.</p> - -<p>‘Not quite so easy a game as that,’ said his -<a name="png.294" id="png.294" href="#png.294"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>290<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>Lordship—‘eh, Mr. Banneret? Little accidents -like fever, “robbery under arms,” hunger and -thirst, intervene sometimes <em>before</em> the discovery of -Tom Tiddler’s Ground, or Pilot Mount. We both -had a look-in from the fever fiend—a “close call,” -too, as our Yankee friends say—and but for that -tender nursing—why, bless my soul! you don’t say?—it -can’t be! Well, of all the people in the world -who’d have ever thought of seeing <em>you</em> here!’ and -upon this excited exclamation, Percy, Lord Newstead, -rushed forward, and accosting a pair of rather -distinguished-looking persons, seized the lady by -the hand, and shook it effusively, somewhat to the -surprise of her companion, who had evidently never -seen his Lordship before. Lady Newstead, too, -looked slightly curious until her husband, almost -dragging the strange lady with him, said, ‘My -dear, allow me to introduce to you Mrs. Lilburne, -who saved my life in West Australia, and to whom -you owe your present possession of my unworthy -self. There was <em>one night</em> on which I never thought -to see England again, I assure you.’</p> - -<p>‘My dear Percy, you needn’t be quite so -demonstrative. Mrs. Lilburne looks almost -alarmed. I quite agree with you in believing -that we should never have met here but for her -great care and kindness. Really, Mrs. Lilburne, -I think I should have recognised you even without -Percy’s assistance—he has so often described -you to me. But I see Mrs. Banneret is laying -claim to a share of your attention; so I think -we had better do honour now to the lunch, to -which we were all so kindly invited. -<a name="png.295" id="png.295" href="#png.295"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>291<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>Mr. Lilburne is wondering where <em>he</em> comes in. I see -we must make common cause. I am anxious to -hear some of <em>your</em> adventures, which I am told -are too thrilling.’</p> - -<p>‘I should be charmed, Lady Newstead—they -were rather unusual; but my wife and I have -entered into a solemn compact that I am not to -divulge the secrets of the prison-house. She has -the copyright—if I may use the term—and to her -alone belongs the right to disclose that strange -passage of my life. In the meantime, we are -both quite well, and more than happy. Permit -me to offer to fill your glass with our mutual -friends’ excellent champagne, and to wish them -continued health and unclouded happiness.’</p> - -<p>Lady Newstead accepted the invitation, and -they moved over to a position nearer their hostess, -who, with the aid of the head of the house and the -younger branches of the family, was ably discharging -her manifold duties.</p> - -<p>Just then Mr. Banneret, whose ordinarily calm -manner seemed to have acquired an accession of -gaiety from the influence of the scene, had been -explaining to Lady Woods, who, recently arrived -from Perth, had assumed her well-known character -of ‘the life and soul of the party,’ how delighted -he and his wife were to find so many old -friends able to keep high festival with them -this day.</p> - -<p>‘If I could (borrowing a joke from the -“Goldfields Act and Regulations,” which I used -to know by heart) obtain a Booth License to -dispense wines and spirits, I should be inclined to -<a name="png.296" id="png.296" href="#png.296"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>292<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>call this the “Inn of Strange Meetings”—inasmuch -as the number of friends and acquaintances -who have “come up” from the Under World, as -Tennyson hath it, is like an army with banners. -Not only from the inmost deserts, but—and here’ -(his face changing suddenly as he spoke) ‘comes -one from the grave itself.’</p> - -<p>With these words he hailed a tall man sauntering -past, who, dressed in the height of the -reigning race-course fashion, in no respect diverging -from the canon of ‘good form’ in raiment -or otherwise, bore yet an exceptional and striking -personality.<!-- TN: superfluous closing quote deleted --></p> - -<p>‘Tena koe, Captain, haere mai.’</p> - -<p>A Maori response immediately followed, as -the person addressed, drawing himself up, bent -a pair of stern blue eyes upon his interlocutor, -while Arnold Banneret, whose expression was compounded -in almost equal parts of welcome and -wonder, fear and amazement, gazed anxiously -upon the stranger’s countenance. The new-comer -was tall, considerably indeed above the height -of men ordinarily thus described, though his -broad chest and athletic frame caused his unusual -height to be less apparent. His bronzed cheek -was traversed by a scar, ‘a token true of -Bosworth Field,’ or other engagement, where -shrewd blows had been exchanged.</p> - -<p>‘Glad to see you again,’ said the host. -‘Waiter, bring Captain—Captain——’</p> - -<p>‘Bucklaw,’ interposed the stranger guest—‘been -back to the old place.’</p> - -<p>‘Of course, of course, quite natural!’ continued -<a name="png.297" id="png.297" href="#png.297"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>293<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>his entertainer; ‘bring Captain Bucklaw champagne.’</p> - -<p>The glasses were not small, having been -specially ordered, and as the gallant Captain -drained his, he clinked glasses with his host, and, -with a glance which combined an air of reckless -daring with a savour of almost schoolboy mischief, -he said: ‘It’s not necessary to say, Judge, -that I’m here incog.—Captain Bucklaw, of the -steamer <cite>Haitchi Maru</cite>, with British-owned cargo, -and passenger steamer now at anchor below -Gravesend, cleared from San Francisco, is not -to be mistaken for the captain of the <cite>Leonora</cite> -beneath the blue wave of Chabrat Harbour. I -brought over a cargo of rice, and take back one of -flour with, of course, sundries, not particularly -named in the manifest. She’s faster than most -“tramps,” and carries five guns—two of them -No. 7 quick-firers.’</p> - -<p>‘And so you came to England to see a steeplechase?’</p> - -<p>‘That is so—or rather, being in England again, -I thought I would have a look at the great race -that everybody was talking about. Heard, too, -that there was a New Zealand horse in it. You -know that we Southerners are death on horse-racing. -That time you and I met at Opononi<!-- TN: original reads "Oponomi" -->, -Captain John Webster’s place on the Hokianga -(I bought a cargo of Kauri timber from him), I -went to the race meeting at Auckland, where we -were filling up with frozen lamb. I was struck -then with the make and shape of horses bred at -Mount Eden—saw Carbine, too. What a horse -<a name="png.298" id="png.298" href="#png.298"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>294<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>that was! Now in England, I hear. So I backed -Moifaa, like the other flax and manuka men, and -made money enough almost to buy a new ship.’</p> - -<p>‘But, Captain, how is it that we see you here, -or indeed anywhere else, in <em>the flesh</em>? We heard -that——’</p> - -<p>‘Yes, I know—been dead nearly three years. -Knocked on the head and thrown overboard by a -rascally cook’s mate. Dead, of course. Blue -shark’s meat, and so on.’</p> - -<p>‘That part is true, then?’</p> - -<p>‘Yes, I <em>was</em> stunned and thrown overboard by -that scoundrel and the boatswain together. But I -was not drowned—far from it. The water -brought me to, and I struck out for an island that -I knew in that latitude; and, fortunately, before -I got near enough to the reef for the sharks to -sample me, I was picked up by a canoe, with -natives, crossing from one island to another.</p> - -<p>‘They took me to their village, where I lived -for six months. Reported dead, of course. So I -concluded to stay dead. It’s not a bad thing, now -and then. I was taken off by a whaler, and -landed at Valparaiso to begin life afresh as Captain -Bucklaw, and got a new ship when this Russo-Jap -War broke out; and now stand a chance of -dying an Admiral of the Japanese Fleet. But -say—isn’t that my passenger of the <cite>Leonora</cite> from -Molokai to Ponapé and ports? Don Carlos -Alvarez? Suppose we fire a gun across his bows, -and bring him to? Who’s the handsome woman -he’s talking to?’</p> - -<p>‘His wife—the celebrated Nurse Lilburne, of -<a name="png.299" id="png.299" href="#png.299"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>295<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>Pilot Mount, Kalgoorlie, West Australia, who -saved more lives in the typhoid fever epidemic than -all the doctors on the field.’</p> - -<p>‘Is that so? Then I’m proud of having been -the means of bringing her best patient back to her. -Hope he’ll stay <em>put</em>. The buccaneer has more than -one good deed to his account; maybe the recording -angel won’t forget to post that one up!’</p> - -<p>‘Oh, Captain, is that you? We heard you -were dead—how grieved Alister and I were after -parting with you.’</p> - -<p>‘I was reported missing for six months, señora!’ -said he, with a low bow, and the fascinating smile, -half melancholy, half remorseful, which had proved -so irresistible in his path through life. ‘It is -nearly the same thing—sometimes worse indeed—meaning -slavery, tortures, indignities; but -occasionally, though rarely, one escapes, through -the mediation of his Patron Saint, let us say, and -has once more the honour to salute his friends—and -passengers!’</p> - -<p>By this time Mrs. Banneret had moved closer -to the romantic personage, to whom she was made -known in due form; and the younger members of -the family having come up, lured by the report -that the tall stranger was a pirate of the Spanish -main—or some such dark and terrible adventurer -analogous to fascinating outlawry, they were -presented severally, but kept gazing as if spellbound, -congratulating themselves upon having -seen—even if it were for but once in their lives—a -real-life accredited delightful pirate!</p> - -<p>‘Such a handsome man!’ said Hermione. ‘It’s -<a name="png.300" id="png.300" href="#png.300"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>296<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>not that alone—though, of course, he <em>is</em> very handsome, -and he has beautiful eyes, that look right -through you, and has immense strength, plain for -all men to see. But there’s the calm dignity of -command, a birthright never to be acquired. -You feel that such a man <em>must</em> be obeyed; that -no one would <em>dare</em> to resist for one moment. No -doubt he has shed blood—which is dreadful to -think of—but he has saved life also, and done -many merciful and charitable actions—if we only -knew.’</p> - -<p>‘Oh, yes! scores, hundreds,’ said Vanda: -‘carried starving crowds of natives away from -their islands when the crops had failed; picked -up canoes at sea when they were beginning -to cast lots for one to die to save the rest; -<span class="nw">and——’</span></p> - -<p>‘Don’t tell me any more,’ pleaded Hermione. -‘I can’t bear it.’</p> - -<p>‘And they say that if he was arrested he could -be thrown into prison for offences against maritime -law—whatever that may be. He <em>was</em> arrested at -Honolulu, and was a prisoner upon a British man-of-war.’</p> - -<p>‘Yes!’ cried Vanda; ‘but they couldn’t prove -anything against him. So they had to let him go -again, and he gave a ball afterwards. So he -couldn’t have done anything very wicked. He -sings, and plays on the violin, and guitar too. -What a draw he would be in opera!’</p> - -<p>‘Mrs. Lilburne says she will <em>never</em> forget his -kindness to her husband. He got him away from -that dreadful island, where he would have died. -<a name="png.301" id="png.301" href="#png.301"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>297<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>So would she. She had a great mind to commit -suicide, and was only kept alive by the incessant -work in the hospital at Pilot Mount, where she -nursed father, and Lord Newstead, and lots of -poor miners.’</p> - -</div> - - -<div class="chap"> -<h2 title="Chapter XIV"><a name="png.302" id="png.302" href="#png.302"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>298<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>CHAPTER XIV</h2> - - -<p>‘<span class="smc">Really</span>,’ said Vanda, ‘when we want to see our -Australian friends, the proper thing is to come to -England. We have certainly met more in a -month here than we ever did in a year in the -colonies.’</p> - -<p>‘And we never should have fallen across -Captain Hay——I beg his pardon, Captain Bucklaw -in Australia,’ assented Hermione. ‘I wonder -what will be his end. Something romantic and -far from peaceful, I feel certain. Oh, here he -comes to say good-bye! Why can’t he stay -another day, I wonder?’</p> - -<p>‘Reasons of State! The Captain never stays -long in one place, I’ve remarked,’ said Mr. Lilburne, who, with his wife, now joined them. -‘He had a wire from his agent that the cargo -was complete, and the <cite>Haitchi Maru</cite> only waiting -for her commander.’</p> - -<p>Mr. and Mrs. Banneret now came forward, -while the Lilburnes shook hands warmly with the -man who had been their friend in need, whatever -might have been his career under other circumstances.</p> - -<p><a name="png.303" id="png.303" href="#png.303"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>299<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>‘<em>We</em> shall never forget you,’ said Mrs. Lilburne; -‘you saved two lives when you rescued -Alister from that inferno.’</p> - -<p>‘The Captain knows he may count on us whenever -he likes to call,’ said her husband. ‘We -hope to be able to repay him in kind.’</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div>‘It was time for us to go, my lads;</div> -<div class="i5"><span class="ns"> </span>It was time for us to go,’</div> -</div> -</div> -</div> - -<p class="noindent">said he, chaunting the refrain of an old sailor-song, -in deep melodious tones. ‘I have never yet been -caught napping, but, believe me, this meeting of -true friends will be among the most precious -memories of a reckless life, and if any of the -present company should find themselves in danger -on sea, or land, within a hundred miles of this -skipper, he’ll effect a diversion if it’s in the power -of mortal man. But, after all, it’s a ten-to-one -chance we never meet again. Think of me as one -who might have been a better man with better luck. -Adios, señora. Adios, Don Carlos Alvarez. Adios, -señoritas.’ Here he shook hands once more with -the men, and bowing low to the girls and Mrs. Banneret, strode away to a swift hansom which -awaited him, and disappeared from their eyes.</p> - -<p>There was a peculiar feeling, somewhat allied -to regret, yet perhaps even more to relief, when -their picturesquely lawless friend took his departure. -This sentiment was shared in lesser degree -by the older, more experienced individuals of the -party. But the girls were frankly grieved at the -loss of so romantic an acquaintance—the tears, -indeed, coming into Vanda’s eyes as she realised -<a name="png.304" id="png.304" href="#png.304"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>300<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>that she could hardly hope to know ‘a real pirate’ -again.</p> - -<p>‘Do you think he really <em>was</em> engaged in the -Black Flag business—death’s head and crossbones, -and so on?’ queried Eric.</p> - -<p>‘I don’t think that was ever proved,’ answered -Lilburne; ‘more likely a trifle of privateering, or -“blackbirding,” as labour-recruiting was called in -the early days of the Queensland sugar-planting -industry. But there <em>was</em> a warrant out for him, -and, indeed, for Hilary Telfer—that tall, fair man -standing near Mrs. Banneret with his lovely wife; -he was supercargo on board the famous <cite>Leonora</cite>.’</p> - -<p>‘What a beautiful creature she is!’ said Hermione; -‘what a figure, what eyes, and such a face, -lit up by a charming smile! She is something -like a Spanish girl we saw at Santa Barbara, and -yet not quite the same type—far more beautiful, -with grace personified. I can’t quite place her.’</p> - -<p>‘She is a descendant of Lieutenant Fletcher -Christian, the leader of the mutineers of the -<cite>Bounty</cite>, who disappeared somewhere about the -year 1788, and formed that very interesting community -at Pitcairn Island. They were not -discovered until September 1808, when Captain -Folger, of the American ship <cite>Topaz</cite>, seeing -smoke rising from an island, from which a canoe -was approaching, was hailed by the occupants in -good Saxon English. “Won’t you heave us a -rope, now?” was the request from the frail bark, -and, a rope being thrown out, a fine young man -sprang actively on deck. “I’m Thursday October -Christian,” he said modestly, “son of Fletcher -<a name="png.305" id="png.305" href="#png.305"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>301<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>Christian, and the first man born on the island.” -H.M.S. the <cite>Briton</cite> and the <cite>Tagus</cite>—the former -commanded by Sir T. Staines—were in search of -an American ship which had seized some English -whalers, when they suddenly came in sight of an -uncharted island. It was Pitcairn, but should -have been two hundred miles distant—being -placed on the chart by Captain Carteret (who -discovered it in 1767) three degrees out of its -true longitude.’</p> - -<p>‘It seems almost incredible,’ said Mr. Banneret, -‘that a canoe carried on a man’s shoulders should -be safely handled amidst such terrific surges, but I -recollect seeing Australian aboriginals at Two-fold -Bay carrying their bark canoes <em>on their heads</em> to -the water, and fishing successfully when it was by -no means smooth. English-speaking strangers -proved themselves to be unsurpassed boatmen—to -be recognised in the aftertime as such amongst -the best whalemen in the world. Twenty years -had elapsed since Fletcher Christian and his mutineer -associates, with their Tahitian wives, had left -Mataavai Bay. During the whole of that time -the actors in the tragedy had disappeared from -mortal ken as completely as if they had been sunk -“deeper than plummet lies,” with their broken-up -and abandoned vessel the <cite>Bounty</cite>.’</p> - -<p>In 1808 Captain Mayhew Folger first came -upon the little community of Pitcairn Island; in -1814 the Anglo-Tahitians had increased to the -number of forty. Nothing was done by the -British Government until 1825, when Captain -Beechey, in the <cite>Blossom</cite>, on a voyage of discovery, -<a name="png.306" id="png.306" href="#png.306"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>302<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>paid a visit to Pitcairn Island. A boat under sail -was observed coming towards the ship. The crew -consisted of old Adams and ten young men of the -island. The young men were tall, robust, and -healthy, with good-natured countenances, and a -simplicity of manner combined with a fear of doing -something that might be wrong, which prevented -the possibility of giving offence. None of them -had shoes or stockings. Adams, in his sixty-fifth -year, was dressed in a sailor’s shirt and trousers, -and wore a low-crowned hat. He still retained -his sailor manners, doffing his hat whenever he was -addressed by the officers.</p> - -<p>Sir Thomas Staines’s letter, written on 18th -October 1814, stated that every individual on -the island (forty in number) spoke excellent -English. They proved to be the descendants of -the deluded crew of the <cite>Bounty</cite>. The venerable -old man, John Adams, was the only surviving -Englishman of those who last quitted Tahiti -in her. The pious manner in which all those -born on the island had been reared, and the -correct sense of religion which had been instilled -into their young minds by the old man, had given -him the pre-eminence over the whole of them. -And to him they looked up as the Patriarch of their -tribe.</p> - -<div class="tb"><b>. . . . . . . . .</b></div> - -<p>The great day, the great race was over. The -Australian family had enjoyed their modest triumph -in seeing the good horse from a sister colony win -the blue ribbon of the great cross-country contest, -coming in victorious over hedge and ditch, -<a name="png.307" id="png.307" href="#png.307"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>303<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>brook and rail, with the best blood of England -eight lengths behind. That was an honour which -could never be taken away from them. In years -to come any of them would be able to say, ‘I saw -Moifaa sweep over the four miles and a half of -a stiff course (as English people reckon) with as -much ease as if it had been a hurdle race. And -until we see an imported horse from England win -a steeplechase at Flemington, we shall be entitled -to hold that the horses bred south of the line -possess unequalled speed, stoutness, and jumping -ability.’</p> - -<p>From the far ocean-surrounded islands of the -south land, where still linger the traces of the moa, -and the apteryx perplexes the tourist, to the torrid -levels of the West Australian fields, where the -miner’s harvest is weighed and reckoned in ounces -of fine gold, the love of athletic sports, which the -British emigrants carried with them, has caused -their representative champions to be respected -from India to the Pole.</p> - -<p>After this equine battle of Waterloo it was, of -course, natural for the victorious Austro-Britons -to fall back upon their base in London—the Hotel -Cecil, where they and the Allied Forces might -arrange for future operations during the spring -and summer campaigns.</p> - -<p>The Bannerets were not, as may be imagined, -without acquaintances, and, indeed, friends of long -standing in high places. Cadets of noble houses -had visited Australia in the early ’fifties (1852 -to 1856), when the goldfields of Ballarat and -Bendigo, Eaglehawk and Maryborough, were at -<a name="png.308" id="png.308" href="#png.308"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>304<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>their marvellous height of productiveness; where, -also, the purchase of a few shares overnight might -result in a fortune before breakfast for the investor. -Besides such glimpses into Aladdin’s -cave, there was the entirely new spectacle of goldfields, -where the precious metal might be seen in -the matrix, and the operations for its extraction by -chance workers of every degree of age, nationality, -or occupation witnessed. It was a fascinating -and novel experience to watch the process in -shallow ground, hardly less primitive than the -ordinary digging of potatoes: to mark the runaway -sailors, farm hands, shepherds, or stock-riders, -joking the while, as they occasionally -threw up a ten- or twenty-ounce ‘nugget’ of -almost pure gold, worth £4 per ounce, or a lump -of the gold-studded quartz, to the tourist -bystander peering down the edge of the shaft, -with the touching confidence that it would be -punctiliously returned, after being wondered at, -and perhaps weighed, by the obliged stranger. -Such things sound improbable, but are, nevertheless, -strictly, rigidly true, as can be avouched by -any miner of the period. The neighbouring -squatters, in a general way men of birth and -breeding, had been pleased to welcome these agreeable -strangers to their homes, where, the daughters -of the land being often handsome and attractive, -the stranger guest had no particular objection to -prolonging his stay when his hosts and other -neighbouring magnates were so anxious to secure -his society.</p> - -<p>Lord Salisbury was known to have lived in a -<a name="png.309" id="png.309" href="#png.309"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>305<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>tent, with a friend or two, <i lang="la" xml:lang="la">more Australico</i>, and -personally, as ‘Mr. Cecil,’ studied the humours of -a ‘rush’ near Bendigo. As he did not stay long -or, presumably, make a fortune, he probably consoled -himself with the reflection that he had gained the -rare experience of a personal examination of a vast -colonial industry at first hand, which would be -valuable in forming political opinion as to the -treatment of British colonies, under new and -original conditions. In the light of his Lordship’s -ministerial responsibilities in later life, perhaps it -was well for him that he should be in a position to -observe the process of formation of a British state, -with municipal, mercantile, civil, and military -functions, of a character befitting the Empire, -evolved from the heterogeneous components of a -goldfields population. How doubtful, how improbable, -that order, achievement, high attainment, -should ever have been so produced, contemporary -journalists and visitors have left on record. For -the proof, <i lang="la" xml:lang="la">respice finem</i>, behold the tree-shaded -street, broad, straight, tram-pervaded, at Ballarat; -the lake where formerly the wild duck swam amid -the reedy marsh; the steamers thereon which -equalise the traffic; the gardens where the weary -tourist may rest, or read, upon a bench prepared -by the municipalities, while he gazes around on -the wide transformed landscape. Naval officers, -cadets of great houses, budding field-marshals, -had all been temporarily adopted at Arnold -Banneret’s paternal home. The middies were -now, some of them, admirals; the Honourable -Mr. Sedley and Mr. Villiers were now barons -<a name="png.310" id="png.310" href="#png.310"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>306<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>and earls, having ‘come into their kingdoms,’ so -to speak.</p> - -<p>They did not forget the friends who had dined -and mounted them, provided shooting and hunting -parties, thought nothing too good for them; and -invitations flowed into the Hotel Cecil for garden -parties, dances, dinners—in fact, all the gaieties of -the season.</p> - -<p>And what a season it was! ‘Oh to be in -England, now that April’s here!’ For the nonce -it was a fine, warm, even <em>dry</em> summer, which enhanced -the green glory of the century-old oaks, -the ‘immemorial elms,’ and the various flowers of -the great parks and also of the natural woodland. -What joy it was to these young people to wander -with their brothers along the ‘leafy lanes, where -the trees met overhead, when the merry brooks -ran clear and gay’! To note, lying underneath -the aged oaks, the skylark rising from the field, -and pealing his matin song of gladness.</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="ineg">‘Hark, hark! the lark at heaven’s gate sings,</div> -<div class="i1"><span class="ns"> </span>And Phœbus ’gins arise,</div> -<div>His steeds to water at those springs</div> -<div class="i1"><span class="ns"> </span>On chaliced flowers that lies;</div> -<div>And winking Mary-buds begin</div> -<div class="i1"><span class="ns"> </span>To ope their golden eyes:</div> -<div>With everything that pretty is,</div> -<div class="i1"><span class="ns"> </span>My lady sweet, arise!’</div> -</div> -</div> -</div> - -<p class="noindent">quoted Hermione.</p> - -<p>Then the wild-flowers: what a feast of plant -life! What various colour, shape, bloom—of -every shade and tint, from the dingle, ‘where the -rath violets grow,’ to the daffodil bank, by the -<a name="png.311" id="png.311" href="#png.311"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>307<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>sun-kissed lake. ‘Isn’t that delicious?’ said Hermione; -‘who but our Shakespeare could have pictured so -delightfully the lovely summer of old England, -with the hedgerows and the pastures all glistening -with dew! That dear lark is coming down again—a -living song, floating through the blue ocean of -sky—singing as he falls. Then at last dropping -like a stone into the field—I saw him close to that -patch of red clover.’</p> - -<p>‘But <em>we</em> have skylarks in Australia,’ said Vanda, -who objected to unqualified praise of England for -being England; ‘our bird doesn’t fly so high, -certainly, and stops more quickly, but he sings a -sweet little tuneful lay. He has not had a thousand -years in which to practise.’</p> - -<p>This colloquy took place one morning before -breakfast, at which unusual time, about 5 <span class="allsc">A.M.</span>, -these young people elected to get up, for once in -a way, that they might be enabled to say they had -seen an English sunrise, and heard an English -skylark. They were staying at an old—ever so -old English hall, where everything was in keeping -with tradition and history. The century-old oaks -were there; the forest was the same, mercifully -spared, and lovingly tended; the aged oaks were the -immediate descendants of those under which Gurth -and Wamba lay and chaunted their roundelay when -Bois-Guilbert, the Templar of the period, inquired -the way to Rotherwood, and was directed all wrong -by the eccentric Wamba.</p> - -<p>Yes! there were the oaks, huge of girth, mighty -of spread and shade, and clothed to the very tips of -their enormous branches with delicate leaflets, bursting -<a name="png.312" id="png.312" href="#png.312"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>308<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>buds, and every variety of leafage which goes -to furbish up the glorious green garb of an English -spring.</p> - -<p>Now that the spring had arrived, the real -English spring—written about, talked about, sung -about by everybody that had ever been in England, -or read about the great and glorious Motherland—they -were all mad with hope and expectation, also -with ardent desire to go in and possess the land of -faerie. Fortunately, for once, the climate did not -betray them. The weather continued fine and -open. Frosts were few and far between. The -grass in the meadows, thick and verdant, spread a -velvet garment over all the land. Over the fields -around stood ancient farm-houses, near villages with -names as old as the Norman Conquest. Around -were ruined abbeys and crumbling spires, besides -bridges over brooks, where swam the fat carp which -had tempted the monks to sink their foundations -first, and to follow up with the stately piles, which -sheltered so many a lordly abbot and his train of -cowled brethren, lay and spiritual, with servitors, -tenants, and retainers, military and otherwise.</p> - -<p>All this strengthened the desire of the Bannerets -to establish themselves in a country residence, -whence they might issue forth in quest of the -more desirable entertainments, at the same time -preserving the home feeling, and having a <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">pied à -terre</i> which would give them standing in the -county superior to that of mere birds of passage.</p> - -<p>The girls of the family, now that the spring -was distinctly on, and the summer, by natural -course of nature, might be expected to follow, -<a name="png.313" id="png.313" href="#png.313"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>309<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>desired no change. They felt, and indeed repeatedly -affirmed, that their cup of joy was full—that they -never expected to be so truly, consciously, ecstatically -happy. Every night Hermione and Vanda retired, -after a day filled with novel and delicious sensations, -to dream of a new kind of felicity on the morrow; -a forecast the reality of which rarely disappointed -them. Their parents occasionally uttered a note of -warning as to the too eager pursuit of pleasure, and -the need of moderation even, on the score of health. -But there was small reason for caution on that score: -the young people had exceptionally strong constitutions—sound, -unworn, and elastic, with all the -marvellous recuperative power of early youth. -Their cousins and friends in the country districts -of Australia had been known to ride thirty or forty -miles to a ball, at which to dance until daylight -afterwards, with but little or no fatigue. They -belonged to the same type, and were not a whit -behind them in endurance, defying fatigue or -lassitude where pleasure or interesting travel was -concerned. So all manner of recreative experiences -had been tested—hackneys for the park, rides and -drives, concerts and theatres, balls and parties, -receptions given by certain returned Governors, to -whom they had been socially known in Australia. -These proconsuls lost no time in inviting them to -entertainments where they met various great ones -of the land, to whom it was explained that they were -really ‘nice’—distinguished even in a sense, and -ever so rich—owning gold mines of unquestioned, -almost fabulous richness.</p> - -<p>There was then no difficulty about invitations -<a name="png.314" id="png.314" href="#png.314"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>310<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>and engagements; the trouble was to keep up -with them all, and so arrange that they did not -clash, and at the same time to find out the right -people at whose entertainments to be ‘seen.’ -They were naturally popular in this new environment, -with more or less foreign elements. The -girls were voted pretty (Hermione, indeed, was -very handsome), well dressed, well mannered, and -above all ‘nice’—that mysterious adjective which -goes for so much in English society. The young -men, too, were good-looking, well turned out, and -so closely resembling Englishmen of their age and -standing, that surprise was expressed that they -should be Australians, there being no peculiarity -of accent, or appearance, betokening their colonial -origin. They were also athletic beyond average -form—being skilled at tennis, cricket, and other -fashionable games.</p> - -<p>Now the vitally important matter next on -hand was the selection of a home. Mr. Banneret, -after due consideration, had decided to invest in -an estate. The Hotel Cecil was well managed, -comfortable, even luxurious. It was, of course, -expensive, even perhaps extravagant. But that -was not the reason for disapproval. Money was -no object, as the phrase runs.</p> - -<p>Still, Arnold Banneret and his wife disliked -hotel life <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">en permanence</i>. The continual change -of acquaintances, with whom a certain sort of -association was almost impossible to avoid, was -distasteful to them. They did not, as their experience -matured, think it, in all respects, beneficial -to the girls. For them and their brothers they -<a name="png.315" id="png.315" href="#png.315"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>311<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>wished to re-create the home feeling. They -longed for the change once more to peaceful -country life—where they might live among such -neighbours as made the chief rural luxury, and -secure, if such might be, valuable and enduring -friendships.</p> - -<p>To this end it was decided to <em>buy</em> an estate. -Leased houses, with perhaps suitable grounds, -furniture, and belongings, were all very well in -their way. But people’s ideas about furniture and -other matters differed widely sometimes. And, -at the delivering-up day, misunderstandings were -likely to arise—had arisen within their experience. -Thus it was decided to buy. They could then -comfort themselves with knowing that they were -safely settled for years to come—could not be -turned out by the whim of the proprietor, or any -one else. And if the worst came to the worst, -and circumstances compelled them to return to -their own country, they could, of course, re-sell; -and as estates in England, valuable and well placed, -did not vary much in value, they could get their -money back without serious deduction.</p> - -<p>The girls at first did not take kindly to the -idea. They found their present mode of existence -much to their taste. But their mother had with -some regret observed that a subtle change was -taking place in the character of her daughters. -Constant amusement, of course, they had no -difficulty in procuring. It was furnished without -effort on their part. But it pained her to discover -that an alteration of taste was even now showing -itself. They did not care so much for the more -<a name="png.316" id="png.316" href="#png.316"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>312<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>rational forms of amusement; they began to -crave more and more for excitement; and -provided that it was of a sufficiently novel and -bizarre nature, they seemed, to her watchful eye, -to be growing more and more careless of surroundings, -and of the status of the people with -whom they were necessarily associated.</p> - -<p>In order to combat this feeling, and to render -the departure from the Hotel Cecil, and its continuous -round of gaieties, less depressing, Mrs. Banneret began diplomatically to descant upon -the more permanently attractive features of -English country life,—the ancient trees, the -historical associations of the manor-house and the -grounds; the neighbouring gentry, the hunting -fixtures, the pleasant parties made up for shooting, -coursing, fishing, and other time-honoured -sports, for the performance of which desirable -guests would be brought down from town or -invited from neighbouring families; the archery -meetings, after which it was the fashion of the -county to have impromptu dances; the hounds -on the lawn, the distinguished personages, the -aristocratic M.F.H., the ‘coffee-house’ feature -of the meets, the hunting women, the road -riders, their friends, and other people’s friends, -the garden parties—in short, all the hundred and -one pleasant meetings, half sport, half business, -which only a country life could adequately -provide.</p> - -<p>‘Think,’ she said, ‘my dear girls, what a -different life it would be for us all! Your father -is pining for a return to regular home life, such -<a name="png.317" id="png.317" href="#png.317"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>313<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>as he and I enjoyed when you were little, and -which, in spite of the troubles of a Gold Commissioner’s -life, we even now look back upon as -our happiest days. He wants to have a decent -stable, a couple of hacks, a brace or two of -hunters; his phaeton pair, and a dogcart horse; -a landau for me and you on great occasions; a -safe hunter apiece for you girls, and perhaps -another, or so, for a friend. Besides, with a -moderate-sized estate—ten or twelve thousand -acres—he can enjoy some shooting and amateur -farming, which will give him healthy exercise—he -doesn’t get enough now, and it’s bad for him. -He’s getting too stout; you see that yourselves, -don’t you? Then we shall be the Bannerets of -Hexham Hall. I feel quite like the Lady of the -Manor already.’</p> - -<p>As the good matron kept summing up the joys -of this ideal life—the glorious awakening in the -fresh, sweet atmosphere of the country, the song -of the birds, the dewy lawns—the girls watched -her face glow and her eyes sparkle with almost -youthful lustre. They could bear the situation no -longer.</p> - -<p>‘Mother! dear mother!’ cried Hermione, -‘don’t go on—I can’t bear it. We have been -wicked, selfish girls not to have seen it before. I -thought you and father had been looking out of -spirits lately. I see now how it was telling on -you. We’ll go, Vanda, wherever we are told. -It’s a shame that we should have had to be asked. -Only we must have a family council before the -place—the manor, the castle, or whatever it is to -<a name="png.318" id="png.318" href="#png.318"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>314<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>be—is finally decided upon. It can’t be so very -dreadful after all.’</p> - -<p>‘Dreadful!’ cried Vanda; ‘it’s delicious. I’ll -undertake the dairy—and we must have lots of -lovely tiles, and such cream-pans, and a floor like -glass, and walls that can be washed down twice a -day. The next thing is to find the Castle of -Otranto. Will there be ruins, ghosts, and a -helmet to fall down with a crash? I must have -vaults, too, and a secret passage, where the former -lord of the castle was concealed when the Roundheads -sacked it. And such a range of stabling, -too! I must have two hunters if I am to keep up -my riding.’</p> - -<p>The sons gave their unhesitating opinion in -favour of the estate. Land was cheap in England -at present—many of the owners being only too -glad to get rid of property which paid ridiculously -low in interest on capital, and was year by year -involving the so-called proprietor in heavier expense. -As to the value of a large historic family -mansion, it was looked upon as the proverbial -white elephant, which the owners would be only -too pleased to get rid of, once and for ever.</p> - -<p>Then the choice—that was the difficulty. -Arnold Banneret shuddered when he thought of -the scores of desirable places, old and half-ruinous, -ill-drained, decayed, damp, smothered in ivy, -shaded by vast growths of world-old groves that -it would be sacrilege to cut down, and death by -slow and gradual process to leave unaltered. The -new mansion ghastly with stucco—redolent of -fresh paint—the mistaken ambition of the -<a name="png.319" id="png.319" href="#png.319"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>315<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>manufacturer, tired of so soon after the contractor was -paid, and disgracefully new like the baronetcy; -these and other failures, like Banquo’s line of -shadowy kings, passed before him in review, until -he almost resolved to cut the whole concern and -go back to Australia, where, at any rate, one could -enjoy one’s life in peace. This was after a long -day’s rail to examine an over-praised, over-valued, -highly unsuitable investment, with too much house -and too little land—both being indecently inferior -in quality, besides being in a dull and undesirable -county.</p> - -<p>‘It was thought,’ declared the agent, ‘that it -would just suit a gentleman from Australia, being -a bit wild-like, and not too trim and polished up, -as it were.’ He seemed surprised at being curtly -informed that a man did not come all the way -from Australia to encumber himself with an -indifferent house and exceptionally bad land, as the -attempts at crops plainly showed; that he had -been misled by the advertisement, and would be -sorry to take the place as a gift.</p> - -<p>This was a bad beginning, but his wife comforted -him by saying that she could see that he -had been so bored by inaction that he was -evidently glad of the chance of taking a journey -<em>somewhere</em>, if only to end in disappointment; that -she was glad to see that he had so much of his -old energy left; that she must go with him next -time, when better counsels would prevail, and -success attend them eventually.</p> - -<p>At length, after tedious delays and disappointing -inspections of every kind of country house—mansion, -<a name="png.320" id="png.320" href="#png.320"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>316<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>manor, and historic castellated abode—even -including a moat, an altogether satisfactory -purchase was effected. The place was historic, a -royal princess had lived there under strict guardianship -during her nonage. The place was -certainly far from modern in outward appearance, -but the interior had been restored tastefully, and -in accordance with the latest requirements, by the -owner, who, having fallen upon evil times, was -only too pleased to take a moderate price in cash -for a property which, with costly renovation and -additions, had cost a third more than the sale -price. When the probable purchaser and his wife -ran down by train to have a full and leisurely -inspection, they were more pleased than they cared -to show at the <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">coup d’œil</i>.</p> - -<p>It was the early forenoon. The day was fine—the -air mild, almost breezeless; the great oaks, -the venerable elms, the ancient walls which surrounded -the ‘pleasaunce,’ gave the whole place the -look of a monarch’s retreat for the time when -he might wish to rest from the cares of State and -enjoy a rare solitude, apart from the crowding -cares of sovereignty and the distraction of churchmen -and contending nobles.</p> - -<p>Such indeed had Hexham Hall been in the -days of old. Princesses had lived there in the -time of their tutelage—princesses who must have -chafed, and perhaps cherished rebellious thoughts; -perhaps dreamed over the policy which they would -carry out when they became queens—for queens -they did become in due course of time, and having -uncontrolled power, they did carry out that -<a name="png.321" id="png.321" href="#png.321"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>317<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>policy; nor was blood spared in the process -which a lofty and fearless ideal of the ‘might, -majesty, and dominion’ of Britain demanded. -An estate of twelve thousand acres went with -the property.</p> - -<p>It was favourably situated in the matter of -sport and social centres. Several packs of hounds -met within easy distance. The shooting was good, -and had been carefully preserved. There was a -trout stream such as would have delighted the -heart of the ‘Compleat Angler,’ particularly a -stretch of water not far from a ruined mill, which, -owing to latter-day mechanical inventions, had -been put out of commission.</p> - -<p>There was a gamekeeper who went with the -estate, and whose keen, courageous expression at -once enlisted the sympathies of the younger -Australians. His cottage, his neatly dressed wife -and children, with their air of deep respectfulness -and old-fashioned curtseys, delighted them beyond -mention. The coops with young pheasants—the -lovely setters and retrievers—private property of -the keeper—such a dear feudal name, as Vanda -observed: these were some of the new possessions -which went far to reconcile the daughters of the -house to their removal from the Hotel Cecil, with -its endless joys.</p> - -<p>The purchase of the baronial residence of Hexham -Hall had been carried to completion with -marvellous ease and celerity.</p> - -<p>The Bannerets’ legal representative had met the -family lawyer of the Hexham properties, and after -certain conferences, with more or less courteous -<a name="png.322" id="png.322" href="#png.322"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>318<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>but pointed argument, a cheque signed by Arnold -Banneret for the largest amount ever drawn by -him was handed over, in exchange for which -acquittances and title-deeds, some of curiously -ancient date, were deposited in Messrs. Close and -Carforth’s deed-box.</p> - -<p>The Australian family now felt themselves to -be invested with all manner of feudal attributes; -not perhaps quite including the privilege of ‘pit -and gallows,’ but, for all that, delightfully autocratic -of flavour and suggestion. They began to -feel reconciled.</p> - -<p>After the removal from town, which was -effected with exceptional speed and completeness, -a rearrangement of the furniture was, of course, -necessary. The owner, an impoverished Earl -with a family, had lived on the Continent for -years past. He therefore welcomed the possession -of so large a sum in cash, a portion of which, -much to his private gratification, he was enabled -to devote to the clearing off of long-standing -debts, as well as to matters of family convenience. -Lord Hexham, indeed, came over from Bruges -to ratify all arrangements made by agents and -representatives, and to have, as he explained to -Mr. Banneret, a short ‘run up to town on his -own,’ so as to look in at his clubs, to escape the -monotony of the life at Bruges, which, though -economically prudent, was far from entertaining. -‘Nothing to do, day after day, but to look at that -confounded Cathedral, which I know by heart—and -all the Johnnies rave about till it’s perfectly -sickenin’. Never cared much about architecture—hardly -<a name="png.323" id="png.323" href="#png.323"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>319<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>know whether my own place is Tudor -or Gothic. Most awfully obliged to you, my -dear fellow, for taking it off my hands, and so on. -Benefactor to the deservin’ poor, don’t-cher-know—that -sort of thing. Is there anything I can do -to oblige you? Only say the word!’</p> - -<p>‘I don’t see that there is anything more,’ said -the purchaser, ‘that isn’t included in the agreement. -Oh, by the bye, there are a few articles of -furniture, an old dower-chest with parchments, -some antique volumes, charters, and so on. I’m -a bit of an antiquarian in my leisure hours—having -more than I care for now, sorry to say. Would -your man of law put a price upon them—that is, -of course, if you have no dislike to part with them—heirlooms -probably?’</p> - -<p>‘Would I turn them into cash? Like a bird, -my dear fellow—your man and mine can fight it -out between them. You could have the title too, -if there was no law to prevent it. Many a time -I’ve wished I could melt it, like the family plate. -Some of it <em>has</em> gone that way. You smile! It’s -the “frozen truth,” as our friend Lady Neuchatel -says.’</p> - -<p>‘Of course you’re joking; your family succession——’</p> - -<p>‘Not a bit of it. Talked it over with her -Ladyship and the children many a time. Jack, my -eldest son—he’s in the Guards—quite agrees with -me. So do the girls. “Oh, take the cash, and -let the title go.” Saw it in <cite>Omar Khayyám</cite>, she -said. Clever girl, Corisande! “Broken gods no use -any more, in modern times, without the money. -<a name="png.324" id="png.324" href="#png.324"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>320<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>Rank without money the worst form of genteel -poverty.” Give you my word, Mr. Banneret, it’s -most refreshin’ start I’ve had for years. To -think of a decent credit at one’s private bank -account! Excuse my high spirits—makes me -feel like a boy again—not good form, I admit, -but situation exceptional.’</p> - -<p>Arnold Banneret and this impoverished peer -‘got on,’ as the phrase is, wonderfully well together. -Like most Englishmen of rank, he was -utterly unaffected, never having had to take -thought about his position, or to trouble himself -as to the amount of consideration due to -it. Sufficient deference is cheerfully yielded to -Lords and Honourables in England and her -colonies, whether rich or poor, as long as they -merit respect from personal character. If they -are not so honoured it is entirely due to their -want of the qualities which are attributed to their -birth and breeding. Lord Hexham had been in -the army; had sold out when he succeeded to the -title; married shortly afterwards, and, without -being very extravagant, had lived a careless, easy -life, until the foreclosure of a long-standing mortgage, -and the accumulation of unpaid debts and -obligations, compelled a surrender. His family -was fairly large—four sons and three daughters—the -eldest son in the army, second navy, two -younger boys still at school. For the girls—Corisande -was grown up; Adeline coming on, ambitious -and slightly combative; Mildred still with -her governess. When all liabilities had been -liquidated or arranged, it was decided in a sort of -<a name="png.325" id="png.325" href="#png.325"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>321<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>advisory committee, partly composed of creditors -and partly of relatives, that the family must settle -for the next few years in a cheap place, somewhere -on the Continent, where the girls could learn -music and languages. But all expensive amusements—travel, -sport, house in town, yachting, -etc.—must be done with once and for all. If -the rents were regularly devoted to payment of -creditors and the release of mortgages for a few -years, the estate would be, perhaps not quite free -from debt, but in a condition to allow the head of -the house a reasonable income, and to afford the -young people all the reasonable social advantages -to which, by their birth and station, they had a -natural claim. The position was felt by the Earl -to be, in some respects, ‘rather hard lines upon a -fellow who hadn’t had much spending out of the -big indebtedness which had brought the family -ship aground.’ But it was felt that there was -nothing else for it, and his Lordship, taking his -wife’s advice, submitted to it with a fairly good -grace.</p> - -<p>‘Deuced hard for your Ladyship, come to think—and -the girls won’t like it one bit. But they’re -young, and will get their music, and all the rest -of it, as good in Bruges, perhaps better, than in -London—cheaper too, ever so much cheaper. -Jack and Falkland will be fighting England’s foes -on sea and land. Mustn’t outrun the constable, -though; but they’re steady chaps, particularly -Jack—that’s one comfort. And if—I say if—we -can put in five years in this kind of rustication, -well, we’re not too old yet; we may look forward -<a name="png.326" id="png.326" href="#png.326"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>322<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>to a clean sheet, and a little reasonable fun, in our—what’s -the old song say?—“our declinin’ days,” -declinin’ days—that’s good, isn’t it? Well, I’ll -try to do my part—I <em>know</em> you’ll do yours.’</p> - -<p>That settled it. The hunters, the carriage -horses, the park hacks, were sold; the choice little -herd of Jerseys, the greyhound kennel, were disposed -of. The well-known historic estate of -Hexham was finally sold out and out, to the -wonder and surprise of the country people, who -had a fixed idea that it belonged to the Crown, or, -in some mysterious way, could not be disposed of -without the royal sanction. However, it <em>was</em> -sold, everything advertised in the county paper, -and a large attendance witnessed the disposal of -all the belongings and valuables not secured by -special deed of settlement.</p> - -<p>The all-important transaction being legally, -equitably, peacefully concluded, everything being -brought to the hammer—a few heirlooms in the -shape of pictures, statuary, etc., being reserved,—Lord -Hexham gave up his right and title to house -and lands, and the new family acquired possession -of the old Hall and the old acres.</p> - -<p>It was a portentous proceeding, the girls considered, -who acknowledged a feeling half of awe -and half of triumph as they found themselves in -possession of the ancient keep, with embattled -walls, towers, and a portion of a deep and broad -moat. They were driven through the Norman -archway, seen through great elms and walnut -trees, partly concealing the quaint high chimneys -of the outbuildings, preserved through the -<a name="png.327" id="png.327" href="#png.327"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>323<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>entreaties, even threats, of Lady Ermentrude. The -Dowager Countess reached her ninetieth year -before she surrendered her state and the deference -which she exacted as due to the most exalted -pedigree in Britain. A portion of ‘the flanking -towers, with turrets high,’ did certainly look -rather grim and menacing, favouring the idea that -an attack in force might be expected at any time. -But the remaining portion of the great building, -or rather the collection of buildings, had been so -modernised, that the perfection of comfort and -artistic elegance demanded by latter-day life had -been secured, combined with the luxurious amplitude -of quasi-royal apartments. It was wonderful -how the huge building had lent itself to ornamentation, -to surprises, and luxurious lounging nooks -and corners. Here quiet converse might be had -by congenial spirits, or wide landscapes surveyed, -beauteous with glimpses of lake and river varying -the cultured sweep of pasture and arable, which -seemed only to end with the horizon.</p> - -</div> - - -<div class="chap"> -<h2 title="Chapter XV"><a name="png.328" id="png.328" href="#png.328"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>324<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>CHAPTER XV</h2> - - -<p><span class="smc">By</span> the time that arrangements were fully completed, -Lord Hexham and the Banneret family -had become quite intimate, and in a sense confidential. -He had dined with them at the Cecil, -where Australian friends were asked to meet him -in a quiet way. He was a sociable personage, and -the more he saw of his successors at Hexham -Hall the more he liked them. Between cultured -men of the world there is a certain freemasonry, -which deprives social intercourse of all <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">gêne</i> and -awkwardness, no matter to what country they -belong.</p> - -<p>With Mrs. Banneret and her girls his Lordship -was much impressed, feeling, as he told her truly, -as if he had known them for years. He saw how -she sympathised with him; the hard necessity for -the eviction—so to speak—of this noble family, -after their long and close connection with their -ancient home, appealed to her tender heart. -Underneath his affectedly frivolous treatment of -the subject she divined, with a woman’s intuitive -perception, that there was, could not but be, a sore -feeling—rising at times to remorse—at the thought -<a name="png.329" id="png.329" href="#png.329"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>325<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>that, by his own neglect and indolent mental drift, -he had forfeited the heritage of his race. To the -family change of circumstances she never referred, -but he was aware that it was in her thoughts. In -her calm, undemonstrative way she conveyed the -idea of regret in the abstract, as inseparable from -such an exodus. And in his heart he honoured -her for the unspoken sympathy.</p> - -<p>When the Earl departed for the United Service -Club in London, he wrote, thanking Mrs. Banneret and her husband for their hospitable -kindness, and, for which he was even more grateful, -their delicate consideration for a ruined man—conscious -only too keenly of his own shortcomings -and inefficient stewardship.</p> - -<p>The merry month of May passed with credit, -having provided, for once in a way, appropriate -weather, including a decent average of sunshine. -The midsummer month arrived in all the glory of -that delicious time, of roses and lilies, with all -vernal triumphs. And now, in the second week -of June—flushed June—came to pass a wondrous -equine exhibition, the carnival of coach and -harness perfection, unapproachable for form and -fashion in any other land under the sun—the -meeting of the Four-in-Hand Club! What an -ecstasy of excitement and admiration possessed -these young people when, at the Magazine in -Hyde Park, twenty coaches, utterly perfect in their -appointments, lined up.</p> - -<p>First in order was Colonel Sir Alfred Somerset’s -team of chestnuts—not the famous one of three -piebalds and a skewbald, so well known, so -<a name="png.330" id="png.330" href="#png.330"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>326<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>much admired, in days gone by. Next, the -regimental team of the Coldstream Guards—the -grey team of last year, driven by Sir Pleydell -Bouverie; Mr. Hope Morley’s bays, a miracle of -matching and stepping together; Colonel Frank -Shuttleworth’s black browns; Lord Newlands’ -favourite team of dark browns. Then comes -another, at which the girls exclaimed, as original -and striking—Captain Valentine’s two chestnuts, a -roan and a bay; Sir Henry Ewart’s fine chestnuts, -with Mr. Albert Brassey’s well-known bays. Mr. Banneret recognised the tall figure of Lord Loch, -driving the Grenadier Guards’ bay team.</p> - -<p>The horses, of course, commended themselves -to the Australian family by their size, power, -action, and perfect matching, except, of course, -in the cases of intentional chequers of colour. -Their lofty crests, their high action, the wonderful -finish of harness, coach, livery, servants, and -appointments generally, they admitted to transcend -anything within their experience. Then the -perfect ‘form’ of the drivers, gloved, hatted, -‘frockered,’ and generally turned out <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">à merveille</i>, -unapproachable, unequalled in Christendom, -or elsewhere.</p> - -<p>‘They can’t help carrying themselves well,’ said -Eric, ‘with bearing-reins; their heads braced up -to the same angle—driven on the bar, too. Not -much chance of their pulling unreasonably or -getting away with the driver—full of corn and -rest as they undoubtedly are. It’s a lovely sight -for people who understand horses.’</p> - -<p>‘All the same,’ contended paterfamilias, ‘they -<a name="png.331" id="png.331" href="#png.331"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>327<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>are rather heavy for any work except this show -business, and would be none the worse for a blood-cross. -With stages of twenty or twenty-five -miles and back, our Australian teams would be -easily in the lead; none the worse for it either, on -the following day. But these horses are not -expected to do real work.’</p> - -<p>‘Oh, it’s idle to depreciate these turn-outs,’ -said Hermione. ‘Nothing in the world can be -finer! How I should like to be on the box-seat -of that coach with the lovely chestnuts—Captain -Quintin Dick’s, aren’t they? And going on to -Hurlingham afterwards? We must have a look -at the polo there, some fine day. Do we know -any one there in that behalf? as I heard a lawyer -say in father’s Court, one day.’</p> - -<p>‘Yes, we do!’ stated Vanda, with some eagerness. -‘Of course there’s Captain Neil Haig; he -was A.D.C. to the Governor in West Australia. -He played in Melbourne, don’t you remember, -against the crack Western Club. Four Englishmen -against four Australians. It was a drawn -game—he’s a wonderful hitter.’</p> - -<p>It was agreed, <i lang="la" xml:lang="la">nem. con.</i>, that a party should -be made up for Hurlingham the next time there -was a match on. Following which arrangement -the conversation became general, until, shortly -after one o’clock, Mr. Lovegrove gave the word, -and the procession, headed by the President, Lord -Ancaster, moved off; some of the coaches going -on to Hurlingham, as arranged in the programme.</p> - -<p>‘There can’t be anything finer under the sun, -for form and finish,’ declared Reggie, ‘but the -<a name="png.332" id="png.332" href="#png.332"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>328<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>American coaching in Australia for cross-country -work, over bad roads, for speed and punctuality -has greatly the advantage. Their coaches and -teams, of course, do not compare in the matter of -appearance, and are not expected to. But the -passengers are better accommodated, and the -American cross-handed style of holding the reins -gives better, greater power over the team. Think, -for instance, of having to handle six or seven -horses at night—three in the lead, with a heavily -loaded coach and indifferent roads. The lamps -too, placed on high, are more numerous, thus -throwing the light farther out ahead. The service -is more efficient and satisfactory than the English -fashion, which prevailed in Australia until quite -recently.’</p> - -<p>‘Everything in its own place,’ said Mrs. Banneret. ‘The pioneer work in Britain was -finished centuries ago. In our Greater Britain it -has only lately begun. Our young men have -rough work and different results to look to. Let -us hope that they may learn in time to combine -use and ornament.’</p> - -<p>‘That’s where these English fellows beat us, I -must say,’ interposed Eric. ‘Looking at them -there, sitting up as if they were only intended to -drive accurately, to advertise their teams and their -tailors, one might think that they couldn’t do -anything else—never had done. There could be -no greater mistake. They <em>have</em> done all sorts of -things—great things, many of them—but you’d -never know it from themselves. The Englishman -doesn’t talk. You must hear his exploits -<a name="png.333" id="png.333" href="#png.333"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>329<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>from some one else. You never will from himself.’</p> - -<p>‘I’m afraid people don’t think that way about -us,’ said Vanda dolefully. ‘In fact, they say just -the opposite sometimes—when they quote Anthony -Trollope, who frequently mentioned the word -“blow,” which is Australian for “boast.” That will -be rectified by and by. We are a baby nation, -so far, but will calm down to the regular, steady, -solid Anglo-Saxon march. We’re only excitable—being -in the midst of “war’s alarms” at present—likely -enough to be dragged in, too, if these -Russian cruisers keep on raiding our commerce.’</p> - -<p>‘Oh, Vanda! you don’t say so?’ said -Hermione, who was not disposed to throw down -the gauntlet to Russia just yet, though much in -sympathy with Japan. ‘Think what a dreadful -thing war is!’</p> - -<p>‘It’s a much more dreadful thing,’ said her -sister, ‘not to fight to the death for home and -hearth. Think of dear old Australia being overrun -by the Yellow Peril, or even our kind friends, -the Russians and Germans.’</p> - -<p>‘But surely there can be no danger of the -Chinese making war upon us? Consider how -unwarlike a people they are! and how thousands -of them would fly before disciplined troops.’</p> - -<p>‘I am not so sure of that,’ said Mr. Banneret. -‘General Gordon was of opinion that, if well led -by European officers, in whom they had confidence, -they were equal to any troops in the world. As -for the danger of the irruption of the Goths and -Vandals, the late Sir Henry Parkes, a veteran -<a name="png.334" id="png.334" href="#png.334"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>330<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>statesman, was of opinion during the latter years -of his life that Australia’s greatest danger in the -future would be from the proximity of such -nations as China and Japan, immensely superior in -numbers, and becoming gradually possessed of all -the scientific arms of precision. He probably had in -his mind China and Japan, the inhabitants of which -countries, our legislators, led by the labour party, -have laid themselves out to insult and degrade.’</p> - -<p>‘Seems unfair, doesn’t it?’ said Reggie. ‘In -our policy of “Government by the poor,” they -scarcely grasped the idea of a combined Japanese -and Chinese force,—with a score of ironclads, -landing an army corps in North Queensland, and -marching south!’</p> - -<p>‘But what would England’s Navy be doing all -the time?’ demanded Vanda.</p> - -<p>‘England’s Navy,’ replied Reggie, ‘might have -something else to do at that particular time—more -especially if Russia, Germany, and perhaps -France, chose to consider it a befitting time to -teach these proud islanders that the “sea, and all -that in them is,” was not their inalienable birthright. -Besides, it’s a long way to come, and our noble -army of town-bred artisans, back-block shearers, -swagmen, and shepherds would make no great -stand against their countless hordes. The coast -all looted, with banks and treasuries rifled, as -also private property of all kinds; the city -population helpless in the hands of the ruthless -spoilers. Think of it! It would then be a case -of “Oh, weep for fair Australia!” as an Australian -poet sang a year or two since.’</p> - -<p><a name="png.335" id="png.335" href="#png.335"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>331<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>‘What a ghastly picture—a kind of Verestchagin -nightmare! It’s enough to freeze the blood in -one’s veins. And what power could come to our -aid? Oh, I know! Blood is thicker than water. -When it came to the actual spectacle of a British -Commonwealth submerged beneath a flood of -barbarism, America would come to our aid. The -“Stars and Stripes” would “chip in,” as they say. -The Dominion of Canada, more loyal than Britain -itself——’</p> - -<p>‘New Zealand too—that makes a respectable -number of Allied Forces,’ said her father, smiling -at the girl’s eagerness.</p> - -<p>‘But the mere conception of such a calamity,’ -he continued, ‘makes one’s flesh creep. When one -reckons up the toil and thought which the subduing -of the wilderness has cost, the labour and the treasure -expended in building up these fair cities—these -grand provinces, this population of British blood -and nurture, not inferior to any people in the -world; to believe that the fruit of heroic colonisation, -for which noble lives have been spent, noble -blood shed, should have been all for nought—for -worse than nothing—for ruin and desolation—the -degradation of a nation, as in the old-world -chronicles, about which we read, and take no heed; -then, and then indeed, might one come to doubt -the purpose of the Most High, the Divine plan of -Providence, the beneficent scheme of the Universe.’</p> - -<div class="tb"><b>. . . . . . . . .</b></div> - -<p>The business of the installation of the new -family was not completed without a fair allowance -of work and labour, even excitement.</p> - -<p><a name="png.336" id="png.336" href="#png.336"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>332<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>There necessarily remained much to do before -the final arrangements were complete. An -additional morning-room for the girls was to -be chosen, in which to write and make society -arrangements, to receive their friends, to hold -informal afternoon teas, and to perform any kind -of needlework, and literary pastime, quietly and -reposefully.</p> - -<p>Of course furniture for some of the principal -reception-rooms had to be purchased and arranged. -Grave councils were held before this scheme could -be carried out. But at length everything was -completed, and the collective taste of the family -fully satisfied.</p> - -<p>Then the first step, an important one in county -neighbourhoods at home or abroad, was taken—the -Bannerets went to church <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">en famille</i>. The -Vicar, the Rev. and Honourable Cyril Courtenay, -had called, as soon after their arrival as was -consistent with etiquette, in advance of his lady -parishioners. This proceeding he justified on the -ground of his wish to make himself acquainted -with the religious tendencies of the new Squire -and the rest of the family, with whom, by virtue -of his position, he would be brought into closer -than ordinary contact.</p> - -<p>He was agreeably surprised to find at the first -interview with the new potentate and his wife -that harmonious relations were likely to exist. -Mr. Banneret, as an Anglican churchman, was -quite prepared to join cordially with Mr. Courtenay -in promoting the welfare of the parish; -promising at once liberal donations to the funds of -<a name="png.337" id="png.337" href="#png.337"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>333<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>the charitable societies, nursing clubs, and all -such benevolent arrangements for the welfare of -the poor. Mrs. Banneret had acted in similar -positions before, and was quite willing to take a -leading part in Dorcas societies, and other institutions -for the benefit of widows, and labourers’ -families, such as are always in a state of chronic -or accidental distress in the most happily situated -parishes.</p> - -<p>The Vicar, speaking for the laymen of his -diocese, was thankful, he might say, most grateful -to Providence, that had so ‘shaped our ends,’ -in a manner so unforeseen, while so beneficial to -the church and to the needs of this long-neglected -parish. Mrs. Courtenay, he needed not to say, -would be only too happy to work in concert with -Mrs. Banneret in all parish and church matters. -She would pay her respects on an early date to the -new Lady of the Manor. So the Vicar took his -departure, leaving the Hall, as he told his wife, in -a much more cheerful state of mind than had -formerly been his experience after interviews with -the ruling powers of Hexham.</p> - -<p>Rarely, indeed, had he been able to extract -subscriptions for urgent needs of the church, -however strongly he might paint the discreditable -state of the venerable edifice and the poverty of -the village poor. Lord Hexham was uniformly -polite—he could not be otherwise to the Vicar, a -contemporary of his own at Cambridge, and a personal -friend. But his logic was unanswerable: -he had no money to spare—hadn’t had for years—never -should have again, as far as he could -<a name="png.338" id="png.338" href="#png.338"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>334<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>make out. Lady Hexham was refined and -courteous, but the parable was unaltered. She -could hardly pay for the girls’ frocks, for the -boys’ uniforms; next year they might not have -bread to eat. Rents were falling; certainly the -agent received them, and disposed of them mysteriously -to a bank, she heard. Only a fraction -seemed to come their way. Once upon a time -the tenants paid cheerfully; even admitted—wonderful -to relate—that they had sold their -crops well, had had a good year. But even so, -when butter, beef and mutton, cheese and fruit, -came in from the colonies and America in overwhelming -quantities, what was the use of a good -season if the prices went down to depths unheard -of—and stayed there? As for the agent, it was -needless to think of asking <em>him</em> to reduce a rent -on cottage or holding, however small.</p> - -<p>‘It’s asking me to rob his Lordship of his -dues, simply, or else the mortgagee, which comes -to the same thing. I’m powerless—otherwise -should have been happy—<em>most</em> happy to contribute. -As a private individual you are welcome -to my guinea annually, as usual.’</p> - -<p>With civil speeches and scant coin the Rev. -Cyril had perforce to be content. He recognised -the justice of the argument. The family would -have subscribed reasonably, if not liberally, to all -the customary calls upon the Lord of the Manor, -if the head of the house could have afforded it. -But he could not afford it, and there was an end -of the matter. The parish, the tenantry, and the -neighbours—a few staunch friends of the family -<a name="png.339" id="png.339" href="#png.339"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>335<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>perhaps excepted—would be not sorry to exchange -an impecunious proprietor, too poor and hampered -by debts and mortgages to do anything for sport -or charity, unable to entertain, or in almost any -way to keep up an appearance befitting the -descendants of Raoul de ——, who had ‘come -over with the Conqueror,’ and having <i lang="la" xml:lang="la">more -majorum</i> married the heiress of ——, had entered -into possession of the Hexham lands and feudal -privileges, together with as much of the adjacent -common land as a rapacious Norman baron, high -in favour with an unscrupulous sovereign, could -by force or fraud manage to appropriate. The -descendants of such a man should have been able -to not only freely disburse the customary manorial -dues, but to keep up all state and dignity befitting -the position. As he could not, the villagers concluded -that it was the next best thing to welcome -the new family, who, though they had come from -a wild sort of country—as they’d heard tell on—called -Horstrailier—seemed a decentish sort, and, -anyhow, were well off, and did the thing respectable. -So the village church bells were rung, and -the new family was greeted by a crowd of some -fifty odd souls, comprising a large proportion of -women and children, who hurrahed, and made -formal demonstrations of welcome, as the carriage -and a string of railway cabs, with servants and -luggage, passed through the Tudor gateway, and -drew up inside the more ornately modern portico -of the baronial hall.</p> - -<p>The girls at once rushed up to their rooms, -where, as their own maid and some other house -<a name="png.340" id="png.340" href="#png.340"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>336<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>servants had been sent down the day before, they -were able to appreciate the view and make ready -for lunch. This meal they professed themselves -ready to enjoy with a true country appetite—as the -morning had been more or less exciting, even in a -sense fatiguing. It was fortunately a fine day, -so that the beauty of the grass, the foliage, the -surrounding landscape, impressed them strongly.</p> - -<p>‘Oh, what an Eden of a place!’ said Hermione. -‘How happy we shall be! How thankful we -ought to consider ourselves in having come into -such a delightful home, and, what is of more -consequence, having the means to keep it up.’</p> - -<p>‘Oh, yes!’ assented Vanda, ‘we ought to have -a good time, but I’m not sure that we shall be -really happier than we were in dear old Sydney, -when we first went to live in Charlotte Bay Place. -What a glorious view there was of the Heads and -the harbour! What boating picnics we used to -have! I should like to go back there some day. -Here we shall have to live a quiet English country -life, being good to the poor, and so on, like the -girls in Jane Austen’s books. There’ll be no -adventure about it. I suppose the Vicar will want -us to teach in his Sunday school.’</p> - -<p>‘You needn’t teach there if you don’t wish. -Mother won’t compel you, I’m sure,’ replied -Hermione. ‘I think I shall rather like it after all -the racketing and gaiety we’ve had in London. -I feel as if a reposeful life here would be a pleasing -change. My conscience has been troubling me -lately, for taking all the good things of life and -making no return. It seems so selfish and ungrateful.’</p> - -<p><a name="png.341" id="png.341" href="#png.341"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>337<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>‘Oh, well,’ said Vanda, ‘perhaps one would -feel more contented if one had a few good works -to put on the credit side of the account. I know -I’ve been rather dissipated lately. This quiet -country life may do us good, in more ways than -one. Oh, mother’ (as Mrs. Banneret came in -to see if the young people were ready, and to -notify that the great bell for luncheon was about -to clang), ‘Hermione and I have just resolved -to be good. We are going to visit the poor, and -teach in the Sunday school, and do our duty, just -like the Jane Austen girls.’</p> - -<p>‘I am very pleased to hear it, my dears; only -I don’t wish you to take such a resolution in any -but a serious sense, and an earnest resolve to do -your duty and set an example, as far as in you -lies, to the people among whom our lot for some -years, if not always, will be cast. You have had -all the rational amusement, and quite a full allowance -of what the world calls pleasure, to last you -for some time. I quite agree with you that it will -be a good opportunity to begin in some respects -a different and, with God’s grace, a higher life.’</p> - -<p>On the Sunday morning following this important -conversation, the Banneret family made -their appearance in the roomy enclosure which -had been for many generations consecrated to the -use of the Lord of the Manor, his family, and -apparently as many of his relations and dependants -as he chose thus to honour. The church was -fairly well filled, as it happened, much to the -gratification of the Vicar, who was not displeased -to note the presence of neighbouring magnates, -<a name="png.342" id="png.342" href="#png.342"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>338<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>with their wives, who from time to time directed -an intermittent gaze towards the new occupants -of the Hall pew. Arnold Banneret with his wife -and daughters made a good appearance therein. -Indeed it had been for some years unoccupied, -during the absence of the family abroad: such -being the traditional custom. Mrs. Banneret and -her daughters were well but quietly dressed—her -wish to that effect having been gently but firmly -expressed. ‘We have recently come from town,’ -she said; ‘it is reported, no doubt, that we are -very rich. In this quiet place nothing could be -more vulgar than any display of fashion bordering -upon finery.’ This settled the matter. The -dresses were studiously plain; so much so, that -the rustics of the congregation were secretly -disappointed in not seeing unusual splendour, -doubting in consequence whether the new-comers -were so rich as they had been led to believe.</p> - -<p>As the service proceeded, the thought came -into the mind of this Australian squire of the -many differing localities and positions in which -he, with his wife and children, had worshipped -before they came to this lordly abode. Not -infrequently had he been the officiating lay -minister, reading the Burial Service over the -dead miner, victim of some sudden landslip or -premature explosion; reciting the words of the -litany, now sounding in his ears, in a half-finished -wooden building, roofed with eucalyptus -bark or corrugated iron; driving miles through -snow for the purpose, or in mid-summer crossing -the brick-red plain, amid dust and simoom-like -<a name="png.343" id="png.343" href="#png.343"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>339<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>blasts. Through all these incongruous scenes, -and from these and a hundred other various parts -played by him in the great drama of life, he had -emerged safe and unharmed. Not only unharmed, -but placed in this position of honour and dignity—by -no merit of his own, but by the operation -of, apparently, the primary forces of Nature. -Riches, too, had been added for the further -advantage and enjoyment of those whom he loved -more—yes, far more, than his own life. Ought -he not then, out of the fulness of a heart welling -over with gratitude, to echo the solemn prayer -of the concluding litany?</p> - -<p>At the conclusion of the service, the mail-phaetons, -dog-carts, carriages, and other vehicles -showed that some at least of the parishioners had -a distance to come, which necessitated driving. -The party from the Hall were scarcely a half-mile -from the church, so that there was no need for -taking out the carriage. The family, as a whole, -were good pedestrians—‘The short walk was quite -a pleasure,’ as Vanda told every one, ‘and it would -have been absurd to take out the horses.’</p> - -<p>When Lord Hexham returned to his family -at Bruges, after a concluding week in London, -in which to show himself to his clubs, and have -a little social companionship with old friends and -comrades, he took with him a letter from Mrs. Banneret, of so sympathetic and unaffectedly kind -a nature, that Lady Hexham nearly relented. She -would have been indeed more than human if -she had not felt the least little bit of envy and -jealousy of these people from a far country, who -<a name="png.344" id="png.344" href="#png.344"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>340<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>had entered into their labours, so to speak, for -no other reason than the chance possession of -more money than they knew what to do with. -Hard, no doubt, did it seem to her, that while -she and her girls had to stint and save, scarcely -able to afford themselves decent frocks, the -daughters of these <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">nouveaux riches</i> should -have their Paris gowns noticed in every fashion -paper, and described as ‘confections,’ and so -on, of the latest style. They were also seen at -Ascot, royal Ascot, these new dwellers in their -ancestral halls, their property in which, owing to -the extravagance of one generation and the -apathetic indifference of the next, had gradually -declined, and was now lost to the family for -ever.</p> - -<p>However, his Lordship’s persistent advocacy -of their claims to consideration gradually weakened -her prejudices, finally inducing her to reply to -Mrs. Banneret’s letter in manner approaching to -the spirit in which it was written.</p> - -<p>‘You know, my dear,’ he had said, in one of -the discussions about ways and means which had -followed his return to the peaceful home-life at -Bruges, ‘it really was an immense relief our -getting hold of such a lot of hard cash for poor -old Hexham. It puts us and our credit in such -a different position from what it has been for -years.’</p> - -<p>‘I daresay it has, but I don’t want any more -credit, if you please—we have had more than was -good for us all along. What sort of people are -they? I suppose the girls are good-looking? -<a name="png.345" id="png.345" href="#png.345"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>341<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>That’s what <em>you</em> mean by crediting them with -all the virtues.’</p> - -<p>‘They certainly are; but it’s very unfair of you -to talk in that jealous way. If you saw Mrs. Banneret, not to mention her husband and the -sons.’</p> - -<p>‘Oh, there are sons, then?’</p> - -<p>‘Yes, very fine young fellows; one of them -rowed three in the Cambridge eight this year—which -beat your favourite Oxford crew, my lady. -They’re handsome too.’</p> - -<p>‘Well, I can’t be jealous of <em>them</em>, can I?’</p> - -<p>‘No, nor of any girl or woman alive, as you -well know—say you know it, dear, won’t you? -You’re only trying to draw me?’</p> - -<p>‘I suppose I must forgive you, as usual, -though you’ve stayed away an unconscionable -time, and spent more money in London than you -ought to have done—now haven’t you?’</p> - -<p>‘I had to complete arrangements—and—er—er—there -were business details. Hang it! if a man -can’t have a little amusement when he gets a -cheque for a couple of hundred thousand, after -being mewed up in a place like this for years, when -is he to have it? And the old clubs were so -pleasant, and the fellows so glad to see me again, -y’know!’</p> - -<p>‘Oh yes, I know! And ready to play bridge -and billiards, no doubt. So you think I’d like to -pay Mrs. What’s-her-name a visit, and see the old -place again? Perhaps it would be rather a lark.’</p> - -<p>‘Don’t be reckless, dear! That’s not your -line, but <em>if</em> you could manage it, some day, when -<a name="png.346" id="png.346" href="#png.346"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>342<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>the girls are at their pensions, I guarantee that -you’d enjoy it. It would please them awfully—and -<em>me</em>, if that counts.’</p> - -<p>‘Well, perhaps I’ll see about it—but don’t be -sure just yet.’</p> - -</div> - - -<div class="chap"> -<h2 title="Chapter XVI"><a name="png.347" id="png.347" href="#png.347"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>343<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>CHAPTER XVI</h2> - - -<p><span class="smc">Among</span> the entertainments proper to the season, -which the family about this time witnessed, was -the polo match in the Champion Cup Tournament -between the ‘Magpies’ and the ‘Handley Cross’ -teams.</p> - -<p>The former team was composed of Captain -Hobson, Major Vaughan, Mr. Thynne, and Major -Lee; the latter played Mr. Rich, Major Anselm, -Captain Neil Haig, and Colonel Renton; Colonel -St. Quintin, timekeeper, and Mr. John Watson and -Major Kirke, umpires.</p> - -<p>The girls were wildly interested, having seen -Captain Neil Haig (who put in the first big hit) -play in Melbourne.</p> - -<p>On that occasion, four Englishmen played the -best team in Australia, composed of the three -brothers Camperdown and Mr. Wellesley. It -came off on the Moonee Valley ground; it was a -notable society function—Her Excellency Lady -Brassey, the wife of the Governor of the day, presenting -the prizes on the ground.</p> - -<p>It was stubbornly contested, but ended in a -draw; Colonel St. Quintin, who happened to be in -Australia at the time, acted as umpire.</p> - -<p><a name="png.348" id="png.348" href="#png.348"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>344<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>So much interested in the game were they, so -lost in admiration of the beauty and high quality -of the ponies, that, hearing there were to be two -club games played at Hurlingham on the following -Wednesday, they arranged to attend. To -their surprise and delight Lord Roberts and Lady -Aileen arrived to witness the play.</p> - -<p>Lord Harrington’s team consisted of the Duke -of Westminster, Captain Neil Haig, his Lordship -himself, and Mr. de Kooep. A close finish, with -a draw, was the result. The day was lovely, the -play admirable, but one feature of the meeting -particularly interested the Australian contingent. -Vanda, whose eyes seemed to be everywhere, -exclaimed suddenly: ‘Why, there’s our West -Australian friend Gerald Branksome; and, just -fancy! it must be his wife with him. We heard -he was to be married this month, in London, to -the daughter of a high official in Albany, or -Perth, or somewhere. How pretty she is—so -well dressed too! What fun meeting them -here! Don’t you see them, Hermie? What -a swell Gerald looks—tall hat—frocker—most -accurate!’</p> - -<p>The pair of spectators thus favourably reviewed -were seen to be in conversation with Captain -Haig, after which, the recent bridegroom retired -into the recesses of the dressing pavilion, whence -he shortly emerged in full polo costume, a few -minutes before the Victoria Cross Race was started. -A tall, well-built, fair-haired young man, he slipped -into the saddle on a club pony, led out for him, -with the ease of a practised performer, after -<a name="png.349" id="png.349" href="#png.349"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>345<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>carefully altering the stirrup leathers. The game -included dismounting, and lifting to the saddle -a dummy, presumably a wounded comrade, and -afterwards clearing the hurdles on the course—a -feat requiring more than average strength, activity, -and horsemanship. This feat was performed at -least once, during the late Boer War, by a member -of a New South Wales contingent. He deliberately -returned under fire for the purpose—the feat -taking place during a very hot encounter with the -Boers, who had ambushed a scouting party. The -leaden hail was so close and deadly that the -clothes of the rescuer and his comrade were -riddled. Neither was seriously injured, but the -poor ‘Waler’ who gamely carried his riders -out of danger received his death wound. The -Australian—for such he was—was accorded the -rare and precious, almost unique, decoration of -the ‘Queen’s Scarf.’</p> - -<p>There were no bullets flying during the more -peaceful contest which the club’s courtesy provided -for the guest from a far country, none the less -was there need of a strong arm and exceptional -horsemanship. He was apparently no novice, -inasmuch as, after dismounting and remounting -with enviable activity, he finally won on the post, -to the great joy and pride of his wife, and those -friends who hailed from the gold-strewn lands -under the Southern Cross. The President congratulated -him in the handsomest manner, requesting -his Australian address, in order that the prize -for the race, which would be forwarded, might -reach him safely.</p> - -<p><a name="png.350" id="png.350" href="#png.350"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>346<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>So the Hurlingham expedition closed in a -manner equally pleasing to the champion of Australian -horsemanship and his compatriots. They -went home together and heard all about the -wedding, ‘in the merry month of May,’ and the -honeymoon cottage on the river, where the -nightingale sang to sympathetic listeners, and -recalled Heine’s delicious poem. Nothing would -satisfy the Bannerets but a ‘sacred promise,’ as -Vanda called it, that they should stay for a week at -Hexham when they returned from Paris, for which -city of delights they were leaving on the morrow.</p> - -<p>After such feats of horsemanship the youthful -division became clamorous for half a dozen hunters, -as the stable quad. (Eric said) was disgracefully -empty. What were <em>one</em> pair of carriage horses, -another of ponies for their mother’s phaeton, the -governor’s park hack, and one or two others? -The hackney was a darling for beauty and manners, -though the pater persisted in saying that in pace, -elasticity, endurance—in fact, as an all-round -horse—he was not a patch upon the famous -Gaucho, or Graysteel, which he rode in his -youth in Australia. He admitted that Count -D’Orsay walked fast, cantered easily, trotted -fairly, and, like his namesake and Private Willis, -was very generally admired. No fault could be -found with his manners and appearance. But -where would he be at the end of a seventy-mile -ride, which old Graysteel had several times performed, -off <em>grass</em>, with ease to himself and comfort -to his rider. Besides, he did <em>not</em> believe in hackney -blood. They were very sweet to look at—perfect -<a name="png.351" id="png.351" href="#png.351"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>347<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>almost in shape, carriage, and other requisites for -ornamental equitation.</p> - -<p>But there was a ‘want’ somewhere: he -doubted if they could jump; he questioned if -they could stay; and, it was a hard thing to state, -but after you got away from the slow paces he -was afraid they were even <em>rough</em>—one ‘perfect’ -animal that he tried certainly was so. In a slow, -rocking-horse sort of canter he was tolerable, but -after that he lifted you almost out of the saddle at -every stride.</p> - -<p>‘Come, I say, sir!’ said Reggie; ‘you mustn’t -begin crabbing the horses of your ancestral home, -and all that, before you’ve been a year in England—sounds -provincial, doesn’t it? It takes time, -as you have often said, to pick up a first-class -hackney anywhere. Give the old country time, -and you’ll get hold of a covert hack or two that -will put these old favourites out of your head.’</p> - -<p>‘That there are plenty of good goers to be had -here I never denied,’ he said, with a musing expression, -‘but when I think of Hope, The -Gaucho, and Graysteel, none of them can do -<em>that</em>. You boys were too young to recollect the -horses I rode and drove when your mother and I -were living on our western cattle station, or visiting -the sheep-run in Riverina.’</p> - -<p>‘Oh, tell us about them—now do!’ coaxed -Vanda, seating herself promptly on the floor, and -leaning against her indulgent parent’s knee. -‘Mother rode, and drove, then—didn’t she?’</p> - -<p>‘Yes, indeed! she was a bold horsewoman, a -good whip too. Absolutely fearless—so much so -<a name="png.352" id="png.352" href="#png.352"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>348<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>that I often anticipated her coming to grief. -However, she never did. So she must have been -clever or lucky, above the average.’</p> - -<p>‘Now then, sir, about the horses? How were -they bred, and what could they do?’</p> - -<p>‘Well, they were chiefly compounded of -English thorough-bred and high-caste blood, -middle-sized, but fast, hardy, tireless, and sure-footed -to a marvellous degree. The two best -all-round hacks I ever owned were Hope and -The Gaucho. The latter, the show horse of -the stud, was the offspring of a South American -mare, imported from Valparaiso in early colonial -days. Your respected father was a trifle more -active then, and used to break in his own colts.’</p> - -<p>‘Is that why all Walers buck-jump, as people -say?’ suggested Eric.</p> - -<p>‘Perfect nonsense!’ returned the senior, slightly -‘drawn.’ ‘Of the dozen and a half colts which I -broke to saddle—single and double harness, and -to carry a lady—hardly one but was as well -mannered as any horse in the Row, besides -having various accomplishments which English -horses could never dream of.’</p> - -<p>‘What sort were they?’</p> - -<p>‘Travelling over rough, stony country by night -as well as day, besides those of the Australian -camp horse or “cutter out.” These include -coolness and courage, when ridden through a -drove of a thousand excited cattle, keeping close -up to a sharp-horned savage, shoulder against -shoulder, or following up, the rider’s stockwhip -making hair and hide fly; racing neck and neck -<a name="png.353" id="png.353" href="#png.353"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>349<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>for one minute, and perhaps the next stopping -dead and wheeling within his own tracks, to block -a sudden break back to the herd,—this violent -exercise kept up from sunrise to sunset, with -perhaps a trifle of a dozen miles extra before the -station yards are reached. The “cutting out” -work, or separation of fat or strange animals from -the general herd, collected on camp, is not very -unlike polo—except that a second horse is rarely -used either by squatter or stockrider.’</p> - -<p>‘How long did the “breaking” and “making” -business take?’ demanded Eric.</p> - -<p>‘Truth to tell, it was short work, and rather -rough. As two-year-olds the colts were roped, -and handled unceremoniously, after the bush -fashion of the day.’</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="ineg">‘Wild as the wild deer, and untamed;</div> -<div>By spur and saddle undefiled,’</div> -</div> -</div> -</div> - - -<p class="noindent">quoted Reggie. ‘You must have had an exciting -time, sir.’</p> - -<p>‘By no means; full as they were of pluck, they -were hereditarily free from vice. Before the end -of the first week I rode one colt thirty miles, -alone and unattended. He was perfectly quiet, -and jumped logs like an old horse; the other was -much the same—free and temperate.’</p> - -<p>‘But your groom helped you, and the stabling -counts for something?’</p> - -<p>‘There was no groom, neither any stable. -They were kept in the yard, with the surcingle and -mouthing-bit on by day, and paddocked by night—grass -and water <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">à discrétion</i>.’</p> - -<p><a name="png.354" id="png.354" href="#png.354"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>350<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>‘And what was the outcome of this cow-boy -treatment?’</p> - -<p>‘They turned out accomplished hackneys. -Quiet in saddle and harness, and carried a lady—as -per advertisement.’</p> - -<p>‘Oh, how nice!’ said Vanda; ‘what colour?’</p> - -<p>‘Bright bay, with black points. Graysteel -excepted.’</p> - -<p>‘What about paces?’</p> - -<p>‘Fast and good, remarkable trotters, but if -touched on the curb would lead off on the right -foot at an easy canter. Hope walked fast, but -The Gaucho could never be got to do so, though -I tried him for hours and days patiently. His -dam, the Chileno mare, an animal of great courage -and endurance, had the same failing. But like his -half-brother, Hope, he could jump his own height, -was absolutely incapable of falling, and had been -ridden eighty miles between “sun and sun” more -than once. He, too, was quiet and staunch in -harness.’</p> - -<p>‘Think they’d do in the Market Harborough -country?’ queried Reggie doubtfully.</p> - -<p>‘Of course; brooks and trappy enclosures would -be a novelty, but they were clever, and would soon -come to know their way about. Rails they preferred, -the stiffer the better. Walls, being -straightforward obstacles, they rather liked. And -with twelve stone up I shouldn’t fear their being -in the first flight. Hope won a steeplechase, -over stiff post and rail country, against a strong -field, and another half-brother, Maythorn, a -son of The Premier, imported—sold to a -<a name="png.355" id="png.355" href="#png.355"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>351<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>hard-riding friend. Morton Gray, of Gray Court, gave -a lead to the Master of the Melbourne Hounds, -the well-known George Wharton, over the Bootles -gap, a stiff four-railer, with a “cap” on top, bringing -up the height to nearly five feet, and finished -a long day’s run without “putting a toe” on rail -or wall. He was a fine hackney also; and, as a -camp horse, a great performer. These horses -were reared in the Western district of Victoria, -then, as now, admitted to be, for soil, climate, and -pasturage, unequalled in Australia. And now I -think we have “talked horse” enough for the -present.’</p> - -<div class="tb"><b>. . . . . . . . .</b></div> - -<p>The important question of buying a few -hunters had been decided. Now was the time -to buy, before the hunting season set in. Mr. Banneret very properly considered that the best -animals were the cheapest in the end; and there -was no occasion to economise, the safety of his -children being the principal consideration. A sale -of hunters taking place at Tattersall’s in a few -days, he secured a few really good ones to begin -with. First and foremost, The Marchioness, a -wonderful brown mare, for 350 guineas—rather -extravagant, paterfamilias could not help thinking, -but the recollection of his last bank-balance -hardened his heart. She would set Hermione off, -who had fine hands and seat; and as she was a -front ranker with the Quorn, with faultless manners, -and declared perfectly sound by two eminent vets., -the cheque was handed over. Vanda was provided -with the Admiral, at £180—an extremely safe, -<a name="png.356" id="png.356" href="#png.356"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>352<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>strong, experienced hunter, that ‘you couldn’t -throw down.’ ‘Just the thing for a young lady -as was doing her first season,’ the stud groom -said; ‘only wanted lettin’ alone, and trustin’ to -his discretion, like.’ He under-rated Vanda’s -abilities, however, as succeeding seasons were to -demonstrate. The boys got one apiece; paterfamilias -a couple—one of which Mrs. Banneret -could ride on occasion, when she went to see a -throw off. Their united values totted up to a sum -which caused Mr. Banneret to give a low whistle, -accustomed as he had become to his personal -liability for fabulous amounts lately. ‘I wonder -what I should have thought of such a purchase in -old times?’ passed through his mind. ‘However, -everything is comparative; when I gave a cheque -for ten thousand for the first payment in the -Bundawarra station, I thought it was an investment -that required careful management and some -good luck to carry through. But I little thought -I should ever draw one for two hundred thousand -odds, which the Hexham estate comes to—what -the upkeep of it will cost is for the future to proclaim. -However, I see the last accounts from West -Australia show the month’s “clean up” to be a -hundred and seventy thousand fine ounces, worth -best part of a million sterling, with the reef growing -wider and richer as it goes down. However, it -seems nothing like so good as some of these Rand -mines in South Africa. We live and learn. Let -us hope these young people of ours will estimate -their pecuniary position at its proper value. Their -early education has certainly tended to that end. -<a name="png.357" id="png.357" href="#png.357"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>353<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>The stud seems growing fast; however, there is -plenty of room. They say the stables were commenced -on this grand scale by the present Earl’s -grandfather, and were left unfinished for forty -years. He had a lucky win on the turf, and -made haste to utilise it by completing the main -building, where the clock-tower stands. Had he -only known! But of how many men—even -nations—may not that be said! Some day, perhaps, -a classic-quoting critic may fire off <i lang="la" xml:lang="la">de te -fabula narratur</i> at some member of the Banneret -family, now so high above the arrows of fate!’</p> - -<div class="tb"><b>. . . . . . . . .</b></div> - -<p>Summer in England! What an idyllic season -it was. Now these young people from a far -country began to realise the immense, the incalculable -superiority of a land with a thousand years -of history behind it! Think of it—dwell on it—try -to grasp the immeasurable distinction of belonging -to such a kingdom, if not born within -its sea-bordered, sheltered bounds! Consider the -inviolate sea! Behold the land where no foe has -set unconquered foot since great Alfred drove -Dane and Norseman far from her cliffs and -beaches. The land where nobles and commoners, -alike resentful of tyranny, refused to wait till constitutional -resistance ripened into rebellion, but -stood strong, patient, though menacing, till an -overawed tyrant signed the great Charter of -Runnymede, which for all time gave pledge and -assurance of that justice never more to be delayed -or bartered to the commons of England; not -alone to them, but to the states, possessions, nations -<a name="png.358" id="png.358" href="#png.358"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>354<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>planted by her hand, and, except by their own act -and deed, secure of that priceless heritage for all -time.</p> - -<p>How they enjoyed, how they admired and -appreciated, all the feelings so characteristic of -home life of which they had read and heard about -since earliest childhood. The corn, the hayfields, -with harvesters, gleaners, and nut-brown maids—wondering -at the abundance of female labour, so -unusual in the colonies, where women are too -scarce and valuable to do field or dairy work for -employers outside of the family circle. ‘Oh, the -greenery of England! words cannot describe it!’ -as an Australian lady exclaimed during her first -summer in the ancestral home. ‘The delicious -shadowy woodland, where, if the season be propitious, -there comes not any wind or rain, where -the green turf is a velvet carpet, flower-bespangled -like an oriental purdah. Where the wood-rose -and eglantine, daffodil and primrose, violet and -woodbine, grace each cottage home!’</p> - -<div class="tb"><b>. . . . . . . . .</b></div> - -<p>The greater number of the amusements and -occupations proper to the summer time had been -availed of and thoroughly enjoyed, when word -came from Bruges that Lady Hexham had decided -to accept Mrs. Banneret’s kind invitation to spend -a fortnight with her at Hexham Hall. It would -fit in with her arrangements (she said) inasmuch as -she was coming over with her daughter, who was -to stay on a visit to a relative for the remainder of -the season, as their doctor believed a change would -be beneficial. She would like to see her old home -<a name="png.359" id="png.359" href="#png.359"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>355<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>again, and Lord Hexham would remain in charge -of the family while she was absent.</p> - -<p>The missive was answered promptly, to the -effect that Mrs. Banneret would be charmed to -receive the Countess, and trusted that she would -make Hexham her home as long as it suited her -to remain in England, and would by no means -confine her visit to the term mentioned. Great -was the excitement which prevailed in the village of -Hexham (the news having leaked out through some -of the retainers still in service at the Hall) when the -carriage and waggonette drove up to the station, -and Lady Hexham, with her daughter and maid, -descended. They were met and warmly welcomed -by Mrs. Banneret and Hermione, but before they -could reach the carriage there was a perfect rush -to intercept them, headed by superannuated retainers -still resident in the village, who begged, -some indeed with tears, to be permitted to pay -‘their respects,’ as they expressed it, to their -former mistress and her daughter. It was touching -to witness the deep feeling of these survivals -of a long-past feudal era. They were not permitted -to kneel, but it was seen how much in -accordance with their feelings this act of homage -would have been.</p> - -<p>‘Oh, milady! oh, milady!’ exclaimed the -aged ex-gardener and his wife, in chorus with an -infirm stable-helper, a keeper with one arm, and -a deaf laundress. ‘What a mercy that ever we -should ha’ lived to see your Ladyship and Miss -Corisande. The Lord above be thanked for it, -and bless His holy name!’</p> - -<p><a name="png.360" id="png.360" href="#png.360"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>356<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>Lady Hexham had been a proud woman, and -bore herself so even yet, through all the years of -her comparative poverty; but the tears filled her -eyes as she saw the servitors of their former state -and grandeur make lowly obeisance before her.</p> - -<p>‘Well, Benson? How d’ye do, Markham? -Glad to see you all looking so well—and Peggy, -and Mrs. Turton, too. I must come and see you -in a day or two—I was afraid I should find some -of you in the poorhouse.’</p> - -<p>‘Yes, milady,’ said an ancient dame, whose -gnarled weather-worn features betokened the octogenarian, -‘and so we should ha’ been, only for -Madam here, and Muster Banneret; they wouldn’t -let none on us go as ’ad bin old servants at the -Hall. They found us work about the place—same -as we’d bin used to.’</p> - -<p>‘Perhaps you wouldn’t object, Lady Hexham, -to their coming up to-morrow,’ interposed her -hostess, ‘when they can have some bread and -cheese and beer. You will then be able to hear -about their affairs at your leisure. Come up to -the Hall, Benson, at twelve o’clock, and bring any -of the old servants with you. Tell them Lady -Hexham would like to see them.’</p> - -<p>Lady Hexham bowed without speaking—the -words would not come; the sharp contrast between -the new and the old regime had so powerfully -affected her that she was unable to say what she -intended.</p> - -<p>The drive, short though it might be, was still -impressive, and doubtless awakened older memories -as they passed underneath the shadowy oaks, and -<a name="png.361" id="png.361" href="#png.361"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>357<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>marked the sun-rays glittering through the leaves -of the great chestnuts of the avenue. For the -rest, everything was as trim and well ordered as -hands could make it. That perfect neatness of -gravel and grass, flower-bed and foliage, which, -in England, speaks of the abundant cheapness of -skilled labour in that particular department, was -combined with the most tasteful arrangement of -lawn and grove and woodland, in broad effects of -light and shade.</p> - -<p>‘Banneret had ridden over to a neighbouring -estate, but would join them at dinner,’ his wife said.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile Miss Corisande was received by -Hermione and Vanda, by whom she was carried -off to her room, and duly placed in charge of a -personal attendant.</p> - -<p>‘We hope you will make yourself at home, in -every sense of the word,’ said Hermione. ‘We -feel like base usurpers. But I daresay we shall get -over the feeling by degrees; you must try and do -the same. In your case it will take rather longer, -I fear.’</p> - -<p>‘Don’t alarm yourself about that,’ replied the -Honourable Corisande, who did not seem inclined -to dwell upon the sentimental side of the affair. -‘I was too young to care much when we left the -old Hall for good; indeed, I side with Dad, and -vote it a jolly good thing that he’d been able to -work off the encumbered estate so well. We -look upon your father as our benefactor, I can -tell you.’</p> - -<p>‘That’s very sweet of you, I’m sure,’ said -Vanda. ‘I know we shall be great friends directly. -<a name="png.362" id="png.362" href="#png.362"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>358<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>Are you fond of riding? We’ve got a few decent -horses together, and hope to have more.’</p> - -<p>‘Passionately; but, of course, I haven’t had -much practice. There are none to speak of in -Bruges. The English inhabitants are decayed -gentlefolk like ourselves, and the horses belong -to the canal boats mostly. It’s not half a bad -old place, though—music and languages cheap, so -it suits us down to the ground. We were very -young then, whereas now’—and here the speaker -cast a half-admiring, half-regretful glance around—‘we -should enjoy a change now and then.’</p> - -<p>‘In that case, perhaps you’d like a canter to-morrow -after lunch? Hermione will lend you -her horse, which is quite “well-mannered,” as -English people say. Mine is rather “touchy,” -which is Australian for nervous. Hermione’s -habit will fit you, I think.’</p> - -<p>This arrangement was carried out successfully. -The girls went off, with a groom behind, ‘accoutred -proper,’ ready to open gates or perform any service -required. Hermione’s palfrey went smoothly and -pleasantly, conducting himself to the entire satisfaction -of the Honourable Corisande, who said she -had no idea she could ride so well. The fact -being, that she had plenty of nerve, and got on -very well, having had an early experience of -ponies—which indeed, from their sudden stoppages -and occasional liability to kick, are by no means -to be despised as a preparatory riding-school. So -all was peace and joy when the girls returned. -Lady Hexham had paid a visit to an old friend, -to whom she had taken the opportunity to express -<a name="png.363" id="png.363" href="#png.363"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>359<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>her opinion of Mrs. Banneret and her daughters—entirely -favourable, at the same time hinting that -she had not expected quite such refined taste or good -manners.</p> - -<p>‘You know, my dear Kate, we are not accustomed -to associate such qualities with wealthy -colonists; and those fools of novelists persist in -describing every one who makes money or a -career out of England as either a vulgarian or a -German Jew. We ought to know better, certainly, -as every one’s younger sons or brothers have been -going to Australia and New Zealand for generations. -Why they should necessarily turn into -clowns or roughs is hard to imagine, if we only -took the trouble to think. But that’s the last -thing English people do. We take everything for -granted. I am enchanted with our successors, and -quite endorse what Hexham says of them.’</p> - -<p>‘And what did he say?’</p> - -<p>‘Simply, that the family resembled English -gentlefolk, all over the world. That, short of -giving the old place back to us, there was nothing -they wouldn’t do. So it’s our fault if they are -not our very good friends henceforth.’</p> - -<p>So the neighbours parted, Lady Hexham well -pleased to have renewed an old friendship under -such reassuring conditions. And when, after -returning to the Hall, the master of the house -met them at dinner, the <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">entente cordiale</i> became -so advanced that the Bannerets might have been -taken for the long-lost relations, returned from -foreign parts, laden with the gold and jewels which -<em>used to</em> reward those who dared the dangers of -<a name="png.364" id="png.364" href="#png.364"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>360<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>the sea, the hazards of fever and war, in some far -eastern kingdom, where grew the pagoda tree.</p> - -<p>The evening, following a fatiguing day, was -spent restfully—a little music, with more interchange -of girlish experiences. For the guests an -early retirement, although Corisande did not leave -Vanda’s room for a ‘good hour,’ as the maid -alleged, after she had been dismissed.</p> - -<p>However, the three girls were up early, and, -after a stroll through the shrubberies, quite ready -for breakfast.</p> - -<p>Though Lady Hexham had only intended to -stay for a week, and was, in a general way, unused -to changing her plans, she consented to remain for -a fortnight, at the urgent request of the Banneret -girls, who declared that they would be desolated -if Corisande was torn from them before their -garden party came off. This exceptional entertainment—which, -indeed, had been decided upon -long before the visit of the Hexhams came into -view—was to be on a scale of grandeur such as -had not been known in the county since the days -of the grandfather of the present Earl, whose extravagant -tastes and lavish expenditure had caused -the financial ruin of the family. Gradually Lady -Hexham seemed to weaken in her opposition to the -idea, and lastly decided, after the receipt of a letter -from her husband, that she really could not be so -ungracious as to refuse an invitation so kindly -made, so warmly pressed. Lastly, the great outwork -having given way, the last entrenchment -yielded. Lord Hexham stated his intention -of bringing over his youngest daughter, who -<a name="png.365" id="png.365" href="#png.365"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>361<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>had been included in the earlier invitation, and -sending her by rail from London. For himself—no! -He was sincerely grateful for the great -kindness shown to his wife and daughters, but he -would prefer to pay a visit later in the season. -And from this resolve he could not be moved.</p> - -</div> - - -<div class="chap"> -<h2 title="Chapter XVII"><a name="png.366" id="png.366" href="#png.366"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>362<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>CHAPTER XVII</h2> - - -<p><span class="smc">However</span>, this concession was all that could be -expected for the present. It was more liberal, -indeed, as Corisande confided to her new friends, -than she had hoped for, until the last moment.</p> - -<p>Vanda was overjoyed at the idea of having a -new friend more nearly of her own age, and -declared that nothing was now wanting to ensure -her perfect happiness. Australian friends would -be forthcoming to complete the house-party. If -the weather was reasonable, the Hexham Hall -gathering would be one of the glories of the -summer. Why, indeed, should it not be a -triumphant success?</p> - -<p>The day—the great day—was fine. Such a -glowing morn, tempered, as the sun-dial advanced -towards mid-day, with the deliciously modified -shade of groves which in olden days had seen the -‘green gloom’ of their depths invaded by the -gleam of knightly armour. The Banneret girls, -who had become accustomed to the sumptuous -leafage of the English woodlands, were not so -demonstrative as in their first experience.</p> - -<p>But to Corisande, retaining only a dim, -<a name="png.367" id="png.367" href="#png.367"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>363<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>half-childish memory, it was a revelation as of a new -heaven, a new earth. The immense girth of bole, -the enormous spread of branch of the oaks, in the -‘King’s Chase,’ amazed her. There, indeed, the -legend ran, had ‘bluff King Hal’ in person -followed the deer. Here, beneath these leafy -shades, had he feasted with nobles, courtiers, and -ladies fair. In fancy’s ear, with cry of hound and -huntsman’s hollo, the gay greenwood rang and re-echoed. -What joyous days were those! she -thought. How much more colour and light -than in this sad-coloured, prosaic age!</p> - -<p>This, in their hours of idleness, the young -people were prone to imagine, and, indeed, to assert, -in hasty generalisation, untempered by experience. -On calmer retrospect they were, however, compelled -to admit that, in larger outlook, variety of -occupation, and the wondrous advance of scientific -discovery, the moderns have immeasurably the -best of it. If the age no longer affords such -romantic situations as when</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div>The Knight looked down from the Paynim Tower,</div> -<div>As a Christian Host, in its pride and power,</div> -<div class="i1"><span class="ns"> </span>Through the pass beneath him wound,</div> -</div> -</div> -</div> - -<p class="noindent">we must admit that the captive with his ‘heavy -chain’ despaired of release by those ‘whom he -loved with a brother’s heart, those in whose wars -he had borne a part, who had left him there -to die.’</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div>Sound again, clarion! clarion, pour thy blast!</div> -<div>Sound! for the captive’s dream of hope is past.</div> -</div> -</div> -</div> - -<p><a name="png.368" id="png.368" href="#png.368"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>364<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>‘Can imagination depict a situation more hopeless, -more deplorable?’ remarked Reggie, who -now, reading for his ‘double first,’ thought himself -constrained to take the rational side of the -argument.</p> - -<p>‘I think Sterne’s prisoner is a close parallel,’ -argued Eric. ‘What a picture it is!’</p> - -<p>‘But perhaps he had never been a knight,’ -suggested Vanda, ‘so he would not have had a -past of gallant strife, with helm and charger and -nodding plume, to look back upon; perhaps not -even a victory in the lists, like Wilfred of Ivanhoe, -with his opponent rolling in the sand, and his -ladye-love, amid the beauty and fashion (smart set -of the period) looking on. Would that have -comforted him in his dungeon, or otherwise, do -you think?’</p> - -<p>‘Rather hard to say. Who is the true heroine -of that delightful novel <cite>Ivanhoe</cite>?—as the lists of -Ashby-de-la-Zouche are referred to.’</p> - -<p>‘Rebecca, of course! Thackeray, in his inimitable -ending of the novel, absolutely destroys -Rowena, who settled down as a worthy mate for -the doltish Athelstane.’</p> - -<p>‘<em>Now</em>, look here, Reggie!’ said Eric impressively; -‘if once we get fairly started on Sir -Walter, we shall never get to the garden party, -or the great Hexham Hall revels, or, indeed, -anywhere else in the kingdom of fact and practical -politics. Hadn’t we all better “split and squander,” -as they used to do in the old Border days, when -they had managed some particularly lawless deed -of murder and rapine? We shall have my mother -<a name="png.369" id="png.369" href="#png.369"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>365<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>reading the Riot Act (which she can do on occasions, -mild as she looks). I wouldn’t presume to -dictate to Miss Aylmer, as an honoured guest, -entitled to respectful deference, but would merely -suggest that an adjournment to the scene of action, -as volunteers for the duties of preparation, would -be safer for her—indeed, for all of <em>us</em>.’</p> - -<p>‘Come with me, Corie,’ said Vanda. ‘Hermie -and I will protect you; and, indeed, there is some -sense in what Eric says—rarely as it happens to be -the case.’</p> - -<p>They were just in time to be detailed for -active service. Of course the caterer-general had -organised his forces, and was directing the movements -of his officers, not to mention the rank and -file, of whom there appeared to be hundreds. -Still, it was necessary to have aides-de-camp and -attachés between the controlling powers and the -heads of departments, and for this important -service the young people—eager, intelligent, and -alert—answered admirably. To be sure, they -had additional assistance, which could hardly be -overestimated. This contingent had arrived by -train while they had been discussing literary questions, -and had at once been requisitioned by Mrs. Banneret. Captain the Honourable Jack Aylmer, -of the Guards, the eldest son, heir to the title -and lordship of Hexham, if but to little else, was -a steady, hard-working young officer, devoted to -his profession, who had been wounded in South -Africa, and had gained the proud privilege of -having had the D.S.O. decoration attached to his -uniform by His Majesty King Edward in person, -<a name="png.370" id="png.370" href="#png.370"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>366<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>the while Lord Roberts looked on approvingly. The -sailor brother, Lieutenant the Honourable Falkland -Aylmer, whose ship the <cite>Palmyra</cite> had happened -to get over from Malta about that time, dashed -into action at once, and proved himself to be the -right man in the right place. Who does not -know how the ‘handy man’ can multiply his inventive -talents, and communicate his mesmeric -quality at pinch of need? So when, on that -wondrous morning, the mid-summer sun, all -goldenly defiant of meadow mists and woodland -shadows, irradiated the scene, Hermione, Vanda, -and their young friends were satisfied, even -exultant, though occasionally tremulous lest anything -important had been overlooked.</p> - -<p>But as the programme had been considered and -debated, submitted to the host and hostess over -and over again, there was little risk of such mischance -occurring.</p> - -<p>Twelve o’clock had been mentioned as the -hour when the sports would begin, but long -before mid-day all entrances to the park were -crowded with a continuous stream of country -people. As they arrived, they were taken in -charge by the land steward and persons in -authority under him, who disposed them in -groups, so that they should diverge to different -localities in the park and chase. There, under the -shade of immemorial elms and oaks, might they -rest and recreate after the long walk which, no -doubt, many of them had taken.</p> - -<p>Every kind of game, with due forethought, -had been arranged for, and prizes made ready for -<a name="png.371" id="png.371" href="#png.371"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>367<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>proficiency in those rustic sports, to excel in -which, since earliest Saxon days, had been the -pride of rural England. Running and leaping, -wrestling, cricket, single-stick, and football were -all duly provided for. Scores of athletic youths -contested eagerly. The adjudging of the prizes -gave general satisfaction, while their unusual -quality and value elicited hearty praise.</p> - -<p>For the village lasses, similar contests and excitements -were not wanting. These were of a gentler -kind, tending to improvement in the domestic arts: -needlework in all its branches, as expressed in the -making and repairing of garments for children -and others of the household. For girls under -fourteen, and those under sixteen, foot races were -got up, which tested the pace and staying power -of the younger damsels. These had always been -popular contests, and could not have been omitted -from the programme without causing dissatisfaction. -Skipping, rounders, and hockey were not -neglected, though at this last exercise occasional -falls provoked the mirth of the bystanders, and a -black eye or two, with other bruises, bore witness -to the earnestness of the competing sides. The -young men rode at the quintain, wrestled, boxed, -pole-jumped, and tent-pegged, played at bowls, -and revived the ancient game of quarter-staff. -Last, not least, the prize for archery, a handsome -and valuable one, aroused such feelings of emulation -in the Dianas of the Hexham and West -Essex Clubs as had not been known since the -celebrated match which Lady Hexham recalled, -in the days of her youth, when she was a noted -<a name="png.372" id="png.372" href="#png.372"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>368<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>performer, and princes and nobles contended for -the honour of collecting her arrows. To conclude -the day’s entertainment there were hack and -pony races, hurdles and steeplechases. These last, -Australian innovations, were, however, modified -by restriction of the men and horses to the -families of tenants on the estate who took an -interest in the nearest pack of hounds, and found -it pay to school a promising four-year-old, likely -to bring a good price at the beginning of the next -season.</p> - -<p>The invitation committee had extended the list -over a fairly wide social range. Besides the squirearchy -of the county and the neighbouring gentry, -the farmers and tradespeople, the tenants with -their families, and their visitors too, came as -a matter of right. There was room, and a -welcome for all. It was hoped that no one who -had worked in the fields, or on the grounds of -Hexham, would stay away. And judging from -the continuous march of people on foot and horseback, -in tax-carts, dog-carts, gigs, and waggons, -very few did.</p> - -<p>Soon after mid-day the immense tables, placed -on tressels, were covered, as if by magic, with -viands of every sort, kind, and description, arranged -ready for the speedy consumption which it was -correctly assumed would take place. Products of -the home farm and many others were displayed, -replaced, and continuously provided, in never-ending -profusion. Beer flowed as if from a fountain. -The roast beef of Old England in barons -and sirloins, fish and fowl, mutton and lamb, pork -<a name="png.373" id="png.373" href="#png.373"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>369<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>and veal, puddings and pies, fruit, cakes,—all these -and more were assiduously furnished for the -banquet of which all present were pressed and -encouraged to partake.</p> - -<p>While the rural contingent was judiciously dispersed -and subdivided, so as to prevent the assemblage -of an unwieldy crowd, it had been necessary, -in the interest of settled order and good government, -to invite a selection of the leading families -of this and adjacent counties, to head the entertainment. -The Duke of Dorlingham had graciously -honoured his invitation, while earls and -barons, with a proportion of baronets and long-descended -country gentlemen, responded cordially, -so that the great marquee, erected some days -previously, under the personal supervision of a -transatlantic firm of caterers, well known in London, -Brighton, and Australia, was filled with an -assemblage of aristocratic personages, from whose -ranks but few individuals of distinction in the -county were absent.</p> - -<p>The accessories left little to be desired. The -cuisine was undeniable; the waiting service at table -was as nearly perfect as could be accomplished -at an <i lang="it" xml:lang="it">al fresco</i> entertainment; the wines were -admittedly beyond criticism. The turf around the -temporary structure was in perfect condition; -the branches of the great oaks waved banner-like -above the festive concourse:</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div>The self-same shadows flecked the sward</div> -<div>In the days of good Queen Anne;</div> -</div> -</div> -</div> - -<p class="noindent">while within the enormous canvas walls, genuine -<a name="png.374" id="png.374" href="#png.374"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>370<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>enjoyment and tempered hilarity commenced with -the popping of the first champagne cork, nor -waned until the call for silence preceded that loyal -toast never absent from any festal function of -importance in Britain or her Colonies.</p> - -<p>Then the Duke of Dorlingham rose in his -place at the head of the principal table. On his -right sat Arnold Banneret, on his left the Honourable -Corisande Aylmer, flushed with the consciousness -of youth and beauty, heightened by the -possession of an exalted position and acknowledged -distinction. The Duke had whispered his congratulations -to Corisande on their return to England -under circumstances, he trusted he might -say, favourable to the future fortunes of his old -friend’s family.</p> - -<p>‘Indeed, your Grace,’ said the girl, ‘I don’t -think we could have had a happier return to -Hexham short of the dear old place being given -back to us. It is quite a fairy tale, and Mr. and -Mrs. Banneret are the angels of the story.’</p> - -<p>‘I feel ready to believe it, my dear Corisande, -and I hope when you come to Dorlingham with -your new friends to hear all about it. I trust that -Lady Hexham, whom I must see before I go, is -quite well? But these good folks have nearly -finished cheering, so I must begin my speech.’</p> - -<p>‘He had always,’ his Grace said, ‘been in -sincere sympathy with those daring adventurers -who, following in the wake of Drake and Raleigh, -Frobisher and Oxenham, had done so much for -the glory and expansion of England. His friend’s -grandfather, finding the limits of our island home -<a name="png.375" id="png.375" href="#png.375"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>371<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>insufficient, had sailed away in his own galley, a -modern Viking, across the Pacific Ocean, to the -wider, unshared, half-unknown lands under the -Southern Cross, so late discovered, so rich in -promise. A voyager over uncharted seas, amid -hostile tribes, he had faced dangers, had encountered -strange adventures, upon which he -would not at present dwell. It would suffice to -say that he found there, what he went so far -to seek—a noble appanage to the Empire. -(Cheers.) A land where millions of British-born -and British-descended people were now living in -peace, in comfort, and comparative affluence, -under conditions such as Englishmen had always -demanded for themselves and their families: conditions -of equal laws, of well-paid industries—in -circumstances, too, giving hope of a still more -prosperous future. Their host, after securing an -auriferous property of exceptional richness, had -decided to come “home,” as Australians wherever -settled still called Old England, in order to invest -a portion of his capital in the purchase of an -English estate. Such returning colonists, he had -always held, were of the greatest possible advantage -to the mother-country—not to one class alone, -but to all classes—by the employment of labour, -the circulation of capital, and, possibly, by the introduction -of new ideas. Men like their host, representative -of Newer Englands and Greater Britains -beyond the seas, had helped to build great cities -and add vast tracts of fertile land to her ancient -sovereignty—to her newly consolidated Empire. -They increased year by year the volume of her -<a name="png.376" id="png.376" href="#png.376"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>372<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>trade and commerce, so world-wide and far-stretching, -the foundation on which so much -of England’s “might, majesty, and dominion” -rested.</p> - -<p>‘They might judge by what they had seen and -enjoyed to-day, of what value to the old country -men like their worthy host were likely to be. He -would not weary them. He was not a man of -words, but his friends knew that what he said, he -meant. His heart was in the toast which he gave -them; there was no need to ask them to drink it -with all the honours—their worthy host and hostess, -with their amiable family and friends’ (here he -looked paternally at Corisande), ‘and long life to -them, to enjoy what they have so honourably -gained, so liberally used.’</p> - -<p>Arnold Banneret stood up in his place and -faced the great assemblage. He looked around -for a few seconds, permitting the applause which -had followed the Duke’s peroration to die down. -He met his wife’s gaze, half-proud, half-overcome -by mingled feelings. He read the expression -on her countenance, with the tear which -dimmed her eye but did not fall. He knew that -she was recalling the days of hard endeavour—the -doubts at times, almost the despair, which had -clouded early days in their chequered life, and -now as he stood there, with plaudits resounding -in his honour, his heart swelled high with natural -pride and satisfaction.</p> - -<p>‘My Lord Duke, ladies and gentlemen,’ he said, -‘it would be insincere for me to deny that I feel -intensely the compliment, I may say the honour, -<a name="png.377" id="png.377" href="#png.377"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>373<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>paid me by his Grace and this distinguished and -representative assemblage.</p> - -<p>‘That the work is hard, the privations severe, -in the pioneer’s life may not be denied; but the -difficulties, though grave, are not greater than -thousands of Britons have been willing to encounter -in the pursuit of fame and fortune, and, -thank God! are still willing for such prizes to risk -all that men hold dear. In the mysterious lottery -of life there is no denying the presence of an -element known as Chance, defying all calculation, -and turning the balance to success or failure. -“The race,” as they all knew, “was not always to -the swift, nor the battle to the strong.” They had -the warrant of Holy Writ for that. In his own -experience he had seen it often exemplified. Of his -comrades, one of the boldest explorers, one of the -most capable pioneers of the Great West Australian -desert, survived but to fall a victim in later years -to the arrow of a Nigerian savage; another not -less dauntless, and, in time of need, patient of -hunger, thirst, and all but the direst extremity -of famine, a master of woodcraft—ever tireless, -cheerful, and inventive, lay beneath South African -sands. But why dwell on failure or disaster—on -history as old as humanity? He, by God’s grace, -had <em>not</em> failed, but stood there to-day—not proud, -not vainglorious, but grateful to the bottom of his -heart for that Divine mercy which had shielded -him in danger and distress, in the dreary days when -he lay under the shadow of death. And, next to -the interposition of Divine Providence, was he -indebted to the lady who sat by Sir Piers -<a name="png.378" id="png.378" href="#png.378"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>374<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>Hazelwood, his dear, constant, faithful wife, who had -nursed him in sickness, cheered him in misfortune, -and been bravest and most steadfast in the darkest -hour before dawn. (Continuous cheering.) He -would say, in conclusion, that he recognised the -exceptional good fortune which had come to him, -less for his personal advantage, than for the -power it gave of benefiting his fellow-creatures, -and relieving those less fortunately circumstanced.’ -(Tremendous cheering.)</p> - -<p>Other toasts were given—other speeches made. -Due honour was paid to Lady Hexham, by personal -friends and acquaintances of the family, -many of whom had come far to greet her. She -was visibly affected, and though actuated naturally -by conflicting feelings, declared to Mrs. Banneret that she never expected to feel so -happy again. As for Hermione and Vanda, they -kept assuring their mother that they quite realised -all ‘the claims of long descent,’ and couldn’t -think of letting Corisande go back to Bruges. -Mrs. Banneret was quite willing to adopt her; -Eric and Reggie followed suit; and so, with -more happy nonsense, ‘God save the King’ was -struck up by the much-enduring band, and the -great assemblage commenced to disperse, homewardly -intent.</p> - -<p>But the summer day in the Northern Isles is -long—the twilight extends far into the night. -There was a moon also; and the soft, warm mellow -eve lingered, hour after hour, till the last departing -revellers were safely lighted on their path. There -was universal consensus of opinion—genuinely, if -<a name="png.379" id="png.379" href="#png.379"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>375<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>variously, in some cases incongruously, expressed—that -it was many a year since there had been the -like of it at Hexham Hall; it was almost too -good to be true that there would be another such -meeting next year. ‘Well, God bless Squire -Banneret, anyhow!’ was the benediction which -mostly concluded the argument and assertions. -The summer day was spent, indeed the lingering -twilight had long invaded the scene, when the rearguard -of the great host of guests and revellers -moved homeward, echoing in various forms of -speech the common sentiment of grateful appreciation. -The drags and carriages, phaetons and dog-carts, -had rolled, and rattled, and rumbled along -the high roads and lanes hours before, but still -the rural visitors, chiefly on foot, thronged the -pathways. Amid the confused murmur of voices -the dominant note of assent was the declaration -that the county had never seen such a treat before, -so thoroughly carried out in every detail, and that -if, as was promised, such an entertainment would -be annual, the tenants and humbler neighbours -would have indeed cause to bless the day when -the Bannerets came among them.</p> - -<p>As for the families, as represented by Lady -Hexham, the Honourable Corisande and her -brothers, together with Mr. and Mrs. Banneret, -with their sons and daughters, there could not -have been found a more harmonious <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">rapprochement</i> -of the old order and the new. The girls -were frankly, genuinely fond of one another by -this time, a feeling which threatened to extend -beyond the division of sex,—the Honourable -<a name="png.380" id="png.380" href="#png.380"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>376<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>Falkland, who had recently been in command -of a torpedo-destroyer, paying rather marked -attention to Hermione, and Miss Corisande inclining -to argumentative discussions with Reggie -upon the relative advantages, or otherwise, of old -and new countries. Nothing had advanced beyond -the ordinary limits of friendliness; yet there were -signs and tokens, recognised by keen observers, -that such positions were, under favourable -circumstances, capable of being permanently -strengthened.</p> - -<p>As for the seniors, they were resting from their -labours after the exciting performance which had -been successful beyond all expectation. A series of -leisurely rambles through the, as yet, untraversed -beauty spots of Britain had been considered as an -autumnal engagement, in which Lady Hexham -consented, after a vain attempt to stem the tide of -opposition, as represented by the allied forces of -untitled Hexham, to permit her daughter to join. -They could not, even she admitted, hope to -secure a more wise, experienced chaperon than -Mrs. Banneret, not to mention Mr. Banneret, -who had been lauded, in his magisterial capacity, -for ‘admirable firmness and discretion’ under -conditions scarcely differentiated indeed from -those of civil war. This being the case, Lady -Hexham gracefully assented, remarking that it -appeared to her quite time to return to her -husband, and the rest of the family, if she did not -wish him to think her ashamed of their humble -home at Bruges. This view of the case appeared -so painful, that Corisande offered to return on the -<a name="png.381" id="png.381" href="#png.381"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>377<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>spot, but the proposal lapsed in default of a -seconder, or general moral support.</p> - -<p>On the following day Lady Hexham left for -home, previously assuring Mrs. Banneret that she -had enjoyed her visit more than she could have -possibly imagined, entirely through the kindness of -Mrs. Banneret herself, and her family; she never -thought that their years of exile could have ended -with such a home-coming. It made amends in -great measure for the sorrow caused by their ruin, -and gave hope for the restoration of the family -to its former position. Once it had appeared -hopeless, but now, on account of the fortunate sale -of the estate, and the unusual liberality of the -purchaser, her most kind and generous husband, -they had hope of returning to England in a few -years, under brighter auspices. She asked her to -believe that she was truly grateful, and bade God -bless her in the future, and all belonging to her. -So the ladies embraced and bade adieu; the one -pleased to recognise a warm heart and kindly -feelings under an apparently cold manner, and the -other ready to uphold Australians as the most -warm-hearted, delicate-minded, delightful people -on the face of the earth.</p> - -<div class="tb"><b>. . . . . . . . .</b></div> - -<p>‘All good things must come to an end,’ says -the venerable adage, and the Hexham Hall garden -party was no exception to the ancient saw. The -summer was now at its height, the next change -would be a decadent one, after which the leaves -would fall, and people begin to talk about autumn -winds, declining days, and other depressing -<a name="png.382" id="png.382" href="#png.382"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>378<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>subjects. Hence it was necessary to arrange for -whatever plan of travel the family decided to -carry out before winter was upon them, with its -over-full programme of dances, dinners, hunting -fixtures, and other absolutely necessary functions. -The need for travel began to obtrude itself. -Young men and maidens, with their attendant -parents and guardians (for such indeed, nowadays, -is the order in which the migration of families -must be described), began to talk of guides, -alpenstocks, and other foreign necessaries, the -glories of the ascent of the Matterhorn, or the -panorama from the Rigi.</p> - -<p>However, after a full and exhaustive survey of -plans and projects, the decision was practically -unanimous in favour of Britain. So much had -been dared and done during the present year, that -it was agreed not to tempt the chances of foreign -travel until a peaceful interval of restful rambles -in the ancestral mother-land had made them -fully conversant with all the scenes of interest, -beauty, and historic fame, with the leading characteristics -of which their reading had made them -familiar.</p> - -<p>The party of travel was to be commanded by -Mr. and Mrs. Banneret: efficient, conventional -chaperonage being, of course, indispensable. It -was many years since the parents had enjoyed the -opportunity of a quiet progress through historic -scenes, which their general culture fitted them so -eminently to enjoy. When they had the leisure, -they had been without the pecuniary facilities, -without which tourists are necessarily hampered. -<a name="png.383" id="png.383" href="#png.383"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>379<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>Now they were in possession of both. They left -Hexham, therefore, with the intention of enjoying -to the fullest extent the fortunate combination, -which comes so rarely in this troubled life of ours. -The Hexham girls, titled and untitled, numbered -three—Hermione, Corisande, and Vanda. Two of -these were abbreviated to Corie and Hermie for -the greater convenience of intimate friendly -converse, Vanda pleading that her name was -sufficiently short, and that ‘Van’ sounded rather -Dutch. It was resolved to reserve this weighty -matter for the test of experience and time.</p> - -<p>But little time was wasted after the preliminaries -were agreed upon. Something was said -about following the route and the practice of -some latter-day Canterbury pilgrims, and walking -from London to that celebrated shrine. A party -of Australian friends, not very dissimilar in number -and artistic taste, had done so some years since, -sending on their baggage by coach and rail to the -terminus of each stage. But the elders of this -party dissented from the proposition.</p> - -<p>In the first place, it was unnecessarily fatiguing; -also expensive in time. They had an extended -tour to consider, and would find that, although -they claimed to be over the average, as pedestrians, -sufficient exercise would be provided before their -return.</p> - -<p>Moderate counsels prevailed, and though the -younger division were eager for the Pilgrim’s staff -and Cockle-shell business, the rail and coach party -carried its amendment. After this, what was to -be the first objective? The Lakes—Windermere, -<a name="png.384" id="png.384" href="#png.384"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>380<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>Grasmere, the Wordsworth country, Rydal Mount, -and so on. Yes, decidedly.</p> - -<p>They were fortunate in finding a decent hostelry -near Grasmere, which served as a <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">pied à terre</i>, -whence they could sally forth into the ‘royaulme -of faerye,’ and revel in memories of the glorious -dead. Here was the Poet’s ‘little nook of -mountain ground,’ overlooking the Lake of -Grasmere. Here he lived for eight years, hither -he brought his <span class="nw">bride—</span></p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div>The perfect woman, nobly planned</div> -<div>To warn, to comfort, and command,</div> -</div> -</div> -</div> - -<p class="noindent">with whom he lived, in purest love and unclouded -happiness, even unto his life’s end.</p> - -<p>The inn was not pretentious; there was no -crowd of tourists to conduce to landlordly independence -and the heightening of prices. But it -was delicately clean; host and hostess were thankful -for the patronage of such a company, and duly -respectful. The view from their chamber windows -was extensive and romantic, commanding a prospect -of the vale of the Rothay and the distant waters of -the Lake.</p> - -<p>‘Now that breakfast is over,’ said Vanda—‘and, -oh! what a lovely sleep I had—and every one -seems to have eaten enough to last till to-morrow -morning, I vote that we lose no time, but get -over to Rydal Mount the very first thing. Luckily -the day is fine. I suppose we must walk?’</p> - -<p>‘Walk? Why, of course!’ said Eric. ‘You -don’t suppose we’ve come to this jolly Lake -country, with views, and sunrises, and suchlike -<a name="png.385" id="png.385" href="#png.385"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>381<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>floating all about, to be jolted in the shandrydan -of the period? It will freshen us up after the -riotous doings at Hexham, where we must have -given our constitutions rather “a nasty bump,” to -say the least of it.’</p> - -<p>‘Don’t talk in that horrid mundane way,’ said -Hermione, who was verging on the sentimental, -semi-poetical period of life. ‘There, yonder, is -Rydal Mount on the side of the hill, “The modest -house, yet covered with the Virginia creeper,” and -overlooking that lovely Windermere. Surely no -poet was ever more delightfully lodged?’</p> - -<p>‘No poet was ever so happy in the whole -world, I believe,’ assented Corisande—‘except -perhaps Tennyson. Just think! He had married -the “perfect woman, nobly planned”; he had -the nicest, sweetest, devotedest sister, who agreed -with the perfect woman, which doesn’t always -happen. He was contented, even thankful for -his lot. He had leisure—friends too, who <em>were</em> -friends, that is, friends in need. They stood by -him when such support was of value: Raisley -Calvert, who left him a legacy of a thousand -pounds, which sufficed to give him leisure and -ease of mind just when he most required it; and -Lord Lonsdale, who paid up his father’s debt, -which meant life-long independence.’</p> - -<p>‘How very seldom the friends of poets and -writers,’ said Mrs. Banneret, ‘think of the very -thing which would earn their everlasting gratitude! -They flatter and profess admiration, but stop short -of substantial benefits. But, perhaps, after all, -the poet’s healthiest frame of mind is that of -<a name="png.386" id="png.386" href="#png.386"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>382<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>independence. Being compelled to work certainly -brings out the best fruit of a man’s intellect.’</p> - -<p>‘Yes, indeed! Yet it is pitiable to think how -poets and dramatists, not to mention the herd of -fictionists, worked under depressing conditions of -penury, even absolute want. Read the private -papers of Henry Ryecroft, which no doubt faithfully -represented the experience of the author. It -makes your heart ache—the direst poverty, hunger -and cold, shivering in semi-starvation—think of a -London winter under such conditions! How he -could have produced the work he did is a marvel!’</p> - -<p>‘I may be allowed to remark, perhaps,’ said -Mr. Banneret, in a judicial tone of voice, ‘that -we are wandering from the direct path in discussing -the abstract question of a poet’s freedom from -care bearing upon the quality of his work. As -to the quantity, it may, and no doubt would, make -a serious deduction if at breakfast time the singer or -seer was uncertain as to the periodicity of dinner. -But I am inclined to think that, as to <em>quality</em>, the -enforced abstinence and lack of material comfort -were distinctly favourable to the “divine afflatus.”’</p> - -<p>‘That being so,’ said Reggie, ‘and I am inclined -to agree with you, sir, we ought to address ourselves -to the practical side of our undertaking. -Before we make a start for Rydal Mount we are -bound to inaugurate the worship of the Poet by -the ladies repeating some of his lovely lyrics. We -must put it to the vote, and whoever gains the -largest number must recite the poem which she -deems to be the most distinctly representative of -the Poet’s genius? Who is the Wordsworth -<a name="png.387" id="png.387" href="#png.387"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>383<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>scholar of the party? and what does the lady -assert to be one of the Poet’s lyric triumphs?’</p> - -<p>The voting was in favour of Mrs. Banneret. -That lady confessed that she had not been an -exhaustive student of the poet under discussion, -or indeed of any other—had not had time of -late years. But in an old scrap-album of her -girlhood’s days might be found several of his -poems, which she had copied out. One which -she still remembered was ‘The Fountain.’</p> - -<p>‘It always appeared to me,’ she said, ‘most -truly representative of Wordsworth’s sympathy -with Nature; of his power of investing the most -ordinary incidents with</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="i10"><span class="ns"> </span>‘The gleam,</div> -<div>The light that never was, on sea or land,</div> -<div>The consecration, and the Poet’s dream—</div> -</div></div></div> - -<p class="noindent">almost with a sacred simplicity, but still appealing -to the heart as ornate phrases rarely succeed in doing. -I still remember the opening verses of</p> - -<div class="poetry-container" id="fountain"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="poem-head">‘THE FOUNTAIN</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="ineg">‘We talked with open heart, and tongue</div> -<div>Affectionate and true,</div> -<div>A pair of friends, though I was young,</div> -<div>And Matthew seventy-two.</div> -<span class="ns"><br - /></span></div><!-- stanza --> - -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="ineg">‘We lay beneath a spreading oak,</div> -<div>Beside a mossy seat;</div> -<div>And from the turf a fountain broke,</div> -<div>And gurgled at our feet.</div> -<span class="ns"><br - /></span></div><!-- stanza --> - -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="ineg">‘“Now, Matthew,” said I, “let us match</div> -<div>The water’s pleasant tune</div> -<div>With some old Border song, or catch</div> -<div>Which suits a summer noon;</div> -<span class="ns"><br - /></span></div><!-- stanza --> - -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="ineg"><a name="png.388" id="png.388" href="#png.388"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>384<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>‘“Or of the church-clock and the chimes</div> -<div>Sing here beneath the shade,</div> -<div>That half-mad thing of witty rhymes</div> -<div>Which you last April made!”</div> -<span class="ns"><br - /></span></div><!-- stanza --> - -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="ineg">‘In silence Matthew lay, and eyed</div> -<div>The spring beneath the tree;</div> -<div>And thus the dear old man replied—</div> -<div>The grey-haired man of glee:</div> -<span class="ns"><br - /></span></div><!-- stanza --> - -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="ineg">‘“No check, no stay, this streamlet fears;</div> -<div>How merrily it goes!</div> -<div>’Twill murmur on a thousand years,</div> -<div>And flow as now it flows.</div> -<span class="ns"><br - /></span></div><!-- stanza --> - -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="ineg">‘“And here, on this delightful day,</div> -<div>I cannot choose but think</div> -<div>How oft, a vigorous man, I lay</div> -<div>Beside this fountain’s brink.</div> -<span class="ns"><br - /></span></div><!-- stanza --> - -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="ineg">‘“My eyes are dim with childish tears,</div> -<div>My heart is idly stirred,</div> -<div>For the same sound is in my ears</div> -<div>Which in those years I heard.</div> -<span class="ns"><br - /></span></div><!-- stanza --> - -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="ineg">‘“Thus fares it still in our decay:</div> -<div>And yet the wiser mind</div> -<div>Mourns less for what Age takes away</div> -<div>Than what it leaves behind.”’</div> -</div> -</div> -</div> - -<p>Here the lady paused. ‘I think these verses -are all that I can remember of the poem at present. -But they impressed themselves on my memory long -since, as a delicious description of calmly happy old -age, of friendship founded on sympathetic tastes, -with a setting for the incident of the rural loveliness -of an English summer day.’</p> - -<p>Much applause was evoked by the recitation, -given with taste and feeling.</p> - -<p>‘Why, mother, I had no idea you had such -<a name="png.389" id="png.389" href="#png.389"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>385<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>a sentimental vein in your composition,’ said -Hermione. ‘Vanda and I used to think you were -quite stern about unprofitable reading, as you used -to call anything but history and language in the -old Carjagong days!’</p> - -<p>‘Everything depends upon the proper time and -place,’ replied Mrs. Banneret, with a quiet smile. -‘You girls and boys would have learned very little -if you had not been kept to your morning lessons -in those days.’</p> - -<p>‘But we were so terribly fond of books,’ argued -Vanda; ‘it ran in the blood. Why, father used -to read on <em>horseback</em>, when he took those journeys -to other goldfields and places—when he was driving, -too—by himself; you know he did!’</p> - -<p>‘It was very natural, I’m sure,’ replied Mrs. Banneret. ‘Riding or driving all day, by one’s -self, is rather dull. Bishop Percy and his wife, a -charming woman, travelled in all weathers, through -the diocese, in a dog-cart. She used to read aloud -while he drove.’</p> - -<p>‘I remember them quite well,’ said Hermione, -‘when they stopped at our old station. I was -quite a small child. They had no children. You -couldn’t have done that, mother, though you would -have liked it, I know.’</p> - -<p>‘Indeed I should, but you tiresome children -came in the way of that and many other recreations. -What do you say at cricket when the innings -is over? “Next man in”—isn’t it? I think -mine is over, and that we should call upon Corisande -for a contribution, and then adjourn any other -intellectual exercise to a future occasion.’</p> - -<p><a name="png.390" id="png.390" href="#png.390"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>386<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>This motion, being put to the vote, was carried, -and the young lady in question, being entreated -not to delay the movement of the pilgrimage, -graciously consented, remarking: ‘I am very fond -of birds, so all my friends will understand the -reason why I volunteer to give</p> - -<div class="poetry-container" id="poorsusan"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="poem-head">‘THE REVERIE OF POOR SUSAN</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="ineg">‘At the corner of Wood Street, when daylight appears,</div> -<div>Hangs a thrush that sings loud, it has sung for three years:</div> -<div>Poor Susan has passed by the spot, and has heard</div> -<div>In the silence of morning the song of the bird.</div> -<span class="ns"><br - /></span></div><!-- stanza --> - -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="ineg">‘’Tis a note of enchantment; what ails her? She sees</div> -<div>A mountain ascending, a vision of trees;</div> -<div>Bright volumes of vapour through Lothbury glide,</div> -<div>And a river flows on through the vale of Cheapside.</div> -<span class="ns"><br - /></span></div><!-- stanza --> - -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="ineg">‘Green pastures she views in the midst of the dale,</div> -<div>Down which she so often has tripped with her pail;</div> -<div>And a single small cottage, a nest like a dove’s,</div> -<div>The only one dwelling on earth that she loves.</div> -<span class="ns"><br - /></span></div><!-- stanza --> - -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="ineg">‘She looks, and her heart is in Heaven: but they fade,</div> -<div>The mist and the river, the hill and the shade:</div> -<div>The stream will not flow, and the hill will not rise,</div> -<div>And the colours have all passed away from her eyes!’</div> -</div> -</div> -</div> - -<p class="noindent">The acclamations were loud, so general, so prolonged, -that an encore was even demanded. Mr. Banneret, who had been unanimously elected stage -manager, felt it his duty to declare that no encores -would be permitted. ‘But,’ continued he, ‘as my -wife and Miss Corisande have complied with the -general wish, I think it only fair that my daughters -should furnish their share, which I think can be -managed without serious delay to the expedition. -<a name="png.391" id="png.391" href="#png.391"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>387<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>Vanda, dear child, lead off! I know you have a -choice.’</p> - -<p>‘Oh, certainly! Corisande told us she was -fond of birds; now I am passionately fond of -flowers. It will be quite in keeping therefore with -the spirit of our show if I choose</p> - -<div class="poetry-container" id="daffodils"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="poem-head">‘THE DAFFODILS</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="ineg">‘I wandered lonely as a cloud</div> -<div>Which floats on high o’er vales and hills,</div> -<div>When all at once I saw a crowd,</div> -<div>A host, of golden daffodils;</div> -<div>Beside the lake, beneath the trees,</div> -<div>Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.</div> -<span class="ns"><br - /></span></div><!-- stanza --> - -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="ineg">‘Continuous as the stars that shine</div> -<div>And twinkle on the milky way,</div> -<div>They stretched in never-ending line</div> -<div>Along the margin of a bay:</div> -<div>Ten thousand saw I at a glance,</div> -<div>Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.</div> -<span class="ns"><br - /></span></div><!-- stanza --> - -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="ineg">‘The waves beside them danced; but they</div> -<div>Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:</div> -<div>A poet could not but be gay</div> -<div>In such a jocund company:</div> -<div>I gazed—and gazed—but little thought</div> -<div>What wealth the show to me had brought:</div> -<span class="ns"><br - /></span></div><!-- stanza --> - -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="ineg">‘For oft, when on my couch I lie</div> -<div>In vacant or in pensive mood,</div> -<div>They flash upon the inward eye</div> -<div>Which is the bliss of solitude;</div> -<div>And then my heart with pleasure fills,</div> -<div>And dances with the daffodils.’</div> -</div> -</div> -</div> - -<p>‘Next girl in,’ said Eric. ‘Hermie dear, don’t -block the procession; consider all the pretty things -<a name="png.392" id="png.392" href="#png.392"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>388<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>said of Vanda’s artless lay. We know how fond -she is of the bliss of solitude, and how ready to -dance with the daffodils, or other eligible partners.’</p> - -<p>‘Chiefly in order to put an end to your cheap -sarcasm,’ retorted Hermione, ‘also to finish the -affair decently, I will make an attempt to render -“The Solitary Reaper.” I remember weeping -bitterly over it in childhood.</p> - -<div class="poetry-container" id="reaper"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="poem-head">‘THE SOLITARY REAPER</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="ineg">‘Behold her, single in the field,</div> -<div>Yon solitary Highland lass!</div> -<div>Reaping and singing by herself;</div> -<div>Stop here, or gently pass!</div> -<div>Alone she cuts and binds the grain,</div> -<div>And sings a melancholy strain;</div> -<div>O listen! for the vale profound</div> -<div>Is overflowing with the sound.</div> -<span class="ns"><br - /></span></div><!-- stanza --> - -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="ineg">‘No nightingale did ever chaunt</div> -<div>More welcome notes to weary bands</div> -<div>Of travellers in some shady haunt,</div> -<div>Among Arabian sands:</div> -<div>Such thrilling voice was never heard</div> -<div>In spring-time from the cuckoo-bird,</div> -<div>Breaking the silence of the seas</div> -<div>Among the farthest Hebrides.</div> -<span class="ns"><br - /></span></div><!-- stanza --> - -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="ineg">‘Will no one tell me what she sings?—</div> -<div>Perhaps the plaintive numbers flow</div> -<div>For old, unhappy, far-off things,</div> -<div>And battles long ago:</div> -<div>Or is it some more humble lay,</div> -<div>Familiar matter of to-day?</div> -<div>Some natural sorrow, loss, or pain,</div> -<div>That has been, and may be again?</div> -<span class="ns"><br - /></span></div><!-- stanza --> - -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="ineg"><a name="png.393" id="png.393" href="#png.393"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>389<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>‘Whate’er the theme, the maiden sang</div> -<div>As if her song could have no ending;</div> -<div>I saw her singing at her work,</div> -<div>And o’er the sickle bending;—</div> -<div>I listened, motionless and still;</div> -<div>And, as I mounted up the hill,</div> -<div>The music in my heart I bore,</div> -<div>Long after it was heard no more.’</div> -</div> -</div> -</div> - -<p>‘Charmin’! charmin’! absolutely, truly excellent!’ -said the Honourable Falkland Aylmer, R.N. ‘Emphasis perfect, very clear and distinct -intonation, but there’s one triflin’ thing I noticed—slight -departure from “well of English undefiled”—probably -Australian fashion; excuse me for -alludin’ to it.’</p> - -<p>‘Oh, of course, certainly!’ said Hermione. ‘I -know I’m only “a despisable colonist” (as the -author of <cite>Sam Slick</cite> said), but mother and father -are rather purists, and we fancied that we spoke -tolerable English.’</p> - -<p>Falkland Aylmer’s blue eyes danced with mischief -and merriment at his successful ‘draw,’ thinking -the while how handsome the girl looked with -sudden glance and heightened colour; but putting -on an expression of exaggerated humility he said, -‘Perhaps I shouldn’t have noticed—rather rude, -of course—but you and Miss Vanda are so perfect -in intonation generally, that I thought I would -venture just to <span class="nw">hint——’</span></p> - -<p>‘On the contrary, I feel sure,’ said Hermione, -with a certain stateliness of manner, ‘that my -people would hold themselves deeply indebted to -you for pointing out any provincialisms—no -twang, I trust?’</p> - -<p><a name="png.394" id="png.394" href="#png.394"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>390<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>By this time the rest of the family had gathered -round, amused and expectant.</p> - -<p>‘Pray don’t keep us waiting, Mr. Aylmer,’ -said Vanda. ‘You don’t know Hermie when she’s -roused, though she looks so quiet.’ Here every -one burst out laughing; her amiability being -proverbial.</p> - -<p>‘If I must, I must—I rely on the mercy of -the Court’—here he lowered his voice to a deep -and impressive bass—‘but you can’t deny that you -pronounce the final “g.”’</p> - -<p>‘Of course I do,’ replied the girl, who could -not help smiling, as indeed did all the spectators.</p> - -<p>‘But you shouldn’t—oh, really, you shouldn’t, -dear lady! You said “bending,” and “reaping,” -and “singing.” We heard you distinctly “thrilling” -also.’</p> - -<p>‘Of course I did; and why not?’ the girl -answered, with a distinctly bellicose air—looking -indeed as if she was likely to confirm Vanda’s -assertion of the possession of an unexpected -temper. ‘We were taught that dropping the -“g” was next door to the unforgivable sin of -dropping the “h.”’</p> - -<p>‘But it’s not good form, dear Miss Banneret, -to sound the final “g.” Nobody does it—that is, -nobody that is anybody. The other way is old-fashioned.’</p> - -<p>‘I don’t care,’ retorted the valiant Hermione; -‘our Australian way is good English, and that I’ll -abide by. The other is an affectation, a senseless -departure, copied by silly people who believe it to -be fashionable—like “dwopping” the “r.”’</p> - -<p><a name="png.395" id="png.395" href="#png.395"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>391<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>‘Assure you, it’s nevah done now,’ said her -critical reviewer; ‘though I think I must -“pwactise,” if only to take a “wise” out of you -and Miss Vanda.’</p> - -<p>‘We shall have to arrange an ambush for you -to fall into,’ replied Hermione, laughing good-humouredly. -‘We are willing to mend our ways -in minor matters when we think we are wrong, -but not merely to copy English fashions because -they <em>are</em> English, which would be affectation -indeed, and very properly expose us to ridicule.’</p> - -<p>‘<em>Nothing</em> that you or Miss Vanda could say or -do would end so disastrously. I hope you believe -me,’ he added in a lower tone, ‘and forgive my -imprudence?’</p> - -<p>‘I grant you my royal pardon,’ she said, holding -out her hand. ‘I confess that we Australians are -just a trifle touchy, and I began to be frightened -that I had committed some enormity.’</p> - -<div class="tb"><b>. . . . . . . . .</b></div> - -<p>Saturated as the feminine division of the -pilgrims was with the Wordsworth cult, nothing -but the necessity of laying out regular stages and -abiding by them prevented them from lingering -in this enchanted spot.</p> - -<p>But the route was given; the leaders decreed -the hour; and protests were unavailing.</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div>But, hark! the summons—down the placid lake</div> -<div>Floats the soft cadence of the church-tower bells.</div> -</div> -</div> -</div> - -<div class="tb"><b>. . . . . . . . .</b></div> - -<p>Northward, ever northward, was now the -appointed course of the wanderers: across moor -<a name="png.396" id="png.396" href="#png.396"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>392<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>and fell to Yorkshire, with its somewhat rude -inhabitants. Uninviting as it was in appearance, -with barren-looking moors and desolate stretches -of rocky undulations, it held within its bosom a -jewel of priceless worth. There stood the lonely -parsonage of world-wide fame, where had lived -the Brontë family—the wondrous girls who, -from that dreary parsonage, standing among -graves, on a wind-beaten hill-top, aroused the -admiration of the keenest literary intelligences of -the period. Then the order of the day was the -route to Keighley in Yorkshire, four miles only -from Haworth; and to Keighley by ordinary, -perhaps prosaic, methods the pilgrims proceeded.</p> - -<p>For to Keighley, they were aware, the Brontës, -these strange children, fiercely desirous of knowledge -of all and every kind and sort, were -accustomed to walk from the village of Haworth. -Why? Because there was a draper’s shop? -Because there was at rare intervals a fair of -the period? None of these provincial recreations -interested this remarkable family. No! -But because there was a circulating library. For -that sole reason did these delicate little creatures -undertake the rough moorland walk of eight miles—four -miles there and four miles back—‘happy, -though often tired to death, if only they brought -home a novel by Scott or a poem by Southey.’ -Brought home! To what a home did the tired -feet and aching limbs bring these eager searchers -after knowledge! To a ‘grey parsonage standing -among graves, on a wind-beaten hill-top; the -neighbouring summits wild with moors. A lonely -<a name="png.397" id="png.397" href="#png.397"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>393<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>place, among half-dead ash trees and stunted -thorns. The world cut off on one side by the still -ranks of the serried dead; distanced on the other -by mile-wide stretches of heath.’ Such, we know, -was Emily Brontë’s home, the vicinity inhabited -by Catharine, by Heathcliff, by Earnshaw, and -Hindley.</p> - -<p>‘Oh, what a dreadful place to live in!’ cried -Hermione; ‘it recalls Kinglake’s description of -the country around Jerusalem—“a land unspeakably -desolate and ghastly”—no wonder the poor -things died early and Branwell drank. When one -thinks of that murderous school at Cowan Bridge -it is hard to restrain one’s feelings.’</p> - -<p>‘Some people love moors and fells,’ argued -Vanda; ‘there’s a wild and rugged grandeur -about them; and Yorkshiremen, next to the Scots, -are among the boldest of the races of Britain. -Look at the men and women we watched going to -that mill!’</p> - -<p>‘All very well,’ said her unconvinced sister. -‘The climate kills off the weak ones; but what of -those poor, sensitive little creatures, shivering and -ill-fed, in that unhealthy, undrained hole? That -fanatical idiot of a clergyman ought to have been -sent to gaol, and a teacher or two hanged! He -was rich too, and thanked God for the progress -of the school, while these dear babes starved by -inches.’</p> - -<p>‘Gently, my dear Hermie!’ said Reggie; ‘he’s -not the only historical personage who has killed, -or tortured, for the glory of God; but the whole -affair is plunged in lamentation, mourning, and -<a name="png.398" id="png.398" href="#png.398"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>394<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>woe. I vote we leave for Scotland by the early -train to-morrow.’</p> - -<p>‘By the very earliest,’ Eric agreed. ‘Another -day here would send us back to Hexham—despairing -of life, and fit for nothing but suicide.’</p> - -<p>‘All the same, moors and heaths have their -redeeming features,’ insisted Vanda. ‘Don’t you -remember how Justice Inglewood calls Die Vernon -his “heath-blossom,” when, pulling her towards -him by the hand, he says: “Another time let the -law take its course—and, Die, my beauty! let -young fellows show each other the way through -the moors”?’</p> - -<p>‘All very well for Die Vernon, with a blood -mare to ride, and a cavalier like Frank Osbaldistone -to gallop about with her. But think of three -lonely girls, with not even a wicked cousin, like -Rashleigh, to fight with, or a delightful, handsome, -romantic one like Frank, to fall in and out of love -with! But now I think the Brontë experience has -gone far enough. Let us agree that the incident -is closed. We make an early start to-morrow.’</p> - -<p>‘And so say all of us,’ chorused the rest of the -party.</p> - -</div> - - -<div class="chap"> -<h2 title="Chapter XVIII"><a name="png.399" id="png.399" href="#png.399"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>395<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>CHAPTER XVIII</h2> - - -<p><span class="smc">The</span> next departure was made successfully. -From Yorkshire to Scotland is no great distance, -though the wanderers did not cross the moors to -Hawkstone Craig, but proceeded by the more -modern route of Keighley and Sheffield.</p> - -<p>Behold the pilgrims then, by the kind offices -of the steam king, whose miracles Sir Walter -regarded with ‘half-proud, half-sad, half-angry, -and half-pleased feelings,’ landed within walking -distance of Abbotsford, and its haunting, magical -memories of the Wizard of the North. They -gazed with awe, and almost adoration, at the -towers and turrets, pinnacles and mouldings of -the famous abode of the more famous owner and -designer. It seemed to these ardent spirits not -so much a house, a family abode, as an enchanted -Arabian Nights Palace, compact of the flesh and -blood, the brain and spiritual essence of him -whose pride and life-work it was. They were able -to find suitable lodging accommodation in the -vicinity, whence they could sally forth and live, so -to speak, in that wondrous company of knights -and nobles, mediæval barons, Normans and Saxons, -<a name="png.400" id="png.400" href="#png.400"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>396<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>kings and queens, lovely heroines, and all the -<i lang="la" xml:lang="la">dramatis personæ</i> of historical romance. They -therefore, without delay, conceived and carried out -the project of ‘viewing fair Melrose aright.’</p> - -<p>As it happened, the day had been doubtful, but -towards evening the wind dropped, and the night -being cloudless, and resplendent with the full radiance -of the harvest moon, they had taken all proper -precaution to be deposited as nearly as possible at -the exact spot where the imagined spectator of -‘St. David’s ruined pile’ would have located -himself.</p> - -<p>It was a night superbly beautiful—mild, calm, -free from all disturbing influences, and permitting -our pilgrims the fullest freedom to gaze on -a scene at once romantic and inspiring, free from -all such interruptions as might be expected in the -light of day.</p> - -<p>‘I think I must ask for a vote in favour of the -election of a president, or chairman—if there was -any place on which to sit,’ said Mr. Banneret. -‘We cannot afford to spend the whole evening -gazing at these ruins, worthy as they are of our -admiration.’</p> - -<p>‘There is no one so fitted for the position, sir, -as yourself,’ said Falkland Aylmer, ‘and I beg to -propose that you be elected by acclamation to that -honourable position.’</p> - -<p>‘I suppose I can second the motion,’ said -Hermione, ‘though I don’t believe they have -adult female suffrage in England yet; of course -it’s coming with other enlightened reforms.’</p> - -<p>‘I believe Dad knows all the Walter Scott -<a name="png.401" id="png.401" href="#png.401"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>397<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>literature by heart,’ said Vanda—‘stock, lock, and -barrel, or rather, prose, poetry, and miscellany. -Those who are for—hold up the right hand. -Against—none: carried unanimously. Who will -contribute the immortal invocation? Behold the -hour and the man!’ as Eric Banneret stepped -forward, in answer to a signal from his mother.</p> - -<p>That young man, who strongly resembled his -mother in appearance and leading characteristics, -as sons are wont to do by the acknowledged rules -of heredity, responded with a look of assent to -Mrs. Banneret’s suggestive smile of approval, and, -without further delay, began with the opening -<span class="nw">lines:—</span></p> - -<div class="poetry-container" id="fairmelrose"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="ineg">‘If thou wouldst view fair Melrose aright,</div> -<div>Go visit it by the pale moonlight;</div> -<div>For the gay beams of lightsome day</div> -<div>Gild, but to flout, the ruins grey.</div> -<div>When the broken arches are black in night,</div> -<div>And each shafted oriel glimmers white;</div> -<div>When the cold light’s uncertain shower</div> -<div>Streams on the ruin’d central tower;</div> -<div>When buttress and buttress, alternately,</div> -<div>Seem framed of ebon and ivory;</div> -<div>When silver edges the imagery,</div> -<div>And the scrolls that teach thee to live and die;</div> -<div>When distant Tweed is heard to rave,</div> -<div>And the owlet to hoot o’er the dead man’s grave,</div> -<div>Then go—but go alone the while—</div> -<div>Then view St. David’s ruin’d pile;</div> -<div>And, home returning, soothly swear,</div> -<div>Was never scene so sad and fair!’</div> -</div> -</div> -</div> - -<p>‘Bravo, Eric!’ said Hermione. ‘I had no -idea you had such poetical leanings. Do they examine -in modern verse and elocution at Cambridge? -<a name="png.402" id="png.402" href="#png.402"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>398<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>I didn’t know they taught anything but Greek -and Latin.’</p> - -<p>‘Didn’t you?’ replied her brother. ‘Perhaps -you would like to enter next term?’</p> - -<p>‘I shouldn’t mind,’ returned the young lady; -‘only it’s rather late in life to begin. If I thought -I’d pull off the classic tripos, as Hypatia Tollemache -did, it might be worth while. One girl did—an -Australian, too—a year or two back. I -forget her name now. Oh, listen! wasn’t that an -owl? Let no one talk for five minutes, until “the -distant Tweed is heard to rave.” There it is; you -can hear it quite plainly now.’</p> - -<p>The night was free from slightest breeze; no -sound broke the air but the weird, occasional cry -of the night bird.</p> - -<p>‘I hear the Tweed,’ said Corisande suddenly, -as the ripple of the river over the shallows of the -upper stream came faintly but distinctly on the ear. -‘What a solemn rhythm it has! We shall never -forget this night, shall we? I feel drawn so much -nearer to dear Sir Walter, and to think that he -should no sooner have built and planted this lovely -place, decorated, beautified it—loved it, and -benefited every one within his reach, than the -great brain and the great heart wore out.’</p> - -<p>‘Which exhibits the vanity of human wishes,’ -said Mr. Banneret musingly. ‘His great aim -was to found a family, and that his children’s -children should inhabit Abbotsford after him.’</p> - -<p>‘A very worthy ambition, sir,’ said Reggie, -‘which I trust other heads of families will bear in -mind, and, not being poets and novelists, will be -<a name="png.403" id="png.403" href="#png.403"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>399<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>wise in time, and neither over-build nor over-speculate -until they have provided for the rising -generation.’</p> - -<p>‘And how about being the “architects of -their own fortunes,” as the phrase goes? Is that -honourable occupation to be taken away from -them—the men of the family, of course, I mean. -Who is to found New Englands and Greater -Britains if every young man in the old country is -left comfortably off?’</p> - -<p>‘There’s a good deal to be said on both sides, -sir,’ said Reggie. ‘Personally, I should prefer to -go forth, like the prince in the fairy tale, to “seek -my fortune.”’</p> - -<div class="tb"><b>. . . . . . . . .</b></div> - -<p>Melrose having ‘been viewed aright,’ studied, -and discussed from every possible point of view, -the trend of public opinion set strongly towards a -visit to Abbotsford, as the central point of attraction. -To be personally conducted would, of -course, be most desirable, the family being absent -in Switzerland. The housekeeper would, doubtless, -have instructions to permit such personages -and pilgrims of distinction to have, at any rate, a -limited permission to view the apartments with -which they had been familiar by description, and -in which the interest of well-informed visitors -chiefly centred.</p> - -<p>Here, again, fortune favoured them, and a -delightful surprise was sprung upon the leaders of -the party.</p> - -<p>To their great joy Mrs. Banneret received a -note from an Australian compatriot (whom they -<a name="png.404" id="png.404" href="#png.404"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>400<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>had first met near the Pink and White Terraces -of Te Tarata, New Zealand), as fair, as graceful, -as blue-eyed, as truly compounded of the air and -fire of the Scottish Highlands, as ever was a Princess -of Thule, though grown to woman’s estate ere -ever she saw the ancestral hills.</p> - -<p>She was now ‘a woman grown and wed,’ -though still too fairylike and youthful-seeming -for the matronly estate. Her husband was away -on his usual summer excursion, which she was sure -he would deeply regret, but as their home was -within a few miles of Abbotsford she would only -be too delighted to supply his place, as far as guide -and chaperon duties could be united. Fortunately -for the interests of the pilgrimage she had been -prevented from accompanying him.</p> - -<p>‘We are being watched over by the <i lang="la" xml:lang="la">genius loci</i>, -that is very certain,’ said Reggie. ‘How it comes -to pass that these delightful, interesting personages -seem to turn up at critical junctures, beats me. -May I ask if this Mrs. Maclean is above the -average in point of good looks?’</p> - -<p>‘She is one of the sweetest, prettiest, most -charming young women I ever encountered,’ -declared Mrs. Banneret.</p> - -<p>‘And Dad met her on board ship, I think I -gathered?’</p> - -<p>‘Yes, coming from New Zealand,’ volunteered -Vanda; ‘but wait till you see her. She has a look -of “Sheila” and “A Daughter of Heth” combined<!-- TN: original reads "com-combined" across linebreak -->.’</p> - -<p>‘H—m, ha! There seems a certain uniformity -in the pleasant acquaintances Dad meets with -<a name="png.405" id="png.405" href="#png.405"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>401<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>on his travels. They are rarely to be described as -plain, I observe. But as long as you don’t object, -mater, it’s not our business.’</p> - -<p>‘Your father’s taste is correct in all respects, -Master Reggie,’ replied Mrs. Banneret, with an air -of decision. ‘I hope we shall always be able to -say the same of your prepossessions.’</p> - -<p>‘Hope and trust you will, mother dear! I -suppose none of us boys will have a chance with -this ex-princess; she seems to have got such a start.’</p> - -<p>‘I saw her,’ said Hermione, ‘just before the -Melbourne Cup. Corisande and I are trembling -in our shoes.’</p> - -<p>The fair object of this discussion lost no time -in commencing the hospitable office which she had -guaranteed to perform—making her appearance, -indeed, shortly after breakfast, and equipped for -joining the pedestrian party if such was desired. -Needless to say, she was enthusiastically received. -After greeting Mr. and Mrs. Banneret with true -Highland cordiality, the needful introductions -being completed, Mrs. Maclean said:</p> - -<p>‘And so these are the young people I remember -in Sydney, after we landed from the <cite>Hauroto</cite>? -How they have grown! The young gentlemen -were in England, but Hermione and Vanda I -should have known anywhere. You can’t think -what a joy it is to me to meet you all here “on -my native heath,” so to speak—only I wasn’t born -on it; and it nearly broke my heart when we came -away from the old station on the Wondabyne, and -I was sent to school in England. I used to cry -and cry for hours. At last I got so low-spirited -<a name="png.406" id="png.406" href="#png.406"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>402<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>that mother began to talk of going back to -Australia. There was one book that brought -back the dear old days, however. I used to read -it over and over again when I felt homesick and -almost too miserable to live. It brought back the -scent of the gum leaf in the early morn, the gold -glint of the wattle-blossom in spring, and the rattle -of hoofs when the horses were brought in for the -day. At last they took it away from me, as it was -thought it had a bad effect. You will guess what -book it was!’</p> - -<p>‘And of course it was <cite>The Marstons</cite>,’ said -Vanda; ‘we all went wild about it too. We -have a Rainbow in the family now, and a very -dear horse he is. I think every boy and girl in -the world, from “India to the Pole,” has read it. -However, we have read other books as well, and -now we are pledged to talk heather and rowan -tree, and Yarrow and Gala Water, and Leader -Haughs, no end.’</p> - -<p>‘And such being the case we must not lose -time in talking, but make a start,’ said their -charming visitor.</p> - -<p>‘I know all about the “lay of the country,” as -we used to say in Australia, and am considered to -be a competent cicerone. Where shall we go first? -I suppose you are all good walkers?’</p> - -<p>‘Corisande can give us all points at that,’ said -Hermione, ‘though she seems to have lived in a -flat country of late years; but no doubt her -ancestors, who came from Norway a thousand -years ago, had different experiences, and tripped -up and down mountains like red deer.’</p> - -<p><a name="png.407" id="png.407" href="#png.407"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>403<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>‘Nonsense, Hermie!’ said that young lady. -‘We did all our walking exercise, as the grooms -say, in good old Bruges, for a sufficient reason—father’s -cheque-book didn’t run to horses, or -carriages either. I daresay it was all the better -for us then. But we know our Scott fairly well: -Mr. Banneret has been putting us through, till we -know the names of Sir Walter’s horses and dogs -as well as his heroines and heroes. Suppose we go -to the top of “the range,” as Vanda says, where -he took Washington Irving?’</p> - -<p>‘A very good idea,’ said Mrs. Banneret. ‘You -remember he pointed out Lammermoor and -Smailholm, Gala Water and Torwoodlee, forbye -(to be very Scotch) Teviotdale and the Braes -of Yarrow.’</p> - -<p>‘Oh, delightful!’ cried Vanda. ‘We can fancy -we see the Baron of Smailholm and that poor, -dear, undecided Lucy Ashton. How she could -have given up such a man as the Master of -Ravenswood—dark, handsome, mysteriously unhappy—I -can’t think! However, girls have more -liberty nowadays, and mothers are not so despotic—not -that this dear Mum will ever interfere with -our happiness.’</p> - -<p>‘All depends upon the amount of sense the -said daughters are credited with,’ said her mother, -with a meaning smile. ‘There <em>have</em> been cases -where parental rule has prevented life-long misery. -However, let us hope that no such conflicts may -arise among the members of this fair company. -And now that we have our dear Mrs. Maclean to -guide our steps, who, if she is not “to the manner -<a name="png.408" id="png.408" href="#png.408"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>404<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>born,” is much the same in local knowledge, we -must lose no more time than we can help.’</p> - -<p>The ramble over the hills satisfied the most -ardent pedestrians of the party. The prospect -was wide and majestic—the heather-bloom, of -which they availed themselves liberally, was -pronounced to be equal to all the praise bestowed -upon it; the streams of Ettrick and Gala Water, -winding silverly through valley and meadow, -before losing themselves in Tweed’s fair river, -worthy of all poetic praise. But, truth to tell, -they were disappointed with the absence of -timber on the banks of the world-famous river. -The hills, too, were bare; and to eyes accustomed -to the primeval forests of giant eucalyptus which -clothe Australian mountain-sides, and overhang -the river banks, there seemed a want of adequate -shelter. However, the whole surroundings were -in keeping with ‘Caledonia, stern and wild,’ and -as the plantations around Abbotsford, so lovingly -tended by the Magician, whose art could cause -groves and fountains to appear and vanish at -command, had grown surprisingly since their -establishment in 1812, it was decided finally not -to give utterance to a syllable of disparagement. -The landscape had sufficed for the home and -happiness of the immortal possessor. On this -occasion a wide expanse of the Border country lay -spread out before them. They were thus enabled -to verify the scenes of those ‘poems and romances -which had bewitched the world.’</p> - -<p>‘Kaeside,’ where ‘Willie Laidlaw,’ Sir Walter’s -friend and amanuensis, dwelt, was also visited. -<a name="png.409" id="png.409" href="#png.409"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>405<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>Traditionary legends tell of the curse of chronic -poverty, supposed to have been laid on the race by -a malign ancestress. The name was familiar to -Arnold Banneret, who had known in his youth a -family of the same name in Australia. They were -related to the man of whom Sir Walter had so -high an opinion, and whom he honoured with his -friendship. But the voyage across the wide Pacific, -or the influence of a new country, had apparently -neutralised the malediction, for the Australian -Laidlaws, now a fairly numerous clan, are in all -cases held in respect, as well for their high character -as their large landed possessions.</p> - -<p>And thus, the weather being gracious, and all -accessories befitting, they rambled through and -around the haunted regions, upon which, though -familiar with the <i lang="la" xml:lang="la">dramatis personæ</i> from childhood’s -hour, they had never before set foot, or -gazed with admiring eye.</p> - -<p>They did not depart without ocular experience -of the Trossachs, or of</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="i4"><span class="ns"> </span>Ancient Riddel’s fair domain,</div> -<div class="i1"><span class="ns"> </span>Where Aill, from mountains freed,</div> -<div>Down from the lakes did raving come;</div> -<div>Each wave was crested with tawny foam,</div> -<div class="i1"><span class="ns"> </span>Like the mane of a chestnut steed.</div> -</div> -</div> -</div> - -<p>They stood more than once on Turnagain on -Tweedside, where</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div>Home and Douglas, in the van,</div> -<div>Bore down Buccleuch’s retiring clan,</div> -<div>Till gallant Cessford’s heart-blood dear</div> -<div>Reek’d on dark Elliot’s Border spear.</div> -</div> -</div> -</div> - -<p><a name="png.410" id="png.410" href="#png.410"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>406<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>Under the guidance of their accomplished compatriot, -the Banneret family with their visitors -were conducted successfully through scenes world-known -and historical, which they had never dreamed -of exploring.</p> - -<p>With such a chaperon they were received everywhere -with the most cordial hospitality—not only -as dwellers in a far land, but as natives of the -dim and distant Australian waste (as their entertainers -had been contented to regard their country), -and their hosts’ curiosity was stimulated as keenly -as it was pleasantly allayed by the refined manners -and cultured intelligence of the strangers. This -familiarity with Scottish scenery and character, -albeit at second hand, surprised as much as it -gratified their entertainers. And indeed an offer -was made to Reggie, if he would consent to stand -for a certain seat in the Liberal interest, to ensure -him a controlling vote, and in all probability to -return him for the locality specified. That rising -politician, in a neat speech, which showed that he -had not been a foremost member of the ‘Union’ -for nothing, assured them that he felt the compliment -intensely, but would not, until he had completed -his <i lang="de" xml:lang="de">Wanderjahre</i>, be in a position to comply -with their request. In the meantime, let him -assure them that he would never forget this mark -of their confidence.</p> - -<p>After this memorable incident the pilgrims were -reminded by the president that, although they felt -so charmed with the scenery and inhabitants of -this delightful region, time was flying, and if they -desired to form a true estimate of Scotland and -<a name="png.411" id="png.411" href="#png.411"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>407<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>the Isles, hardly less historically important, they -must not linger, however entrancing the locality. -The logic was unanswerable, so, with many a sigh -and groan, even a few tears from Hermione and -Vanda, they tore themselves away. One more -evening was, however, granted to Mrs. Maclean’s -entreaties, by whom it was suggested that it should -be distinguished as a Sir Walter Scott symposium, -making it compulsory for each one of the party -to recite a favourite passage, either prose or poetry, -from the works of the Magician—a prize to be -given for the best selection, as also for the quality -of elocution. This was assented to, and great -researches were instituted in the library, where, -fortunately, there were editions of all dates and -sizes. The order of precedence was decided by vote, -and resulted in favour of Mr. Banneret, who, without -loss of time, began at the first canto of <cite>Marmion</cite>.</p> - -<p>‘I have always thought <cite>Marmion</cite> to be in all -respects the finest of his, of any man’s, descriptive -poems. The author commands the attention and -excites the admiration of readers of all ages, ranks, -and conditions, from the “dear school-boy, cheated of -his holiday,” to personages eminent in war or peace, -patriots or peasants. Nothing in the language -rivals that of the battle of Flodden Field—the -clash of the sword-blades, the shock of the coursers.</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="ineg">‘Though charging knights like whirlwinds go,</div> -<div>Though bill-men ply the ghastly blow,</div> -<div class="i1"><span class="ns"> </span>Unbroken was the ring;</div> -<div>The stubborn spear-men still made good</div> -<div>Their dark impenetrable wood,</div> -<div>Each stepping where his comrade stood,</div> -<div class="i1"><span class="ns"> </span>The instant that he fell.</div> -</div> -</div> -</div> - -<p class="noindent"><a name="png.412" id="png.412" href="#png.412"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>408<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>Where was ever such a picture of a battle in actual -engagement?</p> - -<div class="poetry-container" id="chieftans"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="ineg">‘Then marked they, dashing broad and far,</div> -<div>The broken billows of the war,</div> -<div>And plumed crests of chieftains brave,</div> -<div>Floating like foam upon the wave;</div> -<div class="i1"><span class="ns"> </span>But nought distinct they see:</div> -<div>Wide raged the battle on the plain;</div> -<div>Spears shook, and falchions flashed amain;</div> -<div>Fell England’s arrow-flight like rain;</div> -<div>Crests rose, and stooped, and rose again,</div> -<div class="i1"><span class="ns"> </span>Wild and disorderly.</div> -<div>Amid the scene of tumult, high</div> -<div>They saw Lord Marmion’s falcon fly:</div> -<div>And stainless Tunstall’s banner white,</div> -<div>And Edmund Howard’s lion bright,</div> -<div>Still bear them bravely in the fight:</div> -<div class="i1"><span class="ns"> </span>Although against them come,</div> -<div>Of gallant Gordons many a one,</div> -<div>And many a stubborn Badenoch-man,</div> -<div>And many a rugged Border clan,</div> -<div class="i1"><span class="ns"> </span>With Huntly, and with Home.</div> -</div> -</div> -</div> - -<p class="noindent">Then the ghastly picture of the fallen knight, -mortally wounded,</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="ineg">‘Dragged from among the horses’ feet,</div> -<div>With dinted shield, and helmet beat,</div> -<div>The falcon-crest and plumage gone,</div> -<div>Can that be haughty Marmion!</div> -</div> -</div> -</div> - -<p>‘Passing from the fire and dash of the battle-piece, -we have the warrior’s despairing <span class="nw">appeal—</span></p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="ineg">‘And half he murmured,—“Is there none,</div> -<div class="i1"><span class="ns"> </span> Of all my halls have nursed,</div> -<div>Page, squire, or groom, one cup to bring</div> -<div>Of blessed water from the spring,</div> -<div class="i1"><span class="ns"> </span> To slake my dying thirst!”<!-- TN: original has single closing quote --></div> -</div> -</div> -</div> - -<p class="noindent">Here occurs the immortal tribute to the higher -<a name="png.413" id="png.413" href="#png.413"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>409<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>qualities of the sex, nowhere seen to such advantage -as in the dark hour of helpless <span class="nw">suffering:—</span></p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="ineg">‘O, Woman! in our hours of ease,</div> -<div>Uncertain, coy, and hard to please,</div> -<div>And variable as the shade</div> -<div>By the light quivering aspen made;</div> -<div>When pain and anguish wring the brow,</div> -<div>A ministering angel thou!</div> -</div> -</div> -</div> - -<p>‘In “L’Envoy” Sir Walter’s boundless benevolence, -after wishing all desirable gifts to statesmen -and heroes, and of course to</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="i5"><span class="ns"> </span>‘Lovely lady bright,</div> -<div>What can I wish but faithful knight?</div> -</div> -</div> -</div> - -<p class="noindent">even includes that occasionally troublesome personage -not often honoured with poet’s <span class="nw">notice—</span></p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="ineg">‘To thee, dear school-boy, whom my lay</div> -<div>Has cheated of thy hour of play,</div> -<div>Light task, and merry holiday!</div> -<div>To all, to each, a fair good-night,</div> -<div>And pleasing dreams and slumbers light!</div> -</div> -</div> -</div> - -<p>‘I was a small school-boy,’ said Mr. Banneret, -‘when I knew by heart a large portion of <cite>Marmion</cite>; -and at not particularly protracted intervals I seem -to have been enjoying Sir Walter’s works, prose, -poetry, and even the records of his noble life, ever -since. Marmion, with the glamour of valour -blinding the reader to his vices, is a boy’s hero—brave, -unscrupulous, successful, until</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="i3"><span class="ns"> </span>‘The Fiend, to whom belongs</div> -<div>The vengeance due to all her wrongs</div> -</div> -</div> -</div> - -<p class="noindent">appears at life’s close with tragic and dramatic -effect. And what in all poetry is more thrilling, -<a name="png.414" id="png.414" href="#png.414"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>410<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>more absorbing, than the closing scene of “injured -Constance’s” wasted career; what more dignified -than her invocation; more terrible, more piteous -than that dread indictment which will ring throughout -the ages, than the lingering death under the conventual -law of a merciless age?—the gloomy rock-hewn -vault that “was to the sounding surge so near”</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="ineg">‘You seem’d to hear a distant rill—</div> -<div class="i1"><span class="ns"> </span>’Twas ocean’s swells and falls;</div> -<div>A tempest there you scarce could hear</div> -<div class="i1"><span class="ns"> </span>So massive were the walls.</div> -</div> -</div> -</div> - -<div class="tb"><b>. . . . . . . . .</b></div> - -<p>‘Distant as is the period, fictitious the personages, -dimly historical the action, the magic of -genius invests them with an actuality which causes -mental, almost physical pain to the sympathetic -reader. Surely the Muse can desire no more -transcendent tribute.’</p> - -<p>A chorus of congratulations followed the conclusion -of Mr. Banneret’s reminiscent adoration -of his favourite author. His wife thought that a -passage from one of the novels would be a fitting -diversion from perhaps the too melancholy episode -to which they had been listening. <cite>Rob Roy</cite> had -been an early favourite. The character of Diana -Vernon had always represented to her mind the -attributes of the noblest type of womanhood—presenting -high courage, passionate personal attachment, -combined with deep devotion to parental duty, -never suffered to be in abeyance for a moment.</p> - -<p>‘The highest personal courage combined with -the loftiest sense of self-sacrifice was hers, the -whole illumined in befitting time and place with -<a name="png.415" id="png.415" href="#png.415"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>411<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>gleams of humour and sportive playfulness, betokening -how, under happier circumstances, she -could adapt herself to the joyous <em>abandon</em> of the -hour. With all a man’s courage and steadfastness -in the hour of danger, she exhibited the fascination -of her sex undiminished, indeed heightened by the -daily dangers amid which she trod so warily and -securely. Then she rode so well. I think she -is one among the few heroines that Sir Walter -exhibits to his readers on horseback. The ill-fated -Clara Mowbray, poor girl! rode recklessly; -but she was half-crazed through treachery and evil -fortune.’</p> - -<p>‘How about Rebecca of York?’ said Reggie -Banneret. ‘She rode to Ashby-de-la-Zouche with -her father, on a memorable occasion, though when -carried off and lodged in Front de Bœuf’s castle, -together with the wounded Ivanhoe, she seems to -have been travelling in a litter.’</p> - -<p>‘I always place Rebecca in the front rank -of Sir Walter’s heroines,’ said Corisande. ‘Her -beauty, her charity, even to the men of the race -that ill-used, despised, and plundered her nation, -should gain her a prize at any show of fair women -in or out of Novel Land. But except when she -was carried off, and mounted before one of Brian -de Bois-Guilbert’s Eastern mutes, after the siege -of Torquilstone Castle, she hadn’t much chance -of displaying her accomplishments in that line. -She was a dear creature, and any one who can -read the ending of the chapter, where she is -sentenced to the stake, and Wilfred comes to the -rescue, hardly able to sit on his horse, and that -<a name="png.416" id="png.416" href="#png.416"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>412<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>wicked, fascinating Templar dies of heart failure -at the right time, without feeling the tears in their -eyes, has no sense, no feeling, no brains, and no -heart—that’s my opinion.’</p> - -<p>‘What a gallery of beauties Sir Walter’s heroines -would furnish!’ said Eric. ‘Indeed, I do remember -seeing one in school-boy days, but I am -afraid they were guilty of ringlets, and so would -be voted unfashionable by the latter-day Johnnies—Edith -Bellenden, Flora MacIvor, Rose Bradwardine, -Julia Mannering, Amy Robsart, and a -host of others—among them one Vanda! but I -have less pity for any of their woes and misfortunes -than for those of Clara Mowbray in <cite>St. Ronan’s -Well</cite>. Nothing finer in romantic tragedy can be -found than her meeting with Francis Tyrrel on -the road to Shaw’s Castle.</p> - -<!-- TN: this is an extended block quote but without the font change --> -<p class="extraspace">‘“‘And what good purpose can your remaining -here serve?’ [she said]. ‘Surely you need not -come either to renew your own unhappiness or to -augment mine?’</p> - -<p>‘“‘To augment yours—God forbid!’ answered -Tyrrel. ‘No; I came hither only because, after -so many years of wandering, I longed to revisit -the spot where all my hopes lay buried.’</p> - -<p>‘“‘Ay, buried is the word,’ she replied—‘crushed -down and buried when they budded -fairest. I often think of it, Tyrrel; and there are -times when, Heaven help me! I can think of little -else. Look at me; you remember what I was—see -what grief and solitude have made me.’</p> - -<p>‘“She flung back the veil which surrounded her -<a name="png.417" id="png.417" href="#png.417"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>413<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>riding-hat, and which had hitherto hid her face. -It was the same countenance which he had formerly -known in all the bloom of early beauty; but -though the beauty remained, the bloom was fled -for ever. Not the agitation of exercise—not that -which arose from the pain and confusion of this -unexpected interview, had called to poor Clara’s -cheek even the semblance of colour. Her complexion -was marble-white, like that of the finest -piece of statuary.</p> - -<p>‘“‘Is it possible?’ said Tyrrel; ‘can grief have -made such ravages?’</p> - -<p>‘“‘Grief,’ replied Clara, ‘is the sickness of the -mind, and its sister is the sickness of the body; -they are twin-sisters, Tyrrel, and are seldom long -separate. Sometimes the body’s disease comes -first, and dims our eyes and palsies our hands -before the fire of our mind and of our intellect -is quenched. But mark me—soon after comes -her cruel sister with her urn, and sprinkles cold -dew on our hopes and loves, our memory, our -recollections, and our feelings, and shows us that -they cannot survive the decay of our bodily -powers.’</p> - -<p>‘“‘Alas!’ said Tyrrel, ‘is it come to this?’</p> - -<p>‘“‘To this,’ she replied, speaking from the -rapid and irregular train of her own ideas, rather -than comprehending the purport of his sorrowful -exclamation—‘it must ever come, while immortal -souls are wedded to the perishable substance of -which our bodies are composed. There is another -state, Tyrrel, in which it will be otherwise; God -grant our time of enjoying it were come!’”</p> -<!-- TN: end of extended blockquote --> - -<p class="extraspace"><a name="png.418" id="png.418" href="#png.418"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>414<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>‘I cannot imagine anything more exquisite,’ -said Mrs. Banneret, ‘than the portraiture of the -ill-fated lovers, whose lives the arts of an unscrupulous -villain had ruined, almost at their -entrance into the paradise of wedded love. But -the characters depicted throughout the novel are -masterpieces of humour and descriptive accuracy. -Lord Etherington, the fashionable, dissipated nobleman -of the period, might have issued from a -London Club. Touchwood, egotistical, kind-hearted, -interfering, is the nabob, common enough -in old-fashioned fiction. Lady Binks, John Mowbray, -Sir Bingo, the choleric Highland half-pay -Captain MacTurk, Winterblossom, the dilettante -art critic, and the man of law, are exactly the -denizens of a fourth-rate Spa; not to mention -Meg Dods, the very flower and crown of Scottish -provincial landladies. Then the dramatic incidents -of the climax: Clara fleeing through storm -and snow, from her brother’s house in the night, -to escape the forced and hateful marriage; the -duel; the late appearance of Touchwood on the -scene.’</p> - -<!-- TN: another extended blockquote --> -<p class="extraspace">‘“He was stopped by Touchwood, who had -just alighted from a carriage, with an air of stern -anxiety on his features very different from their -usual expression. ‘Whither would ye?’—stopping -him by force.</p> - -<p>‘“‘For revenge—for revenge!’ said Tyrrel. -‘Give way, I charge you, on your peril!’</p> - -<p>‘“‘Vengeance belongs to God,’ replied the old -man, ‘and His bolt has fallen. This way—this -<a name="png.419" id="png.419" href="#png.419"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>415<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>way,’ he continued, dragging Tyrrel into the -house. ‘Know,’ he said, ‘that Mowbray of -St. Ronan’s has met Bulmer within this half-hour, -and killed him on the spot.’</p> - -<p>‘“‘Killed!—whom?’ answered the bewildered -Tyrrel.</p> - -<p>‘“‘Valentine Bulmer, the titular Earl of Etherington.’</p> - -<p>‘“‘You bring tidings of death to the house of -death,’ answered Tyrrel; ‘and there is nothing -in this world left that I should live for!’”’<!-- TN: original has just one single closing quote here --></p> -<!-- TN: extended blockquote ends --> - -</div> - - -<div class="chap"> -<h2 title="Chapter XIX"><a name="png.420" id="png.420" href="#png.420"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>416<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>CHAPTER XIX</h2> - - -<p>‘<span class="smc">No</span> one can have a higher admiration for dear -Sir Walter than I have,’ said Vanda, ‘and I agree -with Eric that this is one of the most pathetic -scenes in the whole series of the novels. I have -wept over Clara Mowbray myself, “full many a -time and oft,” as people used to say. Still, how -many in number <em>are</em> the Waverley Novels?’</p> - -<p>‘I know,’ answered Hermione, ‘for I counted -them last week. There are twenty-five, besides the -poetical works. What a miracle of industry he -was! A genuinely hospitable country gentleman—in -earlier life a hard-working Clerk of Session, -or whatever it was; while in his leisure hours -he dashed off such trifles as <cite>Waverley</cite>, <cite>Ivanhoe</cite>, -<cite>Marmion</cite>, <cite>The Lady of the Lake</cite>, and the rest. So -if we set to work to discuss all the heroines in all -the novels, with the pathetic and tragic incidents -of their lives, it will take us years to “do” Scotland, -and we shall never get back to England -at all.’</p> - -<p>Every one laughed at this summary of the -situation. Mrs. Banneret thought Hermione’s -view correct in the main. ‘Suppose,’ she continued, -‘that we coax our dear Mrs. Maclean to -<a name="png.421" id="png.421" href="#png.421"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>417<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>join us in a farewell ramble, and devote the -evening to a final discussion of Sir Walter’s -works, each pilgrim to produce a favourite -passage, scene, ballad, or incident. To-morrow -a start to be made south, and <em>no deviation</em> allowed -on any pretence whatever.’</p> - -<p>‘Hear! hear!’ cried Reggie and Corisande; -while the others voted ‘Ay’ unanimously, and -Mr. Banneret, with an affectation of despair, -expressed himself as powerless to resist his fate.</p> - -<p>The supper was a joyous meal, in spite of forebodings -of what the morrow might bring, and -the parting of those whom ironic fate might -never permit to reassemble in the same pleasant -<i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">camaraderie</i>.</p> - -<p>There was great hunting up of old editions and -copyings of passages, stimulated by the promise -of prizes to be given for the rendering of the -happiest selections in prose and poetry. Mrs. Maclean left early in the evening, but promised -to spend the whole following day with the -pilgrims, and to furnish her quota to the competition. -The programme for the next day’s -march was then completed with her aid and -advice, and amid sincere regrets that this should -be almost the last time they should meet in -Britain, the symposium came to an end; the -ladies of the party, after Mrs. Maclean’s carriage -had been driven off, declaring that they had little -enough time to pack and arrange for departure.</p> - -<p>‘This is a “day to be marked with a white -stone,”’ said Corisande, after the travellers had -come back in the late afternoon, reasonably tired, -<a name="png.422" id="png.422" href="#png.422"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>418<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>but in high spirits, and overflowing with gratitude -to Mrs. Maclean, whose local knowledge and -unfailing desire to explain all things difficult to -the southern comprehension, rendered her companionship -inestimable.</p> - -<p>Supper was a meal for the gods, abounding as -it did with sportive criticism of the <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">personnel</i> and -adventures of the day. Of the Highland shepherd, -who ‘had no English,’ and could not -therefore inform two of the party, half-way up -a mountain, where he had seen the main body -of the pilgrims, though obviously desirous of -making the important statement, until Mrs. Maclean, arriving, put an end to the difficulty -by half-a-dozen words in Gaelic, to Hermione’s -surprise and admiration; of the collie dogs, -who understood only Lowland Scotch, and -resented being told to ‘come behind,’ or ‘fetch -’em back,’ in plain English, or even unadulterated -Australian.</p> - -<p>The next day passed dreamily, all things -wearing a subdued, if not sad expression, as of -farewells in the air, sighs also and regrets, -doubts as to meeting again, the uncertainties of -life, ironies of fate, and so on.</p> - -<p>Supper being over, Mrs. Banneret, foreseeing -that the frolicsome chatter of the young folks -would not lead to anything practical, called upon -Reggie to make a commencement. That young -gentleman, who was methodical of habit, had -taken the trouble to look through the library, -and being thus prepared, had chosen the description -of the ‘Abbotsford Hunt,’ as, though neither -<a name="png.423" id="png.423" href="#png.423"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>419<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>poetical nor romantic, delightfully descriptive of -the hospitable, humorous, sport-loving side of Sir -Walter’s character.</p> - -<!-- TN: extended blockquote begins --> -<p class="extraspace">‘About the middle of August’<!-- TN: closing quote invisible --> (writes his son-in-law, -Lockhart, in 1820), ‘my wife and I -went to Abbotsford. We remained there for -several weeks, during which time I became -familiarised with Sir Walter Scott’s mode of -existence in the country. It was necessary to -observe it, day after day, for a considerable period, -before one could believe that such was, during -nearly half the year, the routine of life with the -most productive author of his age. The humblest -person who stayed merely for a short visit must -have departed with the impression that what he -witnessed was an occasional variety; that Scott’s -courtesy prompted him to break in upon his -habits when he had a stranger to amuse; but that -it was physically impossible that the man who -was writing the Waverley romances at the rate -of nearly <em>twelve volumes</em> in the year, could continue, -week after week, and month after month, to -devote all but a hardly perceptible fraction of his -mornings to out-of-doors occupations, and the -whole of his evenings to the entertainment of a -constantly varying circle of guests.</p> - -<p>‘The hospitality of his afternoons must alone -have been enough to exhaust the energies of -almost any man; for his visitors did not mean, -like those of country houses in general, to enjoy -the landlord’s good cheer and amuse each other; -the far greater proportion arrived from a distance, -<a name="png.424" id="png.424" href="#png.424"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>420<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>for the sole sake of the Poet and Novelist <em>himself</em>, -whose person they had never before seen, and -whose voice they might never again have any -opportunity of hearing. No other villa in Europe -was ever resorted to from the same motives, and -to anything like the same extent, except Ferney; -and Voltaire never dreamt of being visible to his -<em>hunters</em>, as he called them, except for a brief space -of the day. Few of them even dined with him, -and none of them seem to have slept under -his roof. Scott’s establishment, on the contrary, -resembled in every particular that of the affluent -idler, who, because he has inherited, or would fain -transmit, political influence, keeps open house, -receives as many as he has room for, and sees -their apartments occupied, as soon as they vacate -them, by another troop of the same description.</p> - -<div class="tb"><b>. . . . . . . . .</b></div> - -<p>‘But with few exceptions Scott was the sole -object of the Abbotsford pilgrims; and evening -followed evening only to show him exerting for -their amusement more of animal spirits, to say -nothing of intellectual vigour, than would have -been considered by any other man in the company -as sufficient for the whole expenditure of a week’s -existence. Yet this was not the chief marvel: -he talked of things that interested himself, because -he knew that by doing so he should give -most pleasure to his guests. It is needless to add -that Sir Walter was familiarly known, long before -these days, to almost all the nobility and higher -gentry of Scotland; and consequently there seldom -wanted a fair proportion of them to assist him in -<a name="png.425" id="png.425" href="#png.425"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>421<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>doing the honours of his country. It is still more -superfluous to say so respecting the heads of his -own profession in Edinburgh; Abbotsford was -their villa, whenever they pleased to resort to it, -and few of them were absent from it long.</p> - -<p>‘As to the composition of the guests. Some -were near relations who, except when they visited -him, rarely, if ever, found admittance to what the -dialect of the upper world is pleased to designate -as “society.” These were welcome guests, let -who might be under that roof. It was the same -with many a worthy citizen of Edinburgh, habitually -moving in the obscurest of circles, who had -been in the same class as Scott at the High School. -To dwell on nothing else, it was surely the perfection -of real universal humanity and politeness -that could enable this great and good man to -blend guests so multifarious in one group, and -contrive to make all equally happy with him, with -themselves, and with each another.</p> - -<p>‘It was a clear, bright September morning, and -all was in readiness for a grand coursing match -on Newark Hill. Sir Walter, mounted on Sibyl -Grey, was marshalling the order of the procession -with a huge hunting-whip, and among a dozen -frolicsome youths and maidens appeared on horseback, -eager as the youngest sportsman in the troop, -Sir Humphry Davy, Dr. Wollaston, and the -patriarch of Scottish <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">belles lettres</i>, Henry Mackenzie. -The Man of Feeling, however, was -persuaded to resign his steed, and to join Lady -Scott in the sociable, until the ground of the -battue was reached. Laidlaw, on a longtailed, -<a name="png.426" id="png.426" href="#png.426"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>422<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>wiry Highlander, yclept Hoddin Grey, which -carried him nimbly and stoutly, though his feet -almost touched the ground, was the adjutant.</p> - -<p>‘But the most picturesque figure was the -illustrious inventor of the safety lamp. He had -come for his favourite sport of angling, but had -not prepared for coursing fields, and his fisherman’s -costume—a brown hat with flexible brims, -surrounded with line upon line, and innumerable -fly-hooks, jack-boots worthy of a Dutch smuggler, -and a fustian coat dabbled with the blood of -salmon—made a fine contrast with the smart -jackets, white cord breeches, and well-polished -jockey boots of the less distinguished cavaliers -about him. Dr. Wollaston was in black, and -with his noble, serene dignity of countenance -might have passed for a sporting archbishop. -Mr. Mackenzie, at this time in the seventy-sixth -year of his age, with a white hat turned up with -green, green spectacles, and long brown leather -gaiters, wore a dog-whistle round his neck, and -had all over the air of as resolute a devotee as -the gay captain of Huntly Burn. Tom Purdie had -preceded us by a few hours, with all the greyhounds -that could be collected at Abbotsford, -Darnick, and Melrose; but the giant Maida had -remained as his master’s orderly, and now -gambolled about Sibyl Grey, barking for mere -joy like a spaniel puppy.</p> - -<p>‘On reaching Newark Castle we found Lady -Scott, her eldest daughter, and the venerable -Mackenzie, all busily engaged in unpacking a -basket, and arranging a luncheon it contained, in -<a name="png.427" id="png.427" href="#png.427"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>423<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>the mossy rocks overhanging the bed of the -Yarrow. When such of the company as chose -had partaken of the refection, the Man of Feeling -resumed his pony and all ascended, duly marshalled -in proper distances, so as to beat in a broad line -over the heather, Sir Walter directing the movement -from the right across towards Blackandro. -Davy laid his whip about the fern like an experienced -hand, and surveying the long, eager -battalion of “bushrangers” [<i>sic</i>], exclaimed, “Good -Heavens! is it thus that I visit the scenery of -the <cite>Lay of the Last Minstrel</cite>?” He kept -muttering to himself, as his glowing eye ran over -the landscape, some of those beautiful lines from -the conclusion of the <span class="nw"><cite>Lay</cite>:—</span></p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="i12"><span class="ns"> </span>But still,</div> -<div>When summer smiled on sweet Bowhill,</div> -<div>And July’s eve, with balmy breath,</div> -<div>Waved the blue-bells on Newark heath;</div> -<div>When throstles sung in Harehead-shaw,</div> -<div>And corn was green on Carterhaugh,</div> -<div>And flourished, broad, Blackandro’s oak,</div> -<div>The aged Harper’s soul awoke!</div> -</div> -</div> -</div> - -<p class="noindent">Mackenzie, spectacled as he was, saw the first -sitting hare, gave the word to slip the greyhounds, -and spurred after them like a boy.</p> - -<p>‘Coursing on such a mountain is not like the -same sport over a bit of fine English pasture.</p> - -<div class="tb"><b>. . . . . . . . .</b></div> - -<p>‘Many a bold rider measured his length among -the peat-bogs, and another stranger to the ground -besides Davy plunged neck-deep into a treacherous -well-head, which, till they were floundering in it, -had borne all the appearance of a piece of delicate -<a name="png.428" id="png.428" href="#png.428"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>424<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>green turf. When Sir Humphry emerged from -his involuntary bath, garnished with mud, slime, -and mangled water-cresses, Sir Walter received him -with a triumphant encore. But the philosopher -had his revenge, for Scott put Sibyl Grey at a leap -beyond her powers and lay humbled in the ditch, -while Davy who was better mounted cleared it -and him at a bound. Happily there was little -damage done, but no one was sorry that the -sociable had been detained at the foot of the hill.</p> - -<p>‘I have seen Sir Humphry on other occasions, -and in company of many different descriptions, -but never to such advantage as at Abbotsford. -His host and he delighted in each other, and the -modesty of their mutual admiration was a memorable -spectacle. Davy was by nature a poet, and -Scott, though anything but a philosopher, might -have pursued the study of physical science with -success, had he happened to fall in with Sir -Humphry in early life. Each strove to make -the other talk, and they did so in turn most -charmingly. Scott in his romantic narratives -touched a deeper chord of feeling than usual -when he had such a listener as Davy; and Davy, -when induced to open his views upon any question -of scientific interest in Scott’s presence, did -so with a clear, energetic eloquence and a flow -of imagery and illustration of which neither his -habitual tone of table-talk nor any of his prose -writings (except, indeed, the <cite>Consolations in Travel</cite>) -could suggest an adequate notion.</p> - -<p>‘One night, when their “rapt talk” had kept -the circle round the fire long after the usual -<a name="png.429" id="png.429" href="#png.429"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>425<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>bedtime at Abbotsford, I remember Laidlaw whispering -to me, “Gude preserve us! this is a very -superior occasion! Eh, sirs!” he added, cocking -his eye like a bird, “I wonder if Shakespeare and -Bacon ever met to screw ilk other up?”</p> - -<p>‘The other “superior occasion” came later in -the season: the 28th of October, the birthday of -Sir Walter’s eldest son, was that usually selected -for the Abbotsford Hunt. This was a coursing -match on a large scale, including as many of the -younger gentry as pleased to attend, as well as all -Scott’s personal favourites among the yeomen and -farmers of the surrounding country. The Sheriff -nearly always took the field, but latterly devolved -the command upon his good friend Mr. John -Usher, the ex-laird of Toftfield. The hunt took -place on the moors above Cauld-Shiels Loch, or -over some of the hills on the estate of Gala, and -we had commonly, ere we returned, hares enough -to supply the wife of every farmer that attended, -with soup for a week following. The whole party -then dined at Abbotsford: the Sheriff in the chair; -Adam Fergusson, croupier; and Dominie Thomson, -of course, chaplain. The company whose -onset had been thus deferred, were seldom under -thirty and sometimes exceeded forty. The feast -suited the occasion. A baron of beef, roasted, at -the foot of the table, a salted round at the head, -while tureens of hare soup, hotch-potch, and cock-a-leekie -extended down the centre, with such light -articles as geese, turkeys, sucking pigs, singed -sheep’s head, and the unfailing haggis, set forth by -way of side dishes. Black cock and moorfowl, -<a name="png.430" id="png.430" href="#png.430"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>426<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>bushels of snipe, black puddings, white puddings, -and pyramids of pancakes, formed the second -course. Ale was the favourite beverage during -dinner, but there was plenty of port and sherry for -those who preferred wine. The quaighs of Glenlivet -were filled to the brim, and tossed off as if -they held water. The wine decanters made a few -rounds of the table, but the hints for hot punch -and toddy soon became clamorous. Two or three -bowls were introduced; then the business of the -evening commenced in good earnest. The faces -shone and glowed like those at Camacho’s wedding; -the chairman told the richest stones of old rural -life; the stalwart Dandie Dinmonts lugged out their -last winter’s snowstorm, the parish scandal, perhaps, -or the dexterous bargain of the Northumberland -Tryst; Sheriff-substitute Shortreed gave us -“Now Liddesdale has ridden a raid.” His son, -Sir Walter’s most assiduous disciple and assistant -in Border Heraldry and genealogy, shone without -a rival in “Twa Corbies.” Captain Ormistoun -gave the primitive pastoral of “Cowdenknowes” -in sweet perfection; other ballads succeeded, until -the gallant croupier crowned the last bowl with -“Ale, good ale; thou art my darling!” Imagine -some smart Parisian <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">savant</i>, some dreamy pedant -of Halle or Heidelberg, a brace of stray young -lords from Oxford or Cambridge, with perhaps -their college tutors, planted here and there among -these rustic wassailers, this being their first vision -of the author of <cite>Marmion</cite> and <cite>Ivanhoe</cite>, and he -appearing as much at home in the scene as if he -had been a veritable “Dandie” himself, his face -<a name="png.431" id="png.431" href="#png.431"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>427<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>radiant, his laugh gay as childhood, his chorus -always ready. And so it proceeded until some -worthy, who had fifteen or twenty miles to ride -home, began to insinuate that his wife would be -getting anxious about the fords, and the Dumples -and Hoddins were at last heard neighing at the -gate. It was voted that the hour had come for -“Doch an dorrach,” the stirrup-cup—to wit, a -bumper all round of the unmitigated mountain -dew. How they all contrived to get home in -safety Heaven only knows, but I never heard of -any serious accident. One comely gude-wife -amused Sir Walter, far off among the hills, the -next time he passed her homestead, by repeating -her husband’s first words when he alighted at his -own door: “Ailie, my woman, I’m ready for my -bed—and, oh! lass, I wish I could sleep for a -towmont, for there’s only ae thing in this warld -worth living for, and that’s the Abbotsford Hunt.”’<!-- TN: closing single quote invisible --></p> -<!-- TN: extended blockquote ends --> - -<p class="extraspace">There was a considerable amount of laudatory -remark when the reading of the ‘Abbotsford -Hunt’ was concluded.</p> - -<p>‘What a charming, delightful creature Sir -Walter must have been!’ said Hermione. ‘What -a pity he should ever have been hampered by -debt and business worries. Such a model country -gentleman, and, oh! as a companion, what an -honour to have known him; to have watched -his eye brighten and glow as some deed of valour -or generous action came before him! Then his -tenderness to children. Think of “Pet Marjorie”! -Vanda and I cried our eyes out at her -<a name="png.432" id="png.432" href="#png.432"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>428<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>death. And to know of her dying of measles, -like any other child—with her wonderful intellect! -It seems as if Providence should have intervened.’</p> - -<p>‘We must get on with our work, my dear -children,’ said Mrs. Banneret warningly. ‘Our -time is short. We are all with you, I am sure! -Vanda, haven’t you any pathetic fragment? I -saw you reading <cite>A Legend of Montrose</cite> yesterday.’</p> - -<p>‘I think that novel contains some of Sir -Walter’s best examples of comic humour as well -as of his deepest pathos. Captain Dalgetty on -the one hand, with his memories of the immortal -Gustavus and Marischal College, and, oh! while -they are escaping from Inveraray Castle, the old -Highlander, Ranald MacEagh, seeing his sons hanging -on the gibbet, makes “a gesture of unutterable -anguish.” Nothing is finer, stronger, more -deeply tragical in the whole series of the writer’s -prose and poetry.’</p> - -<p>‘My husband will always regret,’ said Mrs. Maclean, ‘that he was away when you visited -our sacred shrine. He is a devoted worshipper; -nothing would have given him greater pleasure -than to have gone round all the haunts and homes -of the Bard. He would have been so pleased to -know that in my country—<em>my</em> country,’ she repeated -with a charming air of defiance, ‘the seer of -Abbotsford is as fully appreciated, and perhaps even -more widely venerated than in the land of his birth.’</p> - -<p>‘I can confirm that statement,’ said Mr. Banneret, ‘for wherever you go in Australia and -New Zealand, the Scots, “lowland or highland, far -or near,” appear to predominate. And in energy, -<a name="png.433" id="png.433" href="#png.433"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>429<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>industry, and material success they invariably -excel the Saxon and the Irish Celt.’</p> - -<p>‘To be sure, whateffer—I wass telling you so,’ -said Mrs. Maclean, with a pretty reproduction of -the Highland accent of “Sheila,” ‘but you must -not be too appreciative of the Australian Highlander, -or you will make me conceited. Who is to -follow on? It is your turn, I am sure, Mr. Eric.’</p> - -<p>‘I thought I was to be let off,’ pleaded that -young gentleman; ‘but how about a trifle of -poetry as a change?’</p> - -<p>‘I vote for “Bonnie Dundee,”’ said Corisande. -‘There is such a “lilt” about it, and it is above -all such a record of dear Sir Walter’s undying -pluck and energy, as he wrote it with the expectation -of ruin, soon to be converted into certainty, -hanging over his head. You see he writes on -the 22nd December—December of all months in -the year! in Scotland, too!—“The air of ‘Bonnie -Dundee’ running in my head to-day, I wrote a -few verses to it before dinner. I wonder if they -are good. Ah, poor Will Erskine, thou couldst -and would have told me.” Fancy writing a noble -ballad like that when he was in a sense “expecting -the bailiffs.” How few men in his circumstances -could have done it—fewer still could have -produced work with the lifelike spirit of the great -ballad, the clash of the kettle—drums, and the -pathetic <span class="nw">ending—</span></p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="ineg">‘Till on Ravelston’s cliffs and on Clermiston’s lea</div> -<div>Died away the wild war-notes of Bonny Dundee.</div> -</div> -</div> -</div> - -<p>‘“On December 25 arrived here, Abbotsford, -last night, at seven. Our halls are silent now, -<a name="png.434" id="png.434" href="#png.434"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>430<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>compared to last year, but let us be thankful. -But come; let us see. I shall write out ‘The -Bonnets of Bonnie Dundee,’ sketch a preface to -La Roche—Jacquelin, for <cite>Constable’s Miscellany</cite>—and -try sketch notes for the Waverley Novels. -Together with letters and by-business it will be a -good day’s work.” One would think so indeed.’</p> - -<p>Eric Banneret had a fresh voice with a fairly -good ear, and his unaffected, hearty way of trolling -out his favourite ditties, sea-songs, camp ‘chanties,’ -and such, was effective. When he came <span class="nw">to—</span></p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="ineg">‘Come fill up my cup, come fill up my can,</div> -<div>Come saddle your horses, and call up your men;</div> -<div>Come open the West Port, and let me gang free,</div> -<div>And it’s room for the bonnets of Bonny Dundee!’</div> -</div> -</div> -</div> - -<p class="noindent">the chorus included the full strength of the -orchestra, and was enthusiastically supported. It -was an undoubted success, and established Eric -as an amateur of promise, who might have gone -far, with the aid of scientific culture in early youth.</p> - -<p>‘That is what his father took special care he -should never obtain,’ said Mrs. Banneret, with an -arch look. ‘My husband has a fixed idea that a -young man with an exceptional voice and a taste for -music always comes to grief in Australia. Society, -temptation, and flattery mostly accomplish his -downfall. There are exceptions probably, but I -have known, in my experience, strangely few.’</p> - -<p>Here there were strong protests against the -illogical position. ‘Why should proficiency in the -gentle and joyous science,’ it was asked, ‘incapacitate -a man for the practical duties of life?’</p> - -<p><a name="png.435" id="png.435" href="#png.435"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>431<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>‘It ought not to do so,’ conceded paterfamilias, -‘but that it does I have observed in scores of -instances, while the exceptions may be counted -on the fingers of one hand. The possession of a -fine voice, with skill in instrumental music, has a -tendency to develop the romantic, emotional side -of character, as also to weaken the practical qualities -necessary for success in life. I don’t speak as to -other nations, but for British-born people and -Australians it is a gift that spells ruin.’</p> - -<p>‘It is of no use arguing with my husband on -that point,’ said Mrs. Banneret, ‘and I must -confess that I have seen his theory strongly -supported by facts; but, to vary the entertainment, -suppose we persuade Mrs. Maclean to give us -“Rothesay Bay.” It is a sweet, plaintive ballad, -and she will make the third Australian-born lady -of Scottish extraction that I have heard sing it. -They all had the very slightest tinge of the Highland -accent, which, of course, made it all the more -fascinating.’</p> - -<div class="tb"><b>. . . . . . . . .</b></div> - -<p>All forebodings were justified by the next -morning’s post. It brought a letter from Australia, -which contained such important news that all -arrangements for the present were altered. The -expedition, indeed, was brought to an abrupt and -untimely end. The letter was from Pilot Mount, -Kalgoorlie, West Australia, and had followed, as -directed by Mr. Banneret, the movements of the -party. The news was important. It came from -the Metallurgist of the mine, who by virtue of his -office was the Acting Manager, and announced -<a name="png.436" id="png.436" href="#png.436"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>432<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>the death of Mr. John Waters, popularly known -as old Jack. There had been some difference of -opinion lately (the writer said) between him and -other officials concerning the working of the -mine. Matters were not perfectly satisfactory, in -his opinion. There had been an argument about -wages, and a demand by the men for a rise. A -‘strike’ had been mentioned, but that was arranged -for the present. Old Mr. John Waters had retired -on the preceding night, apparently in his usual -health, which was excellent, but had been found -dead in his bed on the following morning. An -inquest had been held before the Coroner of the -district, and the medical evidence pronounced the -case to be one of heart disease. In accordance -with which a verdict of ‘death from natural causes’ -was returned. He forwarded copies of the local -papers, which contained full accounts of the proceedings.</p> - -<p>It was his opinion, and also that of the principal -officials and shareholders of the mine, that either -Mr. Banneret in person, or some one fully -empowered to act on his behalf, should visit the -mine without delay. In the meantime, the working -of the property and all other matters would -go on as usual. He remained, faithfully yours, -<span class="smc">Malcolm MacDonald</span>.</p> - -<!-- thoughtbreak without dots --> -<p class="extraspace">Thus recalled abruptly from the realm of -romance, of fiction and song, Arnold Banneret felt, -as had happened to himself many times in his -adventurous life, the need of prompt decision and -vigorous action. ‘Poor old Jack!’ He was sorry -<a name="png.437" id="png.437" href="#png.437"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>433<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>for the veteran whose closing years apparently of -comfort, even luxury, had been cut short by the -stroke of fate. Perhaps it was a merciful dispensation. -He himself, without doubt, would have so -considered it. Fearless, even reckless, as miners -are in the pursuit of their dangerous and at all -times laborious calling, he had often spoken with -dread of a lingering illness, of the pain and tedium -of a wasting disorder, not seldom declaring that -a sudden, a swift seizure would be his choice if -granted one. Now he had his desire. His life, -as all men knew, had been free from notorious evil-doing, -and if occasional lapses from sobriety—the -almost inevitable reaction of the uneducated -labourer against monotonous toil and severe privation—had -occurred, what wonder? These deviations -from the strict line of duty had, however, been -more rare in latter years, and, since the departure -of the Banneret family for England, had almost -ceased. Now the veteran who had toiled in so -many lands, in so varied a range of climate, from -the snows of Hokitiki to the torrid wastes of the -Golden Belt, where camels and turbaned Afghan -drivers now stood around his grave, had found his -rest. Uneducated, untaught, unversed in the lore -of civilisation, ancient or modern, his simple creed -had been to ‘go straight,’ as he would have -expressed it, to stand by a ‘mate’ to the death, to -owe no man a shilling when his mining ventures -paid, and to work for more when they failed. -Hardy, strong, enduring, resourceful, he was a -true type of those Britons who have carried Old -England’s flag victoriously over so many seas and -<a name="png.438" id="png.438" href="#png.438"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>434<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>lands, and whether in peace or war earned the -respect of friend and foe.</p> - -<p>Regrets of varying depth of sadness were -expressed by all the members of the pilgrim band. -Due acknowledgments were made to Mrs. Maclean, -with assurances that her cordial hospitality and -invaluable guidance would never be forgotten. -But the route was given, the camp broken up, and -by an early train on the following morning the -whole party set out for Hexham Hall, where by -ordinary course of transit they arrived with but -little delay.</p> - -<p>Although a sense of disappointment at the -unexpected and, so to speak, untoward conclusion -of their pleasant rambles had communicated a -serious expression to the countenances of the -younger members of the party, it was explained -by their leader that there was no cause for depression, -or more than natural regret at the occurrence. -Poor old Jack Waters had fallen in the ranks of -that great Battle of Life which was each day, -though unheard, unseen, in ceaseless conflict -around them all. He had died in the performance -of his duty, full of years, and honoured of all -men. No doubt he would be borne to his grave -with all befitting ceremony, and followed by a -great concourse of miners and fellow-citizens. -For the rest, as from the commencement of the -partnership which had terminated so fortunately -for the Banneret family, he had freely acknowledged -his indebtedness to ‘the Commissioner’—as -he could not get out of the habit of designating -Mr. Banneret, and also to Mrs. Banneret, whom he -<a name="png.439" id="png.439" href="#png.439"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>435<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>loyally reverenced. By his will, made at the time, -and which had never been altered, the moiety of the -great mine reverted to Mr. Banneret, as also the -large savings from income which he had enjoyed -for many years. This was only decreased by -donations to churches, charities, and benevolent -associations on the Field, to which he had been in -the habit of subscribing liberally, indeed lavishly, -for years past. And the great concourse of his -fellow-miners who followed their old comrade -to the cemetery was considerably augmented by -the recipients of private benefactions, known only -to themselves and a few old friends.</p> - -<div class="tb"><b>. . . . . . . . .</b></div> - -<p>Hexham again! The old house, the aged -oaks and elms, the shadowy woodlands; the -peerless turf, in its velvet brilliancy and smoothness, -so different from much of the Border -country sward in which, with all its irregularity, -they had so lately revelled. However, ‘Home is -home, be it ever so “splendid,”’ if a variation be -permitted from the original version, and the -Bannerets, though taking kindly to their improved -circumstances and more or less aristocratic surroundings, -were not likely to sacrifice family comfort -to any presumed mandate of fashion. Thus -the young people were left free, even enjoined to -amuse themselves in their own way, with rides and -drives, and short excursions among the more intimate -of their neighbours, until the decision of the -family council was declared. This High Court -and Council of the Elders consisted of Mr. and -Mrs. Banneret, with the sole addition of Reginald -<a name="png.440" id="png.440" href="#png.440"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>436<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>of that Ilk, as the eldest son and heir-apparent. -It was duly constituted therefore on the day after -arrival, and a first sitting was held after breakfast, -while the young ladies and their attendant cavaliers -strolled round the gardens, visited the stables, -and afterwards attended to their correspondence -until lunch time.</p> - -<p>Mr. Banneret having visited his office, produced -a collection of business papers, including one from -poor old Jack Waters, of strange-appearing caligraphy, -but intelligible and clear in meaning as the -writer’s own speech. ‘You see, he says here (in a -letter to me, dated shortly before the end) that he -doesn’t feel so well as usual; has, indeed, a sort of -giddy feeling that he doesn’t fancy. The doctor -tells him that his heart is affected, and that he -must be careful—might drop any <span class="nw">time—</span></p> - -<blockquote> -<p>‘Not a bad thing either! (he goes on to say—poor old -chap!). Hope the Lord will take me that way when my time’s -up. I don’t want no hospital business; a short call and a-done -with it. That’s my notion. I don’t call myself an -extra religious cove, but I’ve wronged no man—not wilful, -that is—and, barrin’ an extra glass or two, I’ve no call to -think that God Almighty’ll be hard on a poor old chap that’s -had no book larnin’ and tried to do the fair thing between -man and man as far as he know’d how. My respects to -the family, and to Mrs. Banneret above all. She helped -me more than once, or twice either, when I was low down. -It’s my wish, though I’m not going to alter my will, that -she shall have a trifle, separate and privit for herself, say ten -thousand pound—and the young gentlemen and young -ladies, five thousand a-piece to remember pore old Jack by.</p> - -<p>‘You’ll find the accounts right. I’ve had ’em ordited -reg’lar by a gentleman as we both know and trust. It’s -the best way. I will now say good-bye, sir! Life’s -<a name="png.441" id="png.441" href="#png.441"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>437<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>uncertain. God bless you and yours, as has allwaies been -good to me, rich or poor; and I’m glad the mine’s turned -out a blessin’ to all concerned, as I sed it would.—I -remaine, Yours true & faithful, -<span class="signature">John Waters</span>.’</p> - -<p>‘One thing I forgot to menshun. There’s Docter -Barnarder’s Home for pore little boys and gals. It’s been -in my mind a goodish while. It’s about the best thing -in that line as I ever herd tell of. I hadn’t much more -chance than them children. I was turned out to get my -livin’ preshus early—only it was in the country, not the -town, lucky for me, where I growed up strong and hardy, -thank the Lord! I want that docter to have a thousand -down and a hundred a year afterwards. Lord Brassey’s -the President I am told. I seen him in Melbourne when -he was guv’nor there. He’ll take care things goes right, -I’ll be bound. So no more from old Jack.’</p> -</blockquote> - -<p>There were tears in Mrs. Banneret’s eyes when -the letter, longer than his ordinary literary efforts, -was concluded. ‘Poor old fellow!’ she said. -‘How well I remember the morning you drove -me into Barrawong to hear his story and give -my casting vote. How weak and ill he looked! -But I felt sure he was speaking the truth. And -so we accepted the “Last Chance,” luckily for -us all!’</p> - -<p>‘Yes, indeed. I believe your vote turned the -scale. A little thing would have prevented me -taking the risk. So many golden hopes had -proved failures. There was Annandale-Wilson, -such a fine fellow—clever, experienced, high up in -the Civil Service—lost all his savings in just such -another tempting investment. Indirectly it caused -his death, I believe, from work and worry.’</p> - -<p>‘How sorry we both were, I remember. Well -<a name="png.442" id="png.442" href="#png.442"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>438<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>we must be grateful that our lot in life is different. -But I don’t like this new departure. Shall you -have to go out again? Remember we are not -so young as we were. Can’t you send any -one?’</p> - -<p>‘It is so difficult to find any one with full -knowledge of mining who, at the same time, can -be absolutely trusted. Reggie, of course, is too -young, and has not been in the way of mining -matters lately.’</p> - -<p>‘If you will allow me to give an opinion, I fail -to see your point, sir. Who was it as to age that -began life at seventeen on his own account, and -made rather a success of it, as I’ve heard tell? -As to mining, you must have forgotten that Eric -and I made a “cradle,” and went into the alluvial -till we nearly washed out gold to the value of one -pound sterling. Besides, at Barrawong, near a -mining township with twenty thousand miners, we -heard nothing <em>but</em> of mines and technical terms, -block and frontage—quartz and alluvial—half-ounce -dirt and payable stone. Why, we have all -the lore and science of gold extraction at our -fingers’ ends!’</p> - -<p>‘I see,’ said his father with a quiet smile, ‘that -I have been making the ordinary parental mistake -of not seeing that my children have really grown -up. What do you propose then? Are you prepared -with a suggestion?’</p> - -<p>‘Of course I am,’ said the youngster confidently. -‘The solution is easy. Old Jack Waters being -dead—dear old fellow that he was—there appears -a chance of the Pilot Mount community becoming -<a name="png.443" id="png.443" href="#png.443"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>439<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>disorganised, unless a person with recognised -authority takes command. The appointment of -a stranger would be risky, or perhaps ineffectual. -You must go out and take me with you as lieutenant -and adjutant. I shall soon pick up the -necessary “colonial experience.” Eric is to stay -at Hexham to look after mother and the girls, as -well as to see that no one gets the weather-gauge -of me with Corisande in my absence. And, I -think, that’s about all, sir.’</p> - -<p>‘All, indeed!’ said his mother, looking at her -first-born with a mixture of surprise and admiration. -‘You seem to have summed up the situation -with what looks like completeness, and certainly -the idea seems feasible. We shall be “Marianas -in our moated grange,” of course, in your absence, -but under more favourable social conditions. What -does your father say?’</p> - -<p>‘Really, my dear, he seems to be cast for the part -of “Brer Rabbit,” and to have nothing left but to -“go on sayin’ nothin’.” With the aid and counsel -of the eldest son, and your not less original aid, -you have quite disposed of all difficulties. When -do we start, my dear? To-morrow morning?’</p> - -<p>‘Nonsense, Arnold! You know there is something -else to be done first; and, privately, you -are thanking your stars for the chance of a little -change and travel. I have no objection—or rather, -I <em>have</em>, as I always have had; but I don’t urge -it when it is plainly a duty. So I shall “buckle -your spurs upon your heel” metaphorically, as I -used to do sometimes practically in old days. -Reggie, my boy, I trust you to look after your -<a name="png.444" id="png.444" href="#png.444"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>440<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>father and discourage unnecessary risks. Now I -must go and tell the girls.’</p> - -<p>And the brave matron, certainly the virtual -head of the household, departed to make important -communications in a mood much less calm -and self-contained than her words and outward -appearance indicated.</p> - -<p>‘There appears nothing else for it,’ said the -father to the son, after a few moments’ reflection. -‘It’s rather a bore, and hard on your mother, though -she won’t admit it, my having to start off for the -other end of the world at a moment’s notice. But -apart from the importance of the issue at stake, it -will do you good to see something more of the land -where your countrymen are at work, extending this -Empire of ours, or rather strengthening the foundations, -now it has been raised to such a height. Our -forefathers “builded better than they knew.”’</p> - -<p>‘I am with you, sir, to the death—which is not -a figure of speech. With regard to the mining, -pure and simple, Eric and I haven’t so much to -learn, though, of course, this Pilot Mount property -is a far more extensive and scientific affair. But at -Barrawong I remember hearing you say that in -five years of your reign there, the miners won -sixteen tons of alluvial gold. Not such a trifle, -was it?’</p> - -<p>‘Quite correct. Embodied in one of my -Annual Reports, with the ounces, pennyweights, -and grains added from the returns of the Mining -Registrar. It is there now for reference. However, -I daresay we can straighten up things, and -see the different colonies within six months. Four -<a name="png.445" id="png.445" href="#png.445"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>441<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>weeks to Albany, nowadays, makes short work of -the voyage to Australia.’</p> - -<p>The bombshell, as exploded by Mrs. Banneret -on her return from the conference, produced much -surprise and a certain amount of consternation -among the young people. But after the smoke -cleared away, so to speak, confidence returned, as -it became gradually apparent that no harm was -likely to result. At first, Corisande was disposed -to insist upon going home, and writing to apprise -her mother. But on its being represented that her -leave extended to the end of the autumn, and that -whether she availed herself of it in travel, or by -remaining at Hexham with her friends, could make -no difference to her family, she consented to remain. -The military and the naval brother succumbed -to the same argument, perhaps the more readily -as certain county entertainments were to take place -shortly. The question was fully debated, and as, -obviously, it seemed unkind to desert Hexham on -the occasion of their host and the eldest son leaving -for foreign parts, a compromise was agreed to.</p> - -<div class="tb"><b>. . . . . . . . .</b></div> - -<p>On the appointed day, therefore, the Peninsular -and Oriental Company’s royal mail steamer <cite>Mesopotamia</cite>, -10,500 tons, had in her passenger list the -names of Arnold and Reginald Banneret, booked -for Fremantle, West Australia. Nothing out of -the ordinary range of P. & O. passengers’ mild -adventures occurred until the Red Sea was reached, -the historic waters of which were destined in their -case to furnish a truly sensational incident. At -Suez they had dined in the great quadrangle of -<a name="png.446" id="png.446" href="#png.446"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>442<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>the P. & O. Hotel, in the open air, where immense -tables had been set out. It was a bizarre -and dramatic scene. Above them the cloudless -blue sky; around and afar the limitless sands of -the Desert. Every variety of costume and head-dress -diversified the three hundred and fifty -passengers—Arab turbans of scarlet and yellow, or -white and pink with gold edges.</p> - -<p>A few days afterwards the <cite>Mesopotamia</cite> was -slipping smoothly and pleasantly through the -calm waters of the historic sea, on which hardly a -ripple was visible. On the north-west shore were -the irregular peaks and jagged outlines of the -mountains of Palestine. It was the charming -after-breakfast interval, when there was absolutely -nothing to do but to read or frivol aimlessly. Mr. Banneret was walking up and down, his son was -applying himself to an abstruse treatise on auriferous -formations, when the Captain appeared on -deck, and after a short colloquy with a quartermaster, -joined the officer on the bridge.</p> - -<p>‘What do you make of that?’ he asked, gazing -at a faint line, which gradually made itself distinct -athwart the fair blue sky.</p> - -<p>‘Smoke of a steamer, sir—Russian battleship. -It’s one of those volunteer cruisers let through the -Canal, under a promise not to carry more than so -many guns.’</p> - -<p>‘She is overhauling us at a great rate,’ said the -Captain. ‘I’d better prepare the passengers.’</p> - -<p>This was hardly necessary, as every field-glass—and -there were some good ones on board—had -been directed at the strange vessel for the last few -<a name="png.447" id="png.447" href="#png.447"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>443<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>minutes. All now knew that she was a Russian -volunteer cruiser, which had been watching the -Red Sea for vessels carrying contraband of war, -and that they would be stopped and searched, -unless, indeed, the Russian captain decided to -sink the <cite>Mesopotamia</cite> first and explain afterwards. -This had been done before, they reflected, in the -case of the <cite>Knight Commander</cite>. It was not a -pleasant idea. Some of the lady passengers turned -pale; they all behaved with commendable self-possession.</p> - -<p>There was no doubt as to the intention of the -Russian volunteer cruiser. Rapidly approaching, -she fired a shot across the bows of the <cite>Mesopotamia</cite> -and signalled to her to stop until a boat, which -promptly left the cruiser’s side, could come on -board. The boat was so crowded with armed men -that there was hardly room for the oarsmen. At -the same time the look-out man reported ‘big -steamer on the weather bow.’ All turned with -deep interest towards the strange vessel, that in -the excitement concentrated on the Russian cruiser -had approached nearer than the officers of the -<cite>Mesopotamia</cite> had remarked. Then occurred a -change of front. For some unexplained reason -the order now given to the <cite>Mesopotamia’s</cite> head -engineer was ‘Full speed ahead,’ the effect of which -moved the huge liner anew on her course, leaving -the Russian row-boat far behind. At the same -time her launch, just lowered, was hauled on -board again.</p> - -<p>The excitement of the passengers became -intense. The stranger steamer, which was coming -<a name="png.448" id="png.448" href="#png.448"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>444<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>up at a high rate of speed, altered her course a -couple of points and steered straight for the -P. & O. liner, when she suddenly hoisted the -Japanese flag. Then it was seen that this vessel, -much larger, carrying more guns and apparently -a greater number of men than the Russian cruiser, -was the new Japanese battleship the <cite>Hatsuce</cite>.</p> - -<p>The Russian cruiser apparently recognised this -fact, for she changed her course, and after taking -her boat on board went the way she came. The -Japanese man-of-war came up and signalled the -<cite>Mesopotamia</cite> to heave-to. Presently a boat with -eight oars came alongside. It was not an ordinary -ship’s boat, but, to every one’s wild astonishment, a -‘whaleboat,’ and the tall man with the heavy white -moustache, who had the steer oar in his hand, was -no other than our old friend Captain Bucklaw -(otherwise Hayston), who had volunteered for -service with Japan at the beginning of the -war, and characteristically risen to his present -position.</p> - -<p>What a joyful recognition and interchange of -greetings was there, and how grateful were all the -lady passengers who crowded round him, as he -stepped on the deck with his old air of conquest -and authority, as of a Viking on a conquered -galley.</p> - -<p>‘How in the world did you come here?’ asked -Mr. Banneret; ‘you are always turning up in the -nick of time. In the service of the Mikado, too?’</p> - -<p>‘There are few services in which I have not -sailed or fought,’ said the Captain. ‘And many -a year ago I fought side by side with a crew of -<a name="png.449" id="png.449" href="#png.449"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>445<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>Japanese sailors. In old South Sea Island days -Captain Peese and I were trading in a small -brigantine which we owned at the time, when we -had to fight for our lives.’</p> - -<p>‘Oh, do tell us!’ pleaded the wife of a colonial -governor as the passengers crowded round.</p> - -<p>‘It was my first visit,’ said he, ‘to the Pelew -Islands, whence a young chief, known as Prince -Lee Boo, had been taken to England and had -there died, to the great grief of all who knew him. -An enthusiastic writer had described his countrymen -as “delicate in their sentiments, friendly in -their dispositions,” and, in short, a people who -do honour to the human race.’ The Captain’s -description of the undaunted manner in which fifty -of these noble islanders, who tried to cut them off, -climbed up the side of the brigantine and slashed -away at the boarding nettings with their heavy -swords, was truly graphic. Stripped to the waist, -they fought gallantly and unflinchingly, though -twelve of their number had been killed by the -fire of musketry from the brigantine. One of -them had seized Captain Peese, and, dragging him -to the side, stabbed him in the neck, and threw him -into the prahu alongside, where his head would -soon have left his body, when Hayston and a -Japanese sailor dashed over after him and killed -the two natives that were holding him down, while -another was about to decapitate him. At this -stage, three of the brigantine’s crew lay dead and -nearly all were wounded. There were twenty-two -islanders killed and as many more badly wounded -before they gave up the attempt to cut off the -<a name="png.450" id="png.450" href="#png.450"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>446<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>vessel. ‘Since then,’ remarked the Captain, as he -concluded his narrative, ‘I have had my own -opinion about Japanese on sea and on land.’</p> - -<p>‘But how did you happen to get a naval command?’</p> - -<p>‘Well, I knew, of course, that they had Britishers -in their employ, both officers and men. So I -applied for the first vacant berth. It wasn’t long -before I was put into commission with the <cite>Hatsuce</cite> -here. Isn’t she a beauty? One of the two boats -bought from the republic of Chile. She has a -torpedo delivery, too, and ten 4-inch quick-firers, -besides three Maxims, carries heavier metal than -any ship of her size, and can work up to twenty-five -knots. But I’m disappointed that Russian -fellow wouldn’t stop. Our little engagement -would have interested the ladies.’</p> - -<p>Years had, of course, told upon the bold -buccaneer. Silvered were the hair and moustache, -but the grand form, the stately bearing, were -unaltered. The bold blue eyes had lost nothing -of their fire or fascination. He was, as ever, a -general favourite and <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">succès de salon</i>, in spite of -rumours of wild deeds in other days. On leaving, -he carried with him the good wishes of the lady -passengers and nearly all those of the opposite sex, -especially when he professed his intention of escorting -them to within neutral waters.</p> - -<p>Colombo, with its brilliant leafage and gorgeous -colour-scheme, seemed to be quite a short sea-trip -after their sensational adventure. It was familiar -to Arnold Banneret, but to his son Reginald the -erstwhile Dutch fortresses had all the effect and -<a name="png.451" id="png.451" href="#png.451"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>447<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>excitement of novelty. The half-European, half-Oriental -flavour of all things, the luxurious habits -of the residents, the population—various of colour, -race, and religion, the paradisial forest surroundings, -the wondrous temples, lakes, ruins, relics of a -perished civilisation, came with unexpected freshness -to the younger man, who on his first journey -to England had been too young to appreciate the -wonders and glories of this, one of the latest and -richest of England’s Crown Colonies.</p> - -<p>‘What a wonderful outlook!’ said Reginald, as -they sat at breakfast in a lofty cool room at the -G.F.H. (as the Galle Face Hotel is irreverently -and familiarly known). ‘It is good to travel. How -it broadens one’s views! What a change from -that pestilential Port Said and the Red Sea! By -the way, I hope the <cite>Times</cite> is making a row about -our threatened capture. These blundering Russians -<em>did</em> take the <cite>Malacca</cite> a month since, and put an -armed crew on board. What a bore if we had -met with the adventure! Captain Bucklaw and -his Japanese cruiser saved us from that fate. What -a magnificent fellow the Captain is! I never saw -a finer man in my life, although he is growing old. -What adventures he has had! You knew him -years ago, didn’t you, sir?’</p> - -<p>‘Yes, many years ago. He <em>is</em> a most remarkable -man, as you say; but that he is the right man in -the right place occasionally, and was so when we -met him, no one can doubt for a moment. I will -tell you more about him another time.’</p> - -<p>Albany—Fremantle—Perth—all outposts of -the ‘Briton’s far-flung line’ of conquest and -<a name="png.452" id="png.452" href="#png.452"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>448<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>colonisation, the latter the more important operation -of the two, were successively reached, and now, -in Reggie Banneret’s eyes, far their most exciting -and interesting objective came within the range of -vision. That Aladdin’s cave, Pilot Mount, was at -length reached, and the great desert-seeming -panorama, strange and unfamiliar as it was to the -graduate of Cambridge, did not fail to impress him -on that account.</p> - -<p>‘This is something like!’ he exclaimed. ‘It is -so delightfully un-English, except in results. Such -a true, unadulterated bit of Africa, Australia, -America, all in one. Don’t let any one say it’s -unconventional, uncomfortable, disagreeable. Why, -that’s the beauty of it all. It’s what I came out -to see; what makes one proud of being an Englishman, -that is, an Australian, which is all the same, -of course. I must say I like to belong to people -that have <em>done</em> things.’</p> - -<p>‘And suffered too,’ said his father. ‘You must -not forget that side of the adventure; it is, or rather -was, very essential.’</p> - -<p>‘I suppose there was a good deal of that ingredient -mixed up with the gold and glory of the -earlier days of the Field.’</p> - -<p>‘Field is a very apposite expression as applied -to gold areas—battlefield almost more appropriate, -when typhoid fever decimated the men -in every camp; hunger, thirst, and privation -of every kind took toll; when water was dearer -than wine or spirits on many goldfields. And now, -what a transformation!’</p> - -<p>‘Transformation indeed!’ said the younger -<a name="png.453" id="png.453" href="#png.453"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>449<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>man; ‘it appears to me like the work of an enchanter -who has waved his wand, and lo, behold! -what has arisen? Spouting fountains where the -famished horses and camels scraped the barren -sand; the green growth of gardens, irrigated and -fertilised; fruit and vegetables, and this’—looking -round the lofty, spacious room in which they had -been dining. ‘Waiter, bring more ice. This -Chasselas will be none the worse for cooling.’</p> - -<p>The formal reception of the mining magnate of -Pilot Mount was much like any other function of -the sort, and was transacted with the usual, or, -perhaps, slightly unusual formalities. Once the -principal shareholder and part owner of a very -valuable mining property, Arnold Banneret was -now almost the sole owner. Old Jack Waters’s -will had been proved, probate had been granted, -and all necessary forms complied with. The erst -ex-Commissioner of Goldfields at Barrawong, in -New South Wales, found himself one of the richest -men in Australia. The mine was a ‘going concern’ -in every sense of the word, but after a month’s -sojourn, a steadily increasing desire to see once -more the higher aspects of civilisation commenced -to assert itself, though there was a club well-conducted -and most comfortable, and also polo—a -game of which Reggie was passionately fond, with -ponies which were excellent, the members practised -and well-mannered. The working of the great -mine, with all the latest appliances for the extraction -of the precious metal, and 2000 men on the payroll, -was in itself an interesting, even exciting, -spectacle—a triumph of mechanism to watch; all -<a name="png.454" id="png.454" href="#png.454"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>450<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>but human in so much of its automatic action. -But even this source of interest and occupation -came to an end, and one day Reggie confessed to -his father that after, of course, a look-in at Sydney -and Melbourne, he should not be sorry to be on -board a P. & O. liner once more.</p> - -<p>‘If I did not feel,’ said his father, ‘that I was -quitting Australia for the last time, which is for -me a mournful reflection, I should welcome the -idea; but I cannot regard the desertion of one’s -native land, in my case and yours, as merely a -matter of practical convenience.</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="ineg">‘The land which knew my life’s best hours,</div> -<div>Ere Fate had gloomed youth’s vernal bowers,</div> -<div class="i1"><span class="ns"> </span>And Hope’s bright blossoms marred,</div> -</div> -</div> -</div> - -<p class="noindent">as some boyish rhymer has it.’</p> - -<p>‘Australia has done well for us, sir,’ said the -young fellow, ‘and you have done something for -her, permit me to say, in rearing a family true to -the best traditions of the dear old land, our Mother -England, God bless her! It remains with them to -carry out your policy, and as your heir and eldest -son I dedicate myself to the task.’</p> - -<p>‘God bless you, my boy!’ said Arnold Banneret, -grasping his hand. ‘You have spoken like the -son of your father, and <em>his</em> father, who was strong -on the point of the loyalty of Australia to the -Crown. How often have I heard him condemn -the self-indulgent, luxurious lives spent by the -sons of wealthy colonists. Only, what about this -P. & O. arrangement?’</p> - -<p>‘I have thought of that, sir. Pilot Mount will -<a name="png.455" id="png.455" href="#png.455"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>451<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>run alone, and keep straight by itself for a year. -Within that time I propose to return, if I can get -the permission of a certain young lady—I may as -well say <em>the</em> young lady—to help in the colonisation -scheme.’</p> - -<p>‘I understand, my dear boy. I trust the affair -may come off. You have my best wishes. But -consider the climate, the—I don’t say rougher, but -the untried social conditions of colonial life. Take -thought ere it be too late, I beg of you.’</p> - -<p>‘I <em>have</em> considered that side of the matter well, -my dear Dad; and if Corisande be the girl I take -her to be, she will like the life all the better for the -opportunity of watching the development of a -great British community from its initial stages.’</p> - -<p>‘Possibly, possibly, my dear boy; knowing -what I do of life and feminine characteristics I dare -not say probably. That will be for you to discover -by experience. Everything, that is, everything -connected with the success, the happiness, -even the comfort of your after life, depends upon -the result of that experiment.’</p> - -</div> - - -<div class="chap"> -<h2 title="Chapter XX"><a name="png.456" id="png.456" href="#png.456"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>452<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>CHAPTER XX</h2> - - -<div class="tb"><b>. . . . . . . . .</b></div> -<p><span class="smc">Again</span> the train, the monotonous stretches of -level waste, unbroken save here and there by -straggling villages, or prosperous farm-holdings; -rich and populous goldfields, or, as occasionally -happened, ill-fated and deserted mines, with -melancholy machinery, all rusted and abandoned. -On these and other landmarks was writ large -the tale of hope and enterprise, success, decay, -despair. All were heedfully observed and noted -by the younger traveller; as regularly explained -and classified by the less impulsive senior. Then -darkness, a cooler atmosphere, lights, sea strand, -city and hotel—goal of the weary traveller!</p> - -<div class="tb"><b>. . . . . . . . .</b></div> - -<p>England again! Hexham Hall. Again the -aged woods, the peerless turf, the murmuring -brook, the delicious, settled comfort of English -country life. Then such rides and drives, such -traps and drags, broughams and landaus!—all the -component parts of fully appointed coach-houses -and stables, where expense was not too closely -regarded; such, and all other matters of -<a name="png.457" id="png.457" href="#png.457"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>453<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>comparative luxury, seemed to be forthcoming with a -sort of Arabian Nights profusion.</p> - -<p>Then, to crown all, they had left West Australia -in its autumnal month of March, and were here -in April.</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div>Oh, to be in England, now that April’s here!</div> -</div> -</div> -</div> - -<p class="noindent">sang Browning from Italy, and it seemed as if -every thrush and blackbird in Hexham woods had -echoed the aspiration. It was a season of hope -and joy, if ever such a halcyon time occurred on -this occasionally untoward-seeming planet. Mrs. Banneret was serenely, though secretly, exultant, -because her husband and first-born had safely returned, -having successfully carried out the object -of their mission. Hermione and Vanda, passionately -fond of their brothers, and much petted by their -father, were charmed with the state of matters -generally, and looked forward to even more important -developments when Lord and Lady -Hexham, with ‘darling Corisande,’ after which -fashion that young lady was generally alluded to, -should arrive in a week’s time. Eric had taken -his degree creditably at Cambridge, if not brilliantly. -If he had not won the triumph of a ‘double first’ -like Reggie, he had done enough for honour.</p> - -<p>There were, of course, the hunting fixtures to -be arranged for. The Hexham stud was in great -form and buckle. The Banneret girls, who had -ridden all sorts of horses over all sorts of fences -and roads since earliest childhood, were finished -performers across country. Truth to tell, unless -they came to grief through ‘trappy’ hedge and -<a name="png.458" id="png.458" href="#png.458"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>454<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>ditch obstacles, there was no danger of their being -stopped by English fences after the stiff posts and -rails of their native land. They looked forward to -glorious performances when Reggie would be able -to escort them.</p> - -<p>‘Don’t expect too much, my good Vanda,’ -said Hermione; ‘he’ll be too nervous about -Corisande’s getting hurt, to trouble about you -and me. A <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">fiancée</i> counts for ever so much -more than the dearest sisters.’</p> - -<p>‘I can hardly believe that; but we must make -allowances. If Corisande accepts him, we may be -thankful. He might have been caught by some -smart colonial girl. Some of them are very good-looking.’</p> - -<p>‘Are they, indeed? Who is a snob now? as -you sometimes say to me. And what are we but -colonial?’</p> - -<p>‘Oh, but we’re different!’</p> - -<p>‘I can’t see it. Dad has been lucky, and we -are ever so rich—of course “in the swim,” and -so on; but as for being anything that entitles us -to look down on our countrywomen, the idea is -ludicrous. Don’t let people say we can’t stand -our oats.’</p> - -<p>‘I apologise, and promise not to offend again. -Of course it’s absurd to talk as if we were anything -but middle-class people, though of course -the Banneret family is as old as the Heptarchy.’</p> - -<p>‘That’s very well to know; but the less we -bother about family descent, the more people will -think of us. The Honourable Corisande is a -good sort, and an Earl’s daughter. Rank, when -<a name="png.459" id="png.459" href="#png.459"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>455<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>there’s money to back it up, <em>is</em> a good thing -socially. No sensible person denies it. But the -<em>woman</em>, the real woman, apart from all other -considerations, is what makes for happiness in -marriage, or otherwise. <em>We</em> know this one to be -a straight, plucky, good-tempered girl, with no -nonsense about her; fond too of Reggie, which -is everything. So if the high contracting parties -agree about settlements and things, it will be all -plain sailing.’</p> - -<p>‘It’s a big <em>if</em>; but Reggie’s good-looking, -clever, and presentable—well off too. He’s a -catch as men go. I daresay it will come off. -But will she go to West Australia?’</p> - -<p>‘If she cares about him, she’ll go <em>anywhere</em>, -and be happy if he is with her; if she only cares -about herself, she’ll be miserable everywhere, -and it won’t matter where she goes.’</p> - -<p>Not many days after this important colloquy, -the arrival was announced in the society papers -of the Earl and Countess of Hexham and their -daughters at Hexham Hall, which they were -revisiting on the invitation of the owner. Mr. Banneret and his eldest son, lately returned from -West Australia, had been on a tour of inspection -over their extensive mining and other properties. -This information was followed by notices of -various hunting fixtures, at which the Misses -Banneret and their brother, accompanied by the -Earl of Hexham and the Honourable Corisande -Aylmer, took leading positions. They were admirably -mounted, and, like all Australian colonists, -rode fearlessly yet with judgment. Lady Hexham, -<a name="png.460" id="png.460" href="#png.460"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>456<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>with Mrs. Banneret and the Honourable Adeline -Aylmer, drove to the meet in the Hexham landau. -There were other functions and festivities, few -of which the young people missed; as, indeed, -why should they? Youth is the time for enjoyment, -and being all of the right age, healthy, -happy, and hopeful, they enjoyed the pleasures -suitable to the season, to their age and position, -with all the ardour of early youth. They went -everywhere and did everything,—hunting, polo, -balls, garden parties. It did not pass without -notice that the young people of the new and the -old Hexham families were constantly together, -and that at all social gatherings and entertainments -Reggie Banneret was never very far from -the Honourable Corisande’s vicinity. Of course -the heads of departments, not to mention the -juniors of both families, were not unobservant of -these coincidences, but like wise parents and -relations ‘went on sayin’ nothin’’ until events -should shape themselves definitely.</p> - -<p>So it came to pass, after one of the great -functions of the period—to be precise, it was the -annual county ball—that Corisande came to her -mother with her confession. Reggie Banneret had -spoken out—said, in fact, that he had felt from -the first moment he saw her that there was no -other woman in the world for him, and so on, -and so on. ‘I won’t bore you, mother,’ said -the girl, ‘but he said all the usual things men say -at such times, I suppose, and a few more. He <em>is</em> -clever, though a trifle too romantic—isn’t he? -and—<em>I love him</em>.’</p> - -<p><a name="png.461" id="png.461" href="#png.461"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>457<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>‘My dear child,’ said the matron, stroking -her hair tenderly as she knelt before her with her -head on her mother’s lap, ‘you could not bore -me on such an occasion as this, involving indeed -your future happiness as well as that of all related -to you. It is not a matter to be treated lightly, -whatever the people composing “the smart set” -may say.’</p> - -<p>‘And what do <em>you</em> say, my darling mother?’ -said Corisande, raising her head, while her eyes -shone the more brightly, as the tear-drops fell -slowly, when she made her appeal.</p> - -<p>‘My dear, dear Corisande,’ said the elder -woman, as she half-rose and drew the sobbing girl -more closely to her, ‘you have no reason to be -in doubt as to our reply—your father’s and mine—to -Reginald’s offer. We have noticed his attentions. -They were open and straightforward. -Had we disapproved, we should have returned to -Bruges, and so withdrawn from the hazard of an -unsuitable marriage. But so far from disapproval, -you can tell your Reginald and our new relations -that we have no hesitation in giving our unqualified -consent. We have had abundant opportunities of -knowing the family characteristics, and have come -to the conclusion that we like and respect <span class="allsc">ALL</span> -the members of the Banneret family, and have -reason to bless the day when we made their -acquaintance.’</p> - -<p>Lord Hexham was absent in London, having -retreated to his club, as he commonly did when -there was any function on hand which did not -specially demand his attendance.</p> - -<!-- TN: blockquote with no font change --> -<p class="extraspace"><a name="png.462" id="png.462" href="#png.462"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>458<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>‘I’m getting too old (he wrote) for these late-at-night -racketings and standings about. I know -where I am at afternoon whist in the Senior -United and the Travellers’, but I don’t dance now, -and balls bore me. You and the girls, my Lady, -can manage these minor matters a deal better than -I can. There’s no objection that I can see to -Corisande’s marriage, if they’ve made up their -minds to tackle the Great Experiment. Who is -it says that—Thackeray, or some other fellow? I -never was good at quotations. What I mean is, -that he is a presentable, steady young fellow, with -brains—done well at Cambridge, hasn’t he?—good-looking—that -is, looks like a gentleman, -which is the main thing. The betting’s six to -four on, with such a good start. He’s got the -wherewithal—can’t do without that. So clap ’em -on the back, my Lady—you know what I mean—and -tell ’em I’ll sign, seal, and deliver when the -settlements are ready. Corisande’s a good girl; -hope she won’t go too far away—rough place West -Australia—but I daresay they’ll fit in. I knew -Jerry Taylour, K.C.B.; we were “subs” together -in old army days. They tell me he’s Governor out -there. Daresay he’ll ask ’em to dinner. Expect -me a day or two before <em>the</em> day. - -<span class="signature">Hexham.</span>’</p> -<!-- TN: end blockquote --> - -<p class="extraspace">His Lordship, as he freely owned, was not -good at letter-writing; but this was much from -him, and to the point. It conveyed more than -many carefully composed epistles. He meant -what he said, and once his word was given never -departed from it. Lady Hexham knew he would -<a name="png.463" id="png.463" href="#png.463"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>459<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>arrive punctually. She was wise in not requiring -him to stay at Hexham too long at one time. -He had never, he said, ‘cared much for country -life.’ He was a man of town habitudes and -occupations. At Bruges, of course, he compelled -himself to conform to the altered circumstances of -the family. And this, to his credit be it spoken, -he managed to do, without loss of cash or self-respect.</p> - -<p>However, since the sale of the old Hall and -estate, matters had changed wonderfully for the -better. With his sons doing well in the Army -and Navy, his eldest daughter engaged to a -young fellow who was likely to make a figure in -the world, and was, moreover, a man of fortune, -things were looking up. Why he wanted to go -back to Australia, he couldn’t understand. Were -not England and the Continent good enough for -him—for any man? Corisande would have -to go too, he supposed. Well, she was a good -girl; her place, with her ideas, was with her -husband. He didn’t approve of wives being in -one hemisphere and husbands in another. Didn’t -work well—not in his experience at any rate. -Colonies weren’t such bad places either—come -to think: the money came from there; and but -for it and the man who made it—a gentleman -<i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">aux bouts des ongles</i>—they would all have -been stuck at Bruges for years to come. The -Hexham family, at any rate, had no right to -grumble.</p> - -<p>All in good time the more important function -connected with Hexham Hall was concluded to -<a name="png.464" id="png.464" href="#png.464"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>460<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>the satisfaction of all concerned. The settlements -were even more liberal than the hereditary family -solicitor of the Aylmers had suggested, or than -Lady Hexham, who had an unseen but controlling -influence in such matters, had hoped for. As -for the young people, according to their age and -unwisdom they pooh-poohed such trivialities, -holding that the love that never shall <span class="nw">die—</span></p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="i5"><span class="ns"> </span>Till the sun grows cold,</div> -<div class="i5"><span class="ns"> </span>And the stars are old,</div> -<div>And the leaves of the Judgment Book unfold—</div> -</div> -</div> -</div> - -<p class="noindent">would be amply sufficient in its tenderness and -truth to guard their future lives from all ‘ills that -flesh is heir to,’ and more besides. But their -elders knew better. So everything was done with -due legal form and security: trustees appointed, -and all the rest of it.</p> - -<p>The wedding came off triumphantly at St. James’s, -Hanover Square. The day, wonderful to relate, -was fine; all the surroundings seemed sympathetic. -Two tall, handsome Australian cousins came home -by the <cite>Moldavia</cite>, P. & O., just in time to -make up the proper number of bridesmaids who -walked up the aisle with the impressive dignity -proper to the occasion. Half London was there, -of course. Every one wanted to see the bridegroom, -erroneously reported to have twenty -thousand a year, and to have worked as a digger -on the field before he ‘made his pile.’ And when -Lord Hexham led the Honourable Corisande to -the altar, the stately peer and his lovely daughter -evoked audible exclamations of approval. Finally, -<a name="png.465" id="png.465" href="#png.465"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>461<span class="ns">] - </span></span></a>as amid the melodious crash of the ‘Wedding -March,’ Reggie Banneret and she walked out -as wedded pair, the friends of both families, and -even mere acquaintances, seemed infected with -that mysterious feminine sympathy which at all -weddings finds relief in tears.</p> - - -<p class="fin">THE END</p> - - -<p class="printedby"><small><i>Printed by</i> <span class="smc">R. & R. Clark, Limited</span>, <i>Edinburgh</i>.</small></p> - -</div> - -<h2 id="adverts" title="Advertisements"> </h2> - -<div class="adverts"> -<h3 title="The Novels of Rolf Boldrewood"><a name="png.467" id="png.467" href="#png.467"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>463<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a><span class="sans">THE NOVELS OF ROLF BOLDREWOOD.</span></h3> - - -<p class="noindent"><b>THE GHOST CAMP; or, The Avengers.</b> <small>Crown 8vo. 6s.</small></p> - -<h4 title=""><i>Crown 8vo. 3s. 6d. each.</i></h4> - - -<p class="noindent"><b>ROBBERY UNDER ARMS.</b></p> -<p class="ctr">A STORY OF LIFE AND ADVENTURE IN THE BUSH AND IN THE -GOLD-FIELDS OF AUSTRALIA.</p> - -<p><cite>GUARDIAN.</cite>—“A singularly spirited and stirring tale of Australian life, chiefly -in the remoter settlements.”</p> - - -<p class="noindent"><b>A MODERN BUCCANEER.</b></p> - -<p><cite>DAILY CHRONICLE.</cite>—“We do not forget <cite>Robbery under Arms</cite>, or any of its -various successors, when we say that Rolf Boldrewood has never done anything so good as -<cite>A Modern Buccaneer</cite>. It is good, too, in a manner which is for the author a new one.”</p> - - -<p class="noindent"><b>THE MINER’S RIGHT.</b></p> -<p class="ctr">A TALE OF THE AUSTRALIAN GOLD-FIELDS.</p> - -<p><cite>WORLD.</cite>—“Full of good passages, passages abounding in vivacity, in the colour and -play of life.... The pith of the book lies in its singularly fresh and vivid pictures of the -humours of the gold-fields—tragic humours enough they are, too, here and again.”</p> - - -<p class="noindent"><b>THE SQUATTER’S DREAM.</b></p> - -<p><cite>FIELD.</cite>—“The details are filled in by a hand evidently well conversant with his subject, -and everything is <i lang="it" xml:lang="it">ben trovato</i>, if not actually true. A perusal of these cheerfully written -pages will probably give a better idea of realities of Australian life than could be obtained -from many more pretentious works.”</p> - - -<p class="noindent"><b>A SYDNEY-SIDE SAXON.</b></p> - -<p><cite>GLASGOW HERALD.</cite>—“The interest never flags, and altogether <cite>A Sydney-Side -Saxon</cite> is a really refreshing book.”</p> - - -<p class="noindent"><b>A COLONIAL REFORMER.</b></p> - -<p><cite>ATHENÆUM.</cite>—“A series of natural and entertaining pictures of Australian life, -which are, above all things, readable.”</p> - - -<p class="noindent"><b>NEVERMORE.</b></p> - -<p><cite>OBSERVER.</cite>—“An exciting story of Ballarat in the ’fifties. Its hero, Lance -Trevanion, is a character which for force of delineation has no equal in Rolf Boldrewood’s -previous novels.”</p> - - -<p class="noindent"><b>PLAIN LIVING.</b> A Bush Idyll.</p> - -<p><cite>ACADEMY.</cite>—“A hearty story, deriving charm from the odours of the bush and the -bleating of incalculable sheep.”</p> - - -<p class="noindent"><b>MY RUN HOME.</b></p> - -<p><cite>ATHENÆUM.</cite>—“Rolf Boldrewood’s last story is a racy volume. It has many of the -best qualities of Whyte-Melville, the breezy freshness and vigour of Frank Smedley, with -the dash and something of the abandon of Lever.... His last volume is one of his best.”</p> - - -<p class="noindent"><b>THE SEALSKIN CLOAK.</b></p> - -<p><cite>TIMES.</cite>—“A well-written story.”</p> - - -<p class="noindent"><b>THE CROOKED STICK; or, Pollie’s Probation.</b></p> - -<p><cite>ACADEMY.</cite>—“A charming picture of Australian station life.”</p> - - -<p class="noindent"><b>OLD MELBOURNE MEMORIES.</b></p> - -<p><cite>NATIONAL OBSERVER.</cite>—“His book deserves to be read in England with as -much appreciation as it has already gained in the country of its birth.”</p> - - -<p class="noindent"><b>A ROMANCE OF CANVAS TOWN</b>, and other Stories.</p> - -<p><cite>ATHENÆUM.</cite>—“The book is interesting for its obvious insight into life in the -Australian bush.”<!-- TN: original has single closing quote --></p> - - -<p class="noindent"><b>WAR TO THE KNIFE; or, Tangata Maori.</b></p> - -<p><cite>ACADEMY.</cite>—“A stirring romance.”</p> - - -<p class="noindent"><b>BABES IN THE BUSH.</b></p> - -<p><cite>OUTLOOK.</cite>—“A lively and picturesque story.”</p> - -<p><cite>DAILY TELEGRAPH.</cite>—“Bristles with thrilling incident.”</p> - - -<p class="noindent"><b>IN BAD COMPANY</b>, and other Stories.</p> - -<p><cite>OUTLOOK.</cite>—“Very good reading.”</p> - -<p><cite>DAILY NEWS.</cite>—“The best work this popular author has done for some time.”<!-- TN: original has single closing quote --></p> - - -<h4 title=""><i>Fcap. 8vo. 2s.</i></h4> - - -<p class="noindent"><b>THE SPHINX OF EAGLEHAWK.</b></p> - -<p>A TALE OF OLD BENDIGO. - -<small class="fltrt">[<i>Macmillan’s Pocket Novels.</i></small></p> - -<p><cite>QUEEN.</cite>—“There is the usual mystery, the usual admirable gold-fields’ local colour, -which we expect from our favourite Rolf Boldrewood.”</p> - -<h4 title="" class="smc"><big>MACMILLAN AND CO., Ltd., LONDON.</big></h4> - -</div> - - -<div class="adverts" id="kipling"> -<h3 title="Uniform Edition of the Works of Rudyard Kipling"><a name="png.468" id="png.468" href="#png.468"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>464<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>UNIFORM EDITION OF<br - /><big>THE WORKS OF RUDYARD KIPLING.</big></h3> - -<h4 title=""><i>Extra Crown 8vo. Red cloth, gilt tops. 6s. each.</i></h4> -<hr class="twentyfivepct" /> - -<p class="noindent"><b>TRAFFICS AND DISCOVERIES.</b></p> - -<h5 title=""><i>45th Thousand.</i></h5> - -<p class="noindent"><b>JUST SO STORIES FOR LITTLE CHILDREN.</b><br - /><small>With Illustrations by the Author.</small></p> - -<h5 title=""><i>65th Thousand.</i></h5> - -<p class="noindent"><b>KIM.</b> With Illustrations by <span class="smc">J. Lockwood Kipling</span>.</p> - -<h5 title=""><i>38th Thousand.</i></h5> - -<p class="noindent"><b>STALKY & CO.</b></p> - -<h5 title=""><i>62nd Thousand.</i></h5> - -<p class="noindent"><b>THE DAY’S WORK.</b></p> - -<h5 title=""><i>53rd Thousand.</i></h5> - -<p class="noindent"><b>PLAIN TALES FROM THE HILLS.</b></p> - -<h5 title=""><i>44th Thousand.</i></h5> - -<p class="noindent"><b>LIFE’S HANDICAP.</b> <span class="smc">Being Stories of Mine Own People.</span></p> - -<h5 title=""><i>41st Thousand.</i></h5> - -<p class="noindent"><b>MANY INVENTIONS.</b></p> - -<h5 title=""><i>50th Thousand.</i></h5> - -<p class="noindent"><b>THE LIGHT THAT FAILED.</b> Rewritten and considerably -enlarged.</p> - -<h5 title=""><i>21st Thousand.</i></h5> - -<p class="noindent"><b>WEE WILLIE WINKIE,</b> and other Stories.</p> - -<h5 title=""><i>25th Thousand.</i></h5> - -<p class="noindent"><b>SOLDIERS THREE,</b> and other Stories.</p> - -<h5 title=""><i>67th Thousand.</i></h5> - -<p class="noindent"><b>THE JUNGLE BOOK.</b> With Illustrations by <span class="smc">J. L. Kipling</span>, -<span class="smc">W. H. Drake</span>, and <span class="smc">P. Frenzeny</span>.</p> - -<h5 title=""><i>46th Thousand.</i></h5> - -<p class="noindent"><b>THE SECOND JUNGLE BOOK.</b> With Illustrations by -<span class="smc">J. Lockwood Kipling</span>.</p> - -<h5 title=""><i>30th Thousand.</i></h5> - -<p class="noindent"><b>“CAPTAINS COURAGEOUS.”</b> <span class="smc">A Story of the Grand -Banks.</span> Illustrated by <span class="smc">I. W. Taber</span>.</p> - -<h5 title=""><i>17th Thousand.</i></h5> - -<p class="noindent"><b>FROM SEA TO SEA.</b> <span class="smc">Letters of Travel.</span> In Two Vols.</p> - -<p class="noindent"><b>THE NAULAHKA.</b> <span class="smc">A Story of West and East.</span> By -<span class="smc">Rudyard Kipling</span> and <span class="smc">Wolcott Balestier</span>.</p> - -<h4 title=""><i>Also issued in Special Binding for Presentation.<br - />Cloth extra, with gilt edges. Price 6s. each.</i></h4> - -<h5 title=""><i>11th Thousand.</i></h5> - -<p class="noindent"><b>SOLDIER TALES.</b> With Illustrations by <span class="smc">A. S. Hartrick</span>.</p> - -<p class="noindent"><b>THE JUNGLE BOOK.</b> Illustrated.</p> - -<p class="noindent"><b>THE SECOND JUNGLE BOOK.</b> Illustrated.</p> - -<p class="noindent"><b>“CAPTAINS COURAGEOUS.”</b> Illustrated.</p> - -<h4 title="" class="smc"><big>MACMILLAN AND CO., Ltd., LONDON.</big></h4> - -</div> - -<div class="badvert"> -<a name="png.469" id="png.469" href="#png.469"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>1<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a><p class="dropcap"><big class="dropcap">MESSRS. MACMILLAN <small><small>&</small></small> CO.</big> have pleasure in announcing that -their list of Novels for publication during -the Autumn of <span class="oldstyle">1905</span> includes Works by</p> - -<p class="authors">F. MARION CRAWFORD<br - />WINSTON CHURCHILL<br - />EDITH WHARTON<br - />H. G. WELLS<br - />OWEN WISTER<br - />OUIDA<br - />RHODA BROUGHTON<br - />W. E. NORRIS<br - />CHARLES MAJOR<br - />ROLF BOLDREWOOD<br - />WILLIAM SATCHELL<br - />ROSA N. CAREY<br - />BEULAH MARIE DIX<br - />EMERSON HOUGH<br - />SAMUEL MERWIN</p> - - -<p class="printedby"><span class="smc">LONDON: MACMILLAN AND CO., Limited</span></p> -</div> - - - -<div class="coladverts"> -<h3 title="New & Notable Novels"><a name="png.470" id="png.470" href="#png.470"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>2<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a><big>NEW & NOTABLE NOVELS</big></h3> - -<div class="leftcol"><div class="newnovel"> -Crown 8vo.<br - />Gilt top. Price 6s. - -<p class="novel"><big>SOPRANO</big><br - />A PORTRAIT</p> - -By<br -/>F. M. CRAWFORD - -<p class="newnovel"><small><small>A story of modern operatic life in Paris -with an English heroine who possesses a -marvellous soprano voice.</small></small></p> -</div><div class="newnovel"> -Crown 8vo.<br - />Gilt top. Price 6s. - -<p class="novel"><big>THE<br - />HOUSE OF MIRTH</big></p> - -By<br - />EDITH WHARTON - -<p class="newnovel"><small><small>The first long novel by this author since -the publication of that remarkable book -“The Valley of Decision.”</small></small></p> -</div></div><div class="rightcol"><div class="newnovel"> -Crown 8vo.<br - />Gilt top. Price 6s. - -<p class="novel2"><big>CONISTON</big></p> - -By<br - />WINSTON CHURCHILL - -<p class="newnovel"><small><small>An addition to the series of novels -dealing with American history which have -made this author famous.</small></small></p> -</div><div class="newnovel"> -Crown 8vo.<br - />Gilt top. Price 6s. - -<p class="novel2"><big>KIPPS</big></p> - -By<br - />H. G. WELLS - -<p class="newnovel"><small><small>Kipps is a draper’s apprentice who comes -early into a fortune. The book describes -his struggles to realise a fuller, wider life.</small></small></p> -</div></div><div class="leftcol"><div class="newnovel"> -<a name="png.471" id="png.471" href="#png.471"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>3<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>Crown 8vo.<br - />Gilt top. Price 6s. - -<p class="novel"><big>LADY<br - />BALTIMORE</big></p> - -By<br - />OWEN WISTER - -<p class="newnovel"><small><small>For his hero Mr. Wister has again -chosen an attractive young Southerner, but -not this time a Virginian.</small></small></p> -</div><div class="newnovel"> -Crown 8vo.<br - />Gilt top. Price 6s. - -<p class="novel"><big>A<br - />WAIF’S PROGRESS</big></p> - -By<br - />RHODA BROUGHTON - -<p class="newnovel"><small><small>Describes the struggles of a girl, reared -amid vicious surroundings, to secure a -footing in respectable society.</small></small></p> -</div></div><div class="rightcol"><div class="newnovel"> -Crown 8vo.<br - />Gilt top. Price 6s. - -<p class="novel3"><big>HELIANTHUS</big></p> - -By<br - />OUIDA -</div><div class="newnovel"> -Crown 8vo.<br - />Gilt top. Price 6s. - -<p class="novel3"><big>LONE<br - />MARIE</big></p> - -By<br - />W. E. NORRIS -</div></div><div class="leftcol"><div class="newnovel"> -<a name="png.472" id="png.472" href="#png.472"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>4<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>Crown 8vo.<br - />Gilt top. Price 6s. - -<p class="novel2"><big>YOLANDA</big></p> - -By<br - />CHARLES MAJOR - -<p class="newnovel"><small><small>Resembles “When Knighthood was in -Flower” (of which 500,000 were sold) -more than any other of Mr. Major’s books.</small></small></p> -</div><div class="newnovel"> -Crown 8vo.<br - />Gilt top. Price 6s. - -<p class="novel"><big>THE TOLL<br - />OF THE BUSH</big></p> - -By<br - />WILLIAM SATCHELL - -<p class="newnovel"><small><small>A fresh and vigorous story of the early -settlements in a remote district of New -Zealand.</small></small></p> -</div></div><div class="rightcol"><div class="newnovel"> -Crown 8vo.<br - />Gilt top. Price 6s. - -<p class="novel"><big>THE<br - />LAST CHANCE</big><br - />A Tale of the Golden West</p> - -By<br - />ROLF BOLDREWOOD - -<p class="newnovel"><small><small>A tale of the Goldfields of Western -Australia, and of a mining speculation -that was a triumphant success.</small></small></p> -</div><div class="newnovel"> -Crown 8vo.<br - />Gilt top. Price 6s. - -<p class="novel2"><big>THE<br - />HOUSEHOLD<br - />OF PETER</big></p> - -By<br - />ROSA N. CAREY - -</div></div><div class="leftcol"><div class="newnovel"><a name="png.473" id="png.473" href="#png.473"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>5<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>Crown 8vo.<br - />Gilt top. Price 6s. - -<p class="novel"><big>THE<br - />FAIR MAID<br - />OF GRAYSTONES</big></p> - -By<br - />BEULAH MARIE DIX - -<p class="newnovel"><small><small>The scenes of this story take place in -Suffolk in 1648, after the surrender of -Colchester to the Parliamentary forces.</small></small></p> -</div><div class="newnovel"> -Crown 8vo.<br - />Gilt top. Price 6s. - -<p class="novel"><big>A LINK<br - />IN THE GIRDLE</big></p> - -By<br - />SAMUEL MERWIN - -<p class="newnovel"><small><small>The main theme of this exciting story is -the construction of a railway in Texas in -the face of great difficulties.</small></small></p> -</div></div><div class="rightcol"><div class="newnovel"> -Crown 8vo.<br - />Gilt top. Price 6s. - -<p class="novel2"><big>HEART’S DESIRE</big></p> - -By<br - />EMERSON HOUGH - -<p class="newnovel"><small><small>A romantic story of the Western States -of America, giving delightful pictures of -country life and scenes.</small></small></p> -</div><div class="newnovel"> -Crown 8vo.<br - />Cloth extra, Gilt edges. 6s. - -<p class="novel"><big>HENRY ESMOND</big></p> - -By<br - />W. M. THACKERAY<br - /> <br - />With Illustrations<br - />by<br - />HUGH THOMSON -</div></div> -</div> - - -<div class="coladverts"> -<h3 title="Notable Six-shilling Novels"><a name="png.474" id="png.474" href="#png.474"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>6<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a><big>NOTABLE SIX-SHILLING<br - />NOVELS</big></h3> - -<div class="leftcol"><div class="newnovel"> -<p class="novel">By<br - /><big>WINSTON<br - />CHURCHILL</big></p> - -<p class="novels">Richard Carvel.</p> -<p class="novels">The Crisis.</p> -<p class="novels">The Crossing.</p> -<p class="novels">Coniston.</p> -<p class="novels">The Celebrity.</p> -</div><div class="newnovel"> -<p class="novel">By<br - /><big>MAURICE<br - />HEWLETT</big></p> - -<p class="novels">The Forest Lovers.</p> - -<p class="novels">Richard Yea-and-Nay.</p> - -<p class="novels">Little Novels of Italy.</p> - -<p class="novels">The Queen’s Quair; or, -The Six Years’ Tragedy.</p> - -<p class="novels">Fond Adventures; Tales -of the Youth of the -World.</p> -</div></div><div class="rightcol"><div class="newnovel"> - -<p class="novel">By<br -/><big>F. MARION<br -/>CRAWFORD</big></p> - -<p class="novels">Marietta: A Maid of -Venice.</p> - -<p class="novels">Cecilia: A Story of Modern -Rome.</p> - -<p class="novels">The Heart of Rome.</p> - -<p class="novels">Whosoever shall offend....</p> - -<p class="novels">Soprano: A Portrait.</p> - -</div><div class="newnovel"> -<p class="novel">By<br -/><big>JAMES LANE<br -/>ALLEN</big></p> - -<p class="novels">The Choir Invisible.</p> - -<p class="novels">The Increasing Purpose.</p> - -<p class="novels">The Mettle of the Pasture.</p> - -<p class="novels">A Kentucky Cardinal and -Aftermath. Illustrated -by H. Thomson.</p> - -<p class="novels">Flute and Violin.</p> - -</div></div><div class="leftcol"><div class="newnovel"> -<p class="novel"><a name="png.475" id="png.475" href="#png.475"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>7<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a>By<br - /><big>GERTRUDE<br - />ATHERTON</big></p> - -<p class="novels">Rulers of Kings.</p> - -<p class="novels">The Splendid Idle Forties.</p> - -<p class="novels">Bell in the Fog.</p> - -</div><div class="newnovel"> -<p class="novel">By<br - /><big>ALFRED<br - />TRESIDDER<br - />SHEPPARD</big></p> - -<p class="novels">The Red Cravat.</p> - -</div><div class="newnovel"> -<p class="novel">By<br - /><big>ROSA<br - />NOUCHETTE<br - />CAREY</big></p> - -<p class="novels">A Passage Perilous.</p> - -<p class="novels">At the Moorings.</p> - -<p class="novels">Household of Peter.</p> - -</div></div><div class="rightcol"><div class="newnovel"> -<p class="novel">By<br - /><big>EDITH<br - />WHARTON</big></p> - -<p class="novels">The Descent of Man, and -other Stories.</p> - -</div><div class="newnovel"> -<p class="novel">By<br - /><big>CUTCLIFFE HYNE</big></p> - -<p class="novels">Atoms of Empire.</p> - -<p class="novels">McTodd.</p> - -</div><div class="newnovel"> -<p class="novel">By<br - /><big>CHARLES MAJOR</big></p> - -<p class="novels">Dorothy Vernon of Haddon -Hall.</p> - -<p class="novels">A Forest Hearth.</p> - -</div><div class="newnovel"> -<p class="novel">By<br - /><big>OWEN WISTER</big></p> - -<p class="novels">The Virginian: A Horseman -of the Plains.</p> - -</div></div> -</div> - - -<div class="coladverts" id="lastad"> -<h3 title="Uniform Edition of the Works of Rudyard Kipling"><a name="png.476" id="png.476" href="#png.476"><span class="pagenum"><span - class="ns">[</span>8<span class="ns">]<br - /></span></span></a><small>UNIFORM EDITION OF THE</small><br - />WORKS OF RUDYARD KIPLING<br - /><small><small><i>Extra Crown 8vo. Scarlet Cloth. Gilt Tops. <b class="rom">6s.</b> each</i></small></small></h3><div - class="leftcol"> -<h5 title="">32nd Thousand</h5> - -<p class="ctr"><big>Traffics and Discoveries</big></p> - - -<h5 title="">45th Thousand</h5> - -<p class="ctr"><big>Just So Stories for Little -Children</big><br - />With Illustrations by the Author<br - />Also 4to Edition. 6s.</p> - - -<h5 title="">65th Thousand</h5> - -<p class="ctr"><big>Kim</big><br - />Illustrated by <span class="smc">J. L. Kipling</span></p> - - -<h5 title="">38th Thousand</h5> - -<p class="ctr"><big>Stalky & Co.</big></p> - -<p class="blurb"><small><cite>PALL MALL GAZETTE.</cite>—“If ‘Stalky & Co.’ does not become as classic as the greatest -favourites among Mr.<!-- TN: period invisible --> Kipling’s previous volumes of -stories, write us down false prophets. He has -never written with more rapturously swinging zest, -or bubbled over with more rollicking fun.”</small></p> - - -<h5 title="">62nd Thousand</h5> - -<p class="ctr"><big>The Day’s Work</big></p> - -<p class="blurb"><small><cite>MORNING POST.</cite>—“The book is so varied, -so full of colour and life from end to end, that few -who read the first two or three stories will lay it -down till they have read the last.”</small></p> - - -<h5 title="">53rd Thousand</h5> - -<p class="ctr"><big>Plain Tales from the Hills</big></p> - -<p class="blurb"><small><cite>SATURDAY REVIEW.</cite>—“Mr. Kipling -knows and appreciates the English in India, and -is a born story teller and a man of humour into the -bargain.... It would be hard to find better -reading.”</small></p> - - -<h5 title="">44th Thousand</h5> - -<p class="ctr"><big>Life’s Handicap</big><br - />Being Stories of Mine Own People</p> - -<p class="blurb"><small><cite>BLACK AND WHITE.</cite>—“‘Life’s Handicap’ -contains much of the best work hitherto accomplished -by the author, and, taken as a whole, is a -complete advance upon its predecessors.”</small></p> - - -<h5 title="">41st Thousand</h5> - -<p class="ctr"><big>Many Inventions</big></p> - -<p class="blurb"><small><cite>PALL MALL GAZETTE.</cite>—“The completest -book that Mr. Kipling has yet given us in workmanship, -the weightiest and most humane in -breadth of view.... It can only be regarded as -a fresh landmark in the progression of his -genius.”</small></p> - - -<h5 title="">21st Thousand</h5> - -<p class="ctr"><big>Wee Willie Winkie</big><br - />and other Stories</p> -</div><div class="rightcol"> - -<h5 title="">25th Thousand</h5> - -<p class="ctr"><big>Soldiers Three</big><br - />and other Stories</p> - -<p class="blurb"><small><cite>GLOBE.</cite>—“Containing some of the best of his -highly vivid work.”</small></p> - - -<h5 title="">67th Thousand</h5> - -<p class="ctr"><big>The Jungle Book</big><br - />With Illustrations by <span class="smc">J. L. Kipling</span> -and W. H. Drake</p> - -<p class="blurb"><small><cite>PUNCH.</cite>—“‘Æsop’s Fables and dear old Brer -Fox and Co,’ observes the Baron<!-- TN: inferred; original unclear --> sagely, ‘may -have suggested to the fanciful genius of Rudyard -Kipling the delightful idea, carried out in the -most fascinating style, of “The Jungle Book.”’”</small></p> - - -<h5 title="">46th Thousand</h5> - -<p class="ctr"><big>The Second Jungle Book</big><br - />With Illustrations by <span class="smc">J. Lockwood -Kipling</span></p> - -<p class="blurb"><small><cite>DAILY TELEGRAPH.</cite>—“The appearance -of ‘The Second Jungle Book’ is a literary event -of which no one will mistake the importance. Unlike -most sequels, the various stories comprised in -the new volume are at least equal to their predecessors.”</small></p> - - -<h5 title="">30th Thousand</h5> - -<p class="ctr"><big>“Captains Courageous”</big><br - />A Story of the Grand Banks. Illustrated -by <span class="smc">I W. Taber</span></p> - -<p class="blurb"><small><cite>ATHENÆUM.</cite>—“Never in English prose has -the sea in all its myriad aspects, with all its sounds -and sights and odours, been reproduced with such -subtle skill as in these pages.”</small></p> - - -<h5 title="">17th Thousand</h5> - -<p class="ctr"><big>From Sea to Sea</big><br - />Letters of Travel. In Two Vols.</p> - -<p class="blurb"><small><cite>DAILY TELEGRAPH.</cite>—“‘From Sea to -Sea’ is delightful reading throughout. ‘Good -things’ sparkle in its every page, and inimitable -descriptive matter abounds.... A charming -book.”</small></p> - - -<h5 title="">50th Thousand</h5> - -<p class="ctr"><big>The Light that Failed</big><br - />Re-written and considerably enlarged</p> - -<p class="blurb"><small><cite>ACADEMY.</cite>—“Whatever else be true of Mr. Kipling, it is the first truth about him that he has -power, real intrinsic power.... Mr. Kipling’s -work has innumerable good qualities.”</small></p> - - -<p class="ctr"><big>The Naulahka</big><br - />A Story of West and East<br - /><span class="allsc">BY</span><br - /><big>RUDYARD KIPLING</big><br - /><span class="allsc">AND</span><br - /><big>WOLCOTT BALESTIER</big></p> -</div> -</div> - - -<p class="ctr"><small><small class="allsc">R. CLAY AND SONS, LTD., BREAD ST. HILL E.C., AND BUNGAY, SUFFOLK.<br - /><span class="fltrt"><span class="oldstyle">40,000 16.8.’05</span></span></small></small></p> - - - -<div class="tnote"> -<h2>Transcriber’s Note</h2> - -<p>A small number of clear typographical errors (mostly quote marks) have been corrected.</p> - -</div> - -<hr class="ww" /> - - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Last Chance, by Rolf Boldrewood - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LAST CHANCE *** - -***** This file should be named 61385-h.htm or 61385-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/6/1/3/8/61385/ - -Produced by MWS, David Wilson and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law 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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