Preface
Ofthestoriesinthisvolumemanyhavealreadyappearedin（variousperiodicals），whileseveralnowappearinprintforthefirsttime。
H。L。
Sydney，March17th，1900。
ContentsTheSongsTheyusedtoSingAVisionofSandyBlightAndyPage’sRivalTheIron-BarkChip"Middleton’sPeter"
TheMysteryofDaveReganMitchellonMatrimonyMitchellonWomenNoPlaceforaWomanMitchell’sJobsBill，theVentriloquialRoosterBushCatsMeetingOldMatesTwoLarrikinsMr。Smellingscheck"ARoughShed"
PayableGoldAnOversightofSteelman’sHowSteelmantoldhisStoryOntheTrackTheSongsTheyusedtoSingOnthediggingsuptotwentyoddyearsago——andasfarbackasIcanremember——onLambingFlat，thePipeClays，Gulgong，HomeRule，andsothroughtheroaringlist;inbarkhuts，tents，public-houses，slygrogshanties，and——well，themostgloriousvoiceofallbelongedtoabadgirl。Wewereonlychildrenanddidn’tknowwhyshewasbad，butweweren’tallowedtoplaynearorgonearthehutshelivedin，andweweretrainedtobelievefirmlythatsomethingawfulwouldhappentousifwestayedtoansweraword，anddidn’trunawayasfastasourlegscouldcarryus，ifsheattemptedtospeaktous。Wehadbeforeusthedreadexampleofoneurchin，whogotanawfulhidingandwentonbreadandwaterfortwenty-fourhoursforallowinghertokisshimandgivehimlollies。Shedidn’tlookbad——shelookedtouslikeagrandandbeautifullady-girl——
butwegotinstilledintoustheideathatshewasanawfulbadwoman，somethingmoreterribleeventhanadrunkenman，andonewhosepresencewastobefearedandfledfrom。Thereweretwoothergirlsinthehutwithher，alsoaprettylittlegirl，whocalledher"Auntie"，andwithwhomwewerenotallowedtoplay——fortheywereallbad;
whichpuzzledusasmuchaschild-mindscanbepuzzled。
Wecouldn’tmakeouthoweverybodyinonehousecouldbebad。
Weusedtowonderwhythesebadpeopleweren’thuntedawayorputingaoliftheyweresobad。Andanotherthingpuzzledus。Slippingoutafterdark，whenthebadgirlshappenedtobesingingintheirhouse，we’dsometimesrunagainstmenhangingroundthehutbyonesandtwosandthrees，listening。
Theyseemedmysterious。Theyweremostlygoodmen，andweconcludedtheywerelisteningandwatchingthebadwomen’shousetoseethattheydidn’tkillanyone，orstealandrunawaywithanybadlittleboys——ourselves，forinstance——whoranoutafterdark;
which，aswewereinformed，thosebadpeoplewerealwaysonthelookoutforachancetodo。
WeweretoldinafteryearsthatoldPeterMcKenzie（arespectable，married，hard-workingdigger）wouldsometimesstealupoppositethebaddoorinthedark，andthrowinmoneydoneupinapieceofpaper，andlistenrounduntilthebadgirlhadsungthe"BonnieHillsofScotland"
twoorthreetimes。Thenhe’dgoandgetdrunk，andstaydrunktwoorthreedaysatatime。Andhiswifecaughthimthrowingthemoneyinonenight，andtherewasaterriblerow，andshelefthim;andpeoplealwayssaiditwasallamistake。
Butwecouldn’tseethemistakethen。
ButIcanhearthatgirl’svoicethroughthenight，twentyyearsago：
Oh！thebloomin’heath，andthepalebluebell，InmybonnetthenIwore;
AndmemoryknowsnobrighterthemeThanthosehappydaysofyore。
Scotland！Landofchiefandsong！
Oh，whatcharmstotheebelong！
AndIamoldenoughtounderstandwhypoorPeterMcKenzie——whowasmarriedtoaSaxon，andaTartar——wentandgotdrunkwhenthebadgirlsang"TheBonnieHillsofScotland。"
HisanxiouseyemightlookinvainForsomelovedformitknew！……
Andyetanotherthingpuzzledusgreatlyatthetime。
Nextdoortothebadgirl’shousetherelivedaveryrespectablefamily——
afamilyofgoodgirlswithwhomwewereallowedtoplay，andfromwhomwegotlollies（thosehardoldred-and-white"fishlollies"
thatgrocerssenthomewithparcelsofgroceriesandreceiptedbills）。
Nowonewashingday，theybeingasgladtogetridofusathomeasweweretogetout，wewentovertothegoodhouseandfoundnooneathomeexceptthegrown-updaughter，whousedtosingforus，andread"RobinsonCrusoe"ofnights，"outloud"，andgiveusmorelolliesthananyoftherest——andwithwhomwewerepassionatelyinlove，notwithstandingthefactthatshewasengagedtoa"grown-upman"——
（wereckonedhe’dbedeadandoutofthewaybythetimewewereoldenoughtomarryher）。Shewaswashing。Shehadcarriedthestoolandtuboveragainstthestickfencewhichseparatedherhousefromthebadhouse;
and，toourastonishmentanddismay，thebadgirlhadbroughtHERtuboveragainsthersideofthefence。Theystoodandworkedwiththeirshoulderstothefencebetweenthem，andheadsbentdownclosetoit。
Thebadgirlwouldsingafewwords，andthegoodgirlafterher，overandoveragain。Theysangverylow，wethought。
Presentlythegoodgrown-upgirlturnedherheadandcaughtsightofus。
Shejumped，andherfacewentflamingred;shelaidholdofthestoolandcarriedit，tubandall，awayfromthatfenceinahurry。
Andthebadgrown-upgirltookhertubbacktoherhouse。
Thegoodgrown-upgirlmadeuspromisenevertotellwhatwesaw——thatshe’dbeentalkingtoabadgirl——elseshewouldnever，nevermarryus。
Shetoldme，inafteryears，whenshe’dgrownuptobeagrandmother，thatthebadgirlwassurreptitiouslyteachinghertosing"Madeline"
thatday。
Irememberadreadfulstoryofadiggerwhowentandshothimselfonenightafterhearingthatbadgirlsing。Wethoughtthenwhatafrightfullybadwomanshemustbe。Theincidentterrifiedus;andthereafterwekeptcarefullyandfearfullyoutofreachofhervoice，lestweshouldgoanddowhatthediggerdid……
IhaveadreamyrecollectionofacircusonGulgongintheroaringdays，morethantwentyyearsago，andawoman（tomychild-fancyabeingfromanotherworld）standinginthemiddleofthering，singing：
Outinthecoldworld——outinthestreet——
AskingapennyfromeachoneImeet;
CheerlessIwanderaboutalltheday，Wearingmyyounglifeinsorrowaway！
Thatlastlinehauntedmeformanyyears。Irememberbeingfrightenedbywomensobbing（andoneortwogreatgrown-updiggersalso）
thatnightinthatcircus。
"Father，DearFather，ComeHomewithMeNow"，wasasacredsongthen，notapegforvulgarparodiesandmorevulgar"business"
forfourth-rateclownsandcorner-men。Thentherewas"ThePrairieFlower"。
"OutonthePrairie，inanEarlyDay"——Icanhearthedigger’swifeyet：
shewastheprettiestgirlonthefield。Theymarriedontheslyandcreptintocampafterdark;butthediggersgotwindofitandrolledupwithgold-dishes，shovels，&c。，&c。，andgavethemarealgoodtinkettlingintheold-fashionedstyle，andanuggetortwotostarthousekeepingon。
Shehadaverysweetvoice。
Fairasalily，joyousandfree，Lightoftheprairiehomewasshe。
She’sa"granny"now，nodoubt——ordead。
AndIrememberapoor，brutallyill-usedlittlewife，wearingablackeyemostly，andsinging"LoveAmongsttheRoses"atherwork。
Andtheysangthe"BlueTailFly"，andallthefirstandbestcoonsongs——
inthedayswhenoldJohnBrownsankadufferonthehill……
ThegreatbarkkitchenofGrannyMathews’"RedclayInn"。
Afreshback-logthrownbehindthefire，whichlightstheroomfitfully。
Companysettleddowntopipes，subduedyarning，andreverie。
FlashJack——redsash，cabbage-treehatonbackofheadwithnothinginit，glossyblackcurlsbunchedupinfrontofbrim。FlashJackvolunteers，withoutinvitation，preparation，orwarning，andthroughhisnose：
Hoh！——
Therewasawildkerlonialyouth，JohnDowlinwashisname！
Hebountiedonhisparients，WholivedinCastlemaine！
andsoonto——
HetookapistolfromhisbreastAndwavedthatlit——tletoy——
"Littletoy"withanenthusiasticflourishandgreatunctiononFlashJack’spart——
"I’llfight，butIwon’tsurrender！"saidThewildKerlonialBoy。
Eventhisfailstorousethecompany’senthusiasm。"Giveusasong，Abe！
Giveusthe`Lowlands’！"AbeMathews，beardedandgrizzled，islyingonthebroadofhisbackonabench，withhishandsclaspedunderhishead——
hisfavouritepositionforsmoking，reverie，yarning，orsinging。
Hehadastrong，deepvoice，whichusedtothrillmethroughandthrough，fromhairtotoenails，asachild。
TheybotherAbetillhetakeshispipeoutofhismouthandputsitbehindhisheadontheendofthestool：
TheshipwasbuiltinGlasgow;
’Twasthe"GoldenVanitee"——
Lineshavedroppedoutofmymemoryduringthethirtyyearsgonebetween——
AndsheploughedintheLowLands，Low！
Thepublic-housepeopleandmorediggersdropintothekitchen，asalldowithinhearing，whenAbesings。
"Nowthen，boys：
AndsheploughedintheLowLands，Low！
"Now，alltogether！
TheLowLands！TheLowLands！
AndsheploughedintheLowLands，Low！"
Toeandheelandflatoffootbegintostamptheclayfloor，andhornyhandstoslappatchedkneesinaccompaniment。
"Oh！saveme，lads！"hecried，"I’mdriftingwiththecurrent，AndI’mdriftingwiththetide！
AndI’msinkingintheLowLands，Low！
TheLowLands！TheLowLands！"——
Theoldbarkkitchenisa-goingnow。Heelsdrummingongin-casesunderstools;hands，knuckles，pipe-bowls，andpannikinskeepingtimeonthetable。
Andwesewedhiminhishammock，Andweslippedhimo’ertheside，AndwesunkhimintheLowLands，Low！
TheLowLands！TheLowLands！
AndwesunkhimintheLowLands，Low！
OldBoozerSmith——adirtygin-soddenbundleofragsonthefloorinthecornerwithitsheadonacandlebox，andcoveredbyahorserug——
oldBoozerSmithissupposedtohavebeendeadtotheuniverseforhourspast，butthechorusmusthavedisturbedhistorpor;
for，withasuddennessandunexpectednessthatmakesthenextmanjump，therecomesabellowfromunderthehorserug：
Wotthough！——Iwear！——arag！——gedcoat！
I’llwearitlikeaman！
andceasesassuddenlyasitcommenced。Hestrugglestobringhisruinedheadandbloatedfaceabovethesurface，glaresround;
then，noonequestioninghismanhood，hesinksbackanddiestocreation;
andsubsequentproceedingsareonlyinterruptedbyasnore，asfarasheisconcerned。
LittleJimmyNowlett，thebullock-driver，isinspired。"Goon，Jimmy！
Giveusasong！"
InthedayswhenwewerehardupForwantofwoodandwire——
Jimmyalwaysblunders;itshouldhavebeen"foodandfire"——
WeusedtotieourbootsupWithlit——tlebits——erwire;
and——
I’msittinginmylit——tleroom，Itmeasuressixbysix;
Thework-housewallisopposite，I’vecountedallthebricks！
"Giveusachorus，Jimmy！"
Jimmydoes，givinghisheadashort，jerkynodfornearlyeveryword，anddescribingacircleroundhiscrown——asifhewerestirringapintofhottea——withhisforefinger，attheendofeveryline：
Hall！——Round！——Me——Hat！
Iworeaweepin’willer！
JimmyisaCockney。
"Nowthen，boys！"
Hall——round——mehat！
Howmanyolddiggersrememberit？
And：
Abutcher，andabaker，andaquiet-lookingquaker，Alla-courtingprettyJessieattheRailwayBar。
Iusedtowonderasachildwhatthe"railwaybar"meant。
And：
Iwould，Iwould，IwouldinvainThatIweresingleonceagain！
Butah，alas，thatwillnotbeTillapplesgrowonthewillowtree。
Adrunkengambler’syoungwifeusedtosingthatsong——toherself。
Astiratthekitchendoor，andacryof"Pinter，"andoldPoynton，Ballaratdigger，appearsandisshovedin;hehasseveraldrinksaboard，andtheyproceedto"gitPinteronthesingin’lay，"
andatlasttalkhimround。Hehasagoodvoice，butno"theory"，andblundersworsethanJimmyNowlettwiththewords。
Hestartswithahowl——
Hoh！
WaydowninCoventGar-ar-r-dingsA-strollingIdidgo，Toseethesweetestflow-ow-wersThate’eringardingsgrow。
Hesawtheroseandlily——theredandwhiteandblue——
andhesawthesweetestflow-ow-ersthate’eringardingsgrew;
forhesawtwolovelymaidens（Pintercalls’em"virgings"）
underneath（hemusthavemeantontopof）"agardingchair"，singsPinter。
AndonewaslovelyJessie，Withthejetblackeyesandhair，roarsPinter，Andtheotherwasavir-ir-ging，Isolemn-lyedeclare！
"Maiden，Pinter！"interjectsMr。Nowlett。
"Well，it’sallthesame，"retortsPinter。"AmaidenISavirging，Jimmy。
Ifyou’resinging，Jimmy，andnotme，I’llleaveoff！"
Chorusof"Order！Shutup，Jimmy！"
Iquicklyestep-peduptoher，Anduntoherdidsa-a-y：
Doyoubelongtoanyyoungman，Hoh，tellmethat，Ipra-a-y？
Heranswer，accordingtoPinter，wassurprisinglypromptandunconventional;
alsofullandconcise：
No;Ibelongtonoyoungman——
Isolemnlyedeclare！
ImeantoliveavirgingAndstillmylaurelswear！
JimmyNowlettattemptstomoveanamendmentinfavourof"maiden"，butispromptlysuppressed。ItseemsthatPinter’ssuithasahappytermination，forheissupposedtosinginthecharacterofa"SailorBold"，andasheturnstopursuehisstrollin"CoventGar-ar-dings"：
"Oh，no！Oh，no！Oh，no！"shecried，"IloveaSailorBold！"
"Hong-kore，Pinter！Giveusthe`GoldenGlove’，Pinter！"
Thuswarmedup，Pinterstartswithanexplanatory"spoken"
totheeffectthatthesongheisabouttosingillustratessomeofthelittlewaysofwoman，andhow，nomatterwhatyousayordo，sheisboundtohaveherownwayintheend;alsohow，inoneinstance，shesetaboutgettingit。
Hoh！
Now，it’sofayoungsquoirenearTimworthdiddwell，Whocourtedanobleman’sdaughtersowell——
Thesonghaslittleornothingtodowiththe"squire"，exceptsofaras"allfriendsandrelationshadgivenconsent，"and——
Thetroo-soowasordered——appointedtheday，Andafarmerwereappointedfortogiveheraway——
whichlastseemedamostunusualproceeding，consideringtheweddingwasatoneyaffair;butperhapstherewerepersonalinterests——
thenoblemanmighthavebeenhardup，andthefarmerbackinghim。
Buttherewasanextraordinarysceneinthechurch，andthingsgotmixed。
Forassoonasthismaidingthisfarmerespied：
"Hoh，myheart！Hoh，myheart！
Hoh，myheart！"thenshecried。
Hysterics？Anyway，insteadofbeingwed——
Thismaidentooksickandshewenttoherbed。
（N。B。——Pintersticksto`virging’。）
Whereuponfriendsandrelationsandguestsleftthehouseinabody（astrangebutperhapsawiseproceeding，afterall——maybetheysmeltarat）
andlefthertorecoveralone，whichshedidpromptly。Andthen：
Shirt，breeches，andwaistcoatthismaidingputon，Anda-huntingshewentwithherdogandhergun;
Shehuntedallroundwherethisfarmierdiddwell，Becauseinherownheartshelove-edhimwell。
Thecat’soutofthebagnow：
Andoftenshefired，butnogameshekilled——
whichwasnotsurprising——
Tillatlasttheyoungfarmiercameintothefield——
Nowonder。Sheputittohimstraight：
"Oh，whyareyounotatthewedding？"shecried，"Fortowaitonthesquoire，andtogivehimhisbride。"
HewasaspromptandasdelightfullyunconventionalinhisreplyastheyoungladyinCoventGardings：
"Oh，no！andoh，no！ForthetruthImustsa-a-y，Ilovehertoowellfortogivehera-w-a-a-y！"
whichwassatisfactorytothedisguised"virging"。
"……andI’dtakeswordinhand，AndbyhonourI’dwinherifshewouldcommand。"
Whichwasstillmoresatisfactory。
Nowthisvirging，being——
（JimmyNowlett："Maiden，Pinter——"Jimisthrownonastoolandsatonbyseveraldiggers。）
Nowthismaiding，beingplease-edtoseehimsobold，Shegavehimherglovethatwasfloweredwithgold，andexplainedthatshefounditinhisfieldwhilehuntingaroundwithherdogandhergun。Itisunderstoodthathepromisedtolookuptheowner。Thenshewenthomeandputanadvertisementinthelocal`Herald’;andthatad。musthavecausedconsiderablesensation。
Shestatedthatshehadlosthergoldenglove，andTheyoungmanthatfindsitandbringsittome，Hoh！thatveryyoungmanmyhusbandshallbe！
Shehadasavingclauseincasetheyoungfarmermislaidtheglovebeforehesawthead。，andanOLDblokegotholtofitandfetcheditalong。
Buteverythingwentallright。Theyoungfarmerturnedupwiththeglove。
Hewasaveryrespectableyoungfarmer，andexpressedhisgratitudetoherforhaving"honour-edhimwithherlove。"Theyweremarried，andthesongendswithapictureoftheyoungfarmeressmilkingthecow，andtheyoungfarmergoingwhistlingtoplough。ThefactthattheylivedandgraftedontheselectionprovesthatIhittherightnailontheheadwhenIguessed，inthefirstplace，thattheoldnoblemanwas"stony"。
Inafteryears，……shetoldhimofthefun，Howshehuntedhimupwithherdogandhergun。
Butwhetherhewaspleasedorotherwisetohearit，afteryearsofmatrimonialexperiences，theoldsongdoesn’tsay，foritendsthere。
FlashJackismoresuccessfulwith"SaintPatrick’sDay"。
Icometotheriver，Ijumpeditquiteclever！
Mewifetumbledin，andIlostherforever，St。Patrick’sowndayinthemornin’！
ThisisgreatlyappreciatedbyJimmyNowlett，whoissuspected，especiallybyhiswife，ofbeingmorecheerfulwhenontheroadsthanwhenathome……
"SamHolt"wasagreatfavouritewithJimmyNowlettinafteryears。
Oh，doyourememberBlackAlice，SamHolt？
BlackAlicesodirtyanddark——
Who’danoseonherface——Iforgethowitgoes——
AndteethlikeaMoretonBayshark。
SamHoltmusthavebeenveryhardupfortuckeraswellasbeautythen，forDoyourememberthe’possumsandgrubsShebakedforyoudownbythecreek？
SamHoltwas，apparently，ahardenedflashJack。
Youwerenotquitethecleanlypotato，SamHolt。
Referenceismadetohis"mannerofholdingaflush"，andheisaskedtorememberseveralthingswhichhe，nodoubt，wouldratherforget，including……thehidingyougotfromtheboys。
Thesongisdecidedlypersonal。
ButSamHoltmakesapileandgoeshome，leavingmanyabetterandworsemantopadthehoofOutBack。And——JimNowlettsangthiswithsomuchfeelingastomakeitappearapersonalaffairbetweenhimandtheabsentHolt——
And，don’tyourememberthefiver，SamHolt，Youborrowedsocarelessandfree？
IreckonI’llwhistleagoodmanytunes（withincreasingfeeling）
Ereyouthinkofthatfiverandme。
ForthechanceswillbethatSamHolt’soldmateWillbehumpinghisdrumontheHughendenRoadTotheendofthechapteroffate……
Anechofrom"TheOldBarkHut"，sungintheoppositioncampacrossthegully：
Youmayleavethedoorajar，butifyoukeepitshut，There’snoneedofsuffocationintheOuldBarrkHut……
Thetucker’sinthegin-case，butyou’dbetterkeepitshut——
FortheflieswillcantherrounditintheOuldBarkHut。
However：
What’soutofsightisoutofmind，intheOuldBarkHut……
WewashedourgreasymoleskinsOnthebanksoftheCondamine。——
Somebodytacklingthe"OldBullockDray";itmustbeoverfiftyversesnow。
Isawabushmanatacountrydancestarttosingthatsong;
he’dgetuptotenorfifteenverses，breakdown，andstartafresh。
Atlasthesatdownonhisheeltoit，inthecentreoftheclearfloor，restinghiswristonhisknee，andkeepingtimewithanindexfinger。
Itwasveryfunny，butthethingwastakenseriouslyallthrough。
IrreverentechofromtheoldLambingFlattrouble，fromcampacrossthegully：
RuleBritannia！Britanniarulesthewaves！
NomoreChinamenwillenterNooSouthWales！
andYankeeDoodlecametotownOnalittlepony——
Stickafeatherinhiscap，AndcallhimMaccaroni！
Allthecampsseemtobesingingto-night：
Ringthebell，watchman！
Ring！Ring！Ring！
Ring，forthegoodnewsIsnowonthewing！
Goodlines，theintroduction：
Highonthebelfrytheoldsextonstands，Graspingtheropewithhisthinbonyhands！……
Bon-firesareblazingthroughouttheland……
Gloriousandblessedtidings！Ring！Ringthebell！……
GrannyMathewsfailstocoaxhernieceintothekitchen，butpersuadeshertosinginside。Sheisthegirlwholearnt`subrosa’
fromthebadgirlwhosang"Madeline"。Suchashavethemoninstinctivelytaketheirhatsoff。Diggers，&c。，strollingpast，haltatthefirstnotesofthegirl’svoice，andstandlikestatuesinthemoonlight：
Shallwegatherattheriver，Wherebrightangelfeethavetrod？
Thebeautiful——thebeautifulriverThatflowsbythethroneofGod！——
Diggerswantedtosendthatgirl"Home"，butGrannyMathewshadtheold-fashionedhorrorofanyofherchildrenbecoming"public"——
Gatherwiththesaintsattheriver，ThatflowsbythethroneofGod！……
Butitgrowslate，orrather，early。The"Eyetalians"gobyinthefrostymoonlight，fromtheirlastshiftintheclaim（foritisSaturdaynight），singingalitany。
"Getupononeend，Abe！——standupall！"Handsareclaspedacrossthekitchentable。Redclay，oneofthelastofthealluvialfields，haspeteredout，andtheRoaringDaysaredying……Thegrandoldsongthatisknownallovertheworld;yethowmanyintenthousandknowmorethanoneverseandthechorus？LetPeterMcKenzielead：
Shouldauldacquaintancebeforgot，Andneverbroughttomin’？
Andheartsechofromfarbackinthepastandacrosswide，wideseas：
Shouldauldacquaintancebeforgot，Anddayso’langsyne？
Nowboys！alltogether！
Forauldlangsyne，mydear，Forauldlangsyne，We’lltak’acupo’kindnessyet，Forauldlangsyne。
Wetwahaerunaboutthebraes，Andpu’dthegowansfine;
Butwe’vewanderedmonyawearyfoot，Sin’auldlangsyne。
Theworldwaswidethen。
Wetwahaepaidl’ti’theburn，Fraemornin’suntilldine：
thelogfireseemstogrowwatery，forinwide，lonelyAustralia——
Butseasbetweenusbraidhaeroar’d，Sin’auldlangsyne。
Thekitchengrowsdimmer，andtheformsofthedigger-singersseemedsuddenlyvagueandunsubstantial，fadingbackrapidlythroughamistyveil。Butthewordsringstronganddefiantthroughhardyears：
Andhere’sahand，mytrustyfrien’，Andgie’sagrupo’thine;
Andwe’lltak’acupo’kindnessyet，Forauldlangsyne……
AndthenettleshavebeengrowingforovertwentyyearsonthespotwhereGrannyMathews’bigbarkkitchenstood。
AVisionofSandyBlightI’dbeenhumpingmyback，andcrouchingandgroaningforanhourorsointhedarkestcornerofthetravellers’hut，torturedbythedemonofsandyblight。Itwastoohottotravel，andtherewasnoonethereexceptourselvesandMitchell’scattlepup。
Wewerewaitingtillaftersundown，forIcouldn’thavetravelledinthedaylight，anyway。Mitchellhadtiedawettowelroundmyeyes，andledmeforthelastmileortwobyanothertowel——
oneendfastenedtohisbeltbehind，andtheotherinmyhandasIwalkedinhistracks。Andoh！butthiswasarelief！
Itwasoutofthedustandglare，andthefliesdidn’tcomeintothedarkhut，andIcouldhumpandstickmykneesinmyeyesandgroanincomfort。
Ididn’twantathousandayear，oranything;Ionlywantedreliefformyeyes——thatwasallIprayedforinthisworld。Whenthesungotdownabit，Mitchellstartedpokinground，andpresentlyhefoundamongsttherubbishadirty-lookingmedicinebottle，corkedtight;whenherubbedthedirtoffapieceofnotepaperthatwaspastedon，hesaw"eye-water"writtenonit。
Hedrewthecorkwithhisteeth，smeltthewater，stuckhislittlefingerin，turnedthebottleupsidedown，tastedthetopofhisfinger，andreckonedthestuffwasallright。
"Here！Wakeup，Joe！"heshouted。"Here’sabottleoftears。"
"Abottlerwot？"Igroaned。
"Eye-water，"saidMitchell。
"Areyousureit’sallright？"Ididn’twanttobepoisonedorhavemyeyesburntoutbymistake;perhapssomeburningacidhadgotintothatbottle，orthelabelhadbeenputon，orlefton，inmistakeorcarelessness。
"Idunno，"saidMitchell，"butthere’snoharmintryin’。"
Ichancedit。Ilaydownonmybackinabunk，andMitchelldraggedmylidsupandspilthalfabottleofeye-waterovermyeye-balls。
Thereliefwasalmostinstantaneous。Ineverexperiencedsuchaquickcureinmylife。Icarriedthebottleinmyswagforalongtimeafterwards，withanideaofgettingitanalysed，butleftitbehindatlastinacamp。
Mitchellscratchedhisheadthoughtfully，andwatchedmeforawhile。
"IthinkI’llwaitabitlonger，"hesaidatlast，"andifitdoesn’tblindyouI’llputsomeinmyeyes。I’mgettingatouchofblightmyselfnow。
That’sthefaultoftravellingwithamatewho’salwayscatchingsomethingthat’snogoodtohim。"
Asitgrewdarkoutsidewetalkedofsandy-blightandfly-bite，andsand-fliesupnorth，andordinaryflies，andbranchedofftoBarcoorot，andstruckthetrackagainatbeesandbeestings。Whenwegottobees，Mitchellsatsmokingforawhileandlookingdreamilybackwardsalongtracksandbranchtracks，androundcornersandcircleshehadtravelled，rightbacktotheshort，narrow，innocentbitoftrackthatendsinavague，mistypoint——liketheendofalong，straight，clearedroadinthemoonlight——asfarbackaswecanremember……
"Ihadaboutfourteenhives，"saidMitchell——"weusedtocallthem`swarms’，nomatterwhethertheywereflyingorinthebox——whenIlefthomefirsttime。Ikeptthembehindtheshed，intheshade，ontablesofgalvanisedironcasesturneddownonstakes;
butIhadtomakelegslateron，andstandtheminpansofwater，onaccountoftheants。Whenthebeesswarmed——andsomehivessentouttheLordknowshowmanyswarmsinayear，itseemedtome——
we’dtin-kettle’em，andthrowwateron’em，tomake’embelievethebiggestthunderstormwascomingtodrowntheoldestinhabitant;
and，iftheydidn’tgetthestartofusandrise，they’dsettleonabranch——
generallyononeofthescraggyfruittrees。Itwasroughonthebees——
cometothinkofit;theirinstincttoldthemitwasgoingtobefine，andthenoiseandwatertoldthemitwasraining。Theymusthavethoughtthatnaturewasmad，drunk，orgoneratty，ortheendoftheworldhadcome。
We’drigupatable，withaboxupsidedown，underthebranch，coverourfacewithapieceofmosquitonet，haveragsburninground，andthengivethebranchasuddenjerk，turntheboxdown，andrun。Ifwegotmostofthebeesin，therestthatwerehangingtotheboughorflyingroundwouldfollow，andthenwereckonedwe’dshookthequeenin。
Ifthebeesintheboxcameoutandjoinedtheothers，we’dreckonwehadn’tshookthequeenin，andgoforthemagain。
Whenahivewasfullofhoneywe’dturntheboxupsidedown，turntheemptyboxmouthdownontopofit，anddrumandhammeronthelowerboxwithasticktillallthebeeswentupintothetopbox。
Isupposeitmadetheirheadsache，andtheywentuponthataccount。
"Isupposethingsaredonedifferentlyonproperbee-farms。
I’veheardthatabee-farmerwillpartahangingswarmwithhisfingers，takeoutthequeenbeeandarrangematterswithher;butourwayssuitedus，andtherewasalotofexpectationandrunningandexcitementinit，especiallywhenaswarmtookusbysurprise。Theyellof`Beesswarmin’！’
wasasgoodtousastheyellof`Fight！’isnow，or`Bolt！’intown，or`Fire’or`Manoverboard！’atsea。
"Therewastonsofhoney。Thebeesusedtogotothevineyardsatwine-makingandgethoneyfromtheheapsofcrushedgrape-skinsthrownoutinthesun，andgetsodrunksometimesthattheywobbledintheirbee-lineshome。
They’dfillalltheboxes，andthenbuildinbetweenandunderthebark，andboard，andtincovers。Theyneverseemedtogettheideaoutoftheirheadsthatthiswasn’tanevergreencountry，anditwasn’tgoingtosnowallwinter。MyyoungerbrotherJoeusedtoputpiecesofmeatonthetablesneartheboxes，andinfrontoftheholeswherethebeeswentinandout，forthedogstograbat。Butoneolddog，`BlackBill’，wasamatchforhim;
ifitwasworthBill’swhile，he’dcampthere，andkeepJoeandtheotherdogsfromtouchingthemeat——onceitwasputdown——tillthebeesturnedinforthenight。AndJoewouldgettheotherkidsroundthere，andwhentheyweren’tlookingorthinking，he’dbrushthebeeswithastickandrun。
I’dlamhimwhenIcaughthimatit。Hewasanawfulyoungdevil，wasJoe，andhegrewupsteady，andrespectable，andrespected——andIwenttothebad。Inevertrustagoodboynow……Ah，well！
"Irememberthefirstswarmwegot。We’dbeentalkingofgettingafewswarmsforalongtime。ThatwaswhatwasthematterwithusEnglishandIrishandEnglish-IrishAustralianfarmers：
weusedtotalksomuchaboutdoingthingswhiletheGermansandScotchdidthem。Andweeventalkedinalazy，easy-goingsortofway。
"Well，oneblazinghotdayIsawfathercomingalongtheroad，hometodinner（wehaditinthemiddleoftheday），withhisaxeoverhisshoulder。
Inoticedtheaxeparticularlybecausefatherwasbringingithometogrind，andJoeandIhadtoturnthestone;but，whenInoticedJoedraggingalonghomeinthedustaboutfiftyyardsbehindfather，Ifelteasierinmymind。SuddenlyfatherdroppedtheaxeandstartedtorunbackalongtheroadtowardsJoe，who，assoonashesawfathercoming，shiedforthefenceandgotthrough。Hethoughthewasgoingtocatchitforsomethinghe’ddone——orhadn’tdone。Joeusedtodosomanythingsandleavesomanythingsnotdonethathecouldneverbesureoffather。
Besides，fatherhadawayofstartingtohammerusunexpectedly——
whentheideastruckhim。Butfatherpulledhimselfupinaboutthirtyyardsandstartedtograbuphandfulsofdustandsandandthrowthemintotheair。
Myidea，inthefirstflash，wastogetholdoftheaxe，forIthoughtitwassun-stroke，andfathermighttakeitintohisheadtostartchoppingupthefamilybeforeIcouldpersuadehimtoputit（hishead，Imean）
inabucketofwater。ButJoecamerunninglikemad，yelling：
"`Swarmer——bees！Swawmmer——bee——ee——es！Bring——a——tin——dish——
and——a——dippera——wa-a-ter！’
"Iranwithabucketofwaterandanoldfrying-pan，andprettysoontherestofthefamilywereonthespot，throwingdustandwater，andbangingeverything，tinoriron，theycouldgetholdof。
Theonlybullockbellinthedistrict（ifitwasinthedistrict）
wasontheoldpoleycow，andshe’dbeenlostforafortnight。
Motherbroughtuptherear——butsoonworkedtothefront——
withabaking-dishandabigspoon。Theoldlady——shewasn’toldthen——
hadadeep-rootedprejudicethatshecoulddoeverythingbetterthananybodyelse，andthattheselectionandallonitwouldgotothedogsifshewasn’ttheretolookafterit。
Therewasnojoltingthatideaoutofher。Shenotonlybelievedthatshecoulddoanythingbetterthananybody，andherswastheonlyrightorpossibleway，andthatwe’ddoeverythingupsidedownifshewasn’ttheretodoitorshowushow——butshe’dtrytodothingsherselforinsistonmakingusdothemherway，andthatledtomessesandrows。Shewasexcitednow，andtookcommandatonce。Shewasn’ttongue-tied，andhadnoimpedimentinherspeech。
"`Don’tthrowupdust！——Stopthrowingupdust！——
Doyouwanttosmother’em？——Don’tthrowupsomuchwater！——
Onlythrowupapannikinatatime！——D’yerwanttodrown’em？
Bang！Keeponbanging，Joe！——Lookatthatchild！Run，someone！——run！
you，Jack！——D’yerwantthechildtobestungtodeath？——
Takeherinside！……Dy’hearme？……Stopthrowingupdust，Tom！
（Tofather。）You’rescaring’emaway！Can’tyouseetheywanttosettle？’
[Fatherwasgettingmadandyelping：`ForGodsakeshettupandgoinside。’]
`Throwupwater，Jack！Throwup——Tom！Takethatbucketfromhimanddon’tmakesuchafoolofyourselfbeforethechildren！
Throwupwater！Throw——keeponbanging，children！Keeponbanging！’
[Motherputherfaithinbanging。]`There！——they’reoff！You’velost’em！
Iknewyouwould！Itoldyer——keeponbang——！’
"Abeestruckherintheeye，andshegrabbedatit！
"Motherwenthome——andinside。
"Fatherwasgoodatbees——couldmanagethemlikesheepwhenhegottoknowtheirideas。Whentheswarmsettled，hesentusfortheoldwashingstool，boxes，bags，andsoon;andthewholetimehewasfixingthebeesInoticedthatwheneverhisbackwasturnedtoushisshoulderswouldjerkupasifhewascold，andheseemedtoshudderfrominside，andnowandthenI’dhearagruntingsortofwhimperlikeaboythatwasjuststartingtoblubber。Butfatherwasn’tweeping，andbeesweren’tstinginghim;
itwasthebeethatstungmotherthatwasticklingfather。Whenhewentintothehouse，mother’sothereyehadbungedforsympathy。Fatherwasalwaysgentleandkindinsickness，andhebathedmother’seyesandrubbedmudon，buteverynowandthenhe’dcatchinside，andjerkandshudder，andgruntandcough。Mothergotwild，butpresentlythehumourofitstruckher，andshehadtolaugh，andarumlaughitwas，withbotheyesbungedup。Thenshegothysterical，andstartedtocry，andfatherputhisarmroundhershoulderandorderedusoutofthehouse。
"Theywereveryfondofeachother，theoldpeoplewere，underitall——
rightuptotheend……Ah，well！"
Mitchellpulledtheswagsoutofabunk，andstartedtofastenthenose-bagson。
AndyPage’sRivalTallandfreckledandsandy，Faceofacountrylout;
ThatwasthepictureofAndy——
Middleton’srouseabout。
OnMiddleton’swidedominionsPliedthestock-whipandshears;
Hadn’tanyopinions——————
Andhehadn’tany"ideers"——atleast，hesaidsohimself——
exceptasregardedanythingthatlookedtohimlikewhathecalled"funnybusiness"，underwhichheadinghecataloguedtyranny，treachery，interferencewiththelibertyofthesubjectbythesubject，"blanky"lies，orswindles——allthings，inshort，thatseemedtohisslowunderstandingdishonest，meanorpaltry;
mostespecially，andaboveall，treacherytoamate。
THAThecouldneverforget。Andywasuncomfortably"straight"。
Hismindworkedslowlyandhisdecisionswere，asarule，rightandjust;
andwhenheoncecametoaconclusionconcerninganymanormatter，ordecideduponacourseofaction，nothingshortofanearthquakeoraNevertirecyclonecouldmovehimbackaninch——unlessaconvictionwereseverelyshaken，andthenhewouldrequireasmuchtimeto"back"tohisstartingpointashedidtocometothedecision。
Andyhadcometoaconclusionwithregardtoaselector’sdaughter——name，LizziePorter——wholived（andslaved）onherfather’sselection，nearthetownshipcorneroftherunonwhichAndywasageneral"hand"。
Hehadbeeninthehabitforseveralyearsofcallingcasuallyattheselector’shouse，asherodetoandfrobetweenthestationandthetown，togetadrinkofwaterandexchangethetimeofdaywitholdPorterandhis"missus"。Theconversationconcernedthedrought，andthelikelihoodorotherwiseoftheirevergoingtogetalittlerain;
oraboutPorter’scattle，withanoccasionalenquiryconcerning，orreferenceto，astraycowbelongingtotheselection，butpreferringtherun;alittle，plump，saucy，whitecow，by-the-way，practicallypurewhite，butreferredtobyAndy——whohadeyeslikeablackfellow——as"oldSpeckledy"。Nooneelsecoulddetectaspotorspeckleonheratacasualglance。
Thenafteralongbovinesilence，whichwouldhavebeenpainfullyembarrassinginanyothersociety，andatiltingofhiscabbage-treehatforward，whichcameofticklingandscratchingthesun-blotchednapeofhisneckwithhislittlefinger，Andywouldslowlysay："Ah，well。Imustbegettin’。
So-long，Mr。Porter。So-long，Mrs。Porter。"And，ifSHEwereinevidence——asshegenerallywasonsuchoccasions——"So-long，Lizzie。"
Andthey’dshout："So-long，Andy，"ashegallopedofffromthejump。
Strangethatthoseshy，quiet，gentle-voicedbushmenseemthehardestandmostrecklessriders。
ButoflatehishorsehadbeenseenhangingupoutsidePorter’sforanhourorsoaftersunset。Hesmoked，talkedovertheresultsofthelastdrought（ifithappenedtorain），andthepossibilitiesofthenextone，andplayedcardswitholdPorter;
whotooktowinking，automatically，athis"oldwoman"，andnudging，andjerkinghisthumbinthedirectionofLizziewhenherbackwasturned，andAndywasscratchingthenapeofhisneckandstaringatthecards。
Lizzietoldaladyfriendofmine，yearsafterwards，howAndypoppedthequestion;tolditinherquietway——youknowLizzie’squietway（somethingoftheold，privilegedhouse-catabouther）;
neverasigninexpressionortonetoshowwhethersheherselfsaworappreciatedthehumourofanythingshewastelling，nomatterhowcomicalitmightbe。Shehadwitnessedtwotragedies，andhadfoundadeadmaninthebush，andrelatedtheincidentsasthoughtheywerecommon-place。
Ithappenedoneday——afterAndyhadbeencomingtwoorthreetimesaweekforaboutayear——thatshefoundherselfsittingwithhimonalogofthewoodheap，inthecooloftheevening，enjoyingthesunsetbreeze。Andy’sarmhadgotroundher——
justasitmighthavegoneroundaposthehappenedtobeleaningagainst。
Theyhadn’tbeentalkingaboutanythinginparticular。Andysaidhewouldn’tbesurprisediftheyhadathunderstormbeforemornin’——
ithadbeensosmotherin’hotallday。
Lizziesaid，"Verylikely。"
Andysmokedagoodwhile，thenhesaid："Ah，well！It’sawearyworld。"
Lizziedidn’tsayanything。
By-and-byeAndysaid："Ah，well;it’salonelyworld，Lizzie。"
"Doyoufeellonely，Andy？"askedLizzie，afterawhile。
"Yes，Lizzie;Ido。"
Lizzieletherselfsettle，alittle，againsthim，withouteitherseemingtonoticeit，andafteranotherwhileshesaid，softly：
"SodoI，Andy。"
Andyknockedtheashesfromhispipeveryslowlyanddeliberately，andputitaway;thenheseemedtobrightensuddenly，andsaidbriskly：
"Well，Lizzie！Areyousatisfied！"
"Yes，Andy;I’msatisfied。"
"Quitesure，now？"
"Yes;I’mquitesure，Andy。I’mperfectlysatisfied。"
"Well，then，Lizzie——it’ssettled！"……
Butto-day——acoupleofmonthsaftertheproposaldescribedabove——
Andyhadtroubleonhismind，andthetroublewasconnectedwithLizziePorter。Hewasputtingupatwo-railfencealongtheoldlog-paddockonthefrontage，andworkinglikeamanintrouble，tryingtoworkitoffhismind;andevidentlynotsucceeding——
forthelasttwopanelswereoutofline。Hewasrammingapost——
Andyrammedhonestly，fromthebottomofthehole，notthelastfewshovelfulsbelowthesurface，assomedo。Hewasrammingthelastlayerofclaywhenacloudofwhitedustcamealongtheroad，paused，anddriftedorpouredoffintothescrub，leavinglongDaveBentley，thehorse-breaker，onhislastvictim。
"’Ello，Andy！Graftin’？"
"Iwanttospeaktoyou，Dave，"saidAndy，inastrangevoice。
"All——allright！"saidDave，ratherpuzzled。Hegotdown，wonderingwhatwasup，andhunghishorsetothelastpostbutone。
DavewasAndy’soppositeinonerespect：hejumpedtoconclusions，aswomendo;but，unlikewomen，hewasmostlywrong。HewasanoldchumandmateofAndy’swhohadalwaysliked，admired，andtrustedhim。
Butnow，tohishelplesssurprise，Andywentonscrapingtheearthfromthesurfacewithhislong-handledshovel，andheapingitconscientiouslyroundthebuttofthepost，hisfacelikeablockofwood，andhislipssetgrimly。Davebrokeoutfirst（withbushoaths）：
"What’sthematterwithyou？Spititout！WhathaveIbeendoin’toyou？
What’syergotyerragoutabout，anyway？"
Andyfacedhimsuddenly，withhatredfor"funnybusiness"
flashinginhiseyes。
"WhatdidyousaytomysisterMaryaboutLizziePorter？"
Davestarted;thenhewhistledlongandlow。"Spititallout，Andy！"
headvised。
"Yousaidshewastravellin’withafeller！"
"Well，what’stheharminthat？Everybodyknowsthat——"
"IfanycrawlersaysawordaboutLizziePorter——lookhere，meandyou’sgottofight，DaveBentley！"Then，withstillgreatervehemence，asthoughhehadashareinthegarment："Takeoffthatcoat！"
"NotifIknowit！"saidDave，withthesuddenquietnessthatcomestobravebutheadstrongandimpulsivemenatacriticalmoment：
"Meandyouain’tgoin’tofight，Andy;and"（withsuddenenergy）
"ifyoutryitonI’llknockyouintojim-rags！"
Then，steppingclosetoAndyandtakinghimbythearm：
"Andy，thisthingwillhavetobefixedup。Comehere;
Iwanttotalktoyou。"Andheledhimsomepacesaside，insidetheboundaryline，whichseemedaludicrouslyunnecessaryprecaution，seeingthattherewasnoonewithinsightorhearingsaveDave’shorse。
"Now，lookhere，Andy;let’shaveitover。What’sthematterwithyouandLizziePorter？"
"I’Mtravellin’withher，that’sall;andwe’regoingtogetmarriedintwoyears！"
Davegaveventtoanotherlong，lowwhistle。Heseemedtothinkandmakeuphismind。
"Now，lookhere，Andy：we’reoldmates，ain’twe？"
"Yes;Iknowthat。"
"AnddoyouthinkI’dtellyouablankylie，orcrawlbehindyourback？
Doyou？Spititout！"
"N——no，Idon’t！"
"I’vealwaysstuckupforyou，Andy，and——why，I’vefoughtforyoubehindyourback！"
"Iknowthat，Dave。"
"There’smyhandonit！"
Andytookhisfriend’shandmechanically，butgrippedithard。
"Now，Andy，I’lltellyoustraight：It’sGorstruthaboutLizziePorter！"
Theystoodastheywereforafullminute，handsclasped;
AndywithhisjawdroppedandstaringinadazedsortofwayatDave。
Heraisedhisdisengagedhandhelplesslytohisthatch，gulpedsuspiciously，andaskedinabrokenvoice：
"How——howdoyouknowit，Dave？"
"Knowit？Andy，ISEEN’EMMESELF！"
"Youdid，Dave？"inatonethatsuggestedsorrowmorethanangeratDave’spartintheseeingofthem。
"Gorstruth，Andy！"……
"Tellme，Dave，whowasthefeller？That’sallIwanttoknow。"
"Ican’ttellyouthat。IonlyseenthemwhenIwascanterin’pastinthedusk。"
"Thenhow’dyouknowitwasamanatall？"
"Itworetrousers，anyway，andwasasbigasyou;soitcouldn’thavebeenagirl。I’mprettysafetoswearitwasMickKelly。
Isawhishorsehangin’upatPorter’sonceortwice。
ButI’lltellyouwhatI’lldo：I’llfindoutforyou，Andy。
And，what’smore，I’lljobhimforyouifIcatchhim！"
Andysaidnothing;hishandsclenchedandhischestheaved。
Davelaidafriendlyhandonhisshoulder。
"It’sredhot，Andy，Iknow。AnybodyelsebutyouandIwouldn’thavecared。
Butdon’tbeafool;there’sanyGorsquantityofgirlsknockin’round。
Youjustgiveittoherstraightandchuckher，andhavedonewithit。
Youmustbebadofftobotherabouther。Gorstruth！sheain’tmuchtolookatanyway！I’vegottoridelikeblazestocatchthecoach。
Don’tknockofftillIcomeback;Iwon’tbeaboveanhour。
I’mgoin’togiveyousomepointsincaseyou’vegottofightMick;
andI’llhavetobetheretobackyou！"And，thustakingtherightmomentinstinctively，hejumpedonhishorseandgallopedontowardsthetown。
Hisdust-cloudhadscarcelydisappearedroundacornerofthepaddockswhenAndywasawareofanotheronecomingtowardshim。HehadadazedideathatitwasDavecomingback，butwentondigginganotherpost-hole，mechanically，untilaspring-cartrattledup，andstoppedoppositehim。
Thenheliftedhishead。ItwasLizzieherself，drivinghomefromtown。
Sheturnedtowardshimwithherusualfaintsmile。Hersmallfeatureswere"washedout"andratherhaggard。
"’Ello，Andy！"
But，atthesightofher，allhishatredof"funnybusiness"
——intensified，perhaps，byasenseofpersonalinjury——cametoahead，andheexploded：
"Lookhere，LizziePorter！Iknowallaboutyou。Youneedn’tthinkyou’regoin’tocottononwithmeanymoreafterthis！
Iwouldn’tbeseeninapaddockwithyer！I’msatisfiedaboutyou！
Getonoutofthis！"
Thegirlstaredathimforamomentthunderstruck;thenshelammedintotheoldhorsewithastickshecarriedinplaceofawhip。
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