Preface
Ofthestoriesinthisvolumemanyhavealreadyappearedinthecolumnsof[variousperiodicals]，whileseveralnowappearinprintforthefirsttime。
H。L。
Sydney，June9th，1900。
ContentsTheShanty-Keeper’sWifeAGentlemanSharperandSteelmanSharperAnIncidentatStiffner’sTheHeroofRedclayTheDarlingRiverACasefortheOracleADaughterofMaorilandNewYear’sNightBlackJoeTheyWaitontheWharfinBlackSeeingtheLastofYouTwoBoysatGrinderBrothers’
TheSelector’sDaughterMitchellonthe"Sex"andOther"Problems"
TheMaster’sMistakeTheStoryoftheOracleOvertheSliprailsTheShanty-Keeper’sWifeTherewereaboutadozenofusjammedintothecoach，ontheboxseatandhangingontotheroofandtailboardasbestwecould。
Wewereshearers，bagmen，agents，asquatter，acockatoo，theusualjoker——
andoneortwoprofessionalspielers，perhaps。Weweretiredandstiffandnearlyfrozen——toocoldtotalkandtooirritabletorisktheinevitableargumentwhichaninterchangeofideaswouldhaveledupto。Wehadbeenlookingforwardforhours，itseemed，tothepubwhereweweretochangehorses。Forthelasthourortwoallthatourunitedeffortshadbeenabletogetoutofthedriverwasagrunttotheeffectthatitwas"’boutacoupleo’miles。"
Thenhesaid，orgrunted，"’Tain’tfurnow，"acoupleoftimes，andrefusedtocommithimselfanyfurther;heseemedgrumpyabouthavingcommittedhimselfthatfar。
Hewasoneofthosemenwhotakeeverythingindeadearnest;whoregardanyexpressionofideasoutsidetheirownsphereoflifeastrivial，or，indeed，ifaddresseddirectlytothem，asoffensive;who，infact，aredarklysuspiciousofanythingintheshapeofajokeorlaughonthepartofanoutsiderintheirownparticulardust-hole。Heseemedtobealwaysthinking，andthinkingalot;whenhishandswerenotbothengaged，hewouldtilthishatforwardandscratchthebaseofhisskullwithhislittlefinger，andlethisjawhang。Buthisintellectualpowersweremostlyconcentratedonadoubtfulswingle-tree，amisfittingcollar，orthattherebayorpiebald（ontheoffornearside）withthesoreshoulder。
Casuallettersorpapers，tobedeliveredontheroad，werematterswhichtroubledhimvaguely，butconstantly——
liketheabstractideasofhispassengers。
Thejokerofourpartywasahumouristofthedryorder，andhadbeenslylytakingrisesoutofthedriverforthelasttwoorthreestages。
Butthedriveronlybrooded。Hewasn’ttheonetotellyoustraightifyouoffendedhim，orifhefanciedyouoffendedhim，andthusgainyourrespect，orpreventamisunderstandingwhichwouldresultinlife-longenmity。Hemightmeetyouinafteryearswhenyouhadforgottenallaboutyourtrespass——ifindeedyouhadeverbeenconsciousofit——and"stoush"youunexpectedlyontheear。
Alsoyoumightregardhimasyourfriend，onoccasion，andyethewouldstandbyandhearaperfectstrangertellyouthemostoutrageouslies，toyourhurt，andknowthatthestrangerwastellinglies，andneverputyouuptoit。Itwouldneverenterhisheadtodoso。Itwouldn’tbeanyaffairofhis——onlyanabstractquestion。
Itgrewdarkerandcolder。Theraincameasifthefrozensouthwerespittingatyourfaceandneckandhands，andourfeetgrewasbigascamel’s，andwentdead，andwemightaswellhavestampedthefootboardswithwoodenlegsforallthefeelingwegotintoours。Buttheyweremorecomfortablethatway，forthetoesdidn’tcurlupandpainsomuch，nordidourcornsstickoutsohardagainsttheleather，andshoot。
Welookedouteagerlyforsomeclearing，orfence，orlight——somesignoftheshantywhereweweretochangehorses——buttherewasnothingsaveblacknessallround。Thelong，straight，clearedroadwasnolongerrelievedbytheghostlypatchoflight，farahead，wheretheborderingtree-wallscametogetherinperspectiveandframedtheether。Weweredowninthebedofthebush。
Wepicturedahavenofrestwithasuspendedlampburninginthefrostyairoutsideandabiglogfireinacosyparlouroffthebar，andalongtablesetforsupper。Butthisisalandofcontradictions;
waysideshantiesturnupunexpectedlyandinthemostunreasonableplaces，andare，aslikelyasnot，preparedforabanquetwhenyouarenothungryandcan’twait，andascoldanddarkasabushman’sgravewhenyouareandcan。
Suddenlythedriversaid："We’retherenow。"Hesaidthisasifhehaddrivenustothescaffoldtobehanged，andwasfiercelygladthathe’dgotustheresafelyatlast。Welookedbutsawnothing;
thenalightappearedaheadandseemedtocometowardsus;
andpresentlywesawthatitwasalanternheldupbyamaninaslouchhat，withadarkbushybeard，andathree-bushelbagaroundhisshoulders。
Hehelduphisotherhand，andsaidsomethingtothedriverinatonethatmighthavebeenusedbytheleaderofasearchpartywhohadjustfoundthebody。Thedriverstoppedandthenwentonslowly。
"What’sup？"weasked。"What’sthetrouble？"
"Oh，it’sallright，"saidthedriver。
"Thepublican’swifeissick，"somebodysaid，"andhewantsustocomequietly。"
Theusuallittleslabandbarkshantywassuggestedinthegloom，withabigbarkstableloominginthebackground。Weclimbeddownlikesomanycripples。Assoonaswebegantofeelourlegsandbesurewehadtherightonesandtheproperallowanceoffeet，wehelped，asquietlyaspossible，totakethehorsesoutandroundtothestable。
"Issheverybad？"weaskedthepublican，showingasmuchconcernaswecould。
"Yes，"hesaid，inasubduedvoiceofaroughmanwhohadspentseveralanxious，sleeplessnightsbythesickbedofadearone。
"But，Godwilling，Ithinkwe’llpullherthrough。"
Thusencouragedwesaid，sympathetically："We’reverysorrytotroubleyou，butIsupposewecouldmanagetogetadrinkandabittoeat？"
"Well，"hesaid，"there’snothingtoeatinthehouse，andI’veonlygotrumandmilk。Youcanhavethatifyoulike。"
Oneofthepilgrimsbrokeouthere。
"Wellofallthepubs，"hebegan，"thatI’veever——"
"Hush-sh-sh！"saidthepublican。
Thepilgrimscowledandretiredtotherear。Youcan’texpressyourfeelingsfreelywhenthere’sawomandyingclosehandy。
"Well，whosaysrumandmilk？"askedthejoker，inalowvoice。
"Waithere，"saidthepublican，anddisappearedintothelittlefrontpassage。
Presentlyalightshowedthroughawindow，withascratchedandfly-bittenBandAontwopanes，andamutilatedRonthethird，whichwasbroken。
Adooropened，andwesneakedintothebar。Itwaslikehavingdrinksafterhourswherethepolicearestrictandindependent。
Whenwecameoutthedriverwasscratchinghisheadandlookingattheharnessontheverandahfloor。
"Youfellows’llhaveterputinthetimeforanhourorso。
Thehorsesisoutbacksomewheres，"andheindicatedtheinteriorofAustraliawithasidejerkofhishead，"andtheboyain’tbackwith’emyet。"
"Butdashitall，"saidthePilgrim，"meandmymate————"
"Hush！"saidthepublican。
"Howlongarethehorseslikelytobe？"weaskedthedriver。
"Dunno，"hegrunted。"Mightbethreeorfourhours。It’sallaccordin’。"
"Now，lookhere，"saidthePilgrim，"meandmymatewantercatchthetrain。"
"Hush-sh-sh！"fromthepublicaninafiercewhisper。
"Well，boss，"saidthejoker，"canyouletushavebeds，then？
Idon’twanttofreezehereallnight，anyway。"
"Yes，"saidthelandlord，"Icandothat，butsomeofyouwillhavetosleepdoubleandsomeofyou’llhavetotakeitoutofthesofas，andoneortwo’llhavetomakeashakedownonthefloor。
There’splentyofbagsinthestable，andyou’vegotrugsandcoatswithyou。
Fixitupamongstyourselves。"
"Butlookhere！"interruptedthePilgrim，desperately，"wecan’taffordtowait！We’reonly`battlers’，meandmymate，pickin’upcrumbsbythewayside。We’vegottocatchthe————"
"Hush！"saidthepublican，savagely。"Youfool，didn’tItellyoumymissuswasbad？Iwon’thaveanynoise。"
"Butlookhere，"protestedthePilgrim，"wemustcatchthetrainatDeadCamel————"
"You’llcatchmybootpresently，"saidthepublican，withasavageoath，"andgofurtherthanDeadCamel。Iwon’thavemymissusdisturbedforyouoranyotherman！Justyoushutuporgetout，andtakeyourbloomingmatewithyou。"
WelostpatiencewiththePilgrimandsternlytookhimaside。
"Now，forGod’ssake，holdyourjaw，"wesaid。"Haven’tyougotanyconsiderationatall？Can’tyouseetheman’swifeisill——dyingperhaps——andhenearlyworriedoffhishead？"
ThePilgrimandhismatewerescraggylittlebipedsofthecitypushvariety，sotheyweresuppressed。
"Well，"yawnedthejoker，"I’mnotgoingtoroostonastumpallnight。
I’mgoingtoturnin。"
"It’llbeeighteenpenceeach，"hintedthelandlord。"Youcansettlenowifyouliketosavetime。"
Wetookthehint，andhadanotherdrink。Idon’tknowhowwe"fixeditupamongstourselves，"butwegotsettleddownsomehow。
Therewasalotofmysteriouswhisperingandscufflingroundbythelightofacoupleofdirtygreasybitsofcandle。
Fortunatelywedarednotspeakloudenoughtohavearow，thoughmostofuswerebythistimeinthehumourtopickaquarrelwithalong-lostbrother。
TheJokergotthebestbed，asgood-humoured，good-naturedchapsgenerallydo，withoutseemingtotryforit。Thegrowlerofthepartygotthefloorandchaffbags，asselfishmenmostlydo——
withoutseemingtotryforiteither。Itookitoutofoneofthe"sofas"，orratherthatsofatookitoutofme。Itwasshortandnarrowanddownbythehead，withaleaningtoonecornerontheoutside，andhadmorenailsandbitsofgin-casethanoriginalsofainit。
Ihadbeenasleepforthreeseconds，itseemed，whensomebodyshookmebytheshoulderandsaid：
"Takeyerseats。"
WhenIgotout，thedriverwasonthebox，andtheothersweregettingrumandmilkinsidethemselves（andinbottles）
beforetakingtheirseats。
Itwascolderanddarkerthanbefore，andtheSouthPoleseemednearer，andprettysoon，butfortherum，weshouldhavebeeninaworsefixthanbefore。
Therewasaspellofgrumbling。Presentlysomeonesaid：
"Idon’tbelievethemhorseswaslostatall。IwasroundbehindthestablebeforeIwenttobed，andseenhorsesthere;andiftheywasn’tthemsamehorsesthere，I’lleat’emraw！"
"Wouldyer？"saidthedriver，inadisinterestedtone。
"Iwould，"saidthepassenger。Then，withasuddenferocity，"andyoutoo！"
Thedriversaidnothing。Itwasanabstractquestionwhichdidn’tinteresthim。
Wesawthatwewereondelicateground，andchangedthesubjectforawhile。
Thensomeoneelsesaid：
"Iwonderwherehismissuswas？Ididn’tseeanysignsofherabout，oranyotherwomanabouttheplace，andwewasprettywellalloverit。"
"Musthavekeptherinthestable，"suggestedtheJoker。
"No，shewasn’t，forScottyandthatchapontheroofwasthereafterbags。"
"Shemighthavebeenintheloft，"reflectedtheJoker。
"Therewasnoloft，"putinavoicefromthetopofthecoach。
"Isay，Mister——Misterman，"saidtheJokersuddenlytothedriver，"Washismissussickatall？"
"Idunno，"repliedthedriver。"Shemighthavebeen。Hesaidso，anyway。
Iain’tgotnocalltocallamanaliar。"
"Seehere，"saidthecannibalisticindividualtothedriver，inthetoneofamanwhohasmadeuphismindforarow，"hasthatshanty-keepergotawifeatall？"
"Ibelievehehas。"
"Andisshelivingwithhim？"
"No，sheain’t——ifyerwanterknow。"
"Thenwhereisshe？"
"Idunno。HowamItoknow？Shelefthimthreeorfouryearsago。ShewasinSydneylasttimeIheardofher。Itain’tnoaffairofmine，anyways。"
"Andisthereanywomanabouttheplaceatall，driver？"
inquiredaprofessionalwandererreflectively。
"No——notthatIknowson。Thereuseterbeaoldblackgincomepotteringroundsometimes，butIain’tseenherlately。"
"Andexcuseme，driver，butisthereanyoneroundthereatall？"
enquiredtheprofessionalwanderer，withtheairofaconscientiouswriter，collectingmaterialforanAustraliannovelfromlife，withaneyetodetail。
"Naw，"saidthedriver——andrecollectingthathewasexpectedtobecivilandobligingtohisemployers’patrons，headdedinsurlyapology，"Onlythebossandthestableman，thatIknowsof。"
Thenrepentingoftheapology，heassertedhismanhoodagain，andasked，inatonecalculatedtoriskabreachofthepeace，"Anymorequestions，gentlemen——whiletheshop’sopen？"
Therewasalongpause。
"Driver，"askedthePilgrimappealingly，"wasthemhorseslostatall？"
"Idunno，"saidthedriver。"Hesaidtheywas。He’sgotthelookingafterthem。Itwasnothingtodowithme。"……
"Twelvedrinksatsixpenceadrink"——saidtheJoker，asifcalculatingtohimself——"that’ssixbob，and，sayonanaverage，fourshouts——that’sonepoundfour。Twelvebedsateighteenpenceabed——
that’seighteenshillings;andsaytenbobinvariousdrinksandthestuffwebroughtwithus，that’stwopoundtwelve。
Thatpublicandidn’tdosobadoutofusintwohours。"
Wewonderedhowmuchthedrivergotoutofit，butthoughtitbestnottoaskhim……
Wedidn’tsaymuchfortherestofthejourney。Therewastheusualmanwhothoughtasmuchandknewallaboutitfromthefirst，buthewasn’tappreciated。Wesuppressedhim。Oneortwowantedtogobackand"stoush"thatlandlord，andthedriverstoppedthecoachcheerfullyattheirrequest;buttheysaidthey’dcomeacrosshimagainandallowedthemselvestobepersuadedoutofit。
Itmadeusfeelbadtothinkhowwehadallowedourselvestobedelayed，androbbed，andhadsneakedroundontiptoe，andhowwehadsatontheinoffensivePilgrimandhismate，andallonaccountofasickwifewhodidn’texist。
ThecoacharrivedatDeadCamelinanatmosphereofmutualsuspicionanddistrust，andwespreadourselvesoverthetrainanddeparted。
AGentlemanSharperandSteelmanSharperSteelmanandSmithhadbeenstayingatthehotelforseveraldaysinthedressandcharacterofbushiesdownforwhattheyconsideredaspree。
ThegentlemansharperfromtheOtherSidehadbeenhangingroundthemforthreedaysnow。Steelmanwasthemoresociable，and，toallappearances，thegreenerofthetwobushmates;butseemedrathertoomuchundertheinfluenceofSmith，whowasreserved，suspicious，self-contained，orsulky。HealmostscowledatGentlemanSharper’s"Good-morning！"and"Fineday！"，repliedinmonosyllablesandturnedhalfawaywithanuneasy，sullen，resentfulhumpofhisshoulderandshuffleofhisfeet。
SteelmantookSmithforastrollontheround，baldtussockhillssurroundingthecity，andrehearsedhimforthelastactuntilaftersundown。
GentlemanSharperwaslounging，withacigar，ontheendofthebalcony，wherehehadbeencontentedlycontemplatingthebeautifuldeathofday。
Hiscalm，classicfeaturesbegantowhiten（andsharpen）
inthefrostymoonlight。
SteelmanandSmithsatondeck-chairsbehindahalf-screenoffernsontheotherendofthebalcony，smokedtheirafter-dinnersmoke，andtalkedinsubduedtonesasbefittedthetimeandthescene——
great，softened，mistyhillsinasemicircle，andthewaterandharbourlightsinmoonlight。
Theotherboarderswereloiteringoverdinner，intheirrooms，orgoneout;
thethreewerealoneonthebalcony，whichwasarearone。
GentlemanSharpermovedhisposition，carelessly，noiselessly，yetquickly，untilheleanedontherailclosetothefernsandcouldoverheareverywordthebushiessaid。Hehaddroppedhiscigaroverboard，andhisscentedhandkerchiefbehindafern-potenroute。
"Buthelooksallright，andactsallright，andtalksallright——
andshoutsallright，"protestedSteelman。"He’snotstumped，forIsawtwentyorthirtysovereignswhenheshouted;
andhedoesn’tseemtocareadamnwhetherwestandinwithhimornot。"
"Thereyouare！That’sjustwhereitis！"saidSmith，withsomelogic，butinatoneawifeusesinargument（whichtone，bytheway，especiallyifbackedbylogicorcommonsense，makesamanwildsoonerthananythingelseinthisworldoftroubles）。
Steelmanjerkedhischairhalf-roundindisgust。"That’syou！"hesnorted，"alwayssuspicious！Alwayssuspiciousofeverybodyandeverything！
IfIfoundmyselfshotintoaworldwhereIcouldn’ttrustanybodyI’dshootmyselfoutofit。Lifewouldbeworsethannotworthliving。
Smith，you’llnevermakemoney，exceptbyhardgraft——hard，bullocking，nigger-drivinggraftlikewehadonthatdamnedrailwaysectionforthelastsixmonths，uptoourkneesinwaterallwinter，andallforapaltrychequeofone-fifty——twentyofthatgonealready。
Howdoyouexpecttomakemoneyinthiscountryifyouwon’ttakeanythingforgranted，excepthardcash？Itellyou，Smith，there’sathousandpoundslostforeveryonegainedorsavedbytrustingtoolittle。HowdidVanderbiltand————"
Steelmanelaboratedtoaclimax，slippingaglancewarily，onceortwice，outofthetailofhiseyethroughtheferns，lowdown。
"Thereneverwasafortunemadethatwasn’tmadebychancingit。"
HenudgedSmithtocometothepoint。PresentlySmithasked，sulkily：
"Well，whatwashesaying？"
"IthoughtItoldyou！Hesayshe’sbehindthescenesinthisgoldboom，and，ifhehadahundredpoundsreadycashto-morrow，he’dmakethreeofitbeforeSaturday。Hesaidhecouldputone-fiftytoone-fifty。"
"Andisn’theworththreehundred？"
"Didn’tItellyou，"demandedSteelman，withanimpatientring，andspeakingrapidly，"thathelosthismailinthewreckofthe`Tasman’？
Youknowshewentdownthedaybeforeyesterday，andthedivershaven’tgotatthemailsyet。"
"Yes……Butwhydoesn’thewiretoSydneyforsomestuff？"
"I’m————！Well，IsupposeI’llhavetohavepatiencewithabornnatural。
Lookhere，Smith，thefactofthematteristhathe’sasortofblack-sheep——
sentoutontheremittancesystem，ifthetruthisknown，andwithlettersofintroductiontosomebig-bugsouthere——
thatexplainshowhegetstoknowthesewire-pullersbehindtheboom。
HispeoplehaveprobablygotthequarterlyallowancebusinessfixedhardandtightwithabankoralawyerinSydney;
andthere’llhavetobeenquiriesaboutthelost`draft’
（ashecallsacheque）andaletterormaybeacablehometoEngland;
anditmighttakeweeks。"
"Yes，"saidSmith，hesitatingly。"Thatallsoundsrightenough。
But"——withaninspiration——"whydon’thegotooneofthesebig-bugboomstersheknows——thathegotlettersofintroductionto——
andgethimtofixhimup？"
"Oh，Lord！"exclaimedSteelman，hopelessly。"Listentohim！
Can’tyouseethatthey’rethelastmenhewantstoletintohisgame？
Why，hewantstouseTHEM！They’rethemugsasfarasheisconcerned！"
"Oh——Isee！"saidSmith，afterhesitating，andratherslowly——
asifhehadn’tquitefinishedseeingyet。
Steelmanglancedfurtivelyatthefern-screen，andnudgedSmithagain。
"Hesaidifhehadthreehundred，he’ddoubleitbySaturday？"
"That’swhathesaid，"repliedSteelman，seemingbyhistonetobelosinginterestintheconversation。
"And……well，ifhehadahundredhecoulddoublethat，Isuppose。"
"Yes。Whatareyoudrivingatnow？"
"Ifhehadtwenty————"
"Oh，God！I’msickofyou，Smith。Whatthe————！"
"Holdon。Letmefinish。IwasonlygoingtosaythatI’mwillingtoputupafiver，andyouputupanotherfiver，andifhedoublesthatforusthenwecantalkaboutstandinginwithhimwithahundred——
providedhecanshowhishundred。"
AftersomesnarlingSteelmansaid："Well，I’lltryhim！
Nowareyousatisfied？"……
"He’smovedoffnow，"headdedinawhisper;"butstayhereandtalkabitlonger。"
PassingthroughthehalltheysawGentlemanSharperstandingcarelesslybythedooroftheprivatebar。Hejerkedhisheadinthedirectionofdrinks。
Steelmanacceptedtheinvitation——Smithpassedon。
SteelmantooktheopportunitytowhispertotheSharper——
"I’vebeentalkingthatoverwithmymate，and————"
"Comeforastroll，"suggestedtheprofessional。
"Idon’tmind，"saidSteelman。
"Haveacigar？"andtheypassedout。
WhentheyreturnedSteelmanwentstraighttotheroomheoccupiedwithSmith。
"Howmuchstuffhavewegot，Smith？"
"Ninepoundsseventeenandthreepence。"
Steelmangaveanexclamationofdisapprovalwiththatstateoffinancialaffairs。Hethoughtasecond。"Iknowthebarmanhere，andIthinkheknowsme。I’llchewhislugforabobormaybeaquid。"
TwentyminuteslaterhewenttoGentlemanSharper’sroomwithtenpounds——inverydirtyBankofNewZealandnotes——suchasthosewithwhichbushcontractorspaytheirmen。
Twomorningslaterthesharpersuggestedastroll。Steelmanwentwithhim，withafacecarefullymadeuptoheartheworst。
Afterwalkingahundredyardsinasilencewhichmighthavebeenominous——andwascertainlypregnant——thesharpersaid：
"Well……Itriedthewater。"
"Yes！"saidSteelmaninanervoustone。"Andhowdidyoufindit？"
"JustaswarmasIthought。Warmforabigsplash。"
"How？Didyoulosethetenquid？"
"Loseit！Whatdidyoutakemefor？IputtentoyourtenasItoldyouIwould。Ilanded50Pounds————"
"Fiftypoundsfortwenty？"
"That’sthetuneofit——andnotmuchofatune，either。MyGod！
IfI’donlyhadthatthousandofminebyme，orevenhalfofit，I’dhavemadeapile！"
"Fiftypoundsfortwenty！"criedSteelmanexcitedly。"Why，that’sgrand！
Andtothinkwechapshavebeengraftinglikeniggersallourlives！
ByGod，we’llstandinwithyouforallwe’vegot！"
"There’smyhandonit，"astheyreachedthehotel。
"IfyoucometomyroomI’llgiveyouthe25Poundsnow，ifyoulike。"
"Oh，that’sallright，"exclaimedSteelmanimpulsively;
"youmustn’tthinkIdon’t————"
"That’sallright。Don’tyousayanymoreaboutit。You’dbesthavethestuffto-nighttoshowyourmate。"
"Perhapsso;he’sasuspiciousfool，butImadeabargainwithhimaboutourlastcheque。Hecanhangontothestuff，andIcan’t。
IfI’dbeenonmyownI’dhaveblueditaweekago。TellyouwhatI’lldo——
we’llcallourshare（Smith’sandmine）twentyquid。Youtaketheoddfiverforyourtrouble。"
"Thatlooksfairenough。We’llcallittwentyguineastoyouandyourmate。
We’llwanthim，youknow。"
InhisownandSmith’sroomSteelmanthoughtfullycountedtwenty-onesovereignsonthetoilet-tablecover，andleftthemthereinapile。
Hestretchedhimself，scratchedbehindhisear，andblinkedatthemoneyabstractedly。Thenheasked，asifthethoughtjustoccurredtohim："Bytheway，Smith，doyouseethoseyellowboys？"
Smithsaw。Hehadbeensittingonthebedwithastudiouslyvacantexpression。ItwasSmith’spolicynottoseem，exceptbyrequest，totakeanyinterestin，or，infact，tobeawareofanythingunusualthatSteelmanmightbedoing——frompatchinghispantstoreadingpoetry。
"There’stwenty-onesovereignsthere！"remarkedSteelmancasually。
"Yes？"
"Tenof’em’syours。"
"Thankyer，Steely。"
"And，"addedSteelman，solemnlyandgrimly，"ifyougettakendownfor’em，orlose’emoutofthetop-holeinyourpocket，orspendsomuchasashillinginriotousliving，I’llstoushyou，Smith。"
Smithdidn’tseeminterested。Theysatonthebedsoppositeeachotherfortwoorthreeminutes，insomethingoftheatmospherethatpervadesthingswhenconversationhaspeteredoutandthedinner-bellisexpectedtoring。
Smithscrewedhisfaceandsqueezedapimpleonhisthroat;
Steelmanabsentlycountedthefliesonthewall。PresentlySteelman，withayawningsigh，laybackonthepillowwithhishandsclaspedunderhishead。
"Bettertakeafewquid，Smith，andgetthatsuityouwerelookingattheotherday。Getacoupleofshirtsandcollars，andsomesocks;
bettergetahatwhileyou’reatit——yoursisadisgracetoyourbenefactor。
And，Isay，gotoachemistandgetsomecoughstuffforthatchurchyarderofyours——we’vegotnouseforitjustnow，anditmakesmesentimental。I’llgiveyouacoughwhenyouwantone。
Bringmeasyphonofsoda，somefruit，andatract。"
"Awhat？"
"Atract。Goon。Startyourboots。"
WhileSmithwasgone，Steelmanpacedtheroomwithastrange，worried，hauntedexpression。Hedividedthegoldthatwasleft——（Smithhadtakenfourpounds）——andputtensovereignsinapileontheextremecornerofthetable。Thenhewalkedupanddown，upanddowntheroom，armstightlyfolded，andforeheadknittedpainfully，pausingabruptlynowandthenbythetabletostareatthegold，untilheheardSmith’sstep。Thenhisfacecleared;
hesatdownandcountedflies。
Smithwasundoingandinspectingtheparcels，havingplacedthesyphonandfruitonthetable。BehindhisbackSteelmanhurriedlyopenedaleatherpocketbookandglancedattheportraitofawomanandchildandatthedateofapost-officeorderreceipt。
"Smith，"saidSteelman，"we’retwohonest，ignorant，greencoves;
hard-workingchapsfromthebush。"
"Yes。"
"Itdoesn’tmatterwhetherweareornot——weareasfarastheworldisconcerned。Nowwe’vegraftedlikebullocks，inheatandwet，forsixmonths，andmadeahundredandfifty，andcomedowntohaveabitofaholidaybeforegoingbacktobullockforanothersixmonthsorayear。Isn’tthatso，Smith？"
"Yes。"
"Youcouldtakeyouroathonit？"
"Yes。"
"Well，itdoesn’tmatterifitissoornot——itISso，sofarastheworldisconcerned。Nowwe’vepaidourwaystraight。
We’vealwaysbeenprettystraightanyway，evenifweareapairofvagabonds，andIdon’thalflikethisnewbusiness;butithadtobedone。
IfIhadn’ttakendownthatsharperyou’dhavelostconfidenceinmeandwouldn’thavebeenabletomaskyourfeelings，andI’dhavehadtostoushyou。We’retwohard-working，innocentbushies，downforaninnocentspree，andwerunagainstacold-bloodedprofessionalsharper，apaltrysneakandacoward，who’sgotneitherthebrainsnortheplucktoworkinthestationoflifehetogshimselffor。Hetriestodousoutofourhard-earnedlittlehundredandfifty——nomatterwhetherwehaditornot——andI’mobligedtotakehimdown。
Servehimrightforacrawler。Youhaven’ttheleastideawhatI’mdrivingat，Smith，andthat’sthebestofit。
I’vedrivenanailofmylifehome，andnopincersevermadewillgetitout。"
"Why，Steely，what’sthematterwithyou？"
Steelmanrose，tookupthepileoftensovereigns，andplaceditneatlyontopoftherest。
"Putthestuffaway，Smith。"
Afterbreakfastnextmorning，GentlemanSharperhungroundabit，andthensuggestedastroll。ButSteelmanthoughttheweatherlookedtoobad，sotheywentonthebalconyforasmoke。Theytalkedoftheweather，wrecks，andthings，Steelmanleaningwithhiselbowsonthebalconyrail，andSharpersociablyandconfidentlyinthesamepositionclosebesidehim。
Buttheprofessionalwasevidentlygrowinguneasyinhismind;
hissideoftheconversationgrewawkwardanddisjointed，andhemadetheblunderofdriftingintoanembarrassingsilencebeforecomingtothepoint。Hetookoneelbowfromtherail，andsaid，withabunglingattemptatcarelessnesswhichwasmademoretransparentbytheawkwardpausebeforeit：
"Ah，well，Imustseetomycorrespondence。Bytheway，whencouldyoumakeitconvenienttoletmehavethathundred？
Thesharesarestartingupthelastrisenow，andwe’vegotnotimetoloseifwewanttodoubleit。"
Steelmanturnedhisfacetohimandwinkedonce——averyhard，tight，coldwink——awinkinwhichtherewasnohumour：suchawinkasSteelmanhadoncewinkedatahalf-drunkenbullywhowasgoingtohavealarkwithSmith。
Thesharperwasoneofthosemenwhopullthemselvestogetherinabadcause，astheystaggerfromtheblow。Buthewantedtothinkthistime。
LateronheapproachedSteelmanquietlyandproposedpartnership。
ButSteelmangavehimtounderstand（asbetweenthemselves）
thathewasn’ttakingonanypupilsjustthen。
AnIncidentatStiffner’sTheycalledhim"Stiffner"becauseheused，longbefore，togetalivingbypoisoningwilddogsneartheQueenslandborder。
Thenamestucktohimcloserthanmisfortunedid，forwhenherosetotheproudandindependentpositionoflandlordandsoleproprietorofanout-backpubhewasStiffnerstill，andhisplacewas"Stiffner’s"——
widelyknown。
Theydosaythatthenameceasednottobeapplicable——thatitfittedevenbetterthanintheolddingodays，but——well，theydosayso。
Allwecansayisthatwhenashearerarrivedwithacheque，andhadadrinkortwo，hewasalmostinvariablyseizedwithadesiretocamponthepremisesforgood，spendhischequeintheshortestpossibletime，andforciblyshoutforeverythingwithinhail——includingtheChinamancookandStiffner’sdisreputableoldram。
Theshantywasoftheusualkind，andthesceneryisaseasilydisposedof。
Therewasagreatgreyplainstretchingawayfromthedoorinfront，andamulgascrubfromtherear;andinthatscrub，notfiftyyardsfromthekitchendoor，werehalfadozennamelessgraves。
Stiffnerwasalwaysdrunk，andStiffner’swife——ahard-featuredAmazon——
wasboss。Thechildrenwerebroughtupinadetachedcottage，underthecareofa"governess"。
Stiffnerhadabarmaidasabaitforchequemen。ShecamefromSydney，theysaid，andhernamewasAlice。Shewastall，boyishlyhandsome，andcharacterless;herfiguremightbedescribedas"fine"or"strapping"，butherfacewasverycold——nearlycolourless。Shewasoneofthoseselfishlysensualwomen——thinlips，andhard，almostvacantgreyeyes;
nothoughtofanythingbutherownpleasures，nonefortheman’s。
Someshearerswouldroughlycallher"asquatter’sgirl"。
Butshe"drew";shewashandsomewherewomenarescarce——veryhandsome，thoughtatall，melancholy-lookingjackeroo，whoseevilspirithaddrawnhimtoStiffner’sandthelastshillingoutofhispocket。
Overthegreatgreyplain，aboutafortnightbefore，hadcome"OldDanny"，astationhand，forhissemi-annualspree，andone"YankeeJack"andhismate，shearerswithhorses，travellingforgrass;and，aboutaweeklater，theSydneyjackeroo。Therewasalsoasprinklingofassortedswagmen，whocameinthroughthescrubandwentoutacrosstheplain，orcameinovertheplainandwentawaythroughthescrub，accordingtowhichwaytheirnosesledthemforthetimebeing。
Therewasalso，foroneday，atall，frecklednative（sonofaneighbouring"cocky"），withoutathoughtbeyondthenarrowhorizonwithinwhichhelived。Hehadaverybigopinionofhimselfinaverysmallmind。Heswaggeredintothebreakfast-roomandroundthetabletohisplacewithanexpressionofignorantcontemptonhisphiz，hissnubnoseintheairandhisunderlipout。
Butduringthemealhecondescendedtoaskthelandlordifhe’dnoticedthattherehorsethatchapwasridin’yesterday;
andStiffnerhavingintimatedthathehad，thenativeentertainedthecompanywithhisopinionofthathorse，andofacertain"youngster"
hewasbreakinginathome，anddiversotherhorses，mostlyhisorhisfather’s，andofacertaincattleslut，&c……
Hespokeatthelandlord，buttothecompany，mostofthetime。
Afterbreakfastheswaggeredroundsomemore，butcondescendedto"shove"hishandintohistrousers，"pull"outa"bob"and"chuck"itintothe（blanky）hatforapool。Thosewordsexpressthethingbetterthananyotherswecanthinkof。Finally，hesaidhemustbeoff;
and，therebeingnooppositiontohisdeparture，hechuckedhissaddleontohishorse，chuckedhimselfintothesaddle，said"s’long，"
andslitheredoff。Andnoonemissedhim。
Dannyhadbeenthereafortnight，andconsequentlyhispersonalappearancewasnotnowworthdescribing——itwasbetterleftalone，forthehonourofthebush。Hishobbywasthathewasthe"stranger’sfriend"，asheputit。He’dwelcome"thestranger"
andchumwithhim，andshoutforhimtoanunlimitedextent，andsympathisewithhim，hearofjobsora"show"forhim，assurehimtwentytimesadaythathewashisfriend，givehimhintsandadvicemoreorlessworthless，makehimdrunkifpossible，andkeephimsowhilethechequelasted;inshort，Dannywoulddoalmostanythingforthestrangerexceptlendhimashilling，orgivehimsomerationstocarryhimon。He’dpromisethatmanytimesaday，buthe’dsoonerspendfivepoundsondrinkforamanthangivehimafarthing。
Danny’schequewasnearlygone，anditwastimehewasgonetoo;infact，hehadreceived，andwasstillreceiving，varioushintstothateffect，someofthemdecidedlypointed，especiallythemorerecentones。
ButDannywasoflatebecomingfoolishlyobstinateinhissprees，andlessdisposedto"git"whenalandlordhaddonewithhim。
Hesawthehintsplainlyenough，buthadevidentlymadeuphismindtobedoggedlyirresponsive。Itisamistaketothinkthatdrinkalwaysdullsaman’sfeelings。Somenaturesareallthemorekeenlysensitivewhenalcoholicallypoisoned。
Dannywasalwaysfrontmanattheshantywhilehischequewasfresh——
atleast，sohewasgiventounderstand，andsoheapparentlyunderstood。
Hewasthenallowedtosayanddowhathelikedalmost，eventomaulingthebarmaidabout。Therewasscarcelyanylimittothefreeandeasymannerinwhichyoucouldtreather，solongasyourmoneylasted。Shewouldn’tbeoffended;itwasn’tbusinesstobeso——"didn’tpay。"But，assoonasyourtitletothechequecouldbedecentlyshelved，youhadtotreatherlikealady。Dannyknewthis——nonebetter;buthehadbeentreatedwithtoomuchlatitude，andrushedtohisdestruction。
ItwasSundayafternoon，butthatmadenodifferenceinthingsattheshanty。
Dinnerwasjustover。Themenwereinthemeanlittleparlouroffthebar，interestedinagameofcards，andAlicesatinonecornersewing。
Dannywas"actingthegoat"roundthefireplace;asill-luckwouldhaveit，hisattentionwasdrawntoabasketofcleanlinenwhichstoodonthesidetable，andfromit，withsundrywinksandgrimaces，hegingerlyliftedacertaingarmentofladies’underwear——
toputthematterdecently。Hehelditupbetweenhisforefingersandthumbs，andcrackedarough，foolishjoke——nomatterwhatitwas。
Thelaughdidn’tlastlong。Alicesprangtoherfeet，flingingherworkaside，andstruckastageattitude——
herrightarmthrownoutandtheforefingerpointingrigidly，andrathercrookedly，towardsthedoor。
"Leavetheroom！"shesnappedatDanny。"Leavetheroom！
Howdareyoutalklikethatbeforeme-e-ee！"
Dannymadeastepandpausedirresolutely。Hewassoberenoughtofeelthehumiliationofhisposition，andhavingoncebeenamanofspirit，andhavingstilltheremnantsofmanhoodabouthim，hedidfeelit。
Hegaveonepitiful，appealinglookatherface，butsawnomercythere。
Shestampedherfootagain，jabbedherforefingeratthedoor，andsaid，"Go-o-o！"inatonethatstartledthemajorityofthecompanynearlyasmuchasitdidDanny。ThenYankeeJackthrewdownhiscards，rosefromthetable，laidhisstrong，shapelyrighthand——notroughly——
onDanny’sraggedshoulder，andengineeredthedrunkgentlythroughthedoor。
"You’sbettergooutforawhile，Danny，"hesaid;"therewasn’tmuchharminwhatyousaid，butyourcheque’sgone，andthatmakesallthedifference。
It’stimeyouwentbacktothestation。You’vegottobecarefulwhatyousaynow。"
WhenJackreturnedtotheparlourthebarmaidhadasmileforhim;
buthedidn’ttakeit。Hewentandstoodbeforethefire，withhisfootrestingonthefenderandhiselbowonthemantelshelf，andlookedblacklyataprintagainstthewallbeforehisface。
"Theoldbeast！"saidAlice，referringtoDanny。"Heoughttobekickedofftheplace！"
"HE’SASGOODASYOU！"
ThevoicewasJack’s;heflungthestaboverhisshoulder，andwithitalookthatcarriedallthecontempthefelt。
Shegasped，lookedblanklyfromfacetoface，andwitheringlyatthebackofJack’shead;butthatdidn’tchangecolourorcurltheleasttriflelessclosely。
"Didyouhearthat？"shecried，appealingtoanyone。
"You’reaniceloto’men，youare，tositthereandhearawomaninsulted，andnotoneofyoumanenoughtotakeherpart——cowards！"
TheSydneyjackerooroseimpulsively，butJackglancedathim，andhesatdownagain。Shecoveredherfacewithherhandsandranhystericallytoherroom。
Thatafternoonanotherbushmanarrivedwithacheque，andshoutedfivetimesrunningatapoundashout，andatintervalsduringtherestofthedaywhentheyweren’tfightingorgambling。
Alicehad"gotoverhertemper"seemingly，andwasevenkindtothehumbleandcontriteDanny，whobecamepainfullyparticularwithhis"Thanky，Alice"——andafterwardsoffensivewithhisunnecessarilyfrequentthreatstosmashthefirstmanwhoinsultedher。
ButletusdrawthecurtainclosebeforethatSundayafternoonatStiffner’s，andholdittight。BehinditthegreatcurseoftheWestisinevidence，thechieftroubleofunionism——drink，initsmostselfish，barren，anduselessform……
AllwasquietatStiffner’s。Itwasaftermidnight，andStiffnerlaydead-drunkonthebroadofhisbackonthelongmoonlitverandah，withallhispatronsasleeparoundhiminvariousgrotesquepositions。
Stiffner’sraggedgreyheadwasonacushion，andabroadmaudlinsmileonhisred，drink-soddenface，thelowerhalfofwhichwasborderedbyadirtygreybeard，likethatofafrilledlizard。Theredhandkerchieftwistedroundhisneckhadaghastlyeffectinthebrightmoonlight，makinghimlookasifhisthroatwascut。Thesmilewastheonehewenttosleepwithwhenhiswifeslippedthecushionunderhisheadandthoughtfullyremovedtheloosechangefromabouthisperson。
NearhimlayaheapthatwasDanny，andspreadoverthebareboardsweretheothers，somewithheadspillowedontheirswags，andeverymanaboutasdrunkashisneighbour。YankeeJacklayacrossthedoorofthebarmaid’sbedroom，withonearmbentunderhishead，theotherlyinglimponthedoorstep，hishandsomefaceturnedouttothebrightmoonlight。The"family"weresoundasleepinthedetachedcottage，andAlice——theonlycapablepersononthepremises——waslefttoputoutthelampsand"shutup"forthenight。
Sheextinguishedthelightinthebar，cameout，lockedthedoor，andpickedherwayamongandoverthedrunkardstotheendoftheverandah。
Sheclaspedherhandsbehindherhead，stretchedherself，andyawned，andthenstoodforafewmomentslookingoutintothenight，whichsoftenedtheraggedlineofmulgatorightandleft，andveiledtheawfulhorizonofthatgreatplainwithwhichthe"traveller"commenced，orended，thethirty-mile"drystretch"。
Thenshemovedtowardsherowndoor;beforeitshehaltedandstood，withfoldedarms，lookingdownatthedrunkenAdonisatherfeet。
Shebreathedalongbreathwithasighinit，wentroundtotheback，andpresentlyreturnedwithabuggy-cushion，whichsheslippedunderhishead——herfaceclosetohis——veryclose。Thenshemovedhisarmsgentlyoffthethreshold，steppedacrosshimintoherroom，andlockedthedoorbehindher。
Therewasanuneasymovementintheheapthatstood，orlay，forDanny。
Itstretchedout，turnedover，struggledtoitshandsandknees，andbecameanobject。Thenitcrawledtothewall，againstwhichitslowlyandpainfullyup-endeditself，andstoodblinkingroundforthewater-bag，whichhungfromtheverandahraftersinalinewithitsshapelessrednose。Itstaggeredforward，heldonbythecords，feltroundtheedgeofthebagforthetot，anddrankaboutaquartofwater。Thenitstaggeredbackagainstthewall，stoodforamomentmutteringandpassingitshandaimlesslyoveritspoorruinedhead，andfinallycollapsedintoashapelessrum-smellingheapandsleptoncemore。
Thejackerooattheendoftheverandahhadawakenedfromhisdrunkensleep，buthadnotmoved。Helayhuddledonhisside，withhisheadontheswag;
thewholelengthoftheverandahwasbeforehim;hiseyeswerewideopen，buthisfacewasintheshade。Nowherosepainfullyandstoodonthegroundoutside，withhishandsinhispockets，andgazedoutovertheopenforawhile。Hebreathedalongbreath，too——
withagroaninit。Thenheliftedhisswagquietlyfromtheendofthefloor，shoulderedit，tookuphiswater-bagandbilly，andsneakedovertheroad，awayfromtheplace，likeathief。
Hestruckacrosstheplain，andtrampedon，hourafterhour，mileaftermile，tillthebrightmoonwentdownwithabrightstarinattendanceandtheotherbrightstarswaned，andheenteredthetimberandtrampedthroughittothe"clearedroad"，whichstretchedfarandwidefortwentymilesbeforehim，withghostlylittledust-cloudsatshortintervalsahead，wherethefrightenedrabbitscrossedit。
Andstillhewentdoggedlyon，withtheghastlydaylightonhim——
likeaswagman’sghostoutlate。Andamongrelfollowedfaithfullyallthetimeunnoticed，andwondering，perhaps，athismaster。
"Whatwasyerdoin’tothatgirlyesterday？"askedDannyofYankeeJacknextevening，astheycampedonthefarsideoftheplain。
"Whatwasyouchapssayin’toAlice？Iheerdhercryin’inherroomlastnight。"
Buttheyreckonedthathehadbeentoodrunktohearanythingexceptaninvitationtocomeandhaveanotherdrink;andsoitpassed。
TheHeroofRedclayThe"boss-over-the-board"wasleaningwithhisbacktothewallbetweentwoshoots，readingareferencehandedtohimbyagreen-handapplyingforworkaspicker-uporwoolroller——ashedrouseabout。
Itwasterriblyhot。Iwasslippingpasttotherolling-tables，carryingthreefleecestosaveajourney;wewereonlysupposedtocarrytwo。
Thebossstoppedme：
"You’vegotthreefleecesthere，youngman？"
"Yes。"
NotwithstandingthefactthatIhadjustslippedalightraggedfleeceintothebelly-wooland"bits"basket，Ifeltdeeplyinjured，andrighteouslyandfiercelyindignantatbeingpulledup。
Itwasafearfullyhotday。
"IfIcatchyoucarryingthreefleecesagain，"saidthebossquietly，"I’llgiveyouthesack。"
"I’lltakeitnowifyoulike，"Isaid。
Henodded。"Youcangoonpicking-upinthisman’splace，"
hesaidtothejackeroo，whosereferenceshowedhimtobeanon-unionman——
a"free-labourer"，asthepastoralistshadit，or，inplainshedterms，"ablankyscab"。Hewasnowinthecomfortablepositionofanon-unionistinaunionshedwhohadjumpedintoasackedman’splace。
Somehowtheluridsympathyofthemenirritatedmeworsethantheboss-over-the-boardhaddone。Itmusthavebeenonaccountoftheheat，asMitchellsays。Iwassickoftheshedandthelife。
Itwaswithinacoupleofdaysofcut-out，soItoldMitchell——whowasshearing——thatI’dcampuptheBillabongandwaitforhim;
gotmycheque，rolledupmyswag，gotthreedays’tuckerfromthecook，saidso-longtohim，andtrampedwhilethemenwereintheshed。
IcampedattheheadoftheBillabongwherethetrackbranched，onebranchrunningtoBourke，uptheriver，andtheotherouttowardstheParoo——andhell。
Aboutteno’clockthethirdmorningMitchellcamealongwithhischequeandhisswag，andanewsheep-pup，andhisquietgrin;
andIwasn’ttoopleasedtoseethathehadashearercalled"theLachlan"
withhim。
TheLachlanwasn’tpopularattheshed。Hewasabrooding，unsociablesortofman，anditdidn’tmakeanydifferencetothechapswhetherhehadaunionticketornot。Itwasprettywellknownintheshed——therewerethreeorfourchapsfromthedistricthewasrearedin——
thathe’ddonefiveyearshardforburglary。WhatsurprisedmewasthatJackMitchellseemedthickwithhim;often，whentheLachlanwassittingbroodingandsmokingbyhimselfoutsidethehutaftersunset，Mitchellwouldperchonhisheelsalongsidehimandyarn。
ButnooneelsetooknoticeofanythingMitchelldidoutofthecommon。
"Bettercampwithustillthecooloftheevening，"saidMitchelltotheLachlan，astheyslippedtheirswags。"Plentytimeforyoutostartaftersundown，ifyou’regoingtotravelto-night。"
SotheLachlanwasgoingtotravelallnightandonadifferenttrack。
Ifeltmorecomfortable，andputthebillyon。Ididnotcaresomuchwhathe’dbeenorhaddone，butIwasgreenandsoftyet，andhispresenceembarrassedme。
Theytalkedshearing，sheds，tracks，andalittleunionism——
theLachlanspeakinginaquietvoiceandwithalotofsound，commonsense，itseemedtome。Hewastallandgaunt，andmighthavebeenthirty，orevenwellonintheforties。Hiseyesweredarkbrownanddeepset，andhadsomethingofthedead-earnestsadexpressionyousawintheeyesofunionleadersandsecretaries——thestraightmenofthestrikesof’90and’91。IfanciedonceortwiceIsawinhiseyesthesuddenfurtivelookofthe"badegg"whenamountedtrooperisspottedneartheshed;butperhapsthiswasprejudice。
AndwithitalltherewasabouttheLachlansomethingofthemanwhohaslostallhehadandthechancesofallhewaseverlikelytohave，andispastfeeling，orcaring，orflaringup——pastgettingmadaboutanything——something，allthesame，thatwarnedmennottomakefreewithhim。
HeandMitchellfishedalongtheBillabongalltheafternoon;
Ifishedalittle，andlayaboutthecampandread。IhadaninstinctthattheLachlansawIdidn’tcottonontohiscampingwithus，thoughhewasn’tthesortofmantoshowwhathesaworfelt。
Aftertea，andasmokeatsunset，heshoulderedhisswag，noddedtomeasifIwasanaccidentalbutrespectfulstrangeratafuneralthatbelongedtohim，andtooktheoutsidetrack。
Mitchellwalkedalongthetrackwithhimforamileorso，whileIpokedroundandgotsomeboughsdownforabed，andfedandstudiedthecolliepupthatJackhadboughtfromtheshearers’cook。
Isawthemstopandshakehandsoutonthedustyclearing，andtheyseemedtotakealongtimeaboutit;thenMitchellstartedback，andtheotherbegantodwindledowntoablackpegandthentoadotonthesandyplain，thathadjustahintofduskanddreamyfar-awaygloamingonitbetweenthechangefromglaringdaytohard，bare，broadmoonlight。
IthoughtMitchellwassulky，orhadgottheblues，whenhecameback;
helayonhiselbowsmoking，withhisfaceturnedfromthecamptowardstheplain。AfterabitIgotwild——ifMitchellwasgoingtogoonlikethathemightaswellhavetakenhisswagandgonewiththeLachlan。Idon’tknowexactlywhatwasthematterwithmethatday，andatlastImadeupmymindtobringthethingtoahead。
"YouseemmightythickwiththeLachlan，"Isaid。
"Well，what’sthematterwiththat？"askedMitchell。"Itain’tthefirstfelonI’vebeenonspeakingtermswith。Iborrowedhalf-a-caseroffamurdereronce，whenIwasinaholeandhadnooneelsetogoto;
andthemurdererhadn’tservedhistime，neither。I’vegotnothingagainsttheLachlan，exceptthathe’sawhitemanandbearsafaintfamilyresemblancetoacertainbranchofmytribe。"
Irolledoutmyswagontheboughs，gotmypipe，tobacco，andmatcheshandyinthecrownofasparehat，andlaydown。
Mitchellgotup，re-lithispipeatthefire，andmoonedroundforawhile，withhishandsbehindhim，kickingsticksoutoftheroad，lookingoutovertheplain，downalongtheBillabong，andupthroughthemulgabranchesatthestars;thenhecomfortedthepupabit，shovedthefiretogetherwithhistoe，stoodthetea-billyonthecoals，andcameandsquattedonthesandbymyhead。
"Joe！I’lltellyouayarn。"
"Allright;fireaway！HasitgotanythingtodowiththeLachlan？"
"No。It’sgotnothingtodowiththeLachlannow;butit’saboutachapheknew。Don’tyoueverbreatheawordofthistotheLachlanoranyone，orhe’llgetontome。"
"Allright。Goahead。"
"YouknowI’vebeenagoodmanythingsinmytime。Ididadealofhouse-paintingatonetime;Iwasaprettysmartbrushhand，andmademoneyatit。Well，IhadarunofworkataplacecalledRedclay，ontheLachlanside。Youknowthesortoftown——twopubs，ageneralstore，apostoffice，ablacksmith’sshop，apolicestation，abranchbank，andadozenprivateweatherboardboxesonpiles，withgalvanized-irontops，besidesthehumpies。Therewasapaperthere，too，calledthe`RedclayAdvertiser’（withwhichwasincorporatedthe`GeebungChronicle’），andaRomanCatholicchurch，aChurchofEngland，andaWesleyanchapel。Nowyouseemoreofprivatelifeinthehouse-paintinglinethaninanyother——barplumbingandgasfitting;
butI’lltellyouaboutmyhouse-paintingexperiencessomeothertime。
"TherewasayoungchapnamedJackDreweditingthe`Advertiser’then。
Hebelongedtothedistrict，buthadbeensenttoSydneytoagrammarschoolwhenhewasaboy。Hewasbetweentwenty-fiveandthirty;
hadknockedroundagooddeal，andgonethepaceinSydney。
Hegotonasaboyreporterononeofthebigdailies;
hehadbrainsandcouldwriteringsroundagoodmany，buthegotinwithacrowdthatcalledthemselves`Bohemians’，andthedrinkgotaholdonhim。Thepaperstucktohimaslongasitcould（forthesakeofhisbrains），buttheyhadtosackhimatlast。
"Hewentoutback，asmostofthemdo，totryandworkouttheirsalvation，andknockedroundamongstthesheds。He`pickedup’inoneshedwhereIwasshearing，andwecarriedswagstogetherforacoupleofmonths。
ThenhewentbacktotheLachlanside，andprospectedamongsttheoldfieldsroundtherewithhiselderbrotherTom，whowasalltherewasleftofhisfamily。Tom，bytheway，brokehisheartdiggingJackoutofacaveinadrivetheywereworking，anddiedafewminutesaftertherescue。*Butthat’sanotheryarn。
JackDrewhadabadspreeafterthat;thenhewenttoSydneyagain，gotonhisoldpaper，wenttothedogs，andaParliamentarypushthatownedsomecityfly-blistersandcountrypaperssenthimuptoeditthe`Advertiser’attwoquidaweek。
Hedrankagain，andnowonder——youdon’tknowwhatitistoruna`GeebungAdvocate’or`MudgeeBudgeeChronicle’，andlivethere。
HewasaboutthesamebuildastheLachlan，butstouter，andhadsomethingthesamekindofeyes;buthewasordinarilyascarelessanddevil-may-careastheLachlanisgrumpyandquiet。
——
*See"WhentheSunWentDown"，in"WhiletheBillyBoils"。
——
"Therewasadoctorthere，calledDr。Lebinski。TheysaidhewasaPolishexile。Hewasfiftyorsixty，atallman，withthesetofanoldsoldierwhenhestoodstraight;
buthemostlywalkedwithhishandsbehindhim，studyingtheground。
JackDrewcaughtthattrickoffhimtowardstheend。Theywerechumsinagloomyway，andkepttothemselves——theyweretheonlytwomenwithbrainsinthattown。Theydrankandfoughtthedrinktogether。
TheDoctorwastoogloomyandimpatientoverlittlethingstobepopular。
JackDrewtalkedtoostraightinthepaper，andinspiteofhisproprietors——aboutpubspielingandsuchthings——andwastoosarcasticinhisprogresscommittee，towncouncil，andtoadyreceptionreports。
TheDoctorhadahawk’snose，pointedgrizzledbeardandmoustache，andsteely-greyeyeswithahauntedlookinthemsometimes（especiallywhenheglancedatyousideways），asifheloathedhisfellowmen，andcouldn’talwayshideit;orasifyouwerethespiritofmorphiaoropium，oradeadgirlhe’dwrongedinhisyouth——orwhateverhisdevilwas，besidedrink。Hewasclever，anddrinkhadbroughthimdowntoRedclay。
"ThebankmanagerwasaheavysnobnamedBrowne。Hecomplainedofbeingabitdullofhearinginoneear——afteryou’dyelledathimthreeorfourtimes;sometimesI’vethoughthewasasdeafasabook-keeperinboth。Hehadawifeandyoungsters，buttheywereawayonavisitwhileIwasworkinginRedclay。
Hisniece——or，rather，hiswife’sniece——agirlnamedRuthWilson，didthehousekeeping。Shewasanorphan，adoptedbyheraunt，andwasgeneralslaveyandscape-goattothefamily——especiallytothebrats，asisoftenthecase。Shewasratherpretty，andlady-like，andkepttoherself。ThewomenandgirlscalledherMissWilson，anddidn’tlikeher。Mostofthesinglemen——andsomeofthemarriedones，perhaps——weregoneonher，buthadn’tthebrainsortheplucktobearupandtrytheirluck。Iwasgoneworsethanany，Ithink，buthadtoomuchexperienceorcommonsense。Shewasverygoodtome——
usedtohandmeoutcupsofteaandplatesofsandwiches，orbreadandbutter，orcake，morningsandafternoonsthewholetimeIwaspaintingthebank。
TheDoctorhadknownherpeopleandwasverykindtoher。
Shewasabouttheonlywoman——forshewasmorewomanthangirl——
thathe’dbrightenupandtalkfor。NeitherhenorJackDrewwereparticularlyfriendlywithBrowneorhispush。
"Thebanker，thestorekeeper，oneofthepublicans，thebutcher（apopularmanwithhishandsinhispockets，hishatonthebackofhishead，andnothinginit），thepostmaster，andhistoady，thelightningsquirter，werethescrub-aristocracy。Therestwerecrawlers，mostlypubspielersandbushlarrikins，andthewomenwerehagsandlarrikinesses。
Thetownlivedoncheque-menfromthesurroundingbush。
Itwasanicelittleplace，takingitallround。
"Irememberaballatthelocaltownhall，wherethescrubaristocratstookoneendoftheroomtodanceinandtheordinaryscumtheother。
Itwasasavinginmusic。SomedayanAustralianwriterwillcomealongwho’llremindthecriticsandreadersofDickens，Carlyle，andThackeraymixed，andhe’lldojusticetotheselittlecustomsofoursinthelittlesettled-districttownsofDemocraticAustralia。
ThissortofthingcametoaheadoneNewYear’sNightatRedclay，whentherewasa`public’ballandpeaceonearthandgoodwilltowardsallmen——mostlyonaccountofarailwaytoRedclaybeingsurveyed。
Wewereallthere。They’dgottheDoc。outofhisshelltoactasM。C。
"Oneofthearistocratswasthedaughterofthelocalstorekeeper;
shebelongedtothelawn-tennisclique，andtheyWEREselect。
Forsomereasonorother——becauseshelookeduponMissWilsonasaslavey，oronaccountofafanciedslight，ortheheatworkingonignorance，oronaccountofsomethingthatcomesovergirlsandwomenthatnosonofsincanaccountfor——thisMissTea-’n’-sugartossedherheadandrefusedMissWilson’shandinthefirstsetandsobroketheladies’chainandthedance。Thentherewasato-do。
TheDoctorhelduphishandtostopthemusic，andsaid，veryquietly，thathemustcalluponMissSo-and-sotoapologisetoMissWilson——
orresignthechair。Afteralotoffussthegirldidapologiseinasnappywaythatwasanotherinsult。JackDrewgaveMissWilsonhisarmandmarchedheroffwithoutaword——Isawshewasalmostcrying。
Someonesaid，`Oh，let’sgoonwiththedance。’TheDoctorflashedroundonthem，buttheyweretoopaltryforhim，soheturnedonhisheelandwentoutwithoutaword。
ButIwasbeneaththemagaininsocialstanding，sotherewasnothingtopreventmefrommakingafewwell-chosenremarksonthingsingeneral——
whichIdid;andbrokeupthatball，andbrokesomeheadsafterwards，andgotmyselfagooddealofhatredandrespect，andtwosweethearts;
andlostallthejobsIwaslikelytoget，exceptatthebank，theDoctor’s，andtheRoyal。
"Onedayitwasraining——generalrainforaweek。Rain，rain，rain，overridgeandscrubandgalvanisedironandintothedismalcreeks。
I’ddoneallmyinsidework，exceptabitundertheDoctor’sverandah，wherehe’dbeenhavingsomepatchingandalteringdoneroundtheglassdoorsofhissurgery，whereheconsultedhispatients。
Ididn’twanttolosetime。ItwasaMondayandnodayfortheRoyal，andtherewasnodust，soitwasagooddayforvarnishing。
ItookapotandbrushandwentalongtogivetheDoctor’sdoorsacoatofvarnish。TheDoctorandDrewwereinsidewithafire，drinkingwhiskyandsmoking，butIdidn’tknowthatwhenIstartedwork。
Therainroaredontheironrooflikethesea。Allofasuddenitheldupforaminute，andIheardtheirvoices。Thedoctorhadbeenshoutingonaccountoftherain，andforgottolowerhisvoice。
`Lookhere，JackDrew，’hesaid，`thereareonlytwothingsforyoutodoifyouhaveanyregardforthatgirl;oneistostopthis’
（theliquorIsupposehemeant）`andpullyourselftogether;
andIdon’tthinkyou’lldothat——Iknowmen。Theotheristothrowupthe`Advertiser’——it’sdoingyounogood——andclearout。’
`Iwon’tdothat，’saysDrew。`Thenshootyourself，’saidtheDoctor。
`（There’sanotherflaskinthecupboard）。Youknowwhatthisholeislike……She’sagoodtruegirl——agirlasGodmadeher。
Iknewherfatherandmother，andItellyou，Jack，I’dsoonerseeherdeadthan……’Theroofroaredagain。Ifeltabitdelicateaboutthebusinessanddidn’tliketodisturbthem，soIknockedofffortheday。
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