"AboutaweekbeforethatIwasdowninthebedoftheRedclayCreekfishingfor`tailers’。I’dbeengettingonallrightwiththehousemaidatthe`Royal’——sheusedtohaveplatesofpuddingandhotpieformeonthebiggridironarrangementoverthekitchenrange;
andafterthethirdtuck-outIthoughtitwasgoodenoughtodoabitofabear-upinthatdirection。Shementionedoneday，yarning，thatshelikedastrollbythecreeksometimesinthecooloftheevening。
Ithoughtshe’dbeoffthatday，soIsaidI’dgoforafishafterI’dknockedoff。IthoughtImightgetabite。
Anyway，Ididn’tcatchLizzie——tellyouaboutthatsomeothertime。
"ItwasSunday。I’dbeenfishingforLizzieaboutanhourwhenIsawaskirtonthebankoutofthetailofmyeye——
andthoughtI’dgotabite，sure。ButIwashad。ItwasMissWilsonstrollingalongthebankinthesunset，allbyherprettyself。
Shewasaslightgirl，notverytall，withreddishfrizzledhair，greyeyes，andsmall，prettyfeatures。Shespokeasifshehadmorebrainsthantheaverage，andhadbeenbettereducated。
JackDrewwastheonlyyoungmaninRedclayshecouldtalkto，orwhocouldtalktoagirllikeher;andthatwasthewholetroubleinanutshell。Thenewspaperofficewasnexttothebank，andI’dseenherhandcupsofteaandcocoaoverthefencetohisofficewindowmorethanonce，andsometimestheyyarnedforawhile。
"Shesaid，`Goodmorning，Mr。Mitchell。’
"Isaid，`Goodmorning，Miss。’
"There’ssomegirlsIcan’ttalktolikeI’dtalktoothergirls。
SheaskedmeifI’dcaughtanyfish，andIsaid，`No，Miss。’
Sheaskedmeifitwasn’tmedowntherefishingwithMr。Drewtheotherevening，andIsaid，`Yes——itwasme。’Thenpresentlysheaskedmestraightifhewasfishingdownthecreekthatafternoon？
Iguessedthey’dbeendownfishingforeachotherbefore。Isaid，`No，Ithoughthewasoutoftown。’IknewhewasprettybadattheRoyal。
Iaskedherifshe’dliketohaveatrywithmyline，butshesaidNo，thanks，shemustbegoing;andshewentoffupthecreek。IreckonedJackDrewhadgotabiteandlandedher。Ifeltabitsorryforher，too。
"ThenextSaturdayeveningaftertherainyMondayattheDoctor’s，Iwentdowntofishfortailers——andLizzie。Iwentdownunderthebankstowheretherewasabigshe-oakstumphalfinthewater，goingquietly，withanideaofnotfrighteningthefish。Iwasjustunwindingthelinefrommyrod，whenInoticedtheendofanotherrodstickingoutfromtheothersideofthestump;andwhileIwatcheditwasdroppedintothewater。ThenIheardamurmur，andcranedmyneckroundthebackofthestumptoseewhoitwas。
IsawthebackviewofJackDrewandMissWilson;hehadhisarmroundherwaist，andherheadwasonhisshoulder。Shesaid，`IWILLtrustyou，Jack——Iknowyou’llgiveupthedrinkformysake。
AndI’llhelpyou，andwe’llbesohappy！’orwordsinthatdirection。
Athunderstormwascomingon。Theskyhaddarkenedupwithagreatblue-blackstorm-cloudrushingover，andtheyhadn’tnoticedit。
Ididn’tmind，andthefishbitbestinastorm。Butjustasshesaid`happy’
cameablindingflashandacrashthatshooktheridges，andthefirstdropscamepelteringdown。Theyjumpedupandclimbedthebank，whileIperchedontheshe-oakrootsoverthewatertobeoutofsightastheypassed。HalfwaytothetownIsawthemstandingintheshelterofanoldstonechimneythatstoodalone。
Hehadhisovercoatroundherandwasshelteringherfromthewind……"
"Smoke-oh，Joe。Thetea’sstewing。"
Mitchellgotup，stretchedhimself，andbroughtthebillyandpint-potstotheheadofmycamp。Themoonhadgrownmisty。Theplainhorizonhadclosedin。Acoupleofboughs，hangingfromthegnarledandblastedtimberoverthebillabong，weretheperfectshapesoftwomenhangingsidebyside。
Mitchellscratchedthebackofhisneckandlookeddownatthepupcurledlikeaglobofmudonthesandinthemoonlight，andanideastruckhim。Hegotabigoldfelthathehad，liftedhispup，nosetotail，fitteditinthehat，shookitdown，holdingthehatbythebrim，andstoodthehatneartheheadofhisdoss，outofthemoonlight。"Hemightgetmoonstruck，"saidMitchell，"andIdon’twantthatpuptobeagenius。"Thepupseemedperfectlysatisfiedwiththisnewarrangement。
"Haveasmoke，"saidMitchell。"Yousee，"headded，withaslygrin，"I’vegottomakeuptheyarnasIgoalong，andit’shardwork。
Itseemstobegintoremindmeofyarnsyourgrandmotheroraunttellsofthingsthathappenedwhenshewasagirl——butthoseyarnsaretrue。
Youwon’thavetolistenlongnow;I’mwellonintothesecondvolume。
"AfterthestormIhurriedhometothetent——Iwasbatchingwithacarpenter。Ichangedmyclothes，madeafireinthefire-bucketwithshavingsandendsofsoftwood，boiledthebilly，andhadacupofcoffee。ItwasSaturdaynight。MymatewasattheRoyal;
itwascoldanddismalinthetent，andtherewasnothingtoread，soIreckonedImightaswellgouptotheRoyal，too，andputinthetime。
"IhadtopasstheBankontheway。Itwastheusualweatherboardboxwithagalvanisedirontop——fourroomsandapassage，andadetachedkitchenandwash-houseattheback;thefrontroomtotheright（behindtheoffice）wasthefamilybedroom，andtheoneoppositeitwasthelivingroom。The`Advertiser’officewasnextdoor。
JackDrewcampedinaskillionroombehindhisprintingoffice，andhadhismealsattheRoyal。Inoticedthestormhadtakenasheetofironofftheskillion，andsupposedhe’dsleepattheRoyalthatnight。
Nexttothe`Advertiser’officewasthepolicestation（stillcalledthePoliceCamp）andtheCourthouse。NextwastheImperialHotel，wherethescrubaristocratswent。TherewasavacantallotmentontheothersideoftheBank，andItookashortcutacrossthistotheRoyal。
"They’dforgottentopulldowntheblindofthedining-roomwindow，andIhappenedtoglancethroughandsawshehadJackDrewinthereandwasgivinghimacupoftea。Hehadabadcold，Iremember，andIsupposehishealthhadgotprecioustoher，poorgirl。
AsIglancedshesteppedtothewindowandpulleddowntheblind，whichputmeoutoffaceabit——though，ofcourse，shehadn’tseenme。
IwasrathersurprisedatherhavingJackinthere，tillIheardthatthebanker，thepostmaster，theconstable，andsomeothersweremakinganightofitattheImperial，asthey’dbeendoingprettyoftenlately——andwentondoingtilltherewasablow-upaboutit，andtheconstablegottransferredOutBack。Iusedtodrinkmysharethen。
Wesmokedandplayedcardsandyarnedandfilled’emupagainattheRoyaltillafteroneinthemorning。ThenIstartedhome。
"I’dfinishedgivingtheBankacoupleofcoatsofstone-colourthatweek，andwascuttinginindarkcolourroundthespouting，doors，andwindow-framesthatSaturday。Myheadwasprettycleargoinghome，andasIpassedtheplaceitstruckmethatI’dleftouttheonlyvarnishbrushIhad。I’dbeenusingittogivethesashesacoatofvarnishcolour，andrememberedthatI’dleftitononeofthewindow-sills——thesillofherbedroomwindow，asithappened。
IknewI’dsleepinnextday，Sunday，andguesseditwouldbehot，andIdidn’twantthevarnishtooltogetspoiled;soIreckonedI’dslipinthroughthesidegate，getit，andtakeithometocampandputitinoil。
Thewindowsashwasjammed，Iremember，andIhadn’tbeenabletogetitupmorethanacoupleofinchestopainttherunsofthesash。
Thegrassgrewupcloseunderthewindow，andIslippedinquietly。Inoticedthesashwasstillupacoupleofinches。JustasIgrabbedthebrushIheardlowvoicesinside——RuthWilson’sandJackDrew’s——inherroom。
"Thesurprisesentaboutapintofbeerupintomythroatinalump。
Itip-toedawayoutofthere。JustasIgotclearofthegateIsawthebankerbeinghelpedhomebyacoupleofcronies。
"Iwenthometothecampandturnedin，butIcouldn’tsleep。
Ilaythink——think——thinking，tillIthoughtallthedrinkoutofmyhead。
I’dbroughtabottleofalehometolastoverSunday，andIdrankthat。
Itonlymademattersworse。Ididn’tknowhowIfelt——I——well，IfeltasifIwasasgoodamanasJackDrew——I——
youseeI’ve——youmightthinkitsoft——butIlovedthatgirl，notasI’vebeengoneonothergirls，butintheold-fashioned，soft，honest，hopeless，far-awaysortofway;andnow，totellthestraighttruth，IthoughtImighthavehadher。Youloseathingthroughbeingtoostraightorsentimental，ornothavingenoughcheek;andanothermancomesalongwithmorebrassinhisbloodandlesssentimentalrotandtakesitup——andtheworldrespectshim;andyoufeelinyourheartthatyou’reaweakermanthanheis。Why，partofthetimeImusthavefeltlikeamandoeswhenabettermanrunsawaywithhiswife。
ButI’ddrunkalot，andwasupsetandlonely-feelingthatnight。
"Oh，butRedclayhadatremendoussensationnextday！JackDrew，ofallthemenintheworld，hadbeencaughtintheactofrobbingthebank。
AccordingtoBrowne’saccountincourtandinthenewspapers，hereturnedhomethatnightatabouttwelveo’clock（whichIknewwasalie，forIsawhimbeinghelpedhomenearertwo）andimmediatelyretiredtorest（ontopofthequilt，bootsandall，Isuppose）。Sometimebeforedaybreakhewasrousedbyafanciednoise（Isupposeitwashisheadswelling）;
herose，turnedupanightlamp（hehadn’tlitit，I’llswear），andwentthroughthedining-roompassageandofficetoinvestigate（forwhiskyandwater）。Hesawthatthedoorsandwindowsweresecure，returnedtobed，andfellasleepagain。
"Thereissomethinginadeafperson’sbeingrousedeasily。
Iknowthecaseofadeafchapwho’dstartupatastepormovementinthehousewhennooneelsecouldhearorfeelit;keensenseofvibration，Ireckon。Well，justatdaybreak（toshortentheyarn）
thebankerwokesuddenly，hesaid，andheardacracklikeashotinthehouse。
Therewasalooseflooring-boardinthepassagethatwentofflikeapistol-shotsometimeswhenyoutrodonit;andIguessJackDrewtrodonit，sneakingout，andheweighednearlytwelvestone。
Ifthetruthwereknown，heprobablyheardBrownepokinground，triedthewindow，foundthesashjammed，andwasslippingthroughthepassagetothebackdoor。Brownegothisrevolver，openedhisdoorsuddenly，andcaughtDrewstandingbetweenthegirl’sdoor（whichwasshut）
andtheofficedoor，withhiscoatonhisarmandhisbootsinhishands。
Brownecoveredhimwithhisrevolver，sworehe’dshootifhemoved，andyelledforhelp。Drewstoodamomentlikeamanstunned;
thenherushedBrowne，andinthestruggletherevolverwentoff，andDrewgothitinthearm。Twoofthemountedtroopers——who’dbeenuplookingtothehorsesforanearlystartsomewhere——rushedinthen，andtookDrew。Hehadnothingtosay。Whatcouldhesay？Hecouldn’tsayhewasablackguardwho’dtakenadvantageofapoorunprotectedgirlbecauseshelovedhim。Theyfoundthebackdoorunlocked，bytheway，whichwasputdowntotheburglar;ofcourseBrownecouldn’texplainthathecamehometoomuddledtolockdoorsafterhim。
"Andthegirl？Sheshriekedandfellwhentherowstarted，andtheyfoundherlikealogonthefloorofherroomafteritwasover。
"TheyfoundinJack’sovercoatpocketaparcelcontainingacoldchisel，smallscrew-wrench，file，andoneortwootherthingsthathe’dboughtthateveningtotinkeruptheoldprintingpress。
Iknewthat，becauseI’dlenthimahandafewnightsbefore，andhetoldmehe’dhavetogetthetools。Theyfoundsomescratchesroundthekey-holeandknoboftheofficedoorthatI’dmademyself，scrapingoldsplashesofpaintoffthebrassandhand-platesoastomakeacleanfinish。Oh，ittaughtmethevalueofcircumstantialevidence！
IfIwasjudgeIwouldn’tgiveamantillthe`risin’avthecoort’onit，anymorethanIwouldonthebarewordofthenoblestwomanbreathing。
"AtthepreliminaryexaminationJackDrewsaidhewasguilty。
Butitseemedthat，accordingtolaw，hecouldn’tbeguiltyuntilafterhewascommitted。SohewascommittedfortrialatthenextQuarterSessions。TheexcitementandgabblewereworsethantheDeancase，orFederation，andsickenedme，fortheywereallonthewrongtrack。Youlosealotoflifethroughbeingbehindthescenes。Buttheycooleddownpresentlytowaitforthetrial。
"Theythoughtitbesttotakethegirlawayfromtheplacewhereshe’dgottheshock;sotheDoctortookhertohishouse，wherehehadanoldhousekeeperwhowasasdeafasapost——
afirstclassrecommendationforahousekeeperanywhere。
HegotanursefromSydneytoattendonRuthWilson，andnooneexceptheandthenursewereallowedtogonearher。Shelaylikedead，theysaid，exceptwhenshehadtobehelddownraving;brainfever，theysaid，broughtonbytheshockoftheattemptedburglaryandpistolshot。
Dr。LebinskihadanotherdoctorupfromSydneyathisownexpense，butnothingcouldsaveher——andperhapsitwasaswell。
Shemighthavefinishedherlifeinalunaticasylum。
TheyweregoingtosendhertoSydney，toabrainhospital;
butshediedaweekbeforetheSessions。Shewasright-headedforanhour，theysaid，andaskingallthetimeforJack。TheDoctortoldherhewasallrightandwascoming——and，waitingandlisteningforhim，shedied。
"ThecasewasblackenoughagainstDrewnow。Iknewhewouldn’thavetheplucktotellthetruthnow，evenifhewasthatsortofaman。
Ididn’tknowwhattodo，soIspoketotheDoctorstraight。IcaughthimcomingoutoftheRoyal，andwalkedalongtheroadwithhimabit。
IsupposehethoughtIwasgoingtoshowcausewhyhisdoorsoughttohaveanothercoatofvarnish。
"`Hallo，Mitchell！’hesaid，`how’spainting？’
"`Doctor！’Isaid，`whatamIgoingtodoaboutthisbusiness？’
"`Whatbusiness？’
"`JackDrew’s。’
"Helookedatmesideways——theswifthauntedlook。Thenhewalkedonwithoutaword，forhalfadozenyards，handsbehind，andstudyingthedust。
Thenheasked，quitequietly：
"`Doyouknowthetruth？’
"`Yes！’
"Aboutadozenyardsthistime;thenhesaid：
"`I’llseehiminthemorning，andseeyouafterwards，’
andheshookhandsandwentonhome。
"NextdayhecametomewhereIwasdoingajobonastepladder。
Heleanedhiselbowagainstthestepsforamoment，andrubbedhishandoverhisforehead，asifitachedandhewastired。
"`I’veseenhim，Mitchell，’hesaid。
"`Yes。’
"`Youweremateswithhim，once，OutBack？’
"`Iwas。’
"`YouknowDrew’shand-writing？’
"`Ishouldthinkso。’
"Helaidaleaffromapocketbookontopofthesteps。Ireadthemessagewritteninpencil：
"`ToJackMitchell。——Wewerematesonthetrack。Ifyouknowanythingofmyaffair，don’tgiveitaway。——J。D。’
"Itoretheleafanddroppedthebitsintothepaint-pot。
"`That’sallright，Doctor，’Isaid;`butistherenoway？’
"`None。’
"Heturnedaway，wearily。He’dknockedaboutsomuchovertheworldthathewaspastbotheringaboutexplainingthingsorbeingsurprisedatanything。
Butheseemedtogetanewideaaboutme;hecamebacktothestepsagain，andwatchedmybrushforawhile，asifhewasthinking，inabroodysortofway，ofthrowinguphispracticeandgoinginforhouse-painting。Thenhesaid，slowlyanddeliberately：
"`Ifshe——thegirl——hadlived，wemighthavetriedtofixitupquietly。
That’swhatIwashopingfor。Idon’tseehowwecanhelphimnow，evenifhe’dletus。Hewouldneverhavespoken，anyway。
Wemustletitgoon，andafterthetrialI’llgotoSydneyandseewhatIcandoatheadquarters。It’stoolatenow。
Youunderstand，Mitchell？’
"`Yes。I’vethoughtitout。’
"ThenhewentawaytowardstheRoyal。
"AndwhatcouldJackDreworwedo？Studyitoutwhateverwayyoulike。
Therewasonlyonepossiblechancetohelphim，andthatwastogotothejudge;andthejudgethathappenedtobeonthatcircuitwasamanwho——evenifhedidlistentothestoryandbelieveit——
wouldhavefeltinclinedtogiveJackallthemoreforwhathewaschargedwith。Brownewasoutofthequestion。
ThedaybeforethetrialIwentforalongwalkinthebush，butcouldn’thitonanythingthattheDoctormighthavemissed。
"Iwasinthecourt——Icouldn’tkeepaway。TheDoctorwastheretoo。
Therewasn’tsomuchofachangeinJackasIexpected，onlyhehadthegaolwhiteinhisfacealready。Hestoodfingeringtherail，asifitwastheedgeofatableonaplatformandhewasatiredandboredandsleepychairmanwaitingtoproposeavoteofthanks。"
Theonlywell-knownmaninAustraliawhoremindsmeofMitchellisBlandHolt，thecomedian。MitchellwasaboutasgoodheartedasBlandHolt，too，underitall;buthewasbiggerandroughenedbythebush。Butheseemedtobetakingaheavypartto-night，for，towardstheendofhisyarn，hegotupandwalkedupanddownthelengthofmybed，droppingthesentencesasheturnedtowardsme。He’dfoldedhisarmshighandtight，andhisfaceinthemoonlightwas——well，itwasverydifferentfromhiscarelesstoneofvoice。Hewaslike——likeanactoractingtragedyandtalkingcomedy。Mitchellwenton，speakingquickly——
hisvoiceseemingtoharden：……
"Thechargewasreadout——Iforgethowitwent——itsoundedlikealonghymnbeinggivenout。Jackpleadedguilty。
Thenhestraightenedupforthefirsttimeandlookedroundthecourt，withacalm，disinterestedlook——asifwewereallstrangersandhewasnotingthesizeofthemeeting。And——it’safunnyworld，ain’tit？——everyoneofusshiftedordroppedhiseyes，justasifwewerethefelonsandJackthejudge。EveryoneexcepttheDoctor;
helookedatJackandJacklookedathim。ThentheDoctorsmiled——Ican’tdescribeit——andDrewsmiledback。ItstruckmeafterwardsthatIshouldhavebeeninthatsmile。ThentheDoctordidwhatlookedlikeastrangething——stoodlikeasoldierwithhishandstoAttention。I’dnoticedthat，wheneverhe’dmadeuphismindtodoathing，hedroppedhishandstohissides：itwasasignthathecouldn’tbemoved。
Nowheslowlyliftedhishandtohisforehead，palmout，salutedtheprisoner，turnedonhisheel，andmarchedfromthecourt-room。`He’sboozin’again，’
someonewhispered。`He’sgotatouchof’em。’`Myoath，he’sratty！’
saidsomeoneelse。Oneofthetrapssaid：
"`Arderinthecar-rt！’
"ThejudgegaveittoDrewred-hotonaccountoftheburglarybeingthecauseofthegirl’sdeathandthesorrowinarespectablefamily;
thenhegavehimfiveyears’hard。
"Itgavemealotofconfidenceinmyselftoseethelawofthelandbarkingupthewrongtree，whileonlyIandtheDoctorandtheprisonerknewit。ButI’vefoundoutsincethenthatthelawisoftentheonlyonethatknowsit’sbarkingupthewrongtree。"……
Mitchellpreparedtoturnin。
"AndwhataboutDrew，"Iasked。
"Oh，hedidhistime，ormostofit。TheDoctorwenttoheadquarters，buteitheradrunkendoctorfromageebungtownwasn’tofmuchaccount，ortheyweren’ttakinganyromancejustthenatheadquarters。
SotheDoctorcameback，drankheavily，andonefrostymorningtheyfoundhimonhisbackonthebankofthecreek，withhisfacelikenote-paperwherethebloodhadn’tdriedonit，andanoldpistolinhishand——
thathe’dused，theysaid，toshootCossacksfromhorsebackwhenhewasayoungdudefightinginthebushinPoland。"
Mitchelllaysilentagoodwhile;thenheyawned。
"Ah，well！It’salonelytracktheLachlan’strampingto-night;
butIs’posehe’sgothisghostswithhim。"
I’dbeenpuzzlingforthelasthalf-hourtothinkwhereI’dmetorheardofJackDrew;nowitflashedonmethatI’dbeentoldthatJackDrewwastheLachlan’srealname。
Ilayawakethinkingalongtime，andwishedMitchellhadkepthisyarnfordaytime。Ifelt——well，IfeltasiftheLachlan’sstoryshouldhavebeenplayedinthebiggesttheatreintheworld，bythegreatestactors，withmusicfortheintervalsandsituations——
deep，strongmusic，suchasthrillsandliftsamanfromhisbootsoles。
AndwhenIgottosleepIhadn’tsleptamoment，itseemedtome，whenIstartedwideawaketoseethoseinfernalhangingboughswithasortofnightmareideathattheLachlanhadn’tgone，orhadcomeback，andheandMitchellhadhangedthemselvessociably——
Mitchellforsympathyandthesakeofmateship。
ButMitchellwassleepingpeacefully，inspiteofapathofmoonlightacrosshisface——andsowasthepup。
TheDarlingRiverTheDarling——whichiseitheramuddygutterorasecondMississippi——
isaboutsixtimesaslongasthedistance，inastraightline，fromitsheadtoitsmouth。Thestateoftheriverisvaguelybutgenerallyunderstoodtodependonsomedistantandforeignphenomenatowhichbushmenreferinanoff-handtoneofvoiceas"theQueenslan’rains"，whichseemtobeheldresponsible，inageneralway，formostoftheout-backtrouble。
IttakeslessthanayeartogoupstreambyboattoWalgettorBourkeinadryseason;butafterthefirstthreemonthsthepassengersgenerallygoashoreandwalk。Theygetsickofbeingstuckinthesamesortofplace，inthesameoldway;theygrowwearyofseeingthesameold"whaler"
drophisswagonthebankoppositewhenevertheboattiesupforwood;
theygettiredoflendinghimtobacco，andlisteningtohisideas，whicharelimitedinnumberandnarrowinconception。
Itshortensthejourneytogetoutandwalk;butthenyouwillhavetowaitsolongforyourluggage——unlessyouhumpitwithyou。
WeheardofamanwhodeterminedtosticktoaDarlingboatandtravelthewholelengthoftheriver。Hewasanewspaperman。HestartedonhisvoyageofdiscoveryoneEasterinflood-time，andamonthlaterthecaptaingotbushedbetweentheDarlingandSouthAustralianborder。
Thewaterswentawaybeforehecouldfindtheriveragain，andlefthisboatinascrub。Theyhadacargoofrations，andthecrewstucktothecraftwhilethetuckerlasted;
whenitgaveouttheyrolleduptheirswagsandwenttolookforastation，butdidn’tfindone。Thecaptainwouldstudyhiswatchandthesun，rigupdialsandmakeoutcourses，andfollowthemwithoutsuccess。
Theyranshortofwater，anddidn’tsmellanyforweeks;
theysufferedterribleprivations，andlostthreeoftheirnumber，NOTincludingthenewspaperliar。Thereareevendarkhintsconsideringthedrawingoflotsinconnectionwithsomethingtooterribletomention。Theycrossedathirty-mileplainatlast，andsightedablackgin。Sheledthemtoaboundaryrider’shut，wheretheyweretakeninandprovidedwithrationsandrum。
Lateronasyndicatewasformedtoexplorethecountryandrecovertheboat;
buttheyfoundherthirtymilesfromtheriverandabouteighteenfromthenearestwaterholedeepenoughtofloather，sotheyleftherthere。
She’stherestill，orelsethemanthattoldusaboutitisthegreatestliarOutBack……
ImaginethehullofaNorthShoreferryboat，bluntedalittleattheendsandcutoffaboutafootbelowthewater-line，andparalleltoit，thenyouwillhavesomethingshapedsomewhatlikethehullofaDarlingmud-rooter。Buttheriverboatismuchstronger。
Theboatwewereonwasbuiltandrepairedabovedeckafterthedifferentideasofmanybushcarpenters，ofwhomthelastseemedbyhisworktohaveregardedtheoriginalplanwithacontemptonlyequalledbyhisdisgustattheworkofthelastcarpenterbutone。
Thewheelwasboxedin，mostlywithroundsapling-sticksfastenedtotheframewithbunchesofnailsandspikesofallshapesandsizes，mostofthembent。
Thegeneralresultwasdecidedlypicturesqueinitsirregularity，butdangeroustothementalwelfareofanypassengerwhowasfoolishenoughtotrytocomprehendthedesign;foritseemedasthougheverycarpenterhadtakentheopportunitytoworkinalittleabstractideaofhisown。
Thewaythey"dock"aDarlingRiverboatisbeautifulforitssimplicity。
Theychooseaplacewheretherearetwostouttreesabouttheboat’slengthapart，andstandingonalineparalleltotheriver。
Theyfixpulley-blockstothetrees，layslidingplanksdownintothewater，fastenaropetooneendofthesteamer，andtaketheotherendthroughtheblockattachedtothetreeandthencebackaboardasecondsteamer;
thentheycarryaropesimilarlyfromtheotherendthroughtheblockonthesecondtree，andaboardathirdboat。AtagivensignaloneboatleavesforWentworth，andtheotherstartsfortheQueenslandborder。
Theconsequenceisthatcraftnumberoneclimbsthebankamidthecheersofthelocalloafers，whocongregateandwatchtheproceedingswithgreatinterestandapproval。Thecrewpitchtents，andsettoworkonthehull，whichlookslikeabig，roughshallowbox……
WeoncetravelledontheDarlingforahundredmilesorsoonaboatcalledthe`MudTurtle’——atleast，that’swhatWEcalledher。
ShemightreasonablyhavehauntedtheMississippififtyyearsago。
Shedidn’tseemparticularwhereshewent，orwhethershestartedagainorstoppedforgoodaftergettingstuck。Hermachinerysoundedlikeachapterofaccidentsandwasalwaysoutoforder，butshegotalongallthesame，providedthesteersmankeptheroffthebank。
Herskipperwasayoungman，wholookedmorelikeadroverthanasailor，andthecrewboreagreaterresemblancetotheunemployedthantoanyotherbodyweknowof，exceptthattheylookedalittlemoreindependent。Theyseemedclannish，too，withanunemployedorfree-laboursortofisolation。Wehaveanideathattheyregardedourpersonalappearancewithcontempt……
AboveLouthwepickedupa"whaler"，whocameaboardforthesakeofsocietyandtobacco。Notthathehopedtoshortenhisjourney;
hehadnodestination。Hetoldusmanyrecklessandunprincipledlies，andgaveusafewornamentalfacts。Oneofthemtookourfancy，andimpressedus——withitsbeautifulsimplicity，Isuppose。Hesaid：
"SomemilesabovewheretheDarlin’andtheWarrygorunsintereachother，there’sabillygongrunnin’rightacrossbetweenthetworiversandmakin’
asortoftryhangularhyland;’n’Icantel’yerafunnythingaboutit。"
Herehepausedtolighthispipe。"Now，"hecontinued，impressively，jerkingthematchoverboard，"whentheDarlin’sup，andtheWarrygo’sLOW，thebillygongrunsfromtheDarlin’intotheWARRYGO;AND，whentheWarrygo’sup’n’theDarlin’sdown，thewatersrunsFROMtheWarrygo’n’intertheDarlin’。"
Whatcouldbemoresimple？
Thesteamerwasengagedtogoupabillabongforaloadofshearersfromashedwhichwascuttingout;andfirstitwasnecessarytotieupintheriveranddischargethegreaterportionofthecargoinorderthattheboatmightsafelynegotiatetheshallowwaters。
Alocalfisherman，whovolunteeredtoactaspilot，wastakenaboard，andafterhewasoutsideaboutapintofwhiskyheseemedtohavethegreatestconfidenceinhisabilitytotakeustohell，oranywhereelse——
atleast，hesaidso。Amanwassentashorewithblanketsandtuckertomindthewool，andwecrossedtheriver，buttedintotheanabranch，andstartedoutback。OnlytheLordandthepilotknowhowwegotthere。
Wetravelledoverthebush，throughitsbranchessometimes，andsometimesthroughgrassandmud，andeverynowandthenwestrucksomethingthatfeltandsoundedlikeacollision。
Theboatsliddownonehill，and"fetched"astumpatthebottomwithaforcethatmadeeverymother’ssonbitehistongueorbreakatooth。
Theshearerscameaboardnextmorning，withtheirswagsandtwocartloadsofboiledmutton，bread，"brownie"，andteaandsugar。
Theynumberedaboutfifty，includingtherouseabouts。
Thisloadofsinsankthesteamerdeeperintothemud;
butthepassengerscrowdedovertoport，byrequestofthecaptain，andthecrewpokedthebankawaywithlongpoles。Whenwebegantomovetheshearersgaveahowlliketheyellofalegionoflostsoulsescapingfromdownbelow。Theygavethreecheersfortherouseabouts’cook，whostayedbehind;thentheycursedthestationwithamightycurse。
Theyclearedaspaceondeck，hadajig，andafterwardsafightbetweentheshearers’cookandhisassistant。TheygaveamightybushwhoopfortheDarlingwhentheboatswungintothatgrandoldgutter，andintheeveningtheyhadageneralall-roundtime。Wegotback，andthecrewhadtoreloadthewoolwithoutassistance，foritboretheaccursedbrandofa"freedom-of-contract"shed。
Weslept，ortriedtosleep，thatnightontheridgeoftwowoolbaleslaidwiththenarrowsidesup，havingfirstbeenobligedtogetashoreandfightsixroundswithashearerfortheprivilegeofroostingthere。
Thelivecindersfromthefireboxwentupthechimneyallnight，andfellinshowersondeck。Everynowandagainasparkwouldburnthroughthe"Waggarug"ofasleepingshearer，andhe’dwakesuddenlyandgetupandcurse。Itwasnouseshiftinground，forthewindwasallways，andtheboatsteerednorth，south，east，andwesttohumourtheriver。Occasionallyalowbranchwouldrootthreeorfourpassengersofftheirwoolbales，andthey’dgetupandcurseinchorus。Theboatstartedtwosnags;andtowardsdaylightstruckastump。
Theaccentwasonthestump。Awoolbalewentoverboard，andtookaswagandadogwithit;thentheowneroftheswaganddogandthecrewoftheboathadaswearingmatchbetweenthem。Theswagmanwon。
Aboutdaylightwestretchedourcrampedlimbs，extricatedonelegfrombetweenthewoolbales，andfoundthatthesteamerwasjustcrayfishingawayfromamudisland，whereshehadtiedupformorewool。Someofthechapshadbeenashoreandboiledfourorfivebucketsofteaandcoffee。
Shortlyaftertheboathadsettleddowntoworkagainanincidentcamealong。
Arouseaboutroselate，and，whiletheotherswereatbreakfast，gotanideaintohisheadthatagood"sloosh"wouldfreshenhimup;
sohemoochedrounduntilhefoundabigwoodenbucketwitharopetoit。
Hecarriedthebucketaftofthewheel。Theboatwasbuttingupstreamforallshewasworth，andthestreamwasrunningtheotherway，ofcourse，andaboutahundredtimesasfastasatrain。Thejackeroogavethelineaturnroundhiswrist;beforeanyonecouldseehimintimetosuppresshim，heliftedthebucket，swungittoandfro，anddroppeditcleverlyintothewater。
Thisdelayedusfornearlyanhour。Acoupleofmenjumpedintotherowboatimmediatelyandcastheradrift。
Theypickedupthejackerooaboutamiledowntheriver，clingingtoasnag，andwhenwehauledhimaboardhelookedlikesomethingthecathaddraggedin，onlybigger。Werevivedhimwithrumandgothimonhisfeet;
andthen，whenthecaptainandcrewhaddonecursinghim，herubbedhishead，wentforward，andhadalookatthepaddle;thenherubbedhisheadagain，thought，andremarkedtohismates：
"Wasn’titluckyIdidn’tdipthatbucketFOR’ARDthewheel？"
Thisremarkstruckusforcibly。Weagreedthatitwaslucky——forhim;
butthecaptainremarkedthatitwasdamnedunluckyfortheworld，which，heexplained，wasover-populatedwithfoolsalready。
Gettingontowardsafternoonwefoundabargeloadedwithwoolandtieduptoatreeinthewilderness。Therewasnosignofamantobeseen，noranysign，exceptthebarge，thatahumanbeinghadeverbeenthere。
Thecaptaintookthecraftintow，toweditabouttenmilesupthestream，andleftitinalesslikelyplacethanwhereitwasbefore。
Floatingbottlesbegantobemorefrequent，andweknewbythatsametokenthatwewerenearing"Here’sLuck！"——Bourke，wemean。Andthisremindsus。
WhentheBrewarrinapeopleobserveamorethanordinarynumberofbottlesfloatingdowntheriver，theyguessthatWalgettisonthespree;
whentheLouthchapsseeanunbrokenprocessionofdeadmarinesforthreeorfourdaystheyknowthatBourke’sdrunk。Thepoor，God-abandoned"whaler"sitsinhishungrycampatsunsetandwatchestheemptysymbolsofHopegoby，andfeelsmoreGod-forgottenthanever——andthirstier，ifpossible——andgetsagreat，wide，thirsty，quaking，emptylongingtobeupwherethosebottlescomefrom。
Ifthetownspeopleknewhowmuchmiserytheycausedbytheirthoughtlessnesstheywoulddrowntheirdeadmarines，orburythem，butonnoaccountallowthemtogodriftingdowntheriver，andstirringuphellsinthebosomsoflessfortunatefellow-creatures。
TherecameamanfromAdelaidetoBourkeonce，andhecollectedalltheemptybottlesintown，stackedthembytheriver，andwaitedforaboat。Whathewantedthemforthelegendsayethnot，butthepeoplereckonedhehada"privatestill"，orsomethingofthatsort，somewheredowntheriver，andweresatisfied。WhathecamefromAdelaidefor，orwhetherhereallydidcomefromthere，wedonotknow。
AlltheDarlingbunyipsaresupposedtocomefromAdelaide。
Anyway，themancollectedalltheemptybottleshecouldlayhishandson，andpiledthemonthebank，wheretheymadeagoodshow。
Hewaitedforaboattotakehiscargo，and，whilewaiting，hegotdrunk。
Thatexcitednocomment。Hestayeddrunkforthreeweeks，butthetownspeoplesawnothingunusualinthat。Inordertobecomeanobjectofinterestintheireyes，andinthatline，hewouldhavehadtostaydrunkforayearandfightthreetimesaday——oftener，ifpossible——andlieintheroadinthebroilingheatbetweenwhiles，andbewalkedonbycamelsandAfghansandfree-labourers，andbelockedupeverytimehegotsoberenoughtosmashapoliceman，andtrytohanghimselfnaked，andbefinallysquashedbyaloadedwoolteam。
ButwhilehedranktheDarlingrose，forreasonsbestknowntoitself，andfloatedthosebottlesoff。TheystrungoutandstartedfortheAntarcticOcean，withabigoldwicker-workeddemijohninthelead。
Forthefirstweekthedown-rivermentooknonotice;butafterthebottleshadbeendriftingpastwithscarcelyabreakforafortnightorso，theybegantogetinterested。Severalwhalerswatchedtheprocessionuntiltheygotthejimjamsbyforceofimagination，andwhentheirbodiesbegantofloatdownwiththebottles，thedown-riverpeoplegotanxious。
AtlasttheMayorofWilcanniawiredBourketoknowwhetherDibbsorParkeswasdead，ordemocracytriumphant，orifnot，whereforethejubilation？
Manytelegramsofalikenaturewerereceivedduringthatweek，andthetrueexplanationwassentinreplytoeach。Butitwasn’tbelieved，andtothisdayBourkehasthenameofbeingthemostdrunkentownontheriver。
Afterdinnerahumorousoldhardcasemysteriouslytookusasideandsaidhehadagoodyarnwhichwemightbeabletoworkup。Weaskedhimhow，buthewinkedamightycunningwinkandsaidthatheknewallaboutus。
Thenheaskedustolisten。Hesaid：
"TherewasanoldfellerdowntheMurrumbidgeenamedKelly。
Hewasabitgonehere。OnedayKellywasoutlookin’forsomesheep，whenhegotlost。Itwasgettin’dark。Bymebytherecameanoldcrowinatreeoverhead。
"`Kel-ley，you’relo-o-st！Kel-ley，you’relo-o-st！’sezthecrow。
"`IknowIam，’sezKelly。
"`Fol-lerme，fol-lerme，’sezthecrow。
"`Righty’are，’sezKelly，withajerkofhisarm。`Goahead。’
"Sothecrowwenton，andKellyfollered，an’bymebyhefoundhewasontherighttrack。
"SometimeafterKellywaswashin’sheep（thiswaswhenweuseterwashthesheepinsteadofthewool）。Kellywasstandin’ontheplatformwithacrutchinhishandlandin’thesheep，whentherecameaoldcrowinthetreeoverhead。
"`Kelly，I’mhun-gry！Kel-ley，I’mhun-ger-ry！’sezthecrow。
"`Alright，’sezKelly;`beupatthehutaboutdinnertime’n’I’llslingyououtsomething。’
"`Drown——a——sheep！Drown——a——sheep，Kel-ley，’sezthecrow。
"`BlankedifIdo，’sezKelly。`IfIdrownasheepI’llhavetopayforit，be-God！’
"`ThenIwon’tfindyerwhenyerlostagin，’sezthecrow。
"`I’mdamnedifyerwill，’saysKelly。`I’lltakeblankygoodcareIwon’tgetlostagain，tobefoundbyagoryolecrow。’"……
ThereareagoodmanyfishermenontheDarling。Theycampalongthebanksinallsortsoftents，andmoveaboutinlittleboxboatsthatwillonlyfloatoneman。Thefishermanisneverheavy。
Heismostlyawitheredlittleoldmadman，withblackclaws，dirtyrags（whichheneverchanges），unkempthairandbeard，anda"ratty"expression。Wecannotsaythatweeversawhimcatchafish，orevengetabite，andwecertainlyneversawhimofferanyforsale。
Hegetsadozenorsolinesoutintothestream，withtheshoreendfastenedtopegsorrootsonthebank，andpassedoversticksaboutfourfeethigh，stuckinthemud;onthetopofthesestickshehangsbullockbells，orsubstitutes——jamtinswithstonesfastenedinsidetobitsofstring。Thenhesitsdownandwaits。Ifthecodpullsthelinethebellrings。
Thefishermanisagreatauthorityontheriverandfish，buthasusuallyforgotteneverythingelse，includinghisname。
Hechopsfirewoodfortheboatssometimes，butitisn’thisprofession——
he’safisherman。Heisonlysaneonpointsconcerningtheriver，thoughhehasallthefisherman’seccentricities。Ofcourseheisaliar。
Whenhegetshiscampfixedononebankitstrikeshimheoughttobeoverontheother，orataplaceuproundthebend，soheshifts。
Thenhereckonshewasafoolfornotstoppingwherehewasbefore。
Heneverdies。Henevergetsolder，ordrier，ormorewitheredlooking，ordirtier，orloonier——becausehecan’t。Wecannotimaginehimaseverhavingbeenaboy，orevenayouth。Wecannoteventrytoimaginehimasababy。Heisananimatedmummy，whousedtofishontheNilethreethousandyearsago，andcatchnothing……
WeforgottomentionthattherearewonderfullyfewwrecksontheDarling。
Theriverboatsseldomgodown——theirhullsarenotbuiltthatway——
andifonedidgodownitwouldn’tsinkfar。But，oncedown，aboatisscarcelyeverraisedagain;because，yousee，themudsiltsuprounditandoverit，andgluesit，asitwere，tothebottomoftheriver。
Thentheforty-footalligators——whichcomedownwiththe"Queenslan’rains"，wesuppose——rootinthemudandfilltheirbellieswithsoddenflouranddrowneddeck-hands。
Theytriedoncetoblowupawreckwithdynamitebecauseit（thewreck）
obstructednavigation;buttheyblewthebottomoutoftheriverinstead，andallthewaterwentthrough。TheGovernmenthavebeenboringforiteversince。Isawsomeoftheboresmyself——thereisoneatCoonamble。
ThereisayarnalongtheDarlingaboutacuteYankeewhowasinviteduptoBourketoreportonaproposedschemeforlockingtheriver。
Hearrivedtowardstheendofalongandseveredrought，andwasmetattherailwaystationbyadeputationofrepresentativebushmen，whoinvitedhim，inthefirstplace，toaccompanythemtotheprincipalpub——
whichhedid。Hehadbeenobservedtostudythesceneryagooddealwhilecomingupinthetrain，butkepthisconclusionstohimself。
Onthewaytothepubhehadalookatthetown，anditwasnoticedthathetiltedhishatforwardveryoften，andscratchedthebackofhisheadagooddeal，andponderedalot;butherefrainedfromexpressinganopinion——evenwheninvitedtodoso。Heguessedthathisopinionswouldn’tdomuchgood，anyway，andhecalculatedthattheywouldkeeptillhegotback"overourway"——bywhichitwasreckonedhemeanttheStates。
Whentheyaskedhimwhathe’dhave，hesaidtoWattythepublican：
"Wal，Ireckonyoucanbuildmeyournationaldrink。IguessI’lltryit。"
Alongcolonialwasdrawnforhim，andhetriedit。Heseemedratherstartledatfirst，thenhelookedcuriouslyatthehalf-emptyglass，setitdownverysoftlyonthebar，andleanedagainstthesameandfellintoareverie;fromwhichherousedhimselfafterawhile，withasorrowfuljerkofhishead。
"Ah，well，"hesaid。"Showmethisriverofyourn。"
TheyledhimtotheDarling，andhehadalookatit。
"Isthisyourriver？"heasked。
"Yes，"theyreplied，apprehensively。
Hetiltedhishatforwardtillthebrimnearlytouchedhisnose，scratchedthebackofhislongneck，shutoneeye，andlookedattheriverwiththeother。Then，afterspittinghalfapintoftobaccojuiceintothestream，heturnedsadlyonhisheelandledthewaybacktothepub。
Heinvitedtheboysto"pisenthemselves";aftertheywereservedheorderedoutthelongesttumbleronthepremises，pouredadropintoitfromnearlyeverybottleontheshelf，addedalumpofice，anddrankslowlyandsteadily。
Thenhetookpityontheimpatientandanxiouspopulation，openedhismouth，andspake。
"Lookhere，fellows，"hedrawled，jerkinghisarminthedirectionoftheriver，"I’lltellyouwhatI’lldew。I’llbottlethatdamnedriverofyournintwenty-fourhours！"
Lateronhemellowedabit，undertheinfluenceofseveraldrinkswhichwerecarefullyandconscientiously"built"fromplansandspecificationssuppliedbyhimself，andthen，amongotherthings，hesaid：
"Ifthatthereriverrisesashighasyousayitdew——andifthiswastheStates——why，we’dhavehadtheGreatEasternupheretwentyyearsago"————orwordstothateffect。
Thenheadded，reflectively：
"WhenIcomeoverhereIcalculatedthatIwasgoingtomakethingshum，butnowIguessI’llhavetochangemyprospectus。
There’salotoflooseenergylayingroundoverourway，butIguessthatifIwantedtomakethingsmoveinyourcountryI’dhavetobringovertheentireAmericannation——alsohiswifeanddawg。
You’vegotthemakingsofagloriousnationoverhere，butyoudon’tgetupearlyenough！"……
TheonlynationalworkperformedbytheblacksisontheDarling。
Theythrewadamofrocksacrosstheriver——nearBrewarrina，wethink——
tomakeafishtrap。It’sthereyet。ButGodonlyknowswheretheygotthestonesfrom，orhowtheycarriedthem，forthereisn’tapebblewithinfortymiles。
ACasefortheOracleTheOracleandIwerecampedtogether。TheOraclewasabricklayerbytrade，andhadtwoorthreesmallcontractsonhand。Iwas"doingabitofhouse-painting"。Therewereaplasterer，acarpenter，andaplumber——
wewereallT’othersiders，andoldmates，andweworkedthingstogether。
ItwasinWestralia——theLandofT’othersiders——and，therefore，wewerenotsurprisedwhenMitchellturnedupearlyonemorning，withhisswagandanatmosphereofsaltwaterabouthim。
He’dhadaroughtrip，hesaid，andwouldtakeaspellthatdayandtakethelayofthelandandhavesomethingcookedforusbythetimewecamehome;andgotografthimselfnextmorning。
Andnextmorninghewenttowork，"labouring"fortheOracle。
TheOracleandhismates，beingsmallcontractorsandnotpressedfortime，haddispensedwiththeservicesofalabourer，andhaddonetheirownmixingandhod-carryinginturns。Theydidn’twantalabourernow，buttheOraclewasavaguefatalist，andMitchelladecidedone。
Soitpassed。
TheOraclehada"Case"rightunderhisnose——inhisownemploy，infact;
butwasnotawareofthefactuntilMitchelldrewhisattentiontoit。
TheCasewentbythenameofAlfredO’Briar——whichhintedamixedparentage。
Hewasasmall，nervousworking-man，ofnoparticularcolour，andnodecidedcharacter，apparently。Ifhehadasoulabovebricks，heneverbetrayedit。Hewasnotpopularonthejobs。
TherewassomethingslyaboutAlf，theysaid。
TheOraclehadtakenhimoninthefirstplaceasaday-labourer，butafterwardssharedthepaywithhimaswithMitchell。
O’Briarshouted——judiciously，butoneverypossibleoccasion——
fortheOracle;and，ashewasanindifferentworkman，theboyssaidheonlydidthissothattheOraclemightkeephimon。
IfO’Briartookthingseasyanddidnomorethantherestofus，atleastoneofuswouldbesuretogetitintohisheadthathewasloafingonus;andifhegraftedharderthanwedid，we’dbesuretofeelindignantaboutthattoo，andreckonthatitwasdoneoutofnastinessorcrawlsomeness，andfeelacontemptforhimaccordingly。
WefoundoutaccidentallythatO’Briarwasanexcellentmimicandabitofaventriloquist，butheneverentertaineduswithhispeculiargifts;andwesetthatdowntochurlishness。
O’Briarkepthisowncounsel，andhishistory，ifhehadone;
andhidhishopes，joys，andsorrows，ifhehadany，behindavacantgrin，asMitchellhidhisbehindaquizzicalone。Heneverresentedallegedsatire——perhapshecouldn’tseeit——andthereforehegotthenameofbeingacur。
Asarule，hewascarefulwithhismoney，andwascalledmean——
not，however，bytheOracle，whosephilosophywassimple，andwhosesympathycouldnotrealisealimit;noryetbyMitchell。
Mitchellwaited……
O’Briaroccupiedasmalltentbyhimself，andlivedprivatelyofevenings。
Whenwebegantoheartwomentalkingatnightinhistent，wewererathersurprised，andwonderedinavaguekindofwayhowanyofthechapscouldtakesufficientinterestinAlftogoinandyarnwithhim。Inthedayswhenhewassupposedtobesociable，wehadvotedhimabore;eventheOraclewasmovedtoadmitthathewas"abitslow"。
Butlateonenightwedistinctlyheardawoman’svoiceinO’Briar’stent。
TheOraclesuddenlybecamehardofhearing，and，thoughweheardthevoiceonseveraloccasions，heremainedexasperatinglydeaf，yetaggressivelyunconsciousofthefact。"Ihavegotenoughtodopuzzlingovermeownwhysandwherefores，"hesaid。MitchellbegantotakesomeinterestinO’Briar，andtreatedhimwithgreaterrespect。
Butourcamphadthenameofbeingthebest-constructed，thecleanest，andthemostrespectableinthevicinity。
Thehealthofficerandconstableinchargehadcomplimentedusonthefact，andwewereproudofit。Andtherewerethreeyoungmarriedcouplesincamp，alsoaDarbyandJoan;therefore，whenthevoiceofawomanbegantobeheardfrequentlyandatdisreputablehoursofthenightinO’Briar’stent，wegotuneasyaboutit。Andwhentheconstablewhowasonnightdutygaveusafriendlyhint，MitchellandIagreedthatsomethingmustbedone。
"Avcoorse，menwillbemen，"saidtheconstable，asheturnedhishorse’shead，"butIthoughtI’dmentionit。O’Briarisadacentman，andhe’soneofyermates。Avcoorse。There’sabadlotinthatcampinthescruboveryander，and——avcoorse。Good-daytoye，byes。"……
NextnightweheardthevoiceinO’Briar’stentagain，anddecidedtospeaktoAlfinafriendlywayaboutitinthemorning。
Welistenedoutsideinthedark，butcouldnotdistinguishthewords，thoughIthoughtIrecognisedthevoice。
"It’sthehussyfromthecampoverthere;she’sgotholtofthatfool，andshe’llcleanhimoutbeforeshe’sdone，"Isaid。"We’reAlf’smates，anywayitgoes，andweoughttoputastoptoit。"
"Whathussy？"askedMitchell;"there’sthreeorfourthere。"
"Theonewithherhairalloverherhead，"Ianswered。
"Whereelseshoulditbe？"askedMitchell。"ButI’lljusthaveapeepandseewhoitis。There’snoharminthat。"
Hecreptuptothetentandcautiouslymovedtheflap。Alf’scandlewasalight;helayonhisbackinhisbunkwithhisarmsunderhishead，calmlysmoking。Wewithdrew。
"Theymusthaveheardus，"saidMitchell;"andshe’sslippedoutunderthetentattheback，andthroughthefenceintothescrub。"
Mitchell’srespectforAlfincreasedvisibly。
Butwebegantohearominouswhispersfromtheyoungmarriedcouples，andnextSaturdaynight，whichwaspay-night，wedecidedtoseeitthrough。
WedidnotcaretospeaktoAlfuntilweweresure。Hestayedincamp，asheoftendid，onSaturdayevening，whiletheotherswentuptown。
MitchellandIreturnedearlierthanusual，andleanedonthefenceatthebackofAlf’stent。
Wewerescarcelytherewhenwewerestartledbya"rat-tat-tat"asofsomeoneknockingatadoor。Thenanoldwoman’svoiceINSIDEthetentasked：
"Who’sthere？"
"It’sme，"saidAlf’svoicefromthefront，"Mr。O’BriarfromPerth。"
"Mary，goandopenthedoor！"saidtheoldwoman。（Mitchellnudgedmetokeepquiet。）
"Comein，Mr。O’Breer，"saidtheoldwoman。"Comein。Howdoyoudo？
Whendidyougetback？"
"Onlylastnight，"saidAlf。
"Lookatthatnow！Blessusall！Andhowdidyoulikethecountryatall？"
"Ididn’tcaremuchforit，"saidAlf。Welostthethreadofituntiltheoldwomanspokeagain。
"Haveyouhadyourtea，Mr。O’Breer？"
"Yes，thankyou，Mrs。O’Connor。"
"Areyouquitesure，man？"
"Quitesure，thankyou，Mrs。O’Connor。"（Mitchelltrodonmyfoot。）
"Willyouhaveadropofwhiskyoraglassofbeer，Mr。O’Breer？"
"I’lltakeaglassofbeer，thankyou，Mrs。O’Connor。"
Thereseemedtobealongpause。Thentheoldwomansaid，"Ah，well，Imustgetmyworkdone，andMarywillstophereandkeepyoucompany，Mr。O’Breer。"Thearrangementseemedsatisfactorytoallparties，fortherewasnothingmoresaidforawhile。（Mitchellnudgedmeagain，withemphasis，andIkickedhisshin。）
PresentlyAlfsaid："Mary！"Andagirl’svoicesaid，"Yes，Alf。"
"YourememberthenightIwentaway，Mary？"
"Yes，Alf，Ido。"
"Ihavetravelledlongwayssincethen，Mary;Iworkedhardandlivedclose。
Ididn’tmakemyfortune，butImanagedtorubanoteortwotogether。
Itwasahardtimeandalonesometimeforme，Mary。
Thesummer’sawfuloverthere，andlivin’sbadanddear。
Youcouldn’thaveanyideaofit，Mary。"
"No，Alf。"
"Ididn’tcomebacksowelloffasIexpected。"
"Butthatdoesn’tmatter，Alf。"
"Igotheart-sickandtiredofit，andcouldn’tstanditanylonger，Mary。"
"Butthat’sallovernow，Alf;youmustn’tthinkofit。"
"Yourmotherwrotetome。"
"Iknowshedid"——（verylowandgently）。
"Anddoyouknowwhatsheputinit，Mary？"
"Yes，Alf。"
"Anddidyouaskhertoputitin？"
"Don’taskme，Alf。"
"Andit’salltrue，Mary？"
Therewasnoanswer，butthesilenceseemedsatisfactory。
"AndbesureyouhaveyourselfdownhereonSunday，Alf，meson。"
（"There’stheoldwomancomeback！"saidMitchell。）
"An’sincethegirl’swillin’tohaveye，andtheouldwoman’swillin’——
there’smehandonit，Alf，meboy。An’Godblessyeboth。"
（"Theoldman’scomenow，"saidMitchell。）……
"Comealong，"saidMitchell，leadingthewaytothefrontofthetent。
"ButIwouldn’tliketointrudeonthem。It’shardlyright，Mitchell，isit？"
"That’sallright，"saidMitchell。Hetappedthetentpole。
"Comein，"saidAlf。Alfwaslyingonhisbunkasbefore，withhisarmsunderhishead。Hisfaceworeacheerful，nottosayhappy，expression。
Therewasnooneelseinthetent。Iwasnevermoresurprisedinmylife。
"Haveyougotthepaper，Alf？"saidMitchell。
"Yes。You’llfinditthereatthefootofthebunk。Thereitis。
Won’tyousitdown，Mitchell？"
"Notto-night，"saidMitchell。"Webroughtyouabottleofale。
We’rejustgoingtoturnin。"
Andwesaid"good-night"。"Well，"IsaidtoMitchellwhenwegotinside，"whatdoyouthinkofit？"
"Idon’tthinkofitatall，"saidMitchell。"Doyoumeantosayyoucan’tseeitnow？"
"No，I’mdashedifIcan，"Isaid。"Someofusmustbedrunk，Ithink，orgettingrats。It’snottobewonderedat，andthesoonerwegetoutofthiscountrythebetter。"
"Well，youmustbeafool，Joe，"saidMitchell。"Can’tyousee？
ALFTHINKSALOUD。"
"WHAT？"
"Talkstohimself。Hewasthinkingaboutgoingbacktohissweetheart。
Don’tyouknowhe’sabitofaventriloquist？"
Mitchelllayawakealongtime，inthepositionthatAlfusuallylayin，andthought。PerhapshethoughtonthesamelinesasAlfdidthatnight。
ButMitchelldidhisthinkinginsilence。
WethoughtitbesttotelltheOraclequietly。Hewasdeeplyinterested，butnotsurprised。"I’veheerdofsuchcasesbefore，"hesaid。
ButtheOraclewasagentleman。"There’sthingsthatamanwantstokeeptohimselfthatain’thisbusiness，"hesaid。
Andweunderstoodthisremarktobeintendedforourbenefit，andtoindicateacourseofactionuponwhichtheOraclehaddecided，withrespecttothiscase，andwhichwe，inhisopinion，shoulddowelltofollow。
Alfgotawayaweekorsolater，andwealltookaholidayandwentdowntoFremantletoseehimoff。PerhapshewonderedwhyMitchellgrippedhishandsohardandwishedhimlucksoearnestly，andwassurprisedwhenhegavehimthreecheers。
"Ah，well！"remarkedMitchell，asweturnedupthewharf。
"I’veheerdofsuchcasesbefore，"saidtheOracle，meditatively。
"Theyain’tcommon，butI’vehear’dofsuchcasesbefore。"
ADaughterofMaorilandAsketchofpoor-classMaorisThenewnative-schoolteacher，whowas"green"，"soft"，andpoetical，andhadaliteraryambition，calledher"August"，andfondlyhopedtobuildaromanceonhercharacter。ShewasdownintheschoolregistersasSarahMoses，Maori，16yearsandthreemonths。Shelookedtwenty;
butthiswasnothing，insomuchasthemotheroftheyoungestchildintheschool——adearlittlehalf-casteladyoftwoorthreesummers——
hadnotherselfthevaguestideaofthechild’sage，noranybodyelse’s，norofagesintheabstract。Thechurchregisterwaslostsomesixyearsbefore，when"Granny"，whowasahundred，ifaday，wassupposedtobeabouttwenty-five。Theteacherhadtoguesstheagesofallthenewpupils。
Augustwasapparentlytheoldestintheschool——abig，ungainly，awkwardgirl，withaheavynegrotypeofMaoricountenance，andaboutasmuchanimation，mentallyorphysically，asacow。
Shewasgiventobrooding;infact，shebroodedallthetime。
Shebroodedalldayoverherschoolwork，butdiditfairlywell。
Howthepreviousteachershadtaughtherallsheknewwasamysterytothenewone。TherehadbeenatragedyinAugust’sfamilywhenshewasachild，andtheaffairseemedtohavecastagloomoverthelivesoftheentirefamily，fortheloweringbroodingcloudwasonalltheirfaces。Augustwouldtaketothebushwhenthingswentwrongathome，andclimbatreeandbroodtillshewasfoundandcoaxedhome。
Things，accordingtopagossip，hadgonewrongwithherfromthedateofthetragedy，whenshe，abrightlittlegirl，wastaken——ahomelessorphan——tolivewithasister，and，afterwards，withanaunt-by-marriage。Theytreatedher，’twassaid，withabrutalitywhichmusthavebeengreatlyexaggeratedbypa-gossip，seeingthatunkindnessofthisdescriptionis，accordingtoallthebestauthorities，altogetherforeigntoMaorinature。
Pa-gossip——whichislessreliablethantheordinarywasherwomankind，becauseofadeeperandmoreviciousignorance——haditthatonetimewhenAugustwaspunishedbyateacher（orbeatenbyhersisteroraunt-by-marriage）she"tooktothebush"forthreedays，attheexpirationofwhichtimeshewasfoundonthegroundinanexhaustedcondition。ShewasevidentlyatrueMaoriorsavage，andthiswasoneofthereasonswhytheteacherwiththeliteraryambitiontookaninterestinher。Shehadaprintofaportraitofamaninsoldier’suniform，takenfromacopyofthe`IllustratedLondonNews’，pastedoverthefireplaceinthewharewhereshelived，andneatlyborderedbyvandykedstripsofsilveredtea-paper。
Shehadpasteditintheplaceofhonour，orasnearasshecouldgettoit。
TheplaceofhonourwassacredtoframedrepresentationsoftheNativityandCatholicsubjects，half-modelled，half-pictured。
TheprintwasaportraitofthelastCzarofRussia，ofallthemenintheworld;andAugustwasreportedtohavesaidthatshelovedthatman。
Hisfatherhadbeenmurdered，sohadhermother。Thiswasoneofthereasonswhytheteacherwiththeliteraryambitionthoughthecouldgetaromanceoutofher。
Afterthefirstweekshehungroundthenewschoolmistress，dog-like——
with"dog-likeaffection"，thoughttheteacher。Shecamedownoftenduringtheholidays，andhungabouttheverandahandbackdoorforanhourorso;then，by-and-bye，she’dbegone。Herbroodingseemedlessaggressiveonsuchoccasions。Theteacherreckonedthatshehadsomethingonhermind，andwantedtoopenherheartto"thewife"，butwastooignorantortooshy，poorgirl;andhereckoned，fromhistheoryofMaoricharacter，thatitmighttakeherweeks，ormonths，tocometothepoint。Oneday，afteragreatdealofencouragement，sheexplainedthatshefelt"soawfullylonely，Mrs。Lorrens。"
Alltheothergirlswereaway，andshewisheditwasschool-time。
Shewashappyandcheerfulagain，inherbroodingway，intheplayground。
Therewassomethingsadlyludicrousabouthergreat，ungainlyfiguresloppingroundabovethechildrenatplay。Theschoolmistresstookherintotheparlour，gaveherteaandcake，andwaskindtoher;
andshetookitallwithbroodycheerfulness。
OneSundaymorningshecamedowntothecottageandsatontheedgeoftheverandah，lookingaswretchedlymiserableasagirlcould。
Shewasinrags——atleast，shehadaragofadresson——
andwasbarefootedandbareheaded。Shesaidthatheraunthadturnedherout，andshewasgoingtowalkdownthecoasttoWhaleBaytohergrandmother——
alongday’sride。Theteacherwastroubled，becausehewasundecidedwhattodo。HehadtobecarefultoavoidanyunpleasantnessarisingoutofMaoricliquism。Astheteacherhecouldn’tlethergointhestateshewasin;fromthedepthsofhisgreennesshetrustedher，fromthedepthsofhissoftnesshepitiedher;hispoeticnaturewasfiercelyindignantonaccountofthepoorgirl’swrongs，andthewifespokeforher。Thenhethoughtofhisunwrittenromance，andregardedAugustinthelightofcopy，andthatsettledit。Whilehetalkedthematteroverwithhiswife，August"hidinthedarkofherhair，"
awaitingherdoom。Theteacherputhishaton，walkeduptothepa，andsawheraunt。ShedeniedthatshehadturnedAugustout，buttheteacherbelievedthegirl。Heexplainedhisposition，inwordssimplifiedforMaoricomprehension，andtheauntandrelationssaidtheyunderstood，andthathewas"perfectlyright，Mr。Lorrens。"
Theywereveryrespectful。TheteachersaidthatifAugustwouldnotreturnhome，hewaswillingtoletherstayatthecottageuntilsuchtimeasheruncle，whowasabsent，returned，andhe（theteacher）
couldtalkthematteroverwithhim。Therelationsthoughtthatthatwastheverybestthingthatcouldbedone，andthankedhim。
Theaunt，twosisters，andasmanyoftheothers，includingthechildren，aswerewithinsightorhailatthetime——mostofthemcouldnotbyanypossiblemeanshavehadtheslightestconnectionwiththebusinessinhand——accompaniedtheteachertothecottage。
Augusttooktotheflaxdirectlyshecaughtsightofherrelations，andwaswithdifficultyinducedtoreturn。TherewasalotoftalkinMaori，duringwhichthegirlandherauntshuffledandswungroundatthebackofeachother，andeachtalkedoverhershoulder，andlaughedfoolishlyandawkwardlyonceortwice;butintheendthegirlwassullenlydeterminednottoreturnhome，soitwasdecidedthatsheshouldstay。Theschoolmistressmadetea。
Augustbrightenedfromthefirstday。Shewasadifferentgirlaltogether。
"Ineversawsuchachangeinagirl，"saidtheyoungschoolmistress，andoneortwoothers。"Ialwaysthoughtshewasagoodgirliftakentherightway;allshewantedwasachangeandkindtreatment。"
ButthestolidoldMaorichairmanoftheschoolcommitteeonlyshruggedhisshouldersandsaid（whentheschoolmistress，woman-like，pressedhimforanopiniontoagreewithherown），"Youcanlookatittwoways，Mrs。Lorrens。"Which，bytheway，wasabouttheonlyexpressionofopinionthattheteacherwaseverabletogetoutofhimonanysubject。
Augustworkedandbehavedwell。ShewaswonderfullyquickinpickingupEnglishwaysandhousework。True，shewasawkwardandnotovercleanlyinsomethings，buthermistresshadpatiencewithher。
Whowouldn’thave？She"couldn’tdoenough"forherbenefactress;
shehungonherwordsandsatatherfootstoolofeveningsinawaythatgladdenedtheteacher’ssentimentalnature;
shecouldn’tbeartoseehimhelphiswifewithahat-pinorbutton——
Augustmustdoit。Sheinsistedondoinghermistress’haireverynight。
Inshort，shetriedineverywaytoshowhergratitude。
Theteacherandhiswifesmiledbrightlyateachotherbehindherback，andthoughthowcheerfulthehousewassinceshecame，andwonderedwhatthey’ddowithouther。Itwasasettledthingthattheyshouldtakeherbacktothecitywiththem，andhaveafaithfulandgratefulretaineralltheirlivesandasortofAuntChloefortheirchildren，whentheyhadany。Theteachergotyardsofcopyoutofherforhis"MaoriSketchesandCharacters"，workedjoyouslyathisromance，andfeltgreatalready，andwashappy。Shehadabedmadeuptemporarily（untiltheteachercouldgetaspringmattressforherfromtown）onthefloorinthedining-room，andwhenshe’dmadeherbedshe’dsquatonitinfrontofthefireandsingMaorisongsinasoftvoice。
She’dsingtheteacherandhiswife，inthenextroom，tosleep。
Thenshe’dgetupandhaveafeed，buttheyneverheardher。
Hermannersatthetable（forshewastreated"likeoneofthemselves"
inthebroadestsenseoftheterm）weresurprisinglygood，consideringthattheadultsofherpeopleweredecidedlycow-likeinwhitesociety，andscoffedsea-eggs，shell-fish，andmutton-birdsathomewithagallopwhichwasnotedifying。Herappetite，itwastrue，waspainfulattimestothepoeticsideoftheteacher’snature;
buthesupposedthatshe’dbeenhalf-starvedathome，poorgirl，andwouldgetoverit。Anyway，thecopyhe’dgetoutofherwouldrepayhimforthisandotherexpensesahundredfold。
Moreover，beggingandborrowinghadceasedwithheradvent，andtheteachersetthisdowntoherinfluence。
Thefirstjarcamewhenshewassentonhorsebacktothetownforgroceries，anddidn’tgetbacktilllatethenextday。Sheexplainedthatsomeofherrelationsgotholdofherandmadeherstay，andwantedhertogointopublic-houseswiththem，butshewouldn’t。
ShesaidthatSHEwantedtocomehome。Butwhydidn’tshe？Theteacherletitpass，andhopedshe’dgainstrengthofcharacterby-and-bye。
Hehadwaiteduplatethenightbeforewithhersupperonthehob;
andheandhiswifehadbeenanxiousforfearsomethinghadhappenedtothepoorgirlwhowasundertheircare。Hehadwalkedtothetreacherousriver-fordseveraltimesduringtheevening，andwaitedthereforher。Soperhapshewastired，andthatwaswhyhedidn’twritenextnight。
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